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8-K - 8-K - COMMERCE BANCSHARES INC /MO/cbsh123120158k.htm
Exhibit 99.1

Exhibit 99.1
CBSH
                   1000 Walnut Street / Suite 700 / Kansas City, Missouri 64106 / 816.234.2000
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, January 20, 2016

COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. ANNOUNCES
FOURTH QUARTER EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE OF $.63

Commerce Bancshares, Inc. announced earnings of $.63 per common share for the three months ended December 31, 2015 compared to $.60 per common share in the fourth quarter of 2014 and $.63 per common share in the previous quarter. Net income attributable to Commerce Bancshares, Inc. (net income) for the fourth quarter amounted to $63.7 million, compared to $62.7 million in the same quarter last year and $64.6 million in the previous quarter. For the current quarter, the return on average assets totaled 1.05%, the return on average common equity was 10.9%, and the efficiency ratio was 62.9%.

For the year ended December 31, 2015, earnings per common share totaled $2.56 compared to $2.49 in 2014. Net income amounted to $263.7 million in 2015 compared to $261.8 million in 2014. In 2015, the return on average assets was 1.11% and the return on average common equity was 11.4%.
    
In making this announcement, David Kemper, Chairman and CEO, said, “Loan growth remained strong this quarter as average loans increased $334 million, or 11% annualized, compared to the previous quarter. Customer demand was strongest for business and commercial construction loans, although business real estate, automobile and credit card loans also showed good growth. In the fourth quarter, average deposits grew $422 million, reflecting seasonal growth that normally occurs towards the end of the year. Net interest income increased slightly this quarter due to higher earning asset balances and higher rates earned on mortgage and asset-backed securities, but was offset by a decline in inflation income of $4.7 million on the Company’s inflation-protected securities.  Fee income also grew 4.3% on higher fees mainly from deposit, bank card, trust and mortgage banking activities. Non-interest expense increased 2.5% over the previous quarter and grew 3.0% for the year.”

Mr. Kemper continued, “Credit quality remains strong as net loan charge-offs totaled $9.2 million this quarter, or .28% of average loans. During the current quarter, the provision for loan losses totaled $9.2 million, compared to $8.4 million in the previous quarter and $4.7 million last year. The allowance for loan losses amounted to $151.5 million this quarter, or 1.22% of period end loans. Compared to the previous quarter, non-accruing loans increased $796 thousand to $26.6 million and totaled .21% of period end loans this quarter.”

Total assets at December 31, 2015 were $24.6 billion, total loans were $12.4 billion, and total deposits were $20.0 billion. During the quarter, the Company paid a common cash dividend of $.214 per share, representing a 5% increase over the rate paid in 2014, and also paid a 6% cash dividend on its preferred stock. The Company also distributed a 5% stock dividend on its common stock during the fourth quarter of 2015.

(more)



     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 346 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.

This financial news release, including management's discussion of fourth 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


COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. and SUBSIDIARIES
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
 
 
For the Three Months Ended
For the Year Ended
(Unaudited) (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 
September 30,
2015
December 31,
2015
December 31,
2014
December 31,
2015
December 31,
2014
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
 
 
Net interest income
 

$162,038


$162,487


$151,929


$634,320


$620,204

Non-interest income
 
111,148

115,889

112,302

447,555

435,978

Total revenue
 
273,186

278,376

264,231

1,081,875

1,056,182

Investment securities gains (losses), net
 
(378
)
(1,480
)
3,650

6,320

14,124

Provision for loan losses
 
8,364

9,186

4,664

28,727

29,531

Non-interest expense
 
171,262

175,624

169,987

675,903

656,342

Income before taxes
 
93,182

92,086

93,230

383,565

384,433

Income taxes
 
27,969

27,661

29,488

116,590

121,649

Non-controlling interest expense
 
601

715

1,017

3,245

1,030

Net income attributable to Commerce Bancshares, Inc.
 
64,612

63,710

62,725

263,730

261,754

Preferred stock dividends
 
2,250

2,250

2,250

9,000

4,050

Net income available to common shareholders
 

$62,362


$61,460


$60,475


$254,730


$257,704

Earnings per common share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income — basic
 

$.63


$.63


$.60


$2.56


$2.50

Net income — diluted
 

$.63


$.63


$.60


$2.56


$2.49

Effective tax rate
 
30.21
%
30.27
%
31.98
%
30.66
%
31.73
%
Taxable equivalent net interest income
 

$169,512


$170,141


$159,151


$664,038


$648,628

RATIOS
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average loans to deposits (1)
 
62.44
%
62.80
%
59.84
%
61.44
%
59.91
%
Return on total average assets
 
1.09
%
1.05
%
1.08
%
1.11
%
1.15
%
Return on average common equity (2)
 
11.25
%
10.88
%
10.98
%
11.43
%
11.65
%
Non-interest income to total revenue
 
40.69
%
41.63
%
42.50
%
41.37
%
41.28
%
Efficiency ratio (3)
 
62.53
%
62.95
%
64.15
%
62.32
%
61.95
%
Net yield on interest earning assets
 
3.00
%
2.94
%
2.88
%
2.94
%
3.00
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EQUITY SUMMARY
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash dividends per share
 

$.214


$.214


$.204


$.857


$.816

Cash dividends on common stock
 

$20,936


$20,920


$20,666


$84,961


$84,241

Cash dividends on preferred stock
 

$2,250


$2,250


$2,250


$9,000


$4,050

Book value per common share (4)
 

$22.83


$22.86


$21.65

 
 
Market value per common share (4)
 

$43.39


$42.54


$41.42

 
 
High market value per common share
 

$46.38


$47.10


$42.19

 
 
Low market value per common share
 

$40.43


$41.40


$36.29

 
 
Common shares outstanding (4)
 
97,511,328

97,226,000

101,143,832

 
 
Tangible common equity to tangible assets (5)
 
8.72
%
8.48
%
8.55
%
 
 
Tier I leverage ratio (6)
 
9.31
%
9.23
%
9.36
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OTHER QTD INFORMATION
 
 
 
 
 
 
Number of bank/ATM locations
 
347

346

353

 
 
Full-time equivalent employees
 
4,770

4,770

4,744

 
 
(1)
Includes loans held for sale.
(2)
Annualized net income available to common shareholders divided by average total equity less preferred stock.
(3)
The efficiency ratio is calculated as non-interest expense (excluding intangibles amortization) as a percent of revenue.
(4)
As of period end.
(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).
(6)
The 2015 Tier I leverage ratios were prepared under Basel III capital requirements, which were effective January 1, 2015. Prior year ratios were prepared under Basel I requirements.




3


COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. and SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 
 
For the Three Months Ended
For the Year Ended
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
September 30,
2015
 
December 31,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
December 31,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
Interest income
 

$169,115

 

$169,742

 

$158,916


$662,416

 

$648,292

Interest expense
 
7,077

 
7,255

 
6,987

28,096

 
28,088

Net interest income
 
162,038

 
162,487

 
151,929

634,320

 
620,204

Provision for loan losses
 
8,364

 
9,186

 
4,664

28,727

 
29,531

Net interest income after provision for loan losses
 
153,674

 
153,301

 
147,265

605,593

 
590,673

NON-INTEREST INCOME
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Bank card transaction fees
 
44,635

 
46,320

 
44,843

178,926

 
175,806

Trust fees
 
29,630

 
30,054

 
29,260

119,801

 
112,158

Deposit account charges and other fees
 
20,674

 
21,606

 
20,220

80,416

 
78,680

Capital market fees
 
2,620

 
3,116

 
2,768

11,476

 
12,667

Consumer brokerage services
 
3,547

 
3,101

 
3,189

13,200

 
12,006

Loan fees and sales
 
1,855

 
2,101

 
1,321

8,228

 
5,108

Other
 
8,187

 
9,591

 
10,701

35,508

 
39,553

Total non-interest income
 
111,148

 
115,889

 
112,302

447,555

 
435,978

INVESTMENT SECURITIES GAINS (LOSSES), NET
 
(378
)
 
(1,480
)
 
3,650

6,320

 
14,124

NON-INTEREST EXPENSE
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Salaries and employee benefits
 
100,874

 
102,098

 
99,526

400,701

 
384,100

Net occupancy
 
11,247

 
10,981

 
11,473

44,788

 
45,825

Equipment
 
4,789

 
4,915

 
4,753

19,086

 
18,375

Supplies and communication
 
5,609

 
6,554

 
5,945

22,970

 
22,432

Data processing and software
 
21,119

 
22,274

 
20,347

83,944

 
78,980

Marketing
 
4,343

 
3,539

 
3,972

16,107

 
15,676

Deposit insurance
 
2,981

 
3,145

 
2,937

12,146

 
11,622

Other
 
20,300

 
22,118

 
21,034

76,161

 
79,332

Total non-interest expense
 
171,262

 
175,624

 
169,987

675,903

 
656,342

Income before income taxes
 
93,182

 
92,086

 
93,230

383,565

 
384,433

Less income taxes
 
27,969

 
27,661

 
29,488

116,590

 
121,649

Net income
 
65,213

 
64,425

 
63,742

266,975

 
262,784

Less non-controlling interest expense
 
601

 
715

 
1,017

3,245

 
1,030

Net income attributable to Commerce Bancshares, Inc.
 
64,612

 
63,710

 
62,725

263,730

 
261,754

Less preferred stock dividends
 
2,250

 
2,250

 
2,250

9,000

 
4,050

Net income available to common shareholders
 

$62,362

 

$61,460

 

$60,475


$254,730

 

$257,704

Net income per common share — basic
 

$.63

 

$.63

 

$.60


$2.56

 

$2.50

Net income per common share — diluted
 

$.63

 

$.63

 

$.60


$2.56

 

$2.49


4


COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. and SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
 
September 30,
2015
 
December 31,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans
 
$
12,224,274

 
$
12,436,692

 
$
11,469,238

Allowance for loan losses
 
(151,532
)
 
(151,532
)
 
(156,532
)
Net loans
 
12,072,742

 
12,285,160

 
11,312,706

Loans held for sale
 
4,143

 
7,607

 

Investment securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available for sale
 
9,472,959

 
9,777,004

 
9,523,560

Trading
 
14,463

 
11,890

 
15,357

Non-marketable
 
116,634

 
112,786

 
106,875

Total investment securities
 
9,604,056

 
9,901,680

 
9,645,792

Federal funds sold and short-term securities purchased under agreements to resell
 
32,550

 
14,505

 
32,485

Long-term securities purchased under agreements to resell
 
975,000

 
875,000

 
1,050,000

Interest earning deposits with banks
 
42,078

 
23,803

 
600,744

Cash and due from banks
 
384,122

 
464,411

 
467,488

Land, buildings and equipment — net
 
351,946

 
352,581

 
357,871

Goodwill
 
138,921

 
138,921

 
138,921

Other intangible assets — net
 
6,826

 
6,669

 
7,450

Other assets
 
355,264

 
534,625

 
380,823

Total assets
 
$
23,967,648

 
$
24,604,962

 
$
23,994,280

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deposits:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-interest bearing
 
$
6,699,873

 
$
7,146,398

 
$
6,811,959

Savings, interest checking and money market
 
10,295,260

 
10,834,746

 
10,541,601

Time open and C.D.’s of less than $100,000
 
808,210

 
785,191

 
878,433

Time open and C.D.’s of $100,000 and over
 
1,183,417

 
1,212,518

 
1,243,785

Total deposits
 
18,986,760

 
19,978,853

 
19,475,778

Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase
 
2,193,197

 
1,963,552

 
1,862,518

Other borrowings
 
103,831

 
103,818

 
104,058

Other liabilities
 
312,817

 
191,321

 
217,680

Total liabilities
 
21,596,605

 
22,237,544

 
21,660,034

Stockholders’ equity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Preferred stock
 
144,784


144,784

 
144,784

Common stock
 
484,155

 
489,862

 
484,155

Capital surplus
 
1,283,346

 
1,337,677

 
1,229,075

Retained earnings
 
555,877

 
383,313

 
426,648

Treasury stock
 
(168,493
)
 
(26,116
)
 
(16,562
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income
 
65,636

 
32,470

 
62,093

Total stockholders’ equity
 
2,365,305

 
2,361,990

 
2,330,193

Non-controlling interest
 
5,738

 
5,428

 
4,053

Total equity
 
2,371,043

 
2,367,418

 
2,334,246

Total liabilities and equity
 
$
23,967,648

 
$
24,604,962

 
$
23,994,280


5


COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. and SUBSIDIARIES
AVERAGE BALANCE SHEETS — AVERAGE RATES AND YIELDS
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)
For the Three Months Ended
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
 
Average Balance
 
Avg. Rates Earned/Paid
 
Average Balance
 
Avg. Rates Earned/Paid
 
Average Balance
 
Avg. Rates Earned/Paid
 
ASSETS:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Business (A)
$
4,221,478

 
2.73
%
 
$
4,351,756

 
2.78
%
 
$
3,927,207

 
2.75
%
 
Real estate — construction and land
476,331

 
3.52

 
584,185

 
3.41

 
401,283

 
3.80

 
Real estate — business
2,284,928

 
3.71

 
2,320,439

 
3.68

 
2,302,173

 
3.77

 
Real estate — personal
1,911,469

 
3.73

 
1,916,219

 
3.76

 
1,867,588

 
3.76

 
Consumer
1,861,636

 
4.00

 
1,908,540

 
3.91

 
1,685,123

 
4.14

 
Revolving home equity
434,355

 
3.50

 
429,582

 
3.44

 
434,572

 
3.65

 
Consumer credit card
746,066

 
11.59

 
756,743

 
11.23

 
758,708

 
11.43

 
Overdrafts
5,233

 

 
6,303

 

 
5,055

 

 
Total loans (B)
11,941,496

 
3.89

 
12,273,767

 
3.85

 
11,381,709

 
3.98

 
Loans held for sale
4,471

 
4.26

 
6,118

 
5.40

 

 

 
Investment securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. government and federal agency obligations
402,591

 
4.39

 
580,816

 
.17

 
498,909

 
(.25
)
(C)
Government-sponsored enterprise obligations
887,631

 
1.77

 
824,066

 
1.89

 
850,572

 
1.70

 
State and municipal obligations (A)
1,805,931

 
3.44

 
1,779,704

 
3.64

 
1,800,550

 
3.83

 
Mortgage-backed securities
3,217,589

 
2.47

 
3,335,627

 
2.54

 
2,873,420

 
2.60

 
Asset-backed securities
2,546,982

 
1.15

 
2,574,426

 
1.25

 
2,818,129

 
.86

 
Other marketable securities (A)
302,323

 
2.65

 
337,340

 
2.83

 
150,930

 
3.09

 
Total available for sale securities (B)
9,163,047

 
2.32

 
9,431,979

 
2.20

 
8,992,510

 
2.06

 
Trading securities (A)
22,283

 
2.72

 
23,217

 
2.65

 
15,874

 
2.12

 
Non-marketable securities (A)
114,062

 
8.28

 
114,321

 
8.19

 
102,006

 
8.24

 
Total investment securities
9,299,392

 
2.39

 
9,569,517

 
2.27

 
9,110,390

 
2.13

 
 Federal funds sold and short-term securities purchased under agreements to resell
21,012

 
.40

 
18,694

 
.32

 
41,808

 
.20

 
 Long-term securities purchased under agreements to resell
1,007,606

 
1.29

 
902,174

 
1.40

 
948,371

 
1.13

 
Interest earning deposits with banks
160,687

 
.25

 
178,486

 
.28

 
465,339

 
.25

 
Total interest earning assets
22,434,664

 
3.12

 
22,948,756

 
3.07

 
21,947,617

 
3.00

 
Non-interest earning assets (B)
1,074,253

 
 
 
1,098,977

 
 
 
1,114,966

 
 
 
Total assets
$
23,508,917

 
 
 
$
24,047,733

 
 
 
$
23,062,583

 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest bearing deposits:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Savings
$
739,172

 
.13

 
$
736,824

 
.12

 
$
672,591

 
.13

 
Interest checking and money market
9,619,621

 
.13

 
9,805,457

 
.13

 
9,593,936

 
.13

 
Time open & C.D.’s of less than $100,000
820,792

 
.38

 
796,639

 
.37

 
889,944

 
.42

 
Time open & C.D.’s of $100,000 and over
1,171,617

 
.53

 
1,219,803

 
.51

 
1,272,793

 
.45

 
Total interest bearing deposits
12,351,202

 
.18

 
12,558,723

 
.18

 
12,429,264

 
.19

 
Borrowings:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase
1,677,322

 
.11

 
1,707,430

 
.14

 
1,320,726

 
.08

 
Other borrowings
103,875

 
3.43

 
103,819

 
3.47

 
104,219

 
3.34

 
Total borrowings
1,781,197

 
.31

 
1,811,249

 
.33

 
1,424,945

 
.32

 
Total interest bearing liabilities
14,132,399

 
.20
%
 
14,369,972

 
.20
%
 
13,854,209

 
.20
%
 
Non-interest bearing deposits
6,781,592

 
 
 
6,995,666

 
 
 
6,591,462

 
 
 
Other liabilities
250,626

 
 
 
295,718

 
 
 
287,469

 
 
 
Equity
2,344,300

 
 
 
2,386,377

 
 
 
2,329,443

 
 
 
Total liabilities and equity
$
23,508,917

 
 
 
$
24,047,733

 
 
 
$
23,062,583

 
 
 
Net interest income (T/E)
$
169,512

 
 
 
$
170,141

 
 
 
$
159,151

 
 
 
Net yield on interest earning assets
 
 
3.00
%
 
 
 
2.94
%
 
 
 
2.88
%
 
(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.
(C) Includes a loss of $1.7 million in inflation interest on U.S. Treasury inflation-protected securities in the fourth quarter of 2014.

6


COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. and SUBSIDIARIES

CREDIT QUALITY
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For the Three Months Ended
 
For the Year Ended
(Unaudited) (In thousands, except per share data)
 
September 30, 2015
December 31, 2015
December 31, 2014
 
December 31, 2015
December 31, 2014
ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at beginning of period
 
$
151,532

$
151,532

$
161,532

 
$
156,532

$
161,532

     Provision for losses
 
8,364

9,186

4,664

 
28,727

29,531

     Charge-offs (recoveries):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial portfolio:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Business
 
(175
)
(133
)
335

 
(388
)
465

Real estate — construction and land
 
(67
)
60

(129
)
 
(1,262
)
(1,529
)
Real estate — business
 
(22
)
(626
)
88

 
(133
)
427

 
 
(264
)
(699
)
294

 
(1,783
)
(637
)
Personal banking portfolio:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consumer credit card
 
5,784

6,479

6,086

 
25,039

24,722

Consumer
 
2,435

2,251

2,557

 
8,278

8,805

Overdraft
 
429

487

407

 
1,350

1,074

Real estate — personal
 
(69
)
458

192

 
441

527

Revolving home equity
 
49

210

128

 
402

40

 
 
8,628

9,885

9,370

 
35,510

35,168

     Total net loan charge-offs (recoveries)
 
8,364

9,186

9,664

 
33,727

34,531

Balance at end of period
 
$
151,532

$
151,532

$
156,532

 
$
151,532

$
156,532

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CREDIT QUALITY RATIOS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Annualized net loan charge-offs (recoveries)*
 
.28
%
.30
%
.34
%
 
.28
%
.31
%
Non-performing assets to total loans
 
.24
%
.24
%
.40
%
 
 
 
Non-performing assets to total assets
 
.12
%
.12
%
.19
%
 
 
 
Allowance for loan losses to total loans
 
1.24
%
1.22
%
1.36
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NON-PERFORMING ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Non-accrual loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Business
 
$
11,699

$
10,874

$
11,560

 
 
 
Real estate — construction and land
 
4,046

3,090

5,157

 
 
 
Real estate — business
 
5,054

7,863

17,866

 
 
 
Real estate — personal
 
4,980

4,425

6,192

 
 
 
Revolving home equity
 

323


 
 
 
     Total
 
25,779

26,575

40,775

 


  Foreclosed real estate
 
3,053

2,819

5,476

 
 
 
Total non-performing assets
 
$
28,832

$
29,394

$
46,251

 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LOANS PAST DUE 90 DAYS AND STILL ACCRUING INTEREST
 
 
 
Business
 
$
375

$
564

$
1,096

 
 
 
Real estate — construction and land
 


35

 
 
 
Real estate — personal
 
2,695

3,081

1,676

 
 
 
Consumer
 
1,905

2,703

1,796

 
 
 
Revolving home equity
 
2,489

2,019

843

 
 
 
Consumer credit card
 
7,243

8,100

8,212

 
 
 
     Total
 
$
14,707

$
16,467

$
13,658

 
 
 
*as a percentage of average loans (excluding loans held for sale)



7


COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC.
Management Discussion of Fourth Quarter Results
December 31, 2015

For the quarter ended December 31, 2015, net income attributable to Commerce Bancshares, Inc. (net income) amounted to $63.7 million, compared to $64.6 million in the previous quarter and $62.7 million in the same quarter last year. The decrease in net income from the previous quarter resulted mainly from an increase in non-interest expense of $4.4 million coupled with higher securities losses of $1.1 million. The provision for loan losses also increased by $822 thousand. Non-interest income grew this quarter by $4.7 million compared to the previous quarter, while net interest income grew slightly. For the current quarter, the return on total average assets was 1.05%, the return on average common equity was 10.9%, and the efficiency ratio was 62.9%.
 
Balance Sheet Review
During the 4th quarter of 2015, average loans increased $333.9 million, or 11.2% annualized, compared to the previous quarter and increased $898.2 million, or 7.9%, compared to the same period last year. Compared to the previous quarter, the increase in average loans resulted from growth in business (up $130.3 million), construction (up $107.9 million), business real estate (up $35.5 million), credit card (up $10.7 million) and auto and other consumer loans (up $46.9 million). Average personal real estate loans grew $4.8 million this quarter; however, the Company also sold certain fixed rate loans of $10.7 million during the quarter, as part of an origination initiative that began in 2015. The increase in business loans came from growth in commercial and industrial, leasing and tax-free lending activities, while commercial construction projects drove the growth in construction loans. The growth in consumer loans was largely driven by continued demand for auto loans, which grew $44.8 million on average this quarter over the same quarter last year. Other consumer loans grew $13.4 million this quarter, partially offset by the continued run-off of marine and RV loans, which declined $11.2 million on average this quarter to a balance of $143.1 million at December 31, 2015.

During the 4th quarter of 2015, total average available for sale investment securities increased by $280.8 million to $9.6 billion as of December 31, 2015. The increase in securities during the quarter was mainly due to strong deposit growth which funded growth in both loans and securities. Purchases of new securities totaled $965.7 million in the 4th quarter of 2015 and were offset by sales, maturities and pay downs of $597.0 million. Purchases this quarter were spread among asset-backed, mortgage-backed and treasury security types. At December 31, 2015, the duration of the investment portfolio was 2.9 years, and maturities and pay downs of approximately $1.6 billion are expected to occur during the next 12 months.

Total average deposits increased $421.6 million, or 2.2%, this quarter compared to the previous quarter. The increase in average deposits resulted mainly from increases in business (increase of $226.3 million), interest checking (increase of $19.1 million), and money market accounts (increase of $166.7 million). Compared to the previous quarter, total average commercial, consumer and private banking deposits increased $286.8 million, $24.4 million, and $89.3 million, respectively. The average loans to deposits ratio in the current quarter was 62.8%, compared to 62.4% in the previous quarter.

The Company’s average borrowings remained stable and totaled $1.8 billion in both the current quarter and in the previous quarter.


 
Net Interest Income
Net interest income (tax equivalent) in the 4th quarter of 2015 amounted to $170.1 million compared with $169.5 million in the previous quarter, an increase of $629 thousand. Net interest income (tax equivalent) for the current quarter increased by $11.0 million compared to the 4th quarter of last year. During the 4th quarter of 2015, the net yield on earning assets (tax equivalent) was 2.94%, compared with 3.00% in the previous quarter and 2.88% in the same period last year.

The increase in net interest income (tax equivalent) in the 4th quarter of 2015 compared to the previous quarter was due mainly to an increase in interest on loans of $2.1 million and higher earnings on mortgage-backed, asset-backed and municipal securities of $2.6 million. Inflation income on inflation-protected securities, however, declined $4.7 million as a result of a decline in the Consumer Price Index published this quarter and was $264 thousand higher than in the same period last year. Excluding the effects of inflation income, the net yield on earning assets would have been 2.97% in the current quarter, 2.94% in the prior quarter and 2.91% in the same period last year. During the current quarter, adjustments to premium amortization expense on certain mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, due to slower prepayment speed assumptions, increased interest income by $966 thousand compared with an increase of $275 thousand in the prior quarter.

Compared to the previous quarter, interest income (tax-equivalent) on loans increased $2.1 million and was mainly due to higher average balances in nearly all loan categories. However, these increases in interest income were partly offset by lower yields, mainly on business real estate, construction, consumer and consumer credit card loans. Overall, the average yield on the loan portfolio decreased 4 basis points this quarter to 3.85%. Total interest income (tax-equivalent) on investment securities, excluding inflation income, increased $3.5 million over the previous quarter and resulted mainly from higher securities balances coupled with higher rates earned on mortgage-backed, asset-backed and municipal securities. Excluding the effects of inflation income, the average rate earned on the investment securities portfolio would have been 2.33% in the current quarter, compared to 2.25% in the previous quarter.

Interest expense on deposits increased slightly this quarter compared with the previous quarter as deposit rates remained constant, amounting to .18% in both the current and prior three quarters. Borrowing costs increased slightly due to higher balances and rates paid on federal funds purchased and higher rates paid on repurchase agreements.

Non-Interest Income
In the 4th quarter of 2015, total non-interest income amounted to $115.9 million, an increase of $3.6 million, or 3.2%, compared to the same period last year. Also, current quarter non-interest income increased $4.7 million, or 4.3%, 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 higher bank card, deposit, trust and mortgage banking fees offset by a gain on the sale of a branch building of $1.6 million in the 4th quarter of 2014 that did not reoccur this year.




8


COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC.
Management Discussion of Fourth Quarter Results
December 31, 2015


Total bank card fees in the current quarter increased $1.5 million, or 3.3%, over the same period last year. The increase was mainly the result of growth in corporate card interchange fees of 5.2% coupled with a 3.6% increase in debit card fees. Credit card fees also increased 2.2% this quarter. Total bank card fees this quarter were comprised of fees on corporate card ($22.7 million), debit card ($9.9 million), merchant ($7.2 million) and credit card ($6.5 million) transactions.

In the current quarter, trust fees increased $794 thousand, or 2.7%, compared to the same period last year, resulting mainly from continued growth in both private client and institutional trust activities. Deposit account fees also increased $1.4 million, or 6.9%, compared to the same period last year as a result of higher deposit account service fees and 2.5% growth in overdraft and corporate cash management fees.

Capital market fees increased $348 thousand, or 12.6%, over the same quarter last year on higher sales volumes from correspondent banks, while mortgage banking revenue increased $849 thousand due to sales of newly-originated residential mortgages, as the Company began a new program of selling longer-term fixed rate mortgages in 2015. Fees from this initiative during 2015 totaled $3.8 million compared to $274 thousand in 2014.

Fees from sales of interest rate swaps (included in other non-interest income) totaled $856 thousand this quarter, an increase of $239 thousand compared to the same period last year. During 2015, higher customer demand for swap contracts resulted in revenue of $4.4 million, or growth of $2.6 million. Fees from sales of tax credits totaled $546 thousand in the current quarter, a decrease of $399 thousand from the same quarter last year. In the 4th quarter of 2014, a gain of $1.6 million was recorded on the sale of a branch facility that did not reoccur in 2015. Non-interest income comprised 41.6% of the Company’s total revenues this quarter.

Investment Securities Gains and Losses
The Company recorded net securities losses of $1.5 million this quarter, compared with net losses of $378 thousand last quarter and net gains of $3.7 million in the same period last year. Virtually all securities gains and losses this quarter related to the Company’s private equity investments.

Non-Interest Expense
Non-interest expense for the current quarter amounted to $175.6 million, an increase of $5.6 million, or 3.3%, over the same period last year, and was higher than the previous quarter’s total by $4.4 million, or 2.5%. The increase over the same period in the previous year was mainly due to higher costs for salaries and benefits (increase of $2.6 million), data processing (increase of $1.9 million), and operating losses (increase of $1.6 million), which were mainly related to bank card fraud expense. These costs were partially offset by lower professional, foreclosed property, marketing and occupancy expense.

Compared to the 4th quarter of last year, salaries expense grew $3.9 million, or 4.6%, mainly due to higher full-time salaries. Benefit costs declined $1.3 million mostly due to lower pension expense this quarter. Growth in salaries expense resulted partly from staffing additions in residential lending, commercial banking, trust, information technology and other support units. Full-time
 
equivalent employees totaled 4,770 and 4,744 at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Compared to the 4th quarter of last year, data processing costs increased $1.9 million this quarter, mainly due to higher bank card processing costs and software licensing and maintenance fees, while supplies and communication costs increased $609 thousand, mainly due to higher reissuance costs for new chip cards being distributed to customers. However, costs for occupancy, professional fees, marketing and foreclosed property expense declined this quarter by $1.9 million collectively. Costs for bank card related fraud totaled $2.5 million this quarter compared to $852 thousand in the same period last year.

Income Taxes
The effective tax rate for the Company was 30.3% in the current quarter compared to 30.2% in the previous quarter and 32.0% in the 4th quarter of 2014.

Credit Quality
Net loan charge-offs in the 4th quarter of 2015 amounted to $9.2 million, compared with $8.4 million in the prior quarter and $9.7 million in the 4th quarter of last year. The ratio of annualized net loan charge-offs to total average loans was .30% in the current quarter compared to .28% in the previous quarter and .34% in the 4th quarter of last year.

In the 4th quarter of 2015, annualized net loan charge-offs on average consumer credit card loans were 3.40%, compared with 3.08% in the previous quarter and 3.18% in the same period last year. Consumer loan net charge-offs were .47% of average consumer loans in the current quarter, .52% in the prior quarter and .60% in the same quarter last year. The provision for loan losses in the current quarter totaled $9.2 million compared to $8.4 million in the prior quarter and $4.7 million in the 4th quarter of last year. At December 31, 2015, the allowance totaled $151.5 million, was 1.22% of total loans, and was 570% of total non-accrual loans.

At December 31, 2015, total non-performing assets amounted to $29.4 million, an increase of $562 thousand over the previous quarter. Non-performing assets are comprised of non-accrual loans ($26.6 million) and foreclosed real estate ($2.8 million). At December 31, 2015, the balance of non-accrual loans, which represented .21% of loans outstanding, included business real estate loans of $7.9 million, business loans of $10.9 million, personal real estate loans of $4.4 million and construction and land loans of $3.1 million. Loans more than 90 days past due and still accruing interest totaled $16.5 million at December 31, 2015.

Other
During the 4th quarter of 2015, the Company paid a cash dividend per common share of $.214 and a cash dividend of $2.3 million on its preferred stock. The Company also distributed a 5% stock dividend on its common stock during the 4th quarter of 2015. Additionally, the Company purchased 327,831 shares of treasury stock this quarter at an average price of $42.79.

Forward Looking Information
This information contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.




9


COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC.
Management Discussion of Fourth Quarter Results
December 31, 2015


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.







10