Great Southern Bancorp Inc. reported unaudited consolidated earnings results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2017. For the quarter, the company reported interest income of $46,537,000 against $46,936,000 a year ago. Net interest income was $39,273,000 against $40,248,000 a year ago. Net interest income after provision for loan losses was $37,323,000 against $37,868,000 a year ago. Income before income taxes was $15,413,000 against $16,355,000 a year ago. Net income available to common shareholders was $12,206,000 or $0.86 per diluted share against $11,794,000 or $0.83 per diluted share a year ago. Core net interest income was $38,497,000 against $37,106,000 a year ago. For the quarter ended December 31, 2017, annualized return on average common equity was 10.37%, and return on average assets was 1.10%, compared to 10.98% and 1.05% respectively, for the quarter ended December 31, 2016.

For the year, the company reported interest income of $183,061,000 against $185,175,000 a year ago. Net interest income was $155,156,000 against $163,056,000 a year ago. Net interest income after provision for loan losses was $146,056,000 against $153,775,000 a year ago. Income before income taxes was $70,322,000 against $61,858,000 a year ago. Net income available to common shareholders was $51,564,000 or $3.65 per diluted share against $45,342,000 or $3.21 per diluted share a year ago. Core net interest income was $150,142,000 against $146,663,000 a year ago. For the year ended December 31, 2017, annualized return on average common equity was 11.32%, and annualized return on average assets was 1.16%, compared to 10.93%, and 1.04% respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2016. Book value per share was $33.48 as on December 31, 2017 against $30.77 as on December 31, 2016.

Total net charge-offs were $1.7 million and $2.0 million for the quarters ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. During the quarter ended December 31, 2017, $1.4 million of the $1.7 million of net charge-offs were in the consumer auto category.

The company currently expects its effective tax rate (combined federal and state) to decrease from approximately 26.7% in 2017 to be in the range of 15.5% to 17.5% of pretax income in 2018, mainly as a result of the Act.