Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

 

 

United States

Securities and Exchange Commission

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

Form 10-Q

 

 

 

x Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the quarterly period ended: March 31, 2010

Or

 

¨ Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the transition period from              to             

Commission file number: 001-13221

 

 

Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Texas   74-1751768

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

100 W. Houston Street, San Antonio, Texas   78205
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip code)

(210) 220-4011

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

N/A

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer   x    Accelerated filer   ¨
Non-accelerated filer   ¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

As of April 22, 2010, there were 60,543,712 shares of the registrant’s Common Stock, $.01 par value, outstanding.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc.

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

March 31, 2010

Table of Contents

 

          Page
Part I - Financial Information   

Item 1.

   Financial Statements (Unaudited)   
   Consolidated Statements of Income    3
   Consolidated Balance Sheets    4
   Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity    5
   Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows    6
   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements    7

Item 2.

   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    24

Item 3.

   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk    44

Item 4.

   Controls and Procedures    44
Part II - Other Information   

Item 1.

   Legal Proceedings    45

Item 1A.

   Risk Factors    45

Item 2.

   Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds    45

Item 3.

   Defaults Upon Senior Securities    45

Item 4.

   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders    45

Item 5.

   Other Information    45

Item 6.

   Exhibits    45
Signatures    46

 

2


Table of Contents

Part I. Financial Information

 

Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)

Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Income

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
     2010    2009

Interest income:

     

Loans, including fees

   $ 102,512    $ 108,292

Securities:

     

Taxable

     29,075      33,101

Tax-exempt

     19,709      12,282

Interest-bearing deposits

     855      262

Federal funds sold and resell agreements

     10      119
             

Total interest income

     152,161      154,056

Interest expense:

     

Deposits

     8,561      16,586

Federal funds purchased and repurchase agreements

     58      387

Junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures

     1,773      1,807

Other long-term borrowings

     4,185      5,644
             

Total interest expense

     14,577      24,424

Net interest income

     137,584      129,632

Provision for possible loan losses

     13,571      9,601
             

Net interest income after provision for possible loan losses

     124,013      120,031

Non-interest income:

     

Trust fees

     16,963      15,969

Service charges on deposit accounts

     24,809      24,910

Insurance commissions and fees

     11,138      10,751

Other charges, commissions and fees

     6,919      6,762

Net gain (loss) on securities transactions

     5      —  

Other

     11,559      11,472
             

Total non-interest income

     71,393      69,864

Non-interest expense:

     

Salaries and wages

     60,275      56,776

Employee benefits

     14,521      15,240

Net occupancy

     11,135      10,690

Furniture and equipment

     11,489      10,363

Deposit insurance

     5,443      4,376

Intangible amortization

     1,333      1,781

Other

     30,398      30,273
             

Total non-interest expense

     134,594      129,499
             

Income before income taxes

     60,812      60,396

Income taxes

     12,994      15,414
             

Net income

   $ 47,818    $ 44,982
             

Earnings per common share:

     

Basic

   $ 0.79    $ 0.76

Diluted

     0.79      0.76

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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Table of Contents

Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

     March 31,
2010
    December 31,
2009
    March 31,
2009
 

Assets:

      

Cash and due from banks

   $ 493,777      $ 558,490      $ 496,295   

Interest-bearing deposits

     2,059,720        1,157,699        631,809   

Federal funds sold and resell agreements

     6,240        5,290        87,675   
                        

Total cash and cash equivalents

     2,559,737        1,721,479        1,215,779   

Securities held to maturity, at amortized cost

     5,923        6,115        6,755   

Securities available for sale, at estimated fair value

     4,713,349        4,884,257        4,008,486   

Trading account securities

     16,611        16,126        16,246   

Loans, net of unearned discounts

     8,189,591        8,367,780        8,778,662   

Less: Allowance for possible loan losses

     (125,369     (125,309     (114,168
                        

Net loans

     8,064,222        8,242,471        8,664,494   

Premises and equipment, net

     322,721        324,098        285,751   

Goodwill

     527,684        527,684        527,197   

Other intangible assets, net

     18,127        19,460        23,557   

Cash surrender value of life insurance policies

     126,501        125,405        122,359   

Accrued interest receivable and other assets

     406,105        420,943        460,570   
                        

Total assets

   $ 16,760,980      $ 16,288,038      $ 15,331,194   
                        

Liabilities:

      

Deposits:

      

Non-interest-bearing demand deposits

   $ 4,887,224      $ 4,645,802      $ 4,247,458   

Interest-bearing deposits

     8,846,524        8,667,508        7,785,673   
                        

Total deposits

     13,733,748        13,313,310        12,033,131   

Federal funds purchased and repurchase agreements

     481,453        482,048        634,475   

Junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures

     136,084        136,084        136,084   

Other long-term borrowings

     256,558        256,562        486,575   

Accrued interest payable and other liabilities

     203,897        205,610        237,630   
                        

Total liabilities

     14,811,740        14,393,614        13,527,895   

Shareholders’ Equity:

      

Preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share; 10,000,000 shares authorized; none issued

     —          —          —     

Junior participating preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share; 250,000 shares authorized; none issued

     —          —          —     

Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; 210,000,000 shares authorized; 60,443,221, shares issued at March 31, 2010 and 60,236,862 shares issued at December 31, 2009 and March 31, 2009

     605        602        602   

Additional paid-in capital

     613,989        600,355        592,159   

Retained earnings

     1,170,642        1,150,103        1,100,030   

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

     164,004        154,205        153,733   

Treasury stock, 198,586 shares at December 31, 2009 and 813,579 shares at March 31, 2009, at cost

     —          (10,841     (43,225
                        

Total shareholders’ equity

     1,949,240        1,894,424        1,803,299   
                        

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 16,760,980      $ 16,288,038      $ 15,331,194   
                        

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2010     2009  

Total shareholders’ equity at beginning of period

   $ 1,894,424      $ 1,763,527   

Comprehensive income:

    

Net income

     47,818        44,982   

Other comprehensive income (loss):

    

Change in accumulated gain/loss on effective cash flow hedging derivatives of $3,469 in 2010 and $(8,318) in 2009, net of tax effect of $1,214 in 2010 and $(2,911) in 2009

     2,255        (5,407

Change in unrealized gain/loss on securities available for sale of $10,883 in 2010 and $32,551 in 2009, net of reclassification adjustment of $(5) in 2010 and tax effect of $3,807 in 2010 and $11,393 in 2009

     7,071        21,158   

Change in the net actuarial gain/loss on defined benefit post-retirement benefit plans of $728 in 2010 and $1,058 in 2009, net of tax effect of $255 in 2010 and $370 in 2009

     473        688   
                

Total other comprehensive income

     9,799        16,439   
                

Total comprehensive income

     57,617        61,421   

Stock option exercises (337,575 shares in 2010 and 6,850 shares in 2009)

     15,865        215   

Stock compensation expense recognized in earnings

     3,648        3,024   

Tax benefits related to stock compensation

     44        70   

Purchase of treasury stock (3,406 shares in 2010)

     (193     —     

Treasury stock issued/sold to the 401(k) stock purchase plan (40,019 shares in 2010)

     2,069        —     

Common stock issued/sold to the 401(k) stock purchase plan (30,757 shares in 2010)

     1,688        —     

Cash dividends ($0.43 per share in 2010 and $0.42 per share in 2009)

     (25,922     (24,958
                

Total shareholders’ equity at end of period

   $ 1,949,240      $ 1,803,299   
                

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Dollars in thousands)

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2010     2009  

Operating Activities:

    

Net income

   $ 47,818      $ 44,982   

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities:

    

Provision for possible loan losses

     13,571        9,601   

Deferred tax expense (benefit)

     (393     (2,181

Accretion of loan discounts

     (2,687     (3,314

Securities premium amortization (discount accretion), net

     2,497        345   

Net (gain) loss on securities transactions

     (5     —     

Depreciation and amortization

     8,970        8,817   

Net (gain) loss on sale of loans held for sale and other assets

     1,864        256   

Stock-based compensation expense

     3,648        3,024   

Net tax benefit (deficiency) from stock-based compensation

     (215     6   

Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation

     (259     (64

Earnings on life insurance policies

     (1,096     (1,273

Net change in:

    

Trading account securities

     (485     (1,694

Loans held for sale

     5,537        19   

Accrued interest receivable and other assets

     10,488        77,238   

Accrued interest payable and other liabilities

     (4,067     (63,953
                

Net cash from operating activities

     85,186        71,809   

Investing Activities:

    

Securities held to maturity:

    

Maturities, calls and principal repayments

     190        193   

Securities available for sale:

    

Purchases

     (7,068,993     (599,011

Sales

     6,998,743        —     

Maturities, calls and principal repayments

     249,546        177,260   

Net change in loans

     158,517        59,764   

Net cash paid in acquisitions

     —          (750

Proceeds from sales of premises and equipment

     577        1   

Purchases of premises and equipment

     (4,440     (23,959

Benefits received on life insurance policies

     —          111   

Proceeds from sales of repossessed properties

     8,235        2,321   
                

Net cash from investing activities

     342,375        (384,070

Financing Activities:

    

Net change in deposits

     420,438        524,194   

Net change in short-term borrowings

     (595     (438,804

Proceeds from long-term borrowings

     —          230,000   

Principal payments on long-term borrowings

     (4     (2

Proceeds from stock option exercises

     15,865        215   

Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation

     259        64   

Purchase of treasury stock

     (193     —     

Common stock/treasury stock sold to the 401(k) stock purchase plan

     849        —     

Cash dividends paid

     (25,922     (24,958
                

Net cash from financing activities

     410,697        290,709   
                

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

     838,258        (21,552

Cash and equivalents at beginning of period

     1,721,479        1,237,331   
                

Cash and equivalents at end of period

   $ 2,559,737      $ 1,215,779   
                

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Table amounts are stated in thousands, except for share and per share amounts)

Note 1 - Significant Accounting Policies

Nature of Operations. Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. (Cullen/Frost) is a financial holding company and a bank holding company headquartered in San Antonio, Texas that provides, through its subsidiaries, a broad array of products and services throughout numerous Texas markets. In addition to general commercial and consumer banking, other products and services offered include trust and investment management, investment banking, insurance, brokerage, leasing, asset-based lending, treasury management and item processing.

Basis of Presentation. The consolidated financial statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q include the accounts of Cullen/Frost and all other entities in which Cullen/Frost has a controlling financial interest (collectively referred to as the “Corporation”). All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The accounting and financial reporting policies the Corporation follows conform, in all material respects, to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and to general practices within the financial services industry.

The consolidated financial statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q have not been audited by an independent registered public accounting firm, but in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the Corporation’s financial position and results of operations. All such adjustments were of a normal and recurring nature. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Accordingly, the financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for complete financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements, and notes thereto, for the year ended December 31, 2009, included in the Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 2, 2010 (the “2009 Form 10-K”). Operating results for the interim periods disclosed herein are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for a full year or any future period. The Corporation has evaluated subsequent events for potential recognition and/or disclosure through the date the consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q were issued.

Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The allowance for possible loan losses, the fair value of stock-based compensation awards, the fair values of financial instruments and the status of contingencies are particularly subject to change.

Cash Flow Reporting. Cash paid for interest totaled $20.4 million and $29.7 million during the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009. Cash paid for income taxes totaled $997 thousand and $38 thousand during the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009. Significant non-cash transactions during the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 included transfers of loans to other real estate owned and foreclosed assets in connection with loan foreclosures totaling $5.4 million during 2010 and $3.3 million during 2009, common stock/treasury stock issued to the Corporation’s 401(k) plan in connection with matching contributions totaling $2.9 million during 2010 and loans to facilitate the sale of other real estate owned totaling $1.9 million in 2010.

Comprehensive Income. Comprehensive income includes all changes in shareholders’ equity during a period, except those resulting from transactions with shareholders. Besides net income, other components of the Corporation’s comprehensive income include the after tax effect of changes in the net unrealized gain/loss on securities available for sale, changes in the net actuarial gain/loss on defined benefit post-retirement benefit plans and changes in the accumulated gain/loss on effective cash flow hedging instruments. Comprehensive income for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 is reported in the accompanying consolidated statements of changes in shareholders’ equity.

Reclassifications. Certain items in prior financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation.

 

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Note 2 - Securities

A summary of the amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities, excluding trading securities, is presented below.

 

     March 31, 2010    December 31, 2009
     Amortized
Cost
   Gross
Unrealized
Gains
   Gross
Unrealized
Losses
   Estimated
Fair  Value
   Amortized
Cost
   Gross
Unrealized
Gains
   Gross
Unrealized
Losses
   Estimated
Fair  Value

Securities Held to Maturity:

                       

Residential mortgage-backed securities

   $ 4,923    $ 152    $ —      $ 5,075    $ 5,115    $ 141    $ —      $ 5,256

Other

     1,000      —        —        1,000      1,000      —        —        1,000
                                                       

Total

   $ 5,923    $ 152    $ —      $ 6,075    $ 6,115    $ 141    $ —      $ 6,256
                                                       

Securities Available for Sale:

                       

U. S. Treasury

   $ 399,711    $ 1,132    $ —      $ 400,843    $ 399,444    $ 811    $ —      $ 400,255

Residential mortgage-backed securities

     2,299,793      102,190      28      2,401,955      2,491,579      89,740      4,010      2,577,309

States and political subdivisions

     1,795,616      79,266      2,397      1,872,485      1,785,914      83,894      1,150      1,868,658

Other

     38,066      —        —        38,066      38,035      —        —        38,035
                                                       

Total

   $ 4,533,186    $ 182,588    $ 2,425    $ 4,713,349    $ 4,714,972    $ 174,445    $ 5,160    $ 4,884,257
                                                       

All mortgage-backed securities included in the above table were issued by U.S. government agencies and corporations. Securities with limited marketability, such as stock in the Federal Reserve Bank and the Federal Home Loan Bank, are carried at cost and are reported as other available for sale securities in the above table. Securities with a carrying value totaling $1.9 billion at both March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 were pledged to secure public funds, trust deposits, repurchase agreements and for other purposes, as required or permitted by law.

Sales of securities available for sale were as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
     2010    2009

Proceeds from sales

   $ 6,998,743    $ —  

Gross realized gains

     7      —  

Gross realized losses

     2      —  

As of March 31, 2010, securities, with unrealized losses segregated by length of impairment, were as follows:

 

     Less than 12 Months    More than 12 Months    Total
     Estimated
Fair  Value
   Unrealized
Losses
   Estimated
Fair  Value
   Unrealized
Losses
   Estimated
Fair  Value
   Unrealized
Losses

Available for Sale

                 

Residential mortgage-backed securities

   $ 120,096    $ 28    $ —      $ —      $ 120,096    $ 28

States and political subdivisions

     248,595      2,319      2,008      78      250,603      2,397
                                         

Total

   $ 368,691    $ 2,347    $ 2,008    $ 78    $ 370,699    $ 2,425
                                         

Declines in the fair value of held-to-maturity and available-for-sale securities below their cost that are deemed to be other than temporary are reflected in earnings as realized losses to the extent the impairment is related to credit losses. The amount of the impairment related to other factors is recognized in other comprehensive income. In estimating other-than-temporary impairment losses, management considers, among other things, (i) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, (ii) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, and (iii) the intent and ability of the Corporation to retain its investment in the issuer for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in cost.

Management has the ability and intent to hold the securities classified as held to maturity in the table above until they mature, at which time the Corporation will receive full value for the securities. Furthermore, as of March 31, 2010, management does not have the intent to sell any of the securities classified as available for sale in the table above and believes that it is more likely than not that the Corporation will not have to sell any such securities before a recovery of cost. Any unrealized losses are largely due to increases in market interest rates over the yields available at the time the underlying securities were purchased. The fair value is expected to recover as the bonds approach their maturity date or repricing date or if market yields for such investments decline. Management does not believe any of the securities are impaired due to reasons of credit quality. Accordingly, as of March 31, 2010, management believes the impairments detailed in the table above are temporary and no impairment loss has been realized in the Corporation’s consolidated income statement.

 

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The amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities, excluding trading securities, at March 31, 2010 are presented below by contractual maturity. Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations. Mortgage-backed securities and equity securities are shown separately since they are not due at a single maturity date.

 

     Held to Maturity    Available for Sale
     Amortized
Cost
   Estimated
Fair  Value
   Amortized
Cost
   Estimated
Fair  Value

Due in one year or less

   $ —      $ —      $ 222,517    $ 222,871

Due after one year through five years

     1,000      1,000      264,272      267,971

Due after five years through ten years

     —        —        144,603      149,926

Due after ten years

     —        —        1,563,935      1,632,560

Mortgage-backed securities

     4,923      5,075      2,299,793      2,401,955

Equity securities

     —        —        38,066      38,066
                           

Total

   $ 5,923    $ 6,075    $ 4,533,186    $ 4,713,349
                           

Trading account securities, at estimated fair value, consisted of $16.6 million and $16.1 million of U.S. Treasury securities at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. The net gain on trading account securities, which includes amounts realized from sale transactions and mark-to-market adjustments, totaled $534 thousand and $398 thousand during the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009.

Note 3 - Loans

Loans were as follows:

 

     March 31,
2010
    Percentage
of Total
    December 31,
2009
    Percentage
of Total
    March 31,
2009
    Percentage
of Total
 

Commercial and industrial:

            

Commercial

   $ 3,466,706      42.3   $ 3,577,758      42.7   $ 3,878,789      44.2

Leases

     185,540      2.3        197,605      2.4        202,239      2.3   

Asset-based

     118,342      1.5        117,213      1.4        90,314      1.0   
                                          

Total commercial and industrial

     3,770,588      46.1        3,892,576      46.5        4,171,342      47.5   

Real estate:

            

Construction:

            

Commercial

     635,146      7.8        659,459      7.9        716,117      8.2   

Consumer

     26,876      0.3        30,325      0.4        53,472      0.6   

Land:

            

Commercial

     235,536      2.9        259,200      3.1        334,212      3.8   

Consumer

     2,008      —          1,677      —          1,664      —     

Commercial mortgages

     2,333,703      28.5        2,327,471      27.8        2,293,317      26.1   

1-4 family residential mortgages

     66,368      0.8        66,351      0.8        80,374      0.9   

Home equity and other consumer

     720,561      8.8        730,079      8.7        720,579      8.2   
                                          

Total real estate

     4,020,198      49.1        4,074,562      48.7        4,199,735      47.8   

Consumer:

            

Student loans held for sale

     18,771      0.2        24,201      0.3        30,044      0.3   

Other

     336,604      4.1        346,255      4.2        343,164      4.0   

Other

     64,732      0.8        52,406      0.6        60,607      0.7   

Unearned discounts

     (21,302   (0.3     (22,220   (0.3     (26,230   (0.3
                                          

Total loans

   $ 8,189,591      100.0   $ 8,367,780      100.0   $ 8,778,662      100.0
                                          

 

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Concentrations of Credit. Most of the Corporation’s lending activity occurs within the State of Texas, including the four largest metropolitan areas of Austin, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Houston and San Antonio as well as other markets. The majority of the Corporation’s loan portfolio consists of commercial and industrial and commercial real estate loans. As of March 31, 2010, there were no concentrations of loans related to any single industry in excess of 10% of total loans.

Student Loans Held for Sale. Student loans are primarily originated for resale on the secondary market. These loans, which are generally sold on a non-recourse basis, are carried at the lower of cost or market on an aggregate basis. During the second quarter of 2008, the Corporation elected to discontinue the origination of student loans for resale, aside from previously outstanding commitments.

Foreign Loans. The Corporation has U.S. dollar denominated loans and commitments to borrowers in Mexico. The outstanding balance of these loans and the unfunded amounts available under these commitments were not significant at March 31, 2010 or December 31, 2009.

Non-Performing/Past Due Loans. Loans are placed on non-accrual status when, in management’s opinion, the borrower may be unable to meet payment obligations, which typically occurs when principal or interest payments are more than 90 days past due. Non-accrual loans totaled $144.6 million at March 31, 2010 and $146.9 million at December 31, 2009. Accruing loans past due more than 90 days totaled $34.4 million at March 31, 2010 and $23.9 million at December 31, 2009.

Impaired Loans. Loans are considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable the Corporation will be unable to collect all amounts due in accordance with the original contractual terms of the loan agreement, including scheduled principal and interest payments. If a loan is impaired, a specific valuation allowance is allocated, if necessary, so that the loan is reported net, at the present value of estimated future cash flows using the loan’s existing rate or at the fair value of collateral if repayment is expected solely from the collateral. Interest payments on impaired loans are typically applied to principal unless collectibility of the principal amount is reasonably assured, in which case interest is recognized on a cash basis. Impaired loans, or portions thereof, are charged off when deemed uncollectible.

Impaired loans were as follows:

 

     March 31,
2010
   December 31,
2009
   March 31,
2009

Balance of impaired loans with no allocated allowance

   $ 74,671    $ 97,847    $ 60,394

Balance of impaired loans with an allocated allowance

     58,352      37,657      45,702
                    

Total recorded investment in impaired loans

   $ 133,023    $ 135,504    $ 106,096
                    

Amount of the allowance allocated to impaired loans

   $ 19,344    $ 12,444    $ 13,699
                    

The impaired loans included in the table above were primarily comprised of collateral dependent commercial and commercial real estate loans. The average recorded investment in impaired loans was $134.3 million during the three months ended March 31, 2010 and $82.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009. No interest income was recognized on these loans subsequent to their classification as impaired.

Allowance for Possible Loan Losses. The allowance for possible loan losses is a reserve established through a provision for possible loan losses charged to expense, which represents management’s best estimate of probable losses that have been incurred within the existing portfolio of loans. The allowance, in the judgment of management, is necessary to reserve for estimated loan losses and risks inherent in the loan portfolio. The level of the allowance reflects management’s continuing evaluation of industry concentrations, specific credit risks, loan loss experience, current loan portfolio quality, present economic, political and regulatory conditions and unidentified losses inherent in the current loan portfolio, as well as trends in the foregoing. Portions of the allowance may be allocated for specific credits; however, the entire allowance is available for any credit that, in management’s judgment, should be charged off. While management utilizes its best judgment and information available, the ultimate adequacy of the allowance is dependent upon a variety of factors beyond the Corporation’s control, including the performance of the Corporation’s loan portfolio, the economy, changes in interest rates and the view of the regulatory authorities toward loan classifications.

 

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Activity in the allowance for possible loan losses was as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2010     2009  

Balance at the beginning of the period

   $ 125,309      $ 110,244   

Provision for possible loan losses

     13,571        9,601   

Net charge-offs:

    

Losses charged to the allowance

     (15,806     (7,560

Recoveries of loans previously charged off

     2,295        1,883   
                

Net charge-offs

     (13,511     (5,677
                

Balance at the end of the period

   $ 125,369      $ 114,168   
                

Note 4 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill. Goodwill totaled $527.7 million at both March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009.

Other Intangible Assets. Other intangible assets totaled $18.1 million at March 31, 2010 including $15.0 million related to core deposits, $2.8 million related to customer relationships and $375 thousand related to non-compete agreements. Other intangible assets totaled $19.5 million at December 31, 2009 including $16.1million related to core deposits, $3.0 million related to customer relationships and $412 thousand related to non-compete agreements.

Amortization expense related to intangible assets totaled $1.3 million and $1.8 million during the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009. The estimated aggregate future amortization expense for intangible assets remaining as of March 31, 2010 is as follows:

 

Remainder of 2010

   $ 3,792

2011

     4,299

2012

     3,500

2013

     2,729

2014

     1,944

Thereafter

     1,863
      
   $ 18,127
      

Note 5 - Deposits

Deposits were as follows:

 

     March 31,
2010
   Percentage
of Total
    December 31,
2009
   Percentage
of Total
    March 31,
2009
   Percentage
of Total
 

Non-interest-bearing demand deposits:

               

Commercial and individual

   $ 4,452,690    32.4   $ 4,147,516    31.1   $ 3,771,136    31.3

Correspondent banks

     269,705    2.0        343,622    2.6        378,940    3.2   

Public funds

     164,829    1.2        154,664    1.2        97,382    0.8   
                                       

Total non-interest-bearing demand deposits

     4,887,224    35.6        4,645,802    34.9        4,247,458    35.3   

Interest-bearing deposits:

               

Private accounts:

               

Savings and interest checking

     2,244,506    16.4        2,291,374    17.2        1,952,147    16.2   

Money market accounts

     4,877,836    35.5        4,546,365    34.1        3,789,603    31.5   

Time accounts under $100,000

     658,055    4.8        669,397    5.0        765,229    6.4   

Time accounts of $100,000 or more

     609,327    4.4        685,973    5.2        929,598    7.7   

Public funds

     456,800    3.3        474,399    3.6        349,096    2.9   
                                       

Total interest-bearing deposits

     8,846,524    64.4        8,667,508    65.1        7,785,673    64.7   
                                       

Total deposits

   $ 13,733,748    100.0   $ 13,313,310    100.0   $ 12,033,131    100.0
                                       

At March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, interest-bearing public funds deposits included $225.6 million and $255.7 million in savings and interest checking accounts, $91.5 million and $86.9 million in money market accounts, $3.3 million and $4.2 million in time accounts under $100 thousand and $136.5 million and $127.6 million in time accounts of $100 thousand or more, respectively.

 

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Some of the Corporation’s interest-bearing deposits were obtained through brokered transactions and the Corporation’s participation in the Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Service (CDARS). Brokered money market deposits totaled $194.1 million at March 31, 2010 and $97.1 million at December 31, 2009. CDARS deposits totaled $113.0 million at March 31, 2010 and $115.6 million at December 31, 2009. Deposits from foreign sources, primarily Mexico, totaled $852.9 million at March 31, 2010 and $747.7 million at December 31, 2009.

Note 6 - Commitments and Contingencies

Financial Instruments with Off-Balance-Sheet Risk. In the normal course of business, the Corporation enters into various transactions, which, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles are not included in its consolidated balance sheets. The Corporation enters into these transactions to meet the financing needs of its customers. These transactions include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit, which involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk and interest rate risk in excess of the amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets. The Corporation minimizes its exposure to loss under these commitments by subjecting them to credit approval and monitoring procedures.

Commitments to Extend Credit. The Corporation enters into contractual commitments to extend credit, normally with fixed expiration dates or termination clauses, at specified rates and for specific purposes. Substantially all of the Corporation’s commitments to extend credit are contingent upon customers maintaining specific credit standards at the time of loan funding. Commitments to extend credit totaled $4.3 billion at March 31, 2010 and $4.4 billion at December 31, 2009.

Standby Letters of Credit. Standby letters of credit are written conditional commitments issued by the Corporation to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. In the event the customer does not perform in accordance with the terms of the agreement with the third party, the Corporation would be required to fund the commitment. The maximum potential amount of future payments the Corporation could be required to make is represented by the contractual amount of the commitment. If the commitment were funded, the Corporation would be entitled to seek recovery from the customer. The Corporation’s policies generally require that standby letter of credit arrangements contain security and debt covenants similar to those contained in loan agreements. Standby letters of credit totaled $264.4 million at March 31, 2010 and $267.7 million at December 31, 2009.

The Corporation considers the fees collected in connection with the issuance of standby letters of credit to be representative of the fair value of its obligation undertaken in issuing the guarantee. In accordance with applicable accounting standards related to guarantees, the Corporation defers fees collected in connection with the issuance of standby letters of credit. The fees are then recognized in income proportionately over the life of the standby letter of credit agreement. The Corporation had deferred standby letter of credit fees totaling $1.4 million at March 31, 2010 and $1.5 million at December 31, 2009, which represent the fair value of the Corporation’s potential obligations under the standby letter of credit guarantees.

Lease Commitments. The Corporation leases certain office facilities and office equipment under operating leases. Rent expense for all operating leases totaled $5.3 million and $5.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009. There has been no significant change in the future minimum lease payments payable by the Corporation since December 31, 2009. See the 2009 Form 10-K for information regarding these commitments.

Litigation. The Corporation is subject to various claims and legal actions that have arisen in the course of conducting business. Management does not expect the ultimate disposition of these matters to have a material adverse impact on the Corporation’s financial statements.

Note 7 - Regulatory Matters

Regulatory Capital Requirements. Banks and bank holding companies are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by state and federal banking agencies. Capital adequacy guidelines and, additionally for banks, prompt corrective action regulations, involve quantitative measures of assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance-sheet items calculated under regulatory accounting practices. Capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by regulators about components, risk weighting and other factors.

Quantitative measures established by regulations to ensure capital adequacy require the maintenance of minimum amounts and ratios (set forth in the table below) of total and Tier 1 capital (as defined in the regulations) to risk-weighted assets (as defined), and of Tier 1 capital to adjusted quarterly average assets (as defined).

 

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Cullen/Frost’s and Frost Bank’s Tier 1 capital consists of shareholders’ equity excluding unrealized gains and losses on securities available for sale, the accumulated gain or loss on effective cash flow hedging derivatives, the net actuarial gain/loss on the Corporation’s defined benefit post-retirement benefit plans, goodwill and other intangible assets. Tier 1 capital for Cullen/Frost also includes $132 million of trust preferred securities issued by unconsolidated subsidiary trusts. Cullen/Frost’s and Frost Bank’s total capital is comprised of Tier 1 capital for each entity plus $30 million of the Corporation’s aggregate $150 million of 6.875% subordinated notes payable (of which the permissible portion decreases 20% per year during the final five years of the term of the notes) and a permissible portion of the allowance for possible loan losses. The Corporation’s aggregate $100 million of 5.75% fixed-to-floating rate subordinated notes are not included in Tier 1 capital but are included in total capital of Cullen/Frost.

The Tier 1 and total capital ratios are calculated by dividing the respective capital amounts by risk-weighted assets. Risk-weighted assets are calculated based on regulatory requirements and include total assets, excluding goodwill and other intangible assets, allocated by risk weight category and certain off-balance-sheet items (primarily loan commitments). The leverage ratio is calculated by dividing Tier 1 capital by adjusted quarterly average total assets, which exclude goodwill and other intangible assets.

Actual and required capital ratios for Cullen/Frost and Frost Bank were as follows:

 

     Actual     Minimum Required
for Capital  Adequacy

Purposes
    Required to be  Well
Capitalized Under
Prompt Corrective
Action Regulations
 
     Capital
Amount
   Ratio     Capital
Amount
   Ratio     Capital
Amount
   Ratio  

March 31, 2010

               

Total Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets

               

Cullen/Frost

   $ 1,636,531    15.05   $ 870,032    8.00     N/A    N/A   

Frost Bank

     1,498,532    13.79        869,208    8.00      $ 1,086,510    10.00

Tier 1 Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets

               

Cullen/Frost

     1,381,162    12.70        435,016    4.00        N/A    N/A   

Frost Bank

     1,343,163    12.36        434,604    4.00        651,906    6.00   

Leverage Ratio

               

Cullen/Frost

     1,381,162    8.70        635,020    4.00        N/A    N/A   

Frost Bank

     1,343,163    8.47        634,360    4.00        792,950    5.00   

December 31, 2009

               

Total Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets

               

Cullen/Frost

   $ 1,590,391    14.19   $ 896,896    8.00     N/A    N/A   

Frost Bank

     1,474,190    13.16        896,242    8.00      $ 1,120,302    10.00

Tier 1 Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets

               

Cullen/Frost

     1,335,082    11.91        448,448    4.00        N/A    N/A   

Frost Bank

     1,318,881    11.77        448,121    4.00        672,181    6.00   

Leverage Ratio

               

Cullen/Frost

     1,335,082    8.50        628,007    4.00        N/A    N/A   

Frost Bank

     1,318,881    8.41        627,437    4.00        784,296    5.00   

Cullen/Frost believes that, as of March 31, 2009, its bank subsidiary, Frost Bank, was “well capitalized” based on the ratios presented above.

Cullen/Frost is subject to the regulatory capital requirements administered by the Federal Reserve, while Frost Bank is subject to the regulatory capital requirements administered by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Regulatory authorities can initiate certain mandatory actions if Cullen/Frost or Frost Bank fail to meet the minimum capital requirements, which could have a direct material effect on the Corporation’s financial statements. Management believes, as of March 31, 2010, that Cullen/Frost and Frost Bank meet all capital adequacy requirements to which they are subject.

Dividend Restrictions. In the ordinary course of business, Cullen/Frost is dependent upon dividends from Frost Bank to provide funds for the payment of dividends to shareholders and to provide for other cash requirements. Banking regulations may limit the amount of dividends that may be paid. Approval by regulatory authorities is required if the effect of dividends declared would cause the regulatory capital of Frost Bank to fall below specified minimum levels. Approval is also required if dividends declared exceed the net profits for that year combined with the retained net profits for the preceding two years. At March 31, 2010, Frost Bank could pay aggregate dividends of up to $222.7 million to Cullen/Frost without prior regulatory approval.

 

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Trust Preferred Securities. In accordance with the applicable accounting standard related to variable interest entities, the accounts of the Corporation’s wholly owned subsidiary trusts, Cullen/Frost Capital Trust II and Summit Bancshares Statutory Trust I, have not been included in the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements. However, the $132.0 million in trust preferred securities issued by these subsidiary trusts have been included in the Tier 1 capital of Cullen/Frost for regulatory capital purposes pursuant to guidance from the Federal Reserve Board.

Note 8 - Derivative Financial Instruments

The fair value of derivative positions outstanding is included in accrued interest receivable and other assets and accrued interest payable and other liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and in the net change in each of these financial statement line items in the accompanying consolidated statements of cash flows.

Interest Rate Derivatives. The Corporation utilizes interest rate swaps, caps and floors to mitigate exposure to interest rate risk and to facilitate the needs of its customers. The Corporation’s objectives for utilizing these derivative instruments is described below:

The Corporation has entered into certain interest rate swap contracts that are matched to specific fixed-rate commercial loans or leases that the Corporation has entered into with its customers. These contracts have been designated as hedging instruments to hedge the risk of changes in the fair value of the underlying commercial loan/lease due to changes in interest rates. The related contracts are structured so that the notional amounts reduce over time to generally match the expected amortization of the underlying loan/lease.

During 2007, the Corporation entered into three interest rate swap contracts on variable-rate loans with a total notional amount of $1.2 billion. The interest rate swap contracts were designated as hedging instruments in cash flow hedges with the objective of protecting the overall cash flows from the Corporation’s monthly interest receipts on a rolling portfolio of $1.2 billion of variable-rate loans outstanding throughout the 84-month period beginning in October 2007 and ending in October 2014 from the risk of variability of those cash flows such that the yield on the underlying loans would remain constant. As further discussed below, during November 2009, the Corporation settled portions of two of the interest rate swap contracts having a total notional amount of $400.0 million and concurrently terminated the hedge related to the interest cash flows on a rolling portfolio of $400.0 million of variable rate loans. Under the remaining hedge relationship, the desired constant yield is 7.559% in the case of the first contract (underlying loan pool totaling $350.0 million carrying an interest rate equal to Prime), 8.059% in the case of the second contract (underlying loan pool totaling $130.0 million carrying an interest rate equal to Prime plus a margin of 50 basis points) and 8.559% in the case of the third contract (underlying loan pool totaling $320.0 million carrying an interest rate equal to Prime plus a margin of 100 basis points). Under the swaps, the Corporation will receive a fixed interest rate of 7.559% and pay a variable interest rate equal to the daily Federal Reserve Statistical Release H-15 Prime Rate (“Prime”), with monthly settlements.

As stated above, during November 2009, the Corporation settled portions of two of the interest rate swap contracts having a total notional amount of $400.0 million and concurrently terminated the hedge related to the interest cash flows on a rolling portfolio of $400.0 million of variable rate loans. The deferred accumulated after-tax gain applicable to the settled portion of the two interest rate contracts included in accumulated other comprehensive income totaled $27.5 million at March 31, 2010. This amount will be reclassified into earnings during future periods when the formerly hedged transactions impact future earnings.

During 2008, the Corporation entered into an interest rate swap contract on junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures with a total notional amount of $120.0 million. The interest rate swap contract was designated as a hedging instrument in a cash flow hedge with the objective of protecting the quarterly interest payments on the Corporation’s $120.0 million of junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures issued to Cullen/Frost Capital Trust II throughout the five-year period beginning in December 2008 and ending in December 2013 from the risk of variability of those payments resulting from changes in the three-month LIBOR interest rate. Under the swap, the Corporation will pay a fixed interest rate of 5.47% and receive a variable interest rate of three-month LIBOR plus a margin of 1.55% on a total notional amount of $120.0 million, with quarterly settlements.

In January 2009, the Corporation entered into three interest rate swap contracts on FHLB advances with a total notional amount of $230.0 million. The interest rate swap contracts were designated as hedging instruments in cash flow hedges with the objective of protecting the forty quarterly interest payments on each of the Corporation’s variable-rate (three-month LIBOR plus a margin of 0.36%) FHLB advances which, in the aggregate, totaled $230.0 million throughout the forty quarterly periods beginning in January 2009 and ending in January 2019 from the risk of variability of those payments resulting from changes in the three-month LIBOR interest rate. Under the swaps, the Corporation would pay a weighted-average fixed interest rate of 2.85% and would receive a variable interest rate of three-month LIBOR plus a margin of 0.36% on a total notional amount of $230.0 million, with quarterly settlements. During October 2009, the Corporation elected to repay the $230.0 million of FHLB advances associated with the interest rate swaps. Upon repayment of the advances, the Corporation also terminated the interest rate swaps and recognized a $17.7 million gain representing the fair value of the interest rate swaps on the termination date.

 

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Table of Contents

The Corporation has entered into certain interest rate swap, cap and floor contracts that are not designated as hedging instruments. These derivative contracts relate to transactions in which the Corporation enters into an interest rate swap, cap and/or floor with a customer while at the same time entering into an offsetting interest rate swap, cap and/or floor with another financial institution. In connection with each swap transaction, the Corporation agrees to pay interest to the customer on a notional amount at a variable interest rate and receive interest from the customer on a similar notional amount at a fixed interest rate. At the same time, the Corporation agrees to pay another financial institution the same fixed interest rate on the same notional amount and receive the same variable interest rate on the same notional amount. The transaction allows the Corporation’s customer to effectively convert a variable rate loan to a fixed rate. Because the Corporation acts as an intermediary for its customer, changes in the fair value of the underlying derivative contracts for the most part offset each other and do not significantly impact the Corporation’s results of operations.

The notional amounts and estimated fair values of interest rate derivative contracts outstanding at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 are presented in the following table. The Corporation obtains dealer quotations to value its interest rate derivative contracts designated as hedges of cash flows, while the fair values of other interest rate derivative contracts are estimated utilizing internal valuation models with observable market data inputs.

 

     March 31, 2010     December 31, 2009  
     Notional
Amount
   Estimated
Fair Value
    Notional
Amount
   Estimated
Fair Value
 

Interest rate derivatives designated as hedges of fair value:

          

Commercial loan/lease interest rate swaps

   $ 123,575    $ (9,354   $ 134,808    $ (9,453

Interest rate derivatives designated as hedges of cash flows:

          

Interest rate swaps on variable-rate loans

     800,000      81,368        800,000      74,214   

Interest rate swap on junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures

     120,000      (8,321     120,000      (6,943

Non-hedging interest rate derivatives:

          

Commercial loan/lease interest rate swaps

     587,341      37,172        555,334      32,608   

Commercial loan/lease interest rate swaps

     587,341      (37,368     555,334      (32,786

Commercial loan/lease interest rate caps

     22,435      780        22,792      1,086   

Commercial loan/lease interest rate caps

     22,435      (780     22,792      (1,086

Commercial loan/lease interest rate floors

     2,435      18        2,792      40   

Commercial loan/lease interest rate floors

     2,435      (18     2,792      (40

The weighted-average rates paid and received for interest rate swaps outstanding at March 31, 2010 were as follows:

 

     Weighted-Average  
     Interest
Rate
Paid
    Interest
Rate
Received
 

Interest rate swaps:

    

Fair value hedge commercial loan/lease interest rate swaps

   4.86   0.23

Cash flow hedge interest rate swaps on variable-rate loans

   3.25      7.56   

Cash flow hedge interest rate swaps on junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures

   5.47      1.80   

Non-hedging interest rate swaps

   1.74      5.18   

Non-hedging interest rate swaps

   5.18      1.74   

The weighted-average strike rates for interest rate caps and floors outstanding at March 31, 2010 were as follows:

 

Non-hedging commercial loan/lease interest rate caps

   3.14

Non-hedging commercial loan/lease interest rate floors

   3.29   

 

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Table of Contents

Commodity Derivatives. The Corporation enters into commodity swaps and option contracts that are not designated as hedging instruments primarily to accommodate the business needs of its customers. Upon the origination of a commodity swap or option contract with a customer, the Corporation simultaneously enters into an offsetting contract with a third party to mitigate the exposure to fluctuations in commodity prices.

The notional amounts and estimated fair values of commodity derivative positions outstanding are presented in the following table. The Corporation obtains dealer quotations to value its commodity derivative positions.

 

     March 31, 2010     December 31, 2009  
    

Notional

Units

   Notional
Amount
   Estimated
Fair Value
    Notional
Amount
   Estimated
Fair Value
 

Non-hedging commodity swaps:

             

Oil

   Barrels    100    $ 816      71    $ 1,482   

Oil

   Barrels    100      (801   71      (1,468

Non-hedging commodity options:

             

Oil

   Barrels    1,442      7,885      1,726      11,581   

Oil

   Barrels    1,442      (7,885   1,726      (11,581

Natural gas

   MMBTUs    7,110      6,062      6,970      4,151   

Natural gas

   MMBTUs    7,110      (6,062   6,970      (4,151

Foreign Currency Derivatives. The Corporation enters into foreign currency forward contracts that are not designated as hedging instruments primarily to accommodate the business needs of its customers. Upon the origination of a foreign currency forward contract with a customer, the Corporation simultaneously enters into an offsetting contract with a third party to negate the exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. The notional amounts and fair values of open foreign currency forward contracts were not significant at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009.

Gains, Losses and Derivative Cash Flows. For fair value hedges, the changes in the fair value of both the derivative hedging instrument and the hedged item are included in other non-interest income or other non-interest expense. The extent that such changes in fair value do not offset represents hedge ineffectiveness. Net cash flows from interest rate swaps on commercial loans/leases designated as hedging instruments in effective hedges of fair value are included in interest income on loans. For cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the gain or loss due to changes in the fair value of the derivative hedging instrument is included in other comprehensive income, while the ineffective portion (indicated by the excess of the cumulative change in the fair value of the derivative over that which is necessary to offset the cumulative change in expected future cash flows on the hedge transaction) is included in other non-interest income or other non-interest expense. Net cash flows from interest rate swaps on variable-rate loans designated as hedging instruments in effective hedges of cash flows are included in interest income on loans. Net cash flows from the interest rate swap on junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures designated as a hedging instrument in an effective hedge of cash flows are included in interest expense on junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures. Net cash flows from interest rate swaps on FHLB advances designated as hedging instruments in effective hedges of cash flows were included in interest expense on other long-term borrowings. For non-hedging derivative instruments, gains and losses due to changes in fair value and all cash flows are included in other non-interest income and other non-interest expense.

Amounts included in the consolidated statements of income related to interest rate derivatives designated as hedges of fair value were as follows:

 

     Three Months
Ended March 31,
 
     2010     2009  

Commercial loan/lease interest rate swaps:

    

Amount of gain (loss) included in interest income on loans

   $ (1,416   $ (1,468

Amount of loss included in other non-interest expense

     6        2   

 

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Amounts included in the consolidated statements of income and in other comprehensive income for the period related to interest rate derivatives designated as hedges of cash flows were as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2010     2009  

Interest rate swaps/caps/floors on variable-rate loans:

    

Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to interest income on loans

   $ 10,937      $ 12,952   

Amount of gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive income

     15,772        (2,803

Interest rate swaps on junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures:

    

Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to interest expense on junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures

     1,111        609   

Amount of gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive income

     (2,477     48   

Interest rate swaps on FHLB advances:

    

Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to interest expense on other long-term borrowings

     —          672   

Amount of gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive income

     —          6,108   

No ineffectiveness related to interest rate derivatives designated as hedges of cash flows was recognized in the consolidated statements of income during the reported periods. The accumulated net after-tax gain related to effective cash flow hedges included in accumulated other comprehensive income totaled $74.2 million at March 31, 2010 and $72.0 million at December 31, 2009. The Corporation currently expects approximately $19.3 million of the net after-tax gain related to effective cash flow hedges included in accumulated other comprehensive income at March 31, 2010 will be reclassified into earnings during the remainder of 2010. This amount represents management’s best estimate given current expectations about market interest rates. Because actual market interest rates may differ from management’s expectations, there can be no assurance as to the ultimate amount that will be reclassified into earnings during the remainder of 2010.

As stated above, the Corporation enters into non-hedge related derivative positions primarily to accommodate the business needs of its customers. Upon the origination of a derivative contract with a customer, the Corporation simultaneously enters into an offsetting derivative contract with a third party. The Corporation recognizes immediate income based upon the difference in the bid/ask spread of the underlying transactions with its customers and the third party. Because the Corporation acts only as an intermediary for its customer, subsequent changes in the fair value of the underlying derivative contracts for the most part offset each other and do not significantly impact the Corporation’s results of operations.

Amounts included in the consolidated statements of income related to non-hedging interest rate and commodity derivative instruments are presented in the table below. Amounts included in the consolidated statements of income related to foreign currency derivatives during the reported periods were not significant.

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
     2010    2009

Non-hedging interest rate derivatives:

     

Other non-interest income

   $ 702    $ 157

Other non-interest expense

     19      —  

Non-hedging commodity derivatives:

     

Other non-interest income

     20      112

Counterparty Credit Risk. Derivative contracts involve the risk of dealing with both bank customers and institutional derivative counterparties and their ability to meet contractual terms. Institutional counterparties must have an investment grade credit rating and be approved by the Corporation’s Asset/Liability Management Committee. The Corporation’s credit exposure on interest rate swaps is limited to the net favorable value and interest payments of all swaps by each counterparty, while the Corporation’s credit exposure on commodity swaps/options is limited to the net favorable value of all swaps/options by each counterparty. Credit exposure may be reduced by the amount of collateral pledged by the counterparty. There are no credit-risk-related contingent features associated with any of the Corporation’s derivative contracts.

 

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The Corporation’s credit exposure relating to interest rate swaps and commodity swaps/options with bank customers was approximately $38.1 million at March 31, 2010. This credit exposure is partly mitigated as transactions with customers are generally secured by the collateral, if any, securing the underlying transaction being hedged. The Corporation had no credit exposure, net of collateral pledged, relating to interest rate swaps and commodity swaps/options with upstream financial institution counterparties at March 31, 2010. Collateral levels for upstream financial institution counterparties are monitored and adjusted as necessary.

The aggregate fair value of securities posted as collateral by the Corporation related to derivative contracts totaled $17.6 million at March 31, 2010. At such date, the Corporation also had $7.6 million in cash collateral on deposit with other financial institution counterparties.

Note 9 - Earnings Per Common Share

Earnings per common share is computed using the two-class method. Basic earnings per common share is computed by dividing net earnings allocated to common stock by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the applicable period, excluding outstanding participating securities. Participating securities include non-vested stock awards and deferred stock units, though no actual shares of common stock related to deferred stock units have been issued. Non-vested stock awards and deferred stock units are considered participating securities because holders of these securities receive non-forfeitable dividends at the same rate as holders of the Corporation’s common stock. Diluted earnings per common share is computed using the weighted-average number of shares determined for the basic earnings per common share computation plus the dilutive effect of stock compensation using the treasury stock method.

The following table presents a reconciliation of the number of shares used in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per common share.

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
     2010    2009

Distributed earnings allocated to common stock

   $ 25,816    $ 24,859

Undistributed earnings allocated to common stock

     21,808      19,946
             

Net earnings allocated to common stock

   $ 47,624    $ 44,805
             

Weighted-average shares outstanding for basic earnings per common share

     59,972,214      59,188,559

Dilutive effect of stock compensation

     185,269      75,434
             

Weighted-average shares outstanding for diluted earnings per common share

     60,157,483      59,263,993
             

Note 10 - Stock-Based Compensation

A combined summary of activity in the Corporation’s active stock plans is presented in the following table.

 

           Non-Vested Stock
Awards Outstanding
   Stock Options
Outstanding
     Shares
Available
for Grant
    Number
of Shares
    Weighted-
Average
Grant-Date
Fair Value
   Number of
Shares
    Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price

Balance, January 1, 2010

   3,445,507      233,200      $ 52.27    4,600,455      $ 51.18

Granted

   —        —          —      —          —  

Stock options exercised

   —        —          —      (337,575     47.00

Stock awards vested

   —        (12,750     52.29    —          —  

Forfeited

   76,250      —          —      (76,250     51.62

Cancelled/expired

   (750   —          —      —          —  
                       

Balance, March 31, 2010

   3,521,007      220,450        52.27    4,186,630        51.51
                       

 

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During the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, proceeds from stock option exercises totaled $15.9 million and $215 thousand. During the three months ended March 31, 2010, 175,602 shares issued in connection with stock option exercises were new shares issued from available authorized shares, while 161,973 shares were issued from available treasury stock.

Stock-based compensation expense totaled $3.6 million and $3.0 million during the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009. Stock-based compensation expense is recognized ratably over the requisite service period for all awards. Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to stock options totaled $22.1 million at March 31, 2010, while unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to non-vested stock awards totaled $5.9 million at March 31, 2010.

Note 11 - Defined Benefit Plans

The components of the combined net periodic benefit cost (benefit) for the Corporation’s qualified and non-qualified defined benefit pension plans were as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2010     2009  

Expected return on plan assets, net of expenses

   $ (2,752   $ (2,282

Interest cost on projected benefit obligation

     1,931        1,993   

Net amortization and deferral

     728        1,058   
                

Net periodic benefit cost (benefit)

   $ (93   $ 769   
                

The Corporation’s non-qualified defined benefit pension plan is not funded. No contributions to the qualified defined benefit pension plan were made during the three months ended March 31, 2010. The Corporation does not expect to make any contributions during the remainder of 2010.

Note 12 - Income Taxes

Income tax expense was as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2010     2009  

Current income tax expense

   $ 13,387      $ 17,595   

Deferred income tax expense (benefit)

     (393     (2,181
                

Income tax expense as reported

   $ 12,994      $ 15,414   
                

Effective tax rate

     21.4     25.5
                

Net deferred tax liabilities totaled $65.4 million at March 31, 2010 and $60.5 million at December 31, 2009. No valuation allowance was recorded against deferred tax assets at March 31, 2010 as management believes that it is more likely than not that all of the deferred tax assets will be realized because they were supported by recoverable taxes paid in prior years.

The Corporation files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction. The Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2006.

Note 13 - Operating Segments

The Corporation is managed under a matrix organizational structure whereby significant lines of business, including Banking and the Financial Management Group (“FMG”), overlap a regional reporting structure. The regions are primarily based upon geographic location and include Austin, Corpus Christi, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, Rio Grande Valley, San Antonio and Statewide. The Corporation is primarily managed based on the line of business structure. In that regard, all regions have the same lines of business, which have the same product and service offerings, have similar types and classes of customers and utilize similar service delivery methods. Pricing guidelines for products and services are the same across all regions. The regional reporting structure is primarily a means to scale the lines of business to provide a local, community focus for customer relations and business development.

 

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The Corporation has two primary operating segments, Banking and FMG, that are delineated by the products and services that each segment offers. The Banking operating segment includes both commercial and consumer banking services, Frost Insurance Agency and Frost Securities, Inc. Commercial banking services are provided to corporations and other business clients and include a wide array of lending and cash management products. Consumer banking services include direct lending and depository services. Frost Insurance Agency provides insurance brokerage services to individuals and businesses covering corporate and personal property and casualty products, as well as group health and life insurance products. Frost Securities, Inc. provides advisory and private equity services to middle market companies. The FMG operating segment includes fee-based services within private trust, retirement services, and financial management services, including personal wealth management and brokerage services. The third operating segment, Non-Banks, is for the most part the parent holding company, as well as certain other insignificant non-bank subsidiaries of the parent that, for the most part, have little or no activity. The parent company’s principal activities include the direct and indirect ownership of the Corporation’s banking and non-banking subsidiaries and the issuance of debt and equity. Its principal source of revenue is dividends from its subsidiaries.

The accounting policies of each reportable segment are the same as those of the Corporation except for the following items, which impact the Banking and FMG segments: (i) expenses for consolidated back-office operations and general overhead-type expenses such as executive administration, accounting and internal audit are allocated to operating segments based on estimated uses of those services, (ii) income tax expense for the individual segments is calculated essentially at the statutory rate, and (iii) the parent company records the tax expense or benefit necessary to reconcile to the consolidated total.

The Corporation uses a match-funded transfer pricing process to assess operating segment performance. The process helps the Corporation to (i) identify the cost or opportunity value of funds within each business segment, (ii) measure the profitability of a particular business segment by relating appropriate costs to revenues, (iii) evaluate each business segment in a manner consistent with its economic impact on consolidated earnings, and (iv) enhance asset and liability pricing decisions.

Summarized operating results by segment were as follows:

 

     Banking    FMG    Non-Banks     Consolidated

Revenues from (expenses to) external customers:

          

Three months ended:

          

March 31, 2010

   $ 189,464    $ 22,410    $ (2,897   $ 208,977

March 31, 2009

     178,706      23,699      (2,909     199,496

Net income (loss):

          

Three months ended:

          

March 31, 2010

   $ 48,763    $ 1,303    $ (2,248   $ 47,818

March 31, 2009

     44,955      2,225      (2,198     44,982

Note 14 - Fair Value Measurements

The fair value of an asset or liability is the price that would be received to sell that asset or paid to transfer that liability in an orderly transaction occurring in the principal market (or most advantageous market in the absence of a principal market) for such asset or liability. In estimating fair value, the Corporation utilizes valuation techniques that are consistent with the market approach, the income approach and/or the cost approach. Such valuation techniques are consistently applied. Inputs to valuation techniques include the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. FASB ASC Topic 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy for valuation inputs that gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs. The fair value hierarchy is as follows:

 

   

Level 1 Inputs - Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date.

 

   

Level 2 Inputs - Inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These might include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (such as interest rates, volatilities, prepayment speeds, credit risks, etc.) or inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by market data by correlation or other means.

 

   

Level 3 Inputs - Unobservable inputs for determining the fair values of assets or liabilities that reflect an entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the assets or liabilities.

 

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In general, fair value is based upon quoted market prices, where available. If such quoted market prices are not available, fair value is based upon internally developed models that primarily use, as inputs, observable market-based parameters. Valuation adjustments may be made to ensure that financial instruments are recorded at fair value. These adjustments may include amounts to reflect counterparty credit quality and the Corporation’s creditworthiness, among other things, as well as unobservable parameters. Any such valuation adjustments are applied consistently over time. The Corporation’s valuation methodologies may produce a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values. While management believes the Corporation’s valuation methodologies are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different estimate of fair value at the reporting date. Furthermore, the reported fair value amounts have not been comprehensively revalued since the presentation dates, and therefore, estimates of fair value after the balance sheet date may differ significantly from the amounts presented herein. A more detailed description of the valuation methodologies used for assets and liabilities measured at fair value is set forth in the 2009 Form 10-K. Transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy are recognized on the actual date of the event or circumstances that caused the transfer, which generally coincides with the Corporation’s monthly and/or quarterly valuation process.

Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities: The following table summarizes financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2010, segregated by the level of the valuation inputs within the fair value hierarchy utilized to measure fair value:

 

     Level 1
Inputs
   Level 2
Inputs
   Level 3
Inputs
   Total Fair
Value

Securities available for sale:

           

U.S. Treasury

   $ 400,843    $ —      $ —      $ 400,843

Residential mortgage-backed securities

     —        2,401,955      —        2,401,955

States and political subdivisions

     —        1,872,485      —        1,872,485

Other

     —        38,066      —        38,066

Trading account securities:

           

U.S. Treasury

     16,611      —        —        16,611

Derivative assets:

           

Interest rate swaps, caps and floors

     —        118,305      1,033      119,338

Commodity and foreign exchange derivatives

     28      14,763      —        14,791

Derivative liabilities:

           

Interest rate swaps, caps and floors

     —        55,841      —        55,841

Commodity and foreign exchange derivatives

     —        14,748      —        14,748

The following table reconciles the beginning and ending balances of derivative assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable (Level 3) inputs during the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009:

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
     2010     2009

Balance, beginning of period

   $ 945      $ —  

Transfers into Level 3

     —          —  

Realized gains included in other non-interest income

     107        —  

Realized losses included in other non-interest expense

     (19     —  
              

Balance, end of period

   $ 1,033      $ —  
              

Certain financial assets and financial liabilities are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis; that is, the instruments are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis but are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances (for example, when there is evidence of impairment). Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis during the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 include certain impaired loans reported at the fair value of the underlying collateral if repayment is expected solely from the collateral. Collateral values are estimated using Level 2 inputs based on observable market data or Level 3 inputs based on customized discounting criteria. During the three months ended March 31, 2010, certain impaired loans were remeasured and reported at fair value through a specific valuation allowance allocation of the allowance for possible loan losses based upon the fair value of the underlying collateral. Impaired loans with a carrying value of $9.7 million were reduced by specific valuation allowance allocations totaling $1.2 million to a total reported fair value of $8.5 million based on collateral valuations utilizing Level 2 valuation inputs. Impaired loans with a carrying value of $16.1 million were reduced by specific valuation allowance allocations totaling $5.9 million to a total reported fair value of $10.2 million based on collateral valuations utilizing Level 3 valuation inputs. During the three months ended March 31, 2009, certain impaired loans were remeasured and reported at fair value through a specific valuation allowance allocation of the allowance for possible loan losses based upon the fair value of the underlying collateral. Impaired loans with a carrying value of $6.1 million were reduced by specific valuation allowance allocations totaling $1.4 million to a total reported fair value of $4.7 million based on collateral valuations utilizing Level 2 valuation inputs.

 

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Non-Financial Assets and Non-Financial Liabilities: Certain non-financial assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis include foreclosed assets (upon initial recognition or subsequent impairment), non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities measured at fair value in the second step of a goodwill impairment test, and intangible assets and other non-financial long-lived assets measured at fair value for impairment assessment.

During the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, certain foreclosed assets, upon initial recognition, were remeasured and reported at fair value through a charge-off to the allowance for possible loan losses based upon the fair value of the foreclosed asset. The fair value of a foreclosed asset, upon initial recognition, is estimated using Level 2 inputs based on observable market data or Level 3 inputs based on customized discounting criteria. During the three months ended March 31, 2010, foreclosed assets measured at fair value upon initial recognition totaled $5.4 million (utilizing Level 2 valuation inputs). In connection with the measurement and initial recognition of the foregoing foreclosed assets, the Corporation recognized charge-offs of the allowance for possible loan losses totaling $1.1 million. Foreclosed assets totaling $1.6 million were remeasured at fair value subsequent to initial recognition during the three months ended March 31, 2010. In connection with the remeasurement of these assets, the Corporation recognized losses, included in other non-interest expense, totaling $631 thousand. During the three months ended March 31, 2009, foreclosed assets measured at fair value upon initial recognition totaled $3.3 million (utilizing Level 2 valuation inputs). In connection with the measurement and initial recognition of the foregoing foreclosed assets, the Corporation recognized charge-offs of the allowance for possible loan losses totaling $1.7 million. Other than foreclosed assets measured at fair value upon initial recognition, no foreclosed assets were remeasured at fair value during the three months ended March 31, 2009.

FASB ASC Topic 825 requires disclosure of the fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities, including those financial assets and financial liabilities that are not measured and reported at fair value on a recurring basis or non-recurring basis. A detailed description of the valuation methodologies used in estimating the fair value of financial instruments is set forth in the 2009 Form 10-K.

The estimated fair values of financial instruments were as follows:

 

     March 31, 2010    December 31, 2009
     Carrying
Amount
   Estimated
Fair Value
   Carrying
Amount
   Estimated
Fair Value

Financial assets:

           

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 2,559,737    $ 2,559,737    $ 1,721,479    $ 1,721,479

Securities

     4,735,883      4,736,035      4,906,498      4,906,639

Loans, net

     8,064,222      8,041,481      8,242,471      8,222,049

Cash surrender value of life insurance policies

     126,501      126,501      125,405      125,405

Interest rate swaps on variable rate loans designated as hedges of cash flows

     81,368      81,368      74,214      74,214

Non-hedging commercial loan/lease interest rate swaps, caps and floors

     37,970      37,970      33,734      33,734

Commodity and foreign exchange derivatives

     14,791      14,791      17,237      17,237

Accrued interest receivable

     47,081      47,081      69,883      69,883

Financial liabilities:

           

Deposits

     13,733,748      13,735,115      13,313,310      13,315,611

Federal funds purchased and repurchase agreements

     481,453      481,453      482,048      482,048

Junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures

     136,084      136,084      136,084      136,084

Subordinated notes payable and other borrowings

     256,558      263,172      256,562      255,588

Interest rate swap on junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures designated as a hedge of cash flows

     8,321      8,321      6,943      6,943

Commercial loan/lease interest rate swaps designated as hedges of fair value

     9,354      9,354      9,453      9,453

Non-hedging commercial loan/lease interest rate swaps, caps and floors

     38,166      38,166      33,912      33,912

Commodity and foreign exchange derivatives

     14,748      14,748      17,200      17,200

Accrued interest payable

     7,194      7,194      13,035      13,035

 

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Note 15 - Accounting Standards Updates

Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2009-16, “Transfers and Servicing (Topic 860) - Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets.” ASU 2009-16 amends prior accounting guidance to enhance reporting about transfers of financial assets, including securitizations, and where companies have continuing exposure to the risks related to transferred financial assets. ASU 2009-16 eliminates the concept of a “qualifying special-purpose entity” and changes the requirements for derecognizing financial assets. ASU 2009-16 also requires additional disclosures about all continuing involvements with transferred financial assets including information about gains and losses resulting from transfers during the period. The provisions of ASU 2009-16 became effective on January 1, 2010 and did not have a significant impact on the Corporation’s financial statements.

ASU No. 2009-17, “Consolidations (Topic 810) - Improvements to Financial Reporting by Enterprises Involved with Variable Interest Entities.” ASU 2009-17 amends prior guidance to change how a company determines when an entity that is insufficiently capitalized or is not controlled through voting (or similar rights) should be consolidated. The determination of whether a company is required to consolidate an entity is based on, among other things, an entity’s purpose and design and a company’s ability to direct the activities of the entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance. ASU 2009-17 requires additional disclosures about the reporting entity’s involvement with variable-interest entities and any significant changes in risk exposure due to that involvement as well as its affect on the entity’s financial statements. As further discussed below, ASU No. 2010-10, “Consolidations (Topic 810),” deferred the effective date of ASU 2009-17 for a reporting entity’s interests in investment companies. The provisions of ASU 2009-17 became effective on January 1, 2010 and did not have a significant impact on the Corporation’s financial statements.

ASU No. 2010-06, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820) - Improving Disclosures About Fair Value Measurements.” ASU 2010-06 requires expanded disclosures related to fair value measurements including (i) the amounts of significant transfers of assets or liabilities between Levels 1 and 2 of the fair value hierarchy and the reasons for the transfers, (ii) the reasons for transfers of assets or liabilities in or out of Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy, with significant transfers disclosed separately, (iii) the policy for determining when transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy are recognized and (iv) for recurring fair value measurements of assets and liabilities in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy, a gross presentation of information about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements. ASU 2010-06 further clarifies that (i) fair value measurement disclosures should be provided for each class of assets and liabilities (rather than major category), which would generally be a subset of assets or liabilities within a line item in the statement of financial position and (ii) company’s should provide disclosures about the valuation techniques and inputs used to measure fair value for both recurring and nonrecurring fair value measurements for each class of assets and liabilities included in Levels 2 and 3 of the fair value hierarchy. The disclosures related to the gross presentation of purchases, sales, issuances and settlements of assets and liabilities included in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy will be required for the Corporation beginning January 1, 2011. The remaining disclosure requirements and clarifications made by ASU 2010-06 became effective for the Corporation on January 1, 2010. See Note 14 – Fair Value Measurements.

ASU No. 2010-10, “Consolidations (Topic 810) - Amendments for Certain Investment Funds.” ASU 2010-10 defers the effective date of the amendments to the consolidation requirements made by ASU 2009-17 to a company’s interest in an entity (i) that has all of the attributes of an investment company, as specified under ASC Topic 946, “Financial Services - Investment Companies,” or (ii) for which it is industry practice to apply measurement principles of financial reporting that are consistent with those in ASC Topic 946. As a result of the deferral, a company will not be required to apply the ASU 2009-17 amendments to the Subtopic 810-10 consolidation requirements to its interest in an entity that meets the criteria to qualify for the deferral. ASU 2010-10 also clarifies that any interest held by a related party should be treated as though it is an entity’s own interest when evaluating the criteria for determining whether such interest represents a variable interest. In addition, ASU 2010-10 also clarifies that a quantitative calculation should not be the sole basis for evaluating whether a decision maker’s or service provider’s fee is a variable interest. The provisions of ASU 2010-10 became effective for the Corporation as of January 1, 2010 and did not have a significant impact on the Corporation’s financial statements.

ASU No. 2010-11, “Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815) - Scope Exception Related to Embedded Credit Derivatives.” ASU 2010-11 clarifies that the only form of an embedded credit derivative that is exempt from embedded derivative bifurcation requirements are those that relate to the subordination of one financial instrument to another. As a result, entities that have contracts containing an embedded credit derivative feature in a form other than such subordination may need to separately account for the embedded credit derivative feature. The provisions of ASU 2010-11 will be effective for the Corporation on July 1, 2010 and are not expected to have a significant impact on the Corporation’s financial statements.

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Financial Review

Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc.

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements, and notes thereto, for the year ended December 31, 2009, included in the 2009 Form 10-K. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2010 are not necessarily indicative of the results for the year ending December 31, 2010 or any future period.

Dollar amounts in tables are stated in thousands, except for per share amounts.

Forward-Looking Statements and Factors that Could Affect Future Results

Certain statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q 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 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 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.

 

   

Political instability.

 

   

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.

 

   

Changes in the competitive environment among financial holding companies 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 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.

 

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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.

Application of Critical Accounting Policies and Accounting Estimates

The accounting and reporting policies followed by the Corporation conform, in all material respects, to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and to general practices within the financial services industry. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. While the Corporation bases estimates on historical experience, current information and other factors deemed to be relevant, actual results could differ from those estimates.

The Corporation considers accounting estimates to be critical to reported financial results if (i) the accounting estimate requires management to make assumptions about matters that are highly uncertain and (ii) different estimates that management reasonably could have used for the accounting estimate in the current period, or changes in the accounting estimate that are reasonably likely to occur from period to period, could have a material impact on the Corporation’s financial statements. Accounting policies related to the allowance for possible loan losses are considered to be critical, as these policies involve considerable subjective judgment and estimation by management.

For additional information regarding critical accounting policies, refer to Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies in the notes to consolidated financial statements and the sections captioned “Application of Critical Accounting Policies” and “Allowance for Possible Loan Losses” in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in the 2009 Form 10-K. There have been no significant changes in the Corporation’s application of critical accounting policies related to the allowance for possible loan losses since December 31, 2009.

Overview

A discussion of the Corporation’s results of operations is presented below. Certain reclassifications have been made to make prior periods comparable. Taxable-equivalent adjustments are the result of increasing income from tax-free loans and securities by an amount equal to the taxes that would be paid if the income were fully taxable based on a 35% federal income tax rate, thus making tax-exempt asset yields comparable to taxable asset yields. All of the Corporation’s acquisitions during the reported periods were accounted for as purchase transactions, and as such, their related results of operations are included from the date of acquisition.

 

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Results of Operations

Net income totaled $47.8 million, or $0.79 diluted per common share, for the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared to $45.0 million, or $0.76 diluted per common share, for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and $51.5 million, or $0.86 diluted per common share, for the three months ended December 31, 2009.

Selected income statement data and other selected data for the comparable periods was as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended  
     March 31,
2010
    December 31,
2009
    March 31,
2009
 

Taxable-equivalent net interest income

   $ 150,343      $ 150,743      $ 137,733   

Taxable-equivalent adjustment

     12,759        12,149        8,101   
                        

Net interest income

     137,584        138,594        129,632   

Provision for possible loan losses

     13,571        22,250        9,601   
                        

Net interest income after provision for possible loan losses

     124,013        116,344        120,031   

Non-interest income

     71,393        86,345        69,864   

Non-interest expense

     134,594        134,216        129,499   
                        

Income before income taxes

     60,812        68,473        60,396   

Income taxes

     12,994        16,979        15,414   
                        

Net income

   $ 47,818      $ 51,494      $ 44,982   
                        

Earnings per common share - basic

   $ 0.79      $ 0.86      $ 0.76   

Earnings per common share - diluted

     0.79        0.86        0.76   

Dividends per common share

     0.43        0.43        0.42   

Return on average assets

     1.17     1.25     1.23

Return on average equity

     10.07        10.70        10.33   

Average shareholder’s equity to average total assets

     11.65        11.69        11.87   

Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2010 increased $2.8 million, or 6.3%, compared to the same period in 2009. The increase was primarily the result of a $8.0 million increase in net interest income, a $1.5 million increase in non-interest income and a $2.4 million decrease in income tax expense partly offset by a $5.1 million increase in non-interest expense and a $4.0 million increase in the provision for possible loan losses.

Net income for the first quarter of 2010 decreased $3.7 million, or 7.1%, from the fourth quarter of 2009. The decrease was primarily the result of a $15.0 million decrease in non-interest income, a $1.0 million decrease in net interest income and a $378 thousand increase in non-interest expense partly offset by an $8.7 million decrease in the provision for possible loan losses and a $4.0 million decrease in income tax expense.

Details of the changes in the various components of net income are further discussed below.

Net Interest Income

Net interest income is the difference between interest income on earning assets, such as loans and securities, and interest expense on liabilities, such as deposits and borrowings, which are used to fund those assets. Net interest income is the Corporation’s largest source of revenue, representing 65.8% of total revenue during the first three months of 2010. Net interest margin is the ratio of taxable-equivalent net interest income to average earning assets for the period. The level of interest rates and the volume and mix of earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities impact net interest income and net interest margin.

The Federal Reserve Board influences the general market rates of interest, including the deposit and loan rates offered by many financial institutions. The Corporation’s loan portfolio is significantly affected by changes in the prime interest rate. The prime interest rate, which is the rate offered on loans to borrowers with strong credit, remained at 3.25% for the entire year in 2009 and through the first quarter of 2010. The Corporation’s loan portfolio is also impacted, to a lesser extent, by changes in the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR). At March 31, 2010, the one-month and three-month U.S. dollar LIBOR rates were 0.25% and 0.29%, respectively, while at March 31, 2009, the one-month and three-month U.S. dollar LIBOR rates were 0.50% and 1.19%, respectively. The intended federal funds rate, which is the cost of immediately available overnight funds, remained at zero to 0.25% for the entire year in 2009 and through the first quarter of 2010.

 

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The Corporation’s balance sheet has historically been asset sensitive, meaning that earning assets generally reprice more quickly than interest-bearing liabilities. Therefore, the Corporation’s net interest margin was likely to increase in sustained periods of rising interest rates and decrease in sustained periods of declining interest rates. In an effort to make the Corporation’s balance sheet less sensitive to changes in interest rates, the Corporation entered into various interest rate swaps which effectively convert certain floating rate loans and borrowings into fixed rate instruments for a period of time. See Note 8 - Derivative Financial Instruments in the accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report for additional information related to these interest rate swaps. As a result, the Corporation’s balance sheet is more interest-rate neutral and changes in interest rates are expected to have a less significant impact on the Corporation’s net interest margin than would have otherwise been the case. The Corporation is primarily funded by core deposits, with non-interest-bearing demand deposits historically being a significant source of funds. This lower-cost funding base is expected to have a positive impact on the Corporation’s net interest income and net interest margin in a rising interest rate environment. The Corporation currently believes it is reasonably possible the federal funds rate and the prime interest rate will remain at the current, historically-low levels for the foreseeable future; however, there can be no assurance to that effect or as to the magnitude of any change in market interest rates should a change occur, as such changes are dependent upon a variety of factors that are beyond the Corporation’s control. Further analysis of the components of the Corporation’s net interest margin is presented below.

The following table presents the changes in taxable-equivalent net interest income and identifies the changes due to differences in the average volume of earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and the changes due to changes in the average interest rate on those assets and liabilities. The changes in net interest income due to changes in both average volume and average interest rate have been allocated to the average volume change or average interest rate change in proportion to the absolute amounts of the change in each. The comparisons between the quarters include an additional change factor that shows the effect of the difference in the number of days in each period, as further discussed below.

 

     First Quarter
2010 vs.
Fourth Quarter
2009
    First Quarter
2010 vs.
First Quarter
2009
 

Due to changes in average volume

   $ 3,042      $ 17,232   

Due to changes in average interest rates

     (165     (4,622

Due to difference in the number of days in each of the comparable periods

     (3,277     —     
                

Total change

   $ (400   $ 12,610   
                

Taxable-equivalent net interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2010 increased $12.6 million, or 9.2%, compared to the same period in 2009. The increase primarily resulted from an increase in the average volume of interest-earning assets partly offset by a decrease in the net interest margin. The average volume of interest-earning assets for the first quarter of 2010 increased $1.7 billion compared to the same period in 2009. Over the same time frame, the net interest margin decreased 14 basis points from 4.33% in 2009 to 4.19% in 2010. The net interest margin decreased during the first quarter of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 primarily due to an increase in the relative proportion of funds invested in lower-yielding interest-bearing deposits during 2010 compared to 2009, as further discussed below.

Taxable-equivalent net interest income for the first quarter of 2010 decreased $400 thousand, or 0.3%, from the fourth quarter of 2009. Taxable-equivalent net interest income for the first quarter of 2010 was impacted by a decrease in the number of days compared to the fourth quarter of 2009. Taxable-equivalent net interest income for the fourth quarter of 2009 included 92 days compared to 90 days for the first quarter of 2010. The additional days added approximately $3.3 million to taxable-equivalent net interest income during the fourth quarter of 2009. Excluding the impact of the additional days during the fourth quarter of 2009 results in an effective increase in taxable-equivalent net interest income of approximately $2.9 million during the first quarter of 2010 which was primarily related to an increase in the average volume of interest-earning assets, partly offset by a decrease in the net interest margin. The average volume of interest-earning assets for the first quarter of 2010 increased $164.3 million compared to the fourth quarter of 2009. The net interest margin decreased one basis point from 4.20% in the fourth quarter of 2009 to 4.19% in the first quarter of 2010.

The average yield on interest-earning assets is primarily impacted by changes in market interest rates as well as changes in the volume and relative mix of interest-earning assets. The average yield on interest-earning assets totaled 4.59% during the first quarter of 2010 compared to 5.10% during the first quarter of 2009 and 4.69% during the fourth quarter of 2009. The average volume of loans decreased $538.0 million and $169.8 million during the first quarter of 2010 compared to the first and fourth quarters of 2009, respectively. Loans made up approximately 56.4% of average interest-earning assets during the first quarter of 2010 compared to 68.1% during the first quarter of 2009 and 58.2% during the fourth quarter of 2009. The average yield on loans was 5.09% during the first quarter of 2010 compared to 5.05% during the first quarter of 2009 and 5.08% during the fourth quarter of 2009. The average volume of securities increased $1.2 billion and $239.4 million during the first quarter of 2010 compared to the first and fourth quarters of 2009, respectively. Securities made up approximately 33.3% of average interest-earning assets during the first quarter of 2010 compared to 28.8% during the first quarter of 2009 and 32.0% during the fourth quarter of 2009. The average yield on securities was 5.13% during the first quarter of 2010 compared to 5.74% during the first quarter of 2009 and 5.36% during the fourth quarter of 2009. The decrease in the average yield on securities during the first quarter of 2010 compared to the first and fourth quarters of 2009 was primarily related to a decrease in the average-yield on taxable securities as proceeds from maturities and principal repayments were reinvested at lower yields as a result of decreases in market interest rates. The Corporation had a larger proportion of securities invested in higher-yielding tax-exempt securities during the first quarter of 2010 compared to the first quarter of 2009, the impact of which partly offset the effect of the decrease in yield on taxable securities on the average yield on total securities. Average federal funds sold, resell agreements and interest-bearing deposits during the first quarter of 2010 increased $1.1 billion and $94.7 million compared to the first and fourth quarters of 2009. Federal funds sold, resell agreements and interest-bearing deposits made up approximately 10.3% of average interest-earning assets during the first quarter of 2010 compared to 3.1% during the first quarter of 2009 and 9.8% during the fourth quarter of 2009. The combined average yield on federal funds sold, resell agreements and interest-bearing deposits was 0.23% during the first quarter of 2010 compared to 0.38% during the first quarter of 2009 and 0.27% during the fourth quarter of 2009. The increases in federal funds sold, resell agreements and interest-bearing deposits compared to the comparable periods in 2009 were primarily due to significant deposit growth, as further discussed below.

 

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The average cost of funds is primarily impacted by changes in market interest rates as well as changes in the volume and relative mix of interest-bearing liabilities. The average cost of funds was 0.61% during the first quarter of 2010 compared to 1.11% and 0.73% during the first and fourth quarters of 2009. Average deposits increased $2.0 billion and $272.1 million during the first quarter of 2010 compared to the first and fourth quarters of 2009, respectively. Average interest-bearing deposits for the first quarter of 2010 increased $1.3 billion and $162.1 million compared to the first and fourth quarters of 2009, respectively. The ratio of average interest-bearing deposits to total average deposits was 65.3% for the first quarters of both 2010 and 2009 and 65.4% during the fourth quarter of 2009. The average cost of interest-bearing deposits and total deposits was 0.39% and 0.26% during the first quarter of 2010 compared to 0.90% and 0.59% during the first quarter of 2009 and 0.51% and 0.33% during the fourth quarter of 2009. The decrease in the average cost of interest-bearing deposits was primarily the result of decreases in interest rates offered on certain deposit products and decreases in renewal interest rates on maturing certificates of deposit.

The Corporation’s net interest spread, which represents the difference between the average rate earned on earning assets and the average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities, was 3.98% during the first quarter of 2010 compared to 3.99% and 3.96% during the first and fourth quarters of 2009, respectively. The net interest spread, as well as the net interest margin, will be impacted by future changes in short-term and long-term interest rate levels, as well as the impact from the competitive environment. A discussion of the effects of changing interest rates on net interest income is set forth in Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk included elsewhere in this report.

The Corporation’s hedging policies permit the use of various derivative financial instruments, including interest rate swaps, swaptions, caps and floors, to manage exposure to changes in interest rates. Details of the Corporation’s derivatives and hedging activities are set forth in Note 8 - Derivative Financial Instruments in the accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report. Information regarding the impact of fluctuations in interest rates on the Corporation’s derivative financial instruments is set forth in Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk included elsewhere in this report.

Provision for Possible Loan Losses

The provision for possible loan losses is determined by management as the amount to be added to the allowance for possible loan losses after net charge-offs have been deducted to bring the allowance to a level which, in management’s best estimate, is necessary to absorb probable losses within the existing loan portfolio. The provision for possible loan losses totaled $13.6 million for the first quarter of 2010 compared to $22.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2009 and $9.6 million for the first quarter of 2009. See the section captioned “Allowance for Possible Loan Losses” elsewhere in this discussion for further analysis of the provision for possible loan losses.

 

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Non-Interest Income

The components of non-interest income were as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended
     March 31,
2010
   December 31,
2009
    March 31,
2009

Trust fees

   $ 16,963    $ 17,669      $ 15,969

Service charges on deposit accounts

     24,809      26,017        24,910

Insurance commissions and fees

     11,138      6,734        10,751

Other charges, commissions and fees

     6,919      7,804        6,762

Net gain (loss) on securities transactions

     5      (1,309     —  

Other

     11,559      29,430        11,472
                     

Total

   $ 71,393    $ 86,345      $ 69,864
                     

Total non-interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2010 increased $1.5 million, or 2.2%, compared to the same period in 2009 and decreased $15.0 million, or 17.3%, compared to the fourth quarter of 2009. Changes in the components of non-interest income are discussed below.

Trust Fees. Trust fee income for the three months ended March 31, 2010 increased $994 thousand, or 6.2%, compared to the same period in 2009. Investment fees are the most significant component of trust fees, making up approximately 77% of total trust fees for the first three months of 2010. Investment and other custodial account fees are generally based on the market value of assets within a trust account. Volatility in the equity and bond markets impacts the market value of trust assets and the related investment fees.

The $994 thousand increase in trust fee income during the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 was primarily the result of an increase in investment fees (up $1.9 million). This increase was partly offset by decreases in securities lending income (down $568 thousand), oil and gas trust management fees (down $372 thousand) and financial consulting fees (down $102 thousand). The increase in investment fees was primarily due to the general appreciation in the market values of assets in trust accounts on which these fees are generally based. Equity valuations during the first quarter of 2010 have been higher on average compared to the first quarter of 2009, recovering somewhat from the market correction in equity valuations which began in the latter part of 2008 and reached its lowest levels during the first quarter of 2009. The decrease in securities lending income was primarily related to a decrease in transaction spreads.

Trust fee income for the first quarter of 2010 decreased $706 thousand, or 4.0%, from the fourth quarter of 2009. The decrease was primarily due to decreases in investment fees (down $393 thousand), oil and gas trust management fees (down $145 thousand), financial consulting fees (down $136 thousand) and estate fees (down $117 thousand).

At March 31, 2010, trust assets, including both managed assets and custody assets, were primarily composed of fixed income securities (45.4% of trust assets), equity securities (37.4% of trust assets) and cash equivalents (10.1% of trust assets). The estimated fair value of trust assets was $22.6 billion (including managed assets of $10.0 billion and custody assets of $12.6 billion) at March 31, 2010, compared to $22.7 billion (including managed assets of $10.4 billion and custody assets of $12.3 billion) at December 31, 2009 and $21.3 billion (including managed assets of $9.7 billion and custody assets of $11.6 billion) at March 31, 2009.

Service Charges on Deposit Accounts. Service charges on deposit accounts for the three months ended March 31, 2010 decreased $101 thousand, or 0.4%, compared to the same period in 2009. The decrease was due to a decrease in service charges on commercial accounts (down $750 thousand), which was partly related to a decrease in service volumes for billable services. This decrease was mostly offset by increases in overdraft/insufficient funds charges on both consumer and commercial accounts (up $433 thousand) and point of sale income (up $265 thousand).

Service charges on deposit accounts for the first quarter of 2010 decreased $1.2 million, or 4.6%, compared to the fourth quarter of 2009. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in overdraft/insufficient funds charges on both consumer and commercial accounts (down $1.2 million). The decline in overdraft/insufficient funds charges on consumer accounts was partly seasonal in nature.

Overdraft/insufficient funds charges totaled $9.6 million ($7.5 million consumer and $2.1 million commercial) during the first quarter of 2010 compared to $9.2 million ($7.2 million consumer and $2.0 million commercial) during the first quarter of 2009 and $10.8 million ($8.6 million consumer and $2.2 million commercial) during the fourth quarter of 2009. In November 2009, the Federal Reserve Board issued a final rule that, effective July 1, 2010, prohibits financial institutions from charging consumers fees for paying overdrafts on automated teller machine and one-time debit card transactions, unless a consumer consents, or opts in, to the overdraft service for those types of transactions. Consumers must be provided a notice that explains the financial institution’s overdraft services, including the fees associated with the service, and the consumer’s choices. Because the Corporation’s customers must provide advance consent to the overdraft service for automated teller machine and one-time debit card transactions, the Corporation cannot provide any assurance as to the ultimate impact of this rule on the amount of overdraft/insufficient funds charges reported in future periods.

 

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Insurance Commissions and Fees. Insurance commissions and fees for the three months ended March 31, 2010 increased $387 thousand, or 3.6%, compared to the same period in 2009. The increase is related to an increase in commission income (up $1.1 million) partly offset by a decrease in contingent commissions (down $744 thousand). The increase in commission income was partly due to normal variation in the timing of renewals and the market demand for insurance products. The increase was also partly related to additional revenue from insurance agencies acquired during the first and third quarters of 2009.

Insurance commissions and fees include contingent commissions totaling $2.6 million during the three months ended March 31, 2010 and $3.3 million during the three months ended March 31, 2009. Contingent commissions primarily consist of amounts received from various property and casualty insurance carriers related to the loss performance of insurance policies previously placed. Such commissions are seasonal in nature and are generally received during the first quarter of each year. These commissions totaled $2.3 million and $2.8 million during the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009. Contingent commissions also include amounts received from various benefit plan insurance companies related to the volume of business generated and/or the subsequent retention of such business. These commissions totaled $248 thousand and $531 thousand during the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009.

Insurance commissions and fees for the first quarter of 2010 increased $4.4 million, or 65.4%, compared to the fourth quarter of 2009. The increase was primarily due to the seasonal increase in contingent commissions (up $2.4 million) received from various insurance carriers related to the performance of insurance policies previously placed. Commission income for the first quarter of 2010 increased $2.0 million compared to the fourth quarter of 2009 primarily due to normal variation in the timing of renewals and the market demand for insurance products.

Other Charges, Commissions and Fees. Other charges, commissions and fees for the three months ended March 31, 2010 increased $157 thousand, or 2.3%, compared to the same period in 2009. The increase was primarily related to increases in commission income related to the sale of mutual funds (up $535 thousand), mutual fund management fees (up $404 thousand) and unused balance fees on loan commitments (up $256 thousand). These increases were partly offset by decreases in commission income related to the sale of money market accounts (down $682 thousand) and annuities (down $233 thousand). The increase in commission income related to the sale of mutual funds and the concurrent decrease in commission income related to the sale of money market accounts reflects the apparent increased willingness of customers to invest in equities as market conditions have improved. The decrease in commission income related to the sale of money market accounts was also partly related to lower marketing fees paid by fund companies.

Other charges, commissions and fees for the first quarter of 2010 decreased $885 thousand, or 11.3%, compared to the fourth quarter of 2009. The decrease was primarily due to decreases in investment banking fees related to corporate advisory services (down $678 thousand), commission income related to the sale of money market accounts (down $180 thousand) and annuities (down $110 thousand). Investment banking fees related to corporate advisory services are transaction based and can vary significantly from quarter to quarter. The decreases in the aforementioned items were partly offset by an increase in commission income related to the sale of mutual funds (up $123 thousand).

Net Gain/Loss on Securities Transactions. During the first quarter of 2010, the Corporation sold available-for-sale securities with an amortized cost totaling $7.0 billion and realized a net gain of $5 thousand on those sales. These securities were purchased during the first quarter of 2010 and subsequently sold in connection with certain tax planning strategies. No securities were sold during the three months ended March 31, 2009. During the fourth quarter of 2009, the Corporation purchased approximately $404.9 million of Freddie Mac TBA (to be announced) mortgage-backed securities. The Corporation subsequently sold these securities prior to settlement and realized a net loss of $1.5 million. The Corporation instead invested the funds in mortgage-backed securities issued by Ginnie Mae.

Other Non-Interest Income. Other non-interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2010 did not significantly fluctuate compared to the same period in 2009. Components of other non-interest income with significant increases included income from securities trading and customer derivative activities (up $590 thousand), income from check card activity (up $502 thousand) and gains on the sale of student loans (up $172 thousand). These increases were partly offset by decreases in sundry income from various miscellaneous items (down $491 thousand), lease rental income (down $245 thousand) and income from municipal bond underwriting discounts/fees (down $237 thousand).

 

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Other non-interest income for the first quarter of 2010 decreased $17.9 million, or 60.7%, compared to the fourth quarter of 2009. During the fourth quarter of 2009, the Corporation realized a $17.7 million gain related to the termination of interest rate swaps on certain Federal Home Loan Bank advances. See Note 8 - Derivative Financial Instruments in the accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report for additional information related to the interest rate swaps. Excluding the impact of this gain, other non-interest income for the first quarter of 2010 decreased $149 thousand compared to the fourth quarter of 2009. Components of other non-interest income with significant decreases included sundry income from various miscellaneous items (down $703 thousand), income from municipal bond underwriting discounts/fees (down $236 thousand) and gains on the sale of assets (down $184 thousand). These decreases were partly offset by increases in income from securities trading and customer derivative activities (up $679 thousand), gains on the sale of student loans (up $161 thousand) and ATM interchange income (up $139 thousand).

Non-Interest Expense

The components of non-interest expense were as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended
     March 31,
2010
   December 31,
2009
   March 31,
2009

Salaries and wages

   $ 60,275    $ 58,736    $ 56,776

Employee benefits

     14,521      12,756      15,240

Net occupancy

     11,135      11,523      10,690

Furniture and equipment

     11,489      12,065      10,363

Deposit insurance

     5,443      5,126      4,376

Intangible amortization

     1,333      1,473      1,781

Other

     30,398      32,537      30,273
                    

Total

   $ 134,594    $ 134,216    $ 129,499
                    

Total non-interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2010 increased $5.1 million, or 3.9%, and $378 thousand, or 0.3%, compared to the first and fourth quarters of 2009, respectively. Changes in the components of non-interest expense are discussed below.

Salaries and Wages. Salaries and wages for the three months ended March 31, 2010 increased $3.5 million, or 6.2%, compared to the same period in 2009 and $1.5 million, or 2.6%, compared to the fourth quarter of 2009. The increase from the first quarter of 2009 was primarily related to an increase in incentive compensation, normal annual merit increases and an increase in stock-based compensation expense. The increase from the fourth quarter of 2009 was primarily related to an increases in incentive compensation and stock-based compensation expense.

Employee Benefits. Employee benefits for the three months ended March 31, 2010 decreased $719 thousand, or 4.7%, compared to the same period in 2009. The decrease was primarily related to decreases in expenses related to the Corporation’s defined benefit retirement plan (down $862 thousand) and expenses related to the Corporation’s 401(k) and profit sharing plans (down $112 thousand). These decreases were partly offset by increases in medical insurance expense (up $192 thousand) and payroll taxes (up $174 thousand).

Employee benefits for the first quarter of 2010 increased $1.8 million, or 13.8%, compared to the fourth quarter of 2009 primarily due to increases in payroll taxes (up $1.9 million), expenses related to the Corporation’s 401(k) and profit sharing plans (up $410 thousand), workers compensation expense (up $226 thousand) and an increase in medical insurance expense (up $128 thousand). These increases were partly offset by a decrease in expenses related to the Corporation’s defined benefit retirement plan (down $862 thousand). The Corporation generally experiences a decline in payroll taxes during the fourth quarter of each year as certain employees reach maximum taxable salary levels and higher levels of payroll taxes and 401(k) plan matching contributions during the first quarter each year due to the annual incentive compensation payments.

The Corporation’s defined benefit retirement and restoration plans were frozen effective as of December 31, 2001 and were replaced by a profit sharing plan. Management believes these actions helped to reduce the volatility in retirement plan expense. However, the Corporation still has funding obligations related to the defined benefit and restoration plans and could recognize retirement expense related to these plans in future years, which would be dependent on the return earned on plan assets, the level of interest rates and employee turnover. The decreases in expenses related to the Corporation’s defined benefit retirement plan during the first quarter of 2010 compared to the first and fourth quarters of 2009 was partly related to a higher than expected return on plan assets during 2009.

 

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Net Occupancy. Net occupancy expense for the three months ended March 31, 2010 increased $445 thousand, or 4.2%, compared to the same period in 2009. The increase was primarily related to increases in building depreciation (up $435 thousand), property taxes (up $340 thousand) and repairs expense (up $181 thousand). The increases in building depreciation and property taxes were partly related to a new technology operations center placed into service during the first quarter of 2010. Offsetting the increases in the aforementioned items were decreases in depreciation on leasehold improvements (down $306 thousand) and lease expense (down $165 thousand). Net occupancy expense for the first quarter of 2010 decreased $388 thousand, or 3.4%, compared to the fourth quarter of 2009. The decrease was primarily related to an increase in rental income (up $233 thousand) as well as decreases in building depreciation (down $201 thousand) and building maintenance expense (down $113 thousand). These items were partly offset by an increase in depreciation on leasehold improvements (up $378 thousand) as well as increases in various other categories of net occupancy expense.

Furniture and Equipment. Furniture and equipment expense for the three months ended March 31, 2010 increased $1.1 million, or 10.9%, compared to the same period in 2009. The increase was primarily related to increases in software amortization (up $520 thousand), equipment rental (up $433 thousand) and software maintenance (up $154 thousand). The increase in software amortization and maintenance was primarily related to new applications placed into service in 2009 and 2010. The increase in equipment rental was related to new equipment leases associated with the aforementioned new technology operations center. Furniture and equipment expense for the first quarter of 2010 decreased $576 thousand, or 4.8%, compared to the fourth quarter of 2009. The decrease was primarily related to depreciation on furniture and fixtures (down $435 thousand) and software maintenance expense (down $180 thousand). The decrease in depreciation expense was partly due to the acceleration of depreciation on certain equipment during the fourth quarter of 2009.

Deposit Insurance. Deposit insurance expense totaled $5.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010, compared to $4.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and $5.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2009. The increases in deposit insurance expense were primarily related to deposit growth. Average deposits for the first quarter of 2010 increased $2.0 billion and $272.1 million compared to the first and fourth quarters of 2009, respectively.

In November 2009, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) issued a rule that required all insured depository institutions, with limited exceptions, to prepay their estimated quarterly risk-based assessments for the fourth quarter of 2009 and for all of 2010, 2011 and 2012. The FDIC also adopted a uniform three-basis point increase in assessment rates effective on January 1, 2011. As of March 31, 2010, $56.5 million in pre-paid deposit insurance is included in accrued interest receivable and other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.

In April 2010, the FDIC approved an interim rule that extends the Transaction Account Guarantee (TAG) component of the Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program. The TAG program provides full coverage for non-interest bearing transaction deposit accounts, certain Negotiable Order of Withdrawal (NOW) accounts and Interest on Lawyers Trust accounts. Under the interim rule, the TAG program will be extended from June 30, 2010 to December 31, 2010. The TAG program may be extended an additional year beyond December 31, 2010 without additional rulemaking, provided the FDIC announces the extension before October 29, 2010. Beginning July 1, 2010, the maximum interest rate for qualifying as a NOW account under the TAG program will be 0.25%, down from 0.50%. The existing fee structure under the TAG program will not change, however, participants in the extended TAG program will be required to report deposit accounts subject to the TAG on an average daily balance basis, rather than the end of quarter basis as is currently the case . Current participants in the TAG program have a one-time, irrevocable opportunity to opt out of the TAG extension by notifying the FDIC by April 30, 2010. The Corporation opted out of the TAG extension on April 26, 2010.

In April 2010, the FDIC also issued a notice of proposed rulemaking to revise the deposit insurance assessment system for large institutions. The FDIC proposes to create a two scorecard system, one for most institutions, including Frost Bank, that have more than $10 billion in assets and another for “highly complex” institutions that have over $50 billion in assets and are fully owned by a parent with over $500 billion in assets. Each scorecard would have a performance score and a loss-severity score that would be combined to produce a total score, which would be translated into an initial assessment rate. In calculating these scores, the FDIC would continue to utilize CAMELS ratings, would introduce certain new financial measures, and would eliminate the use of risk categories and long-term debt issuer ratings. In determining the initial base assessment rate, the FDIC would have the ability to adjust each component of the scorecard where necessary, based upon quantitative or qualitative measures not adequately captured in the scorecard, to produce accurate relative risk rankings. For large institutions, including the Corporation, the initial base assessment rate would range from 10 to 50 basis points on an annualized basis (basis points representing cents per $100 of assessable deposits). The proposed rule would allow for adjustments to an institution’s initial base assessment rate as a result of certain long-term unsecured debt (-5 to zero basis points), certain secured liabilities (zero to 25 basis points) and brokered deposits (zero to 10 basis points). After the effect of potential base-rate adjustments, the total base assessment rate could range from 5 to 85 basis points on an annualized basis. The final rule related to this proposal is expected to be effective January 1, 2011. The Corporation cannot provide any assurance as to the effect of any proposed change in its deposit insurance premium rate, should such a change occur, as such changes are dependent upon a variety of factors, some of which are beyond the Corporation’s control.

 

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Intangible Amortization. Intangible amortization is primarily related to core deposit intangibles and, to a lesser extent, intangibles related to customer relationships and non-compete agreements. Intangible amortization for the three months ended March 31, 2010 decreased $448 thousand, or 25.2%, compared to the same period in 2009 and $140 thousand, or 9.5%, compared to the fourth quarter of 2009. The decreases in amortization expense are primarily the result of the completion of amortization of certain intangible assets, as well as a reduction in the annual amortization rate of certain intangible assets as the Corporation uses an accelerated amortization approach which results in higher amortization rates during the earlier years of the useful lives of intangible assets.

Other Non-Interest Expense. Other non-interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2010 did not significantly fluctuate compared to the same period in 2009. Components of other non-interest expense with significant increases included losses on the sale/write-down of foreclosed assets (up $1.8 million), sub-advisor investment management fees related to Frost Investment Advisors, LLC, (up $313 thousand) and messenger services expense (up $295 thousand). These increases were, for the most part, offset by decreases in armored motor services expense (down $604 thousand), outside computer services expense (down $550 thousand), amortization of net deferred costs related to loan commitments (down $367 thousand), travel expense (down $218 thousand), stationery and printing expense (down $192 thousand), meals and entertainment expense (down $171 thousand) and depreciation expense on leased property (down $144 thousand). The implementation of remote check image capture at the Corporation’s branches has reduced the need for armored motor services. The Corporation now utilizes more cost effective messenger services.

Other non-interest expense for the first quarter of 2010 decreased $2.1 million, or 6.6%, compared to the fourth quarter of 2009. During the fourth quarter of 2009, the Corporation paid a $1.4 million prepayment penalty related to the early repayment of certain Federal Home Loan Bank advances. Excluding the impact of this penalty, other non-interest expense for the first quarter of 2010 decreased $764 thousand compared to the fourth quarter of 2010. Components of other non-interest expense with significant decreases included armored motor services expense (down $553 thousand), sundry expense from miscellaneous items (down $522 thousand), travel expense (down $383 thousand), advertising/promotions expense (down $327 thousand). These decreases were partly offset by an increase in losses on the sale/write-down of foreclosed assets (up $953 thousand).

Results of Segment Operations

The Corporation’s operations are managed along two operating segments: Banking and the Financial Management Group (FMG). A description of each business and the methodologies used to measure financial performance is described in Note 14—Operating Segments in the accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report. Net income (loss) by operating segment is presented below:

 

     Three Months Ended  
     March 31,
2010
    December 31,
2009
    March 31,
2009
 

Banking

   $ 48,763      $ 51,492      $ 44,955   

Financial Management Group

     1,303        2,238        2,225   

Non-Banks

     (2,248     (2,236     (2,198
                        

Consolidated net income

   $ 47,818      $ 51,492      $ 44,982   
                        

Banking

Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2010 increased $3.8 million, or 8.5%, compared to the same period in 2009. The increase was primarily the result of a $10.0 million increase in net interest income, a $1.9 million decrease in income tax expense and a $790 thousand increase in non-interest income partly offset by a $4.0 million increase in the provision for possible loan losses and a $4.9 million increase in non-interest expense.

Net interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2010 increased $10.0 million, or 7.7%, compared to the same period in 2009. The increase primarily resulted from an increase in the average volume of interest-earning assets partly offset by a decrease in the net interest margin. See the analysis of net interest income included in the section captioned “Net Interest Income” included elsewhere in this discussion.

The provision for possible loan losses for the three months ended March 31, 2010 totaled $13.6 million compared to $9.6 million for the same period in 2009. See the analysis of the provision for possible loan losses included in the section captioned “Allowance for Possible Loan Losses” included elsewhere in this discussion.

Non-interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2010 increased $790 thousand, or 1.6%, compared to the same period in 2009. The increase was primarily due to increases in insurance commissions and fees, other charges, commissions and fees and other non-interest income. See the analysis of these categories of non-interest income included in the section captioned “Non-Interest Income” included elsewhere in this discussion.

 

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Non-interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2010 increased $4.9 million, or 4.5%, compared to the same period in 2009. The increase was primarily related to increases in salaries and wages, furniture and equipment expense and deposit insurance. The increase in salaries and wages was primarily related to an increase in incentive compensation, normal annual merit increases and an increase in stock-based compensation expense. The increase in furniture and equipment expense was due to increases in software amortization, equipment rental and software maintenance. The increase in deposit insurance was primarily related to deposit growth. See the analysis of these items included in the section captioned “Non-Interest Expense” included elsewhere in this discussion.

Frost Insurance Agency, which is included in the Banking operating segment, had gross commission revenues of $11.3 million during the three months ended March 31, 2010 and $10.9 million during the three months ended March 31, 2009. The increase during the three months ended March 31, 2010 is primarily related to an increase in commission income (up $1.1 million) partly offset by a decrease in contingent commissions (down $744 thousand). See the analysis of insurance commissions and fees included in the section captioned “Non-Interest Income” included elsewhere in this discussion.

Financial Management Group (FMG)

Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2010 decreased $922 thousand, or 41.4%, compared to the same period in 2009. The decrease was primarily due to a $2.0 million decrease in net interest income and a $139 thousand increase in non-interest expense partly offset by a $760 thousand increase in non-interest income and a $500 thousand decrease in income tax expense.

Net interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2010 decreased $2.0 million, or 59.8%, compared to the same period in 2009. The decrease in net interest income was due to a decrease in the average volume of funds provided due to a decrease in the average volume of FMGs repurchase agreements combined with a decrease in the funds transfer price received for providing those funds.

Non-interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2010 increased $760 thousand, or 3.7%, compared to the same period in 2009. The increase was primarily due to an increase in trust fees (up $1.0 million) partly offset by decreases in other charges, commissions and fees (down $142 thousand) and other non-interest income (down $116 thousand).

Trust fee income is the most significant income component for FMG. Investment fees are the most significant component of trust fees, making up approximately 77 % of total trust fees for the first three months of 2010. Investment and other custodial account fees are generally based on the market value of assets within a trust account. Volatility in the equity and bond markets impacts the market value of trust assets and the related investment fees. The increase in trust fee income during the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 was primarily the result of an increase in investment fees partly offset by decreases in securities lending income, oil and gas trust management fees and financial consulting fees. See the analysis of trust fees included in the section captioned “Non-Interest Income” included elsewhere in this discussion.

The decrease in other charges, commissions and fees during the first quarter of 2010 compared to 2009 was primarily due to decreases in commission income related to the sale of money market accounts and annuities and account management fees partly offset by increases in commission income from the sale of mutual funds and mutual fund management fees.

Non-interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2010 increased $139 thousand, or 0.7%, compared to the same period in 2009 primarily due to increases in salaries and wages and employee benefits (up $515 thousand on a combined basis) partly offset by a decrease in other non-interest expense (down $369 thousand). The increase in salaries and wages and employee benefits was primarily related to normal annual merit increases and expenses related to the Corporations 401(k) and profit sharing plans. The decrease in other non-interest expense was partly due to a decrease in outside computer services expense, among other things, partly offset by an increase in sub-advisor costs for Frost Investment Advisors, LLC, among other things.

Non-Banks

The net loss for the Non-Banks operating segment for the three months ended March 31, 2010 did not significantly fluctuate compared to the same period in 2009.

 

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Income Taxes

The Corporation recognized income tax expense of $13.0 million, for an effective rate of 21.4 %, for the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared to $15.4 million, for an effective rate of 25.5%, for the three months ended March 31, 2009. The effective income tax rates differed from the U.S. statutory rate of 35% during the comparable periods primarily due to the effect of tax-exempt income from loans, securities and life insurance policies. The decrease in the effective tax rate during 2010 was primarily the result of an increase in holdings of tax-exempt municipal securities.

Average Balance Sheet

Average assets totaled $16.5 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2010 representing an increase of $1.6 billion, or 11.1 %, compared to average assets for the same period in 2009. The increase was primarily reflected in earning assets, which increased $1.7 billion, or 13.3%, during the first quarter of 2010 compared to the first quarter of 2009. The increase in earning assets was primarily due to a $1.2 billion increase in average securities and a $1.1 billion increase in average interest-bearing deposits and federal funds sold and resale agreements partly offset by a $538.0 million decrease in average loans. The growth in average interest-earning assets was primarily funded by an increase in deposits. Total deposits averaged $13.5 billion for the first three months of 2010, increasing $2.0 billion, or 17.7%, compared to the same period in 2009. Average interest-bearing accounts totaled 65.3% of average total deposits during the first three months of both 2010 and 2009.

Loans

Loans were as follows as of the dates indicated:

 

     March 31,
2010
    Percent
of Total
    December 31,
2009
    March 31,
2009
 

Commercial and industrial:

        

Commercial

   $ 3,466,706      42.3   $ 3,577,758      $ 3,878,789   

Leases

     185,540      2.3        197,605        202,239   

Asset-based

     118,342      1.5        117,213        90,314   
                              

Total commercial and industrial

     3,770,588      46.1        3,892,576        4,171,342   

Real estate:

        

Construction:

        

Commercial

     635,146      7.8        659,459        716,117   

Consumer

     26,876      0.3        30,325        53,472   

Land:

        

Commercial

     235,536      2.9        259,200        334,212   

Consumer

     2,008      —          1,677        1,664   

Commercial real estate mortgages

     2,333,703      28.5        2,327,471        2,293,317   

1-4 family residential mortgages

     66,368      0.8        66,351        80,374   

Home equity and other consumer real estate

     720,561      8.8        730,079        720,579   
                              

Total real estate

     4,020,198      49.1        4,074,562        4,199,735   

Consumer:

        

Student loans held for sale

     18,771      0.2        24,201        30,044   

Other

     336,604      4.1        346,255        343,164   

Other

     64,732      0.8        52,406        60,607   

Unearned discount

     (21,302   (0.3     (22,220     (26,230
                              

Total

   $ 8,189,591      100.0   $ 8,367,780      $ 8,778,662   
                              

Loans decreased $178.2 million, or 2.1%, compared to December 31, 2009. The majority of the Corporation’s loan portfolio is comprised of commercial and industrial loans and real estate loans. Commercial and industrial loans made up 46.1% and 46.5% of total loans at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively while real estate loans made up 49.1% and 48.7% of total loans, respectively, at those dates. Real estate loans include both commercial and consumer balances.

Commercial and industrial loans decreased $122.0 million, or 3.1%, during the first quarter of 2010. The Corporation’s commercial and industrial loans are a diverse group of loans to small, medium and large businesses. The purpose of these loans varies from supporting seasonal working capital needs to term financing of equipment. While some short-term loans may be made on an unsecured basis, most are secured by the assets being financed with collateral margins that are consistent with the Corporation’s loan policy guidelines. The commercial and industrial loan portfolio also includes the commercial lease and asset-based lending portfolios as well as purchased shared national credits (“SNC”s) which are discussed in more detail below.

 

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Purchased shared national credits are participations purchased from upstream financial organizations and tend to be larger in size than the Corporation’s originated portfolio. The Corporation’s purchased SNC portfolio totaled $439.4 million at March 31, 2010, decreasing $24.0 million, or 5.2%, from $463.4 million at December 31, 2009. At March 31, 2010, 61.9% of outstanding purchased SNCs was related to the energy industry. The remaining purchased SNCs were diversified throughout various other industries, with no other single industry exceeding 10% of the total purchased SNC portfolio. Additionally, almost all of the outstanding balance of purchased SNCs was included in the commercial and industrial portfolio, with the remainder included in the real estate categories. SNC participations are originated in the normal course of business to meet the needs of the Corporation’s customers. As a matter of policy, the Corporation generally only participates in SNCs for companies headquartered in or which have significant operations within the Corporation’s market areas. In addition, the Corporation must have direct access to the company’s management, an existing banking relationship or the expectation of broadening the relationship with other banking products and services within the following 12 to 24 months. SNCs are reviewed at least quarterly for credit quality and business development successes.

Real estate loans decreased $54.4 million, or 1.3%, during the first quarter of 2010. Real estate loans include both commercial and consumer balances. Commercial real estate loans totaled $3.2 billion at March 31, 2010 and represented 79.7% of total real estate loans. The majority of this portfolio consists of commercial real estate mortgages, which includes both permanent and intermediate term loans. The Corporation’s primary focus for its commercial real estate portfolio has been growth in loans secured by owner-occupied properties. These loans are viewed primarily as cash flow loans and secondarily as loans secured by real estate. Consequently, these loans must undergo the analysis and underwriting process of a commercial and industrial loan, as well as that of a real estate loan. At March 31, 2010, approximately 60.1% of the outstanding principal balance of the Corporation’s commercial real estate loans were secured by owner-occupied properties.

The consumer loan portfolio, including all consumer real estate, decreased $27.7 million, or 2.3%, from December 31, 2009. As the following table illustrates as of the dates indicated, the consumer loan portfolio has four distinct segments, including consumer real estate, consumer non-real estate, student loans held for sale and 1-4 family residential mortgages.

 

     March 31,
2010
   December 31,
2009
   March 31,
2009

Consumer real estate:

        

Construction

   $ 26,876    $ 30,325    $ 53,472

Land

     2,008      1,677      1,664

Home equity loans

     279,012      289,535      312,959

Home equity lines of credit

     169,393      166,441      141,151

Other consumer real estate

     272,156      274,103      266,469
                    

Total consumer real estate

     749,445      762,081      775,715

Consumer non-real estate

     336,604      346,255      344,229

Student loans held for sale

     18,771      24,201      28,979

1-4 family residential mortgages

     66,368      66,351      80,374
                    

Total consumer loans

   $ 1,171,188    $ 1,198,888    $ 1,229,297
                    

The consumer non-real estate loan portfolio primarily consists of automobile loans, unsecured revolving credit products, personal loans secured by cash and cash equivalents and other similar types of credit facilities. In general, the Corporation no longer originates 1-4 family mortgage loans, however, from time to time, the Corporation may originate such loans to meet the needs of its customers. Additionally, during the second quarter of 2008, the Corporation elected to discontinue the origination of student loans for resale, aside from previously outstanding commitments. Student loans were primarily originated for resale on the secondary market and classified as held for sale.

 

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Non-Performing Assets

Non-performing assets and accruing past due loans are presented in the table below. The Corporation did not have any restructured loans as of the dates presented.

 

     March 31,
2010
    December 31,
2009
    March 31,
2009
 

Non-accrual loans:

      

Commercial and industrial

   $ 70,024      $ 78,638      $ 53,815   

Real estate

     57,469        54,592        53,372   

Consumer and other

     17,124        13,637        7,046   
                        

Total non-accrual loans

     144,617        146,867        114,233   

Foreclosed assets:

      

Real estate

     26,456        33,305        13,021   

Other

     480        7        512   
                        

Total foreclosed assets

     26,936        33,312        13,533   
                        

Total non-performing assets

   $ 171,553      $ 180,179      $ 127,766   
                        

Non-performing assets as a percentage of:

      

Total loans and foreclosed assets

     2.09     2.14     1.45

Total assets

     1.02        1.11        0.83   

Accruing past due loans:

      

30 to 89 days past due

   $ 87,687      $ 90,173      $ 82,099   

90 or more days past due

     34,413        23,911        25,016   
                        

Total accruing loans past due

   $ 122,100      $ 114,084      $ 107,115   
                        

Ratio of accruing past due loans to total loans:

      

30 to 89 days past due

     1.07     1.08     0.94

90 or more days past due

     0.42        0.28        0.28   
                        

Total accruing loans past due

     1.49     1.36     1.22
                        

Non-performing assets include non-accrual loans and foreclosed assets. Non-performing assets at March 31, 2010 decreased $8.6 million from December 31, 2009. In general, the level of non-performing assets during the comparable periods is reflective of weaker economic conditions. Non-accrual commercial loans included three credit relationships in excess of $5 million totaling $24.9 million at March 31, 2010 and $31.4 million at December 31, 2009. Non-accrual commercial loans also included $14.2 million and $16.3 million in loans to certain Mexican borrowers at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively, primarily related to deterioration in the U.S. dollar exchange rate of the Mexican peso. These loans have third party insurance covering between 80% to 90% of the outstanding balance. Non-accrual real estate loans primarily consist of land development and 1-4 family residential construction credit relationships and loans secured by office buildings. Generally, loans are placed on non-accrual status if principal or interest payments become 90 days past due and/or management deems the collectibility of the principal and/or interest to be in question, as well as when required by regulatory requirements. Once interest accruals are discontinued, accrued but uncollected interest is charged to current year operations. Subsequent receipts on non-accrual loans are recorded as a reduction of principal, and interest income is recorded only after principal recovery is reasonably assured.

Foreclosed assets represent property acquired as the result of borrower defaults on loans. Foreclosed assets are recorded at estimated fair value, less estimated selling costs, at the time of foreclosure. Write-downs occurring at foreclosure are charged against the allowance for possible loan losses. On an ongoing basis, properties are appraised as required by market indications and applicable regulations. Write-downs are provided for subsequent declines in value and are included in other non-interest expense along with other expenses related to maintaining the properties.

Potential problem loans consist of loans that are performing in accordance with contractual terms but for which management has concerns about the ability of an obligor to continue to comply with repayment terms because of the obligor’s potential operating or financial difficulties. Management monitors these loans closely and reviews their performance on a regular basis. At March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the Corporation had $20.4 million and $17.4 million in loans of this type which are not included in either of the non-accrual or 90 days past due loan categories. At March 31, 2010, potential problem loans consisted of six credit relationships. Of the total outstanding balance at March 31, 2010, 46.7% related to a customer in the credit collections industry and 45.4% related to four customers in the real estate lot development/single-family residential construction industry. Weakness in these companies’ operating performance has caused the Corporation to heighten the attention given to these credits.

 

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The after-tax impact (assuming a 35% marginal tax rate) of lost interest from non-performing loans was approximately $1.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010, compared to $613 thousand for the same period in 2009.

Allowance for Possible Loan Losses

Activity in the allowance for possible loan losses is presented in the following table.

 

     Three Months Ended  
     March 31,
2010
    December 31,
2009
    March 31,
2009
 

Balance at beginning of period

   $ 125,309      $ 123,122      $ 110,244   

Provision for possible loan losses

     13,571        22,250        9,601   

Charge-offs:

      

Commercial and industrial

     (9,180     (14,750     (2,894

Real estate

     (3,789     (4,161     (2,032

Consumer and other

     (2,837     (3,623     (2,634
                        

Total charge-offs

     (15,806     (22,534     (7,560

Recoveries:

      

Commercial and industrial

     540        501        489   

Real estate

     60        49        21   

Consumer and other

     1,695        1,921        1,373   
                        

Total recoveries

     2,295        2,471        1,883   
                        

Net charge-offs

     (13,511     (20,063     (5,677
                        

Balance at end of period

   $ 125,369      $ 125,309      $ 114,168   
                        

Ratio of allowance for possible loan losses to:

      

Total loans

     1.53     1.50     1.30

Non-accrual loans

     86.69        85.32        99.94   

Ratio of annualized net charge-offs to average total loans

     0.66        0.94        0.26   

The allowance for possible loan losses is a reserve established through a provision for possible loan losses charged to expense, which represents management’s best estimate of probable losses that have been incurred within the existing portfolio of loans. The allowance, in the judgment of management, is necessary to reserve for estimated loan losses and risks inherent in the loan portfolio. The Corporation’s allowance for possible loan loss methodology is based on guidance provided in SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 102, “Selected Loan Loss Allowance Methodology and Documentation Issues” and includes allowance allocations calculated in accordance with ASC Topic 310, “Receivables” and allowance allocations calculated in accordance with ASC Topic 450, “Contingencies.” Accordingly, the methodology is based on historical loss experience by type of credit and internal risk grade, specific homogeneous risk pools, and specific loss allocations, with adjustments for current events and conditions. The Corporation’s process for determining the appropriate level of the allowance for possible loan losses is designed to account for credit deterioration as it occurs. The provision for possible loan losses reflects loan quality trends, including the levels of and trends related to non-accrual loans, past due loans, potential problem loans, criticized loans and net charge-offs or recoveries, among other factors. The provision for possible loan losses also reflects the totality of actions taken on all loans for a particular period. In other words, the amount of the provision reflects not only the necessary increases in the allowance for possible loan losses related to newly identified criticized loans, but it also reflects actions taken related to other loans including, among other things, any necessary increases or decreases in required allowances for specific loans or loan pools.

The provision for possible loan losses increased by $4.0 million, or 41.3%, during the first quarter of 2010 compared to the first quarter of 2009 and decreased $8.7 million, or 39.0%, compared to the fourth quarter of 2009. The variation in the level of the provision for possible loan losses during the comparable periods is reflective of the level of net charge-offs during those periods. Net charge-offs during the first quarter of 2010 increased $7.8 million compared to the first quarter of 2009 and decreased $6.6 million compared to the fourth quarter of 2009. Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans increased 40 basis points during the first quarter of 2010 compared to the first quarter of 2009 and decreased 28 basis points compared to the fourth quarter of 2009. The increase in net charge-offs from the first quarter of 2009 is reflective of the increase in classified assets related to weaker economic conditions, while the decrease in net charge-offs from the fourth quarter of 2009 is reflective of a stabilization of the trend of increasing classified assets experienced through-out 2009 as well as the Corporation’s ability to manage the overall credit quality of the loan portfolio. The ratio of the allowance for possible loan losses to total loans increased 3 basis points from 1.50% at December 31, 2009 to 1.53% at March 31, 2010, primarily due to a $178.2 million decrease in loans. Management believes the level of the allowance for possible loan losses continues to remain adequate. Should any of the factors considered by management in evaluating the adequacy of the allowance for possible loan losses change, the Corporation’s estimate of probable loan losses could also change, which could affect the level of future provisions for possible loan losses.

 

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Capital and Liquidity

Capital. Shareholders’ equity totaled $1.9 billion at both March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 and $1.8 billion at March 31, 2009. In addition to net income of $47.8 million, other changes in shareholders’ equity during the first three months of 2010 included $25.9 million of dividends paid, $15.9 million in proceeds from stock option exercises and the related tax benefits of $44 thousand, other comprehensive income, net of tax, of $9.8 million and $3.6 million related to stock-based compensation. Additionally, the Corporation issued/sold $3.8 million in newly issued common stock as well as common stock held in treasury to the Corporation’s 401(k) plan. During the second quarter of 2009, the Corporation began to issue shares of the Corporation’s common stock directly to the Corporation’s 401(k) plan in connection with matching contributions. Additionally, the 401(k) plan began to purchase shares of the Corporation’s common stock directly from the Corporation utilizing proceeds from dividends that plan participants elected to reinvest in the Corporation’s common stock. Previously, the Corporation contributed the matching contributions in cash, which, along with the proceeds from dividends on the Corporation’s common stock, were then utilized to purchase shares of the Corporation’s common stock on the open market.

The accumulated other comprehensive income/loss component of shareholders’ equity totaled a net, after-tax, unrealized gain of $164.0 million at March 31, 2010 compared to a net, after-tax, unrealized gain of $154.2 million at December 31, 2009. This fluctuation was primarily related to the after-tax effect of changes in the net unrealized gain/loss on securities available for sale and the accumulated net gain/loss on effective cash flow hedges. Under regulatory requirements, amounts reported as accumulated other comprehensive income/loss related to securities available for sale, effective cash flow hedges and defined benefit post-retirement benefit plans do not increase or reduce regulatory capital and are not included in the calculation of risk-based capital and leverage ratios. Regulatory agencies for banks and bank holding companies utilize capital guidelines designed to measure Tier 1 and total capital and take into consideration the risk inherent in both on-balance sheet and off-balance sheet items. See Note 7 - Regulatory Matters in the accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report.

The Corporation paid quarterly dividends of $0.43 per common share during the first quarter of 2010 and the fourth quarter of 2009 and a quarterly dividend of $0.42 per common share in the first quarter of 2009. This equates to a dividend payout ratio of 54.2%, 50.1% and 55.5% for each of these periods, respectively.

From time to time, the Corporation’s board of directors has authorized stock repurchase plans. Stock repurchase plans allow the Corporation to proactively manage its capital position and return excess capital to shareholders. Shares purchased under such plans also provide the Corporation with shares of common stock necessary to satisfy obligations related to stock compensation awards. No shares were repurchased under stock repurchase plans during any of the reported periods. See Part II, Item 2 - Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds, included elsewhere in this report, for details of stock repurchases during the quarter.

Liquidity. Liquidity measures the ability to meet current and future cash flow needs as they become due. The liquidity of a financial institution reflects its ability to meet loan requests, to accommodate possible outflows in deposits and to take advantage of interest rate market opportunities. The ability of a financial institution to meet its current financial obligations is a function of its balance sheet structure, its ability to liquidate assets, and its access to alternative sources of funds. The Corporation seeks to ensure its funding needs are met by maintaining a level of liquid funds through asset/liability management.

Asset liquidity is provided by liquid assets which are readily marketable or pledgeable or which will mature in the near future. Liquid assets include cash, interest-bearing deposits in banks, securities available for sale, maturities and cash flow from securities held to maturity, and federal funds sold and resell agreements.

Liability liquidity is provided by access to funding sources which include core deposits and correspondent banks in the Corporation’s natural trade area that maintain accounts with and sell federal funds to Frost Bank, as well as federal funds purchased and repurchase agreements from upstream banks and deposits obtained through financial intermediaries.

 

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Since Cullen/Frost is a holding company and does not conduct operations, its primary sources of liquidity are dividends upstreamed from Frost Bank and borrowings from outside sources. Banking regulations may limit the amount of dividends that may be paid by the Corporation’s bank subsidiary. See Note 7 - Regulatory Matters in the accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report regarding such dividends. At March 31, 2010, Cullen/Frost had liquid assets, including unrestricted cash and securities purchased under resell agreements, totaling $127.6 million, which included $7.6 million in cash collateral on deposit with other financial institution counterparties to interest rate swap transactions.

The liquidity position of the Corporation is continuously monitored and adjustments are made to the balance between sources and uses of funds as deemed appropriate. Management is not aware of any events that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Corporation’s liquidity, capital resources or operations. In addition, management is not aware of any regulatory recommendations regarding liquidity, which if implemented, would have a material adverse effect on the Corporation.

The Corporation’s operating objectives include expansion, diversification within its markets, growth of its fee-based income, and growth internally and through acquisitions of financial institutions, branches and financial services businesses. The Corporation generally seeks merger or acquisition partners that are culturally similar and have experienced management and possess either significant market presence or have potential for improved profitability through financial management, economies of scale and expanded services. The Corporation regularly evaluates merger and acquisition opportunities and conducts due diligence activities related to possible transactions with other financial institutions and financial services companies. As a result, merger or acquisition discussions and, in some cases, negotiations may take place and future mergers or acquisitions involving cash, debt or equity securities may occur. Acquisitions typically involve the payment of a premium over book and market values, and, therefore, some dilution of the Corporation’s tangible book value and net income per common share may occur in connection with any future transaction.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 15 - Accounting Standards Updates in the accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report for details of recently issued accounting pronouncements and their expected impact on the Corporation’s financial statements.

 

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Consolidated Average Balance Sheets and Interest Income Analysis-By-Quarter

(dollars in thousands - taxable-equivalent basis)

 

     March 31, 2010     December 31, 2009  
     Average
Balance
    Interest
Income/
Expense
   Yield/
Cost
    Average
Balance
    Interest
Income/
Expense
   Yield/
Cost
 

Assets:

              

Interest-bearing deposits

   $ 1,506,029      $ 855    0.23   $ 1,411,916      $ 946    0.27

Federal funds sold and resell agreements

     10,232        10    0.40        9,629        9    0.37   

Securities:

              

Taxable

     3,021,446        29,075    3.98        2,854,094        29,664    4.33   

Tax-exempt

     1,856,494        31,234    7.04        1,784,485        29,769    7.02   
                                  

Total securities

     4,877,940        60,309    5.13        4,638,579        59,433    5.36   

Loans, net of unearned discounts

     8,270,653        103,746    5.09        8,440,439        108,026    5.08   
                                  

Total Earning Assets and Average Rate Earned

     14,664,854        164,920    4.59        14,500,563        168,414    4.69   

Cash and due from banks

     552,779             544,105        

Allowance for possible loan losses

     (126,844          (126,773     

Premises and equipment

     323,965             320,388        

Accrued interest and other assets

     1,115,007             1,096,602        
                          

Total Assets

   $ 16,529,761           $ 16,334,885        
                          

Liabilities:

              

Non-interest-bearing demand deposits:

              

Commercial and individual

   $ 4,221,470           $ 4,111,853        

Correspondent banks

     313,198             331,128        

Public funds

     149,424             131,120        
                          

Total non-interest-bearing demand deposits

     4,684,092             4,574,101        

Interest-bearing deposits:

              

Private accounts

              

Savings and interest checking

     2,199,302        810    0.15        2,172,474        869    0.16   

Money market deposit accounts

     4,820,741        4,905    0.41        4,596,092        6,060    0.52   

Time accounts

     1,308,488        2,583    0.80        1,445,625        3,803    1.04   

Public funds

     477,192        263    0.22        429,399        300    0.28   
                                  

Total interest-bearing deposits

     8,805,723        8,561    0.39        8,643,590        11,032    0.51   
                          

Total deposits

     13,489,815             13,217,691        

Federal funds purchased and repurchase agreements

     495,031        58    0.05        473,103        124    0.10   

Junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures

     136,084        1,773    5.21        136,084        1,792    5.27   

Subordinated notes payable and other notes

     250,000        4,080    6.53        250,000        4,079    6.53   

Federal Home Loan Bank advances

     6,560        105    6.49        79,064        644    3.23   
                                  

Total Interest-Bearing Funds and Average Rate Paid

     9,693,398        14,577    0.61        9,581,841        17,671    0.73   
                                          

Accrued interest and other liabilities

     226,206             269,845        
                          

Total Liabilities

     14,603,696             14,425,787        

Shareholders’ Equity

     1,926,065             1,909,098        
                          

Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

   $ 16,529,761           $ 16,334,585        
                          

Net interest income

     $ 150,343        $ 150,743   
                      

Net interest spread

        3.98        3.96
                      

Net interest income to total average earning assets

        4.19        4.20
                      

For these computations: (i) average balances are presented on a daily average basis, (ii) information is shown on a taxable-equivalent basis assuming a 35% tax rate, (iii) average loans include loans on non-accrual status, and (iv) average securities include unrealized gains and losses on securities available for sale while yields are based on average amortized cost.

 

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Consolidated Average Balance Sheets and Interest Income Analysis-By-Quarter

(dollars in thousands - taxable-equivalent basis)

 

     September 30, 2009     June 30, 2009  
     Average
Balance
    Interest
Income/
Expense
   Yield/
Cost
    Average
Balance
    Interest
Income/
Expense
   Yield/
Cost
 

Assets:

              

Interest-bearing deposits

   $ 1,107,804      $ 692    0.25   $ 500,466      $ 261    0.21

Federal funds sold and resell agreements

     19,213        17    0.35        84,193        62    0.30   

Securities:

              

Taxable

     2,854,826        30,214    4.35        2,885,548        32,105    4.57   

Tax-exempt

     1,556,791        26,758    7.12        1,377,897        23,947    7.23   
                                  

Total securities

     4,411,617        56,972    5.33        4,263,445        56,052    5.43   

Loans, net of unearned discounts

     8,581,985        108,735    5.03        8,783,964        110,711    5.06   
                                  

Total Earning Assets and Average Rate Earned

     14,120,619        166,416    4.73        13,632,068        167,086    4.96   

Cash and due from banks

     636,244             562,278        

Allowance for possible loan losses

     (124,085          (116,881     

Premises and equipment, net

     305,855             291,346        

Accrued interest and other assets

     1,107,962             1,150,239        
                          

Total Assets

   $ 16,046,595           $ 15,519,050        
                          

Liabilities:

              

Non-interest-bearing demand deposits:

              

Commercial and individual

   $ 3,886,259           $ 3,693,553        

Correspondent banks

     356,694             348,772        

Public funds

     100,078             95,569        
                          

Total non-interest-bearing demand deposits

     4,343,031             4,137,894        

Interest-bearing deposits:

              

Private accounts

              

Savings and interest checking

     2,067,271        834    0.16        1,993,706        739    0.15   

Money market deposit accounts

     4,379,798        6,147    0.56        3,940,620        5,735    0.58   

Time accounts

     1,652,043        6,292    1.51        1,779,054        7,946    1.79   

Public funds

     353,936        320    0.36        332,024        384    0.46   
                                  

Total interest-bearing deposits

     8,453,048        13,593    0.64        8,045,404        14,804    0.74   
                          

Total deposits

     12,796,079             12,183,298        

Federal funds purchased and repurchase agreements

     561,344        243    0.17        632,671        298    0.19   

Junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures

     136,084        1,814    5.33        136,084        1,818    5.34   

Subordinated notes payable and other notes

     250,000        4,080    6.53        250,000        4,079    6.53   

Federal Home Loan Bank advances

     236,568        1,771    2.97        236,572        1,762    2.99   
                                  

Total Interest-Bearing Funds and Average Rate Paid

     9,637,044        21,501    0.89        9,300,731        22,761    0.98   
                                          

Accrued interest and other liabilities

     237,578             261,931        
                          

Total Liabilities

     14,217,653             13,700,556        

Shareholders’ Equity

     1,828,942             1,818,494        
                          

Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

   $ 16,046,595           $ 15,519,050        
                          

Net interest income

     $ 144,915        $ 144,325   
                      

Net interest spread

        3.84        3.98
                      

Net interest income to total average earning assets

      4.12        4.28
                      

For these computations: (i) average balances are presented on a daily average basis, (ii) information is shown on a taxable-equivalent basis assuming a 35% tax rate, (iii) average loans include loans on non-accrual status, and (iv) average securities include unrealized gains and losses on securities available for sale while yields are based on average amortized cost.

 

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Consolidated Average Balance Sheets and Interest Income Analysis-By-Quarter

(dollars in thousands - taxable-equivalent basis)

 

     March 31, 2009  
     Average
Balance
    Interest
Income/
Expense
   Yield/
Cost
 

Assets:

       

Interest-bearing deposits

   $ 281,036      $ 262    0.38

Federal funds sold and resell agreements

     125,623        119    0.38   

Securities:

       

Taxable

     2,658,131        33,101    5.10   

Tax-exempt

     1,068,341        19,071    7.35   
                 

Total securities

     3,726,472        52,172    5.74   

Loans, net of unearned discounts

     8,808,689        109,604    5.05   
                 

Total Earning Assets and Average Rate Earned

     12,941,820        162,157    5.10   

Cash and due from banks

     600,741        

Allowance for possible loan losses

     (112,705     

Premises and equipment, net

     273,641        

Accrued interest and other assets

     1,177,005        
             

Total Assets

   $ 14,880,502        
             

Liabilities:

       

Non-interest-bearing demand deposits:

       

Commercial and individual

   $ 3,473,074        

Correspondent banks

     405,211        

Public funds

     93,075        
             

Total non-interest-bearing demand deposits

     3,971,360        

Interest-bearing deposits:

       

Private accounts

       

Savings and interest checking

     1,862,141        573    0.12   

Money market deposit accounts

     3,679,819        6,767    0.75   

Time accounts

     1,562,814        8,718    2.26   

Public funds

     381,833        528    .56   
                 

Total interest-bearing deposits

     7,486,607        16,586    0.90   
             

Total deposits

     11,457,967        

Federal funds purchased and repurchase agreements

     780,587        387    0.20   

Junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures

     136,084        1,807    5.31   

Subordinated notes payable and other notes

     250,000        4,080    6.53   

Federal Home Loan Bank advances

     209,020        1,564    3.03   
                 

Total Interest-Bearing Funds and Average Rate Paid

     8,862,298        24,424    1.11   
                     

Accrued interest and other liabilities

     280,393        
             

Total Liabilities

     13,114,051        

Shareholders’ Equity

     1,766,451        
             

Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

   $ 14,880,502        
             

Net interest income

     $ 137,733   
           

Net interest spread

        3.99
           

Net interest income to total average earning assets

        4.33
           

For these computations: (i) average balances are presented on a daily average basis, (ii) information is shown on a taxable-equivalent basis assuming a 35% tax rate, (iii) average loans include loans on non-accrual status, and (iv) average securities include unrealized gains and losses on securities available for sale while yields are based on average amortized cost.

 

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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

The disclosures set forth in this item are qualified by the section captioned “Forward-Looking Statements and Factors that Could Affect Future Results” included in Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of this report and other cautionary statements set forth elsewhere in this report.

Refer to the discussion of market risks included in Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk in the 2009 Form 10-K. There has been no significant change in the types of market risks faced by the Corporation since December 31, 2009.

The Corporation utilizes an earnings simulation model as the primary quantitative tool in measuring the amount of interest rate risk associated with changing market rates. The model quantifies the effects of various interest rate scenarios on projected net interest income and net income over the next 12 months. The model measures the impact on net interest income relative to a base case scenario of hypothetical fluctuations in interest rates over the next 12 months. These simulations incorporate assumptions regarding balance sheet growth and mix, pricing and the repricing and maturity characteristics of the existing and projected balance sheet. The impact of interest rate derivatives, such as interest rate swaps, caps and floors, is also included in the model. Other interest rate-related risks such as prepayment, basis and option risk are also considered.

As of March 31, 2010, the model simulations projected that 100 and 200 basis point increases in interest rates would result in positive variances in net interest income of 1.4% and 3.1%, respectively, relative to the base case over the next 12 months, while a decrease in interest rates of 25 basis points would not have a meaningful impact on net interest income relative to the base case over the next 12 months. As of March 31, 2009, the model simulations projected that 100 and 200 basis point increases in interest rates would result in positive variances in net interest income of 1.7% and 3.8%, respectively, relative to the base case over the next 12 months, while a decrease in interest rates of 25 basis points would result in a negative variance in net interest income of 0.2% relative to the base case over the next 12 months. The likelihood of a decrease in interest rates beyond 25 basis points as of March 31, 2010 and 2009 was considered remote given prevailing interest rate levels.

The Corporation experienced significant growth in deposits in 2010 compared to 2009. The deposit growth funded a significant increase in fixed-rate securities and short-term interest-bearing deposits, which are generally immediately impacted by changes in interest rates. During the fourth quarter of 2009, the Corporation also terminated portions of certain interest rate swap contracts that were designated as hedging instruments in cash flow hedges that effectively fixed the interest rates on $400 million of variable-rate loans. See Note 8 -Derivative Financial Instruments in the accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report for additional information. The Corporation’s sensitivity to increases in interest rates as of March 31, 2010 did not significantly change from March 31, 2009 as the increased sensitivity resulting from the increase in short-term interest-bearing deposits and the termination of portions of certain interest rate swap contracts on $400 million of variable-rate loans was for the most part offset by the decreased interest rate sensitivity resulting from the increase in fixed-rate securities.

As of March 31, 2010, the effect of a 200 basis point increase in interest rates on the Corporation’s derivative holdings would result in a 1.5% negative variance in net interest income. The effect of a 25 basis point decrease in interest rates on the Corporation’s derivative holdings would result in a 0.3% positive variance in net interest income.

The effects of hypothetical fluctuations in interest rates on the Corporation’s securities classified as “trading” under ASC Topic 320, “Investments - Debt and Equity Securities,” are not significant, and, as such, separate quantitative disclosure is not presented.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, an evaluation was carried out by the Corporation’s management, with the participation of its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the Corporation’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report. No change in the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) occurred during the last fiscal quarter that materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

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Part II. Other Information

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

The Corporation and its subsidiaries are subject to various claims and legal actions that have arisen in the course of conducting business. Management does not expect the ultimate disposition of these matters to have a material adverse impact on the Corporation’s financial statements.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There has been no material change in the risk factors previously disclosed under Item 1A. of the Corporation’s 2009 Form 10-K.

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

The following table provides information with respect to purchases made by or on behalf of the Corporation or any “affiliated purchaser” (as defined in Rule 10b-18(a)(3) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934), of the Corporation’s common stock during the three months ended March 31, 2010.

 

Period    Total Number of
Shares Purchased
    Average Price
Paid Per  Share
   Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Plan
   Maximum
Number of Shares

That May Yet Be
Purchased Under
the Plan at the
End of the Period

January 1, 2010 to January 31, 2010

   —        $ —      —      —  

February 1, 2010 to February 29, 2010

   —          —      —      —  

March 1, 2010 to March 31, 2010

   3,406 (1)      56.70    —      —  
                

Total

   3,406      $ 56.70    —     
                

 

(1) Represents repurchases made in connection with the vesting of certain share awards.

 

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

 

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

None.

 

Item 5. Other Information

None.

 

Item 6. Exhibits

 

  (a) Exhibits

 

Exhibit
Number

  

Description

31.1    Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of the Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer
31.2    Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of the Corporation’s Chief Financial Officer
32.1+    Section 1350 Certification of the Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer
32.2+    Section 1350 Certification of the Corporation’s Chief Financial Officer

 

+ This exhibit shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, and shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

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Table of Contents

Signatures

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

    Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc.
    (Registrant)
Date: April 28, 2010     By:   /S/    PHILLIP D. GREEN        
    Phillip D. Green
   

Group Executive Vice President

and Chief Financial Officer

(Duly Authorized Officer, Principal Financial

Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

 

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