EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

BancShares sponsors noncontributory defined benefit pension plans for its qualifying employees (BancShares Plan) and former First Citizens Bancorporation, Inc. employees (Bancorporation Plan). The service cost component of net periodic benefit cost is included in salaries and wages while all other non-service cost components are included in other noninterest expense.

BancShares Plan

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, the components of net periodic benefit cost are as follows:



	Three months ended June 30						Six months ended June 30
(Dollars in thousands)	2018			2017			2018			2017
Service cost	$	3,362		$	2,934		$	6,791		$	6,310
Interest cost	7,131			7,069			14,188			14,449
Expected return on assets	(11,976		)	(10,307		)	(23,933		)	(21,005		)
Amortization of prior service cost	20			53			40			105
Amortization of net actuarial loss	3,548			2,193			6,794			4,427
Net periodic benefit cost	$	2,085		$	1,942		$	3,880		$	4,286

Bancorporation Plan

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, the components of net periodic benefit cost are as follows:



	Three months ended June 30						Six months ended June 30
(Dollars in thousands)	2018			2017			2018			2017
Service cost	$	624		$	670		$	1,286		$	1,341
Interest cost	1,592			1,682			3,179			3,365
Expected return on assets	(3,110		)	(2,796		)	(6,216		)	(5,592		)
Amortization of net actuarial loss	86			214			157			428
Net periodic benefit cost	$	(808	)	$	(230	)	$	(1,594	)	$	(458	)

No contributions were made during the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 to the BancShares or Bancorporation pension plans. We anticipate making a $50.0 million contribution to the BancShares plan during 2018.