Entity information:

Note 17. Income Taxes

The components of income tax expense are as follows:

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

 

($ in thousands)

 

Current tax expense:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal

 

$

25,300

 

 

$

8,613

 

 

$

3,245

 

State

 

 

4,475

 

 

 

4,006

 

 

 

1,667

 

Total current

 

 

29,775

 

 

 

12,619

 

 

 

4,912

 

Deferred tax expense (benefit):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal

 

 

(9,883

)

 

 

426

 

 

 

2,440

 

State

 

 

535

 

 

 

(1,094

)

 

 

133

 

Total deferred

 

 

(9,348

)

 

 

(668

)

 

 

2,573

 

Income tax expense

 

$

20,427

 

 

$

11,951

 

 

$

7,485

 

 

The Company’s effective tax rate for 2016 and 2015 reflects the impact of tax filing in additional states and changes in the tax rate on cumulative temporary differences.

The effective tax rate differed from the statutory federal corporate rate of 35% as follows:

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

 

($ in thousands)

 

Federal statutory rate

 

$

17,028

 

 

$

10,094

 

 

$

6,328

 

State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit

 

 

3,256

 

 

 

1,893

 

 

 

1,170

 

Other

 

 

143

 

 

 

(36

)

 

 

(13

)

 

 

$

20,427

 

 

$

11,951

 

 

$

7,485

 

 

Deferred income taxes are recorded when revenues and expenses are recognized in different periods for financial statement and income tax purposes. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, components of deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

 

($ in thousands)

 

Deferred tax asset:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allowance for credit losses

 

$

23,353

 

 

$

29,105

 

Capitalized startup costs

 

 

 

 

 

103

 

Other

 

 

4,243

 

 

 

1,483

 

Securities fair value adjustments

 

 

2,491

 

 

 

4,166

 

Equity compensation

 

 

2,505

 

 

 

6,950

 

Accrued bonus and severance

 

 

6,886

 

 

 

6,728

 

Income from non-performing assets

 

 

4,329

 

 

 

4,325

 

Equity positions

 

 

1,272

 

 

 

 

Other real estate owned

 

 

73

 

 

 

 

Intangible Assets

 

 

293

 

 

 

196

 

Gross deferred tax asset

 

 

45,445

 

 

 

53,056

 

Deferred tax liability:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prepaid expenses

 

 

1,091

 

 

 

1,226

 

Mark-to-market loans

 

 

294

 

 

 

420

 

Deferred loan costs

 

 

1,488

 

 

 

1,971

 

Cancellation of term debt income

 

 

1,185

 

 

 

1,778

 

Equity positions

 

 

 

 

 

2,498

 

Equipment leasing

 

 

 

 

 

11,113

 

Goodwill

 

 

580

 

 

 

917

 

Gross deferred tax liability

 

 

4,638

 

 

 

19,923

 

Net deferred tax asset

 

$

40,807

 

 

$

33,133

 

 

As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, we had net deferred tax assets of $40.8 million and $33.1 million, respectively. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The Company’s management considered all available evidence, both positive and negative, in determining the realizability of deferred tax assets at December 31, 2016. Management considered carryback availability, the scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income during the reversal periods, and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. Management also considered our recent history of taxable income, trends in our earnings, positive financial ratios, and the impact of the downturn in the current economic environment (including the impact of credit on allowance and provision for loan losses) on the Company. Based upon its assessment, management believes that a valuation allowance was not necessary as of December 31, 2016.

As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company did not have any material accrued interest, penalties or uncertain tax positions.

The Company files U.S. federal and various state income tax returns. As of December 31, 2016, the Company is subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and most state tax authorities for tax years after December 31, 2012. A few states remain subject to examination for the year ended December 31, 2011. During 2016, the Company received an examination notification from the Internal Revenue Service for the 2014 tax year. There have been no significant issues identified and the examination is still in process at December 31, 2016.