Cadence Bancorporation (NYSE: CADE) reported Q4 EPS of $1.57, $0.09 better than the analyst estimate of $1.48.

Adjusted Performance Metrics (1):

• Adjusted net income (1), excluding non-routine income and expenses (2), was $206.7 million for the full year of 2020 compared to $223.1 million for 2019. For the fourth quarter of 2020, adjusted net income was $199.7 million, an increase of $147.8 million or 284% compared to the fourth quarter of 2019 and an increase of $148.3 million or 288% compared to the third quarter of 2020.
• Adjusted pre-tax pre-provision net revenue (1) for the full year 2020 was $542.5 million, compared to $400.3 million for the full year 2019. Adjusted pre-tax pre-provision net earnings in the fourth quarter of 2020 was $260.0 million, an increase of $165.2 million or 174% compared to the fourth quarter of 2019 and an increase of $165.4 million or 175% compared to the third quarter of 2020.
• Adjusted EPS (1) for the full year 2020 was $1.64 compared to $1.72 for 2019. Adjusted EPS for fourth quarter of 2020 of $1.57 increased from the prior year quarter of $0.40 and increased from the linked quarter of $0.40.
• Adjusted annualized returns on average assets (1) and adjusted tangible common equity (1) for the full year 2020 were 1.14% and 11.59%, respectively, compared to 1.26% and 13.60% for the full year 2019, respectively, and for the fourth quarter of 2020 were 4.33% and 41.72%, respectively, compared to 1.16% and 11.93%, respectively, for the fourth quarter of 2019 and 1.12% and 11.52%, respectively, for the third quarter of 2020.

Fourth Quarter 2020 Highlights:

Fourth quarter 2020 highlights (compared to the linked quarter where applicable) are as follows:

• The provision for credit losses for the fourth quarter of 2020 was $2.8 million compared to $33.0 million in the linked quarter reflecting improvement in overall credit metrics and lower loan balances. As ofDecember 31, 2020, our allowance for credit losses (“ACL”) increased to 2.89% of total loans, up from 2.86% at September 30, 2020. Excluding Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loans, our ACL ratio to loans was 3.12% at December 31, 2020, up from 3.11% at September 30, 2020. Our ratio of ACL to total nonperforming loans increased to 261% from 204%.
• Our tax equivalent net interest margin (“NIM”) increased to 3.54%, up 5 basis points from prior quarter. The improvement in NIM was driven by continued management of deposit costs, declining 7 basis points to 0.25%, and fees earned on forgiven PPP loans and other loan payoffs.
• Common Equity Tier 1 capital ratio increased to 14.0% and total risk weighted capital increased to 16.7%, reflecting material increases from the prior quarter due to the strong quarterly earnings combined with lower risk weighted assets.
• Non-interest income in the fourth quarter of 2020 included the accelerated hedge revenue of $169.2 million.
• Annualized returns on average assets and tangible common equity (1) for the fourth quarter of 2020 were 4.35% and 41.90%, respectively, compared to 1.08% and 11.08%, respectively, for the third quarter of 2020, with the increases reflecting the impact of the accelerated hedge revenue combined with lower loan provisions.

“We are pleased to report strong performance across multiple fronts in the fourth quarter. The provision for loan losses is down meaningfully linked quarter, as are nonperforming and criticized assets. With the exception of hospitality, we saw broad-based improvement in credit migration, as many businesses recover, and our portfolios continue to de-risk. Our deposit franchise improved materially in 2020, and in the fourth quarter it was encouraging to see an increase in net interest margin and yields on originated loans. Our hedging activities protected the bank from the sharp decline in interest rates this year, and the unwinding of the hedge has produced a significant increase in regulatory capital, with our Common Equity Tier 1 capital ratio ending the year at 14.0%. Considering these results, we are pleased to announce proactive capital actions, including an increase of our fourth quarter dividend to $0.15 cents per share, payable in the first quarter 2021. Furthermore, we plan to retire maturing and callable debt and reactivate our share buyback program, which had been put on hold during the shutdown. Cadence operates in some of the most attractive markets in America, with a highly motivated and experienced team focused on serving our customers and driving shareholder value. While there clearly remains uncertainty in the broader environment, we are encouraged by our performance and the opportunities to further leverage our excess capital and liquidity in 2021,” stated Paul B. Murphy, Jr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Cadence Bancorporation.

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