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Associated Banc-Corp (ASB) Q1 Earnings Beat on Higher NII
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Associated Banc-Corp’s (ASB - Free Report) first-quarter 2023 earnings of 66 cents per share surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 63 cents. The bottom line was 40.4% higher than the prior-year quarter. Our estimate for earnings was 54 cents.
Results were primarily aided by a rise in net interest income (NII) on higher rates. The quarter witnessed increased loans and deposit balances. However, a rise in expenses, higher provisions and lower non-interest income were headwinds.
Net income available to common shareholders was $100.5 million, up 40.8% from the year-ago quarter.
Revenues Improve, Expenses Rise
Net revenues (FTE basis) were $340.9 million, up 21.8% year over year. The top line missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $351 million. Our estimate for FTE revenues was $349.4 million.
NII was $274 million, up 45.9% year over year. The net interest margin was 3.07%, up 65 basis points (bps) year over year. Our estimate for NII and NIM was $273.5 million and 3.23%, respectively.
Non-interest income declined 16.6% to $62.1 million. The fall was due to a decline in almost all fee income components, except for card-based fees, other fee-based revenues and other income. Our estimate for non-interest income was $70.5 million.
Non-interest expenses increased 8.1% to $187.4 million. The rise was due to increased personnel costs, technology costs, business development and advertising expenses, FDIC assessment fees and other costs. Our estimate for non-interest expenses was $205.2 million.
The FTE efficiency ratio was 54.64%, down from 63.76% in the prior-year quarter. A fall in the efficiency ratio indicates an improvement in profitability.
As of Mar 31, 2023, total loans were $29.2 billion, up 1.4% from Dec 31, 2022. Total deposits increased 2.3% to $30.3 billion.
Credit Quality: Mixed Bag
In the reported quarter, the company recorded a provision for credit losses of $18 million against a provision benefit of $4 million in the prior-year quarter. Our estimate for the metric was $31.2 million.
As of Mar 31, 2023, total non-performing assets were $132.8 million, down 17.7% year over year. Total non-accrual loans were $117.6 million, declining 17.9%.
Capital Ratios Deteriorate, Profitability Ratios Improve
As of Mar 31, 2023, the Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio was 10.05%, down from the 10.91% recorded in the corresponding period of 2022. The common equity Tier 1 capital ratio was 9.45%, down from 10.22%.
At the end of the first quarter, annualized return on average assets was 1.06%, up from 0.86% recorded in the prior-year period. Return on average tangible common equity was 15.26%, up from 11.26%.
2023 Outlook
Management expects loan growth of 6-8%.
Total average core customer deposit growth is expected to be 1-3%.
NII is projected to increase 13-15%. Non-interest income is expected to compress by 8-10%.
Non-interest expenses are anticipated to rise 4%.
Our Take
Associated Banc-Corp’s business-restructuring efforts are likely to keep supporting financials. The company has a solid balance-sheet position, making it well-poised for growth. However, elevated expenses and provisions are likely to hurt profits in the near term.
Associated Banc-Corp Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Commerce Bancshares Inc.’s (CBSH - Free Report) first-quarter 2023 earnings per share of 95 cents surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 92 cents. The bottom line increased 3.3% from the prior-year quarter.
CBSH's results benefited from an increase in NII, driven by a rise in loan balance and higher interest rates. Also, non-interest income grew in the quarter.
First Horizon National Corporation’s (FHN - Free Report) first-quarter 2023 earnings per share (excluding notable items) of 46 cents were in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. The figure also improved 21% year over year.
FHN's results benefited from higher NII, a fall in expenses and an improving loan balance. However, a decline in deposits, higher provisions and lower non-interest income were the undermining factors.
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Associated Banc-Corp (ASB) Q1 Earnings Beat on Higher NII
Associated Banc-Corp’s (ASB - Free Report) first-quarter 2023 earnings of 66 cents per share surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 63 cents. The bottom line was 40.4% higher than the prior-year quarter. Our estimate for earnings was 54 cents.
Results were primarily aided by a rise in net interest income (NII) on higher rates. The quarter witnessed increased loans and deposit balances. However, a rise in expenses, higher provisions and lower non-interest income were headwinds.
Net income available to common shareholders was $100.5 million, up 40.8% from the year-ago quarter.
Revenues Improve, Expenses Rise
Net revenues (FTE basis) were $340.9 million, up 21.8% year over year. The top line missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $351 million. Our estimate for FTE revenues was $349.4 million.
NII was $274 million, up 45.9% year over year. The net interest margin was 3.07%, up 65 basis points (bps) year over year. Our estimate for NII and NIM was $273.5 million and 3.23%, respectively.
Non-interest income declined 16.6% to $62.1 million. The fall was due to a decline in almost all fee income components, except for card-based fees, other fee-based revenues and other income. Our estimate for non-interest income was $70.5 million.
Non-interest expenses increased 8.1% to $187.4 million. The rise was due to increased personnel costs, technology costs, business development and advertising expenses, FDIC assessment fees and other costs. Our estimate for non-interest expenses was $205.2 million.
The FTE efficiency ratio was 54.64%, down from 63.76% in the prior-year quarter. A fall in the efficiency ratio indicates an improvement in profitability.
As of Mar 31, 2023, total loans were $29.2 billion, up 1.4% from Dec 31, 2022. Total deposits increased 2.3% to $30.3 billion.
Credit Quality: Mixed Bag
In the reported quarter, the company recorded a provision for credit losses of $18 million against a provision benefit of $4 million in the prior-year quarter. Our estimate for the metric was $31.2 million.
As of Mar 31, 2023, total non-performing assets were $132.8 million, down 17.7% year over year. Total non-accrual loans were $117.6 million, declining 17.9%.
Capital Ratios Deteriorate, Profitability Ratios Improve
As of Mar 31, 2023, the Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio was 10.05%, down from the 10.91% recorded in the corresponding period of 2022. The common equity Tier 1 capital ratio was 9.45%, down from 10.22%.
At the end of the first quarter, annualized return on average assets was 1.06%, up from 0.86% recorded in the prior-year period. Return on average tangible common equity was 15.26%, up from 11.26%.
2023 Outlook
Management expects loan growth of 6-8%.
Total average core customer deposit growth is expected to be 1-3%.
NII is projected to increase 13-15%. Non-interest income is expected to compress by 8-10%.
Non-interest expenses are anticipated to rise 4%.
Our Take
Associated Banc-Corp’s business-restructuring efforts are likely to keep supporting financials. The company has a solid balance-sheet position, making it well-poised for growth. However, elevated expenses and provisions are likely to hurt profits in the near term.
Associated Banc-Corp Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Associated Banc-Corp price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Associated Banc-Corp Quote
ASB currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Performance of Other Banks
Commerce Bancshares Inc.’s (CBSH - Free Report) first-quarter 2023 earnings per share of 95 cents surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 92 cents. The bottom line increased 3.3% from the prior-year quarter.
CBSH's results benefited from an increase in NII, driven by a rise in loan balance and higher interest rates. Also, non-interest income grew in the quarter.
First Horizon National Corporation’s (FHN - Free Report) first-quarter 2023 earnings per share (excluding notable items) of 46 cents were in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. The figure also improved 21% year over year.
FHN's results benefited from higher NII, a fall in expenses and an improving loan balance. However, a decline in deposits, higher provisions and lower non-interest income were the undermining factors.