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8-K - FORM 8-K - CULLEN/FROST BANKERS, INC.d8k.htm

Exhibit 99.1

 

              

Greg Parker

Investor Relations

210/220-5632

or

Renee Sabel

Media Relations

210/220-5416

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JANUARY 26, 2011

CULLEN/FROST REPORTS 4th QUARTER, ANNUAL 2010 RESULTS

Annual earnings per share up 14.7 percent

 

 

Consistent profitability through economic crisis

 

 

Continuous record of dividends

 

 

Capital ratios remain strong

 

 

Slight uptick in loans at end of quarter

SAN ANTONIO – Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. today reported results for the fourth quarter and full year of 2010, as the Texas financial services leader continued to operate well in a challenging economy and extended low rate environment.

Cullen/Frost reported net income for the fourth quarter of 2010 of $53.1 million, or $.87 per diluted common share, compared to fourth quarter 2009 earnings of $51.5 million, or $.86 per diluted common share. For the fourth quarter of 2010, returns on average assets and equity were 1.18 percent and 9.96 percent respectively, compared to 1.25 percent and 10.70 percent for the same period of 2009. The company benefited in the fourth quarter of 2009 from a one-time $17.7 million gain from the termination of interest rate swaps related to Federal Home Loan Bank advances.

The company also reported annual earnings for 2010 of $208.8 million, a rise of 16.6 percent over 2009 earnings of $179.0 million. On a per-share basis, 2010 earnings were $3.44 per diluted common share, an increase of 14.7 percent compared to the $3.00 per diluted common share reported in 2009. For the year, returns on average assets and equity were 1.21 percent and 10.30 percent respectively, compared to the 1.14 percent and 9.78 percent reported in 2009.

At the end of the fourth quarter of 2010, Cullen/Frost saw non-performing assets decline by $15.2 million from the fourth quarter of 2009 and $3.7 million from the previous quarter.


“Cullen/Frost turned in a strong performance in 2010 as the economy is starting to show some early signs of recovery,” said Dick Evans, Cullen/Frost chairman and CEO. “While we continue to experience a challenging lending environment, I was especially pleased to see a slight uptick in period-end loans, the first increase we’ve seen since the fourth quarter of 2008. I believe we are beginning to see the results of our disciplined calling effort, which has produced many new relationships. Today our capital levels continue to be strong – stronger, in fact, than before the economic crisis began. And deposits continue to rise, although at a slower pace, as customers continue to respond to our value proposition.

“It was encouraging to see another decline in non-performing assets this quarter from both the same period a year ago and the previous quarter. This is a clear indication of continuing progress in our asset quality disciplines. I am pleased to report that credit quality continues to be at manageable levels. The provision for loan losses was down by $11 million from last year’s fourth quarter,” said Evans.

Evans said that economic uncertainty continued to affect the lending environment, noting that business owners have deleveraged, but remain cautious about putting capital to work. Although some uncertainty has been resolved with the extension of tax cuts, Evans said, broader economic uncertainty lingers.

“During the past year, we have worked harder than ever to increase the number of new relationships and expand existing ones. We are well positioned to see the benefits of these efforts as the economy begins to grow once more.

“Many unknowns are yet to be resolved by the financial services industry as we all determine the impact of Dodd-Frank,” Evans continued. “Even with the challenges this legislation poses, at Cullen/Frost we are committed to continuing to deliver value to our customers and shareholders.

Evans said the company opened one new financial center in Houston in 2010 and relocated two older facilities to newer locations in Fort Worth and Dallas.

Evans said. “As always, it is our outstanding people who make our success possible and bring the Frost culture to life with our customers every day. I appreciate their commitment to our company and to taking great care of our customers.”

 

2


For the year ended December 31, 2010, average annual total loans were $8.1 billion, compared to $8.7 billion for the previous year. Average annual total deposits for 2010 rose to $14.0 billion, up 13.1 percent, or $1.6 billion, over the $12.4 billion reported in 2009. Net interest income on a taxable-equivalent basis increased to $616.3 million, up 6.7 percent over the $577.7 million reported a year earlier, reflecting the impact of the increasing volume of earning assets. For 2010, non-interest income was $282.0 million, compared to $293.7 million reported for 2009, while non-interest expense increased 0.6 percent over the previous year to $535.5 million.

Noted financial data for the fourth quarter:

 

 

Tier 1 and Total Risk-Based Capital Ratios for the Corporation at the end of the fourth quarter of 2010 were 13.82 percent and 15.91 percent, respectively and are in excess of well capitalized levels. The ratio of tangible common equity to tangible assets was 8.90 percent at the end of the fourth quarter of 2010, compared to 8.56 percent for the same quarter last year. (The tangible common equity ratio, which is a non-GAAP financial measure is equal to end of period shareholders’ equity less goodwill and intangible assets divided by end of period total assets less goodwill and intangible assets.)

 

 

Net interest income on a taxable-equivalent basis for the fourth quarter totaled $155.2 million, compared to the $150.7 million reported for the fourth quarter of 2009. This increase primarily resulted from an increase in the average volume of earning assets and was partly offset by a decrease in the net interest margin. The net interest margin was 3.93 percent for the fourth quarter, compared to 4.20 percent for the fourth quarter of 2009 and 4.04 percent for the third quarter of 2010.

 

 

Non-interest income for the fourth quarter of 2010 was $70.3 million, down $16.1 million from the $86.3 million a year earlier.

Other income was $14.2 million, a decrease of $15.2 million from the $29.4 million reported in the fourth quarter of 2009, when the company realized a $17.7 million gain from the termination of interest rate swaps associated with certain Federal Home Loan Bank advances.

Service charges on deposits were $24.1 million, down $1.9 million from the $26.0 million reported for the previous year’s fourth quarter. Most of this decrease is related to lower NSF and overdraft service charges, which were impacted by recent regulations passed during the third quarter of 2010. Also impacting the decrease were lower commercial service charges from lower billable services.

 

3


 

Non-interest expense for the fourth quarter of 2010 was $133.7 million, down $475,000 from the $134.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2009. Salaries were up $2 million, or 3.4 percent, over the same quarter a year earlier, as a result of normal annual merit and market increases and an increase in incentive compensation. Other expense was $30.9 million, a $1.7 million decline from the $32.5 million reported for the fourth quarter of 2009. Included in other expense for 2009 was a $1.4 million prepayment penalty on the early termination of certain Federal Home Loan Bank advances.

 

 

For the fourth quarter of 2010, the provision for possible loan losses was $11.3 million, compared to net charge-offs of $11.1 million. For the fourth quarter of 2009, the provision for possible loan losses was $22.3 million, compared to net charge offs of $20.1 million. The allowance for possible loan losses as a percentage of total loans was 1.56 percent at December 31, 2010, compared to 1.50 percent at year-end 2009. Non-performing assets were $165.0 million at year-end, compared to $168.7 million the previous quarter, and $180.2 million at year-end 2009.

Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. will host a conference call on Wednesday, January 26, 2011 at 10 am Central Time (CT) to discuss the results for the quarter and the year. 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 12 pm CT until midnight Sunday, January 30, 2011 at 800-642-1687, with the Conference ID# of 36233865. The call will also be available by webcast on the company’s website, frostbank.com, and available for playback after 2 pm CT. After entering the website, 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 $17.6 billion in assets at December 31, 2010, and more than 110 financial centers throughout Texas. One of 24 U.S. banks included in the KBW Bank Index, Frost provides a wide range of banking, investments and insurance services to businesses and individuals in the Austin, Corpus Christi, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, Rio Grande Valley and San Antonio regions. Founded in 1868, Frost has helped clients with their financial needs during three centuries. Additional information is available at frostbank.com.

 

4


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 as such. 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:

 

   

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.

 

   

Volatility and disruption in national and international financial markets.

 

   

Government intervention in the U.S. financial system.

 

   

Changes in the mix of loan geographies, sectors and types or the level of non-performing assets and charge-offs.

 

   

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

 

   

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

 

   

Inflation, interest rate, securities market and monetary fluctuations.

 

   

The effects 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.

 

   

The soundness of other financial institutions.

 

   

Political instability.

 

   

Impairment of the Corporation’s goodwill or other intangible assets.

 

   

Acts of God or of war or terrorism.

 

   

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

 

   

Changes in consumer spending, borrowings and savings habits.

 

   

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

 

   

Technological changes.

 

   

Acquisitions and integration of acquired businesses.

 

   

The ability to increase market share and control expenses.

 

   

The Corporation’s ability to attract and retain qualified employees.

 

   

Changes in the competitive environment in the Corporation’s markets and among banking organizations and other financial service providers.

 

   

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.

 

   

Changes in the reliability of the Corporation’s vendors, internal control systems or information systems.

 

   

Changes in the Corporation’s liquidity position.

 

   

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

 

   

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.

 

   

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

 

   

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.

 

5


Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc.

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL SUMMARY (UNAUDITED)

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

     2010     2009  
     4th Qtr     3rd Qtr     2nd Qtr     1st Qtr     4th Qtr  

CONDENSED INCOME STATEMENTS

          

Net interest income

   $ 141,563      $ 142,416      $ 141,896      $ 137,584      $ 138,594   

Net interest income(1)

     155,221        155,702        155,054        150,343        150,743   

Provision for possible loan losses

     11,290        10,100        8,650        13,571        22,250   

Non-interest income:

          

Trust fees

     17,399        17,029        17,037        16,963        17,669   

Service charges on deposit accounts

     24,082        24,980        24,925        24,809        26,017   

Insurance commissions and fees

     6,777        8,588        7,512        11,138        6,734   

Other charges, commissions and fees

     7,796        7,708        8,029        6,919        7,804   

Net gain (loss) on securities transactions

     —          —          1        5        (1,309

Other

     14,224        12,125        12,428        11,559        29,430   
                                        

Total non-interest income

     70,278        70,430        69,932        71,393        86,345   

Non-interest expense:

          

Salaries and wages

     60,744        59,743        58,827        60,275        58,736   

Employee benefits

     12,458        12,698        12,675        14,521        12,756   

Net occupancy

     11,197        12,197        11,637        11,135        11,523   

Furniture and equipment

     12,335        12,165        11,662        11,489        12,065   

Deposit insurance

     4,918        4,661        5,429        5,443        5,126   

Intangible amortization

     1,217        1,276        1,299        1,333        1,473   

Other

     30,872        29,812        33,125        30,398        32,537   
                                        

Total non-interest expense

     133,741        132,552        134,654        134,594        134,216   
                                        

Income before income taxes

     66,810        70,194        68,524        60,812        68,473   

Income taxes

     13,759        15,199        15,624        12,994        16,979   
                                        

Net income

   $ 53,051      $ 54,995      $ 52,900      $ 47,818      $ 51,494   
                                        

PER SHARE DATA

          

Net income - basic

   $ 0.87      $ 0.90      $ 0.87      $ 0.79      $ 0.86   

Net income - diluted

     0.87        0.90        0.87        0.79        0.86   

Cash dividends

     0.45        0.45        0.45        0.43        0.43   

Book value at end of quarter

     33.74        34.78        33.65        32.25        31.55   

OUTSTANDING SHARES

          

Period-end shares

     61,108        60,836        60,656        60,443        60,038   

Weighted-average shares - basic

     60,772        60,524        60,365        59,972        59,762   

Dilutive effect of stock compensation

     176        141        199        185        64   

Weighted-average shares - diluted

     60,948        60,665        60,564        60,157        59,826   

SELECTED ANNUALIZED RATIOS

          

Return on average assets

     1.18     1.25     1.26     1.17     1.25

Return on average equity

     9.96        10.49        10.67        10.07        10.70   

Net interest income to average earning assets(1)

     3.93        4.04        4.18        4.19        4.20   

 

(1)

Taxable-equivalent basis assuming a 35% tax rate.

 

6


Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc.

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL SUMMARY (UNAUDITED)

 

     2010     2009  
     4th Qtr     3rd Qtr     2nd Qtr     1st Qtr     4th Qtr  

BALANCE SHEET SUMMARY

          

  ($ in millions)

          

Average Balance:

          

Loans

   $ 8,033      $ 8,058      $ 8,142      $ 8,271      $ 8,440   

Earning assets

     15,953        15,590        15,071        14,665        14,501   

Total assets

     17,855        17,470        16,872        16,530        16,335   

Non-interest-bearing demand deposits

     5,371        5,125        4,906        4,684        4,574   

Interest-bearing deposits

     9,264        9,166        8,911        8,806        8,644   

Total deposits

     14,635        14,291        13,817        13,490        13,218   

Shareholders’ equity

     2,114        2,080        1,989        1,926        1,909   

Period-End Balance:

          

Loans

   $ 8,117      $ 8,053      $ 8,066      $ 8,190      $ 8,368   

Earning assets

     15,806        15,852        15,245        14,991        14,437   

Goodwill and intangible assets

     542        543        545        546        547   

Total assets

     17,617        17,738        17,060        16,761        16,288   

Total deposits

     14,479        14,530        13,952        13,734        13,313   

Shareholders’ equity

     2,062        2,116        2,041        1,949        1,894   

Adjusted shareholders’ equity(1)

     1,907        1,865        1,826        1,785        1,740   

ASSET QUALITY

          

  ($ in thousands)

          

Allowance for possible loan losses

   $ 126,316      $ 126,157      $ 125,442      $ 125,369      $ 125,309   

as a percentage of period-end loans

     1.56     1.57     1.56     1.53     1.50

Net charge-offs

   $ 11,131      $ 9,385      $ 8,577      $ 13,511      $ 20,063   

Annualized as a percentage of average loans

     0.55     0.46     0.42     0.66     0.94

Non-performing assets:

          

Non-accrual loans

   $ 137,140      $ 144,900      $ 134,524      $ 144,617      $ 146,867   

Foreclosed assets

     27,810        23,778        24,744        26,936        33,312   
                                        

Total

   $ 164,950      $ 168,678      $ 159,268      $ 171,553      $ 180,179   

As a percentage of:

          

Total loans and foreclosed assets

     2.03     2.09     1.97     2.09     2.14

Total assets

     0.94        0.95        0.93        1.02        1.11   

CONSOLIDATED CAPITAL RATIOS

          

Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital Ratio

     13.82     13.38     13.16     12.70     11.91

Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio

     15.91        15.46        15.52        15.05        14.19   

Leverage Ratio

     8.68        8.67        8.80        8.70        8.50   

Equity to Assets Ratio (period-end)

     11.70        11.93        11.96        11.63        11.63   

Equity to Assets Ratio (average)

     11.84        11.90        11.79        11.65        11.69   

 

(1)

Shareholders’ equity excluding accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).

 

7


Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc.

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL SUMMARY (UNAUDITED)

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

     Year Ended December 31  
     2010     2009     2008     2007     2006  

CONDENSED INCOME STATEMENTS

          

Net interest income

   $ 563,459      $ 536,679      $ 534,025      $ 518,737      $ 469,163   

Net interest income(1)

     616,319        577,716        554,353        534,195        479,138   

Provision for possible loan losses

     43,611        65,392        37,823        14,660        14,150   

Non-interest income:

          

Trust fees

     68,428        67,268        74,554        70,359        63,469   

Service charges on deposit accounts

     98,796        102,474        87,566        80,718        77,116   

Insurance commissions and fees

     34,015        33,096        32,904        30,847        28,230   

Other charges, commissions and fees

     30,452        27,699        35,557        32,558        28,105   

Net gain (loss) on securities transactions

     6        (1,260     (159     15        (1

Other

     50,336        64,429        56,900        53,734        43,828   
                                        

Total non-interest income

     282,033        293,706        287,322        268,231        240,747   

Non-interest expense:

          

Salaries and wages

     239,589        230,643        225,943        209,982        190,784   

Employee benefits

     52,352        55,224        47,219        47,095        46,231   

Net occupancy

     46,166        44,188        40,464        38,824        34,695   

Furniture and equipment

     47,651        44,223        37,799        32,821        26,293   

Deposit insurance

     20,451        25,812        4,597        1,220        1,162   

Intangible amortization

     5,125        6,537        7,906        8,860        5,628   

Other

     124,207        125,611        122,717        123,644        105,560   
                                        

Total non-interest expense

     535,541        532,238        486,645        462,446        410,353   
                                        

Income before income taxes

     266,340        232,755        296,879        309,862        285,407   

Income taxes

     57,576        53,721        89,624        97,791        91,816   
                                        

Net income

   $ 208,764      $ 179,034      $ 207,255      $ 212,071      $ 193,591   
                                        

PER SHARE DATA

          

Net income - basic

   $ 3.44      $ 3.00      $ 3.51      $ 3.59      $ 3.48   

Net income - diluted

     3.44        3.00        3.50        3.57        3.44   

Cash dividends

     1.78        1.71        1.66        1.54        1.32   

Book value

     33.74        31.55        29.68        25.18        23.01   

OUTSTANDING SHARES

          

Period-end shares

     61,108        60,038        59,416        58,662        59,839   

Weighted-average shares - basic

     60,411        59,456        58,846        58,952        55,467   

Dilutive effect of stock compensation

     175        58        324        645        1,043   

Weighted-average shares - diluted

     60,586        59,514        59,170        59,597        56,510   

SELECTED ANNUALIZED RATIOS

          

Return on average assets

     1.21     1.14     1.51     1.63     1.67

Return on average equity

     10.30        9.78        13.11        15.20        18.03   

Net interest income to average earning assets(1)

     4.08        4.23        4.67        4.69        4.67   

 

(1)

Taxable-equivalent basis assuming a 35% tax rate.

 

8


Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc.

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL SUMMARY (UNAUDITED)

 

     Year Ended December 31  
     2010     2009     2008     2007     2006  

BALANCE SHEET SUMMARY

          

  ($ in millions)

          

Average Balance:

          

Loans

   $ 8,125      $ 8,653      $ 8,314      $ 7,464      $ 6,524   

Earning assets

     15,333        13,804        11,868        11,340        10,203   

Total assets

     17,187        15,702        13,685        13,042        11,581   

Non-interest-bearing demand deposits

     5,024        4,259        3,615        3,524        3,334   

Interest bearing deposits

     9,024        8,161        6,916        6,689        5,850   

Total deposits

     14,048        12,420        10,531        10,213        9,184   

Shareholders’ equity

     2,028        1,831        1,580        1,395        1,074   

Period-End Balance:

          

Loans

   $ 8,117      $ 8,368      $ 8,844      $ 7,769      $ 7,373   

Earning assets

     15,806        14,437        13,001        11,556        11,461   

Goodwill and intangible assets

     542        547        551        558        563   

Total assets

     17,617        16,288        15,034        13,485        13,224   

Total deposits

     14,479        13,313        11,509        10,530        10,388   

Shareholders’ equity

     2,062        1,894        1,764        1,477        1,377   

Adjusted shareholders’ equity(1)

     1,907        1,740        1,626        1,484        1,432   

ASSET QUALITY

          

  ($ in thousands)

          

Allowance for possible loan losses

   $ 126,316      $ 125,309      $ 110,244      $ 92,339      $ 96,085   

As a percentage of period-end loans

     1.56     1.50     1.25     1.19     1.30

Net charge-offs:

   $ 42,604      $ 50,327      $ 19,918      $ 18,406      $ 11,110   

As a percentage of average loans

     0.52     0.58     0.24     0.25     0.17

Non-performing assets:

          

Non-accrual loans

   $ 137,140      $ 146,867      $ 65,174      $ 24,443      $ 52,204   

Foreclosed assets

     27,810        33,312        12,866        5,406        5,545   
                                        

Total

   $ 164,950      $ 180,179      $ 78,040      $ 29,849      $ 57,749   

As a percentage of:

          

Total loans and foreclosed assets

     2.03     2.14     0.88     0.38     0.78

Total assets

     0.94        1.11        0.52        0.22        0.44   

 

(1)

Shareholders’ equity excluding accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).

 

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