UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

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

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2024

OR

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

For the transition period from ____________ to ____________

Commission file number: 000-12247

SOUTHSIDE BANCSHARES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Texas			75-1848732
(State or Other Jurisdiction of  Incorporation or Organization)			(I.R.S. Employer  Identification No.)
1201 S. Beckham Avenue,	Tyler,	Texas	75701
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)			(Zip Code)

903-531-7111

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class	Trading Symbol	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $1.25 par value	SBSI	NASDAQ Global Select Market

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

Large Accelerated Filer	☒	Accelerated filer	☐
Non-accelerated filer	☐	Smaller reporting company	☐
		Emerging growth company	☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

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

The number of shares of the issuer’s common stock, par value $1.25, outstanding as of July 24, 2024 was 30,266,256 shares.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

GLOSSARY OF ACRONYMS, ABBREVIATIONS AND TERMS	1
PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS	3
ITEM 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS	42
ITEM 3.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK	64
ITEM 4.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES	65
PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS	65
ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS	65
ITEM 2.  UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS	66
ITEM 3.  DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES	66
ITEM 4.  MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES	66
ITEM 5.  OTHER INFORMATION	66
ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS	67
EXHIBIT INDEX	67
SIGNATURES	68

SOUTHSIDE BANCSHARES, INC.

Glossary of Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

The acronyms, abbreviations and terms listed below are used in various sections of this Form 10-Q, including "Item 1. Financial Statements" and "Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."

Entities:
Southside Bancshares, Inc.	Bank holding company for Southside Bank
Southside Bank	Texas state bank and wholly owned subsidiary of Southside Bancshares, Inc.
Company	Combined entities of Southside Bancshares, Inc. and its subsidiaries, including Southside Bank
Bank	Southside Bank
Southside	Southside Bancshares, Inc.
Other Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms:
2023 Form 10-K	Southside Bancshares, Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 27, 2024
401(k) Plan	401(k) Defined Contribution Plan
Acquired Retirement Plan	OmniAmerican Bank defined benefit pension plan
AFS	Available for sale
ALCO	Asset/Liability Committee
AOCI	Accumulated other comprehensive income or loss
ASC	Accounting Standards Codification
ASU	Accounting Standards Update issued by the FASB
ATM	Automated teller machines
BTFP	The Federal Reserve’s Bank Term Funding Program
Basel Committee	Basel Committee on Banking Supervision
BOLI	Bank owned life insurance
CARES Act	Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act
CDs	Certificates of deposit
CECL	ASC 326, Financial Instruments- Credit Losses, also known as Current Expected Credit Losses
CET1	Common Equity Tier 1
CMOs	Collateralized mortgage obligations
CRE	Commercial real estate
Dodd-Frank Act	Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010
Economic Aid Act	Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Business, Nonprofits and Venues Act
ESOP	Employee Stock Ownership Plan
ETR	Effective tax rate
Exchange Act	Securities Exchange Act of 1934
FASB	Financial Accounting Standards Board
FDIC	Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
Federal Reserve	The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
FHLB	Federal Home Loan Bank
FRBNY	Federal Reserve Bank of New York
FRDW	Federal Reserve Discount Window
FTE	Fully-taxable equivalents measurements
GAAP	United States generally accepted accounting principles
GSEs	U.S. government-sponsored enterprises

Southside Bancshares, Inc. |1

Guidelines	Interagency Guidelines Prescribing Standards for Safety and Soundness adopted by federal banking agencies
HTM	Held to maturity
ITM	Interactive teller machines
LIBOR	London Interbank Offered Rate
MBS	Mortgage-backed securities
MVPE	Market value of portfolio equity
OREO	Other real estate owned
Repurchase agreements	Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
Restoration Plan	Nonfunded supplemental retirement plan
Retirement Plan	Defined benefit pension plan
ROU	Right-of-use
RSU	Restricted stock units
SBA	Small Business Administration
SEC	Securities and Exchange Commission
SOFR	Secured Overnight Financing Rate provided by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York
U.S.	United States

Southside Bancshares, Inc. |2

PART I.   FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SOUTHSIDE BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(UNAUDITED)
(in thousands, except share amounts)

	June 30, 2024		December 31, 2023
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks	$	114,283	$	122,021
Interest earning deposits	272,469		391,719
Federal funds sold	65,244		46,770
Total cash and cash equivalents	451,996		560,510
Securities:
Securities AFS, at estimated fair value (amortized cost of $1,454,266 and $1,332,467, respectively)	1,405,944		1,296,294
Securities HTM (estimated fair value of $1,140,447 and $1,166,162, respectively)	1,305,975		1,307,053
FHLB stock, at cost	32,991		11,936
Equity investments	9,531		9,691
Loans held for sale	1,352		10,894
Loans:
Loans	4,589,365		4,524,510
Less:  Allowance for loan losses	(42,407)		(42,674)
Net loans	4,546,958		4,481,836
Premises and equipment, net	138,489		138,950
Operating lease ROU assets	14,336		14,837
Goodwill	201,116		201,116
Other intangible assets, net	2,281		2,925
Interest receivable	50,393		50,489
Deferred tax asset, net	29,744		30,426
BOLI	136,903		136,330
Other assets	29,693		31,627
Total assets	$	8,357,702	$	8,284,914
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Deposits:
Noninterest bearing	$	1,366,924	$	1,390,407
Interest bearing	5,129,008		5,159,274
Total deposits	6,495,932		6,549,681
Other borrowings	201,418		509,820
FHLB borrowings	562,282		212,648
Subordinated notes, net of unamortized debt issuance costs	91,970		93,877
Trust preferred subordinated debentures, net of unamortized debt issuance costs	60,272		60,270
Unsettled trades to purchase securities	54,354		—
Operating lease liabilities	16,247		16,704
Other liabilities	74,257		68,626
Total liabilities	7,556,732		7,511,626
Off-balance-sheet arrangements, commitments and contingencies (Note 12)
Shareholders’ equity:
Common stock:  ($1.25 par value, 80,000,000 shares authorized, 38,061,449 shares issued at June 30, 2024 and 38,039,706 shares issued at December 31, 2023)	47,577		47,550
Paid-in capital	790,559		788,840
Retained earnings	306,552		282,355
Treasury stock: (shares at cost, 7,800,889 at June 30, 2024 and 7,790,276 at December 31, 2023)	(232,764)		(231,995)
AOCI	(110,954)		(113,462)
Total shareholders’ equity	800,970		773,288
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	8,357,702	$	8,284,914

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

Southside Bancshares, Inc. |3

SOUTHSIDE BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(UNAUDITED)

(in thousands, except per share data)

	Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
	June 30,				June 30,
	2024		2023		2024		2023
Interest income:
Loans	$	69,684	$	58,684	$	137,895	$	113,460
Taxable investment securities	7,009		8,773		13,976		14,485
Tax-exempt investment securities	10,710		13,720		21,798		27,636
MBS	11,084		3,830		21,203		8,159
FHLB stock and equity investments	573		379		906		624
Other interest earning assets	5,126		1,490		11,166		3,360
Total interest income	104,186		86,876		206,944		167,724
Interest expense:
Deposits	38,466		21,679		76,664		41,585
FHLB borrowings	6,455		1,032		12,405		4,173
Subordinated notes	936		994		1,892		1,993
Trust preferred subordinated debentures	1,171		1,100		2,346		2,131
Other borrowings	3,550		8,155		6,681		10,573
Total interest expense	50,578		32,960		99,988		60,455
Net interest income	53,608		53,916		106,956		107,269
Provision for (reversal of) credit losses	(485)		(74)		(427)		(114)
Net interest income after provision for credit losses	54,093		53,990		107,383		107,383
Noninterest income:
Deposit services	6,157		6,291		12,142		12,713
Net gain (loss) on sale of securities AFS	(563)		(3,455)		(581)		(5,601)
Net gain on sale of equity securities	—		2,642		—		5,058
Gain (loss) on sale of loans	220		185		(216)		289
Trust fees	1,456		1,490		2,792		2,957
BOLI	1,767		756		2,551		2,431
Brokerage services	1,081		904		2,095		1,601
Other	1,439		1,651		2,498		3,049
Total noninterest income	11,557		10,464		21,281		22,497
Noninterest expense:
Salaries and employee benefits	21,984		21,376		45,097		43,232
Net occupancy	3,750		3,690		7,112		7,424
Advertising, travel & entertainment	795		854		1,745		1,904
ATM expense	368		320		693		675
Professional fees	1,075		1,192		2,229		2,564
Software and data processing	2,860		2,264		5,716		4,319
Communications	410		348		859		675
FDIC insurance	977		1,220		1,920		1,764
Amortization of intangibles	307		442		644		920
Other	3,239		3,287		6,631		6,365
Total noninterest expense	35,765		34,993		72,646		69,842
Income before income tax expense	29,885		29,461		56,018		60,038
Income tax expense	5,212		4,568		9,834		9,111
Net income	$	24,673	$	24,893	$	46,184	$	50,927
Earnings per common share – basic	$	0.81	$	0.81	$	1.52	$	1.64
Earnings per common share – diluted	$	0.81	$	0.81	$	1.52	$	1.64
Cash dividends paid per common share	$	0.36	$	0.35	$	0.72	$	0.70

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

Southside Bancshares, Inc. |4

SOUTHSIDE BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(UNAUDITED)

(in thousands)

	Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
	June 30,				June 30,
	2024		2023		2024		2023
Net income	$	24,673	$	24,893	$	46,184	$	50,927
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Securities AFS and transferred securities:
Change in unrealized holding gain (loss) on AFS securities during the period	(1,800)		6,831		(7,687)		19,850
Reclassification adjustment for amortization related to AFS and HTM debt securities	2,068		1,989		4,091		3,981
Reclassification adjustment for net (gain) loss on sale of AFS securities, included in net income	563		3,455		581		5,601
Derivatives:
Change in net unrealized gain (loss) on effective cash flow hedge interest rate swap derivatives	4,683		15,876		18,299		8,900
Reclassification adjustment of net (gain) loss related to derivatives designated as cash flow hedges	(5,782)		(6,054)		(12,424)		(11,162)
Pension plans:
Amortization of net actuarial loss, included in net periodic benefit cost	148		205		315		378
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	(120)		22,302		3,175		27,548
Income tax (expense) benefit related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	25		(4,683)		(667)		(5,785)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(95)		17,619		2,508		21,763
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	24,578	$	42,512	$	48,692	$	72,690

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

Southside Bancshares, Inc. |5

SOUTHSIDE BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(UNAUDITED)

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

	Common Stock		Paid In Capital		Retained Earnings		Treasury Stock		Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)		Total Shareholders’ Equity
Balance at December 31, 2023	$	47,550	$	788,840	$	282,355	$	(231,995)	$	(113,462)	$	773,288
Net income	—		—		21,511		—		—		21,511
Other comprehensive income (loss)	—		—		—		—		2,603		2,603
Issuance of common stock for dividend reinvestment plan (10,683 shares)	13		293		—		—		—		306
Stock compensation expense	—		756		—		—		—		756
Net issuance of common stock under employee stock plans (23,575 shares)	—		75		(95)		370		—		350
Cash dividends paid on common stock ($0.36 per share)	—		—		(10,892)		—		—		(10,892)
Balance at March 31, 2024	47,563		789,964		292,879		(231,625)		(110,859)		787,922
Net income	—		—		24,673		—		—		24,673
Other comprehensive income (loss)	—		—		—		—		(95)		(95)
Issuance of common stock for dividend reinvestment plan (11,060 shares)	14		276		—		—		—		290
Purchase of common stock (57,966 shares)	—		—		—		(1,510)		—		(1,510)
Stock compensation expense	—		761		—		—		—		761
Net issuance of common stock under employee stock plans (23,778 shares)	—		(442)		(95)		371		—		(166)
Cash dividends paid on common stock ($0.36 per share)	—		—		(10,905)		—		—		(10,905)
Balance at June 30, 2024	$	47,577	$	790,559	$	306,552	$	(232,764)	$	(110,954)	$	800,970

Southside Bancshares, Inc. |6

SOUTHSIDE BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (continued)

(UNAUDITED)

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

	Common Stock		Paid In Capital		Retained Earnings		Treasury Stock		Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)		Total Shareholders’ Equity
Balance at December 31, 2022	$	47,501	$	784,545	$	239,610	$	(188,203)	$	(137,456)	$	745,997
Net income	—		—		26,034		—		—		26,034
Other comprehensive income (loss)	—		—		—		—		4,144		4,144
Issuance of common stock for dividend reinvestment plan (8,026 shares)	10		292		—		—		—		302
Purchase of common stock (457,394 shares)	—		—		—		(15,945)		—		(15,945)
Stock compensation expense	—		914		—		—		—		914
Net issuance of common stock under employee stock plans (23,919 shares)	—		368		(91)		295		—		572
Cash dividends paid on common stock ($0.35 per share)	—		—		(10,988)		—		—		(10,988)
Balance at March 31, 2023	47,511		786,119		254,565		(203,853)		(133,312)		751,030
Net income	—		—		24,893		—		—		24,893
Other comprehensive income (loss)	—		—		—		—		17,619		17,619
Issuance of common stock for dividend reinvestment plan (10,390 shares)	13		286		—		—		—		299
Purchase of common stock (618,831 shares)	—		—		—		(18,725)		—		(18,725)
Stock compensation expense	—		924		—		—		—		924
Net issuance of common stock under employee stock plans (19,065 shares)	—		(302)		(95)		238		—		(159)
Cash dividends paid on common stock ($0.35 per share)	—		—		(10,720)		—		—		(10,720)
Balance at June 30, 2023	$	47,524	$	787,027	$	268,643	$	(222,340)	$	(115,693)	$	765,161

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

Southside Bancshares, Inc. |7

SOUTHSIDE BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)

(in thousands)

	Six Months Ended
	June 30,
	2024		2023
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$	46,184	$	50,927
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operations:
Depreciation and net amortization	4,962		5,289
Securities premium amortization (discount accretion), net	3,376		3,698
Loan (discount accretion) premium amortization, net	225		187
Provision for (reversal of) credit losses	(427)		(114)
Stock compensation expense	1,517		1,838
Deferred tax expense (benefit)	15		(316)
Net (gain) loss on sale of AFS securities	581		5,601
Net gain on sale of equity securities	—		(5,058)
Net loss on premises and equipment	41		88
Gross proceeds from sales of loans held for sale	8,731		9,025
Gross originations of loans held for sale	(7,181)		(10,024)
Net (gain) loss on consumer receivables	412		—
Net (gain) loss on OREO	58		(53)
Gain on purchase of subordinated notes	(178)		(587)
Net change in:
Interest receivable	96		1,085
Other assets	(27,625)		74,402
Interest payable	(322)		4,962
Other liabilities	44,312		(82,917)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	74,777		58,033
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Securities AFS:
Purchases	(604,133)		(717,315)
Sales	100,259		642,230
Maturities, calls and principal repayments	435,095		15,069
Securities HTM:
Maturities, calls and principal repayments	2,549		19,705
Proceeds from sales of equity securities	—		6,679
Proceeds from redemption of FHLB stock and equity investments	29,930		27,525
Purchases of FHLB stock and equity investments	(50,825)		(29,148)
Net loan paydowns (originations)	(66,830)		(182,187)
Proceeds from sales of customer receivables	7,600		—
Purchases of premises and equipment	(3,668)		(3,195)
Proceeds from (purchases of) BOLI	3,440		951
Proceeds from sales of premises and equipment	(3)		370
Net proceeds from sales of OREO	58		146
Proceeds from sales of repossessed assets	97		102
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(146,431)		(219,068)
(continued)

Southside Bancshares, Inc. | 8

SOUTHSIDE BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (continued)
(UNAUDITED)
(in thousands)
	Six Months Ended
	June 30,
	2024		2023
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Net change in deposits	(53,760)		(80,402)
Net change in other borrowings	(308,402)		279,188
Proceeds from FHLB borrowings	3,740,000		1,328,000
Repayment of FHLB borrowings	(3,390,366)		(1,298,351)
Purchase/redemption of subordinated notes	(1,805)		(4,365)
Proceeds from stock option exercises	435		640
Cash paid to tax authority related to tax withholding on share-based awards	(251)		(227)
Purchase of common stock	(1,510)		(34,480)
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock for dividend reinvestment plan	596		601
Cash dividends paid	(21,797)		(21,708)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(36,860)		168,896
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(108,514)		7,861
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	560,510		199,252
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	451,996	$	207,113
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES FOR CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Interest paid	$	100,310	$	55,493
Income taxes paid	$	7,000	$	8,000
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF NONCASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Loans transferred to other repossessed assets and real estate through foreclosure	$	785	$	61
Unsettled trades to purchase securities	$	(54,354)	$	—
Unsettled trades to sell securities	$	—	$	31,548

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

Southside Bancshares, Inc. |9

SOUTHSIDE BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

1.    Summary of Significant Accounting and Reporting Policies

Basis of Presentation

In this report, the words “the Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to the combined entities of Southside Bancshares, Inc. and its subsidiaries, including Southside Bank.  The words “Southside” and “Southside Bancshares” refer to Southside Bancshares, Inc.  The words “Southside Bank” and “the Bank” refer to Southside Bank.

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, not all information required by GAAP for complete financial statements is included in these interim statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of such financial statements have been included.  Such adjustments consisted only of normal recurring items.  The preparation of these consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires the use of management’s estimates.  These estimates are subjective in nature and involve matters of judgment.  Actual amounts could differ from these estimates.

Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year.  These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto in our 2023 Form 10-K. 

Accounting Changes and Reclassifications

Certain prior period amounts may be reclassified to conform to current year presentation.

2.     Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per common share is calculated based on the two-class method in accordance with ASC Topic 260, “Earnings Per Share.” ASC 260 provides that unvested share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents (whether paid or unpaid) are participating securities and shall be included in the calculation of earnings per share pursuant to the two-class method. We have determined that our director’s deferred RSUs are participating securities.

Under the two-class method, basic earnings per common share is calculated by dividing net income available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period, excluding outstanding participating securities. Diluted earnings per common share is calculated using the weighted-average number of shares determined for the basic earnings per common share calculation plus the dilutive effect of stock awards using the treasury stock method.

Earnings per share on a basic and diluted basis are calculated as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):

	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2024		2023		2024		2023
Basic and Diluted Earnings:
Net income	$	24,673	$	24,893	$	46,184	$	50,927
Less: Earnings allocated to participating securities	15		10		27		19
Net income available to common shareholders	$	24,658	$	24,883	$	46,157	$	50,908
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding	30,280		30,721		30,271		31,045
Add:  Stock awards	32		33		39		54
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding	30,312		30,754		30,310		31,099
Basic earnings per share:
Net income	$	0.81	$	0.81	$	1.52	$	1.64
Diluted earnings per share:
Net income	$	0.81	$	0.81	$	1.52	$	1.64

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, there were approximately 649,000 and 636,000 anti-dilutive shares. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, there were 686,000 and 578,000 anti-dilutive shares.

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3.     Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component are as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended June 30, 2024
	Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Securities		Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Derivatives		Retirement Plans		Total
Beginning balance, net of tax	$	(110,538)	$	18,312	$	(18,633)	$	(110,859)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(1,800)		4,683		—		2,883
Reclassification adjustments included in net income	2,631		(5,782)		148		(3,003)
Income tax (expense) benefit	(174)		231		(32)		25
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	657		(868)		116		(95)
Ending balance, net of tax	$	(109,881)	$	17,444	$	(18,517)	$	(110,954)
	Six Months Ended June 30, 2024
	Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Securities		Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Derivatives		Retirement Plans		Total
Beginning balance, net of tax	$	(107,499)	$	12,803	$	(18,766)	$	(113,462)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	(7,687)		18,299		—		10,612
Reclassification adjustments included in net income	4,672		(12,424)		315		(7,437)
Income tax (expense) benefit	633		(1,234)		(66)		(667)
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(2,382)		4,641		249		2,508
Ending balance, net of tax	$	(109,881)	$	17,444	$	(18,517)	$	(110,954)

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	Three Months Ended June 30, 2023
	Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Securities		Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Derivatives		Retirement Plans		Total
Beginning balance, net of tax	$	(135,627)	$	21,680	$	(19,365)	$	(133,312)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	6,831		15,876		—		22,707
Reclassification adjustments included in net income	5,444		(6,054)		205		(405)
Income tax (expense) benefit	(2,577)		(2,063)		(43)		(4,683)
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	9,698		7,759		162		17,619
Ending balance, net of tax	$	(125,929)	$	29,439	$	(19,203)	$	(115,693)
	Six Months Ended June 30, 2023
	Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Securities		Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Derivatives		Retirement Plans		Total
Beginning balance, net of tax	$	(149,181)	$	31,227	$	(19,502)	$	(137,456)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	19,850		8,900		—		28,750
Reclassification adjustments included in net income	9,582		(11,162)		378		(1,202)
Income tax (expense) benefit	(6,180)		474		(79)		(5,785)
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	23,252		(1,788)		299		21,763
Ending balance, net of tax	$	(125,929)	$	29,439	$	(19,203)	$	(115,693)

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The reclassification adjustments out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) included in net income are presented below (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2024		2023		2024		2023
Unrealized gains and losses on securities transferred:
Amortization of unrealized gains and losses (1)	$	(2,068)	$	(1,989)	$	(4,091)	$	(3,981)
Tax benefit	434		418		859		836
Net of tax	(1,634)		(1,571)		(3,232)		(3,145)
Unrealized gains and losses on available for sale securities:
Realized net gain (loss) on sale of securities (2)	(563)		(3,455)		(581)		(5,601)
Tax (expense) benefit	118		725		122		1,176
Net of tax	(445)		(2,730)		(459)		(4,425)
Derivatives:
Realized net gain (loss) on interest rate swap derivatives (3)	5,782		6,054		12,424		11,162
Tax benefit	(1,214)		(1,272)		(2,609)		(2,344)
Net of tax	4,568		4,782		9,815		8,818
Amortization of pension plan:
Net actuarial loss (4)	(148)		(205)		(315)		(378)
Tax benefit	32		43		66		79
Net of tax	(116)		(162)		(249)		(299)
Total reclassifications for the period, net of tax	$	2,373	$	319	$	5,875	$	949

(1)    Included in interest income on the consolidated statements of income.

(2)    Listed as net gain (loss) on sale of securities AFS on the consolidated statements of income.

(3)    Included in interest expense for FHLB borrowings, other borrowings and deposits on the consolidated statements of income.

(4)    These AOCI components are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost (income) presented in “Note 8 – Employee Benefit Plans.”

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4.     Securities

Debt securities

The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses and estimated fair value of investment and mortgage-backed AFS and HTM securities as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 are reflected in the tables below (in thousands):

	June 30, 2024
	Amortized		Gross Unrealized		Gross Unrealized		Estimated
AVAILABLE FOR SALE	Cost		Gains		Losses		Fair Value
Investment securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	172,732	$	14	$	—	$	172,746
State and political subdivisions	499,234		59		42,912		456,381
Corporate bonds and other	14,607		25		1,069		13,563
MBS: (1)
Residential	762,472		1,563		5,501		758,534
Commercial	5,221		34		535		4,720
Total	$	1,454,266	$	1,695	$	50,017	$	1,405,944
HELD TO MATURITY
Investment securities:
State and political subdivisions	$	1,040,476	$	5,520	$	146,750	$	899,246
Corporate bonds and other	147,061		226		13,452		133,835
MBS: (1)
Residential	88,510		7		8,841		79,676
Commercial	29,928		—		2,238		27,690
Total	$	1,305,975	$	5,753	$	171,281	$	1,140,447

	December 31, 2023
	Amortized		Gross Unrealized		Gross Unrealized		Estimated
AVAILABLE FOR SALE	Cost		Gains		Losses		Fair Value
Investment securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	139,706	$	19	$	—	$	139,725
State and political subdivisions	603,913		362		35,530		568,745
Corporate bonds and other	14,569		31		507		14,093
MBS: (1)
Residential	569,039		3,202		3,258		568,983
Commercial	5,240		44		536		4,748
Total	$	1,332,467	$	3,658	$	39,831	$	1,296,294
HELD TO MATURITY
Investment securities:
State and political subdivisions	$	1,039,440	$	10,070	$	126,233	$	923,277
Corporate bonds and other	146,712		488		15,738		131,462
MBS: (1)
Residential	90,619		13		7,263		83,369
Commercial	30,282		—		2,228		28,054
Total	$	1,307,053	$	10,571	$	151,462	$	1,166,162

(1) All MBS are issued and/or guaranteed by U.S. government agencies or U.S. GSEs.

From time to time, we transfer securities from AFS to HTM due to overall balance sheet strategies and our intent and ability to hold these securities until maturity. We did not transfer any securities from AFS to HTM during the six months ended June 30, 2024 or the year ended December 31, 2023. The remaining net unamortized, unrealized loss on the transferred securities included in AOCI in the accompanying balance sheets totaled $109.5 million ($86.5 million, net of tax) at June 30, 2024 and $113.5 million ($89.7 million, net of tax) at December 31, 2023. Any net unrealized gain or loss on the transferred securities included in AOCI at the time of transfer will be amortized over the remaining life of the underlying security as an adjustment to

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the yield on those securities. Securities transferred with losses included in AOCI continue to be included in management’s assessment for impairment for each individual security.

Investment securities and MBS with carrying values of $2.11 billion and $2.28 billion were pledged as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, to collateralize borrowings from the FRDW, including from the BTFP, repurchase agreements and public fund deposits, for potential liquidity needs or other purposes as required by law. At June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the amount of excess collateral at the FRDW was $377.4 million and $213.1 million, respectively.

The following tables present the fair value and unrealized losses on AFS and HTM investment securities and MBS, if applicable, for which an allowance for credit losses has not been recorded as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, segregated by major security type and length of time in a continuous loss position (in thousands):

	June 30, 2024
	Less Than 12 Months				More Than 12 Months				Total
	Fair Value		Unrealized Loss		Fair Value		Unrealized Loss		Fair Value		Unrealized Loss
AVAILABLE FOR SALE
Investment securities:
State and political subdivisions	$	12,437	$	37	$	440,232	$	42,875	$	452,669	$	42,912
Corporate bonds and other	4,197		75		9,149		994		13,346		1,069
MBS:
Residential	461,896		1,719		54,807		3,782		516,703		5,501
Commercial	—		—		2,467		535		2,467		535
Total	$	478,530	$	1,831	$	506,655	$	48,186	$	985,185	$	50,017
HELD TO MATURITY
Investment securities:
State and political subdivisions	$	60,377	$	935	$	707,838	$	145,815	$	768,215	$	146,750
Corporate bonds and other	3,887		47		127,392		13,405		131,279		13,452
MBS:
Residential	—		—		79,109		8,841		79,109		8,841
Commercial	—		—		27,690		2,238		27,690		2,238
Total	$	64,264	$	982	$	942,029	$	170,299	$	1,006,293	$	171,281
	December 31, 2023
	Less Than 12 Months				More Than 12 Months				Total
	Fair Value		Unrealized Loss		Fair Value		Unrealized Loss		Fair Value		Unrealized Loss
AVAILABLE FOR SALE
Investment securities:
State and political subdivisions	$	26,371	$	297	$	516,520	$	35,233	$	542,891	$	35,530
Corporate bonds and other	8,103		319		5,071		188		13,174		507
MBS:
Residential	150,865		549		36,864		2,709		187,729		3,258
Commercial	—		—		2,484		536		2,484		536
Total	$	185,339	$	1,165	$	560,939	$	38,666	$	746,278	$	39,831
HELD TO MATURITY
Investment securities:
State and political subdivisions	$	16,549	$	123	$	713,499	$	126,110	$	730,048	$	126,233
Corporate bonds and other	9,956		1,135		114,787		14,603		124,743		15,738
MBS:
Residential	—		—		82,747		7,263		82,747		7,263
Commercial	—		—		28,054		2,228		28,054		2,228
Total	$	26,505	$	1,258	$	939,087	$	150,204	$	965,592	$	151,462

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For those AFS debt securities in an unrealized loss position (i) where management has the intent to sell or (ii) where it will more-likely-than-not be required to sell the security before the recovery of its amortized cost basis, we recognize the loss in earnings. For those AFS debt securities in an unrealized loss position that do not meet either of these criteria, management assesses whether the decline in fair value has resulted from credit-related factors, using both qualitative and quantitative criteria. Determining the allowance under the credit loss method requires the use of a discounted cash flow method to assess the credit losses. Any credit-related impairment will be recognized in allowance for credit losses on the balance sheet with a corresponding adjustment to earnings. Noncredit-related temporary impairment, the portion of the impairment relating to factors other than credit (such as changes in market interest rates), is recognized in other comprehensive income, net of tax.

As of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, we did not have an allowance for credit losses on our AFS securities, based on our consideration of the qualitative factors associated with each security type in our AFS portfolio. The unrealized losses on our investment and MBS are due to changes in interest rates and spreads and other market conditions. We had 417 AFS debt securities in an unrealized loss position at June 30, 2024. Our state and political subdivisions are highly rated municipal securities with a long history of no credit losses. Our AFS MBS are highly rated securities which are either explicitly or implicitly backed by the U.S. Government through its agencies which are highly rated by major ratings agencies and also have a long history of no credit losses. Our corporate bonds and other investment securities consist of investment grade bonds and private placement bonds.

We assess the likelihood of default and the potential amount of default when assessing our HTM securities for credit losses. We utilize term structures and, due to no prior loss exposure on our state and political subdivision securities or our corporate securities, we currently apply a third-party average loss given default rate to model these securities. We elected to use the specific identification method to model our HTM securities which aligns with our third-party fair value measurement process. As of June 30, 2024, three bonds were rated below investment grade. The model determined any expected credit loss over the life of these securities to be insignificant. Management further evaluated the remote expectation of loss on the remainder of the HTM portfolio, along with the qualitative factors associated with these securities and concluded that, due to the securities being highly rated municipals and primarily investment grade corporates, private placement bonds with a long history of no credit losses, no credit loss should be recognized for these securities for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 or 2023.

The accrued interest receivable on our debt securities is excluded from the credit loss estimate and is included in interest receivable on our consolidated balance sheets. As of June 30, 2024, accrued interest receivable on AFS and HTM debt securities totaled $14.2 million and $13.7 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2023, accrued interest receivable on AFS and HTM debt securities totaled $15.4 million and $13.7 million, respectively. No HTM debt securities were past-due or on nonaccrual status as of June 30, 2024 or December 31, 2023.

The following table reflects interest income recognized on securities for the periods presented (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended June 30,
	2024		2023
U.S. Treasury	$	2,066	$	3,826
State and political subdivisions	13,888		16,901
Corporate bonds and other	1,765		1,766
MBS	11,084		3,830
Total interest income on securities	$	28,803	$	26,323

	Six Months Ended June 30,
	2024		2023
U.S. Treasury	$	4,089	$	4,523
State and political subdivisions	28,157		34,000
Corporate bonds and other	3,528		3,598
MBS	21,203		8,159
Total interest income on securities	$	56,977	$	50,280

There was a $581,000 net realized loss as a result of sales from the AFS securities portfolio for the six months ended June 30, 2024, which consisted of $4.6 million in realized losses and $88,000 in realized gains, offset by a net gain of $4.0 million on the unwinding of fair value hedges on municipal securities in the AFS securities portfolio.  There was a $5.6 million net realized loss as a result of sales from the AFS securities portfolio for the six months ended June 30, 2023, which consisted of $7.0 million in realized losses and $1.4 million in realized gains. There were no sales from the HTM portfolio during the three and six months

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ended June 30, 2024 or 2023.  We calculate realized gains and losses on sales of securities under the specific identification method.

Expected maturities on our securities may differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations.  MBS are presented in total by category since MBS are typically issued with stated principal amounts and are backed by pools of mortgages that have loans with varying maturities.  The characteristics of the underlying pool of mortgages, such as fixed-rate or adjustable-rate, as well as prepayment risk, are passed on to the security holder.  The term of a mortgage-backed pass-through security thus approximates the term of the underlying mortgages and can vary significantly due to prepayments.

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of AFS and HTM securities at June 30, 2024, are presented below by contractual maturity (in thousands):

	June 30, 2024
	Amortized Cost		Fair Value
AVAILABLE FOR SALE
Investment securities:
Due in one year or less	$	174,960	$	174,962
Due after one year through five years	1,915		1,908
Due after five years through ten years	22,239		21,093
Due after ten years	487,459		444,727
	686,573		642,690
MBS:	767,693		763,254
Total	$	1,454,266	$	1,405,944

	June 30, 2024
	Amortized Cost		Fair Value
HELD TO MATURITY
Investment securities:
Due in one year or less	$	19,955	$	19,841
Due after one year through five years	1,318		1,292
Due after five years through ten years	142,705		129,083
Due after ten years	1,023,559		882,865
	1,187,537		1,033,081
MBS:	118,438		107,366
Total	$	1,305,975	$	1,140,447

Equity Investments

Equity investments on our consolidated balance sheets include Community Reinvestment Act funds with a readily determinable fair value as well as equity investments without readily determinable fair values. At June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, we had equity investments recorded in our consolidated balance sheets of $9.5 million and $9.7 million, respectively.

Any realized and unrealized gains and losses on equity investments are reported in income. Equity investments without readily determinable fair values are recorded at cost less impairment, if any. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, there was no gain or loss on the sale of equity securities.

The following is a summary of unrealized and realized gains and losses on equity investments recognized in other noninterest income in the consolidated statements of income during the periods presented (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2024		2023		2024		2023
Net gains (losses) recognized during the period on equity investments	$	(23)	$	2,558	$	(79)	$	5,058
Less: Net gains recognized during the period on equity investments sold during the period	—		2,642		—		5,058
Unrealized gains (losses) recognized during the reporting period on equity investments held at the reporting date	$	(23)	$	(84)	$	(79)	$	—

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Equity investments are assessed quarterly for other-than-temporary impairment. Based upon that evaluation, management does not consider any of our equity investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired at June 30, 2024.

FHLB Stock

Our FHLB stock, which has limited marketability, is carried at cost and is assessed quarterly for other-than-temporary impairment. Based upon evaluation by management at June 30, 2024, our FHLB stock was not impaired and thus was not considered to be other-than-temporarily impaired.

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5.     Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses

Loans in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets are classified as follows (in thousands):    

	June 30, 2024		December 31, 2023
Real estate loans:
Construction	$	546,040	$	789,744
1-4 family residential	738,037		696,738
Commercial	2,472,771		2,168,451
Commercial loans	359,807		366,893
Municipal loans	416,986		441,168
Loans to individuals	55,724		61,516
Total loans	4,589,365		4,524,510
Less: Allowance for loan losses	42,407		42,674
Net loans	$	4,546,958	$	4,481,836

Construction Real Estate Loans

Our construction loans are collateralized by property located primarily in or near the market areas we serve. A number of our construction loans will be owner occupied upon completion. Construction loans for non-owner occupied projects are financed, but these typically have cash flows from leases with tenants, secondary sources of repayment, and in some cases, additional collateral. Our construction loans have both adjustable and fixed interest rates during the construction period. Construction loans to individuals are typically priced and made with the intention of granting the permanent loan on the completed property. Commercial construction loans are subject to underwriting standards similar to that of the commercial real estate loan portfolio.  Owner occupied 1-4 family residential construction loans are subject to the underwriting standards of the permanent loan.

1-4 Family Residential Real Estate Loans

Residential loan originations are generated by our mortgage loan officers, in-house origination staff, marketing efforts, present customers, walk-in customers and referrals from real estate agents and builders.  We focus our lending efforts primarily on the origination of loans secured by first mortgages on owner occupied 1-4 family residences.  Substantially all of our 1-4 family residential originations are secured by properties located in or near our market areas.  

Our 1-4 family residential loans generally have maturities ranging from 15 to 30 years.  These loans are typically fully amortizing with monthly payments sufficient to repay the total amount of the loan.  Our 1-4 family residential loans are made at both fixed and adjustable interest rates.

Underwriting for 1-4 family residential loans includes debt-to-income analysis, credit history analysis, appraised value and down payment considerations. Changes in the market value of real estate can affect the potential losses in the residential portfolio.

Commercial Real Estate Loans

Commercial real estate loans as of June 30, 2024 consisted of $1.87 billion of owner and non-owner occupied real estate, $579.7 million of loans secured by multi-family properties and $27.4 million of loans secured by farmland. Commercial real estate loans primarily include loans collateralized by retail, commercial office buildings, multi-family residential buildings, medical facilities and offices, senior living, assisted living and skilled nursing facilities, warehouse facilities, hotels and churches. In determining whether to originate commercial real estate loans, we generally consider such factors as the financial condition of the borrower and the debt service coverage of the property. Commercial real estate loans are made at both fixed and adjustable interest rates for terms generally up to 20 years.

Commercial Loans

Our commercial loans are diversified loan types including short-term working capital loans for inventory and accounts receivable and short- and medium-term loans for equipment or other business capital expansion.  In our commercial loan underwriting, we assess the creditworthiness, ability to repay and the value and liquidity of the collateral being offered.  Terms of commercial loans are generally commensurate with the useful life of the collateral offered.

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Municipal Loans

We have made loans to municipalities and school districts primarily throughout the state of Texas, with a small percentage originating outside of the state.  The majority of the loans to municipalities and school districts have tax or revenue pledges and in some cases are additionally supported by collateral.  Municipal loans made without a direct pledge of taxes or revenues are usually made based on some type of collateral that represents an essential service. These loans allow us to earn a higher yield than we could if we purchased municipal securities for similar durations.

Loans to Individuals

Substantially all originations of our loans to individuals are made to consumers in our market areas.  The majority of loans to individuals are collateralized by titled equipment, which are primarily automobiles. Loan terms vary according to the type and value of collateral, length of contract and creditworthiness of the borrower.  The underwriting standards we employ for consumer loans include an application, a determination of the applicant’s payment history on other debts, with the greatest weight being given to payment history with us and an assessment of the borrower’s ability to meet existing obligations and payments on the proposed loan.  Although creditworthiness of the applicant is a primary consideration, the underwriting process also includes a comparison of the value of the collateral, if any, in relation to the proposed loan amount. Most of our loans to individuals are collateralized, which management believes assists in limiting our exposure.

Credit Quality Indicators

We categorize loans into risk categories on an ongoing basis based on relevant information about the ability of borrowers to service their debt such as:  current financial information, historical payment experience, credit documentation, public information and current economic trends, among other factors.  We use the following definitions for risk ratings:

•Pass (Rating 1 – 4) – This rating is assigned to all satisfactory loans.  This category, by definition, consists of acceptable credit.  Credit and collateral exceptions should not be present, although their presence would not necessarily prohibit a loan from being rated Pass, if deficiencies are in the process of correction.  These loans are not included in the Watch List.

•Pass Watch (Rating 5) – These loans require some degree of special treatment, but not due to credit quality.  This category does not include loans specially mentioned or adversely classified; however, particular attention is warranted to characteristics such as:

▪A lack of, or abnormally extended payment program;

▪A heavy degree of concentration of collateral without sufficient margin;

▪A vulnerability to competition through lesser or extensive financial leverage; and

▪A dependence on a single or few customers or sources of supply and materials without suitable substitutes or alternatives.

•Special Mention (Rating 6) – A Special Mention loan has potential weaknesses that deserve management’s close attention.  If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the loan or in our credit position at some future date.  Special Mention loans are not adversely classified and do not expose us to sufficient risk to warrant adverse classification.

•Substandard (Rating 7) – Substandard loans are inadequately protected by the current sound worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any.  Loans so classified must have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt.  They are characterized by the distinct possibility that the Bank will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.

•Doubtful (Rating 8) – Loans classified as Doubtful have all the weaknesses inherent in those classified Substandard with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation, in full, on the basis of currently known facts, conditions and values, highly questionable and improbable.

Watch List loans reported as 2024 originations as of June 30, 2024 and Watch List loans reported as 2023 originations as of December 31, 2023 were, for the majority, first originated in various years prior to 2024 and 2023, respectively, but were renewed in the respective year.

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The following tables set forth the amortized cost basis by class of financing receivable and credit quality indicator for the periods presented (in thousands):

June 30, 2024	Term Loans Amortized Cost Basis by Origination Year												Revolving Loans Amortized Cost Basis		Total
	2024		2023		2022		2021		2020		Prior
Construction real estate:
Pass	$	32,183	$	120,119	$	127,584	$	23,167	$	4,131	$	7,976	$	149,696	$	464,856
Pass watch	226		—		57,246		—		386		—		2,621		60,479
Special mention	—		—		—		616		—		6		—		622
Substandard	—		163		19,845		63		—		—		—		20,071
Doubtful	—		—		—		—		—		12		—		12
Total construction real estate	$	32,409	$	120,282	$	204,675	$	23,846	$	4,517	$	7,994	$	152,317	$	546,040
Current period gross charge-offs	$	—	$	24	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	24
1-4 family residential real estate:
Pass	$	22,414	$	53,754	$	154,734	$	148,586	$	111,255	$	241,168	$	1,708	$	733,619
Pass watch	—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Special mention	—		—		—		510		—		—		—		510
Substandard	51		—		—		69		1,096		2,362		—		3,578
Doubtful	—		—		—		—		—		330		—		330
Total 1-4 family residential real estate	$	22,465	$	53,754	$	154,734	$	149,165	$	112,351	$	243,860	$	1,708	$	738,037
Current period gross charge-offs	$	—	$	31	$	—	$	—	$	10	$	87	$	—	$	128
Commercial real estate:
Pass	$	112,416	$	496,041	$	704,544	$	624,161	$	172,212	$	279,464	$	1,900	$	2,390,738
Pass watch	—		—		52,440		—		1,002		735		—		54,177
Special mention	2,039		1,982		1,463		—		—		13,550		—		19,034
Substandard	—		—		844		90		256		5,973		—		7,163
Doubtful	—		—		—		—		—		1,659		—		1,659
Total commercial real estate	$	114,455	$	498,023	$	759,291	$	624,251	$	173,470	$	301,381	$	1,900	$	2,472,771
Current period gross charge-offs	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
Commercial loans:
Pass	$	63,215	$	72,925	$	65,758	$	19,123	$	8,086	$	4,258	$	116,349	$	349,714
Pass watch	—		34		251		90		8		649		175		1,207
Special mention	39		2,517		—		73		3		132		2,289		5,053
Substandard	81		291		2,025		74		—		27		988		3,486
Doubtful	—		35		148		107		—		52		5		347
Total commercial loans	$	63,335	$	75,802	$	68,182	$	19,467	$	8,097	$	5,118	$	119,806	$	359,807
Current period gross charge-offs	$	—	$	275	$	49	$	37	$	—	$	6	$	—	$	367
Municipal loans:
Pass	$	1,595	$	37,835	$	59,206	$	66,385	$	45,765	$	206,200	$	—	$	416,986
Pass watch	—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Special mention	—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Substandard	—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Doubtful	—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Total municipal loans	$	1,595	$	37,835	$	59,206	$	66,385	$	45,765	$	206,200	$	—	$	416,986
Current period gross charge-offs	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
Loans to individuals:
Pass	$	11,967	$	15,465	$	11,130	$	8,322	$	4,304	$	1,697	$	2,754	$	55,639
Pass watch	—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Special mention	—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Substandard	—		—		23		—		—		13		—		36
Doubtful	4		13		17		—		—		15		—		49
Total loans to individuals	$	11,971	$	15,478	$	11,170	$	8,322	$	4,304	$	1,725	$	2,754	$	55,724
Current period gross charge-offs (1)	$	750	$	20	$	20	$	2	$	33	$	11	$	—	$	836
Total loans	$	246,230	$	801,174	$	1,257,258	$	891,436	$	348,504	$	766,278	$	278,485	$	4,589,365
Total current period gross charge-offs (1)	$	750	$	350	$	69	$	39	$	43	$	104	$	—	$	1,355

(1) Includes $554,000 in charged off demand deposit overdrafts reported as 2024 originations.

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December 31, 2023	Term Loans Amortized Cost Basis by Origination Year												Revolving Loans Amortized Cost Basis		Total
	2023		2022		2021		2020		2019		Prior
Construction real estate:
Pass	$	132,838	$	236,573	$	196,311	$	37,997	$	3,938	$	6,457	$	144,358	$	758,472
Pass watch	—		7,798		—		—		—		—		—		7,798
Special mention	13,166		9,456		698		—		7		—		—		23,327
Substandard	36		—		68		—		—		43		—		147
Doubtful	—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Total construction real estate	$	146,040	$	253,827	$	197,077	$	37,997	$	3,945	$	6,500	$	144,358	$	789,744
Current period gross charge-offs	$	—	$	92	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	92
1-4 family residential real estate:
Pass	$	41,520	$	126,981	$	145,671	$	114,631	$	63,710	$	196,651	$	1,803	$	690,967
Pass watch	—		—		—		32		—		—		—		32
Special mention	—		—		—		75		—		—		—		75
Substandard	325		—		73		1,379		—		3,259		74		5,110
Doubtful	—		—		—		163		—		391		—		554
Total 1-4 family residential real estate	$	41,845	$	126,981	$	145,744	$	116,280	$	63,710	$	200,301	$	1,877	$	696,738
Current period gross charge-offs	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	1	$	118	$	—	$	119
Commercial real estate:
Pass	$	469,844	$	641,577	$	495,363	$	143,150	$	91,085	$	189,021	$	16,493	$	2,046,533
Pass watch	24,300		34,424		255		1,037		333		146		—		60,495
Special mention	17,403		—		—		—		9,746		25,072		—		52,221
Substandard	—		862		95		269		1,565		6,346		—		9,137
Doubtful	—		—		—		—		65		—		—		65
Total commercial real estate	$	511,547	$	676,863	$	495,713	$	144,456	$	102,794	$	220,585	$	16,493	$	2,168,451
Current period gross charge-offs	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	788	$	—	$	—	$	788
Commercial loans:
Pass	$	78,090	$	62,192	$	42,114	$	10,708	$	4,356	$	3,310	$	161,153	$	361,923
Pass watch	—		128		117		—		—		18		—		263
Special mention	191		174		—		16		—		162		—		543
Substandard	14		2,357		73		—		65		12		821		3,342
Doubtful	238		267		133		—		64		120		—		822
Total commercial loans	$	78,533	$	65,118	$	42,437	$	10,724	$	4,485	$	3,622	$	161,974	$	366,893
Current period gross charge-offs	$	745	$	440	$	44	$	26	$	23	$	5	$	—	$	1,283
Municipal loans:
Pass	$	39,028	$	61,429	$	68,979	$	49,746	$	39,949	$	182,037	$	—	$	441,168
Pass watch	—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Special mention	—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Substandard	—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Doubtful	—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Total municipal loans	$	39,028	$	61,429	$	68,979	$	49,746	$	39,949	$	182,037	$	—	$	441,168
Current period gross charge-offs	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
Loans to individuals:
Pass	$	22,788	$	15,503	$	11,588	$	6,256	$	2,180	$	941	$	2,216	$	61,472
Pass watch	—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Special mention	—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Substandard	—		—		—		—		13		—		—		13
Doubtful	4		17		—		10		—		—		—		31
Total loans to individuals	$	22,792	$	15,520	$	11,588	$	6,266	$	2,193	$	941	$	2,216	$	61,516
Current period gross charge-offs	$	1,682	$	54	$	61	$	20	$	6	$	99	$	—	$	1,922
Total loans	$	839,785	$	1,199,738	$	961,538	$	365,469	$	217,076	$	613,986	$	326,918	$	4,524,510
Total current period gross charge-offs (1)	$	2,427	$	586	$	105	$	46	$	818	$	222	$	—	$	4,204

(1) Includes $1.7 million in charged off demand deposit overdrafts reported as 2023 originations.

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The following tables present the aging of the amortized cost basis in past due loans by class of loans (in thousands):

	June 30, 2024
	30-59 Days Past Due		60-89 Days Past Due		Greater than 90 Days Past Due		Total Past Due		Current		Total
Real estate loans:
Construction	$	278	$	—	$	—	$	278	$	545,762	$	546,040
1-4 family residential	553		563		75		1,191		736,846		738,037
Commercial	273		244		1,881		2,398		2,470,373		2,472,771
Commercial loans	624		439		107		1,170		358,637		359,807
Municipal loans	—		—		—		—		416,986		416,986
Loans to individuals	148		30		4		182		55,542		55,724
Total	$	1,876	$	1,276	$	2,067	$	5,219	$	4,584,146	$	4,589,365

	December 31, 2023
	30-59 Days Past Due		60-89 Days Past Due		Greater than 90 Days Past Due		Total Past Due		Current		Total
Real estate loans:
Construction	$	474	$	—	$	29	$	503	$	789,241	$	789,744
1-4 family residential	4,638		774		1,700		7,112		689,626		696,738
Commercial	621		34		40		695		2,167,756		2,168,451
Commercial loans	1,693		347		127		2,167		364,726		366,893
Municipal loans	27		—		—		27		441,141		441,168
Loans to individuals	107		1		10		118		61,398		61,516
Total	$	7,560	$	1,156	$	1,906	$	10,622	$	4,513,888	$	4,524,510

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The following table sets forth the amortized cost basis of nonperforming assets for the periods presented (in thousands):

	June 30, 2024		December 31, 2023
Nonaccrual loans:
Real estate loans:
Construction	$	38	$	29
1-4 family residential	1,432		2,093
Commercial	2,065		528
Commercial loans	2,526		1,208
Loans to individuals	49		31
Total nonaccrual loans (1)	6,110		3,889
Accruing loans past due more than 90 days	—		—
Restructured loans	145		13
OREO	648		99
Repossessed assets	15		—
Total nonperforming assets	$	6,918	$	4,001

(1)    Includes $368,000 and $506,000 of restructured loans as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.

We reversed $14,000 and $59,000 of interest income on nonaccrual loans during the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively, and $11,000 and $30,000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, respectively. We had $963,000 and $1.0 million of loans on nonaccrual for which there was no related allowance for credit losses as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.

Collateral-dependent loans are loans that we expect the repayment to be provided substantially through the operation or sale of the collateral of the loan and we have determined that the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty. In such cases, expected credit losses are based on the fair value of the collateral at the measurement date, adjusted for selling costs. As of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, we had $10.3 million and $7.5 million, respectively, of collateral-dependent loans, secured mainly by real estate and equipment. There have been no significant changes to the collateral that secures the collateral-dependent assets. Foreclosed assets include OREO and repossessed assets. For 1-4 family residential real estate properties, a loan is recognized as a foreclosed property once legal title to the real estate property has been received upon completion of foreclosure or the borrower has conveyed all interest in the residential property through a deed in lieu of foreclosure. There were no loans secured by 1-4 family residential properties for which formal foreclosure proceedings were in process as of June 30, 2024. There were $1.0 million loans secured by 1-4 family residential properties for which formal foreclosure proceedings were in process as of December 31, 2023.

Restructured Loans

A loan is considered restructured if the borrower is experiencing financial difficulties and the loan has been modified. Modifications may include interest rate reductions or below market interest rates, restructuring amortization schedules and other actions intended to minimize potential losses. We may provide a combination of modifications which may include an extension of the amortization period, interest rate reduction and/or converting the loan to interest-only for a limited period of time. In most instances, interest will continue to be charged on principal balances outstanding during the extended term. Therefore, the financial effects of the recorded investment of loans restructured during the six months ended June 30, 2024 were not significant.

There was one restructured loan totaling $26,000 restructured with an extension of the amortization period during the three and six months ended June 30, 2024. There were three restructured loans totaling $368,000 included in nonperforming assets as of June 30, 2024. There were two commercial loans totaling $314,000 that were restructured with an extension of the amortization period as of June 30, 2023 and are included in our nonaccrual loans in nonperforming assets.

On an ongoing basis, performance of restructured loans are monitored for subsequent payment default. Payment default is recognized when the borrower is 90 days or more past due. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, there were no restructured loans in default. Payment defaults for restructured loans did not significantly impact the determination of the allowance for loan losses in the periods presented. At June 30, 2024, there were no commitments to lend additional funds to borrowers whose loans had been restructured.

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Allowance for Loan Losses

The following tables detail activity in the allowance for loan losses by portfolio segment for the periods presented (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended June 30, 2024
	Real Estate
	Construction		1-4 Family Residential		Commercial		Commercial Loans		Municipal Loans		Loans to Individuals		Total
Balance at beginning of period	$	4,920	$	2,768	$	32,893	$	2,774	$	19	$	183	$	43,557
Loans charged-off	(24)		(106)		—		(216)		—		(375)		(721)
Recoveries of loans charged-off	—		33		—		191		—		220		444
Net loans (charged-off) recovered	(24)		(73)		—		(25)		—		(155)		(277)
Provision for (reversal of) loan losses	(162)		9		(1,052)		193		(1)		140		(873)
Balance at end of period	$	4,734	$	2,704	$	31,841	$	2,942	$	18	$	168	$	42,407

	Six Months Ended June 30, 2024
	Real Estate
	Construction		1-4 Family Residential		Commercial		Commercial Loans		Municipal Loans		Loans to Individuals		Total
Balance at beginning of period	$	5,287	$	2,840	$	32,266	$	2,086	$	19	$	176	$	42,674
Loans charged-off (1)	(24)		(128)		—		(367)		—		(836)		(1,355)
Recoveries of loans charged-off	—		44		3		247		—		497		791
Net loans (charged-off) recovered	(24)		(84)		3		(120)		—		(339)		(564)
Provision for (reversal of) loan losses	(529)		(52)		(428)		976		(1)		331		297
Balance at end of period	$	4,734	$	2,704	$	31,841	$	2,942	$	18	$	168	$	42,407

	Three Months Ended June 30, 2023
	Real Estate
	Construction		1-4 Family Residential		Commercial		Commercial Loans		Municipal Loans		Loans to Individuals		Total
Balance at beginning of period	$	3,152	$	2,314	$	28,721	$	1,901	$	44	$	200	$	36,332
Loans charged-off	(63)		(22)		—		(260)		—		(392)		(737)
Recoveries of loans charged-off	—		41		1		143		—		245		430
Net loans (charged-off) recovered	(63)		19		1		(117)		—		(147)		(307)
Provision for (reversal of) loan losses	306		327		(710)		233		(7)		129		278
Balance at end of period	$	3,395	$	2,660	$	28,012	$	2,017	$	37	$	182	$	36,303

Southside Bancshares, Inc. |25

	Six Months Ended June 30, 2023
	Real Estate
	Construction		1-4 Family Residential		Commercial		Commercial Loans		Municipal Loans		Loans to Individuals		Total
Balance at beginning of period	$	3,164	$	2,173	$	28,701	$	2,235	$	45	$	197	$	36,515
Loans charged-off	(63)		(71)		—		(369)		—		(867)		(1,370)
Recoveries of loans charged-off	1		46		1		203		—		541		792
Net loans (charged-off) recovered	(62)		(25)		1		(166)		—		(326)		(578)
Provision for (reversal of) loan losses	293		512		(690)		(52)		(8)		311		366
Balance at end of period	$	3,395	$	2,660	$	28,012	$	2,017	$	37	$	182	$	36,303

The accrued interest receivable on our loan receivables is excluded from the allowance for credit loss estimate and is included in interest receivable on our consolidated balance sheets. As of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the accrued interest on our loan portfolio was $22.4 million and $21.3 million, respectively.

6. Borrowing Arrangements

Information related to borrowings is provided in the table below (dollars in thousands):

	June 30, 2024			December 31, 2023
Other borrowings:
Balance at end of period	$	201,418		$	509,820
Average amount outstanding during the period (1)	230,320			436,676
Maximum amount outstanding during the period (2)	597,765			1,030,421
Weighted average interest rate during the period (3)	5.8		%	4.9		%
Interest rate at end of period (4)	5.0		%	5.0		%
FHLB borrowings:
Balance at end of period	$	562,282		$	212,648
Average amount outstanding during the period (1)	606,942			276,584
Maximum amount outstanding during the period (2)	712,344			533,242
Weighted average interest rate during the period (3)	4.1		%	2.5		%
Interest rate at end of period (5)	4.1		%	1.2		%

(1)The average amount outstanding during the period was computed by dividing the total daily outstanding principal balances by the number of days in the period.

(2)The maximum amount outstanding at any month-end during the period.

(3)The weighted average interest rate during the period was computed by dividing the actual interest expense (annualized for interim periods) by the average amount outstanding during the period. The weighted average interest rate on other borrowings and FHLB borrowings includes the effect of interest rate swaps.

(4)Stated rate.

(5)The interest rate on FHLB borrowings includes the effect of interest rate swaps.

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Maturities of the obligations associated with our borrowing arrangements based on scheduled repayments at June 30, 2024 are as follows (in thousands):

	Payments Due by Period
	Less than 1 Year		1-2 Years		2-3 Years		3-4 Years		4-5 Years		Thereafter		Total
Other borrowings	$	198,718	$	2,700	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	201,418
FHLB borrowings	560,756		679		396		416		35		—		562,282
Total obligations	$	759,474	$	3,379	$	396	$	416	$	35	$	—	$	763,700

Other borrowings may include federal funds purchased, repurchase agreements and borrowings from the Federal Reserve through the FRDW and BTFP. Southside Bank has three unsecured lines of credit for the purchase of overnight federal funds at prevailing rates with Frost Bank, Amegy Bank and TIB – The Independent Bankers Bank for $40.0 million, $25.0 million and $15.0 million, respectively. There were no federal funds purchased at June 30, 2024 or December 31, 2023.  To provide more liquidity in response to economic conditions in recent years, the Federal Reserve has encouraged broader use of the discount window. At June 30, 2024, the amount of additional funding the Bank could obtain from the FRDW, collateralized by securities, was approximately $377.4 million. There were no borrowings from the FRDW at June 30, 2024, and $300.0 million at December 31, 2023. To provide more stability and to assure banks have the ability to meet the needs of all of their depositors, the Federal Reserve created the BTFP in the first quarter of 2023. On March 11, 2024, the Federal Reserve stopped extending new BTFP advances. There were $113.4 million in borrowings from the BTFP at June 30, 2024, with a remaining maturity under one year. Southside Bank has a $5.0 million line of credit with Frost Bank to be used to issue letters of credit, and at June 30, 2024, the line had one outstanding letter of credit for $155,000. Southside Bank currently has no outstanding letters of credit from FHLB held as collateral for its public fund deposits.

Southside Bank enters into sales of securities under repurchase agreements. These repurchase agreements totaled $88.0 million at June 30, 2024 and $92.1 million at December 31, 2023, and had maturities of less than 1.2 years.  Repurchase agreements are secured by investment and MBS securities and are stated at the amount of cash received in connection with the transaction.

FHLB borrowings represent borrowings with fixed interest rates ranging from 0.62% to 5.38% and with remaining maturities of one day to 4.0 years at June 30, 2024.  FHLB borrowings may be collateralized by FHLB stock, nonspecified loans and/or securities. At June 30, 2024, the amount of additional funding Southside Bank could obtain from FHLB, collateralized by securities, FHLB stock and nonspecified loans and securities, was approximately $1.78 billion, net of FHLB stock purchases required.  

7. Long-term Debt

Information related to our long-term debt is summarized as follows for the periods presented (in thousands):    

	June 30, 2024		December 31, 2023
Subordinated notes: (1)
3.875% Subordinated notes, net of unamortized debt issuance costs (2)	$	91,970	$	93,877
Total Subordinated notes	91,970		93,877
Trust preferred subordinated debentures: (3)
Southside Statutory Trust III, net of unamortized debt issuance costs (4)	20,580		20,578
Southside Statutory Trust IV	23,196		23,196
Southside Statutory Trust V	12,887		12,887
Magnolia Trust Company I	3,609		3,609
Total Trust preferred subordinated debentures	60,272		60,270
Total Long-term debt	$	152,242	$	154,147

(1)This debt consists of subordinated notes with a remaining maturity greater than one year that qualify under the risk-based capital guidelines as Tier 2 capital, subject to certain limitations.

(2)The unamortized discount and debt issuance costs reflected in the carrying amount of the subordinated notes totaled approximately $1.0 million at June 30, 2024 and $1.1 million at December 31, 2023.

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(3)This debt consists of trust preferred securities that qualify under the risk-based capital guidelines as Tier 1 capital, subject to certain limitations.

(4)The unamortized debt issuance costs reflected in the carrying amount of the Southside Statutory Trust III junior subordinated debentures totaled $39,000 at June 30, 2024 and $41,000 at December 31, 2023.

As of June 30, 2024, the details of the subordinated notes and the trust preferred subordinated debentures are summarized below (dollars in thousands):

	Date Issued	Amount Issued		Fixed or Floating Rate	Interest Rate	Maturity Date
3.875% Subordinated Notes (1)	November 6, 2020	$	100,000	Fixed-to-Floating	3.875%	November 15, 2030
Southside Statutory Trust III	September 4, 2003	$	20,619	Floating	3 month SOFR + 3.20%	September 4, 2033
Southside Statutory Trust IV	August 8, 2007	$	23,196	Floating	3 month SOFR + 1.56%	October 30, 2037
Southside Statutory Trust V	August 10, 2007	$	12,887	Floating	3 month SOFR + 2.51%	September 15, 2037
Magnolia Trust Company I (2)	May 20, 2005	$	3,609	Floating	3 month SOFR + 2.06%	November 23, 2035

(1)On April 4, 2024 and June 14, 2023, the Company repurchased $2.0 million and $5.0 million, respectively, of the $100 million fixed-to-floating rate subordinated notes that mature on November 15, 2030.

(2)On October 10, 2007, as part of an acquisition we assumed $3.6 million of floating rate junior subordinated debentures issued in 2005 to Magnolia Trust Company I.

On November 6, 2020, the Company issued $100.0 million in aggregate principal amount of fixed-to-floating rate subordinated notes that mature on November 15, 2030. This debt initially bears interest at a fixed rate of 3.875% per year through November 14, 2025 and thereafter, adjusts quarterly at a floating rate equal to the then current three-month term SOFR, as published by the FRBNY, plus 366 basis points. The proceeds from the sale of the subordinated notes were used for general corporate purposes.

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8.     Employee Benefit Plans

The components of net periodic benefit cost (income) related to our employee benefit plans are as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended June 30,
	Retirement Plan				Acquired Retirement Plan				Restoration Plan
	2024		2023		2024		2023		2024		2023
Interest cost	$	900	$	961	$	24	$	31	$	226	$	209
Expected return on assets	(1,214)		(1,144)		(44)		(46)		—		—
Net loss amortization	140		197		—		—		8		8
Net periodic benefit cost (income)	$	(174)	$	14	$	(20)	$	(15)	$	234	$	217

	Six Months Ended June 30,
	Retirement Plan				Acquired Retirement Plan				Restoration Plan
	2024		2023		2024		2023		2024		2023
Interest cost	$	1,810	$	1,886	$	52	$	63	$	429	$	415
Expected return on assets	(2,429)		(2,287)		(90)		(93)		—		—
Net loss amortization	289		363		—		—		26		15
Net periodic benefit cost (income)	$	(330)	$	(38)	$	(38)	$	(30)	$	455	$	430

All cost components disclosed above are recorded in other noninterest expense. The noncash adjustment to the employee benefit plan liabilities, consisting of changes in net loss, was $315,000 and $378,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

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9.    Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities

Our hedging policy allows the use of interest rate derivative instruments to manage our exposure to interest rate risk or hedge specified assets and liabilities. These instruments may include interest rate swaps and interest rate caps and floors. All derivative instruments are carried on the balance sheet at their estimated fair value and are recorded in other assets or other liabilities, as appropriate.

Derivative instruments may be designated as cash flow hedges of variable rate assets or liabilities, cash flow hedges of forecasted transactions, fair value hedges of a recognized asset or liability or as non-hedging instruments.

Cash Flow Hedges

Gains and losses on derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges are recorded in AOCI to the extent they are effective. If the hedge is effective, the amount recorded in other comprehensive income is reclassified to interest expense in the same periods that the hedged cash flows impact earnings. We have entered into certain interest rate swap contracts on specific variable rate agreements and fixed rate short-term pay agreements with third-parties. These interest rate swap contracts were designated as hedging instruments in cash flow hedges under ASC Topic 815. The objective of the interest rate swap contracts is to manage the expected future cash flows on $940.0 million of Bank liabilities. The cash flows from the swap contracts are expected to be highly effective in hedging the variability in future cash flows attributable to fluctuations in the underlying SOFR rate.

In accordance with ASC Topic 815, if a hedging item is terminated prior to maturity for a cash settlement, the existing gain or loss within AOCI will continue to be reclassified into earnings during the period or periods in which the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings unless it is probable that the forecasted transaction will not occur by the end of the originally specified time period. These transactions are reevaluated on a monthly basis to determine if the hedged forecasted transactions are still probable of occurring. If at a subsequent evaluation, it is determined that the transactions are probable of not occurring, any related gains or losses recorded in AOCI are immediately recognized in earnings. During the second quarter of 2023, we terminated one interest rate swap contract designated as a cash flow hedge. At the time of termination, we determined the underlying hedged forecasted transactions were still probable of occurring. The existing loss in AOCI will be reclassified into earnings in the same periods the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings.

Fair Value Hedges

Gains and losses on derivative instruments designated as fair value hedges, as well as the change in fair value on the hedged item, are recorded in interest income in the consolidated statements of income. Gains and losses due to changes in fair value of the interest rate swap agreements completely offset changes in the fair value of the hedged portion of the hedged item. During 2022, we entered into partial term fair value hedges for certain of our fixed rate callable AFS municipal securities. During 2024, we entered into partial term fair value hedges of fixed rate AFS MBS and fixed rate loans using the portfolio layer method. This approach allows us to designate as the hedged item, a stated amount of the assets that are not expected to be affected by prepayments, defaults and other factors affecting the timing and amount of cash flows. The fair value portfolio level hedging adjustment on our hedged MBS portfolio and hedged loan portfolio has not been attributed to the individual AFS securities or individual loans in our balance sheet. The instruments are designated as fair value hedges as the changes in the fair value of the interest rate swap are expected to offset changes in the fair value of the hedged item attributable to changes in the SOFR swap rate, the designated benchmark interest rate. These derivative contracts involve the receipt of floating rate interest from a counterparty in exchange for us making fixed-rate payments over the life of the agreement, without the exchange of the underlying notional value. During 2024 and 2023, we terminated some of our securities fair value hedging relationships and sold the hedged items. As a result of the sale, the cumulative adjustments to the carrying amount was a fair value net gain of $4.0 million and $6.5 million recognized in earnings and recorded in noninterest income during the six months ended June 30, 2024 and year ended December 31, 2023, respectively.

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The following table presents the amounts recorded in the consolidated balance sheets related to the cumulative adjustments for fair value hedges (in thousands):

	Amortized Cost of Hedged Assets (2)				Cumulative Amount of Fair Value Hedging Adjustments Included in the Carrying Amount of the Hedged Items
	June 30, 2024		December 31, 2023		June 30, 2024		December 31, 2023
Securities AFS (1)	$	1,049,861	$	487,486	$	18,684	$	13,642
Loans (1)	282,631		—		437		—

1) Amounts include the amortized cost basis of closed portfolios used to designate hedging relationships under the portfolio layer method. The hedged item is a layer of the closed portfolio which is expected to be remaining at the end of the hedging relationship. As of June 30, 2024, the amortized cost basis of the closed MBS portfolio used in these hedging relationships was $658.8 million, the cumulative amount of fair value hedging adjustments associated with these MBS hedging relationships was a loss of $787,000, and the amount of the designated hedged items were $201.0 million. As of June 30, 2024, the amortized cost basis of the closed loan portfolio used in these hedging relationships was $282.6 million, the cumulative amount of fair value hedging adjustments associated with these loan hedging relationships was a gain of $437,000, and the amount of the designated hedged items were $155.0 million.

2) Excludes fair value hedging adjustments.

Derivatives Designated as Non-Hedging Instruments

From time to time, we may enter into certain interest rate swaps, cap and floor contracts that are not designated as hedging instruments. These interest rate derivative contracts relate to transactions in which we enter into an interest rate swap, cap or floor with a customer while concurrently entering into an offsetting interest rate swap, cap or floor with a third-party financial institution. We agree to pay interest to the customer on a notional amount at a variable rate and receive interest from the customer on a similar notional amount at a fixed interest rate. At the same time, we agree to pay a third-party financial institution the same fixed interest rate on the same notional amount and receive the same variable interest rate on the same notional amount. These interest rate derivative contracts allow our customers to effectively convert a variable rate loan to a fixed rate loan. The changes in the fair value of the underlying derivative contracts primarily offset each other and do not significantly impact our results of operations. We recognized swap fee income associated with these derivative contracts immediately based upon the difference in the bid/ask spread of the underlying transactions with the customer and the third-party financial institution. The swap fee income is included in other noninterest income in our consolidated statements of income.

At June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, net derivative assets included $64.2 million and $46.8 million, respectively, of cash collateral received from counterparties under master netting agreements.

The notional amounts of the derivative instruments represent the contractual cash flows pertaining to the underlying agreements. These amounts are not exchanged and are not reflected in the consolidated balance sheets. The fair value of the interest rate swaps are presented at net in other assets and other liabilities and in the net change in each of these financial statement line items in the accompanying consolidated statements of cash flows when a right of offset exists, based on transactions with a single counterparty that are subject to a legally enforceable master netting agreement.

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The following tables present the notional and estimated fair value amount of derivative positions outstanding (in thousands):

	June 30, 2024						December 31, 2023
			Estimated Fair Value						Estimated Fair Value
	Notional Amount (1)		Asset Derivative		Liability Derivative		Notional Amount (1)		Asset Derivative		Liability Derivative
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
Interest rate contracts:
Swaps-Cash Flow Hedge-Financial institution counterparties	$	940,000	$	24,042	$	988	$	1,010,000	$	24,223	$	6,910
Swaps-Fair Value Hedge-Financial institution counterparties	722,090		19,860		843		453,440		13,658		16
Derivatives designated as non-hedging instruments
Interest rate contracts:
Swaps-Financial institution counterparties	243,673		22,142		—		248,073		18,249		509
Swaps-Customer counterparties	243,673		—		22,142		248,073		509		18,249
Gross derivatives			66,044		23,973				56,639		25,684
Offsetting derivative assets/liabilities			(1,831)		(1,831)				(7,435)		(7,435)
Cash collateral received/posted			(64,171)		—				(46,760)		—
Net derivatives included in the consolidated balance sheets (2)			$	42	$	22,142			$	2,444	$	18,249

(1)    Notional amounts, which represent the extent of involvement in the derivatives market, are used to determine the contractual cash flows required in accordance with the terms of the agreement. These amounts are typically not exchanged, significantly exceed amounts subject to credit or market risk and are not reflected in the consolidated balance sheets.

(2)    Net derivative assets are included in other assets and net derivative liabilities are included in other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. Included in the fair value of net derivative assets and net derivative liabilities are credit valuation adjustments reflecting counterparty credit risk and our credit risk. At June 30, 2024, we had $42,000 credit exposure related to interest rate swaps with financial institutions and none related to interest rate swaps with customers. At December 31, 2023, we had $1.9 million credit exposure related to interest rate swaps with financial institutions and $509,000 related to interest rate swaps with customers. The credit risk associated with customer transactions is partially mitigated as these are generally secured by the non-cash collateral securing the underlying transaction being hedged.

The summarized expected weighted average remaining maturity of the notional amount of interest rate swaps and the weighted average interest rates associated with the amounts expected to be received or paid on interest rate swap agreements are presented below (dollars in thousands). Variable rates received on fixed pay swaps are based on overnight SOFR rates in effect at June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023:

	June 30, 2024							December 31, 2023
			Weighted Average							Weighted Average
	Notional Amount		Remaining Maturity  (in years)	Receive Rate		Pay Rate		Notional Amount		Remaining Maturity  (in years)	Receive Rate		Pay Rate
Swaps-Cash Flow hedge
Financial institution counterparties	$	940,000	2.1	5.41	%	2.94	%	$	1,010,000	2.3	5.44	%	2.65	%
Swaps-Fair Value hedge
Financial institution counterparties	722,090		4.2	5.35	%	3.72	%	453,440		5.4	5.37	%	3.13	%
Swaps-Non-hedging
Financial institution counterparties	243,673		6.9	5.81	%	2.87	%	248,073		7.4	5.84	%	2.88	%
Customer counterparties	243,673		6.9	2.87	%	5.81	%	248,073		7.4	2.88	%	5.84	%

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The following table presents amounts included in the consolidated statements of income related to interest rate swap agreements (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2024		2023		2024		2023
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
Swaps-Cash Flow hedge
Gain (loss) included in interest expense on deposits	$	3,738	$	3,390	$	7,849	$	6,461
Gain (loss) included in interest expense on FHLB borrowings	2,044		1,868		4,575		3,769
Gain (loss) included in interest expense on other borrowings	—		796		—		932
	5,782		6,054		12,424		11,162
Swaps-Fair Value hedge
Gain (loss) included in interest income on tax-exempt investment securities	2,481		3,228		5,103		5,678
Gain (loss) included in interest income on MBS	266		—		266		—
Gain (loss) included in interest income on loans	87		—		87		—
Derivatives designated as non-hedging instruments
Swaps-Non-hedging
Other noninterest income	53		—		53		160

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10.  Fair Value Measurement

Fair value is the price that would be received upon the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability (exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants.  A fair value measurement assumes the transaction to sell the asset or transfer the liability occurs in the principal market for the asset or liability or, in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market for the asset or liability.  The price in the principal (or most advantageous) market used to measure the fair value of the asset or liability is not adjusted for transaction costs.  An orderly transaction is a transaction that assumes exposure to the market for a period prior to the measurement date to allow for marketing activities that are usual and customary for transactions involving such assets and liabilities; it is not a forced transaction.  Market participants are buyers and sellers in the principal market that are (i) independent, (ii) knowledgeable, (iii) able to transact and (iv) willing to transact.

Valuation techniques including the market approach, the income approach and/or the cost approach are utilized to determine fair value.  Inputs to valuation techniques refer to the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.  Valuation policies and procedures are determined by our investment department and reported to our ALCO for review.  An entity must consider all aspects of nonperforming risk, including the entity’s own credit standing, when measuring fair value of a liability.  Inputs may be observable, meaning those that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from independent sources, or unobservable, meaning those that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances.  A fair value hierarchy for valuation inputs gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs.  The fair value hierarchy is as follows:

Level 1 Inputs - Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date.

Level 2 Inputs - Inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly.  These might include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (such as interest rates, volatilities, prepayment speeds, credit risks, etc.) or inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by market data by correlation or other means.

Level 3 Inputs - Unobservable inputs for determining the fair values of assets or liabilities that reflect an entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the assets or liabilities.

Certain financial assets are measured at fair value in accordance with GAAP.  Adjustments to the fair value of these assets usually result from the application of fair value accounting or write-downs of individual assets. A description of the valuation methodologies used for assets and liabilities measured at fair value, as well as the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy, is set forth below.

Securities AFS and Equity Investments with readily determinable fair values – U.S. Treasury securities and equity investments with readily determinable fair values are reported at fair value utilizing Level 1 inputs.  Other securities classified as AFS are reported at fair value utilizing Level 2 inputs.  For most of these securities, we obtain fair value measurements from independent pricing services and obtain an understanding of the pricing methodologies used by these independent pricing services. The fair value measurements consider observable data that may include dealer quotes, market spreads, cash flows, the U.S. Treasury yield curve, live trading levels, trade execution data, market consensus prepayment speeds, credit information and the bond’s terms and conditions, among other things, as stated in the pricing methodologies of the independent pricing services.

We review and validate the prices supplied by the independent pricing services for reasonableness by comparison to prices obtained from, in some cases, two additional third-party sources. For securities where prices are outside a reasonable range, we further review those securities, based on internal ALCO approved procedures, to determine what a reasonable fair value measurement is for those securities, given available data.

Derivatives – Derivatives are reported at fair value utilizing Level 2 inputs. We obtain fair value measurements from two sources including an independent pricing service and the counterparty to the derivatives designated as hedges.  The fair value measurements consider observable data that may include dealer quotes, market spreads, the U.S. Treasury yield curve, live trading levels, trade execution data, credit information and the derivatives’ terms and conditions, among other things. We review the prices supplied by the sources for reasonableness.  In addition, we obtain a basic understanding of their underlying pricing methodology.  We validate prices supplied by the sources by comparison to one another.

Certain nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis include reporting units measured at fair value and tested for goodwill impairment. 

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Certain financial assets and financial liabilities are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis, which means that the instruments are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis but are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances (for example, when there is evidence of impairment). Financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis included foreclosed assets and collateral-dependent loans at June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023.

Foreclosed Assets – Foreclosed assets are initially recorded at fair value less costs to sell.  The fair value measurements of foreclosed assets can include Level 2 measurement inputs such as real estate appraisals and comparable real estate sales information, in conjunction with Level 3 measurement inputs such as cash flow projections, qualitative adjustments and sales cost estimates.  As a result, the categorization of foreclosed assets is Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.  In connection with the measurement and initial recognition of certain foreclosed assets, we may recognize charge-offs through the allowance for credit losses.

Collateral-Dependent Loans – Certain loans may be reported at the fair value of the underlying collateral if repayment is expected substantially from the operation or sale of the collateral.  Collateral values are estimated using Level 3 inputs based on customized discounting criteria or appraisals.  At June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the impact of the fair value of collateral-dependent loans was reflected in our allowance for loan losses.

The fair value estimate of financial instruments for which quoted market prices are unavailable is dependent upon the assumptions used.  Consequently, those estimates cannot be substantiated by comparison to independent markets and, in many cases, could not be realized in immediate settlement of the instruments.  Accordingly, the aggregate fair value amounts presented in the fair value tables do not necessarily represent their underlying value.

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The following tables summarize assets measured at fair value on a recurring and nonrecurring basis segregated by the level of the valuation inputs within the fair value hierarchy utilized to measure fair value (in thousands):

			Fair Value Measurements at the End of the Reporting Period Using
June 30, 2024	Carrying Amount		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Recurring fair value measurements
Investment securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	172,746	$	172,746	$	—	$	—
State and political subdivisions	456,381		—		456,381		—
Corporate bonds and other	13,563		—		13,563		—
MBS: (1)
Residential	758,534		—		758,534		—
Commercial	4,720		—		4,720		—
Equity investments:
Equity investments	5,229		5,229		—		—
Derivative assets:
Interest rate swaps	66,044		—		66,044		—
Total asset recurring fair value measurements	$	1,477,217	$	177,975	$	1,299,242	$	—
Derivative liabilities:
Interest rate swaps	$	23,973	$	—	$	23,973	$	—
Total liability recurring fair value measurements	$	23,973	$	—	$	23,973	$	—
Nonrecurring fair value measurements
Foreclosed assets	$	663	$	—	$	—	$	663
Collateral-dependent loans (2)	9,213		—		—		9,213
Total asset nonrecurring fair value measurements	$	9,876	$	—	$	—	$	9,876

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			Fair Value Measurements at the End of the Reporting Period Using
December 31, 2023	Carrying Amount		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Recurring fair value measurements
Investment securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	139,725	$	139,725	$	—	$	—
State and political subdivisions	568,745		—		568,745		—
Corporate bonds and other	14,093		—		14,093		—
MBS: (1)
Residential	568,983		—		568,983		—
Commercial	4,748		—		4,748		—
Equity investments:
Equity investments	5,308		5,308		—		—
Derivative assets:
Interest rate swaps	56,639		—		56,639		—
Total asset recurring fair value measurements	$	1,358,241	$	145,033	$	1,213,208	$	—
Derivative liabilities:
Interest rate swaps	$	25,684	$	—	$	25,684	$	—
Total liability recurring fair value measurements	$	25,684	$	—	$	25,684	$	—
Nonrecurring fair value measurements
Foreclosed assets	$	99	$	—	$	—	$	99
Collateral-dependent loans (2)	7,000		—		—		7,000
Total asset nonrecurring fair value measurements	$	7,099	$	—	$	—	$	7,099

(1)All MBS are issued and/or guaranteed by U.S. government agencies or U.S. GSEs.

(2)Consists of individually evaluated loans. Loans for which the fair value of the collateral and commercial real estate fair value of the properties is less than cost basis are presented net of allowance. Losses on these loans represent charge-offs which are netted against the allowance for loan losses.

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Disclosure of fair value information about financial instruments, whether or not recognized in the balance sheet, is required when it is practicable to estimate that value.  In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on estimates using present value or other estimation techniques.  Those techniques are significantly affected by the assumptions used, including the discount rate and estimates of future cash flows.  Such techniques and assumptions, as they apply to individual categories of our financial instruments, are as follows:

Cash and cash equivalents – The carrying amount for cash and cash equivalents is a reasonable estimate of those assets’ fair value.

Investment and MBS HTM – Fair values for these securities are based on quoted market prices, where available.  If quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on quoted market prices for similar securities or estimates from independent pricing services.

FHLB stock – The carrying amount of FHLB stock is a reasonable estimate of the fair value of those assets.

Equity investments – The carrying value of equity investments without readily determinable fair values are measured at cost less impairment, if any, adjusted for observable price changes for an identical or similar investment of the same issuer. This carrying value is a reasonable estimate of the fair value of those assets.

Loans receivable – We estimate the fair value of our loan portfolio to an exit price notion with adjustments for liquidity, credit and prepayment factors. Nonperforming loans continue to be estimated using discounted cash flow analyses or the underlying value of the collateral where applicable.

Loans held for sale – The fair value of loans held for sale is determined based on expected proceeds, which are based on sales contracts and commitments.

Deposit liabilities – The fair value of demand deposits, savings accounts and certain money market deposits is the amount on demand at the reporting date, which is the carrying value.  Fair values for fixed rate CDs are estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation that applies interest rates currently being offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities.

Other borrowings – Federal funds purchased generally have original terms to maturity of one day and repurchase agreements generally have terms of less than one year, and therefore both are considered short-term borrowings. Consequently, their carrying value is a reasonable estimate of fair value. Borrowings from the Federal Reserve through the FRDW and BTFP have original maturities of one year or less, and the fair value is estimated by discounting the future cash flows using rates at which borrowings would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings and for the same remaining maturities.

FHLB borrowings – The fair value of these borrowings is estimated by discounting the future cash flows using rates at which borrowings would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings and for the same remaining maturities.

Subordinated notes – The fair value of the subordinated notes is estimated by discounting future cash flows using estimated rates at which long-term debt would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings and for the remaining maturities.

Trust preferred subordinated debentures – The fair value of the long-term debt is estimated by discounting future cash flows using estimated rates at which long-term debt would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings and for the remaining maturities.

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The following tables present our financial assets and financial liabilities measured on a nonrecurring basis at both their respective carrying amounts and estimated fair value (in thousands):

			Estimated Fair Value
June 30, 2024	Carrying Amount		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Financial assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	451,996	$	451,996	$	451,996	$	—	$	—
Investment securities:
HTM, at carrying value	1,187,537		1,033,081		—		1,033,081		—
MBS:
HTM, at carrying value	118,438		107,366		—		107,366		—
FHLB stock, at cost	32,991		32,991		—		32,991		—
Equity investments	4,302		4,302		—		4,302		—
Loans, net of allowance for loan losses	4,546,958		4,379,242		—		—		4,379,242
Loans held for sale	1,352		1,352		—		1,352		—
Financial liabilities:
Deposits	$	6,495,932	$	6,490,306	$	—	$	6,490,306	$	—
Other borrowings	201,418		201,492		—		201,492		—
FHLB borrowings	562,282		565,572		—		565,572		—
Subordinated notes, net of unamortized debt issuance costs	91,970		86,632		—		86,632		—
Trust preferred subordinated debentures, net of unamortized debt issuance costs	60,272		56,176		—		56,176		—

			Estimated Fair Value
December 31, 2023	Carrying Amount		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Financial assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	560,510	$	560,510	$	560,510	$	—	$	—
Investment securities:
HTM, at carrying value	1,186,152		1,054,739		—		1,054,739		—
Mortgage-backed securities:
HTM, at carrying value	120,901		111,423		—		111,423		—
FHLB stock, at cost	11,936		11,936		—		11,936		—
Equity investments	4,383		4,383		—		4,383		—
Loans, net of allowance for loan losses	4,481,836		4,198,879		—		—		4,198,879
Loans held for sale	10,894		10,894		—		10,894		—
Financial liabilities:
Deposits	$	6,549,681	$	6,534,929	$	—	$	6,534,929	$	—
Other borrowings	509,820		510,242		—		510,242		—
FHLB borrowings	212,648		202,750		—		202,750		—
Subordinated notes, net of unamortized debt issuance costs	93,877		86,285		—		86,285		—
Trust preferred subordinated debentures, net of unamortized debt issuance costs	60,270		57,480		—		57,480		—

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11.     Income Taxes

The income tax expense included in the accompanying consolidated statements of income consists of the following (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2024		2023		2024		2023
Current income tax expense	$	5,055	$	4,690	$	9,819	$	9,427
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)	157		(122)		15		(316)
Income tax expense	$	5,212	$	4,568	$	9,834	$	9,111

The net deferred tax asset totaled $29.7 million at June 30, 2024 as compared to $30.4 million at December 31, 2023. The slight decrease in the net deferred tax asset is primarily the result of an increase in the estimated fair value of the effective hedging derivatives.  No valuation allowance was recorded at June 30, 2024 or December 31, 2023, as management believes it is more likely than not that all of the deferred tax asset items will be realized in future years. Unrecognized tax benefits were not material at June 30, 2024 or December 31, 2023.

We recognized income tax expense of $5.2 million and $9.8 million for an ETR of 17.4% and 17.6% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively, compared to income tax expense of $4.6 million and $9.1 million for an ETR of 15.5% and 15.2% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, respectively. The higher ETR for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 was primarily due to a decrease in net tax-exempt income as a percentage of pre-tax income as compared to the same period in 2023. The ETR differs from the statutory rate of 21% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 primarily due to the effect of tax-exempt income from municipal loans and securities, as well as BOLI. We file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdictions and in certain states. We are no longer subject to U.S. federal income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2020 or Texas state tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2019.

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12.     Off-Balance-Sheet Arrangements, Commitments and Contingencies

Financial Instruments with Off-Balance-Sheet Risk. In the normal course of business, we are a party to certain financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk to meet the financing needs of our customers. These off-balance-sheet instruments include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. These instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount reflected in the financial statements. The contract or notional amounts of these instruments reflect the extent of involvement and exposure to credit loss that we have in these particular classes of financial instruments. The allowance for credit losses on these off-balance-sheet credit exposures is calculated using the same methodology as loans including a conversion or usage factor to anticipate ultimate exposure and expected losses and is included in other liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets.

Allowance for off-balance-sheet credit exposures were as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2024		2023		2024		2023
Balance at beginning of period	$	2,820	$	3,559	$	3,932	$	3,687
Provision for (reversal of) off-balance-sheet credit exposures	388		(352)		(724)		(480)
Balance at end of period	$	3,208	$	3,207	$	3,208	$	3,207

Contractual commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer provided the terms established in the contract are met.  Commitments to extend credit generally have fixed expiration dates and may require the payment of fees.  Since some commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. These guarantees are primarily issued to support public and private borrowing arrangements. The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in commitments to extend credit and similarly do not necessarily represent future cash obligations.

Financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk were as follows (in thousands):

	June 30, 2024		December 31, 2023
Commitments to extend credit	$	943,360	$	1,082,327
Standby letters of credit	12,428		10,823
Total	$	955,788	$	1,093,150

We apply the same credit policies in making commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit as we do for on-balance-sheet instruments.  We evaluate each customer’s creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis.  The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary, upon extension of credit is based on management’s credit evaluation of the borrower.  Collateral held varies but may include cash or cash equivalents, negotiable instruments, real estate, accounts receivable, inventory, oil, gas and mineral interests, property, plant and equipment.

Leases. During the three months ended June 30, 2024, there were no operating lease ROU assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities. During the six months ended June 30, 2024, there were $372,000 operating lease ROU assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, there were $411,000 and $603,000, respectively, operating lease ROU assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities.

Securities. In the normal course of business, we buy and sell securities. At June 30, 2024, there were $54.4 million unsettled trades to purchase securities and no unsettled trades to sell securities. At December 31, 2023, there were no unsettled trades to purchase securities and no unsettled trades to sell securities.

Deposits. There were no unsettled issuances of brokered CDs at June 30, 2024 or December 31, 2023.

Litigation. We are involved with various litigation in the normal course of business.  Management, after consulting with our legal counsel, believes that any liability resulting from litigation will not have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

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ITEM 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following is a discussion of our consolidated financial condition, changes in our financial condition and results of our operations, and should be read and reviewed in conjunction with the financial statements, and the notes thereto, in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and in our 2023 Form 10-K. Certain risks, uncertainties and other factors, including those set forth under “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A. of the 2023 Form 10-K and elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, may cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements appearing in this discussion and analysis.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements of other than historical fact that are contained in this report may be considered to be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of and subject to the safe harbor protections of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, nor should they be relied upon as representing management’s views as of any subsequent date.  These statements may include words such as “expect,” “estimate,” “project,” “anticipate,” “appear,” “believe,” “could,” “should,” “may,” “might,” “will,” “would,” “seek,” “intend,” “probability,” “risk,” “goal,” “target,” “objective,” “plans,” “potential,” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are statements with respect to our beliefs, plans, expectations, objectives, goals, anticipations, assumptions, estimates, intentions and future performance and are subject to significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which could cause our actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements.  For example, discussions of the effect of our expansion, benefits of the Share Repurchase Plan, trends in asset quality, capital, liquidity, our ability to sell nonperforming assets, expense reductions, planned operational efficiencies and earnings from growth and certain market risk disclosures, including the impact of interest rates and our expectations regarding rate increases, tax reform, inflation, the impacts related to or resulting from other economic factors are based upon information presently available to management and are dependent on choices about key model characteristics and assumptions and are subject to various limitations.  By their nature, certain of the market risk disclosures are only estimates and could be materially different from what actually occurs in the future.  Accordingly, our results could materially differ from those that have been estimated.  The most significant factor that could cause future results to differ materially from those anticipated by our forward-looking statements include the ongoing impact of higher inflation levels, prolonged elevated interest rates and general economic and recessionary concerns, all of which could impact economic growth and could cause a reduction in financial transactions and business activities, including decreased deposits and reduced loan originations, our ability to manage liquidity in a rapidly changing and unpredictable market, labor shortages and changes in interest rates by the Federal Reserve. Other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the following:

•general (i) political conditions, including, without limitation, governmental action and uncertainty resulting from U.S. and global political trends and (ii) economic conditions, either globally, nationally, in the State of Texas, or in the specific markets in which we operate, including, without limitation, the deterioration of the commercial real estate, residential real estate, construction and development, energy, oil and gas, credit or liquidity markets, which could cause an adverse change in our net interest margin, or a decline in the value of our assets, which could result in realized losses, as well as the risk of an economic slowdown or recession;

•inflation and fluctuations in interest rates that reduce our margins and yields, the fair value of financial instruments, the level of loan originations or prepayments on loans we have made and make, and the cost we pay to retain and attract deposits and secure other types of funding;

•current or future legislation, regulatory changes or changes in monetary or fiscal policy that adversely affect the businesses in which we or our customers or our borrowers are engaged, including the impact of the Dodd-Frank Act, the Federal Reserve’s actions to increase interest rates, the capital requirements promulgated by the Basel Committee, the CARES Act, the Economic Aid Act and other regulatory responses to economic conditions;

•the impact of prolonged elevated interest rates on our financial projections, models and guidance;

•acts of terrorism, war or other conflicts, including the Russia-Ukraine and Israeli-Hamas conflicts, natural disasters, such as hurricanes, freezes, flooding and other man-made disasters, such as oil spills or power outages, health emergencies, epidemics or pandemics, climate change or other catastrophic events that may affect general economic conditions or cause other disruptions and/or increase costs, including, but not limited to, property and casualty and other insurance costs;

•potential impacts of the adverse developments in the banking industry highlighted by high-profile bank failures, including impacts on customer confidence, deposit outflows, liquidity and the regulatory response thereto;

•technological changes, including potential cyber-security incidents and other disruptions, or innovations to the financial services industry, including as a result of the increased telework environment;

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•our ability to identify and address cyber-security risks such as data security breaches, malware, “denial of service” attacks, “hacking” and identity theft, which may be exacerbated by developments in generative artificial intelligence and which could disrupt our business and result in the disclosure of and/or misuse or misappropriation of confidential or proprietary information, disruption or damage of our systems, increased costs, significant losses, or adverse effects to our reputation;

•changes in the interest rate yield curve such as flat, inverted or steep yield curves, or changes in the interest rate environment that impact net interest margins and may impact prepayments on our MBS portfolio;

•the risk that our enterprise risk management framework, compliance program or our corporate governance and supervisory oversight functions may not identify or address risks adequately, which may result in unexpected losses;

•the effect of compliance with legislation or regulatory changes;

•credit risks of borrowers, including any increase in those risks due to changing economic conditions;

•increases in our nonperforming assets;

•risks related to environmental liability as a result of certain lending activity;

•our ability to maintain adequate liquidity to fund operations and growth;

•our ability to control interest rate risk;

•any applicable regulatory limits or other restrictions on the Bank and its ability to pay dividends to us;

•the failure of our assumptions underlying our allowance for credit losses and other estimates;

•the failure to maintain an effective system of controls and procedures, including internal control over financial reporting;

•the effectiveness of our derivative financial instruments and hedging activities to manage risk;

•unexpected outcomes of, and the costs associated with, existing or new litigation involving us;

•potential claims, damages, penalties, fines and reputational damage resulting from pending or future litigation, regulatory proceedings and enforcement actions;

•changes impacting our balance sheet strategy;

•risks related to actual mortgage prepayments diverging from projections;

•risks related to fluctuations in the price per barrel of crude oil;

•significant increases in competition in the banking and financial services industry;

•changes in consumer spending, borrowing and saving habits, including as a result of rising inflation, elevated interest rates and recessionary concerns;

•execution of future acquisitions, reorganization or disposition transactions, including the risk that the anticipated benefits of such transactions are not realized;

•our ability to increase market share and control expenses;

•our ability to develop competitive new products and services in a timely manner and the acceptance of such products and services by our customers;

•the effect of changes in federal or state tax laws;

•the effect of changes in accounting policies and practices;

•adverse changes in the status or financial condition of the GSEs which impact the GSEs’ guarantees or ability to pay or issue debt;

•adverse changes in the credit portfolios of other U.S. financial institutions relative to the performance of certain of our investment securities;

•risks related to actual U.S. agency MBS prepayments exceeding projected prepayment levels;

•risks related to U.S. agency MBS prepayments increasing due to U.S. government programs designed to assist homeowners to refinance their mortgage that might not otherwise have qualified;

•risks related to loans secured by real estate, including the risk that the value and marketability of collateral could decline;

•risks associated with our common stock and our other securities, including fluctuations in our stock price and general volatility in the stock market; and

•other risks and uncertainties discussed in “Part I – Item 1A. Risk Factors” in the 2023 Form 10-K.

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All written or oral forward-looking statements made by us or attributable to us are expressly qualified by this cautionary notice.  We disclaim any obligation to update any factors or to announce publicly the result of revisions to any of the forward-looking statements included herein to reflect future events or developments, unless otherwise required by law.

Critical Accounting Estimates

Our accounting and reporting estimates conform with U.S. GAAP and general practices within the financial services industry.  The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. We consider accounting estimates that can (1) be replaced by other reasonable estimates and/or (2) changes to an estimate from period to period that have a material impact on the presentation of our financial condition, changes in financial condition or results of operations as well as (3) those estimates that require significant and complex assumptions about matters that are highly uncertain to be critical accounting estimates. We consider our critical accounting estimates to include allowance for credit losses on loans and off-balance-sheet credit exposure.

Critical accounting estimates include a high degree of uncertainty in the underlying assumptions. Management bases its estimates on historical experience, current information and other factors deemed relevant. The development, selection and disclosure of our critical accounting estimates are reviewed with the Audit Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors. Actual results could differ from these estimates. For additional information regarding critical accounting policies, refer to “Part II – Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Critical Accounting Estimates,” “Part II – Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Allowance for Credit Losses – Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses – Off-Balance-Sheet Credit Exposures,” “Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting and Reporting Policies,” “Note 5 – Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses” and “Note 17 – Off-Balance-Sheet Arrangements, Commitments and Contingencies” in the 2023 Form 10-K. As of June 30, 2024, there have been no significant changes to our critical accounting estimates.

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Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Certain non-GAAP measures are used by management to supplement the evaluation of our performance. These include the following fully taxable-equivalent measures: Net interest income (FTE), net interest margin (FTE) and net interest spread (FTE), which include the effects of taxable-equivalent adjustments using a federal income tax rate of 21% to increase tax-exempt interest income to a tax-equivalent basis. Interest income earned on certain assets is completely or partially exempt from federal income tax. As such, these tax-exempt instruments typically yield lower returns than taxable investments.

Net interest income (FTE), net interest margin (FTE) and net interest spread (FTE).  Net interest income (FTE) is a non-GAAP measure that adjusts for the tax-favored status of net interest income from certain loans and investments and is not permitted under GAAP in the consolidated statements of income. We believe this measure to be the preferred industry measurement of net interest income, and that it enhances comparability of net interest income arising from taxable and tax-exempt sources. The most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP is our net interest income. Net interest margin (FTE) is the ratio of net interest income (FTE) to average earning assets. The most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP is our net interest margin. Net interest spread (FTE) is the difference in the average yield on average earning assets on a tax-equivalent basis and the average rate paid on average interest bearing liabilities. The most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP is our net interest spread.

These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered alternatives to GAAP-basis financial statements and other bank holding companies may define or calculate these non-GAAP measures or similar measures differently. Whenever we present a non-GAAP financial measure in an SEC filing, we are also required to present the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP and reconcile the differences between the non-GAAP financial measure and such comparable GAAP measure.

In the following table we present the reconciliation of net interest income to net interest income adjusted to a fully taxable-equivalent basis assuming a 21% marginal tax rate for interest earned on tax-exempt assets such as municipal loans and investment securities (dollars in thousands), along with the calculation of net interest margin (FTE) and net interest spread (FTE).

Non-GAAP Reconciliations
	Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
	2024			2023			2024			2023
Net interest income (GAAP)	$	53,608		$	53,916		$	106,956		$	107,269
Tax equivalent adjustments:
Loans	633			673			1,289			1,370
Tax-exempt investment securities	2,051			2,462			4,131			5,012
Net interest income (FTE) (1)	$	56,292		$	57,051		$	112,376		$	113,651
Average earning assets	$	7,881,919		$	7,225,168		$	7,882,128		$	7,193,677
Net interest margin	2.74		%	2.99		%	2.73		%	3.01		%
Net interest margin (FTE) (1)	2.87		%	3.17		%	2.87		%	3.19		%
Net interest spread	2.00		%	2.37		%	2.01		%	2.40		%
Net interest spread (FTE) (1)	2.13		%	2.55		%	2.15		%	2.58		%

(1)These amounts are presented on a fully taxable-equivalent basis and are non-GAAP measures.

Management believes adjusting net interest income, net interest margin and net interest spread to a fully taxable-equivalent basis is a standard practice in the banking industry as these measures provide useful information to make peer comparisons. Tax-equivalent adjustments are reported in the respective earning asset categories as listed in the “Average Balances with Average Yields and Rates” tables under Results of Operations.

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OVERVIEW

ECONOMIC CONDITIONS

The economic conditions and growth prospects for our markets, even against the headwinds of slightly elevated inflation, continued higher interest rates and potential recessionary concerns, continue to reflect a solid and positive overall outlook. Ongoing inflation levels and continued higher interest rates could have a negative impact on both our consumer and commercial borrowers. Currently, the Texas markets we serve continue to remain healthy due to both job and population growth.

DEPOSITS

Our deposits were $6.50 billion at June 30, 2024, a decrease of $53.7 million, or 0.8%, from December 31, 2023. At June 30, 2024, we had 179,536 total deposit accounts with an average balance of $32,000. Our estimated uninsured deposits were 36.4% of total deposits as of June 30, 2024. When excluding affiliate deposits (Southside-owned deposits) and public fund deposits (all collateralized), our total estimated deposits without insurance or collateral was 19.4% of total deposits as of June 30, 2024.

Our noninterest bearing deposits represent approximately 21.0% of total deposits. During the three months ended June 30, 2024, our cost of interest bearing deposits increased 98 basis points from 2.03% for the three months ended June 30, 2023 to 3.01%. Our cost of total deposits for the second quarter of 2024 increased 89 basis points from 1.50% for the three months ended June 30, 2023 to 2.39%.

Our cost of interest bearing deposits increased 107 basis points, from 1.92% for the six months ended June 30, 2023, to 2.99% for the six months ended June 30, 2024. Our cost of total deposits increased 95 basis points, from 1.42% for the six months ended June 30, 2023, to 2.37% for the six months ended June 30, 2024.

CAPITAL RESOURCES AND LIQUIDITY

Our capital ratios and contingent liquidity sources remain solid. We utilized the Federal Reserve’s BTFP to reduce our overall funding costs and to enhance our interest rate risk position. On March 11, 2024, the Federal Reserve stopped extending new BTFP advances. As of June 30, 2024, our BTFP borrowings totaled $113.4 million at a cost of 5.40%, compared to $117.7 million at a cost of 4.37% at December 31, 2023.

The table below shows our total lines of credit, borrowings, total amounts available for future liquidity, and swapped value as of June 30, 2024 (in thousands):

	June 30, 2024
	Line of Credit		Borrowings		Total Available for Future Liquidity		Swapped
FHLB advances	$	2,344,153	$	562,282	$	1,781,871	$	310,000
Federal Reserve discount window	377,381		—		377,381		—
Correspondent bank lines of credit	80,000		—		80,000		—
Federal Reserve Bank Term Funding Program	113,415		113,415		—		—
Total liquidity lines	$	2,914,949	$	675,697	$	2,239,252	$	310,000

Operating Results

Net income decreased $220,000, or 0.9%, to $24.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024, compared to the same period in 2023. The decrease in net income was a result of the $772,000 increase in noninterest expense, the $644,000 increase in income tax expense and the $308,000 decrease in net interest income, partially offset by the $1.1 million increase in noninterest income and the $411,000 increase in the reversal of provision for credit losses. Earnings per diluted common share was $0.81 for both of the three month periods ended June 30, 2024 and 2023.

During the six months ended June 30, 2024, our net income decreased $4.7 million, or 9.3%, to $46.2 million from $50.9 million for the same period in 2023. The decrease in net income was primarily a result of the $2.8 million increase in noninterest expense, the $1.2 million decrease in noninterest income and the $723,000 increase in income tax expense. Earnings per diluted common share decreased $0.12, or 7.3%, to $1.52 for the six months ended June 30, 2024, compared to $1.64 for the same period in 2023.

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Financial Condition

Our total assets increased $72.8 million, or 0.9%, to $8.36 billion at June 30, 2024 from $8.28 billion at December 31, 2023. Our securities portfolio increased by $108.6 million, or 4.2%, to $2.71 billion, compared to $2.60 billion at December 31, 2023. The increase in the securities portfolio was due to purchases of MBS, partially offset by a decrease in municipal bonds during the six months ended June 30, 2024. Our FHLB stock increased $21.1 million, or 176.4%, to $33.0 million from $11.9 million at December 31, 2023, due to the increase in our FHLB borrowings during the six months ended June 30, 2024.

Loans at June 30, 2024 were $4.59 billion, an increase of $64.9 million, or 1.4%, compared to December 31, 2023, due to increases of $304.3 million in commercial real estate loans and $41.3 million in 1-4 family residential loans. The increases were partially offset by decreases of $243.7 million in construction loans, $24.2 million in municipal loans, $7.1 million in commercial loans, and $5.8 million in loans to individuals. Loans held for sale decreased $9.5 million, or 87.6%, to $1.4 million at June 30, 2024 from $10.9 million at December 31, 2023 due to the sale of a $7.9 million commercial real estate loan relationship during the first quarter of 2024.

Our nonperforming assets at June 30, 2024 increased $2.9 million, or 72.9%, to $6.9 million and represented 0.08% of total assets, compared to $4.0 million, or 0.05% of total assets, at December 31, 2023.  Nonaccruing loans increased $2.2 million, or 57.1%, to $6.1 million, and the ratio of nonaccruing loans to total loans was 0.13% and 0.09% for June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. The increase in nonaccrual loans was primarily due to one commercial real estate loan and one commercial loan relationship that were put on nonaccrual during the first quarter of 2024. Restructured loans were $145,000 as of June 30, 2024, compared to $13,000 at December 31, 2023. Repossessed assets were $15,000 at June 30, 2024. There were no repossessed assets at December 31, 2023. There was $648,000 and $99,000 of OREO at June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.

Our deposits decreased $53.7 million, or 0.8%, with a balance of $6.50 billion at June 30, 2024 from $6.55 billion at December 31, 2023, which consisted of decreases of $30.3 million in interest bearing deposits and $23.5 million in noninterest bearing deposits.

Total FHLB borrowings increased $349.6 million, or 164.4%, to $562.3 million at June 30, 2024 from $212.6 million at December 31, 2023.

Other borrowings decreased $308.4 million, or 60.5%, to $201.4 million at June 30, 2024, from $509.8 million at December 31, 2023, which was primarily due to a $300.0 million decrease in borrowings from the FRDW.

Our total shareholders’ equity at June 30, 2024 increased 3.6%, or $27.7 million, to $801.0 million, or 9.6% of total assets, compared to $773.3 million, or 9.3% of total assets, at December 31, 2023. The increase in shareholders’ equity was the result of net income of $46.2 million, other comprehensive income of $2.5 million, stock compensation expense of $1.5 million, common stock issued under our dividend reinvestment plan of $596,000 and net issuance of common stock under employee stock plans of $184,000, partially offset by cash dividends paid of $21.8 million and repurchases of $1.5 million of our common stock.

Key financial indicators management follows include, but are not limited to, numerous interest rate sensitivity and interest rate risk indicators, credit risk, operations risk, liquidity risk, capital risk, regulatory risk, inflation risk, competition risk, yield curve risk, U.S. agency MBS prepayment risk and economic risk indicators.

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Balance Sheet Strategy

Determining the appropriate size of the balance sheet is one of the critical decisions any bank makes. Our balance sheet is not merely the result of a series of micro-decisions, but rather the size is controlled based on the economics of assets compared to the economics of funding and funding sources. Changing interest rate environments and economic conditions require that we monitor the interest rate sensitivity of the assets, the funding driving our growth and closely align ALCO objectives accordingly.

We ended the second quarter of 2024 with approximately $377.4 million in available liquidity from the FRDW, in addition to the approximately $1.78 billion credit line available from FHLB due primarily to the blanket lien on our loan portfolio and to a lesser extent, securities available as collateral. At June 30, 2024, the estimated deposits, without insurance or collateral, to total deposits, excluding affiliate deposits (Southside-owned deposits) was 19.4%, or $1.26 billion.

During the six months ended June 30, 2024, we entered into an additional $50 million cash flow hedge swap while $120 million of cash flow hedge swaps matured. At June 30, 2024, FHLB advances of $310 million and brokered deposits of $630 million were hedged with our $940 million of cash flow swaps. As of June 30, 2024, a pre-tax unrealized gain of $23.1 million was recognized in other comprehensive income, and there was no ineffective portion of these hedges. We continue to evaluate the lowest cost wholesale funding sources and will utilize either brokered deposits, FHLB advances or FRDW borrowings, or a combination of the three funding sources in addition to utilizing cash flow hedges to mitigate the impacts of interest rate movements. At June 30, 2024, the majority of the securities portfolio was funded by non-maturity deposits, some of which are included in wholesale funding that accounts for approximately 49% of the funding source, of which approximately 69% is swapped at a fixed rate, providing protection from rising interest rates.

We utilize wholesale funding and securities to enhance overall profitability to determine the appropriate leverage of our capital, determining acceptable levels of credit, interest rate and liquidity risk consistent with prudent capital management.  This balance sheet strategy currently consists of borrowing funds from the brokered market, FHLB and the Federal Reserve through the FRDW and BTFP.  These funds are invested primarily in U.S. agency MBS and long-term municipal securities and to a lesser extent, U.S. Treasury Bills and corporate securities.  Although the securities purchased often carry lower yields than loans we make, these securities generally (i) increase the overall quality of our assets because of either the implicit or explicit guarantees of the U.S. Government, and the guarantees of the municipalities, (ii) are more liquid than individual loans and (iii) may be used to collateralize our borrowings or other obligations.  

Risks associated with this asset structure include a potentially lower net interest rate spread and margin when compared to our peers, changes in the slope of the yield curve, increased interest rate risk, the length of interest rate cycles, changes in volatility or spreads associated with the MBS, municipal and corporate securities, the unpredictable nature of MBS prepayments and credit risks associated with the municipal and corporate securities.  See “Part I - Item 1A.  Risk Factors – Risks Related to Our Business” in the 2023 Form 10-K for a discussion of risks related to interest rates.  An additional risk is significant increases in interest rates, especially long-term interest rates, which could adversely impact the fair value of the AFS securities portfolio and could also impact our equity capital.  Due to the unpredictable nature of MBS prepayments, the length of interest rate cycles and the slope of the interest rate yield curve, net interest income could fluctuate more than simulated under the scenarios modeled by our ALCO and described under “Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk” in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Our securities portfolio increased from $2.60 billion at December 31, 2023 to $2.71 billion at June 30, 2024. The increase in the securities portfolio was due to securities purchased during the six months ended June 30, 2024, which more than offset sales of securities and principal payments.

During the six months ended June 30, 2024, we continued to adjust the composition of the securities portfolio as U.S. Treasury Bills and MBS increased while the remaining categories in the portfolio decreased. The increase in MBS was attributable to purchases of U.S. Agency MBS, partially offset by MBS principal payments. During the six months ended June 30, 2024, we purchased $408.9 million in short-term U.S. Treasury Bills to collateralize public fund deposits and $249.5 million in low premium, primarily 6.0% and 6.5% coupon MBS and to a lesser extent, discounted 5.5% coupon MBS. Sales during the six months ended June 30, 2024 included $100.8 million in municipal securities and in some instances the unwinding of the related hedged items to align the investment portfolio with the current balance sheet strategy. Sales of AFS securities for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 resulted in a net realized loss of $563,000 and $581,000, respectively.

At June 30, 2024, securities as a percentage of assets totaled 32.4%, compared to 31.4% at December 31, 2023, due to a $108.6 million, or 4.2%, increase in securities, while cash and cash equivalents decreased to 5.41% of total assets at June 30, 2024, compared to 6.77% at December 31, 2023. Our balance sheet management strategy is dynamic and is continually evaluated as market conditions warrant. 

During 2022, we entered into partial term fair value hedges for certain of our fixed rate callable AFS municipal securities. During 2024, we entered into partial term fair value hedges of fixed rate AFS MBS and fixed rate loans using the portfolio layer

Southside Bancshares, Inc. |48

method. The instruments are designated as fair value hedges as the changes in the fair value of the interest rate swap are expected to partially offset changes in the fair value of the hedged item attributable to changes in the SOFR swap rate, the designated benchmark interest rate. As of June 30, 2024, hedged municipal securities with a carrying amount of $358.0 million are included in our AFS securities portfolio in our consolidated balance sheets representing approximately 25% and 78% of the AFS securities portfolio and the AFS municipal portfolio, respectively. As of June 30, 2024, $201.0 million in hedging instruments were used to hedge a layer of the closed portfolio of AFS MBS, and $155.0 million in hedging instruments were used to hedge a layer of the closed portfolio of municipal loans. These derivative contracts involve the receipt of floating rate interest from a counterparty in exchange for us making fixed-rate payments over the life of the agreement, without the exchange of the underlying notional value.

With respect to funding sources, we primarily utilize deposits and to a lesser extent wholesale funding to achieve our strategy of minimizing cost while achieving overall interest rate risk objectives as well as the liability management objectives of the ALCO.  Our primary wholesale funding sources are brokered deposits, FHLB and borrowings from the Federal Reserve through the FRDW and BTFP. Our FHLB borrowings increased 164.4%, or $349.6 million, to $562.3 million at June 30, 2024 from $212.6 million at December 31, 2023.

As of June 30, 2024, our total wholesale funding as a percentage of deposits, not including brokered deposits, decreased to 23.3% from 25.5% at December 31, 2023 and 25.2% at June 30, 2023.

Our brokered deposits may consist of CDs and non-maturity deposits. We had $23.5 million in brokered CDs at June 30, 2024. We had no brokered CDs at December 31, 2023. At June 30, 2024, our brokered CDs had a weighted average cost of 532 basis points and remaining maturities of approximately less than 10 months. Our brokered non-maturity deposits decreased to $658.2 million at June 30, 2024, of which $630.0 million are related to our cash flow hedges, from $828.0 million at December 31, 2023, with a weighted average cost of 321 and 323 basis points, respectively. Our wholesale funding policy currently allows for maximum brokered deposits of the lesser of $1.05 billion, or 12% of total deposits. Potential higher interest expense and lack of customer loyalty are risks associated with the use of brokered deposits.

In connection with $940.0 million of our wholesale funds, the Bank has entered into various variable rate agreements and fixed or variable rate short-term pay agreements with an interest rate tied to overnight SOFR. In connection with $940.0 million and $1.01 billion of the agreements outstanding at June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, the Bank also entered into various interest rate swap contracts that are treated as cash flow hedges under ASC Topic 815, “Derivatives and Hedging” that are expected to be effective in hedging the variability in future cash flows at 3.08% with a remaining average weighted maturity of 2.1 years at June 30, 2024. Refer to “Note 11 – Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities” in our consolidated financial statements included in this report for a detailed description of our hedging policy and methodology related to derivative instruments.

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Results of Operations

Our results of operations are dependent primarily on net interest income, which is the difference between the interest income earned on assets (loans and investments) and interest expense due on our funding sources (deposits and borrowings) during a particular period.  Results of operations are also affected by our noninterest income, provision for credit losses, noninterest expenses and income tax expense.  General economic and competitive conditions, particularly changes in interest rates, changes in interest rate yield curves, prepayment rates of MBS and loans, repricing of loan relationships, government policies and actions of regulatory authorities also significantly affect our results of operations.  Future changes in applicable law, regulations or government policies may also have a material impact on us.

The following table presents net interest income for the periods presented (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
	June 30,				June 30,
	2024		2023		2024		2023
Interest income:
Loans	$	69,684	$	58,684	$	137,895	$	113,460
Taxable investment securities	7,009		8,773		13,976		14,485
Tax-exempt investment securities	10,710		13,720		21,798		27,636
MBS	11,084		3,830		21,203		8,159
FHLB stock and equity investments	573		379		906		624
Other interest earning assets	5,126		1,490		11,166		3,360
Total interest income	104,186		86,876		206,944		167,724
Interest expense:
Deposits	38,466		21,679		76,664		41,585
FHLB borrowings	6,455		1,032		12,405		4,173
Subordinated notes	936		994		1,892		1,993
Trust preferred subordinated debentures	1,171		1,100		2,346		2,131
Repurchase agreements	955		883		1,922		1,375
Other borrowings	2,595		7,272		4,759		9,198
Total interest expense	50,578		32,960		99,988		60,455
Net interest income	$	53,608	$	53,916	$	106,956	$	107,269

Net Interest Income

Net interest income is one of the principal sources of a financial institution’s earnings stream and represents the difference or spread between interest and fee income generated from interest earning assets and the interest expense paid on interest bearing liabilities.  Fluctuations in interest rates or interest rate yield curves, as well as repricing characteristics and volume and changes in the mix of interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities, materially impact net interest income. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Federal Reserve increased the target federal funds rate by 100 basis points to 5.25% to 5.50%. During the six months ended June 30, 2024, the Federal Reserve held the rate steady but has indicated it may cut interest rates in 2024. The increase in the federal funds rate has resulted in a slight decrease in our net interest income. If the federal funds rate remains elevated or increases further and the yield curve remains inverted, it may continue to negatively impact our net interest income.

Net interest income for the three months ended June 30, 2024, declined slightly when compared to the same period in 2023. The decrease in net interest income for the three months ended June 30, 2024, was largely due to increases in the average rate paid on our interest bearing liabilities and average balance of our interest bearing liabilities, partially offset by the increase in the average balance of interest earning assets and average yield of interest earning assets. Total interest income increased $17.3 million, or 19.9%, to $104.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024, compared to $86.9 million during the same period in 2023. Total interest expense increased $17.6 million, or 53.5%, to $50.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024, compared to $33.0 million for the same period in 2023. Our net interest margin and net interest margin (FTE), a non-GAAP measure, decreased to 2.74% and 2.87%, respectively, for the three months ended June 30, 2024, compared to 2.99% and 3.17%, respectively, for the same period in 2023, and our net interest spread and net interest spread (FTE), also a non-GAAP measure, decreased to 2.00% and 2.13%, respectively, compared to 2.37% and 2.55%, respectively, for the same period in 2023. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for more information and a reconciliation to GAAP.

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Net interest income was $107.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024, compared to $107.3 million for the same period in 2023, a decrease of $0.3 million, or 0.3%. The decrease in net interest income for the six months ended June 30, 2024 was due to increases in the average rate paid on our interest bearing liabilities and average balance of our interest bearing liabilities, partially offset by the increase in the average balance of interest earning assets and average yield of interest earning assets. Total interest income increased $39.2 million, or 23.4%, to $206.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024, compared to $167.7 million for the same period in 2023. Total interest expense increased $39.5 million, or 65.4%, to $100.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024, compared to $60.5 million for the same period in 2023. Our net interest margin and net interest margin (FTE), a non-GAAP measure, decreased to 2.73% and 2.87%, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2024, compared to 3.01% and 3.19%, respectively, for the same period in 2023, and our net interest spread and net interest spread (FTE), also a non-GAAP measure, decreased to 2.01% and 2.15%, respectively, compared to 2.40% and 2.58%, respectively, for the same period in 2023. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for more information and for a reconciliation to GAAP.

Quarterly Analysis of Changes in Interest Income and Interest Expense

The following table presents on a fully taxable-equivalent basis, a non-GAAP measure, the net change in net interest income and sets forth the dollar amount of increase (decrease) in the average volume of interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities and from changes in yields/rates. Volume/Yield/Rate variances (change in volume times change in yield/rate) have been allocated to amounts attributable to changes in volumes and to changes in yields/rates in proportion to the amounts directly attributable to those changes (in thousands). The comparison between the quarters includes an additional change factor that shows the effect of the difference in the number of days in each period for assets and liabilities that accrue interest based upon the actual number of days in the period.

	Three Months Ended June 30, 2024 Compared to 2023
	Change Attributable to						Total
Fully Taxable-Equivalent Basis:	Average Volume		Average Yield/Rate		Number of Days		Change
Interest income on:
Loans (1)	$	5,886	$	5,073	$	—	$	10,959
Loans held for sale	(3)		4		—		1
Taxable investment securities	(1,287)		(477)		—		(1,764)
Tax-exempt investment securities (1)	(3,140)		(281)		—		(3,421)
Mortgage-backed and related securities	5,283		1,971		—		7,254
FHLB stock, at cost, and equity investments	281		(87)		—		194
Interest earning deposits	3,329		34		—		3,363
Federal funds sold	217		56		—		273
Total earning assets	10,566		6,293		—		16,859
Interest expense on:
Savings accounts	(100)		124		—		24
CDs	2,071		3,194		—		5,265
Interest bearing demand accounts	3,798		7,700		—		11,498
FHLB borrowings	3,328		2,095		—		5,423
Subordinated notes, net of unamortized debt issuance costs	(59)		1		—		(58)
Trust preferred subordinated debentures, net of unamortized debt issuance costs	—		71		—		71
Repurchase agreements	(95)		167		—		72
Other borrowings	(7,476)		2,799		—		(4,677)
Total interest bearing liabilities	1,467		16,151		—		17,618
Net change	$	9,099	$	(9,858)	$	—	$	(759)

(1)Interest yields on loans and securities that are nontaxable for federal income tax purposes are presented on a fully taxable-equivalent basis. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for more information and for a reconciliation to GAAP.

The increase in total interest income for the three months ended June 30, 2024, was attributable to a $656.8 million, or 9.1%, increase in the average balance of interest earning assets for the three months ended June 30, 2024, compared to the same period in 2023, as well as an increase in the average yield on interest earning assets to 5.45% from 5.00% for the same period in 2023. The increase in total interest expense for the three months ended June 30, 2024, was primarily attributable to the increase in interest rates on our interest bearing liabilities to 3.32% from 2.45% for the same period in 2023, and an increase in the average balance of our interest bearing liabilities of $741.1 million, or 13.8%, for the three months ended June 30, 2024, compared to the same period in 2023. The increase in average earning assets was primarily the result of the increase in loans, MBS and interest earning deposits, partially offset by the decrease in tax-exempt and taxable investment securities.

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The “Average Balances with Average Yields and Rates” table that follows shows average earning assets and interest bearing liabilities together with the average yield on the earning assets and the average rate of the interest bearing liabilities (dollars in thousands) for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023. The interest and related yields presented are on a fully taxable-equivalent basis and are therefore non-GAAP measures. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for more information, and for a reconciliation to GAAP.

	Average Balances with Average Yields and Rates (Annualized)
	(unaudited)
	Three Months Ended
	June 30, 2024						June 30, 2023
	Average Balance		Interest		Average Yield/Rate		Average Balance		Interest		Average Yield/Rate
ASSETS
Loans (1)	$	4,595,980	$	70,293	6.15	%	$	4,197,130	$	59,334	5.67	%
Loans held for sale	1,489		24		6.48	%	1,664		23		5.54	%
Securities:
Taxable investment securities (2)	783,856		7,009		3.60	%	925,445		8,773		3.80	%
Tax-exempt investment securities (2)	1,254,097		12,761		4.09	%	1,562,232		16,182		4.15	%
Mortgage-backed and related securities (2)	830,504		11,084		5.37	%	401,427		3,830		3.83	%
Total securities	2,868,457		30,854		4.33	%	2,889,104		28,785		4.00	%
FHLB stock, at cost, and equity investments	40,467		573		5.69	%	21,480		379		7.08	%
Interest earning deposits	300,047		4,105		5.50	%	56,604		742		5.26	%
Federal funds sold	75,479		1,021		5.44	%	59,186		748		5.07	%
Total earning assets	7,881,919		106,870		5.45	%	7,225,168		90,011		5.00	%
Cash and due from banks	110,102						103,559
Accrued interest and other assets	424,323						419,420
Less:  Allowance for loan losses	(43,738)						(36,512)
Total assets	$	8,372,606					$	7,711,635
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Savings accounts	$	604,753	1,454		0.97	%	$	648,560	1,430		0.88	%
CDs	1,020,099		11,630		4.59	%	797,992		6,365		3.20	%
Interest bearing demand accounts	3,513,068		25,382		2.91	%	2,841,818		13,884		1.96	%
Total interest bearing deposits	5,137,920		38,466		3.01	%	4,288,370		21,679		2.03	%
FHLB borrowings	606,851		6,455		4.28	%	211,309		1,032		1.96	%
Subordinated notes, net of unamortized debt issuance costs	92,017		936		4.09	%	97,804		994		4.08	%
Trust preferred subordinated debentures, net of unamortized debt issuance costs	60,271		1,171		7.81	%	60,266		1,100		7.32	%
Repurchase agreements	88,007		955		4.36	%	97,915		883		3.62	%
Other borrowings	143,169		2,595		7.29	%	631,447		7,272		4.62	%
Total interest bearing liabilities	6,128,235		50,578		3.32	%	5,387,111		32,960		2.45	%
Noninterest bearing deposits	1,346,274						1,490,445
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	101,399						84,252
Total liabilities	7,575,908						6,961,808
Shareholders’ equity	796,698						749,827
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	8,372,606					$	7,711,635
Net interest income (FTE)			$	56,292					$	57,051
Net interest margin (FTE)					2.87	%					3.17	%
Net interest spread (FTE)					2.13	%					2.55	%

(1)Interest on loans includes net fees on loans that are not material in amount.

(2)For the purpose of calculating the average yield, the average balance of securities is presented at historical cost.

Note: As of June 30, 2024 and 2023, loans totaling $6.1 million and $3.0 million, respectively, were on nonaccrual status. Our policy is to reverse previously accrued but unpaid interest on nonaccrual loans; thereafter, interest income is recorded to the extent received when appropriate.

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Year-to-date Analysis of Changes in Interest Income and Interest Expense

The following table presents on a fully taxable-equivalent basis, a non-GAAP measure, the net change in net interest income and sets forth the dollar amount of increase (decrease) in the average volume of interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities and from changes in yields/rates. Volume/Yield/Rate variances (change in volume times change in yield/rate) have been allocated to amounts attributable to changes in volumes and to changes in yields/rates in proportion to the amounts directly attributable to those changes (in thousands). The comparison between the years includes an additional change factor that shows the effect of the difference in the number of days in each period for assets and liabilities that accrue interest based upon the actual number of days in the period.

	Six Months Ended June 30, 2024 Compared to 2023
	Change Attributable to						Total
Fully Taxable-Equivalent Basis:	Average Volume		Average Yield/Rate		Number of Days		Change
Interest income on:
Loans (1)	$	11,993	$	11,598	$	764	$	24,355
Loans held for sale	44		(45)		—		(1)
Taxable investment securities	(475)		(111)		77		(509)
Tax-exempt investment securities (1)	(7,246)		384		143		(6,719)
Mortgage-backed and related securities	8,911		4,017		116		13,044
Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost, and equity investments	311		(34)		5		282
Interest earning deposits	7,272		209		51		7,532
Federal funds sold	79		185		10		274
Total earning assets	20,889		16,203		1,166		38,258
Interest expense on:
Savings accounts	(230)		349		16		135
CDs	3,241		6,837		121		10,199
Interest bearing demand accounts	7,143		17,317		285		24,745
FHLB borrowings	5,411		2,753		68		8,232
Subordinated notes, net of unamortized debt issuance costs	(107)		(4)		10		(101)
Trust preferred subordinated debentures, net of unamortized debt issuance costs	—		202		13		215
Repurchase agreements	150		386		11		547
Other borrowings	(7,320)		2,855		26		(4,439)
Total interest bearing liabilities	8,288		30,695		550		39,533
Net change	$	12,601	$	(14,492)	$	616	$	(1,275)

(1)Interest yields on loans and securities that are nontaxable for federal income tax purposes are presented on a fully taxable-equivalent basis. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for more information and for a reconciliation to GAAP.

The increase in total interest income was attributable to the increase in average earning assets of $688.5 million, or 9.6%, for the six months ended June 30, 2024, compared to the same period in 2023, as well as the increase in the average yield on earning assets to 5.42% from 4.88% for the same period in 2023. The increase in total interest expense for the six months ended June 30, 2024 was primarily attributable to the increase in interest rates on our interest bearing liabilities to 3.27% from 2.30% for the same period in 2023 and an increase in the average balance of our interest bearing liabilities of $854.9 million, or 16.1%, when compared to the same period in 2023. The increase in average earning assets was primarily the result of the increase in loans, MBS and interest earning deposits, partially offset by the decrease in tax-exempt investment securities.

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The “Average Balances with Average Yields and Rates” table that follows shows average earning assets and interest bearing liabilities together with the average yield on the earning assets and the average rate of the interest bearing liabilities (dollars in thousands) for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023. The interest and related yields presented are on a fully taxable-equivalent basis and are therefore non-GAAP measures. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for more information, and for a reconciliation to GAAP.

	Average Balances with Average Yields and Rates (Annualized)
	(unaudited)
	Six Months Ended
	June 30, 2024						June 30, 2023
	Average Balance		Interest		Average Yield/Rate		Average Balance		Interest		Average Yield/Rate
ASSETS
Loans (1)	$	4,577,791	$	139,142	6.11	%	$	4,163,141	$	114,787	5.56	%
Loans held for sale	5,162		42		1.64	%	1,663		43		5.21	%
Securities:
Taxable investment securities (2)	782,139		13,976		3.59	%	808,803		14,485		3.61	%
Tax-exempt investment securities (2)	1,270,010		25,929		4.11	%	1,627,105		32,648		4.05	%
Mortgage-backed and related securities (2)	797,608		21,203		5.35	%	428,469		8,159		3.84	%
Total securities	2,849,757		61,108		4.31	%	2,864,377		55,292		3.89	%
FHLB stock, at cost, and equity investments	40,265		906		4.52	%	26,448		624		4.76	%
Interest earning deposits	340,114		9,307		5.50	%	72,177		1,775		4.96	%
Federal funds sold	69,039		1,859		5.41	%	65,871		1,585		4.85	%
Total earning assets	7,882,128		212,364		5.42	%	7,193,677		174,106		4.88	%
Cash and due from banks	112,241						105,650
Accrued interest and other assets	432,904						408,908
Less:  Allowance for loan losses	(43,356)						(36,601)
Total assets	$	8,383,917					$	7,671,634
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Savings accounts	$	604,641	2,878		0.96	%	$	657,192	2,743		0.84	%
CDs	981,023		21,971		4.50	%	792,967		11,772		2.99	%
Interest bearing demand accounts	3,574,001		51,815		2.92	%	2,912,127		27,070		1.87	%
Total interest bearing deposits	5,159,665		76,664		2.99	%	4,362,286		41,585		1.92	%
FHLB borrowings	606,942		12,405		4.11	%	307,221		4,173		2.74	%
Subordinated notes, net of unamortized debt issuance costs	92,956		1,892		4.09	%	98,246		1,993		4.09	%
Trust preferred subordinated debentures, net of unamortized debt issuance costs	60,271		2,346		7.83	%	60,266		2,131		7.13	%
Repurchase agreements	90,092		1,922		4.29	%	81,765		1,375		3.39	%
Other borrowings	140,228		4,759		6.82	%	385,440		9,198		4.81	%
Total interest bearing liabilities	6,150,154		99,988		3.27	%	5,295,224		60,455		2.30	%
Noninterest bearing deposits	1,342,329						1,539,313
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	100,558						82,833
Total liabilities	7,593,041						6,917,370
Shareholders’ equity	790,876						754,264
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	8,383,917					$	7,671,634
Net interest income (FTE)			$	112,376					$	113,651
Net interest margin (FTE)					2.87	%					3.19	%
Net interest spread (FTE)					2.15	%					2.58	%

(1)Interest on loans includes net fees on loans that are not material in amount.

(2)For the purpose of calculating the average yield, the average balance of securities is presented at historical cost.

Note: As of June 30, 2024 and 2023, loans totaling $6.1 million and $3.0 million, respectively, were on nonaccrual status. Our policy is to reverse previously accrued but unpaid interest on nonaccrual loans; thereafter, interest income is recorded to the extent received when appropriate.

Southside Bancshares, Inc. |54

Noninterest Income

Noninterest income consists of revenue generated from a broad range of financial services and activities and other fee-generating services that we either provide or in which we participate.

The following table details the categories included in noninterest income (dollars in thousands):

	Three Months Ended June 30,				2024
					Change From
	2024		2023		2023
Deposit services	$	6,157	$	6,291	$	(134)	(2.1)	%
Net gain (loss) on sale of securities AFS	(563)		(3,455)		2,892		83.7	%
Net gain on sale of equity securities	—		2,642		(2,642)		(100.0)	%
Gain (loss) on sale of loans	220		185		35		18.9	%
Trust fees	1,456		1,490		(34)		(2.3)	%
BOLI	1,767		756		1,011		133.7	%
Brokerage services	1,081		904		177		19.6	%
Other noninterest income	1,439		1,651		(212)		(12.8)	%
Total noninterest income	$	11,557	$	10,464	$	1,093	10.4	%

	Six Months Ended June 30,				2024
					Change From
	2024		2023		2023
Deposit services	$	12,142	$	12,713	$	(571)	(4.5)	%
Net gain (loss) on sale of securities AFS	(581)		(5,601)		5,020		89.6	%
Net gain on sale of equity securities	—		5,058		(5,058)		(100.0)	%
Gain (loss) on sale of loans	(216)		289		(505)		(174.7)	%
Trust fees	2,792		2,957		(165)		(5.6)	%
BOLI	2,551		2,431		120		4.9	%
Brokerage services	2,095		1,601		494		30.9	%
Other noninterest income	2,498		3,049		(551)		(18.1)	%
Total noninterest income	$	21,281	$	22,497	$	(1,216)	(5.4)	%

The 10.4% increase in noninterest income for the three months ended June 30, 2024, when compared to the same period in 2023, was primarily due to a decrease in net loss on sale of securities AFS and an increase in BOLI income, partially offset by a $2.6 million net gain on sale of equity securities during the three months ended June 30, 2023. The decrease in noninterest income for the six months ended June 30, 2024, when compared to the same period in 2023, was due to decreases in the net gain on sale of equity securities, deposit services income, other noninterest income and loss on sale of loans. These decreases were partially offset by a decrease in net loss on sale of securities AFS and an increase in brokerage services income.

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, we sold municipal securities that resulted in a net loss on sale of AFS securities of $563,000 and $581,000, respectively.

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, we sold equity securities that resulted in a net gain of $2.6 million and $5.1 million, respectively.

The gain on sale of loans for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and the loss on sale of loans for the six months ended June 30, 2024, was primarily due to a $100,000 recovery in the second quarter of 2024 related to the $512,000 loss on the sale of a commercial real estate loan relationship during the first quarter of 2024.

The increase in BOLI income for the three months ended June 30, 2024, when compared to the same period in 2023, was primarily due to a death benefit of $962,000 realized in the second quarter of 2024 for a former covered officer.

Brokerage services income increased for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, when compared to the same periods in 2023, due to an increase in assets under management.

Southside Bancshares, Inc. |55

Other noninterest income decreased for the three months ended June 30, 2024, when compared to the same period in 2023, primarily due to a decrease in gain recognized on the repurchase of our subordinated notes at a discount, partially offset by increases in mortgage derivative income, equity investment income and swap fee income. Other noninterest income decreased for the six months ended June 30, 2024, when compared to the same period in 2023, due to a decrease in gain recognized on the repurchase of our subordinated notes at a discount and decreases in swap fee income, other recoveries and equity investment income, partially offset by an increase in mortgage derivative income.

Noninterest Expense

We incur certain types of noninterest expenses associated with the operation of our various business activities. The following table details the categories included in noninterest expense (dollars in thousands):

	Three Months Ended June 30,				2024
					Change From
	2024		2023		2023
Salaries and employee benefits	$	21,984	$	21,376	$	608	2.8	%
Net occupancy	3,750		3,690		60		1.6	%
Advertising, travel & entertainment	795		854		(59)		(6.9)	%
ATM expense	368		320		48		15.0	%
Professional fees	1,075		1,192		(117)		(9.8)	%
Software and data processing	2,860		2,264		596		26.3	%
Communications	410		348		62		17.8	%
FDIC insurance	977		1,220		(243)		(19.9)	%
Amortization of intangibles	307		442		(135)		(30.5)	%
Other noninterest expense	3,239		3,287		(48)		(1.5)	%
Total noninterest expense	$	35,765	$	34,993	$	772	2.2	%

	Six Months Ended June 30,				2024
					Change From
	2024		2023		2023
Salaries and employee benefits	$	45,097	$	43,232	$	1,865	4.3	%
Net occupancy	7,112		7,424		(312)		(4.2)	%
Advertising, travel & entertainment	1,745		1,904		(159)		(8.4)	%
ATM expense	693		675		18		2.7	%
Professional fees	2,229		2,564		(335)		(13.1)	%
Software and data processing	5,716		4,319		1,397		32.3	%
Communications	859		675		184		27.3	%
FDIC insurance	1,920		1,764		156		8.8	%
Amortization of intangibles	644		920		(276)		(30.0)	%
Other noninterest expense	6,631		6,365		266		4.2	%
Total noninterest expense	$	72,646	$	69,842	$	2,804	4.0	%

The increase in noninterest expense for the three months ended June 30, 2024, when compared to the same period in 2023, was due to increases in salaries and employee benefits and software and data processing expense, partially offset by decreases in FDIC insurance, amortization of intangibles and professional fees. The increase in noninterest expense for the six months ended June 30, 2024, when compared to the same period in 2023, was due to increases in salaries and employee benefits and software and data processing expense, partially offset by decreases in professional fees and net occupancy expense.

Salaries and employee benefits expense increased during the three months ended June 30, 2024, compared to the same period in 2023, due to increases in direct salary expense, retirement expense and health insurance expense. Salaries and employee benefits expense increased during the six months ended June 30, 2024, compared to the same period in 2023, due to increases in direct salary expense and retirement expense, partially offset by a decrease in health insurance expense.

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, direct salary expense increased $357,000, or 1.9%, and $1.6 million, or 4.3%, respectively, when compared to the same periods in 2023, primarily due to normal salary increases effective in the first quarter of 2024 and approximately $618,000 associated with future cost reductions.

Southside Bancshares, Inc. |56

Retirement expense, included in salaries and employee benefits, increased $127,000, or 15.6%, and $301,000, or 19.8%, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively, when compared to the same periods in 2023. This increase was due to increases in our deferred compensation expense, 401(k) matching expense, split dollar expense and post-retirement benefits expense.

Health and life insurance expense, included in salaries and employee benefits, increased $123,000, or 6.0%, for the three months ended June 30, 2024, compared to the same period in 2023, primarily due to an increase in health claims expense. Health and life insurance expense decreased $43,000, or 1.0%, for the six months ended June 30, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, due to decreases in health plan administration cost and health claims expense. We have a self-insured health plan which is supplemented with a stop loss policy.

Net occupancy expense decreased for the six months ended June 30, 2024, when compared to the same period in 2023, due to decreases in repairs and depreciation expense.

ATM expense increased for the three months ended June 30, 2024, when compared to the same period in 2023, due primarily to an increase in ATM maintenance expense.

Professional fees decreased for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, when compared to the same periods in 2023, due to a decrease in consulting and legal fees.

Software and data processing expense increased for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, when compared to the same periods in 2023, due to new software contracts and increases in existing contract renewal costs.

Communications expense increased for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, when compared to the same periods in 2023, driven by initial costs related to a project to improve network management efficiency.

FDIC insurance decreased for the three months ended June 30, 2024, when compared to the same period in 2023, due to an increase in the rate assessed by the FDIC in 2023 that we adjusted for during the second quarter of 2023.

Amortization of intangibles decreased for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, when compared to the same periods in 2023, due primarily to a decrease in core deposit intangible amortization which is recognized on an accelerated method resulting in a decline in expense over the amortization period.

Income Taxes

Pre-tax income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 was $29.9 million and $56.0 million, respectively, an increase of 1.4%, compared to $29.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023 and a decrease of 6.7% compared to $60.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023. We recorded income tax expense of $5.2 million and $9.8 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively, compared to income tax expense of $4.6 million and $9.1 million for the same periods in 2023. The ETR as a percentage of pre-tax income was 17.4% and 17.6% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, compared to an ETR as a percentage of pre-tax income of 15.5% and 15.2% for the same periods in 2023. The increase in the ETR for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 was primarily a result of a decrease in net tax-exempt income as a percentage of pre-tax income as compared to the same periods in 2023. The increase in income tax expense is due to the higher ETR for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 compared to the same periods in 2023.

The ETR differs from the statutory rate of 21% primarily due to the effect of tax-exempt income from municipal loans and securities, as well as BOLI. The net deferred tax asset totaled $29.7 million at June 30, 2024, compared to $30.4 million at December 31, 2023. The slight decrease in the net deferred tax asset is primarily the result of an increase in the estimated fair value of the hedging derivatives.

See “Note 11 – Income Taxes” to our consolidated financial statements included in this report. No valuation allowance was recorded at June 30, 2024 or December 31, 2023, as management believes it is more likely than not that all of the deferred tax asset items will be realized in future years.

Southside Bancshares, Inc. |57

Composition of Loans

One of our main objectives is to seek attractive lending opportunities in Texas, primarily in the market areas in which we operate. Refer to “Part I – Item 1. Business – Market Area” in the 2023 Form 10-K for a discussion of our primary market area and the geographic concentration of our loan portfolio as of December 31, 2023.  There were no substantial changes in these concentrations during the six months ended June 30, 2024.  The majority of our loan originations are made to borrowers who live in and/or conduct business in the market areas of Texas in which we operate or adjoin, with the exception of municipal loans, which are made primarily throughout the state of Texas.  Municipal loans are made to municipalities, counties, school districts and colleges.

The following table sets forth loan totals by class as of the dates presented (dollars in thousands):

							Compared to
							December 31, 2023		June 30, 2023
	June 30, 2024		December 31, 2023		June 30, 2023		Change (%)		Change (%)
Real estate loans:
Construction	$	546,040	$	789,744	$	657,354	(30.9)	%	(16.9)	%
1-4 family residential	738,037		696,738		684,878		5.9	%	7.8	%
Commercial	2,472,771		2,168,451		2,100,338		14.0	%	17.7	%
Commercial loans	359,807		366,893		383,724		(1.9)	%	(6.2)	%
Municipal loans	416,986		441,168		435,211		(5.5)	%	(4.2)	%
Loans to individuals	55,724		61,516		67,538		(9.4)	%	(17.5)	%
Total loans	$	4,589,365	$	4,524,510	$	4,329,043	1.4	%	6.0	%

Our total loan portfolio increased $64.9 million, or 1.4%, and $260.3 million, or 6.0%, at June 30, 2024 compared to December 31, 2023 and June 30, 2023, respectively, with net increases in commercial real estate and 1-4 family loans, partially offset by decreases in construction, commercial loans, municipal loans and loans to individuals.

At June 30, 2024, our real estate loans represented 81.9% of our loan portfolio and were comprised of commercial real estate loans of 65.8%, 1-4 family residential loans of 19.7% and construction loans of 14.5%. Commercial real estate loans primarily include loans collateralized by retail, commercial office buildings, multi-family residential buildings, medical facilities and offices, senior living, assisted living and skilled nursing facilities, warehouse facilities, hotels and churches. Our 1-4 family residential loans consist primarily of loans secured by first mortgages on owner occupied 1-4 family residences. Our construction loans are collateralized by property located primarily in or near the market areas we serve. A number of our construction loans will be owner occupied upon completion. Construction loans for non-owner occupied projects are financed, but these typically have cash flows from leases with tenants, secondary sources of repayment, and in some cases, additional collateral.

Nonperforming Assets

Nonperforming assets consist of delinquent loans 90 days or more past due, nonaccrual loans, OREO, repossessed assets and restructured loans.  Nonaccrual loans are loans 90 days or more delinquent and collection in full of both the principal and interest is not expected.  Additionally, some loans that are not delinquent or that are delinquent less than 90 days may be placed on nonaccrual status if it is probable that we will not receive contractual principal and interest payments in accordance with the terms of the respective loan agreements.  When a loan is categorized as nonaccrual, the accrual of interest is discontinued and any accrued balance is reversed for financial statement purposes.  OREO represents real estate taken in full or partial satisfaction of debts previously contracted.  The dollar amount of OREO is based on a current evaluation of the OREO at the time it is recorded on our books, net of estimated selling costs.  Updated valuations are obtained as needed and any additional impairments are recognized. We actively market all OREO properties and do not hold them for investment purposes. Restructured loans represent loans that have been modified due to the borrower experiencing financial difficulty to provide interest rate reductions or below market interest rates, restructuring amortization schedules and other actions intended to minimize potential losses.  Categorization of a loan as nonperforming is not in itself a reliable indicator of potential loan loss.  Other factors, such as the value of collateral securing the loan and the financial condition of the borrower are considered in judgments as to potential loan loss.

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The following table sets forth nonperforming assets for the periods presented (dollars in thousands):

							Compared to
							December 31, 2023		June 30, 2023
	June 30, 2024		December 31, 2023		June 30, 2023		Change (%)		Change (%)
Nonaccrual loans	$	6,110	$	3,889	$	3,017	57.1	%	102.5	%
Accruing loans past due more than 90 days	—		—		—		—		—
Restructured loans (1)	145		13		—		1,015.4	%	100.0	%
OREO	648		99		—		554.5	%	100.0	%
Repossessed assets	15		—		42		100.0	%	(64.3)	%
Total nonperforming assets	$	6,918	$	4,001	$	3,059	72.9	%	126.2	%
Total loans	$	4,589,365	$	4,524,510	$	4,329,043
Allowance for loan losses at end of period	42,407		42,674		36,303

Ratio of nonaccruing loans to:
Total loans	0.13	%	0.09	%	0.07	%
Ratio of nonperforming assets to:
Total assets	0.08	%	0.05	%	0.04	%
Total loans	0.15	%	0.09	%	0.07	%
Total loans and OREO	0.15	%	0.09	%	0.07	%
Ratio of allowance for loan losses to:
Nonaccruing loans	694.06	%	1,097.30	%	1,203.28	%
Nonperforming assets	613.00	%	1,066.58	%	1,186.76	%
Total loans	0.92	%	0.94	%	0.84	%
Net charge-offs to average loans outstanding	0.02	%	0.06	%	0.03	%

Allowance for Credit Losses – Loans

In accordance with ASC 326, the allowance for credit losses on loans is estimated and recognized upon origination of the loan based on expected credit losses. The CECL model uses historical experience and current conditions for homogeneous pools of loans, and reasonable and supportable forecasts about future events. The impact of varying economic conditions and portfolio stress factors are a component of the credit loss models applied to each portfolio. Reserve factors are specific to the loan segments that share similar risk characteristics based on the probability of default assumptions and loss given default assumptions, over the contractual term. The forecasted periods gradually mean-revert the economic inputs to their long-run historical trends. Management evaluates the economic data points used in the Moody’s forecasting scenarios on a quarterly basis to determine the most appropriate impact to the various portfolio characteristics based on management’s view and applies weighting to various forecasting scenarios as deemed appropriate based on known and expected economic activities. Management also considers and may apply relevant qualitative factors, not previously considered, to determine the appropriate allowance level. The use of the CECL model includes significant judgment by management and may differ from those of our peers due to different historical loss patterns, economic forecasts, and the length of time of the reasonable and supportable forecast period and reversion period.

We utilize Moody’s Analytics economic forecast scenarios and assign probability weighting to those scenarios which best reflect management’s views on the economic forecast. The probability weighting and scenarios utilized for the estimate of the allowance were generally reflective of continued economic and repricing uncertainty forecasted in our CECL model as of June 30, 2024.

When determining the appropriate allowance for credit losses on our loan portfolio, our commercial construction and real estate loans, commercial loans and municipal loans utilize the probability of default/loss given default discounted cash flow approach. Reserves on these loans are based upon risk factors including the loan type and structure, collateral type, leverage ratio, refinancing risk and origination quality, among others. Our consumer construction real estate loans, 1-4 family residential loans and our loans to individuals use a loss rate based upon risk factors including loan types, origination year and credit scores.

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Loans evaluated collectively in a pool are monitored to ensure they continue to exhibit similar risk characteristics with other loans in the pool. If a loan does not share similar risk characteristics with other loans, expected credit losses for that loan are evaluated individually.

As of June 30, 2024, our review of the loan portfolio indicated that an allowance for loan losses of $42.4 million was appropriate to cover expected losses in the portfolio.  Changes in economic and other conditions, including the application of the CECL model may require future adjustments to the allowance for loan losses.

During the six months ended June 30, 2024, the allowance for loan losses decreased $267,000, or 0.6%, to $42.4 million, or 0.92% of total loans, when compared to $42.7 million, or 0.94% of total loans at December 31, 2023.

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, loan charge-offs were $721,000 and $1.4 million, respectively, and recoveries were $444,000 and $791,000, respectively. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, loan charge-offs were $737,000 and $1.4 million, respectively, and recoveries were $430,000 and $792,000, respectively. For the three months ended June 30, 2024, we recorded a reversal of provision for credit losses for loans of $873,000. For the six months ended June 30, 2024, we recorded a provision for credit losses for loans of $297,000. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, we recorded a provision for credit losses for loans of $278,000 and $366,000, respectively.

Allowance for Credit Losses – Off-Balance-Sheet Credit Exposures

Allowance for off-balance-sheet credit exposures were as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2024		2023		2024		2023
Balance at beginning of period	$	2,820	$	3,559	$	3,932	$	3,687
Provision for (reversal of) off-balance-sheet credit exposures	388		(352)		(724)		(480)
Balance at end of period	$	3,208	$	3,207	$	3,208	$	3,207

Our off-balance-sheet credit exposures include contractual commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. For these credit exposures we evaluate the expected credit losses using usage given defaults and credit conversion factors depending on the type of commitment and based upon historical usage rates. These assumptions are reevaluated on an annual basis and adjusted if necessary. For additional information regarding our methodology used to estimate the allowance for credit losses on off-balance-sheet credit exposures, see “Note 12 – Off-Balance-Sheet Arrangements, Commitments and Contingencies” to our consolidated financial statements included in this report.

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Capital Resources and Liquidity

Our total shareholders’ equity at June 30, 2024 increased 3.6%, or $27.7 million, to $801.0 million, or 9.6% of total assets, compared to $773.3 million, or 9.3% of total assets, at December 31, 2023. The increase in shareholders’ equity was the result of net income of $46.2 million, other comprehensive income of $2.5 million, stock compensation expense of $1.5 million, common stock issued under our dividend reinvestment plan of $596,000 and net issuance of common stock under employee stock plans of $184,000, partially offset by cash dividends paid of $21.8 million and repurchases of $1.5 million of our common stock.

The Company’s Common Equity Tier 1 capital includes common stock and related paid-in capital, net of treasury stock, and retained earnings. The Bank’s Common Equity Tier 1 capital includes common stock and related paid-in capital, and retained earnings. In connection with the adoption of the Basel III Capital Rules, we elected to opt-out of the requirement to include accumulated other comprehensive income in Common Equity Tier 1. We also elected, for a five-year transitional period, the effects of credit loss accounting under CECL from Common Equity Tier 1, as further discussed below. Common Equity Tier 1 for both the Company and the Bank is reduced by goodwill and other intangible assets, net of associated deferred tax liabilities.

Tier 1 capital includes Common Equity Tier 1 capital and additional Tier 1 capital. For the Company, additional Tier 1 capital at June 30, 2024 included $58.5 million of trust preferred securities. For bank holding companies that had assets of less than $15 billion as of December 31, 2009, trust preferred securities issued prior to May 19, 2010 can be treated as Tier 1 capital to the extent that they do not exceed 25% of Tier 1 capital after the application of capital deductions and adjustments. The Bank did not have any additional Tier 1 capital beyond Common Equity Tier 1 at June 30, 2024.

Total capital includes Tier 1 capital and Tier 2 capital. Tier 2 capital for both the Company and the Bank includes a permissible portion of the allowance for credit losses on loans and off-balance sheet exposures. Tier 2 capital for the Company also includes $92.0 million of qualified subordinated debt as of June 30, 2024. The permissible portion of qualified subordinated notes decreases 20% per year during the final five years of the term of the notes.

In April 2020, the FDIC, Federal Reserve, and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency issued supplemental instructions allowing banking organizations that implement CECL before the end of 2020, the option to delay for two years an estimate of the CECL methodologies’ effect on regulatory capital, relative to the incurred loss methodologies effect on capital, followed by a three-year transition period.  We elected to adopt the five-year transition option. In accordance with CECL guidance, a CECL transitional amount totaling $2.0 million has been added back to CET1 as of June 30, 2024, representing 25% of the $8.2 million transitional amount at December 31, 2023.

Management believes that, as of June 30, 2024, we met all capital adequacy requirements to which we were subject. It is management’s intention to maintain our capital at a level acceptable to all regulatory authorities and future dividend payments will be determined accordingly.  Regulatory authorities require that any dividend payments made by either us or the Bank not exceed earnings for that year.  Accordingly, shareholders should not anticipate a continuation of the cash dividend payments simply because of the existence of a dividend reinvestment program.  The payment of dividends will depend upon future earnings, our financial condition and other related factors including the discretion of the Board.

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To be categorized as well capitalized we must maintain minimum Common Equity Tier 1 risk-based, Tier 1 risk-based, Total capital risk-based and Tier 1 leverage ratios as set forth in the following table (dollars in thousands):

	Actual				For Capital Adequacy Purposes				To Be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Actions Provisions
June 30, 2024	Amount		Ratio		Amount		Ratio		Amount		Amount
Common Equity Tier 1 (to Risk-Weighted Assets)
Consolidated	$	713,966	12.72	%	$	252,619	4.50	%	N/A		N/A
Bank Only	$	856,653	15.26	%	$	252,600	4.50	%	$	364,867	6.50	%
Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)
Consolidated	$	772,427	13.76	%	$	336,825	6.00	%	N/A		N/A
Bank Only	$	856,653	15.26	%	$	336,801	6.00	%	$	449,067	8.00	%
Total Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)
Consolidated	$	907,439	16.16	%	$	449,100	8.00	%	N/A		N/A
Bank Only	$	899,695	16.03	%	$	449,067	8.00	%	$	561,334	10.00	%
Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets) (1)
Consolidated	$	772,427	9.40	%	$	328,845	4.00	%	N/A		N/A
Bank Only	$	856,653	10.42	%	$	328,751	4.00	%	$	410,938	5.00	%

	Actual				For Capital Adequacy Purposes				To Be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Actions Provisions
December 31, 2023	Amount		Ratio		Amount		Ratio		Amount		Ratio
Common Equity Tier 1 (to Risk-Weighted Assets)
Consolidated	$	690,296	12.28	%	$	252,954	4.50	%	N/A		N/A
Bank Only	$	836,228	14.88	%	$	252,865	4.50	%	$	365,249	6.50	%
Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)
Consolidated	$	748,755	13.32	%	$	337,273	6.00	%	N/A		N/A
Bank Only	$	836,228	14.88	%	$	337,153	6.00	%	$	449,537	8.00	%
Total Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)
Consolidated	$	884,095	15.73	%	$	449,697	8.00	%	N/A		N/A
Bank Only	$	877,691	15.62	%	$	449,537	8.00	%	$	561,922	10.00	%
Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets) (1)
Consolidated	$	748,755	9.39	%	$	318,906	4.00	%	N/A		N/A
Bank Only	$	836,228	10.49	%	$	318,814	4.00	%	$	398,517	5.00	%

(1)Refers to quarterly average assets as calculated in accordance with policies established by bank regulatory agencies.

As of June 30, 2024, Southside Bancshares and Southside Bank met all capital adequacy requirements under the Basel III Capital Rules that became fully phased-in as of January 1, 2019. Refer to the Supervision and Regulation section in the 2023 Form 10-K for further discussion of our capital requirements.

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The table below summarizes our key equity ratios for the periods presented:

	Three Months Ended June 30,
	2024		2023
Return on average assets	1.19	%	1.29	%
Return on average shareholders’ equity	12.46	%	13.32	%
Dividend payout ratio – Basic	44.44	%	43.21	%
Dividend payout ratio – Diluted	44.44	%	43.21	%
Average shareholders’ equity to average total assets	9.52	%	9.72	%
	Six Months Ended June 30,
	2024		2023
Return on average assets	1.11	%	1.34	%
Return on average shareholders’ equity	11.74	%	13.62	%
Dividend payout ratio – Basic	47.37	%	42.68	%
Dividend payout ratio – Diluted	47.37	%	42.68	%
Average shareholders’ equity to average total assets	9.43	%	9.83	%

Management of Liquidity

Liquidity management involves our ability to convert assets to cash with minimum risk of loss while enabling us to meet our current and future obligations to our customers at any time.  This means addressing (1) the immediate cash withdrawal requirements of depositors and other fund providers; (2) the funding requirements of lines and letters of credit; and (3) the short-term credit needs of customers.  Liquidity is provided by cash, interest earning deposits and short-term investments that can be readily liquidated with a minimum risk of loss.  At June 30, 2024, these investments were 7.8% of total assets, as compared with 8.9% for December 31, 2023 and 6.0% for June 30, 2023. The decrease to 7.8% at June 30, 2024 as compared to December 31, 2023, is reflective of a decrease in interest earning deposits and cash and due from banks, as well as an increase in total assets, partially offset by an increase in short-term investment portfolio. Liquidity is further provided through the matching, by time period, of rate sensitive interest earning assets with rate sensitive interest bearing liabilities. The Bank has three unsecured lines of credit for the purchase of overnight federal funds at prevailing rates with Frost Bank, Amegy Bank and TIB – The Independent Bankers Bank for $40.0 million, $25.0 million and $15.0 million, respectively. There were no federal funds purchased at June 30, 2024 or December 31, 2023.  To provide more liquidity in response to economic conditions in recent years, the Federal Reserve has encouraged broader use of the discount window. At June 30, 2024, the amount of additional funding the Bank could obtain from the FRDW, collateralized by securities, was approximately $377.4 million. There were no borrowings from the FRDW at June 30, 2024, and $300.0 million at December 31, 2023. To provide more stability and to assure banks have the ability to meet the needs of all of their depositors, the Federal Reserve created the BTFP in the first quarter of 2023. On March 11, 2024, the Federal Reserve stopped extending new BTFP advances. There were $113.4 million in borrowings from the BTFP at June 30, 2024. At June 30, 2024, the amount of additional funding the Bank could obtain from FHLB, collateralized by securities, FHLB stock and nonspecified loans and securities, was approximately $1.78 billion, net of FHLB stock purchases required. The Bank has a $5.0 million line of credit with Frost Bank to be used to issue letters of credit, and at June 30, 2024, the line had one outstanding letter of credit for $155,000. The Bank currently has no outstanding letters of credit from FHLB held as collateral for its public fund deposits.

Interest rate sensitivity management seeks to avoid fluctuating net interest margins and to enhance consistent growth of net interest income through periods of changing interest rates.  The ALCO closely monitors various liquidity ratios and interest rate spreads and margins.  The ALCO utilizes a simulation model to perform interest rate simulation tests that apply various interest rate scenarios including immediate shocks and MVPE to assist in determining our overall interest rate risk and the adequacy of our liquidity position.  In addition, the ALCO utilizes this simulation model to determine the impact on net interest income of various interest rate scenarios.  By utilizing this technology, we can determine changes that need to be made to the asset and liability mix to minimize the change in net interest income under these various interest rate scenarios.

Management continually evaluates our liquidity position and currently believes the Company has adequate funding to meet our financial needs.

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Branch Closures

In April 2024, we announced our plan to close a retail grocery store branch location in Kingwood on November 2, 2024.

On May 3, 2024, we closed a traditional branch location in Jasper due to close proximity to another Southside branch.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See “Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting and Reporting Policies” in our consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

ITEM 3.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The disclosures set forth in this item are qualified by the section captioned “Forward-Looking Statements” included in “Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of this report and other cautionary statements set forth elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Refer to the discussion of market risks included in “Item 7A.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” in the 2023 Form 10-K.  

In the banking industry, a major risk exposure is changing interest rates.  The primary objective of monitoring our interest rate sensitivity, or risk, is to provide management the tools necessary to manage the balance sheet to minimize adverse changes in net interest income as a result of changes in the direction and level of interest rates.  Federal Reserve monetary control efforts, the effects of deregulation, economic uncertainty and legislative changes have been significant factors affecting the task of managing interest rate sensitivity positions in recent years.

In an attempt to manage our exposure to changes in interest rates, management closely monitors our exposure to interest rate risk through our ALCO.  Our ALCO meets regularly and reviews our interest rate risk position and makes recommendations to our board for adjusting this position.  In addition, our board regularly reviews our asset/liability position.  We primarily use two methods for measuring and analyzing interest rate risk: net income simulation analysis and MVPE modeling.  We utilize the net income simulation model as the primary quantitative tool in measuring the amount of interest rate risk associated with changing market rates.  This model quantifies the effects of various interest rate scenarios on projected net interest income and net income over the next 12 months.  The model is used to measure the impact on net interest income relative to a base case scenario of rates immediately increasing 100 and 200 basis points or decreasing 50, 100 and 200 basis points over the next 12 months.  These simulations incorporate assumptions regarding balance sheet growth and mix, pricing and the repricing and maturity characteristics of the existing and projected balance sheet.  The impact of interest rate-related risks such as prepayment, basis and option risk are also considered.  The model has interest rate floors and no interest rates are assumed to go negative. We continue to monitor interest rates and anticipate rate changes during the remainder of 2024.

The following table reflects the noted increases and decreases in interest rates under the model simulations and the anticipated impact on net interest income relative to the base case over the next 12 months for the periods presented.

	Anticipated impact over the next 12 months
	June 30,
Rate projections:	2024		2023
Increase:
100 basis points	3.78	%	4.38	%
200 basis points	7.13	%	9.11	%
Decrease:
50 basis points	(3.00)	%	(3.04)	%
100 basis points	(4.85)	%	(6.29)	%
200 basis points	(6.95)	%	(12.81)	%

As part of the overall assumptions, certain assets and liabilities are given reasonable floors.  This type of simulation analysis requires numerous assumptions including but not limited to changes in balance sheet mix, prepayment rates on mortgage-related assets and fixed rate loans, cash flows and repricing of all financial instruments, changes in volumes and pricing, future shapes of the yield curve, relationship of market interest rates to each other (basis risk), credit spread and deposit sensitivity.  Assumptions are based on management’s best estimates but may not accurately reflect actual results under certain changes in interest rates.

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Economic conditions and growth prospects are currently impacted by record inflation, continued higher interest rates and potential recessionary concerns. Furthermore, worker shortages and inflationary conditions have had some impact on the level of economic growth in our market areas. Ongoing inflation levels and higher interest rates could have a negative impact on the financial condition of both our consumer and commercial borrowers.

The ALCO monitors various liquidity ratios to ensure a satisfactory liquidity position for us.  Management continually evaluates the condition of the economy, the pattern of market interest rates and other economic data to determine the types of investments that should be made and at what maturities.  Using this analysis, management from time to time assumes calculated interest sensitivity gap positions to maximize net interest income based upon anticipated movements in the general level of interest rates.  Regulatory authorities also monitor our gap position along with other liquidity ratios.  In addition, as described above, we utilize a simulation model to determine the impact of net interest income under several different interest rate scenarios.  By utilizing this model, we can determine changes that need to be made to the asset and liability mixes to mitigate the change in net interest income under these various interest rate scenarios.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Management, including our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and our Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), undertook an evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of the end of the period covered by this report, and, based on that evaluation, our CEO and CFO concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report, in recording, processing, summarizing and reporting in a timely manner the information that the Company is required to disclose in its reports under the Exchange Act and in accumulating and communicating to the Company’s management, including the Company’s CEO and CFO, such information as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.  

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

No changes were made to our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the quarter ended June 30, 2024 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.    LEGAL PROCEEDINGS 

We are a party to various litigation in the normal course of business. Management, after consulting with our legal counsel, believes that any liability resulting from litigation will not have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

ITEM 1A.    RISK FACTORS

There have been no material changes in the risk factors previously disclosed in the 2023 Form 10-K.

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ITEM 2.    UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

On July 20, 2023, our board of directors approved a Stock Repurchase Plan authorizing the repurchase of up to 1.0 million shares of the Company’s outstanding common stock. Repurchases may be carried out in open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or pursuant to any trading plan that might be adopted in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 of the Exchange Act, as amended. The Company has no obligation to repurchase any shares under the Stock Repurchase Plan and may modify, suspend or discontinue the plan at any time.

The following table provides information with respect to purchases made by or on behalf of any “affiliated purchaser” (as defined in Rule 10b-18(a)(3) under the Exchange Act), of our common stock during the three months ended June 30, 2024:

Period	Total Number of  Shares Purchased	Average Price Paid  Per Share		Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plan	Maximum Number of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under the Stock Repurchase Plan at the End of the Period
April 1, 2024 - April 30, 2024	—	$	—	—	641,032
May 1, 2024 - May 31, 2024	9,290	26.33		9,290	631,742
June 1, 2024 - June 30, 2024	48,676	26.20		48,676	583,066
Total	57,966	$	26.22	57,966

We have not purchased any shares of common stock pursuant to the Stock Repurchase Plan subsequent to June 30, 2024.

ITEM 3.    DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

ITEM 4.    MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

None.

ITEM 5.    OTHER INFORMATION

Pursuant to Item 408(a) of Regulation S-K, none of our directors or executive officers adopted, terminated or modified a Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement or a non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement during the three months ended June 30, 2024.

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ITEM 6.    EXHIBITS

Exhibit Index

			Incorporated by Reference
Exhibit Number	Exhibit Description	Filed Herewith	Exhibit	Form	Filing Date	File No.
(3)	Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws
3.1	Restated Certificate of Formation of Southside Bancshares, Inc.		3.1	8-K	05/14/2018	0-12247
3.2	Amended and Restated Bylaws of Southside Bancshares, Inc.		3.1	8-K	02/22/2018	0-12247
(31)	Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certifications
31.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer	X
31.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer	X
(32)	Section 1350 Certification
†32	Certification of Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer	X
(101)	Interactive Date File
101.INS	XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the interactive data file because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.	X
101.SCH	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.	X
101.CAL	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.	X
101.LAB	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.	X
101.PRE	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.	X
101.DEF	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.	X
104	Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).	X
† The certification attached as Exhibit 32 accompanies this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and is “furnished” to the Commission pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and shall not be deemed “filed” by us for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

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SIGNATURES

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

		SOUTHSIDE BANCSHARES, INC.
DATE:	July 26, 2024	BY:	/s/ Lee R. Gibson
			Lee R. Gibson, CPA
			President and Chief Executive Officer
			(Principal Executive Officer)
DATE:	July 26, 2024	BY:	/s/ Julie N. Shamburger
			Julie N. Shamburger, CPA
			Chief Financial Officer
			(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

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