SAN ANTONIO, Jan. 30, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. today reported solid fourth quarter earnings and record-high annual earnings for the full year of 2012, as the Texas financial services leader continues to operate profitably in the face of regulatory and rate challenges and a sluggish but slowly improving economy. For the first time, the company exceeded $23 billion in assets, a 72 percent increase over year-end 2007.

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Cullen/Frost reported net income for the fourth quarter of 2012 of $60.2 million, or $. 97 per diluted common share, compared to fourth quarter 2011 earnings of $55.4 million, or $. 90 per diluted common share. For the fourth quarter of 2012, returns on average assets and equity were 1.09 percent and 9.84 percent respectively, compared to 1.12 percent and 9.74 percent for the same period of 2011.

The company also reported annual earnings for 2012 of $238.0 million, a 9.4 percent increase over 2011 earnings of $217.5 million. On a per-share basis, 2012 earnings were $3.86 per diluted common share, an increase of 9.0 percent compared to the $3.54 per diluted common share reported in 2011. For the year, returns on average assets and equity were 1.14 percent and 10.03 percent respectively, compared to the 1.17 percent and 10.01 percent reported in 2011.

At the end of the fourth quarter of 2012, Cullen/Frost saw non-performing assets decline by $15.7 million from the fourth quarter of 2011 and $19.7 million from the third quarter of 2012.

"For 2012, Cullen/Frost's annual earnings were at the highest level in company history, a tribute to the hard work of every Frost employee," said Dick Evans, Cullen/Frost chairman and CEO. "We are executing our plan well in an environment of ongoing economic, regulatory and rate challenges. I was especially pleased that average loans grew 5.1 percent for the year, as we are seeing the results of our efforts to add relationships and build our company during the recession. Both new and existing customers continue to demonstrate their confidence in the strength of our institution, spurring a $2.1 billion year-over-year growth in average deposits. Even with the persistent challenges of a near-zero rate environment, I was encouraged to see a 4 percent growth in net interest income. Our capital levels remain very strong."

"For the fourth quarter, we were able to grow both average loans and deposits by double digits, with loans rising by 11.2 percent, to $8.9 billion and deposits up by 14.2 percent, to $18.4 billion compared to the fourth quarter of 2011. We are encouraged by the opportunities we see to leverage our new relationships," Evans continued.

"Our credit disciplines remain strong, as demonstrated by a significant decline in non-performing assets this quarter, both from the fourth quarter of 2011 and the third quarter of 2012.

"We are fortunate to operate in Texas, a state whose economy once again outpaced that of the nation in 2012. Texas grew jobs at a strong 3.1 percent in 2012, compared to the U.S. average of 1.4 percent.

"We are beginning to see some clarity with regard to the impact on business of the new health care law. But persistent uncertainty—fueled by concerns about the pace of the recovery and decisions coming out of Washington—is keeping many businesses on the sidelines, delaying hiring or capital expenditure decisions."

Well-respected third parties continue to validate Frost's service, culture and performance. Adding to high rankings Frost has received from J.D. Power and Associates and Greenwich Associates in 2012,  Moody's published bank  financial strength ratings rank Frost Bank with the highest rating in the U.S.  Along with the bank's A+ credit rating from Standard and Poor's, this reinforces Frost's strong capital, liquidity and solid credit performance. 

"Although regulatory reform is impacting all financial services companies, Cullen/Frost's culture and value proposition are enabling us to expand our customer base, increase profitability and bring value to shareholders. We have paid and increased the dividend we pay shareholders for 18 consecutive years.

Evans said the company opened three new financial centers in 2012, including two in Houston and one in Austin. Frost also reinforced its commitment to customer convenience by increasing its ATM network to more than 1,100 through its partnership with Valero Corner Stores and Cardtronics.

"As always, our outstanding employees bring their own skills, dedication and experience to the Frost culture. I thank them for their commitment to our company."

For the year ended December 31, 2012, average annual total loans were $8.5 billion, a 5.1 percent increase from the $8.0 billion reported the previous year. Average annual total deposits for 2012 rose to $17.3 billion, up 13.6 percent, or $2.1 billion, over the $15.2 billion reported in 2011. Net interest income on a taxable-equivalent basis increased to $668.2 million, up 4.1 percent over the $642.1 million reported a year earlier, reflecting the impact of the increasing volume of earning assets. For 2012, non-interest income was $288.8 million, compared to $290.0 million reported for 2011, while non-interest expense increased 3.0 percent over the previous year to $575.1 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 2012 were 13.68 percent and 15.11 percent, respectively and are in excess of well-capitalized levels.  The ratio of tangible common equity to tangible assets was 8.30 percent at the end of the fourth quarter of 2012, compared to 8.82 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. Our current capital levels would result in our meeting today the fully phased-in Basel III capital requirements proposed by the U.S. bank regulators.
• Net interest income on a taxable-equivalent basis for the fourth quarter totaled $172.2 million, an increase of 4.1 percent compared to the $165.3 million reported for the fourth quarter of 2011. 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 3.48 percent for the fourth quarter, compared to 3.76 percent for the fourth quarter of 2011 and 3.54 percent for the third quarter of 2012.
• Non-interest income for the fourth quarter of 2012 was $75.9 million, an increase of $8.2 million from the $67.7 million reported a year earlier. During the fourth quarter, Cullen/Frost recorded a $4.4 million gain on the sale of $596 million in short term treasuries. Trust and investment management fees were $20.5 million, up $1.7 million or 8.9 percent compared to $18.9 million a year earlier. Impacting trust fees was a $497,000 increase in investment fees, which are generally assessed based on the market value of trust assets that are managed and held in custody. Trust assets were $26.2 billion at the end of the fourth quarter of 2012, compared to $25.2 billion at December 31, 2011. Trust fees were also positively impacted by higher oil and gas fees ($165,000) and real estate fees ($171,000) from the fourth quarter of 2011. Insurance commissions and fees rose $986,000 to $8.4 million, from $7.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2011, with most of this increase the result of new business and rate increases.
• Non-interest expense for the fourth quarter of 2012 was $146.1 million, up $2.2 million or 1.6 percent from the $143.8 million reported for the fourth quarter of 2011. Salaries were up $1.3 million over the same quarter a year earlier as a result of normal annual merit and market increases and incentive compensation. Other expense was $36.0 million, a $464,000 decrease from the $36.4 million reported for the fourth quarter of 2011.
• For the fourth quarter of 2012, the provision for loan losses was $4.1 million, compared to net charge-offs of $5.1 million. For the fourth quarter of 2011, the provision for loan losses was zero, compared to net charge offs of $5.3 million. The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans was 1.13 percent at December 31, 2012, compared to 1.38 percent at year-end 2011. Non-performing assets were $105.2 million at year-end, compared to $124.9 million the previous quarter, and $120.9 million at year-end 2011.

Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. will host a conference call on Wednesday, January 30, 2013 at 10 a.m. 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 p.m. CT until midnight Sunday, February 3, 2013 at 855-859-2056, with the Conference ID# of 87416492. The call will also be available by webcast on the company's website, frostbank.com, and available for playback after 2 p.m. 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 $23.1 billion in assets at December 31, 2012. Among the top 50 largest U.S. banks and one of 24 banks included in the KBW Bank Index, Frost provides a wide range of banking, investments and insurance services to businesses and individuals across Texas 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.

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.

Greg Parker
Investor Relations
210/220-5632
or
Renee Sabel
Media Relations
210/220-5416

SOURCE Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc.