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 September 30, 2021
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.
86,826,483 common shares were outstanding at October 31, 2021.
Table of Contents
Hancock Whitney Corporation
Index
Part I. Financial Information
Page
Number
ITEM 1.
Financial Statements
5
Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited) – September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020
Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited) – Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 and 2020
6
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (unaudited) – Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 and 2020
7
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity (unaudited) – Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 and 2020
8
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) – Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 and 2020
9
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) – September 30, 2021 and 2020
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
65
ITEM 4.
Controls and Procedures
66
Part II. Other Information
Legal Proceedings
67
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
Signatures
68
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
AMERIBOR - Index created by the American Financial Exchange as a potential replacement for LIBOR; calculated daily as the volume-weighted average interest rate of the overnight unsecured loans on American Financial Exchange
AOCI – accumulated other comprehensive income or loss
ALLL – allowance for loan and lease losses
ARRC – Alternative Reference Rates Committee
ASC – Accounting Standards Codification
ASR – accelerated share repurchase
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
CARES Act – Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act
CD – certificate of deposit
CDE – Community Development Entity
CECL – Current Expected Credit Losses, the term commonly used to refer to the methodology of estimating credit losses required by ASC 326, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses.” ASC 326 was adopted by the Company on January 1, 2020, superseding the methodology prescribed by ASC 310.
CEO – Chief Executive Officer
CFO – Chief Financial Officer
CMO – collateralized mortgage obligation
Core Loans – loans excluding Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans
Coronavirus – the novel coronavirus declared a pandemic during the first quarter of 2020, resulting in prolonged market disruptions
COVID-19 – disease caused by the novel coronavirus
CRE – commercial real estate
Excess Liquidity – deposits held at the Federal Reserve above $200 million, plus excess investments in the securities portfolio above normal cash flows
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.
FHLB – Federal Home Loan Bank
GAAP – Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States of America
HTM – held to maturity securities
IRS – Internal Revenue Service
LIBOR – London Interbank Offered Rate
LIHTC – Low Income Housing Tax Credit
LTIP – long-term incentive plan
MBS – mortgage-backed securities
MD&A – management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations
NAICS – North American Industry Classification System
NII – net interest income
n/m – not meaningful
OCI – other comprehensive income or loss
ORE – other real estate defined as foreclosed and surplus real estate
PCD – purchased credit deteriorated loans, as defined by ASC 326
PCI – purchased credit impaired loans, as defined by ASC 310-30
3
PPP – Paycheck Protection Program, a loan program administered by the Small Business Administration designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep workers on payroll during interruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic
Reference rate reform – refers to the global transition away from LIBOR and other interbank offered rates toward new reference rates that are more reliable and robust
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
SOFR – secured overnight financing rate
Structured Solutions – longer-term contractual payment modifications of original loan agreement
te – taxable equivalent adjustment, or the term used to indicate that a financial measure is presented on a fully taxable equivalent basis
TDR – troubled debt restructuring
TSR – total shareholder return
U.S. Treasury – The United States Department of the Treasury
VERIP – Voluntary Early Retirement Incentive Program
4
Item 1. Financial Statements
Hancock Whitney Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
September 30,
December 31,
(in thousands, except per share data)
2021
2020
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks
$
527,880
526,306
Interest-bearing bank deposits
3,062,325
1,333,352
Federal funds sold
456
434
Securities available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost of $6,943,511 and $5,766,234)
7,000,921
5,999,327
Securities held to maturity (fair value of $1,385,967 and $1,467,581)
1,307,701
1,357,170
Loans held for sale
90,618
136,063
Loans
20,886,015
21,789,931
Less: allowance for loan losses
(371,521
)
(450,177
Loans, net
20,514,494
21,339,754
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $272,213 and $271,801
350,554
380,516
Right of use assets, net of accumulated amortization of $31,365 and $23,330
98,419
110,691
Prepaid expenses
40,329
41,443
Other real estate and foreclosed assets, net
8,423
11,648
Accrued interest receivable
99,314
104,268
Goodwill
855,453
Other intangible assets, net
74,146
86,892
Life insurance contracts
661,770
615,780
Funded pension assets, net
220,121
171,175
Other assets
405,384
568,330
Total assets
35,318,308
33,638,602
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Liabilities:
Deposits
Noninterest-bearing
13,653,376
12,199,750
Interest-bearing
15,554,781
15,498,127
Total deposits
29,208,157
27,697,877
Short-term borrowings
1,745,228
1,667,513
Long-term debt
248,011
378,322
Accrued interest payable
3,060
4,315
Lease liabilities
119,250
130,627
Deferred tax liability, net
31,250
49,406
Other liabilities
333,586
271,517
Total liabilities
31,688,542
30,199,577
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock
309,513
Capital surplus
1,774,874
1,757,937
Retained earnings
1,545,181
1,291,506
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net
198
80,069
Total stockholders' equity
3,629,766
3,439,025
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
86,823
86,728
See notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.
Consolidated Statements of Income
Three Months Ended
Nine Months Ended
Interest income:
Loans, including fees
204,102
220,392
626,881
688,032
635
833
1,954
2,104
Securities-taxable
33,936
30,863
98,287
95,172
Securities-tax exempt
4,724
4,831
14,269
14,629
Short-term investments
1,020
124
2,111
791
Total interest income
244,417
257,043
743,502
800,728
Interest expense:
5,090
14,783
21,381
76,349
1,470
1,673
4,558
8,388
3,148
5,404
13,624
11,754
Total interest expense
9,708
21,860
39,563
96,491
Net interest income
234,709
235,183
703,939
704,237
Provision for credit losses
(26,955
24,999
(49,095
578,690
Net interest income after provision for credit losses
261,664
210,184
753,034
125,547
Noninterest income:
Service charges on deposit accounts
21,159
18,440
59,686
56,795
Trust fees
16,041
14,424
47,351
43,390
Bank card and ATM fees
19,833
17,222
58,436
50,541
Investment and annuity fees and insurance commissions
7,167
5,988
21,956
18,504
Secondary mortgage market operations
6,972
12,875
31,238
28,736
Securities transactions, net
376
333
488
Other income
22,189
14,423
55,722
43,624
Total noninterest income
93,361
83,748
274,722
242,078
Noninterest expense:
Compensation expense
92,601
97,095
289,034
286,922
Employee benefits
19,377
20,761
85,213
64,892
Personnel expense
111,978
117,856
374,247
351,814
Net occupancy expense
11,974
13,191
37,839
39,272
Equipment expense
4,894
5,355
14,067
14,724
Data processing expense
24,766
21,888
71,598
65,185
Professional services expense
12,748
14,372
37,472
35,098
Amortization of intangible assets
4,082
4,788
12,746
15,302
Deposit insurance and regulatory fees
3,680
4,108
10,042
15,039
Other real estate and foreclosed assets expense (income)
(376
(482
(456
9,188
Other expense
20,957
14,698
66,990
50,026
Total noninterest expense
194,703
195,774
624,545
595,648
Income (loss) before income taxes
160,322
98,158
403,211
(228,023
Income taxes expense (benefit)
30,740
18,802
77,739
(79,274
Net income (loss)
129,582
79,356
325,472
(148,749
Earnings (loss) per common share-basic
1.46
0.90
3.67
(1.73
Earnings (loss) per common share-diluted
Dividends paid per share
0.27
0.81
Weighted average shares outstanding-basic
86,834
86,358
86,800
86,614
Weighted average shares outstanding-diluted
87,006
86,400
86,951
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(in thousands)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before income taxes:
Net change in unrealized gain or loss on securities available for sale and cash flow hedges
(48,569
425
(143,924
217,254
Reclassification of net income realized and included in earnings
(6,425
(4,076
(9,337
(6,593
Valuation adjustments to pension plan attributable to the Voluntary Early Retirement Incentive Program (VERIP) and curtailment
59,606
Other valuation adjustments to employee benefit plans
(10,651
(10,251
Amortization of unrealized net gain on securities transferred to held to maturity
(33
(89
(134
(378
Other comprehensive income (loss) before income taxes
(55,027
(3,740
(104,440
200,032
Income tax expense (benefit)
(12,363
48
(24,569
46,370
Other comprehensive income (loss) net of income taxes
(42,664
(3,788
(79,871
153,662
Comprehensive income
86,918
75,568
245,601
4,913
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity
Three Months Ended September 30, 2021 and 2020
Accumulated
Common Stock
Other
(in thousands, except parenthetical share data)
Shares
Issued
Amount
Capital
Surplus
Retained
Earnings
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
Total
Balance, June 30, 2021
1,770,973
1,439,553
42,862
3,562,901
Net income
Other comprehensive loss
Cash dividends declared ($0.27 per common share)
(24,002
Common stock activity, long-term incentive plans
5,432
5,480
Repurchase of common stock (56,349 shares)
(2,509
-
Issuance of stock from dividend reinvestment and stock purchase plans
978
Balance, September 30, 2021
Balance, June 30, 2020
1,747,640
1,156,278
102,726
3,316,157
(23,803
6,595
47
6,642
1,080
Balance, September 30, 2020
1,755,315
1,211,878
98,938
3,375,644
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 and 2020
Accumulated Other
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Balance, December 31, 2020
Cash dividends declared ($0.81 per common share)
(72,046
16,506
249
16,755
2,940
Balance, December 31, 2019
1,736,664
1,476,232
(54,724
3,467,685
Net loss
Other comprehensive income
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle
(44,087
(71,620
16,159
102
16,261
Net settlement of accelerated share
repurchase agreement (1,001,472 shares)
12,110
Repurchase of common stock (315,851 shares)
(12,716
3,098
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
21,743
22,869
(Gain) loss on other real estate and foreclosed assets
(1,124
9,252
Gain on sale of securities
(333
(488
Deferred tax expense (benefit)
1,378
(28,949
Increase in cash surrender value of life insurance contracts
(21,122
(14,443
Impairment (gain) on disposal of assets
15,165
(556
Loss on extinguishment of debt
4,165
Net (increase) decrease in loans held for sale
43,867
(46,691
Net amortization of securities premium/discount
38,318
30,576
Stock-based compensation expense
17,270
16,661
Net change in liability from variation margin collateral
53,387
(102,501
Decrease in interest payable and other liabilities
22,037
11,369
(Increase) decrease in other assets
60,971
(97,265
Other, net
(13,970
(17,607
Net cash provided by operating activities
530,875
227,470
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from the sale of available for sale securities
198,681
211,919
Proceeds from maturities of securities available for sale
831,433
662,269
Purchases of securities available for sale
(2,235,723
(1,667,476
Proceeds from maturities of securities held to maturity
99,044
169,863
Purchases of securities held to maturity
(59,362
(20,884
Net redemptions (purchases) of Federal Home Loan Bank stock
52,535
(12,868
Net increase in short-term investments
(1,728,995
(668,828
Proceeds from sales of loans and leases
12,540
301,609
Net (increase) decrease in loans
915,652
(1,657,939
Purchase of life insurance contracts
(75,000
Proceeds from the surrender of life insurance contracts
44,045
Purchases of property and equipment
(12,402
(31,214
Proceeds from sales of other real estate
7,804
15,299
35,903
8,456
Net cash used in investing activities
(1,913,845
(2,689,794
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Net increase in deposits
1,510,280
3,227,084
Net increase (decrease) in short-term borrowings
77,715
(807,977
Proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt
22,388
166,425
Repayments of long-term debt
(153,365
(230
Dividends paid
Payroll tax remitted on net share settlement of equity awards
(1,298
(1,639
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
439
Proceeds from dividend reinvestment and stock purchase plans
Settlement of forward contract portion of accelerated share repurchase
Repurchase of shares
Net cash provided by financing activities
1,384,544
2,514,535
NET INCREASE IN CASH AND DUE FROM BANKS
1,574
52,211
CASH AND DUE FROM BANKS, BEGINNING
432,104
CASH AND DUE FROM BANKS, ENDING
484,315
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FOR NON-CASH
INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Assets acquired in settlement of loans
2,623
5,459
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, 2020. 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, 2020.
Beginning in the second quarter of 2021, the Company enters into mandatory delivery forward sales contracts concurrently with interest rate lock commitments for select residential mortgage banking product offerings that are expected to be sold when funded. Previously, the Company only entered into forward sales agreements on a best-efforts basis and will now utilize both types of delivery methods. With mandatory delivery contracts, the Company commits to deliver a certain principal amount of mortgage loans to an investor at a specified price on or before a specified date. Forward loan sale commitments for the mandatory delivery contracts include the use of To Be Announced (“TBA”) securities to mitigate the risk of changes in value of the rate lock commitment. With the change in delivery method, the Company has elected the fair value option on funded residential mortgage loans originated for sale that are associated with forward sales contracts. For mortgage loans for which the Company has elected the fair value option, gains and losses are included in noninterest income within secondary mortgage market operations. For further discussion, see Note 6 – Derivatives and Note 14 – Fair Value Measurements.
Refer to Note 15 – Recent Accounting Pronouncements for a discussion of accounting standards adopted during the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and the impact to the Company’s financial statements.
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 September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020. Amortized cost of securities does not include accrued interest which is reflected in the accrued interest line item on the consolidated balance sheets totaling $25.0 million at September 30, 2021 and $24.4 million at December 31, 2020.
September 30, 2021
December 31, 2020
Gross
Securities Available for Sale
Amortized
Unrealized
Fair
Cost
Gains
Losses
Value
U.S. Treasury and government agency securities
394,069
4,822
4,169
394,722
207,365
6,289
284
213,370
Municipal obligations
305,701
13,504
3,178
316,027
309,342
17,536
153
326,725
Residential mortgage-backed securities
3,256,700
39,681
42,988
3,253,393
2,560,249
69,570
2,629,811
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
2,838,584
81,615
35,766
2,884,433
2,323,306
135,516
3,288
2,455,534
Collateralized mortgage obligations
133,957
3,628
137,585
354,472
7,651
362,123
Corporate debt securities
14,500
263
14,761
11,500
264
11,764
6,943,511
143,513
86,103
5,766,234
236,826
3,733
Securities Held to Maturity
617,289
39,989
211
657,067
627,019
51,408
678,425
47,330
985
243
48,072
21,951
1,469
23,420
573,854
36,614
350
610,118
549,686
54,587
604,273
69,228
1,482
70,710
158,514
2,949
161,463
79,070
804
1,385,967
110,413
1,467,581
The following tables present the amortized cost and estimated fair value of debt securities available for sale and held to maturity at September 30, 2021 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 collateralized mortgage obligations.
Debt Securities Available for Sale
Due in one year or less
2,290
2,294
Due after one year through five years
636,212
670,865
Due after five years through ten years
2,805,443
2,839,375
Due after ten years
3,499,566
3,488,387
Total available for sale debt securities
Debt Securities Held to Maturity
11,226
11,371
336,328
354,897
548,812
587,548
411,335
432,151
Total held to maturity securities
The Company held no securities classified as trading at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020.
11
The following table presents the proceeds from, gross gain on, and gross losses on sales of securities during the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020.
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Proceeds
Gross gains
1,649
1,984
Gross losses
1,316
1,496
Net gain
Securities with carrying values totaling $3.6 billion and $3.4 billion were pledged as collateral at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, 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.
At each reporting period, 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 that met the criteria of a credit loss event and, therefore, no allowance for credit loss was recorded for either 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 >
199,451
2,712
32,489
1,457
231,940
43,297
2,098
25,243
68,540
2,097,625
42,984
704
2,098,329
856,462
22,196
294,972
13,570
1,151,434
2,998
3,199,833
69,992
353,408
16,111
3,553,241
35,845
30,170
530
760
1,290
446,190
70
2,000
514,805
3,727
515,565
12
At each reporting period, the Company evaluates its held to maturity municipal obligation portfolio for credit loss using probability of default and loss given default models. The models are run using a long-term average probability of default migration and with a probability weighting of Moody’s economic forecasts. The economic forecasts are largely weighted to a baseline scenario with some weight given to one or more upside and/or downside scenarios. The resulting credit loss was negligible for both periods presented and no allowance for credit loss was recorded. 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
7,789
190
7,979
7,821
11,960
291
27,861
28,051
2,381
As of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company had 115 and 28 securities, respectively, with market values below their cost basis. None of the unrealized losses relate primarily 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 non-credit related at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020. The Company has adequate liquidity and, therefore does not plan to, and more likely than not, will not be required to liquidate these securities before recovery of the indicated impairment.
13
3. Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses
The Company generally makes loans in its market areas of south and central Mississippi; southern and central Alabama; northwest, central and south Louisiana; the northern, central and panhandle regions of Florida; certain areas of east and northeast Texas, including Houston, Beaumont and Dallas; and Nashville, Tennessee. 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 $70.5 million and $76.2 million at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. Included in commercial non-real estate loans at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 was $935.3 million and $2.0 billion, respectively, of Paycheck Protection Program loans, described in more detail below. The following table presents loans, net of unearned income, by portfolio class at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020.
Commercial non-real estate
9,416,990
9,986,983
Commercial real estate - owner occupied
2,812,926
2,857,445
Total commercial and industrial
12,229,916
12,844,428
Commercial real estate - income producing
3,467,939
3,357,939
Construction and land development
1,213,991
1,065,057
Residential mortgages
2,351,053
2,665,212
Consumer
1,623,116
1,857,295
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 non-real estate loans also include loans made under the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). PPP loans are guaranteed by the SBA and are forgivable to the debtor upon satisfaction of certain criteria. The loans bear interest at 1% per annum and have two or five year terms, depending on the date of origination. These loans also earn an origination fee of 1%, 3%, or 5%, depending on the loan size; this origination fee is deferred and amortized over the estimated life of the loan using the effective yield method.
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.
14
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 sold in the secondary mortgage market.
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 following tables present activity in the allowance for credit losses (ACL) by portfolio class for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, as well as the corresponding recorded investment in loans at the end of each period. Effective January 1, 2020, the Company adopted the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 326, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses,” using a modified retrospective basis. ASC 326, commonly referred to as CECL, prescribed a change in computing allowance for credit losses from an incurred methodology to a life of loan methodology. The difference between the December 31, 2019 incurred allowance and the CECL allowance is reflected as a cumulative effect of change in accounting principle in the ACL activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2020.
Commercial
real estate-
commercial
Construction
non-real
owner
and
income
and land
Residential
estate
occupied
industrial
producing
development
mortgages
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021
Allowance for credit losses
Allowance for loan losses:
Beginning balance
149,693
69,134
218,827
109,474
26,462
48,842
46,572
450,177
Charge-offs
(32,369
(1,722
(34,091
(231
(267
(218
(9,874
(44,681
Recoveries
6,579
363
6,942
100
1,548
933
4,636
14,159
Net provision for loan losses
(17,594
(10,642
(28,236
11,752
(5,167
(18,484
(7,999
(48,134
Ending balance - allowance for loan losses
106,309
57,133
163,442
121,095
22,576
31,073
33,335
371,521
Reserve for unfunded lending commitments:
4,529
381
4,910
1,099
22,694
19
1,185
29,907
Provision for losses on unfunded commitments
(176
(131
(307
(383
(8
(387
(961
Ending balance - reserve for unfunded lending commitments
4,353
250
4,603
1,223
22,311
798
28,946
Total allowance for credit losses
110,662
57,383
168,045
122,318
44,887
31,084
34,133
400,467
Individually evaluated
113
33
146
20
447
202
835
Collectively evaluated
106,196
57,100
163,296
121,075
22,556
30,626
33,133
370,686
Allowance for loan losses
Loans:
5,929
5,618
11,547
4,004
127
5,083
1,315
22,076
9,411,061
2,807,308
12,218,369
3,463,935
1,213,864
2,345,970
1,621,801
20,863,939
15
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020
106,432
10,977
117,409
20,869
9,350
20,331
23,292
191,251
(244
14,877
14,633
7,287
7,478
12,921
7,092
49,411
(364,123
(1,828
(365,951
(2,211
(7
(170
(13,640
(381,979
659
5,490
46
549
1,078
4,360
11,523
401,155
41,336
442,491
78,661
12,325
17,613
27,378
578,468
148,051
66,021
214,072
104,652
29,695
51,773
48,482
448,674
3,974
5,772
288
6,060
449
15,658
17
5,146
27,330
(3,786
187
(3,599
1,599
6,046
(11
(3,813
222
5,960
475
6,435
2,048
21,704
1,333
31,526
154,011
66,496
220,507
106,700
51,399
51,779
49,815
480,200
Individually evaluated for impairment
27,304
1,344
28,648
24
169
416
29,713
Collectively evaluated for impairment
120,747
64,677
185,424
104,628
29,526
51,357
48,026
418,961
992
997
4,968
5,443
1,328
30,529
73,139
11,124
84,263
5,549
1,837
6,064
3,924
101,637
10,184,649
2,768,283
12,952,932
3,401,005
1,094,312
2,748,324
1,941,994
22,138,567
10,257,788
2,779,407
13,037,195
3,406,554
1,096,149
2,754,388
1,945,918
22,240,204
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 was developed using multiple Moody’s Analytics (“Moody’s) macroeconomic forecasts applied to internally developed credit models for a two year reasonable and supportable period. In the calculation of the September 30, 2021 allowance, the Company weighted the September 2021 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, at 50%. The September 2021 baseline scenario assumes: (1) coronavirus herd resiliency was achieved in late August 2021, with infection abatement in November 2021; (2) no new widespread economic shutdowns will occur in response to virus outbreaks; (3) the unemployment rate continues to decline, with fourth quarter 2021 averaging 4.5%, and full year 2021, 2022 and 2023 rates averaging 5.5%, 3.6% and 3.5%, respectively; (4) gross domestic product will increase an average of 6.0% in 2021, 4.3% in 2022 and 2.3% in 2023; (5) the Build Back Better infrastructure and social legislation package, forecasted to be passed in late 2021 at $2.5 trillion, will provide an additional boost to the economy; and (6) the Federal Reserve will continue to respond to the economic impact of COVID-19 by maintaining rates at or near zero until the first quarter of 2023. The downside scenario S-2 was weighted at 50% to incorporate a reasonably possible alternative economic outcome. The S-2 scenario reflects a slower economic recovery as compared to the baseline, with key assumptions that include a delay in infection abatement, continued supply chain disruptions, a scaled back stimulus package resulting in less of a rise in real consumer spending and a near-term rise in unemployment that impedes growth in late 2021 and in 2022. The modest release during the third quarter of 2021 reflects improvements in the economic forecast. The continued elevated allowance level is a result of uncertainty surrounding payment performance of borrowers in certain regions and/or industries that have not returned to pre-pandemic circumstances and as the impact of federal stimulus diminishes and modifications expire.
16
Nonaccrual loans and loans modified in troubled debt restructurings
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
9,948
5,449
52,836
15,268
6,720
5,379
13,856
7,038
16,668
10,828
66,692
22,306
4,249
3,922
6,743
1,238
2,486
1,116
25,964
1,598
40,573
1,705
12,238
23,385
60,357
16,598
139,879
25,127
Nonaccrual loans include nonaccruing loans modified in troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”) of $7.2 million and $21.6 million at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. Total TDRs, both accruing and nonaccruing, were $10.3 million at September 30, 2021 and $25.8 million at December 31, 2020. All TDRs are individually evaluated for credit loss. At September 30, 2021, the Company had no unfunded commitments to borrowers whose loan terms have been modified in a TDR and $4.6 million at December 31, 2020.
The tables below detail by portfolio class TDRs that were modified during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020. All such loans are individually evaluated for credit loss.
($ in thousands)
September 30, 2020
Troubled Debt Restructurings:
of
Contracts
Pre-
Modification
Outstanding
Recorded
Investment
Post-
1
196
1,358
25
1,383
6,935
745
515
538
3,424
86
89
7,536
7,559
4,273
The TDRs modified during the nine months ended September 30, 2021 reflected in the table above include $7.1 million of loans with extended amortization terms or other payment concessions and $0.5 million of loans with other modifications. The TDRs modified during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 include $0.7 million of loans with extended amortization terms or other payment concessions, $1.1 million with reduced interest rates, $0.4 million with significant covenant waivers, and $2.1 million with other modifications.
One residential mortgage loan totaling $0.6 million that defaulted during the nine months ended September 30, 2021 had been modified in a TDR during the twelve months prior to default. One commercial non-real estate loan totaling $0.4 million, one residential mortgage loan totaling $0.6 million and two consumer loans totaling $0.2 million that defaulted during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 had been modified in a TDR during the twelve months prior to default.
The TDR disclosures above do not include loans eligible for exclusion from TDR assessment under Section 4013 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”). Loans modified under the CARES Act are reported in the aging analysis that follows based on the modified terms.
Aging Analysis
The tables below present the aging analysis of past due loans by portfolio class at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020.
30-59
days
past due
60-89
Greater
than
90 days
Current
investment
> 90 days
and still
accruing
5,623
2,100
14,568
22,291
9,394,699
7,228
5,761
762
8,071
2,804,855
142
11,384
2,862
16,116
30,362
12,199,554
7,370
1,175
1,474
5,441
8,090
3,459,849
1,346
369
733
1,035
2,137
1,211,854
57
3,799
5,579
17,567
26,945
2,324,108
254
13,750
3,108
7,331
24,189
1,598,927
943
30,477
13,756
47,490
91,723
20,794,292
9,970
7,963
2,564
39,530
50,057
9,936,926
583
1,525
753
13,663
15,941
2,841,504
955
9,488
3,317
53,193
65,998
12,778,430
1,538
1,494
5,744
8,036
3,349,903
182
4,168
2,001
6,453
1,058,604
29,319
9,858
27,886
67,063
2,598,149
912
12,215
5,012
11,714
28,941
1,828,354
729
56,684
19,269
100,538
176,491
21,613,440
3,361
18
Credit Quality Indicators
The following tables present the credit quality indicators by segment and portfolio class of loans held for investment at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020. The Company routinely assesses the ratings of loans in its portfolio through an established and comprehensive portfolio management process. In addition, the Company often examines portfolios of loans to determine if there are areas of risk not specifically identified in its loan by loan approach.
real estate -
owner-
and industrial
Grade:
Pass
9,032,981
2,659,738
11,692,719
3,363,503
1,190,718
16,246,940
Pass-Watch
204,260
68,660
272,920
79,328
19,048
371,296
Special Mention
46,263
24,878
71,141
4,739
1,887
77,767
Substandard
133,486
59,650
193,136
20,369
2,338
215,843
Doubtful
16,911,846
9,439,264
2,641,423
12,080,687
3,219,155
1,033,060
16,332,902
314,739
114,358
429,097
89,968
22,820
541,885
79,613
46,239
125,852
5,989
5,751
137,592
153,367
55,425
208,792
42,827
3,426
255,045
17,267,424
mortgage
Performing
2,323,682
1,609,813
3,933,495
2,622,422
1,832,885
4,455,307
Nonperforming
27,371
13,303
40,674
42,790
24,410
67,200
3,974,169
4,522,507
Below are the definitions of the Company’s internally assigned grades:
Commercial:
•
Pass – loans properly approved, documented, collateralized, and performing which do not reflect an abnormal credit risk.
Pass-Watch – credits in this category are of sufficient risk to cause concern. This category is reserved for credits that display negative performance trends. The “Watch” grade should be regarded as a transition category.
Special Mention – a criticized asset category defined as having potential weaknesses that deserve management’s close attention. If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses may, at some future date, result in the deterioration of the repayment prospects for the credit or the institution’s credit position. Special mention credits are not considered part of the Classified credit categories and do not expose the institution to sufficient risk to warrant adverse classification.
Substandard – an asset that is inadequately protected by the current sound worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any. Assets so classified must have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt. They are characterized by the distinct possibility that the institution will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.
Doubtful – an asset that has all the weaknesses inherent in one classified Substandard with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions, and values, highly questionable and improbable.
Loss – credits classified as Loss are considered uncollectable and are charged off promptly once so classified.
Residential and Consumer:
Performing – accruing loans that have not been modified in a troubled debt restructuring.
Nonperforming – loans for which there are good reasons to doubt that payments will be made in full. All loans with nonaccrual status and all loans that have been modified in a troubled debt restructuring are classified as nonperforming.
Vintage Analysis
The following table presents credit quality disclosures of amortized cost by segment and vintage for term loans and by revolving and revolving converted to amortizing at September 30, 2021. The Company defines vintage as the later of origination, renewal or restructure date.
Term Loans
Amortized Cost Basis by Origination Year
2019
2018
2017
Prior
Revolving Loans
Revolving Loans Converted to Term Loans
Commercial Loans:
3,916,476
3,333,009
2,308,701
1,374,599
1,105,917
1,520,061
2,582,321
105,856
40,835
59,789
71,484
22,528
82,569
47,600
15,253
15,346
3,105
6,857
11,061
19,648
8,613
11,841
1,296
26,982
51,212
38,745
17,302
27,220
22,332
25,384
6,666
Total Commercial Loans
3,999,639
3,447,115
2,425,787
1,434,200
1,175,313
1,633,575
2,667,146
129,071
Residential Mortgage and Consumer Loans:
330,316
461,269
401,774
265,787
367,106
973,576
1,128,048
5,619
433
1,101
1,902
3,599
5,614
25,114
1,424
1,487
Total Consumer Loans
330,749
462,370
403,676
269,386
372,720
998,690
1,129,472
7,106
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 September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 was $6.1 million and $17.2 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 $4.0 million and $3.4 million of foreclosed single family residential properties in other real estate owned at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.
Loans Held for Sale
Loans held for sale is composed primarily of mortgage loans originated for sale in the secondary market.
4. 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 $643.4 million and $567.2 million at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, 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.
5. Long Term Debt
At September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, long-term debt was comprised of the following:
Subordinated notes payable, maturing June 2045
150,000
Subordinated notes payable, maturing June 2060
172,500
Other long-term debt
81,385
66,062
Less: unamortized debt issuance costs
(5,874
(10,240
Total long-term debt
The following table sets forth unamortized debt issuance costs associated with the respective debt instruments at September 30, 2021:
Unamortized
Debt
Issuance
Principal
Costs
5,874
253,885
On June 15, 2021, the Company redeemed in full its 5.95% $150 million subordinated notes due 2045. The notes were redeemed at 100% of principal plus accrued and unpaid interest therein. Loss on extinguishment of debt included in other noninterest expense totaling $4.2 million represents the disposal of unamortized loan costs associated with the original issuance of the notes.
On June 9, 2020, the Company completed the issuance of subordinated notes payable with an aggregate principal amount of $172.5 million with a stated maturity of June 15, 2060. The notes accrue interest at a fixed rate of 6.25% per annum, with quarterly interest payments that began September 15, 2020. Subject to prior approval by the Federal Reserve, the Company may redeem the notes in whole or in part on any interest payment date on or after June 15, 2025. This debt qualifies as tier 2 capital in the calculation of certain regulatory capital ratios.
Substantially all of the Company’s other long-term debt consists of borrowings associated with tax credit fund activities. Although these borrowings have indicated maturities through 2050, each is expected to be satisfied at the end of the seven-year compliance period for the related tax credit investments.
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 entered 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.
21
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 September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020.
Derivative (1)
Type of
Hedge
Notional or
Contractual
Assets
Liabilities
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Interest rate swaps - variable rate loans
Cash Flow
1,025,000
9,731
867
1,175,000
50,962
Interest rate swaps - securities
Fair Value
1,608,150
28,629
7,742
1,158,150
6,686
18,920
2,633,150
38,360
8,609
2,333,150
57,648
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Interest rate swaps
5,174,836
96,176
95,297
4,806,258
145,517
148,778
Risk participation agreements
218,947
216,511
35
108
Interest rate-lock commitments on residential mortgage loans
108,155
2,038
206,258
1,793
Forward commitments to sell residential mortgage loans
67,476
1,010
310,458
3,211
To Be Announced (TBA) securities
74,000
318
Foreign exchange forward contracts
62,806
1,250
1,114
58,822
2,816
2,785
Visa Class B derivative contract
43,565
4,472
5,645
5,749,785
99,784
101,916
5,641,872
150,180
160,541
Total derivatives
8,382,935
138,144
110,525
7,975,022
207,828
179,461
Less: netting adjustment (2)
(39,988
(70,817
(57,648
(124,204
Total derivative assets/liabilities
98,156
39,708
55,257
(1)
Derivative assets and liabilities are reported at fair value in other assets or other liabilities, respectively, in the consolidated balance sheets.
(2)
Represents balance sheet netting of derivative assets and liabilities for variation margin collateral held or placed with the same central clearing counterparty. See offsetting assets and liabilities for further information.
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. During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the Company terminated six swap agreements and received cash of approximately $23.7 million, which was recorded as accumulated other comprehensive income and will be accreted into earnings through the original maturity dates of the respective contracts. The notional amounts of the swap agreements in place at September 30, 2021 expire as follows: $50 million in 2021; $475 million in 2022; $150 million in 2023; $100 million in 2026 and $250 million thereafter.
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 with hedged start dates between August 2023 through August 2025, and maturity dates from December 2027 through March 2032. The fair value of the hedged item attributable to interest rate risk will be presented in interest income along with the change in the fair value of the hedging instrument.
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The majority of the hedged available for sale securities is a closed portfolio 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 last-of-layer approach. At September 30, 2021, the amortized cost basis of the closed portfolio of pre-payable commercial mortgage backed securities totaled $1.7 billion. The amount that represents the hedged items was $1.5 billion and the basis adjustment associated with the hedged items totaled $21.0 million.
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 (“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 records a loan held for sale at fair value under the election of fair value option.
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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. During the fourth quarter of 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 account 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 September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the fair value of the liability associated with this contract was $4.5 million and $5.6 million, respectively. Refer to Note 14 – Fair Value of Financial Instruments 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 and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 are presented in the table below. Interest income attributable to cash flow hedges includes amortization of accumulated other comprehensive income or loss that resulted from termination of certain interest rate swap contracts.
Derivative Instruments:
Location of Gain (Loss)
Recognized in the
Statements of Income:
Cash flow hedges:
Variable rate loans
Interest income - loans
6,950
5,788
19,941
11,249
Fair value hedges:
Securities
Interest income - securities - taxable
(6
Securities - termination
Noninterest income - securities transactions, net
2,499
Brokered deposits
Interest expense - deposits
Derivatives not designated as hedging:
Residential mortgage banking
Noninterest income - secondary mortgage market operations
(1,249
2,223
Customer and all other instruments
Noninterest income - other noninterest income
2,970
1,739
11,755
9,718
Total gain
8,692
7,520
36,412
21,046
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 September 30, 2021, 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 September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 was $56.9 million and $109.7 million, respectively, for which the Company had posted collateral of $24.3 million and $44.7 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 September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 is presented in the following tables.
Amounts
Net Amounts
Gross Amounts Not Offset in the
Statement of Financial Condition
Recognized
Offset in
the Statement
of Financial Condition
Presented in
Financial
Instruments
Cash
Collateral
Net
Derivative Assets
46,013
(41,102
4,911
Derivative Liabilities
101,940
(72,835
29,105
69,668
(45,474
61,529
(58,660
2,869
171,275
(126,434
44,841
90,312
(48,340
The Company has excess 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 4.6 million at September 30, 2021 and 4.5 million at December 31, 2020, with a first-in-first-out cost basis of $151.3 million and $150.7 million at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. Shares outstanding also excludes unvested restricted share awards totaling 1.6 million and 1.7 million at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.
Stock Buyback Program
On April 22, 2021, the Company’s board of directors approved a 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, 2022. 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. 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. During the third quarter of 2021, the Company repurchased 56,349 shares of its common stock at an average cost of $44.52 per share, inclusive of commissions.
Prior to its expiration date of December 31, 2020, the Company had in place a stock buyback program that authorized the repurchase of up to 5.5 million shares of its common stock. The program, as amended, allowed the Company to repurchase its common shares on the open market, by block purchase, through accelerated share repurchase programs, in privately negotiated transactions, or as otherwise determined by the Company, in one or more transactions. The Company was not obligated to purchase any shares under this program, and the board of directors had the ability to terminate or amend the program at any time prior to the expiration date. In total, the Company repurchased 4.9 million of the 5.5 million authorized shares under this buyback program at an average cost of $37.65 per share, inclusive of commissions.
The Company was party to an accelerated share repurchase (“ASR”) agreement with Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC whereby the Company made a $185 million payment to Morgan Stanley and received from Morgan Stanley an initial delivery of 3,611,870 shares
of the Company’s common stock, which represented 75% of the estimated total number of shares to be repurchased, based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on October 18, 2019. Final settlement of the ASR agreement occurred on March 18, 2020. Pursuant to the terms of the settlement, the Company received cash of approximately $12.1 million and a final delivery of 1,001,472 shares of its common stock.
In January 2020, the Company repurchased 315,851 shares of its common stock at a cost of $40.26 in a privately negotiated transaction.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
The components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) and changes in those components are presented in the following table.
Available
for Sale
HTM Securities
Transferred
from AFS
Employee
Benefit Plans
Flow Hedges
Equity Method Investment
28,950
639
(101,278
17,399
(434
Net change in unrealized gain or loss
176,009
46,180
(4,935
Reclassification of net income or loss realized and included in earnings
4,656
(11,249
Valuation adjustment to employee benefit plans
Amortization of unrealized net gain or loss on securities transferred to HTM
39,817
(85
(1,265
7,903
165,142
346
(105,608
44,427
(5,369
171,224
276
(125,573
39,511
(144,715
353
438
2,166
3,970
(19,941
4,468
Valuation adjustments to pension plan attributable to VERIP and curtailment
(31,952
(30
11,783
(4,370
60,627
172
(84,431
24,293
(463
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 will be reclassified into income over the life of the hedge. Gains and losses within AOCI are net of deferred income taxes, where applicable.
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The following table shows the line items of the consolidated statements of income affected by amounts reclassified from AOCI.
Amount reclassified from AOCI (a)
Affected line item on
the statement of income
Loss on sale of AFS securities
(2,166
Noninterest income
Tax effect
487
Income taxes
Net of tax
(1,679
Amortization of unrealized net gain on securities transferred to HTM
134
378
Interest income
104
293
Amortization of defined benefit pension and post-retirement items
(3,970
(4,656
Other noninterest expense (b)
884
1,053
(3,086
(3,603
Reclassification of unrealized gain on cash flow hedges
18,771
12,602
(4,188
(2,851
14,583
9,751
Amortization of gain (loss) on terminated cash flow hedges
1,170
(1,353
(261
306
909
(1,047
Reclassification of unrealized loss on equity method investment
(4,468
Total reclassifications, net of tax
6,363
5,394
(a)
Amounts in parentheses indicate reduction in net income.
(b)
These AOCI components are included in the computation of net periodic pension and post-retirement cost that is reported with other noninterest expense (see Note 11 – Retirement Plans for additional details).
On March 27, 2020, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”), the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation issued an interim final rule that provides an option to delay the estimated impact on regulatory capital stemming from the implementation of CECL for a transition period of five years. The five-year rule provides a full delay of the estimated impact of CECL on regulatory capital transition (0%) for the first two years, followed by a three-year transition (25% of the impact included in 2022, 50% in 2023, 75% in 2024 and 100% thereafter). The two-year delay includes the full impact of day one CECL plus the estimated impact of current CECL activity calculated quarterly as 25% of the current ACL over the day one balance (“modified transition amount”). The modified transition amount was and will be recalculated each quarter in 2020 and 2021, with the December 31, 2021 impact carrying through the remaining three years of the transition. The Company elected the five-year transition period option upon issuance of the interim final rule.
8. Other Noninterest Income
Components of other noninterest income are as follows:
Income from bank-owned life insurance
3,907
6,628
14,535
14,211
Credit related fees
2,568
2,911
8,383
8,585
Income from derivatives
Gain on sale of Mastercard Class B common stock
2,800
Gain on sale of Hancock Horizon Funds
4,576
Other miscellaneous
8,168
3,145
13,673
11,110
Total other noninterest income
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9. Other Noninterest Expense
Components of other noninterest expense are as follows:
Corporate value and franchise taxes
3,414
4,872
11,300
13,649
Telecommunications and postage
3,087
4,043
9,568
11,483
Advertising
3,638
3,159
8,400
10,089
Entertainment and contributions
2,280
5,214
7,146
Tax credit investment amortization
1,112
961
3,337
2,882
Printing and supplies
914
1,271
2,833
4,006
Travel expense
765
309
1,789
1,816
Net other retirement expense
(7,294
(6,337
(20,645
(18,796
Loss on facilities and equipment from consolidation
15,462
929
13,041
5,105
25,567
16,822
Total other noninterest expense
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, other miscellaneous expense includes certain expenses incurred as a result of Hurricane Ida.
10. Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share
The Company calculates earnings (loss) per share using the two-class method. The two-class method allocates net income or loss to each class of common stock and participating security according to common dividends declared and participation rights in undistributed earnings. For reporting periods in which a net loss is recorded, net loss is not allocated to participating securities because the holders of such securities bear no contractual obligation to fund or otherwise share in the losses. 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 (loss) per common share follows.
Numerator:
Net income (loss) to common shareholders
Net dividends or income allocated to participating securities - basic and diluted
2,419
1,435
6,650
1,278
Net income (loss) allocated to common shareholders - basic and diluted
127,163
77,921
318,822
(150,027
Denominator:
Weighted-average common shares - basic
Dilutive potential common shares
42
151
Weighted-average common shares - diluted
Earnings (loss) per common share:
Basic
Diluted
Potential common shares consist of stock options, nonvested performance-based awards, and nonvested 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. No potential common shares would have had an antidilutive effect in the calculation of earnings per common share for the three months ended September 30, 2021. For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, antidilutive potential common shares with a weighted average of 796 were excluded from the computation of earnings per common share. For the three months ended September 30, 2020, antidilutive potential common shares with a weighted average of 78,867 were excluded from the computation of earnings per common share. For reporting periods in which a net loss is reported, no effect is given to potentially dilutive common shares in the computation of loss per common share as any impact from such shares would be antidilutive; as such, no effect was given to antidilutive potential common shares for the computation of earnings per common share for the nine months ended September 30, 2020.
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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.
The following tables show the components of net periodic benefit cost included in expense for the periods indicated.
Other Post-
Pension Benefits
Retirement Benefits
For The Three Months Ended September 30,
Service cost
2,620
3,207
Interest cost
3,552
3,892
91
106
Expected return on plan assets
(11,463
(12,047
Amortization of net (gain) or loss and prior service costs
717
1,854
(192
(142
Net periodic benefit cost
(4,574
(3,094
(78
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
8,996
9,690
71
78
9,982
12,315
257
377
(34,854
(36,144
4,471
5,168
(501
(512
Special termination benefits
16,052
4,137
4,647
(8,971
3,964
(57
During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the Company completed a Voluntary Early Retirement Incentive Program (VERIP), which was accepted by approximately 260 eligible Pension Plan participants. The event constituted a curtailment of the Pension Plan and resulted in a re-measurement of the projected benefit obligation. The program had two components: a supplemental cash incentive, substantially all of which was paid through the Pension Plan with existing plan assets, and coverage in a post-retirement medical plan, with each component having specific age and years of service requirements. The impact of offering these incentives is classified as special termination benefits in the table above. As of the re-measurement date of April 30, 2021, Pension Plan assets totaled $808 million and the benefit obligation totaled $597 million.
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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 19 to the consolidated financial statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.
At September 30, 2021, the Company had 10,891 outstanding and exercisable stock options, with a weighted average exercise price of $32.98, weighted average remaining contractual term of less than 1 year and an aggregate intrinsic value of $0.2 million.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, there were exercises of 12,183 stock options with a total intrinsic value of $0.1 million.
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 and performance-based share awards at September 30, 2021 are presented in the following table.
Weighted
Average
Number of
Grant Date
Nonvested at January 1, 2021
1,886,853
34.77
Granted
236,874
36.50
Vested
(62,299
33.74
Forfeited
(167,411
35.32
Nonvested at September 30, 2021
1,894,017
34.97
At September 30, 2021, there was $46.8 million of total unrecognized compensation expense related to nonvested restricted and performance shares expected to vest in the future. This compensation is expected to be recognized in expense over a weighted average period of 3.0 years. The total fair value of shares that vested during the nine months ended September 30, 2021 was $2.6 million.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the Company granted 60,996 performance share awards subject to a total shareholder return (“TSR”) performance metric with a grant date fair value of $38.49 per share and 60,996 performance shares subject to an operating earnings per share performance metric with a grant date fair value of $32.17 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 48 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 operating earnings per share that ultimately vest will be based on the Company’s attainment of certain operating 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.
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The contract 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 $28.9 million and $29.9 million at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.
The following table presents a summary of the Company’s off-balance sheet financial instruments as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020:
Commitments to extend credit
8,983,039
8,106,223
Letters of credit
370,905
365,510
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.
14. Fair Value Measurements
The 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.
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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 in the consolidated balance sheets at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020:
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Available for sale debt securities:
Total available for sale securities
Mortgage loans held for sale
72,456
Derivative assets (1)
Total recurring fair value measurements - assets
7,171,533
Derivative liabilities (1)
35,236
Total recurring fair value measurements - liabilities
6,149,507
49,612
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.
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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, LIBOR swap curves and Overnight Index swap rate curves, 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 all derivative instruments 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 nine months ended September 30, 2021 and the year ended December 31, 2020 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, 2019
5,704
Cash settlement
(1,656
Losses included in earnings
1,597
Balance at December 31, 2020
(1,327
154
Balance at September 30, 2021
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.
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
1.62x-1.60x
Conversion rate -weighted average
1.6114x
Time until resolution
3-27 months
3-36 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 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
17,381
Other real estate owned and foreclosed assets, net
Total nonrecurring fair value measurements
25,804
60,451
72,099
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 impaired loans 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.
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Loans Held for Sale – These loans are either carried under the fair value option or at the lower of cost or market, which 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 – The fair value is estimated by discounting the future contractual cash flows using current market rates at which borrowings with similar terms and options could be obtained.
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
Financial assets:
Cash, interest-bearing bank deposits, and federal funds sold
3,590,661
Available for sale securities
Held to maturity securities
20,526,735
20,544,116
Derivative financial instruments
Financial liabilities:
29,177,424
Federal funds purchased
1,825
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
643,403
FHLB short-term borrowings
1,126,938
1,100,000
260,964
1,860,092
21,472,933
21,533,384
27,679,321
300
567,213
1,147,335
404,880
15. Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Accounting Standards Adopted in 2021
In August 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-06, “Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205), Financial Services – Depository and Lending (Topic 942) and Financial Services – Investment Companies (Topic 946),” to reflect the issuance of SEC Release No. 33-10786, Amendments to Financial Disclosures about Acquired and Disposed Businesses, and No. 33-10835, Update of Statistical Disclosures for Bank and Savings and Loan Registrants. The Company is required to comply with the rules set forth in SEC Release No. 33-10835 for fiscal years ending on or after December 31, 2021, with voluntary early compliance permitted. The Company adopted the rules set forth in this release in its December 31, 2020 Form 10-K and, therefore, was in compliance with this standard upon its issuance.
In January 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-01, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848),” to clarify that certain optional expedients and exceptions in Topic 848 for contract modifications and hedge accounting apply to derivatives that are affected by the transition to new reference rates. The amendments in the update do not apply to contract modifications made after December 31, 2022, new hedging relationships entered into after December 31, 2022, and existing hedging relationships evaluated for effectiveness in periods after December 31, 2022, except for hedging relationships existing as of December 31, 2022, that apply certain optional expedients in which the accounting effects are recorded through the end of the hedging relationship (including periods after December 31, 2022). The provisions of this guidance were effective upon issuance for all entities. An entity may elect to apply the amendments in
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this update on a full retrospective basis as of any date from the beginning of an interim period that includes or is subsequent to March 12, 2020, or on a prospective basis to new modifications from any date within an interim period that includes or is subsequent to the date of the issuance of a final update, up to the date that financial statements are available to be issued. The Company adopted this guidance on a full retrospective basis upon issuance. Adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact upon the Company’s financial position and results of operations.
In October 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-08, “Codification Improvements to Subtopic 310-20, Receivables- Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs,” to clarify that an entity should reevaluate whether a callable debt security is within the scope of paragraph 310-20-35-33 for each reporting period. Securities within the scope of this paragraph are those that have explicit, noncontingent call options that are callable at fixed prices and on preset dates at prices less than the amortized cost basis of the security. Whether a security is subject to this paragraph may change depending on the amortized cost basis of the security and the terms of the next call option. For instruments that fall within the scope, the premium should be amortized to the next call date, which is defined as the first date at which a call option at a specified price becomes exercisable. Once the next call date has passed, the next call date after that (if applicable) is the date at which the next call option at a specified price becomes exercisable, and, if there is no remaining premium or if there are no further call dates, the effective yield should be reset using the payment terms of the debt security. For public business entities, the amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2020, and entities should apply the amendments in the update on a prospective basis for existing and newly purchased callable debt securities. The Company assessed its bond portfolio upon adoption and determined that there were no bonds with premium calls at such dates. The Company will evaluate its bond portfolio at each interim and annual reporting date to determine if any instruments fall within the scope of paragraph 310-20-35-33.
In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, “Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (Topic 740).” The amendments in this update are meant to simplify the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to GAAP. The amendments also improve consistent application of and simplify GAAP by modifying and/or revising the accounting for certain income tax transactions and by clarifying certain existing codification. The amendments in the update are effective for public business entities for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020. The Company adopted this guidance on January 1, 2021. Adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact upon the Company’s financial position and results of operations.
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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This report 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. 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:
the negative impacts and disruptions resulting from the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19 (and the variants thereof), on the economies and communities we serve, which has had and may continue to have an adverse impact on our business operations and performance, and has and may continue to have a negative impact on our credit portfolio, stock price, borrowers and the economy as a whole both globally and domestically;
government or regulatory responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the risk of inflation and interest rate increases resulting from monetary and fiscal stimulus response, which may have unanticipated adverse effects on our customers, and our financial condition and results of operations;
balance sheet and revenue growth expectations may differ from actual results;
the risk that our provision for credit losses may be inadequate or may be negatively affected by credit risk exposure;
loan growth expectations;
the impact of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans on our results;
management’s predictions about charge-offs;
the risk that our enterprise risk management framework may not identify or address risks adequately, which may result in unexpected losses;
the impact of future business combinations upon our performance and financial condition including our ability to successfully integrate the businesses;
deposit trends;
credit quality trends;
changes in interest rates;
the impact of reference rate reform;
net interest margin trends;
future expense levels;
improvements in expense to revenue (efficiency ratio);
success of revenue-generating and cost reduction initiatives;
the effectiveness of derivative financial instruments and hedging activities to manage risks;
risks related to our reliance on third parties to provide key components of our business infrastructure, including the risks related to disruptions in services or financial difficulties of a third-party vendor;
risks related to the ability of our operational framework to manage risks associated with our business such as credit risk and operation risk, including third-party vendors and other service providers, which could among other things, result in a breach of operating or security systems as a result of a cyber-attack or similar act;
projected tax rates;
future profitability;
purchase accounting impacts, such as accretion levels;
our ability to identify and address potential cybersecurity risks, heightened by the increased use of our virtual private network platform, including data security breaches, credential stuffing, malware, “denial-of-service” attacks, “hacking” and identity theft, a failure of which could disrupt our business and result in the disclosure of and/or misuse or misappropriation of confidential or proprietary information, disruption or damage to our systems, increased costs, losses, or adverse effects to our reputation;
our ability to receive dividends from Hancock Whitney Bank could affect our liquidity, including our ability to pay dividends or take other capital actions;
a material decrease in net income or a net loss over several quarters could result in a decrease in, or the elimination of, our quarterly cash dividend;
the impact on our financial results, reputation, and business if we are unable to comply with all applicable federal and state regulations or other supervisory actions or directives and any necessary capital initiatives;
our ability to effectively compete with other traditional and non-traditional financial services companies, some of whom possess greater financial resources than we do or are subject to different regulatory standards than we are;
our ability to maintain adequate internal controls over financial reporting;
potential claims, damages, penalties, fines and reputational damage resulting from pending or future litigation, regulatory proceedings and enforcement actions, including costs and effects of litigation related to our participation in stimulus programs associated with the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic;
the financial impact of future tax legislation;
the effects of war or other conflicts, acts of terrorism, natural disasters such as hurricanes, freezes, flooding and other man-made disasters, such as oil spills in the Gulf of Mexico, health emergencies, epidemics or pandemics, or other catastrophic events that may affect general economic conditions; and
changes in laws and regulations affecting our businesses, including governmental monetary and fiscal policies, legislation and regulations relating to bank products and services, as well as changes in the enforcement and interpretation of such laws and regulations by applicable governmental and self-regulatory agencies, which could require us to change certain business practices, increase compliance risk, reduce our revenue, impose additional costs on us, or otherwise negatively affect our businesses.
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 from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 and 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 within the Selected Financial Data section that appears later in this item. The following is a summary of these non-GAAP measures and an explanation as to why they are deemed useful.
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, as well as to provide investors with assistance in understanding the success management has experienced in executing its strategic initiatives. These non-GAAP measures may reference the concept “operating.” We use the term “operating” to describe a financial measure that excludes income or expense considered to be nonoperating in nature. Items identified as nonoperating are those that, when excluded from a reported financial measure, provide management or the reader with a measure that may be more indicative of forward-looking trends in our business.
We define Operating Pre-Provision Net Revenue as total revenue (te) less noninterest expense, excluding nonoperating items. Management believes that operating pre-provision net revenue is a useful financial measure because it enables investors and others to assess the Company’s ability to generate capital to cover credit losses through a credit cycle.
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Current Economic Environment
Economic recovery continued during the third quarter of 2021, albeit at a slower pace in some respects when compared to the previous quarter. The rate of unemployment again declined, falling to 4.8% in September 2021 from 5.9% in June 2021. Gross Domestic Product displayed 2% growth, slightly short of consensus and smaller than the growth experienced in the preceding four fiscal quarters. Supply chain interruption, labor shortages and wage and pricing pressures intensified during the period, largely the result of the surge in COVID-19 infections caused by the Delta variant of the virus. While there were no widespread or pervasive restrictions on movement or business instituted in response to the surge, the rapid increase in the rate of infection and serious illness created strain on healthcare delivery in many areas in the US and prompted certain localized mandated mitigation measures and other voluntary responses, such as leisure and business event cancellations. These cancellations, continued restrictions on international travel and lagging/limited large-scale convention and other events continue to impact our markets, particularly in the central region.
Parts of our footprint were further affected by Hurricane Ida, a major hurricane that made landfall in late August in Southeast Louisiana. Along with personal and commercial property damage in some hard-hit areas, extensive damage to the region’s energy grid resulted in extended power outages for a portion of our market. The effects of the storm prompted temporary evacuation for many residents and unplanned closures of businesses, schools, and other essential services. As a result, supply chain and labor constraints already present were exacerbated, and many events that foster leisure and business tourism were canceled or postponed. Certain of our fee income categories, such as ATM fees and secondary mortgage market operations, were temporarily impacted by Hurricane Ida’s disruption, but those conditions are not expected to persist. Our hurricane impacted markets generally experience increased economic activity as the communities rebuild and recover from the damage.
Despite the disruption to portions of our market, we continued to experience growth in our core loan portfolio, which excludes the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans that continue to be paid down through debt forgiveness. Although loan pricing pressure continues, particularly on shorter-duration facilities, core loan growth continued across most regions and in our equipment finance and healthcare specialty business lines. Similar to last quarter, improvement in economic activity across our footprint led to an increased loan pipeline with a higher pull-through rate and a slight uptick in credit line utilization. These factors, coupled with fewer payoffs, resulted in 4% linked quarter annualized growth. Excess liquidity from PPP loan forgiveness, elevated deposit levels, and the low interest rate environment continue to pressure net interest margin.
Economic Outlook
We utilize economic forecasts produced by Moody’s Analytics (Moody’s) that provide various scenarios to assist in the development of our economic outlook. This outlook discussion utilizes the September 2021 Moody’s forecast, the most current available at September 30, 2021. 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. In the September 2021 baseline forecast, the near-term economic recovery was assumed to be somewhat slower in the short term compared to the assumptions included in the June forecast, largely due to the surge in cases of the COVID-19 Delta variant and scaled back expectations regarding proposed fiscal stimulus. Following a slowdown in late 2021, Moody’s expects growth will be strong in 2022. Key assumptions underlying the baseline forecast are that (1) coronavirus herd resiliency was achieved in late August 2021, with infection abatement pushed to November 2021 due to the Delta variant; (2) no new widespread economic shutdowns will occur in response to virus outbreaks; (3) the unemployment rate continues to decline, with fourth quarter 2021 averaging 4.5%, and full year 2021, 2022 and 2023 rates averaging 5.5%, 3.6% and 3.5%, respectively, reaching full employment by the end of 2022; (4) gross domestic product will increase an average of 6.0% in 2021, 4.3% in 2022 and 2.3% in 2023; (5) the Build Back Better infrastructure and social legislation package, forecasted to be passed in late 2021 at $2.5 trillion, will spur additional economic activity; and (6) the Federal Reserve will continue to respond to the economic impact of COVID-19 by maintaining rates at or near zero until the first quarter of 2023.
The alternative Moody’s forecast scenarios have varying degrees of positive and negative severity of the outcome of the economic downturn, as well as varying shapes and length of recovery. Management determined that assumptions provided for in the downside slower near-term growth (S-2) were as reasonably possible as the baseline scenario, particularly within our footprint; as such, the S-2 scenario was given equal consideration through probability weighting in our allowance for credit losses calculation at September 30, 2021. The S-2 slower near-term growth assumptions (compared to baseline) include a delay in infection abatement until January 2022, continued supply chain disruptions, a smaller or less impactful stimulus package and a near-term rise in unemployment, resulting in a smaller increase in real consumer spending that impedes growth in late 2021 and in 2022.
Uncertainty over some of the assumptions underlying the baseline forecast has increased since the second quarter due to the emergence of and resulting effects of the Delta variant of COVID-19 and the disruption caused by Hurricane Ida. These emerging risks lead to a higher weighting of the S-2 slower growth scenario in the September 30, 2021 calculation of the allowance as compared to June 30, 2021. However, our credit loss outlook has not changed materially, and continued optimism inherent in the forecasted scenarios, coupled with improvements in our asset quality metrics allowed for a modest release of reserves during the period.
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Excess liquidity from Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan forgiveness and elevated customer deposit levels, coupled with the low interest rate environment are expected to continue to pressure net interest margin in the near term. We continue to focus on effectively managing our asset/liability mix to maximize those resources, and to gain efficiency within our organization. The timing of the return to pre-pandemic conditions in our footprint remains uncertain. Forward-looking information based on management’s expectation of near-term performance is provided in the sections that follow.
Given the economic volatility that has stemmed from the pandemic, including supply chain constraints, labor shortages and the potential for future impacts that may result from mitigation measures intended to combat variants of the virus, it is not possible to accurately predict the extent, severity or duration of these conditions or when typical operating conditions will fully resume. The continued success of government initiatives in stimulating economic activity, societal response to virus containment measures and the efficacy of vaccines and/or treatments that will control the rate of serious illness are critical to the resolution of the crisis. We continuously seek to monitor and anticipate developments, but cannot predict all of the various adverse effects COVID-19 will have on our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations.
Highlights of the Third Quarter 2021
We reported net income for the third quarter of 2021 of $129.6 million, or $1.46 per diluted common share (EPS), compared to $88.7 million, or $1.00 EPS in the second quarter of 2021 and $79.4 million, or $.90 EPS, in the third quarter of 2020. The third quarter of 2021 included net nonoperating income of $1.4 million (pre-tax), or $0.01 EPS (after tax), including a gain of $4.6 million from the sale of the remaining Hancock Horizon funds and a severance expense reversal of $1.9 million, partially offset by Hurricane Ida expenses of $5.1 million. The second quarter of 2021 included net nonoperating expense of $42.2 million (pre-tax), or $0.37 EPS (after tax), including costs associated with the planned closure of 18 financial centers, the Voluntary Early Retirement Incentive Program (VERIP), a reduction in force, and the redemption of subordinated notes, partially offset by a gain on the sale of Mastercard Class B common stock (Mastercard stock).
Third quarter 2021 results compared to second quarter 2021:
Net income of $129.6 million, or $1.46 per diluted share, was up $40.9 million, or $0.46 per diluted share; excluding the impact of nonoperating items, earnings per diluted share was up $0.08 linked quarter.
Operating pre-provision net revenue (PPNR) totaled $134.8 million, down $2.4 million, or 2%
Total loans of $20.9 billion declined $262.5 million, or 1%, with PPP loans down $482.2 million from loan forgiveness, partially offset by core loan (excluding PPP) growth of $219.7 million
Total deposits of $29.2 billion decreased $65 million and noninterest bearing deposits of $13.7 billion increased $247 million
Negative provision for credit losses of $27.0 million resulting from $28.8 million in reserve release and $1.8 million net charge-offs
Allowance for credit losses coverage remains strong at 1.92% of total loans, or 2.00% excluding PPP loans
Improved asset quality, with declines of 27% in nonperforming loans and 11% in criticized commercial loans
Net interest margin was down 2 basis points (bps) to 2.94%, mainly from the continued impact of excess liquidity as a result of PPP loan forgiveness
Tangible common equity (TCE) ratio of 7.85%, up 15 bps
We achieved solid third quarter performance despite the impact of Hurricane Ida and the COVID-19 Delta surge. Net income was up, with operating results driven largely by a $27 million negative provision, reflecting continued improved economic conditions and asset quality. Despite a 2 bp compression in the net interest margin, net interest income (te) was virtually unchanged linked-quarter. Fee income declined, partly as a result of Hurricane Ida disruptions; however, our operating expense was essentially flat as efficiency initiatives announced earlier in the year are maturing and reflected in our results. Our balance sheet remained strong with continued core loan growth and an increase in noninterest-bearing deposits. Capital remained solid, with TCE improving 15 bps to 7.85%.
As an organization, we are proud to have aided in hurricane relief efforts and provided recovery assistance to our impacted communities by maintaining business continuity and through the distribution of meals, ice and fuel to those in need. Reinforced with technological and structural enhancements we have implemented since Hurricane Katrina, our corporate headquarters in Gulfport, Mississippi, and technology and operations centers opened without storm damage. While we had damage to facilities, we do not expect a financial impact other than the $5.1 million reflected in our third quarter results, including no significant provision for credit loss.
We believe our third quarter results and near term guidance are the building blocks for our path to an efficiency ratio target of 55% by fourth quarter of 2022. Our path to this target considers continued momentum in core loan growth, maintaining our target level of expenses with additional efficiency initiatives, including strategic procurement, and deployment of excess liquidity into loans and modest investment in the bond portfolio. Additional information related to our expectations is included in the discussions that follow.
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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Net Interest Income
Net interest income (te) for the third quarter of 2021 was $237.5 million, relatively flat compared to the second quarter of 2021 and down $0.9 million, or less than 1% from the third quarter of 2020.
The relatively flat net interest income (te) compared to the second quarter of 2021 was due to increases from an additional accrual day and reduction in cost of funds, offset by a $1.3 million decrease in interest recoveries and an unfavorable change in the earning asset mix. The reduction in cost of funds reflects a favorable change in the deposit mix that includes increased noninterest-bearing and lower-cost interest-bearing transaction deposits, while higher-cost time deposits and interest bearing public fund deposits were down, as well as lower borrowing costs from the redemption of $150 million in subordinated notes late in the second quarter. The unfavorable change in average earning assets was a result of a net decrease in loans, largely due to the forgiveness of PPP loans offset by increases in lower-yielding short-term investments and securities from investments made late in the prior quarter.
The net interest margin for the third quarter of 2021 was 2.94%, down 2 bps from 2.96% in the second quarter of 2021. The compression compared to the prior quarter was driven by declines of 6 bps attributable to a change in earning asset mix and 1 bp from lower interest recoveries, partially offset by an increase of 3 bps attributable to lower deposit costs, due in part to strategic pricing and an improving mix and 2 bps due to the full quarter impact of the subordinated note redemption.
The $0.9 million decrease in net interest income (te) compared to the third quarter of 2020 was attributable to the impact of the low interest rate environment on average earning assets combined with an unfavorable change in earning asset mix, a $0.8 million increase in securities premium amortization, and a $1.6 million decrease in purchase accounting accretion, partially offset by the impact of a $2.7 billion increase in average earning assets, a $3.5 million increase in interest recoveries, and an 18 bp decrease in funding costs as a result of a combination of the interest rate environment, strategic deposit pricing and a favorable change in deposit mix. Average earning asset growth compared to the same quarter last year of $2.7 billion, or 9%, was driven by excess liquidity from a $2.5 billion increase in average deposits. The increase in average earning assets reflects an unfavorable change in mix, with a $2.2 billion increase in short-term investments, a $2.0 billion increase in securities, and a $1.5 billion decrease in loans.
The net interest margin was down 29 bps compared to the third quarter of 2020 as a result of the low interest rate environment and a less favorable average earning asset mix, partially offset by a favorable change in the funding mix. Compared to the third quarter of 2020, the yield on earning assets was down 47 bps, while the cost of funds decreased 18 bps to 0.12% from 0.30%, as we strategically priced downward interest-bearing transaction and time deposits by reducing promotional rates and used excess liquidity to reduce the balance of higher costing brokered deposits. The cost of long-term debt was 5.08%, down 52 bps from 5.60% in the third quarter of 2020 due to the June 2021 redemption of subordinated notes.
Net interest income (te) for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 was $712.5 million, down $1.6 million, or less than 1%, from the same period in 2020, due in part to one fewer accrual day. The impacts of changes in volume/mix and rates within earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities largely offset, as illustrated in the table that follows this discussion. The net interest margin was 3.00% for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, down 29 bps from the same period in 2020.
We anticipate that the net interest margin could compress an additional 4 bps in the fourth quarter of 2021, primarily due to elevated levels of excess liquidity as a result of PPP loan forgiveness, absent opportunities to deploy liquidity. We currently expect the net interest margin to be down 30 bps for the full year of 2021 versus the 2020 net interest margin of 3.27%. Net interest income (te) is expected to be slightly down linked-quarter and to be down approximately 1% for the full year 2021 as compared to 2020.
The following tables detail the components of our net interest income (te) and net interest margin.
June 30, 2021
(dollars in millions)
Volume
Interest (d)
Rate
Average earning assets
Commercial & real estate loans (te) (a)
16,918.4
150.3
3.52
%
17,233.1
149.3
3.47
17,607.2
155.6
Residential mortgage loans
2,376.5
21.5
3.63
2,443.0
23.9
3.92
2,807.5
27.5
Consumer loans
1,646.3
20.4
4.90
1,712.7
21.0
4.92
1,993.1
24.0
4.79
Loan fees & late charges
13.5
0.00
16.5
15.2
Total loans (te) (b)
20,941.2
205.7
3.90
21,388.8
210.7
3.95
22,407.8
222.3
82.6
0.6
3.06
89.6
2.90
112.2
0.8
2.96
US Treasury and government agency securities
395.6
1.6
1.59
291.0
1.2
1.67
165.6
1.99
Mortgage-backed securities and
collateralized mortgage obligations
7,033.7
31.4
1.79
6,961.4
31.0
1.78
5,326.2
29.4
2.21
Municipals (te)
925.0
6.8
2.93
930.1
2.94
889.5
6.7
3.01
Other securities
14.5
0.1
3.56
12.3
3.64
8.0
4.33
Total securities (te) (c)
8,368.8
39.9
1.91
8,194.8
39.1
6,389.3
37.0
2.31
Total short-term investments
2,704.8
1.0
0.15
2,522.3
0.7
0.11
503.0
0.10
Total earning assets (te)
32,097.4
247.2
32,195.5
251.1
3.13
29,412.3
260.2
3.53
Average interest-bearing liabilities
Interest-bearing transaction and savings deposits
11,341.0
1.7
0.06
11,315.8
2.7
9,806.8
4.2
0.17
Time deposits
1,274.9
0.32
1,466.5
0.47
2,174.6
6.0
1.09
Public funds
3,085.4
2.3
0.30
3,208.7
2.6
0.33
3,196.8
4.6
0.57
Total interest-bearing deposits
15,701.3
5.0
0.13
15,991.0
7.0
0.18
15,178.2
14.8
0.39
Repurchase agreements
509.0
0.08
556.1
0.2
627.9
0.3
0.19
Other short-term borrowings
1,103.3
1.4
0.49
1,104.9
1,105.4
1.3
0.50
248.0
3.2
5.08
371.9
5.42
386.0
5.4
5.60
Total borrowings
1,860.3
4.7
0.99
2,032.9
6.6
1.30
2,119.3
1.33
Total interest-bearing liabilities
17,561.6
9.7
0.22
18,023.9
13.6
17,297.5
21.8
Net interest-free funding sources
14,535.8
14,171.6
12,114.8
Total cost of funds
0.12
Net interest spread (te)
237.5
2.84
2.82
238.4
3.02
Net interest margin
3.23
Taxable equivalent (te) amounts were calculated using a federal income tax rate of 21%.
Includes nonaccrual loans.
(c)
Average securities do not include unrealized holding gains/losses on available for sale securities.
(d)
Included in interest income is net purchase accounting accretion of $1.6 million, $1.6 million, and $3.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021, June 30, 2021, and September 30, 2020, respectively.
43
17,160.4
455.4
3.55
17,217.5
503.5
3.91
2,472.5
70.1
3.78
2,899.6
85.4
3.93
1,722.6
62.7
4.87
2,083.3
78.7
5.05
43.4
26.4
21,355.5
631.6
22,200.4
694.0
4.17
94.6
2.0
2.76
80.9
2.1
301.0
3.7
1.66
139.2
2.20
6,770.4
91.8
1.81
5,198.4
91.1
2.34
929.8
877.7
20.0
3.05
12.8
0.4
3.73
4.31
8,014.0
116.3
1.94
6,223.3
113.7
2.44
2,309.4
515.7
0.21
31,773.5
752.0
3.16
29,020.3
810.6
11,152.9
7.8
0.09
9,332.6
21.4
0.31
1,497.8
5.7
0.51
2,895.0
33.3
1.54
3,168.0
3,256.2
21.6
0.89
15,818.7
21.3
15,483.8
76.3
0.66
549.3
0.5
574.6
1,104.3
4.1
1,470.3
7.2
338.4
5.37
298.5
11.8
5.25
1,992.0
18.2
1.22
2,343.4
20.2
1.15
17,810.7
39.5
17,827.2
96.5
0.72
13,962.8
11,193.1
0.44
712.5
2.87
714.1
3.00
3.29
Included in interest income is net purchase accounting accretion of $6.7 million and $13.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Provision for Credit Losses
During the third quarter of 2021, we recorded a negative provision for credit losses of $27.0 million, compared to a negative provision for credit losses of $17.2 million in the second quarter of 2021, and a $25.0 million provision for credit losses expense in the third quarter of 2020. The third quarter of 2021 negative provision included net charge-offs of $1.8 million and a reserve release of $28.8 million. The second quarter of 2021 negative provision included net charge-offs of $10.5 million and a reserve release of $27.7 million. The negative provision for credit losses recorded in the third and second quarters of 2021 reflect improvements in macroeconomic forecasts and in our asset quality metrics. The third quarter of 2020 provision for credit loss expense included net charge-offs of $24.0 million and a reserve build of $1.0 million.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, we recorded a negative provision for credit losses of $49.1 million, compared to a provision for credit loss expense of $578.7 million for same period in 2020. As noted above, reserve releases made in 2021 reflect continued improvement in macroeconomic forecasts and asset quality metrics. The provision for credit losses expense recorded in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was driven by economic deterioration brought on by the widespread economic shutdown in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the loss on the sale of a portion of our energy loan portfolio in July 2020.
Net charge-offs in the third quarter of 2021 were $1.8 million, or 0.03% of average total loans on an annualized basis, compared to $10.5 million, or 0.20% in the second quarter of 2021, and $24.0 million, or 0.43% in the third quarter of 2020. The third quarter of 2021 included $0.5 million of commercial net charge-offs, $0.4 million of residential mortgage net recoveries and $1.7 million of consumer net charge-offs. The second quarter of 2021 included $9.3 million of commercial net charge-offs, $0.1 million of residential
44
mortgage net recoveries and $1.3 million of consumer net charge-offs. Net charge-offs in the third quarter of 2020 included $17.3 million of net charge-offs of healthcare-dependent credits.
The discussion of Allowance for Credit Losses and Asset Quality later in this Item provides additional information on these changes and on general credit quality, including our near-term outlook.
Noninterest Income
Noninterest income totaled $93.4 million for the third quarter of 2021, down $0.9 million, or 1%, from the second quarter of 2021, and up $9.6 million, or 11%, from the third quarter of 2020. Noninterest income includes nonoperating income of $4.6 million from the sale of the remaining Hancock Horizon Funds in the third quarter of 2021 and $2.8 million related to the sale of Mastercard stock in the second quarter of 2021. Excluding these items, operating noninterest income decreased $2.7 million, or 3%, linked quarter which was largely attributable to lower secondary mortgage market operations income, with limited impact from Hurricane Ida. The increase compared to the third quarter of 2020 was attributable to most fee categories as economic conditions have improved and consumer activity rebounded, and the previously mentioned nonoperating items, partially offset by the decline in secondary mortgage market operations income and a lower level of bank owned life insurance gains.
The components of noninterest income are presented in the following table for the indicated periods.
June 30,
19,381
16,307
20,483
12,556
3,347
2,971
Income from customer and other derivatives
3,750
5,013
94,272
Service charges are composed of overdraft and insufficient funds fees, business and corporate account analysis fees, overdraft protection fees and other customer transaction-related charges. Service charges on deposits totaled $21.2 million for the third quarter of 2021, up $1.8 million, or 9%, from the second quarter of 2021, and up $2.7 million, or 15%, from the third quarter of 2020. The increase from the second quarter of 2021 is primarily attributable to an additional processing day, increased account activity and a lower earnings credit rate applied to excess deposit balances. The increase from the third quarter of 2020 was largely due to both increased activity related fees and higher overdraft revenue, which continues to rebound as consumer spending activity returns, although fees remain lower than pre-pandemic levels due in part to higher checking account balances.
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 decreased $0.3 million, or 2%, from the prior quarter and increased $1.6 million, or 11%, compared to the same quarter a year ago. The decrease compared to the prior quarter is primarily due to seasonal tax preparation fees recorded in the second quarter. The increase from the same quarter a year ago was largely due to the continued rebound from the volatility in the markets in 2020 and a new fee structure introduced in the second quarter of 2021. Trust assets under management totaled $9.5 billion at September 30, 2021, compared to $10.1 billion at June 30, 2021, and $9.0 billion at September 30, 2020.
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 $19.8 million for the third quarter of 2021, down $0.7 million, or 3%, from the second quarter of 2021 and up $2.6 million, or 15%, from the same quarter last year. The decrease from the prior quarter was largely due to branch and ATM closures and fee waivers related to Hurricane Ida. The increase from the same quarter last year reflects higher levels of activity as economic conditions continue to improve.
45
Investment and annuity fees and insurance commissions decreased $0.2 million, or 2%, compared to the second quarter 2021 and were up $1.2 million, or 20%, compared to the same quarter a year ago. The decline from the prior quarter was primarily due to lower underwriting activity, annuity sales and insurance commissions, partially offset by higher investment activity fees. The increase from the same quarter of the prior year was attributable to an increase in investment commissions and annuity sales activity as the lower interest rate environment slowed bond trading activity in 2020.
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. Income from secondary mortgage market operations was $7.0 million in the third quarter of 2021, down $5.6 million, or 44%, from the second quarter of 2021 and down $5.9 million, or 46%, from the third quarter of 2020. The decrease in income compared to the prior quarter was due largely to the diversification of delivery methods in the second quarter of 2021, which resulted in a one-time acceleration of income recognition in the prior quarter, as well as slowed production in the third quarter due in part to disruption caused by Hurricane Ida in a portion of our market. Third quarter 2021 mortgage applications were down approximately 15% when compared to the second quarter of 2021. Secondary mortgage market operations income will vary based on application volume and pull through rates. We expect mortgage fees to decline in time as the demand for mortgage loans and refinancing slows.
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 bank-owned life insurance was $3.9 million for the third quarter of 2021, up $0.6 million, or 17%, from the second quarter of 2021, and down $2.7 million, or 41%, from the third quarter of 2020. The linked-quarter increase is attributable to benefit proceeds recorded in third quarter of 2021, and the decrease from the prior year is attributable to benefit proceeds of $3.4 million recorded in the third quarter of 2020.
Credit-related fees include fees assessed on letters of credit and unused portions of loan commitments. Credit related fees were $2.6 million for the third quarter of 2021, down $0.4 million, or 14%, from the second quarter of 2021 and down $0.3 million, or 12%, from the third quarter of 2020. The linked quarter decrease is primarily attributable to a decline in loan commitment fees, as credit line utilization increased during the period. The decrease from the third quarter of 2020 is primarily attributable to a decrease in letters of credit fees.
Income from customer and other derivatives is largely from our customer interest rate derivative program and totaled $3.0 million for the third quarter of 2021 compared to $3.8 million in the second quarter of 2021 and $1.7 million for the third quarter of 2020. Derivative income can be volatile and is dependent upon the composition of the portfolio, volume and mix of sales activity and market value adjustments due to market interest rate movement.
Other miscellaneous income is comprised of various items, including income from small business investment companies (SBIC), FHLB stock dividends, and syndication fees. Other miscellaneous income (excluding nonoperating items) totaled $8.2 million, up $3.2 million compared to the second quarter of 2021 and up $5.0 million compared to the third quarter of 2020. The increase compared to the prior period was largely driven by net gains on sales of other assets, partially offset by decreases in syndication fees and SBIC income. The increase compared to the prior year reflects increased net gains on sales of other assets and higher teller fees, partially offset by a gain on a lease buyout recorded in the third quarter of 2020.
Noninterest income for the first nine months of 2021 was $274.7 million, up $32.6 million, or 13% from the first nine months of 2020, and includes the $7.4 million of nonoperating income, as noted above. Excluding the nonoperating items, operating noninterest income was up $25.3 million, or 10%. The increase in fee income for the first nine months of 2021 compared to 2020 includes increases in almost all fee categories and is primarily attributable to the economic rebound from the recessionary market conditions present in much of the first nine months of 2020. Card fees were up $7.9 million, or 16%, related to increased activity. Trust fees were up $4.0 million, or 9%, primarily in personal trust with improved market conditions and a higher level of assets under management. Insurance, investment and annuity fees were up $3.5 million, or 19%, with increased annuity and investment fees. Secondary mortgage fees were up $2.5 million, or 9%, related to the low interest rate environment. Other miscellaneous income, excluding nonoperating items, was up $2.6 million, or 23%.
Management expects fee income, excluding nonoperating items, to remain relatively flat for the fourth quarter of 2021, and to grow approximately 9% on a full year basis with increases expected in most fee categories.
Noninterest Expense
Noninterest expense for the third quarter of 2021 was $194.7 million, down $42.1 million, or 18%, from the second quarter of 2021, and down $1.1 million, or 1%, from the third quarter of 2020. The third quarter of 2021 included $3.2 million in net nonoperating expenses which included a $1.9 million severance reversal for certain employees with positions eliminated in the prior quarter that were internally placed and $5.1 million in expenses related to Hurricane Ida, which includes damage to facilities, recovery cost, charitable contributions to organizations providing recovery assistance, temporary housing, distribution of meals, ice and fuel, among
other things. The second quarter of 2021 included $45.0 million of nonoperating expenses, with $40.8 million related to initiatives put in place to improve overall efficiency and operating performance and $4.2 million related to the redemption of $150 million of subordinated notes. There were no nonoperating expenses in the third quarter of 2020. Excluding these items, operating expense was down $0.3 million, or less than 1%, linked quarter, and down $4.3 million, or 2%, from the same quarter a year ago. The decrease in operating expense from the prior quarter was largely driven by lower salaries and benefits and lower occupancy as a result of initiatives put in place during the second quarter of 2021, and lower professional services expense, partially offset by higher business development costs, regulatory expense and data processing expense, as card activity increased. Compared to the same quarter last year, the decrease was largely attributable to personnel expense savings as a result of reduced headcount, lower occupancy expense resulting from branch closures, lower FDIC assessment and corporate value tax, and a decrease in professional services expense, partially offset by an increase in data processing expense as a result of higher level of card activity.
The components of noninterest expense for the periods indicated are presented in the following tables.
100,587
42,067
142,654
12,955
4,392
23,885
13,473
4,245
2,967
Other real estate and foreclosed asset expense
(86
2,276
Corporate value, franchise and other non-income taxes
3,422
3,163
1,486
667
941
1,113
Other retirement expense
(6,806
6,396
236,770
Nonoperating Expenses (included above)
Nonoperating expense
(1,862
5,161
3,299
20,189
20,192
(1,859
25,350
23,491
174
4,877
Total nonoperating expenses
3,225
44,977
48,202
Personnel expense consists of salaries, incentive compensation, long-term incentives, payroll taxes, and other employee benefits such as 401(k), pension, and medical, life and disability. Personnel expense totaled $112.0 million for the third quarter of 2021, down $30.7 million, or 22%, compared to the prior quarter and down $5.9 million, or 5%, compared to the same quarter last year. The third quarter of 2021 includes a $1.9 million credit of nonoperating expense, primarily related to the reversal of severance, as noted above. The second quarter of 2021 includes $25.4 million of nonoperating expenses related to efficiency initiatives, including the VERIP ($20.2 million) and reduction in force ($5.1 million). Excluding the nonoperating expenses, personnel expense was down $3.5 million, or 3%, from the prior quarter, and down $4.0 million, or 3%, from the same quarter last year. The decrease from the prior quarter is primarily attributable to a decrease of 197 full-time equivalent employees (FTEs), primarily the result of the reduction in force at the end of the second quarter. The decrease from the same quarter last year is attributable to a decrease of 629 FTEs as a result of the VERIP, the closure of 20 financial centers and the second quarter reduction in force, partially offset by annual merit raises and higher bonus and incentive accruals.
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 $16.9 million in the third quarter of 2021, down $0.5 million, or 3%, from the second quarter of 2021 and $1.7 million, or 9%, from the third quarter of 2020. The linked-quarter decrease was largely related to a decrease in occupancy expense due in part to branch closures, partially offset by an increase in equipment expense related to equipment purchases. The decrease from the same quarter last year is related to decreases in both occupancy expense and equipment expense, largely attributable to the eight financial centers that were closed in April 2021.
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. Data processing expense was $24.8 million for the third quarter of 2021, up $0.9 million, or 4%, compared to the second quarter of 2021, and up $2.9 million, or 13%, compared to the third quarter of 2020. The increase over the second quarter of 2021 is largely due to the increase in card activity. The increase from third quarter of 2020 is largely due to expense associated with investments in new technology, along with processing expense related to the increase in bank card activity.
Professional services expense for the third quarter of 2021 totaled $12.7 million, down $0.7 million, or 5%, compared to the previous quarter and $1.6 million, or 11%, from the third quarter of 2020. The decrease from the second quarter of 2021 and the same quarter last year is primarily attributable to lower levels of expense related to PPP consulting support and legal fees.
Deposit insurance and regulatory fees totaled $3.7 million, up $0.7 million, or 24%, from the second quarter of 2021 and down $0.4 million, or 10%, from the third quarter of 2020. The increase from the prior period is due in part to the impact of declining PPP loans and a change in the treatment of certain CECL transition provisions on the risk based assessment. The decrease from the same quarter last year is largely due to the favorable effect that excess liquidity and continued asset quality improvement has on the risk-based assessment. We expect our deposit assessment fee to return to a more typical level as our excess liquidity declines.
Corporate value, franchise and other non-income tax expense for the third quarter of 2021 totaled $3.4 million, virtually unchanged from the prior quarter and down $1.5 million, or 30%, compared to the same quarter last year. The decrease from the third quarter of 2020 reflects a decrease in bank share tax as a result of the net loss recorded in 2020.
Business development-related expenses (including advertising, travel, entertainment and contributions) totaled $6.7 million for the third quarter of 2021, up $2.3 million, or 51%, from the second quarter of 2021, and $1.9 million, or 40%, from the third quarter of 2020. The linked-quarter increase was largely due to an increase in advertising and charitable contributions and the increase over last year was largely due to entertainment and contributions, advertising and travel expense.
All other expenses, excluding amortization of intangibles and nonoperating items, totaled $5.6 million for the third quarter of 2021, an increase of $0.9 million from the second quarter of 2021, and an increase of $1.0 million from the third quarter of 2020. The variance compared to both periods is the result of approximately $1.0 million in contract cancellation costs in the third quarter of 2021.
Noninterest expense totaled $624.5 million for the first nine months of 2021, up $28.9 million, or 5%, from the first nine months of 2020. Excluding the nonoperating expenses described above, operating expense was down $19.3 million, or 3%. Other real estate and foreclosed assets expense was down $9.6 million, as 2020 included a $9.8 million write-down of equity interests received in energy-related bankruptcy restructurings. Deposit insurance and regulatory expense was down $5.0 million, or 33%, due to the favorable impact of higher liquidity and improved asset quality upon the risk-based assessment. Operating business development expense was down $3.8 million, or 20%, attributable to expense control initiatives put in place in the current year. The nine months ended September 30, 2020 also includes $2.5 million of pandemic relief contributions in the Gulf Coast region. Operating personnel expense was down $1.1 million or less than 1%, with lower salary expense related to the efficiency initiatives referred to above, partially offset by higher bonus and incentives in connection with improved Company performance. Occupancy and equipment expense was down $2.1 million, or 4% related to expense control measures and branch closures. These decreases were partially offset by increases of $6.4 million, or 10% in data processing expense attributable to investments in new technology and increased card activity, and $2.4 million, or 7%, in professional services as a result of consulting and support related to PPP loan origination and forgiveness.
Management expects fourth quarter 2021 operating noninterest expense to total $187 million, and to be down approximately 3% for the full year of 2021 compared to 2020. The forecasted fourth quarter 2021 expense level of approximately $187 million is the expected quarterly run rate for 2022 operating expense.
Income Taxes
The effective income tax rate for the third quarter of 2021 was approximately 19.2% compared to 18.9% in the second quarter of 2021 and 19.2% in the third quarter of 2020. The nominal increase in the third quarter 2021 effective income tax rate is due to a slight decrease in expected tax credits due to revised estimates.
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. Based on the current forecast, management expects the effective income tax rate for 2021 will be in the 19%-20% 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 2021, we expect to realize benefits from federal and state tax credits over the next three years totaling $10.1 million, $10.0 million and $10.1 million in 2022, 2023, and 2024, 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.
Selected Financial Data
The following tables contain selected financial data as of the dates and for the periods indicated.
Common Share Data
Earnings (loss) per share:
1.00
Cash dividends paid
Book value per share (period-end)
41.81
41.03
39.07
Tangible book value per share (period-end)
31.10
30.27
28.11
Weighted average number of shares (000s):
86,814
86,990
Period-end number of shares (000s)
86,847
49
Income Statement:
248,300
Interest income (te) (a)
247,185
251,154
260,232
752,046
810,613
Interest expense
13,657
Net interest income (te)
237,477
237,497
238,372
712,483
714,122
(17,229
Noninterest expense (excluding amortization of intangibles)
190,621
232,525
190,986
611,799
580,346
Amortization of intangibles
109,374
20,656
88,718
For informational purposes - included above, pre-tax
Nonoperating item included in noninterest income:
Nonoperating items included in noninterest expense:
Efficiency initiatives
(1,867
40,812
38,945
Hurricane related expenses
5,092
Loss on redemption of subordinated notes
Provision for credit loss associated with energy loan sale
160,101
Performance Ratios
Return on average assets
1.01
0.97
1.25
(0.62
)%
Return on average common equity
14.26
10.20
9.42
12.39
(5.77
Return on average tangible common equity
19.22
13.94
13.14
16.89
(7.99
Earning asset yield (te) (a)
Net Interest Margin (te)
Noninterest income to total revenue (te)
28.22
28.41
26.00
27.83
25.32
Efficiency ratio (b)
57.44
57.01
59.29
57.52
60.69
Average loan/deposit ratio
71.62
73.18
83.72
73.97
85.61
FTE employees (period-end)
3,429
3,626
4,058
Capital Ratios
Common stockholders' equity to total assets
10.28
10.15
10.17
Tangible common equity ratio (c)
7.85
7.70
7.53
The efficiency ratio is noninterest expense to total net interest (te) and noninterest income, excluding amortization of purchased intangibles and nonoperating items.
The tangible common equity ratio is common stockholders’ equity less intangible assets divided by total assets less intangible assets.
50
Asset Quality Information
Nonaccrual loans (a)
83,551
171,462
Restructured loans - still accruing
3,071
3,830
9,115
Total nonperforming loans
63,428
87,381
180,577
ORE and foreclosed assets
10,201
11,640
Total nonperforming assets
71,851
97,582
192,217
Accruing loans 90 days past due (b)
8,925
10,439
Net charge-offs
1,770
10,498
24,008
30,522
370,456
399,668
Reserve for unfunded lending commitments
29,524
429,192
Total provision for credit losses
Ratios:
Nonperforming assets to loans, ORE and foreclosed assets
0.34
0.46
0.86
Accruing loans 90 days past due to loans
0.05
0.04
Nonperforming assets + accruing loans 90 days past due to loans, ORE and foreclosed assets
0.91
Net charge-offs to average loans
0.03
0.20
0.43
2.23
Allowance for loan losses to period-end loans
1.89
2.02
Allowance for credit losses to period-end loans
1.92
2.03
2.16
Allowance for loan losses to nonperforming loans + accruing loans 90 days past due
506.17
415.00
234.89
For informational purposes - included above
Charge-offs associated with energy loan sale
242,628
Included in nonaccrual loans are nonaccruing restructured loans totaling $7.2 million, $6.8 million, and $39.9 million at 9/30/21, 6/30/21, and 9/30/20, respectively.
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March 31,
Period-End Balance Sheet
21,148,530
21,664,859
90,002
124,677
103,566
8,308,622
8,633,133
8,005,990
7,356,497
7,056,276
3,062,781
2,203,785
2,339,111
1,333,786
779,057
Earning assets
32,348,036
32,075,450
32,134,637
30,616,277
30,179,103
(399,668
(424,360
(448,674
Goodwill and other intangible assets
929,599
933,681
937,926
942,345
946,958
2,412,194
2,489,246
2,424,440
2,530,157
2,515,937
35,098,709
35,072,643
33,193,324
Noninterest-bearing deposits
13,406,385
13,174,911
11,881,548
11,291,878
11,308,744
11,200,412
10,413,870
9,971,869
Interest-bearing public fund deposits
3,055,388
3,206,799
3,198,523
3,234,936
3,176,225
1,207,515
1,351,179
1,636,674
1,849,321
2,001,017
15,866,722
16,035,609
15,149,111
29,273,107
29,210,520
27,030,659
1,516,508
1,652,747
1,906,895
248,052
397,583
385,887
487,146
498,141
394,890
455,865
494,239
Stockholders' equity
3,416,903
Total liabilities & stockholders' equity
For informational purposes only - included above
SBA Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans
935,330
1,417,523
2,345,605
2,005,237
2,323,691
Average Balance Sheet
20,941,173
21,388,814
22,407,825
21,355,483
22,200,385
82,588
89,638
112,230
94,553
80,942
Securities (a)
8,368,824
8,194,812
6,389,214
8,014,023
6,223,361
2,704,796
2,522,251
502,992
2,309,414
515,661
32,097,381
32,195,515
29,412,261
31,773,473
29,020,349
(392,767
(418,753
(446,901
(420,900
(371,646
931,584
935,737
949,287
935,767
954,328
2,571,762
2,453,185
2,770,783
2,533,080
2,560,792
35,207,960
35,165,684
32,685,430
34,821,420
32,163,823
13,535,961
13,237,796
11,585,617
13,053,586
10,450,457
11,341,034
11,315,790
9,806,826
11,152,935
9,332,604
3,085,452
3,208,718
3,196,767
3,167,956
3,256,228
1,274,859
1,466,505
2,174,585
1,497,840
2,894,969
15,701,345
15,991,013
15,178,178
15,818,731
15,483,801
29,237,306
29,228,809
26,763,795
28,872,317
25,934,258
1,612,253
1,661,015
1,733,298
1,653,600
2,044,923
248,019
371,892
386,015
338,336
298,436
504,295
415,376
450,729
444,516
444,225
3,606,087
3,488,592
3,351,593
3,512,651
3,441,981
1,172,276
2,043,032
2,308,021
1,798,465
1,348,786
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Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures
Operating revenue (te) and operating pre-provision net revenue (te)
234,643
Total revenue
328,070
328,915
318,931
978,661
946,315
Taxable equivalent adjustment (a)
2,768
2,854
3,189
8,544
9,885
Nonoperating revenue
(4,576
(2,800
(7,376
Operating revenue (te)
326,262
328,969
322,120
979,829
956,200
Noninterest expense
(194,703
(236,770
(195,774
(624,545
(595,648
Operating pre-provision net revenue (te)
134,784
137,176
126,346
403,486
360,552
Taxable equivalent adjustment (te) amounts are calculated using a federal income tax rate of 21%.
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. At September 30, 2021, we had $20.9 billion in net available sources of funds, summarized as follows:
(in millions)
Used
Availability
Internal Sources
Free Securities, cash and other
7,829
External Sources
Federal Home Loan Bank
5,834
2,134
3,700
Federal Reserve Bank
3,605
4,381
4,372
1,369
Total Liquidity
23,018
2,143
20,875
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. 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 56.73% at September 30, 2021, compared to 65.33% at June 30, 2021 and 54.68% at September 30, 2020. Securities and FHLB letters of credit are pledged as collateral related to public funds and repurchase agreements. Pledged securities at September 30, 2021 totaled $3.6 billion, up $588 million from June 30, 2021. The increase in pledged securities, as well as the decrease in the ratio of free securities to total securities, was the result of utilizing securities to replace $400 million in maturing FHLB letters of credit as pledged collateral.
Liquidity Metrics
Free securities / total securities
56.73
65.33
54.68
Core deposits / total deposits
98.27
98.07
96.22
Wholesale funds / core deposits
7.19
6.41
Quarter-to-date average loans /quarter-to-date average deposits
The liability portion of the balance sheet provides liquidity mainly through the ability to use cash sourced from various customers’ interest-bearing and noninterest-bearing deposit and sweep accounts. At September 30, 2021, deposits totaled $29.2 billion, a decrease of $65 million, or less than 1%, from June 30, 2021 and an increase of $2.2 billion, or 8%, from September 30, 2020. The year over year increase is largely attributable to pandemic-related conditions, such as an overall slowdown in consumer and business spending,
53
coupled with government stimulus such as direct payments to individuals and PPP loans to qualifying businesses. Core deposits consist of total deposits excluding CDs of $250,000 or more and brokered deposits. Core deposits totaled $28.7 billion at September 30, 2021, relatively flat compared to June 30, 2021, and up $2.7 billion from September 30, 2020. The ratio of core deposits to total deposits was 98.27% at September 30, 2021, compared to 98.07% at June 30, 2021 and 96.22% at September 30, 2020. Brokered deposits totaled $69.3 million as of September 30, 2021, a decrease of $4.9 million compared to June 30, 2021 and a decrease of $87.7 million compared to September 30, 2020. The decline in brokered deposits from both comparative periods resulted from maturing brokered time deposits that were not reissued as part of our effort to utilize excess liquidity. The use of brokered deposits as a funding source is subject to certain policies regarding the amount, term and interest rate.
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 September 30, 2021, the Bank had borrowings of approximately $1.1 billion and had approximately $3.7 billion available under this line. The unused borrowing capacity at the Federal Reserve’s discount window is approximately $3.6 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 7.19% of core deposits at September 30, 2021, compared to 6.41% at June 30, 2021 and 9.42% at September 30, 2020. At September 30, 2021, wholesale funds totaled $2.1 billion, an increase of $223.8 million, or 12%, from June 30, 2021 and a decrease of $387.2 million, or 16%, from September 30, 2020. The quarter over quarter increase primarily due to increased repurchase agreements. The year over year decrease was largely attributable to decreases in short-term borrowings, brokered deposits and the redemption of our 5.95% subordinated notes. The Company has established an internal target for wholesale funds to be less than 25% of core deposits.
Another key measure used to monitor our liquidity position is the loan-to-deposit ratio (average loans outstanding for the reporting period divided by average deposits outstanding). The loan-to-deposit ratio measures the amount of funds the Company lends for each dollar of deposits on hand. Our average loan-to-deposit ratio for the third quarter of 2021 was 71.62%, compared to 73.18% for the second quarter of 2021 and 83.72% for the third quarter of 2020. 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. The average loan to deposit ratio began to decline during the second quarter of 2020, as pandemic-related economic stimulus and funding of PPP loans began to increase deposits, coupled with core loan contraction. Average loans outstanding for the third quarter of 2021, the second quarter of 2021, and the third quarter in 2020, included approximately $1.2 billion, $2.0 billion, and $2.3 billion, respectively, of low-risk SBA guaranteed PPP loans that are expected to be largely repaid through the forgiveness process by mid-year 2022.
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 nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020.
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 four 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.
During the third quarter of 2021, we repurchased 56,349 shares of our common stock at an average cost of $44.52 per share under a Board authorization to repurchase up to 4,338,000 shares of the company’s common stock, set to expire December 31, 2022.
On June 9, 2020, the Parent completed the issuance of subordinated notes payable with an aggregate principal amount of $172.5 million, providing additional liquidity that can be used by the Parent or to provide capital to the Bank, if deemed appropriate. On June 15, 2021, the Parent redeemed all of its issued and outstanding 5.95% Subordinated Notes due 2045 with an aggregate principal amount of $150 million.
CAPITAL RESOURCES
Stockholders’ equity totaled $3.6 billion at September 30, 2021, up $66.9 million from June 30, 2021 and $254.1 million from September 30, 2020. The increase from June 30, 2021 is primarily attributable to $129.6 million of income and $6.5 million of long-term incentive and dividend reinvestment activity, partially offset by a $42.7 million decrease in accumulated other comprehensive income, largely attributable to the fair value adjustments on the available for sale securities portfolio and cash flow hedges, $24.0 million of dividends and the repurchase of $2.5 million of common stock. The increase from September 30, 2020 is attributable to $429.0 million of net income and $17.1 million of long term incentive and dividend reinvestment activity, partially
54
offset by a decline of $98.7 million of accumulated other comprehensive income, largely attributable to fair value adjustments on the available for sale securities portfolio and cash flow hedges the re-measurement of the pension liability, $96.0 million of dividends and the repurchase of $2.5 million of common stock.
The tangible common equity (TCE) ratio was 7.85% at September 30, 2021, compared to 7.70% at June 30, 2021 and 7.53% at September 30, 2020. The linked-quarter increase is primarily attributable to tangible earnings, partially offset by other comprehensive loss and dividends. The year over year increase is largely attributable to tangible earnings, partially offset by tangible asset growth, dividends, and other comprehensive loss. The growth in tangible assets is principally attributable to low-risk excess liquidity carried in short-term investment with the Federal Reserve and SBA guaranteed PPP loans. The impact of additional assets from PPP loans reduced the TCE ratio by 22 bps at September 30, 2021 and 33 bps at June 30, 2021.
The regulatory capital ratios of the Company and the Bank at September 30, 2021 remained well in excess of current regulatory minimum requirements, including capital conservation buffers, by at least $503 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, 2020 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). In addition, the two-year delay also includes 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 will be recalculated each quarter in 2021, with the December 31, 2021 impact carrying through the remaining three-year transition.
Well-
Capitalized
Total capital (to risk weighted assets)
10.00
13.06
12.94
13.60
13.22
12.92
Hancock Whitney Bank
12.51
12.45
12.52
12.19
11.78
Tier 1 common equity capital (to risk weighted assets)
6.50
11.17
10.98
11.00
10.61
10.30
11.30
11.20
11.26
10.94
10.53
Tier 1 capital (to risk weighted assets)
8.00
Tier 1 leverage capital
5.00
8.15
7.83
7.89
7.88
8.25
7.98
8.08
8.11
7.86
Hancock Whitney Corporation total capital to risk weighted assets ratios at September 30, 2021 and June 30, 2021 reflect the impact of the June 15, 2021 redemption of $150 million of subordinated notes of the Parent that qualified as tier 2 capital in the calculation of certain regulatory capital ratios, reducing total capital to risk weighted assets ratio by approximately 60 bps. Our regulatory ratios also reflect the impact of PPP loans, which are guaranteed by the SBA and, when meeting certain criteria, are subject to forgiveness to the debtor by the SBA. These loans carry a 0% risk-weighting in the tier 1 and total capital regulatory ratios due to the full guarantee by the SBA. However, these loans are reflected in average assets used to compute tier 1 leverage.
On April 22, 2021, our board of directors authorized the repurchase of up to 4,338,000 shares of the Company’s common stock (approximately 5% of the shares of common stock outstanding as of March 31, 2021). The authorization is currently set to expire on December 31, 2022. 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 repurchase authorization may be terminated or amended by the Board at any time prior to the expiration date. During the third quarter of 2021, 56,349 shares were repurchased under this program at an average cost of $44.52 per share, inclusive of commissions.
On July 30, 2021, our board of directors declared a regular third quarter cash dividend of $0.27 per share, consistent with the prior quarter. The Company has paid uninterrupted dividends to its shareholders since 1967.
55
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 $3.1 billion at September 30, 2021, up $0.9 billion from June 30, 2021 and up $2.3 billion from September 30, 2020. Average short-term investments of $2.7 billion for the third quarter of 2021 were up $0.2 billion compared to the second quarter of 2021, and up $2.2 billion compared to the third quarter of 2020. Typically, these balances will change on a daily basis depending upon movement in customer loan and deposit accounts. However, excess liquidity that has stemmed from pandemic related conditions (refer to discussions of Liquidity above) continues to drive the elevated balance of short-terms investments, largely held at the Federal Reserve.
Investment in securities totaled $8.3 billion at September 30, 2021, down $324.5 million, or 4%, from June 30, 2021, and up $1.3 billion, or 18%, from September 30, 2020. The decrease from June 30, 2021 was the result of maturities and paydowns as there were no securities purchased during the quarter. The increase from September 30, 2020 reflects investment of a portion of excess cash from federal funds into higher-yielding securities. Our securities portfolio includes securities categorized as available for sale and held to maturity. At September 30, 2021, securities available for sale totaled $7.0 billion and securities held to maturity totaled $1.3 billion. The purpose of the securities portfolio is to increase profitability, mitigate interest rate risk, provide liquidity and comply with regulatory pledging requirements. 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 in stockholders’ equity.
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 September 30, 2021, the average expected maturity of the portfolio was 5.81 years with an effective duration of 4.41 years and a nominal weighted-average yield of 1.89%. Under an immediate, parallel rate shock of 100 bps and 200 bps, the effective duration would be 4.72 years and 4.80 years, respectively. At June 30, 2021, the average expected maturity of the portfolio was 5.91 years with an effective duration of 4.58 years and a nominal weighted-average yield of 1.89%. The average maturity of the portfolio at September 30, 2020 was 5.54 years, with an effective duration of 4.00 years and a nominal weighted-average yield of 2.20%. The changes in expected maturity, effective duration, and nominal weighted-average yield compared to June 30, 2021 was the result of maturities and paydowns; and compared to September 30, 2020, is primarily related to securities portfolio growth and the reinvestment of the securities portfolio maturities and paydowns. At September 30, 2021, approximately $1.8 billion of our available for sale securities are hedged with $1.6 billion 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. Our strategy in the near term will be to invest in the securities portfolio as rates rise and monitor our hedge positions to adjust interest rate sensitivity.
At the end of each reporting period, we evaluate the securities portfolio for credit loss. Based on our assessments, expected credit loss was negligible for all periods in 2021 and 2020, and therefore no allowance for credit loss was recorded.
Total loans at September 30, 2021 were $20.9 billion, down $263 million, or 1%, from June 30, 2021, and down $1.4 billion, or 6%, from September 30, 2020. The linked-quarter decline was primarily attributable to a $482 million decrease in PPP loans, partially offset by net growth in core loans of $219.7 million, as demand for traditional loan products increased across most regions and in specialty lines. The decline compared to September 30, 2020 is due to a net decrease in PPP loans of $1.4 billion, residential mortgage loans of $403 million, and consumer loans of $323 million, partially offset by moderate growth in most other portfolios.
56
The following table shows the composition of our loan portfolio at each date indicated:
Total loans:
9,532,710
10,091,342
2,809,868
2,795,104
12,342,578
12,886,446
3,419,028
3,411,028
1,295,036
1,122,141
2,412,459
2,488,792
1,679,429
1,756,452
Commercial and industrial (“C&I”) loans, including both non-real estate and owner occupied real estate secured loans, totaled approximately $12.2 billion, or 59% of the total loan portfolio, at September 30, 2021, a decrease of $113 million, or 1%, from June 30, 2021, and a decrease of $807 million, or 6%, from September 30, 2020. The linked-quarter decrease is primarily attributable to the reduction in PPP loans of $482 million, due to repayment through the SBA’s forgiveness program, partially offset by growth in the core portfolio. Core loan growth linked quarter reflects increased production in the western and central regions and in our equipment finance and health care specialty portfolios, as well as fewer than expected payoffs and an increase in the line utilization rate. The year over year decrease is attributable to a $1.4 billion net reduction in PPP loans. PPP loans included in C&I portfolio totaled $935 million at September 30, 2021, $1.4 billion at June 30, 2021, and $2.3 billion at September 30, 2020.
The Bank lends mainly to middle market and smaller commercial entities, although it participates in larger shared credit loan facilities. Shared national credits funded at September 30, 2021 totaled approximately $1.8 billion, or 9% of total loans, an increase of $182 million from June 30, 2021 and $185 million from September 30, 2020. At September 30, 2021, approximately $383 million of our shared national credits were with healthcare-related customers, with the remaining portfolio in commercial real estate and 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 exceptions 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), and PPP loans, as those are expected to be 100% SBA guaranteed and therefore have limited credit risk.
Pct of
( $ in thousands )
Balance
Commercial & industrial loans:
Real estate and rental and leasing
1,298,560
1,250,737
1,234,521
1,260,084
1,273,360
Health care and social assistance
1,219,769
1,086,845
1,140,616
1,152,713
1,135,986
Retail trade
1,069,225
1,051,317
1,033,822
1,084,810
1,035,295
Manufacturing
928,041
946,266
928,993
929,737
934,582
861,075
753,049
648,379
688,676
631,239
Wholesale trade
808,252
751,689
707,541
708,640
664,648
Finance and insurance
796,980
772,464
680,368
690,354
655,468
Transportation and warehousing
785,367
769,145
789,573
800,034
825,113
Public administration
625,979
638,921
629,571
650,595
696,160
Accommodation, food services and entertainment
604,550
605,728
625,352
633,869
632,582
Professional, scientific, and technical services
521,965
503,425
486,970
500,219
481,296
Other services (except public administration)
421,884
420,321
433,848
436,665
433,718
Energy
264,791
274,641
284,435
305,867
335,677
Educational services
251,383
260,366
268,305
270,980
309,664
836,765
840,141
648,547
725,948
668,716
Total commercial & industrial loans
11,294,586
92
10,925,055
10,540,841
82
10,839,191
84
10,713,504
PPP loans
Commercial real estate – income producing loans totaled approximately $3.5 billion at September 30, 2021, an increase of $49 million, or 1%, from June 30, 2021 and $61 million, or 2%, from September 30, 2020. Construction and land development loans, totaling approximately $1.2 billion at September 30, 2021, decreased $81 million, or 6%, from June 30, 2021 and increased $118 million, or 11%, from September 30, 2020. 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:
Retail
756,619
781,143
742,649
746,520
744,994
Multifamily
696,924
688,900
648,097
630,392
625,992
Healthcare related properties
677,137
676,587
614,510
557,473
559,196
Industrial
577,988
569,123
544,755
540,198
530,450
Hotel/motel and restaurants
504,536
501,434
519,736
527,393
524,275
Office
487,510
501,885
506,661
527,576
504,168
1-4 family residential construction
441,925
426,745
426,124
393,568
464,347
Other land loans
291,415
318,136
283,833
273,285
273,915
247,876
250,111
246,804
226,591
275,366
Total commercial real estate - income producing and construction loans
4,681,930
4,714,064
4,533,169
4,422,996
4,502,703
Our residential mortgages loan portfolio totaled $2.4 billion at September 30, 2021, down $61 million, or 3%, from June 30, 2021 and down $403 million, or 15%, from September 30, 2020. The low interest rate environment has led to increased demand for longer term, fixed rate mortgages, which we typically originate for sale in the secondary market, and, as such, we have experienced a decline in our residential mortgage portfolio. The consumer loan portfolio totaled $1.6 billion at September 30, 2021, down $56 million, or 3%, from June 30, 2021, and down $323 million, or 17%, from September 30, 2020. The decline in the consumer loan portfolio is due in part to the exit of indirect automobile lending, and decreased loan demand.
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The markets that we serve have been negatively impacted by the economic and social conditions caused by the pandemic. We are continuing to monitor portions of three principle sectors that are of particular focus where we expect there may be a greater effect and a more challenging recovery. We are closely monitoring our concentrations in these industries and others with active and frequent borrower dialogue, payment deferral, and other accommodations and financial support, where warranted. While these industries and others have been significantly impacted by the pandemic, the long-term impacts remain unknown and are dependent on several factors, including the length of time until full recovery and the effectiveness of government stimulus plans to bridge our customers to the end.
The table below summarizes our funded commercial loan exposure to sectors currently identified as pandemic-related sectors under focus at September 30, 2021, and the relative concentration to the total loan portfolio, excluding low-risk SBA guaranteed PPP loans. Loans within our sectors under focus total approximately 17% of total loans outstanding, excluding PPP loans, and comprise 24% of our commercial criticized loans and 37% of our commercial pass-watch rated loans at September 30, 2021. Approximately $232 million of these loans have active structured solutions, defined as a longer-term contractual payment modification of the original loan agreement. Across all portfolios, our active structured solutions totaled $260 million at September 30, 2021.
Percentage of Total Loans *
Pandemic-related sectors under focus *
Healthcare and social assistance
Assisted living (investor CRE)
408,547
Assisted living (non- investor CRE)
193,936
Total healthcare and social assistance
602,483
3.0
Hospitality
Hotel
505,379
2.5
Restaurants full service, casual dining and bars
298,771
1.5
Entertainment
135,987
Total hospitality
940,137
Retail CRE
683,568
3.4
Retail goods and services
1,130,891
Total retail trade
1,814,459
9.1
Total pandemic-related sectors under focus
3,357,079
16.8
* Excludes PPP loans
Management expects core loan growth of $400 to $500 million in the fourth quarter of 2021, ending the year at approximately $20.4 billion. We expect most of the remaining PPP loans to be forgiven by mid-year 2022, with a forecasted December 31, 2021 balance of approximately $400 to $500 million.
Allowance for Credit Losses and Asset Quality
The Company's allowance for credit losses was $400.5 million at September 30, 2021, compared to $429.2 million at June 30, 2021 and $480.2 million at September 30, 2020.
The $28.8 million decrease in the September 30, 2021 allowance for credit losses is primarily attributable to lower collectively evaluated reserves driven by an improved economic forecast and improving asset quality, and lower individually evaluated reserves (generally used for nonperforming and troubled debt restructured loans) due largely to customer payment activity. The Company probability-weighted two Moody’s macroeconomic scenarios in the calculation of our collectively evaluated allowance for credit losses. The baseline scenario and downside scenario S-2 (slower near-term growth) were each weighted 50%, compared to a weighting of 65% on the baseline scenario and 35% on the downside scenario S-2 in prior quarter. Both scenarios reflect a continued economic recovery, with the downside scenario including a longer duration recovery, and both scenarios had improved economic conditions when compared to the prior quarter. The baseline and S-2 scenarios are both reasonably likely outcomes, and, therefore were given equal probability weighting in our calculation. Uncertainty over some of the assumptions underlying the baseline forecast has increased since the second quarter due to the emergence of and resulting effects of the Delta variant and the disruption caused by Hurricane Ida, leading to a higher weighing of the slower growth scenario compared to June 30, 2021.
The September 2021 baseline forecast assumes that COVID-19 cases peaked in January 2021 and new infections abate in November 2021. Any future surges in cases do not result in new widespread business closures. Additional legislation focused on infrastructure, social benefits, and expanded tax credits is expected to pass in late 2021, which will boost gross domestic product growth, but the total dollar amount of fiscal stimulus has been scaled back compared to prior quarter. Compared to the June 2021 baseline scenario, the
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reduction in fiscal stimulus combined with the surge in the Delta variant resulted in slower economic recovery in the near term in the baseline forecast. However, September 2021 baseline reflects rapid growth in 2022 due to the passage of additional stimulus, resolution of the global supply chain constraints, and labor supply shortages. Additional information on the September baseline forecast is provided in the “Economic Outlook” section of this document. The slower near-term growth S-2 forecast reflects a slower economic recovery than the baseline forecast, with concerns about resistant strains leading to lower consumer spending and slower reopening of businesses, resulting in higher unemployment rates than the Baseline scenario. The S-2 scenario also reflects infrastructure and social benefits legislation smaller than that within the baseline and more persistent global supply chain constraints and labor shortages, further impeding economic growth in the fourth quarter of 2021 and 2022.
The allowance release of $28.8 million in the third quarter 2021 and the release of $79.7 million when compared to September 30, 2020 are across most portfolios and reflect the continued improvement in the economic forecast. Our allowance for credit loss coverage to total loans remains strong at 1.92% at September 30, 2021, or 2.00% when excluding SBA guaranteed PPP loans, compared to 2.03% at June 30, 2021, or 2.17% excluding PPP loans, and 2.16% at September 30, 2020, or 2.40% excluding PPP loans. While our reserve coverage to total loans continues to decline, it remains elevated compared to normalized levels as our expectation of loss has not diminished substantially, with borrower performance for select regions/industries not yet at pre-pandemic levels and uncertainty related to future payment performance as the impact of the federal stimulus tapers and modifications expire. The impact of the Delta variant, inflationary pressures, global supply chain issues, and labor supply shortages in our markets adds uncertainty to the overall outlook.
The allowance for credit losses on the commercial portfolio, excluding PPP loans, decreased to $334.3 million, or 2.09% of that portfolio, at September 30, 2021 compared to the June 30, 2021 allowance of $352.0 million, or 2.25%. The commercial portfolio includes concentrations of various pandemic-impacted industries including hospitality and tourism, which includes hotels, restaurants, and bars, certain healthcare services such as assisted living facilities, and certain types of retail outlets, as well as our remaining energy portfolio. The modest decrease in the commercial allowance is primarily due to improved economic conditions and improved asset quality. Our residential mortgage allowance for credit loss decreased to $31.1 million, or 1.32%, at September 30, 2021, compared to $36.5 million, or 1.51%, at June 30, 2021, due primarily to a favorable movement in forecasted variables for home prices. Our allowance for credit losses on the consumer portfolio was $34.1 million, or 2.10%, at September 30, 2021, compared to $39.3 million, or 2.34%, at June 30, 2021.
Criticized commercial loans totaled $294 million at September 30, 2021, down 11% from $330 million at June 30, 2021 and down 29% from $412 million at September 30, 2020. The reduction in commercial criticized loans reflects payoffs, paydowns and charge-offs exceeding new downgrades. Criticized commercial loans at September 30, 2021 include $69 million of loans in our sectors under focus, or those that we deem to be disproportionately impacted by the pandemic and $72 million in our energy portfolio. 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 looks at portfolios of loans to determine if there are areas of risk not specifically identified in its loan by loan approach. In alignment with regulatory guidance, we have been working with our customers by providing various types of loan deferrals or other modifications to manage the effects of economic stress. Most shorter-term deferrals have expired; however, loans totaling approximately $260 million at September 30, 2021 have active structured solutions, or longer-term contractual payment modifications of the original loan agreement, down from $385 million at June 30, 2021. Our ability to predict future cash flow beyond the modification period is limited due to economic uncertainty, and further risk rating adjustments could be required.
Net charge-offs were $1.8 million, or 0.03% of average total loans on an annualized basis in the third quarter of 2021, compared to $10.5 million, or 0.20% of average total loans in the second quarter of 2021 and $24.0 million, or 0.43% in the third quarter of 2020. Commercial net charge-offs totaled $0.5 million in the third quarter of 2021. This is down compared to the second quarter of 2021 commercial charge-offs of $9.3 million. The third quarter of 2020 commercial net charge-offs totaled $23.2 million, consisting largely of charges related to healthcare-dependent credits. Our residential mortgage portfolio reflected minimal net recoveries in the third and second quarters of 2021 and the third quarter of 2020, and consumer net charge-offs were $1.7 million in the third quarter of 2021, up from $1.4 million in the prior quarter and $1.1 million in the third quarter of 2020.
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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
424,360
442,638
Loans charged-off:
Commercial non real estate
3,437
11,420
24,557
32,369
364,123
Commercial real estate - owner-occupied
1,335
122
1,722
1,828
Total commercial & industrial
3,477
12,755
24,679
34,091
365,951
710
231
2,211
267
Total commercial
3,488
12,800
25,391
34,589
368,169
98
218
170
3,256
2,924
2,904
9,874
13,640
Total charge-offs
6,755
15,822
28,324
44,681
381,979
Recoveries of loans previously charged-off:
2,392
2,288
1,532
76
552
2,468
2,538
2,084
384
1,005
2,952
3,543
2,182
8,590
6,085
496
317
1,537
1,550
1,817
Total recoveries
4,985
5,324
4,316
Total net charge-offs
Provision for loan losses
(26,377
(14,194
30,044
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle (a)
Allowance for loan losses at end of period
Reserve for Unfunded Lending Commitments:
Reserve for Unfunded Lending Commitments at beginning of period
32,559
36,571
Provision for losses on unfunded lending commitments
(578
(3,035
(5,045
Reserve for unfunded lending commitments at end of period
Total Allowance for Credit Losses
Total Provision for Credit Losses
Coverage Ratios:
Charge-offs ratios:
Gross charge-offs to average loans
0.28
2.30
Recoveries to average loans
0.07
Net Charge-offs to average loans by portfolio
0.37
0.88
0.35
4.75
(0.01
0.16
(0.06
0.69
0.29
3.75
0.01
(0.12
(0.35
(0.03
(0.15
0.52
2.81
(0.08
(0.02
(0.04
0.41
0.60
Represents the increase in the allowance upon the January 1, 2020 adoption of ASC 326, commonly referred to as Current Expected Credit Losses, or CECL.
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The following table sets forth nonperforming assets by type for the periods indicated, consisting of nonaccrual loans, troubled debt restructurings and foreclosed and surplus ORE and other foreclosed assets. Loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing are also disclosed.
Loans accounted for on a nonaccrual basis:
16,029
24,108
34,200
41,401
Commercial non-real estate - restructured
2,781
3,095
3,542
18,636
36,783
Total commercial non-real estate
19,124
27,650
78,184
4,922
6,276
9,922
13,514
14,394
Commercial real estate - owner-occupied - restructured
1,798
1,839
1,882
342
289
Total commercial real estate - owner-occupied
8,115
11,804
14,683
4,167
4,975
4,729
6,932
Commercial real estate - income producing - restructured
93
96
Total commercial real estate - income producing
5,061
4,818
7,028
1,230
2,004
1,680
2,475
3,192
Construction and land development - restructured
Total construction and land development
2,012
1,689
3,234
Residential mortgage
23,423
30,995
39,066
38,075
40,865
Residential mortgage - restructured
2,541
1,780
2,498
2,731
Total residential mortgage
32,775
40,715
43,596
16,464
21,758
24,737
Consumer - restructured
Total consumer
Total nonaccrual loans
108,434
Restructured loans - still accruing:
480
526
2,337
5,195
341
349
357
119
120
121
123
1,407
2,103
2,457
2,217
2,308
1,065
1,081
1,064
1,025
1,132
Total restructured loans - still accruing
6,320
4,262
114,754
144,141
9,467
Total nonperforming assets (a)
124,221
155,789
Loans 90 days past due still accruing (b)
Total restructured loans
10,281
10,638
13,491
25,842
49,056
Nonaccrual loans to total loans
0.40
0.64
0.77
Nonperforming assets to loans plus ORE and foreclosed assets
0.71
Allowance for loan losses to nonaccrual loans
615.54
478.35
391.35
321.83
261.68
Allowance for loan losses to nonperforming loans and accruing loans 90 days past due
354.09
305.20
Loans 90 days past due still accruing to loans
0.02
(a) Includes total nonaccrual loans, total restructured loans - still accruing and ORE and foreclosed assets.
(b) Excludes 90+ accruing restructured loans already reflected in total nonperforming loans of $1.8 million at 3/31/2021.
Nonperforming assets totaled $71.9 million at September 30, 2021, down $25.7 million from June 30, 2021, and $120.4 million from September 30, 2020. Nonperforming loans decreased $24.0 million compared to June 30, 2021, and $117.1 million from September 30, 2020. The decline in nonperforming loans was largely attributable to charge-offs and payoffs outpacing downgrades. ORE and foreclosed assets were $8.4 million at September 30, 2021, down from $10.2 million at June 30, 2021, and $11.6 million at September 30, 2020. Nonperforming assets as a percentage of total loans, ORE and other foreclosed assets was 0.34% at September 30, 2021, down 12 bps from June 30, 2021, and 52 bps from September 30, 2020.
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Changes in assumptions in our underlying economic forecasts, such as vaccination rates, size and timing of government infrastructure spending, timing of the resolution of the coronavirus pandemic and return to full economic activity will drive our future level of reserves. Assuming that we continue to see improving credit quality and favorable changes in economic assumptions, we expect a modest reserve release in the fourth quarter of 2021.
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. In order to meet our customers’ needs, 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. Since early 2020, deposit levels have also been influenced by pandemic driven factors, such as inflows from government stimulus payments, deposits related to funding PPP loans into business checking accounts and a general slowdown in customer spending.
Total deposits were $29.2 billion at September 30, 2021, down $65 million, or less than 1%, from June 30, 2021, with a favorable change in our deposit mix that included a $247 million increase in noninterest-bearing deposits and a $312 million decrease in interest-bearing accounts, including a $144 million decrease in higher-cost time deposits. Total deposits increased $2.2 billion, or 8%, from September 30, 2020, with strong growth in both noninterest-bearing and interest bearing transaction deposits, largely the result of pandemic-related activity. Average deposits for the third quarter of 2021 were $29.2 billion, flat to the second quarter of 2021 and up $2.5 billion, or 9%, from the third quarter of 2020.
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits were $13.7 billion at September 30, 2021, up $247 million, or 2%, from June 30, 2021, and $1.8 billion, or 15%, from September 30, 2020. The continued elevated balances are primarily due to stimulus and additional PPP funds deposited in business accounts. Noninterest-bearing demand deposits comprised 47% of total deposits at September 30, 2021, 46% at June 30, 2021 and 44% at September 30, 2020.
Interest-bearing transaction and savings accounts of $11.3 billion at September 30, 2021 were virtually flat compared to June 30, 2021, and increased $1.3 billion, or 13%, from September 30, 2020. These increases were primarily driven by movement from maturing certificates of deposit in the low interest rate environment, as well as other stimulus-related funds that remain in customer accounts.
Interest-bearing public fund deposits totaled $3.1 billion at September 30, 2021, down $151.4 million, or 5%, from June 30, 2021, and down $120.8 million, or 4%, from September 30, 2020. Time deposits other than public funds totaled $1.2 billion at September 30, 2021, down $143.7 million, or 11%, from June 30, 2021, and $793.5 million, or 40%, from the third quarter of 2020. The decrease from both periods was due in part to maturing retail and jumbo certificates of deposit which were not renewed, likely due to prevailing rates that reflect management’s strategic approach to lowering the cost of funds. The decrease from the prior year was also due to a $96.2 million decrease in brokered certificates of deposit which matured and were not replaced due to excess liquidity.
Management expects deposits to increase $100 to $200 million in the fourth quarter, ending the year at approximately $29.4 billion, or up 6% compared to year-end 2020.
Short-Term Borrowings
At September 30, 2021, short-term borrowings totaled $1.7 billion, up $229 million, or 15%, from June 30, 2021 and down $162 million, or 8%, from September 30, 2020, driven mainly by changes in customer repurchase agreements. Average short-term borrowings of $1.6 billion in the third quarter of 2021 were down $49 million, or 3%, compared to the second quarter of 2021, and $121 million, or 7%, compared to the third quarter of 2020. The decrease in both periods was largely due to a lower level of customer repurchase agreements.
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.
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Long-Term Debt
Long-term debt totaled $248.0 million at September 30, 2021 virtually flat compared to June 30, 2021, and down from $385.9 million at September 30, 2020. The decrease from September 30, 2020 is attributable to the June 15, 2021 early redemption of the 5.95% subordinated notes due 2045 with an aggregate principal amount of $150 million.
Long-term debt at September 30, 2021 includes subordinated notes payable with an aggregate principal amount of $172.5 million with a stated maturity of June 15, 2060, 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
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 contract 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 September 30, 2021, the Company had a reserve for unfunded lending commitments totaling $28.9 million.
The following table shows the commitments to extend credit and letters of credit at September 30, 2021 according to expiration date.
Expiration Date
Less than
1-3
3-5
More than
1 year
years
5 years
4,128,455
2,240,564
1,788,746
825,274
300,619
58,387
11,899
9,353,944
4,429,074
2,298,951
1,800,645
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
64
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
The Company’s net income is materially dependent upon net interest income. The Company’s primary market risk is interest rate risk which stems from uncertainty with respect to absolute and relative levels of future market interest rates that affect financial products and services. In order to manage the exposures to interest rate risk, management measures the sensitivity of 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 produce a relatively stable net interest margin under varying interest rate environments.
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 September 30, 2021. Shifts are measured in 100 basis point increments in a range from -500 to +500 basis points from base case, with +100 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)
+100
6.64
10.66
+200
14.01
21.30
+300
21.48
32.22
The results indicate a general asset sensitivity across most scenarios driven primarily by repricing in variable rate loans, an increase in short-term excess reserves held at the Federal Reserve, and a funding mix which is composed of material volumes of non-interest bearing and lower rate sensitive deposits. When deemed to be 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. We consider all of these factors in monitoring exposure to interest rate risk.
In 2017, the United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority announced that after 2021 it would no longer compel banks to submit the rates required to calculate the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”). In November 2020, the administrator of LIBOR announced it will consult on its intention to extend the retirement date of certain offered rates whereby the publication of the one week and two month LIBOR offered rates will cease after December 31, 2021, but the publication of the remaining LIBOR offered rates will continue until June 30, 2023. Given consumer protection, litigation, and reputation risks, the bank regulatory agencies have indicated
that entering into new contracts that use LIBOR as a reference rate after December 31, 2021, would create safety and soundness risks and that they will examine bank practices accordingly. Therefore, the agencies encouraged banks to cease entering into new contracts that use LIBOR as a reference rate as soon as practicable and in any event by December 31, 2021.
Uncertainty remains over what rate or rates may become widely accepted alternatives to LIBOR within the industry, and the effect of any such changes in views or alternatives may have on the markets for LIBOR-indexed financial instruments. In particular, regulators, industry groups and certain committees (e.g., the Alternative Reference Rates Committee (ARRC)) have, among other things, published recommended fallback language for LIBOR-linked financial instruments, identified recommended alternatives for certain LIBOR rates (e.g., AMERIBOR or the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) as the recommended alternative to U.S. Dollar LIBOR), and proposed implementations of the recommended alternatives in floating rate instruments.
We have a significant number of loans, derivative contracts, borrowings and other financial instruments with attributes that are either directly or indirectly dependent on LIBOR. The transition from LIBOR has resulted in and could continue to result in added costs and employee efforts and could present additional risk. Since proposed alternative rates are calculated differently, payments under contracts referencing new rates will differ from those referencing LIBOR. The transition will change our market risk profiles, requiring changes to risk and pricing models, valuation tools, product design and hedging strategies.
Management has established a LIBOR Transition Working Group (the “Group”) whose purpose is to direct the overall transition process for the Company. The Group is an internal, cross-functional team with representatives from business lines, support and control functions and legal counsel. Beginning in the third quarter of 2019, key provisions in our loan documents were modified to ensure new and renewed loans include appropriate pre-cessation trigger language and LIBOR fallback language for transition from LIBOR to the new benchmark when such transition occurs. All direct exposures resulting from existing financial contracts that mature after 2021 have been inventoried and are monitored on an ongoing basis. Remediation of these exposures will be consistent with industry timing. The Group has also inventoried indirect LIBOR exposures within the Company's systems, models and processes. The results of this assessment will drive development and prioritization of remediation plans, and the Group is continuing to monitor developments and taking steps to ensure readiness when the LIBOR benchmark rate is discontinued. Although we are currently unable to assess what the ultimate impact of the transition from LIBOR will be, failure to adequately manage the transition could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The Bank has adopted several replacement benchmarks to use in place of LIBOR benchmark rates, with AMERIBOR along with FRB-NY SOFR as the primary rates. The replacement benchmarks rates adopted by the Bank have been affirmed to comply with the 19 principles set forth by the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) for Financial Benchmarks, and it further provides the Bank confidence these replacement benchmarks are based on transparent, market-based transactions. The Bank began using these replacement benchmarks towards the end of the third quarter of 2021.
At September 30, 2021, approximately 36% of our loan portfolio, excluding PPP loans, consisted of variable rate loans tied to LIBOR, along with related derivatives and other financial instruments.
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 September 30, 2021, 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 September 30, 2021, 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
The Company disclosed risk factors in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020. The risks described may not be the only risks facing us. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that are currently considered to not be material also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, and/or operating results.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Total number of shares or units purchased
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
July 1, 2021 - July 31, 2021
4,338,000
August 1, 2021 - August 31, 2021
56,349
44.52
4,281,651
September 1, 2021 - September 30, 2021
35.55
Item 6. Exhibits
(a) Exhibits:
Exhibit Number
Description
Filed Herewith
Form
Exhibit
Filing Date
3.1
Second Amended and Restated Articles of Hancock Whitney Corporation
8-K
5/1/2020
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
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)
/s/ Stephen E. Barker
Stephen E. Barker
Executive Vice President, Senior Accounting and Finance Executive (Principal Accounting Officer)
November 4, 2021