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Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Nature of Operations and Principles of Consolidation

Simmons First National Corporation (the “Company”) is primarily engaged in providing a full range of banking services to individual and corporate customers through its subsidiaries and their branch banks with offices in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Tennessee. The Company is subject to competition from other financial institutions. The Company also is subject to the regulation of certain federal and state agencies and undergoes periodic examinations by those regulatory authorities.

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Simmons First National Corporation and its subsidiaries. Significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Segment Reporting, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Operating Segments

The Company is organized on a regional basis upon which management makes decisions regarding how to allocate resources and assess performance. Each of the regions provides a group of similar community banking services, including such products and services as loans; time deposits, checking and savings accounts; personal and corporate trust services; credit cards; investment management; insurance; and securities and investment services. Loan products include consumer, real estate, commercial, agricultural, equipment and SBA lending. The individual bank regions have similar operating and economic characteristics and have been reported as

one

aggregated operating segment.

The Company also considers its trust, investment and insurance services to be operating segments. Information on these segments is not reported separately since they do not meet the quantitative thresholds under ASC Topic

280

12.

Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Use of Estimates

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

Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change relate to the determination of the allowance for loan losses, the valuation of real estate acquired in connection with foreclosures or in satisfaction of loans and the valuation of covered loans and related indemnification asset. In connection with the determination of the allowance for loan losses and the valuation of foreclosed assets, management obtains independent appraisals for significant properties.

Reclassification, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Reclassifications

Various items within the accompanying consolidated financial statements for previous years have been reclassified to provide more comparative information. These reclassifications had no effect on net earnings.

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all liquid investments with original maturities of

three

months or less to be cash equivalents. For purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows, cash and cash equivalents are considered to include cash and non-interest bearing balances due from banks, interest bearing balances due from banks and federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell.

Investment, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Investment Securities

Held-to-maturity securities, which include any security for which the Company has the positive intent and ability to hold until maturity, are carried at historical cost adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts. Premiums and discounts are amortized and accreted, respectively, to interest income using the constant yield method over the period to maturity.

Available-for-sale securities, which include any security for which the Company has no immediate plan to sell but which

may

be sold in the future, are carried at fair value. Realized gains and losses, based on specifically identified amortized cost of the individual security, are included in other income. Unrealized gains and losses are recorded, net of related income tax effects, in stockholders' equity. Premiums and discounts are amortized and accreted, respectively, to interest income using the constant yield method over the period to maturity.

Trading securities, which include any security held primarily for near-term sale, are carried at fair value. Gains and losses on trading securities are included in other income.

The Company applies accounting guidance related to recognition and presentation of other-than-temporary impairment under ASC Topic

320

10.

When the Company does not intend to sell a debt security, and it is more likely than not, the Company will not have to sell the security before recovery of its cost basis, it recognizes the credit component of an other-than-temporary impairment of a debt security in earnings and the remaining portion in other comprehensive income. For held-to-maturity debt securities, the amount of an other-than-temporary impairment recorded in other comprehensive income for the noncredit portion of a previous other-than-temporary impairment is amortized prospectively over the remaining life of the security on the basis of the timing of future estimated cash flows of the security.

As a result of this guidance, the Company’s consolidated statements of income reflect the full impairment (that is, the difference between the security’s amortized cost basis and fair value) on debt securities that the Company intends to sell or would more likely than not be required to sell before the expected recovery of the amortized cost basis. For available-for-sale and held-to-maturity debt securities that management has no intent to sell and believes that it more likely than not will not be required to sell prior to recovery, only the credit loss component of the impairment is recognized in earnings, while the noncredit loss is recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income. The credit loss component recognized in earnings is identified as the amount of principal cash flows not expected to be received over the remaining term of the security as projected based on cash flow projections.

Loans and Leases Receivable, Mortgage Banking Activities, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Mortgage Loans Held For Sale

Mortgage loans held for sale are carried at the lower of cost or fair value, determined using an aggregate basis. Write-downs to fair value are recognized as a charge to earnings at the time the decline in value occurs. Forward commitments to sell mortgage loans are acquired to reduce market risk on mortgage loans in the process of origination and mortgage loans held for sale. The forward commitments acquired by the Company for mortgage loans in process of origination are not mandatory forward commitments. These commitments are structured on a best efforts basis; therefore, the Company is not required to substitute another loan or to buy back the commitment if the original loan does not fund. Typically, the Company delivers the mortgage loans within a few days after the loans are funded. These commitments are derivative instruments and their fair values at

December

31,

2016

and

2015

are not material. Gains and losses resulting from sales of mortgage loans are recognized when the respective loans are sold to investors. Gains and losses are determined by the difference between the selling price and the carrying amount of the loans sold, net of discounts collected or paid. Fees received from borrowers to guarantee the funding of mortgage loans held for sale are recognized as income or expense when the loans are sold or when it becomes evident that the commitment will not be used.

Finance, Loan and Lease Receivables, Held-for-investment, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Loans

Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or pay-offs are reported at their outstanding principal adjusted for any loans charged off, the allowance for loan losses and any unamortized deferred fees or costs on originated loans and unamortized premiums or discounts on purchased loans.

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

The accrual of interest on loans, except on certain government guaranteed loans, is discontinued at the time the loan is

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

Discounts and premiums on purchased residential real estate loans are amortized to income using the interest method over the remaining period to contractual maturity, adjusted for anticipated prepayments. Discounts and premiums on purchased consumer loans are recognized over the expected lives of the loans using methods that approximate the interest method.

For discussion of the Company’s accounting for acquired loans, see Acquisition Accounting, Covered Loans and Related Indemnification Asset later in this section.

Loans and Leases Receivable, Allowance for Loan Losses Policy [Policy Text Block]

Allowance for Loan Losses

The allowance for loan losses is management’s estimate of probable losses in the loan portfolio. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the uncollectability of a loan balance is confirmed. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance.

Allocations to the allowance for loan losses are categorized as either general reserves or specific reserves.

The allowance for loan losses is calculated monthly based on management’s assessment of several factors such as

(1)

historical loss experience based on volumes and types,

(2)

volume and trends in delinquencies and nonaccruals,

(3)

lending policies and procedures including those for loan losses, collections and recoveries,

(4)

national, state and local economic trends and conditions,

(5)

external factors and pressure from competition,

(6)

the experience, ability and depth of lending management and staff,

(7)

seasoning of new products obtained and new markets entered through acquisition and

(8)

other factors and trends that will affect specific loans and categories of loans. The Company establishes general allocations for each major loan category. This category also includes allocations to loans which are collectively evaluated for loss such as credit cards,

one

-to-

four

family owner occupied residential real estate loans and other consumer loans. General reserves have been established, based upon the aforementioned factors and allocated to the individual loan categories.

Specific reserves are provided on loans that are considered impaired when it is probable that we will not receive all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan, including scheduled principal and interest payments. This includes loans that are delinquent

days or more, nonaccrual loans and certain other loans identified by management. Certain other loans identified by management consist of performing loans where management expects that the Company will not receive all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan, including scheduled principal and interest payments. Specific reserves are accrued for probable losses on specific loans evaluated for impairment for which the basis of each loan, including accrued interest, exceeds the discounted amount of expected future collections of interest and principal or, alternatively, the fair value of loan collateral. Accrual of interest is discontinued and interest accrued and unpaid is removed at the time such amounts are delinquent

days unless management is aware of circumstances which warrant continuing the interest accrual. Interest is recognized for nonaccrual loans only upon receipt and only after all principal amounts are current according to the terms of the contract.

Management’s evaluation of the allowance for loan losses is inherently subjective as it requires material estimates. The actual amounts of loan losses realized in the near term could differ from the amounts estimated in arriving at the allowance for loan losses reported in the financial statements.

Commitments and Contingencies, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Reserve for Unfunded Commitments

In addition to the allowance for loan losses, the Company has established a reserve for unfunded commitments, classified in other liabilities. This reserve is maintained at a level sufficient to absorb losses arising from unfunded loan commitments. The adequacy of the reserve for unfunded commitments is determined monthly based on methodology similar to the Company’s methodology for determining the allowance for loan losses. Net adjustments to the reserve for unfunded commitments are included in other non-interest expense.

Business Combinations Policy [Policy Text Block]

Acquisition Accounting, Acquired Loans

The Company accounts for its acquisitions under ASC Topic

805,

Business Combinations

, which requires the use of the acquisition method of accounting. All identifiable assets acquired, including loans, are recorded at fair value. No allowance for loan losses related to the acquired loans is recorded on the acquisition date as the fair value of the loans acquired incorporates assumptions regarding credit risk. Loans acquired are recorded at fair value in accordance with the fair value methodology prescribed in ASC Topic

820.

The fair value estimates associated with the loans include estimates related to expected prepayments and the amount and timing of undiscounted expected principal, interest and other cash flows.

The Company evaluates non-impaired loans acquired in accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic

310

20,

Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs

. The fair value discount on these loans is accreted into interest income over the weighted average life of the loans using a constant yield method. The Company evaluates purchased impaired loans in accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic

310

30,

Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality

. Purchased loans are considered impaired if there is evidence of credit deterioration since origination and if it is probable that not all contractually required payments will be collected.

For impaired loans accounted for under ASC Topic

310

30,

the Company continues to estimate cash flows expected to be collected on purchased credit impaired loans. The Company evaluates at each balance sheet date whether the present value of the purchased credit impaired loans determined using the effective interest rates has decreased significantly and if so, recognize a provision for loan loss in our consolidated statement of income. For any significant increases in cash flows expected to be collected, the Company adjusts the amount of accretable yield recognized on a prospective basis over the remaining life of the purchased credit impaired loan.

Deteriorated Loans Transferred in, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Covered Loans and Related Indemnification Asset

September

2015,

the Bank entered into an agreement with the FDIC to terminate all loss share agreements which were entered into in

2010

and

2012

in conjunction with the Company’s acquisition of substantially all of the assets (“covered assets”) and assumption of substantially all of the liabilities of

four

failed banks in FDIC-assisted transactions. Under the early termination, all rights and obligations of the Company and the FDIC under the FDIC loss share agreements, including the clawback provisions and the settlement of loss share and expense reimbursement claims, have been resolved and terminated.

Under the terms of the agreement, the FDIC made a net payment of

$2,368,000

to the bank as consideration for the early termination of the loss share agreements. The early termination was recorded in the Company’s financial statements by removing the FDIC Indemnification Asset, receivable from FDIC, the FDIC True-up liability and recording a

one

-time, pre-tax charge of

$7,476,000.

As a result, all FDIC-acquired assets are now classified as non-covered.

For further discussion of our acquisition and loan accounting, see Note

Acquisitions, and Note

Loans Acquired.

Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Premises and Equipment

Depreciable assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is charged to expense using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Leasehold improvements are capitalized and amortized by the straight-line method over the terms of the respective leases or the estimated useful lives of the improvements, whichever is shorter.

Premises Held-for-sale, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Premises Held for Sale

The Company records premises held for sale at the lower of

(1)

cost less accumulated depreciation or

(2)

fair value less estimated selling expenses. These assets are assessed for impairment at the time they are reclassified as held for sale and periodically thereafter.

Real Estate Held for Development and Sale, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Foreclosed Assets Held For Sale

Assets acquired by foreclosure or in settlement of debt and held for sale are valued at estimated fair value as of the date of foreclosure, and a related valuation allowance is provided for estimated costs to sell the assets. Management evaluates the value of foreclosed assets held for sale periodically and increases the valuation allowance for any subsequent declines in fair value. Changes in the valuation allowance are charged or credited to other expense.

Bank Owned Life Insurance [Policy Text Block]

Bank Owned Life Insurance

The Company maintains bank-owned life insurance policies on certain current and former employees and directors, which are recorded at their cash surrender values as determined by the insurance carriers. The appreciation in the cash surrender value of the policies is recognized as a component of non-interest income in the Company’s consolidated statements of income.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquisition over the fair value of the net assets acquired. Other intangible assets represent purchased assets that also lack physical substance but can be separately distinguished from goodwill because of contractual or other legal rights or because the asset is capable of being sold or exchanged either on its own or in combination with a related contract, asset or liability. The Company performs an annual goodwill impairment test, and more frequently if circumstances warrant, in accordance with ASC Topic

350,

Intangibles – Goodwill and Other

. ASC Topic

350

requires that goodwill and intangible assets that have indefinite lives be reviewed for impairment annually, or more frequently if certain conditions occur. Intangible assets with finite lives are amortized over the estimated life of the asset, and are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicated that the carrying value

may

not be recoverable. Impairment losses, if any, will be recorded as operating expenses.

Derivatives, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company

may

enter into derivative contracts for the purposes of managing exposure to interest rate risk to meet the financing needs of its customers. The Company records all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value. Historically, the Company’s policy has been not to invest in derivative type investments, but, in an effort to meet the financing needs of its customers, the Company has entered into limited fair value hedges. Fair value hedges include interest rate swap agreements on fixed rate loans. For derivatives designated as hedging the exposure to changes in the fair value of the hedged item, the gain or loss is recognized in earnings in the period of change together with the offsetting loss or gain of the hedging instrument. The fair value hedges are considered to be highly effective and any hedge ineffectiveness was deemed not material. The notional amount of the swaps was

$99.2

million at

December

31,

2016,

and

$61.3

million at

December

31,

2015.

Repurchase and Resale Agreements Policy [Policy Text Block]

Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase

The Company sells securities under agreements to repurchase to meet customer needs for sweep accounts. At the point funds deposited by customers become investable, those funds are used to purchase securities owned by the Company and held in its general account with the designation of Customers’ Securities. A

third

party maintains control over the securities underlying overnight repurchase agreements. The securities involved in these transactions are generally U.S. Treasury or Federal Agency issues. Securities sold under agreements to repurchase generally mature on the banking day following that on which the investment was initially purchased and are treated as collateralized financing transactions which are recorded at the amounts at which the securities were sold plus accrued interest. Interest rates and maturity dates of the securities involved vary and are not intended to be matched with funds from customers.

Investment Banking Fees, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Bankcard Fee Income

Periodic bankcard fees, net of direct origination costs, are recognized as revenue on a straight-line basis over the period the fee entitles the cardholder to use the card.

Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Income Taxes

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

740,

Income Taxes

. The income tax accounting guidance results in

two

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

Deferred income tax expense results from changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities between periods. Deferred tax assets are recognized if it is more likely than not, based on the technical merits, that the tax position will be realized or sustained upon examination. The term more likely than not means a likelihood of more than

percent; the terms examined and upon examination also include resolution of the related appeals or litigation processes, if any. A tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is initially and subsequently measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that has a greater than

percent likelihood of being realized upon settlement with a taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. The determination of whether or not a tax position has met the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold considers the facts, circumstances and information available at the reporting date and is subject to management’s judgment. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if, based on the weight of evidence available, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized.

The Company files consolidated income tax returns with its subsidiaries.

Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share are computed based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during each year. Diluted earnings per share are computed using the weighted average common shares and all potential dilutive common shares outstanding during the period.

The computation of per share earnings is as follows:

(In thousands, except per share data)	2016		2015		2014

Net income available to common shareholders	$	96,790	$	74,107	$	35,688

Average common shares outstanding		30,646		28,084		16,879
Average potential dilutive common shares		318		126		43
Average diluted common shares		30,964		28,210		16,922

Basic earnings per share	$	3.16	$	2.64	$	2.11
Diluted earnings per share	$	3.13	$	2.63	$	2.11

There were no stock options excluded from the earnings per share calculation due to the related exercise price exceeding the average market price for the years ended

December

31,

2016,

2015

and

2014.

Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block]

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company has adopted various stock-based compensation plans. The plans provide for the grant of incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights and bonus stock awards. Pursuant to the plans, shares are reserved for future issuance by the Company, upon exercise of stock options or awarding of bonus shares granted to directors, officers and other key employees.

In accordance with ASC Topic

718,

Compensation – Stock Compensation

, the fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model that uses various assumptions. This model requires the input of highly subjective assumptions, changes to which can materially affect the fair value estimate. For additional information, see Note

13,

Employee Benefit Plans.

Subsequent Events, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Subsequent Events

January

17,

2017,

Simmons First Finance Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Simmons Bank, merged into Simmons Bank to reduce regulatory risks related to its operations relative to the size of its assets. The Company is researching the possibility of incorporating some of the lending programs previously in the finance company into our consumer lending portfolio.

Hardeman County Investment Company, Inc. (Pending Acquisition)

November

17,

2016,

the Company announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement and plan of merger (“Hardeman Agreement”) with Hardeman County Investment Company, Inc. (“Hardeman”), headquartered in Jackson, Tennessee, including its wholly-owned bank subsidiary First South Bank. According to the terms of the Hardeman Agreement, the Company will acquire all of the outstanding common stock of Hardeman in a transaction valued at approximately

$72.2

million (based on the Company’s common stock

ten

-day average closing price as of

November

15,

2016),

subject to potential adjustments. The transaction is expected to be accretive to the Company’s diluted core earnings per common share in the

first

year.

Hardeman conducts banking business from

branches located in western Tennessee. As of

December

31,

2016,

Hardeman had approximately

$477

million in assets,

$255

million in loans and

$395

million in deposits. Completion of the transaction is expected no earlier than the

second

quarter of

2017

and is subject to certain closing conditions, including approval by the shareholders of Hardeman and customary regulatory approvals. Upon closing, Hardeman will merge into the Company.

Southwest Bancorp, Inc. (Pending Acquisition)

December

14,

2016,

the Company announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement and plan of merger (“SBI Agreement”) with Southwest Bancorp, Inc. (“SBI”), headquartered in Stillwater, Oklahoma, including its wholly-owned bank subsidiary Bank SNB. According to the terms of the SBI Agreement, the Company will acquire all of the outstanding common stock of SBI in a transaction valued at approximately

$564.4

million (based on the Company’s common stock closing price as of

December

13,

2016),

subject to potential adjustments. The transaction is expected to be accretive to the Company’s diluted core earnings per common share in the

first

full year of operation.

SBI conducts banking business from

branches located in Oklahoma, Colorado, Kansas and Texas. As of

December

31,

2016,

SBI had approximately

$2.5

billion in assets,

$1.9

billion in loans and

$1.9

billion in deposits. Completion of the transaction is expected in the

third

quarter of

2017

and is subject to certain closing conditions, including approval by the shareholders of both SBI and the Company and customary regulatory approvals. Upon closing, SBI will merge into the Company.

First Texas BHC, Inc. (Pending Acquisition)

January

23,

2017,

the Company announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement and plan of merger (“First Texas Agreement”) with First Texas BHC, Inc. (“First Texas”), headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, including its wholly-owned bank subsidiary Southwest Bank. According to the terms of the First Texas Agreement, the Company will acquire all of the outstanding common stock of First Texas in a transaction valued at approximately

$462

million (based on the Company’s common stock closing price as of

January

20,

2017),

subject to potential adjustments. The transaction is expected to be accretive to the Company’s diluted core earnings per common share in the

first

full year of operation.

First Texas conducts banking business from

branches located in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. As of

December

31,

2016,

First Texas had approximately

$2.1

billion in assets,

$1.8

billion in loans and

$1.7

billion in deposits. Completion of the transaction is expected in the

third

quarter of

2017

and is subject to certain closing conditions, including approval by the shareholders of both First Texas and the Company and customary regulatory approvals. Upon closing, First Texas will merge into the Company.