Hancock Whitney Reports First Quarter 2024 EPS of $1.24

Rhea-AI Summary

Hancock Whitney (HWC) reported a strong first quarter of 2024 with a net income of $108.6 million, or $1.24 per diluted common share, compared to $50.6 million in the previous quarter. Adjusted pre-provision net revenue (PPNR) was $152.9 million, down 3% linked-quarter. Loans increased by $49.0 million, deposits by $85.8 million, and NIM reached 3.32%. The company's CET1 ratio rose to 12.67%, and TCE ratio to 8.61%. Noninterest income saw a significant increase of 126%, totaling $87.9 million. The total allowance for credit losses (ACL) was $340.8 million, up 1% from the previous quarter.

Insights

Financial Analyst

Hancock Whitney Corporation's report showing a significant rise in EPS from $0.58 to $1.24 paints a promising picture of their financial health this quarter. The net income effectively more than doubled linked-quarter, which could be appealing to investors looking for growth in the financial sector. Analyzing their net interest margin, an uptick of 5 basis points indicates improved profitability from lending activities. However, investors should note the adjusted pre-provision net revenue dipped by 3%, suggesting a potential area to watch. The capital ratios, including CET1 and TCE, have strengthened, which might reassure investors about the company's resilience. While loan and deposit growth was moderate, the stability in these figures amidst uncertain economic conditions could be viewed as a positive signal.

Credit Analyst

The credit quality of Hancock Whitney has exhibited signs of normalization, with a slight uptick in the allowance for credit losses (1%). The bank's proactive stance on maintaining a robust ACL to loans ratio of 1.42% reflects prudence in light of current economic uncertainties. The decline in net charge-offs from the previous quarter, along with the low levels of criticized commercial loans and nonaccrual loans, suggests that the company's underwriting standards remain stringent. For investors, these metrics offer comfort regarding the bank's risk management acumen. However, the slight increase in criticized loans does warrant ongoing attention to ensure it does not indicate a broader trend in deteriorating credit quality.

Market Analyst

In the context of the broader banking industry, Hancock Whitney's solid capital position and moderate growth in loans and deposits may position it favorably among regional banks. The bank's efficiency ratio of 56.44% is an operational metric that investors should consider, as it compares favorably to industry benchmarks, implying effective cost management. The bank's strategic repositioning for net interest margin expansion should be of interest to investors keen on understanding the drivers behind improved earnings. Additionally, the commitment to capital growth could be indicative of the bank's confidence in its ability to navigate potential market volatility.

GULFPORT, Miss.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Hancock Whitney Corporation (Nasdaq: HWC) today announced its financial results for the first quarter of 2024. Net income for the first quarter of 2024 totaled $108.6 million, or $1.24 per diluted common share (EPS), compared to $50.6 million, or $0.58 per diluted common share, in the fourth quarter of 2023. The first quarter of 2024 included a $3.8 million charge, or $0.04 per diluted common share, of a supplemental disclosure item, related to a revision to the FDIC Special Assessment. The fourth quarter of 2023 included a net charge of $75.4 million, or $0.68 per diluted share after-tax, of supplemental disclosure items, related to a loss on the securities portfolio restructuring, gain on sale of a parking facility, and FDIC Special Assessment. Excluding the impact of these supplemental disclosure items, EPS would be $1.28, up $0.02 linked-quarter. The company reported net income for the first quarter of 2023 of $126.5 million, or $1.45 per diluted common share. There were no supplemental disclosure items in the first quarter of 2023.

First Quarter 2024 Highlights

• Net income totaled $108.6 million, compared to $50.6 million in prior quarter
• Adjusted pre-provision net revenue (PPNR) totaled $152.9 million, down $4.6 million, or 3% linked-quarter
• Loans increased $49.0 million, or 1% LQA
• Deposits increased $85.8 million, or 1% LQA
• Criticized commercial loans and nonaccrual loans continued to normalize
• ACL coverage remained solid at 1.42%, up 1 bp, compared to prior quarter
• NIM 3.32%, up 5 bps compared to 4Q23
• CET1 ratio estimated at 12.67%, up 34 bps linked-quarter; TCE ratio 8.61%, up 24 bps linked-quarter
• Efficiency ratio 56.44%

“The first quarter’s results reflect a very positive start to 2024,” said John M. Hairston, President & CEO. “Our efforts to reposition our balance sheet and create opportunities for NIM expansion continued this quarter. NIM expansion was supported primarily by the impact of last quarter’s bond portfolio restructure and good control of deposit costs. We were also pleased with the quarter’s performance in fees and expense management. Credit metrics continued to normalize, but we do not see any broad signs of weakening in any portfolio or geographic segment. We maintained a robust ACL to loans of 1.42% and we continued to grow capital this quarter. As we look forward to celebrating our 125th year and beyond, we believe we continue to position ourselves to effectively navigate any operating environment.”

Loans

Total loans were $24.0 billion at March 31, 2024, up $49.0 million, or less than 1%, from December 31, 2023. One-time close products drove the increase in mortgage loans, which convert from construction to mortgages upon construction completion.

Average loans totaled $23.8 billion for the first quarter of 2024, virtually unchanged linked-quarter. Management expects 2024 period-end loan growth to be low single digits from year-end 2023, mostly in the second half of 2024.

Deposits

Total deposits at March 31, 2024 were $29.8 billion, up $85.8 million, or less than 1%, from December 31, 2023. The linked-quarter increase in deposits was driven primarily by an increase in interest-bearing transaction and saving and retail time deposits due to a shift from DDA deposits, offset by decreases in brokered deposits, noninterest-bearing DDAs, and interest-bearing public funds due to seasonality.

DDAs totaled $10.8 billion at March 31, 2024, down $228.4 million, or 2%, from December 31 2023 and comprised 36% of total period-end deposits. Interest-bearing transaction and savings deposits totaled $11.0 billion at the end of the first quarter of 2024, up $294.3 million, or 3%, linked-quarter. Compared to December 31, 2023, retail time deposits of $4.6 billion were up $291.7 million, or 7%, and brokered deposits were $394.8 million, down $195.0 million, or 33%, compared to the prior quarter. Interest-bearing public fund deposits decreased $76.7 million, or 2%, linked-quarter, totaling $3.1 billion at March 31, 2024.

Average deposits for the first quarter of 2024 were $29.6 billion, down $414.0 million, or 1%, linked-quarter. Management expects 2024 period-end deposit level growth to be low single digits, compared to year-end 2023.

Asset Quality

The total allowance for credit losses (ACL) was $340.8 million at March 31, 2024, up $4.0 million, or 1%, from December 31, 2023. During the first quarter of 2024, the company recorded a provision for credit losses of $13.0 million, compared to $17.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. There were $9.0 million of net charge-offs in the first quarter of 2024, or 0.15% of average total loans on an annualized basis, compared to net charge-offs of $16.1 million, or 0.27% of average total loans in the fourth quarter of 2023. The ratio of ACL to period-end loans was 1.42% at March 31, 2024, compared to 1.41% at December 31, 2023.

Criticized commercial loans and nonaccrual loans remained at low levels at March 31, 2024. Criticized commercial loans totaled $339.9 million, or 1.83% of total commercial loans, at March 31, 2024, compared to $273.7 million, or 1.47% of total commercial loans at December 31, 2023. Nonaccrual loans totaled $82.1 million, or 0.34% of total loans, at March 31, 2024, compared to $59.0 million, or 0.25% of total loans, at December 31, 2023. ORE and foreclosed assets were $2.8 million at March 31, 2024, down $0.8 million, linked-quarter.

Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin (NIM)

Net interest income (TE) for the first quarter of 2024 was $269.0 million, a decrease of $3.3 million, or 1%, from the fourth quarter of 2023. The net interest margin (NIM) (TE) was 3.32% in the first quarter of 2024, up 5 bps linked-quarter. A change in loan yields (+4 bps), a shift in average earning assets and reduced borrowings (+6 bps) and the securities portfolio restructuring (+3 bps) led to a 13 basis point improvement in NIM, offset by the impact of change in deposit mix and rates (-8 bps). Additional NIM detail and guidance is included in the first quarter of 2024 earnings investor deck.

Average earning assets were $32.6 billion for the first quarter of 2024, down $571.3 million, or 2%, from the fourth quarter of 2023.

Noninterest Income

Noninterest income totaled $87.9 million for the first quarter of 2024, up $48.9 million, or 126%, from the fourth quarter of 2023. There were no supplemental disclosure items in the first quarter of 2024. The fourth quarter of 2023 included two supplemental disclosure items of a $16.1 million gain on the sale of a parking facility and a ($65.4) million loss related to the securities portfolio restructuring.

Service charges on deposits were up $0.6 million, or 3%, from the fourth quarter of 2023. Bank card and ATM fees were virtually unchanged from the fourth quarter of 2023.

Investment and annuity income and insurance fees were up $0.8 million, or 7%, linked-quarter, related to higher activity. Trust fees were up $0.2 million, or 1% linked-quarter. Fees from secondary mortgage operations totaled $2.9 million for the first quarter of 2024, up $0.8 million, or 39%, linked-quarter, due to higher origination and sales activity.

There were no gains or losses related to securities transactions in the first quarter of 2024. Securities transactions, net was a loss of $65.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, related to the securities portfolio restructuring included as a supplemental disclosure item.

Other noninterest income was $13.2 million in the first quarter of 2024, compared to $32.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. There were no supplemental disclosure items in the first quarter of 2024. In the fourth quarter of 2023, other noninterest income was impacted by the $16.1 million gain on the sale of the parking facility.

Noninterest Expense & Taxes

Noninterest expense totaled $207.7 million, down $21.4 million, or 9% linked-quarter. Included in the total was $3.8 million of a supplemental disclosure item related to a revision to the FDIC Special Assessment. Expenses in the fourth quarter of 2023 included a $26.1 million supplemental disclosure item related to an FDIC Special Assessment. Adjusting for these items, noninterest expense for the first quarter of 2024 totaled $203.9 million, virtually unchanged, up less than 1%, linked-quarter.

Personnel expense totaled $121.2 million in the first quarter of 2024, up $6.8 million, or 6%, linked-quarter. The increase was primarily due to higher incentive expense, lower deferred salaries related to lending activities, and a seasonal increase in benefits costs. Net occupancy and equipment expense totaled $17.6 million in the first quarter of 2024, up $0.1 million, or 1%, from the fourth quarter of 2023. Amortization of intangibles totaled $2.5 million for the first quarter of 2024, down $0.1 million, or 5%, linked-quarter.

ORE and other foreclosed assets was a net gain of $0.2 million in the first quarter of 2024, compared to a net gain of $0.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2023.

Other expense, excluding the supplemental disclosure item, totaled $62.8 million in the first quarter of 2024, down $6.2 million, or 9%, linked-quarter, related to lower data processing and professional services expense.

The effective income tax rate for the first quarter of 2024 was 18.5%.

Capital

Common stockholders’ equity at March 31, 2024 totaled $3.9 billion, up $49.8 million, or 1%, from December 31, 2023. The tangible common equity (TCE) ratio was 8.61%, up 24 bps linked-quarter. The company’s CET1 ratio is estimated to be 12.67% at March 31, 2024, up 34 bps linked-quarter. Total risk-based capital ratio is estimated to be 14.37% at March 31, 2024, up 44 bps linked-quarter. The company’s share buyback authorization (allowing the repurchase of up to 4,297,000 shares of the company’s outstanding common stock), is set to expire on December 31, 2024. No shares were repurchased in the first quarter of 2024.

Conference Call and Slide Presentation

Management will host a conference call for analysts and investors at 3:30 p.m. Central Time on Tuesday, April 16, 2024 to review first quarter of 2024 results. A live listen-only webcast of the call will be available under the Investor Relations section of Hancock Whitney’s website at investors.hancockwhitney.com. A link to the release with additional financial tables, and a link to a slide presentation related to first quarter results are also posted as part of the webcast link. To participate in the Q&A portion of the call, dial 888-596-4144 or 646-968-2525, access code 6914431.

An audio archive of the conference call will be available under the Investor Relations section of our website. A replay of the call will also be available through April 23, 2024 by dialing 800-770-2030 or 609-800-9909, access code 6914431.

About Hancock Whitney

Since the late 1800s, Hancock Whitney has embodied core values of Honor & Integrity, Strength & Stability, Commitment to Service, Teamwork, and Personal Responsibility. Hancock Whitney offices and financial centers in Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, and Texas offer comprehensive financial products and services, including traditional and online banking; commercial and small business banking; private banking; trust and investment services; healthcare banking; and mortgage services. The company also operates combined loan and deposit production offices in the greater metropolitan areas of Nashville, Tennessee and Atlanta, Georgia. More information is available at www.hancockwhitney.com.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This news release includes non-GAAP financial measures to describe Hancock Whitney’s performance. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered alternatives to GAAP-basis financial statements and other bank holding companies may define or calculate these non-GAAP measures or similar measures differently. The reconciliations of those measures to GAAP measures are provided either in the financial tables or in Appendix A thereto.

Consistent with the provisions of subpart 229.1400 of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Regulation S-K, “Disclosures by Bank and Savings and Loan Registrants,” the company presents net interest income, net interest margin and efficiency ratios on a fully taxable equivalent (“TE”) basis. The TE basis adjusts for the tax-favored status of net interest income from certain loans and investments using the statutory federal tax rate to increase tax-exempt interest income to a taxable equivalent basis. The company believes this measure to be the preferred industry measurement of net interest income and it enhances comparability of net interest income arising from taxable and tax-exempt sources.

The company presents certain additional non-GAAP financial measures to assist the reader with a better understanding of the Company’s performance period over period, as well as to provide investors with assistance in understanding the success management has experienced in executing its strategic initiatives. The Company highlights certain items that are outside of our principal business and/or are not indicative of forward-looking trends in supplemental disclosures items below our GAAP financial data and presents certain “Adjusted” ratios that exclude these disclosed items. These adjusted ratios provide management or the reader with a measure that may be more indicative of forward-looking trends in our business, as well as demonstrates the effects of significant gains or losses and changes.

We define Adjusted Pre-Provision Net Revenue as net income excluding provision expense and income tax expense, plus the taxable equivalent adjustment (as defined above), less supplemental disclosure items (as defined above). Management believes that adjusted pre-provision net revenue is a useful financial measure because it enables investors and others to assess the Company’s ability to generate capital to cover credit losses through a credit cycle. We define Adjusted Revenue as net interest income (te) and noninterest income less supplemental disclosure items. We define Adjusted Noninterest Expense as noninterest expense less supplemental disclosure items. We define our Efficiency Ratio as noninterest expense to total net interest income (te) and noninterest income, excluding amortization of purchased intangibles and supplemental disclosure items, if applicable. Management believes adjusted revenue, adjusted noninterest expense and the efficiency ratio are useful measures as they provide a greater understanding of ongoing operations and enhance comparability with prior periods.

Important Cautionary Statement about Forward-Looking Statements

This presentation contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements that we may make include statements regarding our expectations of our performance and financial condition, balance sheet and revenue growth, the provision for credit losses, capital levels, deposits (including growth, pricing, and betas), investment portfolio, other sources of liquidity, loan growth expectations, management’s predictions about charge-offs for loans, general economic business conditions in our local markets, Federal Reserve action with respect to interest rates, the impacts related to Russia’s military action in Ukraine, the effects of the Israel-Hamas war, the adequacy of our enterprise risk management framework, potential claims, damages, penalties, fines and reputational damage resulting from pending or future litigation, regulatory proceedings, assessments, and enforcement actions, as well as the impact of negative developments affecting the banking industry and the resulting media coverage; the potential impact of future business combinations on our performance and financial condition, including our ability to successfully integrate the businesses, success of revenue-generating and cost reduction initiatives, the effectiveness of derivative financial instruments and hedging activities to manage risks, projected tax rates, increased cybersecurity risks, including potential business disruptions or financial losses, the adequacy of our internal controls over financial and non-financial reporting, the financial impact of regulatory requirements and tax reform legislation, deposit trends, credit quality trends, the impact of natural or man-made disasters, the impact of current and future economic conditions, including the effects of declines in the real estate market, high unemployment, inflationary pressures, increasing insurance costs, elevated interest rates and slowdowns in economic growth, as well as the financial stress on borrowers as a result of the foregoing, net interest margin trends, future expense levels, future profitability, improvements in expense to revenue (efficiency) ratio, purchase accounting impacts, accretion levels and expected returns. Also, any statement that does not describe historical or current facts is a forward-looking statement. These statements often include the words “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “intends,” “plans,” “forecast,” “goals,” “targets,” “initiatives,” “focus,” “potentially,” “probably,” “projects,” “outlook," or similar expressions or future conditional verbs such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “would,” and “could.” Forward-looking statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of management and on information currently available to management. Our statements speak as of the date hereof, and we do not assume any obligation to update these statements or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those contained in such statements in light of new information or future events.

Forward-looking statements are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Any forward-looking statement made in this presentation is subject to the safe harbor protections set forth in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned against placing undue reliance on such statements. Actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and in other periodic reports that we file with the SEC.

HANCOCK WHITNEY CORPORATION
QUARTERLY FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(Unaudited)
		Three Months Ended
(dollars and common share data in thousands, except per share amounts)		3/31/2024				12/31/2023				9/30/2023				6/30/2023				3/31/2023
NET INCOME
Net interest income		$	266,171			$	269,460			$	269,234			$	273,911			$	284,994
Net interest income (TE) (a)			269,001				272,294				272,086				276,748				287,578
Provision for credit losses			12,968				16,952				28,498				7,633				6,020
Noninterest income			87,851				38,951				85,974				83,225				80,330
Noninterest expense			207,722				229,151				204,675				202,138				200,884
Income tax expense			24,720				11,705				24,297				29,571				31,953
Net income		$	108,612			$	50,603			$	97,738			$	117,794			$	126,467
Supplemental disclosure items - included above, pre-tax
Included in noninterest income
Gain on sale of parking facility		$	—			$	16,126			$	—			$	—			$	—
Loss on securities portfolio restructure			—				(65,380	)			—				—				—
Included in noninterest expense
FDIC special assessment			3,800				26,123				—				—				—
PERIOD-END BALANCE SHEET DATA
Loans		$	23,970,938			$	23,921,917			$	23,983,679			$	23,789,886			$	23,404,523
Securities			7,559,182				7,599,974				7,916,101				8,195,679				8,390,684
Earning assets			31,985,610				32,175,097				32,733,591				32,715,630				34,106,792
Total assets			35,247,119				35,578,573				36,298,301				36,210,148				37,547,083
Noninterest-bearing deposits			10,802,127				11,030,515				11,626,371				12,171,817				12,860,027
Total deposits			29,775,906				29,690,059				30,320,337				30,043,501				29,613,070
Common stockholders' equity			3,853,436				3,803,661				3,501,003				3,554,476				3,531,232
AVERAGE BALANCE SHEET DATA
Loans		$	23,810,163			$	23,795,681			$	23,830,724			$	23,654,994			$	23,086,529
Securities (b)			8,197,410				8,579,444				8,888,477				9,007,821				9,137,034
Earning assets			32,556,821				33,128,130				33,137,565				33,619,829				32,753,781
Total assets			35,101,869				35,538,300				35,626,927				36,205,396				35,159,050
Noninterest-bearing deposits			10,673,060				11,132,354				11,453,236				12,153,453				12,963,133
Total deposits			29,560,956				29,974,941				29,757,180				29,372,899				28,792,851
Common stockholders' equity			3,818,840				3,560,978				3,572,487				3,567,260				3,412,813
COMMON SHARE DATA
Earnings per share - diluted		$	1.24			$	0.58			$	1.12			$	1.35			$	1.45
Cash dividends per share			0.30				0.30				0.30				0.30				0.30
Book value per share (period-end)			44.49				44.05				40.64				41.27				41.03
Tangible book value per share (period-end)			34.12				33.63				30.16				30.76				30.47
Weighted average number of shares - diluted			86,726				86,604				86,437				86,370				86,282
Period-end number of shares			86,622				86,345				86,148				86,123				86,066
Market data
High sales price		$	49.10			$	49.65			$	45.15			$	43.73			$	54.38
Low sales price			41.19				32.16				35.34				31.02				34.42
Period-end closing price			46.04				48.59				36.99				38.38				36.40
Trading volume			30,508				38,574				34,506				38,854				39,030
PERFORMANCE RATIOS
Return on average assets			1.24	%			0.56	%			1.09	%			1.30	%			1.46	%
Return on average common equity			11.44	%			5.64	%			10.85	%			13.24	%			15.03	%
Return on average tangible common equity			14.96	%			7.55	%			14.53	%			17.76	%			20.49	%
Tangible common equity ratio (c)			8.61	%			8.37	%			7.34	%			7.50	%			7.16	%
Net interest margin (TE)			3.32	%			3.27	%			3.27	%			3.30	%			3.55	%
Noninterest income as a percentage of total revenue (TE)			24.62	%			12.51	%			24.01	%			23.21	%			21.83	%
Efficiency ratio (d)			56.44	%			55.58	%			56.38	%			55.33	%			53.76	%
Average loan/deposit ratio			80.55	%			79.39	%			80.08	%			80.53	%			80.18	%
Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of period-end loans			1.31	%			1.29	%			1.28	%			1.32	%			1.32	%
Allowance for credit losses as a percentage of period-end loans (e)			1.42	%			1.41	%			1.40	%			1.45	%			1.46	%
Annualized net charge-offs to average loans			0.15	%			0.27	%			0.64	%			0.06	%			0.10	%
Allowance for loan losses as a % of nonaccrual loans			382.21	%			521.56	%			507.68	%			402.07	%			569.31	%
FTE headcount			3,564				3,591				3,681				3,705				3,679
(a) Taxable equivalent (TE) amounts are calculated using a federal income tax rate of 21%.
(b) Average securities does not include unrealized holding gains/losses on available for sale securities.
(c) The tangible common equity ratio is common shareholders' equity less intangible assets divided by total assets less intangible assets.
(d) The efficiency ratio is noninterest expense to total net interest income (TE) and noninterest income, excluding amortization of purchased intangibles and supplemental disclosures noted above.
(e) The allowance for credit losses includes the allowance for loan and lease losses and the reserve for unfunded lending commitments.

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240416842533/en/

Kathryn Shrout Mistich, VP, Investor Relations Manager

504.539.7836 or kathryn.mistich@hancockwhitney.com

Source: Hancock Whitney Corporation

FAQ

What was Hancock Whitney 's (HWC) net income for the first quarter of 2024?

Hancock Whitney reported a net income of $108.6 million for the first quarter of 2024.

How did the adjusted pre-provision net revenue (PPNR) change in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the previous quarter for HWC?

The adjusted pre-provision net revenue (PPNR) for Hancock Whitney in the first quarter of 2024 was $152.9 million, down 3% linked-quarter.

What was the percentage change in loans for HWC in the first quarter of 2024?

Hancock Whitney 's loans increased by less than 1% in the first quarter of 2024.

What was the Net Interest Margin (NIM) for Hancock Whitney in the first quarter of 2024?

Hancock Whitney 's Net Interest Margin (NIM) was 3.32% in the first quarter of 2024, up 5 bps linked-quarter.

How did noninterest income change for HWC in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the previous quarter?

Noninterest income for Hancock Whitney totaled $87.9 million in the first quarter of 2024, up 126% from the previous quarter.

What was the total allowance for credit losses (ACL) for HWC at the end of the first quarter of 2024?

Hancock Whitney 's total allowance for credit losses (ACL) was $340.8 million at the end of the first quarter of 2024.