SAN ANTONIO, Oct. 28, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. (NYSE: CFR) today reported solid third quarter 2015 results, including good loan and deposit growth.

Cullen/Frost's net income available to common shareholders for the third quarter of 2015 was $73.8 million, compared to $75.4 million for the third quarter of 2014. On a per-share basis, net income available to common shareholders was $1.17 per diluted common share, compared to $1.18 per diluted common share reported a year earlier. Returns on average assets and common equity were 1.04 percent and 10.73 percent respectively, compared to 1.12 percent and 11.29 percent for the same period a year earlier.

For the third quarter of 2015, net interest income on a tax-equivalent basis increased 8.3 percent to $225.6 million, compared to the $208.3 million reported for the same quarter of 2014. Average deposits for the quarter were $24.1 billion, an increase of $1.4 billion, or 5.9 percent, over the $22.7 billion reported for last year's third quarter. For the third quarter of 2015, average loans increased $750.9 million, or 7.1 percent, to $11.4 billion, from the $10.6 billion reported for the third quarter a year earlier. The provision for loan losses totaled $6.8 million for the third quarter this year compared to $390,000 for the same quarter last year.

"Our results for the third quarter reflect the underlying strength of our company," said Cullen/Frost CEO Dick Evans.

"Average loans increased 7.1 percent in a highly competitive Texas lending environment that is still feeling the impact of the slowdown in the energy sector," Evans said. "This loan growth is the result of our focused calling effort and team-selling approach. Our capital levels remain strong and we have plenty of liquidity to fund loans. We have also consistently paid a shareholder dividend and have increased the quarterly dividend annually for the past 22 years.

"Since 2007, before the financial crisis began, year-to-date average deposits at Frost have risen $13.7 billion, which reflects our efforts to build and extend relationships with customers who understand and appreciate our value proposition.

"As always, we are fortunate to operate in Texas, a business-friendly state with a diversified economy, no state income tax and abundant natural resources. Although job growth has slowed because of the drop in energy prices, Texas is expected to see an increase in jobs this year. Texas is a top state for business and good jobs. The dynamic markets we serve continue to be among the strongest in the U.S.," said Evans.

"Our company's success would not be possible without our outstanding employees statewide, who help our company grow and innovate as they bring our culture to life."

For the first nine months of 2015, net income available to common shareholders was $215.0 million compared to $199.2 million reported for the same period of 2014. Year-to-date earnings were $3.39 per diluted common share, compared to $3.18 per diluted common share for the same period in 2014. Returns on average assets and average common equity for the first nine months of 2015 were 1.03 percent and 10.47 percent respectively, compared to 1.06 percent and 10.57 percent for the same period a year earlier.

Noted financial data for the third quarter of 2015 follows:

• Tier 1 and Total Risk-Based Capital Ratios for the Corporation at the end of the third quarter of 2015 were 12.61 percent and 13.96 percent respectively and continue to be in excess of well-capitalized levels. The Common Equity Tier 1 ratio was 11.57 percent at September 30, 2015. The tangible common equity ratio was 7.57 percent at the end of the third quarter of 2015, compared to 7.51 percent for the same quarter last year. The tangible common equity ratio, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, is equal to end-of-period shareholders' equity less preferred stock, goodwill and intangible assets, divided by end-of-period total assets less goodwill and intangible assets.
• Net-interest income on a taxable equivalent basis for the third quarter of 2015 totaled $225.6 million, an increase of 8.3 percent, compared to $208.3 million for the same period a year ago. This increase primarily resulted from an increase in the average volume of interest-earning assets and, to a lesser extent, an increase in the net interest margin. Strong growth in deposits has helped to fund the increase in earning assets. The net interest margin was 3.48 percent for the third quarter of 2015, up from 3.39 percent for the third quarter of 2014, and 3.47 percent for the second quarter of 2015.
• Non-interest income for the third quarter of 2015 totaled $83.4 million, a 3.1 percent increase compared to $80.9 million reported for the third quarter of 2014. Trust and investment management fees were $25.6 million, down $1.2 million, or 4.5 percent, from the $26.8 million reported for the third quarter of 2014. Most of the decrease was due to oil and gas fees, down $1.1 million, and securities lending fees, down $837,000. These decreases were offset, in part, by a $744,000 increase in investment fees, which are generally assessed based on the market value of trust assets that are managed and held in custody. Other income increased $2.8 million to $10.2 million. The increase was primarily due to increases in gains on the sale of foreclosed and other assets (up $1.8 million), sundry income (up $863,000) and income from public finance underwriting fees (up $834,000) partly offset by decreases in mineral interest income (down $501,000). Insurance commissions and fees for the third quarter of 2015 were $11.8 million, up 3.7 percent or $415,000, compared to the $11.3 million reported during the third quarter of 2014. Most of this increase was due to commission income, up $251,000, and contingent commissions, up $164,000.
• Non-interest expense was $175.6 million for the quarter, up $11.7 million or 7.2 percent, compared to the $163.9 million reported for the third quarter a year earlier. Total salaries rose $5.8 million, or 7.9 percent, to $79.6 million, and were impacted by an increase in the number of employees combined with normal annual merit and market increases, as well as incentive based compensation. Employee benefits were up $1.6 million to $16.2 million from $14.6 million in last year's third quarter. The increase was primarily related to increases in expenses related to our defined benefit retirement plans, up $1.3 million. Net occupancy expense rose $3.3 million, or 23.7 percent, from higher property taxes, depreciation expense, lease expense and utilities expense. These increases were impacted by a new operations and support center, a portion of which was placed into service during the second quarter of 2015, and new financial center locations.
• For the third quarter of 2015, the provision for loan losses was $6.8 million, compared to net charge-offs of $3.0 million. For the third quarter of 2014, the provision for loan losses was $390,000, compared to net charge-offs of $364,000. The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans was 0.97 percent at September 30, 2015, compared to 0.91 percent at the end of the third quarter last year and 0.94 percent at the end of the second quarter of 2015. Non-performing assets were 58.2 million at the end of the third quarter, compared to $52.4 million last quarter-end and $63.0 million at last year's third quarter.

Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. will host a conference call on Wednesday, October 28, 2015, at 10:00 a.m. Central Time (CT) to discuss the results for the quarter. The media and other interested parties are invited to access the call in a "listen only" mode at 1-800-944-6430. Digital playback of the conference call will be available after 2 p.m. CT until midnight Sunday, November 1, 2015, at 855-859-2056 with Conference ID # of 63163495. The call will also be available by webcast at the URL listed below and available for playback after 2 p.m. CT. After entering the Web site, www.frostbank.com, scroll down to the bottom of the home page. Under "Company Information", click on Investor Relations.

Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. (NYSE: CFR) is a financial holding company, headquartered in San Antonio, with $28.3 billion in assets at September 30, 2015. Among the top 50 largest U.S. banks and one of 24 banks included in the KBW Bank Index, Frost provides a wide range of banking, investments and insurance services to businesses and individuals across Texas in the Austin, Corpus Christi, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, Permian Basin, Rio Grande Valley and San Antonio regions. Founded in 1868, Frost has helped clients with their financial needs during three centuries. Additional information is available at frostbank.com.

Forward-Looking Statements and Factors that Could Affect Future Results

Certain statements contained in this Earnings Release that are not statements of historical fact constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "Act"), notwithstanding that such statements are not specifically identified as such. In addition, certain statements may be contained in our future filings with the SEC, in press releases, and in oral and written statements made by us or with our approval that are not statements of historical fact and constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Act. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: (i) projections of revenues, expenses, income or loss, earnings or loss per share, the payment or nonpayment of dividends, capital structure and other financial items; (ii) statements of plans, objectives and expectations of Cullen/Frost or its management or Board of Directors, including those relating to products or services; (iii) statements of future economic performance; and (iv) statements of assumptions underlying such statements. Words such as "believes", "anticipates", "expects", "intends", "targeted", "continue", "remain", "will", "should", "may" and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements.

Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those in such statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:

• Local, regional, national and international economic conditions and the impact they may have on us and our customers and our assessment of that impact.
• Volatility and disruption in national and international financial markets.
• Government intervention in the U.S. financial system.
• Changes in the mix of loan geographies, sectors and types or the level of non-performing assets and charge-offs.
• Changes in estimates of future reserve requirements based upon the periodic review thereof under relevant regulatory and accounting requirements.
• The effects of and changes in trade and monetary and fiscal policies and laws, including the interest rate policies of the Federal Reserve Board.
• Inflation, interest rate, securities market and monetary fluctuations.
• The effect of changes in laws and regulations (including laws and regulations concerning taxes, banking, securities and insurance) with which we and our subsidiaries must comply.
• The soundness of other financial institutions.
• Political instability.
• Impairment of our goodwill or other intangible assets.
• Acts of God or of war or terrorism.
• The timely development and acceptance of new products and services and perceived overall value of these products and services by users.
• Changes in consumer spending, borrowings and savings habits.
• Changes in the financial performance and/or condition of our borrowers.
• Technological changes.
• Acquisitions and integration of acquired businesses.
• The ability to increase market share and control expenses.
• Our ability to attract and retain qualified employees.
• Changes in the competitive environment in our markets and among banking organizations and other financial service providers.
• The effect of changes in accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted by the regulatory agencies, as well as the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, the Financial Accounting Standards Board and other accounting standard setters.
• Changes in the reliability of our vendors, internal control systems or information systems.
• Changes in our liquidity position.
• Changes in our organization, compensation and benefit plans.
• The costs and effects of legal and regulatory developments, the resolution of legal proceedings or regulatory or other governmental inquiries, the results of regulatory examinations or reviews and the ability to obtain required regulatory approvals.
• Greater than expected costs or difficulties related to the integration of new products and lines of business.
• Our success at managing the risks involved in the foregoing items.

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which such statements are made. We do not undertake obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Greg Parker Investor Relations 210.220.5632 or Renee Sabel Media Relations 210.220.5416

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SOURCE Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc.