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Commerce Bancshares Inc

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Employees 1001-5000
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FY2014 Annual Report · Commerce Bancshares Inc
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S T R E N G T H      |       C O M M U N I T Y      |       I N N O V A T I O N

2 0 1 4   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   A N D   F O R M   1 0 - K

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COMMER CE BA NCSH ARES,  IN C.

1000 WALNUT 
P.O. BOX 419248
KANSAS CITY, MO 64141-6248

Phone: 

(816) 234-2000 
(800) 892-7100

Email: mymoney@commercebank.com
Website: www.commercebank.com

An Equal Opportunity Employer

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
C O M P A N Y   P R O F I L E

Commerce Bancshares, Inc. operates as a super-community 
bank offering an array of sophisticated financial products 
delivered with high-quality, personal customer service. The 
Company’s customer promise we ask, listen and solve is not 
just its brand, but also its corporate focus. With this platform, 
Commerce is continually building its long-term franchise 
while paying strict attention to asset quality and expense 

management. Commerce provides a full range of financial 
products to consumer and commercial customers including:  
lending, payment processing, trust, brokerage and capital 
markets services. Commerce uses a variety of delivery 
platforms including an expansive ATM network, full-featured 
online banking, a central contact center, and has a nation-
wide presence in the commercial payments industry.

• $24.0 billion in assets

•  37th largest U.S. bank based on 

asset size1

•  195 branches

• 392 ATMs

•  357,000 online banking  

customers2

•  45.7 million online banking  

sessions3

• 88,000  mobile customers

•  4,744 full-time equivalent (FTE) 

employees

Data as of December 2014 unless otherwise noted
1Source: SNL Financial as of 9/30/2014
2Includes active Retail and Small Business customers
3Retail sessions in 2014

C O M M E R C E   B A N C S H A R E S   A T   A   G L A N C E

E I G H T   K E Y   M A R K E T S

C O M M E R C I A L   O F F I C E S

C O M M E R C E   U S   P R E S E N C E

1.  Cincinnati

2.  Nashville

3. Dallas

Branch Footprint

Extended Commercial Market Area

Commercial Payments Services

1.  St. Louis

2.  Kansas City

3.  Springfield

4.  Central Missouri

 5. Central Illinois

6. Wichita

7. Tulsa/Oklahoma City

 8. Denver

8

6

2

4

1

3

5

1

2

7

3

C O N T I N U O U S   I M P R O V E M E N T

A B O U T   T H E   C O V E R

Commerce is dedicated to continuous 
improvement and innovation. That 
requires listening to customer  
needs and investing in products  
that provide superior solutions.  
We continuously look for new  
ways to deepen our customer 
relationships and improve our 
business processes for greater 
cost-efficiency.

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a tion & In

Mercy, one of the nation’s largest health care systems, 
serves millions of patients each year from its 32 hospitals. 
Commerce Bank is making it easier for those patients to pay 
their medical bills with new zero-percent interest rate loans. 
The Health Services Financing program is one of many 
solutions Commerce has developed over the years to support 
Mercy’s mission. From left, Tammy Krebel, Commerce senior 
vice president, commercial banking; Mark Huebner, director 
of health services financing; Bruce Fernandez, Mercy’s 
director of treasury services; and Steve Walden, Mercy’s 
manager of treasury operations.

Financial Highlights 1    |    Message to Our Shareholders 2    |    Strength  •  Community  •  Innovation 10
Success Stories 11    |    Community Advisors 20    |    Officers and Directors 24

T A B L E   O F   C O N T E N T S

 
 
 
 
We ask, listen and solve.

COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. 2014 ANNUAL REPORT

1

(In thousands, except per share data)

O P E R AT I N G   R ES U LT S

F I N A N C I A L   H I G H L I G H T S

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

Net interest income
Provision for loan losses
Non-interest income
Investment securities gains (losses), net
Non-interest expense
Net income attributable to Commerce Bancshares, Inc.
Net income available to common shareholders
Cash dividends on common stock

  $        645,932 
100,000 
  405,111 
(1,785)
631,134 
221,710 
221,710 
78,231 

$  

 646,070
51,515 
392,917 
10,812 
617,249 
256,343 
256,343 
79,140 

$        639,906
27,287 
399,630 
4,828 
618,469 
269,329 
269,329 
211,608**

$        619,372
20,353
418,386
(4,425) 
629,633
260,961
260,961
82,104

$        620,204
29,531
435,978
14,124 
657,775
261,754
257,704
84,241

AT YEAR END

Total assets
Loans, including held for sale
Investment securities
Deposits
Equity
Non-performing assets
Common shares outstanding*
Tier I risk-based capital ratio
Total risk-based capital ratio
Leverage ratio
Tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio
Efficiency ratio

OTHER FINAN CIA L  DATA  (based on average balances)

Return on total assets  
Return on common equity
Loans to deposits
Equity to assets
Net yield on interest earning assets (T/E)
Wtd. average common shares outstanding-diluted*

PER SHARE DATA

Net income - basic*
Net income - diluted*
Market price*
Book value*
Cash dividends*
Cash dividend payout ratio

  * Restated for the 5% stock dividend distributed December 2014.
** Includes a special dividend paid in the fourth quarter of 2012. 

$  18,502,339
9,474,733 
7,409,534 
15,085,021 
2,023,464 
97,320 
105,292 
   14.38%
15.75 
10.17 
10.27 
59.71 

1.22%

11.15 
70.02 
10.91 
3.89 
106,214

$  20,649,367
9,208,554 
9,358,387 
16,799,883 
2,170,361 
93,803 
102,973 

$   22,159,589
9,840,211 
9,669,735 
18,348,653 
2,171,574 
64,863 
100,784 

 14.71%
16.04 
9.55 
9.91 
59.10 

   1.32%
12.15 
59.15 
10.87 
3.65 
104,420 

 13.60% 
14.93 
9.14 
9.25 
59.26 

    1.30%
12.00
55.80
10.84
3.41
101,313

$  23,072,036
10,956,836
9,042,997
19,047,348
2,214,397
55,439
100,675
    14.06%
15.28
9.43
9.00
60.49

$  23,994,280
11,469,238
9,645,792
19,475,778
2,334,246
46,251
96,327
    13.74%
14.86
9.36
8.55
62.08

1.19%

1.15%

11.99
57.12
9.95
3.11
99,732

11.65
59.91
10.10
3.00
97,384

  $ 

  $                 2.09 
2.08 
32.69 
19.22 
.737 
 35.29%

  $ 

2.45 
2.44 
32.93
21.08 
.757 
 30.87% 

$         

2.64 
2.63 
31.80 
21.55 
2.090**
 78.57%**

   2.60
2.59
42.77
22.00
.816
  31.46%

  $                2.62
2.61
43.49
22.73
.857
  32.69%

R E T U R N  O N  A V E R A G E  C O M M O N   E Q U I T Y

R E T U R N  O N  A V E R A G E  A S S E T S

20.0%

15.0%

10.0%

5.0%

0.0%

-5.0%

-10.0%

Source: SNL Financial

Commerce 10-Year Average: 12.7%              Peers’ 10-Year Average: 8.4%

  05 

06 

07 

08 

09 

10 

11 

12 

13 

14

2.00%

1.50%

1.00%

05.0%

00.0%

-05.0%

-1.00%

Source: SNL Financial

Commerce 10-Year Average: 1.3%              Peers’ 10-Year Average: 0.8%

  05 

06 

07 

08 

09 

10 

11 

12 

13 

14

Commerce  

Peers 

Large Banks

Commerce  

Peers 

Large Banks

   
 
We ask, listen and solve.

COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. 2014 ANNUAL REPORT

2

To Our Shareholders

In  2015  Commerce  Bank  will  be  celebrating  its  150th  
anniversary — a milestone that should be a source of 
pride for the entire Commerce family, employees, share-
holders and customers alike. This year we celebrate the 
culture,  agility  and  planning  that  have  allowed  us  to 
serve our customers for a century and a half and be a 
steady and profitable investment for our shareholders. 
Commercial banking and financial services will continue 
to change rapidly, while technology and communications 
improve  and  evolve.  Your  Company  is  committed  to  
understanding  and  adapting  to  customers’  changing 
needs  while  maintaining  a  culture  of  stability  and  
intelligent risk-taking.

D a vi d  W.   Ke m p e r,   C ha i r ma n

We have added such products as  

Commerce enjoyed solid financial performance in 2014 as 
the United States economy continued to expand. Moderate 
loan growth and excellent credit performance offset  
continued interest margin pressure caused by ongoing 
extraordinarily low short-term interest rates and competitive 
pricing pressure. Our asset management and commercial 
card businesses enjoyed excellent fee income growth in 2014 
with increases 
of 9% for  
both. We also  
experienced 
good growth  
in our newer 
commercial 
offices in 
Denver, Tulsa, 
Oklahoma City, 

customized health services  

for health care providers.

financing and automated payments 

Dallas, Nashville and Cincinnati with loans growing 11%, to 
$1.1 billion, and additional revenue earned from non-credit 
products. Slower but steady growth in our traditional banking 
markets resulted in solid, profitable performance.

Our longer-term strategy is to continue to invest in 

products and services that differentiate us to our customer. 
We are very excited about our five-year plans for expanding 
our commercial payments business, where we have added 
such products as customized health services financing and 
automated payments processing for healthcare providers;  
as well as specialized trade financing, which allows our 
customers to pay vendors and manage cash flows and trade 
discounts. Our commercial payments business has become a 
national business with major customers from coast to coast.
Our wealth management business had excellent growth 

this year, with our personal money management business 
continuing to expand our client base and services. We 
continue to increase our market penetration in Kansas City, 
St. Louis and our community markets and expect to bring 
these services to some of our expansion markets over the 
next several years.
  We will continue to focus on the long-term growth and 
health of our Company by making investments for the future. 
We anticipate 2015 will be a challenging operating year with 
continued historically low interest rates and intense loan 
competition, but we are confident the products we have and 
markets we are in will payoff with strong growth in the future.

 
 
We ask, listen and solve.

COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. 2014 ANNUAL REPORT

3

PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS

• Commerce reported earnings per share of $2.61, up 

slightly over 2013. The return on average assets totaled  
1.2% while return on average common equity was 11.7%. 
This compares to the top 50 bank industry average of .8%*  
for return on assets and 7.5%* for return on average equity  
in 2014.

• Net income attributable to Commerce totaled $262 

million versus $261 million last year.

• We paid a regular cash dividend of $.857 per share 
(restated) in 2014, making this the 46th consecutive year  
in which regular cash dividends were increased. We have  
also paid a 5% stock dividend for the 21st year in a row.

• For the first time, the Company issued $150 million  
in perpetual preferred stock in 2014, with a 6% dividend. 
Proceeds were used to repurchase common shares. In 2014, 
the Company paid $211 million to purchase shares of  
common stock.

T O T A L  L O A N S

$11.5

$11.0

• Company equity totaled $2.3 billion, and the Tier I 
risk-based capital ratio totaled 13.7%. In 2015, the Company’s 
capital levels are expected to exceed all required amounts 
under the new Basel III regulations.

• Average loans, year to date, grew 9%, or $944 million. 

Average commercial loans grew by $642 million, or 11%,  
on strong growth in business-type loans, while consumer 
banking loans grew $302 million, or 7%, on strong residential 
and auto loan growth. Loan growth in our expansion markets 
continued to be robust, as total average loans grew by 35%, 
to $1.1 billion.

• Our wealth management business grew trust revenues 

9%, to $112 million. Trust assets also grew 11% to $39 billion. 

• Our national commercial card business grew  

revenue 9%, to $88 million, in 2014, as a result of strong  
new customer sales and continued growth in usage by our  
existing customers. 

• Net loan charge-offs remained low, totaling $35 million 
in 2014, an increase of $3 million over last year. The increase 
was mostly due to higher loan recoveries in the prior year.  
Net loan charge-offs totaled .31% of total loans in 2014, 
compared to .30% in 2013. Non-performing assets declined 
$9 million this year.

$9.8

CUSTOMER PROMISE VALUE PROPOSITION

$9.5

$9.2

   10 

11 

12 

13 

14

T O T A L  D E P O S I T S    

$18.3

$16.8

$19.0

$19.5

$15.1

  10 

11 

12 

13 

14

Over our 150-year history, Commerce has remained  
dedicated to providing high levels of customer service and 
innovative new products. Between 1920 and 1950, the bank 
built strong businesses in trust and check processing and 
developed a large correspondent banking network. In the 
1960s, investments in the credit card business paved the way 
for larger investments down the road in payments systems. 
Today, Commerce operates as a super-community  
banking organization, dedicated to providing high customer 
service while offering sophisticated products and solutions to 
our business, wealth management and retail customer base. 
We listen to our customers, ask about their banking needs 
and offer solutions, many of which are customized to make 
banking even easier.
  We have created a culture for sales, service and risk 
management that is highly valued and constantly refined and 
updated. We measure customer satisfaction for all business 

*As of September 30, 2014

Commerce Bancshares Company History 1865 - 1899

1850 -  Kansas City  

is incorporated.

1863-64 -  Congress passed two acts that 
create national banks and set  
up a national currency.

1881 -  Dr. William S. Woods 

1887 -  Bank is granted 

buys into the bank and 
becomes president.

national charter under 
the name National 
Bank of Commerce.

1893 -  Bank survives  
financial panic.

1821 -  Missouri becomes first state 
west of the Mississippi to be 
admitted into United States.

1865 -  Kansas City Savings Association is 
organized with $10,000 in capital. 
Francis Long is president.

1877 -  Missouri passes first 
general incorporation 
law for banks.

1882 -  Name of bank changes 

to Bank of Commerce.

1895 -  Missouri passes law 

requiring annual bank 
examinations.

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$11.5

$11.0

$10.5

$10.0

$  9.5

$  9.0

$  8.5

$  8.0

$20

$19

$18

$17

$16

$15

$14

$13

$12

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
We ask, listen and solve.

COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. 2014 ANNUAL REPORT

4

segments regularly to ensure we provide valuable and relevant 
services at the highest quality levels. Employees are surveyed 
regularly, and their engagement scores continually rank above 
those of other high-performance companies, suggesting our 
employees are committed to Commerce’s success.

Commerce also consistently offers above-average, 

risk-adjusted returns to our shareholders. Over the last  
10 years, the annualized total shareholder return on the 
Company’s common stock amounted to 6.2%, compared  
to the NASDAQ Bank total return of .6%. Over this ten-year 
period, we have consistently outperformed our peer banks  
in both returns on assets and equity, while maintaining 
strong capital and reserves. Further, as noted above, we  
have increased our cash dividend paid on common shares  
for 46 consecutive years and in 2014, for the first time,  
we successfully issued perpetual preferred stock with an 
attractive 6% dividend rate.

INDUSTRY RECOGNITION AND INNOVATION
The Company’s ongoing focus on providing solid, consistent 
returns while delivering innovative products with high service 
levels continues to generate industry recognition each year. 
• With total assets of $24 billion, Commerce ranks 37th 

For the sixth year in a row,  

Commerce was ranked among the  

top ten on Forbes’ list of America’s 

among U.S. 
banks and had 
market capital-
ization of greater 
than $4 billion  
at December  
31, 2014.

Best Banks. Commerce ranked ninth 

• For the sixth 

on the list for 2015.

year in a row, 
Commerce was 
ranked among 
the top ten on 

Forbes’ list of America’s Best Banks. Commerce ranked ninth 
on the list for 2015.

• In September 2014, SNL Financial ranked Commerce 

Trust Company the 25th largest in the U.S. based on assets  
under management.

• In December 2014, Moody’s Investors Service 
 reaffirmed Commerce’s credit rating. Commerce is one of  

only four banks in the country with Moody’s highest assigned 
Bank Financial Strength rating.

• In 2014, The Nilson Report ranked Commerce the 35th 

largest debit card issuer, 18th largest consumer credit card 
bank issuer, 7th largest purchasing card issuer and 17th 
largest commercial card issuer.

• In December 2014, Commerce was among the first  

banks in the country to begin offering a new service,  
Apple PayTM, which gives customers a new, easy, secure  
and private way to make mobile payments tied to our debit 
and credit cards. 

• Commerce continues to add new features and services 

to its online and mobile banking platforms. For example, 
customers can now deposit checks using mobile devices, and 
a new innovative credit card service, toggle®, can improve the 
way customers can manage their spending and borrowing.

BLUE CHIP INITIATIVES
Over the past several years, Commerce focused on new 
initiatives to grow revenue and improve overall profitability, 
leveraging our existing product platforms to keep pace with 
increasing customer demands. Some important Blue Chip 
initiatives we will work on in 2015 include: 
• Building out expansion markets
• Developing new lending and payment products
• Transforming our retail model to generate new profits
• Accelerating wealth management opportunities

  While we have made investments in these new initiatives 
over the last several years and will continue to invest in people 
and technology in 2015, we expect to see tangible results begin 
to emerge in the coming year. These initiatives are described 
more fully below in the business line discussions.

PAYMENTS SYSTEM
Commerce is focused on investing in our payments system 
businesses. Operated within both our retail and commercial 
segments, these businesses offer the Company strong revenue 
growth opportunities, consistent earnings and less volatility 
from economic and interest rate cycles. These businesses also 
provide our customers with a comprehensive suite of highly 
competitive products and technologies to help them process 
payments more efficiently and effectively.

Commerce Bancshares Company History 1900 - 1919

1903 -  Future President Harry  
Truman is employed at  
Commerce as a clerk.

1907 -  National Bank of Commerce is  

closed by The Office of the Comptroller 
of the Currency, who resigns  
position to run bank.

1912 -  National Bank of Commerce 
absorbs Southwest National  
Bank and becomes Southwest 
National Bank of Commerce.

1919 -  “Southwest” is dropped  
from the company name. 
Deposits reach $60 million.

1900 -  Bank becomes largest bank 

west of Chicago with more 
than $36 million in deposits.

1906 -  Commerce Trust  
Co. is organized.

1908 -  Bank reopens, and 
Dr. Woods regains 
control of bank.

1913 -  Federal Reserve System  

1916 -  Southwest National Bank  

is formed. Missouri  
becomes only state with  
two Federal Reserve banks.

purchases assets of Commerce 
Trust, but two banks continue  
to operate separately.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
We ask, listen and solve.

COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. 2014 ANNUAL REPORT

5

Our payments system businesses include products and 

services for both consumer and business customers, such as 
deposit processing, commercial cash management, bankcard 
activities, and international services. These businesses 
generated $275 million in fee income in 2014 and grew 3% 
over the previous year. Commercial card revenues, which 
totaled $88 million this year, represent our largest single 
source of fee income and have grown rapidly over the last five 
years. Fees from debit card transactions, challenged four 
years ago by new banking laws, grew 5% in 2014, totaling 
$37 million. Our commercial cash management business 
consists of numerous services, including remittance processing 
and payables solutions to many companies in our markets 
across the Midwest and, increasingly, to companies in our 
rapidly growing expansion markets. In 2014, this business 
provided $43 million in customer billings, which are paid  
for with both fees and compensating deposit balances of 
$4.1 billion at year end.

COMMERCIAL BANKING ACTIVITIES
Our commercial banking group offers many traditional 
lending products, such as working capital lines of credit, 
owner-occupied and investment real estate loans, tax- 
advantaged financing programs, and equipment financing 
and leases. In addition to the payments system products 
mentioned above, we offer international services to  
companies that import or export to facilitate international 
payments and mitigate the associated risks. We also sell 
fixed-income securities to both correspondent banks and 
commercial customers. All of these products and solutions 
are managed by commercial bankers who take the time to 
understand each customer’s unique needs.

During 2014, average commercial banking loans grew 

$659 million, or 11%, to $6.8 billion on strong growth in 
commercial and industrial loans, tax-advantaged lending  
and leases. Commercial deposits also showed solid growth 
as average balances grew 7% to $7.3 billion, a sign that 
corporate customers still maintain high cash levels. While  
low interest rates continued to squeeze lending margins  
and competition remains strong among banks for new loans, 
we continued to grow our net interest income from both loan 
growth and increased earning assets related to deposit 

growth this year. Fees from commercial and merchant  
bank card activities contributed an additional $7 million  
in new revenue.

Blue Chip Initiative – Building Out Expansion Markets
While still relatively small, our expansion markets,  
including Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Denver, Dallas, Nashville and 
Cincinnati, represent important new growth opportunities  
for Commerce. In these higher-growth expansion markets  
that have experienced banking consolidation, our super-
community banking model resonates with both commercial 
customers and the talented bankers we need to grow our 
business. Loan growth has been much stronger in expansion 
markets than in our more established markets. In 2014, 
average loans grew 35%, while fee income grew 9% and 
pre-tax profits increased 11%. Our addition of Summit Bank 
in 2013 provided new opportunities to expand existing  
and develop new commercial relationships, especially in 
Oklahoma City and Tulsa markets where we have attracted 
several new bankers who are familiar with those cities. We 
also see good opportunities to grow both loans and revenues 
in the Denver and Dallas markets, which performed well this 
year, along with Nashville and Cincinnati.

Blue Chip Initiative – Developing New Lending and Payment 
Products
Over the past few years, we have developed a number of new 
lending products and expertise in the areas of leasing, health 
care, energy lending, floor plan financing, tax-advantaged 
lending and international services.

h
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%

10%

8%

6%

4%

2%

0% 

L O A N  G R O W T H -  2014  V E R S U S  2013    

Expansion Markets Offering Growth Opportunities

9%

5%

Expansion Markets 
23%

Total Company 

Commerce Bancshares Company History 1920 - 1939

1922 -  W.T. Kemper sells  
interest in bank at 
$200 a share.

1925 -  James Kemper Sr.  

1928 -  Commerce begins first  

1932 -  W.T. Kemper reacquires bank 

becomes president  
of the bank.

24-hour transit department 
in the country.

for $86 a share. 

11%

1938 -  W.T. Kemper dies,  

and James Kemper Sr.  
becomes chairman of  
the board.

1921 -  National Bank and Commerce 

1925 -  W.T. Kemper buys  

Trust merge operations. Women’s 
Department is established.

Kansas City, Mexico  
& Orient Railway  
for $3 million.

1928 -  W.T. Kemper sells railroad for 
$14.5 million, shortly before 
beginning of Great Depression.

1933 -  Bank survives run during Great Depression.  
Banking Act of 1933 creates the FDIC system.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
We ask, listen and solve.

COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. 2014 ANNUAL REPORT

6

This past year, we spent considerable time on new 
lending initiatives, including health services financing, 
medical claims payments, customer accounts payable 
processing and supply chain financing. In health care, we now 
offer new financing alternatives to our hospital customers 
and new medical claims processing services for providers.  
We also invested in developing our AP Automation product, 
which will enable us to process more of our customers’ 
payments and provide new revenue sources in the future. 
This product also allows us entry into future supply chain 
financing opportunities.
  With our recent expansion in Oklahoma, we are carefully 
expanding our energy lending business, well aware of the 
recent market stress created by low oil prices. We believe  
this sector will continue to be an important part of our 
national economy.

CONSUMER BANKING
Our consumer banking business is comprised of 195 
branches spread through Missouri, Kansas, Illinois, 
Oklahoma and Colorado with total consumer deposits of 
$9.5 billion. In addition to offering traditional deposit 
products, including checking, money market, savings and 
certificates of deposit, we also offer debit and credit cards, 
personal banking loans for vehicles, construction and home 
improvement loans and lines of credit, and residential 
mortgages. During 2014, consumer loans within this 
business grew by 5% to $2.7 billion, while deposits  
grew by 2%.

Blue Chip Initiative – Transforming the Retail Model
A combination of changes in the regulatory environment  
and customer behaviors made it imperative we examine  
our retail branch banking network with a focus on improving 
both our customers’ experience and our profitability in this 
segment. With falling revenues over the last five years and 
significant costs to operate our branch locations, profits  
have been squeezed. Further, new online banking and mobile 
technologies have meant greater flexibility and options to  
our customers, who no longer rely solely on branches to  
serve their banking needs fully, but still need to visit them  
for advice or new services.

We have been focused on new  

ways to serve our customers  

To address these issues, we have been focused on  
new ways to service our customers with greater efficiency. 
Branch managers now oversee multiple locations. In  
many of our locations, branch associates handle all customer 
needs, acting as both tellers  and financial service represen-
tatives. Using video conferencing technologies, we are able to 
connect our customers to experts within our bank to address 
their needs immediately.
  While these are 
important steps, 
more enhancements 
are planned. In 
November 2014,  
we opened a new 
branch concept  
in St. Louis, with 
advanced technologies and a new approach to customer 
service. In 2015, two more new branches will open with 
similar concepts as we try to create new and better customer 
experiences. Further, we have closely examined our  
current branch locations and over the last 12 months  
have closed or sold seven locations that offered limited 
growth opportunities. We continue to look for new ways  
to interact with our customers and meet their changing 
needs, while improving productivity and profitability in  
this segment.

with greater efficiency.

New initiatives are underway to expand our residential 
mortgage business to better leverage our infrastructure and 
strengthen our customer relationships, which should also 
create new sources of fee income. We have also invested 
resources to upgrade our online and mobile banking 
channels, adding new features such as remote check 
deposit, and we were among the first banks to roll out the 
new Apple PayTM product for use on iPhone 6® smart phones.  
In early 2015, we rolled out a new credit card feature, 
toggle®, which will provide consumers with flexibility in 
scheduling payments, while enabling them to earn reward 
points. We will also be issuing new credit and debit cards 
with chips, offering greater security against fraud.

Clearly, we are focused on providing our customers with the 
latest in products and technology to make their banking easier, 
while also working hard to improve productivity and profits.

Commerce Bancshares Company History 1940 - 1959

1946 -  James Kemper Jr. begins work at the 

1947 -  James Kemper Sr. and Arthur Eisenhower 

First National Bank of Independence, 
controlled by the family.

help TWA underwrite the bond for the 
future Kansas City international airport.

1955 -  James Kemper Jr. becomes 
president of the bank.

1944 -  James Kemper Sr. and Commerce directors  

begin Midwest Research Institute to help  
Kansas City community develop new industries.

1955 -  Commerce leads financing for 

TWA terminal that helps Kansas 
City land international flights.

 
 
 
 
We ask, listen and solve.

COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. 2014 ANNUAL REPORT

7

WEALTH AND ASSET MANAGEMENT
Our Commerce Trust Company is a leading regional provider 
of private banking and wealth management products  
and services. Through Commerce Trust, we provide trust,  
investment management and a broad range of financial 
advisory services to individuals, businesses and other 
institutional clients. Our Commerce Family Office also offers 
highly customized advice to customers who require more  
specialized assistance in areas such as investment consulting, 
risk management, family administrative services and advice 
on family-owned businesses. Commerce Trust manages  
a family of mutual funds, The Commerce Funds, with  
$2.0 billion in assets under management. We also operate  
a retail brokerage business, Commerce Brokerage Services, 
Inc., with approximately $300 million in our Horizons 
managed account product.

In 2014, trust and asset management revenues grew 9%, 
to $112 million, as a result of new business development and 
expansion of existing client relationships. Client assets also 
grew 11%, to a record $39 billion. Loans to private banking 
clients increased 8%, while private banking deposits grew 
10%. Our brokerage business also had a solid year as 
revenue grew 9%. In 2014, Commerce Family Office was 
ranked 21st in the U.S. by customer assets with the second 
fastest asset growth in the country by Bloomberg News.

Blue Chip Initiative – Accelerating Wealth Management 
Opportunities
After five years of strong growth in revenues and profits,  
our asset management business is in a position of  
strength to continue this pace and add new customer  
relationships. We are focused on a number of initiatives  
to achieve our goals.

With success in our Family Office business over the last 

several years, especially in our St. Louis market, we have 
added senior staff to focus and grow our Kansas City market, 
where we see good potential. We are expanding our sales 
staff and calling programs and are investing in expanded 
marketing resources to identify new customers and increase 
future sales. We are also focused on expanding our presence 
in our newer markets with added staff and calling efforts,  
and are looking at new technologies to achieve product 

s
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T R U S T  A S S E T S  A N D  F E E S

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Trust Assets 

Trust Fees

enhancements and expense savings. We continue  
to emphasize our Horizons managed account product,  
which generated significant new revenues this year. We 
believe solid returns will continue to attract new business  
in the future.

COMMERCIAL CARD AND MERCHANT ACTIVITIES
Our national commercial card payments business, which is 
included in our commercial banking segment, is unique and 
deserves to be highlighted. This business covers 48 states 
and is the largest of all our payments activities. We were 
recognized as the 17th largest commercial card provider  
in the U.S. according to Nilson. Revenue growth has been 
strong, especially in commercial card fees, which have grown 
over the last five years at an average rate of 23%.

Commercial card activities include processing accounts 

payable payments for our commercial customers, which 

C O M M E R C I A L  C A R D  F E E S    

5 - Y e a r
5 - Y e a r

  C A G R   =   2 2 %2 2 %
  C A G R   =   2 2 %
$71

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11 

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$90
$80
$70
$60
$50
$40
$30
$20
$10

$  0

Commerce Bancshares Company History 1960 - 1979

1965 -  Commerce 

Tower opens at 
911 Main.

1967-  Deposits surpass 
$500 million.

1971 -  Stock begins publicly trading on 

NASDAQ. Assets surpass $1 billion.

11%

1978 -  Commerce acquires  

Manchester Financial  
of St. Louis.

1966 -  Commerce organizes bank holding company. 

The next year, it starts acquiring banks in Missouri.

1969 - First ATMs introduced 
in United States.

1972 -  Federal Reserve approves 

Commerce plan to open 
bank in St. Louis.

1979 -  Installation of  
first Commerce 
Bank ATM

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
We ask, listen and solve.

COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. 2014 ANNUAL REPORT

8

C A S H  D I V I D E N D S  P E R  S H A R E

N E T  L O A N  C H A R G E- O F F S    

e
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$1.20

$1.00

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$0.60

$0.40

$0.20

$0.00

1 0 -Ye a r   C A G R   =   5 %
1 0 -Ye a r   C A G R   =   5 %

 05 

06 

07 

08 

09 

10 

11 

12 

13 

14

Excludes special dividend of $1.30 per share in 2012.

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$160

$140

$120

$100

$  80

$  60

$  40

$  20

$  0

  05 

06 

07 

08 

09 

10 

11 

12 

13 

14

allows them to reduce manual processing and lower  
overhead costs. We offer this product through our  
commercial bankers in our markets and with a dedicated 
sales force throughout the country. While we service  
customers in many industries, we have developed  
specialties in servicing healthcare, education and  
governmental customers.

During 2014, revenues grew to $88 million, or an 
increase of 9%, on customer-generated sales volumes of  
$6.8 billion. In 2014, we added 171 new customers with 
projected sales volumes of approximately $1.4 billion.

Revenue growth has been strong, 

especially in commercial card fees, 

which have grown over the last five 

years at an average rate of 23%.

  We have 
invested signifi-
cant time and 
energy in 
developing  
new products  
and services  
to enhance  
this payments 
business and 

increase our share of our corporate transactions. After several 
years in development, in 2015 we expect to roll out our AP 
automation and supply chain financing products and begin  
to grow new revenues and profits.
  Merchant processing is also an important payments 
business with revenues of $27 million in 2014. We processed 
payments for more than 10,000 merchants this year on sales 
of more than $8.6 billion.

RISK MANAGEMENT
We focus on strong underwriting and credit management 
practices, and results in 2014 continue to be among the best 
in the banking industry. Net loan charge-offs totaled $35 
million in 2014, a slight increase over the prior year, mainly 
the result of lower commercial loan recoveries this year. Net 
loan charge-offs totaled .31% in 2014 and .30% in 2013  — 
historically low loss rates — and compare to the industry 
average for the top 50 banks of .34%.* Non-performing 
assets totaled .40% of loans, the lowest level in five years, 
and compares to an industry average of .87%.*

Gross commercial loan losses totaled $4.5 million  

in 2014 compared to $5.2 million last year. However, 
commercial loan recoveries were $4.6 million lower this  
year, as many of these recoveries related to loan losses 
during the financial crisis have been declining.

Consumer net loan losses were down slightly in 2014, 
mainly due to lower personal real estate and credit card loan 
losses, which are at historically low levels. These decreases 
were partly offset by higher credit losses on our automobile 
loan portfolio, which has seen good growth over the last three 
years. Overall, loss rates on automobile loans remain low, as 
do 30-day and older delinquency rates for consumer loans.

OUTLOOK FOR 2015
The outlook for the U.S. economy is for moderate growth in 
a very low interest rate environment. Fed monetary policy  
will depend on the pace of domestic growth and global 
conditions; it is clear that the extraordinary period of very 
*As of September 30, 2014

Commerce Bancshares Company History 1980 - 1997

1983 -  Missouri changes bank laws 
to make it possible to merge 
banks in same county.

1984 -  Commerce  

1986 -  Assets 

1989-90 -  Commerce survives 

acquires County 
Tower in St. Louis.

surpass  
$5 billion.

savings and loan 
crises.

1991 -  Commerce launches 
its debit card system.

1994 -  Interstate banking  

approved by Congress  
and President Clinton. 

1982 -  David Kemper  

1985 -  Commerce Bank of 

1985 -    Commerce  

1987 -  Missouri allows 

1995 -  Commerce 

becomes president 
and chief operating 
officer. Brother 
Jonathan Kemper 
joins bank.

Omaha established for 
credit card business. It 
rolls out first card having 
both credit and ATM 
functions later that year.

acquires First 
National Bank  
of St. Joseph.

limited branching 
by banks.

1992 -  Commerce creates 
SBIC operation to 
invest in businesses.

1991 -  Missouri switches to statewide 
branch banking system.

1994 -  Commerce introduces  
mutual fund products.

acquires 
People’s Bank 
in Bloomington, 
Ill, and Union 
Bancshares in 
Wichita, Kan.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
We ask, listen and solve.

COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. 2014 ANNUAL REPORT

9

G R O W T H  I N  E P S   A N D  S T O C K  P R I C E

T E N- Y E A R   C U M U L AT I V E  T O T A L  R E T U R N

e
c
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P
k
c
o
t
S

$60

$50

$40

$30

$20

$10

$0

 05  06  07 

08  09 

10  11  12 

13  14

$3.00

$2.50

$2.00

$1.50

$1.00

$0.50

$0.00

e
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a
E

$ 240

$ 200

$ 160

$ 120

$  80

$  40      

$  0

  2004 

2006 

2008 

2010 

2012 

2014

Stock Price  

Earnings per Share

Commerce (CBSH) 

NASDAQ Bank 

S&P 500 

low interest rates will continue to put pressure on  
industry earnings for 2015. The U.S. banking industry is  
well capitalized and profitable, but continues to suffer from 
over-capacity and excessive regulation, both of which have 
added cost and limited lending, especially to consumers. 
There is growing political and market recognition that 
midsized banks like Commerce are performing well for  
their customers and communities. We hope that the 
regulatory environment will continue to improve to reduce 
unnecessary cost and red tape, which result in needless 
costs to our customers.

The financial industry continues to rapidly evolve  
with new technology and communications. Your Company  
has prospered for a century and a half precisely because  
we have been adaptive and responsive to our customers’ 
changing needs. Our key measurements of employee  
and customer satisfaction remain well above industry 
standards, reflecting both of our top priorities, which  
are working together as a team and listening to what  
our customers want.
  We are very pleased with the progress we have made 
over the past year on our key areas of focus – the Blue Chip 
priorities mentioned in this letter. We are excited about our 
national payments business and its new products, our 
accelerating wealth management business and our excellent 
growth in our new geographical markets. We also continue to 
solidify our core market positions and streamline our retail 
distribution to be sure we continue to be an efficient quality 
provider of our core banking services.

The hallmark of Commerce from  

our inception in 1865 has been to  

The hallmark of Commerce from our inception in 1865 

has been to focus on the long run. Our financial returns 
continue to outpace the market and our strategic initiatives 
should accelerate that performance over the next 10 years. 
In January 2015, 
your Company 
increased its  
cash dividend  
5% to $.90 per 
share – our 47th 
consecutive  
annual increase. 
Our steady, sound stock performance has outpaced the 
overall bank stock market by 6% and 28% over the last 10 
and 20 years. We thank our loyal shareholders for their 
support and look forward to a successful future.

focus on the long run.

D a vi d  W.   Ke m p e r,   C ha i r m a n

C O M M E R C E   B A N C S H A R E S ,   I N C .   F E B R U A R Y   2 4 ,   2 0 1 5

Commerce Bancshares Company History 1998 - 2015

1998 -  CBI assets surpass 
$11 billion.

2001 -  Commerce employees  
donate $25,000 to NYC 
United Way after 9/11 
terrorist attacks.

2008 -  Commerce opens commercial 

lending offices in Cincinnati 
and Nashville.

2009 -  Commerce becomes one of the largest 
banks in the country not to accept TARP 
funding from federal government. 

2013 -  John Kemper named 
president and chief 
operating officer.

1999 -  Last parts of Glass-Steagall  

Act repealed.

2007 -  Commerce acquires 
banks in Oklahoma 
and Colorado.

2008 -  Commerce remains  

2012 -  Commerce opens 

office in Dallas.

2015 -  150th  
year of  
Commerce.

strong through the Great  
Recession by avoiding  
subprime lending and  
demonstrates solid  
underwriting.

2013 -  Commerce acquires Tulsa-based Summit 

Bank with presence in Oklahoma City.

 
 
 
 
 
 
S T R E N G T H ,

C O M M U N I T Y,

I N N O V A T I O N

It is unusual for an  
institution to endure for  
150 years, much less 
flourish. As Commerce 
reaches this milestone in 
2015, we do so positioned 
solidly as one of the 
country’s most successful 
banks. We measure this 
success not only by the 
strength of our balance 
sheet, but also by the strong 
relationships we have built 
in the communities we serve 
and the continual innova-
tion we deliver to address 
our customers’ changing 
needs. From solutions that 
support the mission of a 
non-profit hospital system, 
to investment strategies 
that help a state university 
boost graduation rates, to 
technologies that allow 
people to bank when and 
how they prefer, we are 
committed to helping our 
customers succeed. That 
requires asking them 
questions, listening to  
their needs and offering 
solutions that address 
them. Their success is our 
success — for 150 years  
running.

We ask, listen and solve.

COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. 2014 ANNUAL REPORT

10

2 0 1 4   C O M M E R C E   C U S T O M E R   S U C C E S S   S T O R I E S

11 | Just what the doctor ordered  
Patients took notice when 
Mercy announced a zero-percent 
interest rate loan that they 
could use to consolidate their 
medical bills into a lump sum 
they could repay over time.

12 | A championship team 
The Kansas City Royals may be 
the 2014 American League 
Champions, but their winning 
relationship with Commerce 
dates back to 1968.

13 | Safe and sound 
Missouri Employers Mutual 
works to create injury-free 
workplaces. But when 
accidents happen, they pay 
claims quickly — with a little 
help from Commerce.  

14 | A slice of success 
IPHFHA doesn’t serve pizza;  
it serves the franchise owners  
who operate more than 90 
percent of the nation’s  
Pizza Hut restaurants.

15 | A Midwestern retailing legend 
Nebraska Furniture Mart has 
more than 5,000 vendors. 
Thanks to Commerce, it receives 
cash back every time it pays an 
invoice to many of them.

16 | A foundation for higher learning 
Many University of Central 
Missouri students depend on 
scholarships to make education 
affordable. UCM depends on  
The Commerce Trust Company to 
help make scholarships possible. 

17 | The world is their lab 
A manufacturer serving 110 
countries needs a bank that 
knows international business. 
That’s one reason Labconco has 
banked with Commerce for 
more than 40 years. 

18 | Fueling growth 
In 2014, Cardinal River Energy 
began its banking relationship 
with Commerce. Commerce had 
expanded its energy banking 
business the year before.

19 | High-tech branch banking  
Banking in a branch without a 
teller line isn’t as impersonal as 
you might think. Just ask the 
customers in Commerce’s new 
Vandeventer location.

We ask, listen and solve.

COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. 2014 ANNUAL REPORT

11

Just what the doctor  
ordered

MERCY 

ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI

One of the nation’s largest Catholic  

heath care systems 

The last thing a patient needs after a 
hospital stay is the stress of medical bills 
piling up.

Patients discharged from any of the  
32 hospitals in Mercy’s health system now 
have a more compassionate alternative. 
With a special zero-percent interest rate 
loan from Commerce, they can consolidate 
those bills into one lump sum that they 
repay over time.

“A zero-interest loan is not a product 

you find many places,” says Bruce 
Fernandez, Mercy’s director of treasury 
services. “But Commerce understood 
patient needs and developed a truly 
humanitarian solution that helps ease  
their minds and support their recovery.”

The Health Services Financing program 

is one of many solutions Commerce has 
developed over the years to support Mercy’s 
non-profit Catholic mission, according  
to Steve Walden, Mercy’s manager of 
treasury operations.

“Many banking services are commodi-

ties,” says Steve. “When we want to do 
something different, we’ve found that  
larger banks can’t respond as quickly or 
nimbly as Commerce. That’s where we go 
when we want to look outside the box.”

A zero-percent interest rate loan is one of many solutions 

Commerce has developed to support Mercy’s non-profit 
Catholic mission. From left:  Steven Walden, manager, 
treasury operations; Brian Day, vice president and deputy 
treasurer; Anthony Waskiewicz, Jr., chief investment  
officer; Bruce Fernandez, director, treasury services;  
and Shannon Sock, executive vice president, strategy  
and chief financial officer. 

Mercy also looks to Commerce for 
financing and to The Commerce Trust 
Company for investment fund management, 
among many other things.

“ It’s our responsibility to hire the best 

bank for the job. Period. The fact that we 

choose Commerce so often is a testament 

to their across-the-board excellence.”

“I can’t tell you the 
number of times we’ve gone 
to Commerce with a need, and 
they’ve designed a solution  
to meet it,” says Anthony 
Waskiewicz, Jr., Mercy’s chief 
investment officer.

“Our relationship works  

  Other Commerce innovations include  
a purchasing card program — the largest 
under the bank’s management — that has 
been tailored multiple times to address 
specialty needs within the Mercy system.

so well because we both exist, in large  
part, to serve our communities,” he says. 
“That extends into Commerce’s support  
of our charitable efforts, which means  
a lot.”

 
 
 
 
 
 
We ask, listen and solve.

COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. 2014 ANNUAL REPORT

12

A championship team

KANSAS CITY ROYALS 

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI

back in 1968. The long, deep partnership 
the two organizations have built has helped 
to strengthen the Royals’ performance,  
both on and off the field.

The Kansas City Royals have banked with Commerce  

since the franchise was founded in 1968. From left:   
David Laverentz, vice president, finance; Kevin Uhlich,  
senior vice president,business operations; and  
Dan Glass, president. 

2014 American League Baseball Champions 

“In just the last few years, Commerce 

When a major league baseball team wins  
a league championship, few people stop  
to thank the team’s bankers.

The front office of the Kansas City Royals 

may be the exception.

“Baseball is a seasonal business,” 
explains David Laverentz, the Royals’ vice 
president of finance. “We couldn’t fund 
player salaries or acquire new talent late  
in the season without a substantial line  
of credit. Our commercial bankers are an 
important part of our team.”

Those bankers come from Commerce, 

which has been the Royals’ bank since  
the franchise was first awarded to  
pharmaceutical executive Ewing Kauffman 

helped us transform our back office 
operations,” says Adam Tyhurst, director 
of finance. That includes introducing every-
thing from merchant processing for ticket 

“ No matter what we need, Commerce has 

always been there, supporting our efforts  

to put a competitive team on the field.”  

quick cash from Commerce ATMs  
located throughout Kauffman Stadium,  
or win the opportunity to throw out the  
first pitch when using their 
Royals-branded credit cards.
“Most teams do their 

banking through Major League 
Baseball, which works with 
large multi-national banks,” 
says David. “But we’ve 

sales, to corporate purchasing cards, to an 
electronic accounts payable solution, all  
of which, Adam says, “dramatically reduce 
the amount of paper we push around.”

decided to stick with Commerce. Their 
solutions match our needs. The credit 
process is simpler. And the service  
is impeccable.”

The Royals-Commerce partnership also 

“They’re also great Royals’ fans,” adds 

extends to the team’s fans, who can get 

Adam. “That never hurts.”

 
 
 
 
We ask, listen and solve.

COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. 2014 ANNUAL REPORT

13

Safe and sound

MISSOURI EMPLOYERS MUTUAL 

COLUMBIA, MISSOURI

Missouri’s largest provider of workers’  

compensation insurance 

Safety is job one for Missouri Employers 
Mutual, which provides workers’
compensation insurance to more than 
14,000 Missouri employers. “In our world, 
a good day is one when every worker makes 
it home safely,” says CEO Jim Owen. 

Innovation and service also matter. 
Thanks in part to the insurer’s pioneering 
loss prevention and safety programs, more 
than 80 percent of its policyholders are 
injury-free in a typical year. 

In Commerce Bank, Missouri Employers 

Mutual found a bank with similar values. 
“We need partners who understand our 
mission and help us achieve it,” Jim says. 
That includes helping the company 
collect insurance premiums efficiently, 
invest them effectively and, when accidents 
happen, pay claims quickly and accurately. 
Before Commerce introduced Missouri 
Employers Mutual to lockbox services, for 
example, slower payment processing meant 
more policies were in danger of cancellation 
due to late payment. “Now, payments are 
processed faster, and we can protect our 
policyholders’ coverage by providing 
same-day resolution of any exceptions,” 
explains Rhonda Colley, customer 
service director. 

In addition, the electronic payment 
system Commerce implemented makes it 
easier — and safer — for the insurer to 
process thousands of claims-related 
payments each week. The Commerce Trust 
Company, meanwhile, manages half of its 
sizable investment portfolio, the income from 
which “is the lifeblood of our company,” 
says Doug Phillips, chief financial officer. 
“Commerce takes a genuine interest in 

our business,” says Perry Heckemeyer, 
controller. “Any time a question comes up, 
they are quick to offer solutions.” 

“The word that comes to mind is 

partnership,” adds Doug. “Because we can 
depend on Commerce, our policyholders 
can depend on us.” 

“Commerce regularly brings us ideas that 

give us competitive advantages by making 

our services more user-friendly.”  

Missouri Employers Mutual uses an electronic payment solution from Commerce to process thousands of payments a week.  
From left: James C. “Jim” Owen, president and chief executive officer; Doug Phillips, vice president, finance and chief financial officer; 
Rhonda Colley, customer service director; and Perry Heckemeyer, controller.

We ask, listen and solve.

COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. 2014 ANNUAL REPORT

14

A slice of success

INTERNATIONAL PIZZA HUT  

FRANCHISE HOLDERS ASSOCIATION 

WICHITA, KANSAS

Financial services organization for the nation’s 

largest pizza franchising organization

Mary Adolf takes her fiduciary  
responsibilities seriously — as seriously  
as her customers take their pizza.

Mary is executive director of the 

International Pizza Hut Franchise Holders 
Association (IPHFHA), which provides 
financial services to the 130 franchisees 
that operate more than 90 percent of the  
nation’s 6,300 Pizza Hut restaurants.

Each year, IPHFHA collects hundreds  

of millions of dollars in fees from these 
franchisees, which it then pays out for 
insurance, advertising and other shared 

services. In the interim, it entrusts those 
funds to Commerce.
  Mary says IPHFHA’s efficiency has 
improved since the organization moved  
its business to Commerce in June 2014. 
“We need to drop funds into 12 different 
accounts,” explains Mary. “Commerce 
designed a sophisticated treasury package 
that not only gets the checks to the right 
place efficiently, but then consolidates 
the accounts into one to maximize cash 
availability and returns.”

“Because of the way money flows in 

A sophisticated treasury package designed by Commerce 
enables IPHFHA Executive Director Mary Adolf and Vice 
President and Chief Financial Officer Tom Kennalley to 
manage the millions of dollars in fees the organization 

collects from 130 Pizza Hut franchisees each year.

business and provided the line of credit  
we need to fund major media buys and 
other large seasonal expenses,” says Tom. 

“ Thanks to Commerce, we are better 

stewards of our customers’ money.”  

and out of our organization, we don’t 
have the large balance sheet you might expect 
from an organization that buys Super Bowl 
ads,” says Tom Kennalley, IPHFHA’s vice 
president and chief financial officer. “We also 
can’t take risks with other people’s money.”
“Commerce Bank spent the time to 

understand the unique nature of our 

“The Commerce Trust Company, meanwhile, 
tailored risk-appropriate investment 
strategies that increase our yield,” says Tom.
“We like the personal attention we get 
from Commerce,” says Mary. “It all comes 
down to great personal service and 
knowledgeable people.”

 
 
 
We ask, listen and solve.

COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. 2014 ANNUAL REPORT

15

5,000, according to Doug Hamlin, chief 
financial officer.

That’s a lot of invoices to track and  
pay. So in 2006 when Commerce proposed 
a new automated approach to bill paying, 
Doug listened. Instead of cutting checks, 
the company was soon paying participating 
vendors electronically. The vendors 
received funds quickly, and Nebraska 
Furniture Mart got a revenue share in return.
The program has grown by leaps and 

bounds ever since.

In 2015, Nebraska Furniture Mart will open a new 

560,000-square-foot store near Dallas, its largest ever.  
From left:  Ron Blumkin, president; Doug Hamlin, chief 
financial officer; and Matt Diggle, treasury manager.  

cards on file, for example, Commerce 
developed a single-use card alternative. 
Following the bank’s suggestion, the 
company now funds an internal employee 
recognition program using reloadable, 
declining balance cards.

As for the revenue  
share:  it has grown every  
year. And it’s expected to  
jump again in 2015, when  
the company opens a new store 
in the Dallas area — its largest 
ever — with 560,000 square
feet of retail showroom space.
“Commerce came  
in with an innovative approach and  
continues to bring us new solutions that 
help our business,” says Doug. “It’s a  
great partnership.”

“ One thing I value about Commerce is their 

ability to grow the business with us. We 

wouldn’t have the volume we have today 

without the legwork they put in.”

“Commerce constantly looks for 
opportunities to maximize card use,”  
says Matt Diggle, treasury manager. To 
appeal to vendors who don’t keep credit

A Midwestern retailing 
legend

NEBRASKA FURNITURE MART 

OMAHA, NEBRASKA

The largest home furnishing store in North America

“Sell cheap and tell the truth!” declared 
Russian immigrant Rose Blumkin when she 
began selling furniture at a slight markup 
from the basement of her husband’s pawn 
shop in 1937.
  Her strategy worked. Today her 
legendary company — Nebraska Furniture 
Mart — is owned by Warren Buffett-led 
Berkshire Hathaway. Its furniture stores in 
Omaha and Kansas City each house about 
one-half million square feet — that’s 11-plus 
acres — of retail showroom space, including 
furniture, flooring, appliances and electronics 
under their very considerable roofs.

Factor in the company’s large online 

presence, and its vendor base exceeds

 
 
 
 
 
 
We ask, listen and solve.

COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. 2014 ANNUAL REPORT

16
16

A foundation for higher 
learning

UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL MISSOURI 

WARRENSBURG, MISSOURI   

The fastest growing university in Missouri 

Dr. Charles Ambrose doesn’t mince words. 
“College is broken,” he says. “It costs too 
much, it takes too long, and too many 
students leave without a degree.” 

But Dr. Ambrose, president of the 
University of Central Missouri, has a strategy 
for fixing it. He intends to reshape higher 
education by lowering costs and increasing 
graduation rates — no small feat, consider-
ing UCM today receives the same level of 
state funding it received 15 years ago. 

The new model relies more on private 
contributions and effective asset manage-
ment. “Our university hasn’t historically 
relied heavily on endowment support,” 
notes Dr. Jason Drummond, vice president 
for university advancement and executive 
director of the UCM Foundation. “Our 
Foundation needed to be transformed to 
deliver what the university now needs.”  

For that, UCM turned to a longtime 
partner. “The Commerce Trust Company 
helped us completely reshape our invest-
ment strategy,” says Jason. “Then they 
rolled up their sleeves and went to work.” 
Since 2009, the Foundation’s assets 
have grown from $30 million to $51 million, 
even with more than $18 million distributed 
to UCM for scholarships and other mission-
critical needs. Five-year investment returns 
have placed UCM in the top quartile of 
institutional endowments nationwide.* 

UCM enrollment, meanwhile, is up 20 

percent, graduation rates are improving 
and tuition increases are running below the 
rate of inflation. To keep pace, the university 
is building a new $50 million mixed-use 
residential development with Commerce 
helping with bond financing. 

“Commerce is a critical business 
resource and partner in making all this 
happen,” says Dr. Ambrose. “Three words 
describe the UCM-Commerce relationship: 
leadership, trust and performance.” 

*National Association of College and University Business 
Officers rankings.

Commerce Trust has managed all of the University of Central Missouri Foundation’s investment assets since 1991.  
From left:  Dr. Jason S. Drummond, vice president for university advancement and executive director, UCM Foundation;  
and Dr. Charles Ambrose, UCM president.

We ask, listen and solve.

COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. 2014 ANNUAL REPORT

17

years; about one third of its sales are now 
outside the U.S.

“To compete globally, we need to  
spend our time getting to know local 
requirements and designing products to 
meet them,” explains Labconco Chairman 
Steve Gound. “We need a bank that 
supports us, while letting us focus on  
what we do best.” 

Labconco manufactures hundreds of scientific products  

that it distributes in 110 countries worldwide. From left:   
Pat Anderson, president; Steve Gound, chairman; and  
Jeff Stanton, vice president, finance.

  Day to day, Commerce works more  
behind the scenes, assisting Labconco  
with everything from credit card processing 
and online banking, to international  
letters of credit and 
lockbox services.

“ If we have a special need, we call Commerce. 

Because of the long-term relationship we’ve  

cultivated, it’s easy to get things done.”

“It’s great to have touch 

points throughout the 
organization,” says Jeff 
Stanton, vice president, 

For the past 40 years, that bank has  
been Commerce. “Looking back, whenever 
we had a significant transaction — whether it 
was a building expansion or going through 
an ownership transition — Commerce was 
there,” says Steve.  

finance, “and to find the same responsive 
and proactive attitude wherever we go.”
Adds Steve, “The fact that we have  
a 40-year relationship speaks highly of  
our satisfaction with Commerce and what 
the bank means to us.”

The world is their lab

LABCONCO CORPORATION 

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI

A leading manufacturer and global supplier of 

laboratory equipment 

In 1925, in a small garage in downtown 
Kansas City, two young entrepreneurs 
developed a device they called the Kjeldahl 
Nitrogen Determination Apparatus. They  
sold it to agricultural laboratories, which 
used it to test the protein content of feeds 
and grains.

Ninety years later, the company they 
founded — Labconco Corporation — is still 
making Kjeldahl apparatuses, along with 
hundreds of other scientific products that 
are distributed in 110 countries worldwide. 
Labconco’s international business, in fact, 
has more than doubled over the past 10 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
We ask, listen and solve.

COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. 2014 ANNUAL REPORT

18

Fueling growth

CARDINAL RIVER ENERGY 

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA

A diversified energy company with more than 

1,200 wells in eight states

When oil prices drop, it may be a boon 
to consumers at the pump. But to the 
companies whose products fill those tanks, 
fluctuating oil and natural gas prices are a 
risk that must be managed.

“Hedging is a big part of our business,” 
says Brian Cardell, chief financial officer of 
Oklahoma City-based Cardinal River Energy, 
whose services include oil and gas 
exploration and production. “By locking 
into long-term price agreements, we reduce 
our exposure to price fluctuations.”

Those price agreements, like the energy 

business itself, can be complicated, says 
Cardinal River President Jay Jimerson.  
“A working knowledge of energy markets 
is a very important part of our banking 
relationship,” he says. “We need a partner 
who ‘gets it.’”

Jay and Brian say they found such a 
partner in early 2014 when they established 
a banking relationship with Commerce. 
A year earlier, Commerce had enhanced 
its energy banking business with the 
acquisition of Summit Bancshares, an 
Oklahoma bank with experience serving 
oil and gas customers, who benefit from 
Commerce’s greater lending capacity and 
broad product and service mix.

Since making the move to Commerce, 
Cardinal River has looked to the bank for 
both traditional banking and specialty 
lending services, including a complex, 
three-party intercreditor agreement that 
allows Cardinal River to use its energy 
assets as collateral for both borrowing 
and hedging activities.

“Commerce has a reputation for 
knowing how to mitigate the risks in 
commodity financing,” says Jay. “And 
for us, it has worked really well. I can’t 
overstate the importance of having 
knowledgeable bankers who can help 
us through this process.”

A three-party intercreditor agreement from Commerce helps Cardinal River Energy Chief Financial Officer Brian Cardell (left) and 
President Jay Jimerson mitigate the risks in commodity financing.

We ask, listen and solve.

COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. 2014 ANNUAL REPORT

19

speak privately with loan officers, investment 
brokers or other financial experts.

“Our goal is that, eventually, customers 

will be able to access virtually everything 
Commerce offers, at this location,” explains 
Patty Kellerhals, director of core retail. 
“Customers have complete choice. It they 
want technology, we have technology.  
If they prefer old-fashioned banking, that  
is available too.”

“It’s not just the physical space  
that is changing, but the entire banking 

Thanks to video conferencing and other technologies, 

customers can access virtually any retail or business banking 

service Commerce offers at its newest branch. From left:  
Patty Kellerhals, director of core retail; Jamie Huch, branch 
manager; Michael Ntow, personal banker; Fran Fanara,  
St. Louis retail group manager; and Darryl Collins, St. Louis 
retail market director.

typically have more complex banking 
needs. Today’s personal bankers are being 
trained to accommodate those needs, 
whatever they may be.”

“You’d think a 
high-tech branch might 
be more impersonal,” 
says Mark Fishel, third 
generation owner of 
Vandeventer Truck 
Sales, a longtime 
Commerce customer 
who is now a regular  
at the new branch. “But that hasn’t been  
my experience at all. In the business center, 
I’ve gotten to know people I’ve seen in line 
for years. It’s wonderful.”

“ The design of the new branch and the  

technology it offers are intriguing, but it’s the 

customer experience – how they interact with  

our personal bankers – that is truly unique.”  

experience,” adds Darryl Collins, St. Louis 
retail market director. “Today, many easy 
transactions take place outside our 
branches. The people who visit branches 

High-tech branch 
banking

COMMERCE BANK’S NEW VANDEVENTER BRANCH             

ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI   

The prototype for the next generation of  

Commerce Bank 

Walk inside the new Commerce branch at 
the corner of Chouteau and Vandeventer in 
St. Louis, and you won’t find any teller 
lines. You’ll be welcomed instead by a 
friendly concierge who’ll simply ask what 
you need.

You might then be led to an exploration 

center to access your account online. Or, 
you could enter a semi-private video 
transaction station to complete your 
transaction. If you’re a small business 
owner, you might swipe a card to gain 
access to a private business center and 
meet face to face with a personal banker. 
Video conferencing will make it possible to 

 
 
 
We ask, listen and solve.

COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. 2014 ANNUAL REPORT

20

C O M M U N I T Y   A D V I S O R S 

A fundamental element of Commerce Bank’s super- 

fabric of the market. Local civic and business leaders,  

community strategy is the role of our Community  

serving as Community Advisors, provide the insight  

Advisors. We believe that a deep understanding and  

to local needs that ensures Commerce delivers on  

a close relationship with the communities we serve  

its promise. Following are the names of these  

can be achieved only when we are interwoven in the 

ambassadors within each of our markets.

Missouri
BARRY COUNTY

Donald Cupps
Ellis, Cupps & Cole
William A. Easley, Jr.
Retired, 
Commerce Bank
JoAnne Ellis
Retired Educator
Phil Hutchens
Hutchens Construction
Mike McCracken
Commerce Bank
Eugene Miekley
Miekley and Cupps, 
DVM Office
Mike Petrie
Commerce Bancshares, Inc. 
Commerce Bank
Keith Shumaker
Shumaker Tire, Inc.
Clive C. Veri
Commerce Bank
Jerry Watley
Able 2 Products Co.

BOLIVAR

Jannis Keeling
Keeling Accounting & 
Financial Services
Craig Lehman
Shelter Insurance Agency
Robert Moreland
Commerce Bank
Douglas D. Neff
Commerce Bank
Ed Peterson
Century 21  
Peterson Real Estate
Dr. C. Pat Taylor
Southwest Baptist University
R.D. Vestal
Retired, 
Vestal Equipment Co., Inc.

Ron Hopkins
Commerce Bank
George M. Huffman
Pearl Motor Company
Jack W. Knipp
Knipp Enterprises
Rick Kruse
Retired 
Boone National 
Savings & Loan Assoc.
Dr. Mike Lutz
Mike Lutz, DDS
Teresa Maledy
Commerce Bank
Dr. Clifford J. Miller
Green Hills Veterinary Clinic
Todd Norton 
Commerce Bank
Mike Petrie
Commerce Bancshares, Inc.  
Commerce Bank

Robert K. Pugh
MBS Textbook Exchange
Jim Rolls
Retired,  
Associated Electric Cooperative
James Schatz
Commerce Bank
Valerie Shaw
Commerce Bank
Steve Sowers
Commerce Bank
Mel Toellner
Gold Crest Distributing 
& Songbird Station
David Townsend
Agents National Title  
Insurance Company
Larry Webber
Webber Pharmacy
Dr. John S. Williams 
Retired, 
Horton Animal Hospital

CAPE GIRARDEAU

Leon Eftink
The Remodeling Room
Alan Gregory
Gregory Construction, Inc.
Gregg E. Hollabaugh
Commerce Bancshares, Inc.
Mike Kasten
University of Missouri
Richard R. Kennard 
Coad Chevrolet, Inc. 
Coad Toyota
Adam Kidd
Kidd’s Gas & 
Convenience Store
Frank Kinder
Red Letter Communications, Inc.
John Layton
Layton and Southard, LLC
Roger Tolliver
Retired, 
Commerce Bank
Allen Toole
Cape Electrical Supply, Inc.
Timothy D. Woodard
Commerce Bank

CENTRAL MISSOURI

Mike Alden
University of Missouri
Dan Atwill
Atwill & Montgomery, 
Attorneys
Brent Beshore
AdVentures, LLC
Brent Bradshaw
Orscheln Management  
Company
Philip Burger
Burger’s Country Cured Hams
Brad Clay
Commerce Bank
Joe Hartman
Retired,  
Commerce Bank
Gregg E. Hollabaugh
Commerce Bancshares, Inc.

EASTERN JACKSON COUNTY

HARRISONVILLE

Kevin G. Barth
Commerce Bancshares, Inc.  
Commerce Bank
Jason E. Boyer
Commerce Bank
Gayle Evans
Chinnery, Evans & Nail
Todd E. Gafney
Commerce Bank
Gary Hawkins

HSMC Certified Public 
Accountants, P.C.
Kelly Hooker
Commerce Bank
Robert Hormann
Durvet, Inc.
Robert Lund
Realty Trust Group
Jeanne Rau-Flattery
Millenium International, LLC
Edward J. Reardon, II
Commerce Bank
Robert C. Thompson
Thompson Properties, LLC  

HANNIBAL

C. Todd Ahrens
Hannibal Regional Hospital
David M. Bleigh
Bleigh Construction Company,  
Bleigh Ready Mix Company
Gregg E. Hollabaugh
Commerce Bancshares, Inc.
Jim Humphreys
Luck, Humphreys and 
Associates, CPA, P.C.
Darin D. Redd
Commerce Bank
Mike Scholes
Reliable Termite & Pest Control, 
Inc.

Aaron Aurand
Crouch, Spangler & Douglas
Connie Aversman
Commerce Bank
Larry Dobson
Real Estate Investments
Mark Hense
Ifil USA, LLC
Scott Milner
Milner O’Quinn  
Ford, Lincoln, Mercury
Brent Probasco
Cass Regional Medical Center, 
Inc.
Aaron Rains
Commerce Bank
Laurence Smith
Reece & Nichols Smith Realty
Larry Snider
Insight Eyecare Specialties
Timothy Soulis
Gas Light Properties

JOPLIN

Jerrod Hogan
Anderson Engineering
David C. Humphreys
TAMKO Building 
Products, Inc.
Dr. Richard E. LaNear
Missouri Southern  
State University
Barbara J. Majzoub
Yorktown Properties
Fred Osborn
Mercy
Mike Petrie 
Commerce Bancshares, Inc.  
Commerce Bank
Eric Schnelle
S&H Farm Supply, Inc.
Todd Stout
Standard Transportation 
Services, Inc.
Clive C. Veri
Commerce Bank

We ask, listen and solve.

COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. 2014 ANNUAL REPORT

21

Missouri Continued

KANSAS CITY

POPLAR BLUFF

ST. LOUIS METRO

ST. LOUIS SOUTH

ST. CHARLES COUNTY/NORTH

Kevin G. Barth
Commerce Bancshares, Inc. 
Commerce Bank
Clay C. Blair, III
Clay Blair Services Corp.
Ellen Z. Darling
Zimmer Companies
Stephen D. Dunn
J. E. Dunn Construction Co., Inc.
Jon Ellis
Paradise Park, Inc.
Joe Freeman
Pioneer Financial Services, Inc.
Stephen Gound
Labconco Corp.
C. L. William Haw
Haw Ranch
Jonathan M. Kemper
Commerce Bancshares, Inc.  
Commerce Bank
David Kiersznowski
DEMDACO
Stephen G. Mos
Central States Beverage Company
Edward J. Reardon, II
Commerce Bank
Dr. Nelson R. Sabates
Sabates Eye Centers
Kirk H. Schulz, Ph.D
Kansas State University
Charles S. Sosland
Sosland Publishing Company
Thomas R. Willard
Tower Properties

LEBANON

Jerry N. Benson
Retired,  
Commerce Bank
Hugh V. Corry
Hardware Electric & 
Plumbing Supply Company
Brian Esther
Commerce Bank
Lester M. Evans
Cattleman
Douglas D. Neff
Commerce Bank
Harold Storck
Cattleman
Dan M. Waterman
CPA

Bill R. Brandt
Commerce Bank
John A. Clark
Attorney at Law
Bob Greer
Retired
Charles R. Hampton, Jr.
Charles R. Hampton & Son 
Construction Co.
Gregg E. Hollabaugh
Commerce Bancshares, Inc.
Richard Landers
Commerce Bank
James P. McLane
McLane Livestock 
Transport, Inc.
Mark Melloy
Briggs & Stratton Corp.
Ben Traxel
Dille and Traxel, LLC
Gregory West
Mills Iron & Supply
Timothy D. Woodard
Commerce Bank

ST. JOSEPH

Robert J. Brown, Jr.
Robert J. Brown  
Lumber Company
James H. Counts
Attorney at Law
Brett Carolus
Hillyard, Inc.

Richard N. DeShon
Civic Leader
Pat Dillon
Heartland Health
Pete Gray
Gray Automotive 
Products Co.
Corky Marquart 
Commerce Bank
Brad McAnally
Hy-Vee Food Store
Todd Meierhoffer
Meierhoffer Funeral Home  
& Crematory
Dr. Scott Murphy
Murphy-Watson-Burr  
Eye Center

Mike Petrie
Commerce Bancshares, Inc. 
Commerce Bank
Edward J. Reardon, II
Commerce Bank
Matt Robertson
CliftonLarsonAllen LLP

Judy Sabbert
Heartland Foundation

Michael D. Allen
Hoya Optical
Phillip J. Amato
Councilman Ward 3,  
City of Arnold
Scott Lively
CliftonLarsonAllen LLP
Thomas E. Muzzey
Orchard Farm School District
Louis J. Naeger
Semi-retired, 
Crouch, Farley & Heuring, P.C.
Lee Thurman
Thurman, Shinn 
and Company

ST. LOUIS WEST

Cyrus Blackmore
Blackmore & Glunt, Inc.
Richard K. Brunk
Attorney at Law
James N. Foster
McMahon Berger 
Jack Hoffmann
Milestone Solutions
Richard E. Hrabko
Retired
Stephen Mattis
Allied Industrial Equipment 
Corporation
Richard C. Mueller, Jr.
Bopp Funeral Chapel
Greg W. Schmittgens
CliftonLarsonAllen LLP

ST. LOUIS EAST

Tino DiFranco
Tropicana Bowling Lanes
J. L. (Juggie) Hinduja
Sinclair Industries, Inc.
Myron J. Klevens
Organizational Development  
Strategies
Patrick N. Lawlor
Lawlor Corporation
Lisa McLaughlin
Polsinelli
McGraw Milhaven
Talk Show Host 
KTRS
Sue Prapaisilp
Global Foods Market
Dennis Scharf
Scharf Tax Services
Richard C. Ward
Zimmer Real Estate Services,  
L.C./ONCOR International

Ronald D. Chesbrough
St. Charles Community College
James D. Evans
President,  
Lindenwood University
Peter J. Mihelich, Jr.
Goellner Promotions
Duane A. Mueller
Cissell Mueller Construction 
Company
Howard A. Nimmons
CPA, CFP 
Nimmons Wealth Management
Tarlton J. Pitman
Pitman Funeral Home, Inc.
William J. Zollmann, III
Attorney at Law

Don Zykan
Zykan Properties

SPRINGFIELD

Roger Campbell, Jr.
Campbell Ford-Mercury, Inc.
James P. Ferguson
Heart of America  
Beverage Co.
Charles R. Greene
Husch Blackwell, LLP
Bunch Greenwade
Rancher

Robert A. 
Hammerschmidt, Jr.
Commerce Bank
John Himmel
Retired, 
Commerce Bank
Seth M. Leadbeater
Commerce Bancshares, Inc. 
Commerce Bank
Michael Meek
Meek Lumber Yard, Inc.
Alvin D. Meeker
Retired,  
Commerce Bank
James F. Moore
Investments
David Murray
R.B. Murray Company
Douglas D. Neff
Commerce Bank
Keith Noble
Commerce Bank
Richard Ollis
Ollis & Company Insurers
Mike Petrie
Commerce Bancshares, Inc. 
Commerce Bank
B. Glenn Robinson
Grand Country Square

Blackford F. Brauer
Hunter Engineering Co.
Kyle Chapman
Forsyth Capital Investors
Charles L. Drury, Jr.
Drury Hotels
Joseph Forshaw, IV
Forshaw of St. Louis
James G. Forsyth, III
Moto, Inc.
David S. Grossman
Grossman Iron and Steel
Juanita Hinshaw
H & H Advisors
Donald A. Jubel
Spartan Light Metal Products
David W. Kemper
Commerce Bancshares, Inc.
John W. Kemper
Commerce Bancshares, Inc.

Alois J. Koller, III
Koller Enterprises, Inc.
Kristopher G. Kosup
Buckeye International, Inc.
Seth M. Leadbeater
Commerce Bancshares, Inc. 
Commerce Bank
James B. Morgan
Subsurface Constructors, Inc.

Victor L. Richey, Jr.
ESCO Technologies, Inc.
Steven F. Schankman
Contemporary Productions, LLC
James E. Schiele
St. Louis Screw & Bolt Co.
John (Jack) A. Schreiber
Commerce Bank
Thomas H. Stillman
Summit Distributing
Christine Taylor-Broughton
Enterprise Holdings
Gregory Twardowski
Whelan Security Company
Kelvin R. Westbrook
KRW Advisors, LLC
Patricia D. Whitaker
Arcturis

ST. LOUIS METRO EAST

William Courtney
Helitech Concrete & 
Structural Repair
Thomas Lippert
Liese Lumber Company, Inc.
Robert McClellan 
Retired,
Hortica
James Rauckman
Rauckman High Voltage 
Sales, LLC
Dr. James T. Rosborg
McKendree University
Jack Schmitt
Jack Schmitt Family 
of Dealerships
Joe Wiley
Quest Management Consultants
Dr. Charles J. Willey
Innovare Health Advocates

We ask, listen and solve.

COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. 2014 ANNUAL REPORT

22

PITTSBURG

WICHITA

Dr. Thomas W. Bryant
Retired, 
Pittsburg State University
Todd Coleman
Miller’s Professional Imaging
Harvey R. Dean
Pitsco, Inc.
Joe Dellasega
U.S. Awards
Jeff Elliott
Commerce Bank
Adam Endicott
Unique Metal 
Fabrication, Inc.
Mike Petrie
Commerce Bancshares, Inc. 
Commerce Bank
Ronald L. Rhodes
Rhodes Grocery, Inc.
Steve W. Sloan
Midwest Minerals, Inc.
Brian Sutton
Commerce Bank
Clive C. Veri
Commerce Bank
Judith A. Westhoff
Retired,  
Commerce Bank
Wendell L. Wilkinson
Retired,  
Commerce Bank 

RENO COUNTY 

(HUTCHINSON)

John C. Clevenger
Commerce Bank
Steven B. Harper
Network Management Group, Inc.
Brett Mattison
Decker & Mattison Company

John Munds
V&M Transport, Inc.

Dr. John Bardo
Wichita State University
Michael P. Brown
College Hill OB/GYN
Michael E. Bukaty
Retired, 
Latshaw Enterprises, Inc.

John C. Clevenger
Commerce Bank
Ray L. Connell
Connell & Connell
Monte A. Cook
Commerce Bank
Thomas E. Dondlinger
Dondlinger & Sons 
Construction Co., Inc.
Ronald W. Holt
Sedgwick County
Eric E. Ireland
Commerce Bank
Fran D. Jabara
Jabara Ventures Group
Paul D. Jackson
Vantage Point Properties, Inc.
Seth M. Leadbeater
Commerce Bancshares, Inc. 
Commerce Bank
Gaylyn K. McGregor
Commerce Bank
Derek L. Park
Law Office of Derek Park, LLC
Marilyn B. Pauly
Commerce Bank
Mike Petrie
Commerce Bancshares, Inc. 
Commerce Bank
Barry L. Schwan
House of Schwan, Inc.
Collin Stieben
Commerce Bank

Thomas D. White
White & Ellis Drilling, Inc.

Kansas 
BUTLER COUNTY 

(EL DORADO)

Eugene S. Adams
Retired
Marilyn B. Pauly
Commerce Bank
Mark Utech
Commerce Bank

Dr. Jackie Vietti
Butler Community College

COLUMBUS

Jay Hatfield
Jay Hatfield Chevrolet
Wesley C. Houser
Retired,  
Commerce Bank
Don Kirk
H & K Campers Inc.
Mike Petrie
Commerce Bancshares, Inc. 
Commerce Bank
Jane Rhinehart
Commerce Bank
Darrel Shumake
Attorney at Law

Clive C. Veri
Commerce Bank

GARDEN CITY

Richard Harp
Commerce Bank
Dr. Gloria Hopkins
Fry Eye Associates
Gerald Miller
Commerce Bank
Mike Petrie
Commerce Bancshares, Inc. 
Commerce Bank

Lee Reeve
Reeve Cattle Company
Patrick Rooney
Rooney Farms
Pat Sullivan
Sullivan Analytical 
Service, Inc.

Bob Tempel
WindRiver Grain, LLC

HAYS

D.G. Bickle, Jr.
Warehouse, Inc.
Kurt David
Eagle Communications, Inc.
Earnest A. Lehman
Midwest Energy, Inc.
Stuart Lowry
Sunflower Electric Power  
Corporation

Deron O’Connor
Commerce Bank
Marty Patterson
Rome Corporation 
Mike Petrie
Commerce Bancshares, Inc. 
Commerce Bank
Kevin Royer
Midland Marketing Co-op
Thomas L. Thomas 
Commerce Bank

JOHNSON COUNTY

Kevin G. Barth
Commerce Bancshares, Inc. 
Commerce Bank
Andrew Fogt
Commerce Bank
Todd E. Gafney
Commerce Bank
Lance W. Hart
DEMDACO
Chris Herre
Rose Construction Co., Inc.
Pat Olney
Commerce Bank
Edward J. Reardon, II
Commerce Bank
Thomas K. Rogge
Cramer Products

Kevin Winters
CBIZ 

LAWRENCE

J. Scot Buxton
Willis Group
Martin B. Dickinson, Jr.
Schroeder Professor of Law, 
University of Kansas
Mark Heider
Commerce Bank
Evan Ice
Stephens & Brand, LLP
Eugene W. Meyer
Lawrence Memorial Hospital

Martin W. Moore
Advanco, Inc.
Kevin J. O’Malley
O’Malley Beverages  
of Kansas, Inc.
Edward J. Reardon, II
Commerce Bank
Dan C. Simons
The World Company
Michael Treanor
Treanor Architects, P.A.

LEAVENWORTH

J. Sanford Bushman
DeMaranville & Associate, 
CPAs, LLC

Norman B. Dawson
Retired,  
Commerce Bancshares, Inc.

Sherry DeMaranville
DeMaranville & Associate, 
CPAs, LLC

Mark Denney
J.F. Denney Plumbing 
& Heating

Jeremy Greenamyre
The Greenamyre Companies

Lawrence W.  O’Donnell, Jr.
Lawrence W. O’Donnell, Jr., 
CPA Chartered

Bill Petrie
Commerce Bank

Edward J. Reardon, II
Commerce Bank

Robert D. Schmitt, II
Mama Mia’s, Inc.

Kurt Seelbach
President, Armed Forces 
Insurance Exchange

MANHATTAN

Kelly Briggs
Bayer Construction
Tom Giller
Commerce Bank
Dr. Jackie L. Hartman
Kansas State University
Neal Helmick
Griffith Lumber Co.
Rich Jankovich
Commerce Bank
Dr. Ali Malekzadeh
Kansas State University
Dr. David Pauls
Surgical Associates
Mike Petrie
Commerce Bancshares, Inc. 
Commerce Bank

We ask, listen and solve.

COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. 2014 ANNUAL REPORT

23

Ed Keller
Titan Resources
Teresa Knox
Community Care College
P. Ken Lackey
The NORDAM Group, Inc.
Dr. George Mauerman
Eastern Oklahoma  
Orthopedic Center

Tom  Maxwell
Flintco, LLC

Sanjay Meshri
Advanced Research Chemicals
John Neas
Neas Investments
Shannon O’Doherty
Commerce Bank
D. Lindsay Perkins
Lindsay Development
Tracy Poole
New Gulf Energy
John Turner
First Stuart Corporation
John Williams
John Williams Company

Daryl Woodard
SageNet  

Colorado 
DENVER
Robert L. Cohen
The IMA Financial Group, Inc.
Thomas A. Cycyota
AlloSource
Mark Danzo, O.D.
20/20 Institute
Joseph Freund, Jr.
Running Creek Ranch
R. Allan Fries
i2 Construction, LLP
Darren Lemkau
Commerce Bank
James C. Lewien
Retired, 
Commerce Bank
Randall H. Lortscher, M.D.
Rocky Mountain Gamma Knife 
Center, LLC
Sherman R. Miller
University of Colorado – 
Real Estate Department
Robin H. Wise
Junior Achievement –  
Rocky Mountain, Inc.

Jason Zickerman
The Alternative Board

Illinois
BLOOMINGTON-NORMAL

Julie Dobski
Little Jewels Learning Center 
McDonald’s

Brent A. Eichelberger
Commerce Bank

Ron Greene
Afni, Inc.

Gregg E. Hollabaugh
Commerce Bancshares, Inc.

Parker Kemp
Kemp Farms, Inc.

Robert Lakin
Commerce Bank

Seth M. Leadbeater
Commerce Bancshares, Inc. 
Commerce Bank

Thomas Mercier
Bloomington Offset  
Process, Inc.

Dennis Myers
Myers, Inc.

Aaron Quick
Farnsworth Group, Inc.

Jay Reece
Mueller, Reece & Hinch, LLC

Alan Sender
Chestnut Health Systems

CHAMPAIGN-URBANA

Mark Arends
Arends Brothers, Inc.
Paul Donohue
Presence Covenant
Brian Egeberg
Commerce Bank
Tim Harrington
Devonshire Group
Gregg E. Hollabaugh
Commerce Bancshares, Inc.
Robert Lakin
Commerce Bank
Kim Martin
Martin, Hood, Friese &  
Associates, LLC

Roger Rhodes
Horizon Hobby, Inc.

PEORIA

Bruce L. Alkire
Coldwell Banker Commercial 
Devonshire Realty
Daniel J. Altorfer
United Facilities, Inc.
Peter T. Coyle
Gallagher Coyle
Brent A. Eichelberger
Commerce Bank
Lowell G. “Bud” Grieves
Mark Twain Hotel
Gregg E. Hollabaugh
Commerce Bancshares, Inc.
Seth M. Leadbeater
Commerce Bancshares, Inc. 
Commerce Bank
Dr. James W. Maxey
Great Plains Orthopaedics
Edward J. Scott
Caterpillar, Inc.
Janet M. Wright
Central Illinois Business 
Publishers, Inc.

Oklahoma  
OKLAHOMA CITY

Ron Atchley
Atchley Resources
Gary Bridwell
Ditch Witch of Oklahoma
Steve Brown
Red Rock Distributing, Inc.
Jeb Cook
Commerce Bank
Charlie Crouse
Commerce Bank
Zane Fleming
Eagle Drilling Fluids
Mike McDonald
Triad Energy
Dr. Gabe Pitman
Neurologic Specialist
Reeder Ratliff
Mason Harrison Ratliff  
Enterprises
Kelly Sachs
Commerce Bank
Joe Warren
Cimarron Production

Jim Young
Commerce Bank

TULSA

Jack Allen
HUB International CFR
R. Scott Case
Case & Associates  
Properties, Inc.

Gary Christopher
Christoper Energy

Jeffery Davis
U.S. Beef Corporation

Wade Edmundson
Commerce Bank

Dr. John Frame
Breast Health Specialists 
of Oklahoma
Gip Gibson
Commerce Bank
Kent Harrell
Harrell Energy
Carl Hudgins
Commerce Bank
Bruce Humphrey
Commerce Bank

 
 
 
 
 
 
We ask, listen and solve.

COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. 2014 ANNUAL REPORT

24

Officers
David W. Kemper
Chairman of the Board 

and Chief Executive Officer

Jonathan M. Kemper
Vice Chairman

Seth M. Leadbeater
Vice Chairman

Directors
Terry D. Bassham*
Chairman of the Board, Chief

Executive Officer and President 

Great Plains Energy, KCP&L, and

Greater Missouri Operations

John R. Capps*
Vice President,  

BCJ Motors, Inc.

John W. Kemper
President and  

Chief Operating Officer

Charles G. Kim
Chief Financial Officer  

and Executive Vice President

Kevin G. Barth
Executive Vice President

Daniel D. Callahan 
Executive Vice President  

and Chief Credit Officer

Sara E. Foster
Executive Vice President

V. Raymond Stranghoener 
Executive Vice President

Jeffery M. Burik
Senior Vice President

Michael J. Petrie
Senior Vice President

Robert J. Rauscher
Senior Vice President

Thomas J. Noack
Vice President, Secretary 

and General Counsel

Jeffery D. Aberdeen
Controller

Keith E. Baker
Auditor

Earl H. Devanny, III
Retired Chairman,  
Chief Executive Officer  
and President, 
The TriZetto Group, 
President of Healthcare, 
Nuance Communications, Inc.

W. Thomas Grant, II
President,  

SelectQuote Senior  

Insurance Services

James B. Hebenstreit*
Chairman of the Board 

Terry O. Meek
President,  

Andrew C. Taylor 
Executive Chairman,  

and Chief Executive Officer, 

Meek Lumber Yard, Inc

Enterprise Holdings, Inc.

Bartlett and Company

David W. Kemper
Chairman of the Board 

and Chief Executive Officer,  

Commerce Bancshares, Inc.

Jonathan M. Kemper
Vice Chairman,  

Commerce Bancshares, Inc.

Benjamin F. Rassieur, III* 
President,  

Paulo Products Company

Todd R. Schnuck*
Chairman of the Board and 

Chief Executive Officer, 

Schnuck Markets, Inc.

Kimberly G. Walker*
Chief Investment Officer, 

Washington University  

in St. Louis

*Audit Committee Members

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2014 — Commission File No. 0-2989

COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Missouri
(State of Incorporation)
1000 Walnut,
Kansas City, MO
(Address of principal executive offices)
(816) 234-2000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

43-0889454
(IRS Employer Identification No.)

64106
(Zip Code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of class

$5 Par Value Common Stock

Name of exchange on which registered

NASDAQ Global Select Market

Depositary Shares, each representing a
1/1000th interest in a share of 6.0% Series B
Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock

NASDAQ Global Select Market

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

NONE

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes  

 No 

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act.  Yes  

 No 

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 reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for 
the past 90 days.  Yes  

 No 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be 
submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the 
registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes 

  No 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not 
be contained, to the best of Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any 
amendment to this Form 10-K. 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the 
definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer 

Accelerated filer 

Non-accelerated filer  

Smaller reporting company  

 (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes  

No 

As of June 30, 2014, the aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant was approximately $3,788,000,000.

As of February 6, 2015, there were 96,443,657 shares of Registrant’s $5 Par Value Common Stock outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the Registrant’s definitive proxy statement for its 2015 annual meeting of shareholders, which will be filed within 120 days of December 31, 2014, 
are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Report.

 
Commerce Bancshares, Inc.

Form 10-K

INDEX

PART I

Item 1.

Business

Item 1a.

Risk Factors

Item 1b.

Unresolved Staff Comments

Item 2.

Properties

Item 3.

Legal Proceedings

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

PART II

Item 5.

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer 
Purchases of Equity Securities

Item 6.

Selected Financial Data

Item 7.

Management’s  Discussion  and Analysis  of  Financial  Condition  and  Results  of 
Operations

Item 7a.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Item 8.

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

Item 9.

Changes  in  and  Disagreements  with Accountants  on Accounting  and  Financial 
Disclosure

Item 9a.

Controls and Procedures

Item 9b.

Other Information

PART III

Item 10.

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

Item 11.

Executive Compensation

Item 12.

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related 
Stockholder Matters

Item 13.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

Item 14.

Principal Accounting Fees and Services

Item 15.

Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

PART IV

Signatures

Index to Exhibits

Page

3

7

10

11

11

11

13

14

15

56

56

113

113

115

115

115

115

115

115

116

117

E-1

2

Item 1.  BUSINESS

General

PART I

Commerce Bancshares, Inc., a bank holding company as defined in the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended, was 
incorporated under the laws of Missouri on August 4, 1966. Through a second tier wholly-owned bank holding company, it owns 
all of the outstanding capital stock of Commerce Bank (the “Bank”), which is headquartered in Missouri.  The Bank engages in 
general banking business, providing a broad range of retail, corporate, investment, trust, and asset management products and 
services to individuals and businesses. Commerce Bancshares, Inc. also owns, directly or through the Bank, various non-banking 
subsidiaries. Their activities include underwriting credit life and credit accident and health insurance, selling property and casualty 
insurance (relating to consumer loans made by the Bank), private equity investment, securities brokerage, mortgage banking, and 
leasing activities.  A list of Commerce Bancshares, Inc.'s subsidiaries is included as Exhibit 21.

Commerce Bancshares, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, the "Company") is one of the nation’s top 50 bank holding 
companies, based on asset size. At December 31, 2014, the Company had consolidated assets of $24.0 billion, loans of $11.5 
billion, deposits of $19.5 billion, and equity of $2.3 billion.  All of the Company’s operations conducted by its subsidiaries are 
consolidated for purposes of preparing the Company’s consolidated financial statements. 

The Company’s goal is to be the preferred provider of targeted financial services in its communities, based on strong customer 
relationships.  It believes in building long-term relationships based on top quality service, a strong risk management culture, and 
a strong balance sheet with industry-leading capital levels.  The Company operates under a super-community banking format 
which incorporates large bank product offerings coupled with deep local market knowledge, augmented by experienced, centralized 
support in select critical areas.  The Company’s focus on local markets is supported by an experienced team of managers assigned 
to each market and is also reflected in its financial centers and regional advisory boards, which are comprised of local business 
persons, professionals and other community representatives, who assist the Company in responding to local banking needs. In 
addition to this local market, community-based focus, the Company offers sophisticated financial products available at much larger 
financial institutions.

The Company's banking facilities are located throughout Missouri, Kansas, and central Illinois, as well as Tulsa and Oklahoma 
City, Oklahoma and Denver, Colorado. Its two largest markets include St. Louis and Kansas City, which serve as the central hubs 
for the entire Company. 

The markets the Bank serves, being located in the lower Midwest, provide natural sites for production and distribution facilities 
and  also  serve  as  transportation  hubs.  The  economy  has  been  well-diversified  in  these  markets  with  many  major  industries 
represented,  including  telecommunications,  automobile,  aircraft  and  general  manufacturing,  health  care,  numerous  service 
industries, food production, and agricultural production and related industries. The real estate lending operations of the Bank are 
centered in its lower Midwestern markets.  Historically, these markets have tended to be less volatile than in other parts of the 
country.  Management believes the diversity and nature of the Bank’s markets has a mitigating effect on real estate loan losses in 
these markets and were key factors in the Bank’s relatively lower loan loss levels stemming from the 2008 financial crisis.  

From time to time, the Company evaluates the potential acquisition of various financial institutions. In addition, the Company 
regularly considers the potential disposition of certain assets and branches. The Company seeks merger or acquisition partners 
that are culturally similar, have experienced management and either possess significant market presence or have potential for 
improved profitability through financial management, economies of scale and expanded services.  On September 1, 2013, the 
Company acquired Summit Bancshares Inc. (Summit).  The Company's acquisition of Summit added $261.6 million in assets 
(including $207.4 million in loans), $232.3 million in deposits and two branch locations in Tulsa and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.  

The Company employed 4,328 persons on a full-time basis and 538 persons on a part-time basis at December 31, 2014. The 
Company provides a variety of benefit programs including a 401(k) plan, as well as group life, health, accident, and other insurance. 
The Company also maintains training and educational programs designed to address the significant and changing regulations 
facing the financial services industry and prepare employees for positions of increasing responsibility.

Competition

The Company faces intense competition from hundreds of financial service providers. It competes with national and state 
banks for deposits, loans and trust accounts, and with savings and loan associations and credit unions for deposits and consumer 
lending products. In addition, the Company competes with other financial intermediaries such as securities brokers and dealers, 
personal loan companies, insurance companies, finance companies, and certain governmental agencies.  With the passage of the 
Gramm-Leach-Bliley Financial Modernization Act of 1999 (GLB Act), competition has increased over time from institutions not 

3

subject to the same regulatory restrictions as domestic banks and bank holding companies.  The Company generally competes by 
providing sophisticated financial products with a strong commitment to customer service, convenience of locations, reputation, 
and price of service, including interest rates on loan and deposit products.  The Company has approximately 14% of the deposit 
market share in Kansas City and approximately 8% of the deposit market share in St. Louis.  

Operating Segments

The Company is managed in three operating segments. The Consumer segment includes the retail branch network, consumer 
installment lending, personal mortgage banking, consumer debit and credit bank card activities. It provides services through a 
network of 195 full-service branches, a widespread ATM network of 392 machines, and the use of alternative delivery channels 
such as extensive online banking, mobile, and telephone banking services. In 2014, this retail segment contributed 21% of total 
segment pre-tax income. The Commercial segment provides a full array of corporate lending, merchant and commercial bank card 
products, leasing, and international services, as well as business and government deposit and cash management services.  Fixed-
income investments are sold to individuals and institutional investors through the Capital Markets Group, which is also included 
in this segment.  In 2014, the Commercial segment contributed 60% of total segment pre-tax income.  The Wealth segment provides 
traditional  trust  and  estate  tax  planning  services,  brokerage  services,  and  advisory  and  discretionary  investment  portfolio 
management services to both personal and institutional corporate customers.    At December 31, 2014, the Trust group managed 
investments with a market value of $22.5 billion and administered an additional $16.6 billion in non-managed assets. This segment 
also manages the Company’s family of proprietary mutual funds, which are available for sale to both trust and general retail 
customers. Additional information relating to operating segments can be found on pages 46 and 90.

Government Policies

The Company's operations are affected by federal and state legislative changes, by the United States government, and by 
policies of various regulatory authorities, including those of the numerous states in which they operate.  These include, for example, 
the statutory minimum legal lending rates, domestic monetary policies of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, 
United States fiscal policy, international currency regulations and monetary policies, the U.S. Patriot Act, and capital adequacy 
and liquidity constraints imposed by federal and state bank regulatory agencies.

Supervision and Regulation

The following information summarizes existing laws and regulations that materially affect the Company's operations.  It does 
not discuss all provisions of these laws and regulations, and it does not include all laws and regulations that affect the Company 
presently or may affect the Company in the future.

General

The Company, as a bank holding company, is primarily regulated by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System 
under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 (BHC Act). Under the BHC Act, the Federal Reserve Board’s prior approval is 
required in any case in which the Company proposes to acquire all or substantially all of the assets of any bank, acquire direct or 
indirect ownership or control of more than 5% of the voting shares of any bank, or merge or consolidate with any other bank 
holding company. With certain exceptions, the BHC Act also prohibits the Company from acquiring direct or indirect ownership 
or control of more than 5% of any class of voting shares of any non-banking company. Under the BHC Act, the Company may 
not engage in any business other than managing and controlling banks or furnishing certain specified services to subsidiaries and 
may not acquire voting control of non-banking companies unless the Federal Reserve Board determines such businesses and 
services to be closely related to banking.  When reviewing bank acquisition applications for approval, the Federal Reserve Board 
considers, among other things, the Bank’s record in meeting the credit needs of the communities it serves in accordance with the 
Community Reinvestment Act of 1977, as amended (CRA). Under the terms of the CRA, banks have a continuing obligation, 
consistent with safe and sound operation, to help meet the credit needs of their communities, including providing credit to individuals 
residing in low- and moderate-income areas.  The Bank has a current CRA rating of “outstanding”.

The Company is required to file with the Federal Reserve Board various reports and additional information the Federal Reserve 
Board  may  require.  The  Federal  Reserve  Board  also  makes  regular  examinations  of  the  Company  and  its  subsidiaries.  The 
Company’s banking subsidiary is a state chartered Federal Reserve member bank and is subject to regulation, supervision and 
examination by the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City and the State of Missouri Division of Finance. The Bank is also subject 
to regulation by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). In addition, there are numerous other federal and state laws 
and regulations which control the activities of the Company and the Bank, including requirements and limitations relating to capital 
and reserve requirements, permissible investments and lines of business, transactions with affiliates, loan limits, mergers and 
acquisitions, issuance of securities, dividend payments, and extensions of credit. If the Company fails to comply with these or 
other applicable laws and regulations, it may be subject to civil monetary penalties, imposition of cease and desist orders or other 
written directives, removal of management and, in certain circumstances, criminal penalties. This regulatory framework is intended 

4

primarily for the protection of depositors and the preservation of the federal deposit insurance funds, not for the protection of 
security holders. Statutory and regulatory controls increase a bank holding company’s cost of doing business and limit the options 
of its management to employ assets and maximize income. 

In addition to its regulatory powers, the Federal Reserve Bank affects the conditions under which the Company operates by 
its influence over the national supply of bank credit. The Federal Reserve Board employs open market operations in U.S. government 
securities and oversees changes in the discount rate on bank borrowings, changes in the federal funds rate on overnight inter-bank 
borrowings, and changes in reserve requirements on bank deposits in implementing its monetary policy objectives. These methods 
are used in varying combinations to influence the overall level of the interest rates charged on loans and paid for deposits, the 
price of the dollar in foreign exchange markets, and the level of inflation. The monetary policies of the Federal Reserve have a 
significant effect on the operating results of financial institutions, most notably on the interest rate environment. In view of changing 
conditions in the national economy and in the money markets, as well as the effect of credit policies of monetary and fiscal 
authorities, no prediction can be made as to possible future changes in interest rates, deposit levels or loan demand, or their effect 
on the financial statements of the Company.

The financial industry operates under laws and regulations that are under constant review by various agencies and legislatures 
and are subject to sweeping change. The Company currently operates as a bank holding company, as defined by the GLB Act, and 
the Bank qualifies as a financial subsidiary under the Act, which allows it to engage in investment banking, insurance agency, 
brokerage, and underwriting activities that were not available to banks prior to the GLB Act.  The GLB Act also included privacy 
provisions that limit banks’ abilities to disclose non-public information about customers to non-affiliated entities. 

The Company must also comply with the requirements of the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA).  The BSA is designed to help fight 
drug trafficking, money laundering, and other crimes.  Compliance is monitored by the Federal Reserve.  The BSA was enacted 
to prevent banks and other financial service providers from being used as intermediaries for, or to hide the transfer or deposit of 
money derived from, criminal activity.  Since its passage, the BSA has been amended several times.  These amendments include 
the Money Laundering Control Act of 1986. which made money laundering a criminal act, as well as the Money Laundering 
Suppression Act of 1994 which required regulators to develop enhanced examination procedures and increased examiner training 
to improve the identification of money laundering schemes in financial institutions.  

The  USA  PATRIOT Act,  established  in  2001,  substantially  broadened  the  scope  of  U.S.  anti-money  laundering  laws  and 
regulations by imposing significant new compliance and due diligence obligations, creating new crimes and penalties and expanding 
the extra-territorial jurisdiction of the United States.  The regulations impose obligations on financial institutions to maintain 
appropriate  policies,  procedures  and  controls  to  detect,  prevent,  and  report  money  laundering  and  terrorist  financing.    The 
regulations include significant penalties for non-compliance.

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2011 (Dodd-Frank Act)  was sweeping legislation intended 
to overhaul regulation of the financial services industry.   Among its many provisions, the Dodd-Frank Act established a new 
council of “systemic risk” regulators, empowers the Federal Reserve to supervise the largest, most complex financial companies, 
allows the government to seize and liquidate failing financial companies, and gives regulators new powers to oversee the derivatives 
market.  The Dodd-Frank Act also established the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and authorized it to supervise 
certain  consumer  financial  services  companies  and  large  depository  institutions  and  their  affiliates  for  consumer  protection 
purposes.  Subject to the provisions of the Act, the CFPB has responsibility to implement, examine for compliance with, and 
enforce “Federal consumer financial law.”  As a depository institution, the Company is subject to examinations by the CFPB, 
which focus on the Company’s ability to detect, prevent, and correct practices that present a significant risk of violating the law 
and causing consumer harm.

Subsidiary Bank

Under Federal Reserve policy, the bank holding company, Commerce Bancshares, Inc. (the "Parent"), is expected to act as a 
source of financial strength to its bank subsidiary and to commit resources to support it in circumstances when it might not otherwise 
do so. In addition, loans by a bank holding company to any of its subsidiary banks are subordinate in right of payment to deposits 
and to certain other indebtedness of such subsidiary banks. In the event of a bank holding company’s bankruptcy, any commitment 
by the bank holding company to a federal bank regulatory agency to maintain the capital of a subsidiary bank will be assumed by 
the bankruptcy trustee and entitled to a priority of payment.

Deposit Insurance

Substantially all of the deposits of the Bank are insured up to the applicable limits by the Bank Insurance Fund of the FDIC, 
generally up to $250,000 per depositor, for each account ownership category.  The Bank pays deposit insurance premiums to the 
FDIC based on an assessment rate established by the FDIC for Bank Insurance Fund member institutions.  The FDIC classifies 
5

institutions under a risk-based assessment system based on their perceived risk to the federal deposit insurance funds.  The current 
assessment base is defined as average total assets minus average tangible equity, with other adjustments for heavy use of unsecured 
liabilities, secured liabilities, brokered deposits, and holdings of unsecured bank debt.  For banks with more than $10 billion in 
assets, the FDIC uses a scorecard designed to measure financial performance and ability to withstand stress, in addition to measuring 
the FDIC’s exposure should the bank fail.  The Company's FDIC insurance expense was $11.6 million in 2014, $11.2 million in 
2013, and $10.4 million in 2012.    

Payment of Dividends

The Federal Reserve Board may prohibit the payment of cash dividends to shareholders by bank holding companies if their 
actions constitute unsafe or unsound practices.  The principal source of the Parent's cash revenues is cash dividends paid by the 
Bank. The amount of dividends paid by the Bank in any calendar year is limited to the net profit of the current year combined 
with the retained net profits of the preceding two years, and permission must be obtained from the Federal Reserve Board for 
dividends exceeding these amounts. The payment of dividends by the Bank may also be affected by factors such as the maintenance 
of adequate capital.

Capital Adequacy

The Company is required to comply with the capital adequacy standards established by the Federal Reserve. The current capital 
adequacy guidelines generally require bank holding companies to maintain a minimum Tier I risk-based capital ratio of 4% and 
a total risk-based capital ratio of 8%, based on total risk-adjusted assets and off-balance sheet items.  Tier I capital for bank holding 
companies generally consists of the sum of common shareholders’ equity, qualifying non-cumulative perpetual preferred stock, a 
limited amount of qualifying cumulative perpetual preferred stock and minority interests in the equity accounts of consolidated 
subsidiaries, less goodwill and other non-qualifying intangible assets. Tier II capital generally consists of hybrid capital instruments, 
term subordinated debt and, subject to limitations, general allowances for loan losses. Assets and certain off-balance sheet items 
are adjusted under the risk-based guidelines to take into account different risk characteristics.

In addition, the Federal Reserve also requires bank holding companies to comply with minimum leverage ratio requirements. 
The leverage ratio is the ratio of a banking organization’s Tier I capital to its total consolidated quarterly average assets (as defined 
for regulatory purposes), net of the allowance for loan losses, goodwill and certain other intangible assets. The minimum leverage 
ratio for bank holding companies is 4%.  At December 31, 2014, the Company was “well-capitalized” under regulatory capital 
adequacy standards, as further discussed on page 93.

In July 2013 the FDIC, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve 
System approved a final rule to implement in the United States the Basel III regulatory capital reforms from the Basel Committee 
on Banking Supervision and certain changes required by the Dodd-Frank Act.  A key goal of the Basel III agreement is to strengthen 
the capital resources of banking organizations during normal and challenging business environments. The Basel III final rule 
increases minimum requirements for both the quantity and quality of capital held by banking organizations.  The rule includes a 
new minimum ratio of common equity Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets of 4.5% and a common equity Tier 1 capital conservation 
buffer of 2.5% of risk-weighted assets.  The final rule also adjusted the methodology for calculating risk-weighted assets to enhance 
risk sensitivity.  Beginning January 1, 2015, the Company must be compliant with revised minimum regulatory capital ratios and 
will begin the transitional period for definitions of regulatory capital and regulatory capital adjustments and deductions established 
under the final rule.  Compliance with the risk-weighted asset calculations is also required on January 1, 2015.  Management 
believes that as of December 31, 2014, the Company's capital levels are well above minimum requirements and would be considered 
"well-capitalized" under the new rules.

Significant Regulation Affecting the Company

In October 2012, the Federal Reserve, as required by the Dodd-Frank Act, approved new stress testing regulations applicable 
to certain financial companies with total consolidated assets of more than $10 billion but less than $50 billion.  The rule requires 
that these financial companies, including the Company, conduct stress tests on an annual basis.  The initial stress test had an as-
of date of September 30, 2013 using scenarios provided by the Federal Reserve in November 2013 (projected nine months out).  
The Company submitted its first regulatory report on its stress test results to the Federal Reserve in March 2014.  This process 
will be repeated annually.  In June 2015, the Company will be required to make public disclosures of the results of the 2015 stress 
tests performed under the severely adverse scenario. 

The Volcker Rule of the Dodd-Frank Act, effective on April 1, 2014, places trading restrictions on financial institutions and 
separates investment banking, private equity and proprietary trading (hedge fund) sections of financial institutions from their 
consumer lending arms.  Key provisions restrict banks from simultaneously entering into advisory and creditor roles with their 
clients, such as with private equity firms.  The Volcker Rule also restricts financial institutions from investing in and sponsoring 

6

certain types of investments, which must be divested by July 21, 2016.  The Company does not believe it will be significantly 
affected by the Volcker Rule provisions. 

Available Information

The Company’s principal offices are located at 1000 Walnut, Kansas City, Missouri (telephone number 816-234-2000). The 
Company makes available free of charge, through its Web site at www.commercebank.com, reports filed with the Securities and 
Exchange Commission as soon as reasonably practicable after the electronic filing. These filings include the annual report on 
Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and all amendments to those reports.

Statistical Disclosure

The information required by Securities Act Guide 3 — “Statistical Disclosure by Bank Holding Companies” is located on the 

pages noted below.

Page

I.
II.
III.

IV.
V.
VI.
VII.

Distribution of Assets, Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity; Interest Rates and Interest Differential . .
21, 52-55
Investment Portfolio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35-37, 75-79
Loan Portfolio
Types of Loans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Maturities and Sensitivities of Loans to Changes in Interest Rates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Risk Elements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Summary of Loan Loss Experience . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deposits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Return on Equity and Assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Short-Term Borrowings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

26
26
31-35
29-31
52, 81
16
82

Item 1a.  RISK FACTORS

Making or continuing an investment in securities issued by Commerce Bancshares, Inc., including its common and preferred 
stock, involves certain risks that you should carefully consider.  If any of the following risks actually occur, its business, financial 
condition or results of operations could be negatively affected, the market price for your securities could decline, and you could 
lose all or a part of your investment.  Further, to the extent that any of the information contained in this Annual Report on Form 
10-K constitutes forward-looking statements, the risk factors set forth below also are cautionary statements identifying important 
factors that could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements 
made by or on behalf of Commerce Bancshares, Inc.

Difficult market conditions may affect the Company’s industry. 

The concentration of the Company’s banking business in the United States particularly exposes it to downturns in the U.S. 

economy. While current economic conditions are favorable, there remain risks in that environment.

In particular, the Company may face the following risks in connection with market conditions:  

• 

• 

• 

In the current environment, accelerated job growth, lower unemployment levels, and improving credit conditions are 
expected to continue.  However, adverse changes in this environment may affect consumer confidence levels and may 
cause declines in consumer credit usage, adverse changes in payment patterns, and higher loan delinquencies and default 
rates.  These could impact the Company’s future loan losses and provision for loan losses, as a significant part of the 
Company’s business includes consumer and credit card lending.

Reduced levels of economic activity may cause declines in financial service transactions, including bank card, corporate 
cash management and other fee businesses, as well as the fees earned by the Company on such transactions.

The process used to estimate losses inherent in the Company’s loan portfolio requires difficult, subjective, and complex 
judgments, including forecasts of economic conditions and how these economic predictions might impair the ability of 
its borrowers to repay their loans.  If an instance occurs that renders these predictions no longer capable of accurate 
estimation, this may in turn impact the reliability of the process. 

7

• 

• 

Competition in the industry could intensify as a result of the increasing consolidation of financial services companies in 
connection with current market conditions, thereby reducing market prices for various products and services which could 
in turn reduce Company revenues. 

The U.S. economy is also affected by foreign economic events and conditions.  Although the Company does not hold 
foreign debt, global economic conditions and political tensions affecting interest rates, business export activity, capital 
expenditures by businesses, and investor confidence may negatively affect the Company by means of reduced loan demand 
or reduced transaction volume with the Company.

Significant changes in banking laws and regulations could materially affect the Company’s business.

 Over the past several years, a significant increase in bank regulation has occurred.  A number of new laws and regulations 
have already been implemented, including those which reduced overdraft fees and credit card revenues, and eliminated the student 
loan business.  Other major changes involved lending transparency, risk-based FDIC insurance assessments, and derivative clearing 
processes.  These regulations generally resulted in lower revenues and higher compliance burdens. Regulatory focus continues 
today with emphasis on stress-testing and Basel III regulatory capital reform. 

Future regulation, along with possible changes in tax laws and accounting rules, may have a significant impact on the way the 
Company conducts business, implements strategic initiatives, engages in tax planning and makes financial disclosures.  Compliance 
with such regulation may divert resources from other areas of the business and limit the ability to pursue other opportunities.  

The performance of the Company is dependent on the economic conditions of the markets in which the Company operates.

The Company’s success is heavily influenced by the general economic conditions of the specific markets in which it operates.  
Unlike larger national or other regional banks that are more geographically diversified, the Company provides financial services 
primarily throughout the states of Missouri, Kansas, and central Illinois, and in its expansion markets in Oklahoma, Colorado and 
other surrounding states.  As the Company does not have a significant banking presence in other parts of the country, a prolonged 
economic downturn in these markets could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of 
operations.

Significant changes in federal monetary policy could materially affect the Company’s business.

The Federal Reserve System regulates the supply of money and credit in the United States.  Its polices determine in large part 
the cost of funds for lending and interest rates earned on loans and paid on borrowings and interest bearing deposits.  Credit 
conditions are influenced by its open market operations in U.S. government securities, changes in the member bank discount rate, 
and bank reserve requirements.  Changes in Federal Reserve Board policies are beyond the Company’s control and difficult to 
predict, and such changes may result in lower interest margins and a continued lack of demand for credit products. 

The soundness of other financial institutions could adversely affect the Company. 

The Company’s ability to engage in routine funding transactions could be adversely affected by the actions and commercial 
soundness of other financial institution counterparties. Financial services institutions are interrelated as a result of trading, clearing, 
counterparty or other relationships. The Company has exposure to many different industries and counterparties and routinely 
executes transactions with counterparties in the financial industry, including brokers and dealers, commercial banks, investment 
banks, mutual funds, and other institutional clients. Transactions with these institutions include overnight and term borrowings, 
interest rate swap agreements, securities purchased and sold, short-term investments, and other such transactions.  As a result of 
this exposure, defaults by, or rumors or questions about, one or more financial services institutions or the financial services industry 
in general, could lead to market-wide liquidity problems and defaults by other institutions. Many of these transactions expose the 
Company to credit risk in the event of default of its counterparty or client, while other transactions expose the Company to liquidity 
risks should funding sources quickly disappear.  In addition, the Company’s credit risk may be exacerbated when the collateral 
held cannot be realized or is liquidated at prices not sufficient to recover the full amount of the exposure due to the Company.  
Any such losses could materially and adversely affect results of operations. 

The Company’s asset valuation may include methodologies, estimations and assumptions which are subject to differing 
interpretations and could result in changes to asset valuations that may materially adversely affect its results of operations 
or financial condition.

The Company uses estimates, assumptions, and judgments when certain financial assets and liabilities are measured and reported 
at fair value. Assets and liabilities carried at fair value inherently result in a higher degree of financial statement volatility. Fair 
values and the information used to record valuation adjustments for certain assets and liabilities are based on quoted market prices 
and/or other observable inputs provided by independent third-party sources, when available. When such third-party information 

8

is not available, fair value is estimated primarily by using cash flow and other financial modeling techniques utilizing assumptions 
such as credit quality, liquidity, interest rates and other relevant inputs. Changes in underlying factors, assumptions, or estimates 
in any of these areas could materially impact the Company’s future financial condition and results of operations.

During periods of market disruption, including periods of significantly rising or high interest rates, rapidly widening credit 
spreads or illiquidity, it may be difficult to value certain assets if trading becomes less frequent and/or market data becomes less 
observable. There may be certain asset classes in active markets with significant observable data that become illiquid due to the 
current financial environment. In such cases, certain asset valuations may require more subjectivity and management judgment. 
As such, valuations may include inputs and assumptions that are less observable or require greater estimation.  Further, rapidly 
changing and unprecedented credit and equity market conditions could materially impact the valuation of assets as reported within 
the Company’s consolidated financial statements, and the period-to-period changes in value could vary significantly. Decreases 
in value may have a material adverse effect on results of operations or financial condition.

The Company’s investment portfolio values may be adversely impacted by deterioration in the credit quality of underlying 
collateral within the various categories of investment securities it owns.

The Company generally invests in securities issued by municipal entities, government-backed agencies or privately issued 
securities that are highly rated and evaluated at the time of purchase, however, these securities are subject to changes in market 
value due to changing interest rates and implied credit spreads.  While the Company maintains rigorous risk management practices 
over bonds issued by municipalities, credit deterioration in these bonds could occur and result in losses. Certain mortgage and 
asset-backed securities (which are collateralized by residential mortgages, credit cards, automobiles, mobile homes or other assets) 
may  decline  in  value  due  to  actual  or  expected  deterioration  in  the  underlying  collateral.  Under  accounting  rules,  when  the 
impairment is due to declining expected cash flows, some portion of the impairment, depending on the Company’s intent to sell 
and the likelihood of being required to sell before recovery, must be recognized in current earnings.  This could result in significant 
non-cash losses.  

Future loan losses could increase.

The Company maintains an allowance for loan losses that represents management’s best estimate of probable losses that have 
been incurred at the balance sheet date within the existing portfolio of loans.  The level of the allowance reflects management’s 
continuing evaluation of industry concentrations, specific credit risks, loan loss experience, current loan portfolio quality, present 
economic, political and regulatory conditions and unidentified losses inherent in the current loan portfolio.  Although the loan 
losses have been stable in 2014 and 2013, an unforeseen deterioration of financial market conditions could result in larger loan 
losses, which may negatively affect the Company's results of operations and could further increase levels of its allowance.  In 
addition, the Company’s allowance level is subject to review by regulatory agencies, and that review could result in adjustments 
to the allowance.  See the section captioned “Allowance for Loan Losses” in Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of 
Financial Condition and Results of Operations, of this report for further discussion related to the Company’s process for determining 
the appropriate level of the allowance for possible loan loss.

The Company is subject to both interest rate and liquidity risk.

With oversight from its Asset-Liability Management Committee, the Company devotes substantial resources to monitoring its 
liquidity and interest rate risk on a monthly basis.  The Company's net interest income is the largest source of overall revenue to 
the Company, representing 59% of total revenue at December 31, 2014.  The interest rate environment in which the Company 
operates fluctuates in response to general economic conditions and policies of various governmental and regulatory agencies, 
particularly the Federal Reserve Board.  Changes in monetary policy, including changes in interest rates, will influence loan 
originations, deposit generation, demand for investments and revenues and costs for earning assets and liabilities.

Additionally the Company manages its balance sheet in order to maximize its net interest income from its net earning assets 
while insuring that there is ample liquidity to meet fluctuating cash flows coming from either funding sources or its earning assets. 

Since the financial crisis of 2008, there has been significant growth in deposits from both consumers and businesses, and much 
of this growth has been invested in the investment securities portfolio.  For the past several years, the Federal Reserve has maintained 
interest rates at unprecedented low levels, and as the securities portfolio has grown, interest margins have been pressured. The 
securities portfolio, which has averaged 45% of total earning assets over the past three years, generally carries lower rates than 
loans,  Furthermore the Company attempts to diversify its securities portfolio while keeping duration short, in order to ensure it 
is always able to meet liquidity needs for future changes in loans or deposit balances.  Loan demand has recently strengthened, 
growing 10% on average in 2013 and 9% in 2014, versus just 2% in 2012.  During 2014, growth in loans was mainly funded by 
maturities of investment securities, and growth in deposits were mostly reinvested in the securities portfolio. At December 31, 
2014, the Company's loan to deposit rate was 60%, a sign of strong liquidity.   

9

While further loan growth is expected under a strengthening economy, it is expected that interest margins will continue to be 
pressured if rates remain low.  Should the demand for loans increase in the future while deposit balances decline significantly, the 
Company's liquidity risk could change, as it is dependent on the Company's ability to manage maturities within its investment 
portfolio to fund these changing cash flows.

The Company operates in a highly competitive industry and market area.

The Company operates in the financial services industry, and has numerous competitors including other banks and insurance 
companies, securities dealers, brokers, trust and investment companies and mortgage bankers.  Consolidation among financial 
service providers and new changes in technology, product offerings and regulation continue to challenge the Company's marketplace 
position.  As consolidation occurs, larger regional banks may enter our market and add to existing competition.  These new banks 
may lower fees in an effort to grow market share, which could result in a loss of customers and lower fee revenue for the Company. 
The Company must continue to make investments in its products and delivery systems to stay competitive with the industry as a 
whole, or its financial performance may suffer.

The Company’s reputation and future growth prospects could be impaired if events occur which breach its customers’ 
privacy.

The Company relies heavily on communications and information systems to conduct its business, and as part of its business, 
the Company maintains significant amounts of data about its customers and the products they use.  Additionally, customers rely 
on online bank products.  While the Company has policies and procedures and safeguards designed to prevent or limit the effect 
of failure, interruption or security breach of its information systems, there can be no assurances that any such failures, interruptions 
or security breaches will not occur; or if they do occur, that they will be adequately addressed.  In addition to unauthorized access, 
denial-of-service attacks could overwhelm Company Web sites and prevent the Company from adequately serving customers.  
Should any of the Company's systems become compromised, the reputation of the Company could be damaged, relationships with 
existing customers may be impaired, the compromise could result in lost business, and as a result, the Company could incur 
significant expenses trying to remedy the incident.  Similarly, because the Company is an issuer of both debit and credit cards, it 
is periodically exposed to losses related to security breaches which occur at retailers that are unaffiliated with Company (e.g., 
customer card data being compromised at retail stores).  These include, but are not limited to, costs and expenses for card reissuance 
as well as losses resulting from fraudulent card transactions.

The Company may not attract and retain skilled employees.

The Company’s success depends, in large part, on its ability to attract and retain key people.  Competition for the best people 
can be intense, and the Company spends considerable time and resources attracting and hiring qualified people for its various 
business lines and support units. The unexpected loss of the services of one or more of the Company’s key personnel could have 
a material adverse impact on the Company’s business because of their skills, knowledge of the Company’s market, and years of 
industry experience, as well as the difficulty of promptly finding qualified replacement personnel.

Item 1b.  UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None

10

 
Item 2.  PROPERTIES

The main offices of the Bank are located in the larger metropolitan areas of its markets in various multi-story office buildings. 

The Bank owns its main offices and leases unoccupied premises to the public. The larger offices include:

Building

922 Walnut 
Kansas City, MO

1000 Walnut
Kansas City, MO

811 Main
Kansas City, MO

8000 Forsyth
Clayton, MO

1551 N. Waterfront Pkwy
Wichita, KS

Net rentable
square footage

% occupied in
total

% occupied by
bank

256,000

403,000

237,000

178,000

120,000

95%

93%

82

100

97

97

39

100

97

32

Various installment loan, credit card, trust and safe deposit functions operate out of leased offices in downtown Kansas City, 
Missouri.  The Company has an additional 190 branch locations in Missouri, Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma and Colorado which are 
owned or leased, and 158 off-site ATM locations.

Item 3.   LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The information required by this item is set forth in Item 8 under Note 20, Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees on 

page 107.

Item 4.   MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable 

11

Executive Officers of the Registrant

The following are the executive officers of the Company as of February 24, 2015, each of whom is designated annually.  There 
are no arrangements or understandings between any of the persons so named and any other person pursuant to which such person 
was designated an executive officer.

Name and Age

Jeffery D. Aberdeen, 60

Kevin G. Barth, 54

Jeffrey M. Burik, 56

Daniel D. Callahan, 58

Sara E. Foster, 54

David W. Kemper, 64

John W. Kemper, 37

Jonathan M. Kemper, 61

Charles G. Kim, 54

Seth M. Leadbeater, 64

Michael J. Petrie, 58

Robert J. Rauscher, 57

Positions with Registrant
Controller of the Company since December 1995.  He is also Controller of the Company's 
subsidiary bank, Commerce Bank.

Executive Vice President of the Company since April 2005 and Executive Vice President of 
Commerce Bank since October 1998.  Senior Vice President of the Company and Officer of 
Commerce Bank prior thereto.

Senior  Vice  President  of  the  Company  since  February  2013.  Executive  Vice  President  of 
Commerce Bank since November 2007.

Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer of the Company since December 2010 and 
Senior Vice President of the Company prior thereto.  Executive Vice President of Commerce 
Bank since May 2003.

Executive Vice President of the Company since February 2012 and Senior Vice President of 
the Company since February 1998.

Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company since November 1991, Chief Executive 
Officer of the Company since June 1986.  He was President of the Company from April 1982 
until February 2013. He is Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Commerce 
Bank.  He is the son of James M. Kemper, Jr. (a former Director and former Chairman of the 
Board of the Company), the brother of Jonathan M. Kemper, Vice Chairman of the Company, 
and father of John W. Kemper, President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company.

President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company since February 2013, and Executive 
Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of the Company prior thereto. President of 
Commerce Bank since March 2013 and Senior Vice President of Commerce Bank prior thereto. 
Prior  to  his  employment  with  Commerce  Bank  in August  2007,  he  was  employed  as  an 
engagement  manager  with  a  global  management  consulting  firm,  managing  strategy  and 
operations projects primarily focused in the financial service industry.  He is the son of David 
W. Kemper, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and nephew of Jonathan 
M. Kemper, Vice Chairman of the Company.

Vice Chairman of the Company since November 1991 and Vice Chairman of Commerce Bank 
since December 1997. Prior thereto, he was Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, 
and President of Commerce Bank. He is the son of James M. Kemper, Jr. (a former Director 
and former Chairman of the Board of the Company), the brother of David W. Kemper, Chairman 
and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and uncle of John W. Kemper, President and 
Chief Operating Officer of the Company.

Chief Financial Officer of the Company since July 2009.  Executive Vice President of the 
Company since April 1995 and Executive Vice President of Commerce Bank since January 
2004. Prior thereto, he was Senior Vice President of Commerce Bank.

Vice  Chairman  of  the  Company  since  January  2004.  Prior  thereto  he  was  Executive Vice 
President of the Company. Vice Chairman of Commerce Bank since September 2004. Prior 
thereto he was Executive Vice President of Commerce Bank.

Senior Vice President of the Company since April 1995. Prior thereto, he was Vice President 
of the Company.

Senior Vice President of the Company since October 1997. Senior Vice President of Commerce 
Bank prior thereto.

V. Raymond Stranghoener, 63

Executive Vice President of the Company since July 2005 and Senior Vice President of the 
Company prior thereto.

12

Item 5.  MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS 

AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

PART II

Commerce Bancshares, Inc.
Common Stock Data

The following table sets forth the high and low prices of actual transactions in the Company’s common stock and cash dividends 

paid for the periods indicated (restated for the 5% stock dividend distributed in December 2014).

2014

2013

2012

Quarter

High

Low

Cash
Dividends

First

Second

Third

Fourth

First

Second

Third

Fourth

First

Second

Third

Fourth

$

$

$

45.06 $

39.68 $

45.19

45.38

44.30

40.09

42.23

38.10

37.09 $

32.11 $

40.47

43.10

43.59

34.88

38.13

38.86

35.66 $

32.45 $

35.42

36.92

35.10

31.25

32.58

31.46

.214

.214

.214

.214

.204

.204

.204

.204

.199

.199

.199

1.494*

* Includes a special dividend of $1.295 per share

Commerce Bancshares, Inc. common shares are listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market (NASDAQ) under the symbol 

CBSH. The Company had 4,051 common shareholders of record as of December 31, 2014.

13

 
 
Performance Graph

The following graph presents a comparison of Company (CBSH) performance to the indices named below.  It assumes $100 

invested on December 31, 2009 with dividends invested on a cumulative total shareholder return basis.

Commerce (CBSH)

100.00

110.33

113.80

116.78

160.33

166.24

NASDAQ OMX Global-Bank

100.00

111.35

83.04

111.88

152.85

170.93

S&P 500

100.00

115.06

117.49

136.29

180.44

205.14

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

The following table sets forth information about the Company’s purchases of its $5 par value common stock, its only class of 

common stock registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act, during the fourth quarter of 2014.

Period

October 1—31, 2014

November 1—30, 2014

December 1—31, 2014

Total

Total Number of
Shares Purchased

Average Price
Paid per Share

Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced
Program

 Maximum
Number that May
Yet Be Purchased
Under the
Program

40,262

3,145

1,713

45,120

$42.63

$45.33

$43.95

$42.87

40,262

3,145

1,713

45,120

1,902,865

1,899,720

1,898,007

1,898,007

The Company’s stock purchases shown above were made under authorizations by the Board of Directors.  Under the most 
recent authorization in June 2014 of 5,000,000 shares, 1,898,007 shares remained available for purchase at December 31, 2014.  

Item 6.   SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The required information is set forth below in Item 7. 

14

 
Item 7.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Forward-Looking Statements

This report may contain “forward-looking statements” that are subject to risks and uncertainties and include information about 
possible or assumed future results of operations. Many possible events or factors could affect the future financial results and 
performance of Commerce Bancshares, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the "Company"). This could cause results or performance to 
differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. Words such as “expects”, “anticipates”, “believes”, 
“estimates”, variations of such words and other similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. 
These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions which are 
difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in, or implied 
by, such forward-looking statements. Readers should not rely solely on the forward-looking statements and should consider all 
uncertainties and risks discussed throughout this report. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. The 
Company does not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date the 
forward-looking statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Such possible events or factors include 
the risk factors identified in Item 1a Risk Factors and the following: changes in economic conditions in the Company’s market 
area; changes in policies by regulatory agencies, governmental legislation and regulation; fluctuations in interest rates; changes 
in liquidity requirements; demand for loans in the Company’s market area; changes in accounting and tax principles; estimates 
made on income taxes; failure of litigation settlement agreements to become final in accordance with their terms; and competition 
with other entities that offer financial services.

Overview

The Company operates as a super-community bank and offers a broad range of financial products to consumer and commercial 
customers, delivered with a focus on high-quality, personalized service. It is the largest bank holding company headquartered in 
Missouri, with its principal offices in Kansas City and St. Louis, Missouri. Customers are served from over 350 locations in 
Missouri, Kansas, Illinois, Oklahoma and Colorado and commercial offices throughout the nation's midsection.  A variety of 
delivery platforms are utilized, including an extensive network of branches and ATM machines, full-featured online banking, and 
a central contact center.

The core of the Company’s competitive advantage is its focus on the local markets in which it operates, its offering of competitive, 
sophisticated  financial  products,  and  its  concentration  on  relationship  banking  and  high  touch  service.  In  order  to  enhance 
shareholder value, the Company targets core revenue growth.  To achieve this growth, the Company focuses on strategies that will 
expand new and existing customer relationships, offer opportunities for controlled expansion in additional markets, utilize improved 
technology, and enhance customer satisfaction.

Various indicators are used by management in evaluating the Company’s financial condition and operating performance. Among 

these indicators are the following:

• 

• 

• 

• 

Net income and earnings per share — Net income attributable to Commerce Bancshares, Inc. was $261.8 million, an 
increase of .3% compared to the previous year.  The return on average assets was 1.15% in 2014, and the return on average 
common equity was 11.65%.  Diluted earnings per share increased .8% in 2014 compared to 2013.

Total revenue — Total revenue is comprised of net interest income and non-interest income.  Total revenue in 2014 
increased $18.4 million over 2013, mainly from growth in non-interest income of $17.6 million. Growth in non-interest 
income was driven by increases in trust fees, bank card transaction fees, and brokerage fees, partly offset by a decline in 
capital market fees.  Net interest income increased slightly over 2013 due in part to higher average earning assets, including 
average loan growth of 9.2%.  However, low interest rates continued to pressure the net interest margin, which declined 
to 3.00% in 2014, an 11 basis point decline from 2013.  

Non-interest expense — Total non-interest expense grew 4.5% this year compared to 2013 as a result of higher costs for 
salaries and employee benefits and an increase in other operating costs, including higher foreclosed property costs (higher 
gains on sales were recorded in 2013) and an increase in certain credit card operational expenses.  Costs for occupancy, 
equipment, supplies and communication, and data processing and software showed little change from the previous year.

Asset quality — Net loan charge-offs in 2014 increased $3.2 million over those recorded in 2013 and averaged .31% of 
loans compared to .30% in the previous year.  Total non-performing assets, which include non-accrual loans and foreclosed 
real estate, amounted to $46.3 million at December 31, 2014, a decrease of $9.2 million from balances at the previous 
year end, and represented .40% of loans outstanding.  

15

• 

Shareholder return — Total shareholder return, including the change in stock price and dividend reinvestment, was 3.7% 
over the past year.  Shareholder return over the past 10 years was 6.2%.  During 2014, the Company paid cash dividends 
of $.857 per share, representing an increase of 5% over the previous year.  The Company also issued a 5% stock dividend.

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related 
notes. The historical trends reflected in the financial information presented below are not necessarily reflective of anticipated 
future results.

Key Ratios 

(Based on average balances)
Return on total assets
Return on common equity
Equity to total assets
Loans to deposits (1)
Non-interest bearing deposits to total deposits
Net yield on interest earning assets (tax equivalent basis)
(Based on end of period data)
Non-interest income to revenue (2)
Efficiency ratio (3)
Tier I risk-based capital ratio
Tier I common capital ratio (4)
Total risk-based capital ratio
Tier I leverage ratio
Tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio (4)
Common cash dividend payout ratio

(1)  Includes loans held for sale.

(2)  Revenue includes net interest income and non-interest income.

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

1.15%

1.19%

1.30%

1.32%

1.22%

11.65
10.10
59.91
33.73
3.00

41.28
62.08
13.74
12.81
14.86
9.36
8.55
32.69

11.99
9.95
57.12
33.01
3.11

40.32
60.49
14.06
14.06
15.28
9.43
9.00
31.46

12.00
10.84
55.80
32.82
3.41

38.44
59.26
13.60
13.60
14.93
9.14
9.25
78.57

12.15
10.87
59.15
30.26
3.65

37.82
59.10
14.71
14.70
16.04
9.55
9.91
30.87

11.15
10.91
70.02
28.65
3.89

38.54
59.71
14.38
14.38
15.75
10.17
10.27
35.29

(3)  The efficiency ratio is calculated as non-interest expense (excluding intangibles amortization) as a percent of revenue.
(4) The Tier I common capital to risk-weighted assets ratio and the tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio are measurements which management believes 
are useful indicators of capital adequacy and utilization.  They provide meaningful bases for period to period and company to company comparisons, and also 
assist regulators, investors and analysts in analyzing the financial position of the Company.  Tier I common capital, tangible common equity and tangible assets 
are non-GAAP measures and should not be viewed as substitutes for, or superior to, data prepared in accordance with GAAP. 

The following table is a reconciliation of the GAAP financial measure of Tier I risk-based capital to the non-GAAP measure 
of Tier I common capital. 

(Dollars in thousands)
Tier I risk-based capital
Less qualifying non-controlling interest
Less preferred stock
Tier I common capital (a)
Total risk-weighted assets (b)
Tier I common capital to risk-weighted assets ratio
(a)/(b)

2014
$ 2,131,169
321
144,784
$ 1,986,064
$ 15,509,144

2013

2012

$

2,061,761
315
—
2,061,446
$
$ 14,660,536

$

1,906,203
321
—
1,905,882
$
$ 14,015,648

$

2011
1,928,690
330
—
1,928,360
$
$ 13,115,261

2010

$

1,828,965
319
—
1,828,646
$
$ 12,717,868

12.81%

14.06%

13.60%

14.70%

14.38%

16

 
The following table is a reconciliation of the GAAP financial measures of total equity and total assets to the non-GAAP 
measures of total tangible common equity and total tangible assets.

(Dollars in thousands)
Total equity
Less non-controlling interest
Less preferred stock
Less goodwill
Less core deposit premium
Total tangible common equity (a)
Total assets
Less goodwill
Less core deposit premium
Total tangible assets (b)
Tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio (a)/(b)

2014
$ 2,334,246
4,053
144,784
138,921
6,572
$ 2,039,916
$ 23,994,280
138,921
6,572
$ 23,848,787

2013
$ 2,214,397
3,755
—
138,921
8,489
$ 2,063,232
$ 23,072,036
138,921
8,489
$ 22,924,626

2012
$ 2,171,574
4,447
—
125,585
4,828
$ 2,036,714
$ 22,159,589
125,585
4,828
$ 22,029,176

2011
$ 2,170,361
4,314
—
125,585
6,970
$ 2,033,492
$ 20,649,367
125,585
6,970
$ 20,516,812

2010
$ 2,023,464
1,477
—
125,585
9,612
$ 1,886,790
$ 18,502,339
125,585
9,612
$ 18,367,142

8.55%

9.00%

9.25%

9.91%

10.27%

Selected Financial Data

(In thousands, except per share data)
Net interest income
Provision for loan losses
Non-interest income
Investment securities gains (losses), net
Non-interest expense

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

$

620,204 $
29,531
435,978
14,124
657,775

619,372 $
20,353
418,386
(4,425)
629,633

639,906 $
27,287
399,630
4,828
618,469

646,070 $
51,515
392,917
10,812
617,249

645,932
100,000
405,111
(1,785)
631,134

Net income attributable to Commerce Bancshares, Inc.
Net income available to common shareholders
Net income per common share-basic*
Net income per common share-diluted*
Cash dividends on common stock
Cash dividends per common share*
Market price per common share*
Book value per common share*
Common shares outstanding*
Total assets
Loans, including held for sale
Investment securities
Deposits
Long-term debt
Equity
Non-performing assets

261,754
257,704
2.62
2.61
84,241
.857
43.49
22.73
96,327
23,994,280
11,469,238
9,645,792
19,475,778
104,058
2,334,246
46,251

260,961
260,961
2.60
2.59
82,104
.816
42.77
22.00
100,675
23,072,036
10,956,836
9,042,997
19,047,348
455,310
2,214,397
55,439

269,329
269,329
2.64
2.63
211,608
2.090
31.80
21.55
100,784
22,159,589
9,840,211
9,669,735
18,348,653
503,710
2,171,574
64,863

256,343
256,343
2.45
2.44
79,140
.757
32.93
21.08
102,973
20,649,367
9,208,554
9,358,387
16,799,883
511,817
2,170,361
93,803

221,710
221,710
2.09
2.08
78,231
.737
32.69
19.22
105,292
18,502,339
9,474,733
7,409,534
15,085,021
512,273
2,023,464
97,320

*  Restated for the 5% stock dividend distributed in December 2014. 

17

Results of Operations

(Dollars in thousands)
Net interest income
Provision for loan losses
Non-interest income
Investment securities gains (losses), net
Non-interest expense
Income taxes

Non-controlling interest expense
Net income attributable to Commerce
Bancshares, Inc.

Preferred stock dividends
Net income available to common
shareholders

$

2014
620,204 $
(29,531)
435,978
14,124
(657,775)
(120,216)

2013
619,372 $
(20,353)
418,386
(4,425)
(629,633)
(122,230)

2012
639,906 $
(27,287)
399,630
4,828
(618,469)
(127,169)

(1,030)

(156)

(2,110)

261,754
(4,050)

260,961
—

269,329
—

$ Change

% Change

'14-'13

'13-'12

'14-'13

'13-'12

832 $

9,178
17,592
18,549
28,142
(2,014)

874

793
(4,050)

(20,534)
(6,934)
18,756
(9,253)
11,164
(4,939)

(1,954)

(8,368)
—

.1 %

(3.2)%

45.1
4.2
N.M.
4.5
(1.6)

N.M.

.3
N.M.

(25.4)
4.7
N.M.
1.8
(3.9)

(92.6)

(3.1)
N.M.

$

257,704 $

260,961 $

269,329 $

(3,257) $

(8,368)

(1.2)%

(3.1)%

Net income attributable to Commerce Bancshares, Inc. for 2014 was $261.8 million, an increase of $793 thousand, or .3%, 
compared to $261.0 million in 2013.  Diluted income per share was $2.61 in 2014 compared to $2.59 in 2013. The increase in net 
income resulted from increases of $17.6 million in non-interest income and $18.5 million in investment securities gains.  These 
increases in net income were partly offset by a $28.1 million increase in non-interest expense, as well as an increase of $9.2 million 
in the provision for loan losses.  The return on average assets was 1.15% in 2014 compared to 1.19% in 2013, and the return on 
average common equity was 11.65% compared to 11.99% in 2013.  At December 31, 2014, the ratio of tangible common equity 
to assets was 8.55% compared to 9.00% at year end 2013.

During 2014, net interest income increased $832 thousand compared to 2013.  This slight increase reflected growth of $8.1 
million in loan interest income, due to higher loan balances which were partly offset by lower rates earned, coupled with a decline 
in deposit interest expense of $3.2 million due to lower rates paid.   These increases were mostly offset by an $8.6 million decline 
in interest income on long-term securities purchased under agreements to resell.  The provision for loan losses increased $9.2 
million over  the previous year, totaling $29.5 million in 2014, and was $5.0 million lower than net loan charge-offs.  Net charge-
offs increased by $3.2 million in 2014 compared to 2013, mainly in consumer, construction and business loans.

Non-interest income for 2014 was $436.0 million, an increase of $17.6 million, or 4.2%, compared to $418.4 million in 2013.  
This increase resulted mainly from continued growth in trust fees and bank card fees, which increased $9.6 million and $9.2 
million, respectively.  Bank card fees included a $7.2 million increase in corporate card fees, a product line upon which the 
Company has placed significant focus during the past few years and which continues to show good growth.  Consumer brokerage 
services revenue increased $1.0 million due to growth in advisory fees, while capital market fees declined $1.5 million as sales 
volume remained lower.   

During 2014, investment securities net gains totaled $14.1 million, compared to net losses of $4.4 million during 2013.  Gains 
and losses in both years resulted mainly from activity in the private equity investment portfolio, and included fair value adjustments 
and gains/losses realized upon sale or disposition.   Gains in 2014 included $19.6 million related to the sale of a private equity 
investment, partly offset by a loss of $5.2 million on the sale of U.S. Treasury inflation-protected bonds. 

Non-interest expense for 2014 was $657.8 million, an increase of $28.1 million over $629.6 million in 2013.  The increase in 
non-interest expense included a $17.2 million increase in salaries and benefits expense, due to higher full-time salaries expense 
and medical costs.   Expense for occupancy, supplies and communication, equipment and data processing were all well controlled 
during 2014, with growth of 1% or less in each of those categories.  Non-interest expense also increased due to a $1.5 million 
increase in marketing expense, as well as several other items which included higher bank card rewards cost and lower gains on 
sales of foreclosed property.  Income tax expense was $120.2 million in 2014 compared to $122.2 million in 2013, resulting in 
effective tax rates of 31.5% in 2014 and 31.9% in 2013.

Net income attributable to Commerce Bancshares, Inc. for 2013 was $261.0 million, a decrease of $8.4 million, or 3.1%, 
compared to $269.3 million in 2012.  Diluted income per share was $2.59 in 2013 compared to $2.63 in 2012.  The decrease in 
net income resulted from a $20.5 million decrease in net interest income, as well as an increase of $11.2 million in non-interest 
expense and a decrease of $9.3 million in net securities gains.  These decreases to net income were partly offset by an increase in 
non-interest income of $18.8 million and a decline of $6.9 million in the provision for loan losses.  The return on average assets 

18

was 1.19% in 2013 compared to 1.30% in 2012, and the return on average common equity was 11.99% compared to 12.00% in 
2012.  At December 31, 2013, the ratio of tangible common equity to assets was 9.00% compared to 9.25% at year end 2012.

During 2013, net interest income decreased $20.5 million, or 3.2%, compared to 2012.  This decrease was largely due to lower 
rates earned on the investment security and loan portfolios, partly offset by higher loan balances and lower rates paid on deposits.  
The provision for loan losses decreased $6.9 million from the previous year, totaling $20.4 million in 2013, and was $11.0 million 
lower than net loan charge-offs in 2013.  Net charge-offs declined by $7.9 million in 2013 compared to 2012, mainly in construction, 
business real estate, consumer, and revolving home equity loans.

Non-interest income for 2013 was $418.4 million, an increase of $18.8 million, or 4.7%, compared to $399.6 million in  2012.  
This increase resulted mainly from growth of $7.9 million in trust fees and $12.4 million in bank card fees.  Capital market fees 
declined $6.9 million due to weak demand from correspondent and commercial customers.

Non-interest expense for 2013 was $629.6 million, an increase of $11.2 million over $618.5 million in 2012.  The increase in 
non-interest expense included a $6.0 million increase in salaries and benefits expense, as well as a $4.4 million increase in data 
processing and software expense.  Occupancy, supplies and communications, marketing and deposit insurance expense increased 
on a combined basis by only $94 thousand.  Partly offsetting these increases in non-interest expense during 2013 was a $1.7 million 
decrease in equipment expense.  Income tax expense was $122.2 million in 2013 compared to $127.2 million in 2012, resulting 
in effective tax rates of 31.9% in 2013 and 32.1% in 2012.

In September 2013, the Company acquired Summit Bancshares, Inc., an Oklahoma-based franchise with $261.6 million in 
assets and branch locations in Tulsa and Oklahoma City.  In July 2014, the Company sold certain loans, deposits, and premises 
of three banking branches located in eastern Missouri.  These transactions are further discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated 
financial statements.  

In June 2014, the Company issued $150.0 million in perpetual preferred stock with a 6% dividend; its first issuance of preferred 
stock.  The proceeds were used to repurchase common shares.  During 2014, the Company purchased $211.0 million in shares of 
its common stock.  The Company also distributed a 5% stock dividend for the 21st consecutive year on December 15, 2014.  All 
per share and average share data in this report has been restated to reflect the 2014 stock dividend.

Critical Accounting Policies

The Company's consolidated financial statements are prepared based on the application of certain accounting policies, the most 
significant of which are described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements.  Certain of these policies require numerous 
estimates and strategic or economic assumptions that may prove inaccurate or be subject to variations which may significantly 
affect  the  Company's  reported  results  and  financial  position  for  the  current  period  or  future  periods.  The  use  of  estimates, 
assumptions, and judgments are necessary when financial assets and liabilities are required to be recorded at, or adjusted to reflect, 
fair value.  Current economic conditions may require the use of additional estimates, and some estimates may be subject to a 
greater degree of uncertainty due to the current instability of the economy. The Company has identified several policies as being 
critical because they require management to make particularly difficult, subjective and/or complex judgments about matters that 
are inherently uncertain and because of the likelihood that materially different amounts would be reported under different conditions 
or using different assumptions. These policies relate to the allowance for loan losses, the valuation of certain investment securities, 
and accounting for income taxes.

Allowance for Loan Losses

The Company performs periodic and systematic detailed reviews of its loan portfolio to assess overall collectability.  The level 
of the allowance for loan losses reflects the Company's estimate of the losses inherent in the loan portfolio at any point in time. 
While these estimates are based on substantive methods for determining allowance requirements, actual outcomes may differ 
significantly from estimated results, especially when determining allowances for business, construction and business real estate 
loans.  These loans are normally larger and more complex, and their collection rates are harder to predict.  Personal banking loans, 
including personal real estate, credit card and consumer loans, are individually smaller and perform in a more homogenous manner, 
making loss estimates more predictable. Further discussion of the methodology used in establishing the allowance is provided in 
the Allowance for Loan Losses section of Item 7 and in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements.

19

Valuation of Investment Securities

The Company carries its investment securities at fair value and employs valuation techniques which utilize observable inputs 
when those inputs are available.  These observable inputs reflect assumptions market participants would use in pricing the security 
and are developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Company.  When such information is not 
available, the Company employs valuation techniques which utilize unobservable inputs, or those which reflect the Company’s 
own assumptions about market participants, based on the best information available in the circumstances.  These valuation methods 
typically involve cash flow and other financial modeling techniques.  Changes in underlying factors, assumptions, estimates, or 
other inputs to the valuation techniques could have a material impact on the Company's future financial condition and results of 
operations.  Assets and liabilities carried at fair value inherently result in more financial statement volatility.  Under the fair value 
measurement hierarchy, fair value measurements are classified as Level 1 (quoted prices), Level 2 (based on observable inputs) 
or Level 3 (based on unobservable, internally-derived inputs), as discussed in more detail in Note 16 on Fair Value Measurements. 
Most of the available for sale investment portfolio is priced utilizing industry-standard models that consider various assumptions 
observable in the marketplace or which can be derived from observable data.  Such securities totaled approximately $8.9 billion, 
or 93.5% of the available for sale portfolio at December 31, 2014, and were classified as Level 2 measurements.  The Company 
also holds $95.1 million in auction rate securities.  These were classified as Level 3 measurements, as no liquid market currently 
exists  for  these  securities,  and  fair  values  were  derived  from  internally  generated  cash  flow  valuation  models  which  used 
unobservable inputs significant to the overall measurement.

Changes in the fair value of available for sale securities, excluding credit losses relating to other-than-temporary impairment, 
are reported in other comprehensive income. The Company periodically evaluates the available for sale portfolio for other-than-
temporary impairment. Evaluation for other-than-temporary impairment is based on the Company’s intent to sell the security and 
whether it is likely that it will be required to sell the security before the anticipated recovery of its amortized cost basis.  If either 
of these conditions is met, the entire loss (the amount by which the amortized cost exceeds the fair value) must be recognized in 
current earnings.  If neither condition is met, but the Company does not expect to recover the amortized cost basis, the Company 
must determine whether a credit loss has occurred.  This credit loss is the amount by which the amortized cost basis exceeds the 
present value of cash flows expected to be collected from the security.  The credit loss, if any, must be recognized in current 
earnings, while the remainder of the loss, related to all other factors, is recognized in other comprehensive income.

The estimation of whether a credit loss exists and the period over which the security is expected to recover requires significant 
judgment.  The Company must consider available information about the collectability of the security, including information about 
past events, current conditions, and reasonable forecasts, which includes payment structure, prepayment speeds, expected defaults, 
and collateral values.  Changes in these factors could result in additional impairment, recorded in current earnings, in future periods.

At December 31, 2014, certain non-agency guaranteed mortgage-backed securities with a fair value of $54.6 million were 
identified as other-than-temporarily impaired.  The cumulative credit-related impairment loss  recorded on these securities amounted 
to $13.7 million, which was recorded in the consolidated statements of income.   

The  Company,  through  its  direct  holdings  and  its  private  equity  subsidiaries,  has  numerous  private  equity  investments, 
categorized as non-marketable securities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.  These investments are reported at fair 
value and totaled $60.2 million at December 31, 2014.  Changes in fair value are reflected in current earnings and reported in 
investment securities gains (losses), net, in the consolidated statements of income.  Because there is no observable market data 
for these securities, fair values are internally developed using available information and management’s judgment, and the securities 
are classified as Level 3 measurements.  Although management believes its estimates of fair value reasonably reflect the fair value 
of these securities, key assumptions regarding the projected financial performance of these companies, the evaluation of the investee 
company’s management team, and other economic and market factors may affect the amounts that will ultimately be realized from 
these investments.

Accounting for Income Taxes

Accrued income taxes represent the net amount of current income taxes which are expected to be paid attributable to operations 
as of the balance sheet date.  Deferred income taxes represent the expected future tax consequences of events that have been 
recognized in the financial statements or income tax returns.  Current and deferred income taxes are reported as either a component 
of other assets or other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets, depending on whether the balances are assets or liabilities.  
Judgment is required in applying generally accepted accounting principles in accounting for income taxes.  The Company regularly 
monitors taxing authorities for changes in laws and regulations and their interpretations by the judicial systems.  The aforementioned 
changes,  as  well  as  any  changes  that  may  result  from  the  resolution  of  income  tax  examinations  by  federal  and  state  taxing 
authorities, may impact the estimate of accrued income taxes and could materially impact the Company’s financial position and 
results of operations.

20

Net Interest Income

Net interest income, the largest source of revenue, results from the Company’s lending, investing, borrowing, and deposit 
gathering activities. It is affected by both changes in the level of interest rates and changes in the amounts and mix of interest 
earning assets and interest bearing liabilities. The following table summarizes the changes in net interest income on a fully taxable 
equivalent basis, by major category of interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities, identifying changes related to volumes 
and rates. Changes not solely due to volume or rate changes are allocated to rate.

(In thousands)
Interest income, fully taxable equivalent basis
Loans
Loans held for sale
Investment securities:

U.S. government and federal agency obligations
Government-sponsored enterprise obligations
State and municipal obligations
Mortgage-backed securities
Asset-backed securities
Other securities

Federal funds sold and short-term securities purchased 
   under agreements to resell
Long-term securities purchased under agreements to 
   resell
Interest earning deposits with banks
Total interest income
Interest expense
Interest bearing deposits:

Savings
Interest checking and money market
Time open and C.D.’s of less than $100,000
Time open and C.D.’s of $100,000 and over
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under
agreements to repurchase
Other borrowings
Total interest expense
Net interest income, fully taxable equivalent basis

2014

Change due to

Average
Volume

Average
Rate

 Total

2013

Change due to

Average
Volume

Average
Rate

Total

$

34,572 $
(176)

(25,530) $
—

9,042 $
(176)

42,759 $
(194)

(49,138) $

9

(6,379)
(185)

2,105
5,100
3,533
(5,677)
(2,047)
(2,376)

2,870
(547)
(462)
(1,617)
(452)
(916)

4,975
4,553
3,071
(7,294)
(2,499)
(3,292)

2,538
3,556
9,459
(18,553)
1,484
1,671

(6,023)
(551)
(4,993)
(1,451)
(5,949)
(3,099)

(3,485)
3,005
4,466
(20,004)
(4,465)
(1,428)

31

(36)

(5)

41

(17)

24

(3,409)
162
31,818

(5,237)
6
(31,921)

(8,646)
168
(103)

6,062
51
48,874

(4,117)
(3)
(75,332)

1,945
48
(26,458)

54
442
(530)
688

35
(1,364)
(1,335)
(1,145)

89
(922)
(1,865)
(457)

72
1,245
(557)
571

(108)
(5,536)
(1,359)
(1,362)

(74)
328
908
30,910 $

284
(208)
(3,733)
(28,188) $

210
120
(2,825)
2,722 $

144
(160)
1,315
47,559 $

(143)
43
(8,465)
(66,867) $

$

(36)
(4,291)
(1,916)
(791)

1
(117)
(7,150)
(19,308)

Net interest income totaled $620.2 million in 2014, increasing slightly compared to $619.4 million in 2013.  On a tax equivalent 
basis, net interest income totaled $648.6 million in 2014 and increased $2.7 million over the previous year.  This increase was 
mainly the result of higher interest earned on loans, due to higher loan balances, and lower rates paid on deposits.  In addition, 
inflation-adjusted interest on the Company's holdings of U.S. Treasury inflation-protected securities (TIPS) was higher by $4.3 
million compared to 2013, while interest earned on long-term securities purchased under agreements to resell declined $8.6 million 
due to lower balances and lower rates earned.  The net yield on earning assets (tax equivalent) was 3.00% in 2014 compared with 
3.11% in the previous year.

During 2014, tax equivalent interest income on loans grew $9.0 million over 2013 due to an increase of $948.6 million, or 
9.2%, in average balances, partly offset by a 28 basis point decrease in average rates earned.  The average tax equivalent rate 
earned on the loan portfolio was 4.04% in 2014 compared to 4.32% in 2013.  The higher average balances contributed interest 
income of $34.6 million; however, the lower rates depressed interest income by $25.5 million, which together resulted in a $9.0 
million net increase in interest income.  The largest increase occurred in business loan interest, which was higher by $7.9 million 
as a result of growth in average balances of $552.9 million, or 16.4%, partly offset by a decline in rates of 22 basis points.  Interest 
on personal real estate loans grew $2.7 million due to a $123.2 million increase in average balances coupled with an 11 basis point 
decrease in average rates.  Higher levels of interest were earned on consumer and construction and land loans, which increased 
$1.1 million and $790 thousand, respectively.  These increases were due to higher average balances, which increased 12.5% in 
consumer and 10.5% in construction and land loans, partly offset by lower average rates earned.  Average consumer loan balances 
increased $179.8 million, which was mainly the result of increases of $180.8 million in loans secured by passenger vehicles and 

21

$33.5 million in fixed rate home equity loans.  These increases were partially offset by a $67.2 million decrease in marine and 
recreational vehicle (RV) loans as that portfolio continues to pay down.  Interest earned on consumer credit card loans increased 
by $1.5 million due to a 16 basis point increase in the average rate earned and a slight increase in average balances.  Partially 
offsetting the increases in interest earned was lower interest earned on business real estate loans.  Interest on these loans decreased 
$4.3 million due to a 28 basis point decline in rates, partly offset by growth in average balances of $49.7 million, or 2.2%. 

Tax equivalent interest income on total investment securities during 2014 was flat compared to 2013, as the total average 
balance and the average rate earned in 2014 were relatively unchanged from 2013.  The average rate earned on the total investment 
securities portfolio was 2.30% and the total portfolio balance averaged $9.1 billion in both 2014 and 2013. Interest income on the 
Company's portfolio of U.S. government securities, which consist mainly of TIPS, increased $5.0 million over 2013, largely due 
to growth of $4.3 million in inflation-adjusted interest earned on these securities.  Interest income on state and municipal obligations 
and government-sponsored enterprise obligations increased $3.1 million and $4.6 million, respectively, due to higher average 
invested balances, partly offset by declines in rates earned.  State and municipal average balances rose $97.7 million, or 6.0%, 
partly offset by a rate decline of 3 basis points.  Average balances of government-sponsored enterprise obligations rose $294.8 
million, or 59.0%, offset by a rate decline of 7 basis points.  Interest income on mortgage-backed securities decreased $7.3 million 
in 2014 mainly due to a $206.4 million, or 6.5%, decline in average balances, in addition to a rate decline of 6 basis points.  Interest 
income on asset-backed securities was down by $2.5 million, largely due to a 7.4% decline in average balances.  Other declines 
occurred in interest on corporate debt issues and non-marketable private equity investments, which declined $1.7 million and $1.5 
million, respectively, due to lower average balances and lower rates earned.  Interest on long-term securities purchased under resell 
agreements decreased $8.6 million in 2014 compared to the prior year due to a $189.4 million decrease in the average balances 
of these instruments, coupled with a decrease in the average rate earned from 1.80% in the previous year to 1.27% in 2014.

During 2014, interest expense on deposits declined $3.2 million from 2013.  This was largely due to lower overall rates paid 
on total deposits, which declined 3 basis points in 2014 to .19%   The average rate paid on total certificates of deposit declined 7 
basis points.  Total average certificates of deposit declined $107.1 million, or 4.4%, but included an increase in long-term jumbo 
certificate of deposit balances of $159.4 million, which carry higher rates.  Average rates paid on money market accounts also 
declined, partly offset by the impact of higher average balances, which increased $371.9 million, or 4.3% over 2013.  Interest 
expense on borrowings increased $330 thousand, as the average rate paid grew by 3 basis points. The average rate paid on total 
interest bearing liabilities fell to .20% in 2014, compared to .23% in 2013.

During 2013, tax equivalent loan interest income declined $6.4 million from 2012 due to a 50 basis point decrease in average 
rates earned, offset by a $932.3 million, or 9.9%, increase in average loan balances.  The average tax equivalent rate earned on 
the loan portfolio was 4.32% in 2013 compared to 4.82% in 2012.  The lower rates depressed interest income by $49.1 million; 
however, the higher average balances contributed interest income of $42.8 million, which together resulted in a $6.4 million net 
decrease in interest income.  The largest decline occurred in business real estate loan interest, which decreased $6.1 million as a 
result of a decline in rates of 39 basis points, partly offset by a $57.8 million, or 2.6% increase in average balances.  Interest on 
revolving home equity loans decreased $1.8 million due to a $21.8 million decline in average balances coupled with a 21 basis 
point decrease in average rates.  Higher levels of interest were earned on business, personal real estate and consumer loans, which 
increased $834 thousand, $711 thousand, and $897 thousand, respectively.  These increases were due to higher average balances, 
which increased 13.6% in business, 12.7% in personal real estate and 21.7% in consumer loans, partly offset by lower average 
rates earned.  Average consumer loan balances increased $256.7 million, which was mainly the result of increases of $196.2 million 
in passenger vehicle loans and $88.7 million in fixed rate home equity loans.  These increases were partially offset by an $82.9 
million decrease in marine and RV loans.  Interest earned on consumer credit card loans decreased by $809 thousand due to a 44 
basis point decrease in the average rate earned, partly offset by the impact of a $21.8 million increase in average balances.  

Tax equivalent interest income on investment securities decreased by $21.9 million in 2013 due to a 25 basis point decrease 
in average rates earned on these investments, while total average balances increased only slightly.  The average rate earned on the 
total investment securities portfolio declined from 2.55% in 2012 to 2.30% in 2013.  Interest income on mortgage-backed securities 
decreased $20.0 million in 2013 mainly due to a $665.0 million, or 17.3%, decline in average balances.  Other declines occurred 
in interest on asset-backed securities (down  $4.5 million) and U.S. government and federal agency obligations (down $3.5 million)
due to rate declines, partly offset by higher average balances.  The decline in interest on U.S. government obligations was largely 
due to a decrease of $3.2 million in inflation-adjusted interest on TIPS.  Interest income on state and municipal obligations and 
government-sponsored enterprise obligations increased $4.5 million and $3.0 million, respectively, due to higher average invested 
balances, partly offset by declines in rates earned.  State and municipal average balances rose $240.9 million, or 17.5%, offset by 
a rate decline of 31 basis points.  Government-sponsored enterprise obligations rose $193.3 million, or 63.0%, offset by a rate 
decline of 11 basis points.  Interest on long-term securities purchased under agreements to resell increased $1.9 million in 2013 
compared to the prior year due to a $282.0 million increase in average balances, partly offset by a decrease in the average rate 
earned of 35 basis points.

22

During 2013, interest expense on deposits decreased $7.0 million compared to 2012.  This was the result of lower overall rates 
paid on total deposits, which declined 8 basis points in 2013 to .22%.   Average rates paid on money market accounts declined 7 
basis points, and rates paid on certificates of deposit declined 15 basis points.  The resulting declines in interest expense were 
partly offset by the impact of higher average balances of money market accounts, which increased $579.1 million, or 7.1% over 
2012.  Interest expense on borrowings declined slightly due to lower average rates paid. The average rate paid on total interest 
bearing liabilities decreased to .23% compared to .30% in 2012.

Provision for Loan Losses

The provision for loan losses totaled $29.5 million in 2014, which represented an increase of $9.2 million over the 2013 
provision of $20.4 million.  Net loan charge-offs for the year totaled $34.5 million compared with $31.4 million in 2013, or an 
increase of $3.2 million.  The increase in net loan charge-offs over the previous year was mainly the result of higher construction, 
business, and consumer loan losses, which increased $3.2 million, $1.3 million and $1.3 million, respectively.  These increases 
were partly offset by lower losses on revolving home equity, personal real estate, and business real estate loans.  The allowance 
for loan losses totaled $156.5 million at December 31, 2014, a decrease of $5.0 million compared to the prior year, and represented 
1.36% of outstanding loans.  The provision for loan losses is recorded to bring the allowance for loan losses to a level deemed 
adequate by management based on the factors mentioned in the following “Allowance for Loan Losses” section of this discussion.

Non-Interest Income

(Dollars in thousands)
Bank card transaction fees
Trust fees
Deposit account charges and other fees
Capital market fees
Consumer brokerage services
Loan fees and sales
Other
Total non-interest income
Non-interest income as a % of total revenue*
Total revenue per full-time equivalent employee

$

$

$

2014
175,806
112,158
78,680
12,667
12,006
5,108
39,553
435,978

41.3%

222.6

$

$

$

2013
166,627
102,529
79,017
14,133
11,006
5,865
39,209
418,386

40.3%

219.5

$

$

$

2012
154,197
94,679
79,485
21,066
10,162
6,037
34,004
399,630

38.4%

220.8

*  Total revenue is calculated as net interest income plus non-interest income.

% Change

'14-'13

'13-'12

5.5%
9.4
(.4)
(10.4)
9.1
(12.9)
.9
4.2%

8.1%
8.3
(.6)
(32.9)
8.3
(2.8)
15.3
4.7%

Non-interest income totaled $436.0 million, an increase of $17.6 million, or 4.2%, compared to $418.4 million in 2013.  Bank 
card fees increased $9.2 million, or 5.5%, over the prior year, as a result of a $7.2 million, or 8.9%, increase in corporate card fees, 
which totaled $87.8 million this year.  Debit card fees grew $1.7 million, or 4.8%, to $37.2 million, while credit card fees increased 
2.3% over last year and totaled $24.0 million.  Trust fee income increased $9.6 million, or 9.4%, as a result of continued solid 
growth in both personal and institutional trust fees.  The market value of total customer trust assets (on which fees are charged) 
totaled $39.0 billion at year end 2014 and grew 10.8% over year end 2013.  Deposit account fees declined $337 thousand, or .4%, 
due to lower overdraft and return item fees of $1.3 million, mostly offset by higher account service charges and corporate cash 
management fees of $635 thousand and $332 thousand, respectively.  Overdraft fees comprised 37.7% of total deposit fees in 
2014, down from 39.2% in 2013, while corporate cash management fees comprised 42.6% of total deposit fees in 2014, compared 
to 42.0% in 2013.  Capital market fees decreased $1.5 million, or 10.4%, as a result of continued weak demand, while loan fees 
and sales declined $757 thousand, or 12.9%,  due to lower loan commitment fees.  Consumer brokerage services revenue increased 
$1.0 million, or 9.1%, due to growth in advisory fees.   Other income increased $344 thousand and included a gain of $2.1 million 
on the sale of three retail branches in the third quarter of 2014, coupled with higher operating lease revenue and other fee revenue 
related to the settlement of certain litigation.  These increases were partly offset by lower net gains on bank properties sold or held 
for sale during the period, in addition to lower tax credit sales revenue.

During 2013, non-interest income increased $18.8 million, or 4.7%, over 2012 to $418.4 million.  Bank card fees increased 
$12.4 million, or 8.1%, over 2012, as a result of continued growth in corporate card fees of $9.9 million, or 13.9%.  In addition, 
higher transaction volumes resulted in growth of 3.3% in merchant fees, while credit card fees also increased by 3.8%.  Corporate 
card, merchant card and credit card fees for 2013 totaled $80.6 million, $27.1 million and $23.4 million, respectively. Trust fee 
income increased $7.9 million, or 8.3%, resulting mainly from growth in personal and institutional trust fees.  The market value 
of total customer trust assets totaled $35.2 billion at year end 2013 and grew 16.4% over year end 2012.  Deposit account fees 
decreased $468 thousand, or .6%, primarily due to a decline in overdraft and return item fees of $3.4 million. This decline was 
mainly the result of a new posting routine on debit card transactions which took effect in February 2013.  Partly offsetting this 
effect was an increase of $3.0 million in various other deposit fees and cash management fees.  Capital market fees decreased $6.9 

23

million, or 32.9%, compared to 2012 as customer demand for fixed-income securities was weak in 2013.  Consumer brokerage 
services revenue increased $844 thousand, or 8.3%, due to higher advisory fee income, while loan fees and sales revenue decreased 
$172 thousand, or 2.8%, due to a decline in loan commitment fees.  Other non-interest income increased by $5.2 million, or 15.3%, 
as a result of a $3.0 million fair value loss recorded in 2012 on an office building which was held for sale, and net gains of $1.4 
million were recorded during 2013 on sales of five retail branch facilities no longer in use.  In addition, higher swap and foreign 
exchange fees were recorded in 2013.

Investment Securities Gains (Losses), Net

(In thousands)

Available for sale:

Common stock

U.S. government bonds

Municipal bonds

Agency mortgage-backed bonds

 OTTI losses on non-agency mortgage-backed bonds

Non-marketable:

Private equity investments

2014

2013

2012

$

1,570 $

1,375 $

(5,197)
—

—

(1,365)

19,116

—

126

—

—

—

16

342

(1,284)

(1,490)

(4,642)

(4,425) $

5,960

4,828

Total investment securities gains (losses), net

$

14,124 $

Net gains and losses on investment securities during 2014, 2013 and 2012 are shown in the table above.  Included in these 
amounts are gains and losses arising from sales of bonds from the Company’s available for sale portfolio, including credit-related 
losses on debt securities identified as other-than-temporarily impaired.  Also shown are gains and losses relating to non-marketable 
private equity investments, which are primarily held by the Parent’s majority-owned private equity subsidiaries.  These include 
fair value adjustments, in addition to gains and losses realized upon disposition.  The portions of the gains and losses that are 
attributable to minority interests are reported as non-controlling interest in the consolidated statements of income, and resulted in 
expense of $180 thousand in 2014, income of $1.1 million in 2013 and expense of $1.3 million 2012. 

Net securities gains of $14.1 million were recorded in 2014, which included $19.1 million in gains relating to the private equity 
investment portfolio.  These gains included $19.6 million related to the sale of an investment which had been held by the Company 
for many years, partly offset by fair value losses on other investments in this portfolio.  During 2014, the Company also sold $36.2 
million of U.S. Treasury inflation-protected bonds, realizing a loss of $5.2 million, and recorded a $1.6 million gain upon the 
donation of appreciated common stock.  Also included in net losses were credit-related impairment losses of $1.4 million on certain 
non-agency  guaranteed  mortgage-backed  securities  which  have  been  identified  as  other-than-temporarily  impaired.    These 
identified securities had a total fair value of $54.6 million at December 31, 2014, compared to $70.4 million at December 31, 
2013.  

Net securities losses of $4.4 million were recorded in 2013, compared to net gains of $4.8 million in 2012.  In both years, these 
gains and losses were comprised mainly of fair value adjustments in the private equity investment portfolio, coupled with losses 
in the available for sale portfolio relating to other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI).  In 2013, a gain of $1.4 million relating to 
the donation of appreciated common stock was also recorded.

24

Non-Interest Expense 

(Dollars in thousands)

Salaries

Employee benefits

Net occupancy

Equipment

Supplies and communication

Data processing and software

Marketing

Deposit insurance

Other

2014

2013

2012

'14-'13

'13-'12

$

322,631

$

310,179

$

302,675

4.0%

% Change

61,469

45,825

18,375

22,432

78,980

15,676

11,622

80,765

56,688

45,639

18,425

22,511

78,245

14,176

11,167

72,603

58,224

45,534

20,147

22,321

73,798

15,106

10,438

70,226

8.4

.4

(.3)

(.4)

.9

10.6

4.1

11.2

Total non-interest expense

$

657,775

$

629,633

$

618,469

4.5%

Efficiency ratio
Salaries and benefits as a % of total non-interest 
expense
Number of full-time equivalent employees

62.1%

58.4%

4,744

60.5%

58.3%

4,727

59.3%

58.4%

4,708

2.5%

(2.6)

.2

(8.5)

.9

6.0

(6.2)

7.0

3.4

1.8%

      Non-interest expense was $657.8 million in 2014, an increase of $28.1 million, or 4.5%, over the previous year.  Salaries and 
benefits expense increased $17.2 million, or 4.7%, mainly due to higher full-time salaries expense and medical plan costs, which 
the Company self insures.  Growth in salaries expense resulted partly from staffing additions in commercial banking, wealth, 
commercial card and IT departments.  Full-time equivalent employees totaled 4,744 at December 31, 2014, an increase of .4% 
over 2013.  Occupancy expense increased $186 thousand, or .4%, while equipment expense and supplies and communication 
expense both declined slightly.  Data processing and software expense increased $735 thousand, or .9%, mainly due to higher 
software licensing and bank card processing expense.  Marketing expense increased $1.5 million, or 10.6%, mainly due to lower 
advertising activities during 2013, and deposit insurance expense increased $455 thousand, or 4.1% due to higher deposit balances.  
Other non-interest expense increased $8.2 million, or 11.2% over the prior year.  The increase resulted from a $2.1 million increase 
in bank card rewards costs and higher costs for operating lease depreciation, coupled with a prior year $2.0 million reimbursement 
from the Company's bank card processor and gains of $3.1 million on sales of foreclosed properties during 2013.  These effects 
were partly offset by the current year recovery of $1.7 million from the settlement of past litigation and letter of credit provisions 
in the prior year totaling $2.8 million.  The Summit acquisition in September 2013 also contributed to the overall increase in total 
non-interest expense, as costs relating to those operations rose $1.7 million in 2014 (the first full year of such costs) compared to 
2013. 

     In 2013, non-interest expense was $629.6 million, an increase of $11.2 million, or 1.8%, over 2012.  Salaries and benefits 
expense increased by $6.0 million, or 1.7%, mainly due to higher full-time salaries expense, partly offset by lower medical and 
incentives expense.  Growth in salaries expense resulted partly from staffing costs associated with the Summit acquisition, coupled 
with staffing additions in commercial banking, wealth and commercial card.  Full-time equivalent employees totaled 4,727 at 
December 31, 2013, an increase of .4%.  Occupancy expense increased $105 thousand, or .2%, while supplies and communication 
expense increased $190 thousand, or .9%.  Equipment expense decreased $1.7 million, or 8.5%, due to lower depreciation expense.  
Data processing and software expense increased $4.4 million, or 6.0%, mainly due to higher bank card processing expense and 
data processing termination fees relating to the Summit acquisition.  Marketing expense declined $930 thousand, or 6.2%, while 
deposit insurance increased $729 thousand, or 7.0%.  Other non-interest expense increased $2.4 million, or 3.4%, over 2012, 
resulting mainly from an increase of $4.0 million in legal and professional fees, provisions of $2.8 million on letter of credit 
exposures, contribution expense of $1.5 million on appreciated stock, and higher travel and entertainment expense.  These expense 
increases were partly offset by gains of $3.1 million on sales of foreclosed property in 2013, in addition to a 2012 charge of $5.2 
million related to certain Visa-related interchange litigation that did not reoccur in 2013.

Income Taxes

Income tax expense was $120.2 million in 2014, compared to $122.2 million in 2013 and $127.2 million in 2012.  The effective 
tax rate, including the effect of non-controlling interest, was 31.5% in 2014 compared to 31.9% in 2013 and 32.1% in 2012.  The 
Company’s effective tax rates in the years noted above were lower than the federal statutory rate of 35% mainly due to tax-exempt 
interest on state and local municipal obligations.   Additional information about income tax expense is provided in Note 9 to the 
consolidated financial statements.

25

     
    
Financial Condition 

Loan Portfolio Analysis

Classifications of consolidated loans by major category at December 31 for each of the past five years are shown in the table 
below.  This portfolio consists of loans which were acquired or originated with the intent of holding to their maturity.  Loans held 
for sale are separately discussed in a following section.  A schedule of average balances invested in each loan category below 
appears on page 52.

(In thousands)

Commercial:

Business

Real estate — construction and land

Real estate — business

Personal banking:

Real estate — personal

Consumer

Revolving home equity

Consumer credit card

Overdrafts

Total loans

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

Balance at December 31

$

3,969,952 $

3,715,319 $

3,134,801 $

2,808,265 $ 2,957,043

403,507

2,288,215

406,197

2,313,550

355,996

2,214,975

386,598

460,853

2,180,100

2,065,837

1,883,092

1,705,134

430,873

782,370

6,095

1,787,626

1,512,716

420,589

796,228

4,611

1,584,859

1,289,650

437,567

804,245

9,291

1,428,777

1,440,386

1,114,889

1,164,327

463,587

788,701

6,561

477,518

831,035

13,983

$

11,469,238 $

10,956,836 $

9,831,384 $

9,177,478 $ 9,410,982

The contractual maturities of loan categories at December 31, 2014, and a breakdown of those loans between fixed rate and 

floating rate loans are as follows:

(In thousands)

Business

Real estate — construction and land

Real estate — business

Real estate — personal

Total business and real estate loans
Consumer (1)
Revolving home equity (2)
Consumer credit card (3)
Overdrafts

Total loans

Loans with fixed rates

Loans with floating rates

Total business and real estate loans

Principal Payments Due

In
One Year
or Less

After One
Year Through
Five Years

After
Five
Years

Total

$

2,077,663 $

1,510,400 $

381,889 $

3,969,952

237,429

491,885

151,947

130,794

1,457,858

501,513

35,284

338,472

1,229,632

$

2,958,924 $

3,600,565 $

1,985,277

403,507

2,288,215

1,883,092

8,544,766

1,705,134

430,873

782,370

6,095

$

11,469,238

$

$

640,670 $

2,167,369 $

1,142,800 $

3,950,839

2,318,254

1,433,196

842,477

4,593,927

2,958,924 $

3,600,565 $

1,985,277 $

8,544,766

(1)  Consumer loans with floating rates totaled $216.7 million. 

(2)  Revolving home equity loans with floating rates totaled $430.8 million.  

(3)  Consumer credit card loans with floating rates totaled $668.6 million. 

Total loans at December 31, 2014 were $11.5 billion, an increase of $512.4 million, or 4.7%, over balances at December 31, 
2013.  The growth in loans during 2014 occurred in business, personal real estate and consumer loan categories, while declines 
occurred in business real estate and consumer credit card loan categories.  Business loans increased $254.6 million, or 6.9%, 
reflecting growth in commercial and industrial loans, lease loans, corporate card loans and tax-advantaged lending.   Business real 
estate loans decreased $25.3 million, or 1.1%, due to lower totals of owner-occupied loans during 2014.  Construction loans 
decreased slightly due to a decline in commercial construction loans, mostly offset by increased activity in residential construction.  
Personal real estate loans increased $95.5 million, or 5.3%, as an improved economy and continued low rates helped spur demand.   
Consumer loans were higher by $192.4 million, or 12.7%, as demand for automobile and other consumer loans remained solid, 

26

      
while marine and recreational vehicle loan balances continued to run off during the year.   Revolving home equity loan balances 
saw a moderate increase of $10.3 million, or 2.4%.  Consumer credit card loans decreased by $13.9 million, or 1.7%,  as borrowers 
remained conservative in their use of these card plans.

The Company currently generates approximately 29% of its loan portfolio in the St. Louis market, 28% in the Kansas City 
market, and 43% in other regional markets. The portfolio is diversified from a business and retail standpoint, with 58% in loans 
to businesses and 42% in loans to consumers. A balanced approach to loan portfolio management and an historical aversion toward 
credit concentrations, from an industry, geographic and product perspective, have contributed to low levels of problem loans and 
loan losses.

The Company participates in credits of large, publicly traded companies which are defined by regulation as shared national 
credits, or SNCs. Regulations define SNCs as loans exceeding $20 million that are shared by three or more financial institutions. 
The Company typically participates in these loans when business operations are maintained in the local communities or regional 
markets and opportunities to provide other banking services are present. At December 31, 2014, the balance of SNC loans totaled 
approximately $508.0 million, with an additional $1.2 billion in unfunded commitments, compared to $406.3 million in loans and 
$1.2 billion in commitments at December 31, 2013. 

Commercial Loans

Business

Total business loans amounted to $4.0 billion at December 31, 2014 and include loans used mainly to fund customer accounts 
receivable, inventories, and capital expenditures. The business loan portfolio includes tax-advantaged financings which carry tax 
free interest rates.  These loans totaled $727.5 million at December 31, 2014, which was a 3.2% increase over December 31, 2013 
balances, and comprised 6.3% of the Company's total loan portfolio. The business loan portfolio also includes direct financing 
and sales type leases totaling $413.0 million, which are used by commercial customers to finance capital purchases ranging from 
computer  equipment  to  office  and  transportation  equipment. These  leases  increased  $44.2  million,  or  12.0%,  over  2013  and 
comprised 3.6% of the Company’s total loan portfolio.  Also included in this portfolio are corporate card loans, which totaled 
$212.2 million at December 31, 2014.  These loans, which increased by $22.6 million, or 11.9% in 2014, are made in conjunction 
with the Company’s corporate card business, and assist businesses in shifting from paper checks to a credit card payment system 
in order to automate payment processes.  These loans are generally short-term, with outstanding balances averaging between 7 to 
13 days in duration, which helps to limit risk in these loans.

Business loans, excluding corporate card loans, are made primarily to customers in the regional trade area of the Company, 
generally the central Midwest, encompassing the states of Missouri, Kansas, Illinois, and nearby Midwestern markets, including 
Iowa, Oklahoma, Colorado and Ohio. This portfolio is diversified from an industry standpoint and includes businesses engaged 
in manufacturing, wholesaling, retailing, agribusiness, insurance, financial services, public utilities, healthcare, and other service 
businesses. Emphasis is upon middle-market and community businesses with known local management and financial stability. 
Consistent with management’s strategy and emphasis upon relationship banking, most borrowing customers also maintain deposit 
accounts and utilize other banking services. Net loan charge-offs in this category totaled $465 thousand in 2014, while net loan 
recoveries of $867 thousand were recorded in 2013.  Non-accrual business loans were $11.6 million (.3% of business loans) at 
both December 31, 2014 and 2013.  

Real Estate-Construction and Land

The portfolio of loans in this category amounted to $403.5 million at December 31, 2014 and comprised 3.5% of the Company’s 
total  loan  portfolio.   These  loans  are  predominantly  made  to  businesses  in  local  markets.  Commercial  construction  and  land 
development loans totaled $213.4 million, or 52.9% of total construction loans at December 31, 2014.  Commercial construction 
loans  are  made  during  the  construction  phase  for  small  and  medium-sized  office  and  medical  buildings,  manufacturing  and 
warehouse facilities, apartment complexes, shopping centers, hotels and motels, and other commercial properties. Exposure to 
larger, speculative commercial properties remains low.  Commercial land development loans relate to land owned or developed 
for use in conjunction with business properties. Residential construction and land development loans at December 31, 2014 totaled 
$190.1 million, or 47.1% of total construction loans. The largest percentage of residential construction and land development loans 
is for projects located in the Kansas City and St. Louis metropolitan areas.  A stable market has contributed to improved loss trends, 
with net loan recoveries of $1.5 million and $4.7 million recorded in 2014 and 2013, respectively.  Construction and land loans 
on non-accrual status declined to $5.2 million at year end 2014 compared to $10.2 million at year end 2013.

27

Real Estate-Business

Total business real estate loans were $2.3 billion at December 31, 2014 and comprised 20.0% of the Company’s total loan 
portfolio. This category includes mortgage loans for small and medium-sized office and medical buildings, manufacturing and 
warehouse facilities, shopping centers, hotels and motels, churches, and other commercial properties.  Emphasis is placed on 
owner-occupied  lending  (44.4%  of  this  portfolio),  which  presents  lower  risk  levels. The  borrowers  and/or  the  properties  are 
generally located in local and regional markets.  Additional information about loans by category is presented on page 33.  At 
December 31, 2014, non-accrual balances amounted to $17.9 million, or .8% of the loans in this category, down from $19.8 million 
at year end 2013.  The Company experienced net charge-offs of $427 thousand in 2014 compared to net charge-offs of $952 
thousand in 2013.  

Personal Banking Loans

Real Estate-Personal

At  December  31,  2014,  there  were  $1.9  billion  in  outstanding  personal  real  estate  loans,  which  comprised  16.4%  of  the 
Company’s total loan portfolio. The mortgage loans in this category are mainly for owner-occupied residential properties. The 
Company originates both adjustable rate and fixed rate mortgage loans. The Company traditionally retained adjustable rate mortgage 
loans, and in recent years retained all fixed rate loans as directed by its Asset/Liability Management Committee. The Company 
originates its loans and does not purchase any from outside parties or brokers.  Further, it has never maintained or promoted 
subprime or reduced-document products.  At December 31, 2014, 32% of the portfolio was comprised of adjustable rate loans 
while 68% was comprised of fixed rate loans. Levels of mortgage loan origination activity decreased in 2014 compared to 2013, 
with originations of $344 million in 2014 compared with $410 million in 2013, as refinance activity declined. However, the 2014 
originations outpaced slowing prepayment speeds, resulting in overall growth of 5.3%.  The Company has experienced lower loan 
losses in this category than many others in the industry and believes this is partly because of its conservative underwriting culture, 
stable markets, and the fact that it does not offer subprime lending products or purchase loans from brokers.  Net loan charge-offs 
for 2014 amounted to $527 thousand, compared to $1.2 million in the previous year.  The non-accrual balances of loans in this 
category increased to $6.2 million at December 31, 2014, compared to $5.1 million at year end 2013.  

Consumer

Consumer loans consist of auto, marine, tractor/trailer, recreational vehicle (RV), fixed rate home equity, and other consumer 
installment loans.  These loans totaled $1.7 billion at year end 2014.  Approximately 60% of consumer loans outstanding were 
originated indirectly from auto and other dealers, while the remaining 40% were direct loans made to consumers.  Approximately 
56% of the consumer portfolio consists of loans secured by passenger vehicles, 17% in fixed rate home equity loans, and 11% in 
marine and RV loans.  As mentioned above, total consumer loans increased by $192.4 million in 2014, mainly the result of growth 
in loans collateralized by passenger vehicles (mainly automobiles) of $208.3 million, or 28%.  Growth of $38.0 million in other 
consumer loans and $7.0 million in fixed rate home equity loans was offset by the run-off of $60.9 million in marine and RV loans.  
Net charge-offs on consumer loans were $8.8 million in 2014 compared to $7.5 million in 2013.  Net charge-offs were .5% of 
average consumer loans in both 2014 and 2013.  Consumer loan net charge-offs included marine and RV loan net charge-offs of 
$2.4 million, which were 1.1% of average marine and RV loans in 2014, compared to 1.3% in 2013. 

Revolving Home Equity

Revolving home equity loans, of which 99% are adjustable rate loans, totaled $430.9 million at year end 2014.  An additional 
$681.5 million was available in unused lines of credit, which can be drawn at the discretion of the borrower. Home equity loans 
are  secured  mainly  by  second  mortgages  (and  less  frequently,  first  mortgages)  on  residential  property  of  the  borrower.  The 
underwriting terms for the home equity line product permit borrowing availability, in the aggregate, generally up to 80% or 90% 
of the appraised value of the collateral property at the time of origination.  Net charge-offs totaled only $40 thousand in 2014, 
compared to $986 thousand in 2013.

Consumer Credit Card

Total consumer credit card loans amounted to $782.4 million at December 31, 2014 and comprised 6.8% of the Company’s 
total loan portfolio. The credit card portfolio is concentrated within regional markets served by the Company. The Company offers 
a variety of credit card products, including affinity cards, rewards cards, and standard and premium credit cards, and emphasizes 
its credit card relationship product, Special Connections.  Approximately 58% of the households in Missouri that own a Commerce 
credit card product also maintain a deposit relationship with the subsidiary bank.  At December 31, 2014, approximately 85% of 
the outstanding credit card loan balances had a floating interest rate, compared to 82% in the prior year.  Net charge-offs amounted 
to $24.7 million in 2014, a decrease of $399 thousand from $25.1 million in 2013.  The ratio of credit card loan net charge-offs 
to total average credit card loans was 3.3% in both 2014 and 2013.  These ratios mirror bank industry averages, which are at the 
lowest levels in 8 years.  

28

Allowance for Loan Losses

The Company has an established process to determine the amount of the allowance for loan losses which assesses the risks 
and losses inherent in its portfolio. This process provides an allowance consisting of a specific allowance component based on 
certain individually evaluated loans and a general component based on estimates of reserves needed for pools of loans.

Loans subject to individual evaluation generally consist of business, construction, business real estate and personal real estate 
loans on non-accrual status, and include troubled debt restructurings that are on non-accrual status. These non-accrual loans are 
evaluated individually for impairment based on factors such as payment history, borrower financial condition and collateral. For 
collateral dependent loans, appraisals of collateral (including exit costs) are normally obtained annually but discounted based on 
date last received and market conditions. From these evaluations of expected cash flows and collateral values, specific allowances 
are determined.

Loans which are not individually evaluated are segregated by loan type and sub-type and are collectively evaluated. These 
loans include commercial loans (business, construction and business real estate) which have been graded pass, special mention 
or substandard, and all personal banking loans except personal real estate loans on non-accrual status. Collectively-evaluated loans  
include certain troubled debt restructurings with similar risk characteristics.  Allowances for both personal banking and commercial 
loans use methods which consider historical and current loss trends, loss emergence periods, delinquencies, industry concentrations 
and unique risks.  Economic conditions throughout the Company's market place, as monitored by Company credit officers, are 
also considered in the allowance determination process.

The Company’s estimate of the allowance for loan losses and the corresponding provision for loan losses rest upon various 
judgments and assumptions made by management.  Factors that influence these judgments include past loan loss experience, 
current loan portfolio composition and characteristics, trends in delinquencies, portfolio risk ratings, levels of non-performing 
assets, and prevailing regional and national economic conditions.  The Company has internal credit administration and loan review 
staffs that continuously review loan quality and report the results of their reviews and examinations to the Company’s senior 
management and Board of Directors.  Such reviews also assist management in establishing the level of the allowance.  In using  
this process and  the  information available, management must consider various assumptions and exercise considerable judgment 
to determine the overall level of the allowance for loan losses.  Because of  these subjective factors, actual outcomes of  inherent  
losses can differ from original estimates. The Company’s subsidiary bank continues  to be subject  to examination by several  
regulatory agencies, and examinations are conducted throughout the year, targeting various segments of the loan portfolio for 
review.  Refer to Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements for additional discussion on the allowance and charge-off policies.

At December 31, 2014, the allowance for loan losses was $156.5 million compared to $161.5 million at December 31, 2013.  
Total loans delinquent 90 days or more and still accruing were $13.7 million at December 31, 2014, a decrease of $308 thousand 
compared to year end 2013.   Non-accrual loans at December 31, 2014 were $40.8 million, a decrease of $8.0 million from the 
prior year.  The 2014 year end balance was comprised of $17.9 million of business real estate loans, $11.6 million of business 
loans, $6.2 million of personal real estate loans and $5.2 million of construction loans.   The percentage of allowance to loans 
decreased to 1.36% at December 31, 2014 compared to 1.47% at year end 2013 as a result of loan growth and a decline of $5.0 
million in the allowance.  The percentage of allowance to non-accrual loans was 384% at December 31, 2014, compared to 331% 
at December 31, 2013.  

Net loan charge-offs totaled $34.5 million in 2014, representing a $3.2 million increase compared to net charge-offs of $31.4 
million in 2013.  Net charge-offs on business loans were $465 thousand in 2014, an increase of $1.3 million compared to net 
recoveries of $867 thousand in 2013. Net charge-offs on consumer loans increased $1.3 million to $8.8 million in 2014, compared 
to net charge-offs of $7.5 million in 2013.  Net recoveries on construction and land loans declined $3.2 million to $1.5 million in 
2014, compared to $4.7 million in 2013.  These increases in net charge-offs were partly offset by charge-off declines in other loan 
categories.  Net charge-offs on business real estate loans decreased to $427 thousand in 2014, compared to net charge-offs of $952 
thousand in 2013.  Net charge-offs on consumer credit card loans decreased $399 thousand to $24.7 million in 2014, compared 
to $25.1 million in 2013, and consumer credit card net charge-offs declined to 3.28% of average consumer credit card loans in 
2014 compared to 3.34% in 2013.  Consumer credit card loan charge-offs as a percentage of total net charge-offs declined to 71.6% 
in 2014 compared to 80.1% in 2013, as slightly lower consumer credit card charge-offs offset higher overall net charge-offs in 
other loan categories.   Lower net charge-offs also occurred in revolving home equity and personal real estate loans, which declined 
$946 thousand and $700 thousand respectively.  

The ratio of net charge-offs to total average loans outstanding in 2014 was .31% compared to .30% in 2013 and .42% in 2012. 
The provision for loan losses in 2014 was $29.5 million, compared to provisions of $20.4 million in 2013 and $27.3 million in 
2012. 

29

The Company considers the allowance for loan losses of $156.5 million adequate to cover losses inherent in the loan portfolio 

at December 31, 2014.  

The schedules which follow summarize the relationship between loan balances and activity in the allowance for loan losses:

(Dollars in thousands)
Loans outstanding at end of year(A)
Average loans outstanding(A)

Allowance for loan losses:

Balance at beginning of year

Additions to allowance through charges to expense

Loans charged off:

Business

Real estate — construction and land

Real estate — business

Real estate — personal

Consumer

Revolving home equity

Consumer credit card

Overdrafts

Total loans charged off

Recoveries of loans previously charged off:

Business

Real estate — construction and land

Real estate — business

Real estate — personal

Consumer

Revolving home equity

Consumer credit card

Overdrafts

Total recoveries

Net loans charged off

Balance at end of year

$

$

$

2014

11,469,238

11,260,233

161,532

29,531

$

$

$

2,646

794

1,108

844

12,214

783

32,424

1,960

52,773

2,181

2,323

681

317

3,409

743

7,702

886

18,242

34,531

Years Ended December 31

2013

2012

2011

10,956,836

10,311,654

$

$

9,831,384

9,379,316

$

$

9,177,478

9,222,568

$

$

2010

9,410,982

9,698,670

172,532

$

184,532

$

197,538

$

20,353

27,287

51,515

1,869

621

2,680

1,570

11,029

1,200

33,206

2,024

54,199

2,736

5,313

1,728

343

3,489

214

8,085

938

22,846

31,353

2,809

1,244

7,041

2,416

12,288

2,044

33,098

2,221

63,161

5,306

1,527

1,933

990

4,161

240

8,623

1,094

23,874

39,287

6,749

7,893

4,176

3,217

16,052

1,802

39,242

2,254

81,385

1,761

943

613

445

3,896

135

7,625

1,446

16,864

64,521

194,480

100,000

8,550

15,199

4,780

2,484

24,587

2,014

54,287

2,672

114,573

3,964

193

722

428

4,108

39

6,556

1,621

17,631

96,942

$

156,532

$

161,532

$

172,532

$

184,532

$

197,538

Ratio of allowance to loans at end of year

Ratio of provision to average loans outstanding

1.36%

.26%

1.47%

.20%

1.75%

.29%

2.01%

.56%

2.10%

1.03%

(A)  Net of unearned income, before deducting allowance for loan losses, excluding loans held for sale.

Years Ended December 31

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

Ratio of net charge-offs (recoveries) to average loans outstanding, by loan
category:

Business

Real estate — construction and land

Real estate — business

Real estate — personal

Consumer

Revolving home equity

Consumer credit card

Overdrafts

.01%

(.37)

(.03)%

(1.24)

(.08)%

(.08)

.02

.03

.54

.01

3.28

21.97

.04

.07

.52

.23

3.34

18.04

.23

.09

.69

.40

3.35

18.40

Ratio of total net charge-offs to total average loans outstanding

.31%

.30 %

.42 %

30

.17%

.16%

1.66

.17

.19

1.09

.36

4.23

2.69

.20

.14

1.64

.41

6.28

11.62

.70%

14.42

1.00%

The following schedule provides a breakdown of the allowance for loan losses by loan category and the percentage of each 

loan category to total loans outstanding at year end.

(Dollars in thousands)

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

Loan Loss
Allowance
Allocation

% of Loans
to Total
Loans

Loan Loss
Allowance
Allocation

% of Loans
to Total
Loans

Loan Loss
Allowance
Allocation

% of Loans
to Total
Loans

Loan Loss
Allowance
Allocation

% of Loans
to Total
Loans

Loan Loss
Allowance
Allocation

% of Loans
to Total
Loans

Business

$

40,881

34.6% $

43,146

33.9% $

47,729

31.9% $

49,217

30.5% $

47,534

31.4%

RE — construction and

land

RE — business

RE — personal

Consumer

Revolving home equity

Consumer credit card

Overdrafts

Total

13,584

35,157

7,343

16,822

2,472

39,541

732

$ 156,532

3.5

20.0

16.4

14.9

3.7

6.8

18,617

32,426

4,490

15,440

3,152

43,360

.1

901
100.0% $ 161,532

3.7

21.1

16.3

13.8

3.8

7.3

.1

20,555

37,441

3,937

15,165

4,861

41,926

918

3.6

22.5

16.1

13.1

4.5

8.2

.1

28,280

45,000

3,701

15,369

2,220

39,703

1,042

4.2

23.8

15.6

12.1

5.1

8.6

.1

21,316

51,096

4,016

19,449

2,502

50,532

1,093

4.9

22.0

15.3

12.4

5.1

8.8

.1

100.0% $ 172,532

100.0% $ 184,532

100.0% $ 197,538

100.0%

Risk Elements of Loan Portfolio  

Management reviews the loan portfolio continuously for evidence of problem loans.  During the ordinary course of business, 
management becomes aware of borrowers that may not be able to meet the contractual requirements of loan agreements.  Such 
loans  are  placed  under  close  supervision  with  consideration  given  to  placing  the  loan  on  non-accrual  status,  the  need  for  an 
additional allowance for loan loss, and (if appropriate) partial or full loan charge-off. Loans are placed on non-accrual status when 
management does not expect to collect payments consistent with acceptable and agreed upon terms of repayment.  After a loan is 
placed on non-accrual status, any interest previously accrued but not yet collected is reversed against current income.  Interest is 
included in income only as received and only after all previous loan charge-offs have been recovered, so long as management is 
satisfied there is no impairment of collateral values.  The loan is returned to accrual status only when the borrower has brought 
all past due principal and interest payments current, and, in the opinion of management, the borrower has demonstrated the ability 
to make future payments of principal and interest as scheduled. Loans that are 90 days past due as to principal and/or interest 
payments are generally placed on non-accrual, unless they are both well-secured and in the process of collection, or they are 
comprised of those personal banking loans that are exempt under regulatory rules from being classified as non-accrual.  Consumer 
installment loans and related accrued interest are normally charged down to the fair value of related collateral (or are charged off 
in full if no collateral) once the loans are more than 120 days delinquent. Credit card loans and the related accrued interest are 
charged off when the receivable is more than 180 days past due.   

The following schedule shows non-performing assets and loans past due 90 days and still accruing interest.  

(Dollars in thousands)
Total non-accrual loans
Real estate acquired in foreclosure
Total non-performing assets

Non-performing assets as a percentage of total loans
Non-performing assets as a percentage of total assets
Total past due 90 days and still accruing interest

2014
$ 40,775
5,476
$ 46,251

2013
48,814
6,625
55,439

$

$

December 31

2012
51,410
13,453
64,863

$

$

$

$

2011
75,482
18,321
93,803

2010
85,275
12,045
97,320

$

$

.40%
.19%

.51%
.24%

.66%
.29%

1.02%
.45%

1.03%
.53%

$ 13,658

$

13,966

$

15,347

$

14,958

$

20,466

The table below shows the effect on interest income in 2014 of loans on non-accrual status at year end.

(In thousands)
Gross amount of interest that would have been recorded at original rate
Interest that was reflected in income
Interest income not recognized

$

$

3,879
272
3,607

Non-accrual loans, which are also classified as impaired, totaled $40.8 million at year end 2014, a decrease of $8.0 million 
from the balance at year end 2013.  At December 31, 2014, non-accrual loans were comprised primarily of business real estate 
loans (43.8%) and business loans (28.4%).  Foreclosed real estate decreased $1.1 million to a total of $5.5 million at year end 
2014.  Total non-performing assets remain low compared to the overall banking industry in 2014, with the non-performing loans 
to total loans ratio at .36% at December 31, 2014.  Loans past due 90 days and still accruing interest decreased $308 thousand at 

31

 
 
 
 
year end 2014 compared to 2013.  Balances by class for non-accrual loans and loans past due 90 days and still accruing interest 
are shown in the "Delinquent and non-accrual loans" section of Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements.

In addition to the non-performing and past due loans mentioned above, the Company also has identified loans for which 
management has concerns about the ability of the borrowers to meet existing repayment terms.  They are classified as substandard 
under the Company’s internal rating system.  The loans are generally secured by either real estate or other borrower assets, reducing 
the potential for loss should they become non-performing.  Although these loans are generally identified as potential problem 
loans, they may never become non-performing.  Such loans totaled $81.2 million at December 31, 2014 compared with $98.3 
million at December 31, 2013, resulting in a decrease of $17.2 million, or 17.4%.  The change in potential problem loans was 
largely due to decreases of $13.2 million in construction and land real estate loans and $5.2 million in business real estate loans.  

(In thousands)

Potential problem loans:

Business
Real estate – construction and land
Real estate – business
Real estate – personal

Total potential problem loans

December 31

2014

2013

$

$

$

23,919
8,654
45,140
3,469
81,182 $

23,691
21,812
50,349
2,486
98,338

At  December 31,  2014,  there  were  approximately  $64.4  million  loans  outstanding  whose  terms  had  been  modified  or 
restructured under a troubled debt restructuring.  These loans have been extended to borrowers who are experiencing financial 
difficulty and who have been granted a concession, as defined by accounting guidance, and are further discussed in the "Troubled 
debt restructurings" section in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements.  This balance includes certain commercial loans 
totaling $21.8 million which are classified as substandard and included in the table above because of this classification.  

Loans with Special Risk Characteristics

Management relies primarily on an internal risk rating system, in addition to delinquency status, to assess risk in the loan 
portfolio, and these statistics are presented in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements.  However, certain types of loans are 
considered at high risk of loss due to their terms, location, or special conditions.  Construction and land loans and business real 
estate loans are subject to higher risk because of the impact that low rates and the economy can have on real estate value, and 
because of the potential volatility of the real estate industry. Certain personal real estate products (residential first mortgages and 
home equity loans) have contractual features that could increase credit exposure in a market of declining real estate prices, when 
interest rates are steadily increasing, or when a geographic area experiences an economic downturn. For these personal real estate 
loans, higher risks could exist when 1) loan terms require a minimum monthly payment that covers only interest, or 2) loan-to-
collateral value (LTV) ratios at origination are above 80%, with no private mortgage insurance.  Information presented below for 
personal real estate and home equity loans is based on LTV ratios which were calculated with valuations at loan origination date.  
The Company does not attempt to obtain updated appraisals or valuations unless the loans become significantly delinquent or are 
in the process of being foreclosed upon.  For credit monitoring purposes, the Company relies on delinquency monitoring along 
with obtaining refreshed FICO scores, and in the case of home equity loans, reviewing line utilization and credit bureau information 
annually.  This has remained an effective means of evaluating credit trends and identifying problem loans, partly because the 
Company offers standard, conservative lending products.

Real Estate - Construction and Land Loans

The Company’s portfolio of construction loans, as shown in the table below, amounted to 3.5% of total loans outstanding at 

December 31, 2014.  

(Dollars in thousands)
Residential land
 and land development
Residential construction
Commercial land
 and land development
Commercial construction
Total real estate –
construction and land loans

December 31,
2014

% of Total

% of Total Loans

December 31,
2013

% of Total

% of Total Loans

$

82,072
108,058

62,379
150,998

20.3%
26.8

15.5
37.4

.7% $
1.0

.5
1.3

79,273
86,043

77,444
163,437

19.5%
21.2

19.1
40.2

$

403,507

100.0%

3.5% $

406,197

100.0%

.7%
.8

.7
1.5

3.7%

32

Real Estate – Business Loans

Total business real estate loans were $2.3 billion at December 31, 2014 and comprised 20.0% of the Company’s total loan 
portfolio. These loans include properties such as manufacturing and warehouse buildings, small office and medical buildings, 
churches, hotels and motels, shopping centers, and other commercial properties. Approximately 44% of these loans were for owner-
occupied real estate properties, which present lower risk profiles. 

(Dollars in thousands)
Owner-occupied

December 31,
2014

$

1,017,099

Retail

Office

Multi-family

Hotels

Farm

Industrial

Other

Total real estate - business
loans

Real Estate - Personal Loans

% of Total

% of Total Loans

December 31,
2013

% of Total

% of Total Loans

44.4%

13.3

10.1

8.8

6.9

6.6

4.2

5.7

8.9% $

1,074,074

2.7

2.1

1.7

1.4

1.3

.8

1.1

271,228

265,352

178,524

151,483

138,842

89,045

145,002

46.4%

11.7

11.5

7.7

6.5

6.0

3.9

6.3

9.8%

2.5

2.4

1.6

1.4

1.3

.8

1.3

305,296

230,798

200,295

158,348

151,788

94,266

130,325

$

2,288,215

100.0%

20.0% $

2,313,550

100.0%

21.1%

The Company’s $1.9 billion personal real estate loan portfolio is composed of first mortgages on residential real estate.     The 
majority of this portfolio is comprised of approximately $1.6 billion of loans made to the retail customer base and includes both 
adjustable rate and fixed rate mortgage loans.  As shown in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements, 4.5% of the retail-
based portfolio has FICO scores of less than 660, and delinquency levels have been low.  Loans of approximately $17.2 million 
in this portfolio were structured with interest only payments. Interest only loans are typically made to high net-worth borrowers 
and generally have low LTV ratios or have additional collateral pledged to secure the loan, and, therefore, they are not perceived 
to represent above normal credit risk. Loans originated with interest only payments were not made to "qualify" the borrower for 
a lower payment amount.  A small portion of the total portfolio is composed of personal real estate loans made to commercial 
customers, which totaled $244.3 million at December 31, 2014.

The following table presents information about the retail-based personal real estate loan portfolio for 2014 and 2013.

(Dollars in thousands)
Loans with interest only payments
Loans with no insurance and LTV:

Between 80% and 90%
Between 90% and 95%
Over 95%

Over 80% LTV with no insurance

Total loan portfolio from which above loans were identified

Revolving Home Equity Loans

2014

2013

Principal
Outstanding at
December 31

$

17,159

% of Loan
Portfolio

Principal
Outstanding at
December 31

% of Loan
Portfolio

1.0% $

15,849

1.0%

80,897
27,707
35,233
143,837
1,643,227

4.9
1.7
2.1
8.7

80,431
27,158
38,518
146,107
1,546,768

5.2
1.8
2.5
9.5

The Company also has revolving home equity loans that are generally collateralized by residential real estate. Most of these 
loans (94.1%) are written with terms requiring interest only monthly payments. These loans are offered in three main product 
lines: LTV up to 80%, 80% to 90%, and 90% to 100%. As shown in the following tables, the percentage of loans with LTV ratios 
greater than 80% has remained a small segment of this portfolio, and delinquencies have been low and stable.  The weighted 
average FICO score for the total current portfolio balance is 769.  At maturity, the accounts are re-underwritten and if they qualify 
under the Company's credit, collateral and capacity policies, the borrower is given the option to renew the line of credit, or to 
convert the outstanding balance to an amortizing loan.  If criteria are not met, amortization is required, or the borrower may pay 
off the loan.  Over the next three years, approximately 44% of the Company's current outstanding balances are expected to mature.  
Of these balances, 84% have a FICO score above 700.  The Company does not expect a significant increase in losses as these 
loans mature, due to their high FICO scores, low LTVs, and low historical loss levels.  

33

(Dollars in thousands)
Loans with interest only payments
Loans with LTV:

Between 80% and 90%
Over 90%

Over 80% LTV

Total loan portfolio from which above
loans were identified

Principal
Outstanding at
December 31,
2014
405,298

$

New Lines
Originated
*
During 2014
94.1% $156,286

*
36.3%

Unused Portion
of Available
Lines at
December 31,
2014
$664,160

Balances
Over 30
Days Past
Due
$1,798

*
154.1%

40,301
22,799
63,100

9.4
5.2
14.6

18,257
14,353
32,610

4.2
3.4
7.6

38,592
9,246
47,838

9.0
2.1
11.1

238
81
319

430,873

166,397

688,541

* Percentage of total principal outstanding of $430.9 million at December 31, 2014.

(Dollars in thousands)
Loans with interest only payments
Loans with LTV:
Between 80% and 90%
Over 90%
Over 80% LTV

Total loan portfolio from which above
loans were identified

Principal
Outstanding at
December 31,
2013
394,714

$

New Lines
Originated
*
During 2013
93.8% $147,645

*
35.1%

Unused Portion
of Available
Lines at
December 31,
2013
$656,679

Balances
Over 30
Days Past
Due
$4,284

*
156.1%

42,162
12,212
54,374

10.0
2.9
12.9

10,767
1,941
12,708

2.6
.4
3.0

36,274
10,312
46,586

8.6
2.5
11.1

284
163
447

420,589

157,197

686,105

* Percentage of total principal outstanding of $420.6 million at December 31, 2013.

Fixed Rate Home Equity Loans

*

.4%

.1
—
.1

*
1.0%

.1
—
.1

In  addition  to  the  residential  real  estate  mortgage  loans  and  the  revolving  floating  rate  line  product  discussed  above,  the 
Company offers a third choice to those consumers desiring a fixed rate loan and a fixed maturity date. This fixed rate home equity 
loan, typically for home repair or remodeling, is an alternative for individuals who want to finance a specific project or purchase 
and decide to lock in a specific monthly payment over a defined period.  Outstanding balances for these loans were $291.9 million 
and $284.9 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.  At times, these loans are written with interest only monthly 
payments and a balloon payoff at maturity; however, less than 2% of this portfolio was comprised of interest only loans at both 
December 31, 2014 and 2013.  The delinquency history on this product has been low, as balances over 30 days past due totaled 
only $1.3 million, or .4% of the portfolio, at year end 2014 and $3.5 million, or 1.2% of the portfolio, at year end 2013.  

(Dollars in thousands)

2014

2013

Principal
Outstanding at
December 31

*

New Loans
Originated

*

Principal
Outstanding at
December 31

*

New Loans
Originated

*

Loans with interest only payments

$

3,400

1.2% $2,015

.7% $

5,246

1.8%

$6,530

2.3%

Loans with LTV:

Between 80% and 90%

Over 90%

Over 80% LTV

60,924

20.9

19,472

6.6

23,397

6,129

8.0

2.1

80,396

27.5

29,526

10.1

Total loan portfolio from which above
loans were identified

291,891

18.4

7.2

25.6

30,893

11,652

42,545

10.8

4.1

14.9

52,355

20,589

72,944

284,867

* Percentage of total principal outstanding of $291.9 million and $284.9 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Management does not believe these loans collateralized by real estate (fixed rate home equity, personal real estate, and revolving 
home equity) represent any unusual concentrations of risk, as evidenced by net charge-offs in 2014 of $909 thousand, $527 thousand 
and $40 thousand, respectively.  The amount of any increased potential loss on high LTV agreements relates mainly to amounts 
advanced that are in excess of the 80% collateral calculation, not the entire approved line.  The Company currently offers no 
subprime first mortgage or home equity loans, which are characterized as new loans to customers with FICO scores below 660.  
The Company does not purchase brokered loans.

34

Other Consumer Loans

Within the consumer loan portfolio are several direct and indirect product lines comprised mainly of loans secured by passenger 
vehicles, marine, and RVs.  During 2014, $617.0 million of new vehicle loans were originated, compared to $507.7 million during 
2013.  Marine and RV loan production has been significantly curtailed in recent years with few new originations.  The loss ratios 
experienced for marine and RV loans have been higher than for other consumer loan products, at 1.1% and 1.3% in 2014 and 
2013, respectively.  Balances over 30 days past due for marine and RV loans decreased $1.5 million at year end 2014 compared 
to 2013.  The table below provides the total outstanding principal and other data for this group of direct and indirect lending 
products at December 31, 2014 and 2013.

(In thousands)

Passenger vehicles

Marine

RV

Total

Principal
Outstanding at
December 31

2014

New Loans
Originated

Balances
Over 30 Days
Past Due

Principal
Outstanding at
December 31

2013

New Loans
Originated

Balances
Over 30 Days
Past Due

$

$

958,270 $

616,994 $

8,801

$

749,970 $

507,678 $

49,722

142,492

810

1,445

2,049

3,612

68,162

184,969

2,765

11

7,220

2,860

4,317

1,150,484 $

619,249 $

14,462

$

1,003,101 $

510,454 $

14,397

Additionally,  the  Company  offers  low  promotional  rates  on  selected  consumer  credit  card  products.  Out  of  a  portfolio  at 
December 31, 2014 of $782.4 million in consumer credit card loans outstanding, approximately $163.7 million, or 20.9%, carried 
a low promotional rate. Within the next six months, $42.6 million of these loans are scheduled to convert to the ongoing higher 
contractual rate.  To mitigate some of the risk involved with this credit card product, the Company performs credit checks and 
detailed analysis of the customer borrowing profile before approving the loan application.  Management believes that the risks in 
the consumer loan portfolio are reasonable and the anticipated loss ratios are within acceptable parameters.

Investment Securities Analysis

Investment securities are comprised of securities which are classified as available for sale, non-marketable, or trading. During 
2014, total investment securities increased $506.7 million, or 5.6%, to $9.5 billion (excluding unrealized gains/losses) compared 
to $9.0 billion at the previous year end.  During 2014, securities of $2.5 billion were purchased in the available for sale and non-
marketable portfolios, which included $1.3 billion in asset-backed securities.  Total sales, maturities and pay downs in these 
portfolios were $2.0 billion during 2014.  During 2015, maturities and pay downs of approximately $1.8 billion are expected to 
occur.  The average tax equivalent yield earned on total investment securities was 2.30% in both 2014 and 2013.

At December 31, 2014, the fair value of available for sale securities was $9.5 billion, including a net unrealized gain in fair 
value of $137.3 million, compared to a net unrealized gain of $41.1 million at December 31, 2013. The overall unrealized gain in 
fair value at December 31, 2014 included gains of $70.3 million in agency mortgage-backed securities, $24.0 million in state and 
municipal obligations, $9.8 million in non-agency mortgage-backed securities, and $34.3 million in equity securities held by the 
Parent. 

35

  
Available for sale investment securities at year end for the past two years are shown below:

(In thousands)

Amortized Cost

U.S. government and federal agency obligations

Government-sponsored enterprise obligations

State and municipal obligations

Agency mortgage-backed securities

Non-agency mortgage-backed securities

Asset-backed securities

Other debt securities

Equity securities

Total available for sale investment securities

Fair Value

U.S. government and federal agency obligations

Government-sponsored enterprise obligations

State and municipal obligations

Agency mortgage-backed securities

Non-agency mortgage-backed securities

Asset-backed securities

Other debt securities

Equity securities

December 31

2014

2013

$

497,336 $

968,574

1,789,215

2,523,377

372,911

3,090,174

140,784

3,931

498,226

766,802

1,624,195

2,743,803

236,595

2,847,368

147,581

9,970

$

$

9,386,302 $

8,874,540

501,407 $

963,127

1,813,201

2,593,708

382,744

3,091,993

139,161

38,219

505,696

741,766

1,619,171

2,772,338

246,983

2,844,071

141,757

43,898

Total available for sale investment securities

$

9,523,560 $

8,915,680

The available for sale portfolio includes agency mortgage-backed securities, which are collateralized bonds issued by agencies, 
including FNMA, GNMA, FHLMC, FHLB, Federal Farm Credit Banks and FDIC.  Non-agency mortgage-backed securities 
totaled $382.7 million, at fair value, at December 31, 2014, and included Alt-A type mortgage-backed securities of $60.9 million 
and prime/jumbo loan type securities of $67.4 million. Certain of the non-agency mortgage-backed securities are other-than-
temporarily impaired, and the processes for determining impairment and the related losses are discussed in Note 4 to the consolidated 
financial statements.  

At December 31, 2014, U.S. government obligations included $501.3 million in U.S. Treasury inflation-protected securities, 
and state and municipal obligations included $95.1 million in auction rate securities, at fair value. Other debt securities include 
corporate bonds, notes and commercial paper.  Available for sale equity securities are mainly comprised of common stock held 
by the Parent which totaled $37.4 million at December 31, 2014.

The types of debt securities held in the available for sale security portfolio at year end 2014 are presented in the table below.  

Additional detail by maturity category is provided in Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements.

Available for sale debt securities:

U.S. government and federal agency obligations

Government-sponsored enterprise obligations

State and municipal obligations

Agency mortgage-backed securities

Non-agency mortgage-backed securities

Asset-backed securities

Other debt securities

                 *Based on call provisions and estimated prepayment speeds.

36

December 31, 2014

Percent of
Total Debt
Securities

Weighted
Average
Yield

Estimated
Average
Maturity*

5.3%

1.14%

4.1 years

10.2

19.1

27.3

4.0

32.6

1.5

1.82

2.35

2.69

3.05

.87

2.20

5.4

5.5

3.3

3.8

2.1

5.3

             
Non-marketable securities, which totaled $106.9 million at December 31, 2014, included $32.4 million in Federal Reserve 
Bank stock and $14.2 million in Federal Home Loan Bank (Des Moines) stock held by the bank subsidiary in accordance with 
debt and regulatory requirements. These are restricted securities which, lacking a market, are carried at cost. Other non-marketable 
securities also include private equity securities which are carried at estimated fair value.

The Company engages in private equity activities primarily through several private equity subsidiaries.  These subsidiaries 
hold investments in various business entities, which are carried at fair value and totaled $57.6 million at December 31, 2014.  In 
addition to investments held by its private equity subsidiaries, the Parent directly holds investments in several private equity 
concerns, which totaled $1.8 million at year end 2014. Most of the private equity investments are not readily marketable. While 
the nature of these investments carries a higher degree of risk than the normal lending portfolio, this risk is mitigated by the overall 
size of the investments and oversight provided by management, and management believes the potential for long-term gains in 
these investments outweighs the potential risks.  Most of the private equity investments are held by a subsidiary qualified as a 
Small Business Investment Company.

Non-marketable securities at year end for the past two years are shown below:

(In thousands)
Debt securities
Equity securities
Total non-marketable investment securities

December 31

2014

2013

$

$

32,793 $
74,082
106,875 $

28,485
78,839
107,324

In addition to its holdings in the investment securities portfolio, the Company invests in long-term securities purchased under 
agreements to resell, which totaled $1.1 billion at December 31, 2014 and $1.2 billion at December 31, 2013.  These investments 
mature in 2015 through 2017, and most have rates that fluctuate with published indices within a fixed range.  The counterparties 
to these agreements are other financial institutions from whom the Company has accepted collateral of $1.1 billion in marketable 
investment securities at December 31, 2014.  The average rate earned on these agreements during 2014 was 1.03%.

The Company also holds offsetting repurchase and resell agreements totaling $450.0 million and $300.0 million at December 
31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, which are further discussed in Note 19 to the consolidated financial statements.  These agreements 
involve  the  exchange  of  collateral  under  simultaneous  repurchase  and  resell  agreements  with  the  same  financial  institution 
counterparty. These repurchase and resell agreements have been offset against each other in the balance sheet, as permitted under 
current accounting guidance. The agreements mature in 2015 through 2016 and earned an average of 59 basis points during 2014.

Deposits and Borrowings

Deposits are the primary funding source for the Bank and are acquired from a broad base of local markets, including both 
individual and corporate customers.  Total deposits were $19.5 billion at December 31, 2014, compared to $19.0 billion last year, 
reflecting an increase of $428.4 million, or 2.2%.  Most of this growth occurred in the fourth quarter of 2014. 

Average deposits grew by $734.5 million, or 4.1%, in 2014 compared to 2013 with most of this growth occurring in business 
demand deposits, which increased $360.5 million, or 8.1%, and in money market deposits, which grew $371.9 million, or 4.3%.  
Total certificates of deposit fell on average by $107.1 million, or 4.4%, but included an increase of $159.4 million, or 25.9%, in 
long-term jumbo certificates of deposit. 

The following table shows year end deposits by type as a percentage of total deposits.

Non-interest bearing
Savings, interest checking and money market
Time open and C.D.’s of less than $100,000
Time open and C.D.’s of $100,000 and over
Total deposits

December 31

2014

2013

35.0%
54.1
4.5
6.4
100.0%

35.4%
53.1
5.2
6.3
100.0%

Core deposits, which include non-interest bearing, interest checking, savings, and money market deposits, supported 76% of 
average earning assets in 2014 and 75% in 2013.  Average balances by major deposit category for the last six years appear on page 
52.  A maturity schedule of time deposits outstanding at December 31, 2014 is included in Note 7 on Deposits in the consolidated 
financial statements.

37

The Company’s primary sources of overnight borrowings are federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to 
repurchase (repurchase agreements).  Balances in these accounts can fluctuate significantly on a day-to-day basis and generally 
have one day maturities.  Total balances of federal funds purchased and repurchase agreements outstanding at year end 2014 were 
$1.9 billion, a $516.0 million increase over the $1.3 billion balance outstanding at year end 2013, primarily driven by higher 
balances of short-term repurchase agreements with several large customers.  On an average basis, these borrowings decreased 
$37.0 million, or 2.9%, during 2014, with a decrease of $80.3 million in federal funds purchased partly offset with an increase of 
$43.3  million  in  repurchase  agreements.   The  average  rate  paid  on  total  federal  funds  purchased  and  repurchase  agreements 
was .08% during 2014 and .06% during 2013.

The Company’s long-term debt is currently comprised of fixed rate advances from the FHLB.  These borrowings decreased 
to $104.1 million at December 31, 2014, from $105.3 million outstanding at December 31, 2013.  The average rate paid on FHLB 
advances was 3.51% and 3.56% during 2014 and 2013, respectively.  Most of the remaining balance outstanding at December 31, 
2014 is due in 2017.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity Management

Liquidity is managed within the Company in order to satisfy cash flow requirements of deposit and borrowing customers while 
at the same time meeting its own cash flow needs. The Company has taken numerous steps to address liquidity risk and has 
developed a variety of liquidity sources which it believes will provide the necessary funds for future growth.  The Company 
manages its liquidity position through a variety of sources including:

•  A portfolio of liquid assets including marketable investment securities and overnight investments,

•  A large customer deposit base and limited exposure to large, volatile certificates of deposit,

•  Lower long-term borrowings that might place demands on Company cash flow,

•  Relatively low loan to deposit ratio promoting strong liquidity, 

•  Excellent debt ratings from both Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s national rating services, and

•  Available borrowing capacity from outside sources. 

During 2014, the Company continued to see more growth in average loans (up 9.2%) than in deposits (up 4.1%).  As a result, 

the Company’s average loans to deposits ratio, one measure of liquidity, increased to 59.9% in 2014 from 57.1% in 2013.  

The Company’s most liquid assets include available for sale marketable investment securities, federal funds sold, balances at 
the Federal Reserve Bank, and securities purchased under agreements to resell (resell agreements). At December 31, 2014 and 
2013, such assets were as follows:

(In thousands)

Available for sale investment securities

Federal funds sold

Long-term securities purchased under agreements to resell

Balances at the Federal Reserve Bank
Total

2014

2013

$

9,523,560 $

8,915,680

32,485

1,050,000

600,744
11,206,789 $

$

43,845

1,150,000

707,249
10,816,774

38

 
 
Federal funds sold are funds lent to the Company’s correspondent bank customers with overnight maturities, and totaled $32.5 
million at December 31, 2014.  At December 31, 2014, the Company had lent funds totaling $1.1 billion under long-term resell 
agreements to other large financial institutions.  The agreements mature in years 2015 through 2017.  Under these agreements, 
the Company holds marketable securities, safekept by a third-party custodian, as collateral.  This collateral totaled $1.1 billion in 
fair value at December 31, 2014.  Interest earning balances at the Federal Reserve Bank, which have overnight maturities and are 
used for general liquidity purposes, totaled $600.7 million at December 31, 2014.  The Company’s available for sale investment 
portfolio includes scheduled maturities and expected pay downs of approximately $1.8 billion during 2015, and these funds offer 
substantial resources to meet either new loan demand or help offset reductions in the Company’s deposit funding base.  The 
Company pledges portions of its investment securities portfolio to secure public fund deposits, repurchase agreements, trust funds, 
letters of credit issued by the FHLB, and borrowing capacity at the Federal Reserve Bank.  At December 31, 2014 and 2013, total 
investment securities pledged for these purposes were as follows:

(In thousands)

2014

2013

Investment securities pledged for the purpose of securing:

Federal Reserve Bank borrowings

FHLB borrowings and letters of credit

Repurchase agreements

Other deposits

Total pledged securities

Unpledged and available for pledging

Ineligible for pledging

$

362,920 $

40,978

2,389,093

1,861,001

4,653,992

3,107,968

1,761,600

505,690

58,445

1,684,748

1,646,562

3,895,445

3,469,398

1,550,837

Total available for sale securities, at fair value

$

9,523,560 $

8,915,680

Liquidity is also available from the Company’s large base of core customer deposits, defined as non-interest bearing, interest 
checking, savings, and money market deposit accounts.  At December 31, 2014, such deposits totaled $17.4 billion and represented 
89.1% of the Company’s total deposits.  These core deposits are normally less volatile, often with customer relationships tied to 
other products offered by the Company promoting long lasting relationships and stable funding sources.  Total core deposits 
increased $494.7 million at year end 2014 over 2013, with growth of $246.0 million in consumer and $201.9 million in private 
banking, and decline of $57.6 million in corporate core deposits.  Much of overall deposit growth tends to occur in the fourth 
quarter, reflecting seasonal patterns.  While the Company considers core consumer and private banking deposits less volatile, 
corporate deposits could decline further if interest rates increase significantly or if corporate customers increase investing activities 
and reduce deposit balances.  If these corporate deposits decline, the Company's funding needs can be met by liquidity supplied 
by the investment security portfolio, totaling $1.8 billion as noted above.  In addition, as shown on page 40, the Company has 
borrowing capacity of $3.3 billion through advances from the FHLB and the Federal Reserve.

(In thousands)

Core deposit base:

Non-interest bearing

Interest checking

Savings and money market

Total

2014

2013

$

6,811,959 $

6,750,674

1,352,759

9,188,842

1,113,110

8,995,126

$

17,353,560 $

16,858,910

Time open and certificates of deposit of $100,000 or greater totaled $1.2 billion at December 31, 2014. These deposits are 

normally considered more volatile and higher costing, and comprised 6.4% of total deposits at December 31, 2014.

39

Other important components of liquidity are the level of borrowings from third party sources and the availability of future 
credit.  The Company’s outside borrowings are mainly comprised of federal funds purchased, repurchase agreements, and advances 
from the FHLB, as follows:

(In thousands)
Borrowings:

Federal funds purchased
Repurchase agreements
FHLB advances

Total

2014

2013

$

$

3,840 $

1,858,678
104,058

24,795
1,321,763
105,310

1,966,576 $

1,451,868

Federal funds purchased, which totaled $3.8 million at December 31, 2014, are unsecured overnight borrowings obtained 
mainly from upstream correspondent banks with which the Company maintains approved lines of credit.  Repurchase agreements 
are secured by a portion of the Company’s investment portfolio, and at December 31, 2014 were comprised of non-insured customer 
funds totaling $1.9 billion.  Customer repurchase agreements are offered to customers wishing to earn interest in highly liquid 
balances and are used by the Company as a funding source considered to be stable, but short-term in nature. The Company's former 
longer term structured repurchase agreements, borrowed from an upstream financial institution, were repaid in 2014.  The Company 
also borrows on a secured basis through advances from the FHLB, and those borrowings totaled $104.1 million at December 31, 
2014.  All of the FHLB advances have fixed interest rates, with the majority maturing in 2017.   The overall long-term debt position 
of the Company is small relative to its overall liability position.

The Company pledges certain assets, including loans and investment securities, to both the Federal Reserve Bank and the 
FHLB as security to establish lines of credit and borrow from these entities.  Based on the amount and type of collateral pledged, 
the FHLB establishes a collateral value from which the Company may draw advances against the collateral.  Additionally, this 
collateral is used to enable the FHLB to issue letters of credit in favor of public fund depositors of the Company.  The Federal 
Reserve Bank also establishes a collateral value of assets pledged and permits borrowings from the discount window.  The following 
table reflects the collateral value of assets pledged, borrowings, and letters of credit outstanding, in addition to the estimated future 
funding capacity available to the Company at December 31, 2014.

(In thousands)

Total collateral value pledged

Advances outstanding

Letters of credit issued

Available for future advances

December 31, 2014

FHLB

Federal Reserve

Total

2,381,248 $

1,206,421 $

3,587,669

(104,058)

(233,085)

—

—

(104,058)

(233,085)

2,044,105 $

1,206,421 $

3,250,526

$

$

The Company’s average loans to deposits ratio was 59.9% at December 31, 2014, which is considered in the banking industry 
to be a measure of strong liquidity. Also, the Company receives outside ratings from both Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s on both 
the consolidated company and its subsidiary bank, Commerce Bank.  These ratings are as follows:

Commerce Bancshares, Inc.

Issuer rating

Commercial paper rating

Rating outlook

Preferred stock

Commerce Bank

Issuer rating

Bank financial strength rating

Rating outlook

40

Standard &
Poor’s

Moody’s

A-

Stable

BBB-

A

Stable

P-1

Stable

Baa1

Aa3

B

Stable

The Company considers these ratings to be indications of a sound capital base and strong liquidity and believes that these 
ratings would help ensure the ready marketability of its commercial paper, should the need arise. No commercial paper has been 
outstanding during the past ten years.  The Company has no subordinated or hybrid debt instruments which would affect future 
borrowing capacity.  Because of its lack of significant long-term debt, the Company believes that, through its Capital Markets 
Group or in other public debt markets, it could generate additional liquidity from sources such as jumbo certificates of deposit, 
privately-placed corporate notes or other forms of debt.  The Company issued $150.0 million in liquidation value of preferred 
stock in June 2014, which funded, in part, a $200.0 million accelerated repurchase of its common stock.  This transaction is further 
discussed in Note 14 to the consolidated financial statements.

The cash flows from the operating, investing and financing activities of the Company resulted in a net decrease in cash and 
cash equivalents of $168.8 million in 2014, as reported in the consolidated statements of cash flows on page 60 of this report. 
Operating activities, consisting mainly of net income adjusted for certain non-cash items, provided cash flow of $360.8 million 
and has historically been a stable source of funds. Investing activities used total cash of $1.1 billion in 2014 and consisted mainly 
of purchases and maturities of available for sale investment securities, changes in long-term securities purchased under agreements 
to resell, and changes in the level of the Company’s loan portfolio.  Growth in the loan portfolio used cash of $560.9 million. 
Activity in the investment securities portfolio used cash of $519.5 million, net repayments of long-term resell agreements provided 
cash of $100.0 million, and cash of $43.8 million was paid in the sale of several bank branches. Investing activities are somewhat 
unique to financial institutions in that, while large sums of cash flow are normally used to fund growth in investment securities, 
loans, or other bank assets, they are normally dependent on the financing activities described below.

Financing activities provided total cash of $533.0 million, primarily resulting from a $224.3 million increase in deposits and 
a net increase of $516.0 million in borrowings of federal funds purchased and repurchase agreements.  These increases to cash 
were partly offset by cash dividend payments of $84.2 million and $4.1 million for common and preferred stock, respectively.   
The Company received net proceeds of $144.8 million from the issuance of preferred stock and entered into an accelerated stock 
repurchase agreement as mentioned above, resulting in a net outflow of $55.2 million.  Other treasury stock purchases during 
2014 totaled $71.0 million.   Future short-term liquidity needs for daily operations are not expected to vary significantly, and the 
Company maintains adequate liquidity to meet these cash flows. The Company’s sound equity base, along with its low debt level, 
common and preferred stock availability, and excellent debt ratings, provide several alternatives for future financing.  Future 
acquisitions may utilize partial funding through one or more of these options.

Cash flows resulting from the Company’s transactions in its common and preferred stock were as follows:

(In millions)

Exercise of stock-based awards

Purchases of treasury stock

Accelerated stock repurchase forward contract

Common cash dividends paid

Issuance of preferred stock

Preferred cash dividends paid

Cash used

2014

2013

2012

$

8.7 $

9.4 $

(211.0)

(60.0)

(84.2)

144.8

(4.1)

(69.4)

—

(82.1)

—

—

14.8

(104.9)

—

(211.6)

—

—

$

(205.8) $

(142.1) $

(301.7)

The Parent faces unique liquidity constraints due to legal limitations on its ability to borrow funds from its bank subsidiary. 
The Parent obtains funding to meet its obligations from two main sources: dividends received from bank and non-bank subsidiaries 
(within regulatory limitations) and management fees charged to subsidiaries as reimbursement for services provided by the Parent, 
as presented below:

(In millions)

Dividends received from subsidiaries

Management fees

Total

2014

2013

2012

$

$

234.0 $
25.8

259.8 $

200.4 $
20.7

221.1 $

235.0
23.7

258.7

These sources of funds are used mainly to pay cash dividends on outstanding stock, pay general operating expenses, and 
purchase treasury stock.  At December 31, 2014, the Parent’s available for sale investment securities totaled $52.1 million at fair 
value, consisting of common stock and non-agency backed collateralized mortgage obligations.  To support its various funding 
commitments, the Parent maintains a $20.0 million line of credit with its subsidiary bank.  There were no borrowings outstanding 
under the line during 2014 or 2013.  

41

Company senior management is responsible for measuring and monitoring the liquidity profile of the organization with oversight 
by the Company’s Asset/Liability Committee. This is done through a series of controls, including a written Contingency Funding 
Policy and risk monitoring procedures, which include daily, weekly and monthly reporting. In addition, the Company prepares 
forecasts to project changes in the balance sheet affecting liquidity and to allow the Company to better plan for forecasted changes.

Capital Management

The Company maintains strong regulatory capital ratios, including those of its banking subsidiary, in excess of the “well-
capitalized” guidelines under federal banking regulations. The Company’s capital ratios at the end of the last three years are as 
follows:

Regulatory risk-based capital ratios:

Tier I capital

Total capital

Leverage ratio

Tangible common equity to tangible assets

Dividend payout ratio

2014

2013

2012

13.74%

14.06%

13.60%

14.86

9.36

8.55

32.69

15.28

9.43

9.00

31.46

14.93

9.14

9.25

78.57

Well-Capitalized
Regulatory
Guidelines

6.00%

10.00

5.00

The Company’s regulatory risked-based capital amounts and risk-weighted assets at the end of the last three years are as 

follows:

(In thousands)

Regulatory risk-based capital:

Tier I capital

Tier II capital

Total capital

Total risk-weighted assets

2014

2013

2012

$

2,131,169

$

2,061,761 $

1,906,203

173,037

2,304,206

177,875

2,239,636

185,938

2,092,141

15,509,144

14,660,536

14,015,648

The Company must comply with new capital requirements mandated by U.S. Basel III rules which are effective January 1, 
2015.  Generally, these new rules change the components of regulatory capital and change the way in which risk ratings are assigned 
to various categories of bank assets.  Also, a new Tier I common risk-based ratio is defined.  Based on its preliminary review and 
evaluation of these new rules, the Company believes that these rules will result in only minor changes to its Tier I and Total risk-
based capital, but will increase risk-weighted assets as a result of higher risk weightings for short-term commitments, certain asset-
backed  securities,  and  construction  loans.   The  capital  requirements  under  Basel  III  are  further  discussed  in  Note  15  to  the 
consolidated financial statements.

The Company's estimated common equity Tier I capital to risk-weighted assets under Basel III at December 31, 2014 is shown 
below.    Under  fully  phased-in  Basel  III,  the  minimum  capital  requirement  for  Tier  I  common  equity,  including  the  capital 
conservation buffer, is 7.0%.

Dollars in thousands
Tier 1 common equity under existing Basel I
Estimated equity adjustments
Estimated Tier 1 common equity under fully phased-in Basel III (a)

Risk weighted assets
Estimated risk weighted asset adjustments
Estimated risk weighted assets under fully phased-in Basel III (b)

$

$

$

$

1,986,064
253
1,986,317

15,509,144
1,060,580
16,569,724

Estimated Tier 1 common equity under fully phased-in Basel III (a)/(b)

11.99 %

The  Company  maintains  a  treasury  stock  buyback  program  under  authorizations  by  its  Board  of  Directors  and  normally 
purchases stock in the open market.  In June 2014, the Company entered into the accelerated share repurchase agreement mentioned 
above, whose final settlement is expected by June 2015.  Pending that settlement, the Company's purchases have been limited to 
minimal amounts to meet stock-based compensation plan activity. The Company currently estimates that at settlement it will 

42

 
 
 
 
   
receive shares in the range of 1.5 to 1.6 million.  At December 31, 2014, 1,898,007 shares remained available for purchase under 
the current Board authorization. 

The Company’s common stock dividend policy reflects its earnings outlook, desired payout ratios, the need to maintain adequate 
capital levels and alternative investment options.  Per share cash dividends paid by the Company increased 5% in 2014 compared 
with 2013. The Company also distributed its 21st consecutive annual 5% stock dividend in December 2014. 

Commitments, Contractual Obligations, and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

In the normal course of business, various commitments and contingent liabilities arise which are not required to be recorded 
on the balance sheet.  The most significant of these are loan commitments totaling $8.4 billion (including approximately $3.5 
billion in unused approved credit card lines) and the contractual amount of standby letters of credit totaling $324.8 million at 
December 31, 2014.  As many commitments expire unused or only partially used, these totals do not necessarily reflect future 
cash requirements. Management does not anticipate any material losses arising from commitments or contingent liabilities and 
believes there are no material commitments to extend credit that represent risks of an unusual nature.

A table summarizing contractual cash obligations of the Company at December 31, 2014 and the expected timing of these 

payments follows:

(In thousands)
Long-term debt obligations*
Operating lease obligations
Purchase obligations
Time open and C.D.’s *
Total

* Includes principal payments only.

Payments Due by Period

In One Year or
Less

After One Year
Through Three
Years

After Three Years
Through Five
Years

After Five Years

Total

$

$

192 $

5,652
69,624
1,638,332
1,713,800 $

103,866 $
9,457
122,229
382,047
617,599 $

— $

5,709
85,324
99,324
190,357 $

— $

14,802
24,234
2,515
41,551

$

104,058
35,620
301,411
2,122,218
2,563,307

As of December 31, 2014, the Company had unrecognized tax benefits of $1.3 million. This liability for unrecognized tax 
benefits represents an estimate of tax positions that the Company has taken in its tax returns which may not be sustained upon 
examination by taxing authorities. Since the ultimate amount and timing of any future cash settlements cannot be predicted with 
reasonable certainty, this estimated liability has been excluded from the table above.  Further information about these benefits is 
located in Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements. 

The Company funds a defined benefit pension plan for a portion of its employees.  Under the funding policy for the plan, 
contributions are made as necessary to provide for current service and for any unfunded accrued actuarial liabilities over a reasonable 
period. No contributions were made to the plan in 2014, and the Company is not required nor does it expect to make a contribution 
in 2015.

The Company has investments in several low-income housing partnerships within the areas it serves.  These partnerships 
supply funds for the construction and operation of apartment complexes that provide affordable housing to that segment of the 
population with lower family income. If these developments successfully attract a specified percentage of residents falling in that 
lower income range, federal (and sometimes state) income tax credits are made available to the partners. The tax credits are 
normally recognized over ten years, and they play an important part in the anticipated yield from these investments. In order to 
continue receiving the tax credits each year over the life of the partnership, the low-income residency targets must be maintained. 
Under the terms of the partnership agreements, the Company has a commitment to fund a specified amount that will be due in 
installments over the life of the agreements, which ranges from 10 to 15 years. At December 31, 2014, the funded investments 
totaled  $16.7  million  and  are  recorded  as  other  assets  in  the  Company’s  consolidated  balance  sheet.   Additional  unfunded 
commitments, which are recorded as liabilities, amounted to $13.6 million at December 31, 2014.

The Company regularly purchases various state tax credits arising from third-party property redevelopment.  These credits are 
either resold to third parties or retained for use by the Company.  During 2014, purchases and sales of tax credits amounted to 
$33.5 million and $29.6 million, respectively.  At December 31, 2014, the Company had outstanding purchase commitments 
totaling $61.7 million that it expects to fund in 2015.

43

Interest Rate Sensitivity 

The Company’s Asset/Liability Management Committee (ALCO) measures and manages the Company’s interest rate risk on 
a monthly basis to identify trends and establish strategies to maintain stability in net interest income throughout various rate 
environments.  Analytical modeling techniques provide management insight into the Company’s exposure to changing rates. These 
techniques include net interest income simulations and market value analysis.  Management has set guidelines specifying acceptable 
limits within which net interest income and market value may change under various rate change scenarios. These measurement 
tools indicate that the Company is currently within acceptable risk guidelines as set by management.

The Company’s main interest rate measurement tool, income simulations, projects net interest income under various rate change 
scenarios in order to quantify the magnitude and timing of potential rate-related changes. Income simulations are able to capture 
option risks within the balance sheet where expected cash flows may be altered under various rate environments. Modeled rate 
movements include “shocks, ramps and twists”. Shocks are intended to capture interest rate risk under extreme conditions by 
immediately shifting rates up and down, while ramps measure the impact of gradual changes and twists measure yield curve risk. 
The size of the balance sheet is assumed to remain constant so that results are not influenced by growth predictions. The following 
table shows the expected effect that gradual basis point shifts in the swap curve over a twelve month period would have on the 
Company’s net interest income.

(Dollars in millions)
300 basis points rising
200 basis points rising
100 basis points rising

December 31, 2014

September 30, 2014

December 31, 2013

$ Change in
Net Interest
Income

% Change in
Net Interest
Income

$ Change in
Net Interest
Income

% Change in
Net Interest
Income

$ Change in
Net Interest
Income

% Change in
Net Interest
Income

$5.4
8.3
8.9

.87%

1.34
1.43

($.3)
4.4
7.0

(.04)%
.72
1.14

($5.0)
1.0
3.4

(.81)%
.17
.56

The Company also employs a sophisticated simulation technique known as a stochastic income simulation. This technique 
allows management to see a range of results from hundreds of income simulations. The stochastic simulation creates a vector of 
potential rate paths around the market’s best guess (forward rates) concerning the future path of interest rates and allows rates to 
randomly follow paths throughout the vector.  This allows for the modeling of non-biased rate forecasts around the market consensus. 
Results give management insight into a likely range of rate-related risk as well as worst and best-case rate scenarios.

The Company also uses market value analyses to help identify longer-term risks that may reside on the balance sheet. This is 
considered a secondary risk measurement tool by management. The Company measures the market value of equity as the net 
present value of all asset and liability cash flows discounted along the current swap curve plus appropriate market risk spreads. It 
is the change in the market value of equity under different rate environments, or effective duration, that gives insight into the 
magnitude  of  risk  to  future  earnings  due  to  rate  changes.  Market  value  analyses  also  help  management  understand  the  price 
sensitivity of non-marketable bank products under different rate environments.

The table above shows the effects of gradual rising rates over a 12 month period on the Company's net interest income.  Three 
rising rate scenarios were selected as shown in the table and net interest income was calculated and compared to a base scenario 
in which assets, liabilities and rates remained constant over a 12 month period.  For each of the three scenarios, interest rates 
applicable to each interest earning asset or interest bearing liability were ratably increased during the year (by either 100, 200 or 
300 basis points).  The balances contained in the balance sheet were assumed not to change over the 12 month period, except that 
it was assumed certain non-maturity type deposits would decline as a result of higher interest rates and would be replaced with 
short-term federal funds borrowings.  Under the 100, 200 and 300 basis point rising rate scenarios at December 31, 2014, total 
average deposits were projected to decline by 4.8%, 6.9% and 7.5%, respectively.  The Company uses these assumptions on deposit 
activities, both for monitoring interest rate risk and liquidity planning purposes, to analyze the large deposit inflows since 2009 
that could run off under rising rate conditions.  

Under the above scenarios at December 31, 2014, a gradual increase in interest rates of 100 basis points is expected to increase 
net interest income from the base calculation by $8.9 million, or 1.43%, and a rise of 200 basis points is expected to increase net 
interest income by $8.3 million, or 1.34%. Under a 300 basis points rising rate scenario, net interest income would increase by 
$5.4 million, or .87%. Due to the already low interest rate environment, the Company did not model falling rate scenarios. The 
change in net interest income from the base calculation at December 31, 2014 for the three scenarios shown was higher than 
projections made at September 30, 2014, largely due to a change in the mix of both interest earning assets and interest bearing 
liabilities.  The change in the mix of interest earning assets is primarily due to investment securities purchases of variable rate 
bonds and an increase in bonds and resell agreements maturing in the next 12 months that could be reinvested.  There were also 
increases in demand and money market deposits, which are less rate-sensitive, while balances of short-term certificates of deposit, 

44

which are generally more rate-sensitive, declined from the previous quarter.  This change resulted in a more asset-sensitive risk 
pattern and improving income projections.  As shown in the above scenarios, as rates rise faster, the effect on projected net interest 
income generally declines.  This occurs because, in the higher rate scenarios, the non-contractual deposits are modeled to become 
more rate sensitive, resulting in margin compression.  Also, these scenarios project deposit run-off which is replaced by higher 
costing short-term borrowings.  Rising rates also tend to slow prepayments of both residential mortgage loans and mortgage-
backed securities, which also negatively affects net interest income.  

For comparative purposes, the Company also ran three rising rate scenarios assuming average deposits would decrease by .8%, 
1.5% and 2.1% (for the 100, 200 and 300 basis point rising rate scenarios at December 31, 2014).  These increases were at a much 
slower pace than in the scenarios above.  The table below reflects the results of these projections.

 (Dollars in millions)
300 basis points rising
200 basis points rising
100 basis points rising

December 31, 2014

September 30, 2014

$ Change in
Net Interest
Income

% Change in
Net Interest
Income

$ Change in
Net Interest
Income

% Change in
Net Interest
Income

$

25.4
22.1
14.8

4.11% $
3.57
2.39

18.5
17.5
12.7

3.04%
2.90
2.08

Under these alternate scenarios, net interest income rises strongly and is higher than previous scenarios due to the fact that 
average balances of short-term federal funds borrowings (which re-price quickly) are less than in the previously described scenarios, 
and projected interest expense does not grow as much.  While the future effects of rising rates on deposit balances cannot be 
known, the Company maintains a practice of running multiple rate scenarios to better understand interest rate risk and their effect 
on the Company’s performance. 

 Through review and oversight by the ALCO, the Company attempts to engage in strategies that neutralize interest rate risk as 
much as possible.  The Company’s balance sheet remains well-diversified with moderate interest rate risk and is well-positioned 
for future growth. The use of derivative products is limited and the deposit base is strong and stable. The loan to deposit ratio is 
still at relatively low levels, which should present the Company with opportunities to fund future loan growth at reasonable costs.  
The Company believes that its approach to interest rate risk has appropriately considered its susceptibility to both rising and falling 
rates and has adopted strategies which minimize impacts of interest rate risk.

Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company maintains an overall interest rate risk management strategy that permits the use of derivative instruments to 
modify exposure to interest rate risk. The Company’s interest rate risk management strategy includes the ability to modify the re-
pricing characteristics of certain assets and liabilities so that changes in interest rates do not adversely affect the net interest margin 
and cash flows. Interest rate swaps are used on a limited basis as part of this strategy.  The Company also sells swap contracts to 
customers who wish to modify their interest rate sensitivity.  The Company offsets the interest rate risk of these swaps by purchasing 
matching contracts with offsetting pay/receive rates from other financial institutions.  The notional amount of these types of swaps 
at December 31, 2014 was $641.7 million.

Credit risk participation agreements arise when the Company contracts, as a guarantor or beneficiary, with other financial 
institutions to share credit risk associated with certain interest rate swaps.  These agreements provide for reimbursement of losses 
resulting from a third party default on the underlying swap.  

The Company enters into foreign exchange derivative instruments as an accommodation to customers and offsets the related 
foreign exchange risk by entering into offsetting third-party forward contracts with approved, reputable counterparties.  In addition, 
the Company takes proprietary positions in such contracts based on market expectations.  This trading activity is managed within 
a policy of specific controls and limits. Most of the foreign exchange contracts outstanding at December 31, 2014 mature within 
six months.

In all of these contracts, the Company is exposed to credit risk in the event of nonperformance by counterparties, who may be 
bank  customers  or  other  financial  institutions. The  Company  controls  the  credit  risk  of  its  financial  contracts  through  credit 
approvals,  limits  and  monitoring  procedures.  Because  the  Company  generally  enters  into  transactions  only  with  high  quality 
counterparties, there have been no losses associated with counterparty nonperformance on derivative financial instruments.

45

 
 
 
The following table summarizes the notional amounts and estimated fair values of the Company’s derivative instruments at 
December 31, 2014 and 2013. Notional amount, along with the other terms of the derivative, is used to determine the amounts to 
be exchanged between the counterparties. Because the notional amount does not represent amounts exchanged by the parties, it 
is not a measure of loss exposure related to the use of derivatives nor of exposure to liquidity risk. 

2014

2013

(In thousands)

Notional
Amount

Positive Fair
Value

Negative Fair
Value

 Notional
Amount

Positive Fair
Value

Negative Fair
Value

Interest rate swaps

$

647,709

$

10,144

$

(10,166)

$

596,933

$

11,428

$

(11,729)

Interest rate caps
Credit risk participation
agreements

Foreign exchange contracts
Total at December 31

$

53,587

75,943

19,791
797,030

62

3

248
10,457

$

$

(62)

(226)

(494)
(10,948)

9,736

52,456

81,207
740,332

$

1

4

(1)

(69)

1,547
12,980

$

(1,530)
(13,329)

$

Operating Segments

The Company segregates financial information for use in assessing its performance and allocating resources among three 
operating segments. The results are determined based on the Company’s management accounting process, which assigns balance 
sheet and income statement items to each responsible segment. These segments are defined by customer base and product type. 
The management process measures the performance of the operating segments based on the management structure of the Company 
and  is  not  necessarily  comparable  with  similar  information  for  any  other  financial  institution.  Each  segment  is  managed  by 
executives who, in conjunction with the Chief Executive Officer, make strategic business decisions regarding that segment. The 
three reportable operating segments are Consumer, Commercial and Wealth.  Additional information is presented in Note 13 on 
Segments in the consolidated financial statements.

The Company uses a funds transfer pricing method to value funds used (e.g., loans, fixed assets, cash, etc.) and funds provided 
(deposits, borrowings, and equity) by the business segments and their components. This process assigns a specific value to each 
new source or use of funds with a maturity, based on current swap rates, thus determining an interest spread at the time of the 
transaction.  Non-maturity  assets  and  liabilities  are  valued  using  weighted  average  pools.   The  funds  transfer  pricing  process 
attempts to remove interest rate risk from valuation, allowing management to compare profitability under various rate environments. 
The Company also assigns loan charge-offs and recoveries (labeled in the table below as “provision for loan losses”) directly to 
each operating segment instead of allocating an estimated loan loss provision.  The operating segments also include a number of 
allocations of income and expense from various support and overhead centers within the Company.  

46

The table below is a summary of segment pre-tax income results for the past three years.

(Dollars in thousands)

Consumer

Commercial

Wealth

Segment Totals

Other/
Elimination

Consolidated
Totals

Year ended December 31, 2014:

Net interest income

Provision for loan losses

Non-interest income

Investment securities gains, net

Non-interest expense

Income before income taxes

Year ended December 31, 2013:

Net interest income

Provision for loan losses

Non-interest income

Investment securities losses, net

$

270,081

$

287,244

$

40,128

$

597,453

$

22,751

$

620,204

(35,209)

113,245

—

559

190,594

—

(267,931)

(250,964)

$

$

80,186

268,221

(34,277)

112,819

—

227,433

280,128

3,772

186,446

—

$

$

$

$

372

128,203

—

(98,589)

70,114

40,185

(688)

117,323

—

$

$

(34,278)

432,042

—

(617,484)

377,733

588,534

(31,193)

416,588

—

$

$

4,747

3,936

14,124

(40,291)

5,267

30,838

10,840

1,798

(4,425)

(27,498)

$

$

(29,531)

435,978

14,124

(657,775)

383,000

619,372

(20,353)

418,386

(4,425)

(629,633)

Non-interest expense

(270,209)

(235,396)

(96,530)

(602,135)

Income before income taxes

$

76,554

$

234,950

$

60,290

$

371,794

$

11,553

$

383,347

2014 vs 2013
Increase (decrease) in income before
income taxes:
Amount

$

3,632

$

(7,517)

$

9,824

$

5,939

$

(6,286)

$

(347)

Percent

4.7 %

(3.2)%

16.3%

1.6 %

(54.4)%

(.1)%

Year ended December 31, 2012:

Net interest income

Provision for loan losses

Non-interest income

Investment securities gains, net

$

274,844

$

290,968

$

39,498

$

605,310

$

(35,496)

114,003

—

(2,824)

179,824

—

(695)

108,776

—

(39,015)

402,603

—

34,596

11,728

(2,973)

4,828

$

639,906

(27,287)

399,630

4,828

Non-interest expense

(266,740)

(226,935)

(90,659)

(584,334)

(34,135)

(618,469)

Income before income taxes

$

86,611

$

241,033

$

56,920

$

384,564

$

14,044

$

398,608

2013 vs 2012
Increase (decrease) in income before
income taxes:
Amount

Percent

Consumer

$

(10,057)

$

(6,083)

$

3,370

$

(12,770)

$

(2,491)

$

(15,261)

(11.6)%

(2.5 )%

5.9 %

(3.3)%

(17.7 )%

(3.8 )%

The Consumer segment includes consumer deposits, consumer finance, and consumer debit and credit cards.  For 2014, income 
before income taxes for the Consumer segment increased $3.6 million, or 4.7%, compared to 2013.  This increase was mainly due 
to growth of $1.9 million in net interest income and a decline in non-interest expense of $2.3 million, or .8%.  These increases to 
income were partly offset by an increase of $932 thousand in the provision for loan losses.  Net interest income increased due to 
a $2.9 million decrease in deposit interest expense, party offset by a $1.6 million decline in net allocated funding credits assigned 
to the Consumer segment's loan and deposit portfolios.  Non-interest income increased $426 thousand due to growth in bank card 
fees (mainly debit and credit card), partly offset by a decline in mortgage banking revenue.  Non-interest expense decreased from 
the prior year due to lower salaries and benefits expense (mainly full-time salaries and incentives) and allocated servicing costs.  
These decreases were partly offset by higher bank card rewards expense.  The provision for loan losses totaled $35.2 million, a 
$932 thousand increase over the prior year, which was mainly due to higher losses on fixed rate home equity and other consumer 
loans, partly offset by lower marine and RV loan net charge-offs.  Total average loans in this segment increased $129.5 million, 
or 5.0%, in 2014 compared to the prior year due to growth in auto lending, partly offset by declines in marine and RV and other 
consumer loans.  Average deposits increased $220.2 million, or 2.4%, over the prior year, resulting from continuing growth in 
interest checking and money market deposit accounts, partly offset by a decline in certificates of deposit less than $100,000.

Pre-tax profitability for 2013 was $76.6 million, a decrease of $10.1 million, or 11.6%, from 2012.  This decrease was mainly 
due to a decline of $6.6 million, or 2.4%, in net interest income, coupled with an increase of $3.5 million, or 1.3%, in non-interest 

47

expense.  In addition, non-interest income decreased $1.2 million, while the provision for loan losses decreased $1.2 million, or 
3.4%.  Net interest income declined due to a $4.7 million decrease in loan interest income and a $7.3 million decrease in net 
allocated funding credits, partly offset by a decline of $5.3 million in deposit interest expense.  Non-interest income decreased 
mainly due to a declines overdraft charges, mortgage banking revenue and ATM fees, but the declines were partly offset by growth 
in bank card fees.  Non-interest expense increased over the prior year due to higher corporate management fees, bank card related 
expense, building rent expense and credit card fraud losses, partly offset by lower incentive compensation expense and allocated 
building security expense.  The provision for loan losses totaled $34.3 million, a $1.2 million decrease from 2012, which was 
mainly due to lower losses on marine and RV loans.  Total average loans in this segment increased $170.8 million, or 7.1%, in 
2013 compared to the prior year due to growth in auto loan originations, partly offset by repayments of marine and RV loans.  
Average deposits rose 5.7% over 2012, due to higher interest checking and money market deposit accounts, partly offset by lower 
certificates of deposit under $100,000.

Commercial

The Commercial segment provides corporate lending (including the Small Business Banking product line within the branch 
network), leasing, international services, and business, government deposit, and related commercial cash management services, 
as well as merchant and commercial bank card products. The segment includes the Capital Markets Group, which sells fixed-
income securities to individuals, corporations, correspondent banks, public institutions, and municipalities, and also provides 
investment safekeeping and bond accounting services.  Pre-tax income for 2014 decreased $7.5 million, or 3.2%, compared to the 
prior year, mainly due to increases in non-interest expense and the provision for loan losses, partly offset by higher net interest 
income and non-interest income.  Net interest income increased $7.1 million, or 2.5%, due to growth of $5.3 million in loan interest 
income.  The provision for loan losses increased $3.2 million over last year, as construction and business loan net recoveries were 
lower by $3.2 million and $1.0 million, respectively.  Non-interest income increased $4.1 million, or 2.2%, over the previous year 
due to growth in bank card fees (mainly corporate card) and operating lease income, partly offset by lower capital market fees 
and tax credit sales income.  Non-interest expense increased $15.6 million, or 6.6%, during 2014, mainly due to higher full-time 
salary costs, foreclosed property expense and lease depreciation expense, in addition to bank card processor reimbursements 
received in the previous year.  Allocated costs for information technology, credit administration and commercial banking support 
also rose.  These increases were partly offset by the non-recurrence of a letter of credit provision recorded in 2013.  Average 
segment loans increased $658.6 million, or 10.8%, compared to 2013, with most of the growth in commercial and industrial loans, 
lease loans, and tax-advantaged loans.  Average deposits increased $479.6 million, or 7.0.%, due to growth in business demand, 
interest checking and money market deposit accounts.

In 2013, pre-tax profitability for the Commercial segment decreased $6.1 million, or 2.5%, compared to 2012, mainly due to 
higher non-interest expense and a decline in net interest income, partly offset by higher non-interest income and a decline in the 
provision for loan losses.  Net interest income decreased $10.8 million, due to a $5.7 million decline in loan interest income and 
lower net allocated funding credits of $5.6 million.  Non-interest income increased by $6.6 million, or 3.7%, over 2012 due to 
growth in corporate card fees, partly offset by lower capital market fees.  Growth was also seen in corporate cash management 
fees and tax credit sales fees.  Non-interest expense increased $8.5 million, or 3.7%, over 2012, mainly due to higher full-time 
salaries expense, a provision recorded on a letter of credit exposure, and higher bank card related expense.  These expense increases 
were partly offset by higher gains on sales of foreclosed property, lower incentive compensation, and lower processing costs.  The 
provision for loan losses declined $6.6 million from 2012, as business real estate loan net charge-offs declined $4.2 million and 
construction and land loan net recoveries increased $4.4 million, while business loan recoveries decreased by $1.6 million.  Average 
segment loans increased $476.0 million, or 8.4%, compared to 2012 as a result of growth in all commercial loan categories.  
Average deposits increased $542.7 million, or 8.7%, due to growth in non-interest bearing accounts and certificates of deposit 
over $100,000.

Wealth

The Wealth segment provides traditional trust and estate planning, advisory and discretionary investment management services, 
brokerage services, and includes Private Banking accounts.  At December 31, 2014, the Trust group managed investments with a 
market value of $22.5 billion and administered an additional $16.6 billion in non-managed assets. It also provides investment 
management services to The Commerce Funds, a series of mutual funds with $2.0 billion in total assets at December 31, 2014.   
Wealth segment pre-tax profitability for 2014 was $70.1 million, compared to $60.3 million in 2013, an increase of $9.8 million, 
or 16.3%.  Net interest income decreased slightly, due to a $1.6 million decline in net allocated funding credits, partly offset by 
an $885 thousand increase in loan interest income and a decline of $622 thousand in deposit interest expense.  Non-interest income 
increased $10.9 million, or 9.3%, over the prior year due to growth in personal and institutional trust fees and brokerage advisory 
fees.  Non-interest expense increased $2.1 million, or 2.1%, resulting from higher full-time salary costs and incentive compensation, 
partly offset by recoveries of past litigation.  The provision for loan losses decreased $1.1 million, mainly due to lower losses on 
revolving home equity loans.  Average assets increased $75.7 million, or 8.8%, during 2014 mainly due to higher loan balances 
(mainly Private Banking consumer and personal real estate loans) originated in this segment.  Average deposits also increased 

48

$25.6 million, or 1.4%, due to growth in interest checking and business demand deposit accounts, partly offset by a decline in 
money market deposit accounts.

In 2013, pre-tax income for the wealth segment was $60.3 million, compared to $56.9 million in 2012, an increase of $3.4 
million, or 5.9%.  Net interest income increased $687 thousand, or 1.7%, mainly due to a $1.2 million decline in deposit interest 
expense and an increase of $529 thousand in loan interest income, which were partly offset by a $1.1 million decrease in net 
allocated funding credits.  Non-interest income increased $8.5 million, or 7.9%, over 2012 due to higher trust and brokerage fees.  
Non-interest expense increased $5.9 million, or 6.5%, mainly due to higher full-time salary costs, incentive compensation and 
processing costs.  Average assets increased  $112.4 million, or 15.1%, during 2013 mainly due to growth in consumer and personal 
real estate loans.  Average deposits also increased $195.9 million, or 11.6%, due to growth in money market and interest checking 
deposit accounts.

     The segment activity, as shown above, includes both direct and allocated items. Amounts in the “Other/Elimination” column 
include activity not related to the segments, such as certain administrative functions, the investment securities portfolio, and the 
effect of certain expense allocations to the segments.  Also included in this category is the difference between the Company’s 
provision for loan losses and net loan charge-offs, which are generally assigned directly to the segments.  In 2014, the pre-tax 
income in this category was $5.3 million, compared to $11.6 million in 2013.  This decrease was due to higher unallocated non-
interest expense of $12.8 million, in addition to lower unallocated net interest income of $8.1 million.  Also, the unallocated loan 
loss provision increased $6.1 million, due to a decline in the excess of total net charge-offs over total provision in 2014.  Partly 
offsetting these effects were higher unallocated securities gains of $18.5 million. 

Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Standards

      Investment Companies In June 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-08, "Amendments to the Scope, Measurement, and Disclosure 
Requirements" for investment companies.  The amendments changed the assessment of whether an entity is an investment company 
by  requiring  an  entity  to  possess  certain  fundamental  characteristics,  while  allowing  judgment  in  assessing  other  typical 
characteristics.  The ASU was effective January 1, 2014, and the Company did not change the status of any subsidiary or the 
accounting applied to a subsidiary under the new guidelines.

    Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures The FASB issued ASU 2014-01, "Accounting for Investments in Qualified 
Affordable Housing Projects", in January 2014.  These amendments allow investors in low income housing tax credit entities to 
account for the investments using a proportional amortization method, provided that certain conditions are met, and recognize 
amortization of the investment as a component of income tax expense.  In addition, disclosures are required that will enable users 
to understand the nature of the investments, and the effect of the measurement of the investments and the related tax credits on 
the investor's financial statements.  This ASU is effective for interim and annual periods beginning January 1, 2015 and should 
be applied retrospectively to all periods presented.  The Company adopted the practical expedient to the proportional amortization 
method on January 1, 2015.  The effect of the adoption, including the retrospective application to prior periods, was not significant 
to the consolidated financial statements.   

Troubled Debt Restructurings by Creditors The FASB issued ASU 2014-04, "Reclassification of Residential Real Estate 
Collateralized Consumer Mortgage Loans upon Foreclosure", in January 2014.  These amendments require companies to disclose 
the amount of foreclosed residential real estate property held and the recorded investment in consumer mortgage loans secured 
by residential real estate properties for which formal foreclosure proceedings are in process according to local requirements of 
the applicable jurisdiction.  The ASU also defines when a creditor is considered to have received physical possession of residential 
real estate property collateralizing a consumer mortgage loan and thus when a loan is transferred to foreclosed property.  The 
amendments are effective for interim and annual periods beginning January 1, 2015.  The adoption did not have a significant effect 
on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

The FASB issued ASU 2014-14, "Classification of Certain Government-Guaranteed Mortgage Loans upon Foreclosure", in 
August 2014.  The amendments provide guidance on how to classify and measure foreclosed loans that are government-guaranteed.  
The objective of the update is to reduce diversity in practice by addressing the classification of foreclosed mortgage loans that are 
fully or partially guaranteed under government programs.  These disclosures are required in interim and annual periods beginning 
January 1, 2015.  The adoption did not have a significant effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements. 

Discontinued Operations and Disposals The FASB issued ASU 2014-08, "Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures 
of Disposals of Components of an Entity", in April 2014.  The ASU changes the criteria for reporting discontinued operations, 
limiting this reporting to disposals of components of an entity that represent strategic shifts with major effects on financial results.  
The ASU requires new disclosures for disposals reported as discontinued operations, and for disposals of significant components 

49

that do not qualify for discontinued operations reporting.  The amendments are effective for interim and annual periods beginning 
January 1, 2015 and must be applied prospectively.  The adoption did not have a significant effect on the Company's consolidated 
financial statements. 

Revenue from Contracts with Customers The FASB issued ASU 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers", in May 
2014.  The ASU supersedes revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, including most industry-specific 
revenue recognition guidance in the FASB Accounting Standards Codification. The core principle of the new guidance is that an 
entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the 
consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services.  The guidance identifies specific 
steps that entities should apply in order to achieve this principle. The amendments are effective for interim and annual periods 
beginning January 1, 2017 and must be applied retrospectively.  The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of the 
ASU's adoption on the Company's consolidated financial statements. 

Transfers and Servicing The FASB issued ASU 2014-11, "Repurchase-to-Maturity Transactions, Repurchase Financings, and  
Disclosures", in June 2014.  The amendments require that repurchase-to-maturity transactions and repurchase agreements that are 
part of financing arrangements be accounted for as secured borrowings. The amendments also require additional disclosures for 
certain transfers accounted for as sales.  The accounting changes and the disclosures on sales are required to be presented in interim 
and annual periods beginning January 1, 2015.  The ASU also requires disclosures about types of collateral, contractual tenor and 
potential risks for transactions accounted for as secured borrowings.  These disclosures are required in interim and annual periods 
beginning April  1,  2015.   The  adoption  is  not  expected  to  have  a  significant  effect  on  the  Company's  consolidated  financial 
statements.

Derivatives  The FASB issued ASU 2014-16, "Determining Whether the Host Contract in a Hybrid Financial Instrument Issued 
in the Form of a Share is More Akin to Debt or to Equity", in November 2014.  The ASU provides guidance relating to certain 
hybrid financial instruments when determining whether the characteristics of the embedded derivative feature are clearly and 
closely  related  to  the  host  contract.    In  making  that  evaluation,  the  characteristics  of  the  entire  hybrid  instrument  should  be 
considered, including the embedded derivative feature that is being evaluated for separate accounting from the host contract. The 
amendments are effective January 1, 2016; however, early adoption is permitted.  Adoption is not expected to have a significant 
effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Corporate Governance

The Company has adopted a number of corporate governance measures. These include corporate governance guidelines, a code 
of ethics that applies to its senior financial officers and the charters for its audit committee, its committee on compensation and 
human  resources,  and  its  committee  on  governance/directors.    This  information  is  available  on  the  Company’s  Web  site 
www.commercebank.com under Investor Relations.

50

SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY STATEMENTS OF INCOME

Year ended December 31, 2014

(In thousands, except per share data)

Interest income

Interest expense

Net interest income

Non-interest income

Investment securities gains (losses), net

Salaries and employee benefits

Other expense

Provision for loan losses

Income before income taxes

Income taxes

Non-controlling interest

12/31/2014

9/30/2014

6/30/2014

3/31/2014

For the Quarter Ended

$

158,916 $

161,811 $

167,567 $

(6,987)

151,929

112,302

3,650

(99,526)

(70,792)

(4,664)

92,899

(29,157)

(1,017)

(7,095)

154,716

112,286

2,995

(95,462)

(66,724)

(7,652)

100,159

(31,138)

(836)

(7,074)

160,493

108,763

(2,558)

(94,849)

(68,082)

(7,555)

96,212

(30,312)

631

159,998

(6,932)

153,066

102,627

10,037

(94,263)

(68,077)

(9,660)

93,730

(29,609)

192

64,313

.64

.64

99,511

99,953

Net income attributable to Commerce Bancshares, Inc.

Net income per common share — basic*

Net income per common share — diluted*

Weighted average shares — basic*

Weighted average shares — diluted*

$

$

$

62,725 $

68,185 $

66,531 $

.62 $

.62 $

95,181

95,525

.69 $

.69 $

95,104

95,516

.67 $

.66 $

98,206

98,609

Year ended December 31, 2013
(In thousands, except per share data)

12/31/2013

9/30/2013

6/30/2013

3/31/2013

For the Quarter Ended

Interest income

Interest expense

Net interest income

Non-interest income

Investment securities gains (losses), net

Salaries and employee benefits

Other expense

Provision for loan losses

Income before income taxes

Income taxes

Non-controlling interest

$

162,141 $

162,144 $

167,255 $

(7,276)

154,865

109,522

(1,342)

(95,012)

(66,306)

(5,543)

96,184

(30,359)

90

(7,438)

154,706

106,311

650

(91,405)

(64,907)

(4,146)

101,209

(32,764)

(221)

(7,797)

159,458

102,676

(1,568)

(89,569)

(67,397)

(7,379)

96,221

(30,182)

(234)

Net income attributable to Commerce Bancshares, Inc.

Net income per common share — basic*

Net income per common share — diluted*

Weighted average shares — basic*

Weighted average shares — diluted*

$

$

$

65,915 $

68,224 $

65,805 $

.66 $

.65 $

99,585

100,087

.68 $

.68 $

99,229

99,724

.65 $

.65 $

98,987

99,400

158,745

(8,402)

150,343

99,877

(2,165)

(90,881)

(64,156)

(3,285)

89,733

(28,925)

209

61,017

.61

.61

99,458

99,715

Year ended December 31, 2012
(In thousands, except per share data)

12/31/2012

9/30/2012

6/30/2012

3/31/2012

For the Quarter Ended

Interest income

Interest expense

Net interest income

Non-interest income

Investment securities gains (losses), net

Salaries and employee benefits

Other expense

Provision for loan losses

Income before income taxes

Income taxes

Non-controlling interest

Net income attributable to Commerce Bancshares, Inc.

Net income per common share — basic*

Net income per common share — diluted*

Weighted average shares — basic*

Weighted average shares — diluted*

* Restated for the 5% stock dividend distributed in 2014.

$

170,185 $

163,194 $

174,624 $

(8,932)

161,253

103,309

(3,728)

(94,553)

(63,724)

(8,326)

94,231

(27,628)

188

(9,383)

153,811

100,922

3,180

(89,292)

(64,099)

(5,581)

98,941

(32,155)

(780)

(9,519)

165,105

100,816

1,336

(87,511)

(68,829)

(5,215)

105,702

(34,466)

(503)

66,791 $

66,006 $

70,733 $

.66 $

.66 $

100,134

100,326

.65 $

.64 $

100,591

100,936

.69 $

.69 $

101,181

101,491

$

$

$

51

169,966

(10,229)

159,737

94,583

4,040

(89,543)

(60,918)

(8,165)

99,734

(32,920)

(1,015)

65,799

.64

.64

102,127

102,514

AVERAGE BALANCE SHEETS — AVERAGE RATES AND YIELDS

(Dollars in thousands)

ASSETS
Loans:(A)

Business(B)
Real estate – construction and land
Real estate – business
Real estate – personal
Consumer
Revolving home equity
Student(C)
Consumer credit card
Overdrafts

Total loans
Loans held for sale
Investment securities:

U.S. government & federal agency

obligations

Government-sponsored enterprise

obligations
State & municipal obligations(B)
Mortgage-backed securities
Asset-backed securities
Other marketable securities(B)
Trading securities(B)
Non-marketable securities(B)

Total investment securities
Federal funds sold and short-term

securities purchased under agreements
to resell

Long-term securities purchased under

agreements to resell

Interest earning deposits with banks
Total interest earning assets
Allowance for loan losses
Unrealized gain on investment

securities

Cash and due from banks
Land, buildings and equipment - net
Other assets
Total assets

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

Interest bearing deposits:

Savings
Interest checking and money market
Time open & C.D.’s of less than

$100,000

Time open & C.D.’s of $100,000 and

over

Total interest bearing deposits
Borrowings:

Federal funds purchased and

securities sold under agreements to
repurchase

Other borrowings

Total borrowings
Total interest bearing liabilities
Non-interest bearing deposits
Other liabilities
Equity
Total liabilities and equity
Net interest margin (T/E)
Net yield on interest earning assets

Percentage increase (decrease) in net
interest margin (T/E) compared to
the prior year

Average
Balance

2014

Interest
Income/
Expense

Average Rates
Earned/Paid

Average
Balance

2013

Interest
Income/
Expense

Average Rates
Earned/Paid

Average
Balance

2012

Interest
Income/
Expense

Average Rates
Earned/Paid

Years Ended December 31

$

3,919,421 $
418,702
2,300,855
1,818,125
1,617,039
426,720
—
754,482
4,889
11,260,233
—

110,791
15,826
88,206
69,054
68,434
16,188
—
86,298
—
454,797
—

497,271

13,750

13,211

61,593
80,229
24,976
3,928
411
10,692
208,790

101

12,473

555
676,716

855
12,667

4,137

5,926

23,585

1,019

3,484
4,503
28,088

794,752

1,715,493
2,981,225
2,834,013
150,379
18,423
104,211
9,095,767

31,817

985,205

220,876
21,593,898
(160,828)

126,314

382,207
354,899
376,433
$ 22,672,923

$

670,650
9,477,947

935,387

1,372,509

12,456,493

1,257,660

104,896
1,362,556
13,819,049
6,339,183
225,554
2,289,137
$ 22,672,923

24,669

106

102,847
15,036
92,555
66,353
67,299
16,822
—
84,843
—
445,755
176

8,775

8,658

58,522
87,523
27,475
5,625
472
12,226
209,276

21,119

387
676,819

766
13,589

6,002

6,383

26,740

809

3,364
4,173
30,913

2.83% $
3.78
3.83
3.80
4.23
3.79
—
11.44
—
4.04
—

3,366,564 $
378,896
2,251,113
1,694,955
1,437,270
424,358
—
752,478
6,020
10,311,654
4,488

2.77

1.66

3.59
2.69
.88
2.61
2.23
10.26
2.30

.32

1.27

.25
3.13

401,162

499,947

1,617,814
3,187,648
3,061,415
182,323
20,986
116,557
9,087,852

1,174,589

155,885
20,759,137
(166,846)

157,910

382,500
357,544
383,739
$ 21,873,984

.13
.13

.44

.43

.19

$

625,517
9,059,524

1,034,991

1,380,003

12,100,035

.08

3.32
.33
.20%

1,294,691

103,901
1,398,592
13,498,627
5,961,116
237,130
2,177,111
$ 21,873,984

3.05 % $
3.97
4.11
3.91
4.68
3.96
—
11.28
—
4.32
3.92

2,962,699 $
356,425
2,193,271
1,503,357
1,180,538
446,204
—
730,697
6,125
9,379,316
9,688

102,013
15,146
98,693
65,642
66,402
18,586
—
85,652
—
452,134
361

332,382

12,260

2.19

1.73

3.62
2.75
.90
3.09
2.25
10.49
2.30

.43

1.80

.25
3.26

306,676

1,376,872
3,852,616
2,925,249
139,499
25,107
118,879
9,077,280

16,393

892,624

135,319
19,510,620
(178,934)

257,511

369,020
357,336
385,125
$ 20,700,678

.12
.15

.58

.46

.22

$

574,336
8,430,559

1,117,236

1,181,426

11,303,557

.06

3.24
.30
.23 %

1,185,978

108,916
1,294,894
12,598,451
5,522,991
334,684
2,244,552
$ 20,700,678

5,653

54,056
107,527
31,940
6,556
637
12,558
231,187

82

19,174

339
703,277

802
17,880

7,918

7,174

33,774

808

3,481
4,289
38,063

$

648,628

$

645,906

$

665,214

3.00%

.42%

3.11 %

(2.90)%

3.44 %
4.25
4.50
4.37
5.62
4.17
—
11.72
—
4.82
3.73

3.69

1.84

3.93
2.79
1.09
4.70
2.54
10.56
2.55

.50

2.15

.25
3.60

.14
.21

.71

.61

.30

.07

3.20
.33
.30 %

3.41 %

(.64) %

(A)  Loans on non-accrual status are included in the computation of average balances. Included in interest income above are loan fees and late charges, net of amortization of deferred loan 

(B) 

origination fees and costs, which are immaterial. Credit card income from merchant discounts and net interchange fees are not included in loan income.
Interest income and yields are presented on a fully-taxable equivalent basis using the Federal statutory income tax rate. Loan interest income includes tax free loan income (categorized 
as business loan income) which includes tax equivalent adjustments of $7,640,000 in 2014, $6,673,000 in 2013, $5,803,000 in 2012, $5,538,000 in 2011, $4,620,000 in 2010, and  

52

  
 
AVERAGE BALANCE SHEETS — AVERAGE RATES AND YIELDS

Average
Balance

2011

Interest
Income/
Expense

Average Rates
Earned/Paid

Average
Balance

2010

Interest
Income/
Expense

Average Rates
Earned/Paid

Average
Balance

2009

Interest
Income/
Expense

Average Rates
Earned/Paid

Average Balance Five
Year Compound
Growth Rate

Years Ended December 31

$

2,910,668 $
419,905
2,117,031
1,433,869
1,118,700
468,718
—
746,724
6,953
9,222,568

47,227

104,624
18,831
101,988
69,048
70,127
19,952
—
84,479
—
469,049

1,115

357,861

17,268

5,781

51,988
114,405
30,523
8,455
552
8,283
237,255

55

13,455

487
721,416

852
25,004

11,352

9,272

46,480

1,741

3,680
5,421
51,901

253,020

1,174,751
3,556,106
2,443,901
171,409
20,011
107,501
8,084,560

10,690

768,904

194,176
18,328,125
(191,311)

162,984

348,875
377,200
378,642
$ 19,404,515

$

525,371
7,702,901

1,291,165

1,409,740

10,929,177

1,035,007

112,107
1,147,114
12,076,291
4,742,033
476,249
2,109,942
$ 19,404,515

3.59%
4.48
4.82
4.82
6.27
4.26
—
11.31
—
5.09

2.36

$

2,887,427 $
557,282
2,029,214
1,476,031
1,250,076
484,878
246,395
760,079
7,288
9,698,670

358,492

439,073

203,593

966,694
2,821,485
1,973,734
183,328
21,899
113,326
6,723,132

110,792
22,384
102,451
76,531
84,204
20,916
5,783
89,225
—
512,286

6,091

9,673

4,591

45,469
113,222
38,559
8,889
671
7,216
228,290

6,542

48

2,549

427
749,691

622
28,676

22,871

13,847

66,016

2,584

14,948
17,532
83,548

150,235

171,883
17,108,954
(195,870)

149,106

368,340
395,108
410,361
$ 18,235,999

$

478,592
6,785,299

1,660,462

1,323,952

10,248,305

1,085,121

452,810
1,537,931
11,786,236
4,114,664
346,312
1,988,787
$ 18,235,999

4.83

2.28

4.43
3.22
1.25
4.93
2.76
7.71
2.93

.51

1.75

.25
3.94

.16
.32

.88

.66

.43

.17

3.28
.47
.43%

116,686
26,746
108,107
87,085
101,761
21,456
9,440
89,045
—
560,326

8,219

6,754

4,219

43,882
136,921
30,166
9,793
506
6,398
238,639

222

—

807
808,213

642
30,789

51,982

35,371

118,784

3,699

31,527
35,226
154,010

3.84%
4.02
5.05
5.18
6.74
4.31
2.35
11.74
—
5.28

1.70

$

3,119,778 $
739,896
2,143,675
1,585,273
1,464,170
495,629
344,243
727,422
9,781
10,629,867

397,583

2.20

2.25

4.70
4.01
1.95
4.85
3.06
6.37
3.40

.73

1.70

.25
4.38

.13
.42

1.38

1.05

.64

.24

3.30
1.14
.71%

169,214

137,928

873,607
2,802,532
937,435
179,847
16,927
136,911
5,254,401

43,811

—

325,744
16,651,406
(181,417)

24,105

364,579
411,366
349,164
$ 17,619,203

$

438,748
5,807,753

2,055,952

1,858,543

10,160,996

968,643

920,467
1,889,110
12,050,106
3,660,166
176,676
1,732,255
$ 17,619,203

4.67%
(10.76)
1.43
2.78
2.01
(2.95)
NM
.73
(12.95)
1.16

NM

24.06

41.94

14.45
1.24
24.76
(3.52)
1.71
(5.31)
11.60

(6.20)

NM

(7.48)
5.34
(2.38)

39.27

.95
(2.91)
1.52
5.17

8.86
10.29

(14.57)

(5.88)

4.16

5.36

(35.23)
(6.33)
2.78
11.61
5.01
5.73
5.17%

3.74%
3.61
5.04
5.49
6.95
4.33
2.74
12.24
—
5.27

2.07

3.99

3.06

5.02
4.89
3.22
5.45
2.99
4.67
4.54

.51

—

.25
4.85

.15
.53

2.53

1.90

1.17

.38

3.43
1.86
1.28%

3.93%

7.48%

$

669,515

$

666,143

$

654,203

3.65%

.51%

3.89%

1.83%

$3,922,000 in 2009.  Investment securities interest income includes tax equivalent adjustments of  $20,784,000 in 2014, $19,861,000 in 2013, $19,505,000 in 2012, $17,907,000 in 2011, 
$15,593,000 in 2010 and $14,779,000 in 2009 .  These adjustments relate to state and municipal obligations, other marketable securities, trading securities, and non-marketable securities.

In December 2008, the Company purchased $358,451,000 of student loans with the intent to hold to maturity.  In October 2010, the seller elected to repurchase the loans under 

(C) 
the terms of the original agreement.

53

QUARTERLY AVERAGE BALANCE SHEETS — AVERAGE RATES AND YIELDS

(Dollars in millions)

ASSETS

Loans:

Business(A)
Real estate – construction and land

$

Real estate – business

Real estate – personal

Consumer

Revolving home equity

Consumer credit card

Overdrafts
Total loans

Investment securities:

U.S. government & federal agency

obligations

Government-sponsored enterprise

obligations
State & municipal obligations(A)
Mortgage-backed securities

Asset-backed securities
Other marketable securities(A)
Trading securities(A)
Non-marketable securities(A)
Total investment securities

Federal funds sold and short-term
securities purchased under agreements
to resell
Long-term securities purchased under
agreements to resell
Interest earning deposits with banks
Total interest earning assets

Allowance for loan losses

Unrealized gain on investment securities

Cash and due from banks

Land, buildings and equipment – net

Other assets
Total assets

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Interest bearing deposits:

Savings

Interest checking and money market

Time open & C.D.’s under $100,000

Time open & C.D.’s $100,000 & over

Total interest bearing deposits

Borrowings:

Federal funds purchased and securities
sold under agreements to repurchase

Other borrowings
Total borrowings

Total interest bearing liabilities

Non-interest bearing deposits

Other liabilities

Equity
Total liabilities and equity

Net interest margin (T/E)

Fourth Quarter

Third Quarter

Second Quarter

First Quarter

Average
Balance

Average Rates
Earned/Paid

Average
Balance

Average Rates
Earned/Paid

 Average
Balance

Average Rates
Earned/Paid

Average
Balance

Average Rates
Earned/Paid

Year ended December 31, 2014

3,927

401

2,302

1,868

1,685

435

759

5

11,382

2.75% $

3.80

3.77

3.76

4.14

3.65

11.43

—

3.98

499

(.25)

851

1,800

2,873

2,818

151

16

102

9,110

42

949

465

21,948

(161)

149

394

363

370

23,063

672

9,594

890

1,273

12,429

1,321

104

1,425

13,854

6,592

288

2,329

23,063

159

$

$

$

$

1.70

3.83

2.60

.86

3.09

2.12

8.24

2.13

.20

1.13

.25

3.00

.13

.13

.42

.45

.19

.08

3.34

.32

.20%

$

$

$

$

3,964

422

2,286

1,835

1,645

429

755

4

11,340

499

764

1,787

2,954

2,804

148

20

95

9,071

37

924

114

21,486

(161)

150

381

353

373

22,582

675

9,356

923

1,428

12,382

1,329

105

1,434

13,816

6,294

185

2,287

22,582

162

2.81% $

3.78

3.80

3.77

4.16

3.77

11.47

—

4.01

3.10

1.63

3.42

2.68

.89

2.43

2.35

7.74

2.25

.32

1.15

.25

3.12

.14

.13

.43

.42

.19

.09

3.32

.32

.20%

$

$

$

$

3,941

432

2,293

1,791

1,602

420

746

5

11,230

494

790

1,665

3,080

2,860

150

19

110

9,168

24

969

141

21,532

(161)

122

369

352

382

22,596

685

9,488

954

1,450

12,577

1,170

105

1,275

13,852

6,231

230

2,283

22,596

168

2.85% $

3.76

3.86

3.80

4.24

3.93

11.42

—

4.05

6.55

1.66

3.41

2.69

.89

2.42

2.14

18.12

2.56

.40

1.22

.25

3.26

.12

.13

.45

.42

.19

.09

3.34

.36

.20%

$

$

$

$

3,844

420

2,323

1,779

1,533

424

757

5

11,085

497

775

1,606

3,019

2,854

153

19

110

9,033

25

1,102

161

21,406

(161)

83

385

352

381

22,446

649

9,474

976

1,340

12,439

1,209

105

1,314

13,753

6,238

198

2,257

22,446

160

2.90%

3.77

3.90

3.86

4.41

3.82

11.43

—

4.12

1.71

1.66

3.69

2.80

.89

2.50

2.28

6.42

2.24

.43

1.53

.25

3.16

.12

.13

.47

.44

.19

.07

3.28

.33

.20%

Net yield on interest earning assets

2.88%

2.99%

3.13%

3.03%

(A) 

Includes tax equivalent calculations.

54

 
 
  
 
  
 
QUARTERLY AVERAGE BALANCE SHEETS — AVERAGE RATES AND YIELDS

(Dollars in millions)

ASSETS

Loans:

Business(A)
Real estate – construction and land

$

Real estate – business

Real estate – personal

Consumer

Revolving home equity

Consumer credit card

Overdrafts
Total loans

Loans held for sale

Investment securities:

U.S. government & federal agency

obligations

Government-sponsored enterprise

obligations

State & municipal obligations(A)
Mortgage-backed securities

Asset-backed securities
Other marketable securities(A)
Trading securities(A)
Non-marketable securities(A)
Total investment securities

Federal funds sold and short-term

securities purchased under agreements
to resell

Long-term securities purchased under

agreements to resell

Interest earning deposits with banks
Total interest earning assets

Allowance for loan losses

Unrealized gain on investment securities

Cash and due from banks

Land, buildings and equipment – net

Other assets
Total assets

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

Interest bearing deposits:

Savings

Interest checking and money market

Time open & C.D.’s under $100,000

Time open & C.D.’s $100,000 & over

Total interest bearing deposits

Borrowings:

Federal funds purchased and securities
sold under agreements to repurchase

Other borrowings
Total borrowings

Total interest bearing liabilities

Non-interest bearing deposits

Other liabilities

Equity
Total liabilities and equity

Net interest margin (T/E)

$

$

$

$

Fourth Quarter

Third Quarter

Second Quarter

First Quarter

Average
Balance

Average Rates
Earned/Paid

Average
Balance

Average Rates
Earned/Paid

Average
Balance

Average Rates
Earned/Paid

Average
Balance

Average Rates
Earned/Paid

Year ended December 31, 2013

3,635

391

2,300

1,783

1,500

421

760

7

10,797

—

405

663

1,629

2,944

2,844

168

18

114

8,785

35

1,150

260

21,027

(163)

89

404

353

389

22,099

628

9,199

998

1,287

12,112

1,186

106

1,292

13,404
6,271

210

2,214

22,099

162

3.04% $

3.98

4.02

3.80

4.52

3.88

11.20

—

4.22

—

1.12

1.63

3.53

2.78

.87

3.25

2.44

11.65

2.26

.39

1.51

.25

3.20

.12

.14

.48

.46

.20

.05

3.27

.31

.22%

$

$

$

$

3,415

399

2,257

1,729

1,472

422

753

6

10,453

—

402

427

1,605

3,028

3,000

180

16

114

8,772

32

1,170

115

20,542

(165)

60

384

357

374

21,552

631

8,964

1,021

1,432

12,048

1,248

104

1,352

13,400
5,873

145

2,134

21,552

161

2.96% $

4.07

4.12

3.83

4.53

3.94

11.33

—

4.26

—

3.04

1.74

3.54

2.86

.87

2.92

2.41

7.10

2.31

.44

1.73

.24

3.25

.14

.15

.54

.43

.21

.05

3.27

.30

.22%

$

$

$

$

3,253

373

2,217

1,665

1,431

426

742

6

10,113

9

400

439

1,634

3,273

3,200

188

22

119

9,275

23

1,200

117

20,737

(167)

229

366

359

397

21,921

640

8,933

1,053

1,464

12,090

1,544

103

1,647

13,737
5,768

229

2,187

21,921

166

3.07% $

3.94

4.14

3.97

4.69

3.96

11.20

—

4.34

4.05

5.15

1.74

3.61

2.77

.91

2.97

2.40

16.92

2.52

.48

1.94

.26

3.36

.11

.14

.63

.46

.22

.07

3.23

.27

.23%

$

$

$

$

3,157

352

2,230

1,600

1,343

429

755

5

9,871

9

3.17%

3.87

4.17

4.08

5.03

4.08

11.38

—

4.49

3.79

398

(.59)

1.86

3.79

2.59

.93

3.21

1.90

6.20

2.12

.42

2.01

.24

3.23

.12

.17

.66

.52

.25

.07

3.19

.32

.25%

469

1,603

3,514

3,207

194

28

119

9,532

9

1,178

130

20,729

(172)

256

376

361

375

21,925

604

9,142

1,069

1,337

12,152

1,201

103

1,304

13,456
5,929

366

2,174

21,925

157

Net yield on interest earning assets

3.06%

3.11%

3.21%

3.07%

(A) 

Includes tax equivalent calculations. 

55

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 7a.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The information required by this item is set forth on pages 44 through 46 of Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial 

Condition and Results of Operations.

Item 8.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Commerce Bancshares, Inc.: 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Commerce Bancshares, Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) 
as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, cash flows, and 
changes in equity for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2014. These consolidated financial statements 
are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial 
statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  
Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements 
are free of material misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures 
in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by 
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.  We believe that our audits provide a reasonable 
basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial 
position of Commerce Bancshares, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the results of their operations 
and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2014, in conformity with U.S. generally 
accepted accounting principles.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), 
the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control 
- Integrated Framework (1992) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and 
our report dated February 24, 2015 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over 
financial reporting.

Kansas City, Missouri
February 24, 2015

56

Commerce Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

ASSETS

Loans

Allowance for loan losses

Net loans

Investment securities:

Available for sale ($467,143,000 and $687,680,000 pledged at December 31, 2014 and
   2013, respectively, to secure swap and repurchase agreements) 

Trading

Non-marketable

Total investment securities

Federal funds sold and short-term securities purchased under agreements to resell

Long-term securities purchased under agreements to resell

Interest earning deposits with banks

Cash and due from banks

Land, buildings and equipment – net

Goodwill

Other intangible assets – net

Other assets

Total assets

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Deposits:

Non-interest bearing

Savings, interest checking and money market

Time open and C.D.’s of less than $100,000

Time open and C.D.’s of $100,000 and over

Total deposits

Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase

Other borrowings

Other liabilities

Total liabilities

Commerce Bancshares, Inc. stockholders’ equity:

December 31

2014

2013

(In thousands)

$

11,469,238 $

10,956,836

(156,532)

(161,532)

11,312,706

10,795,304

9,523,560

8,915,680

15,357

106,875

19,993

107,324

9,645,792

9,042,997

32,485

43,845

1,050,000

1,150,000

600,744

467,488

357,871

138,921

7,450

380,823

707,249

518,420

349,654

138,921

9,268

316,378

$

23,994,280 $

23,072,036

$

6,811,959 $

6,750,674

10,541,601

10,108,236

878,433

1,243,785

983,689

1,204,749

19,475,778

19,047,348

1,862,518

1,346,558

104,058

217,680

107,310

356,423

21,660,034

20,857,639

Preferred stock, $1 par value
   Authorized 2,000,000 shares; issued 6,000 shares at December 31, 2014                                         

and none at December 31, 2013

144,784

—

Common stock, $5 par value
   Authorized 120,000,000 shares at December 31, 2014 and 100,000,000 shares at December 31,                                         

2013; issued 96,830,977 shares at December 31, 2014 and 96,244,762 shares at December 31, 2013

Capital surplus

Retained earnings

Treasury stock of 367,487 shares at December 31, 2014
and 235,986 shares at December 31, 2013, at cost

Accumulated other comprehensive income

Total Commerce Bancshares, Inc. stockholders’ equity

Non-controlling interest

Total equity

Total liabilities and equity

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 

57

484,155

1,229,075

426,648

481,224

1,279,948

449,836

(16,562)

62,093

(10,097)

9,731

2,330,193

2,210,642

4,053

3,755

2,334,246

2,214,397

$

23,994,280 $

23,072,036

Commerce Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(In thousands, except per share data)
INTEREST INCOME
Interest and fees on loans
Interest on loans held for sale
Interest on investment securities
Interest on federal funds sold and short-term securities purchased under agreements

to resell

Interest on long-term securities purchased under agreements to resell
Interest on deposits with banks
Total interest income
INTEREST EXPENSE
Interest on deposits:

Savings, interest checking and money market
Time open and C.D.’s of less than $100,000
Time open and C.D.’s of $100,000 and over

Interest on federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to

repurchase

Interest on other borrowings
Total interest expense
Net interest income
Provision for loan losses
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
NON-INTEREST INCOME
Bank card transaction fees
Trust fees
Deposit account charges and other fees
Capital market fees
Consumer brokerage services
Loan fees and sales
Other
Total non-interest income
INVESTMENT SECURITIES GAINS (LOSSES), NET
Change in fair value of other-than-temporarily impaired securities
Portion recognized in other comprehensive income
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings
Realized gains (losses) on sales and fair value adjustments
Investment securities gains (losses),  net
NON-INTEREST EXPENSE
Salaries and employee benefits
Net occupancy
Equipment
Supplies and communication
Data processing and software
Marketing
Deposit insurance
Other
Total non-interest expense
Income before income taxes
Less income taxes
Net income
Less non-controlling interest expense
Net income attributable to Commerce Bancshares, Inc.
Less preferred stock dividends
Net income available to common shareholders
Net income per common share - basic
Net income per common share - diluted

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

$
$
$

58

For the Years Ended December 31
2013

2012

2014

$

447,157 $

—
188,006

101
12,473
555
648,292

13,522
4,137
5,926

1,019
3,484
28,088
620,204
29,531
590,673

175,806
112,158
78,680
12,667
12,006
5,108
39,553
435,978

(2,091)
726
(1,365)
15,489
14,124

384,100
45,825
18,375
22,432
78,980
15,676
11,622
80,765
657,775
383,000
120,216
262,784
1,030
261,754
4,050
257,704 $
2.62 $
2.61 $

439,082 $
176
189,415

106
21,119
387
650,285

14,355
6,002
6,383

809
3,364
30,913
619,372
20,353
599,019

166,627
102,529
79,017
14,133
11,006
5,865
39,209
418,386

278
(1,562)
(1,284)
(3,141)
(4,425)

366,867
45,639
18,425
22,511
78,245
14,176
11,167
72,603
629,633
383,347
122,230
261,117
156
260,961
—

260,961 $
2.60 $
2.59 $

446,331
361
211,682

82
19,174
339
677,969

18,682
7,918
7,174

808
3,481
38,063
639,906
27,287
612,619

154,197
94,679
79,485
21,066
10,162
6,037
34,004
399,630

11,223
(12,713)
(1,490)
6,318
4,828

360,899
45,534
20,147
22,321
73,798
15,106
10,438
70,226
618,469
398,608
127,169
271,439
2,110
269,329
—
269,329
2.64
2.63

Commerce Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(In thousands)
Net income

Other comprehensive income (loss):

Net unrealized gains (losses) on securities for which a portion of an
other-than-temporary impairment has been recorded in earnings

Net unrealized gains (losses) on other securities
Change in pension loss

Other comprehensive income (loss)

Comprehensive income

Less non-controlling interest expense

For the Years Ended December 31

2014

2013

2012

$

262,784 $

261,117 $

271,439

(412)

60,007
(7,233)

52,362

315,146

1,030

958

(138,960)

11,389

(126,613)

134,504

156

7,566

24,126
(5,886)

25,806

297,245

2,110

295,135

Comprehensive income attributable to Commerce Bancshares, Inc.

$

314,116 $

134,348 $

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

59

Commerce Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS  

(In thousands)

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

Net income

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

Provision for loan losses

Provision for depreciation and amortization

Amortization of investment security premiums, net

Deferred income tax (benefit) expense

Investment securities (gains) losses, net

Net gains on sales of loans held for sale

Proceeds from sales of loans held for sale

Net (increase) decrease in trading securities

Stock-based compensation

(Increase) decrease in interest receivable

Decrease in interest payable

Increase (decrease) in income taxes payable

Net tax benefit related to equity compensation plans
Other changes, net

Net cash provided by operating activities

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

Cash and cash equivalents received in acquisition

Cash paid in sales of branches

Proceeds from sales of investment securities

Proceeds from maturities/pay downs of investment securities

Purchases of investment securities

Net increase in loans

Long-term securities purchased under agreements to resell

Repayments of long-term securities purchased under agreements to resell

Purchases of land, buildings and equipment

Sales of land, buildings and equipment
Net cash used in investing activities

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

Net increase in non-interest bearing, savings, interest checking and money market deposits

Net decrease in time open and C.D.’s

Repayment of long-term securities sold under agreements to repurchase

Net increase (decrease) in federal funds purchased and short-term securities sold under agreements

to repurchase

Repayment of other long-term borrowings

Net increase (decrease) in other short-term borrowings

Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock

Purchases of treasury stock

Accelerated stock repurchase agreement

Issuance of stock under equity compensation plans

Net tax benefit related to equity compensation plans

Cash dividends paid on common stock

Cash dividends paid on preferred stock
Net cash provided by financing activities

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

Income tax payments, net

Interest paid on deposits and borrowings

Loans transferred to foreclosed real estate

Loans transferred from held for sale to held for investment category

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

60

For the Years Ended December 31

2014

2013

2012

$

262,784 $

261,117 $

271,439

29,531

42,303

23,211

(540)

(14,124)

—

—

16,005

8,829

(2,185)

(230)

344

(1,850)

(3,242)

360,836

—

(43,827)

64,442

1,914,105

(2,498,090)

(560,890)

(450,000)

550,000

(43,658)

5,236

20,353

41,944

30,419

9,201

4,425

—

—

1,358

6,427

3,234

(1,569)

(1,663)

(1,003)
(12,494)

361,749

27,287

43,448

36,238

16,234

(4,828)

(376)

22,720

(9,645)

5,001

3,149

(1,272)

(13,395)

(2,094)
(10,026)

383,880

47,643

—

16,299

2,542,123

—

—

16,875

3,080,664

(2,411,153)

(3,182,857)

(938,223)

(125,000)

175,000

(23,841)

3,492

(693,193)

(575,000)

225,000

(34,969)

2,643

(1,062,682)

(713,660)

(1,160,837)

282,276

(57,956)

(350,000)

865,960

(1,252)

(2,000)

144,784

(210,974)

(60,000)

8,652

1,850

(84,241)

(4,050)

533,049

(168,797)
1,269,514
1,100,717 $
120,172 $
28,218 $
5,074 $
— $

$

$

$

$

$

801,211

(82,013)

(50,000)

313,008

(1,578)

2,000

—

1,777,058

(257,586)

—

(172,531)

(8,107)

—

—

(69,353)

(104,909)

—

9,426

1,003

—

14,820

2,094

(82,104)

(211,608)

—

841,600

489,689

779,825

1,269,514 $

114,336 $

32,432 $

8,747 $

8,941 $

—

1,039,231

262,274

517,551

779,825

119,166

39,335

8,167

—

Commerce Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

(In thousands, except per share data)

Balance, December 31, 2011

Net income

Other comprehensive income

Distributions to non-controlling interest

Purchases of treasury stock

Cash dividends paid on common stock
($2.090 per share)

Net tax benefit related to equity compensation

plans

Stock-based compensation

Issuance under stock purchase and equity

compensation plans, net

5% stock dividend, net
Balance, December 31, 2012
Net income
Other comprehensive loss

Acquisition of Summit Bancshares Inc.

Distributions to non-controlling interest

Purchases of treasury stock

Cash dividends paid on common stock
($.816 per share)
Net tax benefit related to equity compensation

plans

Stock-based compensation

Issuance under stock purchase and equity

compensation plans, net

5% stock dividend, net
Balance, December 31, 2013

Net income

Other comprehensive income

Distributions to non-controlling interest

Issuance of preferred stock

Purchases of treasury stock

Cash dividends paid on common stock
($.857 per share)

Cash dividends paid on preferred stock
($.675 per share)
Net tax benefit related to equity compensation

plans

Stock-based compensation

Issuance under stock purchase and equity

compensation plans, net

5% stock dividend, net
Balance, December 31, 2014

             Commerce Bancshares, Inc. Shareholders

Preferred
Stock

Common
Stock

Capital
Surplus

Retained
Earnings

Treasury
Stock

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)

Non-
Controlling
Interest

Total

$

— $ 446,387 $ 1,042,065 $ 575,419 $

(8,362) $

110,538 $

4,314 $ 2,170,361

269,329

2,110

271,439

25,806

(1,977)

(104,909)

(211,608)

2,094

5,001

(16,905)

12,259

70,252

(155,930)

—

458,646

1,102,507

477,210
260,961

1,001

11,125

(82,104)

1,003

6,427

(14,824)

21,577

173,710

(206,231)

—

481,224

1,279,948

449,836
261,754

144,784

(84,241)

(4,050)

1,850

8,829

(14,703)

32,493

73,198

(7,580)

31,071

(69,353)

25,066

10,699

(10,097)

(210,974)

24,209

25,806

(1,977)

(104,909)

(211,608)

2,094

5,001

15,588

(221)

2,171,574
261,117
(126,613)

43,197

(848)

(69,353)

(82,104)

1,003

6,427

10,242

(245)

136,344

(126,613)

4,447
156

(848)

9,731

52,362

3,755
1,030

2,214,397
262,784

(732)

52,362

(732)

144,784

(210,974)

(60,000)

(84,241)

(4,050)

1,850

8,829

9,506

(269)

2,931

13,151

(196,651)

180,300

$ 144,784 $ 484,155 $ 1,229,075 $ 426,648 $

(16,562) $

62,093 $

4,053 $ 2,334,246

Accelerated share repurchase forward contract

(60,000)

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 

61

Commerce Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Nature of Operations

Commerce  Bancshares,  Inc.  and  its  subsidiaries  (the  Company)  conducts  its  principal  activities  from  approximately  350 
locations  throughout  Missouri,  Illinois,  Kansas,  Oklahoma  and  Colorado.  Principal  activities  include  retail  and  commercial 
banking, investment management, securities brokerage, mortgage banking, credit related insurance and private equity investment 
activities.  

Basis of Presentation

The Company follows accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) and reporting practices 
applicable to the banking industry. The preparation of financial statements under GAAP requires management to make estimates 
and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and notes. These estimates are based on information 
available to management at the time the estimates are made.  While the consolidated financial statements reflect management’s 
best estimates and judgments, actual results could differ from those estimates. The consolidated financial statements include the 
accounts  of  the  Company  and  its  majority-owned  subsidiaries  (after  elimination  of  all  material  intercompany  balances  and 
transactions).  Certain  amounts  for  prior  years  have  been  reclassified  to  conform  to  the  current  year  presentation.    Such 
reclassifications had no effect on net income or total assets.  

Cash and Cash Equivalents

In the accompanying consolidated statements of cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include “Cash and due from banks”, 
“Federal funds sold and short-term securities purchased under agreements to resell”, and “Interest earning deposits with banks” 
as segregated in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

Loans and Related Earnings

Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or pay-off are reported at 
their outstanding principal balances, net of undisbursed loan proceeds, the allowance for loan losses, and any deferred fees and 
costs  on  originated  loans.  Origination  fee  income  received  on  loans  and  amounts  representing  the  estimated  direct  costs  of 
origination are deferred and amortized to interest income over the life of the loan using the interest method. 

Interest on loans is accrued based upon the principal amount outstanding. Interest income is recognized primarily on the level 
yield  method.  Loan  and  commitment  fees,  net  of  costs,  are  deferred  and  recognized  in  income  over  the  term  of  the  loan  or 
commitment as an adjustment of yield. Annual fees charged on credit card loans are capitalized to principal and amortized over 
12 months to loan fees and sales.  Other credit card fees, such as cash advance fees and late payment fees, are recognized in income 
as an adjustment of yield when charged to the cardholder’s account.

Non-Accrual Loans

Loans are placed on non-accrual status when management does not expect to collect payments consistent with acceptable and 
agreed upon terms of repayment. Business, construction real estate, business real estate, and personal real estate loans that are 
contractually 90 days past due as to principal and/or interest payments are generally placed on non-accrual, unless they are both 
well-secured and in the process of collection.  Consumer, revolving home equity and credit card loans are exempt under regulatory 
rules from being classified as non-accrual.  When a loan is placed on non-accrual status, any interest previously accrued but not 
collected is reversed against current income, and the loan is charged off to the extent uncollectible.  Principal and interest payments 
received on non-accrual loans are generally applied to principal.  Interest is included in income only after all previous loan charge-
offs have been recovered and is recorded only as received. The loan is returned to accrual status only when the borrower has 
brought all past due principal and interest payments current, and, in the opinion of management, the borrower has demonstrated 
the ability to make future payments of principal and interest as scheduled.  A six month history of sustained payment performance 
is generally required before reinstatement of accrual status.

62

 
 
Restructured Loans

A loan is accounted for as a troubled debt restructuring if the Company, for economic or legal reasons related to the borrowers’ 
financial difficulties, grants a concession to the borrower that it would not otherwise consider. A troubled debt restructuring typically 
involves (1) modification of terms such as a reduction of the stated interest rate, loan principal, or accrued interest, (2) a loan 
renewal at a stated interest rate lower than the current market rate for a new loan with similar risk, or (3) debt that was not reaffirmed 
in bankruptcy.  Business, business real estate, construction real estate and personal real estate troubled debt restructurings with 
impairment charges are placed on non-accrual status.  The Company measures the impairment loss of a troubled debt restructuring 
in the same manner as described below. Troubled debt restructurings which are performing under their contractual terms continue 
to accrue interest which is recognized in current earnings.  

Impaired Loans

Loans are evaluated regularly by management for impairment.  Included in impaired loans are all non-accrual loans, as well 
as loans that have been classified as troubled debt restructurings.  Once a loan has been identified as impaired, impairment is 
measured based on either the present value of the expected future cash flows at the loan’s initial effective interest rate or the fair 
value of the collateral if collateral dependent.  Factors considered in determining impairment include delinquency status, cash 
flow analysis, credit analysis, and collateral value and availability.

Allowance/Provision for Loan Losses

The allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level believed to be appropriate by management to provide for probable loan 
losses inherent in the portfolio as of the balance sheet date, including losses on known or anticipated problem loans as well as for 
loans which are not currently known to require specific allowances.  Management has established a process to determine the 
amount of the allowance for loan losses which assesses the risks and losses inherent in its portfolio. Business, construction real 
estate and business real estate loans are normally larger and more complex, and their collection rates are harder to predict. These 
loans are more likely to be collateral dependent and are allocated a larger reserve, due to their potential volatility.  Personal real 
estate, credit card, consumer and revolving home equity loans are individually smaller and perform in a more homogenous manner, 
making loss estimates more predictable. Management’s process provides an allowance consisting of a specific allowance component 
based on certain individually evaluated loans and a general component based on estimates of reserves needed for pools of loans. 

Loans subject to individual evaluation generally consist of business, construction real estate, business real estate and personal 
real estate loans on non-accrual status.  These impaired loans are evaluated individually for the impairment of repayment potential 
and collateral adequacy.  Other impaired loans identified as performing troubled debt restructurings are collectively evaluated 
because they have similar risk characteristics.  Loans which have not been identified as impaired are segregated by loan type and 
sub-type and are collectively evaluated.  Reserves calculated for these loan pools are estimated using a consistent methodology 
that considers historical loan loss experience by loan type, loss emergence periods, delinquencies, current economic factors, loan 
risk ratings and industry concentrations. 

The Company’s estimate of the allowance for loan losses and the corresponding provision for loan losses is based on various 
judgments  and  assumptions  made  by  management.  The  amount  of  the  allowance  for  loan  losses  is  highly  dependent  on 
management’s estimates affecting valuation, appraisal of collateral, evaluation of performance and status, and the amount and 
timing of future cash flows expected to be received on impaired loans.  Factors that influence these judgments include past loan 
loss experience, current loan portfolio composition and characteristics, trends in portfolio risk ratings, levels of non-performing 
assets, prevailing regional and national economic conditions, and the Company’s ongoing loan review process. 

The estimates, appraisals, evaluations, and cash flows utilized by management may be subject to frequent adjustments due to 
changing economic prospects of borrowers or properties. These estimates are reviewed periodically and adjustments, if necessary, 
are recorded in the provision for loan losses in the periods in which they become known.

Loans, or portions of loans, are charged off to the extent deemed uncollectible. Loan charge-offs reduce the allowance for loan 
losses, and recoveries of loans previously charged off are added back to the allowance.  Business, business real estate, construction 
real estate and personal real estate loans are generally charged down to estimated collectible balances when they are placed on 
non-accrual status.  Consumer loans and related accrued interest are normally charged down to the fair value of related collateral 
(or are charged off in full if no collateral) once the loans are more than 120 days delinquent.  Credit card loans are charged off 
against the allowance for loan losses when the receivable is more than 180 days past due.  The interest and fee income previously 
capitalized but not collected on credit card charge-offs is reversed against interest income.

63

 
Operating, Direct Financing and Sales Type Leases

The net investment in direct financing and sales type leases is included in loans on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets 
and consists of the present values of the sum of the future minimum lease payments and estimated residual value of the leased 
asset. Revenue consists of interest earned on the net investment and is recognized over the lease term as a constant percentage 
return thereon. The net investment in operating leases is included in other assets on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.  
It is carried at cost, less the amount depreciated to date. Depreciation is recognized, on the straight-line basis, over the lease term 
to the estimated residual value.  Operating lease revenue consists of the contractual lease payments and is recognized over the 
lease term in other non-interest income. Estimated residual values are established at lease inception utilizing contract terms, past 
customer experience, and general market data and are reviewed and adjusted, if necessary, on an annual basis.

Investments in Debt and Equity Securities

The Company has classified the majority of its investment portfolio as available for sale.  From time to time, the Company 
sells securities and utilizes the proceeds to reduce borrowings, fund loan growth, or modify its interest rate profile. Securities 
classified as available for sale are carried at fair value. Changes in fair value, excluding certain losses associated with other-than-
temporary impairment (OTTI), are reported in other comprehensive income (loss), a component of stockholders’ equity.  Securities 
are periodically evaluated for OTTI in accordance with guidance provided in ASC 320-10-35.  For securities with OTTI, the entire 
loss in fair value is required to be recognized in current earnings if the Company intends to sell the securities or believes it likely 
that it will be required to sell the security before the anticipated recovery.  If neither condition is met, but the Company does not 
expect  to  recover  the  amortized  cost  basis,  the  Company  determines  whether  a  credit  loss  has  occurred,  and  the  loss  is  then 
recognized in current earnings.  The noncredit-related portion of the overall loss is reported in other comprehensive income (loss).  
Mortgage and asset-backed securities whose credit ratings are below AA at their purchase date are evaluated for OTTI under ASC 
325-40-35, which requires evaluations for OTTI at purchase date and in subsequent periods.  Gains and losses realized upon sales 
of securities are calculated using the specific identification method and are included in investment securities gains (losses), net, 
in the consolidated statements of income.  Premiums and discounts are amortized to interest income over the estimated lives of 
the securities. Prepayment experience is continually evaluated to determine the appropriate estimate of the future rate of prepayment. 
When a change in a bond's estimated remaining life is necessary, a corresponding adjustment is made in the related amortization 
of premium or discount accretion.     

Non-marketable securities include certain private equity investments, consisting of both debt and equity instruments.  These 
securities are carried at fair value in accordance with ASC 946-10-15, with changes in fair value reported in current earnings.  In 
the absence of readily ascertainable market values, fair value is estimated using internally developed models.  Changes in fair 
value and gains and losses from sales are included in Investment securities gains (losses), net in the consolidated statements of 
income.  Other non-marketable securities acquired for debt and regulatory purposes are accounted for at cost.

Trading account securities, which are bought and held principally for the purpose of resale in the near term, are carried at fair 

value. Gains and losses, both realized and unrealized, are recorded in non-interest income.

Purchases and sales of securities are recognized on a trade date basis.  A receivable or payable is recognized for pending 

transaction settlements. 

Securities Purchased under Agreements to Resell and Securities Sold under Agreements to Repurchase

The Company periodically enters into investments of securities under agreements to resell with large financial institutions.  
These agreements are accounted for as collateralized financing transactions.   Securities pledged by the counterparties to secure 
these agreements are delivered to a third party custodian. Collateral is valued daily, and the Company may require counterparties 
to deposit additional collateral, or the Company may return collateral pledged when appropriate to maintain full collateralization 
for these transactions.  At December 31, 2014, the Company had entered into $1.1 billion of long-term agreements to resell and 
had accepted securities valued at $1.1 billion as collateral.

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase are offered to cash management customers as an automated, collateralized 
investment account and totaled $1.9 billion at December 31, 2014.  From time to time, securities sold may also be used by the 
Bank to obtain additional borrowed funds at favorable rates.  As of December 31, 2014, the Company had pledged $1.9 billion of 
available for sale securities as collateral for these repurchase agreements.

As permitted by current accounting guidance, the Company offsets certain securities purchased under agreements to resell 
against securities sold under agreements to repurchase in its balance sheet presentation.  These agreements, which are not included 
in the balance sheet amounts above, are further discussed in Note 19, Balance Sheet Offsetting. 

64

Land, Buildings and Equipment

Land is stated at cost, and buildings and equipment are stated at cost, including capitalized interest when appropriate, less 
accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed using straight-line and accelerated methods. The Company generally assigns 
depreciable  lives  of  30  years  for  buildings,  10  years  for  building  improvements,  and  3  to  8  years  for  equipment.  Leasehold 
improvements are amortized over the shorter of their estimated useful lives or remaining lease terms. Maintenance and repairs are 
charged to non-interest expense as incurred.

Foreclosed Assets

Foreclosed assets consist of property that has been repossessed and is comprised of commercial and residential real estate and 
other non-real estate property, including auto and recreational and marine vehicles. The assets are initially recorded at the lower 
of the loan balance or fair value less estimated selling costs.  Initial valuation adjustments are charged to the allowance for loan 
losses.  Fair values are estimated primarily based on appraisals, third-party price opinions, or internally developed pricing models. 
After initial recognition, fair value estimates are updated periodically, and the assets may be marked down further, reflecting a 
new cost basis.  These valuation adjustments, in addition to gains and losses realized on sales and net operating expenses, are 
recorded in other non-interest expense.  

Intangible Assets

Goodwill and intangible assets that have indefinite useful lives are not amortized but are tested annually for impairment. 
Intangible assets that have finite useful lives, such as core deposit intangibles and mortgage servicing rights, are amortized over 
their estimated useful lives. Core deposit intangibles are amortized over periods of 8 to 14 years, representing their estimated lives, 
using accelerated methods. Mortgage servicing rights are amortized in proportion to and over the period of estimated net servicing 
income, considering appropriate prepayment assumptions.

Goodwill is assessed for impairment on an annual basis or more frequently in certain circumstances. When testing for goodwill 
impairment, the Company may initially perform a qualitative assessment. Based on the results of this qualitative assessment, if 
the Company concludes it is more likely than not that a reporting unit's fair value is less than its carrying amount, a quantitative 
analysis is performed. Quantitative valuation methodologies include a combination of formulas using current market multiples, 
based on recent sales of financial institutions within the Company's geographic marketplace.  If the fair value of a reporting unit 
is less than the carrying amount, additional analysis is required to measure the amount of impairment.  The Company has not 
recorded impairment resulting from goodwill impairment tests.  However, adverse changes in the economic environment, operations 
of the reporting unit, or other factors could result in a decline in fair value.

Other  intangible  assets  are  reviewed  for  impairment  whenever  events  or  changes  in  circumstances  indicate  their  carrying 
amount may not be recoverable. Impairment is indicated if the sum of the undiscounted estimated future net cash flows is less 
than the carrying value of the intangible asset. The Company has not recorded other-than-temporary impairment losses on these 
intangible assets.

Income Taxes

Amounts provided for income tax expense are based on income reported for financial statement purposes and do not necessarily 
represent amounts currently payable under tax laws. Deferred income taxes are provided for temporary differences between the 
financial  reporting  bases  and  income  tax  bases  of  the  Company’s  assets  and  liabilities,  net  operating  losses,  and  tax  credit 
carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the enacted tax rates that are expected to apply to taxable 
income when such assets and liabilities are anticipated to be settled or realized. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of 
a change in tax rates is recognized as tax expense or benefit in the period that includes the enactment date of the change. In 
determining the amount of deferred tax assets to recognize in the financial statements, the Company evaluates the likelihood of 
realizing such benefits in future periods.  A valuation allowance is established if it is more likely than not that all or some portion 
of the deferred tax asset will not be realized.  The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to income taxes within income 
tax expense in the consolidated statements of income.

The Company and its eligible subsidiaries file a consolidated federal income tax return.  State and local income tax returns are 

filed on a combined, consolidated or separate return basis based upon each jurisdiction’s laws and regulations.

65

Derivatives

As required by current accounting guidance, all derivatives are carried at fair value on the balance sheet.  Accounting for 
changes in the fair value of derivatives (gains and losses) differs depending on whether a qualifying hedge relationship has been 
designated and on the type of hedge relationship. Derivatives used to hedge the exposure to change in the fair value of an asset, 
liability, or firm commitment attributable to a particular risk are considered fair value hedges.  Under the fair value hedging model, 
gains or losses attributable to the change in fair value of the derivative, as well as gains and losses attributable to the change in 
fair value of the hedged item, are recognized in current earnings. Derivatives used to hedge the exposure to variability in expected 
future cash flows, or other types of forecasted transactions, are considered cash flow hedges.  Under the cash flow hedging model, 
the effective portion of the gain or loss related to the derivative is recognized as a component of other comprehensive income and 
reclassified to earnings in the same period in which the hedged transaction affects earnings. The ineffective portion is recognized 
in current earnings.   At the present time, the Company's application of hedge accounting is not significant.

Most of the derivatives held by the Company do not qualify for hedge accounting, and gains and losses on these derivatives 
are recognized in current earnings.  These include interest rate swaps and caps, which  are offered to customers to assist in managing 
their risks of adverse changes in interest rates.  Each contract between the Company and a customer is offset by a contract between 
the Company and an institutional counterparty, thus minimizing the Company's exposure to rate changes.    The Company also 
enters into certain contracts, known as credit risk participation agreements, to buy or sell credit protection on specific interest rate 
swaps.  It also purchases and sells forward foreign exchange contracts, either in connection with customer transactions, or for its 
own trading purposes.     

The Company has master netting arrangements with various counterparties but does not offset derivative assets and liabilities 

under these arrangements in its consolidated balance sheets.  

Additional information about derivatives held by the Company and valuation methods employed is provided in Note 16, Fair 

Value Measurements and Note 18, Derivative Instruments.  

Pension Plan

The Company’s pension plan is described in Note 10, Employee Benefit Plans.  The funded status of the plan is recognized as 
an asset or liability in the consolidated balance sheet, and changes in that funded status are recognized in the year in which the 
changes occur through other comprehensive income.  Plan assets and benefit obligations are measured as of fiscal year end. The 
measurement of the projected benefit obligation and pension expense involve actuarial valuation methods and the use of various 
actuarial and economic assumptions. The Company monitors the assumptions and updates them periodically.  Due to the long-
term nature of the pension plan obligation, actual results may differ significantly from estimations.   Such differences are adjusted 
over time as the assumptions are replaced by facts and values are recalculated.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company’s stock-based employee compensation plan is described in Note 11, Stock-Based Compensation and Directors 
Stock Purchase Plan.  In accordance with the requirements of ASC 718-10-30-3 and 35-2, the Company measures the cost of 
stock-based compensation based on the grant-date fair value of the award, recognizing the cost over the requisite service period. 
The fair value of an award is estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model.  The expense recognized is based on an 
estimation of the number of awards for which the requisite service is expected to be rendered and is included in salaries and 
employee benefits in the accompanying consolidated statements of income.

Treasury Stock

Purchases of the Company’s common stock are recorded at cost. Upon re-issuance for acquisitions, exercises of stock-based 

awards or other corporate purposes, treasury stock is reduced based upon the average cost basis of shares held.

Income per Share

Basic income per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each year.  
Diluted income per share includes the effect of all dilutive potential common shares (primarily stock options and stock appreciation 
rights) outstanding during each year. The Company applies the two-class method of computing income per share. The two-class 
method is an earnings allocation formula that determines income per share for common stock and for participating securities, 
according to dividends declared and participation rights in undistributed earnings. The Company’s restricted share awards are 
considered to be a class of participating security.  All per share data has been restated to reflect the 5% stock dividend distributed 
in December 2014.

66

2. Acquisition and Disposition

On September 1, 2013, the Company acquired Summit Bancshares Inc. (Summit).  Summit's results of operations are included 
in the Company's consolidated financial results beginning on that date.  The transaction was accounted for using the acquisition 
method of accounting, and as such, assets acquired, liabilities assumed and consideration exchanged were recorded at their estimated 
fair value on the acquisition date.  In this transaction, the Company acquired all of the outstanding stock of Summit in exchange 
for shares of Company stock valued at $43.2 million.  The Company's acquisition of Summit added $261.6 million in assets 
(including $207.4 million in loans), $232.3 million in deposits and two branch locations in Tulsa and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.  
Intangible assets recognized as a result of the transaction consisted of approximately $13.3 million in goodwill and $5.6 million 
in core deposit premium.  Most of the goodwill was assigned to the Company's Commercial segment.  None of the goodwill 
recognized is deductible for income tax purposes.

On July 25, 2014,  the Company sold banking branches in Farmington, Desloge and Bonne Terre, Missouri.  The sale included 
approximately $13.3 million in loans, $60.3 million in deposits, and various bank premises.  The Company recognized a $2.1 
million gain on the sale.

3. Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses

Major classifications within the Company’s held to maturity loan portfolio at December 31, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:

(In thousands)

Commercial:

Business

Real estate — construction and land

Real estate — business

Personal Banking:

Real estate — personal

Consumer

Revolving home equity

Consumer credit card

Overdrafts

Total loans

2014

2013

$

3,969,952 $

3,715,319

403,507

406,197

2,288,215

2,313,550

1,883,092

1,705,134

430,873

782,370

6,095

1,787,626

1,512,716

420,589

796,228

4,611

$

11,469,238 $

10,956,836

Loans to directors and executive officers of the Parent and the Bank, and to their associates, are summarized as follows:

(In thousands)

Balance at January 1, 2014

Additions

Amounts collected

Amounts written off

Balance, December 31, 2014

$

$

44,728

402,428

(381,737)

—

65,419

Management believes all loans to directors and executive officers have been made in the ordinary course of business with 
normal credit terms, including interest rate and collateral considerations, and do not represent more than a normal risk of collection. 
The activity in the table above includes draws and repayments on several lines of credit with business entities. There were no 
outstanding loans at December 31, 2014 to principal holders (over 10% ownership) of the Company’s common stock.

The Company’s lending activity is generally centered in Missouri, Illinois, Kansas and other nearby states including Oklahoma, 
Colorado, Iowa, Ohio, and others. The Company maintains a diversified portfolio with limited industry concentrations of credit 
risk. Loans and loan commitments are extended under the Company’s normal credit standards, controls, and monitoring features. 
Most loan commitments are short or intermediate term in nature. Commercial loan maturities generally range from three to seven 
years. Collateral is commonly required and would include such assets as marketable securities and cash equivalent assets, accounts 
receivable and inventory, equipment, other forms of personal property, and real estate. At December 31, 2014, unfunded loan 

67

commitments  totaled  $8.4  billion  (which  included  $3.5  billion  in  unused  approved  lines  of  credit  related  to  credit  card  loan 
agreements) which could be drawn by customers subject to certain review and terms of agreement. At December 31, 2014, loans 
totaling $3.6 billion were pledged at the FHLB as collateral for borrowings and letters of credit obtained to secure public deposits. 
Additional loans of $1.3 billion were pledged at the Federal Reserve Bank as collateral for discount window borrowings. 

The Company has a net investment in direct financing and sales type leases of  $413.0 million and $368.8 million at December 31, 
2014 and 2013, respectively, which is included in business loans on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.  This investment 
includes deferred income of $26.4 million and $25.1 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.  The net investment 
in operating leases amounted to $22.8 million and $24.4 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and is included in 
other assets on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.

Allowance for loan losses

A summary of the activity in the allowance for losses during the previous three years follows:

(In thousands)

Balance at December 31, 2011

Provision for loan losses

Deductions:

Loans charged off

Less recoveries

Net loans charged off

Balance at December 31, 2012

Provision for loan losses

Deductions:

Loans charged off

Less recoveries

Net loans charged off (recoveries)

Balance at December 31, 2013

Provision for loan losses

Deductions:

Loans charged off

Less recoveries

Net loans charged off (recoveries)

Balance at December 31, 2014

Commercial

Personal
Banking

Total

$

122,497 $

62,035 $

184,532

(14,444)

41,731

27,287

11,094

8,766

2,328

105,725

(16,143)

5,170

9,777

(4,607)

94,189

(5,204)

4,548

5,185

(637)

52,067

15,108

36,959

66,807

36,496

49,029

13,069

35,960

67,343

34,735

48,225

13,057

35,168

63,161

23,874

39,287

172,532

20,353

54,199

22,846

31,353

161,532

29,531

52,773

18,242

34,531

$

89,622 $

66,910 $

156,532

68

The following table shows the balance in the allowance for loan losses and the related loan balance at December 31, 2014 and 
2013, disaggregated on the basis of impairment methodology.  Impaired loans evaluated under ASC 310-10-35 include loans on 
non-accrual  status  which  are  individually  evaluated  for  impairment  and  other  impaired  loans  deemed  to  have  similar  risk 
characteristics, which are collectively evaluated.  All other loans are collectively evaluated for impairment under ASC 450-20.  

(In thousands)

December 31, 2014

Commercial

Personal Banking

Total

December 31, 2013

Commercial

Personal Banking

Total

Impaired loans

Impaired Loans

All Other Loans

Allowance for
Loan Losses

Loans
Outstanding

Allowance for
Loan Losses

Loans
Outstanding

$

$

$

$

4,527 $

2,314

6,841 $

8,476 $

2,424

55,551

25,537

81,088

78,516

29,120

10,900 $

107,636

$

$

$

$

85,095 $

6,606,123

64,596

4,782,027

149,691 $ 11,388,150

85,713 $

6,356,550

64,919

4,492,650

150,632 $ 10,849,200

The table below shows the Company’s investment in impaired loans at December 31, 2014 and 2013.  These loans consist of 
all  loans  on  non-accrual  status  and  other  restructured  loans  whose  terms  have  been  modified  and  classified  as  troubled  debt 
restructurings under ASC 310-40.  These restructured loans are performing in accordance with their modified terms, and because 
the Company believes it probable that all amounts due under the modified terms of the agreements will be collected, interest on 
these loans is being recognized on an accrual basis.  They are discussed further in the "Troubled debt restructurings" section on 
page 73.  

(In thousands)

Non-accrual loans

Restructured loans (accruing)

Total impaired loans

2014

2013

40,775 $

40,313

48,814

58,822

81,088 $

107,636

$

$

69

The following table provides additional information about impaired loans held by the Company at December 31, 2014 and 
2013, segregated between loans for which an allowance for credit losses has been provided and loans for which no allowance has 
been provided.

(In thousands)

December 31, 2014

With no related allowance recorded:

Business

Real estate – construction and land

Real estate – business

Real estate – personal

With an allowance recorded:

Business

Real estate – construction and land

Real estate – business

Real estate – personal

Consumer

Revolving home equity

Consumer credit card

Total

December 31, 2013

With no related allowance recorded:

Business

Real estate – construction and land

Real estate – business

Revolving home equity

With an allowance recorded:

Business

Real estate – construction and land

Real estate – business

Real estate – personal

Consumer

Revolving home equity

Consumer credit card

Total

Recorded
Investment

Unpaid Principal
Balance

 Related
Allowance

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

9,237 $

11,532 $

4,552

13,453

1,227

8,493

17,258

1,384

28,469 $

38,667 $

12,326 $

13,846 $

8,148

7,835

9,096

4,244

529

10,441

52,619 $

81,088 $

9,610

15,025

12,465

4,244

529

10,441

66,160 $

104,827 $

7,969 $

9,000 $

8,766

4,089

2,191

16,067

6,417

2,741

23,015 $

34,225 $

19,266 $

22,597 $

17,632

20,794

10,425

4,025

666

11,813

19,708

29,287

13,576

4,025

666

11,813

84,621 $

101,672 $

107,636 $

135,897 $

—

—

—

—

—

1,844

1,081

1,602

1,441

50

9

814

6,841

6,841

—

—

—

—

—

3,037

2,174

3,265

1,361

85

2

976

10,900

10,900

Total average impaired loans during 2014 and 2013 are shown in the table below. 

(In thousands)

Commercial

2014

Personal
Banking

Total

Commercial

2013

Personal
Banking

Total

Average impaired loans:

Non-accrual loans

Restructured loans (accruing)

Total

$

$

38,114 $

7,132 $

33,156

20,040

71,270 $

27,172 $

45,246

53,196

98,442

$

$

35,900 $

5,329 $

40,251

24,134

41,229

64,385

76,151 $

29,463 $

105,614

70

The table below shows interest income recognized during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 for impaired 

loans held at the end of each respective period.  This interest relates to accruing restructured loans, as discussed previously. 

(In thousands)

Interest income recognized on impaired loans:

Business

Real estate – construction and land

Real estate – business

Real estate – personal

Consumer

Revolving home equity

Consumer credit card

Total

For the Year Ended December 31

2014

2013

2012

$

344 $

509 $

1,184

361

153

208

286

27

993

758

215

263

346

36

1,116

$

2,372 $

3,243 $

655

246

376

415

37

1,341

4,254

Delinquent and non-accrual loans

The following table provides aging information on the Company’s past due and accruing loans, in addition to the balances of 

loans on non-accrual status, at December 31, 2014 and 2013.    

(In thousands)
December 31, 2014
Commercial:

Business

Real estate – construction and land

Real estate – business
Personal Banking:

Real estate – personal

Consumer

Revolving home equity

Consumer credit card

Overdrafts

Total
December 31, 2013
Commercial:

Business

Real estate – construction and land

Real estate – business
Personal Banking:

Real estate – personal

Consumer

Revolving home equity

Consumer credit card

Overdrafts

Total

Current or Less
Than 30 Days
Past Due

30 – 89 Days
Past Due

90 Days Past
Due and Still
Accruing

Non-accrual

Total

$

3,946,144

$

11,152 $

1,096 $

11,560 $

3,969,952

397,488

2,266,688

1,868,606

1,687,285

428,478

764,599

5,721

827

3,661

6,618

16,053

1,552

9,559

374

35

—

1,676

1,796

843

8,212

—

5,157

17,866

6,192

—

—

—

—

403,507

2,288,215

1,883,092

1,705,134

430,873

782,370

6,095

$

11,365,009

$

49,796 $

13,658 $

40,775 $

11,469,238

$

3,697,589 $

5,467 $

671 $

11,592 $

3,715,319

386,423

2,292,385

1,771,231

1,492,960

416,614

777,564

4,315

9,601

1,340

9,755

17,482

1,082

9,952

296

—

47

1,560

2,274

702

8,712

—

10,173

19,778

5,080

—

2,191

—

—

406,197

2,313,550

1,787,626

1,512,716

420,589

796,228

4,611

$

10,839,081 $

54,975 $

13,966 $

48,814 $

10,956,836

71

Credit quality

The following table provides information about the credit quality of the Commercial loan portfolio, using the Company’s 
internal rating system as an indicator.  The internal rating system is a series of grades reflecting management’s risk assessment, 
based on its analysis of the borrower’s financial condition.  The “pass” category consists of a range of loan grades that reflect 
increasing, though still acceptable, risk.  Movement of risk through the various grade levels in the “pass” category is monitored 
for early identification of credit deterioration.  The “special mention” rating is attached to loans where the borrower exhibits 
material negative financial trends due to borrower specific or systemic conditions that, if left uncorrected, threaten its capacity to 
meet its debt obligations. The borrower is believed to have sufficient financial flexibility to react to and resolve its negative financial 
situation. It is a transitional grade that is closely monitored for improvement or deterioration.  The “substandard” rating is applied 
to loans where the borrower exhibits well-defined weaknesses that jeopardize its continued performance and are of a severity that 
the distinct possibility of default exists. Loans are placed on “non-accrual” when management does not expect to collect payments 
consistent with acceptable and agreed upon terms of repayment, as discussed in Note 1.

(In thousands)

December 31, 2014

Pass

Special mention

Substandard

Non-accrual

Total

December 31, 2013

Pass

Special mention

Substandard

Non-accrual

Total

Commercial Loans

Business

Real Estate -
Construction

Real Estate -
Business

Total

$

$

$

3,871,569 $

385,831 $

2,184,541 $

62,904

23,919

11,560

3,865

8,654

5,157

3,969,952 $

403,507 $

40,668

45,140

17,866
2,288,215 $

6,441,941

107,437

77,713

34,583

6,661,674

3,618,120 $

372,515 $

2,190,344 $

6,180,979

61,916

23,691

11,592

1,697

21,812

10,173

53,079

50,349

19,778

116,692

95,852

41,543

$

3,715,319 $

406,197 $

2,313,550 $

6,435,066

72

The credit quality of Personal Banking loans is monitored primarily on the basis of aging/delinquency, and this information 
is provided in the table in the above section on "Delinquent and non-accrual loans".  In addition, FICO scores are obtained and 
updated on a quarterly basis for most of the loans in the Personal Banking portfolio. This is a published credit score designed to 
measure the risk of default by taking into account various factors from a person's financial history. The bank normally obtains a 
FICO score at the loan's origination and renewal dates, and updates are obtained on a quarterly basis.  Excluded from the table 
below are certain personal real estate loans for which FICO scores are not obtained because the loans are related to commercial 
activity.  These totaled $244.3 million, or less than 6.0% of the Personal Banking portfolio, at both December 31, 2014 and 
December 31, 2013.  For the remainder of loans in the Personal Banking portfolio, the table below shows the percentage of balances 
outstanding at December 31, 2014 and 2013 by FICO score.   

December 31, 2014

FICO score:

Under 600

600 – 659

660 – 719

720 – 779

780 and over

Total

December 31, 2013

FICO score:

Under 600

600 – 659

660 – 719

720 – 779

780 and over

Total

Personal Banking Loans

% of Loan Category

Real Estate -
Personal

Consumer

Revolving Home
Equity

Consumer Credit
Card

1.4%

5.2%

1.8%

4.1%

3.1

9.9

26.7

58.9

10.2

22.9

28.0

33.7

4.4

13.7

32.8

47.3

11.8

32.4

27.8

23.9

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

1.7 %

5.4 %

2.1 %

4.1 %

3.3

10.3

25.8

58.9

10.1

23.4

28.3

32.8

7.3

15.0

28.5

47.1

11.7

32.9

27.9

23.4

100.0 %

100.0 %

100.0 %

100.0 %

Troubled debt restructurings

As mentioned previously, the Company's impaired loans include loans which have been classified as troubled debt restructurings.  
Total restructured loans amounted to $64.4 million at December 31, 2014.  Restructured loans are those extended to borrowers 
who are experiencing financial difficulty and who have been granted a concession. Restructured loans are placed on non-accrual 
status if the Company does not believe it probable that amounts due under the contractual terms will be collected, and those non-
accrual  loans  totaled  $24.1  million  at  December 31,  2014.    Other  performing  restructured  loans  totaled  $40.3  million  at 
December 31, 2014.  These are partly comprised of certain business, construction and business real estate loans classified as 
substandard.  Upon maturity, the loans renewed at interest rates judged not to be market rates for new debt with similar risk and 
as a result were classified as troubled debt restructurings.  These commercial loans totaled $21.8 million and $38.2 million at 
December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. These restructured loans are performing in accordance with their modified terms, and 
because the Company believes it probable that all amounts due under the modified terms of the agreements will be collected, 
interest on these loans is being recognized on an accrual basis.  Troubled debt restructurings also include certain credit card loans 
under various debt management and assistance programs, which totaled $10.4 million at December 31, 2014 and $11.8 million at 
December 31, 2013.  Modifications to credit card loans generally involve removing the available line of credit, placing loans on 
amortizing  status,  and  lowering  the  contractual  interest  rate.    The  Company  also  classifies  certain  loans  as  troubled  debt 
restructurings because they were not reaffirmed by the borrower in bankruptcy proceedings.  These loans, which are comprised 
of personal real estate, revolving home equity and consumer loans, totaled $8.1 million and $8.8 million at December 31, 2014 
and 2013, respectively.  Interest on these loans is being recognized on an accrual basis, as the borrowers are continuing to make 
payments.

73

The table below shows the outstanding balance of loans classified as troubled debt restructurings at December 31, 2014, in 
addition to the period end balances of restructured loans which the Company considers to have been in default at any time during 
the past twelve months.  For purposes of this disclosure, the Company considers "default" to mean 90 days or more past due as 
to interest or principal.   

(In thousands)

Commercial:

Business

Real estate – construction and land

Real estate – business

Personal Banking:

Real estate – personal

Consumer

Revolving home equity

Consumer credit card

Total restructured loans

Balance 90 days past
due at any time
during previous 12
months

December 31, 2014

$

18,321 $

12,249

12,634

6,000

4,271

529

10,441

$

64,445

$

7,464

3,285

22

84

47

40

890

11,832

For those loans on non-accrual status also classified as restructured, the modification did not create any further financial effect 
on the Company as those loans were already recorded at net realizable value.  For those performing commercial loans classified 
as restructured, there were no concessions involving forgiveness of principal or interest and, therefore, there was no financial 
impact to the Company as a result of modification to these loans.  No financial impact resulted from those performing loans where 
the debt was not reaffirmed in bankruptcy, as no changes to loan terms occurred in that process . However, the effects of modifications 
to consumer credit card loans were estimated to decrease interest income by approximately $1.1 million on an annual, pre-tax 
basis, compared to amounts contractually owed.

The allowance for loan losses related to troubled debt restructurings on non-accrual status is determined by individual evaluation, 
including collateral adequacy, using the same process as loans on non-accrual status which are not classified as troubled debt 
restructurings.  Those performing loans classified as troubled debt restructurings are accruing loans which management expects 
to collect under contractual terms.  Performing commercial loans have had no other concessions granted other than being renewed 
at an interest rate judged not to be market.  As such, they have similar risk characteristics as non-troubled debt commercial loans 
and are collectively evaluated based on internal risk rating, loan type, delinquency, historical experience and current economic 
factors.  Performing personal banking loans classified as troubled debt restructurings resulted from the borrower not reaffirming 
the debt during bankruptcy and have had no other concession granted, other than the Bank's future limitations on collecting payment 
deficiencies or in pursuing foreclosure actions.  As such, they have similar risk characteristics as non-troubled debt personal 
banking loans and are evaluated collectively based on loan type, delinquency, historical experience and current economic factors. 

If a troubled debt restructuring defaults and is already on non-accrual status, the allowance for loan losses continues to be 
based on individual evaluation, using discounted expected cash flows or the fair value of collateral.  If an accruing, troubled debt 
restructuring defaults, the loan's risk rating is downgraded to non-accrual status and the loan's related allowance for loan losses 
is determined based on individual evaluation, or if necessary, the loan is charged off and collection efforts begin.

The Company had commitments of $6.9 million at December 31, 2014 to lend additional funds to borrowers with restructured 

loans.

The  Company’s  holdings  of  foreclosed  real  estate  totaled  $5.5  million  and  $6.6  million  at  December 31,  2014  and  2013, 
respectively.  Personal property acquired in repossession, generally autos and marine and recreational vehicles, totaled $2.4 million 
and $2.8 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.  These assets are carried at the lower of the amount recorded at 
acquisition date or the current fair value less estimated selling costs.

74

4. Investment Securities 

Investment securities, at fair value, consisted of the following at December 31, 2014 and 2013.

(In thousands)

Available for sale:

U.S. government and federal agency obligations

Government-sponsored enterprise obligations

State and municipal obligations

Agency mortgage-backed securities

Non-agency mortgage-backed securities

Asset-backed securities

Other debt securities

Equity securities

 Total available for sale

Trading

Non-marketable

Total investment securities

2014

2013

$

501,407 $
963,127

1,813,201

2,593,708

382,744

3,091,993

139,161

38,219

9,523,560

15,357

106,875

505,696

741,766

1,619,171

2,772,338

246,983

2,844,071

141,757

43,898

8,915,680

19,993

107,324

$

9,645,792 $

9,042,997

Most of the Company’s investment securities are classified as available for sale, and this portfolio is discussed in more detail 
below.  Securities which are classified as non-marketable include Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) stock and Federal Reserve 
Bank stock held for borrowing and regulatory purposes, which totaled $46.6 million and $46.5 million at December 31, 2014 and 
December 31, 2013, respectively. Investment in Federal Reserve Bank stock is based on the capital structure of the investing bank, 
and investment in FHLB stock is mainly tied to the level of borrowings from the FHLB. These holdings are carried at cost. Non-
marketable securities also include private equity investments, which amounted to $60.2 million and $60.7 million at December 31, 
2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. In the absence of readily ascertainable market values, these securities are carried at 
estimated fair value.

A summary of the available for sale investment securities by maturity groupings as of December 31, 2014 is shown in the 
following table. The weighted average yield for each range of maturities was calculated using the yield on each security within 
that range weighted by the amortized cost of each security at December 31, 2014. Yields on tax exempt securities have not been 
adjusted for tax exempt status. The investment portfolio includes agency mortgage-backed securities, which are guaranteed by 
agencies  such  as  FHLMC,  FNMA,  GNMA  and  FDIC,  in  addition  to  non-agency  mortgage-backed  securities  which  have  no 
guarantee,  but  are  collateralized  by  residential  mortgages. Also  included  are  certain  other  asset-backed  securities,  primarily 
collateralized by credit cards, automobiles and commercial loans.  The Company does not have exposure to subprime-originated 
mortgage-backed or collateralized debt obligation instruments, and does not hold any trust preferred securities.

75

 
 
    
(Dollars in thousands)

U.S. government and federal agency obligations:

Within 1 year

After 1 but within 5 years

After 5 but within 10 years

After 10 years

Total U.S. government and federal agency obligations

Government-sponsored enterprise obligations:

Within 1 year

After 1 but within 5 years

After 5 but within 10 years

After 10 years

Total government-sponsored enterprise obligations

State and municipal obligations:

Within 1 year

After 1 but within 5 years

After 5 but within 10 years

After 10 years

Total state and municipal obligations

Mortgage and asset-backed securities:

Agency mortgage-backed securities

Non-agency mortgage-backed securities

Asset-backed securities

Total mortgage and asset-backed securities

Other debt securities:

Within 1 year

After 1 but within 5 years

After 5 but within 10 years

Total other debt securities

Equity securities

 Amortized Cost

Fair Value

Weighted Average
Yield

1.56*%

1.57*

.64*

.01*

1.14*

1.82

1.54

2.03

2.22

1.82

2.87

2.47

2.23

1.61

2.35

2.69

3.05

.87

1.77

$

104,791 $

198,166

141,179

53,200

497,336

53,022

425,884

423,873

65,795

968,574

178,463

688,284

808,478

113,990

104,782

204,838

142,575

49,212

501,407

53,567

426,591

417,331

65,638

963,127

180,247

708,764

813,479

110,711

1,789,215

1,813,201

2,523,377

2,593,708

372,911

3,090,174

5,986,462

382,744

3,091,993

6,068,445

11,248

50,091

79,445

140,784

3,931

11,249

50,344

77,568

139,161

38,219

Total available for sale investment securities

$

9,386,302 $

9,523,560

* Rate does not reflect inflation adjustment on inflation-protected securities

Investments in U.S. government securities are comprised mainly of U.S. Treasury inflation-protected securities, which totaled 
$501.3 million, at fair value, at December 31, 2014. Interest paid on these securities increases with inflation and decreases with 
deflation, as measured by the Consumer Price Index.  At maturity, the principal paid is the greater of an inflation-adjusted principal 
or the original principal. Included in state and municipal obligations are $95.1 million, at fair value, of auction rate securities, 
which were purchased from bank customers in 2008.  Interest on these bonds is currently being paid at the maximum failed auction 
rates.  Equity securities are primarily comprised of investments in common stock held by the Parent, which totaled $37.4 million, 
at fair value, at December 31, 2014.

76

For securities classified as available for sale, the following table shows the unrealized gains and losses (pre-tax) in accumulated 

other comprehensive income, by security type. 

(In thousands)

December 31, 2014

 Amortized Cost

Gross Unrealized
Gains

Gross Unrealized
Losses

Fair Value

U.S. government and federal agency obligations

$

497,336 $

9,095 $

(5,024) $

Government-sponsored enterprise obligations

State and municipal obligations

Mortgage and asset-backed securities:

Agency mortgage-backed securities

Non-agency mortgage-backed securities

Asset-backed securities

Total mortgage and asset-backed securities

Other debt securities

Equity securities

Total

December 31, 2013

U.S. government and federal agency obligations

Government-sponsored enterprise obligations

State and municipal obligations

Mortgage and asset-backed securities:

Agency mortgage-backed securities

Non-agency mortgage-backed securities

Asset-backed securities

Total mortgage and asset-backed securities

Other debt securities

Equity securities

Total

968,574

1,789,215

2,523,377

372,911

3,090,174

5,986,462

140,784

3,931

2,593

32,340

75,923

11,061

6,922

93,906

420

34,288

(8,040)

(8,354)

(5,592)

(1,228)

(5,103)

(11,923)

(2,043)

—

501,407

963,127

1,813,201

2,593,708

382,744

3,091,993

6,068,445

139,161

38,219

$

$

9,386,302 $

172,642 $

(35,384) $

9,523,560

498,226 $

20,614 $

(13,144) $

766,802

1,624,195

2,743,803

236,595

2,847,368

5,827,766

147,581

9,970

2,245

28,321

54,659

12,008

6,872

73,539

671

33,928

(27,281)

(33,345)

(26,124)

(1,620)

(10,169)

(37,913)

(6,495)

—

505,696

741,766

1,619,171

2,772,338

246,983

2,844,071

5,863,392

141,757

43,898

$

8,874,540 $

159,318 $

(118,178) $

8,915,680

The Company’s impairment policy requires a review of all securities for which fair value is less than amortized cost.  Special 
emphasis and analysis is placed on securities whose credit rating has fallen below A3 (Moody's) or A- (Standard & Poor's), whose 
fair values have fallen more than 20% below purchase price for an extended period of time, or have been identified based on 
management’s judgment.  These securities are placed on a watch list, and for all such securities, detailed cash flow models are 
prepared which use inputs specific to each security. Inputs to these models include factors such as cash flow received, contractual 
payments required, and various other information related to the underlying collateral (including current delinquencies), collateral 
loss severity rates (including loan to values), expected delinquency rates, credit support from other tranches, and prepayment 
speeds.  Stress tests are performed at varying levels of delinquency rates, prepayment speeds and loss severities in order to gauge 
probable ranges of credit loss.  At December 31, 2014, the fair value of securities on this watch list was $123.9 million compared 
to $188.8 million at December 31, 2013. 

 As of December 31, 2014, the Company had recorded OTTI on certain non-agency mortgage-backed securities, part of the 
watch list mentioned above, which had an aggregate fair value of $54.6 million.  The cumulative credit-related portion of the 
impairment on these securities, which was recorded in earnings, totaled $13.7 million.  The Company does not intend to sell these 
securities and believes it is not likely that it will be required to sell the securities before the recovery of their amortized cost.

The credit-related portion of the loss on these securities was based on the cash flows projected to be received over the estimated 
life of the securities, discounted to present value, and compared to the current amortized cost bases of the securities.  Significant 
inputs to the cash flow models used to calculate the credit losses on these securities included the following: 

Significant Inputs
Prepayment CPR

Projected cumulative default

Credit support

Loss severity

77

Range
2% - 25%

20% - 58%

0% - 18%

23% - 77%

The following table presents a rollforward of the cumulative OTTI credit losses recognized in earnings on all available for 

sale debt securities.

(In thousands)

Cumulative OTTI credit losses at January 1

Credit losses on debt securities for which impairment was previously recognized

Increase in expected cash flows that are recognized over remaining life of security

Cumulative OTTI credit losses at December 31

2014

2013

2012

$

$

12,499 $

11,306 $

1,365

(130)

1,284

(91)

9,931

1,490

(115)

13,734 $

12,499 $

11,306

Securities with unrealized losses recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income are shown in the table below, along 

with the length of the impairment period.  

(In thousands)

December 31, 2014

Less than 12 months

12 months or longer

Total

  Fair Value 

  Unrealized
  Losses 

  Fair Value 

  Unrealized
  Losses 

  Fair Value 

  Unrealized
  Losses 

U.S. government and federal agency obligations

$

90,261

$

Government-sponsored enterprise obligations

State and municipal obligations

Mortgage and asset-backed securities:

Agency mortgage-backed securities

Non-agency mortgage-backed securities

Asset-backed securities

Total mortgage and asset-backed securities

Other debt securities

Total

December 31, 2013

224,808

172,980

55,128

141,655

1,424,457

1,621,240

16,434

$ 2,125,723

U.S. government and federal agency obligations

$

96,172

818

922

646

429

609

2,009

3,047

55

$

32,077 $

4,206

$

122,338

$

224,779

215,702

381,617

43,659

159,098

584,374

80,203

7,118

7,708

5,163

619

3,094

8,876

1,988

449,587

388,682

436,745

185,314

1,583,555

2,205,614

96,637

$

$

5,488

$ 1,137,135 $

29,896

$ 3,262,858

243

$

59,677 $

12,901

$ 155,849

$

$

Government-sponsored enterprise obligations

State and municipal obligations

Mortgage and asset-backed securities:

Agency mortgage-backed securities

Non-agency mortgage-backed securities

Asset-backed securities

Total mortgage and asset-backed securities

Other debt securities

Total

487,317

478,818

717,778

53,454

1,088,556

1,859,788

90,028

18,155

15,520

26,124

918

9,072

36,114

5,604

93,654

178,150

9,126

17,825

580,971

656,968

—

22,289

58,398

80,687

9,034

—

702

1,097

1,799

891

717,778

75,743

1,146,954

1,940,475

99,062

$ 3,012,123 $

75,636

$

421,202 $

42,542

$ 3,433,325 $

118,178

5,024

8,040

8,354

5,592

1,228

5,103

11,923

2,043

35,384

13,144

27,281

33,345

26,124

1,620

10,169

37,913

6,495

The total available for sale portfolio consisted of approximately 1,900 individual securities at December 31, 2014.  The portfolio 
included 363 securities, having an aggregate fair value of $3.3 billion, that were in a loss position at December 31, 2014, compared 
to 507 securities, with a fair value of $3.4 billion, at December 31, 2013.  The total amount of unrealized loss on these securities 
decreased $82.8 million to $35.4 million.  At December 31, 2014, the fair value of securities in an unrealized loss position for 12 
months or longer totaled $1.1 billion, or 11.9% of the total portfolio value, and did not include any securities identified as other-
than-temporarily impaired. 

The Company’s holdings of state and municipal obligations included gross unrealized losses of $8.4 million at December 31, 
2014.  Of these losses, $5.6 million related to auction rate securities and $2.7 million related to other state and municipal obligations.  
This portfolio, excluding auction rate securities, totaled $1.7 billion at fair value, or 18.0% of total available for sale securities.   
The Company has processes and procedures in place to monitor its state and municipal holdings, identify signs of financial distress 
and, if necessary, exit its positions in a timely manner. The portfolio is diversified in order to reduce risk, and information about 
the top five largest holdings, by state and economic sector, is shown in the following table.

78

 
 
 
 
At December 31, 2014

Texas

Florida

New York

Ohio

Washington

General obligation

Lease

Housing

Transportation

Limited tax

% of
Portfolio

Average Life
(in years)

Average Rating
(Moody’s)

11.0%

9.3

7.3

6.0

5.7

35.2%

15.6

12.9

12.5

9.1

4.7

4.1

6.5

5.1

5.3

4.9

4.8

3.9

4.7

6.1

      Aa2

      Aa3

      Aa2

      Aa2

      Aa2

      Aa2

      Aa2

      Aa1

        A1

      Aa2

The credit ratings (Moody’s rating or equivalent) at December 31, 2014 in the state and municipal bond portfolio (excluding 

auction rate securities) are shown in the following table. The average credit quality of the portfolio is Aa2 as rated by Moody’s.

Aaa

Aa

A

Not rated

% of Portfolio

9.3%

74.6

15.4

.7

100.0%

The following table presents proceeds from sales of securities and the components of investment securities gains and losses 

which have been recognized in earnings.  

(In thousands)

Proceeds from sales of available for sale securities

Proceeds from sales of non-marketable securities

Total proceeds

Available for sale:

Gains realized on sales

Losses realized on sales

Gain realized on donation

Other-than-temporary impairment recognized on debt securities

Non-marketable:

Gains realized on sales

Losses realized on sales

Fair value adjustments, net

2014

2013

2012

$

$

$

30,998 $

33,444

64,442 $

— $

(5,197)

1,570

(1,365)

1,629

(134)

17,621

7,076 $
9,223

16,299 $

126 $

—

1,375

(1,284)

1,808

(2,979)

(3,471)

5,231

11,644

16,875

358

—

—

(1,490)

1,655

(200)

4,505

4,828

Investment securities gains (losses), net

$

14,124 $

(4,425) $

Investment securities with a fair value of $4.7 billion and $3.9 billion were pledged at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, 
to secure public deposits, securities sold under repurchase agreements, trust funds, and borrowings at the Federal Reserve Bank. 
Securities pledged under agreements pursuant to which the collateral may be sold or re-pledged by the secured parties approximated 
$467.1 million, while the remaining securities were pledged under agreements pursuant to which the secured parties may not sell 
or re-pledge the collateral. Except for obligations of various government-sponsored enterprises such as FNMA, FHLB and FHLMC, 
no investment in a single issuer exceeds 10% of stockholders’ equity.

79

5. Land, Buildings and Equipment

Land, buildings and equipment consist of the following at December 31, 2014 and 2013:

(In thousands)

Land

Buildings and improvements

Equipment

Total

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

Net land, buildings and equipment

2014

2013

$

106,599 $

535,039

244,239

885,877

528,006

$

357,871 $

106,005

529,842

227,467

863,314

513,660

349,654

Depreciation expense of $29.8 million, $30.7 million and $32.2 million for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, was included 
in occupancy expense and equipment expense in the consolidated income statements. Repairs and maintenance expense of $16.5 
million, $16.8 million and $17.3 million for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, was included in occupancy expense and equipment 
expense.  There has been no interest expense capitalized on construction projects in the past three years.

6. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

The following table presents information about the Company's intangible assets which have estimable useful lives. 

(In thousands)
Amortizable intangible

assets:
Core deposit premium
Mortgage servicing rights

Total

December 31, 2014

December 31, 2013

Gross
Carrying
Amount

Accumulated
Amortization

Valuation
Allowance

 Net
Amount

Gross
Carrying
Amount

Accumulated
Amortization

Valuation
Allowance

Net
Amount

$ 31,270
3,693
$ 34,963

$

$

(24,698)
(2,718)
(27,416)

$

$

— $ 6,572
878
(97)
$ 7,450
(97)

$ 31,270
3,430
$ 34,700

$

$

(22,781)
(2,567)
(25,348)

$

$

— $ 8,489
779
(84)
$ 9,268
(84)

The carrying amount of goodwill and its allocation among segments at December 31, 2014 and 2013 is shown in the table 
below.  As a result of ongoing assessments, no impairment of goodwill was recorded in 2014, 2013 or 2012.  Further, the annual 
assessment of qualitative factors on January 1, 2015 revealed no likelihood of impairment as of that date.  

(In thousands)
Consumer segment
Commercial segment
Wealth segment
Total goodwill

December 31,
2014

December 31,
2013

$

$

70,721 $
67,454
746
138,921 $

70,721
67,454
746
138,921

Changes in the net carrying amount of goodwill and other net intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 

2013 are shown in the following table.

(In thousands)

Balance at December 31, 2012

Summit acquisition

Originations

Amortization

Impairment reversal

Balance at December 31, 2013

Originations

Amortization

Impairment

Goodwill

Core Deposit
Premium

Mortgage
Servicing Rights

$

125,585 $

4,828 $

13,336

—

—

—

138,921

—

—

—

5,550

—

(1,889)

—

8,489

—

(1,917)

—

472

—

298

(300)

309

779

263

(151)

(13)

878

Balance at December 31, 2014

$

138,921 $

6,572 $

80

Mortgage servicing rights (MSRs) are initially recorded at fair value and subsequently amortized over the period of estimated 
servicing  income.   They  are  periodically  reviewed  for  impairment  and  if  impairment  is  indicated,  recorded  at  fair  value.   At 
December 31, 2014, temporary impairment of $97 thousand had been recognized.  Temporary impairment, including impairment 
recovery, is effected through a change in a valuation allowance. The fair value of the MSRs is based on the present value of 
expected future cash flows, as further discussed in Note 16 on Fair Value Measurements.

 Aggregate amortization expense on intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $2.1 million, 
$2.2 million and $2.5 million, respectively.  The following table shows the estimated future amortization expense based on existing 
asset balances and the interest rate environment as of December 31, 2014.  The Company’s actual amortization expense in any 
given period may be different from the estimated amounts depending upon the acquisition of intangible assets, changes in mortgage 
interest rates, prepayment rates and other market conditions.

(In thousands)

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

$

1,986

1,597

1,235

912

680

7. Deposits

At December 31, 2014, the scheduled maturities of total time open and certificates of deposit were as follows:

(In thousands)

Due in 2015

Due in 2016

Due in 2017

Due in 2018

Due in 2019

Thereafter

Total

$

1,638,332

301,354

80,693

56,728

42,596

2,515

$

2,122,218

The following table shows a detailed breakdown of the maturities of time open and certificates of deposit, by size category, at 

December 31, 2014.

(In thousands)

Due in 3 months or less

Due in over 3 through 6 months

Due in over 6 through 12 months

Due in over 12 months

Total

Certificates of
Deposit under
$100,000

Other Time
Deposits under
$100,000

Certificates of
Deposit over
$100,000

Other Time
Deposits over
$100,000

145,232 $

30,779 $

363,581 $

12,646 $

155,693

260,582

135,960

35,553

49,132

65,502

272,824

238,723

268,887

28,172

45,415

13,537

Total

552,238

492,242

593,852

483,886

697,467 $

180,966 $

1,144,015 $

99,770 $

2,122,218

$

$

Regulations of the Federal Reserve System require cash balances to be maintained at the Federal Reserve Bank, based on 

certain deposit levels. The minimum reserve requirement for the Bank at December 31, 2014 totaled $59.8 million. 

81

8. Borrowings

The following table sets forth selected information for short-term borrowings (borrowings with an original maturity of less 

than one year). 

(Dollars in thousands)

Federal funds purchased and repurchase agreements:

2014

2013

2012

 Year End
Weighted
Rate

 Average
Weighted
Rate

 Average Balance
Outstanding

Maximum
Outstanding at
any Month End

Balance at
December 31

.1%

.1

.1

.1% $

1,119,578 $

1,862,518 $

1,862,518

.1

.1

914,554

785,978

1,479,849

1,149,156

996,558

683,550

Short-term  borrowings  consist  primarily  of  federal  funds  purchased  and  securities  sold  under  agreements  to  repurchase 
(repurchase agreements), which generally have one day maturities.  At December 31, 2014, nearly all of these borrowings were 
short-term repurchase agreements comprised of non-insured customer funds, which were secured by a portion of the Company’s 
investment portfolio.

The Bank is a member of the Des Moines FHLB and has access to term financing from the FHLB. These borrowings are 
secured under a blanket collateral agreement including primarily residential mortgages as well as all unencumbered assets and 
stock of the borrowing bank.  At December 31, 2014, total outstanding advances were $104.1 million with a weighted interest 
rate  of  3.5%  and  a  remaining  maturity  of  three  years.   All  of  the  outstanding  advances  have  fixed  interest  rates  and  contain 
prepayment penalties. The FHLB has also issued letters of credit, totaling $233.1 million at December 31, 2014, to secure the 
Company’s obligations to certain depositors of public funds. 

The Company's borrowings of long-term structured repurchase agreements matured in total during 2014, averaging $138.1 

million during the year.

9. Income Taxes   

The components of income tax expense from operations for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 were as 

follows:

(In thousands)
Year ended December 31, 2014:

U.S. federal
State and local

Total
Year ended December 31, 2013:

U.S. federal
State and local

Total
Year ended December 31, 2012:

U.S. federal
State and local

Total

Current

Deferred

Total

$

$

$

$

$

$

109,183 $
11,573
120,756 $

102,191 $
10,838
113,029 $

100,210 $
10,725
110,935 $

(679) $
139
(540) $

7,984 $
1,217
9,201 $

15,125 $
1,109
16,234 $

108,504
11,712
120,216

110,175
12,055
122,230

115,335
11,834
127,169

The components of income tax (benefit) expense recorded directly to stockholders’ equity for the years ended December 31, 

2014, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:

(In thousands)
Unrealized gain (loss) on securities available for sale
Accumulated pension (benefit) loss

Compensation expense for tax purposes in excess of amounts recognized for

financial reporting purposes

Income tax (benefit) expense allocated to stockholders’ equity

2014

2013

2012

$

$

36,525 $
(4,433)

(1,850)
30,242 $

(84,582) $
6,981

(1,003)
(78,604) $

19,425
(3,608)

(2,094)
13,723

82

Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31, 2014 and 2013 were as follows:

(In thousands)
Deferred tax assets:

Loans, principally due to allowance for loan losses
Accrued expenses
Equity-based compensation
Deferred compensation
Pension
Other

Total deferred tax assets
Deferred tax liabilities:

Equipment lease financing
Unrealized gain on securities available for sale
Land, buildings and equipment
Intangibles
Accretion on investment securities
Other

Total deferred tax liabilities
Net deferred tax assets (liabilities)

2014

2013

$

$

68,014 $
14,590
12,689
7,397
5,885
16,173
124,748

67,531
52,158
14,520
7,532
5,919
3,181
150,841
(26,093) $

70,154
15,740
12,407
6,980
728
14,740
120,749

64,320
15,633
14,757
7,282
5,972
7,325
115,289
5,460

Management believes it is more likely than not that the results of future operations will generate sufficient taxable income to 

realize the total deferred tax assets.

A reconciliation between the expected federal income tax expense using the federal statutory tax rate of 35% and the Company’s 
actual income tax expense for 2014, 2013 and 2012 is provided in the table below.  The effective tax rate is calculated by dividing 
income taxes by income before income taxes less the non-controlling interest expense.

(In thousands)
Computed “expected” tax expense
Increase (decrease) in income taxes resulting from:

2014

2013

2012

$

133,690 $

134,117 $

138,774

Tax-exempt interest, net of cost to carry
State and local income taxes, net of federal tax benefit
Tax deductible dividends on allocated shares held by the Company’s ESOP
Other

Total income tax expense

(17,806)
7,613
(1,116)
(2,165)
120,216 $

(16,612)
7,836
(1,116)
(1,995)
122,230 $

(15,516)
7,692
(2,991)
(790)
127,169

$

It is the Company’s policy to recognize interest and penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense.  The Company 
recorded tax benefits related to interest and penalties of $6 thousand, $5 thousand and $81 thousand in 2014, 2013 and 2012, 
respectively.   At  December 31,  2014  and  2013,  liabilities  for  interest  and  penalties  were  $178  thousand  and  $172  thousand, 
respectively.

As  of  December 31,  2014  and  2013,  the  gross  amount  of  unrecognized  tax  benefits  was  $1.3  million  and  $1.4  million, 
respectively, and the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that would impact the effective tax rate, if recognized, was $852 
thousand and $1.0 million, respectively.  

The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to income tax by federal, state and local government taxing authorities.  Tax 
years 2011 through 2014 remain open to examination for U.S. federal income tax as well as income tax in major state taxing 
jurisdictions.

83

The activity in the accrued liability for unrecognized tax benefits for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 was as 

follows:

(In thousands)
Unrecognized tax benefits at beginning of year
Gross increases – tax positions in prior period
Gross decreases – tax positions in prior period
Gross increases – current-period tax positions
Lapse of statute of limitations
Unrecognized tax benefits at end of year

10. Employee Benefit Plans

2014

2013

$

$

1,428 $
20
(5)
299
(430)
1,312 $

1,581
70
(2)
282
(503)
1,428

Employee  benefits  charged  to  operating  expenses  are  summarized  in  the  table  below.  Substantially  all  of  the  Company’s 

employees are covered by a defined contribution (401(k)) plan, under which the Company makes matching contributions.

(In thousands)
Payroll taxes
Medical plans
401(k) plan
Pension plans
Other
Total employee benefits

2014

2013

2012

21,417 $
22,855
12,057
2,555
2,585
61,469 $

21,118 $
18,490
12,465
1,627
2,988
56,688 $

20,621
19,861
12,613
2,441
2,688
58,224

$

$

A portion of the Company’s employees are covered by a noncontributory defined benefit pension plan, however, participation 
in the pension plan is not available to employees hired after June 30, 2003. All participants are fully vested in their benefit payable 
upon normal retirement date, which is based on years of participation and compensation.  Certain key executives also participate 
in a supplemental executive retirement plan (the CERP) that the Company funds only as retirement benefits are disbursed. The 
CERP carries no segregated assets. Since January 2011, all benefits accrued under the pension plan have been frozen.  However, 
the accounts continue to accrue interest at a stated annual rate.  The CERP continues to provide credits based on hypothetical 
contributions in excess of those permitted under the 401(k) plan.  In the tables presented below, the pension plan and the CERP 
are presented on a combined basis.

Under the Company’s funding policy for the defined benefit pension plan, contributions are made to a trust as necessary to 
satisfy the statutory minimum required contribution as defined by the Pension Protection Act, which is intended to provide for 
current  service  accruals  and  for  any  unfunded  accrued  actuarial  liabilities  over  a  reasonable  period. To  the  extent  that  these 
requirements are fully covered by assets in the trust, a contribution might not be made in a particular year.  No contributions to 
the defined benefit plan were made in 2014 or 2013, and the minimum required contribution for 2015 is expected to be zero.  The 
Company does not expect to make any further contributions in 2015 other than the necessary funding contributions to the CERP.  
Contributions to the CERP were $69 thousand, $69 thousand and $65 thousand during 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.  As 
noted in the table below, pension cost in 2014 included a settlement loss of $1.7 million, resulting from a cash-out opportunity 
offered during the year to certain vested inactive participants with deferred benefits.   

The following items are components of the net pension cost for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012.

(In thousands)

Service cost-benefits earned during the year

Interest cost on projected benefit obligation

Expected return on plan assets

Amortization of unrecognized net loss

Settlement loss recognized

Net periodic pension cost

2014

2013

2012

$

$

430 $

509 $

5,069

(6,285)

1,654

1,687

4,509

(6,476)

3,085

—

2,555 $

1,627 $

504

5,162

(6,178)

2,953

—

2,441

84

 
The following table sets forth the pension plans’ funded status, using valuation dates of December 31, 2014 and 2013. 

(In thousands)

Change in projected benefit obligation

Projected benefit obligation at prior valuation date

Service cost

Interest cost

Plan settlements

Benefits paid

Actuarial (gain) loss

Projected benefit obligation at valuation date

Change in plan assets

Fair value of plan assets at prior valuation date

Actual return on plan assets

Employer contributions

Plan settlements

Benefits paid

Fair value of plan assets at valuation date

2014

2013

$

113,673 $

125,147

430

5,069

(7,163)

(5,193)

18,631

125,447

107,172

9,909

69

(7,163)

(5,193)

104,794

509

4,509

—

(5,904)

(10,588)

113,673

101,834

11,173

69

—

(5,904)

107,172

(6,501)

Funded status and net amount recognized at valuation date

$

(20,653) $

The accumulated benefit obligation, which represents the liability of a plan using only benefits as of the measurement date, 

was $125.4 million and $113.7 million for the combined plans on December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Amounts not yet reflected in net periodic benefit cost and included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at 
December 31, 2014 and 2013 are shown below, including amounts recognized in other comprehensive income during the periods. 
All amounts are shown on a pre-tax basis.

(In thousands)

Prior service credit (cost)

Accumulated loss

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

Cumulative employer contributions in excess of net periodic benefit cost

Net amount recognized as an accrued benefit liability on the December 31 balance sheet

Net gain (loss) arising during period

Amortization or settlement recognition of net loss

Total recognized in other comprehensive income

Total income (expense) recognized in net periodic pension cost and other comprehensive income

2014

2013

$

$

$

$

$

— $

(37,145)

(37,145)

16,492

(20,653) $

(15,007) $

3,341

(11,666) $

(14,221) $

—

(25,479)

(25,479)

18,978

(6,501)

15,285

3,085

18,370

16,743

The estimated net loss to be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic pension cost in 2015 

is $2.6 million.   

The following assumptions, on a weighted average basis, were used in accounting for the plans.

Determination of benefit obligation at year end:

Discount rate

Assumed credit on cash balance accounts

Determination of net periodic benefit cost for year ended:

Discount rate

Long-term rate of return on assets

Assumed credit on cash balance accounts

2014

2013

2012

3.95%

5.00%

4.55%

6.00%

5.00%

4.55%

5.00%

3.65%

6.50%

5.00%

3.65%

5.00%

4.80%

6.50%

5.00%

85

 
The following table shows the fair values of the Company’s pension plan assets by asset category at December 31, 2014 and 
2013.  Information about the valuation techniques and inputs used to measure fair value are provided in Note 16 on Fair Value 
Measurements.

(In thousands)
December 31, 2014
Assets:

U.S. government obligations
Government-sponsored enterprise obligations (a)
State and municipal obligations
Agency mortgage-backed securities (b)
Non-agency mortgage-backed securities

Asset-backed securities
Corporate bonds (c)
Equity securities and mutual funds: (d)

U.S. large-cap

U.S. mid-cap

U.S. small-cap

International developed markets

Emerging markets

Money market funds
Total
December 31, 2013
Assets:

U.S. government obligations
Government-sponsored enterprise obligations (a)
State and municipal obligations
Agency mortgage-backed securities (b)
Non-agency mortgage-backed securities

Asset-backed securities
Corporate bonds (c)
Equity securities and mutual funds: (d)

U.S. large-cap

U.S. mid-cap

U.S. small-cap

International developed markets

Emerging markets

Money market funds
Total

Fair Value Measurements

Quoted Prices in 
Active Markets 
for Identical 
Assets
(Level 1)

Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)

Significant
Unobservable
Inputs (Level 3)

Total Fair Value

$

1,290 $

1,290 $

— $

1,259

10,638

1,762

5,635

5,776

34,264

20,296

13,362

3,590

3,377

473

—

—

—

—

—

—

20,296

13,362

3,590

3,377

473

1,259

10,638

1,762

5,635

5,776

34,264

—

—

—

—

—

3,072
104,794 $

3,072
45,460 $

—
59,334 $

901 $

901 $

— $

$

$

2,512

7,270

1,744

6,156

5,985

36,345

23,677

13,864

4,331

857

659

—

—

—

—

—

—

23,677

13,864

4,331

857

659

2,512

7,270

1,744

6,156

5,985

36,345

—

—

—

—

—

2,871
107,172 $

$

2,871
47,160 $

—
60,012 $

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—
—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—
—

(a)  This category represents bonds (excluding mortgage-backed securities) issued by agencies such as the Federal Home Loan Bank, the 

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp and the Federal National Mortgage Association.

(b)  This category represents mortgage-backed securities issued by the agencies mentioned in (a). 

(c)  This category represents investment grade bonds issued in the U.S., primarily by domestic issuers, representing diverse industries.

(d)  This category represents investments in individual common stocks and equity funds.  These holdings are diversified, largely across the 

financial services, consumer goods, healthcare, technology, and energy sectors.

86

The investment policy of the pension plan is designed for growth in value, within limits designed to safeguard against significant 
losses within the portfolio. The policy sets guidelines, which may change from time to time, regarding the types and percentages 
of investments held.  Currently, the policy includes guidelines such as holding bonds rated investment grade or better and prohibiting 
investment in Company stock.  The plan does not utilize derivatives. Management believes there are no significant concentrations 
of risk within the plan asset portfolio at December 31, 2014.  Under the current policy, the long-term investment target mix for 
the plan is 35% equity securities and 65% fixed income securities. The Company regularly reviews its policies on investment mix 
and may make changes depending on economic conditions and perceived investment risk.

The discount rate is based on matching the Company's estimated plan cash flows to a yield curve derived from a portfolio of 

corporate bonds rated AA by either Moody's or Standard and Poor's.  

The assumed overall expected long-term rate of return on pension plan assets used in calculating 2014 pension plan expense 
was 6.0%. Determination of the plan’s expected rate of return is based upon historical and anticipated returns of the asset classes 
invested in by the pension plan and the allocation strategy currently in place among those classes. The rate used in plan calculations 
may be adjusted by management for current trends in the economic environment. The 10-year annualized return for the Company’s 
pension plan was 7.2%.  During 2014, the plan’s rate of return was 9.1%, compared to 11.1% in 2013.  Returns for any plan year 
may be affected by changes in the stock market and interest rates.  The Company expects to incur pension expense of $1.9 million 
in 2015, compared to $2.6 million in 2014.  The decline in expense expected in 2015 as compared to 2014 is due to the $1.7 million 
settlement expense in 2014, which is not expected to reoccur in 2015, partially offset by increases in expense due to a decrease 
in the discount rate and the effect of the new mortality assumptions mentioned below.

 The Company utilizes published mortality tables to incorporate mortality assumptions into the measurement of the pension 
benefit obligation.  During 2014, the Society of Actuaries published new mortality tables, which incorporate a greater longevity 
for  people  living  in  the  United  States.   The  Company  utilized  the  updated  mortality  tables  in  measuring  the  pension  benefit 
obligation as of December 31, 2014, which increased the benefit obligation by $11.4 million.

The following future benefit payments are expected to be paid: 

(In thousands)
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020 - 2024

$

6,263
6,614
6,877
7,115
7,263
38,265

11. Stock-Based Compensation and Directors Stock Purchase Plan* 

The Company’s stock-based compensation is provided under a stockholder-approved plan which allows for issuance of various 
types of awards, including stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock and restricted stock units, performance awards 
and stock-based awards.  At December 31, 2014, 3,578,149 shares remained available for issuance under the plan.  The stock-
based compensation expense that was charged against income was $8.8 million,  $6.4 million and $5.0 million for the years ended 
December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.  The total income tax benefit recognized in the income statement for share-
based compensation arrangements was $3.3 million, $2.4 million and $1.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 
and 2012, respectively.   

87

During 2014 and 2013, stock-based compensation was issued in the form of nonvested stock awards and stock appreciation 
rights. Nonvested stock is awarded to key employees, by action of the Company's Compensation and Human Resources Committee 
and Board of Directors.  These awards generally vest after 4 to 7 years of continued employment, but vesting terms may vary 
according to the specifics of the individual grant agreement.  There are restrictions as to transferability, sale, pledging, or assigning, 
among others, prior to the end of the vesting period.  Dividend and voting rights are conferred upon grant.  A summary of the 
status of the Company’s nonvested share awards as of  December 31, 2014 and changes during the year then ended is presented 
below.

Nonvested at January 1, 2014

Granted

Vested

Forfeited

Nonvested at December 31, 2014

Shares

1,200,750

195,177

(107,299)

(28,689)

1,259,939

Weighted
Average Grant
Date Fair Value
32.64

42.48

28.51

36.85

34.41

The total fair value (at vest date) of shares vested during 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $4.5 million, $2.1 million and $2.1 million, 

respectively. 

 Stock appreciation rights (SARs) and stock options are granted with exercise prices equal to the market price of the Company’s 
stock at the date of grant.  SARs, which the Company granted in 2006 through 2009, and again in 2013 and 2014, vest ratably 
over four years of continuous service and have 10-year contractual terms.  All SARs must be settled in stock under provisions of 
the plan.  Non-qualified stock options, which were granted in 2005 and previous years, vested ratably over three years of continuous 
service, and also have 10-year contractual terms.  

In determining compensation cost, the Black-Scholes option-pricing model is used to estimate the fair value of options and 
SARs on date of grant.  The Black-Scholes model is a closed-end model that uses various assumptions as shown in the following 
table.  Expected volatility is based on historical volatility of the Company’s stock.  The Company uses historical exercise behavior 
and other factors to estimate the expected term of the options and SARs, which represents the period of time that the options and 
SARs granted are expected to be outstanding.  The risk-free rate for the expected term is based on the U.S. Treasury zero coupon 
spot rates in effect at the time of grant.   The per share average fair value and the model assumptions for SARs granted in 2014 
are 2013 shown in the table below.

Weighted per share average fair value at grant date

Assumptions:

Dividend yield

Volatility

Risk-free interest rate

Expected term

2014

$8.82

2013

$6.49

2.0%

22.1%

2.3%

2.3%

23.2%

1.2%

7.1 years

7.3 years

A summary of stock option activity during 2014 is presented below.

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

Shares

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term

Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value

Outstanding at January 1, 2014

474,894

29.10

Granted

Forfeited

Expired

Exercised

—

—

(1,462)

(404,757)

Outstanding, exercisable and vested at December 31, 2014

68,675 $

—

—

29.22

29.07

29.27

0.2 years $

977

88

  
A summary of SAR activity during 2014 is presented below.

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

Shares

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term

Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value

Outstanding at January 1, 2014

Granted

Forfeited

Expired

Exercised

Outstanding at December 31, 2014

Exercisable at December 31, 2014

Vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2014

1,845,863 $

181,556

(2,478)

(7,084)

(237,279)

1,780,578 $

1,425,874 $

1,763,892 $

33.03

42.40

39.37

32.44

33.12

33.96

32.72

33.92

3.7 years $

16,966

2.5 years $

15,356

3.7 years $

16,885

Additional information about stock options and SARs exercised is presented below.  

(In thousands)

Intrinsic value of options and SARs exercised

Cash received from options and SARs exercised

Tax benefit realized from options and SARs exercised

2014

2013

2012

$

$

$

8,068 $

8,652 $

1,153 $

6,580

9,426

335

$

$

$

7,769

14,820

1,269

As of December 31, 2014, there was $20.1 million of unrecognized compensation cost (net of estimated forfeitures) related 

to unvested SARs and stock awards.  That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.9 years.

The Company has a directors stock purchase plan whereby outside directors of the Company and its subsidiaries may elect to 
use their directors’ fees to purchase Company stock at market value each month end. Remaining shares available for issuance 
under this plan were 124,086 at December 31, 2014. In 2014, 20,117 shares were purchased at an average price of $42.34 and in 
2013, 21,233 shares were purchased at an average price of $38.46.

* All share and per share amounts in this note have been restated for the 5% stock dividend distributed in 2014.

89

12. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

 The table below shows the activity and accumulated balances for components of other comprehensive income.  The largest 
component is the unrealized holding gains and losses on available for sale securities.  Unrealized gains and losses on debt securities 
for which an other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI) has been recorded in current earnings are shown separately below.  The 
other component is amortization from other comprehensive income of losses associated with pension benefits, which occurs as 
the amortization is included in current net periodic benefit cost.

Unrealized Gains (Losses)
on Securities (1)

OTTI

Other

Pension Loss
(2)

Total Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income

$

4,203 $

21,303 $

(15,775) $

(In thousands)

Balance January 1, 2014

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income

Current period other comprehensive income (loss), before tax

Income tax (expense) benefit

Current period other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

(2,030)

1,365

(665)

253

(412)

93,158

3,627

96,785

(36,778)

60,007

(15,007)

3,341

(11,666)

4,433

(7,233)

Balance December 31, 2014

Balance January 1, 2013

$

$

3,791 $

81,310 $

(23,008) $

3,245 $

160,263 $

(27,164) $

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income

Current period other comprehensive income (loss), before tax

Income tax (expense) benefit

Current period other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

261

1,284

1,545

(587)

958

(222,628)

(1,501)

(224,129)

85,169

(138,960)

15,285

3,085

18,370

(6,981)

11,389

Balance December 31, 2013

$

4,203 $

21,303 $

(15,775) $

9,731

76,121

8,333

84,454

(32,092)

52,362

62,093

136,344

(207,082)

2,868

(204,214)

77,601

(126,613)

9,731

(1) The pre-tax amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income are included in "investment securities gains (losses), net" in the 
consolidated statements of income.  
(2) The pre-tax amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost as  
"amortization of unrecognized net loss" and "settlement loss recognized" (see Note 10), for inclusion in the consolidated statements of income.

13. Segments

The Company segregates financial information for use in assessing its performance and allocating resources among three 
operating segments:  Consumer, Commercial and Wealth.  The Consumer segment includes the consumer portion of the retail 
branch network (loans, deposits and other personal banking services), indirect and other consumer financing, and consumer debit 
and credit bank cards. The Commercial segment provides corporate lending (including the Small Business Banking product line 
within  the  branch  network),  leasing,  international  services,  and  business,  government  deposit,  and  related  commercial  cash 
management services, as well as merchant and commercial bank card products. The Commercial segment also includes the Capital 
Markets Group, which sells fixed income securities and provides investment safekeeping and bond accounting services.  The 
Wealth  segment  provides  traditional  trust  and  estate  tax  planning,  advisory  and  discretionary  investment  management,  and 
brokerage services, and includes the Private Banking product portfolio. 

The Company’s business line reporting system derives segment information from the internal profitability reporting system 
used by management to monitor and manage the financial performance of the Company.  This information is based on internal 
management accounting policies, which have been developed to reflect the underlying economics of the businesses.  The policies 
address the methodologies applied in connection with funds transfer pricing and assignment of overhead costs among segments.  
Funds transfer pricing was used in the determination of net interest income by assigning a standard cost (credit) for funds used 
(provided) by assets and liabilities based on their maturity, prepayment and/or repricing characteristics.  Income and expense that 
directly relate to segment operations are recorded in the segment when incurred. Expenses that indirectly support the segments 
are allocated based on the most appropriate method available.

The Company uses a funds transfer pricing method to value funds used (e.g., loans, fixed assets, and cash) and funds provided 
(e.g., deposits, borrowings, and equity) by the business segments and their components. This process assigns a specific value to 
each new source or use of funds with a maturity, based on current swap rates, thus determining an interest spread at the time of 
the transaction. Non-maturity assets and liabilities are valued using weighted average pools.  The funds transfer pricing process 
attempts to remove interest rate risk from valuation, allowing management to compare profitability under various rate environments.  

90

 
The following tables present selected financial information by segment and reconciliations of combined segment totals to 
consolidated totals. There were no material intersegment revenues between the three segments.  Management periodically makes 
changes to methods of assigning costs and income to its business segments to better reflect operating results.  If appropriate, these 
changes are reflected in prior year information presented below.

Segment Income Statement Data

(In thousands)
Year ended December 31, 2014:
Net interest income
Provision for loan losses
Non-interest income
Investment securities gains, net
Non-interest expense
Income before income taxes
Year ended December 31, 2013:
Net interest income
Provision for loan losses
Non-interest income
Investment securities losses, net
Non-interest expense
Income before income taxes
Year ended December 31, 2012:
Net interest income
Provision for loan losses
Non-interest income
Investment securities gains, net
Non-interest expense
Income before income taxes

Consumer

Commercial

Wealth

Segment Totals

Other/
Elimination

Consolidated
Totals

$

$

$

$

$

270,081 $
(35,209)
113,245
—
(267,931)

80,186 $

268,221 $
(34,277)
112,819
—
(270,209)

76,554 $

274,844 $
(35,496)
114,003
—
(266,740)

$

86,611 $

287,244 $
559
190,594
—
(250,964)
227,433 $

280,128 $
3,772
186,446
—
(235,396)
234,950 $

290,968 $
(2,824)
179,824
—
(226,935)
241,033 $

40,128 $
372
128,203
—
(98,589)
70,114 $

40,185 $
(688)
117,323
—
(96,530)
60,290 $

39,498 $
(695)
108,776
—
(90,659)
56,920 $

597,453 $
(34,278)
432,042
—
(617,484)
377,733 $

588,534 $
(31,193)
416,588
—
(602,135)
371,794 $

605,310 $
(39,015)
402,603
—
(584,334)
384,564 $

22,751 $
4,747
3,936
14,124
(40,291)

5,267 $

30,838 $
10,840
1,798
(4,425)
(27,498)
11,553 $

34,596 $
11,728
(2,973)
4,828
(34,135)
14,044 $

620,204
(29,531)
435,978
14,124
(657,775)
383,000

619,372
(20,353)
418,386
(4,425)
(629,633)
383,347

639,906
(27,287)
399,630
4,828
(618,469)
398,608

The segment activity, as shown above, includes both direct and allocated items. Amounts in the “Other/Elimination” column 
include activity not related to the segments, such as that relating to administrative functions, the investment securities portfolio, 
and the effect of certain expense allocations to the segments.  The provision for loan losses in this category contains the difference 
between net loan charge-offs assigned directly to the segments and the recorded provision for loan loss expense.  Included in this 
category’s net interest income are earnings of the investment portfolio, which are not allocated to a segment.  

Segment Balance Sheet Data

(In thousands)
Average balances for 2014:
Assets
Loans, including held for sale
Goodwill and other intangible assets
Deposits
Average balances for 2013:
Assets
Loans, including held for sale
Goodwill and other intangible assets
Deposits

$

$

Consumer

Commercial

Wealth

Segment Totals

Other/
Elimination

Consolidated
Totals

2,806,028 $
2,718,634
76,786
9,537,686

6,966,520 $
6,783,471
69,733
7,288,884

931,397 $
922,120
746
1,911,391

10,703,945 $
10,424,225
147,265
18,737,961

11,968,978 $
836,008
—
57,715

22,672,923
11,260,233
147,265
18,795,676

2,674,136 $
2,589,179
73,340
9,317,525

6,321,153 $
6,124,902
61,925
6,809,265

855,721 $
845,918
746
1,885,807

9,851,010 $
9,559,999
136,011
18,012,597

12,022,974 $
756,143
—
48,554

21,873,984
10,316,142
136,011
18,061,151

The above segment balances include only those items directly associated with the segment. The “Other/Elimination” column 
includes unallocated bank balances not associated with a segment (such as investment securities and federal funds sold), balances 
relating to certain other administrative and corporate functions, and eliminations between segment and non-segment balances. 
This column also includes the resulting effect of allocating such items as float, deposit reserve and capital for the purpose of 
computing the cost or credit for funds used/provided.

91

The Company’s reportable segments are strategic lines of business that offer different products and services. They are managed 
separately  because  each  line  services  a  specific  customer  need,  requiring  different  performance  measurement  analyses  and 
marketing strategies.  The performance measurement of the segments is based on the management structure of the Company and 
is not necessarily comparable with similar information for any other financial institution.  The information is also not necessarily 
indicative of the segments’ financial condition and results of operations if they were independent entities.

14. Common and Preferred Stock

On December 15, 2014, the Company distributed a 5% stock dividend on its $5 par common stock for the 21st consecutive 

year.  All per common share data in this report has been restated to reflect the stock dividend.

The  Company  applies  the  two-class  method  of  computing  income  per  share,  as  nonvested  share-based  awards  that  pay 
nonforfeitable common stock dividends are considered securities which participate in undistributed earnings with common stock.  
The two-class method requires the calculation of separate income per share amounts for the nonvested share-based awards and 
for common stock.  Income per share attributable to common stock is shown in the following table.  Nonvested share-based awards 
are further discussed in Note 11 on Stock-Based Compensation.

Basic income per share is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year. Diluted 
income per share gives effect to all dilutive potential common shares that were outstanding during the year.  Presented below is 
a summary of the components used to calculate basic and diluted income per common share, which have been restated for all 
stock dividends. 

(In thousands, except per share data)

Basic income per common share:

Net income attributable to Commerce Bancshares, Inc.
Less preferred stock dividends
Net income available to common shareholders
Less income allocated to nonvested restricted stock
Net income allocated to common stock

Weighted average common shares outstanding

Basic income per common share
Diluted income per common share:

Net income available to common shareholders
Less income allocated to nonvested restricted stock
Net income allocated to common stock
Weighted average common shares outstanding

Net effect of the assumed exercise of stock-based awards -- based on the treasury
stock method using the average market price for the respective periods

Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding
Diluted income per common share

2014

2013

2012

$

$

$

$

$

$

261,754 $
4,050
257,704
3,332
254,372 $
96,984

2.62 $

257,704 $
3,323
254,381 $
96,984

260,961 $

—
260,961
2,939
258,022 $
99,315

2.60 $

260,961 $
2,931
258,030 $
99,315

400
97,384

417
99,732

2.61 $

2.59 $

269,329
—
269,329
2,563
266,766
101,005
2.64

269,329
2,562
266,767
101,005

308
101,313
2.63

 Nearly all unexercised stock options and stock appreciation rights were included in the computations of diluted income per 

share for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012.                                                          

At the Annual Meeting of the Shareholders, held on April 16, 2014, a proposal to increase the shares of Company common 
stock authorized for issuance under its articles of incorporation was approved.  This approval increased the authorized shares from 
100,000,000 to 120,000,000.

On June 19, 2014, the Company issued and sold 6,000,000 depositary shares, representing 6,000 shares of 6.00% Series B 
Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, par value $1.00 per share, having an aggregate liquidation preference of $150.0 million 
(“Series B Preferred Stock”).  Each depositary share has a liquidation preference of $25 per share. Dividends on the Series B 
Preferred Stock, if declared, accrue and are payable quarterly, in arrears, at a rate of 6.00%. The Series B Preferred Stock qualifies 
as Tier 1 capital for the purposes of the regulatory capital calculations. The net proceeds from the issuance and sale of the Series 
B Preferred Stock, after deducting underwriting discount and commissions, and the payment of expenses were approximately 
$144.8 million. The net proceeds from the offering were used to fund, in part, the accelerated share repurchase program discussed 
below. 

92

In the event that the Company does not declare and pay dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock for the most recent dividend 
period, the ability of the Company to declare or pay dividends on, purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire shares of its common 
stock or any securities of the Company that rank junior to the Series B Preferred Stock is subject to certain restrictions under the 
terms of the Series B Preferred Stock.  The Company paid dividends on the Preferred Stock totaling $4.1 million during 2014.

Concurrent with the issuance and sale of the Series B Preferred Stock, on June 19, 2014, the Company entered into an accelerated 
share  repurchase  agreement  (the  “ASR  agreement”)  with  Morgan  Stanley  &  Co.  LLC  (“Morgan  Stanley”).  Under  the ASR 
agreement, the Company paid $200.0 million to Morgan Stanley and received from Morgan Stanley 3,055,434 shares of the 
Company’s common stock, representing approximately 70% of the estimated total number of shares to be delivered by Morgan 
Stanley at the conclusion of the accelerated stock repurchase program. Upon final settlement, which is expected to occur on or 
before June 2015, the Company expects to receive the balance of the shares repurchased under the ASR agreement. The specific 
number of shares that the Company ultimately will repurchase will be based on the volume-weighted-average price per share of 
the Company’s common stock during the repurchase period.  During the term of the ASR agreement, the Company may only make 
repurchases of Company common stock with the consent of Morgan Stanley. 

The ASR agreement is part of a stock repurchase program that was authorized by the Company’s board of directors in June 
2014 to buy up to 5,000,000 shares of the Company's common stock. The Company accounted for the repurchase under the ASR 
agreement as two separate transactions: (i) as shares of common stock acquired in a treasury stock transaction recorded on the 
acquisition date; and (ii) as a forward contract indexed to the Company’s common stock that is classified as equity and reported 
as a component of surplus.  At December 31, 2014, 1,898,007 shares of common stock remained available for purchase under the 
current board authorization. 

The table below shows activity in the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock during the past three years. Shares 

in the table below are presented on an historical basis and have not been restated for the annual 5% stock dividends.

(In thousands)
Shares outstanding at January 1
Issuance of stock:

Awards and sales under employee and director plans
5% stock dividend
Summit acquisition

Purchases of treasury stock under accelerated stock buyback program
Other purchases of treasury stock
Other
Shares outstanding at December 31

15. Regulatory Capital Requirements 

Years Ended December 31

2014

2013

2012

95,881

91,414

88,952

549
4,586
—
(3,055)
(1,626)
(8)
96,327

653
4,565
1,000
—
(1,742)
(9)
95,881

837
4,352
—
—
(2,716)
(11)
91,414

The Company is subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies. Failure to 
meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and additional discretionary actions by regulators that could 
have a direct material effect on the Company’s financial statements. The regulations require the Company to meet specific capital 
adequacy guidelines that involve quantitative measures of the Company’s assets, liabilities and certain off-balance sheet items as 
calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The Company’s capital classification is also subject to qualitative judgments by 
the regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors.

Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Company and the Bank to maintain 
minimum amounts and ratios of Tier I capital to total average assets (leverage ratio), and minimum ratios of Tier I and Total capital 
to risk-weighted assets (as defined). To meet minimum, adequately capitalized regulatory requirements, an institution must maintain 
a Tier I capital ratio of 4.00%, a Total capital ratio of 8.00% and a leverage ratio of 4.00%. The minimum required ratios for well-
capitalized banks (under prompt corrective action provisions) are 6.00% for Tier I capital, 10.00% for Total capital and 5.00% for 
the leverage ratio.

93

The following tables show the capital amounts and ratios for the Company (on a consolidated basis) and the Bank, together 

with the minimum and well-capitalized capital requirements, at the last two year ends.  

(Dollars in thousands)

December 31, 2014

Total Capital (to risk-weighted assets):

Actual

Minimum Capital
Requirement

Well-Capitalized Capital
Requirement

Amount

Ratio

Amount

Ratio

Amount

Ratio

Commerce Bancshares, Inc. (consolidated)

$ 2,304,206

14.86% $ 1,240,732

8.00%

N.A.

N.A.

Commerce Bank

2,026,666

13.16

1,232,378

8.00

$ 1,540,472

10.00%

Tier I Capital (to risk-weighted assets):

Commerce Bancshares, Inc. (consolidated)

$ 2,131,169

13.74% $ 620,366

4.00%

N.A.

Commerce Bank

1,869,053

12.13

616,189

4.00

$ 924,283

Tier I Capital (to adjusted quarterly average assets):

(Leverage Ratio)

Commerce Bancshares, Inc. (consolidated)

$ 2,131,169

9.36% $ 910,977

4.00%

N.A.

Commerce Bank

December 31, 2013

Total Capital (to risk-weighted assets):

1,869,053

8.24

907,807

4.00

$ 1,134,759

N.A.

6.00%

N.A.

5.00%

Commerce Bancshares, Inc. (consolidated)

$ 2,239,636

15.28% $ 1,172,843

8.00%

N.A.

N.A.

Commerce Bank

1,971,850

13.55

1,164,469

8.00

$ 1,455,586

10.00%

Tier I Capital (to risk-weighted assets):

Commerce Bancshares, Inc. (consolidated)

$ 2,061,761

14.06% $ 586,421

4.00%

N.A.

Commerce Bank

1,809,231

12.43

582,234

4.00

$ 873,351

Tier I Capital (to adjusted quarterly average assets):

(Leverage Ratio)

Commerce Bancshares, Inc. (consolidated)

$ 2,061,761

9.43% $ 874,673

4.00%

N.A.

Commerce Bank

1,809,231

8.31

871,050

4.00

$ 1,088,812

N.A.

6.00%

N.A.

5.00%

At December 31, 2014, the Company met all capital requirements to which it is subject, and the Bank’s capital position exceeded 

the regulatory definition of well-capitalized.

In 2013 and 2014, the U.S. bank regulators approved the final rules implementing the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision's  
capital guidelines for U.S. banks. Under the final rules, known as Basel III, minimum requirements will increase for both the 
quantity and quality of capital held by the Company. The rules include a new common equity Tier I capital to risk-weighted assets 
minimum ratio of 4.5%, raise the minimum ratio of Tier I capital to risk-weighted assets from 4.0% to 6.0%, require a minimum 
ratio  of Total  capital  to  risk-weighted  assets  of  8.0%,  and  require  a  minimum Tier  1  leverage  ratio  of  4.0%.   A  new  capital 
conservation  buffer,  comprised  of  common  equity  Tier  I  capital,  is  also  established  above  the  regulatory  minimum  capital 
requirements. This capital conservation buffer will be phased in beginning January 1, 2016 at .625% of risk-weighted assets and 
increases each subsequent year by an additional .625% until reaching its final level of 2.5% on January 1, 2019. Strict eligibility 
criteria for regulatory capital instruments were also implemented under the final rules. 

The phase-in period for the final rules will begin for the Company on January 1, 2015, with full compliance with all of the 
final rule's requirements phased in over a multi-year schedule and should be fully phased-in by January 1, 2019. Management 
believes that the Company's capital levels will remain characterized as "well-capitalized" under the new rules. 

16. Fair Value Measurements 

The Company uses fair value measurements to record fair value adjustments to certain financial and nonfinancial assets and 
liabilities and to determine fair value disclosures.  Various financial instruments such as available for sale and trading securities, 
certain non-marketable securities relating to private equity activities, and derivatives are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis.  
Additionally, from time to time, the Company may be required to record at fair value other assets and liabilities on a nonrecurring 
basis, such as loans held for sale, mortgage servicing rights and certain other investment securities.  These nonrecurring fair value 
adjustments typically involve lower of cost or fair value accounting, or write-downs of individual assets.

94

Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between 
market participants at the measurement date. Depending on the nature of the asset or liability, the Company uses various valuation 
techniques and assumptions when estimating fair value.  For accounting disclosure purposes, a three-level valuation hierarchy of 
fair value measurements has been established.  The valuation hierarchy is based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation 
of an asset or liability as of the measurement date.  The three levels are defined as follows:

•  Level 1 – inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets. 

•  Level 2 – inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets,  
quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active, and inputs that are observable for 
the assets or liabilities, either directly or indirectly (such as interest rates, yield curves, and prepayment speeds). 

•  Level 3 – inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value. These may be internally 

developed, using the Company’s best information and assumptions that a market participant would consider.

When determining the fair value measurements for assets and liabilities required or permitted to be recorded or disclosed at 
fair value, the Company considers the principal or most advantageous market in which it would transact and considers assumptions 
that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability. When possible, the Company looks to active and observable 
markets to price identical assets or liabilities. When identical assets and liabilities are not traded in active markets, the Company 
looks to observable market data for similar assets and liabilities. Nevertheless, certain assets and liabilities are not actively traded 
in observable markets, and the Company must use alternative valuation techniques to derive an estimated fair value measurement. 

95

 Instruments Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

The table below presents the carrying values of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 

31, 2014 and 2013.  There were no transfers among levels during these years.

(In thousands)
December 31, 2014
Assets:

Available for sale securities:

U.S. government and federal agency obligations
Government-sponsored enterprise obligations
State and municipal obligations
Agency mortgage-backed securities
Non-agency mortgage-backed securities
Asset-backed securities
Other debt securities
Equity securities
Trading securities
Private equity investments
Derivatives *
Assets held in trust
Total assets

Liabilities:

Derivatives *
Total liabilities
December 31, 2013
Assets:

Available for sale securities:

U.S. government and federal agency obligations
Government-sponsored enterprise obligations
State and municipal obligations
Agency mortgage-backed securities
Non-agency mortgage-backed securities
Asset-backed securities
Other debt securities
Equity securities
Trading securities
Private equity investments
Derivatives *
Assets held in trust
Total assets

Liabilities:

Derivatives *
Total liabilities

*   The fair value of each class of derivative is shown in Note 18.

Fair Value Measurements Using

Quoted Prices in 
Active Markets 
for Identical 
Assets
(Level 1)

Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)

Significant 
Unobservable 
Inputs
 (Level 3)

Total Fair Value

$

$

$

501,407 $
963,127
1,813,201
2,593,708
382,744
3,091,993
139,161
38,219
15,357
57,581
10,457
8,848
9,615,803

501,407 $

— $

—
—
—
—
—
—
17,975
—
—
—
8,848
528,230

963,127
1,718,058
2,593,708
382,744
3,091,993
139,161
20,244
15,357
—
10,454
—
8,934,846

10,948
10,948 $

—
— $

10,722
10,722 $

505,696 $
741,766
1,619,171
2,772,338
246,983
2,844,071
141,757
43,898
19,993
56,612
12,980
7,511
9,012,776

505,696 $

— $

—
—
—
—
—
—
24,646
—
—
—
7,511
537,853

741,766
1,491,447
2,772,338
246,983
2,844,071
141,757
19,252
19,993
—
12,976
—
8,290,583

13,329
13,329 $

$

—
— $

13,260
13,260 $

—
—
95,143
—
—
—
—
—
—
57,581
3
—
152,727

226
226

—
—
127,724
—
—
—
—
—
—
56,612
4
—
184,340

69
69

96

Valuation methods for instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis

Following is a description of the Company’s valuation methodologies used for instruments measured at fair value on a recurring 

basis:

Available for sale investment securities

For available for sale securities, changes in fair value, including that portion of other-than-temporary impairment unrelated to 
credit loss, are recorded in other comprehensive income. As mentioned in Note 4 on Investment Securities, the Company records 
the credit-related portion of other-than-temporary impairment in current earnings. This portfolio comprises the majority of the 
assets which the Company records at fair value. Most of the portfolio, which includes government-sponsored enterprise, mortgage-
backed and asset-backed securities, are priced utilizing industry-standard models that consider various assumptions, including 
time value, yield curves, volatility factors, prepayment speeds, default rates, loss severity, current market and contractual prices 
for the underlying financial instruments, as well as other relevant economic measures.  Substantially all of these assumptions are 
observable in the marketplace, can be derived from observable data, or are supported by observable levels at which transactions 
are executed in the marketplace.  These measurements are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.  Where quoted prices 
are available in an active market, the measurements are classified as Level 1.  Most of the Level 1 measurements apply to equity 
securities and U.S. Treasury obligations.  

The fair values of Level 1 and 2 securities (excluding equity securities) in the available for sale portfolio are prices provided 
by a third-party pricing service.  The prices provided by the third-party pricing service are based on observable market inputs, as 
described in the sections below.  On a quarterly basis, the Company compares a sample of these prices to other independent sources 
for the same and similar securities.  Variances are analyzed, and, if appropriate, additional research is conducted with the third-
party pricing service.  Based on this research, the pricing service may affirm or revise its quoted price.  No significant adjustments 
have been made to the prices provided by the pricing service.  The pricing service also provides documentation on an ongoing 
basis that includes reference data, inputs and methodology by asset class, which is reviewed to ensure that security placement 
within the fair value hierarchy is appropriate.

Valuation methods and inputs, by class of security: 

•  U.S. government and federal agency obligations 

U.S. treasury bills, bonds and notes, including inflation-protected securities, are valued using live data from active market 
makers and inter-dealer brokers.  Valuations for stripped coupon and principal issues are derived from yield curves generated 
from various dealer contacts and live data sources.

•  Government-sponsored enterprise obligations

Government-sponsored enterprise obligations are evaluated using cash flow valuation models.  Inputs used are live market 
data, cash settlements, Treasury market yields, and floating rate indices such as LIBOR, CMT, and Prime.

• 

State and municipal obligations, excluding auction rate securities

A yield curve is generated and applied to bond sectors, and individual bond valuations are extrapolated.  Inputs used to 
generate the yield curve are bellwether issue levels, established trading spreads between similar issuers or credits, historical 
trading spreads over widely accepted market benchmarks, new issue scales, and verified bid information.  Bid information 
is verified by corroborating the data against external sources such as broker-dealers, trustees/paying agents, issuers, or 
non-affiliated bondholders.

•  Mortgage and asset-backed securities

Collateralized mortgage obligations and other asset-backed securities are valued at the tranche level.  For each tranche 
valuation, the process generates predicted cash flows for the tranche, applies a market based (or benchmark) yield/spread 
for each tranche, and incorporates deal collateral performance and tranche level attributes to determine tranche-specific 
spreads to adjust the benchmark yield.  Tranche cash flows are generated from new deal files and prepayment/default 
assumptions. Tranche spreads are based on tranche characteristics such as average life, type, volatility, ratings, underlying 
collateral and performance, and prevailing market conditions. The appropriate tranche spread is applied to the corresponding 
benchmark, and the resulting value is used to discount the cash flows to generate an evaluated price.  

Valuation of agency pass-through securities, typically issued under GNMA, FNMA, FHLMC, and SBA programs, are 
primarily derived from information from the To Be Announced (TBA) market.  This market consists of generic mortgage 
pools which have not been received for settlement.  Snapshots of the TBA market, using live data feeds distributed by 
multiple electronic platforms, are used in conjunction with other indices to compute a price based on discounted cash flow 
models.

97

•  Other debt securities

Other debt securities are valued using active markets and inter-dealer brokers as well as bullet spread scales and option 
adjusted spreads.  The spreads and models use yield curves, terms and conditions of the bonds, and any special features 
(e.g., call or put options and redemption features).

•  Equity securities

Equity securities are priced using the market prices for each security from the major stock exchanges or other electronic 
quotation systems.  These are generally classified as Level 1 measurements.  Stocks which trade infrequently are classified 
as Level 2.

The available for sale portfolio includes certain auction rate securities.  The auction process by which the auction rate securities 
are normally priced has not functioned in recent years, and due to the illiquidity in the market, the fair value of these securities 
cannot be based on observable market prices.  The fair values of these securities are estimated using a discounted cash flows 
analysis which is discussed more fully in the Level 3 Inputs section of this note.  Because many of the inputs significant to the 
measurement are not observable, these measurements are classified as Level 3 measurements.  

Trading securities

The securities in the Company’s trading portfolio are priced by averaging several broker quotes for similar instruments and 

are classified as Level 2 measurements.  

Private equity investments

These securities are held by the Company’s private equity subsidiaries and are included in non-marketable investment securities 
in the consolidated balance sheets. Due to the absence of quoted market prices, valuation of these nonpublic investments requires 
significant management judgment.  These fair value measurements, which are discussed in the Level 3 Inputs section of this note, 
are classified as Level 3.

Derivatives 

The Company’s derivative instruments include interest rate swaps, foreign exchange forward contracts, and certain credit risk 
guarantee agreements. When appropriate, the impact of credit standing as well as any potential credit enhancements, such as 
collateral, has been considered in the fair value measurement.

•  Valuations for interest rate swaps are derived from a proprietary model whose significant inputs are readily observable 
market parameters, primarily yield curves used to calculate current exposure.  Counterparty credit risk is incorporated into 
the model and calculated by applying a net credit spread over LIBOR to the swap's total expected exposure over time.  
The net credit spread is comprised of spreads for both the Company and its counterparty, derived from probability of 
default and other loss estimate information obtained from a third party credit data provider or from the Company's Credit 
Department when not otherwise available.  The credit risk component is not significant compared to the overall fair value 
of the swaps.  The results of the model are constantly validated through comparison to active trading in the marketplace. 
These fair value measurements are classified as Level 2.  

• 

Fair value measurements for foreign exchange contracts are derived from a model whose primary inputs are quotations 
from global market makers and are classified as Level 2.  

•  The Company’s contracts related to credit risk guarantees are valued under a proprietary model which uses unobservable 
inputs and assumptions about the creditworthiness of the counterparty (generally a Bank customer).  Customer credit 
spreads, which are based on probability of default and other loss estimates, are calculated internally by the Company's 
Credit Department, as mentioned above, and are based on the Company's internal risk rating for each customer. Because 
these inputs are significant to the measurements, they are classified as Level 3.

Assets held in trust

Assets held in an outside trust for the Company’s deferred compensation plan consist of investments in mutual funds. The fair 
value measurements are based on quoted prices in active markets and classified as Level 1.  The Company has recorded an asset 
representing the total investment amount. The Company has also recorded a corresponding nonfinancial liability, representing the 
Company’s liability to the plan participants. 

98

The changes in Level 3 assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized as follows:

(In thousands)

Year ended December 31, 2014:

Balance at January 1, 2014

Total gains or losses (realized/unrealized):

Included in earnings

Included in other comprehensive income

Investment securities called

Discount accretion

Purchases of private equity securities

Sale / paydown of private equity securities

Capitalized interest/dividends

Purchase of risk participation agreement

Sale of risk participation agreement

Balance at December 31, 2014
Total gains or losses for the annual period included in earnings
attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to
assets still held at December 31, 2014
Year ended December 31, 2013:

Balance at January 1, 2013

Total gains or losses (realized/unrealized):

Included in earnings

Included in other comprehensive income

Investment securities called

Discount accretion

Purchases of private equity securities

Sale / paydown of private equity securities

Capitalized interest/dividends

Sale of risk participation agreement
Balance at December 31, 2013
Total gains or losses for the annual period included in earnings
attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to
assets still held at December 31, 2013

$

$

$

$

$

Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)

State and
Municipal
Obligations

Private Equity
Investments

Derivatives

Total

$

127,724 $

56,612 $

(65) $

184,271

19,137

122

—

3,638

(38,225)

2,006

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

14,152

(32,464)

144

—

—

95,143 $

57,581 $

—

—

—

—

—

—

41

(321)

(223) $

19,259

3,638

(38,225)

2,006

14,152

(32,464)

144

41

(321)

152,501

— $

718 $

118 $

836

126,414 $

68,167 $

(187) $

194,394

—

3,253

(2,150)

207

—

—

—

—

127,724 $

(2,971)

—

—

—

3,950

(12,865)

331

—
56,612 $

234

—

—

—

—

—

—

(112)

(65) $

(2,737)

3,253

(2,150)

207

3,950

(12,865)

331

(112)
184,271

— $

(5,297) $

234 $

(5,063)

Gains and losses on the Level 3 assets and liabilities in the table above are reported in the following income categories: 

(In thousands)

Year ended December 31, 2014:

Other Non-
Interest Income

Investment
Securities Gains
(Losses), Net

Total

Total gains or losses included in earnings
Change in unrealized gains or losses relating to assets still held at
December 31, 2014
Year ended December 31, 2013:

Total gains or losses included in earnings
Change in unrealized gains or losses relating to assets still held at
December 31, 2013

$

$

$

$

122 $

19,137 $

19,259

118 $

718 $

836

234 $

(2,971) $

(2,737)

234 $

(5,297) $

(5,063)

99

 
Level 3 Inputs

As  shown  above,  the  Company's  significant  Level  3  measurements  which  employ  unobservable  inputs  that  are  readily 
quantifiable pertain to auction rate securities (ARS) held by the Bank and investments in portfolio concerns held by the Company's 
private equity subsidiaries.   ARS are included in state and municipal securities and totaled $95.1 million at December 31, 2014, 
while private equity investments, included in non-marketable securities, totaled $57.6 million.

Information about these inputs is presented in the table and discussions below.

Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements

Auction rate securities

Valuation Technique
Discounted cash flow

Private equity investments

Market comparable companies

Unobservable Input
Estimated market recovery period
Estimated market rate
EBITDA multiple

Range
3 - 5 years
5.3%
5.5

2.1% -
-
4.0

The fair values of ARS are estimated using a discounted cash flows analysis in which estimated cash flows are based on 
mandatory  interest  rates  paid  under  failing  auctions  and  projected  over  an  estimated  market  recovery  period.    Under  normal 
conditions, ARS  traded  in  weekly  auctions  and  were  considered  liquid  investments.   The  Company's  estimate  of  when  these 
auctions might resume is highly judgmental and subject to variation depending on current and projected market conditions. Few 
auctions of these securities have been successful in recent years, and most secondary transactions have been privately arranged. 
Estimated cash flows during the period over which the Company expects to hold the securities are discounted at an estimated 
market rate.  These securities are comprised of bonds issued by various states and municipalities for healthcare and student lending 
purposes, and market rates are derived for each type.  Market rates are calculated at each valuation date using a LIBOR or Treasury 
based rate plus spreads representing adjustments for liquidity premium and nonperformance risk.  The spreads are developed 
internally by employees in the Company's bond department.  An increase in the holding period alone would result in a higher fair 
value measurement, while an increase in the estimated market rate (the discount rate) alone would result in a lower fair value 
measurement.   The valuation of the ARS portfolio is reviewed on a quarterly basis by the Company's chief investment officers.

The fair values of the Company's private equity investments are based on a determination of fair value of the investee company 
less preference payments assuming the sale of the investee company.  Investee companies are normally non-public entities.  The 
fair  value  of  the  investee  company  is  determined  by  reference  to  the  investee's  total  earnings  before  interest,  depreciation/
amortization, and income taxes (EBITDA) multiplied by an EBITDA factor.  EBITDA is normally determined based on a trailing 
prior  period  adjusted  for  specific  factors  including  current  economic  outlook,  investee  management,  and  specific  unique 
circumstances such as sales order information, major customer status, regulatory changes, etc.  The EBITDA multiple is based on 
management's review of published trading multiples for recent private equity transactions and other judgments and is derived for 
each individual investee.  The fair value of the Company's investment (which is usually a partial interest in the investee company) 
is then calculated based on its ownership percentage in the investee company.  On a quarterly basis, these fair value analyses are 
reviewed by a valuation committee consisting of investment managers and senior Company management. 

100

Instruments Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

For assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis during 2014 and 2013, and still held as of December 31, 2014 and 
2013, the following table provides the adjustments to fair value recognized during the respective periods, the level of valuation 
assumptions used to determine each adjustment, and the carrying value of the related individual assets or portfolios at December 
31, 2014 and 2013.

(In thousands)

Balance at December 31, 2014

Fair Value

Fair Value Measurements Using

Quoted Prices in 
Active Markets 
for Identical 
Assets
 (Level 1)

Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)

Significant 
Unobservable 
Inputs
 (Level 3)

Total Gains
(Losses)

Collateral dependent impaired loans

$

11,742 $

— $

— $

11,742 $

Private equity investments

Mortgage servicing rights

Foreclosed assets

Long-lived assets

Balance at December 31, 2013

984

878

2,540

9,895

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

984

878

2,540

9,895

(1,184)

(1,516)

(13)

(706)

(2,327)

Collateral dependent impaired loans

$

23,654 $

— $

— $

23,654 $

(8,406)

Private equity investments

Mortgage servicing rights

Foreclosed assets

500

779

1,287

—

—

—

—

—

—

500

779

1,287

(500)

309

(430)

Valuation methods for instruments measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis

Following is a description of the Company’s valuation methodologies used for other financial and nonfinancial instruments 

measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis.  

Collateral dependent impaired loans

While the overall loan portfolio is not carried at fair value, the Company periodically records nonrecurring adjustments to the 
carrying value of loans based on fair value measurements for partial charge-offs of the uncollectible portions of those loans.  
Nonrecurring adjustments also include certain impairment amounts for collateral dependent loans when establishing the allowance 
for loan losses.  Such amounts are generally based on the fair value of the underlying collateral supporting the loan.  In determining 
the value of real estate collateral, the Company relies on external and internal appraisals of property values depending on the size 
and complexity of the real estate collateral.  The Company maintains a staff of qualified appraisers who also review third party 
appraisal reports for reasonableness.  In the case of non-real estate collateral, reliance is placed on a variety of sources, including 
external estimates of value and judgments based on the experience and expertise of internal specialists. Values of all loan collateral 
are  regularly  reviewed  by  credit  administration.    Unobservable  inputs  to  these  measurements,  which  include  estimates  and 
judgments often used in conjunction with appraisals, are not readily quantifiable.  These measurements are classified as Level 3.  
Changes in fair value recognized for partial charge-offs of loans and loan impairment reserves on loans held by the Company at 
December 31, 2014 and 2013 are shown in the table above.

Private equity investments and restricted stock

These assets are included in non-marketable investment securities in the consolidated balance sheets.  They include certain 
investments in private equity concerns held by the Parent company which are carried at cost, reduced by other-than-temporary 
impairment. These investments are periodically evaluated for impairment based on their estimated fair value as determined by 
review of available information, most of which is provided as monthly or quarterly internal financial statements, annual audited 
financial statements, investee tax returns, and in certain situations, through research into and analysis of the assets and investments 
held by those private equity concerns.   Restricted stock consists of stock issued by the Federal Reserve Bank and FHLB which 
is held by the bank subsidiary as required for regulatory purposes.  Generally, there are restrictions on the sale and/or liquidation 
of these investments, and they are carried at cost, reduced by other-than-temporary impairment.  Fair value measurements for 
these securities are classified as Level 3.

101

Mortgage servicing rights

The Company initially measures its mortgage servicing rights at fair value and amortizes them over the period of estimated 
net servicing income.  They are periodically assessed for impairment based on fair value at the reporting date.  Mortgage servicing 
rights do not trade in an active market with readily observable prices.  Accordingly, the fair value is estimated based on a valuation 
model which calculates the present value of estimated future net servicing income.  The model incorporates assumptions that 
market participants use in estimating future net servicing income, including estimates of prepayment speeds, market discount 
rates, cost to service, float earnings rates, and other ancillary income, including late fees.  The fair value measurements are classified 
as Level 3.

Foreclosed assets

Foreclosed assets consist of loan collateral which has been repossessed through foreclosure.  This collateral is comprised of 
commercial  and  residential  real  estate  and  other  non-real  estate  property,  including  auto,  marine  and  recreational  vehicles. 
Foreclosed assets are initially recorded as held for sale at the lower of the loan balance or fair value of the collateral less estimated 
selling costs. Subsequent to foreclosure, valuations are updated periodically, and the assets may be marked down further, reflecting 
a new cost basis.  Fair value measurements may be based upon appraisals, third-party price opinions, or internally developed 
pricing methods.  These measurements are classified as Level 3.

Long-lived assets 

In accordance with ASC 360-10-35, investments in branch facilities and various office buildings are written down to estimated 
fair value, or estimated fair value less cost to sell if the property is held for sale.  Fair value is estimated in a process which considers 
current local commercial real estate market conditions and the judgment of the sales agent and often involves obtaining third party 
appraisals from certified real estate appraisers.  The carrying amounts of these real estate holdings are regularly monitored by real 
estate professionals employed by the Company. These fair value measurements are classified as Level 3.  Unobservable inputs to 
these measurements, which include estimates and judgments often used in conjunction with appraisals, are not readily quantifiable. 
The measurements in 2014 pertained mainly to a downtown Kansas City office building and several properties previously designated 
for future branch sites, which are held for sale.

17. Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of financial instruments held by the Company, in addition to a discussion of 

the methods used and assumptions made in computing those estimates, are set forth below.

Loans

The fair values of loans are estimated by discounting the expected future cash flows using the current rates at which similar 
loans would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings and for the same remaining maturities.  This method of estimating 
fair  value  does  not  incorporate  the  exit-price  concept  of  fair  value  prescribed  by ASC  820  “Fair  Value  Measurements  and 
Disclosures”.  Expected future cash flows for each individual loan are based on contractual features, and for loans with optionality, 
such as variable rates and prepayment features, are based on a multi-rate path process.  Each loan's expected future cash flows are 
discounted using the LIBOR/swap curve plus an appropriate spread.  For business, construction and business real estate loans, 
internally-developed pricing spreads based on loan type, term and credit score are utilized.  The spread for personal real estate 
loans is generally based on newly originated loans with similar characteristics.  For consumer loans, the spread is calculated at 
loan origination as part of the Bank's funds transfer pricing process, which is indicative of individual borrower creditworthiness.  
All consumer credit card loans are discounted at the same spread, depending on whether the rate is variable or fixed.  

Investment Securities and Derivative Instruments

Detailed descriptions of the fair value measurements of these instruments are provided in Note 16 on Fair Value Measurements.   

Federal Funds Purchased and Sold, Interest Earning Deposits With Banks and Cash and Due From Banks

The carrying amounts of federal funds purchased and sold, interest earning deposits with banks, and cash and due from banks 

approximates fair value, as these instruments are payable on demand or mature overnight.

Securities Purchased/Sold under Agreements to Resell/Repurchase

The fair values of these investments and borrowings are estimated by discounting contractual maturities using an estimate of 

the current market rate for similar instruments. 

102

Deposits

The fair value of deposits with no stated maturity is equal to the amount payable on demand. Such deposits include savings 
and interest and non-interest bearing demand deposits. These fair value estimates do not recognize any benefit the Company 
receives as a result of being able to administer, or control, the pricing of these accounts. Because they are payable on demand, 
they are classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value of time open and certificates of deposit is based on the 
discounted value of cash flows, taking early withdrawal optionality into account. Discount rates are based on the Company’s 
approximate cost of obtaining similar maturity funding in the market.  Their fair value measurement is classified as Level 3.

Other Borrowings

The fair value of other borrowings, which consists mainly of long-term debt, is estimated by discounting contractual maturities 

using an estimate of the current market rate for similar instruments.

The estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments are as follows:

(In thousands)

Financial Assets

Loans:

     Business

     Real estate - construction and land

     Real estate - business

     Real estate - personal

     Consumer

     Revolving home equity

     Consumer credit card

     Overdrafts

Investment securities:

     Available for sale

     Available for sale

     Available for sale

     Trading

     Non-marketable

Federal funds sold

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

Interest earning deposits with banks

Cash and due from banks

Derivative instruments

Derivative instruments

Financial Liabilities

Fair Value
Hierarchy
Level

2014

2013

Carrying
Amount

Estimated
Fair Value

Carrying
Amount

Estimated
Fair Value

Level 3

$ 3,969,952 $ 3,982,531

$ 3,715,319 $ 3,723,263

Level 3

Level 3

Level 3

Level 3

Level 3

Level 3

Level 3

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Level 2

Level 3

Level 1

Level 3

Level 1

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

403,507

407,905

406,197

410,022

2,288,215

2,315,378

2,313,550

2,345,124

1,883,092

1,933,456

1,787,626

1,802,364

1,705,134

1,701,037

1,512,716

1,519,830

430,873

782,370

6,095

433,508

794,929

6,095

420,589

796,228

4,611

424,811

811,550

4,611

519,382

519,382

530,342

530,342

8,909,035

8,909,035

8,257,614

8,257,614

95,143

15,357

106,875

32,485

95,143

15,357

106,875

32,485

127,724

19,993

107,324

43,845

127,724

19,993

107,324

43,845

1,050,000

1,048,866

1,150,000

1,149,625

600,744

467,488

10,454

3

600,744

467,488

10,454

3

707,249

518,420

12,976

4

707,249

518,420

12,976

4

Non-interest bearing deposits

Level 1

$ 6,811,959 $ 6,811,959

$ 6,750,674 $ 6,750,674

Savings, interest checking and money market deposits

Time open and certificates of deposit

Federal funds purchased

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

Other borrowings

Derivative instruments

Derivative instruments

Level 1

Level 3

Level 1

Level 3

Level 3

Level 2

Level 3

10,541,601

10,541,601

10,108,236

10,108,236

2,122,218

2,121,114

2,188,438

2,190,610

3,840

3,840

24,795

24,795

1,858,678

1,858,731

1,321,763

1,321,633

104,058

10,722

226

111,102

10,722

226

107,310

13,260

69

116,843

13,260

69

103

Off-Balance Sheet Financial Instruments

The fair value of letters of credit and commitments to extend credit is based on the fees currently charged to enter into similar 
agreements. The aggregate of these fees is not material. These instruments are also referenced in Note 20 on Commitments, 
Contingencies and Guarantees.

Limitations

Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time based on relevant market information. They do not reflect any premium 
or discount that could result from offering for sale at one time the Company’s entire holdings of a particular financial instrument. 
Because no market exists for many of the Company’s financial instruments, fair value estimates are based on judgments regarding 
future expected loss experience, risk characteristics and economic conditions. These estimates are subjective, involve uncertainties 
and cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.

18. Derivative Instruments

The notional amounts of the Company’s derivative instruments are shown in the table below.  These contractual amounts, 
along with other terms of the derivative, are used to determine amounts to be exchanged between counterparties and are not a 
measure of loss exposure.  The largest group of notional amounts relate to interest rate swaps, which are discussed in more detail 
below. 

(In thousands)

Interest rate swaps
Interest rate caps
Credit risk participation agreements
Foreign exchange contracts

Total notional amount

    December 31

2014

2013

647,709
53,587
75,943
19,791
797,030

$

$

596,933
9,736
52,456
81,207
740,332

$

$

The Company’s foreign exchange activity involves the purchase and sale of forward foreign exchange contracts, which are 
commitments to purchase or deliver a specified amount of foreign currency at a specific future date. This activity enables customers 
involved in international business to hedge their exposure to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. The Company minimizes 
its related exposure arising from these customer transactions with offsetting contracts for the same currency and time frame. In 
addition, the Company uses foreign exchange contracts, to a limited extent, for trading purposes, including taking proprietary 
positions. Risk arises from changes in the currency exchange rate and from the potential for counterparty nonperformance. These 
risks are controlled by adherence to a foreign exchange trading policy which contains control limits on currency amounts, open 
positions, maturities and losses, and procedures for approvals, record-keeping, monitoring and reporting. Hedge accounting has 
not been applied to these foreign exchange activities.  

Credit risk participation agreements arise when the Company contracts, as a guarantor or beneficiary, with other financial 
institutions to share credit risk associated with certain interest rate swaps.  The Company’s risks and responsibilities as guarantor 
are further discussed in Note 20 on Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees. 

The Company’s interest rate risk management strategy includes the ability to modify the repricing characteristics of certain 
assets and liabilities so that changes in interest rates do not adversely affect the net interest margin and cash flows.  Interest rate 
swaps are used on a limited basis as part of this strategy. The Company’s other derivative instruments are accounted for as free-
standing derivatives, and changes in their fair value are recorded in current earnings.  These instruments include interest rate swap 
contracts sold to commercial customers who wish to modify their interest rate sensitivity.  These swaps are offset by matching 
contracts purchased by the Company from other financial dealer institutions.  Contracts with dealers that require central clearing 
are novated to a clearing agency who becomes the Company's counterparty.  Because of the matching terms of the offsetting 
contracts, in addition to collateral provisions which mitigate the impact of non-performance risk, changes in fair value subsequent 
to initial recognition have a minimal effect on earnings.  The notional amount of these free-standing swaps at December 31, 2014 
was $641.7 million.  

Many of the Company’s interest rate swap arrangements with large financial institutions contain contingent features relating 
to debt ratings or capitalization levels.  Under these provisions, if the Company’s debt rating falls below investment grade or if 
the Company ceases to be “well-capitalized” under risk-based capital guidelines, certain counterparties can require immediate 
and ongoing collateralization on interest rate swaps in net liability positions, or can require instant settlement of the contracts.  
The Company maintains debt ratings and capital well above these minimum requirements.

104

The  banking  customer  counterparties  are  engaged  in  a  variety  of  businesses,  including  real  estate,  building  materials, 
communications, consumer products, education, and manufacturing. At December 31, 2014, the largest loss exposures were in 
the groups related to real estate and building materials, retirement communities, and manufacturing.  If the counterparties in these 
groups failed to perform, and if the underlying collateral proved to be of no value, the Company would incur losses of $3.7 million 
(real estate and building materials), $1.2 million (retirement communities), and $1.2 million (manufacturing), based on estimated 
amounts at December 31, 2014.

The fair values of the Company’s derivative instruments are shown in the table below. Information about the valuation methods 
used to measure fair value is provided in Note 16 on Fair Value Measurements.  Derivatives instruments with a positive fair value 
(asset derivatives) are reported in other assets in the consolidated balance sheets while derivative instruments with a negative fair 
value (liability derivatives) are reported in other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets.

Asset Derivatives

December 31

Liability Derivatives

December 31

2014

2013

2014

2013

Fair Value

Fair Value

— $

— $

— $

— $

(22)

(22)

$

$

$

(300)

(300)

(11,429)
(1)

(69)
(1,530)

(10,144)
(62)

(226)
(494)

(10,926)
(10,948)

$
$

(13,029)
(13,329)

10,144
62

3
248

10,457
10,457

$

$
$

11,428
1

4
1,547

12,980
12,980

$

$
$

(In thousands) 
Derivatives designated as
hedging instruments:
Interest rate swaps
Total derivatives designated
as hedging instruments
Derivatives not designated as
hedging instruments:
Interest rate swaps
Interest rate caps
Credit risk participation
agreements
Foreign exchange contracts
Total derivatives not
designated as hedging
instruments
Total derivatives

$

$

$

$
$

The effects of derivative instruments on the consolidated statements of income are shown in the table below.

Location of Gain or (Loss) Recognized
in Income on Derivative

Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in
Income on Derivative

For the Years
Ended December 31

2014

2013

2012

(In thousands)

Derivatives and hedged instruments in fair value
hedging relationships:

Interest rate swaps and hedged loans

Interest and fees on loans

Total

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:

$

$

(1)

(1)

$

$

14

14

$

$

$

7

7

743

—

25

(161)

(20)

11

598

Other non-interest income

$

1,674

$

1,140

Other non-interest income

Other non-interest income

Other non-interest income

Loan fees and sales

Loan fees and sales

33

122

(263)

—

—

—

234

81

—

—

$

1,566

$

1,455

$

105

Interest rate swaps

Interest rate caps

Credit risk participation agreements

Foreign exchange contracts

Mortgage loan commitments

Mortgage loan forward sale contracts

Total

 
 
19. Balance Sheet Offsetting

The following tables show the extent to which assets and liabilities relating to derivative instruments, securities purchased 
under agreements to resell (resell agreements), and securities sold under agreements to repurchase (repurchase agreements) have 
been offset in the consolidated balance sheets.  They also provide information about these instruments which are subject to an 
enforceable master netting arrangement, irrespective of whether they are offset, and the extent to which the instruments could 
potentially be offset.  Also shown is collateral received or pledged in the form of other financial instruments, which are generally 
marketable securities.  The collateral amounts in these tables are limited to the outstanding balances of the related asset or liability 
(after netting is applied); thus amounts of excess collateral are not shown.  Most of the assets and liabilities in the following tables 
were transacted under master netting arrangements that contain a conditional right of offset, such as close-out netting, upon default.

The Company is party to master netting arrangements with most of its swap derivative counterparties; however, the Company 
does not offset derivative assets and liabilities under these arrangements on its consolidated balance sheet.  Collateral, usually in 
the form of marketable securities, is exchanged between the Company and dealer bank counterparties, and is generally subject to 
thresholds and transfer minimums.  By contract, it may be sold or re-pledged by the secured party until recalled at a subsequent 
valuation date by the pledging party.  For those swap transactions requiring central clearing, the Company posts cash and securities 
to its clearing agency.  At December 31, 2014, the Company had a net liability position with dealer bank and clearing agency 
counterparties totaling $9.7 million, and had posted securities with a fair value of $4.7 million and cash totaling $7.5 million.  
Collateral positions are valued daily, and adjustments to amounts received and pledged by the Company are made as appropriate 
to maintain proper collateralization for these transactions.  Swap derivative transactions with customers are generally secured by 
rights to non-financial collateral, such as real and personal property, which is not shown in the table below.  

Resell and repurchase agreements are agreements to purchase/sell securities subject to an obligation to resell/repurchase the 
same or similar securities.  They are accounted for as collateralized financing transactions, not as sales and purchases of the 
securities  portfolio.    The  securities  collateral  accepted  or  pledged  in  resell  and  repurchase  agreements  with  other  financial 
institutions also may be sold or re-pledged by the secured party, but is usually delivered to and held by third party trustees.  The 
Company generally retains custody of securities pledged for repurchase agreements with customers.  

The Company is party to several agreements commonly known as collateral swaps.  These agreements involve the exchange 
of collateral under simultaneous repurchase and resell agreements with the same financial institution counterparty. These repurchase 
and resell agreements have the same principal amounts, inception dates, and maturity dates and have been offset against each other 
in the balance sheet, as permitted under the netting provisions of ASC 210-20-45.  The collateral swaps totaled $450.0 million at 
both December 31, 2014 and $300.0 million at  December 31, 2013.  At December 31, 2014, the Company had posted collateral 
of $462.4 million in marketable securities, consisting mainly of agency mortgage-backed securities, and accepted $493.7 million 
in investment grade asset-backed, commercial mortgage-backed, and corporate bonds.

106

(In thousands)

December 31, 2014

Assets:

Derivatives subject to master netting

agreements

Derivatives not subject to master

netting agreements

Total derivatives

Total resell agreements, subject to
master netting arrangements

Liabilities:

Derivatives subject to master netting

agreements

Derivatives not subject to master

netting agreements

Total derivatives

Total repurchase agreements, subject to

master netting arrangements

December 31, 2013

Assets:

Derivatives subject to master netting

agreements

Derivatives not subject to master

netting agreements

Total derivatives

Total resell agreements, subject to
master netting arrangements

Liabilities:

Derivatives subject to master netting

agreements

Derivatives not subject to master

netting agreements

Total derivatives

Total repurchase agreements, subject to

master netting arrangements

Gross Amount
Recognized

Gross Amounts
Offset in the
Balance Sheet

Net Amounts
Presented in the
Balance Sheet

Gross Amounts Not Offset in the
Balance Sheet

Financial
Instruments
Available for
Offset

Securities
Collateral
Received/
Pledged

Net Amount

$

10,209 $

— $

10,209 $

(251) $

— $

9,958

248

10,457

—

—

248

10,457

1,500,000

(450,000)

1,050,000

—

(1,049,370)

630

10,454

494

10,948

—

—

—

10,454

494

10,948

(251)

(8,738)

1,465

2,308,678

(450,000)

1,858,678

—

(1,858,678)

—

$

11,579 $

— $

11,579 $

(1,299) $

(338) $

9,942

1,401

12,980

—

—

1,401

12,980

1,450,000

(300,000)

1,150,000

—

(1,150,000)

—

12,962

367

13,329

—

—

—

12,962

(1,299)

(9,063)

2,600

367

13,329

1,621,763

(300,000)

1,321,763

—

(1,321,763)

—

20. Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees    

The Company leases certain premises and equipment, all of which were classified as operating leases.  The rent expense under 
such arrangements amounted to $6.7 million, $6.5 million and $6.9 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.  A summary of 
minimum lease commitments follows:

(In thousands)

Year Ended December 31

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

After

Total minimum lease payments

Type of Property

Real Property

Equipment

Total

$

5,616 $

36 $

4,971

4,447

3,462

2,247

14,802

33

6

—

—

—

$

5,652

5,004

4,453

3,462

2,247

14,802

35,620

107

All leases expire prior to 2051. It is expected that in the normal course of business, leases that expire will be renewed or replaced 
by leases on other properties; thus, the future minimum lease commitments are not expected to be less than the amounts shown 
for 2015.

The Company engages in various transactions and commitments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business 
to  meet  customer  financing  needs.   The  Company  uses  the  same  credit  policies  in  making  the  commitments  and  conditional 
obligations described below as it does for on-balance sheet instruments.  The following table summarizes these commitments at 
December 31:

(In thousands)

Commitments to extend credit:

Credit card

Other

Standby letters of credit, net of participations

Commercial letters of credit

2014

2013

$

3,517,639 $

3,835,323

4,922,748

4,591,468

324,817

7,519

325,623

11,771

Commitments to extend credit are legally binding agreements to lend to a borrower providing there are no violations of any 
conditions established in the contract.  As many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total 
commitment does not necessarily represent future cash requirements.  Refer to Note 3 on Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses 
for further discussion.

Commercial letters of credit act as a means of ensuring payment to a seller upon shipment of goods to a buyer.  The majority 
of commercial letters of credit issued are used to settle payments in international trade.  Typically, letters of credit require presentation 
of documents which describe the commercial transaction, evidence shipment, and transfer title.

The Company, as a provider of financial services, routinely issues financial guarantees in the form of financial and performance 
standby letters of credit.  Standby letters of credit are contingent commitments issued by the Company generally to guarantee the 
payment or performance obligation of a customer to a third party.  While these represent a potential outlay by the Company, a 
significant amount of the commitments may expire without being drawn upon.  The Company has recourse against the customer 
for any amount it is required to pay to a third party under a standby letter of credit.  The letters of credit are subject to the same 
credit policies, underwriting standards and approval process as loans made by the Company.  Most of the standby letters of credit 
are secured, and in the event of nonperformance by the customer, the Company has rights to the underlying collateral, which could 
include commercial real estate, physical plant and property, inventory, receivables, cash and marketable securities.

At December 31, 2014, the Company had recorded a liability in the amount of $3.2 million, representing the carrying value 
of the guarantee obligations associated with the standby letters of credit.  This amount will be accreted into income over the 
remaining life of the respective commitments.  Commitments outstanding under these letters of credit, which represent the maximum 
potential future payments guaranteed by the Company, were $324.8 million at December 31, 2014.

The Company regularly purchases various state tax credits arising from third-party property redevelopment.  These credits are 
either resold to third parties or retained for use by the Company.  During 2014, purchases and sales of tax credits amounted to 
$33.5 million and $29.6 million, respectively.  At December 31, 2014, the Company had outstanding purchase commitments 
totaling $61.7 million that it expects to fund in 2015.

The Company periodically enters into risk participation agreements (RPAs) as a guarantor to other financial institutions, in 
order to mitigate those institutions’ credit risk associated with interest rate swaps with third parties.  The RPA stipulates that, in 
the event of default by the third party on the interest rate swap, the Company will reimburse a portion of the loss borne by the 
financial institution.  These interest rate swaps are normally collateralized (generally with real property, inventories and equipment) 
by the third party, which limits the credit risk associated with the Company’s RPAs.  The third parties usually have other borrowing 
relationships with the Company.  The Company monitors overall borrower collateral, and at December 31, 2014, believes sufficient 
collateral is available to cover potential swap losses. The RPAs are carried at fair value throughout their term, with all changes in 
fair value, including those due to a change in the third party’s creditworthiness, recorded in current earnings.  The terms of the 
RPAs, which correspond to the terms of the underlying swaps, range from 3 to 11 years.  At December 31, 2014, the fair value of 
the Company's guarantee liability RPAs was $226 thousand, and the notional amount of the underlying swaps was $70.0 million.  
The maximum potential future payment guaranteed by the Company cannot be readily estimated and is dependent upon the fair 
value of the interest rate swaps at the time of default.

108

In December 2013, the settlement of a multi-district interchange suit against Visa, MasterCard and credit-card issuing major 
banks was approved in federal court.  The settlement included a provision to reduce credit card interchange income by 10 basis 
points over an eight month period.  The Company's payments to Visa related to the reduction began in September 2013 and totaled 
$4.5 million during the payment period, which ended in April 2014.  The Company has no further liability related to this matter.

On January 4, 2013, the Company was named in a petition by Patrick J. Malloy III, Bankruptcy Trustee for the Bankruptcy 
Estate of George David Gordon Jr. (“Gordon”). The petition alleged that Gordon was involved in securities fraud and that Bank 
South, an Oklahoma bank that was subsequently acquired by the Company, together with a lending officer employed by Bank 
South, were jointly and severally liable, as aiders and abettors of the fraudulent scheme, for losses suffered by defrauded investors.     
The Company disbursed $2.5 million upon settlement of the suit in May 2014, and later recovered insurance proceeds of $750 
thousand. 

On August 15, 2014, a customer filed a purported class action complaint against the Bank in the Circuit Court, Jackson County, 
Missouri.  The case is Cassandra Warren, et al v. Commerce Bank (Case No. 1416-CV19197).  In the case, the customer alleges 
violation of the Missouri usury statute in connection with the Bank charging overdraft fees in connection with point-of-sale/debit 
and automated-teller machine cards. The case seeks class-action status for Missouri customers of the Bank who may have been 
similarly affected.  The Company believes the complaint lacks merit and will defend itself vigorously. The amount of any ultimate 
exposure cannot be determined with certainty at this time.

The Company has various other lawsuits pending at December 31, 2014, arising in the normal course of business.  While some 
matters pending against the Company specify damages claimed by plaintiffs, others do not seek a specified amount of damages 
or are at very early stages of the legal process.  The Company records a loss accrual for all legal matters for which it deems a loss 
is probable and can be reasonably estimated.  Some legal matters, which are at early stages in the legal process, have not yet 
progressed to the point where a loss amount can be determined to be probable and estimable.  

21. Related Parties 

The Company’s Chief Executive Officer, its Vice Chairman, and its President are directors of Tower Properties Company 
(Tower) and, together with members of their immediate families, beneficially own approximately 64% of the outstanding stock 
of Tower.  At December 31, 2014, Tower owned 233,796 shares of Company stock.  Tower is primarily engaged in the business 
of owning, developing, leasing and managing real property.  

Payments from the Company and its affiliates to Tower are summarized below.  During 2012, the Company leased several 
surface parking lots in downtown Kansas City, owned by Tower, for employee use. In the fourth quarter of 2012, the Company 
purchased these lots from Tower for $7.1 million.  Other payments, with the exception of dividend payments, relate to property 
management services, including construction oversight, on four Company-owned office buildings and related parking garages in 
downtown Kansas City.   

(In thousands)

Rent on leased parking lots

Leasing agent fees

Operation of parking garages

Building management fees

Property construction management fees

Dividends paid on Company stock held by Tower

Total

2014

2013

2012

$

— $

502

86

1,824

335

200

— $

50

84

1,799

114

191

$

2,947 $

2,238 $

294

63

75

1,774

231

489

2,926

Tower has a $13.5 million line of credit with the Bank which is subject to normal credit terms and has a variable interest rate.  
The maximum borrowings outstanding under this line during 2014 were $3.0 million, and there was a balance of $1.3 million 
outstanding at December 31, 2014.  The maximum borrowings outstanding during 2013 and 2012 were $2.0 million  and $5.0 
million, respectively, and there was no balance outstanding at December 31, 2013 or  2012.  Interest of $15 thousand,  $12 thousand, 
and $51 thousand was paid during 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.   Letters of credit may be collateralized under this line of 
credit; however, there were no letters of credit outstanding during 2014, 2013 or 2012, and thus, no fees were received during 
these periods.  From time to time, the Bank extends additional credit to Tower for construction and development projects.  No 
construction loans were outstanding during 2014, 2013 and 2012.

109

Tower leases office space in the Kansas City bank headquarters building owned by the Company.  Rent paid to the Company 
totaled $69 thousand in 2014, $67 thousand in 2013 and $66 thousand in 2012, at $15.17, $14.92 and $15.08 per square foot, 
respectively. 

Directors of the Company and their beneficial interests have deposit accounts with the Bank and may be provided with cash 
management and other banking services, including loans, in the ordinary course of business.  Such loans were made on substantially 
the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other 
unrelated persons and did not involve more than the normal risk of collectability.

As discussed in Note 20 on Commitments, Contingencies, and Guarantees, the Company regularly purchases various state tax 
credits arising from third-party property redevelopment and resells the credits to third parties.   During 2014, the Company sold 
state tax credits to its Chief Executive Officer, its Vice Chairman, and its President, in the amount of $396 thousand, $155 thousand, 
and $60 thousand, respectively, for personal tax planning.  During 2013, the Company sold state tax credits to its Chief Executive 
Officer, his father (a former Chief Executive Officer), its Vice Chairman, and a member of its Board of Directors, in the amount 
of $846 thousand, $282 thousand, $456 thousand, and $200 thousand, respectively.  During 2012, the Company's Chief Executive 
Officer purchased state tax credits of $465 thousand.  The terms of the sales and the amounts paid were the same as the terms and 
amounts paid for similar tax credits by persons not related to the Company.

110

22. Parent Company Condensed Financial Statements

Following are the condensed financial statements of Commerce Bancshares, Inc. (Parent only) for the periods indicated:

Condensed Balance Sheets

(In thousands)

Assets

Investment in consolidated subsidiaries:

Banks

Non-banks

Cash

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

Investment securities:

Available for sale

Non-marketable

Advances to subsidiaries, net of borrowings

Income tax benefits

Other assets

Total assets

Liabilities and stockholders’ equity

Pension obligation

Other liabilities

Total liabilities

Stockholders’ equity

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

Condensed Statements of Income

(In thousands)

Income

Dividends received from consolidated subsidiaries:

Banks

Non-banks

Earnings of consolidated subsidiaries, net of dividends

Interest and dividends on investment securities

Management fees charged subsidiaries

Investment securities gains

Other

Total income

Expense

Salaries and employee benefits

Professional fees

Data processing fees paid to affiliates

Other

Total expense

Income tax benefit

Net income

December 31

2014

2013

$

2,069,369 $

1,952,179

45,600

56

161,650

52,118

1,787

19,731

3,848

16,551

63,134

53

142,650

57,754

3,326

1,772

470

15,201

2,370,710 $

2,236,539

$

$

20,653 $

19,864

40,517

2,330,193

$

2,370,710 $

6,501

19,396

25,897

2,210,642

2,236,539

For the Years Ended December 31

2014

2013

2012

$

200,001 $

200,001 $

235,000

34,000

32,493

2,501

25,806

204

2,176

390

62,815

4,029

20,701

1,294

2,958

—

34,467

5,074

23,658

346

2,067

297,181

292,188

300,612

26,030

2,363

3,030

10,578

42,001

(6,574)

20,433

3,538

2,775

10,236

36,982

(5,755)

24,188

1,950

2,664

7,582

36,384

(5,101)

$

261,754 $

260,961 $

269,329

111

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands)

Operating Activities

Net income

For the Years Ended December 31

2014

2013

2012

$

261,754 $

260,961 $

269,329

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

Earnings of consolidated subsidiaries, net of dividends

Other adjustments, net

Net cash provided by operating activities

Investing Activities

(32,493)

5,412

234,673

(62,815)

(139)

198,007

(Increase) decrease in securities purchased under agreements to resell

(19,000)

(74,975)

Decrease in investment in subsidiaries, net

Proceeds from sales of investment securities

Proceeds from maturities/pay downs of investment securities

Purchases of investment securities

(Increase) decrease in advances to subsidiaries, net

Net purchases of building improvements and equipment

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

Financing Activities

Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock

Purchases of treasury stock

Accelerated stock repurchase agreement

Issuance of stock under equity compensation plans

Net tax benefit related to equity compensation plans

Cash dividends paid on common stock

Cash dividends paid on preferred stock

Net cash used in financing activities

Increase (decrease) in cash

Cash at beginning of year

Cash at end of year

Income tax payments (receipts), net

(34,467)

(6,310)

228,552

50,400

1,195

346

17,063

(2,000)

4,136

(92)

71,048

357

157

5,852

—

(17,959)

(98)

151

866

13,644

—

3,732

(402)

(30,691)

(56,984)

144,784

(210,974)

(60,000)

8,652

1,850

(84,241)

(4,050)

—

—

(69,353)

(104,909)

—

9,426

1,003

—

14,820

2,094

(82,104)

(211,608)

—

—

(203,979)

(141,028)

(299,603)

3

53

56 $

(5)

58

53 $

(8,209) $

(6,933) $

$

$

(3)

61

58

523

Dividends paid by the Parent to its shareholders were substantially provided from Bank dividends. The Bank may distribute 
dividends without prior regulatory approval, provided that the dividends do not exceed the sum of net income for the current year 
and retained net income for the preceding two years, subject to maintenance of minimum capital requirements. The Parent charges 
fees to its subsidiaries for management services provided, which are allocated to the subsidiaries based primarily on total average 
assets. The Parent makes cash advances to its private equity subsidiaries for general short-term cash flow purposes. Advances may 
be made to the Parent by its subsidiary bank holding company for temporary investment of idle funds. Interest on such advances 
is based on market rates.

For the past several years, the Parent has maintained a $20.0 million line of credit for general corporate purposes with the 
Bank.  The line of credit is secured by investment securities.  The Parent has not borrowed under this line during the past three 
years.  

At December 31, 2014, the fair value of available for sale investment securities held by the Parent consisted of investments 
of  $37.4 million in common stock and $14.7 million in non-agency mortgage-backed securities. The Parent’s unrealized net gain 
in fair value on its investments was $35.3 million at December 31, 2014. The corresponding net of tax unrealized gain included 
in stockholders’ equity was $21.9 million.  Also included in stockholders’ equity was an unrealized net of tax gain in fair value of 
investment securities held by subsidiaries, which amounted to $63.2 million at December 31, 2014.

112

Item 9.  CHANGES  IN  AND  DISAGREEMENTS  WITH  ACCOUNTANTS  ON  ACCOUNTING  AND 

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

There were no changes in or disagreements with accountants on accounting and financial disclosure.

Item 9a.   CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Conclusion Regarding the Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal 
financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15
(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and our 
principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered 
by this annual report.

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such 
term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f). Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, 
including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our 
internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (1992) issued by 
the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.  Based on our evaluation under the framework in 
Internal Control — Integrated Framework (1992), our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting 
was effective as of December 31, 2014.  We intend to implement the new Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued in 
May 2013 by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission during our fiscal year 2015. 

The  Company’s  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  as  of  December  31,  2014  has  been  audited  by  KPMG  LLP,  an 

independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which follows.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 No change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting occurred that has materially affected, or is reasonably 

likely to materially affect, such controls during the last quarter of the period covered by this report. 

113

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Commerce Bancshares, Inc.: 

We have audited Commerce Bancshares, Inc.'s (the Company) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 
Integrated Framework (1992) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring 
2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control 
Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company's management is responsible for maintaining effective internal 
control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in 
the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion 
on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.  

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). 
Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control 
over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control 
over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating 
effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we 
considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the 
reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally 
accepted accounting principles.  A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that 
(1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions 
of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation 
of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the 
company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide 
reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s 
assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.  

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements.  Also, 
projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because 
of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, Commerce Bancshares, Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting 
as of December 31, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control  Integrated Framework (1992) issued by the Committee 
of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), 
the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the related consolidated statements of 
income, comprehensive income, cash flows, and changes in equity for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 
31, 2014, and our report dated February 24, 2015 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.

Kansas City, Missouri
February 24, 2015

114

Item 9b.  OTHER INFORMATION

None 

PART III

Item 10.  DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The information required by Items 401, 405 and 407(c)(3), (d)(4) and (d)(5) of Regulation S-K regarding executive officers 
is included at the end of Part I of this Form 10-K under the caption “Executive Officers of the Registrant” and under the captions 
“Proposal One - Election of the 2018 Class of Directors”, “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance”, “Audit 
Committee  Report”, “Committees of the Board - Audit Committee  and Committee on Governance/Directors” in the definitive 
proxy statement, which is incorporated herein by reference.

The Company’s financial officer code of ethics for the chief executive officer and senior financial officers of the Company, 
including the chief financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, is available 
at www.commercebank.com. Amendments to, and waivers of, the code of ethics are posted on this Web site.

Item 11.  EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information required by Items 402 and 407(e)(4) and (e)(5) of Regulation S-K regarding executive compensation is included 
under  the  captions  “Compensation  Discussion  and  Analysis”,  “Executive  Compensation”,  “Director  Compensation”, 
“Compensation and Human Resources Committee Report”, and “Compensation and Human Resources Committee Interlocks and 
Insider Participation” in the definitive proxy statement, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 12.  SECURITY  OWNERSHIP  OF  CERTAIN  BENEFICIAL  OWNERS AND  MANAGEMENT AND 

RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The information required by Items 201(d) and 403 of Regulation S-K is included under the captions “Equity Compensation 
Plan Information” and “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” in the definitive proxy statement, 
which is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 13.  CERTAIN  RELATIONSHIPS  AND  RELATED  TRANSACTIONS,  AND  DIRECTOR 

INDEPENDENCE

The information required by Items 404 and 407(a) of Regulation S-K is covered under the captions “Proposal One - Election 
of the 2018 Class of Directors” and “Corporate Governance” in the definitive proxy statement, which is incorporated herein by 
reference.

Item 14.  PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

The information required by Item 9(e) of Schedule 14A is included under the captions “Pre-approval of Services by the External 

Auditor” and “Fees Paid to KPMG LLP” in the definitive proxy statement, which is incorporated herein by reference.

115

Item 15.  EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

PART IV

(a) The following documents are filed as a part of this report:

(1)

(2)

Financial Statements:
Consolidated Balance Sheets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Consolidated Statements of Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Summary of Quarterly Statements of Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Financial Statement Schedules:
All schedules are omitted as such information is inapplicable or is included in the financial 
statements.

Page

57
58
59
60
61
62
51

(b) The exhibits filed as part of this report and exhibits incorporated herein by reference to other documents are listed
in the Index to Exhibits (pages E-1 through E-2).

116

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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 this 24th day of February 2015.

SIGNATURES

COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC.

By:

/s/ THOMAS J. NOACK
Thomas J. Noack

Vice President and Secretary

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons 

on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities indicated on the 24th day of February 2015.

By:

By:

/s/ CHARLES G. KIM
Charles G. Kim

Chief Financial Officer

/s/ JEFFERY D. ABERDEEN
Jeffery D. Aberdeen

Controller

(Chief Accounting Officer)

A majority of the Board of Directors*

David W. Kemper

(Chief Executive Officer)

Terry D. Bassham

John R. Capps

Earl H. Devanny, III

W. Thomas Grant, II

James B. Hebenstreit

Jonathan M. Kemper

Terry O. Meek

Benjamin F. Rassieur, III

Todd R. Schnuck

Andrew C. Taylor

Kimberly G. Walker

____________
*  David W. Kemper, Director and Chief Executive Officer, and the other Directors of Registrant listed, executed a power of 

attorney authorizing Thomas J. Noack, their attorney-in-fact, to sign this report on their behalf.

/s/ THOMAS J. NOACK
Thomas J. Noack

Attorney-in-Fact

By:

117

 
 
INDEX TO EXHIBITS

3 —Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws:

(a) Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended, were filed in quarterly report on Form 10-Q (Commission file
number 0-2989) dated May 7, 2014, and the same are hereby incorporated by reference.

(b) Restated By-Laws, as amended, were filed in current report on Form 8-K (Commission file number 0-2989)
dated February 14, 2013, and the same are hereby incorporated by reference.

4 — Instruments defining the rights of security holders, including indentures:

(a) Pursuant to paragraph (b)(4)(iii) of Item 601 Regulation S-K, Registrant will furnish to the Commission upon
request copies of long-term debt instruments.

10 — Material Contracts (Each of the following is a management contract or compensatory plan arrangement):

(a) Commerce Bancshares, Inc. Executive Incentive Compensation Plan amended and restated as of January 1,
2009 was filed in quarterly report on Form 10-Q (Commission file number 0-2989) dated August 7, 2009, and
the same is hereby incorporated by reference.

(b)(1) Commerce Bancshares, Inc. 1987 Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan amended and restated as of July 24,
2009 was filed in quarterly report on Form 10-Q (Commission file number 0-2989) dated August 7, 2009, and
the same is hereby incorporated by reference.

(b)(2) An amendment to the Commerce Bancshares, Inc. 1987 Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan was filed in
current report on Form 8-K (Commission file number 0-2989) dated February 16, 2012, and the same is hereby
incorporated by reference.

(c) Commerce Bancshares, Inc. Stock Purchase Plan for Non-Employee Directors amended and restated as of
April 17, 2013 was filed in current report on Form 8-K (Commission file number 0-2989) dated April 23, 2013,
and the same is hereby incorporated by reference.

(d)(1) Commerce Bancshares, Inc. 1996 Incentive Stock Option Plan amended and restated as of April 2001 was
filed in quarterly report on Form 10-Q (Commission file number 0-2989) dated May 8, 2001, and the same is
hereby incorporated by reference.

(d)(2) An amendment to the Commerce Bancshares, Inc. 1996 Incentive Stock Option Plan was filed in current
report on Form 8-K (Commission file number 0-2989) dated February 16, 2012, and the same is hereby
incorporated by reference.

(e) Commerce Executive Retirement Plan amended and restated as of January 28, 2011 was filed in annual report
on Form 10-K (Commission file number 0-2989) dated February 25, 2011, and the same is hereby incorporated
by reference.

(f) Commerce Bancshares, Inc. Restricted Stock Plan amended and restated as of July 24, 2009 was filed in
quarterly report on Form 10-Q (Commission file number 0-2989) dated August 7, 2009, and the same is hereby
incorporated by reference.

(g)(1) 2009 Form of Severance Agreement between Commerce Bancshares, Inc. and the persons listed at the end
of such agreement.

(g)(2) 2015 Form of Severance Agreement between Commerce Bancshares, Inc. and the persons listed at the end
of such agreement.

(h) Trust Agreement for the Commerce Bancshares, Inc. Executive Incentive Compensation Plan amended and
restated as of January 1, 2001 was filed in quarterly report on Form 10-Q (Commission file number 0-2989)
dated May 8, 2001, and the same is hereby incorporated by reference.

(i) Commerce Bancshares, Inc. 2015 Compensatory Arrangements with CEO and Named Executive Officers
were filed in current report on Form 8-K (Commission file number 0-2989) dated February 2, 2015, and the
same is hereby incorporated by reference.

(j) Commerce Bancshares, Inc. 2005 Equity Incentive Plan amended and restated as of April 17, 2013 was filed
in current report on Form 8-K (Commission file number 0-2989) dated April 23, 2013, and the same is hereby
incorporated by reference.

(k) Commerce Bancshares, Inc. Notice of Grant of Stock Options and Option Agreement was filed in quarterly
report on Form 10-Q (Commission file number 0-2989) dated August 5, 2005, and the same is hereby
incorporated by reference.

E-1

(l) Commerce Bancshares, Inc. Restricted Stock Award Agreement, pursuant to the Restricted Stock Plan, was
filed in quarterly report on Form 10-Q (Commission file number 0-2989) dated August 5, 2005, and the same is
hereby incorporated by reference.

(m) Commerce Bancshares, Inc. Stock Appreciation Rights Agreement and Commerce Bancshares, Inc.
Restricted Stock Award Agreement, pursuant to the 2005 Equity Incentive Plan, were filed in current report on
Form 8-K (Commission file number 0-2989) dated February 23, 2006, and the same are hereby incorporated by
reference.

(n) Commerce Bancshares, Inc. Stock Appreciation Rights Agreement and Commerce Bancshares, Inc.
Restricted Stock Award Agreements, pursuant to the 2005 Equity Incentive Plan, were filed in quarterly report on
Form 10-Q (Commission file number 0-2989) dated May 6, 2013, and the same are hereby incorporated by
reference.

(o) Form of Notice of Grant of Award and Award Agreement for Restricted Stock for Executive Officers,
pursuant to the Commerce Bancshares, Inc. 2005 Equity Incentive Plan, was filed in quarterly report on Form
10-Q (Commission file number 0-2989) dated May 7, 2014, and the same is hereby incorporated by reference.

(p) Form of Notice of Grant of Award and Award Agreement for Restricted Stock for Employees other than
Executive Officers, pursuant to the Commerce Bancshares, Inc. 2005 Equity Incentive Plan, was filed in
quarterly report on Form 10-Q (Commission file number 0-2989) dated May 7, 2014, and the same is hereby
incorporated by reference.

(q) Form of Notice of Grant of Award and Award Agreement for Stock Appreciation Rights, pursuant to the
Commerce Bancshares, Inc. 2005 Equity Incentive Plan, was filed in quarterly report on Form 10-Q
(Commission file number 0-2989) dated May 7, 2014, and the same is hereby incorporated by reference.

21 — Subsidiaries of the Registrant

23 — Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

24 — Power of Attorney

31.1 — Certification of CEO pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

31.2 — Certification of CFO pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

32 — Certifications of CEO and CFO pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

101 — Interactive data files pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T: (i) the Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) the
Consolidated Statements of Income, (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iv) the Consolidated
Statements of Changes in Equity, (v) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and (vi) the Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements, tagged as blocks of text and in detail

Exhibits 10(g)(1) and 10(g)(2) were filed as part of the Form 10-K with the Securities and Exchange commission but are not 
included herein.  Copies may be obtained upon a written request to:

Mr. Jeffery D. Aberdeen, Controller
Commerce Bancshares, Inc.
1000 Walnut, Suite 700
Kansas City, MO 64106 

E-2

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The consolidated subsidiaries of the Registrant at February 1, 2015 were as follows:

Exhibit 21

Name
CBI-Kansas, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kansas City, MO Kansas

Location

State or Other
Jurisdiction of
Incorporation

Clayton Financial Corp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Clayton, MO
Clayton Realty Corp.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Clayton, MO

Commerce Bank. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kansas City, MO Missouri
Commerce Brokerage Services, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Clayton, MO
Missouri
Clayton Holdings, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kansas City, MO Missouri
Missouri
Missouri
Delaware
Illinois Financial, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Peoria, IL
Delaware
Illinois Realty, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Peoria, IL
Commerce Insurance Services, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fenton, MO
Missouri
Commerce Investment Advisors, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kansas City, MO Missouri
       Commerce Mortgage Corp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kansas City, MO Missouri
CBI Equipment Finance, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kansas City, MO Missouri
Mid-Am Acquisition, LLC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Clayton, MO
Missouri
Tower Redevelopment Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kansas City, MO Missouri
CBI Insurance Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kansas City, MO Arizona
CFB Partners, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Clayton, MO
Delaware
CFB Venture Fund I, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kansas City, MO Missouri
Delaware
Capital for Business, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kansas City, MO Missouri

CFB Venture Fund, L.P.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Clayton, MO

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Exhibit 23

The Board of Directors
Commerce Bancshares, Inc.:

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements No. 33-28294, No. 33-82692, No. 33-8075, No. 
33-78344, No. 33-61499, No. 33-61501, No. 333-14651, No. 333-186867, and No. 333-188374, each on Form S-8, No. 333-140221 
and No. 333-196689 on Form S-3ASR, and No. 333-140475 and No. 333-189535 on Form S-4 of Commerce Bancshares, Inc. of 
our reports dated February 24, 2015, with respect to the consolidated balance sheets of Commerce Bancshares, Inc. and subsidiaries 
as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, cash flows, and 
changes in equity for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2014, and the effectiveness of internal control 
over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, which reports appear in the December 31, 2014 annual report on Form 10-K 
of Commerce Bancshares, Inc.  

KPMG LLP

Kansas City, Missouri
February 24, 2015

 
POWER OF ATTORNEY

Exhibit 24

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned do hereby appoint Thomas J. Noack and Jeffery D. Aberdeen, 
or either of them, attorney for the undersigned to sign the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Commerce Bancshares, Inc., for the 
fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, together with any and all amendments which might be required from time to time with 
respect thereto, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, with respect 
to Commerce Bancshares, Inc., with full power and authority in either of said attorneys to do and perform in the name of and on 
behalf of the undersigned every act whatsoever necessary or desirable to be done in the premises as fully and to all intents and 
purposes as the undersigned might or could do in person.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed these presents as of this 30th day of January, 2015.

/s/ TERRY D. BASSHAM

/s/ JOHN R. CAPPS

/s/ EARL H. DEVANNY, III

/s/ W. THOMAS GRANT, II

/s/ JAMES B. HEBENSTREIT

/s/ DAVID W. KEMPER

/s/ JONATHAN M. KEMPER

/s/ TERRY O. MEEK

/s/ BENJAMIN F. RASSIEUR, III

/s/  TODD R. SCHNUCK

/s/ ANDREW C. TAYLOR  

/s/ KIMBERLY G. WALKER

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CERTIFICATION

Exhibit 31.1

I, David W. Kemper, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Commerce Bancshares, Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact 
necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading 
with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in 
all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented 
in this report;

4. The  registrant’s  other  certifying  officer  and  I  are  responsible  for  establishing  and  maintaining  disclosure  controls  and 
procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined 
in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and we have:

(a) Designed  such  disclosure  controls  and  procedures,  or  caused  such  disclosure  controls  and  procedures  to  be 
designed  under  our  supervision,  to  ensure  that  material  information  relating  to  the  registrant,  including  its  consolidated 
subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this annual report is 
being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting 
to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the 
preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our 
conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report 
based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during 
the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially 
affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over 
financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing 
the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial 
reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report 
financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in 

the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

February 24, 2015

/s/ DAVID W. KEMPER
David W. Kemper
Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer

 
 
 
 
 
Exhibit 31.2

I, Charles G. Kim, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Commerce Bancshares, Inc.;

CERTIFICATION

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact 
necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading 
with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in 
all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented 
in this report;

4. The  registrant’s  other  certifying  officer  and  I  are  responsible  for  establishing  and  maintaining  disclosure  controls  and 
procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined 
in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and we have:

(a) Designed  such  disclosure  controls  and  procedures,  or  caused  such  disclosure  controls  and  procedures  to  be 
designed  under  our  supervision,  to  ensure  that  material  information  relating  to  the  registrant,  including  its  consolidated 
subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this annual report is 
being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting 
to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the 
preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our 
conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report 
based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during 
the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially 
affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over 
financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing 
the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial 
reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report 
financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in 

the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

February 24, 2015

/s/ CHARLES G. KIM
Charles G. Kim
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

Exhibit 32

In connection with the Annual Report of Commerce Bancshares, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the year ended 
December 31, 2014 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), we, David W. Kemper 
and Charles G. Kim, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, respectively, of the Company, hereby certify, pursuant 
to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to the best of our knowledge:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of 

operations of the Company.

/s/ DAVID W. KEMPER
David W. Kemper
Chief Executive Officer

/s/ CHARLES G. KIM
Charles G. Kim
Chief Financial Officer

February 24, 2015

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the 
Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

C O M P A N Y   P R O F I L E

Commerce Bancshares, Inc. operates as a super-community 
bank offering an array of sophisticated financial products 
delivered with high-quality, personal customer service. The 
Company’s customer promise we ask, listen and solve is not 
just its brand, but also its corporate focus. With this platform, 
Commerce is continually building its long-term franchise 
while paying strict attention to asset quality and expense 

management. Commerce provides a full range of financial 
products to consumer and commercial customers including:  
lending, payment processing, trust, brokerage and capital 
markets services. Commerce uses a variety of delivery 
platforms including an expansive ATM network, full-featured 
online banking, a central contact center, and has a nation-
wide presence in the commercial payments industry.

• $24.0 billion in assets

•  37th largest U.S. bank based on 

asset size1

•  195 branches

• 392 ATMs

•  357,000 online banking  

customers2

•  45.7 million online banking  

sessions3

• 88,000  mobile customers

•  4,744 full-time equivalent (FTE) 

employees

Data as of December 2014 unless otherwise noted
1Source: SNL Financial as of 9/30/2014
2Includes active Retail and Small Business customers
3Retail sessions in 2014

C O M M E R C E   B A N C S H A R E S   A T   A   G L A N C E

E I G H T   K E Y   M A R K E T S

C O M M E R C I A L   O F F I C E S

C O M M E R C E   U S   P R E S E N C E

1.  Cincinnati

2.  Nashville

3. Dallas

Branch Footprint

Extended Commercial Market Area

Commercial Payments Services

1.  St. Louis

2.  Kansas City

3.  Springfield

4.  Central Missouri

 5. Central Illinois

6. Wichita

7. Tulsa/Oklahoma City

 8. Denver

8

6

2

4

1

3

5

1

2

7

3

C O N T I N U O U S   I M P R O V E M E N T

A B O U T   T H E   C O V E R

Commerce is dedicated to continuous 
improvement and innovation. That 
requires listening to customer  
needs and investing in products  
that provide superior solutions.  
We continuously look for new  
ways to deepen our customer 
relationships and improve our 
business processes for greater 
cost-efficiency.

pro v e m e nt
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a tion & I

Mercy, one of the nation’s largest health care systems, 
serves millions of patients each year from its 32 hospitals. 
Commerce Bank is making it easier for those patients to pay 
their medical bills with new zero-percent interest rate loans. 
The Health Services Financing program is one of many 
solutions Commerce has developed over the years to support 
Mercy’s mission. From left, Tammy Krebel, Commerce senior 
vice president, commercial banking; Mark Huebner, director 
of health services financing; Bruce Fernandez, Mercy’s 
director of treasury services; and Steve Walden, Mercy’s 
manager of treasury operations.

CO R P O R AT E  H E A D Q UA RT E R S
1000 Walnut
P.O. Box 419248
Kansas City, MO 64141-6248
(816) 234-2000
www.commercebank.com

I N D E P E N D E N T   A CCO U N TA N TS
KPMG LLP 
Kansas City, Missouri

T R A N S F E R   A G E N T,   R EG I ST R A R   

A N D   D I V I D E N D   D I S B U R S I N G   A G E N T
Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
P.O. Box 30170
College Station, TX 77842-3170
(800) 317-4445
(800) 952-9245 Hearing Impaired/TDD
www.computershare.com/investor

STO C K  E XC H A N G E  L I ST I N G
NASDAQ
Symbol: CBSH 
Preferred Stock: CBSHP

CO M M O N  STO C K  I N F O R M AT I O N
The table below sets forth the high and the low prices of  
actual transactions for the Company’s common stock, which  
is publicly traded on the NASDAQ Stock Market, adjusted for 
the December 2014 5% stock dividend.

F I S C A L   2 0 14  

First Quarter 
Second Quarter 
Third Quarter 
Fourth Quarter 

H I G H   

L O W

$45.06 
45.19 
45.38 
44.30 

$39.68
40.09
42.23
38.10

A N N UA L  M E E T I N G
The annual meeting of shareholders will be held Wednesday, 
April 15, 2015 at 9:30 a.m., in the Kemper Auditorium on the 
15th floor of the Commerce Trust Company Building at 922 
Walnut Street, Kansas City, MO 64106.

I N V ESTO R   I N Q U I R I ES 
Shareholders, analysts and investors seeking information 
about the Company should direct their inquiries to:

Jeffery D. Aberdeen, Controller
1000 Walnut 
P.O. Box 419248
Kansas City, MO 64141-6248
(800) 892-7100
mymoney@commercebank.com

S H A R E H O L D E R S  M AY  R ECE I V E  F U T U R E   

A N N UA L  R E P O RTS  A N D   P R O X Y  M AT E R I A L S   

OV E R  T H E  I N T E R N E T
To take advantage of the opportunity to receive  
materials electronically, rather than by mail, individuals  
who hold stock in their name may enroll for electronic  
delivery at Computershare’s investor website  
https://www-us.computershare.com/investor/contact.  

•  If you have already created a login ID and password at the 
above site, just log in and follow the prompts to “Enroll in 
Electronic Delivery.”

•  If you have not created a login ID and password on the above 
site, choose “Create Login.” You will need the Social Security 
number or tax ID number associated with your Commerce 
stock account to create the login. After you have created your 
login, follow the prompts to “Enroll in Electronic Delivery.”

Please note:

• Your consent is entirely revocable.

•   You can always vote your proxy on the Internet whether  
or not you elect to receive your materials electronically.

Shareholders who hold their Commerce stock through a bank, 
broker or other holder of record should refer to the information 
provided by that entity for instructions on how to elect to view 
future annual reports and proxy statements over the Internet.

Employee PIP (401(k)) shareholders who have a Company 
email address and online access will automatically be  
enrolled to receive the Annual Report, Proxy Statement  
and proxy card over the Internet unless they choose to opt  
out by emailing the Corporate Secretary at thomas.noack@ 
commercebank.com. 

Financial Highlights 1    |    Message to Our Shareholders 2    |    Strength  •  Community  •  Innovation 10
Success Stories 11    |    Community Advisors 20    |    Officers and Directors 24

T A B L E   O F   C O N T E N T S

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S T R E N G T H      |       C O M M U N I T Y      |       I N N O V A T I O N

2 0 1 4   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   A N D   F O R M   1 0 - K

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COMMER CE BA NCSH ARES,  IN C.

1000 WALNUT 
P.O. BOX 419248
KANSAS CITY, MO 64141-6248

Phone: 

(816) 234-2000 
(800) 892-7100

Email: mymoney@commercebank.com
Website: www.commercebank.com

An Equal Opportunity Employer