Pathward Financial (CASH) 10-Q 2016 Q2 Quarterly report

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

FORM 10-Q

☒  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2016

☐  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from to

Commission File Number:  0-22140

META FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. ®

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	42-1406262
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

5501 South Broadband Lane, Sioux Falls, South Dakota 57108

(Address of principal executive offices)

(605) 782-1767

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to submit and post such files).  YES ☒  NO .☐

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company.  (Check one):

Large accelerated filer☐ Accelerated filer☒ Non-accelerated filer☐ Smaller Reporting Company☐

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).   ☐ YES  ☒NO

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Class:	Outstanding at May 2, 2016:
Common Stock, $.01 par value	8,504,034 Common Shares
Nonvoting Common Stock, $.01 par value	0 Common Shares

META FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.

FORM 10-Q

Table of Contents

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION		2
Item 1.	Financial Statements (Unaudited)	2
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as of March 31, 2016 and September 30, 2015	2
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three and Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 and 2015	3
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the Three and Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 and 2015	4
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 and 2015	5
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 and 2015	6
	Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	7
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	38
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk	52
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	58
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION		60
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	60
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	60
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	62
Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities	62
Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	62
Item 5.	Other Information	62
Item 6.	Exhibits	62
SIGNATURES		63

i

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements.

META FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition (Unaudited)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Data)

ASSETS	March 31, 2016		September 30, 2015
Cash and cash equivalents	$	39,480	$	27,658
Investment securities available for sale		866,152		679,504
Mortgage-backed securities available for sale		688,952		576,583
Investment securities held to maturity		417,271		279,167
Mortgage-backed securities held to maturity		68,497		66,577
Loans receivable - net of allowance for loan losses of $7,431 at March 31, 2016 and $6,255 at September 30, 2015		777,451		706,255
Federal Home Loan Bank Stock, at cost		22,431		24,410
Accrued interest receivable		15,783		13,352
Premises, furniture, and equipment, net		18,212		17,393
Bank-owned life insurance		56,584		45,830
Goodwill		36,928		36,928
Intangible assets		31,272		33,577
Prepaid assets		10,014		9,360
Deferred taxes		787		6,997
Meta Payment Systems accounts receivable		6,235		5,337
Other assets		15,693		777
Total assets	$	3,071,742	$	2,529,705
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
LIABILITIES
Non-interest-bearing checking	$	2,013,783	$	1,449,101
Interest-bearing checking		37,469		33,320
Savings deposits		73,357		41,720
Money market deposits		44,351		42,222
Time certificates of deposit		51,801		91,171
Total deposits		2,220,761		1,657,534
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank		7,000		7,000
Federal funds purchased		465,000		540,000
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase		1,626		4,007
Subordinated debentures		10,310		10,310
Capital lease		2,081		2,143
Accrued interest payable		167		272
Contingent liability		431		331
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		51,079		36,773
Total liabilities		2,758,455		2,258,370
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Preferred stock, 3,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued or outstanding at March 31, 2016 and September 30, 2015, respectively		-		-
Common stock, $.01 par value; 15,000,000 shares authorized, 8,501,077 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2016 and 8,183,272 shares issued and 8,163,022 shares outstanding at September 30, 2015		85		82
Common stock, Nonvoting, $.01 par value; 3,000,000 shares authorized,no shares issued or outstanding at March 31, 2016 and September 30, 2015, respectively		-		-
Additional paid-in capital		184,347		170,749
Retained earnings		114,526		98,359
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		14,329		2,455
Treasury stock, at cost, no common shares at March 31, 2016 and 20,250 common shares at September 30, 2015		-		(310	)
Total stockholders’ equity		313,287		271,335
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	3,071,742	$	2,529,705

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

2

META FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Data)

	Three Months Ended March 31,					Six Months Ended March 31,
	2016			2015		2016		2015
Interest and dividend income:
Loans receivable, including fees	$	8,548		$	7,637	$	16,867	$	14,033
Mortgage-backed securities		4,768			3,919		8,481		7,743
Other investments		7,313			4,203		13,556		8,215
		20,629			15,759		38,904		29,991
Interest expense:
Deposits		135			172		298		404
FHLB advances and other borrowings		556			301		1,113		730
		691			473		1,411		1,134
Net interest income		19,938			15,286		37,493		28,857
Provision (recovery) for loan losses		1,173			593		1,959		641
Net interest income after provision for loan losses		18,765			14,693		35,534		28,216
Non-interest income:
Tax product fees		19,638			-		19,638		-
Card fees		18,579			13,663		33,835		26,752
Loan fees		2,216			813		3,035		1,127
Bank-owned life insurance		380			280		754		566
Deposit fees		151			141		313		297
Gain (loss) on sale of securities available for sale, net (Includes $29 and $50 reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for net gains (losses) on available for sale securities for the threeand six months ended March 31, 2016, respectively)		29			17		50		(1,243	)
Gain (loss) on foreclosed real estate		-			2		-		28
Other income (loss)		(92	)		54		110		117
Total non-interest income		40,901			14,970		57,735		27,644
Non-interest expense:
Compensation and benefits		17,110			11,668		31,765		22,199
Tax product expense		8,256			-		8,256		-
Card processing		6,017			3,810		11,251		8,506
Occupancy and equipment		3,659			2,835		7,038		5,438
Legal and consulting		859			996		1,990		2,217
Marketing		539			341		1,041		645
Data processing		357			331		698		681
Other expense		4,993			3,439		9,759		6,147
Total non-interest expense		41,790			23,420		71,798		45,833
Income before income tax expense		17,876			6,243		21,471		10,027
Income tax expense (Includes $11 and $18 income tax expense reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the three and six months ended March 31, 2016, respectively)		3,593			1,062		3,130		1,251
Net income	$	14,283		$	5,181	$	18,341	$	8,776
Earnings per common share:
Basic	$	1.69		$	0.79	$	2.20	$	1.38
Diluted	$	1.68		$	0.78	$	2.18	$	1.37

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

3

META FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Unaudited)

(Dollars in Thousands)

	Three Months Ended March 31,						Six Months Ended March 31,
	2016			2015			2016			2015
Net income	$	14,283		$	5,181		$	18,341		$	8,776
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Change in net unrealized gain (loss) on securities		16,216			5,940			18,837			12,452
Losses (gains) realized in net income		(29	)		(17	)		(50	)		1,243
		16,187			5,923			18,787			13,695
Deferred income tax effect		5,938			2,189			6,913			5,024
Total other comprehensive income (loss)		10,249			3,734			11,874			8,671
Total comprehensive income (loss)	$	24,532		$	8,915		$	30,215		$	17,447

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

4

META FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (Unaudited)

For the Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 and 2015

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Data)

	Common Stock		Additional Paid-in Capital		Retained Earnings			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)			Treasury Stock			Total Stockholders’ Equity
Balance, September 30, 2014	$	62	$	95,079	$	83,797		$	(3,409	)	$	(727	)	$	174,802
Cash dividends declared on common stock ($0.26 per share)		-		-		(1,686	)		-			-			(1,686	)
Issuance of common shares from the sales of equity securities		8		25,282		-			-			-			25,290
Issuance of common shares due to issuance of stock options, restricted stock and ESOP		-		176		-			-			417			593
Net change in unrealized losses on securities, net of income taxes		-		-		-			8,671			-			8,671
Net income		-		-		8,776			-			-			8,776
Balance, March 31, 2015	$	70	$	120,537	$	90,887		$	5,262		$	(310	)	$	216,446
Balance, September 30, 2015	$	82	$	170,749	$	98,359		$	2,455		$	(310	)	$	271,335
Cash dividends declared on common stock ($0.26 per share)		-		-		(2,174	)		-			-			(2,174	)
Issuance of common shares from the sales of equity securities		2		11,520		-			-			-			11,522
Issuance of common shares due to issuance of stock options, restricted stock and ESOP		1		1,412		-			-			310			1,723
Stock compensation		-		666		-			-			-			666
Net change in unrealized gains on securities, net of income taxes		-		-		-			11,874			-			11,874
Net income		-		-		18,341			-			-			18,341
Balance, March 31, 2016	$	85	$	184,347	$	114,526		$	14,329		$	-		$	313,287

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

5

META FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

(Dollars in Thousands)

	Six Months Ended March 31,
	2016			2015
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	18,341		$	8,776
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation, amortization and accretion, net		17,569			12,097
Provision (recovery) for loan losses		1,959			641
Provision (recovery) for deferred taxes		(703	)		(1,236	)
(Gain) loss on other assets		10			(646	)
(Gain) loss on sale of securities available for sale, net		(50	)		1,243
Capital lease obligations interest expense		(63	)		(66	)
Net change in accrued interest receivable		(2,431	)		(1,245	)
Change in bank-owned life insurance value		(754	)		(565	)
Net change in other assets		(6,092	)		619
Net change in accrued interest payable		(105	)		(157	)
Net change in accrued expenses and other liabilities		14,454			19,432
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		42,135			38,893
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of securities available-for-sale		(454,450	)		(376,357	)
Proceeds from sales of securities available-for-sale		100,298			264,631
Proceeds from maturities and principal repayments of securities available-for-sale		52,991			53,414
Purchase of securities held to maturity		(147,906	)		(33,526	)
Proceeds from maturities and principal repayments of securities held to maturity		6,059			4,078
Purchase of bank owned life insurance		(10,000	)		-
Loans sold		88			(5,472	)
Net change in loans receivable		(73,243	)		(46,786	)
Proceeds from sales of foreclosed real estate		-			43
Net cash paid for acquisition		-			(92,308	)
Federal Home Loan Bank stock purchases		(403,981	)		(215,085	)
Federal Home Loan Bank stock redemptions		405,960			223,080
Proceeds from the sale of premises and equipment		13			2,096
Purchase of premises and equipment		(3,663	)		(2,148	)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		(527,834	)		(224,340	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net change in checking, savings, and money market deposits		602,597			437,012
Net change in time deposits		(39,370	)		(72,881	)
Net change in federal funds		(75,000	)		(209,000	)
Net change in securities sold under agreements to repurchase		(2,381	)		1,226
Principal payments on capital lease obligations		(62	)		(56	)
Cash dividends paid		(2,174	)		(1,686	)
Stock compensation		666			-
Proceeds from issuance of common stock		13,245			25,883
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		497,521			180,498
Net change in cash and cash equivalents		11,822			(4,949	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		27,658			29,832
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	39,480		$	24,883
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest	$	1,516		$	1,292
Income taxes		1,789			3,120
Franchise taxes		39			39
Other taxes		58			41
Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing activities:
Sale of available-for-sale securities accrued	$	10,499		$	-
Capital lease obligation		-			2,259
Securities transferred from available for sale to held to maturity		-			310

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

6

NOTE 1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The interim unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements contained herein should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015 included in Meta Financial Group, Inc.’s (“Meta Financial” or the “Company”) Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on December 14, 2015.  Accordingly, footnote disclosures which would substantially duplicate the disclosures contained in the audited consolidated financial statements have been omitted.

The financial information of the Company included herein has been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial reporting and has been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations for reporting on Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X.  Such information reflects all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments), that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and results of operations for the periods presented. The results of the six month period ended March 31, 2016, are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the year ending September 30, 2016.

NOTE 2. CREDIT DISCLOSURES

The allowance for loan losses represents management’s estimate of probable loan losses which have been incurred as of the date of the consolidated financial statements.  The allowance for loan losses is increased by a provision for loan losses charged to expense and decreased by charge-offs (net of recoveries).  Estimating the risk of loss and the amount of loss on any loan is necessarily subjective.  Management’s periodic evaluation of the appropriateness of the allowance is based on the Company’s past loan loss experience, known and inherent risks in the portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, the estimated value of any underlying collateral, and current economic conditions.  While management may periodically allocate portions of the allowance for specific problem loan situations, the entire allowance is available for any loan charge-offs that occur.

Loans are considered impaired if full principal or interest payments are not probable in accordance with the contractual loan terms.  Impaired loans are carried at the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate or at the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent.  A portion of the allowance for loan losses is allocated to impaired loans if the value of such loans is deemed to be less than the unpaid balance.

The allowance consists of specific, general, and unallocated components.  The specific component relates to impaired loans.  For such loans, an allowance is established when the discounted cash flows (or collateral value or observable market price) of the impaired loan is lower than the carrying value of that loan.  The general component covers loans not considered impaired and is based on historical loss experience adjusted for qualitative factors.  An unallocated component is maintained to cover uncertainties that could affect management’s estimate of probable losses.  The unallocated component of the allowance reflects the margin of imprecision inherent in the underlying assumptions used in the methodologies for estimating specific and general losses in the portfolio.

Smaller-balance homogenous loans are collectively evaluated for impairment.  Such loans include premium finance loans, residential first mortgage loans secured by one-to-four family residences, residential construction loans, automobile, manufactured homes, home equity and second mortgage loans, and tax product loans.  Commercial and agricultural loans and mortgage loans secured by other properties are evaluated individually for impairment.  When analysis of borrower operating results and financial condition indicates that underlying cash flows of the borrower’s business are not adequate to meet its debt service requirements, the loan is evaluated for impairment.  Often this is associated with a delay or shortfall in payments of 210 days or more for premium finance loans and 90 days or more for other loan categories.  Non-accrual loans and all troubled debt restructurings are considered impaired.  Impaired loans, or portions thereof, are charged off when deemed uncollectible.

7

Loans receivable at March 31, 2016 and September 30, 2015 are as follows:

	March 31, 2016			September 30, 2015
	(Dollars in Thousands)
1-4 Family Real Estate	$	140,000		$	125,021
Commercial and Multi-Family Real Estate		354,794			310,199
Agricultural Real Estate		64,111			64,316
Consumer		35,937			33,527
Commercial Operating		26,909			29,893
Agricultural Operating		42,081			43,626
Premium Finance		121,572			106,505
Total Loans Receivable		785,404			713,087
Less:
Allowance for Loan Losses		(7,431	)		(6,255	)
Net Deferred Loan Origination Fees		(522	)		(577	)
Total Loans Receivable, Net	$	777,451		$	706,255

Activity in the allowance for loan losses and balances of loans receivable by portfolio segment for the three and six month periods ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 is as follows:

	1-4 Family Real Estate		Commercial and Multi-Family Real Estate			Agricultural Real Estate			Consumer		Commercial Operating			Agricultural Operating			Premium Finance			Unallocated			Total
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Three Months Ended March 31, 2016
Allowance for loan losses:
Beginning balance	$	285	$	1,194		$	171		$	20	$	107		$	3,856		$	424		$	609		$	6,666
Provision (recovery) for loan losses		42		790			(17	)		1,039		(62	)		(529	)		171			(261	)		1,173
Charge offs		-		(290	)		-			-		-			-			(137	)		-			(427	)
Recoveries		-		-			-			-		-			-			19			-			19
Ending balance	$	327	$	1,694		$	154		$	1,059	$	45		$	3,327		$	477		$	348		$	7,431
Six Months Ended March 31, 2016
Allowance for loan losses:
Beginning balance	$	278	$	1,187		$	163		$	20	$	28		$	3,537		$	293		$	749		$	6,255
Provision (recovery) for loan losses		49		797			(9	)		1,039		17			(210	)		677			(401	)		1,959
Charge offs		-		(290	)		-			-		-			-			(527	)		-			(817	)
Recoveries		-		-			-			-		-			-			34			-			34
Ending balance	$	327	$	1,694		$	154		$	1,059	$	45		$	3,327		$	477		$	348		$	7,431
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment		-		40			-			-		-			2,846			-			-			2,886
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment		327		1,654			154			1,059		45			481			477			348			4,545
Total	$	327	$	1,694		$	154		$	1,059	$	45		$	3,327		$	477		$	348		$	7,431
Loans:
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment		114		1,091			-			-		6			3,421			-			-			4,632
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment		139,886		353,703			64,111			35,937		26,903			38,660			121,572			-			780,772
Total	$	140,000	$	354,794		$	64,111		$	35,937	$	26,909		$	42,081		$	121,572		$	-		$	785,404

8

	1-4 Family Real Estate			Commercial and Multi-Family Real Estate			Agricultural Real Estate			Consumer		Commercial Operating		Agricultural Operating			Premium Finance			Unallocated		Total
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
Allowance for loan losses:
Beginning balance	$	512		$	1,198		$	266		$	78	$	85	$	630		$	35		$	2,421	$	5,225
Provision (recovery) for loan losses		55			20			(1	)		-		14		37			192			276		593
Charge offs		(45	)		-			-			-		-		-			(81	)		-		(126	)
Recoveries		-			-			-			-		2		-			22			-		24
Ending balance	$	522		$	1,218		$	265		$	78	$	101	$	667		$	168		$	2,697	$	5,716
Six Months Ended March 31, 2015
Allowance for loan losses:
Beginning balance	$	552		$	1,575		$	263		$	78	$	93	$	719		$	-		$	2,117	$	5,397
Provision (recovery) for loan losses		15			(149	)		2			-		5		(52	)		240			580		641
Charge offs		(45	)		(214	)		-			-		-		-			(98	)		-		(357	)
Recoveries		-			6			-			-		3		-			26			-		35
Ending balance	$	522		$	1,218		$	265		$	78	$	101	$	667		$	168		$	2,697	$	5,716
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment		-			296			-			1		-		326			-			-		623
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment		522			922			265			77		101		341			168			2,697		5,093
Total	$	522		$	1,218		$	265		$	78	$	101	$	667		$	168		$	2,697	$	5,716
Loans:
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment		181			1,410			-			1		16		6,134			-			-		7,742
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment		115,560			259,127			65,720			30,534		27,250		35,615			83,191			-		616,997
Total	$	115,741		$	260,537		$	65,720		$	30,535	$	27,266	$	41,749		$	83,191		$	-	$	624,739

Federal regulations provide for the classification of loans and other assets such as debt and equity securities considered by our regulator, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (the “OCC”), to be of lesser quality as “substandard,” “doubtful” or “loss.”  The loan classification and risk rating definitions are as follows:

Pass- A pass asset is of sufficient quality in terms of repayment, collateral and management to preclude a special mention or an adverse rating.

Watch- A watch asset is generally credit performing well under current terms and conditions but with identifiable weakness meriting additional scrutiny and corrective measures.  Watch is not a regulatory classification but can be used to designate assets that are exhibiting one or more weaknesses that deserve management’s attention.  These assets are of better quality than special mention assets.

Special Mention- Special mention assets are credits with potential weaknesses deserving management’s close attention and if left uncorrected, may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the asset.  Special mention assets are not adversely classified and do not expose an institution to sufficient risk to warrant adverse classification.  Special mention is a temporary status with aggressive credit management required to garner adequate progress and move to watch or higher.

The adverse classifications are as follows:

Substandard- A substandard asset is inadequately protected by the net worth and/or repayment ability or by a weak collateral position.  Assets so classified have well-defined weaknesses creating a distinct possibility that the Bank will sustain some loss if the weaknesses are not corrected.  Loss potential does not have to exist for an asset to be classified as substandard.

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Doubtful- A doubtful asset has weaknesses similar to those classified substandard, with the degree of weakness causing the likely loss of some principal in any reasonable collection effort.  Due to pending factors the asset’s classification as loss is not yet appropriate.

Loss- A loss asset is considered uncollectible and of such little value that the asset’s continuance on the Bank’s balance sheet is no longer warranted.  This classification does not necessarily mean an asset has no recovery or salvage value leaving room for future collection efforts.

General allowances represent loss allowances which have been established to recognize the inherent risk associated with lending activities, but which, unlike specific allowances, have not been allocated to particular problem assets.  When assets are classified as “loss,” the Bank is required either to establish a specific allowance for losses equal to 100% of that portion of the asset so classified or to charge-off such amount.  The Bank’s determinations as to the classification of its assets and the amount of its valuation allowances are subject to review by its regulatory authorities, which may order the establishment of additional general or specific loss allowances.

The Company recognizes that concentrations of credit may naturally occur and may take the form of a large volume of related loans to an individual, a specific industry, a geographic location, or an occupation.  Credit concentration is a direct, indirect, or contingent obligation that has a common bond where the aggregate exposure equals or exceeds a certain percentage of the Bank’s Tier 1 Capital plus the Allowance for Loan Losses.

The asset classification of loans at March 31, 2016 and September 30, 2015 are as follows:

March 31, 2016	1-4 Family Real Estate		Commercial and Multi-Family Real Estate		Agricultural Real Estate		Consumer		Commercial Operating		Agricultural Operating		Premium Finance		Total
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Pass	$	138,882	$	352,195	$	37,627	$	35,817	$	26,245	$	25,232	$	121,572	$	737,570
Watch		1,087		1,992		-		-		573		441		-		4,093
Special Mention		9		-		24,645		120		-		3,173		-		27,947
Substandard		22		607		1,839		-		91		10,389		-		12,948
Doubtful		-		-		-		-		-		2,846		-		2,846
	$	140,000	$	354,794	$	64,111	$	35,937	$	26,909	$	42,081	$	121,572	$	785,404

September 30, 2015	1-4 Family Real Estate		Commercial and Multi-Family Real Estate		Agricultural Real Estate		Consumer		Commercial Operating		Agricultural Operating		Premium Finance		Total
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Pass	$	124,775	$	307,876	$	35,106	$	33,527	$	29,052	$	29,336	$	106,505	$	666,177
Watch		212		1,419		26,703		-		712		1,079		-		30,125
Special Mention		10		-		877		-		-		4,014		-		4,901
Substandard		24		904		1,630		-		129		9,197		-		11,884
Doubtful		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-
	$	125,021	$	310,199	$	64,316	$	33,527	$	29,893	$	43,626	$	106,505	$	713,087

One-to-Four Family Residential Mortgage Lending.  One-to-four family residential mortgage loan originations are generated by the Company’s marketing efforts, its present customers, walk-in customers and referrals. The Company offers fixed-rate and adjustable rate mortgage (“ARM”) loans for both permanent structures and those under construction.  The Company’s one-to-four family residential mortgage originations are secured primarily by properties located in its primary market area and surrounding areas.

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The Company originates one-to-four family residential mortgage loans with terms up to a maximum of 30 years and with loan-to-value ratios up to 100% of the lesser of the appraised value of the security property or the contract price.  The Company generally requires that private mortgage insurance be obtained in an amount sufficient to reduce the Company’s exposure to at or below the 80% loan‑to‑value level, unless the loan is insured by the Federal Housing Administration, guaranteed by Veterans Affairs or guaranteed by the Rural Housing Administration.  Residential loans generally do not include prepayment penalties.

Due to consumer demand, the Company offers fixed-rate mortgage loans with terms up to 30 years, most of which conform to secondary market, i.e., Fannie Mae, Ginnie Mae, and Freddie Mac standards.  The Company typically holds all fixed-rate mortgage loans and does not engage in secondary market sales.  Interest rates charged on these fixed-rate loans are competitively priced according to market conditions.

The Company also currently offers five- and ten-year ARM loans.  These loans have a fixed-rate for the stated period and, thereafter, adjust annually.  These loans generally provide for an annual cap of up to 200 basis points and a lifetime cap of 600 basis points over the initial rate.  As a consequence of using an initial fixed-rate and caps, the interest rates on these loans may not be as rate sensitive as the Company’s cost of funds.  The Company’s ARMs do not permit negative amortization of principal and are not convertible into fixed-rate loans.  The Company’s delinquency experience on its ARM loans has generally been similar to its experience on fixed-rate residential loans.  The current low mortgage interest rate environment makes ARM loans relatively unattractive and very few are currently being originated.

In underwriting one-to-four family residential real estate loans, the Company evaluates both the borrower’s ability to make monthly payments and the value of the property securing the loan.  Properties securing real estate loans made by the Company are appraised by independent appraisers approved by the Board of Directors.  The Company generally requires borrowers to obtain an attorney’s title opinion or title insurance, and fire and property insurance (including flood insurance, if necessary) in an amount not less than the amount of the loan.  Real estate loans originated by the Company generally contain a “due on sale” clause allowing the Company to declare the unpaid principal balance due and payable upon the sale of the security property.  The Company has not engaged in sub-prime residential mortgage originations.

Commercial and Multi-Family Real Estate Lending.  The Company engages in commercial and multi-family real estate lending in its primary market area and surrounding areas and, in order to supplement its loan portfolio, has purchased whole loan and participation interests in loans from other financial institutions.  The purchased loans and loan participation interests are generally secured by properties primarily located in the Midwest and the West.

The Company’s commercial and multi-family real estate loan portfolio is secured primarily by apartment buildings, office buildings, and hotels.  Commercial and multi-family real estate loans generally are underwritten with terms not exceeding 20 years, have loan-to-value ratios of up to 80% of the appraised value of the security property, and are typically secured by guarantees of the borrowers.  The Company has a variety of rate adjustment features and other terms in its commercial and multi-family real estate loan portfolio.  Commercial and multi-family real estate loans provide for a margin over a number of different indices.  In underwriting these loans, the Company analyzes the financial condition of the borrower, the borrower’s credit history, and the reliability and predictability of the cash flow generated by the property securing the loan.  Appraisals on properties securing commercial real estate loans originated by the Company are performed by independent appraisers.

Commercial and multi-family real estate loans generally present a higher level of risk than loans secured by one-to-four family residences.  This greater risk is due to several factors, including the concentration of principal in a limited number of loans and borrowers, the effect of general economic conditions on income producing properties and the increased difficulty of evaluating and monitoring these types of loans.  Furthermore, the repayment of loans secured by commercial and multi-family real estate is typically dependent upon the successful operation of the related real estate project.  If the cash flow from the project is reduced (for example, if leases are not obtained or renewed, or a bankruptcy court modifies a lease term, or a major tenant is unable to fulfill its lease obligations), the borrower’s ability to repay the loan may be impaired.

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Agricultural Lending.  The Company originates loans to finance the purchase of farmland, livestock, farm machinery and equipment, seed, fertilizer and other farm-related products.  Agricultural operating loans are originated at either an adjustable or fixed-rate of interest for up to a one year term or, in the case of livestock, upon sale.  Such loans provide for payments of principal and interest at least annually or a lump sum payment upon maturity if the original term is less than one year.  Loans secured by agricultural machinery are generally originated as fixed-rate loans with terms of up to seven years.

Agricultural real estate loans are frequently originated with adjustable rates of interest.  Generally, such loans provide for a fixed rate of interest for the first five to ten years, which then balloon or adjust annually thereafter.  In addition, such loans generally amortize over a period of 20 to 25 years.  Fixed-rate agricultural real estate loans generally have terms up to ten years.  Agricultural real estate loans are generally limited to 75% of the value of the property securing the loan.

Agricultural lending affords the Company the opportunity to earn yields higher than those obtainable on one-to-four family residential lending, but involves a greater degree of risk than one-to-four family residential mortgage loans because of the typically larger loan amount.  In addition, payments on loans are dependent on the successful operation or management of the farm property securing the loan or for which an operating loan is utilized.  The success of the loan may also be affected by many factors outside the control of the borrower.

Weather presents one of the greatest risks as hail, drought, floods, or other conditions can severely limit crop yields and thus impair loan repayments and the value of the underlying collateral.  This risk can be reduced by the farmer with a variety of insurance coverages which can help to ensure loan repayment.  Government support programs and the Company generally require that farmers procure crop insurance coverage.  Grain and livestock prices also present a risk as prices may decline prior to sale, resulting in a failure to cover production costs.  These risks may be reduced by the farmer with the use of futures contracts or options to mitigate price risk.  The Company frequently requires borrowers to use futures contracts or options to reduce price risk and help ensure loan repayment.  Another risk is the uncertainty of government programs and other regulations.  During periods of low commodity prices, the income from government programs can be a significant source of cash for the borrower to make loan payments, and if these programs are discontinued or significantly changed, cash flow problems or defaults could result.  Finally, many farms are dependent on a limited number of key individuals whose injury or death may result in an inability to successfully operate the farm.

Consumer Lending – Retail Bank.  The Company, through the auspices of its “Retail Bank”, originates a variety of secured consumer loans, including home equity, home improvement, automobile, boat and loans secured by savings deposits.  In addition, the Retail Bank offers other secured and unsecured consumer loans.  The Retail Bank currently originates most of its consumer loans in its primary market area and surrounding areas.

The largest component of the Retail Bank’s consumer loan portfolio consists of home equity loans and lines of credit.  Substantially all of the Retail Bank’s home equity loans and lines of credit are secured by second mortgages on principal residences.  The Retail Bank will lend amounts which, together with all prior liens, may be up to 90% of the appraised value of the property securing the loan.  Home equity loans and lines of credit generally have maximum terms of five years.

The Retail Bank primarily originates automobile loans on a direct basis to the borrower, as opposed to indirect loans, which are made when the Retail Bank purchases loan contracts, often at a discount, from automobile dealers which have extended credit to their customers.  The Bank’s automobile loans typically are originated at fixed interest rates with terms up to 60 months for new and used vehicles.  Loans secured by automobiles are generally originated for up to 80% of the N.A.D.A. book value of the automobile securing the loan.

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Consumer loan terms vary according to the type and value of collateral, length of contract and creditworthiness of the borrower.  The underwriting standards employed by the Bank for consumer loans include an application, a determination of the applicant’s payment history on other debts and an assessment of ability to meet existing obligations and payments on the proposed loan.  Although creditworthiness of the applicant is a primary consideration, the underwriting process also may include a comparison of the value of the security, if any, in relation to the proposed loan amount.

Consumer loans may entail greater credit risk than residential mortgage loans, particularly in the case of consumer loans which are unsecured or are secured by rapidly depreciable assets, such as automobiles or recreational equipment.  In such cases, any repossessed collateral for a defaulted consumer loan may not provide an adequate source of repayment of the outstanding loan balance as a result of the greater likelihood of damage, loss or depreciation.  In addition, consumer loan collections are dependent on the borrower’s continuing financial stability, and thus more likely to be affected by adverse personal circumstances.  Furthermore, the application of various federal and state laws, including bankruptcy and insolvency laws, may limit the amount which can be recovered on such loans.

Consumer Lending- Meta Payment Systems (“MPS”).  The Company believes that well-managed, nationwide credit programs can help meet legitimate credit needs for prime and sub-prime borrowers, and affords the Company an opportunity to diversify the loan portfolio and minimize earnings exposure due to economic downturns.  Therefore, MPS designs and administers certain credit programs that seek to accomplish these objectives.  The MPS Credit Committee, consisting of members of Executive Management of the Company, is charged with monitoring, evaluating and reporting portfolio performance and the overall credit risk posed by its credit products. All proposed credit programs must first be reviewed and approved by the committee before such programs are presented to the Bank’s Board of Directors for approval.  The Board of Directors of the Bank is ultimately responsible for final approval of any credit program.

MPS strives to offer consumers innovative payment products, including credit products.  Most credit products have fallen into the category of portfolio lending.  MPS continues to work on new alternative portfolio lending products striving to serve its core customer base and to provide unique and innovative lending solutions to the unbanked and under-banked segment.

The largest component of MPS’s consumer loan portfolio consists of taxpayer advances.  These advances are available to eligible customers of our Refund Advantage Electronic Return Originators (“EROs”) and Liberty Tax franchisees.  The product is offered with no incremental fees or interest charges to the borrower (with the tax preparer paying applicable fees) and repayments are contingent upon receipt of future tax refunds.  This solution provides our network of over 10,000 EROs and Liberty Tax franchisees with an opportunity to attract new clients to their current customer base.

A Portfolio Credit Policy which has been approved by the Board of Directors governs portfolio credit initiatives undertaken by MPS, whereby the Company retains some or all receivables and relies on the borrower as the underlying source of repayment.  Several portfolio lending programs also have a contractual provision that requires the Bank to be indemnified for credit losses that meet or exceed predetermined levels.  Such a program carries additional risks not commonly found in sponsorship programs, specifically funding and credit risk.  Therefore, MPS has strived to employ policies, procedures and information systems that it believes commensurate with the added risk and exposure.

Commercial Operating Lending.  The Company also originates commercial operating loans.  Most of the Company’s commercial operating loans have been extended to finance local and regional businesses and include short-term loans to finance machinery and equipment purchases, inventory and accounts receivable, and operating costs for the Company’s network of tax Electronic Return Originators (“EROs”).  Commercial loans also may involve the extension of revolving credit for a combination of equipment acquisitions and working capital in expanding companies.

The maximum term for loans extended on machinery and equipment is based on the projected useful life of such machinery and equipment.  Generally, the maximum term on non-mortgage lines of credit is one year.  The loan-to-value ratio on such loans and lines of credit generally may not exceed 80% of the value of the collateral securing the loan.  ERO loans are not collateralized.  The Company’s commercial operating lending policy includes credit file documentation and analysis of the borrower’s character, capacity to repay the loan, the adequacy of the borrower’s capital and collateral as well as an evaluation of conditions affecting the borrower.  Analysis of the borrower’s past, present and future cash flows is also an important aspect of the Company’s current credit analysis.  Nonetheless, such loans are believed to carry higher credit risk than more traditional lending activities.

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Unlike residential mortgage loans, which generally are made on the basis of the borrower’s ability to make repayment from his or her employment and other income and which are secured by real property whose value tends to be more easily ascertainable, commercial operating loans typically are made on the basis of the borrower’s ability to make repayment from the cash flow of the borrower’s business.  As a result, the availability of funds for the repayment of commercial operating loans may be substantially dependent on the success of the business itself (which, in turn, is likely to be dependent upon the general economic environment).  The Company’s commercial operating loans are usually, but not always, secured by business assets and personal guarantees.  However, the collateral securing the loans may depreciate over time, may be difficult to appraise and may fluctuate in value based on the success of the business.

Premium Finance Lending.  Through its AFS/IBEX division, MetaBank provides short-term, primarily collateralized financing to facilitate the commercial customers’ purchase of insurance for various forms of risk otherwise known as insurance premium financing.  This includes, but is not limited to, policies for commercial property, casualty and liability risk.  The AFS/IBEX division markets itself to the insurance community as a competitive option based on service, reputation, competitive terms, cost and ease of operation.

Insurance premium financing is the business of extending credit to a policyholder to pay for insurance premiums when the insurance carrier requires payment in full at inception of coverage.  Premiums are advanced either directly to the insurance carrier or through an intermediary/broker and repaid by the policyholder with interest during the policy term.  The policyholder generally makes a 20% to 25% down payment to the insurance broker and finances the remainder over nine to ten months on average.  The down payment is set such that if the policy is cancelled, the unearned premium is typically sufficient to cover the loan balance and accrued interest.

Due to the nature of collateral for commercial premium finance receivables, it customarily takes 60-180 days to convert the collateral into cash.  In the event of default, AFS/IBEX, by statute and contract, has the power to cancel the insurance policy and establish a first position lien on the unearned portion of the premium from the insurance carrier. In the event of cancellation, the cash returned in payment of the unearned premium by the insurer should typically be sufficient to cover the receivable balance, the interest and other charges due. Due to notification requirements and processing time by most insurance carriers, many receivables will become delinquent beyond 90 days while the insurer is processing the return of the unearned premium.  Generally, when a premium finance loan becomes delinquent for 210 days or more, or when collection of principal or interest becomes doubtful, the Company will place the loan on non-accrual status until the loan becomes current and has demonstrated a sustained period of satisfactory performance.

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Past due loans at March 31, 2016 and September 30, 2015 are as follows:

March 31, 2016	30-59 Days Past Due		60-89 Days Past Due		Greater Than 90 Days		Total Past Due		Current		Non-Accrual Loans		Total Loans Receivable
	(Dollars in Thousands)
1-4 Family Real Estate	$	16	$	56	$	-	$	72	$	139,906	$	22	$	140,000
Commercial and Multi-Family Real Estate		3,718		-		-		3,718		350,469		607		354,794
Agricultural Real Estate		-		-		-		-		64,111		-		64,111
Consumer		347		17		5		369		35,568		-		35,937
Commercial Operating		1,482		-		-		1,482		25,427		-		26,909
Agricultural Operating		-		-		-		-		38,660		3,421		42,081
Premium Finance		1,361		438		611		2,410		119,162		-		121,572
Total	$	6,924	$	511	$	616	$	8,051	$	773,303	$	4,050	$	785,404

September 30, 2015	30-59 Days Past Due		60-89 Days Past Due		Greater Than 90 Days		Total Past Due		Current		Non-Accrual Loans		Total Loans Receivable
	(Dollars in Thousands)
1-4 Family Real Estate	$	142	$	-	$	-	$	142	$	124,855	$	24	$	125,021
Commercial and Multi-Family Real Estate		-		-		-		-		309,295		904		310,199
Agricultural Real Estate		-		-		-		-		64,316		-		64,316
Consumer		152		-		13		165		33,362		-		33,527
Commercial Operating		-		-		-		-		29,893		-		29,893
Agricultural Operating		-		-		-		-		38,494		5,132		43,626
Premium Finance		702		362		1,728		2,792		103,713		-		106,505
Total	$	996	$	362	$	1,741	$	3,099	$	703,928	$	6,060	$	713,087

When analysis of borrower operating results and financial condition indicates that underlying cash flows of the borrower’s business are not adequate to meet its debt service requirements, the loan is evaluated for impairment.  Often this is associated with a delay or shortfall in payments of 210 days or more for premium finance loans and 90 days or more for other loan categories.  As of March 31, 2016, there were no Premium Finance loans greater than 210 days past due.

Impaired loans at March 31, 2016 and September 30, 2015 are as follows:

	Recorded Balance		Unpaid Principal Balance		Specific Allowance
March 31, 2016	(Dollars in Thousands)
Loans without a specific valuation allowance
1-4 Family Real Estate	$	114	$	114	$	-
Commercial and Multi-Family Real Estate		439		439		-
Commercial Operating		6		6		-
Total	$	559	$	559	$	-
Loans with a specific valuation allowance
Commercial and Multi-Family Real Estate	$	652	$	942	$	40
Agricultural Operating		3,421		3,571		2,846
Total	$	4,073	$	4,513	$	2,886

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	Recorded Balance		Unpaid Principal Balance		Specific Allowance
September 30, 2015	(Dollars in Thousands)
Loans without a specific valuation allowance
1-4 Family Real Estate	$	121	$	121	$	-
Commercial and Multi-Family Real Estate		446		446		-
Commercial Operating		11		11		-
Total	$	578	$	578	$	-
Loans with a specific valuation allowance
Commercial and Multi-Family Real Estate	$	904	$	904	$	241
Agricultural Operating		5,132		5,282		3,252
Total	$	6,036	$	6,186	$	3,493

The following table provides the average recorded investment in impaired loans for the three and six month periods ended March 31, 2016 and 2015.

	Three Months Ended March 31,				Six Months Ended March 31,
	2016		2015		2016		2015
	Average Recorded Investment		Average Recorded Investment		Average Recorded Investment		Average Recorded Investment
	(Dollars in Thousands)
1-4 Family Real Estate	$	116	$	292	$	118	$	333
Commercial and Multi-Family Real Estate		1,257		1,421		1,302		2,834
Agricultural Real Estate		-		-		-		-
Consumer		-		-		-		-
Commercial Operating		7		19		8		20
Agricultural Operating		4,362		2,242		4,697		1,284
Premium Finance		-		-		-		-
Total	$	5,742	$	3,974	$	6,125	$	4,471

The Company’s troubled debt restructurings (“TDR”) typically involve forgiving a portion of interest or principal on existing loans or making loans at a rate materially less than current market rates.There were no loans modified in a TDR during the three and six month periods ended March 31, 2016 and 2015.  Additionally, there were no TDR loans for which there was a payment default during the three and six month periods ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 that had been modified during the 12-month period prior to the default.

NOTE 3. ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES

At March 31, 2016, the Company’s allowance for loan losses was $7.4 million, an increase of $1.1 million from $6.3 million at September 30, 2015.  During the six months ended March 31, 2016, the Company recorded a provision for loan losses of $2.0 million, primarily due to loan growth. In addition, the Company had $0.8 million of net charge offs for the six months ended March 31, 2016, compared to $0.3 million for the six months ended March 31, 2015.

The allowance for loan losses is established through the provision for loan losses based on management’s evaluation of the risk inherent in its loan portfolio and changes in the nature and volume of its loan activity, including those loans which are being specifically monitored by management.  Such evaluation, which includes a review of loans for which full collectability may not be reasonably assured, considers, among other matters, the estimated fair value of the underlying collateral, economic conditions, historical loan loss experience and other factors that warrant recognition in providing for an appropriate loan loss allowance.

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Management closely monitors economic developments both regionally and nationwide, and considers these factors when assessing the appropriateness of its allowance for loan losses.  The current economic environment continues to show signs of improvement in the Bank’s markets.  The Bank’s loss rates over the past five years were very low.  Notwithstanding these signs of improvement, the Bank does not believe it is likely these low loss conditions will continue indefinitely.  Although the Bank’s four market areas have indirectly benefitted from a stable agricultural market, the market has become somewhat more stressed with lower commodity prices over the last couple of years and commodity prices remain lower than a few years ago.  Loss rates in the agricultural real estate and agricultural operating loan portfolios have been minimal in the past five years.  Management expects that future losses in this portfolio could be higher than recent historical experience.  Management believes the low commodity prices and high land rents have the potential to negatively impact the economies of our agricultural markets.

Management believes that, based on a detailed review of the loan portfolio, historic loan losses, current economic conditions, the size of the loan portfolio and other factors, the current level of the allowance for loan losses at March 31, 2016, reflects an appropriate allowance against probable losses from the loan portfolio.  Although the Company maintains its allowance for loan losses at a level it considers to be appropriate, investors and others are cautioned that there can be no assurance that future losses will not exceed estimated amounts, or that additional provisions for loan losses will not be required in future periods.  In addition, the Company’s determination of the allowance for loan losses is subject to review by the OCC, which can require the establishment of additional general or specific allowances.

Real estate properties acquired through foreclosure are recorded at fair value.  If fair value at the date of foreclosure is lower than the balance of the related loan, the difference will be charged to the allowance for loan losses at the time of transfer.  Valuations are periodically updated by management and, if the value declines, a specific provision for losses on such property is established by a charge to operations.

NOTE 4. EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (“EPS”)

Basic EPS is based on the net income divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period.  Allocated Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”) shares are considered outstanding for EPS calculations, as they are committed to be released; unallocated ESOP shares are not considered outstanding.  All ESOP shares were allocated as of March 31, 2016 and September 30, 2015.  Diluted EPS shows the dilutive effect of additional common shares issuable pursuant to stock option agreements.

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A reconciliation of net income and common stock share amounts used in the computation of basic and diluted EPS for the three and six months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 is presented below.

Three Months Ended March 31,	2016			2015
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Data)
Earnings
Net Income	$	14,283		$	5,181
Basic EPS
Weighted average common shares outstanding		8,496,357			6,546,071
Less weighted average nonvested shares		(29,533	)		(4,717	)
Weighted average common shares outstanding		8,466,825			6,541,354
Earnings Per Common Share
Basic	$	1.69		$	0.79
Diluted EPS
Weighted average common shares outstanding for basic earnings per common share		8,466,825			6,541,354
Add dilutive effect of assumed exercises of stock options, net of tax benefits		58,248			60,060
Weighted average common and dilutive potential common shares outstanding		8,525,072			6,601,414
Earnings Per Common Share
Diluted	$	1.68		$	0.78

Six Months Ended March 31,	2016			2015
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Data)
Earnings
Net Income	$	18,341		$	8,776
Basic EPS
Weighted average common shares outstanding		8,369,523			6,362,921
Less weighted average nonvested shares		(28,410	)		(4,327	)
Weighted average common shares outstanding		8,341,112			6,358,594
Earnings Per Common Share
Basic	$	2.20		$	1.38
Diluted EPS
Weighted average common shares outstanding for basic earnings per common share		8,341,112			6,358,594
Add dilutive effect of assumed exercises of stock options, net of tax benefits		62,598			60,617
Weighted average common and dilutive potential common shares outstanding		8,403,711			6,419,211
Earnings Per Common Share
Diluted	$	2.18		$	1.37

All stock options were considered in computing diluted EPS for the three and six months ended March 31, 2016.  Stock options totaling 29,199 were not considered in computing diluted EPS for the three and six months ended March 31, 2015, because they were not dilutive.

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NOTE 5. SECURITIES

The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses and estimated fair values of available for sale and held to maturity securities at March 31, 2016 and September 30, 2015 are presented below.

Available For Sale			GROSS		GROSS
At March 31, 2016	AMORTIZED COST		UNREALIZED GAINS		UNREALIZED (LOSSES)			FAIR VALUE
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Debt securities
Trust preferred securities	$	14,933	$	-	$	(2,985	)	$	11,948
Small business administration securities		81,823		1,874		-			83,697
Non-bank qualified obligations of states and political subdivisions		680,360		23,273		(398	)		703,235
Asset-backed securities		66,787		13		(634	)		66,166
Mortgage-backed securities		690,049		1,759		(2,856	)		688,952
Total debt securities		1,533,952		26,919		(6,873	)		1,553,998
Common equities and mutual funds		760		352		(6	)		1,106
Total available for sale securities	$	1,534,712	$	27,271	$	(6,879	)	$	1,555,104

At September 30, 2015	AMORTIZED COST		GROSS UNREALIZED GAINS		GROSS UNREALIZED (LOSSES)			FAIR VALUE
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Debt securities
Trust preferred and corporate securities	$	16,199	$	8	$	(2,263	)	$	13,944
Small business administration securities		54,493		1,563		-			56,056
Non-bank qualified obligations of states and political subdivisions		603,165		7,240		(1,815	)		608,590
Mortgage-backed securities		580,165		1,283		(4,865	)		576,583
Total debt securities		1,254,022		10,094		(8,943	)		1,255,173
Common equities and mutual funds		639		283		(8	)		914
Total available for sale securities	$	1,254,661	$	10,377	$	(8,951	)	$	1,256,087

Held to Maturity			GROSS		GROSS
At March 31, 2016	AMORTIZED COST		UNREALIZED GAINS		UNREALIZED (LOSSES)			FAIR VALUE
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Debt securities
Obligations of states and political subdivisions	$	20,791	$	238	$	(46	)	$	20,983
Non-bank qualified obligations of states and political subdivisions		396,480		7,540		(61	)		403,959
Mortgage-backed securities		68,497		30		(119	)		68,408
Total held to maturity securities	$	485,768	$	7,808	$	(226	)	$	493,350

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At September 30, 2015	AMORTIZED COST		GROSS UNREALIZED GAINS		GROSS UNREALIZED (LOSSES)			FAIR VALUE
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Debt securities
Obligations of states and political subdivisions	$	19,540	$	60	$	(187	)	$	19,413
Non-bank qualified obligations of states and political subdivisions		259,627		2,122		(419	)		261,330
Mortgage-backed securities		66,577		-		(473	)		66,104
Total held to maturity securities	$	345,744	$	2,182	$	(1,079	)	$	346,847

Included in securities available for sale are trust preferred securities as follows:

At March 31, 2016
Issuer(1)	Amortized Cost		Fair Value		Unrealized Gain (Loss)			S&P Credit Rating	Moody's Credit Rating
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Key Corp. Capital I	$	4,987	$	4,006	$	(981	)	BB+	Baa2
Huntington Capital Trust II SE		4,980		3,878		(1,102	)	BB	Baa2
PNC Capital Trust		4,966		4,064		(902	)	BBB-	Baa1
Total	$	14,933	$	11,948	$	(2,985	)

(1) Trust preferred securities are single-issuance.  There are no known deferrals, defaults or excess subordination.

At September 30, 2015
Issuer(1)	Amortized Cost		Fair Value		Unrealized Gain (Loss)			S&P Credit Rating	Moody's Credit Rating
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Key Corp. Capital I	$	4,986	$	4,189	$	(797	)	BB+	Baa2
Huntington Capital Trust II SE		4,979		4,076		(903	)	BB	Baa2
PNC Capital Trust		4,965		4,402		(563	)	BBB-	Baa1
Total	$	14,930	$	12,667	$	(2,263	)

(1) Trust preferred securities are single-issuance.  There are no known deferrals, defaults or excess subordination

Management has implemented a process to identify securities with potential credit impairment that are other-than-temporary.  This process involves evaluation of the length of time and extent to which the fair value has been less than the amortized cost basis, review of available information regarding the financial position of the issuer, monitoring the rating, watch, and outlook of the security, monitoring changes in value, cash flow projections, and the Company’s intent to sell a security or whether it is more likely than not we will be required to sell the security before the recovery of its amortized cost which, in some cases, may extend to maturity.  To the extent we determine that a security is deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired, an impairment loss is recognized.

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For all securities considered temporarily impaired, the Company does not intend to sell these securities and it is not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost, which may occur at maturity.  The Company believes it will collect all principal and interest due on all investments with amortized cost in excess of fair value and considered only temporarily impaired.

Generally accepted accounting principles require that, at acquisition, an enterprise classify debt securities into one of three categories: Available for sale (“AFS”), Held to Maturity (“HTM”) or trading. AFS securities are carried at fair value on the consolidated statements of financial condition, and unrealized holding gains and losses are excluded from earnings and recognized as a separate component of equity in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”). HTM debt securities are measured at amortized cost. Both AFS and HTM are subject to review for other-than-temporary impairment. The Company had no trading securities at March 31, 2016 and September 30, 2015.

Gross unrealized losses and fair value, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at March 31, 2016 and September 30, 2015, are as follows:

Available For Sale	LESS THAN 12 MONTHS					OVER 12 MONTHS					TOTAL
At March 31, 2016	Fair Value		Unrealized (Losses)			Fair Value		Unrealized (Losses)			Fair Value		Unrealized (Losses)
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Debt securities
Trust preferred securities	$	-	$	-		$	11,948	$	(2,985	)	$	11,948	$	(2,985	)
Non-bank qualified obligations of states and political subdivisions		22,208		(52	)		15,479		(346	)		37,687		(398	)
Asset-backed securities		50,116		(634	)		-		-			50,116		(634	)
Mortgage-backed securities		303,869		(1,821	)		144,547		(1,035	)		448,416		(2,856	)
Total debt securities		376,193		(2,507	)		171,974		(4,366	)		548,167		(6,873	)
Common equities and mutual funds		-		-			122		(6	)		122		(6	)
Total available for sale securities	$	376,193	$	(2,507	)	$	172,096	$	(4,372	)	$	548,289	$	(6,879	)

	LESS THAN 12 MONTHS					OVER 12 MONTHS					TOTAL
At September 30, 2015	Fair Value		Unrealized (Losses)			Fair Value		Unrealized (Losses)			Fair Value		Unrealized (Losses)
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Debt securities
Trust preferred and corporate securities	$	-	$	-		$	12,667	$	(2,263	)	$	12,667	$	(2,263	)
Non-bank qualified obligations of states and political subdivisions		97,006		(860	)		42,583		(955	)		139,589		(1,815	)
Mortgage-backed securities		448,988		(4,301	)		48,079		(564	)		497,067		(4,865	)
Total debt securities		545,994		(5,161	)		103,329		(3,782	)		649,323		(8,943	)
Common equities and mutual funds		-		-			121		(8	)		121		(8	)
Total available for sale securities	$	545,994	$	(5,161	)	$	103,450	$	(3,790	)	$	649,444	$	(8,951	)

Held To Maturity	LESS THAN 12 MONTHS					OVER 12 MONTHS					TOTAL
At March 31, 2016	Fair Value		Unrealized (Losses)			Fair Value		Unrealized (Losses)			Fair Value		Unrealized (Losses)
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Debt securities
Obligations of states and political subdivisions	$	4,905	$	(16	)	$	2,486	$	(30	)	$	7,391	$	(46	)
Non-bank qualified obligations of states and political subdivisions		25,003		(56	)		422		(5	)		25,425		(61	)
Mortgage-backed securities		2,945		(10	)		56,954		(109	)		59,899		(119	)
Total held to maturity securities	$	32,853	$	(82	)	$	59,862	$	(144	)	$	92,715	$	(226	)

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	LESS THAN 12 MONTHS					OVER 12 MONTHS					TOTAL
At September 30, 2015	Fair Value		Unrealized (Losses)			Fair Value		Unrealized (Losses)			Fair Value		Unrealized (Losses)
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Debt securities
Obligations of states and political subdivisions	$	5,528	$	(34	)	$	7,964	$	(153	)	$	13,492	$	(187	)
Non-bank qualified obligations of states and political subdivisions		78,663		(365	)		4,136		(54	)		82,799		(419	)
Mortgage-backed securities		5,509		(43	)		60,595		(430	)		66,104		(473	)
Total held to maturity securities	$	89,700	$	(442	)	$	72,695	$	(637	)	$	162,395	$	(1,079	)

At March 31, 2016, the investment portfolio included securities with current unrealized losses which have existed for longer than one year.  All of these securities are considered to be acceptable credit risks.  Because the declines in fair value were due to changes in market interest rates, not in estimated cash flows, and the Company does not intend to sell these securities (has not made a decision to sell) and it is not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, which may occur at maturity, no other-than-temporary impairment was recorded at March 31, 2016.

The amortized cost and fair value of debt securities by contractual maturity are shown below.  Certain securities have call features which allow the issuer to call the security prior to maturity.  Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities in mortgage-backed securities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.  Therefore, mortgage-backed securities are not included in the maturity categories in the following maturity summary.  The expected maturities of certain Small Business Administration and certain asset-backed securities may differ from contractual maturities because the borrowers may have the right to prepay the obligation. However, certain prepayment penalties may apply.

Available For Sale	AMORTIZED COST		FAIR VALUE
At March 31, 2016	(Dollars in Thousands)
Due in one year or less	$	-	$	-
Due after one year through five years		7,337		7,533
Due after five years through ten years		416,311		431,338
Due after ten years		420,255		426,175
		843,903		865,046
Mortgage-backed securities		690,049		688,952
Common equities and mutual funds		760		1,106
Total available for sale securities	$	1,534,712	$	1,555,104

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	AMORTIZED COST		FAIR VALUE
At September 30, 2015	(Dollars in Thousands)
Due in one year or less	$	-	$	-
Due after one year through five years		1,174		1,207
Due after five years through ten years		370,087		376,394
Due after ten years		302,596		300,989
		673,857		678,590
Mortgage-backed securities		580,165		576,583
Common equities and mutual funds		639		914
Total available for sale securities	$	1,254,661	$	1,256,087

Held To Maturity	AMORTIZED COST		FAIR VALUE
At March 31, 2016	(Dollars in Thousands)
Due in one year or less	$	225	$	225
Due after one year through five years		11,721		11,885
Due after five years through ten years		143,869		147,574
Due after ten years		261,456		265,258
		417,271		424,942
Mortgage-backed securities		68,497		68,408
Total held to maturity securities	$	485,768	$	493,350

	AMORTIZED COST		FAIR VALUE
At September 30, 2015	(Dollars in Thousands)
Due in one year or less	$	95	$	96
Due after one year through five years		8,411		8,430
Due after five years through ten years		140,145		140,505
Due after ten years		130,516		131,712
		279,167		280,743
Mortgage-backed securities		66,577		66,104
Total held to maturity securities	$	345,744	$	346,847

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NOTE 6. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

In the normal course of business, the Bank makes various commitments to extend credit which are not reflected in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

At March 31, 2016 and September 30, 2015, unfunded loan commitments approximated $131.4 million and $158.3 million, respectively, excluding undisbursed portions of loans in process.  These unfunded loan commitments were principally for variable rate loans.  Commitments, which are disbursed subject to certain limitations, extend over various periods of time.  Generally, unused commitments are canceled upon expiration of the commitment term as outlined in each individual contract.

At March 31, 2016, the Company had one commitment to sell securities available for sale totaling $10.6 million.  The Company had two commitments to purchase securities available for sale totaling $7.9 million and three commitments to purchase securities held to maturity totaling $3.0 million at September 30, 2015.

The exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by other parties to financial instruments for commitments to extend credit is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments.  The same credit policies and collateral requirements are used in making commitments and conditional obligations as are used for on-balance-sheet instruments.

Since certain commitments to make loans and to fund lines of credit and loans in process expire without being used, the amount does not necessarily represent future cash commitments.  In addition, commitments used to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract.

Legal Proceedings

The Company and the Bank have been named as defendants, along with other defendants, in four class action litigations commenced in three different federal district courts between October 23, 2015 and November 5, 2015: (1) Fuentes, et al. v. UniRush LLC, et al. (S.D.N.Y. Case No. 1:15-cv-08372); (2) Huff et al. v. UniRush, LLC et al. (E.D. Cal. Case No. 2:15-cv-02253-KJM-CMK); (3) Peterkin v. UniRush LLC, et al. (S.D.N.Y. Case No. 1:15-cv-08573); and (4) Jones v. UniRush, LLC et al. (E.D. Pa. Case No. 5:15-cv-05996-JLS). The same defendants, including the Company and the Bank, were also named as defendants in an additional class action litigation commenced in yet another federal district court on April 13, 2016: (5) Smith v. UniRush LLC, et al. (C.D. Cal. No. 2:16-cv-02533-SVW-E).  The complaints in each of these five actions seek monetary damages for the alleged inability of customers of the prepaid card product RushCard to access the product for up to two weeks starting on or about October 12, 2015. The plaintiffs allege claims for breach of contract, fraud, misrepresentation, negligence, unjust enrichment, conversion, and breach of fiduciary duty and violations of various state consumer protection statutes prohibiting unfair or deceptive acts or trade/business practices. In addition, the OCC and the CFPB are examining the events surrounding the allegations with respect to the Company and the other defendants, respectively. The OCC has broad supervisory powers with respect to the Bank and could seek to initiate supervisory action if it believes such action is warranted. Because these cases were recently filed and are in their early stages and because of the many questions of fact and law that may arise, the outcome of this legal proceeding is uncertain at this point.  The Company’s estimate of a range of reasonably possible loss is approximately $0 to $0.1 million.

The Bank was served on April 15, 2013, with a lawsuit captioned Inter National Bank v. NetSpend Corporation, MetaBank, BDO USA, LLP d/b/a BDO Seidman, Cause No. C-2084-12-I filed in the District Court of Hidalgo County, Texas. The Plaintiff’s Second Amended Original Petition and Application for Temporary Restraining Order and Temporary Injunction adds both MetaBank and BDO Seidman to the original causes of action against NetSpend. NetSpend acts as a prepaid card program manager and processor for both INB and MetaBank. According to the Petition, NetSpend has informed Inter National Bank (“INB”) that the depository accounts at INB for the NetSpend program supposedly contained $10.5 million less than they should. INB alleges that NetSpend has breached its fiduciary duty by making affirmative misrepresentations to INB about the safety and stability of the program, and by failing to timely disclose the nature and extent of any alleged shortfall in settlement of funds related to cardholder activity and the nature and extent of NetSpend’s systemic deficiencies in its accounting and settlement processing procedures. To the extent that an accounting reveals that there is an actual shortfall, INB alleges that MetaBank may be liable for portions or all of said sum due to the fact that funds have been transferred from INB to MetaBank, and thus MetaBank would have been unjustly enriched. The Bank is vigorously contesting this matter. In January 2014, NetSpend was granted summary judgment in this matter which is under appeal. Because the theory of liability against both NetSpend and the Bank is the same, the Bank views the NetSpend summary judgment as a positive in support of our position.  An estimate of a range of reasonably possible loss cannot be made at this stage of the litigation because discovery is still being conducted.

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Certain corporate clients of an unrelated company named Springbok Services, Inc. (“Springbok”) requested through counsel a mediation as a means of reaching a settlement in lieu of commencing litigation against MetaBank. The results of that mediation have not led to a settlement. These claimants purchased MetaBank prepaid reward cards from Springbok, prior to Springbok’s bankruptcy. As a result of Springbok’s bankruptcy and cessation of business, some of the rewards cards that had been purchased were never activated or funded. Counsel for these companies have indicated that they are prepared to assert claims totaling approximately $1.5 million against MetaBank based on principal/agency or failure to supervise theories. The Company denies liability with respect to these claims. The Company’s estimate of a range of reasonably possible loss is approximately $0 to $0.3 million.

The Bank commenced action against C&B Farms, LLC, Dakota River Farms, LLC, Dakota Grain Farms, LLC, Heather Swenson and Tracy Clement in early July, 2015, in the Third Judicial Circuit Court of the State of South Dakota, seeking to collect upon certain delinquent loans made in connection with the 2014 farming operations of the three identified limited liability companies and the personal guaranties of Swenson and Clement. The three companies and Clement answered the Complaint and asserted a counterclaim against the Bank and a third-party claim against the Bank’s loan officer, alleging fraud and misrepresentation, as well as promissory estoppel.   On January 7, 2016, the Bank obtained a judgment for $6.1 million, the full amount due and owing on the delinquent loans, together with attorneys’ fees, costs and post-judgment interest.  On February 25, 2016, the Court entered an order and judgment in favor of the Bank granting the Bank’s renewed motion for summary judgment as to counterclaims and third party claim.

Other than the matters set forth above, there are no other new material pending legal proceedings or updates to which the Company or its subsidiaries is a party other than ordinary litigation routine to their respective businesses.

NOTE 7. STOCK OPTION PLAN

The Company maintains the 2002 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as amended and restated, which, among other things, provides for the awarding of stock options and nonvested (restricted) shares to certain officers and directors of the Company.  Awards are granted by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors based on the performance of the award recipients or other relevant factors.

Compensation expense for share based awards is recorded over the vesting period at the fair value of the award at the time of grant.  The exercise price of options or fair value of nonvested shares granted under the Company’s incentive plans is equal to the fair market value of the underlying stock at the grant date.

25

The following tables show the activity of options and nonvested (restricted) shares granted, exercised, or forfeited under all of the Company’s option and incentive plans for the six months ended March 31, 2016:

	Number of Shares			Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Yrs)		Aggregate  Intrinsic Value
	(Dollars in Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Data)
Options outstanding, September 30, 2015		189,088		$	25.74		3.16	$	3,027
Granted		-			-				-
Exercised		(12,283	)		26.21				211
Forfeited or expired		-			-				-
Options outstanding, March 31, 2016		176,805		$	25.71		2.60	$	3,505
Options exercisable, March 31, 2016		176,805		$	25.71		2.60	$	3,505

	Number of Shares			Weighted Average Fair Value at Grant
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Data)
Nonvested shares outstanding, September 30, 2015		44,002		$	40.80
Granted		6,710			29.69
Vested		(19,518	)		40.77
Forfeited or expired		(727	)		41.77
Nonvested shares outstanding, March 31, 2016		30,467		$	38.36

At March 31, 2016, stock based compensation expense not yet recognized in income totaled $278,978, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average remaining period of 1.74 years.

NOTE 8. SEGMENT INFORMATION

An operating segment is generally defined as a component of a business for which discrete financial information is available and whose results are reviewed by the chief operating decision-maker. Operating segments are aggregated into reportable segments if certain criteria are met.

In the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2015, the Company reported its results of operations through three business segments: Meta Payment Systems, Retail Bank, and Other.  Effective October 1, 2015, segments are now aligned with the new management operating structure implemented by the Company for fiscal year 2016.  The Company accordingly has changed its basis of presentation for segments, and following such change, reports its results of operations through the following three business segments: Payments, Banking, and Corporate Services/Other.  Certain shared services, including the investment portfolio, which was included in the former Retail Bank segment, is now included in Corporate Services/Other.  AFS/IBEX and Refund Advantage were previously and are currently included in the Banking and Payments segments, respectively.  Prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.

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The following tables present segment data for the Company for the three and six months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

	Payments		Banking		Corporate Services/Other			Total
Three Months Ended March 31, 2016
Interest income	$	2,633	$	8,949	$	9,047		$	20,629
Interest expense		54		316		321			691
Net interest income (expense)		2,579		8,633		8,726			19,938
Provision (recovery) for loan losses		953		220		-			1,173
Non-interest income		39,591		899		411			40,901
Non-interest expense		25,720		5,218		10,852			41,790
Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)		15,497		4,094		(1,715	)		17,876
Total assets		53,020		781,380		2,237,342			3,071,742
Total deposits		2,014,548		206,213		-			2,220,761

	Payments		Banking		Corporate Services/Other			Total
Six Months Ended March 31, 2016
Interest income	$	4,597	$	17,800	$	16,507		$	38,904
Interest expense		94		569		748			1,411
Net interest income (expense)		4,503		17,231		15,759			37,493
Provision (recovery) for loan losses		1,033		926		-			1,959
Non-interest income		54,943		1,955		837			57,735
Non-interest expense		41,737		10,646		19,415			71,798
Income (loss) before tax		16,676		7,614		(2,819	)		21,471
Total assets		53,020		781,380		2,237,342			3,071,742
Total deposits		2,014,548		206,213		-			2,220,761

	Payments		Banking		Corporate Services/Other			Total
Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
Interest income	$	2,079	$	8,009	$	5,671		$	15,759
Interest expense		46		384		43			473
Net interest income (expense)		2,033		7,625		5,628			15,286
Provision (recovery) for loan losses		-		593		-			593
Non-interest income		13,608		1,048		314			14,970
Non-interest expense		11,488		4,917		7,015			23,420
Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)		4,153		3,163		(1,073	)		6,243
Total assets		39,498		636,749		1,598,845			2,275,092
Total deposits		1,533,716		196,920		36			1,730,672

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	Payments		Banking		Corporate Services/Other			Total
Six Months Ended March 31, 2015
Interest income	$	3,646	$	14,950	$	11,395		$	29,991
Interest expense		91		663		380			1,134
Net interest income (expense)		3,555		14,287		11,015			28,857
Provision (recovery) for loan losses		-		641		-			641
Non-interest income		26,660		1,627		(643	)		27,644
Non-interest expense		23,161		8,610		14,062			45,833
Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)		7,054		6,663		(3,690	)		10,027
Total assets		39,498		636,749		1,598,845			2,275,092
Total deposits		1,533,716		196,920		36			1,730,672

NOTE 9. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-04, Extinguishment of liabilities (Subtopic 405-20): Recognition of Breakage for Certain Prepaid Stored-Value Products

This ASU requires organizations to derecognize the deposit liabilities for unredeemed prepaid stored-value products (i.e. – breakage) consistently with breakage guidance in Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. This ASU is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and the Company is currently assessing the potential impact to the consolidated financial statements.

ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842): Amendments to the Leases Analysis

This ASU requires organizations to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet, along with disclosing key information about leasing arrangements.  This update is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within that reporting period, and the Company is currently assessing the potential impact to the consolidated financial statements.

ASU No 2015-16 – Business Combinations (Topic 805):  Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments

This ASU provides guidance regarding recognizing adjustments to provisional goodwill identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment is determined.  Income statement effects, if any, will also need to be recorded in the period in which the adjustment is determined, as if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date.  This update is in effect for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue Recognition – Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)

This ASU provides guidance on when to recognize revenue from contracts with customers.  The objective of this ASU is to eliminate diversity in practice related to this topic and to develop guidance that would streamline and enhance revenue recognition requirements.  The ASU defines five steps to recognize revenue, including identify the contract with a customer, identify the performance obligations in the contract, determine a transaction price, allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations and then recognize the revenue when or as the entity satisfies a performance obligation.  This update is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period, and the Company is currently assessing the potential impact to the consolidated financial statements.

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ASU No. 2015-01, Income Statement, Extraordinary and Unusual Items (Subtopic 225-20): Simplifying Income Statement Presentation by Eliminating the Concept of Extraordinary Items

This ASU eliminates the concept of extraordinary items from U.S. GAAP.  The ASU does not affect disclosure guidance for events or transactions that are unusual in nature or infrequent in their occurrence.  This update is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

ASU No. 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis

This ASU changes the way reporting enterprises evaluate whether (a) they should consolidate limited partnerships and similar entities, (b) fees paid to a decision maker or service provider are variable interests in a variable interest entity (“VIE”), and (c) variable interests in a VIE held by related parties of the reporting enterprise require the reporting enterprise to consolidate the VIE. It also eliminates the VIE consolidation model based on majority exposure to variability that applied to certain investment companies and similar entities.  This update is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

NOTE 10.          FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 820, Fair Value Measurements defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring the fair value of assets and liabilities using a hierarchy system and requires disclosures about fair value measurement.  It clarifies that fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants in the market in which the reporting entity transacts.

The fair value hierarchy is as follows:

Level 1 Inputs – Valuation is based upon quoted prices for identical instruments traded in active markets that the Company has the ability to access at measurement date.

Level 2 Inputs – Valuation is based upon quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active and model-based valuation techniques for which significant assumptions are observable in the market.

Level 3 Inputs – Valuation is generated from model-based techniques that use significant assumptions not observable in the market and are used only to the extent that observable inputs are not available.  These unobservable assumptions reflect the Company’s own estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.  Valuation techniques include use of option pricing models, discounted cash flow models and similar techniques.

Securities Available for Sale and Held to Maturity.  Securities available for sale are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis and securities held to maturity are carried at amortized cost.  Fair value measurement is based upon quoted prices, if available.  If quoted prices are not available, fair values are measured using an independent pricing service.  For both Level 1 and Level 2 securities, management uses various methods and techniques to corroborate prices obtained from the pricing service, including but not limited to reference to dealer or other market quotes, and by reviewing valuations of comparable instruments.  The Company’s Level 1 securities include equity securities and mutual funds.  Level 2 securities include U.S. Government agency and instrumentality securities, U.S. Government agency and instrumentality mortgage-backed securities, municipal bonds, corporate debt securities and trust preferred securities.  The Company had no Level 3 securities at March 31, 2016 or September 30, 2015.

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The fair values of securities are determined by obtaining quoted prices on nationally recognized securities exchanges (Level 1 inputs), or valuation based upon quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active and model based valuation techniques for which significant assumptions are observable in the market (Level 2 inputs).  The Company considers these valuations supplied by a third party provider which utilizes several sources for valuing fixed-income securities.  These sources include Interactive Data Corporation, Reuters, Standard and Poor’s, Bloomberg Financial Markets, Street Software Technology, and the third party provider’s own matrix and desk pricing.  The Company, no less than annually, reviews the third party’s methods and source’s methodology for reasonableness and to ensure an understanding of inputs utilized in determining fair value.  Sources utilized by the third party provider include but are not limited to pricing models that vary based by asset class and include available trade, bid, and other market information.  This methodology includes but is not limited to broker quotes, proprietary models, descriptive terms and conditions databases, as well as extensive quality control programs. Monthly, the Company receives and compares prices provided by multiple securities dealers and pricing providers to validate the accuracy and reasonableness of prices received from the third party provider. On a monthly basis, the Investment Committee reviews mark-to-market changes in the securities portfolio for reasonableness.

The following table summarizes the fair values of securities available for sale and held to maturity at March 31, 2016 and September 30, 2015.  Securities available for sale are measured at fair value on a recurring basis, while securities held to maturity are carried at amortized cost in the consolidated statements of financial condition.

	Fair Value At March 31, 2016
	Available For Sale								Held to Maturity
(Dollars in Thousands)	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Debt securities
Trust preferred securities	$	11,948	$	-	$	11,948	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-
Small business administration securities		83,697		-		83,697		-		-		-		-		-
Obligations of states and political subdivisions		-		-		-		-		20,983		-		20,983		-
Non-bank qualified obligations of states and political subdivisions		703,235		-		703,235		-		403,959		-		403,959		-
Asset-backed securities		66,166		-		66,166		-		-		-		-		-
Mortgage-backed securities		688,952		-		688,952		-		68,408		-		68,408		-
Total debt securities		1,553,998		-		1,553,998		-		493,350		-		493,350		-
Common equities and mutual funds		1,106		1,106		-		-		-		-		-		-
Total securities	$	1,555,104	$	1,106	$	1,553,998	$	-	$	493,350	$	-	$	493,350	$	-

	Fair Value At September 30, 2015
	Available For Sale								Held to Maturity
(Dollars in Thousands)	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Debt securities
Trust preferred and corporate securities	$	13,944	$	-	$	13,944	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-
Small business administration securities		56,056		-		56,056		-		-		-		-		-
Obligations of states and political subdivisions		-		-		-		-		19,413		-		19,413		-
Non-bank qualified obligations of states and political subdivisions		608,590		-		608,590		-		261,330		-		261,330		-
Mortgage-backed securities		576,583		-		576,583		-		66,104		-		66,104		-
Total debt securities		1,255,173		-		1,255,173		-		346,847		-		346,847		-
Common equities and mutual funds		914		914		-		-		-		-		-		-
Total securities	$	1,256,087	$	914	$	1,255,173	$	-	$	346,847	$	-	$	346,847	$	-

Loans.  The Company does not record loans at fair value on a recurring basis.  However, if a loan is considered impaired, an allowance for loan losses is established.  Once a loan is identified as individually impaired, management measures impairment in accordance with ASC 310, Receivables.

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The following table summarizes the assets of the Company that are measured at fair value in the consolidated statements of financial condition on a non-recurring basis as of March 31, 2016 and September 30, 2015.

	Fair Value at March 31, 2016
(Dollars in Thousands)	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Impaired Loans, net
Commercial and multi-family real estate loans	$	612	$	-	$	-	$	612
Agricultural operating loans		575		-		-		575
Total	$	1,187	$	-	$	-	$	1,187

	Fair Value at September 30, 2015
(Dollars in Thousands)	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Impaired Loans, net
Commercial and multi-family real estate loans	$	663	$	-	$	-	$	663
Agricultural operating loans		1,880		-		-		1,880
Total	$	2,543	$	-	$	-	$	2,543

	Quantitative Information About Level 3 Fair Value Measurements
(Dollars in Thousands)	Fair Value at March 31, 2016		Valuation Technique	Unobservable Input
Impaired Loans, net	$	1,187	Market approach	Appraised values (1)

⁽¹⁾ The Company generally relies on external appraisers to develop this information.  Management reduced the appraised value by estimated selling costs in a range of 4% to 10%.

	Quantitative Information About Level 3 Fair Value Measurements
(Dollars in Thousands)	Fair Value at September 30, 2015		Valuation Technique	Unobservable Input
Impaired Loans, net	$	2,543	Market approach	Appraised values (1)

⁽¹⁾ The Company generally relies on external appraisers to develop this information.  Management reduced the appraised value by estimated selling costs in a range of 4% to 10%.

The following table discloses the Company’s estimated fair value amounts of its financial instruments.  It is management’s belief that the fair values presented below are reasonable based on the valuation techniques and data available to the Company as of March 31, 2016 and September 30, 2015, as more fully described below.  The operations of the Company are managed from a going concern basis and not a liquidation basis.  As a result, the ultimate value realized for the financial instruments presented could be substantially different when actually recognized over time through the normal course of operations.  Additionally, a substantial portion of the Company’s inherent value is the Bank’s capitalization and franchise value.  Neither of these components have been given consideration in the presentation of fair values below.

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The following presents the carrying amount and estimated fair value of the financial instruments held by the Company at March 31, 2016 and September 30, 2015.

	March 31, 2016
	Carrying Amount		Estimated Fair Value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	39,480	$	39,480	$	39,480	$	-	$	-
Securities available for sale		1,555,104		1,555,104		1,106		1,553,998		-
Securities held to maturity		485,768		493,350		-		493,350		-
Total securities		2,040,871		2,048,454		1,106		2,047,348		-
Loans receivable:
One to four family residential mortgage loans		140,000		141,183		-		-		141,183
Commercial and multi-family real estate loans		354,794		353,769		-		-		353,769
Agricultural real estate loans		64,111		63,960		-		-		63,960
Consumer loans		35,937		35,341		-		-		35,341
Commercial operating loans		26,909		27,085		-		-		27,085
Agricultural operating loans		42,081		38,364		-		-		38,364
Premium finance loans		121,572		124,075		-		-		124,075
Total loans receivable		785,404		783,778		-		-		783,778
Federal Home Loan Bank stock		22,431		22,431		-		22,431		-
Accrued interest receivable		15,783		15,783		15,783		-		-
Financial liabilities
Noninterest bearing demand deposits		2,013,783		2,013,783		2,013,783		-		-
Interest bearing demand deposits, savings, and money markets		155,177		155,177		155,177		-		-
Certificates of deposit		51,801		51,585		-		51,585		-
Total deposits		2,220,761		2,220,544		2,168,959		51,585		-
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank		7,000		8,335		-		8,335		-
Federal funds purchased		465,000		465,000				465,000
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase		1,626		1,626		-		1,626		-
Subordinated debentures		10,310		10,430		-		10,430		-
Accrued interest payable		167		167		167		-		-

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	September 30, 2015
	Carrying Amount		Estimated Fair Value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	27,658	$	27,658	$	27,658	$	-	$	-
Securities available for sale		1,256,087		1,256,087		914		1,255,173		-
Securities held to maturity		345,744		346,847		-		346,847		-
Total securities		1,601,831		1,602,934		914		1,602,020		-
Loans receivable:
One to four family residential mortgage loans		125,021		121,385		-		-		121,385
Commercial and multi-family real estate loans		310,199		314,372		-		-		314,372
Agricultural real estate loans		64,316		66,682		-		-		66,682
Consumer loans		33,527		33,504		-		-		33,504
Commercial operating loans		29,893		23,245		-		-		23,245
Agricultural operating loans		43,626		40,003		-		-		40,003
Premium finance loans		106,505		108,583		-		-		108,583
Total loans receivable		713,087		707,774		-		-		707,774
Federal Home Loan Bank stock		24,410		24,410		-		24,410		-
Accrued interest receivable		13,352		13,352		13,352		-		-
Financial liabilities
Noninterest bearing demand deposits		1,449,101		1,369,672		1,369,672		-		-
Interest bearing demand deposits, savings, and money markets		117,262		115,204		115,204		-		-
Certificates of deposit		91,171		91,304		-		91,304		-
Total deposits		1,657,534		1,576,180		1,484,876		91,304		-
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank		7,000		8,630		-		8,630		-
Federal funds purchased		540,000		540,000		-		540,000		-
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase		4,007		4,007		-		4,007		-
Subordinated debentures		10,310		10,416		-		10,416		-
Accrued interest payable		272		272		272		-		-

The following sets forth the methods and assumptions used in determining the fair value estimates for the Company’s financial instruments at March 31, 2016 and September 30, 2015.

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

The carrying amount of cash and short-term investments is assumed to approximate the fair value.

SECURITIES AVAILABLE FOR SALE AND HELD TO MATURITY

Securities available for sale are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis and securities held to maturity are carried at amortized cost.  Fair values for investment securities are based on obtaining quoted prices on nationally recognized securities exchanges, or matrix pricing, which is a mathematical technique widely used in the industry to value debt securities without relying exclusively on quoted prices for the specific securities, but rather by relying on the securities’ relationship to other benchmark quoted securities.

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LOANS RECEIVABLE, NET

The fair value of loans is estimated using a historical or replacement cost basis concept (i.e. an entrance price concept).  The fair value of loans was estimated by discounting the future cash flows using the current rates at which similar loans would be made to borrowers and for similar remaining maturities.  When using the discounting method to determine fair value, loans were grouped by homogeneous loans with similar terms and conditions and discounted at a target rate at which similar loans would be made to borrowers at March 31, 2016 or September 30, 2015.  In addition, when computing the estimated fair value for all loans, allowances for loan losses have been subtracted from the calculated fair value as a result of the discounted cash flow which approximates the fair value adjustment for the credit quality component.

FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK (“FHLB”) STOCK

The fair value of such stock is assumed to approximate book value since the Company is only able to redeem this stock at par value.

ACCRUED INTEREST RECEIVABLE

The carrying amount of accrued interest receivable is assumed to approximate the fair value.

DEPOSITS

The carrying values of non-interest bearing checking deposits, interest bearing checking deposits, savings, and money markets is assumed to approximate fair value, since such deposits are immediately withdrawable without penalty.  The fair value of time certificates of deposit was estimated by discounting expected future cash flows by the current rates offered on certificates of deposit with similar remaining maturities.

In accordance with ASC 825, Financial Instruments, no value has been assigned to the Company’s long-term relationships with its deposit customers (core value of deposits intangible) since such intangible is not a financial instrument as defined under ASC 825.

ADVANCES FROM FHLB

The fair value of such advances was estimated by discounting the expected future cash flows using current interest rates for advances with similar terms and remaining maturities.

FEDERAL FUNDS PURCHASED

The carrying amount of federal funds purchased is assumed to approximate the fair value.

SECURITIES SOLD UNDER AGREEMENTS TO REPURCHASE AND SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES

The fair value of these instruments was estimated by discounting the expected future cash flows using derived interest rates approximating market over the contractual maturity of such borrowings.

ACCRUED INTEREST PAYABLE

The carrying amount of accrued interest payable is assumed to approximate the fair value.

LIMITATIONS

It must be noted that fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based on relevant market information about the financial instrument.  Additionally, fair value estimates are based on existing on- and off-balance sheet financial instruments without attempting to estimate the value of anticipated future business, customer relationships and the value of assets and liabilities that are not considered financial instruments.  These estimates do not reflect any premium or discount that could result from offering the Company’s entire holdings of a particular financial instrument for sale at one time.  Furthermore, since no market exists for certain of the Company’s financial instruments, fair value estimates may be based on judgments regarding future expected loss experience, current economic conditions, risk characteristics of various financial instruments and other factors.  These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and therefore cannot be determined with a high level of precision.  Changes in assumptions as well as tax considerations could significantly affect the estimates.  Accordingly, based on the limitations described above, the aggregate fair value estimates are not intended to represent the underlying value of the Company, on either a going concern or a liquidation basis.

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NOTE 11. GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The Company recorded a total of $36.9 million of goodwill during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015, due to two separate business combinations – $11.6 million of goodwill in connection with the purchase of substantially all of the commercial loan portfolio and related assets of AFS/IBEX on December 2, 2014, and $25.4 million in goodwill in connection with the purchase of substantially all of the assets and liabilities of Fort Knox Financial Services Corporation and its subsidiary (collectively referred to as “Refund Advantage”) on September 8, 2015.  The goodwill associated with these transactions is deductible for tax purposes.

As part of the each business combination, the Company also recognized the following amortizable intangible assets:

AFS/IBEX
Intangible	Amount		Book Amortization Period (Years)		Method
Trademark	$	540		15	Straight Line
Non-Compete	$	260		3	Straight Line
Customer Relationships	$	7,240		30	Accelerated
Other	$	173	Varied		Straight Line

Refund Advantage
Intangible	Amount		Book Amortization Period (Years)		Method
Trademark	$	4,950		15	Accelerated
Non-Compete	$	40		3	Straight Line
Customer Relationships	$	18,800	12 to 20		Accelerated
Other	$	329	Varied		Straight Line

The changes in the carrying amount of the Company’s goodwill and intangible assets for the six months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 are as follows:

	March 31,
	2016		2015
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Goodwill
Balance as of September 30	$	36,928	$	-
Acquisitions during the period		-		11,578
Write-offs during the period		-		-
Balance as of March 31	$	36,928	$	11,578

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	Trademark			Non-Compete			Customer Relationships			All Others			Total
Intangibles
Balance as of September 30, 2015	$	5,439		$	227		$	24,811		$	3,100		$	33,577
Acquisitions during the period		-			-			-			123			123
Amortization during the period		(144	)		(50	)		(2,127	)		(107	)		(2,428	)
Write-offs during the period		-			-			-			-			-
Balance as of March 31, 2016	$	5,295		$	177		$	22,684		$	3,116		$	31,272

	Trademark			Non-Compete			Customer Relationships			All Others			Total
Intangibles
Balance as of September 30, 2014	$	-		$	-		$	-		$	2,588		$	2,588
Acquisitions during the period		540			260			7,240			394			8,434
Amortization during the period		(12	)		(29	)		(394	)		(120	)		(555	)
Write-offs during the period		-			-			-			-			-
Balance as of March 31, 2015	$	528		$	231		$	6,846		$	2,862		$	10,467

The Company tests intangible assets for impairment at least annually or more often if conditions indicate a possible impairment.  There was no impairment to intangible assets during the six months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015.  The annual goodwill impairment test will be conducted at September 30, 2016.

NOTE 12. REGULATORY MATTERS AND SETTLEMENT OF OTS ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS

On July 21, 2011, pursuant to the Dodd Frank Act, the OTS was integrated into the OCC and the functions of the OTS related to thrift holding companies were transferred to the Federal Reserve.  The OCC, as the Bank’s primary federal regulator, is responsible for the ongoing examination, supervision and regulation of the Bank.  The Dodd Frank Act maintains the existence of the federal savings association charter and the HOLA, the primary statute governing federal savings banks.  The Federal Reserve is responsible for the ongoing examination, supervision and regulation of the Company.  Prior to passage of the Dodd-Frank Act, the OTS had issued supervisory directives to the Bank, consent orders to the Bank and the Company, and had taken other regulatory action to require the Bank to reimburse certain consumers in connection with a credit program that was discontinued.  All supervisory directives have been terminated, and on August 7, 2014, the OCC terminated the Bank’s Consent Order.  A consent order that had been in effect against the Company was terminated on May 21, 2015 by the Federal Reserve.

On January 5, 2015, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) published industry guidance in the form of Frequently Asked Questions (“FAQs”) with respect to the categorization of deposit liabilities as “brokered” deposits. On November 13, 2015, the FDIC issued for comment updated and annotated FAQs. On April 26, 2016, a final rule to amend how small banks (less than $10 billion in assets that have been FDIC insured for at least five years) are assessed for deposit insurance. The final rule will impose higher assessments for banks that FDIC believes present higher risk profiles.  The new assessment rule becomes effective on July 1, 2016, if the FDIC’s reserve ratio reaches 1.15 percent before that date, and on the first day of the calendar quarter after the reserve ratio reaches 1.15 percent if it has not reached that level by July 1, 2016.

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Due to the Bank’s status as a "well-capitalized" institution under the FDIC's prompt corrective action regulations, and further with respect to the Bank’s financial condition in general, the Company does not at this time anticipate that either the Guidance or the Final Rule will have a material adverse impact on the Company’s business operations.  However, should the Bank ever fail to be well-capitalized in the future, as a result of failing to meet the well-capitalized requirements, or the imposition of an individual minimum capital requirement or similar formal requirements, then, notwithstanding that the Bank has capital in excess of the well-capitalized minimum requirements, the Bank would be prohibited, absent waiver from the FDIC, from utilizing brokered deposits (i.e., may not accept, renew or rollover brokered deposits), which could produce serious adverse effects on the Company’s liquidity, and financial condition and results of operations.  Similarly, should the Bank’s financial condition in general deteriorate, future FDIC assessments could have a material adverse effect on the Company.

NOTE 13. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Management has evaluated subsequent events.  There were no material subsequent events that would require recognition or disclosure in our consolidated financial statements as of and for the quarter ended March 31, 2016.

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

META FINANCIAL GROUP, INC®.

AND SUBSIDIARIES

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

Meta Financial Group, Inc.^®, (“Meta Financial” or “the Company” or “us”) and its wholly-owned subsidiary, MetaBank® (the “Bank” or “MetaBank”), may from time to time make written or oral “forward-looking statements,” including statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, in its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), in its reports to stockholders, and in other communications by the Company and the Bank, which are made in good faith by the Company pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

You can identify forward-looking statements by words such as “may,” “hope,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” “could,” “future,” or the negative of those terms, or other words of similar meaning.  You should carefully read statements that contain these words because they discuss our future expectations or state other “forward-looking” information. These forward-looking statements include statements with respect to the Company’s beliefs, expectations, estimates, and intentions that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, and are subject to change based on various factors, some of which are beyond the Company’s control.  Such statements address, among others, the following subjects: future operating results; customer retention; loan and other product demand; the potential benefits of the acquisition of Fort Knox Financial Services Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Tax Product Services LLC (collectively, “Fort Knox” or “Refund Advantage”); important components of the Company's statements of financial condition and operations; growth and expansion; new products and services, such as those offered by MetaBank or Meta Payment Systems® (“MPS”), a division of the Bank; credit quality and adequacy of reserves; technology; and the Company's employees.  Actual results may differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements contained herein.  The following factors, among others, could cause the Company's financial performance and results of operations to differ materially from the expectations, estimates, and intentions expressed in such forward-looking statements: the risk that the Company may incur unanticipated or unknown losses or liabilities as a result of the completion of the transaction with Fort Knox; the strength of the United States' economy, in general, and the strength of the local economies in which the Company conducts operations; the effects of, and changes in, trade, monetary, and fiscal policies and laws, including interest rate policies of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve”), as well as efforts of the United States Treasury in conjunction with bank regulatory agencies to stimulate the economy and protect the financial system; inflation, interest rate, market, and monetary fluctuations; the timely development of, and acceptance of new products and services offered by the Company, as well as risks (including reputational and litigation) attendant thereto, and the perceived overall value of these products and services by users; the risks of dealing with or utilizing third parties; any actions which may be initiated by our regulators; the impact of changes in financial services laws and regulations, including, but not limited to, laws and regulations relating to the tax refund industry, our relationship with our primary regulators, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”) and the Federal Reserve, as well as the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”), which insures the Bank’s deposit accounts up to applicable limits; technological changes, including, but not limited to, the protection of electronic files or databases; acquisitions; litigation risk, in general, including, but not limited to, those risks involving the MPS division; the growth of the Company’s business, as well as expenses related thereto; continued maintenance by the Bank of its status as a well-capitalized institution, particularly in light of our deposit base, a substantial portion of which has been characterized as “brokered”; changes in consumer spending and saving habits; and the success of the Company at managing and collecting assets of borrowers in default.

The foregoing list of factors is not exclusive.  We caution you not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this report.  All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or any person acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section.  Additional discussions of factors affecting the Company’s business and prospects are contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015 and its other periodic and interim filings made with the SEC.  The Company expressly disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the Company or its subsidiaries.

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GENERAL

The Company, a registered unitary savings and loan holding company, is a Delaware corporation, the principal assets of which are all the issued and outstanding shares of the Bank, a federal savings bank.  Unless the context otherwise requires, references herein to the Company include Meta Financial and the Bank, and all subsidiaries of Meta Financial, direct or indirect, on a consolidated basis.

The Company’s stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “CASH.”

The following discussion focuses on the consolidated financial condition of the Company and its subsidiaries at March 31, 2016, compared to September 30, 2015, and the consolidated results of operations for the three and six months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015.  This discussion should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements, and notes thereto, for the year ended September 30, 2015.

OVERVIEW OF CORPORATE DEVELOPMENTS

The Company recorded net income of $14.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016, compared to net income of $5.2 million for the second quarter of fiscal year 2015.  The increase in net income was primarily due to an increase of $25.9 million in non-interest income and $4.6 million in net interest income, partially offset by an increase of $18.4 million in non-interest expense.

Tax product revenues from our Payments segment of $19.6 million was the biggest earnings driver during the second quarter.  This revenue primarily consists of professional tax refund-transfer software fees for services used by independent Electronic Refund Originators (“EROs”) and their customers.  To a lesser extent, this growth also included tax preparer fees for our new credit advance product offered to our Refund Advantage EROs and Liberty Tax franchisees.  The Company began generating these tax refund-transfer software fees and tax preparer fees following its purchase of Refund Advantage in September 2015.  While there were some delays in the tax season that will push a small amount of expected second quarter revenue into our third fiscal quarter this year, we expect the vast majority of revenue from these fees to continue to occur during the second fiscal quarter in future years, coinciding with the tax season.  In addition to income from tax product fees, net income was bolstered by an increase in card fees, and to a lesser extent, loan fees.

Overall cost of funds for the Company averaged 0.10% during the fiscal 2016 second quarter, compared to 0.09% for the prior year second quarter.

Total loans, net of allowance for loan losses, increased $71.2 million, or 10%, to $777.5 million at March 31, 2016, compared to September 30, 2015, primarily due to loan growth.

The Company’s tangible book value per common share outstanding increased by $4.23, or 17%, to $28.83 per share at March 31, 2016, from $24.60 per share at September 30, 2015.  This increase is primarily attributable to increases in additional paid-in capital due to the Company’s fiscal 2016 first quarter capital raise.  The tangible book value per common share outstanding, excluding accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”), was $27.14 as of March 31, 2016, compared to $24.30 as of September 30, 2015.  Book value per common share outstanding increased by $3.61, or 11%, to $36.85 per share at March 31, 2016, from $33.24 per share at September 30, 2015.

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MetaBank’s NPAs at March 31, 2016, were $4.7 million, representing 0.15% of total assets, compared to $7.8 million and 0.31% of total assets, at September 30, 2015.  Consistent with September 30, 2015, there were no NPAs within the Payments segment at March 31, 2016.

FINANCIAL CONDITION

At March 31, 2016, the Company’s assets grew by $542.0 million, or 21%, to $3.07 billion compared to $2.53 billion at September 30, 2015.  The increase in assets was due primarily to increases in the securities portfolio and net loans receivable.

Total cash and cash equivalents were $39.5 million at March 31, 2016, an increase of $11.8 million from $27.7 million at September 30, 2015.  The increase primarily was the result of the Company’s increased liquidity from an increase in deposits, primarily due to low-cost deposits generated by the Payments segment.  The Company maintains its cash investments primarily in interest-bearing overnight deposits with the FHLB of Des Moines and the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis.  At March 31, 2016, the Company had no federal funds sold.

The total of mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) and investment securities increased $439.0 million, or 27%, to $2.04 billion at March 31, 2016, compared to $1.60 billion at September 30, 2015, as related investment purchases exceeded maturities, sales, and principal pay downs.  The Company’s portfolio of securities consists primarily of U.S. Government agency and instrumentality MBS, which have relatively short expected lives, and very high quality non-bank qualified obligations of states and political subdivisions (“NBQ”), which mature in approximately 15 years or less.  Of the total of $757.4 million of MBS, $688.9 million are classified as available for sale, and $68.5 million are classified as held to maturity.  Of the total $1.28 billion of investment securities, $866.1 million are classified as available for sale and $417.3 million are classified as held to maturity.  During the six month period ended March 31, 2016, the Company purchased a gross amount of $321.1 million of MBS with average lives much shorter than their stated final maturity dates of 30 years or less (primarily due to anticipated prepayments or seasoning), as well as $139.4 million of investment securities available for sale and $141.9 million of investment securities held to maturity, primarily Ginnie Mae (“GNMA”) backed municipal housing securities.  These securities are NBQ, tax free municipal securities that receive principal and interest directly from the underlying GNMA pool.  These bonds are also convertible, at our request, directly into the GNMA MBS securing the bond.

The Company’s portfolio of net loans receivable increased $71.2 million, or 10%, to $777.5 million at March 31, 2016, from $706.3 million at September 30, 2015.  This increase primarily relates to growth in Banking segment loans of $72.2 million (including $56.5 million and $15.1 million from retail bank and premium finance loans, respectively) and Payments segment loans of $2.9 million.  Of the $354.8 million in commercial and multi-family real estate loans, $67.4 million is considered high-volatility commercial real estate (“HVCRE”).  While such HVCRE is risk-weighted at 150% rather than 100%, as is customary for non-HVCRE commercial loans, the increase to the Company’s risk-weighted assets has been inconsequential in terms of the Company’s capital ratios.

Total deposits increased $563.2 million, or 34%, at March 31, 2016, from $1.66 billion at September 30, 2015, primarily related to the increase in non-interest bearing deposits.  Deposits attributable to MPS increased by $590.2 million, or 41%, to $2.01 billion at March 31, 2016, compared to $1.42 billion at September 30, 2015.  Additionally, certificates of deposits decreased by $39.4 million to $51.8 million primarily related to a decrease in public funds on deposit as planned by the Company.  The average balance of total deposits and interest-bearing liabilities was $2.73 billion for the six month period ended March 31, 2016, compared to $2.16 billion for the same period in the prior fiscal year.  The average balance of non-interest bearing deposits for the six month period ended March 31, 2016 increased by $370.1 million, or 20% to $2.23 billion at March 31, 2016, compared to $1.86 billion for the same period in the prior fiscal year.

Total borrowings decreased $77.4 million, from $561.3 million at September 30, 2015, to $483.9 million at March 31, 2016, primarily due to the decrease of federal funds purchased.  The Company’s overnight federal funds purchased fluctuates on a daily basis due to the nature of a portion of its non-interest bearing deposit base, primarily related to payroll processing timing with a higher volume of overnight federal funds purchased on Monday through Wednesday, which are typically paid down on Thursday and Friday.  Accordingly, our level of borrowings may fluctuate significantly on any particular quarter end date.

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At March 31, 2016, the Company’s stockholders’ equity totaled $313.3 million, an increase of $42.0 million, from $271.3 million at September 30, 2015.  The increase was attributable to net earnings, offset by dividends paid. At March 31, 2016, the Bank continues to exceed all regulatory requirements for classification as a well‑capitalized institution.  See “Liquidity and Capital Resources” for further information.

Non-performing Assets and Allowance for Loan Losses

Generally, when a loan becomes delinquent 90 days or more for the majority of loan segments, and 210 days or more for premium finance, or when the collection of principal or interest becomes doubtful, the Company will place the loan on a non-accrual status and, as a result, previously accrued interest income on the loan is reversed against current income.  The loan will remain in non-accrual status until the loan becomes current and has demonstrated a sustained period of satisfactory performance, typically after six months.

The Company believes that the level of allowance for loan losses at March 31, 2016 is appropriate and reflects probable losses related to these loans; however, there can be no assurance that all loans will be fully collectible or that the present level of the allowance will be adequate in the future.  See “Allowance for Loan Losses” below.

The table below sets forth the amounts and categories of non-performing assets in the Company’s portfolio.  Foreclosed assets include assets acquired in settlement of loans.  The Company has very little exposure to oil and gas producers.

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	Non-Performing Assets As Of
	March 31, 2016			September 30, 2015
Non-Performing Loans	(Dollars in Thousands)
Non-Accruing Loans:
1-4 Family Real Estate	$	22		$	24
Commercial & Multi Family Real Estate		607			904
Agricultural Operating		3,421			5,132
Total (1)		4,050			6,060
Accruing Loans Delinquent 90 Days or More
Consumer		5			13
Premium Finance		611			1,728
Total		616			1,741
Total Non-Performing Loans		4,666			7,801
Other Assets
Total Other Assets		-			-
Total Non-Performing Assets	$	4,666		$	7,801
Total as a Percentage of Total Assets		0.15	%		0.31	%

(1) The Company had no non-performing TDRs as of March 31, 2016 and September 30, 2015. In addition, the Company had $0.5 million and $0.6 million of performing TDRs in accordance with their terms at March 31, 2016 and September 30, 2015, respectively.

At March 31, 2016, non-performing loans totaled $4.7 million, representing 0.59% of total loans, compared to $7.8 million, or 1.09% of total loans at September 30, 2015, mainly due to pay-downs on agriculture operating loans.

Classified Assets.  Federal regulations provide for the classification of loans and other assets such as debt and equity securities considered by our regulator, the OCC, to be of lesser quality as “substandard,” “doubtful” or “loss.”  An asset is considered “substandard” if it is inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any.  “Substandard” assets include those characterized by the “distinct possibility” that the Bank will sustain “some loss” if the deficiencies are not corrected.  Assets classified as “doubtful” have all of the weaknesses inherent in those classified “substandard,” with the added characteristic that the weaknesses present make “collection or liquidation in full,” on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions, and values, “highly questionable and improbable.”  Assets classified as “loss” are those considered “uncollectible” and of such minimal value that their continuance as assets without the establishment of a specific loss reserve is not warranted.

General allowances represent loss allowances which have been established to recognize the inherent risk associated with lending activities, but which, unlike specific allowances, have not been allocated to particular problem assets.  When assets are classified as “loss,” the Bank is required either to establish a specific allowance for losses equal to 100% of that portion of the asset so classified or to charge-off such amount.  The Bank’s determinations as to the classification of its assets and the amount of its valuation allowances are subject to review by its regulatory authorities, who may order the establishment of additional general or specific loss allowances.

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On the basis of management’s review of its loans and other assets, at March 31, 2016, the Company had classified a total of $12.9 million of its assets as substandard and $2.8 million as doubtful or loss.  This compares to classifications at September 30, 2015 of $11.9 million as substandard and none as doubtful or loss.  The increase in classified loans at March 31, 2016, is due to downgrades of agricultural operating loans.  See Note 3 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Allowance for Loan Losses.  The allowance for loan losses is established through a provision for loan losses based on management’s evaluation of the risk inherent in its loan portfolio and changes in the nature and volume of its loan activity, including those loans which are being specifically monitored by management.  Such evaluation, which includes a review of loans for which full collectability may not be reasonably assured, considers, among other matters, the estimated fair value of the underlying collateral, economic conditions, historical loan loss experience and other factors that warrant recognition in providing for an appropriate loan loss allowance.

Management closely monitors economic developments both regionally and nationwide, and considers these factors when assessing the appropriateness of its allowance for loan losses.  The current economic environment continues to show signs of improvement in the Bank’s markets.  The Bank’s loss rates over the past five years were very low.  Notwithstanding these signs of improvement, the Bank does not believe it is likely these low loss conditions will continue indefinitely.  Although the Bank’s four market areas have indirectly benefitted from a stable agricultural market, the market has become somewhat more stressed with lower commodity prices over the last couple of years and commodity prices remain lower than a few years ago.  Loss rates in the agricultural real estate and agricultural operating loan portfolios have been minimal in the past five years.  Management expects that future losses in this portfolio could be higher than recent historical experience.  Management believes the low commodity prices and high land rents have the potential to negatively impact the economies of our agricultural markets.

At March 31, 2016, the Company had established an allowance for loan losses totaling $7.4 million, compared to $6.3 million at September 30, 2015, with the increase due to an increase in the provision for loan losses of $2.0 million, primarily due to loan growth and net charge offs of $0.8 million for the six month period ended March 31, 2016.  Management believes that, based on a detailed review of the loan portfolio, historic loan losses, current economic conditions, the size of the loan portfolio, and other factors, the current level of the allowance for loan losses at March 31, 2016 reflects an appropriate allowance against probable losses from the loan portfolio.  Although the Company maintains its allowance for loan losses at a level that it considers to be adequate, investors and others are cautioned that there can be no assurance that future losses will not exceed estimated amounts, or that additional provisions for loan losses will not be required in future periods.

The allowance for loan losses reflects management’s best estimate of probable losses inherent in the portfolio based on currently available information.  In addition to the factors mentioned above, future additions to the allowance for loan losses may become necessary based upon changing economic conditions, increased loan balances or changes in the underlying collateral of the loan portfolio.  In addition, our regulators have the ability to order us to increase our allowance.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

The Company’s financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.  The financial information contained within these financial statements is, to a significant extent, financial information that is based on approximate measures of the financial effects of transactions and events that have already occurred.  Based on its consideration of accounting policies that:  (i) involve the most complex and subjective decisions and assessments which may be uncertain at the time the estimate was made, and (ii) different estimates that reasonably could have been used in the current period, or changes in the accounting estimate that are reasonably likely to occur from period to period, would have a material impact on the financial statements, management has identified the policies described below as Critical Accounting Policies.  This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the Company’s financial statements and the accompanying notes presented in Part II, Item 8 “Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2015, and information contained herein.

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Allowance for Loan Losses.  The Company’s allowance for loan loss methodology incorporates a variety of risk considerations, both quantitative and qualitative, in establishing an allowance for loan loss that management believes is appropriate at each reporting date.  Quantitative factors include the Company’s historical loss experience, delinquency and charge-off trends, collateral values, changes in nonperforming loans, and other factors.  Quantitative factors also incorporate known information about individual loans, including borrowers’ sensitivity to interest rate movements.  Qualitative factors include the general economic environment in the Company’s markets, including economic conditions throughout the Midwest and, in particular, the state of certain industries.  Size and complexity of individual credits in relation to loan structure, existing loan policies, and pace of portfolio growth are other qualitative factors that are considered in the methodology.  Although management believes the levels of the allowance at both March 31, 2016 and September 30, 2015 were adequate to absorb probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio, a decline in local economic conditions or other factors could result in increasing losses.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets.  Each quarter, the Company evaluates the estimated useful lives of its amortizable intangible assets and whether events or changes in circumstances warrant a revision to the remaining periods of amortization.  In accordance with ASC 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other, recoverability of these assets is measured by comparison of the carrying amount of the asset to the future undiscounted cash flows the asset is expected to generate.  If the asset is considered to be impaired, the amount of any impairment is measured as the difference between the carrying value and the fair value of the impaired asset.

In addition, goodwill and intangible assets are tested annually as of our fiscal year end for impairment or more often if conditions indicate a possible impairment.  Determining the fair value of a reporting unit involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions.  These estimates and assumptions include revenue growth rates and operating margins used to calculate future cash flows, risk-adjusted discount rates, future economic and market conditions, comparison of the Company’s market value to book value and determination of appropriate market comparables.  Actual future results may differ from those estimates.

Assumptions and estimates about future values and remaining useful lives of the Company’s intangible and other long-lived assets are complex and subjective.  They can be affected by a variety of factors, including external factors such as industry and economic trends, and internal factors such as changes in the Company’s business strategy and internal forecasts.  Although the Company believes the historical assumptions and estimates used are reasonable and appropriate, different assumptions and estimates could materially impact the reported financial results.

Customer relationship, trademark, and non-compete intangibles are amortized over 30 years using the present value of excess earnings, 15 years straight line, and 3 years straight line, respectively.  Patents are estimated to have a useful life of 20 years, beginning on the date the patent application is originally filed.  Thus, patents are amortized based on the remaining useful life once granted.  Periodically, the Company reviews the intangible assets for events or circumstances that may indicate a change in recoverability of the underlying basis.

Deferred Tax Assets.  The Company accounts for income taxes according to the asset and liability method.  Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis.  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the enacted tax rates applicable to income for the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled.  Deferred tax assets are recognized subject to management’s judgment that realization is more-likely-than-not.  An estimate of probable income tax benefits that will not be realized in future years is required in determining the necessity for a valuation allowance.

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Security Impairment.  Management monitors the investment securities portfolio for impairment on a security by security basis.  Management has a process in place to identify securities that could potentially have a credit impairment that is other-than-temporary.  This process involves the length of time and extent to which the fair value has been less than the amortized cost basis, review of available information regarding the financial position of the issuer, monitoring the rating of the security, monitoring changes in value, cash flow projections, and the Company’s intent to sell a security or whether it is more likely than not the Company will be required to sell the security before the recovery of its amortized cost which, in some cases, may extend to maturity.  To the extent we determine that a security is deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired, an impairment loss is recognized.  If the Company intends to sell a security or it is more likely than not that the Company would be required to sell a security before the recovery of its amortized cost, the Company recognizes an other-than-temporary impairment in earnings for the difference between amortized cost and fair value.  If we do not expect to recover the amortized cost basis, we do not plan to sell the security and if it is not more likely than not that the Company would be required to sell a security before the recovery of its amortized cost, the recognition of the other-than-temporary impairment is bifurcated.  For those securities, the Company separates the total impairment into a credit loss component recognized in earnings, and the amount of the loss related to other factors is recognized in other comprehensive income net of taxes.

The amount of the credit loss component of a debt security impairment is estimated as the difference between amortized cost and the present value of the expected cash flows of the security.  The present value is determined using the best estimate of cash flows discounted at the effective interest rate implicit to the security at the date of purchase or the current yield to accrete an asset- backed or floating rate security.  Cash flow estimates for trust preferred securities are derived from scenario-based outcomes of forecasted default rates, loss severity, prepayment speeds and structural support.

Level 3 Fair Value Measurement. U.S. GAAP requires the Company to measure the fair value of financial instruments under a standard which describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value.  Level 3 measurement includes significant unobservable inputs that reflect the Company’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability.  Level 3 assets and liabilities include financial instruments whose value is determined using pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, or similar techniques, as well as instruments for which the determination of fair value requires significant management judgment or estimation.  Although management believes that it uses a best estimate of information available to determine fair value, due to the uncertainty of future events, the approach includes a process that may differ significantly from other methodologies and still produce an estimate that is in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

General.

The Company recorded net income of $14.3 million, or $1.68 per diluted share, for the three months ended March 31, 2016, compared to net income of $5.2 million, or 78 cents per diluted share, for the same period in fiscal year 2015.  The increase in net income was primarily due to increases of $25.9 million in non-interest income and $4.6 million in net interest income, offset by an increase of $18.4 million in non-interest expense.

The Company recorded net income of $18.3 million, or $2.18 per diluted share, for the six months ended March 31, 2016, compared to $8.8 million, or $1.37 per diluted share, for the same period in fiscal year 2015.  The increase in net earnings for the six months ended March 31, 2016 was primarily due to increases of $30.1 million in non-interest income and $8.6 million in net interest income, offset by an increase of $26.0 million in non-interest expense.

Seasonality.  In the industries for electronic payments processing and tax refund processing, companies commonly experience seasonal fluctuations in revenue.  For example, in recent years, our results of operations for the first half of each fiscal year have been favorably affected by large numbers of taxpayers electing to receive their tax refunds via direct deposit on our pre-paid cards, which caused our operating revenues to be typically higher in the first halves of those years than they were in the corresponding second halves of those years.  Additionally, our tax refund processing services business is highly seasonal as it generates the substantial majority of its revenue in the second fiscal quarter, and substantially all of its revenue in the second and third fiscal quarters of each year.  We expect our revenue to continue to be based on seasonal factors that affect the electronic payments processing and tax refund processing industries as a whole.

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We and our tax preparation partners rely on the Internal Revenue Services (the “IRS”), technology, and employees when processing and preparing tax refunds and tax-related products and services.

Net Interest Income.  Net interest income for the fiscal 2016 second quarter increased by $4.6 million, or 30%, to $19.9 million from $15.3 million for the same period in the prior fiscal year primarily due to growth in the investment portfolio, contributing to increased investment interest income.  Additionally, the overall increase was driven by higher volumes and yields attained from other investments, primarily high credit quality tax-exempt municipal bonds.  Increased volume in higher yielding loans as well as higher rates achieved in the MBS portfolio also aided net interest income.

Net Interest Margin (“NIM”) increased from 3.06% in the fiscal 2015 second quarter to 3.22% in the fiscal 2016 second quarter.  This expansion in NIM relates to an improving mix of interest-earning assets highlighted by high credit quality loan volume and purchases of high quality tax-exempt municipal securities at relatively high tax-equivalent yields.  The Company continues to execute its strategy of deploying investment securities portfolio cash flows and new MPS deposits to fund higher yielding loan receivables and high credit quality, tax exempt municipal securities.

Overall, tax equivalent yield (“TEY”) on average earning assets increased by 16 basis points in the fiscal 2016 second quarter, compared to the fiscal 2015 second quarter, primarily driven by improved earning asset mix, including a 27% increase in average balances within the loan portfolio, and increased volume and yields achieved in other investments, particularly the tax exempt municipal securities, and improved yields on MBS.  The yield achieved on our growing loan portfolio is much higher than similar duration investments, particularly for the AFS/IBEX loans, making the increased loan portfolio asset mix more desirable.   The fiscal 2016 second quarter yield on MBS increased by 18 basis points while longer term interest rates experienced significant volatility.  Non-MBS investment securities yield increased by two basis points, compared to the same prior year quarter.  The fiscal 2016 second quarter TEY on the securities portfolio increased by 20 basis points compared to the comparable prior year quarter driven by a shifting mix in the investment portfolio where new volume was deployed in overall higher yielding investment securities rather than MBS. This larger volume and higher TEY yields achieved in non-MBS, in concert with significant improvement in MBS yields, was the impetus for the substantial yield enhancement. Management believes that the increase in non-interest-bearing liabilities aids NIM improvement, and highlights the competitive advantage of the growing MPS deposit base, particularly if interest rates rise.

The Company’s average interest-earning assets for the fiscal 2016 second quarter grew by $612.4 million, or 27%, to $2.89 billion, up from $2.28 billion during the same quarter last fiscal year, primarily from growth in the securities and loan portfolios of $445.6 million and $166.8 million, respectively.

The Company’s average total deposits and interest-bearing liabilities for the 2016 second fiscal quarter increased $578.9 million, or 27%, to $2.73 billion from $2.16 billion for the same quarter last year.  This increase was generated primarily from an increase in MPS-related non-interest bearing deposits and short-term borrowings, slightly offset by a decrease in time deposits.  MPS average quarterly deposits for the 2016 second fiscal quarter increased $391.2 million, or 21%, from the same period last year.  This increase resulted almost entirely from growth in core prepaid card programs and the addition of several new prepaid partners, which was partially offset by the delay in timing of receiving tax-related deposits in 2016.  The Company’s average short-term borrowings for the 2016 second fiscal quarter increased $196.0 million from the same period last year, partially related to the delay in timing of receiving tax-related deposits in 2016.  Overall, rates on all deposits and interest-bearing liabilities increased by one basis point from 0.09% in the 2015 second fiscal quarter to 0.10% in the 2016 period.  At March 31, 2016, low-cost checking deposits represented 94% of total deposits compared to 91% one year earlier.

For the six months ended March 31, 2016, net interest income was $37.5 million compared to $28.9 million for the same period in the prior fiscal year.  Contributing to this increase was an increase in earning asset yields of 19 basis points, an increased percentage of loans as a percentage of total interest earning assets, and increased volume in the loan and securities portfolio.  The TEY of MBS and other investments was 2.95% for the six months ended March 31, 2016, compared to 2.73% for the same period in 2015.

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The following tables present, for the periods indicated, the Company’s total dollar amount of interest income from average interest-earning assets and the resulting yields, as well as the interest expense on average interest-bearing liabilities, expressed both in dollars and rates.  Tax equivalent adjustments have been made in yield on interest bearing assets and net interest margin.  Non-accruing loans have been included in the table as loans carrying a zero yield.

Three Months Ended March 31,	2016							2015
(Dollars in Thousands)	Average Outstanding Balance		Interest Earned / Paid		Yield / Rate			Average Outstanding Balance		Interest Earned / Paid		Yield / Rate
Interest-earning assets:
Loans receivable	$	774,197	$	8,548		4.44	%	$	607,412	$	7,637		5.10	%
Mortgage-backed securities		800,685		4,768		2.39	%		719,439		3,919		2.21	%
Other investments and fed funds sold		1,315,714		7,313		3.21	%		951,319		4,203		2.61	%
Total interest-earning assets		2,890,596	$	20,629		3.31	%		2,278,170	$	15,759		3.15	%
Non-interest-earning assets		187,859							102,345
Total assets	$	3,078,455						$	2,380,515
Non-interest bearing deposits	$	2,232,131	$	-		0.00	%	$	1,862,040	$	-		0.00	%
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Interest-bearing checking		36,563		21		0.23	%		35,673		22		0.25	%
Savings		62,636		5		0.04	%		34,763		14		0.16	%
Money markets		46,308		19		0.16	%		38,235		14		0.15	%
Time deposits		58,580		90		0.62	%		72,101		122		0.69	%
FHLB advances		8,648		126		5.84	%		7,000		122		7.07	%
Overnight fed funds purchased		277,681		315		0.46	%		83,278		62		0.30	%
Other borrowings		11,537		115		4.02	%		22,056		117		2.15	%
Total interest-bearing liabilities		501,953		691		0.55	%		293,106		473		0.65	%
Total deposits and interest-bearing liabilities		2,734,084	$	691		0.10	%		2,155,146	$	473		0.09	%
Other non-interest bearing liabilities		42,917							26,852
Total liabilities		2,777,001							2,181,998
Shareholders' equity		301,454							198,517
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$	3,078,455						$	2,380,515
Net interest income and net interest rate spread including non-interest bearing deposits			$	19,938		3.21	%			$	15,286		3.06	%
Net interest margin						3.22	%						3.06	%

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Six Months Ended March 31,	2016							2015
(Dollars in Thousands)	Average Outstanding Balance		Interest Earned / Paid		Yield / Rate			Average Outstanding Balance		Interest Earned / Paid		Yield / Rate
Interest-earning assets:
Loans receivable	$	754,383	$	16,867		4.47	%	$	570,091	$	14,033		4.94	%
Mortgage-backed securities		739,557		8,481		2.29	%		704,219		7,743		2.21	%
Other investments and fed funds sold		1,209,758		13,556		3.23	%		877,675		8,215		2.71	%
Total interest-earning assets		2,703,698	$	38,904		3.32	%		2,151,985	$	29,991		3.13	%
Non-interest-earning assets		177,815							93,726
Total assets	$	2,881,513						$	2,245,711
Non-interest bearing deposits	$	1,993,571	$	-		0.00	%	$	1,636,444	$	-		0.00	%
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Interest-bearing checking		35,544		42		0.24	%		35,752		44		0.25	%
Savings		54,071		11		0.04	%		31,175		29		0.19	%
Money markets		45,573		37		0.16	%		39,129		30		0.15	%
Time deposits		72,192		208		0.58	%		99,562		301		0.61	%
FHLB advances		63,557		331		1.04	%		7,000		247		7.08	%
Overnight fed funds purchased		278,306		553		0.40	%		161,973		243		0.30	%
Other borrowings		12,548		229		3.64	%		23,239		240		2.07	%
Total interest-bearing liabilities		561,791		1,411		0.50	%		397,830		1,134		0.57	%
Total deposits and interest-bearing liabilities		2,555,362	$	1,411		0.11	%		2,034,274	$	1,134		0.11	%
Other non-interest bearing liabilities		38,103							22,811
Total liabilities		2,593,465							2,057,085
Stockholders' equity		288,048							188,626
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	2,881,513						$	2,245,711
Net interest income and net interest rate spread including non-interest bearing deposits			$	37,493		3.21	%			$	28,857		3.02	%
Net interest margin						3.22	%						3.03	%

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The following table presents, for the periods indicated, the Company’s total dollar amount of interest income from average securities portfolio assets and the resulting yields expressed both in dollars and rates.  Tax equivalent adjustments have been made in yield.

Three Months Ended March 31,	2016							2015
(Dollars in Thousands)	Average Outstanding Balance		Interest Earned / Paid		Yield / Rate			Average Outstanding Balance		Interest Earned / Paid		Yield / Rate
Securities Portfolio Assets
Mortgage-backed securities	$	800,685	$	4,768		2.39	%	$	719,439	$	3,919		2.21	%
*Other investments		1,219,791		7,097		3.39	%		717,306		4,048		3.37	%
Total Securities Portfolio Assets	$	2,020,476	$	11,865		2.99	%	$	1,436,745	$	7,967		2.79	%
*Excludes FHLB Stock

(1) Tax rate used to arrive at a TEY for three months ended March 2016 is 34%

(1) Tax rate used to arrive at a TEY for three months ended March 2015 is 34%

Six Months Ended March 31,	2016							2015
(Dollars in Thousands)	Average Outstanding Balance		Interest Earned / Paid		Yield / Rate			Average Outstanding Balance		Interest Earned / Paid		Yield / Rate
Securities Portfolio Assets
Mortgage-backed securities	$	739,557	$	8,481		2.29	%	$	704,219	$	7,743		2.21	%
*Other investments		1,131,236		13,162		3.38	%		712,958		7,931		3.25	%
Total Securities Portfolio Assets	$	1,870,793	$	21,643		2.95	%	$	1,417,177	$	15,674		2.73	%
*Excludes FHLB Stock

(1) Tax rate used to arrive at a TEY for the six months ended March 2016 is 34%

(1) Tax rate used to arrive at a TEY for the six months ended March 2015 is 34%

Provision for Loan Losses.  The Company recorded a $1.2 million and $2.0 million provision for loan losses in the three and six month periods ended March 31, 2016, respectively, as compared to a $0.6 million provision for loan losses in both of the three and six month periods ended March 31, 2015.  The current period provision was primarily due to loan growth.  See Note 3 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Non-Interest Income.  Non-interest income for the fiscal 2016 second quarter increased by $25.9 million to $40.9million from $15.0 million for the same period in the prior fiscal year.  The change was primarily due to tax product fee income of $19.6 million and, to a lesser extent, to increases in card fee income from new and existing business partners of $4.9 million and loan fees of $1.4 million.

Non-interest income for the six months ended March 31, 2016, increased by $30.1 million to $57.7 million from $27.6 million in the same period in the prior fiscal year, due primarily to tax product fee income and increases in card fee income and loan fees.  Tax product fee income was $19.6 million and card fee income increased by $7.1 million, or 27%, due to growth in MPS programs during the first six months of the fiscal year.  Loan fee income increased $1.9 million during the same period.

Non-Interest Expense.  Non-interest expense increased $18.4 million, or 78%, to $41.8million, for the second quarter of fiscal year 2016, as compared to $23.4 million for the same period in fiscal year 2015.  Non-interest expense increased by $26.0 million, or 57%, to $71.8 million for the six months ended March 31, 2016, from $45.8 million for the same period in fiscal year 2015.

Tax product expense, a new line item including fees related to our tax processing business, was $8.3 million for the three and six months ended March 31, 2016.

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Compensation expense increased $5.4million, or 47%, to $17.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016, as compared to $11.7 million for the same period in fiscal year 2015, primarily as a result of additional product development and IT developer staffing to support the Company’s growth initiatives, the AFS/IBEX transaction, the Refund Advantage transaction, and to prepare for other potential growth opportunities.  Compensation expense increased $9.6 million, or 43%, to $31.8 million for the six months ended March 31, 2016 from $22.2 million for the same period in fiscal year 2015 due primarily to a 19% increase in overall staffing.  The Company expects the percentage increase in compensation expense to decrease later in fiscal 2016 and in fiscal 2017, excluding compensation increases related to potential acquisitions.

Other expense increased $1.6 million and $3.6 million for the three and six months ended March 31, 2016, respectively, as compared to the three and six months ended March 31, 2015, with increases relating to amortization of intangibles and regulatory expenses primarily relating to higher deposit balances.

Income Tax.  Income tax expense for the second quarter of fiscal year 2016 was $3.6 million, or an effective tax rate of 20.1%, compared to income tax expense of $1.1 million, or an effective tax rate of 17.0%, for the same period in the prior fiscal year.  The increase in the effective tax rate is mainly due to increased taxable earnings during the fiscal 2016 second quarter; however, the increase was partially reduced by an increase in tax-exempt income, highlighting one of the benefits of our growing tax-exempt municipal securities portfolio.  For the first six months of fiscal year 2016, the effective tax rate was 14.6%.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The Company’s primary sources of funds are deposits, borrowings, principal and interest payments on loans and mortgage-backed securities, and maturing investment securities.  While scheduled loan repayments and maturing investments are relatively predictable, deposit flows and early loan repayments can be influenced by the level of interest rates, general economic conditions, and competition.

The Company uses its capital resources principally to meet ongoing commitments to fund maturing certificates of deposits and loan commitments, to maintain liquidity, and to meet operating expenses.  At March 31, 2016, the Company had commitments to originate and purchase loans and unused lines of credit totaling $131.4million.  The Company believes that loan repayments and other sources of funds will be adequate to meet its foreseeable short- and long-term liquidity needs.

In July 2013, the Company’s primary federal regulator, the Federal Reserve, and the Bank’s primary federal regulator, the OCC, approved final rules (the “Basel III Capital Rules”) establishing a new comprehensive capital framework for U.S. banking organizations. The Basel III Capital Rules generally implement the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision’s (the “Basel Committee”) December 2010 final capital framework referred to as “Basel III” for strengthening international capital standards.  The Basel III Capital Rules substantially revise the risk-based capital requirements applicable to financial institution holding companies and their depository institution subsidiaries, including us and the Bank, as compared to the current U.S. general risk-based capital rules. The Basel III Capital Rules revise the definitions and the components of regulatory capital, as well as address other issues affecting the numerator in banking institutions’ regulatory capital ratios.  The Basel III Capital Rules also address asset risk weights and other matters affecting the denominator in banking institutions’ regulatory capital ratios and replace the existing general risk-weighting approach, which was derived from the Basel Committee’s 1988 “Basel I” capital accords, with a more risk-sensitive approach based, in part, on the “standardized approach” in the Basel Committee’s 2004 “Basel II” capital accords. In addition, the Basel III Capital Rules implement certain provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act, including the requirements of Section 939A to remove references to credit ratings from the federal agencies’ rules. The Basel III Capital Rules became effective for us and the Bank on January 1, 2015, subject to phase-in periods for certain of their components and other provisions.

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Pursuant to the Basel III Capital Rules, the Company and Bank, respectively, are subject to new regulatory capital adequacy requirements promulgated by the Federal Reserve and the OCC. Failure by the Company or Bank to meet minimum capital requirements could result in certain mandatory and discretionary actions by our regulators that could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial statements. Prior to January 1, 2015, our Bank was subject to capital requirements under Basel I and there were no capital requirements for the Company. Under the capital requirements and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Company and Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of the Company and Bank’s assets, liabilities and certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The Company’s and Bank’s capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors.

Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Company and the Bank to maintain minimum amounts and ratios (set forth in the table below) of total risk-based capital and Tier I capital (as defined in the regulations) to risk-weighted assets (as defined), and a leverage ratio consisting of Tier I capital (as defined) to average assets (as defined).  At March 31, 2016, both the Bank and the Company exceeded federal regulatory minimum capital requirements to be classified as well-capitalized under the prompt corrective action requirements.  The Company and the Bank took the accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) opt-out election; under the rule, non-advanced approach banking organizations were given a one-time option to exclude certain AOCI components.  The table below includes certain non-GAAP financial measures that are used by investors, analysts and bank regulatory agencies to assess the capital position of financial services companies.  Management reviews these measures along with other measures of capital as part of its financial analyses and has included this non-GAAP financial information, and the corresponding reconciliation to total equity.

	Company					Bank					Minimum Requirement For Capital Adequacy Purposes					Minimum Requirement to Be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions
At March 31, 2016	Actual Amount		Ratio			Actual Amount		Ratio			Amount		Ratio			Amount		Ratio
						(Dollars in Thousands)
Tier 1 (core) capital (to adjusted total assets)	$	249,522		8.30	%	$	243,106		8.09	%	$	120,250		4.00	%	$	150,312		5.00	%
Common equity Tier 1 (to risk-weighted assets)		241,129		17.75			243,106		17.89			61,134		4.50			88,304		6.50
Tier 1 (core) capital (to risk-weighted assets)		249,522		18.36			243,106		17.89			81,512		6.00			108,682		8.00
Total qualifying capital (to risk-weighted assets)		257,032		18.92			250,616		18.45			108,682		8.00			135,853		10.00

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The following table provides a reconciliation of the amounts included in the table above for the Company.

	Standardized Approach (1) March 31, 2016
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Total equity	$	313,287
Adjustments:
LESS: Goodwill, net of associated deferred tax liabilities		36,190
LESS: Certain other intangible assets		18,763
LESS: Net deferred tax assets from operating loss and tax credit carry-forwards		2,876
LESS: Net unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities		14,329
Common Equity Tier 1 (1)		241,129
Long-term debt and other instruments qualifying as Tier 1		10,310
LESS: Additional tier 1 capital deductions		1,917
Total Tier 1 capital		249,522
Allowance for loan losses		7,510
Total qualifying capital		257,032

(1) Basel III revised the definition of capital, increased minimum capital ratios, and introduced a minimum CET1 ratio.  Those changes became effective for the Company on January 1, 2015, and are being fully phased in through the end of 2021.  The capital ratios were determined using the Basel III capital rules that became effective on January 1, 2015.

Beginning January 1, 2016, Basel III implements a requirement for all banking organizations to maintain a capital conservation buffer above the minimum risk-based capital requirements in order to avoid certain limitations on capital distributions, stock repurchases and discretionary bonus payments to executive officers. The capital conservation buffer will be exclusively composed of common equity tier 1 capital, and it applies to each of the three risk-based capital ratios but not the leverage ratio. On January 1, 2016, the Company and Bank are expected to comply with the capital conservation buffer requirement, which will increase the three risk-based capital ratios by 0.625% each year through 2019, equivalent to 2.5% of risk-weighted assets in addition to the minimum risk-based capital ratios, at which point, the requirement  for common equity tier 1 risk-based, tier 1 risk-based and total risk-based capital ratios will be 7.0%, 8.5% and 10.5%, respectively.

Based on current and expected continued profitability and subject to continued access to capital markets, we believe that the Company and the Bank will be able to meet targeted capital ratios required by the revised requirements, as they become effective.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk.

MARKET RISK

The Company derives a portion of its income from the excess of interest collected over interest paid.  The rates of interest the Company earns on assets and pays on liabilities generally are established contractually for a period of time.  Market interest rates change over time.  Accordingly, the Company’s results of operations, like those of most financial institutions, are impacted by changes in interest rates and the interest rate sensitivity of its assets and liabilities.  The risk associated with changes in interest rates and the Company’s ability to adapt to these changes is known as interest rate risk and is the Company’s only significant “market” risk.

The Company monitors and measures its exposure to changes in interest rates in order to comply with applicable government regulations and risk policies established by the Board of Directors, and in order to preserve stockholder value.  In monitoring interest rate risk, the Company analyzes assets and liabilities based on characteristics including size, coupon rate, repricing frequency, maturity date, and likelihood of prepayment.

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If the Company’s assets mature or reprice more rapidly or to a greater extent than its liabilities, then economic value of equity and net interest income would tend to increase during periods of rising rates and decrease during periods of falling interest rates.  Conversely, if the Company’s assets mature or reprice more slowly or to a lesser extent than its liabilities, then economic value of equity and net interest income would tend to decrease during periods of rising interest rates and increase during periods of falling interest rates.

The Company currently focuses lending efforts toward originating and purchasing competitively priced adjustable-rate and fixed-rate loan products with short to intermediate terms to maturity, generally five years or less, though the Company will consider ten year fixed-rate loans for high quality agricultural and commercial borrowers so long as the loan agreements have an appropriate structure and prepayment penalties.  This theoretically allows the Company to maintain a portfolio of loans that will have relatively little sensitivity to changes in the level of interest rates, while providing a reasonable spread to the cost of liabilities used to fund the loans.

The Company’s primary objective for its investment portfolio is to provide a source of liquidity for the Company.  In addition, the investment portfolio may be used in the management of the Company’s interest rate risk profile.  The investment policy generally calls for funds to be invested among various categories of security types and maturities based upon the Company’s need for liquidity, desire to achieve a proper balance between minimizing risk while maximizing yield, the need to provide collateral for borrowings, and to fulfill the Company’s asset/liability management goals.

The Company’s cost of funds responds to changes in interest rates due to the relatively short-term nature of its non-MPS deposit portfolio, and due to the relatively short-term nature of its borrowed funds.  The Company believes that its growing portfolio of low-cost deposits provides a stable and profitable funding vehicle, but also subjects the Company to greater risk in a falling interest rate environment than it would otherwise have without this portfolio.  This risk is due to the fact that, while asset yields may decrease in a falling interest rate environment, the Company cannot significantly reduce interest costs associated with these deposits, which thereby compresses the Company’s net interest margin.  As a result of the Company’s interest rate risk exposure in this regard, the Company has elected not to enter in to any new longer term wholesale borrowings, and generally has not emphasized longer term time deposit products.

The Board of Directors and relevant government regulations establish limits on the level of acceptable interest rate risk at the Company, to which management adheres.  There can be no assurance, however, that, in the event of an adverse change in interest rates, the Company’s efforts to limit interest rate risk will be successful.

Interest Rate Risk (“IRR”)

Overview.  The Company activelymanages interest rate risk, as changes in market interest rates can have a significant impact on reported earnings.  The Bank, like other financial institutions, is subject to interest rate risk to the extent that its interest-bearing liabilities mature or reprice more rapidly than its interest-earning assets.  The interest rate risk process is designed to compare income simulations in market scenarios designed to alter the direction, magnitude, and speed of interest rate changes, as well as the slope of the yield curve.  The Company does not currently engage in trading activities to control interest rate risk although it may do so in the future, if deemed necessary, to help manage interest rate risk.

Earnings at risk and economic value analysis. As a continuing part of its financial strategy, the Bank considers methods of managing an asset/liability mismatch consistent with maintaining acceptable levels of net interest income.  In order to properly monitor interest rate risk, the Board of Directors has created an Investment Committee whose principal responsibilities are to assess the Bank’s asset/liability mix and implement strategies that will enhance income while managing the Bank’s vulnerability to changes in interest rates.

The Company uses two approaches to model interest rate risk: Earnings at Risk (“EAR analysis”) and Economic Value of Equity (“EVE analysis”).  Under EAR analysis, net interest income is calculated for each interest rate scenario to the net interest income forecast in the base case.  EAR analysis measures the sensitivity of interest sensitive earnings over a one year minimum time horizon.  The results are affected by projected rates, prepayments, caps and floors. Market implied forward rates and various likely and extreme interest rate scenarios can be used for EAR analysis.  These likely and extreme scenarios can include rapid and gradual interest rate ramps, rate shocks and yield curve twists.

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The EAR analysis used in the following table reflects the required analysis used no less than quarterly by management.  It models -100, +100, +200, +300, and +400 basis point parallel shifts in market interest rates over the next one-year period.  Due to the current low level of interest rates, only a -100 basis point parallel shift is represented.

The Company is outside policy limits for the -100 scenario while within Board policy limits for all rising rate scenarios using the snapshot as of March 31, 2016 as required by regulation.  The table below shows the results of the scenarios as of March 31, 2016:

Net Sensitive Earnings at Risk

Net Sensitive Earnings at Risk
Balances as of March 31, 2016	Standard (Parallel Shift) Year 1
	Net Interest Income at Risk%
		-100		+100		+200		+300		+400
Basis Point Change Scenario		-8.8	%	2.6	%	2.0	%	0.7	%	-0.9	%
Board Policy Limits		-5.0	%	-5.0	%	-10.0	%	-15.0	%	-20.0	%

The EAR analysis reported at March 31, 2016 shows that in the increasing +100, +200, and +300 interest rate scenarios, more assets than liabilities will reprice over the modeled one-year period.

IRR is a snapshot in time.  The Company’s business and deposits are very predictably cyclical on a weekly, monthly, and yearly basis. The Company’s IRR results may vary depending on which day of the week and timing in relation to certain payrolls, as well as time of the month in regard to early funding of certain programs, when this snapshot is taken.  The Company’s overnight federal funds purchased fluctuates on a predictable, daily and monthly basis, due to fluctuations in a portion of its non-interest bearing deposit base, primarily related to payroll processing and timing of when certain programs are prefunded and when the corresponding, prefunded deposits are received.  Although fiscal second quarter 2016 ended on a Thursday, which generally, due to payroll processing and certain other programs, tends to necessitate a lower than average amount of overnight federal funds purchased, static IRR was negatively affected due to prefunded deposits from government programs. Certain government programs were prefunded on March 28, 2016 and the corresponding deposits were received on April 1, 2016. This timing difference allowed program participants to spend the prefunded amounts, initiating the need for incremental borrowings until the corresponding deposits were received, thereby temporarily and predictably increasing overnight borrowings.  For perspective, on April 1, 2016, the Company paid down the vast majority of overnight borrowings with a negligible $10 million in overnight borrowings remaining at the end of the day. Also, the amount of overnight federal funds purchased on Thursday, March 31, 2016 was over $252 million higher than the average amount of federal funds purchased throughout the month of March 2016.  Owing to the snapshot nature of IRR, as is required by regulators, in concert with the Company’s predictable weekly, monthly and yearly fluctuating deposit base and overnight borrowings, the results produced by static IRR analysis are not necessarily representative of what management, the Board of Directors, and others would view as the Company’s true IRR positioning.  Management and the Board are aware of and understand these typical borrowing and deposit fluctuations as well as the point in time nature of IRR analysis and anticipate outcomes where the Company may temporarily be outside of Board policy limits based on a snapshot analysis.

For management to better understand the IRR position of the Bank, an alternative IRR run was completed which all March 31, 2016, values were utilized with the exception of overnight borrowings, non-interest bearing deposits, cash due from banks, non-earning assets, and non-paying liabilities. To diminish potential timing issues documented above, quarterly average balances were utilized for overnight borrowings, non-interest bearing deposits, and cash due from banks.  Non-earning assets and non-paying liabilities were used to balance the statement of financial condition.  Management believes this approach to IRR, while still subject to some yearly cyclicality, more accurately portrays the Banks IRR position.  As noted in the below chart, the alternative EAR results are more normalized as timing issues in deposits and overnight borrowings are diminished.

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The Company would be within policy limits in all rising rate scenarios but out of compliance in the -100 scenario utilizing the alternative IRR scenario run for management purposes.  The table below highlights those results:

Alternative Net Sensitive Earnings at Risk

Net Sensitive Earnings at Risk
Alternative IRR Results	Standard (Parallel Shift) Year 1
	Net Interest Income at Risk%
		-100		+100		+200		+300		+400
Basis Point Change Scenario		-10.1	%	5.8	%	8.3	%	10.2	%	11.8	%
Board Policy Limits		-5.0	%	-5.0	%	-10.0	%	-15.0	%	-20.0	%

The alternative EAR analysis reported at March 31, 2016, shows that in an increasing interest rate environment, more assets than liabilities will reprice over the modeled one-year period.

The alternative IRR results were improved from the first fiscal quarter as the Company received its predictable, cyclical tax related deposits, which resulted in lower average borrowings and an increased average non-interest bearing deposit base.  The Company also anticipates solid EAR results as it continues the integration of AFS/IBEX, addition of ClearBalance loans, and the continuation of execution on its strategic plans, in a rising interest rate environment.

Net Sensitive Earnings at Risk as of March 31, 2016

Balances as of March 31, 2016
			% of			Change in Interest Income/Expense for a given change in interest rates
	Total Earning		Total Earning			Over / (Under) Base Case Parallel Ramp
Basis Point Change Scenario	Assets (in $000's)		Assets				-100	Base		+100	+200	+300	+400
Total Loans		776,795		29.2	%		37,289		39,614	41,935	44,192	46,410	48,674
Total Investments (non-TEY) and other Earning Assets		1,884,053		70.8	%		35,413		42,179	47,336	50,010	52,131	54,009
Total Interest-Sensitive Income		2,660,848		100.0	%		72,702		81,793	89,271	94,202	98,541	102,683
Total Interest-Bearing Deposits		206,978		30.4	%		386		509	1,249	1,988	2,728	3,467
Total Borrowings		473,626		69.6	%		490		2,543	7,209	11,875	16,542	21,208
Total Interest-Sensitive Expense		680,604		100.0	%		876		3,052	8,458	13,863	19,270	24,675

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Alternative Net Sensitive Earnings at Risk

Alternative IRR Results
			% of			Change in Interest Income/Expense for a given change in interest rates
	Total Earning		Total Earning			Over / (Under) Base Case Parallel Ramp
Basis Point Change Scenario	Assets (in $000's)		Assets				-100	Base		+100	+200	+300	+400
Total Loans		776,795		28.5	%		37,289		39,614	41,935	44,192	46,410	48,674
Total Investments (non-TEY) and other Earning Assets		1,949,255		71.5	%		35,413		42,506	48,330	51,687	54,505	57,097
Total Interest-Sensitive Income		2,726,050		100.0	%		72,702		82,120	90,265	95,879	100,915	105,771
Total Interest-Bearing Deposits		206,978		41.7	%		386		509	1,249	1,988	2,728	3,467
Total Borrowings		289,582		58.3	%		491		1,726	4,535	7,346	10,155	12,964
Total Interest-Sensitive Expense		496,560		100.0	%		877		2,235	5,784	9,334	12,883	16,431

The Company believes that its growing portfolio of non-interest bearing deposits provides a stable and profitable funding vehicle and a significant competitive advantage in a rising interest rate environment as the Company’s cost of funds will likely remain relatively low, with less increase expected relative to other banks.  When not able to match loan growth to deposit growth, the Company continues to execute its investment strategy of primarily purchasing NBQ municipal bonds and agency MBS, however, the Bank reviews opportunities to add diverse, high quality securities at attractive relative rates when opportunities present themselves.  The NBQ municipal bonds are tax exempt and as such have a tax equivalent yield higher than their book yield.  The tax equivalent yield calculation for NBQ municipal bonds uses the Company’s cost of funds as one of its components.  With the Company’s large volume of non-interest bearing deposits, the tax equivalent yield for these NBQ municipal bonds is higher than a similar term investment in other investment categories of similar risk and higher than most other banks can realize on the same instruments.  The above interest income figures are quoted on a pre-tax basis which is particularly notable due to the size of the Company’s tax-exempt municipal portfolio.

Under EVE analysis, the economic value of financial assets, liabilities and off-balance sheet instruments, is derived under each rate scenario.  The economic value of equity is calculated as the difference between the estimated market value of assets and liabilities, net of the impact of off-balance sheet instruments.

The EVE analysis used in the following table reflects the required analysis used no less than quarterly by management.  It models immediate -100, +100, +200, +300 and +400 basis point parallel shifts in market interest rates.  Due to the current low level of interest rates, only a -100 basis point parallel shift is represented.

The Company is within Board policy limits for all scenarios. The table below shows the results of the scenarios as of March 31, 2016:

Economic Value Sensitivity as of March 31, 2016

Balances as of March 31, 2016	Standard (Parallel Shift)
	Economic Value of Equity at Risk%
		-100		+100		+200		+300		+400
Basis Point Change Scenario		-3.8	%	-0.6	%	-3.4	%	-7.0	%	-10.5	%
Board Policy Limits		-10.0	%	-10.0	%	-20.0	%	-30.0	%	-40.0	%

The EVE at risk reported at March 31, 2016, shows that as interest rates increase immediately, the economic value of equity position will decrease from the base, primarily due to the size of the assets in relation to liabilities.

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The Company would be within policy limits in all scenarios utilizing the alternative IRR scenario run for management purposes.  The table below highlights those results:

Alternative Economic Value Sensitivity

Alternative IRR Results	Standard (Parallel Shift)
	Economic Value of Equity at Risk%
		-100		+100		+200		+300		+400
Basis Point Change Scenario		-5.5	%	1.2	%	0.2	%	-1.7	%	-3.7	%
Board Policy Limits		-10.0	%	-10.0	%	-20.0	%	-30.0	%	-40.0	%

The EVE at risk reported using the alternative methodology used for management purposes, shows that as interest rates increase immediately, the economic value of equity position will increase in the +100 and +200 scenarios, but decreases in the +300 and +400 scenarios, due to the size of the assets in relation to liabilities. Results for the 2016 second fiscal quarter improved from the first fiscal quarter as the Company received the corresponding tax related non-interest bearing deposits and as a result, average deposits were higher and average borrowings were lower.

Detailed Economic Value Sensitivity

The following table details the economic value sensitivity to changes in market interest rates at March 31, 2016, for loans, investments, deposits, borrowings, and other assets and liabilities (dollars in thousands).  The analysis reflects that in all rising interest rate scenarios, total assets are less sensitive, than total liabilities. Investments and other earning assets contribute to sensitivity, largely due to fixed rate securities investments.  This sensitivity is offset by the non-interest bearing deposits.

Balances as of March 31, 2016
			% of			Change in Economic Value for a given change in interest rates
	Book		Total			Over / (Under) Base Case Parallel Ramp
Basis Point Change Scenario	Value (in $000's)		Assets				-100		+100		+200		+300		+400
Total Loans		776,795		25	%		1.6	%	-1.9	%	-3.8	%	-5.8	%	-7.5	%
Total Investment		1,884,053		62	%		4.0	%	-4.6	%	-9.4	%	-14.0	%	-18.4	%
Other Assets		394,068		13	%		0.0	%	0.0	%	0.0	%	0.0	%	0.0	%
Assets		3,054,916		100	%		3.1	%	-3.6	%	-7.3	%	-11.0	%	-14.4	%
Interest Bearing Deposits		206,978		8	%		4.1	%	-2.5	%	-4.7	%	-6.7	%	-8.6	%
Non-Interest Bearing Deposits		2,022,350		73	%		6.4	%	-5.9	%	-11.3	%	-16.2	%	-20.7	%
Total Borrowings & Other Liabilities		526,351		19	%		0.1	%	-0.1	%	-0.1	%	-0.2	%	-0.2	%
Liabilities		2,755,679		100	%		4.9	%	-4.4	%	-8.4	%	-12.0	%	-15.4	%

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Detailed Alternative Economic Value Sensitivity

The following is EVE at risk reported using the alternative methodology used for management purposes, for loans, investments, deposits, borrowings, and other assets and liabilities (dollars in thousands).  The analysis reflects that in all rising interest rate scenarios, total assets are meaningfully less sensitive, than total liabilities.

Alternative IRR Results
			% of			Change in Economic Value for a given change in interest rates
	Book		Total			Over / (Under) Base Case Parallel Ramp
Basis Point Change Scenario	Value (in $000's)		Assets				-100		+100		+200		+300		+400
Total Loans		776,795		25	%		1.6	%	-1.9	%	-3.8	%	-5.8	%	-7.5	%
Total Investment		1,949,255		64	%		3.9	%	-4.5	%	-9.1	%	-13.6	%	-17.8	%
Other Assets		324,554		11	%		0.0	%	0.0	%	0.0	%	0.0	%	0.0	%
Assets		3,050,604		100	%		3.1	%	-3.6	%	-7.3	%	-11.0	%	-14.4	%
Interest Bearing Deposits		206,978		8	%		4.1	%	-2.5	%	-4.7	%	-6.7	%	-8.6	%
Non-Interest Bearing Deposits		2,249,666		82	%		6.5	%	-5.9	%	-11.3	%	-16.3	%	-20.8	%
Total Borrowings & Other Liabilities		299,034		11	%		0.1	%	-0.1	%	-0.2	%	-0.3	%	-0.3	%
Liabilities		2,755,678		100	%		5.5	%	-4.9	%	-9.4	%	-13.6	%	-17.3	%

Certain shortcomings are inherent in the method of analysis discussed above and as presented in the table.  For example, although certain assets and liabilities may have similar maturities or periods to repricing, they may react in different degrees to changes in market interest rates.  Also, the interest rates on certain types of assets and liabilities may fluctuate in advance of changes in market interest rates, while interest rates on other types may lag behind changes in market rates.  Additionally, certain assets, such as adjustable rate mortgage loans, have features that restrict changes in interest rates on a short-term basis and over the life of the asset.  Furthermore, although management has estimated changes in the levels of prepayments and early withdrawal in these rate environments, such levels would likely deviate from those assumed in calculating the table.  Finally, the ability of some borrowers to service their debt may decrease in the event of an interest rate increase.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Any control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable (not absolute) assurance that its objectives will be met.  Furthermore, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, have been detected.

DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

The Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s “disclosure controls and procedures”, as such term is defined in Rules 13a – 15(e) and 15d – 15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”) as of the end of the period covered by the report.

Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, at March 31, 2016, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that (i) the information required to be disclosed by us in this report was recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and (ii) information required to be disclosed by us in our reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

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INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

With the participation of the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the Company conducted an evaluation of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting to determine whether any changes occurred during the Company’s fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2016, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.  Based on such evaluation, management concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, there have not been any changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the fiscal quarter to which this report relates that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

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META FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

FORM 10-Q

Item 1. Legal Proceedings. – See “Legal Proceedings” of Note 6 to the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 1A. Risk Factors. - In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2015. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also materially and adversely affect us in the future.

There have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in our 2015 Form 10-K, other than as discussed below:

Fraudulent and other illegal activity involving our tax preparation partners or products could lead to reputational damage to us, reduce the use and acceptance of our cards and reload network, reduce the use of our services, and may adversely affect our financial position and results of operations.

Criminals are using increasingly sophisticated methods to engage in illegal activities involving prepaid cards, reload products, and tax refunds. Illegal activities involving such products and services include malicious social engineering schemes, where people are asked to provide a prepaid card or reload product in order to obtain a loan or purchase goods or services. Illegal activities may also include fraudulent payment or refund schemes and identity theft. We rely upon third party tax preparers for tax preparation and other services, which subjects us to risks related to the vulnerabilities of those third parties. Even a single significant instance of fraud could theoretically result in reputational damage to us, which could reduce the use and acceptance of our cards and other products and services, cause retail distributors or their customers to cease doing business with us or them, or could lead to greater regulation that would increase our compliance costs. Fraudulent activity could also result in the imposition of regulatory sanctions, including significant monetary fines, which could adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition.

A data security breach could expose use to liability and protracted and costly litigation, and could adversely affect our reputation and operating revenues.

We and our tax preparation partners transmit and store confidential customer and other information in connection with the use of our tax related products and services. Our encryption software and the other technologies we use to provide security for storage, processing and transmission of confidential customer and other information may not be effective to protect against data security breaches by third parties. The risk of unauthorized circumvention of our security measures has been heightened by advances in computer capabilities and the increasing sophistication of hackers. Our tax preparation partners may also experience similar security breaches involving the receipt, transmission and storage of confidential customer and other information. Improper access to our or the tax preparation partners systems or databases could result in the theft, publication, deletion or modification of confidential customer and other information. In addition, a data security breach at the tax preparation partners could result in significant reputational harm to us and cause the use and acceptance of our tax-related products and services to decline, either of which could have an adverse impact on our operating revenues and future growth prospects.

Agency, technological, or human error could lead to tax refund processing delays, which could adversely affect our reputation and operating revenues.

We and our tax preparation partners rely on the Internal Revenue Services (the “IRS”), technology, and employees when processing and preparing tax refunds and tax-related products and services. Any delays during the processing or preparation period could result in reputational damage to us or to our tax preparation partners, which could reduce the use and acceptance of our cards and tax-related products and services, either of which could have a significant adverse impact on our operating revenues and future growth prospects. An IRS delay in processing tax returns this season resulted in a small percentage of expected revenues flowing into our third fiscal quarter.

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Changes in laws and regulations to which we are subject, or to which we may become subject, may increase our costs of operation, decrease our operating revenues and disrupt our business.

The provision of tax refund processing services is highly regulated and, from time to time, the laws and regulations affecting these industries, and the manner in which they are interpreted, are subject to change. Such changes in laws and regulations or the interpretation or enforcement thereof could increase our compliance and other costs of doing business, require significant systems redevelopment, or render our products or services less profitable or obsolete, which could have an adverse effect on our results of operations.

Changes in laws and regulations, or our failure to comply with existing laws and regulations, applicable to our tax refund-related services could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations and financial condition.

In the future, we could derive a significant portion of our total operating revenues and earnings from tax refund processing and settlement services. The tax preparation industry is highly regulated under a variety of statutes and regulations, all of which are subject to change, which may impose significant costs, limitations or prohibitions on the way we conduct or expand our tax refund processing and related services. Any new requirements or rules, new interpretations of existing requirements or rules, failure to follow requirements or rules, or future lawsuits or rulings could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations, and financial condition.

Tax preparation products represent a significant credit risk, and if we are unable to collect a significant portion of its tax return advances, it would materially negatively impact earnings.

There is a credit risk associated with a tax refund advance because the funds are disbursed to the customer prior to the Company receiving the customer’s refund from the IRS. Because there is no recourse to the customer if the tax refund advance is not paid off by the customer’s tax refund, the Company may not collect all of its payments related to the tax refund advances from the IRS. Losses will generally occur on tax refund advances when the Company does not receive payment from the IRS due to a number of reasons, such as IRS revenue protection strategies including audits of returns, errors in the tax return, tax return fraud and tax debts not previously disclosed to the Company during its underwriting process. Although the Company’s underwriting takes these factors into consideration during the tax refund advance approval process, if the IRS significantly alters its revenue protection strategies for a given tax season, or the Company is incorrect in its underwriting assumptions, the Company could experience higher loan loss provisions above those projected.

Seasonal fluctuations in the use of our products and services impact our results of operations and cash flows.

Our results of operations and cash flows vary from quarter to quarter, and periodically decline, due to the seasonal nature of the use of our products and services. For example, in the current fiscal year, our results of operations for the first half of the fiscal year has been favorably affected by large numbers of taxpayers electing to receive their tax refunds via direct deposit on pre-paid cards that we issue, which caused our operating revenues to be typically higher in the first half of the fiscal year than is likely in the second half of the year. Additionally, our tax refund transfer services business is highly seasonal as it generates the substantial majority of its revenue in the second quarter of the fiscal year. To the extent that seasonal fluctuations become more pronounced, or are not offset by other factors, our results of operations and operating cash flows could fluctuate materially from period to period.

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Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds. – None

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities. – None

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures. - Not Applicable

Item 5. Other Information. – None

Item 6. Exhibits.

See Index to Exhibits.

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META FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

	META FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
Date: May 5, 2016	By:	/s/ J. Tyler Haahr
		J. Tyler Haahr, Chairman of the Board
		and Chief Executive Officer
Date: May 5, 2016	By:	/s/ Glen W. Herrick
		Glen W. Herrick, Executive Vice President
		and Chief Financial Officer

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INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Exhibit Number	Description
3 (i)	Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Meta Financial Group, Inc.'s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Commission File No. 333-188535) filed on May 10, 2013).
3 (ii)	Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Meta Financial Group, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 26, 2016).
31.1	Section 302 certification of Chief Executive Officer.
31.2	Section 302 certification of Chief Financial Officer.
32.1	Section 906 certification of Chief Executive Officer.
32.2	Section 906 certification of Chief Financial Officer.
101.INS	Instance Document
101.SCH	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

64