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Cullen/Frost Reports 4th Quarter And 2017 Annual Results

January 25, 2018 9:00 AM

SAN ANTONIO, Jan. 25, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. (NYSE: CFR) today reported fourth quarter results and annual earnings for 2017. Cullen/Frost reported net income available to common shareholders for the fourth quarter of 2017 of $98.5 million, or $1.53 per diluted common share, compared to fourth quarter 2016 earnings of $81.7 million, or $1.28 per diluted common share. For the fourth quarter of 2017, returns on average assets and common equity were 1.26 percent and 12.66 percent respectively, compared to 1.09 percent and 11.03 percent for the same period in 2016. Fourth quarter and full-year 2017 results were favorably impacted by a $4.0 million (or $.06 per share) net-benefit to adjust deferred taxes as a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

Cullen/Frost Bankers logo. (PRNewsFoto/Cullen/Frost Bankers)

The company also reported 2017 annual net income available to common shareholders of $356.1 million, an increase of 20.2 percent compared to 2016 earnings of $296.2 million. On a per-share basis, 2017 earnings were $5.51 per diluted common share, compared to $4.70 per diluted common share reported in 2016. For the year 2017, returns on average assets and common equity were 1.17 percent and 11.76 percent respectively, compared to 1.03 percent and 10.16 percent reported in 2016.

During the fourth quarter of 2017, average deposits rose by 3.8 percent to $26.4 billion, up $977.9 million from the $25.4 billion reported in the fourth quarter of 2016. Average loans increased 9.8 percent to $12.9 billion compared to $11.7 billion in the fourth quarter of 2016.

"A strong fourth quarter represented the perfect way to finish an excellent 2017," said Phil Green, Cullen/Frost chairman and CEO. "Our annual net interest income on a tax-equivalent basis topped $1 billion for the first time ever, and our bankers continue to do a great job increasing our loan portfolio at all levels. Our team got our customers and our locations through the hurricane that affected the Gulf Coast in August, and we're a stronger organization as we celebrate the 150th anniversary of our founding in 2018. We're all proud to be Frost bankers."

During 2017, Frost received further validation of its outstanding service culture and performance by well-regarded third parties. For the eighth consecutive year, Frost received the highest ranking in customer satisfaction in Texas in the J.D. Power and Associates 2017 U.S. Retail Banking Satisfaction Study. Frost Bank also received 33 Greenwich Excellence Awards for providing superior service, advice and performance to small-business and middle-market banking clients, marking the 12th consecutive year Frost has been recognized by Greenwich Associates.

For 2017, average total loans were $12.5 billion, an increase of $905.3 million, or 7.8 percent, from the $11.6 billion reported the previous year. Average total deposits for 2017 rose to $25.9 billion, up 5.7 percent, or $1.4 billion, over the $24.5 billion reported in 2016. Net interest income on a taxable-equivalent basis increased to $1.0 billion, up 11.0 percent, over the $940.0 million reported a year earlier, reflecting the impact of the increasing volume of earning assets and increasing interest rates.

Noted financial data for the fourth quarter:

  • The Common Equity Tier 1, Tier 1 and Total Risk-Based Capital Ratios for the Corporation at the end of the fourth quarter of 2017 were 12.42 percent, 13.16 percent, and 15.15 percent, respectively, and continue to be in excess of well-capitalized levels. Current capital ratios exceed Basel III fully phased-in requirements.
  • Net interest income on a taxable-equivalent basis for the fourth quarter totaled $268.6 million, an increase of 9.7 percent compared to the $245.0 million reported for the fourth quarter of 2016. This increase resulted primarily from both an increase in the average volume of earning assets and increasing interest rates. The net interest margin was 3.70 percent for the fourth quarter, compared to 3.55 percent for the fourth quarter of 2016 and 3.73 percent for the third quarter of 2017. A shift in the mix of earning assets to higher yielding assets, primarily in loans, and the Federal Reserve's three 25-basis-point rate increases, positively affected the net interest margin compared to a year ago.
  • Non-interest income for the fourth quarter of 2017 was $90.1 million, down $3.3 million from the $93.4 million reported a year earlier. Other income was down $7.7 million and was primarily impacted by a $10.3 million net gain realized from the sale of the corporation's downtown headquarters and adjacent properties in San Antonio in the fourth quarter of 2016, partially offset by a $2.0 million gain from the sale of a property in the fourth quarter of 2017. Trust and investment management fees were up $2.6 million or 9.7 percent.
  • Non-interest expense for the fourth quarter of 2017 was $196.3 million, up $2.4 million or 1.3 percent from the $193.9 million reported for the fourth quarter of 2016. Salaries and wages increased $7.3 million or 8.9 percent, impacted by normal annual merit and market increases and an increase in the number of employees, as well as performance based bonus/incentive compensation and $1.3 million in severance costs. Technology, furniture and equipment expense was up $1.6 million due mainly to technology initiatives combined with new financial centers. Other expense was down $6.6 million, resulting primarily from various property write-downs of $5.9 million and a $4.4 million contribution to our charitable foundation during the fourth quarter of 2016. The fourth quarter of 2017 includes legal settlements of $1.8 million, property write-downs of $900,000 and miscellaneous asset write-offs of $1.4 million.
  • For the fourth quarter of 2017, the provision for loan losses was $8.1 million, compared to net charge-offs of $7.0 million. For the fourth quarter of 2016, the provision for loan losses was $8.9 million, compared to net charge-offs of $5.7 million. The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans was 1.18 percent at December 31, 2017, compared to 1.21 percent last quarter and 1.28 percent at year-end 2016. Non-performing assets were $157.3 million at year end, compared to $150.0 million the previous quarter, and $102.6 million at year-end 2016.

The Cullen/Frost board also declared a first-quarter cash dividend of $.57 per common share, payable March 15, 2018 to shareholders of record on February 28 of this year. The board of directors also declared a cash dividend of $.3359375 per share of the Noncumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A, which is traded on the NYSE under the symbol "CFR PrA." The Series A Preferred Stock dividend is also payable on March 15, 2018, to shareholders of record on February 28 of this year.

Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. will host a conference call on Thursday, January 25, 2018, at 10 a.m. Central Time (CT) to discuss the results for the quarter and the year. The media and other interested parties are invited to access the call in a "listen only" mode at 800-944-6430. Digital playback of the conference call will be available after 12 p.m. CT until midnight Sunday, January 28, 2018 at 855-859-2056, with the Conference ID# of 2873696. The call will also be available by audio webcast on the company's website, frostbank.com, and available for playback after 2 p.m. CT. After entering the website 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 $31.7 billion in assets at December 31, 2017. One of the 50 largest U.S. banks, 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 and commodity 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 any 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.

Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc.

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL SUMMARY (UNAUDITED)

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

2017

2016

4th Qtr

3rd Qtr

2nd Qtr

1st Qtr

4th Qtr

CONDENSED INCOME STATEMENTS

Net interest income

$

223,914

$

219,211

$

214,788

$

208,509

$

201,603

Net interest income (1)

268,611

264,406

258,020

252,393

244,961

Provision for loan losses

8,102

10,980

8,426

7,952

8,939

Non-interest income:

Trust and investment management fees

28,985

27,493

27,727

26,470

26,434

Service charges on deposit accounts

21,248

20,967

21,198

20,769

20,434

Insurance commissions and fees

11,728

10,892

9,728

13,821

11,342

Interchange and debit card transaction fees

6,082

5,884

5,692

5,574

5,531

Other charges, commissions and fees

9,948

10,493

9,898

9,592

9,798

Net gain (loss) on securities transactions

(24)

(4,867)

(50)

109

Other

12,108

10,753

6,887

7,474

19,786

Total non-interest income

90,075

81,615

81,080

83,700

93,434

Non-interest expense:

Salaries and wages

89,173

84,388

80,995

82,512

81,851

Employee benefits

17,022

17,730

18,198

21,625

16,754

Net occupancy

18,190

19,391

19,153

19,237

17,996

Technology, furniture and equipment

19,352

18,743

18,250

17,990

17,734

Deposit insurance

4,781

4,862

5,570

4,915

5,016

Intangible amortization

402

405

438

458

560

Other

47,360

41,304

45,447

41,178

53,940

Total non-interest expense

196,280

186,823

188,051

187,915

193,851

Income before income taxes

109,607

103,023

99,391

96,342

92,247

Income taxes

9,083

9,892

13,838

11,401

8,528

Net income

100,524

93,131

85,553

84,941

83,719

Preferred stock dividends

2,016

2,016

2,015

2,016

2,016

Net income available to common shareholders

$

98,508

$

91,115

$

83,538

$

82,925

$

81,703

PER COMMON SHARE DATA

Earnings per common share - basic

$

1.54

$

1.43

$

1.30

$

1.29

$

1.29

Earnings per common share - diluted

1.53

1.41

1.29

1.28

1.28

Cash dividends per common share

0.57

0.57

0.57

0.54

0.54

Book value per common share at end of quarter

49.68

48.24

47.95

46.20

45.03

OUTSTANDING COMMON SHARES

Period-end common shares

63,476

63,114

64,226

63,916

63,474

Weighted-average common shares - basic

63,314

63,667

64,061

63,738

63,157

Dilutive effect of stock compensation

981

898

974

999

881

Weighted-average common shares - diluted

64,295

64,565

65,035

64,737

64,038

SELECTED ANNUALIZED RATIOS

Return on average assets

1.26

%

1.19

%

1.11

%

1.12

%

1.09

%

Return on average common equity

12.66

11.71

11.07

11.55

11.03

Net interest income to average earning assets (1)

3.70

3.73

3.70

3.64

3.55

(1) Taxable-equivalent basis assuming a 35% tax rate

Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc.

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL SUMMARY (UNAUDITED)

2017

2016

4th Qtr

3rd Qtr

2nd Qtr

1st Qtr

4th Qtr

BALANCE SHEET SUMMARY

($ in millions)

Average Balance:

Loans

$

12,879

$

12,587

$

12,275

$

12,090

$

11,726

Earning assets

29,012

28,342

28,064

28,007

27,677

Total assets

31,107

30,390

30,124

30,144

29,835

Non-interest-bearing demand deposits

11,098

10,756

10,694

10,726

10,454

Interest-bearing deposits

15,286

14,994

14,967

15,095

14,952

Total deposits

26,384

25,750

25,661

25,821

25,406

Shareholders' equity

3,232

3,232

3,172

3,055

3,091

Period-End Balance:

Loans

$

13,146

$

12,706

$

12,512

$

12,186

$

11,975

Earning assets

29,595

28,941

28,084

28,475

28,025

Goodwill and intangible assets

660

660

661

661

662

Total assets

31,748

30,990

30,206

30,525

30,196

Total deposits

26,872

26,403

25,614

26,142

25,812

Shareholders' equity

3,298

3,189

3,224

3,097

3,003

Adjusted shareholders' equity (1)

3,218

3,131

3,173

3,103

3,027

ASSET QUALITY

($ in thousands)

Allowance for loan losses:

$

155,364

$

154,303

$

149,558

$

153,056

$

153,045

As a percentage of period-end loans

1.18

%

1.21

%

1.20

%

1.26

%

1.28

%

Net charge-offs:

$

7,041

$

6,235

$

11,924

$

7,941

$

5,667

Annualized as a percentage of average loans

0.22

%

0.20

%

0.39

%

0.27

%

0.19

%

Non-performing assets:

Non-accrual loans

$

150,314

$

143,104

$

86,413

$

116,176

$

100,151

Restructured loans

4,862

4,815

1,696

Foreclosed assets

2,116

2,094

2,041

2,042

2,440

Total

$

157,292

$

150,013

$

90,150

$

118,218

$

102,591

As a percentage of:

Total loans and foreclosed assets

1.20

%

1.18

%

0.72

%

0.97

%

0.86

%

Total assets

0.50

0.48

0.30

0.39

0.34

CONSOLIDATED CAPITAL RATIOS

Common Equity Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital Ratio

12.42

%

12.38

%

12.81

%

12.71

%

12.52

%

Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital Ratio

13.16

13.14

13.59

13.50

13.33

Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio

15.15

15.19

15.65

15.62

14.93

Leverage Ratio

8.46

8.39

8.61

8.34

8.14

Equity to Assets Ratio (period-end)

10.39

10.29

10.67

10.15

9.94

Equity to Assets Ratio (average)

10.39

10.63

10.53

10.14

10.36

(1) Shareholders' equity excluding accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).

Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc.

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL SUMMARY (UNAUDITED)

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

Year Ended December 31,

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

CONDENSED INCOME STATEMENTS

Net interest income

$

866,422

$

776,336

$

736,632

$

686,934

$

620,555

Net interest income (1)

1,043,431

939,958

888,035

807,937

710,850

Provision for loan losses

35,460

51,673

51,845

16,314

20,582

Non-interest income:

Trust and investment management fees

110,675

104,240

105,512

106,237

91,375

Service charges on deposit accounts

84,182

81,203

81,350

81,946

81,432

Insurance commissions and fees

46,169

47,154

48,926

45,115

43,140

Interchange and debit card transaction fees

23,232

21,369

19,666

18,372

16,979

Other charges, commissions and fees

39,931

39,623

37,551

36,180

34,185

Net gain (loss) on securities transactions

(4,941)

14,975

69

38

1,176

Other

37,222

41,144

35,656

32,256

34,531

Total non-interest income

336,470

349,708

328,730

320,144

302,818

Non-interest expense:

Salaries and wages

337,068

318,665

310,504

292,349

273,692

Employee benefits

74,575

72,615

69,746

60,151

62,407

Net occupancy

75,971

71,627

65,690

55,745

50,468

Technology, furniture and equipment

74,335

71,208

64,373

62,087

58,443

Deposit insurance

20,128

17,428

14,519

13,232

11,682

Intangible amortization

1,703

2,429

3,325

3,520

3,141

Other

175,289

178,988

165,561

167,656

152,077

Total non-interest expense

759,069

732,960

693,718

654,740

611,910

Income before income taxes

408,363

341,411

319,799

336,024

290,881

Income taxes

44,214

37,150

40,471

58,047

53,015

Net income

364,149

304,261

279,328

277,977

237,866

Preferred stock dividends

8,063

8,063

8,063

8,063

6,719

Net income available to common shareholders

$

356,086

$

296,198

$

271,265

$

269,914

$

231,147

PER COMMON SHARE DATA

Earnings per common share - basic

$

5.56

$

4.73

$

4.31

$

4.32

$

3.82

Earnings per common share - diluted

5.51

4.70

4.28

4.29

3.80

Cash dividends per common share

2.25

2.15

2.10

2.03

1.98

Book value per common share at end of quarter

49.68

45.03

44.30

42.87

39.13

OUTSTANDING COMMON SHARES

Period-end common shares

63,476

63,474

61,982

63,149

60,566

Weighted-average common shares - basic

63,694

62,376

62,758

62,072

60,350

Dilutive effect of stock compensation

968

593

715

902

766

Weighted-average common shares - diluted

64,662

62,969

63,473

62,974

61,116

SELECTED ANNUALIZED RATIOS

Return on average assets

1.17

%

1.03

%

0.97

%

1.05

%

1.02

%

Return on average common equity

11.76

10.16

9.86

10.51

9.93

Net interest income to average earning assets (1)

3.69

3.56

3.45

3.41

3.41

(1) Taxable-equivalent basis assuming a 35% tax rate

Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc.

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL SUMMARY (UNAUDITED)

Year Ended December 31,

2017

2016

2015(1)

2014(1)

2013(1)

BALANCE SHEET SUMMARY ($ in millions)

Average Balance:

Loans

$

12,460

$

11,555

$

11,267

$

10,299

$

9,230

Earning assets

28,359

26,717

25,955

23,877

20,991

Total assets

30,450

28,832

28,061

25,766

22,750

Non-interest-bearing demand deposits

10,819

10,034

10,180

9,125

7,658

Interest-bearing deposits

15,085

14,478

13,861

12,928

11,610

Total deposits

25,905

24,512

24,041

22,053

19,268

Shareholders' equity

3,173

3,059

2,895

2,712

2,455

Period-End Balance:

Loans

$

13,146

$

11,975

$

11,487

$

10,988

$

9,516

Earning assets

29,595

28,025

26,431

26,052

22,238

Goodwill and intangible assets

660

662

663

667

543

Total assets

31,748

30,196

28,566

28,276

24,311

Total deposits

26,872

25,812

24,344

24,136

20,689

Shareholders' equity

3,298

3,003

2,890

2,851

2,514

Adjusted shareholders' equity (2)

3,218

3,027

2,776

2,710

2,374

ASSET QUALITY ($ in thousands)

Allowance for loan losses:

$

155,364

$

153,045

$

135,859

$

99,542

$

92,438

As a percentage of period-end loans

1.18

%

1.28

%

1.18

%

0.91

%

0.97

%

Net charge-offs:

$

33,141

$

34,487

$

15,528

$

9,210

$

32,597

Annualized as a percentage of average loans

0.27

%

0.30

%

0.14

%

0.09

%

0.35

%

Non-performing assets:

Non-accrual loans

$

150,314

$

100,151

$

83,467

$

59,925

$

56,720

Restructured loans

4,862

1,137

Foreclosed assets

2,116

2,440

2,255

5,251

11,916

Total

$

157,292

$

102,591

$

85,722

$

65,176

$

69,773

As a percentage of:

Total loans and foreclosed assets

1.20

%

0.86

%

0.75

%

0.59

%

0.73

%

Total assets

0.50

0.34

0.30

0.23

0.29

CONSOLIDATED CAPITAL RATIOS (3)

Common Equity Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital Ratio

12.42

%

12.52

%

11.37

%

N/A

N/A

Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital Ratio

13.16

13.33

12.38

13.68

%

14.39

%

Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio

15.15

14.93

13.85

14.55

15.52

Leverage Ratio

8.46

8.14

7.79

8.16

8.49

Equity to Assets Ratio (period-end)

10.39

9.94

10.12

10.08

10.34

Equity to Assets Ratio (average)

10.42

10.61

10.32

10.53

10.79

(1) Certain items in prior financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation in connection with the adoption of a new accounting standard that requires unamortized debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability.

(2) Shareholders' equity excluding accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).

(3) Beginning in 2015, capital ratios are calculated in accordance with the Basel III Capital Rules. Capital ratios for prior periods were calculated in accordance with previous capital rules.

Greg ParkerInvestor Relations210.220.5632

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