Document
Table of Contents

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 March 31, 2018
or
o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OF 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from ____ to ____
Commission File Number: 000-31225

pnfplogoa04.jpg, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Tennessee
 
62-1812853
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
150 Third Avenue South, Suite 900, Nashville, Tennessee
 
37201
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
(615) 744-3700
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Not Applicable
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changes since last report)

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 website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for 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, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definitions of "large accelerated filer", "accelerated filer", "smaller reporting company" and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.  (Check one):
Large Accelerated Filer x
Accelerated Filer o
Non-accelerated Filer  o
(do not check if you are a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company o  
 
Emerging growth company o  

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. 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 May 1, 2018 there were 77,868,340 shares of common stock, $1.00 par value per share, issued and outstanding.


Table of Contents

Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc.
Report on Form 10-Q
March 31, 2018

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page No.
 
 
PART I – Financial Information:
Item 1. Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
 
 
PART II – Other Information:
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Item 5. Other Information
Item 6. Exhibits
Signatures

2

Table of Contents

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included in this report, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. The words "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "aim","seek," "estimate" and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements, but other statements not based on historical information may also be considered forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the statements, including, but not limited to:  (i) deterioration in the financial condition of borrowers resulting in significant increases in loan losses and provisions for those losses; (ii) continuation of the historically low short-term interest rate environment; (iii) the inability of Pinnacle Financial, or entities in which it has significant investments, like Bankers Healthcare Group, LLC ("BHG"), to maintain the historical growth rate of its, or such entities', loan portfolio; (iv) changes in loan underwriting, credit review or loss reserve policies associated with economic conditions, examination conclusions, or regulatory developments; (v) effectiveness of Pinnacle Financial's asset management activities in improving, resolving or liquidating lower-quality assets; (vi) the impact of competition with other financial institutions, including pricing pressures (including those resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act) and the resulting impact on Pinnacle Financial’s results, including as a result of compression to net interest margin; (vii) greater than anticipated adverse conditions in the national or local economies including in Pinnacle Financial's markets throughout Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia,  particularly in commercial and residential real estate markets; (viii) fluctuations or unanticipated changes in interest rates on loans or deposits or that affect the yield curve; (ix) the results of regulatory examinations; (x) the ability to grow and retain low-cost core deposits and retain large, uninsured deposits; (xi) a merger or acquisition; (xii) risks of expansion into new geographic or product markets; (xiii) any matter that would cause Pinnacle Financial to conclude that there was impairment of any asset, including intangible assets; (xiv) reduced ability to attract additional financial advisors (or failure of such advisors to cause their clients to switch to Pinnacle Bank), to retain financial advisors (including as a result of the competitive environment resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act) or otherwise to attract customers from other financial institutions; (xv) further deterioration in the valuation of other real estate owned and increased expenses associated therewith; (xvi) inability to comply with regulatory capital requirements, including those resulting from changes to capital calculation methodologies, required capital maintenance levels or regulatory requests or directives, particularly if Pinnacle Financial's level of applicable commercial real estate loans continues to exceed percentage levels of total capital in guidelines recommended by its regulators; (xvii) risks associated with litigation, including the applicability of insurance coverage; (xviii) the risk of successful integration of the businesses Pinnacle Financial has recently acquired with its business; (xix) approval of the declaration of any dividend by Pinnacle Financial's board of directors; (xx) the vulnerability of Pinnacle Bank's network and online banking portals, and the systems of parties with whom Pinnacle Financial contracts, to unauthorized access, computer viruses, phishing schemes, spam attacks, human error, natural disasters, power loss and other security breaches; (xxi) the possibility of increased compliance costs as a result of increased regulatory oversight, including oversight of companies in which Pinnacle Financial or Pinnacle Bank have significant investments, like BHG, and the development of additional banking products for Pinnacle Bank's corporate and consumer clients;  (xxii) the risks associated with Pinnacle Financial and Pinnacle Bank being a minority investor in BHG, including the risk that the owners of a majority of the equity interests in BHG decide to sell the company if not prohibited from doing so by the terms of our agreement with them; (xxii) changes in state and federal legislation, regulations or policies applicable to banks and other financial service providers, like BHG, including regulatory or legislative developments; (xxiv) the risk that the cost savings and any revenue synergies expected from Pinnacle Financial's merger with BNC may not be realized or take longer than anticipated to be realized; (xxv) disruption from Pinnacle Financial's merger with BNC with customers, suppliers, employee or other business partners relationships; (xxvi) the risk of successful integration of Pinnacle Financial's and BNC's businesses; (xxvii) reputational risk and the reaction of the parties' customers, suppliers, employees or other business partners to Pinnacle Financial's merger with BNC; (xxviii) the risk that the integration of Pinnacle Financial's and BNC's operations will be more costly or difficult than expected; (xxix) inability to grow our commercial and industrial loan portfolio at rates necessary to cause our levels of non-owner occupied commercial real estate and multifamily loans (including construction and land development loans) as a percentage of total capital to fall below levels included in guidelines recommended by our regulators; (xxx) the availability and access to capital; (xxxi) adverse results (including costs, fines, reputational harm and/or other negative effects) from current or future litigation, regulatory examinations or other legal and/or regulatory actions; and (xxxii) general competitive, economic, political and market conditions. Additional factors which could affect the forward looking statements can be found in Pinnacle Financial's Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and available on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. Pinnacle Financial disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this report, which speak only as of the date hereof, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.


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Table of Contents

Item 1.
Part I. Financial Information
PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)
 
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
ASSETS
 
 
 
Cash and noninterest-bearing due from banks
$
128,855

 
$
176,553

Interest-bearing due from banks
238,029

 
496,911

Federal funds sold and other
1,879

 
106,133

Cash and cash equivalents
368,763

 
779,597

 
 
 
 
Securities available-for-sale, at fair value
2,960,624

 
2,515,283

Securities held-to-maturity (fair value of $20,603 and $20,830 at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively)
20,677

 
20,762

Consumer loans held-for-sale
100,231

 
103,729

Commercial loans held-for-sale
18,625

 
25,456

 
 
 
 
Loans
16,326,017

 
15,633,116

Less allowance for loan losses
(70,204
)
 
(67,240
)
Loans, net
16,255,813

 
15,565,876

 
 
 
 
Premises and equipment, net
269,439

 
266,014

Equity method investment
226,704

 
221,667

Accrued interest receivable
60,918

 
57,440

Goodwill
1,808,300

 
1,808,002

Core deposits and other intangible assets
54,012

 
56,710

Other real estate owned
23,982

 
27,831

Other assets
767,086

 
757,333

Total assets
$
22,935,174

 
$
22,205,700

 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 

 
 

Deposits:
 

 
 

Noninterest-bearing
$
4,274,213

 
$
4,381,386

Interest-bearing
3,040,154

 
2,987,291

Savings and money market accounts
6,615,562

 
6,548,964

Time
2,572,980

 
2,534,061

Total deposits
16,502,909

 
16,451,702

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
131,863

 
135,262

Federal Home Loan Bank advances
1,976,881

 
1,319,909

Subordinated debt and other borrowings
465,550

 
465,505

Accrued interest payable
13,592

 
10,480

Other liabilities
95,076

 
114,890

Total liabilities
19,185,871

 
18,497,748

Stockholders' equity:
 

 
 

Preferred stock, no par value; 10,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding

 

Common stock, par value $1.00; 90,000 shares authorized; 77,853 and 77,740 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively
77,853

 
77,740

Additional paid-in capital
3,115,990

 
3,115,304

Retained earnings
591,680

 
519,144

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of taxes
(36,220
)
 
(4,236
)
Total stockholders' equity
3,749,303

 
3,707,952

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
$
22,935,174

 
$
22,205,700

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

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Table of Contents

PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 
Three months ended
March 31,
 
2018
 
2017
Interest income:
 
 
 
Loans, including fees
$
191,214

 
$
93,218

Securities:
 

 
 

Taxable
11,222

 
6,433

Tax-exempt
7,285

 
1,678

Federal funds sold and other
1,807

 
814

Total interest income
211,528

 
102,143

 
 
 
 
Interest expense:
 

 
 

Deposits
23,981

 
8,119

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
130

 
50

Federal Home Loan Bank advances and other borrowings
12,946

 
5,207

Total interest expense
37,057

 
13,376

Net interest income
174,471

 
88,767

Provision for loan losses
6,931

 
3,651

Net interest income after provision for loan losses
167,540

 
85,116

 
 
 
 
Noninterest income:
 

 
 

Service charges on deposit accounts
5,820

 
3,856

Investment services
5,107

 
2,822

Insurance sales commissions
3,119

 
1,859

Gain on mortgage loans sold, net
3,744

 
4,155

Gain on sale of investment securities, net
30

 

Trust fees
3,117

 
1,705

Income from equity method investment
9,360

 
7,823

Other noninterest income
13,886

 
8,162

Total noninterest income
44,183

 
30,382

 
 
 
 
Noninterest expense:
 

 
 

Salaries and employee benefits
63,719

 
38,352

Equipment and occupancy
17,743

 
9,675

Other real estate expense (income)
(794
)
 
252

Marketing and other business development
2,247

 
1,879

Postage and supplies
2,039

 
1,197

Amortization of intangibles
2,698

 
1,196

Merger related expense
5,353

 
672

Other noninterest expense
15,575

 
8,831

Total noninterest expense
108,580

 
62,054

Income before income taxes
103,143

 
53,444

Income tax expense
19,633

 
13,791

Net income
$
83,510

 
$
39,653

Per share information:
 

 
 

Basic net income per common share
$
1.08

 
$
0.83

Diluted net income per common share
$
1.08

 
$
0.82

Weighted average shares outstanding:
 

 
 

Basic
77,077,957

 
48,022,342

Diluted
77,365,664

 
48,517,920


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

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Table of Contents

PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)
(dollars in thousands)

 
 
Three months ended
March 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
Net income
 
$
83,510

 
$
39,653

Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
 
 

 
 

Change in fair value on available-for-sale securities, net of tax
 
(33,541
)
 
(808
)
Change in fair value of cash flow hedges, net of tax
 
1,579

 
(143
)
Net gain on sale of investment securities reclassified from other comprehensive income into net income, net of tax
 
(22
)
 

Total other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax
 
(31,984
)
 
(951
)
Total comprehensive income
 
$
51,526

 
$
38,702


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

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Table of Contents

PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(Unaudited)
(dollars and shares in thousands)


 
Common Stock
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shares
 
Amounts
 
Additional Paid-in Capital
 
Retained Earnings
 
Accumulated Other Comp. Income (Loss), net
 
Total Stockholder's Equity
Balance at December 31, 2016
46,359

 
$
46,359

 
$
1,083,491

 
$
381,073

 
$
(14,227
)
 
$
1,496,696

Exercise of employee common stock options and related tax benefits
149

 
149

 
2,812

 

 

 
2,961

Common dividends paid

 

 

 
(7,025
)
 

 
(7,025
)
Issuance of restricted common shares, net of forfeitures
119

 
119

 
(119
)
 

 

 

Issuance of common equity, net of costs
3,220

 
3,220

 
188,974

 

 

 
192,194

Restricted shares withheld for taxes and related tax benefit
(57
)
 
(57
)
 
(3,869
)
 

 

 
(3,926
)
Compensation expense for restricted shares

 

 
3,474

 

 

 
3,474

Net income

 

 

 
39,653

 

 
39,653

Other comprehensive loss

 

 

 

 
(951
)
 
(951
)
Balance at March 31, 2017
49,790

 
$
49,790

 
$
1,274,763

 
$
413,701

 
$
(15,178
)
 
$
1,723,076

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2017
77,740

 
$
77,740

 
$
3,115,304

 
$
519,144

 
$
(4,236
)
 
$
3,707,952

Exercise of employee common stock options
87

 
87

 
1,529

 

 

 
1,616

Common dividends paid

 

 

 
(10,974
)
 

 
(10,974
)
Issuance of restricted common shares, net of forfeitures
106

 
106

 
(106
)
 

 

 

Restricted shares withheld for taxes and related tax benefit
(80
)
 
(80
)
 
(5,185
)
 

 

 
(5,265
)
Compensation expense for restricted shares

 

 
4,448

 

 

 
4,448

Net income

 

 

 
83,510

 

 
83,510

Other comprehensive loss

 

 

 

 
(31,984
)
 
(31,984
)
Balance at March 31, 2018
77,853

 
$
77,853

 
$
3,115,990

 
$
591,680

 
$
(36,220
)
 
$
3,749,303


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

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Table of Contents

PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
(dollars in thousands)
 
Three months ended
March 31,
 
2018
 
2017
Operating activities:
 
 
 
Net income
$
83,510

 
$
39,653

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 

 
 

Net amortization/accretion of premium/discount on securities
4,775

 
1,978

Depreciation, amortization and accretion
(6,181
)
 
(429
)
Provision for loan losses
6,931

 
3,651

Gain on mortgage loans sold, net
(3,744
)
 
(4,155
)
Investment gains on sales, net
(30
)
 

Stock-based compensation expense
4,448

 
3,474

Deferred tax expense
8,513

 
8,699

Losses (gains) on dispositions of other real estate and other investments
(481
)
 
80

Income from equity method investment
(9,360
)
 
(7,823
)
   Dividends received from equity method investment
4,324

 
2,450

Excess tax benefit from stock compensation
(2,681
)
 
(3,760
)
Gain on other loans sold, net
(936
)
 
(187
)
Other loans held for sale:
 

 
 

Loans originated
(80,193
)
 
(36,888
)
Loans sold
87,960

 
44,308

Consumer loans held for sale:
 

 
 

Loans originated
(247,025
)
 
(179,473
)
Loans sold
254,266

 
160,740

Increase in other assets
(4,639
)
 
(136
)
Decrease in other liabilities
(13,901
)
 
(24,386
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
85,556

 
7,796

Investing activities:
 

 
 

Activities in securities available-for-sale:
 

 
 

Purchases
(590,328
)
 
(334,875
)
Sales
14,454

 

Maturities, prepayments and calls
81,737

 
50,445

Activities in securities held-to-maturity:
 

 
 

Maturities, prepayments and calls

 
145

Increase in loans, net
(683,710
)
 
(193,557
)
Purchases of software, premises and equipment
(8,806
)
 
(11,446
)
Proceeds from sales of software, premises and equipment
164

 

Purchase of bank owned life insurance policies

 
(25,000
)
Increase in other investments
(836
)
 
(640
)
Net cash used in investing activities
(1,187,325
)
 
(514,928
)
Financing activities:
 

 
 

Net increase in deposits
52,039

 
521,563

Net decrease in securities sold under agreements to repurchase
(3,398
)
 
(14,549
)
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank:
 

 
 

Issuances
762,000

 

Payments/maturities
(105,014
)
 
(225,020
)
Increase (decrease) in other borrowings, net
(30
)
 
50,000

Principal payments of capital lease obligation
(39
)
 
(36
)
Proceeds from common stock issuance, net

 
192,194

Exercise of common stock options and stock appreciation rights, net of repurchase of restricted shares
(3,649
)
 
(966
)
Common stock dividends paid
(10,974
)
 
(7,025
)
Net cash provided by financing activities
690,935

 
516,161

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
(410,834
)
 
9,029

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
779,597

 
183,645

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
$
368,763

 
$
192,674


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

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Table of Contents

PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Nature of Business — Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc. (Pinnacle Financial) is a bank holding company whose primary business is conducted by its wholly-owned subsidiary, Pinnacle Bank. Pinnacle Bank is a commercial bank headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee. Pinnacle Financial completed its acquisitions of CapitalMark Bank & Trust (CapitalMark), Magna Bank (Magna), Avenue Financial Holdings, Inc. (Avenue) and BNC Bancorp (BNC) on July 31, 2015, September 1, 2015, July 1, 2016 and June 16, 2017, respectively. Pinnacle Financial and Pinnacle Bank also collectively hold a 49% interest in Bankers Healthcare Group, LLC (BHG), a full-service commercial loan provider to healthcare and other professional practices. Pinnacle Bank provides a full range of banking services, including investment, mortgage, insurance, and comprehensive wealth management services, in its 11 primarily urban markets within Tennessee, the Carolinas and Virginia. In addition to the offices in those primary markets, Pinnacle Financial has recently opened loan production offices in Indiana and Texas.

Basis of Presentation — The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with instructions to Form 10-Q and therefore do not include all information and footnotes necessary for a fair presentation of financial position, results of operations, and cash flows in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP).  All adjustments consisting of normally recurring accruals that, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and results of operations for the periods covered by the report have been included. The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Pinnacle Financial consolidated financial statements and related notes appearing in Pinnacle Financial's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 (2017 10-K).

These consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Pinnacle Financial and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. Certain statutory trust affiliates of Pinnacle Financial, as noted in Note 12. Subordinated Debt and Other Borrowings are included in these consolidated financial statements pursuant to the equity method of accounting. Significant intercompany transactions and accounts are eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates — The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities as of the balance sheet date and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term include the determination of the allowance for loan losses, determination of any impairment of intangible assets and the valuation of deferred tax assets. There have been no significant changes to Pinnacle Financial's significant accounting policies as disclosed in the 2017 10-K.

Cash Flow Information — Supplemental cash flow information addressing certain cash and noncash transactions for each of the three months ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017 was as follows (in thousands):
 
For the three months ended
March 31,
 
2018
 
2017
Cash Transactions:
 
 
 
Interest paid
$
34,909

 
$
13,667

Income taxes paid, net
425

 
230

Noncash Transactions:
 

 
 

Loans charged-off to the allowance for loan losses
8,669

 
5,162

Loans foreclosed upon and transferred to other real estate owned
232

 
1,498

Loans foreclosed upon and transferred to other assets
392

 
3


Income Per Common Share — Basic net income per common share (EPS) is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS reflects the dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted. The difference between basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding is attributable to common stock options, common stock appreciation rights, restricted share awards, and restricted share unit awards. The dilutive effect of outstanding options, common stock appreciation rights, restricted share awards, and restricted share unit awards is reflected in diluted EPS by application of the treasury stock method.


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Table of Contents

The following is a summary of the basic and diluted net income per share calculations for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 (in thousands, except per share data):
 
 
Three months ended
March 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
Basic net income per share calculation:
 
 
 
 
Numerator - Net income
 
$
83,510

 
$
39,653

 
 
 
 
 
Denominator - Weighted average common shares outstanding
 
77,078

 
48,022

Basic net income per common share
 
$
1.08

 
$
0.83

 
 
 
 
 
Diluted net income per share calculation:
 
 

 
 

Numerator – Net income
 
$
83,510

 
$
39,653

 
 
 
 
 
Denominator - Weighted average common shares outstanding
 
77,078

 
48,022

Dilutive shares contingently issuable
 
288

 
496

Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding
 
77,366

 
48,518

Diluted net income per common share
 
$
1.08

 
$
0.82


On January 27, 2017, Pinnacle Financial completed the issuance and sale of 3,220,000 shares of common stock (including 420,000 shares issued as a result of the underwriter exercising its over-allotment option) in an underwritten public offering, which shares are included in the share count above. The net proceeds of the offering, after deducting the underwriting discount and estimated offering expenses, were approximately $192.2 million. Also, Pinnacle Financial issued 27,687,100 shares of common stock in conjunction with the acquisition of BNC on June 16, 2017.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements    In August 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging: Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities. The amendments in this ASU make more financial and non-financial hedging strategies eligible for hedge accounting. It also amends the presentation and disclosure requirements and changes how companies assess effectiveness. The amendments will be effective for public companies for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. Pinnacle Financial early adopted this standard in early 2018 and subsequently entered into two derivative contracts under this standard, as noted in Note 9. Derivative Instruments.

In March 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-08, Receivables - Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Subtopic 310-20): Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities. The amendment in this ASU shortens the amortization period for certain callable debt securities held at a premium to the earliest call date. The amendment does not require an accounting change for securities held at a discount; the discount continues to be amortized to maturity. The amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those periods. Early adoption is permitted with modified retrospective application. Pinnacle Financial elected to early adopt this standard in the first quarter of 2018 with no material impact to its financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued  Accounting Standards Update 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230) intended to reduce the diversity in practice around how certain transactions are classified within the statement of cash flows. The guidance is effective for public companies for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted with retrospective application. Pinnacle Financial adopted this standard in the first quarter of 2018 with no material impact to its financial statements, with the exception of dividends received from our equity method investments which were reclassified from cash flow from investments to operating cash flow.

In January 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-01 Financial Instruments – Overall (Subtopic 825-10) which, among other things, (i) requires equity investments, excluding those accounted for under the equity method or that result in consolidation, to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income, (ii) simplifies the impairment assessment of equity investments without readily determinable fair values by requiring a qualitative assessment to identify impairment, (iii) eliminates the requirement for public business entities to disclose the methods and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value that is required to be disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost on the balance sheet, (iv) requires public business entities to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes, (v) requires an entity to present separately in other comprehensive income the portion of the total change in the fair value of a liability resulting from a change in the instrument-specific credit risk when the entity has elected to measure the liability at fair value in accordance with the fair value option for financial instruments, (vi) requires separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset on the balance sheet or the accompanying notes to the financial

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statements and (viii) clarifies that an entity should evaluate the need for a valuation allowance on a deferred tax asset related to available-for-sale securities in combination with the entity's other deferred tax assets. ASU 2016-01 became effective for Pinnacle Financial in the first quarter of 2018 and did not have a material impact on our financial statements. See Note 10. Fair Value of Financial Instruments for disclosure of the fair value of financial instruments based on an exit price notion as required by ASU 2016-01.

In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606 ) developed as a joint project with the International Accounting Standards Board to remove inconsistencies in revenue requirements and provide a more robust framework for addressing revenue issues. The ASU's core principle is that an entity should recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which an entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In August 2015, the FASB issued  Accounting Standards Update 2015-14, which deferred the effective date by one year (i.e., interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017). Early adoption is permitted, but not before the original effective date (i.e., interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016). The ASU may be adopted using either a modified retrospective method or a full retrospective method. Pinnacle Financial adopted the ASU during the first quarter of 2018, as required, using a modified retrospective approach. The majority of Pinnacle Financial's revenue stream is generated from interest income on loans and deposits, which are outside the scope of Topic 606. Pinnacle Financial’s sources of income that fall within the scope of Topic 606 include service charges on deposits, investment services, insurance sales commissions, trust fees, interchange fees and gains and losses on sales of other real estate, all of which are presented within noninterest income. Pinnacle Financial has evaluated the effect of Topic 606 on these fee-based income streams and concluded that adoption of the standard did not materially impact its financial statements. The following is a summary of the implementation considerations for the revenue streams that fall within the scope of Topic 606:

Service charges on deposits, investment services, trust fees and interchange fees — Fees from these services are either transaction based, for which the performance obligations are satisfied when the individual transaction is processed, or set periodic service charges, for which the performance obligations are satisfied over the period the service is provided. Transaction based fees are recognized at the time the transaction is processed, and periodic service charges are recognized over the service period. The adoption of Topic 606 had no impact on Pinnacle Financial's revenue recognition practice for these services.

Insurance sales commissions — Insurance commissions are received from insurance companies in return for the placement of policies with customers. While additional services, such as claims assistance, may be provided over the term of the policy, the revenues are substantially earned at the time of policy placement. The only contingency in earning the revenue relates to the potential for subsequent cancellation of policies. Accordingly, revenue is recognized at the time of policy placement, net of an allowance for estimated policy cancellations. The adoption of Topic 606 had no impact on Pinnacle Financial's revenue recognition related to insurance sales commissions.

Gains on sales of other real estate — ASU 2014-09 creates Topic 610-20, under which a gain on sale should be recognized when a contract for sale exists and control of the asset has been transferred to the buyer. Topic 606 list several criteria which must exist to conclude that a contract for sale exists, including a determination that the institution will collect substantially all of the consideration to which it is entitled. This presents a key difference between the current and new guidance related to the recognition of the gain when the institution finances the sale of the property. Rather than basing recognition on the amount of the buyer's initial investment, which was the primary consideration under prior guidance, the analysis is now based on various factors including not only the loan to value, but also the credit quality of the borrower, the structure of the loan, and any other factors that may affect collectability. While these differences may affect the decision to recognize or defer gains on sales of other real estate in circumstances where Pinnacle Financial has financed the sale, the effects would not be material to its financial statements.

Subsequent Events  Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 855, Subsequent Events, establishes general standards of accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued. Pinnacle Financial evaluated all events or transactions that occurred after March 31, 2018 through the date of the issued financial statements. Following early adoption of ASU 2017-12 as noted above, Pinnacle Financial entered into a derivative transaction on April 10, 2018 that has been more fully disclosed in Note 9. Derivative Instruments. Other than the above-noted transaction, no other subsequent events were noted.

On April 17, 2018, Pinnacle Financial's shareholders approved an amendment to Pinnacle Financial's Charter to increase the number of authorized shares of capital stock from 100,000,000 to 190,000,000 shares, in both instances 10,000,000 of which are reserved for issuance as preferred stock.


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Note 2. Acquisitions
 
BNC Bancorp. On June 16, 2017, Pinnacle Financial consummated its merger with BNC. Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of January 22, 2017, by and between Pinnacle Financial and BNC, BNC merged with and into Pinnacle Financial, with Pinnacle Financial continuing as the surviving corporation (the BNC Merger). On that same day, Pinnacle Bank and Bank of North Carolina, BNC's wholly-owned bank subsidiary, merged, with Pinnacle Bank continuing as the surviving entity.

The following summarizes the consideration paid and presents a preliminary allocation of purchase price to net assets acquired (in thousands):
 
Number of Shares
 
Amount
Equity consideration:
 
 
 
Common stock issued
27,687,100

 
$
1,858,133

Total equity consideration
 
 
$
1,858,133

Non-equity consideration:
 
 
 
Cash paid to redeem common stock
 
 
$
129

Total consideration paid
 
 
$
1,858,262

Allocation of total consideration paid:
 
 
 
Fair value of net assets assumed including estimated identifiable intangible assets
 
 
$
601,509

Goodwill
 
 
1,256,753

 
 
 
$
1,858,262

 
Pinnacle Financial recorded costs incurred in connection with the issuance of Pinnacle Financial common stock resulting from the BNC Merger of $7.2 million, net of related tax benefits, as a reduction to additional paid in capital. Certain merger-related charges resulting from cultural and systems integrations, as well as stock-based compensation expense incurred as a result of change-in-control provisions applicable to assumed equity-based awards were recorded as merger-related expense.

Goodwill originating from the BNC Merger resulted primarily from anticipated synergies arising from the combination of certain operational areas of the businesses of BNC and Pinnacle Financial as well as the purchase premium inherent in buying a complete and successful banking operation. Goodwill associated with the BNC Merger is not amortizable for book or tax purposes. Adjustments totaling $83.2 million were recorded to goodwill to appropriately reflect the valuation of the loan portfolio, OREO acquired, and certain liabilities assumed and have been included in the table below.

Pinnacle Financial accounted for the BNC Merger under the acquisition method in accordance with ASC Topic 805. Accordingly, the purchase price is allocated to the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the date of merger.

The following purchase price allocations on the BNC Merger are preliminary and will be finalized upon the receipt of final valuations on certain assets and liabilities. Upon receipt of final fair value estimates, which must be received within one year of the BNC Merger date, Pinnacle Financial will make any final adjustments to the purchase price allocation and prospectively adjust any goodwill recorded. Information regarding Pinnacle Financial's loan discount and related deferred tax asset, core deposit intangible asset and related deferred tax liability, as well as income taxes payable and the related deferred tax balances recorded in the BNC Merger, may be adjusted as Pinnacle Financial refines its estimates. Determining the fair value of assets and liabilities, particularly illiquid assets and liabilities, is a complicated process involving significant judgment regarding estimates and assumptions used to calculate estimated fair value. Fair value adjustments based on updated estimates could materially affect the goodwill recorded on the BNC Merger. Pinnacle Financial may incur losses on the acquired loans that are materially different from losses Pinnacle Financial originally projected.


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(in thousands)
As of June 16, 2017
 
BNC
Historical Cost Basis
 
Fair Value Adjustments (1)
 
As Recorded by Pinnacle Financial
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
155,271

 
$

 
$
155,271

Investment securities
643,875

 
1,667

 
645,542

Loans (2)
5,782,720

 
(181,430
)
 
5,601,290

Mortgage loans held for sale
27,026

 

 
27,026

Other real estate owned (3)
20,143

 
645

 
20,788

Core deposit and other intangible (4)

 
50,422

 
50,422

Property, plant and equipment (5)
156,805

 
(3,341
)
 
153,464

Other assets (6)
320,988

 
53,614

 
374,602

Total Assets
$
7,106,828

 
$
(78,423
)
 
$
7,028,405

 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 

 
 

Interest-bearing deposits (7)
$
5,003,653

 
$
4,355

 
$
5,008,008

Non-interest bearing deposits
1,199,342

 

 
1,199,342

Borrowings (8)
183,389

 
(6,412
)
 
176,977

Other liabilities (9)
35,729

 
6,840

 
42,569

Total Liabilities
$
6,422,113

 
$
4,783

 
$
6,426,896

Net Assets Acquired
$
684,715

 
$
(83,206
)
 
$
601,509


Explanation of certain fair value adjustments:
(1)
The amount represents the adjustment of the book value of BNC's assets and liabilities to their estimated fair value on the date of acquisition. Fair value adjustments are updated subsequent to the merger date based on the results of finalized valuation assessments.
(2)
The amount represents the adjustment of the net book value of BNC's loans to their estimated fair value based on interest rates and expected cash flows as of the date of acquisition, which includes estimates of expected credit losses inherent in the portfolio of approximately 2.6% of the 3.1% mark on the acquired loan portfolio.
(3)
Although not complete, this adjustment reflects the Day 1 value of OREO properties subsequently sold.
(4)
The amount represents the fair value of the core deposit intangible asset representing the intangible value of the deposit base acquired and the fair value of the customer relationship intangible assets representing the intangible value of customer relationships acquired.
(5)
The amount represents the adjustment of the net book value of BNC's property, plant and equipment to estimated fair value based on market values of similar assets.
(6)
The amount represents the deferred tax asset recognized on the fair value adjustment of BNC's acquired assets and assumed liabilities.
(7)
The amount represents the adjustment necessary because the weighted average interest rate of BNC's deposits exceeded the cost of similar funding at the time of acquisition. The fair value adjustment will be amortized to reduce future interest expense over the life of the portfolio.
(8)
The amount represents the combined adjustment necessary because the weighted average interest rate of BNC's subordinated debt issuance exceeded the cost of similar funding at the time of acquisition and because the weighted average interest rate of BNC's trust preferred securities issuances was lower than the cost of similar funding at the time of acquisition. The combined fair value adjustments will be amortized to increase future interest expense over the lives of the instruments.
(9)
The amount represents the adjustment to accrue obligations that existed but had not been recorded as of the acquisition date and the fair value of BNC lease obligations.

Supplemental Pro Forma Combined Results of Operations
The supplemental proforma information below for the three months ended March 31, 2017 gives effect to the BNC acquisition as if it had occurred on January 1, 2017. These results combine the historical results of BNC into Pinnacle Financial's consolidated statement of income and, while certain adjustments were made for the estimated impact of certain fair value adjustments, they are not indicative of what would have occurred had the BNC Merger taken place on the indicated date nor are they intended to represent or be indicative of future results of operations. In particular, no adjustments have been made to eliminate the amount of BNC's provision for credit losses for the first three months of 2017 that may not have been necessary had the acquired loans been recorded at fair value as of the beginning of 2017. Additionally, these financial statements were not adjusted for non-recurring expenses, such as merger-related charges incurred by either Pinnacle Financial or BNC. Pinnacle Financial expects to achieve operating cost savings and other business synergies as a result of the acquisition which are also not reflected in the proforma amounts.

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Three Months Ended March 31,
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
2017
 
Revenue (1)
 
$
219,665

 
Income before income taxes
 
$
74,999

 
______________________
(1) 
Net interest income plus noninterest income.

Note 3. Equity method investment

A summary of BHG's financial position as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 and results of operations as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, were as follows (in thousands):
 
As of
 
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
Assets
$
340,760

 
$
330,030

 
 
 
 
Liabilities
232,978

 
224,837

Membership interests
107,782

 
105,193

Total liabilities and membership interests
$
340,760

 
$
330,030


 
 
For the three months ended
March 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
Revenues
 
$
43,750

 
$
34,235

Net income
 
$
19,003

 
$
16,012


At March 31, 2018, technology, trade name and customer relationship intangibles, net of related amortization, totaled $12.7 million compared to $13.4 million as of December 31, 2017. Amortization expense of $693,000 was included for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to $832,000 for the same period in the prior year. Accretion income of $742,000 was included in the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to $806,000 for the same period in the prior year.

During the three months ended March 31, 2018, Pinnacle Financial and Pinnacle Bank received dividends from BHG of $4.3 million in the aggregate compared to $2.5 million for the same period in the prior year. Earnings from BHG are included in Pinnacle Financial's consolidated tax return. Profits from intercompany transactions are eliminated. No loans were purchased from BHG by Pinnacle Bank for the three month periods ended March 31, 2018 or 2017, respectively.


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Note 4.  Securities

The amortized cost and fair value of securities available-for-sale and held-to-maturity at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 are summarized as follows (in thousands):
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
March 31, 2018:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Securities available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury securities
$
31,002

 
$

 
$
56

 
$
30,946

U.S. government agency securities
176,305

 
43

 
2,905

 
173,443

Mortgage-backed securities
1,302,274

 
4,393

 
29,394

 
1,277,273

State and municipal securities
1,206,777

 
3,890

 
18,202

 
1,192,465

Asset-backed securities
204,800

 
377

 
505

 
204,672

Corporate notes and other
81,860

 
868

 
903

 
81,825

 
$
3,003,018

 
$
9,571

 
$
51,965

 
$
2,960,624

Securities held-to-maturity:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

State and municipal securities
$
20,677

 
$
46

 
$
120

 
$
20,603

 
$
20,677

 
$
46

 
$
120

 
$
20,603

December 31, 2017:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Securities available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury securities
$
30,505

 
$

 
$
60

 
$
30,445

U.S. government agency securities
182,500

 
67

 
1,766

 
180,801

Mortgage-backed securities
1,270,625

 
5,318

 
12,124

 
1,263,819

State and municipal securities
774,949

 
12,251

 
2,588

 
784,612

Asset-backed securities
173,346

 
262

 
316

 
173,292

Corporate notes and other
81,615

 
1,346

 
647

 
82,314

 
$
2,513,540

 
$
19,244

 
17,501

 
$
2,515,283

Securities held-to-maturity:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

State and municipal securities
$
20,762

 
$
114

 
$
46

 
$
20,830

 
$
20,762

 
$
114

 
$
46

 
$
20,830

 
At March 31, 2018, approximately $1.4 billion of securities within Pinnacle Financial's investment portfolio were pledged to secure either public funds and other deposits or securities sold under agreements to repurchase. At March 31, 2018, repurchase agreements comprised of secured borrowings totaled $131.9 million and were secured by $131.9 million of pledged U.S. government agency securities, municipal securities, asset backed securities, and corporate debentures. As the fair value of securities pledged to secure repurchase agreements may decline, Pinnacle Financial regularly evaluates its need to pledge additional securities to remain adequately secured.

The amortized cost and fair value of debt securities as of March 31, 2018 by contractual maturity are shown below. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities of mortgage- and asset-backed securities since the mortgages and assets underlying the securities may be called or prepaid with or without penalty. Therefore, these securities are not included in the maturity categories in the following summary (in thousands):
 
Available-for-sale
 
Held-to-maturity
March 31, 2018:
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
 
Amortized Cost
 
Fair
Value
Due in one year or less
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Due in one year to five years
96,941

 
97,087

 
7,496

 
7,489

Due in five years to ten years
177,898

 
177,231

 
10,385

 
10,316

Due after ten years
1,221,105

 
1,204,361

 
2,796

 
2,798

Mortgage-backed securities
1,302,274

 
1,277,273

 

 

Asset-backed securities
204,800

 
204,672

 

 

 
$
3,003,018

 
$
2,960,624

 
$
20,677

 
$
20,603



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At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the following investments had unrealized losses. The table below classifies these investments according to the term of the unrealized losses of less than twelve months or twelve months or longer (in thousands):
 
Investments with an Unrealized Loss of
less than 12 months
 
Investments with an Unrealized Loss of
12 months or longer
 
Total Investments with an
Unrealized Loss
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized Losses
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized Losses
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
At March 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury securities
$
30,697

 
$
56

 
$

 
$

 
$
30,697

 
$
56

U.S. government agency securities
145,967

 
2,904

 
248

 
1

 
146,215

 
2,905

Mortgage-backed securities
779,194

 
17,392

 
297,735

 
12,002

 
1,076,929

 
29,394

State and municipal securities
863,010

 
15,987

 
47,894

 
2,335

 
910,904

 
18,322

Asset-backed securities
79,428

 
449

 
9,482

 
56

 
88,910

 
505

Corporate notes
31,880

 
754

 
11,697

 
149

 
43,577

 
903

Total temporarily-impaired securities
$
1,930,176

 
$
37,542

 
$
367,056

 
$
14,543

 
$
2,297,232

 
$
52,085

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
At December 31, 2017
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury securities
$
29,948

 
$
60

 
$

 
$

 
$
29,948

 
$
60

U.S. government agency securities
173,677

 
1,766

 

 

 
173,677

 
1,766

Mortgage-backed securities
607,408

 
5,042

 
285,561

 
7,082

 
892,969

 
12,124

State and municipal securities
115,403

 
1,408

 
50,083

 
1,226

 
165,486

 
2,634

Asset-backed securities
68,742

 
198

 
14,136

 
118

 
82,878

 
316

Corporate notes
22,168

 
547

 
11,944

 
100

 
34,112

 
647

Total temporarily-impaired securities
$
1,017,346

 
$
9,021

 
$
361,724

 
$
8,526

 
$
1,379,070

 
$
17,547


The applicable dates for determining when securities were in an unrealized loss position were March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017. As such, it is possible that a security had a market value that exceeded its amortized cost on other days during the past twelve-month periods ended March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, but is not in the "Investments with an Unrealized Loss of less than 12 months" category above.

As shown in the tables above, including both available-for-sale and held-to-maturity investment securities, at March 31, 2018, Pinnacle Financial had approximately $52.1 million in unrealized losses on $2.30 billion of securities. The unrealized losses associated with these investment securities are driven by changes in interest rates and are not due to the credit quality of the securities.  These securities will continue to be monitored as a part of Pinnacle Financial's ongoing impairment analysis. Management evaluates the financial performance of the issuers on a quarterly basis to determine if it is probable that the issuers can make all contractual principal and interest payments. Because Pinnacle Financial currently does not intend to sell those securities that have an unrealized loss at March 31, 2018, and it is not more-likely-than-not that Pinnacle Financial will be required to sell the securities before recovery of their amortized cost bases, which may be maturity, Pinnacle Financial does not consider these securities to be other-than-temporarily impaired at March 31, 2018.

Periodically, available-for-sale securities may be sold or the composition of the portfolio realigned to improve yields, quality or marketability, or to implement changes in investment or asset/liability strategy, including maintaining collateral requirements and raising funds for liquidity purposes. Additionally, if an available-for-sale security loses its investment grade or tax-exempt status, the underlying credit support is terminated or collection otherwise becomes uncertain based on factors known to management, Pinnacle Financial will consider selling the security, but will review each security on a case-by-case basis as these factors become known. Consistent with the investment policy, during the first quarter of 2018 available-for-sale securities of approximately $14.5 million were sold and net unrealized gains, net of tax, of $22,000 were reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into net income.

The carrying values of Pinnacle Financial's investment securities could decline in the future if the financial condition of issuers deteriorates and management determines it is probable that Pinnacle Financial will not recover the entire amortized cost bases of the securities.  As a result, there is a risk that other-than-temporary impairment charges may occur in the future. Additionally, there is a risk that other-than-temporary impairment charges may occur in the future if management's intention to hold these securities to maturity and/or recovery changes. 



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Note 5. Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses

For financial reporting purposes, Pinnacle Financial classifies its loan portfolio based on the underlying collateral utilized to secure each loan. This classification is consistent with those utilized in the Quarterly Report of Condition and Income filed by Pinnacle Bank with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).

Pinnacle Financial uses five loan categories: commercial real estate mortgage, consumer real estate mortgage, construction and land development, commercial and industrial, and consumer and other.
Commercial real estate mortgage loans. Commercial real estate mortgage loans are categorized as such based on investor exposures where repayment is largely dependent upon the operation, refinance, or sale of the underlying real estate. Commercial real estate mortgage also includes owner occupied commercial real estate which shares a similar risk profile to Pinnacle Financial's commercial and industrial products.
Consumer real estate mortgage loans. Consumer real estate mortgage consists primarily of loans secured by 1-4 residential properties, including home equity lines of credit.
Construction and land development loans. Construction and land development loans include loans where the repayment is dependent on the successful operation of the related real estate project. Construction and land development loans include 1-4 family construction projects and commercial construction endeavors such as warehouses, apartments, office and retail space and land acquisition and development.
Commercial and industrial loans. Commercial and industrial loans include loans to business enterprises issued for commercial, industrial and/or other professional purposes.
Consumer and other loans. Consumer and other loans include all loans issued to individuals not included in the consumer real estate mortgage classification. Examples of consumer and other loans are automobile loans, credit cards and loans to finance education, among others.

Commercial loans receive risk ratings assigned by a financial advisor and approved by a senior credit officer subject to validation by Pinnacle Financial's independent loan review department.  Risk ratings are categorized as pass, special mention, substandard, substandard-nonaccrual or doubtful-nonaccrual.  Pinnacle Financial believes that its categories follow those used by Pinnacle Bank's primary regulators.  At March 31, 2018, approximately 81.1% of Pinnacle Financial's loan portfolio was analyzed as a commercial loan type with a specifically assigned risk rating.  Consumer loans and small business loans are generally not assigned an individual risk rating but are evaluated as either accrual or nonaccrual based on the performance of the individual loans.  However, certain consumer real-estate mortgage loans and certain consumer and other loans receive a specific risk rating due to the loan proceeds being used for commercial purposes even though the collateral may be of a consumer loan nature.
 
Risk ratings are subject to continual review by a financial advisor and a senior credit officer. At least annually, Pinnacle Financial's credit procedures require that every risk rated loan of $1.0 million or more be subject to a formal credit risk review process by the assigned financial advisor. Each loan's risk rating is also subject to review by Pinnacle Financial's independent loan review department, which reviews a substantial portion of Pinnacle Financial's risk rated portfolio annually. Included in the coverage are independent loan reviews of loans in targeted higher-risk portfolio segments such as certain commercial and industrial loans, land loans and/or loan types in certain geographies.
 
The following table presents Pinnacle Financial's loan balances by primary loan classification and the amount within each risk rating category. Pass rated loans include all credits other than those included in special mention, substandard, substandard-nonaccrual and doubtful-nonaccrual which are defined as follows:

Special mention loans have potential weaknesses that deserve management's close attention.  If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the asset or in Pinnacle Financial's credit position at some future date.
Substandard loans are inadequately protected by the current sound worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any.  Assets so classified must have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardize collection of the debt.  Substandard loans are characterized by the distinct possibility that Pinnacle Financial could sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.
Substandard-nonaccrual loans are substandard loans that have been placed on nonaccrual status.
Doubtful-nonaccrual loans have all the characteristics of substandard-nonaccrual loans with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions and values, highly questionable and improbable.


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The following table outlines the amount of each loan classification categorized into each risk rating category as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (in thousands):
 
Commercial real estate - mortgage
Consumer real estate - mortgage
Construction and land development
Commercial and industrial
Consumer
and other
Total
March 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pass
$
6,628,989

$
2,533,268

$
2,081,071

$
4,360,699

$
362,599

$
15,966,626

Special Mention
76,856

11,661

4,149

33,524

746

126,936

Substandard (1)
63,343

17,307

7,037

74,491

75

162,253

Substandard-nonaccrual
25,100

18,530

3,618

22,172

782

70,202

Doubtful-nonaccrual






Total loans
$
6,794,288

$
2,580,766

$
2,095,875

$
4,490,886

$
364,202

$
16,326,017

December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pass
$
6,487,368

$
2,503,688

$
1,880,704

$
4,014,656

$
351,359

$
15,237,775

Special Mention
94,134

18,356

8,148

46,898

1,177

168,713

Substandard (1)
72,044

21,053

13,468

62,529

79

169,173

Substandard-nonaccrual
16,064

18,117

5,968

17,258

48

57,455

Doubtful-nonaccrual






Total loans
$
6,669,610

$
2,561,214

$
1,908,288

$
4,141,341

$
352,663

$
15,633,116


(1)
Potential problem loans represent those loans with a well-defined weakness and where information about possible credit problems of borrowers has caused management to have doubts about the borrower's ability to comply with present repayment terms. This definition is believed to be substantially consistent with the standards established by Pinnacle Bank's primary regulators for loans classified as substandard, excluding the impact of nonaccrual loans and troubled debt restructurings. Potential problem loans, which are not included in nonaccrual loans, amounted to approximately $158.1 million at March 31, 2018, compared to $164.0 million at December 31, 2017.

Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality are recorded pursuant to the provisions of ASC 310-30, and are referred to as purchase credit impaired loans. The following table provides a rollforward of purchase credit impaired loans from December 31, 2017 through March 31, 2018 (in thousands):
 
Gross Carrying Value
Accretable
Yield
Nonaccretable
Yield
Net Carrying
Value
December 31, 2017
$
74,324

$
(132
)
$
(31,537
)
$
42,655

Acquisition




Year-to-date settlements
(5,298
)
23

1,491

(3,784
)
March 31, 2018
$
69,026

$
(109
)
$
(30,046
)
$
38,871


Certain of these loans have been deemed to be collateral dependent and as such, no accretable yield has been recorded for these loans. The carrying value is adjusted for additional draws, pursuant to contractual arrangements, offset by loan paydowns. Year-to-date settlements include both loans that were charged-off as well as loans that were paid off, typically as a result of refinancings at other institutions.
 
For the three months ended March 31, 2018, the average balance of impaired loans was $105.0 million compared to $41.1 million for the same period in 2017. Pinnacle Financial's policy is that the accrual of interest income will be discontinued when (1) there is a significant deterioration in the financial condition of the borrower and full repayment of principal and interest is not expected or (2) the principal or interest is more than 90 days past due, unless the loan is both well secured and in the process of collection. As such, at the date the above mentioned loans were placed on nonaccrual status, Pinnacle Financial reversed all previously accrued interest income against current year earnings. Pinnacle Financial's policy is that once a loan is placed on nonaccrual status each subsequent payment is reviewed on a case-by-case basis to determine if the payment should be applied to interest or principal pursuant to regulatory guidelines. Pinnacle Financial recognized no interest income from cash payments received on nonaccrual loans during the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to approximately $49,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2017. Had these nonaccruing loans been on accruing status, interest income would have been higher by $1.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to $640,000 higher for the three months ended March 31, 2017.


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Table of Contents

The following table details the recorded investment, unpaid principal balance and related allowance of Pinnacle Financial's impaired loans at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 by loan classification (in thousands):
 
At March 31, 2018
 
At December 31, 2017
 
Recorded investment
Unpaid principal balances
Related allowance
 
Recorded investment
Unpaid principal balances
Related allowance
Collateral dependent impaired loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial real estate – mortgage
$
36,258

$
43,809

$
778

 
$
33,073

$
40,771

$
38

Consumer real estate – mortgage
5,166

7,233


 
6,314

8,560

115

Construction and land development
5,939

11,537


 
8,513

14,115

6

Commercial and industrial
8,716

14,374

1,262

 
2,812

8,435

362

Consumer and other



 



Total
$
56,079

$
76,953

$
2,040

 
$
50,712

$
71,881

$
521

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash flow dependent impaired loans:
 

 

 
 

 

 

Commercial real estate – mortgage
$
6,808

$
9,106

$
93

 
$
5,944

$
8,237

$
95

Consumer real estate – mortgage
20,200

23,370

296

 
19,904

23,387

411

Construction and land development
1,017

1,883

13

 
3,222

4,184

12

Commercial and industrial
23,451

26,595

152

 
21,852

26,058

1,278

Consumer and other
782

810

210

 



Total
$
52,258

$
61,764

$
764

 
$
50,922

$
61,866

$
1,796

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total impaired loans
$
108,337

$
138,717

$
2,804

 
$
101,634

$
133,747

$
2,317


The following table details the average recorded investment and the amount of interest income recognized on a cash basis for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, on Pinnacle Financial's impaired loans that remain on the balance sheets as of such date (in thousands):
 
 
For the three months ended
March 31,
 
 
2018
2017
 
 
Average recorded investment
Interest income recognized
Average recorded investment
Interest income recognized
Collateral dependent impaired loans:
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial real estate – mortgage
 
$
34,666

$

$
2,100

$

Consumer real estate – mortgage
 
5,740


2,216


Construction and land development
 
7,226


2,078

49

Commercial and industrial
 
5,764


6,312


Consumer and other
 




Total
 
$
53,396

$

$
12,706

$
49

 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash flow dependent impaired loans:
 
 

 

 

 

Commercial real estate – mortgage
 
$
6,376

$

$
2,597

$

Consumer real estate – mortgage
 
19,941


9,393


Construction and land development
 
2,120


3,288


Commercial and industrial
 
22,669


12,440


Consumer and other
 
487


689


Total
 
$
51,593

$

$
28,407

$

 
 
 
 
 
 
Total impaired loans
 
$
104,989

$

$
41,113

$
49

 

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Table of Contents

At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, there were $6.1 million and $6.6 million, respectively, of troubled debt restructurings that were performing as of their restructure date and which were accruing interest. Troubled commercial loans are restructured by specialists within Pinnacle Bank's Special Assets Group, and all restructurings are approved by committees and credit officers separate and apart from the normal loan approval process.  These specialists are charged with reducing Pinnacle Financial's overall risk and exposure to loss in the event of a restructuring by obtaining some or all of the following:  improved documentation, additional guaranties, increase in curtailments, reduction in collateral release terms, additional collateral or other similar strategies.

The  following table outlines the amount of each loan category where troubled debt restructurings were made during the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 (dollars in thousands):
 
 
Three months ended
March 31,
2018
 
Number
of contracts
 
Pre Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment
 
Post Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment, net of related allowance
Commercial real estate – mortgage
 

 
$

 
$

Consumer real estate – mortgage
 

 

 

Construction and land development
 

 

 

Commercial and industrial
 

 

 

Consumer and other
 

 

 

 
 

 
$

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2017
 
 

 
 

 
 

Commercial real estate – mortgage
 

 
$

 
$

Consumer real estate – mortgage
 

 

 

Construction and land development
 

 

 

Commercial and industrial
 
1

 
3,457

 
3,457

Consumer and other
 

 

 

 
 
1

 
$
3,457

 
$
3,457


During the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, Pinnacle Financial did not have any troubled debt restructurings that subsequently defaulted within twelve months of the restructuring.

At March 31, 2018 and 2017, the allowance for loan losses included no allowance and $44,000, respectively, specifically related to accruing troubled debt restructurings, which are classified as impaired loans pursuant to U.S. GAAP, but which loans continued to accrue interest at contractual rates at those dates.

In addition to the loan metrics above, Pinnacle Financial analyzes its commercial loan portfolio to determine if a concentration of credit risk exists to any industries. Pinnacle Financial utilizes broadly accepted industry classification systems in order to classify borrowers into various industry classifications.  Pinnacle Financial has a credit exposure (loans outstanding plus unfunded lines of credit) exceeding 25% of Pinnacle Bank's total risk-based capital to borrowers in the following industries at March 31, 2018 with the comparative exposures for December 31, 2017 (in thousands):
 
March 31, 2018
 
 
 
Outstanding Principal Balances
 
Unfunded Commitments
 
Total exposure
 
Total Exposure at December 31,
2017
Lessors of nonresidential buildings
$
2,879,195

 
$
691,591

 
$
3,570,786

 
$
2,810,951

Lessors of residential buildings
929,097

 
275,564

 
1,204,661

 
884,244

Hotels (except Casino Hotels) and Motels
678,619

 
195,623

 
874,242

 
628,991


Additionally, Pinnacle Financial monitors two ratios regarding construction and commercial real estate lending as part of its concentration management processes.  Both ratios are calculated by dividing certain types of loan balances for each of the two categories by Pinnacle Bank’s total risk-based capital.   At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, Pinnacle Bank’s construction and land development loans as a percentage of total risk-based capital were 96.1% and 89.4%, respectively. Non-owner occupied commercial real estate and multifamily loans (including construction and land development loans) as a percentage of total risk-based capital were 306.2% and 297.1% as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. Banking regulations have established guidelines for the construction ratio of less than 100% of total risk-based capital and for the non-owner occupied ratio of less than 300% of total risk-based capital. When a bank’s ratios are in excess of one or both of these guidelines, banking regulations generally

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require an increased level of monitoring in these lending areas by bank management.  At March 31, 2018 Pinnacle Bank slightly exceeded the 300% guideline and has established what it believes to be appropriate controls to monitor Pinnacle Bank's lending in this area.

The table below presents past due balances by loan classification and segment at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, allocated between accruing and nonaccrual status (in thousands):
 
Accruing
 
Nonaccruing
 
 
March 31, 2018
30-89 days past due and accruing
 
90 days or more past due and accruing
 
Total past due and accruing
 
Current and accruing
 
Purchase credit impaired
 
Nonaccrual (1)
 
Nonaccruing purchase credit impaired
 
Total loans
Commercial real estate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Owner-occupied
$
3,805

 
$
5

 
$
3,810

 
$
2,398,599

 
$
4,430

 
$
19,935

 
$
1,172

 
$
2,427,946

All other
6,678

 
132

 
6,810

 
4,343,636

 
11,903

 
1,206

 
2,787

 
4,366,342

Consumer real estate – mortgage
13,367

 
19

 
13,386

 
2,544,825

 
4,024

 
11,336

 
7,195

 
2,580,766

Construction and land development
606

 
3

 
609

 
2,088,310

 
3,339

 
381

 
3,236

 
2,095,875

Commercial and industrial
9,262

 
589

 
9,851

 
4,458,161

 
702

 
22,090

 
82

 
4,490,886

Consumer and other
4,816

 
383

 
5,199

 
358,221

 

 
781

 
1

 
364,202

Total
$
38,534

 
$
1,131

 
$
39,665

 
$
16,191,752

 
$
24,398

 
$
55,729

 
$
14,473

 
$
16,326,017

December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial real estate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Owner-occupied
$
6,772

 
$
104

 
$
6,876

 
$
2,435,819

 
$
4,820

 
$
11,395

 
$
1,105

 
$
2,460,015

All other
16,559

 

 
16,559

 
4,177,454

 
12,018

 
704

 
2,860

 
4,209,595

Consumer real estate – mortgage
14,835

 
1,265

 
16,100

 
2,521,748

 
5,249

 
9,320

 
8,797

 
2,561,214

Construction and land development
4,136

 
146

 
4,282

 
1,894,560

 
3,478

 
2,878

 
3,090

 
1,908,288

Commercial and industrial
7,406

 
1,348

 
8,754

 
4,114,127

 
1,154

 
17,222

 
84

 
4,141,341

Consumer and other
6,311

 
1,276

 
7,587

 
345,076

 

 

 

 
352,663

Total
$
56,019

 
$
4,139

 
$
60,158

 
$
15,488,784

 
$
26,719

 
$
41,519

 
$
15,936

 
$
15,633,116


(1)
Approximately $56.3 million and $45.8 million of nonaccrual loans as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, were performing pursuant to their contractual terms at those dates.

The following table details the changes in the allowance for loan losses for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, by loan classification (in thousands):
 
Commercial real estate - mortgage
Consumer
 real estate - mortgage
Construction and land development
Commercial and industrial
Consumer
and other
Unallocated
Total
Three months ended March 31, 2018:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2017
$
21,188

$
5,031

$
8,962

$
24,863

$
5,874

$
1,322

$
67,240

Charged-off loans
(728
)
(336
)
(2
)
(2,540
)
(5,063
)

(8,669
)
Recovery of previously charged-off loans
1,396

666

565

888

1,187


4,702

Provision for loan losses
832

(261
)
591

3,437

3,478

(1,146
)
6,931

Balance at March 31, 2018
$
22,688

$
5,100

$
10,116

$
26,648

$
5,476

$
176

$
70,204

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three months ended March 31, 2017:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2016
$
13,655

$
6,564

$
3,624

$
24,743

$
9,520

$
874

$
58,980

Charged-off loans

(61
)

(1,158
)
(3,943
)

(5,162
)
Recovery of previously charged-off loans
6

170

33

140

532


881

Provision for loan losses
507

546

784

(813
)
2,368

259

3,651

Balance at March 31, 2017
$
14,168

$
7,219

$
4,441

$
22,912

$
8,477

$
1,133

$
58,350

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


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Table of Contents

The following table details the allowance for loan losses and recorded investment in loans by loan classification and by impairment evaluation method as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively (in thousands):
 
Commercial real estate - mortgage
Consumer
real estate - mortgage
Construction and land development
Commercial and industrial
Consumer
and other
Unallocated
Total
March 31, 2018
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allowance for Loan Losses:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Collectively evaluated for impairment
$
21,817

$
4,804

$
10,103

$
25,234

$
5,266



$
67,224

Individually evaluated for impairment
764

269

11

1,412

210



2,666

Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality (1)
107

27

2

2




138

Total allowance for loan losses
$
22,688

$
5,100

$
10,116

$
26,648

$
5,476

$
176

$
70,204

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Collectively evaluated for impairment
$
6,751,222

$
2,555,400

$
2,088,919

$
4,458,719

$
363,420

 

$
16,217,680

Individually evaluated for impairment
22,773

14,148

381

31,383

781

 

69,466

Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality
20,293

11,218

6,575

784

1

 

38,871

Total loans
$
6,794,288

$
2,580,766

$
2,095,875

$
4,490,886

$
364,202

 

$
16,326,017

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2017
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allowance for Loan Losses:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Collectively evaluated for impairment
$
20,753

$
4,460

$
8,879

$
23,181

$
5,874



$
63,147

Individually evaluated for impairment
95

410

66

1,627




2,198

Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality(1)
340

161

17

55




573

Total allowance for loan losses
$
21,188

$
5,031

$
8,962

$
24,863

$
5,874

$
1,322

$
67,240

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Collectively evaluated for impairment
$
6,630,593

$
2,534,996

$
1,896,553

$
4,116,677

$
352,663

 

$
15,531,482

Individually evaluated for impairment
18,214

12,172

5,167

23,426


 

58,979

Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality
20,803

14,046

6,568

1,238


 

42,655

Total loans
$
6,669,610

$
2,561,214

$
1,908,288

$
4,141,341

$
352,663

 

$
15,633,116


(1) Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality are recorded at fair value at the time of acquisition. An allowance for loan losses is recorded resulting from subsequent credit deterioration.

The adequacy of the allowance for loan losses is assessed at the end of each calendar quarter. The level of the allowance is based upon evaluation of the loan portfolio, current asset quality trends, known and inherent risks in the portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrowers' ability to repay (including the timing of future payment), the estimated value of any underlying collateral, composition of the loan portfolio, economic conditions, historical loss experience, industry and peer bank loan quality indications and other pertinent factors, including regulatory recommendations. The allowance for loan losses for purchased loans is calculated similarly to the method utilized for legacy Pinnacle Bank loans. Pinnacle Financial's accounting policy is to compare the computed allowance for loan losses for purchased loans on a loan-by-loan basis to any remaining fair value adjustment. If the computed allowance is greater than the remaining fair value adjustment, the excess is added to the allowance for loan losses by a charge to the provision for loan losses.

At March 31, 2018, Pinnacle Bank had granted loans and other extensions of credit amounting to approximately $24.6 million to current directors, executive officers, and their related entities, of which $14.4 million had been drawn upon. At December 31, 2017, Pinnacle Bank had granted loans and other extensions of credit amounting to approximately $26.4 million to directors, executive officers, and their related entities, of which approximately $16.1 million had been drawn upon. None of these loans to directors, executive officers, and their related entities were impaired at March 31, 2018 or December 31, 2017.

At March 31, 2018, Pinnacle Financial had approximately $18.6 million in commercial loans held for sale compared to $25.5 million at December 31, 2017, which included loans previously held in Pinnacle Bank's commercial loan portfolio that it has elected to sell, as well as apartment loans originated for sale to a third-party as part of a multi-family loan program. Such loans are closed under a pass-through commitment structure wherein Pinnacle Bank's loan commitment to the borrower is the same as the third party's take-out commitment to Pinnacle Bank and the third party purchase typically occurs within thirty days of Pinnacle Bank closing with the borrowers.


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Table of Contents

Residential Lending

At March 31, 2018, Pinnacle Financial had approximately $99.6 million of mortgage loans held-for-sale compared to approximately $102.7 million at December 31, 2017. Total loan volumes sold during the three months ended March 31, 2018 were approximately $147.1 million compared to approximately $160.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. During the three months ended March 31, 2018, Pinnacle Financial recognized $3.7 million in gains on the sale of these loans, net of commissions paid, compared to $4.2 million, net of commissions paid, during the three months ended March 31, 2017.

These mortgage loans held-for-sale are originated internally and are primarily to borrowers in Pinnacle Bank's geographic markets. These sales are typically on a mandatory basis to investors that follow conventional government sponsored entities (GSE) and the Department of Housing and Urban Development/U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (HUD/VA) guidelines.
 
Each purchaser of a mortgage loan held-for-sale has specific guidelines and criteria for sellers of loans and the risk of credit loss with regard to the principal amount of the loans sold is generally transferred to the purchasers upon sale. While the loans are sold without recourse, the purchase agreements require Pinnacle Bank to make certain representations and warranties regarding the existence and sufficiency of file documentation and the absence of fraud by borrowers or other third parties such as appraisers in connection with obtaining the loan. If it is determined that the loans sold were in breach of these representations or warranties, Pinnacle Bank has obligations to either repurchase the loan for the unpaid principal balance and related investor fees or make the purchaser whole for the economic benefits of the loan. To date, Pinnacle Bank's liability pursuant to the terms of these representations and warranties has been insignificant to Pinnacle Bank.

Note 6. Income Taxes

ASC 740, Income Taxes, defines the threshold for recognizing the benefits of tax return positions in the financial statements as "more-likely-than-not" to be sustained by the taxing authority. This section also provides guidance on the derecognition, measurement and classification of income tax uncertainties, along with any related interest and penalties, and includes guidance concerning accounting for income tax uncertainties in interim periods.
 
The unrecognized tax benefit related to uncertain tax positions related to state income tax filings was $2.8 million at March 31, 2018 compared to $1.3 million at March 31, 2017. No change was recorded to the unrecognized tax benefit related to uncertain tax positions in each of the three month periods ended March 31, 2018 and 2017.

Pinnacle Financial's policy is to recognize interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense. For the three months ended March 31, 2018 there were no interest and penalties recorded in the income statement compared to $18,000 in interest and penalties for the three months ended March 31, 2017.

Pinnacle Financial's effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was 19.0% compared to 25.8% for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The difference between the effective tax rate and the federal and state income tax statutory rate of 26.14% at March 31, 2018 and 39.23% at March 31, 2017 is primarily due to the reduction in the statutory corporate tax rate following the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in December 2017, state excise tax expense, investments in bank qualified municipal securities, tax benefits of Pinnacle Financial's real estate investment trust subsidiary, participation in the Tennessee Community Investment Tax Credit (CITC) program, and tax benefits associated with share-based compensation, bank-owned life insurance and our captive insurance subsidiary, offset in part by the limitation on deductibility of meals and entertainment expense and FDIC premiums.

Additionally, in March 2016, the FASB issued updated guidance to Accounting Standards Update, 2016-09 Stock Compensation Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Activity (ASU 2016-09) intended to simplify and improve several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of such awards as either equity or liabilities and classification of such awards on the statement of cash flows. This Accounting Standards Update (ASU) impacted Pinnacle Financial's consolidated financial statements by requiring that all income tax effects related to settlements of share-based payment awards be reported as increases (or decreases) to income tax expense. Previously, income tax benefits at settlement of an award were reported as an increase (or decrease) to additional paid-in capital. The ASU also requires that all income tax related cash flows resulting from share-based payments be reported as operating activities in the statement of cash flows whereas these cash flows were previously reported as a reduction to operating cash flows and an increase to financing cash flows. The guidance became effective for Pinnacle Financial on January 1, 2017. The impact of the adoption of ASU 2016-09 was included in income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 resulting in the recognition of $2.7 million and $3.8 million, respectively, of tax benefits which reduced income tax expense.
 

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Note 7. Commitments and Contingent Liabilities

In the normal course of business, Pinnacle Financial has entered into off-balance sheet financial instruments which include commitments to extend credit (i.e., including unfunded lines of credit) and standby letters of credit. Commitments to extend credit are usually the result of lines of credit granted to existing borrowers under agreements that the total outstanding indebtedness will not exceed a specific amount during the term of the indebtedness. Typical borrowers are commercial concerns that use lines of credit to supplement their treasury management functions, and thus their total outstanding indebtedness may fluctuate during any time period based on the seasonality of their business and the resultant timing of their cash flows.  Other typical lines of credit are related to home equity loans granted to consumers.  Commitments to extend credit generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. At March 31, 2018, these commitments amounted to $5.77 billion, of which approximately $917.7 million related to home equity lines of credit.

Standby letters of credit are generally issued on behalf of an applicant (our customer) to a specifically named beneficiary and are the result of a particular business arrangement that exists between the applicant and the beneficiary.  Standby letters of credit have fixed expiration dates and are usually for terms of two years or less unless terminated beforehand due to criteria specified in the standby letter of credit.  A typical arrangement involves the applicant routinely being indebted to the beneficiary for such items as inventory purchases, insurance, utilities, lease guarantees or other third party commercial transactions.  The standby letter of credit would permit the beneficiary to obtain payment from Pinnacle Financial under certain prescribed circumstances.  Subsequently, Pinnacle Financial would then seek reimbursement from the applicant pursuant to the terms of the standby letter of credit. At March 31, 2018, these commitments amounted to $150.9 million.

Pinnacle Financial typically follows the same credit policies and underwriting practices when making these commitments as it does for on-balance sheet instruments. Each customer's creditworthiness is typically evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and the amount of collateral obtained, if any, is based on management's credit evaluation of the customer. Collateral held varies but may include cash, real estate and improvements, marketable securities, accounts receivable, inventory, equipment and personal property.

The contractual amounts of these commitments are not reflected in the consolidated financial statements and only amounts drawn upon would be reflected in the future.  Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the contractual amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements.  However, should the commitments be drawn upon and should Pinnacle Financial's customers default on their resulting obligation to Pinnacle Financial, the maximum exposure to credit loss, without consideration of collateral, is represented by the contractual amount of those commitments. At both March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, Pinnacle Financial had accrued $3.1 million for the inherent risks associated with these off-balance sheet commitments.

Various legal claims also arise from time to time in the normal course of business.  In the opinion of management, the resolution of these claims outstanding at March 31, 2018 will not have a material adverse impact on Pinnacle Financial's consolidated financial condition, operating results or cash flows.

Note 8.  Stock Options and Restricted Shares

At Pinnacle Financial's annual shareholders' meeting on April 17, 2018, the shareholders of Pinnacle Financial adopted the 2018 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the "2018 Plan"). The 2018 Plan subsumes the existing Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc. 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (the "2014 Plan") including the approximately 500,000 shares in the aggregate that remained available for issuance thereunder on the date the 2018 Plan was approved by shareholders and increased the maximum number of shares of common stock that may be issued to associates, directors and contractors of Pinnacle Financial and Pinnacle Bank by an additional 1.2 million shares. The 2018 Plan permits Pinnacle Financial to reissue awards currently outstanding that are subsequently forfeited, settled in cash, withheld by Pinnacle Financial to cover withholding taxes or expired unexercised and returned to the 2018 Plan.

The BNC Bancorp 2013 Amended and Restated Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan (the "BNC Plan") was assumed by Pinnacle Financial in connection with the BNC Merger. As of March 31, 2018, the BNC Plan had approximately 9,000 shares remaining available for issuance to existing associates that were previously BNC associates in future periods. No new awards may be granted under plans other than the 2018 Plan except for shares remaining available for issuance to the former BNC associates pursuant to the BNC Plan.

Upon the acquisition of CapitalMark, Pinnacle Financial assumed approximately 858,000 stock options under the CapitalMark Option Plan. No further shares remain available for issuance under the CapitalMark Option Plan. No options were assumed upon the acquisition of Magna, Avenue or BNC as all preexisting Magna, Avenue and BNC stock options were converted to cash upon acquisition.

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Common Stock Options

A summary of the stock option activity within the equity incentive plans during the three months ended March 31, 2018 and information regarding expected vesting, contractual terms remaining, intrinsic values and other matters is as follows:
 
Number
Weighted-Average
Exercise
Price
Weighted-Average
Contractual
Remaining Term
(in years)
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
(000's)
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2017
274,586

$
21.40

3.06
$
12,329

(1) 
Granted

 

 
 

  
Exercised
(86,502
)
 

 
 

  
Forfeited

 

 
 

  
Outstanding at March 31, 2018
188,084

$
22.64

4.01
$
7,817

(2) 
Options exercisable at March 31, 2018
188,084

$
22.64

4.01
$
7,817

(2) 

(1)
The aggregate intrinsic value is calculated as the difference between the exercise price of the underlying awards and the quoted closing price of Pinnacle Financial common stock of $66.30 per common share at December 31, 2017 for the 274,586 options that were in-the-money at December 31, 2017.
(2)
The aggregate intrinsic value is calculated as the difference between the exercise price of the underlying awards and the quoted closing price of Pinnacle Financial common stock of $64.20 per common share at March 31, 2018 for the 188,084 options that were in-the-money at March 31, 2018.

Compensation costs related to stock options granted under Pinnacle Financial's equity incentive plans have been fully recognized and all outstanding option awards are fully vested.
 
Restricted Share Awards

A summary of activity for unvested restricted share awards for the three months ended March 31, 2018 is as follows:
 
Number
 
Grant Date
Weighted-Average Cost
Unvested at December 31, 2017
936,135

 
$
50.08

Shares awarded
115,938

 


Conversion of previously awarded restricted share units to restricted share awards
6,200

 


Restrictions lapsed and shares released to associates/directors
(264,357
)
 


Shares forfeited (1)
(15,804
)
 


Unvested at March 31, 2018
778,112

 
$
55.15


(1)
Represents shares forfeited due to employee termination and/or retirement. No shares were forfeited due to failure to meet performance targets.

Pinnacle Financial has granted restricted share awards to associates, senior management and outside directors with a combination of time and, in the case of senior management, performance vesting criteria. The following table outlines restricted stock grants that were awarded, grouped by similar vesting criteria, during the three months ended March 31, 2018:
Grant
Year
 
Group (1)
 
Vesting
Period in years
 
Shares
awarded
 
Restrictions Lapsed and shares released to participants
 
Shares Forfeited by participants (6)
 
Shares Unvested
Time Based Awards
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
 
Associates (2)
 
3 - 5
 
83,089

 
68

 
1,280

 
81,741

2018
 
Associates (3)
 
3 - 5
 
16,777

 

 
500

 
16,277

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Performance Based Awards
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

2018
 
Leadership team (4)
 
3
 
6,200

 
4,340

 
1,860

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Outside Director Awards (5)
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

2018
 
Outside directors
 
1
 
16,072

 

 

 
16,072


(1)
Groups include employees (referred to as associates above), the leadership team which includes our named executive officers and other key senior leadership members, and outside directors. When the restricted shares are awarded, a participant receives voting rights and forfeitable dividend rights with respect to the shares, but is not able to transfer the shares until the restrictions have lapsed. Once the restrictions lapse, the participant is taxed on the value of the award and may elect to sell some shares (or have Pinnacle Financial withhold some shares) to pay the applicable income taxes associated

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with the award. For time-based vesting restricted share awards, dividends paid on shares for which the forfeiture restrictions do not lapse will be recouped by Pinnacle Financial at the time of termination. For performance-based vesting awards and time-based vesting awards to Pinnacle Financial's executive officers, dividends are placed into escrow until the forfeiture restrictions on such shares lapse.
(2)
The forfeiture restrictions on these restricted share awards lapse in equal annual installments on the anniversary date of the grant.
(3)
Restricted share awards issued to associates that were former associates of BNC pursuant to legacy BNC incentive plans assumed by Pinnacle Financial.
(4)
Reflects conversion of restricted share units issued in prior years to restricted share awards. The forfeiture restrictions on these restricted share awards lapse in separate equal installments should Pinnacle Financial achieve certain soundness targets over each year of the subsequent vesting period. See further details of these awards under the caption "Restricted Share Units" below.
(5)
Restricted share awards are issued to the outside members of the board of directors in accordance with their board compensation plan.  Restrictions lapse on February 28, 2019 based on each individual board member meeting their attendance goals for the various board and board committee meetings to which each member was scheduled to attend.
(6)
These shares represent forfeitures resulting from recipients whose employment or board membership is terminated during the year-to-date period ended March 31, 2018. Any dividends paid on shares for which the forfeiture restrictions do not lapse will be recouped by Pinnacle Financial at the time of termination or will not be distributed from escrow, as applicable.

Restricted Share Units

The following table details the restricted share unit awards outstanding at March 31, 2018:
 
Units Awarded
 
 
 
 
Grant year
Named Executive Officers
(NEOs) (1)
Leadership Team other than NEOs
Applicable Performance Periods associated with each tranche
(fiscal year)
Service period per tranche
(in years)
Subsequent holding period per tranche
(in years)
Shares settled into RSAs as of period end (2)
2018
96,878-145,339
25,990

2018
2
3
N/A
 
 
 
2019
2
2
N/A
 
 
 
2020
2
1
N/A
2017
72,537-109,339
24,916

2017
2
3
N/A
 
 
 

2018
2
2
N/A
 
 
 

2019
2
1
N/A
2016
73,474-110,223
26,683

2016
2
3
N/A
 
 
 

2017
2
2
N/A
 
 
 

2018
2
1
N/A
2015
58,200-101,850
28,378

2015
2
3
N/A
 
 
 

2016
2
2
N/A
 
 
 

2017
2
1
N/A

(1)
The named executive officers are awarded a range of awards that may be earned based on attainment of goals between a target level of performance and a maximum level of performance.
(2)
Restricted share unit awards granted in 2018, 2017, 2016 and 2015 will be earned if certain performance targets (and service periods) are achieved. Additional forfeiture restrictions may lapse based on Pinnacle Financial's attainment of certain soundness thresholds in future periods and thereafter the unit awards will be settled in shares of Pinnacle Financial common stock.

Stock compensation expense related to restricted share awards and restricted share units for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was $4.4 million compared to $3.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017.

Note 9. Derivative Instruments

Financial derivatives are reported at fair value in other assets or other liabilities. The accounting for changes in the fair value of a derivative depends on whether it has been designated and qualifies as part of a hedging relationship. For derivatives not designated as hedges, the gain or loss is recognized in current period earnings.

Non-hedge derivatives

Pinnacle Financial enters into interest rate swaps (swaps) to facilitate customer transactions and meet their financing needs. Upon entering into these instruments to meet customer needs, Pinnacle Financial enters into offsetting positions in order to minimize the risk to Pinnacle Financial. These swaps are derivatives, but are not designated as hedging instruments. A summary of Pinnacle Financial's interest rate swaps related to customers as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 is included in the following table (in thousands):


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March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
Balance Sheet Location
 
Notional
Amount
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 
Notional
Amount
 
Estimated
Fair Value
Interest rate swap agreements:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pay fixed / receive variable swaps
Other assets
 
$
836,651

 
$
18,269

 
$
748,625

 
$
13,771

Pay variable / receive fixed swaps
Other liabilities
 
836,651

 
(18,384
)
 
748,625

 
(13,866
)
Total
 
 
$
1,673,302

 
$
(115
)
 
$
1,497,250

 
$
(95
)

 
 
 
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income
 
Location of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
Interest rate swap agreements
Other noninterest income
 
$
(20
)
 
$
13


Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges

For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as a cash flow hedge, the aggregate fair value of the derivative instrument is recorded in other assets or other liabilities with any gain or loss related to changes in fair value recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax. The gain or loss is reclassified into earnings in the same period during which the hedged asset or liability affects earnings and is presented in the same income statement line item as the earnings effect of the hedged asset or liability. Pinnacle Financial uses forward cash flow hedge relationships in an effort to manage future interest rate exposure. The hedging strategy converts the LIBOR-based variable interest rate on forecasted borrowings to a fixed interest rate and is used in an effort to protect Pinnacle Financial from floating interest rate variability. A summary of Pinnacle Financial's cash flow hedge relationships as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 are as follows (in thousands):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
Balance Sheet Location
 
Weighted Average Remaining Maturity
 
Weighted Average Pay Rate
 
Receive Rate
 
Notional
Amount
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 
Notional
Amount
 
Estimated
Fair Value
Liability derivatives
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
Other liabilities
 
3.47
 
2.78%
 
3 month LIBOR
 
$
200,000

 
$
(1,674
)
 
$
200,000

 
$
(4,583
)


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The effects of Pinnacle Financial's cash flow hedge relationships on the statement of comprehensive income (loss) during the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 were as follows:
 
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swap agreements
$
1,579

 
$
(143
)

The cash flow hedges were determined to be highly effective during the periods presented and as a result qualify for hedge accounting treatment. If a hedge was deemed to be ineffective, the amount included in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income would be reclassified into a line item within the statement of income that impacts operating results. The hedge would no longer be considered effective if a portion of the hedge becomes ineffective, the item hedged is no longer in existence or Pinnacle Financial discontinues hedge accounting. Pinnacle Financial expects the hedges to continue to be highly effective and qualify for hedge accounting during the remaining terms of the swaps. No amounts were reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into net income related to these derivatives during the three months ended March 31, 2018 or 2017, and no amounts are expected to be reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into net income over the next twelve months.

Derivatives designated as fair value hedges

For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as a fair value hedge, the gain or loss on the derivative instrument as well as the offsetting loss or gain on the hedged asset or liability attributable to the hedged risk are recognized in current earnings. The gain or loss on the derivative instrument is presented on the same income statement line item as the earnings effect of the hedged item. Pinnacle Financial utilizes interest rate swaps designated as fair value hedges to mitigate the effect of changing interest rates on the fair values of fixed rate callable securities available-for-sale. The hedging strategy converts the fixed interest rates on the securities to LIBOR-based variable interest rates. These derivatives are designated as partial term hedges of selected cash flows covering specified periods of time prior to the call dates of the hedged securities. Pinnacle Financial has elected early adoption of FASB ASU 2017-12, which allows such partial term hedge designations. A summary of Pinnacle Financial's fair value hedge relationships as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 are as follows (in thousands):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
Balance Sheet Location
 
Weighted Average Remaining Maturity
 
Weighted Average Pay Rate
 
Receive Rate
 
Notional
Amount
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 
Notional
Amount
 
Estimated
Fair Value
Liability derivatives
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swap agreements
Other liabilities
 
7.64
 
2.89%
 
3 month LIBOR
 
$
154,145

 
$
(1,579
)
 
$

 
$


The effects of Pinnacle Financial's fair value hedge relationships on the income statement during the three months ended March 31, 2018 or 2017 were as follows.
 
Location of Gain (Loss) on Derivative
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income
Hedged Item
Location of Gain (Loss) on Hedged Item
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2018
2017
2018
2017
Interest rate swap agreements
Interest income on securities
$
1,579

$

Securities available-for-sale
Interest income on securities
$
(1,579
)
$



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The following amounts were recorded on the balance sheet related to cumulative basis adjustments for fair value hedges at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017:
 
Carrying Amount of the Hedged Assets
Cumulative Amount of Fair Value Hedging Adjustment Included in the Carrying Amount of the Hedged Assets
 
March 31, 2018
December 31, 2017
March 31, 2018
December 31, 2017
Line item on the balance sheet
 
 
 
 
Securities available-for-sale
$
150,249

$

$
1,579

$


In April 2018, Pinnacle Financial executed additional swap transactions with a notional amount of $525 million designated as fair value hedges. These derivatives are intended to protect against the effects of changing interest rates on the fair values of fixed rate prepayable loans. As allowed under FASB ASU 2017-12, a specified portion of the prepayable loans have been designated as the hedged assets under the "last-of-layer" method. Such hedging designations are allowed on the portion of a closed portfolio of prepayable assets that is not expected to be affected by prepayments, defaults, and other factors affecting the timing and amount of cash flows.

Note 10. Fair Value of Financial Instruments

FASB ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in U.S. GAAP and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.  The definition of fair value focuses on the exit price, i.e., the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date, not the entry price, i.e., the price that would be paid to acquire the asset or received to assume the liability at the measurement date.  The statement emphasizes that fair value is a market-based measurement; not an entity-specific measurement.  Therefore, the fair value measurement should be determined based on the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.

Valuation Hierarchy

FASB ASC 820 establishes a three-level valuation hierarchy for disclosure of fair value measurements. The valuation hierarchy is based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date. The three levels are defined as follows:

Level 1 – inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

Level 2 – inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.

Level 3 – inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.

A financial instrument's categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for assets and liabilities measured at fair value, as well as the general classification of such assets and liabilities pursuant to the valuation hierarchy.

Assets

Securities available-for-sale – Where quoted prices are available for identical securities in an active market, securities are classified within Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy. Level 1 securities include highly liquid government securities and certain other financial products. If quoted market prices are not available, then fair values are estimated by using pricing models that use observable inputs or quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics and are classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy. In certain cases where there is limited activity or less transparency around inputs to the valuation and more complex pricing models or discounted cash flows are used, securities are classified within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy.

Other investments – Included in other assets are other investments recorded at fair value primarily in certain nonpublic investments and funds. The valuation of these nonpublic investments requires management judgment due to the absence of observable quoted market prices, inherent lack of liquidity and the long-term nature of such assets. These investments are valued initially based upon transaction price. The carrying values of other investments are adjusted either upwards or downwards from the transaction price

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to reflect expected exit values as evidenced by financing and sale transactions with third parties, or when determination of a valuation adjustment is confirmed through ongoing reviews by senior investment managers. A variety of factors are reviewed and monitored to assess positive and negative changes in valuation including, but not limited to, current operating performance and future expectations of the particular investment, industry valuations of comparable public companies and changes in market outlook and the third-party financing environment over time. In determining valuation adjustments resulting from the investment review process, emphasis is placed on current company performance and market conditions. These investments are included in Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy as these entities and funds are not widely traded and the underlying investments are often privately-held and/or start-up companies for which market values are not readily available.

Other assets – Included in other assets are certain assets carried at fair value, including interest rate swap agreements, cash flow hedge agreements and interest rate locks associated with the mortgage loan pipeline.  The carrying amount of interest rate swap agreements is based on Pinnacle Financial's pricing models that utilize observable market inputs. The fair value of the cash flow hedge agreements is determined by calculating the difference between the discounted fixed rate cash flows and the discounted variable rate cash flows.  The fair value of the mortgage loan pipeline is based upon the projected sales price of the underlying loans, taking into account market interest rates and other market factors at the measurement date, net of the projected fallout rate.  Pinnacle Financial reflects these assets within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy as these assets are valued using similar transactions that occur in the market.

Impaired loans – A loan is classified as impaired when it is probable Pinnacle Financial will be unable to collect all principal and interest payments due in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Impaired loans are measured based on the present value of expected payments using the loan's original effective rate as the discount rate, the loan's observable market price, or the fair value of the collateral less selling costs if the loan is collateral dependent. If the recorded investment in the impaired loan exceeds the measure of fair value, a valuation allowance may be established as a component of the allowance for loan losses or the difference may be recognized as a charge-off. Impaired loans are classified within Level 3 of the hierarchy due to the unobservable inputs used in determining their fair value such as collateral values and the borrower's underlying financial condition.

Other real estate owned – Other real estate owned (OREO) represents real estate foreclosed upon by Pinnacle Bank through loan defaults by customers or acquired by deed in lieu of foreclosure. Substantially all of these amounts relate to lots, homes and development projects that are either completed or are in various stages of construction for which Pinnacle Financial believes it has adequate collateral. Upon foreclosure, the property is recorded at the lower of cost or fair value, based on appraised value, less selling costs estimated as of the date acquired with any loss recognized as a charge-off through the allowance for loan losses. Additional OREO losses for subsequent valuation downward adjustments are determined on a specific property basis and are included as a component of noninterest expense along with holding costs. Any gains or losses realized at the time of disposal are also reflected in noninterest expense, as applicable. OREO is included in Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy due to the lack of observable market inputs into the determination of fair value as appraisal values are property-specific and sensitive to the changes in the overall economic environment.

Liabilities

Other liabilities – Pinnacle Financial has certain liabilities carried at fair value including certain interest rate swap agreements to facilitate customer transactions and the cash flow hedge and interest rate locks associated with the funding for its mortgage loan originations. The fair value of these liabilities is based on Pinnacle Financial's pricing models that utilize observable market inputs and is reflected within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy.

The following tables present financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, by caption on the consolidated balance sheets and by FASB ASC 820 valuation hierarchy (as described above) (in thousands):
 
Total carrying value in the consolidated balance sheet
 
Quoted market prices in an active market
(Level 1)
 
Models with significant observable market parameters
(Level 2)
 
Models with significant unobservable market parameters
(Level 3)
March 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment securities available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. treasury securities
$
30,946

 
$

 
$
30,946

 
$

U.S. government agency securities
173,443

 

 
173,443

 

Mortgage-backed securities
1,277,273

 

 
1,277,273

 


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Total carrying value in the consolidated balance sheet
 
Quoted market prices in an active market
(Level 1)
 
Models with significant observable market parameters
(Level 2)
 
Models with significant unobservable market parameters
(Level 3)
State and municipal securities
1,192,465

 

 
1,177,239

 
15,226

Agency-backed securities
204,672

 

 
204,672

 

Corporate notes and other
81,825

 

 
81,825

 

Total investment securities available-for-sale
$
2,960,624

 
$

 
$
2,945,398

 
$
15,226

Other investments
29,788

 

 

 
29,788

Other assets
18,319

 

 
18,319

 

Total assets at fair value
$
3,008,731

 
$

 
$
2,963,717

 
$
45,014

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other liabilities
$
20,074

 
$

 
$
20,074

 
$

Total liabilities at fair value
$
20,074

 
$

 
$
20,074

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment securities available-for-sale:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

U.S. treasury securities
$
30,445

 
$

 
$
30,445

 
$

U.S. government agency securities
180,801

 

 
180,801

 

Mortgage-backed securities
1,263,819

 

 
1,263,819

 

State and municipal securities
784,612

 

 
767,583

 
17,029

Agency-backed securities
173,292

 

 
173,292

 

Corporate notes and other
82,314

 

 
82,314

 

Total investment securities available-for-sale
2,515,283

 

 
2,498,254

 
17,029

Other investments
28,874

 

 

 
28,874

Other assets
11,812

 

 
11,812

 

Total assets at fair value
$
2,555,969

 
$

 
$
2,510,066

 
$
45,903

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other liabilities
$
13,886

 
$

 
$
13,886

 
$

Total liabilities at fair value
$
13,886

 
$

 
$
13,886

 
$


The following table presents assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (in thousands):
March 31, 2018
Total carrying value in the consolidated balance sheet
 
Quoted market prices in an active market
(Level 1)
 
Models with significant observable market parameters
(Level 2)
 
Models with significant unobservable market
parameters
(Level 3)
 
Total gains
(losses) for the year-to-date period then ended
Other real estate owned
$
23,982

 
$

 
$

 
$
23,982

 
$
481

Impaired loans, net (1)
105,533

 

 

 
105,533

 
(2,801
)
Total
$
129,515

 
$

 
$

 
$
129,515

 
$
(2,320
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2017
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Other real estate owned
$
27,831

 
$

 
$

 
$
27,831

 
$
203

Impaired loans, net (1)
99,317

 

 

 
99,317

 
(722
)
Total
$
127,148

 
$

 
$

 
$
127,148

 
$
(519
)

(1) Amount is net of valuation allowance of $2.8 million and $2.3 million at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, as required by ASC 310-10, "Receivables."
 
In the case of the investment securities portfolio, Pinnacle Financial monitors the portfolio to ascertain when transfers between levels have been affected.  The nature of the remaining assets and liabilities is such that transfers in and out of any level are expected to be rare.  For the three months ended March 31, 2018, there were no transfers between Levels 1, 2 or 3.


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The table below includes a rollforward of the balance sheet amounts for the three months ended March 31, 2018 (including the change in fair value) for financial instruments classified by Pinnacle Financial within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy measured at fair value on a recurring basis including changes in fair value due in part to observable factors that are part of the valuation methodology (in thousands):
 
 
For the three months ended March 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
Available-for-sale Securities
 
Other
assets
 
Other liabilities
 
Available-for-sale Securities
 
Other
 assets
 
Other liabilities
Fair value, beginning of period
 
$
17,029

 
$
28,874

 
$

 
$

 
$
10,478

 
$

Total realized gains included in income
 
31

 
512

 

 

 
197

 

Changes in unrealized gains/losses included in other comprehensive income for assets and liabilities still held at March 31
 
(666
)
 

 

 

 

 

Purchases
 

 
870

 

 

 
120

 

Issuances
 

 

 

 

 

 

Settlements
 
(1,168
)
 
(468
)
 

 

 
(303
)
 

Transfers out of Level 3
 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value, end of period
 
$
15,226

 
$
29,788

 
$

 
$

 
$
10,492

 
$

Total realized gains included in income related to financial assets and liabilities still on the consolidated balance sheet at March 31
 
$
31

 
$
512

 
$

 
$

 
$
197

 
$


The following methods and assumptions were used by Pinnacle Financial in estimating its fair value disclosures for financial instruments that are not measured at fair value. In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on estimates using discounted cash flow models. Those models are significantly affected by the assumptions used, including the discount rates, estimates of future cash flows and borrower creditworthiness. The fair value estimates presented herein are based on pertinent information available to management as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017. Such amounts have not been revalued for purposes of these consolidated financial statements since those dates and, therefore, current estimates of fair value may differ significantly from the amounts presented herein.

Securities held-to-maturity - Estimated fair values for investment securities are based on quoted market prices where available.  If quoted market prices are not available, then fair values are estimated by using pricing models that use observable inputs or quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics.

Loans - The fair value of Pinnacle Financial's loan portfolio includes a credit risk factor in the determination of the fair value of its loans.  This credit risk assumption is intended to approximate the fair value that a market participant would realize in a hypothetical orderly transaction.  Pinnacle Financial's loan portfolio is initially fair valued using a segmented approach. Pinnacle Financial divides its loan portfolio into the following categories: variable rate loans, impaired loans and all other loans. The results are then adjusted to account for credit risk.

The values derived from the discounted cash flow approach for our performing loan portfolio incorporate credit risk to determine the exit price. Fair values for impaired loans are estimated using discounted cash flow models or based on the fair value of the underlying collateral.

Purchased loans, including loans acquired through a merger, are initially recorded at fair value on the date of purchase. Purchased loans that contain evidence of post-origination credit deterioration as of the purchase date are carried at the net present value of expected future cash flows. All other purchased loans are recorded at their initial fair value, and adjusted for subsequent advances, pay downs, amortization or accretion of any fair value premium or discount on purchase, charge-offs and any other adjustment to carrying value.

Loans held-for-sale - Loans held-for-sale are carried at the lower of cost or fair value.  The estimate of fair value is based on pricing models and other information.

Deposits, securities sold under agreements to repurchase, Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) advances, subordinated debt and other borrowings - The fair value of demand deposits, savings deposits and securities sold under agreements to repurchase are derived from a selection of market transactions reflecting our peer group. Fair values for certificates of deposit, FHLB advances and subordinated debt are estimated using discounted cash flow models, using current market interest rates offered on certificates, advances and other borrowings with similar remaining maturities.


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Off-balance sheet instruments - The fair values of Pinnacle Financial's off-balance-sheet financial instruments are based on fees charged to enter into similar agreements. However, commitments to extend credit do not represent a significant value to Pinnacle Financial until such commitments are funded.

The following table presents the carrying amounts, estimated fair value and placement in the fair value hierarchy of Pinnacle Financial's financial instruments at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.  This table excludes financial instruments for which the carrying amount approximates fair value.  For short-term financial assets such as cash and cash equivalents, the carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value due to the relatively short time between the origination of the instrument and its expected realization.  For financial liabilities such as non-interest bearing demand, interest-bearing demand, and savings deposits, the carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value due to these products having no stated maturity (in thousands):
March 31, 2018
Carrying/
Notional
Amount
 
Estimated
Fair Value (1)
 
Quoted market prices in an active market
(Level 1)
 
Models with significant observable market parameters
(Level 2)
 
Models with significant unobservable market
parameters
(Level 3)
Financial assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Securities held-to-maturity
$
20,677

 
$
20,603

 
$

 
$
20,603

 
$

Loans, net
16,255,813

 
16,170,768

 

 

 
16,170,768

Consumer loans held-for-sale
100,231

 
101,200

 

 
101,200

 

Commercial loans held-for-sale
18,625

 
18,803

 

 
18,803

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deposits and securities sold under
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
agreements to repurchase
16,634,772

 
16,094,142

 

 

 
16,094,142

Federal Home Loan Bank advances
1,976,881

 
1,964,389

 

 

 
1,964,389

Subordinated debt and other borrowings
465,550

 
442,970

 

 

 
442,970

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Off-balance sheet instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commitments to extend credit (2)
5,769,256

 
1,984

 

 

 
1,984

Standby letters of credit (3)
150,936

 
1,080

 

 

 
1,080

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Securities held-to-maturity
$
20,762

 
$
20,830

 
$

 
$
20,830

 
$

Loans, net
15,565,876

 
15,252,953

 

 

 
15,252,953

Consumer loans held for sale
103,729

 
104,986

 

 
104,986

 

Commercial loans held-for-sale
25,456

 
25,761

 

 
25,761

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deposits and securities sold under
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
agreements to repurchase
16,586,964

 
16,516,342

 

 

 
16,516,342

Federal Home Loan Bank advances
1,319,909

 
1,313,311

 

 

 
1,313,311

Subordinated debt and other borrowings
465,505

 
445,098

 

 

 
445,098

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Off-balance sheet instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commitments to extend credit (2)
5,788,425

 
2,264

 

 

 
2,264

Standby letters of credit (3)
143,684

 
800

 

 

 
800

(1)
Estimated fair values are consistent with an exit-price concept. The assumptions used to estimate the fair values are intended to approximate those that a market-participant would realize in a hypothetical orderly transaction.
(2)
At the end of each quarter, Pinnacle Financial evaluates the inherent risks of the outstanding off-balance sheet commitments.  In making this evaluation, Pinnacle Financial evaluates the credit worthiness of the borrower, the collateral supporting the commitments and any other factors similar to those used to evaluate the inherent risks of our loan portfolio.  Additionally, Pinnacle Financial evaluates the probability that the outstanding commitment will eventually become a funded loan. As a result, at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, Pinnacle Financial included in other liabilities $1.9 million and $2.3 million, respectively, representing the inherent risks associated with these off-balance sheet commitments.
(3)
At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the aggregate fair value of Pinnacle Financial's standby letters of credit was $1.1 million and $800,000, respectively. These amounts represent the unamortized fee associated with these standby letters of credit and are included in the consolidated balance sheets of Pinnacle Financial and are believed to approximate fair value. These fair values will decrease over time as the existing standby letters of credit approach their expiration dates.


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Note 11. Regulatory Matters

Pursuant to Tennessee banking law, Pinnacle Bank may not, without the prior consent of the Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions (TDFI), pay any dividends to Pinnacle Financial in a calendar year in excess of the total of Pinnacle Bank's retained net income for that year plus the retained net income for the preceding two years. During the three months ended March 31, 2018, Pinnacle Bank paid $25.1 million in dividends to Pinnacle Financial. Since the first quarter of 2016, Pinnacle Financial has paid a quarterly common stock dividend of $0.14 per share. The amount and timing of all future dividend payments by Pinnacle Financial, if any, is subject to discretion of Pinnacle Financial's board of directors and will depend on Pinnacle Financial's earnings, capital position, financial condition and other factors, including then applicable regulatory capital requirements, as they become known to Pinnacle Financial and Pinnacle Bank's ability to pay dividends to Pinnacle Financial.

Pinnacle Financial and Pinnacle Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory, and possibly additional discretionary, actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, Pinnacle Financial and Pinnacle Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of the assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. Pinnacle Financial's and Pinnacle Bank's capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings, and other factors.

Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require Pinnacle Financial and its banking subsidiary to maintain minimum amounts and ratios of common equity Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets, Tier I capital to risk-weighted assets, total risk-based capital to risk-weighted assets and of Tier 1 capital to average assets.

The final rules implementing the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision's capital guidelines for U.S. banks (Basel III rules) became effective for Pinnacle Financial on January 1, 2015 with full compliance with all of the requirements being phased in over a multi-year schedule, and fully phased in by January 1, 2019. The minimum capital level requirements applicable to bank holding companies and banks subject to the rules are: (i) a common equity Tier 1 capital ratio of 4.5%; (ii) a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 6%; (iii) a total risk-based capital ratio of 8%; and (iv) a Tier 1 leverage ratio of 4% for all institutions. The Basel III rules also establish a capital conservation buffer of 2.5% (to be phased in over three years) above the regulatory minimum risk-based capital ratios. The capital conservation buffer was phased in beginning in January 2016 at 0.625% and is increasing each year by a like percentage until fully implemented in January 2019. The net unrealized gain or loss on available-for-sale securities is not included in computing regulatory capital. Management believes, as of March 31, 2018, that Pinnacle Financial and Pinnacle Bank met all capital adequacy requirements to which they are subject. To be categorized as well-capitalized under applicable banking regulations, Pinnacle Financial and Pinnacle Bank must maintain certain total risk-based, Tier 1 risk-based, common equity Tier 1 and Tier 1 leverage ratios as set forth in the following table and not be subject to a written agreement, order or directive to maintain a higher capital level. Pinnacle Financial's and Pinnacle Bank's actual capital amounts and resulting ratios, not including the capital conservation buffer, are presented in the following table (in thousands):
 
Actual
 
Minimum Capital
Requirement
 
Minimum
To Be Well-Capitalized
 
Amount
Ratio
 
Amount
Ratio
 
Amount
Ratio
At March 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total capital to risk weighted assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pinnacle Financial
$
2,325,113

12.1
%
 
$
1,542,891

8.0
%
 
NA

NA

Pinnacle Bank
$
2,180,680

11.3
%
 
$
1,538,121

8.0
%
 
$
1,922,651

10.0
%
Tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets:
 

 

 
 

 

 
 

 

Pinnacle Financial
$
1,781,355

9.2
%
 
$
1,157,168

6.0
%
 
NA

NA

Pinnacle Bank
$
1,979,624

10.3
%
 
$
1,153,591

6.0
%
 
$
1,538,121

8.0
%
Common equity Tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets
 

 

 
 

 

 
 

 

Pinnacle Financial
$
1,781,233

9.2
%
 
$
867,876

4.5
%
 
NA

NA

Pinnacle Bank
$
1,979,502

10.3
%
 
$
865,193

4.5
%
 
$
1,249,723

6.5
%
Tier 1 capital to average assets (*):
 

 

 
 

 

 
 

 

Pinnacle Financial
$
1,781,355

8.8
%
 
$
809,553

4.0
%
 
NA

NA

Pinnacle Bank
$
1,979,624

9.8
%
 
$
807,086

4.0
%
 
$
1,008,857

5.0
%
(*) Average assets for the above calculations were based on the most recent quarter.

Note 12.  Subordinated Debt and Other borrowings

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Pinnacle Financial has twelve wholly-owned subsidiaries that are statutory business trusts created for the exclusive purpose of issuing 30-year capital trust preferred securities. Additionally, Pinnacle Financial has entered into certain other subordinated debt agreements and a revolving credit facility as outlined below and, with respect to the legacy Pinnacle Financial indebtedness, as fully described in its 2017 Form 10-K (in thousands):
Name
Date
Established
Maturity
Total Debt Outstanding
Interest Rate at
March 31, 2018
Coupon Structure
Trust preferred securities
 
 
 
 
Pinnacle Statutory Trust I
December 29, 2003
December 30, 2033
$
10,310

4.98
%
30-day LIBOR + 2.80%
Pinnacle Statutory Trust II
September 15, 2005
September 30, 2035
20,619

3.71
%
30-day LIBOR + 1.40%
Pinnacle Statutory Trust III
September 7, 2006
September 30, 2036
20,619

3.96
%
30-day LIBOR + 1.65%
Pinnacle Statutory Trust IV
October 31, 2007
September 30, 2037
30,928

4.97
%
30-day LIBOR + 2.85%
BNC Capital Trust I
April 3, 2003
April 15, 2033
5,155

4.97
%
30-day LIBOR + 3.25%
BNC Capital Trust II
March 11, 2004
April 7, 2034
6,186

4.57
%
30-day LIBOR + 2.85%
BNC Capital Trust III
September 23, 2004
September 23, 2034
5,155

4.12
%
30-day LIBOR + 2.40%
BNC Capital Trust IV
September 27, 2006
December 31, 2036
7,217

4.01
%
30-day LIBOR + 1.70%
Valley Financial Trust I
June 26, 2003
June 26, 2033
4,124

5.39
%
30-day LIBOR + 3.10%
Valley Financial Trust II
September 26, 2005
December 15, 2035
7,217

3.61
%
30-day LIBOR + 1.49%
Valley Financial Trust III
December 15, 2006
January 30, 2037
5,155

3.50
%
30-day LIBOR + 1.73%
Southcoast Capital Trust III
August 5, 2005
September 30, 2035
10,310

3.81
%
30-day LIBOR + 1.50%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Subordinated Debt
 
 

 

 
Pinnacle Bank Subordinated Notes
July 30, 2015
July 30, 2025
60,000

4.88
%
Fixed (1)
Pinnacle Bank Subordinated Notes
March 10, 2016
July 30, 2025
70,000

4.88
%
Fixed (1)
Avenue Subordinated Notes
December 29, 2014
December 29, 2024
20,000

6.75
%
Fixed (2)
Pinnacle Financial Subordinated Notes
November 16, 2016
November 16, 2026
120,000

5.25
%
Fixed (3)
BNC Subordinated Notes
September 25, 2014
October 1, 2024
60,000

5.50
%
Fixed (4)
BNC Subordinated Note
October 15, 2013
October 15, 2023
10,470

6.57
%
30-day LIBOR + 5.00% (5)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other Borrowings
 
 
 

 

 
Revolving credit facility (6)
March 28, 2018
April 25, 2019


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Debt issuance costs and fair value adjustments
(7,915
)
 

 
Total subordinated debt and other borrowings
$
465,550

 

 
______________________
(1) Migrates to three month LIBOR + 3.128% beginning July 30, 2020 through the end of the term.
(2) Migrates to three month LIBOR + 4.95% beginning January 1, 2020 through the end of the term.
(3) Migrates to three month LIBOR + 3.884% beginning November 16, 2021 through the end of the term.
(4) Migrates to three month LIBOR + 3.59% beginning October 1, 2019 through the end of the term if not redeemed on that date.
(5) Coupon structure includes a floor of 5.0% and a cap of 9.5%
(6) Borrowing capacity on the revolving credit facility is $75.0 million. At March 31, 2018, there was no outstanding balance under this facility. This facility was subsequently amended on April 26, 2018. The rate on the amended facility is 1.75% plus the greater of zero percent and 30-day LIBOR with a maturity date of April 25, 2019 and an unused fee of 0.35% of average daily unused amount of loan.

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

The following is a discussion of our financial condition at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 and our results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017.  The purpose of this discussion is to focus on information about our financial condition and results of operations which is not otherwise apparent from our consolidated financial statements.  The following discussion and analysis should be read along with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere herein.

Overview

Our diluted net income per common share for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was $1.08 compared to $0.82 for the same period in 2017. At March 31, 2018, loans had increased to $16.33 billion, as compared to $15.63 billion at December 31, 2017, and total deposits increased to $16.50 billion at March 31, 2018 from $16.45 billion at December 31, 2017. The comparability of our financial performance for the three month period ended March 31, 2018 compared to the comparable period in 2017 has been impacted by the June 16, 2017 acquisition of BNC Bancorp (BNC).

BNC Acquisition. We acquired BNC on June 16, 2017. At the acquisition date, BNC's net assets were preliminarily fair valued at $601.5 million, including loans valued at $5.60 billion and deposits valued at $6.21 billion. This acquisition expanded our footprint into the Carolinas and Virginia.
 
Each holder of BNC common stock (including restricted shares) received 0.5235 shares of Pinnacle Financial's common stock for each share of BNC common stock held by each shareholder on the closing date. We issued 27,687,100 shares of common stock and paid cash consideration of approximately $129,000, related to fractional shares, to the BNC shareholders. Included in the common stock issued were 136,890 assumed shares of unvested restricted stock that will continue to vest over their original contractual terms. The fair value of these awards was $9.2 million, with $5.4 million attributable to precombination services provided by the recipients prior to the merger, that accordingly was included as merger consideration.

Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was signed into law. Among other items, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act reduced the corporate Federal tax rate from 35% to 21%. As a result of such decrease, we recognized a charge of $31.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2017 resulting from the revaluation of our deferred tax assets.

Under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the qualified performance-based compensation exception to Section 162(m) that generally provided for the continued deductibility of performance-based compensation was repealed, effective for tax years commencing on or after January 1, 2018. Accordingly, commencing with our fiscal year ending December 31, 2018, compensation to our named executive officers in excess of $1,000,000 not awarded as performance-based compensation prior to November 2, 2017 will generally not be deductible, which will likely partially offset the expected reduction in our income tax expense resulting from the rate cut under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Performance based compensation (meeting the requirements of Section 162(m) prior to amendment with the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act) that is earned on awards issued pursuant to binding agreements in effect as of November 2, 2017 will retain its status as tax deductible.
 
Results of Operations.  Our net interest income increased to $174.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to $88.8 million for the same period in the prior year, representing an increase of $85.7 million, largely as a result of our merger with BNC as well as continued loan growth in our Tennessee markets. The net interest margin (the ratio of net interest income to average earning assets) for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was 3.77% compared to 3.60% for the same period in 2017.
 
Our provision for loan losses was $6.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to $3.7 million for the same period in 2017. Net charge-offs were $4.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to $4.3 million for the same period in 2017. Provision expense for both periods was impacted by organic loan growth and by charge-offs realized in our consumer portfolio, primarily related to non-prime automobile loans.

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At March 31, 2018, our allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans remained unchanged from 0.43% at December 31, 2017. The calculated allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans is impacted by the acquired loan portfolios being accounted for at fair value as of the merger date. At March 31, 2018, the remaining fair value discount for all acquired portfolios (inclusive of BNC) was $148.9 million. For loans acquired in connection with our mergers, the calculation of the allowance for loan losses subsequent to the acquisition date is consistent with that utilized for legacy Pinnacle Financial loans. Our accounting policy is to compare the computed allowance for loan losses on purchased loans to the remaining fair value adjustment at the individual loan level. Generally the fair value adjustments are expected to accrete to interest income over the remaining expected life of the underlying loan agreements and decrease proportionately with the related loan balance. However, if the computed allowance is greater than the remaining fair value adjustment, the excess is added to the allowance for loan losses by a provision for loan losses. Additional provisioning for purchased portfolios results from credit deterioration on the individual loan or from increased borrowings on loans and lines that existed as of the acquisition date. Should a loan with a remaining fair value discount be paid off prior to maturity, the remaining fair value discount is recognized as interest income.

Noninterest income increased by $13.8 million, or 45.4 percent, during the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017. Income from equity method investment was $9.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to $7.8 million for the same period in the prior year. The additional growth within noninterest income was attributable to increased contributions from our fee-based businesses such as investments, insurance and trust, resulting from both organic growth and our merger with BNC as well as gains on bank owned life insurance.
Noninterest expense increased by $46.5 million, or 75.0 percent, during the three months ended March 31, 2018 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2017, and reflects the impact of our June 16, 2017 merger with BNC, that contributed to increased salaries and employment benefits, increased equipment and occupancy costs due to our expanded retail network, and increased intangible amortization expense and merger-related charges. Salaries and employee benefits were $63.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to $38.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. This increase primarily resulted from annual merit increases and the expansion of our associate base from 1,217.5 full-time equivalent associates at March 31, 2017 to 2,148.0 full-time equivalent associates at March 31, 2018, due to both opportunistic hires and our merger with BNC. At March 31, 2018, approximately 744 full-time equivalent associates were deployed in the former BNC footprint. Merger-related charges for the three months ended March 31, 2018 were $5.4 million compared to $672,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2017. Merger-related charges incurred for the three months ended March 31, 2018 were associated with our merger with BNC and were inclusive of costs associated with associate retention packages and cultural and technology integrations.
During the three months ended March 31, 2018, Pinnacle Financial recorded income tax expense of $19.6 million compared to $13.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017.  Pinnacle Financial's effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was 19.0% compared to 25.8% for the three months ended March 31, 2017. Pinnacle Financial's effective tax rate differs from the combined federal and state income tax statutory rate applicable to Pinnacle Financial of 26.14% at March 31, 2018 and 39.23% at March 31, 2017 primarily due to the reduction in the federal statutory corporate tax rate following enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, state excise tax expense, our investments in bank-qualified municipal securities, tax benefits from our real estate investment trust subsidiary, participation in Tennessee's Community Investment Tax Credit (CITC) program, tax benefits associated with bank-owned life insurance and tax savings from our captive insurance subsidiary, offset in part by the limitation on deductibility of meals and entertainment expense and non-deductible FDIC insurance premiums. Tax benefits associated with our equity-based compensation program recognized pursuant to ASU 2016-09 also reduced our effective tax rate in both periods and resulted in tax benefits of $2.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to $3.8 million for the same period prior year. Prior to the adoption of ASU 2016-09, these tax benefits were recorded in the statement of stockholders' equity directly to additional paid-in-capital.
Our efficiency ratio (the ratio of noninterest expense to the sum of net interest income and noninterest income) was 49.7% for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to 52.1% for the same period in 2017. The efficiency ratio measures the amount of expense that is incurred to generate a dollar of revenue.
Financial Condition.  Reflecting organic growth due to continued economic growth in our core markets, increases in the number of relationship advisors and continued focus on attracting new customers to our company, net loans increased $692.9 million, or 4.4%, during the three months ended March 31, 2018, when compared to December 31, 2017. Total deposits were $16.50 billion at March 31, 2018, compared to $16.45 billion at December 31, 2017, an increase of $51.2 million.

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Capital and Liquidity. At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, our capital ratios, including our bank's capital ratios, exceeded regulatory minimum capital requirements and those necessary to be considered well-capitalized under applicable federal regulations. See Note 11. Regulatory Matters in the Consolidated Financial Statements. From time to time we may be required to support the capital needs of our bank (Pinnacle Bank). At March 31, 2018, we had approximately $79.8 million of cash at the holding company, substantially all of which could be used to support our bank. We believe we have various capital raising techniques available to us to provide for the capital needs of our company and bank, including an established line of credit with another bank that can be utilized to provide up to $75 million of additional capital support to Pinnacle Bank, if needed.
Critical Accounting Estimates
The accounting principles we follow and our methods of applying these principles conform with U.S. GAAP and with general practices within the banking industry. There have been no significant changes to our Critical Accounting Policies as described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.

Results of Operations
The following is a summary of our results of operations (dollars in thousands, except per share data):
 
 
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2018
 
2018 - 2017 
Percent
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
Increase (Decrease)
Interest income
 
$
211,528

 
$
102,143

 
107.1
%
Interest expense
 
37,057

 
13,376

 
177.0
%
Net interest income
 
174,471


88,767

 
96.5
%
Provision for loan losses
 
6,931

 
3,651

 
89.8
%
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
 
167,540


85,116

 
96.8
%
Noninterest income
 
44,183

 
30,382

 
45.4
%
Noninterest expense
 
108,580

 
62,054

 
75.0
%
Net income before income taxes
 
103,143


53,444

 
93.0
%
Income tax expense
 
19,633

 
13,791

 
42.4
%
Net income
 
$
83,510


$
39,653

 
110.6
%
 
 
 
 
 
 


Basic net income per common share
 
$
1.08

 
$
0.83

 
30.1
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted net income per common share
 
$
1.08

 
$
0.82

 
31.7
%

Net Interest Income.   Net interest income represents the amount by which interest earned on various earning assets exceeds interest paid on deposits and other interest-bearing liabilities and is the most significant component of our revenues. Net interest income totaled $174.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, an increase of $85.7 million from the levels recorded in the same period of 2017, attributable to the growth in our loan portfolio due to our merger with BNC, organic growth, and an increase in the interest rates we receive on interest earning assets, offset in part by increases in the rates we pay on deposits and our other funding sources. Average loans for the three months ended March 31, 2018 were 86.5% greater than average loan balances for the same period in 2017.


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The following tables set forth the amount of our average balances, interest income or interest expense for each category of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and the average interest rate for interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, net interest spread and net interest margin for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 (dollars in thousands):
 
Three months ended
March 31, 2018
Three months ended
March 31, 2017
 
Average Balances
Interest
Rates/ Yields
Average Balances
Interest
Rates/ Yields
Interest-earning assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans (1)
$
15,957,466

$
191,214

4.91
%
$
8,558,267

$
93,218

4.49
%
Securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Taxable
1,794,402

11,222

2.54
%
1,202,806

6,433

2.17
%
Tax-exempt (2)
1,035,202

7,285

3.44
%
238,111

1,678

3.83
%
Federal funds sold and other
335,093

1,807

2.19
%
262,790

814

1.26
%
Total interest-earning assets
19,122,163

$
211,528

4.56
%
10,261,974

$
102,143

4.06
%
Nonearning assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
Intangible assets
1,863,736

 
 
566,221

 
 
Other nonearning assets
1,218,700

 
 
593,459

 
 
Total assets
$
22,204,599

 
 
$
11,421,654

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest-bearing liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest-bearing deposits:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest bearing DDAs
$
774,883

$
1,782

0.93
%
$
449,701

$
654

0.59
%
Interest checking
2,198,707

3,332

0.61
%
1,468,626

1,070

0.30
%
Savings and money market
6,454,463

11,988

0.75
%
3,900,321

4,609

0.48
%
Time
2,548,342

6,879

1.09
%
845,949

1,786

0.86
%
Total interest-bearing deposits
11,976,395

23,981

0.81
%
6,664,597

8,119

0.49
%
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
129,969

130

0.40
%
79,681

50

0.25
%
Federal Home Loan Bank advances
1,584,281

7,007

1.79
%
212,951

904

1.72
%
Subordinated debt and other borrowings
471,029

5,939

5.11
%
355,082

4,303

4.92
%
Total interest-bearing liabilities
14,161,674

37,057

1.06
%
7,312,311

13,376

0.74
%
Noninterest-bearing deposits
4,304,186


0.00
%
2,434,875


0.00
%
Total deposits and interest-bearing liabilities
18,465,860

$
37,057

0.81
%
9,747,186

$
13,376

0.56
%
Other liabilities
6,106

 
 
17,396

 
 
Stockholders' equity 
3,732,633

 
 
1,657,072

 
 
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
$
22,204,599

 
 
$
11,421,654

 
 
Net  interest  income 
 
$
174,471

 
 
$
88,767

 
Net interest spread (3)
 
 
3.50
%
 
 
3.32
%
Net interest margin (4)
 
 
3.77
%
 
 
3.60
%

(1)  Average balances of nonaccrual loans are included in the above amounts.
(2) Yields based on the carrying value of those tax exempt instruments are shown on a fully tax equivalent basis.
(3)  Yields realized on interest-bearing assets less the rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities.  The net interest spread calculation excludes the impact of demand deposits.  Had the impact of demand deposits been included, the net interest spread for the three months ended March 31, 2018 would have been 3.75% compared to a net interest spread of 3.51% for the three months ended March 31, 2017.
(4) Net interest margin is the result of annualized net interest income calculated on a tax-equivalent basis divided by average interest-earning assets for the period.


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For the three months ended March 31, 2018, our net interest margin was 3.77% compared to 3.60% for the three months ended March 31, 2017, respectively. Although our net interest margin for the three-month period ended March 31, 2018 was positively impacted by yield expansion in our earning asset portfolio, these increases were partially offset by increases in our total funding costs. During the three months ended March 31, 2018, total funding rates increased by 25 basis points compared to the three months ended March 31, 2017. The increase in our core funding costs was caused by our higher prevailing market interest rates, BNC acquisition as BNC's deposit rates were higher than our rates in our Tennessee markets and increased FHLB Cincinnati borrowings and subordinated debt, which have higher interest rates than our deposits. The expansion of our earning asset yields was driven in part by the impact of recent Federal funds rate increases, which positively impacted our floating and variable rate loan and investment portfolios. With our expected continued growth, we anticipate our net interest income will likely increase over the next several quarters. The application of fair value accounting on the BNC accounts we acquired also positively impacted our net interest margin for the three months ended March 31, 2018, albeit less than in the quarters most closely following the merger. This impact should continue to lessen in future periods.

We continue to deploy various asset liability management strategies to manage our risk to interest rate fluctuations. We believe our net interest margin should remain relatively stable during the remainder of 2018. Although the further anticipated rise in interest rates should be beneficial to us, loan pricing for creditworthy borrowers is very competitive in our markets and may limit our ability to increase pricing on new and renewed loans. We also expect the impact of purchase accounting on our net interest income will continue to decrease in future periods. We anticipate that this challenging competitive environment will continue during the remainder of 2018 and it is unclear what impact the reduction in corporate tax rates under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will have on the demand for and the interest rates we charge for loans or pay on deposits. However, we believe our net interest income should continue to increase in 2018 compared to 2017 primarily due to an increase in average earning asset volumes, including both loans and our securities portfolio. We seek to fund these increased earning assets by growing our core deposits, but will utilize wholesale and other forms of noncore funding to fund a shortfall, if any.

Provision for Loan Losses.   The provision for loan losses represents a charge to earnings necessary to establish an allowance for loan losses that, in management's evaluation, should be adequate to provide coverage for the inherent losses on outstanding loans. Based upon management's assessment of the loan portfolio, we adjust our allowance for loan losses to an amount deemed appropriate to adequately cover probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio. At March 31, 2018, our allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans remained unchanged from 0.43% at December 31, 2017, largely driven by continued favorable credit experience in our larger portfolios and is supported by the strong economies in the markets in which we operate.

The provision for loan losses amounted to $6.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to $3.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. Provision expense is impacted by the absolute level of loans, loan growth, the credit quality of the loan portfolio and the amount of net charge-offs. Provision expense in the most recent period continued to be negatively impacted by charge-offs realized in our consumer portfolio, primarily related to non-prime automobile loans.

Noninterest Income.  Our noninterest income is composed of several components, some of which vary significantly between quarterly and annual periods. Service charges on deposit accounts and other noninterest income generally reflect customer growth trends, while fees from our wealth management departments, the origination of mortgage loans, income from our equity method investment and gains and losses on the sale of securities will often reflect financial market conditions and fluctuate from period to period.


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The following is a summary of our noninterest income for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 (dollars in thousands):
 
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2018 - 2017
Percent
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
Increase (Decrease)
Noninterest income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Service charges on deposit accounts
 
$
5,820

 
$
3,856

 
50.9%
Investment services
 
5,107

 
2,822

 
81.0%
Insurance sales commissions
 
3,119

 
1,859

 
67.8%
Gains on mortgage loans sold, net
 
3,744

 
4,155

 
(9.9)%
Gain on sale of investment securities, net
 
30

 

 
NA
Income from equity method investment
 
9,360

 
7,823

 
19.6%
Trust fees
 
3,117

 
1,705

 
82.8%
Other noninterest income:
 
 
 
 
 

Interchange and other consumer fees
 
8,556

 
6,151

 
39.1%
Bank-owned life insurance
 
2,752

 
1,099

 
150.4%
Loan swap fees
 
504

 
261

 
93.1%
Other noninterest income
 
2,074

 
651

 
218.6%
Total other noninterest income
 
13,886


8,162

 
70.1%
Total noninterest income
 
$
44,183


$
30,382

 
45.4%

The increase in service charges on deposit accounts in the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2017 is primarily related to increased analysis fees due to an increase in the volume and number of commercial checking accounts resulting from our acquisition of BNC.
 
Income from our wealth management groups (investments, insurance and trust) is also included in noninterest income. For the three months ended March 31, 2018, commissions and fees from investment services at our financial advisory unit, Pinnacle Asset Management, a division of Pinnacle Bank, increased by $2.3 million as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2017. At March 31, 2018 and 2017, Pinnacle Asset Management was receiving commissions and fees in connection with approximately $3.5 billion and $2.3 billion, respectively, in brokerage assets. Revenues from the sale of insurance products by our insurance subsidiaries for the three months ended March 31, 2018 were up approximately $1.3 million when compared to the three months ended March 31, 2017. Included in insurance revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was $1.0 million of contingent income received based on 2017 sales production and improved claims experience compared to $613,000 recorded in the same period in the prior year. Additionally, at March 31, 2018, our trust department was receiving fees on approximately $1.8 billion of managed assets compared to $1.0 billion at March 31, 2017, reflecting organic growth and the $488.2 million in assets we added with the BNC merger. The growth in our wealth management businesses is attributable to our expanded associate base and distribution platform in our new markets.

Gains on mortgage loans sold, net, consists of fees from the origination and sale of mortgage loans. These mortgage fees are for loans originated in our markets that are subsequently sold to third-party investors. Substantially all of these loan sales transfer servicing rights to the buyer. Generally, mortgage origination fees increase in lower interest rate environments and more robust housing markets and decrease in rising interest rate environments and more challenging housing markets. Mortgage origination fees will fluctuate from quarter to quarter as the rate environment changes. Gains on mortgage loans sold, net, were $3.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 as compared to $4.2 million for the same period in the prior year. We hedge a portion of our mortgage pipeline as part of a mandatory delivery program. There is a strong positive correlation between the size of the mortgage pipeline and the value of this hedge. The hedge is not designated as a hedge for GAAP purposes and, as such, changes in its fair value are recorded directly through the income statement. Therefore, the size of the outstanding mortgage pipeline at any reporting period will directly impact the amount of revenue recorded for mortgage loans held for sale in any one period and is cyclical in nature. An overall increase in the volume of loans included in the mortgage pipeline typically results in a gain on the change in the fair market value of the hedge. Decreases in the volume of loans included in the mortgage pipeline are likely to negatively impact the gains we recognize as a result of this program.


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Income from equity-method investment is comprised solely of income from our 49% equity-method investment in BHG. Income from this equity-method investment was $9.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to $7.8 million for the same period last year. Income from equity-method investment is recorded net of associated expenses, including amortization expense associated with customer lists and other intangible assets of $693,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to $832,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2017. At March 31, 2018, there were $12.7 million of these intangible assets which will be amortized in lesser amounts over the next 17 years.  Also included in income from equity-method investment, is accretion income associated with the fair valuation of certain of BHG's liabilities of $742,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to $806,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2017. At March 31, 2018, there were $9.5 million of these liabilities which will be accreted into income in lesser amounts over the next 8 years.

During the three months ended March 31, 2018, Pinnacle Financial and Pinnacle Bank received dividends from BHG of $4.3 million in the aggregate compared to $2.5 million for the same period in the prior year, which reduced the carrying amount of our investment in BHG while earnings from BHG increase the carrying amount of our investment in BHG. Our proportionate share of earnings from BHG are included in our consolidated tax return. Profits from intercompany transactions are eliminated. Earnings from BHG may fluctuate from period-to-period. No loans were purchased from BHG by Pinnacle Bank for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2018 or 2017, respectively.

As our ownership interest in BHG is 49%, we do not consolidate BHG's results of operations or financial position into our financial statements but record the net result of BHG's activities at our percentage ownership in income from equity method investment in noninterest income.  For the three months ended March 31, 2018, BHG reported $43.8 million in revenues, net of substitution losses of $11.3 million compared to revenues of $34.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017, net of substitution losses of $11.2 million.

Approximately $35.1 million of BHG's revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2018 related to gains on the sale of commercial loans BHG had previously issued to doctor, dentist and other medical and professional practices compared to $26.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. BHG refers to this activity as its core product. BHG typically funds these loans from cash reserves on its balance sheet. Subsequent to origination, these core product loans are sold by BHG with no recourse to a network of community banks and other financial institutions at a premium to the par value of the loan. The purchaser may access a BHG cash reserve account of up to 3% of the loan balance to support loan payments.  BHG retains no servicing or other responsibilities related to the core product loan once sold. As a result, this gain on sale premium represents BHG's compensation for absorbing the costs to originate the loan as well as marketing expenses associated with maintaining its business model. At March 31, 2018, there were $1.6 billion in core product loans previously sold by BHG that were being actively serviced by BHG's bank network of purchasers. 

Traditionally, BHG, at its sole option, may also provide purchasers of these core product loans the ability to substitute the acquired loan with another more recently-issued BHG loan should the previously-acquired loan become at least 90-days past due as to its monthly payments. This substitution is subject to the purchaser having adhered to the standards of its purchase agreement with BHG. Additionally, all substitutions are subject to the approval by BHG's board of managers. As a result, the reacquired loans are deemed purchase credit impaired and recorded on BHG's balance sheet at the net present value of the loan's anticipated cash flows.  BHG will then initiate collection efforts and attempt to restore the reacquired loan to performing status. Substitution losses are recorded as a contra revenue account and reduce total revenues discussed above. BHG maintained a liability as of March 31, 2018 and 2017 of $72.9 million and $52.9 million, respectively, that represents an estimate of the future inherent losses for the outstanding core portfolio that may be subject to future substitution.

BHG will maintain loans on its balance sheet for a period of time prior to sale or transfer to a purchaser. BHG also has an investment portfolio on which it earns interest and dividend income. Net interest income and fees associated with this activity amounted to $6.5 million and $4.2 million, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017. 

Additionally, BHG will also refer loans to other financial institutions and, based on an agreement with the institution, earn a fee for doing so. Typically, these are loans that BHG believes would either be classified as consumer-type loans rather than commercial loans, the loans fail to meet the credit underwriting standards of BHG but another institution will accept the loans or are loans to borrowers in certain geographic locations where BHG has elected not to do business. For the three months ended March 31, 2018, BHG recognized fee income of $190,000 as compared to $2.1 million for the same period in the prior year related to these activities.  


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Included in other noninterest income are interchange and other consumer fees, gains from bank-owned life insurance, swap fees earned for the facilitation of derivative transactions for our clients, and other noninterest income items. Interchange revenues increased in the three months ended March 31, 2018 as a result of increased debit and credit card transactions as compared to the comparable period in 2017 resulting from both customers added through acquisition and organic growth, but were negatively impacted by the Durbin amendment which was applicable to us beginning on July 1, 2017. We estimate that the Durbin amendment negatively impacted our noninterest income by approximately $2.8 million to $3.7 million in the first quarter of 2018. Other noninterest income included changes in the cash surrender value of bank-owned life insurance which was $2.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to $1.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The increase in earnings on these bank-owned life insurance policies resulted primarily from the additional $202.3 million of bank-owned life insurance policies with terms similar to our existing policies which were added upon acquisition of BNC. The assets that support these policies are administered by the life insurance carriers and the income we receive (i.e., increases or decreases in the cash surrender value of the policies) on these policies is dependent upon the returns the insurance carriers are able to earn on the underlying investments that support the policies. Earnings on these policies generally are not taxable. Loan swap fees are also included in other noninterest income and increased by $243,000 when compared to the three months ended March 31, 2017, as a result of increase in market demand in the current rate environment. Also included in other noninterest income are fees related to SBA loan sales which were $1.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to $307,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The growth in fees related to SBA loan sales was principally the result of our acquisition of BNC, which engaged in a larger volume of these transactions than we did prior to the merger.

Noninterest Expense.  Noninterest expense consists of salaries and employee benefits, equipment and occupancy expenses, other real estate expenses, and other operating expenses. The following is a summary of our noninterest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 (in thousands):
 
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2018 - 2017
Percent
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
Increase (Decrease)
Noninterest expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Salaries and employee benefits:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Salaries
 
$
39,104

 
$
23,414

 
67.0%
Commissions
 
3,029

 
1,631

 
85.7%
Cash and equity incentives
 
10,180

 
5,921

 
71.9%
Employee benefits and other
 
11,406

 
7,386

 
54.4%
Total salaries and employee benefits
 
63,719

 
38,352

 
66.1%
Equipment and occupancy
 
17,743

 
9,675

 
83.4%
Other real estate expense (income)
 
(794
)
 
252

 
(415.1%)
Marketing and business development
 
2,247

 
1,879

 
19.6%
Postage and supplies
 
2,039

 
1,197

 
70.3%
Amortization of intangibles
 
2,698

 
1,196

 
125.6%
Merger related expense
 
5,353

 
672

 
696.6%
Other noninterest expense
 
15,575

 
8,831

 
76.4%
Total noninterest expense
 
$
108,580

 
$
62,054

 
75.0%

Total salaries and employee benefits expenses increased approximately $25.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017, primarily the result of our annual merit increases that are effective on January 1 of each year as well as the overall increase in our associate base. At March 31, 2018, our associate base had expanded to 2,148.0 full-time equivalent associates as compared to 1,217.5 at March 31, 2017. At March 31, 2018, the Carolinas and Virginia represented approximately 557 full-time equivalent associates. We expect salary and benefit expenses will continue to rise as we hire more experienced bankers throughout our expanded franchise or new markets in which we might expand and add associates resulting from mergers and/or acquisitions. Moreover, as our total assets now exceed $20 billion, we also expect our compliance costs and FDIC insurance assessment expense will continue to increase.


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We believe that cash and equity incentives are a valuable tool in motivating an employee base that is focused on providing our clients effective financial advice and increasing shareholder value. As a result, and unlike many other financial institutions, all of our non-commissioned associates participate in our annual cash incentive plan with a minimum targeted bonus equal to 10% of each associate's annual salary, and all of our associates participate in our equity compensation plans. Under the annual cash incentive plan, the targeted level of incentive payments requires achievement of a certain soundness threshold and a targeted level of revenues and earnings (subject to certain adjustments). To the extent that the soundness threshold is met and revenues and earnings are above or below the targeted amount, the aggregate incentive payments are increased or decreased. Historically, we have paid between 0% and 125% of our targeted incentives. For the first quarter of 2018, we accrued incentive costs for the cash incentive plan in 2018 at less than our targeted awards.

Also included in employee benefits and other expense for the quarters ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 were approximately $4.4 million and $3.5 million, respectively, of compensation expenses related to equity-based awards for restricted shares or restricted share units, including those with performance-based vesting criteria. We have not issued stock options since 2008. Under our equity incentive plans, we provide a broad-based equity incentive program for all associates. We believe that equity incentives provide a vehicle for all associates to become meaningful shareholders of Pinnacle Financial over an extended period of time and create a shareholder-centric culture throughout our organization. Our compensation expense associated with equity awards for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 increased when compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2017 as a result of the additional associates we have hired since March 31, 2017, primarily in connection with our acquisition of BNC. We expect our compensation expense associated with equity awards to continue to increase in 2018 when compared to 2017 as a result of our intention to hire additional experienced financial advisors during the remainder of 2018. Employee benefits and other expenses include costs associated with our 401k plan, health insurance, and payroll taxes.

Equipment and occupancy expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2018 increased $8.1 million as compared to the same period in the prior year due to our BNC merger and two new locations opened in our Tennessee markets in the latter part of 2017. We intend to expand our footprint by one location in each of the Knoxville, Chattanooga, and Memphis MSAs annually. In future periods, these expansions may lead to higher equipment and occupancy expenses as well as related increases in salaries and benefits expense. There are no current plans to expand our branch distribution in the Carolinas and Virginia.

Marketing and business development expense for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was $2.2 million compared to $1.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The primary source of the increase in 2018 as compared to 2017 is related to our merger with BNC and the associated marketing and business development expenses for the expanded footprint.

Intangible amortization expense was $2.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to $1.2 million for the same period in 2017. The following table outlines our amortizing intangible assets, their initial valuation and amortizable lives at March 31, 2018:
 
 Year
acquired
 
Initial
Valuation
 (in millions)
 
Amortizable
Life
(in years)
 
Remaining Value
(in millions)
Core Deposit Intangible:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CapitalMark
2015
 
6.2

 
7

 
2.4

Magna Bank
2015
 
3.2

 
6

 
1.0

Avenue
2016
 
8.8

 
9

 
5.8

BNC
2017
 
48.1

 
10

 
42.1

Book of Business Intangible:
 
 
 

 
 

 
 
Miller Loughry Beach Insurance
2008
 
1.3

 
20

 
0.3

CapitalMark
2015
 
0.3

 
16

 
0.2

BNC Insurance
2017
 
0.4

 
20

 
0.4

BNC Trust
2017
 
1.9

 
10

 
1.8


These assets are being amortized on an accelerated basis which reflects the anticipated life of the underlying assets. Amortization expense is estimated to decrease from $10.2 million to $5.1 million per year over the next 5 years with lesser amounts for the remaining amortization period.

During the three months ended March 31, 2018, merger-related charges of $5.4 million were incurred associated with our merger with BNC. We expect any future merger-related charges related to our merger with BNC to be minimal. Merger-related charges during the

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quarter ended March 31, 2018 were inclusive of costs associated with associate retention packages and cultural and technology integrations.

Total other noninterest expenses increased by $6.7 million during the three months ended March 31, 2018 when compared to the same period in 2017. This increase is due to a variety of factors and includes increases in FDIC insurance premiums of $2.3 million as well as increases in fees related to our credit card reward programs, increases in audit and consulting fees and increased directors' fees in the three months ended March 31, 2018 when compared to the three months ended March 31, 2017.

Our efficiency ratio (ratio of noninterest expense to the sum of net interest income and noninterest income) was 49.7% for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to 52.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The efficiency ratio measures the amount of expense that is incurred to generate a dollar of revenue. The efficiency ratio for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 was negatively impacted by merger-related charges.

Income Taxes. During the three months ended March 31, 2018, Pinnacle Financial recorded income tax expense of $19.6 million compared to $13.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. Pinnacle Financial's effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was 19.0% compared to 25.8% at March 31, 2017. Pinnacle Financial's effective tax rate differs from the combined federal and state income tax statutory rate in effect during the respective periods primarily due to the reduction in the federal statutory corporate tax rate following enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, state excise tax expense, our investments in bank-qualified municipal securities, our real estate investment trust, participation in the Tennessee CITC program, and bank-owned life insurance, offset in part by the limitation on deductibility of meals and entertainment expense and certain merger-related expenses. On January 1, 2017 we adopted FASB Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016-09 Stock Compensation Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Activity, which represented a change in accounting for the tax effects related to vesting of common shares and the exercise of stock options previously granted to our employees through our various equity compensation plans. This change (which predominately impacts our first quarter results, when most of our equity awards experience annual vesting events) resulted in a reduction in tax expense of $2.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 compared to a reduction of $3.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2017.

Financial Condition

Our consolidated balance sheet at March 31, 2018 reflects an increase in total loans outstanding to $16.33 billion compared to $15.63 billion at December 31, 2017. Total deposits increased by $51.2 million between December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018. Total assets were $22.94 billion at March 31, 2018 compared to $22.20 billion at December 31, 2017.

Loans.  The composition of loans at March 31, 2018 and at December 31, 2017 and the percentage (%) of each classification to total loans are summarized as follows (dollars in thousands):
 
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
Amount
 
Percent
 
Amount
 
Percent
Commercial real estate – mortgage
$
6,794,288

 
41.6
%
 
$
6,669,610

 
42.7
%
Consumer real estate – mortgage
2,580,766

 
15.8
%
 
2,561,214

 
16.4
%
Construction and land development
2,095,875

 
12.8
%
 
1,908,288

 
12.2
%
Commercial and industrial
4,490,886

 
27.5
%
 
4,141,341

 
26.5
%
Consumer and other
364,202

 
2.3
%
 
352,663

 
2.2
%
Total loans
$
16,326,017

 
100.0
%
 
$
15,633,116

 
100.0
%

The composition of our loan portfolio has changed due to our merger with BNC, which had more of a commercial real estate focus, including construction, than we did in our legacy Tennessee markets. As we intend to focus on growth of the commercial and industrial segment in our expanded footprint, we continue to believe our commercial and industrial portfolio will again become a more substantial portion of our total loan portfolio. The commercial real estate – mortgage category includes owner-occupied commercial real estate loans.  At March 31, 2018, approximately 35.7% of the outstanding principal balance of our commercial real estate - mortgage loans was secured by owner-occupied commercial real estate properties. Owner-occupied commercial real estate is similar in many ways to our commercial and industrial lending in that these loans are generally made to businesses on the basis of the cash flows of the business rather than on the valuation of the real estate. Growth in the construction and land development loan segment reflects the development growth of the local economies in which we operate and is diversified between commercial, residential and land.

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Pinnacle Financial monitors two ratios regarding construction and commercial real estate lending as part of its concentration management processes.  Both ratios are calculated by dividing certain types of loan balances for each of the two categories by Pinnacle Bank’s total risk-based capital.   At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, Pinnacle Bank’s construction and land development loans as a percentage of total risk-based capital were 96.1% and 89.4%, respectively. Non-owner occupied commercial real estate and multifamily loans (including construction and land development loans) as a percentage of total risk-based capital were 306.2% and 297.1% as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. Banking regulations have established guidelines for the construction ratio of less than 100% of total risk-based capital and for the non-owner occupied ratio of less than 300% of total risk-based capital. When a bank’s ratios are in excess of one or both of these guidelines, banking regulations generally require an increased level of monitoring in these lending areas by bank management.  At March 31, 2018 we slightly exceeded the 300% guideline and have established what we believe to be appropriate controls to monitor our lending in this area as we aim to reduce the level of these loans to below the 300% threshold in the second half of 2018.

The following table classifies our fixed and variable rate loans at March 31, 2018 according to contractual maturities of (1) one year or less, (2) after one year through five years, and (3) after five years.  The table also classifies our variable rate loans pursuant to the contractual repricing dates of the underlying loans (dollars in thousands):
 
Amounts at March 31, 2018
 
Percentage
Percentage
 
Fixed
Rates
 
Variable
Rates
 
Totals
 
At March 31, 2018
At December 31, 2017
Based on contractual maturity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Due within one year
$
838,178

 
$
2,149,135

 
$
2,987,313

 
18.3%
18.2%
Due in one year to five years
4,368,795

 
3,616,695

 
$
7,985,490

 
48.9%
48.2%
Due after five years
2,562,633

 
2,790,581

 
$
5,353,214

 
32.8%
33.6%
Totals
$
7,769,606

 
$
8,556,411

 
$
16,326,017

 
100.0%
100.0%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Based on contractual repricing dates:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Daily floating rate (*)
$

 
$
2,727,348

 
$
2,727,348

 
16.7%
16.4%
Due within one year
788,056

 
5,603,428

 
6,391,484

 
39.1%
37.8%
Due in one year to five years
4,283,760

 
499,151

 
4,782,911

 
29.3%
28.4%
Due after five years
2,274,506

 
149,768

 
2,424,274

 
14.8%
17.4%
Totals
$
7,346,322

 
$
8,979,695

 
$
16,326,017

 
100.0%
100.0%
    
The above information does not consider the impact of scheduled principal payments.

(*) Daily floating rate loans are tied to Pinnacle Bank's prime lending rate or a national interest rate index with the underlying loan rates changing in relation to changes in these indexes. Included in variable rate loans are $168.5 million of loans which are currently priced at their contractual floors with a weighted average rate of 5.32%. The weighted average contractual rate on these loans is 4.71%. As a result, interest income on these loans will not change until the contractual rate on the underlying loan exceeds the interest rate floor.
 

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Accruing Loans in Past Due Status.  The following table is a summary of our accruing loans that were past due at least 30 days but less than 89 days and 90 days or more past due as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (dollars in thousands):
 
March 31,
 
December 31,
Accruing loans past due 30 to 89 days:
2018
 
2017
Commercial real estate – mortgage
$
10,483

 
$
23,331

Consumer real estate – mortgage
13,367

 
14,835

Construction and land development
606

 
4,136

Commercial and industrial
9,262

 
7,406

Consumer and other
4,816

 
6,311

Total accruing loans past due 30 to 89 days
$
38,534

 
$
56,019

 
 
 
 
Accruing loans past due 90 days or more:
 
 
 

Commercial real estate – mortgage
$
137

 
$
104

Consumer real estate – mortgage
19

 
1,265

Construction and land development
3

 
146

Commercial and industrial
589

 
1,348

Consumer and other
383

 
1,276

Total accruing loans past due 90 days or more
$
1,131

 
$
4,139

 
 
 
 
Ratios:
 
 
 

Accruing loans past due 30 to 89 days as a percentage of total loans
0.23
%
 
0.36
%
Accruing loans past due 90 days or more as a percentage of total loans
0.01
%
 
0.02
%
Total accruing loans in past due status as a percentage of total loans
0.24
%
 
0.38
%

Potential Problem Loans. Potential problem loans, which are not included in nonperforming assets, amounted to approximately $158.1 million, or 1.0% of total loans at March 31, 2018, compared to $164.0 million, or 1.1% of total loans at December 31, 2017. Potential problem loans represent those loans with a well-defined weakness and where information about possible credit problems of borrowers has caused management to have doubts about the borrower's ability to comply with present repayment terms. This definition is believed to be substantially consistent with the standards established by Pinnacle Bank's primary regulators, for loans classified as substandard, excluding the impact of substandard nonaccrual loans and substandard troubled debt restructurings. Troubled debt restructurings are not included in potential problem loans. Approximately $8.3 million of potential problem loans were past due at least 30 days but less than 90 days as of March 31, 2018.

Nonperforming Assets and Troubled Debt Restructurings. At March 31, 2018, we had $94.7 million in nonperforming assets compared to $85.5 million at December 31, 2017. Included in nonperforming assets were $70.2 million in nonaccrual loans and $24.5 million in OREO and other nonperforming assets at March 31, 2018 and $57.5 million in nonaccrual loans and $28.0 million in OREO and other nonperforming assets at December 31, 2017. At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, there were $6.1 million and $6.6 million, respectively, of troubled debt restructurings, all of which were accruing as of the restructured date and remain on accrual status but are considered impaired loans pursuant to U.S. GAAP.
 
Allowance for Loan Losses (allowance).  We maintain the allowance at a level that our management deems appropriate to adequately cover the probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio.  As of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, our allowance for loan losses was approximately $70.2 million and $67.2 million, respectively, which our management deemed to be adequate at each of the respective dates. Our allowance for loan losses is adjusted to an amount that our management deems appropriate to adequately cover the probable losses in the loan portfolio based on our allowance for loan loss methodology. Our allowance for loan losses as a percentage of loans remained unchanged at March 31, 2018 from December 31, 2017 at 0.43%. As a result of our acquired loan portfolios being recorded at fair value upon acquisition, no allowance for loan losses is assigned to purchased loans as of the date of acquisition. However, an allowance for loan losses is recorded for purchased loans that have experienced credit deterioration subsequent to acquisition or increases in balances outstanding.


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As of March 31, 2018, net loans included a remaining net fair value discount of $148.9 million. For the three months ended March 31, 2018, the net fair value discount changed as follows:
 
Accretable
Yield
 
Nonaccretable
Yield
 
Total
December 31, 2017
$
132,002

 
$
31,537

 
163,539

Acquisitions

 

 

Year-to-date accretion and settlements
(13,163
)
 
(1,491
)
 
(14,654
)
March 31, 2018
$
118,839

 
$
30,046

 
$
148,885


The following table sets forth, based on management's estimate, the allocation of the allowance to categories of loans as well as the unallocated portion as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 and the percentage of loans in each category to total loans (dollars in thousands):
 
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
Amount
 
Percent
 
Amount
 
Percent
Commercial real estate - mortgage
$
22,688

 
41.6
%
 
$
21,188

 
42.7
%
Consumer real estate - mortgage
5,100

 
15.8
%
 
5,031

 
16.4
%
Construction and land development
10,116

 
12.8
%
 
8,962

 
12.2
%
Commercial and industrial
26,648

 
27.5
%
 
24,863

 
26.5
%
Consumer and other
5,476

 
2.3
%
 
5,874

 
2.2
%
Unallocated
176

 
NA

 
1,322

 
NA

Total allowance for loan losses
$
70,204

 
100.0
%
 
$
67,240

 
100.0
%

The following is a summary of changes in the allowance for loan losses for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and for the year ended December 31, 2017 and the ratio of the allowance for loan losses to total loans as of the end of each period (dollars in thousands):
 
Three months ended
March 31, 2018
 
Year ended
December 31, 2017
Balance at beginning of period
$
67,240

 
$
58,980

Provision for loan losses
6,931

 
23,664

Charged-off loans:
 
 
 
Commercial real estate – mortgage
(728
)
 
(633
)
Consumer real estate – mortgage
(336
)
 
(1,461
)
Construction and land development
(2
)
 
(137
)
Commercial and industrial
(2,540
)
 
(4,297
)
Consumer and other loans
(5,063
)
 
(15,518
)
Total charged-off loans
(8,669
)
 
(22,046
)
Recoveries of previously charged-off loans:
 
 
 
Commercial real estate – mortgage
1,396

 
671

Consumer real estate – mortgage
666

 
1,516

Construction and land development
565

 
1,136

Commercial and industrial
888

 
1,317

Consumer and other loans
1,187

 
2,002

Total recoveries of previously charged-off loans
4,702

 
6,642

Net charge-offs
(3,967
)
 
(15,404
)
Balance at end of period
$
70,204

 
$
67,240

Ratio of allowance for loan losses to total loans outstanding at end of period
0.43
%
 
0.43
%
Ratio of net charge-offs to average total loans outstanding for the period (1)
0.10
%
 
0.13
%

(1)Net charge-offs for the year-to-date period ended March 31, 2018 have been annualized.


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Management assesses the adequacy of the allowance prior to the end of each calendar quarter. This assessment includes procedures to estimate the allowance and test the adequacy and appropriateness of the resulting balance.  The level of the allowance is based upon management's evaluation of the loan portfolios, past loan loss experience, known and inherent risks in the portfolio, the views of Pinnacle Bank's regulators, adverse situations that may affect the borrower's ability to repay (including the timing of future payments), the estimated value of any underlying collateral, composition of the loan portfolio, economic conditions, industry and peer bank loan quality indications and other pertinent factors. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires material estimates including the amounts and timing of future cash flows expected to be received on impaired loans that may be susceptible to significant change.  For further discussion regarding our allowance for loan losses, refer to Critical Accounting Estimates above.
Based upon our evaluation of the loan portfolio, we believe the allowance for loan losses to be adequate to absorb our estimate of inherent losses existing in the loan portfolio at March 31, 2018. While our policies and procedures used to estimate the allowance for loan losses as well as the resultant provision for loan losses charged to operations are considered adequate by management, they are necessarily approximate and imprecise. There are factors beyond our control, such as conditions in the local and national economy, local real estate market or a particular industry or borrower which may negatively impact, materially, our asset quality and the adequacy of our allowance for loan losses and, thus, the resulting provision for loan losses.

Investments.  Our investment portfolio, consisting primarily of Federal agency bonds, mortgage-backed securities, and state and municipal securities amounted to $2.98 billion and $2.54 billion at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. Our investment portfolio serves many purposes including serving as a stable source of income, as collateral for public funds deposits and as a potential liquidity source. A summary of our investment portfolio at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 follows:
 
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
Weighted average life
6.91 years
 
6.29 years
Effective duration
3.50%
 
3.49%
Tax equivalent yield
2.87%
 
2.68%
Deposits and Other Borrowings.   We had approximately $16.50 billion of deposits at March 31, 2018 compared to $16.45 billion at December 31, 2017. Our deposits consist of noninterest and interest-bearing demand accounts, savings accounts, money market accounts and time deposits. Additionally, we entered into agreements with certain customers to sell certain securities under agreements to repurchase the security the following day. These agreements (which are typically associated with comprehensive treasury management programs for our clients and provide them with short-term returns for their excess funds) amounted to $131.9 million at March 31, 2018 and $135.3 million at December 31, 2017. Additionally, at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, Pinnacle Bank had borrowed $1.98 billion and $1.32 billion, respectively, in advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati (FHLB). At March 31, 2018, Pinnacle Bank also had approximately $4.1 billion in additional availability with the FHLB; however, incremental borrowings are made in a formal request by Pinnacle Bank and the subsequent approval by the FHLB.


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Table of Contents

Generally, we have classified our funding base as either core funding or non-core funding as shown in the table below. The following table represents the balances of our deposits and other funding and the percentage of each type to the total at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (dollars in thousands):
 
March 31, 2018
 
Percent
 
December 31, 2017
 
Percent
Core funding:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Noninterest-bearing deposit accounts
$
4,274,213

 
22.4%
 
$
4,381,386

 
23.9%
Interest-bearing demand accounts
2,803,718

 
14.7%
 
2,790,490

 
15.2%
Savings and money market accounts
5,852,950

 
30.7%
 
5,813,666

 
31.6%
Time deposit accounts less than $250,000
1,292,785

 
6.8%
 
1,260,162

 
6.9%
Total core funding
14,223,666

 
74.6%
 
14,245,704

 
77.6%
Non-core funding:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Relationship based non-core funding:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reciprocating NOW deposits (1)
64,074

 
0.3%
 
77,472

 
0.4%
Reciprocating money market accounts (1)
365,292

 
1.9%
 
408,806

 
2.2%
Reciprocating time deposits
98,185

 
0.5%
 
106,227

 
0.6%
Other time deposits
472,353

 
2.5%
 
444,951

 
2.4%
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
131,863

 
0.7%
 
135,262

 
0.8%
Total relationship based non-core funding
1,131,767

 
5.9%
 
1,172,718

 
6.4%
   Wholesale funding:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Brokered deposits
570,688

 
3.0%
 
445,822

 
2.4%
Brokered time deposits
709,658

 
3.7%
 
722,721

 
3.9%
Federal Home Loan Bank advances
1,976,881

 
10.4%
 
1,319,909

 
7.2%
Subordinated debt- Pinnacle Bank
127,788

 
0.6%
 
127,727

 
0.7%
Subordinated debt- Pinnacle Financial
337,761

 
1.8%
 
337,778

 
1.8%
Total wholesale funding
3,722,776

 
19.5%
 
2,953,957

 
16.0%
Total non-core funding
4,854,543

 
25.4%
 
4,126,675

 
22.4%
Totals
$
19,078,209

 
100.0%
 
$
18,372,379

 
100.0%
______________________
(1)
The reciprocating categories consists of deposits we receive from a bank network (the CDARS network) in connection with deposits of our customers in excess of our FDIC coverage limit that we place with the CDARS network.

As noted in the table above, our core funding as a percentage of total funding decreased from 77.6% at December 31, 2017 to 74.6% at March 31, 2018, primarily as a result of our increased FHLB advances and increased levels of brokered deposits. When wholesale funding is necessary to complement the company's core deposit base, management determines which source is best suited to address both liquidity risk management and interest rate risk management objectives.  We increased our exposure to brokered deposits in the first quarter of 2018 as a measure to diversify wholesale funding sources. Our Asset Liability Management Policy institutes limitations on overall wholesale funding reliance and on brokered deposit exposure specifically. Both our overall reliance on wholesale funding and exposure to brokered deposits were within those policy limitations as of March 31, 2018.

Our funding policies impose limits on the amount of non-core funding we can utilize based on the non-core funding dependency ratio which is calculated pursuant to regulatory guidelines. Periodically, we may exceed our policy limitations, at which time management will develop plans to bring our funding sources back into compliance with our core funding ratios.  At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, we were in compliance with our core funding policies. Growing our core deposit base is a key strategic objective of our firm. Our current growth plans contemplate that we may increase our non-core funding amounts from current levels, but we do not currently anticipate that such increases will exceed our internal policies.
 



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Table of Contents

The amount of time deposits as of March 31, 2018 amounted to $2.57 billion.  The following table shows our time deposits in denominations of $100,000 and less and in denominations greater than $100,000 by category based on time remaining until maturity and the weighted average rate for each category as of March 31, 2018 (in thousands):
 
Balances
 
Weighted Avg. Rate
Denominations less than $100,000
 
 
 
Three months or less
$
278,017

 
1.04
%
Over three but less than six months
283,761

 
1.19
%
Over six but less than twelve months
317,773

 
1.38
%
Over twelve months
334,183

 
1.63
%
 
$
1,213,734

 
1.33
%
Denominations $100,000 and greater
 
 
 
Three months or less
$
332,469

 
0.98
%
Over three but less than six months
229,878

 
1.06
%
Over six but less than twelve months
435,611

 
1.17
%
Over twelve months
361,288

 
1.61
%
 
$
1,359,246

 
1.22
%
Totals
$
2,572,980

 
1.27
%

Subordinated debt and other borrowings.  We have entered into and acquired a number of statutory business trusts which were established to issue 30-year trust preferred securities and related junior subordinated debt instruments and certain other subordinated debt agreements. We also have a $75.0 million revolving credit facility, which we have not drawn upon as of March 31, 2018 and which matures on April 25, 2019. These instruments are outlined below (in thousands):
Name
 
Date
Established
 
Maturity
 
Total Debt Outstanding
 
Interest Rate at
March 31, 2018
 
Coupon Structure
Trust preferred securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pinnacle Statutory Trust I
 
December 29, 2003
 
December 30, 2033
 
$
10,310

 
4.98
%
 
30-day LIBOR + 2.80%
Pinnacle Statutory Trust II
 
September 15, 2005
 
September 30, 2035
 
20,619

 
3.71
%
 
30-day LIBOR + 1.40%
Pinnacle Statutory Trust III
 
September 7, 2006
 
September 30, 2036
 
20,619

 
3.96
%
 
30-day LIBOR + 1.65%
Pinnacle Statutory Trust IV
 
October 31, 2007
 
September 30, 2037
 
30,928

 
4.97
%
 
30-day LIBOR + 2.85%
BNC Capital Trust I
 
April 3, 2003
 
April 15, 2033
 
5,155

 
4.97
%
 
30-day LIBOR + 3.25%
BNC Capital Trust II
 
March 11, 2004
 
April 7, 2034
 
6,186

 
4.57
%
 
30-day LIBOR + 2.85%
BNC Capital Trust III
 
September 23, 2004
 
September 23, 2034
 
5,155

 
4.12
%
 
30-day LIBOR + 2.40%
BNC Capital Trust IV
 
September 27, 2006
 
December 31, 2036
 
7,217

 
4.01
%
 
30-day LIBOR + 1.70%
Valley Financial Trust I
 
June 26, 2003
 
June 26, 2033
 
4,124

 
5.39
%
 
30-day LIBOR + 3.10%
Valley Financial Trust II
 
September 26, 2005
 
December 15, 2035
 
7,217

 
3.61
%
 
30-day LIBOR + 1.49%
Valley Financial Trust III
 
December 15, 2006
 
January 30, 2037
 
5,155

 
3.50
%
 
30-day LIBOR + 1.73%
Southcoast Capital Trust III
 
August 5, 2005
 
September 30, 2035
 
10,310

 
3.81
%
 
30-day LIBOR + 1.50%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Subordinated Debt
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 
Pinnacle Bank Subordinated Notes
 
July 30, 2015
 
July 30, 2025
 
60,000

 
4.88
%
 
Fixed (1)
Pinnacle Bank Subordinated Notes
 
March 10, 2016
 
July 30, 2025
 
70,000

 
4.88
%
 
Fixed (1)
Avenue Subordinated Notes
 
December 29, 2014
 
December 29, 2024
 
20,000

 
6.75
%
 
Fixed (2)
Pinnacle Financial Subordinated Notes
 
November 16, 2016
 
November 16, 2026
 
120,000

 
5.25
%
 
Fixed (3)
BNC Subordinated Notes
 
September 25, 2014
 
October 1, 2024
 
60,000

 
5.50
%
 
Fixed (4)
BNC Subordinated Note
 
October 15, 2013
 
October 15, 2023
 
10,470

 
6.57
%
 
30-day LIBOR + 5.00% (5)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other Borrowings
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 
Revolving credit facility (6)
 
March 28, 2018
 
April 25, 2019
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Debt issuance costs and fair value adjustments
 
(7,915
)
 
 

 
 
Total subordinated debt and other borrowings
 
$
465,550

 
 

 
 
____________________

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Table of Contents

(1) Migrates to three month LIBOR + 3.128% beginning July 30, 2020 through the end of the term.
(2) Migrates to three month LIBOR + 4.95% beginning January 1, 2020 through the end of the term.
(3) Migrates to three month LIBOR + 3.884% beginning November 16, 2021 through the end of the term.
(4) Migrates to three month LIBOR + 3.59% beginning October 1, 2019 through the end of the term if not redeemed on that date.
(5) Coupon structure includes a floor of 5.0% and a cap of 9.5%.
(6) Borrowing capacity on the revolving credit facility is $75.0 million. At March 31, 2018, there was no outstanding balance under this facility. This facility was subsequently amended on April 26, 2018. The rate on the amended facility is 1.75% plus the greater of zero percent and 30-day LIBOR with a maturity date of April 25, 2019 and an unused fee of 0.35% of average daily unused amount of loan.

Following the merger with BNC and as a result of that merger, Pinnacle Financial's total assets were in excess of $15.0 billion which caused the subordinated debentures Pinnacle Financial and BNC issued to cease to qualify as Tier 1 capital under applicable banking regulations. Though these securities no longer qualify as Tier 1 capital, Pinnacle Financial believes these subordinated debentures continue to qualify as Tier 2 capital.
 
Capital Resources. At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, our shareholders' equity amounted to $3.75 billion and $3.71 billion, respectively, an increase of approximately $41.4 million. The increase is attributable to net income, equity compensation and changes in our other comprehensive income.

Dividends. Pursuant to Tennessee banking law, our bank may not, without the prior consent of the TDFI, pay any dividends to us in a calendar year in excess of the total of our bank's retained net profits for that year plus the retained net profits for the preceding two years, which was million at March 31, 2018.  During the three months ended March 31, 2018, our bank paid dividends of $25.1 million to us which is within the limits allowed by the TDFI.

During the three months ended March 31, 2018, we paid $11.0 million in dividends to our common shareholders. On April 17, 2018, our board of directors declared a $0.14 quarterly cash dividend to common shareholders which should approximate $11.0 million in aggregate dividend payments that will be paid on May 25, 2018 to common shareholders of record as of the close of business on May 4, 2018. The amount and timing of all future dividend payments, if any, is subject to board discretion and will depend on our earnings, capital position, financial condition and other factors, including regulatory capital requirements, as they become known to us.

Market and Liquidity Risk Management

Our objective is to manage assets and liabilities to provide a satisfactory, consistent level of profitability within the framework of established liquidity, loan, investment, borrowing, and capital policies. Our Asset Liability Management Committee (ALCO) is charged with the responsibility of monitoring these policies, which are designed to ensure acceptable composition of asset/liability mix. Two critical areas of focus for ALCO are interest rate sensitivity and liquidity risk management.

Interest Rate Sensitivity.  In the normal course of business, we are exposed to market risk arising from fluctuations in interest rates.  ALCO measures and evaluates the interest rate risk so that we can meet customer demands for various types of loans and deposits.  ALCO determines the most appropriate amounts of on-balance sheet and off-balance sheet items.  Measurements which we use to help us manage interest rate sensitivity include an earnings simulation model and an economic value of equity (EVE) model. 

Our interest rate sensitivity modeling incorporates a number of assumptions for both earnings simulation and EVE, including loan and deposit re-pricing characteristics, the rate of loan prepayments, etc. ALCO periodically reviews these assumptions for accuracy based on historical data and future expectations. Our ALCO policy requires that the base scenario assume rates remain flat and is the scenario to which all others are compared in order to measure the change in net interest income and EVE. Policy limits are applied to the results of certain modeling scenarios. While the primary policy scenarios focus is on a twelve month time frame for the earnings simulations model, longer time horizons are also modeled. All policy scenarios assume a static volume forecast where the balance sheet is held constant, although other scenarios are modeled.
 

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Table of Contents

Earnings simulation model. We believe interest rate risk is best measured by our earnings simulation modeling. Earning assets, interest-bearing liabilities and off-balance sheet financial instruments are combined with forecasts of interest rates for the next 12 months and are combined with other factors in order to produce various earnings simulations over that same 12-month period. To limit interest rate risk, we have policy guidelines for our earnings at risk which seek to limit the variance of net interest income in both gradual and instantaneous changes to interest rates. For instantaneous upward changes in rates from management's flat interest rate forecast over the next twelve months, assuming a static balance sheet, the following changes are predicted:

 
Estimated % Change in Net Interest Income Over 12 Months
 
March 31, 2018
Instantaneous Rate Change
 
100 bps increase
5.3
%
200 bps increase
9.7
%

While an instantaneous and severe shift in interest rates was used in this analysis to provide an estimate of exposure under these scenarios, we believe that a gradual shift in interest rates would have a more modest impact. Further, the earnings simulation model does not take into account factors such as future balance sheet growth, changes in product mix, changes in yield curve relationships, and changing product spreads that could mitigate the adverse impact of changes in interest rates.

At March 31, 2018, our earnings simulation model indicated we were in compliance with our policies for interest rate scenarios for which we model as required by our board approved Asset Liability Policy. The board has suspended the requirement to model down 300 and down 400 bps scenarios while 10 year maturity Treasury rates are below 3.0%, which was the case as of March 31, 2018.
 
Economic value of equity modelWhile earnings simulation modeling attempts to determine the impact of a changing rate environment to our net interest income, our EVE model measures estimated changes to the economic values of our assets, liabilities and off-balance sheet items as a result of interest rate changes. Economic values are determined by discounting expected cash flows from assets, liabilities and off-balance sheet items, which establishes a base case EVE. We then shock rates as prescribed by our Asset Liability Policy and measure the sensitivity in EVE values for each of those shocked rate scenarios versus the base case. The Asset Liability Policy sets limits for those sensitivities. At March 31, 2018, our EVE modeling indicates the following changes in EVE due to instantaneous upward changes in rates:
 
March 31, 2018
Instantaneous Rate Change
 
100 bps increase
(1.7
%)
200 bps increase
(4.9
%)

While an instantaneous and severe shift in interest rates was used in this analysis to provide an estimate of exposure under these scenarios, we believe that a gradual shift in interest rates would have a more modest impact. Since EVE measures the discounted present value of cash flows over the estimated lives of instruments, the change in EVE does not directly correlate to the degree that earnings would be impacted over a shorter time horizon (i.e., the current year). Further, EVE does not take into account factors such as future balance sheet growth, changes in product mix, changes in yield curve relationships, and changing product spreads that could mitigate the adverse impact of changes in interest rates.

At March 31, 2018, our EVE model indicated we were in compliance with our policies for all interest rate scenarios for which we model as required by our board approved Asset Liability Policy. The board has suspended the requirement to model down 300 bps and down 400 bps scenarios while 10 year maturity Treasury rates are below 3.0%, which was the case as of March 31, 2018.

Most likely earnings simulation models. We also analyze a most-likely earnings simulation scenario that projects the expected change in rates based on a forward yield curve adopted by management using expected balance sheet volumes forecasted by management.  Separate growth assumptions are developed for loans, investments, deposits, etc.  Other interest rate scenarios analyzed by management may include delayed rate shocks, yield curve steepening or flattening, or other variations in rate movements to further analyze or stress our balance sheet under various interest rate scenarios. Each scenario is evaluated by management and weighted to determine the most likely result. These processes assist management to better anticipate the financial results of the Company and, as a result, management may determine the need to invest in other operating strategies and tactics which might enhance results or better position the firm's balance sheet to reduce interest rate risk going forward.



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Each of the above analyses may not, on its own, be an accurate indicator of how our net interest income will be affected by changes in interest rates.  Income associated with interest-earning assets and costs associated with interest-bearing liabilities may not be affected uniformly by changes in interest rates.  In addition, the magnitude and duration of changes in interest rates may have a significant impact on net interest income.  For example, although certain assets and liabilities may have similar maturities or periods of repricing, they may react in different degrees to changes in market interest rates.  Interest rates on certain types of assets and liabilities fluctuate in advance of changes in general market rates, while interest rates on other types may lag behind changes in general market rates.  In addition, certain assets, such as adjustable rate mortgage loans, have features (generally referred to as interest rate caps and floors) which limit changes in interest rates.  Prepayment and early withdrawal levels also could deviate significantly from those assumed in calculating the maturity of certain instruments. The ability of many borrowers to service their debts also may decrease during periods of rising interest rates.  ALCO reviews each of the above interest rate sensitivity analyses along with several different interest rate scenarios as part of its responsibility to provide a satisfactory, consistent level of profitability within the framework of established liquidity, loan, investment, borrowing, and capital policies.

Management's model governance, model implementation and model validation processes and controls are subject to review in our regulatory examinations to ensure they are in compliance with the most recent regulatory guidelines and consistent with the best practices of our industry. Management utilizes a respected, sophisticated third party asset liability modeling software to help ensure implementation of management's assumptions into the model are processed as intended in a robust manner. That said, there are numerous assumptions regarding financial instrument behavior that are integrated into the model. The assumptions are formulated by combining observations gleaned from our historical studies of financial instruments and our best estimations of how, if at all, these instruments may behave in the future given changes in economic conditions, technology, etc. These assumptions may prove to be inaccurate. Additionally, given the large number of assumptions built into firm's asset liability modeling software, it is difficult at best to compare our results to other firms.

ALCO may determine that Pinnacle Financial should over time become more or less asset or liability sensitive depending on the underlying balance sheet circumstances and the firm's conclusions as to anticipated interest rate fluctuations in future periods.  At present, ALCO has determined that its "most likely" rate scenario considers two additional increases in short-term interest rates in 2018.  Our "most likely" rate forecast has been largely consistent over recent quarters and is based primarily on information we acquire from a service which includes a consensus forecast of numerous benchmarks. We may implement additional actions designed to achieve our desired sensitivity position.

We may also use derivative financial instruments to improve the balance between interest-sensitive assets and interest-sensitive liabilities as one tool to manage our interest rate sensitivity, including that inherent in our mortgage lending program, while continuing to meet the credit and deposit needs of our customers. We may also enter into interest rate swaps to facilitate customer transactions and meet their financing needs.  These swaps qualify as derivatives, even though they are not designated as hedging instruments.

Liquidity Risk Management.  The purpose of liquidity risk management is to ensure that there are sufficient cash flows to satisfy loan demand, deposit withdrawals, and our other needs.  Traditional sources of liquidity for a bank include asset maturities and growth in core deposits.  A bank may achieve its desired liquidity objectives from the management of its assets and liabilities and by internally generated funding through its operations.  Funds invested in marketable instruments that can be readily sold and the continuous maturing of other earning assets are sources of liquidity from an asset perspective.  The liability base provides sources of liquidity through attraction of increased deposits and borrowing funds from various other institutions.

To assist in determining the adequacy of our liquidity, we perform a variety of liquidity stress tests including idiosyncratic, systemic and combined scenarios for both moderate and severe events. Liquidity is defined as the ability to convert assets into cash or cash equivalents without significant loss and to raise additional funds by increasing liabilities. Liquidity management involves maintaining our ability to meet the daily cash flow requirements of our customers, both depositors and borrowers. We seek to  maintain a sufficiently liquid asset balance to ensure our ability to meet our obligations. The amount of the appropriate minimum liquid asset balance is determined through severe liquidity stress testing as measured by our liquidity coverage ratio calculation. At March 31, 2018, we were in compliance with our liquidity coverage ratio.

Changes in interest rates also affect our liquidity position. We currently price deposits in response to market rates, and our management intends to continue this policy. If deposits are not priced in response to market rates, a loss of deposits could occur which would negatively affect our liquidity position.

Scheduled loan payments are a relatively stable source of funds, but loan payoffs and deposit flows fluctuate significantly, being influenced by interest rates, general economic conditions and competition. Additionally, debt security investments are subject to prepayment and call provisions that could accelerate their payoff prior to stated maturity. We attempt to price our deposit products to

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meet our asset/liability objectives consistent with local market conditions. Our ALCO is responsible for monitoring our ongoing liquidity needs. Our regulators also monitor our liquidity and capital resources on a periodic basis.

In addition, our bank is a member of the FHLB Cincinnati.  As a result, our bank receives advances from the FHLB Cincinnati, pursuant to the terms of various borrowing agreements, which assist it in the funding of its home mortgage and commercial real estate loan portfolios. Under the borrowing agreements with the FHLB Cincinnati, our bank has pledged certain qualifying residential mortgage loans and, pursuant to a blanket lien, all qualifying commercial mortgage loans as collateral. As such, Pinnacle Bank may use the FHLB Cincinnati as a source of liquidity depending on its ALCO strategies. Additionally, we may pledge additional qualifying assets or reduce the amount of pledged assets with the FHLB Cincinnati to increase or decrease our borrowing capacity with the FHLB Cincinnati. At March 31, 2018, we believe we had an estimated $4.1 billion in additional borrowing capacity with the FHLB Cincinnati.  However, incremental borrowings are made via a formal request by Pinnacle Bank and the subsequent approval by the FHLB Cincinnati. At March 31, 2018, our bank had received advances from the FHLB Cincinnati totaling $1.98 billion. At March 31, 2018, the scheduled maturities of Pinnacle Bank's FHLB Cincinnati advances and interest rates are as follows (in thousands):
Scheduled Maturities
Amount
 
Interest Rates (1)
2018
$
660,251

 
1.73%
2019
544,000

 
1.83%
2020
382,613

 
1.97%
2021
348,750

 
2.37%
2022
41,250

 
2.85%
Thereafter
17

 
2.75%
Total
$
1,976,881

 
 
Weighted average interest rate
 
1.94%
______________________
(1)Some FHLB Cincinnati advances include variable interest rates and could increase in the future.  The table reflects rates in effect as of March 31, 2018.

Pinnacle Bank also has accommodations with upstream correspondent banks available for unsecured short-term advances which aggregate $170.0 million.  These accommodations have various covenants related to their term and availability, and in most cases must be repaid within a month of borrowing. We had no outstanding borrowings at March 31, 2018 under these agreements. Our bank also has approximately $2.84 billion in available Federal Reserve discount window lines of credit.

At March 31, 2018, excluding reciprocating time deposits issued through the Promontory Network, we had $1.28 billion of brokered deposits. Historically, we have issued brokered certificates of deposit through several different brokerage houses based on competitive bid.  Through the BNC acquisition, we increased our levels of non-reciprocal insured cash sweep deposits under various multi-year agreements. Typically, these funds have been for varying maturities of up to two years and were issued at rates which were competitive to rates that we would be required to pay to attract similar deposits within our local markets as well as rates for FHLB advances of similar maturities. 

Industry regulators have defined additional liquidity guidelines, through the issuance of the Basel III Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) and the Modified LCR, for banking institutions greater than $250 billion in assets, and $50 billion in assets respectively, in the United States. These regulatory guidelines became effective January 2015 with phase in over subsequent years and will require these large institutions to follow prescriptive guidance in determining an absolute level of a high quality liquid asset (HQLA) buffer that must be maintained on their balance sheets in order to withstand a potential liquidity crisis event. Although Pinnacle Financial follows the principles outlined in the Interagency Policy Statement on Liquidity Risk Management, issued March 2010, to determine its HQLA buffer, Pinnacle Financial is not currently subject to these regulations. However, these formulas could eventually be imposed on smaller banks, such as Pinnacle Bank, and require an increase in the absolute level of liquidity on our balance sheet, which could result in lower net interest margins for us in future periods.

At March 31, 2018, we had no significant commitments for capital expenditures. However, we intend to expand our footprint by one location in each of the Knoxville, Chattanooga, and Memphis MSAs annually. In future periods, these expansions may lead to higher equipment and occupancy expenses as well as related increases in salaries and benefits expense. There are no current plans to expand our branch distribution in the Carolinas and Virginia.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements.  At March 31, 2018, we had outstanding standby letters of credit of $150.9 million and unfunded loan commitments outstanding of $5.77 billion. Because these commitments generally have fixed expiration dates and many will expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment level does not necessarily represent future cash requirements. If needed to

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fund these outstanding commitments, Pinnacle Bank has the ability to liquidate Federal funds sold or on a short-term basis to borrow and purchase Federal funds from other financial institutions.

Impact of Inflation

The consolidated financial statements and related consolidated financial data presented herein have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and practices within the banking industry which require the measurement of financial position and operating results in terms of historical dollars without considering the changes in the relative purchasing power of money over time due to inflation. Unlike most industrial companies, virtually all the assets and liabilities of a financial institution are monetary in nature. As a result, interest rates have a more significant impact on a financial institution's performance than the effects of general levels of inflation.
 
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In August 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging: Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities. The amendments in this ASU make more financial and non-financial hedging strategies eligible for hedge accounting. It also amends the presentation and disclosure requirements and changes how companies assess effectiveness. The amendments will be effective for the Company for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. Pinnacle Financial entered into two derivative contracts, one in the first quarter of 2018 and the second in the second quarter of 2018, under early adoption of this standard as noted in Note 9. Derivative Instruments herein.

In March 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-08, Receivables - Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Subtopic 310-20): Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities. The amendment in this ASU shortens the amortization period for certain callable debt securities held at a premium to the earliest call date. The amendment does not require an accounting change for securities held at a discount; the discount continues to be amortized to maturity. The amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those periods. Early adoption is permitted with modified retrospective application. Pinnacle Financial elected to early adopt this standard in the first quarter of 2018 with no material impact to its financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued  Accounting Standards Update 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230) intended to reduce the diversity in practice around how certain transactions are classified within the statement of cash flows. The guidance is effective for public companies for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted with retrospective application. Pinnacle Financial adopted this standard in the first quarter of 2018 with no material impact to its financial statements, with the exception of dividends received from our equity method investments which were reclassified from cash flow from investments to operating cash flow.

In January 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-01 Financial Instruments – Overall (Subtopic 825-10) which, among other things, (i) requires equity investments, excluding those accounted for under the equity method or that result in consolidation, to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income, (ii) simplifies the impairment assessment of equity investments without readily determinable fair values by requiring a qualitative assessment to identify impairment, (iii) eliminates the requirement for public business entities to disclose the methods and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value that is required to be disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost on the balance sheet, (iv) requires public business entities to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes, (v) requires an entity to present separately in other comprehensive income the portion of the total change in the fair value of a liability resulting from a change in the instrument-specific credit risk when the entity has elected to measure the liability at fair value in accordance with the fair value option for financial instruments, (vi) requires separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset on the balance sheet or the accompanying notes to the financial statements and (viii) clarifies that an entity should evaluate the need for a valuation allowance on a deferred tax asset related to available-for-sale securities in combination with the entity's other deferred tax assets. ASU 2016-01 became effective for Pinnacle Financial in the first quarter of 2018 and did not have a material impact on our financial statements. See Note 10. Fair Value of Financial Instruments for disclosure of the fair value of financial instruments based on an exit price notion as required by ASU 2016-01.

In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606 ) developed as a joint project with the International Accounting Standards Board to remove inconsistencies in revenue requirements and provide a more robust framework for addressing revenue issues. The ASU's core principle is that an entity should recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which an entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In August 2015, the FASB issued  Accounting Standards Update 2015-14, which deferred the effective date by one year (i.e., interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017). The ASU may

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be adopted using either a modified retrospective method or a full retrospective method. Pinnacle Financial adopted the ASU during the first quarter of 2018, as required, using a modified retrospective approach. The majority of Pinnacle Financial's revenue stream is generated from interest income on loans and deposits, which are outside the scope of Topic 606. Pinnacle Financial’s sources of income that fall within the scope of Topic 606 include service charges on deposits, investment services, insurance sales commissions, trust fees, interchange fees and gains and losses on sales of other real estate, all of which are presented within noninterest income. Pinnacle Financial has evaluated the effect of Topic 606 on these fee-based income streams and concluded that adoption of the standard did not materially impact its financial statements. The following is a summary of the implementation considerations for the revenue streams that fall within the scope of Topic 606:

Service charges on deposits, investment services, trust fees and interchange fees — Fees from these services are either transaction based, for which the performance obligations are satisfied when the individual transaction is processed, or set periodic service charges, for which the performance obligations are satisfied over the period the service is provided. Transaction based fees are recognized at the time the transaction is processed, and periodic service charges are recognized over the service period. The adoption of Topic 606 had no impact on Pinnacle Financial's revenue recognition practice for these services.

Insurance sales commissions — Insurance commissions are received from insurance companies in return for the placement of policies with customers. While additional services, such as claims assistance, may be provided over the term of the policy, the revenues are substantially earned at the time of policy placement. The only contingency in earning the revenue relates to the potential for subsequent cancellation of policies. Accordingly, revenue is recognized at the time of policy placement, net of an allowance for estimated policy cancellations. The adoption of Topic 606 had no impact on Pinnacle Financial's revenue recognition related to insurance sales commissions.

Gains on sales of other real estate — ASU 2014-09 creates Topic 610-20, under which a gain on sale should be recognized when a contract for sale exists and control of the asset has been transferred to the buyer. Topic 606 list several criteria which must exist to conclude that a contract for sale exists, including a determination that the institution will collect substantially all of the consideration to which it is entitled. This presents a key difference between the current and new guidance related to the recognition of the gain when the institution finances the sale of the property. Rather than basing recognition on the amount of the buyer's initial investment, which was the primary consideration under prior guidance, the analysis is now based on various factors including not only the loan to value, but also the credit quality of the borrower, the structure of the loan, and any other factors that may affect collectability. While these differences may affect the decision to recognize or defer gains on sales of other real estate in circumstances where Pinnacle Financial has financed the sale, the effects would not be material to its financial statements.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2018, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2018-02, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. The amendments in this ASU addressed the income tax accounting treatment of the stranded tax effects within other comprehensive income due to the newly enacted federal corporate tax rate included in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act issued December 22, 2017. These amendments allow an entity to make a reclassification from other comprehensive income to retained earnings for the difference between the historical corporate income tax rate and the newly enacted corporate income tax rate. The amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those years. Early adoption is permitted with retrospective application. Pinnacle Financial does not expect this standard to have a material impact and will implement the standard when the final BNC tax return is finalized.

In January 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-04, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment to simplify how entities other than private companies, such as public business entities and not-for-profit entities, are required to test goodwill for impairment by eliminating the comparison of the implied fair value of the reporting unit's goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. The amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those periods. If this standard had been effective as of the date of the financial statements included in this report, there would have been no impact on Pinnacle Financial's consolidated financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business. The amendment in this ASU clarifies the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. The amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those periods. If this standard had been effective as of the date of the financial statements included in this report, there would have been no impact on Pinnacle Financial's consolidated financial statements.


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In February 2016, the FASB issued  Accounting Standards Update 2016-02, Leases guidance requiring the recognition in the statement of financial position of lease assets and lease liabilities by lessees for those leases classified as operating leases under previous GAAP. The guidance requires that a lessee should recognize lease assets and lease liabilities as compared to previous GAAP that did not require lease assets and lease liabilities to be recognized for operating leases. The guidance becomes effective for us on January 1, 2019.  If this standard was effective as of the date of the financial statements included in this report, Pinnacle Financial would have recorded a right of use asset and liability in an amount similar to its current future minimum lease obligations.
 
In June 2016, the FASB issued  Accounting Standards Update 2016-13Financial Instruments - Credit Losses: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (CECL), which introduces the current expected credit losses methodology. Among other things, CECL requires the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial assets, including loans and held-to-maturity debt securities, held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectability of the reported amount. The new model will require institutions to calculate all probable and estimable losses that are expected to be incurred through the financial asset's entire life through a provision for credit losses, including loans obtained as a result of any acquisition not deemed to be purchased credit deteriorated (PCD). CECL also requires the allowance for credit losses for PCD loans to be determined in a manner similar to that of other financial assets measured at amortized cost; however, the initial allowance will be added to the purchase price rather than recorded as provision expense. The disclosure of credit quality indicators related to the amortized cost of financing receivables will be further disaggregated by year of origination (or vintage). Institutions are to apply the changes through a cumulative-effect adjustment to their retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the standard is effective. The amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early application will be permitted for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. Pinnacle Financial is currently assessing the impact of the new guidance on its consolidated financial statements. An increase in the overall allowance for loan losses is likely upon adoption in order to provide for expected credit losses over the life of the loan portfolio.
 
Other than those pronouncements discussed above and those which have been recently adopted, we do not believe there were any other recently issued accounting pronouncements that are expected to materially impact Pinnacle Financial.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The information required by this Item 3 is included on pages 35 through 55 of Part I - Item 2 - "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Pinnacle Financial maintains disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"), that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by it 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 SEC's rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to Pinnacle Financial's management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Pinnacle Financial carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of its management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on the evaluation of these disclosure controls and procedures, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that Pinnacle Financial's disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

Changes in Internal Controls

There were no changes in Pinnacle Financial's internal control over financial reporting during Pinnacle Financial's fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2018 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, Pinnacle Financial's internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
 
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS


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Various legal proceedings to which Pinnacle Financial or a subsidiary of Pinnacle Financial is a party arise from time to time in the normal course of business. There are no material pending legal proceedings to which Pinnacle Financial or a subsidiary of Pinnacle Financial is a party or of which any of their property is the subject.
 
ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS

Investing in Pinnacle Financial involves various risks which are particular to our company, our industry and our market area. We believe all significant risks to investors in Pinnacle Financial have been outlined in Part II, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017. However, other risks may prove to be important in the future, and new risks may emerge at any time. We cannot predict with certainty all potential developments which could materially affect our financial performance or condition.  There has been no material change to our risk factors as previously disclosed in the above described Annual Report on Form 10-K.

ITEM 2.  UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
The following table discloses shares of our common stock repurchased during the three months ended March 31, 2018.

Period
 
Total Number of Shares Repurchased (1)
 
Average Price Paid Per Share
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
 
Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
January 1, 2018 to January 31, 2018
 
30,084

 
$
67.47

 

 

February 1, 2018 to February 28, 2018
 
48,708

 
65.09

 

 

March 1, 2018 to March 31, 2018
 

 

 

 

Total
 
78,792

 
$
65.99

 

 

______________________
(1)
During the quarter ended March 31, 2018, 253,052 shares of restricted stock previously awarded to certain of the participants in our equity incentive plans vested. We withheld 78,792 shares to satisfy tax withholding requirements associated with the vesting of these restricted shares.
ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
Not applicable

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable


ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

None


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ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4.1.2
 
See Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2 for provisions of the Charter and Bylaws defining rights of holders of the Common Stock.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4.9
 
Pinnacle Financial is a party to certain agreements entered into in connection with the offering or assumption of its subordinated debentures and certain of its subordinated indebtedness, in each case as more fully described in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. In accordance with Item 601(b)(4)(iii) of Regulation S-K and because no issuance of any such indebtedness is in excess of 10% of Pinnacle Financial’s total assets, Pinnacle Financial has not filed the various documents and agreements associated with such indebtedness herewith. Pinnacle Financial has, however, agreed to furnish copies of the various documents and agreements associated with such indebtedness to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.
 
 
 
 
 
 

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101.INS*
 
XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH*
 
XBRL Schema Documents
101.CAL*
 
XBRL Calculation Linkbase Document
101.LAB*
 
XBRL Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE*
 
XBRL Presentation Linkbase Document
101.DEF*
 
XBRL Definition Linkbase Document
 
 
 
 
As directed by Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K, certain schedules and exhibits to this exhibit are omitted from this filing. The Company agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of any omitted schedule or exhibit to the SEC upon request.
#
 
Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
*
 
Filed herewith.
**
 
Furnished herewith.


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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.

 
 
PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC.
 
 
 
May 7, 2018
 
/s/ M. Terry Turner
 
 
M. Terry Turner
 
 
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
May 7, 2018
 
/s/ Harold R. Carpenter
 
 
Harold R. Carpenter
 
 
Chief Financial Officer


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