Annual Report 2015 | Page 12

Operating Expenses Components of Operating Expenses (dollars in thousands) 2015 2014 2013 Salaries and employee benefits Purchased and vendor services Communications Occupancy and equipment Advertising and promotion Examination Farm Credit System insurance Other $28,850 3,948 968 3,147 1,641 777 3,456 3,157 $25,098 4,581 950 2,854 1,396 722 3,030 2,840 $26,944 3,353 963 2,896 1,379 655 2,324 3,753 Total operating expenses $45,944 $41,471 $42,267 1.4% 1.3% 1.5% For the year ended December 31 Operating rate The operating expense increases were primarily related to increases in salaries and employee benefits expenses and FCSIC insurance expenses, which were partially offset by a decrease in purchased and vendor services. FCSIC insurance expense increased in 2015 primarily due to loan growth and an increase in the premium rate charged on accrual loans by FCSIC from 12 basis points in 2014 to 13 basis points in 2015. The Insurance Corporation has announced premiums will increase to 16 basis points for the first half and 18 basis points for the second half of 2016. Provision for (Benefit from) Income Taxes The variance in provision for (benefit from) income taxes is related to our estimate of taxes based on taxable income. Patronage distributions to members reduced our tax liability in 2015, 2014, and 2013. Additional discussion is included in Note 7 to the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements. FUNDING AND LIQUIDITY We borrow from AgriBank, under a note payable, in the form of a line of credit, as described in Note 5 to the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements. This line of credit is our primary source of liquidity and is used to fund operations and meet current obligations. At December 31, 2015, we had $342.2 million available under our line of credit. We generally apply excess cash to this line of credit. Note Payable Information (dollars in thousands) For the year ended December 31 Average balance Average interest rate 2015 2014 2013 $2,668,861 1.7% $2,547,012 1.6% $2,378,301 1.6% The repricing attributes of our line of credit generally correspond to the repricing attributes of our loan portfolio which significantly reduces our market interest rate risk. Due to the cooperative structure of the Farm Credit System and as we are a stockholder of AgriBank, we expect this borrowing relationship to continue into the foreseeable future. Our other source of lendable funds is from unallocated surplus. CAPITAL ADEQUACY Total members’ equity increased $48.1 million from December 31, 2014, primarily due to net income for the year, which was partially offset by patronage distribution accruals. Members' Equity Position Information (dollars in thousands) As of December 31 Regulatory Minimums Members' equity Surplus as a percentage of members' equity Permanent capital ratio Total surplus ratio Core surplus ratio 7.0% 7.0% 3.5% 2015 2014 2013 $704,940 98.2% 17.5% 17.2% 17.2% $656,850 98.0% 17.3% 16.9% 16.9% $600,854 97.9% 16.2% 15.8% 15.8% Our capital plan is designed to maintain an adequate amount of surplus and allowance for loan losses which represents our reserve for adversity prior to impairment of stock. We manage our capital to allow us to meet member needs and protect member interests, both now and in the future. Additional discussion of these regulatory ratios is included in the Note 6 to the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements. 8