Annual Report 2017 | Page 8

Changes in the chart above relate directly to:    Changes in income discussed below Changes in assets discussed in the Loan Portfolio and Other Investments sections Changes in capital discussed in the Capital Adequacy section Changes in Significant Components of Net Income For the year ended December 31 2017 2016 (in thousands) Net interest income Provision for loan losses Patronage income Other income, net Operating expenses Provision for income taxes Net income 2015 Increase (decrease) in net income 2017 vs 2016 2016 vs 2015 $93,708 -- 19,180 7,219 47,991 1,974 $90,043 1,000 13,438 7,458 47,353 1,020 $86,686 500 11,736 8,613 45,944 8 $3,665 1,000 5,742 (239) (638) (954) $3,357 (500) 1,702 (1,155) (1,409) (1,012) $70,142 $61,566 $60,583 $8,576 $983 Net Interest Income Changes in Net Interest Income (in thousands) For the year ended December 31 Changes in volume Changes in interest rates Changes in nonaccrual income and other Net change 2017 vs 2016 2016 vs 2015 $3,934 (293) 24 $7,861 (3,800) (704) $3,665 $3,357 Net interest income included income on nonaccrual loans that totaled $612 thousand, $587 thousand, and $1.3 million in 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively. Nonaccrual income is recognized when received in cash, collection of the recorded investment is fully expected, and prior charge-offs have been recovered. Net interest margin (net interest income as a percentage of average earning assets) was 2.5%, 2.5%, and 2.7% in 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively. We expect margins may compress further in the future if interest rates continue to rise and competition increases. Provision for Loan Losses The fluctuation in the provision for loan losses was related to our estimate of losses in our portfolio for the applicable years. Additional discussion is included in Note 3 to the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements. Patronage Income We may receive patronage from AgriBank and other Farm Credit Institutions. Patronage distributions from other Farm Credit Institutions are declared solely at the discretion of each institution’s Board of Directors. Patronage distributions for the programs discussed below are declared solely at the discretion of AgriBank’s Board of Directors. Patronage Income (in thousands) For the year ended December 31 Wholesale patronage Asset pool patronage AgDirect partnership distribution Other Farm Credit Institutions Total patronage income 2017 2016 2015 $15,733 3,272 159 16 $9,576 3,819 -- 43 $6,940 4,514 -- 282 $19,180 $13,438 $11,736 Wholesale patronage income is based on the average balance of our note payable to AgriBank. The patronage rates were 45.0 basis points, 25.6 basis points, and 26.0 basis points in 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively. The increase in the patronage rate in 2017 was primarily due to a change in AgriBank’s capital plan effective July 1, 2017. The capital plan was modified to pay out 100% of net earnings beginning in 2017. Previously 50% of net earnings was paid. See the Relationship with AgriBank section for further discussion on patronage income. Since 2008, we have participated in the AgriBank Asset Pool program in which we sell participation interests in certain real estate loans to AgriBank. As part of this program, we received patronage income in an amount that approximated the net earnings of the loans. Net earnings represents the net interest income associated with these loans adjusted for certain fees and costs specific to the related loans as well as adjustments deemed appropriate by AgriBank related to the credit performance of the loans, as applicable. In addition, we received patronage income in an amount that approximated the wholesale patronage had we retained the volume. We also received a partnership distribution resulting from our participation in the AgDirect trade credit financing program. The AgDirect trade credit financing program is facilitated by another AgriBank District association through a limited liability partnership (AgDirect, LLP), in which we are a partial owner. AgriBank purchases a 100% participation interest in the program loans from AgDirect, LLP. Patronage distributions are paid to AgDirect, LLP, 6