Great Southern Bancorp Inc. reported unaudited consolidated earnings results for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2018. For the quarter, the company reported Interest Income of $52,982,000 against $46,368,000 a year ago. Net interest income was $42,985,000 against $39,281,000 a year ago. Net Interest Income After Provision for Loan Losses was $41,685,000 against $36,331,000 a year ago. Income Before Income Taxes was $27,980,000 against $15,952,000 a year ago. Net Income and Net Income Available to Common Shareholders was $22,516,000 or $1.57 per diluted share against $11,663,000 or $0.82 per diluted share a year ago. Annualized return on average assets was 1.99% compared to 1.05% a year ago. Annualized return on average common stockholders' equity was 17.80% compared to 10.09% a year ago. Core net interest income was $41,561,000 against $38,306,000 a year ago.

For the nine months, the company reported Interest Income of $149,808,000 against $136,525,000 a year ago. Net interest income was $123,636,000 against $115,883,000 a year ago. Net Interest Income After Provision for Loan Losses was $118,436,000 against $108,733,000 a year ago. Income Before Income Taxes was $60,897,000 against $54,908,000 a year ago. Net Income and Net Income Available to Common Shareholders was $49,821,000 or $3.49 per diluted share against $39,358,000 or $2.77 per diluted share a year ago. Annualized return on average assets was 1.49% compared to 1.18% a year ago. Annualized return on average common stockholders' equity was 13.51% compared to 11.65% a year ago. Core net interest income was $119,984,000 against $111,646,000 a year ago. Book value Per Common Share as on September 30, 2018 was $35.90 against $32.90 as on September 30, 2017.

Total net charge-offs were $1.4 million and $3.2 million for the quarters ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

The Company currently expects its effective tax rate (combined federal and state) to decrease from approximately 26.7% in 2017 to
approximately 16.5% to 18.5% in 2018, mainly as a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

In November 2018, the Company expects to open a commercial loan production office in Atlanta, Ga. Final regulatory approval for a commercial loan production office in Denver, Colo., is also expected during November 2018.