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home / news releases / CBSH - Commerce Bancshares Inc. Reports First Quarter Earnings Per Share of $.95


CBSH - Commerce Bancshares Inc. Reports First Quarter Earnings Per Share of $.95

Commerce Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: CBSH) announced earnings of $.95 per share for the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to $.92 per share in the same quarter last year and $1.05 per share in the fourth quarter of 2022. Net income for the first quarter of 2023 amounted to $119.5 million, compared to $118.2 million in the first quarter of 2022 and $131.6 million in the prior quarter.

“Our first quarter results are the product of the consistent and conservative business model that Commerce has executed for nearly 160 years,” said John Kemper, President and Chief Executive Officer.

On deposit balances, Kemper added, “We saw normal seasonal deposit outflows in January, but experienced minimal flows throughout the remainder of the quarter, reflecting the strength and diversity of our deposit portfolio.

“Although disruption from recent bank failures may be felt across the industry for a period of time, we see this as a moment for our franchise to differentiate itself as a safe haven, and bring peace of mind to customers who put a lot of trust in Commerce and in the banking system.

“Our stakeholders can rest assured that we have ample liquidity and capital to weather any events to come, and we are well-positioned to accommodate our customers’ lending, deposit, and service needs.”

First Quarter 2023 Financial Highlights:

  • Net interest income was $251.6 million, a $3.0 million decrease from the prior quarter. The net yield on interest earning assets increased 8 basis points to 3.26%.
  • Non-interest income totaled $137.6 million, an increase of $5.8 million compared to the same quarter last year.
  • Net securities losses of $306 thousand compared to net gains of $8.9 million in the prior quarter.
  • Non-interest expense totaled $224.1 million, an increase of $18.5 million compared to the same quarter last year.
  • Average loan balances totaled $16.4 billion, an increase of $518.9 million, or 3.3%, over the prior quarter.
  • Total average available for sale debt securities decreased 4.8%, or $591.1 million, from the prior quarter to $11.8 billion, at fair value. During the first quarter of 2023, the unrealized loss on available for sale securities decreased $190.0 million to $1.3 billion, at period end.
  • Average deposits declined $1.4 billion, or 5.1%, from the prior quarter. The average rate paid on interest bearing deposits was .71%.
  • The ratio of annualized net loan charge-offs to average loans was .17% compared to .14% in the prior quarter.
  • Non-accrual loans totaled $7.8 million compared to $8.3 million in the prior quarter. Non-accrual loans were .05% of total loans.
  • The allowance for credit losses on loans increased $9.2 million during the first quarter to $159.3 million, and at March 31, 2023, the ratio of the allowance for credit losses on loans to total loans was .96%, compared to .92% at December 31, 2022.
  • The Company purchased 547,381 shares of its common stock this quarter at an average price of $65.93.
  • Total assets at March 31, 2023 were $32.0 billion, an increase of $128.9 million, or .4%, over the prior quarter.
  • For the quarter, the return on average assets was 1.54%, the return on average equity was 18.75%, and the efficiency ratio was 57.5%.

Commerce Bancshares, Inc. is a regional bank holding company offering a full line of banking services through its subsidiaries, including payment solutions, investment management and securities brokerage. One of its subsidiaries, Commerce Bank, leverages nearly 160 years of proven strength and experience to help individuals and businesses solve financial challenges. In addition to offering payment solutions across the U.S., Commerce Bank currently operates full-service banking facilities across the Midwest including the St. Louis and Kansas City metropolitan areas, Springfield, Central Missouri, Central Illinois, Wichita, Tulsa, Oklahoma City, and Denver. It also maintains commercial offices in Dallas, Houston, Cincinnati, Nashville, Des Moines, Indianapolis, and Grand Rapids. Commerce delivers high-touch service and sophisticated financial solutions at regional branches, commercial offices, ATMs, online, mobile and through a 24/7 customer service line.

This financial news release and the supplementary Earnings Highlights presentation are available on the Company’s website at https://investor.commercebank.com/news-info/financial-news-releases/default.aspx .

COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. and SUBSIDIARIES

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

For the Three Months Ended

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

Mar. 31,

2023

Dec. 31,

2022

Mar. 31,

2022

FINANCIAL SUMMARY

Net interest income

$251,623

$254,641

$208,786

Non-interest income

137,612

136,825

131,769

Total revenue

389,235

391,466

340,555

Investment securities gains (losses)

(306

)

8,904

7,163

Provision for credit losses

11,456

15,477

(9,858

)

Non-interest expense

224,107

216,740

205,648

Income before taxes

153,366

168,153

151,928

Income taxes

32,813

34,499

31,902

Non-controlling interest expense (income)

1,101

2,026

1,872

Net income attributable to Commerce Bancshares, Inc.

$119,452

$131,628

$118,154

Earnings per common share:

Net income — basic

$0.95

$1.05

$0.92

Net income — diluted

$0.95

$1.04

$0.92

Effective tax rate

21.55

%

20.77

%

21.26

%

Fully-taxable equivalent net interest income

$253,411

$256,675

$211,393

Average total interest earning assets (1)

$31,568,594

$31,991,224

$34,937,086

Diluted wtd. average shares outstanding

124,258,981

124,589,323

126,646,900

RATIOS

Average loans to deposits (2)

64.99

%

59.73

%

51.90

%

Return on total average assets

1.54

1.65

1.33

Return on average equity (3)

18.75

21.88

14.41

Non-interest income to total revenue

35.35

34.95

38.69

Efficiency ratio (4)

57.49

55.26

60.29

Net yield on interest earning assets

3.26

3.18

2.45

EQUITY SUMMARY

Cash dividends per share

$.270

$.252

$.252

Cash dividends on common stock

$33,759

$31,648

$32,143

Book value per share (5)

$21.51

$19.85

$23.43

Market value per share (5)

$58.35

$68.07

$68.18

High market value per share

$70.20

$72.60

$71.16

Low market value per share

$55.72

$63.17

$63.12

Common shares outstanding (5)

124,720,710

124,999,100

126,925,176

Tangible common equity to tangible assets (6)

7.92

%

7.32

%

8.09

%

Tier I leverage ratio

10.61

%

10.34

%

9.07

%

OTHER QTD INFORMATION

Number of bank/ATM locations

275

275

285

Full-time equivalent employees

4,636

4,594

4,563

(1)

Excludes allowance for credit losses on loans and unrealized gains/(losses) on available for sale debt securities.

(2)

Includes loans held for sale.

(3)

Annualized net income attributable to Commerce Bancshares, Inc. divided by average total equity.

(4)

The efficiency ratio is calculated as non-interest expense (excluding intangibles amortization) as a percent of total revenue.

(5)

As of period end.

(6)

The tangible common equity ratio is a non-gaap ratio and is calculated as stockholders’ equity reduced by goodwill and other intangible assets (excluding mortgage servicing rights) divided by total assets reduced by goodwill and other intangible assets (excluding mortgage servicing rights).

All share and per share amounts have been restated to reflect the 5% stock dividend distributed in December 2022.

COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. and SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except per share data)

For the Three Months Ended

Mar. 31,

2023

Dec. 31,

2022

Sep. 30,

2022

Jun. 30,

2022

Mar. 31,

2022

Interest income

$308,857

$286,377

$262,666

$238,154

$211,782

Interest expense

57,234

31,736

16,293

5,769

2,996

Net interest income

251,623

254,641

246,373

232,385

208,786

Provision for credit losses

11,456

15,477

15,290

7,162

(9,858

)

Net interest income after credit losses

240,167

239,164

231,083

225,223

218,644

NON-INTEREST INCOME

Trust fees

45,328

44,710

45,406

46,792

47,811

Bank card transaction fees

46,654

44,588

45,638

43,873

42,045

Deposit account charges and other fees

21,752

21,989

24,521

25,564

22,307

Consumer brokerage services

5,085

4,518

5,085

5,068

4,446

Capital market fees

3,362

3,386

3,393

3,327

4,125

Loan fees and sales

2,589

2,566

3,094

3,246

4,235

Other

12,842

15,068

11,377

11,557

6,800

Total non-interest income

137,612

136,825

138,514

139,427

131,769

INVESTMENT SECURITIES GAINS (LOSSES), NET

(306

)

8,904

3,410

1,029

7,163

NON-INTEREST EXPENSE

Salaries and employee benefits

144,373

138,458

137,393

142,243

135,953

Data processing and software

28,154

27,991

28,050

27,635

27,016

Net occupancy

12,759

11,774

12,544

12,503

12,296

Equipment

4,850

5,021

5,036

4,734

4,568

Supplies and communication

4,590

4,446

4,581

4,361

4,713

Marketing

5,471

5,419

6,228

5,836

6,344

Other

23,910

23,631

19,052

16,193

14,758

Total non-interest expense

224,107

216,740

212,884

213,505

205,648

Income before income taxes

153,366

168,153

160,123

152,174

151,928

Less income taxes

32,813

34,499

33,936

32,021

31,902

Net income

120,553

133,654

126,187

120,153

120,026

Less non-controlling interest expense (income)

1,101

2,026

3,364

4,359

1,872

Net income attributable to Commerce Bancshares, Inc.

$119,452

$131,628

$122,823

$115,794

$118,154

Net income per common share — basic

$0.95

$1.05

$0.97

$0.92

$0.92

Net income per common share — diluted

$0.95

$1.04

$0.97

$0.92

$0.92

OTHER INFORMATION

Return on total average assets

1.54

%

1.65

%

1.48

%

1.36

%

1.33

%

Return on average equity (1)

18.75

21.88

17.84

16.29

14.41

Efficiency ratio (2)

57.49

55.26

55.19

57.29

60.29

Effective tax rate

21.55

20.77

21.65

21.66

21.26

Net yield on interest earning assets

3.26

3.18

3.01

2.79

2.45

Fully taxable-equivalent net interest income

$253,411

$256,675

$248,737

$235,010

$211,393

(1)

Annualized net income attributable to Commerce Bancshares, Inc. divided by average total equity.

(2)

The efficiency ratio is calculated as non-interest expense (excluding intangibles amortization) as a percent of total revenue.

COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. and SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - PERIOD END

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)

Mar. 31,

2023

Dec. 31,

2022

Mar. 31,

2022

ASSETS

Loans

Business

$5,704,467

$5,661,725

$5,508,508

Real estate — construction and land

1,437,419

1,361,095

1,144,411

Real estate — business

3,486,543

3,406,981

3,109,668

Real estate — personal

2,952,042

2,918,078

2,820,076

Consumer

2,094,389

2,059,088

2,053,160

Revolving home equity

295,478

297,207

264,401

Consumer credit card

558,669

584,000

544,579

Overdrafts

6,515

14,957

14,211

Total loans

16,535,522

16,303,131

15,459,014

Allowance for credit losses on loans

(159,317

)

(150,136

)

(134,710

)

Net loans

16,376,205

16,152,995

15,324,304

Loans held for sale

6,162

4,964

8,908

Investment securities:

Available for sale debt securities

11,228,616

12,238,316

14,780,494

Trading debt securities

41,584

43,523

31,380

Equity securities

12,528

12,304

9,284

Other securities

268,417

225,034

199,576

Total investment securities

11,551,145

12,519,177

15,020,734

Federal funds sold

27,060

49,505

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

825,000

825,000

1,825,000

Interest earning deposits with banks

1,341,854

389,140

1,260,813

Cash and due from banks

351,210

452,496

326,549

Premises and equipment — net

428,169

418,909

394,028

Goodwill

138,921

138,921

138,921

Other intangible assets — net

14,918

15,234

15,885

Other assets

944,212

909,590

671,651

Total assets

$32,004,856

$31,875,931

$34,986,793

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Deposits:

Non-interest bearing

$8,685,234

$10,066,356

$11,428,372

Savings, interest checking and money market

14,419,741

15,126,981

16,751,632

Certificates of deposit of less than $100,000

468,667

387,336

422,992

Certificates of deposit of $100,000 and over

1,109,818

606,767

716,345

Total deposits

24,683,460

26,187,440

29,319,341

Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase

2,784,559

2,841,734

2,317,461

Other borrowings

1,507,776

9,672

9,057

Other liabilities

346,649

355,508

367,532

Total liabilities

29,322,444

29,394,354

32,013,391

Stockholders’ equity:

Common stock

629,319

629,319

610,804

Capital surplus

2,919,060

2,932,959

2,678,025

Retained earnings

117,313

31,620

178,504

Treasury stock

(59,670

)

(41,743

)

(72,293

)

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

(940,498

)

(1,086,864

)

(434,400

)

Total stockholders’ equity

2,665,524

2,465,291

2,960,640

Non-controlling interest

16,888

16,286

12,762

Total equity

2,682,412

2,481,577

2,973,402

Total liabilities and equity

$32,004,856

$31,875,931

$34,986,793

COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. and SUBSIDIARIES

AVERAGE BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)

For the Three Months Ended

Mar. 31,

2023

Dec. 31,

2022

Sep. 30,

2022

Jun. 30,

2022

Mar. 31,

2022

ASSETS:

Loans:

Business

$5,656,104

$5,478,241

$5,317,696

$5,385,181

$5,324,172

Real estate — construction and land

1,410,835

1,268,900

1,288,721

1,225,267

1,134,902

Real estate — business

3,478,382

3,300,697

3,258,128

3,163,508

3,095,068

Real estate — personal

2,933,750

2,886,686

2,844,376

2,825,578

2,808,980

Consumer

2,067,385

2,089,912

2,101,622

2,070,560

2,040,200

Revolving home equity

296,748

293,681

280,923

272,280

273,859

Consumer credit card

556,223

559,463

550,058

537,681

540,844

Overdrafts

4,449

7,428

4,438

5,524

5,178

Total loans

16,403,876

15,885,008

15,645,962

15,485,579

15,223,203

Allowance for credit losses on loans

(150,117

)

(143,285

)

(137,833

)

(134,670

)

(149,685

)

Net loans

16,253,759

15,741,723

15,508,129

15,350,909

15,073,518

Loans held for sale

5,708

6,567

7,170

7,933

9,383

Investment securities:

U.S. government and federal agency obligations

1,099,067

1,055,602

1,113,442

1,119,305

1,103,749

Government-sponsored enterprise obligations

87,086

55,732

55,753

55,762

51,770

State and municipal obligations

1,793,756

1,990,643

2,052,908

2,126,380

2,077,600

Mortgage-backed securities

6,454,408

6,605,936

6,847,912

7,158,252

7,316,609

Asset-backed securities

3,233,757

3,714,092

3,870,953

4,038,113

3,933,061

Other debt securities

528,941

560,951

587,026

643,463

636,247

Unrealized loss on debt securities

(1,387,196

)

(1,582,061

)

(1,064,534

)

(851,110

)

(174,297

)

Total available for sale debt securities

11,809,819

12,400,895

13,463,460

14,290,165

14,944,739

Trading debt securities

45,757

44,626

35,621

43,904

40,686

Equity securities

12,458

10,534

8,838

9,094

9,498

Other securities

229,867

219,354

208,708

195,090

192,311

Total investment securities

12,097,901

12,675,409

13,716,627

14,538,253

15,187,234

Federal funds sold

38,978

27,683

13,486

4,269

1,053

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

825,000

1,174,457

1,379,341

1,703,569

1,733,887

Interest earning deposits with banks

809,935

640,039

980,273

1,248,942

2,608,029

Other assets

1,376,551

1,339,554

1,256,498

1,238,493

1,304,400

Total assets

$31,407,832

$31,605,432

$32,861,524

$34,092,368

$35,917,504

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY:

Non-interest bearing deposits

$9,114,512

$10,360,834

$10,758,353

$11,209,680

$11,544,701

Savings

1,550,215

1,567,113

1,595,857

1,609,694

1,563,093

Interest checking and money market

13,265,485

13,693,974

14,423,713

14,847,306

14,949,727

Certificates of deposit of less than $100,000

415,367

388,304

397,071

411,655

429,852

Certificates of deposit of $100,000 and over

903,393

596,703

578,158

648,728

862,232

Total deposits

25,248,972

26,606,928

27,753,152

28,727,063

29,349,605

Borrowings:

Federal funds purchased

493,721

143,630

51,929

113,128

23,356

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

2,418,726

2,260,263

2,199,866

2,258,184

2,712,468

Other borrowings

551,267

179,552

2,010

2,029

768

Total borrowings

3,463,714

2,583,445

2,253,805

2,373,341

2,736,592

Other liabilities

112,052

28,745

123,691

139,986

505,644

Total liabilities

28,824,738

29,219,118

30,130,648

31,240,390

32,591,841

Equity

2,583,094

2,386,314

2,730,876

2,851,978

3,325,663

Total liabilities and equity

$31,407,832

$31,605,432

$32,861,524

$34,092,368

$35,917,504

COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. and SUBSIDIARIES

AVERAGE RATES

(Unaudited)

For the Three Months Ended

Mar. 31,

2023

Dec. 31,

2022

Sep. 30,

2022

Jun. 30,

2022

Mar. 31,

2022

ASSETS:

Loans:

Business (1)

5.31

%

4.68

%

3.94

%

3.16

%

2.93

%

Real estate — construction and land

7.33

6.80

5.27

4.09

3.76

Real estate — business

5.65

5.15

4.40

3.70

3.38

Real estate — personal

3.61

3.45

3.36

3.27

3.28

Consumer

5.31

4.77

4.17

3.62

3.59

Revolving home equity

7.03

5.89

4.82

3.69

3.48

Consumer credit card

13.68

12.64

12.05

11.32

11.35

Overdrafts

Total loans

5.56

5.03

4.37

3.72

3.54

Loans held for sale

10.30

10.09

8.80

8.14

6.48

Investment securities:

U.S. government and federal agency obligations

1.90

2.01

4.51

4.93

3.42

Government-sponsored enterprise obligations

3.21

2.36

2.36

2.39

2.33

State and municipal obligations (1)

2.26

2.29

2.27

2.30

2.29

Mortgage-backed securities

2.06

1.88

1.93

1.99

1.98

Asset-backed securities

2.01

1.96

1.62

1.35

1.13

Other debt securities

1.93

1.89

1.93

1.97

2.00

Total available for sale debt securities

2.07

1.97

2.09

2.08

1.91

Trading debt securities (1)

4.59

3.81

2.74

2.46

1.84

Equity securities (1)

23.24

28.44

27.11

26.90

26.00

Other securities (1)

7.11

6.67

7.09

22.38

5.91

Total investment securities

2.18

2.07

2.18

2.36

1.97

Federal funds sold

5.09

4.27

2.77

1.79

.39

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

1.94

2.36

1.72

1.03

1.24

Interest earning deposits with banks

4.67

3.69

2.25

.78

.18

Total interest earning assets

4.00

3.59

3.21

2.86

2.49

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY:

Interest bearing deposits:

Savings

.05

.06

.04

.04

.05

Interest checking and money market

.61

.38

.20

.06

.04

Certificates of deposit of less than $100,000

1.39

.73

.41

.20

.13

Certificates of deposit of $100,000 and over

2.98

1.42

.60

.29

.20

Total interest bearing deposits

.71

.40

.21

.07

.05

Borrowings:

Federal funds purchased

4.59

3.56

2.41

.79

.12

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

2.93

2.29

1.37

.48

.10

Other borrowings

4.94

4.02

1.78

2.37

.53

Total borrowings

3.49

2.48

1.39

.50

.10

Total interest bearing liabilities

1.20

%

.69

%

.34

%

.12

%

.06

%

Net yield on interest earning assets

3.26

%

3.18

%

3.01

%

2.79

%

2.45

%

(1)

Stated on a fully taxable-equivalent basis using a federal income tax rate of 21%.

COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. and SUBSIDIARIES

CREDIT QUALITY

For the Three Months Ended

(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except ratios)

Mar. 31,

2023

Dec. 31,

2022

Sep. 30,

2022

Jun. 30,

2022

Mar. 31,

2022

ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES ON LOANS

Balance at beginning of period

$150,136

$143,377

$138,039

$134,710

$150,044

Provision for credit losses on loans

15,948

12,404

10,150

7,287

(10,686

)

Net charge-offs (recoveries):

Commercial portfolio:

Business

230

496

461

19

77

Real estate — construction and land

Real estate — business

(4

)

(4

)

(8

)

(1

)

(7

)

226

492

453

18

70

Personal banking portfolio:

Consumer credit card

4,325

3,467

2,882

2,937

3,372

Consumer

1,275

1,522

827

633

808

Overdraft

978

230

703

425

358

Real estate — personal

(11

)

(40

)

(15

)

(41

)

22

Revolving home equity

(26

)

(26

)

(38

)

(14

)

18

6,541

5,153

4,359

3,940

4,578

Total net loan charge-offs

6,767

5,645

4,812

3,958

4,648

Balance at end of period

$159,317

$150,136

$143,377

$138,039

$134,710

LIABILITY FOR UNFUNDED LENDING COMMITMENTS

$28,628

$33,120

$30,047

$24,907

$25,032

NET CHARGE-OFF RATIOS (1)

Commercial portfolio:

Business

.02

%

.04

%

.03

%

%

.01

%

Real estate — construction and land

Real estate — business

.01

.02

.02

Personal banking portfolio:

Consumer credit card

3.15

2.46

2.08

2.19

2.53

Consumer

.25

.29

.16

.12

.16

Overdraft

89.15

12.28

62.85

30.86

28.04

Real estate — personal

(.01

)

(.01

)

Revolving home equity

(.04

)

(.04

)

(.05

)

(.02

)

.03

.45

.35

.30

.28

.33

Total

.17

%

.14

%

.12

%

.10

%

.12

%

CREDIT QUALITY RATIOS

Non-accrual loans to total loans

.05

%

.05

%

.05

%

.05

%

.05

%

Allowance for credit losses on loans to total loans

.96

.92

.90

.88

.87

NON-ACCRUAL AND PAST DUE LOANS

Non-accrual loans:

Business

$6,361

$6,751

$5,645

$6,314

$6,756

Real estate — construction and land

Real estate — business

171

189

149

167

190

Real estate — personal

1,269

1,366

1,390

1,436

1,389

Total

7,801

8,306

7,184

7,917

8,335

Loans past due 90 days and still accruing interest

$14,800

$15,830

$12,538

$11,909

$10,670

(1)

Net charge-offs are annualized and calculated as a percentage of average loans (excluding loans held for sale).

COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC.
Management Discussion of First Quarter Results
March 31, 2023

For the quarter ended March 31, 2023, net income amounted to $119.5 million, compared to $131.6 million in the previous quarter and $118.2 million in the same quarter last year. The decrease in net income compared to the previous quarter was primarily the result of net realized investment securities losses compared to net gains recorded in the prior quarter, lower net interest income and higher non-interest expense. These decreases to income were partly offset by a decrease in the provision for credit losses. The net yield on interest earning assets grew eight basis points to 3.26%. Average loans grew $518.9 million compared to the previous quarter, while average deposits and average available for sale debt securities declined $1.4 billion and $591.1 million, respectively. For the quarter, the return on average assets was 1.54%, the return on average equity was 18.75%, and the efficiency ratio was 57.5%.

Balance Sheet Review

During the 1 st quarter of 2023, average loans totaled $16.4 billion, an increase of $518.9 million over the prior quarter, and $1.2 billion, or 7.8%, over the same quarter last year. Compared to the previous quarter, average balances of business, business real estate, and construction loans grew $177.9 million, $177.7 million, and $141.9 million, respectively. During the current quarter, the Company sold certain fixed rate personal real estate loans totaling $3.2 million, compared to $2.4 million in the prior quarter.

Total average available for sale debt securities decreased $591.1 million compared to the previous quarter to $11.8 billion, at fair value. The decrease in investment securities was mainly the result of lower balances of mortgage-backed, other asset-backed, and state and municipal securities. During the 1 st quarter of 2023, the unrealized loss on available for sale securities decreased $190.0 million to $1.3 billion, and sales, maturities and pay downs were $1.3 billion. At March 31, 2023, the duration of the available for sale investment portfolio was 3.9 years. The Company does not have any investment securities classified as held-to-maturity.

Total average deposits decreased $1.4 billion this quarter compared to the previous quarter. The decrease in deposits mostly resulted from lower demand deposits and interest checking and money market deposits of $1.2 billion and $428.5 million, respectively, partly offset by higher certificate of deposit balances of $333.8 million. Compared to the previous quarter, total average commercial and consumer deposits declined $868.9 million and $530.1 million, respectively, while average wealth deposits increased $39.8 million. The average loans to deposits ratio was 65.0% in the current quarter and 59.7% in the prior quarter. The Company’s average borrowings, which included customer repurchase agreements of $2.4 billion, were $3.5 billion in the 1 st quarter of 2023 and $2.6 billion in the prior quarter.

Net Interest Income

Net interest income in the 1 st quarter of 2023 amounted to $251.6 million, a decrease of $3.0 million compared to the previous quarter. On a fully taxable-equivalent (FTE) basis, net interest income for the current quarter decreased $3.3 million from the previous quarter to $253.4 million. The decrease in net interest income was due to higher interest expense, partly offset by higher interest earned on loans. The net yield (FTE) on earning assets increased to 3.26%, compared to 3.18% in the prior quarter.

Compared to the previous quarter, interest income on loans (FTE) increased $23.4 million, due to higher average rates earned on all loan categories, coupled with higher average balances of construction, business, and business real estate loans. The average yield (FTE) on the loan portfolio increased 53 basis points to 5.56% this quarter.

Interest income on investment securities (FTE) decreased $1.8 million compared to the prior quarter, due to lower average balances, partly offset by higher rates earned. Interest income earned on U.S. government and federal agency securities decreased due to lower rates earned, which included the impact of $652 thousand in lower inflation income from Treasury inflation-protected securities this quarter. At March 31, 2023, the Company recorded an $802 thousand adjustment to premium amortization, which increased interest income to reflect slower forward prepayment speed estimates on mortgage-backed securities. The average yield (FTE) on total investment securities was 2.18% in the current quarter, compared to 2.07% in the previous quarter.

The average rate paid on interest bearing deposits totaled .71% in the current quarter compared to .40% in the prior quarter. Interest expense on deposits increased $11.8 million this quarter compared to the previous quarter, while interest expense on borrowings increased $13.6 million, due to a 101 basis point increase in the average rate paid coupled with higher average borrowings of $880.3 million. The overall rate paid on interest bearing liabilities was 1.20% in the current quarter compared to .69% in the prior quarter.

Non-Interest Income

In the 1 st quarter of 2023, total non-interest income amounted to $137.6 million, an increase of $5.8 million compared to the same period last year and increased $787 thousand compared to the prior quarter. The increase in non-interest income compared to the same period last year was mainly due to higher bank card and sweep fees. In addition, a $2.0 million increase in fair value adjustments was recorded on the Company’s deferred compensation plan assets, which are held in a trust and recorded as both an asset and liability, affecting both other income and other expense. These increases were partly offset by lower trust fees and loan fees and sales. The increase in non-interest income compared to the prior quarter was mainly due to higher bank card fees, mostly offset by a gain on the sale of real estate recorded in the prior quarter that did not reoccur this quarter, and lower tax credit sales fee income.

Total net bank card fees in the current quarter increased $4.6 million, or 11.0%, compared to the same period last year, and increased $2.1 million compared to the prior quarter. Net corporate card fees increased $3.6 million, or 14.9%, over the same quarter of last year mainly due to higher interchange fee income. Net debit card fees increased $735 thousand, or 7.7%, and net merchant fees increased $371 thousand, or 7.4%, while net credit card fees decreased $47 thousand, or 1.3%. Total net bank card fees this quarter were comprised of fees on corporate card ($27.3 million), debit card ($10.3 million), merchant ($5.4 million) and credit card ($3.7 million) transactions.

In the current quarter, trust fees decreased $2.5 million, or 5.2%, from the same period last year, mostly resulting from lower private client and institutional trust fees. Compared to the same period last year, deposit account fees decreased $555 thousand, or 2.5%, mainly due to lower overdraft and return item fees of $2.7 million, partly offset by higher personal deposit account fees and corporate cash management fees of $1.0 million and $959 thousand, respectively. Loan fees and sales declined $1.6 million, or 38.9%, compared to amounts recorded in the same quarter last year, due to lower mortgage banking revenue.

Other non-interest income increased over the same period last year primarily due to higher sweep fees of $2.6 million, the deferred compensation adjustment previously mentioned, and a write down on a branch location of $965 thousand recorded in the 1 st quarter of 2022. For the 1 st quarter of 2023, non-interest income comprised 35.4% of the Company’s total revenue.

Investment Securities Gains and Losses

The Company recorded net securities losses of $306 thousand in the current quarter, compared to gains of $8.9 million in the prior quarter and $7.2 million in the 1 st quarter of 2022. Net securities losses in the current quarter primarily resulted from losses of $3.1 million realized on sales of available for sale debt securities, mostly offset by net fair value gains of $2.3 million and a $653 thousand gain on the sale of an investment in the Company’s private equity investment portfolio.

Non-Interest Expense

Non-interest expense for the current quarter amounted to $224.1 million, compared to $205.6 million in the same period last year and $216.7 million in the prior quarter. The increase in non-interest expense compared to the same period last year was mainly due to higher salaries and employee benefits expense, FDIC insurance expense, data processing and software expense, miscellaneous losses, travel and entertainment expense, and the deferred compensation adjustment previously mentioned. The increase in non-interest expense compared to the prior quarter was mainly due to higher salaries and employee benefits expense, FDIC insurance expense, and occupancy expense, partly offset by lower travel and entertainment and legal and professional fees expense.

Compared to the 1 st quarter of last year, salaries and employee benefits expense increased $8.4 million, mostly due to higher full-time salaries expense of $7.6 million, or 8.9%, and higher employee benefits expense of $1.4 million. Full-time equivalent employees totaled 4,636 and 4,563 at March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Compared to the same period last year, data processing and software expense increased $1.1 million due to higher bank card fees expense and increased costs for service providers. Other non-interest expense increased $9.2 million, mostly due to growth in FDIC insurance, deferred compensation, miscellaneous losses, and travel and entertainment expense of $2.3 million, $2.0 million, $1.3 million, and $1.1 million, respectively.

Income Taxes

The effective tax rate for the Company was 21.5% in the current quarter, 20.8% in the previous quarter, and 21.3% in the 1st quarter of 2022.

Credit Quality

Net loan charge-offs in the 1 st quarter of 2023 amounted to $6.8 million, compared to $5.6 million in the prior quarter and $4.6 million in the same period last year. The ratio of annualized net loan charge-offs to total average loans was .17% in the current quarter, .14% in the previous quarter, and .12% in the 1 st quarter of last year. Net loan charge-offs on personal banking loans increased $1.4 million to $6.5 million, mainly due to higher overdraft and consumer credit card loan net charge-offs.

In the 1 st quarter of 2023, annualized net loan charge-offs on average consumer credit card loans were 3.15%, compared to 2.46% in the previous quarter, and 2.53% in the same quarter last year. Consumer loan net charge-offs were .25% of average consumer loans in the current quarter, .29% in the prior quarter, and .16% in the same quarter last year

At March 31, 2023, the allowance for credit losses on loans totaled $159.3 million, or .96% of total loans, and increased $9.2 million compared to the prior quarter. Additionally, the liability for unfunded lending commitments at March 31, 2023 was $28.6 million, a decrease of $4.5 million compared to the liability at December 31, 2022.

At March 31, 2023, total non-accrual loans amounted to $7.8 million, a decrease of $505 thousand compared to the previous quarter. At March 31, 2023, the balance of non-accrual loans, which represented .05% of loans outstanding, included business loans of $6.4 million, personal real estate loans of $1.3 million, and business real estate loans of $171 thousand. Loans more than 90 days past due and still accruing interest totaled $14.8 million at March 31, 2023.

Liquidity

During the 1st quarter of 2023, the Company increased its deposit balance at the Federal Reserve Bank (FRB) by $952.7 million to $1.3 billion. The change in the balance at the FRB was mostly the result of a $1.5 billion increase in Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) advances and $1.3 billion of sales, maturities, and paydowns in the available for sale debt securities portfolio, partly offset by a $1.5 billion decrease in total deposits.

The Company regularly pledges loans and securities to the FRB and at March 31, 2023, the Company’s pledging resulted in a total borrowing capacity of $3.8 billion, or an increase of $2.9 billion compared to December 31, 2022. The Company did not have any borrowings from the FRB’s Discount Window or its newly established Bank Term Funding Program during the current quarter. The Company also pledges loans and securities and borrows from the FHLB. As of March 31, 2023, the Company had $1.5 billion of outstanding borrowings from the FHLB and $554.3 million of remaining borrowing capacity. Additionally, the Company pledges portions of its investment securities portfolio to secure public fund deposits, trust funds, and securities sold under agreements to repurchase.

The Company has an available for sale debt securities portfolio with a fair market value of $11.2 billion at March 31, 2023. Approximately $2.0 billion is expected to mature or pay down over the next 12 months. At March 31, 2023, the Company had pledged $8.1 billion of the securities portfolio. The Company also has a portfolio of $825.0 million in securities purchased under agreements to resell, of which $700.0 million are expected to mature over the next 12 months.

Other

During the 1 st quarter of 2023, the Company paid a cash dividend of $.27 per common share, representing a 7.1% increase over the same period last year. The Company purchased 547,381 shares of treasury stock during the current quarter at an average price of $65.93.

Forward-Looking Information

This information contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include future financial and operating results, expectations, intentions, and other statements that are not historical facts. Such statements are based on current beliefs and expectations of the Company’s management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230417005614/en/

Matt Burkemper, Investor Relations
(314) 746-7485
www.commercebank.com
matthew.burkemper@commercebank.com

Stock Information

Company Name: Commerce Bancshares Inc.
Stock Symbol: CBSH
Market: NASDAQ
Website: commercebank.com

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