UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
þ
Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014
or
o
Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the transition period from                      to                     .
Commission File Number: 001-34653
FIRST INTERSTATE BANCSYSTEM, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Montana
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
81-0331430
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
401 North 31st Street
Billings, Montana
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
59116
(Zip Code)
(406) 255-5390
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Class A common stock
(Title of each class)
 
NASDAQ Stock Market
(Name of each exchange on which registered)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Class B common stock
(Title of class)
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. o Yes þ No
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. o Yes þ No
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. þ Yes o No
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 (§223.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that registrant was required to submit and post such files). þ Yes o No
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
o Large accelerated filer 
þ Accelerated filer  
o Non-accelerated filer 
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
o Smaller reporting company 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act.) o Yes þ No
The aggregate market value of voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates, computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold, or the average bid and asked price of such common equity, as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, was $614,072,224.
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of common stock as of January 31, 2015:
Class A common stock
21,947,201

Class B common sock
23,859,483

Documents Incorporated by Reference
The registrant intends to file a definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders scheduled to be held May 20, 2015. The information required by Part III of this Form 10-K is incorporated by reference from such Proxy Statement.
 



EX-21.1
EX-23.1
EX-31.1
EX-31.2
EX-32



Table of Contents

PART I
Item 1. Business

The disclosures set forth in this report are qualified by Item 1A. Risk Factors included herein and the section captioned “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Factors that Could Affect Future Results” included in Part II, Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. When we refer to “we,” “our,” “us” or the “Company” in this annual report, we mean First Interstate BancSystem, Inc. and our consolidated subsidiaries, including our wholly-owned subsidiary, First Interstate Bank, unless the context indicates that we refer only to the parent company, First Interstate BancSystem, Inc. When we refer to the “Bank” in this annual report, we mean First Interstate Bank.

Our Company

We are a financial and bank holding company incorporated as a Montana corporation in 1971. We are headquartered in Billings, Montana. As of December 31, 2014, we had consolidated assets of $8.6 billion, deposits of $7.0 billion, loans of $4.9 billion and total stockholders’ equity of $909 million. We currently operate 79 banking offices, including detached drive-up facilities, in 41 communities located in Montana, Wyoming and western South Dakota. We also offer internet and mobile banking services. Through our wholly-owned subsidiary, First Interstate Bank, we deliver a comprehensive range of banking products and services to individuals, businesses, municipalities and other entities throughout our market areas. Our customers participate in a wide variety of industries, including energy, healthcare and professional services, education and governmental services, construction, mining, agriculture, retail and wholesale trade and tourism. Our principal markets range in size from 23,000 to 150,000 people, have diversified economic characteristics and favorable population growth prospects and usually serve as trade centers for larger rural areas.

We are the licensee under a perpetual trademark license agreement granting us an exclusive, nontransferable license to use the “First Interstate” name and logo in Montana, Wyoming and the six neighboring states of Idaho, Utah, Colorado, Nebraska, South Dakota and North Dakota.

We have grown our business by adhering to a set of guiding principles and a long-term disciplined perspective that emphasizes our commitment to providing high-quality financial products and services, delivering quality customer service, effecting business leadership through professional and dedicated managers and employees, assisting our communities through socially responsible leadership and cultivating a strong and positive corporate culture. In the future, we intend to remain a leader in our markets by continuing to adhere to the core principles and values that have contributed to our growth and success and by continuing to follow our community banking model. In addition, we plan to continue to expand our business in a disciplined and prudent manner, including organic growth in our existing market areas and expansion into new and complementary markets when appropriate opportunities arise.

Mountain West Acquisition

On July 31, 2014, we completed the acquisition of all of the outstanding stock of Mountain West Financial Corp., a Montana-based bank holding company operating one wholly-owned subsidiary bank, Mountain West Bank, NA, with branches located in five of our current market areas in Montana. Mountain West Bank, NA was merged with First Interstate Bank, our existing bank subsidiary, on October 17, 2014. Consideration for the acquisition of $74.5 million consisted of cash of $38.5 million and the issuance of 1,378,230 shares of our Class A common stock valued at $26.10 per share, the closing price of the shares as quoted on the NASDAQ stock market on the acquisition date. As of the acquisition date, Mountain West Financial Corp. had consolidated total assets with fair values of $612 million, consolidated total loans with fair values of $360 million and consolidated total deposits with fair values of $515 million.

For additional information regarding the acquisition, see “Managements’ Discussion and Analysis — Recent Trends and Developments” included in Part II, Item 7 and “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Acquisition” and “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Capital Stock and Dividend Restrictions” included in Part IV, Item 15.


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Community Banking

Community banking encompasses commercial and consumer banking services provided through our Bank, primarily the acceptance of deposits; extensions of credit; mortgage loan origination and servicing; and trust, employee benefit, investment and insurance services. Our community banking philosophy emphasizes providing customers with commercial and consumer banking products and services locally using a personalized service approach while strengthening the communities in our market areas through community service activities. We grant our banking offices significant authority in delivering and pricing products in response to local market considerations and customer needs. This authority enables our banking offices to remain competitive by responding quickly to local market conditions and enhances their relationships with the customers they serve by tailoring our products and price points to each individual customer’s needs. We also require accountability by having company-wide standards and established limits on the authority and discretion of each banking office. This combination of authority and accountability allows our banking offices to provide personalized customer service and be in close contact with our communities, while at the same time promoting strong performance at the branch level and remaining focused on our overall financial performance.
    
Lending Activities
        
We offer short and long-term real estate, consumer, commercial, agricultural and other loans to individuals and businesses in our market areas. We have comprehensive credit policies establishing company-wide underwriting and documentation standards to assist management in the lending process and to limit our risk. Each loan must meet minimum underwriting standards specified in our credit policies. Minimum underwriting standards generally specify that loans (i) are made to borrowers located within a designated geographical lending area with the exception of participation loans and loans to national accounts; (ii) are made only for identified legal purposes; (iii) have specifically identified sources of repayment; (iv) mature within designated maximum maturity periods that coincide with repayment sources; (v) are appropriately collateralized whenever possible, (vi) are supported by current credit information; (vii) do not exceed the Bank's legal lending limit; (viii) with fixed interest rates are adjusted within designated time frames; and (ix) require a flood determination prior to closing. In addition, our minimum underwriting standards include lending limitations to prevent concentrations of credit in agricultural, commercial, real estate or consumer loans. Further, each minimum underwriting standard must be documented as part of the loan approval process.
        
While each loan must meet minimum underwriting standards established in our credit policies, lending officers are granted certain levels of authority in approving and pricing loans to assure that the banking offices are responsive to competitive issues and community needs in each market area. Lending authorities are established at individual, branch and market levels. Branch and market lending authorities are assigned annually by the Company's chief executive officer and chief credit officer based on the size of the branch or market's loan portfolio and the branch or market's historical credit performance. Individual loan officer lending limits are approved annually by branch or market management and are based on the lending experience of each individual loan officer. Branch and market lending limits and aggregate lending relationships in excess of established limits, ranging from $10 million to $15 million depending on the risk characteristics of the relationship, are approved by the Bank's board of directors after review by the Credit Committee of the Company's board of directors.
        
Deposit Products
    
We offer traditional depository products including checking, savings and time deposits. Deposits at the Bank are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or FDIC, up to statutory limits. We also offer repurchase agreements primarily to commercial and municipal depositors. Under repurchase agreements, we sell investment securities held by the Bank to our customers under an agreement to repurchase the investment securities at a specified time or on demand. All outstanding repurchase agreements are due in one business day.
    
Wealth Management
    
We provide a wide range of trust, employee benefit, investment management, insurance, agency and custodial services to individuals, businesses and nonprofit organizations. These services include the administration of estates and personal trusts; management of investment accounts for individuals, employee benefit plans and charitable foundations; and insurance planning. As of December 31, 2014, the estimated fair value of trust assets held in a fiduciary or agent capacity was in excess of $4 billion.
    

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Centralized Services
    
We have centralized certain operational activities to provide consistent service levels to our customers company-wide, to gain efficiency in management of those activities and to ensure regulatory compliance. Centralized operational activities generally support our banking offices in the delivery of products and services to customers and include marketing; credit review; credit cards; mortgage loan sales and servicing; indirect consumer loan purchasing and processing; loan collections and, other operational activities. Additionally, specialized staff support services have been centralized to enable our branches to serve their markets more efficiently. These services include credit administration, finance, accounting, human resource management, internal audit, technology, risk management, compliance and other support services.

Competition

There is significant competition among commercial banks in our market areas. We also compete with other providers of financial services, such as savings and loan associations, credit unions, internet banks, consumer finance companies, brokerage firms, mortgage banking companies, insurance companies, securities firms, mutual funds and certain government agencies as well as major retailers, all actively engaged in providing various types of loans and other financial services. Some of our competitors have greater resources and, as such, may have higher lending limits and may offer other services that we do not provide. We generally compete on the basis of customer service and responsiveness to customer needs, available loan and deposit products, rates of interest charged on loans, rates of interest paid for deposits, and the availability and pricing of trust, employee benefit, investment and insurance services.

Employees

At December 31, 2014, we employed 1,705 full-time equivalent employees, none of whom are represented by a collective bargaining agreement. We strive to be the employer of choice in the markets we serve and consider our employee relations to be good.

Regulation and Supervision

Regulatory Authorities

We are subject to extensive regulation under federal and state laws. A description of certain material laws and regulations applicable to us is summarized below. This description is not intended to include a summary of all laws and regulations applicable to us. In addition to laws and regulations, state and federal banking regulatory agencies may issue policy statements, interpretive letters and similar written guidance applicable to us. Those issuances may affect the conduct of our business or impose additional regulatory obligations.

As a financial and bank holding company, we are subject to regulation under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended, or the Bank Holding Company Act, and to supervision, regulation and regular examination by the Federal Reserve. Because we are a public company, we are also subject to the disclosure and regulatory requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or Exchange Act, as administered by the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC.

The Bank is subject to supervision and regular examination by its primary banking regulators, the Federal Reserve and the State of Montana, Department of Administration, Division of Banking and Financial Institutions, with respect to its activities in Wyoming the State of Wyoming, Department of Audit, and with respect to its activities in South Dakota, the State of South Dakota Department of Revenue & Regulation, Division of Banking.

The Bank's deposits are insured by the deposit insurance fund of the FDIC in the manner and to the extent provided by law. The Bank is subject to the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, or FDIA, and FDIC regulations relating to deposit insurance and may also be subject to supervision and examination by the FDIC.

The extensive regulation of the Bank limits both the activities in which the Bank may engage and the conduct of its permitted activities. Further, the laws and regulations impose reporting and information collection obligations on the Bank. The Bank incurs significant costs relating to compliance with various laws and regulations and the collection and retention of information.


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The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, or the Dodd-Frank Act, enacts significant changes in federal statutes governing banks and bank holding companies generally as well as other entities. Although many of the significant changes are already in effect, additional significant changes will become effective in the near-term and other significant changes require action by federal banking agencies, including the Federal Reserve, the principal federal regulator of the Company. Except as otherwise noted, the following discussion assumes that provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act applicable to banks and bank holding companies to become effective in the near-term are currently in effect.

Financial and Bank Holding Company

The Company is a bank holding company and has registered as a financial holding company under regulations issued by the Federal Reserve. Under federal law, including the Dodd-Frank Act, the Company is required to serve as a source of financial and managerial strength to the Bank, which may include providing financial assistance to the Bank if the Bank experiences financial distress. The federal banking agencies are required under the Dodd-Frank Act to issue joint rules to carry out the source of strength requirements. Under existing Federal Reserve source of strength policies, the Federal Reserve may require a bank holding company to make capital injections into a troubled subsidiary bank. The Federal Reserve may also determine that the bank holding company is engaging in unsafe and unsound practices if it fails to commit resources to such a subsidiary bank.

We are required by the Bank Holding Company Act to obtain Federal Reserve approval prior to acquiring, directly or indirectly, ownership or control of voting shares of any bank, if, after such acquisition, we would own or control more than 5% of its voting stock. Under the Dodd-Frank Act, when acting on an application for approval the Federal Reserve is required to consider whether the transaction would result in greater or more concentrated risks to the United States banking or financial system. Under federal law and regulations, including the Dodd-Frank Act, a bank holding company may acquire banks in states other than its home state if the bank holding company is both 'well-capitalized' and 'well-managed' both before and after the acquisition. The interstate acquisitions are subject to any state requirement that the bank has been organized and operating for a minimum period of time, not to exceed five years, and the requirement that the bank holding company not control, prior to or following the proposed acquisition, more than 10% of the total amount of deposits of insured depository institutions nationwide or, unless the acquisition is the bank holding company's initial entry into the state, more than 30% of such deposits in the state, or such lesser or greater amount set by state law of such deposits in that state.

With additional changes made to federal statutes under the Dodd-Frank Act, banks are also permitted to establish new branches in a state if a bank located in that state could establish a new branch at the proposed location without regard to state laws limiting interstate de novo branching. Branch offices may not be established outside of a bank's home state primarily for the purpose of deposit production which is determined based on a state-by-state test. The prohibition and regulatory test may limit the Company's ability to establish de novo branches in states other than Montana.

Banks may also merge across state lines. A state can prohibit interstate mergers entirely or prohibit them if the continuing bank would control insured bank deposits in excess of a specified percentage of total insured bank deposits in the state, provided such prohibition does not discriminate against out-of-state banks. For example, under Montana law, banks, bank holding companies and their respective subsidiaries, whether located in Montana or otherwise, cannot acquire control of a bank located in Montana if, after the acquisition, the acquiring institution and its affiliates would directly or indirectly control, in the aggregate, more than 22% of the total deposits of insured depository institutions located in Montana. As of December 31, 2014, the Bank controlled approximately 18% of the total deposits of all insured depository institutions located in Montana. The state limitation may limit the ability of the Company to directly or indirectly acquire additional banks located in Montana.
                                                                                                                                                                               
We have voluntarily registered with the Federal Reserve as a financial holding company. As a financial holding company, we may engage in certain business activities that are determined by the Federal Reserve to be financial in nature or incidental to financial activities as well as all activities authorized to bank holding companies generally. In most circumstances, we must notify the Federal Reserve of our financial activities within a specified time period following our initial engagement in each business or activity. If the type of proposed business or activity has not been previously determined by the Federal Reserve to be financially related or incidental to financial activities, we must receive the prior approval of the Federal Reserve before engaging in the activity.


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We may engage in authorized financial activities, such as providing investment services, provided that we remain a financial holding company and meet certain regulatory standards of being “well capitalized” and “well managed.” If we fail to meet the “well capitalized” or “well managed” regulatory standards, we may be required to cease our financial holding company activities or, in certain circumstances, to divest of the Bank. We do not currently engage in significant financial holding company businesses or activities not otherwise permitted for bank holding companies generally. Should we engage in certain financial activities currently authorized to financial holding companies, we may become subject to additional laws, regulations, supervision and examination by regulatory agencies.

In order to assess the financial strength of the bank holding company, the Federal Reserve and the State of Montana also conduct throughout the year periodic onsite and offsite inspections and credit reviews. The federal banking agencies, including the Federal Reserve, may also require additional information and reports from us. In addition, the Federal Reserve may examine, and require reports and information regarding, any entity that we control, including entities other than banks or entities engaged in financial activities. In certain circumstances, the Federal Reserve may require us to divest of non-bank entities or limit the activities of those entities even if the activities are otherwise permitted to bank holding companies under governing law.

With limited exceptions and subject to certain limitations and requirements, banks and their affiliates are not permitted to engage in proprietary trading, or invest in, or serve as an advisor to, hedge funds or private equity funds. We have not historically engaged in any of those activities.

Restrictions on Transfers of Funds to Us and the Bank

Dividends from the Bank are the primary source of funds for the payment of our operating expenses and for the payment of dividends. Under both state and federal law, the amount of dividends that may be paid by the Bank from time to time is limited. In general, the Bank is limited to paying dividends that do not exceed the current year net profits together with retained earnings from the two preceding calendar years unless the prior consents of the Montana and federal banking regulators are obtained.

A state or federal banking regulator may impose, by regulatory order or agreement of the Bank, specific dividend limitations or prohibitions in certain circumstances. The Bank is not currently subject to a specific regulatory dividend limitation other than generally applicable limitations.

In general, banks are also prohibited from making capital distributions, including dividends and are prohibited from paying management fees to control persons if it would be “undercapitalized” under the regulatory framework for corrective action after making such payments. See “Capital Standards and Prompt Corrective Action.”

Also, under Montana corporate law, a dividend may not be paid if, after giving effect to the dividend: (1) the company would not be able to pay its debts as they become due in the usual course of business; or (2) the company's total assets would be less than the sum of its total liabilities plus the amount that would be needed, if the company were to be dissolved at the time of the dividend, to satisfy the preferential rights upon dissolution of shareholders whose preferential rights are superior to those receiving the dividend.

Furthermore, because we are a legal entity separate and distinct from the Bank, our right to participate in the distribution of assets of the Bank upon its liquidation or reorganization will be subject to the prior claims of the Bank's creditors. In the event of such a liquidation or other resolution, the claims of depositors and other general or subordinated creditors of the Bank are entitled to a priority of payment of the claims of holders of any obligation of the Bank to its shareholders, including us, or our shareholders or creditors.

Restrictions on Transactions with Affiliates, Directors and Officers

Under the Federal Reserve Act, the Bank may not lend funds to our affiliates, except on specified types and amounts of collateral and other terms required by state and federal law. The limitation on lending may limit our ability to obtain funds from the Bank for our cash needs, including funds for payment of dividends, interest and operational expenses.

The Federal Reserve also has authority to define and limit the transactions between banks and their affiliates. The Federal Reserve's Regulation W and relevant federal statutes, among other things, impose significant additional limitations on transactions in which the Bank may engage with us, with each other, or with other affiliates.

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Federal Reserve Regulation O restricts loans to the Bank and Company insiders, which includes directors, officers and principal stockholders and their respective related interests. All extensions of credit to the insiders and their related interests must be on the same terms as, and subject to the same loan underwriting requirements as, loans to persons who are not insiders. In addition, Regulation O imposes lending limits on loans to insiders and their related interests and imposes, in certain circumstances, requirements for prior approval of the loans by the Bank board of directors.

Capital Standards and Prompt Corrective Action

Banks and bank holding companies are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by state and federal banking agencies. Capital adequacy guidelines and, additionally for banks, prompt corrective action regulations, involve quantitative measures of assets, liabilities and certain off-balance sheet items calculated under regulatory accounting practices. Capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by regulators about components, risk weighting and other factors.

Currently, the Federal Reserve Board and the FDIC have substantially similar risk-based capital ratio and leverage ratio guidelines for banks similar in asset size to the Bank. The guidelines are intended to ensure that banks have adequate capital given the risk levels of assets and off-balance sheet financial instruments.

The federal banking regulators, including the Federal Reserve Board, adopted significant revisions to the regulatory capital requirements that apply to the Bank beginning on January 1, 2015, with some requirements phasing in between January 1, 2015 and January 1, 2019. Among other things, the revised capital requirements modify previous minimum ratios requirements for tier 1 capital and total capital to risk-weighted assets. In addition, the revised capital requirements impose both a new common equity tier 1 capital ratio requirement and a capital buffer requirement both measured against risk-weighted assets. When completely phased in, the minimum capital requirements plus the capital buffer requirement will exceed the regulatory ‘well-capitalized’ threshholds.

Consistent with prior law, if the Bank fails to meet the regulatory capital requirements, its business activities may be limited and the amount of distributions it may pay to us may be reduced or eliminated. In addition, if the Bank or we fail to meet the regulatory capital requirements, the amount of distributions we may pay to our shareholders, and bonuses to executive officers, may be limited.

The regulations also implement changes to the definition of capital and require deductions from capital for regulatory purposes be made from common equity tier 1 capital.

For purposes of calculating the ratios, a banking organization's assets and some of its specified off-balance sheet commitments and obligations are assigned to various risk categories. Generally, under the applicable guidelines, a financial institution's capital is divided into three tiers. These tiers are:

Common Equity Tier 1. Common equity tier 1 capital includes common stock plus related surplus, retained earnings plus limited amounts of minority interests in the form of common stock and is reduced by substantially all of the regulatory deductions including items such as goodwill and other intangibles and certain deferred tax assets.

Core Capital (Tier 1).  Tier 1 capital includes common equity, noncumulative perpetual preferred stock meeting eligibility requirements, limited minority interests in equity accounts of consolidated subsidiaries and portions of grandfathered cumulative preferred stock and grandfathered trust preferred securities, less both goodwill and other intangible assets and certain deferred tax assets, among other regulatory deductions.

Supplementary Capital (Tier 2).  Tier 2 capital includes, among other things, cumulative and limited-life preferred stock, hybrid capital instruments, mandatory convertible securities, qualifying subordinated debt and the allowance for loan and lease losses, subject to certain limitations and otherwise meeting regulatory requirements.


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The Dodd-Frank Act provisions and the new regulatory capital requirements relating to required minimum capital also limit, in certain circumstances, the use of hybrid capital instruments in meeting regulatory capital requirements, including instruments similar to those which we currently have issued and outstanding. However, because our total consolidated assets are substantially less than $15 billion, the limitations on use of existing hybrid capital instruments are not expected to apply to us in the immediate future.

We are required under current guidelines to maintain tier 1 capital and total capital (the sum of tier 1 and tier 2 capital) equal to at least 4.0% and 8.0%, respectively, of our total risk-weighted assets. In addition, we are required to maintain a minimum common equity tier 1 capital ratio to risk-weighted assets of 4.5% and, when fully phased in, a capital conservation buffer of 2.5% of risk weighted assets. For a depository institution to be considered “well capitalized” under the regulatory framework in effect on January 1, 2015 for prompt corrective action its minimum common equity tier 1 capital, tier 1 and total capital ratios must be at least 4.5%, 6.0% and 8.0% on a risk-adjusted basis, respectively. As of January 1, 2015 the required capital conservation buffer is 0% and will phase in at 0.625% each January 1st until reaching 2.5% on January 1, 2019. We currently meet the ‘well-capitalized’ ratio requirements on all measures including requirements to be phased in through January 1, 2019. However, there can be no assurance that we will meet the requirements in the future.

Bank holding companies and banks are also required to comply with minimum leverage ratio requirements. The leverage ratio is the ratio of a banking organization's tier 1 capital to its total adjusted quarterly average assets (as defined for regulatory purposes). All financial holding companies and banks are required to maintain a minimum leverage ratio of 4.0%, unless a different minimum is specified by an appropriate regulatory authority. For a depository institution to be considered “well capitalized” under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, its leverage ratio must be at least 5.0%.

The capital guidelines also provide that banking organizations experiencing significant internal growth or making acquisitions will be expected to maintain strong capital positions substantially above the minimum supervisory levels, without significant reliance on intangible assets. In addition, the regulations of the bank regulators provide that concentration of credit risks, as well as an institution's ability to manage these risks, are important factors to be taken into account by regulatory agencies in assessing an organization's overall capital adequacy. The Federal Reserve has not advised us of any specific minimum leverage ratio applicable to us or the Bank.

The FDIA requires, among other things, the federal banking agencies to take “prompt corrective action” in respect of depository institutions that do not meet minimum capital requirements. The FDIA sets forth the following five capital tiers: “well capitalized,” “adequately capitalized,” “undercapitalized,” “significantly undercapitalized” and “critically undercapitalized.” A depository institution's capital tier will depend upon how its capital levels compare with various relevant capital measures and certain other factors, as established by regulation. The relevant capital measures are the common equity tier 1 capital ratio, total capital ratio, the tier 1 capital ratio and the leverage ratio.

The FDIA generally prohibits a depository institution from making any capital distributions (including payment of a dividend) or paying any management fee to its parent holding company if the depository institution would thereafter be undercapitalized. Undercapitalized institutions are subject to growth limitations and are required to submit a capital restoration plan. The agencies may not accept such a plan without determining, among other things, that the plan is based on realistic assumptions and is likely to succeed in restoring the depository institution's capital. In addition, for a capital restoration plan to be acceptable, the depository institution's parent holding company must guarantee that the institution will comply with such capital restoration plan. The aggregate liability of the parent holding company is limited to the lesser of (1) an amount equal to 5.0% of the depository institution's total assets at the time it became undercapitalized and (2) the amount which is necessary (or would have been necessary) to bring the institution into compliance with all capital standards applicable with respect to such institution as of the time it fails to comply with the plan. If a depository institution fails to submit an acceptable plan, it is treated as if it is “significantly undercapitalized.”

“Significantly undercapitalized” depository institutions may be subject to a number of requirements and restrictions, including mandated capital raising activities such as orders to sell sufficient voting stock to become “adequately capitalized,” requirements to reduce total assets, restrictions for interest rates paid, removal of management and cessation of receipt of deposits from correspondent banks. “Critically undercapitalized” institutions are subject to the appointment of a receiver or conservator.

A bank that is not “well-capitalized” as defined by applicable regulations may, among other regulatory requirements or limitations, be prohibited under federal law and regulation from accepting or renewing brokered deposits.


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In 2013 and 2014, the Federal Reserve issued several new rules and proposed rules applicable to advanced approaches companies, certain complex bank holding companies and holding companies with consolidated assets in excess of $10 billion. Because the Company has consolidated assets of less than $10 billion and has not been designated a complex holding company, the recently issued rules do not generally apply to us.
 
The capital stock of banks organized under Montana law, such as the Bank, may be subject to assessment upon the direction of the Montana Department of Administration under the Montana Bank Act. Under the Montana Bank Act, if the Department of Administration determines an impairment of a bank's capital exists, it may notify the bank's board of directors of the impairment and require the impairment be made good by an assessment on the bank stock. If the bank fails to make good the impairment, the Department of Administration may, among other things, take charge of the bank and proceed to liquidate the bank.
 
Under the FDIA, the appropriate federal banking agency may take certain actions with respect to significantly or critically undercapitalized institutions. The actions may include requiring the sale of additional shares of the institution's stock or other actions deemed appropriate by the federal banking agency, which could include assessment on the institution's stock.

Safety and Soundness Standards and Other Enforcement Mechanisms

The federal banking agencies have adopted guidelines establishing standards for safety and soundness, asset quality and earnings, internal controls and audit systems, among others, as required by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act, or FDICIA. These standards are designed to identify potential concerns and ensure that action is taken to address those concerns before they pose a risk to the deposit insurance fund, or DIF. If a federal banking agency determines that an institution fails to meet any of these standards, the agency may require the institution to submit an acceptable plan to achieve compliance with the standard. If the institution fails to submit an acceptable plan within the time allowed by the agency or fails in any material respect to implement an accepted plan, the agency must, by order, require the institution to correct the deficiency.

Federal banking agencies possess broad enforcement powers to take corrective and other supervisory action on an insured bank and its holding company. Moreover, federal laws require each federal banking agency to take prompt corrective action to resolve the problems of insured banks. Bank holding companies and insured banks are subject to a wide range of potential enforcement actions by federal regulators for violation of any law, rule, regulation, standard, condition imposed in writing by the regulator, or term of a written agreement with the regulator.

Deposit Insurance

The FDIC is an independent federal agency that insures deposits, up to prescribed statutory limits, of federally insured banks and savings institutions and safeguards the safety and soundness of the banking and savings industries. The FDIC insures our customer deposits through the DIF up to prescribed limits for each depositor. The maximum deposit insurance amount is $250,000 per depositor. The amount of FDIC assessments paid by each DIF member institution is based on its relative risk of default as measured by regulatory capital ratios and other supervisory factors. Currently, the Bank meets the ‘well-capitalized’ standards imposed by the FDIC in 2014 for purposes of determining FDIC assessments.

All FDIC-insured institutions are required to pay assessments to the FDIC to fund interest payments on bonds issued by the Financing Corporation, or FICO, an agency of the Federal government established to recapitalize the predecessor to the DIF. The FICO assessment rates are set at 0.00165% of total assets and will continue until the FICO bonds mature in 2017.

The FDIC is also required to set its designated reserve ratio for each year at 1.35% of estimated insured deposits and take actions necessary to reach a reserve ratio of 1.35% of total estimated insured deposits by September 30, 2020. The FDIC may be required to increase deposit insurance premium assessments to meet the reserve ratio requirements. However, under the Dodd-Frank Act, the effects of any increases in deposit insurance premium assessments are to be offset for the benefit of depository institutions with total consolidated assets of less than $10 billion. The Bank currently has total consolidated assets of less than $10 billion.


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Insolvency of an Insured Depository Institution

If the FDIC is appointed the conservator or receiver of an insured depository institution upon its insolvency or in certain other events, the FDIC has the power, among other things: (1) to transfer any of the depository institution's assets and liabilities to a new obligor without the approval of the depository institution's creditors; (2) to enforce the terms of the depository institution's contracts pursuant to their terms; or (3) to repudiate or disaffirm any contract or lease to which the depository institution is a party, the performance of which is determined by the FDIC to be burdensome and the disaffirmation or repudiation of which is determined by the FDIC to promote the orderly administration of the depository institution.

Depositor Preference

The FDIA provides that, in the event of the “liquidation or other resolution” of an insured depository institution, the claims of depositors of the institution, including the claims of the FDIC as subrogee of insured depositors and certain claims for administrative expenses of the FDIC as a receiver, will have priority over other general unsecured claims against the institution. If an insured depository institution fails, insured and uninsured depositors, along with the FDIC, will have priority in payment ahead of unsecured, non-deposit creditors, including the parent bank holding company, with respect to any extensions of credit they have made to such insured depository institution.

Customer Privacy and Other Consumer Protections

Federal law imposes customer privacy requirements on any company engaged in financial activities, including the Bank and us. Under these requirements, a financial company is required to protect the security and confidentiality of customer nonpublic personal information. In addition, for customers who obtain a financial product such as a loan for personal, family or household purposes, a financial holding company is required to disclose its privacy policy to the customer at the time the relationship is established and annually thereafter. The financial company must also disclose its policies concerning the sharing of the customer's nonpublic personal information with affiliates and third parties. Finally, a financial company is prohibited from disclosing an account number or similar item to a third party for use in telemarketing, direct mail marketing or marketing through electronic mail.

The Bank is subject to a variety of federal and state laws, regulations and reporting obligations aimed at protecting consumers and Bank customers. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations may, among other things, impair the collection of loans made in violation of the laws and regulations, provide borrowers or other customers certain rights and remedies or result in the imposition of penalties on the Bank.
 
The Equal Credit Opportunity Act generally prohibits discrimination in credit transactions on, among other things, the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status or age and, in certain circumstances, limits the Bank's ability to require co-obligors or guarantors as a condition to the extension of credit to an individual.
 
The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, or RESPA, requires certain disclosures be provided to borrowers in real estate loan closings or other real estate settlements. In addition, RESPA limits or prohibits certain settlement practices, fee sharing, kickbacks and similar practices that are considered to be abusive.
 
The Truth in Lending Act, or TILA, and Regulation Z require disclosures to borrowers and other parties in consumer loans including, among other things, disclosures relating to interest rates and other finance charges, payments and payment schedules and annual percentage rates. TILA provides remedies to borrowers upon certain failures in compliance by a lender.
 
The Fair Housing Act regulates, among other things, lending practices in residential lending and prohibits discrimination in housing related lending activities on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, handicap, disability or familial status.
 
The Home Mortgage Disclosure Act requires certain lenders and other firms engaged in the home mortgage industry to collect and report information relating to applicants, borrowers and home mortgage lending activities in which they engage in their market areas or communities. The information is used for, among other purposes, evaluation of discrimination or other impermissible acts in home mortgage lending.
 
The Home Ownership and Equity Protection Act regulates terms and disclosures of certain closed end home mortgage loans that are not purchase money loans and includes loans classified as “high cost loans.”

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The Fair Credit Reporting Act, as amended by the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act, generally limits lenders and other financial firms in their collection, use or dissemination of customer credit information, gives customers some access to, and control over, their credit information and requires financial firms to establish policies and procedures intended to deter identity theft and related frauds.
 
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act regulates actions that may be taken in the collection of consumer debts and provides consumers with certain rights of access to information related to collection actions.

 The Electronic Fund Transfer Act regulates fees and other terms on electronic funds transactions.
    
The Federal Reserve issued regulations relating to fees and charges in debit card transactions intended to implement provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act. Card issuers with consolidated assets of less than $10 billion are exempt from the interchange fee standards but are subject to other rules addressing exclusivity and other requirements. The Bank is not subject to the interchange fee standards as its consolidated assets, together with affiliates, are less than $10 billion.
    
Federal consumer protection laws have been expanded by the Dodd-Frank Act, pursuant to which a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has been created with authority to regulate consumer financial products and services and to implement and enforce federal consumer financial laws. Although the Bureau is accorded examination and enforcement authority, the Bureau's authority does not generally extend to depository institutions with total assets of less than $10 billion. The Bank currently has total assets of less than $10 billion.
    
The Community Reinvestment Act, or CRA, generally requires the federal banking agencies to evaluate the record of a financial institution in meeting the credit needs of its local communities, including low and moderate income neighborhoods. In addition to substantial penalties and corrective measures that may be required for a violation of fair lending laws, the federal banking agencies may take compliance with such laws and the CRA into account when regulating and supervising our other activities or in authorizing new activities.
    
In connection with its assessment of CRA performance, the appropriate bank regulatory agency assigns a rating of “outstanding,” “satisfactory,” “needs to improve” or “substantial noncompliance.” The Bank received an “outstanding” rating on its most recent published examination. Although the Bank's policies and procedures are designed to achieve compliance with all fair lending and CRA requirements, instances of non-compliance are occasionally identified through normal operational activities. Management responds proactively to correct all instances of non-compliance and implement procedures to prevent further violations from occurring.
    
USA PATRIOT Act
    
The USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 amended the Bank Secrecy Act of 1970 and the Money Laundering Control Act of 1986 and adopted additional measures requiring insured depository institutions, broker-dealers and certain other financial institutions to have policies, procedures and controls to detect, prevent and report money laundering and terrorist financing. The USA PATRIOT Act includes the International Money Laundering Abatement and Financial Anti-Terrorism Act of 2001 and also amends laws relating to currency control and regulation. The laws and related regulations also provide for information sharing, subject to conditions, between federal law enforcement agencies and financial institutions, as well as among financial institutions, for counter-terrorism purposes. Federal banking regulators are required, when reviewing bank holding company acquisition or merger applications, to take into account the effectiveness of the anti-money laundering activities of the applicants. Failure of a financial institution to maintain and implement adequate programs to combat money laundering and terrorist financing could have serious legal and reputational consequences for the institution.
    
Office of Foreign Asset Control
     
The United States Treasury Office of Foreign Asset Control enforces economic and trade sanctions imposed by the United States on foreign persons and governments. Among other authorities, the Office of Foreign Asset Control may require United States financial institutions to block or “freeze” assets of identified foreign persons or governments which come within the control of the financial institution. Financial institutions are required to adopt procedures for identification of new and existing deposit accounts and other relationships with persons or governments identified by the Office of Foreign Asset Control and to timely report the accounts or relationships to the Office of Foreign Asset Control.
    

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Website Access to SEC Filings
    
All of our reports and statements filed or furnished electronically with the SEC, including Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and Proxy Statements, as well as amendments to these reports and statements filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, are accessible at no cost through our website at www.FIBK.com as soon as reasonably practicable after they have been filed with the SEC. These reports are also accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The public may read and copy materials we file with the SEC at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC at Room 1580, 100 F Street N.E., Washington, DC 20549. The public may obtain information on the operation of the public reference room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. Our website and the information contained therein or connected thereto is not intended to be incorporated into this report and should not be considered a part of this report.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Like other financial and bank holding companies, we are subject to a number of risks, many of which are outside of our control. If any of the events or circumstances described in the following risk factors actually occurs, our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects could be harmed. These risks are not the only ones that we may face. Other risks of which we are not aware, including those which relate to the banking and financial services industry in general and us in particular, or those which we do not currently believe are material, may harm our future business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. Readers should consider carefully the following important factors in evaluating us, our business and an investment in our securities.

Risks Relating to the Market and Our Business

Continued or worsening general business and economic conditions could materially and adversely affect us.

In recent years, the U.S. economy has faced a severe economic crisis including a major recession from which it is slowly recovering. Business activity across a wide range of industries and regions in the U.S. remains reduced and local governments and many businesses continue to experience financial difficulty. While reflecting some improvement, unemployment levels remain elevated nationwide. There can be no assurance that these conditions will continue to improve and these conditions could worsen. In addition, on-going federal budget negotiations, the implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the level of U.S. debt may have a destabilizing effect on financial markets.

Our financial performance generally, and in particular the ability of borrowers to pay interest on and repay principal of outstanding loans and the value of collateral securing those loans, as well as demand for loans and other products and services we offer, is highly dependent upon the business environment in the markets where we operate in Montana, Wyoming and South Dakota and in the United States as a whole. A favorable business environment is generally characterized by, among other factors, economic growth, efficient capital markets, low inflation, low unemployment, high business and investor confidence, and strong business earnings. Unfavorable or uncertain economic and market conditions can be caused by declines in economic growth, business activity or investor or business confidence; limitations on the availability or increases in the cost of credit and capital; increases in inflation or interest rates; high unemployment, natural disasters; or a combination of these or other factors.

Overall, during recent years, the business environment has been adverse for many households and businesses in the United States and worldwide. While economic conditions in Montana, Wyoming and South Dakota, the United States and worldwide have improved since the recession, there can be no assurance that this improvement will continue. Economic pressure on consumers and uncertainty regarding continuing economic improvement may result in changes in consumer and business spending, borrowing and savings habits. Such conditions could adversely affect the credit quality of our loans and our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We may incur significant credit losses, particularly in light of recent and existing market conditions.

We take on credit risk by virtue of making loans and extending loan commitments and letters of credit. Our credit standards, procedures and policies may not prevent us from incurring substantial credit losses, particularly in light of market developments in recent years. Weakening economic conditions, increasing unemployment rates and/or deterioration of housing markets could exert pressure on our loan customers resulting in higher delinquencies, repossession and losses, which would have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.


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Adverse economic conditions affecting Montana, Wyoming and western South Dakota could harm our business.
    
Our customers are located predominantly in Montana, Wyoming and western South Dakota. Because of the concentration of loans and deposits in these states, existing or future adverse economic conditions in Montana, Wyoming or western South Dakota could cause us to experience higher rates of loss and delinquency on our loans than if the loans were more geographically diversified. Adverse economic conditions, including inflation, recession and unemployment and other factors, such as regulatory or business developments, natural disasters, environmental contamination and other unfavorable conditions and events that affect these states, could reduce demand for credit or fee-based products and may delay or prevent borrowers from repaying their loans. Adverse conditions and other factors identified above could also negatively affect real estate and other collateral values, interest rate levels and the availability of credit to refinance loans at or prior to maturity. These results could adversely impact our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
    
Much of the economic improvement in our market areas is due to the oil and gas drilling and production in the Bakken Formation. Decreased market oil prices have compressed margins for oil producers as well as oilfield service providers, energy equipment manufacturers and transportation suppliers, among others. A prolonged period of low oil prices or other events that may result in a decline in drilling activity could have a negative impact on the economies of our market areas and on our customers, which could could adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.
    
We are subject to lending risk.
    
There are inherent risks associated with our lending activities. These risks include, among other things, the impact of changes in interest rates and changes in the economic conditions in the markets where we operate as well as those across Montana, Wyoming, western South Dakota and the United States. Increases in interest rates and/or weakening economic conditions could adversely impact the ability of borrowers to repay outstanding loans or the value of the collateral securing these loans. We are also subject to various laws and regulations that affect our lending activities. Failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations could subject us to regulatory enforcement action that could result in the assessment of significant civil money penalties against us.
    
At December 31, 2014, we had $2.4 billion of commercial loans, including $1.6 billion of commercial real estate loans, representing approximately 49% of our total loan portfolio. These loans are often larger and involve greater risks than other types of lending. Because payments on such loans are often dependent on the successful operation or development of the property or business involved, repayment of such loans is more sensitive than other types of loans to adverse conditions in the real estate market or the general economy. Unlike residential mortgage loans, which generally are made on the basis of the borrowers' ability to make repayment from their employment and other income and which are secured by real property whose value tends to be more easily ascertainable, commercial loans typically are made on the basis of the borrowers' ability to make repayment from the cash flow of the commercial venture. If the cash flow from business operations is reduced, the borrower's ability to repay the loan may be impaired. Due to the larger average size of each commercial loan as compared with other loans such as residential loans, as well as the collateral which is generally less readily-marketable, losses incurred on a small number of commercial loans could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
    
In addition, at December 31, 2014, we had $1.6 billion of agricultural, construction, residential and other real estate loans, representing approximately 32% of our total loan portfolio. Deterioration in economic conditions or in the real estate market could result in increased delinquencies and foreclosures and could have an adverse effect on the collateral value for many of these loans and on the repayment ability of many of our borrowers. Deterioration in economic conditions or in the real estate market could reduce the number of loans we make to businesses in the construction and real estate industry, which could negatively impact our interest income and results of operations. Similarly, the occurrence of a natural or manmade disaster in our market areas could impair the value of the collateral we hold for real estate secured loans. Any one or a combination of the factors identified above could negatively impact our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
    

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If we experience loan losses in excess of estimated amounts, our earnings will be adversely affected.
    
The risk of credit losses on loans varies with, among other things, general economic conditions, the type of loan being made, the creditworthiness of the borrower over the term of the loan and, in the case of a collateralized loan, the value and marketability of the collateral for the loan. We maintain an allowance for loan losses based upon, among other things, historical experience, an evaluation of economic conditions and regular reviews of loan portfolio quality. Based upon such factors, our management makes various assumptions and judgments about the ultimate collectability of our loan portfolio and provides an allowance for loan losses. These assumptions and judgments are complex and difficult to determine given the significant uncertainty surrounding future conditions in the general economy and banking industry. If management's assumptions and judgments prove to be incorrect and the allowance for loan losses is inadequate, or if the banking authorities or regulations require us to increase the allowance for loan losses, our earnings, financial condition, results of operations and prospects could be significantly and adversely affected.

Our goodwill may become impaired, which may adversely impact our results of operations and financial condition and may limit our Bank's ability to pay dividends to us, thereby causing liquidity issues.
    
The excess purchase price over the fair value of net assets from acquisitions, or goodwill, is evaluated for impairment at least annually and on an interim basis if an event or circumstance indicates that it is likely impairment has occurred. In testing for impairment, the fair value of net assets is estimated based on analyses of our market value, discounted cash flows and peer values. Consequently, the determination of the fair value of goodwill is sensitive to market-based economics and other key assumptions. Variability in market conditions or in key assumptions could result in impairment of goodwill, which is recorded as a noncash adjustment to income. An impairment of goodwill could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. As of December 31, 2014, we had goodwill of $206 million, or 23% of our total stockholders' equity. Furthermore, an impairment of goodwill could cause our Bank to be unable to pay dividends to us. If our Bank is unable to pay dividends to us, our cash flow and liquidity would be reduced. See below “Our Bank's ability to pay dividends to us is subject to regulatory limitations, which, to the extent we are not able to receive such dividends, may impair our ability to grow, pay dividends, cover operating expenses and meet debt service requirements.”

We may be unable to manage our growth due to acquisitions, which could have an adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.
        
Acquisitions of other banks and financial institutions involve risks of changes in results of operations or cash flows, unforeseen liabilities relating to the acquired institution or arising out of the acquisition, asset quality problems of the acquired entity and other conditions not within our control, such as adverse employee relations, loss of customers because of change of identity, deterioration in local economic conditions and other risks affecting the acquired institution. In addition, the process of integrating acquired entities will divert significant management time and resources. We may not be able to integrate successfully or operate profitably any financial institutions we may acquire. We may experience disruption and incur unexpected expenses in integrating acquisitions. There can be no assurance that any such acquisitions will enhance our cash flows, business, financial condition, results of operations or prospects and such acquisitions may have an adverse effect on our results of operations, particularly during periods in which the acquisitions are being integrated into our operations.
    
We may not continue to have access to low-cost funding sources.
    
We depend on checking and savings, negotiable order of withdrawal, or NOW, and money market deposit account balances and other forms of customer deposits as our primary source of funding. Such account and deposit balances can decrease when customers perceive alternative investments, such as the stock market, as providing a better risk/return trade-off. If customers move money out of bank deposits and into other investments, we could lose a relatively low cost source of funds, increasing our funding costs and reducing our net interest income and net income.           

Changes in interest rates could negatively impact our net interest income, may weaken demand for our products and services or harm our results of operations and cash flows.
    
Our earnings and cash flows are largely dependent upon net interest income, which is the difference between interest income earned on interest-earning assets such as loans and securities and interest expense paid on interest-bearing liabilities such as deposits and borrowed funds. Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors that are beyond our control, including general economic conditions and policies of various governmental and regulatory agencies, particularly the Federal Reserve. Changes in monetary policy, including changes in interest rates, could influence not only the interest we receive on loans and securities and the amount of interest we pay on deposits and borrowings, but such changes could also adversely affect (1) our ability to originate loans and obtain deposits, (2) the fair value of our financial assets and liabilities, including mortgage servicing rights, (3) our ability to realize gains on the sale of assets and (4) the average duration of our mortgage-backed investment securities

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portfolio. An increase in interest rates may reduce customers' desire to borrow money from us as it increases their borrowing costs and may adversely affect the ability of borrowers to pay the principal or interest on loans which may lead to an increase in non-performing assets and a reduction of income recognized, which could harm our results of operations and cash flows. Further, because many of our variable rate loans contain interest rate floors, as market interest rates begin to rise, the interest rates on these loans may not increase correspondingly. In contrast, decreasing interest rates have the effect of causing customers to refinance mortgage loans faster than anticipated. This causes the value of assets related to the servicing rights on mortgage loans sold to be lower than originally recognized. If this happens, we may need to write down our mortgage servicing rights assets faster, which would accelerate expense and lower our earnings. Any substantial, unexpected or prolonged change in market interest rates could have a material adverse effect on our cash flows, financial condition and results of operations. If the current low interest rate environment continues for a prolonged period, our interest income could decrease, adversely impacting our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
    
We are dependent upon the services of our management team and directors.
 
Our future success and profitability is substantially dependent upon the management skills of our executive officers and directors, many of whom have held officer and director positions with us for many years. We do not currently have employment agreements or non-competition agreements with any of our key executives. The unanticipated loss or unavailability of key employees could harm our ability to operate our business or execute our business strategy. We cannot assure you that we will be successful in retaining these key employees or finding and integrating suitable successors in the event of their loss or unavailability.

We may not be able to attract and retain qualified employees to operate our business effectively.
 
There is substantial competition for qualified personnel in our markets. Although unemployment rates have been declining in Montana and Wyoming, and the surrounding region, it may still be difficult to attract and retain qualified employees at all management and staffing levels. Failure to attract and retain employees and maintain adequate staffing of qualified personnel could adversely impact our operations and our ability to execute our business strategy. Furthermore, relatively low unemployment rates in certain of our markets, compared with national unemployment rates, may lead to significant increases in salaries, wages and employee benefits expenses as we compete for qualified, skilled employees, which could negatively impact our results of operations and prospects.

We are subject to significant governmental regulation and new or changes in existing regulatory, tax and accounting rules and interpretations could significantly harm our business.
The financial services industry is extensively regulated. Federal and state banking regulations are designed primarily to protect the deposit insurance funds and consumers, not to benefit a financial company's stockholders. These regulations may impose significant limitations on operations. The significant federal and state banking regulations that affect us are described in this report under the heading “Regulation and Supervision.” These regulations, along with the currently existing tax, accounting, securities, insurance, employment, monetary and other laws and regulations, rules, standards, policies and interpretations control the methods by which we conduct business, implement strategic initiatives and tax compliance and govern financial reporting and disclosures. These laws, regulations, rules, standards, policies and interpretations are undergoing significant review and changes, particularly given the recent market developments in the banking and financial services industries and the enactment of the Dodd-Frank Act in July 2010.
    
Other changes to statutes, regulations or regulatory policies or supervisory guidance, including changes in interpretation or implementation of statutes, regulations, policies, or supervisory guidance, could affect us in substantial and unpredictable ways. Such changes could subject us to additional costs, limit the types of financial services and products we may offer and/or increase the ability of non-banks to offer competing financial services and products, among other things. Failure to comply with laws, regulations, policies or supervisory guidance could result in enforcement and other legal actions by Federal or state authorities, including criminal and civil penalties, the loss of FDIC insurance, the revocation of a banking charter, other sanctions by regulatory agencies, civil money penalties and/or reputation damage. In this regard, government authorities, including the bank regulatory agencies, are pursuing aggressive enforcement actions with respect to compliance and other legal matters involving financial activities, which heightens the risks associated with actual and perceived compliance failures. Any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.


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We are dependent on our information technology and telecommunications systems and third-party servicers, and systems failures or interruptions could have a material adverse effect on us.

Our business is highly dependent on the successful and uninterrupted functioning of our information technology and telecommunications systems and third-party servicers. We outsource many of our major systems, such as certain data processing, loan servicing and deposit processing systems. The failure of these systems, or the termination of a third-party software license or service agreement on which any of these systems is based, could interrupt our operations. Because our information technology and telecommunications systems interface with and depend on third-party systems, we could experience disruptions if demand for such services exceeds capacity or such third-party systems fail or experience interruptions. If significant, sustained or repeated, a system failure or disruption could compromise our ability to operate effectively, damage our reputation, result in a loss of customer business, and/or subject us to additional regulatory scrutiny and possible financial liability, any of which could have a material adverse effect on us, our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

We are exposed to risks related to cyber-security.

Our computer systems and network infrastructure could be susceptible to cyber-attacks, such as denial of service attacks, hacking, terrorist activities or identity theft. Financial services institutions and companies engaged in data processing have reported breaches in the security of their websites or other systems, some of which have involved sophisticated and targeted attacks intended to obtain unauthorized access to confidential information, destroy data, disable or degrade service, or sabotage systems, often through the introduction of computer viruses or malware, cyber-attacks and other means.

In addition, we provide our customers with the ability to bank remotely, including online, mobile and over the telephone. The secure transmission of confidential information over the internet and other remote channels is a critical element of remote banking. Our network could be vulnerable to unauthorized access, computer viruses, phishing schemes and other internal and external security breaches. We may be required to spend significant capital and other resources to protect against the threat of security breaches and computer viruses, or to alleviate problems caused by security breaches or viruses. To the extent that our activities or the activities of our customers involve the storage and transmission of confidential information, security breaches and viruses could expose us to claims, regulatory scrutiny, litigation and other possible liabilities.

Despite efforts to ensure the integrity of our systems, cyber threats are rapidly evolving and we may not be able to anticipate or prevent all such attacks, nor may we be able to implement guaranteed preventive measures against such security breaches. The techniques used by cyber criminals change frequently, may not be recognized until launched and can originate from a wide variety of sources, including outside groups such as external service providers. These risks may increase in the future as we continue to increase our mobile-payment and other internet-based product offerings and expand our internal usage of web-based products and applications.

Further, targeted social engineering attacks may be sophisticated and difficult to prevent and our employees, customers or other users of our systems may be fraudulently induced to disclose sensitive information, allowing cyber criminals to gain access to our data or data of our customers.

A successful penetration or circumvention of system security could cause us serious negative consequences, including significant disruption of operations, misappropriation of confidential information, or damage to our computers or systems or those of our customers and counterparties. A successful security breach could result in violations of applicable privacy and other laws, financial loss to us or to our customers, loss of confidence in our security measures, significant litigation exposure, and harm to our reputation, all of which could have a material adverse effect on us.

The resolution of pending litigation, if unfavorable, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations for a particular period.

We face legal risks in our businesses, and the volume of claims and amount of damages and penalties claimed in litigation and regulatory proceedings against financial institutions remains high. Legal liability against us could have material adverse financial effects or cause harm to our reputation, which in turn could adversely impact our business prospects.

The status of recent lender liability litigation is included in "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—Commitments and Contingencies," included in Part IV, Item 15 of this report. Although we maintain litigation reserves related to this case, the ultimate resolution of the matter, if unfavorable, may be material to our results of operations for a particular reporting period.  


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 We are subject to liquidity risks.
        
Liquidity is the ability to meet current and future cash flow needs on a timely basis at a reasonable cost. Our liquidity is used to make loans and to repay deposit liabilities as they become due or are demanded by customers. Potential alternative sources of liquidity include federal funds purchased and securities sold under repurchase agreements. We maintain a portfolio of investment securities that may be used as a secondary source of liquidity to the extent the securities are not pledged for collateral. Other potential sources of liquidity include the sale of loans, the utilization of available government and regulatory assistance programs, the ability to acquire national market, non-core deposits, the issuance of additional collateralized borrowings such as Federal Home Loan Bank, or FHLB, advances, the issuance of debt securities, issuance of equity securities and borrowings through the Federal Reserve's discount window. Without sufficient liquidity from these potential sources, we may not be able to meet the cash flow requirements of our depositors and borrowers.    
    
Additionally, our access to funding sources in amounts adequate to finance our activities or on terms that are acceptable to us could be impaired by factors specific to us, the financial services industry or the economy in general. Factors that could reduce our access to liquidity sources include a downturn in our local or national economies, difficult or illiquid credit markets or adverse regulatory actions against us. A failure to maintain adequate liquidity could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.          
        
We may become liable for environmental remediation and other costs on repossessed properties, which could adversely impact our results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.      

A significant portion of our loan portfolio is secured by real property. During the ordinary course of business, we may foreclose on and take title to properties securing certain loans. If hazardous or toxic substances are found on these properties, we may be liable for remediation costs, as well as for personal injury and property damage. Environmental laws may require us to incur substantial expenses and may materially reduce the affected property's value or limit our ability to use or sell the affected property. In addition, future laws or more stringent interpretations or enforcement policies with respect to existing laws may increase our exposure to environmental liability. The remediation costs and any other financial liabilities associated with an environmental hazard could have a material adverse effect on our cash flows, financial condition and results of operations.

Our systems of internal operating controls may not be effective.      

We establish and maintain systems of internal operational controls that provide us with critical information used to manage our business. These systems are subject to various inherent limitations, including cost, judgments used in decision-making, assumptions about the likelihood of future events, the soundness of our systems, the possibility of human error and the risk of fraud. Moreover, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions and the risk that the degree of compliance with policies or procedures may deteriorate over time. Because of these limitations, any system of internal operating controls may not be successful in preventing all errors or fraud or in making all material information known in a timely manner to the appropriate levels of management. From time to time, control deficiencies and losses from operational malfunctions or fraud have occurred and may occur in the future. Any future deficiencies, weaknesses or losses related to internal operating control systems could have an adverse effect on our business and, in turn, on our financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

We face significant competition from other financial institutions and financial services providers.      

We face substantial competition in all areas of our operations from a variety of different competitors, many of which are larger and may have more financial resources, higher lending limits and larger branch networks. Such competitors primarily include national, regional and community banks within the various markets we serve. We also face competition from many other types of financial institutions, including, without limitation, savings and loans, credit unions, finance companies, brokerage firms, insurance companies, factoring companies and other financial intermediaries. The financial services industry could become even more competitive as a result of legislative, regulatory and technological changes and continued consolidation. Banks, securities firms and insurance companies can merge under the umbrella of a financial holding company, which can offer virtually any type of financial service, including banking, securities underwriting, insurance (both agency and underwriting) and merchant banking. Increased competition among financial services companies due to the recent consolidation of certain competing financial institutions and the conversion of certain investment banks to bank holding companies may adversely affect our ability to market our products and services. Also, technology has lowered barriers to entry and made it possible for nonbanks to offer products and services traditionally provided by banks, such as automatic funds transfer and automatic payment systems. Many of our competitors have fewer regulatory constraints and may have lower cost structures. Additionally, due to their size, many competitors may offer a broader range of products and services as well as better pricing for those products and services than we can.      


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Our ability to compete successfully depends on a number of factors, including, among other things:     

the ability to develop, maintain and build upon long-term customer relationships based on quality service, high ethical standards and safe, sound assets;
    
the ability to expand our market position;
    
the scope, relevance and pricing of products and services offered to meet customer needs and demands;
    
the rate at which we introduce new products and services relative to our competitors;
    
customer satisfaction with our level of service; and
    
industry and general economic trends.     
    
Failure to perform in any of these areas could significantly weaken our competitive position, which could adversely affect our growth and profitability, which, in turn, could harm our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.        

Our operations rely on certain external vendors.

We are reliant upon certain external vendors to provide products and services necessary to maintain our day-to-day operations. In addition, we are subject to certain long-term vendor contracts that limit our flexibility and increase our dependence on third party vendors. Failure of certain external vendors to perform in accordance with contractual arrangements could be disruptive to our operations and limit our ability to provide certain products and services demanded by our customers, which could have material adverse impact on our financial condition or results of operations.

We may be adversely affected by the soundness of other financial institutions.
 
Financial services companies are interrelated as a result of trading, clearing, counterparty or other relationships. We have exposure to many different industries and counterparties. For example, we execute transactions with counterparties in the financial services industry, including brokers and dealers, commercial banks, investment banks and other institutional clients. As a result, defaults by, or even rumors or questions about, one or more financial services companies or the financial services industry generally, have led to market-wide liquidity problems and could lead to losses or defaults by us or by other institutions. Many of these transactions expose us to increased credit risk in the event of default of a counterparty or client.

We may not effectively implement new technology-driven products and services or be successful in marketing these products and services to our customers.
 
The financial services industry is continually undergoing rapid technological change with frequent introductions of new technology-driven products and services. The effective use of technology increases efficiency and enables financial institutions to better serve customers and to reduce costs. Our future success depends, in part, upon our ability to use technology to provide products and services that will satisfy customer demands, as well as to create additional efficiencies in our operations. Many of our competitors have substantially greater resources to invest in technological improvements. We may not be able to effectively implement new technology-driven products and services or be successful in marketing these products and services to our customers. Failure to successfully keep pace with technological change affecting the financial services industry could have a material adverse impact on our business and, in turn, on our financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

 Our Bank's ability to pay dividends to us is subject to regulatory limitations, which, to the extent we are not able to receive such dividends, may impair our ability to grow, pay dividends, cover operating expenses and meet debt service requirements.
         
We are a legal entity separate and distinct from the Bank, our only bank subsidiary. Since we are a holding company with no significant assets other than the capital stock of our subsidiaries, we depend upon dividends from the Bank for a substantial part of our revenue. Accordingly, our ability to grow, pay dividends, cover operating expenses and meet debt service requirements depends primarily upon the receipt of dividends or other capital distributions from the Bank. The Bank's ability to pay dividends to us is subject to, among other things, its earnings, financial condition and need for funds, as well as federal and state governmental policies and regulations applicable to us and the Bank, which limit the amount that may be paid as dividends without prior approval. For example, in general, the Bank is limited to paying dividends that do not exceed the current year net profits together with retained earnings from the two preceding calendar years unless the prior consents of the Montana and federal banking regulators are obtained.
     

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New lines of business or new products and services may subject us to additional risks.
                    
From time to time, we may implement new lines of business or offer new products and services within existing lines of business. There are substantial risks and uncertainties associated with these efforts, particularly in instances where the markets are not fully developed. In developing and marketing new lines of business and/or new products and services we may invest significant time and resources. Initial timetables for the introduction and development of new lines of business and/or new products or services may not be achieved and price and profitability targets may not prove feasible. External factors, such as compliance with regulations, competitive alternatives, and shifting market preferences, may also impact the successful implementation of a new line of business or a new product or service. Furthermore, any new line of business and/or new product or service could have a significant impact on the effectiveness of our system of internal controls. Failure to successfully manage these risks in the development and implementation of new lines of business or new products or services could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
 
We may be subject to claims and litigation pertaining to our fiduciary responsibilities.  
        
Some of the services we provide, such as trust and investment services, require us to act as fiduciaries for our customers and others. From time to time, third parties make claims and take legal action against us pertaining to the performance of our fiduciary responsibilities. If these claims and legal actions are not resolved in a manner favorable to us, we may be exposed to significant financial liability and/or our reputation could be damaged. Either of these results may adversely impact demand for our products and services or otherwise have a harmful effect on our business and, in turn, on our financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
    
Risks Relating to Our Common Stock
         
Our dividend policy may change.
        
Although we have historically paid dividends to our stockholders, we have no obligation to continue doing so and may change our dividend policy at any time without notice to our stockholders. Holders of our common stock are only entitled to receive such cash dividends as our board of directors, or Board, may declare out of funds legally available for such payments. Furthermore, consistent with our strategic plans, growth initiatives, capital availability, projected liquidity needs and other factors, we have made and adopted and will continue to make and adopt, capital management decisions and policies that could adversely impact the amount of dividends paid to our stockholders.     
    
 An investment in our Class A common stock is not an insured deposit.
         
Our Class A common stock is not a bank savings account or deposit and, therefore, is not insured against loss by the FDIC, any other deposit insurance fund or any other public or private entity. As a result, holders of our common stock could lose some or all of their investment.
        
Our Class A common stock share price could be volatile and could decline.
    
The market price of our Class A common stock is volatile and could be subject to wide fluctuations in price in response to various factors, some of which are beyond our control. These factors include:
    
prevailing market conditions;
our historical performance and capital structure;
estimates of our business potential and earnings prospects;
an overall assessment of our management; 
our Class B shareholders may convert their shares into Class A common stock and liquidate their holdings; and
the consideration of these factors in relation to market valuation of companies in related businesses.
     
At times the stock markets, including the NASDAQ Stock Market, on which our Class A common stock is listed, may experience significant price and volume fluctuations. As a result, the market price of our Class A common stock is likely to be similarly volatile and investors in our Class A common stock may experience a decrease in the value of their shares, including decreases unrelated to our operating performance or prospects. In addition, in the past, following periods of volatility in the overall market and the market price of a company's securities, securities class action litigation has often been instituted against these companies. This litigation, if instituted against us, could result in substantial costs and a diversion of our management's attention and resources.
     

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Holders of the Class B common stock have voting control of our company and are able to determine virtually all matters submitted to stockholders, including potential change in control transactions.
            
Members of the Scott family control in excess of 79% of the voting power of our outstanding common stock. Due to their holdings of common stock, members of the Scott family are able to determine the outcome of virtually all matters submitted to stockholders for approval, including the election of directors, amendment of our articles of incorporation (except when a class vote is required by law), any merger or consolidation requiring common stockholder approval and the sale of all or substantially all of our assets. Accordingly, such holders have the ability to prevent change in control transactions as long as they maintain voting control of the company.
     
In addition, because these holders will have the ability to elect all of our directors they will be able to control our policies and operations, including the appointment of management, future issuances of our common stock or other securities, the payments of dividends on our common stock and entering into extraordinary transactions, and their interests may not in all cases be aligned with your interests. Further, because of our dual class structure, members of the Scott family will continue to be able to control all matters submitted to our stockholders for approval even if they come to own less than 50% of the total outstanding shares of our common stock. The Scott family members have entered into a stockholder agreement giving family members a right of first refusal to purchase shares of Class B common stock that are intended to be sold or transferred, subject to certain exceptions, by other family members. This agreement may have the effect of continuing ownership of the Class B common stock and control within the Scott family. This concentrated control will limit your ability to influence corporate matters. As a result, the market price of our Class A common stock could be adversely affected.

“Anti-takeover” provisions and the regulations to which we are subject also may make it more difficult for a third party to acquire control of us, even if the change in control would be beneficial to stockholders.
     
We are a financial and bank holding company incorporated in the State of Montana. Anti-takeover provisions in Montana law and our articles of incorporation and bylaws, as well as regulatory approvals that would be required under federal law, could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire control of us and may prevent stockholders from receiving a premium for their shares of our Class A common stock. These provisions could adversely affect the market price of our Class A common stock and could reduce the amount that stockholders might receive if we are sold.
        
Our articles of incorporation provide that our Board may issue up to 100,000 shares of preferred stock, in one or more series, without stockholder approval and with such terms, conditions, rights, privileges and preferences as the Board may deem appropriate. In addition, our articles of incorporation provide for staggered terms for our Board and limitations on persons authorized to call a special meeting of stockholders. In addition, certain provisions of Montana law may have the effect of inhibiting a third party from making a proposal to acquire us or of impeding a change of control under circumstances that otherwise could provide the holders of our Class A common stock with the opportunity to realize a premium over the then-prevailing market price of such Class A common stock.
     
Further, the acquisition of specified amounts of our common stock (in some cases, the acquisition or control of more than 5% of our voting stock) may require certain regulatory approvals, including the approval of the Federal Reserve and one or more of our state banking regulatory agencies. The filing of applications with these agencies and the accompanying review process can take several months. Additionally, as discussed above, the holders of the Class B common stock will have voting control of our company. This and the other factors described above may hinder or even prevent a change in control of us, even if a change in control would be beneficial to our stockholders.
     
Future equity issuances could result in dilution, which could cause our Class A common stock price to decline.
     
We are not restricted from issuing additional Class A common stock, including any securities that are convertible into or exchangeable for, or that represent the right to receive, Class A common stock. We may issue additional Class A common stock in the future pursuant to current or future employee stock option plans or in connection with future acquisitions or financings. Should we choose to raise capital by selling shares of Class A common stock for any reason, the issuance would have a dilutive effect on the holders of our Class A common stock and could have a material negative effect on the market price of our Class A common stock.
         

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We qualify as a “controlled company” under the NASDAQ Marketplace Rules and may rely on exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements.
As a result of the combined voting power of the members of the Scott family described above, we qualify as a “controlled company” under the NASDAQ Marketplace Rules. As a controlled company, we may rely on exemptions from certain NASDAQ corporate governance standards that are available to controlled companies, including the requirements that:     
a majority of the board of directors consist of independent directors;
the compensation of officers be determined, or recommended to the board of directors for determination, by a majority of the independent directors or a compensation committee comprised solely of independent directors; and
director nominees be selected, or recommended for the board of directors' selection, by a majority of the independent directors or a nominating committee comprised solely of independent directors with a written charter or board resolution addressing the nomination process.
        
As a result, in the future, our compensation and governance & nominating committees may not consist entirely of independent directors. As long as we choose to rely on these exemptions from NASDAQ Marketplace Rules in the future, you will not have the same protections afforded to stockholders of companies that are subject to all of the NASDAQ corporate governance requirements.      
The Class A common stock is equity and is subordinate to our existing and future indebtedness.
     Shares of our Class A common stock are equity interests and do not constitute indebtedness. As such, shares of our Class A common stock rank junior to all our indebtedness, including our subordinated term loans, the subordinated debentures held by trusts that have issued trust preferred securities and other non-equity claims on us with respect to assets available to satisfy claims on us. Additionally, holders of our Class A common stock are subject to the prior dividend and liquidation rights of any holders of Series A preferred stock then outstanding.
 In the future, we may make additional offerings of debt or equity securities, including medium-term notes, trust preferred securities, senior or subordinated notes and preferred stock. Or, we may issue additional debt or equity securities as consideration for future mergers and acquisitions. Such additional debt and equity offerings may place restrictions on our ability to pay dividends on or repurchase our common stock, dilute the holdings of our existing stockholders or reduce the market price of our Class A common stock. Furthermore, acquisitions typically involve the payment of a premium over book and market values and therefore, some dilution of our tangible book value and net income per common share may occur in connection with any future transaction. Holders of our Class A common stock are not entitled to preemptive rights or other protections against dilution.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
                    
None.
                
Item 2. Properties
            
Our principal executive offices and one of our banking offices are anchor tenants in an eighteen story commercial building located in Billings, Montana. The building is owned by a joint venture partnership in which the Bank is one of two partners, owning a 50% interest in the partnership. We lease approximately 103,295 square feet of office space in the building. We also own a 65,226 square foot building that houses our operations center in Billings, Montana. We provide banking services at an additional 78 locations in Montana, Wyoming and western South Dakota, of which 19 properties are leased from independent third parties and 59 properties are owned by us. We believe each of our facilities is suitable and adequate to meet our current operational needs.
    
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
            
In the normal course of business, we are named or threatened to be named as a defendant in various lawsuits. Management, following consultation with legal counsel, does not expect the ultimate disposition of one or a combination of these matters to have a material adverse effect on our business.
    
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
    
Not applicable.

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PART II

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Description of Our Capital Stock

Our articles provide for two classes of common stock: Class A common stock, which has one vote per share, and Class B common stock, which has five votes per share. Class B common stock is convertible into Class A common stock as described below. Our common stock is uncertificated.

Our authorized capital stock consists of 200,100,000 shares, each with no par value per share, of which:

100,000,000 shares are designated as Class A common stock;

100,000,000 shares are designated as Class B common stock; and

100,000 shares are designated as preferred stock.

At December 31, 2014, we had issued and outstanding 21,928,932 shares of Class A common stock and 23,859,483 shares of Class B common stock. At December 31, 2014, we also had outstanding stock options to purchase an aggregate of 836,940 shares of our Class A common stock and 911,092 shares of our Class B common stock.

Members of the Scott family control in excess of 79% of the voting power of our outstanding common stock. The Scott family members have entered into a stockholder agreement giving family members a right of first refusal to purchase shares of Class B common stock that are intended to be sold or transferred, subject to certain exceptions, by other family members. This agreement may have the effect of continuing ownership of the Class B common stock and control of our Company within the Scott family.

Due to the ownership and control of our Company by members of the Scott family, we are a “controlled company” as that term is used under the NASDAQ Marketplace Rules. As a “controlled company,” we may rely on exemptions from certain NASDAQ corporate governance requirements, including those regarding independent director requirements for the Board and committees of the Board.

Preferred Stock

Our Board is authorized, without approval of the holders of Class A common stock or Class B common stock, to provide for the issuance of preferred stock from time to time in one or more series in such number and with such designations, preferences, powers and other special rights as may be stated in the resolution or resolutions providing for such preferred stock. Our Board may cause us to issue preferred stock with voting, conversion and other rights that could adversely affect the holders of Class A common stock or Class B common stock or make it more difficult to effect a change in control.

Common Stock
    
The holders of our Class A common stock are entitled to one vote per share and the holders of our Class B common stock are entitled to five votes per share on any matter to be voted upon by the stockholders. Holders of Class A common stock and Class B common stock vote together as a single class on all matters (including the election of directors) submitted to a vote of stockholders, unless otherwise required by law.
    
The holders of common stock are not entitled to cumulative voting rights with respect to the election of directors, which means that the holders of a majority of the shares voted can elect all of the directors then standing for election. Directors are elected by a majority of the voting power present in person or represented by proxy at a shareholder meeting rather than by a plurality vote.
    

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Table of Contents

The holders of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock are entitled to share equally in any dividends that our Board may declare from time to time from legally available funds and assets, subject to limitations under Montana law and the preferential rights of holders of any outstanding shares of preferred stock. If a dividend is paid in the form of shares of common stock or rights to acquire shares of common stock, the holders of Class A common stock will be entitled to receive Class A common stock, or rights to acquire Class A common stock, as the case may be and the holders of Class B common stock will be entitled to receive Class B common stock, or rights to acquire Class B common stock, as the case may be
    
Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, distribution of assets or winding up of our company, the holders of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock are entitled to share equally, on a per share basis, in all our assets available for distribution, after payment to creditors and subject to any prior distribution rights granted to holders of any outstanding shares of preferred stock.
    
Our Class A common stock is not convertible into any other shares of our capital stock. Any holder of Class B common stock may at any time convert his or her shares into shares of Class A common stock on a share-for-share basis. The shares of Class B common stock will automatically convert into shares of Class A common stock on a share-for-share basis:
    
when the aggregate number of shares of our Class B common stock is less than 20% of the aggregate number of shares of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock then outstanding; or
    
upon any transfer, whether or not for value, except for transfers to the holder’s spouse, certain of the holder’s relatives, the trustees of certain trusts established for their benefit, corporations and partnerships wholly-owned by the holders and their relatives, the holder’s estate and other holders of Class B common stock.
    
Once converted into Class A common stock, the Class B common stock cannot be reissued. No class of common stock may be subdivided or combined unless the other class of common stock concurrently is subdivided or combined in the same proportion and in the same manner.
    
Other than in connection with dividends and distributions, subdivisions or combinations, or certain other circumstances, we are not authorized to issue additional shares of Class B common stock.
    
Class A and Class B common stock do not have any preemptive rights.
    
The Class B common stock is not and will not be listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market or any other exchange. Therefore, no trading market is expected to develop in the Class B common stock. Class A common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market under the symbol “FIBK.”
    
The table below sets forth, for each quarter in the past two years, the quarterly high and low closing sales prices per share of the Class A common stock, as reported by the NASDAQ Stock Market.
Quarter Ended
 
High
 
Low
 
 
 
 
 
March 31, 2013
 
$19.34
 
$15.69
June 30, 2013
 
  20.82
 
  18.00
September 30, 2013
 
  24.81
 
  20.72
December 31, 2013
 
  29.21
 
  23.25
March 31, 2014
 
  28.90
 
  24.53
June 30, 2014
 
  28.63
 
  24.30
September 30, 2014
 
  28.34
 
  25.37
December 31, 2014
 
  29.53
 
  26.25

As of December 31, 2014, we had 714 record shareholders, including the Wealth Management division of First Interstate Bank as trustee for 1,123,520 shares of Class A common stock held on behalf of 867 individual participants in the Savings and Profit Sharing Plan for Employees of First Interstate BancSystem, Inc., or the Savings Plan. The Savings Plan Trustee votes the shares based on the instructions of each participant. In the event the participant does not provide the Savings Plan Trustee with instructions, the Savings Plan Trustee votes those shares in accordance with voting instructions received from a majority of the participants in the plan.

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Dividends

It is our policy to pay a dividend to all common shareholders quarterly. We currently intend to continue paying quarterly dividends; however, the Board may change or eliminate the payment of future dividends.

Recent quarterly dividends follow:
Dividend Payment
 
Amount
Per Share
 
Total Cash
Dividends
 
 
 
 
 
Fourth quarter 2012 - accelerated
 
$0.13
 
$5,597,747
Second quarter 2013
 
  0.13
 
 5,647,175
Third quarter 2013
 
  0.14
 
 6,117,594
Fourth quarter 2013
 
  0.14
 
 6,144,825
First quarter 2014
 
  0.16
 
 7,035,389
Second quarter 2014
 
  0.16
 
 7,052,081
Third quarter 2014
 
  0.16
 
 7,262,359
Fourth quarter 2014
 
  0.16
 
 7,276,144

Dividend Restrictions

For a description of restrictions on the payment of dividends, see Part I, Item 1, “Business — Regulation and Supervision — Restrictions on Transfers of Funds to Us and the Bank,” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Capital Resources and Liquidity Management” included in Part II, Item 7 herein.

Sales of Unregistered Securities

There were no issuances of unregistered securities during the three months ended December 31, 2014.

Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers

The following table provides information with respect to purchases made by or on behalf of us or any "affiliated purchasers" (as defined in Rule 10b-18(a)(3) under the Exchange Act), of our common stock during the three months ended December 31, 2014.

 
 
 
 
 
Total Number of
 
Maximum Number
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shares Purchased
 
of Shares That
 
 
Total Number
 
Average
 
as Part of Publicly
 
May Yet Be
 
 
of Shares
 
Price Paid
 
Announced Plans
 
Purchased Under the
Period
 
Purchased
 
Per Share
 
or Programs
 
Plans or Programs
October 2014
 
 
$

 
 
November 2014
 
 

 
 
December 2014
 
134
 
27.88

 
 
Total
 
134
 
$
27.88

 
 


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Performance Graph

The performance graph below compares the cumulative total shareholder return on our Class A common stock since our Class A common stock began trading on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on March 23, 2010, as compared with the cumulative total return on equity securities of companies included in the Nasdaq Composite Index and the Nasdaq Bank Index over the same period. The Nasdaq Bank Index is a comparative peer index comprised of financial companies, including banks, savings institutions and related holding companies that perform banking-related functions, listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market. The Nasdaq Composite Index is a comparative broad market index comprised of all domestic and international common stocks listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market. This graph assumes a $100 investment in our common stock on the first day of trading, and reinvestment of dividends on the date of payment without commissions. The plot points on the graph were provided by SNL Financial LC, Charlottesville, VA. The performance graph represents past performance, which may not be indicative of the future performance of our common stock.


 
Period Ending
Index
3/23/10
12/31/10
12/31/11
12/31/12
12/31/13
12/31/14
First Interstate BancSystem, Inc.
$
100.00

108.27

95.89

117.38

219.74

220.82

NASDAQ Composite
100.00

110.78

109.92

129.43

181.43

208.33

NASDAQ Bank
100.00

98.86

8.48

105.02

148.83

156.15



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Item 6. Selected Consolidated Financial Data

The following selected consolidated financial data with respect to our consolidated financial position as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the results of our operations for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, has been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included in Part IV, Item 15. This data should be read in conjunction with Part II, Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and such consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto. The selected consolidated financial data with respect to our consolidated financial position as of December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, and the results of our operations for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, has been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements not included herein.
Five Year Summary
(Dollars in thousands except share and per share data)
As of or for the year ended December 31,
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
Selected Balance Sheet Data:
 
 
 
 
 
Net loans
$
4,823,243

$
4,259,514

$
4,123,401

$
4,073,968

$
4,247,429

Investment securities
2,287,110

2,151,543

2,203,481

2,169,645

1,933,403

Total assets
8,609,936

7,564,651

7,721,761

7,325,527

7,500,970

Deposits
7,006,212

6,133,750

6,240,411

5,826,971

5,925,713

Securities sold under repurchase agreements
502,250

457,437

505,785

516,243

620,154

Long-term debt
38,067

36,917

37,160

37,200

37,502

Preferred stock pending redemption (1)


50,000



Subordinated debentures held by subsidiary trusts
82,477

82,477

82,477

123,715

123,715

Preferred stockholders’ equity (1)



50,000

50,000

Common stockholders’ equity
908,924

801,581

751,186

721,020

686,802

Selected Income Statement Data:
 
 
 
 
 
Interest income
$
267,067

$
257,662

$
273,900

$
292,883

$
314,546

Interest expense
18,606

20,695

30,114

42,031

63,107

Net interest income
248,461

236,967

243,786

250,852

251,439

Provision for loan losses
(6,622
)
(6,125
)
40,750

58,151

66,900

Net interest income after provision for loan losses
255,083

243,092

203,036

192,701

184,539

Non-interest income
111,401

111,679

114,861

91,872

90,911

Non-interest expense
236,869

222,069

229,635

218,412

221,004

Income before income taxes
129,615

132,702

88,262

66,161

54,446

Income tax expense
45,214

46,566

30,038

21,615

17,090

Net income
84,401

86,136

58,224

44,546

37,356

Preferred stock dividends


3,300

3,422

3,422

Net income available to common shareholders
$
84,401

$
86,136

$
54,924

$
41,124

$
33,934

Common Share Data:
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per share:
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
1.89

$
1.98

$
1.28

$
0.96

$
0.85

Diluted
1.87

1.96

1.27

0.96

0.85

Dividends per share
0.64

0.41

0.61

0.45

0.45

Book value per share (2)
19.85

18.15

17.35

16.77

16.05

Tangible book value per share (3)
15.07

13.89

12.97

12.33

11.55

Weighted average shares outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
44,615,060

43,566,681

42,965,987

42,749,526

39,907,640

Diluted
45,210,561

44,044,602

43,092,978

42,847,196

40,127,365

 
 
 
 
 
 

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Five Year Summary (continued)
(Dollars in thousands except share and per share data)
As of or for the year ended December 31,
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
Financial Ratios:
 
 
 
 
 
Return on average assets
1.06
%
1.16
%
0.79
%
0.61
%
0.52
%
Return on average common equity
9.86

11.05

7.46

5.86

5.22

Return on average tangible common equity (4)
12.88

14.59

10.07

8.06

7.43

Average stockholders’ equity to average assets
10.77

10.49

10.57

10.25

9.67

Yield on average earning assets
3.75

3.84

4.10

4.43

4.85

Cost of average interest bearing liabilities
0.34

0.40

0.58

0.78

1.15

Interest rate spread
3.41

3.44

3.52

3.65

3.70

Net interest margin (5)
3.49

3.54

3.66

3.80

3.89

Efficiency ratio (6)
65.82

63.69

64.03

63.73

64.55

Common stock dividend payout ratio (7)
33.83

20.71

47.66

46.88

52.94

Loan to deposit ratio
69.90

70.84

67.69

71.85

73.71

Asset Quality Ratios
 
 

 

 

 

Non-performing loans to total loans (8)
1.32
%
2.22
%
2.61
%
4.87
%
4.51
%
Non-performing assets to total loans and other real estate owned (OREO) (9)
1.59

2.57

3.35

5.72

5.24

Non-performing assets to total assets
0.91

1.48

1.85

3.30

3.08

Allowance for loan losses to total loans
1.52

1.96

2.38

2.69

2.76

Allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans
114.58

88.28

91.31

55.16

61.10

Net charge-offs to average loans
0.10

0.21

1.26

1.54

1.10

Capital Ratios:
 

 

 

 

 

Tangible common equity to tangible assets (10)
8.22
%
8.32
%
7.46
%
7.43
%
6.76
%
Net tangible common equity to tangible assets (11)
8.94

9.14

8.26

8.28

7.59

Tier 1 common capital to total risk weighted assets (12)
13.08

13.31

11.94

11.04

10.12

Leverage ratio
9.61

10.08

8.81

9.84

9.27

Tier 1 risk-based capital
14.52

14.93

13.60

14.55

13.53

Total risk-based capital
16.15

16.75

15.59

16.54

15.50

 
 
 
 
 
 
(1)
On December 18, 2012, we provided notice to preferred stockholders of our intention to redeem the preferred stock on January 18, 2013. Upon notice to holders of the redemption, all preferred stock outstanding was reclassified from stockholder's equity to a liability.
(2)
For purposes of computing book value per share, book value equals common stockholders’ equity.
(3)
Tangible book value per share is a non-GAAP financial measure that management uses to evaluate our capital adequacy. For purposes of computing tangible book value per share, tangible book value equals common stockholders’ equity less goodwill, core deposit intangibles and other intangible assets (except mortgage servicing rights). Tangible book value per share is calculated as tangible common stockholders’ equity divided by common shares outstanding, and its most directly comparable GAAP financial measure is book value per share. See below our reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures under the caption “—Non-GAAP Financial Measures” in this Part II, Item 6.
(4)
Return on average tangible common equity is a non-GAAP financial measure that management uses to evaluate our capital adequacy. For purposes of computing return on average tangible common equity, average tangible common equity equals average stockholders' equity less average goodwill, average core deposit intangibles and average other intangible assets (except mortgage servicing rights). Return on average tangible common equity is calculated as net income available to common shareholders divided by average tangible common equity, and its most comparable GAAP financial measure is return on average common stockholders' equity. See below our reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures under the caption “—Non-GAAP Financial Measures” in this Part II, Item 6.
(5)
Net interest margin ratio is presented on a fully taxable equivalent, or FTE, basis.
(6)
Efficiency ratio represents non-interest expense, excluding loan loss provision, divided by the aggregate of net interest income and non-interest income.
(7)
Common stock dividend payout ratio represents dividends per common share divided by basic earnings per common share.
(8)
Non-performing loans include non-accrual loans and loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing interest.
(9)
Non-performing assets include non-accrual loans, loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing interest and OREO.

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(10)
Tangible common equity to tangible assets is a non-GAAP financial measure that management uses to evaluate our capital adequacy. For purposes of computing tangible common equity to tangible assets, tangible common equity is calculated as common stockholders’ equity less goodwill and other intangible assets (except mortgage servicing assets), and tangible assets is calculated as total assets less goodwill and other intangible assets (except mortgage servicing rights). See below our reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures under the caption “—Non-GAAP Financial Measures” in this Part II, Item 6.
(11)
Net tangible common equity to tangible assets is a non-GAAP financial measure that management uses to evaluate our capital adequacy. For purposes of computing net tangible common equity to tangible assets, net tangible common equity is calculated as common stockholders’ equity less goodwill (adjusted for associated deferred tax liability) and other intangible assets (except mortgage servicing assets), and tangible assets is calculated as total assets less goodwill and other intangible assets (except mortgage servicing rights). See below our reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures under the caption “—Non-GAAP Financial Measures” in this Part II, Item 6.
(12)
For purposes of computing tier 1 common capital to total risk-weighted assets, tier 1 common capital excludes preferred stock and trust preferred securities.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures
    
In addition to results presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principals in the United States of America, or GAAP, this annual report contains the following non-GAAP financial measures that management uses to evaluate our capital adequacy: return on average tangible common equity, tangible book value per share, tangible common equity to tangible assets and net tangible common equity to tangible assets. Return on average tangible equity is calculated as net income available to common shareholders divided by average tangible common stockholders' equity. Tangible book value per share is calculated as tangible common stockholders’ equity divided by common shares outstanding. Tangible assets is calculated as total assets less goodwill and other intangible assets (excluding mortgage servicing assets). Tangible common equity to tangible assets is calculated as tangible common stockholders’ equity divided by tangible assets. Net tangible common equity to tangible assets is calculated as net tangible common stockholders’ equity divided by tangible assets. These non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies because other companies may not calculate these non-GAAP measures in the same manner. They also should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures prepared in accordance with GAAP.
    

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Table of Contents

The following table shows a reconciliation from ending stockholders’ equity (GAAP) to ending tangible common stockholders’ equity (non-GAAP) and ending net tangible common stockholders’ equity (non-GAAP) and ending assets (GAAP) to ending tangible assets (non-GAAP), their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, in each instance as of the periods presented.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures - Five Year Summary
(Dollars in thousands except share and per share data)
As of December 31,
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
Total common stockholders' equity (GAAP)
$
908,924

$
801,581

$
751,186

$
721,020

$
686,802

Less goodwill and other intangible assets
  (excluding mortgage servicing rights)
218,870

188,214

189,637

191,065

192,518

Tangible common stockholders' equity
  (Non-GAAP)
690,054

613,367

561,549

529,955

494,284

Add deferred tax liability for deductible
  goodwill
60,499

60,499

60,499

60,499

60,499

Net tangible common stockholders' equity
  (Non-GAAP)
$
750,553

$
673,866

$
622,048

$
590,454

$
554,783

Total Assets (GAAP)
$
8,609,936

$
7,564,651

$
7,721,761

$
7,325,527

$
7,500,970

Less goodwill and other intangible assets
  (excluding mortgage servicing rights)
218,870

188,214

189,637

191,065

192,518

Tangible assets (Non-GAAP)
$
8,391,066

$
7,376,437

$
7,532,124

$
7,134,462

$
7,308,452

Average Balances:
 
 
 
 
 
Total common stockholders' equity (GAAP)
$
855,862

$
779,530

$
735,984

$
702,321

$
650,405

Less goodwill and other intangible assets
  (excluding mortgage servicing rights)
200,740

188,954

190,381

191,823

193,429

 Average tangible common stockholders' equity (Non-GAAP)
$
655,122

$
590,576

$
545,603

$
510,498

$
456,976

Common shares outstanding
45,788,415

44,155,063

43,290,323

42,981,174

42,800,694

Net income available to common shareholders
$
84,401

$
86,136

$
54,924

$
41,124

$
33,934

Book value per common share (GAAP)
$
19.85

$
18.15

$
17.35

$
16.77

$
16.05

Tangible book value per common share
   (Non-GAAP)
15.07

13.89

12.97

12.33

11.55

Tangible common equity to tangible assets (Non-GAAP)
8.22
%
8.32
%
7.46
%
7.43
%
6.76
%
Net tangible common equity to tangible assets (Non-GAAP)
8.94

9.14

8.26

8.28

7.59

Return on average common tangible equity (Non-GAAP)
12.88

14.59

10.07

8.06

7.43




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Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Factors that Could Affect Future Results    
This report contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Rule 175 promulgated thereunder, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Rule 3b-6 promulgated thereunder, that involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Any statements about our plans, objectives, expectations, strategies, beliefs, or future performance or events constitute forward-looking statements. Such statements are identified as those that include words or phrases such as “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “trend,” “objective,” “continue” or similar expressions or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “might,” “may” or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions, estimates and other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from any results, performance or events expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.
The following factors, among others, may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations in the forward-looking statements, including those set forth in this report:
continuing or worsening business and economic conditions;
credit losses;
adverse economic conditions affecting Montana, Wyoming and western South Dakota;
lending risk;
adequacy of the allowance for loan losses;
impairment of goodwill;
failure to manage growth;
access to low-cost funding sources;
changes in interest rates;
dependence on the Company’s management team;
ability to attract and retain qualified employees;
governmental regulation and changes in regulatory, tax and accounting rules and interpretations;
failure of technology;
cyber-security;
unfavorable resolution of pending litigation;
inability to meet liquidity requirements;
environmental remediation and other costs;
ineffective internal operational controls;
competition;
reliance on external vendors;
implementation of new lines of business or new product or service offerings;
soundness of other financial institutions;
failure to effectively implement technology-driven products and services;
inability of our bank subsidiary to pay dividends;
litigation pertaining to fiduciary responsibilities;
change in dividend policy;
uninsured nature of any investment in Class A common stock;
volatility of Class A common stock;
decline in market price of Class A common stock;
voting control of Class B stockholders;
anti-takeover provisions;
dilution as a result of future equity issuances;
controlled company status; and,
subordination of common stock to Company debt.

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These factors are not necessarily all of the factors that could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by any of our forward-looking statements. Other unknown or unpredictable factors also could harm our results.

All forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements set forth above. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and we do not undertake or assume any obligation to update publicly any of these statements to reflect actual results, new information or future events, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking statements, except to the extent required by applicable laws. If we update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that we will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.

Executive Overview
    
We are a financial and bank holding company headquartered in Billings, Montana. As of December 31, 2014, we had consolidated assets of $8.6 billion, deposits of $7.0 billion, loans of $4.9 billion and total stockholders’ equity of $909 million. We currently operate 79 banking offices, including detached drive-up facilities, in 41 communities located in Montana, Wyoming and western South Dakota. Through the Bank, we deliver a comprehensive range of banking products and services to individuals, businesses, municipalities and other entities throughout our market areas. We also offer internet and mobile banking services. Our customers participate in a wide variety of industries, including energy, tourism, agriculture, healthcare, professional services, education, governmental services, construction, mining, retail and wholesale trade.
    
Our Business
    
Our principal business activity is lending to, accepting deposits from and conducting financial transaction for individuals, businesses, municipalities and other entities. We derive our income principally from interest charged on loans and, to a lesser extent, from interest and dividends earned on investments. We also derive income from non-interest sources such as fees received in connection with various lending and deposit services; trust, employee benefit, investment and insurance services; mortgage loan originations, sales and servicing; merchant and electronic banking services; and from time to time, gains on sales of assets. Our principal expenses include interest expense on deposits and borrowings, operating expenses, provisions for loan losses and income tax expense.
    
Our loan portfolio consists of a mix of real estate, consumer, commercial, agricultural and other loans, including fixed and variable rate loans. Our real estate loans comprise commercial real estate, construction (including residential, commercial and land development loans), residential, agricultural and other real estate loans. Fluctuations in the loan portfolio are directly related to the economies of the communities we serve. While each loan originated generally must meet minimum underwriting standards established in our credit policies, lending officers are granted discretion within pre-approved limits in approving and pricing loans to assure that the banking offices are responsive to competitive issues and community needs in each market area. We fund our loan portfolio primarily with the core deposits from our customers, generally without utilizing brokered deposits and with minimal reliance on wholesale funding sources. For additional information about our underwriting standards and loan approval process, see "Business—Lending Activities," included in Part I, Item 1 of this report.

Recent Trends and Developments
    
On February 10, 2014, we entered into an agreement and plan of merger to acquire all of the outstanding stock of Mountain West Financial Corp., or MWFC, a Montana-based bank holding company that operated one wholly-owned subsidiary bank, Mountain West Bank, NA,or MWB, with branches located in five of the Company's current market areas in Montana. The acquisition was completed on July 31, 2014, and we merged MWB with our existing bank subsidiary, First Interstate Bank, or FIB, on October 17, 2014.
    
Consideration for the acquisition of $74.5 million consisted of cash of $38.5 million and the issuance of 1,378,230 shares of our Class A common stock valued at $26.10 per share, the closing price of our Class A common stock as quoted on the NASDAQ stock market on the acquisition date. As of the acquisition date, MWFC had total assets with fair values of $612 million, total loans with fair values of $360 million and deposits with fair values of $515 million. In conjunction with the acquisition, we recorded provisional goodwill of $22 million and core deposit intangible assets of $11 million. For additional information regarding the acquisition, see “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—Acquisition,” included in Part IV, Item 15 of this report.


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Table of Contents

Primary Factors Used in Evaluating Our Business
    
As a banking institution, we manage and evaluate various aspects of both our financial condition and our results of operations. We monitor our financial condition and performance on a monthly basis, at our holding company, at the Bank and at each banking office. We evaluate the levels and trends of the line items included in our balance sheet and statements of income, as well as various financial ratios that are commonly used in our industry. We analyze these ratios and financial trends against both our own historical levels and the financial condition and performance of comparable banking institutions in our region and nationally.
    
Results of Operations
        
Principal factors used in managing and evaluating our results of operations include return on average assets, net interest income, non-interest income, non-interest expense and net income. Net interest income is affected by the level of interest rates, changes in interest rates and changes in the volume and composition of interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities. The most significant impact on our net interest income between periods is derived from the interaction of changes in the rates earned or paid on interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities, which we refer to as interest rate spread. The volume of loans, investment securities and other interest earning assets, compared to the volume of interest bearing deposits and indebtedness, combined with the interest rate spread, produces changes in our net interest income between periods. Non-interest bearing sources of funds, such as demand deposits and stockholders’ equity, also support earning assets.

The impact of free funding sources is captured in the net interest margin, which is calculated as net interest income divided by average earning assets. We evaluate our net interest income on factors that include the yields on our loans and other earning assets, the costs of our deposits and other funding sources, the levels of our net interest spread and net interest margin and the provisions for loan losses required to maintain our allowance for loan losses at an adequate level.
        
We seek to increase our non-interest income over time and we evaluate our non-interest income relative to the trends of the individual types of non-interest income in view of prevailing market conditions.
    
We manage our non-interest expenses in consideration of growth opportunities and our community banking model that emphasizes customer service and responsiveness. We evaluate our non-interest expense on factors that include our non-interest expense relative to our average assets, our efficiency ratio and the trends of the individual categories of non-interest expense.
    
Finally, we seek to increase our net income and provide favorable shareholder returns over time, and we evaluate our net income relative to the performance of other bank holding companies on factors that include return on average assets, return on average equity, total shareholder return and growth in earnings.
    
Financial Condition
    
Principal areas of focus in managing and evaluating our financial condition include liquidity, the diversification and quality of our loans, the adequacy of our allowance for loan losses, the diversification and terms of our deposits and other funding sources, the re-pricing characteristics and maturities of our assets and liabilities, including potential interest rate exposure and the adequacy of our capital levels. We seek to maintain sufficient levels of cash and investment securities to meet potential payment and funding obligations, and we evaluate our liquidity on factors that include the levels of cash and highly liquid assets relative to our liabilities, the quality and maturities of our investment securities, the ratio of loans to deposits and any reliance on brokered certificates of deposit or other wholesale funding sources.
    
We seek to maintain a diverse and high quality loan portfolio and evaluate our asset quality on factors that include the allocation of our loans among loan types, credit exposure to any single borrower or industry type, non-performing assets as a percentage of total loans and OREO, and loan charge-offs as a percentage of average loans. We seek to maintain our allowance for loan losses at a level adequate to absorb probable losses inherent in our loan portfolio at each balance sheet date, and we evaluate the level of our allowance for loan losses relative to our overall loan portfolio and the level of non-performing loans and potential charge-offs.
        

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Table of Contents

We seek to fund our assets primarily using core customer deposits spread among various deposit categories, and we evaluate our deposit and funding mix on factors that include the allocation of our deposits among deposit types, the level of our non-interest bearing deposits, the ratio of our core deposits (i.e. excluding time deposits above $100,000) to our total deposits and our reliance on brokered deposits or other wholesale funding sources, such as borrowings from other banks or agencies. We seek to manage the mix, maturities and re-pricing characteristics of our assets and liabilities to maintain relative stability of our net interest rate margin in a changing interest rate environment, and we evaluate our asset-liability management using models to evaluate the changes to our net interest income under different interest rate scenarios.
    
Finally, we seek to maintain adequate capital levels to absorb unforeseen operating losses and to help support the growth of our balance sheet. We evaluate our capital adequacy using the regulatory and financial capital ratios including leverage capital ratio, tier 1 risk-based capital ratio, total risk-based capital ratio, tangible common equity to tangible assets and tier 1 common capital to total risk-weighted assets.
        
Critical Accounting Estimates and Significant Accounting Policies
    
Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and follow general practices within the industries in which we operate. Application of these principles requires management to make estimates, assumptions and judgments that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Our significant accounting policies are summarized in “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” included in financial statements included Part IV, Item 15 of this report.
    
Our critical accounting estimates are summarized below. Management considers an accounting estimate to be critical if: (1) the accounting estimate requires management to make particularly difficult, subjective and/or complex judgments about matters that are inherently uncertain and (2) changes in the estimate that are reasonably likely to occur from period to period, or the use of different estimates that management could have reasonably used in the current period, would have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements, results of operations or liquidity.
    
Allowance for Loan Losses
        
The provision for loan losses creates an allowance for loan losses known and inherent in the loan portfolio at each balance sheet date. The allowance for loan losses represents management’s estimate of probable credit losses inherent in the loan portfolio.
        
We perform a quarterly assessment of the risks inherent in our loan portfolio, as well as a detailed review of each significant loan with identified weaknesses. Based on this analysis, we record a provision for loan losses in order to maintain the allowance for loan losses at appropriate levels. In determining the allowance for loan losses, we estimate losses on specific loans, or groups of loans, where the probable loss can be identified and reasonably determined. Determining the amount of the allowance for loan losses is considered a critical accounting estimate because it requires significant judgment and the use of subjective measurements, including management’s assessment of the internal risk classifications of loans, historical loan loss rates, changes in the nature of the loan portfolio, overall portfolio quality, industry concentrations, delinquency trends and the impact of current local, regional and national economic factors on the quality of the loan portfolio. Changes in these estimates and assumptions are possible and may have a material impact on our allowance, and therefore our consolidated financial statements or results of operations. The allowance for loan losses is maintained at an amount we believe is sufficient to provide for estimated losses inherent in our loan portfolio at each balance sheet date, and fluctuations in the provision for loan losses result from management’s assessment of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses. Management monitors qualitative and quantitative trends in the loan portfolio, including changes in the levels of past due, internally classified and non-performing loans. See “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” for a description of the methodology used to determine the allowance for loan losses. A discussion of the factors driving changes in the amount of the allowance for loan losses is included herein under the heading “—Financial Condition—Allowance for Loan Losses.” See also Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to the Market and Our Business.”
            

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Goodwill
            
The excess purchase price over the fair value of net assets from acquisitions, or goodwill, is evaluated for impairment at least annually and on an interim basis if an event or circumstance indicates that it is likely impairment has occurred. In any given year, the Company may elect to perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is in excess of its carrying value. If it is not more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is in excess of the carrying value, or if the Company elects to bypass the qualitative assessment, a two-step quantitative impairment test is performed. In performing a quantitative test for impairment, the fair value of net assets is estimated based on an analysis of our market value, discounted cash flows and peer values. Determining the fair value of goodwill is considered a critical accounting estimate because of its sensitivity to market-based economics. In addition, any allocation of the fair value of goodwill to assets and liabilities requires significant management judgment and the use of subjective measurements. Variability in market conditions and key assumptions or subjective measurements used to estimate and allocate fair value are reasonably possible and could have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements or results of operations.
        
Our annual goodwill impairment test is performed each year as of July 1st. Upon completion of this year's test, the estimated fair value of net assets was greater than carrying value of the Company. We will continue to monitor our performance and evaluate our goodwill for impairment annually or more frequently as needed.
    
For additional information regarding goodwill, see “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” included in Part IV, Item 15 of this report and “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to the Market and Our Business,” included in Part I, Item 1A of this report.

Fair Values of Loans Acquired in Business Combinations
    
Loans acquired in business combinations are initially recorded at fair value with no carryover of the related allowance for credit losses. Determining the fair value of the loans involves estimating the amount and timing of principal and interest cash flows initially expected to be collected on the loans and discounting those cash flows at an appropriate market rate of interest. Going forward, the Company continues to evaluate reasonableness of expectations for the timing and the amount of cash to be collected. Subsequent decreases in expected cash flows may result in changes in the amortization or accretion of fair market value adjustments, and in some cases may result in the loan being considered impaired.  For collateral dependent loans with deteriorated credit quality, the Company estimates the fair value of the underlying collateral of the loans. These values are discounted using market derived rates of return, with consideration given to the period of time and costs associated with the foreclosure and disposition of the collateral.

For additional information regarding acquired loans, see “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” and “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—Acquisition,” included in Part IV, Item 15 of this report.
            
Results of Operations
    
The following discussion of our results of operations compares the years ended December 31, 2014 to December 31, 2013 and the years ended December 31, 2013 to December 31, 2012.
    
Net Interest Income
    
Net interest income, the largest source of our operating income, is derived from interest, dividends and fees received on interest earning assets, less interest expense incurred on interest bearing liabilities. Interest earning assets primarily include loans and investment securities. Interest bearing liabilities include deposits and various forms of indebtedness. Net interest income is affected by the level of interest rates, changes in interest rates and changes in the composition of interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities.
    
The most significant impact on our net interest income between periods is derived from the interaction of changes in the volume of and rates earned or paid on interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities. The volume of loans, investment
securities and other interest earning assets, compared to the volume of interest bearing deposits and indebtedness, combined with the interest rate spread, produces changes in the net interest income between periods.


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The following table presents, for the periods indicated, condensed average balance sheet information, together with interest income and yields earned on average interest earning assets and interest expense and rates paid on average interest bearing liabilities.
    
Average Balance Sheets, Yields and Rates
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
Average
Balance
Interest
Average
Rate
 
Average
Balance
Interest
Average
Rate
 
Average
Balance
Interest
Average
Rate
Interest earning assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans (1) (2)
$
4,602,907

$
233,273

5.07
%
 
$
4,281,673

$
222,450

5.20
%
 
$
4,176,439

$
232,724

5.57
%
Investment securities (2)
2,122,587

36,755

1.73

 
2,151,495

38,695

1.80

 
2,123,231

44,613

2.10

Federal funds sold
1,391

7

0.50

 
2,852

18

0.63

 
2,341

13

0.56

Interest bearing deposits in banks
506,067

1,334

0.26

 
391,515

992

0.25

 
486,203

1,235

0.25

Total interest earnings assets
7,232,952

271,369

3.75

 
6,827,535

262,155

3.84

 
6,788,214

278,585

4.10

Non-earning assets
715,846

 
 
 
600,919

 
 
 
627,498

 
 
Total assets
$
7,948,798

 
 
 
$
7,428,454

 
 
 
$
7,415,712

 
 
Interest bearing liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Demand deposits
$
1,992,565

$
2,094

0.11
%
 
$
1,751,990

$
1,963

0.11
%
 
$
1,624,687

$
2,390

0.15
%
Savings deposits
1,723,073

2,444

0.14

 
1,566,211

2,445

0.16

 
1,496,254

3,562

0.24

Time deposits
1,198,053

9,241

0.77

 
1,289,108

11,392

0.88

 
1,473,501

16,354

1.11

Repurchase agreements
454,265

237

0.05

 
456,840

294

0.06

 
501,192

579

0.12

Other borrowed funds (3)
8



 
10



 
16



Long-term debt
37,442

2,016

5.38

 
37,102

1,936

5.22

 
37,185

1,981

5.33

Preferred stock pending redemption



 
2,329

159

6.83

 
1,913

131

6.85

Subordinated debentures held by by subsidiary trusts
88,304

2,574

2.91

 
82,477

2,506

3.04

 
102,307

5,117

5.00

Total interest bearing liabilities
5,493,710

18,606

0.34

 
5,186,067

20,695

0.40

 
5,237,055

30,114

0.58

Non-interest bearing deposits
1,543,079

 
 
 
1,411,270

 
 
 
1,346,787

 
 
Other non-interest bearing liabilities
56,147

 
 
 
51,587

 
 
 
47,799

 
 
Stockholders’ equity
855,862

 
 
 
779,530

 
 
 
784,071

 
 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
7,948,798

 
 
 
$
7,428,454

 
 
 
$
7,415,712

 
 
Net FTE interest income
 
$
252,763

 
 
 
$
241,460

 
 
 
$
248,471

 
Less FTE adjustments (2)
 
(4,302
)
 
 
 
(4,493
)
 
 
 
(4,685
)
 
Net interest income from consolidated statements of income
 
$
248,461

 
 
 
$
236,967

 
 
 
$
243,786

 
Interest rate spread
 
 
3.41
%
 
 
 
3.44
%
 
 
 
3.53
%
Net FTE interest margin (4)
 
 
3.49
%
 
 
 
3.54
%
 
 
 
3.66
%
Cost of funds, including non-interest bearing demand deposits (5)
 
 
0.26
%
 
 
 
0.31
%
 
 
 
0.46
%

(1)
Average loan balances include non-accrual loans. Interest income on loans includes amortization of deferred loan fees net of deferred loan costs, which is not material.
(2)
Interest income and average rates for tax exempt loans and securities are presented on a fully taxable equivalent, or FTE, basis.
(3)
Includes interest on federal funds purchased and other borrowed funds. Excludes long-term debt.
(4)
Net FTE interest margin during the period equals (i) the difference between interest income on interest earning assets and the interest expense on interest bearing liabilities, divided by (ii) average interest earning assets for the period.
(5)
Cost of funds including non-interest bearing demand deposits equals (i) interest expense on interest bearing liabilities, divided by (ii) the sum of average interest bearing liabilities and average non-interest bearing demand deposits.

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Table of Contents


During 2014, deposit growth combined with corresponding increases in interest earning assets and a 5 basis point reduction in our funding costs resulted in an increase in our net interest income on a fully taxable equivalent, or FTE, basis. Our FTE net interest income increased $11.3 million, or 4.7%, to $252.8 million in 2014, compared to $241.5 million in 2013. Interest accretion related to the fair valuation of acquired loans contributed $2.6 million of interest income during 2014, $1.0 million of which was the result of early loan pay-offs. Net FTE interest income was also positively impacted by recoveries of previously charged-off interest of $3.6 million in 2014, as compared to $1.4 million in 2013. Despite increases in our net FTE interest income, our net interest margin ratio decreased 5 basis points to 3.49% in 2014, compared to 3.54% in 2013. Declines in yields earned on the Company's loan and investment portfolios were partially offset by increases in average outstanding loans, reductions in funding costs and lower average outstanding time deposits. Exclusive of the accelerated interest accretion related to early payoffs of acquired loans and the impact of recoveries of charged-off interest, our net interest margin ratio was 3.43% during 2014 and 3.52% during 2013.

Our FTE net interest income decreased $7.0 million, or 2.8%, to $241.5 million in 2013, compared to $248.5 million in 2012, and our net interest margin ratio decreased 12 basis points to 3.54% in 2013, as compared to 3.66% in 2012. The decrease in net FTE interest income was primarily due to lower yields earned on our loan and investment portfolios. Declines in yields earned on our loan and investment portfolios during 2013, as compared to 2012, were partially offset by increases in average outstanding loans and investment securities, reductions in the cost of interest bearing liabilities and lower average outstanding time deposits. Also offsetting the impact of lower asset yields in 2013, as compared to 2012, was the December 2012 contractual repricing of $46 million of junior subordinated debentures from a weighted average fixed interest rate of 7.07% to variable interest rates averaging 2.60% over LIBOR, or 3.11% during 2013.

The table below sets forth, for the periods indicated, a summary of the changes in interest income and interest expense resulting from estimated changes in average asset and liability balances (volume) and estimated changes in average interest rates (rate). Changes which are not due solely to volume or rate have been allocated to these categories based on the respective percent changes in average volume and average rate as they compare to each other.
Analysis of Interest Changes Due To Volume and Rates
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Year Ended December 31, 2014
compared with
December 31, 2013
 
Year Ended December 31, 2013
compared with
December 31, 2012
 
Year Ended December 31, 2012
compared with
December 31, 2011
 
Volume
Rate
Net
 
Volume
Rate
Net
 
Volume
Rate
Net
Interest earning assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans (1)
$
16,689

$
(5,866
)
$
10,823

 
$
5,864

$
(16,138
)
$
(10,274
)
 
$
(5,713
)
$
(9,055
)
$
(14,768
)
Investment Securities (1)
(520
)
(1,420
)
(1,940
)
 
594

(6,512
)
(5,918
)
 
2,846

(7,028
)
(4,182
)
Federal funds sold
(9
)
(2
)
(11
)
 
3

2

5

 
1

(1
)

Interest bearing deposits in banks
290

52

342

 
(241
)
(2
)
(243
)
 
182

3

185

Total change
16,450

(7,236
)
9,214

 
6,220

(22,650
)
(16,430
)
 
(2,684
)
(16,081
)
(18,765
)
Interest bearing liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Demand deposits
270

(139
)
131

 
187

(614
)
(427
)
 
855

(1,522
)
(667
)
Savings deposits
245

(246
)
(1
)
 
167

(1,284
)
(1,117
)
 
(820
)
(2,066
)
(2,886
)
Time deposits
(805
)
(1,346
)
(2,151
)
 
(2,047
)
(2,915
)
(4,962
)
 
(3,650
)
(4,024
)
(7,674
)
Repurchase agreements
(2
)
(55
)
(57
)
 
(51
)
(234
)
(285
)
 

(116
)
(116
)
Borrowings (2)



 



 



Long-term debt
18

62

80

 
(4
)
(41
)
(45
)
 
(14
)
20

6

Preferred stock pending redemption
(159
)

(159
)
 
28


28

 
131


131

Subordinated debentures held by subsidiary trusts
177

(109
)
68

 
(992
)
(1,619
)
(2,611
)
 
(1,008
)
297

(711
)
Total change
(256
)
(1,833
)
(2,089
)
 
(2,712
)
(6,707
)
(9,419
)
 
(4,506
)
(7,411
)
(11,917
)
Increase (decrease) in FTE net interest income (1)
$
16,706

$
(5,403
)
$
11,303

 
$
8,932

$
(15,943
)
$
(7,011
)
 
$
1,822

$
(8,670
)
$
(6,848
)
    
(1)
Interest income and average rates for tax exempt loans and securities are presented on a FTE basis.
(2)
Includes interest on federal funds purchased and other borrowed funds.

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Table of Contents

Provision for Loan Losses
    
The provision for loan losses supports the allowance for loan losses known and inherent in the loan portfolio at each balance sheet date. We perform a quarterly assessment of the risks inherent in our loan portfolio, as well as a detailed review of each significant loan with identified weaknesses. Based on this analysis, we record a provision for loan losses in order to maintain the allowance for loan losses at appropriate levels. In determining the allowance for loan losses, we estimate losses on specific loans, or groups of loans, where the probable loss can be identified and reasonably determined. The balance of the allowance for loan losses is based on internally assigned risk classifications of loans, historical loan loss rates, changes in the nature of the loan portfolio, overall portfolio quality, industry concentrations, delinquency trends, current economic factors and the estimated impact of current economic conditions on certain historical loan loss rates. Fluctuations in the provision for loan losses result from management’s assessment of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses. Ultimate loan losses may vary from current estimates. For additional information concerning the provision for loan losses, see “—Critical Accounting Estimates and Significant Accounting Policies” included herein.
    
Fluctuations in the provision for loan losses reflect management's estimate of possible loan losses based upon evaluation of the borrowers' ability to repay, collateral value underlying loans, loan loss trends and estimated effects of current economic conditions on our loan portfolio. Reductions in specific reserves on impaired loans and lower general reserves are reflective of continued improvement in economic conditions in our market areas during 2014, combined with improvement in loss history trends used to estimate required reserves and decreases in the level of criticized real estate and construction loans, which typically require higher reserves based on loss history, resulted in a reversal of provision for loan losses of $6.6 million during 2014. During 2013, declining levels of non-performing assets and criticized loans indicative of improvement in and stabilization of our credit quality, combined with our assessment of the adequacy of our allowance for loan losses resulted in a reversal of provision for loan losses of $6.1 million, compared to recording provisions of $40.8 million during 2012. For additional information concerning non-performing assets, see “—Financial Condition—Non-Performing Assets” herein.
    
Non-interest Income
    
Our principal sources of non-interest income include other service charges, commissions and fees; income from the origination and sale of loans; wealth management revenues; and, service charges on deposit accounts. Non-interest income decreased $278 thousand, or less than 1.0%, to $111.4 million in 2014, as compared to $111.7 million in 2013 and decreased $3.2 million, or 2.8%, to $111.7 million in 2013, as compared to $114.9 million in 2012. Significant components of these decreases are discussed below.
    
Other service charges, commissions and fees primarily include debit and credit card interchange income, mortgage servicing fees, insurance and other commissions and ATM service charge revenues. Other service charges, commissions and fees increased $4.8 million, or 13.2%, to $40.7 million in 2014, as compared to $36.0 million in 2013, and increased $1.8 million, or 5.1%, to $36.0 million in 2013, as compared to $34.2 million in 2012, primarily due to increases in interchange revenue due to higher debit and credit card transaction volumes and increases in mortgage loan servicing fee income resulting from an increase in the number of loans serviced.
    
Income from the origination and sale of loans includes origination and processing fees on residential real estate loans held for sale and gains on residential real estate loans sold to third parties. Fluctuations in market interest rates have a significant impact on revenues generated from the origination and sale of loans. Higher interest rates can reduce the demand for home loans and loans to refinance existing mortgages. Conversely, lower interest rates generally stimulate refinancing and home loan origination. Income from the origination and sale of loans decreased $10.3 million, or 30.1%, to $23.9 million during 2014, as compared to $34.3 million during 2013, due to the combined impacts of lower demand for refinancing loans in our market areas and increased retention of select mortgage loan production in our residential real estate loan portfolio. Our mortgage loan production volume decreased 18% during 2014, as compared to 2013, with refinancing loan production volume declining by 55%.

During 2013, mortgage interest rates increased from record low rates experienced in 2012, resulting in lower loan demand primarily for refinancing loans. Our mortgage loan production volume decreased 23% in 2013, as compared to 2012, with refinancing loan production volumes declining by 45%. Driven by lower production volume, our income from the origination and sale of loans decreased $7.5 million, or 18.0%, to $34.3 million in 2013, as compared to $41.8 million in 2012.
            

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Table of Contents

Wealth management revenues are principally comprised of fees earned for management of trust assets and investment services revenues. Wealth management revenues increased $1.9 million, or 11.2%, to $19.0 million in 2014, as compared to $17.1 million in 2013, and increased $2.8 million, or 19.4%, to $17.1 million in 2013, as compared to $14.3 million in 2012, primarily due to the addition of new wealth management customers and increases in the market values of new and existing assets under management. Also contributing to the increase in wealth management revenues in 2013 as compared to 2012, were revenues from the sale of two multi-million dollar life insurance policies aggregating $370 thousand recorded during third quarter 2013.

Other income primarily includes company-owned life insurance revenues, net gains or losses on securities held under deferred compensation plans, check printing income, agency stock dividends and gains on sales of miscellaneous assets. Other income increased $3.6 million, or 47.4%, to $11.1 million in 2014, as compared to $7.5 million in 2013. Income from life insurance increased $2.2 million in 2014, as compared to 2013, due to a full year of earnings on $60.0 million of life insurance purchased in December 2013 and January 2014, additional earnings on $13 million on company-owned life insurance acquired in the MWFC acquisition and the receipt of death benefits of $921. In addition, during fourth quarter 2014, we recorded net gains of $1.2 million related to the sale of two FIB bank buildings and received a $616 thousand volume bonus from our card payment network. These increases in other income in 2014, as compared to 2013, were partially offset by a decrease of $911 thousand related to market value adjustments for securities held under deferred compensation plans.

Other income increased $754 thousand, or 11.1%, to $7.5 million in 2013, as compared to $6.8 million in 2012, primarily due to increases of $697 thousand in earnings on securities held under deferred compensation plans and $680 thousand in income from life insurance policies. These increases were partially offset by a gain of $581 thousand on the sale of a bank building recorded in 2012.

Non-interest Expense

Non-interest expense increased $14.8 million, or 6.7%, to $236.9 million in 2014, from $222.1 million in 2013. Non-interest expense for 2014 includes $8.0 million of acquisition and loss contingency expenses. Exclusive of these acquisition and loss contingency expenses, non-interest expense increased $6.8 million, or 3.1%, in 2014, as compared to 2013, primarily due to the additional operating costs of MWFC. Non-interest expense decreased $7.6 million, or 3.3%, to $222.1 million in 2013, as compared to $229.6 million in 2012. Significant components of these fluctuations are discussed in more detail below.

Salaries and wages increased $2.5 million, or 2.7%, to $96.5 million in 2014, from $94.0 million in 2013, primarily due to increased personnel costs associated with the MWFC acquisition and inflationary wage increases. These increases were partially offset by a decrease of $2.8 million in incentive bonus accruals reflective of the addition of new performance metrics and changes in the weighting of metrics used in determining incentives payable under our short-term incentive program. Salaries and wages increased $4.2 million, or 4.6%, to $94.0 million in 2013, as compared to $89.8 million in 2012, primarily due to higher incentive compensation resulting from our improved financial performance.

Employee benefits decreased $208 thousand, or less than 1.0%, to $30.1 million in 2014, as compared to $30.3 million in 2013, primarily due to decreases in the market value of securities held under deferred compensation plans, which were partially offset by higher payroll taxes. Employee benefits increased $993 thousand, or 3.4%, to $30.3 million in 2013, as compared to $29.3 million in 2012, primarily due to the combined effects of increases in the market value of securities held under deferred compensation plans, higher stock-based compensation expense and increases in group health insurance expense.

Furniture and equipment expense increased $1.3 million, or 10.1%, to $13.8 million in 2014, as compared to $12.6 million in 2013, primarily due to due to the addition of facilities in conjunction with the acquisition of MWFC and additional software costs associated with the implementation of new systems to assist in accounting for acquired loans, process mortgage loans and automate certain reconciliation functions. Furniture and equipment expense decreased $305 thousand, or 2.4%, to $12.6 million in 2013, as compared to $12.9 million in 2012.

FDIC insurance premiums decreased $449 thousand, or 8.9%, to $4.6 million in 2014, from $5.1 million in 2013, and $1.4 million, or 21.8%, to $5.1 million in 2013, as compared to $6.5 million in 2012, primarily due to lower assessment rates reflective of improved credit quality combined with a lower assessment base.


37


Table of Contents

OREO expense is recorded net of OREO income. Variations in net OREO expense between periods are primarily due to fluctuations in write-downs of the estimated fair value of OREO properties, net gains and losses recorded on the sale of OREO properties and carrying costs and/or operating expenses of OREO properties. During 2014, we recorded net OREO income of $272 thousand, as compared to net OREO expense of $2.3 million in 2013. During 2014, we recorded gains on the sale of OREO properties of $1.8 million, wrote-down the fair value of OREO properties by $224 thousand and recorded net operating expenses of $1.4 million. This compares to net gains on the sale of OREO properties of $3.2 million, wrote-down the value of OREO properties by $3.5 million and recorded net operating expenses of $2.0 million in 2013.

Net OREO expense decreased $7.1 million, or 75.6%, to $2.3 million in 2013, as compared to $9.4 million in 2012, primarily due to a reduction in the number of OREO properties held resulting in a decrease in net operating expense of $1.7 million and a decrease in write-downs in the value of OREO properties of $3.2 million. Also contributing to the decrease in net OREO expense in 2013, as compared to 2012, were increases of $2.2 million in net gains on the sale of OREO properties.

Mortgage servicing rights are amortized in proportion to and over the period of estimated net servicing income. Mortgage servicing rights amortization expense decreased $426 thousand, or 15.3%, to $2.4 million in 2014, as compared to $2.8 million in 2013, and decreased $714 thousand, or 20.4%, to $2.8 million in 2013, as compared to $3.5 million in 2012, primarily due to declines in prepayment rates and the resulting extension in the estimated period over which net servicing income is expected to be received.

Mortgage servicing rights are evaluated quarterly for impairment based on the fair value of the mortgage servicing rights. The fair value of mortgage servicing rights is estimated by discounting the expected future cash flows, taking into consideration the estimated level of prepayments based on current industry expectations and the predominant risk characteristics of the underlying loans. Impairment adjustments are recorded through a valuation allowance. The valuation allowance is adjusted for changes in impairment through a charge to current period earnings. Fluctuations in the fair value of mortgage servicing rights are primarily due to changes in assumptions regarding prepayments of the underlying mortgage loans, which typically correspond with changes in market interest rates. During 2014, we reversed previously recorded impairment of $136 thousand, compared to the reversal of reversed previously recorded impairment of $99 thousand in 2013, and the reversal of previously recorded impairment of $771 thousand in 2012.

Core deposit intangibles represent the intangible value of depositor relationships resulting from deposit liabilities assumed and are amortized based on the estimated useful lives of the related deposits. We recorded core deposit intangible assets of $11 million in conjunction with the acquisition of MWFC. These intangibles are being amortized using an accelerated method over the estimated useful lives of the related deposits of ten years. Accordingly, core deposit intangible amortization expense increased $833 thousand, or 58.7%, to $2.3 million during 2014, as compared to $1.4 million during 2013 and 2012.

Other expenses primarily include advertising and public relations costs; office supply, postage, freight, telephone and travel expenses; donations expense; debit and credit card expenses; board of director fees; and other losses. Other expenses increased $4.2 million, or 9.6%, to $47.5 million in 2014, as compared to $43.3 million in 2013, primarily due to additional expenses associated with the acquisition of MWFC.

Other expense decreased $2.6 million, or 5.6%, to $43.3 million in 2013, as compared to $45.9 million in 2012. During 2012, we recorded $1.5 million of donations expense in conjunction with the sale of a bank building to a charitable organization and $428 thousand of unamortized issuance costs associated with the redemption of junior subordinated debentures.

During 2014, we recorded loss contingency expense of $4.0 million related to a non-final judgment entered against us in an on-going lender liability lawsuit. For additional information regarding this pending litigation, see “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—Commitments and Contingencies,” included in Part IV, Item 15 of this report. During 2012, we recorded loss contingency expense of $3.0 million for estimated loan collection and settlement costs related to a lender liability lawsuit.

During 2014, we recorded $4.0 of acquisition expenses, including legal and professional fees, employee retention payments and travel expenses, related to the MWFC acquisition in July 2014. For additional information regarding the acquisition, see "Recent Developments" included herein and “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—Acquisition,” included in Part IV, Item 15 of this report.


38


Table of Contents

Income Tax Expense

Our effective federal tax rate was 31.6% for the year ended December 31, 2014, 30.8% for the year ended December 31, 2013 and 29.6% for the year ended December 31, 2012. Increases in effective federal income tax rates are primarily due to higher levels of taxable income without a proportional increase in tax exempt interest income on loan and investment securities.

State income tax applies primarily to pretax earnings generated within Montana and South Dakota. Our effective state tax rate was 3.2% for the year ended December 31, 2014, 4.3% for the year ended December 31, 2013 and 4.4% for the year ended December 31, 2012.

Net Income Available to Common Shareholders

Net income available to common shareholders was $84.4 million, or $1.87 per diluted share, in 2014, compared to $86.1 million, or $1.96 per diluted share, in 2013 and $54.9 million, or $1.27 per diluted share, in 2012.

Summary of Quarterly Results

The following table presents unaudited quarterly results of operations for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013.
Quarterly Results
(Dollars in thousands except per share data)
 
First
Quarter
Second
Quarter
Third
Quarter
Fourth
Quarter
Full
Year
Year Ended December 31, 2014:
 
 
 
 
 
Interest income
$
62,687

$
64,185

$
69,728

$
70,467

$
267,067

Interest expense
4,551

4,458

4,646

4,951

18,606

Net interest income
58,136

59,727

65,082

65,516

248,461

Provision for loan losses
(5,000
)
(2,001
)
261

118

(6,622
)
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
63,136

61,728

64,821

65,398

255,083

Non-interest income
24,106

26,571

29,363

31,361

111,401

Non-interest expense
54,338

55,920

64,958

61,653

236,869

Income before income taxes
32,904

32,379

29,226

35,106

129,615

Income tax expense
11,511

11,302

10,071

12,330

45,214

Net income available to common shareholders
$
21,393

$
21,077

$
19,155

$
22,776

$
84,401

 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic earnings per common share
$
0.49

$
0.48

$
0.43

$
0.50

$
1.89

Diluted earnings per common share
0.48

0.47

0.42

0.49

1.87

Dividends paid per common share
0.16

0.16

0.16

0.16

0.64

 
 
 
 
 
 



39


Table of Contents

Quarterly Results (continued)
(Dollars in thousands except per share data)
 
First
Quarter
Second
Quarter
Third
Quarter
Fourth
Quarter
Full
Year
Year Ended December 31, 2013:
 
 
 
 
 
Interest income
$
65,067

$
63,956

$
63,929

$
64,710

$
257,662

Interest expense
5,790

5,196

4,973

4,736

20,695

Net interest income
59,277

58,760

58,956

59,974

236,967

Provision for loan losses
500

375

(3,000
)
(4,000
)
(6,125
)
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
58,777

58,385

61,956

63,974

243,092

Non-interest income
28,819

29,579

27,607

25,674

111,679

Non-interest expense
56,685

55,020

52,579

57,785

222,069

Income before income taxes
30,911

32,944

36,984

31,863

132,702

Income tax expense
10,867

11,439

13,172

11,088

46,566

Net income available to common shareholders
$
20,044

$
21,505

$
23,812

$
20,775

$
86,136

 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic earnings per common share
$
0.46

$
0.49

$
0.54

$
0.47

$
1.98

Diluted earnings per common share
0.46

0.49

0.54

0.47

1.96

Dividends paid per common share

0.13

0.14

0.14

0.41


Financial Condition

Total assets increased $1,045 million, or 13.8%, to $8,610 million as of December 31, 2014, from $7,565 million as of December  31, 2013, with approximately $612 million of the increase attributable to the MWFC acquisition. Exclusive of the acquired MWFC assets, total assets increased $433 million, or 5.7%, compared to December 31, 2013, primarily due to organic deposit growth. Total assets decreased $157 million, or 2.0%, to $7,565 million as of December 31, 2013, from $7,722 million as of December 31, 2012, due to lower outstanding funding sources, including deposits and repurchase agreements.

Loans

Our loan portfolio consists of a mix of real estate, consumer, commercial, agricultural and other loans, including fixed and variable rate loans. Fluctuations in the loan portfolio are directly related to the economies of the communities we serve. While each loan originated generally must meet minimum underwriting standards established in our credit policies, lending officers are granted certain levels of authority in approving and pricing loans to assure that the banking offices are responsive to competitive issues and community needs in each market area. For additional information regarding our underwriting standards and loan approval policies, see "Community Banking—Lending Activities", included in Part I, Item I of this report.

Total loans increased $553 million, or 12.7%, to $4,897 million as of December 31, 2014, from $4,345 million as of December 31, 2013, with approximately $360 million of the increase attributable to the MWFC acquisition. Exclusive of the acquired MWFC loans, total loans increased $193 million, or 4.4%, compared to December 31, 2013, with the most notable organic growth occurring in residential real estate and consumer loans. Total loans increased $121 million, or 2.9%, to $4,345 million as of December 31, 2013, from $4,224 million as of December 31, 2012, primarily due to growth in residential real estate loans.


40


Table of Contents

The following table presents the composition of our loan portfolio as of the dates indicated:
Loans Outstanding
(Dollars in thousands)
 
As of December 31,
 
2014
Percent
 
2013
Percent
 
2012
Percent
 
2011
Percent
 
2010
Percent
Loans
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Real estate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
$
1,639,422

33.5
%
 
$
1,449,174

33.3
%
 
$
1,497,272

35.4
%
 
$
1,553,155

37.1
%
 
$
1,565,665

35.8
%
Construction
418,269

8.5

 
351,635

8.1

 
334,529

7.9

 
400,773

9.6

 
527,458

12.1

Residential
999,903

20.4

 
867,912

20.0

 
708,339

16.8

 
571,943

13.7

 
549,604

12.6

Agricultural
167,659

3.4

 
173,534

4.0

 
177,244

4.2

 
175,302

4.2

 
182,794

4.2

Consumer
762,471

15.6

 
671,587

15.5

 
636,794

15.1

 
616,071

14.7

 
646,580

14.8

Commercial
740,073

15.1

 
676,544

15.6

 
688,753

16.3

 
693,261

16.6

 
730,471

16.7

Agricultural
124,859

2.6

 
111,872

2.6

 
113,627

2.8

 
119,710

2.8

 
116,546

2.7

Other loans
3,959

0.1

 
1,734


 
912


 
2,813


 
2,383

0.1

Mortgage loans held for sale
40,828

0.8

 
40,861

0.9

 
66,442

1.3

 
53,521

1.3

 
46,408

1.0

Total loans
4,897,443

100.0
%
 
4,344,853

100.0
%
 
4,223,912

100.0
%
 
4,186,549

100.0
%
 
4,367,909

100.0
%
Less allowance for loan losses
74,200

 
 
85,339

 
 
100,511

 
 
112,581

 
 
120,480

 
Net loans
$
4,823,243

 
 
$
4,259,514

 
 
$
4,123,401

 
 
$
4,073,968

 
 
$
4,247,429

 
Ratio of allowance to total loans
1.52
%
 
 
1.96
%
 
 
2.38
%
 
 
2.69
%
 
 
2.76
%
 
    
Real Estate Loans. We provide interim construction and permanent financing for both single-family and multi-unit properties, medium-term loans for commercial, agricultural and industrial property and/or buildings and equity lines of credit secured by real estate.
    
Commercial real estate loans. Commercial real estate loans include loans for property and improvements used commercially by the borrower or for lease to others for the production of goods or services. Approximately 51% and 53% of our commercial real estate loans were owner occupied as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Commercial real estate loans increased $190 million, or 13.1%, to $1,639 million as of December 31, 2014, from $1,449 million as of December 31, 2013. Exclusive of the MWFC acquired loans, commercial real estate loans decreased $25 million, or 1.7%, from December 31, 2013, and decreased $48 million, or 3.2%, to $1,449 million as of December 31, 2013, from $1,497 million as of December 31, 2012. Management attributes these decreases to weak loan demand combined with the movement of loans out of the portfolio through charge-off, pay-off and foreclosure.
            
Construction loans. Construction loans are primarily to commercial builders for residential lot development and the construction of single-family residences and commercial real estate properties. Construction loans are generally underwritten pursuant to pre-approved permanent financing. During the construction phase the borrower pays interest only. As of December 31, 2014, our construction loan portfolio was divided among the following categories: approximately $97 million, or 23.1%, residential construction; approximately $101 million, or 24.2%, commercial construction; and, approximately $220 million, or 52.7%, land acquisition and development. As of December 31, 2013, our construction loan portfolio was divided among the following categories: approximately $77 million, or 21.9%, residential construction; approximately $69 million, or 19.6%, commercial construction; and, approximately $206 million, or 58.5%, land acquisition and development.
    
Construction loans grew $67 million, or 18.9%, to $418 million as of December 31, 2014, from $352 million as of December 31, 2013. Exclusive of the of the MWFC acquired loans, construction loans increased $37 million, or 10.4%, from December 31, 2013, and increased $17 million, or 5.1%, to $352 million as of December 31, 2013, from $335 million as of December 31, 2012, primarily due to increased housing demand in our market areas during 2014 and 2013.
    

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Residential real estate loans. Residential real estate loans grew $132 million, or 15.2%, to $1,000 million as of December 31, 2014, from $868 million as of December 31, 2013, with approximately $48 million of the increase attributable to the MWFC acquisition. Exclusive of the MWFC acquired loans, residential real estate loans grew $84 million, or 9.6%, from December 31, 2013, and increased $160 million, or 22.5%, to $868 million as of December 31, 2013, from $708 million as of December 31, 2012, due to retention of certain residential loans in our portfolio and increased housing demand in our market areas. Retained residential real estate loans are typically secured by first liens on the financed property and generally mature in less than fifteen years. Included in residential real estate loans were home equity loans and lines of credit of $299 million as of December 31, 2014 and $272 million as of December 31, 2013.

Consumer Loans. Our consumer loans include direct personal loans, credit card loans and lines of credit; and indirect loans created when we purchase consumer loan contracts advanced for the purchase of automobiles, boats and other consumer goods from the consumer product dealer network within the market areas we serve. Personal loans and indirect dealer loans are generally secured by automobiles, recreational vehicles, boats and other types of personal property and are made on an installment basis. Credit cards are offered to customers in our market areas. Lines of credit are generally floating rate loans that are unsecured or secured by personal property. Approximately 72.5% and 70.9% of our consumer loans as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, were indirect consumer loans.

Consumer loans increased $91 million, or 13.5%, to $762 million as of December 31, 2014, from $672 million as of December 31, 2013, with approximately $9 million of increase attributable to the MWFC acquisition. Exclusive of the MWFC acquisition, consumer loans grew organically $82 million, or 12.2%, from December 31, 2013, due to expansion of our indirect lending program within our existing market areas and increases in the average loan amounts advanced in 2014. Consumer loans increased $35 million, or 5.5%, to $672 million as of December 31, 2013, from $637 million as of December 31, 2012, due to expansion of our indirect lending program within our existing market areas.

Commercial Loans. We provide a mix of variable and fixed rate commercial loans. The loans are typically made to small and medium-sized manufacturing, wholesale, retail and service businesses for working capital needs and business expansions. Commercial loans generally include lines of credit, business credit cards and loans with maturities of five years or less. The loans are generally made with business operations as the primary source of repayment, but also include collateralization by inventory, accounts receivable, equipment and/or personal guarantees.

Commercial loans increased $64 million, or 9.4%, to $740 million as of December 31, 2014, from $677 million as of December 31, 2013, with approximately $48 million of increase attributable to the MWFC acquisition. Exclusive of the MWFC acquisition, commercial loans grew organically $15 million, or 2.2%, from December 31, 2013. Commercial loans decreased $12 million, or 1.8%, to $677 million as of December 31, 2013, from $689 million as of December 31, 2012, due to weak loan demand combined with the movement of lower quality loans out of the loan portfolio through charge-off, pay-off or foreclosure.

Agricultural Loans. Our agricultural loans generally consist of short and medium-term loans and lines of credit that are primarily used for crops, livestock, equipment and general operations. Agricultural loans are ordinarily secured by assets such as livestock or equipment and are repaid from the operations of the farm or ranch. Agricultural loans generally have maturities of five years or less, with operating lines for one production season. Agricultural loans increased $13 million, or 11.6%, to $125 million as of December 31, 2014, from $112 million as of December 31, 2013, with approximately $2 million of increase attributable to the MWFC acquisition. Exclusive of the acquired loans, agricultural loans increased $11 million, or 10.0%, from December 31, 2013. Agricultural loans decreased $2 million, or 1.5%, to $112 million as of December 31, 2013, from $114 million as of December 31, 2012.
    

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The following table presents the maturity distribution of our loan portfolio and the sensitivity of the loans to changes in interest rates as of December 31, 2014:
Maturities and Interest Rate Sensitivities
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Within
One Year
One Year to
Five Years
After
Five Years
Total
Real estate
$
1,028,758

$
1,405,558

$
790,937

$
3,225,253

Consumer
248,153

453,505

60,813

762,471

Commercial
410,395

255,096

74,582

740,073

Agricultural
101,971

21,292

1,596

124,859

Other
3,959



3,959

Mortgage loans held for sale
40,828



40,828

Total loans
$
1,834,064

$
2,135,451

$
927,928

$
4,897,443

Loans at fixed interest rates
$
1,114,968

$
1,382,040

$
258,942

$
2,755,950

Loans at variable interest rates
719,096

753,411

606,804

2,079,311

Non-accrual loans


62,182

62,182

Total loans
$
1,834,064

$
2,135,451

$
927,928

$
4,897,443

        
Non-Performing Assets
    
Non-performing assets include non-performing loans and OREO. The following table sets forth information regarding non-performing assets as of the dates indicated:
Non-Performing Assets and Troubled Debt Restructurings
(Dollars in thousands)
As of December 31,
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
Non-performing loans:
 
 
 
 
 
Nonaccrual loans
$
62,182

$
94,439

$
107,799

$
199,983

$
195,342

Accruing loans past due 90 days or more
2,576

2,232

2,277

4,111

1,852

Total non-performing loans
64,758

96,671

110,076

204,094

197,194

OREO
13,554

15,504

32,571

37,452

33,632

Total non-performing assets
$
78,312

$
112,175

$
142,647

$
241,546

$
230,826

 
 
 
 
 
 
Troubled debt restructurings not included above (1)
$
20,952

$
21,780

$
31,932

$
37,376

$
13,490

 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-performing loans to total loans (2)
1.32
%
2.22
%
2.61
%
4.87
%
4.51
%
Non-performing assets to total loans and OREO (3)
1.59

2.57

3.35

5.72

5.24

Non-performing assets to total assets (4)
0.91

1.48

1.85

3.30

3.08

Allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans (5)
114.58

88.28

91.31

55.16

61.10

    
(1)
Accruing loans modified in troubled debt restructurings are not considered non-performing loans. While still considered impaired under applicable accounting guidance, these loans are performing as agreed under their modified terms and management expects performance to continue.
(2)
Including accruing troubled debt restructurings described in footnote 1, the ratio of non-performing loans to total loans would be 1.75%, 2.73%, 3.36%, 5.77%, and 4.82% as of December 31, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively.
(3)
Including accruing troubled debt restructurings described in footnote 1, the ratio of non-performing assets to total loans and OREO would be 2.02%, 3.07%, 4.10%, 6.60%, 5.55% and 3.57% as of December 31, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.     
(4)
Including accruing troubled debt restructurings described in footnote 1, the ratio of non-performing assets to total assets would be 1.15%, 1.77%, 2.26%, 3.81%, and 3.26% as of December 31, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively.     

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(5) Including accruing troubled debt restructurings described in footnote 1, the ratio of allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans would be 86.57%, 72.05%, 70.78%, 46.62%, and 57.19% as of December 31, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively.
Non-performing loans. Non-performing loans include non-accrual loans and loans contractually past due 90 days or more and still accruing interest. Impaired loans include all loans risk rated doubtful, loans placed on non-accrual status and loans renegotiated in troubled debt restructurings, with the exception of consumer loans. We monitor and evaluate collateral values on impaired loans quarterly. Appraisals are required on all impaired loans every 18-24 months, or sooner as conditions necessitate. We monitor real estate values by market for our larger market areas. Based on trends in real estate values, adjustments may be made to the appraised value based on time elapsed between the appraisal date and the impairment analysis or a new appraisal may be ordered. Appraised values in our smaller market areas may be adjusted based on trends identified through discussions with local realtors and appraisers. Appraisals are also adjusted for selling costs. The adjusted appraised value is then compared to the loan balance and any resulting shortfall is recorded in the allowance for loan losses as a specific valuation allowance. Overall increases in specific valuation allowances will result in higher provisions for loan losses. Provisions for loan losses are also impacted by changes in the historical or general valuation elements of the allowance for loan losses as well.     
The following table sets forth the allocation of our non-performing loans among our different types of loans as of the dates indicated.    
Non-Performing Loans by Loan Type
(Dollars in thousands)
As of December 31,
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
Real estate
$
50,184

$
82,709

$
97,005

$
182,709

$
161,484

Consumer
1,282

1,350

1,727

2,054

2,705

Commercial
12,846

12,487

10,819

18,462

31,912

Agricultural
446

125

525

869

1,093

Total non-performing loans
$
64,758

$
96,671

$
110,076

$
204,094

$
197,194

As of December  31, 2014, our non-performing real estate loans were divided among the following categories: $8 million, or 16.4%, land and land development; $28 million, or 55.2%, commercial; $3 million, or 5.1% other construction; $272 thousand or 0.6% residential construction; $4 million, or 9.1%, residential; and, $7 million, or 13.6%, agricultural.
    
As of December  31, 2013, our non-performing real estate loans were divided among the following categories: $16 million, or 19.7%, land and land development; $49 million, or 59.2%, commercial; $2 million, or 1.9% residential construction; $7 million, or 8.8%, residential; and, $9 million, or 10.4%, agricultural.
    
Total non-performing loans decreased $32 million, or 33.0%, to $65 million as of December 31, 2014, from $97 million as of December 31, 2013, and $13 million, or 12.2%, to $97 million as of December 31, 2013, from $110 million as of December 31, 2012. Non-accrual loans, the largest component of non-performing loans, decreased $32 million, or 34.2%, to $62 million as of December 31, 2014, from $94 million as of December 31, 2013, primarily due to pay-downs and the return of performing loans to accrual status. Non-accrual loans decreased $14 million, or 12.4%, to $94 million as of December 31, 2013, from $108 million as of December 31, 2012, primarily due to movement of lower quality loans out of the loan portfolio through charge-off, pay-off or foreclosure. As of December 31, 2014, approximately 44% of our non-accrual loans were commercial real estate loans and approximately 13% were land acquisition and development loans.
    
We generally place loans on non-accrual when they become 90 days past due, unless they are well secured and in the process of collection. When a loan is placed on non-accrual status, any interest previously accrued but not collected is reversed from income. Approximately $4.0 million, $4.6 million and $8.5 million of gross interest income would have been accrued if all loans on non-accrual had been current in accordance with their original terms for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Loans are returned to accrual status when all principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and when, in the opinion of management, the loans are estimated to be fully collectible as to both principal and interest. Loans returned to accrual status are no longer considered impaired.

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For additional information regarding non-performing loans, see “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—Loans” included in financial statements included Part IV, Item 15 of this report.    
  OREO. OREO consists of real property acquired through foreclosure on the collateral underlying defaulted loans. We initially record OREO at fair value less estimated selling costs. Any excess of loan carrying value over the fair value of the real estate acquired is recorded as charge against the allowance for loan losses. Estimated losses that result from the ongoing periodic valuation of these properties are charged to earnings in the period in which they are identified. The fair values of OREO properties are estimated using appraisals and management estimates of current market conditions. OREO properties are appraised every 18-24 months unless deterioration in local market conditions indicates the need to obtain new appraisals sooner. OREO properties are evaluated by management quarterly to determine if additional write-downs are appropriate or necessary based on current market conditions. Quarterly evaluations include a review of the most recent appraisal of the property and reviews of recent appraisals and comparable sales data for similar properties in the same or adjacent market areas. Commercial and agricultural OREO properties are listed with unrelated third party professional real estate agents or brokers local to the areas where the marketed properties are located. Residential properties are typically listed with local realtors, after any redemption period has expired. We rely on these local real estate agents and/or brokers to list the properties on the local multiple listing system, to provide marketing materials and advertisements for the properties and to conduct open houses.    
OREO decreased $2 million, or 12.6%, to $14 million as of December 31, 2014, from $16 million as of December 31, 2013. During 2014, we recorded additions to OREO of $9 million, $4 million of which were acquired in conjunction with the MWFC acquisition, wrote down the fair value of OREO properties by $224 thousand and sold OREO with a book value of $11 million. As of December 31, 2014, 44% of our OREO balance related to land and land development properties, 34% to commercial properties, 20% to residential real estate properties and 2% to agricultural real estate properties.
OREO decreased $17 million, or 52.4%, to $16 million as of December 31, 2013, from $33 million as of December 31, 2012. During 2013,we recorded additions to OREO of $12 million, wrote down the fair value of OREO properties by $4 million and sold OREO with a book value of $25 million. Approximately 39% of OREO sales in 2013 were of residential real estate and approximately 33% were commercial properties. As of December 31, 2013, 59% of our OREO balance related to land and land development properties, 25% to commercial properties, 15% to residential real estate properties and 1% to agricultural real estate properties.    
Troubled Debt Restructurings. Modifications of performing loans are made in the ordinary course of business and are completed on a case-by-case basis as negotiated with the borrower. Loan modifications typically include interest rate concessions, interest-only periods, short-term payment deferrals and extension of amortization periods to provide payment relief. A loan modification is considered a troubled debt restructuring if the borrower is experiencing financial difficulties and we, for economic or legal reasons, grant a concession to the borrower that we would not otherwise consider. Those modifications deemed to be troubled debt restructurings are monitored centrally to ensure proper classification as a troubled debt restructuring and if or when the loan may be placed on accrual status.     
As of December 31, 2014, we had loans renegotiated in troubled debt restructurings of $44 million, of which $23 million were reported as non-accrual loans in the non-performing asset and troubled debt restructurings and non-performing loan tables above. The remaining $21 million were on accrual status and are reported as troubled debt restructurings in the non-performing asset and troubled debt restructurings table above.
As of December 31, 2013, we had loans renegotiated in troubled debt restructurings of $60 million, of which $38 million were reported as non-accrual loans in the non-performing asset and troubled debt restructuring and non-performing loan tables above. The remaining $22 million were on accrual status and are reported as troubled debt restructurings in the non-performing asset and troubled debt restructurings table above.     
For additional information regarding loans modified in troubled debt restructurings, see “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—Loans” included in financial statements included Part IV, Item 15 of this report.

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Allowance for Loan Losses    
The Company performs a quarterly assessment of the adequacy of its allowance for loan losses in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The methodology used to assess the adequacy is consistently applied to the Company's loan portfolio. The allowance for loan losses is established through a provision for loan losses based on our evaluation of known and inherent risk in our loan portfolio at each balance sheet date. In determining the allowance for loan losses, we estimate losses on specific loans, or groups of loans, where the probable loss can be identified and reasonably determined. The balance of the allowance for loan losses is based on internally assigned risk classifications of loans, historical loan loss rates, changes in the nature of the loan portfolio, overall portfolio quality, industry concentrations, delinquency trends, current economic factors and the estimated impact of current economic conditions on certain historical loan loss rates. See the discussion under “Critical Accounting Estimates and Significant Accounting Policies — Allowance for Loan Losses” above.    
The allowance for loan losses is increased by provisions charged against earnings and net recoveries of charged-off loans and is reduced by negative provisions credited to earnings and net loan charge-offs. Loans, or portions thereof, are charged-off when management believes that the collectibility of the principal is unlikely or, with respect to consumer installment and credit card loans, according to established delinquency schedules.    
The allowance for loan losses consists of three elements:     
(1)
Specific valuation allowances associated with impaired loans. Specific valuation allowances are determined based on assessment of the fair value of the collateral underlying the loans as determined through independent appraisals, the present value of future cash flows, observable market prices and any relevant qualitative or environmental factors impacting the loan. No specific valuation allowances are recorded for impaired loans that are adequately secured.
(2)
Historical valuation allowances based on loan loss experience for similar loans with similar characteristics and trends. Historical valuation allowances are determined by applying percentage loss factors to the credit exposures from outstanding loans. For commercial, agricultural and real estate loans, loss factors are applied based on the internal risk classifications of these loans. For consumer loans, loss factors are applied on a portfolio basis. For commercial, agriculture and real estate loans, loss factor percentages are based on a migration analysis of our historical loss experience, designed to account for credit deterioration. For consumer loans, loss factor percentages are based on a one-year loss history.        
(3) General valuation allowances determined based on changes in the nature of the loan portfolio, overall portfolio quality, industry concentrations, delinquency trends, general economic conditions and other qualitative risk factors both internal and external to us.     
Based on the assessment of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses, management records provisions for loan losses to maintain the allowance for loan losses at appropriate levels.    
Loans acquired in business combinations are recorded at fair value with no allowance for loan losses on the date of acquisition. Subsequent to the acquisition date, an allowance for loan loss is recorded for the emergence of new probable and estimable losses on loans acquired without evidence of credit impairment. Loans acquired with evidence of credit impairment are regularly monitored and to the extent that the performance has deteriorated from management's expectations at the date of acquisition, an allowance for loan losses is established. As of December 31, 2014, management determined that an allowance for loan losses related to acquired loans of $287 thousand was required under generally accepted accounting principles.
Loans, or portions thereof, are charged-off against the allowance for loan losses when management believes that the collectability of the principal is unlikely, or, with respect to consumer installment loans, according to an established delinquency schedule. Generally, loans are charged-off when (1) there has been no material principal reduction within the previous 90 days and there is no pending sale of collateral or other assets, (2) there is no significant or pending event which will result in principal reduction within the upcoming 90 days, (3) it is clear that we will not be able to collect all or a portion of the loan, (4) payments on the loan are sporadic, will result in an excessive amortization or are not consistent with the collateral held and (5) foreclosure or repossession actions are pending. Loan charge-offs do not directly correspond with the receipt of independent appraisals or the use of observable market data if the collateral value is determined to be sufficient to repay the principal balance of the loan.     

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Table of Contents

If the impaired loan is adequately collateralized, a specific valuation allowance is not recorded. As such, significant changes in impaired and non-performing loans do not necessarily correspond proportionally with changes in the specific valuation component of the allowance for loan losses. Additionally, management expects the timing of charge-offs will vary between quarters and will not necessarily correspond proportionally to changes in the allowance for loan losses or changes in non-performing or impaired loans due to timing differences among the initial identification of an impaired loan, recording of a specific valuation allowance for the impaired loan and any resulting charge-off of uncollectible principal.
Based on declines in national, regional and local economies which began in 2008, we recorded additional general valuation allowances based on management's estimation of the probable impact that the declines would have on our loan portfolio. Accordingly, we recorded significantly higher provisions for loan losses in 2010 and the first half of 2011 to maintain the allowance for loan losses at appropriate levels. Impaired and non-performing loans peaked in mid-2011 and our provision for loan losses, which began decreasing during the last half of 2011, continued to decrease through 2014, with negative provisions recorded during the last half of 2013 and the first half of 2014. Management expects that non-performing and impaired loans will continue to decline as previously identified problem loans make their way through the credit cycle and the volume of newly identified non-performing and impaired loans decreases as economic conditions in our market areas continue to improve.
    
The following table sets forth information concerning our allowance for loan losses as of the dates and for the periods indicated.
Allowance for Loan Losses
(Dollars in thousands)
As of and for the year ended December 31,
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
Balance at the beginning of period
$
85,339

$
100,511

$
112,581

$
120,480

$
103,030

Charge-offs:
 
 
 
 
 
Real estate
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
2,042

4,430

13,014

13,227

8,980

Construction
328

3,515

25,510

26,125

19,989

Residential
637

2,177

4,879

6,199

3,511

Agricultural
7

102

103

213

2,238

Consumer
4,887

4,612

5,320

6,043

7,577

Commercial
6,030

5,672

11,990

19,332

10,023

Agricultural
64

5

120

142

21

Total charge-offs
13,995

20,513

60,936

71,281

52,339

Recoveries:
 
 
 
 
 
Real estate
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
953

3,644

907

293

34

Construction
2,009

2,010

2,022

1,641

213

Residential
358

424

310

201

132

Agricultural
3

9

2



Consumer
2,347

2,059

1,945

1,739

2,053

Commercial
3,781

3,293

2,905

1,344

436

Agricultural
27

27

25

13

21

Total recoveries
9,478

11,466

8,116

5,231

2,889

Net charge-offs
4,517

9,047

52,820

66,050

49,450

Provision for loan losses
(6,622
)
(6,125
)
40,750

58,151

66,900

Balance at end of period
$
74,200

$
85,339

$
100,511

$
112,581

$
120,480

Period end loans
$
4,897,443

$
4,344,853

$
4,223,912

$
4,186,549

$
4,367,909

Average loans
4,602,907

4,281,673

4,176,439

4,275,128

4,482,218

Net charge-offs to average loans
0.10
%
0.21
%
1.26
%
1.54
%
1.10
%
Allowance to period-end loans
1.52

1.96

2.38

2.69

2.76

    

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Table of Contents

The allowance for loan losses was $74 million, or 1.52% of period-end loans, at December 31, 2014, compared to $85 million, or 1.96% of period-end loans, at December 31, 2013, and $101 million, or 2.38% of period-end loans, at December 31, 2012. Decreases in the allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans as of December 31, 2014, compared to December 31, 2013, were largely due to the acquisition of MWFC loans, which were initially recorded at fair value with no carryover of the related allowance for loan losses. The decreases in the allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans as of December 31, 2013, as compared to December 31, 2012, were primarily due to decreases in specific reserves on impaired loans and lower general reserves reflective of decreases in past due, non-performing and internally risk classified loans.

Net charge-offs in 2014 decreased $4 million, or 50.1%, to $5 million, or 0.10% of average loans in 2014, as compared to $9 million, or 0.21% of average loans in 2013. Net charge-offs in 2013 decreased $44 million, or 82.9%, to $9 million, or 0.21% of average loans in 2013, from $53 million, or 1.26% of average loans in 2012.

Although we believe that we have established our allowance for loan losses in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and that the allowance for loan losses was adequate to provide for known and inherent losses in the portfolio at all times during the five-year period ended December 31, 2014, future provisions will be subject to on-going evaluations of the risks in the loan portfolio. If the economy declines or asset quality deteriorates, material additional provisions could be required.
    
The allowance for loan losses is allocated to loan categories based on the relative risk characteristics, asset classifications and actual loss experience of the loan portfolio. The following table provides a summary of the allocation of the allowance for loan losses for specific loan categories as of the dates indicated. The allocations presented should not be interpreted as an indication that charges to the allowance for loan losses will be incurred in these amounts or proportions, or that the portion of the allowance allocated to each loan category represents the total amount available for future losses that may occur within these categories. The unallocated portion of the allowance for loan losses and the total allowance are applicable to the entire loan portfolio.
Allocation of the Allowance for Loan Losses
(Dollars in thousands)
As of December 31,
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
 
Allocated
Reserves
% of
Loan
Category
to Total
Loans
Allocated
Reserves
% of
Loan
Category
to Total
Loans
Allocated
Reserves
% of
Loan
Category
to Total
Loans
Allocated
Reserves
% of
Loan
Category
to Total
Loans
Allocated
Reserves
% of
Loan
Category
to Total
Loans
Real estate
$
53,884

65.9
%
$
63,923

65.4
%
$
75,782

64.3
%
$
87,396

64.6
%
$
84,181

64.7
%
Consumer
5,035

15.6

6,193

15.5

7,141

15.1

8,594

14.7

9,332

14.8

Commercial
14,307

15.1

14,747

15.6

17,085

16.3

15,325

16.6

25,354

16.7

Agricultural
974

2.5

476

2.6

503

2.7

1,266

2.8

1,613

2.7

Other loans

0.1








0.1

Mortgage loans held for sale

0.8


0.9


1.6


1.3


1.0

Unallocated

N/A


N/A


N/A


N/A


N/A

Totals
$
74,200

100.0
%
$
85,339

100.0
%
$
100,511

100.0
%
$
112,581

100.0
%
$
120,480

100.0
%
    
The allowance for loan losses allocated to real estate loans decreased 15.7% to $54 million as of December 31, 2014, from $64 million as of December 31, 2013, and decreased 15.6% to $64 million as of December 31 2013, from $76 million as of December 31, 2012, primarily due to improvement in real estate values and housing demand in our market areas. The allowance for loan losses allocated to real estate loans decreased 13.3% to $76 million as of December 31, 2012, from $87 million as of December 31, 2011, and the allowance for loan losses allocated to commercial loans decreased 39.6% to $15 million as of December 31, 2011, from $25 million as of December 31, 2010, primarily due to the charge-off of non-performing loans.
    

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Investment Securities
    
We manage our investment portfolio to obtain the highest yield possible, while meeting our risk tolerance and liquidity guidelines and satisfying the pledging requirements for deposits of state and political subdivisions and securities sold under repurchase agreements. Our portfolio principally comprises U.S. government agency residential mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations, U.S. government agency securities and tax exempt securities. Federal funds sold and interest bearing deposits in bank are additional investments that are classified as cash equivalents rather than as investment securities. Investment securities classified as available-for-sale are recorded at fair value, while investment securities classified as held-to-maturity are recorded at amortized cost. Unrealized gains or losses, net of the deferred tax effect, on available-for-sale securities are reported as increases or decreases in accumulated other comprehensive income or loss, a component of stockholders’ equity.

Investment securities increased $136 million, or 6.3%, to $2,287 million as of December 31, 2014, from $2,152 million as of December 31, 2013. In conjunction with the MWFC acquisition, we acquired investment securities with fair values aggregating $105 million. Approximately $68 million of these securities were immediately sold. Investment securities decreased $52 million, or 2.4%, to $2,152 million as of December 31, 2013, from $2,203 million as of December 31, 2012.

On June 27, 2014, we transferred available-for-sale U.S. agency residential mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations with amortized costs and fair values of $397 million and $389 million, respectively, into the held-to-maturity category. Net unrealized losses of $8 million included in accumulated other comprehensive income at the time of the transfer are being amortized to yield over the remaining expected lives of the transferred securities of 4.3 years.

As of December 31, 2014, the estimated duration of our investment portfolio was 3.0 years, as compared to 3.7 years as of December 31, 2013. The weighted average yield on investment securities decreased 7 basis points to 1.73% in 2014, from 1.80% in 2013, and 30 basis points to 1.80% in 2013, from 2.10% in 2012.    

As of December 31, 2014, investment securities with amortized costs and fair values of $1,352 million and $1,356 million, respectively, were pledged to secure public deposits and securities sold under repurchase agreements, as compared to $1,289 million and $1,279 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2013. For additional information concerning securities sold under repurchase agreements, see “—Securities Sold Under Repurchase Agreements” included herein.


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The following table sets forth the book value, percentage of total investment securities and weighted average yields on investment securities as of December 31, 2014. Weighted-average yields have been computed on a fully taxable-equivalent basis using a tax rate of 35%.
Securities Maturities and Yield
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Book
Value
% of Total
Investment
Securities
Weighted
Average
FTE Yield
U.S. Government agency securities
 
 
 
Maturing within one year
$
36,398

1.59
 %
0.95
%
Maturing in one to five years
608,629

26.61

1.15

Maturing in five to ten years
80,381

3.51

1.68

Mark-to-market adjustments on securities available-for-sale
(4,475
)
(0.20
)
NA

Total
720,933

31.52

1.20

Mortgage-backed securities
 
 
 
Maturing within one year
286,493

12.53

2.71

Maturing in one to five years
816,854

35.72

1.64

Maturing in five to ten years
165,756

7.25

2.41

Maturing after ten years
67,159

2.94

3.32

Mark-to-market adjustments on securities available-for-sale
7,905

0.35

NA

Total
1,344,167

58.77

2.15

Tax exempt securities
 
 
 
Maturing within one year
7,500

0.33

3.55

Maturing in one to five years
51,132

2.24

3.56

Maturing in five to ten years
92,480

4.04

4.88

Maturing after ten years
37,829

1.65

4.70

Mark-to-market adjustments on securities available-for-sale
NA

NA

NA

Total
188,941

8.26

4.43

Corporate securities
 
 
 
Maturing within one year
8,037

0.35

1.35

Maturing in one to five years
24,528

1.07

1.69

Mark-to-market adjustments on securities available-for-sale
NA

NA

NA

Total
32,565

1.42

1.60

Other securities
 
 
 
Maturing in five to ten years
504

0.02

7.67

Mark-to-market adjustments on securities available-for-sale
NA

NA

NA

Total
504

0.02

7.67

Total
$
2,287,110

100.00
 %
1.97
%
    
Maturities of U.S. government agency securities noted above reflect $176 million of investment securities at their final maturities although they have call provisions within the next year. Based on current market interest rates, management expects approximately $146 million of these securities will be called in 2015.
    

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Mortgage-backed securities, and to a limited extent other securities, have uncertain cash flow characteristics that present additional interest rate risk in the form of prepayment or extension risk primarily caused by changes in market interest rates. This additional risk is generally rewarded in the form of higher yields. Maturities of mortgage-backed securities presented above have been adjusted to reflect shorter maturities based upon estimated prepayments of principal. As of December 31, 2014, the carrying value of our investments in non-agency mortgage-backed securities totaled $322 thousand. All other mortgage-backed securities included in the table above were issued by U.S. government agencies and corporations. As of December 31, 2014, there were no significant concentrations of investments (greater than 10% of stockholders’ equity) in any individual security issuer, except for U.S. government or agency-backed securities.    
As of December 31, 2014, approximately 70% of our tax-exempt securities were general obligation securities, of which 52% were issued by political subdivisions or agencies within the states of Montana, Wyoming and South Dakota.
As of December 31, 2013, we had U.S. government agency securities with carrying values of $763 million and a weighted average yield of 1.10%; mortgage-backed securities with carrying values of $1,184 million and a weighted average yield of 2.15%; tax exempt securities with carrying values of $186 million and a weighted average tax equivalent yield of 4.65%; and, corporate securities with carrying values of $18 million and a weighted average yield of 1.20%.
As of December 31, 2012, we had U.S. government agency securities with carrying values of $755 million and a weighted average yield of 0.92%; mortgage-backed securities with carrying values of $1,240 million and a weighted average yield of 2.32%; tax exempt securities with carrying values of $193 million and a weighted average tax equivalent yield of 4.89%; corporate securities with carrying values of $15 million and a weighted average yield of 1.20%; and, other securities with carrying values of $373 thousand with no weighted average yield.    
We evaluate our investment portfolio quarterly for other-than-temporary declines in the market value of individual investment securities. This evaluation includes monitoring credit ratings; market, industry and corporate news; volatility in market prices; and, determining whether the market value of a security has been below its cost for an extended period of time. As of December 31, 2014, we had investment securities with fair values of $481 million that had been in a continuous loss position more than twelve months. Gross unrealized losses on these securities totaled $8 million as of December 31, 2014, and were primarily attributable to changes in interest rates. No impairment losses were recorded during 2014, 2013 or 2012.
For additional information concerning investment securities, see “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Investment Securities” included in Part IV, Item 15.    
Cash and Cash Equivalents    
Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, amounts due from banks, federal funds sold for one day periods and interest bearing deposits in banks with original maturities of less than three months. Cash and cash equivalents increased $264 million, or 49.3%, to $799 million as of December 31, 2014, from $535 million as of December 31, 2013, and decreased $267 million, or 33.3%, to $535 million as of December 31, 2013, from $801 million as of December 31, 2012. Fluctuations in cash and cash equivalents occurred during the normal course of business and are not reflective of changes in business plan or strategy.    
Premises and Equipment
Premises and equipment increased $16 million, or 8.6%, to $195 million as of December 31, 2014, from $180 million as of December 31, 2013, and decreased $8 million, or 4.2%, to $180 million as of December 31, 2013, from $188 million as of December 31, 2012. In conjunction with the MWFC acquisition, we acquired premises and equipment with fair values aggregating $29 million. Subsequently, we sold $8 million of the vacated MWFC premises and equipment at carrying value. In addition, during fourth quarter 2014, we sold two FIB bank buildings with carrying values of $2 million at a net gain of $1.2 million.
Company-Owned Life Insurance
Company-owned life insurance increased $32 million, or 25.9% to $154 million as of December 31, 2014, from $122 million as of December 31, 2013. In conjunction with the MWFC acquisition, we obtained group life insurance policies covering certain key employees of MWB. The net cash surrender value of these policies was $13 million at December 31, 2014. In addition, in January 2014, we purchased an additional $15 million of life insurance covering select officers of our bank subsidiary. For additional information regarding our company-owned life insurance, see “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Company-Owned Life Insurance” included in Part IV, Item 15.


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Deferred Tax Asset/Liability    
Our net deferred tax asset decreased $7 million, or 59.9%, to $5 million as of December, 31, 2014, from $12 million as of December 31, 2013, Increases in net deferred tax assets resulting from the MWFC acquisition were more than offset by decreases related to unrealized losses on available-for-sale investment securities, reductions in temporary timing differences associated with our allowance for loan losses and increases in deferred tax liabilities related to tax deductible goodwill from previous acquisitions.
Our net deferred tax asset increased $10 million, or 368.0%, to $12 million as of December 31, 2013, from $3 million as of December 31, 2012, primarily due to increases in deferred tax assets related to net unrealized losses on available-for-sale investment securities.
Other Assets
Other assets increased $12 million, or 20.4%, to $73 million as of December 31, 2014, from $61 million as of December 31, 2013, primarily due to other assets acquired in and increases in Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal Reserve Bank stock holding requirements resulting from the MWFC acquisition. Other assets decreased $2 million, or 3.0%, to $61 million as of December 31, 2013, from $63 million as of December 31, 2012.
Deposits
    
We emphasize developing relationships with our customers in order to increase our core deposit base, which is our primary funding source. Our deposits consist of non-interest bearing and interest bearing demand, savings, individual retirement and time deposit accounts.
        
The following table summarizes our deposits as of the dates indicated:
Deposits
(Dollars in thousands)
As of December 31,
2014
Percent
2013
Percent
2012
Percent
2011
Percent
2010
Percent
Non-interest bearing demand
$
1,791,364

25.5
%
$
1,491,683

24.3
%
$
1,495,309

24.0
%
$
1,271,709

21.8
%
$
1,063,869

18.0
%
Interest bearing:
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Demand
2,133,273

30.5

1,848,806

30.2

1,811,905

29.0

1,306,509

22.4

1,218,078

20.5

Savings
1,843,355

26.3

1,602,544

26.1

1,547,713

24.8

1,691,413

29.0

1,718,521

29.0

Time, $100 or more
520,125

7.4

492,051

8.0

594,712

9.5

681,047

11.7

908,044

15.3

Time, other
718,095

10.2

698,666

11.4

790,772

12.7

876,293

15.1

1,017,201

17.2

Total interest bearing
5,214,848

74.5

4,642,067

75.7

4,745,102

76.0

4,555,262

78.2

4,861,844

82.0

   Total deposits
$
7,006,212

100.0
%
$
6,133,750

100.0
%
$
6,240,411

100.0
%
$
5,826,971

100.0
%
$
5,925,713

100.0
%
    
Total deposits increased $872 million, or 14.2%, to $7,006 million as of December 31, 2014, from $6,134 million as of December 31, 2013. We acquired approximately $515 million of deposits in connection with the acquisition of MWFC, including approximately $67 million of non-interest bearing demand deposits, $178 million of interest bearing demand deposits, $111 million of savings deposits, $68 million of time deposits of $100,000 or more, and $91 million of other time deposits. During 2014, the mix of deposits continued to shift from higher-costing time deposits to lower-costing savings and demand deposits. Management attributes this shift to the continued low interest rate environment experienced during recent years as many customers appear to have become less inclined to invest their funds for extended periods.
    
Total deposits decreased $107 million, or 1.7%, to $6,134 million as of December 31, 2013, from $6,240 million as of December 31, 2012. Total deposits, which were at a historically high level as of December 31, 2012, returned to a more normalized level of $6,134 million as of December 31, 2013.
        
Non-Interest Bearing Demand. Non-interest bearing demand deposits increased $300 million, or 20.1%, to $1,791 million as of December 31, 2014, from $1,492 million as of December 31, 2013. Exclusive of acquired MWFC deposits, non-interest bearing demand deposits increased $233 million, or 15.6%, compared to December 31, 2013, due to organic growth attributable to changes in customer liquidity combined with continued low interest rates offered on alternative interest earning deposit products. Non-interest bearing demand deposits decreased $4 million, or less than 1.0%, to $1,492 million as of December 31 2013, from $1,495 million as of December 31, 2012.


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Interest Bearing Demand. Interest bearing demand deposits increased $284 million, or 15.4%, to $2,133 million as of December 31, 2014, from $1,849 million as of December 31, 2013. Exclusive of acquired MWFC deposits, interest bearing demand deposits increased $106 million, or 5.7%, compared to December 31, 2013, due to organic growth attributable to changes in customer liquidity combined with continued low interest rates offered on alternative interest earning deposit products. Interest bearing demand deposits increased $37 million, or 2.0%, to $1,849 million as of December 31, 2013, from $1,812 million as of December 31, 2012.

Savings Deposits. Savings deposits increased $241 million, or 15.0%, to $1,843 million as of December 31, 2014, from $1,603 million as of December 31, 2013. Exclusive of acquired MWFC deposits, savings deposits increased $130 million, or 8.1%, compared to December 31, 2013, due to organic growth. Savings deposits increased $55 million, or 3.5%, to $1,603 million as of December 31, 2013, from $1,548 million as of December 31, 2012.
                                                                  
Time deposits of $100,000 or more. Time deposits of $100,000 or more increased $28 million, or 5.7% to $520 million as of December 31, 2014, from $492 million as of December 31, 2013. Exclusive of deposits acquired in the MWFC acquisition, time deposits of $100,000 or more decreased approximately $40 million, or 8.0%, from December 31, 2013, and decreased $103 million, or 17.3%, to $492 million as of December 31, 2013, from $595 million as of December 31, 2012, with the largest decreases occurring in time deposits maturing in over twelve months. Management attributes these decreases to the impact of a continued low interest rate environment as many customers appear to have become less inclined to invest their funds for extended periods. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, we had no certificates of deposit issued in brokered transactions.
    
The following table presents the maturities of time deposits of $100,000 or more as of December 31, 2014.
Maturities of Time Deposits of $100,000 or More
(Dollars in thousands)
Maturing in 3 months or less
 
$
106,692

Maturing in 3-6 months
 
85,899

Maturing in 6-12 months
 
144,813

Maturing in over 12 months
 
182,721

Total time deposits of $100,000 or more
 
$
520,125

    
Other time deposits. Other time deposits increased $19 million, or 2.8%, to $718 million as of December 31, 2014, from $699 million as of December 31, 2013. Exclusive of deposits acquired in the MWFC acquisition, other time deposits decreased $72 million, or 10.3%, from December 31, 2013, and decreased $92 million, or 11.6%, to $699 million as of December 31, 2013, from $791 million as of December 31, 2012. Management attributes these decreases to the impact of a continued low interest rate environment as many customers appear to have become less inclined to invest their funds for extended periods. We had Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Service, or CDARS, deposits of $40 million as of December 31, 2014, and $52 million as of December 31, 2013.
    
For additional information concerning customer deposits, including the use of repurchase agreements, see “Business—Community Banking—Deposit Products,” included in Part I, Item 1 and “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—Deposits,” included in Part IV, Item 15 of this report.
    
Securities Sold Under Repurchase Agreements
    
Under repurchase agreements with commercial and municipal depositors, customer deposit balances are invested in short-term U.S. government agency securities overnight and are then repurchased the following day. All outstanding repurchase agreements are due in one day. Repurchase agreement balances increased $45 million, or 9.8%, to $502 million as of December 31, 2014, from $457 million as of December 31, 2013, and decreased $48 million, or 9.6%, to $457 million as of December 31, 2013, from $506 million as of December 31, 2012. Fluctuations in repurchase agreement balances correspond with fluctuations in the liquidity of our customers.
    

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The following table sets forth certain information regarding securities sold under repurchase agreements as of the dates indicated:
Securities Sold Under Repurchase Agreements
(Dollars in thousands)
As of and for the year ended December 31,
2014
2013
2012
Securities sold under repurchase agreements:
 
 
 
Balance at period end
$
502,250

$
457,437

$
505,785

Average balance
454,265

456,840

501,192

Maximum amount outstanding at any month-end
547,153

533,965

541,032

Average interest rate:
 
 
 
During the year
0.05
%
0.06
%
0.12
%
At period end
0.10

0.07

0.09

    
Preferred Stock Redemption
    
On January 18, 2013, we redeemed our perpetual preferred stock at an aggregate redemption price of $50 million, which represented par value of the preferred stock plus unpaid and accrued dividends to the redemption date. Upon notice to holders of the redemption, which occurred in December 2012, the preferred stock was reclassified from stockholder's equity to a liability in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
    
Subordinated Debentures Held by Subsidiary Trusts
    
Subordinated debentures held by subsidiary trusts remained flat at $82 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013. In conjunction with the acquisition of MWFC, we assumed $20 million of subordinated debentures held by two business trusts, Mountain West Statutory Trust III and Mountain West Statutory Trust IV (collectively, the “Mountain West Trusts”). On December 15, 2014, we redeemed $14 million of the Mountain West Subordinated Debentures bearing a cumulative floating interest rate equal to LIBOR plus 1.85% per annum, and on December 26, 2014, we redeemed the remaining $6 million of the Mountain West Subordinated Debentures bearing a cumulative floating interest rate equal to LIBOR plus 3.10% per annum. The redemption price of the Mountain West Subordinated Debentures was equal to the $1 liquidation amount of each debenture plus all accrued and unpaid distributions to the date of redemption. The redemption of the Mountain West Subordinated Debentures caused a mandatory redemption of $20 million of Mountain West Trust Preferred Securities and $614 thousand of common equity securities. For additional information regarding the Subordinated Debentures, see “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—Subordinated Debentures Held by Subsidiary Trusts,” included in Part IV, Item 15 of this report.
    
Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses
    
Accounts payable and accrued expenses increased $19 million, or 39.2%, to $66 million as of December 31, 2014, from $48 million as of December 31, 2013 , primarily due to the timing and amounts of corporate tax payments. Accounts payable and accrued expenses remained flat at $48 million as of December 31, 2013 and 2012.
    

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Contractual Obligations
    
Contractual obligations as of December 31, 2014 are summarized in the following table.
Contractual Obligations
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Payments Due
 
Within
One Year
One Year to
Three Years
Three Years
to Five Years
After
Five Years
Total
Deposits without a stated maturity
$
5,767,992

$

$

$

$
5,767,992

Time deposits
803,986

336,559

97,661

14

1,238,220

Securities sold under repurchase agreements
502,250




502,250

Other borrowed funds (1)
9




9

Long-term debt obligations (2)
225


35,000

1,199

36,424

Capital lease obligations
60

136

160

1,287

1,643

Operating lease obligations
2,808

5,139

3,212

9,941

21,100

Purchase obligations (3)
20,887




20,887

Subordinated debentures held by subsidiary trusts (4)



82,477

82,477

Total contractual obligations
$
7,098,217

$
341,834

$
136,033

$
94,918

$
7,671,002

    
(1)
Included in other borrowed funds are tax deposits made by customers pending subsequent withdrawal by the federal government. For additional information concerning other borrowed funds, see “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Long Term Debt and Other Borrowed Funds” included in Part IV, Item 15.
    
(2)
Long-term debt obligations consists of a fixed rate note payable to FHLB bearing interest of 4.86% and maturing on October 31, 2015; fixed rate note payable bearing interest of 6.24% and maturing on September 1, 2032; a fixed rate subordinated term loan bearing interest of 6.81% and maturing January 9, 2018; and a variable rate subordinated term loan maturing February 28, 2018. For additional information concerning long-term debt, see “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Long Term Debt and Other Borrowed Funds” included in Part IV, Item 15.
    
(3)
Purchase obligations relate to obligations under construction contracts to build or renovate banking offices of $4 million and obligations to purchase available-for-sale residential mortgage-backed securities of $17 million.
    
(4)
The subordinated debentures are unsecured, with various interest rates and maturities from December 15, 2037 through April 1, 2038. Interest distributions are payable quarterly; however, we may defer interest payments at any time for a period not exceeding 20 consecutive quarters. For additional information concerning the subordinated debentures, see “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Subordinated Debentures Held by Subsidiary Trusts” included in Part IV, Item 15.
    
We also have obligations under a postretirement healthcare benefit plan. These obligations represent actuarially determined future benefit payments to eligible plan participants. See “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Employee Benefit Plans” included in Part IV, Item 15.
    
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
    
We have entered into various arrangements not reflected on the consolidated balance sheet that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, results of operations or liquidity. These include guarantees, commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit.
    
We guarantee the distributions and payments for redemption or liquidation of capital trust preferred securities issued by our wholly-owned subsidiary business trusts to the extent of funds held by the trusts. Although the guarantees are not separately recorded, the obligations underlying the guarantees are fully reflected on our consolidated balance sheets as subordinated debentures held by subsidiary trusts. The subordinated debentures currently qualify as tier 1 capital under the Federal Reserve capital adequacy guidelines. For additional information regarding the subordinated debentures, see “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Subordinated Debentures Held by Subsidiary Trusts” included in Part IV, Item 15.


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We are a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of our customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. For additional information regarding our off-balance sheet arrangements, see “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Financial Instruments with Off-Balance Sheet Risk” included in Part IV, Item 15.

Capital Resources and Liquidity Management

Capital Resources

Stockholders’ equity is influenced primarily by earnings, dividends, sales and redemptions of common stock and changes in the unrealized holding gains or losses, net of taxes, on available-for-sale investment securities. Stockholders’ equity increased $107 million, or 13.4%, to $909 million as of December 31, 2014 from $802 million as of December 31, 2013, due primarily to the retention of earnings, the issuance of 1,378,230 shares of Class A common stock with an aggregate value of $36 million as partial consideration for the acquisition of MWFC and decreases in net unrealized losses on available-for-sale investment securities. We paid aggregate cash dividends of $28.6 million to common shareholders during 2014. On January 22, 2015, we declared a quarterly dividend to common stockholders of $0.20 per share, which was paid on February 13, 2015 to shareholders of record as of February 2, 2015.

During 2014, we repurchased and retired 362,121 of our shares of Class A common stock in a combination of privately negotiated and open market transactions at an aggregate purchase price of $9.1 million. The repurchases were made pursuant to a stock repurchase program approved by our Board of Directors in November 2013, authorizing the repurchase of up to 2 million shares of our Class A common stock in open market or privately negotiated transactions through November 14, 2014. On January 22, 2015, our Board of Directors approved the repurchase, from time to time, of up to 1 million additional shares of our outstanding Class A common stock in open market or privately negotiated transactions. For additional information regarding the repurchase, see “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Capital Stock and Dividend Restrictions” included in Part IV, Item 15 of this report.

On January 24, 2014, we filed a Registration Statement on Form S-8 to register an additional 1,500,000 shares of Class A common stock to be issued pursuant to our 2006 Equity Compensation Plan, as amended and restated.

On May 24, 2013, we filed a shelf registration statement on Form S-3, which was subsequently declared effective by the SEC. The registration statement permits us to offer and sell up to $160 million of our Class A common shares in one or more future public offerings. At the present time, we have no specific plans to offer any of the securities covered by the registration statement.

Stockholders’ equity increased $50 million, or 6.7%, to $802 million as of December 31, 2013 from $751 million as of December 31, 2012, due primarily to the retention of earnings, which was partially offset by increases in net unrealized losses on available-for-sale investment securities. We paid aggregate cash dividends of $17.9 million to common shareholders during 2013.

Pursuant to the FDICIA, the Federal Reserve and FDIC have adopted regulations setting forth a five-tier system for measuring the capital adequacy of the financial institutions they supervise. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, our Bank had capital levels that, in all cases, exceeded the well capitalized guidelines. For additional information concerning our capital levels, see “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—Regulatory Capital” contained in Part IV, Item 15 of this report.

On July 2, 2013, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve Bank, or the Federal Reserve Board, issued a final rule implementing a revised regulatory capital framework for U.S. banks in accordance with the Basel III international accord and satisfying related mandates under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. Under the final rule, minimum capital requirements will increase for both quantity and quality of capital held by banking organizations. The final rule includes a new common equity tier 1 minimum capital requirement of 4.5% of risk-weighted assets and increases the minimum tier 1 capital requirement from 4.0% to 6.0% of risk-weighted assets. The minimum total risk-based capital remains unchanged at 8.0% of total risk-weighted assets. In addition to the minimum common equity tier 1, tier 1 and total risk-based capital requirements, the final rule requires banking organizations to hold a buffer of common equity tier 1 capital in an amount above 2.5% of total risk-weighted assets to avoid restrictions on capital distributions and discretionary bonus payments to executive officers. The minimum regulatory capital requirements and compliance with a standardized approach for determining risk-weighted assets of the final rule became effective for us on January 1, 2015. The capital conservation buffer framework transition period begins January 1, 2016, with full implementation effective January 1, 2019.

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Table of Contents

Our calculations indicate that as of December 31, 2014, we would meet all fully phased-in Basel III capital adequacy requirements. For additional information regarding the impact of this final rule, see "Regulation and Supervision — Capital Standards and Prompt Corrective Action" included in Part I, Item 1 of this report.

Liquidity

Liquidity measures our ability to meet current and future cash flow needs on a timely basis and at a reasonable cost. We manage our liquidity position to meet the daily cash flow needs of customers, while maintaining an appropriate balance between assets and liabilities to meet the return on investment objectives of our shareholders. Our liquidity position is supported by management of liquid assets and liabilities and access to alternative sources of funds. Liquid assets include cash, interest bearing deposits in banks, federal funds sold, available-for-sale investment securities and maturing or prepaying balances in our held-to-maturity investment and loan portfolios. Liquid liabilities include core deposits, federal funds purchased, securities sold under repurchase agreements and borrowings. Other sources of liquidity include the sale of loans, the ability to acquire additional national market funds through non-core deposits, the issuance of additional collateralized borrowings such as FHLB advances, the issuance of debt securities, additional borrowings through the Federal Reserve’s discount window and the issuance of preferred or common securities. We do not engage in derivatives or hedging activities to support our liquidity position.

Our short-term and long-term liquidity requirements are primarily to fund on-going operations, including payment of interest on deposits and debt, extensions of credit to borrowers, capital expenditures and shareholder dividends. These liquidity requirements are met primarily through cash flow from operations, redeployment of prepaying and maturing balances in our loan and investment portfolios, debt financing and increases in customer deposits. For additional information regarding our operating, investing and financing cash flows, see “Consolidated Financial Statements—Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows,” included in Part IV, Item 15 of this report.

As a holding company, we are a corporation separate and apart from our subsidiary Bank and, therefore, we provide for our own liquidity. Our main sources of funding include management fees and dividends declared and paid by our subsidiaries and access to capital markets. There are statutory, regulatory and debt covenant limitations that affect the ability of our Bank to pay dividends to us. Management believes that such limitations will not impact our ability to meet our ongoing short-term cash obligations. For additional information regarding dividend restrictions, see “—Financial Condition—Capital Resources and Liquidity Management” above and “Business—Regulation and Supervision—Restrictions on Transfers of Funds to Us and the Bank” and “Risk Factors—Our Bank’s ability to pay dividends to us is subject to regulatory limitations, which, to the extent we are not able to receive such dividends, may impair our ability to grow, pay dividends, cover operating expenses and meet debt service requirements.”

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Our primary market risk exposure is interest rate risk. Our business and the composition of our balance sheet consists of investments in interest earning assets (principally loans and investment securities) which are primarily funded by interest bearing liabilities (deposits and indebtedness). Such financial instruments have varying levels of sensitivity to changes in market interest rates. Interest rate risk results when, due to different maturity dates and repricing intervals, interest rate indices for interest earning assets fluctuate adversely relative to interest bearing liabilities, thereby creating a risk of decreased net earnings and cash flow.

Although we characterize some of our interest-sensitive assets as securities available-for-sale, such securities are not purchased with a view to sell in the near term. Rather, such securities may be sold in response to or in anticipation of changes in interest rates and resulting prepayment risk. See “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” included in Part IV, Item 15 of this report.
    
Asset Liability Management
    
The goal of asset liability management is the prudent control of market risk, liquidity and capital. Asset liability management is governed by policies, goals and objectives adopted and reviewed by the Bank’s board of directors. Development of asset liability management strategies is the responsibility of the Asset Liability Committee, or ALCO, which is composed of members of senior management.
    

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Interest Rate Risk
    
Interest rate risk is the risk of loss of future earnings or long-term value due to changes in interest rates. Our primary source of earnings is the net interest margin, which is affected by changes in interest rates, the relationship between rates on interest bearing assets and liabilities, the impact of interest rate fluctuations on asset prepayments and the mix of interest bearing assets and liabilities.
    
The ability to optimize the net interest margin is largely dependent upon the achievement of an interest rate spread that can be managed during periods of fluctuating interest rates. Interest sensitivity is a measure of the extent to which net interest income will be affected by market interest rates over a period of time. Interest rate sensitivity is related to the difference between amounts of interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities which either reprice or mature within a given period of time. The difference is known as interest rate sensitivity gap.
    
The following table shows interest rate sensitivity gaps and the earnings sensitivity ratio for different intervals as of December 31, 2014. The information presented in the table is based on our mix of interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities and historical experience regarding their interest rate sensitivity.
Interest Rate Sensitivity Gaps
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Projected Maturity or Repricing
 
Three
Months
or Less
Three
Months to
One Year
One
Year to
Five Years
After
Five Years
Total
Interest earning assets:
 
 
 
 
 
Loans (1)
$
1,492,364

$
925,388

$
2,098,727

$
318,782

$
4,835,261

Investment securities (2)
159,574

357,077

1,466,794

303,665

2,287,110

Interest bearing deposits in banks
650,233




650,233

Federal funds sold
543




543

Total interest earning assets
$
2,302,714

$
1,282,465

$
3,565,521

$
622,447

$
7,773,147

Interest bearing liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
Interest bearing demand accounts (3)
$
576,092

$
359,000

$
1,198,181

$

$
2,133,273

Savings deposits (3)
911,685

358,678

572,992


1,843,355

Time deposits, $100 or more
106,692

230,712

182,721


520,125

Other time deposits
205,753

260,829

251,499

14

718,095

Securities sold under repurchase agreements
502,250




502,250

Other borrowed funds
9




9

Long-term debt
15,015

46

20,611

2,395

38,067

Subordinated debentures held by subsidiary trusts
82,477




82,477

Total interest bearing liabilities
$
2,399,973

$
1,209,265

$
2,226,004

$
2,409

$
5,837,651

Rate gap
$
(97,259
)
$
73,200

$
1,339,517

$
620,038

$
1,935,496

Cumulative rate gap
(97,259
)
(24,059
)
1,315,458

1,935,496

 
Cumulative rate gap as a percentage of total interest earning assets
-1.25
 %
-0.31
 %
16.92
%
24.90
%
24.90
%

(1)
Does not include non-accrual loans of $62 million. Variable rate loans are included in the three months or less category in the above table although certain of these loans have reached interest rate floors and may not immediately reprice.
    
(2)
Adjusted to reflect: (a) expected shorter maturities based upon our historical experience of early prepayments of principal, and (b) the redemption of callable securities on their next call date.
    

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(3)
Interest bearing demand and savings deposits, while technically subject to immediate withdrawal, actually display sensitivity characteristics that generally fall within one to five years. Their allocation is presented based on those sensitivity characteristics. If these deposits were included in the three month or less category, the above table would reflect a negative three month gap of $2.6 million, a negative cumulative one year gap of $1.8 million and a positive cumulative one to five year gap of $1.3 million.

Net Interest Income Sensitivity
    
We believe net interest income sensitivity provides the best perspective of how day-to-day decisions affect our interest rate risk profile. We monitor net interest margin sensitivity by utilizing an income simulation model to subject twelve month net interest income to various rate movements. Simulations modeled quarterly include scenarios where market rates change suddenly up or down in a parallel manner and scenarios where market rates gradually change up resulting in a change in the slope of the yield curve. Estimates produced by our income simulation model are based on numerous assumptions including, but not limited to, the nature and timing of changes in interest rates, prepayments of loans and investment securities, volume of loans originated, level and composition of deposits, ability of borrowers to repay adjustable or variable rate loans and reinvestment opportunities for cash flows. Given these various assumptions, the actual effect of interest rate changes on our net interest margin may be materially different than estimated.

We target a mix of interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities such that no more than 5% of the net interest margin will be at risk over a one-year period should interest rates shift up or down 2%. As of December 31, 2014, our income simulation model predicted net interest income would decrease $1.6 million, or less than 1.0%, assuming a 0.5% increase in interest rates during each of the next four consecutive quarters. This scenario predicts that our interest bearing liabilities reprice slightly faster than our interest earning assets. We have not engaged in significant derivative or balance sheet hedging activities to manage our interest rate risk.

We did not simulate a decrease in interest rates due to the extremely low rate environment as of December 31, 2014. Prime rate has historically been set at a rate of 300 basis points over the targeted federal funds rate, which is currently set between 0 and 25 basis points. Our income simulation model has an assumption that prime will continue to be set at a rate of 300 basis points over the targeted federal funds rate. Additionally, rates that are currently below 2% are modeled not to fall below 0% with an overall decrease of 2% in interest rates. Although we did not simulate a decrease in interest rates due to the extremely low rate environment as of December 31, 2014, a further decline in interest rates would result in an acceleration of the compression of our net interest margin.

The preceding interest rate sensitivity analysis does not represent a forecast and should not be relied upon as being indicative of expected operating results. In addition, if the actual prime rate falls below a 300 basis point spread to targeted federal funds rates, we could experience a continued decrease in net interest income as a result of falling yields on earning assets tied to prime rate.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

The expected impact of accounting standards recently issued but not yet adopted are discussed in “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—Authoritative Accounting Guidance” included in Part IV, Item 15 of this report.

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

The following consolidated financial statements of First Interstate BancSystem, Inc. and subsidiaries are contained in Part IV, Item 15 of this report and are incorporated herein by reference.

Report of McGladrey LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Balance Sheets — December 31, 2014 and 2013
Consolidated Statements of Income — Years Ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income — Years Ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity — Years Ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows — Years Ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements



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Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
    
There have been no disagreements with accountants on accounting and financial disclosure.
    
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
    
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
    
We have established and maintain disclosure controls and procedures, as defined under Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act. As of December 31, 2014, our management evaluated, under the supervision and with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures, as of December 31, 2014, were effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods required by the SEC’s rules and forms and is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Our system of internal control over financial reporting within the meaning of Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act is designed to provide reasonable assurance to our management and board of directors regarding the preparation and fair presentation of our published financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, assessed the effectiveness of our system of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014. In making this assessment, we used the criteria set forth in 2013 by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in Internal Control-Integrated Framework. Based on our assessment, we believe that, as of December 31, 2014, our system of internal control over financial reporting was effective to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of our financial reporting and the preparation of our financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

McGladrey LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm that audited our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, has issued an attestation report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014. The report, which expresses an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, is included below.

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders
First Interstate BancSystem, Inc.

We have audited First Interstate BancSystem Inc. and subsidiaries' internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in 2013. First Interstate BancSystem, Inc. and subsidiaries’ management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.


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A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (a) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (b) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (c) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, First Interstate BancSystem, Inc. and subsidiaries maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in 2013.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of First Interstate BancSystem, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2014 and our report dated February 27, 2015 expressed an unqualified opinion.

/s/ MCGLADREY LLP
Des Moines, Iowa
February 27, 2015

Item 9B. Other Information

There were no items required to be disclosed in a report on Form 8-K during the fourth quarter of 2014 that were not reported.

PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

Information concerning “Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance” is set forth under the heading “Directors and Executive Officers” in our Proxy Statement relating to our 2015 annual meeting of shareholders and is herein incorporated by reference.

Information concerning “Compliance With Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934” is set forth under the heading “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” in our Proxy Statement relating to our 2015 annual meeting of shareholders and is herein incorporated by reference.

Item 11. Executive Compensation

Information concerning “Executive Compensation” is set forth under the headings “Compensation of Executive Officers Compensation Discussion and Analysis” and “Compensation of Executive Officers and Directors” in our Proxy Statement relating to our 2015 annual meeting of shareholders and is herein incorporated by reference.

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

Information concerning “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters” is set forth under the heading “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” and “Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans” in our Proxy Statement relating to our 2015 annual meeting of shareholders and is herein incorporated by reference.


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Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence

Information concerning “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence” is set forth under the headings “Directors and Executive Officers” and “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” in our Proxy Statement relating to our 2015 annual meeting of shareholders and is herein incorporated by reference. In addition, see “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Related Party Transactions” included in Part IV, Item 15.

Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

Information concerning “Principal Accountant Fees and Services” is set forth under the heading “Directors and Executive Officers — Principal Accounting Fees and Services” in our Proxy Statement relating to our 2015 annual meeting of shareholders and is herein incorporated by reference.

PART IV

Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

(a)
1. Our audited consolidated financial statements follow.

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM






To the Board of Directors and Shareholders
First Interstate BancSystem, Inc.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of First Interstate BancSystem, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2014. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of First Interstate BancSystem, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2014, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), First Interstate BancSystem, Inc. and subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2013, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in 2013, and our report dated February 27, 2015 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of First Interstate BancSystem Inc. and subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting.

/s/ MCGLADREY LLP
Des Moines, Iowa
February 27, 2015


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FIRST INTERSTATE BANCSYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share data)
December 31,
2014
 
2013
Assets
 
 
 
Cash and due from banks
$
147,894

 
$
141,663

Federal funds sold
543

 
672

Interest bearing deposits in banks
650,233

 
392,492

Total cash and cash equivalents
798,670

 
534,827

Investment securities:
 
 
 
Available-for-sale
1,711,924

 
1,947,706

Held-to-maturity (estimated fair values of $584,533 and $205,926 at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively)
575,186

 
203,837

Total investment securities
2,287,110

 
2,151,543

Loans held for investment
4,856,615

 
4,303,992

Mortgage loans held for sale
40,828

 
40,861

Total loans
4,897,443

 
4,344,853

Less allowance for loan losses
74,200

 
85,339

Net loans
4,823,243

 
4,259,514

Premises and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation
195,212

 
179,690

Goodwill
205,574

 
183,673

Company-owned life insurance
153,821

 
122,175

Other real estate owned (“OREO”)
13,554

 
15,504

Accrued interest receivable
27,063

 
26,450

Mortgage servicing rights, net of accumulated amortization and impairment reserve
14,038

 
13,546

Deferred tax asset, net
4,874

 
12,154

Core deposit intangibles, net of accumulated amortization
13,282

 
4,519

Other assets
73,495

 
61,056

Total assets
$
8,609,936

 
$
7,564,651

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
 
 
 
Deposits:
 
 
 
Non-interest bearing
$
1,791,364

 
$
1,491,683

Interest bearing
5,214,848

 
4,642,067

Total deposits
7,006,212

 
6,133,750

Securities sold under repurchase agreements
502,250

 
457,437

Accounts payable and accrued expenses
66,164

 
47,523

Accrued interest payable
5,833

 
4,963

Long-term debt
38,067

 
36,917

Other borrowed funds
9

 
3

Subordinated debentures held by subsidiary trusts
82,477

 
82,477

Total liabilities
7,701,012

 
6,763,070

Stockholders’ equity:
 
 
 
Nonvoting noncumulative preferred stock without par value; authorized 100,000 shares; no shares issued or outstanding as of December 31, 2014 and 2013

 

Common stock
323,596

 
285,535

Retained earnings
587,862

 
532,087

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net
(2,534
)
 
(16,041
)
Total stockholders’ equity
908,924

 
801,581

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
8,609,936

 
$
7,564,651

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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FIRST INTERSTATE BANCSYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(In thousands, except per share data)
Year Ended December 31,
2014
 
2013
 
2012
Interest income:
 
 
 
 
 
Interest and fees on loans
$
231,469

 
$
220,687

 
$
230,882

Interest and dividends on investment securities:
 
 
 
 
 
Taxable
29,900

 
31,237

 
36,847

Exempt from federal taxes
4,357

 
4,728

 
4,923

Interest on deposits in banks
1,334

 
992

 
1,235

Interest on federal funds sold
7

 
18

 
13

Total interest income
267,067

 
257,662

 
273,900

Interest expense:
 
 
 
 
 
Interest on deposits
13,779

 
15,800

 
22,306

Interest on securities sold under repurchase agreements
237

 
294

 
579

Interest on long-term debt
2,016

 
1,936

 
1,981

Interest on preferred stock pending redemption

 
159

 
131

Interest on subordinated debentures held by subsidiary trusts
2,574

 
2,506

 
5,117

Total interest expense
18,606

 
20,695

 
30,114

Net interest income
248,461

 
236,967

 
243,786

Provision for loan losses
(6,622
)
 
(6,125
)
 
40,750

Net interest income after provision for loan losses
255,083

 
243,092

 
203,036

Non-interest income:
 
 
 
 
 
Other service charges, commissions and fees
40,742

 
35,977

 
34,226

Income from the origination and sale of loans
23,940

 
34,254

 
41,790

Wealth management revenues
18,996

 
17,085

 
14,314

Service charges on deposit accounts
16,567

 
16,837

 
17,412

Investment securities gains, net
61

 
1

 
348

Other income
11,095

 
7,525

 
6,771

Total non-interest income
111,401

 
111,679

 
114,861

Non-interest expense:
 
 
 
 
 
Salaries and wages
96,513

 
94,002

 
89,833

Employee benefits
30,130

 
30,338

 
29,345

Occupancy, net
17,796

 
16,587

 
15,786

Furniture and equipment
13,816

 
12,554

 
12,859

Outsourced technology services
9,423

 
9,029

 
8,826

FDIC insurance premiums
4,608

 
5,057

 
6,470

Professional fees
4,882

 
4,773

 
4,044

OREO expense, net of income
(272
)
 
2,291

 
9,400

Mortgage servicing rights amortization
2,361

 
2,787

 
3,501

Mortgage servicing rights impairment recovery
(136
)
 
(99
)
 
(771
)
Core deposit intangibles amortization
2,251

 
1,418

 
1,420

Other expenses
47,480

 
43,332

 
45,922

Loss contingency expense
4,000

 

 
3,000

Acquisition expenses
4,017

 

 

Total non-interest expense
236,869

 
222,069

 
229,635

Income before income tax expense
129,615

 
132,702

 
88,262

Income tax expense
45,214

 
46,566

 
30,038

Net income
84,401

 
86,136

 
58,224

Preferred stock dividends

 

 
3,300

Net income available to common shareholders
$
84,401

 
$
86,136

 
$
54,924

 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic earnings per common share
$
1.89

 
$
1.98

 
$
1.28

Diluted earnings per common share
1.87

 
1.96

 
1.27

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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FIRST INTERSTATE BANCSYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(In thousands)
Year ended December 31,
2014
 
2013
 
2012
Net income
$
84,401

 
$
86,136

 
$
58,224

Other comprehensive income (loss) before tax:
 
 
 
 
 
Investment securities available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
Change in net unrealized gains (losses) during the period
21,147

 
(52,949
)
 
(4,648
)
Reclassification adjustment for net gains included in income
(61
)
 
(1
)
 
(348
)
Change in unamortized gain (loss) on available-for-sale investment securities transferred into held-to-maturity
(548
)
 

 
56

Defined benefit post-retirement benefit plans:
 
 
 
 
 
Change in net actuarial loss
1,731

 
137

 
(77
)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax
22,269

 
(52,813
)
 
(5,017
)
Deferred tax benefit (expense) related to other comprehensive income (loss)
(8,762
)
 
20,781

 
1,974

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
13,507

 
(32,032
)
 
(3,043
)
Comprehensive income
$
97,908

 
$
54,104

 
$
55,181


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


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FIRST INTERSTATE BANCSYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
 
Preferred
Stock
 
Common
Stock
 
Retained
Earnings
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
 
Total
Stockholders’
Equity
Balance at December 31, 2011
$
50,000

 
$
266,842

 
$
435,144

 
$
19,034

 
$
771,020

Net income

 

 
58,224

 

 
58,224

Other comprehensive income, net of tax

 

 

 
(3,043
)
 
(3,043
)
Common stock transactions:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
18,351 common shares purchased and retired

 
(263
)
 

 

 
(263
)
23,991 common shares issued

 
299

 

 

 
299

122,912 non-vested common shares issued

 

 

 

 

15,232 non-vested common shares forfeited or canceled

 

 

 

 

192,829 stock options exercised, net of 183,805 shares tendered in payment of option price and income tax withholding amounts

 
1,612

 

 

 
1,612

Tax benefit of stock-based compensation

 
360

 

 

 
360

Stock-based compensation expense

 
2,485

 

 

 
2,485

Preferred stock transactions:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5,000 preferred shares called for redemption
(50,000
)
 

 

 

 
(50,000
)
Cash dividends declared:
 

 


 
 

 
 

 


Common ($0.61 per share)

 

 
(26,208
)
 

 
(26,208
)
Preferred (6.75% per share)

 

 
(3,300
)
 

 
(3,300
)
Balance at December 31, 2012

 
271,335

 
463,860

 
15,991

 
751,186

Net income

 

 
86,136

 

 
86,136

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax

 

 

 
(32,032
)
 
(32,032
)
Common stock transactions:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
25,677 common shares purchased and retired

 
(448
)
 

 

 
(448
)
26,096 common shares issued

 
543

 

 

 
543

120,873 non-vested common shares issued

 

 

 

 

30,648 non-vested common shares forfeited or canceled

 

 

 

 

774,096 stock options exercised, net of 392,411 shares tendered in payment of option price and income tax withholding amounts

 
9,271

 

 

 
9,271

Tax benefit of stock-based compensation

 
1,898

 

 

 
1,898

Stock-based compensation expense

 
2,936

 

 

 
2,936

Cash dividends declared:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common ($0.41 per share)

 

 
(17,909
)
 

 
(17,909
)
Balance at December 31, 2013
$

 
$
285,535

 
$
532,087

 
$
(16,041
)

$
801,581


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FIRST INTERSTATE BANCSYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (CONTINUED)
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
 
Preferred
Stock
 
Common
Stock
 
Retained
Earnings
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
 
Total
Stockholders’
Equity
Balance at December 31, 2013
$

 
$
285,535

 
$
532,087

 
$
(16,041
)
 
$
801,581

Net income

 

 
84,401

 

 
84,401

Other comprehensive income, net of tax

 

 

 
13,507

 
13,507

Common stock transactions:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
388,101 common shares purchased and retired

 
(9,739
)
 

 

 
(9,739
)
1,402,811 common shares issued

 
36,294

 

 

 
36,294

148,278 non-vested common shares issued

 

 

 

 

29,261 non-vested common shares forfeited or canceled

 

 

 

 

499,625 stock options exercised, net of 239,665 shares tendered in payment of option price and income tax withholding amounts

 
6,299

 

 

 
6,299

Tax benefit of stock-based compensation

 
2,193

 

 

 
2,193

Stock-based compensation expense

 
3,014

 

 

 
3,014

Cash dividends declared:
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Common ($0.64 per share)

 


 
(28,626
)
 

 
(28,626
)
Balance at December 31, 2014
$

 
$
323,596

 
$
587,862

 
$
(2,534
)
 
$
908,924


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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FIRST INTERSTATE BANCSYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
Year Ended December 31,
2014
 
2013
 
2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
84,401

 
$
86,136

 
$
58,224

Adjustments to reconcile net income from operations to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Provision for loan losses
(6,622
)
 
(6,125
)
 
40,750

Net gain on disposal of property and equipment
(1,256
)
 
(217
)
 
(424
)
Depreciation and amortization
16,855

 
16,245

 
17,112

Net premium amortization on investment securities
14,690

 
14,655

 
11,700

Net gain on investment securities transactions
(61
)
 
(1
)
 
(348
)
Net gain on sale of mortgage loans held for sale
(17,475
)
 
(24,482
)
 
(29,606
)
Net gain on sale of OREO
(1,849
)
 
(3,232
)
 
(1,041
)
Write-down of OREO and other assets pending disposal
326

 
3,512

 
6,724

Mortgage servicing rights impairment recovery
(136
)
 
(99
)
 
(771
)
Deferred income tax expense
5,345

 
11,276

 
8,762

Net increase in cash surrender value of company-owned life insurance policies
(3,600
)
 
(446
)
 
(1,849
)
Stock-based compensation expense
3,014

 
2,936

 
2,485

Tax benefits from stock-based compensation
2,193

 
1,898

 
360

Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation
(2,205
)
 
(2,031
)
 
(273
)
Originations of loans held for sale
(903,373
)
 
(1,557,288
)
 
(1,197,744
)
Proceeds from sale of loans held for sale
923,350

 
1,603,770

 
1,209,866

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
Decrease in accrued interest receivable
470

 
2,419

 
3,105

Decrease (increase) in other assets
(6,956
)
 
3,440

 
4,498

Increase (decrease) in accrued interest payable
286

 
(1,539
)
 
(1,621
)
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued expenses
13,991

 
(602
)
 
5,913

Net cash provided by operating activities
121,388

 
150,225


135,822

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Purchases of investment securities:
 
 
 
 
 
Held-to-maturity
(21,627
)
 
(16,370
)
 
(68,305
)
Available-for-sale
(664,821
)
 
(741,579
)
 
(1,246,068
)
Proceeds from maturities, paydowns, calls and sales of investment securities:
 
 
 
 
 
Held-to-maturity
47,784

 
19,465

 
12,192

Available-for-sale
613,930

 
722,447

 
1,252,266

Purchase of company-owned life insurance
(15,000
)
 
(45,000
)
 

Proceeds from sales of mortgage servicing rights
266

 
470

 
907

Extensions of credit to customers, net of repayments
(216,730
)
 
(178,580
)
 
(128,919
)
Recoveries of loans charged-off
9,478

 
11,466

 
8,116

Proceeds from sales of OREO
12,381

 
28,397

 
42,814

Capital contribution to equity method investment

 

 
(900
)
Capital distribution from unconsolidated subsidiary

 

 
1,238

Acquisition of bank and bank holding company, net of cash and cash equivalents, received
35,556

 

 

Capital expenditures, net of proceeds from sales
2,941

 
(5,653
)
 
(14,420
)
Net cash used in investing activities
$
(195,842
)
 
$
(204,937
)
 
$
(141,079
)

69


Table of Contents

INTERSTATE BANCSYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED)
(In thousands)
Year Ended December 31,
2014
 
2013
 
2012
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Net increase (decrease) in deposits
$
357,083

 
$
(106,661
)
 
$
413,440

Net increase (decrease) in repurchase agreements
43,892

 
(48,348
)
 
(10,458
)
Net increase (decrease) in short-term borrowings
(12,720
)
 
(29
)
 
25

Borrowings of long-term debt
68

 

 

Repayments of long-term debt
(48
)
 
(243
)
 
(40
)
Redemption of preferred stock

 
(50,000
)
 

Repayment of junior subordinated debentures held by subsidiary trusts
(20,439
)
 

 
(41,238
)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock
6,919

 
9,814

 
1,911

Common stock issuance costs
(298
)
 

 

Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation
2,205

 
2,031

 
273

Purchase and retirement of common stock
(9,739
)
 
(448
)
 
(263
)
Dividends paid to common stockholders
(28,626
)
 
(17,909
)
 
(26,208
)
Dividends paid to preferred stockholders

 

 
(3,300
)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
338,297

 
(211,793
)
 
334,142

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
263,843

 
(266,505
)
 
328,885

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
534,827

 
801,332

 
472,447

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
$
798,670

 
$
534,827

 
$
801,332

 
 
 
 
 
 
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
 
 
 
 
 
Cash paid during the year for income taxes
$
26,650

 
$
39,879

 
$
17,540

Cash paid during the year for interest expense
17,736

 
22,234

 
31,735


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


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FIRST INTERSTATE BANCSYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

(1)
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Business. First Interstate BancSystem, Inc. (the “Parent Company” and collectively with its subsidiaries, the “Company”) is a financial and bank holding company that, through the branch offices of its bank subsidiary, provides a comprehensive range of banking products and services to individuals, businesses, municipalities and other entities throughout Montana, Wyoming and western South Dakota. In addition to its primary emphasis on commercial and consumer banking services, the Company also offers trust, employee benefit, investment and insurance services through its bank subsidiary. The Company is subject to competition from other financial institutions and nonbank financial companies, and is also subject to the regulations of various government agencies and undergoes periodic examinations by those regulatory authorities.

Basis of Presentation. The Company’s consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Parent Company and its operating subsidiaries. As of December 31, 2014, the Company had one significant subsidiary, First Interstate Bank (“FIB”). All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain reclassifications, none of which were material, have been made in the consolidated financial statements for 2013 and 2012 to conform to the 2014 presentation. These reclassifications did not change previously reported net income or stockholders’ equity.

Equity Method Investments. The Company has investments in real estate joint ventures that are not consolidated because the Company does not own a majority voting interest, control the operations or receive a majority of the losses or earnings of the joint venture. These joint ventures are accounted for using the equity method of accounting whereby the Company initially records its investment at cost (or fair value at the date of acquisition) and then subsequently adjusts the carrying value for the Company’s proportionate share of distributions and earnings or losses of the joint ventures.

Variable Interest Entities. The Company’s wholly-owned business trusts, FI Statutory Trust I (“Trust I”), FI Capital Trust II (“Trust II”), FI Statutory Trust III (“Trust III”), FI Capital Trust IV (“Trust IV”), FI Statutory Trust V (“Trust V”) and FI Statutory Trust VI (“Trust VI”) are variable interest entities for which the Company is not a primary beneficiary. Accordingly, the accounts of Trust I, Trust II, Trust III, Trust IV, Trust V and Trust VI are not included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements, and are instead accounted for using the equity method of accounting.

The Company has equity investments in variable interest Certified Development Entities (“CDEs”) which have received allocations under the New Markets Tax Credits Program. The underlying activities of the CDEs are community development projects designed primarily to promote community welfare, such as economic rehabilitation and development of low-income areas by providing housing, services, or jobs for residents. The maximum exposure to loss in the CDEs is the amount of equity invested and credit extended by the Company. The Company has credit protection in the form of indemnification agreements, guarantees, and collateral arrangements. As the primary beneficiary of these variable interest entities, the Company’s consolidated financial statements include the assets, liabilities, and results of operations of the CDEs. The primary activities of the CDEs are recognized in interest and fees on loans, other non-interest income and long-term debt interest expense on the Company’s statements of operations. Related cash flows are recognized in loans originated, principal collected on loans and advances or repayments of long-term debt.

Assets Held in Fiduciary or Agency Capacity. The Company holds certain trust assets in a fiduciary or agency capacity. The Company also purchases and sells federal funds as an agent. These and other assets held in an agency or fiduciary capacity are not assets of the Company and, accordingly, are not included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.


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Table of Contents

FIRST INTERSTATE BANCSYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

Use of Estimates. The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and income and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to change relate to the determination of the allowance for loan losses, the valuation of goodwill, fair valuations of investment securities and other financial instruments and the status of loss contingencies.

Cash and Cash Equivalents. For purposes of reporting cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, amounts due from banks, federal funds sold for one day periods and interest bearing deposits in banks with original maturities of less than three months. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company had cash of $631,562 and $392,413, respectively, on deposit with the Federal Reserve Bank. In addition, the Company maintained compensating balances with the Federal Reserve Bank of approximately $7,507 and $1,412 as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, to reduce service charges for check clearing services.
    
Investment Securities. Investments in debt securities that the Company has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as held-to-maturity and carried at amortized cost. Investments in debt securities that may be sold in response to or in anticipation of changes in interest rates and resulting prepayment risk, or other factors, and marketable equity securities are classified as available-for-sale and carried at fair value. The unrealized gains and losses on these securities are reported, net of applicable income taxes, as a separate component of stockholders’ equity and comprehensive income. Management determines the appropriate classification of securities at the time of purchase and at each reporting date management reassesses the appropriateness of the classification.
    
The amortized cost of debt securities classified as held-to-maturity or available-for-sale is adjusted for accretion of discounts to maturity and amortization of premiums over the estimated average life of the security, or in the case of callable securities, through the first call date, using the effective yield method. Such amortization and accretion is included in interest income. Realized gains and losses are included in investment securities gains (losses). Declines in the fair value of securities below their cost that are judged to be other-than-temporary are included in other expenses if the decline is related to credit losses. Other-than-temporary impairment losses related to other factors are recognized in other comprehensive income, net of income taxes. In estimating other-than-temporary impairment losses, the Company considers, among other things, the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer and the intent and ability of the Company to retain its investment in the issuer for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value. The cost of securities sold is based on the specific identification method.
    
The Company invests in securities on behalf of certain officers and directors of the Company who have elected to participate in the Company’s deferred compensation plans. These securities are included in other assets and are carried at their fair value based on quoted market prices. Net realized and unrealized holding gains and losses are included in other non-interest income and employee benefits expense.
    
Loans. Loans are reported at the principal amount outstanding. Interest income on loans is calculated using the simple interest method on the daily balance of the principal amount outstanding. Loan origination fees and certain direct origination costs are deferred, and the net amount is amortized as an adjustment of the related loan’s yield using a level yield method over the expected lives of the related loans.
    
The accrual of interest on loans is discontinued when, in management’s opinion, the borrower may be unable to meet payment obligations as they become due or when a loan becomes contractually past due ninety days or more with respect to interest or principal, unless such past due loan is well secured and in the process of collection. When interest accrual is discontinued, all unpaid accrued interest is reversed against current period interest income. Interest income is subsequently recognized only to the extent cash payments are received in excess of principal due. Loans are returned to accrual status when all principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and when, in the opinion of management, the loans are estimated to be fully collectible as to both principal and interest.
    

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Table of Contents

FIRST INTERSTATE BANCSYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

A loan is considered impaired when, based upon current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect, on a timely basis, all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan’s original agreement. The amount of the impairment is measured using cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, except when it is determined that the primary source of repayment for the loan is the operation or liquidation of the underlying collateral. In such cases, the current fair value of the collateral, reduced by anticipated selling costs, is used to measure impairment. The Company considers impaired loans to include all loans, except consumer loans, that are risk rated as doubtful or on which interest accrual has been discontinued or that have been renegotiated in a troubled debt restructuring. Interest payments received on impaired loans are applied based on whether they are on accrual or non-accrual status. Interest income recognized by the Company on impaired loans primarily relates to loans modified in troubled debt restructurings that remain on accrual status. Interest payments received on non-accrual impaired loans are applied to principal. Interest income is subsequently recognized only to the extent cash payments are received in excess of principal due.

Loans acquired through the completion of a transfer, including loans acquired in business combinations, that have evidence of deterioration of credit quality since origination and for which it is probable, at acquisition, that the Company will be unable to collect all contractually required payments receivable are initially recorded at fair value (as determined by the present value of expected future cash flows) with no valuation allowance. The difference between the undiscounted cash flows expected at acquisition and the recorded fair value of the loan, or the “accretable yield,” is recognized as interest income on a level-yield method over the life of the loan. Contractually required payments for interest and principal that exceed the undiscounted cash flows expected at acquisition, or the “nonaccretable difference,” are not recognized as a yield adjustment, a loss accrual or a valuation allowance. Increases in expected cash flows subsequent to the initial investment are recognized prospectively through adjustment of the yield on the loan over its remaining life. Decreases in expected cash flows are recognized as impairment. Valuation allowances on these impaired loans reflect only losses incurred after the acquisition.

A loan is considered a troubled debt restructuring when a borrower is experiencing financial difficulties that leads to a restructuring of the loan and the Company grants concessions to the borrower in the restructuring that it would not otherwise consider. These concessions may include rate reductions, principal forgiveness, extension of maturity date and other actions to minimize potential losses. Certain troubled debt restructurings are on non-accrual status at the time of restructuring and are returned to accrual status only after considering the borrower's sustained repayment performance in accordance with the restructuring agreement for a reasonable period of at least six months and management is reasonably assured of future performance. If the troubled debt restructuring meets these performance criteria and the interest rate granted at the modification is equal to or greater than the rate that the Company was willing to accept at the time of the restructuring for a new loan with comparable risk, then the loan will no longer be disclosed as a troubled debt restructuring although they continue to be individually evaluated for impairment and disclosed as impaired loans.

Included in loans are certain residential mortgage loans originated for sale. These loans are carried at the lower of aggregate cost or estimated market value. Market value is estimated based on binding contracts or quotes or bids from third party investors. Residential mortgages held for sale were $40,828 and $40,861 as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Gains and losses on sales of mortgage loans are determined using the specific identification method and are included in income from the origination and sale of loans.

Allowance for Loan Losses. The allowance for loan losses is established through a provision for loan losses which is charged to expense. Loans, or portions thereof, are charged against the allowance for loan losses when management believes that the collectibility of the principal is unlikely or, with respect to consumer installment and credit card loans, according to established delinquency schedules. The allowance balance is an amount that management believes will be adequate to absorb known and inherent losses in the loan portfolio based upon quarterly analyses of the current risk characteristics of the loan portfolio, an assessment of individual problem loans and actual loss experience, industry concentrations and current economic factors and the estimated impact of current economic and environmental conditions on historical loss rates.


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FIRST INTERSTATE BANCSYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

Loans acquired in business combinations are recorded at their estimated fair values on the date of acquisition. Accordingly, no allowance for loan losses related to these loans is recorded at the date of transfer. An allowance for loan losses is recorded for credit deterioration occurring subsequent to the transfer date, if any.

Goodwill. The excess purchase price over the fair value of net assets from acquisitions, or goodwill, is evaluated for impairment at least annually and on an interim basis if an event or circumstance indicates that it is likely impairment has occurred. Goodwill impairment is determined by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying amount. In any given year the Company may elect to perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is in excess of its carrying value. If it is not more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is in excess of the carrying value, or if the Company elects to bypass the qualitative assessment, a two-step quantitative impairment test is performed. In performing a quantitative test for impairment, the fair value of net assets is estimated based on analyses of the Company's market value, discounted cash flows and peer values. The determination of goodwill impairment is sensitive to market-based economics and other key assumptions used in determining or allocating fair value. Variability in the market and changes in assumptions or subjective measurements used to allocate fair value are reasonably possible and may have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements or results of operations.

Core Deposit Intangibles. Core deposit intangibles represent the intangible value of depositor relationships resulting from deposit liabilities assumed and are amortized using an accelerated method based on the estimated weighted average useful lives of the related deposits. Accumulated core deposit intangibles amortization was $24,652 as of December 31, 2014 and $22,401 as of December 31, 2013. Amortization expense related to core deposit intangibles recorded as of December 31, 2014 is expected to total $3,336, $3,099, $1,825, $1,318, 1,118, and 2,587 in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and thereafter, respectively.

Mortgage Servicing Rights. The Company recognizes the rights to service mortgage loans for others, whether acquired or internally originated. Mortgage servicing rights are initially recorded at fair value based on comparable market data and are amortized in proportion to and over the period of estimated net servicing income. Mortgage servicing rights are evaluated quarterly for impairment by discounting the expected future cash flows, taking into consideration the estimated level of prepayments based on current industry expectations and the predominant risk characteristics of the underlying loans including loan type, note rate and loan term. Impairment adjustments, if any, are recorded through a valuation allowance.

Premises and Equipment. Buildings, furniture and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation expense is computed using straight-line methods over estimated useful lives of 5 to 45 years for buildings and improvements and 4 to 15 years for furniture and equipment. Leasehold improvements and assets acquired under capital lease are amortized over the shorter of their estimated useful lives or the terms of the related leases. Land is recorded at cost.

Company-Owned Life Insurance. Key executive and group life insurance policies are recorded at their cash surrender value. Separate account group life insurance policies are subject to a stable value contract that offsets the impact of interest rate fluctuations on the market value of the policies and are recorded at the stabilized investment value. Increases in the cash surrender or stabilized investment value of insurance policies, as well as insurance proceeds received, are recorded as other non-interest income, and are not subject to income taxes.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets. Long-lived assets, including premises and equipment and certain identifiable intangibles, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. The amount of the impairment loss, if any, is based on the asset’s fair value. Impairment losses of $102, $616 and $70 were recognized in other non-interest expense in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.


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Table of Contents

FIRST INTERSTATE BANCSYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

Other Real Estate Owned. Real estate acquired in satisfaction of loans is initially carried at current fair value less estimated selling costs. Any excess of loan carrying value over the fair value of the real estate acquired is recorded as a charge to the allowance for loan losses. Subsequent declines in fair value less estimated selling costs are included in OREO expense. Subsequent increases in fair value less estimated selling costs are recorded as a reduction in OREO expense to the extent of recognized losses. Operating expenses, net of related income, and gains or losses on sales are included in OREO expense. Write-downs of $224, $3,512 and $6,724 were recorded in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Restricted Equity Securities. The Company, as a member of the Federal Reserve Bank and the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”), is required to maintain investments in each of the organization’s capital stock. As of December 31, 2014, restricted equity securities of the Federal Reserve Bank and the Federal Home Loan Bank of $16,187 and $10,662, respectively, were included in other assets at cost. As of December 31, 2013, restricted equity securities of the Federal Reserve Bank and the Federal Home Loan Bank were $13,357 and $7,003, respectively. No ready market exists for these restricted equity securities, and they have no quoted market values. Restricted equity securities are periodically reviewed for impairment based on ultimate recovery of par value. The determination of whether a decline affects the ultimate recovery of par value is influenced by the significance of the decline compared to the cost basis of the restricted equity securities, the length of time a decline has persisted, the impact of legislative and regulatory changes on the issuing organizations and the liquidity positions of the issuing organizations. Based on management’s assessment, no impairment losses were recorded on restricted equity securities during 2014, 2013 or 2012.

Derivatives and Hedging Activities. During 2014, the Company entered into derivative interest rate swap agreements as part of its interest rate risk management strategy. The interest rate swaps are recognized as assets or liabilities on the Company's balance sheet at fair value. Fair value estimations are obtained from third parties and are based on pricing models. Currently, none of the Company’s derivatives are designated in qualifying hedging relationships. As such, all changes in the fair value of the Company’s derivatives are recognized directly in earnings. As of December 31, 2014, interest rate swap derivative assets of $61 were included in other assets and interest rate swap derivative liabilities of $59 were included in other liabilities on the Company's consolidated balance sheet. During 2014, the Company recorded insignificant amounts of non-interest income related to changes in the fair value of derivatives. The Company does not enter into derivative agreements for trading or speculative purposes. 

Income from Fiduciary Activities. Consistent with industry practice, income for trust services is recognized on the basis of cash received. However, use of this method in lieu of accrual basis accounting does not materially affect reported earnings.

Earnings Per Common Share. Basic and diluted earnings per common share are calculated using a two-class method. Under the two-class method, basic earnings per common share is calculated by dividing net income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, excluding outstanding participating securities. Participating securities include non-vested time restricted stock awards and non-vested performance restricted stock awards granted prior to 2014. Diluted earnings per common share is calculated by dividing net income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding determined for the basic earnings per share calculation plus the dilutive effect of stock compensation using the treasury stock method.

Income Taxes. The Parent Company and its subsidiaries have elected to be included in a consolidated federal income tax return. For state income tax purposes, the combined taxable income of the Parent Company and its subsidiaries is apportioned among the states in which operations take place. Federal and state income taxes attributable to the subsidiaries, computed on a separate return basis, are paid to or received from the Parent Company.

The Company accounts for income taxes using the liability method. Under the liability method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on enacted income tax rates which will be in effect when the differences between the financial statement carrying values and tax bases of existing assets and liabilities are expected to be reported in taxable income.


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FIRST INTERSTATE BANCSYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

Positions taken in the Company’s tax returns may be subject to challenge by the taxing authorities upon examination. Uncertain tax positions are initially recognized in the financial statements when it is more likely than not the position will be sustained upon examination by the tax authorities. Such tax positions are both initially and subsequently measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon settlement with the tax authority, assuming full knowledge of the position and all relevant facts. The Company provides for interest and, in some cases, penalties on tax positions that may be challenged by the taxing authorities. Interest expense is recognized beginning in the first period that such interest would begin accruing. Penalties are recognized in the period that the Company claims the position in the tax return. Interest and penalties on income tax uncertainties are classified within income tax expense in the income statement. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal and state examinations by tax authorities for years before 2011. The Company had no accrued interest or penalties as of December 31, 2014, 2013 or 2012.
    
Comprehensive Income. Comprehensive income includes net income, as well as other changes in stockholders’ equity that result from transactions and economic events other than those with shareholders. In addition to net income, the Company’s comprehensive income includes the after tax effect of changes in unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale investment securities, changes in the unamortized gain or loss on available-for-sale investment securities transferred to held-to-maturity and changes in net actuarial gains and losses on defined benefit post-retirement benefits plans.
    
Segment Reporting. An operating segment is defined as a component of a business for which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources and evaluate performance. The Company has one operating segment, community banking, which encompasses commercial and consumer banking services offered to individuals, businesses, municipalities and other entities.
    
Advertising Costs. Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising expense was $3,734, $3,532, and $3,555 in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
            
Transfers of Financial Assets. Transfers of financial assets are accounted for as sales when control over the assets has been surrendered. Control over transferred assets is deemed to be surrendered when the assets have been isolated from the Company; the transferee obtains the right, free of conditions that constrain it from taking advantage of that right, to pledge or exchange the transferred assets; and, the Company does not maintain effective control over the transferred assets through an agreement to repurchase them before their maturity.
    
Stock-Based Compensation. Compensation cost for all stock-based awards is measured at fair value on the date of grant and is recognized over the requisite service period for awards expected to vest. Stock-based compensation expense of $3,014, $2,936 and $2,485 for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, is included in benefits expense in the Company’s consolidated statements of income. Related income tax benefits recognized for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 were $1,153, $1,122 and $950, respectively. All compensation cost for stock-based awards is expensed at the Parent Company.
    
Fair Value Measurements. In general, fair value measurements are based upon quoted market prices, where available. If quoted market prices are not available, fair value measurements are estimated using relevant market information and other assumptions. Fair value estimates involve uncertainties and require some degree of judgment regarding interest rates, credit risk, prepayments and other factors. The use of different assumptions or estimation techniques may have a significant effect on the fair value amounts reported.
    
(2)
ACQUISITION
    
On February 10, 2014, the Company entered into an agreement and plan of merger to acquire all of the outstanding stock of Mountain West Financial Corp ("MWFC"), a Montana-based bank holding company that operated one wholly-owned subsidiary bank, Mountain West Bank, NA ("MWB"), with branches located in five of the Company's current market areas in Montana. The acquisition was completed on July 31, 2014, and the Company merged MWB with its existing bank subsidiary, First Interstate Bank ("FIB"), on October 17, 2014. The acquisition allowed the Company to gain market share in several of its current market areas. The Company also benefited from cost savings related to the merger of MWB with FIB.

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FIRST INTERSTATE BANCSYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)


Under the terms of the agreement and plan of merger, each outstanding share of Mountain West common stock was canceled and converted into the right to receive 0.2552 shares of the Company's Class A common stock plus $7.125 in cash, or, at the stockholder's election, an amount in all cash or all stock intended to be substantially equal in value to the combination of stock and cash merger consideration described above. Consideration for the acquisition of $74,451 consisted of cash of $38,479 and the issuance of 1,378,230 shares of the Company's Class A common stock valued at $26.10 per share, the closing price of the Company's Class A common stock as quoted on the NASDAQ stock market on the acquisition date. The acquisition was accounted for using the acquisition method with the cash portion of the purchase price funded from cash on hand. In conjunction with the acquisition, the Company recognized acquisition costs of $4,017.

The assets and liabilities of MWFC were recorded in the Company's consolidated financial statements at their estimated fair values as of the acquisition date. The excess value of the consideration paid over the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed was recorded as goodwill. Goodwill arising from the acquisition consists largely of the synergies and economies of scale expected from combining the operations of MWFC and the Company. This acquisition was accounted for as a tax-free exchange; therefore, goodwill recorded in conjunction with this acquisition is not deductible for income tax purposes.

The following table summarizes the consideration paid, fair values of MWFC assets acquired and liabilities assumed and the resulting goodwill. The amount reported below for net deferred tax asset is provisional pending completion of the Company's review of tax items.
 
As Recorded
Fair Value
 
As Recorded
As of July 31, 2014
by MWFC
Adjustments
 
by the Company
 
 
 
 
 
Assets acquired:
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
74,035

$

 
$
74,035

Investment securities
104,945

(34
)
(1)
104,911

Loans
378,558

(18,286
)
(2)
360,272

Allowance for loan losses
(11,598
)
11,598

(3)

Premises and equipment
35,283

(5,847
)
(4)
29,436

Company-owned life insurance
13,046


 
13,046

Deferred tax asset, net
6,491

1,135

(5)
7,626

Core deposit intangible

11,014

(6)
11,014

Other assets
16,559

(5,300
)
(7)
11,259

Total assets acquired
617,319

(5,720
)
 
611,599

 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities assumed:
 
 
 
 
Deposits
515,538

(159
)
(8)
515,379

Other liabilities
20,501

2,730

(9)
23,231

Subordinated debentures held by subsidiary trusts
20,439


(10)
20,439

Total liabilities assumed
556,478

2,571

 
559,049

 
 
 
 
 
Net assets acquired
$
60,841

$
(8,291
)
 
52,550

 
 
 
 
 
Consideration paid:
 
 
 
 
Cash
 
 
 
38,479

Class A common stock
 
 
 
35,972

Total consideration
 
 
 
74,451

 
 
 
 
 
Goodwill
 
 
 
$
21,901


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FIRST INTERSTATE BANCSYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

Explanation of fair value adjustments:
(1)
Write down of the book value of investment securities to their estimated fair values on the date of acquisition based upon quotes obtained from an independent third party pricing service.
(2)
Write down of the book value of loans to their estimated fair values. Except for collateral dependent loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality, the fair value of loans was estimated using cash flow projections based on the remaining maturity and repricing terms, adjusted for estimated future credit losses and prepayments and discounted to present value using a risk-adjusted market rate for similar loans. The fair value of collateral dependent loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality was estimated based on the Company's analysis of the fair value of the each loan's underlying collateral, discounted using market-derived rates of return with consideration given to the period of time and costs associated with foreclosure and disposition of the collateral.
(3)
Adjustment to remove the MWB allowance for loan losses at acquisition date as the credit risk is accounted for in the fair value adjustment for loans receivable described in (2) above.
(4)
Write down of the book value of premises and equipment to their estimated fair values based upon appraisals obtained from an independent third party appraiser.
(5)
Adjustment represents the net deferred tax assets resulting from fair value adjustments related to acquired assets, assumed liabilities, core deposit intangible assets and other purchase accounting adjustments.
(6)
Adjustment represents the value of the core deposit base assumed in the acquisition based upon a valuation obtained from an independent third party valuation expert.
(7)
Adjustment consists of a reduction in the value of equity method investments, accrued interest receivable and accrued net income taxes receivable, and the write-off of pre-existing goodwill and computer software costs.
(8)
Decrease in book value of time deposits to their estimated fair values based upon interest rates of similar time deposits with similar terms on the date of acquisition.
(9)
Adjustment represents increases in the book values of other liabilities to their estimated fair values at the acquisition date. The adjustment primarily consists of a $2,000 increase to an acquired operating lease obligation and a $473 increase to Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings based upon interest interest rates of similar obligations with similar characteristics on the date of acquisition.
(10)
Recorded value of junior subordinated debentures held by subsidiary trusts approximated fair value as of the acquisition date due to the short-term nature of the instruments. These debentures were redeemed at par value in December 2014.
    
Fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed as part of the MWFC acquisition were estimated using relevant market information and significant other inputs and generally fall within Levels 2 and 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

The core deposit intangible asset of $11,014 is being amortized using an accelerated method over the estimated useful lives of the related deposits of ten years.
    
The Company acquired certain loans that are subject to Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 310-30 "Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality." ASC Topic 310-30 provides recognition, measurement and disclosure guidance for acquired loans that have evidence of deterioration in credit quality since origination for which is it probable, at acquisition, the Company will be unable to collect all contractual amounts owned. For loans that meet the criteria stipulated in ASC Topic 310-30, the excess of all cash flows expected at acquisition over the initial fair value of the loans acquired ("accretable yield") is amortized to interest income over the expected remaining lives of the underlying loans using the effective interest method. The accretable yield will fluctuate due to changes in (i) estimated lives of underling credit-impaired loans, (ii) assumptions regarding future principal and interest amounts collected, and (iii) indices used to fair value variable rate loans.

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FIRST INTERSTATE BANCSYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

Information regarding acquired credit-impaired loans as of the July 31, 2014 acquisition date is as follows:
Contractually required principal and interest payments
$
112,882

Contractual cash flows not expected to be collected ("non-accretable discount")
74,760

Cash flows expected to be collected
38,122

Interest component of cash flows expected to be collected ("accretable discount")
5,233

Fair value of acquired credit-impaired loans
$
32,889

Information regarding acquired loans not deemed credit-impaired at the acquisition date is as follows:
Contractually required principal and interest payments
$
445,345

Contractual cash flows not expected to be collected
(15,090
)
Fair value at acquisition
327,383


The accompanying consolidated statements of income include the results of operations of the acquired entity from the July 31, 2014 acquisition date. Operations of the acquired entity were immediately integrated with the Company's operations and the acquired bank was merged with the Company's existing banking subsidiary in October 2014. Post-acquisition revenues and net income of the acquired entity were not captured separately subsequent to the merger. As such, the Company has determined it is not practical to report the post-acquisition date revenues and net income of the acquired entity that were included in the Company's consolidated income statement for the year ended December 31, 2014.

The following table presents unaudited pro forma consolidated revenues and net income as if the acquisition had occurred as of January 1, 2013.
Year ended December 31, (unaudited)
2014
2013
Interest income
$
280,102

$
280,455

Non-interest income
114,984

120,005

Total revenues
$
395,086

$
400,460

 
 
 
Net income
$
87,129

$
84,264


The unaudited pro forma net income presented in the table above for 2014 was adjusted to exclude acquisition-related costs, including change in control expenses related to employee benefit plans, stock option cancellation fees and legal and professional expenses, of $5,052, net of tax. Pro forma net income presented in the table above for 2013 was adjusted to include the aforementioned acquisition-related costs. The unaudited pro forma net income presented in the table above for 2014 and 2013 includes adjustments for scheduled amortization of core deposit intangible assets acquired in the acquisition. No adjustments were made for operating costs savings and other business synergies expected as a result of the acquisition, or accretion or amortization of fair value adjustments other than core deposit intangible assets.

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FIRST INTERSTATE BANCSYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

(3)
INVESTMENT SECURITIES

The amortized cost and approximate fair values of investment securities are summarized as follows:
December 31, 2014
Amortized
Cost
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
Estimated
Fair
Value
Available-for-Sale
 
 
 
 
Obligations of U.S. government agencies
$
725,408

$
895

$
(5,370
)
$
720,933

U.S. agency residential mortgage-backed securities &
   collateralized mortgage obligations
982,764

11,526

(3,624
)
990,666

Private mortgage-backed securities
322

5

(2
)
325

Total
$
1,708,494

$
12,426

$
(8,996
)
$
1,711,924

December 31, 2014
Amortized
Cost
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
Estimated
Fair
Value
Held-to Maturity
 
 
 
 
State, county and municipal securities
$
188,941

$
5,949

$
(386
)
$
194,504

Corporate securities
32,565

54

(75
)
32,544

U.S agency residential mortgage-backed securities &
collateralized mortgage obligations
353,176

5,563

(1,758
)
356,981

Other investments
504



504

Total
$
575,186

$
11,566

$
(2,219
)
$
584,533


Gross gains of $274 and gross losses of $213 were realized on the disposition of available-for-sale securities in 2014.
December 31, 2013
Amortized
Cost
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
Estimated
Fair
Value
Available-for-Sale
 
 
 
 
Obligations of U.S. government agencies
$
774,055

$
1,432

$
(12,249
)
$
763,238

U.S. agency residential mortgage-backed securities &
   collateralized mortgage obligations
1,197,295

11,905

(25,147
)
1,184,053

Private mortgage-backed securities
407

9

(1
)
415

Total
$
1,971,757

$
13,346

$
(37,397
)
$
1,947,706

December 31, 2013
Amortized
Cost
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
Estimated
Fair
Value
Held-to Maturity
 
 
 
 
State, county and municipal securities
$
185,818

$
4,043

$
(2,049
)
$
187,812

Corporate securities
18,019

103

(8
)
$
18,114

Total
$
203,837

$
4,146

$
(2,057
)
$
205,926


Gross gains of $49 and $351 were realized on the disposition of available-for-sale securities in 2013 and 2012, respectively. Gross losses of $48 and $3 were realized on the disposition of available-for-sale securities in 2013 and 2012, respectively.

As of December 31, 2014, the Company had general obligation securities with amortized costs of $131,845 included in state, county and municipal securities, of which $68,927 were issued by political subdivisions or agencies within the states of Montana, Wyoming and South Dakota.


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FIRST INTERSTATE BANCSYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

On June 27, 2014, the Company transferred available-for-sale U.S. agency residential mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations with amortized costs and fair values of $396,640 and $388,808, respectively, into the held-to-maturity category. Unrealized net losses of $7,832 included in accumulated other comprehensive income at the time of the transfer are being amortized to yield over the remaining expected lives of the transferred securities of 4.3 years.

The following table shows the gross unrealized losses and fair values of investment securities, aggregated by investment category, and the length of time individual investment securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, as of December 31, 2014 and 2013.
 
Less than 12 Months
12 Months or More
Total
December 31, 2014
Fair
Value
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
Fair
Value
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
Fair
Value
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
Available-for-Sale
 
 
 
 
 
 
Obligations of U.S. government agencies
$
135,888

$
(702
)
$
309,283

$
(4,668
)
$
445,171

$
(5,370
)
U.S. agency residential mortgage-backed
   securities & collateralized mortgage
   obligations
219,214

(887
)
151,380

(2,737
)
370,594

(3,624
)
Private mortgage-backed securities


90

(2
)
90

(2
)
Total
$
355,102

$
(1,589
)
$
460,753

$
(7,407
)
$
815,855

$
(8,996
)
 
Less than 12 Months
12 Months or More
Total
December 31, 2014
Fair
Value
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
Fair
Value
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
Fair
Value
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
Held-to-Maturity
 
 
 
 
 
 
State, county and municipal securities
$
7,979

$
(13
)
$
20,097

$
(373
)
$
28,076

$
(386
)
U.S. agency residential mortgage-backed
securities & collateralized mortgage
obligations
61,201

(1,758
)


61,201

(1,758
)
Corporate securities
14,755

(75
)


14,755

(75
)
Total
$
83,935

$
(1,846
)
$
20,097

$
(373
)
$
104,032

$
(2,219
)
 
Less than 12 Months
12 Months or More
Total
December 31, 2013
Fair
Value
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
Fair
Value
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
Fair
Value
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
Available-for-Sale
 
 
 
 
 
 
Obligations of U.S. government agencies
$
458,385

$
(10,355
)
$
59,362

$
(1,894
)
$
517,747

$
(12,249
)
U.S. agency residential mortgage-backed
   securities & collateralized mortgage
   obligations
634,199

(17,273
)
166,930

(7,874
)
801,129

(25,147
)
Private mortgage-backed securities


104

(1
)
104

(1
)
Total
$
1,092,584

$
(27,628
)
$
226,396

$
(9,769
)
$
1,318,980

$
(37,397
)

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FIRST INTERSTATE BANCSYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 
Less than 12 Months
12 Months or More
Total
December 31, 2013
Fair
Value
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
Fair
Value
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
Fair
Value
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
Held-to-Maturity
 
 
 
 
 
 
State, county and municipal securities
$
37,550

$
(1,319
)
$
14,296

$
(730
)
$
51,846

$
(2,049
)
Corporate securities
7,294

(8
)


7,294

(8
)
Total
$
44,844

$
(1,327
)
$
14,296

$
(730
)
$
59,140

$
(2,057
)

The investment portfolio is evaluated quarterly for other-than-temporary declines in the market value of each individual investment security. Consideration is given to the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost; the financial condition and near term prospects of the issuer; and, the intent and ability of the Company to retain its investment in the issuer for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value. As of December 31, 2014, the Company had 154 individual investment securities that were in an unrealized loss position. As of December 31, 2013, the Company had 229 individual investment securities that were in an unrealized loss position. Unrealized losses as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 related primarily to fluctuations in the current interest rates. The fair value of these investment securities is expected to recover as the securities approach their maturity or repricing date or if market yields for such investments decline. As of December 31, 2014, the Company had the intent and ability to hold these investment securities for a period of time sufficient to allow for an anticipated recovery. Furthermore, the Company does not have the intent to sell any of the available-for-sale securities in the above table and it is more likely than not that the Company will not have to sell any such securities before a recovery in cost. No impairment losses were recorded during 2014, 2013 or 2012.

Maturities of investment securities at December 31, 2014 are shown below. Maturities of mortgage-backed securities have been adjusted to reflect shorter maturities based upon estimated prepayments of principal. All other investment securities maturities are shown at contractual maturity dates.
 
Available-for-Sale
 
Held-to-Maturity
December 31, 2014
Amortized
Cost
Estimated
Fair Value
 
Amortized
Cost
Estimated
Fair Value
Within one year
$
252,677

$
254,560

 
$
85,751

$
86,983

After one year but within five years
1,218,143

1,219,799

 
283,000

286,783

After five years but within ten years
188,520

188,015

 
150,601

153,287

After ten years
49,154

49,550

 
55,834

57,480

Total
$
1,708,494

$
1,711,924

 
$
575,186

$
584,533


At December 31, 2014, the Company had investment securities callable within one year with amortized costs and estimated fair values of $176,023 and $175,892, respectively. These investment securities are primarily classified as available-for-sale and included in the after one year but within five years category in the table above.

At December 31, 2014, the Company had callable structured notes with amortized costs and estimated fair values of $29,995 and $30,012, respectively. These callable structured notes, which are classified as available-for-sale and included in the after one year but within five years category in the table above, have fixed interest rates that increase at various intervals as market rates increase.

Maturities of securities do not reflect rate repricing opportunities present in adjustable rate mortgage-backed securities. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company had variable rate mortgage-backed securities with amortized costs of $40,666 and $46,315, respectively, classified as available-for-sale in the table above.

There are no significant concentrations of investments at December 31, 2014, (greater than 10 percent of stockholders’ equity) in any individual security issuer, except for U.S. government or agency-backed securities.


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FIRST INTERSTATE BANCSYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

Investment securities with amortized cost of $1,351,787 and $1,288,750 at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, were pledged to secure public deposits and securities sold under repurchase agreements. The approximate fair value of securities pledged at December 31, 2014 and 2013 was $1,356,341 and $1,278,663, respectively. All securities sold under repurchase agreements are with customers and mature on the next banking day. The Company retains possession of the underlying securities sold under repurchase agreements.

(4)
LOANS
    
The following table presents loans by class as of the dates indicated:
December 31,
2014
 
2013
Real estate loans:
 
 
 
Commercial
$
1,639,422

 
$
1,449,174

Construction:
 
 
 
Land acquisition & development
220,443

 
205,911

Residential
96,580

 
76,488

Commercial
101,246

 
69,236

Total construction loans
418,269

 
351,635

Residential
999,903

 
867,912

Agricultural
167,659

 
173,534

Total real estate loans
3,225,253

 
2,842,255

Consumer:
 
 
 
Indirect consumer
552,863

 
476,012

Other consumer
144,141

 
133,039

Credit card
65,467

 
62,536

Total consumer loans
762,471

 
671,587

Commercial
740,073

 
676,544

Agricultural
124,859

 
111,872

Other, including overdrafts
3,959

 
1,734

Loans held for investment
4,856,615

 
4,303,992

Mortgage loans held for sale
40,828

 
40,861

Total loans
$
4,897,443

 
$
4,344,853

    
The Company has lending policies and procedures in place that are designed to maximize loan income within an acceptable level of risk. Management reviews and approves these policies and procedures on a regular basis. A reporting system supplements the review process by providing management with frequent reports related to loan production, loan quality, concentrations of credit, loan delinquencies and internally risk-classified loans.
    
Real estate loans include construction and permanent financing for both single-family and multi-unit properties, term loans for commercial, agricultural and industrial property and/or buildings and home equity loans and lines of credit secured by real estate. Longer-term residential real estate loans are generally sold in the secondary market. Those residential real estate loans not sold are typically secured by first liens on the financed property and generally mature in less than fifteen years. Home equity loans and lines of credit are typically secured by first or second liens on residential real estate and generally do not exceed a loan to value ratio of 80%. The Company had home equity loans and lines of credit of $298,692 and $272,415 as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Commercial and agricultural real estate loans are generally secured by first liens on income-producing real estate and generally mature in less than 5 years.
    
Construction loans are primarily to commercial builders for residential lot development and the construction of single-family residences and commercial real estate properties. Construction loans are generally underwritten pursuant to pre-approved permanent financing. During the construction phase the borrower pays interest only.
    

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FIRST INTERSTATE BANCSYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

Consumer loans include direct personal loans, credit card loans and lines of credit; and indirect dealer loans for the purchase of automobiles, recreational vehicles, boats and other consumer goods. Personal loans and indirect dealer loans are generally secured by automobiles, boats and other types of personal property and are made on an installment basis. Credit cards are offered to individuals in our market areas. Lines of credit are generally floating rate loans that are unsecured or secured by personal property.

Commercial loans include a mix of variable and fixed rate loans made to small and medium-sized manufacturing, wholesale, retail and service businesses for working capital needs and business expansions. Commercial loans generally include lines of credit, business credit cards and loans with maturities of five years or less. The loans are generally made with business operations as the primary source of repayment, but also include collateralization by inventory, accounts receivable, equipment and/or personal guarantees.
    
Agricultural loans generally consist of short and medium-term loans and lines of credit that are primarily used for crops, livestock, equipment and general operations. Agricultural loans are ordinarily secured by assets such as livestock or equipment and are repaid from the operations of the farm or ranch. Agricultural loans generally have maturities of five years or less, with operating lines for one production season.
    
Included in the loan table above, are loans acquired in business combinations including certain loans that had evidence of deterioration in credit quality since origination and for which it was probable, at acquisition, that all contractually required payments would not be collected. The following table displays the outstanding unpaid principal balance, accrued interest receivable and accrual status of loans acquired with credit impairment as of December 31, 2014 and 2013.    
December 31,
2014
2013
 
 
 
Outstanding balance
$
41,910

$

 
 
 
Carrying value
 
 
Loans on accrual status
31,870


Loans on non-accrual status


Total carrying value
$
31,870

$

    
The following table summarizes changes in the accretable yield for loans acquired credit impaired for year ended December 31, 2014 and 2013:
Year Ended December 31,
2014
2013
 
 
 
Beginning balance
$

$

Acquisition
5,233


Accretion income
(735
)

Reductions due to exit events
(201
)

Reclassifications from (to) nonaccretable differences
1,484


Ending balance
$
5,781

$



84


Table of Contents

FIRST INTERSTATE BANCSYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

Loans are considered past due if the required principal and interest payments have not been received as of the date such payments were due. The following tables present the contractual aging of the Company’s recorded investment in past due loans by class as of the period indicated:
 
 
 
 
Total Loans
 
 
 
 
30 - 59
60 - 89
> 90
30 or More
 
 
 
 
Days
Days
Days
Days
Current
Non-accrual
Total
As of December 31, 2014
Past Due
Past Due
Past Due
Past Due
Loans
Loans
Loans
Real estate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
$
4,692

$
1,609

$
331

$
6,632

$
1,605,421

$
27,369

$
1,639,422

Construction:
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Land acquisition & development
839

383


1,222

210,969

8,252

220,443

Residential

475


475

95,833

272

96,580

Commercial
100



100

98,582

2,564

101,246

Total construction loans
939

858


1,797

405,384

11,088

418,269

Residential
6,969

645

1,762

9,376

987,735

2,792

999,903

Agricultural
1,624

236


1,860

158,957

6,842

167,659

Total real estate loans
14,224

3,348

2,093

19,665

3,157,497

48,091

3,225,253

Consumer:
 
 
 
 


 

 

Indirect consumer
3,235

482

6

3,723

548,757

383

552,863

Other consumer
988

140

32

1,160

142,432

549

144,141

Credit card
369

284

315

968

64,484

15

65,467

Total consumer loans
4,592

906

353

5,851

755,673

947

762,471

Commercial
3,659

994

147

4,800

722,575

12,698

740,073

Agricultural
1,125



1,125

123,288

446

124,859

Other, including overdrafts




3,959


3,959

Loans held for investment
23,600

5,248

2,593

31,441

4,762,992

62,182

4,856,615

Mortgage loans originated for sale




40,828


40,828

Total loans
$
23,600

$
5,248

$
2,593

$
31,441

$
4,803,820

$
62,182

$
4,897,443



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FIRST INTERSTATE BANCSYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 
 
 
 
Total Loans
 
 
 
 
30 - 59
60 - 89
> 90
30 or More
 
 
 
 
Days
Days
Days
Days
Current
Non-accrual
Total
As of December 31, 2013
Past Due
Past Due
Past Due
Past Due
Loans
Loans
Loans
Real estate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
$
5,924

$
2,472

$
22

$
8,418

$
1,391,823

$
48,933

$
1,449,174

Construction:
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Land acquisition & development
1,062

468

38

1,568

188,074

16,269

205,911

Residential
933

250


1,183

73,933

1,372

76,488

Commercial
584



584

68,427

225

69,236

Total construction loans
2,579

718

38

3,335

330,434

17,866

351,635

Residential
3,630

206

1,162

4,998

856,800

6,114

867,912

Agricultural
328

646


974

163,986

8,574

173,534

Total real estate loans
12,461

4,042

1,222

17,725

2,743,043

81,487

2,842,255

Consumer:
 
 
 




 

 

Indirect consumer
3,303

430

9

3,742

471,906

364

476,012

Other consumer
925

130

1

1,056

131,508

475

133,039

Credit card
364

187

515

1,066

61,451

19

62,536

Total consumer loans
4,592

747

525

5,864

664,865

858

671,587

Commercial
2,791

1,186

563

4,540

660,035

11,969

676,544

Agricultural
453

672


1,125

110,622

125

111,872

Other, including overdrafts




1,734


1,734

Loans held for investment
20,297

6,647

2,310

29,254

4,180,299

94,439

4,303,992

Mortgage loans originated for sale




40,861


40,861

Total loans
$
20,297

$
6,647

$
2,310

$
29,254

$
4,221,160

$
94,439

$
4,344,853

        
Acquired loans that meet the criteria for non-accrual of interest prior to the acquisition were considered performing upon acquisition. If interest on non-accrual loans had been accrued, such income would have approximated $3,970, $4,630 and $8,537 during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
    

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FIRST INTERSTATE BANCSYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

The Company considers impaired loans to include all loans, except consumer loans, that are risk rated as doubtful, or have been placed on non-accrual status or renegotiated in troubled debt restructurings. The following tables present information on the Company’s recorded investment in impaired loans as of dates indicated:
 
December 31, 2014
 
Unpaid
Total
Principal
Balance
Recorded
Investment
With No
Allowance
Recorded
Investment
With
Allowance
Total
Recorded
Investment
Related
Allowance
Real estate:
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
$
41,603

$
28,143

$
11,246

$
39,389

$
1,608

Construction:
 
 
 
 
 
Land acquisition & development
12,511

7,262

1,615

8,877

574

Residential
459

272


272


Commercial
2,729

253

2,442

2,695

904

Total construction loans
15,699

7,787

4,057

11,844

1,478

Residential
2,959

2,452

341

2,793

143

Agricultural
8,844

6,444

2,305

8,749

732

Total real estate loans
69,105

44,826

17,949

62,775

3,961

Commercial
16,904

11,882

2,644

14,526

1,190

Agricultural
1,231

342

837

1,179

641

Total
$
87,240

$
57,050

$
21,430

$
78,480

$
5,792

 
December 31, 2013
 
Unpaid
Total
Principal
Balance
Recorded
Investment
With No
Allowance
Recorded
Investment
With
Allowance
Total
Recorded
Investment
Related
Allowance
Real estate:
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
$
64,780

$
29,216

$
33,937

$
63,153

$
5,210

Construction:
 
 
 
 
 
Land acquisition & development
23,906

9,901

7,226

17,127

1,434

Residential
1,816

1,095

277

1,372

26

Commercial
397

279

84

363

85

Total construction loans
26,119

11,275

7,587

18,862

1,545

Residential
9,448

5,081

967

6,048

249

Agricultural
8,895

6,429

2,370

8,799

335

Total real estate loans
109,242

52,001

44,861

96,862

7,339

Commercial
15,448

10,684

2,901

13,585

1,504

Agricultural
177

39

86

125

86

Total
$
124,867

$
62,724

$
47,848

$
110,572

$
8,929



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FIRST INTERSTATE BANCSYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 
December 31, 2012
 
Unpaid
Total
Principal
Balance
Recorded
Investment
With No
Allowance
Recorded
Investment
With
Allowance
Total
Recorded
Investment
Related
Allowance
Real estate:
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
$
84,300

$
39,049

$
34,774

$
73,823

$
4,112

Construction:
 
 
 
 
 
Land acquisition & development
28,558

15,891

7,173

23,064

1,457

Residential
3,018

1,976

710

2,686

251

Commercial
10,447

7,785

340

8,125

69

Total construction loans
42,023

25,652

8,223

33,875

1,777

Residential
13,271

6,152

4,495

10,647

1,677

Agricultural
5,559

1,834

3,227

5,061

784

Total real estate loans
145,153

72,687

50,719

123,406

8,350

Commercial
12,770

9,036

3,206

12,242

1,919

Agricultural
589

509

28

537

28

Total
$
158,512

$
82,232

$
53,953

$
136,185

$
10,297

    
The following tables present the average recorded investment in and income recognized on impaired loans for the periods indicated:
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
Average Recorded Investment
Income Recognized
 
Average Recorded Investment
Income Recognized
 
Average Recorded Investment
Income Recognized
Real estate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
$
54,701

$
876

 
$
66,330

$
1,092

 
$
78,670

$
1,339

Construction:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Land acquisition & development
13,056

43

 
19,523

487

 
44,457

110

Residential
822


 
1,893


 
8,431

4

Commercial
1,529

8

 
3,936

4

 
16,401


Total construction loans
15,407

51

 
25,352

491

 
69,289

114

Residential
4,537

5

 
8,104

17

 
13,703

26

Agricultural
8,774

78

 
8,230

8

 
6,936

41

Total real estate loans
83,419

1,010

 
108,016

1,608

 
168,598

1,520

Commercial
13,789

50

 
15,047

68

 
15,741

84

Agricultural
447

23

 
313

16

 
942

27

Total
$
97,655

$
1,083

 
$
123,376

$
1,692

 
$
185,281

$
1,631


The amount of interest income recognized by the Company within the period that the loans were impaired was primarily related to loans modified in troubled debt restructurings that remained on accrual status. Interest payments received on non-accrual impaired loans are applied to principal. Interest income is subsequently recognized only to the extent cash payments are received in excess of principal due. If interest on impaired loans had been accrued, interest income on impaired loans during 2014, 2013 and 2012 would have been approximately $4,951, $5,786 and $8,463, respectively.
    

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FIRST INTERSTATE BANCSYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

Collateral dependent impaired loans are recorded at the fair value of the underlying collateral determined using discounted cash flows, independent appraisals and management estimates based upon current market conditions. For loans measured under the present value of cash flows method, the change in present value attributable to the passage of time, if applicable, is recognized in the provision for loan losses and thus no interest income is recognized.
    
Modifications of performing loans are made in the ordinary course of business and are completed on a case-by-case basis as negotiated with the borrower. Loan modifications typically include interest rate changes, interest only periods of less than twelve months, short-term payment deferrals and extension of amortization periods to provide payment relief. A loan modification is considered a troubled debt restructuring if the borrower is experiencing financial difficulties and the Company, for economic or legal reasons, grants a concession to the borrower that it would not otherwise consider. Certain troubled debt restructurings are on non-accrual status at the time of restructuring and may be returned to accrual status after considering the borrower's sustained repayment performance in accordance with the restructuring agreement for a period of at least six months and management is reasonably assured of future performance. If the troubled debt restructuring meets these performance criteria and the interest rate granted at the modification is equal to or greater than the rate that the Company was willing to accept at the time of the restructuring for a new loan with comparable risk, then the loan will return to performing status and the accrual of interest will resume, although they continue to be individually evaluated for impairment and disclosed as impaired loans.
    
The Company had loans renegotiated in troubled debt restructurings of $44,227 as of December 31, 2014, of which $23,275 were included in non-accrual loans and $20,952 were on accrual status. The Company had loans renegotiated in troubled debt restructurings of $59,792 as of December 31, 2013, of which $38,011 were included in non-accrual loans and $21,781 were on accrual status.

The following table presents information on the Company's troubled debt restructurings that occurred during the periods indicated:
 
 
Number of Notes
 
Type of Concession
Principal Balance at Restructure Date
Year Ended December 31, 2014
 
 
Interest only period
Extension of terms or maturity
Interest rate adjustment
Other
Real estate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
 
13

 
$
4,753

$
672

$
84

$
1,047

$
6,556

Residential
 
1

 



15

15

Total real estate loans
 
14

 
4,753

672

84

1,062

6,571

Consumer
 
1

 

113



113

Commercial
 
5

 
476



30

506

Total
 
20

 
$
5,229

$
785

$
84

$
1,092

$
7,190


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FIRST INTERSTATE BANCSYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 
 
Number of Notes
 
Type of Concession
Principal Balance at Restructure Date
Year ended December 31, 2013
 
 
Interest only period
Extension of terms or maturity
Interest rate adjustment
Other
Real estate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
 
19

 
$
543

$
1,378

$
11,420

$
2,310

$
15,651

Construction:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Land acquisition & development
 
8

 
528

7,308

1,952


9,788

Residential
 
3

 

408

411


819

Total construction loans
 
11

 
528

7,716

2,363


10,607

Residential
 
5

 

708


79

787

Agriculture
 
1

 


188


188

Total real estate loans
 
36

 
1,071

9,802

13,971

2,389

27,233

Consumer
 
1

 


27


27

Commercial
 
6

 
613

178

265

87

1,143

Total
 
43

 
$
1,684

$
9,980

$
14,263

$
2,476

$
28,403


 
 
Number of Notes
 
Type of Concession
Principal Balance at Restructure Date
Year ended December 31, 2012
 
 
Interest only period
Extension of terms or maturity
Interest rate adjustment
Other
Real estate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
 
16

 
$

$
959

$
4,504

$
8,611

$
14,074

Construction:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
 
1

 



3,155

3,155

Land acquisition & development
 
5

 

1,000

1,757

623

3,380

Residential
 
2

 

280

233


513

Total construction loans
 
8

 

1,280

1,990

3,778

7,048

Residential
 
2

 
568

25



593

Agriculture
 
1

 

154



154

Total real estate loans
 
27

 
568

2,418

6,494

12,389

21,869

Consumer
 
1

 

69



69

Commercial
 
10

 
387

217


218

822

Total
 
38

 
$
955

$
2,704

$
6,494

$
12,607

$
22,760


Other concessions include payment reductions or deferrals for a specified period of time or the extension of amortization schedules. A specific reserve may have been previously recorded for loans modified in troubled debt restructurings that were on non-accrual status or otherwise deemed impaired before the modification. In periods subsequent to modification, the Company continues to evaluate all loans modified in troubled debt restructurings for possible impairment, which is recognized through the allowance for loan losses. Financial effects of modifications may include principal loan forgiveness or other charge-offs directly related to the restructuring. The Company had no charge-offs directly related to loans modified in troubled debt restructurings taken at the time of restructuring during 2014, 2013 or 2012.


90


Table of Contents

FIRST INTERSTATE BANCSYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

The Company considers a payment default to occur on loans modified in troubled debt restructurings when the loan is 90 days or more past due or was placed on non-accrual status after the modification. As of December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, loans modified in troubled debt restructurings within the previous 12 months for which there was a payment default during the period were not significant. As of December 31, 2014, and 2013, all of the loans modified in troubled debt restructurings with payment defaults during the previous twelve months were on non-accrual status.

At December 31, 2014, there were no material commitments to lend additional funds to borrowers whose existing loans have been renegotiated or are classified as non-accrual.

As part of the on-going and continuous monitoring of the credit quality of the Company’s loan portfolio, management tracks internally assigned risk classifications of loans. The Company adheres to a Uniform Classification System developed jointly by the various bank regulatory agencies to internally risk rate loans. The Uniform Classification System defines three broad categories of criticized assets, which the Company uses as credit quality indicators:

Other Assets Especially Mentioned — includes loans that exhibit weaknesses in financial condition, loan structure or documentation, which if not promptly corrected, may lead to the development of abnormal risk elements.

Substandard — includes loans that are inadequately protected by the current sound worth and paying capacity of the borrower. Although the primary source of repayment for a Substandard is not currently sufficient; collateral or other sources of repayment are sufficient to satisfy the debt. Continuance of a Substandard loan is not warranted unless positive steps are taken to improve the worthiness of the credit.

Doubtful — includes loans that exhibit pronounced weaknesses to a point where collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions and values, is highly questionable and improbable. Doubtful loans are required to be placed on non-accrual status and are assigned specific loss exposure.


91


Table of Contents

FIRST INTERSTATE BANCSYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

The following tables present the Company’s recorded investment in criticized loans by class and credit quality indicator based on the most recent analysis performed as of the dates indicated:
As of December 31, 2014
Other Assets
Especially
Mentioned
Substandard
Doubtful
Total
Criticized
Loans
Real estate:
 
 
 
 
Commercial
$
84,533

$
83,448

$
15,246

$
183,227

Construction:
 
 
 
 
Land acquisition & development
11,826

15,016

2,507

29,349

Residential
2,029

2,666


4,695

Commercial
39

253

2,442

2,734

Total construction loans
13,894

17,935

4,949

36,778

Residential
10,473

10,848

1,121

22,442

Agricultural
10,122

12,328

612

23,062

Total real estate loans
119,022

124,559

21,928

265,509

Consumer:
 
 
 
 
Indirect consumer
916

1,590

121

2,627

Other consumer
553

1,085

432

2,070

Credit card

348

1,263

1,611

Total consumer loans
1,469

3,023

1,816

6,308

Commercial
25,766

32,433

10,273

68,472

Agricultural
7,827

3,660

837

12,324

Total
$
154,084

$
163,675

$
34,854

$
352,613

As of December 31, 2013
Other Assets
Especially
Mentioned
Substandard
Doubtful
Total
Criticized
Loans
Real estate:
 
 
 
 
Commercial
$
79,747

$
86,426

$
24,840

$
191,013

Construction:
 
 
 
 
Land acquisition & development
13,211

19,677

7,329

40,217

Residential
1,859

1,649

277

3,785

Commercial

409

84

493

Total construction loans
15,070

21,735

7,690

44,495

Residential
7,500

7,188

4,184

18,872

Agricultural
13,597

10,245

2,370

26,212

Total real estate loans
115,914

125,594

39,084

280,592

Consumer:
 
 
 
 
Indirect consumer
875

1,524

115

2,514

Other consumer
573

969

268

1,810

Credit card

392

2,010

2,402

Total consumer loans
1,448

2,885

2,393

6,726

Commercial
33,318

23,833

3,745

60,896

Agricultural
8,401

1,788

86

10,275

Total
$
159,081

$
154,100

$
45,308

$
358,489




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FIRST INTERSTATE BANCSYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

The Company maintains a credit review function, which is independent of the credit approval process, to assess assigned internal risk classifications and monitor compliance with internal lending policies and procedures. Written action plans with firm target dates for resolution of identified problems are maintained and reviewed on a quarterly basis for all categories of criticized loans.

(5)
ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES

The following table presents a summary of changes in the allowance for loan losses by portfolio segment:
Year ended December 31, 2014
Real Estate
Consumer
Commercial
Agriculture
Other
Total
Allowance for loan losses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning balance
$
63,923

$
6,193

$
14,747

$
476

$

$
85,339

Provision charged (credited) to operating
   expense
(10,348
)
1,382

1,809

535


(6,622
)
Less loans charged-off
(3,014
)
(4,887
)
(6,030
)
(64
)

(13,995
)
Add back recoveries of loans previously charged-off
3,323

2,347

3,781

27


9,478

Ending balance
$
53,884

$
5,035

$
14,307

$
974

$

$
74,200

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Individually evaluated for impairment
$
3,961

$

$
1,190

$
641

$

$
5,792

Collectively evaluated for impairment
49,923

5,035

13,117

333


68,408

Ending balance
$
53,884

$
5,035

$
14,307

$
974

$

$
74,200

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Individually evaluated for impairment
$
62,775

$

$
14,526

$
1,179

$

$
78,480

Collectively evaluated for impairment
3,203,306

762,471

725,547

123,680

3,959

4,818,963

Total loans
$
3,266,081

$
762,471

$
740,073

$
124,859

$
3,959

$
4,897,443

Year ended December 31, 2013
Real Estate
Consumer
Commercial
Agriculture
Other
Total
Allowance for loan losses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning balance
$
75,782

$
7,141

$
17,085

$
503

$

$
100,511

Provision charged (credited) to operating
   expense
(7,722
)
1,605

41

(49
)

(6,125
)
Less loans charged-off
(10,224
)
(4,612
)
(5,672
)
(5
)

(20,513
)
Add back recoveries of loans previously charged-off
6,087

2,059

3,293

27


11,466

Ending balance
$
63,923

$
6,193

$
14,747

$
476

$

$
85,339

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Individually evaluated for impairment
$
7,339

$

$
1,504

$
86

$

$
8,929

Collectively evaluated for impairment
56,584

6,193

13,243

390


76,410

Ending balance
$
63,923

$
6,193

$
14,747

$
476

$

$
85,339

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Individually evaluated for impairment
$
96,862

$

$
13,585

$
125

$

$
110,572

Collectively evaluated for impairment
2,786,254

671,587

662,959

111,747

1,734

4,234,281

Total loans
$
2,883,116

$
671,587

$
676,544

$
111,872

$
1,734

$
4,344,853



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FIRST INTERSTATE BANCSYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

Year ended December 31, 2012
Real Estate
Consumer
Commercial
Agriculture
Other
Total
Allowance for loan losses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning balance
$
87,396

$
8,594

$
15,325

$
1,266

$

$
112,581

Provision charged (credited) to operating
   expense
28,651

1,922

10,845

(668
)

40,750

Less loans charged-off
(43,506
)
(5,320
)
(11,990
)
(120
)

(60,936
)
Add back recoveries of loans previously charged-off
3,241

1,945

2,905

25


8,116

Ending balance
$
75,782

$
7,141

$
17,085

$
503

$

$
100,511

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Individually evaluated for impairment
$
8,350

$

$
1,919

$
28

$

$
10,297

Collectively evaluated for impairment
67,432

7,141

15,166

475


90,214

Ending balance
$
75,782

$
7,141

$
17,085

$
503

$

$
100,511

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Individually evaluated for impairment
$
123,406

$

$
12,242

$
537

$

$
136,185

Collectively evaluated for impairment
2,660,420

636,794

676,511

113,090

912

4,087,727

Total loans
$
2,783,826

$
636,794

$
688,753

$
113,627

$
912

$
4,223,912


The Company performs a quarterly assessment of the adequacy of its allowance for loan losses in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The methodology used to assess the adequacy is consistently applied to the Company's loan portfolio and consists of three elements: (1) specific valuation allowances based on probable losses on impaired loans; (2) historical valuation allowances based on loan loss experience for similar loans with similar characteristics and trends; and (3) general valuation allowances determined based on changes in the nature of the loan portfolio, overall portfolio quality, industry concentrations, delinquency trends, general economic conditions and other qualitative risk factors both internal and external to the Company.

Specific allowances are established for loans where management has determined that probability of a loss exists by analyzing the borrower’s ability to repay amounts owed, collateral deficiencies and any relevant qualitative or environmental factors impacting the loan. Historical valuation allowances are determined by applying percentage loss factors to the credit exposures from outstanding loans. For commercial, agricultural and real estate loans, loss factors are applied based on the internal risk classifications of these loans. For consumer loans, loss factors are applied on a portfolio basis. For commercial, agriculture and real estate loans, loss factor percentages are based on a migration analysis of our historical loss experience, designed to account for credit deterioration. For consumer loans, loss factor percentages are based on a one-year loss history. General valuation allowances are determined by evaluating, on a quarterly basis, changes in the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, overall portfolio quality, industry concentrations, current economic and regulatory factors and the estimated impact of current economic, environmental and regulatory conditions on historical loss rates.

An allowance for loan losses is established for loans acquired credit impaired and for which the Company projects a decrease in the expected cash flows in periods subsequent to the acquisition of such loans. As of December 31, 2014, the Company's allowance for loans losses included $287 related to acquired credit impaired loans.


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FIRST INTERSTATE BANCSYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)


(6)
PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT

Premises and equipment and related accumulated depreciation are as follows:
December 31,
2014
 
2013
Land
$
40,620

 
$
37,581

Buildings and improvements
209,328

 
196,950

Furniture and equipment
74,959

 
68,870

 
324,907

 
303,401

Less accumulated depreciation
(129,695
)
 
(123,711
)
Premises and equipment, net
$
195,212

 
$
179,690


The Parent Company and a FIB branch office lease premises from an affiliated partnership. See Note 16—Commitments and Contingencies.
    
(7)
COMPANY-OWNED LIFE INSURANCE
        
Company-owned life insurance consists of the following:
December 31,
2014
 
2013
Key executive, principal shareholder
$
3,798

 
$
3,660

Key executive split dollar
4,707

 
4,628

Group life
145,316

 
113,887

Total
$
153,821

 
$
122,175

        
The Company maintains key executive life insurance policies on certain principal shareholders. Under these policies, the Company receives benefits payable upon the death of the insured. The net cash surrender value of key executive, principal shareholder insurance policies was $3,798 and $3,660 at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
    
The Company also has life insurance policies covering selected other key officers. The net cash surrender value of these policies was $4,707 and $4,628 at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Under these policies, the Company receives benefits payable upon death of the insured. An endorsement split dollar agreement has been executed with the selected key officers whereby a portion of the policy death benefit is payable to their designated beneficiaries. The endorsement split dollar agreement will provide post-retirement coverage for those selected key officers meeting specified retirement qualifications. The Company expenses the earned portion of the post-employment benefit through the vesting period.
        
The Company has group life insurance policies covering selected officers of FIB. The net cash surrender value of these policies was $132,111 and $113,887 at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Under these policies, the Company receives benefits payable upon death of the insured. The Company has entered into either an endorsement split dollar agreement or a survivor income benefit agreement with each insured officer. Under the endorsement split dollar agreements, a portion of the policy death benefit is payable to the insured's designated beneficiary if the insured is employed by the Company at the time of death. Under the survivor income benefit agreements, the Company makes a lump-sum payment to the insured's designated beneficiary if the insured is employed by the Company at the time of death.

The Company obtained group life insurance policies covering certain key employees of MWB as part of the MWFC acquisition. The net cash surrender value of these policies was $13,205 at December 31, 2014. Under these policies, the Company receives all benefits payable upon death of the insured.
        

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FIRST INTERSTATE BANCSYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

(8)
OTHER REAL ESTATE OWNED
        
Information with respect to the Company’s other real estate owned follows:
Year Ended December 31,
2014
 
2013
 
2012
Balance at beginning of year
$
15,504

 
$
32,571

 
$
37,452

Acquisitions
3,608

 

 

Additions
5,198

 
11,545

 
43,541

Capitalized improvements

 
65

 
75

Valuation adjustments
(224
)
 
(3,512
)
 
(6,724
)
Dispositions
(10,532
)
 
(25,165
)
 
(41,773
)
Balance at end of year
$
13,554

 
$
15,504

 
$
32,571

        
Write-downs of $224 during 2014 included adjustments of $93 directly related to receipt of updated appraisals and adjustments of $131 based on other sources, including management estimates of the current fair value of properties. Write-downs of $3,512 during 2013 included adjustments of $1,083 directly related to receipt of updated appraisals and adjustments of $2,429 based on other sources, including management estimates of the current fair value of properties. Write-downs of $6,724 during 2012 included adjustments of $702 directly related to receipt of updated appraisals and adjustments of $6,022 based on other sources, including management estimates of the current fair value of properties.
    
(9)
MORTGAGE SERVICING RIGHTS
        
Information with respect to the Company’s mortgage servicing rights follows:
Year Ended December 31,
2014
 
2013
 
2012
Balance at beginning of year
$
14,018

 
$
13,224

 
$
13,450

Sales of mortgage servicing rights

 

 
(735
)
Originations of mortgage servicing rights
2,717

 
3,581

 
4,563

Amortization expense
(2,361
)
 
(2,787
)
 
(3,501
)
Write-off of permanent impairment

 

 
(553
)
Balance at end of year
14,374

 
14,018

 
13,224

Less valuation reserve
(336
)
 
(472
)
 
(571
)
Balance at end of year
$
14,038

 
$
13,546

 
$
12,653

 
 
 
 
 
 
Principal balance of serviced loans underlying mortgage servicing rights
$
2,615,311

 
$
2,416,621

 
$
2,146,351

Mortgage servicing rights as a percentage of serviced loans
0.54
%
 
0.56
%
 
0.59
%
            
At December 31, 2014, the estimated fair value and weighted average remaining life of the Company’s mortgage servicing rights were $21,434 and 6.9 years, respectively. The fair value of mortgage servicing rights was determined using discount rates ranging from 9.5% to 21.0% and monthly prepayment speeds ranging from 0.6% to 2.4% depending upon the risk characteristics of the underlying loans. The Company reversed impairment of $136, $99 and $771 in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Permanent impairment of $553 was charged against the carrying value of mortgage servicing rights in 2012. No permanent impairment was recorded in 2014 or 2013.
    
During 2012, the Company sold mortgage servicing rights with carrying values aggregating $735. A gain of $19 on the sale was recorded as other income. In conjunction with the sale, the Company entered into an agreement with the purchaser whereby the Company continues to sub-service the loans underlying the sold mortgage servicing rights.
    

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FIRST INTERSTATE BANCSYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

(10)
DEPOSITS
    
Deposits are summarized as follows:
December 31,
2014
 
2013
Non-interest bearing demand
$
1,791,364

 
$
1,491,683

Interest bearing:
 
 
 
Demand
2,133,273

 
1,848,806

Savings
1,843,355

 
1,602,544

Time, $100 and over
520,125

 
492,051

Time, other
718,095

 
698,666

Total interest bearing
5,214,848

 
4,642,067

Total deposits
$
7,006,212

 
$
6,133,750

    
The Company had no brokered time deposits as of December 31, 2014 and 2013.
    
Other time deposits include deposits obtained through the Company’s participation in the Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Service (“CDARS”). CDARS deposits totaled $40,491 and $51,526 as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company had time deposits of $228,410 and $207,504, respectively, that met or exceeded the FDIC insurance limit of $250.

Maturities of time deposits at December 31, 2014 are as follows:
 
Time, $100
and Over
 
Total Time
2015
$
337,404

 
$
803,986

2016
90,509

 
209,192

2017
58,387

 
127,367

2018
20,971

 
62,084

2019
12,854

 
35,577

Thereafter

 
14

Total
$
520,125

 
$
1,238,220


Interest expense on time deposits of $100 or more was $4,003, $4,880 and $6,951 for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.


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FIRST INTERSTATE BANCSYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

(11)
LONG-TERM DEBT AND OTHER BORROWED FUNDS
    
A summary of long-term debt follows:
December 31,
2014
 
2013
Parent Company:
 
 
 
6.81% subordinated term loan maturing January 9, 2018, principal due at maturity, interest payable quarterly
$
20,000

 
$
20,000

Subsidiaries:
 
 
 
Variable rate subordinated term loan maturing February 28, 2018, principal due at maturity, interest payable quarterly (rate of 2.24% at December 31, 2014)
15,000

 
15,000

4.86% note payable to FHLB, maturing October 31, 2015
225

 
225

8.00% capital lease obligation with term ending October 25, 2029
1,643

 
1,692

6.24% note payable maturing September 2032, principal due at maturity, interest payable monthly
1,199

 

Total long-term debt
$
38,067

 
$
36,917

    
Maturities of long-term debt at December 31, 2014 are as follows:
 
 
 
2015
 
 
$
285

2016
 
 
65

2017
 
 
71

2018
 
 
35,077

2019
 
 
83

Thereafter
 
 
2,486

Total
 
 
$
38,067


On January 10, 2008, the Company borrowed $20,000 on a 6.81% unsecured subordinated term loan maturing January 9, 2018, with interest payable quarterly and principal due at maturity. The unsecured subordinated term loan qualifies as tier 2 capital under regulatory capital adequacy guidelines.
    
During February 2008, the Company borrowed $15,000 on a variable rate unsecured subordinated term loan maturing February 28, 2018, with interest payable quarterly and principal due at maturity. The Company may elect at various dates either prime or LIBOR plus 2.00%. The interest rate on the subordinated term loan was 2.24% as of December 31, 2014. The unsecured subordinated term loan qualifies as tier 2 capital under regulatory capital adequacy guidelines.

The note payable to FHLB is secured by a blanket assignment of the Company’s qualifying residential and commercial real estate loans. The Company has available lines of credit with the FHLB of approximately $701,768, subject to collateral availability. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, FHLB advances of $225 were included in long-term debt. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013 there were no short-term advances outstanding with the FHLB.

The Company has a capital lease obligation on a banking office. The balance of the obligation was $1,643 and $1,692 as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Assets acquired under capital lease, consisting solely of a building and leasehold improvements, are included in premises and equipment and are subject to depreciation.

In conjunction with the MWFC acquisition, the Company assumed a 6.24% fixed rate note payable maturing in September, 2032, with interest payable monthly and principal due at maturity. The balance of the obligation was $1,199 as of December 31, 2014.

The Company had other borrowed funds of $9 and $3 as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, consisting of demand notes issued to the United States Treasury, secured by investment securities and bearing no interest.

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FIRST INTERSTATE BANCSYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)


The Company has federal funds lines of credit with third parties amounting to $115,000, subject to funds availability. These lines are subject to cancellation without notice. The Company also has a line of credit with the Federal Reserve Bank for borrowings up to $364,205 secured by a blanket pledge of indirect consumer loans.

(12)
SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES HELD BY SUBSIDIARY TRUSTS

The Company sponsors six wholly-owned business trusts, Trust I, Trust II, Trust III, Trust IV, Trust V and Trust VI (collectively, the “Trusts”). The Trusts were formed for the exclusive purpose of issuing an aggregate of $80,000 of 30-year floating rate mandatorily redeemable capital trust preferred securities (“Trust Preferred Securities”) to third-party investors. The Trusts also issued, in aggregate, $2,477 of common equity securities to the Parent Company. Proceeds from the issuance of the Trust Preferred Securities and common equity securities were invested in 30-year junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures (“Subordinated Debentures”) issued by the Parent Company.

A summary of Subordinated Debenture issuances follows:
 
 
 
 
Principal Amount Outstanding
as of December 31,
Issuance
 
Maturity Date
 
2014
 
2013
October 2007
 
January 1, 2038
 
$
10,310

 
$
10,310

November 2007
 
December 15, 2037
 
15,464

 
15,464

December 2007
 
December 15, 2037
 
20,619

 
20,619

December 2007
 
April 1, 2038
 
15,464

 
15,464

January 2008
 
April 1, 2038
 
10,310

 
10,310

January 2008
 
April 1, 2038
 
10,310

 
10,310

Total subordinated debentures held by subsidiary trusts
 
$
82,477

 
$
82,477


In October 2007, the Company issued $10,310 of Subordinated Debentures to Trust II. The Subordinated Debentures bear a cumulative floating interest rate equal to LIBOR plus 2.25% per annum. As of December 31, 2014 the interest rate on the Subordinated Debentures was 2.49%.

In November 2007, the Company issued $15,464 of Subordinated Debentures to Trust I. The Subordinated Debentures bore interest at a fixed rate of 7.50% for five years after issuance until December 16, 2012, and thereafter at a variable rate equal to LIBOR plus 2.75% per annum. As of December 31, 2014, the interest rate on the Subordinated Debentures was 2.99%.

In December 2007, the Company issued $20,619 of Subordinated Debentures to Trust III. The Subordinated Debentures bore interest at a fixed rate of 6.88% for five years after issuance until December 15, 2012, and thereafter at a variable rate equal to LIBOR plus 2.40% per annum. As of December 31, 2014, the interest rate on the Subordinated Debentures was 2.64%.
 
In December 2007, the Company issued $15,464 of Subordinated Debentures to Trust IV. The Subordinated Debentures bear a cumulative floating interest rate equal to LIBOR plus 2.70% per annum. As of December 31, 2014 the interest rate on the Subordinated Debentures was 2.94%.

In January 2008, the Company issued $10,310 of Subordinated Debentures to Trust V. The Subordinated Debentures bore interest at a fixed rate of 6.78% for five years after issuance until April 1, 2013, and thereafter at a variable rate equal to LIBOR plus 2.75% per annum. As of December 31, 2014 the interest rate on the Subordinated Debentures was 2.99%.


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Table of Contents

FIRST INTERSTATE BANCSYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

In January 2008, the Company issued $10,310 of Subordinated Debentures to Trust VI. The Subordinated Debentures bear a cumulative floating interest rate equal to LIBOR plus 2.75% per annum. As of December 31, 2014, the interest rate on the Subordinated Debentures was 2.99%.

The Subordinated Debentures are unsecured with interest distributions payable quarterly. The Company may defer the payment of interest at any time provided that the deferral period does not extend past the stated maturity. During any such deferral period, distributions on the Trust Preferred Securities will also be deferred and the Company’s ability to pay dividends on its common and preferred shares is restricted. The Subordinated Debentures may be redeemed, subject to approval by the Federal Reserve Bank, at the Company’s option on or after five years from the date of issue, or at any time in the event of unfavorable changes in laws or regulations. Debt issuance costs consisting primarily of underwriting discounts and professional fees were capitalized and are being amortized through maturity to interest expense using the straight-line method, which approximates level yield.

The terms of the Trust Preferred Securities are identical to those of the Subordinated Debentures. The Trust Preferred Securities are subject to mandatory redemption upon repayment of the Subordinated Debentures at their stated maturity dates or earlier redemption in an amount equal to their liquidation amount plus accumulated and unpaid distributions to the date of redemption. The Company guarantees the payment of distributions and payments for redemption or liquidation of the Trust Preferred Securities to the extent of funds held by the Trusts.

Subject to certain limitations, the Trust Preferred Securities qualify as tier 1 capital of the Parent Company under the Federal Reserve Board’s capital adequacy guidelines. Proceeds from the issuance of the Trust Preferred Securities were used to fund acquisitions.

In conjunction with the acquisition of MWFC on July 31, 2014, the Company acquired two business trusts, Mountain West Statutory Trust III and Mountain West Statutory Trust IV (collectively, the “Mountain West Trusts”). The Mountain West Trusts were formed for the exclusive purpose of issuing an aggregate of $19,825 of 30-year floating rate mandatorily redeemable capital trust preferred securities (“Mountain West Trust Preferred Securities”) to third-party investors. The Trusts also issued, in aggregate, $614 of common equity securities to MWFC. Proceeds from the issuance of the Trust Preferred Securities and common equity securities were invested in 30-year junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures (“Mountain West Subordinated Debentures”) issued by the MWFC.

On December 15, 2014, the Company redeemed $14,433 of Mountain West Subordinated Debentures bearing a cumulative floating interest rate equal to LIBOR plus 1.85% per annum. The redemption price of $14,433 was equal to the $1 liquidation amount of each debenture plus all accrued and unpaid distributions to the date of redemption. The redemption of the Mountain West Subordinated Debentures caused a mandatory redemption of $14,000 of Mountain West trust Preferred Securities and $433 of common equity securities.

On December 26, 2014, the Company redeemed $6,006 of Mountain West Subordinated Debentures bearing a cumulative floating interest rate equal to LIBOR plus 3.10% per annum. The redemption price of $6,006 was equal to the $1 liquidation amount of each debenture plus all accrued and unpaid distributions to the date of redemption. The redemption of the Mountain West Subordinated Debentures caused a mandatory redemption of $5,825 of Mountain West Trust Preferred Securities and $181 of common equity securities.

(13)
CAPITAL STOCK AND DIVIDEND RESTRICTIONS

The Company's authorized common stock consists of 200,000,000 shares, of which, 100,000,000 shares are designated as Class A common stock and 100,000,000 are designated as Class B common stock. The Class A common stock has one vote per share. The Class B common stock has five votes per share and is convertible to Class A common stock on a share-for-share basis at any time.

The Company had 21,928,932 shares of Class A common stock and 23,859,483 shares of Class B common stock outstanding as of December 31, 2014. The Company had 19,868,018 shares of Class A common stock and 24,287,045 shares of Class B common stock outstanding as of December 31, 2013.


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Table of Contents

FIRST INTERSTATE BANCSYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

On July 31, 2014, the Company issued 1,378,230 shares of its Class A common stock with an aggregate value of $35,972 as partial consideration for the acquisition of MWFC. In addition, the Company issued 24,581 shares of its Class A common stock with an aggregate value of $620 to directors for their service on the Company's board of directors during 2014. The Company issued 26,096 shares of its Class A common stock with an aggregate value of $543 to directors for their service on the Company's board of directors during 2013.

During 2014, the Company repurchased and retired 362,121 shares of its Class A common stock in a combination of open market and privately negotiated transactions at an aggregate purchase price of $9,078, or a weighted average price of $25.07 per share. The repurchases were made pursuant to a stock repurchase program approved by the Company's Board of Directors. All other stock repurchases during 2014 and 2013 were redemptions of vested restricted shares tendered in lieu of cash for payment of income tax withholding amounts by participants of the Company's 2006 Equity Compensation Plan.

On January 24, 2014, the Company filed a Registration Statement on Form S-8 to register an additional 1,500,000 share of Class A common stock to be issued pursuant to the Company's 2006 Equity Compensation Plan, as amended and restated.

As of December 31, 2012, the Company had 5,000 shares of 6.75% Series A noncumulative redeemable preferred stock (“Series A Preferred Stock”) issued with an aggregate value of $50,000. The Series A Preferred Stock ranked senior to the Company’s common stock with respect to dividend and liquidation rights and had no voting rights. Holders of the Series A Preferred Stock were entitled to receive, if and when declared, noncumulative dividends at an annual rate of $675 per share, based on a 360 day year. The Company redeemed all of the Series A Preferred Stock on January 18, 2013 at an aggregate redemption price of $50,150, or $10,000 per share plus all accrued and unpaid dividends. Upon notice to holders of the redemption in December 2012, the Series A Preferred Stock was reclassified from stockholders' equity to a liability.

The payment of dividends by subsidiary banks is subject to various federal and state regulatory limitations. In general, a bank is limited, without the prior consent of its regulators, to paying dividends that do not exceed current year net profits together with retained earnings from the two preceding calendar years. The Company’s debt instruments also include limitations on the payment of dividends.


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Table of Contents

FIRST INTERSTATE BANCSYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

(14)
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

Basic earnings per common share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period presented, excluding unvested restricted stock. Diluted earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares determined for the basic earnings per share computation plus the dilutive effects of stock-based compensation using the treasury stock method.

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share:
Year Ended December 31,
2014
 
2013
 
2012
Net income
$
84,401

 
$
86,136

 
$
58,224

Less preferred stock dividends

 

 
3,300

Net income available to common shareholders, basic and diluted
$
84,401

 
$
86,136

 
$
54,924

 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding for basic earnings per share computation
44,615,060

 
43,566,681

 
42,965,987

Dilutive effects of stock-based compensation
595,501

 
477,921

 
126,991

Weighted average common shares outstanding for diluted earnings per common share computation
45,210,561

 
44,044,602

 
43,092,978

 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic earnings per common share
$
1.89

 
$
1.98

 
$
1.28

Diluted earnings per common share
1.87

 
1.96

 
1.27


The Company had 5,000, 21,372 and 2,427,823 stock options outstanding as of December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, that were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per common share because their effect would be anti-dilutive. The Company had 88,797, 37,734 and 41,240 shares of unvested restricted stock as of December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, that were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per common share because performance conditions for vesting had not been met.

(15)
REGULATORY CAPITAL

The Company is subject to the regulatory capital requirements administered by federal banking regulators and the Federal Reserve. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possible additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Company’s financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Company must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of the Company’s assets, liabilities and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The Parent Company, like all bank holding companies, is not subject to the prompt corrective action provisions. 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 the Company to maintain minimum amounts and ratios of total and tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets, and of tier 1 capital to average assets, as defined in the regulations. As of December 31, 2014, the Company exceeded all capital adequacy requirements to which it is subject.


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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

The Company’s actual capital amounts and ratios and selected minimum regulatory thresholds and prompt corrective action provisions as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 are presented in the following table:
 
Actual
 
Adequately Capitalized
 
Well Capitalized
 
Amount
 Ratio
 
Amount
 Ratio
 
Amount
 Ratio
December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total risk-based capital:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated
$
897,769

16.2
%
 
$
444,685

8.0
%
 
     NA
     NA
FIB
832,907

15.1

 
442,468

8.0

 
$
553,085

10.0
%
Tier 1 risk-based capital:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated
807,229

14.5

 
222,343

4.0

 
     NA
     NA
FIB
754,708

13.7

 
221,234

4.0

 
$
331,851

6.0

Leverage capital ratio:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated
807,229

9.6

 
335,897

4.0

 
     NA
     NA
FIB
754,708

9.2

 
330,006

4.0

 
$
412,507

5.0

 
Actual
 
Adequately Capitalized
 
Well Capitalized
 
Amount
 Ratio
 
Amount
 Ratio
 
Amount
 Ratio
December 31, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total risk-based capital:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated
$
829,443

16.7
%
 
$
396,210

8.0
%
 
     NA
     NA
FIB
723,955

14.7

 
394,038

8.0

 
$
492,548

10.0
%
Tier 1 risk-based capital:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated
739,246

14.9

 
198,105

4.0

 
     NA
     NA
FIB
650,093

13.2

 
197,019

4.0

 
$
295,529

6.0

Leverage capital ratio:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated
739,246

10.1

 
293,414

4.0

 
     NA
     NA
FIB
650,093

8.9

 
292,199

4.0

 
$
365,248

5.0


On July 2, 2013, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve Bank issued a final rule implementing a revised regulatory capital framework for U.S. banks in accordance with the Basel III international accord and satisfying related mandates under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act . The revised regulatory capital framework (the "Basel III Capital Rules") substantially revise the risk-based capital requirements applicable to bank holding companies and depository institutions by defining the components of capital and addressing other issues affecting the numerator in banking institutions’ regulatory capital ratios, addressing risk weights and other issues affecting the denominator in banking institutions’ regulatory capital ratios and replacing the existing risk-weighting approach with a more risk-sensitive approach. The Basel III Capital Rules are effective for the Company on January 1, 2015, subject to a phase-in period for certain provisions.


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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

(16)
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Legal Proceedings:
        
FIB was a defendant in a lender liability lawsuit, Kelly Logging Inc. v. First Interstate Bank (the “case"), which was tried in in the Montana Fourth Judicial District, Missoula County in Missoula, Montana (the “court") in August, 2014. On August 14, 2014, a jury awarded damages to Kelly Logging of $17,047, which included $287 in compensatory damages and $16,760 in punitive damages. On October 1, 2014, a non-final judgment was entered in this matter in the amount of $17,047 plus reasonable attorney fees and interest. The non-final judgment is subject to the court's mandatory review of the jury's punitive damages award. The court held oral argument on the punitive damages award and an evidentiary hearing on Kelly Logging's attorneys' fees and costs. No decisions on the punitive damages award or Kelly Logging’s fees and costs have been rendered but FIB's other post-trial motions have been deemed denied for failure of the court to rule on them within the time allowed by the Montana Rules of Civil Procedure.

The Company intends to continue to defend itself vigorously in this litigation and believes it has valid bases in law and fact to appeal the verdict. The Montana Supreme Court has previously reduced an excessive punitive damage award to an amount within the upper limit of the federal due process guidelines and such guidelines are expected to be applied by the court and, if necessary, by the Montana Supreme Court in this case. Although the Company believes it has meritorious defenses and appellate issues for this litigation, these proceedings are subject to many uncertainties and, given their complexity and scope, the final outcome cannot be predicted and could have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial condition, results of operations or liquidity of the Company. During 2014, the Company accrued $4,000 of litigation-related loss contingency expense, which takes into consideration the federal due process guidelines related to punitive damage awards and reasonable estimates of the plaintiff's attorneys fees and interest.

In the normal course of business, the Company is involved in various other claims and litigation. In the opinion of management, following consultation with legal counsel, the ultimate liability or disposition thereof is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial condition, results of operations or liquidity of the Company.

Other Committments:

The Company had commitments under construction contracts of $4,047 as of December 31, 2014.

The Company had commitments to purchase available-for-sale residential mortgage-backed investment securities of $16,840 as of December 31, 2014.

The Parent Company and the Billings office of FIB are the anchor tenants in a building owned by a partnership in which FIB is one of two partners, and has a 50% partnership interest.

The Company leases certain premises and equipment from third parties under operating leases. Total rental expense to third parties was $1,190 in 2014, $1,403 in 2013 and $1,423 in 2012.


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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

The total future minimum rental commitments, exclusive of maintenance and operating costs, required under operating leases that have initial or remaining noncancelable lease terms in excess of one year at December 31, 2014, are as follows:
 
Third
Parties
 
Related
Partnership
 
Total
For the year ending December 31:
 
 
 
 
 
2015
$
2,132

 
$
676

 
$
2,808

2016
2,236

 
676

 
2,912

2017
1,728

 
499

 
2,227

2018
1,537

 
188

 
1,725

2019
1,487

 

 
1,487

Thereafter
9,941

 

 
9,941

Total
$
19,061

 
$
2,039

 
$
21,100


Residential mortgage loans sold to investors in the secondary market are sold with varying recourse provisions. Essentially all of the loan sales agreements require the repurchase of a mortgage loan by the seller in situations such as breach of representation, warranty or covenant; untimely document delivery; false or misleading statements; failure to obtain certain certificates or insurance; unmarketability; etc. Certain loan sales agreements contain repurchase requirements based on payment-related defects that are defined in terms of the number of days or months since the purchase, the sequence number of the payment, and/or the number of days of payment delinquency. Based on the specific terms stated in the agreements, the Company had $4,486 and $5,871 of sold residential mortgage loans with recourse provisions still in effect as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The Company did not repurchase any significant amount of loans from secondary market investors under the terms of loan sales agreements during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012. In the opinion of management, the risk of recourse and the subsequent requirement of loan repurchase to the Company is not significant, and accordingly no liabilities have been established related to such. In addition, the Company made various representations and warranties associated with the sale of loans. The Company has not incurred significant losses resulting from these provisions.

(17)
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS WITH OFF-BALANCE SHEET RISK
    
The Company is a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. These instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of amounts recorded in the consolidated balance sheet. The Company evaluates each customer’s creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained is based on management’s credit evaluation of the customer. Collateral held varies but may include accounts receivable, inventory, premises and equipment, and income-producing commercial properties.
    
Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the commitment contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Generally, commitments to extend credit are subject to annual renewal. Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. Commitments to extend credit to borrowers approximated $1,415,119 at December 31, 2014, which included $476,752 on unused credit card lines and $363,609 with commitment maturities beyond one year. Commitments to extend credit to borrowers approximated $1,238,269 at December 31, 2013, which included $401,021 on unused credit card lines and $304,789 with commitment maturities beyond one year.
    

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by the Company to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. Most commitments extend for no more than two years and are generally subject to annual renewal. The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loan facilities to customers. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company had outstanding stand-by letters of credit of $58,950 and $53,508, respectively. The estimated fair value of the obligation undertaken by the Company in issuing standby letters of credit is included in accounts payable and accrued expenses in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
    
(18)
INCOME TAXES
    
Income tax expense consists of the following:
Year ended December 31,
2014
 
2013
 
2012
Current:
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
$
34,941

 
$
30,757

 
$
18,458

State
4,928

 
4,533

 
2,818

Total current
39,869

 
35,290

 
21,276

Deferred:
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
4,870

 
10,056

 
7,697

State
475

 
1,220

 
1,065

Total deferred
5,345

 
11,276

 
8,762

Total income tax expense
$
45,214

 
$
46,566

 
$
30,038

    
Total income tax expense differs from the amount computed by applying the statutory federal income tax rate of 35 percent in 2014, 2013 and 2012 to income before income taxes as a result of the following:
Year ended December 31,
2014
 
2013
 
2012
Tax expense at the statutory tax rate
$
45,365

 
$
46,446

 
$
30,892

Increase (decrease) in tax resulting from:
 
 
 
 
 
Tax-exempt income
(4,255
)
 
(3,620
)
 
(3,498
)
State income tax, net of federal income tax benefit
3,541

 
3,741

 
2,524

Other, net
563

 
(1
)
 
120

Tax expense at effective tax rate
$
45,214

 
$
46,566

 
$
30,038



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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

The tax effects of temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and tax bases of assets and liabilities that give rise to significant portions of the net deferred tax asset (liability) relate to the following:
December 31,
2014
 
2013
Deferred tax assets:
 
 
 
Loans, principally due to allowance for loan losses
$
28,506

 
$
30,903

Lease Costs
719

 

Loss Contingencies
1,785

 

Loan Discount
7,022

 

Investment securities, unrealized losses
2,728

 
9,473

Employee benefits
8,256

 
6,813

Other real estate owned write-downs and carrying costs
2,536

 
4,731

Deferred gain on sale of subsidiary
253

 
484

Deferred revenue on contract
481

 
545

Other
760

 
299

Deferred tax assets
53,046

 
53,248

Deferred tax liabilities:
 
 
 
Fixed assets, principally differences in bases and depreciation
(569
)
 
(4,227
)
Investment securities, unrealized gains
(1,351
)
 

Investment in joint venture partnership, principally due to differences in depreciation of partnership assets
(1,053
)
 
(700
)
Prepaid amounts
(1,385
)
 
(1,247
)
Government agency stock dividends
(2,407
)
 
(1,965
)
Goodwill and core deposit intangibles
(36,732
)
 
(28,167
)
Mortgage servicing rights
(4,144
)
 
(4,337
)
Other
(531
)
 
(451
)
Deferred tax liabilities
(48,172
)
 
(41,094
)
Net deferred tax assets
$
4,874

 
$
12,154


The Company had a current net income tax payable of $4,693 at December 31, 2014 and income tax receivable of $2,968 at December 31, 2013, which are included in accounts payable and accrued expenses.

(19)
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

The Company has equity awards outstanding under two stock-based compensation plans; the 2006 Equity Compensation Plan (the “2006 Plan”) and the 2001 Stock Option Plan. These plans were primarily established to enhance the Company’s ability to attract, retain and motivate employees. The Company’s Board of Directors or, upon delegation, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (“Compensation Committee”) has exclusive authority to select employees, advisors and others, including directors, to receive awards and to establish the terms and conditions of each award made pursuant to the Company’s stock-based compensation plans.

The 2006 Plan, approved by the Company’s shareholders in May 2006 and May 2014, was established to consolidate into one plan the benefits available under the 2001 Stock Option Plan and all other then existing share-based award plans (collectively, the “Previous Plans”). The Previous Plans continue with respect to awards made prior to May 2006. All shares of common stock available for future grant under the Previous Plans were transferred into the 2006 Plan. At December 31, 2014, there were 783,007 common shares available for future grant under the 2006 Plan. All awards granted subsequent to March 29, 2010 are for shares of Class A common stock. All awards granted prior to March 29, 2010 are for shares of Class B common stock.


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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

Stock Options. All options granted have an exercise price equal to fair market value, which is currently defined as the closing sales price for the stock as quoted on the NASDAQ Stock Market for the last market trading day preceding the date that the Company’s Board of Directors awards the benefit. Options may be subject to vesting as determined by the Company's Board of Directors or Compensation Committee, and can be exercised for periods of up to ten years from the date of grant.

Compensation expense related to stock option awards of $905, $1,390 and $1,276 was included in benefits on the Company’s consolidated income statements for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Related income tax benefits recognized for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 were $346, $531 and $488, respectively.

The weighted average grant date fair value of options granted was $3.54 and $4.06 during the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. No stock option awards were granted in 2014. The following table presents the weighted-average assumptions used in the option pricing model for the periods indicated:
Years ended December 31,
 
2013
 
2012
Expected volatility
 
30.61
%
 
37.46
%
Expected dividend yield
 
3.00
%
 
3.35
%
Risk-free interest rate
 
0.88
%
 
1.99
%
Expected life of options (in years)
 
5.52

 
7.85


Expected dividend yield is based on the Company’s annualized expected dividends per share divided by the average common stock price. Risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. treasury constant maturity yield for treasury securities with maturities approximating the expected life of the options granted on the date of grant. The expected life of options is based on the Company’s historical exercise and post-vesting termination behaviors. Beginning in 2013, the Company used its own historical volatility of common stock for the expected volatility assumption. Prior to that and subsequent to the Company's initial public offering ("IPO"), which concluded on March 29, 2010, the Company expected the historical volatility of its common stock would not be indicative of future volatility. As such, in 2012 the Company estimated expected volatility based on the share price volatility of a peer group of publicly-traded regional banks of similar size and performance as the Company over the expected life of options.

The following table summarizes stock option activity under the Company’s active stock option plans for the year ended December 31, 2014:
 
Number of
Shares
 
Weighted-Average
Exercise Price
 
Weighted-Average
Remaining
Contract Life
Outstanding options, beginning of year
2,523,593

 
$
17.20

 
 
Granted

 

 
 
Exercised
(739,290
)
 
17.73

 
 
Forfeited
(5,893
)
 
12.85

 
 
Expired
(30,378
)
 
16.20

 
 
Outstanding options, end of year
1,748,032

 
$
17.01

 
4.43 years
Outstanding options exercisable, end of year
1,393,010

 
$
17.15

 
4.12 years
    
The total intrinsic value of fully-vested stock options outstanding as of December 31, 2014 was $14,879. The total intrinsic value of options exercised was $7,363, $7,108 and $1,158 during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The actual tax benefit realized for the tax deduction from option exercises totaled $2,594, $1,963 and $397 for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The Company received cash of $6,299, $9,271 and $1,612 from stock option exercises during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

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FIRST INTERSTATE BANCSYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

The Company redeemed common stock with aggregate values of $6,829, $8,721 and $2,675 tendered in payment for stock option exercises during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Information with respect to the Company’s nonvested stock options as of and for the year ended December 31, 2014 follows:
 
Number of
Shares
 
Weighted-Average
Grant Date Fair Value
Nonvested stock options, beginning of year
733,906

 
$
3.78

Granted

 


Vested
(348,506
)
 
3.94

Forfeited
(30,378
)
 
3.70

Nonvested stock options, end of year
355,022

 
$
3.62


As of December 31, 2014, there was $577 of unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested stock options granted under the Company’s active stock option plans. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 0.86 years. The total fair value of shares vested during 2014 was $1,363.

Restricted Stock Awards. Common stock issued under the Company’s restricted stock plan may not be sold or otherwise transferred until restrictions have lapsed or performance objectives have been obtained. During the vesting periods, participants have voting rights and receive dividends on the restricted shares. Upon termination of employment, common shares upon which restrictions have not lapsed must be returned to the Company.

Based on the substantive terms of each award, restricted shares are classified as equity or liability awards. The fair value of equity-classified restricted stock awards is being amortized as compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the period restrictions lapse or performance goals are met. Compensation cost for liability-classified awards is expensed each period from the date of grant to the measurement date based on the fair value of the Company’s common stock at the end of each period. Compensation expense related to restricted stock awards of $2,109, $1,546 and $1,209 was included in benefits on the Company’s consolidated statements of income for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Related income tax benefits recognized for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 were $807, $591 and $462, respectively.
        
The following table presents information regarding the Company’s restricted stock as of December 31, 2014:
 
Number of
Shares
 
Weighted-Average
Measurement Date
Fair Value
Restricted stock, beginning of year
225,525

 
$
16.08

Granted
148,278

 
24.36

Vested
(96,143
)
 
15.54

Forfeited
(27,772
)
 
16.43

Canceled
(1,489
)
 
21.39

Restricted stock, end of year
248,399

 
$
21.16

        
During 2014, the Company issued 148,278 restricted common shares. The 2014 restricted share awards included 73,938 performance restricted shares of which 24,646 vest in varying percentages upon achievement of defined return on asset performance goals, 24,646 vest in varying percentages upon achievement of defined return on equity performance goals and 24,646 vest in varying percentages upon achievement of defined total return to shareholder goals. Vesting of the performance restricted shares is also contingent on employment as of December 31, 2016.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

Additionally, 74,340 time-restricted shares were issued during 2014 that vest one-third on each annual anniversary of the grant date through February 15, 2017, contingent on continued employment through the vesting date.
        
As of December 31, 2014, there was $3,353 of unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested restricted stock awards expected to be recognized over a period of 1.60 years.
        
(20)
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
    
Profit Sharing Plan. The Company has a noncontributory profit sharing plan. All employees, other than temporary employees, working 20 hours or more per week are eligible to participate in the profit sharing plan. The Company’s Board of Directors authorize contributions to the profit sharing plan that are not to exceed, on an individual basis, the lesser of 100% of compensation or $40 annually. Participants become 100% vested upon the completion of three years of vesting service. Accrued contribution expense for this plan of $1,509, $1,555 and $2,063 in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, is included in employee benefits expense in the Company’s consolidated statements of income..
    
Savings Plan. In addition, the Company has a contributory employee savings plan. Eligibility requirements for this plan are the same as those for the profit sharing plan discussed in the preceding paragraph. Employee participation in the plan is at the option of the employee. The Company contributes $1.25 for each $1.00 of employee contributions up to 4% of the participating employee’s compensation. Accrued contribution expense for this plan of $4,256, $4,067 and $4,034 in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, is included in employee benefits expense in the Company’s consolidated statements of income.
    
Postretirement Healthcare Plan. The Company sponsors a contributory defined benefit healthcare plan (the “Plan”) for active employees and employees and directors retiring from the Company at the age of at least 55 years and with at least 15 years of continuous service. Retired Plan participants contribute the full cost of benefits based on the average per capita cost of benefit coverage for both active employees and retired Plan participants.
    
The Plan’s unfunded benefit obligation of $3,577 and $4,870 as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, is included in accounts payable and accrued expenses in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. Net periodic benefit costs of $400, $571 and $561 for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, are included in employee benefits expense in the Company’s consolidated statements of income.
    
Weighted average actuarial assumptions used to determine the postretirement benefit obligation at December 31, 2014 , and the net periodic benefit costs for the year then ended, included a discount rate of 3.6% and a 5.5% annual increase in the per capita cost of covered healthcare benefits. Weighted average actuarial assumptions used to determine the postretirement benefit obligation at December 31, 2013, and the net periodic benefit costs for the year then ended, included a discount rate of 4.3% and a 5.0% annual increase in the per capita cost of covered healthcare benefits.The estimated effect of a one percent increase or a one percent decrease in the assumed healthcare cost trend rate would not significantly impact the service and interest cost components of the net periodic benefit cost or the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation. Future benefit payments are expected to be $158, $163, $194, $219, $254 and $1,496 for 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 through 2024, respectively.

At December 31, 2014, the Company had accumulated other comprehensive loss related to the Plan of $613, or $413 net of related income tax benefit, comprised of net actuarial losses of $257 and an unamortized transition asset of $356. The Company estimates $35 will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive loss into net period benefit costs in 2015.
    

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

(21)
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

The gross amounts of each component of other comprehensive income and the related tax effects for the periods indicated are as follows:
Year ended December 31, 2014
Before Tax Amount
Tax Expense (Benefit)
Net of Tax Amount
Investment securities available-for sale:
 
 
 
Change in net unrealized gain during period
$
21,147

$
8,321

$
12,826

Reclassification adjustment for net gains included in net income
(61
)
(24
)
(37
)
Change in unamortized loss on available-for-sale securities transferred into held-to-maturity
(548
)
(216
)
(332
)
Defined benefits post-retirement benefit plan:
 
 
 
Change in net actuarial loss
1,731

681

1,050

Total other comprehensive income
$
22,269

$
8,762

$
13,507

Year ended December 31, 2013
Before Tax Amount
Tax Expense (Benefit)
Net of Tax Amount
Investment securities available-for sale:
 
 
 
Change in net unrealized loss during period
$
(52,949
)
$
(20,835
)
$
(32,114
)
Reclassification adjustment for net gains included in net income
(1
)

(1
)
Defined benefits post-retirement benefit plan:
 
 
 
Change in net actuarial loss
137

54

83

Total other comprehensive loss
$
(52,813
)
$
(20,781
)
$
(32,032
)
Year ended December 31, 2012
Before Tax Amount
Tax Expense (Benefit)
Net of Tax Amount
Investment securities available-for sale:
 
 
 
Change in net unrealized gain during period
$
(4,648
)
$
(1,829
)
$
(2,819
)
Reclassification adjustment for net gains included in net income
(348
)
(137
)
(211
)
Change in unamortized gain on available-for-sale securities transferred into held-to-maturity
56

22

34

Defined benefits post-retirement benefit plan:
 
 
 
Change in net actuarial loss
(77
)
(30
)
(47
)
Total other comprehensive loss
$
(5,017
)
$
(1,974
)
$
(3,043
)

The components of accumulated other comprehensive income, net of income taxes, are as follows:
Year ended December 31,
2014
 
2013
Net unrealized gain on investment securities available-for-sale
$
(2,121
)
 
$
(14,578
)
Net actuarial loss on defined benefit post-retirement benefit plans
(413
)
 
(1,463
)
Net accumulated other comprehensive loss
$
(2,534
)
 
$
(16,041
)


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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

(22)
NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES
    
The Company transferred loans of $5,198, $11,545 and $43,541 to other real estate owned in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
    
The Company transferred internally originated mortgage servicing assets of $2,717, $3,581 and $4,563 from loans to mortgage servicing assets in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
    
During 2014, the Company issued 1,378,230 shares of its Class A common stock valued at $35,972 as partial consideration for the acquisition of MWFC.
    
The Company transferred real property pending disposal of $1,448 and $566 to other assets in 2013 and 2012, respectively.
    
The Company reclassified tax credit investments of $429 from held-to-maturity investment securities to other assets during 2013.
    
During 2012, the Company reclassified $50,000 of perpetual preferred stock pending redemption from equity to a liability.
        
(23)
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION (PARENT COMPANY ONLY)

Following is condensed financial information of First Interstate BancSystem, Inc.
December 31,
2014
 
2013
Condensed balance sheets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
65,483

 
$
105,274

Investment in subsidiaries, at equity:
 
 
 
Bank subsidiary
936,817

 
793,892

Nonbank subsidiaries
1,982

 
1,980

Total investment in subsidiaries
938,799

 
795,872

Advances to subsidiaries, net
4,337

 

Other assets
29,335

 
26,809

Total assets
$
1,037,954

 
$
927,955

 
 
 
 
Other liabilities
$
26,553

 
$
17,602

Advances from subsidiaries, net

 
6,295

Long-term debt
20,000

 
20,000

Subordinated debentures held by subsidiary trusts
82,477

 
82,477

Total liabilities
129,030

 
126,374

Stockholders’ equity
908,924

 
801,581

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
1,037,954

 
$
927,955


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FIRST INTERSTATE BANCSYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

Years Ended December 31,
2014
 
2013
 
2012
Condensed statements of income:
 
 
 
 
 
Dividends from subsidiaries
$
58,900

 
$
71,400

 
$
40,000

Other interest income
42

 
34

 
92

Other income, primarily management fees from subsidiaries
12,166

 
12,809

 
10,042

Total income
71,108

 
84,243

 
50,134

Salaries and benefits
15,722

 
15,914

 
13,205

Interest expense
4,002

 
4,098

 
6,691

Acquisition expenses
4,017

 

 

Other operating expenses, net
7,512

 
7,546

 
7,150

Total expenses
31,253

 
27,558

 
27,046

Earnings before income tax benefit
39,855

 
56,685

 
23,088

Income tax benefit
(6,862
)
 
(5,703
)
 
(6,222
)
Income before undistributed earnings of subsidiaries
46,717

 
62,388

 
29,310

Undistributed earnings of subsidiaries
37,684

 
23,748

 
28,914

Net income
$
84,401

 
$
86,136

 
$
58,224


Years Ended December 31,
2014
 
2013
 
2012
Condensed statements of cash flows:
 
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
84,401

 
$
86,136

 
$
58,224

Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Undistributed earnings of subsidiaries
(37,684
)
 
(23,748
)
 
(28,914
)
Stock-based compensation expense
3,014

 
2,936

 
2,485

Tax benefits from stock-based compensation
2,193

 
1,898

 
360

Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation
(2,205
)
 
(2,031
)
 
(273
)
Other, net
8,991

 
(5,804
)
 
3,327

Net cash provided by operating activities
58,710

 
59,387

 
35,209

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Capital expenditures, net of sales

 

 
1

Acquisition of bank holding company, net of cash and cash equivalents received
(37,891
)
 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
$
(37,891
)
 
$

 
$
1


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FIRST INTERSTATE BANCSYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

Years Ended December 31,
2014
 
2013
 
2012
Condensed statements of cash flows (continued):
 
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Net (decrease) increase in advances from nonbank subsidiaries
$
(10,632
)
 
$
6,992

 
$
(2,838
)
Redemption of preferred stock

 
(50,000
)
 

Repayment of junior subordinated debentures held by subsidiary trusts
(20,439
)
 

 
(41,238
)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of stock issuance costs
6,621

 
9,814

 
1,911

Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation
2,205

 
2,031

 
273

Purchase and retirement of common stock
(9,739
)
 
(448
)
 
(263
)
Dividends paid to common stockholders
(28,626
)
 
(17,909
)
 
(26,208
)
Dividends paid to preferred stockholders

 

 
(3,300
)
Net cash used in financing activities
(60,610
)
 
(49,520
)
 
(71,663
)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
(39,791
)
 
9,867

 
(36,453
)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year
105,274

 
95,407

 
131,860

Cash and cash equivalents, end of year
$
65,483

 
$
105,274

 
$
95,407


Noncash Investing and Financing Activities — During 2012, the Company reclassified $50,000 of perpetual preferred stock pending redemption from equity to a liability.

(24)
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
    
Financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are as follows:
 
 
Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
As of December 31, 2014
Balance
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
Significant Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Investment securities available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
Obligations of U.S. government agencies
$
720,933

$

$
720,933

$

U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities & collateralized mortgage obligations
990,666


990,666


Private mortgage-backed securities
325


325


 
 
Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
As of December 31, 2013
Balance
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
Significant Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Investment securities available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
Obligations of U.S. government agencies
$
763,238

$

$
763,238

$

U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities & collateralized mortgage obligations
1,184,053


1,184,053


Private mortgage-backed securities
415


415




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FIRST INTERSTATE BANCSYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

The methodologies used by the Company in determining the fair values of each class of financial instruments are based primarily on the use of independent, market-based data to reflect a value that would be reasonably expected in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Company obtains fair value measurements for investment securities from an independent pricing service and evaluates mortgage servicing rights for impairment using an independent valuation service. The vendors chosen by the Company are widely recognized vendors whose evaluations support the pricing functions of financial institutions, investment and mutual funds, and portfolio managers. The Company has documented and evaluated the pricing methodologies used by the vendors and maintains internal processes that regularly test valuations. These internal processes include obtaining and reviewing available reports on internal controls, evaluating the prices for reasonableness given market changes, obtaining and evaluating the inputs used in the model for a sample of securities, investigating anomalies and confirming determinations through discussions with the vendor. For investment securities, if needed, a broker may be utilized to determine the reported fair value. Further details on the methods used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments above are discussed below:

Investment Securities Available-for-Sale. The fair value measurements consider observable data that may include dealer quotes, market spreads, cash flows, the U.S. Treasury yield curve, live trading levels, trade execution data, market consensus prepayment speeds, credit information and the investment's terms and conditions, among other things.

Additionally, from time to time, certain assets are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis. Adjustments to fair value generally result from the application of lower-of-cost-or-market accounting or write-downs of individual assets due to impairment.

The following table presents information about the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis.
 
 
Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
As of December 31, 2014
Total
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical Assets (Level 1)
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
 (Level 2)
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Total
Gains (Losses)
Impaired loans
$
30,494

$

$

$
30,494

$
(14,552
)
Other real estate owned
4,554



4,554

(12,665
)
Long-lived assets to be disposed of by sale
1,083



1,083

(702
)

 
 
Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
As of December 31, 2013
Total
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Total
Gains (Losses)
Impaired loans
$
57,302

$

$

$
57,302

$
(23,224
)
Other real estate owned
8,502



8,502

(14,441
)
Long-lived assets to be disposed of by sale
1,186



1,186

(599
)


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FIRST INTERSTATE BANCSYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

Impaired Loans. Collateralized impaired loans are reported at the fair value of the underlying collateral if repayment is expected solely from collateral. The impaired loans are reported at fair value through specific valuation allowance allocations. In addition, when it is determined that the fair value of an impaired loan is less than the recorded investment in the loan, the carrying value of the loan is adjusted to fair value through a charge to the allowance for loan losses. Collateral values are estimated using independent appraisals and management estimates of current market conditions. As of December 31, 2014, certain impaired loans with a carrying value of $45,046 were reduced by specific valuation allowance allocations of $5,792 and partial loan charge-offs of $8,760 resulting in a reported fair value of $30,494. As of December 31, 2013, certain impaired loans with a carrying value of $80,526 were reduced by specific valuation allowance allocations of $8,929 and partial loan charge-offs of $14,295 resulting in a reported fair value of $57,302.

OREO. The fair values of OREO are estimated using independent appraisals and management estimates of current market conditions. Upon initial recognition, write-downs based on the foreclosed asset's fair value at foreclosure are reported through charges to the allowance for loan losses. Periodically, the fair value of foreclosed assets is remeasured with any subsequent write-downs charged to OREO expense in the period in which they are identified.

Long-lived Assets to be Disposed of by Sale. Long-lived assets to be disposed of by sale are carried at the lower of carrying value or fair value less estimated costs to sell. The fair values of long-lived assets to be disposed of by sale are based upon observable market data and management estimates of current market conditions. As of December 31, 2014, long-lived assets to be disposed of by sale with carrying values of $1,785 that were reduced by write-downs of $702 charged to other expense resulting in a reported fair value of $1,083. As of December 31, 2013, the Company had long-lived assets to be disposed of by sale of $1,785 that were reduced by write-downs of $599 charged to other expense resulting in a reported fair value of $1,186.

In addition, mortgage loans held for sale are required to be measured at the lower of cost or fair value. The fair value of mortgage loans held for sale is based upon binding contracts or quotes or bids from third party investors. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, all mortgage loans held for sale were recorded at cost.

The following table presents additional quantitative information about assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis and for which the Company has utilized Level 3 inputs to determine fair values:
As of December 31, 2014
Fair
Value
Valuation
Technique
Unobservable
Inputs
Range
(Weighted Average)
Impaired loans
$
30,494

Appraisal
Appraisal adjustment
0%
-
51%
(19%)
Other real estate owned
4,554

Appraisal
Appraisal adjustment
0%
-
50%
(15%)
Long-lived assets to be disposed of by sale
1,083

Appraisal
Appraisal adjustment
0%
-
9%
(5%)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of December 31, 2013
Fair
Value
Valuation
Technique
Unobservable
Inputs
Range
(Weighted Average)
Impaired loans
$
57,302

Appraisal
Appraisal adjustment
6%
-
66%
(31%)
Other real estate owned
8,502

Appraisal
Appraisal adjustment
6%
-
55%
(15%)
Long-lived assets to be disposed of by sale
1,186

Appraisal
Appraisal adjustment
0%
-
9%
(6%)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Company is required to disclose the fair value of financial instruments for which it is practical to estimate fair value. The methodologies for estimating the fair value of financial instruments that are measured at fair value on a recurring or non-recurring basis are discussed above. The methodologies for estimating the fair value of other financial instruments are discussed below. For financial instruments bearing a variable interest rate where no credit risk exists, it is presumed that recorded book values are reasonable estimates of fair value.


116


Table of Contents

FIRST INTERSTATE BANCSYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

Financial Assets. Carrying values of cash, cash equivalents and accrued interest receivable approximate fair values due to the liquid and/or short-term nature of these instruments. Fair values for investment securities held-to-maturity are obtained from an independent pricing service, which considers observable data that may include dealer quotes, market spreads, cash flows, the U.S. Treasury yield curve, live trading levels, trade execution data, market consensus prepayment speeds, credit information and the investment’s terms and conditions, among other things. Fair values of fixed rate loans and variable rate loans that reprice on an infrequent basis are estimated by discounting future cash flows using current interest rates at which similar loans with similar terms would be made to borrowers of similar credit quality. Carrying values of variable rate loans that reprice frequently, and with no change in credit risk, approximate the fair values of these instruments.

Financial Liabilities. The fair values of demand deposits, savings accounts, securities sold under repurchase agreements and accrued interest payable are the amounts payable on demand at the reporting date. The fair values of fixed-maturity certificates of deposit are estimated using external market rates currently offered for deposits with similar remaining maturities. The carrying values of the interest bearing demand notes to the United States Treasury are deemed an approximation of fair values due to the frequent repayment and repricing at market rates. The floating rate subordinated debenture, floating rate subordinated term loan, fixed rate notes payable, fixed rate subordinated term debt, fixed rate subordinated debentures and capital lease obligation are estimated by discounting future cash flows using current rates for advances with similar characteristics. The carrying value of the preferred stock pending redemption approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of this instrument.

Commitments to Extend Credit and Standby Letters of Credit. The fair value of commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit, based on fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements, is not significant.

A summary of the estimated fair values of financial instruments follows:
 
`
 
Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
As of December 31, 2014
Carrying Amount
Estimated
Fair Value
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
Significant Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Financial assets:
 
 
 
 
 

Cash and cash equivalents
$
798,670

$
798,670

$
798,670

$

$

Investment securities available-for-sale
1,711,924

1,711,924


1,711,924


Investment securities held-to-maturity
575,186

584,533


584,533


Accrued interest receivable
27,063

27,063


27,063


Mortgage servicing rights, net
14,038

21,434


21,434


Net loans
4,823,243

4,800,725


4,770,231

30,494

Total financial assets
$
7,950,124

$
7,944,349

$
798,670

$
7,115,185

$
30,494

 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
Total deposits, excluding time deposits
$
5,767,992

$
5,767,992

$
5,767,992

$

$

Time deposits
1,238,220

1,244,324


1,244,324


Securities sold under repurchase agreements
502,250

502,250


502,250


Other borrowed funds
9

9


9


Accrued interest payable
5,833

5,833


5,833


Long-term debt
38,067

37,781


37,781


Subordinated debentures held by subsidiary trusts
82,477

75,734


75,734


Total financial liabilities
$
7,634,848

$
7,633,923

$
5,767,992

$
1,865,931

$


117


Table of Contents

FIRST INTERSTATE BANCSYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)


 
 
 
Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
As of December 31, 2013
Carrying Amount
Estimated
Fair Value
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
Significant Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Financial assets:
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
534,827

$
534,827

$
534,827

$

$

Investment securities available-for-sale
1,947,706

1,947,706


1,947,706


Investment securities held-to-maturity
203,837

205,926


205,926


Accrued interest receivable
26,450

26,450


26,450


Mortgage servicing rights, net
13,546

25,698


25,698


Net loans
4,259,514

4,246,539


4,189,237

57,302

Total financial assets
$
6,985,880

$
6,987,146

$
534,827

$
6,395,017

$
57,302

 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
Total deposits, excluding time deposits
$
4,943,033

$
4,943,033

$
4,943,033

$

$

Time deposits
1,190,717

1,196,250


1,196,250


Securities sold under repurchase agreements
457,437

457,437


457,437


Other borrowed funds
3

3


3


Accrued interest payable
4,963

4,963


4,963


Long-term debt
36,917

34,508


34,508


Subordinated debentures held by subsidiary trusts
82,477

72,045


72,045


Total financial liabilities
$
6,715,547

$
6,708,239

$
4,943,033

$
1,765,206

$


(25)
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The Company conducts banking transactions in the ordinary course of business with related parties, including directors, executive officers, shareholders and their associates, on the same terms as those prevailing at the same time for comparable transactions with unrelated persons and that do not involve more than a normal risk of collectibility or present other unfavorable features.

Certain executive officers, directors and greater than 5% shareholders of the Company and certain entities and individuals related to such persons, incurred indebtedness in the form of loans, as customers, of $25,794 and $24,669 at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. During 2014, new loans and advances on existing loans of $9,519 were funded and loan repayments totaled $9,342. These loans were made on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable loans with persons not related to the Company.

During 2014, the Company repurchased an aggregate of 37,615 shares of its Class A common stock from two directors and one greater than 10% shareholder of the Company at a weighted average price of $24.96 per share. The repurchases were made in privately negotiated transactions pursuant to a stock repurchase program approved by the Company's Board of Directors in November 2013. For additional information regarding the Company's stock repurchases, see Note 13 - Capital Stock and Dividend Restrictions.

The Company purchases property, casualty and other insurance through an agency in which a director of the Company, whose term as a director ended in May 2013, has a controlling ownership interest. The Company paid insurance premiums to the agency of $764 and $839 in 2013 and 2012, respectively.


118


Table of Contents

FIRST INTERSTATE BANCSYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

The Company leases an aircraft from an entity wholly-owned by the chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors. Under the terms of the lease, the Company pays a fee for each flight hour plus certain third party operating expenses related to the aircraft. During 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company paid total fees and operating expenses of $306, $309 and $262, respectively, for its use of the aircraft. In addition, the Company leases a portion of its hanger and provides pilot services to the related entity. During 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company received payments from the related entity of $77, $61 and $47, respectively, for hanger use, pilot fees and reimbursement of certain third party operating expenses related to the chairman’s personal use of the aircraft.

The Company purchases services from an entity in which one greater than 5% shareholder and six directors of the Company, including the chairman and executive vice chairman of the Board of Directors, have an aggregate ownership interest of 18%, and in which one director is the chairman and two directors are members of the board of such entity. Services provided for the Company’s benefit include shareholder education and communication, strategic enterprise planning and corporate governance consultation. During 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company paid $255, $224 and $243, respectively, for these services.

During 2012, the Company entered into a contract with an entity wholly-owned by a director of the Company to provide construction management and advisory services related to the construction of a bank office building. Under the terms of the agreement, the entity will receive payments equal to the lesser of a fixed price of $180 or 4% of the actual construction contract price, with an initial payment of $60 due upon execution of the agreement and the remainder due in two equal installments over a two year period. Under the terms of the contract, the Company paid the entity $60 during each of 2014, 2013 and 2012.
    
In conjunction with an acquisition in 2008, the Company assumed certain existing deferred compensatory agreements. Under the terms of one such agreement, the Company is required to make cash payments to a director of the Company for the promotion of growth and development of new business through December 31, 2011. The total amount due under the agreement was fixed prior to the acquisition date at $577, with a portion to be paid over 4 years and the remaining balance due in January 2012. As additional consideration under the agreement, the director provided, among other things, a covenant not to compete. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company made cash payments of $424 during 2012.

A director of the Company was party to an agreement to guarantee the payment of interest on loans between FIB and an unrelated third party borrower through December 31, 2012. Under the terms of the interest guaranty agreement, the director made interest payments to FIB on behalf of the borrower of $815 in 2012. In addition, the director pledged to FIB collateral for the loans of the unrelated third party borrower. During 2012, the collateral was liquidated and proceeds of $7,998 were applied to the outstanding principal balances of the loans.

(26)
AUTHORITATIVE ACCOUNTING GUIDANCE
    
ASU 2014-01 “Investments-Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323): Accounting for Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Projects.” The amendments in ASU 2014-01 permit reporting entities to make an accounting policy election to account for their investments in qualified affordable housing projects using the proportional amortization method if certain conditions are met. The evaluation of whether conditions have been met to apply the proportional amortization method is conducted at the time of initial investment and subsequently reevaluated if there is a change in the nature of the investment or a change in the relationship with the limited liability entity that could result in the conditions no longer being met. The decision to apply the proportional amortization method of accounting should be applied consistently to all qualifying affordable housing project investments rather than on an individual investment basis. Under the proportional amortization method, an entity amortizes the initial cost of the investment in proportion to the tax credits and other tax benefits received and recognizes the net investment performance in the income statement as a component of income tax expense or benefit. The amendments in ASU 2014-01 are effective for the Company for annual reporting periods and interim reporting periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2014, with early adoption permitted.
    

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Table of Contents

FIRST INTERSTATE BANCSYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

The Company adopted the amendments in ASU 2014-01 effective January 1, 2014. As of December 31, 2014, the Company had four investments in qualified affordable housing projects with an aggregate carrying value of $5,084 included in other assets on the Company's consolidated balance sheet. The Company elected to account for these investments using the proportional amortization method. During 2014, income tax benefits associated with these projects of $27 were recognized as a component of income tax expense. The Company has commitments to invest additional amounts in these projects of $6,943 in 2015, $37 annually in 2016 through 2021, and $26 annually in 2022 and 2023.
    
ASU 2014-04 “Receivables-Troubled Debt Restructurings by Creditors (Subtopic 310-40): Reclassification of Residential Real Estate Collateralized Consumer Mortgage Loans upon Foreclosure.” The amendments in ASU 2014-04 clarify that an in-substance repossession or foreclosures occurs, and a creditor is considered to have received physical possession of residential real estate property collateralizing a consumer mortgage loan, upon either (i) the creditor obtaining legal title to the residential real estate property upon completion of a foreclosure or (ii) the borrower conveying all interest in the residential real estate property to the creditor to satisfy the loan through completion of a deed in lieu of foreclosure or through a similar legal agreement. The amendments in ASU 2014-04 also require interim and annual disclosure of both (i) the amount of foreclosed residential real estate property held by the creditor and (ii) the recorded investment in consumer mortgage loans collateralized by residential real estate property that are in the process of foreclosure. The amendments in ASU 2014-04 are effective for the Company for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2014 using either a modified retrospective transition method or a prospective transition method. The Company does not expect the amendments in ASU 2014-04 to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements, results of operations or liquidity.
    
ASU 2014-09 "Revenue from Contracts with Customers." The amendments in ASU 2014-09 introduce a new five-step revenue recognition model in which an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 also requires disclosures sufficient to enable users to understand the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers, including qualitative and quantitative disclosures about contracts with customers, significant judgments and changes in judgments, and assets recognized from the costs to obtain or fulfill a contract. The amendments in ASU 2014-09 are effective for the Company for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period, and may be adopted retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initial adoption recognized at the date of initial application. The Company is currently evaluating the new guidance to determine the impact it will have on its consolidated financial statements, results of operations or liquidity.
    
ASU 2014-11 "Repurchase-to-Maturity Transactions, Repurchase Financings, and Disclosures." The amendments in ASU 2014-11 expand secured borrowing treatment for certain repurchase agreements. Under the amendments in ASU 2014-11, repurchase-to-maturity transactions and repurchase agreements executed as repurchase financing transactions are required to be accounted for as secured borrowings. ASU 2014-11 requires additional disclosures about certain transactions accounted for as a sale in which the transferor retains substantially all of the exposure to the economic return on the transferred financial assets through an agreement with the same counterparty. ASU 2014-11 also requires disclosure of the types of collateral pledged and liabilities associated with an entity's repurchase agreements, securities lending transactions and repurchase-to-maturity transactions accounted for as secured borrowings. The accounting changes included in the amendments in ASU 2014-11 are effective for the Company on January 1, 2015. The disclosure requirements set forth in the amendment in ASU 2014-11 are effective for the Company for interim and annual periods beginning after December 31, 2014. Adoption of the amendments in ASU 2014-11 will not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements, results of operations or liquidity.
    
ASU 2014-12 "Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period." ASU 2014-12 amends Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation, to clarify that a performance target that affects the vesting of a share-based payment award and that could be achieved after the requisite service period should be treated as a performance condition that affects the vesting of the award. ASU 2014-12 further clarifies that the requisite service period ends when the employees can cease rendering service and still be eligible to vest in the award if the performance target is achieved. The amendments in ASU 2014-12 are effective for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The amendments in ASU 2014-12 may be applied

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FIRST INTERSTATE BANCSYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

prospectively to all awards granted or modified after the effective date or retrospectively to all awards with performance targets that are outstanding as of the beginning of the earliest annual period presented in the financial statements and to all new or modified awards thereafter. The amendments in ASU 2014-12 will not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements, results of operations or liquidity.
    
ASU 2014-14 "Classification of Certain Government-Guaranteed Mortgage Loans upon Foreclosure." ASU 2014-14 updates ASC Subtopic 310-40, Receivables-Troubled Debt Restructurings by Creditors, to require that a mortgage loan be derecognized and that a separate other receivable be recognized upon foreclosure if (i) the loan has a government guarantee that is not separable from the loan before foreclosure; (ii) at the time of foreclosure, the creditor has the intent to convey the real estate property to the guarantor and make a claim on the guarantee, and the creditor has the ability to recover under that claim; and, (iii) any amount of the claim that is determined on the basis of the fair value of the real estate is fixed at the time of foreclosure. ASU 2014-14 provides that, upon foreclosure, the separate other receivable should be measured based on the amount of the loan balance (principal and interest) expected to be recovered from the guarantor. The amendments in ASU 2014-14 are effective for the Company for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2014 and may adopted using either a prospective transition method or a modified retrospective transition method. The amendments in ASU 2014-12 will not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements, results of operations or liquidity.

ASU 2014-16 "Determining Whether the Host Contract in a Hybrid Financial Instrument Issued in the Form of a Share is More Akin to Debt or to Equity." The amendments in ASU 2014-16 clarify that an entity should consider all relevant terms and features-including the embedded derivative feature being evaluated for bifurcation-in evaluating the nature of the host contract within a hybrid financial instrument. The amendments further clarify that no single term or feature would necessarily determine the economic characteristics and risk of the host contract. Rather, the nature of the host contract depends upon the economic characteristics and risk of the entire hybrid financial instrument. The amendments in ASU 2014-16 are effective for the Company for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2015. The effects of initially adopting the amendments in ASU 2014-16 should be applied on a modified retrospective basis to existing hybrid financial instruments issued in the form of a share as of the beginning of the fiscal year for which the amendments are effective. Retrospective application is permitted to all relevant prior periods. The amendments in ASU 2014-16 will not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements, results of operations or liquidity.

(27)
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Subsequent events have been evaluated for potential recognition and disclosure through the date financial statements were filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. On January 22, 2015, the Company declared a quarterly dividend to common shareholders of $0.20 per share, paid on February 13, 2015 to shareholders of record as of February 2, 2015. On January 22, 2015, the Company's board of directors approved the repurchase of up to 1,000,000 shares of the Company's outstanding Class A common stock from time to time through open market or privately negotiated transactions, as market and business conditions permit. Share repurchases will be conducted in a manner intended to comply with the safe harbor provisions of Rule 10b-18 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Repurchased shares will be returned to authorized but unissued shares of Class A common stock in accordance with Montana law. No other events requiring recognition or disclosure were identified.

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(a)
2. Financial statement schedules
All other schedules to the consolidated financial statements of the Registrant are omitted since the required information is either not applicable, deemed immaterial, or is shown in the respective financial statements or in notes thereto.
(a)3. Exhibits
Exhibit
Number
 
Description
 
 
 
2.1
 
Agreement and Plan of Merger between First Interstate BancSystem, Inc. and Mountain West Financial Corp dated February 10, 2014 (incorporated herein reference to Exhibit 2.1 of the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-4, No. 333-194050, dated April 2, 2014)
 
 
 
3.1
 
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation dated March 5, 2010 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed on March 10, 2010)
 
 
 
3.2
 
Second Amended and Restated Bylaws dated January 27, 2011 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.8 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 3, 2011)
 
 
 
10.1
 
Credit Agreement Re: Subordinated Term Note dated as of January 10, 2008, between First Interstate BancSystem, Inc. and First Midwest Bank (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.24 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 16, 2008)
 
 
 
10.2
 
Lease Agreement between Billings 401 Joint Venture and First Interstate Bank Montana dated September 20, 1985 and addendum thereto (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the Company’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 to Registration Statement on Form S-1, No. 033-84540, filed on September 29, 1994)
 
 
 
10.3†
 
First Interstate BancSystem’s Deferred Compensation Plan dated December 1, 2006 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.9 of the Company’s Pre-Effective Amendment No. 3 to Registration Statement on Form S-1, No. 333-164380, filed on March 23, 2010)
 
 
 
10.4†
 
First Amendment to the First Interstate BancSystem’s Deferred Compensation Plan dated October 24, 2008 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.10 of the Company’s Pre-Effective Amendment No. 3 to Registration Statement on Form S-1, No. 333-164380, filed on March 23, 2010)
 
 
 
10.5†
 
2001 Stock Option Plan, as amended (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.12 of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8, No. 333-106495, filed on June 25, 2003)
 
 
 
10.6†
 
Second Amendment to 2001 Stock Option Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.6 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2010)
 
 
 
10.7†
 
First Interstate BancSystem, Inc. 2006 Equity Compensation Plan, amended and restated as of November 21, 2013 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.4 of the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-8, No. 333-193543, filed January 24, 2014 )
 
 
 
10.8†
 
Form of First Interstate BancSystem, Inc. 2006 Equity Compensation Plan Restricted Stock Agreement (Performance-ROA) for Certain Executive Officers (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.8 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013)
 
 
 
10.9†
 
Form of First Interstate BancSystem, Inc. 2006 Equity Compensation Plan Restricted Stock Agreement (Performance-ROE) for Certain Executive Officers (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.9 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013)
 
 
 
10.10†
 
Form of First Interstate BancSystem, Inc. 2006 Equity Compensation Plan Restricted Stock Agreement (Performance) for Certain Executive Officers (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 13, 2013)
 
 
 
10.11
 
Trademark License Agreements between Wells Fargo & Company and First Interstate BancSystem, Inc. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.11 of the Registration Statement on Form S-1, filed on April 22, 1997)
 
 
 
14.1
 
Code of Ethics for Chief Executive Officer and Senior Financial Officers (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 14.1 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010)

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Exhibit
Number
 
Description
 
 
 
21.1*
 
Subsidiaries of First Interstate BancSystem, Inc.
 
 
 
23.1*
 
Consent of McGladrey LLP Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
 
 
31.1*
 
Certification of Annual Report on Form 10-K pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 by Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
31.2*
 
Certification of Annual Report on Form 10-K pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 by Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
32*
 
Certification of Annual Report on Form 10-K pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
 
 101**
 
Interactive data file
† Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
* Filed herewith.
** As provided in Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, this information is furnished and not filed for purposes of Sections 11 and 12 of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
(b)
Exhibits
See Item 15(a)3 above.
(c)
Financial Statements Schedules
See Item 15(a)2 above.


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Table of Contents

SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.
First Interstate BancSystem, Inc.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
By:
 
/s/ ED GARDING
 
February 27, 2015
 
 
 
Ed Garding
 
Date
 
 
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
By:
/s/ THOMAS W. SCOTT
 
February 27, 2015
 
Thomas W. Scott, Chairman of the Board
 
Date
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ JAMES R. SCOTT
 
February 27, 2015
 
James R. Scott, Executive Vice Chairman of the Board
 
Date
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ STEVEN J. CORNING
 
February 27, 2015
 
Steven J. Corning, Director
 
Date
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ DAVID H. CRUM
 
February 27, 2015
 
David H. Crum, Director
 
Date
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ WILLIAM B. EBZERY
 
February 27, 2015
 
William B. Ebzery, Director
 
Date
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ DANA L. CRANDALL
 
February 27, 2015
 
Dana L. Crandall, Director
 
Date
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ CHARLES E. HART, M.D., M.S.
 
February 27, 2015
 
Charles E. Hart, M.D., M.S., Director
 
Date
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ CHARLES M. HEYNEMAN
 
February 27, 2015
 
Charles M. Heyneman, Director
 
Date
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ JOHN M. HEYNEMAN, JR.
 
February 27, 2015
 
John M. Heyneman, Jr., Director
 
Date
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ DAVID L. JAHNKE
 
February 27, 2015
 
David L. Jahnke, Director
 
Date
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ ROSS E. LECKIE
 
February 27, 2015
 
Ross E. Leckie, Director
 
Date
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ JONATHAN R. SCOTT
 
February 27, 2015
 
Jonathan R. Scott, Director
 
Date
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ RANDALL I. SCOTT
 
February 27, 2015
 
Randall I. Scott, Director
 
Date
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ MICHAEL J. SULLIVAN
 
February 27, 2015
 
Michael J. Sullivan, Director
 
Date
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ TERESA A. TAYLOR
 
February 27, 2015
 
Teresa A. Taylor, Director
 
Date
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ THEODORE H. WILLIAMS
 
February 27, 2015
 
Theodore H. Williams, Director
 
Date


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By:
/s/ ED GARDING
 
February 27, 2015
 
Ed Garding
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal executive officer)
 
Date
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ KEVIN P. RILEY
 
February 27, 2015
 
Kevin P. Riley
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal financial and accounting officer)
 
Date


125

FIBK-2014.12.31-EX21.1


Exhibit 21.1
Subsidiaries of First Interstate BancSystem, Inc.
Subsidiary
 
State of Incorporation or Jurisdiction of Organization
 
Business Name
First Interstate Bank
 
Montana
 
First Interstate Bank
First Western Data, Inc.
 
South Dakota
 
First Western Data, Inc.
First Interstate Statutory Trust
 
Delaware
 
First Interstate Statutory Trust
FI Statutory Trust I
 
Connecticut
 
FI Statutory Trust I
FI Capital Trust II
 
Delaware
 
FI Capital Trust II
FI Statutory Trust III
 
Delaware
 
FI Statutory Trust III
FI Capital Trust IV
 
Delaware
 
FI Capital Trust IV
FI Statutory Trust V
 
Delaware
 
FI Statutory Trust V
FI Statutory Trust VI
 
Delaware
 
FI Statutory Trust VI
MWF Statutory Trust III
 
Connecticut
 
MWF Statutory Trust III
Commerce Financial, Inc.
 
Montana
 
Commerce Financial, Inc.
First Interstate Insurance Agency, Inc.
 
Montana
 
First Interstate Insurance Agency, Inc.
FIBCT, LLC
 
Montana
 
Crytech
FIB, LLC
 
Montana
 
FIB, LLC





FIBK-2014.12.31-EX23.1


Exhibit 23.1

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements (Form S-8 No. 333-106495 and Form S-8 No. 333-69490) pertaining to the First Interstate BancSystem, Inc. 2001 Stock Option Plan, as amended; Registration Statements (Form S-8 No. 333-133837 and Form S-8 No. 333-193543) pertaining to the First Interstate BancSystem, Inc. 2006 Equity Compensation Plan, as amended and restated effective November 21, 2013; and Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-188865) pertaining to a shelf registration, of our reports dated February 27, 2015, relating to our audits of the consolidated financial statements and internal control over financial reporting which appear in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of First Interstate BancSystem, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2014.

/s/ MCGLADREY LLP
 
Des Moines, Iowa
February 27, 2015




FIBK-2014.12.31-EX31.1


Exhibit 31.1
CERTIFICATION OF ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Ed Garding, certify that:

1.
I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 of First Interstate BancSystem, Inc.,

2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.
The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a)
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b)
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c)
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d)
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5.
The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a)
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b)
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

DATE: February 27, 2015
/s/ ED GARDING
Ed Garding
President and Chief Executive Officer





FIBK-2014.12.31-EX31.2


Exhibit 31.2
CERTIFICATION OF ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Kevin P. Riley, certify that:

1.
I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 of First Interstate BancSystem, Inc.,

2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.
The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a)
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b)
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c)
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d)
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5.
The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a)
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b)
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

DATE: February 27, 2015
/s/ KEVIN P. RILEY
Kevin P. Riley
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer





FIBK-2014.12.31-EX32


Exhibit 32
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED
PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
The undersigned are the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of First Interstate BancSystem, Inc. (the “Registrant”). This Certification is made pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. This Certification accompanies the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Registrant for the year ended December 31, 2014.
We certify to the best of our knowledge that such Annual Report on Form 10-K fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and that the information contained in the Form 10-K fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Registrant for the periods presented therein.

This Certification is executed as of February 27, 2015.
/s/ ED GARDING
 
Ed Garding
 
President and Chief Executive Officer 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ KEVIN P. RILEY  
 
Kevin P. Riley
 
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer 
 
The forgoing certification is being furnished solely pursuant to Subsections (a) and (b) of Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code in accordance with Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, and shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.




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