Commerce Bancshares, Inc. Reports Second Quarter Earnings Per Share of $.34

Commerce Bancshares, Inc.  (NASDAQ: CBSH) announced earnings of $.34 per common share for the three months ended June 30, 2020, compared to $.91 per share in the same quarter last year and $.44 per share in the prior quarter. Net income attributable to Commerce Bancshares, Inc. for the second quarter of 2020 amounted to $39.9 million, compared to $108.0 million in the second quarter of 2019 and $51.9 million in the prior quarter. For the quarter, the return on average assets was .54%, the return on average common equity was 4.77% and the efficiency ratio was 58.1%.

For the six months ended June 30, 2020, earnings per common share totaled $.78 compared to $1.72 for the first six months of 2019. Net income attributable to Commerce Bancshares, Inc. amounted to $91.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020 compared to $205.1 million in the comparable period last year. Year to date, the return on average assets was .66% and the return on average common equity was 5.61%.

In announcing these results, John Kemper, Chief Executive Officer, said, “While uncertainty surrounding the U.S. economy continued throughout the second quarter, we are cautiously optimistic about its resilience and encouraged by the strength of our customers and communities. Businesses have begun to reopen and adapt to the evolving COVID-19 operating environment and customer spending is rebounding from its lows in the second quarter. Commerce has always been committed to standing by our customers in difficult times. As part of our commitment, we have suspended foreclosure proceedings, offered fee waivers, and mobilized many internal resources to provide our commercial customers access to funding through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). In addition to the pandemic, our country is grappling with new, jarring reminders of the work that needs to be done to create a more just and equitable society, with broadened access to the wealth-creating engine of our economy. Commerce is committed to doing its part to create the positive and enduring change that is needed. Our strong culture, industry-leading capital levels, and commitment to sound credit policy enable us to be a source of stability for our team members, customers and communities in this period of uncertainty."

Mr. Kemper continued, “While net income was lower this quarter, it was mainly impacted by additional reserves recorded for future loan losses. Excluding the provision for credit losses and securities losses, net income grew modestly over the first quarter. A slight increase in net interest income and lower expense more than offset the decline in fee income this quarter. Compared to the prior quarter, consumer and business spending declined significantly, which negatively impacted bank card revenue. The PPP loan program drove tremendous growth in business loans this quarter, overshadowing strong growth in personal real estate loans. We secured funding for 7,443 customers to receive $1.5 billion in PPP loans, with a median loan size of $34 thousand. The net interest margin declined 39 basis points this quarter, reflecting not only the significant decline in interest rates over the past quarter, but also the rapid growth in deposits during the current quarter, which substantially increased our low-yielding balances held at the Federal Reserve.”

Mr. Kemper continued, "This quarter net loan charge-offs totaled $8.4 million, compared to $10.9 million in the prior quarter and $11.3 million in the second quarter of 2019. The ratio of annualized net loan charge-offs to average loans was .21% in the current quarter, .30% in the prior quarter and .32% in the second quarter of last year. Net loan charge-offs on commercial loans totaled $3.2 million this quarter. Net loan charge-offs on personal banking loans decreased $6.1 million to $5.2 million, mostly the result of new payment relief programs, which lowered consumer credit card loan net charge-offs noticeably this quarter. Further, while net charge-offs were mostly uneventful this quarter, the provision for credit losses exceeded net loan charge-offs by $72.1 million, as the economic forecast utilized in our CECL model deteriorated significantly from our expectation at the end of the first quarter, driving a second consecutive quarter of substantial increases to our reserves.”

Total assets at June 30, 2020 were $30.5 billion, total loans were $16.4 billion, and total deposits were $24.5 billion. During the quarter, the Company paid a common cash dividend of $.27 per share, representing an 8.9% increase over the rate paid in 2019, and also paid an annualized 6% cash dividend on its preferred stock.

Commerce Bancshares, Inc. is a regional bank holding company offering a full line of banking services, including payment solutions, investment management and securities brokerage. Commerce Bank, a subsidiary of Commerce Bancshares, Inc., leverages more than 150 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, including management's discussion of second quarter results, is posted to the Company's web site at www.commercebank.com.

COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC.
Management Discussion of Second Quarter Results
June 30, 2020

For the quarter ended June 30, 2020, net income attributable to Commerce Bancshares, Inc. (net income) amounted to $39.9 million, compared to $51.9 million in the previous quarter and $108.0 million in the same quarter last year. The decrease in net income from the previous quarter was primarily the result of an increase in the provision for credit losses. Non-interest income was lower this quarter than in the prior quarter, but non-interest expense also declined by a similar amount. Securities losses decreased this quarter mostly due to lower fair value adjustments on the Company’s private equity investment portfolio. While net interest income increased this quarter, the net interest margin decreased as the contraction of average rates on loans and investment securities was only modestly offset by the declining rate paid on interest bearing liabilities and growth in interest earning assets. Average loans increased $1.5 billion over the previous quarter, while average deposits increased $3.1 billion. For the quarter, the return on average assets was .54%, the return on average common equity was 4.77%, and the efficiency ratio was 58.1%.

Balance Sheet Review

During the 2nd quarter of 2020, average loans totaled $16.2 billion, and increased $1.5 billion over the prior quarter, and grew $2.1 billion, or 14.6%, over the same quarter last year. Period-end loans grew $1.3 billion over the prior quarter and $2.1 billion over June 30, 2019. Compared to the previous quarter, average loan growth was primarily driven by increases in business, personal real estate, and business real estate loans of $1.3 billion, $191.8 million, and $108.4 million, respectively. This growth was partly offset by a decline in consumer credit card loans of $63.7 million. Growth in business loans was the result of demand for Paycheck Protection Plan (PPP) loans, while personal real estate loan balances grew due to a higher portion of loans originated being retained rather than sold during the 2nd quarter of 2020 compared to the previous quarter. During the current quarter, the Company sold certain fixed rate personal real estate loans totaling $832 thousand, compared to $39.3 million in the prior quarter, as late in the current quarter the Company resumed selling loans in the secondary market after temporarily pausing sales in the prior quarter.

Total average available for sale debt securities increased $991.8 million over the previous quarter to $9.5 billion, at fair value. The increase in investment securities was mainly the result of growth in mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities. Purchases of securities during the quarter totaled $2.3 billion, and sales, maturities and pay downs were $733.1 million. At June 30, 2020, the duration of the investment portfolio was 2.8 years, and maturities and pay downs of approximately $1.6 billion are expected to occur during the next 12 months.

Total average deposits increased $3.1 billion this quarter compared to the previous quarter. The increase in deposits resulted from growth in demand ($2.2 billion), interest checking and money market ($664.3 million), savings deposits ($158.7 million), and certificates of deposit ($28.9 million). Compared to the previous quarter, total average commercial, consumer and wealth deposits (including private banking) grew $2.0 billion, $975.6 million and $161.3 million, respectively. The average loans to deposits ratio was 69.2% in the current quarter and 72.6% in the prior quarter. The Company’s average borrowings, which includes customer repurchase agreements, were $2.3 billion in the 2nd quarter of 2020 and $2.2 billion in the prior quarter.

Net Interest Income

Net interest income in the 2nd quarter of 2020 amounted to $203.1 million, an increase of $2.0 million compared to the previous quarter. On a tax equivalent basis, net interest income for the current quarter increased $1.9 million over the previous quarter to $206.3 million. The increase in net interest income was mainly due to lower interest expense on interest bearing liabilities, partly offset by lower income on interest earnings assets. The Company recorded a $1.5 million adjustment to premium amortization on mortgage-backed securities for prepayment speed changes, which lowered interest income this quarter. The net yield on earning assets (tax equivalent) decreased to 2.94%, compared to 3.33% in the prior quarter.

Compared to the previous quarter, interest income on loans (tax equivalent) decreased $7.8 million, mostly as a result of lower yields on loans, mainly business and business real estate loans and lower average balances of consumer credit card loans. Growth in average business, personal real estate, and business real estate loan balances increased net interest income and partially offset the impact of lower yields. The average tax-equivalent yield on the loan portfolio declined to 3.80%, compared to 4.39% in the previous quarter.

Interest income on investment securities (tax equivalent) decreased $2.9 million from the previous quarter, mainly due to lower interest income earned on U.S. government and federal agency securities as inflation income on treasury inflation-protected securities declined $3.3 million this quarter. An increase in interest income from higher average balances of mortgage-backed securities was partly offset by the $1.5 million premium amortization adjustment, as noted above. The yield on total investment securities was 2.24% in the current quarter, down from 2.61% in the previous quarter.

Interest costs on deposits totaled 25 basis points in the 2nd quarter of 2020, compared to 45 basis points in the prior quarter. Interest expense on deposits decreased $6.3 million this quarter compared to the previous quarter mainly due to lower rates paid on all deposit categories. Borrowing costs decreased $3.8 million this quarter due to lower rates paid on borrowings, especially securities sold under agreements to repurchase, partially offset by higher average Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings, which were paid off as of June 30, 2020. The overall rate paid on interest bearing liabilities was .25% in the current quarter, compared to .52% in the prior quarter.

Non-Interest Income

In the 2nd quarter of 2020, total non-interest income amounted to $117.5 million, a decrease of $9.7 million, or 7.7%, compared to the same period last year and decreased $6.1 million, or 5.0%, compared to the prior quarter. The decrease in non-interest income from the same period last year was mainly due to lower bank card, deposit account, and consumer brokerage service fees, partly offset by growth in capital market fees.

Total net bank card fees in the current quarter decreased $8.9 million, or 20.9%, from the same period last year, and decreased $6.5 million, or 16.1%, compared to the prior quarter. Net corporate card fees decreased $5.8 million from the same quarter of last year mainly due to lower transaction volume. Net debit card fees decreased $1.2 million, or 11.7%, mainly due to lower interchange income. Net merchant income declined $1.0 million, or 19.5%, and net credit card fees decreased $965 thousand, or 24.9%, due to lower fee income. Total net bank card fees this quarter were comprised of fees on corporate card ($17.8 million), debit card ($8.8 million), merchant ($4.2 million) and credit card ($2.9 million) transactions.

In the current quarter, trust fees decreased $433 thousand, or 1.1%, from the same period last year, resulting from lower corporate and institutional trust revenue, partially offset by higher private client fee income. Compared to the same period last year, deposit account fees decreased $1.7 million, or 7.0%, mainly due to lower overdraft and return item fees, partly offset by an increase in corporate cash management fees. Additionally, capital market fees grew $1.8 million, or 94.0%, while consumer brokerage service fees decreased $877 thousand, or 22.6%, from amounts recorded in the same quarter last year.

Other non-interest income increased in the 2nd quarter of 2020 compared to the previous quarter mainly due to fair value adjustments to the Company’s deferred compensation plan assets that are held in a trust and are recorded as both an asset and a liability. Fair value equity adjustments on these assets affecting both other income and other expense increased $4.7 million over the previous quarter. For the 2nd quarter of 2020, non-interest income comprised 36.7% of the Company’s total revenue.

Investment Securities Gains and Losses

The Company recorded net securities losses of $4.1 million in the current quarter, compared to losses of $13.3 million in the prior quarter and losses of $110 thousand in the 2nd quarter of 2019. Net securities losses in the current quarter primarily resulted from unrealized losses of $7.5 million in the Company’s private equity investment portfolio, as the economic conditions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic continued to negatively impact investment valuations. The current quarter’s unrealized losses were partially offset by gains on sales of available for sale securities.

Non-Interest Expense

Non-interest expense for the current quarter amounted to $187.5 million, compared to $189.8 million in the same period last year and $193.7 million in the prior quarter. The decrease in non-interest expense compared to the same period last year was mainly due to lower marketing and other non-interest expense. These decreases were partially offset by higher salaries and employee benefits expense.

Compared to the 2nd quarter of last year, salaries and employee benefits expense increased $6.7 million, or 5.6%, driven mainly by growth in full-time salary costs and higher incentive compensation expense. Full-time equivalent employees totaled 4,856 and 4,857 at June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

For the current quarter compared to the same quarter of last year, marketing expense decreased $2.2 million, or 36.8%. Other non-interest expense decreased mainly due to higher deferred loan origination costs and lower travel and entertainment expense. These decreases to expense were partly offset by a $1.6 million increase in the Company’s deferred compensation liability, and a $795 thousand impairment on the Company’s mortgage servicing rights during the 2nd quarter of 2020. Supplies and communication expense decreased $848 thousand due to lower supplies, postage and bank card issuance expense.

Income Taxes

The effective tax rate for the Company was 19.5% in the current quarter, 16.4% in the previous quarter, and 21.1% in the 2nd quarter of 2019.

Credit Quality

Net loan charge-offs in the 2nd quarter of 2020 amounted to $8.4 million, compared to $10.9 million in the prior quarter and $11.3 million in the same period last year. The ratio of annualized net loan charge-offs to total average loans was .21% in the current quarter, .30% in the previous quarter, and .32% in the 2nd quarter of last year. Compared to the prior quarter, net loan charge-offs on commercial loans increased $3.6 million to $3.2 million, while net loan charge-offs on personal banking loans decreased $6.1 million to $5.2 million.

In the 2nd quarter of 2020, annualized net loan charge-offs on average consumer credit card loans were 2.17%, compared to 5.06% in the previous quarter, and 4.75% in the same quarter last year. The reduction in net charge-offs during the 2nd quarter was mainly the result of a relief program that allowed consumer credit card customers to skip payments for up to two months. Consumer loan net charge-offs were .28% of average consumer loans in the current quarter, .35% in the prior quarter and .36% in the same quarter last year.

This quarter, the provision for credit losses on loans totaled $77.5 million and was $69.1 million higher than net loan charge-offs. The increase in the provision for credit losses on loans was driven by a significant deterioration of the economic forecast used in our CECL model as of June 30, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. At June 30, 2020, the allowance for credit losses on loans totaled $240.7 million, or 1.47% of total loans and 1.62% of total loans, excluding PPP loans. Additionally, the provision for credit losses on unfunded lending commitments increased $3.0 million. The liability for unfunded lending commitments at June 30, 2020 was $35.3 million.

At June 30, 2020, total non-performing assets amounted to $23.1 million, an increase of $12.2 million over the previous quarter, which was mostly related to a single energy loan. Non-performing assets are comprised of non-accrual loans and foreclosed real estate ($22.6 million and $422 thousand, respectively). At June 30, 2020, the balance of non-accrual loans, which represented .14% of loans outstanding, included business loans of $19.0 million, business real estate loans of $1.9 million, and personal real estate loans of $1.7 million. Loans more than 90 days past due and still accruing interest totaled $24.6 million at June 30, 2020.

Other

During the 2nd quarter of 2020, the Company paid a cash dividend of $.27 per common share, representing an 8.9% increase over the same period last year. The Company also paid an annualized 6% cash dividend on its preferred stock.

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.

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