Gerard Host
Analyst · JPMorgan. Please go ahead with your question
Thank you, Joey. And good morning, everyone, and thanks for joining us. Also joining me this morning are Louis Greer, our CFO; Barry Harvey, our Chief Credit Officer; and Tom Owens, the Bank Treasurer. Now, let’s review some highlights for the third quarter, beginning on Page 3 of the presentation material. We’re pleased with the financial performance this quarter and believe that it reflects the value of our diversified state franchise, but recognize that there is still a lot of work to be done. Looking at profitable revenue generation, legacy loan growth was strong for the third quarter, increasing approximately $345 million or 5.3% from the prior quarter. Loan growth contributed to an increase in average earning assets resulting in stable revenue relative to the prior quarter and helping to partially offset some of the pressures of the continued low interest rate environment. Our portfolio of complementary fee income businesses performed well and counter-balanced some of the seasonal and cyclical activity in the quarter. Moving on to process improvement and expense management, banking continues to evolve as something customers will do, not necessarily some place they will go. Earlier this year, we launched myTrustmark, our new consumer mobile banking service. Rollout this - the rollout of this service has been very well received and we’re excited about the role that technology will play in enhancing the Trustmark banking experience. Under credit quality, credit metrics remains solid with decreases in both criticized and classified loan balances from the prior quarter and year. Non-performing assets also declined on a linked-quarter and year-over-year basis. Overall net income in the third quarter totaled $28.4 million, which represented earnings per share of $0.42. Return on average tangible equity and return on average assets came in at 10.96% and 0.92% respectively. I would also like to remind you that our board declared quarterly cash dividend of $0.23 per share payable December 15 to shareholders of record on December 1. If you will turn now to Slide 4, we’ll discuss the result in a little bit more detail. For the third quarter of 2015 average deposits totaled $9.5 billion, reflecting a seasonal reduction in public fund balances, although cost of deposit base continues to be a source of strength for us, although not fully recognized in the current rate environment, with nearly 60% of deposits in checking accounts and cost in 13 basis points in the third quarter. Turning to Slide 5, we’ll look at credits. Please note that the credit metrics I will discuss exclude acquired loans and other real estate covered by an FDIC loss-share agreement. As mentioned earlier relative to the prior quarter, we saw improvement in many of our credit metrics including criticized and classified loan balances, as well as non-performing assets. During the quarter net charge-offs totaled $8.1 million, primarily reflecting write-downs of two credits that had existing reserves that were established in prior quarters. At September 30, 2015, the allowance for loan losses totaled $66 million and represented 206.72% of non-performing loans excluding impaired loans. Now, turning to Slide 6, we’ll be looking at our legacy loan portfolio. We continue to focus on profitable credit disciplined loan growth. At September 30, loans held for investments totaled $6.8 billion, an increase of approximately $345 million, from the prior quarter and $458 million from the same quarter one year earlier. Total loans, which include acquired and held for investments expanded $295 million or 4.3% from the prior quarter. Growth in the quarter was generally diversified across our five state franchises. And of note, growth in construction, land development and other land loans was driven by growth in construction loans. Looking at our energy portfolio, as you are well aware, Trustmark has no loan exposure where the source of repayment or the underlying security of such exposure is tied to the realization of value from energy reserves. That said, we continue monitor our energy exposure closely. At quarter end, Trustmark had total energy exposure of $425 million and outstanding balances of $207 million. Should oil prices remain at current levels or below for a prolonged period of time there is a potential for downgrades to occur. We’ll continue to monitor the situation as appropriate. Now, looking at Slide 7, let’s discuss the performance of our acquired loan portfolio. At September 30, acquired loans totaled $419 million, a decrease of approximately $47 million from the prior quarter. Performance of our acquired loan portfolio continues to exceed expectations. As a result of our most recent re-estimation of cash flows, we expect the yield on acquired loans excluding recoveries to be in the 5.5% to 6.5% range for the fourth quarter of 2015. We also anticipate during the fourth quarter that acquired loan balances excluding any settlement of debt will decline by approximately $30 million to $40 million. We’ve been very pleased with the performance of this portfolio. But as you’re well aware, the income benefit from the portfolio continues to decline as balances run off as they should. In 2016, we currently anticipate the yield on the acquired loans excluding recoveries to be in the 5.5% to 6% range. We also anticipate the quarterly run-off in this portfolio to be in the $20 million to $25 million range. Let’s look at revenue highlights by turning to Slide 8. Revenue remains stable from the prior quarter at $143.6 million. Net interest income, fully tax equivalent for the third quarter totaled $102 million and resulted in a net interest margin of 3.72%. Excluding acquired loans, the net interest margin in the third quarter totaled 3.43%, down from 3.49% in the prior quarter and reflecting increased price competition in the marketplace. In the third quarter, non-interest income totaled $46 million. Insurance continued to perform well, but also benefited from seasonal factors. Performance of our mortgage banking business remained solid despite mortgage servicing rights valuation adjustments and narrower secondary marketing spreads. Other income increased linked quarter primarily because of FDIC indemnification passive write-downs that occurred during the second quarter of 2015. Turning now to Slide 9, we’ll review non-interest expenses. In the third quarter, non-interest expense totaled $103.6 million, excluding ORE and intangible amortization of $5.3 million, non-interest expense totaled approximately $98 million, a 90 basis point increase from the prior quarter. Salaries and benefits expense increased linked quarter, primarily because of increased commissions from higher insurance activity and mortgage loan production. ORE and foreclosure expense increased $2.5 million from the prior quarter, primarily because of valuation adjustments resulting from annual renewals of appraisals. As mentioned earlier on the call, we believe technology such as myTrustmark will play pivotal role in the overall Trustmark banking experience, and view this delivery channel as a complement to our branch network. With that said, we continually review our branch footprint to ensure that customer relationships are maintained and opportunities are present for further development. During the third quarter, we consolidated two offices in Florida and Texas and reallocated a portion of those resources into a new office in Gulfport, Mississippi. Year-to-date, we consolidated eight offices and opened three new offices. Now, looking at Slide 10, capital management, Trustmark continues to maintain a solid capital position and remains well-positioned to meet the needs of our customers and provide long-term value for our shareholders. At September 30, Trustmark’s tangible equity to tangible asset ratio was 9.01%, while the total risk-based capital ratio was 14.66%. Looking at Slide 11, we’ll conclude with our strategic priorities. Like many other financial institutions we’re not only into the industry’s headwinds, but we will continue to focus on creating long-term value. We believe the strategic priorities in place align our activities with our focus, enabling us to continue adding value to the customers, clients, communities and the shareholders we serve. At this time, we will be happy to take any questions.