BOK Financial (BOKF) Q1 Earnings Beat Estimates, Expenses Up

BOK Financial (NASDAQ:BOKF) delivered a positive earnings surprise of 5.5% in first-quarter 2019. Earnings per share of $1.54 outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.46. The bottom line, however, compares unfavorably with the prior-year quarter’s reported tally of $1.61. Results include certain one-time items.

Top-line strength, aided by rising net interest as well as fee income, was recorded. Further, loans and deposits balance improved. However, expenses and provisions climbed in the quarter, displaying investors’ concerns. Therefore, shares of BOK Financial declined 1.35% following the earnings release.

Net income attributable to shareholders came in at $110.6 million compared with $105.6 million reported in the year-ago quarter.

Revenues, Costs, Loan & Deposits Rise

Revenues in the first quarter came in at $435.4 million, up 15.9% year over year. Yet, the figure lagged the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $446.1 million.

Net interest revenues totaled $278.1 million, up 26.6% year over year. Net interest margin (NIM) expanded 31 basis points year over year to 3.30%.

BOK Financial’s fees and commissions revenues amounted to $160.6 million, slightly up on a year-over-year basis. Higher brokerage and trading revenues, fiduciary and asset management revenues, along with deposit service charges and fees, primarily led to the rise. This was partly offset by transaction card revenues, along with reduced mortgage banking revenues and other revenues.

Total other operating expenses were $287.2 million, up 17.5% year over year. The upswing mainly resulted from rise in almost all components of expenses.

Efficiency ratio improved to 64.8% from 65% a year ago. Generally, a lower ratio indicates improved profitability.

Net loans as of Mar 31, 2019, were $21.6 billion, up around 1% sequentially. As of the same date, total deposits amounted to $25.3 billion, marginally up sequentially.

Credit Quality: A Mixed Bag

During the March-end quarter, provisions for credit losses of $8 million were seen as against credit provision of $5 million in the prior-year quarter. Yet, the combined allowance for credit losses was 0.95% of outstanding loans as of Mar 31, 2019, down from 1.32% posted in the year-ago period.

Additionally, non-performing assets totaled $261.5 million or 1.20% of outstanding loans and repossessed assets as of Mar 31, 2019, down from $278.1 million or 1.60% recorded at the end of the prior-year period. Net charge offs were $10.1 million, up significantly from $1.3 million in the year-earlier quarter.

Capital Position

Armed with healthy capital ratios, BOK Financial and its subsidiary banks exceeded the regulatory well-capitalized level. As of Mar 31, 2019, the common equity Tier 1 capital ratio was 10.71% as compared with 12.06% as of Mar 31, 2018.

Tier 1 and total capital ratios on Mar 31, 2019, were 10.71% and 12.24%, respectively, compared with 12.06% and 13.49% as of Mar 31, 2018. Leverage ratio was 8.76% compared with 9.40% as of Mar 31, 2018.

Share Repurchase Update

During the January-March quarter, the company repurchased 705,609 million common shares at average price of $85.85 per share.

Our Viewpoint

BOK Financial’s consistent revenue growth keeps us optimistic about the stock. Furthermore, continued growth in loan and deposit balances indicates an efficient organic growth strategy. The company’s diverse revenue mix and favorable geographic footprint are likely to keep supporting growth in the upcoming quarters. Nevertheless, escalating expenses and provisions remain concerns.

BOK Financial currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Performance of Other Banks

Riding on higher revenues, Citizens Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:CFG) delivered a positive earnings surprise of 4.5% in first-quarter 2019. Adjusted earnings per share came in at 93 cents, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 89 cents. Also, the reported figure improved 19.2% year over year. Results excluded one-time items of $4 million or 1 cent per share.

PNC Financial (NYSE:PNC) reported positive earnings surprise of 0.8% in the first quarter. Earnings per share of $2.61 surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.59. Further, the bottom line reflected a 7.4% jump from the prior-year quarter. Higher revenues, driven by easing margin pressure and escalating fee income, aided the results. However, rise in costs and provisions were headwinds.

People's United Financial Inc. (NASDAQ:PBCT) recorded first-quarter 2019 operating earnings of 33 cents per share, in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. The reported figure improved 10%, year over year.

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