*
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark one)
☒QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2024
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: 001-36872
HANCOCK WHITNEY CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Mississippi
64-0693170
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
Hancock Whitney Plaza, 2510 14th Street,
Gulfport, Mississippi
39501
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
(228) 868-4000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Trading symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common stock, par value $3.33 per share
HWC
Nasdaq
6.25% Subordinated Notes
HWCPZ
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 ☐ No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). ☒ Yes ☐ No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act:
Large accelerated filer
☒
Accelerated filer
☐
Non-accelerated filer
Smaller reporting company
Emerging growth company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). ☐ Yes ☒ No
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
86,630,304 common shares were outstanding at April 30, 2024.
Table of Contents
Hancock Whitney Corporation
Index
Part I. Financial Information
Page
Number
ITEM 1.
Financial Statements
5
Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited) – March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023
Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited) – Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 and 2023
6
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (unaudited) – Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 and 2023
7
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity (unaudited) – Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 and 2023
8
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) – Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 and 2023
9
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) – March 31, 2024 and 2023
10
ITEM 2.
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
38
ITEM 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
60
ITEM 4.
Controls and Procedures
62
Part II. Other Information
Legal Proceedings
63
ITEM 1A.
Risk Factors
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Default on Senior Securities
N/A
Mine Safety Disclosures
ITEM 5.
Other Information
ITEM 6.
Exhibits
64
Signatures
65
2
Glossary of Defined Terms
Entities:
Hancock Whitney Corporation – a financial holding company registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission
Hancock Whitney Bank – a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hancock Whitney Corporation through which Hancock Whitney Corporation conducts its banking operations
Company – Hancock Whitney Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries
Parent – Hancock Whitney Corporation, exclusive of its subsidiaries
Bank – Hancock Whitney Bank
Other Terms:
ACL – allowance for credit losses
AFS – available for sale securities
AOCI – accumulated other comprehensive income or loss
ALCO – Asset Liability Management Committee
ALLL – allowance for loan and lease losses
ASC – Accounting Standards Codification
ASU – Accounting Standards Update
ATM – automated teller machine
Basel III – Basel Committee's 2010 Regulatory Capital Framework (Third Accord)
Beta – amount by which deposit or loan costs change in response to movement in short-term interest rates
BOLI – bank-owned life insurance
bp(s) – basis point(s)
C&I – commercial and industrial loans
CD – certificate of deposit
CDE – Community Development Entity
CECL – Current Expected Credit Losses
CEO – Chief Executive Officer
CFPB– Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
CFO – Chief Financial Officer
CME – Chicago Mercantile Exchange
CMO – collateralized mortgage obligation
Core client deposits – total deposits excluding public funds and brokered deposits
Core deposits – total deposits excluding certificates of deposits of $250,000 or more and brokered deposits
CRE – commercial real estate
CET1 – Common equity tier 1 capital as defined by Basel III capital rules
DEI – Diversity, equity and inclusion
DIF – Deposit Insurance Fund
ESG – Environmental, Social and Governance; term used in discussion of risks and corporate policies related to those items
EVE – Economic Value of Equity
Excess Liquidity – deposits held at the Federal Reserve above normal levels
FASB – Financial Accounting Standards Board
FDIC – Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
FDICIA – Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991
Federal Reserve Board – The 7-member Board of Governors that oversees the Federal Reserve System, establishes
monetary policy (interest rates, credit, etc.), and monitors the economic health of the country. Its members are appointed
by the President subject to Senate confirmation, and serve 14-year terms.
Federal Reserve System – The 12 Federal Reserve Banks, with each one serving member banks in its own district. This system, supervised by the Federal Reserve Board, has broad regulatory powers over the money supply and the
credit structure. They implement the policies of the Federal Reserve Board and also conduct economic research.
FFIEC – Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council
FHA – Federal Housing Administration
FHLB – Federal Home Loan Bank
GAAP – Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States of America
HTM – held to maturity securities
ICS – Insured cash sweep
IRR – Interest rate risk
IRS – Internal Revenue Service
LIBOR – London Interbank Offered Rate
LIHTC – Low Income Housing Tax Credit
3
LTIP – long-term incentive plan
MBS – mortgage-backed securities
MD&A – management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations
MDBCF – Mississippi Department of Banking and Consumer Finance
MEFD - reportable modified loans to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty as defined by ASC 326 effective January 1, 2023
NAICS – North American Industry Classification System
NII – net interest income
n/m – not meaningful
NSF – Non-sufficient funds
OCI – other comprehensive income or loss
OD – Overdraft
ORE – other real estate defined as foreclosed and surplus real estate
PCD – purchased credit deteriorated loans, as defined by ASC 326
PPNR – Pre-provision net revenue
Repos – securities sold under agreements to repurchase
SBA – Small Business Administration
SBIC – Small Business Investment Company
SEC – U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
Securities Act – Securities Act of 1933, as amended
Short-term Investments – the sum of Interest-bearing bank deposits and Federal funds sold
SOFR – Secured Overnight Financing Rate
Supplemental disclosure items – certain highlighted items that are outside of our principal business and/or are not indicative of forward-looking trends
te – taxable equivalent adjustment, or the term used to indicate that a financial measure is presented on a fully taxable equivalent basis
TSR – total shareholder return
U.S. Treasury – The United States Department of the Treasury
4
Item 1. Financial Statements
Hancock Whitney Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
March 31,
December 31,
(in thousands, except per share data)
2024
2023
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks
$
414,280
561,202
Interest-bearing bank deposits
438,606
626,646
Federal funds sold
414
436
Securities available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost of $5,535,212 and $5,496,718)
4,905,423
4,915,195
Securities held to maturity (fair value of $2,436,610 and $2,485,918)
2,653,759
2,684,779
Loans held for sale (includes $15,208 and $13,269 measured at fair value)
16,470
26,124
Loans
23,970,938
23,921,917
Less: allowance for loan losses
(313,726
)
(307,907
Loans, net
23,657,212
23,614,010
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $326,472 and $318,746
296,199
301,639
Right of use assets, net of accumulated amortization of $58,824 and $55,815
101,694
105,799
Prepaid expenses
48,773
45,234
Other real estate and foreclosed assets, net
2,793
3,628
Accrued interest receivable
159,095
157,179
Goodwill
855,453
Other intangible assets, net
42,111
44,637
Life insurance contracts
756,746
749,495
Funded pension assets, net
244,383
216,849
Deferred tax asset, net
165,090
153,384
Other assets
488,618
516,884
Total assets
35,247,119
35,578,573
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Liabilities:
Deposits
Noninterest-bearing
10,802,127
11,030,515
Interest-bearing
18,973,779
18,659,544
Total deposits
29,775,906
29,690,059
Short-term borrowings
667,760
1,154,829
Long-term debt
236,355
236,317
Accrued interest payable
44,365
45,000
Lease liabilities
120,975
125,618
Other liabilities
548,322
523,089
Total liabilities
31,393,683
31,774,912
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock
309,513
Capital surplus
1,739,702
1,739,671
Retained earnings
2,457,736
2,375,604
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net
(653,515
(621,127
Total stockholders' equity
3,853,436
3,803,661
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
Preferred shares authorized (par value of $20.00 per share)
50,000
Preferred shares issued and outstanding
—
Common shares authorized (par value of $3.33 per share)
350,000
Common shares issued
92,947
Common shares outstanding
86,622
86,345
See notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.
Consolidated Statements of Income
Three Months Ended
Interest income:
Loans, including fees
363,293
314,601
Loans held for sale
303
295
Securities-taxable
46,785
47,646
Securities-tax exempt
4,526
4,721
Short-term investments
6,777
5,340
Total interest income
421,684
372,603
Interest expense:
147,483
64,451
4,966
20,063
3,064
3,095
Total interest expense
155,513
87,609
Net interest income
266,171
284,994
Provision for credit losses
12,968
6,020
Net interest income after provision for credit losses
253,203
278,974
Noninterest income:
Service charges on deposit accounts
22,239
20,622
Trust fees
17,077
16,734
Bank card and ATM fees
20,721
Investment and annuity fees and insurance commissions
11,844
8,867
Secondary mortgage market operations
2,891
2,168
Other income
13,178
11,218
Total noninterest income
87,851
80,330
Noninterest expense:
Compensation expense
96,569
92,403
Employee benefits
24,588
22,920
Personnel expense
121,157
115,323
Net occupancy expense
13,395
12,206
Equipment expense
4,228
4,736
Data processing expense
28,737
28,182
Professional services expense
9,036
9,131
Amortization of intangible assets
2,526
3,114
Deposit insurance and regulatory fees
8,931
5,920
Other real estate and foreclosed assets income, net
(196
155
Other expense
19,908
22,117
Total noninterest expense
207,722
200,884
Income before income taxes
133,332
158,420
Income taxes expense
24,720
31,953
Net income
108,612
126,467
Earnings per common share-basic
1.25
1.45
Earnings per common share-diluted
1.24
Dividends paid per share
0.30
Weighted average shares outstanding-basic
86,521
86,018
Weighted average shares outstanding-diluted
86,726
86,282
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
($ in thousands)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before income taxes:
Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on securities available for sale cash flow hedges and equity method investment
(77,799
100,944
Reclassification of loss realized and included in earnings
13,577
9,520
Valuation adjustments to employee benefit plans
22,014
(1,836
Amortization of unrealized net loss on securities transferred to held to maturity
428
494
Other comprehensive income (loss) before income taxes
(41,780
109,122
Income tax expense (benefit)
(9,392
24,405
Other comprehensive income (loss) net of income taxes
(32,388
84,717
Comprehensive income
76,224
211,184
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity
Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 and 2023
Accumulated
Common Stock
Other
(in thousands, except parenthetical share data)
SharesIssued
Amount
CapitalSurplus
RetainedEarnings
ComprehensiveLoss
Total
Balance, December 31, 2023
Other comprehensive loss
Comprehensive loss
Cash dividends declared ($0.30 per common share)
(26,527
Common stock activity, long-term incentive plans
(866
47
(819
Issuance of stock from dividend reinvestment and stock purchase plans
897
Balance, March 31, 2024
Balance, December 31, 2022
1,716,884
2,088,413
(772,182
3,342,628
Other comprehensive income
Dividends declared ($0.30 per common share)
(26,387
2,804
68
2,872
935
Balance, March 31, 2023
1,720,623
2,188,561
(687,465
3,531,232
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization
8,176
8,565
Gain on other real estate and foreclosed assets
(364
(20
Deferred tax benefit
(2,314
(801
Increase cash surrender value of life insurance contracts
(8,851
(2,995
(Gain) Loss on disposal of assets
(1,430
30
Net decrease in loans held for sale
9,633
3,028
Net amortization of securities premium/discount
3,421
5,103
Stock-based compensation expense
5,691
5,726
Net change in derivative collateral liability
10,297
76,152
Net decrease in interest payable and other liabilities
(21,324
(28,313
(Increase) decrease in other assets
40,643
(112,916
Other, net
(1,013
(3,272
Net cash provided by operating activities
166,671
85,888
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from maturities of securities available for sale
82,667
77,339
Purchases of securities available for sale
(121,652
Proceeds from maturities of securities held to maturity
28,414
30,900
Purchases of securities held to maturity
(6,023
Proceeds received upon termination of fair value hedge instruments
16,550
Net (increase) decrease in short-term investments
188,063
(1,964,089
Net purchases of Federal Home Loan Bank stock
(68,057
Proceeds from sales of loans and leases
28,508
11,006
Net increase in loans
(86,295
(306,873
Purchases of property and equipment
(2,273
(5,498
Proceeds from sales of other real estate and foreclosed assets
1,753
235
618
(4,252
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
119,803
(2,218,762
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Net increase in deposits
85,847
542,721
Net increase (decrease) in short-term borrowings
(487,069
1,648,226
Dividends paid
(26,514
(26,173
Payroll tax remitted on net share settlement of equity awards
(6,557
(2,922
Proceeds from dividend reinvestment and stock purchase plans
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
(433,396
2,162,787
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND DUE FROM BANKS
(146,922
29,913
CASH AND DUE FROM BANKS, BEGINNING
564,459
CASH AND DUE FROM BANKS, ENDING
594,372
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FOR NON-CASH
INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Assets acquired in settlement of loans
591
202
HANCOCK WHITNEY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. Basis of Presentation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Hancock Whitney Corporation and all other entities in which it has a controlling interest (the “Company”). The financial statements include all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary to fairly state the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the interim periods presented. The Company has also evaluated all subsequent events for potential recognition and disclosure through the date of the filing of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Some financial information and disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q pursuant to Securities and Exchange Commission rules and regulations. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. Financial information reported in these financial statements is not necessarily indicative of the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows for any other interim or annual period.
Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. These changes in presentation did not have a material impact on the Company's financial condition or operating results.
Use of Estimates
The accounting principles the Company follows and the methods for applying these principles conform to GAAP and general practices followed by the banking industry. These accounting principles require management to make estimates and assumptions about future events that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Accounting Policies
There were no material changes or developments during the reporting period with respect to methodologies that the Company uses when applying what management believes are critical accounting policies and developing critical accounting estimates as disclosed in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.
2. Securities
The following tables set forth the amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, and estimated fair value of debt securities classified as available for sale and held to maturity at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023. Amortized cost of securities does not include accrued interest which is reflected in the accrued interest line item on the consolidated balance sheets totaling $28.8 million at March 31, 2024 and $27.4 million at December 31, 2023.
March 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
Gross
Securities Available for Sale
Amortized
unrealized
Fair
cost
gains
losses
value
U.S. Treasury and government agency securities
114,086
722
1,670
113,138
97,741
1,581
1,514
97,808
Municipal obligations
202,764
3,730
199,034
203,533
79
2,200
201,412
Residential mortgage-backed securities
2,401,546
743
357,044
2,045,245
2,440,411
2,734
329,279
2,113,866
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
2,748,086
3,528
265,878
2,485,736
2,683,872
7,176
253,576
2,437,472
Collateralized mortgage obligations
45,230
3,357
41,873
47,661
3,376
44,285
Corporate debt securities
23,500
3,103
20,397
3,148
20,352
5,535,212
4,993
634,782
5,496,718
11,570
593,093
Securities Held to Maturity
409,435
48,083
361,352
413,490
179
43,971
369,698
660,372
739
23,185
637,926
664,488
1,252
19,593
646,147
636,208
64,540
571,668
654,262
59,223
595,039
917,008
80,280
836,728
920,048
75,803
844,245
30,736
1,800
28,936
32,491
1,702
30,789
217,888
2,436,610
1,431
200,292
2,485,918
The following tables present the amortized cost and fair value of debt securities available for sale and held to maturity at March 31, 2024 by contractual maturity. Actual maturities will differ from contractual maturities because of rights to call or repay obligations with or without penalties and scheduled and unscheduled principal payments on mortgage-backed securities and collateral mortgage obligations.
Debt Securities Available for Sale
Due in one year or less
106,858
105,620
Due after one year through five years
585,990
566,852
Due after five years through ten years
2,549,295
2,287,101
Due after ten years
2,293,069
1,945,850
Total available for sale debt securities
Debt Securities Held to Maturity
92,336
91,307
734,660
696,030
716,536
666,275
1,110,227
982,998
Total held to maturity securities
The Company held no securities classified as trading at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.
11
There were no gross gains or gross losses on sales of securities during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023. Net gains or losses, when applicable, are reflected in the "Securities transactions, net" line item on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
Securities with carrying values totaling approximately $4.2 billion and $4.7 billion were pledged as collateral at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, primarily to secure public deposits or securities sold under agreements to repurchase.
Credit Quality
The Company’s policy is to invest only in securities of investment grade quality. These investments are largely limited to U.S. agency securities and municipal securities. Management has concluded, based on the long history of no credit losses, that the expectation of nonpayment of the held to maturity securities carried at amortized cost is zero for securities that are backed by the full faith and credit of and/or guaranteed by the U.S. government. As such, no allowance for credit losses has been recorded for these securities. The municipal portfolio is analyzed separately for allowance for credit loss in accordance with the applicable guidance for each portfolio as noted below.
The Company evaluates credit impairment for individual securities available for sale whose fair value was below amortized cost with a more than inconsequential risk of default and where the Company had assessed whether the decline in fair value was significant enough to suggest a credit event occurred. There were no securities with a material credit loss event and, therefore, no allowance for credit loss was recorded in any period presented.
The fair value and gross unrealized losses for securities classified as available for sale with unrealized losses for the periods indicated follow.
Available for Sale
Losses < 12 months
Losses 12 months or >
Fairvalue
Grossunrealizedlosses
11,973
27
7,460
1,643
19,433
19,549
118
176,664
3,612
196,213
31,818
86
1,717,118
356,958
1,748,936
35,700
211
2,195,760
265,667
2,231,460
18,397
99,040
442
4,157,272
634,340
4,256,312
7,790
49,832
374
128,965
1,826
178,797
3,062
25
1,795,154
329,254
1,798,216
2,227,703
19,852
52,894
399
4,223,749
592,694
4,276,643
At each reporting period, the Company evaluated its held to maturity municipal obligation portfolio for credit loss using probability of default and loss given default models. The models were run using a long-term average probability of default migration and with a probability weighting of Moody’s economic forecasts. The resulting credit losses, if any, were negligible and no allowance for credit loss was recorded.
12
The fair value and gross unrealized losses for securities classified as held to maturity with unrealized losses for the periods indicated follow.
Held to maturity
29,579
316
331,773
47,767
71,115
495
544,326
22,690
615,441
571,669
836,727
100,694
811
2,313,431
217,077
2,414,125
9,530
339,533
43,908
349,063
343,401
1,801
226,165
17,792
569,566
352,931
1,864
2,035,771
198,428
2,388,702
As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company had 727 and 698 securities, respectively, with market values below their cost basis. There were no material unrealized losses related to the marketability of the securities or the issuer’s ability to meet contractual obligations. In all cases, the indicated impairment on these debt securities would be recovered no later than the security’s maturity date or possibly earlier if the market price for the security increases with a reduction in the yield required by the market. The unrealized losses were deemed to be materially non-credit related at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023. At March 31, 2024, the Company had adequate liquidity and, therefore, neither planned to nor expected to be required to liquidate these securities before recovery of the amortized cost basis.
13
3. Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses
The Company generally makes loans in its market areas of southern and central Mississippi; southern and central Alabama; northwest, central and southern Louisiana; the northern, central and panhandle regions of Florida; certain areas of east and northeast Texas; and the metropolitan areas of Nashville, Tennessee and Atlanta, Georgia.
Loans, net of unearned income, by portfolio are presented at amortized cost basis in the table below. Amortized cost does not include accrued interest, which is reflected in the accrued interest line item in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, totaling $125.4 million and $124.7 million at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. The following table presents loans, net of unearned income, by portfolio class at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.
Commercial non-real estate
9,926,333
9,957,284
Commercial real estate - owner occupied
3,080,192
3,093,763
Total commercial and industrial
13,006,525
13,051,047
Commercial real estate - income producing
4,042,797
3,986,943
Construction and land development
1,541,773
1,551,091
Residential mortgages
3,983,321
3,886,072
Consumer
1,396,522
1,446,764
Total loans
The following briefly describes the composition of each loan category and portfolio class.
Commercial and industrial
Commercial and industrial loans are made available to businesses for working capital (including financing of inventory and receivables), business expansion, to facilitate the acquisition of a business, and the purchase of equipment and machinery, including equipment leasing. These loans are primarily made based on the identified cash flows of the borrower and, when secured, have the added strength of the underlying collateral.
Commercial non-real estate loans may be secured by the assets being financed or other tangible or intangible business assets such as accounts receivable, inventory, ownership, enterprise value or commodity interests, and may incorporate a personal or corporate guarantee; however, some short-term loans may be made on an unsecured basis, including a small portfolio of corporate credit cards, generally issued as a part of overall customer relationships.
Commercial real estate – owner occupied loans consist of commercial mortgages on properties where repayment is generally dependent on the cash flow from the ongoing operations and activities of the borrower. Like commercial non-real estate, these loans are primarily made based on the identified cash flows of the borrower, but also have the added strength of the value of underlying real estate collateral.
Commercial real estate – income producing
Commercial real estate – income producing loans consist of loans secured by commercial mortgages on properties where the loan is made to real estate developers or investors and repayment is dependent on the sale, refinance, or income generated from the operation of the property. Properties financed include retail, office, multifamily, senior housing, hotel/motel, skilled nursing facilities and other commercial properties.
Construction and land development loans are made to facilitate the acquisition, development, improvement and construction of both commercial and residential-purpose properties. Such loans are made to builders and investors where repayment is expected to be made from the sale, refinance or operation of the property or to businesses to be used in their business operations. This portfolio also includes residential construction loans and loans secured by raw land not yet under development.
Residential mortgages consist of closed-end loans secured by first liens on 1- 4 family residential properties. The portfolio includes both fixed and adjustable rate loans, although most longer-term, fixed rate loans originated are generally sold in the secondary mortgage market.
14
Consumer loans include second lien mortgage home loans, home equity lines of credit and nonresidential consumer purpose loans. Nonresidential consumer loans include both direct and indirect loans. Direct nonresidential consumer loans are made to finance the purchase of personal property, including automobiles, recreational vehicles and boats, and for other personal purposes (secured and unsecured), and deposit account secured loans. Indirect nonresidential consumer loans include automobile financing provided to the consumer through an agreement with automobile dealerships, though the Company is no longer engaged in this type of lending and the remaining portfolio is in runoff. Consumer loans also include a small portfolio of credit card receivables issued on the basis of applications received through referrals from the Bank’s branches, online and other marketing efforts.
Allowance for Credit Losses
The calculation of the allowance for credit losses is performed using two primary approaches: a collective approach for pools of loans that have similar risk characteristics using a loss rate analysis, and a specific reserve analysis for credits individually evaluated. The allowance for credit losses for collectively evaluated portfolios is developed using multiple Moody’s macroeconomic forecasts applied to internally developed credit models for a two year reasonable and supportable period.
The following tables present activity in the allowance for credit losses (ACL) by portfolio class for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, as well as the corresponding recorded investment in loans at the end of each period.
Commercial
real estate-
commercial
Construction
non-real
owner
and
income
and land
Residential
estate
occupied
industrial
producing
development
mortgages
Three Months Ended March 31, 2024
Allowance for credit losses
Allowance for loan losses:
Beginning balance
101,737
40,197
141,934
74,539
27,039
38,983
25,412
307,907
Charge-offs
(9,630
(8,819
(75
(56
(4,786
(23,366
Recoveries
13,104
102
13,206
61
914
14,386
Net provision for loan losses
(853
(1,021
(1,874
12,154
(1,187
2,029
3,677
14,799
Ending balance - allowance for loan losses
104,358
39,278
143,636
77,877
25,838
41,158
25,217
313,726
Reserve for unfunded lending commitments:
5,507
327
5,834
1,344
20,019
1,667
28,894
Provision for losses on unfunded commitments
192
(40
152
(352
(1,615
(8
(1,831
Ending balance - reserve for unfunded lending commitments
5,699
287
5,986
992
18,404
22
1,659
27,063
Total allowance for credit losses
110,057
39,565
149,622
78,869
44,242
41,180
26,876
340,789
Individually evaluated
Collectively evaluated
Allowance for loan losses
Loans:
11,255
11,994
23,436
928
818
37,176
9,915,078
3,079,453
12,994,531
4,019,361
1,540,845
1,395,704
23,933,762
The Company utilized the February 2024 Moody’s forecasts in the computation of the March 31, 2024 allowance for credit losses, which was the most current available at that time. The Company incorporated certain qualitative factors in the computation of the allowance for credit loss to account for factors not captured in the Moody’s macroeconomic forecast. The Moody's forecasts are anchored on a baseline economic forecast, which Moody’s defines as the “most likely outcome” based on current conditions and its view of where the economy is headed. The baseline scenario is positioned at the 50th percentile of possible outcomes. Several upside and downside alternative scenarios are also derived from that baseline scenario and considered when assessing reasonably possible outcomes.
In arriving at the allowance for credit losses at March 31, 2024, the Company weighted Moody’s February 2024 baseline economic forecast at 40% and downside mild recessionary S-2 scenario at 60%. The February 2024 baseline scenario maintains a generally optimistic outlook in its assumptions surrounding the drivers of economic growth, including its expectations of the effectiveness of the Federal Reserve's monetary policy in easing inflationary conditions without precipitating a recession. The S-2 scenario is less optimistic compared to the baseline, with the assumed combination of risk of a federal shutdown, rising political tensions, continuing elevated inflation, and reduced credit availability leading to a forecasted mild recession beginning in the second quarter of 2024 and lasting for three quarters.
15
The modest increase in the allowance for loan losses at March 31, 2024 compared to December 31, 2023, reflects a relatively consistent credit loss outlook and continued focus on risks that impact certain segments within the Company’s loan portfolio. The decline in the reserve for unfunded commitments compared to December 31, 2023 was largely volume driven.
Three Months Ended March 31, 2023
96,461
48,284
144,745
71,961
30,498
32,464
28,121
307,789
(4,528
(61
(3,363
(7,972
1,033
195
1,228
181
838
2,253
(320
(813
(1,133
4,231
459
1,916
1,842
7,315
92,646
47,666
140,312
76,192
30,902
34,541
27,438
309,385
4,984
302
5,286
1,395
25,110
31
1,487
33,309
(191
(169
493
(1,487
(14
(118
(1,295
4,793
324
5,117
1,888
23,623
17
1,369
32,014
97,439
47,990
145,429
78,080
54,525
34,558
28,807
341,399
10,273
684
10,957
1,120
1,135
13,212
10,003,209
3,050,064
13,053,273
3,757,335
1,726,916
3,328,658
1,525,129
23,391,311
10,013,482
3,050,748
13,064,230
3,758,455
3,329,793
23,404,523
The allowance for credit loss for the three months ended March 31, 2023, was up slightly when compared to December 31, 2022, with modest increases in the Commercial Real Estate Income Producing and Residential Mortgage portfolios that were largely offset by declines across the remaining portfolios. Positive economic indicators of growth within the Company's footprint, relatively stable asset quality metrics and modest credit losses in recent periods led to relatively flat reserves for the quarter. In arriving at the allowance for credit losses at March 31, 2023, the Company weighted the baseline economic forecast at 40%, the downside S-2 mild recession scenario at 50%, and the S-3 more severe recession scenario at 10%.
Nonaccrual loans and certain reportable modified loan disclosures
The following table shows the composition of nonaccrual loans and those without an allowance for loan loss, by portfolio class.
Total nonaccrual
Nonaccrual without allowance for loan loss
17,487
20,840
13,637
2,197
2,228
19,684
23,068
24,066
461
815
25,924
26,137
10,180
8,555
82,082
59,036
As a part of our loss mitigation efforts, we may provide modifications to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty to improve long-term collectability of the loans and to avoid the need for repossession or foreclosure of collateral. Nonaccrual loans include reportable nonaccruing modified loans to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty (“MEFDs”) totaling $0.2 million and $0.1 million at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. Total reportable MEFDs, both accruing and nonaccruing, were $37.6 million and $24.5 million at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. The Company had unfunded commitments to borrowers whose
16
loan terms have been modified as a reportable MEFD totaling $10.8 million and $0.7 million at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.
The tables below provide detail by portfolio class for reportable MEFDs entered into during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023. Modified facilities are reflected only once in each table based on the type of modification or combination of modification.
Term extension
Significant payment delay
Term extensions and significant payment delay
Balance
Percentage of portfolio
17,846
0.18
%
5,275
0.05
0.14
0.04
1,573
1,893
113
0.01
Total reportable modified loans
0.08
0.02
934
1,618
Reportable modifications to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty during the three months ended March 31, 2024 consisted of weighted average term extensions totaling approximately eight months for commercial loans, eight years for residential mortgage loans and four years for consumer loans. The weighted average term of other than insignificant payment delays during the three months ended March 31, 2024 was four months for commercial loans. Reportable modifications to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty during the three months ended March 31, 2023 consisted of weighted average term extensions totaling one month for commercial loans. Reported term extensions and payment delays are considered more than insignificant if they exceeded six months when considering other modifications made in the past twelve months
The tables below present the aging analysis of reportable modifications to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty by portfolio class at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.
30-59dayspast due
60-89dayspast due
Greater than90 dayspast due
Totalpast due
Current
Total reportable modified Loans
(in thousands)
5,791
178
5,969
25,473
31,442
955
806
1,761
6,746
6,924
26,279
33,203
84
222
2,125
2,347
197
188
385
419
7,343
30,249
37,592
3,149
233
4,430
7,812
14,145
21,957
1,774
15,919
23,731
85
66
390
456
274
3,215
7,878
16,668
24,546
There were three commercial non-real estate loans totaling $3.2 million with a reportable term extension modification that had a post modification payment default during the three month period ended March 31, 2024. There were no post modification payment defaults within the three month period ended March 31, 2023. A payment default occurs if the loan is either 90 days or more delinquent or has been charged off as of the end of the period presented.
Aging Analysis
The tables below present the aging analysis of past due loans by portfolio class at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.
Greaterthan90 dayspast due
TotalLoans
Recordedinvestment> 90 daysand stillaccruing
7,152
8,450
13,837
29,439
9,896,894
1,863
1,751
1,979
2,608
6,338
3,073,854
421
8,903
10,429
16,445
35,777
12,970,748
2,284
204
3,701
27,341
4,015,456
3,128
851
147
2,285
3,283
1,538,490
381
49,842
2,763
72,154
3,911,167
125
10,290
7,639
6,008
23,937
1,372,585
2,020
70,090
44,414
47,988
162,492
23,808,446
7,938
12,311
4,381
21,132
37,824
9,919,460
5,782
1,614
1,596
1,715
4,925
3,088,838
431
13,925
5,977
22,847
42,749
13,008,298
6,213
3,938
606
408
4,952
3,981,991
1,655
1,220
1,208
4,083
1,547,008
742
40,189
9,121
18,960
68,270
3,817,802
172
11,059
5,957
6,611
23,627
1,423,137
2,482
70,766
22,881
50,034
143,681
23,778,236
9,609
Credit Quality Indicators
The following tables present the credit quality indicators by segment and portfolio class of loans at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023. The Company routinely assesses the ratings of loans in its portfolio through an established and comprehensive portfolio management process.
18
Commercialnon-realestate
Commercialreal estate -owner-occupied
Totalcommercialand industrial
Commercialreal estate -incomeproducing
Constructionand landdevelopment
Totalcommercial
Grade:
Pass
9,407,861
2,988,192
12,396,053
3,862,625
1,521,518
17,780,196
Pass-Watch
255,418
63,335
318,753
134,248
18,027
471,028
Special Mention
25,058
17,667
42,725
6,714
49,439
Substandard
237,996
10,998
248,994
39,210
290,432
Doubtful
18,591,095
9,524,018
3,016,277
12,540,295
3,799,004
1,542,460
17,881,759
234,211
52,027
286,238
139,932
433,630
11,486
6,647
18,133
40,826
356
59,315
187,569
18,812
206,381
7,181
214,377
18,589,081
Residentialmortgage
Residential mortgage
Performing
3,957,398
1,386,342
5,343,740
3,859,935
1,438,209
5,298,144
Nonperforming
25,923
36,103
34,692
5,379,843
5,332,836
Below are the definitions of the Company’s internally assigned grades:
Commercial:
Residential and Consumer:
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Vintage Analysis
The following tables present credit quality disclosures of amortized cost by class and vintage for term loans and by revolving and revolving converted to amortizing at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023. The Company defines vintage as the later of origination, renewal or modification date. The gross charge-offs presented in the tables that follow are for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and the year ended December 31, 2023.
Term Loans
Revolving Loans
Amortized Cost Basis by Origination Year
Revolving
Converted to
2022
2021
2020
Prior
Commercial Non-Real Estate:
356,133
1,456,018
1,709,790
1,018,785
426,293
1,242,580
3,154,253
44,009
1,548
55,622
21,358
27,428
19,555
26,843
102,356
708
11,035
2,640
499
124
9,800
143
6,540
35,643
79,983
18,194
7,984
3,308
80,505
5,839
375,256
1,549,923
1,811,630
1,064,418
453,956
1,273,537
3,346,914
50,699
Gross Charge-offs
3,907
850
106
51
1,483
2,323
910
9,630
Commercial Real Estate - Owner Occupied:
60,032
368,653
676,512
605,118
492,383
744,599
40,598
297
2,978
24,790
9,816
5,317
19,747
687
187
17,330
150
958
4,660
1,588
1,363
2,136
293
372,589
705,962
616,709
499,063
783,812
41,728
Commercial Real Estate - Income Producing:
54,025
504,820
937,290
1,017,973
625,603
653,818
64,938
4,158
13,301
6,622
4,047
4,163
70,889
33,226
2,000
448
6,266
4,086
34,278
286
560
67,326
515,976
975,615
1,022,422
696,492
693,870
66,938
8,819
Construction and Land Development:
70,758
418,296
635,714
176,967
36,935
21,652
156,207
4,989
1,385
11,727
4,416
230
205
433
1,073
97
43
296
420,114
648,514
181,480
37,042
22,168
156,708
75
Residential Mortgage:
67,697
414,407
1,012,153
946,874
479,252
1,033,398
3,617
911
2,941
4,277
17,508
415,318
1,015,094
951,151
479,538
1,050,906
54
56
Consumer Loans:
27,375
56,206
53,824
32,622
24,841
71,041
1,111,067
9,366
20
92
712
899
863
5,118
250
2,226
27,395
56,298
54,536
33,521
25,704
76,159
1,111,317
11,592
635
832
404
49
315
2,040
511
4,786
2019
1,557,202
1,812,370
1,106,433
483,739
398,626
923,143
3,186,189
56,316
30,360
60,228
20,730
8,245
4,988
9,117
94,252
6,291
411
6,206
936
26
836
2,620
424
48,264
48,178
18,882
8,058
3,079
1,660
54,453
4,995
1,636,237
1,926,982
1,146,981
500,069
406,719
934,756
3,337,514
68,026
7,885
1,179
1,484
27,000
81
1,750
11,971
8,480
59,830
374,466
689,626
620,272
501,054
284,032
493,707
40,533
12,587
2,574
9,587
9,654
3,451
8,791
17,581
389
837
617
110
5,083
2,322
4,956
967
1,295
584
7,374
1,314
380,199
704,169
631,510
505,800
293,517
523,745
42,236
456,334
953,501
966,402
618,003
323,344
367,010
65,486
48,924
9,469
3,886
75,182
23,827
22,504
156
32,255
354
8,061
1,921
122
766
470,045
990,741
970,574
693,539
347,293
398,341
67,486
73
388,453
676,687
248,036
62,086
18,834
139,587
2,769
3,067
2,820
827
83
128
323
212
294
87
96
279
391,814
679,594
248,959
62,218
6,207
19,436
140,094
72
439,024
910,361
950,400
489,262
176,041
891,232
3,615
561
2,233
3,260
730
2,366
16,987
439,585
912,594
953,660
489,992
178,407
908,219
55
75,615
59,454
36,693
28,076
31,802
39,150
1,144,401
23,018
176
237
245
438
445
2,528
369
4,117
75,791
59,691
36,938
28,514
32,247
41,678
1,144,770
27,135
567
2,388
1,473
215
573
824
7,735
15,393
Residential Mortgage Loans in Process of Foreclosure
Loans in process of foreclosure include those for which formal foreclosure proceedings are in process according to local requirements of the applicable jurisdiction. Included in loans at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 were $6.1 million and $7.1 million, respectively, of consumer loans secured by single family residential real estate that were in process of foreclosure. In addition to the single family residential real estate loans in process of foreclosure, the Company also held foreclosed single family residential properties in other real estate owned totaling $0.8 million at March 31, 2024 and $1.6 million at December 31, 2023.
Loans Held for Sale
Loans held for sale totaled $16.5 million and $26.1 million at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. Loans held for sale is composed primarily of residential mortgage loans originated for sale in the secondary market. At March 31, 2024, residential mortgage loans carried at the fair value option totaled $15.2 million with an unpaid principal balance of $14.8 million. At December 31, 2023, residential mortgage loans carried at the fair value option totaled $13.3 million with an unpaid principal balance of $12.9 million. All other loans held for sale are carried at the lower of cost or market.
4. Investments in low income housing tax credit entities
The Company invests in certain affordable housing project limited partnerships that are qualified low-income housing tax credit developments. These investments are considered variable interest entities for which the Company is not the primary beneficiary and,
21
therefore, are not consolidated. These partnerships generate low-income tax credits that are earned over a 10-year period, beginning with the year the rental activity begins. The Company has elected to use the practical expedient method of amortization, which approximates the proportional amortization method, whereby the investment cost is amortized in proportion to the allocated tax credits over the 10 year tax credit period. Additionally, the Company recognizes deferred taxes on the basis difference of the tax equity investment to reflect the financial impact of other tax benefits (e.g., tax operating losses) not included in the practical expedient amortization. The tax credits, when realized, are reflected in the consolidated statements of income as a reduction of income tax expense. The Company’s investments in affordable housing limited partnerships totaled $37.9 million and $37.8 million at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, with a carry balance net of accumulated amortization included in the other assets line item on our Consolidated Balance Sheets totaling $28.7 million and $29.6 million, respectively, for those same periods. The net impact of the low-income housing tax credit program was not material to our Consolidated Statements of Income or Cash flows for both the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023.
5. Securities Sold under Agreements to Repurchase
Included in short-term borrowings are securities sold under agreements to repurchase that mature daily and are secured by U.S. agency securities totaling $667.4 million and $454.5 million at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. The Company borrows funds on a secured basis by selling securities under agreements to repurchase, mainly in connection with treasury management services offered to its deposit customers. As the Company maintains effective control over assets sold under agreements to repurchase, the securities continue to be carried on the consolidated statements of financial condition. Because the Company acts as borrower transferring assets to the counterparty, and the agreements mature daily, the Company’s risk is limited.
6. Derivatives
Risk Management Objective of Using Derivatives
The Company enters into derivative financial instruments to manage risks related to differences in the amount, timing, and duration of the Company’s known or expected cash receipts and its known or expected cash payments. The Bank also enters into interest rate derivative agreements as a service to certain qualifying customers. The Bank manages a matched book with respect to these customer derivatives in order to minimize its net interest rate risk exposure resulting from such agreements. In addition, the Bank also enters into risk participation agreements under which it may either sell or buy credit risk associated with a customer’s performance under certain interest rate derivative contracts related to loans in which participation interests have been sold to or purchased from other banks.
Fair Values of Derivative Instruments on the Balance Sheet
The table below presents the notional or contractual amounts and fair values of the Company’s derivative financial instruments as well as their classification on the consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.
Derivative (1)
Type ofHedge
Notional orContractualAmount
Assets
Liabilities
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Interest rate swaps - variable rate loans
Cash Flow
1,550,000
90,143
73,611
Interest rate swaps - securities
Fair Value
477,500
31,347
22,819
Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments
2,027,500
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Interest rate swaps
5,094,695
141,396
141,539
5,128,144
131,271
129,994
Risk participation agreements
348,091
364,906
34
Interest rate-lock commitments on residential mortgage loans
39,373
842
1
13,355
Forward commitments to sell residential mortgage loans
24,981
569
18,563
372
To Be Announced (TBA) securities
20,250
46
13,500
Foreign exchange forward contracts
83,065
961
937
83,134
1,840
Visa Class B derivative contract
42,617
2,141
1,342
Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
5,653,072
143,217
145,237
5,664,219
133,541
133,527
Total derivatives
7,680,572
174,564
235,380
7,691,719
156,360
207,138
Less: netting adjustment (2)
(79,875
(65,648
Total derivative assets/liabilities
94,689
90,712
Cash Flow Hedges of Interest Rate Risk
The Company is party to various interest rate swap agreements designated and qualifying as cash flow hedges of the Company’s forecasted variable cash flows for pools of variable rate loans. For each agreement, the Company receives interest at a fixed rate and pays at a variable rate. The Company terminated six swap agreements during the three months ended March 31, 2023 and paid cash of approximately $2.9 million. The net cash paid for these transactions was recorded as accumulated other comprehensive income/loss and is being amortized into earnings through the original maturity dates of the respective contracts. There were no terminations of interest rate swap agreements designated as cash flow hedges during the three months ended March 31, 2024. The notional amounts of the swap agreements in place at March 31, 2024 expire as follows: $50 million in 2025; $475 million in 2026; $925 million in 2027; and $100 million in 2028.
Fair Value Hedges of Interest Rate Risk
Interest rate swaps on securities available for sale
The Company is party to forward-starting fixed payer swaps that convert the latter portion of the term of certain available for sale securities to a floating rate. These derivative instruments are designated as fair value hedges of interest rate risk. This strategy provides the Company with a fixed rate coupon during the front-end unhedged tenor of the bonds and results in a floating rate security during the back-end hedged tenor. At March 31, 2024, these single layer instruments have hedge start dates between January 2025 and July 2026, and maturity dates from December 2027 through March 2031. The fair value of the hedged item attributable to interest rate risk is presented in interest income along with the change in the fair value of the hedging instrument.
The hedged available for sale securities are part of closed portfolios of pre-payable commercial mortgage backed securities. In accordance with ASC 815, prepayment risk may be excluded when measuring the change in fair value of such hedged items attributable to interest rate risk under the portfolio layer method (formerly referred to as last-of-layer). At March 31, 2024, the amortized cost basis of the closed portfolio of pre-payable commercial mortgage backed securities totaled $514.3 million, excluding any basis adjustment. The amount that represents the hedged items was $446.0 million and the basis adjustment associated with the hedged items was a loss totaling $31.5 million.
The Company terminated three fair value swap agreements during the three months ended March 31, 2023 and received cash of approximately $16.6 million. At the time of termination, the value of the swap was recorded as an adjustment to the book value of the underlying security, thereby changing its current book yield and extending its duration, if held, or impacting the net gain or loss, if sold. There were no fair value swap agreements terminated during the three months ended March 31, 2024.
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedges
Customer interest rate derivative program
The Bank enters into interest rate derivative agreements, primarily rate swaps, with commercial banking customers to facilitate their risk management strategies. The Bank enters into offsetting agreements with unrelated financial institutions, thereby mitigating its net risk exposure resulting from such transactions. Because the interest rate derivatives associated with this program do not meet hedge accounting requirements, changes in the fair value of both the customer derivatives and the offsetting derivatives are recognized directly in earnings.
The Bank also enters into risk participation agreements under which it may either assume or sell credit risk associated with a borrower’s performance under certain interest rate derivative contracts. In those instances where the Bank has assumed credit risk, it is not a direct counterparty to the derivative contract with the borrower and has entered into the risk participation agreement because it is a party to the related loan agreement with the borrower. In those instances in which the Bank has sold credit risk, it is the sole counterparty to the derivative contract with the borrower and has entered into the risk participation agreement because other banks participate in the related loan agreement. The Bank manages its credit risk under risk participation agreements by monitoring the creditworthiness of the borrower, based on the Bank’s normal credit review process.
Mortgage banking derivatives
The Bank also enters into certain derivative agreements as part of its mortgage banking activities. These agreements include interest rate lock commitments on prospective residential mortgage loans and forward commitments to sell loans to investors on either a best efforts or a mandatory delivery basis. The Company uses these forward sales commitments, which may include To Be Announced
23
(“TBA”) security contracts, on the open market to protect the value of its rate locks and mortgage loans held for sale from changes in interest rates and pricing between the origination of the rate lock and the final sale of these loans. These instruments meet the definition of derivative financial instruments and are reflected in other assets and other liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, with changes to the fair value recorded in noninterest income within the secondary mortgage market operations line item in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
The loans sold on a mandatory basis commit the Company to deliver a specific principal amount of mortgage loans to an investor at a specified price, by a specified date. If the Company fails to deliver the amount of mortgages necessary to fulfill the commitment by the specified date, we may be obligated to pay a pair-off fee, based on then-current market prices, to the investor/counterparty to compensate the investor for the shortfall. Mandatory delivery forward commitments include TBA security contracts on the open market to provide protection against changes in interest rates on the locked mortgage pipeline. The Company expects that mandatory delivery contracts, including TBA security contracts, will experience changes in fair value opposite to the changes in the fair value of derivative loan commitments. Certain assumptions, including pull through rates and rate lock periods, are used in managing the existing and future hedges. The accuracy of underlying assumptions could impact the ultimate effectiveness of any hedging strategies.
Forward commitments under best effort contracts commit the Company to deliver a specific individual mortgage loan to an investor if the loan to the underlying borrower closes. Generally, best efforts cash contracts have no pair-off risk regardless of market movement. The price the investor will pay the seller for an individual loan is specified prior to the loan being funded, generally the same day the Company enters into the interest rate lock commitment with the potential borrower. The Company expects that these best efforts forward loan sale commitments will experience a net neutral shift in fair value with related derivative loan commitments.
At the closing of the loan, the rate lock commitment derivative expires and the Company generally records a loan held for sale at fair value under the election of fair value option.
Customer foreign exchange forward contract derivatives
The Company enters into foreign exchange forward derivative agreements, primarily forward foreign currency contracts, with commercial banking customers to facilitate their risk management strategies. The Bank manages its risk exposure from such transactions by entering into offsetting agreements with unrelated financial institutions. The Bank has not elected to designate these foreign exchange forward contract derivatives as hedges; as such, changes in the fair value of both the customer derivatives and the offsetting derivatives are recognized directly in earnings.
The Company is a member of Visa USA. In 2018, the Company sold the majority of its Visa Class B holdings, at which time it entered into a derivative agreement with the purchaser whereby the Company will make or receive cash payments whenever the conversion ratio of the Visa Class B shares into Visa Class A shares is adjusted. The conversion ratio changes when Visa deposits funds to a litigation escrow established by Visa to pay settlements for certain litigation, for which Visa is indemnified by Visa USA members. The Company is also required to make periodic financing payments to the purchaser until all of Visa’s covered litigation matters are resolved. Thus, the derivative contract extends until the end of Visa’s covered litigation matters, the timing of which is uncertain.
The contract includes a contingent accelerated termination clause based on the credit ratings of the Company. At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the fair value of the liability associated with this contract was $2.1 million and $1.3 million, respectively. Refer to Note 14 – Fair Value Measurements for discussion of the valuation inputs and process for this derivative liability.
Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Statements of Income
The effects of derivative instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Income for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 are presented in the table below.
24
Derivative Instruments:
Location of Gain (Loss) Recognizedin the Statements of Income:
Cash flow hedges:
Variable rate loans
Interest income - loans
(12,558
(8,001
Fair value hedges:
Securities
Interest income - securities - taxable
3,108
2,750
Derivatives not designated as hedging:
Residential mortgage banking
Noninterest income - secondary mortgage market operations
285
484
Customer and all other instruments
Noninterest income - other noninterest income
(2,802
583
Total loss
(11,967
(4,184
Credit Risk-Related Contingent Features
Certain of the Bank’s derivative instruments contain provisions allowing the financial institution counterparty to terminate the contracts in certain circumstances, such as a downgrade of the Bank’s credit ratings below specified levels, a default by the Bank on its indebtedness, or the failure of the Bank to maintain specified minimum regulatory capital ratios or its regulatory status as a well-capitalized institution. These derivative agreements also contain provisions regarding the posting of collateral by each party. At March 31, 2024, the Company was not in violation of any such provisions. The aggregate fair value of derivative instruments with credit risk-related contingent features that were in a net liability position at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 was $76.1 million and $65.6 million, respectively, for which the Company had posted collateral of $75.7 million and $66.0 million, respectively.
Offsetting Assets and Liabilities
The Bank’s derivative instruments with certain counterparties contain legally enforceable netting provisions that allow for net settlement of multiple transactions to a single amount, which may be positive, negative, or zero. Agreements with certain bilateral counterparties require both parties to maintain collateral in the event that the fair values of derivative instruments exceed established exposure thresholds. For centrally cleared derivatives, the Company is subject to initial margin posting and daily variation margin exchange with the central clearinghouses. Offsetting information in regards to all derivative assets and liabilities, including accrued interest, subject to these master netting agreements at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 is presented in the following tables.
GrossAmounts
Net Amounts
Gross Amounts Not Offset in theStatement of Financial Condition
Description
GrossAmountsRecognized
Offset inthe Statementof Financial Condition
Presented inthe Statementof Financial Condition
FinancialInstruments
CashCollateral
NetAmount
As of March 31, 2024
Derivative Assets
177,044
(82,430
94,614
Derivative Liabilities
97,599
104,684
(101,699
As of December 31, 2023
152,740
(68,282
84,458
87,567
96,176
(93,067
The Company has excess posted collateral compared to total exposure due to initial margin requirements for day-to-day rate volatility.
7. Stockholders’ Equity
Common Shares Outstanding
Common shares outstanding excludes treasury shares totaling 6.3 million at both March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, with a first-in-first-out cost basis of $227.8 million and $236.7 million at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. Shares outstanding also excludes unvested restricted share awards totaling $0.3 million at both March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.
Stock Buyback Program
On January 26, 2023, the Company’s board of directors approved a stock buyback program whereby the Company is authorized to repurchase up to approximately 4.3 million shares of its outstanding common stock through the program’s expiration date of December 31, 2024. The program allows the Company to repurchase its common shares in the open market, by block purchase, through accelerated share repurchase programs, in privately negotiated transactions, or otherwise, in one or more transactions from time to time, depending on market conditions and other factors, and in accordance with applicable regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company is not obligated to purchase any shares under this program, and the board of directors has the ability to terminate or amend the program at any time prior to the expiration date. At March 31, 2024, Company had not repurchased shares under this program.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
A roll-forward of the components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) is presented in the table that follows:
Availablefor SaleSecurities
HTM SecuritiesTransferredfrom AFS
EmployeeBenefit Plans
CashFlow Hedges
Equity Method Investment
(584,408
(10,734
(97,952
(79,093
Net change in unrealized gain
80,958
19,280
706
Reclassification of net loss realized and included in earnings
1,519
8,001
Amortization of unrealized net gain or loss on securities transferred to HTM
Income tax (expense) benefit
(18,224
(111
71
(6,141
(24,405
(521,674
(10,351
(98,198
(57,953
711
(450,748
(9,385
(103,061
(58,306
373
Net change in unrealized gain (loss)
(48,264
(29,191
(344
1,019
12,558
Amortization of unrealized net loss on securities transferred to HTM
10,927
(96
(5,176
3,737
9,392
(488,085
(9,053
(85,204
(71,202
29
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income or Loss (“AOCI”) is reported as a component of stockholders’ equity. AOCI can include, among other items, unrealized holding gains and losses on securities available for sale (“AFS”), including the Company’s share of unrealized gains and losses reported by a partnership accounted for under the equity method, gains and losses associated with pension or other post-retirement benefits that are not recognized immediately as a component of net periodic benefit cost, and gains and losses on derivative instruments that are designated as, and qualify as, cash flow hedges. Net unrealized gains and losses on AFS securities reclassified as securities held to maturity (“HTM”) also continue to be reported as a component of AOCI and will be amortized over the estimated remaining life of the securities as an adjustment to interest income. Subject to certain thresholds, unrealized losses on employee benefit plans will be reclassified into income as pension and post-retirement costs are recognized over the remaining service period of plan participants. Accumulated gains or losses on cash flow hedges of variable rate loans described in Note 6 - Derivatives will be reclassified into income over the life of the hedge. Accumulated other comprehensive loss resulting from the terminated interest rate swaps are being amortized over the remaining maturities of the designated instruments. Gains and losses within AOCI are net of deferred income taxes, where applicable.
The following table shows the line items in the consolidated statements of income affected by amounts reclassified from AOCI.
Amount reclassified from AOCI (a)
Affected line item on
the statement of income
(428
(494
Interest income
Tax effect
111
Income taxes
Net of tax
(332
(383
Amortization of defined benefit pension and post-retirement items
(1,019
(1,519
Other noninterest expense (b)
229
340
(790
(1,179
Reclassification of unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges
(12,658
(10,629
2,844
2,393
(9,814
(8,236
Amortization of gain on terminated cash flow hedges
100
2,628
(22
(592
78
2,036
Total reclassifications, net of tax
(10,858
(7,762
8. Other Noninterest Income
Components of other noninterest income are as follows:
Income from bank-owned life insurance
4,229
3,286
Credit related fees
3,131
2,765
Income (loss) from customer and other derivatives
Net gains on sales of premises, equipment and other assets
2,779
407
Other miscellaneous
5,841
4,177
Total other noninterest income
9. Other Noninterest Expense
Components of other noninterest expense are as follows:
Corporate value and franchise taxes and other non-income taxes
5,071
5,253
Advertising
2,907
3,256
Telecommunications and postage
2,413
3,071
Entertainment and contributions
3,178
2,631
Tax credit investment amortization
1,554
1,401
Printing and supplies
882
990
Travel expense
1,103
1,046
Net other retirement expense
(4,824
(3,655
7,624
8,124
Total other noninterest expense
10. Earnings Per Common Share
The Company calculates earnings per share using the two-class method. The two-class method allocates net income to each class of common stock and participating security according to common dividends declared and participation rights in undistributed earnings. Participating securities consist of nonvested share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents.
A summary of the information used in the computation of earnings per common share follows.
($ in thousands, except per share data)
Numerator:
Net income to common shareholders
Net income allocated to participating securities - basic and diluted
784
1,358
Net income allocated to common shareholders - basic and diluted
107,828
125,109
Denominator:
Weighted-average common shares - basic
Dilutive potential common shares
264
Weighted-average common shares - diluted
Earnings per common share:
Basic
Diluted
Potential common shares consist of stock options, nonvested performance-based awards, nonvested restricted stock units, and restricted share awards deferred under the Company’s nonqualified deferred compensation plan. These potential common shares do not enter into the calculation of diluted earnings per share if the impact would be antidilutive, i.e., increase earnings per share or reduce a loss per share. Potential common shares with weighted averages totaling 43,493 for the three months ended March 31, 2024, and 34,157 for the three months ended March 31, 2023, did not enter the calculation of diluted earnings per share as the impact would have been anti-dilutive.
11. Retirement Plans
The Company offers a qualified defined benefit pension plan, the Hancock Whitney Corporation Pension Plan and Trust Agreement (“Pension Plan”), covering certain eligible associates. Eligibility is based on minimum age and service-related requirements. The Pension Plan excludes any individual hired or rehired by the Company after June 30, 2017 from eligibility to participate, and the accrued benefits of any participant in the Pension Plan whose combined age plus years of service as of January 1, 2018 totaled less than 55 were frozen as of January 1, 2018 and will not thereafter increase. The Company makes contributions to the Pension Plan in amounts sufficient to meet funding requirements set forth in federal employee benefit and tax laws, plus such additional amounts as the Company may determine to be appropriate.
The Company also offers a defined contribution retirement benefit plan (401(k) plan), the Hancock Whitney Corporation 401(k) Savings Plan and Trust Agreement (“401(k) Plan”), that covers substantially all associates who have been employed 60 days and meet a minimum age requirement and employment classification criteria. The Company matches 100% of the first 1% of compensation saved by a participant, and 50% of the next 5% of compensation saved. Newly eligible associates are automatically enrolled at an initial 3% savings rate unless the associate actively opts out of participation in the plan. Beginning January 1, 2018, the Company makes an additional basic contribution to associates hired or rehired after June 30, 2017 in an amount equal to 2% of the associate’s eligible compensation. For Pension Plan participants whose benefits were frozen as of January 1, 2018, the 401(k) Plan provides an enhanced Company contribution in the amount of 2%, 4% or 6% of such participant’s eligible compensation, based on the participant’s current age and years of service with the Company. Participants vest in basic and enhanced Company contributions upon completion of three years of service.
The Company sponsors a nonqualified defined benefit plan covering certain legacy Whitney employees, under which accrued benefits were frozen as of December 31, 2012 and, as such, no future benefits are accrued under this plan.
The Company sponsors defined benefit post-retirement plans for both legacy Hancock and legacy Whitney employees that provide health care and life insurance benefits. Benefits under the Hancock plan are not available to employees hired on or after January 1, 2000. Benefits under the Whitney plan are restricted to retirees who were already receiving benefits at the time of plan amendments in 2007 or active participants who were eligible to receive benefits as of December 31, 2007.
28
The following tables show the components of net periodic benefit cost included in expense for the periods indicated.
Three Months Ended March 31,
Pension Benefits
Other Post-Retirement Benefits
Service cost
1,980
(31
Interest cost
5,788
154
216
Expected return on plan assets
(11,917
(11,178
Amortization of net (gain) or loss and prior service costs
1,204
1,770
(185
(251
Net periodic benefit cost
(2,814
(1,640
(66
12. Share-Based Payment Arrangements
The Company maintains incentive compensation plans that provide for awards of share-based compensation to employees and directors. These plans have been approved by the Company’s shareholders. Detailed descriptions of these plans were included in Note 18 to the consolidated financial statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.
The Company’s restricted and performance-based share awards to certain employees and directors are subject to service requirements. A summary of the status of the Company’s nonvested restricted stock units and restricted and performance-based share awards at March 31, 2024 are presented in the following table.
Weighted
Average
Number of
Grant Date
Shares
Nonvested at January 1, 2024
1,457,401
44.65
Granted
751,122
42.07
Vested
(440,820
41.51
Forfeited
(51,361
43.49
Nonvested at March 31, 2024
1,716,342
44.36
At March 31, 2024, there was $65.0 million of total unrecognized compensation expense related to nonvested restricted and performance share awards and units expected to vest in the future. This compensation is expected to be recognized in expense over a weighted average period of 3.4 years. The total fair value of shares that vested during the three months ended March 31, 2024 was $16.0 million.
During the three months ended March 31, 2024, the Company granted 533,662 restricted stock units (RSUs) to certain eligible employees. Unlike restricted share awards (RSAs), the holders of unvested restricted stock units have no rights as a shareholder of the Company, including voting or dividend rights. The Company has elected to award dividend equivalents on each restricted stock unit not deferred under the Company's nonqualified deferred compensation plan. Such dividend equivalents are forfeited should the employee terminate employment prior to the vesting of the RSU.
During the three months ended March 31, 2024, the Company granted 47,734 performance share awards subject to a total shareholder return (“TSR”) performance metric with a grant date fair value of $43.23 per share and 47,734 performance share awards subject to an adjusted earnings per share performance metric with a grant date fair value of $36.25 per share to key members of executive management. The number of performance shares subject to TSR that ultimately vest at the end of the three-year performance period, if any, will be based on the relative rank of the Company’s three-year TSR among the TSRs of a peer group of 49 regional banks. The fair value of the performance shares subject to TSR at the grant date was determined using a Monte Carlo simulation method. The number of performance shares subject to adjusted earnings per share that ultimately vest will be based on the Company’s attainment of certain adjusted earnings per share goals over the two-year performance period. The maximum number of performance shares that could vest is 200% of the target award. Compensation expense for these performance shares is recognized on a straight line basis over the three-year service period.
13. Commitments and Contingencies
In the normal course of business, the Bank enters into financial instruments, such as commitments to extend credit and letters of credit, to meet the financing needs of its customers. Such instruments are not reflected in the accompanying consolidated financial statements until they are funded, although they expose the Bank to varying degrees of credit risk and interest rate risk in much the same way as funded loans. Under regulatory capital guidelines, the Company and Bank must include unfunded commitments meeting certain criteria in risk-weighted capital calculations.
Commitments to extend credit include revolving commercial credit lines, nonrevolving loan commitments issued mainly to finance the acquisition and development or construction of real property or equipment, and credit card and personal credit lines. The availability of funds under commercial credit lines and loan commitments generally depends on whether the borrower continues to meet credit standards established in the underlying contract and has not violated other contractual conditions. Loan commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee by the borrower. Credit card and personal credit lines are generally subject to cancellation if the borrower’s credit quality deteriorates. A number of commercial and personal credit lines are used only partially or, in some cases, not at all before they expire, and the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements of the Company.
A substantial majority of the letters of credit are standby agreements that obligate the Bank to fulfill a customer’s financial commitments to a third party if the customer is unable to perform. The Bank issues standby letters of credit primarily to provide credit enhancement to its customers’ other commercial or public financing arrangements and to help them demonstrate financial capacity to vendors of essential goods and services.
The contractual amounts of these instruments reflect the Company’s exposure to credit risk. The Company undertakes the same credit evaluation in making loan commitments and assuming conditional obligations as it does for on-balance sheet instruments and may require collateral or other credit support. The Company had a reserve for unfunded lending commitments of $27.1 million and $28.9 million at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.
The following table presents a summary of the Company’s off-balance sheet financial instruments as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023:
Commitments to extend credit
9,330,583
9,852,367
Letters of credit
499,963
481,910
The Company is party to various legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. Management does not believe that loss contingencies, if any, arising from pending litigation and regulatory matters will have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position or liquidity of the Company.
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Special Assessment
In November 2023, the FDIC approved a final rule to implement a special deposit insurance assessment to recover losses to the Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF) arising from the protection of uninsured depositors following the receiverships of failed institutions in the spring of 2023. In the fourth quarter of 2023, the Company recorded a pre-tax special assessment expense totaling $26.1 million based on the November 2023 final rule. In the first quarter of 2024, the FDIC provided notice that the estimated losses attributable to the protection of uninsured depositors at Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank increased approximately $4.1 billion from $16.3 billion, as described in the November 2023 final rule, to $20.4 billion. An additional special assessment expense of $3.8 million was recorded during the first quarter of 2024 in consideration of the revised loss estimate. The FDIC indicated that depository institutions that are subject to the special assessment will be provided with an updated estimate of each institution’s quarterly and total special assessment expense with its first quarter 2024 special assessment invoice in June 2024. We expect that there could be revisions to the estimated loss accrual at that time.
The loss estimates resulting from the failures of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank may be subject to further change pending the projected and actual outcome of loss share agreements, joint ventures, and outstanding litigation. The exact amount of losses incurred will not be determined until the FDIC terminates the receiverships; therefore, the Company's exact exposure for FDIC special assessment remains unknown.
14. Fair Value Measurements
The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The FASB’s guidance also establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to these valuation techniques used to measure fair value, giving preference to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (“level 1”) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs such as a reporting entity’s own data (“level 3”). Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, observable inputs other than quoted prices, such as interest rates and yield curves, and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring Basis
The following tables present for each of the fair value hierarchy levels the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis on the consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023:
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Available for sale debt securities:
Total available for sale securities
Mortgage loans held for sale
15,208
Derivative assets (1)
Total recurring fair value measurements - assets
5,015,320
Derivative liabilities (1)
233,239
Total recurring fair value measurements - liabilities
13,269
5,019,176
205,796
(1) For further disaggregation of derivative assets and liabilities, see Note 6 - Derivatives.
Securities classified as level 2 include obligations of U.S. Government agencies and U.S. Government-sponsored agencies, including “off-the-run” U.S. Treasury securities, residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations that are issued or guaranteed by U.S. government agencies, and state and municipal bonds. The level 2 fair value measurements for investment securities are obtained quarterly from a third-party pricing service that uses industry-standard pricing models. Substantially all of the model inputs are observable in the marketplace or can be supported by observable data.
The Company invests only in securities of investment grade quality with a targeted duration, for the overall portfolio, generally between two and five and a half years. Company policies generally limit investments to U.S. agency securities and municipal securities determined to be investment grade according to an internally generated score which generally includes a rating of not less than “Baa” or its equivalent by a nationally recognized statistical rating agency.
Loans held for sale consist of residential mortgage loans carried under the fair value option. The fair value for these instruments is classified as level 2 based on market prices obtained from potential buyers.
For the Company’s derivative financial instruments designated as hedges and those under the customer interest rate program, the fair value is obtained from a third-party pricing service that uses an industry-standard discounted cash flow model that relies on inputs, Overnight Index swap rate curves and SOFR swap curves (where applicable), all observable in the marketplace. To comply with the accounting guidance, credit valuation adjustments are incorporated in the fair values to appropriately reflect nonperformance risk for both the Company and the counterparties. Although the Company has determined that the majority of the inputs used to value these derivative instruments fall within level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, the credit value adjustments utilize level 3 inputs, such as estimates of current credit spreads. The Company has determined that the impact of the credit valuation adjustments is not significant to the overall valuation of these derivatives. As a result, the Company has classified its derivative valuations for these instruments in level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. The Company’s policy is to measure counterparty credit risk quarterly for derivative instruments, which are all subject to master netting arrangements, consistent with how market participants would price the net risk exposure at the measurement date.
The Company also has certain derivative instruments associated with the Bank’s mortgage-banking activities. These derivative instruments include interest rate lock commitments on prospective residential mortgage loans and forward commitments to sell these loans to investors on a best efforts delivery basis and To Be Announced securities for mandatory delivery contracts. The fair value of these derivative instruments is measured using observable market prices for similar instruments and is classified as a level 2 measurement.
The Company’s level 3 liability consists of a derivative contract with the purchaser of 192,163 shares of Visa Class B common stock. Pursuant to the agreement, the Company retains the risks associated with the ultimate conversion of the Visa Class B common shares into shares of Visa Class A common stock, such that the counterparty will be compensated for any dilutive adjustments to the conversion ratio and the Company will be compensated for any anti-dilutive adjustments to the ratio. The agreement also requires periodic payments by the Company to the counterparty calculated by reference to the market price of Visa Class A common shares at the time of sale and a fixed rate of interest that steps up once after the eighth scheduled quarterly payment. The fair value of the liability is determined using a discounted cash flow methodology. The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement are the Company’s own assumptions about estimated changes in the conversion rate of the Visa Class B common shares into Visa Class A common shares, the date on which such conversion is expected to occur and the estimated growth rate of the Visa Class A common share price. Refer to Note 6 – Derivatives for information about the derivative contract with the counterparty.
The Company believes its valuation methods for its assets and liabilities carried at fair value are appropriate; however, the use of different methodologies or assumptions, particularly as applied to level 3 assets and liabilities, could have a material effect on the computation of their estimated fair values.
Changes in Level 3 Fair Value Measurements and Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements
The table below presents a rollforward of the amounts on the consolidated balance sheets for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and the year ended December 31, 2023 for financial instruments of a material nature that are classified within level 3 of the fair value hierarchy and are measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
Balance at December 31, 2022
1,883
Cash settlement
(2,547
Losses included in earnings
2,006
Balance at December 31, 2023
(431
1,230
Balance at March 31, 2024
32
The table below provides an overview of the valuation techniques and significant unobservable inputs used in those techniques to measure the financial instrument measured on a recurring basis and classified within level 3 of the valuation. The range of sensitivities that management utilized in its fair value calculations is deemed acceptable in the industry with respect to the identified financial instrument. The assumptions reflected in the table below for March 31, 2024 were updated in consideration of the recent proposed exchange offer from Visa.
Level 3 Class
Derivative liability
Valuation technique
Discounted cash flow
Unobservable inputs:
Visa Class A appreciation - range
6-12%
Visa Class A appreciation - weighted average
9%
Conversion rate - range
1.60x-1.59x
Conversion rate -weighted average
1.5950x
Time until resolution
40-50 months
3-9 months
The Company’s policy is to recognize transfers between valuation hierarchy levels as of the end of a reporting period.
Fair Value of Assets Measured on a Nonrecurring Basis
Certain assets and liabilities are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. Collateral-dependent loans individually evaluated for credit loss loans are level 2 assets measured at the fair value of the underlying collateral based on independent third-party appraisals that take into consideration market-based information such as recent sales activity for similar assets in the property’s market.
Other real estate owned and foreclosed assets, including both foreclosed property and surplus banking property, are level 3 assets that are adjusted to fair value, less estimated selling costs, upon transfer from loans or property and equipment. Subsequently, other real estate owned and foreclosed assets is carried at the lower of carrying value or fair value less estimated selling costs. Fair values are determined by sales agreement or third-party appraisals as discounted for estimated selling costs, information from comparable sales, and marketability of the assets.
The fair value information presented below is not as of the period end, rather it was as of the date the fair value adjustment was recorded during the twelve months for each of the dates presented below, and excludes nonrecurring fair value measurements of assets no longer on the balance sheet.
The following tables present the Company’s financial assets that are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis for each of the fair value hierarchy levels.
Collateral-dependent loans individually evaluated for credit loss
Other real estate owned and foreclosed assets, net
Total nonrecurring fair value measurements
39,969
15,882
19,510
33
Accounting guidance from the FASB requires the disclosure of estimated fair value information about certain on- and off-balance sheet financial instruments, including those financial instruments that are not measured and reported at fair value on a recurring basis. The significant methods and assumptions used by the Company to estimate the fair value of financial instruments are discussed below.
Cash, Short-Term Investments and Federal Funds Sold – For these short-term instruments, the carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value.
Securities – The fair value measurement for securities available for sale was discussed earlier in the note. The same measurement techniques were applied to the valuation of securities held to maturity.
Loans, Net – The fair value measurement for certain collateral dependent loans that are individually evaluated for credit loss was described earlier in this note. For the remaining portfolio, fair values were generally determined by discounting scheduled cash flows using discount rates determined with reference to current market rates at which loans with similar terms would be made to borrowers of similar credit quality.
Loans Held for Sale – These loans are either carried under the fair value option or at the lower of cost or market. Given the short duration of these instruments, the carrying amount is considered a reasonable estimate of fair value.
Deposits – The accounting guidance requires that the fair value of deposits with no stated maturity, such as noninterest-bearing demand deposits, interest-bearing checking and savings accounts, be assigned fair values equal to amounts payable upon demand (“carrying amounts”). The fair value of fixed maturity certificates of deposit is estimated using the rates currently offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities.
Federal Funds Purchased and Securities Sold under Agreements to Repurchase – For these short-term liabilities, the carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value.
Short-Term FHLB Borrowings – At December 31, 2023, short-term FHLB borrowings consisted of one short-term fixed rate borrowing (five calendar days outstanding); as such, the carrying amount of the instrument is a reasonable estimate of fair value and is reflected as Level 1 in the respective table below.
Long-Term Debt – The fair value is estimated by discounting the future contractual cash flows using current market rates at which debt with similar terms could be obtained.
Derivative Financial Instruments – The fair value measurement for derivative financial instruments was described earlier in this note.
The following tables present the estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments by fair value hierarchy levels and the corresponding carrying amounts.
Total Fair
Carrying
Value
Financial assets:
Cash, interest-bearing bank deposits, and federal funds sold
853,300
Available for sale securities
Held to maturity securities
23,119,375
23,156,551
Derivative financial instruments
Financial liabilities:
29,761,955
Federal funds purchased
350
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
667,410
191,331
Total FairValue
CarryingAmount
1,188,284
23,170,377
23,186,259
29,679,228
454,479
FHLB short-term borrowings
700,000
196,182
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15. Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Accounting Standards Adopted During the Three Months Ended March 31, 2024
In March 2023, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2023-02, “Investments – Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323): Accounting for Investments in Tax Credit Structures Using the Proportional Amortization Method,” to allow reporting entities to have the option to elect and expand the use of the proportional amortization method of accounting for qualifying tax credit equity investments structures that meet certain criteria. Existing guidance under Subtopic 323-740 provides the option to apply the proportional amortization method only to investments in low-income-housing tax credit structures; equity investments in other tax credit structures are typically accounted for under Topic 321, Investments – Equity Securities. Under the provisions of this update, the accounting policy election to apply the proportional amortization method can be made on a tax-credit-program-by-tax-credit-program basis for programs that meet certain conditions and is not made at the reporting entity or individual investment level. Application of the proportional amortization method to any eligible tax credit investments will result in the cost of the investment being amortized in proportion to the income tax credits and other income tax benefits received, with the amortization being presented as a component of income tax expense (benefit), as opposed to current guidance under Topic 321, where any investment income, gains and losses and tax credits are all presented gross in the statement of income. For public business entities, the amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, including interim periods within those fiscal years and must be applied on either a modified retrospective or a retrospective basis. The Company adopted this standard effective January 1, 2024, and has elected not to apply the proportional amortization method to the new market tax program, which includes our existing qualifying new market tax credit investments. The election for any eligible future investments in other tax credit programs will be made at the time of investment. The adoption of this standard had no effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.
Accounting Standards Issued But Not Yet Adopted
In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, “Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures,” to improve the disclosures about a public entity’s reportable segments and to enable investors to develop more decision-useful financial analyses. The amendments in this update require that a public entity disclose, on an annual and interim basis (1) significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker (CODM) and included within each reported measure of segment profit or loss (collectively referred to as the “significant expense principle”); (2) require that a public entity disclose, on an annual and interim basis, an amount for other segment items by reportable segment and a description of its composition; (3) require that a public entity provide all annual disclosures about a reportable segment’s profit or loss and assets currently required by Topic 280 in interim periods; (4) clarify that if the CODM uses more than one measure of a segment’s profit or loss in assessing segment performance and deciding how to allocate resources, a public entity may report one or more of those additional measures of segment profit; (5) require that a public entity disclose the title and position of the CODM and an explanation of how the CODM uses the reported measure(s) of segment profit or loss in assessing segment performance and deciding how to allocate resources; and (6) require that a public entity that has a single reportable segment provide all the disclosures required by the amendments in this update and all existing segment disclosures in Topic 280. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. A public entity should apply the amendments in this update retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements. The Company is currently assessing the provisions of this guidance. As the update contains only amendments to disclosure requirements, adoption will have no impact to the Company’s operating results or financial condition.
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09 "Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures," to enhance the transparency and decision usefulness of income tax disclosures by requiring additional categories of information about federal, state, and foreign income taxes to be included in the rate reconciliation and by requiring more detail to be disclosed on certain reconciling item categories that meet a quantitative threshold. Additionally, the amendment requires all entities to disclose on an annual basis (1) the amount of income taxes paid (net of refunds received) disaggregated by federal (national), state, and foreign taxes, and (2) the amount of income taxes paid (net of refunds received) disaggregated by individual jurisdictions in which income taxes paid is equal to or greater than 5 percent of total income taxes paid (net of refunds received). The amendments to this update related to other disclosures require that all entities disclose (1) income (or loss) from continuing operations before income tax expense (or benefit) disaggregated between domestic and foreign, and (2) income tax expense (or benefit) from continuing operations disaggregated by federal (national), state, and foreign. The amendments in this update are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. Entities should apply the amendments on a prospective basis and retrospective application is permitted. As the update contains only amendments to disclosure requirements, adoption will have no impact to the Company’s operating results or financial condition.
In March 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-02, “Codification Improvements – Amendments to Remove References to Concepts Statements,” to remove from the FASB codification extraneous references to FASB Concept Statements. FASB Concepts Statements are nonauthoritative, and the removal of references to such from the FASB codification will simplify the codification and draw a
36
distinction between authoritative guidance and nonauthoritative literature. Generally, the amendments in this update are not intended to result in significant accounting change for most entities. The amendments in this update are effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, and early application is permitted for any fiscal year or interim period for which financial statements have not yet been issued (or made available for issuance). If an entity adopts the amendments in an interim period, it must adopt them as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period. An entity should apply the amendments in this update on a prospective basis for new transactions recognized on or after the date of first application, or on a retrospective basis to the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in which the amendments were first applied. The Company is currently assessing the provisions of this guidance to determine if one or more are applicable, but does not expect the application of any relevant provisions to have a material impact to its financial condition or results of operations.
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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
The objective of this discussion and analysis is to provide material information relevant to the assessment of the financial condition and results of operations of Hancock Whitney Corporation and its subsidiaries during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and selected comparable prior periods, including an evaluation of the amounts and certainty of cash flows from operations and outside sources. This discussion and analysis is intended to highlight and supplement financial and operating data and information presented elsewhere in this report, including the consolidated financial statements and related notes. The discussion contains forward-looking statements within the meaning and protections of section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, our actual results may differ from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements we make in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and in other reports or documents that we file from time to time with the SEC include, but are not limited to, the following:
Also, any statement that does not describe historical or current facts is a forward-looking statement. These statements often include the words “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “intends,” “plans,” “forecast,” “goals,” “targets,” “initiatives,” “focus,” “potentially,” “probably,” “projects,” “outlook,” or similar expressions or future conditional verbs such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “would,” and “could.” Forward-looking statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of management and on information currently available to management. Our statements speak as of the date hereof, and we do not assume any obligation to update these statements or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those contained in such statements in light of new information or future events.
Forward-looking statements are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Investors are cautioned against placing undue reliance on such statements. Actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward looking statements. Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially can be found in Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, or in other periodic reports that we file with the SEC.
You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. We do not intend, and undertake no obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of differences in actual results, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting such statements, except as required by law.
OVERVIEW
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations include non-GAAP measures used to describe our performance. These non-GAAP financial measures have inherent limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered on a standalone basis or as a substitute for analyses of financial condition and results as reported under GAAP. Non-GAAP financial measures are not standardized and therefore, it may not be possible to compare these measures with other companies that present measures having the same or similar names. These disclosures should not be considered an alternative to GAAP.
A reconciliation of those measures to GAAP measures are provided in the Consolidated Financial Results table later in this item. The following is a summary of these non-GAAP measures and an explanation as to why they are deemed useful.
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Consistent with the provisions of subpart 229.1400 of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Regulation S-K, “Disclosures by Bank and Savings and Loan Registrants,” we present net interest income, net interest margin and efficiency ratios on a fully taxable equivalent ("te") basis. The te basis adjusts for the tax-favored status of net interest income from certain loans and investments using a statutory federal tax rate of 21% to increase tax-exempt interest income to a taxable equivalent basis. We believe this measure to be the preferred industry measurement of net interest income, and that it enhances comparability of net interest income arising from taxable and tax-exempt sources.
We present certain additional non-GAAP financial measures to assist the reader with a better understanding of the Company’s performance period over period, and to provide investors with assistance in understanding the success management has experienced in executing its strategic initiatives. The Company highlights certain items that are outside of our principal business and/or are not indicative of forward-looking trends in supplemental disclosure items below our GAAP financial data and presents certain "Adjusted" ratios that exclude these disclosed items. These adjusted ratios provide management and the reader with a measure that may be more indicative of forward-looking trends in our business, as well as demonstrates the effects of significant gains or losses and changes.
We define Adjusted Pre-Provision Net Revenue as net income excluding provision expense and income tax expense, plus the taxable equivalent adjustment (as defined above), less supplemental disclosure items (as defined above). Management believes that adjusted pre-provision net revenue is a useful financial measure because it enables investors and others to assess the Company’s ability to generate capital to cover credit losses through a credit cycle. We define Adjusted Revenue as net interest income (te) and noninterest income less supplemental disclosure items. We define Adjusted Noninterest Expense as noninterest expense less supplemental disclosure items. We define our Efficiency Ratio as noninterest expense to total net interest income (te) and noninterest income, excluding amortization of purchased intangibles and supplemental disclosure items, if applicable. Management believes adjusted revenue, adjusted noninterest expense and the efficiency ratio are useful measures as they provide a greater understanding of ongoing operations and enhance comparability with prior periods.
Current Economic Environment
The battle against inflation continued to be at the forefront of the economic landscape in the first quarter of 2024. Headline and core (excluding food and energy) inflation have receded considerably below the 40-year highs experienced in 2022, although at 3.5% and 3.8%, respectively, in March 2024, both remain well above the Federal Reserve's target rate of 2%. First quarter 2024 gross domestic product (GDP) was 1.6% on an annual basis, falling short of estimates and significantly lower than fourth quarter 2023, which was revised up to 3.4%. The labor market remains strong, with upward wage pressure persisting and a 3.8% unemployment rate in March 2024. In response to signs of meaningful decrease in inflation in early to mid-2023, the Federal Reserve has held the benchmark interest rate steady since July 2023, with market expectation of rate cuts beginning in mid-2024. However, amid continued strong economic indicators and sustained disparity between the core inflation rate and the Federal Reserve's target, the organization has signaled that it will hold rates at elevated levels for longer than originally anticipated. While the continued strong pace of consumer spending and the strength of the labor market may help prevent or reduce the severity of a potential recession, the likelihood that rates will remain higher for longer and greater uncertainty surrounding the Federal Reserve's future actions with respect to monetary policy may adversely affect capital markets and could result in below-trend economic growth. Economic trends may be further influenced by factors outside of inflation, such continued pressure on the commercial real estate sector, a potential shutdown of the U.S. government and ongoing geopolitical conflict.
Within the financial services industry, institutions continue to grapple with both macroeconomic and industry-specific headwinds. The elevated interest rate environment and heightened competition for deposits has fostered a continued shift within deposit composition toward higher cost products, although the pace of movement has slowed in recent months, allowing deposit costs to somewhat stabilize. The interest rate environment has also steadily affected the affordability of credit to consumers and businesses, moderating loan demand. At the same time, economic uncertainty and industry turmoil have prompted financial institutions to tighten credit standards. Many financial institutions, including ours, have also experienced some degree of deterioration in credit quality metrics from the mostly-benign credit environment experienced during the last three years.
Within our markets, loan growth remains tempered in response to heightened interest rates and increased insurance costs. Further, we continue to narrow our credit appetite and focus on full-service relationships. However, interest rates on new, renewed and repricing variable rate loans continue to result in higher yields on earning assets. Our core client deposits, defined as total deposits excluding public funds and brokered deposits, grew $365 million during the quarter as we continue to maintain our diversified deposit base with competitive pricing, as much of our client base remains interest rate sensitive.
Economic Outlook
We utilize economic forecasts produced by Moody’s that provide various scenarios to assist in the development of our economic outlook. This outlook discussion utilizes the February 2024 Moody’s forecasts, the most current available at the time of our
40
computation of the March 31, 2024 allowance for credit losses. Moody’s state level forecasts for March were delayed due to recalibration, but the general outlook was not materially different than the February forecast utilized. The forecasts are anchored on a baseline forecast scenario, which Moody’s defines as the “most likely outcome” of where the economy is headed based on current conditions. Several upside and downside scenarios are produced that are derived from the baseline scenario that display varying depictions of economic performance as compared to the baseline.
Management applied a weighting of 40% to the baseline and 60% to the mild recessionary S-2 scenario in the computation of the allowance for credit losses at March 31, 2024, consistent with the scenarios and respective weighting used at December 31, 2023. Our overall credit loss outlook has not changed significantly, and we continue to believe a mild recession is reasonably possible due to uncertainty in current economic conditions.
The baseline scenario continues to incorporate the belief that the Federal Reserve will accomplish its goal of bringing inflation to or below its target without precipitating a recession. Key assumptions within the February 2024 baseline forecast include the following: (1) the Federal Funds rate has reached its terminal value in the rate hiking cycle, with rate cuts of 25 basis points in May, June, July and December 2024, with subsequent 25-basis point cuts per quarter until reaching 3% in late 2026, and 2.5% by 2030; (2) the U.S government will avoid a shut down in the current year; (3) while the labor market remains strong, there are indications of softening, and the unemployment rate will rise from its current rate of 3.8% to 3.9% in 2024 and 4.1% in 2025, and then recede to 4.0% in 2026 and 2027; (4) GDP will display modest annual growth of 2.3% in 2024, 1.6% in 2025, and 2.0% in 2026; and (5) the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield will average 4.2% in the first quarter of 2024, and will approach its equilibrium level of 4% over the year and remain near this level through the end of the decade.
The S-2 scenario presents a downside alternative to the baseline. The S-2 scenario assumes an increased likelihood of a U.S. government shutdown, longer and farther-reaching disturbance from geopolitical conflict, and continued disruption in the financial services industry leading to further tightening of credit standards. Further, the scenario assumes the unemployment rate will increase considerably to 5.0% in 2024 and 5.8% in 2025 before improving to 4.1% in 2026 and 4.0% in 2027. As the economy weakens, the Federal Reserve commences rate cuts in the second quarter of 2024, deeper than those assumed in the baseline. As a result of these pressures, the U.S. falls into a mild recession beginning in the second quarter of 2024 that lasts for three quarters, with the stock market contracting 22% and a peak-to-trough decline in GDP of 1%.
The credit loss outlook for our portfolio as a whole has not changed materially since December 31, 2023. We continue to closely monitor our portfolio for customers that are sensitive to prolonged inflation, the elevated interest rate environment and/or other economic circumstances that may impact credit quality. We expect full year 2024 loan growth in the low single digit range, reflecting our disciplined loan pricing, the potential for economic slowdown and a focus on lending to resilient borrowers with whom we have a full service relationship.
There are a number of uncertainties in the current economic outlook, including the Federal Reserve's actions with respect to monetary policy. The full extent of the impact of these factors, among others, is uncertain and may have a negative impact on the U.S. economy, including the possibility of an economic recession in the near or mid-term.
Highlights of the First Quarter 2024
We reported net income for the first quarter of 2024 of $108.6 million, or $1.24 per diluted common share, compared to $50.6 million, or $0.58 per diluted common share, in the fourth quarter of 2023 and $126.5 million, or $1.45 per diluted common share, in the first quarter of 2023. The first quarter of 2024 includes a charge of $3.8 million, or $0.04 per diluted share after-tax, supplemental disclosure item attributable to a revision of the FDIC special assessment recorded in the prior quarter. The fourth quarter of 2023 included a net charge of $75.4 million, or $0.68 per diluted share after-tax, of supplemental disclosure items that included an FDIC special assessment, a loss on restructuring of the available for sale securities portfolio and a gain on the sale of a parking facility. There were no supplemental disclosure items in the first quarter of 2023.
First quarter 2024 results compared to fourth quarter 2023:
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The first quarter of 2024 was a solid start to our 125th anniversary year. The results reflect our efforts to position our balance sheet for continued capital growth and enhanced profitability. We were able to grow core client deposits, hold our loan level relatively flat while focusing on lending to more granular, full service relationships, and, through prudent pricing efforts, experience modest net interest margin expansion. Our allowance for credit losses is solid at 1.42% and our credit metrics remain at or below peer averages. As with many other institutions, credit metrics continue to normalize from the recent benign environment, but we have seen no broad signs of weakening in any portfolio or geographic segment. We remain mindful of potential headwinds, but we believe we are well positioned to navigate the current operating environment.
Consolidated Financial Results
The following table contains the consolidated financial results for the periods indicated.
March 31,2024
December 31,2023
September 30,2023
June 30,2023
March 31,2023
Income Statement Data:
426,794
415,827
405,273
Interest income (te) (a)
424,514
429,628
418,679
408,110
375,187
Interest expense
157,334
146,593
131,362
Net interest income (te)
269,001
272,294
272,086
276,748
287,578
16,952
28,498
7,633
Noninterest income
38,951
85,974
83,225
Noninterest expense
229,151
204,675
202,138
62,308
122,035
147,365
Income tax expense
11,705
24,297
29,571
50,603
97,738
117,794
Supplemental disclosure items-included above, pre-tax:
Included in noninterest income:
Gain on sale of parking facility
16,126
Loss on securities portfolio restructure
(65,380
Included in noninterest expense:
FDIC special assessment
3,800
26,123
Balance Sheet Data:
Period end balance sheet data
23,983,679
23,789,886
Earning assets
31,985,610
32,175,097
32,733,591
32,715,630
34,106,792
36,298,301
36,210,148
37,547,083
Noninterest-bearing deposits
11,626,371
12,171,817
12,860,027
30,320,337
30,043,501
29,613,070
Stockholders' equity
3,501,003
3,554,476
Average balance sheet data
23,810,163
23,795,681
23,830,724
23,654,994
23,086,529
32,556,821
33,128,130
33,137,565
33,619,829
32,753,781
35,101,869
35,538,300
35,626,927
36,205,396
35,159,050
10,673,060
11,132,354
11,453,236
12,153,453
12,963,133
29,560,956
29,974,941
29,757,180
29,372,899
28,792,851
3,818,840
3,560,978
3,572,487
3,567,260
3,412,813
Common Shares Data:
Earnings per share - basic
0.58
1.12
1.35
Earnings per share - diluted
Cash dividends per common share
Book value per share (period-end)
44.49
44.05
40.64
41.27
41.03
Tangible book value per share (period-end)
34.12
33.63
30.16
30.76
30.47
Weighted average number of shares - diluted
86,604
86,437
86,370
Period-end number of shares
86,148
86,123
86,066
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Performance and other data:
Return on average assets
0.56
1.09
1.30
1.46
Return on average common equity
11.44
5.64
10.85
13.24
15.03
Return on average tangible common equity
14.96
7.55
14.53
17.76
20.49
Tangible common equity ratio (b)
8.61
8.37
7.34
7.50
7.16
Tangible common equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio
12.65
12.33
12.06
11.83
11.60
Net interest margin (te)
3.32
3.27
3.30
3.55
Noninterest income as a percentage of total revenue (te)
24.62
12.51
24.01
23.21
21.83
Efficiency ratio (c)
56.44
55.58
56.38
55.33
53.76
Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of period-end loans
1.31
1.29
1.28
1.32
Allowance for credit losses as a percentage of period-end loans
1.42
1.41
1.40
Annualized net charge-offs to average loans
0.15
0.27
0.64
0.06
0.10
Nonaccrual loans as a percentage of loans
0.34
0.25
0.33
0.23
FTE headcount
3,564
3,591
3,681
3,705
3,679
Reconciliation of pre-provision net revenue (te) and adjusted pre-provision net revenue(te) (non-GAAP measures) (d)
Net income (GAAP)
Pre-provision net revenue
146,300
79,260
150,533
154,998
164,440
Taxable equivalent adjustment
2,830
2,834
2,852
2,837
2,584
Pre-provision net revenue (te)
149,130
82,094
153,385
157,835
167,024
Adjustments from supplemental disclosure items
(16,126
65,380
Adjusted pre-provision net revenue (te)
152,930
157,471
Reconciliation of revenue (te), adjusted revenue (te) and efficiency ratio (non-GAAP measures) (d)
269,460
269,234
273,911
Total GAAP revenue
354,022
308,411
355,208
357,136
365,324
Total revenue (te)
356,852
311,245
358,060
359,973
367,908
Adjusted revenue
360,499
GAAP noninterest expense
Amortization of intangibles
(2,526
(2,672
(2,813
(2,957
(3,114
(3,800
(26,123
Adjusted noninterest expense
201,396
200,356
201,862
199,181
197,770
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Net Interest Income
Net interest income (te) for the first quarter of 2024 was $269.0 million, down $3.3 million, or 1%, compared to the fourth quarter of 2023, and $18.6 million, or 6%, compared to the first quarter of 2023.
The $3.3 million decrease in net interest income (te) compared to the fourth quarter of 2023 is largely attributable to one fewer accrual day, or approximately $2.0 million. Interest income (te) was down $5.1 million, largely due to a $3.6 million impact of one fewer accrual day, $3.3 million attributable to a decrease in the average balance of and lower yield on short-term investments, and an increase of $0.8 million in net nonaccrual interest reversals, partially offset by higher yields on loans. Interest expense was down $1.8 million, largely due to one fewer accrual day, or approximately $1.6 million, as the impact from growth in average public fund and
retail interest-bearing deposits and higher rates paid on deposits was largely offset by decreases in the average balances of brokered time deposits and short-term borrowings. The net interest margin for the first quarter of 2024 was 3.32%, up 5 bps from 3.27% in the fourth quarter of 2023. The increase in the net interest margin from the prior quarter was largely driven by a favorable shift in the mix of earning assets and a decrease in short-term borrowings (6 bps), an increase in loan yields (4 bps), and the impact of the bond portfolio restructure (3 bps), partially offset by a change in deposit mix and rates (8 bps).
The $18.6 million decrease in net interest income (te) compared to the first quarter of 2023 reflects the growth in and prevailing rates on interest-bearing liabilities outpacing those of earning assets. Interest income (te) increased $49.3 million, driven largely by higher yields on loans and loan growth. Interest expense increased $67.9 million, driven largely by the shift in the mix of deposits from noninterest-bearing and low interest-bearing transaction and savings deposits into higher cost products at competitive interest rates, partially offset by a decrease in the cost of borrowings largely the result of the decrease in average FHLB advances. The net interest margin was down 23 bps from the first quarter of 2023, driven largely by the cost of deposits. The rate on interest-bearing liabilities was up 119 bps compared to the first quarter of 2023, with the rate on interest-bearing deposits up 149 bps. The yield on average earning assets was up 61 bps, driven primarily by a 62 bp improvement in the loan yield.
We expect modest expansion in the net interest margin during 2024. Our expectation incorporates the assumption of three Federal Reserve interest rate cuts of 25 bps each in June, September and December of 2024, and of continued deposit remix, but at a slower pace.
The following tables detail the components of our net interest income (te) and net interest margin.
March 31, 2023
($ in millions)
Volume
Interest (d)
Rate
Average earning assets
Commercial & real estate loans (te) (a)
18,431.0
295.7
6.45
18,548.9
297.6
6.37
18,322.2
259.1
5.73
Residential mortgage loans
3,963.0
36.9
3.72
3,803.7
35.2
3.70
3,214.4
28.1
3.49
Consumer loans
1,416.2
31.3
8.88
1,443.1
31.9
8.79
1,549.9
29.2
7.63
Loan fees & late charges
1.0
0.00
1.4
(0.4
Total loans (te) (b)
23,810.2
364.9
6.16
23,795.7
366.1
6.11
23,086.5
316.0
5.54
15.4
0.3
7.90
12.3
8.52
22.9
5.21
US Treasury and government agency securities
515.6
3.5
2.69
654.1
5.2
3.18
541.3
3.4
2.49
Mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations
6,792.5
42.4
2.50
7,031.9
41.2
2.34
7,668.0
43.3
2.26
Municipals (te)
865.8
6.4
2.96
870.0
6.5
2.97
904.3
6.7
2.98
Other securities
23.5
0.2
3.51
23.4
3.50
Total securities (te) (c)
8,197.4
52.5
2.56
8,579.4
53.1
2.47
9,137.1
53.6
2.35
Total short-term investments
533.8
6.8
5.11
740.7
10.1
5.43
507.3
5.3
4.27
Total earning assets (te)
32,556.8
424.5
5.24
33,128.1
429.6
5.16
32,753.8
375.2
4.63
Average interest-bearing liabilities
Interest-bearing transaction and savings deposits
10,803.2
60.1
2.24
10,681.9
56.9
2.11
10,650.4
27.3
1.04
Time deposits
4,965.3
59.1
4.79
5,264.3
62.4
4.71
2,018.6
13.4
2.70
Public funds
3,119.4
28.3
3.65
2,896.3
26.8
3.68
3,160.7
23.7
3.04
Total interest-bearing deposits
18,887.9
147.5
3.14
18,842.5
146.1
3.08
15,829.7
64.4
1.65
Repurchase agreements
620.2
2.7
1.77
569.7
2.2
1.58
445.8
0.8
0.69
Other short-term borrowings
163.8
2.3
5.51
424.1
5.9
5.48
1,652.8
19.3
4.74
236.3
3.0
5.19
3.1
242.1
Total borrowings
1,020.3
8.0
3.16
1,230.1
11.2
3.62
2,340.7
23.2
4.00
Total interest-bearing liabilities
19,908.2
155.5
20,072.6
157.3
3.11
18,170.4
87.6
1.95
Net interest-free funding sources
12,648.6
13,055.5
14,583.4
Total cost of funds
1.92
1.88
1.08
Net interest spread (te)
269.0
2.10
272.3
2.05
287.6
2.67
Net interest margin
44
Provision for Credit Losses
During the first quarter of 2024, we recorded a provision for credit losses of $13.0 million, compared to $17.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 and $6.0 million in the first quarter of 2023. The provision in the first quarter of 2024 included net charge-offs of $9.0 million and a reserve build of $4.0 million, compared to net charge-offs of $16.1 million and a reserve build of $0.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 and net charge-offs of $5.7 million and a reserve build of $0.3 million in the first quarter of 2023. The provision recorded in the first quarter of 2024 and the fourth quarter of 2023 reflect a somewhat typical level in the current operating environment as compared to the first quarter 2023 level.
Net charge-offs in the first quarter of 2024 were $9.0 million, or 0.15% of average total loans on an annualized basis, compared to net charge-offs of $16.1 million, or 0.27%, in the fourth quarter of 2023 and net charge-offs of $5.7 million, or 0.10% in the first quarter of 2023. The first quarter of 2024 included net charge-offs of $5.3 million in the commercial portfolio and $3.9 million in the consumer portfolio, partially offset by net recoveries of $0.2 million in the residential mortgage portfolio. Net charge-offs in the commercial portfolio for the first quarter of 2024 includes an $8.8 million charge-off on a single commercial real estate - income producing credit and an $11.8 million recovery from a single legacy energy credit. The fourth quarter of 2023 included net charge-offs of $12.7 million in the commercial portfolio and $3.7 million in the consumer portfolio, partially offset by net recoveries of $0.4 million in the residential mortgage portfolio. The first quarter of 2023 included net charge-offs of $3.4 million in the commercial portfolio and $2.5 million in the consumer portfolio, partially offset by net recoveries of $0.2 million in the residential mortgage portfolio.
We expect to see low to modest charge-offs and provision for credit losses in 2024. However, loan growth, portfolio mix, asset quality metrics and future assumptions in economic forecasts will drive the level of credit loss reserves.
The discussion labeled "Allowance for Credit Losses and Asset Quality" that appears later in this Item provides additional information on these changes and on general credit quality.
Noninterest Income
Noninterest income totaled $87.9 million for the first quarter of 2024, up $48.9 million, or 126%, from the fourth quarter of 2023, and up $7.5 million, or 9%, from the first quarter of 2023. Noninterest income for the fourth quarter of 2023 included two supplemental disclosure items, a $16.1 million gain on the sale of a parking facility and a $65.4 million loss on the restructuring of the available for sale securities portfolio. Excluding the impact of the supplemental disclosure items, noninterest income for the first quarter of 2024 was relatively flat when compared to the fourth quarter of 2023, with increases in service charges on deposit accounts, trust fees, investment and annuity fees and income from secondary mortgage market operations offset by a decline in income from bank-owned life insurance and specialty lines of business. The increase in noninterest income from the first quarter of 2023 is primarily attributable to increases in service charges on deposit accounts, investment and annuity fees, income from bank-owned life insurance, net gains on sales of premises and equipment, and dividends on FHLB stock, partially offset by a decline in income from derivatives. A more detailed discussion of these and other noninterest income variances follows.
45
The components of noninterest income are presented in the following table for the indicated periods.
21,643
16,845
20,708
11,086
2,083
5,171
(1,165
Securities transactions, net
17,078
7,574
Supplemental Disclosure Items Included in Noninterest Income
Service charges on deposit accounts are composed of overdraft fees, and nonsufficient funds fees on business accounts, business and corporate account analysis fees, overdraft protection fees and other customer transaction-related charges. Service charges on deposits totaled $22.2 million for the first quarter of 2024, up $0.6 million, or 3%, from the fourth quarter of 2023 and up $1.6 million, or 8%, from the first quarter of 2023. The linked-quarter increase is primarily attributable to net analysis fees, driven by deposit balance activity, pricing changes and strong sales activity. The increase from the same period in 2023 was also largely attributable to net analysis fees, and to consumer overdraft fees, driven by higher instances of overdrafts.
Trust fee income represents revenue generated from a full range of trust services, including asset management and custody services provided to individuals, businesses and institutions. Trust fees totaled $17.1 million for the first quarter of 2024, up $0.2 million, or 1%, from the fourth quarter of 2023, and up $0.3 million, or 2%, from the first quarter of 2023, primarily related to institutional trust fees for both periods.
Bank card and ATM fees include interchange and other income from credit and debit card transactions, fees earned from processing card transactions for merchants, and fees earned from ATM transactions. Bank card and ATM fees totaled $20.6 million for the first quarter of 2024, down $0.1 million, or less than 1%, from both the fourth quarter of 2023 and the first quarter of 2023, with modestly lower activity across most products.
Investment and annuity fees and insurance commissions, which include both fees earned from sales of annuity and insurance products, as well as managed account fees, totaled $11.8 million, up $0.8 million, or 7%, from the fourth quarter of 2023, and up $3.0 million, or 34% from the first quarter of 2023. The linked quarter and year over year increases reflect continued strong annuity sales performance and fixed-income trading commissions amid the elevated interest rate environment and favorable market conditions.
Income from secondary mortgage market operations is comprised of income produced from the origination and sales of residential mortgage loans in the secondary market. We offer a full range of mortgage products to our customers and typically sell longer-term fixed-rate loans while retaining the majority of adjustable-rate loans, as well as loans generated through programs to support customer relationships. Secondary mortgage market operations income will vary based on mortgage application volume, pull through rates, the percentage of loans ultimately sold in the secondary market and the timing of such sales. Income from secondary mortgage market operations was $2.9 million in the first quarter of 2024, up $0.8 million, or 39%, from the fourth quarter of 2023, and up $0.7 million, or 33% from the same quarter last year. The increases from both the fourth quarter of 2023 and the first quarter of 2023 were largely driven by an upward trend in the percentage of mortgage loans sold in the secondary market as opposed to those held in our portfolio.
Income from bank-owned life insurance (BOLI) is typically generated through insurance benefit proceeds as well as the growth of the cash surrender value of insurance contracts held. Income from BOLI was $4.2 million for the first quarter of 2024, down $0.9 million, or 18%, from the fourth quarter of 2023, and up $0.9 million, or 29% from the first quarter of 2023. The linked quarter decrease was
primarily attributable to lower mortality gains, and the increase over the same quarter last year reflects an increase in income from both mortality gains and cash surrender value.
Credit-related fees include fees assessed on letters of credit and unused portions of loan commitments. Credit-related fees were $3.1 million for the first quarter of 2024, down $0.2 million, or 5% from the fourth quarter of 2023, and up $0.4 million, or 13% from the same quarter last year. The decrease in credit-related fees compared to the prior quarter was due to a decline in letter of credit fees. The increase compared to same quarter last year was in both unused commitment and letter of credit fees. Income from these products will vary based on letters of credit issued, credit line utilization and prevailing assessment rates.
Income or losses from customer and other derivatives is largely from our customer interest rate derivative program and totaled a loss of $2.8 million for the first quarter of 2024, compared to a loss of $1.2 million in the prior quarter, and income of $0.6 million in the first quarter of 2023. Derivative income can be volatile and is dependent upon the composition of the portfolio, volume and mix of sales and termination activity, and market value adjustments due to market interest rate movement. Customer derivative income for the first quarter of 2024 includes a loss of approximately $1.5 million related to assumption changes for certain valuation inputs that is not expected to recur. The remainder of the decline in customer derivatives is largely tied to the change in the interest rate environment present in each of the comparative periods, which affects demand for variable rate loans and related derivative products, valuation adjustments, and related collateral income/expense for the program as a whole. In addition, valuation changes to our Visa B derivative liability in the first quarter of 2024 contributed to increased losses of $0.8 million compared to the fourth quarter of 2023 and $1.0 million compared to the first quarter of 2024.
There were no gains or losses on sales of securities during the first quarters of 2024 and 2023, compared to a loss on sales of securities of $65.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. The net loss recorded in the fourth quarter of 2023 resulted from the sale of approximately $1.04 billion of available for sale securities and reflects a strategic decision to restructure the portfolio to enhance net interest margin through the deployment of sales proceeds into higher-yielding earning assets and repayment of short-term borrowings.
Net gains on sales of premises, equipment and other assets consists primarily of net revenue earned from sales of excess-bank owned facilities and equipment no longer in use, gains on sales of Small Business Administration and other non-residential mortgage loans, and leases and other assets associated with the equipment finance line of business. The level of net gains or losses in a given reporting period will vary based on a variety of circumstances. Net gains on sales of premises, equipment and other assets totaled $2.8 million for the first quarter of 2024, compared to $17.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2023 and $0.4 million for the first quarter of 2023. The linked-quarter decline was largely driven by the fourth quarter 2023 gain on the sale of a stand-alone parking facility of $16.1 million that was identified as a supplemental disclosure item, partially offset by a first quarter 2024 gain on sale of bank premises and equipment and other miscellaneous activity. The sale of the parking facility allowed us to take advantage of favorable market conditions while exiting a service that was not a part of our core business. The year over year increase is largely attributable to the first quarter 2024 gain on the sale of bank premises and equipment.
Other miscellaneous income is comprised of various items, including income from small business investment companies (SBIC), Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) stock dividends, and fees from loan syndication and other specialty lines of business. Other miscellaneous income totaled $5.8 million, down $1.7 million, or 23%, from the prior quarter, and up $1.7 million, or 40% from the first quarter of 2023. The linked quarter decrease was largely driven by a $0.6 million decline in syndication fees and a $0.5 million decline in SBIC income, which can vary from period to period. The increase from the same quarter last year was largely attributable to a $1.3 million increase in dividends on FHLB stock.
We expect noninterest income to be up three to four percent for the full year of 2024 from the 2023 adjusted noninterest income of $337.7 million.
Noninterest Expense
Noninterest expense for the first quarter of 2024 was $207.7 million, down $21.4 million, or 9% from the fourth quarter of 2023, and up $6.8 million, or 3%, from the first quarter of 2023. Included in noninterest expense are supplemental disclosure items of $3.8 million in the first quarter of 2024, attributable to a revision of the FDIC's special assessment, and $26.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, attributable to an FDIC special assessment. Excluding the impact of the supplemental disclosure items, noninterest expense for the first quarter of 2024 was up $0.9 million, or less than 1%, from the fourth quarter of 2023, with an increase in personnel expense largely offset by decreases in data processing, professional services, net other retirement expense and other miscellaneous expenses. Excluding the impact of the supplemental disclosure item, noninterest expense for the first quarter of 2024 was up $3.0 million, or 2%, compared to the first quarter of 2023, with the increase being driven primarily by personnel expense. A more detailed discussion of these and other noninterest expense variances follows.
The components of noninterest expense are presented in the following table for the indicated periods.
93,881
20,461
114,342
13,226
4,297
30,128
10,766
2,672
31,745
Other real estate and foreclosed asset (income)/loss, net
(471
4,623
3,101
2,400
2,686
1,494
966
1,404
(3,265
9,037
FDIC deposit insurance special assessment
Personnel expense consists of salaries, incentive compensation, long-term incentives, payroll taxes, and other employee benefits such as 401(k), pension, and insurance for medical, life and disability. Personnel expense totaled $121.2 million for the first quarter of 2024, up $6.8 million, or 6% , from the prior quarter, and up $5.8 million, or 5%, from the same quarter last year. The linked quarter increase in expense reflects seasonal increases in payroll tax and benefits, an increase in incentive expense and a decrease in expense deferrals related to loan originations, as lower origination volume reduced the amount of wages capitalized. The year over year change reflects annual increases across most salary and benefit categories and a decrease in expense deferrals, as lower origination volumes and a larger percentage of mortgage loans sold in the secondary market reduced the amount of wages capitalized.
Occupancy and equipment expenses are primarily composed of lease expenses, depreciation, maintenance and repairs, rent, taxes, and other equipment expenses. Occupancy and equipment expenses totaled $17.6 million for the first quarter of 2024, up $0.1 million or 1%, from the prior quarter, and up $0.7 million, or 4%, from the same quarter last year. The increase compared to the same quarter last year reflects higher property insurance costs and leased building expense, partially offset by lower equipment expense.
Data processing expense includes expenses related to third party technology processing and servicing costs, technology project costs and fees associated with bank card and ATM transactions, and may vary with transaction volume and timing of technology enhancement initiatives. Data processing expense was $28.7 million for the first quarter of 2024, down $1.4 million, or 9%, from the fourth quarter of 2023, and up $0.6 million, or 2%, from the first quarter of 2023. The decline compared to the prior quarter was largely due to lower debit card processing expense. The modest increase over the same quarter last year was due to various miscellaneous items.
Professional services expense for the first quarter of 2024 totaled $9.0 million, down $1.7 million, or 16%, from the fourth quarter of 2023, and down $0.1 million, or 1%, from the same quarter last year. The decrease from the prior quarter was driven by a decrease in consulting fees. Professional service expense may vary from period to period, generally related to consulting and legal needs.
Deposit insurance and regulatory fees for the first quarter of 2024 totaled $8.9 million, down $22.8 million, or 72%, from the fourth quarter of 2023, and up $3.0 million, or 51%, from the first quarter of 2023. Included in the first quarter of 2024 and the fourth quarter of 2023 are $3.8 million and $26.1 million, respectively, attributable to a special assessment by the FDIC to cover losses incurred under the systemic risk exception following the failure of two large regional banks. Excluding the expense associated with the special assessment, deposit insurance and regulatory fees for the first quarter of 2024 were down $0.5 million, or 2%, from the fourth quarter
48
of 2023 and down $0.8 million, or 13%, from the first quarter of 2023. The linked-quarter and year over year decreases are primarily attributable to modest improvement in the risk-based assessment calculation.
The FDIC special assessment expense recorded in the fourth quarter of 2023 and the first quarter of 2024 is management's estimate of our portion of the cost attributable to the systemic risk exception based on the information available from the FDIC. However, the loss estimates resulting from the failures of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank may be subject to further change pending the projected and actual outcome of loss share agreements, joint ventures, and outstanding litigation. The exact amount of losses incurred will not be determined until the FDIC terminates the receiverships; therefore, the exact exposure to the Company remains unknown.
Net gains on sales of other real estate and foreclosed assets outpaced expense by $0.2 million in the first quarter of 2024, compared to $0.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, and a net expense of $0.2 million for the first quarter of 2023. The level of net expense or income associated with maintaining the other real estate owned portfolio can vary depending on sales activity and/or valuation adjustments. Gains or losses on the sale of other real estate and foreclosed assets may occur periodically and are dependent on the number and type of assets for sale and current market conditions.
Corporate value, franchise and other non-income tax expense for the first quarter of 2024 totaled $5.1 million, up $0.4 million, or 10%, from the prior quarter, and down $0.2 million, or 3%, from the same quarter last year, largely attributable to bank share tax. The calculation of bank share tax is based on multiple variables, including average quarterly assets, earnings and stockholders’ equity to determine the taxable assessment value.
Business development-related expenses (including advertising, travel, entertainment and contributions) totaled $7.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2024, virtually unchanged from the fourth quarter of 2023, and up $0.3 million, or 4% for the first quarter of 2023. The increase from the first quarter of 2023 was largely attributable to entertainment and contributions. The timing and level of business development expense can vary based on business needs and promotional campaigns.
All other expenses, excluding amortization of intangibles, is comprised of a variety of other operational expenses and losses, tax credit investment amortization, and other retirement expense. All other expenses totaled $7.6 million for the first quarter of 2024, down $3.0 million, or 28%, from the fourth quarter of 2023, and down $2.3 million, or 23% from the first quarter of 2023. The decreases from the fourth quarter of 2023 and the first quarter of 2023 were driven in large part by a reduction of other retirement expense of $1.6 million and $1.2 million, respectively.
We expect noninterest expense to be up three to four percent for the full year of 2024 from the 2023 adjusted noninterest expense of $810.7 million.
Income Taxes
The effective income tax rate for the first quarter of 2024 was approximately 18.5% compared to 18.8% in the fourth quarter of 2023 and 20.2% in the first quarter of 2023. The first quarter of 2024 effective income tax rate is lower than the first quarter of 2023 due primarily to lower forecasted annual pre-tax earnings.
Many factors impact the effective income tax rate including, but not limited to, the level of pre-tax income and relative impact of net tax benefits related to tax credit investments, tax-exempt interest income, bank-owned life insurance, and nondeductible expenses. Additionally, discrete tax items recognized in any given period affect the comparability of the effective income tax rate between periods. Such items include share-based compensation, valuation allowance changes, uncertain tax position changes and tax law changes. Based on the current forecast, management expects the effective income tax rate for 2024 will be in the 20%-21% range, absent any changes in tax law.
Our effective tax rate has historically varied from the federal statutory rate primarily because of tax-exempt income and tax credits. Interest income on bonds issued by or loans to state and municipal governments and authorities, and earnings from the bank-owned life insurance program are the major components of tax-exempt income. The main source of tax credits has been investments in tax-advantaged securities and tax credit projects. These investments are made primarily in the markets we serve and are directed at tax credits issued under the Federal and State New Market Tax Credit (“NMTC”) programs, Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (“LIHTC”) programs, as well as pre-2018 Qualified Zone Academy Bonds (“QZAB”) and Qualified School Construction Bonds (“QSCB”). These investments generate tax credits, which reduce current and future taxes and are recognized when earned as a benefit in the provision for income taxes.
We have invested in NMTC projects through investments in our own Community Development Entities (“CDE”), as well as other unrelated CDEs. Federal tax credits from NMTC investments are recognized over a seven-year period, while recognition of the benefits from state tax credits varies from three to five years. We have also invested in affordable housing projects that generate federal LIHTC tax credits that are recognized over a ten-year period, beginning in the year the rental activity begins. The amortization
of the LIHTC investment cost is recognized as a component of income tax expense in proportion to the tax credits recognized over the ten-year credit period.
Based on tax credit investments that have been made to date in 2024, we expect to realize benefits from federal and state tax credits over the next three years totaling $9.8 million, $8.2 million, and $8.0 million in 2025, 2026, and 2027, respectively. We intend to continue making investments in tax credit projects. However, our ability to access new credits will depend upon, among other factors, federal and state tax policies and the level of competition for such credits.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Liquidity
Liquidity management ensures that funds are available to meet the cash flow requirements of our depositors and borrowers, while also meeting the operating, capital and strategic cash flow needs of the Company, the Bank and other subsidiaries. As part of the overall asset and liability management process, liquidity management strategies and measurements have been developed to manage and monitor liquidity risk. The following table summarizes available liquidity at March 31, 2024:
Total Available
Amount Used
Net Availability
Available Sources of Funding:
Internal Sources:
Free securities
3,286,735
External Sources:
Federal Home Loan Bank (a)
6,855,722
533,088
6,322,634
Federal Reserve Bank
3,397,241
Brokered deposits
4,466,386
394,771
4,071,615
1,259,000
Total Available Sources of Funding
19,265,084
927,859
18,337,225
Cash and other interest-bearing bank deposits
Total Liquidity
19,190,525
(a) Amount used includes letters of credit.
The failures of three major regional U.S. banks that experienced large-scale deposit runs in the first half of 2023 have brought the subject of bank liquidity into focus. Dampened depositor confidence over a financial institution's ability to protect deposit balances in excess of the federally insured limit is thought to pose a higher likelihood of a deposit run, and, in turn, the risk that the institution may have insufficient liquidity to meet the demand. At March 31, 2024, our available on and off-balance sheet liquidity of $19.2 billion is well in excess of our estimated uninsured, noncollateralized deposits of approximately $10.5 billion.
The asset portion of the balance sheet provides liquidity primarily through loan principal repayments, maturities and repayments of investment securities and occasional sales of various assets. Short-term investments such as federal funds sold, securities purchased under agreements to resell and interest-bearing deposits with the Federal Reserve Bank or with other commercial banks are additional sources of liquidity to meet cash flow requirements. Free securities represent unpledged securities that can be sold or used as collateral for borrowings, and include unpledged securities assigned to short-term dealer repurchase agreements or to the Federal Reserve Bank discount window. Total pledged securities were $4.2 billion at March 31,2024, compared to $4.7 billion at December 31, 2023 and $6.1 billion at March 31, 2023. Management has established an internal target for the ratio of free securities to total securities of 20% or greater. As shown in the table below, our ratio of free securities to total securities was 44.86% at March 31, 2024, compared to 38.80% December 31, 2023 and 28.45% at March 31, 2023. The free securities ratio at March 31, 2023 was impacted by pledging additional securities to the Federal Reserve Bank, done as a cautionary measure to increase borrowing capacity under its discount window as a result of the bank failures in the first quarter 2023. Both securities and FHLB letters of credit are pledged as collateral related to public funds and repurchase agreements.
50
September 30
June 30,
Liquidity Metrics
Free securities / total securities
44.86
38.80
46.12
41.23
28.45
Core deposits / total deposits
92.61
92.51
90.85
91.63
94.83
Wholesale funds / core deposits
7.21
10.24
11.00
15.43
Liquid assets / total liabilities
13.19
12.69
14.94
14.52
15.09
Quarter-to-date average loans /quarter-to-date average deposits
80.55
79.39
80.08
80.53
80.18
The liability portion of the balance sheet provides liquidity mainly through the ability to use cash sourced from customers’ interest-bearing and noninterest-bearing deposit accounts. At March 31, 2024, deposits totaled $29.8 billion, up $85.8 million compared to December 31, 2023.
Brokered time deposits at March 31, 2024 totaled $394.8 million, down $195.0 million from $589.8 million at December 31, 2023. These instruments bear interest plus fees of 5.35% per annum and will mature in May 2024. The use of brokered deposits as a funding source is subject to certain policies regarding the amount, term and interest rate.
Core deposits consist of total deposits excluding certificates of deposit of $250,000 or more and brokered deposits. Core deposits totaled $27.6 billion at March 31, 2024, up $109.6 million, or less than 1%, from December 31, 2023 and down $508.2 million, or 2%, from March 31, 2023. The increase in core deposits from December 31, 2023 is primarily attributable to growth in interest-bearing transaction accounts, money market accounts and CDs less than $250,000. The decline in core deposits from March 31, 2023 is largely due to a decline in noninterest-bearing deposits. The ratio of core deposits to total deposits was 92.61% at March 31, 2024, compared to 92.51% at December 31, 2023 and 94.83% at March 31, 2023.
Purchases of federal funds, securities sold under agreements to repurchase and other short-term borrowings from customers provide additional sources of liquidity to meet short-term funding requirements. Besides funding from customer sources, the Bank has a line of credit with the FHLB that is secured by blanket pledges of certain mortgage loans. At March 31, 2024, the Bank had no borrowings and approximately $6.3 billion available under this line. The unused borrowing capacity at the Federal Reserve’s discount window is approximately $3.4 billion. There were no outstanding borrowings with the Federal Reserve at any date during any period covered by this report.
Wholesale funds, which are comprised of short-term borrowings, long-term debt and brokered deposits were 4.71% of core deposits at March 31, 2024, compared to 7.21% at December 31, 2023 and 15.43% at March 31, 2023. At March 31, 2024, wholesale funds totaled $1.3 billion, a decrease of $682.0 million, or 34%, from December 31, 2023 and a decrease of $3.0 billion, or 70%, from March 31, 2023. The linked-quarter decrease was primarily due to the repayment of $700 million of FHLB advances and the maturity of $195 million of brokered time deposits, partially offset by a $212.9 million increase in customer repurchase agreements. The decrease from March 31, 2023 reflects the repayment of $3.1 billion of FHLB advances and a net reduction of $177.7 million in brokered deposits, partially offset by a $248.3 million increase in customer repurchase agreements. The Company has established an internal target for wholesale funds to be less than 25% of core deposits.
Other key measures used to monitor liquidity include the liquid asset ratio and the loan-to-deposit ratio. The liquid asset ratio (liquid assets, consisting of cash, short-term investments and free securities, divided by total liabilities) measures our ability to meet short-term obligations. Our liquid asset ratio was 13.19% at March 31, 2024, compared to 12.69% at December 31, 2023 and 15.09% at March 31, 2023. Management has established a minimum liquid asset ratio of 7.5% and an internal target of 12% or greater. The loan to deposit ratio (average loans outstanding for the reporting period divided by average deposits outstanding) measures the amount of funds the Company lends for each dollar of deposits on hand. Our average loan-to-deposit ratio for the first quarter of 2024 was 80.55%, compared to 79.39% for the fourth quarter of 2023 and 80.18% for the first quarter of 2023. Management has an established target range for the loan-to-deposit ratio of 87% to 89%, but will operate outside that range under certain circumstances.
Cash generated from operations is another important source of funds to meet liquidity needs. The Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows included in Part I, Item 1 of this document present operating cash flows and summarize all significant sources and uses of funds during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023.
Dividends received from the Bank have been the primary source of funds available to the Parent for the payment of dividends to our stockholders and for servicing its debt. The liquidity management process takes into account the various regulatory provisions that can limit the amount of dividends the Bank can distribute to the Parent. The Parent targets cash and other liquid assets to provide liquidity in an amount sufficient to fund approximately six quarters of ongoing cash or liquid asset needs, consisting primarily of common stockholder dividends, debt service requirements, and any expected share repurchase or early extinguishment of debt. The Parent may operate below the target level on a temporary basis if a return to the target can be achieved in the near-term, generally not to exceed four quarters. The Parent had cash and liquid assets of $240.8 million at March 31, 2024.
Capital Resources
Stockholders’ equity totaled $3.9 billion at March 31, 2024, up $49.8 million, or 1%, from December 31, 2023. The increase from December 31, 2023 is attributable to net income of $108.6 million, partially offset by other comprehensive loss of $32.4 million, net of tax, primarily the result of fair value adjustments on securities available for sale and cash flow hedges, and dividends of $26.5 million.
The tangible common equity (TCE) ratio was 8.61% at March 31, 2024, up 24 bps from 8.37% at December 31, 2023, driven primarily by tangible net earnings (+32 bps) and a decrease in tangible assets (+9 bps), partially offset by other comprehensive loss (-9 bps) and dividends (-8 bps).
The regulatory capital ratios of the Company and the Bank at March 31, 2024 remained well in excess of current regulatory minimum requirements, including capital conservation buffers, by at least $832 million. The Company and the Bank have been categorized as “well-capitalized” in the most recent notices received from our regulators. Refer to the Supervision and Regulation section in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 for further discussion of our capital requirements.
The following table shows the regulatory capital ratios for the Company and the Bank as calculated under current rules for the indicated periods. The capital ratios reflect the election to use the CECL five-year transition rule that allowed for the option to delay for two years the estimated impact of CECL on regulatory capital (0% in 2020 and 2021), followed by a three-year transition (25% in 2022, 50% in 2023, 75% in 2024, and 100% thereafter). The two-year delay included the full impact of January 1, 2020 cumulative effect impact plus an estimated impact of CECL calculated quarterly as 25% of the current ACL over the January 1, 2020 balance (modified transition amount). The modified transition amount was recalculated each quarter in 2020 and 2021, with the December 31, 2021 impact of $24.9 million plus day one impact of $44.1 million (net of tax) carrying through the remaining three years of the transition, as adjusted by the applicable transition percentage, equating to $17.2 million at March 31, 2024.
Well-
September 30,
Capitalized
Total capital (to risk weighted assets)
10.00
14.34
13.93
13.63
13.44
13.21
Hancock Whitney Bank
13.39
13.04
12.82
12.70
12.54
Tier 1 common equity capital (to risk weighted assets)
6.50
12.29
12.03
11.68
11.52
Tier 1 capital (to risk weighted assets)
8.00
Tier 1 leverage capital
5.00
10.49
10.10
10.01
9.64
9.63
10.19
9.86
9.82
9.52
9.57
We regularly perform stress analysis on our capital levels. One such scenario includes the hypothetical impact of including accumulated other comprehensive losses on market valuations of available for sale securities and cash flow hedges in regulatory capital and a further stress scenario that includes both those losses plus losses on the held to maturity investment portfolio in regulatory capital. We estimate that our regulatory capital ratios would remain in excess of the well-capitalized minimums under both of these stress scenarios at March 31, 2024.
On January 25, 2024, our board of directors declared the regular first quarter common stock cash dividend of $0.30 per share. The quarterly common stock cash dividend was paid on March 15, 2024 to shareholders of record on March 5, 2024. On April 25, 2024, our board of directors approved a $0.10, or 33%, increase in the regular quarterly common stock cash dividend to $0.40 per share payable on June 14, 2024 to shareholders of record on June 5, 2024. The Company has paid uninterrupted dividends to its shareholders since 1967.
On January 26, 2023, our board of directors authorized the repurchase of up to 4,297,000 shares of the Company’s common stock (approximately 5% of the shares of common stock outstanding as of December 31, 2022). The authorization is set to expire on December 31, 2024. The shares may be repurchased in the open market, by block purchase, through accelerated share repurchase plans, in privately negotiated transactions or otherwise, in one or more transactions, from time to time, depending upon market conditions and other factors, and in accordance with applicable regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company is not obligated to purchase any shares under this program and the repurchase authorization may be terminated or amended by the Board at any time prior to the expiration date. As of March 31, 2024, no shares had been repurchased under this program.
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BALANCE SHEET ANALYSIS
Short-Term Investments
Short-term assets are held to ensure funds are available to meet the cash flow needs of both borrowers and depositors. Short-term investments, including interest-bearing bank deposits and federal funds sold, were $439.0 million at March 31, 2024, down $188.1 million from December 31, 2023, primarily the result of the repayment of FHLB advances during the period. Average short-term investments of $533.8 million for the first quarter of 2024 were down $206.9 million from the fourth quarter of 2023. Typically, the balance of short-term investments will change on a daily basis depending upon movement in customer loan and deposit accounts.
The purpose of the securities portfolio is to increase profitability, mitigate interest rate risk, provide liquidity and comply with regulatory pledging requirements. Our securities portfolio includes securities categorized as available for sale and held to maturity. Available for sale securities are carried at fair value and may be sold prior to maturity. Unrealized gains or losses on available for sale securities, net of deferred taxes, are recorded as accumulated other comprehensive income or loss in stockholders' equity.
Investment in securities totaled $7.6 billion at March 31, 2024, down $40.8 million, or 1%, from December 31, 2023. The decrease from December 31, 2023 reflects an unfavorable fair market valuation adjustment of $48.3 million on the available for sale portfolio, partially offset by net purchases.
At March 31, 2024, securities available for sale totaled $4.9 billion and securities held to maturity totaled $2.7 billion.
Our securities portfolio consists mainly of residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations that are issued or guaranteed by U.S. government agencies. We invest only in high quality investment grade securities with a targeted portfolio effective duration generally between two and five and a half years. At March 31, 2024, the average expected maturity of the portfolio was 6.04 years with an effective duration of 4.49 years and a nominal weighted-average yield of 2.51%. Under an immediate, parallel rate shock using increases of 100 bps and 200 bps, the effective durations would be 4.49 and 4.46 years, respectively. At December 31, 2023, the average expected maturity of the portfolio was 6.22 years with an effective duration of 4.60 years and a nominal weighted-average yield of 2.48%. The changes in expected maturity, effective duration, and nominal weighted-average yield were largely the result of maturities, paydowns and purchases during the quarter. At March 31, 2024, approximately $514 million of our available for sale securities are hedged with $478 million in fair value hedges in order to provide protection and flexibility to reposition and/or reprice the portfolio in a rising interest rate environment, effectively reducing the duration (market price risk) on the hedged securities.
At the end of each reporting period, we evaluate the securities portfolio for credit loss. Based on our assessments, expected credit loss was not material for any period presented, and therefore no allowance for credit loss was recorded.
Total loans at March 31, 2024 were $24.0 billion, up $49.0 million, or less than 1%, from December 31,2023, with the increase primarily attributable to the residential mortgage loan portfolio.
The following table shows the composition of our loan portfolio at each date indicated.
Total loans:
10,075,585
10,113,932
3,081,327
3,058,829
13,156,912
13,172,761
4,027,553
3,762,428
1,614,846
1,768,252
3,721,106
3,581,514
1,463,262
1,504,931
Commercial and industrial (“C&I”) loans, including both non-real estate and owner occupied real estate secured loans, totaled approximately $13.0 billion, or 54% of the total loan portfolio, at March 31, 2024, down less than 1%, compared to December 31,
53
2023. Loan growth in this portfolio segment has tempered, as demand has been affected by the interest rate environment and as a result of management's selective credit appetite with a focus on resilient industries and borrowers.
The Bank lends mainly to middle market and smaller commercial entities, although it participates in larger shared credit loan facilities. Shared national credits outstanding at March 31, 2024 totaled approximately $2.75 billion, or 11% of total loans, up from $2.63 billion at December 31, 2023. At March 31, 2024, our larger concentrations in shared national credits include approximately $465 million to finance and insurance customers, $438 million to healthcare-related customers, $378 million to manufacturing customers, and $359 million to real estate rental and leasing customers, with the remainder of the balance in other diverse industries.
Our loan portfolio is well diversified by product, client, and geography throughout our footprint. Nevertheless, we may be exposed to certain concentrations of credit risk which exist in relation to different borrowers or groups of borrowers, specific types of collateral, industries, loan products, or regions. The following table provides detail of the more significant industry concentrations for our commercial and industrial loan portfolio, which is based on NAICS codes for all industries, with the exception of energy, which is based on the borrower’s source of revenue (i.e. a manufacturer whose income is derived from energy-related business is reported as energy).
Pct of
( $ in thousands )
Commercial & industrial loans:
Health care and social assistance
1,500,050
1,481,669
1,465,057
1,454,716
1,398,300
Retail trade
1,285,503
1,236,830
1,231,718
1,250,708
1,238,090
Real estate and rental and leasing
1,254,432
1,270,568
1,289,505
1,249,557
1,368,460
Manufacturing
1,108,134
1,120,232
1,159,312
1,143,417
1,149,578
Wholesale trade
1,090,634
1,111,643
1,046,650
1,064,342
999,258
992,489
998,802
1,047,345
1,052,386
1,025,582
Transportation and warehousing
951,673
872,379
884,057
902,181
852,153
Finance and insurance
862,004
878,824
931,750
925,639
914,033
Professional, scientific, and technical services
762,181
735,381
766,440
768,863
732,068
Accommodation, food services and entertainment
705,308
706,141
726,582
714,463
677,488
Public administration
443,547
461,390
477,830
489,503
507,291
Information
435,439
424,532
442,928
417,465
407,754
Other services (except public administration)
386,709
396,674
392,561
393,319
387,396
Admin, Support, Waste Mgmt, Remediation Services
296,396
357,390
360,617
348,540
326,667
Educational services
252,309
247,003
247,427
264,377
282,488
Energy
204,746
204,633
205,030
222,603
227,171
474,971
546,956
482,103
510,682
570,453
Total commercial & industrial loans
Commercial real estate – income producing loans totaled approximately $4.0 billion at March 31, 2024, up $55.9 million, or 1%, from December 31, 2023. Construction and land development loans totaled approximately $1.5 billion at March 31, 2024, down $9.3 million, or 1%, from December 31, 2023. The increase in commercial real estate – income producing loans was in part the result of completed construction projects moving to permanent financing. In addition, we continue to see slowing of prepayments in our commercial real estate – income producing portfolio driven by the current interest rate environment. We are continuing to limit our growth in income producing real estate with a focus on resilient projects given the current economic environment. The following table details the end-of-period aggregated commercial real estate – income producing and construction loan balances by property type. Loans reflected in 1-4 family residential construction include both loans to construction builders as well as single family borrowers.
Commercial real estate - income producing and construction loans:
Multifamily
1,366,673
1,268,342
1,189,768
1,087,984
1,017,351
Retail
818,665
812,556
848,914
822,134
802,220
Healthcare related properties
800,164
777,473
864,331
844,304
865,414
Industrial
777,519
753,074
724,359
698,409
677,907
Office
503,446
514,763
547,516
555,080
561,248
Hotel, motel and restaurants
474,636
477,761
464,014
448,362
475,377
1-4 family residential construction
362,495
429,107
527,325
593,238
623,293
Other land loans
180,857
187,514
198,722
219,398
219,192
300,115
317,444
277,450
261,771
243,369
Total commercial real estate - income producing and construction loans
5,584,570
5,538,034
5,642,399
5,530,680
5,485,371
The residential mortgage loan portfolio totaled $4.0 billion at March 31, 2024, up $97.2 million, or 3%, from December 31, 2023. Growth in residential mortgage includes a combination of completed construction loans converting to permanent financing, as well as new loan growth.
The consumer loan portfolio totaled $1.4 billion at March 31, 2024 down $50.2 million, or 3%, from December 31, 2023. Changes in the consumer loan portfolio reflect both slowing demand and the impact of our exit from the indirect automobile lending market, where the existing portfolio is in run-off. The indirect loan portfolio totaled $41.5 million at March 31, 2024, down approximately $11.0 million from December 31, 2023.
Average loans for the first quarter of 2024 totaling $23.8 billion was up $14.5 million, or less than 1%, compared to the fourth quarter of 2023.
Management expects the period end loan growth percentage for the full year of 2024 to be in the low single digits compared to the December 31, 2023 balance of $23.9 billion, with most of the growth occurring during the second half of the year.
Allowance for Credit Losses and Asset Quality
Our allowance for credit losses was $340.8 million at March 31, 2024, up $4.0 million from $336.8 million at December 31, 2023. The increase in the allowance for credit losses is attributable to a $13.0 million provision for credit losses, partially offset by $9.0 million of net charge-offs. Our overall credit loss outlook is not significantly different from that at December 31, 2023, and most of our credit metrics remain near historically low levels. However, uncertainty related to inflationary pressure and the outcome of the Federal Reserve’s actions with respect to monetary policy, and stress in the commercial real estate sector continues to result in an elevated reserve relative to pre-pandemic levels. The allowance for loan loss increased $5.8 million and the reserve for unfunded lending commitments decreased $1.8 million when compared to December 31, 2023. The modest increase in the allowance for loan loss compared to December 31, 2023, reflects a relatively consistent credit loss outlook and continued focus on risks that impact certain segments within our loan portfolio. The decline in the reserve for unfunded lending commitments compared to December 31, 2023 was largely volume driven.
We utilized the February 2024 Moody's economic scenarios for our allowance for credit losses at March 31, 2024, the most current available at the time of our computation. Moody's annual update of certain state and municipal employment-related variables resulted in a delay in the delivery of the March 2024 scenarios, however, certain qualitative factors were applied to the computation in consideration of expected changes between the February and March scenarios. After considering the variables underlying each of the Moody's economic scenarios, management probability-weighed the baseline scenario at 40% and the downside S-2 mild recessionary scenario at 60% in the computation of the allowance for credit losses at March 31, 2024, consistent with the weighting used in the prior quarter. Each of the scenarios considered have varying degrees of severity and duration of inflationary pressure, including volatility in commodities prices and impacts to the labor market, the consequences of the Federal Reserve's actions with regard to monetary policy, the effects of disruption in the financial services industry, and impacts from geopolitical unrest. Refer to the Economic Outlook section of this discussion and analysis for further information on the Moody’s scenarios and our weighting assumptions.
Our allowance for credit losses coverage to total loans was 1.42% at March 31, 2024, up from 1.41% at December 31, 2023. The allowance for credit losses on the commercial portfolio totaled $272.7 million, or 1.47% of that portfolio, at March 31, 2024, up from $270.7 million, or 1.46%, at December 31, 2023. The allowance for credit losses on the residential mortgage portfolio totaled $41.2 million, or 1.03% of that portfolio, at March 31, 2024, up from $39.0 million, or 1.00%, at December 31, 2023, due largely to growth in the portfolio. The allowance for credit losses on the consumer portfolio totaled $26.9 million, or 1.92% of that portfolio, at March 31, 2024, down slightly from $27.1 million, or 1.87%, at December 31, 2023.
Criticized commercial loans totaled $339.9 million at March 31, 2024, up $66.2 million, or 24% from $273.7 million at December 31, 2023. Criticized loans are defined as those having potential weaknesses that deserve management’s close attention (risk-rated as special mention, substandard and doubtful), including both accruing and nonaccruing loans. The Company routinely assesses the ratings of loans in its portfolio through an established and comprehensive portfolio management process. In addition, the Company often reviews portfolios of loans to determine if there are areas of risk not specifically identified in its loan by loan approach. Criticized commercial loans comprised 1.83% of that portfolio at March 31, 2024, up from 1.47% at December 31, 2023. While criticized commercial loans increased, we are not yet seeing significant weakening in any specific portfolio sector or geography. Management believes the increase is reflective of expected normalization of credit metrics following the mostly benign credit environment in recent years and our credit metrics remain in the top quartile of our peers. Our criticized commercial loans at March 31, 2024 are diversified across many industries, with the largest concentrations being construction, totaling $58.7 million; manufacturing, totaling $45.1 million; transportation and warehousing, totaling $41.3 million; wholesale trade, totaling $38.5 million; real estate and rental and leasing, totaling $35.5 million; finance and insurance, totaling $34.1 million; accommodation, food services
and entertainment, totaling $19.4 million; and, retail trade, totaling $19.3 million. Commercial loans risk rated pass-watch totaled $471.0 million at March 31, 2024, up $37.4 million, or 9%, from $433.6 million at December 31, 2023. The pass-watch risk rating includes credits with negative performance trends that reflect sufficient risk to cause concern, but have not risen to the level of criticized.
Net charge-offs were $9.0 million, or 0.15% of average total loans on an annualized basis in the first quarter of 2024, compared to $16.1 million, or 0.27% in the fourth quarter of 2023 and $5.7 million, or 0.10% in the first quarter of 2023. Net charge-offs in the commercial portfolio totaled $5.3 million in the first quarter of 2024, compared to $12.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2023; net charge-offs in the consumer portfolio totaled $3.9 million in the first quarter of 2024, compared to $3.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2023; and net recoveries in the residential mortgage portfolio totaled $0.1 million in the first quarter of 2024, compared to $0.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. Net charge-offs in the commercial portfolio for the first quarter of 2024 includes an $8.8 million charge off on a single commercial real estate - income producing credit and an $11.8 million recovery from a single legacy energy credit.
The following table sets forth activity in the allowance for credit losses for the periods indicated.
Provision and Allowance for Credit Losses
Allowance for loan losses at beginning of period
306,291
Loans charged-off:
Commercial non real estate
14,993
4,528
Commercial real estate - owner-occupied
Total commercial & industrial
Total commercial
18,524
4,589
4,606
3,363
Total charge-offs
23,366
19,601
7,972
Recoveries of loans previously charged-off:
1,733
510
2,243
13,270
2,246
1,234
Total recoveries
3,546
Total net charge-offs
8,980
16,055
5,719
Provision for loan losses
17,671
Allowance for loan losses at end of period
Reserve for Unfunded Lending Commitments:
Reserve for unfunded lending commitments at beginning of period
29,613
Provision for losses on unfunded lending commitments
(719
Reserve for unfunded lending commitments at end of period
Total Allowance for Credit Losses
336,801
Total Provision for Credit Losses
Coverage Ratios:
Allowance for loan losses to period-end loans
Allowance for credit losses to period-end loans
Charge-offs ratios:
Gross charge-offs to average loans
0.39
Recoveries to average loans
0.24
Net charge-offs to average loans
Net Charge-offs to average loans by portfolio
(0.14
)%
0.53
(0.01
(0.07
(0.03
(0.11
0.89
(0.00
0.11
0.07
(0.04
(0.02
1.10
1.02
0.66
The following table sets forth for the periods indicated nonaccrual loans and loans modified or restructured, by type, and foreclosed and surplus ORE and other foreclosed assets. The table also includes loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing.
Loans accounted for on a nonaccrual basis:
22,108
39,361
12,378
Commercial non-real estate - modified
907
924
Total commercial non-real estate
40,268
13,302
2,432
1,620
1,709
Commercial real estate - owner-occupied - modified
675
Total commercial real estate - owner-occupied
2,295
344
1,501
Commercial real estate - income producing - modified
Total commercial real estate - income producing
370
Construction and land development - modified
Total construction and land development
25,757
26,039
26,885
27,458
30,110
Residential mortgage - modified
167
98
Total residential mortgage
26,905
7,800
7,473
6,698
Consumer - modified
Total consumer
Total nonaccrual loans
60,331
78,220
54,344
ORE and foreclosed assets
4,527
2,174
1,976
Total nonaccrual loans and ORE and foreclosed assets
84,875
62,664
64,858
80,394
56,320
Modified loans - still accruing:
21,956
11,500
1,010
17,035
2,180
359
166
Total modified loans - still accruing
37,425
24,448
28,849
28,869
2,592
Loans 90 days past due still accruing
24,170
7,552
13,155
Ratios:
Nonaccrual loans to total loans
Nonaccrual loans plus ORE and foreclosed assets to loans plus ORE and foreclosed assets
0.35
0.26
Allowance for loan losses to nonaccrual loans
382.21
521.56
507.68
402.07
569.31
Allowance for loan losses to nonaccrual loans and accruing loans 90 days past due
348.51
448.55
362.47
366.67
458.35
Loans 90 days past due still accruing to loans
0.03
Nonaccrual loans plus ORE and foreclosed assets totaled $84.9 million at March 31, 2024, up $22.2 million from December 31, 2023. Nonaccrual loans of $82.1 million increased $23.0 million from December 31, 2023. While the level of nonaccrual loans increased, the ratio remains relatively low at 0.34% of the total portfolio and is mostly representative of a normalization of credit metrics following a mostly benign credit environment in recent years. ORE and foreclosed assets were $2.8 million at March 31, 2024, down $0.8 million from December 31, 2023. Nonaccrual loans plus ORE and other foreclosed assets as a percentage of total loans, ORE and other foreclosed assets was 0.35% at March 31, 2024, up 9 bps from December 31, 2023.
We expect to continue to see modest charge-offs and provision for credit losses for the remainder of 2024. Loan growth, portfolio mix, asset quality metrics and future assumptions in economic forecasts will drive the level of credit loss reserves.
Deposits provide the most significant source of funding for our interest earning assets. Generally, our ability to compete for market share depends on our deposit pricing and our wide range of products and services that are focused on customer needs, among other things. We offer high-quality banking services with convenient delivery channels, including online and mobile banking. We provide specialized services to our commercial customers to promote commercial deposit growth. These services include treasury management, industry expertise and lockbox services.
The failures of three large U.S. banks in the first half of 2023 created disruption in the financial services industry. While many factors played a role in the ultimate failures, these institutions had significant industry/demographic concentration within their deposit bases
57
and a high ratio of uninsured deposits. Lack of diversity in concentration within a deposit base may increase the risk of events or trends that could prompt a larger-scale demand for deposits outflow. Concerns over a financial institution's ability to protect deposit balances in excess of the federally insured limit may increase the risk of a deposit run. We consider our deposit base to be seasoned, stable and well-diversified. We also offer our customers an insured cash sweep product (ICS) that allows customers to secure deposits above FDIC insured limits. We have seen a continued increase in demand for the ICS product following the 2023 bank failures, with the balance totaling $372.5 million at March 31, 2024, compared to $303.8 million at December 31, 2023 and $111.4 million at March 31, 2023. At March 31, 2024, we have calculated our average deposit account size by dividing period-end deposits by the population of accounts with balances to be approximately $37,700 which includes $194,500 in our commercial and small business lines (excluding public funds), $130,800 in our wealth management business line, and $18,800 in our consumer business line.
Further, at March 31, 2024, our sources of liquidity exceed uninsured deposits. We have estimated the Bank’s amount of uninsured deposits using the methodologies and assumptions required for FDIC regulatory reporting to be approximately $14.0 billion at March 31, 2024, compared to $13.8 billion at December 31, 2023. Our uninsured deposit total at March 31, 2024 includes approximately $3.5 billion of public funds that have pledged securities as collateral, leaving $10.5 billion of noncollateralized, uninsured deposits compared to total liquidity of $19.2 billion. Our ratio of noncollateralized, uninsured deposits to total deposits was approximately 35.4% at March 31, 2024, compared to 34.4% at December 31, 2023.
Total deposits were $29.8 billion at March 31, 2024, virtually unchanged from December 31, 2023. Average deposits for the first quarter of 2024 were $29.6 billion, down $0.0 billion, or 1%, from the fourth quarter of 2023.
The following table shows the composition of our deposits at each date indicated.
Interest-bearing retail transaction and savings deposits
10,969,720
10,680,741
10,678,462
10,455,175
10,682,568
Interest-bearing public fund deposits:
Public fund transaction and savings deposits
2,989,966
3,069,341
2,761,267
2,828,301
2,987,565
Public fund time deposits
76,304
73,674
91,969
97,130
98,644
Total interest-bearing public fund deposits
3,066,270
3,143,015
2,853,236
2,925,431
3,086,209
Retail time deposits
4,543,018
4,246,027
4,005,025
3,328,577
2,411,765
Brokered time deposits
589,761
1,157,243
1,162,501
572,501
18,693,966
17,871,684
16,753,043
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits were $10.8 billion at March 31, 2024, down $0.2 billion, or 2%, from December 31, 2023. Noninterest-bearing demand deposits comprise 36% of total deposits at March 31, 2024, compared to 37% at December 31, 2023 and 43% at March 31, 2023. Noninterest-bearing deposit levels have declined somewhat as customers shift to interest-bearing products amid the elevated interest rate environment and as spending increases in an inflationary environment. The current level of noninterest-bearing deposits to total deposits of 36% represents what we consider to be a more typical, pre-pandemic mix of noninterest-bearing and interest-bearing deposits.
Interest-bearing transaction and savings accounts of $11.0 billion at March 31, 2024 were up $0.3 billion, or 3%, from December 31, 2023. Interest-bearing public fund deposits totaled $3.1 billion at March 31, 2024, down $ 0.1million, or 2%, from December 31, 2023. The decrease in public funds is mostly reflective of typical seasonal outflows. Retail time deposits totaled $4.5 billion at March 31, 2024, up $0.3 billion, or 7%, from December 31, 2023. The increase in retail time deposits reflects both deposit growth and in part a continued shift from other deposit products amid the elevated interest rate environment as depositors take advantage of attractive rate offerings. Brokered time deposits totaled $394.8 million at March 31, 2024, down $195.0 million as a result of the maturity of instruments that were not replaced. At March 31, 2024, brokered time deposits outstanding bear interest at 5.35% and will mature in May 2024.
58
While the pace is slowing, interest rates paid on deposit accounts continued to increase in the first quarter of 2024, particularly on retail time and money market deposits where we have offered promotional rates. The following table sets forth average balances and weighted-average rates paid on deposits for the first quarter of 2024 and the fourth and first quarters of 2023.
Three months ended
Mix
Interest-bearing deposits:
Interest-bearing transaction deposits
2,557.7
8.7
2,501.0
1.39
8.3
2,468.9
0.46
8.6
Money market deposits
6,131.3
3.28
20.7
6,010.0
3.17
20.1
5,497.3
1.80
19.1
Savings deposits
2,114.2
7.2
2,170.9
2,684.2
9.3
16.8
4.72
17.6
7.0
Public Funds
10.6
9.7
11.0
64.0
62.9
55.0
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits
10,673.1
36.0
11,132.4
37.1
12,963.2
45.0
29,561.0
100.0
29,974.9
28,792.9
The following sets forth the maturities of time certificates of deposit greater than $250,000 at March 31, 2024.
Three months
867,697
Over three months through six months
514,286
Over six months through one year
414,843
Over one year
10,072
1,806,898
Management expects low single-digit end of period deposit growth in 2024 from the balance of $29.7 billion at December 31, 2023.
Short-Term Borrowings
At March 31, 2024, short-term borrowings totaled $667.8 million, down $487.1 million, or 42%, from December 31, 2023. The decline from December 31, 2023 is primarily attributable to the repayment of $700 million of FHLB advances, partially offset by an increase in customer repurchase agreements. Average short-term borrowings of $784.0 million in the first quarter of 2024 were down $209.8 million, or 21%, from the fourth quarter of 2023.
Short-term borrowings are a core portion of the Company’s funding strategy and can fluctuate depending on our funding needs and the sources utilized. Customer repurchase agreements and FHLB borrowings are the major sources of short-term borrowings. Customer repurchase agreements are offered mainly to commercial customers to assist them with their cash management strategies or to provide a temporary investment vehicle for their excess liquidity pending redeployment for corporate or investment purposes. While customer repurchase agreements provide a recurring source of funds to the Bank, amounts available will vary. FHLB borrowings are funds from the Federal Home Loan Bank that are collateralized by certain residential mortgage and commercial real estate loans included in the Bank’s loan portfolio, subject to specific criteria.
Long-Term Debt
Long-term debt totaled $236.4 million at March 31, 2024, virtually unchanged from December 31, 2023.
Long-term debt at March 31, 2024 includes subordinated notes payable with an aggregate principal amount of $172.5 million, a stated maturity of June 15, 2060, and a fixed rate of 6.25% per annum that qualify as Tier 2 capital of certain regulatory capital ratios. Subject to prior approval by the Federal Reserve, the Company may redeem these notes in whole or in part on any of its quarterly interest payment dates after June 15, 2025.
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
Loan Commitments and Letters of Credit
In the normal course of business, the Bank enters into financial instruments, such as commitments to extend credit and letters of credit, to meet the financing needs of its customers. Such instruments are not reflected in the accompanying consolidated financial statements until they are funded, although they expose the Bank to varying degrees of credit risk and interest rate risk in much the same way as
59
funded loans. Under regulatory capital guidelines, the Company and Bank must include unfunded commitments meeting certain criteria in risk-weighted capital calculations.
Commitments to extend credit include revolving commercial credit lines, non-revolving loan commitments issued mainly to finance the acquisition and development or construction of real property or equipment, and credit card and personal credit lines. The availability of funds under commercial credit lines and loan commitments generally depends on whether the borrower continues to meet credit standards established in the underlying contract and has not violated other contractual conditions. Loan commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee by the borrower. Credit card and personal credit lines are generally subject to cancellation if the borrower’s credit quality deteriorates. A number of commercial and personal credit lines are used only partially or, in some cases, not at all before they expire, and the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent our future cash requirements.
The contractual amounts of these instruments reflect our exposure to credit risk. The Bank undertakes the same credit evaluation in making loan commitments and assuming conditional obligations as it does for on-balance sheet instruments and may require collateral or other credit support. At March 31, 2024, the Company had a reserve for unfunded lending commitments totaling $27.1 million.
The following table shows the commitments to extend credit and letters of credit at March 31, 2024 according to expiration date.
Expiration Date
Less than
1-3
3-5
More than
1 year
years
5 years
3,513,546
2,579,929
2,435,218
801,890
404,866
24,051
70,918
9,830,546
3,918,412
2,603,980
2,506,136
802,018
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and with those generally practiced within the banking industry which require management to make estimates and assumptions about future events. Estimates are based on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, and the resulting estimates form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of certain assets and liabilities not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.
NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
Refer to Note 15 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Our primary market risk is interest rate risk that stems from uncertainty with respect to the absolute and relative levels of future market interest rates that affect our financial products and services. In an attempt to manage our exposure to interest rate risk, management measures the sensitivity of our net interest income and cash flows under various market interest rate scenarios, establishes interest rate risk management policies and implements asset/liability management strategies designed to promote a relatively stable net interest margin under varying rate environments.
Net Interest Income at Risk
The following table presents an analysis of our interest rate risk as measured by the estimated changes in net interest income resulting from an instantaneous and sustained parallel shift in rates at March 31, 2024. Shifts are measured in 100 basis point increments in a range from -500 to +500 basis points from base case, with -300 through +300 basis points presented in the table below. Our interest rate sensitivity modeling incorporates a number of assumptions including loan and deposit repricing characteristics, the rate of loan
prepayments and other factors. The base scenario assumes that the current interest rate environment is held constant over a 24-month forecast period and is the scenario to which all others are compared in order to measure the change in net interest income. Policy limits on the change in net interest income under a variety of interest rate scenarios are approved by the Board of Directors. All policy scenarios assume a static volume forecast where the balance sheet is held constant, although other scenarios are modeled.
Estimated Increase
(Decrease) in NII
Change in Interest Rates
Year 1
Year 2
(basis points)
-300
-7.29
-12.84
-200
-4.46
-7.99
-100
-1.94
-3.69
+100
2.15
+200
6.84
+300
5.86
10.23
The results indicate a general asset sensitivity across most scenarios driven primarily by repricing in variable rate loans and a funding mix which includes a large percentage of noninterest-bearing and lower rate sensitive deposits. As rates increased in the first half of 2023 and remain elevated, the funding mix has continued to shift to more rate sensitive deposits and wholesale funding which has resulted in a lower net interest income at risk measurements compared to recent years. When deemed prudent, management has taken actions to mitigate exposure to interest rate risk with on-or off-balance sheet financial instruments and intends to do so in the future. Possible actions include, but are not limited to, changes in the pricing of loan and deposit products, modifying the composition of earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, and adding to, modifying or terminating existing interest rate swap agreements or other financial instruments used for interest rate risk management purposes.
Even if interest rates change in the designated amounts, there can be no assurance that our assets and liabilities would perform as anticipated. Additionally, a change in the U.S. Treasury rates in the designated amounts accompanied by a change in the shape of the U.S. Treasury yield curve would cause significantly different changes to net interest income than indicated above. Strategic management of our balance sheet and earnings is fluid and would be adjusted to accommodate these movements. As with any method of measuring interest rate risk, certain shortcomings are inherent in the methods of analysis presented above. For example, although certain assets and liabilities may have similar maturities or periods to repricing, they may react in different degrees to changes in market interest rates. Also, the interest rates on certain types of assets and liabilities may fluctuate in advance of changes in market interest rates, while interest rates on other types may lag behind changes in market rates. Certain assets such as adjustable-rate loans have features which restrict changes in interest rates on a short-term basis and over the life of the asset. Also, the ability of many borrowers to service their debt may decrease in the event of an interest rate increase. All of these factors are considered in monitoring exposure to interest rate risk.
Economic Value of Equity (EVE)
EVE simulation involves calculating the present value of all future cash flows from assets and subtracting the present value of all future cash outflows from liabilities including the impact of off-balance sheet items such as interest rate hedges. This analysis results in a theoretical market value of the bank's equity or EVE. Management’s focus on EVE analysis is not on the resulting calculation of EVE itself, but instead on the sensitivity of EVE to changes in market rates. Policy limits on the change in EVE under a variety of interest rate scenarios are approved by the Board of Directors. The following table presents an analysis of the change in the Bank’s EVE resulting from instantaneous and parallel shifts in rates as of March 31, 2024. Shifts are measured in 100 basis point increments ranging from -500 to +500 basis points from base case, with -300 through +300 basis points presented in table below.
Estimated Changein EVE at
-
300
2.92%
200
2.86%
1.93%
+
-2.41%
-5.10%
-7.87%
The net changes in EVE presented in the preceding table are within the parameters approved by the Boards of Directors. Because EVE measures the present value of cash flows over the estimated lives of instruments, the change in EVE does not directly correlate to the
degree that earnings would be impacted over a shorter time horizon (i.e., the current year). Further, EVE does not consider factors such as future balance sheet growth, changes in product mix, changes in yield curve relationships, possible hedging activities, or changing product spreads, each of which could mitigate the adverse impact of changes in interest rates.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
In connection with the preparation of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, an evaluation was carried out by the Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act). Disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. Based on that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of March 31, 2024, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
Our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, identified no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the three month period ended March 31, 2024, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
The Company, including subsidiaries, is party to various legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. We do not believe that loss contingencies, if any, arising from pending litigation and regulatory matters will have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position or liquidity.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
In addition to the other information set forth in this Report, in evaluating an investment in the Company’s securities, investors should consider carefully, among other things, the risk factors previously disclosed in Part I, Item 1A of our 2023 Form 10-K. which could materially affect the Company's business, financial position, results of operations, cash flows, or future results. Please be aware that these risks may change over time and other risks may prove to be important in the future. New risks may emerge at any time, and we cannot predict such risks or estimate the extent to which they may affect our business, financial condition or results of operations, or the trading price of our securities.
There are no material changes during the period covered by this Report to the risk factors previously disclosed in our 2023 Form 10-K.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
The Company has in place a Board-approved stock buyback program whereby the Company is authorized to repurchase up to 4.3 million shares of its common stock through the program’s expiration date of December 31, 2024. The program allows the Company to repurchase its common shares in the open market, by block purchase, through accelerated share repurchase programs, in privately negotiated transactions, or otherwise, in one or more transactions in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Following is a summary of repurchases during the three months ended March 31, 2024.
Total number of shares or units purchased (a)
Average price paid per share
Total number of shares purchased as part of a publicly announced plan or program
Maximum number of shares that may yet be purchased under such plans or programs
January 1, 2024 - January 31, 2024
46.49
4,297,000
February 1, 2024 - February 29, 2024
144,773
45.11
March 1, 2024 - March 31, 2024
46.04
144,909
(a) Includes common stock purchased in connection with our share-based payment plans related shares used to cover payroll tax withholding requirements. See Note 18 – Share-Based Payment Arrangements in our 2023 Form 10-K, which includes additional information regarding our share-based incentive plans. There were no shares repurchases under the Board-approved buyback program during the first quarter of 2024.
Item 5. Other Information
Pursuant to Item 408(a) of Regulation S-K, none of the Company's directors or executive officers adopted, terminated or modified a Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement or a non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement during the three months ended March 31, 2024.
Item 6. Exhibits
(a) Exhibits:
Exhibit Number
Filed Herewith
Form
Exhibit
Filing Date
Second Amended and Restated Articles of Hancock Whitney Corporation
8-K
5/1/2020
3.2
Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of Hancock Whitney Corporation
31.1
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
X
31.2
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101.INS
Inline XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
104
Cover Page Interactive Data File
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.
By:
/s/ John M. Hairston
John M. Hairston
President & Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ Michael M. Achary
Michael M. Achary
Senior Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
May 8, 2024