EX-99 2 q306prex.htm CULLEN/FROST BANKERS, INC. PRESS RELEASE Form 8-K - Press Release - First Quarter 2003

EXHIBIT 99.1

 
 

Greg Parker

 

Investor Relations

 

210/220-5632

 

     or

 

Renee Sabel

 

Media Relations

 

210/220-5416

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 25, 2006

 
 

CULLEN/FROST REPORTS THIRD QUARTER

RESULTS AND TIMING OF EARNINGS CONFERENCE CALL

 

SAN ANTONIO - Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. (NYSE: CFR) today reported record earnings for the third quarter of 2006 of $50.0 million, a 17.8 percent increase, compared to the $42.5 million reported for the same period in 2005. On a per-share basis, net income for the quarter was $.88 per diluted common share, up 11.4 percent over the $.79 per diluted common share reported a year earlier. For the quarter, return on average assets and return on average equity were 1.72 percent and 18.56 percent, respectively, up from 1.68 percent and down from 18.98 percent for the same quarter in 2005.

For the third quarter of 2006, net interest income on a tax-equivalent basis rose 19.6 percent to $121.1 million, from the $101.3 million reported for the same quarter of 2005. Average loans increased 17.4 percent, to $6.6 billion, compared to the $5.6 billion reported for the third quarter a year earlier. Average deposits for the quarter increased to $9.1 billion, up 14.0 percent over the $8.0 billion reported for the third quarter of 2005. Excluding the impact of three acquisitions completed during the fourth quarter of 2005 and the first quarter of 2006, average loans rose 6.4 percent, and average deposits were up 5.3 percent, compared to the third quarter a year ago.

"I am pleased to report third quarter results for our company." said Dick Evans, chairman and CEO. "Although average loan growth was up 17.4 percent over the same quarter a year earlier it was primarily impacted by recent acquisitions. To combat a highly competitive environment, combined with interest rate challenges, it is especially important that we continue to execute the sales disciplines we developed several years ago. Average loan volumes were flat from the second quarter, which combined with flat market rates over the same time period, contributed to a slight contraction in our net interest margin to 4.69 percent.

" I was pleased to see deposit growth of 5.3 percent without recent acquisitions, and a 10.4 percent increase in trust fees from the third quarter a year ago. We are moving ahead with plans to finalize the acquisition of Summit Bank during the fourth quarter of this year and look forward to welcoming this Fort Worth-based bank into the Frost banking organization.

"From job growth to a business-friendly environment and well-diversified economic base, I continue to feel positive about the Texas economy. The markets we serve are some of the best in the country, and we look forward to the opportunities that will come. As always, I am grateful to our outstanding staff for their dedication and support in serving the needs of our customers."

For the first nine months of 2006, earnings were $145.2 million, or $2.58 per diluted common share, up 20.5 percent compared to $120.5 million, or $2.26 per diluted common share, for the same period in 2005. Returns on average assets and equity for the first nine months of 2006 were 1.70 percent and 18.81 percent respectively, compared to 1.63 percent and 18.88 percent for the same period a year earlier.

Noted financial data for the third quarter of 2006 follows:

   

w

Net interest income on a taxable equivalent basis for the third quarter totaled $121.1 million, up 19.6 percent compared to $101.3 million for the same period a year ago. Impacting net interest income was a $1.3 billion increase in the average volume of earning assets, combined with an improvement in the earning asset mix, as average loans increased $1.0 billion from the third quarter last year. The increase in rates and volumes also led to a 17-basis-point increase in the net interest margin, which was 4.69 percent for the quarter, compared to 4.52 percent for the third quarter of 2005. The net interest margin for the third quarter, when compared to the second quarter of 2006, contracted one basis point from 4.70 percent and was impacted by flat loan volumes and the leveling off of market rates.

   

w

Non-interest income for the third quarter of 2006 totaled $59.9 million, up 3.2 percent from $58.1 million for the third quarter of 2005. Trust income was $16.0 million, up 10.4 percent from a year ago, mainly from investment fees that have benefited from both new accounts and improvements in the equities market compared to last year. Oil and gas trust management fees also contributed to the increase from last year as they increased $344 thousand. Other non-interest income was $10.9 million, a 9.9 percent increase over the $9.9 million reported the same quarter a year earlier. The primary reason for the increase was higher income from Visa checkcard usage. Service charges on deposit accounts were $19.3 million, compared to $20.2 million for the third quarter of 2005. The decrease was primarily due to the rising interest rate environment over the past year, in which commercial treasury management customers earn more credit for their deposit balances, resulting in a reduction of the amount of fees paid for these services.

   

w

Non-interest expense was $102.9 million for the quarter, up $10.9 million, or 11.9 percent, from the $92.0 million reported a year earlier. Total salaries and wages and related employee benefits rose to $59.6 million, up 15.1 percent, compared to the third quarter of 2005, and were impacted by the acquisitions during late 2005 and early 2006, as well as normal annual merit increases, combined with an increase in the number of employees. Other expenses rose $1.7 million, or 6.7 percent from the third quarter last year, due to the acquisitions and conversion-related expenses. Also impacting the rise was a $900 thousand write-down on other real estate owned.

   

w

For the third quarter of 2006, the provision for possible loan losses was $1.7 million, compared to net charge-offs of $1.6 million. For the third quarter of 2005, the provision for possible loan losses was $2.7 million, compared to net charge-offs of $2.7 million. The allowance for possible loan losses as a percentage of total loans was 1.31 percent at September 30, 2006, compared to 1.35 percent for the third quarter last year and 1.30 percent for the second quarter of 2006.

   

Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. will host a conference call on Wednesday, October 25, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. Central Time (CT) to discuss the results for the quarter. The media and other interested parties are invited to access the call in a "listen only" mode at 800-944-6430. Digital playback of the conference call will be available after 2:00 p.m. CT until midnight Sunday, October 29, 2006 at 800-642-1687, with a Conference ID # of 8503485. The call will also be available by webcast at the URL listed below and available for playback after 2:00 p.m. CT; www.frostbank.com, go to "About Frost" on the top navigation bar, then click on Investor Relations.

Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. (NYSE:CFR) is a financial holding company, headquartered in San Antonio, with assets of $11.6 billion at September 30, 2006. The corporation provides a full range of commercial and consumer banking products, investment and brokerage services, insurance products and investment banking services. Its subsidiary, Frost Bank, operates 93 financial centers across Texas in the Austin, Corpus Christi, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, Rio Grande Valley and San Antonio regions. Founded in 1868, Frost is one of the largest banks headquartered in Texas, with a legacy of helping Texans with their financial needs during three centuries.


 

Forward-Looking Statements and Factors that Could Affect Future Results

Certain statements contained in this Earnings Release that are not statements of historical fact constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "Act"), notwithstanding that such statements are not specifically identified. In addition, certain statements may be contained in the Corporation's future filings with the SEC, in press releases, and in oral and written statements made by or with the approval of the Corporation that are not statements of historical fact and constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Act. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: (i) projections of revenues, expenses, income or loss, earnings or loss per share, the payment or nonpayment of dividends, capital structure and other financial items; (ii) statements of plans, objectives and expectations of Cullen/Frost or its management or Board of Directors, including those relating to products or services; (iii) statements of future economic performance; and (iv) statements of assumptions underlying such statements. Words such as "believes", "anticipates", "expects", "intends", "targeted", "continue", "remain", "will", "should", "may" and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements.

   Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those in such statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:

 

w

Local, regional, national and international economic conditions and the impact they may have on the Corporation and its customers and the Corporation's assessment of that impact.

w

Changes in the level of non-performing assets and charge-offs.

w

Changes in estimates of future reserve requirements based upon the periodic review thereof under relevant regulatory and accounting requirements.

w

The effects of and changes in trade and monetary and fiscal policies and laws, including the interest rate policies of the Federal Reserve Board.

w

Inflation, interest rate, securities market and monetary fluctuations.

w

Political instability.

w

Acts of war or terrorism.

w

The timely development and acceptance of new products and services and perceived overall value of these products and services by users.

w

Changes in consumer spending, borrowings and savings habits.

w

Changes in the financial performance and/or condition of the Corporation's borrowers.

w

Technological changes.

w

Acquisitions and integration of acquired businesses. See the Corporation's current reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 3, 2006 and July 7, 2006 and the registration statements on Form S-4 and Form S-4/A filed with the SEC on August 15, 2006 and September 14, 2006.

w

The ability to increase market share and control expenses.

w

Changes in the competitive environment among financial holding companies.

w

The effect of changes in laws and regulations (including laws and regulations concerning taxes, banking, securities and insurance) with which the Corporation and its subsidiaries must comply.

w

The effect of changes in accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted by the regulatory agencies, as well as the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, the Financial Accounting Standards Board and other accounting standard setters.

w

Changes in the Corporation's organization, compensation and benefit plans.

w

The costs and effects of legal and regulatory developments including the resolution of legal proceedings or regulatory or other governmental inquiries and the results of regulatory examinations or reviews.

w

Greater than expected costs or difficulties related to the integration of new products and lines of business.

w

The Corporation's success at managing the risks involved in the foregoing items.

 

   Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which such statements are made. The Corporation undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

 

Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc.

 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL SUMMARY (UNAUDITED)

 

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 
   

2006

2005

 

   

3rd Qtr

   

2nd Qtr

   

1st Qtr

   

4th Qtr

   

3rd Qtr

 

CONDENSED INCOME STATEMENTS

                             

                               

Net interest income

$

118,526

 

$

116,968

 

$

112,440

 

$

107,800

 

$

99,285

 

Net interest income(1)

 

121,093

   

119,309

   

114,719

   

109,968

   

101,255

 

Provision for possible loan losses

 


1,711

   


5,105

   


3,934

   


2,950

   


2,725

 

Non-interest income:

                             

 Trust fees

 

15,962

   

15,744

   

15,754

   

15,059

   

14,463

 

 Service charges on deposit   accounts

 


19,301

   


19,566

   


19,107

   


19,749

   


20,173

 

 Insurance commissions and fees

 


7,204

   


6,144

   


8,975

   


5,539

   


7,389

 

 Other charges, commissions and   fees

 


6,558

   


8,196

   


5,914

   


6,117

   


6,135

 

 Net gain (loss) on securities   transactions

 


--

   


--

   


(1


)

 


19

   


--

 

 Other

 

10,871

   

10,615

   

11,009

   

10,070

   

9,894

 

 Total non-interest income

 

59,896

   

60,265

   

60,758

   

56,553

   

58,054

 
                               

Non-interest expense:

                             

 Salaries and wages

 

48,743

   

47,463

   

46,106

   

43,787

   

41,818

 

 Employee benefits

 

10,882

   

11,434

   

13,176

   

9,252

   

9,973

 

 Net occupancy

 

8,964

   

8,512

   

8,433

   

8,244

   

8,111

 

 Furniture and equipment

 

6,553

   

6,357

   

6,302

   

5,983

   

6,202

 

 Intangible amortization

 

1,293

   

1,358

   

1,306

   

1,160

   

1,050

 

 Other

 

26,505

   

25,070

   

24,873

   

26,652

   

24,838

 

 Total non-interest expense

 

102,940

   

100,194

   

100,196

   

95,078

   

91,992

 

Income before income taxes

 

73,771

   

71,934

   

69,068

   

66,325

   

62,622

 

Income taxes

 

23,769

   

23,384

   

22,391

   

21,408

   

20,167

 

Net income

$

50,002

 

$

48,550

 

$

46,677

 

$

44,917

 

$

42,455

 

                               

PER SHARE DATA

                             

Net income - basic

$

0.90

 

$

0.88

 

$

0.86

 

$

0.83

 

$

0.81

 

Net income - diluted

 

0.88

   

0.86

   

0.83

   

0.81

   

0.79

 

Cash dividends

 

0.34

   

0.34

   

0.30

   

0.30

   

0.30

 

Book value at end of quarter

 

20.08

   

18.51

   

18.34

   

18.03

   

17.03

 
                               

OUTSTANDING SHARES

                             

Period-end shares

 

55,821

   

55,542

   

55,106

   

54,483

   

52,657

 

Weighted-average shares - basic

 


55,440

   


55,105

   


54,574

   


54,015

   


52,345

 

Dilutive effect of stock
  compensation

 


1,147

   


1,198

   


1,353

   


1,346

   


1,285

 

Weighted-average shares - diluted

 


56,587

   


56,303

   


55,927

   


55,361

   


53,630

 
                               

SELECTED ANNUALIZED RATIOS

                             

Return on average assets

 

1.72

%

 

1.70

%

 

1.68

%

 

1.63

%

 

1.68

%

Return on average equity

 

18.56

   

19.02

   

18.86

   

18.52

   

18.98

 

Net interest income to average earning assets(1)

 


4.69

   


4.70

   


4.66

   


4.54

   


4.52

 
                               

(1) Taxable-equivalent basis assuming a 35% tax rate.

 

 

Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc.

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL SUMMARY (UNAUDITED)

 
   

2006

 

2005

 

   

3rd Qtr

   

2nd Qtr

   

1st Qtr

   

4th Qtr

 

3rd Qtr

BALANCE SHEET SUMMARY

                             

 ($ in millions)

                             

Average Balance:

                             

  Loans

$

6,565

 

$

6,539

 

$

6,307

 

$

6,008

 

$

5,593

 

  Earning assets

 

10,181

   

10,090

   

9,906

   

9,587

   

8,916

 

  Total assets

 

11,522

   

11,450

   

11,286

   

10,901

   

10,037

 

  Non-interest-bearing demand
   deposits

 


3,309

   


3,300

   


3,305

   


3,302

   


2,964

 

  Interest-bearing deposits

 

5,829

   

5,769

   

5,691

   

5,378

   

5,052

 

  Total deposits

 

9,138

   

9,069

   

8,996

   

8,680

   

8,016

 

  Shareholders' equity

 

1,069

   

1,024

   

1,004

   

962

   

887

 
                               

Period-End Balance:

                             

  Loans

$

6,516

 

$

6,577

 

$

6,511

 

$

6,085

 

$

5,710

 

  Earning assets

 

10,324

   

10,076

   

10,300

   

10,203

   

9,185

 

  Goodwill and intangible
   assets

 


268

   


268

   


269

   


184

   


111

 

  Total assets

 

11,647

   

11,403

   

11,579

   

11,741

   

10,280

 

  Total deposits

 

9,270

   

9,078

   

9,292

   

9,146

   

8,283

 

  Shareholders' equity

 

1,121

   

1,028

   

1,011

   

982

   

897

 

  Adjusted shareholders'
   equity(1)

 


1,179

   


1,135

   


1,086

   


1,033

   


928

 
                               

ASSET QUALITY

                             

  ($ in thousands)

                             

Allowance for possible

                             

  loan losses

$

85,667

 

$

85,552

 

$

84,142

 

$

80,325

 

$

77,117

 

   as a percentage of

                             

    period-end loans

 

1.31

%

 

1.30

%

 

1.29

%

 

1.32

%

 

1.35

%

                               

Net charge-offs

$

1,596

 

$

3,695

 

$

2,490

 

$

2,928

 

$

2,711

 

   Annualized as a percentage

                             

    of average loans

 

0.10

%

 

0.23

%

 

0.16

%

 

0.19

%

 

0.19

%

                               

Non-performing assets:

                             

  Non-accrual loans

$

30,045

 

$

30,824

 

$

34,027

 

$

33,179

 

$

34,432

 

  Foreclosed assets

 

4,971

   

6,461

   

6,766

   

5,748

   

6,394

 

    Total

$

35,016

 

$

37,285

 

$

40,793

 

$

38,927

 

$

40,826

 

   As a percentage of:

                             

  Total loans and

                             

    foreclosed assets

 

0.54

%

 

0.57

%

 

0.63

%

 

0.64

%

 

0.71

%

  Total assets

 

0.30

   

0.33

   

0.35

   

0.33

   

0.40

 
                               

CONSOLIDATED CAPITAL RATIOS

                             

Tier 1 Risk-Based

                             

  Capital Ratio

 

12.39

%

 

12.00

%

 

11.55

%

 

12.24

%

 

13.01

%

Total Risk-Based

                             

  Capital Ratio

 

14.68

   

14.65

   

14.21

 

14.94

   

15.92

 

Leverage Ratio

 

9.76

   

9.39

   

9.12

   

9.62

   

10.16

 

Equity to Assets Ratio

                             

   (period-end)

 

9.63

   

9.01

   

8.73

   

8.37

   

8.72

 

Equity to Assets Ratio

                             

   (average)

 

9.28

   

8.94

   

8.89

   

8.82

   

8.84

 

(1) Shareholders' equity excluding accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).

 

Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc.

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL SUMMARY (UNAUDITED)

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

     

Nine Months Ended

 
     

September 30,

 

     

2006

   

2005

 

CONDENSED INCOME STATEMENTS

             

               

Net interest income

 

$

347,934

 

$

283,466

 

Net interest income(1)

   

355,119

   

288,971

 

Provision for possible loan losses

   

10,750

   

7,300

 

Non-interest income

             
 

Trust fees

   

47,460

   

43,294

 
 

Service charges on deposit accounts

   

57,974

   

59,002

 
 

Insurance commissions and fees

   

22,323

   

22,192

 
 

Other charges, commissions and fees

   

20,668

   

17,008

 
 

Net gain (loss) securities transactions

   

(1

)

 

--

 
 

Other

   

32,495

   

32,330

 

 

Total non-interest income

 

$

180,919

 

$

173,826

 
                 

Non-interest expense

             
 

Salaries and wages

   

142,312

   

122,272

 
 

Employee benefits

   

35,492

   

32,325

 
 

Net occupancy

   

25,909

   

22,863

 
 

Furniture and equipment

   

19,212

   

17,929

 
 

Intangible amortization

   

3,957

   

3,699

 
 

Other

   

76,448

   

72,841

 

 

Total non-interest expense

 

$

303,330

 

$

271,929

 
                 

Income before income taxes

   

214,773

   

178,063

 

Income taxes

   

69,544

   

57,557

 

Net income

 

$

145,229

 

$

120,506

 

               
               

PER SHARE DATA

             

Net income - basic

 

$

2.64

 

$

2.32

 

Net income - diluted

   

2.58

   

2.26

 

Cash dividends

   

0.98

   

0.865

 

Book value at end of period

   

20.08

   

17.03

 
                 

OUTSTANDING SHARES

             

Period-end shares

   

55,821

   

52,657

 

Weighted-average shares - basic

   

55,043

   

51,963

 

Dilutive effect of stock compensation

   

1,233

   

1,315

 

Weighted-average shares - diluted

   

56,276

   

53,278

 
               

SELECTED ANNUALIZED RATIOS

             

Return on average assets

   

1.70

%

 

1.63

%

Return on average equity

   

18.81

   

18.88

 

Net interest income to average earning assets(1)

   

4.68

   

4.41

 

(1) Taxable-equivalent basis assuming a 35% tax rate.

 

 

Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc.

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL SUMMARY (UNAUDITED)

 
     

As of or for the

 
     

Nine Months Ended

 
     

September 30,

 

     

2006

   

2005

 

BALANCE SHEET SUMMARY

             

  ($ in millions)

             

Average Balance:

             
 

Loans

 

$

6,471

 

$

5,455

 
 

Earning assets

   

10,059

   

8,761

 
 

Total assets

   

11,416

   

9,887

 
 

Non-interest-bearing demand deposits

   

3,305

   

2,910

 
 

Interest-bearing deposits

   

5,763

   

5,038

 
 

Total deposits

   

9,068

   

7,948

 
 

Shareholders' equity

   

1,032

   

853

 
                 

Period-End Balance:

             
 

Loans

 

$

6,516

 

$

5,710

 
 

Earning assets

   

10,324

   

9,185

 
 

Goodwill and intangible assets

   

268

   

111

 
 

Total assets

   

11,647

   

10,280

 
 

Total deposits

   

9,270

   

8,283

 
 

Shareholders' equity

   

1,121

   

897

 
 

Adjusted shareholders' equity(1)

   

1,179

   

928

 
               

ASSET QUALITY

             

 

($ in thousands)

             

Allowance for possible loan losses

 

$

85,667

 

$

77,117

 
   

As a percentage of period-end loans

   

1.31

%

 

1.35

%

                 

Net charge-offs:

 

$

7,781

 

$

5,993

 
   

Annualized as a percentage of average loans

   

0.16

%

 

0.15

%

                 

Non-performing assets:

             
 

Non-accrual loans

 

$

30,045

 

$

34,432

 
 

Foreclosed assets

   

4,971

   

6,394

 

 

   Total

 

$

35,016

 

$

40,826

 
 

As a percentage of:

             
 

   Total loans and foreclosed assets

   

0.54

%

 

0.71

%

 

   Total assets

   

0.30

   

0.40

 
                 

CONSOLIDATED CAPITAL RATIOS

             

Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital Ratio

   

12.39

%

 

13.01

%

Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio

   

14.68

   

15.92

 

Leverage Ratio

   

9.76

   

10.16

 

Equity to Assets Ratio (period-end)

   

9.63

   

8.72

 

Equity to Assets Ratio (average)

   

9.04

   

8.63

 

 
                 

 

(1) Shareholders' equity excluding accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).