ServisFirst Bancshares (SFBS) 10-K 24 Feb 16 2015 FY Annual report Financial data

Document And Entity Information

Document And Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Feb. 22, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2015
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Entity Registrant Name	ServisFirst Bancshares, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	1,430,723
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$ 804,244,710
Trading Symbol	SFBS
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		26,142,698

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks	$ 46,614	$ 48,519
Interest-bearing balances due from depository institutions	270,836	248,054
Federal funds sold	34,785	891
Cash and cash equivalents	352,235	297,464
Available for sale debt securities, at fair value	342,938	298,310
Held to maturity debt securities (fair value of $27,910 and $29,974 at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively)	27,426	29,355
Restricted equity securities	4,954	3,921
Mortgage loans held for sale	8,249	5,984
Loans	4,216,375	3,359,858
Less allowance for loan losses	(43,419)	(35,629)
Loans, net	4,172,956	3,324,229
Premises and equipment, net	19,434	7,815
Accrued interest and dividends receivable	13,698	11,214
Deferred tax asset, net	23,425	15,716
Other real estate owned and repossessed assets	5,392	6,840
Bank owned life insurance contracts	91,594	86,288
Goodwill and other indentifiable intangible assets	15,330	0
Other assets	17,878	11,543
Total assets	5,095,509	4,098,679
Deposits:
Noninterest-bearing	1,053,467	810,460
Interest-bearing	3,170,421	2,587,700
Total deposits	4,223,888	3,398,160
Federal funds purchased	352,360	264,315
Other borrowings	55,637	19,973
Accrued interest payable	2,369	1,940
Other liabilities	12,108	7,078
Total liabilities	4,646,362	3,691,466
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock, par value $0.001 per share; 50,000,000 shares authorized; 25,972,698 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2015 and 24,801,518 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2014	26	25
Additional paid-in capital	211,546	185,397
Retained earnings	234,150	177,091
Accumulated other comprehensive income	3,048	4,490
Total stockholders' equity attributable to ServisFirst Bancshares, Inc.	448,770	406,961
Noncontrolling interest	377	252
Total stockholders' equity	449,147	407,213
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	5,095,509	4,098,679
Series A Preferred Stock [Member]
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock	0	39,958
Undesignated Preferred Stock [Member]
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock	$ 0	$ 0

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Held to maturity debt securities, fair value	$ 27,910	$ 29,974
Common stock, par value	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common stock, shares authorized	50,000,000	50,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	25,972,698	24,801,518
Common stock, shares outstanding	25,972,698	24,801,518
Series A Preferred Stock [Member]
Preferred stock, par value	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Preferred stock, liquidation preference	$ 1,000	$ 1,000
Preferred stock, authorized	40,000	40,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	40,000
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	40,000
Undesignated Preferred Stock [Member]
Preferred stock, par value	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Preferred stock, authorized	1,000,000	1,000,000
Preferred stock, undesignated	960,000	960,000

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCO

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Interest income:
Interest and fees on loans	$ 171,302	$ 136,066	$ 118,285
Taxable securities	4,331	4,497	3,888
Nontaxable securities	3,499	3,489	3,407
Federal funds sold	127	159	128
Other interest and dividends	716	514	373
Total interest income	179,975	144,725	126,081
Interest expense:
Deposits	14,894	12,420	11,830
Borrowed funds	2,810	1,699	1,789
Total interest expense	17,704	14,119	13,619
Net interest income	162,271	130,606	112,462
Provision for loan losses	12,847	10,259	13,008
Net interest income after provision for loan losses	149,424	120,347	99,454
Noninterest income:
Service charges on deposit accounts	5,088	4,265	3,228
Mortgage banking	2,682	2,047	2,513
Securities gains	29	3	131
Increase in cash surrender value life insurance	2,621	2,280	1,994
Other operating income	3,543	2,634	2,144
Total noninterest income	13,963	11,229	10,010
Noninterest expenses:
Salaries and employee benefits	38,913	31,017	26,324
Equipment and occupancy expense	6,389	5,547	5,202
Professional services	2,607	2,435	1,809
FDIC and other regulatory assessments	2,660	2,094	1,799
Other real estate owned expense	1,227	1,533	1,426
Merger expense	2,100	0	0
Other operating expenses	20,486	14,972	10,929
Total noninterest expenses	74,382	57,598	47,489
Income before income taxes	89,005	73,978	61,975
Provision for income taxes	25,465	21,601	20,358
Net income	63,540	52,377	41,617
Dividends on preferred stock	280	431	416
Net income available to common stockholders	$ 63,260	$ 51,946	$ 41,201
Basic earnings per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 2.46	$ 2.18	$ 2
Diluted earnings per common share	$ 2.39	$ 2.09	$ 1.9

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Net income	$ 63,540	$ 52,377	$ 41,617
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
Unrealized holding (losses) gains arising during period from securities available for sale, net of tax of $(767), $316 and $(1,781) for 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively	(1,423)	601	(3,319)
Reclassification adjustment for net gains on sale of securities in net income, net of tax of $10, $1 and $45 for 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively	(19)	(2)	(86)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(1,442)	599	(3,405)
Comprehensive income	$ 62,098	$ 52,976	$ 38,212

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COM6

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Parenthetical) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Unrealized holding (losses) gains arising during period from securities available for sale	$ (767)	$ 316	$ (1,781)
Reclassification adjustment for net gains on sale of securities in net income	$ 10	$ 1	$ 45

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Preferred Stock [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid In Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	$ 233,257	$ 39,958	$ 6	$ 93,505	$ 92,492	$ 7,296	$ 0
Common dividends paid	(3,682)	0	0	0	(3,682)	0	0
Common dividends declared	0
Preferred dividends paid	(416)	0	0	0	(416)	0	0
Exercise stock options and warrants, including tax benefit	3,279	0	0	3,279	0	0	0
Issue shares of REIT preferred stock	0
Issue shares of common stock, net of issuance cost	10,337	0	0	10,337	0	0	0
Issuance of 1,800,000 shares upon mandatory conversion of subordinated mandatorily convertible debentures	15,000	0	1	14,999	0	0	0
Stock-based compensation expense	1,205	0	0	1,205	0	0	0
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	(3,405)	0	0	0	0	(3,405)	0
Net income	41,617	0	0	0	41,617	0	0
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	297,192	39,958	7	123,325	130,011	3,891	0
Common dividends paid	(3,609)	0	0	0	(3,609)	0	0
Common dividends declared	(1,240)	0	0	0	(1,240)	0	0
Preferred dividends paid	(431)	0	0	0	(431)	0	0
Exercise stock options and warrants, including tax benefit	6,316	0	0	6,316	0	0	0
3-for-1 common stock split, in the form of a stock dividend	0	0	17	0	(17)	0	0
Issue shares of REIT preferred stock	250	0	0	0	0	0	250
Issue shares of common stock, net of issuance cost	52,076	0	1	52,075	0	0	0
Stock-based compensation expense	3,681	0	0	3,681	0	0	0
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	599	0	0	0	0	599	0
Net income	52,379	0	0	0	52,377	0	2
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	407,213	39,958	25	185,397	177,091	4,490	252
Common dividends paid	(4,643)	0	0	0	(4,643)	0	0
Common dividends declared	(1,558)	0	0	0	(1,558)	0	0
Preferred dividends paid	(280)	0	0	0	(280)	0	0
Exercise stock options and warrants, including tax benefit	3,801	0	0	3,801	0	0	0
Issue shares of REIT preferred stock	125	0	0	0	0	0	125
Issue 636,592 shares of common stock as consideration for Metro Bancshares, Inc. acquisition	19,356	0	1	19,355	0	0	0
Capitalized costs to issue shelf registration	(73)	0	0	(73)	0	0	0
Excess tax benefit on exercise and vesting of stock options	1,843	0	0	1,843	0	0	0
Issue shares of common stock, net of issuance cost	0
Redeem 40,000 shares of preferred stock issued to the Department of the Treasury under TARP	(40,000)	(39,958)	0	(42)	0	0	0
Stock-based compensation expense	1,265	0	0	1,265	0	0	0
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	(1,442)	0	0	0	0	(1,442)	0
Net income	63,540	0	0	0	63,540	0	0
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2015	$ 449,147	$ 0	$ 26	$ 211,546	$ 234,150	$ 3,048	$ 377

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STO8

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Stock Options And Warrants Exercised	525,500	883,983	494,100
Stock option and Warrants Exercised Tax Benefits		$ 971	$ 262
Conversion of Stock, Shares Issued			1,800,000
Payments of Stock Issuance Costs		$ 4,777
Common Dividends Paid Per Share	$ 0.18	$ 0.15	$ 0.167
Common Dividends Declared Per Share	$ 0.06	$ 0.05
Issue shares of REIT preferred	125	250
Stockholders' Equity Note, Stock Split		3-for-1 common stock split
Common Stock [Member]
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues	636,592	1,875,000
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Issued for Services			750,000
Preferred Stock [Member]
Stock Redeemed or Called During Period, Shares	40,000

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$ 63,540	$ 52,377	$ 41,617
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
Deferred tax benefit	(4,876)	(5,021)	(1,805)
Provision for loan losses	12,847	10,259	13,008
Depreciation and amortization	2,219	1,838	1,841
Net amortization of investments	4,713	3,247	1,122
Accretion on acquired loans	(1,954)	0	0
Amortization of core deposit intangible	376	0	0
Increase in accrued interest and dividends receivable	(2,000)	(952)	(1,104)
Stock-based compensation expense	1,265	3,681	1,205
Increase (decrease) in accrued interest payable	340	1,171	(173)
Proceeds from sale of mortgage loans held for sale	137,020	107,678	192,576
Originations of mortgage loans held for sale	(136,603)	(103,481)	(172,371)
Gain on sale of securities available for sale	(29)	(3)	(131)
Gain on sale of mortgage loans held for sale	(2,682)	(2,047)	(2,513)
Net loss on sale of other real estate owned and repossessed assets	136	413	159
Write down of other real estate owned and repossessed assets	643	811	433
Decrease in special prepaid FDIC insurance assessments	0	0	2,498
Increase in cash surrender value of life insurance contracts	(2,621)	(2,280)	(1,994)
Losses on tax credit partnerships	152	207	0
Excess tax benefits from the exercise of warrants	(1,843)	(971)	(262)
Net change in other assets, liabilities, and other operating activities	3,781	(2,812)	92
Net cash provided by operating activities	74,424	64,115	74,198
INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES
Purchase of debt securities available for sale	(81,781)	(65,398)	(83,455)
Proceeds from maturities, calls and paydowns of debt securities available for sale	46,271	32,833	40,959
Proceeds from sale of debt securities available for sale	16,738	173	4,140
Purchase of debt securities held to maturity	(202)	0	(10,668)
Proceeds from maturities, calls and paydowns of debt securities held to maturity	2,131	2,919	4,361
Increase in loans	(710,917)	(508,026)	(515,644)
Purchase of premises and equipment	(5,537)	(1,307)	(1,346)
Purchase of equity securities	(534)	0	0
Purchase of bank-owned life insurance contracts	0	(15,000)	(10,000)
Proceeds from sale of equity securities	0	320	203
Proceeds from sale of other real estate owned and repossessed assets	3,428	6,539	7,664
Expenditures to complete construction of other real estate owned	(118)	0	0
Investment in tax credit partnerships	(6,576)	(2,145)	(7,907)
Net cash paid in acquisition of Metro Bancshares, Inc.	(12,383)	0	0
Net cash used in investing activities	(749,480)	(549,092)	(571,693)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Net increase in noninterest-bearing deposits	195,729	160,004	105,282
Net increase in interest-bearing deposits	454,245	218,514	402,788
Net increase in federal funds purchased	85,870	89,935	57,315
Proceeds from issuance of 5% subordinated notes due July 15, 2025	34,750	0	0
Redemption of Series A Senior Non-Cumulative preferred stock	(40,000)	0	0
Proceeds from sale of common stock, net	0	52,076	10,337
Proceeds from sale of preferred stock, net	125	250	0
Proceeds from exercise of stock options and warrants	3,801	6,316	3,279
Excess tax benefits from exercise of stock options and warrants	1,843	971	262
Repayment of Federal Home Loan Bank advances	(300)	0	0
Capitalized costs to issue shelf registration	(73)	0	0
Dividends paid on common stock	(5,883)	(3,609)	(3,682)
Dividends paid on preferred stock	(280)	(431)	(416)
Net cash provided by financing activities	729,827	524,026	575,165
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	54,771	39,049	77,670
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	297,464	258,415	180,745
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	352,235	297,464	258,415
Cash paid for:
Interest	17,275	12,948	13,792
Income taxes	27,063	27,278	20,878
NONCASH TRANSACTIONS
Conversion of mandatorily convertible subordinated debentures	0	0	(15,000)
Other real estate acquired in settlement of loans	2,092	2,417	11,335
Internally financed sales of other real estate owned and repossessed assets	1,799	675	0
Dividends declared	1,558	1,240	0
Fair value of assets and liabilities from acquisition:
Fair value of assets acquired	204,985	0	0
Intangible assets acquired	15,707	0	0
Fair value of liabilities assumed	(180,410)	0	0
Total merger consideration	$ 40,282	$ 0	$ 0

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CA10

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW (Parenthetical)	Dec. 31, 2015
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	5.00%

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTI

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	NOTE 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES ServisFirst Bancshares, Inc. (the “Company”) was formed on August 16, 2007 and is a bank holding company whose business is conducted by its wholly-owned subsidiary ServisFirst Bank (the “Bank”). The Bank is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, and has provided a full range of banking services to individual and corporate customers throughout the Birmingham market since opening for business in May 2005. The Bank has since expanded into the Huntsville, Montgomery, Dothan and Mobile, Alabama, Pensacola, Florida, Atlanta, Georgia, Charleston, South Carolina and Nashville, Tennessee markets. On January 25, 2016, the Company also announced that it had hired a CEO for its newest market in the Tampa Bay area of Florida. The Bank has a subsidiary, SF Holding 1, Inc., which has subsidiaries, SF Realty 1, Inc., SF FLA Realty, Inc. and SF GA Realty, Inc., which operate as real estate investment trusts. More details about SF Holding 1, Inc. and its subsidiaries are included in Note 11. To prepare consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, management makes estimates and assumptions based on available information. These estimates and assumptions affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and the disclosures provided, and future results could differ. The allowance for loan losses, valuation of foreclosed real estate, goodwill and other intangible assets and fair values of financial instruments are particularly subject to change. All numbers are in thousands except share and per share data. Cash and due from banks includes cash on hand, cash items in process of collection, amounts due from banks and interest bearing balances due from financial institutions. For purposes of cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash and due from banks and federal funds sold. Generally, federal funds are purchased and sold for one-day periods. Cash flows from loans, mortgage loans held for sale, federal funds sold, and deposits are reported net. The Bank is required to maintain reserve balances in cash or on deposit with the Federal Reserve Bank based on a percentage of deposits. The total of those reserve balances was approximately $ 26.6 36.9 Securities are classified as available-for-sale when they might be sold before maturity. Unrealized holding gains and losses, net of tax, on securities available for sale are reported as a net amount in a separate component of stockholders’ equity until realized. Gains and losses on the sale of securities available for sale are determined using the specific-identification method. The amortization of premiums and the accretion of discounts are recognized in interest income using methods approximating the interest method over the period to maturity. Declines in the fair value of available-for-sale securities below their cost that are deemed to be other than temporary are reflected in earnings as realized losses. Securities are classified as held-to-maturity when the Company has the positive intent and ability to hold the securities to maturity. Held-to-maturity securities are reported at amortized cost. In determining the existence of other-than-temporary impairment losses, management considers (1) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, (2) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, and (3) the intent and ability of the Company to retain its investment in the issuer for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value. Investments in Restricted Equity Securities Carried at Cost Investments in restricted equity securities without a readily determinable market value are carried at cost . The Company classifies certain residential mortgage loans as held for sale. Typically mortgage loans held for sale are sold to a third party investor within a very short time period. The loans are sold without recourse and servicing is not retained. Net fees earned from this banking service are recorded in noninterest income. In the course of originating mortgage loans and selling those loans in the secondary market, the Company makes various representations and warranties to the purchaser of the mortgage loans. Each loan is underwritten using government agency guidelines. Any exceptions noted during this process are remedied prior to sale. These representations and warranties also apply to underwriting the real estate appraisal opinion of value for the collateral securing these loans. Under the representations and warranties, failure by the Company to comply with the underwriting and/or appraisal standards could result in the Company being required to repurchase the mortgage loan or to reimburse the investor for losses incurred (make whole requests) if such failure cannot be cured by the Company within the specified period following discovery. The Company continues to experience an insignificant level of investor repurchase demands. There were no expenses incurred as part of these buyback obligations for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014. Loans are reported at unpaid principal balances, less unearned fees and the allowance for loan losses. Interest on all loans is recognized as income based upon the applicable rate applied to the daily outstanding principal balance of the loans. Interest income on nonaccrual loans is recognized on a cash basis or cost recovery basis until the loan is returned to accrual status. A loan may be returned to accrual status if the Company is reasonably assured of repayment of principal and interest and the borrower has demonstrated sustained performance for a period of at least six months. Loan fees, net of direct costs, are reflected as an adjustment to the yield of the related loan over the term of the loan. The Company does not have a concentration of loans to any one industry. The accrual of interest on loans is discontinued when there is a significant deterioration in the financial condition of the borrower and full repayment of principal and interest is not expected or the principal or interest is more than 90 days past due, unless the loan is both well-collateralized and in the process of collection. Generally, all interest accrued but not collected for loans that are placed on nonaccrual status are reversed against current interest income. Interest collections on nonaccrual loans are generally applied as principal reductions. The Company determines past due or delinquency status of a loan based on contractual payment terms. A loan is considered impaired when it is probable the Company will be unable to collect all principal and interest payments due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Individually identified impaired loans are measured based on the present value of expected payments using the loan’s original effective rate as the discount rate, the loan’s observable market price, or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. If the recorded investment in the impaired loan exceeds the measure of fair value, a valuation allowance may be established as part of the allowance for loan losses. Changes to the valuation allowance are recorded as a component of the provision for loan losses. Impaired loans also include troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”). In the normal course of business management grants concessions to borrowers, which would not otherwise be considered, where the borrowers are experiencing financial difficulty. The concessions granted most frequently for TDRs involve reductions or delays in required payments of principal and interest for a specified time, the rescheduling of payments in accordance with a bankruptcy plan or the charge-off of a portion of the loan. In some cases, the conditions of the credit also warrant nonaccrual status, even after the restructure occurs. As part of the credit approval process, the restructured loans are evaluated for adequate collateral protection in determining the appropriate accrual status at the time of restructure. TDR loans may be returned to accrual status if there has been at least a six month sustained period of repayment performance by the borrower. Subsequent decreases to the expected cash flows will generally result in a provision for loan losses. Subsequent significant increases in cash flows result in a reversal of the provision for loan losses to the extent of prior provisions or a reclassification of amount from non-accretable difference to accretable yield, with a positive impact on the accretion of interest income in future periods. Acquired performing loans are accounted for using the contractual cash flows method of recognizing discount accretion based on the acquired loans’ contractual cash flows. Acquired performing loans are recorded as of the acquisition date at fair value, considering credit and other risks, with no separate allowance for loan losses account. Credit losses on the acquired performing loans are estimated in future periods based on analysis of the performing portfolio. A provision for loan losses is recognized for any further credit deterioration that occurs in these loans subsequent to the acquisition date. Fair value discounts on Day 1 are accreted as interest income over the life of the loans. Allowance for Loan Losses The allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level which, in management’s judgment, is adequate to absorb credit losses inherent in the loan portfolio. The amount of the allowance is based on management’s evaluation of the collectability of the loan portfolio, including the nature of the portfolio, credit concentrations, trends in historical loss experience, specific impaired loans, economic conditions, and other risks inherent in the portfolio. Allowances for impaired loans are generally determined based on collateral values or the present value of the estimated cash flows. The allowance is increased by a provision for loan losses, which is charged to expense, and reduced by charge-offs, net of recoveries. In addition, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the allowance for losses on loans. Such agencies may require the Company to recognize adjustments to the allowance based on their judgments about information available to them at the time of their examination. Foreclosed real estate includes both formally foreclosed property and in-substance foreclosed property. At the time of foreclosure, foreclosed real estate is recorded at fair value less cost to sell, which becomes the property’s new basis. Any write downs based on the asset’s fair value at date of acquisition are charged to the allowance for loan losses. After foreclosure, these assets are carried at the lower of their new cost basis or fair value less cost to sell. Costs incurred in maintaining foreclosed real estate and subsequent adjustments to the carrying amount of the property are included in other operating expenses. Premises and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Expenditures for additions and major improvements that significantly extend the useful lives of the assets are capitalized. Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred. Assets which are disposed of are removed from the accounts and the resulting gains or losses are recorded in operations. Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the related assets ( 3 10 Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the lesser of the lease terms or the estimated useful lives of the improvements. Goodwill and Other Identifiable Intangible Assets Other identifiable intangible assets include a core deposit intangible recorded in connection with the acquisition of Metro Bancshares, Inc. The core deposit intangible is being amortized over 7 The Company has recorded $ 13.6 As part of its overall interest rate risk management, the Company uses derivative instruments, which can include interest rate swaps, caps, and floors. Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) ASC 815-10, Derivatives and Hedging, requires all derivative instruments to be carried at fair value on the balance sheet. This accounting standard provides special accounting provisions for derivative instruments that qualify for hedge accounting. To be eligible, the Company must specifically identify a derivative as a hedging instrument and identify the risk being hedged. The derivative instrument must be shown to meet specific requirements under this accounting standard. The Company designates the derivative on the date the derivative contract is entered into as (1) a hedge of the fair value of a recognized asset or liability or of an unrecognized firm commitment (a “fair-value” hedge) or (2) a hedge of a forecasted transaction of the variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability (a “cash-flow” hedge). Changes in the fair value of a derivative that is highly effective as a fair-value hedge, and that is designated and qualifies as a fair-value hedge, along with the loss or gain on the hedged asset or liability that is attributable to the hedged risk (including losses or gains on firm commitments), are recorded in current-period earnings. The effective portion of the changes in the fair value of a derivative that is highly effective and that is designated and qualifies as a cash-flow hedge is recorded in other comprehensive income, until earnings are affected by the variability of cash flows (e.g., when periodic settlements on a variable-rate asset or liability are recorded in earnings). The remaining gain or loss on the derivative, if any, in excess of the cumulative change in the present value of future cash flows of the hedged item is recognized in earnings. The Company formally documents all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as its risk-management objective and strategy for undertaking various hedge transactions. This process includes linking all derivatives that are designated as fair-value or cash-flow hedges to specific assets and liabilities on the balance sheet or to specific firm commitments or forecasted transactions. The Company also formally assessed, both at the hedge’s inception and on an ongoing basis (if the hedges do not qualify for short-cut accounting), whether the derivatives that are used in hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting changes in fair values or cash flows of hedged items. When it is determined that a derivative is not highly effective as a hedge or that it has ceased to be a highly effective hedge, the Company discontinues hedge accounting prospectively, as discussed below. The Company discontinues hedge accounting prospectively when: (1) it is determined that the derivative is no longer effective in offsetting changes in the fair value or cash flows of a hedged item (including firm commitments or forecasted transactions); (2) the derivative expires or is sold, terminated, or exercised; (3) the derivative is re-designated as a hedge instrument, because it is unlikely that a forecasted transaction will occur; (4) a hedged firm commitment no longer meets the definition of a firm commitment; or (5) management determines that designation of the derivative as a hedge instrument is no longer appropriate. When hedge accounting is discontinued because it is determined that the derivative no longer qualifies as an effective fair-value hedge, hedge accounting is discontinued prospectively and the derivative will continue to be carried on the balance sheet at its fair value with all changes in fair value being recorded in earnings but with no offsetting being recorded on the hedged item or in other comprehensive income for cash flow hedges. The Company uses derivatives to hedge interest rate exposures associated with mortgage loans held for sale and mortgage loans in process. The Company regularly enters into derivative financial instruments in the form of forward contracts, as part of its normal asset/liability management strategies. The Company’s obligations under forward contracts consist of “best effort” commitments to deliver mortgage loans originated in the secondary market at a future date. Interest rate lock commitments related to loans that are originated for later sale are classified as derivatives. In the normal course of business, the Company regularly extends these rate lock commitments to customers during the loan origination process. The fair values of the Company’s forward contract and rate lock commitments to customers as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 were not material and have not been recorded. Income tax expense is the total of the current year income tax due or refundable and the change in deferred tax assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are the expected future tax amounts for the temporary differences between carrying amounts and tax bases of assets and liabilities, computed using enacted tax rates. A valuation allowance, if needed, reduces deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. ; The Company follows the provisions of ASC 740-10, Income Taxes. 50 At December 31, 2015, the Company had two stock-based compensation plans for grants of equity compensation to key employees and directors. These plans have been accounted for under the provisions of FASB ASC 718-10, Compensation – Stock Compensation with respect to employee stock options and under the provisions of FASB ASC 505-50, Equity-Based Payments to Non-Employees, with respect to non-employee stock options. The stock-based employee compensation plans are more fully described in Note 14. Basic earnings per common share are computed by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per common share include the dilutive effect of additional potential common shares issuable under stock options and warrants. Financial instruments, which include credit card arrangements, commitments to make loans and standby letters of credit, are issued to meet customer financing needs. The face amount for these items represents the exposure to loss before considering customer collateral or ability to repay. Such financial instruments are recorded when they are funded. Instruments such as stand-by letters of credit are considered financial guarantees in accordance with FASB ASC 460-10. The fair value of these financial guarantees is not material. Fair values of financial instruments are estimated using relevant market information and other assumptions, as more fully disclosed in Note 23. Fair value estimates involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment regarding interest rates, credit risk, prepayments, and other factors, especially in the absence of broad markets for particular items. Changes in assumptions or in market conditions could significantly affect the estimates. Comprehensive income consists of net income and other comprehensive income. Accumulated comprehensive income, which is recognized as a separate component of equity, includes unrealized gains and losses on securities available for sale. Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising expense for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $ 562,000 477,000 532,000 Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements In January 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-1, Investments-Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323): Accounting for Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Projects In January 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-04, Receivables-Troubled Debt Restructurings by Creditors (Subtopic 310-40): Reclassification of Residential Real Estate Collateralized Consumer Mortgage Loans upon Foreclosure Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved After the Requisite Service Period In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. In August 2015, the FASB issue ASU No. 2015-15, Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements: Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to Staff Announcement at June 18, 2015 EITF Meeting, In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14, Revenue From Contracts With Customers (Topic 606): Deferral of the Effective Date. Revenue From Contracts With Customers (Topic 606) In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-16, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-1, Financial Instruments Overall (Topic 825): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities

ACQUISITION

ACQUISITION	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
ACQUISITION	NOTE 2. ACQUISITION On January 31, 2015, the Company completed its acquisition of Metro Bancshares, Inc. (“Metro”) and Metro Bank, Metro’s wholly-owned bank subsidiary, for an aggregate of $ 20.9 636,592 January 31, 2015 As recorded by Fair value As recorded by Assets acquired: Cash and cash equivalents $ 8,543 $ - $ 8,543 Debt securities 28,833 (41) a 28,792 Equity securities 499 - 499 Loans 152,869 (3,874) b 148,995 Allowance for loan losses (1,621) 1,621 b - Premises and equipment, net 7,606 762 c 8,368 Accrued interest receivable 484 - 484 Deferred taxes 754 3,153 d 3,907 Other real estate owned 2,373 (25) e 2,348 Bank owned life insurance contracts 2,685 - 2,685 Core deposit intangible - 2,090 f 2,090 Other assets 364 - 364 Total assets acquired 203,389 3,686 207,075 Deposits 175,236 518 g 175,754 Federal funds purchased 2,175 - 2,175 Other borrowings 1,400 (4) h 1,396 Accrued interest payable 89 - 89 Other liabilities 996 - 996 Total liabilities assumed 179,896 514 180,410 Net assets acquired $ 23,493 $ 3,172 $ 26,665 Consideration Paid: Cash $ (20,926) Stock (19,356) Total consideration paid (40,282) Goodwill $ 13,617 (1) The Company’s acquisition of Metro Bancshares, Inc. closed on January 31, 2015. During the second quarter of 2015, the fair value of other real estate owned was adjusted down by $ 280,000 41,000 3,126,000 Explanation of fair value adjustments: a- Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustment based on the Company’s pricing of the acquired debt securities portfolio. b- Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustment based on the Company’s evaluation of the acquired loan portfolio and to eliminate the recorded allowance for loan losses. c- Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustment based on the Company’s evaluation of the premises and equipment acquired. d- Adjustment reflects the differences in the carrying values of acquired assets and assumed liabilities for financial statement purposes and their basis for federal income tax purposes. e- Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustment based on the Company’s evaluation of the other real estate owned acquired. f- Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustment for the core deposit intangible asset recorded as a result of the acquisition. g- Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustment based on the Company’s evaluation of the acquired deposits. h- Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustment based on the Company’s evaluation of the assumed debt. The estimated fair value of the purchased credit impaired loans acquired in the Metro transaction on January 31, 2015 was $ 5.1 Pro forma financial information is not provided because such amounts are immaterial to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

DEBT SECURITIES

DEBT SECURITIES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
DEBT SECURITIES	NOTE 3. DEBT SECURITIES Gross Gross Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Market Cost Gain Loss Value (In Thousands) December 31, 2015 Securities Available for Sale U.S. Treasury and government sponsored agencies $ 44,581 $ 569 $ (141) $ 45,009 Mortgage-backed securities 135,363 1,945 (354) 136,954 State and municipal securities 143,403 2,731 (101) 146,033 Corporate debt 14,902 67 (27) 14,942 Total $ 338,249 $ 5,312 $ (623) $ 342,938 Securities Held to Maturity Mortgage-backed securities 21,666 368 (332) 21,702 State and municipal securities 5,760 449 (1) 6,208 Total $ 27,426 $ 817 $ (333) $ 27,910 December 31, 2014 Securities Available for Sale U.S. Treasury and government sponsored agencies $ 50,363 $ 775 $ - $ 51,138 Mortgage-backed securities 92,439 3,095 (11) 95,523 State and municipal securities 132,780 3,211 (328) 135,663 Corporate debt 15,821 165 - 15,986 Total $ 291,403 $ 7,246 $ (339) $ 298,310 Securities Held to Maturity Mortgage-backed securities 23,804 449 (320) 23,933 State and municipal securities 5,551 490 - 6,041 Total $ 29,355 $ 939 $ (320) $ 29,974 All mortgage-backed debt securities are with government sponsored enterprises (GSEs) such as Federal National Mortgage Association, Government National Mortgage Association, Federal Home Loan Bank, and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation. At year-end 2015 and 2014, there were no holdings of debt securities of any issuer, other than the U.S. government and its agencies, in an amount greater than 10% of stockholders’ equity. December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 Amortized Cost Market Value Amortized Cost Market Value (In Thousands) Debt securities available for sale Due within one year $ 16,770 $ 16,868 $ 16,944 $ 17,246 Due from one to five years 153,880 156,311 121,591 123,962 Due from five to ten years 32,236 32,805 60,079 61,221 Due after ten years - - 350 358 Mortgage-backed securities 135,363 136,954 92,439 95,523 $ 338,249 $ 342,938 $ 291,403 $ 298,310 Debt securities held to maturity Due from five to ten years 627 659 298 325 Due after ten years 5,133 5,549 5,253 5,716 Mortgage-backed securities 21,666 21,702 23,804 23,933 $ 27,426 $ 27,910 $ 29,355 $ 29,974 The following table shows the gross unrealized losses and fair value of debt securities, aggregated by category and length of time that securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at December 31, 2015 and 2014. In estimating other-than-temporary impairment losses, management considers, among other things, the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer and the intent and ability of the Company to hold the security for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value. The unrealized losses shown in the following table are primarily due to increases in market rates over the yields available at the time of purchase of the underlying securities and not credit quality. Because the Company does not intend to sell these securities and it is more likely than not that the Company will not be required to sell the securities before recovery of their amortized cost basis, which may be maturity, the Company does not consider these securities to be other-than-temporarily impaired at December 31, 2015. There were no other-than-temporary impairments for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013. Less Than Twelve Months Twelve Months or More Total Gross Gross Gross Unrealized Unrealized Unrealized Losses Fair Value Losses Fair Value Losses Fair Value (In Thousands) December 31, 2015 U.S. Treasury and government sponsored agencies $ (141) $ 3,886 $ - $ - $ (141) $ 3,886 Mortgage-backed securities (354) 56,609 (332) 11,712 (686) 68,321 State and municipal securities (55) 15,464 (47) 4,531 (102) 19,995 Corporate debt (27) 2,961 - - (27) 2,961 Total $ (577) $ 78,920 $ (379) $ 16,243 $ (956) $ 95,163 December 31, 2014 U.S. Treasury and government sponsored agencies $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - Mortgage-backed securities - - (331) 17,751 (331) 17,751 State and municipal securities (162) 19,945 (166) 10,820 (328) 30,765 Corporate debt - - - - - - Total $ (162) $ 19,945 $ (497) $ 28,571 $ (659) $ 48,516 At December 31, 2015, 22 of the Company’s 771 debt securities were in an unrealized loss position for more than 12 months. The following table summarizes information about sales of debt securities available for sale. Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 (In Thousands) Sale proceeds $ 16,738 $ 173 $ 4,140 Gross realized gains $ 29 $ 3 $ 131 Gross realized losses - - - Net realized gain (loss) $ 29 $ 3 $ 131 The carrying value of debt securities pledged to secure public funds on deposits and for other purposes as required by law as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 was $ 245.5 230.6 Equity securities include (1) a restricted investment in Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta stock for membership requirement and to secure available lines of credit, (2) an investment in First National Bankers Bank stock, and (3) an investment in a Community Reinvestment Act (“CRA”)-qualified mutual fund. The amount of investment in the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta stock was $ 4.0 3.2 400,000 250,000 503,000

LOANS

LOANS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Receivables [Abstract]
LOANS	LOANS December 31, 2015 2014 (In Thousands) Commercial, financial and agricultural $ 1,760,479 $ 1,504,652 Real estate - construction 243,267 208,769 Real estate - mortgage: Owner-occupied commercial 1,014,669 793,917 1-4 family mortgage 444,134 333,455 Other mortgage 698,779 471,363 Total real estate - mortgage 2,157,582 1,598,735 Consumer 55,047 47,702 Total Loans 4,216,375 3,359,858 Less: Allowance for loan losses (43,419) (35,629) Net Loans $ 4,172,956 $ 3,324,229 Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 (In Thousands) Balance, beginning of year $ 35,629 $ 30,663 $ 26,258 Loans charged off (5,744) (5,771) (9,012) Recoveries 687 478 409 Provision for loan losses 12,847 10,259 13,008 Balance, end of year $ 43,419 $ 35,629 $ 30,663 The Company assesses the adequacy of its allowance for loan losses at the end of each calendar quarter. The level of the allowance is based on management’s evaluation of the loan portfolios, past loan loss experience, current asset quality trends, known and inherent risks in the portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay (including the timing of future payment), the estimated value of any underlying collateral, composition of the loan portfolio, economic conditions, industry and peer bank loan quality indications and other pertinent factors, including regulatory recommendations. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires material estimates including the amounts and timing of future cash flows expected to be received on impaired loans that may be susceptible to significant change. Loan losses are charged off when management believes that the full collectability of the loan is unlikely. A loan may be partially charged-off after a “confirming event” has occurred which serves to validate that full repayment pursuant to the terms of the loan is unlikely. Allocation of the allowance is made for specific loans, but the entire allowance is available for any loan that in management’s judgment deteriorates and is uncollectible. The portion of the reserve classified as qualitative factors, is management’s evaluation of potential future losses that would arise in the loan portfolio should management’s assumption about qualitative and environmental conditions materialize. This qualitative factor portion of the allowance for loan losses is based on management’s judgment regarding various external and internal factors including macroeconomic trends, management’s assessment of the Company’s loan growth prospects, and evaluations of internal risk controls. Inherent risks in the loan portfolio will differ based on type of loan. Specific risk characteristics by loan portfolio segment are listed below: Commercial and industrial loans Real estate construction loans Real estate mortgage loans Consumer loans The following table presents an analysis of the allowance for loan losses by portfolio segment as of December 31, 2015 and 2014. The total allowance for loan losses is disaggregated into those amounts associated with loans individually evaluated and those associated with loans collectively evaluated. Commercial, financial and Real estate - Real estate - agricultural construction mortgage Consumer Total (In Thousands) Year Ended December 31, 2015 Allowance for loan losses: Balance at December 31, 2014 $ 16,079 $ 6,395 $ 12,112 $ 1,043 $ 35,629 Charge-offs (3,802) (667) (1,104) (171) (5,744) Recoveries 279 238 169 1 687 Provision 8,939 (534) 4,884 (442) 12,847 Balance at December 31, 2015 $ 21,495 $ 5,432 $ 16,061 $ 431 $ 43,419 December 31, 2015 Individually Evaluated for Impairment $ 2,698 $ 1,223 $ 1,730 $ 32 $ 5,683 Collectively Evaluated for Impairment 18,797 4,209 14,331 399 37,736 Loans: Ending Balance $ 1,760,479 $ 243,267 $ 2,157,582 $ 55,047 $ 4,216,375 Individually Evaluated for Impairment 11,513 4,052 17,880 46 33,491 Collectively Evaluated for Impairment 1,748,966 239,215 2,139,702 55,001 4,182,884 Year Ended December 31, 2014 Allowance for loan losses: Balance at December 31, 2013 $ 13,576 $ 6,078 $ 10,065 $ 944 $ 30,663 Charge-offs (2,311) (1,267) (1,965) (228) (5,771) Recoveries 48 322 74 34 478 Provision 4,766 1,262 3,938 293 10,259 Balance at December 31, 2014 $ 16,079 $ 6,395 $ 12,112 $ 1,043 $ 35,629 December 31, 2014 Individually Evaluated for Impairment $ 1,344 $ 1,448 $ 1,636 $ 666 $ 5,094 Collectively Evaluated for Impairment 14,735 4,947 10,476 377 30,535 Loans: Ending Balance $ 1,504,652 $ 208,769 $ 1,598,735 $ 47,702 $ 3,359,858 Individually Evaluated for Impairment 10,350 5,680 10,029 666 26,725 Collectively Evaluated for Impairment 1,494,302 203,089 1,588,706 47,036 3,333,133 · Pass – loans which are well protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor (or obligors, if any) or by the fair value, less cost to acquire and sell, of any underlying collateral. · Special Mention – loans with potential weakness that may, if not reversed or corrected, weaken the credit or inadequately protect the Company’s position at some future date. These loans are not adversely classified and do not expose an institution to sufficient risk to warrant an adverse classification. · Substandard – loans that exhibit well-defined weakness or weaknesses that presently jeopardize debt repayment. These loans are characterized by the distinct possibility that the institution will sustain some loss if the weaknesses are not corrected. · Doubtful – loans that have all the weaknesses inherent in loans classified substandard, plus the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions, and values highly questionable and improbable. Special December 31, 2015 Pass Mention Substandard Doubtful Total (In Thousands) Commercial, financial and agricultural $ 1,701,591 $ 47,393 $ 11,495 $ - $ 1,760,479 Real estate - construction 233,046 6,221 4,000 - 243,267 Real estate - mortgage: Owner-occupied commercial 988,762 18,169 7,738 - 1,014,669 1-4 family mortgage 437,834 3,301 2,999 - 444,134 Other mortgage 683,157 11,086 4,536 - 698,779 Total real estate - mortgage 2,109,753 32,556 15,273 - 2,157,582 Consumer 54,973 42 32 - 55,047 Total $ 4,099,363 $ 86,212 $ 30,800 $ - $ 4,216,375 Special December 31, 2014 Pass Mention Substandard Doubtful Total (In Thousands) Commercial, financial and agricultural $ 1,468,916 $ 25,416 $ 10,320 $ - $ 1,504,652 Real estate - construction 197,727 5,332 5,710 - 208,769 Real estate - mortgage: Owner-occupied commercial 784,492 6,848 2,577 - 793,917 1-4 family mortgage 326,316 4,253 2,886 - 333,455 Other mortgage 457,782 9,015 4,566 - 471,363 Total real estate - mortgage 1,568,590 20,116 10,029 - 1,598,735 Consumer 46,999 37 666 - 47,702 Total $ 3,282,232 $ 50,901 $ 26,725 $ - $ 3,359,858 are as follows: December 31, 2015 Performing Nonperforming Total (In Thousands) Commercial, financial and agricultural $ 1,758,561 $ 1,918 $ 1,760,479 Real estate - construction 239,267 4,000 243,267 Real estate - mortgage: Owner-occupied commercial 1,014,669 - 1,014,669 1-4 family mortgage 443,936 198 444,134 Other mortgage 697,160 1,619 698,779 Total real estate - mortgage 2,155,765 1,817 2,157,582 Consumer 55,015 32 55,047 Total $ 4,208,608 $ 7,767 $ 4,216,375 December 31, 2014 Performing Nonperforming Total (In Thousands) Commercial, financial and agricultural $ 1,503,555 $ 1,097 $ 1,504,652 Real estate - construction 203,720 5,049 208,769 Real estate - mortgage: Owner-occupied commercial 793,234 683 793,917 1-4 family mortgage 331,859 1,596 333,455 Other mortgage 470,404 959 471,363 Total real estate - mortgage 1,595,497 3,238 1,598,735 Consumer 47,036 666 47,702 Total $ 3,349,808 $ 10,050 $ 3,359,858 Loans by past due status as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 are as follows: December 31, 2015 Past Due Status (Accruing Loans) Total Past 30-59 Days 60-89 Days 90+ Days Due Non-Accrual Current Total Loans (In Thousands) Commercial, financial and agricultural $ 50 $ 35 $ - $ 85 $ 1,918 $ 1,758,476 $ 1,760,479 Real estate - construction 198 12 - 210 4,000 239,057 243,267 Real estate - mortgage: Owner-occupied commercial - - - - - 1,014,669 1,014,669 1-4 family mortgage - 210 - 210 198 443,726 444,134 Other mortgage - - - - 1,619 697,160 698,779 Total real estate - mortgage - 210 - 210 1,817 2,155,555 2,157,582 Consumer 45 6 1 52 31 54,964 55,047 Total $ 293 $ 263 $ 1 $ 557 $ 7,766 $ 4,208,052 $ 4,216,375 December 31, 2014 Past Due Status (Accruing Loans) Total Past 30-59 Days 60-89 Days 90+ Days Due Non-Accrual Current Total Loans (In Thousands) Commercial, financial and agricultural $ 1,388 $ 3,490 $ 925 $ 5,803 $ 172 $ 1,498,677 $ 1,504,652 Real estate - construction - - - - 5,049 203,720 208,769 Real estate - mortgage: Owner-occupied commercial - - - - 683 793,234 793,917 1-4 family mortgage 14 - - 14 1,596 331,845 333,455 Other mortgage - - - - 959 470,404 471,363 Total real estate - mortgage 14 - - 14 3,238 1,595,483 1,598,735 Consumer 21 - - 21 666 47,015 47,702 Total $ 1,423 $ 3,490 $ 925 $ 5,838 $ 9,125 $ 3,344,895 $ 3,359,858 Fair value estimates for specifically impaired loans are derived from appraised values based on the current market value or as is value of the property, normally from recently received and reviewed appraisals. Appraisals are obtained from state-certified appraisers and are based on certain assumptions, which may include construction or development status and the highest and best use of the property. These appraisals are reviewed by our credit administration department to ensure they are acceptable, and values are adjusted down for costs associated with asset disposal. Once this estimated net realizable value has been determined, the value used in the impairment assessment is updated. As subsequent events dictate and estimated net realizable values decline, required reserves may be established or further adjustments recorded. December 31, 2015 Unpaid Average Interest Income Recorded Principal Related Recorded Recognized Investment Balance Allowance Investment in Period (In Thousands) With no allowance recorded: Commercial, financial and agricultural $ 478 $ 487 $ - $ 482 $ 24 Real estate - construction 161 163 - 370 1 Real estate - mortgage: Owner-occupied commercial 3,980 4,140 - 3,815 214 1-4 family mortgage 2,396 2,572 - 2,409 147 Other mortgage 4,079 4,694 - 4,559 222 Total real estate - mortgage 10,455 11,406 - 10,783 583 Consumer 14 20 - 18 1 Total with no allowance recorded 11,108 12,076 - 11,653 609 With an allowance recorded: Commercial, financial and agricultural 11,035 13,035 2,698 13,882 672 Real estate - construction 3,891 4,370 1,223 3,920 - Real estate - mortgage: Owner-occupied commercial 6,365 6,365 1,328 9,958 568 1-4 family mortgage 603 603 263 567 19 Other mortgage 457 457 139 880 17 Total real estate - mortgage 7,425 7,425 1,730 11,405 604 Consumer 32 32 32 34 - Total with allowance recorded 22,383 24,862 5,683 29,241 1,276 Total Impaired Loans: Commercial, financial and agricultural 11,513 13,522 2,698 14,364 696 Real estate - construction 4,052 4,533 1,223 4,290 1 Real estate - mortgage: Owner-occupied commercial 10,345 10,505 1,328 13,773 782 1-4 family mortgage 2,999 3,175 263 2,976 166 Other mortgage 4,536 5,151 139 5,439 239 Total real estate - mortgage 17,880 18,831 1,730 22,188 1,187 Consumer 46 52 32 52 1 Total impaired loans $ 33,491 $ 36,938 $ 5,683 $ 40,894 $ 1,885 December 31, 2014 Unpaid Average Interest Income Recorded Principal Related Recorded Recognized in Investment Balance Allowance Investment Period (In Thousands) With no allowance recorded: Commercial, financial and agricultural $ 7,059 $ 7,059 $ - $ 7,104 $ 406 Real estate - construction 1,527 1,527 - 1,493 40 Owner-occupied commercial 1,576 1,576 - 236 12 1-4 family mortgage 542 592 - 592 19 Other mortgage 1,944 1,944 - 2,283 142 Total real estate - mortgage 4,062 4,112 - 3,111 173 Consumer - - - - - Total with no allowance recorded 12,648 12,698 - 11,708 619 With an allowance recorded: Commercial, financial and agricultural 3,291 3,291 1,344 3,262 156 Real estate - construction 4,153 4,633 1,448 4,382 19 Real estate - mortgage: Owner-occupied commercial 1,001 1,001 160 1,140 29 1-4 family mortgage 2,344 2,344 694 2,743 56 Other mortgage 2,622 2,622 782 2,767 84 Total real estate - mortgage 5,967 5,967 1,636 6,650 169 Consumer 666 666 666 681 - Total with allowance recorded 14,077 14,557 5,094 14,975 344 Total Impaired Loans: Commercial, financial and agricultural 10,350 10,350 1,344 10,366 562 Real estate - construction 5,680 6,160 1,448 5,875 59 Real estate - mortgage: Owner-occupied commercial 2,577 2,577 160 1,376 41 1-4 family mortgage 2,886 2,936 694 3,335 75 Other mortgage 4,566 4,566 782 5,050 226 Total real estate - mortgage 10,029 10,079 1,636 9,761 342 Consumer 666 666 666 681 - Total impaired loans $ 26,725 $ 27,255 $ 5,094 $ 26,683 $ 963 Troubled Debt Restructurings (“TDR”) at December 31, 2015 and 2014 totaled $ 7.7 9.0 0.9 1.0 Year Ended December 31, 2015 Pre- Post- Modification Modification Outstanding Outstanding Number of Recorded Recorded Contracts Investment Investment (In Thousands) Troubled Debt Restructurings Commercial, financial and agricultural 8 $ 6,618 $ 6,618 Real estate - construction - - - Real estate - mortgage: Owner-occupied commercial - - - 1-4 family mortgage - - - Other mortgage 1 253 253 Total real estate - mortgage 1 253 253 Consumer - - - 9 $ 6,871 $ 6,871 Year ended December 31, 2014 Pre- Post- Modification Modification Outstanding Outstanding Number of Recorded Recorded Contracts Investment Investment Commercial, financial and agricultural 9 $ 7,139 $ 7,139 Real estate - construction - - - Real estate - mortgage: Owner-occupied commercial - - - 1-4 family mortgage 1 4,449 4,449 Other mortgage 2 1,684 1,684 Total real estate - mortgage 3 6,133 6,133 Consumer - - - 12 $ 13,272 $ 13,272 The following table presents TDRs by portfolio segment which defaulted during the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, and which were modified in the previous twelve months (i.e., the twelve months prior to default). For purposes of this disclosure default is defined as 90 days past due and still accruing or placement on nonaccrual status. Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 Defaulted during the period, where modified in a TDR twelve months prior to default Commercial, financial and agricultural $ - $ 925 Real estate - mortgage: 1-4 family mortgage - 4,313 Other mortgage - - Total real estate - mortgage - 4,313 Consumer - - $ - $ 5,238 In the ordinary course of business, the Company has granted loans to certain related parties, including directors, and their affiliates. The interest rates on these loans were substantially the same as rates prevailing at the time of the transaction and repayment terms are customary for the type of loan. Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 (In Thousands) Balance, beginning of year $ 13,083 $ 13,117 Advances 15,442 4,080 Repayments (16,435) (4,114) Balance, end of year $ 12,090 $ 13,083

FORECLOSED PROPERTIES

FORECLOSED PROPERTIES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Foreclosed Properties [Abstract]
FORECLOSED PROPERTIES	FORECLOSED PROPERTIES Other real estate and certain other assets acquired in foreclosure are carried at the lower of the recorded investment in the loan or fair value less estimated costs to sell the property. Residential real estate loan foreclosures classified as OREO totaled $ 1,141,000 684,000 No residential real estate loans were in the process of being foreclosed as of December 31, 2015. 2015 2014 2013 (In Thousands) Balance at beginning of year $ 6,840 $ 12,861 $ 9,685 OREO acquired 2,348 - - Transfers from loans and capitalized expenses 2,210 2,417 11,355 Foreclosed properties sold (5,227) (7,214) (7,664) Writedowns and partial liquidations (779) (1,224) (515) Balance at end of year $ 5,392 $ 6,840 $ 12,861

PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT

PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT	PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT December 31, 2015 2014 (In Thousands) Land and building $ 13,293 $ 1,733 Furniture and equipment 12,102 10,240 Leasehold improvements 6,042 5,748 Construction in progress 982 - 32,419 17,721 Accumulated depreciation (12,985) (9,906) $ 19,434 $ 7,815 Increases in land and building during 2015 are the result of bank properties from the acquisition of Metro and acquisition by the bank of property for the construction of a new headquarters building in Birmingham, Alabama. The new headquarters building will consist of approximately 97,500 The provisions for depreciation charged to occupancy and equipment expense for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 were $ 2,219,000 1,838,000 1,841,000 (In Thousands) 2016 $ 3,304 2017 3,014 2018 2,775 2019 2,273 2020 1,631 Thereafter 3,408 $ 16,405 For the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, annual rental expense on operating leases was $ 2,919,000 2,674,000 2,488,000

VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES (VIE

VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES (VIEs)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Variable Interest Entities [Abstract]
VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES (VIEs)	VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES (VIEs) The Company utilizes special purpose entities (SPEs) that constitute investments in limited partnerships that undertake certain development projects to achieve federal and state tax credits. These SPEs are typically structured as VIEs and are thus subject to consolidation by the reporting enterprise that absorbs the majority of the economic risks and rewards of the VIE. To determine whether it must consolidate a VIE, the Company analyzes the design of the VIE to identify the sources of variability within the VIE, including an assessment of the nature of risks created by the assets and other contractual obligations of the VIE, and determines whether it will absorb a majority of that variability. The Company has invested in a limited partnership for which it determined it is not the primary beneficiary, and which thus is not subject to consolidation by the Company. The Company reports its investment in this partnership at its net realizable value, estimated to be the discounted value of the remaining amount of tax credits to be received. The amount recorded as investment in this partnership at December 31, 2015 and 2014 was $199,000 and $265,000, respectively, and is included in other assets. The Company has invested in limited partnerships as a funding investor. The partnerships are single purpose entities that lend money to real estate investors for the purpose of acquiring and operating, or rehabbing, commercial property. The investments qualify for New Market Tax Credits under Internal Revenue Code Section 45D, as amended, or Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits under Code Section 47, as amended. For each of the partnerships, the Company acts strictly in a limited partner capacity. The Company has determined that it is not the primary beneficiary of these partnerships because it does not have the power to direct the activities of the entity that most significantly impact the entities’ economic performance. The amount of recorded investment in these partnerships as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 was $ 25,311,000 25,460,000 of which $ 14,876,000 17,386,000

DEPOSITS

DEPOSITS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Deposits [Abstract]
DEPOSITS	NOTE 8. DEPOSITS December 31, 2015 2014 (In Thousands) Noninterest-bearing demand $ 1,053,467 $ 810,460 Interest-bearing checking 2,626,575 2,158,984 Savings 41,403 29,125 Time deposits, $250,000 and under 236,961 205,414 Time deposits, over $250,000 265,482 194,177 $ 4,223,888 $ 3,398,160 (In Thousands) 2016 $ 294,661 2017 91,103 2018 62,542 2019 24,098 2020 29,864 Thereafter 175 $ 502,443 At December 31, 2015 and 2014, overdraft deposits reclassified to loans were $ 1,594,000 3,544,000

FEDERAL FUNDS PURCHASED

FEDERAL FUNDS PURCHASED	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Federal Funds Purchased [Abstract]
FEDERAL FUNDS PURCHASED	FEDERAL FUNDS PURCHASED At December 31, 2015, the Company had $ 352.4 264.3 0.55 0.75 0.25% and 0.30% as of December 31, At December 31, 2015, the Company had available lines of credit totaling approximately $ 180.0 160.0

OTHER BORROWINGS

OTHER BORROWINGS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
OTHER BORROWINGS	NOTE 10. OTHER BORROWINGS Other borrowings are comprised of: · $ 20.0 5.5 · $ 34.75 5 · $ 1.0 0.75 100,000 May 22, 2018. Debt is reported net of issuance costs.

SF HOLDING 1, INC., SF REALTY 1

SF HOLDING 1, INC., SF REALTY 1, INC., SF FLA REALTY, INC. AND SF GA REALTY, INC.	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Investments In Subsidiaries [Abstract]
SF HOLDING 1, INC., SF REALTY 1, INC., SF FLA REALTY, INC. AND SF GA REALTY, INC.	NOTE 11. SF HOLDING 1, INC., SF REALTY 1, INC., SF FLA REALTY, INC. AND SF GA REALTY, INC. In January 2012, the Company formed SF Holding 1, Inc., an Alabama corporation, and its subsidiary, SF Realty 1, Inc., an Alabama corporation. In September 2013, the Company formed SF FLA Realty, Inc., an Alabama corporation and a subsidiary of SF Holding 1, Inc. In May 2014, the Company formed SF GA Realty, Inc., an Alabama corporation and a subsidiary of SF Holding 1, Inc. SF Realty 1, SF FLA Realty and SF GA Realty all hold and manage participations in residential mortgages and commercial real estate loans originated by ServisFirst Bank and have elected to be treated as real estate investment trusts (“REIT”) for U.S. income tax purposes. SF Holding 1, Inc., SF Realty 1, Inc., SF FLA Realty, Inc. and SF GA Realty, Inc. are all consolidated into the Company.

PARTICIPATION IN THE SMALL BUSI

PARTICIPATION IN THE SMALL BUSINESS LENDING FUND OF THE U.S. TREASURY DEPARTMENT	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Banking and Thrift [Abstract]
PARTICIPATION IN THE SMALL BUSINESS LENDING FUND OF THE U.S. TREASURY DEPARTMENT	PARTICIPATION IN THE SMALL BUSINESS LENDING FUND OF THE U.S. TREASURY DEPARTMENT On July 31, 2015, the Company redeemed all 40,000 40,033,000 The Preferred Stock, Series A, was issued pursuant to the Treasury’s Small Business Lending Fund program, a $ 30 10 1 .

DERIVATIVES

DERIVATIVES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
DERIVATIVES	DERIVATIVES The Company has entered into agreements with secondary market investors to deliver loans on a “best efforts delivery” basis. When a rate is committed to a borrower, it is based on the best price that day and locked with the investor for the customer for a 30-day period. In the event the loan is not delivered to the investor, the Company has no risk or exposure with the investor. The interest rate lock commitments related to loans that are originated for later sale are classified as derivatives. The fair values of the Company’s agreements with investors and rate lock commitments to customers as of December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were not material.

EMPLOYEE AND DIRECTOR BENEFITS

EMPLOYEE AND DIRECTOR BENEFITS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs, Share-Based Payments [Abstract]
EMPLOYEE AND DIRECTOR BENEFITS	NOTE 14. EMPLOYEE AND DIRECTOR BENEFITS At December 31, 2015, the Company has two stock incentive plans, which are described below. The compensation cost that has been charged against income for the plans was approximately $ 1,265,000 3,681,000 1,205,000 2,503,000 Stock Incentive Plans The Company’s 2005 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2005 Plan”), originally permitted the grant of stock options to its officers, employees, directors and organizers of the Company for up to 1,575,000 3,075,000 On March 23, 2009, the Company’s board of directors adopted the 2009 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2009 Plan”), which was effective upon approval by the stockholders at the 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The 2009 Plan originally permitted the grant of up to 1,275,000 2,775,000 As of December 31, 2015, there are a total of 2,099,510 The fair value of each stock option award is estimated on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes-Merton valuation model that uses the assumptions noted in the following table. Expected volatilities are based on an index of approximately 70 publicly traded banks in the southeast United States. The expected term of options granted is based on the short-cut method and represents the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding. 2015 2014 2013 Expected volatility 24.00 % 19.25 % 18.65 % Expected dividends 0.71 % 1.31 % - % Expected term (in years) 6 8 7 Risk-free rate 1.85 % 2.24 % 1.72 % The weighted average grant-date fair value of options granted during the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $ 8.40 3.69 3.04 Shares Weighted Weighted Aggregate (In Thousands) Year Ended December 31, 2015: Outstanding at beginning of year 1,622,917 $ 9.38 5.9 $ 38,256 Granted 162,000 33.26 9.2 2,311 Exercised (525,500) 7.23 2.7 21,177 Forfeited (10,000) 16.79 7.1 - Outstanding at end of year 1,249,417 $ 13.32 6.3 $ 42,746 Exercisable at December 31, 2015 205,418 $ 9.68 5.4 $ 7,775 Year Ended December 31, 2014: Outstanding at beginning of year 2,328,900 $ 7.69 5.5 $ 14,300 Granted 139,000 16.83 9.3 2,339 Exercised (838,983) 5.92 2.5 22,679 Forfeited (6,000) 11.92 7.9 - Outstanding at end of year 1,622,917 $ 9.38 5.9 $ 38,256 Exercisable at December 31, 2014 591,418 $ 7.75 4.1 $ 14,901 Year Ended December 31, 2013: Outstanding at beginning of year 2,449,500 $ 6.96 5.8 $ 9,905 Granted 180,000 12.65 9.7 213 Exercised (282,600) 4.48 2.8 2,532 Forfeited (18,000) 7.50 5.6 - Outstanding at end of year 2,328,900 $ 7.69 5.5 $ 14,300 Exercisable at December 31, 2013 1,161,732 $ 5.40 3.2 $ 9,797 Range of Shares Weighted Weighted Aggregate (In Thousands) $ 5.00 3,000 $ 5.00 0.6 $ 127 8.33 134,918 8.33 4.4 5,288 11.00 30,000 11.00 7.2 1,096 13.83 37,500 13.83 8.0 1,264 205,418 9.68 5.4 7,775 As of December 31, 2015, there was $ 1,741,000 1.7 242,000 2,025,000 705,000 Restricted Stock The Company has awarded 237,088 90,000 568,000 1.3 Stock Warrants The Company granted warrants for 225,000 8.333 13,500 211,500 The Company granted warrants for 45,000 8.333 8.25 Retirement Plans The Company has a retirement savings 401(k) and profit-sharing plan in which all employees age 21 and older may participate after completion of one year of service. For employees in service with the Company at June 15, 2005, the length of service and age requirements were waived. The Company matches employees’ contributions based on a percentage of salary contributed by participants and may make additional discretionary profit sharing contributions. The Company’s expense for the plan was $ 1,080,000 811,000 878,000 200,000

COMMON STOCK

COMMON STOCK	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
COMMON STOCK	COMMON STOCK On January 31, 2015, the Company completed its acquisition of Metro Bancshares, Inc. and Metro Bank, its wholly-owned bank subsidiary, for an aggregate of $ 20.9 636,592 On May 19, 2014, the Company completed its initial public offering of 1,875,000 30.33 52.1 On June 16, 2014, the Company declared a three-for-one split of its common stock in the form of a stock dividend. On July 16, 2014, stockholders of record as of the close of business on July 9, 2014 received a distribution of two additional shares of Company common stock for each common share owned. All share and per share amounts for all periods presented are reported giving effect to this three-for-one stock split.

REGULATORY MATTERS

REGULATORY MATTERS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Banking and Thrift [Abstract]
REGULATORY MATTERS	REGULATORY MATTERS The Bank is subject to dividend restrictions set forth in the Alabama Banking Code and by the Alabama State Banking Department. Under such restrictions, the Bank may not, without the prior approval of the Alabama State Banking Department, declare dividends in excess of the sum of the current year’s earnings plus the retained earnings from the prior two years. Based on these restrictions, the Bank would be limited to paying $ 141.8 The Bank is subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the state and federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possible additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Bank and the financial statements. Under regulatory capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Bank must meet specific capital guidelines involving quantitative measures of the Bank’s assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The Bank’s capital amounts and classification under the prompt corrective guidelines are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings, and other factors. Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Bank to maintain minimum amounts and ratios (set forth in the table below) of common equity Tier 1 capital, total risk-based capital and Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets (as defined in the regulations), and Tier 1 capital to adjusted total assets (as defined). Management believes, as of December 31, 2015, that the Bank meets all capital adequacy requirements to which it is subject. In July 2013, the Federal Reserve announced its approval of a final rule to implement the regulatory capital reforms developed by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (“Basel III”), among other changes required by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. The new rules became effective January 1, 2015, subject to a phase-in period for certain aspects of the new rules. In order to avoid restrictions on capital distributions and discretionary bonus payments to executives, under the new rules a covered banking organization will also be required to maintain a “capital conservation buffer” in addition to its minimum risk-based capital requirements. This buffer will be required to consist solely of common equity Tier 1, and the buffer will apply to all three risk-based measurements (CET1, Tier 1 capital and total capital). The capital conservation buffer will be phased in incrementally over time, beginning January 1, 2016 and becoming fully effective on January 1, 2019, and will ultimately consist of an additional amount of Tier 1 common equity equal to 2.5% of risk-weighted assets. As of December 31, 2015, the most recent notification from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation categorized ServisFirst Bank as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. To remain categorized as well capitalized, the Bank will have to maintain minimum CET1, total risk-based, Tier 1 risk-based, and Tier 1 leverage ratios as disclosed in the table below. Management believes that it is well capitalized under the prompt corrective action provisions as of December 31, 2015. To Be Well Capitalized Under For Capital Adequacy Prompt Corrective Actual Purposes Action Provisions Amount Ratio Amount Ratio Amount Ratio As of December 31, 2015: CET I Capital to Risk Weighted Assets: Consolidated $ 431,642 9.72 % $ 199,836 4.50 % N/A N/A ServisFirst Bank 439,279 9.89 % 199,806 4.50 % $ 288,608 6.50 % Tier I Capital to Risk Weighted Assets: Consolidated 432,019 9.73 % 266,448 6.00 % N/A N/A ServisFirst Bank 439,656 9.90 % 266,407 6.00 % 355,210 8.00 % Total Capital to Risk Weighted Assets: Consolidated 530,688 11.95 % 355,264 8.00 % N/A N/A ServisFirst Bank 483,575 10.89 % 355,210 8.00 % 444,012 10.00 % Tier I Capital to Average Assets: Consolidated 432,019 8.55 % 202,043 4.00 % N/A N/A ServisFirst Bank 439,656 8.71 % 202,023 4.00 % 252,529 5.00 % As of December 31, 2014: Tier I Capital to Risk Weighted Assets: Consolidated $ 402,471 11.75 % $ 136,972 4.00 % N/A N/A ServisFirst Bank 362,119 10.58 % 136,970 4.00 % $ 205,454 6.00 % Total Capital to Risk Weighted Assets: Consolidated 458,073 13.38 % 273,943 8.00 % N/A N/A ServisFirst Bank 397,748 11.62 % 273,939 8.00 % 342,424 10.00 % Tier I Capital to Average Assets: Consolidated 402,471 9.91 % 162,377 4.00 % N/A N/A ServisFirst Bank 362,119 8.92 % 162,375 4.00 % 202,969 5.00 %

OTHER OPERATING INCOME AND EXPE

OTHER OPERATING INCOME AND EXPENSES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Other Operating Income And Expenses [Abstract]
OTHER OPERATING INCOME AND EXPENSES	NOTE 17. OTHER OPERATING INCOME AND EXPENSES Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 (In Thousands) Other Operating Income (Loss) gain on sale of other real estate owned $ (136) $ (413) $ (159) Credit card income 2,465 2,041 1,425 Other 1,214 1,006 878 $ 3,543 $ 2,634 $ 2,144 Other Operating Expenses Postage $ 338 $ 264 $ 195 Telephone 680 555 465 Data processing 4,293 3,126 2,535 Other loan expenses 2,086 1,457 1,936 Supplies 492 399 380 Customer and public relations 1,211 959 838 Marketing 562 477 532 Sales and use tax 380 259 309 Donations and contributions 605 466 370 Directors fees 406 364 341 Bank service charges 961 472 196 Write-down investment in tax credit partnerships 3,966 2,552 356 Other operational losses 126 575 113 Other 4,380 3,047 2,363 $ 20,486 $ 14,972 $ 10,929

INCOME TAXES

INCOME TAXES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
INCOME TAXES	NOTE 18. INCOME TAXES Year Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 (In Thousands) Current tax expense: Federal $ 28,517 $ 25,929 $ 21,264 State 1,824 693 899 Total current tax expense 30,341 26,622 22,163 Deferred tax expense (benefit): Federal (3,277) (3,778) (1,616) State (1,599) (1,243) (189) Total deferred tax expense (4,876) (5,021) (1,805) Total income tax expense $ 25,465 $ 21,601 $ 20,358 Year Ended December 31, 2015 Amount % of Pre-tax (In Thousands) Income tax at statutory federal rate $ 31,152 35.00 % Effect on rate of: State income tax, net of federal tax effect 146 0.16 % Tax-exempt income, net of expenses (1,308) (1.47) % Bank owned life insurance contracts (917) (1.03) % Incentive stock option expense 3 - % Federal tax credits (3,600) (4.04) % Other (11) (0.01) % Effective income tax and rate $ 25,465 28.61 % Year Ended December 31, 2014 Amount % of Pre-tax (In Thousands) Income tax at statutory federal rate $ 25,892 35.00 % Effect on rate of: State income tax, net of federal tax effect (358) (0.49) % Tax-exempt income, net of expenses (1,316) (1.78) % Bank owned life insurance contracts (798) (1.08) % Incentive stock option expense (18) (0.02) % Federal tax credits (1,659) (2.24) % Other (142) (0.19) % Effective income tax and rate $ 21,601 29.20 % Year Ended December 31, 2013 Amount % of Pre-tax (In Thousands) Income tax at statutory federal rate $ 21,691 35.00 % Effect on rate of: State income tax, net of federal tax effect 462 0.75 % Tax-exempt income, net of expenses (1,200) (1.94) % Bank owned life insurance contracts (698) (1.13) % Incentive stock option expense 66 0.11 % Other 37 0.06 % Effective income tax and rate $ 20,358 32.85 % December 31, 2015 2014 (In Thousands) Deferred tax assets: Allowance for loan losses $ 16,482 $ 13,491 Other real estate owned 1,136 1,319 Nonqualified equity awards 1,576 1,594 Nonaccrual interest 441 444 State tax credits 2,313 987 Investments 1,826 667 Deferred loan fees 642 87 Reserve for unfunded commitments 190 - Differences in amounts reflected in financial statements and income tax basis of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in acquisition 972 - Acquired net operating losses 1,398 - Other deferred tax assets 228 117 Total deferred tax assets 27,204 18,706 Deferred tax liabilities: Net unrealized gain on securities available for sale 1,641 2,418 Depreciation 1,285 421 Prepaid expenses 202 151 Acquired intangible assets 651 - Total deferred tax liabilities 3,779 2,990 Net deferred tax assets $ 23,425 $ 15,716 The Company believes its net deferred tax asset is recoverable as of December 31, 2015 based on the expectation of future taxable income and other relevant considerations. The Company and its subsidiaries file a consolidated U.S. Federal income tax return and various consolidated and separate company state income tax returns. The Company is currently open to audit under the statute of limitations by the Internal Revenue Service for the years ended December 31, 2012 through 2015. The Company is also currently open to audit by several state departments of revenue for the years ended December 31, 2012 through 2015. The audit periods differ depending on the date the Company began business activities in each state. Currently, there are no years for which the Company filed a federal or state income tax return that are under examination by the IRS or any state department of revenue. Accrued interest and penalties on unrecognized income tax benefits totaled $ 61,000 12,000 804,000 1,173,000 2015 2014 2013 (In Thousands) Balance, beginning of year $ 804 $ 437 $ 161 Increases related to prior year tax positions 369 367 276 Decreases related to prior year tax positions - - - Increases related to current year tax positions - - - Settlements - - - Lapse of statute - - - Balance, end of year $ 1,173 $ 804 $ 437

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	NOTE 19. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Loan Commitments The Company is a party to financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit, credit card arrangements, and standby letters of credit. Such commitments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the balance sheets. 2015 2014 2013 (In Thousands) Commitments to extend credit $ 1,409,425 $ 1,156,682 $ 1,052,902 Credit card arrangements 62,462 45,155 38,122 Standby letters of credit and financial guarantees 38,224 33,280 40,371 Total $ 1,510,111 $ 1,235,117 $ 1,131,395 Commitments to extend credit, credit card arrangements, commercial letters of credit and standby letters of credit all include exposure to some credit loss in the event of nonperformance of the customer. The Company uses the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as it does for on-balance sheet financial instruments. Because these instruments have fixed maturity dates, and because many of them expire without being drawn upon, they do not generally present any significant liquidity risk to the Company.

CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT

CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]
CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT	NOTE 20. CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT The Company originates primarily commercial, residential, and consumer loans to customers in the Company’s market area. The ability of the majority of the Company’s customers to honor their contractual loan obligations is dependent on the economy in the market area. The Company’s loan portfolio is concentrated primarily in loans secured by real estate, of which 57

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE	NOTE 21. EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE Basic earnings per common share are computed by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 (Dollar Amounts In Thousands Except Per Share Amounts) Earnings Per Share Weighted average common shares outstanding 25,713,233 23,855,001 20,607,213 Net income available to common stockholders $ 63,260 $ 51,946 $ 41,201 Basic earnings per common share $ 2.46 2.18 $ 2.00 Weighted average common shares outstanding 25,713,233 23,855,001 20,607,213 Dilutive effects of assumed conversions and exercise of stock options and warrants 729,321 963,220 1,198,812 Weighted average common and dilutive potential common shares outstanding 26,442,554 24,818,221 21,806,025 Net income available to common stockholders $ 63,260 $ 51,946 $ 41,201 Effect of interest expense on convertible debt, net of tax and discretionary expenditures related to conversion $ - $ - $ 115 Net income available to common stockholders, adjusted for effect of debt conversion $ 63,260 $ 51,946 $ 41,316 Diluted earnings per common share $ 2.39 $ 2.09 $ 1.90

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS	NOTE 22. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS As more fully described in Note 4, the Company had outstanding loan balances to related parties as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 in the amount of $12.1 million and $13.1 million, respectively. Related party deposits totaled $ 7.6 5.6

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT	NOTE 23. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT Measurement of fair value under U.S. GAAP establishes a hierarchy that prioritizes observable and unobservable inputs used to measure fair value, as of the measurement date, into three broad levels, which are described below: Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for assets or liabilities. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to Level 1 inputs. Level 2: Observable prices that are based on inputs not quoted on active markets, but corroborated by market data. Level 3: Unobservable inputs are used when little or no market data is available. The fair value hierarchy gives the lowest priority to Level 3 inputs. In determining fair value, the Company utilizes valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs to the extent possible and also considers counterparty credit risk in its assessment of fair value. Debt Securities Impaired Loans 6,268,000 4,961,000 Other Real Estate Owned 743,000 1,297,000 Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2015 Using Quoted Prices in Active Markets Significant Other Significant for Identical Observable Inputs Unobservable Assets (Level 1) (Level 2) Inputs (Level 3) Total (In Thousands) Assets Measured on a Recurring Basis: Available-for-sale securities: U.S. Treasury and government sponsored agencies $ - $ 45,009 $ - $ 45,009 Mortgage-backed securities - 136,954 - 136,954 State and municipal securities - 146,033 - 146,033 Corporate debt - 14,942 - 14,942 Total assets at fair value $ - $ 342,938 $ - $ 342,938 Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2014 Using Quoted Prices in Active Markets Significant Other Significant for Identical Observable Inputs Unobservable Assets (Level 1) (Level 2) Inputs (Level 3) Total (In Thousands) Assets Measured on a Recurring Basis: Available-for-sale securities U.S. Treasury and government sponsored agencies $ - $ 51,138 $ - $ 51,138 Mortgage-backed securities - 95,523 - 95,523 State and municipal securities - 135,663 - 135,663 Corporate debt - 15,986 - 15,986 Total assets at fair value $ - $ 298,310 $ - $ 298,310 The carrying amount and estimated fair value of the Company’s financial instruments were as follows:: Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2015 Using Quoted Prices in Active Markets Significant Other Significant for Identical Observable Unobservable Assets (Level 1) Inputs (Level 2) Inputs (Level 3) Total (In Thousands) Assets Measured on a Nonrecurring Basis: Impaired loans $ - - $ 27,808 $ 27,808 Other real estate owned and repossessed assets - - 5,392 5,392 Total assets at fair value - - $ 33,200 $ 33,200 Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2014 Using Quoted Prices in Active Markets Significant Other Significant for Identical Observable Unobservable Assets (Level 1) Inputs (Level 2) Inputs (Level 3) Total (In Thousands) Assets Measured on a Nonrecurring Basis: Impaired loans $ - $ - $ 21,631 $ 21,631 Other real estate owned - - 6,840 6,840 Total assets at fair value $ - $ - $ 28,471 $ 28,471 The fair value of a financial instrument is the current amount that would be exchanged in a sale between willing parties, other than in a forced liquidation. Fair value is best determined based upon quoted market prices. However, in many instances, there are no quoted market prices for the Company’s various financial instruments. In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on estimates using present value or other valuation techniques. Those techniques are significantly affected by the assumptions used, including the discount rate and estimates of future cash flows. Accordingly, the fair value estimates may not be realized in an immediate settlement of the instrument. Current U.S. GAAP excludes certain financial instruments and all nonfinancial instruments from its fair value disclosure requirements. Accordingly, the aggregate fair value amounts presented may not necessarily represent the underlying fair value of the Company. The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in estimating its fair value disclosures for financial instruments: Cash and due from banks: Debt securities: Equity securities: Federal funds sold: Mortgage loans held for sale: Bank owned life insurance contracts: Loans, net: Deposits: Federal funds purchased: Other borrowings: Loan commitments: The carrying amount, estimated fair value and placement in the fair value hierarchy of the Company’s financial instruments as of December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are presented in the following table. December 31, 2015 2014 Carrying Fair Value Carrying Fair Value (In Thousands) Financial Assets: Level 1 Inputs: Cash and cash equivalents $ 317,450 $ 317,450 $ 296,573 $ 296,573 Level 2 Inputs: Debt securities available for sale $ 342,938 $ 342,938 $ 298,310 $ 298,310 Debt securities held to maturity 27,426 27,910 29,355 29,974 Restricted equity securities 4,954 4,954 3,921 3,921 Federal funds sold 34,785 34,785 891 891 Mortgage loans held for sale 8,249 8,295 5,984 5,984 Bank owned life insurance contracts 91,594 91,594 86,288 86,288 Level 3 Inputs: Loans, net $ 4,172,956 $ 4,179,835 $ 3,324,229 $ 3,327,371 Financial Liabilities: Level 2 Inputs: Deposits $ 4,223,888 $ 4,223,181 $ 3,398,160 $ 3,399,261 Federal funds purchased 352,360 352,360 264,315 264,315 Other borrowings 55,637 64,305 19,973 19,973

PARENT COMPANY FINANCIAL INFORM

PARENT COMPANY FINANCIAL INFORMATION	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Abstract]
PARENT COMPANY FINANCIAL INFORMATION	NOTE 24. PARENT COMPANY FINANCIAL INFORMATION The following information presents the condensed balance sheet of the Company as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 and the condensed statements of income and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013. CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (In Thousands) December 31, December 31, 2015 2014 ASSETS Cash and due from banks $ 48,182 $ 61,611 Investment in subsidiary 456,407 366,609 Other assets 375 51 Total assets $ 504,964 $ 428,271 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Liabilities: Other borrowings $ 54,639 $ 19,973 Other liabilities 1,555 1,337 Total liabilities 56,194 21,310 Stockholders' equity: Preferred stock, Series A Senior Non-Cumulative Perpetual, par value $0.001 (liquidation preference $1,000), net of discount; 40,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2015, and 40,000 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2014 - 39,958 Common stock, par value $0.001 per share; 50,000,000 shares authorized; 25,972,698 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2015 and 24,801,518 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2014 26 25 Additional paid-in capital 211,546 185,397 Retained earnings 234,150 177,091 Accumulated other comprehensive income 3,048 4,490 Total stockholders' equity 448,770 406,961 Total liabilites and stockholders' equity $ 504,964 $ 428,271 CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 (In Thousands) 2015 2014 2013 Income: Dividends received from subsidiary $ 20,000 $ 12,000 $ 4,750 Other income 1 - 1 Total income 20,001 12,000 4,751 Expense: Other expenses 1,603 1,183 1,147 Total expenses 1,603 1,183 1,147 Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiary 45,095 41,529 37,997 Net income 63,493 52,346 41,601 Dividends on preferred stock 233 400 400 Net income available to common stockholders $ 63,260 $ 51,946 $ 41,201 STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2015, 2014 AND 2013 (In Thousands) 2015 2014 2013 Operating activities Net income $ 63,493 $ 52,346 $ 41,601 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities: Other (271) 165 (224) Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiary (45,095) (41,529) (37,997) Net cash provided by operating activities 18,127 10,982 3,380 Investing activities Other - - (10,499) Net cash paid in acquisition (20,926) - - Investment in subsidiary 736 - - Net cash used in investing activities (20,190) - (10,499) Financing activities Proceeds from other borrowings 34,750 - - Redemption of preferred stock (40,000) - - Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net - 52,076 10,499 Dividends paid on common stock (5,883) (3,609) (3,682) Dividends paid on preferred stock (233) (400) (400) Net cash provided by financing activities (11,366) 48,067 6,417 (Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents (13,429) 59,049 (702) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 61,611 2,562 3,264 Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $ 48,182 $ 61,611 $ 2,562

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS	SUBSEQUENT EVENTS On January 25, 2016, the Company announced its entry into the Tampa Bay area of Florida with the hire of a regional CEO for that market, Gregory W. Bryant. Mr. Bryant was formerly the President and CEO of Bay Cities Bank prior to its sale to Home Bancshares, Inc. In February 2016, the Company formed SF TN Realty, Inc., an Alabama corporation, to hold and manage participations in residential mortgages and commercial real estate loans originated by ServisFirst Bank and have elected to be treated as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) for U.S. income tax purposes. SF TN Realty, Inc. is consolidated into the Company. The Company has evaluated all subsequent events through the date of this filing to ensure that this Form 10-K includes appropriate disclosure of events both recognized in the financial statements as of December 31, 2015, and events which occurred subsequent to December 31, 2015 but were not recognized in the consolidated financial statements.

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUD

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]
QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)	QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED) 2015 Quarter Ended (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) March 31 June 30 September 30 December 31 Interest income $ 40,783 $ 44,209 $ 46,532 $ 48,451 Interest expense 3,746 3,998 4,670 5,290 Net interest income 37,037 40,211 41,862 43,161 Provision for loan losses 2,405 4,062 3,072 3,308 Net income available to common stockholders 12,955 14,346 16,233 19,726 Net income per common share, basic $ 0.51 $ 0.56 $ 0.63 $ 0.76 Net income per common share, diluted $ 0.49 $ 0.54 $ 0.61 $ 0.74 2014 Quarter Ended (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) March 31 June 30 September 30 December 31 Interest income $ 34,281 $ 35,424 $ 36,857 $ 38,163 Interest expense 3,432 3,446 3,538 3,703 Net interest income 30,849 31,978 33,319 34,460 Provision for loan losses 2,314 2,438 2,748 2,759 Net income available to common stockholders 11,658 11,469 13,902 14,917 Net income per common share, basic $ 0.53 $ 0.49 $ 0.56 $ 0.60 Net income per common share, diluted $ 0.51 $ 0.46 $ 0.54 $ 0.58

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN37

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Nature of Operations	Nature of Operations ServisFirst Bancshares, Inc. (the “Company”) was formed on August 16, 2007 and is a bank holding company whose business is conducted by its wholly-owned subsidiary ServisFirst Bank (the “Bank”). The Bank is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, and has provided a full range of banking services to individual and corporate customers throughout the Birmingham market since opening for business in May 2005. The Bank has since expanded into the Huntsville, Montgomery, Dothan and Mobile, Alabama, Pensacola, Florida, Atlanta, Georgia, Charleston, South Carolina and Nashville, Tennessee markets. On January 25, 2016, the Company also announced that it had hired a CEO for its newest market in the Tampa Bay area of Florida. The Bank has a subsidiary, SF Holding 1, Inc., which has subsidiaries, SF Realty 1, Inc., SF FLA Realty, Inc. and SF GA Realty, Inc., which operate as real estate investment trusts. More details about SF Holding 1, Inc. and its subsidiaries are included in Note 11.
Basis of Presentation and Accounting Estimates	Basis of Presentation and Accounting Estimates To prepare consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, management makes estimates and assumptions based on available information. These estimates and assumptions affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and the disclosures provided, and future results could differ. The allowance for loan losses, valuation of foreclosed real estate, goodwill and other intangible assets and fair values of financial instruments are particularly subject to change. All numbers are in thousands except share and per share data.
Cash, Due from Banks, Interest-Bearing Balances due from Financial Institutions	Cash, Due from Banks, Interest-Bearing Balances due from Financial Institutions Cash and due from banks includes cash on hand, cash items in process of collection, amounts due from banks and interest bearing balances due from financial institutions. For purposes of cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash and due from banks and federal funds sold. Generally, federal funds are purchased and sold for one-day periods. Cash flows from loans, mortgage loans held for sale, federal funds sold, and deposits are reported net. The Bank is required to maintain reserve balances in cash or on deposit with the Federal Reserve Bank based on a percentage of deposits. The total of those reserve balances was approximately $ 26.6 36.9
Debt Securities	Debt Securities Securities are classified as available-for-sale when they might be sold before maturity. Unrealized holding gains and losses, net of tax, on securities available for sale are reported as a net amount in a separate component of stockholders’ equity until realized. Gains and losses on the sale of securities available for sale are determined using the specific-identification method. The amortization of premiums and the accretion of discounts are recognized in interest income using methods approximating the interest method over the period to maturity. Declines in the fair value of available-for-sale securities below their cost that are deemed to be other than temporary are reflected in earnings as realized losses. Securities are classified as held-to-maturity when the Company has the positive intent and ability to hold the securities to maturity. Held-to-maturity securities are reported at amortized cost. In determining the existence of other-than-temporary impairment losses, management considers (1) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, (2) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, and (3) the intent and ability of the Company to retain its investment in the issuer for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value.
Investments in Restricted Equity Securities Carried at Cost	Investments in Restricted Equity Securities Carried at Cost Investments in restricted equity securities without a readily determinable market value are carried at cost .
Mortgage Loans Held for Sale	Mortgage Loans Held for Sale The Company classifies certain residential mortgage loans as held for sale. Typically mortgage loans held for sale are sold to a third party investor within a very short time period. The loans are sold without recourse and servicing is not retained. Net fees earned from this banking service are recorded in noninterest income. In the course of originating mortgage loans and selling those loans in the secondary market, the Company makes various representations and warranties to the purchaser of the mortgage loans. Each loan is underwritten using government agency guidelines. Any exceptions noted during this process are remedied prior to sale. These representations and warranties also apply to underwriting the real estate appraisal opinion of value for the collateral securing these loans. Under the representations and warranties, failure by the Company to comply with the underwriting and/or appraisal standards could result in the Company being required to repurchase the mortgage loan or to reimburse the investor for losses incurred (make whole requests) if such failure cannot be cured by the Company within the specified period following discovery. The Company continues to experience an insignificant level of investor repurchase demands. There were no expenses incurred as part of these buyback obligations for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014.
Loans	Loans Loans are reported at unpaid principal balances, less unearned fees and the allowance for loan losses. Interest on all loans is recognized as income based upon the applicable rate applied to the daily outstanding principal balance of the loans. Interest income on nonaccrual loans is recognized on a cash basis or cost recovery basis until the loan is returned to accrual status. A loan may be returned to accrual status if the Company is reasonably assured of repayment of principal and interest and the borrower has demonstrated sustained performance for a period of at least six months. Loan fees, net of direct costs, are reflected as an adjustment to the yield of the related loan over the term of the loan. The Company does not have a concentration of loans to any one industry. The accrual of interest on loans is discontinued when there is a significant deterioration in the financial condition of the borrower and full repayment of principal and interest is not expected or the principal or interest is more than 90 days past due, unless the loan is both well-collateralized and in the process of collection. Generally, all interest accrued but not collected for loans that are placed on nonaccrual status are reversed against current interest income. Interest collections on nonaccrual loans are generally applied as principal reductions. The Company determines past due or delinquency status of a loan based on contractual payment terms. A loan is considered impaired when it is probable the Company will be unable to collect all principal and interest payments due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Individually identified impaired loans are measured based on the present value of expected payments using the loan’s original effective rate as the discount rate, the loan’s observable market price, or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. If the recorded investment in the impaired loan exceeds the measure of fair value, a valuation allowance may be established as part of the allowance for loan losses. Changes to the valuation allowance are recorded as a component of the provision for loan losses. Impaired loans also include troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”). In the normal course of business management grants concessions to borrowers, which would not otherwise be considered, where the borrowers are experiencing financial difficulty. The concessions granted most frequently for TDRs involve reductions or delays in required payments of principal and interest for a specified time, the rescheduling of payments in accordance with a bankruptcy plan or the charge-off of a portion of the loan. In some cases, the conditions of the credit also warrant nonaccrual status, even after the restructure occurs. As part of the credit approval process, the restructured loans are evaluated for adequate collateral protection in determining the appropriate accrual status at the time of restructure. TDR loans may be returned to accrual status if there has been at least a six month sustained period of repayment performance by the borrower. Acquired loans are recorded at fair value at the date of acquisition, and accordingly no allowance for loan losses is transferred to the acquiring entity in connection with acquisition accounting. The fair values of loans with evidence of credit deterioration (purchased, credit impaired loans) are initially recorded at fair value, but thereafter accounted for differently than purchased, non-credit impaired loans. For purchased credit impaired loans, cash flows are estimated at Day 1 and discounted at a market interest rate which creates accretable yield to be recognized over the life of the loan. Contractual principal and interest payments not expected to be collected are considered non-accretable difference. Subsequent to the acquisition date, management continues to monitor cash flows on a quarterly basis, to determine the performance of each purchased credit impaired loan in comparison to management’s initial performance expectations. Subsequent decreases to the expected cash flows will generally result in a provision for loan losses. Subsequent significant increases in cash flows result in a reversal of the provision for loan losses to the extent of prior provisions or a reclassification of amount from non-accretable difference to accretable yield, with a positive impact on the accretion of interest income in future periods. Acquired performing loans are accounted for using the contractual cash flows method of recognizing discount accretion based on the acquired loans’ contractual cash flows. Acquired performing loans are recorded as of the acquisition date at fair value, considering credit and other risks, with no separate allowance for loan losses account. Credit losses on the acquired performing loans are estimated in future periods based on analysis of the performing portfolio. A provision for loan losses is recognized for any further credit deterioration that occurs in these loans subsequent to the acquisition date. Fair value discounts on Day 1 are accreted as interest income over the life of the loans.
Allowance for Loan Losses	The allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level which, in management’s judgment, is adequate to absorb credit losses inherent in the loan portfolio. The amount of the allowance is based on management’s evaluation of the collectability of the loan portfolio, including the nature of the portfolio, credit concentrations, trends in historical loss experience, specific impaired loans, economic conditions, and other risks inherent in the portfolio. Allowances for impaired loans are generally determined based on collateral values or the present value of the estimated cash flows. The allowance is increased by a provision for loan losses, which is charged to expense, and reduced by charge-offs, net of recoveries. In addition, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the allowance for losses on loans. Such agencies may require the Company to recognize adjustments to the allowance based on their judgments about information available to them at the time of their examination.
Foreclosed Real Estate	Foreclosed Real Estate Foreclosed real estate includes both formally foreclosed property and in-substance foreclosed property. At the time of foreclosure, foreclosed real estate is recorded at fair value less cost to sell, which becomes the property’s new basis. Any write downs based on the asset’s fair value at date of acquisition are charged to the allowance for loan losses. After foreclosure, these assets are carried at the lower of their new cost basis or fair value less cost to sell. Costs incurred in maintaining foreclosed real estate and subsequent adjustments to the carrying amount of the property are included in other operating expenses.
Premises and Equipment	Premises and Equipment Premises and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Expenditures for additions and major improvements that significantly extend the useful lives of the assets are capitalized. Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred. Assets which are disposed of are removed from the accounts and the resulting gains or losses are recorded in operations. Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the related assets ( 3 10 Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the lesser of the lease terms or the estimated useful lives of the improvements.
Goodwill and Other Identifiable Intangible Assets	Goodwill and Other Identifiable Intangible Assets Other identifiable intangible assets include a core deposit intangible recorded in connection with the acquisition of Metro Bancshares, Inc. The core deposit intangible is being amortized over 7 The Company has recorded $ 13.6
Derivatives and Hedging Activities	Derivatives and Hedging Activities As part of its overall interest rate risk management, the Company uses derivative instruments, which can include interest rate swaps, caps, and floors. Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) ASC 815-10, Derivatives and Hedging, requires all derivative instruments to be carried at fair value on the balance sheet. This accounting standard provides special accounting provisions for derivative instruments that qualify for hedge accounting. To be eligible, the Company must specifically identify a derivative as a hedging instrument and identify the risk being hedged. The derivative instrument must be shown to meet specific requirements under this accounting standard. The Company designates the derivative on the date the derivative contract is entered into as (1) a hedge of the fair value of a recognized asset or liability or of an unrecognized firm commitment (a “fair-value” hedge) or (2) a hedge of a forecasted transaction of the variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability (a “cash-flow” hedge). Changes in the fair value of a derivative that is highly effective as a fair-value hedge, and that is designated and qualifies as a fair-value hedge, along with the loss or gain on the hedged asset or liability that is attributable to the hedged risk (including losses or gains on firm commitments), are recorded in current-period earnings. The effective portion of the changes in the fair value of a derivative that is highly effective and that is designated and qualifies as a cash-flow hedge is recorded in other comprehensive income, until earnings are affected by the variability of cash flows (e.g., when periodic settlements on a variable-rate asset or liability are recorded in earnings). The remaining gain or loss on the derivative, if any, in excess of the cumulative change in the present value of future cash flows of the hedged item is recognized in earnings. The Company formally documents all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as its risk-management objective and strategy for undertaking various hedge transactions. This process includes linking all derivatives that are designated as fair-value or cash-flow hedges to specific assets and liabilities on the balance sheet or to specific firm commitments or forecasted transactions. The Company also formally assessed, both at the hedge’s inception and on an ongoing basis (if the hedges do not qualify for short-cut accounting), whether the derivatives that are used in hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting changes in fair values or cash flows of hedged items. When it is determined that a derivative is not highly effective as a hedge or that it has ceased to be a highly effective hedge, the Company discontinues hedge accounting prospectively, as discussed below. The Company discontinues hedge accounting prospectively when: (1) it is determined that the derivative is no longer effective in offsetting changes in the fair value or cash flows of a hedged item (including firm commitments or forecasted transactions); (2) the derivative expires or is sold, terminated, or exercised; (3) the derivative is re-designated as a hedge instrument, because it is unlikely that a forecasted transaction will occur; (4) a hedged firm commitment no longer meets the definition of a firm commitment; or (5) management determines that designation of the derivative as a hedge instrument is no longer appropriate. When hedge accounting is discontinued because it is determined that the derivative no longer qualifies as an effective fair-value hedge, hedge accounting is discontinued prospectively and the derivative will continue to be carried on the balance sheet at its fair value with all changes in fair value being recorded in earnings but with no offsetting being recorded on the hedged item or in other comprehensive income for cash flow hedges. The Company uses derivatives to hedge interest rate exposures associated with mortgage loans held for sale and mortgage loans in process. The Company regularly enters into derivative financial instruments in the form of forward contracts, as part of its normal asset/liability management strategies. The Company’s obligations under forward contracts consist of “best effort” commitments to deliver mortgage loans originated in the secondary market at a future date. Interest rate lock commitments related to loans that are originated for later sale are classified as derivatives. In the normal course of business, the Company regularly extends these rate lock commitments to customers during the loan origination process. The fair values of the Company’s forward contract and rate lock commitments to customers as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 were not material and have not been recorded.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes Income tax expense is the total of the current year income tax due or refundable and the change in deferred tax assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are the expected future tax amounts for the temporary differences between carrying amounts and tax bases of assets and liabilities, computed using enacted tax rates. A valuation allowance, if needed, reduces deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. ; The Company follows the provisions of ASC 740-10, Income Taxes. 50
Stock-Based Compensation	Stock-Based Compensation At December 31, 2015, the Company had two stock-based compensation plans for grants of equity compensation to key employees and directors. These plans have been accounted for under the provisions of FASB ASC 718-10, Compensation – Stock Compensation with respect to employee stock options and under the provisions of FASB ASC 505-50, Equity-Based Payments to Non-Employees, with respect to non-employee stock options. The stock-based employee compensation plans are more fully described in Note 14.
Earnings per Common Share	Earnings per Common Share Basic earnings per common share are computed by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per common share include the dilutive effect of additional potential common shares issuable under stock options and warrants.
Loan Commitments and Related Financial Instruments	Loan Commitments and Related Financial Instruments Financial instruments, which include credit card arrangements, commitments to make loans and standby letters of credit, are issued to meet customer financing needs. The face amount for these items represents the exposure to loss before considering customer collateral or ability to repay. Such financial instruments are recorded when they are funded. Instruments such as stand-by letters of credit are considered financial guarantees in accordance with FASB ASC 460-10. The fair value of these financial guarantees is not material.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	Fair Value of Financial Instruments Fair values of financial instruments are estimated using relevant market information and other assumptions, as more fully disclosed in Note 23. Fair value estimates involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment regarding interest rates, credit risk, prepayments, and other factors, especially in the absence of broad markets for particular items. Changes in assumptions or in market conditions could significantly affect the estimates.
Comprehensive Income	Comprehensive Income Comprehensive income consists of net income and other comprehensive income. Accumulated comprehensive income, which is recognized as a separate component of equity, includes unrealized gains and losses on securities available for sale.
Advertising	Advertising Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising expense for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $ 562,000 477,000 532,000
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements	Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements In January 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-1, Investments-Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323): Accounting for Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Projects In January 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-04, Receivables-Troubled Debt Restructurings by Creditors (Subtopic 310-40): Reclassification of Residential Real Estate Collateralized Consumer Mortgage Loans upon Foreclosure In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-12, Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved After the Requisite Service Period In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. In August 2015, the FASB issue ASU No. 2015-15, Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements: Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to Staff Announcement at June 18, 2015 EITF Meeting,
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recent Accounting Pronouncements In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14, Revenue From Contracts With Customers (Topic 606): Deferral of the Effective Date. Revenue From Contracts With Customers (Topic 606) In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-16, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-1, Financial Instruments Overall (Topic 825): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities

ACQUISITION (Tables)

ACQUISITION (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Fair Value of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed	The following table provides a summary of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as recorded by Metro, the fair value adjustments necessary to adjust those acquired assets and assumed liabilities to estimated fair value, and the resultant fair values of those assets and liabilities as recorded by the Company. January 31, 2015 As recorded by Fair value As recorded by Assets acquired: Cash and cash equivalents $ 8,543 $ - $ 8,543 Debt securities 28,833 (41) a 28,792 Equity securities 499 - 499 Loans 152,869 (3,874) b 148,995 Allowance for loan losses (1,621) 1,621 b - Premises and equipment, net 7,606 762 c 8,368 Accrued interest receivable 484 - 484 Deferred taxes 754 3,153 d 3,907 Other real estate owned 2,373 (25) e 2,348 Bank owned life insurance contracts 2,685 - 2,685 Core deposit intangible - 2,090 f 2,090 Other assets 364 - 364 Total assets acquired 203,389 3,686 207,075 Deposits 175,236 518 g 175,754 Federal funds purchased 2,175 - 2,175 Other borrowings 1,400 (4) h 1,396 Accrued interest payable 89 - 89 Other liabilities 996 - 996 Total liabilities assumed 179,896 514 180,410 Net assets acquired $ 23,493 $ 3,172 $ 26,665 Consideration Paid: Cash $ (20,926) Stock (19,356) Total consideration paid (40,282) Goodwill $ 13,617 (1) The Company’s acquisition of Metro Bancshares, Inc. closed on January 31, 2015. During the second quarter of 2015, the fair value of other real estate owned was adjusted down by $ 280,000 41,000 3,126,000 Explanation of fair value adjustments: a- Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustment based on the Company’s pricing of the acquired debt securities portfolio. b- Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustment based on the Company’s evaluation of the acquired loan portfolio and to eliminate the recorded allowance for loan losses. c- Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustment based on the Company’s evaluation of the premises and equipment acquired. d- Adjustment reflects the differences in the carrying values of acquired assets and assumed liabilities for financial statement purposes and their basis for federal income tax purposes. e- Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustment based on the Company’s evaluation of the other real estate owned acquired. f- Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustment for the core deposit intangible asset recorded as a result of the acquisition. g- Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustment based on the Company’s evaluation of the acquired deposits. h- Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustment based on the Company’s evaluation of the assumed debt.

DEBT SECURITIES (Tables)

DEBT SECURITIES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Amortized Cost and Fair Value of Available for Sale And Held to Maturity Securities	The amortized cost and fair values of available-for-sale and held-to-maturity debt securities at December 31, 2015 and 2014 are summarized as follows: Gross Gross Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Market Cost Gain Loss Value (In Thousands) December 31, 2015 Securities Available for Sale U.S. Treasury and government sponsored agencies $ 44,581 $ 569 $ (141) $ 45,009 Mortgage-backed securities 135,363 1,945 (354) 136,954 State and municipal securities 143,403 2,731 (101) 146,033 Corporate debt 14,902 67 (27) 14,942 Total $ 338,249 $ 5,312 $ (623) $ 342,938 Securities Held to Maturity Mortgage-backed securities 21,666 368 (332) 21,702 State and municipal securities 5,760 449 (1) 6,208 Total $ 27,426 $ 817 $ (333) $ 27,910 December 31, 2014 Securities Available for Sale U.S. Treasury and government sponsored agencies $ 50,363 $ 775 $ - $ 51,138 Mortgage-backed securities 92,439 3,095 (11) 95,523 State and municipal securities 132,780 3,211 (328) 135,663 Corporate debt 15,821 165 - 15,986 Total $ 291,403 $ 7,246 $ (339) $ 298,310 Securities Held to Maturity Mortgage-backed securities 23,804 449 (320) 23,933 State and municipal securities 5,551 490 - 6,041 Total $ 29,355 $ 939 $ (320) $ 29,974
Amortized Cost and Fair Value of Securities	The amortized cost and fair value of debt securities as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 by contractual maturity are shown below. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because the issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 Amortized Cost Market Value Amortized Cost Market Value (In Thousands) Debt securities available for sale Due within one year $ 16,770 $ 16,868 $ 16,944 $ 17,246 Due from one to five years 153,880 156,311 121,591 123,962 Due from five to ten years 32,236 32,805 60,079 61,221 Due after ten years - - 350 358 Mortgage-backed securities 135,363 136,954 92,439 95,523 $ 338,249 $ 342,938 $ 291,403 $ 298,310 Debt securities held to maturity Due from five to ten years 627 659 298 325 Due after ten years 5,133 5,549 5,253 5,716 Mortgage-backed securities 21,666 21,702 23,804 23,933 $ 27,426 $ 27,910 $ 29,355 $ 29,974
Investment Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position	Less Than Twelve Months Twelve Months or More Total Gross Gross Gross Unrealized Unrealized Unrealized Losses Fair Value Losses Fair Value Losses Fair Value (In Thousands) December 31, 2015 U.S. Treasury and government sponsored agencies $ (141) $ 3,886 $ - $ - $ (141) $ 3,886 Mortgage-backed securities (354) 56,609 (332) 11,712 (686) 68,321 State and municipal securities (55) 15,464 (47) 4,531 (102) 19,995 Corporate debt (27) 2,961 - - (27) 2,961 Total $ (577) $ 78,920 $ (379) $ 16,243 $ (956) $ 95,163 December 31, 2014 U.S. Treasury and government sponsored agencies $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - Mortgage-backed securities - - (331) 17,751 (331) 17,751 State and municipal securities (162) 19,945 (166) 10,820 (328) 30,765 Corporate debt - - - - - - Total $ (162) $ 19,945 $ (497) $ 28,571 $ (659) $ 48,516
Available-for-sale Securities	The following table summarizes information about sales of debt securities available for sale. Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 (In Thousands) Sale proceeds $ 16,738 $ 173 $ 4,140 Gross realized gains $ 29 $ 3 $ 131 Gross realized losses - - - Net realized gain (loss) $ 29 $ 3 $ 131

LOANS (Tables)

LOANS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Receivables [Abstract]
Details Of Loans	The composition of loans at December 31, 2015 and 2014 is summarized as follows: December 31, 2015 2014 (In Thousands) Commercial, financial and agricultural $ 1,760,479 $ 1,504,652 Real estate - construction 243,267 208,769 Real estate - mortgage: Owner-occupied commercial 1,014,669 793,917 1-4 family mortgage 444,134 333,455 Other mortgage 698,779 471,363 Total real estate - mortgage 2,157,582 1,598,735 Consumer 55,047 47,702 Total Loans 4,216,375 3,359,858 Less: Allowance for loan losses (43,419) (35,629) Net Loans $ 4,172,956 $ 3,324,229
Schedule Of Allowance For Loan Losses	Changes in the allowance for loan losses during the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively are as follows: Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 (In Thousands) Balance, beginning of year $ 35,629 $ 30,663 $ 26,258 Loans charged off (5,744) (5,771) (9,012) Recoveries 687 478 409 Provision for loan losses 12,847 10,259 13,008 Balance, end of year $ 43,419 $ 35,629 $ 30,663
Changes In Allowance For Loan Losses Segregated By Loan Type	Changes in the allowance for loan losses, segregated by loan type, during the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, are as follows: Commercial, financial and Real estate - Real estate - agricultural construction mortgage Consumer Total (In Thousands) Year Ended December 31, 2015 Allowance for loan losses: Balance at December 31, 2014 $ 16,079 $ 6,395 $ 12,112 $ 1,043 $ 35,629 Charge-offs (3,802) (667) (1,104) (171) (5,744) Recoveries 279 238 169 1 687 Provision 8,939 (534) 4,884 (442) 12,847 Balance at December 31, 2015 $ 21,495 $ 5,432 $ 16,061 $ 431 $ 43,419 December 31, 2015 Individually Evaluated for Impairment $ 2,698 $ 1,223 $ 1,730 $ 32 $ 5,683 Collectively Evaluated for Impairment 18,797 4,209 14,331 399 37,736 Loans: Ending Balance $ 1,760,479 $ 243,267 $ 2,157,582 $ 55,047 $ 4,216,375 Individually Evaluated for Impairment 11,513 4,052 17,880 46 33,491 Collectively Evaluated for Impairment 1,748,966 239,215 2,139,702 55,001 4,182,884 Year Ended December 31, 2014 Allowance for loan losses: Balance at December 31, 2013 $ 13,576 $ 6,078 $ 10,065 $ 944 $ 30,663 Charge-offs (2,311) (1,267) (1,965) (228) (5,771) Recoveries 48 322 74 34 478 Provision 4,766 1,262 3,938 293 10,259 Balance at December 31, 2014 $ 16,079 $ 6,395 $ 12,112 $ 1,043 $ 35,629 December 31, 2014 Individually Evaluated for Impairment $ 1,344 $ 1,448 $ 1,636 $ 666 $ 5,094 Collectively Evaluated for Impairment 14,735 4,947 10,476 377 30,535 Loans: Ending Balance $ 1,504,652 $ 208,769 $ 1,598,735 $ 47,702 $ 3,359,858 Individually Evaluated for Impairment 10,350 5,680 10,029 666 26,725 Collectively Evaluated for Impairment 1,494,302 203,089 1,588,706 47,036 3,333,133
Loans By Credit Quality Indicator	Loans by credit quality indicator as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 were as follows: Special December 31, 2015 Pass Mention Substandard Doubtful Total (In Thousands) Commercial, financial and agricultural $ 1,701,591 $ 47,393 $ 11,495 $ - $ 1,760,479 Real estate - construction 233,046 6,221 4,000 - 243,267 Real estate - mortgage: Owner-occupied commercial 988,762 18,169 7,738 - 1,014,669 1-4 family mortgage 437,834 3,301 2,999 - 444,134 Other mortgage 683,157 11,086 4,536 - 698,779 Total real estate - mortgage 2,109,753 32,556 15,273 - 2,157,582 Consumer 54,973 42 32 - 55,047 Total $ 4,099,363 $ 86,212 $ 30,800 $ - $ 4,216,375 Special December 31, 2014 Pass Mention Substandard Doubtful Total (In Thousands) Commercial, financial and agricultural $ 1,468,916 $ 25,416 $ 10,320 $ - $ 1,504,652 Real estate - construction 197,727 5,332 5,710 - 208,769 Real estate - mortgage: Owner-occupied commercial 784,492 6,848 2,577 - 793,917 1-4 family mortgage 326,316 4,253 2,886 - 333,455 Other mortgage 457,782 9,015 4,566 - 471,363 Total real estate - mortgage 1,568,590 20,116 10,029 - 1,598,735 Consumer 46,999 37 666 - 47,702 Total $ 3,282,232 $ 50,901 $ 26,725 $ - $ 3,359,858
Loans By Performance Status	Loans by performance status as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 are as follows: December 31, 2015 Performing Nonperforming Total (In Thousands) Commercial, financial and agricultural $ 1,758,561 $ 1,918 $ 1,760,479 Real estate - construction 239,267 4,000 243,267 Real estate - mortgage: Owner-occupied commercial 1,014,669 - 1,014,669 1-4 family mortgage 443,936 198 444,134 Other mortgage 697,160 1,619 698,779 Total real estate - mortgage 2,155,765 1,817 2,157,582 Consumer 55,015 32 55,047 Total $ 4,208,608 $ 7,767 $ 4,216,375 December 31, 2014 Performing Nonperforming Total (In Thousands) Commercial, financial and agricultural $ 1,503,555 $ 1,097 $ 1,504,652 Real estate - construction 203,720 5,049 208,769 Real estate - mortgage: Owner-occupied commercial 793,234 683 793,917 1-4 family mortgage 331,859 1,596 333,455 Other mortgage 470,404 959 471,363 Total real estate - mortgage 1,595,497 3,238 1,598,735 Consumer 47,036 666 47,702 Total $ 3,349,808 $ 10,050 $ 3,359,858
Loans By Past Due Status	are as follows: December 31, 2015 Past Due Status (Accruing Loans) Total Past 30-59 Days 60-89 Days 90+ Days Due Non-Accrual Current Total Loans (In Thousands) Commercial, financial and agricultural $ 50 $ 35 $ - $ 85 $ 1,918 $ 1,758,476 $ 1,760,479 Real estate - construction 198 12 - 210 4,000 239,057 243,267 Real estate - mortgage: Owner-occupied commercial - - - - - 1,014,669 1,014,669 1-4 family mortgage - 210 - 210 198 443,726 444,134 Other mortgage - - - - 1,619 697,160 698,779 Total real estate - mortgage - 210 - 210 1,817 2,155,555 2,157,582 Consumer 45 6 1 52 31 54,964 55,047 Total $ 293 $ 263 $ 1 $ 557 $ 7,766 $ 4,208,052 $ 4,216,375 December 31, 2014 Past Due Status (Accruing Loans) Total Past 30-59 Days 60-89 Days 90+ Days Due Non-Accrual Current Total Loans (In Thousands) Commercial, financial and agricultural $ 1,388 $ 3,490 $ 925 $ 5,803 $ 172 $ 1,498,677 $ 1,504,652 Real estate - construction - - - - 5,049 203,720 208,769 Real estate - mortgage: Owner-occupied commercial - - - - 683 793,234 793,917 1-4 family mortgage 14 - - 14 1,596 331,845 333,455 Other mortgage - - - - 959 470,404 471,363 Total real estate - mortgage 14 - - 14 3,238 1,595,483 1,598,735 Consumer 21 - - 21 666 47,015 47,702 Total $ 1,423 $ 3,490 $ 925 $ 5,838 $ 9,125 $ 3,344,895 $ 3,359,858
Details Of Company's Impaired Loans	The following table presents details of the Company’s impaired loans as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Loans which have been fully charged off do not appear in the tables. December 31, 2015 Unpaid Average Interest Income Recorded Principal Related Recorded Recognized Investment Balance Allowance Investment in Period (In Thousands) With no allowance recorded: Commercial, financial and agricultural $ 478 $ 487 $ - $ 482 $ 24 Real estate - construction 161 163 - 370 1 Real estate - mortgage: Owner-occupied commercial 3,980 4,140 - 3,815 214 1-4 family mortgage 2,396 2,572 - 2,409 147 Other mortgage 4,079 4,694 - 4,559 222 Total real estate - mortgage 10,455 11,406 - 10,783 583 Consumer 14 20 - 18 1 Total with no allowance recorded 11,108 12,076 - 11,653 609 With an allowance recorded: Commercial, financial and agricultural 11,035 13,035 2,698 13,882 672 Real estate - construction 3,891 4,370 1,223 3,920 - Real estate - mortgage: Owner-occupied commercial 6,365 6,365 1,328 9,958 568 1-4 family mortgage 603 603 263 567 19 Other mortgage 457 457 139 880 17 Total real estate - mortgage 7,425 7,425 1,730 11,405 604 Consumer 32 32 32 34 - Total with allowance recorded 22,383 24,862 5,683 29,241 1,276 Total Impaired Loans: Commercial, financial and agricultural 11,513 13,522 2,698 14,364 696 Real estate - construction 4,052 4,533 1,223 4,290 1 Real estate - mortgage: Owner-occupied commercial 10,345 10,505 1,328 13,773 782 1-4 family mortgage 2,999 3,175 263 2,976 166 Other mortgage 4,536 5,151 139 5,439 239 Total real estate - mortgage 17,880 18,831 1,730 22,188 1,187 Consumer 46 52 32 52 1 Total impaired loans $ 33,491 $ 36,938 $ 5,683 $ 40,894 $ 1,885 December 31, 2014 Unpaid Average Interest Income Recorded Principal Related Recorded Recognized in Investment Balance Allowance Investment Period (In Thousands) With no allowance recorded: Commercial, financial and agricultural $ 7,059 $ 7,059 $ - $ 7,104 $ 406 Real estate - construction 1,527 1,527 - 1,493 40 Owner-occupied commercial 1,576 1,576 - 236 12 1-4 family mortgage 542 592 - 592 19 Other mortgage 1,944 1,944 - 2,283 142 Total real estate - mortgage 4,062 4,112 - 3,111 173 Consumer - - - - - Total with no allowance recorded 12,648 12,698 - 11,708 619 With an allowance recorded: Commercial, financial and agricultural 3,291 3,291 1,344 3,262 156 Real estate - construction 4,153 4,633 1,448 4,382 19 Real estate - mortgage: Owner-occupied commercial 1,001 1,001 160 1,140 29 1-4 family mortgage 2,344 2,344 694 2,743 56 Other mortgage 2,622 2,622 782 2,767 84 Total real estate - mortgage 5,967 5,967 1,636 6,650 169 Consumer 666 666 666 681 - Total with allowance recorded 14,077 14,557 5,094 14,975 344 Total Impaired Loans: Commercial, financial and agricultural 10,350 10,350 1,344 10,366 562 Real estate - construction 5,680 6,160 1,448 5,875 59 Real estate - mortgage: Owner-occupied commercial 2,577 2,577 160 1,376 41 1-4 family mortgage 2,886 2,936 694 3,335 75 Other mortgage 4,566 4,566 782 5,050 226 Total real estate - mortgage 10,029 10,079 1,636 9,761 342 Consumer 666 666 666 681 - Total impaired loans $ 26,725 $ 27,255 $ 5,094 $ 26,683 $ 963
Analysis Of Troubled Debt Restructuring	The tables include modifications made to new TDRs, as well as renewals of existing TDRs. Year Ended December 31, 2015 Pre- Post- Modification Modification Outstanding Outstanding Number of Recorded Recorded Contracts Investment Investment (In Thousands) Troubled Debt Restructurings Commercial, financial and agricultural 8 $ 6,618 $ 6,618 Real estate - construction - - - Real estate - mortgage: Owner-occupied commercial - - - 1-4 family mortgage - - - Other mortgage 1 253 253 Total real estate - mortgage 1 253 253 Consumer - - - 9 $ 6,871 $ 6,871 Year ended December 31, 2014 Pre- Post- Modification Modification Outstanding Outstanding Number of Recorded Recorded Contracts Investment Investment Commercial, financial and agricultural 9 $ 7,139 $ 7,139 Real estate - construction - - - Real estate - mortgage: Owner-occupied commercial - - - 1-4 family mortgage 1 4,449 4,449 Other mortgage 2 1,684 1,684 Total real estate - mortgage 3 6,133 6,133 Consumer - - - 12 $ 13,272 $ 13,272 The following table presents TDRs by portfolio segment which defaulted during the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, and which were modified in the previous twelve months (i.e., the twelve months prior to default). For purposes of this disclosure default is defined as 90 days past due and still accruing or placement on nonaccrual status. Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 Defaulted during the period, where modified in a TDR twelve months prior to default Commercial, financial and agricultural $ - $ 925 Real estate - mortgage: 1-4 family mortgage - 4,313 Other mortgage - - Total real estate - mortgage - 4,313 Consumer - - $ - $ 5,238
Schedule Of Changes In Related Party Loans	Changes in related party loans for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 are as follows: Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 (In Thousands) Balance, beginning of year $ 13,083 $ 13,117 Advances 15,442 4,080 Repayments (16,435) (4,114) Balance, end of year $ 12,090 $ 13,083

FORECLOSED PROPERTIES (Tables)

FORECLOSED PROPERTIES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Foreclosed Properties [Abstract]
Analysis of Foreclosed Properties	An analysis of foreclosed properties for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 follows: 2015 2014 2013 (In Thousands) Balance at beginning of year $ 6,840 $ 12,861 $ 9,685 OREO acquired 2,348 - - Transfers from loans and capitalized expenses 2,210 2,417 11,355 Foreclosed properties sold (5,227) (7,214) (7,664) Writedowns and partial liquidations (779) (1,224) (515) Balance at end of year $ 5,392 $ 6,840 $ 12,861

PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT (Tables)

PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Schedule of Premises and Equipment	December 31, 2015 2014 (In Thousands) Land and building $ 13,293 $ 1,733 Furniture and equipment 12,102 10,240 Leasehold improvements 6,042 5,748 Construction in progress 982 - 32,419 17,721 Accumulated depreciation (12,985) (9,906) $ 19,434 $ 7,815
Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Payments	(In Thousands) 2016 $ 3,304 2017 3,014 2018 2,775 2019 2,273 2020 1,631 Thereafter 3,408 $ 16,405

DEPOSITS (Tables)

DEPOSITS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Deposits [Abstract]
Schedule Of Deposits	Deposits at December 31, 2015 and 2014 were as follows: December 31, 2015 2014 (In Thousands) Noninterest-bearing demand $ 1,053,467 $ 810,460 Interest-bearing checking 2,626,575 2,158,984 Savings 41,403 29,125 Time deposits, $250,000 and under 236,961 205,414 Time deposits, over $250,000 265,482 194,177 $ 4,223,888 $ 3,398,160
Schedule Of Maturities Of Deposits	The scheduled maturities of time deposits at December 31, 2015 were as follows: (In Thousands) 2016 $ 294,661 2017 91,103 2018 62,542 2019 24,098 2020 29,864 Thereafter 175 $ 502,443

EMPLOYEE AND DIRECTOR BENEFITS

EMPLOYEE AND DIRECTOR BENEFITS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs, Share-Based Payments [Abstract]
Assumptions Used To Estimates Fair Value Of Stock Option Award Using Black Scholes Merton Valuation Model	The risk-free rate for periods within the contractual life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. 2015 2014 2013 Expected volatility 24.00 % 19.25 % 18.65 % Expected dividends 0.71 % 1.31 % - % Expected term (in years) 6 8 7 Risk-free rate 1.85 % 2.24 % 1.72 %
Summary Of Stock Option Activity	The following tables summarize stock option activity: Shares Weighted Weighted Aggregate (In Thousands) Year Ended December 31, 2015: Outstanding at beginning of year 1,622,917 $ 9.38 5.9 $ 38,256 Granted 162,000 33.26 9.2 2,311 Exercised (525,500) 7.23 2.7 21,177 Forfeited (10,000) 16.79 7.1 - Outstanding at end of year 1,249,417 $ 13.32 6.3 $ 42,746 Exercisable at December 31, 2015 205,418 $ 9.68 5.4 $ 7,775 Year Ended December 31, 2014: Outstanding at beginning of year 2,328,900 $ 7.69 5.5 $ 14,300 Granted 139,000 16.83 9.3 2,339 Exercised (838,983) 5.92 2.5 22,679 Forfeited (6,000) 11.92 7.9 - Outstanding at end of year 1,622,917 $ 9.38 5.9 $ 38,256 Exercisable at December 31, 2014 591,418 $ 7.75 4.1 $ 14,901 Year Ended December 31, 2013: Outstanding at beginning of year 2,449,500 $ 6.96 5.8 $ 9,905 Granted 180,000 12.65 9.7 213 Exercised (282,600) 4.48 2.8 2,532 Forfeited (18,000) 7.50 5.6 - Outstanding at end of year 2,328,900 $ 7.69 5.5 $ 14,300 Exercisable at December 31, 2013 1,161,732 $ 5.40 3.2 $ 9,797
Summary Of Stock Option Exercisable	Exercisable options at December 31, 2015 were as follows: Range of Shares Weighted Weighted Aggregate (In Thousands) $ 5.00 3,000 $ 5.00 0.6 $ 127 8.33 134,918 8.33 4.4 5,288 11.00 30,000 11.00 7.2 1,096 13.83 37,500 13.83 8.0 1,264 205,418 9.68 5.4 7,775

REGULATORY MATTERS (Tables)

REGULATORY MATTERS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Banking and Thrift [Abstract]
Summary of Capital Adequacy Requirements	The Company’s and Bank’s actual capital amounts and ratios are presented in the following table: To Be Well Capitalized Under For Capital Adequacy Prompt Corrective Actual Purposes Action Provisions Amount Ratio Amount Ratio Amount Ratio As of December 31, 2015: CET I Capital to Risk Weighted Assets: Consolidated $ 431,642 9.72 % $ 199,836 4.50 % N/A N/A ServisFirst Bank 439,279 9.89 % 199,806 4.50 % $ 288,608 6.50 % Tier I Capital to Risk Weighted Assets: Consolidated 432,019 9.73 % 266,448 6.00 % N/A N/A ServisFirst Bank 439,656 9.90 % 266,407 6.00 % 355,210 8.00 % Total Capital to Risk Weighted Assets: Consolidated 530,688 11.95 % 355,264 8.00 % N/A N/A ServisFirst Bank 483,575 10.89 % 355,210 8.00 % 444,012 10.00 % Tier I Capital to Average Assets: Consolidated 432,019 8.55 % 202,043 4.00 % N/A N/A ServisFirst Bank 439,656 8.71 % 202,023 4.00 % 252,529 5.00 % As of December 31, 2014: Tier I Capital to Risk Weighted Assets: Consolidated $ 402,471 11.75 % $ 136,972 4.00 % N/A N/A ServisFirst Bank 362,119 10.58 % 136,970 4.00 % $ 205,454 6.00 % Total Capital to Risk Weighted Assets: Consolidated 458,073 13.38 % 273,943 8.00 % N/A N/A ServisFirst Bank 397,748 11.62 % 273,939 8.00 % 342,424 10.00 % Tier I Capital to Average Assets: Consolidated 402,471 9.91 % 162,377 4.00 % N/A N/A ServisFirst Bank 362,119 8.92 % 162,375 4.00 % 202,969 5.00 %

OTHER OPERATING INCOME AND EX46

OTHER OPERATING INCOME AND EXPENSES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Other Operating Income Expenses [Abstract]
Components Of Other Operating Income And Expense	The major components of other operating income and expense included in noninterest income and noninterest expense are as follows: Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 (In Thousands) Other Operating Income (Loss) gain on sale of other real estate owned $ (136) $ (413) $ (159) Credit card income 2,465 2,041 1,425 Other 1,214 1,006 878 $ 3,543 $ 2,634 $ 2,144 Other Operating Expenses Postage $ 338 $ 264 $ 195 Telephone 680 555 465 Data processing 4,293 3,126 2,535 Other loan expenses 2,086 1,457 1,936 Supplies 492 399 380 Customer and public relations 1,211 959 838 Marketing 562 477 532 Sales and use tax 380 259 309 Donations and contributions 605 466 370 Directors fees 406 364 341 Bank service charges 961 472 196 Write-down investment in tax credit partnerships 3,966 2,552 356 Other operational losses 126 575 113 Other 4,380 3,047 2,363 $ 20,486 $ 14,972 $ 10,929

INCOME TAXES (Tables)

INCOME TAXES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	The components of income tax expense are as follows: Year Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 (In Thousands) Current tax expense: Federal $ 28,517 $ 25,929 $ 21,264 State 1,824 693 899 Total current tax expense 30,341 26,622 22,163 Deferred tax expense (benefit): Federal (3,277) (3,778) (1,616) State (1,599) (1,243) (189) Total deferred tax expense (4,876) (5,021) (1,805) Total income tax expense $ 25,465 $ 21,601 $ 20,358
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation	The Company’s total income tax expense differs from the amounts computed by applying the Federal income tax statutory rates to income before income taxes. A reconciliation of the differences is as follows: Year Ended December 31, 2015 Amount % of Pre-tax (In Thousands) Income tax at statutory federal rate $ 31,152 35.00 % Effect on rate of: State income tax, net of federal tax effect 146 0.16 % Tax-exempt income, net of expenses (1,308) (1.47) % Bank owned life insurance contracts (917) (1.03) % Incentive stock option expense 3 - % Federal tax credits (3,600) (4.04) % Other (11) (0.01) % Effective income tax and rate $ 25,465 28.61 % Year Ended December 31, 2014 Amount % of Pre-tax (In Thousands) Income tax at statutory federal rate $ 25,892 35.00 % Effect on rate of: State income tax, net of federal tax effect (358) (0.49) % Tax-exempt income, net of expenses (1,316) (1.78) % Bank owned life insurance contracts (798) (1.08) % Incentive stock option expense (18) (0.02) % Federal tax credits (1,659) (2.24) % Other (142) (0.19) % Effective income tax and rate $ 21,601 29.20 % Year Ended December 31, 2013 Amount % of Pre-tax (In Thousands) Income tax at statutory federal rate $ 21,691 35.00 % Effect on rate of: State income tax, net of federal tax effect 462 0.75 % Tax-exempt income, net of expenses (1,200) (1.94) % Bank owned life insurance contracts (698) (1.13) % Incentive stock option expense 66 0.11 % Other 37 0.06 % Effective income tax and rate $ 20,358 32.85 %
Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities	The components of net deferred tax asset are as follows: December 31, 2015 2014 (In Thousands) Deferred tax assets: Allowance for loan losses $ 16,482 $ 13,491 Other real estate owned 1,136 1,319 Nonqualified equity awards 1,576 1,594 Nonaccrual interest 441 444 State tax credits 2,313 987 Investments 1,826 667 Deferred loan fees 642 87 Reserve for unfunded commitments 190 - Differences in amounts reflected in financial statements and income tax basis of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in acquisition 972 - Acquired net operating losses 1,398 - Other deferred tax assets 228 117 Total deferred tax assets 27,204 18,706 Deferred tax liabilities: Net unrealized gain on securities available for sale 1,641 2,418 Depreciation 1,285 421 Prepaid expenses 202 151 Acquired intangible assets 651 - Total deferred tax liabilities 3,779 2,990 Net deferred tax assets $ 23,425 $ 15,716
Summary of the changes in the amount of unrecognized benefits	The following table presents a summary of the changes during 2015, 2014 and 2013 in the amount of unrecognized tax benefits that are included in the consolidated balance sheets. 2015 2014 2013 (In Thousands) Balance, beginning of year $ 804 $ 437 $ 161 Increases related to prior year tax positions 369 367 276 Decreases related to prior year tax positions - - - Increases related to current year tax positions - - - Settlements - - - Lapse of statute - - - Balance, end of year $ 1,173 $ 804 $ 437

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule Of Commitments And Contingent Liabilities	A summary of the Company’s approximate commitments and contingent liabilities is as follows: 2015 2014 2013 (In Thousands) Commitments to extend credit $ 1,409,425 $ 1,156,682 $ 1,052,902 Credit card arrangements 62,462 45,155 38,122 Standby letters of credit and financial guarantees 38,224 33,280 40,371 Total $ 1,510,111 $ 1,235,117 $ 1,131,395

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (Tabl

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Basic And Diluted Earning Per Share	Diluted earnings per common share include the dilutive effect of additional potential common shares issuable under stock options and warrants. Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 (Dollar Amounts In Thousands Except Per Share Amounts) Earnings Per Share Weighted average common shares outstanding 25,713,233 23,855,001 20,607,213 Net income available to common stockholders $ 63,260 $ 51,946 $ 41,201 Basic earnings per common share $ 2.46 2.18 $ 2.00 Weighted average common shares outstanding 25,713,233 23,855,001 20,607,213 Dilutive effects of assumed conversions and exercise of stock options and warrants 729,321 963,220 1,198,812 Weighted average common and dilutive potential common shares outstanding 26,442,554 24,818,221 21,806,025 Net income available to common stockholders $ 63,260 $ 51,946 $ 41,201 Effect of interest expense on convertible debt, net of tax and discretionary expenditures related to conversion $ - $ - $ 115 Net income available to common stockholders, adjusted for effect of debt conversion $ 63,260 $ 51,946 $ 41,316 Diluted earnings per common share $ 2.39 $ 2.09 $ 1.90

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT (Tables)

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Financial Assets And Liabilities Carried At Fair Value On Recurring Basis	The following table presents the Company’s financial assets and financial liabilities carried at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014: Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2015 Using Quoted Prices in Active Markets Significant Other Significant for Identical Observable Inputs Unobservable Assets (Level 1) (Level 2) Inputs (Level 3) Total (In Thousands) Assets Measured on a Recurring Basis: Available-for-sale securities: U.S. Treasury and government sponsored agencies $ - $ 45,009 $ - $ 45,009 Mortgage-backed securities - 136,954 - 136,954 State and municipal securities - 146,033 - 146,033 Corporate debt - 14,942 - 14,942 Total assets at fair value $ - $ 342,938 $ - $ 342,938 Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2014 Using Quoted Prices in Active Markets Significant Other Significant for Identical Observable Inputs Unobservable Assets (Level 1) (Level 2) Inputs (Level 3) Total (In Thousands) Assets Measured on a Recurring Basis: Available-for-sale securities U.S. Treasury and government sponsored agencies $ - $ 51,138 $ - $ 51,138 Mortgage-backed securities - 95,523 - 95,523 State and municipal securities - 135,663 - 135,663 Corporate debt - 15,986 - 15,986 Total assets at fair value $ - $ 298,310 $ - $ 298,310
Financial Assets And Liabilities Carried At Fair Value On Nonrecurring Basis	The carrying amount and estimated fair value of the Company’s financial instruments were as follows:: Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2015 Using Quoted Prices in Active Markets Significant Other Significant for Identical Observable Unobservable Assets (Level 1) Inputs (Level 2) Inputs (Level 3) Total (In Thousands) Assets Measured on a Nonrecurring Basis: Impaired loans $ - - $ 27,808 $ 27,808 Other real estate owned and repossessed assets - - 5,392 5,392 Total assets at fair value - - $ 33,200 $ 33,200 Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2014 Using Quoted Prices in Active Markets Significant Other Significant for Identical Observable Unobservable Assets (Level 1) Inputs (Level 2) Inputs (Level 3) Total (In Thousands) Assets Measured on a Nonrecurring Basis: Impaired loans $ - $ - $ 21,631 $ 21,631 Other real estate owned - - 6,840 6,840 Total assets at fair value $ - $ - $ 28,471 $ 28,471
Carrying Amount And Estimated Fair Value Of Financial Instruments	This table includes those financial assets and liabilities that are not measured and reported at fair value on a recurring basis or nonrecurring basis. December 31, 2015 2014 Carrying Fair Value Carrying Fair Value (In Thousands) Financial Assets: Level 1 Inputs: Cash and cash equivalents $ 317,450 $ 317,450 $ 296,573 $ 296,573 Level 2 Inputs: Debt securities available for sale $ 342,938 $ 342,938 $ 298,310 $ 298,310 Debt securities held to maturity 27,426 27,910 29,355 29,974 Restricted equity securities 4,954 4,954 3,921 3,921 Federal funds sold 34,785 34,785 891 891 Mortgage loans held for sale 8,249 8,295 5,984 5,984 Bank owned life insurance contracts 91,594 91,594 86,288 86,288 Level 3 Inputs: Loans, net $ 4,172,956 $ 4,179,835 $ 3,324,229 $ 3,327,371 Financial Liabilities: Level 2 Inputs: Deposits $ 4,223,888 $ 4,223,181 $ 3,398,160 $ 3,399,261 Federal funds purchased 352,360 352,360 264,315 264,315 Other borrowings 55,637 64,305 19,973 19,973

PARENT COMPANY FINANCIAL INFO51

PARENT COMPANY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Abstract]
Condensed Balance Sheets	December 31, December 31, 2015 2014 ASSETS Cash and due from banks $ 48,182 $ 61,611 Investment in subsidiary 456,407 366,609 Other assets 375 51 Total assets $ 504,964 $ 428,271 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Liabilities: Other borrowings $ 54,639 $ 19,973 Other liabilities 1,555 1,337 Total liabilities 56,194 21,310 Stockholders' equity: Preferred stock, Series A Senior Non-Cumulative Perpetual, par value $0.001 (liquidation preference $1,000), net of discount; 40,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2015, and 40,000 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2014 - 39,958 Common stock, par value $0.001 per share; 50,000,000 shares authorized; 25,972,698 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2015 and 24,801,518 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2014 26 25 Additional paid-in capital 211,546 185,397 Retained earnings 234,150 177,091 Accumulated other comprehensive income 3,048 4,490 Total stockholders' equity 448,770 406,961 Total liabilites and stockholders' equity $ 504,964 $ 428,271
Condensed Statements of Income	2015 2014 2013 Income: Dividends received from subsidiary $ 20,000 $ 12,000 $ 4,750 Other income 1 - 1 Total income 20,001 12,000 4,751 Expense: Other expenses 1,603 1,183 1,147 Total expenses 1,603 1,183 1,147 Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiary 45,095 41,529 37,997 Net income 63,493 52,346 41,601 Dividends on preferred stock 233 400 400 Net income available to common stockholders $ 63,260 $ 51,946 $ 41,201
Statement of Cash Flows	2015 2014 2013 Operating activities Net income $ 63,493 $ 52,346 $ 41,601 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities: Other (271) 165 (224) Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiary (45,095) (41,529) (37,997) Net cash provided by operating activities 18,127 10,982 3,380 Investing activities Other - - (10,499) Net cash paid in acquisition (20,926) - - Investment in subsidiary 736 - - Net cash used in investing activities (20,190) - (10,499) Financing activities Proceeds from other borrowings 34,750 - - Redemption of preferred stock (40,000) - - Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net - 52,076 10,499 Dividends paid on common stock (5,883) (3,609) (3,682) Dividends paid on preferred stock (233) (400) (400) Net cash provided by financing activities (11,366) 48,067 6,417 (Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents (13,429) 59,049 (702) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 61,611 2,562 3,264 Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $ 48,182 $ 61,611 $ 2,562

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNA52

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]
Quarterly Financial Information	2015 Quarter Ended (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) March 31 June 30 September 30 December 31 Interest income $ 40,783 $ 44,209 $ 46,532 $ 48,451 Interest expense 3,746 3,998 4,670 5,290 Net interest income 37,037 40,211 41,862 43,161 Provision for loan losses 2,405 4,062 3,072 3,308 Net income available to common stockholders 12,955 14,346 16,233 19,726 Net income per common share, basic $ 0.51 $ 0.56 $ 0.63 $ 0.76 Net income per common share, diluted $ 0.49 $ 0.54 $ 0.61 $ 0.74 2014 Quarter Ended (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) March 31 June 30 September 30 December 31 Interest income $ 34,281 $ 35,424 $ 36,857 $ 38,163 Interest expense 3,432 3,446 3,538 3,703 Net interest income 30,849 31,978 33,319 34,460 Provision for loan losses 2,314 2,438 2,748 2,759 Net income available to common stockholders 11,658 11,469 13,902 14,917 Net income per common share, basic $ 0.53 $ 0.49 $ 0.56 $ 0.60 Net income per common share, diluted $ 0.51 $ 0.46 $ 0.54 $ 0.58

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN53

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Additional Information) (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Unrecognized Tax Benefits Threshold Percentage	50.00%
Advertising Expense	$ 562,000	$ 477,000	$ 532,000
Goodwill				$ 13,617,000
Metro Bancshares, Inc [Member]
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Remaining Amortization Period	7 years
Goodwill	$ 13,600,000
Minimum [Member]
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	3 years
Maximum [Member]
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	10 years
Federal Reserve Bank [Member]
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Cash Reserve Deposit Required and Made	$ 26,600,000	$ 36,900,000

ACQUISITION (Details)

ACQUISITION (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		1 Months Ended
		Jan. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Assets acquired:
Cash and cash equivalents		$ 8,543
Debt securities		28,792
Equity securities		499
Loans		148,995
Allowance for loan losses		0
Premises and equipment, net		8,368
Accrued interest receivable		484
Deferred taxes		3,907
Other real estate owned		2,348
Bank owned life insurance contracts		2,685
Core deposit intangible		2,090
Other assets		364
Total assets acquired		207,075
Liabilities assumed:
Deposits		175,754
Federal funds purchased		2,175
Other borrowings		1,396
Accrued interest payable		89
Other liabilities		996
Total liabilities assumed		180,410
Net assets acquired		26,665
Consideration Paid:
Cash		(20,926)
Stock		(19,356)
Total consideration paid		(40,282)
Goodwill		13,617
Metro Bancshares, Inc [Member]
Assets acquired:
Cash and cash equivalents		8,543
Debt securities		28,833
Equity securities		499
Loans		152,869
Allowance for loan losses		(1,621)
Premises and equipment, net		7,606
Accrued interest receivable		484
Deferred taxes		754
Other real estate owned		2,373
Bank owned life insurance contracts		2,685
Core deposit intangible		0
Other assets		364
Total assets acquired		203,389
Liabilities assumed:
Deposits		175,236
Federal funds purchased		2,175
Other borrowings		1,400
Accrued interest payable		89
Other liabilities		996
Total liabilities assumed		179,896
Net assets acquired		23,493
Consideration Paid:
Cash		(20,900)
Goodwill			$ 13,600
Preliminary Fair Value Adjustment [Member]
Assets acquired:
Cash and cash equivalents	[1]	0
Debt securities	[1],[2]	(41)
Equity securities	[1]	0
Loans	[1],[3]	(3,874)
Allowance for loan losses	[1],[3]	1,621
Premises and equipment, net	[1],[4]	762
Accrued interest receivable	[1]	0
Deferred taxes	[1],[5]	3,153
Other real estate owned	[1],[6]	(25)
Bank owned life insurance contracts	[1]	0
Core deposit intangible	[1],[7]	2,090
Other assets	[1]	0
Total assets acquired	[1]	3,686
Liabilities assumed:
Deposits	[1],[8]	518
Federal funds purchased	[1]	0
Other borrowings	[1],[9]	(4)
Accrued interest payable	[1]	0
Other liabilities	[1]	0
Total liabilities assumed	[1]	514
Net assets acquired	[1]	$ 3,172
[1]	The Company’s acquisition of Metro Bancshares, Inc. closed on January 31, 2015. During the second quarter of 2015, the fair value of other real estate owned was adjusted down by $280,000 to reflect the price received in an unsolicited offer to buy the property by a third party. During the second quarter of 2015, premises and equipment was written down by $41,000 to reflect the price received from a third party buyer of a piece of unimproved land held by the Company. During the fourth quarter of 2015, deferred taxes were adjusted upward by $3,126,000 to reflect the net operating loss recognized by Metro for January 2015.
[2]	Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustment based on the Company’s pricing of the acquired debt securities portfolio.
[3]	Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustment based on the Company’s evaluation of the acquired loan portfolio and to eliminate the recorded allowance for loan losses.
[4]	Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustment based on the Company’s evaluation of the premises and equipment acquired.
[5]	Adjustment reflects the differences in the carrying values of acquired assets and assumed liabilities for financial statement purposes and their basis for federal income tax purposes.
[6]	Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustment based on the Company’s evaluation of the other real estate owned acquired.
[7]	Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustment for the core deposit intangible asset recorded as a result of the acquisition.
[8]	Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustment based on the Company’s evaluation of the acquired deposits.
[9]	Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustment based on the Company’s evaluation of the assumed debt.

ACQUISITION (Additional Informa

ACQUISITION (Additional Information) (Details) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross	$ 20,926,000
Estimated Fair Value Of Purchased Credit Impaired Loans Acquired	5,100,000
Real Estate Owned, Amount of Loss at Acquisition			$ 743,000	$ 1,297,000
Metro Bancshares, Inc [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross	$ 20,900,000
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Number of Shares	636,592
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use		$ 41,000
Real Estate Owned, Amount of Loss at Acquisition		$ 280,000
Operating Loss Carryforwards			$ 3,126,000

DEBT SECURITIES (Amortized Cost

DEBT SECURITIES (Amortized Cost And Fair Value Of Available For Sale And Held To Maturity Securities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Securities Available for Sale
Amortized Cost	$ 338,249	$ 291,403
Gross Unrealized Gain	5,312	7,246
Gross Unrealized Loss	(623)	(339)
Market Value	342,938	298,310
Securities Held to Maturity
Amortized Cost	27,426	29,355
Gross Unrealized Gain	817	939
Gross Unrealized Loss	(333)	(320)
Market Value	27,910	29,974
U.S. Treasury and Government Sponsored Agencies [Member]
Securities Available for Sale
Amortized Cost	44,581	50,363
Gross Unrealized Gain	569	775
Gross Unrealized Loss	(141)	0
Market Value	45,009	51,138
Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
Securities Available for Sale
Amortized Cost	135,363	92,439
Gross Unrealized Gain	1,945	3,095
Gross Unrealized Loss	(354)	(11)
Market Value	136,954	95,523
Securities Held to Maturity
Amortized Cost	21,666	23,804
Gross Unrealized Gain	368	449
Gross Unrealized Loss	(332)	(320)
Market Value	21,702	23,933
State and Municipal Securities [Member]
Securities Available for Sale
Amortized Cost	143,403	132,780
Gross Unrealized Gain	2,731	3,211
Gross Unrealized Loss	(101)	(328)
Market Value	146,033	135,663
Securities Held to Maturity
Amortized Cost	5,760	5,551
Gross Unrealized Gain	449	490
Gross Unrealized Loss	(1)	0
Market Value	6,208	6,041
Corporate Debt [Member]
Securities Available for Sale
Amortized Cost	14,902	15,821
Gross Unrealized Gain	67	165
Gross Unrealized Loss	(27)	0
Market Value	$ 14,942	$ 15,986

DEBT SECURITIES (Amortized Co57

DEBT SECURITIES (Amortized Cost And Fair Value Of Contractual Securities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt securities available for sale
Amortized Cost	$ 338,249	$ 291,403
Fair Value	342,938	298,310
Debt securities held to maturity
Amortized Cost	27,426	29,355
Fair Value	27,910	29,974
Due within one year [Member]
Debt securities available for sale
Amortized Cost	16,770	16,944
Fair Value	16,868	17,246
Due from one to five years [Member]
Debt securities available for sale
Amortized Cost	153,880	121,591
Fair Value	156,311	123,962
Due from five to ten years [Member]
Debt securities available for sale
Amortized Cost	32,236	60,079
Fair Value	32,805	61,221
Debt securities held to maturity
Amortized Cost	627	298
Fair Value	659	325
Due after ten years [Member]
Debt securities available for sale
Amortized Cost	0	350
Fair Value	0	358
Debt securities held to maturity
Amortized Cost	5,133	5,253
Fair Value	5,549	5,716
Mortgage-backed securities [Member]
Debt securities available for sale
Amortized Cost	135,363	92,439
Fair Value	136,954	95,523
Debt securities held to maturity
Amortized Cost	21,666	23,804
Fair Value	$ 21,702	$ 23,933

DEBT SECURITIES (Investment Sec

DEBT SECURITIES (Investment Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Gross Unrealized Losses	$ (956)	$ (659)
Fair Value	95,163	48,516
U.S. Treasury and Government Sponsored Agencies [Member]
Gross Unrealized Losses	(141)	0
Fair Value	3,886	0
Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
Gross Unrealized Losses	(686)	(331)
Fair Value	68,321	17,751
State and Municipal Securities [Member]
Gross Unrealized Losses	(102)	(328)
Fair Value	19,995	30,765
Corporate Debt [Member]
Gross Unrealized Losses	(27)	0
Fair Value	2,961	0
Less Than Twelve Months [Member]
Gross Unrealized Losses	(577)	(162)
Fair Value	78,920	19,945
Less Than Twelve Months [Member] | U.S. Treasury and Government Sponsored Agencies [Member]
Gross Unrealized Losses	(141)	0
Fair Value	3,886	0
Less Than Twelve Months [Member] | Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
Gross Unrealized Losses	(354)	0
Fair Value	56,609	0
Less Than Twelve Months [Member] | State and Municipal Securities [Member]
Gross Unrealized Losses	(55)	(162)
Fair Value	15,464	19,945
Less Than Twelve Months [Member] | Corporate Debt [Member]
Gross Unrealized Losses	(27)	0
Fair Value	2,961	0
Twelve Months Or More [Member]
Gross Unrealized Losses	(379)	(497)
Fair Value	16,243	28,571
Twelve Months Or More [Member] | U.S. Treasury and Government Sponsored Agencies [Member]
Gross Unrealized Losses	0	0
Fair Value	0	0
Twelve Months Or More [Member] | Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
Gross Unrealized Losses	(332)	(331)
Fair Value	11,712	17,751
Twelve Months Or More [Member] | State and Municipal Securities [Member]
Gross Unrealized Losses	(47)	(166)
Fair Value	4,531	10,820
Twelve Months Or More [Member] | Corporate Debt [Member]
Gross Unrealized Losses	0	0
Fair Value	$ 0	$ 0

DEBT SECURITIES (Summary Inform

DEBT SECURITIES (Summary Information About Sales Of Debt Securities Available For Sale) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Sale proceeds	$ 16,738	$ 173	$ 4,140
Gross realized gains	29	3	131
Gross realized losses	0	0	0
Net realized gain (loss)	$ 29	$ 3	$ 131

DEBT SECURITIES (Additional Inf

DEBT SECURITIES (Additional Information) (Details) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Carrying Value Of Investment Securities Pledged	$ 245,500,000	$ 230,600,000
Federal Home Loan Bank Of Atlanta Stock [Member]
Restricted Investments	4,000,000	3,200,000
First National Bankers Bank Stock [Member]
Restricted Investments	400,000	250,000
CRA-Qualified Mutual Fund [Member]
Restricted Investments	$ 503,000	$ 503,000

LOANS (Details Of Loans) (Detai

LOANS (Details Of Loans) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Accounts Notes and Loans Receivable [Line Items]
Commercial, financial and agricultural	$ 1,760,479	$ 1,504,652
Real estate - construction	243,267	208,769
Real estate - mortgage:
Owner-occupied commercial	1,014,669	793,917
1-4 family mortgage	444,134	333,455
Other mortgage	698,779	471,363
Total real estate - mortgage	2,157,582	1,598,735
Consumer	55,047	47,702
Total Loans	4,216,375	3,359,858
Less: Allowance for loan losses	(43,419)	(35,629)	$ (30,663)	$ (26,258)
Net Loans	$ 4,172,956	$ 3,324,229

LOANS (Allowance for loan losse

LOANS (Allowance for loan losses) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Allowance For Loan Losses
Balance, beginning of year	$ 35,629	$ 30,663	$ 26,258
Loans charged off	(5,744)	(5,771)	(9,012)
Recoveries	687	478	409
Provision for loan losses	12,847	10,259	13,008
Balance, end of year	$ 43,419	$ 35,629	$ 30,663

LOANS (Analysis of Allowance Fo

LOANS (Analysis of Allowance For Loan Losses By Portfolio Segment) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Allowance For Loan Losses
Balance, beginning of year	$ 35,629	$ 30,663	$ 26,258
Charge-offs	(5,744)	(5,771)	(9,012)
Recoveries	687	478	409
Provision	12,847	10,259	13,008
Balance, end of year	43,419	35,629	30,663
Individually Evaluated for Impairment	5,683	5,094
Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	37,736	30,535
Ending Balance	4,216,375	3,359,858
Individually Evaluated for Impairment	33,491	26,725
Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	4,182,884	3,333,133
Commercial Financial and Agricultural Financing Receivable [Member]
Allowance For Loan Losses
Balance, beginning of year	16,079	13,576
Charge-offs	(3,802)	(2,311)
Recoveries	279	48
Provision	8,939	4,766
Balance, end of year	21,495	16,079	13,576
Individually Evaluated for Impairment	2,698	1,344
Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	18,797	14,735
Ending Balance	1,760,479	1,504,652
Individually Evaluated for Impairment	11,513	10,350
Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	1,748,966	1,494,302
Residential Real Estate Mortgage Loans [Member]
Allowance For Loan Losses
Balance, beginning of year	12,112	10,065
Charge-offs	(1,104)	(1,965)
Recoveries	169	74
Provision	4,884	3,938
Balance, end of year	16,061	12,112	10,065
Individually Evaluated for Impairment	1,730	1,636
Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	14,331	10,476
Ending Balance	2,157,582	1,598,735
Individually Evaluated for Impairment	17,880	10,029
Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	2,139,702	1,588,706
Consumer Portfolio Segment [Member]
Allowance For Loan Losses
Balance, beginning of year	1,043	944
Charge-offs	(171)	(228)
Recoveries	1	34
Provision	(442)	293
Balance, end of year	431	1,043	944
Individually Evaluated for Impairment	32	666
Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	399	377
Ending Balance	55,047	47,702
Individually Evaluated for Impairment	46	666
Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	55,001	47,036
Construction Loans [Member] | Commercial Real Estate Portfolio Segment [Member]
Allowance For Loan Losses
Balance, beginning of year	6,395	6,078
Charge-offs	(667)	(1,267)
Recoveries	238	322
Provision	(534)	1,262
Balance, end of year	5,432	6,395	$ 6,078
Individually Evaluated for Impairment	1,223	1,448
Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	4,209	4,947
Ending Balance	243,267	208,769
Individually Evaluated for Impairment	4,052	5,680
Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	$ 239,215	$ 203,089

LOANS (Loans By Credit Quality

LOANS (Loans By Credit Quality Indicator) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Commercial, financial and agricultural	$ 1,760,479	$ 1,504,652
Real estate - construction	243,267	208,769
Real estate - mortgage:
Owner-occupied commercial	1,014,669	793,917
1-4 family mortgage	444,134	333,455
Other mortgage	698,779	471,363
Total real estate mortgage	2,157,582	1,598,735
Consumer	55,047	47,702
Total	4,216,375	3,359,858
Pass [Member]
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Commercial, financial and agricultural	1,701,591	1,468,916
Real estate - construction	233,046	197,727
Real estate - mortgage:
Owner-occupied commercial	988,762	784,492
1-4 family mortgage	437,834	326,316
Other mortgage	683,157	457,782
Total real estate mortgage	2,109,753	1,568,590
Consumer	54,973	46,999
Total	4,099,363	3,282,232
Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Commercial, financial and agricultural	47,393	25,416
Real estate - construction	6,221	5,332
Real estate - mortgage:
Owner-occupied commercial	18,169	6,848
1-4 family mortgage	3,301	4,253
Other mortgage	11,086	9,015
Total real estate mortgage	32,556	20,116
Consumer	42	37
Total	86,212	50,901
Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Commercial, financial and agricultural	11,495	10,320
Real estate - construction	4,000	5,710
Real estate - mortgage:
Owner-occupied commercial	7,738	2,577
1-4 family mortgage	2,999	2,886
Other mortgage	4,536	4,566
Total real estate mortgage	15,273	10,029
Consumer	32	666
Total	30,800	26,725
Doubtful [Member]
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Commercial, financial and agricultural	0	0
Real estate - construction	0	0
Real estate - mortgage:
Owner-occupied commercial	0	0
1-4 family mortgage	0	0
Other mortgage	0	0
Total real estate mortgage	0	0
Consumer	0	0
Total	$ 0	$ 0

LOANS (Loans By Performance Sta

LOANS (Loans By Performance Status) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Commercial, financial and agricultural	$ 1,760,479	$ 1,504,652
Real estate - construction	243,267	208,769
Real estate - mortgage:
Owner-occupied commercial	1,014,669	793,917
1-4 family mortgage	444,134	333,455
Other mortgage	698,779	471,363
Total real estate mortgage	2,157,582	1,598,735
Consumer	55,047	47,702
Total	4,216,375	3,359,858
Performing Financing Receivable [Member]
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Commercial, financial and agricultural	1,758,561	1,503,555
Real estate - construction	239,267	203,720
Real estate - mortgage:
Owner-occupied commercial	1,014,669	793,234
1-4 family mortgage	443,936	331,859
Other mortgage	697,160	470,404
Total real estate mortgage	2,155,765	1,595,497
Consumer	55,015	47,036
Total	4,208,608	3,349,808
Nonperforming Financing Receivable [Member]
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Commercial, financial and agricultural	1,918	1,097
Real estate - construction	4,000	5,049
Real estate - mortgage:
Owner-occupied commercial	0	683
1-4 family mortgage	198	1,596
Other mortgage	1,619	959
Total real estate mortgage	1,817	3,238
Consumer	32	666
Total	$ 7,767	$ 10,050

LOANS (Loans By Past Due Status

LOANS (Loans By Past Due Status) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment Past Due [Line Items]
Past Due Status (Accruing Loans) Total Past Due	$ 557	$ 5,838
Non-Accrual	7,766	9,125
Current	4,208,052	3,344,895
Total Loans	4,216,375	3,359,858
Financing Receivables, 30 to 59 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment Past Due [Line Items]
Past Due Status (Accruing Loans) Total Past Due	293	1,423
Financing Receivables, 60 to 89 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment Past Due [Line Items]
Past Due Status (Accruing Loans) Total Past Due	263	3,490
Financing Receivables, Equal to Greater than 90 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment Past Due [Line Items]
Past Due Status (Accruing Loans) Total Past Due	1	925
Commercial Financial and Agricultural Financing Receivable [Member]
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment Past Due [Line Items]
Past Due Status (Accruing Loans) Total Past Due	85	5,803
Non-Accrual	1,918	172
Current	1,758,476	1,498,677
Total Loans	1,760,479	1,504,652
Commercial Financial and Agricultural Financing Receivable [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 to 59 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment Past Due [Line Items]
Past Due Status (Accruing Loans) Total Past Due	50	1,388
Commercial Financial and Agricultural Financing Receivable [Member] | Financing Receivables, 60 to 89 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment Past Due [Line Items]
Past Due Status (Accruing Loans) Total Past Due	35	3,490
Commercial Financial and Agricultural Financing Receivable [Member] | Financing Receivables, Equal to Greater than 90 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment Past Due [Line Items]
Past Due Status (Accruing Loans) Total Past Due	0	925
Commercial Mortgage Loans Owner Occupied [Member]
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment Past Due [Line Items]
Past Due Status (Accruing Loans) Total Past Due	0	0
Non-Accrual	0	683
Current	1,014,669	793,234
Total Loans	1,014,669	793,917
Commercial Mortgage Loans Owner Occupied [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 to 59 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment Past Due [Line Items]
Past Due Status (Accruing Loans) Total Past Due	0	0
Commercial Mortgage Loans Owner Occupied [Member] | Financing Receivables, 60 to 89 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment Past Due [Line Items]
Past Due Status (Accruing Loans) Total Past Due	0	0
Commercial Mortgage Loans Owner Occupied [Member] | Financing Receivables, Equal to Greater than 90 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment Past Due [Line Items]
Past Due Status (Accruing Loans) Total Past Due	0	0
One To Four Family Mortgage Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment Past Due [Line Items]
Past Due Status (Accruing Loans) Total Past Due	210	14
Non-Accrual	198	1,596
Current	443,726	331,845
Total Loans	444,134	333,455
One To Four Family Mortgage Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 to 59 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment Past Due [Line Items]
Past Due Status (Accruing Loans) Total Past Due	0	14
One To Four Family Mortgage Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 60 to 89 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment Past Due [Line Items]
Past Due Status (Accruing Loans) Total Past Due	210	0
One To Four Family Mortgage Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, Equal to Greater than 90 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment Past Due [Line Items]
Past Due Status (Accruing Loans) Total Past Due	0	0
Other Real Estate Mortgage Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment Past Due [Line Items]
Past Due Status (Accruing Loans) Total Past Due	0	0
Non-Accrual	1,619	959
Current	697,160	470,404
Total Loans	698,779	471,363
Other Real Estate Mortgage Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 to 59 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment Past Due [Line Items]
Past Due Status (Accruing Loans) Total Past Due	0	0
Other Real Estate Mortgage Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 60 to 89 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment Past Due [Line Items]
Past Due Status (Accruing Loans) Total Past Due	0	0
Other Real Estate Mortgage Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, Equal to Greater than 90 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment Past Due [Line Items]
Past Due Status (Accruing Loans) Total Past Due	0	0
Residential Real Estate Mortgage Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment Past Due [Line Items]
Past Due Status (Accruing Loans) Total Past Due	210	14
Non-Accrual	1,817	3,238
Current	2,155,555	1,595,483
Total Loans	2,157,582	1,598,735
Residential Real Estate Mortgage Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 to 59 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment Past Due [Line Items]
Past Due Status (Accruing Loans) Total Past Due	0	14
Residential Real Estate Mortgage Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 60 to 89 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment Past Due [Line Items]
Past Due Status (Accruing Loans) Total Past Due	210	0
Residential Real Estate Mortgage Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, Equal to Greater than 90 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment Past Due [Line Items]
Past Due Status (Accruing Loans) Total Past Due	0	0
Consumer Portfolio Segment [Member]
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment Past Due [Line Items]
Past Due Status (Accruing Loans) Total Past Due	52	21
Non-Accrual	31	666
Current	54,964	47,015
Total Loans	55,047	47,702
Consumer Portfolio Segment [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 to 59 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment Past Due [Line Items]
Past Due Status (Accruing Loans) Total Past Due	45	21
Consumer Portfolio Segment [Member] | Financing Receivables, 60 to 89 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment Past Due [Line Items]
Past Due Status (Accruing Loans) Total Past Due	6	0
Consumer Portfolio Segment [Member] | Financing Receivables, Equal to Greater than 90 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment Past Due [Line Items]
Past Due Status (Accruing Loans) Total Past Due	1	0
Construction Loans [Member] | Commercial Real Estate Portfolio Segment [Member]
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment Past Due [Line Items]
Past Due Status (Accruing Loans) Total Past Due	210	0
Non-Accrual	4,000	5,049
Current	239,057	203,720
Total Loans	243,267	208,769
Construction Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 to 59 Days Past Due [Member] | Commercial Real Estate Portfolio Segment [Member]
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment Past Due [Line Items]
Past Due Status (Accruing Loans) Total Past Due	198	0
Construction Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, 60 to 89 Days Past Due [Member] | Commercial Real Estate Portfolio Segment [Member]
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment Past Due [Line Items]
Past Due Status (Accruing Loans) Total Past Due	12	0
Construction Loans [Member] | Financing Receivables, Equal to Greater than 90 Days Past Due [Member] | Commercial Real Estate Portfolio Segment [Member]
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment Past Due [Line Items]
Past Due Status (Accruing Loans) Total Past Due	$ 0	$ 0

LOANS (Details Of Company's Imp

LOANS (Details Of Company's Impaired Loans) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Financing Receivable Impaired [Line Items]
Recorded Investment, with no allowance recorded	$ 11,108	$ 12,648
Unpaid Principal Balance, with no allowance recorded	12,076	12,698
Related Allowance, with no allowance recorded	0	0
Average Recorded Investment , with no allowance recorded	11,653	11,708
Interest Income Recognized in Period, with no allowance recorded	609	619
Recorded Investment, with an allowance recorded	22,383	14,077
Unpaid Principal Balance, with an allowance recorded	24,862	14,557
Related Allowance with an allowance recorded	5,683	5,094
Average Recorded Investment , with an allowance recorded	29,241	14,975
Interest Income Recognized in Period, with an allowance recorded	1,276	344
Recorded Investment	33,491	26,725
Unpaid Principal Balance	36,938	27,255
Related Allowance	5,683	5,094
Average Recorded Investment	40,894	26,683
Interest Income Recognized in Period	1,885	963
Commercial Financial and Agricultural Financing Receivable [Member]
Financing Receivable Impaired [Line Items]
Recorded Investment, with no allowance recorded	478	7,059
Unpaid Principal Balance, with no allowance recorded	487	7,059
Related Allowance, with no allowance recorded	0	0
Average Recorded Investment , with no allowance recorded	482	7,104
Interest Income Recognized in Period, with no allowance recorded	24	406
Recorded Investment, with an allowance recorded	11,035	3,291
Unpaid Principal Balance, with an allowance recorded	13,035	3,291
Related Allowance with an allowance recorded	2,698	1,344
Average Recorded Investment , with an allowance recorded	13,882	3,262
Interest Income Recognized in Period, with an allowance recorded	672	156
Recorded Investment	11,513	10,350
Unpaid Principal Balance	13,522	10,350
Related Allowance	2,698	1,344
Average Recorded Investment	14,364	10,366
Interest Income Recognized in Period	696	562
Commercial Mortgage Loans Owner Occupied [Member]
Financing Receivable Impaired [Line Items]
Recorded Investment, with no allowance recorded	3,980	1,576
Unpaid Principal Balance, with no allowance recorded	4,140	1,576
Related Allowance, with no allowance recorded	0	0
Average Recorded Investment , with no allowance recorded	3,815	236
Interest Income Recognized in Period, with no allowance recorded	214	12
Recorded Investment, with an allowance recorded	6,365	1,001
Unpaid Principal Balance, with an allowance recorded	6,365	1,001
Related Allowance with an allowance recorded	1,328	160
Average Recorded Investment , with an allowance recorded	9,958	1,140
Interest Income Recognized in Period, with an allowance recorded	568	29
Recorded Investment	10,345	2,577
Unpaid Principal Balance	10,505	2,577
Related Allowance	1,328	160
Average Recorded Investment	13,773	1,376
Interest Income Recognized in Period	782	41
One To Four Family Mortgage Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable Impaired [Line Items]
Recorded Investment, with no allowance recorded	2,396	542
Unpaid Principal Balance, with no allowance recorded	2,572	592
Related Allowance, with no allowance recorded	0	0
Average Recorded Investment , with no allowance recorded	2,409	592
Interest Income Recognized in Period, with no allowance recorded	147	19
Recorded Investment, with an allowance recorded	603	2,344
Unpaid Principal Balance, with an allowance recorded	603	2,344
Related Allowance with an allowance recorded	263	694
Average Recorded Investment , with an allowance recorded	567	2,743
Interest Income Recognized in Period, with an allowance recorded	19	56
Recorded Investment	2,999	2,886
Unpaid Principal Balance	3,175	2,936
Related Allowance	263	694
Average Recorded Investment	2,976	3,335
Interest Income Recognized in Period	166	75
Other Real Estate Mortgage Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable Impaired [Line Items]
Recorded Investment, with no allowance recorded	4,079	1,944
Unpaid Principal Balance, with no allowance recorded	4,694	1,944
Related Allowance, with no allowance recorded	0	0
Average Recorded Investment , with no allowance recorded	4,559	2,283
Interest Income Recognized in Period, with no allowance recorded	222	142
Recorded Investment, with an allowance recorded	457	2,622
Unpaid Principal Balance, with an allowance recorded	457	2,622
Related Allowance with an allowance recorded	139	782
Average Recorded Investment , with an allowance recorded	880	2,767
Interest Income Recognized in Period, with an allowance recorded	17	84
Recorded Investment	4,536	4,566
Unpaid Principal Balance	5,151	4,566
Related Allowance	139	782
Average Recorded Investment	5,439	5,050
Interest Income Recognized in Period	239	226
Residential Real Estate Mortgage Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable Impaired [Line Items]
Recorded Investment, with no allowance recorded	10,455	4,062
Unpaid Principal Balance, with no allowance recorded	11,406	4,112
Related Allowance, with no allowance recorded	0	0
Average Recorded Investment , with no allowance recorded	10,783	3,111
Interest Income Recognized in Period, with no allowance recorded	583	173
Recorded Investment, with an allowance recorded	7,425	5,967
Unpaid Principal Balance, with an allowance recorded	7,425	5,967
Related Allowance with an allowance recorded	1,730	1,636
Average Recorded Investment , with an allowance recorded	11,405	6,650
Interest Income Recognized in Period, with an allowance recorded	604	169
Recorded Investment	17,880	10,029
Unpaid Principal Balance	18,831	10,079
Related Allowance	1,730	1,636
Average Recorded Investment	22,188	9,761
Interest Income Recognized in Period	1,187	342
Consumer Portfolio Segment [Member]
Financing Receivable Impaired [Line Items]
Recorded Investment, with no allowance recorded	14	666
Unpaid Principal Balance, with no allowance recorded	20	666
Related Allowance, with no allowance recorded	0	666
Average Recorded Investment , with no allowance recorded	18	681
Interest Income Recognized in Period, with no allowance recorded	1	0
Recorded Investment, with an allowance recorded	32	666
Unpaid Principal Balance, with an allowance recorded	32	666
Related Allowance with an allowance recorded	32	666
Average Recorded Investment , with an allowance recorded	34	681
Interest Income Recognized in Period, with an allowance recorded	0	0
Recorded Investment	46
Unpaid Principal Balance	52
Related Allowance	32
Average Recorded Investment	52
Interest Income Recognized in Period	1
Construction Loans [Member] | Commercial Real Estate Portfolio Segment [Member]
Financing Receivable Impaired [Line Items]
Recorded Investment, with no allowance recorded	161	1,527
Unpaid Principal Balance, with no allowance recorded	163	1,527
Related Allowance, with no allowance recorded	0	0
Average Recorded Investment , with no allowance recorded	370	1,493
Interest Income Recognized in Period, with no allowance recorded	1	40
Recorded Investment, with an allowance recorded	3,891	4,153
Unpaid Principal Balance, with an allowance recorded	4,370	4,633
Related Allowance with an allowance recorded	1,223	1,448
Average Recorded Investment , with an allowance recorded	3,920	4,382
Interest Income Recognized in Period, with an allowance recorded	0	19
Recorded Investment	4,052	5,680
Unpaid Principal Balance	4,533	6,160
Related Allowance	1,223	1,448
Average Recorded Investment	4,290	5,875
Interest Income Recognized in Period	$ 1	$ 59

LOANS (Analysis Of Troubled Deb

LOANS (Analysis Of Troubled Debt Restructuring) (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)Number	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)Number
Financing Receivable Modifications [Line Items]
Number of Contracts | Number	9	12
Pre- Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment	$ 6,871	$ 13,272
Post- Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment	6,871	13,272
Previous Twelve Months Recorded Investment	$ 0	$ 5,238
Commercial Financial and Agricultural Financing Receivable [Member]
Financing Receivable Modifications [Line Items]
Number of Contracts | Number	8	9
Pre- Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment	$ 6,618	$ 7,139
Post- Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment	6,618	7,139
Previous Twelve Months Recorded Investment	$ 0	$ 925
Commercial Mortgage Loans Owner Occupied [Member]
Financing Receivable Modifications [Line Items]
Number of Contracts | Number	0	0
Pre- Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment	$ 0	$ 0
Post- Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment	$ 0	$ 0
One To Four Family Mortgage Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable Modifications [Line Items]
Number of Contracts | Number	0	1
Pre- Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment	$ 0	$ 4,449
Post- Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment	0	4,449
Previous Twelve Months Recorded Investment	$ 0	$ 4,313
Other Real Estate Mortgage Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable Modifications [Line Items]
Number of Contracts | Number	1	2
Pre- Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment	$ 253	$ 1,684
Post- Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment	253	1,684
Previous Twelve Months Recorded Investment	$ 0	$ 0
Residential Real Estate Mortgage Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable Modifications [Line Items]
Number of Contracts | Number	1	3
Pre- Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment	$ 253	$ 6,133
Post- Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment	253	6,133
Previous Twelve Months Recorded Investment	$ 0	$ 4,313
Consumer Portfolio Segment [Member]
Financing Receivable Modifications [Line Items]
Number of Contracts | Number	0	0
Pre- Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment	$ 0	$ 0
Post- Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment	0	0
Previous Twelve Months Recorded Investment	$ 0	$ 0
Construction Loans [Member] | Commercial Real Estate Portfolio Segment [Member]
Financing Receivable Modifications [Line Items]
Number of Contracts	0	0
Pre- Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment	$ 0	$ 0
Post- Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment	$ 0	$ 0

LOANS (Changes in Related Party

LOANS (Changes in Related Party Loans) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Balance, beginning of year	$ 13,083	$ 13,117
Advances	15,442	4,080
Repayments	(16,435)	(4,114)
Balance, end of year	$ 12,090	$ 13,083

LOANS (Additional Information)

LOANS (Additional Information) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Troubled Debt Restructuring Debtor Current Period [Line Items]
Troubled Debt Restructurings	$ 6,871	$ 13,272
Financing Receivables, Impaired, Troubled Debt Restructuring, Write-down	$ 900	$ 1,000

FORECLOSED PROPERTIES (Summary

FORECLOSED PROPERTIES (Summary of Foreclosed Properties) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Foreclosed Properties [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of year	$ 6,840	$ 12,861	$ 9,685
OREO acquired	2,348	0	0
Transfers from loans and capitalized expenses	2,210	2,417	11,355
Foreclosed properties sold	(5,227)	(7,214)	(7,664)
Writedowns and partial liquidations	(779)	(1,224)	(515)
Balance at end of year	$ 5,392	$ 6,840	$ 12,861

FORECLOSED PROPERTIES (Addition

FORECLOSED PROPERTIES (Additional Information) (Details) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Foreclosed Properties [Line Items]
Foreclosed Properties	$ 5,392,000	$ 6,840,000	$ 12,861,000	$ 9,685,000
Other Real Estate Owned [Member]
Foreclosed Properties [Line Items]
Foreclosed Properties	$ 1,141,000	$ 684,000

PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT (Compone

PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT (Components of Premises and Equipment) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross, Total	$ 32,419	$ 17,721
Accumulated depreciation	(12,985)	(9,906)
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Total	19,434	7,815
Land and Building [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross, Total	13,293	1,733
Furniture and Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross, Total	12,102	10,240
Leasehold Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross, Total	6,042	5,748
Construction in Progress [Member]
Construction in progress	$ 982	$ 0

PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT (Future

PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT (Future Minimum Lease Payments Under Non-Cancellable Operating Leases) (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
2,016	$ 3,304
2,017	3,014
2,018	2,775
2,019	2,273
2,020	1,631
Thereafter	3,408
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Total	$ 16,405

VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES (V75

VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES (VIEs) (Additional Information) (Details) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Variable Interest Entities [Line Items]
Other Assets	$ 17,878,000	$ 11,543,000
Partnership Investment [Member]
Variable Interest Entities [Line Items]
Other Assets	199,000	265,000
Limited Partners' Capital Account	25,311,000	25,460,000
Loan [Member]
Variable Interest Entities [Line Items]
Limited Partners' Capital Account	$ 14,876,000	$ 17,386,000

DEPOSITS (Summary of Deposits)

DEPOSITS (Summary of Deposits) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Summary of Deposits [Line Items]
Deposits, Total	$ 4,223,888	$ 3,398,160
Noninterest Bearing Demand [Member]
Summary of Deposits [Line Items]
Deposits, Total	1,053,467	810,460
Interest Bearing Checking [Member]
Summary of Deposits [Line Items]
Deposits, Total	2,626,575	2,158,984
Savings [Member]
Summary of Deposits [Line Items]
Deposits, Total	41,403	29,125
Time deposits, $250,000 and under [Member]
Summary of Deposits [Line Items]
Deposits, Total	236,961	205,414
Time, over $250,000 [Member]
Summary of Deposits [Line Items]
Deposits, Total	$ 265,482	$ 194,177

DEPOSITS (Scheduled Maturities

DEPOSITS (Scheduled Maturities Of Time Deposits) (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Scheduled Maturities Of Time Deposits [Line Items]
2,016	$ 294,661
2,017	91,103
2,018	62,542
2,019	24,098
2,020	29,864
Thereafter	175
Time Deposits	$ 502,443

DEPOSITS (Additional Informatio

DEPOSITS (Additional Information) (Details) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Overdraft Deposit Reclassification	$ 1,594,000	$ 3,544,000

FEDERAL FUNDS PURCHASED (Additi

FEDERAL FUNDS PURCHASED (Additional Information) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Federal Funds Purchased [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	5.00%
Line of Credit, Current	$ 180	$ 160
Federal Funds Purchased [Member]
Federal Funds Purchased [Line Items]
Short-term Debt, Total	$ 352.4	$ 264.3
Federal Funds Purchased [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Federal Funds Purchased [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	0.75%	0.30%
Federal Funds Purchased [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Federal Funds Purchased [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	0.55%	0.25%

OTHER BORROWINGS (Additional In

OTHER BORROWINGS (Additional Information) (Details) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Nov. 30, 2012
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Other Borrowings	$ 34,750,000	$ 55,637,000	$ 19,973,000		$ 20,000,000
Other Borrowings To Subordinated Notes Percentage	5.00%
Payments for Federal Home Loan Bank Advances		$ 300,000	$ 0	$ 0
Private Placement [Member]
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Other Borrowings To Subordinated Notes Percentage					5.50%
Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta [Member]
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Advances from Federal Home Loan Banks, Total	$ 1,000,000
Federal Home Loan Bank, Advances, Interest Rate	0.75%
Payments for Federal Home Loan Bank Advances	$ 100,000
Federal Home Loan Bank Advances Maturity Date	May 22, 2018

PARTICIPATION IN THE SMALL BU81

PARTICIPATION IN THE SMALL BUSINESS LENDING FUND OF THE U.S. TREASURY DEPARTMENT (Additional Information) (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2015	Jun. 21, 2011
Fund Established Under Small Business Job Act 2010	$ 30,000,000,000
Qualified Community Banks	$ 10,000,000,000
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Percentage	1.00%
Qualified Small Business Lending [Member]
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Percentage	1.00%
Fixed Rate [Member]
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Percentage	9.00%
Senior Non Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock [Member]
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued		40,000
Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference, Value			$ 40,033,000

EMPLOYEE AND DIRECTOR BENEFIT82

EMPLOYEE AND DIRECTOR BENEFITS (Assumptions Used To Estimates Fair Value Of Stock Option Award Using Black Scholes Merton Valuation Model) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected volatility	24.00%	19.25%	18.65%
Expected dividends	0.71%	1.31%	0.00%
Expected term (in years)	6 years	8 years	7 years
Risk-free rate	1.85%	2.24%	1.72%

EMPLOYEE AND DIRECTOR BENEFIT83

EMPLOYEE AND DIRECTOR BENEFITS (Summary Of Stock Option Activity) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares, Exercisable	205,418
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercisable	$ 9.68
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Exercisable	$ 7,775
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares, Outstanding at beginning of year	1,622,917	2,328,900	2,449,500
Shares, Granted	162,000	139,000	180,000
Shares, Exercised	(525,500)	(838,983)	(282,600)
Shares, Forfeited	(10,000)	(6,000)	(18,000)
Shares, Outstanding at end of year	1,249,417	1,622,917	2,328,900
Shares, Exercisable	205,418	591,418	1,161,732
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Outstanding at beginning of year	$ 9.38	$ 7.69	$ 6.96
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Granted	33.26	16.83	12.65
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercised	7.23	5.92	4.48
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Forfeited	16.79	11.92	7.50
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Outstanding at end of year	13.32	9.38	7.69
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercisable	$ 9.68	$ 7.75	$ 5.40
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (years), Outstanding at beginning	5 years 10 months 24 days	5 years 6 months	5 years 9 months 18 days
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (years), Granted	9 years 2 months 12 days	9 years 3 months 18 days	9 years 8 months 12 days
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (years), Exercised	2 years 8 months 12 days	2 years 6 months	2 years 9 months 18 days
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (years), Forfeited	7 years 1 month 6 days	7 years 10 months 24 days	5 years 7 months 6 days
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (years), Outstanding at ending	6 years 3 months 18 days	5 years 10 months 24 days	5 years 6 months
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (years), Exercisable	5 years 4 months 24 days	4 years 1 month 6 days	3 years 2 months 12 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Outstanding at beginning of year	$ 38,256	$ 14,300	$ 9,905
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Granted	2,311	2,339	213
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Exercised	21,177	22,679	2,532
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Forfeited	0	0	0
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Outstanding at end of year	42,746	38,256	14,300
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Exercisable	$ 7,775	$ 14,901	$ 9,797

EMPLOYEE AND DIRECTOR BENEFIT84

EMPLOYEE AND DIRECTOR BENEFITS (Exercisable options) (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)$ / sharesshares
Shares, Exercisable | shares	205,418
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercisable | $ / shares	$ 9.68
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (years)	5 years 4 months 24 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value | $	$ 7,775
Exercise Price 5.00 [Member]
Shares, Exercisable | shares	3,000
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercisable | $ / shares	$ 5
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (years)	7 months 6 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value | $	$ 127
Exercise Price 8.33 [Member]
Shares, Exercisable | shares	134,918
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercisable | $ / shares	$ 8.33
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (years)	4 years 4 months 24 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value | $	$ 5,288
Exercise Price 11.00 [Member]
Shares, Exercisable | shares	30,000
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercisable | $ / shares	$ 11
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (years)	7 years 2 months 12 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value | $	$ 1,096
Exercise Price 13.83 [Member]
Shares, Exercisable | shares	37,500
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercisable | $ / shares	$ 13.83
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (years)	8 years
Aggregate Intrinsic Value | $	$ 1,264

EMPLOYEE AND DIRECTOR BENEFIT85

EMPLOYEE AND DIRECTOR BENEFITS (Additional Information) (Details) - USD ($)	May. 14, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jun. 30, 2009	Sep. 30, 2008
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share based compensation		$ 1,265,000	$ 3,681,000	$ 1,205,000
Shares available for grant		2,099,510
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value		$ 8.40	$ 3.69	$ 3.04
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized		$ 1,741,000
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition		1 year 8 months 12 days
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Restricted Stock Award, Net of Forfeitures, Total		237,088
Non Routine Expenses			$ 2,503,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested in Period, Fair Value		$ 242,000	2,025,000	$ 705,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period		90,000
Warrants Exercisable				211,500
Class of Warrant or Right, Number of Securities Called by Warrants or Rights						45,000	225,000
Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights						$ 8.333	$ 8.333
Subordinated Borrowing, Interest Rate	8.25%
Postemployment Benefits, Period Expense		$ 1,080,000	$ 811,000	$ 878,000
Preferred Securities [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Warrants Exercisable					13,500
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized		$ 568,000
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition		1 year 3 months 18 days
Plan 2005 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares available for grant		1,575,000
Plan 2006 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares available for grant		3,075,000
Plan 2009 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share based compensation		$ 2,775,000
Shares available for grant		1,275,000
Additional Contribution [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Postemployment Benefits, Period Expense				$ 200,000

COMMON STOCK (Additional Inform

COMMON STOCK (Additional Information) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015	May. 19, 2014
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross	$ 20,926
Metro Bancshares, Inc [Member]
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross	$ 20,900
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Number of Shares	636,592
IPO [Member]
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues		1,875,000
Sale of Stock, Price Per Share		$ 30.33
Proceeds from Issuance of Private Placement		$ 52,100

REGULATORY MATTERS (The Company

REGULATORY MATTERS (The Company's And Bank's Actual Capital Amounts And Ratios) (Details) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Servisfirst Bank [Member]
CET I Capital to Risk Weighted Assets, Amount	$ 439,279
CET I Capital to Risk Weighted Assets, Ratio	9.89%
CET I Capital to Risk Weighted Assets, For Capital Adequacy Purposes, Amount	$ 199,806
CET I Capital to Risk Weighted Assets, For Capital Adequacy Purposes, Ratio	4.50%
CET I Capital to Risk Weighted Assets, To Be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions, Amount	$ 288,608
CET I Capital to Risk Weighted Assets, To Be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions, Ratio	6.50%
Tier I Capital to Risk Weighted Assets, Actual Amount	$ 439,656	$ 362,119
Tier I Capital to Risk Weighted Assets, Actual Ratio	9.90%	10.58%
Tier I Capital to Risk Weighted Assets, For Capital Adequacy Purposes, Amount	$ 266,407	$ 136,970
Tier One Risk Based Capital Required for Capital Adequacy to Risk Weighted Assets	6.00%	4.00%
Tier I Capital to Risk Weighted Assets, To Be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions, Amount	$ 355,210	$ 205,454
Tier I Capital to Risk Weighted Assets, To Be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions, Ratio	8.00%	6.00%
Total Capital to Risk Weighted Assets, Actual Amount	$ 483,575	$ 397,748
Total Capital to Risk Weighted Assets, Actual Ratio	10.89%	11.62%
Total Capital to Risk Weighted Assets, For Capital Adequacy Purposes, Amount	$ 355,210	$ 273,939
Total Capital to Risk Weighted Assets, For Capital Adequacy Purposes, Ratio	8.00%	8.00%
Total Capital to Risk Weighted Assets, To Be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions, Amount	$ 444,012	$ 342,424
Total Capital to Risk Weighted Assets, To Be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions, Ratio	10.00%	10.00%
Tier I Capital to Average Assets, Actual Amount	$ 439,656	$ 362,119
Tier I Capital to Average Assets, Actual Ratio	8.71%	8.92%
Tier I Capital to Average Assets, For Capital Adequacy Purposes, Amount	$ 202,023	$ 162,375
Tier I Capital to Average Assets, For Capital Adequacy Purposes, Ratio	4.00%	4.00%
Tier I Capital to Average Assets, To Be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions, Amount	$ 252,529	$ 202,969
Tier I Capital to Average Assets, To Be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions, Ratio	5.00%	5.00%
Consolidated Entities [Member]
CET I Capital to Risk Weighted Assets, Amount	$ 431,642
CET I Capital to Risk Weighted Assets, Ratio	9.72%
CET I Capital to Risk Weighted Assets, For Capital Adequacy Purposes, Amount	$ 199,836
CET I Capital to Risk Weighted Assets, For Capital Adequacy Purposes, Ratio	4.50%
Tier I Capital to Risk Weighted Assets, Actual Amount	$ 432,019	$ 402,471
Tier I Capital to Risk Weighted Assets, Actual Ratio	9.73%	11.75%
Tier I Capital to Risk Weighted Assets, For Capital Adequacy Purposes, Amount	$ 266,448	$ 136,972
Tier One Risk Based Capital Required for Capital Adequacy to Risk Weighted Assets	6.00%	4.00%
Total Capital to Risk Weighted Assets, Actual Amount	$ 530,688	$ 458,073
Total Capital to Risk Weighted Assets, Actual Ratio	11.95%	13.38%
Total Capital to Risk Weighted Assets, For Capital Adequacy Purposes, Amount	$ 355,264	$ 273,943
Total Capital to Risk Weighted Assets, For Capital Adequacy Purposes, Ratio	8.00%	8.00%
Tier I Capital to Average Assets, Actual Amount	$ 432,019	$ 402,471
Tier I Capital to Average Assets, Actual Ratio	8.55%	9.91%
Tier I Capital to Average Assets, For Capital Adequacy Purposes, Amount	$ 202,043	$ 162,377
Tier I Capital to Average Assets, For Capital Adequacy Purposes, Ratio	4.00%	4.00%

REGULATORY MATTERS (Additional

REGULATORY MATTERS (Additional Information) (Details) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Cumulative Dividends	$ 141.8

OTHER OPERATING INCOME AND EX89

OTHER OPERATING INCOME AND EXPENSES (Other Operating Income And Expense Included In Noninterest Income And Noninterest Expense) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Other Operating Income
(Loss) gain on sale of other real estate owned	$ (136)	$ (413)	$ (159)
Credit Card Income	2,465	2,041	1,425
Other Income	1,214	1,006	878
Other Operating Income	3,543	2,634	2,144
Other Operating Expenses
Postage	338	264	195
Telephone	680	555	465
Data processing	4,293	3,126	2,535
Other loan expenses	2,086	1,457	1,936
Supplies	492	399	380
Marketing	562	477	532
Donations and contributions	605	466	370
Customer And Public Relations	1,211	959	838
Sales And Use Tax	380	259	309
Directors fees	406	364	341
Bank service charges	961	472	196
Write-down investment in tax credit partnerships	152	207	0
Other Operational Losses	126	575	113
Other	4,380	3,047	2,363
Other Operating Expenses	$ 20,486	$ 14,972	$ 10,929

INCOME TAXES (Income Tax Expens

INCOME TAXES (Income Tax Expense) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Current tax expense:
Federal	$ 28,517	$ 25,929	$ 21,264
State	1,824	693	899
Total current tax expense	30,341	26,622	22,163
Deferred tax expense (benefit):
Federal	(3,277)	(3,778)	(1,616)
State	(1,599)	(1,243)	(189)
Total deferred tax expense	(4,876)	(5,021)	(1,805)
Total income tax expense	$ 25,465	$ 21,601	$ 20,358

INCOME TAXES (The Federal Incom

INCOME TAXES (The Federal Income Tax Statutory Rates To Income Before Income Taxes) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Income tax at statutory federal rate, Amount	$ 31,152	$ 25,892	$ 21,691
Income tax at statutory federal rate, Pre-tax Earnings	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
State income tax, net of federal tax effect, Amount	$ 146	$ (358)	$ 462
State income tax, net of federal tax effect, Pre-tax Earnings	0.16%	(0.49%)	0.75%
Tax-exempt income, net of expenses, Amount	$ (1,308)	$ (1,316)	$ (1,200)
Tax-exempt income, net of expenses, Pre-tax Earnings	(1.47%)	(1.78%)	(1.94%)
Bank owned life insurance contracts, Amount	$ (917)	$ (798)	$ (698)
Bank owned life insurance contracts, Pre-tax Earnings	(1.03%)	(1.08%)	(1.13%)
Incentive stock option expense, Amount	$ 3	$ (18)	$ 66
Incentive stock option expense, Pre-tax Earnings	0.00%	(0.02%)	0.11%
Federal tax credits, Amount	$ (3,600)	$ (1,659)
Federal tax credits, Pre-tax Earnings	(4.04%)	(2.24%)
Other, Amount	$ (11)	$ (142)	$ 37
Other, Pre-tax Earnings	(0.01%)	(0.19%)	0.06%
Effective income tax and rate, Amount	$ 25,465	$ 21,601	$ 20,358
Effective income tax and rate, Pre-tax Earnings	28.61%	29.20%	32.85%

INCOME TAXES (Components Of Net

INCOME TAXES (Components Of Net Deferred Tax Asset) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Deferred tax assets:
Allowance for loan losses	$ 16,482	$ 13,491
Other real estate owned	1,136	1,319
Nonqualified equity awards	1,576	1,594
Nonaccrual interest	441	444
State tax credits	2,313	987
Investments	1,826	667
Deferred loan fees	642	87
Reserve for unfunded commitments	190	0
Differences in amounts reflected in financial statements and income tax basis of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in acquisition	972	0
Acquired net operating losses	1,398	0
Other deferred tax assets	228	117
Total deferred tax assets	27,204	18,706
Deferred tax liabilities:
Net unrealized gain on securities available for sale	1,641	2,418
Depreciation	1,285	421
Prepaid expenses	202	151
Acquired intangible assets	651	0
Total deferred tax liabilities	3,779	2,990
Net deferred tax assets	$ 23,425	$ 15,716

INCOME TAXES (Summary of the ch

INCOME TAXES (Summary of the changes in the amount of unrecognized tax benefits (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Balance, beginning of year	$ 804	$ 437	$ 161
Increases related to prior year tax positions	369	367	276
Decreases related to prior year tax positions	0	0	0
Increases related to current year tax positions	0	0	0
Settlements	0	0	0
Lapse of statute	0	0	0
Balance, end of year	$ 1,173	$ 804	$ 437

INCOME TAXES (Additional Inform

INCOME TAXES (Additional Information) (Details) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Accrued	$ 61,000	$ 12,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits that Would Impact Effective Tax Rate	$ 1,173,000	$ 804,000

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES95

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Summary of Commitments And Contingent Liabilities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Commitments to extend credit	$ 1,409,425	$ 1,156,682	$ 1,052,902
Credit card arrangements	62,462	45,155	38,122
Standby letters of credit and financial guarantees	38,224	33,280	40,371
Total	$ 1,510,111	$ 1,235,117	$ 1,131,395

CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT (Addit

CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT (Additional Information) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Secured By Real Estate	57.00%

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (Summ

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (Summary of Earning Per Common Share) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Share
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)									25,713,233	23,855,001	20,607,213
Net income available to common stockholders	$ 19,726	$ 16,233	$ 14,346	$ 12,955	$ 14,917	$ 13,902	$ 11,469	$ 11,658	$ 63,260	$ 51,946	$ 41,201
Basic earnings per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.76	$ 0.63	$ 0.56	$ 0.51	$ 0.60	$ 0.56	$ 0.49	$ 0.53	$ 2.46	$ 2.18	$ 2
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)									25,713,233	23,855,001	20,607,213
Dilutive effects of assumed conversions and exercise of stock options and warrants (in shares)									729,321	963,220	1,198,812
Weighted average common and dilutive potential common shares outstanding (in shares)									26,442,554	24,818,221	21,806,025
Net income available to common stockholders									$ 63,260	$ 51,946	$ 41,201
Effect of interest expense on convertible debt, net of tax and discretionary expenditures related to conversion									0	0	115
Net income available to common stockholders, adjusted for effect of debt conversion									$ 63,260	$ 51,946	$ 41,316
Diluted earnings per common share (in dollars per share)									$ 2.39	$ 2.09	$ 1.90

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (Add

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (Additional Information) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Loans	$ 4,216,375	$ 3,359,858
Related Party Deposit Liabilities	7,600	5,600
Related Party [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Loans	$ 12,100	$ 13,100

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT (Financi

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT (Financial Assets And Financial Liabilities Carried At Fair Value On A Recurring Basis) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities	$ 342,938	$ 298,310
Fair Value Measurements Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	342,938	298,310
Fair Value Measurements Recurring [Member] | U.S. Treasury and Government Sponsored Agencies [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities	45,009	51,138
Fair Value Measurements Recurring [Member] | Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities	136,954	95,523
Fair Value Measurements Recurring [Member] | State and Municipal Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities	146,033	135,663
Fair Value Measurements Recurring [Member] | Corporate Debt [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities	14,942	15,986
Fair Value Measurements Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	0	0
Fair Value Measurements Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | U.S. Treasury and Government Sponsored Agencies [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities	0	0
Fair Value Measurements Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities	0	0
Fair Value Measurements Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | State and Municipal Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities	0	0
Fair Value Measurements Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Corporate Debt [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities	0	0
Fair Value Measurements Recurring [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	342,938	298,310
Fair Value Measurements Recurring [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 2 [Member] | U.S. Treasury and Government Sponsored Agencies [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities	45,009	51,138
Fair Value Measurements Recurring [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 2 [Member] | Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities	136,954	95,523
Fair Value Measurements Recurring [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 2 [Member] | State and Municipal Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities	146,033	135,663
Fair Value Measurements Recurring [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 2 [Member] | Corporate Debt [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities	14,942	15,986
Fair Value Measurements Recurring [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	0	0
Fair Value Measurements Recurring [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 3 [Member] | U.S. Treasury and Government Sponsored Agencies [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities	0	0
Fair Value Measurements Recurring [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 3 [Member] | Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities	0	0
Fair Value Measurements Recurring [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 3 [Member] | State and Municipal Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities	0	0
Fair Value Measurements Recurring [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 3 [Member] | Corporate Debt [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities	$ 0	$ 0

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT (Carryin

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT (Carrying Amount And Estimated Fair Value Of Financial Instruments) (Details) - Fair Value Measurements Nonrecurring [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Impaired loans	$ 27,808	$ 21,631
Other real estate owned and repossessed assets	5,392	6,840
Total assets at fair value	33,200	28,471
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Impaired loans	0	0
Other real estate owned and repossessed assets	0	0
Total assets at fair value	0	0
Fair Value Inputs Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Impaired loans	0	0
Other real estate owned and repossessed assets	0	0
Total assets at fair value	0	0
Fair Value Inputs Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Impaired loans	27,808	21,631
Other real estate owned and repossessed assets	5,392	6,840
Total assets at fair value	$ 33,200	$ 28,471

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT (Fina101

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT (Financial Assets And Liabilities Carried At Fair Value On Recurring Basis Or Nonrecurring Basis) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Financial Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 46,614	$ 48,519
Debt securities available for sale	342,938	298,310
Debt securities held to maturity	27,426	29,355
Restricted equity securities	4,954	3,921
Federal funds sold	34,785	891
Mortgage loans held for sale	8,249	5,984
Bank owned life insurance contracts	91,594	86,288
Loans, net	4,172,956	3,324,229
Financial Liabilities:
Federal funds purchased	352,360	264,315
Carrying Reported Amount Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Financial Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	317,450	296,573
Carrying Reported Amount Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 2 [Member]
Financial Assets:
Debt securities available for sale	342,938	298,310
Debt securities held to maturity	27,426	29,355
Restricted equity securities	4,954	3,921
Federal funds sold	34,785	891
Mortgage loans held for sale	8,249	5,984
Bank owned life insurance contracts	91,594	86,288
Financial Liabilities:
Deposits	4,223,888	3,398,160
Federal funds purchased	352,360	264,315
Other borrowings	55,637	19,973
Carrying Reported Amount Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 3 [Member]
Financial Assets:
Loans, net	4,172,956	3,324,229
Portion At Fair Value Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Financial Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	317,450	296,573
Portion At Fair Value Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 2 [Member]
Financial Assets:
Debt securities available for sale	342,938	298,310
Debt securities held to maturity	27,910	29,974
Restricted equity securities	4,954	3,921
Federal funds sold	34,785	891
Mortgage loans held for sale	8,295	5,984
Bank owned life insurance contracts	91,594	86,288
Financial Liabilities:
Deposits	4,223,181	3,399,261
Federal funds purchased	352,360	264,315
Other borrowings	64,305	19,973
Portion At Fair Value Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 3 [Member]
Financial Assets:
Loans, net	$ 4,179,835	$ 3,327,371

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT (Additio

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT (Additional Information) (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Asset Impairment Charges	$ 6,268,000	$ 4,961,000
Real Estate Owned, Amount of Loss at Acquisition	$ 743,000	$ 1,297,000

PARENT COMPANY FINANCIAL INF103

PARENT COMPANY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Condensed Balance Sheets) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks	$ 46,614	$ 48,519
Other assets	17,878	11,543
Total assets	5,095,509	4,098,679
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Other liabilities	12,108	7,078
Total liabilities	4,646,362	3,691,466
Common stock, par value $0.001 per share; 50,000,000 shares authorized; 25,972,698 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2015 and 24,801,518 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2014	26	25
Additional paid-in capital	211,546	185,397
Retained earnings	234,150	177,091
Accumulated other comprehensive income	3,048	4,490
Total stockholders' equity	449,147	407,213	$ 297,192	$ 233,257
Total liabilites and stockholders' equity	5,095,509	4,098,679
Parent Company [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks	48,182	61,611
Investment in subsidiary	456,407	366,609
Other assets	375	51
Total assets	504,964	428,271
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Other borrowings	54,639	19,973
Other liabilities	1,555	1,337
Total liabilities	56,194	21,310
Preferred stock	0	39,958
Common stock, par value $0.001 per share; 50,000,000 shares authorized; 25,972,698 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2015 and 24,801,518 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2014	26	25
Additional paid-in capital	211,546	185,397
Retained earnings	234,150	177,091
Accumulated other comprehensive income	3,048	4,490
Total stockholders' equity	448,770	406,961
Total liabilites and stockholders' equity	$ 504,964	$ 428,271

PARENT COMPANY FINANCIAL INF104

PARENT COMPANY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Condensed Balance Sheets Parenthetical) (Detail) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Common Stock Par Or Stated Value Per Share	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common Stock Shares Authorized	50,000,000	50,000,000
Common Stock, Shares, Issued	25,972,698	24,801,518
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding	25,972,698	24,801,518
Parent Company [Member]
Preferred Stock, Par Or Stated Value Per Share	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference, Value	$ 1,000	$ 1,000
Preferred Stock Shares Authorized	40,000	40,000
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued	0	40,000
Preferred Stock Shares Outstanding	0	40,000
Common Stock Par Or Stated Value Per Share	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common Stock Shares Authorized	50,000,000	50,000,000
Common Stock, Shares, Issued	25,972,698	24,801,518
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding	25,972,698	24,801,518

PARENT COMPANY FINANCIAL INF105

PARENT COMPANY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Condensed Statements of Income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Income:
Other income									$ 1,214	$ 1,006	$ 878
Expense:
Net income									63,540	52,377	41,617
Dividends on preferred stock									280	431	416
Net income available to common stockholders	$ 19,726	$ 16,233	$ 14,346	$ 12,955	$ 14,917	$ 13,902	$ 11,469	$ 11,658	63,260	51,946	41,201
Parent Company [Member]
Income:
Dividends received from subsidiary									20,000	12,000	4,750
Other income									1	0	1
Total income									20,001	12,000	4,751
Expense:
Other expenses									1,603	1,183	1,147
Total expenses									1,603	1,183	1,147
Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiary									45,095	41,529	37,997
Net income									63,493	52,346	41,601
Dividends on preferred stock									233	400	400
Net income available to common stockholders									$ 63,260	$ 51,946	$ 41,201

PARENT COMPANY FINANCIAL INF106

PARENT COMPANY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Statements of Cash Flow) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Operating activities
Net income		$ 63,540	$ 52,377	$ 41,617
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:
Net cash provided by operating activities		74,424	64,115	74,198
Investing activities
Net cash paid in acquisition	$ (20,926)
Net cash used in investing activities		(749,480)	(549,092)	(571,693)
Financing activities
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net		125	250	0
Dividends paid on common stock		5,883	3,609	3,682
Dividends paid on preferred stock		280	431	416
Net cash provided by financing activities		729,827	524,026	575,165
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents		54,771	39,049	77,670
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	297,464	297,464	258,415	180,745
Parent Company [Member]
Operating activities
Net income		63,493	52,346	41,601
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:
Other		(271)	165	(224)
Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiary		45,095	41,529	37,997
Net cash provided by operating activities		18,127	10,982	3,380
Investing activities
Other		0	0	(10,499)
Net cash paid in acquisition		(20,926)	0	0
Investment in subsidiary		736	0	0
Net cash used in investing activities		(20,190)	0	(10,499)
Financing activities
Proceeds from other borrowings		34,750	0	0
Redemption of preferred stock		(40,000)	0	0
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net		0	52,076	10,499
Dividends paid on common stock		(5,883)	(3,609)	(3,682)
Dividends paid on preferred stock		(233)	(400)	(400)
Net cash provided by financing activities		(11,366)	48,067	6,417
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents		(13,429)	59,049	(702)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	$ 61,611	61,611	2,562	3,264
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year		$ 48,182	$ 61,611	$ 2,562

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UN107

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Interest income	$ 48,451	$ 46,532	$ 44,209	$ 40,783	$ 38,163	$ 36,857	$ 35,424	$ 34,281	$ 179,975	$ 144,725	$ 126,081
Interest expense	5,290	4,670	3,998	3,746	3,703	3,538	3,446	3,432	17,704	14,119	13,619
Net interest income	43,161	41,862	40,211	37,037	34,460	33,319	31,978	30,849	162,271	130,606	112,462
Provision for loan losses	3,308	3,072	4,062	2,405	2,759	2,748	2,438	2,314	12,847	10,259	13,008
Net income available to common stockholders	$ 19,726	$ 16,233	$ 14,346	$ 12,955	$ 14,917	$ 13,902	$ 11,469	$ 11,658	$ 63,260	$ 51,946	$ 41,201
Net income per common share, basic	$ 0.76	$ 0.63	$ 0.56	$ 0.51	$ 0.60	$ 0.56	$ 0.49	$ 0.53	$ 2.46	$ 2.18	$ 2
Net income per common share, diluted	$ 0.74	$ 0.61	$ 0.54	$ 0.49	$ 0.58	$ 0.54	$ 0.46	$ 0.51	$ 2.39	$ 2.09	$ 1.9