Sioux Falls, S.D.-based Great Western Bancorp Inc. reported net income of $45.9 million, or 78 cents per share, for the third quarter of fiscal 2018, compared with $40.5 million, or 69 cents per share, in the second quarter, according to a release. Total loans increased $41.5 million, or 0.4 percent, to $9.38 billion, bringing fiscal year-to-date growth to $411.3 million, or 4.6 percent. Total deposits were $9.6 billion, an increase of $198.4 million, or 2.1 percent, for the quarter and $607.7 million, or 6.8 percent, for the fiscal year to date. Great Western’s efficiency ratio, which measures the cost of earning a dollar, dropped to 45.8 percent for the quarter and 46.7 percent year-to-date. A lower number is preferred. Great Western Bank has more than 170 branches in Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota.