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

Commerce Bancorp


CONTACTS


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

(856) 751-9000

COMMERCE BANCORP CORE DEPOSITS UP 19%
 
April 18, 2007 - Cherry Hill, New Jersey - Commerce Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE Symbol: CBH) reported increased assets, deposits and loans for the first quarter of 2007, announced Vernon W. Hill, II, Chairman.

 
 
FIRST QUARTER FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
 March 31, 2007
       
     
 %
Change
       
Total Assets:
 
$47.4
Billion
16%
Core Deposits:
 
$42.7
Billion
19%
Total (Net) Loans:
 
$15.8
Billion
18%
Total Revenues:
 
$492.4
Million
12%
Net Income:
 
$77.9
Million
1%
Net Income Per Share:
$.40
 
(2)%
       




Chairman’s Statement

Commented Chairman Hill, “America’s #1 Bank Retailer again posted outstanding growth with core deposits up 19% and loan growth of 18%.”

Financial highlights for the first quarter were:

·  
Deposit growth continues to drive the Company’s overall growth.
 
·  
Core deposits grew $2.6 billion during the first quarter.

·  
Core deposits increased $6.8 billion, up 19% , for the prior 12 months, while total deposits increased $6.9 billion, or 18%, for the prior 12 months.

·  
Annualized core deposit growth per store was $17 million.

·  
Comparable store core deposit growth per store was 17% for stores open one year or more.

·  
Commercial core deposits grew 24% to $16.9 billion.

·  
New York City core deposits increased to $6.9 billion, up 37%.

·  
Net loans grew $2.4 billion, or 18%, to $15.8 billion.

·  
Revenue grew 12% despite the difficult rate environment.

·  
Net income was $77.9 million and net income per share was $.40 for the first quarter of 2007.

·  
Shareholder equity increased $462.9 million, or 19%, to $2.9 billion.

·  
Book value per share grew 15% to $14.54

Expansion Plans

The Commerce growth model includes the opening of new stores in both existing and new markets, with a goal of increasing our store base by 15-20% a year.

·  
During the first quarter of 2007, the Company opened 9 new stores, including its first in Miami-Dade County, Florida.

·  
In 2007, the Company expects to open a total of +/- 65 stores, which will increase total stores to approximately 500. Openings are planned in the following markets:

 
Metro New York
30 +/-
 
Metro Philadelphia
  5 +/-
 
Metro Washington
10 +/-
 
Southeast Florida
20 +/-
 
·  
The Company presently has +/- 175 locations in various stages of land use approvals.

2

Despite the difficult interest rate environment, the Company has not altered its plans for continued store expansion.
 
The Commercial Bank
                   
Linked Quarter
   
 
3/31/07
 
 
3/31/06
 
 
% Increase
 
12/31/06
 
$ Increase
 
% Increase
   
(dollars in millions)
 
Commercial Core Deposits:
 
$
16,895
 
$
13,642
   
24
%
$
15,768
 
$
1,127
   
7
%
Commercial Loans:
   
10,138
   
8,556
   
18
   
9,988
   
150
   
2
 

Lending

Loans increased 18% to $15.9 billion from the first quarter of 2006, and the growth was widespread throughout all loan categories. On a linked quarter basis loans grew $327.0 million, or 2%.

Regional Loan Growth:
 
   
3/31/07
 
3/31/06
 
$ Increase
 
% Increase
 
% of Total Growth
 
   
(dollars in millions)
 
Metro New York
 
$
8,200
 
$
6,657
 
$
1,543
   
23
%
 
63
%
Metro Philadelphia
   
7,029
   
6,404
   
625
   
10
   
25
 
Metro Washington
   
231
   
92
   
139
   
152
   
6
 
Southeast Florida
   
474
   
328
   
146
   
44
   
6
 
                                 
Total:
 
$
15,934
 
$
13,481
 
$
2,453
   
18
%
 
100
%


Loan Composition:
 
   
3/31/07
 
% of Total
3/31/06
 
% of Total
$ Increase
 
% Increase
   
(dollars in millions)
 
Commercial
 
$
4,223
   
27
%
$
3,584
   
26
%
$
639
   
18
%
Owner-Occupied RE
   
3,007
   
19
   
2,527
   
19
   
480
   
19
 
Total Commercial
   
7,230
   
46
   
6,111
   
45
   
1,119
   
18
 
Consumer
   
5,797
   
36
   
4,925
   
37
   
872
   
18
 
Commercial Real Estate
   
2,907
   
18
   
2,445
   
18
   
462
   
19
 
Total Loans
 
$
15,934
   
100
%
$
13,481
   
100
%
$
2,453
   
18
%

The loan-to-deposit ratio was 36% at March 31, 2007.

3

 
Asset Quality
 
 
Quarter Ended
 
3/31/07
12/31/06
3/31/06
             
Non-Performing Assets/Assets
.11%
 
.12%
 
.08%
 
Net Loan Charge-Offs
.16%
 
.12%
 
.16%
 
Reserve for Credit Losses/Gross Loans
1.03%
 
1.03%
 
1.06%
 
Non-Performing Loan Coverage
351%
 
317%
 
432%
 
Non-Performing Assets/Capital
2%
 
2%
 
1%
 
and Reserves
           
 
Non-performing assets and loans past due 90 days at March 31, 2007 totaled $52.4 million or .11% of total assets, versus $53.8 million, or .12% of total assets, at December 31, 2006 and $33.9 million, or .08% of total assets, at March 31, 2006.

Income Statement
 
   
Three Months Ended
Linked Quarter
   
3/31/07
 
3/31/06
 
% Change 
12/31/06
 
$ Change
 
% Change
   
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 
 
Total Revenues:
 
$
492,407
 
$
438,932
   
12
%
$
492,309
 
$
98
   
-
%
Total Expenses:
   
362,785
   
315,334
   
15
   
363,174
   
(389
)
 
-
 
Net Income:
   
77,936
   
77,297
   
1
   
62,827(1
)
 
15,109
   
24
 
Net Income Per Share:
 
$
.40
 
$
.41
   
(2
)
$
.32(1
)
$
.08
   
25
 
 
(1) During the fourth quarter of 2006, the Company recorded a non-recurring charge of $15.8 million, net of tax, or $.08 per share, in anticipation of potential settlements with various taxing authorities.

Balance Sheet
 
                   
Linked Quarter
   
3/31/07
 
3/31/06
 
% Increase 
12/31/06
 
$ Increase
 
% Increase
   
(dollars in millions)
Total Assets:
 
$
47,372
 
$
40,692
   
16
%
$
45,272
 
$
2,100
   
5
%
Total Loans (Net):
   
15,778
   
13,345
   
18
   
15,455
   
323
   
2
 
Core Deposits:
   
42,699
   
35,912
   
19
   
40,077
   
2,622
   
7
 
Total Deposits:
   
43,976
   
37,112
   
18
   
41,288
   
2,688
   
7
 


4


Shareholder Returns
 
     
March 31, 2007
     
Commerce
S & P Index
 
1
Year
(8)%
12%
 
5
Years
10%
6%
 
10
Years
24%
8%
 
5-Year Growth Targets
 
 
Average
Annual
Growth Targets
Last 5-Year
Average Annual
Growth
Actual
First Quarter
2007
       
Core Deposit Growth per Store (in millions):
         $20
$22
$17
Core Deposits:
            20% 
    30%
     19%
Comp Store Deposits:
15 - 20
 30
 17
Total Revenue:
        20
 21
 12
Net Income:
        20
 19
   1
Net Income Per Share:
15 - 18
 10
   (2)
 
Deposit Growth

   
3/31/07
 
3/31/06
 
$ Increase
 
% Increase
   
(dollars in millions)
 
Core Deposits
 
$
42,699
 
$
35,912
 
$
6,786
   
19
%
 
                         
Total Deposits
 
$
43,976
 
$
37,112
 
$
6,864
   
18
%
                           


5


Regional Deposit Growth
 
Core deposit growth by region is as follows:
 
   
 
# of
Stores
 
 
 
3/31/07
 
 
 
3/31/06
 
 
$
Increase
 
 
%
Increase
Average
Store
Size
 
Annualized Growth/
Store
 
   
(dollars in millions)
 
Northern New Jersey
   
143
 
$
13,153
 
$
11,168
 
$
1,985
   
18
%
$
92
 
$
15
 
New York City
   
59
   
6,937
   
5,074
   
1,863
   
37
   
118
   
37
 
Long Island/Westchester/CT
   
50
   
4,150
   
3,199
   
951
   
30
   
83
   
21
 
Metro New York
   
252
 
$
24,240
 
$
19,441
 
$
4,799
   
25
%
$
96
 
$
21
 
Metro Philadelphia
   
156
   
17,716
   
16,031
   
1,685
   
11
   
114
   
10
 
Metro Washington
   
18
   
376
   
149
   
227
   
152
   
21
   
20
 
Southeast Florida
   
11
   
367
   
291
   
76
   
26
   
33
   
9
 
Total Core Deposits
   
437
 
$
42,699
 
$
35,912
 
$
6,787
   
19
%
$
98
 
$
17
 
 
Total Deposits
       
$
43,976
 
$
37,112
 
$
6,864
   
18
%
$
101
 
$
17
 
 
Metro New York remains the Company’s largest and fastest growing market with core deposits of $24.2 billion, an increase of 25% over the first quarter of 2006, and an annualized core deposit growth per store of $21 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 one year or more at the balance sheet date.

 
Core Deposit Growth
 
Stores Open 1
 
Year or More
 
# of
Stores
Comp Store
Increase
     
Metro Philadelphia
148
      11%
Northern New Jersey
132
  14
New York City
  47
  37
Long Island/Westchester/CT
  37
  24
Metro Washington
    7
124
Southeast Florida
    7
   7
Total
378
     17%
     
 
Core Deposits

Core deposit growth by type of account is as follows:

   
3/31/07
 
3/31/06
 
$ Increase
 
% Increase
1st Quarter
Cost of
Funds
   
(dollars in millions)
Demand
 
$
9,322
 
$
8,391
 
$
931
   
11
%
 
0.00
%
Interest Bearing Demand
   
18,682
   
14,146
   
4,536
   
32
   
3.71
 
Savings
   
10,580
   
10,292
   
288
   
3
   
2.80
 
Subtotal
   
38,584
   
32,829
   
5,755
   
18
%
 
2.58
%
                                 
Time
   
4,115
   
3,083
   
1,032
   
33
   
4.39
 
Total Core Deposits:
 
$
42,699
 
$
35,912
 
$
6,787
   
19
%
 
2.76
%
                                 


7


Core deposit growth by type of customer is as follows:

   
3/31/07
 
% Total
3/31/06
 
% Total
Annual
Growth %
   
(dollars in millions)
Consumer
 
$
17,907
   
42
%
$
15,643
   
44
%
 
14
%
Commercial
   
16,895
   
40
   
13,642
   
38
   
24
 
Government
   
7,897
   
18
   
6,627
   
18
   
19
 
                                 
Total
 
$
42,699
   
100
%
$
35,912
   
100
%
 
19
%
 
Net Income and Net Income Per Share

Net income totaled $77.9 million for the first quarter of 2007, compared to net income of $77.3 million for the first quarter of 2006. On a diluted per share basis, net income for the first quarter of 2007 was $.40 compared to $.41 for the first quarter of 2006.

   
Three Months Ended  
 Linked Quarter
   
3/31/07
 
3/31/06
 
% Change
12/31/06
 
$ Increase
 
% Change
   
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Net Income:
 
$
77,936
 
$
77,297
   
1
%
$
62,827(1
)
$
15,109
   
24
%
Net Income Per Share:
 
$
.40
 
$
.41
   
(2
)
$
.32(1
)
$
.08
   
25
 
 
(1) During the fourth quarter of 2006, the Company recorded a non-recurring charge of $15.8 million, net of tax, or $.08 per share, in anticipation of potential settlements with various taxing authorities.

Total Revenues

   
Three Months Ended
   
3/31/07
 
3/31/06
 
% Increase
   
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Total Revenues
 
$
492,407
 
$
438,932
   
12
%
Revenue Per Share
 
$
10.02
 
$
9.25
   
8
%

8


Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin

Net interest income for the first quarter totaled $333.0 million, an 8% increase over the $307.9 million recorded a year ago, despite the impact of the inverted yield curve. The increase in net interest income during the first quarter was due to volume increases in interest earning assets resulting from the Company’s continued deposit growth.

The net interest margin for the first quarter of 2007 increased slightly to 3.27%, compared to 3.25% for the fourth quarter of 2006, and was down 26 basis points from the 3.53% margin for the first quarter of 2006. The year over year compression in net interest margin was primarily caused by the current interest rate environment.

On a tax equivalent basis, the Company recorded $340.5 million in net interest income in the first quarter of 2007, an increase of $26.7 million or 9% over the first quarter of 2006.

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 primarily caused by the current rate environment.

 
Net Interest Income
Quarter Ended
March 31,
Volume
Increase
Rate
Change
Total
Increase
%
Increase
 
(dollars in thousands)
         
2007 vs. 2006
$ 51,019
($24,322)
$26,697
9%


9


Non-Interest Income

Excluding net investment securities gains, non-interest income for the first quarter of 2007 increased to $156.6 million from $131.0 million a year ago, a 20% increase. The increases in non-interest income are primarily attributable to the increase in deposit charges and service fees of 28% for the first quarter of 2007.

The growth in non-interest income for the first quarter is more fully depicted below: 

   
Three Months Ended
   
3/31/07
 
3/31/06
 
% Change
   
(dollars in thousands)
Deposit Charges & Service Fees
 
$
105,206
 
$
82,281
   
28
%
Other Operating Income:
                   
Commerce Banc Insurance
   
22,650
   
21,944
   
3
 
Commerce Capital Markets
   
7,267
   
6,235
   
17
 
Loan Brokerage Fees
   
2,963
   
1,937
   
53
 
Other
   
18,486
   
18,605
   
(1
)
Total Other Operating Income
   
51,366
   
48,721
   
5
 
Subtotal
   
156,572
   
131,002
   
20
%
Net Investment Securities Gains
   
2,879
   
-
   
100
 
Total Non-Interest Income
 
$
159,451
 
$
131,002
   
22
%

Included in other operating income for the first quarter of 2007 are $5.0 million of net losses related to the Company’s equity method investments.
 
Non-Interest Expenses

Non-interest expenses for the first quarter of 2007 were $362.8 million, up 15% from $315.3 million a year ago. The increases in non-interest expenses for the first quarter 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 March 31, 2007, total investments increased to $27.1 billion. The available for sale and held to maturity portfolios totaled $12.3 billion and $14.8 billion, respectively.

Detailed below is information regarding the composition and characteristics of the Company’s investment portfolio, excluding trading securities, at March 31, 2007.

Product Description
 
Available
For Sale
 
Held to
Maturity
 
Total
 
   
(in millions)
 
 
Mortgage-backed Securities:
                   
 
Federal Agencies Pass Through
 
$
1,378
 
$
1,982
 
$
3,360
 
Certificates (AAA Rated)
                   
 
Collateralized Mortgage
   
9,952
   
10,573
   
20,525
 
Obligations (AAA Rated)
                   
 
Obligations of State and
   
1,004
   
2,257
   
3,261
 
Political Subdivisions/Other
                   
Total
 
$
12,334
 
$
14,812
 
$
27,146
 
                     
Duration (in years)
   
2.86
   
3.47
   
3.19
 
Average Life (in years)
   
4.99
   
5.18
   
5.09
 
Quarterly Average Yield
   
5.77
%
 
5.48
%
 
5.61
%
 
At March 31, 2007, the after tax depreciation of the Company’s available for sale portfolio was $49.4 million.


11


Linked Quarter Comparison

A comparison of financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2007 to the previous quarter ended December 31, 2006 is as follows: (dollars in thousands, except per share data)

   
Three Months Ended
 
Linked Quarter
   
3/31/07
 
12/31/06
 
$ Change
 
% Change
 
Total Assets
 
$
47,371,632
 
$
45,271,816
 
$
2,099,816
   
5
%
Total Loans (Net)
   
15,778,094
   
15,454,996
   
323,098
   
2
 
Core Deposits
   
42,698,696
   
40,076,568
   
2,622,128
   
7
 
Total Deposits
   
43,975,866
   
41,288,211
   
2,687,655
   
7
 
Total Revenues
   
492,407
   
492,309
   
98
   
-
 
Net Interest Income
   
332,956
   
325,671
   
7,285
   
2
 
Non-Interest Income
   
159,451
   
166,638
   
(7,187
)
 
(4
)
Non-Interest Expense
   
362,785
   
363,174
   
(389
)
 
-
 
Net Income
   
77,936
   
62,827(1
)
 
15,109
   
24
 
Net Income Per Share
 
$
.40
 
$
.32(1
)
$
.08
   
25
 
 
(1) During the fourth quarter of 2006, the Company recorded a non-recurring charge of $15.8 million, net of tax, or $.08 per share, in anticipation of potential settlements with various taxing authorities.

Capital Resources

Stockholders’ equity at March 31, 2007 increased to $2.9 billion, a $462.9 million increase, or 19% over stockholders’ equity of $2.4 billion at March 31, 2006.

Return on average stockholders equity (ROE) for the first quarter is shown in the table below:

 
Three Months Ended
 
 
3/31/07
3/31/06
 
 
10.87%
13.00%
 
 
At March 31, 2007, the Company’s book value per share was $14.54, a 15% increase over the book value per share of $12.59 at March 31, 2006.

The Company’s capital ratios at March 31, 2007 were as follows:
 
       
Regulatory Guidelines
   
Commerce 
“Well Capitalized”
           
Leverage Ratio
   
6.09
%
 
5.00
%
Tier I
   
11.66
%
 
6.00
%
Total Capital
   
12.36
%
 
10.00
%


12


New Stores

During the first quarter of 2007, the Company added 9 new stores, increasing the total stores to 437. During the last three years, the Company has added 159 of its 437 stores.

Stores opened during the first quarter were as follows:

Metropolitan New York
     
 
Location
County
     
 
Corona
Queens (NY)
 
Elmhurst
Queens (NY)
 
Hillcrest
Queens (NY)
     
 
Rockaway Commons
Morris (NJ)
 
Warren
Somerset (NJ)
     

Metropolitan Philadelphia
     
 
Location
County
     
 
Newark/DE
New Castle (DE)
     

Metropolitan Washington, D.C.
     
 
Location
County
     
 
Alexandria/Van Dorn
Alexandria (VA)
     

Southeastern Florida
     
 
Boca Raton/Camino Real
Palm Beach (FL)
 
South Beach
Miami - Dade (FL)


13


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 or other forward looking statements 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 noninterest or fee income being less than expected; unanticipated regulatory or judicial proceedings (including those regulatory and other approvals necessary to open new stores); 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.
 
 

14