cade-10k_20181231.htm

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Yes ☐ No ☒

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 every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐

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

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

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

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

As of June 29, 2018, the last business day of the Registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, the aggregate market value of the voting shares of common stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant was approximately $1.4 billion. This figure is based on the closing sale price of $28.87 per share of the Registrant’s Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Class A common stock”) on June 29, 2018. For purposes of this calculation, the term “affiliate” refers to all executive officers and directors of the Registrant and all shareholders beneficially owning more than 10% of the Registrant’s common stock.

Number of shares of Class A common stock outstanding as of February 28, 2019: 80,730,371

Portions of the Company’s Proxy Statement relating to the 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which will be filed within 120 days after December 31, 2018, are incorporated by reference into Part II, Item 5 and Part III, Items 10-14 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Cadence Bancorporation is a financial holding company and a Delaware corporation headquartered in Houston, Texas, and is the parent company of Cadence Bank, National Association (“Cadence Bank”). Formed in 2009 by banking industry veterans, we secured $1.0 billion of capital commitments in 2010 and built our franchise on the foundation established from three successful acquisitions: Cadence Bank, in March 2011, the franchise of Superior Bank in April 2011 and Encore Bank, N.A. in July 2012. Today, we are a growth-oriented, middle-market focused commercial relationship bank providing a broad range of banking and wealth management services to businesses, high net worth individuals, business owners and retail customers through a network of 66 branches as of December 31, 2018, with branches in Alabama, Florida, Texas, Mississippi, and Tennessee. We completed our initial public offering and listing on the NYSE in April 2017 with the ticker “CADE”. As of December 31, 2018, we had $12.7 billion of assets, $10.1 billion of gross loans, $10.7 billion in deposits and $1.4 billion in shareholders’ equity. We generated $166.3 million and $102.4 million of net income for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

On January 1, 2019, we completed our merger with State Bank Financial Corporation (“State Bank”), the holding company for State Bank and Trust Company. Under the terms of the merger agreement, each share of State Bank Financial Corporation common stock was converted into 1.271 shares of our Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the Class A common stock”). Total consideration paid was approximately $826 million consisting solely of the Class A common stock. With the acquisition of State Bank, we acquired 32 branches in Georgia. At December 31, 2018, State Bank had $4.9 billion of assets, $3.4 billion of gross loans, $4.1 billion in deposits, and $0.7 billion in shareholders’ equity as reported in their regulatory filings.

Our strategy is to build a premier commercial bank primarily through organically growing our client base, using mergers and acquisitions as an opportunistic complement to our strategy. We focus on middle-market commercial lending (characterized as lending to businesses with annual revenues of $10 million to $500 million) and provide a broad range of banking services to businesses, high net worth individuals, business owners and retail customers. Through our experienced and motivated team of commercial relationship managers and our integrated, client-centric approach to banking, we have successfully grown our businesses. Our management team and experienced relationship managers have long-standing client relationships and operating experience in the markets we serve, and we believe these attributes will continue to position us to build market share. Further, we believe our franchise is positioned for continued growth as a result of (i) our attractive geographic footprint, (ii) our focus and ability to provide differentiated, personalized service to a wide variety of industries and clients, (iii) our stable and customer-driven deposit funding base, (iv) our veteran board of directors, management team and relationship managers, (v) our ability to realize economies of scale, (vi) our capital position and (vii) our credit quality and risk management processes.

We have demonstrated robust loan growth in our markets, driven by our client relationships and client development efforts. We believe our loan growth has been a direct result of our people and our strategy, which focuses on a client-centered, service-oriented approach. Further, we believe our relationship managers’ entrepreneurial spirit, decision-making autonomy, flexibility and market expertise offers us unique growth opportunities not available to many of our peers. We intend to leverage the quality of our team, our existing relationships and our institutional approach to building tailored banking solutions to drive deeper relationships and increase penetration in our markets. Additionally, we are dedicated to investing in our team to ensure they continue to meet our high standard of excellence, while attracting and developing early career talent that embodies our entrepreneurial spirit and drives incremental relationships and loan growth.

The strength of our deposit franchise is derived from the long-standing relationships we have with our clients and the strong ties we have to the markets we serve. Our deposit footprint has provided, and we believe will continue to provide, primary support for our loan growth. Deposits comprise 96% of our total funding as of December 31, 2018. Our deposit growth and funding opportunities to support our loan growth come from our commercial and public-sector relationships, in addition to our retail deposit base. An additional part of our strategy is to continue to enhance our funding sources by expanding the ways in which we serve our customers, including ongoing optimization of our product offerings, treasury management services and client service capabilities, and increased adoption of mobile and digital platforms.

Prudently Invest in our Business to Drive Operating Leverage and Support our Risk Management Framework

We believe it is critical to prudently invest in our business in order to provide the best possible customer experience and build a scalable infrastructure that can support our growth while driving operating leverage. We have a history of making successful investments, starting with the acquisition and integration of our three predecessor banks, and carried on through internal infrastructure investments, ongoing talent acquisition, investments in our management team, implementation of a consolidated technology platform and ongoing investments into optimization of our delivery channels. Our past investments have yielded significant benefits to our business, and we believe a focus on investing in our people, our technology and our processes will allow us to continue to support operational efficiencies.

Build our Fee-Based Business through New Business Initiatives and Existing Customer Relationships

We have built a successful base of fee businesses—in both our Banking segment and our Financial Services segment—that provide complementary products and services to our core banking business. Each of our fee-based businesses is run by an experienced team and has infrastructure to support additional growth. We believe our integrated approach to our commercial relationships, along with our growing market position and the expertise and knowledge of our team, will provide ongoing new business opportunities.

We prioritize organic growth but may evaluate from time to time acquisition opportunities that we believe could produce attractive returns for our shareholders. In particular, we may consider acquisition opportunities that could improve our market position in geographies with attractive demographics and business growth trends (including Texas and the southeast United States), expand our branch network in existing markets, reduce our ratio of loans to deposits, increase our earnings power and/or enhance our suite of products. We believe our acquisition and integration experience provides an advantage in identifying and executing on strategically and financially compelling opportunities that could supplement our organic growth strategy. We have been, and will continue to be, highly selective on acquisitions.

Our primary strategic objective is to engage in commercial lending to middle-market customers (characterized as businesses with annual revenues of $10 million to $500 million) and provide a full array of commercial loans to middle-market commercial businesses, high net worth individuals and business owners. We believe we have a strong team of consumer and commercial bankers to execute on a client-centered, relationship-driven banking model. Our Commercial Banking team focuses on middle-market businesses with an advisory approach that emphasizes understanding the client’s business and offering a broad suite of loan, deposit and treasury management products and services. Within Commercial, our bankers focused on specialized industries have deep expertise and relationships in the sectors served, including the energy, franchise restaurant, healthcare and technology industries.

Our consumer banking team consists of experienced professionals that focus on knowing their individual clients in order to best meet their financial needs, offering a full complement of loan, deposit and online banking solutions. Our consumer bankers do the vast majority of their new lending in the areas served by our branches, which are also where our marketing is focused.

Our loan portfolio includes commercial and industrial loans, residential real estate loans, commercial real estate loans and other consumer loans. The principal risk associated with each category of loans we make is the creditworthiness of the borrower. Borrower creditworthiness is affected by general economic conditions and the attributes of the borrower and the borrower’s market or industry. Attributes of the relevant business market or industry include the competitive environment, customer and supplier availability, the threat of substitutes and barriers to entry and exit.

Commercial and Industrial Loans (“C&I”). As of December 31, 2018, $6.2 billion, or 62%, of our total bank loan portfolio consisted of commercial and industrial loans. Our C&I loans, which are generally made to middle-market businesses, include lines of credit, acquisition finance credit facilities and other types of commercial credit, and typically have maturities of five years or less. At December 31, 2018, an additional $266 million, or 2%, of our total bank loan portfolio consisted of loans to small businesses.

Commercial Real Estate Loans. As of December 31, 2018, $1.3 billion, or 13%, of our bank loan portfolio consisted of commercial real estate loans. We offer construction financing, acquisition or refinancing of properties primarily located in our markets in Texas and the southeast United States. Other products that we provide include lines of credit and REIT facilities.

Residential Real Estate Loans. As of December 31, 2018, $2.2 billion, or 22%, of our bank loan portfolio consisted of residential real estate loans. We provide one-to-four family residential real estate loans with terms ranging from 10 to 40 years, with either fixed or adjustable interest rates. We do not originate subprime loans. Loans are typically closed-end first lien loans for purposes of purchasing property, or for refinancing existing loans with or without cash out. The majority of our loans are owner occupied, full documentation loans.

Other Consumer Loans. As of December 31, 2018, $67 million, or 1%, of our bank loan portfolio consisted of other types of consumer loans. We offer consumer loans to our customers for personal, family and household purposes, including home equity, auto, boat and personal installment loans.

Shared National Credits (“SNC”). At December 31, 2018, the federal banking agencies defined a SNC as any loan(s) extended to a borrower by a supervised institution or any of its subsidiaries and affiliates which aggregates $100 million or more and is shared by three or more institutions under a formal lending agreement or a portion of which is sold to two or more institutions, with the purchasing institutions assuming its pro rata share of the credit risk. As a commercial focused relationship bank, we often participate in syndicated loan offerings as a result of the size of the customers and nature of industries we serve. As of December 31, 2018, we have $2.6 billion of outstanding SNCs, representing 26% of our total loans outstanding.

Our SNC loans are spread across our commercial products with many falling within our specialized industries, and are focused on customers where we have ancillary business, or believe we have the opportunity to develop such business. Our management team, relationship managers and credit risk management team have extensive experience in the underwriting, due diligence and monitoring of SNC credits. We evaluate SNC loans using the same credit standards we apply in underwriting all of our loans.

SNC credit performance remains comparable to non-SNC credit performance. As of December 31, 2018, our SNC portfolio had $31 million of nonaccrual loans related to energy and restaurant lending. As of December 31, 2018, all of our SNC nonaccrual loans were current as to their contractual terms.

We offer our customers a variety of deposit products, including checking accounts, savings accounts, money market accounts and other deposit accounts, through multiple channels, including our extensive network of full-service branches, drive-thru branches, ATMs, ITMs, and our online, mobile and telephone banking platforms. See “—Marketing and Distribution.” As of December 31, 2018, our deposit portfolio was comprised of 23% noninterest-bearing deposits and 77% interest bearing deposits. We intend to continue our efforts to provide funding for our business from customer relationship deposits.

Deposit flows are significantly influenced by general and local economic conditions, changes in prevailing interest rates, internal pricing decisions and competition. Our deposits are primarily obtained from depositors located in our footprint, and we believe that we have attractive opportunities to capture additional retail and commercial deposits in our markets. In order to attract and retain deposits, we rely on providing quality service, offering a suite of retail and commercial products and services at competitive prices, and introducing new products and services that meet our customers’ needs as they evolve.

Through our Linscomb & Williams and Cadence Trust brands, we offer wealth management and other fiduciary and private banking services targeted to affluent clients, including individuals, business owners, families and professional service companies. In addition to fiduciary and investment management fee income, we believe these services enable us to build new relationships and expand existing relationships to grow our deposits and loans. Through our wealth management line of business, we offer financial planning, retirement services and trust and investment management by a team of seasoned advisors, providing access, for affluent clients as well as mass market clients, to a wide range of certificates of deposits, mutual funds, annuities, individual retirement accounts, money market accounts and other financial products. Although we do not limit our customers to affluent clients and business owners, the focus of our wealth management line of business is on the “mass affluent” ($500,000 to $2 million in investible assets) and “highly affluent” ($2 million to $5 million in investible assets) markets.

On May 31, 2018, the Company completed the sale of its subsidiary, Town & Country Insurance Agency, Inc. (“T&C”) to an unrelated third party. We sold $11.1 million in net assets, including $10.9 million in goodwill and intangibles. This transaction resulted in a pre-tax gain of $4.9 million recorded in noninterest income, offset by $1.1 million in sale related expenses recorded in noninterest expenses.

Under our Cadence Investment Services brand, we offer, directly and through licensed financial consultants, financial advisors and third-party partners a variety of personal insurance products to retail and commercial customers, including life insurance, disability insurance, long-term care insurance, and buy-sell agreements. Our individual customers purchase our insurance products for income replacement, wealth transfer, estate planning and tax planning purposes.

In 2018, the Company began offering correspondent banking products to financial institutions, primarily in Texas with plans to expand to the Company’s broader footprint in 2019. Services include white-label treasury management services, liquidity management, Fed Funds accommodations, wholesale mortgage services and commercial real estate participations.

In January 2019, we acquired substantially all the assets of Altera Payroll and Insurance (“Altera”) as part of the acquisition of State Bank. This acquisition will diversify our revenue beyond existing business lines and complements our other commercial banking services. Altera will operate as a subsidiary of Cadence Bank,, and in partnership with treasury management services, to provide payroll services, human resources services, payroll cards and employee health insurance. Altera may also provide employer liability insurance, and worker’s compensation through licensed insurance agents.

In addition to traditional banking activities and the other products and services specified above, we provide a broad array of financial services to our customers, including: debit and credit card products, treasury management services, merchant services, employee and payroll benefits solutions (including payroll cards and bank-at-work benefits) automated clearing house services, lock-box services remote deposit capture services, foreign exchange services, and other treasury services.

We define our markets broadly as Texas and the southeast United States. Our active banking operations are located principally in six states, which we refer to as our geographic footprint (our “footprint”), where we operate 66 branches as of December 31, 2018 throughout Texas, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi and Tennessee. As of December 31, 2018, State Bank operates 32 branches throughout Georgia. We focus on serving these regional markets, although we also serve specialized industries clients both within our geographic footprint and throughout the United States, as many of our clients in these industries have operations nationwide.

While we are focused on driving growth across all our markets and products, we believe our Texas presence will be the largest contributor to near term asset growth, followed by Georgia, with funding support from our deposit base in Texas and the southeast United States.

We continue to make significant investments in our information technology systems for our banking and lending and cash management activities. We believe this is necessary investment in order to offer new products and enhance our overall customer experiences, as well as to provide scale for future growth. Our technology investments include investment in the foundational layer of our infrastructure (including security, data and voice network, storage and disaster recovery).

Additionally, our technology investments include investment in the application layer of our technology. We have built a robust technology core for the Treasury Management product suite, including “Allegro”, our single sign on portal for our business customers to access our Treasury Management products. Supported by this technology core, our Treasury Management product suite is competitive with small community banks as well as large regional and money center banks. Additionally, we operate the “Fluent by Cadence” platform, our online, mobile and other digital banking solution for consumer and small business banking. By leveraging the same platform as “Allegro”, we are able to centrally service and manage all digital banking activities and provide a seamless experience to our customers as they migrate from a small business to one that leverages our Treasury Management services.

We have also invested in video teller capabilities which enable our customers to interact with tellers outside of regular banking hours through interactive drive-throughs.

General- Our credit policy requires that key risks be identified and measured, documented and mitigated, to the extent possible, to seek to ensure the soundness of our loan portfolio. We require various levels of internal approvals based on the characteristics of our loans, including the size of the exposure, the line of business and the loan type. We also have specialized underwriting guidelines for loans in our specialized industries that we believe reflect the unique characteristics of these industries. Our credit policy also provides guidelines for the underwriting of loans to individuals along with the regulatory requirements to ensure that all loan applications are evaluated subject to our fair lending policy. We believe that the guidelines required by our credit policies enhance internal responsibility and accountability for underwriting decisions and permit us to monitor the performance of credit decision-making.

Credit Risk Management- Using our dual credit risk rating (“DCRR”) system, it is our policy to assign risk ratings to all commercial loan exposures using our internal credit risk rating system. The assignment of loan risk ratings is the primary responsibility of the lending officer concurrent with approval from the credit officer reviewing and recommending approval of the credit. The assignment of commercial risk ratings is done on a transactional basis using scorecards. We use a total of six different scorecards that accommodate various areas of lending. Each scorecard contains two main components: probability of default (“PD”) and loss given default (“LGD”). Each component is assessed using a multitude of both qualitative and quantitative scoring elements, which will generate a percentage for each component. The key elements assessed in the scorecard for PD are financial performance and trends as well as qualitative measures. The key elements for LGD are collateral quality and the structure of the loan. The PD percentage and LGD percentage are converted into PD and LGD risk ratings for each loan. The PD is used as our grade of record, while the LGD is utilized in both our allowance estimate as well as pricing model. Loans with PD ratings of 1 through 8 are loans that we rate internally as “Pass.” Loans with PD ratings of 9 through 13 are rated internally as “Criticized” and represent loans for which one or more potential or defined weaknesses exits. Loans with PD ratings of 10 through 13 are also considered “Classified” and represent loans for which one or more defined weakness exists. These classifications are consistent with regulatory guidelines. Consumer purpose loan risk classification is done in accordance with the Uniform Retail Credit Classification, based on delinquency and accrual status.

Our credit risk management is overseen by our Board of Directors and our Senior Credit Risk Management Committee. Our Senior Credit Risk Management Committee has six standing members, including the Chief Executive Officers of Cadence Bancorporation and Cadence Bank, Cadence Bank’s President, our Chief Credit Administration Executive, who serves as chairman of the committee, our Enterprise Risk Management Executive, and our Chief Credit Underwriting Executive, who serves as vice chairman of the committee. The committee is responsible for reviewing our credit portfolio management information, including asset quality trends, concentration reports, policy, financial and documentation exceptions, delinquencies, charge-offs, and other nonperforming assets. The approval of the Senior Credit Risk Management Committee is required for changes to our credit policy as well as lending and wire authority.

Concentration Limits- Our policies establish concentration limits for various industries within the commercial portfolio as well as commercial real estate, specialty lending, leveraged lending and other regulatory categories. Concentration limits are monitored and reassessed on a periodic basis and approved by the Board of Directors on an annual basis.

Credit Approval Process- The approval of our Senior Loan Committee is generally required for relationships in an amount greater than $5.0 million. The Senior Loan Committee has eight standing voting members, including the five members of the Senior Credit Risk Management Committee. Two “no” votes will result in declining a credit request.

For loans in an amount greater than $5 million that are risk rated 10 or worse, approval of the Credit Transition Committee is generally required. The Credit Transition Committee has five standing members, including our Chief Credit Administration Executive, who serves as chairman of the committee and our Chief Credit Underwriting Executive, who serves as vice chairman. Two “no” votes will result in declining a credit application. There is a credit executive assigned to each line of business who holds the primary responsibility for the approval process outside of the loan approval committees.

Portfolio Monitoring & Reporting- We believe that an important part of our assessment of client risk is the ongoing completion of periodic risk rating reviews. As part of these reviews, we seek to review the risk rating of each facility within a customer relationship and may recommend an upgrade or downgrade to the risk rating. Our policy is to review two times per year all customer relationships with an aggregate exposure of $10 million or greater as well as all SNC’s. Additionally, all customer relationships with an aggregate exposure of $2.5 million to $10 million are reviewed annually. Further, customer relationships with an aggregate exposure of $500 thousand and greater with a criticized risk rating are reviewed quarterly. Certain relationships are exempt from review, including relationships where our exposure is cash-secured. An updated risk rating scorecard is required during each risk review as well as with any credit event that requires credit approval.

As of December 31, 2018, we conduct our banking business through 66 branches located in Texas and five states in the southeast United States. As of December 31, 2018, State Bank operates 32 branches throughout Georgia. Our distribution network also includes ATMs, ITMs, fully integrated online banking and a telephone banking service. In addition, our customers have free access to Publix Presto! ATMs located throughout Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee and Allpoint ATMs worldwide. Our ATMs are enabled for several networks, including Visa, Discover, MasterCard, NYCE, Plus, Cirrus, Pulse, American Express and Quest.

We target growing companies and middle-market businesses, as well as individual consumers throughout Texas and the southeast United States. In order to market our deposit products and financial services, we use local print advertising and direct mail and provide sales incentives for our employees. We market our lending products through our experienced relationship managers, who rely on robust calling efforts and relationship banking to develop relationships with customers that result in business growth and product sales. Our compensation plans for our relationship managers include incentives based on achievement of certain loan, deposit, fee, income and profitability metrics.

The financial services industry in general and in our markets in Texas and the southeast United States are highly competitive. We compete actively with national, regional and local financial services providers, including banks, thrifts, credit unions, mortgage bankers and finance companies, money market mutual funds and other financial institutions, some of which are not subject to the same degree of regulation and restrictions imposed upon us. See “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Business—We face significant competition to attract and retain customers and clients, which could adversely affect our growth and profitability.”

Competition among providers of financial products and services continues to increase, with consumers having the opportunity to select from a growing variety of traditional and non-traditional alternatives. The primary factors driving commercial and consumer competition for loans and deposits are the interest rates, the fees charged, the levels of customer service and the range of products and services offered. In addition, other competitive factors include the location and hours of our branches and ATMs.

In addition to the terms of loans and deposits, we compete with other financial institutions with respect to the terms of swaps and letters of credit that we offer our customers and the fraud prevention products and other technological aspects of customers’ accounts that we provide, including compatibility with our commercial customers’ accounting systems.

Banking is a complex, highly regulated industry. Consequently, our growth and earnings performance can be affected, not only by management decisions and general and local economic conditions, but also by the statutes administered by, and the regulations and policies of, various governmental regulatory authorities. These authorities include, but are not limited to, the Federal Reserve Board (“Federal Reserve”), the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”), the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”), Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”), various state banking regulators, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) and state taxing authorities. The effect of these statutes, regulations and policies and any changes to any of them can be significant and cannot be predicted.

The primary goals of the bank regulatory structure are to maintain a safe and sound banking system and to facilitate the conduct of sound monetary policy. In furtherance of those goals, the U.S. Congress and the individual states have created numerous regulatory agencies and enacted numerous laws, such as the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), that govern banks and the banking industry. The system of supervision and regulation applicable to the Company establishes a comprehensive framework for our operations and is intended primarily for the protection of the Deposit Insurance Fund (“DIF”), our depositors and the public, rather than our shareholders and creditors.

The Dodd-Frank Act and its implementing regulations impose additional supervisory obligations on banking organizations with $10 billion or more in total consolidated assets. The Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act (the “EGRRCPA”), enacted into law May 24, 2018, modified a number of the requirements of the Dodd-Frank Act. Our total assets were $10.5 billion and Cadence Bank’s total assets were $10.5 billion as of September 30, 2017, the first quarter-end as of which total assets exceeded $10 billion. As a result, after September 30, 2018, which was the fourth consecutive quarter in which total average consolidated assets exceed $10 billion (and any applicable phase-in period), we and Cadence Bank are, among other requirements:

In addition, after June 30, 2018, Cadence and Cadence Bank became subject to the Durbin Amendment to the Dodd-Frank Act regarding limits on debit card interchange fees. The Durbin Amendment gave the Federal Reserve the authority to establish rules regarding interchange fees charged for electronic debit transactions by a payment card issuer that, together with its affiliates, has assets of $10 billion or more and to enforce a statutory requirement that such fees be reasonable and proportional to the actual cost of a transaction to the issuer. The Federal Reserve has adopted rules under this provision that limit the swipe fees that a debit card issuer can charge a merchant for a transaction to the sum of 21 cents and five basis points times the value of the transaction, plus up to one cent for fraud prevention costs. The ultimate impact of the heightened scrutiny to which we will be subject is uncertain but we may be adversely affected and may incur increased costs related to regulatory oversight.

New regulations and statutes are regularly proposed that contain wide-ranging proposals for altering the structures, regulations and competitive relationships of financial institutions operating in the United States. The federal banking agencies have issued a number of significant new regulations as a result of the Dodd-Frank Act and a number of additional regulations are pending or may be proposed as a result of the EGRRCPA. We cannot predict whether or in what form any proposed regulation or statute will be adopted or the extent to which any of our businesses may be affected by any new regulation or statute.

The following is an attempt to summarize some of the relevant laws, rules and regulations governing banks and bank holding companies, but does not purport to be a complete summary of all applicable laws, rules and regulations governing banks. The descriptions are qualified in their entirety by reference to the specific statutes and regulations discussed.

The Company is a financial holding company registered under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 (the “BHC Act”) and is subject to supervision and regulation by the Federal Reserve. Federal laws subject financial holding companies to particular restrictions on the types of activities in which they may engage and to a range of supervisory requirements and activities, including regulatory enforcement actions, for violation of laws and policies.

The BHC Act prohibits a bank holding company, with certain limited exceptions, from acquiring direct or indirect ownership or control of any voting shares of any company that is not a bank or from engaging in any activities other than those of banking, managing or controlling banks and certain other subsidiaries or furnishing services to or performing services for its subsidiaries. Bank holding companies also may engage in or acquire interests in companies that engage in a limited set of activities that are closely related to banking or managing or controlling banks.

If a company has elected to become a financial holding company (an “FHC”), it may engage in a broader set of activities, including insurance underwriting and broker-dealer services, as well as activities that are jointly determined by the Federal Reserve and the Treasury Department to be financial in nature or incidental to such financial activity. FHCs may also engage in activities that are determined by the Federal Reserve to be complementary to financial activities. To qualify as an FHC, the bank holding company and all subsidiary depository institutions must be well managed and well capitalized. Additionally, each subsidiary depository institution of the bank holding company must have received at least a “Satisfactory” rating on its most recent Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 (“CRA”) examination. Failure to meet any of these requirements may result in limitations on activities and acquisitions.

Bank holding companies are not permitted to engage in unsafe and unsound banking practices. The Federal Reserve may order a bank holding company to terminate an activity or control of a non-bank subsidiary if such activity or control constitutes a significant risk to the financial safety, soundness or stability of a subsidiary bank and is inconsistent with sound banking principles. Regulation Y and capital rules also require a holding company to receive the prior approval of the Federal Reserve for any redemption or repurchase of its own equity securities.

Consistent with the Dodd-Frank Act codification of the Federal Reserve’s policy that bank holding companies must serve as a source of financial strength for their subsidiary banks, the Federal Reserve has stated that, as a matter of prudence, a bank holding company generally should not maintain a rate of distributions to shareholders unless its available net income has been sufficient to fully fund the distributions, and the prospective rate of earnings retention appears consistent with a bank holding company’s capital needs, asset quality and overall financial condition.

In addition, the Federal Reserve Supervisory Letter SR 09-4 provides guidance on the declaration and payment of dividends, capital redemptions and capital repurchases by a bank holding company. Supervisory Letter SR 09-4 provides that, as a general matter, a bank holding company should eliminate, defer or significantly reduce its dividends if: (i) the bank holding company’s net income available to shareholders for the past four quarters, net of dividends previously paid during that period, is not sufficient to fully fund the dividends, (ii) the bank holding company’s prospective rate of earnings retention is not consistent with the bank holding company’s capital needs and overall current and prospective financial condition, or (iii) the bank holding company will not meet, or is in danger of not meeting, its minimum regulatory capital adequacy ratios. Failure to do so could result in a supervisory finding that the bank holding company is operating in an unsafe and unsound manner.

Limitations on the Bank paying dividends could, in turn, affect our ability to pay dividends to our shareholders. For more information concerning the Bank’s ability to pay dividends, see below.

The Federal Reserve has broad authority to prohibit activities of bank holding companies and their non-banking subsidiaries that represent unsafe and unsound banking practices or which constitute violations of laws or regulations. Notably, the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act of 1989 (“FIRREA”) provides that the Federal Reserve can assess civil money penalties for such practices or violations which can be as high as $1 million per day. FIRREA contains expansive provisions regarding the scope of individuals and entities against which such penalties may be assessed.

The Company is required to file annual and quarterly reports with the Federal Reserve and such additional information as the Federal Reserve may require pursuant to the BHC Act. The Federal Reserve may examine a bank holding company or any of its subsidiaries and charge the company for the cost of such an examination.

Section 619 of the Dodd-Frank Act, known as the Volcker Rule, prohibits any bank, bank holding company, or affiliate (referred to collectively as “banking entities”) from engaging in two types of activities: “proprietary trading” and the ownership or sponsorship of private equity or hedge funds that are referred to as “covered funds.” In December 2013, the federal banking agencies, the SEC, and the Commodities Futures Trading Commission, finalized a regulation to implement the Volcker Rule. After the enactment of the EGRRCPA in May 2018, Volcker Rule limitations apply to banking entities with $10 billion or more in total consolidated assets. Under the Volcker Rule implementing regulations, banking entities have two years to conform its investments and implement the required compliance plan.

Cadence and Cadence Bank are each required to comply with applicable capital adequacy standards established by the federal banking agencies. In 2013, the federal bank regulators approved the final Basel III Rules implementing the Basel III framework as well as certain provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act. The Basel III Rules, among other things, (i) introduced a new capital measure called Common Equity Tier 1 (“CET1”), (ii) specified that Tier 1 capital consists of CET1 and “Additional

Tier 1 capital” instruments meeting certain revised requirements, (iii) defined CET1 narrowly by requiring that most deductions/adjustments to regulatory capital measures be made to CET1 and not to the other components of capital, and (iv) expanded the scope of the deductions/adjustments to capital as compared to previously existing regulations. For more information, see the “Regulatory Capital” section of Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Financial holding companies and banks are also required to comply with minimum leverage capital requirements. These requirements provide for a minimum of Tier 1 capital to total consolidated average tangible assets (as defined for regulatory purposes), called the “leverage ratio”, of 4.0% for all bank holding companies.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 (“FDICIA”) required each federal banking agency to revise its risk-based capital standards to ensure that those standards take adequate account of interest rate risk, concentration of credit risk and the risks of non-traditional activities, as well as reflect the actual performance and expected risk of loss on multi-family mortgages.

As discussed above, in accordance with the law, each federal banking agency has specified, by regulation, the levels at which an insured institution would be considered well capitalized, adequately capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized and critically undercapitalized. As of December 31, 2018, the Bank exceeded the capital levels required to be deemed well capitalized.

Additionally, FDICIA requires bank regulators to take prompt corrective action to resolve problems associated with insured depository institutions.

Under these prompt corrective action provisions of FDICIA, if a controlled bank is undercapitalized, then the regulators could require the bank to submit a capital restoration plan. If an institution becomes significantly undercapitalized or critically undercapitalized, additional and significant limitations are placed on the institution. The capital restoration plan of an undercapitalized institution will not be accepted by the regulators unless each company having control of the undercapitalized institution guarantees the subsidiary’s compliance with the capital restoration plan until it becomes adequately capitalized. The Company has control of the bank for the purpose of this statute.

Further, by statute and regulation, a bank holding company must serve as a source of financial and managerial strength to each bank that it controls and, under appropriate circumstances, may be required to commit resources to support each such controlled bank. This support may be required at times when the bank holding company may not have the resources to provide the support. In addition, if the Federal Reserve believes that a bank holding company’s activities, assets or affiliates represent a significant risk to the financial safety, soundness or stability of a controlled bank, then the Federal Reserve could require the bank holding company to terminate the activities, liquidate the assets or divest the affiliates. The regulators may require these and other actions in support of controlled banks even if such actions are not in the best interests of the bank holding company or its shareholders.

The BHC Act requires every bank holding company to obtain the prior approval of the Federal Reserve before (1) acquiring more than 5% of any class of voting stock of any bank or other bank holding company, (2) acquiring all or substantially all of the assets of any bank or bank holding company, or (3) merging or consolidating with any other bank holding company. Additionally, the BHC Act provides that the Federal Reserve may not approve any of these transactions if it would result in or tend to create a monopoly or substantially lessen competition or otherwise function as a restraint of trade, unless the anti-competitive effects of the proposed transaction are clearly outweighed by the public interest in meeting the convenience and needs of the community to be served. The Federal Reserve is also required to consider the financial and managerial resources and future prospects of the bank holding companies and banks concerned and the convenience and needs of the community to be served. The Federal Reserve’s consideration of financial resources generally focuses on capital adequacy. As a result of the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001, which is discussed below, the Federal Reserve is required to consider the record of a bank holding company and its subsidiary bank(s) in combating money laundering activities in its evaluation of bank holding company merger or acquisition transactions. The Dodd-Frank Act also amended the BHC Act to require consideration of the extent to which a proposed acquisition, merger or consolidation would result in greater or more concentrated risks to the stability of the U.S. banking or financial system.

Subject to various exceptions, the BHC Act and the Change in Bank Control Act of 1978, together with related regulations, require Federal Reserve approval prior to any person or company acquiring “control” of a bank holding company, such as the Company. Control is conclusively presumed to exist if a person or company acquires 25% or more of any class of voting securities of the bank holding company. Control is rebuttably presumed to exist if a person or entity acquires 10% or more, but less than 25%, of any class of voting securities and that person or entity, by such acquisition, becomes the single largest holder of that class of voting securities.

Under the Riegle-Neal Interstate Banking and Branching Efficiency Act of 1994 (the “Riegle-Neal Act”), a bank holding company may acquire banks in states other than its home state, subject to any state requirement that the bank has been organized and operating for a minimum period of time, not to exceed five years, and the requirement that the bank holding company not control, prior to or following the proposed acquisition, more than 10% of the total amount of deposits of insured depository institutions nationwide or, unless the acquisition is the bank holding company’s initial entry into the state, more than 30% of such deposits in the state (or such lesser or greater amount set by the state). The Riegle-Neal Act also authorizes banks to merge across state lines, thereby creating interstate branches. The Dodd-Frank Act permits a national or state bank, with the approval of its regulator, to open a branch in any state if the law of the state in which the branch is located would permit the establishment of the branch if the bank were a bank chartered in that state. National banks may provide trust services in any state to the same extent as a trust company chartered by that state.

Bank holding companies and their affiliates are prohibited from tying the provision of certain services, such as extensions of credit, to other services offered by a holding company or its affiliates.

Cadence Bank is a national banking association, which is subject to regulation and supervision primarily by the OCC and secondarily by the Federal Reserve and the FDIC. Cadence Bank is subject to requirements and restrictions under federal law, including requirements to maintain reserves against deposits, restrictions on the types and amounts of loans that may be granted and the interest that may be charged thereon and limitations on the types of investments that may be made and the types of services that may be offered. Various consumer laws and regulations also affect the operations of the Bank.

The OCC regularly examines the Bank. The FDIC may also periodically examine and evaluate insured banks.

As part of FDICIA’s efforts to promote the safety and soundness of depository institutions and their holding companies, the federal banking regulators are required to have in place regulations specifying operational and management standards (addressing internal controls, loan documentation, credit underwriting and interest rate risk), asset quality and earnings. As discussed above, the Federal Reserve, the OCC, and the FDIC have extensive authority to police unsafe or unsound practices and violations of applicable laws and regulations by depository institutions and their holding companies. For example, the FDIC may terminate the deposit insurance of any institution that it determines has engaged in an unsafe or unsound practice. The agencies can also assess civil money penalties of up to $1 million per day, issue cease-and-desist or removal orders, seek injunctions and publicly disclose such actions.

The OCC also has restrictions on the payment of dividends by national banks. Cadence Bank may not, without the prior approval of the OCC, declare a dividend if the total amount of dividends declared by it in the current year, including the proposed dividend, exceeds certain levels of net and retained income. In addition, under the National Bank Act, Cadence Bank may not declare a dividend in excess of its “undivided profits.” See below for additional discussion regarding the Bank’s ability to pay dividends.

The present and future dividend policy of Cadence Bank is subject to the discretion of its board of directors. In determining whether to pay dividends to the Company and, if made, the amount of the dividends, the board of directors of Cadence Bank considers many of the same factors discussed above. Cadence Bank cannot guarantee that it will have the financial ability to pay dividends to the Company, or if dividends are paid, that they will be sufficient for Cadence to make distributions to shareholders. Cadence Bank is not obligated to pay dividends.

Section 23A of the Federal Reserve Act imposes quantitative and qualitative limits on transactions between a bank and any affiliate and requires certain levels of collateral for extensions of credit to affiliates and certain other transactions involving affiliates. It also limits the amount of advances to third parties that are collateralized by the securities or obligations of the Company. Section 23B requires that certain transactions between the Bank and its affiliates must be on terms substantially the same, or at least as favorable, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with or involving other nonaffiliated companies. In the absence of such comparable transactions, any transaction between the banks and their affiliates must be on terms and under circumstances, including credit standards, which in good faith would be offered to or would apply to nonaffiliated companies.

In addition to the capital rules applicable to both banks and bank holding companies discussed above, under the prompt corrective action regulations, the federal bank regulators are required and authorized to take supervisory actions against undercapitalized banks. For this purpose, a bank is placed in one of five categories based on the bank’s capital (as of the new capital rules discussed above): well capitalized, adequately capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized and critically undercapitalized. Currently, the quantitative requirements for the categories are:

Federal banking regulators are required to take various mandatory supervisory actions and are authorized to take other discretionary actions with respect to institutions in the three undercapitalized categories. The severity of the action depends upon the capital category in which the institution is placed. Generally, subject to a narrow exception, banking regulators must appoint a receiver or conservator for an institution that is “critically undercapitalized.” The federal banking agencies have specified by regulation the relevant capital level for each category. An institution that is categorized as “undercapitalized,” “significantly undercapitalized,” or “critically undercapitalized” is required to submit an acceptable capital restoration plan to its appropriate federal banking agency, which, for the Bank, is the OCC.

Failure to meet capital guidelines could subject the Bank to a variety of enforcement remedies, including issuance of a capital directive, the termination of deposit insurance by the FDIC, a prohibition on accepting brokered deposits and other restrictions on our business.

The FDIC insures the deposits of federally insured banks up to prescribed statutory limits for each depositor, through the DIF and safeguards the safety and soundness of the banking and thrift industries. The Dodd-Frank Act permanently raised the standard maximum deposit insurance amount to $250,000.

Cadence Bank pays deposit insurance assessments to the FDIC based on an assessment rate established by the FDIC. FDIC assessment rates for large institutions with more than $10 billion in assets, such as Cadence Bank, are calculated on a scorecard methodology that seeks to capture both the probability that an individual institution will fail and the magnitude of the impact on the DIF if such a failure occurs. Cadence Bank became subject to the scorecard methodology in the third quarter of 2018. The FDIC has the authority to make discretionary adjustments to the total score, up or down, based upon significant risk factors that are not adequately captured in the scorecard. For large institutions, including Cadence Bank, the initial base assessment rate ranges from 3 basis points to 30 basis points on an annualized basis. After the effect of the potential base rate adjustments, the total base assessment rate could range from 1.5 basis points to 40 basis points on an annualized basis. The deposit insurance assessment base is calculated based upon the average of total assets less the average tangible equity of the insured depository institution during the assessment period, less allowable deductions.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Act establishes a minimum ratio of the DIF to estimated insured deposits of 1.15% prior to September 30, 2020 and 1.35% thereafter. Additionally, beginning July 1, 2016, the FDIC imposed a surcharge on the quarterly assessments of insured depository institutions with total consolidated assets of $10 billion or more, such as Cadence Bank (the surcharge only applied to Cadence Bank for the quarter ended September 30, 2018). The surcharge applied until the DIF first reaches or exceeds 1.35%, which occurred at September 30, 2018 and thus, the surcharge no longer applies.

In addition, all FDIC-insured institutions are required to pay assessments to the FDIC to fund interest payments on bonds issued by the Financing Corporation (“FICO”), an agency of the federal government established to recapitalize the predecessor to the DIF. These assessments, which are included in Deposit Insurance Premiums on the Consolidated Statements of Operations, will continue until the remaining FICO bonds mature in 2019.

The Dodd-Frank Act created the CFPB, which is granted broad rulemaking, supervisory and enforcement powers under various federal consumer financial protection laws, including the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, Truth in Lending Act, Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, Fair Credit Reporting Act, Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, the Consumer Financial Privacy provisions of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act and certain other statutes. The CFPB has examination and primary enforcement authority with respect to depository institutions with $10 billion or more in assets. The CFPB has authority to prevent unfair, deceptive or abusive practices in connection with the offering of consumer financial products. As noted above, the Company and Cadence Bank exceeded $10 billion in total consolidated assets for four consecutive quarters as of September 30, 2018 and are now subject to examination by the CFPB.

The CFPB has issued a number of regulations related to the origination of mortgages, foreclosures, and overdrafts as well as many other consumer issues. Additionally, the CFPB has proposed, or will be proposing, additional regulations or modifying existing regulations that directly relate to our business. Although it is difficult to predict at this time the extent to which the CFPB’s final rules impact the operations and financial condition of the bank, such rules may have a material impact on the bank’s compliance costs, compliance risk and fee income.

Under the Right to Financial Privacy Act of 1978, which imposes a duty to maintain confidentiality of consumer financial records and prescribes procedures for complying with administrative subpoenas of financial records, financial institutions are required to disclose their policies for collecting and protecting confidential information. Customers generally may prevent financial institutions from sharing personal financial information with nonaffiliated third parties except for third parties that market the institutions’ own products and services. Additionally, financial institutions generally may not disclose consumer account numbers to any nonaffiliated third party for use in telemarketing, direct mail marketing or other marketing through electronic mail to consumers.

The federal banking regulators regularly issue guidance regarding cybersecurity intended to enhance cyber risk management standards among financial institutions. A financial institution is expected to establish multiple lines of defense and to ensure their risk management processes address the risk posed by potential threats to the institution. A financial institution’s management is expected to maintain sufficient processes to effectively respond and recover the institution’s operations after a cyber-attack. A financial institution is also expected to develop appropriate processes to enable recovery of data and business operations if a critical service provider of the institution falls victim to this type of cyber-attack. The Cadence Information Security Program reflects the requirements of this guidance.

PATRIOT Act, International Money Laundering Abatement and Financial Anti-Terrorism Act and Bank Secrecy Act

A major focus of governmental policy on financial institutions has been aimed at combating money laundering and terrorist financing. The PATRIOT Act and the International Money Laundering and Financial Anti-Terrorism Act of 2001 substantially broadened the scope of U.S. anti-money-laundering laws and penalties, specifically related to the Bank Secrecy Act, and expanded the extra-territorial jurisdiction of the United States. The U.S. Treasury Department has issued a number of implementing regulations which apply various requirements of the PATRIOT Act to financial institutions such as Cadence Bank. These regulations impose obligations on financial institutions to maintain appropriate policies, procedures and controls to detect, prevent and report money laundering and terrorist financing and to verify the identity of their customers.

Failure of a financial institution and its holding company to maintain and implement adequate programs to combat money laundering and terrorist financing, or to comply with relevant laws and regulations, could have serious legal, reputational and financial consequences for the institution. Because of the significance of regulatory emphasis on these requirements, Cadence Bank will continue to expend significant staffing, technology and financial resources to maintain programs designed to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations and an effective audit function for testing of the banks’ compliance with the Bank Secrecy Act on an ongoing basis.

The CRA requires that, in connection with examinations of financial institutions within its jurisdiction, the OCC evaluates the record of each financial institution in meeting the credit needs of its local community, including low and moderate-income neighborhoods. The performance of a financial institution in meeting the credit needs of its community is a factor that must be taken into consideration when the federal banking agencies evaluate applications related to mergers and acquisitions, as well as branch openings and relocations. Additionally, financial institutions must publicly disclose the terms of various CRA-related agreements.

Failure to adequately meet the credit needs of our community in accordance with the CRA could prevent us from pursuing our business strategy. Any CRA rating below “Satisfactory” for the Bank could restrict the Company’s ability to undertake certain activities, including any merger or acquisition that our management and board of directors may otherwise desire to pursue, and may prevent or materially delay the consummation of future mergers or acquisitions or the opening of new branch locations, until the Bank’s rating improves. In addition, as described above, an FHC faces limitations on activities and acquisitions if its subsidiary depository institutions do not have at least a “Satisfactory” CRA rating.

Interest and other charges that the Bank collects or contracts for are subject to state usury laws and federal laws concerning interest rates. The Bank’s loan operations also are subject to federal laws applicable to credit transactions, such as:

In addition, the Bank’s deposit operations are subject to the Electronic Funds Transfer Act and Regulation E issued by the Federal Reserve to implement that act, which govern automatic deposits to and withdrawals from deposit accounts and customers’ rights and liabilities arising from the use of ATMs and other electronic banking services.

The Federal Reserve and other federal banking regulatory agencies promulgated guidance governing financial institutions with concentrations in commercial real estate lending. The guidance provides that a bank has a concentration in commercial real estate lending if (i) total reported loans for construction, land development and other land represent 100% or more of total capital or (ii) total reported loans secured by multifamily and non-farm residential properties and loans for construction, land development and other land represent 300% or more of total capital and the bank’s commercial real estate loan portfolio has increased 50% or more during the prior 36 months. If a concentration is present, management must employ heightened risk management practices including board and management oversight and strategic planning, development of underwriting standards, risk assessment and monitoring through market analysis and stress testing and increasing capital requirements.

Compliance with the above laws and regulations add significantly to the cost of operating the Company and the Bank and thus have a negative impact on profitability. We would also note that there has been a tremendous expansion experienced in recent years by certain financial service providers that are not subject to the same rules and regulations as the Company and the Bank. These institutions, because they are not so highly regulated, have a competitive advantage over us and the Bank and may continue to draw large amounts of funds away from traditional banking institutions, with a continuing adverse effect on the banking industry in general.

The commercial banking business is affected not only by general economic conditions but also by both U.S. fiscal policy and the monetary policies of the Federal Reserve. Some of the instruments of fiscal and monetary policy available to the Federal Reserve include changes in the discount rate on member bank borrowings, the fluctuating availability of borrowings at the “discount window,” open market operations, the imposition of and changes in reserve requirements against member banks’ deposits and assets of foreign branches, the imposition of and changes in reserve requirements against certain borrowings by banks and their affiliates, and the placing of limits on interest rates that member banks may pay on time and savings deposits. Such policies influence to a significant extent the overall growth of bank loans, investments, and deposits and the interest rates charged on loans or paid on time and savings deposits. We cannot predict the nature of future fiscal and monetary policies and the effect of such policies on the future business and our earnings.

As of December 31, 2018, Cadence and State Bank had 1,170 and 641 full-time equivalent employees, respectively. None of our employees is represented by any collective bargaining unit or is a party to a collective bargaining agreement. We believe that our relations with our employees are good.

Our investor website can be accessed at www.cadencebank.com under “Investor Relations”. Our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, are available free of charge on our investor website under the caption “SEC Filings” as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such materials with, or furnish such materials to, the SEC. No information contained on any of our websites is intended to be included as part of, or incorporated by reference into, this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Documents filed with the SEC are also available free of charge on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

There are risks, many beyond our control, which could cause our results to differ significantly from management’s expectations. Some of these risk factors are described below. Any factor described in this Annual Report on Form 10-K (“Annual Report”) could, by itself or together with one or more other factors, adversely affect our business, results of operations and/or financial condition. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently consider to not be material also may materially and adversely affect us. In assessing these risks, you should also refer to other information disclosed in our SEC filings, including the financial statements and notes thereto.

As a business operating in the financial services industry, our business and operations may be adversely affected in numerous and complex ways by economic conditions.

Our businesses and operations, which primarily consist of commercial banking activities, including offering financial products and services to middle-market commercial business, high net worth individuals and business owners, are sensitive to business and economic conditions in the United States generally and in Texas and the southeast United States, the principal markets where we conduct business. The economic conditions in these local markets may be different from the economic conditions in the United States as a whole. If the U.S. economy or the economy in any of our principal markets weaken, our growth and profitability from our lending, deposit and investment operations could be constrained. Uncertainty about the federal fiscal policy-making process, the medium- and long-term fiscal outlook of the federal government, and future tax rates and tax policies is a concern for businesses, consumers and investors in the United States, including our customers. In addition, economic conditions in foreign countries, could affect the stability of global financial markets, which could hinder U.S. economic growth. Weak economic conditions are characterized by deflation, fluctuations in debt and equity capital markets, a lack of liquidity and/or depressed prices in the secondary market for mortgage loans, increased delinquencies on mortgage, consumer and commercial loans, residential and commercial real estate price declines, and lower home sales and commercial activity. All of these factors are detrimental to our business, and the interplay between these factors can be complex and unpredictable. Unfavorable market conditions can result in a deterioration in the credit quality of our borrowers and the demand for our products and services, an increase in the number of loan delinquencies, defaults and charge-offs, additional provisions for credit losses, adverse asset values, and an overall material adverse effect on the quality of our loan portfolio.

Our business is also significantly affected by monetary and related policies of the U.S. federal government and its agencies. Changes in any of these policies are influenced by macroeconomic conditions and other factors that are beyond our control. Adverse economic conditions and government policy responses to such conditions could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our success will depend in significant part upon our ability to maintain a sufficiently large interest margin between the rates of interest we receive on loans and other investments and the rates we pay out on deposits and other liabilities. The monetary and economic factors listed above, and the need to pay rates sufficient to attract deposits, may adversely affect our ability to maintain an interest margin sufficient to result in operating profits.

Our business depends on our ability to successfully measure and manage credit risk. As a lender, we are exposed to the risk that the principal of, or interest on, a loan will not be repaid timely or at all or that the value of any collateral supporting a loan will be insufficient to cover our outstanding exposure. In addition, we are exposed to risks with respect to the period of time over which the loan may be repaid, risks relating to proper loan underwriting, risks resulting from changes in economic and industry conditions, and risks inherent in dealing with individual loans and borrowers. The creditworthiness of a borrower is affected by many factors including local market conditions and general economic conditions. If the overall economic climate in the United States, generally, or our market areas, specifically, experiences material disruption, our borrowers may experience difficulties in repaying their loans, the collateral we hold may decrease in value or become illiquid, and the level of nonperforming loans, charge-offs and delinquencies could rise and require significant additional provisions for credit losses. Additional factors related to the credit quality of commercial loans include the quality of the management of the business and the borrower’s ability both to properly evaluate changes in the supply and demand characteristics affecting our market for products and services and to effectively respond to those changes. Additional factors related to the credit quality of commercial real estate loans include tenant vacancy rates and the quality of management of the property.

Our risk management practices, such as monitoring the concentration of our loans within specific industries and our credit approval, review and administrative practices, may not adequately reduce credit risk, and our credit administration personnel, policies and procedures may not adequately adapt to changes in economic or any other conditions affecting customers and the quality of the loan portfolio. Many of our loans are made to small and medium-sized businesses that are less able to withstand competitive, economic and financial pressures than larger borrowers. Consequently, we may have significant exposure if any of these borrowers becomes unable to pay their loan obligations as a result of economic or market conditions, or personal circumstances, such as divorce or death. A failure to effectively measure and limit the credit risk associated with our loan portfolio may result in loan defaults, foreclosures and additional charge-offs, and may necessitate that we significantly increase our allowance for credit losses (“ACL”), each of which could adversely affect our net income. As a result, our inability to successfully manage credit risk could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our ACL may prove to be insufficient to absorb potential losses in our loan portfolio, which may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

As a lender, we are exposed to the risk that our customers will be unable to repay their loans in accordance with their terms and that any collateral securing the payment of their loans may not be sufficient to assure repayment. Credit losses are inherent in the business of making loans and could have a material adverse effect on our operating results. We have established our ACL and maintain it at a level considered adequate by management to absorb probable credit losses based on our analysis of the quality of our loan portfolio, market environment and other factors we deem to be relevant to this analysis. The ACL represents our estimate of probable losses in the portfolio at each balance sheet date and is based upon relevant information available to us. The allowance contains provisions for probable losses that have been identified relating to specific borrowing relationships, as well as probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio and credit undertakings that are not specifically identified. Additions to the ACL, which are charged to earnings through the provision for credit losses, are determined based on a variety of factors, including an analysis of the loan portfolio, historical loss experience and an evaluation of current economic conditions in our market areas. The determination of the appropriate level of the ACL inherently involves a high degree of subjectivity and requires us to make significant estimates of current credit risks and future trends, all of which may undergo material changes. Although our management has established an ACL it believes is adequate to absorb probable and reasonably estimable losses in our loan portfolio, the allowance may not be adequate. We could sustain credit losses that are significantly higher than the amount of our ACL. Higher credit losses could arise for a variety of reasons, including changes in economic, operating and other conditions within our markets, as well as changes in the financial condition, cash flows, and operations of our borrowers.

As of December 31, 2018, our ACL as a percentage of total loans was 0.94% and as a percentage of total nonperforming loans was 127.12%. Additional credit losses will likely occur in the future and may occur at a rate greater than we have previously experienced. We may be required to take additional provisions for credit losses in the future to further supplement the ACL, either due to management’s decision to do so or requirements by our banking regulators. In addition, bank regulatory agencies will periodically review our ACL, the policies and procedures we use to determine the level of the allowance and the value attributed to nonperforming loans or to real estate acquired through foreclosure. Such regulatory agencies may require us to recognize future charge-offs. In addition, in June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued a new accounting standard, Current Expected Credit Losses (“CECL”), that will replace the current approach under generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for establishing allowances for credit losses, which generally considers only past event and current conditions. CECL is a forward-looking methodology that reflects the expected credit losses over the lives of financial assets, starting when such assets are first acquired. Under the revised methodology, credit losses will be measured based on past events, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectability of financial assets. The standard is expected to result in increases to allowance levels generally and will require the application of the revised methodology to existing financial assets through a one-time adjustment to retained earnings upon initial effectiveness. The standard will be effective for us in 2020. See “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—Note 1—Summary of Accounting Policies—Pending Accounting Pronouncements” for additional information about the standard. Any increases in the ACL will result in a decrease in net income and, if the increases reduce retained earnings and capital, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The security interest that we have in our clients’ assets may not be sufficient to protect us from a partial or complete loss if we are required to foreclose.

Lending is a substantial part of our business, and each loan carries a certain risk that it will not be repaid in accordance with its terms. Our loans are often secured by a lien on specified collateral of our clients. However, the collateral may not protect us from suffering a partial or complete loss if we move to foreclose on the collateral. Factors that could reduce the value of the collateral that we have a security interest in including, among other things:

Any one or more of the preceding factors could materially impair our ability to collect on specified collateral of our clients in the event loans we have made to such clients are not repaid in accordance with their terms, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Liquidity risk could impair our ability to fund operations and meet our obligations as they become due and could jeopardize our financial condition.

Liquidity is essential to our business. Liquidity risk is the potential that we will be unable to meet our obligations as they become due because of an inability to liquidate assets or obtain adequate funding. We require sufficient liquidity to meet customer loan requests, customer deposit maturities and withdrawals, payments on our debt obligations as they come due and other cash commitments under both normal operating conditions and other unpredictable circumstances, including events causing industry or general financial market stress. Our access to deposits may be affected by the liquidity needs of our depositors. We depend on deposit account balances and other forms of customer deposits as our primary source of funding for our lending activities. A key part of our liquidity plan and funding strategy is to increase our deposit base as a source of funds. We might have difficulty replacing such funds in the future, especially if a large number of our depositors seek to withdraw their accounts, regardless of the reason. Liquidity risk can increase due to a number of factors, including an over-reliance on a particular source of funding or market-wide phenomena such as market dislocation and major disasters. Our inability to raise funds through deposits, borrowings, the sale of loans, and other sources could have a substantial negative effect on liquidity. Our access to funding sources in amounts adequate to finance our activities or on acceptable terms could be impaired by factors that affect our organization specifically or the financial services industry or economy in general. We rely on brokered deposits as a source of liquidity and generally target a brokered deposit to total deposit ratio of less than 15% to 20%. Brokered deposits may have a higher deposit cost compared to our core deposits. Factors that could detrimentally impact access to liquidity sources include, but are not limited to, a decrease in the level of our business activity as a result of a downturn in the markets in which our loans are concentrated (including a downturn resulting from natural disasters affecting those markets) or adverse regulatory actions against us or changes in the liquidity needs of our depositors. Market conditions or other events could also negatively affect the level or cost of funding, affecting our ongoing ability to accommodate liability maturities and deposit withdrawals, meet contractual obligations (including any unfunded credit commitments), and fund asset growth and new business transactions at a reasonable cost, in a timely manner, and without adverse consequences.

A failure to maintain adequate liquidity or any substantial, unexpected, and/or prolonged change in the level or cost of liquidity could impair our ability to fund operations and meet our obligations as they become due and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The borrowing needs of our clients may increase, especially during a challenging economic environment, which could result in increased borrowing against our contractual obligations to extend credit.

A commitment to extend credit is a formal agreement to lend funds to a client as long as there is no violation of any condition established under the agreement. The actual borrowing needs of our clients under these credit commitments have historically been lower than the contractual amount of the commitments. A significant portion of these commitments expire without being drawn upon. Because of the credit profile of our clients, we typically have a substantial amount of total unfunded credit commitments, which is not reflected on our balance sheet. As of December 31, 2018, we had $4.2 billion in unfunded credit commitments to our clients. Actual borrowing needs of our clients may exceed our expectations, including due to unexpected impacts from a natural disaster, but especially during a challenging economic environment when our clients’ companies may be more dependent on our credit commitments due to the lack of available credit elsewhere, the increasing costs of credit, or the limited availability of financings from venture firms. This could adversely affect our liquidity, which could impair our ability to fund operations and meet obligations as they become due and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. See “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Business—Liquidity risk could impair our ability to fund operations and meet our obligations as they become due and could jeopardize our financial condition.”

We are subject to interest rate risk, which could adversely affect our financial condition and profitability.

The majority of our banking assets are subject to changes in interest rates. For example, as of December 31, 2018, 71% of our loan portfolio consisted of floating and adjustable interest rate loans. Like most financial institutions, our earnings significantly depend on our net interest income, the principal component of our earnings, which is the difference between interest earned by us from our interest-earning assets, such as loans and investment securities, and interest paid by us on our interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits and borrowings. We expect that we will periodically experience “gaps” in the interest rate sensitivities of our assets and liabilities, meaning that either our interest-bearing liabilities will be more sensitive to changes in market interest rates than our interest-earning assets, or vice versa. In either event, if market interest rates should move contrary to our position, this “gap” will negatively impact our earnings. The impact on earnings is more adverse when the slope of the yield curve flattens, that is, when short-term interest rates increase more than long-term interest rates or when long-term interest rates decrease more than short-term interest rates. Many factors beyond our control impact interest rates, including economic conditions, governmental monetary policies, inflation, recession, changes in unemployment, the money supply, and disorder and instability in domestic and foreign financial markets. Changes in monetary policies of the various government agencies could influence not only the interest we receive on loans and securities and the interest we pay on deposits and borrowings, but such changes could also affect our ability to originate loans and obtain deposits, the fair value of our financial assets and liabilities, and the average duration of our assets.

In any future declining interest rate environment, there may be an increase in prepayments on loans as borrowers refinance their loans at lower rates. Interest rate increases often result in larger payment requirements for our floating interest rate borrowers, which increases the potential for default. At the same time, the marketability of the property securing a loan may be adversely affected by any reduced demand resulting from higher interest rates. An increase (or decrease) in interest rates may also require us to increase (or decrease) the interest rates that we pay on our deposits.

Changes in interest rates also can affect the value of loans, securities and other assets. An increase in interest rates that adversely affects the ability of borrowers to pay the principal or interest on loans may lead to increases in nonperforming assets, charge-offs and delinquencies, further increases to the ACL, and a reduction of income recognized, among others, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and cash flows. Further, when we place a loan on non-accrual status, we reverse any accrued but unpaid interest receivable, which decreases interest income. At the same time, we continue to have a cost to fund the loan, which is reflected as interest expense, without any interest income to offset the associated funding expense. Thus, an increase in the amount of nonperforming assets could have a material adverse impact on our net interest income.

Additionally, an increase in interest rates may not increase our net interest income to the same extent we currently anticipate based on our modeling estimates and the assumptions underlying such modeling. Our failure to benefit from an increased interest rate environment to the extent we currently estimate, to the same extent as our competitors or at all could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

If short-term interest rates remain at their historically low levels for a prolonged period, and assuming longer term interest rates fall further, we could experience net interest margin compression as our rates on our interest earning assets would decline while rates on our interest-bearing liabilities could fail to decline in tandem. Similarly, if short-term interest rates increase and long-term interest rates do not increase, or increase but at a slower rate, we could experience net interest margin compression as our rates on interest earning assets decline measured relative to rates on our interest-bearing liabilities. Any such occurrence could have a material adverse effect on our net interest income and on our business, financial condition and results of operations. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.”

The geographic concentration of our markets in Houston and other parts of Texas and the southeast United States makes our business susceptible to downturns in the local economies and depressed banking markets, including the downturns in the energy industry, effects of natural disasters in the region and decreases in oil prices. These factors as well as other geography-specific risks could materially and adversely affect us.

Unlike larger financial institutions that are nationally diversified, we are a regional banking franchise concentrated in Texas and the southeast United States. As of December 31, 2018, 53% of our total loans (by dollar amount) were in Texas, 9% were in Alabama and 9% were in Florida. With our merger with State Bank we will have a higher percentage of our loans within the Georgia market. A deterioration in local economic conditions in the loan market or in the residential or commercial real estate markets could have a material adverse effect on the quality of our portfolio, the demand for our products and services, the ability of borrowers to timely repay loans, and the value of the collateral securing loans. If the population, employment or income growth in one of our markets is negative or slower than projected, income levels, deposits and real estate development could be adversely impacted.

The effects of adverse weather events may negatively affect our local economies or disrupt our operations, which would have an adverse effect on our business or results of operations.

Like other coastal areas, our geographic markets in Texas and the southeast United States are susceptible to severe weather, including hurricanes, flooding, tornadoes, droughts, wildfires, and hailstorms and damaging winds. In August 2017, Hurricane Harvey made landfall near Corpus Christi, Texas and struck the Houston area and parts of eastern Texas and Louisiana, causing record flooding, power outages, significant damage to impacted residential and commercial properties and disruptions to normal economic activity in certain of our market areas. Additionally, in September 2017, Hurricane Irma made landfall near Naples, Florida in southwest Florida, with impacts throughout much of south, central and eastern Florida, including flooding, power outages and various degrees of wind damage to certain residential and commercial properties. Finally, in October 2018, Hurricane Michael made landfall near Mexico Beach and Panama City, Florida, with impacts across the Florida panhandle area, including flooding, power outages and significant wind damage. The credit impact of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Michael were minimal to Cadence Bank. In addition, the occurrence of other adverse weather and natural or man-made disasters in the future could destroy, or cause a decline in the value of, mortgaged properties, crops or other assets that serve as our collateral and increase the risk of delinquencies, defaults, foreclosures and losses on our loans, damage our banking facilities and offices, negatively impact regional economic conditions, result in a decline in local loan demand, loan originations and deposit availability and negatively impact the implementation of our growth strategy. Any one or more of these developments could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Sustained low oil prices, volatility in oil prices and downturns in the energy industry, including in Texas, could materially and adversely affect us.

As of December 31, 2018, energy lending comprised approximately 13% of our loan portfolio. The economy in Texas has dependence on the energy industry. A downturn or lack of growth in the energy industry and energy-related business, including sustained low oil prices or the failure of oil prices to rise in the future, could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. Prolonged pricing pressure on oil and gas could lead to increased credit stress in our energy portfolio, increased losses associated with our energy portfolio, increased utilization of our contractual obligations to extend credit and weaker demand for energy lending. Such a decline or general uncertainty resulting from continued volatility could have other adverse impacts such as job losses in industries tied to energy, increased spending habits, lower borrowing needs, higher transaction deposit balances or a number of other effects that are difficult to isolate or quantify, particularly in states with significant dependence on the energy industry such as Texas, all of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

A failure in or breach of our operational or security systems or infrastructure, or those of our third-party providers, could result in financial losses to us and/or in the disclosure or misuse of confidential or proprietary information, including client information, each of which could adversely affect our financial condition, damage our reputation and subject us to litigation.

As a financial institution, we may be the target of fraudulent activity that may result in financial losses to us or our clients, privacy breaches against our clients or damage to our reputation. Such fraudulent activity may take many forms, including check fraud, electronic fraud, wire fraud, phishing, unauthorized intrusion into or use of our systems, and other dishonest acts. We provide our clients with the ability to bank remotely, including online over the Internet and over the telephone. The secure transmission of confidential information over the Internet and other remote channels is a critical element of remote banking.

Additionally, our customers and employees have been, and will continue to be, targeted by parties using fraudulent e-mails and other communications in attempts to misappropriate passwords, bank account information or other personal information or to introduce viruses or other malware through “Trojan horse” programs to our information systems and/or our customers’ computers. Information security risks for financial institutions related to these types of attacks have generally increased in recent years in part because of the proliferation of new technologies, the use of the Internet and telecommunications technologies to conduct financial transactions, and the increased sophistication and activities of organized crime, hackers, terrorists, activists, and other external parties, including foreign state-sponsored parties. Though we endeavor to mitigate these threats through product improvements, use of encryption and authentication technology and customer and employee education, such cyberattacks against us or our merchants and our third-party service providers remain a serious issue.

Our operations are dependent upon our ability to protect the computer systems and network infrastructure utilized by us, including our Internet, telephone and other remote channel banking activities, our debit and credit card payment processing activities, and our customer relationship management, general ledger, deposit, loans and other systems, against damage from physical break-ins, cybersecurity breaches and other disruptive problems caused by the Internet or other users. Such computer break-ins and other disruptions would jeopardize the security of information stored in and transmitted through our computer systems and network infrastructure, which may result in significant liability, damage our reputation and inhibit current and potential customers from using our Internet banking services. While we maintain security measures to mitigate the risk of cybersecurity breaches, it is possible that we may not be able to anticipate, detect or recognize threats to its systems or to

implement effective preventive measures against all security breaches of these types, especially because the techniques used change frequently or are not recognized until launched, and because cyberattacks can originate from a wide variety of sources, including third parties. Controls employed by our information technology department and cloud vendors could prove inadequate. These risks may increase in the future as we continue to increase our Internet-based product offerings and expand our internal usage of web-based products and applications. In addition, maintaining our security measures to seek to protect against the latest types of threats entails significant costs and creates risks associated with implementing new systems and integrating them with existing ones.

A breach of our security that results in unauthorized access to our data could expose us to a disruption or challenges relating to our daily operations, as well as to data loss, litigation, damages, fines and penalties, significant increases in compliance costs (such as repairing systems or adding new personnel or protection technologies), and reputational damage (including customer dissatisfaction), any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We depend on our information technology and telecommunications systems of third parties, and any systems failures, interruptions or data breaches involving these systems could adversely affect our operations and financial condition.

Our business depends on the successful and uninterrupted functioning of our information technology and telecommunications systems, third-party servicers and financial intermediaries. We outsource many of our major systems, such as data processing, loan servicing and deposit processing systems. The failure of these systems, or the termination of a third-party software license or service agreement on which any of these systems is based, could interrupt our operations, and we could experience difficulty in implementing replacement solutions. In many cases, our operations rely heavily on the secure processing, storage and transmission of information and the monitoring of a large number of transactions on a minute-by-minute basis, and even a short interruption in service could have significant consequences. In addition, we interact with and rely on financial counterparties, regulators and retailers for whom we process transactions. Each of these third parties may be targets of the same types of fraudulent activity, computer break-ins and other cybersecurity breaches described in the immediately preceding risk factor, and the cybersecurity measures that they maintain to mitigate the risk of such activity may be different than our own.

Because our information technology and telecommunications systems interface with and depend on third-party systems, we could experience service denials if demand for such services exceeds capacity or such third-party systems fail or experience interruptions. If significant, sustained or repeated, a system failure or service denial could compromise our ability to operate effectively, damage our reputation, result in a loss of customer business, and subject us to additional regulatory scrutiny and possible financial liability, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, failure of third parties to comply with applicable laws and regulations, or fraud or misconduct on the part of employees of any of these third parties could disrupt our operations or adversely affect our reputation. We may also incur costs as a result of data or security breaches of third parties with whom we do not have a significant direct relationship. For example, various retailers and companies processing payments on their behalf have reported that they were victims of cyberattacks in which large amounts of their customers’ data, including debit and credit card information, was obtained. In these situations, we generally incur costs to replace compromised cards and address fraudulent transaction activity affecting our customers.

As a result of financial entities and technology systems becoming more interdependent and complex, a cyber incident, information breach or loss, or technology failure that compromises the systems or data of one or more financial entities could have a material impact on counterparties or other market participants, including ourselves. For example, security breaches such as the Equifax incident made public in September 2017 may result in our customers requesting to freeze their credit accounts, which may impact the speed at which we can open or our ability to open new accounts. We have taken measures to implement backup systems and other safeguards to support our operations, but our ability to conduct business may be adversely affected by any significant disruptions to us or to third parties with whom we interact.

We are subject to laws regarding the privacy, information security and protection of personal information and any violation of these laws or another incident involving personal, confidential or proprietary information of individuals could damage our reputation and otherwise adversely affect our operations and financial condition.

Our business requires the collection and retention of large volumes of customer data, including personally identifiable information in various information systems that we maintain and in those maintained by third parties with whom we contract to provide data services. We also maintain important internal company data such as personally identifiable information about our employees and information relating to our operations. We are subject to complex and evolving laws and regulations governing the privacy and protection of personal information of individuals (including customers, employees, suppliers and other third parties). For example, our business is subject to the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act which, among other things: (i) imposes certain limitations on our ability to share nonpublic personal information about our customers with nonaffiliated third parties; (ii) requires that we provide certain disclosures to customers about our information collection, sharing and security practices and afford customers the right to “opt out” of any information sharing by us with nonaffiliated third parties (with certain exceptions); and (iii) requires that

we develop, implement and maintain a written comprehensive information security program containing appropriate safeguards based on our size and complexity, the nature and scope of our activities, and the sensitivity of customer information we process, as well as plans for responding to data security breaches. Various state and federal banking regulators and states have also enacted data security breach notification requirements with varying levels of individual, consumer, regulatory or law enforcement notification in certain circumstances in the event of a security breach. Ensuring that our collection, use, transfer and storage of personal information complies with all applicable laws and regulations can increase our costs. Furthermore, we may not be able to ensure that all of our clients, suppliers, counterparties and other third parties have appropriate controls in place to protect the confidentiality of the information that they exchange with us, particularly where such information is transmitted by electronic means. If personal, confidential or proprietary information of customers or others were to be mishandled or misused (in situations where, for example, such information was erroneously provided to parties who are not permitted to have the information, or where such information was intercepted or otherwise compromised by third parties), we could be exposed to litigation or regulatory sanctions under personal information laws and regulations. Concerns regarding the effectiveness of our measures to safeguard personal information, or even the perception that such measures are inadequate, could cause us to lose customers or potential customers for our products and services and thereby reduce our revenues. Accordingly, any failure or perceived failure to comply with applicable privacy or data protection laws and regulations may subject us to inquiries, examinations and investigations that could result in requirements to modify or cease certain operations or practices or in significant liabilities, fines or penalties, and could damage our reputation and otherwise adversely affect our operations and financial condition.

The financial services industry is continually undergoing rapid technological change with frequent introductions of new technology-driven products and services. The effective use of technology increases efficiency and enables financial institutions to better serve customers and to reduce costs. Our future success depends, in part, upon our ability to address the needs of our customers by using technology to provide products and services that will satisfy customer demands, as well as to create additional efficiencies in our operations. Many of our competitors have substantially greater resources to invest in technological improvements than we do. As a result, they may be able to offer additional or superior products to those that we will be able to provide, which would put us at a competitive disadvantage. We may not be able to effectively implement new technology-driven products and services or be successful in marketing these products and services to our customers. In addition, the implementation of technological changes and upgrades to maintain current systems and integrate new ones may also cause service interruptions, transaction processing errors and system conversion delays, may cause us to fail to comply with applicable laws, and may cause us to incur additional expenses, which may be substantial. Failure to successfully keep pace with technological change affecting the financial services industry and avoid interruptions, errors and delays could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

We expect that new technologies and business processes applicable to the consumer credit industry will continue to emerge and these new technologies and business processes may be better than those we currently use. Because the pace of technological change is high, and our industry is intensely competitive, we may not be able to sustain our investment in new technology as critical systems and applications become obsolete or as better ones become available. A failure to maintain current technology and business processes could cause disruptions in our operations or cause our products and services to be less competitive, all of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

We rely heavily on our management team and could be adversely affected by the unexpected loss of key personnel.

We are led by an experienced management team with substantial experience in the markets that we serve, and our operating strategy focuses on providing products and services through long-term relationship managers. Accordingly, our success depends in large part on the performance of our key personnel, as well as on our ability to attract, motivate and retain highly qualified senior and middle management. Competition for employees is intense, and we may be unsuccessful in locating key personnel with the combination of skills and attributes required to execute our business plan. The cost of hiring, incentivizing, and retaining skilled personnel may continue to increase. We may not be successful in retaining our key employees, and the unexpected loss of services of one or more of our key personnel, including our relationship managers, could also have a material adverse effect on our business because of their skills, knowledge of our market, years of industry experience, relationship-centric banking model, and the difficulty of promptly finding qualified replacement personnel. If the services of any of our key personnel should become unavailable for any reason, we may not be able to identify and hire qualified persons on terms acceptable to us, which could have a material effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our indebtedness could affect our ability to meet our obligations and may otherwise restrict our activities.

As of December 31, 2018, the Company and its subsidiaries had approximately $485.5 million of gross indebtedness on a consolidated basis ($50.6 million of which represents junior subordinated debt before purchase accounting adjustment). Included in this indebtedness, as of December 31, 2018, the Company had $100.0 million of subordinated debt. Total interest expense on all outstanding indebtedness was $24.5 million on a pre-tax basis for the year ended December 31, 2018. Our subordinated indebtedness will mature between 2019 and 2029; our junior subordinated indebtedness will mature between 2033 and 2037. An increase in interest rates would increase our interest expense. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.”

Our indebtedness could have important consequences. For example, it could limit our ability to borrow money for our working capital, capital expenditures, debt service requirements or other corporate purposes; require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow to payments on our indebtedness, which would reduce the amount of cash flow available to fund working capital, capital expenditures, product development and other corporate requirements; increase our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions; and limit our ability to respond to business opportunities, including growing our business through acquisitions. In addition, the instruments governing our indebtedness contain certain restrictive covenants, including with respect to consolidating or merging the Company or the Bank into another entity or transferring substantially all of their respective assets or properties. Certain of the Company’s debt also contains restrictions on the Company’s ability to assign or grant a security interest in or otherwise dispose of any shares of the voting stock of the Bank. Failure to meet any of these covenants could result in an event of default under these agreements. If an event of default occurs under these agreements, the lenders could elect to declare all amounts outstanding under these agreements to be immediately due and payable.

Our principal source of funds for interest and repayment of principal upon the maturity of our debt is dividends received directly from our subsidiaries, including the Bank. Federal and state statutes and regulations limit the amount of dividends that the Bank may pay to us, with or without regulatory approval. We may not receive dividends sufficient to fund our debt obligations. In addition, we may not be able to refinance our indebtedness on substantially similar terms, or at all, at or prior to the time that it comes due.

We rely on customer deposits as a significant source of funding, and our deposits may decrease in the future.

We rely on customer deposits as a significant source of funding. Competition among U.S. banks for customer deposits is intense and may increase the cost of deposits or prevent new deposits and may otherwise negatively affect our ability to grow our deposit base. Our deposit accounts may decrease in the future, and any such decrease could have an adverse impact on our sources of funding, which impact could be material. Any changes we make to the rates offered on our deposit products to remain competitive with other financial institutions may adversely affect our profitability and liquidity. The demand for the deposit products we offer may also be reduced due to a variety of factors such as demographic patterns, changes in customer preferences, reductions in consumers’ disposable income, regulatory actions that decrease customer access to particular products or the availability of competing products. In addition, a portion of our deposits are brokered deposits. The levels of these types of deposits that we hold may be more volatile during changing economic conditions. As of December 31, 2018, approximately $1.0 billion, or 9.7%, of our deposits consisted of brokered deposits.

We face significant competition to attract and retain customers and clients, which could adversely affect our growth and profitability.

We operate in the highly competitive banking industry and face significant competition in originating loans, attracting deposits and providing other financial services for customers from bank and non-bank competitors, particularly regional and nationwide institutions, including U.S. banks, mortgage banking companies, consumer finance companies, credit unions, insurance companies, and other institutional lenders and purchasers of loans. Many of our competitors are significantly larger and have significantly more resources, greater name recognition, larger market share, and more extensive and established branch networks than we do. Because of their scale, many of these competitors can be more aggressive than we can on loan and deposit pricing. Also, many of our non-bank competitors have fewer regulatory constraints and may have lower cost structures. In addition, they may maintain a wider range of product offerings than we do, including more technology-based banking tools. We expect competition to continue to intensify due to financial institution consolidation; legislative, regulatory and technological changes; and the emergence of alternative banking sources.

Our ability to compete successfully will depend on a number of factors, including, among other things:

Customer and client loyalty can also be influenced by a competitor’s new products, especially offerings that could provide cost savings or a higher return to the customer. Increased competition could require us to increase the rates that we pay on deposits or lower the rates that we offer on loans, which could reduce our profitability. Our failure to compete effectively in our markets could restrain our growth or cause us to lose market share, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. We may also face a competitive disadvantage as a result of our concentration in Texas and the southeast United States and will be unable, as compared to our more geographically diversified peers, to spread our operating costs across a broader market.

If we are not able to continue the historical levels of growth in our loan and deposit levels and market share, we may not be able to maintain our historical earnings trends.

Since our formation in 2009, we have consummated four major acquisitions, including our merger with State Bank on January 1, 2019, which have and will significantly contribute to growth in our loan and deposit levels and market share. While supported by these acquisitions, we are pursuing an organic growth strategy focused on growing market share. This strategy may not sustain our historical rate of growth or our ability to grow at all. Our ability to execute our growth strategy, including by opening new branches, depends on a variety of factors, such as economic conditions and competition, which are beyond our control, and access to capital and liquidity to fund such growth. We may not be able to obtain the financing necessary to fund internal growth and we may not pursue growth through new acquisitions. Sustainable growth requires that we manage our risks by following prudent underwriting standards, balancing loan and deposit growth without increasing interest rate risk or compressing our net interest margin, maintaining more than adequate capital at all times, hiring and retaining qualified employees, and successfully implementing strategic projects and initiatives. Our growth strategy may also change from time to time as a result of various internal and external factors. For example, natural disasters and other events beyond our control may also adversely affect our growth. If we are not able to continue our historical levels of growth, we may not be able to maintain these historical earnings trends. The absence of these growth opportunities or our ability to manage our growth successfully, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We may not be able to manage our growth effectively, which could adversely affect our business profitability and financial condition.

We may face a variety of risks and difficulties in pursuing our organic growth strategy and managing our growth, including, among other things:

To manage our growth and maintain adequate information and reporting systems within our organization, we must identify, hire and retain qualified associates, particularly in the accounting and operational areas of our business. We must also successfully implement improvements to, or integrate, our management information and control systems, procedures and processes in an efficient or timely manner and identify deficiencies in existing systems and controls. In particular, our controls and procedures must be able to accommodate an increase in loan volume in various markets and the infrastructure that comes with expanding operations, including new branches. Our growth strategy may divert management from our existing franchises and may require us to incur additional expenditures to expand our administrative and operational infrastructure. If we are unable to effectively manage and grow our banking franchise, we may experience compliance and operational problems, have to slow the pace of growth, or have to incur additional expenditures beyond current projections to support such growth, any one of which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and future prospects.

We depend on the accuracy and completeness of information provided to us by our borrowers and counterparties and any misrepresented information could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

In deciding whether to approve loans or to enter into other transactions with borrowers and counterparties, we rely on information furnished to us by, or on behalf of, borrowers and counterparties, including financial statements, credit reports and other financial information. We also rely on representations of borrowers and counterparties as to the accuracy and completeness of that information and, with respect to financial statements, on reports of independent auditors. If any of this information is intentionally or negligently misrepresented and such misrepresentation is not detected prior to loan funding, the value of the loan may be significantly lower than expected and we may be subject to regulatory action. Whether a misrepresentation is made by the loan applicant, another third party, or one of our employees, we generally bear the risk of loss associated with the misrepresentation. Our controls and processes may not have detected, or may not detect all, misrepresented information in our loan originations or from our business clients. Any such misrepresented information could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

In the future, should we need additional capital to implement our business plan, support our business, expand our operations, or meet applicable capital requirements, we may not be able to raise additional funds in the form of additional debt or equity. Our ability to raise additional capital, if needed, will depend on, among other things, conditions in the capital markets at that time, and our financial condition, results of operations and prospects. Economic conditions and a loss of confidence in financial institutions may increase our cost of funding and limit access to certain customary sources of capital, including inter-bank borrowings, repurchase agreements and borrowings from the discount window of the Federal Reserve System.

Such capital may not be available on acceptable terms, or at all. Any occurrence that may limit our access to the capital markets, such as a decline in the confidence of debt purchasers, depositors of our bank or counterparties participating in the capital markets or other disruption in the capital markets, may adversely affect our capital costs and our ability to raise capital and, in turn, our liquidity. Further, if we need to raise capital in the future, we may have to do so when many other financial institutions are also seeking to raise capital and would then have to compete with those institutions for investors. An inability to raise additional capital on acceptable terms when needed could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

As a public company, we are required to meet periodic reporting requirements under the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Complying with federal securities laws as a public company is expensive.

Prior to becoming a public company in April 2017, we were not required to comply with the requirements of the SEC to have our consolidated financial statements completed, reviewed or audited and filed within SEC-specified time frames. As a publicly traded company, we are now required to file periodic reports containing our consolidated financial statements with the SEC within a specified time following the completion of quarterly and annual periods. Any failure by us to file our periodic reports with the SEC in a timely manner could harm our reputation and cause investors and potential investors to lose confidence in us and reduce the market price of our Class A common stock.

The current economic environment poses significant challenges and could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

We are operating in a challenging and uncertain economic environment. Financial institutions continue to be affected by uncertainty in the real estate market, the credit markets, and the national financial market generally. We retain direct exposure to the commercial and, to a lesser extent, residential, real estate markets, and we are affected by events in these markets. The uncertainty in economic conditions has subjected us and other financial institutions to increased regulatory scrutiny. In addition, deterioration in local economic conditions in our markets could result in losses beyond that provided for in our ACL and result in increased loan delinquencies, problem assets, and foreclosures. This may also result in declining demand for products and services, decreased deposits and increased borrowings under our current contractual obligations to extend credit, all of which would adversely impact our liquidity positions, and declining values for loan collateral, which in turn would reduce customers’ borrowing power and the value of assets and collateral associated with our existing loans.

Continued uncertainty regarding, and potential deterioration in, the fiscal position of the U.S. federal government and possible downgrades in U.S. Treasury and federal agency securities could adversely affect us and our banking operations.

The long-term outlook for the fiscal position of the U.S. federal government is uncertain, as illustrated by the 2011 downgrade by certain rating agencies of the credit rating of the U.S. government and federal agencies. In addition to causing economic and financial market disruptions, uncertainty regarding the fiscal position of the U.S. federal government (which could lead to, among other things, a future credit ratings downgrade of the U.S. government and federal agencies, failure to raise the U.S. statutory debt limit, or deterioration in the fiscal outlook of the U.S. federal government), could adversely affect the market value of the U.S. and other government and governmental agency securities that we hold, the availability of those securities as collateral for borrowing and our ability to access capital markets on favorable terms. In particular, it could increase interest rates and disrupt payment systems, money markets, and long-term or short-term fixed income markets, adversely affecting the cost and availability of funding, which could negatively affect our profitability. Also, the adverse consequences of this uncertainty could extend to those to whom we extend credit and could adversely affect their ability to repay their loans. Any of these developments could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our ability to engage in routine funding transactions could be adversely affected by the actions and commercial soundness of other financial institutions. Financial services companies are interrelated as a result of trading, clearing, counterparty, and other relationships. We have exposure to different industries and counterparties including through transactions with counterparties in the financial services industry, including brokers and dealers, commercial banks, investment banks and other institutional clients. As a result, defaults by, or even rumors or questions about the soundness of, one or more financial services companies, or the financial services industry generally, have historically led to market-wide liquidity problems and could lead to losses or defaults by us or by other institutions. These losses or defaults could have a material effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We have a significant deferred tax asset that may not be fully realized in the future.

Our net deferred tax asset totaled $33.2 million as of December 31, 2018, which included $8.9 million attributable to federal and state net operating loss carryforwards. The ultimate realization of a deferred tax asset is generally dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the period prior to the expiration of the applicable net operating losses. In addition, a portion of our net operating losses are currently subject to the limitations of Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code, which may limit our ability to offset future taxable income. As of December 31, 2018, $37.9 million of our net operating loss carryforward was limited to $3.1 million per year, which will require us to generate at least $3.1 million of taxable income annually through the year 2030 to fully realize the deferred tax asset. We recorded a one-time charge in income tax expense of $19.0 million (or $0.22 per share of Class A common stock) related to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act enacted in December 2017, which required a re-measurement of, which resulted in a decrease of, our deferred tax asset. The value of our deferred tax asset is also derived in part from estimates and assumptions regarding our expected future tax liability. If our estimates and assumptions about future taxable income or our future tax liability are not accurate, including the application of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act or any changes to tax laws and regulations applicable to us, the value of our deferred tax asset may not be recoverable, in whole or in part, and we may be required to record a valuation allowance that would negatively impact our earnings.

Many of our loans are to commercial borrowers, which have unique risks compared to other types of loans.

As of December 31, 2018, we had approximately $7.5 billion of commercial loans comprised of $6.2 billion in commercial and industrial and $1.3 billion in commercial real estate, representing approximately 75% of our total loan portfolio. Because payments on these loans are often dependent on the successful operation or development of the property or business involved, their repayment is sensitive to adverse conditions in the real estate market and the general economy. Accordingly, downturns in the real estate market and economy increase the risk related to commercial loans, particularly commercial real estate loans. Commercial loans are also subject to loan specific risks, including risks associated with construction, cost overruns, project completion risk, general contractor credit risk and risks associated with the ultimate sale or use of the completed construction. If a decline in economic conditions, natural disasters affecting commercial development or other issues cause difficulties for our borrowers of these types of business loans, if we fail to evaluate the credit of these loans accurately when we underwrite them or if we do not continue to monitor adequately the performance of these loans, our lending portfolio could experience delinquencies, defaults and credit losses that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Our loan portfolio has significant concentration in energy and our specialized industries.

Much of our lending activity is concentrated in energy and our specialized industries. As of December 31, 2018, we had a total of $2.1 billion of loans, or 20.8% of our total loans, to companies operating in the restaurant industry, healthcare and technology industries, and $1.3 billion, or 12.8%, to companies operating in the energy sector. These industries and businesses are sensitive to economic conditions and complex factors (such as supply chain factors), which may expose us to the risk of economic downturns and other risks unique to these industries. Oil prices can fluctuate widely on a month-to-month basis in response to a

variety of factors that are beyond our control. Factors that contribute to price fluctuations include instability in oil-producing regions, worldwide economic conditions, weather conditions, the supply and price of domestic and foreign oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids, consumer demand, the price and availability of alternative fuels, the proximity to, and capacity of, transportation facilities and the effect of worldwide energy conservation measures. Adverse economic conditions or business conditions relating to these industries could negatively impact our operating results more than if our loan portfolio was not concentrated in these industries.

A significant portion of our loan portfolio is comprised of participation and SNC’s, which could have a material adverse effect on our ability to monitor the lending relationships and lead to an increased risk of loss.

We achieved a significant portion of our loan growth in our initial years of operation by participating in loans originated by other institutions and by participating in SNC’s, broadly defined as loans to larger institutions by a group of participating lenders where the client’s needs are larger than any individual lender can prudently provide, and in which other lenders serve as the agent bank. Additionally, our specialized industries lending includes larger, national companies that tend to be served through SNC’s. As of December 31, 2018, $2.6 billion, or approximately 26% of our total loans, consisted of participations or SNC’s in which we are not the lead bank. Our reduced control over the monitoring and management of these relationships, particularly participations in large bank groups, could lead to increased risk of loss, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and future prospects.

The amount of nonperforming and classified assets may increase significantly, resulting in additional losses, and costs and expenses that will negatively affect our operations and financial condition.

At December 31, 2018, we had a total of approximately $82.4 million of nonperforming assets or approximately 0.65% of total assets. Total assets classified as “substandard,” “doubtful” or “loss” as of December 31, 2018 were approximately $177.3 million, or approximately 1.7% of total assets.

An asset is generally considered “substandard” if it is inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the borrower or of the collateral pledged, if any. “Substandard” assets include those characterized by the “distinct possibility” that we will sustain “some loss” if the deficiencies are not corrected. Assets classified as “doubtful” have all 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 little value that their continuance as assets without the establishment of a specific loss reserve is not warranted.

Should the amount of nonperforming assets increase in the future, we may incur losses, and the costs and expenses to maintain such assets likewise can be expected to increase and potentially negatively affect earnings. Any additional increase in losses due to such assets could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Such effects may be particularly pronounced in a market of reduced real estate values and excess inventory.

The amount of other real estate owned (“OREO”) may increase significantly, resulting in additional losses, and costs and expenses that will negatively affect our business, results of operations and financial conditions. In addition, certain of our OREO assets may take longer to liquidate, which may result in additional losses and costs and expenses that will negatively affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

We foreclose on and take title to the real estate serving as collateral as part of our business. Foreclosed real estate and real estate owned by us and not used in the ordinary course of our operations are referred to as OREO property. At December 31, 2018, we held approximately $2.4 million of OREO. In the event the amount of OREO should increase due to an increase in defaults on bank loans, our losses, and the costs and expenses to maintain the real estate likewise would increase. In addition, approximately $1.0 million of our OREO assets consist of residential properties that often take longer to liquidate, which may increase the costs and expenses associated with our OREO assets. Any additional increase in losses, and maintenance costs and expenses due to OREO such as personnel costs, insurance and taxes, completion and repair costs, valuation adjustments and other expenses associated with property ownership and funding costs associated with OREO property may have material adverse effects on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. Such effects may be particularly pronounced in a market of reduced real estate values and excess inventory, which may make the disposition of OREO properties more difficult, increase maintenance costs and expenses, reduce our ultimate realization from any OREO sales, and/or result in a write down of the carrying value of the OREO properties, all of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Nonperforming assets take significant time and resources to resolve and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

Nonperforming assets adversely affect our net income in various ways. We generally do not record interest income on nonperforming loans or OREO, thereby adversely affecting our income and increasing loan administration costs. When we take collateral in foreclosures and similar proceedings, we are required to mark the related asset to the then fair market value of the collateral, which may ultimately result in a loss. An increase in the level of nonperforming assets increases our risk profile and may impact the capital levels regulators believe are appropriate in light of the ensuing risk profile. While we seek to reduce problem assets through loan workouts, restructurings, and otherwise, decreases in the value of the underlying collateral, or in these borrowers’ performance or financial condition, whether or not due to economic and market conditions beyond our control, could have a material effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, the resolution of nonperforming assets requires significant commitments of time from management, which may materially and adversely impact their ability to perform their other responsibilities. We may not experience future increases in the value of nonperforming assets.

By engaging in derivative transactions, we are exposed to credit and market risk, which could adversely affect our profitability and financial condition.

We manage interest rate risk by, among other things, utilizing derivative instruments to minimize significant unplanned fluctuations in earnings that are caused by interest rate volatility. Hedging interest rate risk is a complex process, requiring sophisticated models and constant monitoring, and is not a perfect science. Due to interest rate fluctuations, hedged assets and liabilities will appreciate or depreciate in market value. The effect of this unrealized appreciation or depreciation will generally be offset by income or loss on the derivative instruments that are linked to the hedged assets and liabilities. By engaging in derivative transactions, we are exposed to credit and market risk. If the counterparty fails to perform, credit risk exists to the extent of the fair value gain in the derivative. Market risk exists to the extent that interest rates change in ways that are significantly different from what we expected when we entered into the derivative transaction. The existence of credit and market risk associated with our derivative instruments could adversely affect our net interest income and, therefore, could have a material effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Failure to manage interest rate risk could have a material adverse effect on our business. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.”

As of December 31, 2018, the fair value of our investment securities portfolio was approximately $1.2 billion. Factors beyond our control can significantly influence the fair value of securities in our portfolio and can cause potential adverse changes to the fair value of these securities. These factors include, but are not limited to, rating agency actions in respect of the securities, defaults by, or other adverse events affecting, the issuer or with respect to the underlying securities, and changes in market interest rates and continued instability in the capital markets. Any of these factors, among others, could cause other-than-temporary impairments and realized and/or unrealized losses in future periods and declines in other comprehensive income, which could have a material effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. The process for determining whether impairment of a security is other-than-temporary usually requires complex, subjective judgments about the future financial performance and liquidity of the issuer and any collateral underlying the security to assess the probability of receiving all contractual principal and interest payments on the security.

We may fail to realize all of the anticipated benefits of the State Bank acquisition or those benefits may take longer to realize than expected. We may also incur unanticipated liabilities or expenses that adversely affect the anticipated value of or benefits of the State Bank acquisition.

The full benefits of the State Bank acquisition, including anticipated growth opportunities, synergies and the projected financial impact on our revenues, earnings, capital ratios and other financial metrics, may not be realized as expected or may not be achieved within the anticipated time frame, or at all. Failure to achieve the anticipated benefits of the State Bank acquisition could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. In addition, we are required to devote significant attention and resources to the integration and operation of State Bank and the alignment our business practices and operations with that of State Bank. This process may disrupt the businesses and, if ineffective, could limit the anticipated benefits of the State Bank acquisition. Furthermore, we may incur delays, unanticipated liabilities or expenses with respect to the integration of State Bank, that could adversely affect our results of operations, prevent us from realizing the anticipated benefits of the acquisition or divert management’s attention.

Our State Bank acquisition, and any future acquisitions, will subject us to a variety of risks, including execution risks, failure to realize anticipated transaction benefits, and failure to overcome integration risks, which could adversely affect our growth and profitability.

We regularly consider potential acquisition opportunities, such as State Bank, that we believe would support our businesses and enhance our profitability. If we do pursue acquisitions, we may have difficulty executing on acquisitions and may not realize the anticipated benefits of any transaction we complete. Any of the foregoing matters could materially and adversely affect us.

Generally, any acquisition of financial institutions, branches or other banking assets by us will require approval by, and cooperation from, federal and state banking regulatory agencies. Such regulators could deny our application, which would restrict our growth, or the regulatory approvals may not be granted on terms that are acceptable to us. For example, we could be required to sell branches as a condition to receiving regulatory approvals, and such a condition may not be acceptable to us or may reduce the benefit of an acquisition.

As to any acquisition that we complete, we may fail to realize some or all of the anticipated transaction benefits if the integration process takes longer or is more costly than expected or otherwise fails to meet our expectations.

In addition, acquisition activities could be material to our business and involve several risks, including the following:

Depending on the condition of any institution or assets or liabilities that we may acquire, that acquisition may, at least in the near term, adversely affect our capital and earnings and, if not successfully integrated with our organization, may continue to have such effects over a longer period. We may not be successful in overcoming these risks or any other problems encountered in connection with potential acquisitions, and any acquisition we may consider will be subject to prior regulatory approval. Also, acquisitions may involve the payment of a premium over book and market values and, therefore, some dilution of our tangible book value and net income per common share may occur in connection with any future transaction. Our inability to overcome these risks could have a material adverse effect on our profitability, return on equity and return on assets, our ability to implement our business strategy and enhance shareholder value, which, in turn, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Additionally, our inability to overcome these risks could materially and adversely affect the market price of our Class A common stock, which could make it difficult to sell your shares at the volume, price or time desired.

If the goodwill that we record in connection with a business acquisition becomes impaired, it could require charges to earnings, which would have a negative impact on our financial condition and results of operations.

Goodwill represents the amount by which the purchase price exceeds the fair value of net assets we acquire in a business combination. We review goodwill for impairment at least annually, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of the asset might be impaired.

We evaluate for potential impairment by comparing the estimated fair value with the carrying amount of each reporting unit. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds the estimated fair value of that reporting unit, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to the excess of the carrying value of goodwill over the implied fair value of the goodwill. Factors that could cause an impairment charge include adverse changes to macroeconomic conditions, declines in the profitability of the reporting unit or declines in the tangible book value of the reporting unit. At December 31, 2018, our goodwill totaled $307.1 million. Although we have not recorded any impairment charges since we initially recorded the goodwill, our future evaluations of goodwill may result in findings of impairment and related impairment losses, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We are required to make significant estimates and assumptions in the preparation of our financial statements. These estimates and assumptions may not be accurate and are subject to change.

The preparation of our consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires our management to make significant estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of income and expense during the reporting periods. Critical estimates are made by management in determining, among other things, the accounting for business combinations, estimates of fair value, ACL, accounting for acquired loans and other real estate owned and valuation of our deferred tax asset. If our underlying estimates and assumptions prove to be incorrect or if events occur that require us to revise our previous estimates or assumptions, our financial condition and results of operations may be materially adversely affected.

We are subject to certain operational risks, including, but not limited to, employee or customer fraud, the obligation to repurchase sold loans in the event of a documentation error, and data processing system failures and errors.

Employee errors and employee and customer misconduct could subject us to financial losses or regulatory sanctions and seriously harm our reputation. Misconduct by our employees could include, among other things, improper use of confidential information or engaging in unauthorized activities on behalf of our customers. It is not always possible to prevent such employee errors and misconduct or documentation errors, and the precautions we take to prevent and detect this activity may not be effective in all cases. Employee errors and misconduct could also subject us to financial claims for negligence.

While we maintain a system of internal controls and insurance coverage to mitigate against operational risks, if our internal controls fail to prevent or detect an occurrence, or if any resulting loss is not insured or exceeds applicable insurance limits, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

In addition, we rely heavily upon information supplied by third parties, including the information contained in credit applications, property appraisals, title information, equipment pricing and valuation and employment and income documentation, in deciding which loans we will originate, as well as the terms of those loans. If any of the information upon which we rely is misrepresented, either fraudulently or inadvertently, and the misrepresentation is not detected prior to asset funding, the value of the asset may be significantly lower than expected, or we may fund a loan that we would not have funded or on terms we would not have extended. Whether a misrepresentation is made by the applicant or another third party, we generally bear the risk of loss associated with such misrepresentation. A loan subject to a material misrepresentation is typically unsellable or subject to repurchase if it is sold prior to detection of the misrepresentation. The sources of the misrepresentations are often difficult to identify, and it is often difficult to recover any of the monetary losses we may suffer.

We are subject to environmental liability risk associated with our lending activities.

We own certain of our properties, and, in the course of our business, we may purchase real estate, or we may foreclose on and take title to real estate. As a result, we could be subject to environmental liabilities with respect to these properties. We may be held liable to a governmental entity or to third parties for property damage, personal injury, investigation and clean-up costs incurred by these parties in connection with environmental contamination or may be required to investigate or clean up hazardous or toxic substances or chemical releases at a property. The costs associated with investigation or remediation activities could be substantial and could exceed the value of the underlying properties. In addition, if we are the owner or former owner of a contaminated site, we may be subject to common law claims by third parties based on damages and costs resulting from environmental contamination emanating from the property. Any significant environmental liabilities could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We offer third-party products including mutual funds, annuities, life insurance, individual securities and other wealth management products which could experience significant declines in value subjecting us to reputational damage and litigation risk.

We offer third-party products including mutual funds, annuities, life insurance, individual securities and other wealth management products. If these products do not generate competitive risk-adjusted returns that satisfy clients in a variety of asset classes, we will have difficulty maintaining existing business and attracting new business. Additionally, our wealth management business involves the risk that clients or others may sue us, claiming that we have failed to perform under a contract or otherwise failed to carry out a duty owed to them. This risk may be heightened during periods when credit, equity or other financial markets are deteriorating in value or are particularly volatile, or when clients or investors are experiencing losses. Significant declines in the performance of these third-party products could subject us to reputational damage and litigation risk.

We are subject to litigation, which could result in substantial judgment or settlement costs.

We are regularly involved in litigation matters in the ordinary course of business. While we believe that these litigation matters should not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or future prospects, we may be unable to successfully defend or resolve any current or future litigation matters, in which case those litigation matters could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Acts or threats of terrorism and political or military actions taken by the United States or other governments could adversely affect general economic or industry conditions.

Geopolitical conditions may affect our earnings. Acts or threats of terrorism and political or military actions taken by the United States or other governments, including in response to terrorism or similar activity, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects could be adversely affected by the highly regulated environment in which we operate.

As a financial holding company, we are subject to federal supervision and regulation. Federal regulation of the banking industry, along with tax and accounting laws, regulations, rules and standards, may limit our operations significantly and control the methods by which we conduct business, just as they limit those of other banking organizations. In addition, compliance with laws and regulations can be difficult and costly, and changes to laws and regulations can impose additional compliance costs. The Dodd-Frank Act, which imposes significant regulatory and compliance changes on financial institutions, is an example of this type of federal regulation. Many of these regulations are intended to protect depositors, customers, the public, the banking system as a whole or the FDIC insurance funds, not shareholders. Regulatory requirements and discretion affect our lending practices, capital structure, investment practices, dividend policy and many other aspects of our business. There are laws and regulations which restrict transactions between us and our subsidiaries. These requirements may constrain our operations, and the adoption of new laws and changes to or repeal of existing laws may have a further impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations and future prospects. Also, the burden imposed by those federal and state regulations may place banks in general, including our Bank in particular, at a competitive disadvantage compared to their non-bank competitors. We are also subject to requirements with respect to the confidentiality of information obtained from clients concerning their identities, business and personal financial information, employment, and other matters. We require our personnel to agree to keep all such information confidential and we monitor compliance. Failure to comply with confidentiality requirements could result in material liability and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and future prospects.

Bank holding companies and financial institutions are extensively regulated and currently face an uncertain regulatory environment. Applicable laws, regulations, interpretations, enforcement policies and accounting principles have been subject to significant changes in recent years and may be subject to significant future changes. Future changes may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Federal and state regulatory agencies may adopt changes to their regulations or change the manner in which existing regulations are applied. We cannot predict the substance or effect of pending or future legislation or regulation or the application of laws and regulations to our Company. Compliance with current and potential regulation, as well as regulatory scrutiny, may significantly increase our costs, impede the efficiency of our internal business processes, require us to increase our regulatory capital, and limit our ability to pursue business opportunities in an efficient manner by requiring us to expend significant time, effort and resources to ensure compliance and respond to any regulatory inquiries or investigations. In addition, press coverage and other public statements that assert some form of wrongdoing by financial services companies (including press coverage and public statements that do not involve us) may result in regulatory inquiries or investigations, which, independent of the outcome, may be

time-consuming and expensive and may divert time, effort and resources from our business. Evolving regulations and guidance concerning executive compensation may also impose limitations on us that affect our ability to compete successfully for executive and management talent.

In addition, given the current economic and financial environment, regulators may elect to alter standards or the interpretation of the standards used to measure regulatory compliance or to determine the adequacy of liquidity, certain risk management or other operational practices for financial services companies in a manner that impacts our ability to implement our strategy and could affect us in substantial and unpredictable ways, and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Furthermore, the regulatory agencies have extremely broad discretion in their interpretation of the regulations and laws and their interpretation of the quality of our loan portfolio, securities portfolio and other assets. If any regulatory agency’s assessment of the quality of our assets, operations, lending practices, investment practices, capital structure or other aspects of our business differs from our assessment, we may be required to take additional charges or undertake or refrain from taking actions that would have the effect of materially reducing our earnings, capital ratios and share price.

Because our total assets exceed $10 billion, we are subject to additional regulatory requirements, which could have an adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

Various federal banking laws and regulations, including rules adopted by the Federal Reserve pursuant to the requirements of the Dodd-Frank Act, impose heightened requirements on certain large banks and bank holding companies. Most of these rules apply primarily to bank holding companies with at least $50 billion in total consolidated assets, but certain rules also apply to banks and bank holding companies with at least $10 billion in total consolidated assets. The Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act (EGRRCPA”) was enacted on May 24, 2018 and provides certain limited amendments to the Dodd-Frank Act as well as other modifications to certain post-crisis regulatory requirements. The EGRRCPA will likely decrease the overall regulatory burden on institutions like Cadence; however, the ultimate impact is uncertain at this time and will depend on the implementation of the law by the federal banking agencies.

As a result of reaching $10 billion in total assets for four consecutive quarters, we and Cadence Bank are, among other requirements:

In addition, Cadence and Cadence Bank are affected by the Durbin Amendment to the Dodd-Frank Act regarding limits on debit card interchange fees. The Durbin Amendment gave the Federal Reserve Board the authority to establish rules regarding interchange fees charged for electronic debit transactions by a payment card issuer that, together with its affiliates, has assets of $10 billion or more and to enforce a new statutory requirement that such fees be reasonable and proportional to the actual cost of a transaction to the issuer. The Federal Reserve Board has adopted rules under this provision that limit the swipe fees that a debit card issuer can charge a merchant for a transaction to the sum of 21 cents and five basis points times the value of the transaction, plus up to one cent for fraud prevention costs. The ultimate impact of the heightened scrutiny to which we are subject is uncertain, but we may be adversely affected and may incur increased costs related to regulatory oversight.

Legislative and regulatory actions taken now or in the future may increase our costs and impact our business, governance structure, financial condition or results of operations. Proposed legislative and regulatory actions, including changes to financial regulation, may not occur on the timeframe that is expected, or at all, which could result in additional uncertainly for our business.

We and our subsidiaries are subject to extensive regulation by multiple regulatory bodies. These regulations may affect the manner and terms of delivery of our services. If we do not comply with governmental regulations, we may be subject to fines, penalties, lawsuits or material restrictions on our businesses in the jurisdiction where the violation occurred, which may adversely affect our business operations. Changes in these regulations can significantly affect the services that we provide as well as our costs of compliance with such regulations. In addition, adverse publicity and damage to our reputation arising from the failure or perceived failure to comply with legal, regulatory or contractual requirements could affect our ability to attract and retain customers.

Current and recent-past economic conditions, particularly in the financial markets, have resulted in government regulatory agencies and political bodies placing increased focus and scrutiny on the financial services industry. The Dodd-Frank Act significantly changed the regulation of financial institutions and the financial services industry. The Dodd-Frank Act and the regulations thereunder affect large and small financial institutions, including several provisions that will affect how community banks, thrifts and small bank and thrift holding companies will be regulated in the future.

New proposals for legislation continue to be introduced in the U.S. Congress that could further substantially increase regulation of the financial services industry, impose restrictions on the operations and general ability of firms within the industry to conduct business consistent with historical practices, including in the areas of compensation, interest rates, financial product offerings and disclosures, and have an effect on bankruptcy proceedings with respect to consumer residential real estate mortgages, among other things. Federal and state regulatory agencies also frequently adopt changes to their regulations or change the manner in which existing regulations are applied. In addition, President Donald Trump has issued an executive order directing the review of existing financial regulations. It is not clear when, or if, changes to existing statutory or regulatory requirements may be implemented.

Certain aspects of current or proposed regulatory or legislative changes, including to laws applicable to the financial industry, if enacted or adopted, may impact the profitability of our business activities, require more oversight or change certain of our business practices, including the ability to offer new products, obtain financing, attract deposits, make loans and achieve satisfactory interest spreads, and could expose us to additional costs, including increased compliance costs. These changes also may require us to invest significant management attention and resources to make any necessary changes to operations to comply and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, any proposed legislative or regulatory changes, including those that could benefit our business, financial condition and results of operations, may not occur on the timeframe that is proposed, or at all, which could result in additional uncertainty for our business.

Regulatory initiatives regarding bank capital requirements may require heightened capital.

Regulatory capital rules, adopted in July 2013, implement higher minimum capital requirements for bank holding companies and banks. Additionally, bank holding companies and banks are also required to hold a capital conservation buffer of Common Equity Tier 1 capital of 2.5% to avoid limitations on capital distributions and discretionary executive compensation payments.

In December 2017, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision published standards that it described as the finalization of the Basel III regulatory framework (commonly referred to as Basel IV). Among other things, these standards revise the Basel Committee’s standardized approach for credit risk and provide a new standardized approach for operational risk capital. Under the Basel framework, these standards will generally be effective on January 1, 2022, with an aggregate output floor phasing in through January 1, 2027. Under the current U.S. capital rules, operational risk capital requirements and a capital floor apply only to advanced approaches institutions, and not to the Company or the Bank. The impact of Basel IV on us will depend on the manner in which it is implemented by the federal bank regulators.

The Federal Reserve may also set higher capital requirements for holding companies whose circumstances warrant it. For example, holding companies experiencing internal growth or making acquisitions are expected to maintain strong capital positions substantially above the minimum supervisory levels, without significant reliance on intangible assets. At this time, the bank regulatory agencies are more inclined to impose higher capital requirements to meet well-capitalized standards, and future regulatory change could impose higher capital standards as a routine matter.

Any new standards may require the Company or the Bank to maintain materially more capital, with common equity as a more predominant component, or manage the configuration of our assets and liabilities to comply with formulaic liquidity requirements. Our ability to raise additional capital depends on conditions in the capital markets, economic conditions and a number of other factors, including investor perceptions regarding the banking industry, market conditions and governmental activities, and on our financial condition and performance. Accordingly, we may not be able to raise additional capital if needed or on terms acceptable to us. Failure to maintain capital to meet current or future regulatory requirements could significantly impact our return on equity, financial condition, operations, capital position and ability to pursue business opportunities which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Regulators periodically examine our business and we may be required to remediate adverse examination findings.

The Federal Reserve, the FDIC and the OCC periodically examine our business, including our compliance with laws and regulations, and we may become subject to other regulatory agency examinations in the future. If, as a result of an examination, a federal banking agency were to determine that our financial condition, capital resources, asset quality, earnings prospects, management, liquidity, or other aspects of any of our operations had become unsatisfactory, or that we were in violation of any law or regulation, it may require us to take a number of different remedial actions as it deems appropriate. These actions include the power to enjoin “unsafe or unsound” practices, to require affirmative action to correct any conditions resulting from any violation or practice, to issue an administrative order that can be judicially enforced, to direct an increase in our capital, to restrict our

growth by preventing us from acquiring other financial institutions or limiting our ability to expand our business by engaging in new activities, to change the asset composition of our portfolio or balance sheet, to assess civil monetary penalties against our officers or directors, to remove officers and directors and, if it is concluded that such conditions cannot be corrected or there is an imminent risk of loss to depositors, to terminate our deposit insurance and place us into receivership or conservatorship. Any regulatory action against us could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The deposits of the Bank are insured by the FDIC up to legal limits and, accordingly, subject to the Bank’s payment of FDIC deposit insurance assessments. The Bank’s regular assessments are calculated under the large bank pricing rule using its average consolidated total assets minus average tangible equity as well as by risk classification, which includes regulatory capital levels. High levels of bank failures since the beginning of the most recent financial crisis and increases in the statutory deposit insurance limits have increased resolution costs to the FDIC and put significant pressure on the DIF. To maintain a strong funding position and restore the reserve ratios of the DIF, the FDIC increased deposit insurance assessment rates and charged a special assessment to all FDIC-insured financial institutions. The FDIC has also imposed surcharges on insured depository institutions with assets of at least $10 billion. Further increases in assessment rates or special assessments may occur in the future, especially if there are significant additional financial institution failures. Any future special assessments, increases in assessment rates or required prepayments in FDIC insurance premiums could reduce our profitability or limit our ability to pursue certain business opportunities, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The Federal Reserve may require us to commit capital resources to support Cadence Bank.

As a matter of policy, the Federal Reserve expects a bank holding company to act as a source of financial and managerial strength to a subsidiary bank and to commit resources to support such subsidiary bank. The Dodd-Frank Act codified the Federal Reserve’s policy on serving as a source of financial strength. Under the “source of strength” doctrine, the Federal Reserve may require a bank holding company to make capital injections into a troubled subsidiary bank and may charge the bank holding company with engaging in unsafe and unsound practices for failure to commit resources to a subsidiary bank. A capital injection may be required at times when the holding company may not have the resources to provide it and therefore may be required to borrow the funds or raise capital. Any loans by a holding company to its subsidiary banks are subordinate in right of payment to deposits and to certain other indebtedness of such subsidiary bank. In the event of a bank holding company’s bankruptcy, the bankruptcy trustee will assume any commitment by the holding company to a federal bank regulatory agency to maintain the capital of a subsidiary bank. Moreover, bankruptcy law provides that claims based on any such commitment will be entitled to a priority of payment over the claims of the institution’s general unsecured creditors, including the holders of its note obligations. Thus, any borrowing that must be done by the bank holding company to make the required capital injection becomes more difficult and expensive and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

In addition to the enactment of the Dodd-Frank Act, various legislative bodies have also recently been considering altering the existing framework governing creditors’ rights, including legislation that would result in, or allow, loan modifications of various sorts. Such legislation may change banking statutes and the operating environment in substantial and unpredictable ways. If enacted, such legislation could increase the cost of doing business; limit permissible activities; or affect the competitive balance among banks, savings associations, credit unions, and other financial institutions. We cannot predict whether new legislation will be enacted, and if enacted, the effect that it or any regulations would have on our activities, financial condition, or results of operations.

We are subject to numerous laws designed to protect consumers, including the CRA and fair lending laws, and failure to comply with these laws could lead to a wide variety of sanctions.

The CRA, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Fair Housing Act and other fair lending laws and regulations impose non-discriminatory lending requirements on financial institutions. The Department of Justice and other federal agencies, including the CFPB, are responsible for enforcing these laws and regulations. A successful regulatory challenge to an institution’s performance under the CRA or fair lending laws and regulations could result in a wide variety of sanctions, including damages and civil money penalties, injunctive relief, restrictions on mergers and acquisitions activity, restrictions on expansion, and restrictions on entering new business lines. In the case of the CRA, the performance of a financial institution in meeting the credit needs of its community and its overall CRA rating are factors that will be taken into consideration when the federal banking agencies evaluate applications related to mergers and acquisitions, as well as branch opening and relocations. Private parties may also have the ability to challenge an institution’s performance under fair lending laws in private class action litigation. Such actions could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Federal, state and local consumer lending laws may restrict our ability to originate certain mortgage loans or increase our risk of liability with respect to such loans and could increase our cost of doing business.

Federal, state and local laws have been adopted that are intended to eliminate certain lending practices considered “predatory.” These laws prohibit practices such as steering borrowers away from more affordable products, selling unnecessary insurance to borrowers, repeatedly refinancing loans and making loans without a reasonable expectation that the borrowers will be able to repay the loans irrespective of the value of the underlying property. It is our policy not to make predatory loans, but these laws create the potential for liability with respect to our lending and loan investment activities. They increase our cost of doing business and, ultimately, may prevent us from making certain loans and cause us to reduce the average percentage rate or the points and fees on loans that we do make.

The expanding body of federal, state and local regulations and/or the licensing of loan servicing, collections or other aspects of our business and our sales of loans to third parties may increase the cost of compliance and the risks of noncompliance and subject us to litigation.

We service some of our own loans, and loan servicing is subject to extensive regulation by federal, state and local governmental authorities as well as to various laws and judicial and administrative decisions imposing requirements and restrictions on those activities. The volume of new or modified laws and regulations has increased in recent years and, in addition, some individual municipalities have begun to enact laws that restrict loan servicing activities including delaying or temporarily preventing foreclosures or forcing the modification of certain mortgages. If regulators impose new or more restrictive requirements, we may incur additional significant costs to comply with such requirements which may further adversely affect us. In addition, were we to be subject to regulatory investigation or regulatory action regarding our loan modification and foreclosure practices, our financial condition and results of operation could be adversely affected.

In addition, we and our legacy companies have sold loans to third parties. In connection with these sales, we or certain of our subsidiaries or legacy companies make or have made various representations and warranties, breaches of which may result in a requirement that we repurchase the loans, or otherwise make whole or provide other remedies to counterparties. These aspects of our business or our failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations could possibly lead to: civil and criminal liability; loss of licensure; damage to our reputation in the industry; fines and penalties and litigation, including class action lawsuits; and administrative enforcement actions. Any of these outcomes could materially and adversely affect us.

Potential limitations on incentive compensation contained in proposed federal agency rulemaking may adversely affect our ability to attract and retain our highest performing employees.

In April 2011 and May 2016, the Federal Reserve, other federal banking agencies and the SEC jointly published proposed rules designed to implement provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act prohibiting incentive compensation arrangements that would encourage inappropriate risk taking at covered financial institutions, which includes a bank or bank holding company with $1 billion or more in assets, such as Cadence Bank. It cannot be determined at this time whether or when a final rule will be adopted and whether compliance with such a final rule will substantially affect the manner in which we structure compensation for our executives and other employees. Depending on the nature and application of the final rules, we may not be able to successfully compete with certain financial institutions and other companies that are not subject to some or all of the rules to retain and attract executives and other high performing employees. If this were to occur, relationships that we have established with our clients may be impaired and our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected, perhaps materially.

Failure to comply with economic and trade sanctions or with applicable anti-corruption laws could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The Office of Foreign Assets Control administers and enforces economic and trade sanctions against targeted foreign countries and regimes, under authority of various laws, including designated foreign countries, nationals and others. We are responsible for, among other things, blocking accounts of, and transactions with, such persons and countries, prohibiting unlicensed trade and financial transactions with them and reporting blocked transactions after their occurrence. Through our company and the Bank, and our agents and employees, we are subject to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”), which prohibits offering, promising, giving, or authorizing others to give anything of value, either directly or indirectly, to a non-U.S. government official in order to influence official action or otherwise gain an unfair business advantage. The Company is also subject to applicable anti-corruption laws in the jurisdictions in which it may operate. The Company has implemented policies, procedures, and internal controls that are designed to comply with economic and trade sanctions or with applicable anti-corruption laws, including the FCPA. Failure to comply with economic and trade sanctions or with applicable anti-corruption laws, including the FCPA, could have serious legal and reputational consequences for us.

The market price of our Class A common stock could be negatively affected by sales of substantial amounts of our common stock in the public markets.

Sales of a substantial number of shares of our Class A common stock in the public market, or the perception that large sales could occur, could cause the market price of our Class A common stock to decline or limit our future ability to raise capital through an offering of equity securities.

As of the date of this Annual Report, there were 82,497,009 shares of our Class A common stock outstanding. Since our initial public offering in April 2017, Cadence Bancorp, LLC (the “LLC”) has completed a series of registered secondary offerings of shares our Class A common stock, gradually reducing its ownership interest in the Company. On September 10, 2018, the LLC completed an in-kind distribution of substantially all of the shares of Class A Common Stock held by the LLC to its unitholders (other than a de minimis amount of Class A Common Stock representing the aggregate fractional shares in lieu of which unitholders are to receive cash). As a result of the Distribution, the LLC dissolved in the fourth quarter of 2018.

As of January 1, 2019, we are no longer an “emerging growth company” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (the “JOBS Act”), and the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies no longer apply to us.

As of January 1, 2019, we no longer qualify as an “emerging growth company” as defined in the JOBS Act. Consequently, we are now or will soon be subject to certain disclosure requirements that apply to other public companies but did not previously apply to us due to our status as an emerging growth company. These requirements include:

Compliance with these additional requirements may increase our compliance and financial reporting expenses and may divert management’s attention from other aspects of our business. Failure to comply with these requirements could subject us to enforcement actions by the SEC, which could divert management’s attention, damage our reputation and adversely affect our business, operating results or financial condition.

An active, liquid market for our Class A common stock may not be sustained, which may impair your ability to sell your shares.

Our shares of Class A common stock have been publicly traded on the NYSE since April 13, 2017. An active, liquid trading market for our Class A common stock may not be sustained, due to the limited period of time which our shares have been publicly traded or other factors. Without an active, liquid trading market for our Class A common stock, shareholders may not be able to sell their shares at the volume, prices and times desired. An inactive market may also impair our ability to raise capital by selling our Class A common stock and may impair our ability to expand our business by using our Class A common stock as consideration. In addition, there is a limited public trading history for our Class A common stock. As a result, the current market price may not be indicative of the price at which our Class A common stock will trade in the future.

The market price of our Class A common stock may be subject to substantial fluctuations, which may make it difficult to sell shares at the volume, prices and times desired.

The market price of our Class A common stock may be highly volatile, which may make it difficult to sell shares at the volume, prices and times desired. There are many factors that may impact the market price and trading volume of our Class A common stock, including, without limitation:

The stock market and, in particular, the market for financial institution stocks, have experienced substantial fluctuations in recent years, which in many cases have been unrelated to the operating performance and prospects of particular companies. In addition, significant fluctuations in the trading volume in our Class A common stock may cause significant price variations to occur. Increased market volatility may materially and adversely affect the market price of our Class A common stock, which could make it difficult to sell your shares at the volume, prices and times desired.

There are substantial regulatory limitations on changes of control of bank holding companies that may discourage investors from purchasing shares of our Class A common stock.

With certain limited exceptions, federal regulations prohibit a person or company or a group of persons deemed to be “acting in concert” from, directly or indirectly, acquiring more than 10% (5% if the acquirer is a bank holding company) of any class of our voting stock or obtaining the ability to control in any manner the election of a majority of our directors or otherwise direct the management or policies of our company without prior notice or application to, and the approval of, the Federal Reserve. Companies investing in banks and bank holding companies receive additional review and may be required to become bank holding companies, subject to regulatory supervision. Accordingly, prospective investors must be aware of and comply with these requirements, if applicable, in connection with any purchase of shares of our Class A common stock. These provisions could discourage third parties from seeking to acquire significant interests in us or in attempting to acquire control of us, which, in turn, could adversely affect the market price of our Class A common stock.

Securities analysts may not continue coverage on our Class A common stock, which could adversely affect the market for our Class A common stock.

The trading market for our Class A common stock depends in part on the research and reports that securities analysts publish about us and our business. We do not have any control over these securities analysts, and they may not cover our Class A common stock. If securities analysts do not continue to cover our Class A common stock, the lack of research coverage may adversely affect our market price. If our Class A common stock is the subject of an unfavorable report, the price of our Class A common stock may decline. If one or more of these analysts cease to cover us or fail to publish regular reports on us, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which could cause the price or trading volume of our Class A common stock to decline.

As a public company, we incur significant legal, accounting, insurance, compliance and other expenses. Any deficiencies in our financial reporting or internal controls could materially and adversely affect us, including resulting in material misstatements in our financial statements, and the market price of our Class A common stock.

As a public company, we incur significant legal, accounting, insurance and other expenses. These costs and compliance with the rules of the SEC and the rules of the applicable stock exchange may further increase our legal and financial compliance costs and make some activities more time consuming and costly. Beginning with our 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K, SEC rules require that our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer periodically certify the existence and effectiveness of our

internal control over financial reporting and our independent registered public accounting firm will be required to attest to our assessment of our internal control over financial reporting. This process will require significant documentation of policies, procedures and systems, review of that documentation by our internal auditing and accounting staff and our outside independent registered public accounting firm and testing of our internal control over financial reporting by our internal auditing and accounting staff and our outside independent registered public accounting firm. This process will involve considerable time and attention from management, which could prevent us from successfully implementing our business initiatives and improving our business, results of operations and financial condition, may strain our internal resources, and will increase our operating costs. We may experience higher than anticipated operating expenses and outside auditor fees during the implementation of these changes and thereafter.

During our testing, we may identify deficiencies that would have to be remediated to satisfy the SEC rules for certification of our internal control over financial reporting. A material weakness is defined by the standards issued by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board as a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting that results in a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Therefore, we would have to disclose in periodic reports we file with the SEC any material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting. The existence of a material weakness would preclude management from concluding that our internal control over financial reporting is effective and would preclude our independent auditors from attesting to our assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting is effective. In addition, disclosures of deficiencies of this type in our SEC reports could cause investors to lose confidence in our financial reporting, may negatively affect the market price of our Class A common stock, and could result in the delisting of our securities from the securities exchanges on which they trade. Moreover, effective internal controls are necessary to produce reliable financial reports and to prevent fraud. If we have deficiencies in our disclosure controls and procedures or internal control over financial reporting, it may materially and adversely affect us.

Material weaknesses in our financial reporting or internal controls could adversely affect our business.

A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. The identification of any material weakness could also result in investors losing confidence in our internal controls and questioning our reported financial information, which, among other things, could have a negative impact on the trading price of our Class A common stock. Additionally, we could become subject to increased regulatory scrutiny and a higher risk of shareholder litigation, which could result in significant additional expenses and require additional financial and management resources.

Actual or anticipated issuances or sales of substantial amounts of our Class A common stock could cause the market price of our Class A common stock to decline significantly and make it more difficult for us to sell equity or equity-related securities in the future at a time and on terms that we deem appropriate. The issuance of any shares of our Class A common stock in the future also would, and equity-related securities could, dilute the percentage ownership interest held by shareholders prior to such issuance. We may issue all these shares without any action or approval by our shareholders, and these shares, once issued (including upon exercise of outstanding options), will be available for sale into the public market, subject to the restrictions described below, if applicable, for affiliate holders.

We may issue shares of Class B non-voting common stock or shares of preferred stock that would adversely affect the rights of our Class A common shareholders.

Our authorized capital stock includes 300,000,000 shares of Class B non-voting common stock, $0.01 par value per share and 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share. As of the date of this Annual Report, we have no issued and outstanding shares of either our Class B non-voting common stock or our preferred stock. Our Board of Directors, in their sole discretion, may issue Class B non-voting common stock and one or more series of preferred stock. Subject to limitations imposed by our articles of incorporation, our Board of Directors is empowered to determine, among other items, the number of shares for each series, the dividend rate for each series, the terms and conditions of any voting, conversion or exchange rights for each series, and the preferences and the relative rights for each series.

We currently conduct substantially all our operations through our subsidiaries, and a significant part of our income is attributable to dividends from the Bank and we principally rely on the profitability of the Bank to conduct operations and satisfy obligations. Our principal source of funds to pay dividends on our common and preferred stock and service any of our obligations

are dividends received directly from our subsidiaries, including Cadence Bank. As is the case with all financial institutions, the profitability of the Bank is subject to the fluctuating cost and availability of money, changes in interest rates, and in economic conditions in general. In addition, various federal and state statutes and regulations limit the amount of dividends that the Bank may pay to us, with or without regulatory approval.

Holders of our Class A common stock are entitled to receive only such cash dividends as our Board of Directors may declare out of funds legally available for such payments. Any declaration and payment of dividends on Class A common stock will depend upon our earnings and financial condition, liquidity and capital requirements, the general economic and regulatory climate, our ability to service any equity or debt obligations senior to the Class A common stock, and other factors deemed relevant by the board of directors. Furthermore, consistent with our business plans, growth initiatives, capital availability, projected liquidity needs, and other factors, we have made, and will continue to make, capital management decisions and policies that could adversely impact the amount of dividends, if any, paid to our common shareholders.

On January 21, 2019, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.175 per share of outstanding Class A common stock, payable on March 15, 2019 to shareholders of record on the close of business on March 1, 2019. Although we currently expect to continue to pay quarterly dividends, any future determination relating to our dividend policy will be made by our Board of Directors and will depend on several factors. We are subject to certain restrictions on the payment of cash dividends as a result of banking laws, regulations and policies. Finally, our ability to pay dividends to our shareholders depends on our receipt of dividends from the Bank, which is also subject to restrictions on dividends as a result of banking laws, regulations and policies. See “Dividend Policy.”

Our corporate governance documents, and certain corporate and banking laws applicable to us, could make a takeover more difficult, thereby depressing the trading price of our Class A common stock.

Certain provisions of our articles of incorporation and bylaws, and corporate and federal banking laws, could delay, defer, or prevent a third party from acquiring control of our organization or conduct a proxy contest, even if those events were perceived by many of our shareholders as beneficial to their interests. These provisions and the corporate and banking laws and regulations applicable to us:

These provisions may discourage potential acquisition proposals and could delay or prevent a change in control, including when our shareholders might otherwise receive a premium over the market price of our shares.

Our securities are not deposits insured by the FDIC and are subject to risk of loss.

Our securities are not deposit accounts and are not insured the FDIC or any other government agency and are subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of principal.

An investor in our Class A common stock may not realize a substantial return on his or her investment or may not realize any return at all. Further, as a result of the uncertainty and risks associated with our operations, many of which are described in this “Risk Factors” section, it is possible that an investor could lose his or her entire investment.

Our main office is located at 2800 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 3800, Houston, Texas 77056. In addition to our main office, which is leased, as of December 31, 2018, we operate from 66 branch offices located in Texas, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi and Tennessee, of which 28 are leased, 50 are in free standing facilities, 44 provide for drive-up access, and most are equipped with ATMs. Additionally, throughout our footprint, we operate two operations centers (one leased, one owned), leased trust offices, insurance offices, leased mortgage offices, leased Linscomb and Williams offices, and leased lending offices; with most of these located within our branch offices.

The Company and its subsidiaries are from time to time subject to claims and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. At this time, in the opinion of management, the likelihood is remote that the impact of such proceedings, either individually or in the aggregate, would have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. However, one or more unfavorable outcomes in any claim or litigation against us could have a material adverse effect for the period in which they are resolved. In addition, regardless of their merits or their ultimate outcomes, such matters are costly, divert management’s attention and may materially adversely affect our reputation, even if resolved in our favor.

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASE OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Our Class A common stock has been listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “CADE” since April 13, 2017. The NYSE is the principal U.S market where our Class A common stock is traded.

On January 22, 2019, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.175 per share of outstanding Class A common stock, payable on March 15, 2019 to shareholders of record on the close of business on March 1, 2019.

Although we currently expect to continue to pay quarterly dividends, any future determination relating to our dividend policy will be made by our Board of Directors and will depend on a number of factors, including: (1) our historic and projected financial condition, liquidity and results of operations, (2) our capital levels and needs, (3) tax considerations, (4) any acquisitions or potential acquisitions that we may examine, (5) statutory and regulatory prohibitions and other limitations, (6) the terms of any credit agreements or other borrowing arrangements that restrict our ability to pay cash dividends, (7) general economic conditions and (8) other factors deemed relevant by our board of directors. We are not obligated to pay dividends on our common stock and are subject to restrictions on paying dividends on our common stock.

As a Delaware corporation, we are subject to certain restrictions on dividends under the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”). Generally, a Delaware corporation may only pay dividends either out of “surplus” or out of the current or the immediately preceding year’s net profits. Surplus is defined as the excess, if any, at any given time, of the total assets of a corporation over its total liabilities and statutory capital. The value of a corporation’s assets can be measured in a number of ways and may not necessarily equal their book value.

In addition, we are subject to certain restrictions on the payment of cash dividends as a result of banking laws, regulations and policies. See “Supervision and Regulation—Bank Holding Company Regulation—Safe and Sound Banking Practices.”

Because we are a financial holding company and do not engage directly in business activities of a material nature, our ability to pay dividends to our stockholders depends, in large part, upon our receipt of dividends from the Bank, which is also subject to numerous limitations on the payment of dividends under federal banking laws, regulations and policies. See “Supervision and Regulation—Bank Regulation—Standards for Safety and Soundness.”

The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to the information under the caption ”Equity Compensation Plan Information” in our Proxy Statement for the 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (“2019 Proxy Statement”).

In October 2018, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program in an amount of up to $50 million as part of the Company’s overall capital management strategies. On December 21, 2018, the Board approved an amendment to the repurchase program providing for the purchase of up to 4,310,000 shares not to exceed an aggregate purchase of $81 million, subject to receipt of required regulatory approvals. As of December 31, 2018, the Company had repurchased approximately 1.1 million shares of common stock at a cost of $22.0 million.

The following table presents information related to issuer purchases of equity securities during the fourth quarter of 2018:

The performance graph below compares the cumulative total shareholder return on Cadence Bancorporation Class A common stock with the cumulative total return on the equity securities of companies included in the Standard & Poor’s 500 Stock Index and the Standard and Poor’s 500 Bank Index, measured at the last trading day of each period shown. The graph assumes an investment of $100 on April 13, 2017 and reinvestment of dividends on the date of payment without commissions. The performance graph represents past performance and should not be considered to be an indication of future performance.

The following table summarizes certain selected consolidated financial data for the periods presented. The selected historical financial data as of and for each of the years in the period ended December 31, 2018 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements. The historical consolidated financial information presented below contains financial measures that are not presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) in effect in the United States and which have not been audited. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

You should read the following information, together with “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this Annual Report.

	As of and for the Year Ended December 31,
(In thousands, except share and per share data)	2018			2017			2016			2015			2014
Statement of Income Data:
Net income	$	166,261		$	102,353		$	65,774		$	39,256		$	44,833
Net interest income		387,741			326,216			279,439			247,778			255,088
Noninterest income - service fees and revenue		87,008			90,052			81,976			79,437			71,743
Noninterest expense		258,301			233,356			220,180			232,332			245,147
Provision for credit losses		12,700			9,735			49,348			35,984			14,118
Efficiency ratio⁽¹⁾		53.55	%		54.77	%		59.86	%		70.90	%		74.25	%
Adjusted efficiency ratio⁽¹⁾		49.56			54.12			60.41			70.20			72.65
Per Share Data:
Earnings
Basic	$	1.99		$	1.26		$	0.88		$	0.52		$	0.55
Diluted		1.97			1.25			0.87			0.52			0.55
Book value per common share		17.43			16.25			14.41			14.06			13.52
Tangible book value ⁽¹⁾		13.62			12.33			9.97			9.53			8.89
Weighted average common shares outstanding
Basic		83,562,109			81,072,945			75,000,000			75,000,000			75,000,000
Diluted		84,375,289			81,605,015			75,294,600			75,116,100			75,000,000
Cash dividends declared	$	0.55		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
Dividend payout ratio		27.64	%		—	%		—	%		—	%		—	%
Performance Ratios:
Return on average common equity		12.07	%		8.16	%		6.01	%		3.78	%		4.15	%
Return on average tangible common equity⁽¹⁾		15.73			11.08			8.68			5.65			6.45
Return on average assets		1.45			1.02			0.71			0.47			0.64
Net interest margin		3.61			3.57			3.30			3.29			4.06
Period-End Balance Sheet Data:
Investment securities, available-for-sale	$	1,187,252		$	1,257,063		$	1,133,780		$	720,810		$	522,397
Total loans, net of unearned income		10,053,923			8,253,427			7,432,711			6,916,520			6,192,793
Allowance for credit losses ("ACL")		94,378			87,576			82,268			79,783			53,520
Total assets		12,730,285			10,948,926			9,530,888			8,811,511			7,944,804
Total deposits		10,708,689			9,011,515			8,016,749			6,987,351			6,579,889
Total shareholders’ equity		1,438,274			1,359,056			1,080,498			1,054,208			1,014,337
Asset Quality Ratios:
Total nonperforming assets ("NPAs") to total loans and OREO and other NPAs		0.82	%		0.85	%		2.22	%		1.48	%		1.15	%
Total ACL to total loans		0.94			1.06			1.11			1.15			0.86
ACL to total nonperforming loans ("NPLs")		127.12			183.62			63.80			114.25			219.64
Net charge-offs to average loans		0.06			0.06			0.65			0.15			0.09
Capital Ratios:
Total shareholders’ equity to assets		11.3	%		12.4	%		11.3	%		12.0	%		12.8	%
Tangible common equity to tangible assets ⁽¹⁾		9.1			9.7			8.1			8.4			8.8
Common equity tier 1 (CET1)		9.8			10.6			8.8			8.7		NA
Tier 1 leverage capital		10.1			10.7			8.9			9.2			9.5
Tier 1 risk-based capital		10.1			10.9			9.2			9.0			9.2
Total risk-based capital		11.8			12.8			11.2			11.1			10.7

We identify “efficiency ratio,” “adjusted efficiency ratio”, “adjusted noninterest expense,” “adjusted noninterest income,” “adjusted operating revenue,” “tangible common equity,” “tangible common equity ratio,” “return on average tangible common equity,” “adjusted return on average tangible common equity,” “tangible book value per share,” “adjusted return on average assets,” “adjusted net income,” “adjusted net income allocated to common stock,” “adjusted net income available to common shareholders,” “adjusted diluted earnings per share” and “adjusted pre-tax pre-provision net earnings” as “non-GAAP financial measures.” In accordance with the SEC’s rules, we identify certain financial measures as non-GAAP financial measures if such financial measures exclude or include amounts in the most directly comparable measures calculated and presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) in effect in the United States in our statements of income, balance sheet or statements of cash flows. Non-GAAP financial measures do not include operating and other statistical measures, ratios or statistical measures calculated using exclusively financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP

The non-GAAP financial measures that we discuss herein should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the most directly comparable or other financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. Moreover, the manner in which we calculate these non-GAAP financial measures may differ from that of other companies reporting measures with similar names, and, therefore, may not be comparable to our non-GAAP financial measures.

Efficiency ratio is defined as noninterest expenses divided by operating revenue, which is equal to net interest income plus noninterest income. Adjusted efficiency ratio is defined as adjusted noninterest expenses divided by adjusted operating revenue, which is equal to net interest income plus noninterest income, excluding certain non-routine income and expenses. We believe that these measures are important to many investors in the marketplace who wish to assess our performance versus that of our peers.

Our adjusted noninterest expenses represent total noninterest expenses net of any merger, restructuring, branch closing costs or other non-routine expense items. Our adjusted operating revenue is equal to net interest income plus noninterest income excluding gains and losses on sales of securities and other non-routine revenue items. In our judgment, the adjustments made to noninterest expense and operating revenue allow management and investors to better assess our performance by removing the volatility that is associated with certain other discrete items that are unrelated to our core business.

Tangible common equity is defined as total shareholders’ equity, excluding preferred stock, less goodwill and other intangible assets. We believe that this measure is important to many investors in the marketplace who are interested in changes from period to period in common shareholders’ equity exclusive of changes in intangible assets. Goodwill, an intangible asset that is recorded in a purchase business combination, has the effect of increasing both common equity and assets while not increasing our tangible common equity or tangible assets.

The tangible common equity ratio is defined as the ratio of tangible common equity divided by total assets less goodwill and other intangible assets. We believe that this measure is important to many investors in the marketplace who are interested in relative changes from period to period in common equity and total assets, each exclusive of changes in intangible assets. We believe that the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure is total shareholders’ equity to total assets.

Return on average tangible common equity is defined as net income divided by average tangible common equity. Adjusted return on average tangible common equity is defined as adjusted net income divided by average tangible common equity. We believe the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure is the return on average common equity.

Adjusted net income is defined as net income plus or minus total non-routine items, net of tax. Non-routine items include merger related expenses, secondary offering expenses, gain on sale of insurance assets, net securities gains, one-time tax charge related to Tax Reform, benefit of legacy loan bad debt deduction for tax and other non-routine expenses. We believe the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure is net income.

Tangible book value per share is defined as book value, excluding the impact of goodwill and other intangible assets, if any, divided by shares of our common stock outstanding.

Adjusted return on average assets is defined as adjusted net income divided by average assets. We believe the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure is the return on average assets.

Adjusted net income allocated to common stock is defined as net income allocated to common stock plus total non-routine items. We believe the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure is net income allocated to common stock.

Adjusted net income available to common shareholders is defined as net income available to common shareholders plus total non-routine items. We believe the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure is net income available to common shareholders.

Adjusted diluted earnings per share is defined as adjusted net income allocated to common stock divided by diluted weighted average common shares outstanding. We believe the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure is diluted earnings per share.

Adjusted Pre-tax, pre-provision net earnings is defined as income before taxes, provision for credit losses and non-routine items. We believe the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure is income before taxes.

The following table is a reconciliation of our Non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure:

	As of and for the Year Ended December 31,
(In thousands, except share and per share data)	2018			2017			2016			2015			2014
Efficiency ratio
Noninterest expenses (numerator)	$	258,301		$	233,356		$	220,180		$	232,332		$	245,147
Net interest income	$	387,741		$	326,216		$	279,439		$	247,778		$	255,088
Noninterest income		94,638			99,874			88,403			79,903			75,070
Operating revenue (denominator)	$	482,379		$	426,090		$	367,842		$	327,681		$	330,158
Efficiency ratio		53.55	%		54.77	%		59.86	%		70.90	%		74.25	%
Adjusted efficiency ratio
Noninterest expenses	$	258,301		$	233,356		$	220,180		$	232,332		$	245,147
Less: Merger related expenses		2,983			—			—			—			—
Less: Secondary offerings expenses		4,552			1,302			—			—			—
Less: Specially designated bonuses		9,795			—			—			—			—
Less: Other non-routine expenses⁽¹⁾		3,423			1,964			238			2,074			5,222
Adjusted noninterest expenses (numerator)	$	237,548		$	230,090		$	219,942		$	230,258		$	239,925
Net interest income	$	387,741		$	326,216		$	279,439		$	247,778		$	255,088
Noninterest income		94,638			99,874			88,403			79,903			75,070
Less: Losses on sale of branches		—			—			—			(1,501	)		(763	)
Less: Gain on sale of insurance assets		4,871			1,093			—			—			—
Less: Securities (losses) gains, net		(1,853	)		(146	)		3,736			1,171			659
Adjusted noninterest income		91,620			98,927			84,667			80,233			75,174
Adjusted operating revenue (denominator)	$	479,361		$	425,143		$	364,106		$	328,011		$	330,262
Adjusted efficiency ratio		49.56	%		54.12	%		60.41	%		70.20	%		72.65	%
Tangible common equity ratio
Shareholders’ equity	$	1,438,274		$	1,359,056		$	1,080,498		$	1,054,208		$	1,014,337
Less: Goodwill and other intangible assets, net		(314,400	)		(328,040	)		(332,691	)		(339,223	)		(347,651	)
Tangible common shareholders’ equity		1,123,874			1,031,016			747,807			714,985			666,686
Total assets		12,730,285			10,948,926			9,530,888			8,811,511			7,944,804
Less: Goodwill and other intangible assets, net		(314,400	)		(328,040	)		(332,691	)		(339,223	)		(347,651	)
Tangible assets	$	12,415,885		$	10,620,886		$	9,198,197		$	8,472,288		$	7,597,153
Tangible common equity ratio		9.05	%		9.71	%		8.13	%		8.44	%		8.78	%
Tangible book value per share
Shareholders’ equity	$	1,438,274		$	1,359,056		$	1,080,498		$	1,054,208		$	1,014,337
Less: Goodwill and other intangible assets, net		(314,400	)		(328,040	)		(332,691	)		(339,223	)		(347,651	)
Tangible common shareholders’ equity	$	1,123,874		$	1,031,016		$	747,807		$	714,985		$	666,686
Common shares outstanding		82,497,009			83,625,000			75,000,000			75,000,000			75,000,000
Tangible book value per share	$	13.62		$	12.33		$	9.97		$	9.53		$	8.89

	As of and for the Year Ended December 31,
(In thousands, except share and per share data)	2018			2017			2016			2015			2014
Return on average tangible common equity
Average common equity	$	1,377,471		$	1,253,861		$	1,093,604		$	1,038,680		$	991,525
Less: Average intangible assets		(320,232	)		(330,411	)		(336,054	)		(343,566	)		(353,014	)
Average tangible common shareholders’ equity	$	1,057,239		$	923,450		$	757,550		$	695,114		$	638,511
Net income available to common shareholders	$	166,261		$	102,353		$	65,774		$	39,256		$	41,190
Return on average tangible common equity		15.73	%		11.08	%		8.68	%		5.65	%		6.45	%
Adjusted return on average tangible common equity
Average tangible common shareholders’ equity	$	1,057,239		$	923,450		$	757,550		$	695,114		$	638,511
Net income available to common shareholders	$	166,261		$	102,353		$	65,774		$	39,256		$	41,190
Non-routine items:
Plus: Merger related expenses		2,983			—			—			—			—
Plus: Secondary offerings expenses		4,552			1,302			—			—			—
Plus: Specially designated bonuses		9,795			—			—			—
Plus: Other non-routine expenses⁽¹⁾		3,423			1,964			238			2,074			5,222
Less: Losses on sale of branches		—			—			—			(1,501	)		(763	)
Less: Gain on sale of insurance assets		4,871			1,093			—			—			—
Less: Securities gains (losses), net		(1,853	)		(146	)		3,736			1,171			659
Tax expense:
Plus: One-time tax charge related to Tax Reform		—			19,022			—			—			—
Less: Benefit of legacy loan bad debt deduction for tax		5,991			—			—			—			—
Less: Income tax effect of tax deductible non-routine items		3,157			376			(1,294	)		889			1,991
Total non-routine items, after tax		8,587			20,965			(2,204	)		1,515			3,335
Adjusted net income available to common shareholders	$	174,848		$	123,318		$	63,570		$	40,771		$	44,525
Adjusted return on average tangible common equity		16.54	%		13.35	%		8.39	%		5.87	%		6.97	%
Adjusted return on average assets
Average assets	$	11,498,013		$	10,020,036		$	9,271,629		$	8,274,900		$	7,047,191
Net income		166,261			102,353			65,774			39,256			44,833
Return on average assets		1.45	%		1.02	%		0.71	%		0.47	%		0.64	%
Net income		166,261			102,353			65,774			39,256			44,833
Total non-routine items, after tax		8,587			20,965			(2,204	)		1,515			3,335
Adjusted net income	$	174,848		$	123,318		$	63,570		$	40,771		$	48,168
Adjusted return on average assets		1.52	%		1.23	%		0.69	%		0.49	%		0.68	%
Adjusted diluted earnings per share
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding		84,375,289			81,605,015			75,294,600			75,116,100			75,000,000
Net income allocated to common stock	$	166,064		$	102,353		$	65,774		$	39,256		$	41,190
Total non-routine items, after tax		8,587			20,965			(2,204	)		1,515			3,335
Adjusted net income allocated to common stock	$	174,651		$	123,318		$	63,570		$	40,771		$	44,525
Adjusted diluted earnings per share	$	2.07		$	1.51		$	0.84		$	0.54		$	0.59
Adjusted pre-tax, pre-provision net earnings
Income before taxes	$	211,378		$	182,999		$	98,314		$	59,365		$	70,893
Plus: Provision for credit losses		12,700			9,735			49,348			35,984			14,118
Plus: Total non-routine items before taxes		17,735			2,319			(3,498	)		2,404			5,326
Adjusted pre-tax, pre-provision net earnings	$	241,813		$	195,053		$	144,164		$	97,753		$	90,337

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and analysis presents our results of operations and financial condition on a consolidated basis. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements, accompanying footnotes and supplemental financial data included herein. Because we conduct our material business operations through our bank subsidiary, Cadence Bank, N.A., the discussion and analysis relates to activities primarily conducted by the Bank. We generate most of our revenue from interest on loans and investments and fee-based revenues. Our primary source of funding for our loans is deposits. Our largest expenses are interest on these deposits and salaries and related employee benefits. We measure our performance primarily through our net income, pre-tax and pre-loan provision earnings, net interest margin, efficiency ratio, ratio of allowance for credit losses to total loans, return on average assets and return on average equity, among other metrics, while maintaining appropriate regulatory leverage and risk-based capital ratios.

This Report on Form 10-K (“Annual Report”) contains forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to, among other things, future events and our results of operations, financial condition and financial performance. These statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as “may,” “should,” “could,” “predict,” “potential,” “believe,” “will likely result,” “expect,” “continue,” “will,” “anticipate,” “seek,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “projection,” “would” and “outlook,” or the negative version of those words or other comparable words of a future or forward-looking nature. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts, and are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about our industry, management’s beliefs and certain assumptions made by management, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and beyond our control. Accordingly, we caution you that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, assumptions and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable as of the date made, actual results may prove to be materially different from the results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.

There are or will be important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated in these forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the following:

The foregoing factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read together with the other cautionary statements included in this Report. If one or more events related to these or other risks or uncertainties materialize, or if our underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may differ materially from what we anticipate. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and we do not undertake any obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict which will arise. In addition, we cannot assess the impact of each factor on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.

Cadence Bancorporation is a financial holding company and a Delaware corporation headquartered in Houston, Texas, and is the parent company of Cadence Bank National Association. With $12.7 billion in assets, $10.1 billion in total loans (net of unearned discounts and fees), $10.7 billion in deposits and $1.4 billion in shareholders’ equity as of December 31, 2018, we operate a network of 66 branch locations across Texas, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi and Tennessee. We focus on middle-market commercial lending, complemented by retail banking and wealth management services, and provide a broad range of banking services to businesses, high net worth individuals and business owners.

On January 1, 2019, we completed our merger with State Bank Financial Corporation (”State Bank”), the holding company for State Bank and Trust Company. Under the terms of the merger agreement, each share of State Bank common stock was converted into 1.271 shares of our Class A common stock. Total consideration paid was approximately $826 million consisting solely of our Class A common stock. With the acquisition of State Bank, we acquired 32 branches in Georgia. At December 31, 2018, State Bank had $4.9 billion of assets, $3.4 billion of gross loans, $4.1 billion in deposits, and $0.7 billion in shareholders’ equity as reported in their regulatory filings.

We operate Cadence Bancorporation through three operating segments: Banking, Financial Services and Corporate. Our Banking Segment, which represented approximately 90% of our total revenues for the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018, consists of our Commercial Banking, Retail Banking and Private Banking lines of business. Our Commercial Banking activities focus on commercial and industrial (“C&I”), community banking, business banking and commercial real estate lending and treasury management services to clients in our geographic footprint in Texas and the southeast United States. Within our Commercial Banking line of business, we focus on select industries, which we refer to as our “specialized industries,” in which we believe we have specialized experience and service capabilities. These industries include franchise restaurant, healthcare and technology. Energy lending is also an important part of our business as energy production and energy related industries are meaningful contributors to the economy in our primary markets. In our Retail Banking business line, we offer a broad range of banking services through our branch network to serve the needs of consumers and small businesses. In our Private Banking business line, we offer banking services, such as deposit services and residential mortgage lending, to affluent clients and business owners. Our Financial Services Segment includes our Trust, Retail Brokerage, Investment Services and Insurance businesses. These businesses offer products independently to their own customers as well as to Banking Segment clients. Investment Services operates through the “Linscomb & Williams” name and Insurance operated though the “Cadence Insurance” name until its sale in 2018. The products offered by the businesses in our Financial Services Segment primarily generate non-banking service fee income. Our Corporate Segment reflects parent-only activities, including debt and capital raising, and intercompany eliminations.

We are focused on organic growth and expanding our position in our markets. We believe that our franchise is positioned for continued growth as a result of prudent lending in our markets through experienced relationship managers and a client-centered, relationship-driven banking model, and our focus and capabilities in serving specialized industries. We believe our continued growth is supported by (i) our attractive geographic footprint, (ii) the stable and cost-efficient deposit funding provided by our acquired franchises (each of which was a long-standing institution with an established customer network), (iii) our veteran board of directors and management team, (iv) our capital position and (v) our credit quality and risk management processes.

We believe our business and results of operations will be impacted in the future by various trends and conditions, including the following:

Interest rates: Based on our asset sensitivity and with interest rates increasing over the past few years, our interest income has increased incrementally more than interest expense required to maintain and grow our deposits and funding sources. While historical trends in rising and falling rate environments can be used as a potential indicator for the necessity and pace of deposit repricing, deposit repricing may vary from historical trends and result in unexpected speeds than would have been experienced historically.

Banking laws and regulations: The banking industry continues to experience intense regulatory focus, and continual revision of rules and regulations. We anticipate that this environment of heightened scrutiny will continue for the industry and for Cadence Bank specifically, since we exceeded $10.0 billion in assets during the quarter ended September 30, 2017, which is included in the “mid-sized” bank category for supervision purposes. Above $10.0 billion in assets, Cadence Bank is subject to additional regulations, including regulation by the CFPB and being subject to the Durbin Amendments.

Asset quality: As our originated loan portfolio has grown and seasoned, our asset quality indicators have matured and normalized, including some negative trending within certain segments of our portfolio. We believe our underwriting practices are prudent and we strive to maintain long-term credit quality metrics that are favorable to peers.

Cost efficiency: Since 2011, we have invested significantly in our infrastructure, including our management, lending teams, systems and integration. As a result, our ratio of expenses to revenue was historically greater than that experienced by many of our peer financial institutions. While we anticipate ongoing investment in our business, the pace of normalized expense growth has increased at a slower rate than our revenue growth, which resulted in a meaningful declining trend in our efficiency ratio (as defined in “Non-GAAP Financial Measures”) since 2013. Given costs associated with the company’s growth trends and ongoing technology spend, , this declining ratio trend may be slowed or not continue over a longer term.

Competition: The industry and businesses in which we operate are highly competitive, and as the economy continues to show strength, we anticipate that competition will continue to remain robust and potentially increase. We may see increased competition in different areas including market rates, underwriting, products and structure. While we seek to maintain an appropriate risk-adjusted spread on our business, we anticipate that we may experience continued pressure on our net interest margins as we operate in this competitive environment.

Acquired loan accretion and costs: As a result of our acquisitions, we have recognized accretion in our interest income as a result of the accretable difference on our acquired credit-impaired (“ACI”) loan portfolio. Total scheduled accretion reflected in interest income was approximately $20 million, $23 million and $31 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. As these acquired portfolios are reduced through payoffs, paydowns, foreclosures or charge-offs, the scheduled accretion declines. (In addition to scheduled accretion, a portion of our accretion recognized in a period represents recovery income from higher cash flows received than were expected on non-pooled loans, or received sooner than expected. These cash flows vary and are difficult to estimate.) Accordingly, we expect the proportion of our revenues attributable to scheduled accretion to continue to decline as the related assets are reduced and for the recovery income to trend downward. Conversely, we expect the proportion of our revenues attributable to our organically originated portfolio will continue to increase, although this will be impacted by the merger with State Bank adding to our acquired loan portfolios. Total reversal of credit loss provision related to the acquired loan portfolios (both ACI and ANCI) was $(1.4) million, $(1.8) million and $(3.5) million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

We manage capital to comply with our internal planning targets and regulatory capital standards. We monitor capital levels on an ongoing basis, perform periodic evaluations under stress scenarios and project capital levels in connection with our growth plans to ensure appropriate capital levels. We evaluate a number of capital ratios, including Tier 1 capital to total adjusted assets (the leverage ratio), Tier 1 capital and common equity Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets, and our tangible common equity ratio.

Net income for 2018 totaled $166.3 million, a $63.9 million, or 62.4%, increase compared to $102.4 million for 2017. The primary drivers of the net increase included a $61.5 million increase in net interest income and a $35.5 million decrease in income taxes. The resulting earnings per diluted common share for 2018 was $1.97 compared to $1.25 for 2017.

The years 2018 and 2017 included non-routine revenues and expenses, primarily consisting of secondary offering expenses, merger related expenses, gain and expenses related to the sale of the assets of our insurance company, securities losses, impact of tax reform, and other items. These non-routine revenues and expenses resulted in adjusted net income⁽¹⁾ of $174.8 million for 2018, and adjusted net income of $123.3 million for 2017. Adjusted diluted earnings per share⁽¹⁾ was $2.07 for 2018, and $1.51 for 2017.

Annualized returns on average assets, common equity and tangible common equity⁽¹⁾ for 2018 were 1.45%, 12.07%, and 15.73%, respectively, compared to 1.02%, 8.16%, and 11.08%⁽¹⁾, respectively, for 2017. Adjusted annualized returns⁽¹⁾ on average assets, common equity, and tangible common equity for 2018 were 1.52%, 12.69%, and 16.54%, respectively, and exclude the impact of the non-routine items noted above.

Net interest income was $387.7 million for 2018, a $61.5 million, or 18.9%, increase compared to 2017. Our net interest spread decreased to 3.17% for 2018 compared to 3.27% for 2017, and the net interest margin increased 4 basis points to 3.61% from 3.57%. The increases in net interest margin are primarily a result of strong growth in our earning assets combined with our asset sensitive balance sheet, partially offset by timing of recovery accretion income.

Provision for credit losses increased $3.0 million, or 30.5%, to $12.7 million in 2018, compared to $9.7 million in 2017. (See “—Provision for Credit Losses” and “—Asset Quality”). The increase resulted primarily from robust loan growth in 2018. Annualized net charge-offs were 0.06% of average loans during 2018 and 2017.

Service fees and revenue were $87.0 million in 2018, a decrease of $3.0 million, or 3.4%, from 2017. The decrease resulted from the decrease in insurance revenue after the sale of the assets of the insurance company in the second quarter of 2018 along with a decrease of $1.4 million or 36.4% in mortgage banking income due to fewer mortgages sold in the secondary market. These decreases were partially offset by increases in credit related fees and other service fees related to overall banking expansion.

Noninterest expense for 2018 increased $24.9 million, 10.7%, to $258.3 million compared to $233.4 million during 2017. Included in 2018 were higher salary and benefits expenses driven by business growth and related incentives, partially offset by lower intangible asset amortization and net costs of operation of other real estate owned. Noninterest expense in 2018 also included $20.8 million in non-routine expenses including a specially designated bonus of $9.8 million, secondary offering expenses of $4.6 million, legal costs of $2.3 million related to a legacy bank litigation settlement, $1.1 million in expenses related to the sale of the assets of our insurance company and $3.0 million in merger related expenses. Non-routine expenses in 2017 included $19.0 million in a tax charge due to tax reform, $2.0 million in legal costs related to the aforementioned legal matter, and $1.3 million in secondary offering expenses.

Our efficiency ratio⁽¹⁾ was 53.55% for 2018, an improvement over the 54.77% efficiency ratio for 2017. Our adjusted efficiency ratio⁽¹⁾ was 49.56% for 2018, an improvement over the 54.12% efficiency ratio for 2017. Adjusted efficiency ratios excluded the impact of the non-routine items.

Our total loans, net of unearned income, increased $1.8 billion, or 21.8%, from December 31, 2017 to $10.1 billion at December 31, 2018, which was driven by originated loan growth of $1.7 billion and approximately $214 million in acquired mortgage loans as a complement to our CRA lending. Our organic loan growth reflects increases in general C&I, commercial real estate, residential portfolios and small business lending.

From an asset quality perspective, total nonperforming assets (“NPAs”) as a percent of total loans, OREO and other NPAs remained relatively stable ending the year at 0.82% compared to 0.85% as of December 31, 2017. NPAs totaled $82.4 million and $70.7 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Our allowance for credit losses increased $6.8 million, or 7.8%, from $87.6 million at December 31, 2017 to $94.4 million at December 31, 2018, and represented approximately 1.0% of total loans at December 31, 2018 and 2017.

Total deposits increased $1.70 billion, or 18.8%, to $10.71 billion, at December 31, 2018, from $9.01 billion at December 31, 2017. Over the same period, noninterest-bearing deposits increased $211.3 million, or 9.4%, and comprised 22.9% and 24.9% of total deposits at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Interest-bearing deposits increased $1.49 billion, or 22.0%, and comprised 77.1% and 75.1% of total deposits at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. There was an increase in brokered deposits of $240.7 million from December 31, 2017.

Our Tier 1 leverage ratio decreased 60 basis points, total risk-based capital ratio decreased 100 basis points and Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio decreased 80 basis points from December 31, 2017. We met all capital adequacy requirements and both Cadence and the Bank continued to exceed the requirements to be considered well-capitalized under regulatory guidelines as of December 31, 2018.

We operate Cadence Bancorporation through three operating segments: Banking, Financial Services and Corporate.

Our Banking Segment includes our Commercial Banking, Retail Banking and Private Banking lines of business. Our Commercial Banking line of business includes a general business services component primarily focusing on commercial and industrial (“C&I”), community banking, business banking and commercial real estate lending and treasury management services to clients in our geographic footprint in Texas and the southeast United States. In addition, our Commercial Banking line of business includes within C&I a separate component that focuses on select industries (which we refer to as our “specialized industries”) in which we believe we have specialized experience and service capabilities, including restaurant industry, healthcare and technology. We serve clients in these specialized industries both within our geographic footprint and throughout the United States as a result of the national orientation of many of these businesses. Energy lending is also an important part of our business as energy production and energy related industries are meaningful contributors to the economy in certain of our primary markets. Our Retail Banking line of business offers a broad range of retail banking services including mortgage services through our branch network to serve the needs of consumer and small businesses in our geographic footprint. Our Private Banking line of business offers banking services and loan products tailored to the needs of our high-net worth clients in our geographic footprint.

Our Financial Services Segment includes our Trust, Retail Brokerage, Investment Services and Insurance businesses; however, we sold the assets of our insurance subsidiary during 2018. These businesses offer products independently to their own customers as well as to Banking Segment clients. Investment Services operates through the “Linscomb & Williams” name and Insurance operated though the “Cadence Insurance” name. The products offered by the businesses in our Financial Services Segment primarily generate non-banking service fee income. Our Corporate Segment reflects parent-only activities, including debt and capital raising, and intercompany eliminations.

While this section reviews financial performance from a business segment perspective, it should be read in conjunction with the discussion of Results of Operations, and our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for a full understanding of our consolidated financial performance.

Business segment results are determined based upon our management reporting system, which assigns balance sheet and income statement items to each of the business segments. The process is based on our organizational and management structure and, accordingly, the results derived are not necessarily comparable with similar information published by other financial institutions and the results are not necessarily prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

The following table presents the operating results of our segments for the periods presented:

Our Banking Segment is our largest business segment and generates the majority of our net income. Net income for the Banking Segment was $174.3 million, $103.9 million and $69.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The Banking Segment’s net income for 2017 includes a one-time tax charge (the “one-time tax charge”) of $20.0 million related to the Tax Cut and Jobs Act (‘Tax Reform”) enacted on December 22, 2017. For additional discussion, please see “—Income Tax Expense.”

Our Banking Segment’s net income is composed of net interest earned on our loan and investment portfolios, in addition to service fees and revenue from our deposit and loan customers. The Banking Segment expense includes all interest expense on our deposit accounts and other bank liabilities, operational and administrative expenses related to the business conducted in this segment and the provision for credit losses on our loan portfolio. All of these income and expense components, including noninterest expense, are discussed in greater detail elsewhere in this section.

Our Financial Services Segment primarily generates non-banking fee revenue from trust services, insurance, investment and retail brokerage services. Net income for the Financial Services Segment was $4.8 million, $8.4 million and $6.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The decline in net income from 2017 to 2018 is related to the sale of the assets of our insurance subsidiary. For additional discussion, please see “—Noninterest income” and “—Noninterest expense.” The Financial Services Segment’s net income for 2017 includes a one-time tax credit of $0.4 million related to Tax Reform.

The loss in our Corporate Segment is primarily driven by the interest expense on our corporate senior and subordinated debt. Net loss for the Corporate Segment was $(12.8) million, $(10.0) million and $(10.4) million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. For additional discussion, please refer to “—Net interest income” and “—Borrowing.” The Corporate Segment’s net income for 2017 includes a one-time tax credit of $0.6 million related Tax Reform.

Our net income for 2018 totaled $166.3 million compared to $102.4 million and $65.8 million for 2017 and 2016, respectively.

The largest component of our net income is net interest income, which is the difference between the income earned on interest-earning assets and interest paid on deposits and borrowings. We manage our interest-earning assets and funding sources to maximize our net interest margin. (See “—Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk” for a discussion regarding our interest rate risk). Net interest income is determined by the rates earned on our interest-earning assets, rates paid on our interest-bearing liabilities, the relative amounts of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, the degree of mismatch and the maturity and re-pricing characteristics of our interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. Net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets represents our net interest margin. The yield on our net earning assets less the yield on our interest bearing liabilities represents our net interest spread.

Interest earned on our loan portfolio is the largest component of our interest income. Our originated and acquired non-credit impaired loans (“ANCI”) portfolios are presented at the principal amount outstanding net of deferred origination fees and unamortized discounts and premiums. Interest income is recognized based on the principal balance outstanding and the stated rate of the loan. Loan origination fees and certain direct origination costs are capitalized and recognized as an adjustment of the yield on the related loan. ANCI loans acquired through our acquisitions were initially recorded at fair value. Discounts or premiums created when the loans were recorded at their estimated fair values at acquisition are being accreted over the remaining term of the loan as an adjustment to the related loan’s yield.

The performance of loans within our ACI portfolio impacts interest income as the remaining discounts and proceeds received in excess of expected cash flow are realized in interest income when these loans are closed through payoff, charge off, workout, sale or foreclosure. At acquisition, the expected shortfall in future cash flows on our ACI portfolio, as compared to the contractual amount due, was recognized as a non-accretable discount. Any excess of expected cash flows over the acquisition date fair value is known as the accretable discount, and is recognized as accretion income over the life of each pool or individual ACI loan. Expected cash flows over the acquisition date fair value are re-estimated quarterly utilizing the same cash flow methodology used at the time of acquisition. Any subsequent decreases to the expected cash flows will generally result in a provision for credit losses charge in the consolidated statements of income. Conversely, subsequent increases in expected cash flows result in a transfer from the non-accretable discount to the accretable discount, which has a positive impact on accretion income prospectively.

The following table summarizes the amount of interest income related to our ACI portfolio for the periods presented:

As of December 31, 2018, the weighted average contractual interest rate on the remaining active ACI portfolio loans was approximately 5.06%.

The following table is a rollforward of the accretable difference on our ACI portfolio for the periods indicated:

Our net interest income, fully-tax equivalent (FTE), for 2018 and 2017 was $390.3 million and $333.4 million, respectively, an increase of $56.9 million. Our net interest margin for 2018 and 2017 was 3.61% and 3.57%, respectively, an increase of 4 basis points. The yield on our total loan portfolio increased 57 basis points to 5.16% for 2018 compared to 4.59% for 2017 due to an increase in the rate and volume of our originated portfolio. The following table sets forth, on a tax equivalent basis, the components of our net interest income with the effect that the varying levels of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and the applicable rates have had on changes in net interest income for 2018 and 2017:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2018 vs. 2017
	Net Interest Income				Increase			Changes Due To⁽¹⁾
(In thousands)	2018		2017		(Decrease)			Rate			Volume
Increase (decrease) in:
Income from interest-earning assets:
Interest and fees on loans:
Originated and ANCI loans	$	448,084	$	327,857	$	120,227		$	56,509		$	63,718
ACI portfolio		22,060		31,451		(9,391	)		(3,706	)		(5,685	)
Interest on securities:
Taxable		23,793		18,089		5,704			1,916			3,788
Tax-exempt ⁽²⁾		12,078		20,554		(8,476	)		(3,276	)		(5,201	)
Interest on fed funds and short-term investments		6,930		3,336		3,594			1,638			1,956
Interest on other investments		2,258		2,774		(516	)		(761	)		246
Total interest income		515,203		404,061		111,142			52,320			58,822
Expense from interest-bearing liabilities:
Interest on demand deposits		57,795		27,030		30,765			26,430			4,335
Interest on savings deposits		560		456		104			105			(1	)
Interest on time deposits		42,093		22,213		19,880			13,118			6,762
Interest on other borrowings		14,678		11,644		3,034			599			2,436
Interest on subordinated debentures		9,799		9,308		491			440			51
Total interest expense		124,925		70,651		54,274			40,692			13,583
Net interest income	$	390,278	$	333,410	$	56,868		$	11,628		$	45,239

Our total interest income (FTE) for 2018 totaled $515.2 million compared to $404.1 million in 2017. This increase is primarily the result of an increase in the volume and yield of our originated loans. The yield on our originated loan portfolio reflects an increase in LIBOR and other index rates in our loan portfolio. The lower FTE yield on our tax-exempt securities reflects the lower Federal tax rate of 21% in 2018 compared to 35% in 2017. In addition, the volume of our securities decreased during 2018 compared to 2017 due to the rebalancing of the municipal securities portfolio which occurred in the second quarter of 2018.

The yield on our ACI portfolio fluctuates due to the volume and timing of cash flows received or expected to be received. The yield on our ACI portfolio for the year ended December 31, 2018 was 9.44% compared to 10.82% for the year ended December 31, 2017. During the year ended December 31, 2018, interest income on the ACI portfolio included $2.2 million in discount and recovery income, compared to $8.1 million for 2017. These amounts were realized on certain individual loans that were settled before expected, or where we received amounts above our estimates. Excluding these amounts, the yield on our ACI loans would have been 8.47% for 2018 compared to 8.02% for 2017. Our total loan yield, excluding this recovery income, would have been 5.13% and 4.49% for 2018 and 2017.

Our interest expense for 2018 and 2017 was $124.9 million and $70.7 million, respectively, an increase of $54.3 million. This increase is primarily related to the impact of higher market rates on our interest-bearing demand accounts and time deposits. Our cost of interest bearing deposits increased to 1.38% for 2018 compared to 0.80% for 2017. Our cost of borrowings increased to 4.33% from 4.25% reflecting an increase in interest rates from the prior period and a higher volume of short-term advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”).

The following table presents, on a tax equivalent basis, for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, our average balance sheet and our average yields on assets and average costs of liabilities. Average yields are calculated by dividing income or expense by the average balance of the corresponding assets or liabilities. Average balances have been calculated on a daily basis, except for ACI loans, which is a monthly average.

	Years Ended December 31,
	2018									2017
	Average Balance			Income / Expense			Yield / Rate			Average Balance			Income / Expense			Yield / Rate
ASSETS
Interest-earning assets:
Loans, net of unearned income⁽¹⁾
Originated and ANCI loans	$	8,882,806		$	448,084			5.04	%	$	7,535,099		$	327,857			4.35	%
ACI portfolio		233,796			22,060			9.44			290,664			31,451			10.82
Total loans		9,116,602			470,144			5.16			7,825,763			359,308			4.59
Investment securities
Taxable		888,341			23,793			2.68			747,590			18,089			2.42
Tax-exempt ⁽²⁾		292,282			12,077			4.13			408,229			20,554			5.03
Total investment securities		1,180,623			35,870			3.04			1,155,819			38,643			3.34
Federal funds sold and short-term investments		465,554			6,930			1.49			313,683			3,336			1.06
Other investments		54,538			2,259			4.14			49,781			2,774			5.57
Total interest-earning assets		10,817,317			515,203			4.76			9,345,046			404,061			4.32
Noninterest-earning assets:
Cash and due from banks		79,560									60,108
Premises and equipment		62,841									65,428
Accrued interest and other assets		629,108									640,075
Allowance for credit losses		(90,813	)								(90,621	)
Total assets	$	11,498,013								$	10,020,036
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Demand deposits	$	4,983,113			57,795			1.16		$	4,360,252			27,030			0.62
Savings deposits		181,194			560			0.31			181,500			456			0.25
Time deposits		2,119,543			42,093			1.99			1,679,959			22,213			1.32
Total interest-bearing deposits		7,283,850			100,448			1.38			6,221,711			49,699			0.80
Other borrowings		430,159			14,678			3.41			358,413			11,644			3.25
Subordinated debentures		135,499			9,799			7.23			134,783			9,308			6.91
Total interest-bearing liabilities		7,849,508			124,925			1.59			6,714,907			70,651			1.05
Noninterest-bearing liabilities:
Demand deposits		2,137,953									1,965,070
Accrued interest and other liabilities		133,081									86,198
Total liabilities		10,120,542									8,766,175
Shareholders' equity		1,377,471									1,253,861
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$	11,498,013								$	10,020,036
Net interest income/net interest spread					390,278			3.17	%					333,410			3.27	%
Net yield on earning assets/net interest margin								3.61	%								3.57	%
Taxable equivalent adjustment:
Investment securities					(2,537	)								(7,194	)
Net interest income				$	387,741								$	326,216

Our net interest income, fully-tax equivalent (FTE), for 2017 and 2016 was $333.4 million and $284.2 million, respectively, an increase of $49.3 million. Our net interest margin for 2017 and 2016 was 3.57% and 3.30%, respectively, an increase of 27 basis points. The yield on our total loan portfolio increased 34 basis points to 4.59% for 2017 compared to 4.25% for 2016 due to an increase in the rate and volume of our originated portfolio, partially offset by the decline of our higher yielding ACI portfolio. The following table sets forth, on a tax equivalent basis, the components of our net interest income with the effect that the varying levels of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and the applicable rates have had on changes in net interest income for 2017 and 2016:

	Years Ended December 31,
	2017 vs. 2016
	Net Interest Income				Increase			Changes Due To⁽¹⁾
(In thousands)	2017		2016		(Decrease)			Rate			Volume
Increase (decrease) in:
Income from interest-earning assets:
Interest and fees on loans:
Originated and ANCI loans	$	327,857	$	268,984	$	58,873		$	28,734		$	30,139
ACI portfolio		31,451		36,569		(5,118	)		3,716			(8,834	)
Interest on securities:
Taxable		18,089		15,838		2,251			1,756			495
Tax-exempt ⁽²⁾		20,554		13,464		7,090			456			6,634
Interest on fed funds and short-term investments		3,336		2,419		917			1,318			(401	)
Interest on other investments		2,774		2,688		86			(109	)		195
Total interest income		404,061		339,962		64,099			35,871			28,228
Expense from interest-bearing liabilities:
Interest on demand deposits		27,030		17,832		9,198			8,137			1,061
Interest on savings deposits		456		423		33			23			10
Interest on time deposits		22,213		17,191		5,022			4,875			147
Interest on other borrowings		11,644		11,215		429			(902	)		1,331
Interest on subordinated debentures		9,308		9,150		158			106			52
Total interest expense		70,651		55,811		14,840			12,239			2,601
Net interest income	$	333,410	$	284,151	$	49,259		$	23,632		$	25,627

Our total interest income (FTE) for 2017 totaled $404.1 million compared to $340.0 million in 2016. This increase is primarily the result of an increase in the volume and yield of our originated loans offset by declines in the volume and yield of our ACI portfolio and an increase in the volume and yield of our investment portfolio. The year-over-year increase in yield is primarily a result of our asset sensitive balance sheet and earning asset yields increasing as a result of the recent rising rate environment.

The yield on our ACI portfolio fluctuates due to the volume and timing of cash flows received or expected to be received. The yield on our ACI portfolio for the year ended December 31, 2017 was 10.82% compared to 9.75% for the year ended December 31, 2016. During the year ended December 31, 2017, interest income on the ACI portfolio included $8.1 million in discount and recovery income, compared to $5.7 million for 2016. These amounts were realized on certain individual loans that were settled before expected, or where we received amounts above our estimates. Excluding these recovery income amounts, the yield on our ACI loans would have been 8.02% for 2017 compared to 8.23% for 2016. Our total loan yield, excluding these amounts, would have been 4.49% and 4.17% for 2017 and 2016.

Our interest expense for 2017 and 2016 was $70.7 million and $55.8 million, respectively, an increase of $14.9 million. This increase is primarily related to higher market rates on our interest bearing demand accounts and time deposits. Our cost of interest bearing deposits increased to 0.80% for 2017 compared to 0.59% for 2016. Our cost of borrowings declined to 4.25% from 4.50% reflecting the repurchase of our senior debt and increases in lower cost FHLB advances.

The following table presents, on a tax equivalent basis, for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, our average balance sheet and our average yields on assets and average costs of liabilities. Average yields are calculated by dividing income or expense by the average balance of the corresponding assets or liabilities. Average balances have been calculated on a daily basis, except for ACI loans, which is a monthly average.

	Years Ended December 31,
	2017									2016
	Average			Income/			Yield/			Average			Income/			Yield/
(In thousands)	Balance			Expense			Rate			Balance			Expense			Rate
ASSETS
Interest-earning assets:
Loans, net of unearned income⁽¹⁾
Originated and ANCI loans	$	7,535,099		$	327,857			4.35	%	$	6,811,616		$	268,984			3.95	%
ACI portfolio		290,664			31,451			10.82			375,019			36,569			9.75
Total loans		7,825,763			359,308			4.59			7,186,635			305,553			4.25
Investment securities
Taxable		747,590			18,089			2.42			725,100			15,838			2.18
Tax-exempt ⁽²⁾		408,229			20,554			5.03			276,217			13,464			4.87
Total investment securities		1,155,819			38,643			3.34			1,001,317			29,302			2.93
Federal funds sold and short-term investments		313,683			3,336			1.06			368,669			2,419			0.66
Other investments		49,781			2,774			5.57			46,364			2,688			5.80
Total interest-earning assets		9,345,046			404,061			4.32			8,602,985			339,962			3.95
Noninterest-earning assets:
Cash and due from banks		60,108									47,569
Premises and equipment		65,428									69,290
Accrued interest and other assets		640,075									642,049
Allowance for credit losses		(90,621	)								(90,264	)
Total assets	$	10,020,036								$	9,271,629
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Demand deposits	$	4,360,252		$	27,030			0.62	%	$	4,122,667		$	17,832			0.43	%
Savings deposits		181,500			456			0.25			178,397			423			0.24
Time deposits		1,679,959			22,213			1.32			1,665,833			17,191			1.03
Total interest-bearing deposits		6,221,711			49,699			0.80			5,966,897			35,446			0.59
Other borrowings		358,413			11,644			3.25			318,668			11,215			3.52
Subordinated debentures		134,783			9,308			6.91			134,017			9,150			6.83
Total interest-bearing liabilities		6,714,907			70,651			1.05			6,419,582			55,811			0.87
Noninterest-bearing liabilities:
Demand deposits		1,965,070									1,688,405
Accrued interest and other liabilities		86,198									70,038
Total liabilities		8,766,175									8,178,025
Shareholders' equity		1,253,861									1,093,604
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$	10,020,036								$	9,271,629
Net interest income/net interest spread					333,410			3.27	%					284,151			3.08	%
Net yield on earning assets/net interest margin								3.57	%								3.30	%
Taxable equivalent adjustment:
Investment securities					(7,194	)								(4,712	)
Net interest income				$	326,216								$	279,439

The provision for credit losses is based on management’s quarterly assessment of the adequacy of our allowance for credit losses (“ACL”) which, in turn, is based on such factors as the composition of our loan portfolio and its inherent risk characteristics, the level of nonperforming loans and net charge-offs, both current and historic, local economic and credit conditions, the direction of collateral values, and regulatory guidelines. The provision for credit losses is charged against earnings in order to maintain our allowance for credit losses, which reflects management’s best estimate of probable losses inherent in our loan portfolio at the balance sheet date (see “—Allowance for Credit Losses”).

Under accounting standards for business combinations, acquired loans are recorded at fair value with no credit loss allowance on the date of acquisition. A provision for credit losses is recorded in periods after the date of acquisition for the emergence of new probable and estimable losses on acquired non-credit impaired (“ANCI”) loans. A provision for credit losses is recognized on our ACI loans after the date of acquisition based on the re-estimation of expected cash flows. See “—Asset Quality” and “—Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates.”

The provision for credit losses totaled $12.7 million for 2018 compared to $9.7 million and $49.3 million for 2017 and 2016, respectively. The following is a summary of our provision for credit losses for the periods indicated presented by originated, ANCI and ACI portfolios:

	Years Ended December 31,
(In thousands)	2018			2017			2016
Originated Loans
Commercial and industrial	$	16,306		$	5,273		$	46,024
Commercial real estate		(1,113	)		2,623			2,378
Consumer		(1,062	)		3,044			1,772
Small business		(72	)		568			2,681
Total originated loans		14,059			11,508			52,855
ANCI Loans
Commercial and industrial		(645	)		613			(169	)
Commercial real estate		(201	)		(139	)		(85	)
Consumer		458			126			225
Small business		(199	)		(199	)		(10	)
Total ANCI		(587	)		401			(39	)
ACI Loans
Commercial and industrial		47			(3	)		(2,073	)
Commercial real estate		(523	)		(747	)		(904	)
Consumer		(296	)		(1,424	)		(491	)
Small business		—			—			—
Total ACI		(772	)		(2,174	)		(3,468	)
Total Loans
Commercial and industrial		15,708			5,883			43,782
Commercial real estate		(1,837	)		1,737			1,389
Consumer		(900	)		1,746			1,506
Small business		(271	)		369			2,671
Total provision for credit losses	$	12,700		$	9,735		$	49,348

Our originated and ANCI loan portfolios are divided into commercial and consumer segments. The commercial allowance estimate is driven by loan level risk ratings. The consumer allowance estimate uses pool level historical loss rates based on certain credit attributes. The primary driver of the originated ACL is the underlying credit quality of the loans, which have seen credit risk migration trends as the portfolio has become more seasoned. We recognized $12.7 million in provision during 2018, which included $14.1 million provision related to the originated portfolio. The $14.1 million in originated loan provision for 2018 is primarily attributable to robust loan growth within the originated portfolios, some credit migration within the General C&I and Restaurant portfolios as these loans have become more seasoned, as well as some changes seen in the qualitative factors related to economic conditions such as oil prices and market volatility.

We recognized $9.7 million in provision during 2017, which included $11.5 million provision related to the originated portfolio. The $11.5 million in originated loan provision for 2017 is primarily attributable to loan growth within the originated Specialty Lending and CRE portfolios, as well as some credit migration within the General C&I and Consumer portfolios as these loans become more seasoned.

We recognized $49.3 million in provision during 2016, which included $52.9 million provision related to the originated portfolio. Of the $52.9 million in originated loan provision for 2016, approximately $29.0 million was attributable to our energy credits which included net charge-offs of two energy credits totaling $31.6 million, partially offset by $2.6 million related to positive energy credit migration in the latter part of 2016. An additional $12.2 million in provision was attributable to a single credit in the healthcare sector, and approximately $11.7 million of provision was related to loan growth and other routine credit migration.

The provision for credit losses (impairment reversal) on our ACI portfolio was $(0.8) million for 2018 compared to $(2.2) million for 2017 and $(3.5) million for 2016. These amounts are primarily related to changes in credit quality and payments received in excess of expected cash flows in the commercial real estate portfolio in 2018, the residential real estate portfolio in 2017 and the C&I portfolio in 2016.

Noninterest income is a component of our revenue and is comprised primarily of income generated from the services we provide our customers.

Noninterest income totaled $94.6 million for 2018 compared to $99.9 million for 2017. This decrease in revenue is attributable to insurance revenue and bankcard fees.

Investment Advisory Revenue. This revenue is comprised largely of investment management and financial planning revenues generated through our subsidiary L&W. Investment advisory revenue grew 4% during 2018 primarily due to growth in assets under management due to both new customer origination and portfolio/market improvements.

Trust Services Revenue. We earn fees from our customers for trust services. During 2018 these fees declined by 7.8% primarily due to the transfer of certain deposit relationships from trust to treasury management. Additionally, the volatility in the equity markets and estate tax reform have slowed the pace of personal trust growth.

Credit-Related Fees. Our credit-related fees primarily include fees related to credit advisory services and unfunded commitment fees. For 2018, credit-related fees increased 32.5% primarily as a result of an increase in unfunded commitment and letter of credit fees resulting from growth in our commercial lending.

Insurance Revenue. The decrease in insurance revenue of 63.7% is the result of the sale of the assets of Cadence Insurance in the second quarter of 2018.

Bankcard Fees. Our bankcard fees are comprised primarily of ATM network fees and debit card revenue. Our bankcard fees of $6.0 million for 2018 decreased 18.6% compared to 2017 primarily due to decreased interchange fee rates resulting from imposition of the Durbin Amendment limitation on these fees beginning in the third quarter of 2018, as a result of regulation associated with exceeding $10 billion in assets.

Other Noninterest Income .Other noninterest income decreased 22.3% in 2018 primarily as a result of$1.9 million in securities losses, net.

Noninterest income totaled $99.9 million for 2017 compared to $88.4 million for 2016. This increase in revenue is attributable to investment advisory revenue, trust services income, service charges on deposits and credit-related fees.

Investment Advisory Revenue. Our investment advisory revenue is comprised largely of investment management and financial planning revenues generated through our subsidiary L&W. Investment advisory revenue increased 9.1% for 2017 primarily due to growth in assets under management due to both new customer origination and portfolio/market improvements.

Trust Services Revenue. For 2017, trust fees increased $3.2 million or 19.6%. The increase was related to customer expansion as assets under management increased during 2017.

Service Charges on Deposit Accounts. For 2017, service charges and fees totaled $15.3 million, an increase of 10.7%, primarily due to an increase in account analysis fees resulting from expanded Treasury Management services.

Credit-Related Fees. Our credit-related fees primarily include fees related to credit advisory services and unfunded commitment fees. For 2017, credit-related fees increased 13.4% primarily as a result of an increase in unfunded commitment, capital market and letter of credit fees related to our corporate banking growth.

Other Noninterest Income. The increase in other income for 2017 is primarily related to the increase in equity investments in certain limited partnership investments, a $1.1 million gain on the sale of the assets of a specialty insurance unit, gain on the sale of a commercial loan, partially offset by a decline in the estimated fair value of a net profits interests in oil and gas reserves due to lower forecasted production.

Noninterest expense was $258.3 million for 2018 compared to $233.4 million for 2017. The increase of $24.9 million, or 10.7%, for 2018, compared to 2017 reflects increases in our growth while maintaining our broad efforts to manage expenses.

Salaries and Employee Benefits. Salaries and employee benefit costs are the largest component of noninterest expense and include employee payroll expense, incentive compensation, health insurance, benefit plans and payroll taxes. Salaries and employee benefits increased $15.8 million, or 11.3%, for 2018, compared to 2017, largely due to short- and long-term incentive costs, as well $9.8 million of specially-designated bonuses, as salary expense remained relatively level. The increase in long-term incentive costs is related to achieving higher levels of performance targets and higher corporate valuation; the short-term incentive is related to business growth. The $9.8 million specially designated bonuses, were granted by the Board of Directors after the Compensation Committee consulted with an independent compensation consultant who identified a strategy for a normalized approach to performance pay programs in comparison to peers and to enhance retention and continuity of senior management. Further, the specially designated bonuses recognized the multi-year performance of management and addressed a design feature of the 2016 performance stock unit awards that caused the awards to not vest despite management’s achievement of performance objectives underlying the awards The following table provides additional detail of our salaries and employee benefits expense for the periods presented:

Premises and Equipment. Rent expense, depreciation and maintenance costs comprise the majority of this expense. The 2018 increase of 5.4% resulted from increased maintenance costs and new equipment.

Merger Related Expenses. In 2018, the Company incurred acquisition costs related to the pending merger with State Bank.

Intangible Asset Amortization. In conjunction with our acquisitions, we recorded core deposit and other customer intangible assets of approximately $66.0 million, which are being amortized on an accelerated basis over a seven- to ten-year period.

Data Processing. Data processing expense for our operating systems totaled $8.8 million for 2018, an increase of 15.6%. The increase reflects growth in our business as well as implementations and enhancement of various technologies.

Consulting and Professional Services. For 2018, our consulting and professional services increased $4.2 million, or 46.1%, compared to 2017 as a result of the costs of secondary stock offerings and the engagement of outside consultants related to regulatory compliance and additional costs of being a public company.

Other Noninterest Expenses. Other noninterest expense categories remained consistent with modest increases in loan related expenses, FDIC insurance, advertising and public relations and other expense, offset by decreases in net cost of operations of other real estate owned, communications and legal expenses.

Noninterest expense was $233.4 million for 2017 compared to $220.2 million for 2016. The increase of $13.2 million, or 6.0%, for 2017, compared to 2016 reflects increases in our growth while maintaining our broad efforts to manage expenses.

Premises and Equipment. Rent, depreciation and maintenance costs comprise the majority of occupancy and equipment expenses, which increased 3.4%, for 2017. The increase includes the increase in certain maintenance costs and the effect of a one-time lease termination credit recognized in 2016.

Data Processing. Data processing expense for our operating systems totaled $7.6 million for 2017, an increase of 20.9%. The increase reflect growth in our business as well as implementations and enhancement of various technologies.

Consulting and Professional Services. For 2017, our consulting and professional services increased $2.4 million, or 35.1%, compared to 2016 as a result of the engagement of outside consultants related to regulatory compliance and additional costs of being a public company.

Insurance. For 2017 and 2016, FDIC insurance expense totaled $4.3 million and $7.2, respectively. The decrease is due to the increase in our levels of capital and the reduction in our nonperforming loans and brokered deposits.

Legal Expenses. For 2017, our legal fees increased $1.6 million, or 57.1%, compared to 2016, primarily due to $2.7 million in legal costs associated with certain pre-acquisition related litigation and contingencies related to a legacy acquired bank.

Other Noninterest Expenses. Other noninterest expense categories remained consistent with modest increases in communications and advertising and public relations, offset by decreases in net cost of operations of other real estate owned, loan related expenses and other expenses.

Income tax expense for 2018 was $45.1 million compared to $80.6 million and $32.5 million for 2017 and 2016, respectively. The effective tax rate was 21.3% for 2018 compared to 44.1% and 33.1% for 2017 and 2016, respectively. The decrease in the effective tax rate for 2018 compared to 2017 and 2016 was due to the decrease in the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate from 35% to 21% which became effective January 1, 2018, as a result of the Tax Cut and Jobs Act (“Tax Reform”) enacted on December 22, 2017. See Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements and “— Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” for additional disclosures and discussion regarding income taxes.

Our effective tax rate is impacted by pre-tax income, tax-exempt income, and the increase in the cash surrender value of bank-owned life insurance. The effective tax rate is also affected by discrete items that may occur in any given period, but are not consistent from period to period, which may impact the comparability of the effective tax rate between periods.

The following table summarizes selected components of our balance sheet as of the periods indicated.

	As of December 31,						Average Balance for the Year Ended December 31,
(In thousands)	2018		2017		2016		2018		2017		2016
Total assets	$	12,730,285	$	10,948,926	$	9,530,888	$	11,498,013	$	10,020,036	$	9,271,629
Total interest-earning assets		11,899,165		10,120,137		8,832,706		10,817,317		9,345,046		8,602,985
Total interest-bearing liabilities		8,726,443		7,239,564		6,507,506		7,849,508		6,714,907		6,419,582
Short-term and other investments		592,690		542,113		242,401		465,554		363,464		415,033
Securities available-for-sale		1,187,252		1,257,063		1,133,780		1,180,623		1,155,819		1,001,317
Loans, net of unearned income		10,053,923		8,253,427		7,432,711		9,116,602		7,825,763		7,186,635
Goodwill		307,083		317,817		318,817		311,494		317,817		317,817
Noninterest-bearing deposits		2,454,016		2,242,765		1,840,955		2,137,953		1,965,070		1,688,405
Interest-bearing deposits		8,254,673		6,768,750		6,175,794		7,283,850		6,221,711		5,966,897
Borrowings and subordinated debentures		471,770		470,814		331,712		565,658		493,196		452,685
Shareholders' equity		1,438,274		1,359,056		1,080,498		1,377,471		1,253,861		1,093,604

Our securities available-for-sale portfolio decreased by $69.8 million, or 5.6%, during 2018. Approximately $187.8 million of available-for-sale investment securities were sold during 2018 in an effort to rebalance the portfolio and reduce the target concentration of tax free municipal securities. At December 31, 2018, our securities portfolio was 10.0% of our total interest-earning assets and produced an average taxable equivalent yield of 3.04% for 2018 compared to 3.34% and 2.93% for 2017 and 2016, respectively.

The following table sets forth the fair value of the available-for-sale securities at the dates indicated:

	As of December 31,						Percent Change
(In thousands)	2018		2017		2016		2018 vs 2017			2017 vs 2016
Investment securities available-for-sale:
U.S. Treasury securities	$	96,785	$	96,844	$	96,785		(0.1	)%		0.1	%
Obligations of U.S. government agencies		61,007		81,224		97,528		(24.9	)		(16.7	)
Mortgage-backed securities issued or guaranteed by U.S. agencies (MBS):
Residential pass-through:
Guaranteed by GNMA		83,105		106,027		153,153		(21.6	)		(30.8	)
Issued by FNMA and FHLMC		585,201		430,422		265,328		36.0			62.2
Other residential mortgage-backed securities		35,169		46,392		47,561		(24.2	)		(2.5	)
Commercial mortgage-backed securities		109,415		72,195		62,613		51.6			15.3
Total MBS		812,890		655,036		528,655		24.1			23.9
Obligations of states and municipal subdivisions		216,570		423,959		410,812		(48.9	)		3.2
Total investment securities available-for-sale	$	1,187,252	$	1,257,063	$	1,133,780		(5.6	)%		10.9	%

See “—Maturity Distribution of Investment Securities,” for information regarding the contractual maturities and duration of our investment securities portfolio.

The following table summarizes the investment securities with unrealized losses determined to be temporarily impaired at December 31, 2018 by aggregated major security type and length of time in a continuous unrealized loss position:

None of the unrealized losses relate to the marketability of the securities or the issuer’s ability to honor redemption of the obligations. We have adequate liquidity, no plans to sell securities and the ability and intent to hold securities to maturity resulting in full recovery of the indicated impairment. Accordingly, the unrealized losses on these securities have been determined to be temporary.

We originate commercial and industrial loans, commercial real estate loans (including construction loans), residential mortgages and other consumer loans. A strong emphasis is placed on the commercial portfolio, consisting of commercial and industrial and commercial real estate loan types, with 75% and 76% of the portfolio residing in these loan types as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Our commercial portfolio is further diversified by industry concentration and includes loans to clients in specialized industries, including restaurant, healthcare and technology. Additional commercial lending activities include energy, construction, general corporate loans, business banking and community banking loans. Mortgage, wealth management and retail make up the majority of the consumer portfolio.

Total loans at December 31, 2018 increased $1.8 billion or 21.8% from December 31, 2017. Loan growth was driven by an increase in energy, specialized, real estate and general C&I loans.

The following table presents total loans outstanding by portfolio component and class of financing receivable using a risk-based perspective of the loan portfolio. Total loan balances include originated, ANCI loans and ACI loans combined. The subsequent table presents the ACI loans separately.

	Total Loans as of December 31,
(In thousands)	2018			2017			2016			2015			2014
Commercial and Industrial
General C&I	$	3,275,362		$	2,746,454		$	2,416,665		$	2,383,348		$	1,935,457
Energy sector		1,285,775			935,371			939,369			1,067,990			1,088,691
Restaurant industry		1,096,366			1,035,538			864,085			626,197			513,368
Healthcare		539,839			416,423			445,103			461,903			392,731
Total commercial and industrial		6,197,342			5,133,786			4,665,222			4,539,438			3,930,247
Commercial Real Estate
Income producing		1,266,791			1,082,929			1,001,703			831,362			817,598
Land and development		63,948			75,472			71,004			64,546			82,974
Total commercial real estate		1,330,739			1,158,401			1,072,707			895,908			900,572
Consumer
Residential real estate		2,227,653			1,690,814			1,457,170			1,256,850			1,166,808
Other		67,100			74,922			68,689			93,293			98,331
Total consumer		2,294,753			1,765,736			1,525,859			1,350,143			1,265,139
Small Business Lending		266,283			221,855			193,641			151,342			120,478
Total (Gross of Unearned Discount and Fees)		10,089,117			8,279,778			7,457,429			6,936,831			6,216,436
Unearned Discount and Fees		(35,194	)		(26,351	)		(24,718	)		(20,311	)		(23,643	)
Total (Net of Unearned Discount and Fees)	$	10,053,923		$	8,253,427		$	7,432,711		$	6,916,520		$	6,192,793

	Total ACI loans as of December 31,
(In thousands)	2018			2017			2016			2015			2014
Commercial and Industrial
General C&I	$	16,807		$	23,428		$	31,709		$	55,278		$	79,277
Healthcare		—			6,149			6,338			6,715			6,873
Total commercial and industrial		16,807			29,577			38,047			61,993			86,150
Commercial Real Estate
Income producing		65,427			79,861			96,673			129,914			210,724
Land and development		—			—			1,497			4,581			24,357
Total commercial real estate		65,427			79,861			98,170			134,495			235,081
Consumer
Residential real estate		120,495			149,942			186,375			235,131			306,232
Other		546			1,180			1,690			2,525			4,188
Total consumer		121,041			151,122			188,065			237,656			310,420
Total	$	203,275		$	260,560		$	324,282		$	434,144		$	631,651
Percent to total loans		2.02	%		3.16	%		4.36	%		6.28	%		10.20	%

Commercial and Industrial. Total C&I loans increased by $1.1 billion, or 20.7% from December 31, 2017 to December 31, 2018. C&I loans represented 61.6% of the total loan portfolio at December 31, 2018, compared to 62.0% of total loans at December 31, 2017.

As of December 31, 2018, 89.2% of the shared national credit (“SNC”) portfolio, or $2.4 billion, resides in the commercial and industrial segment of the loan portfolio, on a loan balance basis. The largest category of SNC’s is the Energy sector, representing 33% of the SNC portfolio, or $864.9 million as of December 31, 2018, compared to 24% of the SNC portfolio, or $716 million as of December 31, 2017. The next largest category of SNC is the General C&I category of all SNC’s, or $819.0 million, as of December 31, 2018. The remaining amount of the shared national credit portfolio can be found in the other C&I categories and, to a lesser amount, the CRE segment of the loan portfolio. Additionally, all SNC’s are part of the originated loan portfolio.

Our C&I loan growth reflects our strategic focus on this broad loan category. We seek further diversification within C&I loans by industry to mitigate concentration risk in any one industry and/or risk type. Our specialized industries are significant drivers of the growth and diversification of this portion of our loan portfolio. Energy and specialized industries lending have experienced teams with extensive knowledge of their particular industry, allowing for quality underwriting and relationship-based lending.

General C&I. As of December 31, 2018, our general C&I category included the following types of loans: finance and insurance, professional services, commodities excluding energy, media and telecom, real estate, manufacturing, transportation and other . Generally, C&I loans typically provide working capital, equipment financing and financing for expansion and are generally secured by assignments of corporate assets including accounts receivable, inventory and/or equipment.

Energy. Energy lending is an important part of our business and our energy team is comprised of experienced lenders with significant product expertise and long-standing relationships. Additionally, energy production and energy related industries are substantial contributors to the economies in the Houston metropolitan area and the state of Texas. We strive for a rigorous and thorough approach to energy underwriting and credit monitoring. The allowance for credit losses for energy loans at December 31, 2018 decreased 56.8% from the year ago period due to a decline in the nonperforming and criticized energy credits. As of December 31, 2018, we had $20.7 million of nonperforming energy credits, all of which were current with their contractual terms compared to $42.8 million of nonperforming energy credits as of December 31, 2017. In addition, 2.5% of the energy portfolio was criticized or classified as of December 31, 2018 compared to 11.5% at December 31, 2017. We recorded recoveries of $ 1.2 million and charge-offs of $6.7 million on our energy portfolio during the year ended December 31, 2018. As presented in the following table our energy lending business is comprised of three areas: Exploration and Production (“E&P”), Midstream and Energy Services:

	As of December 31,															As of December 31, 2018
(In thousands)	2018			2017			2016			2015			2014			Unfunded Commitments		Criticized/ Classified
Outstanding Balance
E&P	$	366,973		$	278,171		$	371,870		$	520,798		$	563,123		$	139,577	$	26,298
Midstream		738,535			557,800			472,053			414,720			334,737			692,728		6,227
Energy Services		180,267			99,400			95,446			132,472			190,822			129,634		—
Total energy sector	$	1,285,775		$	935,371		$	939,369		$	1,067,990		$	1,088,682		$	961,939	$	32,525
Percent to total loans		12.8	%		11.3	%		12.6	%		15.4	%		17.5	%
Allocated ACL
E&P	$	2,195		$	12,892		$	13,018		$	22,218		$	2,544
Midstream		4,091			1,582			5,878			2,402			1,856
Energy Services		1,051			2,509			5,657			2,481			7,626
Total allocated ACL	$	7,337		$	16,983		$	24,553		$	27,101		$	12,026
ACL as a Percentage of Outstanding Balances
E&P		0.60	%		4.63	%		3.50	%		4.27	%		0.45	%
Midstream		0.55			0.28			1.25			0.58			0.55
Energy Services		0.58			2.52			5.93			1.87			4.00
Total percentage		0.57	%		1.82	%		2.61	%		2.54	%		1.10	%

E&P loans outstanding comprised approximately 28% of outstanding energy loans as of December 31, 2018, compared to 30% of outstanding energy loans as of December 31, 2017. E&P customers are primarily businesses that derive a majority of their revenues from the sale of oil and gas and whose credit needs require technical evaluation of oil and gas reserves. Emphasis for E&P is on high quality, independent producers with proven track records. Our E&P credit underwriting includes a combination of well-by-well analyses, frequent updates to our pricing decks and engaging energy engineers to actively monitor the portfolio and provide credit redeterminations, at a minimum, every six months. At least quarterly, and more frequently during periods of higher commodity price volatility, we adjust the base and sensitivity price decks on which we value our clients’ oil and gas reserves. Generally, we seek to follow the shape of the NYMEX strips for oil and natural gas, but at a discount to the strip. In periods of higher commodity prices, our discount from the strip is higher whereas in lower price periods our discount is lower. The price decks utilized in our engineering analysis are approved by our Senior Credit Risk Management Committee. Borrowing base redeterminations occur every spring and fall, with the spring redeterminations completed prior to the end of the second quarter and fall determinations completed prior to the end of the fourth quarter.

Midstream loans outstanding comprised approximately 58% of outstanding energy loans as of December 31, 2018 compared to approximately 60% of outstanding energy loans as of December 31, 2017. Midstream lending is generally to customers who handle the gathering, treating and processing, storage or transportation of oil and gas. These customers’ businesses are generally less price sensitive than other energy segments given the nature of their fee-based revenue streams. Underwriting guidelines for the Midstream portfolio generally require a first lien on all assets as collateral.

Energy Services loans outstanding comprised approximately 14% of outstanding energy loans as of December 31, 2018 compared to approximately 11% of outstanding energy loans, as of December 31, 2017. Energy Services lending targets oilfield service companies that provide equipment and services used in the exploration for and extraction of oil and natural gas. Customers consist of a wide variety of businesses, including production equipment manufacturers, chemical sales, water transfer, rig equipment and other early and late stage services companies.

Specialized lending. The following table includes our specialized lending portfolio as of the dates presented:

Restaurant industry, healthcare, and technology are the components of our specialized industries. For these industries we focus on larger corporate clients, who are typically well-known within the industry. The client coverage for both of these components is national in scope, given the size and capital needs of the majority of the clients. Additionally, in the restaurant sector we focus on major franchisees and the operating companies of “branded” restaurant concepts. Our healthcare portfolio focuses on middle market healthcare providers with diversified payer mix, while our technology portfolio focuses on the technology sub-segments of software and services, network and communications infrastructure, and internet and mobility applications. Given these customer profiles, we frequently participate in such credits with two or more banks through syndication.

Commercial Real Estate. Commercial real estate (“CRE”) loans increased by $172.3 million, or 14.9%, since December 31, 2017. CRE loans represented 13.2% of our total loan portfolio at December 31, 2018, compared to 14.0% of total loans at December 31, 2017. Income Producing CRE includes non-owner occupied loans secured by commercial real estate, regardless of the phase of the loan (construction versus completed). Commercial construction loans are primarily included in Income Producing CRE. Additionally, all real estate investment trust and income producing loans are included in the Income Producing CRE segment. Land, lots and homebuilder loans are included in the land and development segment. All owner occupied CRE loans reside in the various C&I segments in which the underlying risk exists. Our CRE lending team is a group of experienced relationship managers focusing on construction and income producing property lending which generally have property or sponsors located in our geographic footprint. CRE loans are secured by a variety of property types, including multi-family dwellings, office buildings, industrial properties and retail facilities.

Consumer. Consumer loans at December 31, 2018 increased by $529.0 million, or 30.0%, from December 2017. Consumer loans represent 22.8% of total loans at December 31, 2018, compared to 21.4% of total loans at December 31, 2017. We originate residential real estate mortgages that are held for investment as well as held for sale in the secondary market. Approximately 17.6% of the consumer portfolio relates to acquired portfolios, compared to 15.1% a year ago. During 2018, we have purchased, as a complement to our originations, $214 million of Community Reinvestment Act (“CRA”) qualified consumer residential real estate loans at a premium of approximately 6%. These loans were evaluated and determined not to be credit impaired before purchase and are classified as ANCI. Our originated consumer loan portfolio totaled $1.9 billion as of December 31, 2018, an increase of $391.7 million from year end 2017.

Small Business. Small Business loans at year end 2018 increased by $44.4 million, or 20.0% from December 31, 2017. Small business loans represent 2.8% of the total loan portfolio at December 31, 2018, compared to 2.7% of total loans at December 31, 2017. The small business category is now defined as all commercial loans with a transactional exposure of $1.5 million or less and relationship exposure of $2.0 million or less. These loans are primarily centrally underwritten in the Cadence Loan Center, using defined underwriting standards that are applied consistently throughout the category.

Concentrations of Credit. Our concentrations of credit are closely and consistently monitored by the Company. Individual concentration limits are assessed and established, as needed, on a quarterly basis and measured as a percentage of risk-based capital. All concentrations greater than 25% of risk-based capital require a concentration limit, which is monitored and reported to the Board of Directors on at least a quarterly basis. In addition to the specialized industries, energy, and CRE segments in the loan portfolio, we manage concentration limits for other loans, such as, construction, multifamily, office building, leveraged loans, technology loans, specialty chemical, and non-specialized enterprise value loans. We evaluate the appropriateness of our underwriting standards in response to changes in national and regional economic conditions, including energy prices, interest rates, real estate values, and employment levels. Underwriting standards and credit monitoring activities are assessed and enhanced in response to changes in these conditions.

We focus on asset quality strength through robust underwriting, proactive monitoring and reporting of the loan portfolio and collaboration between the lines of business, credit risk and enterprise risk management.

Credit risk is governed and reported up through the Board of Directors primarily through our Senior Credit Risk Management Committee. The Senior Credit Risk Management Committee reviews credit portfolio management information such as problem loans, delinquencies, concentrations of credit, asset quality trends, portfolio analysis, policy updates and changes, and other relevant information. Further, both Senior Loan Committee and Credit Transition Committee, the primary channels for credit approvals, report up through Senior Credit Risk Management Committee. The Senior Loan Committee generally approves all loans with relationship exposure greater than $5 million. Dual signature authority between the business unit and the credit officer is utilized for loan approvals below the $5 million threshold. Additionally, the Credit Transition Committee manages all material credit actions for classified credits greater than $5 million. Our Board of Directors receives information concerning asset quality measurements and trends on at least a quarterly basis if not more frequently.

Credit policies have been established for each type of lending activity in which we engage, with a particular focus given to the commercial side of the Bank. Polices are evaluated and updated as needed based on changes in guidance and regulations as well as business needs of the Bank.

Each loan’s creditworthiness is assessed and assigned a risk rating, based on both the borrower strength (probability of default) as well as the collateral protection of the loan (loss given default). Risk rating accuracy and reporting are critical tools for monitoring the portfolio as well as determining the allowance for credit losses. Assigned risk ratings are periodically reviewed for accuracy and adjusted as appropriate for all relationships greater than $2.5 million.

Loans acquired in acquisitions are initially recorded at fair value with no carryover of the related allowance for credit losses. The fair value of the loans is determined using market participant assumptions in estimating the amount and timing of principal and interest cash flows initially expected to be collected on the loans and discounting those cash flows at an appropriate market rate of interest.

Under the accounting model for ACI loans, the excess of cash flows expected to be collected over the carrying amount of the loans, referred to as the “accretable yield,” is accreted into interest income over the life of the loans using the effective yield method. Accordingly, ACI loans are not subject to classification as nonaccrual in the same manner as originated loans. Rather, acquired loans are considered to be accruing loans because their interest income relates to the accretable yield recognized and not to contractual interest payments. However, if the timing or amount of the expected cash flows cannot be reasonably estimated an ACI loan may be placed in nonaccruing status. The excess of an ACI loan’s contractually required payments over the cash flows expected to be collected is the nonaccretable difference. As such, charge-offs on ACI loans are first applied to the nonaccretable difference and then to any related allowance for credit losses recognized subsequent to the acquisition. A decrease in expected cash flows in subsequent periods may indicate that the ACI loan pool or specifically reviewed loan is impaired, which would require the establishment of an allowance for credit losses by a charge to the provision for credit losses.

Select asset quality metrics presented below distinguish between the originated, ANCI and ACI portfolios.

Nonperforming assets primarily consist of nonperforming loans and property acquired through foreclosures or repossession (or other real estate owned or “OREO”). The following table presents all nonperforming assets (originated, ANCI, and ACI) and additional asset quality data for the dates indicated:

	As of December 31,
(Recorded Investment in thousands)	2018			2017			2016			2015			2014
Nonperforming loans ("NPLs"):
Commercial and industrial	$	71,353		$	43,085		$	122,416		$	63,234		$	14,462
Commercial real estate		—			225			2,186			2,922			5,533
Consumer		2,555			3,741			3,530			2,845			3,928
Small business		333			642			805			834			444
Total NPLs		74,241			47,693			128,937			69,835			24,367
Foreclosed OREO and other NPAs		8,185			22,965			37,231			32,972			47,460
Total nonperforming assets ("NPAs")	$	82,426		$	70,658		$	166,168		$	102,807		$	71,827
NPLs as a percentage of total loans		0.74	%		0.58	%		1.73	%		1.01	%		0.39	%
NPAs as a percentage of loans plus OREO/other NPAs		0.82	%		0.85	%		2.22	%		1.48	%		1.15	%
NPAs as a percentage of total assets		0.65	%		0.65	%		1.74	%		1.17	%		0.90	%
Originated and ANCI accruing loans 90 days or more past due	$	760		$	827		$	586		$	1,446		$	529
ACI accruing loans 90 days or more past due		5,480			16,988			18,364			24,655			53,041
Total accruing loans 90 days or more past due	$	6,240		$	17,815		$	18,950		$	26,101		$	53,570

Nonperforming Loans. Commercial loans, including small business loans, are generally placed on nonaccrual status when principal or interest is past due 90 days or more unless the loan is well secured and in the process of collection, or when the loan is specifically determined to be impaired. When a commercial loan is placed on nonaccrual status, interest accrued but not received is generally reversed against interest income.

Consumer loans, including residential first and second lien loans secured by real estate, are generally placed on nonaccrual status when they are 120 or more days past due. When a consumer loan is placed on nonaccrual status, interest accrued but not received is generally reversed against interest income.

Generally, cash receipts on nonperforming loans are used to reduce principal rather than recorded as interest income. Past due status is determined based upon contractual terms. A nonaccrual loan may be returned to accrual status when repayment is reasonably assured under the terms of the loan or, if applicable, under the terms of the restructured loan. For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, approximately $8.5 million, $7.3 million and $8.2 million, respectively, of contractual interest accrued on nonperforming loans was not recognized in earnings. However, for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016 approximately $1.7 million, $1.5 million, $1.1 million of contractual interest received was recognized on the cash basis.

Our nonperforming loans have increased slightly to 0.74% of our loan portfolio as of December 31, 2018 compared to 0.58% of our loan portfolio as of December 31, 2017, with the increase primarily due to a construction company credit in the General C&I segment, two credits in the Restaurant segment and one credit in the Healthcare segment within our originated portfolio

The following table includes our originated nonperforming loans and assets for the periods presented.

	As of December 31,
(Recorded Investment in thousands)	2018			2017			2016			2015			2014
Nonperforming loans ("NPLs"):
General C&I	$	24,103		$	263		$	7,089		$	7,215		$	—
Energy- E&P		14,485			36,896			95,453			36,361			—
- Midstream		6,227			—			10,689			1,580			—
- Energy Services		—			5,926			7,242			9,818			6,182
Restaurant industry		22,042			—			—			—			—
Healthcare		4,496			—			—			—			—
Commercial real estate		—			—			—			66			2
Consumer		1,218			1,519			798			108			174
Small business		104			199			132			90			110
Total NPLs - originated portfolio		72,675			44,803			121,403			55,238			6,468
E&P - net profits interests		5,779			15,833			19,425			—			—
Foreclosed OREO		22			140			—			—			—
Total nonperforming assets ("NPAs") - originated portfolio	$	78,476		$	60,776		$	140,828		$	55,238		$	6,468
NPLs as a percentage of total loans		0.72	%		0.54	%		1.63	%		0.80	%		0.10	%

Other Real Estate Owned. Other real estate owned consists of properties acquired through foreclosure and unutilized bank-owned properties. These properties, as held for sale properties, are initially recorded at fair value, less estimated costs to sell, on the date of foreclosure (establishing a new cost basis for the property). Subsequent to the foreclosure date the OREO is maintained at the lower of cost or fair value. Any write-down to fair value required at the time of foreclosure is charged to the allowance for credit losses. Subsequent gains or losses on other real estate owned resulting from either the sale of the property or additional valuation allowances required due to further declines in fair value are reported in other noninterest expense.

The balance of foreclosed OREO was $2.4 million as of December 31, 2018, compared to $7.1 million as of December 31, 2017, and with 98% related to foreclosures resulting from our ACI loan portfolio. As of December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, there had been no additions to OREO resulting from foreclosure or repossession from a shared national credit. However, we did receive during the second and fourth quarters of 2016, $19.1 million in net profits interests (“NPIs”) in certain oil and gas reserves related to energy credit bankruptcies due to two energy portfolio shared national credits that were charged-off in 2016. We recorded the NPIs at estimated fair value using a discounted cash flow analysis applied to the expected cash flows from the producing developed wells. These NPIs are considered financial instruments and recorded at fair value and are subject to the volatility of oil and gas prices and other operational factors outside of our control. The balance of the NPIs was $5.8 million as of December 31, 2018, compared with $15.8 million as of December 31, 2017. The decrease was attributable to the sale of one of the NPIs during the fourth quarter of 2018. The following tables present the balances of our OREO and NPIs as of the dates indicated:

	As of December 31,
(In thousands)	2018		2017		2016		2015		2014
Acquired through foreclosure
Land	$	36	$	1,393	$	10,183	$	7,469	$	8,435
Residential property		970		2,696		5,138		13,763		20,997
Commercial property		1,400		3,043		2,582		11,740		18,028
Total foreclosed OREO		2,406		7,132		17,903		32,972		47,460
Unutilized bank-owned properties
Land		—		473		756		—		45
Commercial property		—		—		216		3,012		8,481
Total unutilized bank owned property		—		473		972		3,012		8,526
Total OREO		2,406		7,605		18,875		35,984		55,986
Other assets - net profits interests		5,779		15,833		19,425		—		-
Total OREO and other assets	$	8,185	$	23,438	$	38,300	$	35,984	$	55,986

Past Due 90 Days and Accruing. We classify certain loans with principal or interest past due 90 days or more as accruing loans if those loans are well secured and in the process of collection or are specifically determined to be impaired as accruing loans. The bulk of the accruing 90 days or more past due loans reside in the ACI portfolio. These loans are monitored on a monthly basis by both the lines of business and credit administration. As of December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, there were no SNC loans that were 90 days or more past due and accruing.

Troubled Debt Restructuring. We attempt to work with borrowers when necessary to extend or modify loan terms to better align with the borrower’s ability to repay. Extensions and modifications to loans are made in accordance with internal policies and guidelines which conform to regulatory guidance. Each occurrence is unique to the borrower and is evaluated separately. The Bank considers regulatory guidelines when restructuring loans to ensure that prudent lending practices are followed. Qualifying criteria and payment terms are structured by the borrower’s current and prospective ability to comply with the modified terms of the loan.

A modification is classified as a troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”) if the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty and it is determined that we have granted a concession to the borrower. We may determine that a borrower is experiencing financial difficulty if the borrower is currently in default on any of its debt, or if it is probable that a borrower may default in the foreseeable future without the modification. Concessions could include reductions of interest rates at a rate lower than the current market rate for a new loan with similar risk, extension of the maturity date, reduction of accrued interest, principal forgiveness, forbearance, or other concessions. The assessments of whether a borrower is experiencing or will likely experience financial difficulty and whether a concession has been granted is highly subjective in nature, and management’s judgment is required when determining whether a modification is classified as a TDR.

All TDRs are reported as impaired. An impaired classification may be removed if the borrower demonstrates compliance with the modified terms and the restructuring agreement specifies an interest rate equal to that which would be provided to a borrower with similar credit at the time of restructuring. Nonperforming loans and impaired loans have unique definitions. Some loans may be included in both categories, whereas other loans may only be included in one category. As of December 31, 2018 there were 2 SNC borrowers that were considered TDRs, totaling $24.7 million. As of December 31, 2017 there were 4 SNC borrowers that were considered TDRs, totaling $24.8 million. The following table summarizes our TDR activity for the periods indicated:

	2018				2017				2016				2015				2014
(In thousands)	Number of TDRs		Recorded Investment		Number of TDRs		Recorded Investment		Number of TDRs		Recorded Investment		Number of TDRs		Recorded Investment		Number of TDRs		Recorded Investment
Commercial and Industrial
General C&I		—	$	—		2	$	5,010		1	$	5,496		3	$	9,840		1	$	2,773
Energy sector		1		14,486		—		—		5		38,113		2		16,619		—		—
Restaurant industry		2		11,262		1		11,017		—		—		—		—		—		—
Healthcare		1		4,496		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Total commercial and industrial		4		30,244		3		16,027		6		43,609		5		26,459		1		2,773
Consumer
Residential real estate		—		—		1		460		1		334		5		273		7		1,256
Other		—		—		1		279		1		200		1		306		—		—
Total consumer		—		—		2		739		2		534		6		579		7		1,256
Small Business Lending		2		141		1		138		1		552		—		—		1		176
Total		6	$	30,385		6	$	16,904		9	$	44,695		11	$	27,038		9	$	4,205

For the year ended December 31, 2018 there was one commercial specialized lending customer with a combined recorded investment of $11.8 million which experienced payment default. There were no TDRs experiencing payment default during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016. For the year ended December 31, 2015, there were two small business lending loans with a combined recorded investment of $459 thousand experiencing payment default. For the year ended December 31, 2014, there were two small business lending loans with a combined recorded investment of $1.1 million and a residential real estate loan of $101 thousand experiencing payment default. Default is defined as the earlier of the troubled debt restructuring being placed on non-accrual status or obtaining 90 day past due status with respect to principal and/or interest payments.

There were no ACI loans modified in a TDR for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017. In the year ended December 31, 2016, there was one ACI loan modified in a TDR with a recorded investment of $954 thousand in income producing commercial real estate. In the year ended December 31, 2015, there was one ACI loan modified in a TDR with a recorded investment of $625 thousand in income producing commercial real estate. There were no TDRs experiencing payment default during the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016.

Potential problem loans represent loans that are currently performing, but for which known information about possible credit problems of the related borrowers causes management to have doubts as to the ability of such borrowers to comply with the present loan repayment terms and which may result in disclosure of such loans as nonperforming at some time in the future. These loans are not included in the amounts of nonaccrual or restructured loans presented above. We cannot predict the extent to which economic conditions or other factors may impact borrowers and the potential problem loans. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that other loans will not become 90 days or more past due, be placed on nonaccrual status, become restructured, or require increased allowance coverage and provision for credit losses. We have identified no significant credits as a potential problem loan at December 31, 2018. Any potential problem loans would be assessed for loss exposure consistent with the methods described in Notes 1 and 4 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

We expect the levels of nonperforming assets and potential problem loans to fluctuate in response to changing economic and market conditions, and the relative sizes of the respective loan portfolios, along with our degree of success in resolving problem assets. We seek to take a proactive approach with respect to the identification and resolution of problem loans.

The allowance for credit losses (“ACL”) is maintained at a level that management believes is adequate to absorb all probable losses on loans inherent in the loan portfolio as of the reporting date. Events that are not within the Company’s control, such as changes in economic factors, could change subsequent to the reporting date and could cause increases or decreases to the ACL. The amount of the allowance is affected by loan charge-offs, which decrease the allowance; recoveries on loans previously charged off, which increase the allowance; and the provision for credit losses charged to earnings, which increases the allowance. In

determining the provision for credit losses, management monitors fluctuations in the ACL resulting from actual charge-offs and recoveries and reviews the size and composition of the loan portfolio in light of current and anticipated economic conditions (see Notes 1 and 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements). This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available or as events change.

Total ACL for the period ending December 31, 2018 was $94.4 million, or 0.94% of total loans (net of unearned discounts and fees) of $10.1 billion. This compares with $87.6 million on loans of $8.3 billion, or 1.06% at December 31, 2017. The following tables present the allocation of the allowance for credit losses and the percentage of these loans to total loans. The allocation below is neither indicative of the specific amounts or the loan categories in which future charge-offs may occur, nor is it an indicator of any future loss trends. The allocation of the allowance to each category does not restrict the use of the allowance to absorb any losses in any category.

	Allowance for Credit Losses										Percent of Loans in Each Category to Total Loans
	December 31,										December 31,
(In thousands)	2018		2017		2016		2015		2014		2018			2017			2016			2015			2014
Originated Loans
Commercial and industrial	$	65,965	$	55,050	$	54,213	$	53,169	$	24,825		60.65	%		60.94	%		61.36	%		63.63	%		60.38	%
Commercial real estate		8,758		9,850		7,205		4,825		3,156		12.51			12.83			12.80			10.55			9.78
Consumer		6,937		8,389		5,687		4,325		3,072		18.81			18.11			15.89			13.20			10.76
Small business		3,742		4,367		3,907		2,067		1,189		2.56			2.54			2.47			2.02			1.71
Total originated loans		85,402		77,656		71,012		64,386		32,242		94.54			94.42			92.52			89.40			82.63
ANCI Loans
Commercial and industrial		293		864		299		425		348		0.48			0.19			0.69			0.92			1.47
Commercial real estate		53		130		243		227		51		0.08			0.71			0.27			0.43			0.92
Consumer		541		85		131		105		277		2.81			1.39			2.05			2.84			4.60
Small business		165		317		305		306		799		0.09			0.14			0.12			0.16			0.23
Total ANCI		1,052		1,396		978		1,063		1,475		3.45			2.43			3.13			4.35			7.22
ACI Loans
Commercial and industrial		58		5		176		2,230		3,757		0.17			0.96			0.51			0.89			1.39
Commercial real estate		1,641		2,010		2,655		3,084		3,843		0.65			0.36			1.32			1.94			3.78
Consumer		6,225		6,509		7,447		9,020		12,203		1.20			1.83			2.52			3.42			4.98
Small business		—		—		—		—		—		—			—			—			—			—
Total ACI		7,924		8,524		10,278		14,334		19,803		2.02			3.15			4.35			6.25			10.15
Total Loans
Commercial and industrial		66,316		55,919		54,688		55,824		28,930		61.29			62.01			62.56			65.44			63.24
Commercial real estate		10,452		11,990		10,103		8,136		7,050		13.24			13.98			14.39			12.92			14.48
Consumer		13,703		14,983		13,265		13,450		15,552		22.82			21.33			20.46			19.46			20.34
Small business		3,907		4,684		4,212		2,373		1,988		2.65			2.68			2.59			2.18			1.94
Total allowance for credit losses	$	94,378	$	87,576	$	82,268	$	79,783	$	53,520		100.00	%		100.00	%		100.00	%		100.00	%		100.00	%

Originated ACL. The ACL on our originated loan portfolio totaled $85.4 million, or 0.90% on loans of $9.5 billion as of December 31, 2018 compared to $77.7 million, or 1.00% on loans of $7.8 billion. The primary driver of the originated ACL is the net new loan growth as well as the underlying credit quality of the loans. Our originated and ANCI loan portfolios are divided into commercial and consumer segments for allowance estimation purposes. The commercial allowance estimate is driven by loan level risk ratings. The consumer allowance estimate uses pool level historical loss rates assigned based on certain credit attributes.

As December 31, 2018, $66.0 million, or 77.2% of our originated ACL is attributable to our C&I loan segment compared to $55.1 million, or 70.9%, as of December 31, 2017. The ACL as a percentage of the C&I portfolio was 1.08% as of December 31, 2018 compared to 1.10% as of December 31, 2017. The level of ACL as a percentage of C&I loans as of December 31, 2018 from December 31, 2017 is relatively unchanged and reflects stabilized credit metrics in the overall loan portfolio.

The level of criticized and classified loans in the C&I portfolio is presented in the following tables.

As of December 31, 2018, $8.8 million, or 10.3% of our originated ACL is attributable to the CRE loan segment compared to $9.9 million, or 12.7%, as of December 31, 2017. The ACL as a percentage of the CRE portfolio has decreased to 0.70% as of December 31, 2018 from 0.93% as of December 31, 2017, as result of updates to our loss rates along with favorable economic conditions in the markets we serve.

In addition to quantitative elements, certain qualitative and environmental factors are also considered at management’s discretion, which are generally based on a combination of internal and external factors and trends. At December 31, 2018, these factors totaled $19.7 million and accounted for approximately 23.1% of the originated ACL compared to $7.6 million, or 9.8%, as of December 31, 2017, with the increase related primarily to the volatility of indices used to measure collateral and oil prices. However, considering the declining stress in the energy industry and improvements in our Energy Sector credit quality, the qualitative and environmental reserves allocated to this portfolio declined to $3.0 million at December 31, 2018 from $4.5 million as of December 31, 2017.

As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, $21.1 million, or 24.7% and $34.6 million, or 44.6%, respectively of the total originated ACL, was attributable to SNC loans. During 2018, we recorded gross charge-offs of a single energy portfolio credit totaling $6.2 million that is a SNC loan. During the year ended December 31, 2017 we recorded $4.9 million in charge-offs primarily related to three E&P credits that are SNC loans. The ACL is estimated based on the underlying credit quality of the loan, primarily based on its probability of default and loss given default. This methodology is consistent whether or not a loan is a SNC.

The following table includes the charge-off and recoveries on our originated portfolio for the periods presented:

	Originated Charge-offs and Recoveries
		Year Ended December 31,
(In thousands)		2018		2017		2016		2015		2014
Charge-offs:
Commercial and industrial
Energy
—E&P		$	6,709	$	4,882	$	32,893	$	3,200	$	—
—Midstream			—		—		—		617		—
—Services			—		—		—		4,699		—
Healthcare			—		—		12,207		—		—
Other commercial			—		250		1,268		—		843
Commercial real estate			2		—		—		123		—
Consumer			564		457		634		936		662
Small business			619		157		841		—		—
Total charge-offs			7,894		5,746		47,843		9,575		1,505
Recoveries:
Commercial and industrial			1,319		695		1,386		—		—
Commercial real estate			21		23		3		—		—
Consumer			176		114		225		220		309
Small business			65		50		—		—		—
Total recoveries			1,581		882		1,614		220		309
Net charge-offs		$	6,313	$	4,864	$	46,229	$	9,355	$	1,196

ANCI ACL. The ACL on our ANCI loans totaled $1.1 million on $349.3 million in loans, or 0.30% at December 31, 2018, compared to $1.4 million, or 0.7% at December 31, 2017. The decrease in the ANCI reserve between December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2018 is related to improved credit quality. ANCI loans were recorded at fair value at the date of each acquisition and are pooled for ACL assessment based on risk segment, with the majority of the ANCI loans within the consumer residential category. Any net shortage of credit mark indicates the need for an allowance on that segment of loans with certain loans individually reviewed for specific impairment.

ACI ACL. The ACL on our ACI loans totaled $7.9 million on $203.3 million in loans, or 3.90%, at December 31, 2018, compared to $8.5 million, or 3.3% at December 31, 2017. At the time of our acquisitions, we estimated the fair value of the total acquired loan portfolio by segregating the portfolio into loan pools with similar characteristics and certain specifically-reviewed non-homogeneous loans. The similar characteristics used to establish the pools included:

Since the acquisition dates, the expected cash flows have been re-estimated quarterly utilizing the same cash flow methodology used at the time of each acquisition. Any subsequent decreases to the expected cash flows generally result in a provision for credit losses. Conversely, subsequent increases in expected cash flows result first in the reversal of any impairment, then in a transfer from the non-accretable discount to the accretable discount, which would have a positive impact on accretion income prospectively. These cash flow evaluations are inherently subjective, as they require material estimates, all of which may be susceptible to significant change.

The largest component of our ACI ACL is attributable to our consumer category, primarily first and second-lien residential loans, that represents 78.6% of the ACI ACL at December 31, 2018 compared to 76.4%, of the ACI ACL at December 31, 2017. This component of the ACL has declined $0.3 million to $6.2 million since December 31, 2017 due to impairment reversals on the residential pools, largely driven by loan pay-offs.

The commercial real estate component comprises 20.7% of the ACI ACL at December 31, 2018 and has decreased $0.4 million to $1.6 million since December 31, 2017. The commercial and industrial component comprises less than 1% of the ACI ACL at December 31, 2018.

The following table summarizes certain information with respect to our ACL on the total loan portfolio and the composition of charge-offs and recoveries for the periods indicated. Subsequent tables present this information separately for the originated, ANCI and ACI portfolios:

	Total Loans
	Year Ended December 31,
(In thousands)	2018			2017			2016			2015			2014
Allowance for credit losses at beginning of period	$	87,576		$	82,268		$	79,783		$	53,520		$	44,269
Charge-offs		(8,045	)		(6,871	)		(49,302	)		(10,734	)		(9,307	)
Recoveries		2,147			2,444			2,439			1,013			4,440
Provision for credit losses		12,700			9,735			49,348			35,984			14,118
Allowance for credit losses at end of period	$	94,378		$	87,576		$	82,268		$	79,783		$	53,520

Loans at end of period, net of unearned income	$	10,053,923		$	8,253,427		$	7,432,711		$	6,916,520		$	6,192,793
Average loans, net of unearned income		9,116,602			7,825,763			7,186,635			6,488,071			5,430,270
Ratio of ending allowance to ending loans		0.94	%		1.06	%		1.11	%		1.15	%		0.86	%
Ratio of net charge-offs to average loans		0.06			0.06			0.65			0.15			0.09
Net charge-offs as a percentage of:
Provision for credit losses		46.44			45.48			94.96			27.01			34.47
Allowance for credit losses		6.25			5.06			56.96			12.18			9.09
Allowance for credit losses as a percentage of nonperforming loans		127.12			183.62			63.80			114.25			219.64

	Originated Loans
	Year Ended December 31,
(In thousands)	2018			2017			2016			2015			2014
Allowance for credit losses at beginning of period	$	77,656		$	71,012		$	64,386		$	32,242		$	14,963
Charge-offs		(7,894	)		(5,746	)		(47,843	)		(9,575	)		(1,505	)
Recoveries		1,581			882			1,614			220			309
Provision for credit losses		14,059			11,508			52,855			41,499			18,475
Allowance for credit losses at end of period	$	85,402		$	77,656		$	71,012		$	64,386		$	32,242

Loans at end of period, net of unearned income	$	9,503,685		$	7,794,943		$	6,878,645		$	6,186,465		$	5,120,227
Ratio of ending allowance to ending loans		0.90	%		1.00	%		1.03	%		1.04	%		0.63	%
Net charge-offs as a percentage of:
Provision for credit losses		44.90			42.27			87.47			22.55			6.47
Allowance for credit losses		7.39			6.26			65.28			14.53			3.71
Allowance for credit losses as a percentage of nonperforming loans		117.51			173.33			58.49			116.56			498.48

	ANCI Loans
	Year Ended December 31,
(In thousands)	2018			2017			2016			2015			2014
Allowance for credit losses at beginning of period	$	1,396		$	978		$	1,063		$	1,475		$	2,091
Charge-offs		(151	)		(618	)		(367	)		(1,001	)		(2,749	)
Recoveries		394			635			321			204			467
Provision for credit losses		(587	)		401			(39	)		385			1,666
Allowance for credit losses at end of period	$	1,052		$	1,396		$	978		$	1,063		$	1,475

Loans at end of period, net of unearned income	$	346,963		$	197,924		$	229,784		$	295,911		$	440,915
Ratio of ending allowance to ending loans		0.30	%		0.71	%		0.43	%		0.36	%		0.33	%
Net charge-offs (recoveries) as a percentage of:
Provision for credit losses		41.40			(4.24	)		(115.38	)		206.49			136.97
Allowance for credit losses		(23.10	)		(1.22	)		4.61			74.65			154.71
Allowance for credit losses as a percentage of nonperforming loans		67.18			52.38			25.29			30.16			35.26

	ACI Loans
	Year Ended December 31,
(In thousands)	2018			2017			2016			2015			2014
Allowance for credit losses at beginning of period	$	8,524		$	10,278		$	14,334		$	19,803		$	27,215
Charge-offs		-			(507	)		(1,092	)		(158	)		(5,053	)
Recoveries		172			927			504			589			3,664
Provision for credit losses		(772	)		(2,174	)		(3,468	)		(5,900	)		(6,023	)
Allowance for credit losses at end of period	$	7,924		$	8,524		$	10,278		$	14,334		$	19,803

Loans at end of period, net of unearned income	$	203,275		$	260,560		$	324,282		$	434,144		$	631,651
Ratio of ending allowance to ending loans		3.90	%		3.27	%		3.17	%		3.30	%		3.14	%
Net charge-offs (recoveries) as a percentage of:
Provision for credit losses		22.28			19.32			(16.96	)		7.31			(23.06	)
Allowance for credit losses		(2.17	)		(4.93	)		5.71			(3.01	)		7.01
Allowance for credit losses as a percentage of nonperforming loans	NM			NM				280.59			129.53			144.38

Deposits. Our strategy is to fund asset growth primarily with customer deposits in order to maintain a stable liquidity profile and a more competitive cost of funds. We categorize deposits as brokered and non-brokered consistent with the banking industry. All customer deposits are non-brokered. The following table illustrates the growth in our deposits during the periods indicated:

							Percent to Total
	December 31,						December 31,									Percentage Change
(In thousands)	2018		2017		2016		2018			2017			2016			2018 vs 2017			2017 vs 2016
Noninterest-bearing demand	$	2,454,016	$	2,242,765	$	1,840,955		22.9	%		24.9	%		23.0	%		9.4	%		21.8	%
Interest-bearing demand		5,727,026		4,675,109		4,541,412		53.4			51.9			56.6			22.5			2.9
Savings		170,910		177,304		180,687		1.6			2.0			2.3			(3.6	)		(1.9	)
Time deposits less than $100,000		1,119,270		869,783		605,579		10.5			9.6			7.6			28.7			43.6
Time deposits greater than $100,000		1,237,467		1,046,554		848,116		11.6			11.6			10.5			18.2			23.4
Total deposits	$	10,708,689	$	9,011,515	$	8,016,749		100.0	%		100.0	%		100.0	%		18.8	%		12.4	%

Total brokered deposits	$	1,037,474	$	796,734	$	1,041,858		9.7	%		8.8	%		13.0	%		30.2	%		(23.5	)%

Domestic time deposits of $250,000 and over were $491.3 million and $382.4 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. These amounts represented 4.6% and 4.2% of total deposits at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Non-brokered deposit growth primarily resulted from organic customer acquisition with a key focus on the expansion of commercial deposit relationships and treasury management services. State Bank funds on deposit with us amounted to $311 million at December 31, 2018, allowing us to benefit partially from State Bank’s strong liquidity position in the fourth quarter of 2018 in advance of the merger.

The following table sets forth our average deposits and the average rates expensed for the periods indicated:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2018					2017					2016
	Average		Average			Average		Average			Average		Average
	Amount		Rate			Amount		Rate			Amount		Rate
(In thousands)	Outstanding		Paid			Outstanding		Paid			Outstanding		Paid
Noninterest-bearing demand	$	2,137,953		—	%	$	1,965,070		—	%	$	1,688,405		—	%
Interest-bearing deposits:
Interest-bearing demand		4,983,113		1.16			4,360,252		0.62			4,122,667		0.45
Savings		181,194		0.31			181,500		0.25			178,397		0.24
Time deposits		2,119,543		1.99			1,679,959		1.32			1,665,833		1.03
Total interest-bearing deposits		7,283,850		1.38			6,221,711		0.80			5,966,897		0.59
Total average deposits	$	9,421,803		1.07	%	$	8,186,781		0.61	%	$	7,655,302		0.46	%

At December 31, 2018, the outstanding advance from the FHLB was a short-term fixed rate hybrid advance. At December 31, 2018, we had borrowing availability of $875.1 million from the FHLB. [Additionally, in February 2018, we entered a line of credit totaling $XX million with a financial institution.]

Our securities sold under agreements to repurchase generally mature within one to seven days from the transaction date. Securities underlying the repurchase agreements remain under the control of the Bank.

On June 16, 2014, we completed a $245 million unregistered multi-tranche debt transaction, and in March 2015, we completed an unregistered $50 million debt transaction ($10 million senior; $40 million subordinated). These transactions enhanced our liquidity and the Bank’s regulatory capital levels to support balance sheet growth. Details of the debt transaction are as follows (in thousands):

The senior transactions completed in 2014 were structured as 5- and 7-year maturities to provide holding company liquidity and to stagger our debt maturity profile. The $25 million and $35 million subordinated debt transactions were structured with a 15-year maturity, 10-year call provision, and fixed-to-floating rate notes to maximize both regulatory capital treatment and flexibility. The $40 million subordinated debt transaction was structured with a 10-year maturity and a 5-year call provision. The senior transaction completed in March 2015 includes a 4-year maturity. The subordinated debt structure was designed to achieve full Tier 2 capital treatment for 10 years.

In conjunction with our acquisitions of Cadence and Encore, we assumed certain junior subordinated debentures, which were marked to their fair value as of the acquisition dates. The related mark is being amortized over the remaining term of the junior subordinated debentures. The following is a list of our junior subordinated debt as of the dates indicated:

As of December 31, 2018, our ratio of shareholders’ equity to total assets was 11.30%, as compared to 12.41% and 11.34% as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Our shareholders’ equity increased by $79.2 million in 2018 primarily as a result of earnings of $166.3 million. Cash dividends on common stock reduced shareholders’ equity by $46.0 million and changes in accumulated other comprehensive income reduced shareholders’ equity by $23.9 million due to a decrease of $22.1 million in the estimated fair value of investments available-for-sale (net of income taxes and reclassification adjustments). During 2018, we repurchased approximately 1.1 million shares of our common stock for $22.0 million pursuant to a share repurchase program authorized by the Board of Directors in October 2018, subsequently amended in December 2018. The repurchase program authorized a total amount not to exceed $81 million as part of the Company’s capital management strategies.

Regulatory Capital. We are required to comply with regulatory capital requirements established by Federal and State banking agencies. These regulatory capital requirements involve quantitative measures of the Company's assets, liabilities and selected off-balance sheet items, and qualitative judgments by the regulators. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can subject us to a series of increasingly restrictive regulatory actions.

Our regulatory capital amounts and ratios at December 31, 2018 and 2017 are presented in the following tables:

	Consolidated Company					Bank
(In thousands)	Amount		Ratio			Amount		Ratio
December 31, 2018
Actual:
Tier 1 leverage	$	1,209,407		10.1	%	$	1,327,974		11.1	%
Common equity tier 1 capital		1,172,454		9.8			1,277,974		10.7
Tier 1 risk-based capital		1,209,407		10.1			1,327,974		11.1
Total risk-based capital		1,403,311		11.8			1,447,719		12.1
Minimum requirement:
Tier 1 leverage		479,940		4.0	%		479,667		4.0	%
Common equity tier 1 capital		536,930		4.5			536,285		4.5
Tier 1 risk-based capital		715,907		6.0			715,047		6.0
Total risk-based capital		954,542		8.0			953,396		8.0
Well capitalized requirement:
Tier 1 leverage	N/A		N/A				599,584		5.0	%
Common equity tier 1 capital	N/A		N/A				774,634		6.5
Tier 1 risk-based capital		715,907		6.0			953,396		8.0
Total risk-based capital		1,193,178		10.0			1,191,745		10.0

	Consolidated Company					Bank
(In thousands)	Amount		Amount			Amount		Ratio
December 31, 2017
Actual:
Tier 1 leverage	$	1,096,438		10.7	%	$	1,198,234		11.7	%
Common equity tier 1		1,058,888		10.6			1,149,181		11.5
Tier 1 risk-based capital		1,096,438		10.9			1,198,234		12.0
Total risk-based capital		1,283,561		12.8			1,311,376		13.1
Minimum requirement:
Tier 1 leverage		410,770		4.0	%		410,743		4.0	%
Common equity tier 1		450,951		4.5			450,874		4.5
Tier 1 risk-based capital		601,269		6.0			601,165		6.0
Total risk-based capital		801,691		8.0			801,553		8.0
Well capitalized requirement:
Tier 1 leverage	N/A		N/A				513,429		5.0	%
Common equity tier 1	N/A		N/A				651,262	6.5
Tier 1 risk-based capital		601,269		6.0			801,553		8.0
Total risk-based capital		1,002,114		10.0			1,001,941		10.0

We measure and seek to manage liquidity risk by a variety of processes, including monitoring the composition of our funding mix; monitoring financial ratios specifically designed to measure liquidity risk; maintaining a minimum liquidity cushion; and performing forward cash flow gap forecasts in various liquidity stress testing scenarios designed to simulate possible stressed liquidity environments. We attempt to limit our liquidity risk by setting board-approved concentration limits on sources of funds and limits on liquidity ratios used to measure liquidity risk and maintaining adequate levels of on-hand liquidity. We use the following ratios to monitor and analyze our liquidity:

As of December 31, 2018, all our liquidity measures were within our established guidelines.

The goal of liquidity management is to ensure that we maintain adequate funds to meet changes in loan demand or any deposit withdrawals. Additionally, we strive to maximize our earnings by investing our excess funds in securities and other assets. To meet our short-term liquidity needs, we seek to maintain a targeted cash position and have borrowing capacity through many wholesale sources including the FHLB, correspondent banks and the Federal Reserve Bank. To meet long-term liquidity needs, we additionally depend on the repayment of loans, sales of loans, term wholesale borrowings, brokered deposits and the maturity or sale of investment securities. See “—Maturity Distribution of Investment Securities” and “—Selected Loan Maturity and Interest Rate Sensitivity.”

The following table shows the scheduled contractual maturities and average book yields (not tax-equivalent) of our investment securities held at December 31, 2018. Within our investment securities portfolio, expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers have the right to call or prepay obligations without call or prepayment penalties in certain instances. During the year ended December 31, 2018, we received cash proceeds from calls/maturities and paydowns on our investment securities portfolio totaling approximately $112 million.

The repayment of loans as they mature is a source of long-term liquidity for us. The following table sets forth our loans by category maturing within specified intervals as of December 31, 2018. The information presented is based on the contractual maturities of the individual loans, including loans that may be subject to renewal at their contractual maturity. Renewal of such loans is subject to review and credit approval, as well as modification of terms upon their maturity. Consequently, management believes this treatment presents fairly the maturity and re-pricing of the loan portfolio.

									Rate Structure for Loans Maturing Over One Year
(In thousands)	One Year or Less		Over One Year through Five Years		Over Five Years		Total		Fixed Interest Rate		Floating or Adjustable Rate
Commercial and Industrial
General C&I	$	282,507	$	2,623,738	$	369,314	$	3,275,559	$	307,237	$	2,685,815
Energy sector		82,434		1,201,278		2,063		1,285,775		28,415		1,174,926
Restaurant industry		95,379		933,968		66,822		1,096,169		7,937		992,854
Healthcare		69,852		418,091		51,896		539,839		45,064		424,923
Total commercial and industrial		530,172		5,177,075		490,095		6,197,342		388,653		5,278,518
Commercial Real Estate
Income producing		353,468		779,563		133,760		1,266,791		149,684		763,638
Land and development		14,816		34,713		14,419		63,948		6,298		42,834
Total commercial real estate		368,284		814,276		148,179		1,330,739		155,982		806,472
Consumer
Residential real estate		24,595		42,736		2,160,322		2,227,653		1,533,615		669,443
Other		49,477		16,327		1,296		67,100		12,839		4,784
Total consumer		74,072		59,063		2,161,618		2,294,753		1,546,454		674,227
Small Business Lending		55,774		113,318		97,191		266,283		188,040		22,469
Total loans	$	1,028,302	$	6,163,732	$	2,897,083	$	10,089,117	$	2,279,129	$	6,781,686

The aggregate amount of time deposits in denominations of $100,000 or more as of December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 was $1.24 billion, $1.05 billion and $0.85 billion, respectively.

At December 31, 2018, the scheduled maturities of time deposits greater than $100,000 were as follows:

At December 31, 2018, we had $779.3 million of cash and cash equivalents on hand, an increase of $48.5 million or 6.6% over our cash and cash equivalents of $730.8 million at December 31, 2017. At December 31, 2018, our cash and cash equivalents comprised 6.1% of total assets compared to 6.7% at December 31, 2017. We monitor our liquidity position and increase or decrease our short-term liquid assets as necessary. The higher balance in cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2018 is due to timing of net loan funding and customer deposits at the end of the quarter.

As shown in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, operating activities provided $196.5 million in the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to $144.7 million in the year ended December 31, 2017. The increase in operating funds during the year ended December 31, 2018 was due primarily to an increase in net income and an increase in proceeds from sales of loans held for sale.

Investing activities during the year ended December 31, 2018 used $1.8 billion of net funds, due to net loan funding of $1.8 billion as compared to investing activities during the year ended December 31, 2017 using $1.0 billion of net funds, due to net loan funding of $0.8 billion.

Financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2018 provided net funds of $1.6 billion, due to an increase in deposits of $1.7 billion. This compares to financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2017 providing net funds of $1.3 billion, resulting from an increase in deposits of $1.0 billion and an increase in advances from the FHLB of $150.0 million.

As shown in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, operating activities provided $144.7 million in the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to $118.0 million in the year ended December 31, 2016. The increase in operating funds during the year ended December 31, 2017 was due primarily to an increase in net income.

Investing activities during the year ended December 31, 2017 used $951.1 million of net funds, due to net loan funding of $847.4 million and the purchase of available-for-sale securities as compared to investing activities during the year ended December 31, 2016 using $993.4 million of net funds, due to net loan funding of $913.1 million and the purchase of available-for-sale securities.

Financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2017 provided net funds of $1.3 billion, due to $150.0 million in advances from FHLB and net proceeds of $155.6 million from the issuance of common stock and an increase in deposits of $994.8 million. This compares to financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2016 providing net funds of $657.1 million, resulting from an increase in deposits of $1.0 billion and a decrease in advances from the FHLB of $370.0 million.

We have entered into certain contractual obligations and commercial commitments in the normal course of business that involve elements of credit risk, interest rate risk and liquidity risk.

The following tables summarize these relationships as of December 31, 2018 by contractual cash obligations and commercial commitments:

The following table includes our commitments to extend credit including home equity lines, overdraft protection lines, and letters of credit as of December 31, 2018.

Such financial instruments are recorded when they are funded and not on the date of entry into the obligation to extend credit. Commitments to extend credit and letters of credit include some exposure to credit loss in the event of default by the customer and exposure to liquidity risk during economic downturns. See “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Business”. The borrowing needs of our clients may increase, especially during a challenging economic environment, which could result in increased borrowing against our contractual obligations to extend credit. Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Letters of credit are conditional commitments issued to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. The credit policies and procedures for such commitments are the same as those used for lending activities. Because these instruments have fixed maturity dates and because a number expire without being drawn upon, they generally do not present significant liquidity risk in a normal operating environment. No significant losses on commitments were incurred during the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018. We do not currently anticipate any significant future losses as a result of these transactions.

Market risk is the exposure to unanticipated changes in net interest earnings or changes in the fair value of financial instruments due to fluctuations in interest rates, exchange rates and equity prices. Our primary market risk is interest rate risk (“IRR”).

IRR is the risk that changing market interest rates may lead to an unexpected decline in our earnings or capital. The main causes of IRR are the differing structural characteristics of the balance sheet’s assets, liabilities and off-balance sheet obligations and their cumulative net reaction to changing interest rates. These structural characteristics include timing differences in maturity or repricing and the effect of embedded options such as loan prepayments, securities prepayments and calls, interest rate caps and floors, and deposit withdrawal options. In addition to these sources of IRR, basis risk results from differences in the spreads between various market interest rates and changes in the slope of the yield curve which can contribute to additional IRR.

We evaluate IRR and develop guidelines regarding balance sheet composition and re-pricing, funding sources and pricing, and off-balance sheet commitments that aim to moderate IRR. We use financial simulation models that reflect various interest rate scenarios and the related impact on net interest income over specified periods of time. We refer to this process as asset/liability management, or “ALM.”

The primary objective of ALM is to seek to manage interest rate risk and desired risk tolerance for potential fluctuations in net interest income (“NII”) throughout interest rate cycles, which we aim to achieve by maintaining a balance of interest rate sensitive earning assets and liabilities. In general, we seek to maintain a desired risk tolerance with asset and liability balances within maturity and repricing categories to limit our exposure to earnings volatility and changes in the value of assets and liabilities as interest rates fluctuate over time. Adjustments to maturity categories can be accomplished either by lengthening or shortening the duration of either an individual asset or liability category, or externally with interest rate contracts, such as interest rate swaps, caps, collars, and floors. See “—Interest Rate Exposures” for a more detailed discussion of our various derivative positions.

Our asset and liability management strategy is formulated and monitored by our Asset/Liability Management Committee (“ALCO”) in accordance with policies approved by the Board of Directors. The ALCO meets regularly to review, among other things, the sensitivity of our assets and liabilities to interest rate changes, the book and market values of assets and liabilities, unrealized gains and losses, recent purchase and sale activity, maturities of securities and borrowings, and projected future transactions. The ALCO also establishes and approves pricing and funding decisions with respect to overall asset and liability composition. The ALCO reports regularly to our Board of Directors.

Financial simulation models are the primary tools we use to measure IRR exposures. By examining a range of hypothetical deterministic interest rate scenarios, these models provide management with information regarding the potential impact on NII and Economic Value of Equity (“EVE”) caused by changes in interest rates.

The models simulate the cash flows and accounting accruals generated by the financial instruments on our balance sheet at a given month-end, as well as the cash flows generated by the new business we anticipate over a 36-month forecast horizon. Numerous assumptions are made in the modeling process, including balance sheet composition, the pricing, re-pricing and maturity characteristics of existing business and new business. Additionally, loan and investment prepayment, administered rate account elasticity and other option risks are considered as well as the uncertainty surrounding future customer behavior. Because of the limitations inherent in any approach used to measure interest rate risk and because our loan portfolio will be actively managed in the event of a change in interest rates, simulation results, including those discussed in “—Interest Rate Exposures” immediately below, are not intended as a forecast of the actual effect of a change in market interest rates on our net interest income or results of operations or indicative of management’s expectations of actual results in the event of a fluctuation in market interest rates.

Based upon the current interest rate environment as of December 31, 2018, our net interest income simulation model projects our sensitivity to an instantaneous increase or decrease in interest rates was as follows:

Based upon the current interest rate environment as of December 31, 2018, the following table reflects our sensitivity to a gradual increase or decrease in interest rates over a twelve-month period:

Both the NII and EVE simulations include assumptions regarding balances, asset prepayment speeds, deposit repricing and runoff and interest rate relationships among balances that management believes to be reasonable for the various interest rate environments. Differences in actual occurrences from these assumptions, as well as non-parallel changes in the yield curve, may change our market risk exposure.

Post State Bank merger we believe our interest sensitivities to remain directionally the same with a consistent magnitude as a percentage of NII and EVE.

Overview. Our Board of Directors has authorized the ALCO to utilize financial futures, forward sales, options, interest rate swaps, caps, collars, and floors, and other instruments to the extent appropriate, in accordance with regulations and our internal policy. We expect to use interest rate swaps, caps, collars, and floors as macro hedges against inherent rate sensitivity in our securities portfolio, our loan portfolio and our liabilities.

Positions for hedging purposes are undertaken primarily as a mitigation of three main areas of risk exposure: (1) mismatches between assets and liabilities; (2) prepayment and other option-type risks embedded in our assets, liabilities and off-balance sheet instruments; and (3) the mismatched commitments for mortgages and funding sources.

We currently intend to engage in only the following types of hedges: (1) those which synthetically alter the maturities or re-pricing characteristics of assets or liabilities to reduce imbalances; (2) those which enable us to transfer the interest rate risk exposure involved in our daily business activities; and (3) those which serve to alter the market risk inherent in our investment portfolio, mortgage pipeline, or liabilities and thus help us to match the effective maturities of the assets and liabilities.

Interest Rate Lock Commitments. We enter into certain commitments with customers in connection with residential mortgage loan applications. Such commitments are considered derivatives under current accounting guidance and are required to be recorded at fair value. The change in fair value of these instruments is reflected currently in earnings in mortgage banking revenue.

Forward Sales Commitment. To mitigate the effect of the interest rate risk inherent in providing interest rate lock commitments to customers, we enter into forward sales commitments of mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) with investors. During the period from commitment date to closing date, we are subject to the risk that market rates of interest may change. In an effort to mitigate such risk, we may establish forward delivery sales commitments under which we agree to deliver certain MBS. These commitments are non-hedging derivatives in accordance with current accounting guidance and recorded at fair value, with changes in fair value reflected currently in earnings in mortgage banking revenue.

Forward Purchase Commitments. If we determine that the amount of our forward sales commitments exceeds the amount necessary to mitigate the interest rate risk in the rate lock commitments, we will seek to enter into forward purchase commitments to purchase MBS on an agreed-upon date and price similar to the terms of forward sales commitments. These commitments are non-hedging derivatives in accordance with current accounting guidance and recorded at fair value, with changes in fair value reflected currently in earnings in mortgage banking revenue.

Interest Rate Swaps/Floor/Cap/Collar Agreements not Designated as Hedging Derivatives. To attempt to meet the financing needs and interest rate risk management needs of our customers, we enter into interest rate swap, floor, collar, or cap agreements related to commercial loans with customers while at the same time entering into offsetting interest rate agreements with other financial institution in order to minimize IRR. These interest rate swap agreements are non-hedging derivatives and are recorded at fair value with changes in fair value reflected in earnings in other noninterest income. The fair value of these derivatives is recorded on the consolidated balance sheet in other assets and other liabilities.

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, caps, floors, and collars to manage overall cash flow changes related to interest rate risk exposure on benchmark interest rate loans (1-Month LIBOR). In June 2015 and March 2016, the Company entered into interest rate swap agreements with notional values totaling $982 million and $350 million, respectively, to manage overall cash flow changes related to interest rate risk exposure on the 1-Month LIBOR rate indexed loans. In 2018 and 2017, interest rate swap agreements matured with notional amounts totaling $382 million and $300 million, respectively. The following is a detail of our cash flow hedges as of December 31, 2018:

	December 31, 2018						December 31, 2017
			Fair Value						Fair Value
(In thousands)	Notional Amount		Other Assets		Other Liabilities		Notional Amount		Other Assets		Other Liabilities
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments (cash flow hedges):
Commercial loan interest rate swaps	$	650,000	$	—	$	23,968	$	1,032,000	$	—	$	21,394
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Commercial loan interest rate swaps		1,155,942		4,439		1,777		737,533		2,056		2,056
Commercial loan interest rate caps		88,430		239		239		186,290		153		153
Commercial loan interest rate floors		652,822		5,587		5,587		330,764		1,054		1,054
Commercial loan interest rate collars		80,000		96		96
Mortgage loan held for sale interest rate lock commitments		5,286		72		—		6,119		50		—
Mortgage loan forward sale commitments		1,959		5		—		4,565		10		—
Mortgage loan held for sale floating commitments		14,690		—		—		11,800		—		—
Foreign exchange contracts		46,971		698		683		41,688		635		623
Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments		2,046,100		11,136		8,382		1,318,759		3,958		3,886
Total derivatives	$	2,696,100	$	11,136	$	32,350	$	2,350,759	$	3,958	$	25,280

Derivative contracts involve the risk of dealing with both bank customers and institutional derivative counterparties and their ability to meet contractual terms. Our policies require that institutional counterparties must be approved by our ALCO and all positions over and above the minimum transfer amounts are secured by marketable securities or cash.

Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP. Application of these principles requires management to make complex and subjective estimates and judgments that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under current circumstances.

These assumptions form the basis for our judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily available from independent, objective sources. We evaluate our estimates on an ongoing basis. Use of alternative assumptions may have resulted in significantly different estimates. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

Accounting policies are an integral part of our financial statements. A thorough understanding of these accounting policies is essential when reviewing our reported results of operations and our financial position. The critical accounting policies and estimates discussed below involve additional management judgment due to the complexity and sensitivity of the methods and assumptions used.

We account for transactions that meet the definition of a purchase business combination by recording the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at their fair value upon acquisition. Intangible assets, indemnification contracts and contingent consideration are identified and recognized individually. If the fair value of the assets acquired exceeds the purchase price plus the fair value of the liabilities assumed, a bargain purchase gain is recognized. Conversely, if the purchase price plus the fair value of the liabilities assumed exceeds the fair value of the assets acquired, goodwill is recognized.

Goodwill is accounted for in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 350, and accordingly is not amortized but is evaluated for impairment at least annually, in the fourth quarter or between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount.

Under ASC 350-20, a company is required to assign and then test goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level. A reporting unit is defined as an operating segment or a component of that operating segment, as defined in ASC 280. Reporting units may vary, depending on the level at which performance of the segment is reviewed. No impairment has been identified in any period presented.

Our other identifiable intangible assets consist primarily of the core deposit premiums and customer relationships arising from our acquisitions. These intangibles were established using the discounted cash flow approach and are being amortized using an accelerated method over the estimated remaining life of each intangible recorded at acquisition. These finite-lived intangible assets are reviewed for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset’s carrying amount may not be recoverable from undiscounted future cash flows or that it may exceed its fair value. No impairment has been identified in any period presented.

We use estimates of fair value in applying various accounting standards for our consolidated financial statements. Fair value measurements are used in one of four ways: (1) in the consolidated balance sheet with changes in fair value recorded in the consolidated statements of operations and other comprehensive income (loss); (2) in the consolidated balance sheet for instruments carried at the lower of cost or fair value with impairment charges recorded in the consolidated statements of operations and other comprehensive income (loss); and (3) in the notes to our consolidated financial statements.

Fair value is defined as the price at which an asset may be sold, or a liability may be transferred in an orderly transaction between willing and able market participants. In general, our policy in estimating fair values is to first look at observable market prices for identical assets and liabilities in active markets, where available. When these are not available, other inputs are used to model fair value such as prices of similar instruments, yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, default rates and credit spreads (including for our liabilities).

Depending on the availability of observable inputs and prices, different valuation models could produce materially different fair value estimates. The values presented may not represent future fair values and may not be realizable.

The ACL represents management’s estimate of probable credit losses inherent in our loan portfolio and the difference between the recorded investment and the present values of our most recent estimates of expected cash flows for purchased impaired loans where we have identified additional impairment subsequent to the date of acquisition. Determining the amount of the ACL is considered a critical accounting estimate because it requires significant judgment and the use of estimates related to the amount and timing of expected future cash flows on impaired loans, estimated losses based on risk characteristics of loans and consideration of other qualitative factors, all of which may be susceptible to significant change.

The ACL is maintained at a level that management believes is adequate to absorb all probable losses on loans inherent in the loan portfolio as of the reporting date. Events that are not within our control, such as changes in economic factors, could change subsequent to the reporting date and could cause the ACL to be overstated or understated. The amount of the ACL is affected by loan charge-offs, which decrease the ACL; recoveries on loans previously charged off, which increase the ACL; and the provision for credit losses charged to earnings, which increases the ACL. In determining the provision for credit losses, management monitors fluctuations in the ACL resulting from actual charge-offs and recoveries and reviews the size and composition of the loan portfolio in light of current and anticipated economic conditions. See Notes 1 and 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional disclosure regarding our ACL.

We account for our acquisitions using the acquisition method of accounting. All identifiable assets acquired, including loans, are recorded at fair value as of their respective acquisition dates. No allowance for credit losses related to the acquired loans is recorded on the acquisition date, as the fair value of the loans acquired incorporates assumptions regarding credit risk. Loans acquired are recorded at fair value, exclusive of the impact of guarantees under any applicable loss sharing agreements with the FDIC. The fair value estimates associated with the loans include estimates related to expected prepayments and the amount and timing of undiscounted expected principal, interest and other cash flows.

Loans acquired in a transfer, including business combinations, with respect to which there is evidence of credit deterioration since origination and it is probable at the date of acquisition that we will not collect all contractually required principal and interest payments, are accounted for under accounting guidance for ACI loans. We have applied this guidance to each of our acquisitions; including our FDIC-assisted acquisition of the Superior franchise and our open market acquisitions of Cadence and Encore. For each acquisition, we have aggregated the ACI loans into pools of loans with common risk characteristics. Over the life of these acquired loans, we continue to estimate cash flows expected to be collected on individual loans or on pools of loans sharing common risk characteristics. For each pool of loans, we estimate cash flows expected to be collected over the remaining life of the pool’s loans, based on assumptions about yields, prepayments and magnitude and timing of credit losses, and discount those cash flows to present value using effective interest rates to calculate the carrying value. The difference between our carrying value in the loans and our estimates of cumulative lifetime undiscounted expected cash flows represents the accretable yield. The accretable yield represents the amount we expect to recognize as interest income over the remaining life of the loans. The difference between the cash flows that our customers legally owe us under the contractual terms of their loan agreements and our cumulative lifetime expected cash flows represents the nonaccretable difference. The nonaccretable difference of a pool is a measure of the expected credit loss, prepayments and other factors affecting expected cash flows for that pool.

Each quarter, we estimate the expected cash flows for each pool or specifically reviewed loan and evaluate whether the present value of future expected cash flows for each pool or loan has decreased below its carrying value and, if so, we recognize a provision for credit loss in our consolidated statement of operations for that pool or loan and appropriately adjust the amount of accretable yield. The expected cash flows are estimated based on factors which include loan grades established in our ongoing credit review program, past due status, likelihood of default based on observations of specific loans during the credit review process as well as applicable industry data, loss severity based on updated evaluation of cash flow from available collateral, and the contractual terms of the underlying loan agreement. For any pool or loan where the present value of our most recent estimate of future cumulative lifetime cash flows has increased above its recorded investment, we transfer appropriate estimated cash flows from non-accretable difference to accretable yield, which is then recognized in income first in the reversal of any impairment, then on a prospective basis through an increase in the pool’s or individual loan yield over its remaining life. For further discussion of our acquisitions and loan accounting, see Notes 1 and 3 to our consolidated financial statements.

ASC 740-30-25 provides accounting guidance for determining when a company is required to record a valuation allowance on its deferred tax assets. A valuation allowance is required for deferred tax assets if, based on available evidence, it is more likely than not that all or some portion of the asset may not be realized due to the inability to generate sufficient taxable income in the period and/or of the character necessary to utilize the benefit of the deferred tax asset. In making this assessment, all sources of future taxable income must be considered, including taxable income in prior carryback years, future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, tax planning strategies, and future taxable income exclusive of reversing taxable temporary differences and carryforwards.

Management assesses the valuation allowance recorded against deferred tax assets at each reporting period. The determination of whether a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets is appropriate is subject to considerable judgment and requires an evaluation of all positive and negative evidence. Management concluded, based on the assessment of all of the positive and negative evidence, it was more likely than not the net deferred tax asset of $33.2 million and $30.8 at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, will be realized. This conclusion was based primarily on projections of future taxable income and the expected reversal of existing deferred tax liabilities.

Management’s estimate of future taxable income is based on internal projections, various internal assumptions, as well as certain external data all of which management believes to be reasonable although inherently subject to significant judgment. Projected future taxable income is expected to be generated through loan growth at the bank, revenue growth due to cross selling initiatives, the development of new business, and the reduction of expenses through economies of scale all in the context of a macro-economic environment that continues to trend favorably. If actual results differ significantly from the current estimates of future taxable income, even if caused by adverse macroeconomic conditions, a valuation allowance may need to be recorded for some or all our deferred tax asset. Such an increase to the deferred tax asset valuation allowance could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

See Note 1—Summary of Accounting Policies to the consolidated financial statements for information regarding recently issued accounting standards.

We manage our market risk, which is primarily interest rate risk, through its Asset Liability Management Committee. See the “Management Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Financial Condition — Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk”.

The management of Cadence Bancorporation (the “Company”) is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting. The Company’s internal control system was designed to provide reasonable assurance to the Company’s management and Board of Directors regarding the preparation and fair presentation of the Company’s financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Internal control over financial reporting includes self-monitoring mechanisms, and actions are taken to correct deficiencies as they are identified.

All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations and may not prevent or detect misstatements in the Company’s financial statements, including the possibility of circumvention or overriding of controls. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of a change in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

The Company’s management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018. In making this assessment, it used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013 Framework). Based on its assessment, management believes that, as of December 31, 2018, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting is effective based on those criteria.

The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm has also issued an attestation report on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018.

We have audited Cadence Bancorporation and subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (the COSO criteria). In our opinion, Cadence Bancorporation and subsidiaries (the Company) maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on the COSO criteria.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheets of Cadence Bancorporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018, and the related notes and our report dated March 1, 2019 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

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

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

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

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

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Cadence Bancorporation and subsidiaries (the Company)
as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018 and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway (2013 framework) and our report dated March 1, 2019 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

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

	December 31, 2018			December 31, 2017
(In thousands, except share data)
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks	$	237,342		$	238,707
Interest-bearing deposits with banks		523,436			482,568
Federal funds sold		18,502			9,536
Total cash and cash equivalents		779,280			730,811
Investment securities available-for-sale		1,187,252			1,257,063
Investment securities held-to-maturity (estimated fair value of $311 at December 31, 2017)		—			290
Other securities - FRB and FHLB stock		50,752			50,009
Loans held for sale		59,461			61,359
Loans		10,053,923			8,253,427
Less: allowance for credit losses		(94,378	)		(87,576	)
Net loans		9,959,545			8,165,851
Premises and equipment, net		63,621			63,432
Other real estate owned		2,406			7,605
Cash surrender value of life insurance		109,850			108,148
Net deferred tax asset		33,224			30,774
Goodwill		307,083			317,817
Other intangible assets, net		7,317			10,223
Other assets		170,494			145,544
Total Assets	$	12,730,285		$	10,948,926
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Liabilities:
Noninterest-bearing deposits	$	2,454,016		$	2,242,765
Interest-bearing deposits		8,254,673			6,768,750
Total deposits		10,708,689			9,011,515
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase		1,106			1,026
Federal Home Loan Bank advances		150,000			150,000
Senior debt		184,801			184,629
Subordinated debt		98,910			98,687
Junior subordinated debentures		36,953			36,472
Other liabilities		111,552			107,541
Total liabilities		11,292,011			9,589,870
Shareholders' Equity:
Common stock $0.01 par value, authorized 300,000,000 shares; 83,625,000 shares issued and 82,497,009 shares outstanding at December 31, 2018 and 83,625,000 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2017		836			836
Additional paid-in capital		1,041,000			1,037,040
Treasury stock, at cost 1,127,991 shares outstanding at December 31, 2018		(22,010	)		—
Retained earnings		461,360			340,213
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(42,912	)		(19,033	)
Total shareholders' equity		1,438,274			1,359,056
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity	$	12,730,285		$	10,948,926

	Year Ended December 31,
(In thousands, except share and per share data)	2018			2017			2016
INTEREST INCOME
Interest and fees on loans	$	470,144		$	359,308		$	305,553
Interest and dividends on securities:
Taxable		23,793			18,089			15,838
Tax-exempt		9,541			13,360			8,752
Other interest income		9,188			6,110			5,107
Total interest income		512,666			396,867			335,250
INTEREST EXPENSE
Interest on time deposits		42,093			22,213			17,191
Interest on other deposits		58,354			27,486			18,255
Interest on borrowed funds		24,478			20,952			20,365
Total interest expense		124,925			70,651			55,811
Net interest income		387,741			326,216			279,439
Provision for credit losses		12,700			9,735			49,348
Net interest income after provision for credit losses		375,041			316,481			230,091
NONINTEREST INCOME
Investment advisory revenue		21,347			20,517			18,811
Trust services revenue		17,760			19,264			16,109
Credit related fees		16,124			12,166			10,729
Service charges on deposit accounts		15,432			15,272			13,793
Other service fees		5,345			4,414			2,884
Mortgage banking income		2,372			3,731			4,663
Securities (losses) gains, net		(1,853	)		(146	)		3,736
Other income		18,111			24,656			17,678
Total noninterest income		94,638			99,874			88,403
NONINTEREST EXPENSE
Salaries and employee benefits		154,905			139,118			125,068
Premises and equipment		30,478			28,921			27,982
Merger related expenses		2,983			—			—
Intangible asset amortization		2,755			4,652			6,532
Other expense		67,180			60,665			60,598
Total noninterest expense		258,301			233,356			220,180
Income before income taxes		211,378			182,999			98,314
Income tax expense		45,117			80,646			32,540
Net income	$	166,261		$	102,353		$	65,774
Weighted average common shares outstanding (Basic)		83,562,109			81,072,945			75,000,000
Weighted average common shares outstanding (Diluted)		84,375,289			81,605,015			75,294,600
Earnings per common share (Basic)	$	1.99		$	1.26		$	0.88
Earnings per common share (Diluted)	$	1.97		$	1.25		$	0.87

	Year Ended December 31,
(In thousands)	2018			2017			2016
Net income	$	166,261		$	102,353		$	65,774
Other comprehensive (losses) gains, net of tax:
Net unrealized (losses) gains on securities available-for-sale:
Net unrealized (losses) gains arising during the period (net of $7,067, $(10,558) and $14,691 tax effect, respectively)		(23,544	)		21,513			(25,361	)
Reclassification adjustments for gains (losses) realized in net income (net of $(428), $(54), $1,377 tax effect, respectively)		1,425			92			(2,359	)
Net unrealized (losses) gains on securities available-for-sale		(22,119	)		21,605			(27,720	)
Unrealized losses on derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges:
Net unrealized (losses) arising during the period (net of $1,777, $783 and $2,712 tax effect, respectively)		(5,934	)		(643	)		(4,732	)
Reclassification adjustments for gains (losses) realized in net income (net of $(1,193), $1,336 and $4,149 tax effect, respectively)		3,971			(2,339	)		(7,106	)
Net change in unrealized (losses) on derivative instruments		(1,963	)		(2,982	)		(11,838	)
Change in pension liability:
Actuarial gains (losses) arising during the period (net of $(62), $(11) and $81 tax effect, respectively)		203			37			(145	)
Reclassification adjustments for gains realized in net income (net of $0, $(26) and $(77) tax effect, respectively)		—			84			132
Net unrealized gains (losses) on pension liability		203			121			(13	)
Other comprehensive (losses) gains, net of tax		(23,879	)		18,744			(39,571	)
Comprehensive income	$	142,382		$	121,097		$	26,203

(In thousands)	Common Stock		Additional Paid-in Capital		Treasury Stock			Retained Earnings			Accumulated OCI			Total Shareholders' Equity
Balance, December 31, 2015	$	750	$	879,578	$	—		$	166,840		$	7,040		$	1,054,208
Equity-based compensation cost		—		87		—			—			—			87
Net income		—		—		—			65,774			—			65,774
Other comprehensive loss		—		—		—			—			(39,571	)		(39,571	)
Balance, December 31, 2016		750		879,665		—			232,614			(32,531	)		1,080,498
Equity-based compensation cost		—		1,880					—			—			1,880
Net income		—		—		—			102,353			—			102,353
Other comprehensive income		—		—		—			—			18,744			18,744
Reclassification of amounts within AOCI to retained earnings due to tax reform (Notes 1 and 11)		—		—		—			5,246			(5,246	)		—
Issuance of 8,625,000 common shares, net of issuance costs		86		155,495		—			—			—			155,581
Balance, December 31, 2017		836		1,037,040		—			340,213			(19,033	)		1,359,056
Equity-based compensation cost		—		3,960		—			—			—			3,960
Net income		—		—		—			166,261			—			166,261
Cash dividends declared ($0.55 per common share)		—		—		—			(45,995	)		—			(45,995	)
Dividend equivalents on restricted stock (Note 22)		—		—		—			(119	)		—			(119	)
Cumulative effect of adoption of new accounting principles (Note 1)		—		—		—			1,000			—			1,000
Purchase of treasury stock - at cost		—		—		(22,010	)								(22,010	)
Other comprehensive income		—		—		—			—			(23,879	)		(23,879	)
Balance, December 31, 2018	$	836	$	1,041,000	$	(22,010	)	$	461,360		$	(42,912	)	$	1,438,274

	Year Ended December 31,
(In thousands)	2018			2017			2016
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$	166,261		$	102,353		$	65,774
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operations:
Depreciation and amortization		20,366			13,635			13,250
Deferred income tax expense		4,464			44,388			5,980
Provision for loan losses		12,700			9,735			49,348
Loss (gain) on sale of securities, net		1,853			146			(3,736	)
Gain on sale of loans, net		(1,422	)		(2,670	)		(2,904	)
Loss on foreclosed property, net		338			1,073			2,114
Increase in interest receivable		(8,985	)		(7,904	)		(4,155	)
Proceeds from sales of loans held for sale		290,733			195,130			137,351
Origination of loans held for sale		(271,680	)		(237,404	)		(136,774	)
(Increase) decrease in other assets		(21,644	)		4,079			(11,685	)
Increase in other liabilities		1,610			18,078			1,011
Gain on sale of insurance subsidiary assets		(4,871	)		—			—
Other, net		1,446			4,059			2,439
Net cash flows provided by operating activities		191,169			144,698			118,013
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchase of securities available-for-sale		(342,500	)		(369,786	)		(1,120,250	)
Proceeds from sales of securities available-for-sale		268,799			161,401			538,960
Proceeds from maturities, calls and paydowns of securities available-for-sale		111,801			96,728			134,501
Proceeds from sale of loans transferred to held for sale		20,894			17,613			328,381
Increase in loans, net		(1,848,463	)		(847,428	)		(913,069	)
Proceeds from sale of insurance subsidiary assets		15,876			—			—
Purchase of premises and equipment		(10,698	)		(6,428	)		(5,356	)
Proceeds from disposition of foreclosed property		7,947			17,220			28,489
Other, net		4,395			(20,423	)		14,986
Net cash used in investing activities		(1,771,949	)		(951,103	)		(993,358	)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Increase in deposits, net		1,697,174			994,778			1,029,487
Net change in securities sold under agreements to repurchase		80			(2,468	)		(2,346	)
Net change in FHLB advances		—			150,000			(370,000	)
Purchase of senior debt		—			(9,600	)		(78	)
Repurchase of common stock		(22,010	)		—			—
Cash dividends paid on common stock		(45,995	)		—			—
Proceeds from issuance of common stock		—			155,581			—
Net cash provided by financing activities		1,629,249			1,288,291			657,063
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		48,469			481,886			(218,282	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		730,811			248,925			467,207
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	779,280		$	730,811		$	248,925

Cadence Bancorporation (the “Company”) is a Delaware corporation and a financial holding company whose primary asset is its investment in its wholly owned subsidiary bank, Cadence Bank National Association (the “Bank”).

The Company and its subsidiaries follow accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, including, where applicable, general practices within the banking industry. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. Significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The assessment of whether or not the Company has a controlling interest (i.e., the primary beneficiary) in a variable-interest entity (“VIE”) is performed on an on-going basis. All equity investments in non-consolidated VIEs are included in “other assets” in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets (Note 20).

Certain amounts reported in prior years have been reclassified to conform to the 2018 presentation. These reclassifications did not materially impact the Company’s consolidated balance sheets or consolidated statements of income.

In accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 855, “Subsequent Events,” the Company’s Management has evaluated subsequent events for potential recognition or disclosure in the consolidated financial statements through the date of the issuance of these consolidated financial statements. No subsequent events were identified that would have required a change to the consolidated financial statements or disclosure in the notes to the consolidated financial statements, other than as disclosed in Note 2, Subsequent Events.

The Bank operates under a national bank charter and is subject to regulation by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”). The Bank provides lending services in Georgia and full banking services in five southern states: Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Texas. See Note 2, Subsequent Events, regarding the completion of its previously announced merger with State Bank Financial Corporation.

The Company and the Bank also have certain other non-operating and immaterial subsidiaries.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP 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 susceptible to significant change in the near term are the allowance for credit losses, valuation of and accounting for acquired credit impaired loans, valuation of goodwill, intangible assets and deferred income taxes.

On May 31, 2018 the Company completed the sale of the assets of its subsidiary, Town & Country Insurance Agency, Inc. (“T&C) to an unrelated third party, selling $11.1 million in net assets, including $10.9 million in goodwill and intangibles. This transaction resulted in a pre-tax gain of $4.9 million recorded in noninterest income, offset by $1.1 million in sale related expenses recorded in noninterest expenses during the second quarter of 2018.

Securities classified as available-for-sale are those securities that are intended to be held for an indefinite period of time, but not necessarily to maturity. Any decision to sell a security classified as available-for-sale would be based on various factors, including movements in interest rates, liquidity needs, security risk assessments, changes in the mix of assets and liabilities and other similar factors. These securities are carried at their estimated fair value, and the net unrealized gain or loss is reported as accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax, until realized. Premiums and discounts are recognized in interest income using the effective interest method.

Realized gains and losses on the sale of securities available-for-sale are determined by specific identification using the adjusted cost on a trade date basis and are included in securities gains (losses), net.

Securities classified as held-to-maturity are those securities for which there is a positive intent and ability to hold to maturity. These securities are carried at cost, adjusted for amortization of premium and accretion of discount, computed by the effective interest method. The Company had no securities held-to-maturity at December 31, 2018.

Securities with readily determinable fair values not held for trading consist of marketable equity securities which are carried at fair value with changes in fair value reported in net income.

Trading account securities are securities that are held for the purpose of selling them at a profit. The Company had no trading account securities as of December 31, 2018 or 2017.

The Company has ownership in Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (“FHLB”) and Federal Reserve Bank (“FRB”) stock which do not have readily determinable fair values and no quoted market values, as ownership is restricted to member institutions, and all transactions take place at par value with the FHLB or FRB as the only purchaser. Therefore, the Company accounts for these investments as long-term assets and carries them at cost. Management’s determination as to whether these investments are impaired is based on management’s assessment of the ultimate recoverability of the par value (cost) rather than recognizing temporary declines in fair value. In order to become a member of the Federal Reserve System, regulations require that the Company hold a certain amount of FRB capital stock. Additionally, investment in FHLB stock is required for membership in the FHLB system and in relation to the level of FHLB outstanding borrowings.

Derivative instruments are accounted for under the requirements of ASC Topic 815, “Derivatives and Hedging.” ASC Topic 815 requires companies to recognize all of their derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets at fair value.

In the ordinary course of business, the Company enters into certain commitments with customers in connection with residential mortgage loan applications. Such commitments are considered derivatives under current accounting guidance and are required to be recorded at fair value. The change in fair value of these instruments is reflected currently in the mortgage banking revenue of the consolidated statements of income. The fair value of these derivatives is recorded on the consolidated balance sheets in other assets and other liabilities.

The Company enters into forward sales commitments of mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) with investors to mitigate the effect of the interest rate risk inherent in providing interest rate lock commitments to customers. During the period from commitment date to closing date, the Company is subject to the risk that market rates of interest may change. In an effort to mitigate such risk, forward delivery sales commitments, under which the Company agrees to deliver certain MBS, are established. These commitments are non-hedging derivatives in accordance with current accounting guidance and recorded at fair value, with changes in fair value reflected currently in the mortgage banking revenue of the consolidated statements of income. The fair value of these derivatives is recorded on the consolidated balance sheets in other assets and other liabilities.

Interest Rate Swap, Floor, Cap, and Collar Agreements Not Designated as Hedging Derivatives

The Company enters into interest rate swap, floor, cap and collar agreements on commercial loans with customers to meet the financing needs and interest rate risk management needs of its customers. At the same time, the Company enters into offsetting interest rate swap agreements with a financial institution in order to minimize the Company’s interest rate risk. These interest rate agreements are non-hedging derivatives and are recorded at fair value with changes in fair value reflected in noninterest income. The fair value of these derivatives is recorded on the consolidated balance sheets in other assets and other liabilities.

Interest Rate Swap, Floor, Cap, and Collar Agreements Designated as Cash Flow Hedges

Cash flow hedge relationships mitigate exposure to the variability of future cash flows or other forecasted transactions. The Company uses interest rate swaps, caps, collars, and floors to manage overall cash flow changes related to interest rate risk exposure on benchmark interest rate loans. The entire change in the fair value 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 Company assesses the effectiveness of hedging derivatives during the initial period with a quantitative test such as statistical regression on a prospective and retrospective basis. For subsequent periods, the effectiveness of hedging derivatives is assessed qualitatively by assuring the notional amounts of the respective derivative instruments are equal to or less than the current balance of the hedged items.

The Company enters into certain foreign currency exchange contracts on behalf of its clients to facilitate their risk management strategies, while at the same time entering into offsetting foreign currency exchange contracts in order to minimize the Company’s foreign currency exchange risk. The contracts are short term in nature, and any gain or loss incurred at settlement is recorded as other noninterest income or other noninterest expense. The fair value of these contracts is reported in other assets and other liabilities. The Company does not apply hedge accounting to these contracts.

Derivative contracts involve the risk of dealing with both bank customers and institutional derivative counterparties and their ability to meet contractual terms. Under Company policy, institutional counterparties must be approved by the Company’s Asset/Liability Management Committee. The Company’s credit exposure on derivatives is limited to the net fair value for each counterparty.

Refer to Note 7 for further discussion and details of derivative financial instruments and hedging activities.

Transfers of financials assets are accounted for as sales when control over the transferred assets is surrendered. Control is generally considered to have been surrendered when 1) the transferred assets are legally isolated from the Company or its consolidated affiliates, even in bankruptcy or other receivership, 2) the transferee has the right to pledge or exchange the assets with no conditions that constrain the transferee and provide more than a trivial benefit to the Company, and 3) the Company does not maintain the obligation or unilateral ability to reclaim or repurchase the assets. If these sale criteria are met, the transferred assets are removed from the Company’s balance sheet and a gain or loss on sale is recognized. If not met, the transfer is recorded as a secured borrowing, and the assets remain on the Company’s balance sheet, the proceeds from the transaction are recognized as a liability, and gain or loss on sale is deferred until the sale criterion are achieved. All transfers of financial assets in the reported periods have qualified and been recorded as sales.

Mortgage loans originated and intended for sale in the secondary market are carried at the lower of cost or estimated fair value in the aggregate. The Company also transfers certain mortgage loans to held for sale when management has the intent to sell the loan or a portion of the loan in the near term. These held for sale loans are recorded at the lower of cost or estimated fair value. At the time of transfer, write-downs on the loans are recorded as charge-offs and a new cost basis is established. Generally, loans in this category are sold within thirty days. These loans are primarily sold with the mortgage servicing rights released. Fees on mortgage loans sold individually in the secondary market, including origination fees, service release premiums, processing and administrative fees, and application fees, are recognized as mortgage banking revenue in the period in which the loans are sold. These loans are underwritten to the standards of upstream correspondents and are held on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets until the loans are sold. Buyers generally have recourse to return a purchased loan to the Company under limited circumstances. Recourse conditions may include early payment default, breach of representations or warranties, and documentation deficiencies. During 2018, 2017 and 2016, an insignificant number of loans were returned to the Company.

The Company originates certain commercial loans for which a portion is intended for sale. The Company also transfers certain commercial loans to held for sale when management has the intent to sell the loan or a portion of the loan in the near term. These held for sale loans are recorded at the lower of cost or estimated fair value. At the time of transfer, write-downs on the loans are recorded as charge-offs and a new cost basis is established. Any subsequent lower of cost or market adjustment is determined on an individual loan basis and is recognized as a valuation allowance with any charges included in other noninterest expense. Gains and losses on the sale of these loans are included in other noninterest income when realized.

A summary of the loans held for sale at December 31, 2018 and 2017 is as follows:

Loans include loans that are originated by the Company and acquired loans that are not considered impaired at acquisition. Loans originated by the Company are carried at the principal amount outstanding adjusted for the allowance for credit losses, net of deferred origination fees, and unamortized discounts and premiums. Interest income is recognized based on the principal balance outstanding and the stated rate of the loan. Loan origination fees and certain direct origination costs are capitalized and recognized as an adjustment of the yield on the related loan. Loans acquired through acquisition are initially recorded at fair value. Discounts and premiums created when the loans were recorded at their estimated fair values at acquisition are accreted over the remaining term of the loan as an adjustment to the related loan’s yield.

Commercial loans, including small business loans, are generally placed on nonaccrual status when principal or interest is past due ninety days or more unless the loan is well secured and in the process of collection, or when the loan is specifically determined to be impaired. Consumer loans, including residential first and second lien loans secured by real estate, are generally placed on nonaccrual status when they are 120 or more days past due.

The accrual of interest, as well as the amortization/accretion of any remaining unamortized net deferred fees or costs and discount or premium, is generally discontinued at the time the loan is placed on nonaccrual status. All accrued but uncollected interest for loans that are placed on nonaccrual status is reversed through interest income. Cash receipts received on nonaccrual loans are generally applied against principal until the loan has been collected in full, after which time any additional cash receipts are recognized as interest income (i.e., cost recovery method). However, interest may be accounted for under the cash-basis method as long as the remaining recorded investment in the loan is deemed fully collectible.

Loans are evaluated for potential charge-off in accordance with the parameters discussed below or when the loan is placed on non-accrual status, whichever is earlier. Loans within the commercial portfolio are generally evaluated for charge-off at 90 days past due, unless both well-secured and in the process of collection. Closed and open-end residential mortgage and consumer loans are evaluated for charge-off no later than 120 days past due. Any outstanding loan balance in excess of the fair value of the collateral less costs to sell is charged-off no later than 180 days past due for loans secured by real estate. For non-real estate secured loans, in lieu of charging off the entire loan balance, loans may be written down to the fair value of the collateral less costs to sell if repossession of collateral is assured and in process.

A loan is considered to be impaired when it appears probable that the entire amount contractually due will not be collected in accordance with the terms of the loan agreement. Factors considered in determining impairment include payment status, collateral values, and the probability of collecting scheduled payments of principal and interest when due. The measurement of impaired loans is based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate or the loan’s observable market price, or based on the fair value of the collateral less disposal costs if the loan is collateral dependent.

Included in impaired loans are loans considered troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”). The Company attempts to work with borrowers when necessary to extend or modify loan terms to better align with the borrower’s ability to repay. Extensions and modifications to loans are made in accordance with internal policies and guidelines which conform to regulatory guidance. A modification is classified as a TDR if the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty and it is determined that the Company has granted a concession to the borrower. The Company may determine that a borrower is experiencing financial difficulty if the borrower is currently in default on any of its debt, or if it is probable that a borrower may default in the foreseeable future without the modification. Concessions could include reductions of interest rates at a rate lower than current market rate for a new loan with similar risk, extension of the maturity date, reduction of accrued interest, principal forgiveness, forbearance, or other concessions. The assessments of whether a borrower is experiencing or will likely experience financial difficulty and whether a concession has been granted can be subjective in nature, and management’s judgment is required when determining whether a modification is classified as a TDR.

The allowance for credit losses (“ACL”) is established through charges to income in the form of a provision for credit losses. The ACL is maintained at a level that management believes is adequate to absorb all probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio which are incurred as of the reporting date. Events that are not within the Company’s control, such as changes in economic factors, could change subsequent to the reporting date and could cause the ACL to be overstated or understated. The amount of the ACL is affected by loan charge-offs, which decrease the ACL; recoveries on loans previously charged off, which increase the ACL; and the provision for credit losses charged to income, which increases the ACL. In determining the provision for credit losses, management monitors fluctuations in the ACL resulting from actual charge-offs and recoveries and reviews the size and composition of the loan portfolio in light of current and anticipated economic conditions.

Management presents the quarterly review of the ACL to the Bank’s Board of Directors.. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available or as events change.

The reserve for unfunded commitments is determined by assessing three distinct components: unfunded commitment volatility in the portfolio (excluding commitments related to letters of credit and commitment letters), adverse letters of credit, and adverse lines of credit. Unfunded commitment volatility is calculated on a trailing eight quarter basis; the resulting expected funding amount is then reserved for based on the current combined reserve rate of the pass-rated originated and ANCI loans. Adverse lines and letters of credit are assessed individually based on funding and loss expectations as of the period end. The reserve for unfunded commitments is recorded in other liabilities and other noninterest expense separate from the allowance and provision for credit losses. As of December 31, 2018, and 2017, the reserve for unfunded commitments totaled $0.6 million and $0.8 million, respectively.

The Company accounts for its acquisitions under ASC Topic 805, which requires the use of the acquisition method of accounting. All identifiable assets acquired, including loans, are recorded at fair value. No ACL related to the acquired loans is recorded on the acquisition date as the fair value of the loans acquired incorporates assumptions regarding credit risk. Loans acquired are recorded at fair value in accordance with the fair value methodology prescribed in ASC Topic 820. The fair value estimates associated with the loans include estimates related to the amount and timing of undiscounted expected principal, interest and other cash flows, as well as the appropriate discount rate. At the time of acquisition, the Company estimated the fair value of the total acquired loan portfolio by segregating the portfolio into loan pools with similar characteristics and certain specifically-reviewed non-homogeneous loans. The similar characteristics used to establish the pools included:

From these pools, the Company used certain loan information, including outstanding principal balance, estimated probability of default and loss given default, weighted average maturity, weighted average term to re-price (if a variable rate loan), estimated prepayment rates, and weighted average interest rate to estimate the expected cash flow for each loan pool. For the specifically-reviewed loans expected cash flows were determined for each loan based on current performance and collateral values, if the loan is collateral dependent.

The Company accounts for and evaluates acquired credit impaired (“ACI”) loans in accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 310-30. When ACI loans exhibit evidence of credit deterioration since origination and it is probable at the date of acquisition that the Company will not collect all principal and interest payments in accordance with the terms of the loan agreement, the expected shortfall in future cash flows, as compared to the contractual amount due, is recognized as a non-accretable discount. Any excess of expected cash flows over the acquisition date fair value is known as the accretable discount and is recognized as accretion income over the life of each pool or individual loan. ACI loans that meet the criteria for non-accrual of interest at the time of acquisition may be considered performing upon acquisition, regardless of whether the customer is contractually delinquent, if the timing and expected cash flows on such loans can be reasonably estimated and if collection of the new carrying value of such loans is expected. However, if the timing or amount of the expected cash flows cannot be reasonably estimated an ACI loan may be placed in nonaccruing status. Expected cash flows over the acquisition date fair value are periodically re-estimated utilizing the same cash flow methodology used at the time of acquisition and subsequent decreases to the expected cash flows will generally result in a provision for loan losses charge to the Company’s consolidated statements of income. Conversely, subsequent increases in expected cash flows result in a transfer from the non-accretable discount to the accretable discount, which would have a positive impact on accretion income prospectively. These cash flow evaluations are inherently subjective as they require material estimates, all of which may be susceptible to significant change.

Premises and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are determined using the straight-line method at rates calculated to depreciate or amortize the cost of assets over their estimated useful lives.

Maintenance and repairs of property and equipment are charged to expense, and major improvements that extend the useful life of the asset are capitalized. Upon retirement, sale, or other disposition of property and equipment, the cost and accumulated depreciation are eliminated from the accounts, and any gains or losses are included in income.

The Company leases various premises and equipment under operating leases. The leases have varying terms, with most containing renewal or first-right-of-refusal options for multi-year periods and annual increases in base rates. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the lesser of the estimated useful life or the lease term.

Other real estate (“OREO”) consists of properties acquired through foreclosure and unutilized bank-owned properties. These properties, as held for sale properties, are recorded at fair value, less estimated costs to sell, on the date of foreclosure establishing a new cost basis for the property. Subsequent to the foreclosure date the OREO is maintained at the lower of cost or fair value. Any write-down to fair value required at the time of foreclosure is charged to the ACL. Subsequent gains or losses resulting from the sale of the property or additional valuation allowances required due to further declines in fair value are reported in other noninterest expense. The amount of loans in the process of foreclosure or physical possession for single-family residential properties was $3.8 million and $4.4 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The amount of residential real estate properties held in OREO was $0.9 million and $2.7 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

The Company invests in bank-owned life insurance (“BOLI”), which involves the purchasing of life insurance on selected employees. The Company is the owner of the policies and, accordingly, the cash surrender value of the policies is included in total assets, and increases in cash surrender values are reported as income in the consolidated statements of income. The cash value accumulation on BOLI is permanently tax deferred if the policy is held to the insured person’s death and certain other conditions are met.

Goodwill is accounted for in accordance with ASC Topic 350, and accordingly is not amortized but is evaluated for impairment at least annually in the fourth quarter or more frequently if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. As part of its testing, the Company may elect to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If the results of the qualitative assessment indicate that more likely than not a reporting unit’s fair value is less than its carrying amount, the Company determines the fair value of the respective reporting unit (through the application of various quantitative valuation methodologies) relative to its carrying amount to determine whether quantitative indicators of potential impairment are present (i.e., Step 1). The Company may also elect to bypass the qualitative assessment and begin with Step 1. If the results of Step 1 indicate that the fair value of the reporting unit may be below its carrying amount, the Company determines the fair value of the reporting unit’s assets and liabilities, considering deferred taxes, and then measures impairment loss by comparing the implied fair value of goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill (i.e., Step 2).

A reporting unit is defined as an operating segment or a component of that operating segment, as defined in ASC 280. Reporting units may vary, depending on the level at which performance of the segment is reviewed. No impairment was identified in any reporting unit in 2018, 2017 or 2016.

Other identifiable intangible assets consist primarily of the core deposit premiums and customer relationships arising from acquisitions. These intangibles were established using the discounted cash flow approach and are being amortized using an accelerated method over the estimated remaining life of each intangible recorded at acquisition. These finite-lived intangible assets are reviewed for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset’s carrying amount may not be recoverable from undiscounted future cash flows or that it may exceed its fair value.

The Bank owns a net profits interest in oil and gas reserves received in connection with the reorganization under bankruptcy of a loan customer. In the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company sold a previously owned net profit interest for $5.3 million. These interests are considered financial interests and are recorded at estimated fair value using discounted cash flow analyses applied to the expected cash flows from the producing developed wells. Because the expected cash flows are based on the current and projected prices for oil and gas, the fair value is subject to change based on these commodity markets. Any adjustments to fair value will be recorded in other noninterest income. The amount in other assets was $5.8 million and $15.8 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. See Note 19, Disclosure About Fair Value of Financial Instruments, for more information.

The Company and its significant subsidiaries are subject to income taxes in federal, state and local jurisdictions, and such corporations account for income taxes under the asset and liability method in accordance with ASC Topic 740. 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 bases and net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled.

The recognition of a net deferred tax asset is dependent upon a “more likely than not” expectation of realization of the net deferred tax asset, based upon the analysis of available evidence. The net deferred tax asset recoverability is calculated using a consistent approach, which considers the relative impact of negative and positive evidence, including review of historical financial performance, and all sources of future taxable income, such as projections of future taxable income exclusive of future reversals of temporary differences and carryforwards, tax planning strategies, and any carryback availability. A valuation allowance is required to sufficiently reduce the net deferred tax asset to the amount that is expected to be realized on a “more likely than not” basis. Changes in the valuation allowance are generally recorded through income.

The purchase of the Company’s common stock is recorded at cost. At the date of repurchase, shareholders’ equity is reduced by the repurchase price. Upon retirement, or upon purchase for constructive retirement, treasury stock would be reduced by the cost of such stock with the excess of repurchase price over par or stated value recorded in additional paid-in capital. If the Company subsequently reissues treasury shares, treasury stock is reduced by the cost of such stock with differences recorded in additional paid-in capital or retained earnings, as applicable.

Service charges on deposit accounts consist of non-sufficient funds fees, account analysis fees, and other service charges on deposits which consist primarily of monthly account fees. Non-sufficient funds fees are recognized at the time the account overdraft occurs in accordance with regulatory guidelines. Account analysis fees consist of fees charged to certain commercial demand deposit accounts based upon account activity (and reduced by a credit which is based upon cash levels in the account).

Commission revenue is recognized as of the effective date of the insurance policy, the date the customer is billed, or the date the commission is received, whichever is later. The Company also receives contingent commissions from insurance companies as additional incentive for achieving specified premium volume goals and/or the loss experience of the insurance placed. The Company recognizes contingent commissions from insurance companies when determinable, which is generally when such commissions are received or when data is received from the insurance companies that allow the reasonable estimation of these amounts. Commission adjustments are recorded, including policy cancellations and override commissions, when the adjustments become reasonably estimable, which is generally in the period in which they occur.

The Company does not include assets held in fiduciary or agency capacities in the consolidated balance sheets, as such items are not assets of the Company. Fees from asset management activities are recorded on an accrual basis, over the period in which the service is provided. Fees are a function of the market value of assets administered and managed, the volume of transactions, and fees for other services rendered, as set forth in the underlying client agreement. This revenue recognition involves the use of estimates and assumptions, including components that are calculated based on estimated asset valuations and transaction volumes.

Credit related fees primarily include fees assessed on the unused portion of commercial lines of credit (“unused commitment fees”) and syndication agent fees. Unused commitment fees are recognized when earned. Syndication agent fees are generally recognized when the transaction is complete.

Bankcard fees include primarily bankcard interchange revenue, which is recorded when services are provided.

Basic earnings per share is calculated using the two-class method to determine income attributable to common shareholders. Unvested share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends are considered participating securities under the two-class method. Net income attributable to common shareholders is then divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common stock that then shared on the net income of the Company. Diluted earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income available to common shareholders by the total of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, plus the dilutive effect of outstanding share-based compensation awards.

Accounting principles generally require that recognized revenue, expenses, gains, and losses be included in net income. Although certain changes in assets and liabilities, such as unrealized gains and losses on available for sale securities, pension liability and cash flow hedges, are reported as a separate component of the shareholder’s equity section of the consolidated balance sheets, such items, along with net income, are components of comprehensive income.

The Company offers a 401(k) defined contribution benefit plan to its employees. The plan provides for a 100% match of employee contributions up to three percent of employee compensation and a 50% match of employee contributions on the next three percent of employee compensation. All contributions and related earnings are 100% vested.

Employees of the legacy Cadence Bank hired prior to January 1, 2001 participate in a noncontributory defined benefit pension plan. The plan calls for benefits to be paid to eligible employees at retirement based primarily upon years of service and compensation. Contributions to the plan reflect benefits attributed to employees’ services to date, as well as services expected to be provided in the future. The annual pension cost charged to expense is actuarially determined in accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 715, “Compensation-Retirement Benefits.” The plan was amended effective January 1, 2001, to close participation in the plan, and employees hired subsequent to December 31, 2000, are not eligible to participate.

The Company has a supplemental retirement plan that originated from an acquired bank for certain directors and officers of that acquired bank. The annual cost charged to expense and the estimated present values of the projected payments are actuarially determined in accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 715.

Prior to its acquisition by Cadence Bancorp, LLC (“LLC”), the Company entered into agreements with certain senior officers to establish an unqualified supplemental retirement plan. The plan allows for fixed payment amounts to begin on a monthly basis at age 65. The annual cost charged to expense and the estimated present value of the projected payments was determined in accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 715. The present value of projected payments is recorded as a liability, in accordance with ASC Subtopic 710-30, in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.

The Company provides a voluntary deferred compensation plan for certain of its executive and senior officers. Under this plan, the participants may defer up to 25% of their base compensation and 100% of certain incentive compensation. The Company may, but is not obligated to, contribute to the plan. Amounts contributed to this plan are credited to a separate account for each participant and are subject to a risk of loss in the event of the Company’s insolvency. The Company made no contributions to this plan in 2018, 2017 or 2016.

The Company maintains an equity incentive plan that provides for the granting of various forms of incentive equity-based compensation. The Company values these units at the grant date fair value and recognizes expense over the requisite service period. The Company’s equity–based compensation costs are recorded as a component of salaries and employee benefits in the consolidated statements of income. See Note 22 for additional information.

Prior to 2018 the Bank granted long-term incentive awards to certain employees that provide for cash compensation, half of which are based on the value of the shares of Cadence Bancorp LLC (“LLC”), or the quoted market price of the Company’s common stock, as determined on at least a quarterly basis. The awards are generally subject to a 36-month vesting period and the attainment of certain three-year profitability levels. The Company adjusts the accrual related to this plan on at least a quarterly basis, based on the phantom shares awarded, and the fair value of LLC’s or Company’s stock. Expense under this plan was $6.0 million, $7.3 million and $4.4 million as of December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

The Company provides an employee stock purchase plan whereby employees may purchase the Company’s Class A Common Stock (“Common Stock”) at a discount of 15% of the fair market value of a share of Common Stock, defined as the closing price of the Common Stock on the stock exchange for the first and last day of the purchase period (as defined). The Company records an expense for the 15% discount which is included in salaries and employee benefits in the consolidated statements of income. See Note 13 for additional information.

For purposes of reporting cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand and amounts due from banks, interest-bearing deposits with banks, and federal funds sold. Generally, federal funds are sold for one to seven day periods.

Cash flows from loans, either originated or acquired, are classified at the time according to management’s intent to either sell or hold the loan for the foreseeable future. When management’s intent is to hold the loan for the foreseeable future, the cash flows of that loan are presented as investing cash flows.

In the ordinary course of business, the Company enters into off-balance sheet financial instruments consisting of commitments to extend credit, credit card lines, standby letters of credit and commitments to purchase securities. Such financial instruments are recorded in the consolidated financial statements when they are exercised.

Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based on relevant market information and other information about the financial instrument. These estimates do not reflect any premium or discount that could result from offering for sale, at one time, the entire holdings of a particular financial instrument. Because no market exists for a portion of the financial instruments, fair value estimates are also based on judgments regarding estimated cash flows, 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 precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.

Management employs independent third-party pricing services to provide fair value estimates for the Company’s investment securities available for sale and held to maturity. Fair values for investment securities and certain derivative financial instruments are typically the prices supplied by a third-party pricing service or an unrelated counterparty, which utilize quoted market prices, broker/dealer quotations for identical or similar securities, and/or inputs that are observable in the market, either directly or indirectly, for substantially similar securities. Level 1 securities are typically exchange quoted prices. Level 2 securities are typically matrix priced by a third-party pricing service to calculate the fair value. Such fair value measurements consider observable data, such as relevant broker/dealer quotes, market spreads, cash flows, yield curves, live trading levels, trade execution data, market consensus prepayments speeds, credit information, and the respective terms and conditions for debt instruments. Level 3 instruments’ value is determined using pricing models, discounted cash flow models and similar techniques, and may also include the use of market prices of assets or liabilities that are not directly comparable to the subject asset or liability. These methods of valuation may result in a significant portion of the fair value being derived from unobservable assumptions that reflect the Company’s own estimates for assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.

Management uses various validation procedures to validate the prices received from pricing services and quotations received from dealers are reasonable for each relevant financial instrument, including reference to relevant broker/dealer quotes or other market quotes and a review of valuations and trade activity of comparable securities. Consideration is given to the nature of the quotes (e.g., indicative or firm) and the relationship of recently evidenced market activity to the prices provided by the third-party pricing service.

Understanding the third-party pricing service’s valuation methods, assumptions and inputs used by the firm is an important part of the process of determining that reasonable and reliable fair values are being obtained. Management evaluates quantitative and qualitative information provided by the third-party pricing services to assess whether they continue to exhibit the high level of expertise and internal controls that management relies upon.

Fair value estimates are based on existing financial instruments on the consolidated balance sheets, without attempting to estimate the value of anticipated future business and the value of assets and liabilities that are not considered financial instruments. Significant assets and liabilities that are not considered financial instruments include deferred income taxes, premises and equipment, goodwill and other intangible assets. In addition, the income tax ramifications related to the realization of the unrealized gains and losses on available for sale investment securities can have a significant effect on fair value estimates and have not been considered in any of the estimates.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606),” (ASU 2014-09), which is intended to improve and converge the financial reporting requirements for revenue contracts with customers. Previous accounting guidance comprised broad revenue recognition concepts along with numerous industry-specific requirements. The new guidance establishes a five-step model which entities must follow to recognize revenue and removes inconsistencies and weaknesses in existing guidance. Our major sources of revenue are from financial instruments that have been excluded from the scope of the new standard (including loans, derivatives, debt and equity securities, etc.). The standard required us to change how we recognize certain recurring revenue streams within insurance commissions and fees and other categories of noninterest income. The adoption of ASU 2014-09 on January 1, 2018 did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, “Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities”. ASU 2016-1, among other things, (i) requires equity investments, with certain exceptions, to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income, (ii) simplifies the impairment assessment of equity investments without readily determinable fair values by requiring a qualitative assessment to identify impairment, (iii) eliminates the requirement for public business entities to disclose the methods and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value that is required to be disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost on the balance sheets, (iv) requires public business entities to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes, (v) requires an entity to present separately in other comprehensive income the portion of the total change in the fair value of a liability resulting from a change in the instrument-specific credit risk when the entity has elected to measure the liability at fair value in accordance with the fair value option for financial instruments, (vi) requires separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset on the balance sheets or the accompanying notes to the financial statements and (viii) clarifies that an entity should evaluate the need for a valuation allowance on a deferred tax asset related to available-for-sale. The adoption of ASU 2016-01 on January 1, 2018 resulted in an adjustment to retained earnings of $1.0 million related to fair value measurements changes to equity securities and certain limited partnerships (See Notes 19 and 20).

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments”, to reduce current diversity in practice in how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. The adoption of ASU 2016-15 on January 1, 2018 did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-01, “Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business”: ASU 2017-01 introduces amendments that are intended to clarify the definition of a business to assist companies and other reporting organizations with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. The adoption of ASU 2017-01 on January 1, 2018 did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In March 2017, the FASB issued 2017-07, “Compensation – Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Costs,” to improve the presentation of net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit cost. The amendments require that an employer report the service cost component in the same line item or items as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by the pertinent employees during the period. The other components of net benefit cost are required to be presented in the income statement separately from the service cost component and outside a subtotal of income from operations, if one is presented. The amendments also allow only the service cost component to be eligible for capitalization, when applicable. The adoption of ASU 2017-07 on January 1, 2018 did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, “Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting”, which clarifies when modification accounting should be applied to changes in terms or conditions of share-based payment awards. The amendments narrow the scope of modification accounting by clarifying that modification accounting should be applied to awards if the change affects the fair value, vesting conditions, or classification of the award. The amendments do not impact current disclosure requirements for modifications, regardless of whether modification accounting is required under the new guidance. The adoption of ASU 2017-09 on January 1, 2018 did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, “Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815) - Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities”, which amends the hedge accounting recognition and presentation requirements in ASC 815 to improve the transparency and understandability of information conveyed to financial statement users about an entity’s risk management activities to better align the entity’s financial reporting for hedging relationships with those risk management activities and to reduce the complexity of and simplify the application of hedge accounting. The Company elected to early adopt the provisions of ASU 2017-12 on January 1, 2018. The adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases”. This ASU requires lessees to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities generated by contracts longer than a year on their balance sheets. The ASU also requires companies to disclose in the footnotes to their financial statements information about the amount, timing, and uncertainty for the payments they make for the lease agreements. ASU 2016-02 will be effective for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 31, 2018. The adoption of ASU 2016-02 at January 1, 2019 resulted in a right-of-use asset of approximately $65.9 million. The impact on the consolidated statements of income and cash flows will not be significant.

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-08, “Receivables-Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Subtopic 310-20): Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities”: ASU 2017-08 will shorten the amortization period for callable debt securities held at a premium to the earliest call date instead of the maturity date. The amendments do not require an accounting change for securities held at a discount, which will continue to be amortized to the maturity date. ASU No. 2017-08 will be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim reporting periods within those periods. The amendments should be applied using a modified-retrospective transition method as of the beginning of the period of adoption. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. The adoption of ASU 2017-08 at January 1, 2019 did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

In October 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-16, “Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Inclusion of the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) Overnight Index Swap (OIS) Rate as a Benchmark Interest Rate for Hedge Accounting Purposes”. The amendments in ASU 2018-16 permit the use of the OIS rate based on SOFR as a U.S. benchmark interest rate for hedge accounting purposes under Topic 815. The amendments should be adopted on a prospective basis for qualifying new or redesignated hedging relationships entered into on or after the date of adoption. For public business entities that have already adopted ASU 2017-12, the amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The adoption of ASU 2018-16 at January 1, 2019, will not have an impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows as the Company does not have any instruments tied to the OIS rate.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments”. The guidance is intended to improve financial reporting by requiring timelier recording of credit losses on loans and other financial instruments. The guidance will replace the current incurred loss accounting model with an expected loss approach and requires the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. The guidance requires enhanced disclosures to help investors and other financial statement users better understand significant estimates and judgments used in estimating credit losses, as well as the credit quality and underwriting standards of an organization’s portfolio. The ASU is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company is evaluating the effect of adopting this new accounting guidance.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, “Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment”: ASU 2017-04 simplifies how an entity is required to test goodwill for impairment by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Therefore, any carrying amount which exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value (up to the amount of goodwill recorded) will be recognized as an impairment loss. ASU No. 2017-04 will be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim reporting periods within those periods. The amendments will be applied prospectively on or after the effective date. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. Based on recent goodwill impairments tests, which did not require the application of Step 2, the Company does not expect the adoption of this ASU to have an immediate impact.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820)”. ASU 2018-13 amends the disclosure requirements of Topic 820. Fair Value Measurement, to remove disclosure of transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy and the valuation processes for Level 3 fair value measurements, among other amendments, and to include disclosure of the range and weighted average used in Level 3 fair value measurements, among other amendments. This ASU applies to all entities that are required to provide disclosures about recurring and nonrecurring fair value measurements. Amendments should be applied retrospectively to all periods presented, except for certain amendments, which should be applied prospectively. ASU No. 2018-13 will be effective for annual reporting periods after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those periods. An entity is permitted to early adopt any removed or modified disclosures upon issuance and delay adoption of the additional disclosures until the effective date.

On January 1, 2019, the Company completed its previously announced merger with State Bank Financial Corporation ("State Bank") whereby State Bank merged with and into the Company. Immediately following the merger, State Bank’s wholly owned subsidiary bank, State Bank and Trust Company, merged with and into the Company’s subsidiary bank, Cadence Bank, N.A. Under the terms of the agreement, each outstanding share of State Bank common stock was exchanged for 1.271 shares of Company Class A common stock. The purchase price was approximately $826 million and was comprised solely of stock consideration. The Company’s primary reasons for the transaction were to expand its market presence and create a more diverse business mix as well as an attractive funding base and leverage operating cost through economies of scale. During 2018, the Company incurred approximately $3.0 million of acquisition costs related to this transaction. These acquisition costs are reported in merger related expenses on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income. The majority of the acquisition costs for this transaction are expected to be recorded during the first half of 2019. Additional disclosures required by ASC 805 have been omitted because the information needed for the disclosures is not available due to the close proximity of the closing of this transaction with the date these financial statements are being issued. State Bank, which is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, operated 32 banking locations throughout Georgia. As of December 31, 2018, State Bank had total assets of $4.9 billion, total loans of $3.4 billion and total deposits of $4.1 million as reported in their regulatory filings.

Subsequent to year end, the Company granted equity-based awards to select executives. Restricted stock units totaling 657,998 shares were granted, of which a portion time vest over a 3-year period and the remaining units vest based on the attainment of certain performance goals over a 3 – 4 year period. Additionally, options were granted to purchase approximately 1.6 million shares of the Company’s common stock at a weighted average price of $20.43 and which will vest over a 3-year period.

On January 22, 2019, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend in the amount of $0.175 per share of outstanding common stock, representing an annualized dividend of $0.70 per share. The dividend will be paid on March 15, 2019 to holders of record of Cadence’s Class A common stock on March 1, 2019.

In October 2018, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program in an amount of up to $50 million as part of the Company’s overall capital management strategies. In December 2018, the Board approved an amendment to the repurchase program providing for the purchase of up to 4.3 million shares not to exceed an aggregate purchase of $81 million, subject to receipt of required regulatory approvals. In January and February of 2019, the Company repurchased approximately 1.8 million shares of common stock at a cost of $34.5 million.

As discussed in Note 1, the Company uses various derivative instruments to manage its interest rate risk. In February 2019, the Company entered into a $4.0 billion notional interest rate collar with a five-year term. The interest rate collar has a purchased cap strike of 4.70%, a sold cap strike of 3.50%, a sold floor strike of 0.00%, and a purchased floor strike of 3.00%. The purchased option price was $127.8 million.

A summary of amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities available-for-sale and securities held-to-maturity at December 31, 2018 and 2017 is as follows:

(In thousands)	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses		Estimated Fair Value
December 31, 2018
Securities available-for-sale:
U.S. Treasury securities	$	100,413	$	—	$	3,628	$	96,785
Obligations of U.S. government agencies		60,975		316		284		61,007
Mortgage-backed securities issued or guaranteed by U.S. agencies (MBS)
Residential pass-through:
Guaranteed by GNMA		85,052		146		2,093		83,105
Issued by FNMA and FHLMC		594,874		694		10,367		585,201
Other residential mortgage-backed securities		36,339		8		1,178		35,169
Commercial mortgage-backed securities		114,383		287		5,255		109,415
Total MBS		830,648		1,135		18,893		812,890
Obligations of states and municipal subdivisions		229,475		207		13,112		216,570
Total securities available-for-sale	$	1,221,511	$	1,658	$	35,917	$	1,187,252

(In thousands)	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses		Estimated Fair Value
December 31, 2017
Securities available-for-sale:
U.S. Treasury securities	$	100,575	$	—	$	3,731	$	96,844
Obligations of U.S. government agencies		80,552		738		66		81,224
Mortgage-backed securities issued or guaranteed by U.S. agencies (MBS)
Residential pass-through:
Guaranteed by GNMA		106,461		676		1,110		106,027
Issued by FNMA and FHLMC		431,409		1,284		2,271		430,422
Other residential mortgage-backed securities		47,379		97		1,084		46,392
Commercial mortgage-backed securities		76,201		63		4,069		72,195
Total MBS		661,450		2,120		8,534		655,036
Obligations of states and municipal subdivisions		420,111		7,539		3,691		423,959
Total securities available-for-sale	$	1,262,688	$	10,397	$	16,022	$	1,257,063
Securities held-to-maturity:
Obligations of states and municipal subdivisions	$	290	$	21	$	—	$	311

The scheduled contractual maturities of securities available-for-sale and debt securities held-to-maturity at December 31, 2018 were as follows:

Proceeds from sales, gross gains, and gross losses on sales of securities available-for-sale for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 are presented below. There were no other-than-temporary impairment charges included in gross realized losses for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016. The specific identification method is used to reclassify gains and losses out of other comprehensive income at the time of sale.

Securities with a carrying value of $711.2 million and $507.3 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, were pledged to secure public deposits, FHLB borrowings, repurchase agreements and for other purposes as required or permitted by law.

Information pertaining to securities available-for-sale with gross unrealized losses aggregated by category and length of time the securities have been in a continuous loss position was as follows:

As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, approximately 84% and 58%, respectively, of the fair value of securities in the investment portfolio reflected an unrealized loss. As of December 31, 2018, there were 117 securities that had been in a loss position for more than twelve months, and 100 securities that had been in a loss position for less than 12 months. The unrealized losses result from the change in market interest rates for similar securities and do not relate to the marketability of the securities or the issuer’s ability to repay the obligations. The Company has adequate liquidity and, therefore, does not plan to sell and, more likely than not, will not be required to sell these securities before recovery of the indicated impairment. Accordingly, the unrealized losses on these securities have been determined to be temporary. In the second quarter of 2018, we sold approximately $187.8 million of available-for-sale securities as part of an effort to rebalance the portfolio. We reduced our target concentration of tax free municipal securities from 35% down to 25%.

The following table presents total loans outstanding by portfolio segment and class of financing receivable as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Outstanding balances include originated loans, Acquired Noncredit Impaired (“ANCI”) loans and Acquired Credit Impaired (“ACI”) loans. Information about ACI loans is presented separately in the “Acquired Credit-Impaired Loans” section of this Note.

During 2018, the Company purchased $214 million of consumer residential real estate loans, at a premium of approximately 6.0%. These loans were evaluated and determined not to be credit impaired before purchase and are classified as ANCI as of December 31, 2018.

The ACL is management’s estimate of credit losses inherent in the loan portfolio at the balance sheet date. The Company has an established process to determine the adequacy of the ACL that assesses the losses inherent in our portfolio. While management attributes portions of the ACL to specific portfolio segments, the entire ACL is available to absorb credit losses inherent in the total loan portfolio.

The ACL process involves procedures that appropriately consider the unique risk characteristics of the loan portfolio segments based on management’s assessment of the underlying risks and cash flows. For each portfolio segment, losses are estimated collectively for groups of loans with similar characteristics, individually for impaired loans or, for ACI loans, based on the changes in cash flows expected to be collected on a pool or individual basis.

The level of the ACL is influenced by loan volumes, risk rating migration, historic loss experience influencing loss factors, and other conditions influencing loss expectations, such as economic conditions. The primary indicator of credit quality for the portfolio segments is its internal risk ratings. The assignment of loan risk ratings is the primary responsibility of the lending officer concurrent with approval from the credit officer reviewing and recommending approval of the credit. Additionally, there is independent review by internal credit review, which also performs ongoing, independent review of the risk management process. The risk management process includes underwriting, documentation and collateral control. Credit review is centralized and independent of the lending function. The credit review results are reported to senior management and the Board of Directors.

The following is a summary description of the risk ratings. Tables summarizing the amount of loans by criticized or classified risk rating in each loan portfolio segment is included in the sections “Credit Exposure in the Originated and ANCI Loan Portfolios” and “Credit Exposure in the ACI Portfolio.”

A summary of the activity in the ACL for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018 is as follows:

	For the Year Ended December 31, 2018
(In thousands)	Commercial and Industrial			Commercial Real Estate			Consumer			Small Business			Total
As of December 31, 2017	$	55,919		$	11,990		$	14,983		$	4,684		$	87,576
Provision for loan losses		15,708			(1,837	)		(900	)		(271	)		12,700
Charge-offs		(6,709	)		(2	)		(716	)		(618	)		(8,045	)
Recoveries		1,398			301			336			112			2,147
As of December 31, 2018	$	66,316		$	10,452		$	13,703		$	3,907		$	94,378

Allocation of ending ACL
ACI loans collectively evaluated for impairment	$	58		$	1,641		$	6,018		$	—		$	7,717
ACI loans individually evaluated for impairment		—			—			207			—			207
ANCI loans collectively evaluated for impairment		293			53			535			58			939
ANCI loans individually evaluated for impairment		—			—			6			107			113
Originated loans collectively evaluated for impairment		58,665			8,758			6,918			3,742			78,083
Originated loans individually evaluated for impairment		7,300			—			19			—			7,319
ACL as of December 31, 2018	$	66,316		$	10,452		$	13,703		$	3,907		$	94,378
Loans
ACI loans collectively evaluated for impairment	$	13,018		$	58,171		$	120,717		$	—		$	191,906
ACI loans individually evaluated for impairment		3,789			7,256			324			—			11,369
ANCI loans collectively evaluated for impairment		50,469			7,808			280,776			8,462			347,515
ANCI loans individually evaluated for impairment		—			—			1,538			279			1,817
Originated loans collectively evaluated for impairment		6,053,264			1,257,504			1,891,144			257,542			9,459,454
Originated loans individually evaluated for impairment		76,802			—			254			—			77,056
Loans as of December 31, 2018	$	6,197,342		$	1,330,739		$	2,294,753		$	266,283		$	10,089,117

	For the Year Ended December 31, 2017
(In thousands)	Commercial and Industrial			Commercial Real Estate			Consumer			Small Business			Total
As of December 31, 2016	$	54,688		$	10,103		$	13,265		$	4,212		$	82,268
Provision for loan losses		5,883			1,737			1,746			369			9,735
Charge-offs		(5,645	)		(93	)		(929	)		(204	)		(6,871	)
Recoveries		993			243			901			307			2,444
As of December 31, 2017	$	55,919		$	11,990		$	14,983		$	4,684		$	87,576

Allocation of ending ACL
ACI loans collectively evaluated for impairment	$	5		$	2,006		$	6,289		$	—		$	8,300
ACI loans individually evaluated for impairment		—			4			220			—			224
ANCI loans collectively evaluated for impairment		864			130			49			295			1,338
ANCI loans individually evaluated for impairment		—			—			36			22			58
Originated loans collectively evaluated for impairment		46,591			9,850			8,389			4,362			69,192
Originated loans individually evaluated for impairment		8,459			—			—			5			8,464
ACL as of December 31, 2017	$	55,919		$	11,990		$	14,983		$	4,684		$	87,576
Loans
ACI loans collectively evaluated for impairment	$	19,486		$	71,675		$	150,798		$	—		$	241,959
ACI loans individually evaluated for impairment		10,091			8,186			324			—			18,601
ANCI loans collectively evaluated for impairment		58,775			15,926			113,357			11,331			199,389
ANCI loans individually evaluated for impairment		—			—			1,582			310			1,892
Originated loans collectively evaluated for impairment		4,974,973			1,062,614			1,499,260			209,627			7,746,474
Originated loans individually evaluated for impairment		70,461			—			415			587			71,463
Loans as of December 31, 2017	$	5,133,786		$	1,158,401		$	1,765,736		$	221,855		$	8,279,778

	For the Year Ended December 31, 2016
(In thousands)	Commercial and Industrial			Commercial Real Estate		Consumer			Small Business			Total
As of December 31, 2015	$	55,824		$	8,136	$	13,450		$	2,373		$	79,783
Provision for loan losses		43,782			1,389		1,506			2,671			49,348
Charge-offs		(46,367	)		—		(2,094	)		(841	)		(49,302	)
Recoveries		1,449			578		403			9			2,439
As of December 31, 2016	$	54,688		$	10,103	$	13,265		$	4,212		$	82,268

Allocation of ending ACL
ACI loans collectively evaluated for impairment	$	176		$	2,652	$	7,215		$	—		$	10,043
ACI loans individually evaluated for impairment		—			3		232			—			235
ANCI loans collectively evaluated for impairment		299			243		94			272			908
ANCI loans individually evaluated for impairment		—			—		37			33			70
Originated loans collectively evaluated for impairment		52,615			7,205		5,687			3,900			69,407
Originated loans individually evaluated for impairment		1,598			—		—			7			1,605
ACL as of December 31, 2016	$	54,688		$	10,103	$	13,265		$	4,212		$	82,268

The following includes certain key information about individually impaired loans as of December 31, 2018 and 2017.

	As of December 31, 2018
(In thousands)	Recorded Investment in Impaired Loans⁽¹⁾		Unpaid Principal Balance		Related Specific Allowance		Nonaccrual Loans Included in Impaired Loans		Undisbursed Commitments
With no related allowance for credit losses
Commercial and Industrial
Energy sector	$	20,713	$	33,908	$	—	$	20,713	$	3,658
Total commercial and industrial		20,713		33,908		—		20,713		3,658
Consumer
Residential real estate		1,538		1,535		—		—		—
Total consumer		1,538		1,535		—		—		—
Total	$	22,251	$	35,443	$	—	$	20,713	$	3,658
With allowance for credit losses recorded
Commercial and Industrial
General C&I	$	28,684	$	28,677	$	3,559	$	24,103	$	930
Restaurant industry		23,043		23,698		3,485		22,042		2,329
Healthcare		4,496		4,496		256		4,496		-
Total commercial and industrial		56,223		56,871		7,300		50,641		3,259
Consumer
Other		254		254		25		—		—
Total consumer		254		254		25		—		—
Small Business Lending		476		1,249		107		229		10
Total	$	56,953	$	58,374	$	7,432	$	50,870	$	3,269

	As of December 31, 2017
(In thousands)	Recorded Investment in Impaired Loans ⁽¹⁾		Unpaid Principal Balance		Related Specific Allowance		Nonaccrual Loans Included in Impaired Loans		Undisbursed Commitments
With no related allowance for credit losses
Commercial and Industrial
General C&I	$	5,010	$	4,994	$	—	$	192	$	—
Energy sector		14,822		23,307		—		14,822		387
Total commercial and industrial		19,832		28,301		—		15,014		387
Consumer
Residential real estate		1,093		1,097		—		35		—
Other		416		415		—		—		—
Total consumer		1,509		1,512		—		35		—
Small Business Lending		249		695		—		249		—
Total	$	21,590	$	30,508	$	—	$	15,298	$	387
With allowance for credit losses recorded
Commercial and Industrial
Energy sector	$	39,857	$	43,416	$	8,353	$	28,000	$	402
Restaurant industry		11,017		10,969		106		—		2,500
Total commercial and industrial		50,874		54,385		8,459		28,000		2,902
Consumer
Residential real estate		496		494		36		—		—
Small Business Lending		650		921		27		60		—
Total	$	52,020	$	55,800	$	8,522	$	28,060	$	2,902

The related amount of interest income recognized for impaired loans was $0.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, compared to $1.6 million and $1.4 million for the same periods in 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Generally, cash receipts on nonperforming loans are used to reduce principal rather than recorded as interest income. Past due status is determined based upon contractual terms. A nonaccrual loan may be returned to accrual status when repayment is reasonably assured and there has been demonstrated performance under the terms of the loan or, if applicable, under the terms of the restructured loan. Approximately $1.7 million of contractual interest paid was recognized on the cash basis for the year ended December 31, 2018, compared to $1.5 million and $1.1 million for same periods in 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Included in impaired loans are loans considered to be TDRs. The Company attempts to work with borrowers when necessary to extend or modify loan terms to better align with the borrower’s ability to repay. Extensions and modifications to loans are made in accordance with internal policies and guidelines which conform to regulatory guidance. Each occurrence is unique to the borrower and is evaluated separately. The Bank considers regulatory guidelines when restructuring loans to ensure that prudent lending practices are followed. Qualifying criteria and payment terms are structured by the borrower’s current and prospective ability to comply with the modified terms of the loan.

A modification is classified as a TDR if the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty and it is determined that the Company has granted a concession to the borrower. The Company may determine that a borrower is experiencing financial difficulty if the borrower is currently in default on any of its debt, or if it is probable that a borrower may default in the foreseeable future without the modification. Concessions could include reductions of interest rates at a rate lower than current market rate for a new loan with similar risk, extension of the maturity date, reduction of accrued interest, principal forgiveness, forbearance, or other concessions. The assessments of whether a borrower is experiencing or will likely experience financial difficulty and whether a concession has been granted is highly subjective in nature, and management’s judgment is required when determining whether a modification is classified as a TDR.

All TDRs are reported as impaired. Impaired classification may be removed if the borrower demonstrates compliance with the modified terms and the restructuring agreement specifies an interest rate equal to that which would be provided to a borrower with similar credit at the time of restructuring. The majority of TDRs are classified as impaired loans for the remaining life of the loan. Nonperforming loans and impaired loans are defined differently. Some loans may be included in both categories, whereas other loans may only be included in one category.

The following tables provide information regarding loans modified into TDRs in the originated and ANCI portfolios for the periods indicated:

There were no TDRs experiencing payment default during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016. Default is defined as the earlier of the troubled debt restructuring being placed on non-accrual status or obtaining 90 day past due status with respect to principal and/or interest payments.

Included in loans are $3.8 million and $4.4 million of consumer loans secured by single family residential real estate that are in process of foreclosure at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Loans in process of foreclosure include those for which formal foreclosure proceedings are in process according to local requirements of the applicable jurisdiction. In addition to the single family residential real estate loans in process of foreclosure, the Company also held $1.0 million and $2.7 million of foreclosed single family residential properties in other real estate owned as of December 31, 2018 and 2017.

The following provides information regarding the credit exposure by portfolio segment and class of receivable as of December 31, 2018 and 2017:

	As of December 31, 2018
(Recorded Investment in thousands)	Special Mention		Substandard		Doubtful		Total Criticized / Classified
Commercial and Industrial
General C&I	$	74,592	$	79,815	$	—	$	154,407
Restaurant industry		24,449		26,171		—		50,620
Energy sector		11,812		6,227		14,486		32,525
Healthcare		—		4,496		—		4,496
Total commercial and industrial		110,853		116,709		14,486		242,048
Commercial Real Estate
Land and development		—		985		—		985
Total commercial real estate		—		985		—		985
Consumer ⁽¹⁾
Residential real estate		—		3,315		—		3,315
Total consumer		—		3,315		—		3,315
Small Business Lending		772		2,013		—		2,785
Total	$	111,625	$	123,022	$	14,486	$	249,133

	As of December 31, 2017
(Recorded Investment in thousands)	Special Mention		Substandard		Doubtful		Total Criticized / Classified
Commercial and Industrial
General C&I	$	80,550	$	47,324	$	—	$	127,874
Restaurant industry		4,536		12,506		—		17,042
Energy sector		—		99,979		7,634		107,613
Healthcare		—		71		—		71
Total commercial and industrial		85,086		159,880		7,634		252,600
Commercial Real Estate
Income producing		—		26		—		26
Land and development		20		—		—		20
Total commercial real estate		20		26		—		46
Consumer
Residential real estate		7,610		12,416		—		20,026
Other		673		356		4		1,033
Total consumer		8,283		12,772		4		21,059
Small Business Lending		3,480		1,375		27		4,882
Total	$	96,869	$	174,053	$	7,665	$	278,587

The following provides an aging of past due loans by portfolio segment and class of receivable as of December 31, 2018 and 2017:

	As of December 31, 2018
	Accruing Loans						Non-Accruing Loans
(Recorded Investment in thousands)	30-59 DPD		60-89 DPD		90+DPD		0-29 DPD		30-59 DPD		60-89 DPD		90+DPD
Commercial and Industrial
General C&I	$	120	$	—	$	—	$	23,928	$	176	$	—	$	—
Restaurant industry		—		—		—		22,043		—		—		—
Energy sector		—		—		—		20,712		—		—		—
Healthcare		—		—		—		4,496		—		—		—
Total commercial and industrial		120		—		—		71,179		176		—		—
Commercial Real Estate
Income producing		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Land and development		—		61		—		—		—		—		—
Total commercial real estate		—		61		—		—		—		—		—
Consumer
Residential real estate		1,275		315		760		876		151		95		1,429
Other		27		112		—		—		—		—		—
Total consumer		1,302		427		760		876		151		95		1,429
Small Business Lending		491		25		—		250		29		4		50
Total	$	1,913	$	513	$	760	$	72,305	$	356	$	99	$	1,479

	As of December 31, 2017
	Accruing Loans						Non-Accruing Loans
(Recorded Investment in thousands)	30-59 DPD		60-89 DPD		90+DPD		0-29 DPD		30-59 DPD		60-89 DPD		90+DPD
Commercial and Industrial
General C&I	$	59	$	—	$	476	$	—	$	192	$	—	$	—
Energy sector		—		—		—		32,315		—		—		10,507
Healthcare		—		—		—		—		71		—		—
Total commercial and industrial		59		—		476		32,315		263		—		10,507
Commercial Real Estate
Income producing		—		—		26		—		—		—		—
Land and development		55		—		—		—		—		—		—
Total commercial real estate		55		—		26		—		—		—		—
Consumer
Residential real estate		3,191		1,030		325		1,070		173		293		2,205
Other		532		3		—		—		—		—		—
Total consumer		3,723		1,033		325		1,070		173		293		2,205
Small Business Lending		931		328		—		110		38		—		494
Total	$	4,768	$	1,361	$	827	$	33,495	$	474	$	293	$	13,206

The following table presents total ACI loans outstanding by portfolio segment and class of financing receivable as of December 31, 2018 and 2017.

The excess of cash flows expected to be collected over the carrying value of ACI loans is referred to as the accretable yield and is recognized in interest income using an effective yield method over the remaining life of the loan, or pools of loans. The accretable yield is affected by:

Changes in the amount of accretable discount for ACI loans for each of the years in the period ended December 31, 2018:

The following includes certain key information about individually impaired ACI loans and pooled ACI loans as of and for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.

There were no ACI loans modified into a TDR for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017. There were no ACI TDRs experiencing payment default during the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018. Default is defined as the earlier of the troubled debt restructuring being placed on non-accrual status or obtaining 90 day past due status with respect to principal and interest payments.

The following provides information regarding the credit exposure by portfolio segment and class of receivable as of December 31, 2018 and 2017:

	As of
	December 31, 2018						December 31, 2017
(Recorded Investment in thousands)	Special Mention		Substandard		Doubtful		Special Mention		Substandard		Doubtful
Commercial and Industrial
General C&I	$	426	$	1,445	$	39	$	737	$	1,173	$	37
Healthcare		—		—		—		—		6,148		—
Total commercial and industrial		426		1,445		39		737		7,321		37
Commercial Real Estate
Income producing		1,207		3,080		—		2,179		6,515		—
Total commercial real estate		1,207		3,080		—		2,179		6,515		—
Consumer
Residential real estate		89		4,442		—		3,900		22,635		—
Other		—		3		—		114		417		—
Total consumer		89		4,445		—		4,014		23,052
Total	$	1,722	$	8,970	$	39	$	6,930	$	36,888	$	37

Premises and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization, as follows:

The amount charged to operating expenses for depreciation was approximately $7.6 million, $7.1 million and $6.7 million for 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Included in other assets is net software cost totaling $4.0 million and $4.0 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The amount charged to operating expenses for software amortization was $1.7 million, $1.9 million and $1.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

The following is a schedule by year of future minimum lease payments under operating leases, as of December 31, 2018:

Rental expense for premises and equipment, net of rental income, for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, was approximately $12.1 million, $11.2 million and $11.1 million, respectively. The major portion of equipment rental expense is related to office equipment and is paid on a month-to-month basis.

The following table summarizes the Company’s goodwill and other intangible assets at December 31, 2018 and 2017:

On May 31, 2018 the Company completed the sale of the assets of its insurance subsidiary, T&C to an unrelated third party, selling $11.1 million in net assets, including $10.9 million in goodwill and intangibles.

The Company primarily uses derivatives to manage exposure to market risk, including interest rate risk, credit risk and foreign currency risk, and to assist customers with their risk management objectives. Management will designate certain derivatives as hedging instruments in a qualifying hedge accounting relationship. The Company’s remaining derivatives consist of economic hedges that do not qualify for hedge accounting and derivatives held for customer accommodation, or other purposes.

The fair value of derivative positions outstanding is included in other assets and other liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and in the net change in each of these financial statement line items in the accompanying consolidated statements of cash flows. For derivatives not designated as hedging instruments, gains and losses due to changes in fair value are included in noninterest income and the operating section of the consolidated statement of cash flows. For derivatives designated as hedging instruments, the entire change in the fair value 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 notional amounts and estimated fair values as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 were as follows:

	December 31, 2018						December 31, 2017
			Fair Value						Fair Value
(In thousands)	Notional Amount		Other Assets		Other Liabilities		Notional Amount		Other Assets		Other Liabilities
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments (cash flow hedges):
Commercial loan interest rate swaps	$	650,000	$	—	$	23,968	$	1,032,000	$	—	$	21,394
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Commercial loan interest rate swaps		1,155,942		4,439		1,777		737,533		2,056		2,056
Commercial loan interest rate caps		88,430		239		239		186,290		153		153
Commercial loan interest rate floors		652,822		5,587		5,587		330,764		1,054		1,054
Commercial loan interest rate collars		80,000		96		96		—		—		—
Mortgage loan held for sale interest rate lock commitments		5,286		72		—		6,119		50		—
Mortgage loan forward sale commitments		1,959		5		—		4,565		10		—
Mortgage loan held for sale floating commitments		14,690		—		—		11,800		—		—
Foreign exchange contracts		46,971		698		683		41,688		635		623
Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments		2,046,100		11,136		8,382		1,318,759		3,958		3,886
Total derivatives	$	2,696,100	$	11,136	$	32,350	$	2,350,759	$	3,958	$	25,280

The Company is party to collateral support agreements with certain derivative counterparties. Such agreements require that the Company maintain collateral based on the fair values of derivative transactions. In the event of default by the Company, the counterparty would be entitled to the collateral. At December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company was required to post $25.3 million and $20.1 million, respectively, in cash or securities as collateral for its derivative transactions, which are included in “interest-bearing deposits in banks” on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The Company’s master agreements represent written, legally enforceable bilateral agreements that (1) create a single legal obligation for all individual transactions covered by the master agreement and (2) in the event of default, provide the non-defaulting counterparty the right to accelerate, terminate, and close-out on a net basis all transactions under the agreement and to promptly liquidate or set-off collateral posted by the defaulting counterparty. As permitted by U.S. GAAP, the Company does not offset fair value amounts for the right to reclaim cash collateral

or the obligation to return cash collateral against fair value amounts of derivatives executed with the same counterparty under the master agreement.

Pre-tax gain (loss) included in the consolidated statements of income related to derivative instruments for each of the three years ended December 31,:

	For the Year Ended December 31,
	2018								2017								2016
(In thousands)	OCI			Reclassified from AOCI to interest income			Noninterest income		OCI			Reclassified from AOCI to interest income		Noninterest income			OCI			Reclassified from AOCI to interest income		Noninterest income
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments (cash flow hedges):
Commercial loan interest rate swaps	$	(7,711	)	$	(5,164	)	$	—	$	(1,426	)	$	3,705	$	—		$	(7,444	)	$	11,255	$	166
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Mortgage loans held for sale interest rate lock commitments	$	—		$	—		$	22	$	—		$	—	$	(39	)	$	—		$	—	$	24
Foreign exchange contracts		—			—			2,222		—			—		2,271			—			—		1,264

Interest Rate Swap, Floor, Cap and Collar Agreements not designated as hedging derivatives

The Company enters into certain interest rate swap, floor, cap and collar agreements on commercial loans that are not designated as hedging instruments. These derivative contracts relate to transactions in which the Company enters into an interest rate swap, floor, cap or collar with a loan customer while at the same time entering into an offsetting interest rate agreement with another financial institution. In connection with each swap transaction, the Company agrees to pay interest to the customer on a notional amount at a variable interest rate and receive interest from the customer on a similar notional amount at a fixed interest rate. At the same time, the Company agrees to pay another financial institution the same fixed interest rate on the same notional amount and receive the same variable interest rate on the same notional amount. The interest rate swap transaction allows the Company’s customer to effectively convert a variable rate loan to a fixed rate. The interest rate cap transaction allows the Company’s customer to minimize interest rate risk exposure to rising interest rates. Because the Company acts as an intermediary for its customer, changes in the fair value of the underlying derivative contracts for the most part offset each other and do not significantly impact the Company’s consolidated statements of income. The Company is exposed to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the parties to the interest rate agreements. However, the Company does not anticipate nonperformance by the counterparties. The estimated fair value has been recorded as an asset and a corresponding liability in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2018 and 2017.

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. In June 2015 and March 2016, the Company entered into the following interest rate swap agreements to manage overall cash flow changes related to interest rate risk exposure on benchmark interest rate loans.

Based on our current interest rate forecast, $7.8 million of deferred net loss on derivatives in OCI at December 31, 2018 is estimated to be reclassified into net interest income during the next twelve months due to the payment of interest. Future changes to interest rates may significantly change actual amounts reclassified to income. There were no reclassifications into income during 2018, 2017 or 2016 as a result of any discontinuance of cash flow hedges because the forecasted transaction was no longer probable. The maximum length of time over which the Company is hedging a portion of its exposure to the variability in future cash flows for forecasted transactions is approximately seven years as of December 31, 2018.

Domestic time deposits $250,000 and over were $491.3 million and $382.4 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. There were no foreign time deposits at either December 31, 2018 or 2017.

At December 31, 2018, the scheduled maturities of time deposits included in interest-bearing deposits were as follows:

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase generally mature within one to seven days from the transaction date. Securities underlying the repurchase agreements remain under the control of the Company.

Information concerning the Company’s securities sold under agreements to repurchase as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 is summarized as follows:

Repurchase agreements are treated as collateralized financing obligations and are reflected as a liability in the consolidated balance sheets. The carrying value of investment securities collateralizing repurchase agreements was $3.3 million and $7.5 million and December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

In June 2014, the Company and the Bank completed an unregistered $245 million multi-tranche debt transaction and in March 2015, the Company completed an unregistered $50 million debt transaction. These transactions enhanced our liquidity and regulatory capital levels to support balance sheet growth. Details of the debt transactions are as follows:

The senior transactions were structured with 4 and 7 year maturities to provide holding company liquidity and to stagger the Company’s debt maturity profile. The $35 million and $25 million subordinated debt transactions were structured with a 15 year maturity, 10 year call options, and fixed-to-floating interest rates in order to maximize regulatory capital treatment. These subordinated debt structures were designed to achieve full Tier 2 capital treatment for 10 years. The $40 million subordinated debt transaction has a 5 year call option.

The Company’s senior notes are unsecured, unsubordinated obligations and are equal in right of payment to all of the Company’s other unsecured debt. The Company’s subordinated notes are unsecured obligations and will be subordinated in right of payment to all of the Company’s senior indebtedness and general creditors and to depositors at the Bank. The Company’s senior notes and subordinated notes are not guaranteed by any subsidiary of the Company, including the Bank.

The Bank’s subordinated notes are unsecured obligations and are subordinated in right of payment to all of the Bank’s senior indebtedness and general creditors and to depositors of the Bank. The Bank’s subordinated notes are not guaranteed by the Company or any subsidiary of the Bank.

Payment of principal on the Company’s and Bank’s subordinated notes may be accelerated by holders of such subordinated notes only in the case of certain insolvency events. There is no right of acceleration under the subordinated notes in the case of default. The Company and/or the Bank may be required to obtain the prior written approval of the Federal Reserve, and, in the case of the Bank, the OCC, before it may repay the subordinated notes issued thereby upon acceleration or otherwise.

In conjunction with the Company’s acquisition of Cadence Financial Corporation and Encore Bank, N.A., the junior subordinated debentures were marked to fair value as of their respective acquisition dates. The related mark is being amortized over the remaining term of the junior subordinated debentures. The following is a list of junior subordinated debt:

FHLB advances were $150 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017. Advances are collateralized by $1.6 billion of commercial and residential real estate loans pledged under a blanket lien arrangement as of December 31, 2018.

As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the FHLB has issued for the benefit of the Bank irrevocable letters of credit totaling $590.0 million and $386.5 million, respectively. Included in the FHLB letters of credit is a $35 million irrevocable letter of credit in favor of the State of Alabama SAFE Program to secure certain deposits of the State of Alabama. This letter of credit expires September 28, 2020 upon 45 days’ prior notice of non-renewal; otherwise it automatically extends for a successive one-year term. The Bank also has a $555 million in irrevocable letters of credit to secure a large public fund treasury management deposit. Of this amount, $205 million expired in January 2019, while $350 million will expire May 26, 2021 upon 45 days’ prior notice of non-renewal; otherwise it automatically extends for a successive one-year term.

There were no borrowings from the FRB discount window as of December 31, 2018 and 2017. Any borrowings from the FRB will be collateralized by $740.3 million in commercial loans pledged under a borrower-in-custody arrangement.

The detail of the other noninterest income and other noninterest expense captions presented in the consolidated statements of income is as follows:

Income tax expense as shown in the consolidated statements of income differed from the amounts computed by applying the U.S. federal income statutory rate to income before income taxes. The statutory rate is 21% for the year ended December 31, 2018 and 35% for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016. A reconciliation of the differences is presented below:

As a result of Tax Reform enacted on December 22, 2017, deferred taxes are based on the newly enacted U.S. federal statutory income tax rate of 21%. In 2017, the provisional amount recorded related to the remeasurement of the Company’s deferred tax asset was $19.0 million, which was recorded as income tax expense. The Company completed its analysis of the remeasurement of the Company’s deferred tax asset within the measurement period and the amount is not materially different from the provisional amount recorded in 2017.

The significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 are as follows:

ASC Topic 740, “Income Taxes,” requires that deferred tax assets be reduced if it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. Management’s determination of the realizability of deferred tax assets is based on its evaluation of all available evidence both positive and negative, and its expectation regarding various future events, including the reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies. Positive evidence supporting the realization of the Company’s deferred tax assets at December 31, 2018, includes generation of taxable income since 2012, the Company’s strong capital position, as well as sufficient amounts of projected future taxable income, of the appropriate character, to support the realization of the $54.1 million at December 31, 2018. In order to fully realize the deferred tax asset, the Company will need to generate future taxable income of $191.2 million before the end of the statutory net operating loss carryforward period. Based on the assessment of all positive and negative evidence at December 31, 2018 and 2017, management has concluded that it is more likely than not that the results of future operations will generate sufficient taxable income to realize the deferred tax assets.

Management’s estimate of future taxable income is based on internal projections, various internal assumptions, as well as certain external data all of which management believes to be reasonable although inherently subject to significant judgment. Projected future taxable income is primarily expected to be generated through loan growth at the bank, investment strategies and revenue from successful cross initiatives and the control of expenses through operating effectiveness, all in the context of a macro-economic environment that continues to trend favorably. If actual results differ significantly from the current estimates of future taxable income, a valuation allowance may need to be recorded for some portion or all of the net deferred tax asset. Such an increase to the deferred tax asset valuation allowance could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of income.

The acquisitions of Cadence Financial Corporation and Encore resulted in an "ownership change" as defined for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code. As a result of the operation of Section 382, the Company is not able to fully utilize a portion of our U.S. federal and state tax net operating losses and certain built-in losses that have not been recognized for tax purposes. An ownership change under Section 382 generally occurs when a change in the aggregate percentage ownership of the stock of the corporation held by five percent stockholders increases by more than fifty percentage points over a rolling three-year period. A corporation experiencing an ownership change generally is subject to an annual limitation on its utilization of pre-change losses and certain post-change recognized built-in losses equal to the value of the stock of the corporation immediately before the ownership change, multiplied by the long-term tax-exempt rate (subject to certain adjustments). The annual limitation is increased each year to the extent that there is an unused limitation in a prior year. Since U.S. federal net operating losses generally may be carried forward for up to 20 years, the annual limitation also effectively provides a cap on the cumulative amount of pre-change losses and certain post-change recognized built-in losses that may be utilized. Pre-change losses and certain post-change recognized built-in losses in excess of the cap are effectively unable to be used to reduce future taxable income. The Company has estimated the amount of pre-change losses and certain post-change losses that are not expected to be utilized and has reduced the deferred tax asset at the acquisition date to reflect this limitation.

The acquisition of Superior Bank was an asset acquisition and is not subject to the limitations of Section 382.

As of December 31, 2018, the Company has federal net operating loss carryforwards of $37.9 million which will begin to expire in 2031. The Company has state net operating loss carryforwards of $21.2 million which will begin to expire in 2023. In addition, the Company has an AMT credit carryforward of $978,000 as of December 31, 2018, which has no expiration.

The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as various state and local income taxes. With certain limited exceptions, the Company has concluded all U.S. federal and state income tax matters for years before 2015. The Company applies the guidance in ASC 740-10, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes.” ASC 740-10 provides guidance for how uncertain tax positions should be recognized, measured, presented, and disclosed in the financial statements. ASC 740-10 requires the evaluation of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing the Company’s tax returns to determine whether the tax positions are “more likely than not” to be sustained by the applicable tax authority based on technical merits of the position. Tax benefits from tax positions not deemed to meet the “more likely than not” threshold should not be recognized in the year of determination.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized income tax benefits is as follows (unrecognized state income tax benefits are not adjusted for the federal income tax impact):

As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the balance of unrecognized tax benefits, if recognized, that would reduce the effective tax rate is $1.0 million and $0.6 million, respectively. The Company does not anticipate a significant change to the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits with the next 12 months.

The Company classifies interest and penalties on uncertain tax positions as a component of noninterest expense. During the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company recognized approximately $57,000 and $(4,000) in interest and penalties. The Company’s accrued interest and penalties on unrecognized tax benefits was $137,000 and $88,000 as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Accrued interest and penalties are included in other liabilities.

The following table displays a reconciliation of the information used in calculating basic and diluted net income per common share for each of the years in the period ended December 31, 2018.

The Company accounts for its defined benefit pension plan in accordance with ASC Topic 715. This guidance requires companies to recognize the funded status of a defined benefit plan (measured as the difference between the fair value of plan assets and the projected benefit obligation) on the balance sheets and to recognize in other comprehensive income any gains or losses and prior service costs or benefits not included as components of periodic benefit cost. In accordance with purchase accounting rules, the plan’s prior unrecognized service cost and prior unrecognized loss were eliminated as of the acquisition date; thus, there are no prior service cost or loss amortization amounts reflected in the consolidated statements of income. Participation in the defined benefit pension plan was frozen effective April 30, 2011.

The following table sets forth the defined benefit pension plan’s funded status as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 and amounts recognized in the Company’s consolidated financial statements for each of the years in the period ended December 31, 2018:

Of the above amount recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income, $20 thousand is expected to be recognized as a component of net periodic benefit cost in 2019.

Retiree benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, are anticipated to be paid as follows:

In determining the expected return on plan assets, the Company considers the relative weighting of plan assets, the historical performance of total plan assets, individual asset classes, and economic and other indicators of future performance. In addition, the Company may consult with and consider the opinions of financial and other professionals in developing appropriate return benchmarks.

The Company’s defined benefit pension plan fair values and weighted-average asset allocations at December 31, 2018 and 2017, by asset category, were as follows:

The primary investment objective of the Company’s defined benefit pension plan is to maximize total return while accepting and managing a moderate to average degree of risk. The assets are invested based upon a moderate growth asset allocation model, which seeks to provide long-term growth of capital with a moderate level of current income and a somewhat higher level of principal volatility. For 2018, the assets were allocated in a target mix of 59% fixed income, 40% equity, and 1% other. The fixed income class is divided between core fixed income bond funds and a high-yield bond fund. The equity class is diversified among large, mid and small cap growth and value stock funds with an emphasis being placed on large cap. There is also an exposure in the international equity market. This diversification among all of the equity sectors is an effort to reduce risk and attempt to generate higher returns. As a result of market conditions, the target percentages may not be achieved at any one point in time.

The investments are managed by the Trust Division of the Company within the established guidelines. It is the intent of management to give the investment managers flexibility within the overall parameters designated in the investment model selected by the Bank’s Trust Company Investment Committee for the plan.

The fair values of all plan assets as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, were measured using quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities (Level 1 inputs, as defined by ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures”).

The Company does not have a minimum cash contribution for 2019. The Company did not contribute in 2018. The Company contributed $1.3 million and $0.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Contributions to the 401(k) plan totaled $3.8 million and $3.5 million in 2018 and 2017, respectively.

The accrued liability for the supplemental retirement plan that originated from an acquired bank, accounted for under ASC Topic 715, approximates the projected benefit obligation. The accrued liability for this plan was $1.7 million and $1.9 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The Company recognized a credit of $0.3 million in compensation expense for the year ended December 31, 2018 to adjust for lower projected benefit payments. The amount recognized in compensation expense for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 was $706 thousand and $322 thousand, respectively.

The accrued liabilities for the unqualified supplemental retirement and voluntary deferred compensation plans were $3.1 million and $3.2 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The Company recognized a credit of $80 thousand, in compensation expense for the year ended December 31, 2018 to adjust for lower projected benefit payments. The amounts recognized in compensation expense for the years ended December 31, 2017, and 2016 were $47 thousand and $186 thousand, respectively. Compensation expense for the voluntary deferred compensation plan is impacted by the changes in market values of plan assets and projected benefit payments.

Projected benefit payments under these plans are anticipated to be paid as follows:

On June 1, 2018, the Company commenced the 2018 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”) whereby employees may purchase the Company’s Class A Common Stock (“Common Stock”) at a discount of 15% of the fair market value of a share of Class A Common Stock, defined as the closing price of Common Stock on the stock exchange for the first and last days of the purchase period (as defined). The total amount of the Company’s Common Stock on which options may be granted under the ESPP shall not exceed 500,000 shares. Shares of Common Stock subject to any unexercised portion of a terminated, canceled or expired option granted under the ESPP may again be used for options under the ESPP. No participating employee shall have any rights as a shareholder until the issuance of a stock certificate to the employee. There have been 40,598 shares issued under the ESPP in 2018 which resulted in compensation expense of $205 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2018.

In the normal course of business, loans are made to directors and executive officers and to companies in which they have a significant ownership interest. In the opinion of management, these loans are made on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other parties, are consistent with sound banking practices, and are within applicable regulatory and lending limitations. As of December 31, 2018, the aggregate balances of related party deposits were approximately $571 million. This was primarily due to a deposit account of approximately $311 million by State Bank and one large deposit account by a related third party. The aggregate balances of related party deposits were insignificant as of December 31, 2017. The aggregate balances of related party loans as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 were insignificant.

Cadence and Cadence Bank are each required to comply with regulatory capital requirements established by federal and state banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can subject the Company and the Bank to certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. These regulatory capital requirements involve quantitative measures of the Company’s assets, liabilities and certain off-balance sheet items, and qualitative judgments by the regulators. Management believes that no events or changes have occurred after December 31, 2018 that would change this designation.

Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require institutions to maintain minimum ratios of common equity Tier 1, Tier 1, and total capital (as defined in the regulations) to risk-weighted assets (as defined), and of Tier 1 capital to average tangible assets (the “Leverage” ratio).

The actual capital amounts and ratios for the Company and the bank as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 are presented in the following tables and as shown, are above the thresholds necessary to be considered “well-capitalized”.

	Consolidated Company					Bank
(In thousands)	Amount		Ratio			Amount		Ratio
December 31, 2018
Actual:
Tier 1 leverage	$	1,209,407		10.1	%	$	1,327,974		11.1	%
Common equity tier 1 capital		1,172,454		9.8			1,277,974		10.7
Tier 1 risk-based capital		1,209,407		10.1			1,327,974		11.1
Total risk-based capital		1,403,311		11.8			1,447,719		12.1
Minimum requirement:
Tier 1 leverage		479,940		4.0	%		479,667		4.0	%
Common equity tier 1 capital		536,930		4.5			536,285		4.5
Tier 1 risk-based capital		715,907		6.0			715,047		6.0
Total risk-based capital		954,542		8.0			953,396		8.0
Well capitalized requirement:
Tier 1 leverage	N/A		N/A				599,584		5.0	%
Common equity tier 1 capital	N/A		N/A				774,634		6.5
Tier 1 risk-based capital		715,907		6.0			953,396		8.0
Total risk-based capital		1,193,178		10.0			1,191,745		10.0

	Consolidated Company					Bank
(In thousands)	Amount		Amount			Amount		Ratio
December 31, 2017
Actual:
Tier 1 leverage	$	1,096,438		10.7	%	$	1,198,234		11.7	%
Common equity tier 1		1,058,888		10.6			1,149,181		11.5
Tier 1 risk-based capital		1,096,438		10.9			1,198,234		12.0
Total risk-based capital		1,283,561		12.8			1,311,376		13.1
Minimum requirement:
Tier 1 leverage		410,770		4.0	%		410,743		4.0	%
Common equity tier 1		450,951		4.5			450,874		4.5
Tier 1 risk-based capital		601,269		6.0			601,165		6.0
Total risk-based capital		801,691		8.0			801,553		8.0
Well capitalized requirement:
Tier 1 leverage	N/A		N/A				513,429		5.0	%
Common equity tier 1	N/A		N/A				651,262	6.5
Tier 1 risk-based capital		601,269		6.0			801,553		8.0
Total risk-based capital		1,002,114		10.0			1,001,941		10.0

Under regulations controlling national banks, the payment of any dividends by a bank without prior approval of the OCC is limited to the current year’s net profits (as defined by the OCC) and retained net profits of the two preceding years. The Federal Reserve, as primary regulator for bank holding companies, has also stated that all common stock dividends should be paid out of current income. As the Company does not generate income on a stand-alone basis, it does not have the capability to pay common stock dividends without receiving dividends from the Bank.

The Bank is required to maintain average reserve balances in the form of cash or deposits with the Federal Reserve Bank. The reserve balance varies depending upon the types and amounts of deposits. At December 31, 2018 and 2017, the required reserve balance with the Federal Reserve Bank was approximately $91.5 million and $70.9 million, respectively.

The consolidated financial statements do not reflect various commitments and contingent liabilities which arise in the normal course of banking business and which involve elements of credit risk, interest rate risk, and liquidity risk. The commitments and contingent liabilities are commitments to extend credit, home equity lines, overdraft protection lines, and standby and commercial letters of credit. Such financial instruments are recorded when they are funded. A summary of commitments and contingent liabilities is as follows:

Commitments to extend credit and letters of credit include some exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance of the customer. Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. In addition, the Company has entered certain contingent commitments to grant loans. Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. The credit policies and procedures for such commitments are the same as those used for lending activities. Because these instruments have fixed maturity dates and because a number expire without being drawn upon, they generally do not present any significant liquidity risk. No significant losses on commitments were incurred during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.

The Company makes investments in limited partnerships, including certain low income housing partnerships for which tax credits are received. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, unfunded capital commitments totaled $37.5 million and $20.3 million, respectively.

The Company and the Bank are defendants in various pending and threatened legal actions arising in the normal course of business. In the opinion of management, based upon the advice of legal counsel, the ultimate disposition of all pending and threatened legal action will not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Most of the loans, commitments and letters of credit involve customers or sponsors in the Company’s market areas. Investments in state and municipal securities also involve governmental entities within the Company’s market areas. General concentrations of credit by type of loan are set forth in Note 4 of these consolidated financial statements. The distribution of commitments to extend credit approximates the distribution of loans outstanding. Letters of credit were granted primarily to commercial borrowers.

The Company groups its assets and liabilities measured at fair value in three levels, based on the markets in which the assets and liabilities are traded and the reliability of the assumptions used to determine fair value. This hierarchy requires the Company to maximize the use of observable market data, when available, and to minimize the use of unobservable inputs when determining fair value. Each fair value measurement is placed into the proper level based on the lowest level of significant input. These levels are:

Transfers between fair value levels are recognized at the end of the fiscal quarter in which the associated change in inputs occurs.

The table below presents the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis categorized by the level of inputs used in the valuation of each asset and liability at December 31, 2018 and 2017:

There were no transfers between the Level 1 and Level 2 fair value categories during each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018.

The table below includes a roll-forward of the consolidated balance sheet amounts for each of the years in the period ended December 31, 2018 for changes in the fair value of financial instruments within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy that are recorded on a recurring basis. Level 3 financial instruments typically include unobservable components, but may also include some observable components that may be validated to external sources. The gains or (losses) in the following table (which are reported in Other Noninterest Income in the consolidated income statements) may include changes to fair value due in part to observable factors that may be part of the valuation methodology.

The fair value of the net profit interests in oil and gas reserves was estimated using discounted cash flow analyses applied to the expected cash flows from producing developed wells. Expected cash flows are derived from reports prepared by consulting engineers under established professional standards for the industry. These expected cash flow projections contain significant unobservable inputs regarding the net recoverable oil and gas reserves and forward-looking commodity prices discounted at a rate of 10%. Therefore, the fair value is subject to change based on these commodity markets. An increase of 5% in the discount rate will not produce a material change in the fair value of the net profits interest.

The fair value of certain investments in limited partnerships was estimated using the practical expedient of net asset value. For other investments in limited partnerships that do not qualify for the practical expedient, we use a measurement alternative which measures these investments at cost, less any impairment, plus or minus any changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for identical or similar investments of the same issuer.

From time to time, the Company may be required to measure certain other financial assets at fair value on a nonrecurring basis in accordance with GAAP. These adjustments to fair value usually result from the application of lower of cost or fair value accounting or write-downs of individual assets. For assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis which were still held on the balance sheets at December 31, 2018 and 2017, the following tables provide the level of valuation assumptions used to determine each adjustment and the related carrying value:

The fair value of collateral-dependent impaired loans and OREO and the related fair value adjustments are generally based on unadjusted third-party appraisals. Appraisals that are not based on observable inputs or that require significant adjustments or fair value measurements that are not based on third-party appraisals are considered to be based on significant unobservable inputs.

Nonrecurring fair value measurements of collateral dependent loans secured by oil and gas reserves and mineral rights are generally based on borrower provided or third-party reserve reports (which are reviewed by the Company’s engineering team) that utilize projected cash flows under current market conditions and include significant unobservable inputs. Projected cash flows are discounted according to risk characteristics of the underlying oil and gas properties. Assets are evaluated to demonstrate with reasonable certainty that crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids can be recovered from known oil and gas reservoirs under existing economic and operating conditions at current prices with existing conventional equipment, operating methods and costs. The significant unobservable inputs used in these valuations have been developed through our contacts with oil and gas industry participants, asset management and workout professionals and approved by senior management.

Significant unobservable inputs used in Level 3 fair value measurements for financial assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis are summarized below:

In accordance with ASC 820-10-35, fair values are based on the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The following describes the assumptions and methodologies used to estimate the fair value of financial instruments recorded at fair value in the consolidated balance sheets and for estimating the fair value of financial instruments for which fair value is disclosed under ASC 825-10-50.

Investment Securities. When quoted prices are available in an active market, securities are classified as Level 1. For securities reported at fair value utilizing Level 2 inputs, the Company obtains fair value measurements from an independent pricing service. These fair value measurements consider observable market data that may include benchmark yield curves, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads and credit information, among other inputs.

Loans Held for Sale. Loans held for sale are recorded at the lower of aggregate cost or fair value. Fair value is generally based on quoted market prices of similar loans and is considered to be Level 2.

Net Loans. Loans are valued on an individual basis, with consideration given to the loans’ underlying characteristics, including account types, remaining terms, annual interest rates or coupons, interest types, accrual basis, timing of principal and interest payments, current market rates, and remaining balances. A discounted cash flow model is used to estimate the fair value of the loans using assumption for the coupon rates, remaining maturities, prepayments speeds, projected default probabilities by risk grade, and estimates of prevailing discount rates. The discounted cash flow approach models the projected cash flows, applying various assumptions regarding interest and payment risks for the loans based on the loan types, payment types and fixed or variable classifications. For variable rate loans, forward interest rate curves are integrated into the projection of cash flows. The forward curves are index specific and obtained from a leading third-party provider. Future coupon payments are determined based upon the applicable forward curve, spread, next repricing date, and repricing frequency. Estimated fair values are disclosed through the application of the exit price notion. The assumptions used to estimate fair value are intended to approximate those that a market participant would use in an orderly transaction on the measurement date.

Derivative Financial Instruments. Derivative financial instruments are measured at fair value based on modeling that utilizes observable market inputs for various interest rates published by leading third-party financial news and data providers. This is observable data that represents the rates used by market participants for instruments entered into at that date; however, they are not based on actual transactions, so they are classified as Level 2.

Other Assets - Net profits interests. The fair value of the net profit interests in oil and gas reserves was estimated using discounted cash flow analyses applied to the expected cash flows from producing developed wells. Expected cash flows are derived from reports prepared by consulting engineers under established professional standards for the industry.

Investments in Limited Partnerships.The fair value of certain investments in limited partnerships was estimated using the net asset value practical expedient provided by the partnership as allowed by ASC 820 for an equity security without a readily determinable fair value. Certain other limited partnerships without readily determinable fair values that do not qualify for the practical expedient are accounted for at cost minus impairment, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar investment of the same issuer. The investments in affordable housing projects are carried at amortized costs which approximate fair value (Note 20).

Deposits. The fair values disclosed for demand deposits are, by definition, equal to the amount payable on demand at the reporting date (that is, their carrying amounts). Fair values for CDs are estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation that applies interest rate spreads to current Treasury yields.

Security Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase. The carrying amount of security repurchase agreements approximates their fair values.

Senior Debt. The fair value of senior debt was estimated by obtaining broker indications that compared the Company’s senior debt to other comparable financial institutions.

Subordinated Debt. The fair value of subordinated debentures was estimated by obtaining broker indications that compared the Company’s subordinated debentures to other comparable financial institutions.

Junior Subordinated Debentures. The fair value of junior subordinated debentures was estimated by obtaining broker indications that compared the Company’s junior subordinated debentures to other comparable financial institutions.

Limitations. The following fair value estimates are determined as of a specific point in time utilizing various assumptions and estimates. The use of assumptions and various valuation techniques, as well as the absence of secondary markets for certain financial instruments, will likely reduce the comparability of fair value disclosures between financial institutions. The fair values for loans involve the use of significant internally-developed pricing assumptions due to market-illiquidity for loans net of unearned income and loans held for sale as of December 31, 2018 and 2017. These assumptions are considered to reflect inputs that market participants would use in transactions involving these instruments as of the measurement date. This table only includes financial instruments of the Company, and, accordingly, the total of the fair value amounts does not represent, and should not be construed to represent, the underlying value of the Company.

The estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments are as follows:

	December 31, 2018
(In thousands)	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Financial Assets:
Cash and due from banks	$	237,342	$	237,342	$	237,342	$	—	$	—
Interest-bearing deposits in other banks		523,436		523,436		523,436		—		—
Federal funds sold		18,502		18,502		18,502		—		—
Investment securities available-for-sale		1,187,252		1,187,252		—		1,187,252		—
Equity securities with readily determinable fair values not held for trading		5,840		5,840		5,840		—		—
Loans held for sale		59,461		59,461		—		59,461		—
Net loans		9,959,545		9,735,130		—		—		9,735,130
Derivative assets		11,136		11,136		—		11,136		—
Net profits interests		5,779		5,779		—		—		5,779
Investments in limited partnerships		36,917		36,917		—		—		36,917
Financial Liabilities:
Deposits		10,708,689		10,700,350		—		10,700,350		—
Advances from FHLB		150,000		150,000		—		150,000		—
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase		1,106		1,106		—		1,106		—
Senior debt		184,801		194,762		—		194,762		—
Subordinated debt		98,910		103,008		—		103,008		—
Junior subordinated debentures		36,953		46,946		—		46,946		—
Derivative liabilities		32,350		32,350		—		32,350		—

	December 31, 2017
(In thousands)	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Financial Assets:
Cash and due from banks	$	238,707	$	238,707	$	238,707	$	—	$	—
Interest-bearing deposits in other banks		482,568		482,568		482,568		—		—
Federal funds sold		9,536		9,536		9,536		—		—
Securities available-for-sale		1,257,063		1,257,063		—		1,257,063		—
Securities held-to-maturity		290		311		—		311		—
Equity securities with readily determinable fair values not held for trading		5,885		5,885		5,885		—		—
Loans held for sale		61,359		61,359		—		61,359		—
Net loans		8,165,851		8,134,903		—		—		8,134,903
Derivative assets		3,958		3,958		—		3,958		—
Net profits interests		15,833		15,833		—		—		15,833
Financial Liabilities:
Deposits		9,011,515		9,006,890		—		9,006,890		—
Advances from FHLB		150,000		150,000		—		150,000		—
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase		1,026		1,026		—		1,026		—
Senior debt		184,629		194,484		—		194,484		—
Subordinated debt		98,687		94,724		—		94,724		—
Junior subordinated debentures		36,472		49,161		—		49,161		—
Derivative liabilities		25,280		25,280		—		25,280		—

Under ASC 810-10-65, the Company is deemed to be the primary beneficiary and required to consolidate a variable interest entity (“VIE”) if it has a variable interest in the VIE that provides it with a controlling financial interest. For such purposes, the determination of whether a controlling financial interest exists is based on whether a single party has both the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and the obligation to absorb the losses of the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. ASC 810-10-65, as amended, requires continual reconsideration of conclusions reached regarding which interest holder is a VIE’s primary beneficiary.

The Bank has invested in several affordable housing projects as a limited partner. The partnerships have qualified to receive annual affordable housing federal tax credits that are recognized as a reduction of current tax expense. The Company has determined that these structures meet the definition of VIE’s under ASC 810 but that consolidation is not required, as the Bank is not the primary beneficiary. At December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Bank’s maximum exposure to loss associated with these limited partnerships was limited to the Bank’s investment. The Company accounts for these investments and the related tax credits using either the effective yield method or the proportional amortization method, depending upon the date of the investment. Under the effective yield method, the Bank recognizes the tax credits as they are allocated and amortizes the initial costs of the investments to provide a constant effective yield over the period that the tax credits are allocated. Under the proportional amortization method, the Bank amortizes the cost of the investment in proportion to the tax credits and other tax benefits received and recognizes the net investment performance in the income statement as a component of income tax expense. At December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company had recorded investments in other assets on its consolidated balance sheets of approximately $7.8 million and $7.9 million, respectively related to these investments.

Additionally, the Company invests in other certain limited partnerships accounted for under the fair value practical expedient of net asset value totaling $11.2 million as of December 31, 2018. The Company recognized a $2.5 million gain for the year ended December 31, 2018 related to these assets recorded at fair value through net income. Certain other limited partnerships without readily determinable fair values that do not qualify for the practical expedient are accounted for at their cost minus impairment, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar investment of the same issuer. These investments totaled $8.7 million as of December 31, 2018. Other limited partnerships are accounted for under the equity method totaling $9.2 million and $8.8 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. As of December 31, 2017 and prior to the adoption of ASU 2016-01, certain limited partnerships were accounted for under the cost method totaling $14.0 million.

The following table presents a summary of the Company’s investments in limited partnerships subsequent to the adoption of ASU 2016-01 as of December 31, 2018:

Marketable equity securities carried at fair value, which consists of one CRA qualifying investment and is reported in other assets in the consolidated balance sheets. Total marketable equity securities were $5.8 million and $5.9 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Effective January 1, 2018, Cadence adopted the new accounting guidance that requires equity investments with readily determinable fair values not held for trading to be recorded at fair value with changes in fair value reported in net income. Cadence elected a measurement alternative to fair value for certain equity investments without a readily determinable fair value. There were no downward and upward adjustments for impairments or price changes. The carrying amount of equity investments measured under the measurement alternative from observable transactions are as follows:

During 2016, the Bank received net profits interests in oil and gas reserves, in connection with the reorganization under bankruptcy of two loan customers (one of these was sold during 2018). The Company has determined that these contracts meet the definition of VIE’s under Topic ASC 810, but that consolidation is not required as the Bank is not the primary beneficiary. The Company sold a previously owned net profit interest in the fourth quarter of 2018 for $5.3 million. The net profits interests are financial instruments and recorded at estimated fair value, which was $5.8 million and $15.8 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, representing the maximum exposure to loss as of that date.

The Company has established a rabbi trust related to the deferred compensation plan offered to certain of its employees. The Company contributes employee cash compensation deferrals to the trust. The assets of the trust are available to creditors of the Company only in the event the Company becomes insolvent. This trust is considered a VIE because either there is no equity at risk in the trust or because the Company provided the equity interest to its employees in exchange for services rendered. The Company is considered the primary beneficiary of the rabbi trust as it has the ability to select the underlying investments made by the trust, the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the rabbi trust. The Company includes the assets of the rabbi trust as a component of other assets and a corresponding liability for the associated benefit obligation in other liabilities in its consolidated balance sheets. The amount of rabbi trust assets and benefit obligation was $3.6 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

The Company determines reportable segments based on the services offered, the significance of the services offered, the significance of those services to the Company’s financial condition and operating results and management’s regular review of the operating results of those services. The Company operates through three operating segments: Banking, Financial Services and Corporate.

The Banking Segment includes the Commercial Banking, Retail Banking and Private Banking lines of business. The Commercial Banking line of business includes a general business services component primarily focusing on commercial & industrial (C&I), community banking, business banking and commercial real estate lending to clients in the geographic footprint in Texas and the southeast United States. In addition, the Commercial Banking line of business includes within C&I a separate component that focuses on select industries (which is referred to as the “specialized industries”) in which the Company believes it has specialized experience and service capabilities, including energy, healthcare, restaurant industry, and technology. The Company serves clients in these specialized industries both within the geographic footprint and throughout the United States as a result of the national orientation of many of these businesses. The Retail Banking line of business offers a broad range of retail banking services including mortgage services through the branch network to serve the needs of consumer and small businesses in the geographic footprint. The Private Banking line of business offers banking services and loan products tailored to the needs of the high-net worth clients in the geographic footprint.

The Financial Services Segment includes the Trust, Retail Brokerage, Investment Services and Insurance businesses. These businesses offer products independently to their own customers as well as to Banking Segment clients. Investment Services operates through the “Linscomb & Williams” name and prior to sale of the insurance business, Insurance operated though the “Cadence Insurance” name. (See “Sale of Subsidiary” in Note 1). The products offered by the businesses in the Financial Services Segment primarily generate non-banking service fee income. The Corporate Segment reflects parent-only activities and intercompany eliminations.

Business segment results are determined based upon the management reporting system, which assigns balance sheet and income statement items to each of the business segments. The process is designed around the organizational and management structure and, accordingly, the results derived are not necessarily comparable with similar information published by other financial institutions or in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

The Company evaluates performance and allocates resources based on profit or loss from operations. There are no material inter-segment sales or transfers. The accounting policies used by each reportable segment are the same as those discussed in Note 1. All costs, except corporate administration and income taxes, have been allocated to the reportable segments. Therefore, combined amounts agree to the consolidated totals.

The following tables present the operating results of the segments as of and for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016:

The Company administers a long-term incentive compensation plan that permits the granting of incentive awards in the form of stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance units, stock appreciation rights, or other stock-based awards. The terms of all awards issued under these plans are determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors

The Amended and Restated 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), permits the Company to grant to employees and directors various forms of incentive compensation. The principal purposes of this plan are to focus directors, officers and other employees and consultants on business performance that creates shareholder value, to encourage innovative approaches to the business of the Company, and to encourage ownership of the Company’s stock. The Plan authorizes 7,500,000 common share equivalents available for grant, where grants of full value awards (e.g., shares of restricted stock, restricted stock units and performance stock units) count as one share equivalent. The number of remaining share equivalents available for future issuance under the Plan was 7,224,256 at December 31, 2018.

On July 21, 2015, the Company granted 258,375 restricted stock units to select executives. These grants contained performance conditions which, for accounting purposes, were deemed improbable of being achieved during the fourth quarter of 2016. On November 30, 2016, these grants were cancelled and replaced with 395,250 restricted stock units with a market condition. Also granted at the time of the modification were 277,500 restricted stock units to new grantees. The grantees did not have rights as stockholders, including the right to dividends, until the restricted stock units are vested. These units expired in the fourth quarter of 2018 as the market condition was not achieved.

On April 2, 2018, the Company granted 270,105 shares of stock-based awards in the form of restricted stock units pursuant to and subject to the provisions of the Plan. While the grant specifies a stated target number of units, the determination of the actual settlement in shares will be based in part on the achievement of certain financial performance measures of the Company over the three years ending December 31, 2020. For half of the units granted, these performance conditions will determine the actual units vested on March 31, 2021 and can be in the range of zero to two times the units granted. The remaining half of the restricted stock units vest equally on March 31 of each of the next three years. These grants include rights as a shareholder in the form of dividend equivalents. Dividend equivalents for time vested restricted stock units will be paid on each dividend payment date for the Company; dividend equivalents for the performance vesting restricted stock will be accrued and paid on the vested number of shares once the performance is achieved and the shares are issued. On October 1, 2018, the Company granted an additional 6,346 shares of stock-based awards in the form of restricted stock units pursuant to and subject to the provisions of the Plan with the same terms as the awards granted on April 2, 2018.

The fair value of these restricted stock units was estimated based upon the fair value of the underlying shares on the date of the grant.

The Company recorded $3.7 million equity-based compensation expense for the outstanding restricted stock units for 2018, compared to $1.7 million and $117 thousand for 2017 and 2016, respectively. The remaining expense related to unvested restricted stock units is $5.3 million as of December 31, 2018 and will be recognized over the next 27 months.

There were 275,744 outstanding non-vested restricted stock units with a weighted average grant date fair value of $26.49 as of December 31, 2018. The following table summarizes the activity related to restricted stock unit awards for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016:

	For the Year Ended December 31, 2018
	2018					2017				2016
	Number of Shares			Fair Value per Unit at Award Date		Number of Shares		Fair Value per Unit at Award Date		Number of Shares			Fair Value per Unit at Award Date
Non-vested at beginning of period		672,750		$	5.14		672,750	$	5.14		258,375		$	13.43
Units deemed improbable to vest		—			—		—		—		(258,375	)		13.43
Expired during the period		(672,750	)		5.14		—		—		—			—
Amended grants		—			—		—		—		395,250			5.14
Forfeited during the period		(707	)		26.50		—		—		—			—
Granted during the period		276,451			26.49		—		—		277,500			5.14
Non-vested at end of period		275,744		$	26.49		672,750	$	5.14		672,750		$	5.14

Note 23—Condensed Financial Information of Cadence Bancorporation (Parent Only)

(In thousands)	2018			2017
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks	$	985		$	494
Interest-bearing deposits with banks		114,871			150,587
Investment in consolidated bank subsidiary		1,593,469			1,488,223
Investment in consolidated nonbank subsidiary		16,787			16,008
Other assets		15,126			3,587
Total Assets	$	1,741,238		$	1,658,899
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDER’S EQUITY
Liabilities:
Interest payable	$	818		$	813
Senior debt		184,801			184,629
Subordinated debt		74,158			73,982
Junior subordinated debentures		36,953			36,472
Other liabilities		6,234			3,947
Total liabilities		302,964			299,843
Shareholder’s Equity:
Common stock		836			836
Additional paid-in capital		1,041,000			1,037,040
Treasury stock		(22,010	)		—
Retained earnings		461,360			340,213
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(42,912	)		(19,033	)
Total Shareholders' Equity		1,438,274			1,359,056
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity	$	1,741,238		$	1,658,899

(In thousands)	2018			2017			2016
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$	166,261		$	102,353		$	65,774
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided in operations:
Deferred income tax expense		358			1,084			(1,598	)
Equity in undistributed income of subsidiaries		(125,727	)		(103,390	)		(64,424	)
(Increase) decrease in other assets		(10,143	)		3,892			3,043
Increase (decrease) in interest payable		5			3			(102	)
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities		2,151			891			(504	)
Net cash provided by operating activities		32,905			4,833			2,189
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Capital contributions to bank subsidiary		—			(50,000	)		—
(Increase) decrease in limited partnership investments		(125	)		(63	)		463
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities		(125	)		(50,063	)		463
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Purchase of senior debt		—			(9,600	)		(78	)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock		—			155,581			—
Cash dividends paid on common stock		(45,995	)		—			—
Repurchase of common stock		(22,010	)		—			—
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities		(68,005	)		145,981			(78	)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents		(35,225	)		100,751			2,574
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year		151,081			50,330			47,756
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$	115,856		$	151,081		$	50,330

Activity within the balances in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) is shown in the following tables for each of the years in the period ended December 31, 2018.

The following is a summary of the quarterly results of operations, for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017:

	Three Months Ended,
(In thousands)	December 31, 2018		September 30, 2018			June 30, 2018		March 31, 2018
Interest income	$	143,857	$	131,753		$	123,963	$	113,093
Interest expense		40,711		33,653			28,579		21,982
Net interest income		103,146		98,100			95,384		91,111
Provision for credit losses		8,422		(1,365	)		1,263		4,380
Noninterest income ⁽¹⁾		21,007		23,976			24,672		24,983
Noninterest expense		72,696		61,231			62,435		61,939
Income before income taxes		43,035		62,210			56,358		49,775
Provision for income taxes		10,709		15,074			8,384		10,950
Net income	$	32,326	$	47,136		$	47,974	$	38,825
Earnings per common share (Basic)	$	0.39	$	0.56		$	0.57	$	0.46
Earnings per common share (Diluted)		0.39		0.56			0.57		0.46

	Three Months Ended,
(In thousands)	December 31, 2017			September 30, 2017		June 30, 2017		March 31, 2017
Interest income	$	108,370		$	99,503	$	99,375	$	89,619
Interest expense		20,459			18,340		16,991		14,861
Net interest income		87,911			81,163		82,384		74,758
Provision for credit losses		(4,475	)		1,723		6,701		5,786
Noninterest income ⁽²⁾		25,656			27,124		22,989		24,105
Noninterest expense		66,371			56,530		56,134		54,321
Income before income taxes		51,671			50,034		42,538		38,756
Provision for income taxes		36,980			17,457		13,570		12,639
Net income	$	14,691		$	32,577	$	28,968	$	26,117
Earnings per common share (Basic)	$	0.18		$	0.39	$	0.35	$	0.35
Earnings per common share (Diluted)		0.17			0.39		0.35		0.35

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures: As of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K, our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have evaluated our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)). Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms and are also designed to ensure that the information required to be disclosed in the reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.

Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. The Report of Management on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting and the attestation report on our internal control over financial reporting issued by Ernst & Young LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm that audited our consolidated financial statements, are included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. No change in our internal control over financial reporting occurred during the fourth fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2018 covered by this Annual Report that materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to the information under the captions “Directors and Executive Officers” and “Board of Directors, Committees and Governance” in our 2019 Proxy Statement to be filed with the Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act within 120 days of our fiscal year end.

The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to the information under the caption “Executive and Director Compensation” in the 2019 Proxy Statement.

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANGEMENT AND RELATED SHAREHOLDERS MATTERS

The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to the information under the caption “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners, Directors and Management” in the 2019 Proxy Statement.

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to the information under the caption “Our Relationship with Cadence Bancorp LLC and Certain Other Related Party Transactions” in the 2019 Proxy Statement.

The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to the information under the caption “Principal Accountant Fees” in the 2019 Proxy Statement.

The exhibits to this Annual Report on Form 10-K listed below have been included only with the copy of this report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company will furnish a copy of any exhibit to shareholders upon written request to the Company and payment of a reasonable fee not to exceed the Company’s reasonable expense.

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Annual Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized in Houston, Texas on the 1st day of March, 2019.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, this Annual Report has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Delaware		47-1329858
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

2800 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 3800, Houston, Texas		77056
(Address of principal executive office)		(Zip Code)

Title of each class		Name of Exchange on which registered
Class A Common Stock , $0.01 per share		New York Stock Exchange (‘NYSE”)

PART I		3

Item 1.	Business	3
Item 1A	Risk Factors	16
Item 1B.	Unresolved Staff Comments	40
Item 2.	Properties	40
Item 3.	Legal Proceedings	40
Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosure	40

PART II		41

Item 5.	Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Shareholder Matters and Issuer Purchase of Equity Securities	41
Item 6.	Selected Consolidated Financial Data	43
Item 7.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	47
Item 7A.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk	91
Item 8.	Financial Statements and Supplementary Data	92
Item 9.	Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosures	156
Item 9A.	Controls and Procedures	156
Item 9B	Other Information	156

PART III		157

Item 10.	Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance	157
Item 11.	Executive Compensation	157
Item 12.	Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters	157
Item 13.	Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence	157
Item 14.	Principal Accountant Fees and Services	157

PART IV		157

Item 15.	Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules	157
Signatures		160

Period	Total Number of Shares Purchased		Average Price Paid per Share		Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs		Maximum Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Be Purchased Under Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
October 21-31, 2018		—		—		—	$	50,000,000
November 1-30, 2018		—		—		—	$	50,000,000
December 1-31, 2018		1,127,933	$	19.53		1,127,933	$	58,991,190

Index	April 13, 2017		June 30, 2017		December 31, 2017		June 30, 2018		December 31, 2018
Cadence Bancorporation		100.00		101.53		125.85		135.15		79.55
S&P 500 Index		100.00		104.50		116.43		119.52		111.33
KBW NASDAQ Regional Banking Index		100.00		106.62		112.10		116.32		92.48

Large accelerated filer	☒	Accelerated filer	☐
Non-accelerated filer	☐	Smaller reporting company	☐
		Emerging growth company	☐

	For the Year Ended December 31, 2018
(In thousands)	Banking		Financial Services			Corporate			Consolidated
Net interest income (expense)	$	407,674	$	(2,307	)	$	(17,626	)	$	387,741
Provision for credit losses		12,700		—			—			12,700
Noninterest income		47,316		46,805			517			94,638
Noninterest expense		215,574		35,679			7,048			258,301
Income tax expense (benefit)		52,464		3,979			(11,326	)		45,117
Net income (loss)	$	174,252	$	4,840		$	(12,831	)	$	166,261


	For the Years Ended December 31,
(In thousands, except per share data)	2018			2017			2016
Net income	$	166,261		$	102,353		$	65,774
Net income per common share
- basic		1.99			1.26			0.88
- diluted⁽¹⁾		1.97			1.25			0.87
Dividends declared per share		0.55			—			—
Dividend payout ratio		27.64	%		—	%		—	%
Net interest margin		3.61			3.57			3.30
Net interest spread		3.17			3.27			3.08
Return on average assets		1.45			1.02			0.71
Return on average equity		12.07			8.16			6.01
Return on average tangible common equity⁽²⁾		15.73			11.08			8.68

	Three Months Ended December 31,
(In thousands)	2017		2016
Salaries and employee benefits
Regular compensation	$	82,475	$	80,269
Incentive compensation		38,696		28,569
Taxes and employee benefits		17,947		16,230
Total salaries and employee benefits	$	139,118	$	125,068

	Unrealized Loss Analysis
	Losses < 12 Months				Losses > 12 Months				Total
(In thousands)	Estimated Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Losses		Estimated Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Losses		Estimated Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Losses
December 31, 2018
U.S. Treasury securities	$	—	$	—	$	96,785	$	3,628	$	96,785	$	3,628
Obligations of U.S. government agencies		25,978		183		10,152		101		36,130		284
Mortgage-backed securities		259,794		2,864		405,974		16,029		665,768		18,893
Obligations of states and municipal subdivisions		74,503		2,501		125,092		10,611		199,595		13,112
Total	$	360,275	$	5,548	$	638,003	$	30,369	$	998,278	$	35,917

	Originated C&I Loans - Specialized Lending
	As of December 31,										Unfunded Commitments as of December 31, 2018
(In thousands)	2018		2017		2016		2015		2014
Specialized Industries
Restaurant industry	$	1,096,366	$	1,035,538	$	864,085	$	626,197	$	513,368	$	262,993
Healthcare		539,839		408,665		434,663		446,792		376,297		182,569
Technology		459,502		411,050		218,162		145,944		215,156		98,058
Total specialized industries	$	2,095,707	$	1,855,253	$	1,516,910	$	1,218,933	$	1,104,821	$	543,620

	As of December 31, 2014
(Recorded Investment in thousands)	Special Mention		Substandard		Doubtful		Total Criticized / Classified
General C&I	$	991	$	33	$	—	$	1,024
Energy Sector		9,467		19,670		—		29,137
Restaurant industry		13,372		—		—		13,372
Healthcare		—		—		—		—
Total	$	23,830	$	19,703	$	—	$	43,533

	Contractual Maturity
(In thousands)	Within One Year			After One but Within Five Years			After Five but Within Ten Years			After Ten Years			Total
Investment securities
U.S. Treasury securities	$	—		$	100,413		$	—		$	—		$	100,413
U.S. agency securities		—			3,949			44,586			12,441			60,975
Mortgage-backed securities		—			727			65,662			764,259			830,648
State, county and municipal securities		—			2,921			8,728			217,825			229,475
Total amortized cost	$	—		$	108,010		$	118,976		$	994,525		$	1,221,511
Yield on investment securities		—	%		1.11	%		3.17	%		3.13	%		2.96	%

	Payments Due by Period
(In thousands)	Total		Less than One Year		One to Three Years		Four to Five Years		After Five Years
Contractual Cash Obligations
Senior debt	$	195,000	$	145,000	$	50,000	$	—	$	—
Subordinated debt		100,000		—		—		—		100,000
Junior subordinated debentures		50,619		—		—		—		50,619
Operating leases⁽¹⁾		43,572		10,304		17,778		10,188		5,302
Limited partnership investments⁽²⁾		37,518		31,187		6,137		74		120
Other⁽³⁾		3,808		376		760		769		1,903
Total contractual cash obligations	$	430,517	$	186,867	$	74,675	$	11,031	$	157,944

	Commitments by Period
(In thousands)	Total		Less than One Year		One to Three Years		Four to Five Years		After Five Years
Commitments to extend credit	$	4,078,708	$	581,410	$	1,459,690	$	1,646,374	$	391,234
Commitments to grant loans		103,570		103,570		—		—		—
Standby letters of credit		141,214		63,905		55,842		21,467		—
Performance letters of credit		21,026		6,886		7,642		6,498		—
Commercial letters of credit		11,262		919		611		9,572		160
Total	$	4,355,780	$	756,690	$	1,523,785	$	1,683,911	$	391,394

	Increase (Decrease)
(in millions)	Net Interest Income							Economic Value of Equity
Change (in Basis Points) in Interest Rates (12-Month Projection)	Amount			Percent				Amount			Percent
+ 200 BP	$	63.0			14.41		%	$	522.7			24.00		%
+ 100 BP		31.7			7.26				288.4			13.24
- 100 BP		(32.6	)		(7.45	)			(366.0	)		(16.81	)
- 200 BP		(68.3	)		(15.62	)			(847.4	)		(38.91	)

Management Report On Internal Control Over Financial Reporting		93
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm		95

Consolidated Financial Statements
Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2018 and 2017		96
Consolidated Statements of Income for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018		97
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018		98
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018		99
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018		100
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements		101

/s/ Paul B. Murphy, Jr.		/s/ Valerie C. Toalson
Paul B. Murphy, Jr.		Valerie C. Toalson
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer		Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

		/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2016.
Birmingham, Alabama
March 1, 2019

	Available-for-Sale
	Amortized		Estimated
(In thousands)	Cost		Fair Value
Due in one year or less	$	—	$	—
Due after one year through five years		107,283		103,638
Due after five years through ten years		53,314		53,568
Due after ten years		230,266		217,156
Mortgage-backed securities		830,648		812,890
Total	$	1,221,511	$	1,187,252

	As of December 31, 2018
	ACI Loans / Pools Identified as Impaired
(In thousands)	Recorded Investment in Impaired Loans⁽¹⁾		Unpaid Principal Balance		Related Specific Allowance		Nonaccrual Loans Included in Impaired Loans		Undisbursed Commitments
Commercial and Industrial	$	2,100	$	2,331	$	58	$	—	$	—
Commercial Real Estate		74,017		97,613		1,641		—		—
Consumer		18,301		17,888		6,225		—		—
Total	$	94,418	$	117,832	$	7,924	$	—	$	—

	As of
	December 31, 2018 ⁽¹⁾				December 31, 2017
(Recorded Investment in thousands)	Residential Real Estate		Other		Residential Real Estate		Other
0 – 29 Days Past Due	$	115,404	$	845	$	139,662	$	1,356
30 – 59 Days Past Due		1,985		91		2,299		120
60 – 89 Days Past Due		1,435		—		2,496		62
90 – 119 Days Past Due		217		3		399		—
120 + Days Past Due		3,598		—		7,480		45
Total	$	122,639	$	939	$	152,336	$	1,583

			December 31,
(In thousands)	Estimated Useful Life in Years		2018			2017
Premises:
Land		—	$	16,604		$	16,875
Buildings, construction and improvements⁽¹⁾	2-40			54,298			53,620
Total premises				70,902			70,495
Equipment	3-10			40,960			34,123
Total premises and equipment				111,862			104,618
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization				(48,241	)		(41,186	)
Total premises and equipment, net			$	63,621		$	63,432

(In thousands)	Property		Equipment		Total
2019	$	10,005	$	299	$	10,304
2020		9,103		158		9,261
2021		8,445		72		8,517
2022		6,220		—		6,220
2023		3,968		—		3,968
Thereafter		5,302		—		5,302
Total minimum lease payments	$	43,043	$	529	$	43,572

Year	Amount (In thousands)
2019	$	376
2020		376
2021		384
2022		384
2023		385
2024-2028		1,903
Total	$	3,808

(In thousands)	Carrying Value		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
December 31, 2018
Assets
Investment securities available-for-sale	$	1,187,252	$	—	$	1,187,252	$	—
Equity securities with readily determinable fair values not held for trading		5,840		5,840		—		—
Derivative assets		11,136		—		11,136		—
Net profits interests		5,779		—		—		5,779
Investments in limited partnerships		11,191		—		—		11,191
Total recurring basis measured assets	$	1,221,198	$	5,840	$	1,198,388	$	16,970
Liabilities
Derivative liabilities	$	32,350	$	—	$	32,350	$	—
Total recurring basis measured liabilities	$	32,350	$	—	$	32,350	$	—

(In thousands)	As of December 31, 2018
Affordable housing projects (amortized cost)	$	7,803
Limited partnerships accounted for under the fair value practical expedient of NAV		11,191
Limited partnerships without readily determinable fair values that do not qualify for the practical expedient of NAV accounted for under the cost method		8,714
Limited partnerships required to be accounted for under the equity method		9,209
Total investments in limited partnerships	$	36,917

(In thousands)	Year Ended December 31, 2018
Carrying value, December 31, 2017	$	8,856
Distributions		(1,109	)
Contributions		967
Carrying value, December 31, 2018	$	8,714

(In thousands)	Unrealized gains (losses) on securities available for sale			Unrealized gains (losses) on defined benefit pension plans			Unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges			Accumulated other comprehensive gain (loss)
Balance, December 31, 2015	$	5,901		$	(487	)	$	1,626		$	7,040
Net change		(27,720	)		(13	)		(11,838	)		(39,571	)
Balance, December 31, 2016		(21,819	)		(500	)		(10,212	)		(32,531	)
Period change		21,605			121			(2,982	)		18,744
Reclassification of amounts within AOCI to retained earnings due to tax reform (See Notes 1 and 11)		(1,946	)		(152	)		(3,148	)		(5,246	)
Balance, December 31, 2017		(2,160	)		(531	)		(16,342	)		(19,033	)
Net change		(22,119	)		203			(1,963	)		(23,879	)
Balance, December 31, 2018	$	(24,279	)	$	(328	)	$	(18,305	)	$	(42,912	)

NUMBER		DESCRIPTION

2.1		Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 11, 2018, by and between Cadence Bancorporation and State Bank Financial Corporation (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Cadence Bancorporation, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 14, 2018).

3.1		Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Cadence Bancorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of Cadence Bancorporation (Registration No. 333-216809), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 17, 2017).

3.2		Amended and Restated Bylaws of Cadence Bancorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of Cadence Bancorporation (Registration No. 333-216809), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 17, 2017).

4.1		Form of common stock certificate of Cadence Bancorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of Cadence Bancorporation (Registration No. 333-216809), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 17, 2017).

4.2		Certain instruments defining the rights of holders of long-term debt securities of the Company and its subsidiaries are omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(4)(iii)(A) of Regulation S-K. The Company hereby agrees to furnish copies of these instruments to the SEC upon request.

4.3		Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of April 19, 2017, by and between Cadence Bancorporation and Cadence Bancorp, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Cadence Bancorporation, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 19, 2017).

10.1†		Employment Agreement, dated February 1, 2015, by and between Cadence Bancorporation and Paul B. Murphy, Jr (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of Cadence Bancorporation (Registration No. 333-216809), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 17, 2017).

10.2†		Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated March 14, 2017, by and between Cadence Bancorporation and Samuel M. Tortorici (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of Cadence Bancorporation (Registration No. 333-216809), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 17, 2017).

10.3†		Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated March 14, 2017, by and between Cadence Bancorporation and R.H. “Hank” Holmes, IV (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of Cadence Bancorporation (Registration No. 333-216809), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 17, 2017).

10.4†		Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated March 14, 2017, by and between Cadence Bancorporation and Valerie C. Toalson (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of Cadence Bancorporation (Registration No. 333-216809), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 17, 2017).

10.5†		Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated March 14, 2017, by and between Cadence Bancorporation and Jack R. Schultz (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of Cadence Bancorporation (Registration No. 333-216809), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 17, 2017).

10.6†		Cadence Bank 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of Cadence Bancorporation (Registration No. 333-216809), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 17, 2017).

10.7†		Form of Cadence Bank Long-Term Incentive Award Agreement under the Cadence Bank 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of Cadence Bancorporation (Registration No. 333-216809), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 17, 2017).

10.8†		Amended and Restated Cadence Bancorporation 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-8 of Cadence Bancorporation (Registration No. 333-217316), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 14, 2017).

NUMBER		DESCRIPTION

10.9†		Form of Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under the Amended and Restated Cadence Bancorporation 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of Cadence Bancorporation (Registration No. 333-216809), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 17, 2017).

10.10†		Cadence Bancorporation Executive Bonus Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of Cadence Bancorporation (Registration No. 333-216809), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 17, 2017).

10.11†		Cadence Bancorporation Deferred Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of Cadence Bancorporation (Registration No. 333-216809), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 17, 2017).

10.12†		Form of Indemnification Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of Cadence Bancorporation (Registration No. 333-216809), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 17, 2017).

10.13†		Cadence Bancorporation 2018 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to the Revised Definitive Proxy Statement of Cadence Bancorporation for its 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 30, 2018).
10.14†		Services and Covenant Agreement, dated as of June 11, 2018, by and between Cadence Bancorporation and Joseph W. Evans (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Cadence Bancorporation, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 2, 2019).
10.15†		Services and Covenant Agreement, dated as of June 11, 2018, by and between Cadence Bancorporation and J. Thomas Wiley, Jr. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Cadence Bancorporation, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 2, 2019).

21.1		Subsidiaries of Cadence Bancorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 21.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of Cadence Bancorporation (Registration No. 333-216809), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 17, 2017.

31.1		Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

31.2		Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

32.1		Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

32.2		Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

101		Interactive Financial Data.

Signature		Title	Date

By:	/s/ Paul B. Murphy, Jr. Paul B. Murphy, Jr.	Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)	March 1, 2019

By:	/s/ Valerie C. Toalson Valerie C. Toalson	Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)	March 1, 2019

By: By:	/s/ Joseph W. Evans Joseph W. Evans /s/ William B. Harrison, Jr. William B. Harrison, Jr.	Director Director	March 1, 2019 March 1, 2019

By: By:	/s/ Virginia A. Hepner Virginia A. Hepner /s/ Robert K. Steel Robert K. Steel	Director Director	March 1, 2019 March 1, 2019

By:	/s/ J. Richard Fredericks J. Richard Fredericks	Director	March 1, 2019

By:	/s/ Marc J. Shapiro Marc J. Shapiro	Director	March 1, 2019
By:	/s/ Scott M. Stuart Scott M. Stuart	Director	March 1, 2019

By:	/s/ J. Thomas Wiley, Jr. J. Thomas Wiley, Jr.	Director	March 1, 2019