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Commerce Bancshares, Inc. Reports Third Quarter Earnings Per Share of $1.07

CBSH

Commerce Bancshares, Inc. announced earnings of $1.07 per share for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $.92 per share in the same quarter last year and $1.07 per share in the second quarter of 2024. Net income for the third quarter of 2024 amounted to $138.0 million, compared to $120.6 million in the third quarter of 2023 and $139.6 million in the prior quarter.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, earnings per share totaled $3.00, compared to $2.80 for the first nine months of 2023. Net income amounted to $390.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $367.8 million in the comparable period last year. For the year to date, the return on average assets was 1.71%, and the return on average equity was 16.92%.

In announcing these results, John Kemper, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “We are pleased with our third quarter results, which exemplify our diversified operating model and the growth mindset of our team. Our net interest margin, excluding the impact of inflation income on treasury bonds, expanded four basis points from the prior quarter. Interest bearing deposit costs continue to flatten, increasing just one basis point this quarter when compared to the previous quarter, while average deposits increased slightly. Trust fees were strong and experienced continued growth, up 11.1% over the same period last year. Total non-interest income was 37.7% of total revenue. During the quarter, we purchased $976.1 million in available for sale debt securities, indicative of lower loan demand and the relatively short duration of our investment securities portfolio.

“Credit quality remains excellent, and we continue to maintain strong levels of capital. Non-accrual loans were .11% of total loans, flat when compared to the previous quarter. Our tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio increased to 10.47% as interest rates declined, and book value per share increased 9.9% during the quarter.”

Third Quarter 2024 Financial Highlights:

  • Net interest income was $262.4 million, a $102 thousand increase over the prior quarter. The net yield on interest earning assets decreased five basis points to 3.50%.

  • Non-interest income totaled $159.0 million, an increase of $16.1 million over the same quarter last year.

  • Trust fees grew $5.5 million, or 11.1%, compared to the same period last year, mostly due to higher private client fees.

  • Non-interest expense totaled $237.6 million, an increase of $9.6 million, or 4.2%, compared to the same quarter last year.

  • Average loan balances totaled $17.0 billion, a decrease of .9% compared to the prior quarter.

  • Total average available for sale debt securities decreased $87.8 million from the prior quarter to $8.7 billion, at fair value. During the third quarter of 2024, the unrealized loss on available for sale debt securities decreased $287.4 million to $786.4 million, at period end.

  • Total average deposits increased $65.3 million, or .3%, compared to the prior quarter. The average rate paid on interest bearing deposits in the current quarter was 2.00%.

  • The ratio of annualized net loan charge-offs to average loans was .22% compared to .23% in the prior quarter.

  • The allowance for credit losses on loans increased $2.3 million during the third quarter of 2024 to $160.8 million, and the ratio of the allowance for credit losses on loans to total loans was .94%, at September 30, 2024, compared to .92% at June 30, 2024.

  • Total assets at September 30, 2024 were $31.5 billion, an increase of $924.2 million, or 3.0%, compared to the prior quarter.

  • For the quarter, the return on average assets was 1.80%, the return on average equity was 16.81%, and the efficiency ratio was 56.3%.

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 nearly 160 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. Beyond the Midwest, Commerce also maintains commercial offices in Dallas, Houston, Cincinnati, Nashville, Des Moines, Indianapolis, and Grand Rapids and wealth offices in Dallas, Houston, and Naples. Commerce delivers high-touch service and sophisticated financial solutions at regional branches, commercial and wealth 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.

COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. and SUBSIDIARIES

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

For the Three Months Ended

For the Nine Months
Ended

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

Sep. 30,
2024

Jun. 30,
2024

Sep. 30,
2023

Sep. 30,
2024

Sep. 30,
2023

FINANCIAL SUMMARY

Net interest income

$262,351

$262,249

$248,547

$773,599

$749,708

Non-interest income

159,025

152,244

142,949

460,117

428,166

Total revenue

421,376

414,493

391,496

1,233,716

1,177,874

Investment securities gains (losses)

3,872

3,233

4,298

6,846

7,384

Provision for credit losses

9,140

5,468

11,645

19,395

29,572

Non-interest expense

237,600

232,214

228,010

715,511

679,728

Income before taxes

178,508

180,044

156,139

505,656

475,958

Income taxes

38,245

38,602

33,439

108,499

102,242

Non-controlling interest expense

2,256

1,889

2,104

6,934

5,879

Net income attributable to Commerce Bancshares, Inc.

$138,007

$139,553

$120,596

$390,223

$367,837

Earnings per common share:

Net income — basic

$1.07

$1.07

$0.92

$3.01

$2.80

Net income — diluted

$1.07

$1.07

$0.92

$3.00

$2.80

Effective tax rate

21.70

%

21.67

%

21.71

%

21.76

%

21.75

%

Fully-taxable equivalent net interest income

$264,638

$264,578

$250,962

$780,528

$756,130

Average total interest earning assets (1)

$30,051,845

$30,016,060

$31,974,945

$ 30,144,221

$31,986,696

Diluted wtd. average shares outstanding

127,995,072

128,610,693

130,008,840

128,595,025

130,227,782

RATIOS

Average loans to deposits (2)

69.93

%

70.73

%

66.39

%

70.17

%

65.85

%

Return on total average assets

1.80

1.86

1.49

1.71

1.53

Return on average equity(3)

16.81

18.52

17.73

16.92

18.42

Non-interest income to total revenue

37.74

36.73

36.51

37.30

36.35

Efficiency ratio (4)

56.31

55.95

58.15

57.92

57.62

Net yield on interest earning assets

3.50

3.55

3.11

3.46

3.16

EQUITY SUMMARY

Cash dividends per share

$.270

$.270

$.257

$.810

$.771

Cash dividends on common stock

$34,794

$34,960

$33,657

$104,894

$101,160

Book value per share (5)

$26.90

$24.48

$19.90

Market value per share (5)

$59.40

$55.78

$45.70

High market value per share

$65.86

$57.48

$52.37

Low market value per share

$54.88

$50.92

$44.10

Common shares outstanding (5)

128,378,890

129,004,231

130,586,153

Tangible common equity to tangible assets (6)

10.47

%

9.82

%

7.78

%

Tier I leverage ratio

12.31

%

12.13

%

10.87

%

OTHER QTD INFORMATION

Number of bank/ATM locations

244

247

266

Full-time equivalent employees

4,711

4,724

4,714

(1) Excludes allowance for credit losses on loans and unrealized gains/(losses) on available for sale debt securities.

(2) Includes loans held for sale.

(3) Annualized net income attributable to Commerce Bancshares, Inc. divided by average total equity.

(4) The efficiency ratio is calculated as non-interest expense (excluding intangibles amortization) as a percent of total revenue.

(5) As of period end.

(6) The tangible common equity ratio is a non-gaap ratio and is calculated as stockholders’ equity reduced by goodwill and other intangible assets (excluding mortgage servicing rights) divided by total assets reduced by goodwill and other intangible assets (excluding mortgage servicing rights).

All share and per share amounts have been restated to reflect the 5% stock dividend distributed in December 2023.

COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. and SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except per share data)

For the Three Months Ended

For the Nine Months
Ended

Sep. 30,
2024

Jun. 30,
2024

Mar. 31,
2024

Dec. 31,
2023

Sep. 30,
2023

Sep. 30,
2024

Sep. 30,
2023

Interest income

$372,068

$369,363

$358,721

$362,609

$361,162

$1,100,152

$1,018,682

Interest expense

109,717

107,114

109,722

114,188

112,615

326,553

268,974

Net interest income

262,351

262,249

248,999

248,421

248,547

773,599

749,708

Provision for credit losses

9,140

5,468

4,787

5,879

11,645

19,395

29,572

Net interest income after credit losses

253,211

256,781

244,212

242,542

236,902

754,204

720,136

NON-INTEREST INCOME

Trust fees

54,689

52,291

51,105

49,154

49,207

158,085

141,800

Bank card transaction fees

47,570

47,477

46,930

47,878

46,899

141,977

143,278

Deposit account charges and other fees

25,380

25,325

24,151

23,517

23,090

74,856

67,475

Capital market fees

5,995

4,760

3,892

4,269

3,524

14,647

9,831

Consumer brokerage services

4,619

4,478

4,408

3,641

3,820

13,505

13,582

Loan fees and sales

3,444

3,431

3,141

2,875

2,966

10,016

8,290

Other

17,328

14,482

15,221

13,545

13,443

47,031

43,910

Total non-interest income

159,025

152,244

148,848

144,879

142,949

460,117

428,166

INVESTMENT SECURITIES GAINS (LOSSES), NET

3,872

3,233

(259

)

7,601

4,298

6,846

7,384

NON-INTEREST EXPENSE

Salaries and employee benefits

153,122

149,120

151,801

147,456

146,805

454,043

436,607

Data processing and software

32,194

31,529

31,153

31,141

30,744

94,876

87,617

Net occupancy

13,411

12,544

13,574

13,927

13,948

39,529

39,702

Professional and other services

8,830

8,617

8,648

9,219

8,293

26,095

26,979

Marketing

7,278

5,356

4,036

6,505

6,167

16,670

18,006

Equipment

5,286

5,091

5,010

5,137

4,697

15,387

14,411

Supplies and communication

4,963

4,636

4,744

5,242

4,963

14,343

14,178

Deposit Insurance

2,930

2,354

8,017

20,304

4,029

13,301

12,859

Other

9,586

12,967

18,714

12,323

8,364

41,267

29,369

Total non-interest expense

237,600

232,214

245,697

251,254

228,010

715,511

679,728

Income before income taxes

178,508

180,044

147,104

143,768

156,139

505,656

475,958

Less income taxes

38,245

38,602

31,652

32,307

33,439

108,499

102,242

Net income

140,263

141,442

115,452

111,461

122,700

397,157

373,716

Less non-controlling interest expense (income)

2,256

1,889

2,789

2,238

2,104

6,934

5,879

Net income attributable to Commerce Bancshares, Inc.

$138,007

$139,553

$112,663

$109,223

$120,596

$390,223

$367,837

Net income per common share — basic

$1.07

$1.07

$0.87

$0.84

$0.92

$3.01

$2.80

Net income per common share — diluted

$1.07

$1.07

$0.86

$0.84

$0.92

$3.00

$2.80

OTHER INFORMATION

Return on total average assets

1.80

%

1.86

%

1.48

%

1.38

%

1.49

%

1.71

%

1.53

%

Return on average equity (1)

16.81

18.52

15.39

16.48

17.73

16.92

18.42

Efficiency ratio (2)

56.31

55.95

61.67

63.80

58.15

57.92

57.62

Effective tax rate

21.70

21.67

21.93

22.83

21.71

21.76

21.75

Net yield on interest earning assets

3.50

3.55

3.33

3.17

3.11

3.46

3.16

Fully-taxable equivalent net interest income

$264,638

$264,578

$251,312

$250,547

$250,962

$780,528

$756,130

(1) Annualized net income attributable to Commerce Bancshares, Inc. divided by average total equity.

(2) The efficiency ratio is calculated as non-interest expense (excluding intangibles amortization) as a percent of total revenue.

The income statement above reflects the reclassification of non-interest income of $1.1 million and $1.5 million from other non-interest income to capital market fees for the third quarter of 2023 and the first nine months of 2023, respectively.

COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. and SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - PERIOD END

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)

Sep. 30,
2024

Jun. 30,
2024

Sep. 30,
2023

ASSETS

Loans

Business

$ 6,048,328

$ 6,090,724

$ 5,908,330

Real estate — construction and land

1,381,607

1,396,515

1,539,566

Real estate — business

3,586,999

3,572,539

3,647,168

Real estate — personal

3,043,391

3,055,182

3,024,639

Consumer

2,108,281

2,145,609

2,125,804

Revolving home equity

342,376

331,381

305,237

Consumer credit card

574,746

566,925

574,829

Overdrafts

4,272

4,190

3,753

Total loans

17,090,000

17,163,065

17,129,326

Allowance for credit losses on loans

(160,839

)

(158,557

)

(162,244

)

Net loans

16,929,161

17,004,508

16,967,082

Loans held for sale

1,707

2,930

5,120

Investment securities:

Available for sale debt securities

9,167,681

8,534,271

9,860,828

Trading debt securities

42,645

45,499

35,564

Equity securities

57,115

113,584

12,212

Other securities

216,543

223,798

230,792

Total investment securities

9,483,984

8,917,152

10,139,396

Federal funds sold

10

2,735

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

475,000

475,000

450,000

Interest earning deposits with banks

2,642,048

2,215,057

1,847,641

Cash and due from banks

507,941

329,692

358,010

Premises and equipment — net

469,986

467,256

460,830

Goodwill

146,539

146,539

146,539

Other intangible assets — net

13,722

13,801

14,432

Other assets

823,494

997,423

984,907

Total assets

$ 31,493,592

$ 30,569,358

$ 31,376,692

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Deposits:

Non-interest bearing

$ 7,396,153

$ 7,492,751

$ 7,961,402

Savings, interest checking and money market

15,216,557

14,367,710

14,154,275

Certificates of deposit of less than $100,000

1,113,962

1,010,251

1,210,169

Certificates of deposit of $100,000 and over

1,511,120

1,408,548

1,764,611

Total deposits

25,237,792

24,279,260

25,090,457

Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase

2,182,229

2,551,399

2,745,181

Other borrowings

10,201

3,984

503,589

Other liabilities

609,831

576,380

438,199

Total liabilities

28,040,053

27,411,023

28,777,426

Stockholders’ equity:

Common stock

655,322

655,322

629,319

Capital surplus

3,154,300

3,153,107

2,924,211

Retained earnings

338,512

235,299

298,297

Treasury stock

(139,149

)

(98,176

)

(76,888

)

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

(576,904

)

(807,817

)

(1,193,534

)

Total stockholders’ equity

3,432,081

3,137,735

2,581,405

Non-controlling interest

21,458

20,600

17,861

Total equity

3,453,539

3,158,335

2,599,266

Total liabilities and equity

$ 31,493,592

$ 30,569,358

$ 31,376,692

COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. and SUBSIDIARIES

AVERAGE BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)

For the Three Months Ended

Sep. 30,
2024

Jun. 30,
2024

Mar. 31,
2024

Dec. 31,
2023

Sep. 30,
2023

ASSETS:

Loans:

Business

$ 5,966,797

$ 5,980,364

$ 5,873,525

$ 5,861,229

$ 5,849,227

Real estate — construction and land

1,400,563

1,471,504

1,472,554

1,523,682

1,508,850

Real estate — business

3,580,772

3,666,057

3,727,643

3,644,589

3,642,010

Real estate — personal

3,047,563

3,044,943

3,031,193

3,027,664

2,992,500

Consumer

2,129,483

2,127,650

2,082,490

2,117,268

2,102,281

Revolving home equity

335,817

326,204

322,074

310,282

304,055

Consumer credit card

559,410

552,896

562,892

568,112

564,039

Overdrafts

5,460

4,856

7,696

5,258

5,341

Total loans

17,025,865

17,174,474

17,080,067

17,058,084

16,968,303

Allowance for credit losses on loans

(158,003

)

(159,791

)

(161,891

)

(161,932

)

(158,335

)

Net loans

16,867,862

17,014,683

16,918,176

16,896,152

16,809,968

Loans held for sale

2,448

2,455

2,149

5,392

5,714

Investment securities:

U.S. government and federal agency obligations

1,888,985

1,201,954

851,656

889,390

986,284

Government-sponsored enterprise obligations

55,583

55,634

55,652

55,661

55,676

State and municipal obligations

856,620

1,069,934

1,330,808

1,363,649

1,391,541

Mortgage-backed securities

5,082,091

5,553,656

5,902,328

6,022,502

6,161,348

Asset-backed securities

1,525,593

1,785,598

2,085,050

2,325,089

2,553,562

Other debt securities

224,528

364,828

503,204

510,721

514,787

Unrealized gain (loss) on debt securities

(961,695

)

(1,272,127

)

(1,274,125

)

(1,595,845

)

(1,458,141

)

Total available for sale debt securities

8,671,705

8,759,477

9,454,573

9,571,167

10,205,057

Trading debt securities

47,440

46,565

40,483

37,234

35,044

Equity securities

85,118

127,584

12,768

12,249

12,230

Other securities

217,377

228,403

221,695

222,378

237,518

Total investment securities

9,021,640

9,162,029

9,729,519

9,843,028

10,489,849

Federal funds sold

12

1,612

599

1,194

2,722

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

474,997

303,586

340,934

450,000

712,472

Interest earning deposits with banks

2,565,188

2,099,777

1,938,381

2,387,415

2,337,744

Other assets

1,648,321

1,651,808

1,715,716

1,797,849

1,750,222

Total assets

$ 30,580,468

$ 30,235,950

$ 30,645,474

$ 31,381,030

$ 32,108,691

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY:

Non-interest bearing deposits

$ 7,284,834

$ 7,297,955

$ 7,328,603

$ 7,748,654

$ 7,939,190

Savings

1,303,675

1,328,989

1,333,983

1,357,733

1,436,149

Interest checking and money market

13,242,398

13,162,118

13,215,270

13,166,783

13,048,199

Certificates of deposit of less than $100,000

1,055,683

1,003,798

976,804

1,097,224

1,423,965

Certificates of deposit of $100,000 and over

1,464,143

1,492,592

1,595,310

1,839,057

1,718,126

Total deposits

24,350,733

24,285,452

24,449,970

25,209,451

25,565,629

Borrowings:

Federal funds purchased

206,644

265,042

328,216

473,534

508,851

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

2,351,870

2,254,849

2,511,959

2,467,118

2,283,020

Other borrowings

496

838

76

179,587

685,222

Total borrowings

2,559,010

2,520,729

2,840,251

3,120,239

3,477,093

Other liabilities

405,490

399,080

410,310

421,402

367,741

Total liabilities

27,315,233

27,205,261

27,700,531

28,751,092

29,410,463

Equity

3,265,235

3,030,689

2,944,943

2,629,938

2,698,228

Total liabilities and equity

$ 30,580,468

$ 30,235,950

$ 30,645,474

$ 31,381,030

$ 32,108,691

COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. and SUBSIDIARIES

AVERAGE RATES

(Unaudited)

For the Three Months Ended

Sep. 30,
2024

Jun. 30,
2024

Mar. 31,
2024

Dec. 31,
2023

Sep. 30,
2023

ASSETS:

Loans:

Business(1)

6.17

%

6.11

%

6.07

%

5.91

%

5.77

%

Real estate — construction and land

8.44

8.36

8.40

8.34

8.17

Real estate — business

6.28

6.26

6.26

6.18

6.13

Real estate — personal

4.10

4.04

3.95

3.85

3.73

Consumer

6.64

6.56

6.40

6.21

5.97

Revolving home equity

7.69

7.68

7.70

7.70

7.76

Consumer credit card

14.01

13.96

14.11

13.83

13.77

Overdrafts

Total loans

6.35

6.30

6.27

6.15

6.02

Loans held for sale

6.34

7.54

7.49

9.93

10.55

Investment securities:

U.S. government and federal agency obligations

3.68

5.04

2.08

2.32

2.31

Government-sponsored enterprise obligations

2.37

2.39

2.39

2.36

2.36

State and municipal obligations(1)

2.00

2.00

1.97

1.94

1.95

Mortgage-backed securities

1.95

2.09

2.19

2.05

2.06

Asset-backed securities

2.66

2.50

2.39

2.30

2.20

Other debt securities

2.07

2.01

1.93

1.85

1.75

Total available for sale debt securities

2.41

2.50

2.18

2.10

2.08

Trading debt securities(1)

4.52

4.95

5.30

5.05

5.11

Equity securities (1)

4.44

2.82

25.64

27.47

23.06

Other securities (1)

6.09

13.20

13.04

8.60

13.13

Total investment securities

2.52

2.75

2.44

2.27

2.33

Federal funds sold

6.74

6.71

6.65

6.56

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

3.53

3.21

1.93

1.64

2.08

Interest earning deposits with banks

5.43

5.48

5.48

5.47

5.39

Total interest earning assets

4.96

4.98

4.78

4.62

4.51

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY:

Interest bearing deposits:

Savings

.07

.06

.06

.05

.05

Interest checking and money market

1.74

1.73

1.69

1.57

1.33

Certificates of deposit of less than $100,000

4.17

4.22

4.20

4.21

4.32

Certificates of deposit of $100,000 and over

4.51

4.55

4.56

4.55

4.37

Total interest bearing deposits

2.00

1.99

1.97

1.93

1.76

Borrowings:

Federal funds purchased

5.38

5.42

5.42

5.40

5.33

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

3.56

3.44

3.43

3.25

3.20

Other borrowings

4.81

3.84

5.45

5.30

Total borrowings

3.71

3.65

3.66

3.71

3.93

Total interest bearing liabilities

2.22

%

2.21

%

2.21

%

2.20

%

2.12

%

Net yield on interest earning assets

3.50

%

3.55

%

3.33

%

3.17

%

3.11

%

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

COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. and SUBSIDIARIES

CREDIT QUALITY

For the Three Months Ended

For the Nine Months
Ended

(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except ratios)

Sep. 30,
2024

Jun. 30,
2024

Mar. 31,
2024

Dec. 31,
2023

Sep. 30,
2023

Sep. 30,
2024

Sep. 30,
2023

ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES ON LOANS

Balance at beginning of period

$158,557

$160,465

$162,395

$162,244

$158,685

$162,395

$150,136

Provision for credit losses on loans

11,861

7,849

6,947

8,170

13,343

26,657

35,155

Net charge-offs (recoveries):

Commercial portfolio:

Business

114

622

23

96

2,613

759

3,008

Real estate — construction and land

(115

)

Real estate — business

(7

)

(8

)

(141

)

128

(15

)

(156

)

(24

)

107

614

(118

)

224

2,598

603

2,869

Personal banking portfolio:

Consumer credit card

6,273

6,746

6,435

5,325

4,716

19,454

13,728

Consumer

2,759

1,804

1,983

1,903

1,797

6,546

4,345

Overdraft

464

521

557

588

683

1,542

2,178

Real estate — personal

128

79

24

(11

)

(9

)

231

(26

)

Revolving home equity

(152

)

(7

)

(4

)

(10

)

(1

)

(163

)

(47

)

9,472

9,143

8,995

7,795

7,186

27,610

20,178

Total net loan charge-offs

9,579

9,757

8,877

8,019

9,784

28,213

23,047

Balance at end of period

$160,839

$158,557

$160,465

$162,395

$162,244

$160,839

$162,244

LIABILITY FOR UNFUNDED LENDING COMMITMENTS

$17,984

$20,705

$23,086

$25,246

$27,537

NET CHARGE-OFF RATIOS (1)

Commercial portfolio:

Business

.01

%

.04

%

%

.01

%

.18

%

.02

%

.07

%

Real estate — construction and land

(.01

)

Real estate — business

(.02

)

.01

(.01

)

.02

.01

.09

.01

.04

Personal banking portfolio:

Consumer credit card

4.46

4.91

4.60

3.72

3.32

4.65

3.28

Consumer

.52

.34

.38

.36

.34

.41

.28

Overdraft

33.81

43.15

29.11

44.37

50.73

34.32

60.54

Real estate — personal

.02

.01

.01

Revolving home equity

(.18

)

(.01

)

(.01

)

(.07

)

(.02

)

.62

.61

.60

.51

.48

.61

.46

Total

.22

%

.23

%

.21

%

.19

%

.23

%

.22

%

.18

%

CREDIT QUALITY RATIOS

Non-accrual loans to total loans

.11

%

.11

%

.03

%

.04

%

.05

%

Allowance for credit losses on loans to total loans

.94

.92

.93

.94

.95

NON-ACCRUAL AND PAST DUE LOANS

Non-accrual loans:

Business

$354

$504

$1,038

$3,622

$6,602

Real estate — business

14,944

15,050

1,246

60

76

Real estate — personal

1,144

1,772

1,523

1,653

1,531

Revolving home equity

1,977

1,977

1,977

1,977

Total

18,419

19,303

5,784

7,312

8,209

Loans past due 90 days and still accruing interest

$21,986

$18,566

$20,281

$21,864

$18,580

(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, 2024

For the quarter ended September 30, 2024, net income amounted to $138.0 million, compared to $139.6 million in the previous quarter and $120.6 million in the same quarter last year. The decrease in net income compared to the previous quarter was primarily the result of increases in the provision for credit losses and non-interest expense, partly offset by higher non-interest income. The net yield on interest earning assets decreased five basis points compared to the previous quarter to 3.50%. Average deposits increased $65.3 million over the prior quarter, while average loans and available for sale debt securities, at fair value, declined $148.6 million and $87.8 million, respectively. For the quarter, the return on average assets was 1.80%, the return on average equity was 16.81%, and the efficiency ratio was 56.3%.

Balance Sheet Review

During the 3rd quarter of 2024, average loans totaled $17.0 billion, a decrease of $148.6 million compared to the prior quarter, and an increase of $57.6 million, or .3%, over the same quarter last year. Compared to the previous quarter, average balances of business real estate and construction loans declined $85.3 million and $70.9 million, respectively. During the current quarter, the Company sold certain fixed rate personal real estate loans totaling $22.6 million, compared to $18.2 million in the prior quarter.

Total average available for sale debt securities decreased $87.8 million compared to the previous quarter to $8.7 billion, at fair value. The decrease in debt securities was mainly the result of lower average balances of mortgage-backed, asset-backed, state and municipal obligations, and other debt securities, partly offset by higher average balances of U.S. government and federal agency obligations. During the 3rd quarter of 2024, the unrealized loss on available for sale debt securities decreased $287.4 million to $786.4 million, at period end. Also, during the 3rd quarter of 2024, purchases of available for sale debt securities totaled $976.1 million with a weighted average yield of approximately 3.87%, and sales, maturities and pay downs of available for sale debt securities were $630.3 million. At September 30, 2024, the duration of the available for sale investment portfolio was 4.0 years, and maturities and pay downs of approximately $1.6 billion are expected to occur during the next 12 months.

Total average deposits increased $65.3 million this quarter compared to the previous quarter. The increase in deposits mostly resulted from growth of $80.3 million in interest checking and money market average balances. Compared to the previous quarter, total average commercial deposits grew $250.3 million, while average consumer and trust deposits declined $117.6 million and $82.2 million, respectively. The average loans to deposits ratio was 69.9% in the current quarter and 70.7% in the prior quarter. The Company’s average borrowings, which included average customer repurchase agreements of $2.4 billion, increased $38.3 million to $2.6 billion in the 3rd quarter of 2024.

Net Interest Income

Net interest income in the 3rd quarter of 2024 amounted to $262.4 million, an increase of $102 thousand over the previous quarter. On a fully taxable-equivalent (FTE) basis, net interest income for the current quarter increased $60 thousand over the previous quarter to $264.6 million. The increase in net interest income was mostly due to higher interest income on loans and deposits with banks, partly offset by lower interest income on investment securities and higher interest expense on deposits and borrowings. The net yield (FTE) on earning assets decreased to 3.50%, from 3.55% in the prior quarter.

Compared to the previous quarter, interest income on loans (FTE) increased $2.7 million, due to higher average rates earned on all loan categories, partly offset by lower balances on construction and business real estate loans. The average yield (FTE) on the loan portfolio increased five basis points to 6.35% this quarter.

Interest income on investment securities (FTE) decreased $8.1 million compared to the prior quarter, mostly due to lower rates earned on U.S. government and federal agency, mortgage-backed and other securities. Interest income earned on U.S. government and federal agency securities increased due to higher average balances, partly offset by lower rates, which included the impact of $5.5 million in lower inflation income from Treasury inflation-protected securities compared to previous quarter. Additionally, the Company recorded a $286 thousand adjustment to premium amortization at September 30, 2024, which decreased interest income to reflect slightly faster forward prepayment speed estimates on mortgage-backed securities. This decrease was lower than the $740 thousand adjustment increasing interest income in the prior quarter. The average yield (FTE) on total investment securities was 2.52% in the current quarter, compared to 2.75% in the previous quarter.

Compared to the previous quarter, interest income on deposits with banks increased $6.4 million, due to higher average balances of $465.4 million. Interest earned on securities purchased under agreements to resell increased $1.8 million due to higher average balances and rates.

Interest expense increased $2.6 million compared to the previous quarter, mainly due to higher average borrowing rates and average interest bearing deposit balances. Interest expense on borrowings increased $994 thousand due to higher average rates and balances of customer repurchase agreements, partly offset by lower average balances of federal funds purchased. Interest expense on deposits increased $1.6 million mostly due to higher average balances. The average rate paid on interest bearing deposits totaled 2.00% in the current quarter compared to 1.99% in the prior quarter. The overall rate paid on interest bearing liabilities was 2.22% in the current quarter and 2.21% in the prior quarter.

Non-Interest Income

In the 3rd quarter of 2024, total non-interest income amounted to $159.0 million, an increase of $16.1 million, or 11.2%, over the same period last year and an increase of $6.8 million compared to the prior quarter. The increase in non-interest income compared to the same period last year was mainly due to higher trust fees, capital market fees, deposit account fees, and gains on the sales of real estate, partly offset by lower tax credit sales income. Additionally, an increase of $1.8 million in fair value adjustments was recorded on the company’s deferred compensation plan, which are held in a trust and recorded as both an asset and liability, affecting both other income and other expense. The increase in non-interest income compared to the prior quarter was mainly due to higher trust fees, capital market fees, and gains on the sales of real estate.

Total net bank card fees in the current quarter increased $671 thousand, or 1.4%, compared to the same period last year, and increased $93 thousand compared to the prior quarter. Net corporate card fees increased $234 thousand, or .9%, compared to the same quarter of last year mainly due to lower rewards expense. Net merchant fees decreased $378 thousand, or 6.5%, mainly due to higher network expense. Net debit card fees increased $288 thousand, or 2.6%, while net credit card fees increased $527 thousand, or 15.4%, mostly due to higher interchange fees and lower rewards expense. Total net bank card fees this quarter were comprised of fees on corporate card ($26.8 million), debit card ($11.4 million), merchant ($5.5 million) and credit card ($4.0 million) transactions.

In the current quarter, trust fees increased $5.5 million, or 11.1%, over the same period last year, mostly resulting from higher private client fees. Compared to the same period last year, deposit account fees increased $2.3 million, or 9.9%, mostly due to higher corporate cash management fees, while capital market fees increased $2.5 million, or 70.1%, mostly due to higher trading securities income.

Other non-interest income increased compared to the same period last year primarily due to higher gains on the sales of real estate of $3.4 million and the deferred compensation adjustment previously mentioned, partly offset by lower tax credit sales income of $1.4 million. For the 3rd quarter of 2024, non-interest income comprised 37.7% of the Company’s total revenue.

Investment Securities Gains and Losses

The Company recorded net securities gains of $3.9 million in the current quarter, compared to gains of $3.2 million in the prior quarter and gains of $4.3 million in the 3rd quarter of 2023. Net securities gains in the current quarter resulted from net gains of $9.5 million on the Company’s portfolio of private equity investments, driven by $7.4 million of fair value adjustments. These net gains were partly offset by losses of $5.4 million on sales of available for sale debt securities and a loss of $417 thousand resulting from the Company’s sale of 217,872 shares of Visa Class A common stock (converted from 54,468 shares of Visa Class C common stock). As of September 30, 2024, the Company has sold all of the Visa Class C shares it received from the Visa exchange offer.

Non-Interest Expense

Non-interest expense for the current quarter amounted to $237.6 million, compared to $228.0 million in the same period last year and $232.2 million in the prior quarter. The increase in non-interest expense compared to the same period last year was mainly due to higher salaries and employee benefits expense, data processing and software expense, and marketing expense, partly offset by lower deposit insurance expense. The increase in non-interest expense compared to the prior quarter was mainly due to higher salaries and employee benefits expense and marketing expense, partly offset by a donation to a related charitable foundation recorded in the prior quarter that did not reoccur in the current quarter.

Compared to the 3rd quarter of last year, salaries and employee benefits expense increased $6.3 million, or 4.3%, mostly due to higher full-time salaries expense of $3.5 million, and incentive compensation of $2.2 million. Full-time equivalent employees totaled 4,711 and 4,714 at September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Compared to the same period last year, data processing and software expense increased $1.5 million due to increased costs for service providers, and marketing expense increased $1.1 million. These increases were partly offset by a decrease in deposit insurance expense of $1.1 million, which was partially the result of a $525 thousand accrual adjustment to the FDIC’s special assessment.

Income Taxes

The effective tax rate for the Company was 21.7% in the current quarter, unchanged from both the previous quarter, and the 3rd quarter of 2023.

Credit Quality

Net loan charge-offs in the 3rd quarter of 2024 amounted to $9.6 million, compared to $9.8 million in both the prior quarter and the same period last year. The ratio of annualized net loan charge-offs to total average loans was .22% in the current quarter, and .23% in both the previous quarter and the same quarter of last year. Compared to the prior quarter, net loan charge-offs on business and consumer credit card loans decreased $508 thousand and $473 thousand, respectively, while consumer loan net charge-offs increased $955 thousand.

In the 3rd quarter of 2024, annualized net loan charge-offs on average consumer credit card loans were 4.46%, compared to 4.91% in the previous quarter and 3.32% in the same quarter last year. Consumer loan net charge-offs were .52% of average consumer loans in the current quarter, and .34% in both the prior quarter and the same quarter last year.

At September 30, 2024, the allowance for credit losses on loans totaled $160.8 million, or .94% of total loans, and increased $2.3 million compared to the prior quarter. Additionally, the liability for unfunded lending commitments at September 30, 2024 was $18.0 million, a decrease of $2.7 million compared to the liability at June 30, 2024.

At September 30, 2024, total non-accrual loans amounted to $18.4 million, a decrease of $884 thousand compared to the previous quarter. At September 30, 2024, the balance of non-accrual loans, which represented .11% of loans outstanding, included business loans of $354 thousand, revolving home equity loans of $2.0 million, personal real estate loans of $1.1 million, and business real estate loans of $14.9 million. Loans more than 90 days past due and still accruing interest totaled $22.0 million at September 30, 2024.

Other

During the 3rd quarter of 2024, the Company paid a cash dividend of $.27 per common share, representing a 5.1% increase over the same period last year. The Company purchased 699,919 shares of treasury stock during the current quarter at an average price of $62.39.

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. Additional information about risks and uncertainties is included in the “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” sections within the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K.