EX-99.1 2 cbsh12312013ex991.htm EXHIBIT CBSH 12.31.2013 EX 99.1


Exhibit 99.1
CBSH
                   1000 Walnut Street / Suite 700 / Kansas City, Missouri 64106 / 816.234.2000
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. ANNOUNCES FOURTH
QUARTER EARNINGS PER SHARE OF $.69

Commerce Bancshares, Inc. announced earnings of $.69 per share for the three months ended December 31, 2013 compared to $.71 per share in the previous quarter and $.69 per share in the fourth quarter of 2012. Net income for the fourth quarter amounted to $65.9 million, compared to $66.8 million in the same quarter last year and $68.2 million last quarter. For the quarter, the return on average assets totaled 1.18%, the return on average equity was 11.81% and the efficiency ratio was 60.8%.

For the year ended December 31, 2013, earnings per share totaled $2.72 compared to $2.76 in 2012. Net income amounted to $261.0 million in 2013 compared to $269.3 million in 2012. In 2013, the return on average assets was 1.19% and the return on average equity was 11.99%.
    
In making this announcement, David W. Kemper, Chairman and CEO, said, “Loan growth has been strong all year and loan demand remained solid this quarter from both our commercial and retail customers. During 2013 we have grown our loan portfolio $1.1 billion, or 11%, as a result of focused sales efforts to target business lines with expansion opportunities. We also added over $200 million in loans from our Summit Bancshares acquisition. For the year deposits grew almost 4% with most of this growth coming in the fourth quarter from our commercial customers. Net interest income increased slightly over the previous quarter while non-interest income grew 6% this quarter compared to the same period last year as a result of continued solid growth in corporate card and trust fees which were up 10% and 8%, respectively. During the quarter we also experienced growth in fees from our corporate cash management and tax credit businesses. While expenses were up $5.0 million this quarter over the previous quarter, mainly due to higher incentive costs, we continued to have solid control over our base operating expenses, which were essentially flat with the previous quarter. In October, we fully completed the systems integration of our Summit acquisition. ”

Mr. Kemper continued, “Net loan charge-offs for the current quarter totaled $7.5 million, compared to $6.6 million in the previous quarter and $10.8 million in the same quarter last year. Loan charge-off levels remain low, however, a combination of lower commercial loan recoveries coupled with higher consumer loan losses pushed net charge-off levels higher this quarter. During the current quarter, the provision for loan losses totaled $5.5 million, or $2.0 million less than net loan charge-offs. Our allowance for loan losses amounted to $161.5 million this quarter, representing 2.9 times our non-performing assets. Total non-performing assets increased to $55.4 million this quarter compared to the previous quarter total of $44.8 million, but continues to remain low.”
    
Total assets at December 31, 2013 were $23.1 billion, total loans were $11.0 billion, and total deposits were $19.0 billion.
(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 approximately 360 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)
 
9/30/2013
 
12/31/2013
 
12/31/2012
Non-Accrual Loans
 
$
37,846

 
$
48,814

 
$
51,410

Foreclosed Real Estate
 
$
6,961

 
$
6,625

 
$
13,453

Total Non-Performing Assets
 
$
44,807

 
$
55,439


$
64,863

Non-Performing Assets to Loans
 
.41
%
 
.51
%
 
.66
%
Non-Performing Assets to Total Assets
 
.20
%
 
.24
%
 
.29
%
Loans 90 Days & Over Past Due — Still Accruing
 
$
11,515

 
$
13,966

 
$
15,347

   
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)
 
September 30,
2013
December 31,
2013
December 31,
2012
December 31,
2013
December 31,
2012
FINANCIAL SUMMARY (In thousands, except per share data)
 
 
Net interest income
 

$154,706


$154,865


$161,253


$619,372


$639,906

Taxable equivalent net interest income
 
161,074

162,182

168,428

645,906

665,214

Non-interest income
 
106,311

109,522

103,309

418,386

399,630

Investment securities gains (losses), net
 
650

(1,342
)
(3,728
)
(4,425
)
4,828

Provision for loan losses
 
4,146

5,543

8,326

20,353

27,287

Non-interest expense
 
156,312

161,318

158,277

629,633

618,469

Net income attributable to Commerce Bancshares, Inc.
 
68,224

65,915

66,791

260,961

269,329

Cash dividends
 
20,670

20,568

150,789

82,104

211,608

Net total loan charge-offs (recoveries)
 
6,646

7,543

10,826

31,353

39,287

Business
 
(654
)
(76
)
791

(867
)
(2,497
)
Real estate — construction and land
 
(1,635
)
(1,781
)
(517
)
(4,692
)
(283
)
Real estate — business
 
58

(255
)
1,799

952

5,108

Consumer credit card
 
6,028

6,110

6,095

25,121

24,475

Consumer
 
2,068

2,311

1,731

7,540

8,127

Revolving home equity
 
95

596

187

986

1,804

Real estate — personal
 
324

358

411

1,227

1,426

Overdraft
 
362

280

329

1,086

1,127

Per common share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income — basic
 

$.71


$.69


$.69


$2.73


$2.77

Net income — diluted
 

$.71


$.69


$.69


$2.72


$2.76

Cash dividends
 

$.214


$.214


$1.569


$.857


$2.195

Diluted wtd. average shares o/s
 
94,975

95,321

95,549

94,983

96,489

RATIOS
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average loans to deposits (1)
 
58.33
%
58.73
%
55.53
%
57.12
%
55.80
%
Return on total average assets
 
1.26
%
1.18
%
1.25
%
1.19
%
1.30
%
Return on total average equity
 
12.69
%
11.81
%
11.62
%
11.99
%
12.00
%
Non-interest income to revenue (2)
 
40.73
%
41.42
%
39.05
%
40.32
%
38.44
%
Efficiency ratio (3)
 
59.72
%
60.81
%
59.62
%
60.49
%
59.26
%
AT PERIOD END
 
 
 
 
 
 
Book value per share based on total equity
 

$22.77


$23.10


$22.62

 
 
Market value per share
 

$41.72


$44.91


$33.39

 
 
Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of loans
 
1.51
%
1.47
%
1.75
%
 
 
Tier I leverage ratio
 
9.43
%
9.43
%
9.14
%
 
 
Tangible common equity to assets ratio (4)
 
9.10
%
9.00
%
9.25
%
 
 
Common shares outstanding
 
95,822,840

95,881,165

95,985,021

 
 
Shareholders of record
 
4,135

4,116

4,135

 
 
Number of bank/ATM locations
 
359

358

362

 
 
Full-time equivalent employees
 
4,728

4,727

4,708

 
 
OTHER QTD INFORMATION
 
 
 
 
 
 
High market value per share
 

$45.26


$45.77


$36.86

 
 
Low market value per share
 

$40.04


$40.80


$33.04

 
 
(1)
Includes loans held for sale.
(2)
Revenue includes net interest income and non-interest income.
(3)
The efficiency ratio is calculated as non-interest expense (excluding intangibles amortization) as a percent of revenue.
(4)
The tangible common equity ratio 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).

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,
2013
 
December 31,
2013
 
December 31,
2012
 
December 31,
2013
 
December 31,
2012
Interest income
 

$162,144

 

$162,141

 

$170,185

 

$650,285

 

$677,969

Interest expense
 
7,438

 
7,276

 
8,932

 
30,913

 
38,063

Net interest income
 
154,706

 
154,865

 
161,253

 
619,372

 
639,906

Provision for loan losses
 
4,146

 
5,543

 
8,326

 
20,353

 
27,287

Net interest income after provision for loan losses
 
150,560

 
149,322

 
152,927

 
599,019

 
612,619

NON-INTEREST INCOME
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Bank card transaction fees
 
43,891

 
43,486

 
41,542

 
166,627

 
154,197

Trust fees
 
25,318

 
26,308

 
24,351

 
102,529

 
94,679

Deposit account charges and other fees
 
20,197

 
20,506

 
20,301

 
79,017

 
79,485

Capital market fees
 
3,242

 
3,195

 
4,075

 
14,133

 
21,066

Consumer brokerage services
 
2,871

 
2,596

 
2,619

 
11,006

 
10,162

Loan fees and sales
 
1,553

 
1,525

 
1,412

 
5,865

 
6,037

Other
 
9,239

 
11,906

 
9,009

 
39,209

 
34,004

Total non-interest income
 
106,311

 
109,522

 
103,309

 
418,386

 
399,630

INVESTMENT SECURITIES GAINS (LOSSES), NET
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Impairment (losses) reversals on securities
 
(588
)
 
(230
)
 
(356
)
 
278

 
11,223

Noncredit-related losses (reversals) on securities not expected to be sold
 
258

 
206

 
93

 
(1,562
)
 
(12,713
)
Net impairment losses
 
(330
)
 
(24
)
 
(263
)
 
(1,284
)
 
(1,490
)
Realized gains (losses) on sales and fair value adjustments
 
980

 
(1,318
)
 
(3,465
)
 
(3,141
)
 
6,318

Investment securities gains (losses), net
 
650

 
(1,342
)
 
(3,728
)
 
(4,425
)
 
4,828

NON-INTEREST EXPENSE
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Salaries and employee benefits
 
91,405

 
95,012

 
94,553

 
366,867

 
360,899

Net occupancy
 
11,332

 
11,838

 
11,581

 
45,639

 
45,534

Equipment
 
4,465

 
4,597

 
4,983

 
18,425

 
20,147

Supplies and communication
 
5,449

 
5,676

 
5,641

 
22,511

 
22,321

Data processing and software
 
19,987

 
19,723

 
18,768

 
78,245

 
73,798

Marketing
 
3,848

 
2,921

 
2,715

 
14,176

 
15,106

Deposit insurance
 
2,796

 
2,814

 
2,692

 
11,167

 
10,438

Other
 
17,030

 
18,737

 
17,344

 
72,603

 
70,226

Total non-interest expense
 
156,312

 
161,318

 
158,277

 
629,633

 
618,469

Income before income taxes
 
101,209

 
96,184

 
94,231

 
383,347

 
398,608

Less income taxes
 
32,764

 
30,359

 
27,628

 
122,230

 
127,169

Net income
 
68,445

 
65,825

 
66,603

 
261,117

 
271,439

Less non-controlling interest expense (income)
 
221

 
(90
)
 
(188
)
 
156

 
2,110

Net income attributable to Commerce Bancshares, Inc.
 

$68,224

 

$65,915

 

$66,791

 

$260,961

 

$269,329

Net income per common share — basic
 

$.71

 

$.69

 

$.69

 

$2.73

 

$2.77

Net income per common share — diluted
 

$.71

 

$.69

 

$.69

 

$2.72

 

$2.76


4


COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. and SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
 
September 30,
2013
 
December 31,
2013
 
December 31,
2012
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans
 

$10,822,603

 

$10,956,836

 

$9,831,384

Allowance for loan losses
 
(163,532
)
 
(161,532
)
 
(172,532
)
Net loans
 
10,659,071

 
10,795,304

 
9,658,852

Loans held for sale
 
—

 
—

 
8,827

Investment securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available for sale
 
8,577,282

 
8,915,680

 
9,522,248

Trading
 
18,295

 
19,993

 
28,837

Non-marketable
 
114,520

 
107,324

 
118,650

Total investment securities
 
8,710,097

 
9,042,997

 
9,669,735

Short-term federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell
 
87,167

 
43,845

 
27,595

Long-term securities purchased under agreements to resell
 
1,150,000

 
1,150,000

 
1,200,000

Interest earning deposits with banks
 
267,548

 
707,249

 
179,164

Cash and due from banks
 
594,309

 
518,420

 
573,066

Land, buildings and equipment — net
 
353,473

 
349,654

 
357,612

Goodwill
 
138,921

 
138,921

 
125,585

Other intangible assets — net
 
9,700

 
9,268

 
5,300

Other assets
 
482,011

 
316,378

 
353,853

Total assets
 
$
22,452,297

 
$
23,072,036

 
$
22,159,589

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deposits:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-interest bearing
 

$6,185,098

 

$6,750,674

 

$6,299,903

Savings, interest checking and money market
 
9,680,816

 
10,108,236

 
9,817,943

Time open and C.D.’s of less than $100,000
 
1,013,598

 
983,689

 
1,074,618

Time open and C.D.’s of $100,000 and over
 
1,338,252

 
1,204,749

 
1,156,189

Total deposits
 
18,217,764

 
19,047,348

 
18,348,653

Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase
 
1,760,393

 
1,346,558

 
1,083,550

Other borrowings
 
105,928

 
107,310

 
103,710

Other liabilities
 
186,726

 
356,423

 
452,102

Total liabilities
 
20,270,811

 
20,857,639

 
19,988,015

Stockholders’ equity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Preferred stock
 
—

 
—

 
—

Common stock
 
459,647

 
481,224

 
458,646

Capital surplus
 
1,104,669

 
1,279,948

 
1,102,507

Retained earnings
 
610,720

 
449,836

 
477,210

Treasury stock
 
(23,528
)
 
(10,097
)
 
(7,580
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income
 
26,025

 
9,731

 
136,344

Total stockholders’ equity
 
2,177,533

 
2,210,642

 
2,167,127

Non-controlling interest
 
3,953

 
3,755

 
4,447

Total equity
 
2,181,486

 
2,214,397

 
2,171,574

Total liabilities and equity
 
$
22,452,297

 
$
23,072,036

 
$
22,159,589


5


COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. and SUBSIDIARIES
AVERAGE BALANCE SHEETS — AVERAGE RATES AND YIELDS
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)
For the Three Months Ended
 
September 30, 2013
 
December 31, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
 
 
Average Balance
 
Avg. Rates Earned/Paid
 
Average Balance
 
Avg. Rates Earned/Paid
 
Average Balance
 
Avg. Rates Earned/Paid
 
ASSETS:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Business (A)
$
3,415,069

 
2.96
%
 
$
3,635,223

 
3.04
%
 
$
3,041,700

 
3.29
%
 
Real estate — construction and land
398,684

 
4.07

 
391,315

 
3.98

 
345,608

 
4.11

 
Real estate — business
2,256,556

 
4.12

 
2,299,746

 
4.02

 
2,200,088

 
4.33

 
Real estate — personal
1,729,473

 
3.83

 
1,782,834

 
3.80

 
1,571,860

 
4.15

 
Consumer
1,472,521

 
4.53

 
1,500,404

 
4.52

 
1,272,831

 
5.35

 
Revolving home equity
422,173

 
3.94

 
420,910

 
3.88

 
436,671

 
4.13

 
Consumer credit card
752,977

 
11.33

 
759,917

 
11.20

 
748,754

 
11.42

 
Overdrafts
5,587

 
—

 
6,708

 
—

 
5,908

 
—

 
Total loans (B)
10,453,040

 
4.26

 
10,797,057

 
4.22

 
9,623,420

 
4.64

 
Loans held for sale
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
8,818

 
3.74

 
Investment securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. government and federal agency obligations
401,708

 
3.04

 
404,622

 
1.12

 
341,537

 
5.11

 
Government-sponsored enterprise obligations
427,258

 
1.74

 
663,504

 
1.63

 
400,387

 
1.72

 
State and municipal obligations (A)
1,605,096

 
3.54

 
1,628,758

 
3.53

 
1,531,754

 
3.67

 
Mortgage-backed securities
3,027,358

 
2.86

 
2,944,310

 
2.78

 
3,447,995

 
2.79

 
Asset-backed securities
3,000,250

 
.87

 
2,843,772

 
.87

 
3,157,988

 
.99

 
Other marketable securities (A)
180,016

 
2.92

 
167,900

 
3.25

 
138,066

 
5.35

 
Total available for sale securities (B)
8,641,686

 
2.25

 
8,652,866

 
2.14

 
9,017,727

 
2.39

 
Trading securities (A)
15,941

 
2.41

 
18,081

 
2.44

 
20,771

 
2.01

 
Non-marketable securities (A)
114,096

 
7.10

 
113,925

 
11.65

 
118,802

 
17.51

 
Total investment securities
8,771,723

 
2.31

 
8,784,872

 
2.26

 
9,157,300

 
2.59

 
 Short-term federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell
31,822

 
.44

 
34,385

 
.39

 
10,371

 
.46

 
 Long-term securities purchased under agreements to resell
1,170,381

 
1.73

 
1,149,999

 
1.51

 
1,021,741

 
2.10

 
Interest earning deposits with banks
115,448

 
.24

 
260,242

 
.25

 
208,930

 
.25

 
Total interest earning assets
20,542,414

 
3.25

 
21,026,555

 
3.20

 
20,030,580

 
3.52

 
Non-interest earning assets (B)
1,009,272

 
 
 
1,072,491

 
 
 
1,234,609

 
 
 
Total assets
$
21,551,686

 
 
 
$
22,099,046

 
 
 
$
21,265,189

 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest bearing deposits:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Savings
$
630,555

 
.14

 
$
627,802

 
.12

 
$
581,174

 
.13

 
Interest checking and money market
8,964,018

 
.15

 
9,199,410

 
.14

 
8,638,073

 
.19

 
Time open & C.D.’s of less than $100,000
1,021,242

 
.54

 
998,376

 
.48

 
1,083,492

 
.68

 
Time open & C.D.’s of $100,000 and over
1,431,991

 
.43

 
1,286,667

 
.46

 
1,030,184

 
.65

 
Total interest bearing deposits
12,047,806

 
.21

 
12,112,255

 
.20

 
11,332,923

 
.28

 
Borrowings:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase
1,247,906

 
.05

 
1,186,093

 
.05

 
1,130,210

 
.07

 
Other borrowings
103,793

 
3.27

 
105,441

 
3.27

 
103,766

 
3.25

 
Total borrowings
1,351,699

 
.30

 
1,291,534

 
.31

 
1,233,976

 
.33

 
Total interest bearing liabilities
13,399,505

 
.22
%
 
13,403,789

 
.22
%
 
12,566,899

 
.28
%
 
Non-interest bearing deposits
5,873,013

 
 
 
6,270,980

 
 
 
6,013,165

 
 
 
Other liabilities
145,430

 
 
 
210,287

 
 
 
399,160

 
 
 
Equity
2,133,738

 
 
 
2,213,990

 
 
 
2,285,965

 
 
 
Total liabilities and equity
$
21,551,686

 
 
 
$
22,099,046

 
 
 
$
21,265,189

 
 
 
Net interest income (T/E)
$
161,074

 
 
 
$
162,182

 
 
 
$
168,428

 
 
 
Net yield on interest earning assets
 
 
3.11
%
 
 
 
3.06
%
 
 
 
3.35
%
 
(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 Fourth Quarter Results
December 31, 2013

For the quarter ended December 31, 2013, net income attributable to Commerce Bancshares, Inc. (net income) amounted to $65.9 million, a decrease of $2.3 million from the previous quarter and a decrease of $876 thousand compared to the same quarter last year. The decrease in net income from the previous quarter resulted mainly from a higher provision for loan losses of $1.4 million, coupled with private equity losses for the quarter of $1.4 million and higher non-interest expense of $5.0 million. Net interest income was up slightly over the previous quarter. For the current quarter, the return on average assets was 1.18%, the return on average equity was 11.81%, and the efficiency ratio was 60.81%. The acquisition of Summit Bancshares, Inc. (Summit) was completed on September 1st and the effects of its operations are fully reflected in the Company’s the 4th quarter.

Balance Sheet Review
During the 4th quarter of 2013, average loans increased $344.0 million compared to the previous quarter and increased $1.2 billion, or 12.1%, compared to the same period last year. Excluding the effects of the Summit acquisition, average loans this quarter increased $234 million, or 9.0% annualized, compared to the previous quarter. Exclusive of Summit, the increase in average loans resulted from growth in business (up $188.2 million), personal real estate (up $33.8 million) and consumer loans (up $21.6 million, mainly in automobile and fixed rate home equity loans). The increase in business loans mainly resulted from continued growth in tax-advantaged lending and leasing activities and increased commercial lending. Demand for consumer automobile and fixed rate home equity lending continued to remain solid as average balances grew by a combined $39.0 million. However, average marine and RV loans, included in the consumer loan portfolio, continued to run off this quarter by $17.3 million.

Total available for sale investment securities, at fair value, averaged $8.7 billion this quarter, up slightly when compared to the previous quarter, but on a period end basis these securities increased $338.4 million. While growth in loans was mainly funded by maturities of investment securities, growth in average deposits this quarter were mostly reinvested in the securities portfolio. Purchases of new securities, totaling $884.5 million in the 4th quarter of 2013, were offset by sales, maturities and pay downs of $490.3 million. At December 31, 2013, 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 $462.4 million during the 4th quarter of 2013 compared to the previous quarter, but included the effects of the Summit acquisition which increased average deposits by $148.7 million this quarter. Exclusive of Summit, average deposits grew $313.8 million, or 1.8%, in the current quarter. Excluding Summit, the increase in average deposits resulted mainly from growth in business demand and money market deposits (increase of $435.8 million) and personal money market accounts (increase of $98.8 million) but were offset by a decline in certificates of deposit (decrease of $192.1 million). Compared to the previous quarter, total average commercial deposits increased $323.1 million, while private banking and consumer deposits increased $90.0 million and $48.2 million, respectively. The average loans to deposits ratio in the current quarter was 58.7%, compared to 58.3% in the previous quarter.

 
During the current quarter, the Company’s average borrowings decreased $60.2 million compared to the previous quarter, mainly due to a decline in the average balance of federal funds purchased.

Net Interest Income
Net interest income (tax equivalent) in the 4th quarter of 2013 amounted to $162.2 million compared with $161.1 million in the previous quarter, or an increase of $1.1 million. Net interest income (tax equivalent) for the current quarter decreased $6.2 million compared to the 4th quarter of last year. During the 4th quarter of 2013, the net yield on earning assets (tax equivalent) was 3.06%, compared with 3.11% in the previous quarter and 3.35% in the same period last year.

The increase in net interest income (tax equivalent) in the 4th quarter of 2013 compared to the previous quarter was mainly due to higher loan interest due to growth in balances, but partly offset by lower interest earned on investment securities due to lower rates. The lower Consumer price index published this quarter reduced the inflation interest on the Company’s inflation-protected securities by $1.8 million compared to the previous quarter, and inflation income this quarter was slightly negative. Additionally, premium amortization expense was reduced by $690 thousand this quarter due to an adjustment reflecting slowing prepayment speeds on mortgage-backed securities resulting from an increase in interest rates.

Compared to the previous quarter, interest on loans increased $2.6 million (tax-equivalent) as a result of higher loan volumes but offset by the effects of lower rates, especially on business real estate and consumer credit card loans. The average yield on the loan portfolio declined 4 basis points this quarter. The average rate earned on the investment securities portfolio decreased 5 basis points to 2.26% this quarter, largely due to lower interest on inflation-protected securities. Also, the premium amortization adjustment recorded this quarter on slowing prepayments was $1.3 million less than in the previous quarter.

Interest expense on deposits declined $164 thousand in the 4th quarter of 2013 compared with the previous quarter, as overall rates continued to decline slightly.

Non-Interest Income
In the 4th quarter of 2013, total non-interest income amounted to $109.5 million, an increase of $6.2 million, or 6.0%, compared to the same period last year. Also, current quarter non-interest income increased $3.2 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 higher bank card and trust fees.

Total bank card fees in the current quarter increased $1.9 million, or 4.7%, over the same period last year as a result of a 10.2% increase in corporate card fees, which totaled $20.8 million this quarter. Trust fees for the quarter increased $2.0 million, or 8.0% compared to the same period last year, resulting mainly from continued growth in private client (up 9.3%) and institutional (up 8.1%) trust fees.






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COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC.
Management Discussion of Fourth Quarter Results
December 31, 2013


Deposit account fees increased $205 thousand, or 1.0%, compared to last year as overdraft fees declined by $580 thousand, but were offset by combined growth in corporate cash management and other deposit fees of $785 thousand, or 6.7%. Year to date, overdraft fees have declined $3.4 million, or 9.9%, mainly as a result of a new posting routine on debit transactions which took effect in late February. Capital market fees declined $880 thousand from the same quarter last year as customer demand for fixed income securities was weak this year. Revenue from sales of tax credits grew $1.3 million this quarter compared to the same period last year and the Company recorded net gains of $1.4 million in sales of 5 retail branch facilities no longer in use.

Investment Securities Gains and Losses
Net securities losses totaled $1.3 million compared with losses of $3.7 million in the 4th quarter of last year. Most of the net losses this quarter and in the 4th quarter of last year related to fair value adjustments on the Company’s private equity portfolio. Also during the current quarter, there was virtually no credit-related impairment losses recorded on the Company’s non-agency guaranteed mortgage-backed securities which have been identified as other-than-temporarily impaired. The cumulative credit-related impairment on these bonds totaled $12.8 million at quarter end. At December 31, 2013, the fair value of non-agency guaranteed mortgage-backed securities identified as other-than-temporarily impaired totaled $70.4 million, compared to $101.7 million at December 31, 2012. The Company did not own any collateralized loan obligations or trust-preferred securities.

Non-Interest Expense
Non-interest expense for the current quarter amounted to $161.3 million, an increase of $3.0 million, or 1.9%, over the same period last year and an increase of $5.0 million compared to the previous quarter. The higher expense levels over the previous quarter were mainly the result of higher incentive, medical and 401k plan costs coupled with higher credit card fees (related to higher fee income) and higher levels of gains on foreclosed property sales last quarter, not reoccurring this quarter. During this quarter, additional operating expenses related to Summit totaled $2.3 million. Also, a $2.0 million reimbursement on a renegotiated data processing contract in the 3rd quarter did not reoccur this quarter.

Compared to the 4th quarter of last year, salaries and benefits expense increased $459 thousand, or .5%, on higher full-time salaries costs (up 4.5%), partly offset by lower incentives and benefits expense of $1.6 million and $793 thousand, respectively. Growth in salaries expense resulted partly from staffing costs associated with the Summit acquisition, coupled with staffing additions in commercial banking, wealth and commercial card. Full-time equivalent employees totaled 4,727 and 4,708 at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Compared to the 4th quarter of last year, occupancy, supplies and communications, equipment and marketing expense, on a combined basis, were virtually flat with the previous year. Data processing and software costs grew by $955 thousand, or 5.1%.





 
Higher legal and professional costs, coupled with increases in foreclosed property and travel costs, also contributed to higher overall expense this quarter.

Income Taxes
The effective tax rate for the Company was 31.5% in the current quarter, compared with 32.4% in the previous quarter and 29.3% in the 4th quarter of 2012. The lower rate in the current quarter compared to the previous quarter resulted mainly from changes in the mix of taxable and non-taxable income.

Credit Quality
Net loan charge-offs in the 4th quarter of 2013 amounted to $7.5 million, compared with $6.6 million in the prior quarter and $10.8 million in the 4th quarter of last year. The ratio of annualized net loan charge-offs to total average loans was .28% in the current quarter compared to .25% in the previous quarter.

In the 4th quarter of 2013, annualized net loan charge-offs on average consumer credit card loans amounted to 3.19%, compared with 3.18% in the previous quarter and 3.24% in the same period last year. Consumer loan net charge-offs in the quarter amounted to .61% of average consumer loans, compared to .56% in the previous quarter and .54% in the same quarter last year. The provision for loan losses in the current quarter totaled $5.5 million, an increase of $1.4 million over the previous quarter and $2.8 million lower than in the same period last year. The current quarter provision for loan losses was $2.0 million less than net loan charge-offs, thereby reducing the allowance for loan losses to $161.5 million. At December 31, 2013 the allowance was 1.47% of total loans and was 331% of total non-accrual loans.

At December 31, 2013, total non-performing assets amounted to $55.4 million, an increase of $10.6 million over the previous quarter. Non-performing assets are comprised of non-accrual loans ($48.8 million) and foreclosed real estate ($6.6 million). At December 31, 2013, the balance of non-accrual loans, which represented .45% of loans outstanding, included business real estate loans of $19.8 million, construction and land loans of $10.2 million and business loans of $11.6 million. Loans more than 90 days past due and still accruing interest totaled $14.0 million at December 31, 2013.

Other
During the quarter the Company purchased a minimal number of treasury stock shares.

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 statement.




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