Hancock Whitney reports fourth quarter 2018 EPS of $1.10

Results include $1.9 million, or $.02 per share after tax, impact from nonoperating items

GULFPORT, Miss., Jan. 16, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Hancock Whitney Corporation (Nasdaq: HWC) today announced its financial results for the fourth quarter of 2018. Net income for the fourth quarter of 2018 was $96.2 million, or $1.10 per diluted common share (EPS), compared to $83.9 million, or $.96 EPS in the third quarter of 2018 and $55.4 million, or $.64 EPS, in the fourth quarter of 2017. The fourth quarter of 2018 included $1.9 million ($.02 per share after-tax impact) of nonoperating items. The third quarter of 2018 included $4.8 million ($.05 per share impact) of nonoperating items and the fourth quarter of 2017 included a tax reform related re-measurement charge of the net deferred tax asset (DTA) of $19.5 million ($.22 per share impact).

Highlights of the company’s fourth quarter 2018 results (compared to third quarter 2018):

  • Net income increased $12.4 million, or 15%
  • EPS increased $.14 to $1.10; excluding nonoperating items, EPS increased $.11 to $1.12
  • Net loan growth of $483 million, or 2%, surpassing $20 billion in total loans; reflects sale of $116 million of loans in fourth quarter
  • NIM expanded by 3 bps to 3.39%
  • Criticized commercial loans declined $208 million, or 25% linked-quarter; $78 million energy, $131 million nonenergy; nonperforming loans declined by $37 million, or 10% linked-quarter; $23 million energy, $15 million nonenergy
  • TCE ratio improved to 8.02%, up 35 bps
  • Tax rate of 8% lower than typical rate of 18%; lower rate attributable to tax reform strategies and stock-based incentive compensation vesting

“We ended the year with solid results, and the year as a whole reflected strong growth and improved performance,” said John M. Hairston President & CEO. “For the full year of 2018, net income was up 50%, EPS increased $1.24 to $3.72, ROA was up 35 bps to 1.17%, loans grew $1 billion, commercial criticized loans declined $451 million, we achieved our goal of reducing our energy exposure and continued shifting our loan mix within the portfolio, ended the year with TCE back above 8%, all while changing our name and closing 2 transactions. We achieved a few of our 2019 CSOs during 2018, and adopted new ones early this year which target what we believe will be better performance and profitability in the future.”

Loans
Total loans at December 31, 2018 were $20.0 billion, up approximately $483 million, or 2%, linked-quarter. The growth in loans includes the sale of $116 million of lower yielding municipal loans in the fourth quarter. Net loan growth during the quarter continues to be diversified across our regions with all regions reporting strong growth. Additional areas of growth were in mortgage and energy.

At December 31, 2018, loans to the energy industry totaled $1.1 billion, or 5.3% of total loans. The energy portfolio increased $132 million linked-quarter, and is comprised of credits to both the exploration and production (E&P) sector and the support services sector. The growth was primarily in E&P and midstream, as we continue our focus on shifting the mix between subsectors. Payoffs and paydowns of $45 million and charge-offs of $16 million were offset by $193 million in fundings.

Average loans totaled $19.8 billion for the fourth quarter of 2018, up $353 million, or 2%, linked-quarter.

Deposits
Total deposits at December 31, 2018 were $23.2 billion, up $732 million, or 3%, from September 30, 2018. Average deposits for the fourth quarter of 2018 were $22.5 billion, up $477 million, or 2%, linked-quarter.

Noninterest-bearing demand deposits (DDAs) totaled $8.5 billion at December 31, 2018, up $358 million, or 4%, from September 30, 2018. DDAs comprised 37% of total period-end deposits at December 31, 2018.

Interest-bearing transaction and savings deposits totaled $8.0 billion at the end of the fourth quarter of 2018, up $28 million, or less than 1%, from September 30, 2018. Time deposits of $3.6 billion were down $46 million, or 1%, while interest-bearing public fund deposits increased $393 million, or 15%, to $3.0 billion at December 31, 2018. The net decrease in time deposits reflects a decline in brokered CDs of $168 million, partly offset by an increase of $121 million in retail CDs. The increase in public funds is seasonal and primarily related to year-end tax payments collected by local municipalities.

Asset Quality
Nonperforming assets (NPAs) totaled $352.6 million at December 31, 2018, down $38.7 million, or 10%, from September 30, 2018. During the fourth quarter of 2018, total nonperforming loans decreased approximately $37.5 million, while foreclosed and surplus real estate (ORE) and other foreclosed assets decreased approximately $1.2 million. Nonperforming assets as a percent of total loans, ORE and other foreclosed assets was 1.76% at December 31, 2018, down 24 bps from September 30, 2018.

The total allowance for loan losses (ALLL) was $194.5 million at December 31, 2018, down $20.0 million, or 9%, from September 30, 2018. The allowance for credits in the energy portfolio totaled $33.2 million, or 3.1% of energy loans, at December 31, 2018, as compared to $50.2 million, or 5.4% of energy loans, at September 30, 2018. The allowance for credits in the nonenergy portfolio totaled $161.3 million, or 0.85% of nonenergy loans, at December 31, 2018, as compared to $164.3 million, or 0.88% of nonenergy loans, at September 30, 2018. The ratio of the allowance for loan losses to period-end loans was 0.97% at December 31, 2018, down 13 bps from 1.10% at September 30, 2018.

Net charge-offs were $28.1 million, or 0.56% of average total loans on an annualized basis in the fourth quarter of 2018, up from $6.9 million, or 0.14% of average total loans in the third quarter of 2018. Included in the total were $15.8 million of energy charge-offs. Approximately $21 million of net charge-offs were related to 2 credits, (one energy, one nonenergy), and had been largely reserved for in prior periods. During the fourth quarter of 2018, the company recorded a total provision for loan losses of $8.1 million, up from $6.9 million in the third quarter of 2018.

Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin (NIM)
Net interest income (TE) for the fourth quarter of 2018 was $221.5 million, up $3.2 million from the third quarter of 2018. The increase is primarily due to higher level of average earning assets in the quarter, an improvement in deposit betas along with a shift in our funding mix and the portfolio restructuring implemented during the fourth quarter.

In late the fourth quarter the company sold 192,000 shares of VISA-B stock for a net gain of $33.2 million. The VISA-B shares net gain offset losses associated with selling $481 million of lower yielding bonds and $116 million of lower yielding municipal loans. Proceeds from the sales were used to purchase $260 million of higher yielding bonds and to pay down $346 million of FHLB advances. The VISA-B trade and related restructuring improves the company’s yields on investment securities and loans, while also improving the company’s funding mix.

Average earning assets were $26.0 billion for the fourth quarter of 2018, up $178.8 million, or less than 1%, from the third quarter of 2018. The net interest margin (TE) was 3.39% for the fourth quarter of 2018, up 3 bps from the third quarter of 2018. The increase in the margin reflects a positive impact from a 10 bp increase in the average earning asset yield (an 8 bp increase in loan yield and a 7 bp increase in yield on the securities portfolio), partially offset by a 7 bp increase in the cost of funds. The portfolio restructuring noted above added 2 bps to the margin, while changes in the funding mix also contributed positively.

Noninterest Income
Noninterest income totaled $74.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2018, down $1.0 million, or 1%, from the third quarter of 2018. Included in the total is $0.6 million in net gains related to the portfolio restructuring noted above.

Service charges on deposits totaled $21.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2018, up $0.1 million, or less than 1%, from the third quarter of 2018. Bank card and ATM fees totaled $15.7 million, up $0.8 million, or 5%, from the third quarter of 2018. The increase from the third quarter is primarily due to seasonality.

Trust fees totaled $15.8 million, down $1.0 million, or 6% linked-quarter. The net decline from the third quarter is mainly related to market conditions.

Investment and annuity income and insurance fees totaled $6.3 million, down $0.3 million, or 5%, linked-quarter primarily due to market conditions. Fees from secondary mortgage operations totaled $3.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2018, down $0.4 million, or 9%, linked-quarter, mainly due to market interest rates. Other noninterest income totaled $10.8 million, down $0.7 million, or 6%, from the third quarter of 2018.

Noninterest Expense & Taxes
Noninterest expense for the fourth quarter of 2018 totaled $179.4 million, down $1.8 million, or 1%, from the third quarter of 2018. Included in the fourth quarter total was $2.5 million of nonoperating expense related to the trust and asset management acquisition, expenses from Hurricane Michael and the move of the New Orleans main office. There was $4.8 million of nonoperating expense in the third quarter of 2018. Excluding nonoperating items, operating expense for the fourth quarter of 2018 totaled $176.9 million, up $0.5 million, or less than 1% linked-quarter. The discussion below excludes nonoperating items.

Total personnel expense was $104.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2018, up $3.7 million, or 4%, from the third quarter of 2018. This increase is mainly related to incentive pay and a full quarter of the recently acquired trust and asset management business.

Occupancy and equipment expense totaled $16.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2018, up $0.5 million, or 3%, from the third quarter of 2018.

Amortization of intangibles totaled $5.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2018, down $0.2 million or 3% linked-quarter.

Other operating expense totaled $50.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2018, down $3.5 million, or 7%, from the third quarter of 2018.

The effective income tax rate for the fourth quarter of 2018 was 8%. Management expects the tax rate in the first quarter of 2019 to approximate 17-19%. The lower tax rate in fourth quarter reflects tax reform related strategies and the impact of stock award vesting. The effective income tax rate continues to be less than the statutory rate due primarily to tax-exempt income and tax credits.

Capital
Common shareholders’ equity at December 31, 2018 totaled $3.1 billion, up $102 million, or 3%, from third quarter 2018. The tangible common equity (TCE) ratio was 8.02%, up 35 bps from September 30, 2018. We repurchased 200,000 shares of common stock during the quarter. Additional capital ratios are included in the financial tables.

Conference Call and Slide Presentation
Management will host a conference call for analysts and investors at 8:30 a.m. Central Time on Thursday, January 17, 2019 to review the results. A live listen-only webcast of the call will be available under the Investor Relations section of Hancock Whitney’s website at www.hancockwhitney.com/investors. A link to the release with additional financial tables, and a link to a slide presentation related to fourth quarter results are also posted as part of the webcast link. To participate in the Q&A portion of the call, dial (877) 564-1219 or (973) 638-3429. An audio archive of the conference call will be available under the Investor Relations section of our website. A replay of the call will also be available through January 24, 2019 by dialing (855) 859-2056 or (404) 537-3406, passcode 4594604. 

About Hancock Whitney
Since the late 1800s, Hancock Whitney has embodied core values of Honor & Integrity, Strength & Stability, Commitment to Service, Teamwork, and Personal Responsibility. Hancock Whitney offices and financial centers in Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, and Texas offer comprehensive financial products and services, including traditional and online banking; commercial and small business banking; private banking; trust and investment services; healthcare banking; certain insurance services; and mortgage services. The company also operates a loan production office in Nashville, Tennessee, as well as trust and asset management offices in New Jersey and New York. BauerFinancial, Inc., the nation’s leading independent bank rating and analysis firm, consistently recommends Hancock Whitney as one of America’s most financially sound banks. More information is available at www.hancockwhitney.com.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This news release includes non-GAAP financial measures to describe Hancock Whitney’s performance. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered alternatives to GAAP-basis financial statements, and other bank holding companies may define or calculate these non-GAAP measures or similar measures differently. The reconciliations of those measures to GAAP measures are provided either in the financial tables or in Appendix A thereto.

Consistent with Securities and Exchange Commission Industry Guide 3, the company presents net interest income, net interest margin and efficiency ratios on a fully taxable equivalent (“TE”) basis. The TE basis adjusts for the tax-favored status of net interest income from certain loans and investments using the statutory federal tax rate to increase tax-exempt interest income to a taxable equivalent basis. The company believes this measure to be the preferred industry measurement of net interest income and it enhances comparability of net interest income arising from taxable and tax-exempt sources.

The company presents certain additional non-GAAP financial measures to assist the reader with a better understanding of the company’s performance period over period, as well as to provide investors with assistance in understanding the success management has experienced in executing its strategic initiatives. These non-GAAP measures may reference the concepts “core” or “operating.” The company uses the term “core” to describe a financial measure that excludes income or expense arising from accretion or amortization of fair value adjustments recorded as part of purchase accounting. The company uses the term “operating” to describe a financial measure that excludes income or expense considered to be nonoperating in nature. Items identified as nonoperating are those that, when excluded from a reported financial measure, provide management or the reader with a measure that may be more indicative of forward-looking trends in the company’s business.

We define Core Net Interest Income as net interest income (TE) excluding net purchase accounting accretion and amortization. We define Core Net Interest Margin as core net interest income expressed as a percentage of average earning assets. A reconciliation of reported net interest income to core net interest income and reported net interest margin to core net interest margin is included in Appendix A.

We define Operating Revenue as net interest income (TE) and noninterest income less nonoperating revenue. We define Operating Pre-Provision Net Revenue as operating revenue (TE) less noninterest expense, excluding nonoperating items. Management believes that operating pre-provision net revenue is a useful financial measure because it enables investors and others to assess the company’s ability to generate capital to cover credit losses through a credit cycle. A reconciliation of reported net interest income to operating pre-provision net revenue is included in Appendix A.

We define Operating Earnings as reported net income excluding nonoperating items net of income tax.  We define Operating Earnings per Share as operating earnings expressed as an amount available to each common shareholder on a diluted basis. A reconciliation of reported net income to operating earnings is presented in the Income Statement table and a reconciliation of reported earnings per share – diluted to operating earnings per share – diluted is presented in Appendix A. 

Important Cautionary Statement About Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements that we may make include statements regarding balance sheet and revenue growth, the provision for loans losses, loan growth expectations, management’s predictions about charge-offs for loans, including energy-related credits, the impact of changes in oil and gas prices on our energy portfolio, the impact of the transaction with Capital One on our performance and financial condition, including our ability to successfully integrate the business, deposit trends, credit quality trends, net interest margin trends, future expense levels, success of revenue-generating initiatives, projected tax rates, future profitability, improvements in expense to revenue (efficiency) ratio, purchase accounting impacts such as accretion levels, increased cybersecurity risks, including potential business disruptions or financial losses, and the financial impact of regulatory requirements and tax reform legislation. Also, any statement that does not describe historical or current facts is a forward-looking statement. These statements often include the words “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “intends,” “plans,” “forecast,” “goals,” “targets,” “initiatives,” “focus,” “potentially,” “probably,” “projects,” “outlook”, or similar expressions or future conditional verbs such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “would,” and “could.” Forward-looking statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of management and on information currently available to management. Our statements speak as of the date hereof, and we do not assume any obligation to update these statements or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those contained in such statements in light of new information or future events.

Forward-looking statements are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Any forward-looking statement made in this release is subject to the safe harbor protections set forth in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned against placing undue reliance on such statements. Actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward looking statements. Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 and in other periodic reports that we file with the SEC.

 
HANCOCK WHITNEY CORPORATION
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(Unaudited)
                                     
    Three Months Ended    Twelve Months Ended     
(dollars and common share data in thousands, except per share amounts)   12/31/2018 9/30/2018 12/31/2017   12/31/2018 12/31/2017  
NET INCOME                                    
Net interest income   $   217,433   $ 214,194   $ 208,047     $   848,838   $ 792,312    
Net interest income (TE) (a)       221,471     218,289     216,996         865,015     826,702    
Provision for loan losses       8,100     6,872     14,986         36,116     58,968    
Noninterest income     74,538     75,518     69,688         285,140     267,781    
Noninterest expense       179,366     181,187     168,063         715,746     692,691    
Income tax expense       8,265     17,775     39,237         58,346     92,802    
Net income $   96,240   $   83,878   $   55,449     $   323,770   $   215,632    
Earnings excluding nonoperating items                              
Net income $   96,240   $ 83,878   $ 55,449     $   323,770   $ 215,632    
Nonoperating items, net of income tax benefit   1,465     3,813             23,546     15,679    
Income tax resulting from re-measurement of deferred tax asset           19,520             19,520    
Operating earnings $   97,705   $ 87,691   $ 74,969     $   347,316   $ 250,831    
PERIOD-END BALANCE SHEET DATA                              
Loans   $   20,026,411   $ 19,543,717   $ 19,004,163     $   20,026,411   $ 19,004,163    
Securities       5,670,584     5,987,447     5,888,380         5,670,584     5,888,380    
Earning assets     25,836,239     25,668,281     25,024,792         25,836,239     25,024,792    
Total assets     28,235,907     28,098,175     27,336,086         28,235,907     27,336,086    
Noninterest-bearing deposits   8,499,027     8,140,530     8,307,497         8,499,027     8,307,497    
Total deposits     23,150,185     22,417,807     22,253,202         23,150,185     22,253,202    
Common shareholders’ equity     3,081,340     2,978,878     2,884,949         3,081,340     2,884,949    
AVERAGE BALANCE SHEET DATA                                
Loans   $   19,817,729   $ 19,464,639   $ 18,839,537     $   19,378,428   $ 18,280,885    
Securities (b)     5,965,461     6,186,410     5,801,451         6,020,947     5,442,829    
Earning assets     26,011,183     25,832,372     24,812,676         25,588,372     24,108,711    
Total assets     28,259,963     28,026,923     26,973,507         27,755,808     26,240,751    
Noninterest-bearing deposits   8,260,487     8,017,353     8,095,563         8,095,256     7,777,652    
Total deposits     22,498,145     22,021,559     21,762,757         22,166,998     20,831,582    
Common shareholders’ equity     2,993,265     2,952,431     2,867,475         2,932,263     2,806,868    
COMMON SHARE DATA                                
Earnings per share – diluted $   1.10   $ 0.96   $ 0.64     $   3.72   $ 2.48    
Cash dividends per share       0.27     0.27     0.24         1.02     0.96    
Book value per share (period-end)       35.98     34.90     33.86         35.98     33.86    
Tangible book value per share (period-end)       25.62     24.44     24.05         25.62     24.05    
Weighted average number of shares – diluted       85,677     85,539     85,303         85,521     84,963    
Period-end number of shares   85,643     85,364     85,200         85,643     85,200    
Market data                                  
High sales price $   49.22   $ 53.00   $ 53.35     $   56.40   $ 53.35    
Low sales price     32.59     46.05     46.18         32.59     41.05    
Period-end closing price   34.77     47.55     49.50         34.77     49.50    
Trading volume     33,269     28,332     29,308         132,677     146,705    
PERFORMANCE RATIOS                                
Return on average assets   1.35 %   1.19 %   0.82 %       1.17 %   0.82 %  
Return on average common equity   12.76 %   11.27 %   7.67 %       11.04 %   7.68 %  
Return on average tangible common equity       18.15 %   16.11 %   10.81 %       15.62 %   10.78 %  
Tangible common equity ratio (c)   8.02 %   7.67 %   7.73 %       8.02 %   7.73 %  
Net interest margin (TE) (d)   3.39 %   3.36 %   3.48 %       3.38 %   3.43 %  
Average loan/deposit ratio   88.09 %   88.39 %   86.57 %       87.42 %   87.76 %  
Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of period-end loans       0.97 %   1.10 %   1.14 %       0.97 %   1.14 %  
Annualized net charge-offs to average loans       0.56 %   0.14 %   0.44 %       0.27 %   0.38 %  
Allowance for loan losses to nonperforming loans + accruing loans 90 days past due       58.60 %   55.25 %   54.18 %       58.60 %   54.18 %  
Select performance measures excluding nonoperating items                            
Operating earnings per share – diluted (d) $   1.12   $ 1.01   $ 0.86     $   3.99   $ 2.89    
Return on average assets – operating   1.37 %   1.24 %   1.10 %       1.25 %   0.96 %  
Return on average common equity – operating   12.95 %   11.78 %   10.37 %       11.84 %   8.94 %  
Return on average tangible common equity – operating       18.43 %   16.84 %   14.62 %       16.76 %   12.54 %  
Efficiency ratio (e)     58.03 %   58.11 %   56.57 %       57.77 %   58.87 %  
Noninterest income as a percent of total revenue (TE) – operating   25.03 %   25.70 %   24.31 %       24.83 %   24.16 %  
FTE headcount     3,933     3,858     3,887         3,933     3,887    
                                     

(a) Taxable equivalent (TE) amounts are calculated using a federal income tax rate of 21% for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2018 and the three months ended September 30, 2018, and 35% for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2017.

(b) Average securities does not include unrealized holding gains/losses on available for sale securities.

(c) The tangible common equity ratio is common shareholders’ equity less intangible assets divided by total assets less intangible assets.

(d) Refer to Appendix A for reconciliation of this non-GAAP measure.

(e) The efficiency ratio is noninterest expense to total net interest income (TE) and noninterest income, excluding amortization of purchased intangibles and nonoperating items.

 
HANCOCK WHITNEY CORPORATION
QUARTERLY FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(Unaudited)
                                         
    Three Months Ended
(dollars and common share data in thousands, except per share amounts)   12/31/2018   9/30/2018   6/30/2018   3/31/2018   12/31/2017
NET INCOME                                      
Net interest income   $   217,433     $   214,194     $   211,547     $   205,664     $   208,047  
Net interest income (TE) (a)       221,471         218,289         215,628         209,627         216,996  
Provision for loan losses       8,100         6,872         8,891         12,253         14,986  
Noninterest income     74,538         75,518         68,832         66,252         69,688  
Noninterest expense        179,366         181,187         184,402         170,791         168,063  
Income tax expense       8,265         17,775         15,909         16,397         39,237  
Net income $   96,240     $   83,878     $   71,177     $   72,475     $   55,449  
Earnings excluding nonoperating items                                    
Net income $   96,240     $   83,878     $   71,177     $   72,475     $   55,449  
Nonoperating items, net of income tax benefit   1,465         3,813         12,486         5,782         —  
Income tax resulting from re-measurement of deferred tax asset           —         —         —         19,520  
Operating earnings  $   97,705     $   87,691     $   83,663     $   78,257     $   74,969  
PERIOD-END BALANCE SHEET DATA                                    
Loans   $   20,026,411     $   19,543,717     $   19,370,917     $   19,092,504     $   19,004,163  
Securities       5,670,584         5,987,447         6,113,873         5,930,076         5,888,380  
Earning assets     25,836,239         25,668,281         25,625,047         25,105,948         25,024,792  
Total assets     28,235,907         28,098,175         27,925,447         27,297,337         27,336,086  
Noninterest-bearing deposits   8,499,027         8,140,530         8,165,796         8,230,060         8,307,497  
Total deposits     23,150,185         22,417,807         22,235,338         22,485,722         22,253,202  
Common shareholders’ equity     3,081,340         2,978,878         2,929,555         2,896,038         2,884,949  
AVERAGE BALANCE SHEET DATA                                    
Loans   $   19,817,729     $   19,464,639     $   19,193,234     $   19,028,490     $   18,839,537  
Securities (b)     5,965,461         6,186,410         6,032,058         5,897,290         5,801,451  
Earning assets     26,011,183         25,832,372         25,391,025         25,106,283         24,812,676  
Total assets     28,259,963         28,026,923         27,485,052         27,237,077         26,973,507  
Noninterest-bearing deposits   8,260,487         8,017,353         8,149,521         7,951,121         8,095,563  
Total deposits     22,498,145         22,021,559         22,101,474         22,043,419         21,762,757  
Common shareholders’ equity     2,993,265         2,952,431         2,908,997         2,872,813         2,867,475  
COMMON SHARE DATA                                    
Earnings per share – diluted $   1.10     $   0.96     $   0.82     $   0.83     $   0.64  
Cash dividends per share     0.27         0.27         0.24         0.24         0.24  
Book value per share (period-end)   35.98         34.90         34.33         33.96         33.86  
Tangible book value per share (period-end)   25.62         24.44         24.66         24.22         24.05  
Weighted average number of shares – diluted   85,677         85,539         85,483         85,423         85,303  
Period-end number of shares   85,643         85,364         85,335         85,285         85,200  
Market data                                      
High sales price $   49.22     $   53.00     $   55.00     $   56.40     $   53.35  
Low sales price     32.59         46.05         45.76         49.48         46.18  
Period-end closing price    34.77         47.55         46.65         51.70         49.50  
Trading volume     33,269         28,332         35,705         35,370         29,308  
PERFORMANCE RATIOS                                    
Return on average assets    1.35 %       1.19 %       1.04 %       1.08 %       0.82 %
Return on average common equity   12.76 %       11.27 %       9.81 %       10.23 %       7.67 %
Return on average tangible common equity       18.15 %       16.11 %       13.72 %       14.41 %       10.81 %
Tangible common equity ratio (c)   8.02 %       7.67 %       7.76 %       7.80 %       7.73 %
Net interest margin (TE) (d)   3.39 %       3.36 %       3.40 %       3.37 %       3.48 %
Average loan/deposit ratio   88.09 %       88.39 %       86.84 %       86.32 %       86.57 %
Allowance for loan losses as a percent of period-end loans       0.97 %       1.10 %       1.11 %       1.10 %       1.14 %
Annualized net charge-offs to average loans        0.56 %       0.14 %       0.11 %       0.26 %       0.44 %
Allowance for loan losses to nonperforming loans + accruing loans 90 days past due       58.60 %       55.25 %       53.35 %       46.37 %       54.18 %
Select performance measures excluding nonoperating items                                  
Operating earnings per share – diluted (d) $   1.12     $   1.01     $   0.96     $   0.90     $   0.86  
Return on average assets – operating   1.37 %       1.24 %       1.22 %       1.17 %       1.10 %
Return on average common equity – operating   12.95 %       11.78 %       11.54 %       11.05 %       10.37 %
Return on average tangible common equity – operating       18.43 %       16.84 %       16.12 %       15.56 %       14.62 %
Efficiency ratio (e)     58.03 %       58.11 %       57.40 %       57.51 %       56.57 %
Noninterest income as a percent of total revenue (TE) – operating   25.03 %       25.70 %       24.20 %       24.33 %       24.31 %
FTE headcount     3,933         3,858         3,780         3,775         3,887  
                                         

(a) Taxable equivalent (TE) amounts are calculated using a federal income tax rate of 21% for the three months ended December 31, 2018, September 30, 2018, June 30, 2018 and March 31, 2018, and 35% for the three months ended December 31, 2017.

(b) Average securities does not include unrealized holding gains/losses on available for sale securities.

(c) The tangible common equity ratio is common shareholders’ equity less intangible assets divided by total assets less intangible assets.

(d) Refer to Appendix A for reconciliation of this non-GAAP measure.

(e) The efficiency ratio is noninterest expense to total net interest income (TE) and noninterest income, excluding amortization of purchased intangibles and nonoperating items.

For more information
Trisha Voltz Carlson, EVP, Investor Relations Manager
504.299.5208 or [email protected]