frme-20240425
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
 
FORM 8-K
 
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
DATE OF REPORT (Date of earliest event reported): April 25, 2024

FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Indiana
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
001-4134235-1544218
(Commission File Number)(IRS Employer Identification No.)

200 East Jackson Street
P.O. Box 792
Muncie, IN 47305-2814
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
 
(765) 747-1500
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
 
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Title of Each ClassTrading Symbol(s)Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.125 stated value per shareFRMEThe Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
Depositary Shares, each representing a 1/100th interest in a share of Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series AFRMEPThe Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.




ITEM 2.02 RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION.

On April 25, 2024, First Merchants Corporation issued a press release to report its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024. A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

The information in this Current Report on Form 8-K, including Exhibit No. 99.1 hereto, shall not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to liability of that section. The information in this Current Report shall not be incorporated by reference into any filing or other document pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing or document.

ITEM 9.01 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

(a)    Not applicable.

(b)    Not applicable.

(c)    Not applicable.

(d)    Exhibits.

Exhibit 99.1 Press Release, dated April 25, 2024, issued by First Merchants Corporation

Exhibit 104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)





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 hereunto duly authorized.


First Merchants Corporation
(Registrant)
By: /s/ Michele M. Kawiecki
                        
Michele M. Kawiecki

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
Dated: April 25, 2024




EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.    Description


99.1            Press Release, dated April 25, 2024, issued by First Merchants Corporation

104            Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

Document



N / E / W / S R / E / L / E / A / S / E
    
April 25, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information, contact:
Nicole M. Weaver, Vice President and Director of Corporate Administration
765-521-7619
http://www.firstmerchants.com

SOURCE: First Merchants Corporation, Muncie, Indiana

FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION ANNOUNCES FIRST QUARTER 2024 EARNINGS PER SHARE

First Merchants Corporation (NASDAQ - FRME)

First Quarter 2024 Highlights:

•    Net income available to common stockholders was $47.5 million and diluted earnings per common share totaled $0.80 compared to $63.6 million and $1.07 in the first quarter of 2023, and $42.0 million and $0.71 in the fourth quarter of 2023. Net income and diluted earnings per common share, excluding non-core charges of $3.5 million incurred during the quarter, totaled $50.1 million and $0.85, respectively.
•    Strong capital position with Common Equity Tier 1 Capital Ratio of 11.25 percent.
•    Total loans declined $24.3 million, or 0.8 percent annualized on a linked quarter basis, but increased $346.4 million, or 2.8 percent during the last twelve months when excluding the impact of a non-relationship commercial loan portfolio sale of $116.6 million that occurred during the second quarter of 2023.
•    Total deposits increased $63.1 million, or 1.7 percent annualized on a linked quarter basis, and $181.3 million, or 1.2 percent during the last twelve months.
•    Net charge-offs totaled 7 basis points of average loans (annualized) compared to 10 basis points on a linked quarter basis.
Nonperforming assets to total assets were 37 basis points compared to 32 basis points on a linked quarter basis.
•    The efficiency ratio totaled 59.21 percent for the quarter and 57.03 percent excluding $3.5 million of non-core charges incurred during the quarter.

Mark Hardwick, Chief Executive Officer, stated, "Given the length and severity of the inverted yield curve, we were pleased to see relative stabilization of our net interest margin during the quarter. Capital, liquidity, the allowance for credit losses and earnings are strong and supported share repurchase activity during the quarter of $30 million, as well as, the redemption of $40 million in sub-debt." Hardwick added, "Three of our four major technology initiatives have also been deployed to include in-branch account opening, consumer online and mobile upgrades, and a new Private Wealth platform."

First Quarter Financial Results:

First Merchants Corporation (the “Corporation) has reported first quarter 2024 net income available to common stockholders of $47.5 million compared to $63.6 million during the same period in 2023. Diluted earnings per common share for the period totaled $0.80 compared to the first quarter of 2023 result of $1.07 per share. The corporation incurred $3.5 million of non-core charges during the quarter including $1.1 million from an additional FDIC special assessment and $2.4 million of digital platform conversion costs.

Total assets equaled $18.3 billion as of quarter-end and loans totaled $12.5 billion. During the past twelve months, total loans grew by $346.4 million, or 2.8 percent and were offset by a non-relationship based commercial loan sale of $116.6 million that occurred in the second quarter of 2023. On a linked quarter basis, loans declined $24.3 million, or 0.8 percent annualized.






Investments securities, totaling $3.8 billion, decreased $273.8 million, or 6.7 percent, during the last twelve months and decreased $27.8 million, or 2.9 percent annualized on a linked quarter basis.

Total deposits equaled $14.9 billion as of quarter-end and increased by $181.3 million, or 1.2 percent, over the past twelve months. Total deposits increased $63.1 million, or 1.7 percent annualized on a linked quarter basis. During the quarter, customer deposits increased $87.3 million which was offset by a reduction in brokered deposits of $24.2 million. The loan to deposit ratio declined slightly to 83.9 percent at period end from 84.4 percent in the prior quarter.

The Corporation’s Allowance for Credit Losses – Loans (ACL) totaled $204.7 million as of quarter-end, a decrease of $0.3 million from prior quarter. Loan charge-offs, net of recoveries, for the quarter totaled $2.3 million. Provision expense for loans was recorded during the quarter of $2.0 million resulting in an ACL as a percent of loans of 1.64 percent. Reserves for unfunded commitments totaling $19.5 million remain unchanged from prior quarter. Non-performing assets to total assets were 0.37 percent for the first quarter of 2024, an increase of five basis points compared to 0.32 percent in the prior quarter.

Net interest income, totaling $127.1 million for the quarter, declined $3.0 million, or 2.3 percent, compared to prior quarter and decreased $17.1 million, or 11.8 percent, compared to the first quarter of 2023. Stated net-interest margin on a tax equivalent basis totaling 3.10 percent, declined by six basis points compared to the fourth quarter of 2023 and decreased 48 basis points compared to the first quarter of 2023. During the quarter, increased deposit costs and a continued change in deposit mix offset the increase in earning asset yields reducing net-interest margin.

Noninterest income, totaling $26.6 million for the quarter, increased $0.2 million, compared to the fourth quarter of 2023 and increased $1.6 million from the first quarter of 2023. Customer-related fees declined $1.2 million from prior quarter due to lower gains on sales of loans and derivative hedge fees. Non-customer related fees increased $1.4 million from prior quarter primarily due to realized losses on the sales of securities recorded in the prior quarter.

Noninterest expense totaled $96.9 million for the quarter, a decrease of $11.2 million from the fourth quarter of 2023 due to a decline in non-core charges and lower marketing spend. Non-core charges incurred during the quarter totaled $3.5 million and included $1.1 million from an additional FDIC special assessment and $2.4 million of digital platform conversion costs. Non-core charges recorded in the prior quarter totaled $12.7 million and included $4.3 million from an FDIC special assessment, $6.3 million of early retirement and severance costs, and $2.1 million from a lease termination.

The Corporation’s total risk-based capital ratio equaled 13.34 percent, common equity tier 1 capital ratio equaled 11.25 percent, and the tangible common equity ratio totaled 8.32 percent. These ratios continue to demonstrate the Corporation’s strong capital position.





CONFERENCE CALL

First Merchants Corporation will conduct a fourth quarter earnings conference call and web cast at 11:30 a.m. (ET) on Thursday, April 25, 2024.

To access via phone, participants will need to register using the following link where they will be provided a phone number and access code: (https://register.vevent.com/register/BIdd109dbd75ba4d42a3ddae5a62b4e2a1)

In order to view the webcast and presentation slides, please go to (https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/8p72e5ye) during the time of the call. A replay of the webcast will be available until April 25, 2025.

Detailed financial results are reported on the attached pages.

About First Merchants Corporation

First Merchants Corporation is a financial holding company headquartered in Muncie, Indiana. The Corporation has one full-service bank charter, First Merchants Bank. The Bank also operates as First Merchants Private Wealth Advisors (as a division of First Merchants Bank).

First Merchants Corporation’s common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market System under the symbol FRME. Quotations are carried in daily newspapers and can be found on the company’s Internet web page (http://www.firstmerchants.com).

FIRST MERCHANTS and the Shield Logo are federally registered trademarks of First Merchants Corporation.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe-harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements can often, but not always, be identified by the use of words like “believe”, “continue”, “pattern”, “estimate”, “project”, “intend”, “anticipate”, “expect” and similar expressions or future or conditional verbs such as “will”, “would”, “should”, “could”, “might”, “can”, “may”, or similar expressions. These statements include statements of First Merchants’ goals, intentions and expectations; statements regarding the First Merchants’ business plan and growth strategies; statements regarding the asset quality of First Merchants’ loan and investment portfolios; and estimates of First Merchants’ risks and future costs and benefits. These forward-looking statements are subject to significant risks, assumptions and uncertainties that may cause results to differ materially from those set forth in forward-looking statements, including, among other things: possible changes in monetary and fiscal policies, and laws and regulations; the effects of easing restrictions on participants in the financial services industry; the cost and other effects of legal and administrative cases; possible changes in the credit worthiness of customers and the possible impairment of collectability of loans; fluctuations in market rates of interest; competitive factors in the banking industry; changes in the banking legislation or regulatory requirements of federal and state agencies applicable to bank holding companies and banks like First Merchants’ affiliate bank; continued availability of earnings and excess capital sufficient for the lawful and prudent declaration of dividends; changes in market, economic, operational, liquidity (including the ability to grow and maintain core deposits and retain large, uninsured deposits), credit and interest rate risks associated with the First Merchants’ business; and other risks and factors identified in each of First Merchants’ filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. First Merchants does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, relating to the matters discussed in this press release. In addition, First Merchants’ past results of operations do not necessarily indicate its anticipated future results.
* * * *





CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars In Thousands)March 31,
20242023
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks$100,514 $125,818 
Interest-bearing deposits410,497 352,695 
Investment securities, net of allowance for credit losses of $245,000 and $245,0003,783,574 4,057,389 
Loans held for sale15,118 9,408 
Loans12,465,582 12,241,461 
Less: Allowance for credit losses - loans(204,681)(223,052)
Net loans12,260,901 12,018,409 
Premises and equipment132,706 115,857 
Federal Home Loan Bank stock41,758 41,878 
Interest receivable92,550 85,515 
Goodwill and other intangibles737,144 745,647 
Cash surrender value of life insurance306,028 309,090 
Other real estate owned4,886 7,777 
Tax asset, deferred and receivable101,121 103,070 
Other assets331,006 270,777 
TOTAL ASSETS$18,317,803 $18,243,330 
LIABILITIES
Deposits:
Noninterest-bearing$2,338,364 $2,964,355 
Interest-bearing12,546,220 11,738,932 
Total Deposits14,884,584 14,703,287 
Borrowings:
Federal funds purchased— 20 
Securities sold under repurchase agreements130,264 179,067 
Federal Home Loan Bank advances612,778 823,577 
Subordinated debentures and other borrowings118,612 151,312 
Total Borrowings861,654 1,153,976 
Interest payable19,262 11,979 
Other liabilities327,500 251,640 
Total Liabilities16,093,000 16,120,882 
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Preferred Stock, $1,000 par value, $1,000 liquidation value:
Authorized -- 600 cumulative shares
Issued and outstanding - 125 cumulative shares125 125 
Preferred Stock, Series A, no par value, $2,500 liquidation preference:
Authorized -- 10,000 non-cumulative perpetual shares
Issued and outstanding - 10,000 non-cumulative perpetual shares25,000 25,000 
Common Stock, $.125 stated value:
Authorized -- 100,000,000 shares
Issued and outstanding - 58,564,819 and 59,257,051 shares7,321 7,407 
Additional paid-in capital1,208,447 1,231,532 
Retained earnings1,181,939 1,057,298 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(198,029)(198,914)
Total Stockholders' Equity2,224,803 2,122,448 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY$18,317,803 $18,243,330 








CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOMEThree Months Ended
(Dollars In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)March 31,
20242023
INTEREST INCOME
Loans receivable:
Taxable$198,023 $172,353 
Tax-exempt8,190 7,709 
Investment securities:
Taxable8,748 9,087 
Tax-exempt13,611 16,070 
Deposits with financial institutions6,493 637 
Federal Home Loan Bank stock835 542 
Total Interest Income235,900 206,398 
INTEREST EXPENSE
Deposits98,285 50,685 
Federal funds purchased— 1,297 
Securities sold under repurchase agreements1,032 848 
Federal Home Loan Bank advances6,773 7,064 
Subordinated debentures and other borrowings2,747 2,385 
Total Interest Expense108,837 62,279 
NET INTEREST INCOME127,063 144,119 
Provision for credit losses2,000 — 
NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR CREDIT LOSSES125,063 144,119 
NONINTEREST INCOME
Service charges on deposit accounts7,907 7,359 
Fiduciary and wealth management fees8,200 7,862 
Card payment fees4,500 5,172 
Net gains and fees on sales of loans3,254 2,399 
Derivative hedge fees263 1,148 
Other customer fees427 517 
Earnings on cash surrender value of life insurance1,592 1,288 
Net realized losses on sales of available for sale securities(2)(1,571)
Other income497 823 
Total Noninterest Income26,638 24,997 
NONINTEREST EXPENSES
Salaries and employee benefits58,293 57,459 
Net occupancy7,312 7,259 
Equipment6,226 6,126 
Marketing1,198 1,309 
Outside data processing fees6,889 6,113 
Printing and office supplies353 383 
Intangible asset amortization1,957 2,197 
FDIC assessments4,287 1,396 
Other real estate owned and foreclosure expenses534 (18)
Professional and other outside services3,952 3,698 
Other expenses5,934 7,798 
Total Noninterest Expenses96,935 93,720 
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAX54,766 75,396 
Income tax expense6,825 11,317 
NET INCOME47,941 64,079 
Preferred stock dividends469 469 
NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS$47,472 $63,610 
Per Share Data:
Basic Net Income Available to Common Stockholders$0.80 $1.07 
Diluted Net Income Available to Common Stockholders$0.80 $1.07 
Cash Dividends Paid to Common Stockholders$0.34 $0.32 
Average Diluted Common Shares Outstanding (in thousands)59,273 59,441 





FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(Dollars in thousands)Three Months Ended
March 31,
20242023
NET CHARGE-OFFS$2,253 $225 
AVERAGE BALANCES:
Total Assets$18,430,521 $18,022,195 
Total Loans12,477,066 12,135,384 
Total Earning Assets17,123,851 16,824,407 
Total Deposits14,881,205 14,423,409 
Total Stockholders' Equity2,242,139 2,083,125 
FINANCIAL RATIOS:
Return on Average Assets1.04 %1.42 %
Return on Average Stockholders' Equity8.47 12.21 
Return on Tangible Common Stockholders' Equity13.21 19.82 
Average Earning Assets to Average Assets92.91 93.35 
Allowance for Credit Losses - Loans as % of Total Loans1.64 1.82 
Net Charge-offs as % of Average Loans (Annualized)0.07 0.01 
Average Stockholders' Equity to Average Assets12.17 11.56 
Tax Equivalent Yield on Average Earning Assets5.65 5.06 
Interest Expense/Average Earning Assets2.55 1.48 
Net Interest Margin (FTE) on Average Earning Assets3.10 3.58 
Efficiency Ratio59.21 51.72 
Tangible Common Book Value Per Share$25.07 $22.93 

NONPERFORMING ASSETS
(Dollars In Thousands)March 31,December 31,September 30,June 30,March 31,
20242023202320232023
Nonaccrual Loans$62,478 $53,580 $53,102 $69,240 $46,576 
Other Real Estate Owned and Repossessions4,886 4,831 6,480 7,685 7,777 
Nonperforming Assets (NPA)67,364 58,411 59,582 76,925 54,353 
90+ Days Delinquent2,838 172 89 428 7,032 
NPAs & 90 Day Delinquent$70,202 $58,583 $59,671 $77,353 $61,385 
Allowance for Credit Losses - Loans$204,681 $204,934 $205,782 $221,147 $223,052 
Quarterly Net Charge-offs2,253 3,148 20,365 1,905 225 
NPAs / Actual Assets %0.37 %0.32 %0.33 %0.43 %0.30 %
NPAs & 90 Day / Actual Assets %0.38 %0.32 %0.33 %0.43 %0.34 %
NPAs / Actual Loans and OREO %0.54 %0.47 %0.48 %0.63 %0.44 %
Allowance for Credit Losses - Loans / Actual Loans (%)1.64 %1.64 %1.67 %1.80 %1.82 %
Net Charge-offs (Recoveries) as % of Average Loans (Annualized)0.07 %0.10 %0.66 %0.06 %0.01 %





CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars In Thousands)March 31,December 31,September 30,June 30,March 31,
20242023202320232023
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks$100,514 $112,649 $125,173 $108,975 $125,818 
Interest-bearing deposits410,497 436,080 348,639 219,480 352,695 
Investment securities, net of allowance for credit losses3,783,574 3,811,364 3,713,724 3,891,491 4,057,389 
Loans held for sale15,118 18,934 30,972 27,297 9,408 
Loans12,465,582 12,486,027 12,271,422 12,270,233 12,241,461 
Less: Allowance for credit losses - loans(204,681)(204,934)(205,782)(221,147)(223,052)
Net loans12,260,901 12,281,093 12,065,640 12,049,086 12,018,409 
Premises and equipment132,706 133,896 132,441 114,402 115,857 
Federal Home Loan Bank stock41,758 41,769 41,797 41,842 41,878 
Interest receivable92,550 97,664 90,011 89,784 85,515 
Goodwill and other intangibles737,144 739,101 741,283 743,465 745,647 
Cash surrender value of life insurance306,028 306,301 306,106 307,020 309,090 
Other real estate owned4,886 4,831 6,480 7,685 7,777 
Tax asset, deferred and receivable101,121 99,883 135,521 113,724 103,070 
Other assets331,006 322,322 340,476 318,005 270,777 
TOTAL ASSETS$18,317,803 $18,405,887 $18,078,263 $18,032,256 $18,243,330 
LIABILITIES
Deposits:
Noninterest-bearing$2,338,364 $2,500,062 $2,554,984 $2,636,017 $2,964,355 
Interest-bearing12,546,220 12,321,391 12,091,592 11,945,138 11,738,932 
Total Deposits14,884,584 14,821,453 14,646,576 14,581,155 14,703,287 
Borrowings:
Federal funds purchased— — — — 20 
Securities sold under repurchase agreements130,264 157,280 152,537 152,472 179,067 
Federal Home Loan Bank advances612,778 712,852 713,384 723,480 823,577 
Subordinated debentures and other borrowings118,612 158,644 158,665 151,325 151,312 
Total Borrowings861,654 1,028,776 1,024,586 1,027,277 1,153,976 
Interest payable19,262 18,912 16,473 13,595 11,979 
Other liabilities327,500 289,033 297,984 264,664 251,640 
Total Liabilities16,093,000 16,158,174 15,985,619 15,886,691 16,120,882 
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Preferred Stock, $1,000 par value, $1,000 liquidation value:
Authorized -- 600 cumulative shares
Issued and outstanding - 125 cumulative shares125 125 125 125 125 
Preferred Stock, Series A, no par value, $2,500 liquidation preference:
Authorized -- 10,000 non-cumulative perpetual shares
Issued and outstanding - 10,000 non-cumulative perpetual shares25,000 25,000 25,000 25,000 25,000 
Common Stock, $.125 stated value:
Authorized -- 100,000,000 shares
Issued and outstanding7,321 7,428 7,425 7,412 7,407 
Additional paid-in capital1,208,447 1,236,506 1,234,402 1,233,593 1,231,532 
Retained earnings1,181,939 1,154,624 1,132,962 1,097,399 1,057,298 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(198,029)(175,970)(307,270)(217,964)(198,914)
Total Stockholders' Equity2,224,803 2,247,713 2,092,644 2,145,565 2,122,448 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY$18,317,803 $18,405,887 $18,078,263 $18,032,256 $18,243,330 









CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Dollars In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)March 31,December 31,September 30,June 30,March 31,
20242023202320232023
INTEREST INCOME
Loans receivable:
Taxable$198,023 $197,523 $191,705 $186,256 $172,353 
Tax-exempt8,190 8,197 8,288 7,760 7,709 
Investment securities:
Taxable8,748 8,644 8,590 8,886 9,087 
Tax-exempt13,611 13,821 13,947 14,279 16,070 
Deposits with financial institutions6,493 8,034 5,884 3,164 637 
Federal Home Loan Bank stock835 771 719 1,020 542 
Total Interest Income235,900 236,990 229,133 221,365 206,398 
INTEREST EXPENSE
Deposits98,285 96,655 85,551 73,201 50,685 
Federal funds purchased— — 123 1,297 
Securities sold under repurchase agreements1,032 827 797 979 848 
Federal Home Loan Bank advances6,773 6,431 6,896 6,815 7,064 
Subordinated debentures and other borrowings2,747 3,013 2,506 2,412 2,385 
Total Interest Expense108,837 106,927 95,750 83,530 62,279 
NET INTEREST INCOME127,063 130,063 133,383 137,835 144,119 
Provision for credit losses2,000 1,500 2,000 — — 
NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR CREDIT LOSSES125,063 128,563 131,383 137,835 144,119 
NONINTEREST INCOME
Service charges on deposit accounts7,907 7,690 7,975 7,813 7,359 
Fiduciary and wealth management fees8,200 8,187 7,394 7,397 7,862 
Card payment fees4,500 4,437 4,716 4,537 5,172 
Net gains and fees on sales of loans3,254 4,111 5,517 3,632 2,399 
Derivative hedge fees263 1,049 516 672 1,148 
Other customer fees427 237 384 742 517 
Earnings on cash surrender value of life insurance1,592 3,202 1,761 2,096 1,288 
Net realized losses on sales of available for sale securities(2)(2,317)(1,650)(1,392)(1,571)
Other income (loss)497 (152)1,229 822 823 
Total Noninterest Income26,638 26,444 27,842 26,319 24,997 
NONINTEREST EXPENSES
Salaries and employee benefits58,293 60,967 55,566 54,753 57,459 
Net occupancy7,312 9,089 6,837 6,674 7,259 
Equipment6,226 6,108 5,698 6,181 6,126 
Marketing1,198 2,647 2,369 1,102 1,309 
Outside data processing fees6,889 5,875 6,573 6,604 6,113 
Printing and office supplies353 402 333 434 383 
Intangible asset amortization1,957 2,182 2,182 2,182 2,197 
FDIC assessments4,287 7,557 2,981 2,740 1,396 
Other real estate owned and foreclosure expenses534 1,743 677 916 (18)
Professional and other outside services3,952 3,981 3,833 4,660 3,698 
Other expenses5,934 7,552 6,805 6,347 7,798 
Total Noninterest Expenses96,935 108,103 93,854 92,593 93,720 
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAX54,766 46,904 65,371 71,561 75,396 
Income tax expense6,825 4,425 9,005 10,699 11,317 
NET INCOME47,941 42,479 56,366 60,862 64,079 
Preferred stock dividends469 469 468 469 469 
NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS$47,472 $42,010 $55,898 $60,393 $63,610 
Per Share Data:
Basic Net Income Available to Common Stockholders$0.80 $0.71 $0.95 $1.02 $1.07 
Diluted Net Income Available to Common Stockholders$0.80 $0.71 $0.94 $1.02 $1.07 
Cash Dividends Paid to Common Stockholders$0.34 $0.34 $0.34 $0.34 $0.32 
Average Diluted Common Shares Outstanding (in thousands)59,273 59,556 59,503 59,448 59,441 
FINANCIAL RATIOS:
Return on Average Assets1.04 %0.92 %1.24 %1.34 %1.42 %
Return on Average Stockholders' Equity8.47 7.89 10.38 11.29 12.21 
Return on Tangible Common Stockholders' Equity13.21 12.75 16.54 18.04 19.82 
Average Earning Assets to Average Assets92.91 93.62 93.36 93.38 93.35 
Allowance for Credit Losses - Loans as % of Total Loans1.64 1.64 1.67 1.80 1.82 
Net Charge-offs as % of Average Loans (Annualized)0.07 0.10 0.66 0.06 0.01 
Average Stockholders' Equity to Average Assets12.17 11.58 11.87 11.78 11.56 
Tax Equivalent Yield on Average Earning Assets5.65 5.64 5.55 5.36 5.06 
Interest Expense/Average Earning Assets2.55 2.48 2.26 1.97 1.48 
Net Interest Margin (FTE) on Average Earning Assets3.10 3.16 3.29 3.39 3.58 
Efficiency Ratio59.21 63.26 53.91 52.21 51.72 
Tangible Common Book Value Per Share$25.07 $25.06 $22.43 $23.34 $22.93 





LOANS
(Dollars In Thousands)March 31,December 31,September 30,June 30,March 31,
20242023202320232023
Commercial and industrial loans$3,722,365 $3,670,948 $3,490,953 $3,531,395 $3,502,204 
Agricultural land, production and other loans to farmers234,431 263,414 233,838 230,003 219,598 
Real estate loans:
Construction941,726 957,545 1,022,261 949,918 960,979 
Commercial real estate, non-owner occupied2,368,360 2,400,839 2,360,596 2,379,819 2,375,410 
Commercial real estate, owner occupied1,137,894 1,162,083 1,153,707 1,179,739 1,244,117 
Residential2,316,490 2,288,921 2,257,385 2,248,473 2,185,943 
Home equity618,258 617,571 609,352 614,366 621,354 
Individuals' loans for household and other personal expenditures161,459 168,388 176,523 172,896 172,389 
Public finance and other commercial loans964,599 956,318 966,807 963,624 959,467 
Loans12,465,582 12,486,027 12,271,422 12,270,233 12,241,461 
Allowance for credit losses - loans(204,681)(204,934)(205,782)(221,147)(223,052)
NET LOANS$12,260,901 $12,281,093 $12,065,640 $12,049,086 $12,018,409 

DEPOSITS
(Dollars In Thousands)March 31,December 31,September 30,June 30,March 31,
20242023202320232023
Demand deposits$7,771,976 $7,965,862 $7,952,040 $8,045,455 $8,422,387 
Savings deposits4,679,593 4,516,433 4,572,162 4,530,255 4,499,487 
Certificates and other time deposits of $100,000 or more1,451,443 1,408,985 1,280,607 1,160,303 1,040,379 
Other certificates and time deposits901,280 849,906 761,196 680,965 574,886 
Brokered certificates of deposits80,292 80,267 80,571 164,177 166,148 
TOTAL DEPOSITS$14,884,584 $14,821,453 $14,646,576 $14,581,155 $14,703,287 






CONSOLIDATED AVERAGE BALANCE SHEET AND NET INTEREST MARGIN ANALYSIS
(Dollars in Thousands)
For the Three Months Ended
March 31, 2024March 31, 2023
Average BalanceInterest
 Income /
Expense
Average
Rate
Average BalanceInterest
 Income /
Expense
Average
Rate
ASSETS
Interest-bearing deposits$575,699 $6,493 4.51 %$172,814 $637 1.47 %
Federal Home Loan Bank stock41,764 835 8.00 39,759 542 5.45 
Investment Securities: (1)
Taxable1,783,057 8,748 1.96 1,924,079 9,087 1.89 
Tax-exempt (2)
2,246,265 17,229 3.07 2,552,371 20,342 3.19 
Total Investment Securities4,029,322 25,977 2.58 4,476,450 29,429 2.63 
Loans held for sale21,782 328 6.02 23,538 360 6.12 
Loans: (3)
Commercial8,598,110 159,209 7.41 8,483,879 139,661 6.58 
Real estate mortgage2,130,947 22,357 4.20 1,914,640 18,391 3.84 
Installment821,815 16,129 7.85 840,450 13,941 6.64 
Tax-exempt (2)
904,412 10,367 4.59 872,877 9,758 4.47 
Total Loans12,477,066 208,390 6.68 12,135,384 182,111 6.00 
Total Earning Assets17,123,851 241,695 5.65 %16,824,407 212,719 5.06 %
Total Non-Earning Assets1,306,670 1,197,788 
TOTAL ASSETS$18,430,521 $18,022,195 
LIABILITIES
Interest-Bearing Deposits:
Interest-bearing deposits$5,419,821 $39,491 2.91 %$5,263,601 $24,662 1.87 %
Money market deposits3,045,478 27,383 3.60 2,746,047 13,577 1.98 
Savings deposits1,559,877 3,801 0.97 1,826,209 2,965 0.65 
Certificates and other time deposits2,427,859 27,610 4.55 1,466,275 9,481 2.59 
Total Interest-Bearing Deposits12,453,035 98,285 3.16 11,302,132 50,685 1.79 
Borrowings1,011,812 10,552 4.17 1,293,309 11,594 3.59 
Total Interest-Bearing Liabilities13,464,847 108,837 3.23 12,595,441 62,279 1.98 
Noninterest-bearing deposits2,428,170 3,121,277 
Other liabilities295,365 222,352 
Total Liabilities16,188,382 15,939,070 
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY2,242,139 2,083,125 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY$18,430,521 108,837 $18,022,195 62,279 
Net Interest Income (FTE)$132,858 $150,440 
Net Interest Spread (FTE) (4)
2.42 %3.08 %
Net Interest Margin (FTE):
Interest Income (FTE) / Average Earning Assets5.65 %5.06 %
Interest Expense / Average Earning Assets2.55 %1.48 %
Net Interest Margin (FTE) (5)
3.10 %3.58 %
(1) Average balance of securities is computed based on the average of the historical amortized cost balances without the effects of the fair value adjustments. Annualized amounts are computed using a 30/360 day basis.
(2) Tax-exempt securities and loans are presented on a fully taxable equivalent basis, using a marginal tax rate of 21 percent for 2024 and 2023. These totals equal $5,795 and $6,321 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
(3) Non accruing loans have been included in the average balances.
(4) Net Interest Spread (FTE) is interest income expressed as a percentage of average earning assets minus interest expense expressed as a percentage of average interest-bearing liabilities.
(5) Net Interest Margin (FTE) is interest income expressed as a percentage of average earning assets minus interest expense expressed as a percentage of average earning assets.








ADJUSTED NET INCOME AND DILUTED EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE - NON-GAAP
(Dollars In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)Three Months Ended
March 31,December 31,September 30,June 30,March 31,
20242023202320232023
Net Income Available to Common Stockholders - GAAP$47,472 $42,010 $55,898 $60,393 $63,610 
Adjustments:
PPP loan income— (7)(8)(9)(25)
Non-core expenses1,2
3,481 12,682 — — — 
Tax on adjustments(848)(3,088)
Adjusted Net Income Available to Common Stockholders - Non-GAAP$50,105 $51,597 $55,892 $60,386 $63,591 
Average Diluted Common Shares Outstanding (in thousands)59,273 59,556 59,503 59,448 59,441 
Diluted Earnings Per Common Share - GAAP$0.80 $0.71 $0.94 $1.02 $1.07 
Adjustments:
PPP loan income— — — — — 
Non-core expenses1,2
0.06 0.21 — — — 
Tax on adjustments(0.01)(0.05)— — — 
Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Common Share - Non-GAAP$0.85 $0.87 $0.94 $1.02 $1.07 
1 - Non-core expenses in 4Q23 included $6.3 million from early retirement and severance costs, $4.3 million from the FDIC special assessment, and $2.1 million from a lease termination.
2 - Non-core expenses in 1Q24 included $2.4 million from duplicative online banking conversion costs and $1.1 million from the FDIC special assessment.



RETURN ON TANGIBLE COMMON EQUITY - NON-GAAP
(Dollars In Thousands)Three Months Ended
March 31, December 31,September 30,June 30,March 31,
20242023202320232023
Total Average Stockholders' Equity (GAAP)$2,242,139 $2,130,993 $2,154,232 $2,139,877 $2,083,125 
Less: Average Preferred Stock(25,125)(25,125)(25,125)(25,125)(25,125)
Less: Average Intangible Assets, Net of Tax(732,432)(734,007)(735,787)(737,489)(739,190)
Average Tangible Common Equity, Net of Tax (Non-GAAP)$1,484,582 $1,371,861 $1,393,320 $1,377,263 $1,318,810 
Net Income Available to Common Stockholders (GAAP)$47,472 $42,010 $55,898 $60,393 $63,610 
Plus: Intangible Asset Amortization, Net of Tax1,546 1,724 1,724 1,724 1,734 
Tangible Net Income (Non-GAAP)$49,018 $43,734 $57,622 $62,117 $65,344 
Return on Tangible Common Equity (Non-GAAP)13.21 %12.75 %16.54 %18.04 %19.82 %