Commerce Bancshares, Inc. Reports Second Quarter Earnings Per Share of $1.38

KANSAS CITY, Mo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Commerce Bancshares, Inc. announced earnings of $1.38 per share for the three months ended June 30, 2021, compared to $.32 per common share in the same quarter last year and $1.11 per share in the first quarter of 2021. Net income attributable to Commerce Bancshares, Inc. (net income) for the second quarter of 2021 amounted to $162.3 million, compared to $39.9 million in the second quarter of 2020 and $131.0 million in the prior quarter. For the quarter, the return on average assets was 1.93%, the return on average equity was 19.12% and the efficiency ratio was 56.9%.

For the six months ended June 30, 2021, earnings per common share totaled $2.49 compared to $.74 for the first six months of 2020. Net income attributable to Commerce Bancshares, Inc. amounted to $293.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021, compared to $91.7 million in the comparable period last year. For the year to date, the return on average assets was 1.78%, and the return on average common equity was 17.42%.

In making this announcement, John Kemper, Chief Executive Officer, said, “After more than a year of ups and downs brought on by the pandemic, the economy appears to be on increasingly firm footing. A strengthening economy further bolstered our credit metrics and led to a reduction in reserves for credit losses on loans and unfunded lending commitments, which resulted in substantially higher earnings this quarter. In addition, our portfolio of private equity investments continued to drive sizeable investment gains for the second consecutive quarter. Fee income was solid this quarter, including bank card fees, as corporate card income rebounded nicely and debit and credit card income exceeded their pre-pandemic levels. Trust fees continued to grow strongly this quarter, with trust assets under management now exceeding $40 billion. Non-interest expense increased compared to the same quarter last year, as salaries and benefits expense grew, deferred loan origination costs declined considerably, and marketing expense increased to support our strategic initiatives and to grow our customer base. Compared to the previous quarter, average deposits grew $1.2 billion, or 4.6%, while average loan balances declined $342.5 million, or 2.1% (average PPP loan balances declined $109.8 million). The pace of PPP loan forgiveness accelerated significantly in June 2021 and resulted in a reduction of $572.6 million in period end balances. Over two-thirds of our round one PPP loans have been forgiven as of June 30, 2021.”

Mr. Kemper continued, “Credit performance was very strong in the second quarter. This quarter, net loan charge-offs totaled $699 thousand, compared to $10.0 million in the prior quarter and $8.4 million in the second quarter of 2020. The ratio of annualized net loan charge-offs to average loans was .02% in the current quarter, .25% in the prior quarter and .21% in the second quarter of last year. Net loan recoveries on commercial loans of $5.0 million were recorded this quarter, and net charge-offs on personal banking loans were significantly lower compared to the prior quarter. Non-performing assets decreased by half this quarter from $23.7 million to $11.4 million. At June 30, 2021, the allowance for credit losses on loans decreased to $172.4 million. Excluding Paycheck Protection Plan (PPP) loans, the allowance for credit losses on loans to total loans was 1.17% at June 30, 2021, down from a peak of 1.62% a year ago, but higher than .95% at the adoption of CECL on January 1, 2020.”

Total assets at June 30, 2021 were $33.9 billion, total loans were $15.6 billion, and total deposits were $27.5 billion. During the quarter, the Company paid a cash dividend of $.263 per share, representing a 2.1% increase over the rate paid in the second quarter of 2020. The Company purchased 181,252 shares of its common stock this quarter.

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 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.
Management Discussion of Second Quarter Results
June 30, 2021

For the quarter ended June 30, 2021, net income attributable to Commerce Bancshares, Inc. (net income) amounted to $162.3 million, compared to $131.0 million in the previous quarter and $39.9 million in the same quarter last year. The increase in net income over the previous quarter was primarily the result of a significant decrease in the provision for credit losses and higher net gains on investments, partly offset by higher non-interest expense and higher income tax expense. Compared to the prior quarter, the provision for credit losses declined due to a decrease in the estimate of the allowance for credit losses on loans and unfunded lending commitments and lower net loan charge-offs. While net interest income increased slightly this quarter, the net yield on interest earnings assets declined 11 basis points to 2.60%. Average loans declined $342.5 million compared to the previous quarter, while average available for sale debt securities grew $207.1 million, and average deposits increased $1.2 billion. For the quarter, the return on average assets was 1.93%, the return on average common equity was 19.12%, and the efficiency ratio was 56.9%.

Balance Sheet Review

During the 2nd quarter of 2021, average loans totaled $16.0 billion, or a decrease of $342.5 million over the prior quarter, and declined $164.8 million, or 1.0%, from the same quarter last year. Period end loans decreased $751.8 million compared to the prior quarter. Compared to the previous quarter, average balances of business, personal real estate, and consumer card loans declined $321.3 million (includes a decline of $109.8 million in Paycheck Protection Program loan balances), $21.7 million, and $33.0 million, respectively. This decline was partially offset by growth in consumer loans of $57.3 million. The period end balance of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans decreased $572.6 million during the 2nd quarter of 2021 and totaled $854.3 million at June 30, 2021. The decrease in actual PPP loan balances during the 2nd quarter of 2021 reflected a decline of $639.5 million in round one loan balances, partly offset by a $67.0 million increase in loan balances from round two. Total loan originations from PPP round two were $402.1 million. During the current quarter, the Company sold certain fixed rate personal real estate loans totaling $164.6 million, compared to $177.8 million in the prior quarter.

Total average available for sale debt securities increased $207.1 million over the previous quarter to $12.9 billion, at fair value. The increase in investment securities was mainly the result of growth in asset-backed securities, partly offset by lower mortgage-backed securities. During the current quarter, purchases of securities totaled $1.5 billion with a weighted average yield of approximately 1.17%. Maturities and pay downs were $808.1 million, and there were no sales during the quarter. At June 30, 2021, the duration of the investment portfolio was 3.4 years, and maturities and pay downs of approximately $2.6 billion are expected to occur during the next 12 months.

Total average deposits increased $1.2 billion this quarter compared to the previous quarter. The increase in deposits mostly resulted from growth in demand deposits of $670.6 million. Interest checking and money market deposits, savings deposits, and certificates of deposit also grew $312.9 million, $141.2 million, $99.3 million over the prior quarter, respectively. Compared to the previous quarter, total average consumer and commercial deposits grew $653.4 million and $621.2 million, respectively. The average loans to deposits ratio was 57.8% in the current quarter and 61.8% in the prior quarter. The Company’s average borrowings, which include customer repurchase agreements, were $2.2 billion in both the 1st and 2nd quarters of 2021.

Net Interest Income

Net interest income in the 2nd quarter of 2021 amounted to $208.0 million, an increase of $2.2 million compared to the previous quarter. On a tax equivalent basis, net interest income for the current quarter increased $2.3 million over the previous quarter to $211.1 million. The increase in net interest income was mainly due to higher income earned on investment securities, partly offset by lower interest on loans and long-term securities purchased under agreements to resell. The net yield on earning assets (tax equivalent) decreased to 2.60%, compared to 2.71% in the prior quarter, mostly as a result of larger average balances on deposit at the Federal Reserve.

Compared to the previous quarter, interest income on loans (tax equivalent) decreased $1.8 million, mostly as a result of lower average balances of business and consumer credit card loans. The impact of these decreases was partially offset by higher yields on business and consumer credit card loans. The increase in the yield on business loans was driven primarily by an increase in the yield on PPP loans, which grew to 3.77% this quarter. Excluding PPP loans, the yield on business loans was 3.00% in the 2nd quarter of 2021. The average tax-equivalent yield on the loan portfolio declined one basis point to 3.65% this quarter.

Interest income on investment securities (tax equivalent) increased $3.7 million over the previous quarter, due to higher rates earned and higher average balances. Interest income earned on U.S. government and federal agency securities increased, as inflation income from Treasury inflation-protected securities inflation income increased $5.3 million this quarter to $6.8 million. At June 30, 2021, the Company recorded a $1.9 million adjustment to premium amortization, which decreased interest income this quarter to reflect an acceleration in forward prepayment speed estimates on mortgage-backed securities due to falling interest rates during the quarter. The yield on total investment securities was 1.78% in the current quarter, compared to 1.72% in the previous quarter.

The average rate paid on interest bearing deposits totaled .07% in the 2nd quarter of 2021, compared .09% in the prior quarter. Interest expense on deposits decreased $806 thousand this quarter compared to the previous quarter mainly due to lower rates paid on money market and certificate of deposit accounts, partly offset by higher average interest bearing deposit balances. The overall rate paid on interest bearing liabilities was .07% in the current quarter, compared to .09% in the prior quarter.

Non-Interest Income

In the 2nd quarter of 2021, total non-interest income amounted to $139.1 million, an increase of $21.6 million, or 18.4%, compared to the same period last year and increased $3.1 million compared to the prior quarter. The increase in non-interest income over the same period last year was mainly due to growth in bank card fees, trust fees, and loan fees and sales, partially offset by lower cash sweep fees.

Total net bank card fees in the current quarter increased $8.9 million, or 26.3%, over the same period last year, and increased $4.9 million, or 13.0%, compared to the prior quarter. Net corporate card fees increased $5.3 million, or 29.8%, over the same quarter of last year mainly due to higher interchange fee income, partly offset by higher rewards expense. Net debit card fees increased $1.7 million, or 19.1%, mainly due to higher interchange fees. Net merchant income increased $669 thousand, or 15.8%, and net credit card fees increased $1.2 million, or 41.4%. Total net bank card fees this quarter were comprised of fees on corporate card ($23.1 million), debit card ($10.5 million), merchant ($4.9 million) and credit card ($4.1 million) transactions.

In the current quarter, trust fees increased $8.3 million, or 21.9%, over the same period last year, resulting mostly from higher private client fee income. Compared to the same period last year, deposit account fees increased $1.7 million, or 7.7%, mainly due to higher overdraft and return item fees, coupled with an increase in corporate cash management fees. Additionally, loan fees and sales, mostly mortgage banking revenue, grew $2.8 million, or 60.2%, over amounts recorded in the same quarter last year. Consumer brokerage fees increased $1.5 million, or 49.6%, compared to the same quarter last year, mainly due to growth in annuity and advisory fees.

Other non-interest income decreased from the same period last year mainly due to lower sweep fees of $2.8 million, partly offset by higher check sales and wire fees. For the 2nd quarter of 2021, non-interest income comprised 40.1% of the Company’s total revenue.

Investment Securities Gains and Losses

The Company recorded investment net gains of $16.8 million in the current quarter, compared to net gains of $9.9 million in the prior quarter and net losses of $4.1 million in the 2nd quarter of 2020. Net gains on investments in the current quarter primarily resulted from unrealized fair value gains of $16.7 million in the Company’s private equity investment portfolio.

Non-Interest Expense

Non-interest expense for the current quarter amounted to $198.1 million, compared to $187.5 million in the same period last year and $192.6 million in the prior quarter. The increase in non-interest expense compared to the same period last year and the prior quarter was mainly due to lower deferred loan origination costs, higher salaries and benefits expense and higher marketing expense.

Compared to the 2nd quarter of last year, salaries and employee benefits expense increased $4.0 million, mostly due to higher medical expense of $3.5 million and higher incentive compensation of $4.0 million. These increases were partly offset by declines in full and part-time salaries, overtime pay, payroll taxes and other benefits expense. Full-time equivalent employees totaled 4,590 and 4,856 at June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

Marketing and data processing and software expense increased $1.9 million and $1.1 million, respectively. Other non-interest expense increased mainly due to a $4.0 million decrease in deferred loan origination costs. Additionally, insurance expense and travel and entertainment expense increased $514 thousand and $476 thousand, respectively. These increases were partially offset by a $1.0 million reduction in impairment expense on mortgage servicing rights.

Income Taxes

The effective tax rate for the Company was 21.8% in the current quarter, 19.7% in the previous quarter, and 19.5% in the 2nd quarter of 2020. The increase in the effective tax rate in the current quarter compared to the prior quarter and the same quarter last year is mostly due to the mix of taxable and non-taxable income and expenses.

Credit Quality

Net loan charge-offs in the 2nd quarter of 2021 amounted to $699 thousand, compared to $10.0 million in the prior quarter and $8.4 million in the same period last year. The ratio of annualized net loan charge-offs to total average loans was .02% in the current quarter, .25% in the previous quarter, and .21% in the 2nd quarter of last year. Net loan recoveries on commercial loans totaled $5.0 million mostly due to recoveries on two business loans in the current quarter. Net loan charge-offs on personal banking loans decreased $4.2 million to $5.7 million.

In the 2nd quarter of 2021, annualized net loan charge-offs on average consumer credit card loans were 3.59%, compared to 5.98% in the previous quarter, and 2.17% in the same quarter last year. Consumer loan net charge-offs were .08% of average consumer loans in the current quarter, .16% in the prior quarter and .28% in the same quarter last year.

Actual economic data for the 2nd quarter of 2021 and the economic forecast used to estimate the allowance for credit losses in June 2021 showed improving economic conditions compared to the forecast utilized in March 2021. This improvement resulted in a significant decrease in the allowance for credit losses as of June 30, 2021 and reduced the provision for credit losses this quarter compared to the prior quarter. At June 30, 2021, the allowance for credit losses on loans totaled $172.4 million, or 1.10% of total loans and 1.17% of total loans excluding PPP loans. Additionally, the liability for unfunded lending commitments at June 30, 2021 was $24.2 million, a decrease of $18.2 million from the liability at March 31, 2021.

At June 30, 2021, total non-performing assets amounted to $11.4 million, a decrease of $12.3 million from the previous quarter. Non-performing assets are comprised of non-accrual loans and foreclosed real estate ($11.2 million and $229 thousand, respectively). At June 30, 2021, the balance of non-accrual loans, which represented .07% of loans outstanding, included business loans of $8.8 million, personal real estate loans of $1.7 million, and business real estate loans of $655 thousand. Loans more than 90 days past due and still accruing interest totaled $12.3 million at June 30, 2021.

Other

During the 2nd quarter of 2021, the Company paid a cash dividend of $.263 per common share, representing a 2.1% increase over the same period last year. The Company purchased 181,252 shares of treasury stock during the current quarter at an average price of $77.05.

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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For additional information, contact
Matthew Burkemper, Investor Relations
at 8000 Forsyth, Mailstop: CBIR-1
Clayton, MO 63105
or by telephone at (314) 746-7485
Web Site: http://www.commercebank.com
Email: [email protected]