Comerica Reports Second Quarter 2014 Net Income Of $151 Million, Or 80 Cents Per Share, Up 10 Percent From First Quarter 2014

DALLAS, July 15, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Comerica Incorporated (NYSE: CMA) today reported second quarter 2014 net income of $151 million, compared to $139 million for the first quarter 2014 and $143 million for the second quarter 2013. Earnings per diluted share were 80 cents for the second quarter 2014, compared to 73 cents for the first quarter 2014 and 76 cents for the second quarter 2013.

"We recorded a 10 percent increase in earnings per share compared to the first quarter, a solid performance given this competitive and persistently low-rate environment," said Ralph W. Babb Jr., chairman and chief executive officer. "We continue to be focused on growing the bottom line by carefully managing the things we can control, such as expanding customer relationships, maintaining expense discipline as well as credit quality, all the while taking a prudent, conservative approach to capital.

"With higher customer-driven fee income and broad-based loan growth, revenue increased more than 3 percent from the first quarter. Average loans were up $1.7 billion, or 4 percent, compared to the first quarter, and period-end loans were up $1.4 billion, or 3 percent, with notable growth in virtually every business line. Average deposits were up $614 million to $53.4 billion. Credit quality continued to be strong, noninterest expenses decreased slightly, and our solid capital position continues to support our growth.

"We attribute these results to continued improvements in the economy, reflected particularly in the loan growth in Texas and California, as well as our expertise in faster growing business lines and consistent focus on relationships. Looking ahead, macro-economic conditions appear to be favorable. The market is competitive, however, we are confident in our ability to add new customer relationships and expand existing ones while maintaining our credit pricing and structure discipline."

Second Quarter 2014 Compared to First Quarter 2014

• Average total loans increased $1.7 billion, or 4 percent, to $46.7 billion, primarily reflecting an increase of $1.5 billion, or 5 percent in commercial loans. The increase in commercial loans was reflected in almost every line of business, led by increases in Mortgage Banker Finance ($433 million), National Dealer Services ($290 million), Energy ($229 million), and Technology and Life Sciences ($200 million). Period-end total loans increased $1.4 billion, or 3 percent, to $47.9 billion, primarily reflecting a $1.2 billion, or 4 percent, increase in commercial loans. 
• Average total deposits increased $614 million, or 1 percent, to $53.4 billion, reflecting an increase in noninterest-bearing deposits of $775 million, partially offset by a decrease in total interest-bearing deposits of $161 million. Period-end deposits increased $420 million, to $54.2 billion. 
• Net interest income increased $6 million, or 2 percent, to $416 million in the second quarter 2014, compared to $410 million in the first quarter 2014, primarily due to an increase in loan volumes, partially offset by a decrease in yields. 
• The provision for credit losses increased $2 million to $11 million in the second quarter 2014, primarily reflecting increases in both loan volume and commitments. Net charge-offs were $9 million, or 0.08 percent of average loans, in the second quarter 2014. 
• Noninterest income increased $12 million to $220 million in the second quarter 2014, primarily as a result of increases in several customer-driven fee categories. 
• Noninterest expenses decreased $2 million to $404 million in the second quarter 2014, primarily reflecting a $7 million decrease in salaries and benefits expense, partially offset by increases in software expense, operational losses and outside processing fees.  
• Capital remained solid at June 30, 2014, as evidenced by an estimated Tier 1 common capital ratio of 10.49 percent and a tangible common equity ratio of 10.39 percent.  
• Comerica repurchased approximately 1.2 million shares of common stock during second quarter 2014 under the repurchase program. Together with dividends of $0.20 per share, $95 million was returned to shareholders. 
  

Second Quarter 2014 Compared to Second Quarter 2013

• Average total loans increased $1.8 billion, or 4 percent, primarily reflecting an increase of $1.5 billion, or 5 percent, in commercial loans. The increase in total loans was driven by increases in almost all lines of business, partially offset by a decrease in Mortgage Banker Finance ($496 million).
• Average total deposits increased $1.9 billion, or 4 percent, driven by an increase in noninterest-bearing deposits of $1.9 billion, or 9 percent.
• Net income increased $8 million, or 5 percent, primarily reflecting a reduction in pension expense, largely due to changes in actuarial assumptions. Total revenue was stable despite the impact of the prolonged low-rate environment, and expenses were controlled.
  

Net Interest Income

• Net interest income increased $6 million to $416 million in the second quarter 2014, compared to the first quarter 2014.
  • Interest on loans increased $9 million, primarily reflecting the benefit from an increase in loan balances ($12 million) and one additional day in the quarter ($4 million), partially offset by decreases in interest collected on nonaccrual loans from an elevated first quarter 2014 amount ($2 million) and accretion of the purchase discount on the acquired loan portfolio ($2 million), as well as lower loan yields ($3 million).
  • Interest on investment securities decreased $2 million, primarily reflecting a decrease in the retrospective adjustment to premium amortization on mortgage-backed investment securities due to the slowing of expected future prepayments, compared to the first quarter 2014.
  • Income from short-term investments declined $1 million, largely as a result of a decrease in excess liquidity.
• The net interest margin of 2.78 percent increased 1 basis point compared to the first quarter 2014. The increase in net interest margin was primarily due to the impact of a decrease in excess liquidity (+6 basis points), partially offset by decreases in interest collected on nonaccrual loans (-1 basis points) and the accretion of the purchase discount on the acquired loan portfolio (-1 basis point), as well as lower loan yields (-2 basis points) and lower yields on mortgage-backed investment securities (-1 basis point).
• Average earning assets increased $232 million, to $60.1 billion in the second quarter 2014, compared to the first quarter 2014, primarily reflecting an increase of $1.7 billion in average loans, largely offset by a decrease of $1.5 billion in excess liquidity.
  

Noninterest Income
Noninterest income increased $12 million to $220 million for the second quarter 2014, compared to $208 million for the first quarter 2014, largely due to an increase in customer-driven fees. The $9 million increase in customer-driven fee income was primarily due to increases of $3 million each in commercial lending fees and foreign exchange income, as well as smaller increases in several other customer-driven fee categories. Noncustomer-driven income increased $3 million, primarily due to increases in income from warrants and bank-owned life insurance.

Noninterest Expenses
Noninterest expenses decreased $2 million to $404 million for the second quarter 2014, compared to $406 million for the first quarter 2014, primarily reflecting a $7 million decrease in salaries and benefits expense as well as smaller decreases in several other noninterest expense categories, partially offset by increases of $3 million each in software expense and operational losses, and $2 million in outside processing fees. The $7 million decrease in salaries and benefits expense primarily reflected seasonal decreases in payroll taxes and share-based compensation expense, partially offset by the full quarter impact of merit increases and one more day in the second quarter.

• Nonaccrual loans increased $9 million, to $326 million at June 30, 2014, compared to $317 million at March 31, 2014.
• Criticized loans increased $49 million, to $2.2 billion at June 30, 2014, compared to $2.1 billion at March 31, 2014.
• During the second quarter 2014, $53 million of borrower relationships over $2 million were transferred to nonaccrual status, an increase of $34 million from the first quarter 2014.

Balance Sheet and Capital Management
Total assets and common shareholders' equity were $65.3 billion and $7.4 billion, respectively, at June 30, 2014, compared to $65.7 billion and $7.3 billion, respectively, at March 31, 2014.

There were approximately 181 million common shares outstanding at June 30, 2014. Comerica increased the quarterly dividend by 1 cent, or 5 percent, to $0.20 per share in the second quarter 2014. Share repurchases of $59 million (1.2 million shares), combined with dividends, returned 63 percent of second quarter 2014 net income to shareholders.

In the second quarter 2014, Comerica issued $350 million of 2.125% senior notes due in May 2019 and announced the intention to call $150 million of subordinated notes, at par, on July 15, 2014. The subordinated notes, originally due in July 2024, had a carrying value of $182 million at June 30, 2014, which will result in a gain in the third quarter 2014 of approximately $32 million.

Comerica's tangible common equity ratio was 10.39 percent at June 30, 2014, an increase of 19 basis points from March 31, 2014. The estimated Tier 1 common capital ratio decreased 9 basis points, to 10.49 percent at June 30, 2014, from March 31, 2014. The estimated common equity Tier 1 ratio under fully phased-in Basel III capital rules and excluding most elements of AOCI was 10.2 percent percent at June 30, 2014.

Full-Year 2014 Outlook
Management expectations for full-year 2014, compared to 2013, assumes a continuation of the current economic and low-rate environment and excludes the approximately $32 million gain on the July 2014 early redemption of debt, which is viewed as non-core.

• Moderate growth of 4 percent to 6 percent in average loans. Range reflects growth in the first half along with possible outcomes in the second half of 2014 in both seasonal declines in National Dealer Services and Mortgage Banker Finance as well as growth in our remaining business lines, which slowed throughout the second quarter.
• Net interest income modestly lower, reflecting a decline in purchase accounting accretion, to $25 million to $30 million, and the effect of continued pressure from the low-rate environment, approximately offset by loan growth.
• Provision for credit losses and net charge-offs stable. Increases to the allowance for credit losses due to loan growth offset by continued strong credit quality.
• Noninterest income modestly lower, reflecting stable customer-driven fee income and lower noncustomer-driven income.
• Noninterest expenses lower, reflecting lower litigation-related expenses and a more than 50 percent decrease in pension expense, to about $39 million.
• Income tax expense to approximate 32 percent of pre-tax income.
  

Business Segments
Comerica's operations are strategically aligned into three major business segments: the Business Bank, the Retail Bank and Wealth Management. The Finance Division is also reported as a segment. The financial results below are based on the internal business unit structure of the Corporation and methodologies in effect at June 30, 2014 and are presented on a fully taxable equivalent (FTE) basis. The accompanying narrative addresses second quarter 2014 results compared to first quarter 2014.

In the second quarter 2014, Comerica enhanced the approach used to determine the standard reserve factors used in estimating the allowance for credit losses, which had the effect of capturing certain elements in the quantitative component of the reserve that had formerly been included in the qualitative assessment. The impact of the change was largely neutral to the total allowance for loan losses at June 30, 2014. However, because standard reserves are allocated to the segments at the loan level, while qualitative reserves are allocated at the portfolio level, the impact of the methodology change on the allowance of each segment reflected the characteristics of the individual loans within each segment's portfolio, causing segment reserves to increase or decrease accordingly.

The following table presents net income (loss) by business segment.

• Average loans increased $1.6 billion, reflecting increases in almost every line of business, led by Mortgage Banker Finance, National Dealer Services, Energy, and Technology and Life Sciences.
• Average deposits increased $359 million, primarily reflecting increases in general Middle Market and Corporate Banking.
• Net interest income increased $5 million, primarily due to the benefit provided by an increase in average loans and one additional day in the quarter, partially offset by lower loan yields and a decrease in purchase accounting accretion.
• The provision for credit losses increased $16 million, primarily due to the enhancements to the approach utilized to determine the allowance for credit losses discussed above, as well as an increase in loan balances.
• Noninterest income increased $8 million, primarily due to increases in commercial lending fees, warrant income and small increases in several other categories.
• Noninterest expenses decreased $3 million, primarily due to a decrease in litigation-related expenses.

• Average deposits increased $287 million, primarily reflecting an increase in noninterest-bearing deposits.
• Net interest income increased $3 million, primarily due to an increase in net funds transfer pricing (FTP) credits, largely due to the increase in average deposits, and the impact of one additional day in the quarter.
• The provision for credit losses decreased $6 million, primarily reflecting a benefit from the enhancements to the approach utilized to determine the allowance for credit losses discussed above and improvements in credit quality.

• Average loans increased $44 million, primarily due to an increase in Private Banking.
• Noninterest income increased $3 million, primarily reflecting small increases in several categories.
• Noninterest expenses increased $1 million, as an increase in litigation-related expenses was partially offset by a decrease in allocated corporate overhead expenses.

Geographic Market Segments
Comerica also provides market segment results for three primary geographic markets: Michigan, California and Texas. In addition to the three primary geographic markets, Other Markets is also reported as a market segment. Other Markets includes Florida, Arizona, the International Finance division and businesses that have a significant presence outside of the three primary geographic markets. The tables below present the geographic market results based on the methodologies in effect at June 30, 2014 and are presented on a fully taxable equivalent (FTE) basis.

The following table presents net income (loss) by market segment.

• Average loans increased $9 million, $615 million and $602 million in Michigan, California and Texas, respectively. The increases in average loans in California and Texas were broad-based, with increases in nearly all business lines. California was led by an increase in National Dealer Services, while the increase in Texas was led by Energy.
• Average deposits increased $52 million in Michigan, primarily due to an increase in Retail Banking, partially offset by decreases in general Middle Market and Corporate Banking. In California, average deposits increased $588 million, primarily reflecting increases in general Middle Market and Corporate Banking, partially offset by a decrease in Technology and Life Sciences. The decrease in Texas of $151 million was primarily due to a decrease in general Middle Market.
• Net interest income increased $4 million in California and $1 million in Texas, and decreased $1 million in Michigan. The increases in California and Texas primarily reflected the benefit from an increase in average loans and one additional day in the quarter, partially offset by a decline in loan yields. Texas was also impacted by a decrease in accretion on the acquired loan portfolio.
• The provision for credit losses increased $16 million in Texas and$3 million in California, and decreased $12 million in Michigan. The impact of the enhancements to the approach utilized to determine the allowance for credit losses, as previously discussed in the Business Segment section, resulted in increased reserves in California, were largely neutral to Texas and reduced reserves in Michigan. The increase in Texas was primarily due to an increase in loan balances and risk rating downgrades on two specific credits. California's increase was primarily due to an increase in loan balances and increased reserves on two credits. Credit quality in Texas and California continues to be very strong. Improved credit quality and a reduction in loan balances contributed to the decline in the Michigan reserve.
• Noninterest income increased $7 million and $5 million in Michigan and California, respectively, and was stable in Texas. Warrant income increased in California, and there were small increases in several other noninterest income categories in both markets.
• Noninterest expenses increased $5 million in California, primarily due to increases in litigation-related expenses and operational losses. In Michigan and Texas, noninterest expenses declined $2 million and $1 million, respectively.

Conference Call and Webcast
Comerica will host a conference call to review second quarter 2014 financial results at 7 a.m. CT Tuesday, July 15, 2014. Interested parties may access the conference call by calling (800) 309-2262 or (706) 679-5261 (event ID No. 61649842). The call and supplemental financial information can also be accessed via Comerica's "Investor Relations" page at www.comerica.com. A replay of the Webcast can be accessed via Comerica's "Investor Relations" page at www.comerica.com.

Comerica Incorporated is a financial services company headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and strategically aligned by three major business segments: The Business Bank, The Retail Bank and Wealth Management. Comerica focuses on relationships and helping people and businesses be successful. In addition to Texas,

Comerica Bank locations can be found in Arizona, California, Florida and Michigan, with select businesses operating in several other states, as well as in Canada and Mexico.

This press release contains both financial measures based on accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP) and non-GAAP based financial measures, which are used where management believes it to be helpful in understanding Comerica's results of operations or financial position. Where non-GAAP financial measures are used, the comparable GAAP financial measure, as well as a reconciliation to the comparable GAAP financial measure, can be found in this press release. These disclosures should not be viewed as a substitute for operating results determined in accordance with GAAP, nor are they necessarily comparable to non-GAAP performance measures that may be presented by other companies.

Forward-looking Statements
Any statements in this news release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "anticipates," "believes," "contemplates," "feels," "expects," "estimates," "seeks," "strives," "plans," "intends," "outlook," "forecast," "position," "target," "mission," "assume," "achievable," "potential," "strategy," "goal," "aspiration," "opportunity," "initiative," "outcome," "continue," "remain," "maintain," "on course," "trend," "objective," "looks forward," "projects," "models" and variations of such words and similar expressions, or future or conditional verbs such as "will," "would," "should," "could," "might," "can," "may" or similar expressions, as they relate to Comerica or its management, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are predicated on the beliefs and assumptions of Comerica's management based on information known to Comerica's management as of the date of this news release and do not purport to speak as of any other date. Forward-looking statements may include descriptions of plans and objectives of Comerica's management for future or past operations, products or services, and forecasts of Comerica's revenue, earnings or other measures of economic performance, including statements of profitability, business segments and subsidiaries, estimates of credit trends and global stability. Such statements reflect the view of Comerica's management as of this date with respect to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties. Should one or more of these risks materialize or should underlying beliefs or assumptions prove incorrect, Comerica's actual results could differ materially from those discussed. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences are changes in general economic, political or industry conditions; changes in monetary and fiscal policies, including changes in interest rates; volatility and disruptions in global capital and credit markets; changes in Comerica's credit rating; the interdependence of financial service companies; changes in regulation or oversight; unfavorable developments concerning credit quality; the effects of more stringent capital or liquidity requirements; declines or other changes in the businesses or industries of Comerica's customers; operational difficulties, failure of technology infrastructure or information security incidents; the implementation of Comerica's strategies and business initiatives; Comerica's ability to utilize technology to efficiently and effectively develop, market and deliver new products and services; changes in the financial markets, including fluctuations in interest rates and their impact on deposit pricing; competitive product and pricing pressures among financial institutions within Comerica's markets; changes in customer behavior; any future strategic acquisitions or divestitures; management's ability to maintain and expand customer relationships; management's ability to retain key officers and employees; the impact of legal and regulatory proceedings or determinations; the effectiveness of methods of reducing risk exposures; the effects of terrorist activities and other hostilities; the effects of catastrophic events including, but not limited to, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, fires and floods; changes in accounting standards and the critical nature of Comerica's accounting policies. Comerica cautions that the foregoing list of factors is not exclusive. For discussion of factors that may cause actual results to differ from expectations, please refer to our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In particular, please refer to "Item 1A. Risk Factors" beginning on page 12 of Comerica's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Comerica does not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect facts, circumstances, assumptions or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statements are made. For any forward-looking statements made in this news release or in any documents, Comerica claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

The Tier 1 common capital ratio removes preferred stock and qualifying trust preferred securities from Tier 1 capital as defined by and calculated in conformity with bank regulations. The Basel III common equity Tier 1 capital ratio further adjusts Tier 1 common capital and risk-weighted assets to account for the final rule approved by U.S. banking regulators in July 2013 for the U.S. adoption of the Basel III regulatory capital framework, as fully phased-in. The final Basel III capital rules are effective January 1, 2015 for banking organizations subject to the standardized approach. The tangible common equity ratio removes preferred stock and the effect of intangible assets from capital and the effect of intangible assets from total assets. Tangible common equity per share of common stock removes the effect of intangible assets from common shareholders equity per share of common stock. Comerica believes these measurements are meaningful measures of capital adequacy used by investors, regulators, management and others to evaluate the adequacy of common equity and to compare against other companies in the industry.

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