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8-K - 8-K - COMMERCE BANCSHARES INC /MO/cbsh093020148k.htm
Exhibit 99.1

Exhibit 99.1
CBSH
                   1000 Walnut Street / Suite 700 / Kansas City, Missouri 64106 / 816.234.2000
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, October 15, 2014

COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. ANNOUNCES THIRD
QUARTER EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE OF $.72

Commerce Bancshares, Inc. announced earnings of $.72 per common share for the three months ended September 30, 2014 compared to $.71 per share in the third quarter of 2013 and $.70 per share in the previous quarter. Net income attributable to Commerce Bancshares, Inc. (net income) for the third quarter amounted to $68.2 million, compared to $66.5 million last quarter and $68.2 million in the same quarter last year. For the current quarter, the return on average assets totaled 1.20%, the return on average common equity was 12.3%, and the efficiency ratio was 60.6%.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, earnings per common share totaled $2.09 compared to $2.03 in the first nine months of 2013. Net income amounted to $199.0 million for the first nine months of 2014 compared to $195.0 million for the same period last year. The return on average assets for the first nine months of 2014 was 1.18% and the return on average common equity was 11.9%.
    
In announcing these results, David W. Kemper, Chairman and CEO, said, “This quarter average loans grew by 4% annualized compared to the previous quarter, driven mainly by consumer loan demand. Total fee income this quarter grew to $112.3 million from continued growth in both trust and bankcard fees and amounted to 42% of total revenues. Net interest income declined by $5.8 million mainly due to a decline in interest on our inflation-protected securities. Non-interest expense has been mostly flat over the last four quarters and remains well controlled.”

Mr. Kemper continued, “Credit quality remained solid this quarter as total net loan charge-offs totaled just .27% of average loans. Net loan charge-offs for the current quarter totaled $7.7 million, compared to $7.6 million in the previous quarter. During the current quarter, the provision for loan losses totaled $7.7 million and matched net loan charge-offs. The allowance for loan losses amounted to $161.5 million this quarter, or 1.41% of period end loans, and was 3.5 times non-performing loans. Non-performing assets totaled $53.0 million this quarter.”

Total assets at September 30, 2014 were $22.7 billion, total loans were $11.4 billion, and total deposits were $18.6 billion. During the quarter the Company sold three retail branches in Missouri with total loans and deposits of $13 million and $60 million, respectively. The Company also paid a cash dividend of $.225 per common share, an increase of 5% over the rate paid in 2013.


(more)





Exhibit 99.1


     Commerce Bancshares, Inc. is a registered bank holding company offering a full line of banking services, including investment management and securities brokerage. The Company currently operates in over 350 locations in Missouri, Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma and Colorado. The Company also has operating subsidiaries involved in mortgage banking, credit related insurance, and private equity activities.
             


Summary of Non-Performing Assets and Past Due Loans
(Dollars in thousands)
 
6/30/2014
 
9/30/2014
 
9/30/2013
Non-Accrual Loans
 
$
43,260

 
$
45,800

 
$
37,846

Foreclosed Real Estate
 
$
8,445

 
$
7,168

 
$
6,961

Total Non-Performing Assets
 
$
51,705

 
$
52,968


$
44,807

Non-Performing Assets to Loans
 
.45
%
 
.46
%
 
.41
%
Non-Performing Assets to Total Assets
 
.22
%
 
.23
%
 
.20
%
Loans 90 Days & Over Past Due — Still Accruing
 
$
11,629

 
$
12,399

 
$
11,515

   
This financial news release, including management's discussion of third quarter results, is posted to the Company's web site at www.commercebank.com.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
For additional information, contact
Jeffery Aberdeen, Controller
at 1000 Walnut Street, Suite 700
Kansas City, MO 64106
or by telephone at (816) 234-2081
Web Site: http://www.commercebank.com
Email: mymoney@commercebank.com









2

Exhibit 99.1

COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. and SUBSIDIARIES
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
 
 
For the Three Months Ended
For the Nine Months Ended
(Unaudited)
 
June 30,
2014
September 30,
2014
September 30,
2013
September 30,
2014
September 30,
2013
FINANCIAL SUMMARY (In thousands, except per share data)
 
 
Net interest income
 

$160,493


$154,716


$154,706


$468,275


$464,507

Taxable equivalent net interest income
 
167,889

161,827

161,074

489,477

483,724

Non-interest income
 
108,763

112,286

106,311

323,676

308,864

Investment securities gains (losses), net
 
(2,558
)
2,995

650

10,474

(3,083
)
Provision for loan losses
 
7,555

7,652

4,146

24,867

14,810

Non-interest expense
 
162,931

162,186

156,312

487,457

468,315

Net income attributable to Commerce Bancshares, Inc.
 
66,531

68,185

68,224

199,029

195,046

Net income available to common shareholders
 
66,531

66,385

68,224

197,229

195,046

Earnings per common share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income — basic
 

$.70


$.72


$.71


$2.09


$2.04

Net income — diluted
 

$.70


$.72


$.71


$2.09


$2.03

Cash dividends
 

$.225


$.225


$.214


$.675


$.643

Cash dividends on common stock
 
21,331

20,654

20,670

63,575

61,536

Cash dividends on preferred stock
 

1,800


1,800


Diluted wtd. average shares o/s
 
93,913

90,968

94,975

93,343

94,869

RATIOS
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average loans to deposits (1)
 
59.71
%
60.72
%
58.33
%
59.93
%
56.56
%
Return on total average assets
 
1.18
%
1.20
%
1.26
%
1.18
%
1.20
%
Return on average common equity (2)
 
11.79
%
12.30
%
12.69
%
11.88
%
12.05
%
Non-interest income to revenue (3)
 
40.39
%
42.05
%
40.73
%
40.87
%
39.94
%
Efficiency ratio (4)
 
60.30
%
60.56
%
59.72
%
61.35
%
60.38
%
NET LOAN CHARGE-OFFS (RECOVERIES)
 
 
 
 
Net total loan charge-offs (recoveries)
 
7,555

7,652

6,646

24,867

23,810

Business
 
381

(145
)
(654
)
130

(791
)
Real estate — construction and land
 
(978
)
(477
)
(1,635
)
(1,400
)
(2,911
)
Real estate — business
 
36

(123
)
58

339

1,207

Consumer credit card
 
6,291

5,898

6,028

18,636

19,011

Consumer
 
1,689

2,054

2,068

6,248

5,229

Revolving home equity
 
(351
)
150

95

(88
)
390

Real estate — personal
 
176

153

324

335

869

Overdraft
 
311

142

362

667

806

AT PERIOD END
 
 
 
 
 
 
Book value per common share
 

$23.11


$23.38


$22.77

 
 
Market value per share
 

$46.50


$44.64


$41.72

 
 
Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of loans
 
1.41
%
1.41
%
1.51
%
 
 
Tier I leverage ratio
 
9.12
%
9.37
%
9.43
%
 
 
Tangible common equity to assets ratio (5)
 
8.61
%
8.85
%
9.10
%
 
 
Common shares outstanding
 
91,609,363

91,686,978

95,822,840

 
 
Number of bank/ATM locations
 
354

351

359

 
 
Full-time equivalent employees
 
4,733

4,740

4,728

 
 
OTHER QTD INFORMATION
 
 
 
 
 
 
High market value per share
 

$47.45


$47.65


$45.26

 
 
Low market value per share
 

$42.09


$44.34


$40.04

 
 
(1)
Includes loans held for sale.
(2)
Annualized net income available to common shareholders divided by average total equity less preferred stock.
(3)
Revenue includes net interest income and non-interest income.
(4)
The efficiency ratio is calculated as non-interest expense (excluding intangibles amortization) as a percent of revenue.
(5)
The tangible common equity ratio is calculated as stockholders’ equity reduced by preferred stock, goodwill and other intangible assets (excluding mortgage servicing rights) divided by total assets reduced by goodwill and other intangible assets (excluding mortgage servicing rights).

3

Exhibit 99.1

COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. and SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 
 
For the Three Months Ended
 
For the Nine Months Ended
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
June 30,
2014
 
September 30,
2014
 
September 30,
2013
 
September 30,
2014
 
September 30,
2013
Interest income
 

$167,567

 

$161,811

 

$162,144

 

$489,376

 

$488,144

Interest expense
 
7,074

 
7,095

 
7,438

 
21,101

 
23,637

Net interest income
 
160,493

 
154,716

 
154,706

 
468,275

 
464,507

Provision for loan losses
 
7,555

 
7,652

 
4,146

 
24,867

 
14,810

Net interest income after provision for loan losses
 
152,938

 
147,064

 
150,560

 
443,408

 
449,697

NON-INTEREST INCOME
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Bank card transaction fees
 
44,444

 
44,802

 
43,891

 
130,963

 
123,141

Trust fees
 
27,765

 
28,560

 
25,318

 
82,898

 
76,221

Deposit account charges and other fees
 
19,709

 
20,161

 
20,197

 
58,460

 
58,511

Capital market fees
 
3,246

 
2,783

 
3,242

 
9,899

 
10,938

Consumer brokerage services
 
2,972

 
3,098

 
2,871

 
8,817

 
8,410

Loan fees and sales
 
1,211

 
1,367

 
1,553

 
3,787

 
4,340

Other
 
9,416

 
11,515

 
9,239

 
28,852

 
27,303

Total non-interest income
 
108,763

 
112,286

 
106,311

 
323,676

 
308,864

INVESTMENT SECURITIES GAINS (LOSSES), NET
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Change in fair value of other-than-temporarily impaired securities
 
(785
)
 
(770
)
 
(588
)
 
(1,618
)
 
508

Portion recognized in other comprehensive income
 
154

 
399

 
258

 
270

 
(1,768
)
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings
 
(631
)
 
(371
)
 
(330
)
 
(1,348
)
 
(1,260
)
Realized gains (losses) on sales and fair value adjustments
 
(1,927
)
 
3,366

 
980

 
11,822

 
(1,823
)
Investment securities gains (losses), net
 
(2,558
)
 
2,995

 
650

 
10,474

 
(3,083
)
NON-INTEREST EXPENSE
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Salaries and employee benefits
 
94,849

 
95,462

 
91,405

 
284,574

 
271,855

Net occupancy
 
11,151

 
11,585

 
11,332

 
34,352

 
33,801

Equipment
 
4,525

 
4,593

 
4,465

 
13,622

 
13,828

Supplies and communication
 
5,486

 
5,302

 
5,449

 
16,487

 
16,835

Data processing and software
 
19,578

 
19,968

 
19,987

 
58,633

 
58,522

Marketing
 
3,949

 
4,074

 
3,848

 
11,704

 
11,255

Deposit insurance
 
2,892

 
2,899

 
2,796

 
8,685

 
8,353

Other
 
20,501

 
18,303

 
17,030

 
59,400

 
53,866

Total non-interest expense
 
162,931

 
162,186

 
156,312

 
487,457

 
468,315

Income before income taxes
 
96,212

 
100,159

 
101,209

 
290,101

 
287,163

Less income taxes
 
30,312

 
31,138

 
32,764

 
91,059

 
91,871

Net income
 
65,900

 
69,021

 
68,445

 
199,042

 
195,292

Less non-controlling interest expense (income)
 
(631
)
 
836

 
221

 
13

 
246

Net income attributable to Commerce Bancshares, Inc.
 
66,531

 
68,185

 
68,224

 
199,029

 
195,046

Less preferred stock dividends
 

 
1,800

 

 
1,800

 

Net income available to common shareholders
 

$66,531

 

$66,385

 

$68,224

 

$197,229

 

$195,046

Net income per common share — basic
 

$.70

 

$.72

 

$.71

 

$2.09

 

$2.04

Net income per common share — diluted
 

$.70

 

$.72

 

$.71

 

$2.09

 

$2.03


4

Exhibit 99.1

COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. and SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
 
June 30,
2014
 
September 30,
2014
 
September 30,
2013
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans
 
$
11,460,039

 
$
11,445,715

 
$
10,823,654

Allowance for loan losses
 
(161,532
)
 
(161,532
)
 
(163,532
)
Net loans
 
11,298,507

 
11,284,183

 
10,660,122

Investment securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available for sale
 
9,282,640

 
8,878,414

 
8,577,282

Trading
 
15,684

 
16,510

 
18,295

Non-marketable
 
93,748

 
101,705

 
114,520

Total investment securities
 
9,392,072

 
8,996,629

 
8,710,097

Short-term federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell
 
29,490

 
37,760

 
87,167

Long-term securities purchased under agreements to resell
 
950,000

 
900,000

 
1,150,000

Interest earning deposits with banks
 
18,877

 
239,429

 
267,548

Cash and due from banks
 
516,509

 
445,268

 
594,309

Land, buildings and equipment — net
 
346,363

 
357,122

 
353,473

Goodwill
 
138,921

 
138,921

 
138,676

Other intangible assets — net
 
8,249

 
7,771

 
9,050

Other assets
 
306,191

 
294,462

 
481,855

Total assets
 
$
23,005,179

 
$
22,701,545

 
$
22,452,297

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deposits:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-interest bearing
 
$
6,413,161

 
$
6,446,704

 
$
6,185,098

Savings, interest checking and money market
 
10,085,460

 
9,977,055

 
9,680,816

Time open and C.D.’s of less than $100,000
 
942,233

 
909,246

 
1,013,598

Time open and C.D.’s of $100,000 and over
 
1,498,982

 
1,253,633

 
1,338,252

Total deposits
 
18,939,836

 
18,586,638

 
18,217,764

Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase
 
1,154,323

 
1,395,160

 
1,760,393

Other borrowings
 
105,096

 
105,077

 
105,928

Other liabilities
 
543,771

 
325,801

 
186,726

Total liabilities
 
20,743,026

 
20,412,676

 
20,270,811

Stockholders’ equity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Preferred stock
 
144,816


144,784

 

Common stock
 
481,224

 
481,224

 
459,647

Capital surplus
 
1,214,836

 
1,215,732

 
1,104,669

Retained earnings
 
537,759

 
583,490

 
610,720

Treasury stock
 
(203,174
)
 
(199,630
)
 
(23,528
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income
 
84,314

 
60,231

 
26,025

Total stockholders’ equity
 
2,259,775

 
2,285,831

 
2,177,533

Non-controlling interest
 
2,378

 
3,038

 
3,953

Total equity
 
2,262,153

 
2,288,869

 
2,181,486

Total liabilities and equity
 
$
23,005,179

 
$
22,701,545

 
$
22,452,297


5

Exhibit 99.1

COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. and SUBSIDIARIES
AVERAGE BALANCE SHEETS — AVERAGE RATES AND YIELDS
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)
For the Three Months Ended
 
June 30, 2014
 
September 30, 2014
 
September 30, 2013
 
 
Average Balance
 
Avg. Rates Earned/Paid
 
Average Balance
 
Avg. Rates Earned/Paid
 
Average Balance
 
Avg. Rates Earned/Paid
 
ASSETS:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Business (A)
$
3,941,572

 
2.85
%
 
$
3,964,115

 
2.81
%
 
$
3,415,069

 
2.96
%
 
Real estate — construction and land
431,819

 
3.76

 
422,241

 
3.78

 
398,684

 
4.07

 
Real estate — business
2,292,919

 
3.86

 
2,285,520

 
3.80

 
2,256,556

 
4.12

 
Real estate — personal
1,790,678

 
3.80

 
1,834,502

 
3.77

 
1,729,473

 
3.83

 
Consumer
1,602,136

 
4.24

 
1,645,434

 
4.16

 
1,472,521

 
4.53

 
Revolving home equity
419,581

 
3.93

 
428,928

 
3.77

 
422,173

 
3.94

 
Consumer credit card
746,485

 
11.42

 
755,289

 
11.47

 
752,977

 
11.33

 
Overdrafts
4,669

 

 
4,412

 

 
5,587

 

 
Total loans (B)
11,229,859

 
4.05

 
11,340,441

 
4.01

 
10,453,040

 
4.26

 
Investment securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. government and federal agency obligations
493,880

 
6.55

 
498,926

 
3.10

 
401,708

 
3.04

 
Government-sponsored enterprise obligations
789,575

 
1.66

 
763,621

 
1.63

 
427,258

 
1.74

 
State and municipal obligations (A)
1,665,275

 
3.41

 
1,787,463

 
3.42

 
1,605,096

 
3.54

 
Mortgage-backed securities
3,080,464

 
2.69

 
2,953,762

 
2.68

 
3,027,358

 
2.86

 
Asset-backed securities
2,860,083

 
.89

 
2,804,362

 
.89

 
3,000,250

 
.87

 
Other marketable securities (A)
149,736

 
2.42

 
147,832

 
2.43

 
180,016

 
2.92

 
Total available for sale securities (B)
9,039,013

 
2.37

 
8,955,966

 
2.20

 
8,641,686

 
2.25

 
Trading securities (A)
18,920

 
2.14

 
19,736

 
2.35

 
15,941

 
2.41

 
Non-marketable securities (A)
110,338

 
18.12

 
94,759

 
7.74

 
114,096

 
7.10

 
Total investment securities
9,168,271

 
2.56

 
9,070,461

 
2.25

 
8,771,723

 
2.31

 
 Short-term federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell
23,947

 
.40

 
36,804

 
.32

 
31,822

 
.44

 
 Long-term securities purchased under agreements to resell
968,680

 
1.22

 
923,912

 
1.15

 
1,170,381

 
1.73

 
Interest earning deposits with banks
140,917

 
.25

 
113,964

 
.25

 
115,448

 
.24

 
Total interest earning assets
21,531,674

 
3.26

 
21,485,582

 
3.12

 
20,542,414

 
3.25

 
Non-interest earning assets (B)
1,064,336

 
 
 
1,096,008

 
 
 
1,009,272

 
 
 
Total assets
$
22,596,010

 
 
 
$
22,581,590

 
 
 
$
21,551,686

 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest bearing deposits:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Savings
$
685,134

 
.12

 
$
675,276

 
.14

 
$
630,555

 
.14

 
Interest checking and money market
9,488,405

 
.13

 
9,355,788

 
.13

 
8,964,018

 
.15

 
Time open & C.D.’s of less than $100,000
953,789

 
.45

 
923,250

 
.43

 
1,021,242

 
.54

 
Time open & C.D.’s of $100,000 and over
1,450,069

 
.42

 
1,427,499

 
.42

 
1,431,991

 
.43

 
Total interest bearing deposits
12,577,397

 
.19

 
12,381,813

 
.19

 
12,047,806

 
.21

 
Borrowings:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase
1,169,322

 
.09

 
1,329,397

 
.09

 
1,247,906

 
.05

 
Other borrowings
105,101

 
3.34

 
105,085

 
3.32

 
103,793

 
3.27

 
Total borrowings
1,274,423

 
.36

 
1,434,482

 
.32

 
1,351,699

 
.30

 
Total interest bearing liabilities
13,851,820

 
.20
%
 
13,816,295

 
.20
%
 
13,399,505

 
.22
%
 
Non-interest bearing deposits
6,231,003

 
 
 
6,293,402

 
 
 
5,873,013

 
 
 
Other liabilities
230,497

 
 
 
185,329

 
 
 
145,430

 
 
 
Equity
2,282,690

 
 
 
2,286,564

 
 
 
2,133,738

 
 
 
Total liabilities and equity
$
22,596,010

 
 
 
$
22,581,590

 
 
 
$
21,551,686

 
 
 
Net interest income (T/E)
$
167,889

 
 
 
$
161,827

 
 
 
$
161,074

 
 
 
Net yield on interest earning assets
 
 
3.13
%
 
 
 
2.99
%
 
 
 
3.11
%
 
(A) Stated on a tax equivalent basis using a federal income tax rate of 35%.
(B) The allowance for loan losses and unrealized gains/(losses) on available for sale securities are included in non-interest earning assets.


6


COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC.
Management Discussion of Third Quarter Results
September 30, 2014


For the quarter ended September 30, 2014, net income attributable to Commerce Bancshares, Inc. (net income) amounted to $68.2 million, an increase of $1.7 million compared to the previous quarter, and a slight decline from the same quarter last year. The increase in net income over the previous quarter resulted mainly from growth in non-interest income of $3.5 million, lower non-interest expense and gains on the Company’s private equity investments of $3.4 million. Net interest income declined $5.8 million from the previous quarter as a result of lower inflation income on the Company’s inflation-protected securities and one-time dividends received on certain private equity investments in the 2nd quarter of 2014. For the current quarter, the return on average assets was 1.20%, the return on average common equity was 12.30%, and the efficiency ratio was 60.6%.

Balance Sheet Review
During the 3rd quarter of 2014, average outstanding loans increased $110.6 million, or 4.0% annualized, compared to the previous quarter and increased $887.4 million, or 8.5%, compared to the same period last year. Compared to the previous quarter, the increase in average loans resulted from growth in personal real estate (up $43.8 million), business loans (up $22.5 million) and consumer loans (up $43.3 million, mainly in automobile and other consumer loans). Combined business real estate and construction loans declined $17.0 million from the previous quarter. The increase in personal real estate loans resulted from continued seasonal consumer demand, while demand for auto and other consumer-related loans remained solid. The balance of marine and RV loans, included in the consumer loan portfolio, continued to run off this quarter by $16.2 million.

Total available for sale investment securities, at fair value, averaged $9.1 billion this quarter, which was a decrease of $54.8 million when compared to the previous quarter. Purchases of new securities, totaling $99.5 million in the 3rd quarter of 2014, were offset by maturities and pay downs of $464.3 million. At September 30, 2014, the duration of the investment portfolio was 2.7 years, and maturities and pay downs of approximately $1.6 billion are expected to occur during the next 12 months.

Total average deposits declined $133.2 million during the 3rd quarter of 2014 compared to the previous quarter. The decrease in average deposits resulted mainly from a decline in interest checking accounts (decrease of $92.3 million), certificates of deposit (decrease of $53.1 million), personal demand (decline of $41.6 million) and money market accounts (decrease of $40.3 million). Business demand deposits, however, increased this quarter by $127.4 million. Compared to the previous quarter, total average commercial deposits increased $92.2 million, while consumer and private banking deposits declined on average by $173.0 million and $23.3 million, respectively. The average loans to deposits ratio in the current quarter was 60.7%, compared to 59.7% in the previous quarter.

During the current quarter, the Company’s average borrowings increased $160.1 million compared to the previous quarter, mainly due to growth in balances of federal funds purchased.

Net Interest Income
Net interest income (tax equivalent) in the 3rd quarter of 2014 amounted to $161.8 million compared with $167.9 million in the

 

previous quarter, or a decrease of $6.1 million. Net interest income
(tax equivalent) for the current quarter was slightly higher than in the 3rd quarter of last year. During the 3rd quarter of 2014, the net yield on earning assets (tax equivalent) was 2.99%, compared with 3.13% in the previous quarter and 3.11% in the same period last year.

The decrease in net interest income (tax equivalent) in the 3rd quarter of 2014 compared to the previous quarter was due mainly to a decline in inflation income of $4.0 million on inflation-protected securities as a result of a lower Consumer Price Index published this quarter. Additionally, in the 2nd quarter the Company received a special dividend of $1.9 million related to the sale of a private equity investment which did not reoccur in the 3rd quarter. During the quarter, premium amortization expense was reduced by $423 thousand due to prepayment speed adjustments on various mortgage-backed securities.

Compared to the previous quarter, interest on loans increased $1.2 million (tax-equivalent) as a result of higher volumes on consumer, personal real estate, consumer credit card and business loans, which were partly offset by lower rates earned overall. The average yield on the loan portfolio declined 4 basis points this quarter, while in the previous quarter the average loan yield declined 7 basis points. The average rate earned on the investment securities portfolio decreased 31 basis points to 2.25% this quarter, largely due to lower rates earned on inflation-protected securities and the special dividend mentioned above.

Interest expense on deposits declined slightly in the 3rd quarter of 2014 compared with the previous quarter as deposit costs remained steady, amounting to .19% in both quarters.

Non-Interest Income
In the 3rd quarter of 2014, total non-interest income amounted to $112.3 million, an increase of $6.0 million, or 5.6%, compared to the same period last year. Also, current quarter non-interest income increased $3.5 million when compared to amounts recorded in the previous quarter. The increase in non-interest income over the same period last year was mainly due to growth in both trust and bank card fees, coupled with a gain of $2.1 million on the sale of three retail branches with loans and deposits of $13 million and $60 million, respectively.

Total bank card fees in the current quarter increased $911 thousand, or 2.1%, over the same period last year. Corporate card fees increased 4.0%, or $867 thousand, while debit and credit card fees increased slightly. Trust fees for the quarter increased $3.2 million, or 12.8%, compared to the same period last year, resulting mainly from continued solid growth in both private client and institutional trust fees.

In the current quarter, deposit account fees declined slightly from the same period last year. Corporate cash management fees totaled $8.3 million and grew 2.5%, while overdraft fees totaled $7.9 million and declined 2.3% from the same period last year. Capital market fees declined $459 thousand compared to the same quarter last year due to continued weak demand, while consumer brokerage fees grew by 7.9%.




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COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC.
Management Discussion of Third Quarter Results
September 30, 2014



Investment Securities Gains and Losses
The Company recorded net securities gains of $3.0 million this quarter compared with net gains of $650 thousand in the 3rd quarter of last year. The Company recorded net securities losses of $2.6 million in the previous quarter. Net securities gains this quarter were comprised mainly of $3.4 million in gains on the private equity portfolio. Also during the current quarter, credit-related impairment losses recorded on non-agency guaranteed mortgage-backed securities which have been identified as other-than-temporarily impaired totaled $371 thousand. The cumulative credit-related impairment on these bonds totaled $13.7 million at quarter end. At September 30, 2014, the fair value of non-agency guaranteed mortgage-backed securities identified as other-than-temporarily impaired totaled $58.6 million, compared to $77.4 million at September 30, 2013.

Non-Interest Expense
Non-interest expense for the current quarter amounted to $162.2 million, an increase of $5.9 million, or 3.8%, over the same period last year, but a slight decline compared to the previous quarter. The increase over the previous year was mainly due to higher salaries expense coupled with an increase in medical costs.

Compared to the 3rd quarter of last year, salaries expense grew $3.4 million, or 4.3%, mainly due to higher full-time salaries expense and incentive costs. Exclusive of salaries costs of $830 thousand related to Summit Bancshares (acquired in September 2013), total salaries expense grew 3.7%. Benefits expense grew $688 thousand mainly due to higher medical costs, which the Company self-insures. Growth in salaries expense resulted partly from staffing additions in commercial banking, wealth, commercial card and IT departments. Full-time equivalent employees totaled 4,740 and 4,728 at September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Compared to the 3rd quarter of last year, occupancy costs increased 2.2%, while supplies and communication costs declined by 2.7%. Data processing costs changed only slightly from the previous year’s level, while equipment costs increased by 2.9%. Other non-interest expense included bank card fraud losses of $618 thousand related to the data breach at a large retail merchant during the quarter. Also, impairment losses on various branch properties held for sale totaled $306 thousand. In the 3rd quarter of last year, other expense included a $2.0 million reimbursement from the Company’s bank card processor offset by a litigation provision of $1.0 million, neither of which reoccurred in the current quarter. In the 3rd quarter of 2014, the Company recorded recoveries totaling $1.5 million from the settlement of previous litigation.

Income Taxes
The effective tax rate for the Company was 31.4% in the current quarter compared to 31.3% in the previous quarter and 32.4% in the 3rd quarter of 2013.







 

Credit Quality
Net loan charge-offs in the 3rd quarter of 2014 amounted to $7.7 million, compared with $7.6 million in the prior quarter and $6.6 million in the 3rd quarter of last year. The ratio of annualized net loan charge-offs to total average loans was .27% in both the current quarter and the previous quarter.

In the 3rd quarter of 2014, annualized net loan charge-offs on average consumer credit card loans were 3.10%, compared with 3.38% in the previous quarter and 3.18% in the same period last year. Consumer loan net charge-offs in the quarter were .50% of average consumer loans, compared to .42% in the previous quarter and .56% in the same quarter last year. The provision for loan losses in the current quarter totaled $7.7 million, which was a slight increase over the previous quarter and was $3.5 million higher than in the same period last year. The current quarter provision for loan losses matched net loan charge-offs, while in the 3rd quarter of 2013, the provision was $2.5 million less than net loan charge-offs. At September 30, 2014, the allowance was 1.41% of total loans and was 353% of total non-accrual loans.

At September 30, 2014, total non-performing assets amounted to $53.0 million, an increase of $1.3 million over the previous quarter. Non-performing assets are comprised of non-accrual loans ($45.8 million) and foreclosed real estate ($7.2 million). At September 30, 2014, the balance of non-accrual loans, which represented .40% of loans outstanding, included business real estate loans of $17.4 million, business loans of $11.2 million, and construction and land loans of $10.1 million. Loans more than 90 days past due and still accruing interest totaled $12.4 million at September 30, 2014.

Other
During the 3rd quarter, the Company declared and paid a $.225 per common share cash dividend, representing an increase of 5% over the rate paid in 2013. Additionally, the Company paid the first cash dividend of $1.8 million on its preferred stock, which was issued in June, 2014.

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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