Commerce Bancshares (CBSH) in Kansas City, Mo., posted stronger quarterly results because of higher card fees and loan volume.
The $22 billion-asset company's fourth-quarter earnings rose 1.2% from the third quarter and 9% from a year earlier, to $66.8 million, or 72 cents a share. Full-year earnings totaled $269 million.
Net interest income rose 5% from the third quarter but fell slightly from a year earlier, to $161.3 million. The loan portfolio increased by 2% from the third quarter and 7% from a year earlier, to $9.8 billion.
The company's noninterest income increased 2.4% from the third quarter and 10% from a year earlier, to $103 million, largely due to increases in bank card transaction fees.
The loan-loss provision increased 49% from the third quarter but fell 31% from a year earlier, to $8.3 million. Net chargeoffs rose 19% from the third quarter but fell 31% from a year earlier, to $10.8 million. Nonperforming assets fell 12% from the third quarter and 31% from a year earlier, to $64.9 million.
Commerce took $3.7 million in securities losses in the fourth quarter.