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home / news releases / CBSH - Commerce Bancshares Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter Earnings Per Share Of $1.04


CBSH - Commerce Bancshares Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter Earnings Per Share Of $1.04

Commerce Bancshares, Inc. announced earnings of $1.04 per share for the three months ended December 31, 2022, compared to $.90 per share in the same quarter last year and $.97 per share in the third quarter of 2022. Net income for the fourth quarter of 2022 amounted to $131.6 million, compared to $114.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2021 and $122.8 million in the prior quarter.

“The company delivered strong results in the fourth quarter,” said John Kemper, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Loan growth, margin expansion, and resilient fee-based income all contributed to record quarterly revenue. Taking stock of where we are and looking ahead into 2023, the strength of our deposit franchise and our long-term, conservative and disciplined approach to credit and capital management position us well in an uncertain environment.

“Our results would not be possible without our talented team members and their unwavering commitment to our purpose and culture. Our results are a reflection of the way our team works collaboratively, communicates, and strives toward the shared goal of helping our customers focus on what matters most.”

Fourth Quarter 2022 Financial Highlights:

  • Net interest income was $254.6 million, an $8.3 million increase over the prior quarter. The net yield on interest earning assets increased 17 basis points to 3.18%.
  • Non-interest income totaled $136.8 million, a decrease of $1.7 million compared to the prior quarter.
  • Non-interest expense totaled $216.7 million, an increase of $3.9 million compared to the prior quarter.
  • Average loan balances totaled $15.9 billion, an increase of $239.0 million, or 1.5%, over the prior quarter.
  • Total average available for sale debt securities decreased 7.9%, or $1.1 billion, from the prior quarter to $12.4 billion, at fair value. Purchases of securities during the quarter totaled $145.3 million, with a weighted average yield of approximately 5.05%.
  • Average deposits declined $1.1 billion, or 4.1%, from the prior quarter. The average rate paid on interest bearing deposits was .40%.
  • The ratio of annualized net loan charge-offs to average loans was .14% compared to .12% in the prior quarter.
  • Non-accrual loans totaled $8.3 million compared to $7.2 million in the prior quarter. Non-accrual loans were .05% of total loans.
  • The allowance for credit losses on loans increased $6.8 million during the fourth quarter to $150.1 million, and at December 31, 2022, the ratio of the allowance for credit losses on loans to total loans was .92%, compared to .90% at September 30, 2022.
  • The Company purchased 332,178 shares of its common stock this quarter at an average price of $70.15.
  • Total assets at December 31, 2022 were $31.9 billion, a decrease of $726.7 million, or 2.2%, from the prior quarter.
  • For the quarter, the return on average assets was 1.65%, the return on average equity was 21.88%, and the efficiency ratio was 55.3%.

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 almost 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

For the Year Ended

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

Dec. 31,
2022

Sep. 30,
2022

Dec. 31,
2021

Dec. 31,
2022

Dec. 31,
2021

FINANCIAL SUMMARY

Net interest income

$254,641

$246,373

$207,657

$942,185

$835,424

Non-interest income

136,825

138,514

147,699

546,535

560,393

Total revenue

391,466

384,887

355,356

1,488,720

1,395,817

Investment securities gains (losses)

8,904

3,410

(9,706

)

20,506

30,059

Provision for credit losses

15,477

15,290

(7,054

)

28,071

(66,326

)

Non-interest expense

216,740

212,884

203,582

848,777

805,901

Income before taxes

168,153

160,123

149,122

632,378

686,301

Income taxes

34,499

33,936

33,764

132,358

145,711

Non-controlling interest expense

2,026

3,364

452

11,621

9,825

Net income attributable to Commerce Bancshares, Inc.

$131,628

$122,823

$114,906

$488,399

$530,765

Earnings per common share:

Net income — basic

$1.05

$0.97

$0.90

$3.86

$4.12

Net income — diluted

$1.04

$0.97

$0.90

$3.85

$4.11

Effective tax rate

20.77

%

21.65

%

22.71

%

21.32

%

21.54

%

Fully-taxable equivalent net interest income

$256,675

$248,737

$210,424

$951,815

$847,116

Average total interest earning assets (1)

$31,991,224

$32,807,393

$34,318,520

$ 33,384,162

$32,874,701

Diluted wtd. average shares outstanding

124,589,323

125,116,585

127,282,556

125,560,387

128,038,042

RATIOS

Average loans to deposits (2)

59.73

%

56.40

%

52.36

%

55.41

%

56.46

%

Return on total average assets

1.65

1.48

1.28

1.45

1.55

Return on average equity (3)

21.88

17.84

13.11

17.31

15.37

Non-interest income to total revenue

34.95

35.99

41.56

36.71

40.15

Efficiency ratio (4)

55.26

55.19

57.29

56.90

57.64

Net yield on interest earning assets

3.18

3.01

2.43

2.85

2.58

EQUITY SUMMARY

Cash dividends per share

$.252

$.252

$.238

$1.010

$.952

Cash dividends on common stock

$31,648

$31,740

$30,489

$127,466

$122,693

Book value per share (5)

$19.85

$18.91

$27.05

Market value per share (5)

$68.07

$63.01

$65.47

High market value per share

$72.60

$70.45

$68.10

Low market value per share

$63.17

$61.14

$61.76

Common shares outstanding (5)

124,999,100

125,329,198

127,508,571

Tangible common equity to tangible assets (6)

7.32

%

6.80

%

9.01

%

Tier I leverage ratio

10.34

%

9.87

%

9.13

%

OTHER QTD INFORMATION

Number of bank/ATM locations

275

277

287

Full-time equivalent employees

4,594

4,595

4,567

(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 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

For the Year Ended

Dec. 31,
2022

Sep. 30,
2022

Jun. 30,
2022

Mar. 31,
2022

Dec. 31,
2021

Dec. 31,
2022

Dec. 31,
2021

Interest income

$286,377

$262,666

$238,154

$211,782

$210,479

$998,979

$848,290

Interest expense

31,736

16,293

5,769

2,996

2,822

56,794

12,866

Net interest income

254,641

246,373

232,385

208,786

207,657

942,185

835,424

Provision for credit losses

15,477

15,290

7,162

(9,858

)

(7,054

)

28,071

(66,326

)

Net interest income after credit losses

239,164

231,083

225,223

218,644

214,711

914,114

901,750

NON-INTEREST INCOME

Trust fees

44,710

45,406

46,792

47,811

48,893

184,719

188,227

Bank card transaction fees

44,588

45,638

43,873

42,045

44,773

176,144

167,891

Deposit account charges and other fees

21,989

24,521

25,564

22,307

25,493

94,381

97,217

Consumer brokerage services

4,518

5,085

5,068

4,446

4,878

19,117

18,362

Capital market fees

3,386

3,393

3,327

4,125

3,841

14,231

15,943

Loan fees and sales

2,566

3,094

3,246

4,235

5,248

13,141

29,720

Other

15,068

11,377

11,557

6,800

14,573

44,802

43,033

Total non-interest income

136,825

138,514

139,427

131,769

147,699

546,535

560,393

INVESTMENT SECURITIES GAINS (LOSSES), NET

8,904

3,410

1,029

7,163

(9,706

)

20,506

30,059

NON-INTEREST EXPENSE

Salaries and employee benefits

138,458

137,393

142,243

135,953

132,640

554,047

525,248

Data processing and software

27,991

28,050

27,635

27,016

25,777

110,692

101,792

Net occupancy

11,774

12,544

12,503

12,296

12,308

49,117

48,185

Equipment

5,021

5,036

4,734

4,568

4,691

19,359

18,089

Supplies and communication

4,446

4,581

4,361

4,713

4,430

18,101

17,118

Marketing

5,419

6,228

5,836

6,344

5,395

23,827

21,856

Other

23,631

19,052

16,193

14,758

18,341

73,634

73,613

Total non-interest expense

216,740

212,884

213,505

205,648

203,582

848,777

805,901

Income before income taxes

168,153

160,123

152,174

151,928

149,122

632,378

686,301

Less income taxes

34,499

33,936

32,021

31,902

33,764

132,358

145,711

Net income

133,654

126,187

120,153

120,026

115,358

500,020

540,590

Less non-controlling interest expense

2,026

3,364

4,359

1,872

452

11,621

9,825

Net income attributable to Commerce Bancshares, Inc.

$131,628

$122,823

$115,794

$118,154

$114,906

$488,399

$530,765

Net income per common share — basic

$1.05

$0.97

$0.92

$0.92

$0.90

$3.86

$4.12

Net income per common share — diluted

$1.04

$0.97

$0.92

$0.92

$0.90

$3.85

$4.11

OTHER INFORMATION

Return on total average assets

1.65

%

1.48

%

1.36

%

1.33

%

1.28

%

1.45

%

1.55

%

Return on average equity (1)

21.88

17.84

16.29

14.41

13.11

17.31

15.37

Efficiency ratio (2)

55.26

55.19

57.29

60.29

57.29

56.90

57.64

Effective tax rate

20.77

21.65

21.66

21.26

22.71

21.32

21.54

Net yield on interest earning assets

3.18

3.01

2.79

2.45

2.43

2.85

2.58

Fully-taxable equivalent net interest income

$256,675

$248,737

$235,010

$211,393

$210,424

$951,815

$847,116

(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)

Dec. 31,
2022

Sep. 30,
2022

Dec. 31,
2021

ASSETS

Loans

Business

$ 5,661,725

$ 5,528,895

$ 5,303,535

Real estate — construction and land

1,361,095

1,206,955

1,118,266

Real estate — business

3,406,981

3,331,627

3,058,837

Real estate — personal

2,918,078

2,862,519

2,805,401

Consumer

2,059,088

2,116,371

2,032,225

Revolving home equity

297,207

286,026

275,945

Consumer credit card

584,000

563,349

575,410

Overdrafts

14,957

3,216

6,740

Total loans

16,303,131

15,898,958

15,176,359

Allowance for credit losses on loans

(150,136

)

(143,377

)

(150,044

)

Net loans

16,152,995

15,755,581

15,026,315

Loans held for sale

4,964

8,062

8,615

Investment securities:

Available for sale debt securities

12,238,316

12,632,510

14,450,027

Trading debt securities

43,523

39,222

46,235

Equity securities

12,304

8,954

9,202

Other securities

225,034

222,742

194,047

Total investment securities

12,519,177

12,903,428

14,699,511

Federal funds sold

49,505

14,020

2,800

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

825,000

1,275,000

1,625,000

Interest earning deposits with banks

389,140

642,943

3,971,217

Cash and due from banks

452,496

344,178

305,539

Premises and equipment — net

418,909

407,833

388,738

Goodwill

138,921

138,921

138,921

Other intangible assets — net

15,234

15,599

15,570

Other assets

909,590

1,097,031

506,862

Total assets

$ 31,875,931

$ 32,602,596

$ 36,689,088

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Deposits:

Non-interest bearing

$ 10,066,356

$ 10,468,591

$ 11,772,374

Savings, interest checking and money market

15,126,981

16,014,487

16,598,085

Certificates of deposit of less than $100,000

387,336

391,145

435,960

Certificates of deposit of $100,000 and over

606,767

597,093

1,006,654

Total deposits

26,187,440

27,471,316

29,813,073

Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase

2,841,734

2,314,590

3,022,967

Other borrowings

9,672

1,831

12,560

Other liabilities

355,508

443,752

392,164

Total liabilities

29,394,354

30,231,489

33,240,764

Stockholders’ equity:

Common stock

629,319

610,804

610,804

Capital surplus

2,932,959

2,683,631

2,689,894

Retained earnings

31,620

353,446

92,493

Treasury stock

(41,743

)

(176,943

)

(32,973

)

Accumulated other comprehensive income

(1,086,864

)

(1,119,344

)

77,080

Total stockholders’ equity

2,465,291

2,351,594

3,437,298

Non-controlling interest

16,286

19,513

11,026

Total equity

2,481,577

2,371,107

3,448,324

Total liabilities and equity

$ 31,875,931

$ 32,602,596

$ 36,689,088

COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. and SUBSIDIARIES

AVERAGE BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)

For the Three Months Ended

Dec. 31,
2022

Sep. 30,
2022

Jun. 30,
2022

Mar. 31,
2022

Dec. 31,
2021

ASSETS:

Loans:

Business

$ 5,478,241

$ 5,317,696

$ 5,385,181

$ 5,324,172

$ 5,191,844

Real estate — construction and land

1,268,900

1,288,721

1,225,267

1,134,902

1,228,237

Real estate — business

3,300,697

3,258,128

3,163,508

3,095,068

3,003,459

Real estate — personal

2,886,686

2,844,376

2,825,578

2,808,980

2,785,095

Consumer

2,089,912

2,101,622

2,070,560

2,040,200

2,043,690

Revolving home equity

293,681

280,923

272,280

273,859

276,464

Consumer credit card

559,463

550,058

537,681

540,844

559,429

Overdrafts

7,428

4,438

5,524

5,178

4,926

Total loans

15,885,008

15,645,962

15,485,579

15,223,203

15,093,144

Allowance for credit losses on loans

(143,285

)

(137,833

)

(134,670

)

(149,685

)

(162,428

)

Net loans

15,741,723

15,508,129

15,350,909

15,073,518

14,930,716

Loans held for sale

6,567

7,170

7,933

9,383

11,203

Investment securities:

U.S. government and federal agency obligations

1,055,602

1,113,442

1,119,305

1,103,749

1,009,025

Government-sponsored enterprise obligations

55,732

55,753

55,762

51,770

50,777

State and municipal obligations

1,990,643

2,052,908

2,126,380

2,077,600

2,095,517

Mortgage-backed securities

6,605,936

6,847,912

7,158,252

7,316,609

7,141,249

Asset-backed securities

3,714,092

3,870,953

4,038,113

3,933,061

3,514,541

Other debt securities

560,951

587,026

643,463

636,247

629,643

Unrealized gain (loss) on debt securities

(1,582,061

)

(1,064,534

)

(851,110

)

(174,297

)

86,020

Total available for sale debt securities

12,400,895

13,463,460

14,290,165

14,944,739

14,526,772

Trading debt securities

44,626

35,621

43,904

40,686

46,513

Equity securities

10,534

8,838

9,094

9,498

9,171

Other securities

219,354

208,708

195,090

192,311

190,346

Total investment securities

12,675,409

13,716,627

14,538,253

15,187,234

14,772,802

Federal funds sold

27,683

13,486

4,269

1,053

564

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

1,174,457

1,379,341

1,703,569

1,733,887

1,669,835

Interest earning deposits with banks

640,039

980,273

1,248,942

2,608,029

2,856,992

Other assets

1,339,554

1,256,498

1,238,493

1,304,400

1,288,323

Total assets

$ 31,605,432

$ 32,861,524

$ 34,092,368

$ 35,917,504

$ 35,530,435

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY:

Non-interest bearing deposits

$ 10,360,834

$ 10,758,353

$ 11,209,680

$ 11,544,701

$ 11,919,268

Savings

1,567,113

1,595,857

1,609,694

1,563,093

1,507,199

Interest checking and money market

13,693,974

14,423,713

14,847,306

14,949,727

13,873,985

Certificates of deposit of less than $100,000

388,304

397,071

411,655

429,852

441,920

Certificates of deposit of $100,000 and over

596,703

578,158

648,728

862,232

1,105,480

Total deposits

26,606,928

27,753,152

28,727,063

29,349,605

28,847,852

Borrowings:

Federal funds purchased

143,630

51,929

113,128

23,356

20,848

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

2,260,263

2,199,866

2,258,184

2,712,468

2,620,348

Other borrowings

179,552

2,010

2,029

768

1,078

Total borrowings

2,583,445

2,253,805

2,373,341

2,736,592

2,642,274

Other liabilities

28,745

123,691

139,986

505,644

562,102

Total liabilities

29,219,118

30,130,648

31,240,390

32,591,841

32,052,228

Equity

2,386,314

2,730,876

2,851,978

3,325,663

3,478,207

Total liabilities and equity

$ 31,605,432

$ 32,861,524

$ 34,092,368

$ 35,917,504

$ 35,530,435

COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. and SUBSIDIARIES

AVERAGE RATES

(Unaudited)

For the Three Months Ended

Dec. 31,
2022

Sep. 30,
2022

Jun. 30,
2022

Mar. 31,
2022

Dec. 31,
2021

ASSETS:

Loans:

Business (1)

4.68

%

3.94

%

3.16

%

2.93

%

3.16

%

Real estate — construction and land

6.80

5.27

4.09

3.76

3.61

Real estate — business

5.15

4.40

3.70

3.38

3.41

Real estate — personal

3.45

3.36

3.27

3.28

3.21

Consumer

4.77

4.17

3.62

3.59

3.65

Revolving home equity

5.89

4.82

3.69

3.48

3.47

Consumer credit card

12.64

12.05

11.32

11.35

11.06

Overdrafts

Total loans

5.03

4.37

3.72

3.54

3.62

Loans held for sale

10.09

8.80

8.14

6.48

5.10

Investment securities:

U.S. government and federal agency obligations

2.01

4.51

4.93

3.42

3.11

Government-sponsored enterprise obligations

2.36

2.36

2.39

2.33

2.30

State and municipal obligations (1)

2.29

2.27

2.30

2.29

2.26

Mortgage-backed securities

1.88

1.93

1.99

1.98

1.40

Asset-backed securities

1.96

1.62

1.35

1.13

1.03

Other debt securities

1.89

1.93

1.97

2.00

2.07

Total available for sale debt securities

1.97

2.09

2.08

1.91

1.59

Trading debt securities (1)

3.81

2.74

2.46

1.84

1.54

Equity securities (1)

28.44

27.11

26.90

26.00

27.64

Other securities (1)

6.67

7.09

22.38

5.91

18.39

Total investment securities

2.07

2.18

2.36

1.97

1.82

Federal funds sold

4.27

2.77

1.79

.39

.70

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

2.36

1.72

1.03

1.24

1.62

Interest earning deposits with banks

3.69

2.25

.78

.18

.15

Total interest earning assets

3.59

3.21

2.86

2.49

2.47

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY:

Interest bearing deposits:

Savings

.06

.04

.04

.05

.08

Interest checking and money market

.38

.20

.06

.04

.04

Certificates of deposit of less than $100,000

.73

.41

.20

.13

.14

Certificates of deposit of $100,000 and over

1.42

.60

.29

.20

.14

Total interest bearing deposits

.40

.21

.07

.05

.05

Borrowings:

Federal funds purchased

3.56

2.41

.79

.12

.11

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

2.29

1.37

.48

.10

.08

Other borrowings

4.02

1.78

2.37

.53

Total borrowings

2.48

1.39

.50

.10

.08

Total interest bearing liabilities

.69

%

.34

%

.12

%

.06

%

.06

%

Net yield on interest earning assets

3.18

%

3.01

%

2.79

%

2.45

%

2.43

%

(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

For the Year Ended

(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except ratios)

Dec. 31,
2022

Sep. 30,
2022

Jun. 30,
2022

Mar. 31,
2022

Dec. 31,
2021

Dec. 31,
2022

Dec. 31,
2021

ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES ON LOANS

Balance at beginning of period

$143,377

$138,039

$134,710

$150,044

$162,775

$150,044

$220,834

Provision for credit losses on loans

12,404

10,150

7,287

(10,686

)

(8,474

)

19,155

(52,223

)

Net charge-offs (recoveries):

Commercial portfolio:

Business

496

461

19

77

90

1,053

(4,758

)

Real estate — construction and land

1

Real estate — business

(4

)

(8

)

(1

)

(7

)

6

(20

)

(64

)

492

453

18

70

96

1,033

(4,821

)

Personal banking portfolio:

Consumer credit card

3,467

2,882

2,937

3,372

2,964

12,658

20,008

Consumer

1,522

827

633

808

919

3,790

2,556

Overdraft

230

703

425

358

375

1,716

919

Real estate — personal

(40

)

(15

)

(41

)

22

(71

)

(74

)

(98

)

Revolving home equity

(26

)

(38

)

(14

)

18

(26

)

(60

)

3

5,153

4,359

3,940

4,578

4,161

18,030

23,388

Total net loan charge-offs

5,645

4,812

3,958

4,648

4,257

19,063

18,567

Balance at end of period

$150,136

$143,377

$138,039

$134,710

$150,044

$150,136

$150,044

LIABILITY FOR UNFUNDED LENDING COMMITMENTS

$33,120

$30,047

$24,907

$25,032

$24,204

NET CHARGE-OFF RATIOS (1)

Commercial portfolio:

Business

.04

%

.03

%

%

.01

%

.01

%

.02

%

(.08

%)

Real estate — construction and land

Real estate — business

.02

.02

.01

(.05

)

Personal banking portfolio:

Consumer credit card

2.46

2.08

2.19

2.53

2.10

2.31

3.47

Consumer

.29

.16

.12

.16

.18

.18

.13

Overdraft

12.28

62.85

30.86

28.04

30.20

30.40

21.20

Real estate — personal

(.01

)

(.01

)

(.01

)

Revolving home equity

(.04

)

(.05

)

(.02

)

.03

(.04

)

(.02

)

.35

.30

.28

.33

.29

.31

.41

Total

.14

%

.12

%

.10

%

.12

%

.11

%

.12

%

.12

%

CREDIT QUALITY RATIOS

Non-accrual loans to total loans

.05

%

.05

%

.05

%

.05

%

.06

%

Allowance for credit losses on loans to total loans

.92

.90

.88

.87

.99

NON-ACCRUAL AND PAST DUE LOANS

Non-accrual loans:

Business

$6,751

$5,645

$6,314

$6,756

$7,312

Real estate — construction and land

Real estate — business

189

149

167

190

214

Real estate — personal

1,366

1,390

1,436

1,389

1,631

Total

8,306

7,184

7,917

8,335

9,157

Loans past due 90 days and still accruing interest

$15,830

$12,538

$11,909

$10,670

$11,726

(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 Fourth Quarter Results
December 31, 2022

For the quarter ended December 31, 2022, net income amounted to $131.6 million, compared to $122.8 million in the previous quarter and $114.9 million in the same quarter last year. The increase in net income compared to the previous quarter was primarily the result of increases in net interest income and investment securities gains, partly offset by lower non-interest income and higher non-interest expense. The net yield on interest earning assets grew 17 basis points to 3.18%. Average loans grew $239.0 million compared to the previous quarter, while average available for sale debt securities and average deposits each declined $1.1 billion. For the quarter, the return on average assets was 1.65%, the return on average equity was 21.88%, and the efficiency ratio was 55.3%.

Balance Sheet Review

During the 4th quarter of 2022, average loans totaled $15.9 billion, an increase of $239.0 million over the prior quarter, and $791.9 million, or 5.3%, over the same quarter last year. Compared to the previous quarter, average balances of business, business real estate, and personal real estate loans grew $160.5 million, $42.6 million, and $42.3 million, respectively. Period end loans increased $404.2 million compared to the prior quarter. During the current quarter, the Company sold certain fixed rate personal real estate loans totaling $2.4 million, compared to $16.7 million in the prior quarter.

Total average available for sale debt securities decreased $1.1 billion compared to the previous quarter to $12.4 billion, at fair value. The decrease in investment securities was mainly the result of lower balances of mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities. During the current quarter, purchases of securities totaled $145.3 million with a weighted average yield of approximately 5.05%. Maturities and pay downs were $573.2 million. At December 31, 2022, the duration of the investment portfolio was 3.7 years, and maturities and pay downs of approximately $2.4 billion are expected to occur during the next 12 months.

Total average deposits decreased $1.1 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 $397.5 million and $729.7 million, respectively. Compared to the previous quarter, total average commercial, consumer, and wealth deposits declined $554.3 million, $426.7 million, and $162.0 million, respectively. The average loans to deposits ratio was 59.7% in the current quarter and 56.4% in the prior quarter. The Company’s average borrowings, which include customer repurchase agreements, were $2.6 billion in the 4th quarter of 2022 and $2.3 billion in the prior quarter.

Net Interest Income

Net interest income in the 4th quarter of 2022 amounted to $254.6 million, an increase of $8.3 million compared to the previous quarter. On a fully taxable-equivalent (FTE) basis, net interest income for the current quarter increased $7.9 million over the previous quarter to $256.7 million. The increase in net interest income was due to higher interest earned on loans, partly offset by lower interest earned on investment securities and higher interest expense. The net yield (FTE) on earning assets increased to 3.18%, compared to 3.01% in the prior quarter.

Compared to the previous quarter, interest income on loans (FTE) increased $29.2 million, mostly due to higher average rates on business, business real estate, construction, and consumer loans. The average yield (FTE) on the loan portfolio increased 66 basis points to 5.03% this quarter.

Interest income on investment securities (FTE) decreased $7.0 million compared to the prior quarter, due to lower rates earned, coupled with lower average balances. Interest income earned on U.S. government and federal agency securities decreased due to lower rates earned, which included the impact of $6.9 million in lower inflation income from Treasury inflation-protected securities this quarter. At December 31, 2022, the Company recorded a $1.1 million adjustment to premium amortization, which decreased interest income to reflect faster forward prepayment speed estimates on mortgage-backed securities. The average yield (FTE) on total investment securities was 2.07% in the current quarter, compared to 2.18% in the previous quarter.

The average rate paid on interest bearing deposits totaled .40% in the current quarter compared to .21% in the prior quarter. Interest expense on deposits increased $7.5 million this quarter compared to the previous quarter, while interest expense on securities sold under agreements to repurchase increased $5.5 million, due to a 92 basis point increase in the average rate paid. The overall rate paid on interest bearing liabilities was .69% in the current quarter compared to .34% in the prior quarter.

Non-Interest Income

In the 4th quarter of 2022, total non-interest income amounted to $136.8 million, a decrease of $10.9 million compared to the same period last year and decreased $1.7 million compared to the prior quarter. The decrease in non-interest income compared to the same period last year was mainly due to lower trust fees, deposit account fees, and loan fees and sales, partly offset by higher sweep fees. The decrease in non-interest income compared to the prior quarter was mainly due to lower deposit account fees and bank card fees. These decreases were partly offset by a $2.5 million increase in fair value adjustments 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.

Total net bank card fees in the current quarter decreased $185 thousand, or .4%, compared to the same period last year, and decreased $1.1 million compared to the prior quarter. Net corporate card fees increased $269 thousand, or 1.1%, over the same quarter of last year mainly due to higher interchange fee income, partly offset by higher rewards expense. Net debit card fees decreased $361 thousand, or 3.4%, and net credit card fees decreased $226 thousand, or 6.0%, while net merchant fees increased $133 thousand, or 2.5%. Total net bank card fees this quarter were comprised of fees on corporate card ($25.2 million), debit card ($10.4 million), merchant ($5.5 million) and credit card ($3.5 million) transactions.

In the current quarter, trust fees decreased $4.2 million, or 8.6%, from the same period last year, resulting from lower private client and institutional trust fees. Compared to the same period last year, deposit account fees decreased $3.5 million, or 13.7%, mainly due to lower overdraft and return item fees of $4.1 million. In September 2022, enhancements were made to consumer checking accounts that eliminated return item fees and lowered overdraft fees. Loan fees and sales declined $2.7 million, or 51.1%, compared to amounts recorded in the same quarter last year, mostly due to lower mortgage banking revenue.

Other non-interest income increased over the same period last year primarily due to higher sweep fees of $3.0 million, partly offset by lower gains on asset sales of $2.3 million. A $1.0 million gain on the sale of real estate was recorded this quarter, but it was lower than the $3.7 million gain on the sale of real estate recorded in the 4th quarter of 2021. For the 4th quarter of 2022, non-interest income comprised 35.0% of the Company’s total revenue.

Investment Securities Gains and Losses

The Company recorded net securities gains of $8.9 million in the current quarter, compared to gains of $3.4 million in the prior quarter and losses of $9.7 million in the 4th quarter of 2021. In the current quarter, the Company's private equity investment portfolio had net fair value gains and a gain on the sale of an investment of $6.7 million and $1.6 million, respectively.

Non-Interest Expense

Non-interest expense for the current quarter amounted to $216.7 million, compared to $203.6 million in the same period last year and $212.9 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, data processing and software expense, miscellaneous losses, and travel and entertainment expense. The increase in non-interest expense compared to the prior quarter was mainly due to higher salaries and employee benefits expense, legal and professional fees expense, and the deferred compensation adjustment mentioned above, partly offset by lower marketing and occupancy expense.

Compared to the 4th quarter of last year, salaries and employee benefits expense increased $5.8 million, mostly due to higher full-time salaries expense, of $4.1 million, or 4.7%, and higher employee benefits expense of $1.3 million. Full-time equivalent employees totaled 4,594 and 4,567 at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Compared to the same period last year, data processing and software expense increased $2.2 million due to higher software expense, bank card processing fees and increased costs for service providers. Other non-interest expense increased $5.3 million, mostly due to increases in miscellaneous losses, travel and entertainment, insurance, and professional fees expense of $1.6 million, $1.2 million, $742 thousand, and $507 thousand, respectively.

Income Taxes

The effective tax rate for the Company was 20.8% in the current quarter, 21.6% in the previous quarter, and 22.7% in the 4th quarter of 2021.

Credit Quality

Net loan charge-offs in the 4th quarter of 2022 amounted to $5.6 million, compared to $4.8 million in the prior quarter and $4.3 million in the same period last year. The ratio of annualized net loan charge-offs to total average loans was .14% in the current quarter, .12% in the previous quarter, and .11% in the 4th quarter of last year. Net loan charge-offs on personal banking loans increased $794 thousand to $5.2 million, mainly due to higher consumer and consumer credit card loan net charge-offs.

In the 4th quarter of 2022, annualized net loan charge-offs on average consumer credit card loans were 2.46%, compared to 2.08% in the previous quarter, and 2.10% in the same quarter last year. Consumer loan net charge-offs were .29% of average consumer loans in the current quarter, .16% in the prior quarter, and .18% in the same quarter last year.

At December 31, 2022, the allowance for credit losses on loans totaled $150.1 million, or .92% of total loans, and increased $6.8 million compared to the prior quarter. Additionally, the liability for unfunded lending commitments at December 31, 2022 was $33.1 million, an increase of $3.1 million compared to the liability at September 30, 2022.

At December 31, 2022, total non-accrual loans amounted to $8.3 million, an increase of $1.1 million over the previous quarter. At December 31, 2022, the balance of non-accrual loans, which represented .05% of loans outstanding, included business loans of $6.8 million, personal real estate loans of $1.4 million, and business real estate loans of $189 thousand. Loans more than 90 days past due and still accruing interest totaled $15.8 million at December 31, 2022.

Other

During the 4th quarter of 2022, the Company distributed a 5% stock dividend on its common stock and paid a cash dividend of $.25 per common share (as restated for the stock dividend), representing a 6.0% increase over the same period last year. The Company purchased 332,178 shares of treasury stock during the current quarter at an average price of $70.15.

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/20230118005668/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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