Southside Bancshares, Inc. announced unaudited consolidated earnings results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2016. For the quarter, the company reported net income of $11.6 million, a decrease of $0.1 million, or 1.0%, compared to $11.7 million for the same period in 2015. The decrease was primarily the result of a $3.8 million increase in interest expense, a $2.1 million decrease in noninterest income, a $0.4 million increase in income tax expense, and a $0.1 million increase in provision for loan losses, partially offset by a $3.7 million increase in interest income and a $2.6 million decrease in noninterest expense. Diluted earnings per common share were $0.43 and $0.44 for the three months ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, a decrease of $0.01, or 2.3%. The return on average shareholders' equity for the year ended December 31, 2016 was 10.54%, compared to 10.04% for the same period in 2015. Net interest income decreased $0.1 million, or 0.2%, to $34.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016, compared to $34.7 million for the same period in 2015. The decrease in net interest income was the result of the increase in interest expense of $3.8 million associated with short- and long-term obligations and deposit expenses, which were partially offset by an increase in interest income of $3.7 million, which was primarily a result of the increase in the loan and securities portfolio, compared to the same period in 2015. Net interest income increased $4.9 million, or 3.6%, to $139.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to $134.7 million for the same period in 2015. The increase in net interest income was due to the increase in interest income of $14.4 million, or 9.3%, which was primarily a result of the increase in the loan portfolio, compared to the same period in 2015, and a $1.3 million recovery of interest income on the payoff of a long-time nonaccrual loan during the first quarter of 2016. Return on average shareholders' equity was 9.56% against 10.35% a year ago. Income before income tax expense was $13,412,000 against $13,130,000 a year ago. For the year, net income increased $5.4 million, or 12.2%, to $49.3 million, compared to $44.0 million for the same period in 2015. The increase was primarily the result of a $14.4 million increase in interest income, a $3.4 million decrease in noninterest expense, and a $1.5 million increase in noninterest income, partially offset by a $9.5 million increase in interest expense, a $3.0 million increase in income tax expense and a $1.4 million increase in provision for loan losses. Diluted earnings per common share increased $0.21, or 12.7%, to $1.86, compared to $1.65 for the same period in 2015. The return on average assets was 0.94% compared to 0.90% for the same period in 2015. A 12.2% increase in net income for the year ended December 31, 2016 when compared to the prior year, resulted in record net income of $49.3 million, which highlights financial performance for the year. Return on average shareholders' equity was 10.54% against 10.04% a year ago. Book value per common share as on December 31, 2016 was $18.16 against $16.66 as on December 31, 2015. Income before income tax expense was $59,674,000 against $51,276,000 a year ago.