WTBA-2014.09.30-10Q

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2014
 
 
 
or
 
 
o
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:  0-49677

WEST BANCORPORATION, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

IOWA
42-1230603
(State of Incorporation)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

1601 22nd Street, West Des Moines, Iowa 50266

Telephone Number:  (515) 222-2300

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  x                      No  o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted 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 and post such files).

Yes  x                      No  o

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

Large accelerated filer
o
 
Accelerated filer
x
 
Non-accelerated filer
o
 
Smaller reporting company
o
 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes  o                      No  x

As of October 23, 2014, there were 16,018,734 shares of common stock, no par value, outstanding.



WEST BANCORPORATION, INC.

INDEX
 
 
Page
PART I.
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
and 2013
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 2.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Critical Accounting Policies
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 3.
 
 
 
Item 4.
 
 
 
PART II.
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
 
 
 
Item 1A.
 
 
 
Item 2.
 
 
 
Item 3.
 
 
 
Item 4.
 
 
 
Item 5.
 
 
 
Item 6.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

2

Table of Contents


PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
 
 
 
(unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
September 30, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
Cash and due from banks
 
$
34,480

 
$
41,126

Federal funds sold
 
204

 
1,299

Cash and cash equivalents
 
34,684

 
42,425

Investment securities available for sale, at fair value
 
287,913

 
345,216

Investment securities held to maturity, at amortized cost (fair value of $51,120
 
 
 
 
at September 30, 2014 and $0 at December 31, 2013)
 
51,364

 

Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost
 
13,964

 
11,851

Loans held for sale
 
343

 
2,230

Loans
 
1,083,077

 
991,720

Allowance for loan losses
 
(13,345
)
 
(13,791
)
Loans, net
 
1,069,732

 
977,929

Premises and equipment, net
 
10,609

 
7,487

Accrued interest receivable
 
4,549

 
4,007

Bank-owned life insurance
 
31,910

 
26,376

Other real estate owned
 
4,495

 
5,800

Deferred tax assets, net
 
7,368

 
9,193

Other assets
 
5,870

 
9,890

Total assets
 
$
1,522,801

 
$
1,442,404

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES
 
 
 
 
Deposits:
 
 
 
 
Noninterest-bearing demand
 
$
347,279

 
$
332,230

Interest-bearing demand
 
217,141

 
233,613

Savings
 
495,613

 
451,855

Time of $100,000 or more
 
88,441

 
83,653

Other time
 
56,788

 
62,491

Total deposits
 
1,205,262

 
1,163,842

Federal funds purchased
 
3,870

 
16,622

Other short-term borrowings
 
40,000

 

Subordinated notes
 
20,619

 
20,619

Federal Home Loan Bank advances, net of discount
 
96,511

 
95,392

Long-term debt
 
13,491

 
15,935

Accrued expenses and other liabilities
 
7,323

 
6,369

Total liabilities
 
1,387,076

 
1,318,779

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (NOTE 9)
 
 
 
 
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
 
 
 
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; authorized 50,000,000 shares; no shares issued
 
 
 
 
and outstanding at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013
 

 

Common stock, no par value; authorized 50,000,000 shares; 16,018,734 and
 
 
 
 
15,976,204 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2014 and
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2013, respectively
 
3,000

 
3,000

Additional paid-in capital
 
18,794

 
18,411

Retained earnings
 
114,354

 
105,752

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss)
 
(423
)
 
(3,538
)
Total stockholders' equity
 
135,725

 
123,625

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
 
$
1,522,801

 
$
1,442,404

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

3

Table of Contents


West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Interest income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans, including fees
 
$
11,934

 
$
11,382

 
$
34,936

 
$
33,617

Investment securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Taxable securities
 
1,191

 
1,366

 
3,793

 
3,784

Tax-exempt securities
 
721

 
676

 
2,095

 
1,777

Federal funds sold
 
14

 
20

 
43

 
99

Total interest income
 
13,860

 
13,444

 
40,867

 
39,277

Interest expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Deposits
 
592

 
854

 
1,851

 
2,591

Federal funds purchased and securities sold under
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
agreements to repurchase
 
2

 
23

 
8

 
76

Other short-term borrowings
 
3

 

 
15

 

Subordinated notes
 
242

 
180

 
588

 
534

Federal Home Loan Bank advances
 
660

 
668

 
1,959

 
1,995

Long-term debt
 
72

 
93

 
233

 
98

Total interest expense
 
1,571

 
1,818

 
4,654

 
5,294

Net interest income
 
12,289

 
11,626

 
36,213

 
33,983

Provision for loan losses
 
100

 
(1,000
)
 
250

 
(850
)
Net interest income after provision for loan
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
losses
 
12,189

 
12,626

 
35,963

 
34,833

Noninterest income:
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Service charges on deposit accounts
 
713

 
747

 
2,106

 
2,190

Debit card usage fees
 
443

 
527

 
1,306

 
1,351

Trust services
 
363

 
266

 
1,013

 
743

Gains and fees on sales of residential mortgages
 
457

 
212

 
1,059

 
949

Increase in cash value of bank-owned life insurance
 
198

 
162

 
534

 
492

Realized investment securities gains, net
 
210

 

 
716

 

Other income
 
246

 
216

 
767

 
643

Total noninterest income
 
2,630

 
2,130

 
7,501

 
6,368

Noninterest expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Salaries and employee benefits
 
3,961

 
4,007

 
12,059

 
11,962

Occupancy
 
1,072

 
984

 
3,107

 
2,917

Data processing
 
546

 
532

 
1,626

 
1,515

FDIC insurance expense
 
190

 
182

 
561

 
547

Other real estate owned expense
 
3

 
1,137

 
398

 
1,138

Professional fees
 
249

 
286

 
734

 
922

Director fees
 
183

 
145

 
525

 
430

Other expenses
 
1,190

 
1,140

 
3,750

 
3,643

Total noninterest expense
 
7,394

 
8,413

 
22,760

 
23,074

Income before income taxes
 
7,425

 
6,343

 
20,704

 
18,127

Income taxes
 
2,362

 
1,980

 
6,502

 
5,518

Net income
 
$
5,063

 
$
4,363

 
$
14,202

 
$
12,609

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic earnings per common share
 
$
0.32

 
$
0.27

 
$
0.89

 
$
0.75

Diluted earnings per common share
 
$
0.32

 
$
0.27

 
$
0.89

 
$
0.75

Cash dividends declared per common share
 
$
0.12

 
$
0.11

 
$
0.35

 
$
0.31

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

4

Table of Contents



West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
 
 
 
 
 
 
(unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(dollars in thousands)
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Net income
 
$
5,063

 
$
4,363

 
$
14,202

 
$
12,609

Other comprehensive income (loss):
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Unrealized gains on securities for which a portion
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
of an other than temporary impairment has
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
been recorded in earnings:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized holding gains arising during the
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
period
 
225

 
187

 
583

 
469

Less: reclassification adjustment for impairment
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
losses realized in net income
 

 

 

 

Income tax (expense)
 
(86
)
 
(72
)
 
(222
)
 
(179
)
Other comprehensive income on available
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
for sale securities with other than temporary
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
impairment
 
139

 
115

 
361

 
290

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities without
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

other than temporary impairment:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
the period
 
88

 
(4,699
)
 
7,473

 
(12,215
)
Less: reclassification adjustment for net gains
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
realized in net income
 
(210
)
 

 
(716
)
 

Less: reclassification adjustment for amortization
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
of net unrealized gains on securities transferred
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
from available for sale to held to maturity,
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
realized in interest income
 
(3
)
 

 
(3
)
 

Income tax (expense) benefit
 
48

 
1,786

 
(2,566
)
 
4,642

Other comprehensive income (loss) on
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
available for sale securities without other
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
than temporary impairment
 
(77
)
 
(2,913
)
 
4,188

 
(7,573
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives arising
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
during the period
 
387

 
(577
)
 
(2,386
)
 
3,196

Less: reclassification adjustment for net loss on
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
derivatives realized in net income
 
73

 

 
73

 

Income tax (expense) benefit
 
(175
)
 
220

 
879

 
(1,214
)
Other comprehensive income (loss) on
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
derivatives
 
285

 
(357
)
 
(1,434
)
 
1,982

Total other comprehensive income (loss)
 
347

 
(3,155
)
 
3,115

 
(5,301
)
Comprehensive income
 
$
5,410

 
$
1,208

 
$
17,317

 
$
7,308


See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 

5

Table of Contents


West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accumulated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Additional
 
 
 
Other
 
 
 
 
Preferred
 
Common Stock
 
Paid-In
 
Retained
 
Comprehensive
 
 
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 
Stock
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Capital
 
Earnings
 
Income (Loss)
 
Total
Balance, December 31, 2012
 
$

 
17,403,882

 
$
3,000

 
$
33,805

 
$
95,856

 
$
1,926

 
$
134,587

Net income
 

 

 

 

 
12,609

 

 
12,609

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax
 

 

 

 

 

 
(5,301
)
 
(5,301
)
Cash dividends declared, $0.31 per common share
 

 

 

 

 
(5,238
)
 

 
(5,238
)
Repurchase and cancellation of common stock
 

 
(1,440,592
)
 

 
(15,774
)
 

 

 
(15,774
)
Stock-based compensation costs
 

 

 

 
272

 

 

 
272

Issuance of common stock upon vesting of restricted
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
stock units, net of shares withheld for payroll taxes
 

 
12,914

 

 
(14
)
 

 

 
(14
)
Excess tax benefits from vesting of restricted stock units
 

 

 

 
16

 

 

 
16

Balance, September 30, 2013
 
$

 
15,976,204

 
$
3,000

 
$
18,305

 
$
103,227

 
$
(3,375
)
 
$
121,157

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance, December 31, 2013
 
$

 
15,976,204

 
$
3,000

 
$
18,411

 
$
105,752

 
$
(3,538
)
 
$
123,625

Net income
 

 

 

 

 
14,202

 

 
14,202

Other comprehensive income, net of tax
 

 

 

 

 

 
3,115

 
3,115

Cash dividends declared, $0.35 per common share
 

 

 

 

 
(5,600
)
 

 
(5,600
)
Stock-based compensation costs
 

 

 

 
456

 

 

 
456

Issuance of common stock upon vesting of restricted
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
stock units, net of shares withheld for payroll taxes
 

 
42,530

 

 
(189
)
 

 

 
(189
)
Excess tax benefits from vesting of restricted stock units
 

 

 

 
116

 

 

 
116

Balance, September 30, 2014
 
$

 
16,018,734

 
$
3,000

 
$
18,794

 
$
114,354

 
$
(423
)
 
$
135,725


See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


6

Table of Contents


West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(unaudited)
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(dollars in thousands)
 
2014
 
2013
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
14,202

 
$
12,609

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
 
Provision for loan losses
 
250

 
(850
)
Net amortization and accretion
 
2,843

 
3,821

(Gain) loss on disposition of premises and equipment
 
(1
)
 
7

Investment securities gains, net
 
(716
)
 

Stock-based compensation
 
456

 
272

Gain on sale of loans
 
(954
)
 
(802
)
Proceeds from sales of loans held for sale
 
49,250

 
79,275

Originations of loans held for sale
 
(46,409
)
 
(75,531
)
Gain on sales of other real estate owned
 
(21
)
 
(168
)
Write-down of other real estate owned
 
346

 
1,200

Increase in value of bank-owned life insurance
 
(534
)
 
(492
)
Depreciation
 
623

 
580

Deferred income taxes
 
(84
)
 
482

Excess tax benefits from vesting of restricted stock units
 
(116
)
 
(16
)
Change in assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Increase in accrued interest receivable
 
(542
)
 
(829
)
Decrease in other assets
 
1,687

 
417

Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses and other liabilities
 
1,070

 
(775
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
21,350

 
19,200

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
 
 

 
 

Proceeds from sales, calls and maturities of securities available for sale
 
80,060

 
61,714

Purchases of securities available for sale
 
(67,770
)
 
(143,384
)
Purchases of Federal Home Loan Bank stock
 
(12,448
)
 
(2,107
)
Proceeds from redemption of Federal Home Loan Bank stock
 
10,335

 
2,267

Net increase in loans
 
(92,438
)
 
(31,737
)
Net proceeds from sales of other real estate owned
 
1,363

 
1,130

Proceeds from sales of premises and equipment
 
13

 

Purchases of premises and equipment
 
(3,757
)
 
(1,618
)
Purchase of bank-owned life insurance
 
(5,000
)
 

Net cash used in investing activities
 
(89,642
)
 
(113,735
)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
 
 

 
 

Net increase in deposits
 
41,420

 
31,216

Net decrease in federal funds purchased and securities sold under
 
 
 
 
agreements to repurchase
 
(12,752
)
 
(11,138
)
Net increase in other short-term borrowings
 
40,000

 

Proceeds from long-term borrowings
 

 
16,000

Principal payments on long-term borrowings
 
(2,444
)
 
(15
)
Common stock dividends paid
 
(5,600
)
 
(5,238
)
Repurchase and cancellation of common stock
 

 
(15,774
)
Restricted stock units withheld for payroll taxes
 
(189
)
 
(14
)
Excess tax benefits from vesting of restricted stock units
 
116

 
16

Net cash provided by financing activities
 
60,551

 
15,053

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
 
(7,741
)
 
(79,482
)
Cash and Cash Equivalents:
 
 
 
 
Beginning
 
42,425

 
171,474

Ending
 
$
34,684

 
$
91,992

 
 
 
 
 

7

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West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (continued)
(unaudited)
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(dollars in thousands)
 
2014
 
2013
Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information:
 
 
 
 
Cash payments for:
 
 
 
 
Interest
 
$
4,628

 
$
5,235

Income taxes
 
3,650

 
5,125

 
 
 
 
 
Supplemental Disclosure of Noncash Investing and Financing Activities:
 
 
 
 
Transfer of loans to other real estate owned
 
$
394

 
$
185

Purchases of premises financed by issuance of long-term borrowings
 

 
765

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

8

Table of Contents

West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)


1.  Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared by West Bancorporation, Inc. (the Company) pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. Although management believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented understandable, it is suggested that these interim consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction with the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.  In the opinion of management, the accompanying consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments necessary to fairly present the financial position as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, net income and comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, and cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.  The results for these interim periods may not be indicative of results for the entire year or for any other period.

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) established by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB).  References to GAAP issued by the FASB in these footnotes are to the FASB Accounting Standards Codification™, sometimes referred to as the Codification or ASC.  In preparing the financial statements, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses for the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.  Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term are the fair value of financial instruments and other than temporary impairment (OTTI), the allowance for loan losses and the valuation of other real estate owned.

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, West Bank, West Bank's wholly-owned subsidiary WB Funding Corporation (which owns an interest in a limited liability company) and West Bank's 99.99 percent owned subsidiary ICD IV, LLC (a community development entity). ICD IV was liquidated during the third quarter of 2014 because the underlying loan matured.  All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.  In accordance with GAAP, West Bancorporation Capital Trust I is recorded on the books of the Company using the equity method of accounting and is not consolidated.

Certain amounts in the prior year financial statements have been reclassified, with no effect on net income, comprehensive income, or stockholders’ equity, to conform with the current period presentation.

Recent accounting developments: In July 2013, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2013-11, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists. The update requires an entity to present an unrecognized tax benefit, or portion thereof, in the statement of financial position as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward or a tax credit carryforward, except as follows: to the extent a net operating loss carryforward or tax credit carryforward is not available at the reporting date under the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction to settle any additional income taxes that would result from the disallowance of a tax position, or the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction does not require the entity to use and the entity does not intend to use the deferred tax asset for such purpose, the unrecognized tax benefit should be presented in the statement of financial position as a liability and should not be combined with deferred tax assets. For public companies, this update was effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 31, 2013. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In January 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-04, Receivables—Troubled Debt Restructuring by Creditors (Subtopic 310-40): Reclassification of Residential Real Estate Collateralized Consumer Mortgage Loans Upon Foreclosure. The update clarifies when an in substance foreclosure occurs, that is, when a creditor is considered to have received physical possession of residential real estate property collateralizing a consumer mortgage loan. This is the point when the consumer mortgage loan should be derecognized and the real property recognized. For public companies, this update will be effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 31, 2014 and early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.


9

Table of Contents


In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 660): Summary and Amendments that Create Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) and Other Assets and Deferred Costs—Contracts with Customers (Subtopic 340-40). The guidance in this update supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in ASC Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, and most industry-specific guidance throughout the industry topics of the codification. For public companies, this update will be effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company is currently assessing the impact that this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements, but does not expect the guidance to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

2.  Earnings per Common Share

Basic earnings per common share are computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period.  Diluted earnings per common share reflect the potential dilution that could occur if the Company's outstanding restricted stock units were vested. The dilutive effect was computed using the treasury stock method, which assumes all stock-based awards were exercised and the hypothetical proceeds from exercise were used by the Company to purchase common stock at the average market price during the period.  The incremental shares, to the extent they would have been dilutive, were included in the denominator of the diluted earnings per common share calculation.  The calculations of earnings per common share and diluted earnings per common share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 are presented in the following table. 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands, except per share information)
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Net income
$
5,063

 
$
4,363

 
$
14,202

 
$
12,609

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding(1)
16,016

 
15,973

 
15,999

 
16,786

Weighted average effect of restricted stock units
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
outstanding
24

 
42

 
39

 
44

Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding
16,040

 
16,015

 
16,038

 
16,830

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Basic earnings per common share
$
0.32

 
$
0.27

 
$
0.89

 
$
0.75

Diluted earnings per common share
$
0.32

 
$
0.27

 
$
0.89

 
$
0.75


(1)
The decline in the average weighted average common shares outstanding for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was due to the repurchase of 1,441 common shares in June 2013.


10

Table of Contents

West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)


3.  Investment Securities

The following tables show the amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses and estimated fair value of investment securities, by investment security type as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.  
 
September 30, 2014
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
(Losses)
 
Fair
Value
Securities available for sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. government agencies and corporations
$
12,639

 
$
223

 
$
(1
)
 
$
12,861

State and political subdivisions
53,248

 
1,312

 
(343
)
 
54,217

Collateralized mortgage obligations (1)
134,573

 
1,169

 
(1,772
)
 
133,970

Mortgage-backed securities (1)
69,043

 
453

 
(623
)
 
68,873

Trust preferred securities
5,931

 

 
(2,588
)
 
3,343

Corporate notes and equity securities
14,750

 
69

 
(170
)
 
14,649

 
$
290,184

 
$
3,226

 
$
(5,497
)
 
$
287,913

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Securities held to maturity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
State and political subdivisions
$
51,364

 
$
9

 
$
(253
)
 
$
51,120

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
December 31, 2013
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
(Losses)
 
Fair
Value
Securities available for sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. government agencies and corporations
$
12,593

 
$
278

 
$

 
$
12,871

State and political subdivisions
90,833

 
1,466

 
(4,511
)
 
87,788

Collateralized mortgage obligations (1)
170,431

 
2,128

 
(3,911
)
 
168,648

Mortgage-backed securities (1)
59,226

 
607

 
(1,677
)
 
58,156

Trust preferred securities
5,923

 

 
(3,178
)
 
2,745

Corporate notes and equity securities
15,332

 
75

 
(399
)
 
15,008

 
$
354,338

 
$
4,554

 
$
(13,676
)
 
$
345,216

(1)
All collateralized mortgage obligations and mortgage-backed securities consist of residential mortgage pass-through securities guaranteed by GNMA or issued by FNMA and real estate mortgage investment conduits guaranteed by FHLMC or GNMA.

The Company had no securities in the held to maturity investment category as of December 31, 2013. In September 2014, the Company transferred 86 state and political subdivision securities with total amortized cost and estimated fair value of $50,882 and $51,371, respectively, from the available for sale securities classification to the held to maturity securities classification. Unrealized net gains, before tax, of $489 included in accumulated other comprehensive income at the time of transfer are being amortized to interest income over the remaining expected lives of the transferred securities.

Securities with an amortized cost of $5,231 and $6,803 as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, were pledged to secure access to the Federal Reserve discount window and for other purposes as required or permitted by law or regulation. 


11

Table of Contents

West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)


The amortized cost and fair value of investment securities available for sale as of September 30, 2014, by contractual maturity, are shown below.  Certain securities have call features that allow the issuer to call the securities prior to maturity.  Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities for collateralized mortgage obligations and mortgage-backed securities because borrowers have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.  Therefore, collateralized mortgage obligations and mortgage-backed securities are not included in the maturity categories within the following maturity summary.
 
September 30, 2014
 
Amortized Cost
 
Fair Value
Due in one year or less
$
25

 
$
25

Due after one year through five years
32,101

 
32,620

Due after five years through ten years
18,910

 
19,327

Due after ten years
34,048

 
31,751

 
85,084

 
83,723

Collateralized mortgage obligations and mortgage-backed securities
203,616

 
202,843

Equity securities
1,484

 
1,347

 
$
290,184

 
$
287,913

The amortized cost and fair value of investment securities held to maturity as of September 30, 2014, by contractual maturity, are shown below.  Certain securities have call features that allow the issuer to call the securities prior to maturity.  
 
September 30, 2014
 
Amortized Cost
 
Fair Value
Due after five years through ten years
$
8,432

 
$
8,377

Due after ten years
42,932

 
42,743

 
$
51,364

 
$
51,120

The details of the sales of investment securities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 are summarized in the following table.
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Proceeds from sales
$
7,344

 
$

 
$
36,582

 
$

Gross gains on sales
334

 

 
1,050

 

Gross losses on sales
124

 

 
334

 


12

Table of Contents

West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)


The following tables show the fair value and gross unrealized losses, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous loss position, as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
 
September 30, 2014
 
Less than 12 months
 
12 months or longer
 
Total
 
Fair
Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
(Losses)
 
Fair
Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
(Losses)
 
Fair
Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
(Losses)
Securities available for sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. government agencies and corporations
$
5,058

 
$
(1
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
5,058

 
$
(1
)
State and political subdivisions
10,068

 
(101
)
 
11,452

 
(242
)
 
21,520

 
(343
)
Collateralized mortgage obligations
16,041

 
(95
)
 
64,482

 
(1,677
)
 
80,523

 
(1,772
)
Mortgage-backed securities

 

 
33,174

 
(623
)
 
33,174

 
(623
)
Trust preferred securities

 

 
3,343

 
(2,588
)
 
3,343

 
(2,588
)
Corporate notes and equity securities
5,007

 
(20
)
 
2,833

 
(150
)
 
7,840

 
(170
)
 
$
36,174

 
$
(217
)
 
$
115,284

 
$
(5,280
)
 
$
151,458

 
$
(5,497
)
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Securities held to maturity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
State and political subdivisions
$
46,828

 
$
(253
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
46,828

 
$
(253
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2013
 
Less than 12 months
 
12 months or longer
 
Total
 
Fair
Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
(Losses)
 
Fair
Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
(Losses)
 
Fair
Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
(Losses)
Securities available for sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
State and political subdivisions
$
49,324

 
$
(4,342
)
 
$
1,439

 
$
(169
)
 
$
50,763

 
$
(4,511
)
Collateralized mortgage obligations
96,744

 
(3,911
)
 

 

 
96,744

 
(3,911
)
Mortgage-backed securities
44,224

 
(1,677
)
 

 

 
44,224

 
(1,677
)
Trust preferred securities

 

 
2,745

 
(3,178
)
 
2,745

 
(3,178
)
Corporate notes and equity securities
8,196

 
(390
)
 
508

 
(9
)
 
8,704

 
(399
)
 
$
198,488

 
$
(10,320
)
 
$
4,692

 
$
(3,356
)
 
$
203,180

 
$
(13,676
)
As of September 30, 2014, the available for sale investment portfolio with unrealized losses that have existed for longer than one year included 19 state and political subdivision securities, 16 collateralized mortgage obligation securities, eight mortgage-backed securities, two trust preferred securities (TPS), three corporate notes and three equity securities.

The Company believes the unrealized losses on its investments in state and political subdivisions, collateralized mortgage obligations, mortgage-backed securities, corporate notes and equity securities, and one TPS security shown above as of September 30, 2014, were due to market conditions, rather than reduced estimated cash flows. The Company does not intend to sell these securities, does not anticipate that these securities will be required to be sold before anticipated recovery, and expects full principal and interest to be collected. Therefore, the Company does not consider these investments to have OTTI as of September 30, 2014.


13

Table of Contents

West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)


As of September 30, 2014, the Company had one pooled TPS, ALESCO Preferred Funding X, Ltd., it has considered to have OTTI since 2009.  In accordance with ASC 325, a discounted cash flow model was used to determine the estimated fair value of this security. Based on that valuation, the security had an estimated fair value of $2,433 as of September 30, 2014 as compared to $1,850 at December 31, 2013.  As of September 30, 2014, the unrealized loss of $1,738 is reflected in accumulated other comprehensive (loss), net of taxes of $660.  The accumulated amount of credit-related losses recognized in earnings for the pooled TPS was $729 as of September 30, 2014, with no changes occurring since December 31, 2012. On a quarterly basis, the Company will continue to estimate the present value of cash flows expected to be collected over the life of the security.
    
4. Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses

Loans consisted of the following segments as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
 
September 30, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
Commercial
$
290,778

 
$
258,010

Real estate:
 
 
 
Construction, land and land development
141,686

 
117,394

1-4 family residential first mortgages
51,643

 
50,349

Home equity
23,179

 
25,205

Commercial
565,773

 
532,139

Consumer and other loans
10,513

 
9,236

 
1,083,572

 
992,333

Net unamortized fees and costs
(495
)
 
(613
)
 
$
1,083,077

 
$
991,720

Real estate loans of approximately $527,589 and $480,000 were pledged as security for Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) advances as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.

Loans are stated at the principal amounts outstanding, net of unamortized loan fees and costs, with interest income recognized on the interest method based upon those outstanding loan balances.  Loan origination fees, net of certain direct origination costs, are deferred and recognized as an adjustment of the related loan yield using the interest method. Loans are reported by the portfolio segments identified above and are analyzed by management on this basis. All loan policies identified below apply to all segments of the loan portfolio.

Delinquencies are determined based on the payment terms of the individual loan agreements. The accrual of interest on past due and other impaired loans is generally discontinued at 90 days or when, in the opinion of management, the borrower may be unable to make all payments pursuant to contractual terms.  Unless a loan is considered collectible, all interest accrued but not collected for loans that are placed on nonaccrual or charged off is reversed against interest income, if accrued in the current year, or charged to the allowance for loan losses, if accrued in the prior year.  Generally, all payments received while a loan is on nonaccrual status are applied to the principal balance of the loan. Loans are returned to accrual status when all principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured. 

A loan is classified as a troubled debt restructured (TDR) loan when the Company concludes that a borrower is experiencing financial difficulties and a concession was granted that would not otherwise be considered. Concessions may include a restructuring of the loan terms to alleviate the burden on the borrower's cash requirements, such as an extension of the payment terms beyond the original maturity date or a change in the interest rate charged.  TDR loans with extended payment terms are accounted for as impaired until performance is established. A change to the interest rate would change the classification of a loan to a TDR loan if the restructured loan yields a rate that is below a market rate for that of a new loan with comparable risk. TDR loans with below-market rates are considered impaired until fully collected. TDR loans may be reported as nonaccrual or past due 90 days, rather than TDR, if they are not performing per the restructured terms.


14

Table of Contents

West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)


Based upon its ongoing assessment of credit quality within the loan portfolio, the Company maintains a Watch List, which includes loans classified as Doubtful, Substandard and Watch according to the Company's classification criteria. These loans involve the potential for payment defaults or collateral inadequacies. A loan on the Watch List is considered impaired when management believes it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all contractual principal and interest payments due in accordance with the terms of the loan agreement.  Impaired loans are measured based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan's effective interest rate or, as a practical expedient, at the loan's observable market price or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent.  The amount of impairment, if any, and any subsequent changes are included in the allowance for loan losses.

The following table sets forth the recorded investment in nonperforming loans, disaggregated by segment, held by the Company as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013. The recorded investment represents principal balances net of any partial charge-offs. Related accrued interest and net unamortized fees and costs are immaterial and are excluded from the table.
 
September 30, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
Nonaccrual loans:
 
 
 
Commercial
$
614

 
$
882

Real estate:
 
 
 
Construction, land and land development

 

1-4 family residential first mortgages
240

 
846

Home equity
320

 

Commercial
762

 
670

Consumer and other loans

 

Total nonaccrual loans
1,936

 
2,398

Loans past due 90 days and still accruing interest:
 
 
 
Commercial

 

Real estate:
 
 
 
Construction, land and land development

 

1-4 family residential first mortgages

 

Home equity

 

Commercial

 

Consumer and other loans

 

Total loans past due 90 days and still accruing interest

 

Troubled debt restructured loans(1):
 
 
 
Commercial

 

Real estate:
 
 
 
Construction, land and land development
389

 
424

1-4 family residential first mortgages

 

Home equity

 

Commercial

 
93

Consumer and other loans

 

Total troubled debt restructured loans
389

 
517

Total nonperforming loans
$
2,325

 
$
2,915


(1)
While TDR loans are commonly reported by the industry as nonperforming, those not classified in the nonaccrual category are accruing interest due to payment performance. TDR loans on nonaccrual status, if any, are included in the nonaccrual category. There were two TDR loans as of September 30, 2014 and one TDR loan as of December 31, 2013, with balances of $672 and $670, respectively, included in the nonaccrual category.

There were no loan modifications considered to be TDR during the three or nine months ended September 30, 2014. The pre- and post-modification recorded investment in TDR loans that occurred during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 totaled $31. The financial impact for specific reserves or from charge-offs for these modified loans was immaterial.


15

Table of Contents

West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)


The recorded investment in TDR loans that have been modified within the twelve months preceding September 30, 2014 and 2013 that have subsequently had a payment default, totaled $0 and $135, respectively. A TDR loan is considered to have a payment default when it is past due 30 days or more.

The following tables summarize the recorded investment in impaired loans by segment, broken down by loans with no related allowance and loans with a related allowance and the amount of that allowance as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, and the average recorded investment and interest income recognized on these loans for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.
 
September 30, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
 
Recorded Investment
 
Unpaid Principal Balance
 
Related Allowance
 
Recorded Investment
 
Unpaid Principal Balance
 
Related Allowance
With no related allowance recorded:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
$
164

 
$
310

 
$

 
$
200

 
$
345

 
$

Real Estate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Construction, land and land development
390

 
992

 

 
423

 
1,025

 

1-4 family residential first mortgages
240

 
240

 

 
527

 
536

 

Home equity
87

 
87

 

 

 

 

Commercial
585

 
585

 

 
763

 
763

 

Consumer and other loans

 

 

 

 

 

 
1,466

 
2,214

 

 
1,913

 
2,669

 

With an allowance recorded:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
561

 
561

 
413

 
807

 
807

 
560

Real Estate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Construction, land and land development
1,028

 
1,028

 
500

 
2,037

 
2,037

 
1,300

1-4 family residential first mortgages

 

 

 
319

 
319

 
33

Home equity
232

 
232

 
232

 

 

 

Commercial
177

 
177

 
177

 

 

 

Consumer and other loans

 

 

 

 

 

 
1,998

 
1,998

 
1,322

 
3,163

 
3,163

 
1,893

Total:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
725

 
871

 
413

 
1,007

 
1,152

 
560

Real Estate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Construction, land and land development
1,418

 
2,020

 
500

 
2,460

 
3,062

 
1,300

1-4 family residential first mortgages
240

 
240

 

 
846

 
855

 
33

Home equity
319

 
319

 
232

 

 

 

Commercial
762

 
762

 
177

 
763

 
763

 

Consumer and other loans

 

 

 

 

 

 
$
3,464

 
$
4,212

 
$
1,322

 
$
5,076

 
$
5,832

 
$
1,893

   


16

Table of Contents

West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)


 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
 
Average Recorded Investment
 
Interest Income Recognized
 
Average Recorded Investment
 
Interest Income Recognized
 
Average Recorded Investment
 
Interest Income Recognized
 
Average Recorded Investment
 
Interest Income Recognized
With no related allowance
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
recorded:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
$
165

 
$

 
$
355

 
$

 
$
303

 
$

 
$
244

 
$
9

Real estate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Construction, land and land
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
development
394

 
3

 
437

 
4

 
403

 
11

 
1,791

 
13

1-4 family residential first
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
mortgages
302

 

 
510

 

 
378

 
7

 
594

 
1

Home equity
22

 

 
2

 

 
9

 

 
1

 

Commercial
663

 

 
1,854

 
2

 
708

 
3

 
1,962

 
5

Consumer and other loans

 

 
16

 

 

 

 
6

 

 
1,546

 
3

 
3,174

 
6

 
1,801

 
21

 
4,598

 
28

With an allowance recorded:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
573

 
2

 
4,063

 

 
566

 
7

 
3,838

 
82

Real estate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Construction, land and land
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
development
1,150

 
13

 
2,629

 
34

 
1,562

 
54

 
3,667

 
138

1-4 family residential first
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
mortgages

 

 
292

 
3

 
187

 

 
137

 
8

Home equity
236

 

 
108

 

 
94

 

 
311

 
11

Commercial
44

 

 
241

 

 
18

 

 
1,037

 
44

Consumer and other loans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
2,003

 
15

 
7,333

 
37

 
2,427

 
61

 
8,990

 
283

Total:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
738

 
2

 
4,418

 

 
869

 
7

 
4,082

 
91

Real estate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Construction, land and land
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
development
1,544

 
16

 
3,066

 
38

 
1,965

 
65

 
5,458

 
151

1-4 family residential first
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
mortgages
302

 

 
802

 
3

 
565

 
7

 
731

 
9

Home equity
258

 

 
110

 

 
103

 

 
312

 
11

Commercial
707

 

 
2,095

 
2

 
726

 
3

 
2,999

 
49

Consumer and other loans

 

 
16

 

 

 

 
6

 

 
$
3,549

 
$
18

 
$
10,507

 
$
43

 
$
4,228

 
$
82

 
$
13,588

 
$
311

The following table reconciles the balance of nonaccrual loans with impaired loans as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013
 
September 30, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
Nonaccrual loans
$
1,936

 
$
2,398

Troubled debt restructured loans
389

 
517

Other impaired loans still accruing interest
1,139

 
2,161

Total impaired loans
$
3,464

 
$
5,076

The balance of impaired loans at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 was comprised of 13 and 17 different borrowers, respectively. The Company has no commitments to advance additional funds on any of the impaired loans.


17

Table of Contents

West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)


The following tables provide an analysis of the payment status of the recorded investment in loans as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
 
September 30, 2014
 
30-59
Days Past
Due
 
60-89
Days Past
Due
 
90 Days
or More
Past Due
 
Total
Past Due
 
Current
 
Total
Loans
 
90 Days
Past Due and Still
Accruing
Commercial
$
227

 
$

 
$
123

 
$
350

 
$
290,428

 
$
290,778

 
$

Real estate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Construction, land and
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
land development

 

 

 

 
141,686

 
141,686

 

1-4 family residential
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
first mortgages
172

 
177

 

 
349

 
51,294

 
51,643

 

Home equity

 

 

 

 
23,179

 
23,179

 

Commercial

 
177

 

 
177

 
565,596

 
565,773

 

Consumer and other

 

 

 

 
10,513

 
10,513

 

Total
$
399

 
$
354

 
$
123

 
$
876

 
$
1,082,696

 
$
1,083,572

 
$

Nonaccrual loans included
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
above
$
146

 
$
354

 
$
123

 
$
623

 
$
1,313

 
$
1,936

 
 
 
December 31, 2013
 
30-59
Days Past
Due
 
60-89
Days Past
Due
 
90 Days
or More
Past Due
 
Total
Past Due
 
Current
 
Total
Loans
 
90 Days
Past Due and Still
Accruing
Commercial
$
407

 
$

 
$
200

 
$
607

 
$
257,403

 
$
258,010

 
$

Real estate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Construction, land and
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
land development

 

 

 

 
117,394

 
117,394

 

1-4 family residential
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
first mortgages
103

 
240

 
539

 
882

 
49,467

 
50,349

 

Home equity

 

 

 

 
25,205

 
25,205

 

Commercial
110

 
268

 

 
378

 
531,761

 
532,139

 

Consumer and other

 

 

 

 
9,236

 
9,236

 

Total
$
620

 
$
508

 
$
739

 
$
1,867

 
$
990,466

 
$
992,333

 
$

Nonaccrual loans included
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
above
$
407

 
$
240

 
$
739

 
$
1,386

 
$
1,012

 
$
2,398

 
 

18

Table of Contents

West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)


The following tables show the recorded investment in loans by credit quality indicator and loan segment as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
 
September 30, 2014
 
Pass
 
Watch
 
Substandard
 
Doubtful
 
Total
Commercial
$
282,488

 
$
7,046

 
$
1,244

 
$

 
$
290,778

Real estate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Construction, land and land development
131,397

 
8,871

 
1,418

 

 
141,686

1-4 family residential first mortgages
50,705

 
568

 
370

 

 
51,643

Home equity
22,699

 
64

 
416

 

 
23,179

Commercial
553,009

 
9,301

 
3,463

 

 
565,773

Consumer and other
10,513

 

 

 

 
10,513

Total
$
1,050,811

 
$
25,850

 
$
6,911

 
$

 
$
1,083,572

 
December 31, 2013
 
Pass
 
Watch
 
Substandard
 
Doubtful
 
Total
Commercial
$
244,766

 
$
10,933

 
$
2,311

 
$

 
$
258,010

Real estate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Construction, land and land development
100,236

 
12,661

 
4,497

 

 
117,394

1-4 family residential first mortgages
48,766

 
408

 
1,175

 

 
50,349

Home equity
23,608

 
1,495

 
102

 

 
25,205

Commercial
517,441

 
7,309

 
7,389

 

 
532,139

Consumer and other
9,230

 
6

 

 

 
9,236

Total
$
944,047

 
$
32,812

 
$
15,474

 
$

 
$
992,333

All loans are subject to the assessment of a credit quality indicator. Risk ratings are assigned for each loan at the time of approval, and they change as circumstances dictate during the term of the loan. The Company utilizes a 9-point risk rating scale as shown below, with ratings 1 - 5 included in the Pass column, rating 6 included in the Watch column, ratings 7 - 8 included in the Substandard column and rating 9 included in the Doubtful column. All loans classified as impaired that are included in the specific evaluation of the allowance for loan losses are included in the Substandard column along with all other loans with ratings of 7 - 8.

Risk rating 1: The loan is secured by cash equivalent collateral.

Risk rating 2: The loan is secured by properly margined marketable securities, bonds or cash surrender value of life insurance.

Risk rating 3: The borrower is in strong financial condition and has strong debt service capacity. The loan is performing as agreed, and the financial characteristics and trends of the borrower exceed industry statistics.

Risk rating 4: The borrower is in satisfactory financial condition and has satisfactory debt service capacity. The loan is performing as agreed, and the financial characteristics and trends of the borrower fall in line with industry statistics.

Risk rating 5: The borrower's financial condition is less than satisfactory. The loan is still generally paying as agreed, but strained cash flows may cause some slowness in payments. The collateral values adequately preclude loss on the loan. Financial characteristics and trends lag industry statistics. There may be noncompliance with loan covenants.

Risk rating 6: The borrower's financial condition is deficient. Payment delinquencies may be more common. Collateral values still protect from loss, but margins are narrow. The loan may be reliant on secondary sources of repayment, including liquidation of collateral and guarantor support.


19

Table of Contents

West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)


Risk rating 7: The loan is inadequately protected by the current sound worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any. Well-defined weaknesses exist that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt. The Company is inadequately protected by the valuation or paying capacity of the collateral pledged. If deficiencies are not corrected, there is a distinct possibility that a loss will be sustained.

Risk rating 8: All the characteristics of rating 7 exist with the added condition that the loan is past due more than 90 days or there is reason to believe the Company will not receive its principal and interest according to the terms of the loan agreement.

Risk rating 9: All the weaknesses inherent in risk ratings 7 and 8 exist with the added condition that collection or liquidation, on the basis of currently known facts, conditions and values, is highly questionable and improbable. A loan reaching this category would most likely be charged off.

Credit quality indicators for all loans and the Company's risk rating process are dynamic and updated on a continuous basis. Risk ratings are updated as circumstances that could affect the repayment of an individual loan are brought to management's attention through an established monitoring process. Individual lenders initiate changes as appropriate for ratings 1 through 5, and changes for ratings 6 through 9 are initiated via communications with management. The likelihood of loss increases as the risk rating increases and is generally preceded by a loan appearing on the Watch List, which consists of all loans with a risk rating of 6 or worse. Written action plans with firm target dates for resolution of identified problems are maintained and reviewed on a quarterly basis for all segments of criticized loans.

In addition to the Company's internal credit monitoring practices and procedures, an outsourced independent credit review function is in place to further assess assigned internal risk classifications and monitor compliance with internal lending policies and procedures.

In all portfolio segments, the primary risks are that a borrower's income stream diminishes to the point that it is not able to make scheduled principal and interest payments and any collateral securing the loan declines in value. The risk of declining collateral values is present for most types of loans.

Commercial loans consist primarily of loans to businesses for various purposes, including revolving lines to finance current operations, inventory and accounts receivable, and capital expenditure loans to finance equipment and other fixed assets.  These loans generally have short maturities, have either adjustable or fixed interest rates, and are either unsecured or secured by inventory, accounts receivable and/or fixed assets. For commercial loans, the primary source of repayment is from the operation of the business.

Real estate loans include various types of loans for which the Company holds real property as collateral, and consist of loans on commercial properties and single and multifamily residences.  Real estate loans are typically structured to mature or reprice every 5 years with payments based on amortization periods up to 30 years.  The majority of construction loans are to contractors and developers for construction of commercial buildings or residential real estate. These loans typically have maturities up to 24 months. The Company's loan policy includes minimum appraisal and other credit guidelines.

Consumer loans include loans extended to individuals for household, family and other personal expenditures not secured by real estate.  The majority of the Company's consumer lending is for vehicles, consolidation of personal debts and household improvements. The repayment source for consumer loans, including 1-4 family residential and home equity loans, is typically wages.

The allowance for loan losses is established through a provision for loan losses charged to expense.  Loans in each of the Company's segments are charged against the allowance for loan losses when management believes that collectability of the principal is unlikely.  The allowance is an amount that management believes will be adequate to absorb probable losses on existing loans, based on an evaluation of the collectability of loans and prior loss experience.  This evaluation also takes into consideration such factors as changes in the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, overall portfolio quality, the review of specific problem loans, and the current economic conditions that may affect the borrower's ability to pay.  While management uses the best information available to make its evaluation, future adjustments to the allowance may be necessary if there are significant changes in economic conditions or the other factors relied upon.



20

Table of Contents

West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)


The allowance for loan losses consists of specific and general components.  The specific component relates to loans that meet the definition of impaired.  The general component covers the remaining loans and is based on historical loss experience adjusted for qualitative factors such as delinquency trends, loan growth, economic elements and local market conditions.  These same policies are applied to all segments of loans. In addition, regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination processes, periodically review the Company's allowance for loan losses, and may require the Company to make additions to the allowance based on their judgment about information available to them at the time of their examinations.

The following tables detail the changes in the allowance for loan losses by segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
 
 
 
Real Estate
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
 
Construction and Land
 
1-4 Family Residential
 
Home Equity
 
Commercial
 
Consumer and Other
 
Total
Beginning balance
$
3,898

 
$
2,540

 
$
553

 
$
563

 
$
5,609

 
$
50

 
$
13,213

Charge-offs

 

 
(10
)
 
(60
)
 

 

 
(70
)
Recoveries
35

 

 
2

 
56

 
7

 
2

 
102

Provision (1)
347

 
(189
)
 
66

 
(18
)
 
(107
)
 
1

 
100

Ending balance
$
4,280

 
$
2,351

 
$
611

 
$
541

 
$
5,509

 
$
53

 
$
13,345

 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
 
 
 
Real Estate
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
 
Construction and Land
 
1-4 Family Residential
 
Home Equity
 
Commercial
 
Consumer and Other
 
Total
Beginning balance
$
4,108

 
$
3,933

 
$
663

 
$
441

 
$
6,780

 
$
34

 
$
15,959

Charge-offs
(315
)
 

 
(10
)
 

 

 
(31
)
 
(356
)
Recoveries
34

 

 
3

 
99

 

 
2

 
138

Provision (1)
369

 
(158
)
 
(38
)
 
(171
)
 
(1,032
)
 
30

 
(1,000
)
Ending balance
$
4,196

 
$
3,775

 
$
618

 
$
369

 
$
5,748

 
$
35

 
$
14,741

 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
 
 
 
Real Estate
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
 
Construction and Land
 
1-4 Family Residential
 
Home Equity
 
Commercial
 
Consumer and Other
 
Total
Beginning balance
$
4,199

 
$
3,032

 
$
613

 
$
403

 
$
5,485

 
$
59

 
$
13,791

Charge-offs
(577
)
 

 
(73
)
 
(123
)
 
(112
)
 

 
(885
)
Recoveries
87

 
8

 
4

 
80

 
7

 
3

 
189

Provision (1)
571

 
(689
)
 
67

 
181

 
129

 
(9
)
 
250

Ending balance
$
4,280

 
$
2,351

 
$
611

 
$
541

 
$
5,509

 
$
53

 
$
13,345

 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
 
 
 
Real Estate
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
 
Construction and Land
 
1-4 Family Residential
 
Home Equity
 
Commercial
 
Consumer and Other
 
Total
Beginning balance
$
4,116

 
$
4,616

 
$
637

 
$
568

 
$
5,564

 
$
28

 
$
15,529

Charge-offs
(514
)
 

 
(40
)
 
(5
)
 

 
(32
)
 
(591
)
Recoveries
254

 
42

 
121

 
212

 
2

 
22

 
653

Provision (1)
340

 
(883
)
 
(100
)
 
(406
)
 
182

 
17

 
(850
)
Ending balance
$
4,196

 
$
3,775

 
$
618

 
$
369

 
$
5,748

 
$
35

 
$
14,741

(1)
The negative provisions for the various segments are related to either the decline in each of those portfolio segments during the time periods disclosed and/or improvement in the credit quality factors related to those portfolio segments.

21

Table of Contents

West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)


The following tables show a breakdown of the allowance for loan losses disaggregated on the basis of impairment analysis method by segment as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
 
September 30, 2014
 
 
 
Real Estate
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
 
Construction and Land
 
1-4 Family Residential
 
Home Equity
 
Commercial
 
Consumer and Other
 
Total
Ending balance:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Individually evaluated for impairment
$
413

 
$
500

 
$

 
$
232

 
$
177

 
$

 
$
1,322

Collectively evaluated for impairment
3,867

 
1,851

 
611

 
309

 
5,332

 
53

 
12,023

Total
$
4,280

 
$
2,351

 
$
611

 
$
541

 
$
5,509

 
$
53

 
$
13,345

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2013
 
 
 
Real Estate
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
 
Construction and Land
 
1-4 Family Residential
 
Home Equity
 
Commercial
 
Consumer and Other
 
Total
Ending balance:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Individually evaluated for impairment
$
560

 
$
1,300

 
$
33

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
1,893

Collectively evaluated for impairment
3,639

 
1,732

 
580

 
403

 
5,485

 
59

 
11,898

Total
$
4,199

 
$
3,032

 
$
613

 
$
403

 
$
5,485

 
$
59

 
$
13,791

The following tables show the recorded investment in loans, exclusive of unamortized fees and costs, disaggregated on the basis of impairment analysis method by segment as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
 
September 30, 2014
 
 
 
Real Estate
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
 
Construction and Land
 
1-4 Family Residential
 
Home Equity
 
Commercial
 
Consumer and Other
 
Total
Ending balance:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Individually evaluated for impairment
$
725

 
$
1,418

 
$
239

 
$
320

 
$
762

 
$

 
$
3,464

Collectively evaluated for impairment
290,053

 
140,268

 
51,404

 
22,859

 
565,011

 
10,513

 
1,080,108

Total
$
290,778

 
$
141,686

 
$
51,643

 
$
23,179

 
$
565,773

 
$
10,513

 
$
1,083,572

 
December 31, 2013
 
 
 
Real Estate
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
 
Construction and Land
 
1-4 Family Residential
 
Home Equity
 
Commercial
 
Consumer and Other
 
Total
Ending balance:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Individually evaluated for impairment
$
1,007

 
$
2,460

 
$
846

 
$

 
$
763

 
$

 
$
5,076

Collectively evaluated for impairment
257,003

 
114,934

 
49,503

 
25,205

 
531,376

 
9,236

 
987,257

Total
$
258,010

 
$
117,394

 
$
50,349

 
$
25,205

 
$
532,139

 
$
9,236

 
$
992,333



22

Table of Contents

West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)


5. Derivatives

The Company uses interest rate swap agreements to assist in its interest rate risk management. The notional amounts of the interest rate swaps do not represent amounts exchanged by the counterparties, but rather, the notional amount is used to determine, along with other terms of the derivative, the amounts to be exchanged between the counterparties.

The Company has variable rate FHLB advances, which create exposure to variability in interest payments due to changes in interest rates. In December 2012, to manage the interest rate risk related to the variability of interest payments, the Company entered into three forward-starting interest rate swap transactions, with a total notional amount of $80,000. The interest rate swaps effectively convert $80,000 of variable rate FHLB advances to fixed rate debt as of the forward-starting dates. The forward-starting dates on the interest rate swaps range from December 2014 to December 2015. The three swap transactions were designated as cash flow hedges of the changes in cash flows attributable to changes in LIBOR, the benchmark interest rate being hedged, associated with the interest payments made on the underlying FHLB advances with quarterly interest rate reset dates.

In June 2013, the Company entered into a forward-starting interest rate swap transaction with a total notional amount of $20,000, to effectively convert its $20,000 variable rate junior subordinated notes to fixed rate debt as of the forward-starting date of the swap transaction. This swap transaction was designated as a cash flow hedge of the variability in cash flows attributable to the change in LIBOR, the benchmark interest rate being hedged, associated with the interest payments made on $20,000 of the Company's junior subordinated debt with a quarterly interest rate reset date. The effective date of this swap was June 30, 2014 and it was terminated in September 2014, when the fair value was $0. The swap was terminated because short-term interest rates had not risen since the swap was purchased and short-term interest rates are not expected to increase for at least another year. The Company's overall interest rate risk profile is not significantly adversely impacted because variable rate assets have been added to the balance sheet in the past year.

At the inception of each hedge transaction, the Company represented that the underlying principal balance would remain outstanding throughout the hedge transaction, making it probable that sufficient LIBOR-based interest payments would exist through the maturity date of the swaps. The cash flow hedges were determined to be fully effective during the remaining terms of the swaps. Therefore, the aggregate fair value of the swaps is recorded in other assets or other liabilities with changes in market value recorded in other comprehensive income, net of deferred taxes. See Note 6 for additional fair value information and disclosures. The amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive income will be reclassified to interest expense should the hedge no longer be considered effective. No amount of ineffectiveness was included in net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 or 2013, and the Company estimates there will be approximately $430 of cash payments and reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to interest expense through September 30, 2015. The Company will continue to assess the effectiveness of the hedges on a quarterly basis.

The Company is exposed to credit risk in the event of nonperformance by the interest rate swap counterparty. The Company minimizes this risk by entering into derivative contracts with only large, stable financial institutions, and the Company has not experienced, and does not expect, any losses from counterparty nonperformance on the interest rate swaps. The Company monitors counterparty risk in accordance with the provisions of FASB ASC 815. In addition, the interest rate swap agreements contain language outlining collateral-pledging requirements for each counterparty. Collateral must be posted when the market value exceeds certain threshold limits. As of September 30, 2014, the counterparty had pledged $1,120 of required collateral in the form of cash on deposit with a third party. The Company was not required to pledge any collateral to the counterparty as of September 30, 2014.


23

Table of Contents

West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)


The tables below identify the balance sheet category and fair values of the Company's derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
September 30, 2014
 
 
Notional
Amount
 
Fair Value
 
Balance Sheet
Category
 
Receive Rate
 
Pay Rate
 
Maturity
Interest rate swap
(1)
 
$
25,000

 
$
275

 
Other Assets
 
0.52
%
 
2.10
%
 
12/23/2019
Interest rate swap
(2)
 
25,000

 
355

 
Other Assets
 
0.54
%
 
2.34
%
 
6/22/2020
Interest rate swap
(3)
 
30,000

 
473

 
Other Assets
 
0.54
%
 
2.52
%
 
9/21/2020
December 31, 2013
 
 
Notional
Amount
 
Fair Value
 
Balance Sheet
Category
 
Receive Rate
 
Pay Rate
 
Maturity
Interest rate swap
(1)
 
$
25,000

 
$
820

 
Other Assets
 
0.54
%
 
2.10
%
 
12/23/2019
Interest rate swap
(2)
 
25,000

 
1,002

 
Other Assets
 
0.56
%
 
2.34
%
 
6/22/2020
Interest rate swap
(3)
 
30,000

 
1,316

 
Other Assets
 
0.56
%
 
2.52
%
 
9/21/2020
Interest rate swap
(4)
 
20,000

 
277

 
Other Assets
 
3.30
%
 
4.88
%
 
6/30/2019
The following tables identify the pre-tax gains (losses) recognized on the Company's derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
 
 
 
Effective Portion
 
Ineffective Portion
 
 
 
Amount of
 
Reclassified from AOCI into
Income
 
Recognized in Income on
Derivatives
 
 
 
Pre-tax (Loss)
 
 
 
 
 
Recognized in
 
 
 
Amount of
 
 
 
Amount of
 
 
 
OCI
 
Category
 
Gain (Loss)
 
Category
 
Gain (Loss)
Interest rate swap
(1)
 
$
(545
)
 
Interest Expense
 
$

 
Other Income
 
$

Interest rate swap
(2)
 
(647
)
 
Interest Expense
 

 
Other Income
 

Interest rate swap
(3)
 
(843
)
 
Interest Expense
 

 
Other Income
 

Interest rate swap
(4)
 
(277
)
 
Interest Expense
 
(73
)
 
Other Income
 

 
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
 
 
 
Effective Portion
 
Ineffective Portion
 
 
 
Amount of
 
Reclassified from AOCI into
Income
 
Recognized in Income on
Derivatives
 
 
 
Pre-tax Gain
 
 
 
 
 
Recognized in
 
 
 
Amount of
 
 
 
Amount of
 
 
 
OCI
 
Category
 
Gain (Loss)
 
Category
 
Gain (Loss)
Interest rate swap
(1)
 
$
841

 
Interest Expense
 
$

 
Other Income
 
$

Interest rate swap
(2)
 
973

 
Interest Expense
 

 
Other Income
 

Interest rate swap
(3)
 
1,228

 
Interest Expense
 

 
Other Income
 

Interest rate swap
(4)
 
154

 
Interest Expense
 

 
Other Income
 



24

Table of Contents

West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)


6. Fair Value Measurements

Accounting guidance on fair value measurements and disclosures defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring the fair value of assets and liabilities using a hierarchy system, and defines required disclosures.  It clarifies that fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants in the market in which the reporting entity transacts business.

The Company's balance sheet contains securities available for sale and derivative instruments that are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis.  The three-level valuation hierarchy for disclosure of fair value is as follows:

Level 1 uses quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 uses observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.

Level 3 uses unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.

The Company's policy is to recognize transfers between Levels at the end of each reporting period, if applicable. There were no transfers between Levels of the fair value hierarchy during the nine months ended September 30, 2014.

The following is a description of valuation methodologies used for assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on a recurring basis.

Investment securities available for sale: When available, quoted market prices are used to determine the fair value of investment securities. If quoted market prices are not available, the Company determines fair value based on various sources and may apply matrix pricing with observable prices for similar bonds where a price for the identical bond is not observable. The fair values of these securities are determined by pricing models that consider observable market data such as interest rate volatilities, LIBOR yield curve, credit spreads, prices from market makers and live trading systems. Level 1 securities include certain corporate bonds and preferred stocks, and would include U.S. Treasuries, if any were held. Level 2 securities include U.S. government and agency securities, collateralized mortgage obligations, mortgage-backed securities, state and political subdivision securities, and a trust preferred security. Certain investment securities are not valued based on observable inputs and are, therefore, classified as Level 3. The fair value of these securities is based on management's best estimates.

Generally, management obtains the fair value of investment securities at the end of each reporting period via a third party pricing service. Management, with the assistance of an independent investment advisory firm, reviewed the valuation process used by the third party and believes that process was valid. On a quarterly basis, management corroborates the fair values of investment securities by obtaining pricing from an independent investment advisory firm and compares the two sets of fair values. Any significant variances are reviewed and investigated. In addition, the Company has instituted a practice of further testing the fair values of a sample of securities. For that sample, the prices are further validated by management, with assistance from an independent investment advisory firm, by obtaining details of the inputs used by the pricing service. Those inputs were independently tested, and management concluded the fair values were consistent with GAAP requirements and securities were properly classified in the fair value hierarchy.

Derivative instruments: The Company's derivative instruments consist of interest rate swaps, which are accounted for as cash flow hedges. The Company's derivative position is classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy and is valued using models generally accepted in the financial services industry and that use actively quoted or observable market input values from external market data providers and/or non-binding broker-dealer quotations. The fair value of the derivatives are determined using discounted cash flow models. These models’ key assumptions include the contractual terms of the respective contract along with significant observable inputs, including interest rates, yield curves, nonperformance risk and volatility. Derivative contracts are executed with a Credit Support Annex, which is a bilateral ratings-sensitive agreement that requires collateral postings at established credit threshold levels. These agreements protect the interests of the Company and its counterparties should either party suffer a credit rating deterioration.


25

Table of Contents

West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)


The following tables present the balances of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis by level as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
 
 
September 30, 2014
Description
 
Total
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
Investment securities available for sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. government agencies and corporations
 
$
12,861

 
$

 
$
12,861

 
$

State and political subdivisions
 
54,217

 

 
54,217

 

Collateralized mortgage obligations
 
133,970

 

 
133,970

 

Mortgage-backed securities
 
68,873

 

 
68,873

 

Trust preferred securities
 
3,343

 

 
910

 
2,433

Corporate notes and equity securities
 
14,649

 
14,349

 
300

 

Total investment securities available for sale
 
287,913

 
14,349

 
271,131

 
2,433

Derivative instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
 
1,103

 

 
1,103

 

Total assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis
 
$
289,016

 
$
14,349

 
$
272,234

 
$
2,433

 
 
December 31, 2013
Description
 
Total
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
Investment securities available for sale:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

U.S. government agencies and corporations
 
$
12,871

 
$

 
$
12,871

 
$

State and political subdivisions
 
87,788

 

 
87,788

 

Collateralized mortgage obligations
 
168,648

 

 
168,648

 

Mortgage-backed securities
 
58,156

 

 
58,156

 

Trust preferred securities
 
2,745

 

 
895

 
1,850

Corporate notes and equity securities
 
15,008

 
14,708

 
300

 

Total investment securities available for sale
 
345,216

 
14,708

 
328,658

 
1,850

Derivative instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
 
3,415

 

 
3,415

 

Total assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis
 
$
348,631

 
$
14,708

 
$
332,073

 
$
1,850

The following table presents changes in investment securities available for sale with significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013. The activity in the table consists of one pooled TPS (ALESCO Preferred Funding X, Ltd.), which is considered to have OTTI.
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Beginning balance
$
2,207

 
$
1,616

 
$
1,850

 
$
1,334

Transfer into level 3

 

 

 

Total gains:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Included in earnings

 

 

 

Included in other comprehensive income
226

 
186

 
583

 
468

Sale of security

 

 

 

Principal payments

 

 

 

Ending balance
$
2,433

 
$
1,802

 
$
2,433

 
$
1,802


26

Table of Contents

West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)


The following tables present additional quantitative information about assets measured on a recurring basis for which the Company has utilized Level 3 inputs to determine fair value as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
 
 
September 30, 2014
 
 
Fair Value
 
Valuation Technique
 
Unobservable Input
 
Range (Average)
ALESCO Preferred Funding X, Ltd.
 
$
2,433

 
Discounted cash flow
 
Discount rate
 
NA (14.0%)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Prepayment rate
 
0.0% - 75.0% (5.0%)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Probability of default
 
1.7% - 100.0% (16.1%)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Expected losses on
 
20.0% - 100.0% (88.5%)
 
 
 
 
 
 
defaulted collateral
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recovery probabilities
 
0.0% - 75.0% (26.1%)
 
 
 
 
 
 
for deferring collateral
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2013
 
 
Fair Value
 
Valuation Technique
 
Unobservable Input
 
Range (Average)
ALESCO Preferred Funding X, Ltd.
 
$
1,850

 
Discounted cash flow
 
Discount rate
 
NA (17.0%)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Prepayment rate
 
0.0% - 75.0% (5.6%)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Probability of default
 
1.9% - 100.0% (18.9%)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Expected losses on
 
20.0% - 100.0% (88.3%)
 
 
 
 
 
 
defaulted collateral
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recovery probabilities
 
0.0% - 75.0% (29.8%)
 
 
 
 
 
 
for deferring collateral
 
 

27

Table of Contents

West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)


Certain assets are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. That is, they are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances (for example, when there is evidence of impairment).  The following tables present those assets carried on the balance sheet by caption and by level within the valuation hierarchy as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
 
 
September 30, 2014
Description
 
Total
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Impaired loans
 
$
676

 
$

 
$

 
$
676

Other real estate owned
 
4,495

 

 

 
4,495

Total
 
$
5,171

 
$

 
$

 
$
5,171

 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
December 31, 2013
Description
 
Total
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
Assets:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Impaired loans
 
$
1,270

 
$

 
$

 
$
1,270

Other real estate owned
 
5,800

 

 

 
5,800

Total
 
$
7,070

 
$

 
$

 
$
7,070

Loans in the previous tables consist of impaired loans for which a fair value adjustment was recorded.  Impaired loans are evaluated and valued at the lower of cost or fair value when the loan is identified as impaired.  Fair value is measured based on the value of the collateral securing these loans.  Collateral may be real estate or business assets such as equipment, inventory or accounts receivable. Fair value is determined by management evaluations or independent appraisals.  Appraised or reported values may be discounted based on management's opinions concerning market developments or the client's business.  Other real estate owned in the tables above consists of property acquired through foreclosures and settlements of loans.  Property acquired is carried at fair value of the property less estimated disposal costs. Fair value of other real estate owned is determined by management by obtaining appraisals or other market value information at the time of acquisition, is updated at least annually, and may be discounted.

The following tables present additional quantitative information about assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis for which the Company has utilized Level 3 inputs to determine fair value as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
 
 
September 30, 2014
 
 
Fair Value
 
Valuation Technique
 
Unobservable Input
 
Range (Average)
Impaired loans
 
$
676

 
Evaluation of collateral
 
Estimation of value
 
NM*
Other real estate owned
 
4,495

 
Appraisal
 
Appraisal adjustment
 
0.0% - 20.0% (11.2%)
 
 
December 31, 2013
 
 
Fair Value
 
Valuation Technique
 
Unobservable Input
 
Range (Average)
Impaired loans
 
$
1,270

 
Evaluation of collateral
 
Estimation of value
 
NM*
Other real estate owned
 
5,800

 
Appraisal
 
Appraisal adjustment
 
0.0% - 50.0% (10.6%)
* Not Meaningful. Evaluations of the underlying assets are completed for each impaired loan with a specific reserve. The types of collateral vary widely and could include accounts receivables, inventory, a variety of equipment and real estate. Collateral evaluations are reviewed and discounted as appropriate based on knowledge of the specific type of collateral. In the case of real estate, an independent appraisal may be obtained. Types of discounts considered included aging of receivables, condition of the collateral, potential market for the collateral and estimated disposal costs. These discounts will vary from loan to loan, thus providing a range would not be meaningful.

28

Table of Contents

West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)


GAAP requires disclosure of the fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities, including those that are not measured and reported at fair value on a recurring or nonrecurring basis.  The methodologies for estimating the fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring or nonrecurring basis are discussed above.  The methodologies for other financial assets and financial liabilities are discussed below.

Cash and due from banks:  The carrying amount approximates fair value.

Federal funds sold:  The carrying amount approximates fair value.

Investment securities held to maturity: The fair values of these securities, which are all state and political subdivisions, are determined by the same method described previously for investment securities available for sale.

FHLB stock:  The fair value of this restricted stock is estimated at its carrying value and redemption price of $100 per share.

Loans held for sale:  The fair values of loans held for sale are based on estimated sales prices.

Loans:  The fair values of fixed rate loans are estimated using discounted cash flow analysis based on observable market interest rates currently being offered for loans with similar terms to borrowers with similar credit quality. The carrying values of variable rate loans approximate their fair values.

Deposits:  The carrying amounts for demand and savings deposits, which represent the amounts payable on demand, approximate their fair values.  The fair values for fixed rate certificates of deposit are estimated using discounted cash flow analysis, based on observable market interest rates currently being offered on certificates with similar terms.

Accrued interest receivable and payable:  The fair values of both accrued interest receivable and payable approximate their carrying amounts.

Borrowings:  The carrying amounts of federal funds purchased, other short-term borrowings and variable rate long-term borrowings approximate their fair values.  Fair values of FHLB advances, subordinated notes and other long-term borrowings are estimated using discounted cash flow analysis, based on observable market interest rates currently being offered with similar terms.

Commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit:  The approximate fair values of commitments and standby letters of credit are based on the fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements, taking into account the remaining terms of the agreements and creditworthiness of the counterparties.


29

Table of Contents

West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)


The following table includes the carrying amounts and approximate fair values of financial assets and liabilities as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013
 
 
 
September 30, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
 
Fair Value Hierarchy Level
 
Carrying Amount
 
Approximate Fair Value
 
Carrying Amount
 
Approximate Fair Value
Financial assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and due from banks
Level 1
 
$
34,480

 
$
34,480

 
$
41,126

 
$
41,126

Federal funds sold
Level 1
 
204

 
204

 
1,299

 
1,299

Investment securities available for sale
See previous table
 
287,913

 
287,913

 
345,216

 
345,216

Investment securities held to maturity
Level 2
 
51,364

 
51,120

 

 

Federal Home Loan Bank stock
Level 1
 
13,964

 
13,964

 
11,851

 
11,851

Loans held for sale
Level 2
 
343

 
349

 
2,230

 
2,242

Loans, net(1)
Level 2
 
1,069,732

 
1,081,584

 
977,929

 
990,811

Accrued interest receivable
Level 1
 
4,549

 
4,549

 
4,007

 
4,007

Interest rate swaps
See previous table
 
1,103

 
1,103

 
3,415

 
3,415

Financial liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deposits
Level 2
 
1,205,262

 
1,205,937

 
1,163,842

 
1,165,112

Federal funds purchased
Level 1
 
3,870

 
3,870

 
16,622

 
16,622

Other short-term borrowings
Level 1
 
40,000

 
40,000

 

 

Accrued interest payable
Level 1
 
455

 
455

 
429

 
429

Subordinated notes
Level 2
 
20,619

 
13,310

 
20,619

 
11,819

Federal Home Loan Bank advances, net
Level 2
 
96,511

 
95,605

 
95,392

 
94,785

Long-term debt
Level 2
 
13,491

 
13,380

 
15,935

 
16,112

Off-balance-sheet financial instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commitments to extend credit
Level 3
 

 

 

 

Standby letters of credit
Level 3
 

 

 

 


(1) All loans are Level 2 except impaired loans of $676 and $1,270 as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, which are level 3.

30

Table of Contents

West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)


7.  Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The following tables summarize the changes in the balances of each component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.
 
Noncredit-related
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized
 
Unrealized
 
Unrealized
 
Accumulated
 
Gains (Losses)
 
Gains (Losses)
 
Gains
 
Other
 
on Securities
 
on Securities
 
(Losses) on
 
Comprehensive
 
with OTTI
 
without OTTI
 
Derivatives
 
Income (Loss)
Balance, December 31, 2013
$
(1,439
)
 
$
(4,217
)
 
$
2,118

 
$
(3,538
)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
reclassifications
361

 
4,634

 
(1,479
)
 
3,516

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
comprehensive income

 
(446
)
 
45

 
(401
)
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)
361

 
4,188

 
(1,434
)
 
3,115

Balance, September 30, 2014
$
(1,078
)
 
$
(29
)
 
$
684

 
$
(423
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance, December 31, 2012
$
(1,759
)
 
$
4,146

 
$
(461
)
 
$
1,926

Other comprehensive income (loss) before
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
reclassifications
290

 
(7,573
)
 
1,982

 
(5,301
)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
comprehensive income

 

 

 

Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)
290

 
(7,573
)
 
1,982

 
(5,301
)
Balance, September 30, 2013
$
(1,469
)
 
$
(3,427
)
 
$
1,521

 
$
(3,375
)
8.  Deferred Income Taxes

Net deferred tax assets consisted of the following as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.  
 
September 30, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
Allowance for loan losses
$
5,071

 
$
5,241

Net unrealized losses on securities available for sale
678

 
3,466

Investment security impairment
106

 
106

Intangibles
1,156

 
1,387

Other real estate owned
1,016

 
1,572

Accrued expenses
796

 
819

Restricted stock compensation
116

 
140

State net operating loss carryforward
825

 
647

Capital loss carryforward
4,063

 
4,063

Other deferred tax assets
44

 
56

Net deferred loan fees and costs
(333
)
 
(280
)
Net unrealized gains on interest rate swaps
(418
)
 
(1,297
)
Premises and equipment
(419
)
 
(559
)
Loans

 
(1,038
)
Other deferred tax liabilities
(339
)
 
(314
)
Net deferred tax assets before valuation allowance
12,362

 
14,009

Valuation allowance
(4,994
)
 
(4,816
)
Net deferred tax assets
$
7,368

 
$
9,193


31

Table of Contents

West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)


The Company has recorded a valuation allowance against the tax effect of the state net operating loss carryforwards, federal and state capital loss carryforwards, and investment security impairment as management believes it is more likely than not that such carryforwards will expire without being fully utilized.

9.  Commitments and Contingencies

The Company is party to financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit.  These instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk in excess of the amount recognized in the consolidated balance sheets. The Company's exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument for commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments. The Company uses the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations that it uses for on-balance-sheet instruments.  The Company's commitments consisted of the following approximate amounts as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013
 
September 30, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
Commitments to extend credit
$
469,749

 
$
388,197

Standby letters of credit
14,654

 
3,546

 
$
484,403

 
$
391,743

West Bank has executed Mortgage Partnership Finance (MPF) Master Commitments (Commitments) with the FHLB of Des Moines to deliver mortgage loans and to guarantee the payment of any realized losses that exceed the FHLB's first loss account for mortgages delivered under the Commitments.  West Bank receives credit enhancement fees from the FHLB for providing this guarantee and continuing to assist with managing the credit risk of the MPF Program mortgage loans.  The term of the current Commitment is through January 16, 2015.  At September 30, 2014, the liability represented by the present value of the credit enhancement fees less any expected losses in the mortgages delivered under the Commitments was approximately $476.

The Company has commitments to invest in four qualified affordable housing projects totaling $4,635 as of September 30, 2014.
 
On September 29, 2010, West Bank was sued in a class action lawsuit that, as amended, asserts nonsufficient funds fees charged by West Bank to Iowa resident customers on debit card transactions are usurious under the Iowa Consumer Credit Code, rather than allowable fees, and that the sequence in which West Bank formerly posted debit card transactions for payment violated various alleged duties of good faith and ordinary care. Plaintiffs are seeking alternative remedies that include injunctive relief, damages (including treble damages), punitive damages, refund of fees and attorney fees. West Bank believes it has substantial defenses and is vigorously defending the action. The trial court entered orders on preliminary motions on March 4, 2014. It dismissed one of the Plaintiffs’ claims and found that factual disputes precluded summary judgment in West Bank’s favor on the remaining claims. In addition, the court certified two classes for further proceedings. West Bank appealed the adverse rulings. The appeals should be decided sometime in 2015. The amount of potential loss, if any, cannot be reasonably estimated now because of the unresolved legal issues and because, among other things, the multiple alternative claims involve different time periods, burdens of proof, defenses and potential remedies.
Except as described above, neither the Company nor West Bank are parties to any other material pending legal proceedings, other than ordinary litigation incidental to West Bank's business, and no property of these entities is subject to any such proceeding. The Company does not know of any proceeding contemplated by a governmental authority against the Company or West Bank.


32

Table of Contents


Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

"SAFE HARBOR" STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT

Certain statements in this report, other than purely historical information, including estimates, projections, statements relating to our business plans, objectives and expected operating results and the assumptions upon which those statements are based, are “forward-looking statements” within the meanings of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements may appear throughout this report. These forward-looking statements are generally identified by the words “believes,” “expects,” “intends,” “should,” “anticipates,” “projects,” “future,” “may,” “will,” “strategy,” “plan,” “opportunity,” “will be,” “will likely result,” “will continue” or similar references, or references to estimates, predictions or future events.  Such forward-looking statements are based upon certain underlying assumptions, risks and uncertainties.  Because of the possibility that the underlying assumptions are incorrect or do not materialize as expected in the future, actual results could differ materially from these forward-looking statements.  Risks and uncertainties that may affect future results include: interest rate risk; competitive pressures; pricing pressures on loans and deposits; changes in credit and other risks posed by the Company's loan and investment portfolios, including declines in commercial or residential real estate values, or changes in the allowance for loan losses dictated by new market conditions or regulatory requirements; actions of bank and nonbank competitors; changes in local and national economic conditions; changes in regulatory requirements, limitations and costs; changes in customers' acceptance of the Company's products and services; and any other risks described in the “Risk Factors” sections of this and other reports filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update such forward-looking statements to reflect current or future events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements that have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses. These estimates are based upon historical experience and on various other assumptions that management believes are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. The estimates and judgments that management believes have the most effect on West Bancorporation's reported financial position and results of operations are described as critical accounting policies in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 6, 2014. There have been no significant changes in the critical accounting policies or the assumptions and judgments utilized in applying these policies since the year ended December 31, 2013.


33

Table of Contents
West Bancorporation, Inc.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
(dollars in thousands, except share and per share information)

THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2014

OVERVIEW

The following discussion describes the consolidated operations and financial condition of the Company, which includes West Bank, West Bank's wholly owned subsidiary WB Funding Corporation (which owns an interest in SmartyPig, LLC), and West Bank's 99.99 percent owned subsidiary ICD IV, LLC (a community development entity).  ICD IV was liquidated during the third quarter of 2014 because the underlying loan matured. Results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 are compared to the results for the same periods in 2013, and the consolidated financial condition of the Company as of September 30, 2014 is compared to balances as of December 31, 2013. The Company operates in three markets: central Iowa, which is generally the greater Des Moines metropolitan area; eastern Iowa, which is the area including and surrounding Iowa City and Coralville, Iowa; and the Rochester, Minnesota area.
 
Net income for the three months ended September 30, 2014 was $5,063, or $0.32 per diluted common share, compared to $4,363, or $0.27 per diluted common share for the three months ended September 30, 2013. The Company's annualized return on average assets and return on average equity for the third quarter of 2014 were 1.32 and 15.00 percent, respectively, compared to 1.19 and 14.41 percent, respectively, for the same period in 2013.

The increase in net income for the third quarter of 2014 compared to the same period last year was mainly due to a $663 increase in net interest income, a $210 gain on sales of investment securities and a $1,134 reduction in other real estate owned expenses. The improvements were offset by a $1,100 increase in provision for loan losses due to recording a negative provision in the third quarter of 2013. The 5.7 percent increase in net interest income was primarily the result of the combination of loan growth and lower deposit rates.

Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was $14,202, or $0.89 per diluted common share, compared to $12,609, or $0.75 per diluted common share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2013. The Company's annualized return on average assets and return on average equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 were 1.27 and 14.61 percent, respectively, compared to 1.17 and 13.02 percent, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2013.

The increase in net income for the first nine months of 2014 compared to the same period last year was primarily due to a $2,230 increase in net interest income, recognition of $716 of investment securities net gains, a $270 increase in trust fees and a $740 reduction in other real estate owned expenses. Like the third quarter of 2014, the improvements were offset by a $1,100 increase in the provision for loan losses. Net interest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was up 6.6 percent over the same period last year primarily as the result of loan growth, higher average yields on investment securities and lower deposit rates. Trust fees increased 36.3 percent due to new business and strong asset values. The reduction in other real estate owned expenses was due to a drop of $854 in valuation write-downs along with lower costs for a smaller number of properties held. The Company recorded a negative provision for loan losses of $1,000 in the third quarter of 2013 due to the improved credit quality of the loan portfolio.

During the third quarter of 2014, total loans outstanding increased $7,035 compared to the end of the second quarter of 2014 and increased $91,357 during the first nine months of the year compared to December 31, 2013. Management believes the loan portfolio will continue to grow during the remainder of 2014 as the demand for commercial, construction and development, and commercial real estate loans appears to be growing in all three of the Company's markets. Total loans outstanding in the Rochester, Minnesota location, which opened in March 2013, increased approximately $27,000 during the first nine months of 2014.

As of September 30, 2014, the allowance for loan losses was 1.23 percent of loans outstanding, and management believes that such amount was adequate to absorb any losses inherent in the loan portfolio.

Construction is underway on a new main office in Coralville for the eastern Iowa market, with occupancy expected around January 15, 2015. A $3,000 contract for the sale of the current eastern Iowa main office was executed on July 1, 2014, with an expected closing date at the end of October 2014. The sale should result in an after-tax gain of approximately $1,600 after utilizing capital loss carryforwards of approximately $1,500. As previously disclosed, the Company purchased land in Rochester, Minnesota during the first quarter of 2014. It is anticipated that the Company will begin building an office on this land in 2015 and will relocate its current leased branch office to the new permanent location upon its completion.


34

Table of Contents
West Bancorporation, Inc.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
(dollars in thousands, except share and per share information)

The Company was recently named by Sandler O'Neill + Partners, L.P. to its Sm-All Stars list for the third consecutive year. The list is comprised of top-performing small-cap banks and thrifts in the United States. Out of 443 comparable banks across America, only 35 were named as 2014 Sm-All Stars.  West Bank is the sole Iowa or Minnesota bank on the list and one of very few in the Midwest. Only one other bank in the nation has received this honor three years running. The criteria used to determine the 2014 Sm-All Stars concentrate on growth, profitability, credit quality and capital strength.

The Board of Directors declared an increased quarterly dividend of $0.14 per common share at its meeting on October 22, 2014. This was a 16.7 percent increase over the dividend for the prior quarter. The dividend is payable on November 19, 2014, to shareholders of record as of November 5, 2014.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following table shows selected financial results and measures for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared with the same period in 2013
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2014
 
2013
 
Change
 
Change %
 
2014
 
2013
 
Change
 
Change %
Net income
$
5,063

 
$
4,363

 
$
700

 
16.0
%
 
$
14,202

 
$
12,609

 
$
1,593

 
12.6
%
Average assets
1,517,145

 
1,459,442

 
57,703

 
4.0
%
 
1,493,024

 
1,442,336

 
50,688

 
3.5
%
Average stockholders' equity
133,896

 
120,155

 
13,741

 
11.4
%
 
129,958

 
129,504

 
454

 
0.4
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Return on average assets
1.32
%
 
1.19
%
 
0.13
 %
 
 
 
1.27
%
 
1.17
%
 
0.1
 %
 
 

Return on average equity
15.00
%
 
14.41
%
 
0.59
 %
 
 
 
14.61
%
 
13.02
%
 
1.59
 %
 
 

Net interest margin
3.56
%
 
3.49
%
 
0.07
 %
 
 
 
3.58
%
 
3.45
%
 
0.13
 %
 
 
Efficiency ratio*
48.39
%
 
51.14
%
 
(2.75
)%
 
 
 
50.16
%
 
52.70
%
 
(2.54
)%
 
 
Dividend payout ratio
37.96
%
 
40.27
%
 
(2.31
)%
 
 
 
39.43
%
 
41.54
%
 
(2.11
)%
 
 

Average equity to average
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
assets ratio
8.83
%
 
8.23
%
 
0.6
 %
 
 
 
8.70
%
 
8.98
%
 
(0.28
)%
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of September 30,
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
Change
 
 
Texas ratio*
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
6.21
%
 
12.46
%
 
(6.25
)%
 
 
Equity to assets ratio
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
8.91
%
 
8.24
%
 
0.67
 %
 
 

Tangible common equity ratio
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
8.91
%
 
8.24
%
 
0.67
 %
 
 

* A lower ratio is more desirable.

Definitions of ratios:
Return on average assets - annualized net income divided by average assets.
Return on average equity - annualized net income divided by average stockholders' equity.
Net interest margin - annualized tax-equivalent net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.
Efficiency ratio - noninterest expense (excluding other real estate owned expense) divided by noninterest income (excluding net securities gains) plus tax-equivalent net interest income.
Dividend payout ratio - dividends paid to common stockholders divided by net income.
Texas ratio - total nonperforming assets divided by tangible common equity plus the allowance for loan losses.
Equity to assets ratio - equity divided by assets.
Tangible common equity ratio - common equity less intangible assets divided by tangible assets.



35

Table of Contents
West Bancorporation, Inc.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
(dollars in thousands, except share and per share information)

Net Interest Income

The following tables show average balances and related interest income or interest expense, with the resulting average yield or rate by category of interest-earning assets or interest-bearing liabilities.  Interest income and the resulting net interest income are shown on a fully taxable basis.
Data for the three months ended September 30:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average Balance
 
Interest Income/Expense
 
Yield/Rate
 
2014
 
2013
 
Change
 
Change-
%
 
2014
 
2013
 
Change
 
Change-
%
 
2014
 
2013
 
Change
Interest-earning assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
$
273,249

 
$
242,010

 
$
31,239

 
12.91
 %
 
$
2,897

 
$
2,569

 
$
328

 
12.77
 %
 
4.21
%
 
4.21
%
 
 %
Real estate
784,995

 
717,991

 
67,004

 
9.33
 %
 
9,134

 
8,851

 
283

 
3.20
 %
 
4.62
%
 
4.89
%
 
(0.27
)%
Consumer and other
10,408

 
8,246

 
2,162

 
26.22
 %
 
101

 
97

 
4

 
4.12
 %
 
3.85
%
 
4.67
%
 
(0.82
)%
Total loans
1,068,652

 
968,247

 
100,405

 
10.37
 %
 
12,132

 
11,517

 
615

 
5.34
 %
 
4.50
%
 
4.72
%
 
(0.22
)%
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

Investment securities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Taxable
249,488

 
293,424

 
(43,936
)
 
(14.97
)%
 
1,191

 
1,365

 
(174
)
 
(12.75
)%
 
1.91
%
 
1.86
%
 
0.05
 %
Tax-exempt
95,183

 
86,576

 
8,607

 
9.94
 %
 
1,089

 
1,015

 
74

 
7.29
 %
 
4.58
%
 
4.69
%
 
(0.11
)%
Total investment securities
344,671

 
380,000

 
(35,329
)
 
(9.30
)%
 
2,280

 
2,380

 
(100
)
 
(4.20
)%
 
2.65
%
 
2.51
%
 
0.14
 %
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Federal funds sold and short-
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
term investments
20,342

 
28,837

 
(8,495
)
 
(29.46
)%
 
13

 
20

 
(7
)
 
(35.00
)%
 
0.25
%
 
0.28
%
 
(0.03
)%
Total interest-earning assets
$
1,433,665

 
$
1,377,084

 
$
56,581

 
4.11
 %
 
14,425

 
13,917

 
508

 
3.65
 %
 
3.99
%
 
4.01
%
 
(0.02
)%
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Interest-bearing liabilities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Deposits:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Interest-bearing demand,
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
savings and money
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
market
$
742,875

 
$
664,832

 
$
78,043

 
11.74
 %
 
307

 
420

 
(113
)
 
(26.90
)%
 
0.16
%
 
0.25
%
 
(0.09
)%
Time deposits
151,089

 
164,821

 
(13,732
)
 
(8.33
)%
 
285

 
435

 
(150
)
 
(34.48
)%
 
0.75
%
 
1.05
%
 
(0.30
)%
Total deposits
893,964

 
829,653

 
64,311

 
7.75
 %
 
592

 
855

 
(263
)
 
(30.76
)%
 
0.26
%
 
0.41
%
 
(0.15
)%
Other borrowed funds
139,980

 
191,395

 
(51,415
)
 
(26.86
)%
 
979

 
964

 
15

 
1.56
 %
 
2.77
%
 
2.00
%
 
0.77
 %
Total interest-bearing
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
liabilities
$
1,033,944

 
$
1,021,048

 
$
12,896

 
1.26
 %
 
1,571

 
1,819

 
(248
)
 
(13.63
)%
 
0.60
%
 
0.71
%
 
(0.11
)%
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Tax-equivalent net interest income
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
$
12,854

 
$
12,098

 
$
756

 
6.25
 %
 
 

 
 

 
 

Net interest spread
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
3.39
%
 
3.30
%
 
0.09
 %
Net interest margin
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
3.56
%
 
3.49
%
 
0.07
 %

36

Table of Contents
West Bancorporation, Inc.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
(dollars in thousands, except share and per share information)

Data for the nine months ended September 30:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average Balance
 
Interest Income/Expense
 
Yield/Rate
 
2014
 
2013
 
Change
 
Change-
%
 
2014
 
2013
 
Change
 
Change-
%
 
2014
 
2013
 
Change
Interest-earning assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
$
265,839

 
$
252,172

 
$
13,667

 
5.42
 %
 
$
8,441

 
$
8,352

 
$
89

 
1.07
 %
 
4.25
%
 
4.43
%
 
(0.18
)%
Real estate
766,026

 
684,722

 
81,304

 
11.87
 %
 
26,717

 
25,398

 
1,319

 
5.19
 %
 
4.66
%
 
4.96
%
 
(0.30
)%
Consumer and other
9,607

 
7,323

 
2,284

 
31.19
 %
 
291

 
258

 
33

 
12.79
 %
 
4.05
%
 
4.71
%
 
(0.66
)%
Total loans
1,041,472

 
944,217

 
97,255

 
10.30
 %
 
35,449

 
34,008

 
1,441

 
4.24
 %
 
4.55
%
 
4.82
%
 
(0.27
)%
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

Investment securities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Taxable
255,356

 
293,691

 
(38,335
)
 
(13.05
)%
 
3,793

 
3,783

 
10

 
0.26
 %
 
1.98
%
 
1.72
%
 
0.26
 %
Tax-exempt
91,615

 
76,363

 
15,252

 
19.97
 %
 
3,163

 
2,664

 
499

 
18.73
 %
 
4.60
%
 
4.65
%
 
(0.05
)%
Total investment securities
346,971

 
370,054

 
(23,083
)
 
(6.24
)%
 
6,956

 
6,447

 
509

 
7.90
 %
 
2.67
%
 
2.32
%
 
0.35
 %
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Federal funds sold and short-
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
term investments
22,152

 
50,607

 
(28,455
)
 
(56.23
)%
 
43

 
99

 
(56
)
 
(56.57
)%
 
0.26
%
 
0.26
%
 
 %
Total interest-earning assets
$
1,410,595

 
$
1,364,878

 
$
45,717

 
3.35
 %
 
42,448

 
40,554

 
1,894

 
4.67
 %
 
4.02
%
 
3.97
%
 
0.05
 %
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Interest-bearing liabilities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Deposits:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Interest-bearing demand,
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
savings and money
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
market
$
730,780

 
$
637,556

 
$
93,224

 
14.62
 %
 
904

 
1,183

 
(279
)
 
(23.58
)%
 
0.17
%
 
0.25
%
 
(0.08
)%
Time deposits
153,644

 
172,938

 
(19,294
)
 
(11.16
)%
 
947

 
1,408

 
(461
)
 
(32.74
)%
 
0.82
%
 
1.09
%
 
(0.27
)%
Total deposits
884,424

 
810,494

 
73,930

 
9.12
 %
 
1,851

 
2,591

 
(740
)
 
(28.56
)%
 
0.28
%
 
0.43
%
 
(0.15
)%
Other borrowed funds
144,556

 
185,597

 
(41,041
)
 
(22.11
)%
 
2,803

 
2,703

 
100

 
3.70
 %
 
2.59
%
 
1.95
%
 
0.64
 %
Total interest-bearing
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
liabilities
$
1,028,980

 
$
996,091

 
$
32,889

 
3.30
 %
 
4,654

 
5,294

 
(640
)
 
(12.09
)%
 
0.60
%
 
0.71
%
 
(0.11
)%
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Tax-equivalent net interest income
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
$
37,794

 
$
35,260

 
$
2,534

 
7.19
 %
 
 

 
 

 
 

Net interest spread
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
3.42
%
 
3.26
%
 
0.16
 %
Net interest margin
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
3.58
%
 
3.45
%
 
0.13
 %
Fluctuations in net interest income can result from the combination of changes in the average balances of asset and liability categories and changes in interest rates.  Interest rates earned and paid are affected by general economic conditions, particularly changes in market interest rates, and by competitive factors, government policies and the actions of regulatory authorities.  Net interest margin is a measure of the net return on interest-earning assets and is computed by dividing annualized tax-equivalent net interest income by the average of total interest-earning assets for the period.  

The net interest margin for the three months ended September 30, 2014 increased 7 basis points to 3.56 percent compared to the three months ended September 30, 2013. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the net interest margin increased 13 basis points to 3.58 percent compared to the same period last year. The $2,534 increase in tax-equivalent net interest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared to the same time period last year was primarily the result of growth in loans, an increase in yields on investment securities and a decline in the rate paid on interest-bearing deposits. Interest rates on a number of deposit products were reduced on December 30, 2013. Management believes the net interest margin will remain under pressure as monetary policies of the Federal Reserve are expected to keep market rates low for at least the first half of 2015. To prevent a negative impact to interest expense in the event of a future rise in market interest rates, the Company has forward-starting interest rate swaps in place. The interest rate swaps convert the payment streams for approximately $80,000 of variable rate long-term borrowings to fixed interest rates beginning on various dates in 2014 and 2015.

37

Table of Contents
West Bancorporation, Inc.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
(dollars in thousands, except share and per share information)

Tax-equivalent interest income on loans increased $615 for the third quarter of 2014 compared to the third quarter of 2013 and increased $298 compared to the second quarter of 2014. Year-to-date tax-equivalent interest income on loans increased $1,441 for the first nine months of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013. The increase for the first nine months of 2014 was due to the net effect of a $97,255 increase in average volume offsetting a 27 basis point decline in yield. The Company continues to focus on expanding existing customer relationships and developing new relationships. The yield on the Company's loan portfolio is affected by the mix of the loans in the portfolio, the interest rate environment, the effects of competition, the level of nonaccrual loans and reversals of previously accrued interest on charged-off loans.  The political and economic environments can also influence the volume of new loan originations and the mix of variable rate versus fixed rate loans. 
 
The average balance of investment securities was down $35,329 for the third quarter of 2014 compared to the third quarter of 2013, while the yield increased 14 basis points for the same periods. For the first nine months of 2014, the average balance of investment securities was $23,083 lower than in the first nine months of 2013. The yield on the investment portfolio increased 35 basis points during the same time period. The decrease in average balances for both periods was attributable to the combination of sales of investment securities and paydowns received on collateralized mortgage obligations and mortgage-backed securities exceeding investment securities purchases.

The average rate paid on deposits for the third quarter of 2014 was 15 basis points lower than the same quarter in 2013 and 2 basis points lower than the second quarter of 2014.  For the third quarter of 2014, average interest-bearing deposits increased $64,311 compared to the third quarter of 2013, while total interest expense on deposits declined $263. Average deposits declined $14,577 for the third quarter of 2014 compared to the second quarter of 2014, while total interest expense was down $45. The average rate paid on deposits for the first nine months of 2014 declined to 28 basis points from 43 basis points for the same period last year. Total interest expense on deposits for the first nine months of 2014 declined by $740 compared to the first nine months of 2013, as the decline in rates exceeded the effect of a $73,930 increase in average interest-bearing deposits. Average interest-bearing demand and money market account balances increased significantly due to higher customer demand for the Insured Cash Sweep products. These products are reciprocal programs that provide FDIC insurance coverage for all participating deposits. The average balance of time deposits continues to decline as fewer customers consider time deposits a good option in the current low rate environment.

The average rate paid on other borrowings increased by 64 basis points compared to the first nine months of 2013 for two reasons. The first was the Company's discontinuance of the securities sold under agreements to repurchase product in November 2013. These accounts were converted to deposit accounts. In the first nine months of 2013, the amount of securities sold under agreements to repurchase averaged $51,084, with an average rate paid of 15 basis points. The second reason was the impact of the June 2013 decision by the Company to enter into two additional long-term borrowing arrangements that increased the average balance of long-term borrowings by $8,684 for the first nine months of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013 and had an average rate paid of 2.13 percent.

Provision for Loan Losses and the Related Allowance for Loan Losses

The provision for loan losses represents charges made to earnings to maintain an adequate allowance for loan losses.  The allowance for loan losses is management's estimate of probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio as of the balance sheet date.  The adequacy of the allowance for loan losses is evaluated quarterly by management and reviewed by the Board of Directors. Factors considered in establishing an appropriate allowance include: an assessment of the levels and trends of loans by segment; a review of delinquent and classified loans; assignment of specific reserves for loans considered impaired; the application of past experience factors for each segment of the portfolio; management's assessment of economic factors that may influence potential losses in the portfolio; and other external factors such as competition, legal and regulatory requirements.

Any one of the following conditions may result in the review of a specific loan: concern about whether the customer's cash flow or net worth is sufficient to repay the loan; delinquency status; criticism of the loan in a regulatory examination; the suspension of interest accrual; or other factors, including whether the loan has other special or unusual characteristics that suggest special monitoring is warranted. The Company's concentration risks include geographic concentration in central and eastern Iowa and Rochester, Minnesota.  The local economies in which the Company operates are comprised primarily of service industries and state and county governments.


38

Table of Contents
West Bancorporation, Inc.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
(dollars in thousands, except share and per share information)

The Company has a significant portion of its loan portfolio in commercial real estate loans, commercial lines of credit, commercial term loans, and construction or land development loans.  The Company's typical commercial borrower is a small or medium-sized, privately owned business entity.  The Company's commercial loans typically have greater credit risks than residential mortgages or consumer loans because they often have larger balances and repayment usually depends on the borrowers' successful business operations.  Commercial loans also involve additional risks because they generally are not fully repaid over the loan period and, thus, usually require refinancing or a large payoff at maturity.  If the economy turns downward, commercial borrowers may not be able to repay their loans, and the value of their assets, which are usually pledged as collateral, may decrease rapidly and significantly. Although management believes that the real estate markets in which West Bank makes loans are better than other parts of the country, real estate-related credit risks continue to be somewhat higher than normal in our markets.  

While management uses available information to recognize losses on loans, further reduction in the carrying amounts of loans may be necessary based on changes in circumstances, changes in the overall economy in the markets we currently serve, or later acquired information.  Identifiable sectors within the general economy are subject to additional volatility, which at any time may have a substantial impact on the loan portfolio.  In addition, regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination processes, periodically review the estimated losses on loans.  Such agencies may require the Company to recognize additional losses based on such agencies' review of information available to them at the time of their examinations.

The Company's policy is to charge off loans when, in management's opinion, the loan or a portion of a loan is deemed uncollectible, although concerted efforts are made to maximize future recoveries.  The following table summarizes the activity in the Company's allowance for loan losses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 and related ratios. 
 
Analysis of the Allowance for Loan Losses for the
 
Analysis of the Allowance for Loan Losses for the
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2014
 
2013
 
Change
 
2014
 
2013
 
Change
Balance at beginning of period
$
13,213

 
$
15,959

 
$
(2,746
)
 
$
13,791

 
$
15,529

 
$
(1,738
)
Charge-offs
(70
)
 
(356
)
 
286

 
(885
)
 
(591
)
 
(294
)
Recoveries
102

 
138

 
(36
)
 
189

 
653

 
(464
)
Net (charge-offs) recoveries
32

 
(218
)
 
250

 
(696
)
 
62

 
(758
)
Provision for loan losses charged (credited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
to operations
100

 
(1,000
)
 
1,100

 
250

 
(850
)
 
1,100

Balance at end of period
$
13,345

 
$
14,741

 
$
(1,396
)
 
$
13,345

 
$
14,741

 
$
(1,396
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average loans outstanding, excluding
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
loans held for sale
$
1,067,023

 
$
965,881

 
 
 
$
1,039,704

 
$
941,789

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ratio of annualized net charge-offs
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(recoveries) during the period
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
to average loans outstanding
(0.01
)%
 
0.09
%
 
 
 
0.09
%
 
(0.01
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ratio of allowance for loan losses to average
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
loans outstanding
1.25
 %
 
1.53
%
 
 
 
1.28
%
 
1.57
 %
 
 
The allowance for loan losses represented 573.98 percent of nonperforming loans at September 30, 2014 compared to 473.10 percent at December 31, 2013. Approximately $654 of the 2014 year-to-date charge-offs related to three loan customers.

While the economic environments in Iowa and Minnesota continue to cautiously improve, the relative strength and growth of those economies is not back to pre-recession levels. The Company factored the length of the improving economy into the decision to slightly lower the economic factors within the allowance for loan losses evaluation in the first quarter of 2014. This reduction, as well as improving experience factors, offset the impact of growth in total loans outstanding during the first nine months of the year for the portion of the allowance for loan losses related to loans collectively evaluated for impairment. No further changes to the economic factors were deemed appropriate in the third quarter of 2014. In the first nine months of 2014, the Company continued to use experience factors based on the highest losses calculated over a rolling 12-, 16-, or 20-quarter period. Management believes the resulting allowance for loan losses of $13,345 as of September 30, 2014 was adequate to absorb the losses inherent in the loan portfolio at the end of the quarter.

39

Table of Contents
West Bancorporation, Inc.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
(dollars in thousands, except share and per share information)

Noninterest Income

The following tables show the variance from the prior year in the noninterest income categories shown in the Consolidated Statements of Income.  In addition, accounts within the “Other income” category that represent a significant portion of the total or a significant variance are shown below.
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
Noninterest income:
2014
 
2013
 
Change
 
Change %
Service charges on deposit accounts
$
713

 
$
747

 
$
(34
)
 
(4.55
)%
Debit card usage fees
443

 
527

 
(84
)
 
(15.94
)%
Trust services
363

 
266

 
97

 
36.47
 %
Gains and fees on sales of residential mortgages
457

 
212

 
245

 
115.57
 %
Increase in cash value of bank-owned life insurance
198

 
162

 
36

 
22.22
 %
Realized investment securities gains, net
210

 

 
210

 
N/A

Other income:
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Loan fees
28

 
24

 
4

 
16.67
 %
Letter of credit fees
38

 
12

 
26

 
216.67
 %
ATM fees
15

 
10

 
5

 
50.00
 %
All other income
165

 
170

 
(5
)
 
(2.94
)%
Total other income
246

 
216

 
30

 
13.89
 %
Total noninterest income
$
2,630

 
$
2,130

 
$
500

 
23.47
 %
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Noninterest income:
2014
 
2013
 
Change
 
Change %
Service charges on deposit accounts
$
2,106

 
$
2,190

 
$
(84
)
 
(3.84
)%
Debit card usage fees
1,306

 
1,351

 
(45
)
 
(3.33
)%
Trust services
1,013

 
743

 
270

 
36.34
 %
Gains and fees on sales of residential mortgages
1,059

 
949

 
110

 
11.59
 %
Increase in cash value of bank-owned life insurance
534

 
492

 
42

 
8.54
 %
Realized investment securities gains, net
716

 

 
716

 
N/A

Other income:
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Loan fees
84

 
44

 
40

 
90.91
 %
Letter of credit fees
88

 
37

 
51

 
137.84
 %
ATM fees
44

 
25

 
19

 
76.00
 %
All other income
551

 
537

 
14

 
2.61
 %
Total other income
767

 
643

 
124

 
19.28
 %
Total noninterest income
$
7,501

 
$
6,368

 
$
1,133

 
17.79
 %
The decline in service charges on deposit accounts for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared to the same time periods for 2013 was caused by lower nonsufficient funds fees partially offset by increased fees from commercial accounts.

Debit card usage fees declined during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared to the same time periods for 2013 due to the 2013 third quarter change in processors, which caused a one-time increase in fees of approximately $100 in that quarter. Despite the decrease in fees, overall, customers continued to increase their volume of electronic transactions.

Revenue from trust services increased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared to the same periods in 2013 as a result of a combination of new business and strong asset values.


40

Table of Contents
West Bancorporation, Inc.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
(dollars in thousands, except share and per share information)

Gains and fees on sales of residential mortgages increased $245 for the third quarter of 2014 compared to the third quarter of 2013 and increased $110 during the first nine months of 2014 compared to the first nine months of 2013, despite lower loan volumes. The volume of loans sold into the secondary market was $48,296 for the first nine months of 2014 as compared to $78,473 for the first nine months of 2013 and was $5,575 lower for the third quarter of 2014 than the third quarter of 2013. Despite the lower volumes, gains and fees from sales of residential mortgages increased for both time periods. A sudden rise in interest rates that occurred in June 2013 caused a significant decline of the gains recognized per loan sold in the third quarter of 2013. Mortgage interest rates have remained steady throughout 2014, which has allowed the amount of gains per loan sold to be higher for both time periods in 2014 as compared to the same periods in 2013. The volume of loans sold into the secondary market increased $2,863 from the second quarter of 2014. Despite low interest rates, the housing market remains sluggish.

The Company invested an additional $5,000 in bank-owned life insurance in the second quarter of 2014, resulting in a higher level of increases in cash value of bank-owned life insurance for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared to the same time periods in 2013.

The Company recognized net gains on sales of investment securities of $716 in the first nine months of 2014 and did not sell any securities during the first nine months of 2013. The Company had sales of securities of $7,344 that resulted in gains of $210 during the third quarter of 2014, with the rest of the sales occurring in the first quarter of 2014. The Company sold certain collateralized mortgage obligations, several municipal investment securities and one corporate bond for net gains. The transactions were completed without materially impacting the overall yield or duration of the portfolio.

The increase in loan fees during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, as compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 was mainly due to increases in the amortization of commitment fees. Letter of credit fees increased due to a higher volume of standby letters of credit activity for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 as compared to the same time periods for 2013. ATM fees increased for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 due to the previously mentioned switch in processors, resulting in an increase in the number of transactions subject to surcharge fees.


41

Table of Contents
West Bancorporation, Inc.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
(dollars in thousands, except share and per share information)

Noninterest Expense

The following tables show the variance from the prior year in the noninterest expense categories shown in the Consolidated Statements of Income. In addition, accounts within the “Other expenses” category that represent a significant portion of the total or a significant variance are shown below. 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
Noninterest expense:
2014
 
2013
 
Change
 
Change %
Salaries and employee benefits
$
3,961

 
$
4,007

 
$
(46
)
 
(1.15
)%
Occupancy
1,072

 
984

 
88

 
8.94
 %
Data processing
546

 
532

 
14

 
2.63
 %
FDIC insurance expense
190

 
182

 
8

 
4.40
 %
Other real estate owned expense
3

 
1,137

 
(1,134
)
 
(99.74
)%
Professional fees
249

 
286

 
(37
)
 
(12.94
)%
Director fees
183

 
145

 
38

 
26.21
 %
Other expenses:
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Marketing
46

 
69

 
(23
)
 
(33.33
)%
Business development
140

 
133

 
7

 
5.26
 %
Consulting fees
84

 
58

 
26

 
44.83
 %
Insurance expense
93

 
89

 
4

 
4.49
 %
Bank service charges and investment advisory fees
140

 
122

 
18

 
14.75
 %
Postage and courier
79

 
81

 
(2
)
 
(2.47
)%
Supplies
65

 
75

 
(10
)
 
(13.33
)%
All other
543

 
513

 
30

 
5.85
 %
Total other
1,190

 
1,140

 
50

 
4.39
 %
Total noninterest expense
$
7,394

 
$
8,413

 
$
(1,019
)
 
(12.11
)%
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Noninterest expense:
2014
 
2013
 
Change
 
Change %
Salaries and employee benefits
$
12,059

 
$
11,962

 
$
97

 
0.81
 %
Occupancy
3,107

 
2,917

 
190

 
6.51
 %
Data processing
1,626

 
1,515

 
111

 
7.33
 %
FDIC insurance expense
561

 
547

 
14

 
2.56
 %
Other real estate owned expense
398

 
1,138

 
(740
)
 
(65.03
)%
Professional fees
734

 
922

 
(188
)
 
(20.39
)%
Director fees
525

 
430

 
95

 
22.09
 %
Other expenses:
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Marketing
140

 
278

 
(138
)
 
(49.64
)%
Business development
545

 
403

 
142

 
35.24
 %
Consulting fees
196

 
227

 
(31
)
 
(13.66
)%
Insurance expense
291

 
279

 
12

 
4.30
 %
Bank service charges and investment advisory fees
384

 
371

 
13

 
3.50
 %
Postage and courier
248

 
248

 

 
 %
Supplies
196

 
253

 
(57
)
 
(22.53
)%
All other
1,750

 
1,584

 
166

 
10.48
 %
Total other
3,750

 
3,643

 
107

 
2.94
 %
Total noninterest expense
$
22,760

 
$
23,074

 
$
(314
)
 
(1.36
)%

42

Table of Contents
West Bancorporation, Inc.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
(dollars in thousands, except share and per share information)

Salaries and employee benefits costs for the third quarter of 2014 declined slightly compared to the third quarter of 2013 because of a decline in mortgage-related commission expense and a small amount of staff turnover. The year-to-date increase in salaries and employee benefits for the first nine months of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013 consisted primarily of normal merit increases ($174) and increased stock-based compensation costs ($110). These increases were partially offset by a decline in commission expense ($143).

Occupancy expense increased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 as compared to the same periods in 2013. The increase for the first nine months of 2014 was partially the result of increases in rental expenses due to the March 2013 addition of the Rochester, Minnesota location, an upgraded office in West Des Moines that was completed in March 2013, and the lease of additional space at the main bank location in February 2013. Also contributing to the increase in occupancy expenses for both the three and nine month periods were higher depreciation and equipment service contract expenses related to ongoing technology upgrades.

Data processing expense increased for both the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2014, primarily because of the increased volume of debit card transactions and additional information security measures put in place in the past year.

In the first nine months of 2014, other real estate owned expense declined by $740 compared to the same period last year. This decrease was primarily a result of property valuation write-downs totaling $346 for the first nine months of 2014 compared to $1,200 for the first nine months of 2013. Partially offsetting the reductions in write-downs was a decline in gains from sales of other real estate to $21 for the first nine months of 2014 as compared to $168 for the first nine months of 2013.

Professional fees declined for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared to the same time periods in 2013 due to lower legal fees. Director fees increased for both the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2014 as a result of increases in stock-based compensation costs, as well as an increase in the number of directors effective as of the 2013 annual meeting.

Certain outsourced marketing activities were brought in-house in 2014, resulting in a decline in marketing expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 as compared to the same periods for the prior year. The decline in marketing expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was also partially the result of costs incurred in the first quarter of 2013 related to opening an upgraded office in West Des Moines, Iowa and the opening of the previously mentioned location in Minnesota.

The increase in business development costs in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 was the result of expanding sponsorships of local events in the communities the Company serves. Consulting fees were lower during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 due to fees paid in the second quarter of 2013 related to the Company's repurchase of stock in June 2013. Consulting fees were higher during the third quarter of 2014 than the third quarter of 2013 due to fees paid for two, one-time projects that began in the third quarter of 2014.

The increases in bank service charges and investment advisory fees in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, resulted from entering into an agreement with an investment management firm to assist in the purchase of up to $50 million of public company floating rate loans. As of September 30, 2014, approximately $20 million of these loans were outstanding. The decline in supplies expense for both periods was primarily due to one-time costs to reissue debit cards related to changing processors in the second quarter of 2013.

Income Tax Expense

The Company recorded income tax expense of $2,362 (31.8 percent of pre-tax income) and $6,502 (31.4 percent of pre-tax income), respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, compared with $1,980 (31.2 percent of pre-tax income) and $5,518 (30.4 percent of pre-tax income), respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013.  The Company's consolidated income tax rate varied from the statutory rate primarily due to tax-exempt income, including interest on municipal securities and the increase in the cash value of bank-owned life insurance. The tax rate for 2013 was also impacted by West Bank's 2007 investment in a qualified community development entity, which generated a $2,730 federal new markets tax credit over a seven-year period. The credit for the year ended December 31, 2013 was $420, with 2013 being the final year for the credit. The tax rate for both years was also impacted by federal low income housing tax credits.


43

Table of Contents
West Bancorporation, Inc.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
(dollars in thousands, except share and per share information)

FINANCIAL CONDITION

The Company had total assets of $1,522,801 as of September 30, 2014, an increase of 5.6 percent compared to total assets as of December 31, 2013. The most significant changes in the balance sheet were increases in outstanding loans and deposits.  A summary of changes in the components of the balance sheet is described in the following paragraphs.

Investment Securities

The transfer of 86 state and political subdivision securities with total amortized cost and fair value of $50,882 and $51,371, respectively, to the held to maturity classification was the primary cause of the available for sale investment classification declining $57,303 since December 31, 2013. The reclassification occurred in September 2014. The Company decided it was prudent to reclassify approximately half of the state and political subdivision securities to the held to maturity securities designation as the Company has the ability and intent to hold these securities until their maturity dates, which range from 2020 to 2034. By establishing a "held to maturity" investment securities portfolio, any future decline in the market value of the securities in this portfolio will not adversely impact stockholders' equity and book value per share.

Investment securities with book values totaling $35,866 were sold in the first and third quarters 2014 for net gains of $716. The sales were undertaken in order to capitalize on available net gains while being able to reinvest the proceeds primarily in agency and mortgage-backed securities at similar yields and durations.

As of September 30, 2014, approximately 70 percent of the available for sale investment securities portfolio consisted of government agency guaranteed collateralized mortgage obligations and mortgage-backed securities. In the current low interest rate environment, we believe both provide relatively good yields, have little to no credit risk and provide fairly consistent cash flows.

As of September 30, 2014, the available for sale investment securities portfolio included one security that is considered to have OTTI and for which the Company is not accruing interest. That security is a pooled TPS, ALESCO Preferred Funding X, Ltd.  As of September 30, 2014, this TPS, with a cost basis of $4,171, was valued at $2,433.  Management first considered this pooled TPS to have OTTI in 2009.  The fair value of this security has been increasing over the past two years as the outlook for future cash flows from the collateral within the TPS has improved. Any potential future loss that would be considered a credit loss would negatively impact net income and regulatory capital; however, the fair value adjustment at September 30, 2014, has already been recorded against equity.

Loans and Nonperforming Assets

Loans outstanding increased $91,357 from $991,720 as of December 31, 2013 to $1,083,077 as of September 30, 2014. Growth in the loan portfolio during the first nine months of 2014 was in the commercial, construction and land development, and commercial real estate segments. Management believes the growth was the result of some improvement in our local economies, continued growth in the Rochester, Minnesota location and the Company's business development efforts. The purchase of public company floating rate loans also contributed to loan growth. The opening of the Rochester, Minnesota location in March 2013 and the addition of its experienced lenders have produced loan balances of approximately $39,300 as of September 30, 2014. Management believes the loan pipelines are good in all three of our markets, and additional loan growth is expected over the next several quarters.


44

Table of Contents
West Bancorporation, Inc.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
(dollars in thousands, except share and per share information)

Credit quality of the Company's loan portfolio remains strong as nonperforming loans continued to decline and remain at less than half a percent of total loans outstanding as of September 30, 2014, as shown in the table below. The Company's Texas ratio, which is computed by dividing nonperforming assets by tangible equity plus the allowance for loan losses, was 6.21 percent as of September 30, 2014, down from 7.69 percent as of December 31, 2013. The ratios for both dates were significantly better than peer group averages, which were approximately 15 percent as of June 30, 2014, according to data in the June 2014 Bank Holding Company Performance Report. Management believes that it continues to devote appropriate resources to monitoring and reducing nonperforming assets.

The following table sets forth the amount of nonperforming loans and assets held by the Company and common ratio measurements of those items as of the dates shown. 
 
September 30, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
 
Change
Nonaccrual loans
$
1,936

 
$
2,398

 
$
(462
)
Loans past due 90 days and still accruing interest

 

 

Troubled debt restructured loans (1)
389

 
517

 
(128
)
Total nonperforming loans
2,325

 
2,915

 
(590
)
Other real estate owned
4,495

 
5,800

 
(1,305
)
Nonaccrual investment securities (2)
2,433

 
1,850

 
583

Total nonperforming assets
$
9,253

 
$
10,565

 
$
(1,312
)
 
 

 
 

 
 

Nonperforming loans to total loans
0.21
%
 
0.29
%
 
(0.08
)%
Nonperforming assets to total assets
0.61
%
 
0.73
%
 
(0.12
)%

(1)
While TDR loans are commonly reported by the industry as nonperforming, those not classified in the nonaccrual category are accruing interest due to payment performance. TDR loans on nonaccrual status are included in the nonaccrual category. There were two TDR loans as of September 30, 2014 and one TDR loan as of December 31, 2013, with balances of $672 and $670, respectively, included in the nonaccrual category.
(2)
Comprised of one pooled TPS as of both dates. The fair value for this OTTI security increases as the market improves.


45

Table of Contents
West Bancorporation, Inc.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
(dollars in thousands, except share and per share information)

The following tables set forth the activity within each category of nonperforming loans and assets for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
 
Nonaccrual
 
Loans Past Due 90 Days and Still Accruing Interest
 
Troubled Debt Restructured
 
Total Nonperforming Loans
 
Other Real Estate Owned
 
Nonaccrual Investment Securities
 
Total Nonperforming Assets
Balance at beginning of period
$
2,398

 
$

 
$
517

 
$
2,915

 
$
5,800

 
$
1,850

 
$
10,565

Increase in fair market value

 

 

 

 

 
583

 
583

Additions
859

 
326

 

 
1,185

 
1

 

 
1,186

Transfers:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 

Past due to nonaccrual
91

 
(91
)
 

 

 

 

 

Troubled debt to past due

 
91

 
(91
)
 

 

 

 

Nonaccrual to OREO
(393
)
 

 

 
(393
)
 
393

 

 

Upgrade in classification

 
(326
)
 

 
(326
)
 

 

 
(326
)
Sales

 

 

 

 
(1,344
)
 

 
(1,344
)
Subsequent write-downs/
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
impairment
(632
)
 

 

 
(632
)
 
(355
)
 

 
(987
)
Payments
(387
)
 

 
(37
)
 
(424
)
 

 

 
(424
)
Balance at end of period
$
1,936

 
$

 
$
389

 
$
2,325

 
$
4,495

 
$
2,433

 
$
9,253

 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
 
Nonaccrual
 
Loans Past Due 90 Days and Still Accruing Interest
 
Troubled Debt Restructured
 
Total Nonperforming Loans
 
Other Real Estate Owned
 
Nonaccrual Investment Securities
 
Total Nonperforming Assets
Balance at beginning of period
$
6,400

 
$

 
$
856

 
$
7,256

 
$
8,304

 
$
1,334

 
$
16,894

Increase in fair market value

 

 

 

 

 
468

 
468

Additions
5,419

 
1,051

 
31

 
6,501

 
(19
)
 

 
6,482

Transfers:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Troubled debt to nonaccrual
104

 

 
(104
)
 

 

 

 

Nonaccrual to OREO
(153
)
 

 

 
(153
)
 
153

 

 

Upgrade in classification

 

 
(186
)
 
(186
)
 

 

 
(186
)
Sales

 

 

 

 
(962
)
 

 
(962
)
Subsequent write-downs/
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
impairment
(554
)
 
(5
)
 
(31
)
 
(590
)
 
(1,200
)
 

 
(1,790
)
Payments
(3,930
)
 

 
(38
)
 
(3,968
)
 

 

 
(3,968
)
Balance at end of period
$
7,286

 
$
1,046

 
$
528

 
$
8,860

 
$
6,276

 
$
1,802

 
$
16,938

Reference is also made to the information and discussion earlier in this report under the heading “Provision for Loan Losses and the Related Allowance for Loan Losses,” and Notes 4 and 6 to the financial statements.


46

Table of Contents
West Bancorporation, Inc.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
(dollars in thousands, except share and per share information)

The following table provides the composition of other real estate owned as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
 
September 30, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
Construction and development land
$
4,334

 
$
5,756

1-4 family residential properties
161

 
44

 
$
4,495

 
$
5,800

The Company continues to actively market the assets included in the previous table.  Valuations of other real estate owned are updated by management at least annually, so that the properties are carried at current fair value less estimated disposal costs.  Fair values are determined by obtaining updated appraisals or other market information.  As of September 30, 2014, the construction and development land category included two properties in the Des Moines metropolitan area and one property in Missouri.  The 1-4 family residential category consists of two homes in the Des Moines area.
 
Other Assets

Bank-owned life insurance increased during the first nine months of 2014 primarily due to an additional $5,000 purchase. In the current low interest rate environment, management considered the purchase a good alternative investment due to the tax-exempt status of the revenue associated with the asset. The reduction in other assets during the first nine months of 2014 was largely due to the decline in the value of derivative instruments.

Deposits

Deposits increased $41,420 during the first nine months of 2014, or approximately 3.6 percent compared to December 31, 2013.  The majority of the increase was in the savings category as total money market deposits increased by $35,372 during the first nine months of 2014. A significant portion of this increase came from a municipality that deposited tax receipts at the end of March 2014. The $15,049 increase in noninterest-bearing demand account balances was considered a normal fluctuation as corporate customers' liquidity needs vary at any given time.

Time deposits as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 included $51,959 and $37,669, respectively, of Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Service deposits, which is a program that coordinates, on a reciprocal basis, a network of banks to spread deposits exceeding the FDIC insurance coverage limits out to numerous institutions in order to provide insurance coverage for all participating deposits. The increase in the first nine months of 2014 was mainly due to additional deposits by two customers.

Borrowings

Federal funds purchased as of September 30, 2014 consisted of funds sold to West Bank by two Iowa banks. The balance of federal funds purchased declined $12,752 in the first nine months of 2014, with the reduction attributed to the Company not utilizing its federal funds lines of credit with upstream correspondent banks at September 30, 2014, and lower balances held by the downstream correspondent banks. As of September 30, 2014, the Company had borrowed $40,000 of overnight funds from FHLB. Long-term debt declined $2,444 during the first nine months of 2014 in accordance with the repayment terms of the agreements.
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources

The objectives of liquidity management are to ensure the availability of sufficient cash flows to meet all financial commitments and to capitalize on opportunities for profitable business expansion.  The Company's principal source of funds is deposits.  Other sources include loan principal repayments, proceeds from the maturity and sale of investment securities, principal payments on collateralized mortgage obligations and mortgage-backed securities, federal funds purchased, advances from the FHLB, and funds provided by operations.  Liquidity management is conducted on both a daily and a long-term basis.  Investments in liquid assets are adjusted based on expected loan demand, projected loan and investment securities maturities and payments, expected deposit flows and the objectives set by the Company's asset-liability management policy. The Company had liquid assets (cash and cash equivalents) of $34,684 as of September 30, 2014 compared with $42,425 as of December 31, 2013.  

47

Table of Contents
West Bancorporation, Inc.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
(dollars in thousands, except share and per share information)

As of September 30, 2014, West Bank had additional borrowing capacity available from the FHLB of approximately $120,000, after borrowing $40,000 of overnight funds, as well as $67,000 through unsecured federal funds lines of credit with correspondent banks.  The Company also has a $5,000 secured line of credit with a commercial bank that expires on August 5, 2015. The Company was not drawing on its line of credit as of September 30, 2014.  Net cash from operating activities contributed $21,350 and $19,200 to liquidity for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.  The combination of high levels of potentially liquid assets, cash flows from operations and additional borrowing capacity provided the Company with strong liquidity as of September 30, 2014.

The Company's total stockholders' equity increased to $135,725 at September 30, 2014 from $123,625 at December 31, 2013.  The increase was the result of net income less dividends paid plus an increase in accumulated other comprehensive income.

The Company and West Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by federal and state banking agencies.  Failure to meet minimum capital requirements (as shown in the following table) can result in certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators, which if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Company and West Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of their assets, liabilities and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The Company's and West Bank's capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors. Management believes the Company and West Bank met all capital adequacy requirements to which they were subject as of September 30, 2014.

The Company's and West Bank's capital amounts and ratios are presented in the following table. 
 
Actual
 
For Capital
Adequacy Purposes
 
To Be Well-Capitalized
Under Prompt Corrective
Action Provisions
 
Amount
 
Ratio
 
Amount
 
Ratio
 
Amount
 
Ratio
As of September 30, 2014:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated
$
169,382

 
13.37
%
 
$
101,335

 
8.00
%
 
N/A

 
N/A

West Bank
161,585

 
13.07
%
 
98,927

 
8.00
%
 
$
123,659

 
10.00
%
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Tier I Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Consolidated
156,037

 
12.32
%
 
50,667

 
4.00
%
 
N/A

 
N/A

West Bank
148,240

 
11.99
%
 
49,464

 
4.00
%
 
74,196

 
6.00
%
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Tier I Leverage
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Consolidated
156,037

 
10.28
%
 
60,741

 
4.00
%
 
N/A

 
N/A

West Bank
148,240

 
9.87
%
 
60,079

 
4.00
%
 
75,098

 
5.00
%
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

As of December 31, 2013:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Total Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Consolidated
$
160,737

 
13.94
%
 
$
92,265

 
8.00
%
 
N/A

 
N/A

West Bank
155,666

 
13.86
%
 
89,859

 
8.00
%
 
$
112,323

 
10.00
%
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Tier I Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Consolidated
146,946

 
12.74
%
 
46,133

 
4.00
%
 
N/A

 
N/A

West Bank
141,875

 
12.63
%
 
44,929

 
4.00
%
 
67,394

 
6.00
%
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Tier I Leverage
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Consolidated
146,946

 
10.04
%
 
58,520

 
4.00
%
 
N/A

 
N/A

West Bank
141,875

 
9.80
%
 
57,882

 
4.00
%
 
72,353

 
5.00
%


48

Table of Contents
West Bancorporation, Inc.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
(dollars in thousands, except share and per share information)

As disclosed in the Company's Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 6, 2014, in July 2013, the Federal Reserve Board and the FDIC issued final rules implementing the Basel III regulatory capital framework and related Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act changes. The rules revise minimum capital requirements and adjust prompt corrective action thresholds. The final rules revise the regulatory capital elements, add a new common equity Tier I capital ratio, and increase the minimum capital ratio requirements. The rules also permit certain banking organizations to retain, through a one-time election, the existing treatment for accumulated other comprehensive income and implement a new capital conservation buffer. The final rules will take effect for community banks January 1, 2015, subject to a transition period for certain parts of the rules. The complex final rules require continued careful review and analysis, but management believes the Company and West Bank will remain well-capitalized.

At September 30, 2014, tangible common equity as a percent of tangible assets was 8.91 percent compared to 8.57 percent as of December 31, 2013.

During 2013, the Company entered into a construction contract for the previously mentioned new main office for the eastern Iowa market. Progress billings of approximately $1,800 have been paid on the $3,058 contract through September 30, 2014. The construction, which began in December 2013, is being funded with liquid assets.

Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Market risk is the risk of earnings volatility that results from adverse changes in interest rates and market prices. The Company's market risk is primarily interest rate risk arising from its core banking activities of lending and deposit taking. Interest rate risk is the risk that the change in market interest rates may adversely affect the Company's net interest income.  Management continually develops and implements strategies to mitigate this risk.  The analysis of the Company's interest rate risk was presented in the Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 6, 2014 and is incorporated herein by reference.  The Company has not experienced any material changes to its market risk position since December 31, 2013.  Management does not believe the Company's primary market risk exposures and how those exposures were managed in the first nine months of 2014 changed when compared to 2013.

Item 4.  Controls and Procedures

a.  Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures.  As of the end of the period covered by this report, an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 240.13a-15(f)) was performed under the supervision, and with the participation of the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer.  Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company's current disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that the information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms.

b.  Changes in internal controls over financial reporting.  There were no changes in the Company's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

Part II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings

Information required by this item is set forth in Note 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part 1 Item 1 of this report and incorporated herein by reference.

Item 1A.  Risk Factors

Management does not believe there have been any material changes in the risk factors that were disclosed in the Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 6, 2014.


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Item 2.  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Through September 30, 2014, there were no purchases of the Company's common shares under the stock repurchase plan as extended by the Board of Directors on April 23, 2014. Management was authorized by the Board of Directors to purchase up to $2 million of the Company's common stock over a twelve month period. The authorization does not require such purchases and is subject to certain restrictions. Shares of Company common stock may be repurchased on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. The extent to which the shares are repurchased and the timing of such repurchase will depend on market conditions and other corporate considerations.

Item 3.  Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

Item 4.  Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

Item 5.  Other Information

None.


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Item 6.  Exhibits

The following exhibits are filed as part of this report:
Exhibits
Description
31.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101.INS
XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document


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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.

West Bancorporation, Inc.
 
 
 
(Registrant)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
October 24, 2014
By:
/s/ David D. Nelson
 
Date
 
David D. Nelson
 
 
 
Chief Executive Officer and President
 
 
 
 
 
October 24, 2014
By:
/s/ Douglas R. Gulling
 
Date
 
Douglas R. Gulling
 
 
 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
(Principal Financial Officer)
 
 
 
 
 
October 24, 2014
 
/s/ Marie I. Roberts
 
Date
 
Marie I. Roberts
 
 
 
Senior Vice President and Controller
 
 
 
(Principal Accounting Officer)
 


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EXHIBIT INDEX

The following exhibits are filed herewith:
Exhibit No.
Description
31.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101.INS
XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
 

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