EX-99.1 2 ex99-1.htm EXHIBIT 99.1 Exhibit 99.1


Commerce Logo

 
CONTACTS


Vernon W. Hill, II
C. Edward Jordan, Jr.
Chairman and President
Executive Vice President

(856) 751-9000

COMMERCE BANCORP DEPOSITS UP 21%
LOANS UP 30%


October 16, 2006 - Cherry Hill, New Jersey - Commerce Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE Symbol: CBH) reported increased assets, deposits and loans for the third quarter of 2006, announced Vernon W. Hill, II, Chairman.
 
 
THIRD QUARTER FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
 
September 30, 2006
 
           
 %
Change
             
Total Assets:
 
$
43.3
   
Billion
   
19
%
                     
Core Deposits:
 
$
38.5
   
Billion
   
19
%
                     
Total (Net) Loans:
 
$
14.6
   
Billion
   
30
%
                     
Total Revenues:
 
$
472.5
   
Million
   
15
%
                     
Net Income:
 
$
79.7
   
Million
   
-
%
                     
Net Income Per Share:
 
$
.41
         
(9
)%




Chairman’s Statement

Commented Chairman Hill, “America’s #1 Bank Retailer again posted record results with total deposit growth of 21% and core deposit growth of 19%.”

Financial highlights for the third quarter were:

·  
Total assets increased to $43.3 billion, up 19%.

·  
Net loans grew $3.4 billion, or 30% , to $14.6 billion, resulting in a loan-to-deposit ratio of 37%.

·  
Core deposit growth continues to drive the Company’s overall growth.
 
·  
Core deposits increased $6.2 billion, up 19%, for the prior 12 months, while total deposits increased $6.9 billion, or 21%, for the prior 12 months.

·  
Annualized core deposit growth per store was $15 million and annualized total deposit growth per store was $17 million.

·  
Comparable store core deposit growth per store was 13% for stores open two years or more and 16% for stores open one year or more.

·  
Commercial core deposits grew 26% to $15.2 billion.

·  
New York City core deposits increased to $5.8 billion, up 45%.

·  
Deposit charges and service fees grew 35% for the third quarter.

·  
Revenue grew 15% during the third quarter despite margin compression to 3.27% caused by the inverted yield curve.

·  
Net income was $79.7 million and net income per share was $.41 for the third quarter of 2006.

·  
Shareholder equity increased $601.0 million, or 28%, to $2.7 billion.

·  
Book value per share grew 18% to $13.85.

Expansion Plans

The Commerce growth model includes the opening of new stores in both existing and new markets. During the third quarter, the Company reached another milestone in its impressive growth with the opening of its 400th store.

During the fourth quarter of 2006, the Company plans to open +/- 30 stores which will bring its total to approximately 60 new stores for 2006.


2


Consistent with our goal of increasing our store base 15-20% a year, the Company presently has +/- 200 locations in various stages of land use approvals. The Company expects to open +/- 70 stores during 2007, which will increase total stores to approximately 500. In addition, during the first quarter of 2007, the Company plans to open its first store in Miami-Dade County, Florida.

Despite margin compression and the difficult interest rate environment, the Company has not altered its growth or its plans for continued store expansion.
 
The Commercial Bank
                   
Linked Quarter
 
   
 
9/30/06
 
 
9/30/05
 
 
% Increase
 
 
6/30/06
 
$ Increase
 
% Increase
 
   
(dollars in millions)
 
Commercial Core Deposits:
 
$
15,214
 
$
12,050
   
26
%
$
14,637
 
$
577
   
4
%
Commercial Loans:
   
9,274
   
7,201
   
29
   
8,996
   
278
   
3
 

Lending

Loans increased 30% to $14.7 billion from the third quarter of 2005, and the growth was widespread throughout all loan categories. On a linked quarter basis loans grew $424 million, or 3%.

Regional Loan Growth:
 
   
9/30/06
 
9/30/05
 
$ Increase
 
% Increase
 
% of Total Growth
 
   
(dollars in millions)
 
Metro New York
 
$
7,445
 
$
5,539
 
$
1,906
   
34
%
 
56
%
Metro Philadelphia
   
6,742
   
5,720
   
1,022
   
18
   
30
 
Metro Washington
   
156
   
30
   
126
   
N/A
   
4
 
Southeast Florida
   
354
   
N/A
   
354
   
N/A
   
10
 
                                 
Total:
 
$
14,697
 
$
11,289
 
$
3,408
   
30
%
 
100
%


Loan Composition:
 
   
9/30/06
 
% of Total
 
9/30/05
 
% of Total
 
$ Increase
 
% Increase
 
   
(dollars in millions)
 
Commercial
 
$
3,873
   
26
%
$
2,975
   
26
%
$
898
   
30
%
Owner-Occupied RE
   
2,729
   
19
   
2,313
   
21
   
416
   
18
 
Total Commercial
   
6,602
   
45
   
5,288
   
47
   
1,314
   
25
 
Consumer
   
5,424
   
37
   
4,088
   
36
   
1,336
   
33
 
Commercial Real Estate
   
2,671
   
18
   
1,913
   
17
   
758
   
40
 
Total Loans
 
$
14,697
   
100
%
$
11,289
   
100
%
$
3,408
   
30
%

The loan-to-deposit ratio was 37% at September 30, 2006.
 
3

Asset Quality
 
   
 Quarter Ended
   
9/30/06
6/30/06
12/31/05
9/30/05
                   
Non-Performing Assets/Assets
   
.11
%
 
.12
%
 
.09
%
 
.09
%
Net Loan Charge-Offs
   
.09
%
 
.06
%
 
.18
%
 
.20
%
Reserve for Credit Losses/Gross Loans
   
1.05
%
 
1.04
%
 
1.12
%
 
1.23
%
Non-Performing Loan Coverage
   
341
%
 
291
%
 
407
%
 
409
%
Non-Performing Assets/Capital
   
2
%
 
2
%
 
1
%
 
2
%
and Reserves
                         
 
Non-performing assets and loans past due 90 days at September 30, 2006 totaled $47.8 million or .11% of total assets, versus $34.4 million, or .09% of total assets a year ago.

Income Statement

   
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
   
9/30/06
 
9/30/05
 
% Change
 
9/30/06
 
9/30/05
 
% Change
 
   
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 
 
Total Revenues:
 
$
472,527
 
$
412,153
   
15
%
$
1,373,352
 
$
1,198,853
   
15
%
Total Expenses:
   
343,469
   
288,582
   
19
   
992,587
   
825,487
   
20
 
Net Income:
   
79,669
   
79,455
   
-
   
236,486
   
236,001
   
-
 
Net Income Per Share:
 
$
.41
 
$
.45
   
(9
)
$
1.23
 
$
1.36
   
(10
)
 


Balance Sheet
 
                   
Linked Quarter
 
   
9/30/06
 
9/30/05
 
% Increase
 
6/30/06
 
$ Change
 
% Change
 
   
(dollars in millions)
 
 
Total Assets:
 
$
43,304
 
$
36,294
   
19
%
$
43,436
 
$
(132
)
 
-
%
Total Loans (Net):
   
14,551
   
11,150
   
30
   
14,133
   
418
   
3
 
Core Deposits:
   
38,539
   
32,371
   
19
   
36,784
   
1,755
   
5
 
Total Deposits:
   
40,142
   
33,244
   
21
   
38,050
   
2,092
   
5
 


4


Shareholder Returns

   
September 30, 2006
   
Commerce
S & P Index
1
Year
21%
11%
5
Years
18%
 7%
10
Years
26%
 9%
 
 
Growth Targets
 
   
Annual
Growth Targets
Last 5 Year
Growth
Actual
Third Quarter 2006
               
Core Deposit Growth per Store (in millions):
 
$
20
 
$
22
 
$
15
 
Core Deposits:
   
24 - 26
%
 
32
%
 
19
%
Two-Year Comp Store Deposits:
   
18 - 20
   
24
   
13
 
Total Revenue:
   
23 - 25
   
23
   
15
 
Net Income:
   
23 - 25
   
23
   
-
 
Net Income Per Share:
   
18 - 20
   
14
   
(9
)

 
Deposit Growth

   
9/30/06
 
9/30/05
 
$ Increase
 
% Increase
 
   
(dollars in millions)
 
Core Deposits
 
$
38,539
 
$
32,371
 
$
6,168
   
19
%
                           
Total Deposits
 
$
40,142
 
$
33,244
 
$
6,898
   
21
%
                           


5


Regional Deposit Growth
 
Core deposit growth by region is as follows:
 
   
 
# of
Stores
 
 
 
9/30/06
 
 
 
9/30/05
 
 
$
Increase
 
 
%
Increase
 
Average
Store
Size
 
Annualized Growth/
Store
 
   
(dollars in millions)
 
Northern New Jersey
   
134
 
$
11,952
 
$
10,361
 
$
1,591
   
15
%
$
89
 
$
12
 
New York City
   
50
   
5,827
   
4,007
   
1,820
   
45
   
117
   
39
 
Long Island/NY State/CT
   
47
   
3,640
   
2,758
   
882
   
32
   
77
   
23
 
Metro New York
   
231
 
$
21,419
 
$
17,126
 
$
4,293
   
25
%
$
93
 
$
20
 
Metro Philadelphia
   
151
   
16,496
   
15,194
   
1,302
   
9
   
109
   
7
 
Metro Washington
   
12
   
370
   
51
   
319
   
N/A
   
31
   
47
 
Southeast Florida
   
8
   
254
   
N/A
   
254
   
N/A
   
32
   
N/A
 
Total Core Deposits
   
402
 
$
38,539
 
$
32,371
 
$
6,168
   
19
%
$
96
 
$
15
 
 
Total Deposits
       
$
40,142
 
$
33,244
 
$
6,898
   
21
%
$
100
 
$
17
 

Metro New York remains the Company’s largest and fastest growing market with total deposits of $22.3 billion, an increase of 26% over the third quarter of 2005, and an annualized total deposit growth per store of $22 million. This market is expected to continue to lead the deposit growth of the Company.

6


Comparable Store Core Deposit Growth

Comparable store deposit growth is measured as the year-over-year percentage increase in core deposits for stores open two years or more at the balance sheet date. Additional information is provided below for stores opened one year or more at the balance sheet date.

At September 30, 2006 the Company had 97 stores in New York State and Connecticut. Of these stores, 54 are included in the comparable store growth for stores open 2 years or more and 73 are included in the comparable store growth for stores open one year or more at the balance sheet date.

   
Core Deposit Growth
   
Stores Open 2
Stores Open 1
   
Years or More
Year or More
   
# of
Stores
Comp Store
Increase
# of
Stores
Comp Store
Increase
                   
Metro Philadelphia
   
134
   
8
%
 
143
   
9
%
Northern New Jersey
   
109
   
10
   
123
   
13
 
New York City
   
34
   
31
   
42
   
38
 
Long Island/NY State/CT
   
20
   
21
   
31
   
29
 
Metro Washington
   
N/A
   
N/A
   
3
   
N/A
 
Total
   
297
   
13
%
 
342
   
16
%
                           


Core Deposits

Core deposit growth by type of account is as follows:

   
9/30/06
 
9/30/05
 
$ Increase
 
% Increase
3rd Quarter
Cost of
Funds
   
(dollars in millions)
 
Demand
 
$
8,650
 
$
7,828
 
$
822
   
11
%
 
0.00
%
Interest Bearing Demand
   
15,693
   
13,133
   
2,560
   
19
   
3.51
 
Savings
   
10,620
   
8,640
   
1,980
   
23
   
2.63
 
Subtotal
   
34,963
   
29,601
   
5,362
   
18
%
 
2.36
%
                                 
Time
   
3,576
   
2,770
   
806
   
29
   
3.88
 
Total Core Deposits:
 
$
38,539
 
$
32,371
 
$
6,168
   
19
%
 
2.50
%
                                 

 


7


Core deposit growth by type of customer is as follows:

   
9/30/06
 
% Total
 
9/30/05
 
% Total
 
Annual
Growth %
 
   
(dollars in millions)
 
Consumer
 
$
15,702
   
41
%
$
13,947
   
43
%
 
13
%
Commercial
   
15,214
   
39
   
12,050
   
37
   
26
 
Government
   
7,623
   
20
   
6,374
   
20
   
20
 
                                 
Total
 
$
38,539
   
100
%
$
32,371
   
100
%
 
19
%


Net Income and Net Income Per Share

Net income totaled $79.7 million for the third quarter of 2006, which was slightly above net income of $79.5 million for the third quarter of 2005.

On a diluted per share basis, net income for the third quarter of 2006 was $.41 compared to $.45 for the third quarter of 2005, a 9% decrease.

   
Three Months Ended
 Nine Months Ended  
   
9/30/06
 
9/30/05
 
% Change
 
9/30/06
 
9/30/05
 
% Change
 
   
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 
 
Net Income:
 
$
79,669
 
$
79,455
   
-
%
$
236,486
 
$
236,001
   
-
%
Net Income Per Share:
 
$
.41
 
$
.45
   
(9
)
$
1.23
 
$
1.36
   
(10
)

 

For the first nine months of 2006, net income totaled $236.5 million, which was slightly above net income of $236.0 million for the first nine months of 2005.

On a diluted per share basis, net income for the first nine months of 2006 was $1.23 compared to $1.36 for the first nine months of 2005, a 10% decrease.

Total Revenues

   
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
 
9/30/06
 
9/30/05
 
 % Increase
 
9/30/06
 
9/30/05
 
% Increase
 
   
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 
Total Revenues
 
$
472,527
 
$
412,153
   
15
%
$
1,373,352
 
$
1,198,853
   
15
%
Revenue Per Share
 
$
9.71
 
$
9.14
   
6
%
$
9.49
 
$
8.98
   
6
%


8


Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin

Net interest income for the third quarter totaled $322.0 million, a 12% increase over the $287.4 million recorded a year ago, despite the impact of the inverted yield curve. For the first nine months of 2006, the Company recorded net interest income of $948.8 million, an 11% increase over the $854.7 million earned in the first nine months of 2005. The increase in net interest income during the quarter and first nine months was due to volume increases in interest earning assets resulting from the Company’s continued deposit growth.

The net interest margin for the third quarter of 2006 decreased 12 basis points to 3.27%, compared to 3.39% for the second quarter of 2006, and down 40 basis points from the 3.67% margin for the third quarter of 2005. The year over year compression in net interest margin was caused by the shape of the yield curve.

On a tax equivalent basis, the Company recorded $328.2 million in net interest income in the third quarter of 2006, an increase of $35.7 million or 12% over the third quarter of 2005. Net interest income on a tax equivalent basis of $967.0 million was earned in the first nine months of 2006, an increase of $98.4 million or 11% over the first nine months of 2005.

Net Interest Income and Rate/Volume Analysis

As shown below, the increase in net interest income on a tax equivalent basis was due to volume increases in the Company’s earning assets, which were fueled by the Company’s continued deposit growth. The Company’s continuing ability to grow deposits produces net interest income growth, despite rate compression caused by the current rate environment.

   
Net Interest Income
 
September
2006 vs. 2005
 
Volume
Increase
 
Rate
Change
 
Total
Increase
 
%
Increase
 
   
(dollars in thousands)
 
                   
Quarter
 
$
61,079
   
($25,375
)
$
35,704
   
12
%
First Nine Months
 
$
199,319
   
($100,926
)
$
98,393
   
11
%

Excluding the impact of the negative rate change, the Company’s net interest income would have increased 21% and 23% for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2006, respectively.

9


Non-Interest Income

Excluding net investment securities gains, non-interest income for the third quarter of 2006 increased to $150.6 million from $119.1 million a year ago, a 26% increase. Non-interest income for the first nine months increased to $424.5 million from $332.6 million a year ago, a 28% increase. The increases in non-interest income are primarily attributable to the increases in deposit charges and service fees of 35% for the third quarter and first nine months of 2006.

The growth in non-interest income for the third quarter and the first nine months of 2006 is more fully depicted below: 
 
   
 Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
     
9/30/06
 
 
9/30/05
 
 
% Change
 
9/30/06
 
 
9/30/05
 
 
% Change
   
(dollars in thousands)
Deposit Charges & Service Fees
 
$
97,436
 
$
72,302
   
35
%
$
271,370
 
$
201,068
   
35
%
Other Operating Income:
                                   
Commerce Insurance
   
21,189
   
19,539
   
8
   
63,706
   
58,079
   
10
 
Commerce Capital Markets
   
6,851
   
5,268
   
30
   
20,348
   
18,956
   
7
 
Loan Brokerage Fees
   
2,386
   
7,378
   
(68
)
 
6,505
   
13,086
   
(50
)
Other
   
22,695
   
14,578
   
56
   
62,586
   
41,411
   
51
 
Total Other Operating Income
   
53,121
   
46,763
   
14
   
153,145
   
131,532
   
16
 
Subtotal
 
$
150,557
 
$
119,065
   
26
%
$
424,515
 
$
332,600
   
28
%
                                       
Net Investment Securities Gains
   
-
   
5,714
   
(100
)
 
-
   
11,511
   
(100
)
Total Non-Interest Income
 
$
150,557
 
$
124,779
   
21
%
$
424,515
 
$
344,111
   
23
%


Non-Interest Expenses

Non-interest expenses for the third quarter of 2006 were $343.5 million, up 19% from $288.6 million a year. Non-interest expenses for the first nine months of 2006 were $992.6 million, up 20% from $825.5 million a year ago. The increases in non-interest expenses year-over-year were widespread throughout non-interest expense categories, reflecting the Company’s store expansion program. The Company remains focused on controlling costs while continuing to execute its growth model.

10


Investments

At September 30, 2006, total investments increased to $25.0 billion. The available for sale and held to maturity portfolios totaled $10.8 billion and $14.2 billion, respectively.

Detailed below is information regarding the composition and characteristics of the Company’s investment portfolio, excluding trading securities, at September 30, 2006.

Product Description
 
Available
For Sale
 
Held to
Maturity
 
Total
 
   
(in millions)
 
 
Mortgage-backed Securities:
                   
 
Federal Agencies Pass Through
 
$
1,407
 
$
2,093
 
$
3,500
 
Certificates (AAA Rated)
                   
 
Collateralized Mortgage
   
8,624
   
10,209
   
18,833
 
Obligations (AAA Rated)
                   
 
Obligations of State and
   
769
   
1,944
   
2,713
 
Political Subdivisions/Other
                   
 
Total
 
$
10,800
 
$
14,246
 
$
25,046
 
                     
Duration (in years)
   
3.03
   
3.53
   
3.31
 
Average Life (in years)
   
5.61
   
5.77
   
5.70
 
Quarterly Average Yield
   
5.59
%
 
5.27
%
 
5.40
%

At September 30, 2006, the after tax depreciation of the Company’s available for sale portfolio was $63.8 million.


11


Linked Quarter Comparison

A comparison of financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2006 to the previous quarter ended June 30, 2006 is as follows: (dollars in thousands, except per share data)

   
Three Months Ended
 
Linked Quarter
 
   
9/30/06
 
6/30/06
 
$ Change
 
% Change
 
 
Total Assets
 
$
43,303,510
 
$
43,436,299
 
$
(132,789
)
 
-
%
Total Loans (Net)
   
14,550,704
   
14,132,780
   
417,924
   
3
 
Core Deposits
   
38,538,568
   
36,783,874
   
1,754,694
   
5
 
Total Deposits
   
40,141,661
   
38,049,762
   
2,091,899
   
5
 
Total Revenues
   
472,527
   
461,893
   
10,634
   
2
 
Net Interest Income
   
321,970
   
318,937
   
3,033
   
1
 
Non-Interest Income
   
150,557
   
142,956
   
7,601
   
5
 
Non-Interest Expense
   
343,469
   
333,784
   
9,685
   
3
 
Net Income
   
79,669
   
79,520
   
149
   
-
 
Net Income Per Share
 
$
.41
 
$
.41
   
-
   
-
 


Capital Resources

Stockholders’ equity at September 30, 2006 increased to $2.7 billion, a $601.0 million increase, or 28% over stockholders’ equity of $2.1 billion at September 30, 2005.

Return on average stockholders equity (ROE) for the third quarter and nine months ending September 30, 2006 and 2005 is shown in the table below:

Three Months Ended
Nine Months Ended
9/30/06
9/30/05
9/30/06
9/30/05
12.06%
16.62%
12.61%
17.40%
 
At September 30, 2006, the Company’s book value per share was $13.85, an 18% increase over the book value per share of $11.69 at September 30, 2005.

The Company’s capital ratios at September 30, 2006 were as follows:
 
     
Regulatory Guidelines
 
Commerce
“Well Capitalized”
         
Leverage Ratio
6.08%
 
5.00%
 
Tier I
12.01%
 
6.00%
 
Total Capital
12.73%
 
10.00%
 


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New Stores

During the third quarter of 2006, the Company added 13 new stores, increasing the total stores to 402. During the last three years, the Company has added 145 of its 402 stores.

Stores opened during the third quarter were as follows:

Metropolitan New York
     
 
Location
County
     
 
Scarsdale
Westchester (NY)
 
Kew Gardens
Queens (NY)
 
Borough Park
Kings/Brooklyn (NY)
 
Milford
New Haven (CT)
 
White Plains
Westchester (NY)
 
Phillipsburg
Warren (NJ)
 
Palmer Park
Northampton (PA)

Metropolitan Philadelphia
     
 
Location
County
     
 
Radnor Township
Delaware (PA)
 
Paoli
Chester (PA)

Metropolitan Washington, D.C.
     
 
Location
County
     
 
Herndon
Fairfax (VA)
 
New Carrollton
Prince Georges (MD)
 
Gaithersburg
Montgomery (MD)
 
Beacon Hill
Alexandria (VA)
     
 
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Forward-Looking Statements

The Company may from time to time make written or oral “forward-looking statements”, including statements contained in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, in its reports to stockholders and in other communications by the Company, which are made in good faith by the Company pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

These forward-looking statements include statements with respect to the Company’s beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, expectations, anticipations, estimates and intentions, that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors (some of which are beyond the Company’s control). The words “may”, “could”, “should”, “would”, “believe”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend”, “plan”, and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The following factors, among others, could cause the Company’s financial performance to differ materially from that expressed in such forward-looking statements: the strength of the United States economy in general and the strength of the local economies in which the Company conducts operations; the effects of, and changes in, trade, monetary and fiscal policies, including interest rate policies of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “FRB”); inflation; interest rates, market and monetary fluctuations; the timely development of competitive new products and services by the Company and the acceptance of such products and services by customers; the willingness of customers to substitute competitors’ products and services for the Company’s products and services and vice versa; the impact of changes in financial services’ laws and regulations (including laws concerning taxes, banking, securities and insurance); technological changes; future acquisitions; the expense savings and revenue enhancements from acquisitions being less than expected; the growth and profitability of the Company’s non-interest or fee income being less than expected; unanticipated regulatory or judicial proceedings; changes in consumer spending and saving habits; and the success of the Company at managing the risks involved in the foregoing.

The Company cautions that the foregoing list of important factors is not exclusive. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the Company.

 
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