KANSAS CITY, Mo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Commerce Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: CBSH) announced earnings of $1.11 per common share for the three months ended September 30, 2020, compared to $.93 per share in the same quarter last year and $.34 per share in the prior quarter. Net income attributable to Commerce Bancshares, Inc. (net income) for the third quarter of 2020 amounted to $132.4 million, compared to $109.2 million in the third quarter of 2019 and $39.9 million in the prior quarter. For the quarter, the return on average assets was 1.71%, the return on average common equity was 15.21% and the efficiency ratio was 55.0%.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, earnings per common share totaled $1.89 compared to $2.65 for the first nine months of 2019. Net income amounted to $224.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to $314.4 million in the same period last year. Year to date, the return on average assets was 1.04% and the return on average common equity was 8.93%.

In announcing these results, John Kemper, Chief Executive Officer, said, “We are pleased to report a healthy rebound in earnings this quarter. Net income grew significantly compared to the second quarter, driven by low provision expense and by increases in net interest income, fee income, and investment securities gains. Compared to the prior quarter, net interest income grew $12.9 million supported by our larger balance sheet and historically low funding costs. Fee income from our bank card, trust and mortgage banking businesses rebounded nicely from the prior quarter. While our bank card fees have not yet fully recovered from the impact of COVID-19, trust and mortgage banking fees were at record levels. Prudent expense management remains in focus as we prepare for a prolonged low interest rate environment. We continued our efforts of providing relief to customers who have been impacted by COVID-19. Loans on active deferral declined significantly throughout the quarter. Fewer customers requested first-time relief, and just a small percentage of our customers required extensions of their initial relief requests. We remain cautiously optimistic about the recovery of the economy and are encouraged by the resiliency of our customers and communities.”

Mr. Kemper continued, “Net loan charge-offs this quarter totaled $7.6 million, compared to $8.4 million in the prior quarter and $11.5 million in the third quarter of 2019. The ratio of annualized net loan charge-offs to average loans was .18% in the current quarter, .21% in the prior quarter and .32% in the third quarter of last year. Net loan charge-offs on commercial loans totaled $194 thousand this quarter compared to $3.2 million in the prior quarter. Net loan charge-offs on personal banking loans increased $2.2 million to $7.4 million. Non-performing assets increased this quarter from $23.1 million to $40.3 million. At September 30, 2020, the allowance for credit losses on loans decreased slightly to $236.4 million, partly due to an improved economic forecast utilized in our CECL model compared to the prior quarter.”

Total assets at September 30, 2020 were $31.5 billion, total loans were $16.4 billion, and total deposits were $25.7 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. On September 1, 2020, the Company redeemed all outstanding shares of 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 third quarter results, is posted to the Company's web site at www.commercebank.com.

COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC.

Management Discussion of Third Quarter Results

September 30, 2020

For the quarter ended September 30, 2020, net income attributable to Commerce Bancshares, Inc. (net income) amounted to $132.4 million, compared to $39.9 million in the previous quarter and $109.2 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, coupled with higher net securities gains, net interest income and non-interest income, partly offset by higher income taxes. The economic forecast used to estimate the allowance for credit losses in September was slightly more optimistic than the forecast utilized in June, which resulted in no additional increase to the allowance for credit losses as of September 30, 2020, and significantly decreased the provision for credit losses this quarter, compared to the prior quarter. Net interest income increased this quarter and the net interest margin increased three basis points, partly due to an increase of $6.3 million in inflation income on our Treasury inflation-protected securities (TIPs). Excluding TIPs inflation income, the net yield on interest earning assets declined five basis points. Average loans increased $210.7 million over the previous quarter, while average available for sale investment securities grew $1.8 billion, and average deposits increased $1.4 billion. For the quarter, the return on average assets was 1.71%, the return on average common equity was 15.21%, and the efficiency ratio was 55.0%.

Balance Sheet Review

During the 3rd quarter of 2020, average loans totaled $16.4 billion, and increased $210.7 million over the prior quarter, and grew $2.1 billion, or 14.5%, over the same quarter last year. Period end loans grew $25.9 million over the prior quarter and $2.0 billion over September 30, 2019. Compared to the previous quarter, average loan growth was primarily driven by increases in personal real estate, construction and land, and consumer loans of $139.8 million, $78.7 million, and $48.0 million, respectively. This growth was partly offset by a decline in business loans of $51.6 million. The period-end balance of Paycheck Protection Loans (PPP) loans (included in business loans) was approximately $1.5 billion at both September 30, 2020 and June 30, 2020, but the average PPP loan balance at September 30, 2020 increased $261.6 million compared to the prior quarter. Growth in personal real estate loan balances was due to a continuation of strong demand for residential mortgage loans in this low interest rate environment. During the current quarter, the Company sold certain fixed rate personal real estate loans totaling $98.9 million, compared to $832 thousand in the prior quarter.

Total average available for sale debt securities increased $1.8 billion over the previous quarter to $11.3 billion, at fair value. The increase in investment securities was mainly the result of growth in mortgage-backed and state and municipal securities. During the quarter, purchases of securities totaled $2.3 billion with a weighted average yield of approximately 1.42%. Sales, maturities and pay downs were $1.0 billion. At September 30, 2020, the duration of the investment portfolio was 3.4 years, and maturities and pay downs of approximately $1.7 billion are expected to occur during the next 12 months.

Total average deposits increased $1.4 billion this quarter compared to the previous quarter. The increase in deposits resulted from growth in demand ($958.2 million), interest checking and money market ($289.8 million), savings deposits ($81.7 million), and certificates of deposit ($70.0 million). Compared to the previous quarter, total average commercial, consumer and wealth deposits (including private banking) grew $840.8 million, $237.5 million and $286.1 million, respectively. The average loans to deposits ratio was 66.2% in the current quarter and 69.2% in the prior quarter. The Company’s average borrowings, which includes customer repurchase agreements, were $1.9 billion in the 3rd quarter of 2020 and $2.3 billion in the prior quarter.

Net Interest Income

Net interest income in the 3rd quarter of 2020 amounted to $216.0 million, an increase of $12.9 million compared to the previous quarter. On a tax equivalent basis, net interest income for the current quarter increased $12.9 million over the previous quarter to $219.1 million. The increase in net interest income was mainly due to higher income on interest earning assets, supplemented by lower interest expense on interest bearing liabilities. The Company recorded a $1.0 million adjustment to premium amortization on mortgage-backed securities for prepayment speed changes, which increased interest income this quarter. The net yield on earning assets (tax equivalent) increased to 2.97%, compared to 2.94% in the prior quarter.

Compared to the previous quarter, interest income on loans (tax equivalent) decreased $794 thousand, mostly as a result of lower yields on loans, mainly business real estate and consumer banking loans, and lower average balances of consumer credit card loans. Growth in average personal real estate, construction and consumer loan balances and higher yields on business loans increased net interest income and partially offset the impact of lower yields. The average tax-equivalent yield on the loan portfolio declined to 3.69%, compared to 3.80% in the previous quarter.

Interest income on investment securities (tax equivalent) increased $10.1 million over the previous quarter, mainly due to higher average balances. Decreasing rates on the investment securities portfolio were entirely offset by higher interest income earned on U.S. government and federal agency securities as TIPs inflation income grew $6.3 million this quarter. The yield on total investment securities was 2.24% in both the current and previous quarters.

Interest costs on deposits totaled 18 basis points in the 3rd quarter of 2020, compared to 25 basis points in the prior quarter. Interest expense on deposits decreased $2.2 million this quarter compared to the previous quarter mainly due to lower rates paid on all deposit categories. Borrowing costs decreased $880 thousand this quarter due to lower average balances of Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings and lower rates paid on borrowings, mainly securities sold under agreements to repurchase. The overall rate paid on interest bearing liabilities was .17% in the current quarter, compared to .25% in the prior quarter.

Non-Interest Income

In the 3rd quarter of 2020, total non-interest income amounted to $129.6 million, a decrease of $3.2 million, or 2.4%, compared to the same period last year and increased $12.1 million, or 10.3%, compared to the prior quarter. The decrease in non-interest income from the same period last year was mainly due to lower bank card fees, partly offset by growth in loan fees and sales.

Total net bank card fees in the current quarter decreased $6.6 million, or 14.9%, from the same period last year, and increased $4.1 million, or 12.2%, compared to the prior quarter. Net corporate card fees decreased $5.6 million from the same quarter of last year mainly due to lower transaction volume. Net debit card fees decreased $769 thousand, or 7.3%, mainly due to lower interchange income. Net merchant income increased $56 thousand, or 1.2%, while net credit card fees decreased $283 thousand, or 7.8%, due to lower fee income, partly offset by lower rewards expense. Total net bank card fees this quarter were comprised of fees on corporate card ($20.2 million), debit card ($9.7 million), merchant ($4.6 million) and credit card ($3.4 million) transactions.

In the current quarter, trust fees increased $1.2 million, or 3.0%, over the same period last year, resulting from higher private client fee income. Compared to the same period last year, deposit account fees decreased $925 thousand, or 3.8%, mainly due to lower overdraft and return item fees, partly offset by an increase in corporate cash management fees. Additionally, capital market fees grew $1.4 million, or 78.7%, while loan fees and sales, mostly mortgage banking revenue, grew $5.0 million, or 105.4%, over amounts recorded in the same quarter last year.

Other non-interest income decreased in the 3rd quarter of 2020 compared to the previous quarter mainly due to lower cash sweep commissions, swap fees, and gains on sales of assets. These decreases were partly offset by increases in tax credit sales fees. For the 3rd quarter of 2020, non-interest income comprised 37.5% of the Company’s total revenue.

Investment Securities Gains and Losses

The Company recorded net securities gains of $16.2 million in the current quarter, compared to losses of $4.1 million in the prior quarter and gains of $4.9 million in the 3rd quarter of 2019. Net securities gains in the current quarter primarily resulted from gains of $13.4 million on the sales of mortgage-backed securities coupled with unrealized gains of $2.4 million in the Company’s private equity investment portfolio.

Non-Interest Expense

Non-interest expense for the current quarter amounted to $190.9 million, compared to $191.0 million in the same period last year and $187.5 million in the prior quarter. The decrease in non-interest expense compared to the same period last year was mainly due to lower travel and entertainment, marketing, and supplies and communication expense. These decreases were partially offset by higher salaries and employee benefits expense.

Compared to the 3rd quarter of last year, salaries and employee benefits expense increased $3.5 million, or 2.8%, driven mainly by growth in full-time salary costs, incentive compensation expense, and medical costs. Full-time equivalent employees totaled 4,825 and 4,873 at September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

For the current quarter compared to the same quarter of last year, marketing expense decreased $1.1 million, or 18.6%. Supplies and communication expense decreased $965 thousand due to lower supplies, postage and bank card issuance expense. Other non-interest expense decreased mainly due to a $2.9 million decrease in travel and entertainment expense. FDIC insurance expense, also within other non-interest expense, increased due to higher deposit balances during the current quarter than in the 3rd quarter of 2019.

Income Taxes

The effective tax rate for the Company was 20.6% in the current quarter, 19.5% in the previous quarter, and 21.0% in the 3rd quarter of 2019.

Credit Quality

Net loan charge-offs in the 3rd quarter of 2020 amounted to $7.6 million, compared to $8.4 million in the prior quarter and $11.5 million in the same period last year. The ratio of annualized net loan charge-offs to total average loans was .18% in the current quarter, .21% in the previous quarter, and .32% in the 3rd quarter of last year. Compared to the prior quarter, net loan charge-offs on commercial loans decreased $3.0 million to $194 thousand, while net loan charge-offs on personal banking loans increased $2.2 million to $7.4 million.

In the 3rd quarter of 2020, annualized net loan charge-offs on average consumer credit card loans were 4.47%, compared to 2.17% in the previous quarter, and 4.45% in the same quarter last year. Consumer loan net charge-offs were .04% of average consumer loans in the current quarter, .28% in the prior quarter and .43% in the same quarter last year.

This quarter, the provision for credit losses on loans totaled $3.2 million and was $4.4 million lower than net loan charge-offs. At September 30, 2020, the allowance for credit losses on loans totaled $236.4 million, or 1.44% of total loans and 1.59% of total loans excluding PPP loans. Additionally, the liability for unfunded lending commitments at September 30, 2020 was $35.2 million.

At September 30, 2020, total non-performing assets amounted to $40.3 million, an increase of $17.3 million over the previous quarter. Non-performing assets are comprised of non-accrual loans and foreclosed real estate ($40.3 million and $57 thousand, respectively). At September 30, 2020, the balance of non-accrual loans, which represented .25% of loans outstanding, included business loans of $37.3 million, business real estate loans of $1.1 million, and personal real estate loans of $1.9 million. Loans more than 90 days past due and still accruing interest totaled $14.4 million at September 30, 2020.

Other

During the 3rd 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. On September 1, 2020, the Company redeemed all outstanding shares of its Series B 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.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201020005275/en/

Matthew Burkemper, Investor Relations 8000 Forsyth, Mailstop: CBIR-1 Clayton, MO 63105 Telephone: (314) 746-7485 Web Site: http://www.commercebank.com Email: matthew.burkemper@commercebank.com

Source: Commerce Bancshares, Inc.