Commerce Bancshares, Inc. Reports Third Quarter Earnings Per Share Of $1.02

Commerce Bancshares, Inc. announced earnings of $1.02 per share for the three months ended September 30, 2022, compared to $.99 per share in the same quarter last year and $.96 per share in the second quarter of 2022. Net income for the third quarter of 2022 amounted to $122.8 million, compared to $122.6 million in the third quarter of 2021 and $115.8 million in the prior quarter.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, earnings per share totaled $2.95, compared to $3.37 for the first nine months of 2021. Net income amounted to $356.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, compared to $415.9 million in the comparable period last year. For the current year to date, the return on average assets was 1.39%, and the return on average equity was 16.08%.

“Our third quarter results reflect the strengths of our balance sheet and diverse operating model,” said John Kemper. “Our variable rate earning assets and resilient core deposit base contributed to an expanding net interest margin and drove record quarterly net interest income. Additionally, our fee-based businesses contributed nearly 36% of total revenue.”

“In an increasingly uncertain economic environment, the bank remains well-positioned. Credit quality metrics and regulatory capital levels remain robust, and we are in a strong liquidity position to accommodate future loan growth.”

Third Quarter 2022 Financial Highlights:

• Net interest income was $246.4 million, a $14.0 million increase over the prior quarter. The net interest margin increased 22 basis points to 3.01%.

• Non-interest income totaled $138.5 million, a decrease of $913 thousand compared to the prior quarter.

• Non-interest expense totaled $212.9 million, a decrease of $621 thousand compared to the prior quarter.

• Average loan balances totaled $15.6 billion, an increase of $160.4 million, or 1.0%, over the prior quarter.

• Total average available for sale debt securities decreased 5.8%, or $826.7 million, from the prior quarter to $13.5 billion, at fair value. Purchases of securities during the quarter totaled $53.8 million, with a weighted average yield of approximately 4.52%.

• Average deposits declined $973.9 million, or 3.4% from the prior quarter. The average rate paid on interest bearing deposits was .21%.

• The ratio of annualized net loan charge-offs to average loans was .12% compared to .10% in the prior quarter.

• Non-accrual loans totaled $7.2 million compared to $7.9 million in the prior quarter. Non-accrual loans were .05% of total loans.

• The allowance for credit losses on loans increased $5.3 million during the third quarter to $143.4 million, and at September 30, 2022, the ratio of the allowance for credit losses on loans to total loans was .90% compared to .88% at June 30, 2022.

• The Company purchased 710,879 shares of its common stock this quarter at an average price of $70.50.

• Total assets at September 30, 2022 were $32.6 billion, a decrease of $832.8 million, or 2.5%, from the prior quarter.

• For the quarter, the return on average assets was 1.48%, the return on average equity was 17.84%, and the efficiency ratio was 55.2%.

Commerce Bancshares, Inc. is a regional bank holding company offering a full line of banking services through its subsidiaries, including payment solutions, investment management and securities brokerage. One of its subsidiaries, Commerce Bank, leverages more than 155 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 and the supplementary Earnings Highlights presentation are available on the Company’s website at https://investor.commercebank.com/news-info/financial-news-releases/default.aspx.

(1) Stated on a fully taxable-equivalent basis using a federal income tax rate of 21%.

(1) Net charge-offs are annualized and calculated as a percentage of average loans (excluding loans held for sale).

COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC.

Management Discussion of Third Quarter Results

September 30, 2022

For the quarter ended September 30, 2022, net income amounted to $122.8 million, compared to $115.8 million in the previous quarter and $122.6 million in the same quarter last year. The increase in net income compared to the previous quarter was primarily the result of an increase in net interest income, partly offset by an increase in the provision for credit losses. The net yield on interest earning assets grew 22 basis points to 3.01%. Average loans grew $160.4 million compared to the previous quarter, while average available for sale debt securities and average deposits declined $826.7 million and $973.9 million, respectively. For the quarter, the return on average assets was 1.48%, the return on average equity was 17.84%, and the efficiency ratio was 55.2%.

Balance Sheet Review

During the 3rd quarter of 2022, average loans totaled $15.6 billion, an increase of $160.4 million over the prior quarter, and $386.9 million, or 2.5%, over the same quarter last year. Compared to the previous quarter, average balances of business real estate, construction, and consumer loans grew $94.6 million, $63.5 million, and $31.1 million, respectively, while business loans declined $67.5 million. Period end loans increased $212.3 million compared to the prior quarter. During the current quarter, the Company sold certain fixed rate personal real estate loans totaling $16.7 million, compared to $36.6 million in the prior quarter.

Total average available for sale debt securities decreased $826.7 million compared to the previous quarter to $13.5 billion, at fair value. The decrease in investment securities was mainly the result of lower balances of mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities. During the current quarter, purchases of securities totaled $53.8 million with a weighted average yield of approximately 4.52%. Sales, maturities and pay downs were $658.2 million. At September 30, 2022, the duration of the investment portfolio was 3.9 years, and maturities and pay downs of approximately $2.4 billion are expected to occur during the next 12 months.

Total average deposits decreased $973.9 million this quarter compared to the previous quarter. The decrease in deposits mostly resulted from lower demand deposits and interest checking and money market deposits of $451.3 million and $423.6 million, respectively. Compared to the previous quarter, total average commercial, wealth, and consumer deposits declined $353.4 million, $327.3 million, and $291.1 million, respectively. The average loans to deposits ratio was 56.4% in the current quarter and 53.9% in the prior quarter. The Company’s average borrowings, which include customer repurchase agreements, were $2.3 billion in the 3rd quarter of 2022 and $2.4 billion in the prior quarter.

Net Interest Income

Net interest income in the 3rd quarter of 2022 amounted to $246.4 million, an increase of $14.0 million compared to the previous quarter. On a fully taxable-equivalent (FTE) basis, net interest income for the current quarter increased $13.7 million over the previous quarter to $248.7 million. The increase in net interest income was due to higher interest earned on loans, partly offset by lower interest earned on investment securities and higher interest expense. The net yield (FTE) on earning assets increased to 3.01%, compared to 2.79% in the prior quarter.

Compared to the previous quarter, interest income on loans (FTE) increased $28.9 million, mostly due to higher average rates on business, business real estate, construction, and consumer loans. The average yield (FTE) on the loan portfolio increased 65 basis points to 4.37% this quarter.

Interest income on investment securities (FTE) decreased $9.1 million compared to the prior quarter, due to lower rates earned, coupled with lower average balances. Interest income earned on U.S. government and federal agency securities decreased due to lower rates earned, which included the impact of $1.0 million in lower inflation income from Treasury inflation-protected securities this quarter. Additionally, $6.5 million of non-accrual interest was received on the sale of a private equity investment last quarter. At September 30, 2022, the Company recorded a $1.5 million adjustment to premium amortization, which increased interest income to reflect slower forward prepayment speed estimates on mortgage-backed securities, but it was less than the $5.0 million adjustment recorded in the prior quarter. The average yield (FTE) on total investment securities was 2.18% in the current quarter, compared to 2.36% in the previous quarter.

The average rate paid on interest bearing deposits totaled .21% in the current quarter compared to .07% in the prior quarter. Interest expense on deposits increased $5.9 million this quarter compared to the previous quarter, while interest expense on securities sold under agreements to repurchase increased $4.9 million, due to an 89 basis point increase in the average rate paid. The overall rate paid on interest bearing liabilities was .34% in the current quarter compared to .12% in the prior quarter.

Non-Interest Income

In the 3rd quarter of 2022, total non-interest income amounted to $138.5 million, an increase of $1.0 million compared to the same period last year and decreased $913 thousand compared to the prior quarter. The increase in non-interest income compared to the same period last year was mainly due to sweep and bank card fees, mostly offset by lower loan fees and sales and trust fees. The decrease in non-interest income compared to the prior quarter was mainly due to lower trust and deposit account fees, and income of $2.2 million recorded last quarter from a life insurance death benefit. These decreases were mostly offset by higher bank card and sweep fees.

Total net bank card fees in the current quarter increased $2.8 million, or 6.6%, over the same period last year, and increased $1.8 million compared to the prior quarter. Net corporate card fees increased $3.0 million, or 12.6%, over the same quarter of last year mainly due to higher interchange fee income, partly offset by higher rewards expense. Net debit card fees increased $106 thousand, or 1.0%, and net merchant fees increased $30 thousand, or .6%, while net credit card fees decreased $266 thousand, or 6.9%. Total net bank card fees this quarter were comprised of fees on corporate card ($26.3 million), debit card ($10.5 million), merchant ($5.2 million) and credit card ($3.6 million) transactions.

In the current quarter, trust fees decreased $3.5 million, or 7.2%, from the same period last year, resulting from lower private client fee income. Compared to the same period last year, deposit account fees decreased $640 thousand, or 2.5%, mainly due to lower overdraft and return item fees. Loan fees and sales, mostly mortgage banking revenue, declined $3.7 million, or 54.8%, compared to amounts recorded in the same quarter last year.

Other non-interest income increased over the same period last year primarily due to higher sweep fees of $3.4 million and a $2.0 million loss on an equity method investment recorded in the 3rd quarter of 2021. For the 3rd quarter of 2022, non-interest income comprised 36.0% of the Company’s total revenue.

Investment Securities Gains and Losses

The Company recorded net securities gains of $3.4 million in the current quarter, compared to gains of $1.0 million in the prior quarter and gains of $13.1 million in the 3rd quarter of 2021. Net securities gains in the current quarter primarily resulted from net fair value gains of $14.1 million in the Company’s private equity investment portfolio, mostly offset by a loss of $10.7 million on the sale of an available for sale security.

Non-Interest Expense

Non-interest expense for the current quarter amounted to $212.9 million, compared to $211.6 million in the same period last year and $213.5 million in the prior quarter. The increase in non-interest expense compared to the same period last year was mainly due to higher salaries expense, data processing and software expense, and travel and entertainment expense, mostly offset by $8.2 million in litigation settlement costs recorded last year. The decrease in non-interest expense compared to the prior quarter was mainly due to lower salaries expense driven by an accrual of $5.4 million for special bonuses recorded last quarter, and higher other non-interest expense.

Compared to the 3rd quarter of last year, salaries and employee benefits expense increased $4.6 million, due to higher full-time salaries expense of $5.6 million, or 6.4%, partly offset by lower incentive compensation expense of $2.5 million. Full-time equivalent employees totaled 4,595 and 4,582 at September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Compared to the same period last year, data processing and software expense increased $2.5 million due to higher software amortization, bank card processing fees and increased costs for service providers this quarter. Marketing expense increased $605 thousand, while other non-interest expense decreased $7.2 million. This decrease was mainly due to $8.2 million in litigation settlement costs recorded last year, lower legal and professional fees of $1.1 million and higher deferred loan origination costs of $755 thousand. These decreases to expense were partly offset by increases in travel and entertainment expense and insurance expense of $1.5 million and $619 thousand, respectively.

Income Taxes

The effective tax rate for the Company was 21.6% in the current quarter, 21.7% in the previous quarter, and 22.0% in the 3rd quarter of 2021.

Credit Quality

Net loan charge-offs in the 3rd quarter of 2022 amounted to $4.8 million, compared to $4.0 million in the prior quarter and $3.7 million in the same period last year. The ratio of annualized net loan charge-offs to total average loans was .12% in the current quarter, .10% in the previous quarter, and .10% in the 3rd quarter of last year. Net loan charge-offs on personal banking loans increased $419 thousand to $4.4 million.

In the 3rd quarter of 2022, annualized net loan charge-offs on average consumer credit card loans were 2.08%, compared to 2.19% in the previous quarter, and 2.04% in the same quarter last year. Consumer loan net charge-offs were .16% of average consumer loans in the current quarter, .12% in the prior quarter, and .10% in the same quarter last year.

At September 30, 2022, the allowance for credit losses on loans totaled $143.4 million, or .90% of total loans, and increased $5.3 million compared to the prior quarter. Additionally, the liability for unfunded lending commitments at September 30, 2022 was $30.0 million, an increase of $5.1 million compared to the liability at June 30, 2022.

At September 30, 2022, total non-accrual loans amounted to $7.2 million, a decrease of $733 thousand from the previous quarter. At September 30, 2022, the balance of non-accrual loans, which represented .05% of loans outstanding, included business loans of $5.6 million, personal real estate loans of $1.4 million, and business real estate loans of $149 thousand. Loans more than 90 days past due and still accruing interest totaled $12.5 million at September 30, 2022.

Other

During the 3rd quarter of 2022, the Company paid a cash dividend of $.265 per common share, representing a 6.0% increase over the same period last year. The Company purchased 710,879 shares of treasury stock during the current quarter at an average price of $70.50.

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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