NOTE

NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT

ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Nature of Operations

The Company operates as a

one

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

Principles of Consolidation

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

Use of Estimates

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

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

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

Securities

Certain debt securities that management has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as “held to maturity” and recorded at amortized cost. Securities

not

classified as held to maturity are classified as “available-for-sale” and are carried at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported in other comprehensive income. Purchase premiums are recognized in interest income using the interest method over the terms of the securities. Gains and losses on the sale of securities are recorded on the trade date and are determined using the specific identification method.

For debt securities with fair value below carrying value, when the Company does

not

intend to sell a debt security, and it is more likely than

not,

the Company will

not

have to sell the security before a recovery of its cost basis, it recognizes the credit component of an other-than-temporary impairment of a debt security in earnings and the remaining portion in other comprehensive income. For held-to-maturity debt securities, the amount of an other-than-temporary impairment recorded in other comprehensive income for the noncredit portion of a previous other-than-temporary impairment is amortized prospectively over the remaining life of the security on the basis of the timing of future estimated cash flows of the security.

The Company’s consolidated statements of income reflect the full impairment (that is, the difference between the security’s amortized cost basis and fair value) on debt securities that the Company intends to sell or would more likely than

not

be required to sell before the expected recovery of the amortized cost basis. For available-for-sale and held-to-maturity debt securities that management has

intent to sell and believes that it more likely than

not

will

not

be required to sell prior to recovery, only the credit loss component of the impairment is recognized in earnings, while the noncredit loss is recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income. The credit loss component recognized in earnings is identified as the amount of principal cash flows

not

expected to be received over the remaining term of the security as projected based on cash flow projections.

Mortgage Loans Held for Sale

Mortgage loans held for sale are carried at the lower of cost or fair value, determined using an aggregate basis. Write-downs to fair value are recognized as a charge to earnings at the time a decline in value occurs. Forward commitments to sell mortgage loans are sometimes acquired to reduce market risk on mortgage loans in the process of origination and mortgage loans held for sale. Gains and losses resulting from sales of mortgage loans are recognized when the respective loans are sold to investors. Gains and losses are determined by the difference between the selling price and the carrying amounts of the loans sold, and are recorded in noninterest income. Direct loan origination costs and fees are deferred at origination of the loan and are recognized in noninterest income upon sale of the loan.

Loans

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

The accrual of interest on loans is discontinued at the time the loan is

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

All interest accrued but

not

collected for loans that are placed on nonaccrual or charged off is reversed against interest income. The interest on these loans is accounted for on the cash-basis or cost-recovery method, until qualifying for return to accrual. Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured.

Loans acquired without the evidence of credit impairment and for which obligated principal and interest cash flows are expected to be received are accounted for under the accounting guidance for receivables - non refundable fees and other costs (ASC

310

). Additionally, any difference between the initial investment and the principal amount of a purchased loan or debt security will be recorded as an adjustment of yield over the contractual life of the instrument. Loans acquired with evidence of deterioration of credit quality since origination are considered credit impaired. Evidence of credit quality deterioration

may

include information such as past-due and nonaccrual status, borrower credit scores and recent loan to value percentages. Such loans are accounted for under the accounting guidance for loans and debt securities acquired with deteriorated credit quality (ASC

310

) and initially measured at fair value, which includes estimated future credit losses expected to be incurred over the life of the loan.

Allowance for Loan Losses

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

The allowance for loan losses is evaluated on a regular basis by management and is based upon management’s periodic review of the collectibility of the loans in light of historical experience, the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, adverse situations that

may

affect the borrower’s ability to repay, estimated value of any underlying collateral and prevailing economic conditions. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available.

The allowance consists of allocated and general components. The allocated component relates to loans that are classified as impaired. For those loans that are classified as impaired, an allowance is established when the discounted cash flows (or collateral value or observable market price) of the impaired loan is lower than the carrying value of that loan. The general component covers nonclassified loans and is based on historical charge-off experience and expected loss given default derived from the Bank’s internal risk rating process. Other adjustments

may

be made to the allowance for pools of loans after an assessment of internal or external influences on credit quality that are

not

fully reflected in the historical loss or risk rating data.

A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Bank will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Factors considered by management in determining impairment include payment status, collateral value and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due. Loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are

not

classified as impaired. Management determines the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower’s prior payment record and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed. Impairment is measured on a loan-by-loan basis by either the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, the loan’s obtainable market price or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent.

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

Acquired loans determined to be deteriorated in quality do

not

have an allowance for credit loss associated with them when recorded by the acquiring entity. Estimates based on cash flows expected to be collected using internal risk models, which incorporate the estimates of current key assumptions, such as default rates, severity and prepayment speeds are used to determine the amount of impairment. As these loans are paid the pre-established amount of impairment is proportionally then included in income.

Foreclosed Assets Held for Sale

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

Goodwill and Intang

ble Assets

An annual assessment is performed to determine whether it is more likely than

not

the fair value of goodwill is less than the carrying amount. If, based on the assessment, it is determined that there is an impairment, goodwill would be written down to its implied fair value. Any subsequent increases in goodwill fair value are

not

recognized in the financial statements. As a result of the

2018

acquisition of Hometown, a goodwill amount of

$1,434,982

is presented in the balance sheet as of

December 31, 2018.

Core deposit intangible assets are being amortized on the straight-line basis over a period of

seven

years. Such assets are periodically evaluated as to the recoverability of their carrying value. A core deposit intangible of

$3,520,000

was calculated at the time of the Hometown acquisition. At

December 31, 2018,

the amount remaining to be amortized is

$2,980,910.

Premises and Equipment

Depreciable assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is charged to expense using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The estimated useful lives for each major depreciable classification of premises and equipment are as follows:

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

Bank Owned Life Insurance

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

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with income tax accounting guidance (ASC

740,

Income Taxes

). The income tax accounting guidance results in

two

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

Deferred income tax expense results from changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities between periods. Deferred tax assets are recognized if it is more likely than

not,

based on the technical merits, that the tax position will be realized or sustained upon examination. The term more likely than

not

means a likelihood of more than

percent; the terms examined and upon examination also include resolution of the related appeals or litigation processes, if any. A tax position that meets the more-likely-than-

not

recognition threshold is initially and subsequently measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that has a greater than

percent likelihood of being realized upon settlement with a taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. The determination of whether or

not

a tax position has met the more-likely-than-

not

recognition threshold considers the facts, circumstances and information available at the reporting date and is subject to management’s judgment. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if, based on the weight of evidence available, it is more likely than

not

that some portion or all of a deferred tax asset will

not

be realized.

The Company recognizes interest and penalties on income taxes as a component of income tax expense.

The Company files consolidated income tax returns with its subsidiary. With a few exceptions, the Company is

longer subject to U.S. federal or state income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before

2015.

Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all liquid investments with original maturities of

three

months or less to be cash equivalents. At

December 31, 2018

and

2017

cash equivalents consisted of interest-bearing deposits and money market accounts.

Restriction on Cash and Due From Banks

The Company is required to maintain reserve funds in cash and/or on deposit with the Federal Reserve Bank. The Company’s required reserve on

December 31, 2018

was

$1,956,000.

Comprehensive Income

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

Interest Rate Swap Agreements D

signated as Cash Flow Hedges

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

Regulatory Matters

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

not

reflected in these financial statements.

Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Bank to maintain minimum amounts and ratios (set forth in the table below). Management believes, as of

December 31, 2018

and

2017,

that the Bank met all capital adequacy requirements to which it is subject.

As of

December 31, 2018,

the most recent notification from the Missouri Division of Finance and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation categorized the Bank as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. To be categorized as well capitalized the Bank must maintain minimum total risk-based, Tier I risk-based, Tier I leverage and Common Equity Tier

risk-based ratios as set forth in the following table. There are

conditions or events since that notification that management believes have changed the Bank’s category.

The Bank's actual capital amounts and ratios are also presented in the table.

amount was deducted from capital for interest-rate risk. Dollar amounts are expressed in thousands.

											To Be Well Capitalized
						For Capital					Under Prompt Corrective
	Actual					Adequacy Purposes					Action Provisions
	Amount		Ratio			Amount		Ratio			Amount		Ratio
As of December 31, 2018

Tier 1 (core) capital, and ratio to adjusted total assets Bank	$	99,540		10.6	%	$	37,966		4.0	%	$	47,458		5.0	%

Tier 1 (core) capital, and ratio to risk-weighted assets Bank	$	99,540		11.7	%	$	51,041		6.0	%	$	68,055		8.0	%

Total risk-based capital, and ratio to risk-weighted assets Bank	$	107,535		12.6	%	$	68,055		8.0	%	$	85,068		10.0	%

Common equity tier 1 capital ratio to risk-weighted assets Bank	$	99,540		11.7	%	$	38,281		4.5	%	$	55,294		6.5	%

											To Be Well Capitalized
						For Capital					Under Prompt Corrective
	Actual					Adequacy Purposes					Action Provisions
	Amount		Ratio			Amount		Ratio			Amount		Ratio
As of December 31, 2017

Tier 1 (core) capital, and ratio to adjusted total assets Bank	$	89,526		11.5	%	$	31,227		4.0	%	$	39,034		5.0	%

Tier 1 (core) capital, and ratio to risk-weighted assets Bank	$	89,526		12.5	%	$	42,939		6.0	%	$	57,252		8.0	%

Total risk-based capital, and ratio to risk-weighted assets Bank	$	96,633		13.5	%	$	57,252		8.0	%	$	71,565		10.0	%

Common equity tier 1 capital ratio to risk-weighted assets Bank	$	89,526		12.5	%	$	32,204		4.5	%	$	46,517		6.5	%

The above minimum capital requirements exclude the capital conversion buffer required to avoid limitations on capital distributions, including dividend payments and certain discretionary bonus payments to executive officers. The capital conservation buffer is being phased in from

0.0%

for

2015

2.50%

2019.

The capital conversion buffer was

1.875%

December 31, 2018.

The net unrealized gain or loss on available-for-sale securities is

not

included in computing regulatory capital.

The proposed CBLR rule issued on

February 8, 2019

by federal banking regulators

may

change the Bank’s required ratios. It is unclear whether federal banking regulators will issue a final rule and, even if they do, the final rule

may

not

provide relief from federal banking capital requirements by decreasing the amount of capital the Bank is required to hold.

The amount of dividends that the Bank

may

pay is subject to various regulatory limitations. As of

December 31, 2018

and

2017

the Bank exceeded the minimum capital requirements. The Bank

may

not

pay dividends which would reduce capital below the minimum requirements shown above.

Segment Information

The principal business of the Company is overseeing the business of the Bank. The Company has

significant assets other than its investment in the Bank. The banking operation is the Company’s only reportable segment. The banking segment is principally engaged in the business of originating mortgage loans secured by

one

-to-

four

family residences, multi-family, construction, commercial and consumer loans. These loans are funded primarily through the attraction of deposits from the general public, borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank and brokered deposits. Selected information is

not

presented separately for the Company’s reportable segment, as there is

material difference between that information and the corresponding information in the consolidated financial statements.

General Litigation

The Company and the Bank, from time to time,

may

be parties to ordinary routine litigation, which arises in the normal course of business, such as claims to enforce liens, and condemnation proceedings, on properties in which the Bank holds security interests, claims involving the making and servicing of real property loans, and other issues incident to the business of the Company and the Bank. After reviewing pending and threatened litigation with legal counsel, management believes that as of

December 31, 2018,

the outcome of any such litigation will

not

have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

Earnings Per Common Share

The computation for earnings per common share for the years ended

December 31, 2018,

2017

and

2016

is as follows:

	Year Ended		Year Ended		Year Ended
	December 31, 2018		December 31, 2017		December 31, 2016

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

Stock options to purchase

30,000

and

68,500

shares of common stock were outstanding during the years ended

December 31, 2018,

2017

and

2016,

respectively, but were

not

included in the computation of diluted income per common share because their exercise price was greater than the average market price of the common shares.