Good day and welcome to the EFSC Earnings Conference Call. As a reminder, today’s call is being recorded. At this time, I would like to turn the conference over to Mr. Jim Lally. Please go ahead, sir.

Thank you, Keith. And thank you all very much for joining us and welcome to our third quarter earnings call. We appreciate all of you taking time to listen in. And joining me this afternoon is Scott Goodman, President of our Bank; and Keene Turner, our Company’s Chief Financial Officer. Before we begin, I would like to remind everybody on the call that a copy of the release and an accompanying presentation can be found on our website. The presentation and earnings release were furnished on SEC Form 8-K yesterday. Please refer to slide two of the presentation, titled Forward-Looking Statements and our most recent 10-K and 10-Q for reasons why actual results may vary from any forward-looking statements that we make today. If you would, please turn to slide four and refer to our financial scorecard. From just about every aspect, the third quarter was a very solid quarter for Enterprise. On a reported basis, EPS grew 17% year-over-year to $0.69 with core EPS representing $0.66 of that. Core earnings per share grew 35% year-over-year. These results represent a record performance for our Company and showcase the core earnings power produced by the positive operating leverage created by completing the conversion of Jefferson County Bancshares. Our ability to grow dollars and net interest income year-over-year by 40% is proof of this. Core revenue in the quarter grew by 3% including growth in fee income, while expenses decreased by the like amount. Core ROA of 1.21% represented an increase of 15 basis points and 17 basis points from the linked quarter and prior year. Our $138 million of loan growth in the quarter produced an annualize growth rate of 14% and was well-distributed among our regions and lending platforms. Furthermore, we were able to see improvement to our credit statistics from an already enviable position. In addition to excellent performance in the frontend of our business, we prudently managed our capital, returning approximately $17 million of value to our shareholder through share repurchases during the quarter. As we head into 2018, we remain focused on core deposit generation and expansion of our fee businesses that support a commercially focused strategy. To provide more color on these exceptional results and insight into our markets, I would now like to turn over to Scott Goodman, President of our Bank.

Thank you, Jim. Referring to slides number five and six, the total loan portfolio grew by $138 million in the quarter or an annualize rate of 14.3%. This growth was well-balanced between commercial real estate and C&I with significant contributions coming from each of the business units. Our focus on organic C&I growth opportunities across all geographic markets and in specialized lending units continued to provide steady double-digit growth in this portfolio. Turning to slide number seven. Growth was generally spread across most sectors of the portfolio. Enterprise value lending activity reflects financing of new portfolio acquisitions for several existing sponsors. Originations have been strong year-to-date consisting with historical levels, and activity in this space is steady. However, there are some short-term issues which are creating a bit more headwind and which may result in a less robust Q4. Multiples remain high as competition for quality companies is heavy. Our focused has been on private equity sponsors going after traditional C&I business types and who exhibit a more disciplined approach to pricing. We remain well-positioned as a go-to partner for a defined base of private equity firms, and we continue to add new sponsors to our client base to widen the funnel of senior debt financing requests. Life insurance premium finance grew nicely in the quarter, a combination of new clients and premium fundings on existing policies. While competition has risen due to increased activity and pricing pressure coming out of the few larger banks, growth reflects momentum from new originations and the higher level of premium funding from our expanded policy base. Tax credit loan growth was centered mainly around a few large new closings. We completed the financing of several new market tax credits related loans, which will be deployed mainly into new C&I opportunity as well as…

Thank you, Scott. The third quarter results were strong and demonstrated successful execution of organic growth, our M&A efforts, as well as diligent interest rates and credit risk management. Slide number 10 reconciles $0.69 of reported earnings per share to $0.66 of core earnings per share. The impact of non-core acquired assets and JCB merger expenses were relatively muted at $0.04 per share and $0.01 per share respectively. Overall, we had an extremely strong quarter that produced the 1.27% return on average assets and in excess of 15% return on tangible common equity. Most importantly, core results comprised the majority of earnings for the quarter. As slide 11 depicts, we had success on all fronts as compared to the linked quarter. Noninterest expense decreased $0.02 per share, as the cost savings for JCB were realized, provision for loan losses was $0.03 per share better than last quarter, revenue expanded $0.05 per share split between $0.01 of noninterest income and $0.04 of net interest income from the linked quarter, which I’ll walk through on slide 12. Core net interest income increased by $1 million to $44 million for the third quarter. This is a relatively clean quarter as the JCB results were fully included in the first half of the year. I’ll remind you that despite a basis point decline in net interest margin, we actually expanded 1 basis point comparatively as Q2 had some purchase accounting cleanup from the finalization that I noted last quarter. Thus, core net interest margin was relatively stable at 3.75%. And moreover, we are pleased with the net interest income trends for the quarter. Loan and deposit growth resumed as you heard from Scott while the fundamentals of net interest margin continue to be strong. Portfolio loan yields expanded 6 basis points to 4.69%. And…

[Operator Instructions] And we’ll take today’s first question from Jeff Rulis. Please go ahead. Your line is open.

Thanks. Good afternoon.

Hi, Jeff.

Question, Jim, on just capital plans, just to kind give -- now that JCB is fully integrated, little bit of buyback but may be prioritize M&A buyback, paying down debt, any indication there?

Well, we remain prudent relative to our capital levels. All options are open at this point in time and we will just look and see what provides the best opportunities at hand.

Is there a use of capital that’s in your view better than others?

Jeff, I think, the way we look at capital is, we’re first and foremost organic growth; then, if there is any M&A that can accelerate that, we will look at that on top of it. And we think where we sit today, we’re positioned to do both, given the rate of earnings that we got. And then, we will manage any additional build we see opportunistically. Obviously, as soon as you get the capital back, as long as you continue to grow, it drives further earning and leveraging. And I think the repurchase in the quarter was a bit opportunistic but really reflects a longer term view that we’re going to continue to grow earnings and capital at significant levels and makes sense to have those tools in palace to do when the opportunity arises.

And then, the operating expense guidance, is that 27.1 a good core and then you said 4% to 6% growth, is that right?

Yes. I think, you’re probably pretty good -- sort of similar level in Q4, we had $400,000, $500,000 of amortization but we’ve got some new hires at the end of the quarter and early in the third quarter that will offset that. And then, yes, 4% to 6% sort of sequentially next year but, we think about it more as marginal efficiency, I think as we guided in the release that that 35% to 45% rates, but I think all those numbers tie together pretty closely.

And we will take our next question from Michael Perito. Please go ahead. Your line is open.

Couple questions for me, similar question for Keene, on the noninterest income guidance. Is the 5% to 7% encompassing of potential upside opportunity at JCB here, is it more just kind of the legacy enterprise, noninterest income platform ex-JCB, both I guess as it relates to the baseline starting point from this year and also looking into 2018?

Yes. I’d say it’s on a combined run rate. So, really third quarter is probably a good indication of where the first three quarters of the year will be. And then obviously, you got to tackle on the tax credit stuff on top of that. So, all that’s baked together but that’s not just stripped out rate; I think we think there is opportunity in that JCB portfolio and that’s incorporated in that overall aspiration there of 5% to 7%.

That’s helpful. Thanks. And then, Scott, on the loan competition side, it sounds like things remain competitive, which is consistent with what you guys have been saying. Curious though, what you guys are seeing on the deposit side. Have you seen any more inquiries from commercial customers about higher rates being pay down on the deposits, any color around those -- that at this point?

Yes. Defiantly more focus, more commentary. I think we’re seeing more targeted competition on the commercial side. In other words, not advertise specials per se, but competitors going to large depositors and being proactive on aggressive structures. So, I think in the same regard, just like we are targeting additional deposits from target, from deposit rich companies. So, yes, there is definitely more discussion around it. We certainly have more focus. We are being proactive in going to some of our largest deposit clients and if we need to restructuring, repricing on a relationship basis where it makes sense.

Okay, thanks. And just one last one for me. Jim, the -- obviously, the overall competition remains high. You guys provided 79% loan growth outlook for next year. But, it sounds like you have added quite a few members to the lending team this quarter. So, I guess as we think about what you guys are trying to battle through today, is it more -- I mean, is it economic activity, maybe not being as a robust, is it just competition being heavier or is it really credit not supporting the type of growth that you have seen over the last couple of years at this point with the structures that are out there?

I think we think about this way, we look at our markets. And I think the growth in our portfolios year-over-year represent what those particular markets will provide and then we’ll backfill with the particular specialties with a keen focus on C&I being primary but certainly look at relationship opportunities on the CRE side. We are built to do both very well, but we feel as if the value of the franchise is enhanced with more C&I build than CRE.

We’ll go next to Andrew Liesch. Please go ahead. Your line is open.

Good afternoon, guys. Just sticking with the loan growth guidance here. Are there any, like outsized paydowns from the JCB deal that you are expecting this year that might be weighing on the pace to growth?

No, we are not really targeting or seeing outsized payoffs, a few here and there, but nothing that’s impacting the portfolio overall.

And beyond just the -- maybe some of the competitive nature of the life insurance premium finance and some structural things and Enterprise Value Lending, is there anything else in that are -- or you specialty lending groups that are -- that’s giving you any pause for growth?

No, nothing other than what I have already outlined in issue [ph] you discuss.

And then just one question on expenses. Are any cost saves remaining from the JCB deal? It seems you’ve got them all out already but just curious if there is anything left?

Yes. I think we’ve hit our target. I think there is some potential as we move forward to optimize staffing levels and things like that, but we have no proactive go gets in terms of the JCB cost saves. And just maybe swinging back a little bit on the loan growth perspective, I want to make sure that although the rate of growth is down that’s due to the fact that the balance sheet is $1 billion greater. And what we acquired was not a 10% growth market. So, if you look at overall growth in the St. Louis region with JCB included, we’ve done a nice job of gaining and retaining market share here. But, I think to expect that we would continue to be able to grow at 10 plus percent rate, given that I think we’re just indicating that we’re going to continue to manage the company to grow where we have historically and so that rate’s going to decline but we don’t expect the dollars of growth to be any less than they were for 2017.

Certainly, 10% growth on $1 billion larger book is a little bit tougher. All my other questions have been asked and answered. Thanks.

Thank you.

We’ll take our next question from Brian Martin. Please go ahead.

Just a couple of things for me. Can you just -- the expectations for intent -- you kind of talked a little bit about the core margin but just -- remind us just on the rate hikes if you do get one kind of maybe December or midyear and next year. How does that play out as far as the core margin goes? It sounds like still a benefit, maybe less if we are getting some pressure on the funding side but just in general kind of the way to think about the rate increases and how that impacts the core margins?

Yes. I think overall, we’re still asset sensitive. I think to the extent that rates continue to move, that obviously helps banks when rates stay stable for a long period of time, the liability side has time to catch up more fully with the asset side. So, future rate increases won’t -- just like we demonstrated this year, won’t be as meaningful as they were, for example in the first and second quarter. They’ll probably look more like the third quarter here where you got a little bit of improvement on the loan yield side but deposit cost kind of rose up and overall funding cost muted that. So we’re considering it a win to keep margins stable. We’ve had a really nice run from where we were a year ago in terms of extending margin and we’re focused on growing core net interest income dollars as much as possible to drive EPS growth. But that’s how we think about it. We might be a little bit better than we expect with rate hikes but we’re not counting on it, we’re getting out there and we’re going to generate the growth on both sides of the balance sheet.

Okay. So, for sure, I guess the thought is that push to the margin if rates go higher and if you can do better I guess that would be the hope. So, okay, and then….

Yes. That’s our thinking about it. We’re stable with some optimism.

Yes, okay. And then, just from the accretion standpoint, Keene, I guess, just without kind of detailing what the number looks like in 2018 just to step down from 2017 is the way we should think about it or is that incorrect from the accretion side of things?

Yes. So, this year, the target was about $6 million to $8 million; next year, it will probably be somewhere in the $3 million to $5 million range, so half to two thirds, absent material changes and then our views on creditor accelerations out of the portfolio. So, it was $0.04 to $0.05 per share this year on a quarterly basis, so half to two thirds of that going forward.

Yes, okay. Perfect, thanks. And then, just the other couple of things. I think you just talked about on the expensive enough but maybe just so I heard it right, just that I got the relative percentage of the revenue growth but the 4% to 6%, was that looking year-to-year or that was just building off of the third quarter base, now that it’s kind of been reset? Is that kind of better way to think about it?

I think of $27 million as the sort of core run rate and then building off there, if you want to look at it that way.

Yes, got you. Okay. And then, just maybe one for Scott and I don’t know, maybe I just missed it and I don’t want to get too much into the weeds, if you will. But just the people you’ve hired this year, Scott, just by market or by I guess what type of people, bankers they are, whether they wealth management or bankers. Can you just give a little bit of a higher level, by market and just kind of by what area they are focused on?

Sure, Brian. I highlighted the Q3 hires already across KC, Arizona and St. Louis, probably a little heavier in Kansas City and St. Louis and predominantly business banking and commercial banking RMs. I think we had one EVL person there as well. Kansas City hires that I mentioned that was more of for the full year 2017, just trying to highlight how we have elevated our brand there and it’s enabled us to recruit talent. We moved three bankers from Kansas City out to Arizona because we felt confident that we were able to replace that team in Kansas City with experienced folks. So, the Kansas City recruits have been predominantly commercial banking.

And then, just last one for me. With all the people you brought aboard, it feels as though you are more focused on like Keene was saying the organic growth as opposed to M&A. But, what are the opportunities today on the M&A side that you guys I guess would consider? Would it be just in the three markets you are in? Would you look to a new market? Are you not looking -- this is not really anything -- any big discussions going on, just any update if you will on just how you are thinking about M&A and maybe what markets and size and parameters, if you can give little color?

Brian, this is Jim. I would say that given our success with JCB, we would certainly look in all three markets, the closer the home would be better in terms of the ability to convert both from cultural perspective and operationally. And the markets aren’t full of opportunities there but certainly there are some opportunities that interest us. So, we are looking for those that would enhance the deposit franchise and would culturally fit as well.

And from a size perspective, I mean is there a minimum size that you look at or is it something -- just kind of a range of how low would you look at to consider the transaction today?

So, obviously, as we continue to earn more and more, we care about meaningful contribution, our earnings per share. So, the deal in a way almost has to be the size JCB was, $900 million, $1 billion or bigger to really to get to that level and be worth taking a risk on, disrupting organic growth for it. So, we’re -- that would dictate the target, obviously there is a lot of variable. So, if a company has higher level synergies or higher level of DDA or core funding, obviously we’d look carefully at that, but 800, 900, 100, $1 billion is sort of where we are looking.

Last one for me, I promise, is the -- one of you guys mentioned on the call that there was an interest in or focus in 2018 on the fee income side. Anything you can point to. I guess, this is just getting -- I guess the full synergies out of the transaction or it’s just something else you are focused on as far as the fees go as you look at 2018 more front and center?

Yes. So, the answer is that, so certainly we will continue to drive opportunities out of the acquisition. You have seen the momentum on credit card side of our business, and it’s commercial card by the way that we are focused on because we think there are some opportunities there. And there is generally just improving the businesses that we have to continuing to drive more revenue from the channels that exist in our company today.

So, new necessarily business line, just enhancing what you already have?

That’s correct.

[Operator Instructions] We will go next to Nathan Race. Please go ahead. Your line is open.

Just a couple of credit questions for me. Keene, I think you mentioned that you guys are looking at reserving 1.2% on incremental production in the quarter. Just curious if you guys think that was going to elevate in the quarter based on some reduction that hit or -- and if that’s kind of a good rate to use as we look into 2018 and 4Q?

Yes. So, I think when we look at it, it’s hard to be totally prescriptive about it. But, our historical reserve level has been on growth, somewhere between 110 basis points and 120 basis points. We’re in an environment where there is not a lot of credit losses coming through the portfolio; that’s the good news, but we also need to be prudent and pro-cyclical and provides of losses because at some point and with the right long-term view they will exist. And so, without getting much more direct than that, that’s been our history for providing plus -- providing for charge-offs or any specific reserve.

Okay, got it. And just kind of thinking about your loan growth guidance for 2018, I mean, is that indicative of any kind of softness in the credit metrics or spreads that you’re looking at in kind of your various specialty portfolios or is it just a function of just kind of where we are in terms of the cycle at this point?

No, I don’t think it’s any indicator on our feeling for credit quality. I think that’s holding up pretty well. I think it’s -- really what Keene has mentioned just in terms of the additional base and our production teams continuing to originate at historical levels from a dollar standpoint.

Okay, got it. And Keene, can you just remind us what the tax rate guidance is for 4Q?

Yes. So, in the near-term, 4Q will probably end up somewhere around 32%. And then, I think next year, we’re going to be up there a little bit, 33%, 34%. We’ve been working hard to manage the tax rate down or relatively stable with increasing pretax. So, I think if we are up a couple of basis points sequentially and then in the 33% to 34% range next year with our expectations for growth and earnings, we’ll be in pretty good shape.

And it does appear we have no further questions at this time. I will return the floor to Jim Lally for any closing comments.

Thanks, Keith. And thank you everybody for your time today and your interest in our Company. We’re very proud of our results and we certainly look forward to talking to all of you in January. Thanks.

Ladies and gentlemen, this will conclude today’s program. Thanks for your participation. You may now disconnect. Have a great day.