Document and Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information - shares	Mar. 31, 2017	May 01, 2017
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	META FINANCIAL GROUP INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000907471
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--09-30
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2017
Common Class A [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		9,349,989
Nonvoting Common Stock [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		0

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition (Unaudited) - USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 67,293,000	$ 773,830,000
Investment securities available for sale	1,184,440,000	910,309,000
Mortgage-backed securities available for sale	642,833,000	558,940,000
Investment securities held to maturity	474,306,000	486,095,000
Mortgage-backed securities held to maturity	122,497,000	133,758,000
Loans receivable	1,151,192,000	925,105,000
Allowance for loan losses	(14,602,000)	(5,635,000)
Federal Home Loan Bank Stock, at cost	25,043,000	47,512,000
Accrued interest receivable	20,902,000	17,199,000
Premises, furniture, and equipment, net	20,019,000	18,626,000
Bank-owned life insurance	58,378,000	57,486,000
Foreclosed real estate and repossessed assets	0	76,000
Goodwill	98,723,000	36,928,000
Intangible assets	66,633,000	28,921,000
Prepaid assets	34,596,000	9,443,000
Deferred taxes	10,589,000	0
Meta Payment Systems accounts receivable	6,005,000	6,334,000
Other assets	16,749,000	1,492,000
Total assets	3,985,596,000	4,006,419,000
LIABILITIES
Non-interest-bearing checking	2,637,167,000	2,167,522,000
Interest-bearing checking	44,264,000	38,077,000
Savings deposits	65,367,000	50,742,000
Money market deposits	42,340,000	47,749,000
Time certificates of deposit	61,170,000	125,992,000
Wholesale deposits	21,923,000	0
Total deposits	2,872,231,000	2,430,082,000
Short-term debt	494,919,000	1,095,118,000
Long-term debt	92,497,000	92,460,000
Accrued interest payable	722,000	875,000
Deferred taxes	0	4,600,000
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	113,479,000	48,309,000
Total liabilities	3,573,848,000	3,671,444,000
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Preferred stock, 3,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued or outstanding at March 31, 2017 and September 30, 2016, respectively	0	0
Additional paid-in capital	253,473,000	184,780,000
Retained earnings	158,167,000	127,190,000
Accumulated other comprehensive income	14,000	22,920,000
Total stockholders’ equity	411,748,000	334,975,000
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	3,985,596,000	4,006,419,000
Common Stock [Member]
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Common stock	94,000	85,000
Nonvoting Common Stock [Member]
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Common stock	$ 0	$ 0

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Mar. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)	3,000,000	3,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	0	0
Common Stock [Member]
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	15,000,000	15,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	9,349,989	8,523,641
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	9,349,989	8,523,641
Common Stock, Nonvoting [Member]
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	3,000,000	3,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	0	0
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	0	0

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Interest and dividend income:
Loans receivable, including fees	$ 12,773	$ 8,548	$ 23,451	$ 16,867
Mortgage-backed securities	4,481	4,768	7,801	8,481
Other investments	10,464	7,313	19,041	13,556
Total interest and dividend income	27,718	20,629	50,293	38,904
Interest expense:
Deposits	2,184	135	3,122	298
FHLB advances and other borrowings	1,568	556	3,372	1,113
Total interest expense	3,752	691	6,494	1,411
Net interest income	23,966	19,938	43,799	37,493
Provision for loan losses	8,649	1,173	9,492	1,959
Net interest income after provision for loan losses	15,317	18,765	34,307	35,534
Non-interest income:
Tax product fees	63,606	21,071	64,231	21,206
Card fees	26,547	18,579	44,961	33,835
Loan fees	1,182	674	2,052	1,467
Bank-owned life insurance	444	380	892	754
Deposit fees	168	151	318	313
Gain (loss) on sale of securities available for sale, net (includes ($144) and $29 reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for net gains (losses) on available for sale securities for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively and ($1,378) and $50 for the six months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively)	(144)	29	(1,378)	50
Gain on foreclosed real estate	7	0	7	0
Other income	360	17	436	110
Total non-interest income	92,170	40,901	111,519	57,735
Non-interest expense:
Compensation and benefits	26,766	17,110	44,616	31,765
Tax product	13,318	8,238	13,396	8,256
Card processing	7,043	6,017	12,622	11,251
Occupancy and equipment	4,191	3,659	8,168	7,038
Legal and consulting	1,505	859	4,228	1,990
Marketing	610	539	1,080	1,041
Data processing	392	357	755	698
Amortization expense	7,082	1,215	8,607	2,428
Other expense	6,039	3,796	10,227	7,331
Total non-interest expense	66,946	41,790	103,699	71,798
Income before income tax expense	40,541	17,876	42,127	21,471
Income tax expense (includes ($54) and $11 income tax expense (benefit) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively and ($517) and $18 for the six months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively)	8,399	3,593	8,741	3,130
Net income	$ 32,142	$ 14,283	$ 33,386	$ 18,341
Earnings per common share
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 3.44	$ 1.68	$ 3.65	$ 2.19
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 3.42	$ 1.67	$ 3.63	$ 2.17

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Non-interest income:
Net gain (losses) on available for sale securities reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	$ (144)	$ 29	$ (1,378)	$ 50
Income tax expense (benefit) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	$ (54)	$ 11	$ (517)	$ 18

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 32,142	$ 14,283	$ 33,386	$ 18,341
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Change in net unrealized gain (loss) on securities	7,969	16,216	(37,300)	18,837
Losses (gains) realized in net income	144	(29)	1,378	(50)
Total available for sale adjustment	8,113	16,187	(35,922)	18,787
LESS: Deferred income tax effect	3,076	5,938	(13,016)	6,913
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	5,037	10,249	(22,906)	11,874
Total comprehensive income	$ 37,179	$ 24,532	$ 10,480	$ 30,215

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (Unaudited) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]
Balance at Sep. 30, 2015	$ 271,335	$ 82	$ 170,749	$ 98,359	$ 2,455	$ (310)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Cash dividends declared on common stock	(2,174)			(2,174)
Issuance of common shares from the sales of equity securities (in shares)		2
Issuance of common shares from the sales of equity securities	11,522		11,520
Issuance of common shares due to issuance of stock options, restricted stock and ESOP	1,723	$ 1	1,412			310
Stock compensation	666		666
Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on securities, net of income taxes	11,874				11,874
Net income	18,341			18,341
Balance at Mar. 31, 2016	313,287	85	184,347	114,526	14,329	0
Balance at Sep. 30, 2016	334,975	85	184,780	127,190	22,920	0
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Cash dividends declared on common stock	(2,409)			(2,409)
Issuance of common shares due to issuance of stock options, restricted stock and ESOP	6,771	$ 4	6,767			0
Stock compensation	493		493
Issuance of common shares due to acquisition (in shares)		5
Issuance of common shares due to acquisitions	37,296		37,291
Contingent consideration equity earnout due to SCS acquisition	24,142		24,142
Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on securities, net of income taxes	(22,906)				(22,906)
Net income	33,386			33,386
Balance at Mar. 31, 2017	$ 411,748	$ 94	$ 253,473	$ 158,167	$ 14	$ 0

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Cash dividends declared on common stock (in dollars per share)	$ 0.26	$ 0.26

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 33,386	$ 18,341
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation, amortization and accretion, net	24,843	17,569
Provision for loan losses	9,492	1,959
(Recovery) for deferred taxes	(2,172)	(703)
(Gain) loss on other assets	(14)	10
(Gain) on foreclosed real estate	(7)	0
(Gain) loss on sale of securities available for sale, net	1,378	(50)
Capital lease obligations interest expense	61	(63)
Net change in accrued interest receivable	(3,703)	(2,431)
Originations of loans held for sale	(685,934)	0
Proceeds from sales of loans held for sale	685,934	0
Change in bank-owned life insurance value	(892)	(754)
Net change in other assets	(40,079)	(6,092)
Net change in accrued interest payable	(153)	(105)
Net change in accrued expenses and other liabilities	47,872	14,454
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	70,012	42,135
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of securities available-for-sale	(577,967)	(454,450)
Proceeds from sales of securities available-for-sale	113,647	100,298
Proceeds from maturities and principal repayments of securities available-for-sale	59,383	52,991
Purchase of securities held to maturity	(931)	(147,906)
Proceeds from maturities and principal repayments of securities held to maturity	21,112	6,059
Purchase of bank owned life insurance	0	(10,000)
Purchase of student loan portfolio	(136,172)	0
Proceeds from loan sales	11,205	88
Net change in loans receivable	(102,576)	(73,243)
Proceeds from sales of foreclosed real estate	83	0
Net cash paid for acquisitions	(29,425)	0
Federal Home Loan Bank stock purchases	(243,971)	(403,981)
Federal Home Loan Bank stock redemptions	266,440	405,960
Proceeds from the sale of premises and equipment	58	13
Purchase of premises and equipment	(4,210)	(3,663)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(623,324)	(527,834)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net change in checking, savings, and money market deposits	485,048	602,597
Net change in time deposits	(64,822)	(39,370)
Net change in wholesale deposits	21,923	0
Net change in FHLB and other borrowings	(100,000)	0
Net change in federal funds	(499,000)	(75,000)
Net change in securities sold under agreements to repurchase	(1,191)	(2,381)
Principal payments on capital lease obligations	(38)	(62)
Cash dividends paid	(2,409)	(2,174)
Stock compensation	493	666
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	6,771	13,245
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(153,225)	497,521
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(706,537)	11,822
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	773,830	27,658
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	67,293	39,480
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest	6,341	1,516
Income taxes	2,371	1,789
Franchise taxes	95	39
Other taxes	260	58
Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing activities:
Stock issued for acquisitions	(37,296)	0
Contingent consideration - cash	(17,252)	0
Contingent consideration - equity	(24,142)	0
Sale of available-for-sale securities accrued	$ 0	$ 10,499

BASIS OF PRESENTATION	6 Months Ended
BASIS OF PRESENTATION	Mar. 31, 2017
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
BASIS OF PRESENTATION	BASIS OF PRESENTATION The interim unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements contained herein should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016 included in Meta Financial Group, Inc.’s (“Meta Financial” or the “Company”) Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on December 14, 2016. Accordingly, footnote disclosures which would substantially duplicate the disclosures contained in the audited consolidated financial statements have been omitted. The financial information of the Company included herein has been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial reporting and has been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations for reporting on Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Such information reflects all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments), that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and results of operations for the periods presented. The results of the three and six month periods ended March 31, 2017 are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2017. The Company reclassified insignificant electronic return originator ("ERO") and taxpayer advance fee income and related expenses during the first quarter of fiscal year 2017 from loan fees and other income to tax product fees and other expenses to tax product expense. Prior period amounts have also been reclassified. As of March 31, 2017, certain insignificant adjustments to previously reported Earnings Per Share ("EPS") have been made to correctly reflect the effect of participating securities on basic and diluted EPS calculations in accordance with ASC 260. These changes were immaterial to the overall EPS calculation.

ACQUISITIONS

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

Business Combinations [Abstract]

ACQUISITIONS

EPS Financial

On November 1, 2016, the Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, MetaBank, completed the acquisition of substantially all of the assets and certain liabilities of EPS Financial, LLC ("EPS") from privately-held Drake Enterprises, Ltd. ("Drake"). The assets acquired by MetaBank in the EPS acquisition include the EPS trade name, operating platform, and other assets. EPS is a leading provider of comprehensive tax-related financial transaction solutions for over 10,000 ERO's nationwide, offering a one-stop-shop for all tax preparer financial transactions. These solutions include a full-suite of refund settlement products, prepaid payroll card solutions and merchant services.

Under the terms of the purchase agreement, the aggregate purchase price, which was based upon the November 1, 2016 tangible book value of EPS, included the payment of $21.9 million in cash, after adjustments, and 369,179 shares of Meta Financial common stock. The Company acquired assets with approximate fair values of $17.9 million of intangible assets, including customer relationships, trademark, and non-compete agreements, and $0.1 million of other assets, resulting in $30.4 million of goodwill.

The following table represents the approximate fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed of EPS on the consolidated statement of financial condition as of November 1, 2016.



	As of November 1, 2016
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Fair value of consideration paid
Cash	$	21,877
Stock issued	26,507
Total consideration paid	48,384

Fair value of assets acquired
Intangible assets	17,930
Other assets	79
Total assets	18,009
Fair value of net assets acquired	18,009
Goodwill resulting from acquisition	$	30,375

The Company included the financial results of EPS in its consolidated financial statements subsequent to the acquisition date. The EPS transaction has been accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting. The assets and liabilities, both tangible and intangible, were recorded at their estimated fair values as of the transaction date. The Company made significant estimates and exercised judgment in estimating fair values and accounting for such acquired assets and liabilities.

The Company recognized goodwill of $30.4 million, which is calculated as the excess of both the consideration exchanged and the liabilities assumed, which were negligible, as compared to the fair value of identifiable assets acquired. Goodwill resulted from expected operational synergies and expanded product lines and is expected to be deductible for tax purposes. See Note 12 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on goodwill.

The Company recognized $0.5 million of pre-tax transaction related expenses during the first six months of fiscal year 2017. The transaction expenses are reflected on the consolidated statement of operations primarily under legal and consulting.

SCS

On December 14, 2016, the Company, through MetaBank, completed the acquisition of substantially all of the assets and specified liabilities of Specialty Consumer Services LP ("SCS"). The assets acquired by MetaBank in the SCS acquisition include the SCS trade name, propriety underwriting model and loan management system and other assets. SCS primarily provides consumer tax advance and other consumer credit services through its loan management services and other financial products.

Under the terms of the purchase agreement, the aggregate purchase price paid at closing, which was based upon the December 14, 2016 tangible book value of SCS, was approximately $7.5 million in cash and 113,328 shares of Meta Financial common stock. In addition, cash contingent consideration of up to $17.3 million (estimated fair value), payable in cash, and equity contingent consideration of up to 264,431 shares of Meta Financial common stock, will be paid if certain performance benchmarks are achieved subsequent to closing (described more fully below). The Company acquired assets with approximate fair values of $28.3 million of intangible assets, including customer relationships, trademark, and non-compete agreements, and negligible other assets, resulting in goodwill of $31.4 million. All amounts are at estimated fair market values.

Subject to the equity earn-out terms of the purchase agreement, SCS will be eligible to receive up to an aggregate of 264,431 shares of Meta Financial common stock within 20 days after the applicable equity earn-out statement is deemed final if certain targets are achieved. The equity earn-out measurements are as follows; 1) if, as of an equity earn-out measurement date, the anticipated 2018 measured gross profit meets or exceeds the statement amount, MetaBank will deliver to SCS a stated number of shares of Meta common stock; 2) if, as of an equity earn-out measurement date, the aggregate anticipated loan volume under all 2018 eligible contracts is greater than or equal to the agreed upon volume amount, then MetaBank will deliver to SCS a stated number of shares of Meta common stock; and 3) if, as of an equity earn-out measurement date, each agreement specified in the contract is in effect and each such agreement is not amended or modified as of such time (except as approved in writing by the President of MetaBank, in his or her sole discretion), then MetaBank will deliver to SCS a stated number of shares of Meta common stock. None of the equity earn-out payments are contingent on the achievement of any of the other equity earn-out targets.

Subject to the cash earn-out terms of the purchase agreement, MetaBank agreed to pay to SCS an amount equal to 100% of the 2017 measured business gross profit up to a maximum of $17.5 million within 20 days after the date on which each determination of the cash earn-out payment is deemed final.

The Company included the financial results of SCS in its consolidated financial statements subsequent to the acquisition date. The fair value of the liability for the cash contingent consideration was approximately $17.3 million and was included in other liabilities in the Company's consolidated statement of financial condition. The fair value of the equity contingent consideration was approximately $24.1 million at closing and was included in additional paid-in capital in the Company's consolidated statement of financial condition. The respective fair values of the liability and equity were estimated using an option based income valuation method with significant inputs that are not observable in the market and thus represents a Level 3 fair value measurement as defined in the FASB's Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures. The significant inputs in the Level 3 measurement not supported by market activity included our probability assessments of the expected future cash flows related to our acquisition of SCS during the earn-out period.

The following table represents the approximate fair value of assets acquired and liabilities recorded of SCS on the consolidated statement of financial condition as of December 14, 2016.



	As of December 14, 2016
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Fair value of transaction consideration
Cash	7,548
Stock issued	10,789
Paid consideration	18,337
Contingent consideration - cash	17,252
Contingent consideration - equity	24,142
Contingent consideration payable	41,394
Total consideration paid	59,731

Fair value of assets acquired
Intangible assets	28,310
Other assets	2
Total assets	28,312
Fair value of net assets acquired	28,312
Goodwill resulting from acquisition	31,419

The SCS transaction has been accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting. The assets and liabilities, both tangible and intangible, were recorded at their estimated fair values as of the transaction date. The Company made significant estimates and exercised judgment in estimating fair values and accounting for such acquired assets and liabilities. Upon receipt of final fair value estimates on certain assets, liabilities, and contingent considerations, which must be within one year of the acquisition date, the Company made final adjustments to the purchase price allocation and retrospectively adjusted the recorded goodwill. The Company recorded a contingent liability in the amount of $17.3 million to reflect the fair market value of the potential cash earn-out payment.

The Company recognized goodwill of $31.4 million, which is calculated as the excess of both the adjusted consideration exchanged and the liabilities recorded as compared to the fair value of identifiable assets acquired. Goodwill resulted from expected operational synergies and expanded product lines and is expected to be deductible for tax purposes. See Note 12 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on goodwill.

The Company recognized $0.6 million of pre-tax transaction related expenses during the first six months of fiscal year 2017. The transaction expenses are reflected on the consolidated statement of operations primarily under legal and consulting.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for a business combination (or series of individually immaterial business combinations) completed during the period, including background, timing, and recognized assets and liabilities. The disclosure may include leverage buyout transactions (as applicable).

+ References

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-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65885119&loc=d3e1383-128463

Reference 15: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35744584&loc=d3e6996-128479

+ Details

CREDIT DISCLOSURES

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

Loans and Leases Receivable Disclosure [Abstract]

CREDIT DISCLOSURES

The allowance for loan losses represents management’s estimate of probable loan losses which have been incurred as of the date of the consolidated financial statements. The allowance for loan losses is increased by a provision for loan losses charged to expense and decreased by charge-offs (net of recoveries). Estimating the risk of loss and the amount of loss on any loan is necessarily subjective. Management’s periodic evaluation of the appropriateness of the allowance is based on the Company’s past loan loss experience, known and inherent risks in the portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, the estimated value of any underlying collateral, and current economic conditions. While management may periodically allocate portions of the allowance for specific problem loan situations, the entire allowance is available for any loan charge-offs that occur.

Loans are considered impaired if full principal or interest payments are not probable in accordance with the contractual loan terms. Impaired loans are carried at the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate or at the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. A portion of the allowance for loan losses is allocated to impaired loans if the value of such loans is deemed to be less than the unpaid balance.

The allowance consists of specific, general and unallocated components. The specific component relates to impaired loans. For such loans, an allowance is established when the discounted cash flows (or collateral value or observable market price) of the impaired loan is lower than the carrying value of that loan. The general component covers loans not considered impaired and is based on historical loss experience adjusted for qualitative factors. An unallocated component is maintained to cover uncertainties that could affect management’s estimate of probable losses. The unallocated component of the allowance reflects the margin of imprecision inherent in the underlying assumptions used in the methodologies for estimating specific and general losses in the portfolio.

Homogeneous loan populations are collectively evaluated for impairment. These loan populations may include premium finance loans, residential first mortgage loans secured by one-to-four family residences, residential construction loans, home equity and second mortgage loans, and tax product loans. Commercial and agricultural loans as well as mortgage loans secured by other properties are monitored regularly by the Bank given the larger balances. When analysis of the borrower operating results and financial condition indicates that underlying cash flows of the borrower’s business is not adequate to meet its debt service requirements, the individual loan or loan relationship is evaluated for impairment. Often this is associated with a delay or shortfall in payments of 210 days or more for premium finance loans and 90 days or more for other loan categories. Non-accrual loans and all troubled debt restructurings are considered impaired. Impaired loans, or portions thereof, are charged off when deemed uncollectible.

Loans receivable at March 31, 2017 and September 30, 2016 were as follows:



	March 31, 2017			September 30, 2016
	(Dollars in Thousands)
1-4 Family Real Estate	$	178,310		$	162,298
Commercial and Multi-Family Real Estate	473,058			422,932
Agricultural Real Estate	62,422			63,612
Consumer	182,156			37,094
Commercial Operating	33,894			31,271
Agricultural Operating	35,493			37,083
Premium Finance	187,049			171,604
Total Loans Receivable	1,152,382			925,894

Allowance for Loan Losses	(14,602		)	(5,635		)
Net Deferred Loan Origination Fees	(1,190		)	(789		)
Total Loans Receivable, Net	$	1,136,590		$	919,470

Activity in the allowance for loan losses and balances of loans receivable by portfolio segment for the three and six months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 was as follows:



	1-4 Family Real Estate			Commercial and Multi-Family Real Estate			Agricultural Real Estate		Consumer		Commercial Operating			Agricultural Operating		Premium Finance			Unallocated		Total
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
Allowance for loan losses:
Beginning balance	$	654		$	1,912		$	476	$	47	$	813		$	1,341	$	594		$	578	$	6,415
Provision (recovery) for loan losses	(358		)	(170		)	1,048		7,658		304			8		115			43		8,648
Charge offs	—			—			—		—		(350		)	—		(140		)	—		(490		)
Recoveries	—			—			—		1		—			—		28			—		29
Ending balance	$	296		$	1,742		$	1,524	$	7,706	$	767		$	1,349	$	597		$	621	$	14,602

Six Months Ended March 31, 2017

Allowance for loan losses:
Beginning balance	$	654		$	2,198		$	142	$	51	$	117		$	1,332	$	588		$	553	$	5,635
Provision (recovery) for loan losses	(358		)	(456		)	1,382		7,631		995			4		226			68		9,492
Charge offs	—			—			—		—		(350		)	—		(259		)	—		(609		)
Recoveries	—			—			—		24		5			13		42			—		84
Ending balance	$	296		$	1,742		$	1,524	$	7,706	$	767		$	1,349	$	597		$	621	$	14,602

Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment	12			—			—		—		53			—		—			—		65
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment	284			1,742			1,524		7,706		714			1,349		597			621		14,537
Total	$	296		$	1,742		$	1,524	$	7,706	$	767		$	1,349	$	597		$	621	$	14,602

Loans:
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment	248			1,144			582		—		302			1,072		—			—		3,348
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment	178,062			471,914			61,840		182,156		33,592			34,421		187,049			—		1,149,034
Total	$	178,310		$	473,058		$	62,422	$	182,156	$	33,894		$	35,493	$	187,049		$	—	$	1,152,382



	1-4 Family Real Estate		Commercial and Multi-Family Real Estate			Agricultural Real Estate			Consumer		Commercial Operating			Agricultural Operating			Premium Finance			Unallocated			Total
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Three Months Ended March 31, 2016
Allowance for loan losses:
Beginning balance	$	285	$	1,194		$	171		$	20	$	107		$	3,856		$	424		$	609		$	6,666
Provision (recovery) for loan losses	42		790			(17		)	1,039		(62		)	(529		)	171			(261		)	1,173
Charge offs	—		(290		)	—			—		—			—			(137		)	—			(427		)
Recoveries	—		—			—			—		—			—			19			—			19
Ending balance	$	327	$	1,694		$	154		$	1,059	$	45		$	3,327		$	477		$	348		$	7,431

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016

Allowance for loan losses:
Beginning balance	$	278	$	1,187		$	163		$	20	$	28		$	3,537		$	293		$	749		$	6,255
Provision (recovery) for loan losses	49		797			(9		)	1,039		17			(210		)	677			(401		)	1,959
Charge offs	—		(290		)	—			—		—			—			(527		)	—			(817		)
Recoveries	—		—			—			—		—			—			34			—			34
Ending balance	$	327	$	1,694		$	154		$	1,059	$	45		$	3,327		$	477		$	348		$	7,431

Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment	—		40			—			—		—			2,846			—			—			2,886
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment	327		1,654			154			1,059		45			481			477			348			4,545
Total	$	327	$	1,694		$	154		$	1,059	$	45		$	3,327		$	477		$	348		$	7,431

Loans:
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment	114		1,091			—			—		6			3,421			—			—			4,632
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment	139,886		353,703			64,111			35,937		26,903			38,660			121,572			—			780,772
Total	$	140,000	$	354,794		$	64,111		$	35,937	$	26,909		$	42,081		$	121,572		$	—		$	785,404

Federal regulations promulgated by the Company's primary federal regulator, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (the "OCC"), provide for the classification of loans and other assets such as debt and equity securities. The loan classification and risk rating definitions for the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary, MetaBank (the "Bank"), are generally as follows:

Pass- A pass asset is of sufficient quality in terms of repayment, collateral and management to preclude a special mention or an adverse rating.

Watch- A watch asset is generally credit performing well under current terms and conditions but with identifiable weakness meriting additional scrutiny and corrective measures. Watch is not a regulatory classification but can be used to designate assets that are exhibiting one or more weaknesses that deserve management’s attention. These assets are of better quality than special mention assets.

Special Mention- Special mention assets are credits with potential weaknesses deserving management’s close attention and if left uncorrected, may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the asset. Special mention assets are not adversely classified and do not expose an institution to sufficient risk to warrant adverse classification. Special mention is a temporary status with aggressive credit management required to garner adequate progress and move to watch or higher.

Substandard- A substandard asset is inadequately protected by the net worth and/or repayment ability or by a weak collateral position. Assets so classified have well-defined weaknesses creating a distinct possibility that the Bank will sustain some loss if the weaknesses are not corrected. Loss potential does not have to exist for an asset to be classified as substandard.

Doubtful- A doubtful asset has weaknesses similar to those classified substandard, with the degree of weakness causing the likely loss of some principal in any reasonable collection effort. Due to pending factors the asset’s classification as loss is not yet appropriate.

Loss- A loss asset is considered uncollectible and of such little value that the asset’s continuance on the Company's balance sheet is no longer warranted. This classification does not necessarily mean an asset has no recovery or salvage value leaving room for future collection efforts.

General allowances represent loss allowances which have been established to recognize the inherent risk associated with lending activities, but which, unlike specific allowances, have not been allocated to particular problem assets. When assets are classified as “loss,” the Company is required either to establish a specific allowance for losses equal to 100% of that portion of the asset so classified or to charge-off such amount. The Company's determinations as to the classification of its assets and the amount of its valuation allowances are subject to review by its regulatory authorities, which may order the establishment of additional general or specific loss allowances.

The Company recognizes that concentrations of credit may naturally occur and may take the form of a large volume of related loans to an individual, a specific industry, a geographic location, or an occupation. Credit concentration is a direct, indirect, or contingent obligation that has a common bond where the aggregate exposure equals or exceeds a certain percentage of the Company’s Tier 1 Capital plus the Allowance for Loan Losses.

The asset classification of loans at March 31, 2017 and September 30, 2016 were as follows:



March 31, 2017	1-4 Family Real Estate		Commercial and Multi-Family Real Estate		Agricultural Real Estate		Consumer		Commercial Operating		Agricultural Operating		Premium Finance		Total
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Pass	$	176,844	$	471,748	$	28,828	$	182,156	$	33,572	$	18,893	$	187,049	$	1,099,090
Watch	537		72		—		—		21		40		—		670
Special Mention	660		204		2,965		—		—		—		—		3,829
Substandard	269		1,034		30,629		—		248		16,560		—		48,740
Doubtful	—		—		—		—		53		—		—		53
	$	178,310	$	473,058	$	62,422	$	182,156	$	33,894	$	35,493	$	187,049	$	1,152,382



September 30, 2016	1-4 Family Real Estate		Commercial and Multi-Family Real Estate		Agricultural Real Estate		Consumer		Commercial Operating		Agricultural Operating		Premium Finance		Total
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Pass	$	161,255	$	421,577	$	34,421	$	37,094	$	30,574	$	19,669	$	171,604	$	876,194
Watch	200		72		2,934		—		184		4,625		—		8,015
Special Mention	666		962		25,675		—		—		5,407		—		32,710
Substandard	177		321		582		—		513		7,382		—		8,975
Doubtful	—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	$	162,298	$	422,932	$	63,612	$	37,094	$	31,271	$	37,083	$	171,604	$	925,894

One-to-Four Family Residential Mortgage Lending. One-to-four family residential mortgage loan originations are generated by the Company’s marketing efforts, its present customers, walk-in customers and referrals. The Company offers fixed-rate and adjustable rate mortgage (“ARM”) loans for both permanent structures and those under construction. The Company’s one-to-four family residential mortgage originations are secured primarily by properties located in its primary market area and surrounding areas.

The Company originates one-to-four family residential mortgage loans with terms up to a maximum of 30 years and with loan-to-value ratios up to 100% of the lesser of the appraised value of the security property or the contract price. The Company generally requires that private mortgage insurance be obtained in an amount sufficient to reduce the Company’s exposure to at or below the 80% loan‑to‑value level. Residential loans generally do not include prepayment penalties.

Due to consumer demand, the Company offers fixed-rate mortgage loans with terms up to 30 years, most of which conform to secondary market standards, such as Fannie Mae, Ginnie Mae, and Freddie Mac standards. The Company typically holds all fixed-rate mortgage loans and does not engage in secondary market sales. Interest rates charged on these fixed-rate loans are competitively priced according to market conditions.

The Company also currently offers five- and ten-year ARM loans. These loans have a fixed-rate for the stated period and, thereafter, adjust annually. These loans generally provide for an annual cap of up to 200 basis points and a lifetime cap of 600 basis points over the initial rate. As a consequence of using an initial fixed-rate and caps, the interest rates on these loans may not be as rate sensitive as the Company’s cost of funds. The Company’s ARMs do not permit negative amortization of principal and are not convertible into fixed-rate loans. The Company’s delinquency experience on its ARM loans has generally been similar to its experience on fixed-rate residential loans. The current low mortgage interest rate environment makes ARM loans relatively unattractive and very few are currently being originated.

In underwriting one-to-four family residential real estate loans, the Company evaluates both the borrower’s ability to make monthly payments and the value of the property securing the loan. Properties securing real estate loans made by the Company are appraised by independent appraisers approved by the Board of Directors. The Company generally requires borrowers to obtain an attorney’s title opinion or title insurance, and fire and property insurance (including flood insurance, if necessary) in an amount not less than the amount of the loan. Real estate loans originated by the Company generally contain a “due on sale” clause allowing the Company to declare the unpaid principal balance due and payable upon the sale of the security property. The Company has not engaged in sub-prime residential mortgage originations.

Commercial and Multi-Family Real Estate Lending. The Company engages in commercial and multi-family real estate lending in its primary market area and surrounding areas and, in order to supplement its loan portfolio, has purchased whole loan and participation interests in loans from other financial institutions. The purchased loans and loan participation interests are generally secured by properties primarily located in the Midwest.

The Company’s commercial and multi-family real estate loan portfolio is secured primarily by apartment buildings, office buildings and hotels. Commercial and multi-family real estate loans generally are underwritten with terms not exceeding 20 years, have loan-to-value ratios of up to 80% of the appraised value of the security property, and are typically secured by guarantees of the borrowers. The Company has a variety of rate adjustment features and other terms in its commercial and multi-family real estate loan portfolio. Commercial and multi-family real estate loans provide for a margin over a number of different indices. In underwriting these loans, the Company analyzes the financial condition of the borrower, the borrower’s credit history, and the reliability and predictability of the cash flow generated by the property securing the loan. Appraisals on properties securing commercial real estate loans originated by the Company are performed by independent appraisers.

Commercial and multi-family real estate loans generally present a higher level of risk than loans secured by one-to-four family residences. This greater risk is due to several factors, including the concentration of principal in a limited number of loans and borrowers, the effect of general economic conditions on income producing properties and the increased difficulty of evaluating and monitoring these types of loans. Furthermore, the repayment of loans secured by commercial and multi-family real estate is typically dependent upon the successful operation of the related real estate project. If the cash flow from the project is reduced (for example, if leases are not obtained or renewed, or a bankruptcy court modifies a lease term, or a major tenant is unable to fulfill its lease obligations), the borrower’s ability to repay the loan may be impaired.

Agricultural Lending. The Company originates loans to finance the purchase of farmland, livestock, farm machinery and equipment, seed, fertilizer and other farm-related products. Agricultural operating loans are originated at either an adjustable or fixed rate of interest for up to a one year term or, in the case of livestock, upon sale. Such loans provide for payments of principal and interest at least annually or a lump sum payment upon maturity if the original term is less than one year. Loans secured by agricultural machinery are generally originated as fixed-rate loans with terms of up to seven years.

Agricultural real estate loans are frequently originated with adjustable rates of interest. Generally, such loans provide for a fixed rate of interest for the first five to ten years, which then balloon or adjust annually thereafter. In addition, such loans generally amortize over a period of 20 to 25 years. Fixed-rate agricultural real estate loans generally have terms up to ten years. Agricultural real estate loans are generally limited to 75% of the value of the property securing the loan.

Agricultural lending affords the Company the opportunity to earn yields higher than those obtainable on one-to-four family residential lending, but involves a greater degree of risk than one-to-four family residential mortgage loans because of the typically larger loan amount. In addition, payments on loans are dependent on the successful operation or management of the farm property securing the loan or for which an operating loan is utilized. The success of the loan may also be affected by many factors outside the control of the borrower.

Weather presents one of the greatest risks as hail, drought, floods, or other conditions can severely limit crop yields and thus impair loan repayments and the value of the underlying collateral. This risk can be reduced by the farmer with a variety of insurance coverages which can help to ensure loan repayment. Government support programs and the Company generally require that farmers procure crop insurance coverage. Grain and livestock prices also present a risk as prices may decline prior to sale, resulting in a failure to cover production costs. These risks may be reduced by the farmer with the use of futures contracts or options to mitigate price risk. The Company frequently requires borrowers to use futures contracts or options to reduce price risk and help ensure loan repayment. Another risk is the uncertainty of government programs and other regulations. During periods of low commodity prices, the income from government programs can be a significant source of cash for the borrower to make loan payments, and if these programs are discontinued or significantly changed, cash flow problems or defaults could result. Finally, many farms are dependent on a limited number of key individuals whose injury or death may result in an inability to successfully operate the farm.

Consumer Lending. The Bank originates a variety of secured consumer loans, including home equity, home improvement, automobile and boat loans and loans secured by savings deposits. The Bank also offers other secured and unsecured consumer loans and currently originates most of its consumer loans in its primary market area and surrounding areas. In addition, the Bank’s consumer lending portfolio includes a purchased student loan portfolio, along with consumer lending products offered through its payments segment.

The Bank's consumer loan portfolio includes home equity loans and lines of credit. Substantially all of the Bank's home equity loans and lines of credit are secured by second mortgages on principal residences. The Bank will lend amounts which, together with all prior liens, may be up to 90% of the appraised value of the property securing the loan. Home equity loans and lines of credit generally have maximum terms of five years.

The Bank primarily originates automobile loans on a direct basis to the borrower, as opposed to indirect loans, which are made when the Bank purchases loan contracts, often at a discount, from automobile dealers which have extended credit to their customers. The Bank’s automobile loans typically are originated at fixed interest rates with terms of up to 60 months for new and used vehicles. Loans secured by automobiles are generally originated for up to 80% of the N.A.D.A. book value of the automobile securing the loan.

Consumer loan terms vary according to the type and value of collateral, length of contract and creditworthiness of the borrower. The underwriting standards employed by the Bank for consumer loans include an application, a determination of the applicant’s payment history on other debts and an assessment of ability to meet existing obligations and payments on the proposed loan. Although creditworthiness of the applicant is a primary consideration, the underwriting process also may include a comparison of the value of the security, if any, in relation to the proposed loan amount.

Consumer loans may entail greater credit risk than residential mortgage loans, particularly in the case of consumer loans which are unsecured or are secured by rapidly depreciable assets, such as automobiles or recreational equipment. In such cases, any repossessed collateral for a defaulted consumer loan may not provide an adequate source of repayment of the outstanding loan balance as a result of the greater likelihood of damage, loss or depreciation. In addition, consumer loan collections are dependent on the borrower’s continuing financial stability, and thus more likely to be affected by adverse personal circumstances. Furthermore, the application of various federal and state laws, including bankruptcy and insolvency laws, may limit the amount which can be recovered on such loans.

The Bank’s purchased private student loan portfolio is a seasoned portfolio that is serviced by ReliaMax Lending Services, LLC and insured by ReliaMax Surety Company. All loans in this portfolio are floating rate and indexed to the three-month LIBOR plus various margins.

Through its payments segment, the Bank strives to offer consumers innovative payment products, including credit products. Most credit products have fallen into the category of portfolio lending. Meta Payments Systems ("MPS") continues its development of new alternative portfolio lending products primarily to serve its customer base and to provide innovative lending solutions to the unbanked and under-banked segment.

The payments segment also provides short-term consumer refund advance loans. Taxpayers are underwritten to determine eligibility for the unsecured advances. These consumer loans are interest and fee free to the consumer. Due to the nature of consumer advance loans, it typically takes no more than three e-file cycles, the period of time between scheduled IRS payments, from when the return is accepted to collect. In the event of default, MetaBank has no recourse with the tax consumer. Generally, when the refund advance loan becomes delinquent for 90 days or more, or when collection of principal becomes doubtful, the Company will charge off the loan balance.

Commercial Operating Lending. The Company also originates commercial operating loans. Most of the Company’s commercial operating loans have been extended to finance local and regional businesses and include short-term loans to finance machinery and equipment purchases, inventory and accounts receivable, and operating costs for the Company’s network of tax ERO's. Commercial loans also may involve the extension of revolving credit for a combination of equipment acquisitions and working capital in expanding companies.

The maximum term for loans extended on machinery and equipment is based on the projected useful life of such machinery and equipment. Generally, the maximum term on non-mortgage lines of credit is one year. The loan-to-value ratio on such loans and lines of credit generally may not exceed 80% of the value of the collateral securing the loan. ERO loans are not collateralized. The Company’s commercial operating lending policy includes credit file documentation and analysis of the borrower’s character, capacity to repay the loan, the adequacy of the borrower’s capital and collateral as well as an evaluation of conditions affecting the borrower. Analysis of the borrower’s past, present and future cash flows is also an important aspect of the Company’s credit analysis. Nonetheless, such loans are believed to carry higher credit risk than more traditional lending activities.

Unlike residential mortgage loans, which generally are made on the basis of the borrower’s ability to make repayment from his or her employment and other income and which are secured by real property whose value tends to be more easily ascertainable, commercial operating loans typically are made on the basis of the borrower’s ability to make repayment from the cash flow of the borrower’s business. As a result, the availability of funds for the repayment of commercial operating loans may be substantially dependent on the success of the business itself (which, in turn, is likely to be dependent upon the general economic environment). The Company’s commercial operating loans are usually, but not always, secured by business assets and personal guarantees. However, the collateral securing the loans may depreciate over time, may be difficult to appraise and may fluctuate in value based on the success of the business.

Through its payments segment, the Bank also provides short-term ERO advance loans on a nation-wide basis. These loans are typically utilized to purchase tax preparation software and to prepare tax offices for the upcoming season. EROs go through an underwriting process to determine eligibility for the unsecured advances. Collection activities on ERO advances begin once the ERO begins to process refund transfers. Generally, when the ERO advance loan becomes delinquent for 90 days or more, or when collection of principal becomes doubtful, the Company will charge off the loan balance.

Premium Finance Lending. Through its AFS/IBEX division, MetaBank provides short-term and primarily collateralized financing to facilitate the commercial customers’ purchase of insurance for various forms of risk otherwise known as insurance premium financing. This includes, but is not limited to, policies for commercial property, casualty and liability risk. The AFS/IBEX division markets itself to the insurance community as a competitive option based on service, reputation, competitive terms, cost and ease of operation.

Insurance premium financing is the business of extending credit to a policyholder to pay for insurance premiums when the insurance carrier requires payment in full at inception of coverage. Premiums are advanced either directly to the insurance carrier or through an intermediary/broker and repaid by the policyholder with interest during the policy term. The policyholder generally makes a 20% to 25% down payment to the insurance broker and finances the remainder over nine to ten months on average. The down payment is set such that if the policy is canceled, the unearned premium returned is typically sufficient to cover the loan balance, accrued interest and other charges due.

Due to the nature of collateral for commercial premium finance receivables, it customarily takes 60-210 days to convert the collateral into cash. In the event of default, AFS/IBEX, by statute and contract, has the power to cancel the insurance policy and establish a first position lien on the unearned portion of the premium from the insurance carrier. Due to notification requirements and processing time by most insurance carriers, many receivables will become delinquent beyond 90 days while the insurer is processing the return of the unearned premium. Generally, when a premium finance loan becomes delinquent for 210 days or more, or when collection of principal or interest becomes doubtful, the Company will charge off the loan balance and any remaining interest and fees after applying any collection from the insurance company.

Past due loans at March 31, 2017 and September 30, 2016 were as follows:



March 31, 2017	30-59 Days Past Due		60-89 Days Past Due		Greater Than 90 Days		Total Past Due		Current		Non-Accrual Loans		Total Loans Receivable
	(Dollars in Thousands)
1-4 Family Real Estate	$	42	$	59	$	—	$	101	$	178,097	$	112	$	178,310
Commercial and Multi-Family Real Estate	2,864		315		—		3,179		469,724		155		473,058
Agricultural Real Estate	35,058		—		—		35,058		23,903		3,461		62,422
Consumer	8,009		1,329		284		9,622		172,534		—		182,156
Commercial Operating	—		—		—		—		33,747		147		33,894
Agricultural Operating	—		—		—		—		35,396		97		35,493
Premium Finance	1,029		954		723		2,706		184,343		—		187,049
Total	$	47,002	$	2,657	$	1,007	$	50,666	$	1,097,744	$	3,972	$	1,152,382



September 30, 2016	30-59 Days Past Due		60-89 Days Past Due		Greater Than 90 Days		Total Past Due		Current		Non-Accrual Loans		Total Loans Receivable
	(Dollars in Thousands)
1-4 Family Real Estate	$	—	$	30	$	—	$	30	$	162,185	$	83	$	162,298
Commercial and Multi-Family Real Estate	—		—		—		—		422,932		—		422,932
Agricultural Real Estate	—		—		—		—		63,612		—		63,612
Consumer	—		—		53		53		37,041		—		37,094
Commercial Operating	151		354		—		505		30,766		—		31,271
Agricultural Operating	—		—		—		—		37,083		—		37,083
Premium Finance	1,398		275		965		2,638		168,966		—		171,604
Total	$	1,549	$	659	$	1,018	$	3,226	$	922,585	$	83	$	925,894

When analysis of borrower operating results and financial condition indicates that underlying cash flows of the borrower’s business are not adequate to meet its debt service requirements, the loan is evaluated for impairment. Often this is associated with a delay or shortfall in payments of 210 days or more for premium finance loans and 90 days or more for other loan categories. As of March 31, 2017, there were no Premium Finance loans greater than 210 days past due.

Total loans past due increased $47.5 million to $50.7 million at March 31, 2017 from $3.2 million at September 30, 2016. The majority of this increase was due to a $45.5 million rise in loans 30-59 days past due. The primary drivers of the increase in loans 30-59 days past due included three well collateralized agricultural loan relationships and the expected seasonal increase in refund advance loans.

Impaired loans at March 31, 2017 and September 30, 2016 were as follows:



	Recorded Balance		Unpaid Principal Balance		Specific Allowance
March 31, 2017	(Dollars in Thousands)
Loans without a specific valuation allowance
1-4 Family Real Estate	$	170	$	170	$	—
Commercial and Multi-Family Real Estate	1,144		1,144		—
Agricultural Real Estate	$	582	$	582	$	—
Agricultural Operating	$	1,072	$	1,072	$	—
Total	$	2,968	$	2,968	$	—
Loans with a specific valuation allowance
1-4 Family Real Estate	$	78	$	78	$	12
Commercial Operating	$	302	$	302	$	53
Total	$	380	$	380	$	65



	Recorded Balance		Unpaid Principal Balance		Specific Allowance
September 30, 2016	(Dollars in Thousands)
Loans without a specific valuation allowance
1-4 Family Real Estate	$	84	$	84	$	—
Commercial and Multi-Family Real Estate	433		433		—
Total	$	517	$	517	$	—
Loans with a specific valuation allowance
1-4 Family Real Estate	$	78	$	78	$	10
Total	$	78	$	78	$	10

The following table provides the average recorded investment in impaired loans for the three and six month periods ended March 31, 2017 and 2016.



	Three Months Ended March 31,				Six Months Ended March 31,
	2017		2016		2017		2016
	Average Recorded Investment		Average Recorded Investment		Average Recorded Investment		Average Recorded Investment
	(Dollars in Thousands)
1-4 Family Real Estate	$	210	$	116	$	191	$	118
Commercial and Multi-Family Real Estate	668		1,257		550		1,302
Agricultural Real Estate	194		—		97		—
Consumer	—		—		—		—
Commercial Operating	437		7		302		8
Agricultural Operating	357		4,362		179		4,697
Premium Finance	—		—		—		—
Total	$	1,866	$	5,742	$	1,319	$	6,125

The Company’s troubled debt restructurings (“TDR”) typically involve forgiving a portion of interest or principal on existing loans or making loans at a rate materially less than current market rates. There were no loans modified in a TDR during the three or six month periods ended March 31, 2017 or 2016. Additionally, there were no TDR loans for which there was a payment default during the three or six month periods ended March 31, 2017 or 2016 that had been modified during the 12-month period prior to the default.

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES	6 Months Ended
ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES	Mar. 31, 2017
Receivables [Abstract]
ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES	ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES At March 31, 2017, the Company’s allowance for loan losses increased to $14.6 million from $5.6 million at September 30, 2016. The increase in allowance was primarily driven by a $8.2 million reserve related to a substantial increase in tax season loans. In addition, the downgrade of a significant agriculture relationship during the quarter contributed to an increased provision and allowance. Downgrades in agricultural loans were related primarily to losses incurred due to lower commodity prices in recent years, notwithstanding record yields for many producers in our markets. Given underlying collateral values related to our agricultural loans, we believe we have minimal loss exposure in the portfolio at this time. During the six months ended March 31, 2017, the Company recorded a provision for loan losses of $9.5 million compared to $2.0 million for the same period of the prior year. The Company had $0.5 million of net charge offs for the six months ended March 31, 2017, compared to $0.8 million for the six months ended March 31, 2016. The allowance for loan losses is established through the provision for loan losses based on management’s evaluation of the risk inherent in its loan portfolio and changes in the nature and volume of its loan activity, including those loans which are being specifically monitored by management. Such evaluation, which includes a review of loans for which full collectability may not be reasonably assured, considers, among other matters, the estimated fair value of the underlying collateral, economic conditions, historical loan loss experience and other factors that warrant recognition in providing for an appropriate loan loss allowance. Management closely monitors economic developments both regionally and nationwide, and considers these factors when assessing the appropriateness of its allowance for loan losses. The current economic environment continues to show signs of improvement in the Bank’s markets. The Bank’s average loss rates over the past three years were low, offset with a higher agricultural loss rate in fiscal year 2016 driven by the charge off of one relationship. The Bank does not believe it is likely that these low loss conditions will continue indefinitely. Although the Bank’s four market areas have indirectly benefited from a stable agricultural market, the market has become slightly stressed as commodity prices have remained lower than a few years ago. Management expects that future losses in the agriculture operations and agriculture real estate loan portfolios could be higher than recent historical experience. Management believes the low commodity prices and high land rents have the potential to negatively impact the economies of our agricultural markets. Management believes that, based on a detailed review of the loan portfolio, historic loan losses, current economic conditions, the size of the loan portfolio and other factors, the current level of the allowance for loan losses at March 31, 2017, reflects an appropriate allowance against probable losses from the loan portfolio. Although the Company maintains its allowance for loan losses at a level it considers to be appropriate, investors and others are cautioned that there can be no assurance that future losses will not exceed estimated amounts, or that additional provisions for loan losses will not be required in future periods. In addition, the Company’s determination of the allowance for loan losses is subject to review by the OCC, which can require the establishment of additional general or specific allowances. Real estate properties acquired through foreclosure are recorded at fair value. If fair value at the date of foreclosure is lower than the balance of the related loan, the difference will be charged to the allowance for loan losses at the time of transfer. Valuations are periodically updated by management and, if the value declines, a specific provision for losses on such property is established by a charge to operations.

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE ("EPS")

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE ("EPS")

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

Earnings per share is computed after deducting dividends. The Company has granted restricted share awards with dividend rights that are considered to be participating securities. Accordingly, a portion of the Company’s earnings is allocated to those participating securities in the EPS calculation. Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing income available to common stockholders after the allocation of dividends and undistributed earnings to the participating securities by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised, and is computed after giving consideration to the weighted average dilutive effect of the Company’s stock options and after the allocation of earnings to the participating securities. Antidilutive options are disregarded in the EPS calculations.

A reconciliation of net income and common stock share amounts used in the computation of basic and diluted EPS for the three and six months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 is presented below.



Three Months Ended March 31,	2017		2016 ⁽¹⁾
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Data)
Basic income per common share:
Net income attributable to Meta Financial Group, Inc.	$	32,142	$	14,283
Less income allocated to dividends for common stock and nonvested restricted stock	1,214		1,105
Net income allocated to common shareholders for basic EPS	30,928		13,178
Weighted average common shares outstanding	9,345,277		8,496,357
Basic income per common share	3.44		1.68

Diluted income per common share:
Net income attributable to Meta Financial Group, Inc.	$	32,142	$	14,283
Less income allocated to dividends for common stock and nonvested restricted stock	1,214		1,105
Net income allocated to common stock for diluted EPS	30,928		13,178
Weighted average common shares outstanding	9,345,277		8,496,357
Outstanding options - based upon the two-class method	54,674		61,176
Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding	9,399,951		8,557,533
Diluted income per common share	3.42		1.67



Six Months Ended March 31,	2017		2016 ⁽¹⁾
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Data)
Basic income per common share:
Net income attributable to Meta Financial Group, Inc.	$	33,386	$	18,341
Less income allocated to dividends for common stock and nonvested restricted stock	1,187		1,088
Net income allocated to common shareholders for basic EPS	32,199		17,253
Average common shares outstanding	9,138,692		8,369,523
Basic income per common share	3.65		2.19

Diluted income per common share:
Net income attributable to Meta Financial Group, Inc.	$	33,386	$	18,341
Less income allocated to dividends for common stock and nonvested restricted stock	1,187		1,088
Net income allocated to common stock for diluted EPS	32,199		17,253
Average common shares outstanding	9,138,692		8,369,523
Outstanding options - based upon the two-class method	53,790		63,551
Average diluted common shares outstanding	9,192,482		8,433,074
Diluted income per common share	3.63		2.17

(1) See Note 1 Basis of Presentation for additional information describing adjustments made to the Company's EPS calculation. March 2016 QTD basic EPS of $1.69 was corrected to $1.68 and diluted EPS of $1.68 was corrected to $1.67. March 2016 YTD basic EPS of $2.20 was corrected to $2.19 and diluted EPS of $2.18 was corrected to $2.17.

SECURITIES

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]

SECURITIES

The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses and estimated fair values of available for sale and held to maturity securities at March 31, 2017 and September 30, 2016 are presented below.



Available For Sale			GROSS		GROSS
At March 31, 2017	AMORTIZED COST		UNREALIZED GAINS		UNREALIZED (LOSSES)			FAIR VALUE
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Debt securities
Small business administration securities	130,175		1,173		—			131,348
Non-bank qualified obligations of states and political subdivisions	927,959		7,914		(3,863		)	932,010
Asset-backed securities	118,011		1,516		—			119,527
Mortgage-backed securities	651,784		—		(8,951		)	642,833
Total debt securities	1,827,929		10,603		(12,814		)	1,825,718
Common equities and mutual funds	1,127		439		(11		)	1,555
Total available for sale securities	$	1,829,056	$	11,042	$	(12,825	)	$	1,827,273



At September 30, 2016	AMORTIZED COST		GROSS UNREALIZED GAINS		GROSS UNREALIZED (LOSSES)			FAIR VALUE
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Debt securities
Trust preferred securities	$	14,935	$	—	$	(1,957	)	$	12,978
Small business administration securities	78,431		2,288		—			80,719
Non-bank qualified obligations of states and political subdivisions	668,628		30,141		(97		)	698,672
Asset-backed securities	117,487		73		(745		)	116,815
Mortgage-backed securities	555,036		4,382		(478		)	558,940
Total debt securities	1,434,517		36,884		(3,277		)	1,468,124
Common equities and mutual funds	755		373		(3		)	1,125
Total available for sale securities	$	1,435,272	$	37,257	$	(3,280	)	$	1,469,249



Held to Maturity			GROSS		GROSS
At March 31, 2017	AMORTIZED COST		UNREALIZED GAINS		UNREALIZED (LOSSES)			FAIR VALUE
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Debt securities
Obligations of states and political subdivisions	$	20,177	$	71	$	(143	)	$	20,105
Non-bank qualified obligations of states and political subdivisions	454,129		2,397		(3,188		)	453,338
Mortgage-backed securities	122,497		—		(1,517		)	120,980
Total held to maturity securities	$	596,803	$	2,468	$	(4,848	)	$	594,423



At September 30, 2016	AMORTIZED COST		GROSS UNREALIZED GAINS		GROSS UNREALIZED (LOSSES)			FAIR VALUE
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Debt securities
Obligations of states and political subdivisions	$	20,626	$	355	$	(44	)	$	20,937
Non-bank qualified obligations of states and political subdivisions	465,469		11,744		(11		)	477,202
Mortgage-backed securities	133,758		708		(31		)	134,435
Total held to maturity securities	$	619,853	$	12,807	$	(86	)	$	632,574

Management has implemented a process to identify securities with potential credit impairment that are other-than-temporary. This process involves evaluation of the length of time and extent to which the fair value has been less than the amortized cost basis, review of available information regarding the financial position of the issuer, monitoring the rating, watch, and outlook of the security, monitoring changes in value, cash flow projections, and the Company’s intent to sell a security or whether it is more likely than not the Company will be required to sell the security before the recovery of its amortized cost which, in some cases, may extend to maturity. To the extent the Company determines that a security is deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired, an impairment loss is recognized.

For all securities considered temporarily impaired, the Company does not intend to sell these securities and it is not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost, which may occur at maturity. The Company believes it will collect all principal and interest due on all investments with amortized cost in excess of fair value and considered only temporarily impaired.

GAAP requires that, at acquisition, an enterprise classify debt securities into one of three categories: Available for sale (“AFS”), Held to Maturity (“HTM”) or trading. AFS securities are carried at fair value on the consolidated statements of financial condition, and unrealized holding gains and losses are excluded from earnings and recognized as a separate component of equity in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”). HTM debt securities are measured at amortized cost. Both AFS and HTM are subject to review for other-than-temporary impairment. The Company did not have any trading securities at March 31, 2017 or September 30, 2016.

Gross unrealized losses and fair value, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at March 31, 2017 and September 30, 2016, were as follows:



Available For Sale	LESS THAN 12 MONTHS					OVER 12 MONTHS					TOTAL
At March 31, 2017	Fair Value		Unrealized (Losses)			Fair Value		Unrealized (Losses)			Fair Value		Unrealized (Losses)
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Debt securities
Non-bank qualified obligations of states and political subdivisions	239,208		(3,722		)	2,594		(141		)	241,802		(3,863		)
Mortgage-backed securities	609,681		(8,065		)	33,152		(886		)	642,833		(8,951		)
Total debt securities	848,889		(11,787		)	35,746		(1,027		)	884,635		(12,814		)
Common equities and mutual funds	—		—			373		(11		)	373		(11		)
Total available for sale securities	$	848,889	$	(11,787	)	$	36,119	$	(1,038	)	$	885,008	$	(12,825	)



	LESS THAN 12 MONTHS					OVER 12 MONTHS					TOTAL
At September 30, 2016	Fair Value		Unrealized (Losses)			Fair Value		Unrealized (Losses)			Fair Value		Unrealized (Losses)
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Debt securities
Trust preferred securities	$	—	$	—		$	12,978	$	(1,957	)	$	12,978	$	(1,957	)
Non-bank qualified obligations of states and political subdivisions	8,481		(58		)	2,688		(39		)	11,169		(97		)
Asset-backed securities	89,403		(745		)	—		—			89,403		(745		)
Mortgage-backed securities	54,065		(230		)	36,979		(248		)	91,044		(478		)
Total debt securities	151,949		(1,033		)	52,645		(2,244		)	204,594		(3,277		)
Common equities and mutual funds	—		—			125		(3		)	125		(3		)
Total available for sale securities	$	151,949	$	(1,033	)	$	52,770	$	(2,247	)	$	204,719	$	(3,280	)



Held To Maturity	LESS THAN 12 MONTHS					OVER 12 MONTHS					TOTAL
At March 31, 2017	Fair Value		Unrealized (Losses)			Fair Value		Unrealized (Losses)			Fair Value		Unrealized (Losses)
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Debt securities
Obligations of states and political subdivisions	$	12,902	$	(123	)	$	1,329	$	(20	)	$	14,231	$	(143	)
Non-bank qualified obligations of states and political subdivisions	283,033		(3,188		)	—		—			283,033		(3,188		)
Mortgage-backed securities	120,980		(1,517		)	—		—			120,980		(1,517		)
Total held to maturity securities	$	416,915	$	(4,828	)	$	1,329	$	(20	)	$	418,244	$	(4,848	)



	LESS THAN 12 MONTHS					OVER 12 MONTHS					TOTAL
At September 30, 2016	Fair Value		Unrealized (Losses)			Fair Value		Unrealized (Losses)			Fair Value		Unrealized (Losses)
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Debt securities
Obligations of states and political subdivisions	$	2,909	$	(13	)	$	2,256	$	(31	)	$	5,165	$	(44	)
Non-bank qualified obligations of states and political subdivisions	1,294		(11		)	—		—			1,294		(11		)
Mortgage-backed securities	20,061		(31		)	—		—			20,061		(31		)
Total held to maturity securities	$	24,264	$	(55	)	$	2,256	$	(31	)	$	26,520	$	(86	)

At March 31, 2017, the investment portfolio included securities with current unrealized losses which have existed for longer than one year. All of these securities are considered to be acceptable credit risks. Because the declines in fair value were due to changes in market interest rates, not in estimated cash flows, and the Company does not intend to sell these securities (has not made a decision to sell) and it is not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, which may occur at maturity, no other-than-temporary impairment was recorded at March 31, 2017.

The amortized cost and fair value of debt securities by contractual maturity as of the dates set forth below are shown below. Certain securities have call features which allow the issuer to call the security prior to maturity. Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities in mortgage-backed securities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. Therefore, mortgage-backed securities are not included in the maturity categories in the following maturity summary. The expected maturities of certain housing related municipal securities, Small Business Administration and asset-backed securities may differ from contractual maturities because the borrowers may have the right to prepay the obligation. However, certain prepayment penalties may apply.



Available For Sale	AMORTIZED COST		FAIR VALUE
	AMORTIZED COST		FAIR VALUE
At March 31, 2017	(Dollars in Thousands)

Due in one year or less	$	—	$	—
Due after one year through five years	18,662		19,134
Due after five years through ten years	444,661		450,446
Due after ten years	712,822		713,305
	1,176,145		1,182,885
Mortgage-backed securities	651,784		642,833
Common equities and mutual funds	1,127		1,555
Total available for sale securities	$	1,829,056	$	1,827,273



	AMORTIZED COST		FAIR VALUE
At September 30, 2016	(Dollars in Thousands)

Due in one year or less	$	—	$	—
Due after one year through five years	17,370		17,897
Due after five years through ten years	426,034		446,771
Due after ten years	436,077		444,516
	879,481		909,184
Mortgage-backed securities	555,036		558,940
Common equities and mutual funds	755		1,125
Total available for sale securities	$	1,435,272	$	1,469,249



Held To Maturity	AMORTIZED COST		FAIR VALUE
	AMORTIZED COST		FAIR VALUE
At March 31, 2017	(Dollars in Thousands)

Due in one year or less	$	341	$	340
Due after one year through five years	17,723		17,814
Due after five years through ten years	152,790		153,428
Due after ten years	303,452		301,861
	474,306		473,443
Mortgage-backed securities	122,497		120,980
Total held to maturity securities	$	596,803	$	594,423



	AMORTIZED COST		FAIR VALUE
At September 30, 2016	(Dollars in Thousands)
Due in one year or less	$	472	$	471
Due after one year through five years	12,502		12,696
Due after five years through ten years	157,944		163,806
Due after ten years	315,177		321,166
	486,095		498,139
Mortgage-backed securities	133,758		134,435
Total held to maturity securities	$	619,853	$	632,574

- Definition

The entire disclosure for investments in certain debt and equity securities.

+ References + Details

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	6 Months Ended
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	Mar. 31, 2017
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES In the normal course of business, the Bank makes various commitments to extend credit which are not reflected in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. At March 31, 2017 and September 30, 2016, unfunded loan commitments approximated $236.3 million and $182.9 million, respectively, excluding undisbursed portions of loans in process. Commitments, which are disbursed subject to certain limitations, extend over various periods of time. Generally, unused commitments are canceled upon expiration of the commitment term as outlined in each individual contract. The Company had no commitments to purchase securities at March 31, 2017 or September 30, 2016. The exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by other parties to financial instruments for commitments to extend credit is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments. The same credit policies and collateral requirements are used in making commitments and conditional obligations as are used for on-balance-sheet instruments. Since certain commitments to make loans and to fund lines of credit and loans in process expire without being used, the amount does not necessarily represent future cash commitments. In addition, commitments used to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Legal Proceedings The Bank was served on April 15, 2013, with a lawsuit captioned Inter National Bank v. NetSpend Corporation, MetaBank, BDO USA, LLP d/b/a BDO Seidman, Cause No. C-2084-12-I filed in the District Court of Hidalgo County, Texas. The Plaintiff’s Second Amended Original Petition and Application for Temporary Restraining Order and Temporary Injunction adds both MetaBank and BDO Seidman to the original causes of action against NetSpend. NetSpend acts as a prepaid card program manager and processor for both INB and MetaBank. According to the Petition, NetSpend has informed Inter National Bank (“INB”) that the depository accounts at INB for the NetSpend program supposedly contained $10.5 million less than they should. INB alleges that NetSpend has breached its fiduciary duty by making affirmative misrepresentations to INB about the safety and stability of the program, and by failing to timely disclose the nature and extent of any alleged shortfall in settlement of funds related to cardholder activity and the nature and extent of NetSpend’s systemic deficiencies in its accounting and settlement processing procedures. To the extent that an accounting reveals that there is an actual shortfall, INB alleges that MetaBank may be liable for portions or all of said sum due to the fact that funds have been transferred from INB to MetaBank, and thus MetaBank would have been unjustly enriched. The Bank is vigorously contesting this matter. In January 2014, NetSpend was granted summary judgment in this matter which is under appeal. Because the theory of liability against both NetSpend and the Bank is the same, the Bank views the NetSpend summary judgment as a positive in support of our position. An estimate of a range of reasonably possible loss cannot be made at this stage of the litigation because discovery is still being conducted. The Bank commenced action against C&B Farms, LLC, Dakota River Farms, LLC, Dakota Grain Farms, LLC, Heather Swenson and Tracy Clement in early July, 2015, in the Third Judicial Circuit Court of the State of South Dakota, seeking to collect upon certain delinquent loans made in connection with the 2014 farming operations of the three identified limited liability companies and the personal guaranties of Swenson and Clement. The three companies and Clement answered the Complaint and asserted a counterclaim against the Bank and a third-party claim against the Bank’s loan officer, alleging fraud and misrepresentation, as well as promissory estoppel. On January 7, 2016, the Bank obtained a judgment for $6.1 million, the full amount due and owing on the delinquent loans, together with attorneys’ fees, costs and post-judgment interest. On February 25, 2016, the Court entered an order and judgment in favor of the Bank granting the Bank’s renewed motion for summary judgment as to counterclaims and third party claim. Tracy Clement, the primary guarantor of the C&B Farms, Dakota Grain Farms, and Dakota River Farms indebtedness has filed a Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceeding in Minnesota. The Bank is an unsecured creditor in the bankruptcy proceeding. The Bank still has the right to collect from the three limited liability company debtors (C&B, Dakota Grain, and Dakota River). However, the Bank believes each entity is now insolvent and the collateral recovered and liquidated to the extent possible. The Bank has also settled with the other personal guarantor, Heather Swenson. The Bank commenced action against Interstate Commodities, Inc., on February 1, 2016, in the United States District Court for the District of South Dakota, Central Division. This matter arises out of the Bank’s loans to C&B Farms, which were guaranteed by Tracy Clement. The case alleges that Interstate Commodities has breached the terms of a subordination agreement entered into between Interstate Commodities and the Bank relating to the 2015 crops of C&B Farms, LLC. In March 2015, the Bank sent a letter to C&B Farms and Interstate Commodities agreeing that the Bank would subordinate its first position lien in the farm products of C&B Farms once the Bank’s 2015 input advances in an agreed upon sum had been paid in full. Interstate Commodities entered into various agreements with C&B Farms in which they agreed to purchase grain at a future date and provided purchase price advance financing to C&B Farms. Interstate Commodities also partially performed under the subordination agreement by paying or allowing certain sums to flow back to the Bank to pay on the agreed upon inputs. Interstate Commodities terminated the payments to the Bank before allowing full repayment of the 2015 inputs financed by the Bank before the subordination agreement was reached. This large, non-performing agricultural relationship was partially charged off during fiscal year 2016 and has no remaining loan balance. The Bank was served, on October 14, 2016, with a lawsuit captioned Card Limited, LLC v. MetaBank dba Meta Payment Systems, Civil No. 2:16-cv-00980 in the United States District Court for the District of Utah. This action was initiated by a former prepaid program manager of the Bank, which was terminated by the Bank earlier this year. Card Limited alleges that after all of the programs were wound down, there were two accounts with a positive balance to which they are entitled. The Bank’s position is that Card Limited is not entitled to the funds contained in said accounts. The total amount to which Card Limited claims it is entitled is $1,579,398. The Bank intends to vigorously defend this claim. An estimate of a range of reasonably possible loss cannot be made at this stage of the litigation because discovery is still being conducted. Other than the matters set forth above and litigation routine to the Company's or its subsidiaries' respective businesses, there are no other new material pending legal proceedings or updates to which the Company or its subsidiaries is a party.

STOCK COMPENSATION

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]

STOCK COMPENSATION

The Company maintains the 2002 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as amended and restated, which, among other things, provides for the awarding of stock options and nonvested (restricted) shares to certain officers and directors of the Company. Awards are granted by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors based on the performance of the award recipients or other relevant factors.

Compensation expense for share based awards is recorded over the vesting period at the fair value of the award at the time of grant. The exercise price of options or fair value of nonvested shares granted under the Company’s incentive plans is equal to the fair market value of the underlying stock at the grant date.

The following tables show the activity of options and nonvested (restricted) shares granted, exercised, or forfeited under the Company’s 2002 Omnibus Incentive Plan for the six months ended March 31, 2017:



	Number of Shares		Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Yrs)	Aggregate Intrinsic Value
	(Dollars in Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Data)
Options outstanding, September 30, 2016	125,560		$	25.73	2.68	$	4,379
Granted	—		—
Exercised	(26,352	)	32.63			1,682
Forfeited or expired	(16,252	)	24.61			1,272
Options outstanding, March 31, 2017	82,956		$	23.76	2.58	$	5,371

Options exercisable, March 31, 2017	82,956		$	23.76	2.58	$	5,371



	Number of Shares		Weighted Average Fair Value at Grant
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Data)
Nonvested shares outstanding, September 30, 2016	20,656		$	41.37
Granted	306,603		87.91
Vested	(20,629	)	72.34
Forfeited or expired	(442	)	56.25
Nonvested shares outstanding, March 31, 2017	306,188		$	85.86

During the first and second quarters of fiscal 2017, stock awards were granted to the Company's three highest paid executive officers in connection with their signing of employment agreements with the Company. These stock awards vest over eight years.

At March 31, 2017, stock-based compensation expense not yet recognized in income totaled $21.4 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average remaining period of 4.05 years.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for compensation-related costs for equity-based compensation, which may include disclosure of policies, compensation plan details, allocation of equity compensation, incentive distributions, equity-based arrangements to obtain goods and services, deferred compensation arrangements, employee stock ownership plan details and employee stock purchase plan details.

+ References + Details

SEGMENT INFORMATION

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

SEGMENT INFORMATION

An operating segment is generally defined as a component of a business for which discrete financial information is available and whose results are reviewed by the chief operating decision-maker. Operating segments are aggregated into reportable segments if certain criteria are met.

The following tables present segment data for the Company for the three and six months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.



	Payments		Banking		Corporate Services/Other			Total
Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
Interest income	$	3,312	$	12,807	$	11,599		$	27,718
Interest expense	503		672		2,577			3,752
Net interest income	2,809		12,135		9,022			23,966
Provision for loan losses	7,883		766		—			8,649
Non-interest income	90,462		1,387		321			92,170
Non-interest expense	41,452		5,958		19,536			66,946
Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)	43,936		6,798		(10,193		)	40,541

Total assets	74,194		1,145,054		2,766,348			3,985,596
Total deposits	2,606,674		228,805		36,752			2,872,231



	Payments		Banking		Corporate Services/Other			Total
Six Months Ended March 31, 2017
Interest income	$	6,224	$	23,562	$	20,507		$	50,293
Interest expense	503		1,215		4,776			6,494
Net interest income	5,721		22,347		15,731			43,799
Provision for loan losses	8,214		1,278		—			9,492
Non-interest income	109,487		2,458		(426		)	111,519
Non-interest expense	62,324		11,514		29,861			103,699
Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)	44,670		12,013		(14,556		)	42,127

Total assets	74,194		1,145,054		2,766,348			3,985,596
Total deposits	2,606,674		228,805		36,752			2,872,231



	Payments		Banking		Corporate Services/Other			Total
Three Months Ended March 31, 2016
Interest income	$	2,633	$	8,949	$	9,047		$	20,629
Interest expense	54		316		321			691
Net interest income	2,579		8,633		8,726			19,938
Provision for loan losses	953		220		—			1,173
Non-interest income	39,591		899		411			40,901
Non-interest expense	25,720		5,218		10,852			41,790
Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)	15,497		4,094		(1,715		)	17,876

Total assets	53,020		781,380		2,237,342			3,071,742
Total deposits	2,014,548		206,213		—			2,220,761



	Payments		Banking		Corporate Services/Other			Total
Six Months Ended March 31, 2016
Interest income	$	4,597	$	17,800	$	16,507		$	38,904
Interest expense	94		569		748			1,411
Net interest income	4,503		17,231		15,759			37,493
Provision for loan losses	1,033		926		—			1,959
Non-interest income	54,943		1,955		837			57,735
Non-interest expense	41,737		10,646		19,415			71,798
Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)	16,676		7,614		(2,819		)	21,471

Total assets	53,020		781,380		2,237,342			3,071,742
Total deposits	2,014,548		206,213		—			2,220,761

- Definition

The entire disclosure for reporting segments including data and tables. Reportable segments include those that meet any of the following quantitative thresholds a) it's reported revenue, including sales to external customers and intersegment sales or transfers is 10 percent or more of the combined revenue, internal and external, of all operating segments b) the absolute amount of its reported profit or loss is 10 percent or more of the greater, in absolute amount of 1) the combined reported profit of all operating segments that did not report a loss or 2) the combined reported loss of all operating segments that did report a loss c) its assets are 10 percent or more of the combined assets of all operating segments.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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+ Details

NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS	6 Months Ended
NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS	Mar. 31, 2017
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]
NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS	NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments This ASU requires organizations to replace the incurred loss impairment methodology with a methodology reflecting expected credit losses with considerations for a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to substantiate credit loss estimates. This ASU is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, and the Company is currently undertaking a data analysis and taking measures so that its systems capture data applicable to the standard. ASU No. 2016-04, Extinguishment of liabilities (Subtopic 405-20): Recognition of Breakage for Certain Prepaid Stored-Value Products This ASU requires organizations to derecognize the deposit liabilities for unredeemed prepaid stored-value products (i.e. – breakage) consistent with breakage guidance in Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. This ASU is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and the Company expects the impact to the consolidated financial statements to be minimal. ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842): Amendments to the Leases Analysis This ASU requires organizations to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet, along with disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. This update is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within that reporting period, and the Company is currently taking inventory of all leases and analyzing what their treatment will be under the new guidance. ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue Recognition – Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) This ASU provides guidance on when to recognize revenue from contracts with customers. The objective of this ASU is to eliminate diversity in practice related to this topic and to provide guidance that would streamline and enhance revenue recognition requirements. The ASU defines five steps to recognize revenue, including identify the contract with a customer, identify the performance obligations in the contract, determine a transaction price, allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations and then recognize the revenue when or as the entity satisfies a performance obligation. This update is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period, and the Company is currently assessing its different prepaid card programs and income streams to ascertain how breakage will be recognized under the standard. ASU 2015-17, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes This ASU requires entities with a classified balance sheet to present all deferred tax assets and liabilities as noncurrent. This update is effective for annual and interim periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and does not have an impact on the consolidated financial statements . ASU 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting This ASU provides guidance to improve the accounting for share-based payment transactions as part of the FASB’s simplification initiative. The ASU changes seven aspects of the accounting for share-based payment award transactions, including: (1) accounting for income taxes; (2) classification of excess tax benefits on the statement of cash flows; (3) forfeitures; (4) minimum statutory tax withholding requirements; (5) classification of employee taxes paid on the statement of cash flows when an employer withholds shares for tax-withholding purposes; (6) practical expedient - expected term (nonpublic companies only); and (7) intrinsic value (nonpublic companies only). This update is effective for annual and interim periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and the Company is currently assessing the potential impact to the consolidated financial statements. ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments This ASU addresses eight classification issues related to the statement of cash flows including: debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs, settlement of zero-coupon bonds, contingent consideration payments made after a business combination, proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims, proceeds from the settlement of corporate-owned life insurance policies, including bank-owned life insurance policies, distributions received from equity method investees, beneficial interests in securitization transactions, and separately identifiable cash flows and application of the predominance principle. This update is effective for annual and interim periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and the Company is currently assessing the potential impact to the consolidated financial statements.

- Definition

The entire disclosure of changes in accounting principles, including adoption of new accounting pronouncements, that describes the new methods, amount and effects on financial statement line items.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
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-Glossary Change in Accounting Principle
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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+ Details

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 820, Fair Value Measurements defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring the fair value of assets and liabilities using a hierarchy system and requires disclosures about fair value measurement. It clarifies that fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants in the market in which the reporting entity transacts.

The fair value hierarchy is as follows:

Level 1 Inputs – Valuation is based upon quoted prices for identical instruments traded in active markets that the Company has the ability to access at measurement date.

Level 2 Inputs – Valuation is based upon quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active and model-based valuation techniques for which significant assumptions are observable in the market.

Level 3 Inputs – Valuation is generated from model-based techniques that use significant assumptions not observable in the market and are used only to the extent that observable inputs are not available. These unobservable assumptions reflect the Company’s own estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Valuation techniques include use of option pricing models, discounted cash flow models and similar techniques.

Securities Available for Sale and Held to Maturity. Securities available for sale are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis and securities held to maturity are carried at amortized cost. Fair value measurement is based upon quoted prices, if available. If quoted prices are not available, fair values are measured using an independent pricing service. For both Level 1 and Level 2 securities, management uses various methods and techniques to corroborate prices obtained from the pricing service, including but not limited to reference to dealer or other market quotes, and by reviewing valuations of comparable instruments. The Company’s Level 1 securities include equity securities and mutual funds. Level 2 securities include U.S. Government agency and instrumentality securities, U.S. Government agency and instrumentality mortgage-backed securities, municipal bonds, corporate debt securities and trust preferred securities. The Company had no Level 3 securities at March 31, 2017 or September 30, 2016.

The fair values of securities are determined by obtaining quoted prices on nationally recognized securities exchanges (Level 1 inputs), or valuation based upon quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active and model based valuation techniques for which significant assumptions are observable in the market (Level 2 inputs). The Company considers these valuations supplied by a third party provider which utilizes several sources for valuing fixed-income securities. These sources include Interactive Data Corporation, Reuters, Standard and Poor’s, Bloomberg Financial Markets, Street Software Technology, and the third party provider’s own matrix and desk pricing. The Company, no less than annually, reviews the third party’s methods and source’s methodology for reasonableness and to ensure an understanding of inputs utilized in determining fair value. Sources utilized by the third party provider include but are not limited to pricing models that vary based by asset class and include available trade, bid, and other market information. This methodology includes but is not limited to broker quotes, proprietary models, descriptive terms and conditions databases, as well as extensive quality control programs. Monthly, the Company receives and compares prices provided by multiple securities dealers and pricing providers to validate the accuracy and reasonableness of prices received from the third party provider. On a monthly basis, the Investment Committee reviews mark-to-market changes in the securities portfolio for reasonableness.

The following table summarizes the fair values of securities available for sale and held to maturity at March 31, 2017 and September 30, 2016. Securities available for sale are measured at fair value on a recurring basis, while securities held to maturity are carried at amortized cost in the consolidated statements of financial condition.



	Fair Value At March 31, 2017
	Available For Sale								Held to Maturity
(Dollars in Thousands)	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Debt securities
Small business administration securities	131,348		—		131,348		—		—		—		—		—
Obligations of states and political subdivisions	—		—		—		—		20,105		—		20,105		—
Non-bank qualified obligations of states and political subdivisions	932,010		—		932,010		—		453,338		—		453,338		—
Asset-backed securities	119,527		—		119,527		—		—		—		—		—
Mortgage-backed securities	642,833		—		642,833		—		120,980		—		120,980		—
Total debt securities	1,825,718		—		1,825,718		—		594,423		—		594,423		—
Common equities and mutual funds	1,555		1,555		—		—		—		—		—		—
Total securities	$	1,827,273	$	1,555	$	1,825,718	$	—	$	594,423	$	—	$	594,423	$	—



	Fair Value At September 30, 2016
	Available For Sale								Held to Maturity
(Dollars in Thousands)	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Debt securities
Trust preferred securities	$	12,978	$	—	$	12,978	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
Small business administration securities	80,719		—		80,719		—		—		—		—		—
Obligations of states and political subdivisions	—		—		—		—		20,937		—		20,937		—
Non-bank qualified obligations of states and political subdivisions	698,672		—		698,672		—		477,202		—		477,202		—
Asset-backed securities	116,815		—		116,815		—		—		—		—		—
Mortgage-backed securities	558,940		—		558,940		—		134,435		—		134,435		—
Total debt securities	1,468,124		—		1,468,124		—		632,574		—		632,574		—
Common equities and mutual funds	1,125		1,125		—		—		—		—		—		—
Total securities	$	1,469,249	$	1,125	$	1,468,124	$	—	$	632,574	$	—	$	632,574	$	—

Contingent Consideration. The fair value of the cash contingent consideration liability in the SCS acquisition was estimated using an option based income valuation method with significant inputs that are not observable in the market and thus represents a Level 3 fair value measurement as defined in the FASB's ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures. The significant inputs in the Level 3 measurement not supported by market activity included the Company's probability assessments of expected future cash flows related to its acquisition of SCS during the earn-out period.



	March 31, 2017								September 30, 2016
	Fair Value Measurements Using Input Types								Fair Value Measurements Using Input Types
(Dollars in Thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Liabilities:
Contingent Consideration	$	—	$	—	$	17,252	$	17,252	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
Total liabilities	$	—	$	—	$	17,252	$	17,252	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—

Loans. The Company does not record loans at fair value on a recurring basis. However, if a loan is considered impaired, an allowance for loan losses is established. Once a loan is identified as individually impaired, management measures impairment in accordance with ASC 310, Receivables.

The following table summarizes the assets of the Company that were measured at fair value in the consolidated statements of financial condition on a non-recurring basis as of March 31, 2017 and September 30, 2016.



	Fair Value At March 31, 2017
(Dollars in Thousands)	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Impaired Loans, net
1-4 family residential mortgage loans	$	67	$	—	$	—	$	67
Commercial operating loans	$	248	$	—	$	—	$	248
Total Impaired Loans	$	315	$	—	$	—	$	315
Foreclosed Assets, net	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
Total	$	315	$	—	$	—	$	315



	Fair Value At September 30, 2016
(Dollars in Thousands)	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Impaired Loans, net
1-4 family residential mortgage loans	$	68	$	—	$	—	$	68
Total Impaired Loans	68		—		—		68
Foreclosed Assets, net	76						76
Total	$	144	$	—	$	—	$	144



	Quantitative Information About Level 3 Fair Value Measurements
(Dollars in Thousands)	Fair Value at March 31, 2017		Fair Value at September 30, 2016	Valuation Technique	Unobservable Input	Range of Inputs
Impaired Loans, net	$	315	68	Market approach	Appraised values ⁽¹⁾	4.00 - 10.00%
Foreclosed Assets, net	$	—	76	Market approach	Appraised values ⁽¹⁾	4.00 - 10.00%
Contingent Consideration	$	17,252	—	Option based income	Discount rate	7.20%
					Risk-free rate	1.02%
					Company specific discount rate	1.76%


⁽¹⁾	The Company generally relies on external appraisers to develop this information. Management reduced the appraised value by estimating selling costs in a range of 4% to 10%.

The following table discloses the Company’s estimated fair value amounts of its financial instruments as of the dates set forth below. It is management’s belief that the fair values presented below are reasonable based on the valuation techniques and data available to the Company as of March 31, 2017 and September 30, 2016, as more fully described below. The operations of the Company are managed from a going concern basis and not a liquidation basis. As a result, the ultimate value realized for the financial instruments presented could be substantially different when actually recognized over time through the normal course of operations. Additionally, a substantial portion of the Company’s inherent value is the Bank’s capitalization and franchise value. Neither of these components have been given consideration in the presentation of fair values below.

The following presents the carrying amount and estimated fair value of the financial instruments held by the Company at March 31, 2017 and September 30, 2016.



	March 31, 2017
	Carrying Amount		Estimated Fair Value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	67,293	$	67,293	$	67,293	$	—	$	—

Securities available for sale	1,827,273		1,827,273		1,555		1,825,718		—
Securities held to maturity	596,803		594,423		—		594,423		—
Total securities	2,424,076		2,421,696		1,555		2,420,141		—

Loans receivable:
One to four family residential mortgage loans	178,310		176,879		—		—		176,879
Commercial and multi-family real estate loans	473,058		464,071		—		—		464,071
Agricultural real estate loans	62,422		58,829		—		—		58,829
Consumer loans	182,156		181,687		—		—		181,687
Commercial operating loans	33,894		34,004		—		—		34,004
Agricultural operating loans	35,493		35,394		—		—		35,394
Premium finance loans	187,049		190,327		—		—		190,327
Total loans receivable	1,152,382		1,141,191		—		—		1,141,191

Federal Home Loan Bank stock	25,043		25,043		—		25,043		—
Accrued interest receivable	20,902		20,902		20,902		—		—

Financial liabilities
Noninterest bearing demand deposits	2,637,167		2,637,167		2,637,167		—		—
Interest bearing demand deposits, savings, and money markets	151,971		151,971		151,971		—		—
Certificates of deposit	61,170		60,689		—		60,689		—
Wholesale non-maturing deposits	21,923		21,923		21,923		—		—
Total deposits	2,872,231		2,871,750		2,811,061		60,689		—

Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank	7,000		7,891		—		7,891		—
Federal funds purchased	493,000		493,000		493,000		—		—
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase	1,848		1,848		—		1,848		—
Capital lease	1,980		1,980		—		1,980		—
Trust preferred securities	10,310		10,446		—		10,446		—
Subordinated debentures	73,278		75,375		—		75,375		—
Accrued interest payable	722		722		722		—		—



	September 30, 2016
	Carrying Amount		Estimated Fair Value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	773,830	$	773,830	$	773,830	$	—	$	—

Securities available for sale	1,469,249		1,469,249		1,125		1,468,124		—
Securities held to maturity	619,853		632,574		—		632,574		—
Total securities	2,089,102		2,101,823		1,125		2,100,698		—

Loans receivable:
One to four family residential mortgage loans	162,298		163,886		—		—		163,886
Commercial and multi-family real estate loans	422,932		422,307		—		—		422,307
Agricultural real estate loans	63,612		63,868		—		—		63,868
Consumer loans	37,094		36,738		—		—		36,738
Commercial operating loans	31,271		31,108		—		—		31,108
Agricultural operating loans	37,083		36,897		—		—		36,897
Premium finance loans	171,604		172,000		—		—		172,000
Total loans receivable	925,894		926,803		—		—		926,803

Federal Home Loan Bank stock	47,512		47,512		—		47,512		—
Accrued interest receivable	17,199		17,199		17,199		—		—

Financial liabilities
Noninterest bearing demand deposits	2,167,522		2,167,522		2,167,522		—		—
Interest bearing demand deposits, savings, and money markets	136,568		136,568		136,568		—		—
Certificates of deposit	125,992		125,772		—		125,772		—
Total deposits	2,430,082		2,429,862		2,304,090		125,772		—

Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank	107,000		108,168		—		108,168		—
Federal funds purchased	992,000		992,000		992,000		—		—
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase	3,039		3,039		—		3,039		—
Capital lease	2,018		2,018		—		2,018		—
Trust preferred securities	10,310		10,437		—		10,437		—
Subordinated debentures	73,211		77,250		—		77,250		—
Accrued interest payable	875		875		875		—		—

The following sets forth the methods and assumptions used in determining the fair value estimates for the Company’s financial instruments at March 31, 2017 and September 30, 2016.

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

The carrying amount of cash and short-term investments is assumed to approximate the fair value.

SECURITIES AVAILABLE FOR SALE AND HELD TO MATURITY

Securities available for sale are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis and securities held to maturity are carried at amortized cost. Fair values for investment securities are based on obtaining quoted prices on nationally recognized securities exchanges, or matrix pricing, which is a mathematical technique widely used in the industry to value debt securities without relying exclusively on quoted prices for the specific securities, but rather by relying on the securities’ relationship to other benchmark quoted securities.

LOANS RECEIVABLE, NET

The fair value of loans is estimated using a historical or replacement cost basis concept (i.e., an entrance price concept). The fair value of loans was estimated by discounting the future cash flows using the current rates at which similar loans would be made to borrowers and for similar remaining maturities. When using the discounting method to determine fair value, homogeneous loans with similar terms and conditions were grouped together and discounted at a target rate at which similar loans would be made to borrowers at March 31, 2017 or September 30, 2016. In addition, when computing the estimated fair value for all loans, allowances for loan losses have been subtracted from the calculated fair value as a result of the discounted cash flow which approximates the fair value adjustment for the credit quality component.

FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK (“FHLB”) STOCK

The fair value of FHLB stock is assumed to approximate book value since the Company is only able to redeem this stock at par value.

ACCRUED INTEREST RECEIVABLE

The carrying amount of accrued interest receivable is assumed to approximate the fair value.

DEPOSITS

The carrying values of non-interest bearing checking deposits, interest bearing checking deposits, savings, money markets, and wholesale non-maturing deposits are assumed to approximate fair value, since such deposits are immediately withdrawable without penalty. The fair value of time certificates of deposit and wholesale certificates of deposit were estimated by discounting expected future cash flows by the current rates offered on certificates of deposit with similar remaining maturities.

In accordance with ASC 825, Financial Instruments, no value has been assigned to the Company’s long-term relationships with its deposit customers (core value of deposits intangible) since such intangibles are not financial instruments as defined under ASC 825.

ADVANCES FROM FHLB

The fair value of such advances was estimated by discounting the expected future cash flows using current interest rates for advances with similar terms and remaining maturities.

FEDERAL FUNDS PURCHASED

The carrying amount of federal funds purchased is assumed to approximate the fair value.

SECURITIES SOLD UNDER AGREEMENTS TO REPURCHASE AND SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES

The fair value of these instruments was estimated by discounting the expected future cash flows using derived interest rates approximating market over the contractual maturity of such borrowings.

ACCRUED INTEREST PAYABLE

The carrying amount of accrued interest payable is assumed to approximate the fair value.

LIMITATIONS

Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time and are based on relevant market information about the financial instrument. Additionally, fair value estimates are based on existing on- and off-balance sheet financial instruments without attempting to estimate the value of anticipated future business, customer relationships and the value of assets and liabilities that are not considered financial instruments. These estimates do not reflect any premium or discount that could result from offering the Company’s entire holdings of a particular financial instrument for sale at one time. Furthermore, since no market exists for certain of the Company’s financial instruments, fair value estimates may be based on judgments regarding future expected loss experience, current economic conditions, risk characteristics of various financial instruments and other factors. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and therefore cannot be determined with a high level of precision. Changes in assumptions as well as tax considerations could significantly affect the estimates. Accordingly, based on the limitations described above, the aggregate fair value estimates are not intended to represent the underlying value of the Company, on either a going concern or a liquidation basis.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

+ References + Details

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The Company held a total of $98.7 million of goodwill as of March 31, 2017. The recorded goodwill was due to two separate business combinations during fiscal 2015 and two separate business combinations during the first quarter of fiscal 2017: $11.6 million of goodwill in connection with the purchase of substantially all of the commercial loan portfolio and related assets of AFS/IBEX on December 2, 2014; $25.4 million of goodwill in connection with the purchase of substantially all of the assets and liabilities of Refund Advantage on September 8, 2015; $30.4 million of goodwill in connection with the purchase of substantially all of the assets of EPS on November 1, 2016; and $31.4 million of goodwill in connection with the purchase of substantially all of the assets and specified liabilities of SCS on December 14, 2016. The goodwill associated with these transactions is deductible for tax purposes.

The changes in the carrying amount of the Company’s goodwill and intangible assets for the six months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 were as follows:



	2017		2016
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Goodwill
Balance as of September 30,	$	36,928	$	36,928
Acquisitions during the period	61,795		—
Write-offs during the period	—		—
Balance as of March 31,	$	98,723	$	36,928



	Trademark⁽¹⁾			Non-Compete⁽²⁾			Customer Relationships⁽³⁾			All Others⁽⁴⁾			Total
Intangibles
Balance as of September 30, 2016	$	5,149		$	127		$	20,590		$	3,055		$	28,921
Acquisitions during the period	5,500			2,180			31,770			6,869			46,319
Amortization during the period	(282		)	(228		)	(7,735		)	(362		)	(8,607		)
Write-offs during the period	—			—			—			—			—
Balance as of March 31, 2017	$	10,367		$	2,079		$	44,625		$	9,562		$	66,633

Gross carrying amount	$	10,990		$	2,480		$	57,810		$	10,426		$	81,706
Accumulated amortization	$	(623	)	$	(401	)	$	(13,185	)	$	(864	)	$	(15,073	)
Balance as of March 31, 2017	$	10,367		$	2,079		$	44,625		$	9,562		$	66,633

(1) Book amortization period of 5-15 years. Amortized using the straight line and accelerated methods.

(2) Book amortization period of 3-5 years. Amortized using the straight line method.

(3) Book amortization period of 10-30 years. Amortized using the accelerated method.

(4) Book amortization period of 3-20 years. Amortized using the straight line method.



	Trademark⁽¹⁾			Non-Compete⁽²⁾			Customer Relationships⁽³⁾			All Others⁽⁴⁾			Total
Intangibles
Balance as of September 30, 2015	$	5,439		$	227		$	24,811		$	3,100		$	33,577
Acquisitions during the period	—			—			—			123			123
Amortization during the period	(144		)	(50		)	(2,127		)	(107		)	(2,428		)
Write-offs during the period	—			—			—			—			—
Balance as of March 31, 2016	$	5,295		$	177		$	22,684		$	3,116		$	31,272

Gross carrying amount	$	5,490		$	300		$	26,040		$	3,508		$	35,338
Accumulated amortization	$	(195	)	$	(123	)	$	(3,356	)	$	(392	)	$	(4,066	)
Balance as of March 31, 2016	$	5,295		$	177		$	22,684		$	3,116		$	31,272

(1) Book amortization period of 15 years. Amortized using the straight line and accelerated methods.

(2) Book amortization period of 3 years. Amortized using the straight line method.

(3) Book amortization period of 10-30 years. Amortized using the accelerated method.

(4) Book amortization period of 3-20 years. Amortized using the straight line method.

The estimated amortization expense of intangible assets assumes no activities, such as acquisitions, which would result in additional amortizable intangible assets. Estimated amortization expense of intangible assets in the remaining period of 2017 and subsequent fiscal years is as follows:



	(Dollars in Thousands)
Remaining in 2017	$	3,740
2018	11,852
2019	9,070
2020	7,289
2021	6,336
2022	5,029
Thereafter	23,317
Total anticipated intangible amortization	$	66,633

The Company tests intangible assets for impairment at least annually or more often if conditions indicate a possible impairment. There were no impairments to intangible assets during the three or six months ended March 31, 2017 or 2016. The annual goodwill impairment test for fiscal 2017 will be conducted at September 30, 2017.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the aggregate amount of goodwill and a description of intangible assets, which may include (a) for amortizable intangible assets (also referred to as finite-lived intangible assets), the carrying amount, the amount of any significant residual value, and the weighted-average amortization period, (b) for intangible assets not subject to amortization (also referred to as indefinite-lived intangible assets), the carrying amount, and (c) the amount of research and development assets acquired and written off in the period, including the line item in the income statement in which the amounts written off are aggregated, if not readily apparent from the income statement. Also discloses (a) for amortizable intangibles assets in total and by major class, the gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization, the total amortization expense for the period, and the estimated aggregate amortization expense for each of the five succeeding fiscal years, (b) for intangible assets not subject to amortization the carrying amount in total and by major class, and (c) for goodwill, in total and for each reportable segment, the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill during the period (including the aggregate amount of goodwill acquired, the aggregate amount of impairment losses recognized, and the amount of goodwill included in the gain (loss) on disposal of a reporting unit). If any part of goodwill has not been allocated to a reportable segment, discloses the unallocated amount and the reasons for not allocating. For each impairment loss recognized related to an intangible asset (excluding goodwill), discloses: (a) a description of the impaired intangible asset and the facts and circumstances leading to the impairment, (b) the amount of the impairment loss and the method for determining fair value, (c) the caption in the income statement or the statement of activities in which the impairment loss is aggregated, and (d) the segment in which the impaired intangible asset is reported. For each goodwill impairment loss recognized, discloses: (a) a description of the facts and circumstances leading to the impairment, (b) the amount of the impairment loss and the method of determining the fair value of the associated reporting unit, and (c) if a recognized impairment loss is an estimate not finalized and the reasons why the estimate is not final. May also disclose the nature and amount of any significant adjustments made to a previous estimate of an impairment loss.

+ References + Details

REGULATORY MATTERS AND SETTLEMENT OF OTS ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Banking and Thrift [Abstract]
REGULATORY MATTERS AND SETTLEMENT OF OTS ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS	REGULATORY MATTERS AND SETTLEMENT OF OTS ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS On January 5, 2015, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) published industry guidance in the form of Frequently Asked Questions (“FAQs”) with respect to the categorization of deposit liabilities as “brokered” deposits. On November 13, 2015, the FDIC issued for comment updated and annotated FAQs, and on June 30, 2016, the FDIC finalized the FAQs. The Company believes that the final FAQs do not materially impact the processes that it uses to identify, accept and report brokered deposits. On April 26, 2016, the FDIC issued a final rule to amend how small banks (less than $10 billion in assets that have been FDIC insured for at least five years) are assessed for deposit insurance (the "Final Rule"). The Final Rule imposes higher assessments for banks that the FDIC believes present higher risk profiles. The Final Rule became effective with the Bank's December 2016 assessment invoice, which the Company received in March 2017. Due to the Bank’s status as a "well-capitalized" institution under the FDIC's prompt corrective action regulations, and further with respect to the Bank’s financial condition in general, the Company does not at this time anticipate that either the FAQs or the Final Rule will have a material adverse impact on the Company’s business operations. However, should the Bank ever fail to be well-capitalized in the future, as a result of failing to meet the well-capitalized requirements, or the imposition of an individual minimum capital requirement or similar formal requirements, then, notwithstanding that the Bank has capital in excess of the well-capitalized minimum requirements, the Bank would be prohibited, absent waiver from the FDIC, from utilizing brokered deposits (i.e., may not accept, renew or rollover brokered deposits), which could produce serious adverse effects on the Company’s liquidity, and financial condition and results of operations. Similarly, should the Bank’s financial condition in general deteriorate, future FDIC assessments could have a material adverse effect on the Company.

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS	6 Months Ended
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS	Mar. 31, 2017
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS	SUBSEQUENT EVENTS In April 2017, the Company formed a new entity, Meta Capital, LLC, that is a wholly owned subsidiary of MetaBank. Meta Capital was formed for the purpose of investing in financial technology companies that align with the Company’s strategic initiatives.

NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS (Policies)	6 Months Ended
NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS (Policies)	Mar. 31, 2017
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]
New Accounting Pronouncements	Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments This ASU requires organizations to replace the incurred loss impairment methodology with a methodology reflecting expected credit losses with considerations for a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to substantiate credit loss estimates. This ASU is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, and the Company is currently undertaking a data analysis and taking measures so that its systems capture data applicable to the standard. ASU No. 2016-04, Extinguishment of liabilities (Subtopic 405-20): Recognition of Breakage for Certain Prepaid Stored-Value Products This ASU requires organizations to derecognize the deposit liabilities for unredeemed prepaid stored-value products (i.e. – breakage) consistent with breakage guidance in Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. This ASU is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and the Company expects the impact to the consolidated financial statements to be minimal. ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842): Amendments to the Leases Analysis This ASU requires organizations to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet, along with disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. This update is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within that reporting period, and the Company is currently taking inventory of all leases and analyzing what their treatment will be under the new guidance. ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue Recognition – Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) This ASU provides guidance on when to recognize revenue from contracts with customers. The objective of this ASU is to eliminate diversity in practice related to this topic and to provide guidance that would streamline and enhance revenue recognition requirements. The ASU defines five steps to recognize revenue, including identify the contract with a customer, identify the performance obligations in the contract, determine a transaction price, allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations and then recognize the revenue when or as the entity satisfies a performance obligation. This update is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period, and the Company is currently assessing its different prepaid card programs and income streams to ascertain how breakage will be recognized under the standard. ASU 2015-17, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes This ASU requires entities with a classified balance sheet to present all deferred tax assets and liabilities as noncurrent. This update is effective for annual and interim periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and does not have an impact on the consolidated financial statements . ASU 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting This ASU provides guidance to improve the accounting for share-based payment transactions as part of the FASB’s simplification initiative. The ASU changes seven aspects of the accounting for share-based payment award transactions, including: (1) accounting for income taxes; (2) classification of excess tax benefits on the statement of cash flows; (3) forfeitures; (4) minimum statutory tax withholding requirements; (5) classification of employee taxes paid on the statement of cash flows when an employer withholds shares for tax-withholding purposes; (6) practical expedient - expected term (nonpublic companies only); and (7) intrinsic value (nonpublic companies only). This update is effective for annual and interim periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and the Company is currently assessing the potential impact to the consolidated financial statements. ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments This ASU addresses eight classification issues related to the statement of cash flows including: debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs, settlement of zero-coupon bonds, contingent consideration payments made after a business combination, proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims, proceeds from the settlement of corporate-owned life insurance policies, including bank-owned life insurance policies, distributions received from equity method investees, beneficial interests in securitization transactions, and separately identifiable cash flows and application of the predominance principle. This update is effective for annual and interim periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and the Company is currently assessing the potential impact to the consolidated financial statements.

ACQUISITION (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

EPS [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition

The following table represents the approximate fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed of EPS on the consolidated statement of financial condition as of November 1, 2016.



	As of November 1, 2016
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Fair value of consideration paid
Cash	$	21,877
Stock issued	26,507
Total consideration paid	48,384

Fair value of assets acquired
Intangible assets	17,930
Other assets	79
Total assets	18,009
Fair value of net assets acquired	18,009
Goodwill resulting from acquisition	$	30,375

SCS [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition

The following table represents the approximate fair value of assets acquired and liabilities recorded of SCS on the consolidated statement of financial condition as of December 14, 2016.



	As of December 14, 2016
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Fair value of transaction consideration
Cash	7,548
Stock issued	10,789
Paid consideration	18,337
Contingent consideration - cash	17,252
Contingent consideration - equity	24,142
Contingent consideration payable	41,394
Total consideration paid	59,731

Fair value of assets acquired
Intangible assets	28,310
Other assets	2
Total assets	28,312
Fair value of net assets acquired	28,312
Goodwill resulting from acquisition	31,419

CREDIT DISCLOSURES (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

Loans and Leases Receivable Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Loans Receivable

Loans receivable at March 31, 2017 and September 30, 2016 were as follows:



	March 31, 2017			September 30, 2016
	(Dollars in Thousands)
1-4 Family Real Estate	$	178,310		$	162,298
Commercial and Multi-Family Real Estate	473,058			422,932
Agricultural Real Estate	62,422			63,612
Consumer	182,156			37,094
Commercial Operating	33,894			31,271
Agricultural Operating	35,493			37,083
Premium Finance	187,049			171,604
Total Loans Receivable	1,152,382			925,894

Allowance for Loan Losses	(14,602		)	(5,635		)
Net Deferred Loan Origination Fees	(1,190		)	(789		)
Total Loans Receivable, Net	$	1,136,590		$	919,470

Annual Activity in Allowance for Loan Losses, Allowance for Loan Losses and Recorded Investment in Loans

Activity in the allowance for loan losses and balances of loans receivable by portfolio segment for the three and six months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 was as follows:



	1-4 Family Real Estate			Commercial and Multi-Family Real Estate			Agricultural Real Estate		Consumer		Commercial Operating			Agricultural Operating		Premium Finance			Unallocated		Total
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
Allowance for loan losses:
Beginning balance	$	654		$	1,912		$	476	$	47	$	813		$	1,341	$	594		$	578	$	6,415
Provision (recovery) for loan losses	(358		)	(170		)	1,048		7,658		304			8		115			43		8,648
Charge offs	—			—			—		—		(350		)	—		(140		)	—		(490		)
Recoveries	—			—			—		1		—			—		28			—		29
Ending balance	$	296		$	1,742		$	1,524	$	7,706	$	767		$	1,349	$	597		$	621	$	14,602

Six Months Ended March 31, 2017

Allowance for loan losses:
Beginning balance	$	654		$	2,198		$	142	$	51	$	117		$	1,332	$	588		$	553	$	5,635
Provision (recovery) for loan losses	(358		)	(456		)	1,382		7,631		995			4		226			68		9,492
Charge offs	—			—			—		—		(350		)	—		(259		)	—		(609		)
Recoveries	—			—			—		24		5			13		42			—		84
Ending balance	$	296		$	1,742		$	1,524	$	7,706	$	767		$	1,349	$	597		$	621	$	14,602

Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment	12			—			—		—		53			—		—			—		65
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment	284			1,742			1,524		7,706		714			1,349		597			621		14,537
Total	$	296		$	1,742		$	1,524	$	7,706	$	767		$	1,349	$	597		$	621	$	14,602

Loans:
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment	248			1,144			582		—		302			1,072		—			—		3,348
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment	178,062			471,914			61,840		182,156		33,592			34,421		187,049			—		1,149,034
Total	$	178,310		$	473,058		$	62,422	$	182,156	$	33,894		$	35,493	$	187,049		$	—	$	1,152,382



	1-4 Family Real Estate		Commercial and Multi-Family Real Estate			Agricultural Real Estate			Consumer		Commercial Operating			Agricultural Operating			Premium Finance			Unallocated			Total
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Three Months Ended March 31, 2016
Allowance for loan losses:
Beginning balance	$	285	$	1,194		$	171		$	20	$	107		$	3,856		$	424		$	609		$	6,666
Provision (recovery) for loan losses	42		790			(17		)	1,039		(62		)	(529		)	171			(261		)	1,173
Charge offs	—		(290		)	—			—		—			—			(137		)	—			(427		)
Recoveries	—		—			—			—		—			—			19			—			19
Ending balance	$	327	$	1,694		$	154		$	1,059	$	45		$	3,327		$	477		$	348		$	7,431

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016

Allowance for loan losses:
Beginning balance	$	278	$	1,187		$	163		$	20	$	28		$	3,537		$	293		$	749		$	6,255
Provision (recovery) for loan losses	49		797			(9		)	1,039		17			(210		)	677			(401		)	1,959
Charge offs	—		(290		)	—			—		—			—			(527		)	—			(817		)
Recoveries	—		—			—			—		—			—			34			—			34
Ending balance	$	327	$	1,694		$	154		$	1,059	$	45		$	3,327		$	477		$	348		$	7,431

Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment	—		40			—			—		—			2,846			—			—			2,886
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment	327		1,654			154			1,059		45			481			477			348			4,545
Total	$	327	$	1,694		$	154		$	1,059	$	45		$	3,327		$	477		$	348		$	7,431

Loans:
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment	114		1,091			—			—		6			3,421			—			—			4,632
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment	139,886		353,703			64,111			35,937		26,903			38,660			121,572			—			780,772
Total	$	140,000	$	354,794		$	64,111		$	35,937	$	26,909		$	42,081		$	121,572		$	—		$	785,404

Asset Classification of Loans

The asset classification of loans at March 31, 2017 and September 30, 2016 were as follows:



March 31, 2017	1-4 Family Real Estate		Commercial and Multi-Family Real Estate		Agricultural Real Estate		Consumer		Commercial Operating		Agricultural Operating		Premium Finance		Total
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Pass	$	176,844	$	471,748	$	28,828	$	182,156	$	33,572	$	18,893	$	187,049	$	1,099,090
Watch	537		72		—		—		21		40		—		670
Special Mention	660		204		2,965		—		—		—		—		3,829
Substandard	269		1,034		30,629		—		248		16,560		—		48,740
Doubtful	—		—		—		—		53		—		—		53
	$	178,310	$	473,058	$	62,422	$	182,156	$	33,894	$	35,493	$	187,049	$	1,152,382



September 30, 2016	1-4 Family Real Estate		Commercial and Multi-Family Real Estate		Agricultural Real Estate		Consumer		Commercial Operating		Agricultural Operating		Premium Finance		Total
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Pass	$	161,255	$	421,577	$	34,421	$	37,094	$	30,574	$	19,669	$	171,604	$	876,194
Watch	200		72		2,934		—		184		4,625		—		8,015
Special Mention	666		962		25,675		—		—		5,407		—		32,710
Substandard	177		321		582		—		513		7,382		—		8,975
Doubtful	—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	$	162,298	$	422,932	$	63,612	$	37,094	$	31,271	$	37,083	$	171,604	$	925,894

Past Due Loans

Past due loans at March 31, 2017 and September 30, 2016 were as follows:



March 31, 2017	30-59 Days Past Due		60-89 Days Past Due		Greater Than 90 Days		Total Past Due		Current		Non-Accrual Loans		Total Loans Receivable
	(Dollars in Thousands)
1-4 Family Real Estate	$	42	$	59	$	—	$	101	$	178,097	$	112	$	178,310
Commercial and Multi-Family Real Estate	2,864		315		—		3,179		469,724		155		473,058
Agricultural Real Estate	35,058		—		—		35,058		23,903		3,461		62,422
Consumer	8,009		1,329		284		9,622		172,534		—		182,156
Commercial Operating	—		—		—		—		33,747		147		33,894
Agricultural Operating	—		—		—		—		35,396		97		35,493
Premium Finance	1,029		954		723		2,706		184,343		—		187,049
Total	$	47,002	$	2,657	$	1,007	$	50,666	$	1,097,744	$	3,972	$	1,152,382



September 30, 2016	30-59 Days Past Due		60-89 Days Past Due		Greater Than 90 Days		Total Past Due		Current		Non-Accrual Loans		Total Loans Receivable
	(Dollars in Thousands)
1-4 Family Real Estate	$	—	$	30	$	—	$	30	$	162,185	$	83	$	162,298
Commercial and Multi-Family Real Estate	—		—		—		—		422,932		—		422,932
Agricultural Real Estate	—		—		—		—		63,612		—		63,612
Consumer	—		—		53		53		37,041		—		37,094
Commercial Operating	151		354		—		505		30,766		—		31,271
Agricultural Operating	—		—		—		—		37,083		—		37,083
Premium Finance	1,398		275		965		2,638		168,966		—		171,604
Total	$	1,549	$	659	$	1,018	$	3,226	$	922,585	$	83	$	925,894

Impaired Loans

Impaired loans at March 31, 2017 and September 30, 2016 were as follows:



	Recorded Balance		Unpaid Principal Balance		Specific Allowance
March 31, 2017	(Dollars in Thousands)
Loans without a specific valuation allowance
1-4 Family Real Estate	$	170	$	170	$	—
Commercial and Multi-Family Real Estate	1,144		1,144		—
Agricultural Real Estate	$	582	$	582	$	—
Agricultural Operating	$	1,072	$	1,072	$	—
Total	$	2,968	$	2,968	$	—
Loans with a specific valuation allowance
1-4 Family Real Estate	$	78	$	78	$	12
Commercial Operating	$	302	$	302	$	53
Total	$	380	$	380	$	65



	Recorded Balance		Unpaid Principal Balance		Specific Allowance
September 30, 2016	(Dollars in Thousands)
Loans without a specific valuation allowance
1-4 Family Real Estate	$	84	$	84	$	—
Commercial and Multi-Family Real Estate	433		433		—
Total	$	517	$	517	$	—
Loans with a specific valuation allowance
1-4 Family Real Estate	$	78	$	78	$	10
Total	$	78	$	78	$	10

The following table provides the average recorded investment in impaired loans for the three and six month periods ended March 31, 2017 and 2016.



	Three Months Ended March 31,				Six Months Ended March 31,
	2017		2016		2017		2016
	Average Recorded Investment		Average Recorded Investment		Average Recorded Investment		Average Recorded Investment
	(Dollars in Thousands)
1-4 Family Real Estate	$	210	$	116	$	191	$	118
Commercial and Multi-Family Real Estate	668		1,257		550		1,302
Agricultural Real Estate	194		—		97		—
Consumer	—		—		—		—
Commercial Operating	437		7		302		8
Agricultural Operating	357		4,362		179		4,697
Premium Finance	—		—		—		—
Total	$	1,866	$	5,742	$	1,319	$	6,125

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE ("EPS") (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Reconciliation of Net Income and Common Stock Share Amounts Used in Computation of Basic and Diluted EPS

A reconciliation of net income and common stock share amounts used in the computation of basic and diluted EPS for the three and six months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 is presented below.



Three Months Ended March 31,	2017		2016 ⁽¹⁾
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Data)
Basic income per common share:
Net income attributable to Meta Financial Group, Inc.	$	32,142	$	14,283
Less income allocated to dividends for common stock and nonvested restricted stock	1,214		1,105
Net income allocated to common shareholders for basic EPS	30,928		13,178
Weighted average common shares outstanding	9,345,277		8,496,357
Basic income per common share	3.44		1.68

Diluted income per common share:
Net income attributable to Meta Financial Group, Inc.	$	32,142	$	14,283
Less income allocated to dividends for common stock and nonvested restricted stock	1,214		1,105
Net income allocated to common stock for diluted EPS	30,928		13,178
Weighted average common shares outstanding	9,345,277		8,496,357
Outstanding options - based upon the two-class method	54,674		61,176
Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding	9,399,951		8,557,533
Diluted income per common share	3.42		1.67



Six Months Ended March 31,	2017		2016 ⁽¹⁾
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Data)
Basic income per common share:
Net income attributable to Meta Financial Group, Inc.	$	33,386	$	18,341
Less income allocated to dividends for common stock and nonvested restricted stock	1,187		1,088
Net income allocated to common shareholders for basic EPS	32,199		17,253
Average common shares outstanding	9,138,692		8,369,523
Basic income per common share	3.65		2.19

Diluted income per common share:
Net income attributable to Meta Financial Group, Inc.	$	33,386	$	18,341
Less income allocated to dividends for common stock and nonvested restricted stock	1,187		1,088
Net income allocated to common stock for diluted EPS	32,199		17,253
Average common shares outstanding	9,138,692		8,369,523
Outstanding options - based upon the two-class method	53,790		63,551
Average diluted common shares outstanding	9,192,482		8,433,074
Diluted income per common share	3.63		2.17

SECURITIES (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]

Securities Available for Sale

The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses and estimated fair values of available for sale and held to maturity securities at March 31, 2017 and September 30, 2016 are presented below.



Available For Sale			GROSS		GROSS
At March 31, 2017	AMORTIZED COST		UNREALIZED GAINS		UNREALIZED (LOSSES)			FAIR VALUE
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Debt securities
Small business administration securities	130,175		1,173		—			131,348
Non-bank qualified obligations of states and political subdivisions	927,959		7,914		(3,863		)	932,010
Asset-backed securities	118,011		1,516		—			119,527
Mortgage-backed securities	651,784		—		(8,951		)	642,833
Total debt securities	1,827,929		10,603		(12,814		)	1,825,718
Common equities and mutual funds	1,127		439		(11		)	1,555
Total available for sale securities	$	1,829,056	$	11,042	$	(12,825	)	$	1,827,273



At September 30, 2016	AMORTIZED COST		GROSS UNREALIZED GAINS		GROSS UNREALIZED (LOSSES)			FAIR VALUE
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Debt securities
Trust preferred securities	$	14,935	$	—	$	(1,957	)	$	12,978
Small business administration securities	78,431		2,288		—			80,719
Non-bank qualified obligations of states and political subdivisions	668,628		30,141		(97		)	698,672
Asset-backed securities	117,487		73		(745		)	116,815
Mortgage-backed securities	555,036		4,382		(478		)	558,940
Total debt securities	1,434,517		36,884		(3,277		)	1,468,124
Common equities and mutual funds	755		373		(3		)	1,125
Total available for sale securities	$	1,435,272	$	37,257	$	(3,280	)	$	1,469,249

Securities Held to Maturity



Held to Maturity			GROSS		GROSS
At March 31, 2017	AMORTIZED COST		UNREALIZED GAINS		UNREALIZED (LOSSES)			FAIR VALUE
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Debt securities
Obligations of states and political subdivisions	$	20,177	$	71	$	(143	)	$	20,105
Non-bank qualified obligations of states and political subdivisions	454,129		2,397		(3,188		)	453,338
Mortgage-backed securities	122,497		—		(1,517		)	120,980
Total held to maturity securities	$	596,803	$	2,468	$	(4,848	)	$	594,423



At September 30, 2016	AMORTIZED COST		GROSS UNREALIZED GAINS		GROSS UNREALIZED (LOSSES)			FAIR VALUE
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Debt securities
Obligations of states and political subdivisions	$	20,626	$	355	$	(44	)	$	20,937
Non-bank qualified obligations of states and political subdivisions	465,469		11,744		(11		)	477,202
Mortgage-backed securities	133,758		708		(31		)	134,435
Total held to maturity securities	$	619,853	$	12,807	$	(86	)	$	632,574

Gross Unrealized Losses and Fair Value of Securities Available for Sale in Continuous Unrealized Loss Position

Gross unrealized losses and fair value, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at March 31, 2017 and September 30, 2016, were as follows:



Available For Sale	LESS THAN 12 MONTHS					OVER 12 MONTHS					TOTAL
At March 31, 2017	Fair Value		Unrealized (Losses)			Fair Value		Unrealized (Losses)			Fair Value		Unrealized (Losses)
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Debt securities
Non-bank qualified obligations of states and political subdivisions	239,208		(3,722		)	2,594		(141		)	241,802		(3,863		)
Mortgage-backed securities	609,681		(8,065		)	33,152		(886		)	642,833		(8,951		)
Total debt securities	848,889		(11,787		)	35,746		(1,027		)	884,635		(12,814		)
Common equities and mutual funds	—		—			373		(11		)	373		(11		)
Total available for sale securities	$	848,889	$	(11,787	)	$	36,119	$	(1,038	)	$	885,008	$	(12,825	)



	LESS THAN 12 MONTHS					OVER 12 MONTHS					TOTAL
At September 30, 2016	Fair Value		Unrealized (Losses)			Fair Value		Unrealized (Losses)			Fair Value		Unrealized (Losses)
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Debt securities
Trust preferred securities	$	—	$	—		$	12,978	$	(1,957	)	$	12,978	$	(1,957	)
Non-bank qualified obligations of states and political subdivisions	8,481		(58		)	2,688		(39		)	11,169		(97		)
Asset-backed securities	89,403		(745		)	—		—			89,403		(745		)
Mortgage-backed securities	54,065		(230		)	36,979		(248		)	91,044		(478		)
Total debt securities	151,949		(1,033		)	52,645		(2,244		)	204,594		(3,277		)
Common equities and mutual funds	—		—			125		(3		)	125		(3		)
Total available for sale securities	$	151,949	$	(1,033	)	$	52,770	$	(2,247	)	$	204,719	$	(3,280	)

Gross Unrealized Losses and Fair Value of Securities Held to Maturity in Continuous Unrealized Loss Position



Held To Maturity	LESS THAN 12 MONTHS					OVER 12 MONTHS					TOTAL
At March 31, 2017	Fair Value		Unrealized (Losses)			Fair Value		Unrealized (Losses)			Fair Value		Unrealized (Losses)
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Debt securities
Obligations of states and political subdivisions	$	12,902	$	(123	)	$	1,329	$	(20	)	$	14,231	$	(143	)
Non-bank qualified obligations of states and political subdivisions	283,033		(3,188		)	—		—			283,033		(3,188		)
Mortgage-backed securities	120,980		(1,517		)	—		—			120,980		(1,517		)
Total held to maturity securities	$	416,915	$	(4,828	)	$	1,329	$	(20	)	$	418,244	$	(4,848	)



	LESS THAN 12 MONTHS					OVER 12 MONTHS					TOTAL
At September 30, 2016	Fair Value		Unrealized (Losses)			Fair Value		Unrealized (Losses)			Fair Value		Unrealized (Losses)
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Debt securities
Obligations of states and political subdivisions	$	2,909	$	(13	)	$	2,256	$	(31	)	$	5,165	$	(44	)
Non-bank qualified obligations of states and political subdivisions	1,294		(11		)	—		—			1,294		(11		)
Mortgage-backed securities	20,061		(31		)	—		—			20,061		(31		)
Total held to maturity securities	$	24,264	$	(55	)	$	2,256	$	(31	)	$	26,520	$	(86	)

Amortized Cost and Fair Value of Debt Securities by Contractual Maturity

The amortized cost and fair value of debt securities by contractual maturity as of the dates set forth below are shown below. Certain securities have call features which allow the issuer to call the security prior to maturity. Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities in mortgage-backed securities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. Therefore, mortgage-backed securities are not included in the maturity categories in the following maturity summary. The expected maturities of certain housing related municipal securities, Small Business Administration and asset-backed securities may differ from contractual maturities because the borrowers may have the right to prepay the obligation. However, certain prepayment penalties may apply.



Available For Sale	AMORTIZED COST		FAIR VALUE
	AMORTIZED COST		FAIR VALUE
At March 31, 2017	(Dollars in Thousands)

Due in one year or less	$	—	$	—
Due after one year through five years	18,662		19,134
Due after five years through ten years	444,661		450,446
Due after ten years	712,822		713,305
	1,176,145		1,182,885
Mortgage-backed securities	651,784		642,833
Common equities and mutual funds	1,127		1,555
Total available for sale securities	$	1,829,056	$	1,827,273



	AMORTIZED COST		FAIR VALUE
At September 30, 2016	(Dollars in Thousands)

Due in one year or less	$	—	$	—
Due after one year through five years	17,370		17,897
Due after five years through ten years	426,034		446,771
Due after ten years	436,077		444,516
	879,481		909,184
Mortgage-backed securities	555,036		558,940
Common equities and mutual funds	755		1,125
Total available for sale securities	$	1,435,272	$	1,469,249



Held To Maturity	AMORTIZED COST		FAIR VALUE
	AMORTIZED COST		FAIR VALUE
At March 31, 2017	(Dollars in Thousands)

Due in one year or less	$	341	$	340
Due after one year through five years	17,723		17,814
Due after five years through ten years	152,790		153,428
Due after ten years	303,452		301,861
	474,306		473,443
Mortgage-backed securities	122,497		120,980
Total held to maturity securities	$	596,803	$	594,423



	AMORTIZED COST		FAIR VALUE
At September 30, 2016	(Dollars in Thousands)
Due in one year or less	$	472	$	471
Due after one year through five years	12,502		12,696
Due after five years through ten years	157,944		163,806
Due after ten years	315,177		321,166
	486,095		498,139
Mortgage-backed securities	133,758		134,435
Total held to maturity securities	$	619,853	$	632,574

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of all investments in certain debt and equity securities for which the entity has the positive intent and ability to hold until maturity.

+ References + Details

STOCK COMPENSATION (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]

Activity of Options

The following tables show the activity of options and nonvested (restricted) shares granted, exercised, or forfeited under the Company’s 2002 Omnibus Incentive Plan for the six months ended March 31, 2017:



	Number of Shares		Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Yrs)	Aggregate Intrinsic Value
	(Dollars in Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Data)
Options outstanding, September 30, 2016	125,560		$	25.73	2.68	$	4,379
Granted	—		—
Exercised	(26,352	)	32.63			1,682
Forfeited or expired	(16,252	)	24.61			1,272
Options outstanding, March 31, 2017	82,956		$	23.76	2.58	$	5,371

Options exercisable, March 31, 2017	82,956		$	23.76	2.58	$	5,371



	Number of Shares		Weighted Average Fair Value at Grant
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Data)
Nonvested shares outstanding, September 30, 2016	20,656		$	41.37
Granted	306,603		87.91
Vested	(20,629	)	72.34
Forfeited or expired	(442	)	56.25
Nonvested shares outstanding, March 31, 2017	306,188		$	85.86

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Segment Information of Entity

The following tables present segment data for the Company for the three and six months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.



	Payments		Banking		Corporate Services/Other			Total
Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
Interest income	$	3,312	$	12,807	$	11,599		$	27,718
Interest expense	503		672		2,577			3,752
Net interest income	2,809		12,135		9,022			23,966
Provision for loan losses	7,883		766		—			8,649
Non-interest income	90,462		1,387		321			92,170
Non-interest expense	41,452		5,958		19,536			66,946
Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)	43,936		6,798		(10,193		)	40,541

Total assets	74,194		1,145,054		2,766,348			3,985,596
Total deposits	2,606,674		228,805		36,752			2,872,231



	Payments		Banking		Corporate Services/Other			Total
Six Months Ended March 31, 2017
Interest income	$	6,224	$	23,562	$	20,507		$	50,293
Interest expense	503		1,215		4,776			6,494
Net interest income	5,721		22,347		15,731			43,799
Provision for loan losses	8,214		1,278		—			9,492
Non-interest income	109,487		2,458		(426		)	111,519
Non-interest expense	62,324		11,514		29,861			103,699
Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)	44,670		12,013		(14,556		)	42,127

Total assets	74,194		1,145,054		2,766,348			3,985,596
Total deposits	2,606,674		228,805		36,752			2,872,231



	Payments		Banking		Corporate Services/Other			Total
Three Months Ended March 31, 2016
Interest income	$	2,633	$	8,949	$	9,047		$	20,629
Interest expense	54		316		321			691
Net interest income	2,579		8,633		8,726			19,938
Provision for loan losses	953		220		—			1,173
Non-interest income	39,591		899		411			40,901
Non-interest expense	25,720		5,218		10,852			41,790
Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)	15,497		4,094		(1,715		)	17,876

Total assets	53,020		781,380		2,237,342			3,071,742
Total deposits	2,014,548		206,213		—			2,220,761



	Payments		Banking		Corporate Services/Other			Total
Six Months Ended March 31, 2016
Interest income	$	4,597	$	17,800	$	16,507		$	38,904
Interest expense	94		569		748			1,411
Net interest income	4,503		17,231		15,759			37,493
Provision for loan losses	1,033		926		—			1,959
Non-interest income	54,943		1,955		837			57,735
Non-interest expense	41,737		10,646		19,415			71,798
Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)	16,676		7,614		(2,819		)	21,471

Total assets	53,020		781,380		2,237,342			3,071,742
Total deposits	2,014,548		206,213		—			2,220,761

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Summary of Fair Values of Securities Available for Sale and Held to Maturity

The following table summarizes the fair values of securities available for sale and held to maturity at March 31, 2017 and September 30, 2016. Securities available for sale are measured at fair value on a recurring basis, while securities held to maturity are carried at amortized cost in the consolidated statements of financial condition.



	Fair Value At March 31, 2017
	Available For Sale								Held to Maturity
(Dollars in Thousands)	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Debt securities
Small business administration securities	131,348		—		131,348		—		—		—		—		—
Obligations of states and political subdivisions	—		—		—		—		20,105		—		20,105		—
Non-bank qualified obligations of states and political subdivisions	932,010		—		932,010		—		453,338		—		453,338		—
Asset-backed securities	119,527		—		119,527		—		—		—		—		—
Mortgage-backed securities	642,833		—		642,833		—		120,980		—		120,980		—
Total debt securities	1,825,718		—		1,825,718		—		594,423		—		594,423		—
Common equities and mutual funds	1,555		1,555		—		—		—		—		—		—
Total securities	$	1,827,273	$	1,555	$	1,825,718	$	—	$	594,423	$	—	$	594,423	$	—



	Fair Value At September 30, 2016
	Available For Sale								Held to Maturity
(Dollars in Thousands)	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Debt securities
Trust preferred securities	$	12,978	$	—	$	12,978	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
Small business administration securities	80,719		—		80,719		—		—		—		—		—
Obligations of states and political subdivisions	—		—		—		—		20,937		—		20,937		—
Non-bank qualified obligations of states and political subdivisions	698,672		—		698,672		—		477,202		—		477,202		—
Asset-backed securities	116,815		—		116,815		—		—		—		—		—
Mortgage-backed securities	558,940		—		558,940		—		134,435		—		134,435		—
Total debt securities	1,468,124		—		1,468,124		—		632,574		—		632,574		—
Common equities and mutual funds	1,125		1,125		—		—		—		—		—		—
Total securities	$	1,469,249	$	1,125	$	1,468,124	$	—	$	632,574	$	—	$	632,574	$	—

Assets Measured at Fair Value on Nonrecurring Basis

The significant inputs in the Level 3 measurement not supported by market activity included the Company's probability assessments of expected future cash flows related to its acquisition of SCS during the earn-out period.



	March 31, 2017								September 30, 2016
	Fair Value Measurements Using Input Types								Fair Value Measurements Using Input Types
(Dollars in Thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Liabilities:
Contingent Consideration	$	—	$	—	$	17,252	$	17,252	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
Total liabilities	$	—	$	—	$	17,252	$	17,252	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—

The following table summarizes the assets of the Company that were measured at fair value in the consolidated statements of financial condition on a non-recurring basis as of March 31, 2017 and September 30, 2016.



	Fair Value At March 31, 2017
(Dollars in Thousands)	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Impaired Loans, net
1-4 family residential mortgage loans	$	67	$	—	$	—	$	67
Commercial operating loans	$	248	$	—	$	—	$	248
Total Impaired Loans	$	315	$	—	$	—	$	315
Foreclosed Assets, net	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
Total	$	315	$	—	$	—	$	315



	Fair Value At September 30, 2016
(Dollars in Thousands)	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Impaired Loans, net
1-4 family residential mortgage loans	$	68	$	—	$	—	$	68
Total Impaired Loans	68		—		—		68
Foreclosed Assets, net	76						76
Total	$	144	$	—	$	—	$	144

Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements



	Quantitative Information About Level 3 Fair Value Measurements
(Dollars in Thousands)	Fair Value at March 31, 2017		Fair Value at September 30, 2016	Valuation Technique	Unobservable Input	Range of Inputs
Impaired Loans, net	$	315	68	Market approach	Appraised values ⁽¹⁾	4.00 - 10.00%
Foreclosed Assets, net	$	—	76	Market approach	Appraised values ⁽¹⁾	4.00 - 10.00%
Contingent Consideration	$	17,252	—	Option based income	Discount rate	7.20%
					Risk-free rate	1.02%
					Company specific discount rate	1.76%


⁽¹⁾	The Company generally relies on external appraisers to develop this information. Management reduced the appraised value by estimating selling costs in a range of 4% to 10%.

Carrying Amount and Estimated Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The following presents the carrying amount and estimated fair value of the financial instruments held by the Company at March 31, 2017 and September 30, 2016.



	March 31, 2017
	Carrying Amount		Estimated Fair Value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	67,293	$	67,293	$	67,293	$	—	$	—

Securities available for sale	1,827,273		1,827,273		1,555		1,825,718		—
Securities held to maturity	596,803		594,423		—		594,423		—
Total securities	2,424,076		2,421,696		1,555		2,420,141		—

Loans receivable:
One to four family residential mortgage loans	178,310		176,879		—		—		176,879
Commercial and multi-family real estate loans	473,058		464,071		—		—		464,071
Agricultural real estate loans	62,422		58,829		—		—		58,829
Consumer loans	182,156		181,687		—		—		181,687
Commercial operating loans	33,894		34,004		—		—		34,004
Agricultural operating loans	35,493		35,394		—		—		35,394
Premium finance loans	187,049		190,327		—		—		190,327
Total loans receivable	1,152,382		1,141,191		—		—		1,141,191

Federal Home Loan Bank stock	25,043		25,043		—		25,043		—
Accrued interest receivable	20,902		20,902		20,902		—		—

Financial liabilities
Noninterest bearing demand deposits	2,637,167		2,637,167		2,637,167		—		—
Interest bearing demand deposits, savings, and money markets	151,971		151,971		151,971		—		—
Certificates of deposit	61,170		60,689		—		60,689		—
Wholesale non-maturing deposits	21,923		21,923		21,923		—		—
Total deposits	2,872,231		2,871,750		2,811,061		60,689		—

Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank	7,000		7,891		—		7,891		—
Federal funds purchased	493,000		493,000		493,000		—		—
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase	1,848		1,848		—		1,848		—
Capital lease	1,980		1,980		—		1,980		—
Trust preferred securities	10,310		10,446		—		10,446		—
Subordinated debentures	73,278		75,375		—		75,375		—
Accrued interest payable	722		722		722		—		—



	September 30, 2016
	Carrying Amount		Estimated Fair Value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	773,830	$	773,830	$	773,830	$	—	$	—

Securities available for sale	1,469,249		1,469,249		1,125		1,468,124		—
Securities held to maturity	619,853		632,574		—		632,574		—
Total securities	2,089,102		2,101,823		1,125		2,100,698		—

Loans receivable:
One to four family residential mortgage loans	162,298		163,886		—		—		163,886
Commercial and multi-family real estate loans	422,932		422,307		—		—		422,307
Agricultural real estate loans	63,612		63,868		—		—		63,868
Consumer loans	37,094		36,738		—		—		36,738
Commercial operating loans	31,271		31,108		—		—		31,108
Agricultural operating loans	37,083		36,897		—		—		36,897
Premium finance loans	171,604		172,000		—		—		172,000
Total loans receivable	925,894		926,803		—		—		926,803

Federal Home Loan Bank stock	47,512		47,512		—		47,512		—
Accrued interest receivable	17,199		17,199		17,199		—		—

Financial liabilities
Noninterest bearing demand deposits	2,167,522		2,167,522		2,167,522		—		—
Interest bearing demand deposits, savings, and money markets	136,568		136,568		136,568		—		—
Certificates of deposit	125,992		125,772		—		125,772		—
Total deposits	2,430,082		2,429,862		2,304,090		125,772		—

Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank	107,000		108,168		—		108,168		—
Federal funds purchased	992,000		992,000		992,000		—		—
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase	3,039		3,039		—		3,039		—
Capital lease	2,018		2,018		—		2,018		—
Trust preferred securities	10,310		10,437		—		10,437		—
Subordinated debentures	73,211		77,250		—		77,250		—
Accrued interest payable	875		875		875		—		—

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Intangible Assets and Goodwill

The changes in the carrying amount of the Company’s goodwill and intangible assets for the six months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 were as follows:



	2017		2016
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Goodwill
Balance as of September 30,	$	36,928	$	36,928
Acquisitions during the period	61,795		—
Write-offs during the period	—		—
Balance as of March 31,	$	98,723	$	36,928



	Trademark⁽¹⁾			Non-Compete⁽²⁾			Customer Relationships⁽³⁾			All Others⁽⁴⁾			Total
Intangibles
Balance as of September 30, 2016	$	5,149		$	127		$	20,590		$	3,055		$	28,921
Acquisitions during the period	5,500			2,180			31,770			6,869			46,319
Amortization during the period	(282		)	(228		)	(7,735		)	(362		)	(8,607		)
Write-offs during the period	—			—			—			—			—
Balance as of March 31, 2017	$	10,367		$	2,079		$	44,625		$	9,562		$	66,633

Gross carrying amount	$	10,990		$	2,480		$	57,810		$	10,426		$	81,706
Accumulated amortization	$	(623	)	$	(401	)	$	(13,185	)	$	(864	)	$	(15,073	)
Balance as of March 31, 2017	$	10,367		$	2,079		$	44,625		$	9,562		$	66,633

(1) Book amortization period of 5-15 years. Amortized using the straight line and accelerated methods.

(2) Book amortization period of 3-5 years. Amortized using the straight line method.

(3) Book amortization period of 10-30 years. Amortized using the accelerated method.

(4) Book amortization period of 3-20 years. Amortized using the straight line method.



	Trademark⁽¹⁾			Non-Compete⁽²⁾			Customer Relationships⁽³⁾			All Others⁽⁴⁾			Total
Intangibles
Balance as of September 30, 2015	$	5,439		$	227		$	24,811		$	3,100		$	33,577
Acquisitions during the period	—			—			—			123			123
Amortization during the period	(144		)	(50		)	(2,127		)	(107		)	(2,428		)
Write-offs during the period	—			—			—			—			—
Balance as of March 31, 2016	$	5,295		$	177		$	22,684		$	3,116		$	31,272

Gross carrying amount	$	5,490		$	300		$	26,040		$	3,508		$	35,338
Accumulated amortization	$	(195	)	$	(123	)	$	(3,356	)	$	(392	)	$	(4,066	)
Balance as of March 31, 2016	$	5,295		$	177		$	22,684		$	3,116		$	31,272

(1) Book amortization period of 15 years. Amortized using the straight line and accelerated methods.

(2) Book amortization period of 3 years. Amortized using the straight line method.

(3) Book amortization period of 10-30 years. Amortized using the accelerated method.

(4) Book amortization period of 3-20 years. Amortized using the straight line method.

Schedule of Future Amortization Expense

The estimated amortization expense of intangible assets assumes no activities, such as acquisitions, which would result in additional amortizable intangible assets. Estimated amortization expense of intangible assets in the remaining period of 2017 and subsequent fiscal years is as follows:



	(Dollars in Thousands)
Remaining in 2017	$	3,740
2018	11,852
2019	9,070
2020	7,289
2021	6,336
2022	5,029
Thereafter	23,317
Total anticipated intangible amortization	$	66,633

ACQUISITIONS (Details) $ in Thousands			6 Months Ended
ACQUISITIONS (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 14, 2016 USD ($) shares	Nov. 01, 2016 USD ($) franchise shares	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Pre-tax transaction related expenses			$ 600
Fair value of consideration paid
Contingent consideration - cash			17,252		$ 0
Contingent consideration - equity			24,142		0
Fair value of assets acquired
Goodwill resulting from acquisition			$ 98,723	$ 36,928	$ 36,928	$ 36,928
EPS [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of Electronic Return Originators \| franchise		10,000
Pre-tax transaction related expenses		$ 500
Fair value of consideration paid
Cash		$ 21,877
Number of shares issued \| shares		369,179
Stock issued		$ 26,507
Total consideration paid		48,384
Fair value of assets acquired
Intangible assets		17,930
Other assets		79
Total assets		18,009
Fair value of net assets acquired		18,009
Goodwill resulting from acquisition		$ 30,375
SCS [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Contingent consideration arrangements, measured business gross profit maximum	$ 17,500
Performance target earnout payments (in shares) \| shares	264,431
Performance target earnout payments, percent	100.00%
Fair value of consideration paid
Cash	$ 7,548
Number of shares issued \| shares	113,328
Stock issued	$ 10,789
Paid consideration	18,337
Contingent consideration - cash	17,252
Contingent consideration - equity	24,142
Contingent consideration payable	41,394
Total consideration paid	59,731
Fair value of assets acquired
Intangible assets	28,310
Other assets	2
Total assets	28,312
Fair value of net assets acquired	28,312
Goodwill resulting from acquisition	$ 31,419

CREDIT DISCLSOURES - Summary of Loans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Loans Receivable	$ 1,152,382	$ 925,894	$ 785,404
Allowance for loan losses	(14,602)	(5,635)
Net Deferred Loan Origination Fees	(1,190)	(789)
Total Loans Receivable, Net	1,136,590	919,470
1-4 Family Real Estate [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Loans Receivable	178,310	162,298	140,000
Commercial and Multi-Family Real Estate [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Loans Receivable	473,058	422,932	354,794
Agricultural Real Estate [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Loans Receivable	62,422	63,612	64,111
Consumer [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Loans Receivable	182,156	37,094	35,937
Commercial Operating [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Loans Receivable	33,894	31,271	26,909
Agricultural Operating [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Loans Receivable	35,493	37,083	42,081
Premium Finance [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Loans Receivable	$ 187,049	$ 171,604	$ 121,572

CREDIT DISCLSOURES - Allowance for Loan Losses and Recorded Investment in Loans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016
Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 6,415	$ 6,666		$ 6,255
Provision (recovery) for loan losses	8,648	1,173	$ 9,492	1,959
Charge offs	(490)	(427)	(609)	(817)
Recoveries	29	19	84	34
Ending balance	14,602	7,431	14,602	7,431
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment					$ 65		$ 2,886
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment					14,537		4,545
Total	6,415	6,666	14,602	6,255	14,602		7,431
Loans:
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment					3,348		4,632
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment					1,149,034		780,772
Total Loans Receivable					1,152,382	$ 925,894	785,404
1-4 Family Real Estate [Member]
Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	654	285	654	278
Provision (recovery) for loan losses	(358)	42	(358)	49
Charge offs	0	0	0	0
Recoveries	0	0	0	0
Ending balance	296	327	296	327
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment					12		0
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment					284		327
Total	654	285	654	278	296	654	327
Loans:
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment					248		114
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment					178,062		139,886
Total Loans Receivable					178,310	162,298	140,000
Commercial and Multi-Family Real Estate [Member]
Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	1,912	1,194	2,198	1,187
Provision (recovery) for loan losses	(170)	790	(456)	797
Charge offs	0	(290)	0	(290)
Recoveries	0	0	0	0
Ending balance	1,742	1,694	1,742	1,694
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment					0		40
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment					1,742		1,654
Total	1,912	1,194	2,198	1,187	1,742	2,198	1,694
Loans:
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment					1,144		1,091
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment					471,914		353,703
Total Loans Receivable					473,058	422,932	354,794
Agricultural Real Estate [Member]
Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	476	171	142	163
Provision (recovery) for loan losses	1,048	(17)	1,382	(9)
Charge offs	0	0	0	0
Recoveries	0	0	0	0
Ending balance	1,524	154	1,524	154
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment					0		0
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment					1,524		154
Total	476	171	142	163	1,524	142	154
Loans:
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment					582		0
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment					61,840		64,111
Total Loans Receivable					62,422	63,612	64,111
Consumer [Member]
Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	47	20	51	20
Provision (recovery) for loan losses	7,658	1,039	7,631	1,039
Charge offs	0	0	0	0
Recoveries	1	0	24	0
Ending balance	7,706	1,059	7,706	1,059
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment					0		0
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment					7,706		1,059
Total	47	20	51	20	7,706	51	1,059
Loans:
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment					0		0
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment					182,156		35,937
Total Loans Receivable					182,156	37,094	35,937
Commercial Operating [Member]
Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	813	107	117	28
Provision (recovery) for loan losses	304	(62)	995	17
Charge offs	(350)	0	(350)	0
Recoveries	0	0	5	0
Ending balance	767	45	767	45
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment					53		0
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment					714		45
Total	813	107	117	28	767	117	45
Loans:
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment					302		6
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment					33,592		26,903
Total Loans Receivable					33,894	31,271	26,909
Agricultural Operating [Member]
Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	1,341	3,856	1,332	3,537
Provision (recovery) for loan losses	8	(529)	4	(210)
Charge offs	0	0	0	0
Recoveries	0	0	13	0
Ending balance	1,349	3,327	1,349	3,327
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment					0		2,846
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment					1,349		481
Total	1,341	3,856	1,332	3,537	1,349	1,332	3,327
Loans:
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment					1,072		3,421
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment					34,421		38,660
Total Loans Receivable					35,493	37,083	42,081
Premium Finance [Member]
Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	594	424	588	293
Provision (recovery) for loan losses	115	171	226	677
Charge offs	(140)	(137)	(259)	(527)
Recoveries	28	19	42	34
Ending balance	597	477	597	477
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment					0		0
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment					597		477
Total	594	424	588	293	597	588	477
Loans:
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment					0		0
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment					187,049		121,572
Total Loans Receivable					187,049	171,604	121,572
Unallocated [Member]
Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	578	609	553	749
Provision (recovery) for loan losses	43	(261)	68	(401)
Charge offs	0	0	0	0
Recoveries	0	0	0	0
Ending balance	621	348	621	348
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment					0		0
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment					621		348
Total	$ 578	$ 609	$ 553	$ 749	621	$ 553	348
Loans:
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment					0		0
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment					0		0
Total Loans Receivable					$ 0		$ 0

CREDIT DISCLSOURES - Asset Classification of Loans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Total Loans Receivable	$ 1,152,382	$ 925,894	$ 785,404
Pass [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Total Loans Receivable	1,099,090	876,194
Watch [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Total Loans Receivable	670	8,015
Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Total Loans Receivable	3,829	32,710
Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Total Loans Receivable	48,740	8,975
Doubtful [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Total Loans Receivable	53	0
1-4 Family Real Estate [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Total Loans Receivable	178,310	162,298	140,000
1-4 Family Real Estate [Member] \| Pass [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Total Loans Receivable	176,844	161,255
1-4 Family Real Estate [Member] \| Watch [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Total Loans Receivable	537	200
1-4 Family Real Estate [Member] \| Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Total Loans Receivable	660	666
1-4 Family Real Estate [Member] \| Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Total Loans Receivable	269	177
1-4 Family Real Estate [Member] \| Doubtful [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Total Loans Receivable	0	0
Commercial and Multi-Family Real Estate [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Total Loans Receivable	473,058	422,932	354,794
Commercial and Multi-Family Real Estate [Member] \| Pass [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Total Loans Receivable	471,748	421,577
Commercial and Multi-Family Real Estate [Member] \| Watch [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Total Loans Receivable	72	72
Commercial and Multi-Family Real Estate [Member] \| Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Total Loans Receivable	204	962
Commercial and Multi-Family Real Estate [Member] \| Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Total Loans Receivable	1,034	321
Commercial and Multi-Family Real Estate [Member] \| Doubtful [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Total Loans Receivable	0	0
Agricultural Real Estate [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Total Loans Receivable	62,422	63,612	64,111
Agricultural Real Estate [Member] \| Pass [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Total Loans Receivable	28,828	34,421
Agricultural Real Estate [Member] \| Watch [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Total Loans Receivable	0	2,934
Agricultural Real Estate [Member] \| Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Total Loans Receivable	2,965	25,675
Agricultural Real Estate [Member] \| Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Total Loans Receivable	30,629	582
Agricultural Real Estate [Member] \| Doubtful [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Total Loans Receivable	0	0
Consumer [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Total Loans Receivable	182,156	37,094	35,937
Consumer [Member] \| Pass [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Total Loans Receivable	182,156	37,094
Consumer [Member] \| Watch [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Total Loans Receivable	0	0
Consumer [Member] \| Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Total Loans Receivable	0	0
Consumer [Member] \| Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Total Loans Receivable	0	0
Consumer [Member] \| Doubtful [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Total Loans Receivable	0	0
Commercial Operating [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Total Loans Receivable	33,894	31,271	26,909
Commercial Operating [Member] \| Pass [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Total Loans Receivable	33,572	30,574
Commercial Operating [Member] \| Watch [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Total Loans Receivable	21	184
Commercial Operating [Member] \| Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Total Loans Receivable	0	0
Commercial Operating [Member] \| Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Total Loans Receivable	248	513
Commercial Operating [Member] \| Doubtful [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Total Loans Receivable	53	0
Agricultural Operating [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Total Loans Receivable	35,493	37,083	42,081
Agricultural Operating [Member] \| Pass [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Total Loans Receivable	18,893	19,669
Agricultural Operating [Member] \| Watch [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Total Loans Receivable	40	4,625
Agricultural Operating [Member] \| Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Total Loans Receivable	0	5,407
Agricultural Operating [Member] \| Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Total Loans Receivable	16,560	7,382
Agricultural Operating [Member] \| Doubtful [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Total Loans Receivable	0	0
Premium Finance [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Total Loans Receivable	187,049	171,604	$ 121,572
Premium Finance [Member] \| Pass [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Total Loans Receivable	187,049	171,604
Premium Finance [Member] \| Watch [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Total Loans Receivable	0	0
Premium Finance [Member] \| Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Total Loans Receivable	0	0
Premium Finance [Member] \| Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Total Loans Receivable	0	0
Premium Finance [Member] \| Doubtful [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Total Loans Receivable	$ 0	$ 0

CREDIT DISCLSOURES - Past Due Loans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total past due	$ 50,666	$ 3,226
Current	1,097,744	922,585
Non-accrual loans	3,972	83
Total Loans Receivable	1,152,382	925,894	$ 785,404
30-59 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total past due	47,002	1,549
60-89 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total past due	2,657	659
Greater Than 90 Days [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total past due	1,007	1,018
1-4 Family Real Estate [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total past due	101	30
Current	178,097	162,185
Non-accrual loans	112	83
Total Loans Receivable	178,310	162,298	140,000
1-4 Family Real Estate [Member] \| 30-59 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total past due	42	0
1-4 Family Real Estate [Member] \| 60-89 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total past due	59	30
1-4 Family Real Estate [Member] \| Greater Than 90 Days [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total past due	0	0
Commercial and Multi-Family Real Estate [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total past due	3,179	0
Current	469,724	422,932
Non-accrual loans	155	0
Total Loans Receivable	473,058	422,932	354,794
Commercial and Multi-Family Real Estate [Member] \| 30-59 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total past due	2,864	0
Commercial and Multi-Family Real Estate [Member] \| 60-89 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total past due	315	0
Commercial and Multi-Family Real Estate [Member] \| Greater Than 90 Days [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total past due	0	0
Agricultural Real Estate [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total past due	35,058	0
Current	23,903	63,612
Non-accrual loans	3,461	0
Total Loans Receivable	62,422	63,612	64,111
Agricultural Real Estate [Member] \| 30-59 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total past due	35,058	0
Agricultural Real Estate [Member] \| 60-89 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total past due	0	0
Agricultural Real Estate [Member] \| Greater Than 90 Days [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total past due	0	0
Consumer [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total past due	9,622	53
Current	172,534	37,041
Non-accrual loans	0	0
Total Loans Receivable	182,156	37,094	35,937
Consumer [Member] \| 30-59 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total past due	8,009	0
Consumer [Member] \| 60-89 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total past due	1,329	0
Consumer [Member] \| Greater Than 90 Days [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total past due	284	53
Commercial Operating [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total past due	0	505
Current	33,747	30,766
Non-accrual loans	147	0
Total Loans Receivable	33,894	31,271	26,909
Commercial Operating [Member] \| 30-59 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total past due	0	151
Commercial Operating [Member] \| 60-89 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total past due	0	354
Commercial Operating [Member] \| Greater Than 90 Days [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total past due	0	0
Agricultural Operating [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total past due	0	0
Current	35,396	37,083
Non-accrual loans	97	0
Total Loans Receivable	35,493	37,083	42,081
Agricultural Operating [Member] \| 30-59 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total past due	0	0
Agricultural Operating [Member] \| 60-89 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total past due	0	0
Agricultural Operating [Member] \| Greater Than 90 Days [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total past due	0	0
Premium Finance [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total past due	2,706	2,638
Current	184,343	168,966
Non-accrual loans	0	0
Total Loans Receivable	187,049	171,604	$ 121,572
Premium Finance [Member] \| 30-59 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total past due	1,029	1,398
Premium Finance [Member] \| 60-89 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total past due	954	275
Premium Finance [Member] \| Greater Than 90 Days [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total past due	$ 723	$ 965

CREDIT DISCLSOURES - Impaired Loans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016
Loans without a specific valuation allowance
Recorded Balance	$ 2,968		$ 2,968		$ 517
Unpaid Principal Balance	2,968		2,968		517
Loans with a specific valuation allowance
Recorded Balance	380		380		78
Unpaid Principal Balance	380		380		78
Specific Allowance	65		65		10
Average Recorded Investment	1,866	$ 5,742	1,319	$ 6,125
1-4 Family Real Estate [Member]
Loans without a specific valuation allowance
Recorded Balance	170		170		84
Unpaid Principal Balance	170		170		84
Loans with a specific valuation allowance
Recorded Balance	78		78		78
Unpaid Principal Balance	78		78		78
Specific Allowance	12		12		10
Average Recorded Investment	210	116	191	118
Commercial and Multi-Family Real Estate [Member]
Loans without a specific valuation allowance
Recorded Balance	1,144		1,144		433
Unpaid Principal Balance	1,144		1,144		$ 433
Loans with a specific valuation allowance
Average Recorded Investment	668	1,257	550	1,302
Agricultural Real Estate [Member]
Loans without a specific valuation allowance
Recorded Balance	582		582
Unpaid Principal Balance	582		582
Loans with a specific valuation allowance
Average Recorded Investment	194	0	97	0
Agricultural Operating [Member]
Loans without a specific valuation allowance
Recorded Balance	1,072		1,072
Unpaid Principal Balance	1,072		1,072
Consumer Loans [Member]
Loans with a specific valuation allowance
Average Recorded Investment	0	0	0	0
Commercial Operating [Member]
Loans with a specific valuation allowance
Recorded Balance	302		302
Unpaid Principal Balance	302		302
Specific Allowance	53		53
Average Recorded Investment	437	7	302	8
Agricultural Operating [Member]
Loans with a specific valuation allowance
Average Recorded Investment	357	4,362	179	4,697
Premium Finance [Member]
Loans with a specific valuation allowance
Average Recorded Investment	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

CREDIT DISCLSOURES - Narrative and Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of specific allowance for losses	100.00%
Maturity period of fixed rate loans	30 years
Annual cap of ARM loans	2.00%
Lifetime cap of ARM loans	6.00%
Total past due	$ 50,666,000	$ 3,226,000
1-4 Family Real Estate [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Maturity period of loans receivable	30 years
Total past due	$ 101,000	30,000
Commercial and Multi-Family Real Estate [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loan to value ratio	80.00%
Maturity period of fixed rate loans	20 years
Total past due	$ 3,179,000	0
Commercial Operating [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total past due	$ 0	505,000
Agricultural Operating [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Maturity period of loans receivable	1 year
Total past due	$ 0	0
Agricultural Real Estate [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total past due	$ 35,058,000	0
Consumer Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Maturity period of fixed rate loans	5 years
Total past due	$ 9,622,000	53,000
Premium Finance [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Period of delay or shortfall in payments after which a loan is evaluated for impairment	210 days
Typical period of delinquency	210 days
Total past due	$ 2,706,000	$ 2,638,000
Non-Premium Finance Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Period of delay or shortfall in payments after which a loan is evaluated for impairment	90 days
Typical period of delinquency	90 days
Maximum [Member] \| 1-4 Family Real Estate [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loan to value ratio	100.00%
Exposure of the entity expressed in loan to value ratio	80.00%
Maximum [Member] \| Commercial and Multi-Family Real Estate [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Maturity period of loans receivable	1 year
Percentage value for securing the loan	80.00%
Maximum [Member] \| Commercial Operating [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Maturity period of loans receivable	1 year
Maximum [Member] \| Agricultural Operating [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Maturity period of fixed rate loans	7 years
Maximum [Member] \| Agricultural Real Estate [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Maturity period of fixed rate loans	10 years
Period of amortization, loans	25 years
Percentage value for securing the loan	75.00%
Maximum [Member] \| Consumer Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage value for securing the loan	90.00%
Maximum [Member] \| Automobile Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Maturity period of loans receivable	60 months
Percentage value for securing the loan	80.00%
Maximum [Member] \| Premium Finance [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of down payment	25.00%
Period of finance	10 months
Period of conversion of collateral into cash	210 days
Minimum [Member] \| Agricultural Real Estate [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Maturity period of fixed rate loans	5 years
Period of amortization, loans	20 years
Minimum [Member] \| Premium Finance [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of down payment	20.00%
Period of finance	9 months
Period of conversion of collateral into cash	60 days
Typical period of delinquency	90 days
Financing Receivables, Equal to Greater than 210 Days Past Due [Member] \| Premium Finance [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total past due	$ 0

CREDIT DISCLSOURES - Troubled Debt Restructured Loans (Details) - loan	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Loans and Leases Receivable Disclosure [Abstract]
Loans modified in TDR	0	0	0	0
Loans modified in TDR, subsequent default	0	0	0	0

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015
Receivables [Abstract]
Allowance for loan losses	$ (14,602)		$ (14,602)			$ (5,635)
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses	14,602	$ 7,431	14,602	$ 7,431	$ 6,415		$ 6,666	$ 6,255
Increase in allowance from tax season loans			8,200
Provision for loan losses	$ 8,649	$ 1,173	9,492	1,959
Net charge offs (recoveries)			$ 500	$ 800

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE ("EPS") (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Earnings Per Common Share, Basic and Diluted [Abstract]
Net income attributable to Meta Financial Group, Inc.	$ 32,142	$ 14,283	$ 33,386	$ 18,341
Preferred Stock Dividends and Other Adjustments	1,214	1,105	1,187	1,088
Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic	$ 30,928	$ 13,178	$ 32,199	$ 17,253
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	9,345,277	8,496,357	9,138,692	8,369,523
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 3.44	$ 1.68	$ 3.65	$ 2.19
Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Dilutive Effect of Share-based Payment Arrangements	54,674	61,176	53,790	63,551
Weighted average common and dilutive potential common shares outstanding (in shares)	9,399,951	8,557,533	9,192,482	8,433,074
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 3.42	$ 1.67	$ 3.63	$ 2.17
Accounting Standards Update 2015-06 [Member]
Earnings Per Common Share, Basic and Diluted [Abstract]
Basic (in dollars per share)		1.68		2.19
Diluted (in dollars per share)		1.67		2.17
As previously reported [Member] \| Accounting Standards Update 2015-06 [Member]
Earnings Per Common Share, Basic and Diluted [Abstract]
Basic (in dollars per share)		1.69		2.20
Diluted (in dollars per share)		$ 1.68		$ 2.18

SECURITIES - Available for Sale (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Available-for-sale debt securities [Abstract]
Fair value	$ 642,833	$ 558,940
Available-for-sale equity securities [Abstract]
Fair value	1,184,440	910,309
Available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	1,829,056	1,435,272
Gross unrealized gains	11,042	37,257
Gross unrealized (losses)	(12,825)	(3,280)
Total available for sale securities	1,827,273	1,469,249
Available-for-sale securities in a continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
LESS THAN 12 MONTHS, Fair Value	848,889	151,949
LESS THAN 12 MONTHS, Unrealized (Losses)	(11,787)	(1,033)
OVER 12 MONTHS, Fair Value	36,119	52,770
OVER 12 MONTHS, Unrealized (Losses)	(1,038)	(2,247)
TOTAL, Fair Value	885,008	204,719
TOTAL, Unrealized (Losses)	(12,825)	(3,280)
AMORTIZED COST
Due in one year or less	0	0
Due after one year through five years	18,662	17,370
Due after five years through ten years	444,661	426,034
Due after ten years	712,822	436,077
Total	1,176,145	879,481
Mortgage-backed securities	651,784	555,036
Common equities and mutual funds	1,127	755
Amortized cost	1,829,056	1,435,272
FAIR VALUE
Due in one year or less	0	0
Due after one year through five years	19,134	17,897
Due after five years through ten years	450,446	446,771
Due after ten years	713,305	444,516
Total	1,182,885	909,184
Mortgage-backed securities	642,833	558,940
Common equities and mutual funds	1,555	1,125
Total available for sale securities	1,827,273	1,469,249
Trust Preferred Securities [Member]
Available-for-sale debt securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost		14,935
Gross unrealized gains		0
Gross unrealized (losses)		(1,957)
Fair value		12,978
Available-for-sale securities in a continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
LESS THAN 12 MONTHS, Fair Value		0
LESS THAN 12 MONTHS, Unrealized (Losses)		0
OVER 12 MONTHS, Fair Value		12,978
OVER 12 MONTHS, Unrealized (Losses)		(1,957)
TOTAL, Fair Value		12,978
TOTAL, Unrealized (Losses)		(1,957)
Small Business Administration Securities [Member]
Available-for-sale debt securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	130,175	78,431
Gross unrealized gains	1,173	2,288
Gross unrealized (losses)	0	0
Fair value	131,348	80,719
Non-bank Qualified Obligations of States and Political Subdivisions [Member]
Available-for-sale debt securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	927,959	668,628
Gross unrealized gains	7,914	30,141
Gross unrealized (losses)	(3,863)	(97)
Fair value	932,010	698,672
Available-for-sale securities in a continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
LESS THAN 12 MONTHS, Fair Value	239,208	8,481
LESS THAN 12 MONTHS, Unrealized (Losses)	(3,722)	(58)
OVER 12 MONTHS, Fair Value	2,594	2,688
OVER 12 MONTHS, Unrealized (Losses)	(141)	(39)
TOTAL, Fair Value	241,802	11,169
TOTAL, Unrealized (Losses)	(3,863)	(97)
Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Available-for-sale debt securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	118,011	117,487
Gross unrealized gains	1,516	73
Gross unrealized (losses)	0	(745)
Fair value	119,527	116,815
Available-for-sale securities in a continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
LESS THAN 12 MONTHS, Fair Value		89,403
LESS THAN 12 MONTHS, Unrealized (Losses)		(745)
OVER 12 MONTHS, Fair Value		0
OVER 12 MONTHS, Unrealized (Losses)		0
TOTAL, Fair Value		89,403
TOTAL, Unrealized (Losses)		(745)
Mortgage-backed Securities [Member]
Available-for-sale debt securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	651,784	555,036
Gross unrealized gains	0	4,382
Gross unrealized (losses)	(8,951)	(478)
Fair value	642,833	558,940
Available-for-sale securities in a continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
LESS THAN 12 MONTHS, Fair Value	609,681	54,065
LESS THAN 12 MONTHS, Unrealized (Losses)	(8,065)	(230)
OVER 12 MONTHS, Fair Value	33,152	36,979
OVER 12 MONTHS, Unrealized (Losses)	(886)	(248)
TOTAL, Fair Value	642,833	91,044
TOTAL, Unrealized (Losses)	(8,951)	(478)
Debt Securities [Member]
Available-for-sale debt securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	1,827,929	1,434,517
Gross unrealized gains	10,603	36,884
Gross unrealized (losses)	(12,814)	(3,277)
Fair value	1,825,718	1,468,124
Available-for-sale securities in a continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
LESS THAN 12 MONTHS, Fair Value	848,889	151,949
LESS THAN 12 MONTHS, Unrealized (Losses)	(11,787)	(1,033)
OVER 12 MONTHS, Fair Value	35,746	52,645
OVER 12 MONTHS, Unrealized (Losses)	(1,027)	(2,244)
TOTAL, Fair Value	884,635	204,594
TOTAL, Unrealized (Losses)	(12,814)	(3,277)
Common Equities and Mutual Funds [Member]
Available-for-sale equity securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	1,127	755
Gross unrealized gains	439	373
Gross unrealized (losses)	(11)	(3)
Fair value	1,555	1,125
Available-for-sale securities in a continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
LESS THAN 12 MONTHS, Fair Value	0	0
LESS THAN 12 MONTHS, Unrealized (Losses)	0	0
OVER 12 MONTHS, Fair Value	373	125
OVER 12 MONTHS, Unrealized (Losses)	(11)	(3)
TOTAL, Fair Value	373	125
TOTAL, Unrealized (Losses)	$ (11)	$ (3)

SECURITIES - Held to Maturity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Held-to-maturity Securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	$ 596,803	$ 619,853
Gross unrealized gains	2,468	12,807
Gross unrealized (losses)	(4,848)	(86)
Securities held to maturity	594,423	632,574
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position [Abstract]
LESS THAN 12 MONTHS, Fair Value	416,915	24,264
LESS THAN 12 MONTHS, Unrealized (Losses)	(4,828)	(55)
OVER 12 MONTHS, Fair Value	1,329	2,256
OVER 12 MONTHS, Unrealized (Losses)	(20)	(31)
TOTAL, Fair Value	418,244	26,520
TOTAL, Unrealized (Losses)	(4,848)	(86)
AMORTIZED COST
Due in one year or less	341	472
Due after one year through five years	17,723	12,502
Due after five years through ten years	152,790	157,944
Due after ten years	303,452	315,177
Total	474,306	486,095
Mortgage-backed securities	122,497	133,758
Amortized cost	596,803	619,853
FAIR VALUE
Due in one year or less	340	471
Due after one year through five years	17,814	12,696
Due after five years through ten years	153,428	163,806
Due after ten years	301,861	321,166
Total	473,443	498,139
Mortgage-backed securities	120,980	134,435
Total held to maturity securities	594,423	632,574
Non-bank Qualified Obligations of States and Political Subdivisions [Member]
Held-to-maturity Securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	454,129	465,469
Gross unrealized gains	2,397	11,744
Gross unrealized (losses)	(3,188)	(11)
Securities held to maturity	453,338	477,202
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position [Abstract]
LESS THAN 12 MONTHS, Fair Value	283,033	1,294
LESS THAN 12 MONTHS, Unrealized (Losses)	(3,188)	(11)
OVER 12 MONTHS, Fair Value	0	0
OVER 12 MONTHS, Unrealized (Losses)	0	0
TOTAL, Fair Value	283,033	1,294
TOTAL, Unrealized (Losses)	(3,188)	(11)
AMORTIZED COST
Amortized cost	454,129	465,469
FAIR VALUE
Total held to maturity securities	453,338	477,202
Mortgage-backed Securities [Member]
Held-to-maturity Securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	122,497	133,758
Gross unrealized gains	0	708
Gross unrealized (losses)	(1,517)	(31)
Securities held to maturity	120,980	134,435
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position [Abstract]
LESS THAN 12 MONTHS, Fair Value	120,980	20,061
LESS THAN 12 MONTHS, Unrealized (Losses)	(1,517)	(31)
OVER 12 MONTHS, Fair Value	0	0
OVER 12 MONTHS, Unrealized (Losses)	0	0
TOTAL, Fair Value	120,980	20,061
TOTAL, Unrealized (Losses)	(1,517)	(31)
AMORTIZED COST
Amortized cost	122,497	133,758
FAIR VALUE
Total held to maturity securities	120,980	134,435
Obligations of States and Political Subdivisions [Member]
Held-to-maturity Securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	20,177	20,626
Gross unrealized gains	71	355
Gross unrealized (losses)	(143)	(44)
Securities held to maturity	20,105	20,937
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position [Abstract]
LESS THAN 12 MONTHS, Fair Value	12,902	2,909
LESS THAN 12 MONTHS, Unrealized (Losses)	(123)	(13)
OVER 12 MONTHS, Fair Value	1,329	2,256
OVER 12 MONTHS, Unrealized (Losses)	(20)	(31)
TOTAL, Fair Value	14,231	5,165
TOTAL, Unrealized (Losses)	(143)	(44)
AMORTIZED COST
Amortized cost	20,177	20,626
FAIR VALUE
Total held to maturity securities	$ 20,105	$ 20,937

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Details)		3 Months Ended
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Details)	Jan. 07, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Oct. 14, 2016 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015 company
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of federal district courts \| company						3
Number of identified limited liability companies \| company						3
Damages awarded	$ 6,100,000
Unfunded loan commitments			$ 236,300,000		$ 182,900,000
Inter National Bank [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Amount of shortfall in depository account		$ 10,500,000
Card Limited, LLC v. MetaBank dba Meta Payment Systems [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Estimate of possible loss				$ 1,579,398

STOCK COMPENSATION (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($) Officers $ / shares shares	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($) $ / shares shares
Number of Shares
Options outstanding, beginning of period (in shares) \| shares		125,560
Granted (in shares) \| shares		0
Exercised (in shares) \| shares		(26,352)
Forfeited or expired (in shares) \| shares		(16,252)
Options outstanding, end of period (in shares) \| shares	82,956	82,956	125,560
Options exercisable, end of period (in shares) \| shares	82,956	82,956
Weighted Average Exercise Price
Options outstanding, beginning of period (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares		$ 25.73
Granted (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares		0.00
Exercised (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares		32.63
Forfeited or expired (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares		24.61
Options outstanding, end of period (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 23.76	23.76	$ 25.73
Options exercisable, end of period (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 23.76	$ 23.76
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term
Options outstanding		2 years 6 months 29 days	2 years 8 months 5 days
Options exercisable		2 years 6 months 29 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Options outstanding, beginning of period \| $		$ 4,379
Granted \| $
Exercised \| $		1,682
Forfeited or expired \| $		1,272
Options outstanding, end of period \| $	$ 5,371	5,371	$ 4,379
Options exercisable, end of period \| $	$ 5,371	$ 5,371
Number of Shares
Nonvested shares outstanding, beginning of period (in shares) \| shares		20,656
Granted (in shares) \| shares		306,603
Vested (in shares) \| shares		(20,629)
Forfeited or expired (in shares) \| shares		(442)
Nonvested shares outstanding, end of period (in shares) \| shares	306,188	306,188	20,656
Weighted Average Fair Value at Grant
Nonvested shares outstanding, beginning of period (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares		$ 41.37
Granted (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares		87.91
Vested (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares		72.34
Forfeited or expired (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares		56.25
Nonvested shares outstanding, end of period (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 85.86	$ 85.86	$ 41.37
Number of Company's Named Executive Officers with stock awards \| Officers	3
Executive award vesting period	8 years
Stock based compensation expense not yet recognized in income \| $	$ 21,400	$ 21,400
Weighted average remaining period for unrecognized stock based compensation		4 years 18 days

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
SEGMENT INFORMATION (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016
Segment data [Abstract]
Total interest and dividend income	$ 27,718	$ 20,629	$ 50,293	$ 38,904
Interest expense	3,752	691	6,494	1,411
Net interest income (expense)	23,966	19,938	43,799	37,493
Provision for loan losses	8,649	1,173	9,492	1,959
Non-interest income	92,170	40,901	111,519	57,735
Non-interest expense	66,946	41,790	103,699	71,798
Income before income tax expense	40,541	17,876	42,127	21,471
Total assets	3,985,596	3,071,742	3,985,596	3,071,742	$ 4,006,419
Total deposits	2,872,231	2,220,761	2,872,231	2,220,761	$ 2,430,082
Payments [Member]
Segment data [Abstract]
Total interest and dividend income	3,312	2,633	6,224	4,597
Interest expense	503	54	503	94
Net interest income (expense)	2,809	2,579	5,721	4,503
Provision for loan losses	7,883	953	8,214	1,033
Non-interest income	90,462	39,591	109,487	54,943
Non-interest expense	41,452	25,720	62,324	41,737
Income before income tax expense	43,936	15,497	44,670	16,676
Total assets	74,194	53,020	74,194	53,020
Total deposits	2,606,674	2,014,548	2,606,674	2,014,548
Banking [Member]
Segment data [Abstract]
Total interest and dividend income	12,807	8,949	23,562	17,800
Interest expense	672	316	1,215	569
Net interest income (expense)	12,135	8,633	22,347	17,231
Provision for loan losses	766	220	1,278	926
Non-interest income	1,387	899	2,458	1,955
Non-interest expense	5,958	5,218	11,514	10,646
Income before income tax expense	6,798	4,094	12,013	7,614
Total assets	1,145,054	781,380	1,145,054	781,380
Total deposits	228,805	206,213	228,805	206,213
Corporate Services/Other [Member]
Segment data [Abstract]
Total interest and dividend income	11,599	9,047	20,507	16,507
Interest expense	2,577	321	4,776	748
Net interest income (expense)	9,022	8,726	15,731	15,759
Provision for loan losses	0	0	0	0
Non-interest income	321	411	(426)	837
Non-interest expense	19,536	10,852	29,861	19,415
Income before income tax expense	(10,193)	(1,715)	(14,556)	(2,819)
Total assets	2,766,348	2,237,342	2,766,348	2,237,342
Total deposits	$ 36,752	$ 0	$ 36,752	$ 0

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS - Assets Measured at Fair Value on Recurring and Non-recurring Basis (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Total debt securities	$ 642,833	$ 558,940
Total available for sale securities	1,827,273	1,469,249
Held-to-maturity Securities [Abstract]
Total held to maturity securities	594,423	632,574
Fair value of assets measured on non-recurring basis [Abstract]
Foreclosed real estate and repossessed assets	0	76
Level 1 [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Total available for sale securities	1,555	1,125
Held-to-maturity Securities [Abstract]
Total held to maturity securities	0	0
Fair value of assets measured on non-recurring basis [Abstract]
Fair value	0	0
Level 1 [Member] \| 1-4 Family Real Estate [Member]
Fair value of assets measured on non-recurring basis [Abstract]
Fair value	0	0
Level 1 [Member] \| Commercial and Multi-family Real Estate Loans [Member]
Fair value of assets measured on non-recurring basis [Abstract]
Fair value	0	0
Level 1 [Member] \| Agricultural Operating [Member]
Fair value of assets measured on non-recurring basis [Abstract]
Fair value	0	0
Level 1 [Member] \| Consumer Loans [Member]
Fair value of assets measured on non-recurring basis [Abstract]
Fair value	0	0
Level 1 [Member] \| Commercial Operating Loans [Member]
Fair value of assets measured on non-recurring basis [Abstract]
Fair value	0	0
Level 2 [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Total available for sale securities	1,825,718	1,468,124
Held-to-maturity Securities [Abstract]
Total held to maturity securities	594,423	632,574
Fair value of assets measured on non-recurring basis [Abstract]
Fair value	0	0
Level 2 [Member] \| 1-4 Family Real Estate [Member]
Fair value of assets measured on non-recurring basis [Abstract]
Fair value	0	0
Level 2 [Member] \| Commercial and Multi-family Real Estate Loans [Member]
Fair value of assets measured on non-recurring basis [Abstract]
Fair value	0	0
Level 2 [Member] \| Agricultural Operating [Member]
Fair value of assets measured on non-recurring basis [Abstract]
Fair value	0	0
Level 2 [Member] \| Consumer Loans [Member]
Fair value of assets measured on non-recurring basis [Abstract]
Fair value	0	0
Level 2 [Member] \| Commercial Operating Loans [Member]
Fair value of assets measured on non-recurring basis [Abstract]
Fair value	0	0
Level 3 [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Total available for sale securities	0	0
Held-to-maturity Securities [Abstract]
Total held to maturity securities	0	0
Fair value of assets measured on non-recurring basis [Abstract]
Fair value	1,141,191	926,803
Level 3 [Member] \| 1-4 Family Real Estate [Member]
Fair value of assets measured on non-recurring basis [Abstract]
Fair value	176,879	163,886
Level 3 [Member] \| Commercial and Multi-family Real Estate Loans [Member]
Fair value of assets measured on non-recurring basis [Abstract]
Fair value	464,071	422,307
Level 3 [Member] \| Agricultural Operating [Member]
Fair value of assets measured on non-recurring basis [Abstract]
Fair value	35,394	36,897
Level 3 [Member] \| Consumer Loans [Member]
Fair value of assets measured on non-recurring basis [Abstract]
Fair value	181,687	36,738
Level 3 [Member] \| Commercial Operating Loans [Member]
Fair value of assets measured on non-recurring basis [Abstract]
Fair value	34,004	31,108
Recurring [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Trust preferred securities		12,978
Small business administration securities	131,348	80,719
Obligations of states and political subdivisions	0	0
Non-bank qualified obligations of states and political subdivisions	932,010	698,672
Asset-baked securities	119,527	116,815
Mortgage-backed securities	642,833	558,940
Total debt securities	1,825,718	1,468,124
Common equities and mutual funds	1,555	1,125
Total available for sale securities	1,827,273	1,469,249
Held-to-maturity Securities [Abstract]
Trust preferred securities		0
Small business administration securities	0	0
Obligations of states and political subdivisions	20,105	20,937
Non-bank qualified obligations of states and political subdivisions	453,338	477,202
Asset-backed securities	0	0
Mortgage-backed securities	120,980	134,435
Total debt securities	594,423	632,574
Common equities and mutual funds	0	0
Total held to maturity securities	594,423	632,574
Recurring [Member] \| Level 1 [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Trust preferred securities		0
Small business administration securities	0	0
Obligations of states and political subdivisions	0	0
Non-bank qualified obligations of states and political subdivisions	0	0
Asset-baked securities	0	0
Mortgage-backed securities	0	0
Total debt securities	0	0
Common equities and mutual funds	1,555	1,125
Total available for sale securities	1,555	1,125
Held-to-maturity Securities [Abstract]
Trust preferred securities		0
Small business administration securities	0	0
Obligations of states and political subdivisions	0	0
Non-bank qualified obligations of states and political subdivisions	0	0
Asset-backed securities	0	0
Mortgage-backed securities	0	0
Total debt securities	0	0
Common equities and mutual funds	0	0
Total held to maturity securities	0	0
Recurring [Member] \| Level 2 [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Trust preferred securities		12,978
Small business administration securities	131,348	80,719
Obligations of states and political subdivisions	0	0
Non-bank qualified obligations of states and political subdivisions	932,010	698,672
Asset-baked securities	119,527	116,815
Mortgage-backed securities	642,833	558,940
Total debt securities	1,825,718	1,468,124
Common equities and mutual funds	0	0
Total available for sale securities	1,825,718	1,468,124
Held-to-maturity Securities [Abstract]
Trust preferred securities		0
Small business administration securities	0	0
Obligations of states and political subdivisions	20,105	20,937
Non-bank qualified obligations of states and political subdivisions	453,338	477,202
Asset-backed securities	0	0
Mortgage-backed securities	120,980	134,435
Total debt securities	594,423	632,574
Common equities and mutual funds	0	0
Total held to maturity securities	594,423	632,574
Recurring [Member] \| Level 3 [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Trust preferred securities		0
Small business administration securities	0	0
Obligations of states and political subdivisions	0	0
Non-bank qualified obligations of states and political subdivisions	0	0
Asset-baked securities	0	0
Mortgage-backed securities	0	0
Total debt securities	0	0
Common equities and mutual funds	0	0
Total available for sale securities	0	0
Held-to-maturity Securities [Abstract]
Trust preferred securities		0
Small business administration securities	0	0
Obligations of states and political subdivisions	0	0
Non-bank qualified obligations of states and political subdivisions	0	0
Asset-backed securities	0	0
Mortgage-backed securities	0	0
Total debt securities	0	0
Common equities and mutual funds	0	0
Total held to maturity securities	0	0
Nonrecurring [Member]
Fair value of assets measured on non-recurring basis [Abstract]
Fair value	315	144
Nonrecurring [Member] \| Total Impaired Loans [Member]
Fair value of assets measured on non-recurring basis [Abstract]
Fair value	315
Nonrecurring [Member] \| 1-4 Family Real Estate [Member]
Fair value of assets measured on non-recurring basis [Abstract]
Fair value	67
Nonrecurring [Member] \| Commercial and Multi-family Real Estate Loans [Member]
Fair value of assets measured on non-recurring basis [Abstract]
Fair value		68
Nonrecurring [Member] \| Agricultural Operating [Member]
Fair value of assets measured on non-recurring basis [Abstract]
Fair value		68
Nonrecurring [Member] \| Commercial Operating Loans [Member]
Fair value of assets measured on non-recurring basis [Abstract]
Fair value	248
Nonrecurring [Member] \| Foreclosed Assets [Member]
Fair value of assets measured on non-recurring basis [Abstract]
Foreclosed real estate and repossessed assets	0	76
Nonrecurring [Member] \| Level 1 [Member]
Fair value of assets measured on non-recurring basis [Abstract]
Fair value	0	0
Nonrecurring [Member] \| Level 1 [Member] \| Total Impaired Loans [Member]
Fair value of assets measured on non-recurring basis [Abstract]
Fair value	0
Nonrecurring [Member] \| Level 1 [Member] \| 1-4 Family Real Estate [Member]
Fair value of assets measured on non-recurring basis [Abstract]
Fair value	0
Nonrecurring [Member] \| Level 1 [Member] \| Commercial and Multi-family Real Estate Loans [Member]
Fair value of assets measured on non-recurring basis [Abstract]
Fair value		0
Nonrecurring [Member] \| Level 1 [Member] \| Agricultural Operating [Member]
Fair value of assets measured on non-recurring basis [Abstract]
Fair value		0
Nonrecurring [Member] \| Level 1 [Member] \| Commercial Operating Loans [Member]
Fair value of assets measured on non-recurring basis [Abstract]
Fair value	0
Nonrecurring [Member] \| Level 1 [Member] \| Foreclosed Assets [Member]
Fair value of assets measured on non-recurring basis [Abstract]
Foreclosed real estate and repossessed assets	0
Nonrecurring [Member] \| Level 2 [Member]
Fair value of assets measured on non-recurring basis [Abstract]
Fair value	0	0
Nonrecurring [Member] \| Level 2 [Member] \| Total Impaired Loans [Member]
Fair value of assets measured on non-recurring basis [Abstract]
Fair value	0
Nonrecurring [Member] \| Level 2 [Member] \| 1-4 Family Real Estate [Member]
Fair value of assets measured on non-recurring basis [Abstract]
Fair value	0
Nonrecurring [Member] \| Level 2 [Member] \| Commercial and Multi-family Real Estate Loans [Member]
Fair value of assets measured on non-recurring basis [Abstract]
Fair value		0
Nonrecurring [Member] \| Level 2 [Member] \| Agricultural Operating [Member]
Fair value of assets measured on non-recurring basis [Abstract]
Fair value		0
Nonrecurring [Member] \| Level 2 [Member] \| Commercial Operating Loans [Member]
Fair value of assets measured on non-recurring basis [Abstract]
Fair value	0
Nonrecurring [Member] \| Level 2 [Member] \| Foreclosed Assets [Member]
Fair value of assets measured on non-recurring basis [Abstract]
Foreclosed real estate and repossessed assets	0
Nonrecurring [Member] \| Level 3 [Member]
Fair value of assets measured on non-recurring basis [Abstract]
Fair value	315	144
Nonrecurring [Member] \| Level 3 [Member] \| Total Impaired Loans [Member]
Fair value of assets measured on non-recurring basis [Abstract]
Fair value	315
Nonrecurring [Member] \| Level 3 [Member] \| 1-4 Family Real Estate [Member]
Fair value of assets measured on non-recurring basis [Abstract]
Fair value	67
Nonrecurring [Member] \| Level 3 [Member] \| Commercial and Multi-family Real Estate Loans [Member]
Fair value of assets measured on non-recurring basis [Abstract]
Fair value		68
Nonrecurring [Member] \| Level 3 [Member] \| Agricultural Operating [Member]
Fair value of assets measured on non-recurring basis [Abstract]
Fair value		68
Nonrecurring [Member] \| Level 3 [Member] \| Commercial Operating Loans [Member]
Fair value of assets measured on non-recurring basis [Abstract]
Fair value	248
Nonrecurring [Member] \| Level 3 [Member] \| Foreclosed Assets [Member]
Fair value of assets measured on non-recurring basis [Abstract]
Foreclosed real estate and repossessed assets	$ 0	$ 76

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS - Contingent Consideration (Details) - Nonrecurring [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Contingent Consideration	$ 17,252	$ 0
Total liabilities	17,252	0
Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Contingent Consideration	0	0
Total liabilities	0	0
Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Contingent Consideration	0	0
Total liabilities	0	0
Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Contingent Consideration	17,252	0
Total liabilities	$ 17,252	$ 0

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS - Quantitative Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate	7.20%
Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate	1.02%
Fair Value Inputs, Company Specific Discount Rate	1.76%
Minimum [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Range of estimated selling cost	4.00%
Maximum [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Range of estimated selling cost	10.00%
Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fair value	$ 1,141,191	$ 926,803
Impaired Loans, Net [Member] \| Level 3 [Member] \| Market Approach Valuation Technique [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fair value	315	68
Foreclosed Assets [Member] \| Level 3 [Member] \| Market Approach Valuation Technique [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fair value	0	76
Contingent Consideration [Member] \| Level 3 [Member] \| Market Approach Valuation Technique [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fair value	$ 17,252	$ 0

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS - Balance Sheet Grouping (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Financial assets [Abstract]
Securities available for sale	$ 1,827,273	$ 1,469,249
Securities held to maturity	594,423	632,574
Financial liabilities [Abstract]
Long-term debt	92,497	92,460
Level 1 [Member]
Financial assets [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	67,293	773,830
Securities available for sale	1,555	1,125
Securities held to maturity	0	0
Total securities	1,555	1,125
Loans receivable [Abstract]
Total loans receivable	0	0
Federal Home Loan Bank stock	0	0
Accrued interest receivable	20,902	17,199
Financial liabilities [Abstract]
Noninterest bearing demand deposits	2,637,167	2,167,522
Interest bearing demand deposits, savings, and money markets	151,971	136,568
Certificates of deposit	0	0
Deposits, Wholesale, Non-Maturing	21,923
Total deposits	2,811,061	2,304,090
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank	0	0
Federal fund purchased		992,000
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase	0	0
Long-term debt	0	0
Trust Preferred Securities	0	0
Subordinated debentures	0	0
Accrued interest payable	722	875
Level 2 [Member]
Financial assets [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Securities available for sale	1,825,718	1,468,124
Securities held to maturity	594,423	632,574
Total securities	2,420,141	2,100,698
Loans receivable [Abstract]
Total loans receivable	0	0
Federal Home Loan Bank stock	25,043	47,512
Accrued interest receivable	0	0
Financial liabilities [Abstract]
Noninterest bearing demand deposits	0	0
Interest bearing demand deposits, savings, and money markets	0	0
Certificates of deposit	60,689	125,772
Deposits, Wholesale, Non-Maturing	0
Total deposits	60,689	125,772
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank	7,891	108,168
Federal fund purchased		0
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase	1,848	3,039
Long-term debt	1,980	2,018
Trust Preferred Securities	10,446	10,437
Subordinated debentures	75,375	77,250
Accrued interest payable	0	0
Level 3 [Member]
Financial assets [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Securities available for sale	0	0
Securities held to maturity	0	0
Total securities	0	0
Loans receivable [Abstract]
Total loans receivable	1,141,191	926,803
Federal Home Loan Bank stock	0	0
Accrued interest receivable	0	0
Financial liabilities [Abstract]
Noninterest bearing demand deposits	0	0
Interest bearing demand deposits, savings, and money markets	0	0
Certificates of deposit	0	0
Deposits, Wholesale, Non-Maturing	0
Total deposits	0	0
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank	0	0
Federal fund purchased		0
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase	0	0
Long-term debt	0	0
Trust Preferred Securities	0	0
Subordinated debentures	0	0
Accrued interest payable	0	0
Carrying Amount [Member]
Financial assets [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	67,293	773,830
Securities available for sale	1,827,273	1,469,249
Securities held to maturity	596,803	619,853
Total securities	2,424,076	2,089,102
Loans receivable [Abstract]
Total loans receivable	1,152,382	925,894
Federal Home Loan Bank stock	25,043	47,512
Accrued interest receivable	20,902	17,199
Financial liabilities [Abstract]
Noninterest bearing demand deposits	2,637,167	2,167,522
Interest bearing demand deposits, savings, and money markets	151,971	136,568
Certificates of deposit	61,170	125,992
Deposits, Wholesale, Non-Maturing	21,923
Total deposits	2,872,231	2,430,082
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank	7,000	107,000
Federal fund purchased		992,000
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase	1,848	3,039
Long-term debt	1,980	2,018
Trust Preferred Securities	10,310	10,310
Subordinated debentures	73,278	73,211
Accrued interest payable	722	875
Estimated Fair Value [Member]
Financial assets [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	67,293	773,830
Securities available for sale	1,827,273	1,469,249
Securities held to maturity	594,423	632,574
Total securities	2,421,696	2,101,823
Loans receivable [Abstract]
Total loans receivable	1,141,191	926,803
Federal Home Loan Bank stock	25,043	47,512
Accrued interest receivable	20,902	17,199
Financial liabilities [Abstract]
Noninterest bearing demand deposits	2,637,167	2,167,522
Interest bearing demand deposits, savings, and money markets	151,971	136,568
Certificates of deposit	60,689	125,772
Deposits, Wholesale, Non-Maturing	21,923
Total deposits	2,871,750	2,429,862
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank	7,891	108,168
Federal fund purchased		992,000
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase	1,848	3,039
Long-term debt	1,980	2,018
Trust Preferred Securities	10,446	10,437
Subordinated debentures	75,375	77,250
Accrued interest payable	722	875
1-4 Family Real Estate [Member] \| Level 1 [Member]
Loans receivable [Abstract]
Total loans receivable	0	0
1-4 Family Real Estate [Member] \| Level 2 [Member]
Loans receivable [Abstract]
Total loans receivable	0	0
1-4 Family Real Estate [Member] \| Level 3 [Member]
Loans receivable [Abstract]
Total loans receivable	176,879	163,886
1-4 Family Real Estate [Member] \| Carrying Amount [Member]
Loans receivable [Abstract]
Total loans receivable	178,310	162,298
1-4 Family Real Estate [Member] \| Estimated Fair Value [Member]
Loans receivable [Abstract]
Total loans receivable	176,879	163,886
Commercial and Multi-family Real Estate Loans [Member] \| Level 1 [Member]
Loans receivable [Abstract]
Total loans receivable	0	0
Commercial and Multi-family Real Estate Loans [Member] \| Level 2 [Member]
Loans receivable [Abstract]
Total loans receivable	0	0
Commercial and Multi-family Real Estate Loans [Member] \| Level 3 [Member]
Loans receivable [Abstract]
Total loans receivable	464,071	422,307
Commercial and Multi-family Real Estate Loans [Member] \| Carrying Amount [Member]
Loans receivable [Abstract]
Total loans receivable	473,058	422,932
Commercial and Multi-family Real Estate Loans [Member] \| Estimated Fair Value [Member]
Loans receivable [Abstract]
Total loans receivable	464,071	422,307
Agricultural Real Estate [Member] \| Level 1 [Member]
Loans receivable [Abstract]
Total loans receivable	0	0
Agricultural Real Estate [Member] \| Level 2 [Member]
Loans receivable [Abstract]
Total loans receivable	0	0
Agricultural Real Estate [Member] \| Level 3 [Member]
Loans receivable [Abstract]
Total loans receivable	58,829	63,868
Agricultural Real Estate [Member] \| Carrying Amount [Member]
Loans receivable [Abstract]
Total loans receivable	62,422	63,612
Agricultural Real Estate [Member] \| Estimated Fair Value [Member]
Loans receivable [Abstract]
Total loans receivable	58,829	63,868
Consumer Loans [Member] \| Level 1 [Member]
Loans receivable [Abstract]
Total loans receivable	0	0
Consumer Loans [Member] \| Level 2 [Member]
Loans receivable [Abstract]
Total loans receivable	0	0
Consumer Loans [Member] \| Level 3 [Member]
Loans receivable [Abstract]
Total loans receivable	181,687	36,738
Consumer Loans [Member] \| Carrying Amount [Member]
Loans receivable [Abstract]
Total loans receivable	182,156	37,094
Consumer Loans [Member] \| Estimated Fair Value [Member]
Loans receivable [Abstract]
Total loans receivable	181,687	36,738
Commercial Operating Loans [Member] \| Level 1 [Member]
Loans receivable [Abstract]
Total loans receivable	0	0
Commercial Operating Loans [Member] \| Level 2 [Member]
Loans receivable [Abstract]
Total loans receivable	0	0
Commercial Operating Loans [Member] \| Level 3 [Member]
Loans receivable [Abstract]
Total loans receivable	34,004	31,108
Commercial Operating Loans [Member] \| Carrying Amount [Member]
Loans receivable [Abstract]
Total loans receivable	33,894	31,271
Commercial Operating Loans [Member] \| Estimated Fair Value [Member]
Loans receivable [Abstract]
Total loans receivable	34,004	31,108
Agricultural Operating [Member] \| Level 1 [Member]
Loans receivable [Abstract]
Total loans receivable	0	0
Agricultural Operating [Member] \| Level 2 [Member]
Loans receivable [Abstract]
Total loans receivable	0	0
Agricultural Operating [Member] \| Level 3 [Member]
Loans receivable [Abstract]
Total loans receivable	35,394	36,897
Agricultural Operating [Member] \| Carrying Amount [Member]
Loans receivable [Abstract]
Total loans receivable	35,493	37,083
Agricultural Operating [Member] \| Estimated Fair Value [Member]
Loans receivable [Abstract]
Total loans receivable	35,394	36,897
Premium Finance Loans [Member] \| Level 1 [Member]
Loans receivable [Abstract]
Total loans receivable	0	0
Premium Finance Loans [Member] \| Level 2 [Member]
Loans receivable [Abstract]
Total loans receivable	0	0
Premium Finance Loans [Member] \| Level 3 [Member]
Loans receivable [Abstract]
Total loans receivable	190,327	172,000
Premium Finance Loans [Member] \| Carrying Amount [Member]
Loans receivable [Abstract]
Total loans receivable	187,049	171,604
Premium Finance Loans [Member] \| Estimated Fair Value [Member]
Loans receivable [Abstract]
Total loans receivable	$ 190,327	$ 172,000

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 14, 2016	Nov. 01, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Sep. 08, 2015	Dec. 02, 2014
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 98,723	$ 36,928	$ 36,928	$ 36,928	$ 98,723			$ 36,928
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period			36,928	36,928
Acquisitions during the period			61,795	0
Write-offs during the period			0	0
Balance, end of period	98,723	36,928	98,723	36,928
Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period			28,921	33,577
Acquisitions during the period			46,319	123
Amortization of Intangible Assets			(8,607)	(2,428)
Write-offs during the period			0	0
Balance, end of period	66,633	31,272	66,633	31,272
Amortizable intangible assets [Abstract]
Amount Upon Acquisition					81,706			35,338
Amortization during the period					(15,073)			(4,066)
Total anticipated intangible amortization	66,633	31,272	28,921	33,577	66,633			31,272
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Amortization Expense, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Remaining in 2017					3,740
2018					11,852
2019					9,070
2020					7,289
2021					6,336
2022					5,029
Thereafter					23,317
Total anticipated intangible amortization	66,633	31,272	28,921	33,577	66,633			31,272
Impairment of intangible assets	0	0	0	0
AFS/IBEX Financial Services Inc [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill										$ 11,600
Refund Advantage Financial Services Inc [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill						$ 31,400	$ 30,400		$ 25,400
Trademark [Member]
Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period			5,149	5,439
Acquisitions during the period			5,500	0
Amortization of Intangible Assets			(282)	(144)
Write-offs during the period			0	0
Balance, end of period	10,367	5,295	10,367	5,295
Amortizable intangible assets [Abstract]
Amount Upon Acquisition					10,990			5,490
Amortization during the period					(623)			(195)
Total anticipated intangible amortization	10,367	5,295	5,149	5,439	10,367			5,295
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Amortization Expense, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Total anticipated intangible amortization	$ 10,367	5,295	5,149	5,439	10,367			5,295
Trademark [Member] \| Refund Advantage Financial Services Inc [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful life	5 years
Trademark [Member] \| Refund Advantage Financial Services Inc [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful life	15 years
Non-Compete [Member]
Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period			127	227
Acquisitions during the period			2,180	0
Amortization of Intangible Assets			(228)	(50)
Write-offs during the period			0	0
Balance, end of period	$ 2,079	177	2,079	177
Amortizable intangible assets [Abstract]
Amount Upon Acquisition					2,480			300
Amortization during the period					(401)			(123)
Total anticipated intangible amortization	2,079	177	127	227	2,079			177
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Amortization Expense, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Total anticipated intangible amortization	$ 2,079	177	127	227	2,079			177
Non-Compete [Member] \| Refund Advantage Financial Services Inc [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful life	3 years
Non-Compete [Member] \| Refund Advantage Financial Services Inc [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful life	5 years
Customer Relationships [Member]
Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period			20,590	24,811
Acquisitions during the period			31,770	0
Amortization of Intangible Assets			(7,735)	(2,127)
Write-offs during the period			0	0
Balance, end of period	$ 44,625	22,684	44,625	22,684
Amortizable intangible assets [Abstract]
Amount Upon Acquisition					57,810			26,040
Amortization during the period					(13,185)			(3,356)
Total anticipated intangible amortization	44,625	22,684	20,590	24,811	44,625			22,684
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Amortization Expense, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Total anticipated intangible amortization	$ 44,625	22,684	20,590	24,811	44,625			22,684
Customer Relationships [Member] \| Refund Advantage Financial Services Inc [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful life	10 years
Customer Relationships [Member] \| Refund Advantage Financial Services Inc [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful life	30 years
Other [Member]
Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period			3,055	3,100
Acquisitions during the period			6,869	123
Amortization of Intangible Assets			(362)	(107)
Write-offs during the period			0	0
Balance, end of period	$ 9,562	3,116	9,562	3,116
Amortizable intangible assets [Abstract]
Amount Upon Acquisition					10,426			3,508
Amortization during the period					(864)			(392)
Total anticipated intangible amortization	9,562	3,116	3,055	3,100	9,562			3,116
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Amortization Expense, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Total anticipated intangible amortization	$ 9,562	$ 3,116	$ 3,055	$ 3,100	$ 9,562			$ 3,116
Other [Member] \| Refund Advantage Financial Services Inc [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful life	3 years
Other [Member] \| Refund Advantage Financial Services Inc [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful life	20 years