Commerce 10Q
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
Form 10-Q

(X)
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2006
 
OR
 
(  )
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the transition period from ______________ to ______________
 
Commission File #1-12069
 
Commerce Logo
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
New Jersey
22-2433468
(State or other jurisdiction of
(IRS Employer Identification
incorporation or organization)
Number)

Commerce Atrium, 1701 Route 70 East, Cherry Hill, New Jersey 08034-5400
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
 
(856) 751-9000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such report(s)), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
 
Yes   X
No __

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer or a non-accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
 
Large accelerated filer  X
Accelerated filer __
Non-accelerated filer __

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
 
Yes __
No   X
 
APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS:
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
 
Common Stock
187,536,830
(Title of Class)
(No. of Shares Outstanding
as of October 30, 2006)



COMMERCE BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
INDEX

   
Page
PART I.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
     
Item 1.
Financial Statements
 
     
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited)
 
 
September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005
     
 
Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited)
 
 
Three months ended September 30, 2006 and September 30, 2005 and
 
 
nine months ended September 30, 2006 and September 30, 2005
     
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited)
 
 
Nine months ended September 30, 2006 and September 30, 2005
     
 
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity (unaudited)
 
 
Nine months ended September 30, 2006
     
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
     
Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial
 
 
Condition and Results of Operation
     
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
     
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
     
PART II.
OTHER INFORMATION
 
     
Item 6.
Exhibits
     

 



PART 1. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

COMMERCE BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(unaudited)
             
     
September 30,
 
December 31,
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
2006
   
2005
 
Assets
Cash and due from banks
$
1,291,070
 
$
1,284,064
 
 
Federal funds sold
 
6,800
   
12,700
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
1,297,870
   
1,296,764
 
 
Loans held for sale
 
79,854
   
30,091
 
 
Trading securities
 
92,622
   
143,016
 
 
Securities available for sale
 
10,800,173
   
9,518,821
 
 
Securities held to maturity
 
14,245,638
   
13,005,364
 
 
(market value 09/06-$13,974,804; 12/05-$12,758,552)
           
 
Loans
 
14,697,495
   
12,658,652
 
 
Less allowance for loan and lease losses
 
146,791
   
133,664
 
     
14,550,704
   
12,524,988
 
 
Bank premises and equipment, net
 
1,577,738
   
1,378,786
 
 
Goodwill and other intangible assets
 
147,653
   
106,926
 
 
Other assets
 
511,258
   
461,281
 
 
Total assets
$
43,303,510
 
$
38,466,037
 
               
Liabilities
Deposits:
           
 
Demand:
           
 
Noninterest-bearing
$
8,649,757
 
$
8,019,878
 
 
Interest-bearing
 
15,692,939
   
13,286,678
 
 
Savings
 
10,646,687
   
9,486,712
 
 
Time
 
5,152,278
   
3,933,445
 
 
Total deposits
 
40,141,661
   
34,726,713
 
 
Other borrowed money
 
118,400
   
1,106,443
 
 
Other liabilities
 
328,088
   
323,708
 
 
Total liabilities
 
40,588,149
   
36,156,864
 
               
Stockholders’
Common stock, 188,135,291 shares
           
Equity
issued (179,498,717 shares in 2005)
 
188,135
   
179,499
 
 
Capital in excess of par value
 
1,689,262
   
1,450,843
 
 
Retained earnings
 
920,450
   
750,710
 
 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
(63,829
)
 
(59,169
)
     
2,734,018
   
2,321,883
 
               
 
Less treasury stock, at cost, 1,006,804 shares
           
 
(837,338 shares in 2005)
 
18,657
   
12,710
 
 
Total stockholders’ equity
 
2,715,361
   
2,309,173
 
 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
43,303,510
 
$
38,466,037
 

See accompanying notes.


1


COMMERCE BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(unaudited)
             
   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
2006
   
2005
   
2006
   
2005
 
Interest
Interest and fees on loans
$
255,663
 
$
178,878
 
$
707,527
 
$
485,935
 
income
Interest on investments
 
339,825
   
243,187
   
959,923
   
703,103
 
 
Other interest
 
1,918
   
1,774
   
2,581
   
2,979
 
 
Total interest income
 
597,406
   
423,839
   
1,670,031
   
1,192,017
 
                           
Interest
Interest on deposits:
                       
expense
Demand
 
132,349
   
68,100
   
348,374
   
168,526
 
 
Savings
 
70,320
   
35,215
   
188,481
   
77,553
 
 
Time
 
52,375
   
26,114
   
129,810
   
66,793
 
 
Total interest on deposits
 
255,044
   
129,429
   
666,665
   
312,872
 
 
Interest on other borrowed money
 
20,392
   
4,697
   
54,529
   
16,024
 
 
Interest on long-term debt
       
2,339
         
8,379
 
 
Total interest expense
 
275,436
   
136,465
   
721,194
   
337,275
 
                           
 
Net interest income
 
321,970
   
287,374
   
948,837
   
854,742
 
 
Provision for credit losses
 
9,499
   
3,000
   
23,500
   
13,750
 
 
Net interest income after provision for
                       
 
credit losses
 
312,471
   
284,374
   
925,337
   
840,992
 
                           
Noninterest
Deposit charges and service fees
 
97,436
   
72,302
   
271,370
   
201,068
 
income
Other operating income
 
53,121
   
46,763
   
153,145
   
131,532
 
 
Net investment securities gains
       
5,714
         
11,511
 
 
Total noninterest income
 
150,557
   
124,779
   
424,515
   
344,111
 
                           
Noninterest
Salaries and benefits
 
156,105
   
134,149
   
451,560
   
381,002
 
expense
Occupancy
 
49,534
   
41,873
   
141,261
   
118,976
 
 
Furniture and equipment
 
41,543
   
32,371
   
117,159
   
90,192
 
 
Office
 
15,213
   
14,871
   
45,084
   
40,125
 
 
Marketing
 
10,712
   
12,460
   
30,222
   
26,717
 
 
Other
 
70,362
   
52,858
   
207,301
   
168,475
 
 
Total noninterest expenses
 
343,469
   
288,582
   
992,587
   
825,487
 
                           
 
Income before income taxes
 
119,559
   
120,571
   
357,265
   
359,616
 
 
Provision for federal and state income taxes
 
39,890
   
41,116
   
120,779
   
123,615
 
 
Net income
$
79,669
 
$
79,455
 
$
236,486
 
$
236,001
 
                           
 
Net income per common and common
                       
 
equivalent share:
                       
 
Basic
$
0.43
 
$
0.48
 
$
1.29
 
$
1.45
 
 
Diluted
$
0.41
 
$
0.45
 
$
1.23
 
$
1.36
 
 
Average common and common equivalent
                       
 
shares outstanding:
                       
 
Basic
 
186,527
   
165,701
   
183,981
   
162,947
 
 
Diluted
 
194,754
   
180,360
   
192,872
   
177,951
 
 
Dividends declared, common stock
$
0.12
 
$
0.11
 
$
0.36
 
$
0.33
 
See accompanying notes.

2

 
COMMERCE BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited)

         
     
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
2006
   
2005
 
Operating
Net income
$
236,486
 
$
236,001
 
activities
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
           
 
provided by operating activities:
           
 
Provision for credit losses
 
23,500
   
13,750
 
 
Provision for depreciation, amortization and accretion
 
115,955
   
118,578
 
 
Stock-based compensation expense
 
5,092
       
 
Net gain on sales of securities
       
(11,511
)
 
Proceeds from sales of loans held for sale
 
487,627
   
826,293
 
 
Originations of loans held for sale
 
(530,040
)
 
(618,093
)
 
Net decrease in trading securities
 
50,394
   
18,256
 
 
Increase in other assets, net
 
(46,742
)
 
(24,045
)
 
Decrease in other liabilities
 
(10,245
)
 
(85,019
)
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
332,027
   
474,210
 
               
Investing
Proceeds from the sales of securities available for sale
       
2,411,556
 
activities
Proceeds from the maturity of securities available for sale
 
1,970,323
   
2,151,775
 
 
Proceeds from the maturity of securities held to maturity
 
1,652,753
   
2,001,015
 
 
Purchase of securities available for sale
 
(3,263,868
)
 
(5,584,017
)
 
Purchase of securities held to maturity
 
(2,902,717
)
 
(4,514,861
)
 
Net increase in loans
 
(2,056,558
)
 
(2,094,779
)
 
Capital expenditures
 
(298,562
)
 
(237,875
)
 
Net cash used by investing activities
 
(4,898,629
)
 
(5,867,186
)
               
Financing
Net increase in demand and savings deposits
 
4,196,115
   
5,136,054
 
activities
Net increase in time deposits
 
1,218,833
   
448,747
 
 
Net (decrease) increase in other borrowed money
 
(988,043
)
 
42,032
 
 
Dividends paid
 
(65,736
)
 
(53,336
)
 
Redemption of long term debt
       
(155
)
 
Proceeds from issuance of common stock under
dividend reinvestment and other stock plans
 
 
206,506
   
 
129,447
 
 
Other
 
33
   
(1,039
)
 
Net cash provided by financing activities
 
4,567,708
   
5,701,750
 
               
 
Increase in cash and cash equivalents
 
1,106
   
308,774
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
 
1,296,764
   
1,050,806
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
1,297,870
 
$
1,359,580
 
               
 
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
           
 
Cash paid during the period for:
           
 
Interest
$
708,899
 
$
332,875
 
 
Income taxes
 
112,452
   
116,767
 
 
Other noncash activities:
           
 
Transfer of loans to held for sale
 
7,350
   
249,500
 

See accompanying notes.

3


COMMERCE BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(unaudited)

Nine months ended September 30, 2006
 
(in thousands)
 
       
Capital in
         
Accumulated
     
       
Excess of
         
Other
     
   
Common
 
Par
 
Retained
 
Treasury
 
Comprehensive
     
 
 
Stock
 
Value
 
Earnings
 
Stock
 
Loss
 
Total
 
                           
Balances at December 31, 2005
 
$
179,499
 
$
1,450,843
 
$
750,710
 
$
(12,710
)
$
(59,169
)
$
2,309,173
 
Net income
               
236,486
               
236,486
 
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax
                                     
Unrealized loss on securities (pre-tax $7,690)
                           
(4,660
)
 
(4,660
)
Total comprehensive income
                                 
231,826
 
Cash dividends
               
(66,746
)
             
(66,746
)
Shares issued under dividend reinvestment
                                     
and other stock plans (7,776 shares)
   
7,776
   
204,654
                     
212,430
 
Acquisition of eMoney Advisor, Inc. (860 shares)
   
860
   
28,140
                     
29,000
 
Other
         
5,625
         
(5,947
)
       
(322
)
Balances at September 30, 2006
 
$
188,135
 
$
1,689,262
 
$
920,450
 
$
(18,657
)
$
(63,829
)
$
2,715,361
 

See accompanying notes.


4


COMMERCE BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)

A. Consolidated Financial Statements

The consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared without audit pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. These consolidated financial statements were compiled in accordance with the accounting policies set forth in Note 1 - Significant Accounting Policies of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005. The accompanying consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary to reflect a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented. Such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature.

These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and the notes thereto included in the registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005. The results for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2006 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ended December 31, 2006.

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Commerce Bancorp, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries. All material intercompany transactions have been eliminated. Certain amounts from prior periods have been reclassified to conform with 2006 presentation.

B.  
Stock-Based Compensation

The Company has one stock-based employee compensation plan, the 2004 Employee Stock Option Plan, which is described more fully in Note 15 - Benefit Plans of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005. Prior to January 1, 2006, the Company accounted for this plan in accordance with APB Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” (APB 25) and related Interpretations. The Company also has a plan for its non-employee directors, which was also accounted for under APB 25. No stock-based compensation was recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2005, as all options granted under the Company’s option plans had an exercise price equal to the market value on the date of grant. Effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted FASB Statement No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment” (FAS 123R), which is a revision of FASB Statement No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” (FAS 123). FAS 123R was adopted using the modified prospective method. Under the modified prospective method, compensation cost for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 included (a) compensation cost for all share-based awards granted prior to, but not yet vested as of January 1, 2006, based on the grant date fair value net of estimated forfeitures, and (b) compensation cost for all share-based payments granted subsequent to January 1, 2006, based on the grant date fair value net of estimated forfeitures. Results for prior periods have not been restated.

The Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate an option’s fair value. The fair value of options included in the compensation charge recorded in the first nine months of 2006 were estimated using the following assumption ranges: risk-free interest rates of 3.00% to 4.68%, dividend yields of 1.32% to 2.50%, expected volatility of 25.4% to 30.4%, and weighted average expected lives of 4.63 to 5.27 years. The risk-free interest rate is based on the 5-year U.S. Treasury yield in effect at the time of grant. The dividend yields reflect the Company’s actual dividend yield at the date of grant. Expected volatility is based on the historical volatility of the Company’s stock over the 5-year period prior to the grant date. The weighted average expected lives represents the weighted average period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding giving consideration to vesting schedules and the Company’s historical exercise patterns. All options vest evenly over four years from the date of grant and expire 10 years from the date of grant. Compensation cost is recognized, net of estimated forfeitures, over the vesting period of the options on a straight-line basis.
 
5

On December 8, 2005, the Company’s board of directors approved the acceleration of vesting of all outstanding unvested stock options awarded prior to July 1, 2005 to employees and directors. This acceleration was effective as of December 16, 2005. As a result of the acceleration, options to purchase approximately 10.6 million shares of common stock became immediately exercisable. The purpose of the acceleration was to eliminate future compensation expense that otherwise would have been recognized under FAS 123R.

As a result of adopting FAS 123R on January 1, 2006, the Company recorded compensation expense of approximately $2.4 million and $5.1 million during the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2006, respectively. Adopting FAS 123R decreased net income per share by $.01 and $.02 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, respectively. There was no material impact to cash flows resulting from the adoption of FAS 123R as compared to what would have been recorded under APB 25. As of September 30, 2006, the total remaining unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options granted under the Company’s plans was $32.4 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average vesting period of 3.5 years.

The following table summarizes stock option activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2006:

   
 
Shares Under
Option
 
 
Weighted Average
Exercise Price
 
Weighted Average
Remaining
Contractual Life
 
Outstanding at January 1, 2006
   
26,894,076
 
$
19.88
       
Options granted
   
4,249,462
   
36.49
       
Options exercised
   
3,377,904
   
18.96
       
Options canceled
   
150,881
   
34.12
       
Outstanding at September 30, 2006
   
27,614,753
 
$
22.41
   
5.9
 
Exercisable at September 30, 2006
   
23,534,091
 
$
19.99
   
5.3
 

The weighted-average fair value of options granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2006 was $9.61.

Cash received from option exercises for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 was approximately $61.6 million. The intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the nine months ended September 30, 2006 was approximately $55.7 million. The aggregate intrinsic value for stock options outstanding and exercisable at September 30, 2006 was $394.8 million and $393.5 million, respectively.


6


For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, the Company accounted for stock-based compensation in accordance with APB 25. The following table provides the pro forma effect on net income and net income per share as if the Company had recorded stock-based compensation expense for share based awards in accordance with FAS 123 (in thousands, except per share amounts):

   
Three Months
 
Nine Months
 
   
Ended
 
Ended
 
   
September 30, 2005
 
September 30, 2005
 
Reported net income
 
$
79,455
 
$
236,001
 
Less: Stock option compensation expense
             
determined under fair value method, net of tax
   
(4,031
)
 
(12,092
)
Pro forma net income, basic
 
$
75,424
 
$
223,909
 
Add: Interest expense on Convertible Trust
             
Capital Securities, net of tax
   
1,520
   
5,446
 
Pro forma net income, diluted
 
$
76,944
 
$
229,355
 
               
Reported net income per share:
             
Basic
 
$
0.48
 
$
1.45
 
Diluted
 
$
0.45
 
$
1.36
 
               
Pro forma net income per share:
             
Basic
 
$
0.46
 
$
1.37
 
Diluted
 
$
0.43
 
$
1.29
 
               

C. Commitments

In the normal course of business, there are various outstanding commitments to extend credit, such as letters of credit and unadvanced loan commitments. Management does not anticipate any material losses as a result of these transactions. Fees associated with standby letters of credit have been deferred and recorded in “Other liabilities” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. These fees are immaterial to the Company’s consolidated financial statements at September 30, 2006.

D. Comprehensive Income

Total comprehensive income, which for the Company included net income and changes in unrealized gains and losses on the Company’s available for sale securities, amounted to $169.9 million and $36.0 million, respectively, for the three months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005. For the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, total comprehensive income was $231.8 million and $179.9 million, respectively.


7


E. Segment Information

The Company operates one reportable segment of business, Community Banks, which includes both of the Company’s banking subsidiaries. Through its Community Banks, the Company provides a broad range of retail and commercial banking services. Parent/Other includes the holding company, Commerce Banc Insurance Services, Inc. and Commerce Capital Markets, Inc.

Selected segment information is as follows (in thousands):
         
 
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2006
 
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2005
 
 
Community
   
Parent/
       
Community
   
Parent/
       
   
Banks
   
Other
   
Total
   
Banks
   
Other
   
Total
 
Net interest income
$
321,266
 
$
704
 
$
321,970
 
$
288,799
 
$
(1,425
)
$
287,374
 
Provision for credit losses
 
9,499
         
9,499
   
3,000
         
3,000
 
Net interest income after provision
 
311,767
   
704
   
312,471
   
285,799
   
(1,425
)
 
284,374
 
Noninterest income
 
120,066
   
30,491
   
150,557
   
99,833
   
24,946
   
124,779
 
Noninterest expense
 
312,388
   
31,081
   
343,469
   
274,652
   
13,930
   
288,582
 
Income before income taxes
 
119,445
   
114
   
119,559
   
110,980
   
9,591
   
120,571
 
Income tax expense
 
39,668
   
222
   
39,890
   
38,001
   
3,115
   
41,116
 
Net income
$
79,777
 
$
(108
)
$
79,669
 
$
72,979
 
$
6,476
 
$
79,455
 
                                     
Average assets (in millions)
$
40,301
 
$
2,979
 
$
43,280
 
$
32,129
 
$
2,515
 
$
34,644
 


         
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2006
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2005
 
 
Community
   
Parent/
       
Community
   
Parent/
       
   
Banks
   
Other
   
Total
   
Banks
   
Other
   
Total
 
Net interest income
$
946,184
 
$
2,653
 
$
948,837
 
$
859,613
 
$
(4,871
)
$
854,742
 
Provision for credit losses
 
23,500
         
23,500
   
13,750
         
13,750
 
Net interest income after provision
 
922,684
   
2,653
   
925,337
   
845,863
   
(4,871
)
 
840,992
 
Noninterest income
 
332,657
   
91,858
   
424,515
   
265,052
   
79,059
   
344,111
 
Noninterest expense
 
908,139
   
84,448
   
992,587
   
769,320
   
56,167
   
825,487
 
Income before income taxes
 
347,202
   
10,063
   
357,265
   
341,595
   
18,021
   
359,616
 
Income tax expense
 
116,859
   
3,920
   
120,779
   
117,630
   
5,985
   
123,615
 
Net income
$
230,343
 
$
6,143
 
$
236,486
 
$
223,965
 
$
12,036
 
$
236,001
 
                                     
Average assets (in millions)
$
38,673
 
$
2,827
 
$
41,500
 
$
30,370
 
$
2,478
 
$
32,848
 

8

F.  
Net Income Per Share
 
The calculation of net income per share follows (in thousands, except for per share amounts):

         
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2006
   
2005
   
2006
   
2005
 
                         
Basic:
                       
Net income available to common shareholders - basic
$
79,669
 
$
79,455
 
$
236,486
 
$
236,001
 
Average common shares outstanding - basic
 
186,527
   
165,701
   
183,981
   
162,947
 
Net income per common share - basic
$
0.43
 
$
0.48
 
$
1.29
 
$
1.45
 
                         
Diluted:
                       
Net income
$
79,669
 
$
79,455
 
$
236,486
 
$
236,001
 
Add interest expense on Convertible Trust Capital Securities,
                       
net of tax
       
1,520
         
5,446
 
Net income available to common shareholders - diluted
$
79,669
 
$
80,975
 
$
236,486
 
$
241,447
 
                         
                         
Average common shares outstanding
 
186,527
   
165,701
   
183,981
   
162,947
 
Additional shares considered in diluted computation assuming:
                       
Exercise of stock options
 
8,227
   
8,478
   
8,891
   
7,894
 
Conversion of Convertible Trust Capital Securities
       
6,181
         
7,110
 
Average common shares outstanding - diluted
 
194,754
   
180,360
   
192,872
   
177,951
 
                         
Net income per common share - diluted
$
0.41
 
$
0.45
 
$
1.23
 
$
1.36
 
                         

G.  
New Accounting Pronouncements

In July 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (FIN 48). FIN 48 is an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”, and seeks to reduce the diversity in practice associated with certain aspects of measurement and recognition in accounting for income taxes. In addition, FIN 48 requires expanded disclosure with respect to the uncertainty in income taxes and is effective as of January 1, 2007. The Company is currently evaluating the impact, if any, that FIN 48 will have on its results of operations.
 
In February 2006, the FASB issued Statement No. 155, “Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments - an amendment to FASB Statements No. 133 and 140” (FAS 155). FAS 155 requires entities to evaluate and identify whether interests in securitized financial assets are freestanding derivatives, hybrid financial instruments that contain an embedded derivative requiring bifurcation, or hybrid financial instruments that contain embedded derivatives that do not require bifurcation. FAS 155 also permits fair value measurement for any hybrid financial instrument that contains an embedded derivative that otherwise would require bifurcation. This statement will be effective for all financial instruments acquired or issued by the Company on or after January 1, 2007. The Company is currently evaluating the impact, if any, that FAS 155 will have on its results of operations.

9


Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation

Executive Summary

During the first nine months of 2006, the Company continued its core deposit growth, which is the primary driver of the Company’s success. Core deposits grew to $38.5 billion, an increase of 19% over September 30, 2005. 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. Total assets increased to $43.3 billion, an increase of 19% over September 30, 2005, while total loans increased $3.4 billion, or 30%, from $11.3 billion to $14.7 billion. Net income was $79.7 million and $236.5 million and net income per share was $.41 and $1.23, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006. These results were impacted by the shape of the yield curve in the existing interest rate environment, which has impeded the Company’s historical net interest income growth.

Critical Accounting Policy

The Company has identified the policy related to the allowance for credit losses as being critical. The foregoing critical accounting policy is more fully described in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005. During the first nine months of 2006, there were no material changes to the estimates or methods by which estimates are derived with regard to the policy related to the allowance for credit losses.

Capital Resources

At September 30, 2006, stockholders’ equity totaled $2.7 billion or 6.27% of total assets, compared to $2.3 billion or 6.00% of total assets at December 31, 2005.

The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to risk-based capital standards issued by bank regulatory authorities. Under these standards, the Company is required to have Tier 1 capital (as defined in the regulations) of at least 4% and total capital (as defined in the regulations) of at least 8% of risk-adjusted assets (as defined in the regulations). Bank regulatory authorities have also issued leverage ratio requirements. The leverage ratio requirement is measured as the ratio of Tier 1 capital to adjusted average assets (as defined in the regulations).

The table below presents the Company’s and Commerce N.A.’s risk-based and leverage ratios at September 30, 2006 and 2005 (amounts in thousands):

     
Per Regulatory Guidelines
 
 
Actual
 
Minimum
 
“Well Capitalized”
 
 
Amount
Ratio
 
Amount
Ratio
 
Amount
Ratio
 
                   
September 30, 2006:
                 
Company
                 
Risk based capital ratios:
                 
Tier 1
$2,631,537
11.99
%
$877,946
4.00
%
$1,316,918
6.00
%
Total capital
2,790,320
12.71
 
1,755,891
8.00
 
2,194,864
10.00
 
Leverage ratio
2,631,537
6.08
 
1,731,655
4.00
 
2,164,569
5.00
 
Commerce N.A.
                 
Risk based capital ratios:
                 
Tier 1
$2,354,190
11.72
%
$803,646
4.00
%
$1,205,469
6.00
%
Total capital
2,491,308
12.40
 
1,607,293
8.00
 
2,009,116
10.00
 
Leverage ratio
2,354,190
5.97
 
1,576,715
4.00
 
1,970,893
5.00
 
                   

10



       
Per Regulatory Guidelines
 
 
Actual
 
Minimum
 
“Well Capitalized”
 
 
Amount
Ratio
 
Amount
Ratio
 
Amount
Ratio
 
                   
September 30, 2005:
                 
Company
                 
Risk based capital ratios:
                 
Tier 1
$2,140,645
12.18
%
$703,048
4.00
%
$1,054,572
6.00
%
Total capital
2,286,589
13.01
 
1,406,096
8.00
 
1,757,620
10.00
 
Leverage ratio
2,140,645
6.17
 
1,386,656
4.00
 
1,733,320
5.00
 
Commerce N.A.
                 
Risk based capital ratios:
                 
Tier 1
$1,879,731
11.73
%
$640,958
4.00
%
$961,438
6.00
%
Total capital
2,004,466
12.51
 
1,281,917
8.00
 
1,602,396
10.00
 
Leverage ratio
1,879,731
6.01
 
1,250,242
4.00
 
1,562,802
5.00
 

At September 30, 2006, the Company’s consolidated capital levels and each of the Company’s bank subsidiaries met the regulatory definition of a “well capitalized” financial institution, i.e., a leverage capital ratio exceeding 5%, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio exceeding 6%, and a total risk-based capital ratio exceeding 10%. Management believes that as of September 30, 2006, the Company and its subsidiaries meet all capital adequacy requirements to which they are subject.

Deposits

Total deposits at September 30, 2006 were $40.1 billion, up $6.9 billion, or 21% over total deposits of $33.2 billion at September 30, 2005, and up by $5.4 billion, or 16% from year-end 2005. Year over year deposit growth included core deposit growth in all product and customer categories. The Company regards core deposits as all deposits other than public certificates of deposit. Core deposit growth by type of customer is as follows (in thousands):

           
 
September 30,
2006
% of
Total
September 30,
2005
% of
Total
Annual
Growth %
           
Consumer
$15,702,022
41%
$13,946,811
43%
13%
           
Commercial
15,213,935
39
12,049,687
37
26
           
Government
7,622,610
20
6,374,496
20
20
           
Total
$38,538,567
100%
$32,370,994
100%
19%
           

Comparable store core deposit growth is measured as the year over year percentage increase in core deposits at the balance sheet date. At September 30, 2006, the comparable store core deposit growth for stores open two years or more was 13% and for stores open one year or more was 16%.

Interest Rate Sensitivity and Liquidity

The Company’s risk of loss arising from adverse changes in the fair value of financial instruments, or market risk, is composed primarily of interest rate risk. The primary objective of the Company’s asset/liability management activities is to maximize net interest income, while maintaining acceptable levels of interest rate risk. The Company’s Asset/Liability Committee (ALCO) is responsible for establishing policies to limit exposure to interest rate risk, and to ensure procedures are established to monitor compliance with these policies. The guidelines established by ALCO are reviewed and approved by the Company’s Board of Directors.

11

Management believes that the simulation of net interest income in different interest rate environments provides the most meaningful measure of the Company’s interest rate risk. Income simulation captures not only the potential of all assets and liabilities to mature or reprice, but also the probability that they will do so. Income simulation also attends to the relative interest rate sensitivities of these items, and projects their behavior over an extended period of time. Finally, income simulation permits management to assess the probable effects on the balance sheet not only of changes in interest rates, but also of proposed strategies for responding to them.

The Company’s income simulation model analyzes interest rate sensitivity by projecting net income over the next 24 months in a flat rate scenario versus net income in alternative interest rate scenarios. Management continually reviews and refines its interest rate risk management process in response to the changing economic climate. Currently, the Company’s model projects a proportionate plus 200 and minus 100 basis point change during the next year, with rates remaining constant in the second year. The Company’s ALCO policy has established that interest income sensitivity will be considered acceptable if net income in the above interest rate scenario is within 10% of forecasted net income in the flat rate scenario in the first year and within 15% over the two year time frame. The following table illustrates the impact on projected net income at September 30, 2006 and 2005 of a plus 200 and minus 100 basis point change in interest rates.

           
   
Basis Point Change
   
Plus 200
Minus 100
September 30, 2006:
         
Twelve Months
 
(9.3
)%
1.9
%
Twenty Four Months
 
(3.9
)%
(1.1
)%
           
September 30, 2005:
         
Twelve Months
 
(4.5
)%
(5.1
)%
Twenty Four Months
 
2.4
%
(7.7
)%
           

All of these forecasts are within an acceptable level of interest rate risk per the policies established by ALCO. In the event the model indicates an unacceptable level of risk, the Company could undertake a number of actions that would reduce this risk, including the sale of a portion of its available for sale investment portfolio, the use of risk management strategies such as interest rate swaps and caps, or fixing the cost of its short-term borrowings.

Many assumptions were used by the Company to calculate the impact of changes in interest rates, including the proportionate shift in rates. Actual results may not be similar to the Company’s projections due to several factors including the timing and frequency of rate changes, market conditions and the shape of the yield curve. Actual results may also differ due to the Company’s actions, if any, in response to the changing rates.

Management also monitors interest rate risk by utilizing a market value of equity model. The model assesses the impact of a change in interest rates on the market value of all the Company’s assets and liabilities, as well as any off balance sheet items. The model calculates the market value of the Company’s assets and liabilities in excess of book value in the current rate scenario, and then compares the excess of market value over book value given an immediate plus 200 and minus 100 basis point change in rates. The Company’s ALCO policy indicates that the level of interest rate risk is unacceptable if the immediate plus 200 and minus 100 basis point change would result in the loss of 45% or more of the excess of market value over book value in the current rate scenario. At September 30, 2006, the market value of equity model indicates an acceptable level of interest rate risk.


12


The market value of equity model reflects certain estimates and assumptions regarding the impact on the market value of the Company’s assets and liabilities given an immediate plus 200 or minus 100 basis point change in interest rates. One of the key assumptions is the market value assigned to the Company’s core deposits, or the core deposit premium. Utilizing an independent consultant, the Company has completed and updated comprehensive core deposit studies in order to assign its own core deposit premiums. The studies have consistently confirmed management’s assertion that the Company’s core deposits have stable balances over long periods of time, are generally insensitive to changes in interest rates and have significantly longer average lives and durations than the Company’s loans and investment securities. Thus, these core deposit balances provide a natural hedge to market value fluctuations in the Company’s fixed rate assets. At September 30, 2006, the average life of the Company’s core deposit transaction accounts was 17.6 years.
 
The market value of equity model analyzes both sides of the balance sheet and, as indicated below, demonstrates the inherent value of the Company’s core deposits in a rising rate environment. As rates rise, the value of the Company’s core deposits increases which helps offset the decrease in value of the Company’s fixed rate assets. The following table summarizes the market value of equity at September 30, 2006 (in millions, except for per share amounts):

     
 
Market Value
 
 
of Equity
Per Share
     
Plus 200 basis points
$9,092
$48.33
     
Current Rate
$9,380
$49.86
     
Minus 100 basis points
$8,470
$45.02

Liquidity involves the Company’s ability to raise funds to support asset growth or reduce assets to meet deposit withdrawals and other borrowing needs, to maintain reserve requirements and to otherwise operate the Company on an ongoing basis. The Company’s liquidity needs are primarily met by growth in core deposits, its cash position and cash flow from its amortizing investment and loan portfolios. If necessary, the Company has the ability to raise liquidity through collateralized borrowings, FHLB advances or other means. As of September 30, 2006 the Company had in excess of $16.0 billion in available liquidity which includes securities that could be sold or used for collateralized borrowings, cash on hand, and borrowing capacities under existing lines of credit. During the first nine months of 2006, deposit growth, plus maturities in the investment and loan portfolios, were used to fund overall growth in the loan portfolio and purchase additional investment securities.

Short-Term Borrowings

Short-term borrowings, or other borrowed money, consist primarily of securities sold under agreements to repurchase and overnight lines of credit, and are used to meet short-term funding needs. During the first nine months of 2006, the Company’s short-term borrowings decreased and at September 30, 2006 aggregated $118.4 million at an average rate of 4.88%, as compared to $1.1 billion at an average rate of 4.32% at December 31, 2005.

Interest Earning Assets

The Company’s cash flow from deposit growth and repayments from its investment portfolio totaled approximately $9.0 billion for the first nine months of 2006. This significant cash flow provides the Company with ongoing reinvestment opportunities as interest rates change. For the nine month period ended September 30, 2006, interest earning assets increased $4.5 billion from $35.4 billion to $39.9 billion. This increase was primarily in investment securities and the loan portfolio as described below.


13


Loans

During the first nine months of 2006, loans increased $2.0 billion from $12.7 billion to $14.7 billion. All segments of the loan portfolio experienced growth in the first nine months of 2006.

The following table summarizes the loan portfolio of the Company by type of loan as of the dates shown.

   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2006
   
2005
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Commercial:
           
Term
$
2,120,086
 
$
1,781,148
 
Line of credit
 
1,752,938
   
1,517,347
 
   
3,873,024
   
3,298,495
 
             
Owner-occupied
 
2,729,172
   
2,402,300
 
   
6,602,196
   
5,700,795
 
             
Consumer:
           
Mortgages (1-4 family residential)
 
2,208,454
   
2,000,309
 
Installment
 
267,158
   
211,332
 
Home equity
 
2,834,562
   
2,353,581
 
Credit lines
 
113,939
 
 
100,431
 
   
5,424,113
 
 
4,665,653
 
Commercial real estate:
           
Investor developer
 
2,356,162
   
2,001,674
 
Construction
 
315,024
 
 
290,530
 
   
2,671,186
   
2,292,204
 
Total loans
$
14,697,495
 
$
12,658,652
 

Investments

In total, for the first nine months of 2006, securities increased $2.5 billion from $22.5 billion to $25.0 billion. The available for sale portfolio increased $1.3 billion to $10.8 billion at September 30, 2006 from $9.5 billion at December 31, 2005, and the held to maturity portfolio increased $1.2 billion to $14.2 billion at September 30, 2006 from $13.0 billion at year-end 2005.


14


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

               
   
Available
 
Held to
     
Product Description
 
For Sale
 
Maturity
 
Total
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Mortgage-backed Securities:
                   
Federal Agencies Pass Through
                   
Certificates (AAA Rated)
 
$
1,406,729
 
$
2,093,276
 
$
3,500,005
 
                     
Collateralized Mortgage
                   
Obligations (AAA Rated)
   
8,624,235
   
10,208,944
   
18,833,179
 
                     
U.S. Government agencies/Other
   
769,208
   
1,943,418
   
2,712,626
 
                     
Total
 
$
10,800,173
 
$
14,245,638
 
$
25,045,810
 
                     
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.

The Company’s mortgage-backed securities (MBS) portfolio comprises 89% of the total investment portfolio. The MBS portfolio consists of Federal Agencies Pass-Through Certificates and Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (CMO’s) which are issued by federal agencies and other private sponsors. The Company’s investment policy does not permit investments in inverse floaters, IO’s, PO’s and other similar issues.

A summary of the amortized cost and market value of securities available for sale and securities held to maturity (in thousands) at September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005 follows:

       
   
At September 30, 2006
 
   
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
 
Market
Value
 
U.S. Government agency and mortgage-backed
obligations
 
$
10,806,488
 
$
14,225
 
$
(125,813
)
$
10,694,900
 
Obligations of state and political subdivisions
   
55,437
   
247
   
(2
)
 
55,682
 
Equity securities
   
9,679
   
9,359
         
19,038
 
Other
   
30,609
         
(56
)
 
30,553
 
Securities available for sale
 
$
10,902,213
 
$
23,831
 
$
(125,871
)
$
10,800,173
 
                           
U.S. Government agency and mortgage-backed
obligations
 
$
13,583,964
 
$
9,478
 
$
(281,738
)
$
13,311,704
 
Obligations of state and political subdivisions
   
522,817
   
1,830
   
(404
)
 
524,243
 
Other
   
138,857
               
138,857
 
Securities held to maturity
 
$
14,245,638
 
$
11,308
 
$
(282,142
)
$
13,974,804
 


15



   
At December 31, 2005
 
   
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
 
Market
Value
 
U.S. Government agency and mortgage-backed
obligations
 
$
9,529,645
 
$
5,779
 
$
(112,946
)
$
9,422,478
 
Obligations of state and political subdivisions
   
59,517
   
41
   
(431
)
 
59,127
 
Equity securities
   
9,679
   
13,093
         
22,772
 
Other
   
14,330
   
116
   
(2
)
 
14,444
 
Securities available for sale
 
$
9,613,171
 
$
19,029
 
$
(113,379
)
$
9,518,821
 
                           
U.S. Government agency and mortgage-backed
obligations
 
$
12,415,587
 
$
5,191
 
$
(252,231
)
$
12,168,547
 
Obligations of state and political subdivisions
   
490,257
   
1,216
   
(988
)
 
490,485
 
Other
   
99,520
               
99,520
 
Securities held to maturity
 
$
13,005,364
 
$
6,407
 
$
(253,219
)
$
12,758,552
 

There were no securities sold during the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2006.

As described in Note 1 - Significant Accounting Policies of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, the Company reviews the investment portfolio to determine if other-than-temporary impairment has occurred. Management does not believe any individual unrealized loss as of September 30, 2006 represents an other-than-temporary impairment.

Net Income

Net income for the third quarter of 2006 was $79.7 million, a slight increase over the $79.5 million recorded for the third quarter of 2005. Net income for the first nine months of 2006 totaled $236.5 million, also a slight increase over the $236.0 million recorded for the first nine months of 2005. On a per share basis, diluted net income for the third quarter and first nine months of 2006 was $0.41 and $1.23 per common share compared to $0.45 and $1.36 per common share for the same periods in 2005, respectively. The decrease in net income per share was primarily due to the increase in average common shares outstanding as well as the impact of the shape of the yield curve in the existing interest rate environment, which impeded the Company’s historical net interest income growth.

Return on average assets (ROA) and return on average equity (ROE) for the third quarter of 2006 were 0.74% and 12.06%, respectively, compared to 0.92% and 16.62%, respectively, for the same 2005 period. ROA and ROE for the first nine months of 2006 were 0.76% and 12.61%, respectively, compared to 0.96% and 17.40%, respectively, for the same 2005 period. Both ROA and ROE for the third quarter and first nine months of 2006 continue to be impacted by the shape of the yield curve in the existing interest rate environment and the resulting impact on the Company’s net income.


16


Net Interest Income

Net interest income totaled $322.0 million for the third quarter of 2006, an increase of $34.6 million or 12% from $287.4 million in the third quarter of 2005. Net interest income for the first nine months of 2006 was $948.8 million, up $94.1 million or 11% from $854.7 million for the first nine months of 2005. The increase in net interest income for the third quarter and first nine months of 2006 was due to the Company’s continued ability to grow deposits, which fund its loan and investment portfolios, offset by rate changes due to the shape of the yield curve in the existing interest rate environment.

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. For the first nine months of 2006, net interest income on a tax equivalent basis was $967.0 million, an increase of $98.4 million or 11% over the first nine months of 2005. 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 growth of core deposits (in thousands).

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

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.

The following table sets forth balance sheet items on a daily average basis for the three months ended September 30, 2006, June 30, 2006 and September 30, 2005 and presents the daily average interest earned on assets and paid on liabilities for such periods.

17


Average Balances and Net Interest Income

   
September 2006
 
June 2006
 
September 2005
 
   
Average
     
Average
 
Average
     
Average
 
Average
     
Average
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
Balance
 
Interest
 
Rate
 
Balance
 
Interest
 
Rate
 
Balance
 
Interest
 
Rate
 
Earning Assets
                                     
Investment securities
                                                       
Taxable
 
$
24,566,553
 
$
334,250
   
5.40
%
$
23,851,645
 
$
319,271
   
5.37
%
$
19,732,946
 
$
239,481
   
4.81
%
Tax-exempt
   
530,542
   
7,641
   
5.71
   
559,733
   
7,322
   
5.25
   
397,351
   
4,366
   
4.36
 
Trading
   
78,103
   
934
   
4.74
   
113,049
   
1,525
   
5.41
   
96,344
   
1,335
   
5.50
 
Total investment securities
   
25,175,198
   
342,825
   
5.40
   
24,524,427
   
328,118
   
5.37
   
20,226,641
   
245,182
   
4.81
 
Federal funds sold
   
145,897
   
1,918
   
5.22
   
19,898
   
250
   
5.04
   
198,260
   
1,774
   
3.55
 
Loans
                                                       
Commercial mortgages
   
5,001,608
   
90,050
   
7.14
   
4,784,584
   
83,903
   
7.03
   
3,865,284
   
63,300
   
6.50
 
Commercial
   
3,603,790
   
72,606
   
7.99
   
3,492,946
   
66,879
   
7.68
   
2,760,625
   
47,117
   
6.77
 
Consumer
   
5,407,721
   
87,077
   
6.39
   
5,115,609
   
80,560
   
6.32
   
4,087,665
   
62,720
   
6.09
 
Tax-exempt
   
510,950
   
9,123
   
7.08
   
498,492
   
8,535
   
6.87
   
498,211
   
8,831
   
7.03
 
Total loans
   
14,524,069
   
258,856
   
7.07
   
13,891,631
   
239,877
   
6.93
   
11,211,785
   
181,968
   
6.44
 
Total earning assets
 
$
39,845,164
 
$
603,599
   
6.01
%
$
38,435,956
 
$
568,245
   
5.93
%
$
31,636,686
 
$
428,924
   
5.38
%
Sources of Funds
                                                       
Interest-bearing liabilities
                                                       
Savings
 
$
10,592,676
 
$
70,320
   
2.63
%
$
10,344,463
 
$
64,157
   
2.49
%
$
8,127,451
 
$
35,215
   
1.72
%
Interest bearing demand
   
14,975,663
   
132,349
   
3.51
   
14,597,277
   
118,085
   
3.24
   
12,638,411
   
68,100
   
2.14
 
Time deposits
   
3,344,257
   
32,667
   
3.88
   
3,088,653
   
25,949
   
3.37
   
2,734,408
   
18,760
   
2.72
 
Public funds
   
1,470,116
   
19,708
   
5.32
   
1,224,298
   
15,225
   
4.99
   
842,894
   
7,354
   
3.46
 
Total deposits
   
30,382,712
   
255,044
   
3.33
   
29,254,691
   
223,416
   
3.06
   
24,343,164
   
129,429
   
2.11
 
                                                         
Other borrowed money
   
1,543,210
   
20,392
   
5.24
   
1,624,229
   
19,809
   
4.89
   
541,119
   
4,697
   
3.44
 
Long-term debt
                                       
163,043
   
2,339
   
5.69
 
Total deposits and interest-bearing
                                                       
liabilities
   
31,925,922
   
275,436
   
3.42
   
30,878,920
   
243,225
   
3.16
   
25,047,326
   
136,465
   
2.16
 
Noninterest-bearing funds (net)
   
7,919,242
               
7,557,036
               
6,589,360
             
Total sources to fund earning assets
 
$
39,845,164
   
275,436
   
2.74
 
$
38,435,956
   
243,225
   
2.54
 
$
31,636,686
   
136,465
   
1.71
 
                                                         
Net interest income and
                                                       
margin tax-equivalent basis
       
$
328,163
   
3.27
%
     
$
325,020
   
3.39
%
     
$
292,459
   
3.67
%
Other Balances
                                                       
Cash and due from banks
 
$
1,219,806
             
$
1,278,137
             
$
1,306,848
             
Other assets
   
2,359,885
               
2,314,307
               
1,845,602
             
Total assets
   
43,279,878
               
41,888,789
               
34,644,396
             
Total deposits
   
38,772,316
               
37,486,585
               
31,788,250
             
Demand deposits (noninterest-
bearing)
   
8,389,604
               
8,231,894
               
7,445,086
             
Other liabilities
   
321,225
               
299,622
               
240,177
             
Stockholders’ equity
   
2,643,127
               
2,478,353
               
1,911,807
             

Notes
-
Weighted average yields on tax-exempt obligations have been computed on a tax-equivalent basis assuming a federal tax rate of 35%.
 
-
Non-accrual loans have been included in the average loan balance.

18

Noninterest Income
 
Excluding net investment securities gains, noninterest income totaled $150.6 million for the third quarter of 2006, an increase of $31.5 million or 26% from $119.1 million in the third quarter of 2005. On the same basis, noninterest income for the first nine months of 2006 increased to $424.5 million from $332.6 million in the first nine months of 2005, a 28% increase. Deposit charges and service fees increased $25.1 million, or 35%, and $70.3 million, or 35%, during the third quarter and first nine months of 2006, respectively, as compared to the same periods in 2005, primarily due to growth in customer accounts and transaction volumes. Other operating income, which includes the Company’s insurance and capital markets divisions, increased $6.4 million, or 14%, and $21.6 million, or 16%, during the third quarter and first nine months of 2006, respectively, as compared to the same periods in 2005. The increase in other operating income is more fully depicted in the following chart (in thousands):

         
   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2006
 
2005
 
2006
 
2005
 
Other operating income:
                 
Insurance
 
$
21,189
 
$
19,539
 
$
63,706
 
$
58,079
 
Capital Markets
   
6,851
   
5,268
   
20,348
   
18,956
 
Loan Brokerage Fees
   
2,386
   
7,378
   
6,505
   
13,086
 
Other
   
22,695
   
14,578
   
62,586
   
41,411
 
Total other
 
$
53,121
 
$
46,763
 
$
153,145
 
$
131,532
 

All other operating income increased $8.1 million, or 56%, and $21.2 million, or 51%, during the third quarter and first nine months of 2006, respectively, primarily due to increased revenues generated by the Company’s leasing division, income from other investments and revenues from eMoney Advisor, all of which were partially offset by a decrease in gains on SBA loans sales. The Company completed its acquisition of eMoney Advisor on February 1, 2006.

Noninterest Expense

For the third quarter of 2006, noninterest expense totaled $343.5 million, an increase of $54.9 million, or 19%, over the same period in 2005. For the first nine months of 2006, noninterest expense totaled $992.6 million, an increase of $167.1 million or 20% over $825.5 million for the first nine months of 2005. Contributing to this increase was new store activity over the past twelve months, with the number of stores increasing from 342 at September 30, 2005 to 402 at September 30, 2006. With the addition of these new stores, staff, facilities, and related expenses rose accordingly.

Other noninterest expense increased $17.5 million, or 33%, and $38.8 million, or 23%, over the third quarter and first nine months of 2005, respectively. The increase in other noninterest expense is more fully depicted in the following chart (in thousands):

               
   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2006
 
2005
 
2006
 
2005
 
Other noninterest expense:
                 
Business development costs
 
$
8,716
 
$
8,589
 
$
30,985
 
$
29,359
 
Bank-card related service charges
   
14,715
   
11,601
   
41,248
   
34,825
 
Professional services/Insurance
   
14,047
   
5,805
   
35,450
   
24,663
 
Provision for non-credit-related losses
   
6,858
   
6,378
   
21,566
   
20,693
 
Other
   
26,026
   
20,485
   
78,052
   
58,935
 
Total other
 
$
70,362
 
$
52,858
 
$
207,301
 
$
168,475
 


19


The growth in bank-card related service charges and other expenses was due to the Company’s growth in new stores and customer accounts. Business development costs and provision for non-credit-related losses were relatively flat during the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2006 as compared to the same prior year periods. The increase in professional services/insurance expense is primarily due to increased legal and consulting fees during the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2006.

The Company’s operating efficiency ratio (noninterest expenses, less other real estate expense, divided by net interest income plus noninterest income excluding non-recurring gains) was 72.2% for the first nine months of 2006 as compared to 69.5% for the same 2005 period. The increase in operating efficiency ratio is primarily due to the impact of the shape of the yield curve in the existing interest rate environment on the Company’s net interest income. The Company’s efficiency ratio remains above its peer group primarily due to its aggressive growth expansion activities.

Loan and Asset Quality

Total non-performing assets (non-performing loans and other real estate, excluding loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing interest) at September 30, 2006 were $47.3 million, or 0.11% of total assets compared to $52.4 million or 0.12% of total assets at June 30, 2006 and $34.3 million or 0.09% of total assets at September 30, 2005.

Total non-performing loans (non-accrual loans and restructured loans, excluding loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing interest) at September 30, 2006 were $45.3 million or 0.31% of total loans compared to $51.0 million or 0.36% of total loans at June 30, 2006 and $34.0 million or 0.30% of total loans at September 30, 2005. At September 30, 2006, loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing interest amounted to $441 thousand compared to $583 thousand at June 30, 2006 and $177 thousand at September 30, 2005. Additional loans considered as potential problem loans by the Company’s credit review process ($86.1 million at September 30, 2006, compared to $80.6 million at June 30, 2006 and $55.7 million at September 30, 2005) have been evaluated as to risk exposure in determining the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses.

Total non-performing loans increased by $10.5 million during the first nine months of 2006. The increase is primarily due to the second quarter addition of one not-for-profit healthcare credit, which has been determined to be adequately secured. The overall asset quality of the Company, as measured in terms of non-performing assets to total assets, coverage ratios and non-performing assets to stockholders’ equity, remained strong.

20


The following summary presents information regarding non-performing loans and assets as of September 30, 2006 and the preceding four quarters (dollar amounts in thousands).

   
September 30,
2006
 
June 30,
2006
 
March 31,
2006
 
December 31,
2005
 
September 30,
2005
 
Non-accrual loans:
                     
Commercial
 
$
33,658
 
$
34,904
 
$
16,975
 
$
16,712
 
$
16,926
 
Consumer
   
9,325
   
8,927
   
9,285
   
8,834
   
8,559
 
Real estate:
                               
Construction
   
496
   
1,708
   
1,726
   
1,763
   
1,882
 
Mortgage
   
1,828
   
2,523
   
2,096
   
4,329
   
3,353
 
Total non-accrual loans
   
45,307
   
48,062
   
30,082
   
31,638
   
30,720
 
                                 
Restructured loans:
                               
Commercial
   
-
   
2,941
   
3,037
   
3,133
   
3,230
 
Total restructured loans
   
-
   
2,941
   
3,037
   
3,133
   
3,230
 
                                 
Total non-performing loans
   
45,307
   
51,003
   
33,119
   
34,771
   
33,950
 
                                 
Other real estate/foreclosed assets
   
2,022
   
1,369
   
435
   
279
   
310
 
                                 
Total non-performing assets
   
47,329
   
52,372
   
33,554
   
35,050
   
34,260
 
                                 
Loans past due 90 days or more
                               
and still accruing
   
441
   
583
   
332
   
248
   
177
 
                                 
Total non-performing assets and
                               
loans past due 90 days or more
 
$
47,770
 
$
52,955
 
$
33,886
 
$
35,298
 
$
34,437
 
                                 
Total non-performing loans as a
                               
percentage of total period-end loans
   
0.31
%
 
0.36
%
 
0.25
%
 
0.27
%
 
0.30
%
                                 
Total non-performing assets as a
                               
percentage of total period-end assets
   
0.11
%
 
0.12
%
 
0.08
%
 
0.09
%
 
0.09
%
                                 
Total non-performing assets and loans
                               
past due 90 days or more as a
                               
percentage of total period-end assets
   
0.11
%
 
0.12
%
 
0.08
%
 
0.09
%
 
0.09
%
                                 
Allowance for credit losses as a percentage
                               
of total non-performing loans
   
341
%
 
291
%
 
432
%
 
407
%
 
409
%
                                 
Allowance for credit losses as a percentage
                               
of total period-end loans
   
1.05
%
 
1.04
%
 
1.06
%
 
1.12
%
 
1.23
%
                                 
Total non-performing assets and loans
                               
past due 90 days or more as a
                               
percentage of stockholders’ equity and
                               
allowance for credit losses
   
2
%
 
2
%
 
1
%
 
1
%
 
2
%


21


The Company maintains an allowance for losses inherent in the loan and lease portfolio and an allowance for losses on unfunded credit commitments. During the fourth quarter of 2005, the Company reclassified the allowance related to losses on unfunded credit commitments out of the allowance for loan and lease losses to other liabilities. Prior to the fourth quarter of 2005, the Company included the portion of the allowance related to unfunded credit commitments in its allowance for loan and lease losses. The following table presents, for the periods indicated, an analysis of the allowance for credit losses and other related data (dollar amounts in thousands).

   
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
Year Ended
 
   
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
December 31,
 
   
2006
 
2005
 
2006
 
2005
 
2005
 
Balance at beginning of period
 
$
148,383
 
$
141,325
 
$
141,464
 
$
135,620
 
$
135,620
 
Provisions charged to operating expenses
   
9,499
   
3,000
   
23,500
   
13,750
   
19,150
 
     
157,882
   
144,325
   
164,964
   
149,370
   
154,770
 
                                 
Recoveries on loans previously charged-off:
                               
Commercial
   
1,707
   
930
   
4,335
   
1,920
   
2,546
 
Consumer
   
237
   
245
   
1,372
   
1,332
   
2,566
 
Commercial real estate
   
57
   
30
   
375
   
80
   
80
 
Total recoveries
   
2,001
   
1,205
   
6,082
   
3,332
   
5,192
 
                                 
Loans charged-off:
                               
Commercial
   
(2,968
)
 
(5,287
)
 
(10,182
)
 
(9,102
)
 
(13,944
)
Consumer
   
(2,119
)
 
(1,318
)
 
(5,803
)
 
(3,720
)
 
(5,912
)
Commercial real estate
   
(224
)
 
(22
)
 
(489
)
 
(977
)
 
(1,136
)
Total charge-offs
   
(5,311
)
 
(6,627
)
 
(16,474
)
 
(13,799
)
 
(20,992
)
Net charge-offs
   
(3,310
)
 
(5,422
)
 
(10,392
)
 
(10,467
)
 
(15,800
)
                                 
Allowance for credit loss acquired bank
                           
2,494
 
                                 
Balance at end of period
 
$
154,572
 
$
138,903
 
$
154,572
 
$
138,903
 
$
141,464
 
                                 
Net charge-offs as a percentage of
                               
average loans outstanding
   
0.09
%
 
0.20
%
 
0.10
%
 
0.13
%
 
0.15
%
                                 
Net Reserve Additions
 
$
6,189
 
$
2,422
 
$
13,108
 
$
3,283
 
$
5,844
 
                                 
Components:
                               
Allowance for loan and lease losses
 
$
146,791
 
$
138,903
 
$
146,791
 
$
138,903
 
$
133,664
 
Allowance for unfunded credit commitments (1)
   
7,781
         
7,781
         
7,800
 
Total allowance for credit losses
 
$
154,572
 
$
138,903
 
$
154,572
 
$
138,903
 
$
141,464
 
                                 
(1) During the fourth quarter of 2005, the allowance for unfunded credit commitments was reclassified from the allowance for loan and lease losses to other liabilities.

During the first nine months of 2006, net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans outstanding were 0.10%, as compared to 0.13% for the same period in 2005.


22


The Company considers the allowance for credit losses of $154.6 million adequate to cover inherent credit losses in the loan and lease portfolio and on unfunded credit commitments. The allowance for credit losses is increased by provisions charged to expense and reduced by charge-offs net of recoveries. The level of the allowance for loan and lease losses is based on an evaluation of individual large classified loans and nonaccrual loans, estimated losses based on risk characteristics of loans in the portfolio and other qualitative factors. The level of the allowance for losses on unfunded credit commitments is based on a risk characteristic methodology similar to that used in determining the allowance for loan and lease losses, taking into consideration the probability of funding these commitments. While the allowance for credit losses is maintained at a level considered to be adequate by management for estimated credit losses, determination of the allowance is inherently subjective, as it requires estimates that may be susceptible to significant change.

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 (including this Form 10-Q), 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 noninterest or fee income being less than expected; the ability to maintain the growth and further development of the Company’s community-based retail branching network; 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 cautions that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the Company’s actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the future results, performance or achievements the Company has anticipated in such forward-looking statements. You should note that many factors, some of which are discussed in this Form 10-Q could affect the Company’s future financial results and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the Company’s forward-looking statements contained in this document. 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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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

See Item 2 - Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation, Interest Rate Sensitivity and Liquidity.


Item 4. Controls and Procedures

The Company’s management, with the participation of its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e), as of September 30, 2006. Based on this evaluation, the principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that, as of September 30, 2006, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a - 15(e), were effective, at the reasonable assurance level, to ensure that (i) information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms and (ii) information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management including its principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
 
The Company’s management, with the participation of its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, also conducted an evaluation of changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). Based on this evaluation, the Company’s management determined that no changes were made to the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a - 15(f), during the third quarter of 2006 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected. The Company conducts periodic evaluations to enhance, where necessary its procedures and controls.
 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 6. Exhibits

Exhibits

Exhibit 31.1
   
Exhibit 31.2
   
Exhibit 32



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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.



   
COMMERCE BANCORP, INC.
   
(Registrant)
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
NOVEMBER 9, 2006
 
/s/ DOUGLAS J. PAULS
(Date)
 
DOUGLAS J. PAULS
   
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND
   
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
   
(PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL AND ACCOUNTING OFFICER)
 
 
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