Commerce Bancshares Inc Annual Report 2015

Plain-text annual report

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 5 A N N U A L R E P O R T A N D F O R M 1 0 - K 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 of "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, payments processing, trust, brokerage and capital markets services. Commerce uses a variety of delivery platforms including an expansive ATM network, full-featured online banking, and a central contact center, and has a nationwide presence in the commercial payments industry. 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 NINE KEY M ARKETS COMME RC IAL OFFI CES COMME RCE US P RESENCE 1. St. Louis 2. Kansas City 3. Springﬁeld 4. Central Missouri 5. Central Illinois 6. Wichita 7. Tulsa 8. Oklahoma City 9. Denver $24.6 billion in assets 37th largest U.S. bank based on asset size1 387 ATMs 191 branches 360 thousand active online banking customers 176 thousand mobile customers 61 million online banking/mobile sessions in 2015 Data as of December 2015 unless otherwise noted. 1 SNL Financial data, September 30, 2015 1. Cincinnati 2. Nashville 3. Dallas Branch Footprint Extended Commercial Market Area Commercial Payments Services 9 5 2 4 1 3 1 2 6 7 8 3 1 5 0 Y E A R S O F B U I L D I N G C O M M E R C E Since 1865, the success of Commerce Bank has revolved around three central themes: Strength – Our ﬁnancial strength has allowed us to weather difﬁcult economic times and expand over the years, all the while maintain- ing the ability to operate independently. From our original base in Kansas City, we have forged partnerships and expanded throughout the central part of the United States. Community – Commerce is a product of the communities we serve, a partnership of our customers, employees and shareholders. We are proud we have continued to bring value to our customers, that we support our region’s economy and that we work with others to make our communities better places to live. Innovation – Financial services is a dynamic and constantly changing market. At Commerce, we value and have been successful in applying new ideas, new technology and creativity to change while maintaining our core values of customer service and teamwork. T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S Financial Highlights 1 | Message to Our Shareholders 2 | 150 Years of Building Commerce 12 Success Stories 14 | Community Advisors 24 | Ofﬁcers and Directors 28 A B O U T T H E C O V E R For 100 years, the professionals of Black & Veatch have been Building a World of Difference through the design and construction of energy, water and telecommunications infrastructure that make life better. But the world they are building requires more than your typical construction materials. “We believe it’s important to engage the community in other ways,” says Karen L. Daniel, Black & Veatch’s chief ﬁnancial ofﬁcer (center), here with Steven L. Edwards, chairman and chief executive ofﬁcer (left); and Byron McCallum, vice president and commercial banking manager of Commerce Bank (right). “That’s one of many reasons we’ve enjoyed our long partnership with Commerce. We see each other out in the community, supporting important initiatives, making a difference in the lives of people where we live and work. That’s what it’s all about.” We ask, listen and solve. COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. 2015 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 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 $ 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 646,070 51,515 392,917 10,812 616,440 256,343 256,343 79,140 $ 639,906 27,287 399,630 4,828 617,598 269,329 269,329 211,6083 $ 619,372 20,353 418,386 (4,425) 628,668 260,961 260,961 82,104 $ 620,204 29,531 435,978 14,124 656,342 261,754 257,704 84,241 $ 634,320 28,727 447,555 6,320 675,903 263,730 254,730 84,961 AT YEAR END Total assets Loans, including held for sale Investment securities Deposits Equity Non-performing assets Common shares outstanding1 Tier I common risk-based capital ratio2 Tier I risk-based capital ratio Total risk-based capital ratio Tier I leverage ratio Tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio Efﬁciency ratio $ 20,649,367 9,208,554 9,358,387 16,799,883 2,170,361 93,803 108,122 NA 14.71% 16.04 9.55 9.91 59.02 $ 22,159,589 $ 23,072,036 10,956,836 9,042,997 19,047,348 2,214,397 55,439 105,709 NA 14.06% 15.28 9.43 9.00 60.40 9,840,211 9,669,735 18,348,653 2,171,574 64,863 105,823 NA 13.60% 14.93 9.14 9.25 59.18 $ 23,994,280 11,469,238 9,645,792 19,475,778 2,334,246 46,251 101,144 NA 13.74% 14.86 9.36 8.55 61.95 $ 24,604,962 12,444,299 9,901,680 19,978,853 2,367,418 29,394 97,226 11.52% 12.33% 13.28 9.23 8.48 62.32 OT HER FIN ANCIAL 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) 1.32% 12.15 59.15 10.87 3.65 1.30% 12.00 55.80 10.84 3.41 1.19% 1.15% 1.11% 11.99 57.12 9.95 3.11 11.65 59.91 10.10 3.00 11.43 61.44 10.00 2.94 PER COMMON SHAR E DATA Net income - basic1 Net income - diluted1 Market price1 Book value1 Cash dividends1 Cash dividend payout ratio $ $ 2.33 2.32 31.36 20.07 .721 30.87% 2.52 $ 2.51 30.29 20.52 1.9913 78.57%3 2.47 $ 2.50 $ 2.56 2.56 2.49 2.46 42.54 41.42 40.73 22.86 21.65 20.95 .857 .816 .777 33.35% 32.69% 31.46% 1 Restated for the 5% stock dividend distributed December 2015. 2 New ratio under Basel III capital guidelines effective January 1, 2015. 3 Includes a special dividend paid in the fourth quarter of 2012. 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: 12.2% Peers’ 10-Year Average: 7.36 % 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 2.00% 1.50% 1.00% 05.0% 00.0% -05.0% -1.00% Source: SNL Financial Commerce 10-Year Average: 1.2% Peers’ 10-Year Average: 0.76% 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 Commerce Peers Large Banks Commerce Peers Large Banks We ask, listen and solve. COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 2 To Our Shareholders Commerce Bancshares celebrated the 150th anniversary of Commerce Bank in 2015 with solid execution and performance in a challenging banking environment. During the year, moderate, steady domestic economic expansion continued with the Federal Reserve raising interest rates in December for the ﬁrst time in seven years. Record low interest rates and regulatory focus on traditional service charges, however, continued to put pressure on top-line growth industry wide. Today, the banking industry faces two big challenges: an overcapacity of traditional bank branches and the rapid transition by our customers to mobile and electronic solutions for credit, payments and information needs. Nimble banks that can right-size and reposition distribution channels, redeploy resources and personnel, and anticipate how their customers want to do business will be rewarded. At the same time, a benign credit environment and a long economic expansion have increased competition for loans of all types. Both secular and cyclical forces will reward management teams and their banks that are strategic and take a long-term view of customer needs and credit risks. D a vi d W. Ke m p e r, C ha i r ma n We ask, listen and solve. COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 3 In 2015 our Company posted solid results with strong totaled $120 million, as we continued to attract new loan and deposit growth, while continuing to focus clients and build out stafﬁng in expansion markets. on repositioning our strategic assets and personnel. We expanded our residential mortgage business, Over the last ﬁve years, we closed 10% of our branches adding an outbound sales staff and generating more while upgrading and resizing numerous others. We also than $3 million in new fees, while growing our existing invested heavily in web and mobile solutions and core loan portfolio. IT systems. Although the industry will have to further We operate in a rapidly changing environment reduce capacity of banks and branches, we strongly where new technologies, competitors and regulations feel an organic growth strategy that includes investing continue to evolve. Our long-term focus continues to be in our people and products will yield superior results. on making For example, we continue to add commercial personnel innovative In 2015 loans grew $975 million in our Dallas and Denver markets, where we have had investments success in selling our broad array of commercial in people products. We are also focused on growing our wealth and technol- management business, which had a record year in ogy to grow with solid growth in both commercial and consumer loans. new asset management sales and fee income. Our the Company and provide shareholder returns. payments system businesses have tremendous growth We are conﬁdent that our principles of strength, potential, and we continue a rapid national rollout of community and innovation will play an important role our accounts payable and hospital patient ﬁnancing in our Company’s future growth and proﬁtability. solutions. These initiatives are showing immediate success and are laying the groundwork for accelerated 2015 PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS future growth. • Net income attributable to Commerce totaled In 2015 loans grew $975 million with solid growth $264 million, versus $262 million last year. in both commercial and consumer loans. Business and • Earnings per share totaled $2.56 in 2015 compared construction lending were especially strong on the to $2.49 in 2014. The return on average assets commercial side, while automobile loan demand drove was 1.11%, while the return on average equity was consumer loan growth. Expansion market loan growth 11.4%. This compares to our peer bank return on continued to outpace overall Company loan growth. average assets of .88%* and a return on average We are also focused on a number of important “blue equity of 7.8%*. chip” growth initiatives. In our payments system • In 2015 we paid a regular cash dividend of $.857 per businesses, commercial card fees grew to a record share (restated), making this the 47th consecutive year $90 million with strong growth prospects, and we in which regular cash dividends increased. We also have been busy developing new products that offer paid a 5% stock dividend for the 22nd year in a row. opportunities to expand customer relationships and • In 2015 the Company purchased $123 million grow revenue. Trust fees from our wealth management in treasury stock after purchasing $271 million in business increased again this year, growing 7% and treasury stock in 2014. *As of September 30, 2015 We ask, listen and solve. COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 4 C A S H D I V I D E N D S P E R S H A R E grew 10% to $13 million. Trust assets totaled e r a h S r e p s d n e d i v i D $1.20 $1.00 $0.80 $0.60 $0.40 $0.20 $0.00 $14.0 s n o i l l i B n i $ $ 12.0 $ 10.0 $ 8.0 s n o i l l i B n i $ $22 $20 $19 $18 $17 $16 $15 $14 Excludes special dividend of $1.24 per share in 2012. 1 0 - Ye a r C A G R = 4 % 1 0 - Ye a r C A G R = 4 % 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 T O T A L L O A N S C A G R = 6 % 5 - Y e a r $11.0 $11.0 $38.4 billion. • Total shareholder equity grew to $2.4 billion, and the Tier I common risk-based capital ratio totaled 11.5%. New Basel III capital regulations took effect this year, and the Company’s capital ratios were well above these new requirements. • Loan losses remained very low at .28% of total loans, compared to .31% in 2014. Non-performing assets declined to lows not seen since 2006, and delinquencies also remained low. $12.4 $12.4 COMMERCE VALUE PROPOSITION $11.5 $11.5 Commerce operates as a super-community bank $9 8 $9.8 $9.2 11 12 13 14 15 T O T A L D E P O S I T S C A G R = 6 % 5 - Y e a r $19.0 $19.0 $19.5 $19.5 $20.0 $20.0 $18.3 $18.3 $16.8 11 12 13 14 15 that serves business, retail and wealth management customers. Our customer promise of “We ask, listen and solve” means we are dedicated to servicing our customers’ needs with innovative products and solutions in a high-touch manner. The culture we have created for sales, service and risk management is highly reﬁned and updated. We regularly measure and obtain high marks in customer satisfaction, and our employee engagement surveys continuously score above those in the financial services industry and are in line with other high-performing companies. Commerce has a long history of consistently • Total loans grew $975 million, or 9%, to providing our shareholders above-average risk- $12.4 billion. Commercial loans grew $716 million adjusted returns, with a focus on profitability, on strong demand for business, leasing and strong capital and a rock-solid balance sheet. construction lending, while consumer banking While 2015 earnings per share grew 3%, the loans grew $259 million due mainly to strong 10-year shareholder total return at December 31, growth in auto lending. Loans in our expansion 2015 was 6%. In 2014 we issued new 6% preferred markets grew 24% to $1.3 billion. stock that was outstanding for all of 2015. • Our wealth management business grew trust fees Commerce’s long-term returns on assets and equity by 7% to $120 million, while brokerage revenue exceed many of its peer banks. We ask, listen and solve. COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 5 2015 E M P L O Y E E E N G A G E M E N T of Kansas City. Commerce employees have long been involved in community projects as well. In celebration of our 150th anniversary, our employees gave back more than ever, collectively performing more than 74% 73% 150 community service acts in 2015. Community service committees in each of our markets recognize employees each year who volunteer and have gone 100% 80% 84% 60% 40% Commerce U.S. High-Performing Companies Norm U.S. Financial Services Norm above and beyond to help those in need. INDUSTRY RECOGNITION AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT INNOVATION Throughout its 150-year history, Commerce has been a strong innovator, developing products and services Over the years, Commerce has received industry to meet customer needs. In the 1920s we became a recognition for its strong ﬁnancial performance, major provider of check processing services in the innovative products and focus on customer service. Midwest. In the 1930s we grew to become the largest As of September 30, 2015, Commerce ranked as the correspondent bank west of the Mississippi. In 1958 37th largest among U.S. banks based on assets, as we established our private equity business to provide reported by SNL Financial, and has a market capitaliza- credit products to new businesses in hopes of growing tion of more than $4 billion. The Commerce Trust them into signiﬁcant bank customers. In the 1960s we Company, a specialized division of Commerce Bank, entered the credit card business and created a series of was ranked by SNL as the 27th largest bank-owned new and innovative products, including the industry’s trust company in the U.S. In November, Bloomberg ﬁrst combined ATM, debit and credit card. In 2007 we Markets named Commerce Family Ofﬁce as the focused on expanding to larger, higher-growth markets 22nd largest family ofﬁce in the world. Commerce around our main footprint and developed meaningful also consistently ranks among the top issuers of business in the Denver, Dallas, Tulsa, Oklahoma City, credit, debit and commercial cards, according to Nashville and Cincinnati expansion markets. With The Nilson Report. sophisticated products and a strong service culture, Commerce’s success is a direct result of the our super-community banking model has proven very vitality of the communities in which we operate. successful in attracting many new commercial That is why we not only invest ﬁnancially in these relationships and talented bankers in these communities, our employees are also heavily involved expansion markets. in making them better places to live and work. In 2015 We continue to invest in new products to keep pace Commerce and its related foundation provided more with emerging technologies. Late in 2014 we introduced than $3 million in community support. Our ongoing Apple Pay™ to many of our mobile customers. This year commitment to community reinvestment earned us an we introduced a new credit card service called toggle® “Outstanding” rating from the Federal Reserve Bank that allows users to determine how quickly they pay for We ask, listen and solve. COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 6 different types of credit card purchases. Our new health and Oklahoma markets. We continue to invest in staff services ﬁnancing product generated strong interest from dedicated to wealth management, commercial cash hospitals dealing with a growing portion of self-pay management and commercial banking to grow our receivables. A new claims payment product we devel- customer base in these markets. oped for the insurance industry enables more efﬁcient Healthcare continues to be one of the nation’s claims processing, and a new supply chain ﬁnancing fastest growing industries. Today’s healthcare providers product provides buyers and suppliers a faster and are challenged with improving patient care quality, more efﬁcient way to make payments. We continue to while also increasing efﬁciencies and decreasing costs look for product opportunities and innovations made in their revenue cycle management. Our dedicated possible by the intersection of ﬁnance and technology. healthcare bankers perform revenue cycle reviews, helping hospitals and medical practices assess their UPDATE ON BLUE CHIP INITIATIVES payment cycle needs and identify opportunities to Over the past two years, we actively worked on a increase cash ﬂow and gain efﬁciencies. We continue number of initiatives to generate new revenue and to invest in products and technologies designed deepen customer relationships. We transformed the speciﬁcally for healthcare providers. RemitConnect® way our Commerce Bank Mortgage unit originates new and Commerce Point-of-Care® enable providers to loans. To better serve our customers, we redesigned improve collections, reduce expenses and increase our processes and cross-trained our entire staff. productivity. Our Health Services Financing program We implemented processes to comply with new experienced strong growth and attracted signiﬁcant regulations and established a new outbound sales interest from hospitals around the country seeking to ofﬁce. We increased new loan originations by 17% reduce costs. and sold $96 million in loans to the secondary market, We continue to transform our retail banking business recognizing more than $3 million in new fees. to become more proﬁtable and to serve our customers in As mentioned earlier, loan growth in our expansion the ways they want to interact with our bank. We have markets has been robust and continues to outpace our identiﬁed new products and revenue, and we have Company’s overall growth rate. Growth in payments become more efﬁcient in day-to-day branch operations. system fees has been especially strong in our Dallas We also developed an innovative branch design that L O A N G R O W T H - 2015 V E R S U S 2014 Expansion Markets Offering Growth Opportunities 24% we piloted in a several locations to generate new customer interactions and renewed interest. OVERVIEW OF PAYMENTS SYSTEM BUSINESSES Our payments system businesses offer solid revenue growth opportunities, consistent proﬁtability, good proﬁt margins and less volatility from economic and interest rate cycles. These businesses offer solutions that 9% Expansion Markets Total Company use up-to-date technologies to help our customers h t w o r G n a o L % 30% 20% 10% 0% We ask, listen and solve. COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 7 become more efﬁcient and effective. Our payments and investment real estate loans and direct municipal system businesses include products and services for lending programs. Our staff includes experienced both consumer and business customers, such as product specialists who help our customers manage deposit processing, commercial cash management, risks with interest rate and foreign currency ﬂuctuations. bank card We also offer a number of payments system solutions, We continue to develop new activities and including cash management products, retail and payments products such as claims international wholesale lockbox services, remote deposit and services. Positive Pay products. We offer ﬁxed-income investments processing, supply chain finance Revenue from to our business and correspondent bank customers. and accounts payable processing — these businesses International services are available to customers totaled $282 active in importing and exporting. These products all needed services that deepen our million in 2015, and solutions are managed by commercial bankers customer relationships nationwide. an increase of and product specialists with deep industry knowledge 3% over the and proven experience in helping customers manage prior year. business cycles. Revenue from bank card activities alone totaled $179 Loan demand was especially strong in 2015 as million in 2015, up from $176 million in 2014, with commercial loans grew to $7.4 billion, an increase of half of this revenue coming from commercial card 11%, or $716 million. Much of this growth came from transaction fees. Our commercial cash management increases in business, construction, tax-free and business, which consists of online banking, remittance business real estate loans. Commercial deposits grew processing, remote deposit, account reconciliation, 4% to $7.7 billion as business customers remained Positive Pay and other solutions, generated $42 million liquid. A in customer billings. International services, which combination Loan demand was especially strong include foreign wires, letters of credit and foreign of low exchange transactions, generated $8 million in revenue. interest rates in 2015 as commercial loans grew We continue to develop new payments products such and stiff to $7.4 billion, an increase of 11%, as claims processing, supply chain ﬁnance and competition accounts payable processing — all needed services among banks or $716 million. that deepen our customer relationships nationwide. resulted in thin lending margins. To compensate, we focused on selling a number of fee-based solutions to COMMERCIAL BANKING ACTIVITIES our customers. Revenue from both commercial cash Our commercial banking group offers a wide array of management and commercial card activities increased lending and payment solutions to business customers. $3 million and fees from the sales of interest rate Traditional lending products include working capital swaps also grew by $3 million. As noted earlier, loan loans and lines of credit, equipment ﬁnancing and growth in our expansion markets continued to outpace leasing options, construction loans, owner-occupied the Company’s overall loan growth, and this year fee We ask, listen and solve. COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 8 income grew 9% to $11 million in these expansion branches, and last year we began offering Apple Pay™ markets. We added commercial bankers, especially for the iPhone®. in our Oklahoma and Dallas markets. During 2015, consumer deposits grew 4% to Capitalizing on payments system innovations, we $10 billion. Residential mortgages grew by 2% to have enhanced our digital banking offering by adding $1.9 billion. We also sold $96 million in loans to the features to our commercial online and mobile banking secondary market. Direct and indirect consumer loans product, Commerce Connections®. We continue to totaled $1.5 billion, up 21% or $256 million, on strong focus on the growing healthcare industry, offering a auto loan demand. While growth was limited this year, combination of both lending and fee-based products we have more than $1.2 billion in credit card and tailored to our customers’ needs. Our proven sales revolving home equity loans. Consumer banking fee strategies and experienced commercial bankers have income increased 5% to $120 million due mainly to been successful in targeting speciﬁc industries and fees on residential mortgage sales and higher bank attracting new business. card income. We continue to work on strategic initiatives to CONSUMER BANKING ACTIVITIES generate new customer relationships and revenue and Within consumer banking, our goal is to make banking to become more efﬁcient. Since 2014, we have opened easier and enable our customers to reach their goals. three branch locations that incorporate new design Customers can interact with us through our network of concepts and advanced technologies to improve the 191 branches customer experience. More upgrades are planned. We We were among the first banks in our in Missouri, also continued to enhance our online banking platform markets to offer instant-issue debit Kansas, with new bill pay and self-service features. We are in central Illinois, the process of reissuing our debit and credit cards with and credit cards at our branches, Oklahoma new chip technology that is safer for our customers and and last year we began offering and Colorado. reduces fraud expense. As mentioned previously, we Also at their also began offering toggle® service for credit cards and Apple PayTM for the iPhone®. disposal are we worked to increase branch productivity by retraining our customer our branch staff to handle both teller and new account support center, more than 300 ATM locations and functions. We continue to closely evaluate branch robust online and mobile banking platforms. Our retail performance and have closed or sold more than 10 products include checking, savings and certiﬁcate of underperforming locations in the past 24 months. deposit accounts; debit and credit cards; residential mortgages; direct and indirect automobile and motor- WEALTH AND ASSET MANAGEMENT cycle loans; and home improvement loans. We also As one of the nation’s largest bank-owned trust offer a number of personal loan options, including lines companies, The Commerce Trust Company excels at of credit. We were among the ﬁrst banks in our markets providing objective ﬁnancial advice, exceptional to offer instant-issue debit and credit cards at our personal service and comprehensive wealth management We ask, listen and solve. COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 9 T R U S T A S S E T S A N D F E E S remained low at 5%. Loans to private banking customers s n o i l l i B n i s t e s s A t s u r T $40 $35 $30 $25 $20 $15 $10 $5 $0 11 12 13 14 15 Trust Assets Trust Fees $120 $110 $ 100 $ 90 $ 80 $ 70 $ 60 $ 50 $ 40 s n o i l l i M n i s e e F t s u r T grew 11% this year. Commerce Brokerage Services continued to grow as fees increased 10% to $13 million, and managed assets grew 11% to $346 million. We continue to see good growth opportunities in our Commerce Trust businesses, and we focused on a number of initiatives to help ensure this growth continues. We expanded our Tulsa ofﬁce staff in 2015 and are looking carefully at other markets where we can grow staff and add clients. We are expanding our marketing resources to increase lead generation solutions to individuals, businesses and other and are investing in our private banking lending institutional clients. In addition to providing trust, capabilities. The Commerce Horizons account offered by investment management and other advisory and Commerce Brokerage continues to attract signiﬁcant wealth management services, our Commerce Family interest from clients and has transformed the business Ofﬁce offers highly customized service to families toward a managed asset-based revenue model. needing more specialized assistance, such as investment consulting, risk management, family COMMERCIAL CARD AND MERCHANT ACTIVITIES administrative services and advice on family-owned Our commercial card payments business is our one businesses. Commerce Trust also manages The true national business, covering 48 states. It is also Commerce Funds, a family of mutual funds with the largest of our payments businesses, with combined $2.1 billion in assets under management. It also revenue of $117 million. Through this business line, operates Commerce Brokerage Services, Inc., a retail we process accounts payable transactions for our brokerage business with more than $3.5 billion in customers and enable our merchant customers to client investments. Commerce Trust oversees our accept and process credit and debit card payments. private banking business, which has loans and In Nilson’s June 2015 report we were recognized as deposits of $1.1 billion and $2.1 billion, respectively. the U.S.’s 15th largest commercial card provider. In the June 30, 2015 SNL Financial ranking, Commerce Trust was the 27th largest bank-owned trust company in the U.S., and in November, Bloomberg Markets ranked its Commerce Family Ofﬁce 22nd largest in the world based on client assets. In 2015 trust revenue grew 7% to $120 million, while client assets totaled $38.4 billion. New asset management sales generated more than $10 million in annualized new revenue, while client attrition C O M M E R C I A L C A R D F E E S 5 - Y e a r C A G R = 1 3 % 5 - Y e a r C A G R = 1 3 %% $81 $71 $88 $90 $100 $ 75 s n o i l l i M n i $ $ 50 $58 $ 25 $ 0 11 12 13 14 15 We ask, listen and solve. COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 10 Processing accounts payable transactions has N E T L O A N C H A R G E- O F F S been a fast-growing business over the past 10 years as customers adopt new technologies to reduce paper and achieve greater efﬁciencies. We service customers in many industries, but have developed specialties in healthcare, education and government. Our full- service model is unmatched by larger competitors. We continue to invest in new products with the intent of expanding the service we can provide to our customers. Drawing on our work with healthcare clients, we introduced several new products in 2015 s n o i l l i M n i $ $140 $120 $100 $ 80 $ 60 $ 40 $ 20 $ 0 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 for improving hospital and medical practice cash ﬂow continued to post solid results as net charge-offs and processing efﬁciencies. Commercial card sales totaled $34 million, compared with $35 million the volumes grew 2% to $7 billion, while revenue grew 2% previous year. Net loan charge-offs were .28% of total to $90 million, reﬂecting slower growth in this maturing average loans, compared to .31% last year, the lowest business. Our loss rate since 2006. Non-performing assets declined Drawing on our work with healthcare small business to $29 million or .24% of loans, again, the lowest level clients, we introduced several new card product, since 2006. however, Gross commercial loan charge-offs totaled products in 2015 for improving experienced $4.1 million in 2015, a slight decline from the prior hospital and medical practice cash strong 15% sales volume year, while recoveries increased slightly to $5.8 million. We remained conservative in underwriting energy flow and processing efficiencies. growth. We loans, and our exposure to this industry remains believe low. Consumer net loan losses increased slightly to opportunities to add new customers remain strong. $35.5 million, mostly due to higher losses on auto Our merchant processing business contributed loans, reﬂecting the signiﬁcant growth that loan $27 million in revenue this year. We processed more portfolio has experienced in the past three years. than $8 billion in transactions from our base of more Improved loss rates on credit card and residential than 10,000 customers. Once again, we distinguished mortgages partly offset these losses. Overall ourselves from our competitors by delivering high-touch delinquency rates on our entire portfolio remain low. service and look to add merchant customers in 2016. OUTLOOK FOR 2016 RISK MANAGEMENT We feel Commerce Bancshares is well positioned to One of Commerce’s hallmarks is its strong under- operate in the intensely competitive banking industry writing and credit management practices, which have that continues to evolve. Our enterprise size allows us remained consistent for many years. In 2015 we to provide sophisticated ﬁnancial services to our We ask, listen and solve. COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 11 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 G R O W T H I N E P S A N D S T O C K P R I C E $ 240 $ 200 $ 160 $ 120 $ 80 $ 40 $ 0 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 e c i r P k c o t S $60 $50 $40 $30 $20 $10 $0 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 $3.00 $2.50 $2.00 $1.50 $1.00 $0.50 $0.00 e r a h S r e p s g n i n r a E Commerce (CBSH) NASDAQ Bank S&P 500 Stock Price Earnings per Share customers through a strong organization-wide service needs. We continue to emphasize relationship banking, culture. We are focused on enhancing our services, providing complete ﬁnancial solutions that produce being responsive to customer needs and adopting new greater customer satisfaction, deeper product penetration, technologies to address these needs. Despite continued long-term relationships and, ultimately, a stronger rancor in Washington and overregulation of mid-sized company for customers and shareholders alike. banks like ours, both politicians and the public are We will continue to build on the very solid platform beginning to understand that we are optimally sized Commerce Bank has established over the past 150 to manage risk and serve customer needs. Ironically, years. Our Company has survived and prospered banking industry consolidation has accelerated because our team has been strategic and has always since Dodd-Frank was enacted. Mid-sized banks like invested for the long run. In February of 2016, we Commerce, however, will be the “Main Street” banks increased our dividend by 5% — our 48th consecutive of the future by providing better service to customers annual increase. Our stock has signiﬁcantly and and consistent consistently outperformed other bank stocks over We will continue to build on the very returns to the long run as well, with a total return of 6% over the solid platform Commerce Bank has shareholders. last 10 years and 10% over the last 20 years. Once We continue again, we thank our long-term investors for their established over the past 150 years. to put great support and look forward to a successful 2016. emphasis on culture at Commerce — working as a team to deliver the right solutions for our customers. We are situated in stable D a vi d W. Ke m p e r, C ha i r m a n and diverse markets with ample growth opportunities 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 6 and have identiﬁed a number of new value-added payments and wealth management products that help our customers meet their operational and ﬁnancial We ask, listen and solve. COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 12 150 YEARS OF BUILDING COMMERCE Commerce Bank’s history stretches back to the time when the American heartland was being opened for settlement and development, following the introduction of railroads and the end of the Civil War. Our story over the past 15 decades is about how the people who have worked for this enterprise served their customers, showed leadership in their communities and helped this region grow and prosper. Commerce today remains an independent company, one built on traditions of ﬁnancial strength, community orientation and innovation, and we are often named among the industry’s best. We encourage you to read the fuller history available online as a downloadable PDF at www.CommerceBank.com/ Commerce150. 1865 Kansas City Savings Association is organized n with $10,000 in s capital. Francis ent. Long is president. 1881 Dr. William S. Woods buys control of the bank; becomes president. Name . changes to Bank of Commerce. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>> >>>>>>>>> > > > > >>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>> > > > 0> > > > > > > > > > > >>>>>> 188> > > > 0>> > > >>>>>> >>>> 1880 1870 > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > 1873 Kansas City Savings Association takes ofﬁces above the Magnolia Saloon at 4th and Delaware. 1965 Commerce Tower opens at 911 Main in Kansas City. Commerce purchases Midwestern license for BankAmericard – predecessor of VISA® bank card. 1953 1953 Comm Commerce installs landm landmark clock at corner of 10th 10th and Walnut. With a weig weight of approximately two two tons, many terriﬁed ped pedestrians refuse to wa walk under it. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >> > > > 1195>>> >> 50>>> > >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> > >>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 1950 1960 > >> > >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> > >>> > >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > 0 > 7 > 9 > 1 > > > > > > > > > > >> 1966 y, Commerce organizes bank holding company, ng Commerce Bancshares, and begins acquiring banks in Missouri the following year. 1971 Commerce Trust Company changes its name to Commerce Bank, NA. Commerce Bancshares begins publicly trading on NASDAQ. Assets pass $1 billion. pass $1 billion. 1982 David Kemper becomes president and chief operating ofﬁcer. Jonathan Kemper joins bank. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > 1990 1980 1 1983 C Commerce a acquires County T Tower Corp. i in St. Louis. 1984 Commerce Bank of Omaha is established for credit card business. Later that year, Commerce introduces “Special Connections”— the ﬁrst card having both credit and ATM functions. >>>> >>>>>> > > • 1980 1979 1979 Installation of the ﬁrst Commerce Bank ATM, located in Springﬁeld, Missouri. We ask, listen and solve. COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 13 1903 Future President Harry S Truman starts work as a clerk at Commerce. Housemate is another Commerce employee, Arthur Eisenhower, brother of future President Dwight D. Eisenhower. 1900 National Bank of Commerce is the 12th largest bank in the U.S., with more than $36 million in deposits. 1906 Commerce Trust Company is organized. Dr. Woods appoints William Thornton “W.T.” Kemper vice president. Work starts on 15-story building at the corner of 10th and Walnut in Kansas City. It is one of the tallest buildings west of the Mississippi. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > 1900 1910 1890 1914 1914 tem Federal Reserve System ging is formed. With the urging ouri of KC leaders, Missouri b wo becomes only state with two ks. Federal Reserve banks. 1 1925 Ja James Kemper, Sr. named p president of Commerce per Trust Company. W.T. Kemper T b buys Kansas City, Mexico & & Orient Railroad. > > > >>>>>> > >>>>>>> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>> > >>>>>>> > > > > 1946 James Kemper, Jr. begins work at the First National Bank of Independence, controlled by the Kemper family. Later that year he moves to Commerce Trust Company. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >> > >>>>> >>>>> >>> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>>>>> >> >>>>>>>>> 1930 1940 > 1933 Commerce Bank survives run during Great Depression. Banking Act of 1933 creates the FDIC system. 1921 W.T. Kemper becomes chairman of newly consolidated Commerce Trust. 2003 David Kemper rings bell at NASDAQ. Commerce Bancshares was among the ﬁrst companies listed on NASDAQ. 2013 John Woods Kemper named president and chief operating ofﬁcer. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>> >>>>>>> > >2>> > > > > 2000 2010 > 2007 Commerce acquires banks in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Aurora, Colorado. 2009 Following the 2008 banking crisis, Commerce chooses not to receive TARP funds from the federal government. 2 2015 C Commerce Bank c commemorates 1 150th Anniversary; h has $24 billion in a assets; operates in n nine key markets, w with more than 190 b branches, plus three a additional commercial o ofﬁces in central U.S.; employs more than 4,800 people. We ask, listen and solve. COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 14 2 0 1 5 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 15 | Building a world of difference Black & Veatch has undergone many changes on its way to becoming one of the world’s largest employee- owned companies. But one thing hasn’t changed over the past 55 years: The company still banks with Commerce. 16 | Distilling success Major Brands was founded in St. Joseph, Missouri in 1934, shortly after the repeal of Prohibition. Today it is the largest Missouri-owned distributor of premium wine, spirits and beer thanks to strong relationships like the one it built with its bank, Commerce. 17 | A business on a roll Golden Aluminum is known in the rolled aluminum industry for its high-quality products and prompt, personalized service. So when the privately owned Colorado company was introduced to a new bank, it expected nothing less. 18 | Investing in community health People from four states depend on Freeman Health System for their healthcare needs. Freeman, in turn, depends on Commerce Trust to help manage its investments which fund needed initiatives. 19 | Keeping the polish on a jewel By the 1980s, heavy use and deferred maintenance had taken their toll on St. Louis’ Forest Park. In stepped Forest Park Forever with a plan to help restore and maintain this community treasure for generations to come. 20 | A smokin’ family business Building the largest country ham business takes more than a delicious old family recipe. Just ask second-generation owner Morris Burger of Burgers' Smokehouse in California, Missouri. 21 | Making sport of paying bills Inventory is the biggest expense at Scheels All Sports’ 26 sports and entertainment stores around the country. An automated payments solution from Commerce has made paying many of those bills easier — and more proﬁtable. 22 | Banking on a life-saving mission Growing demand led Midwest Transplant Network’s operations to become dispersed across the Westwood, Kansas area. That is, until ﬁnancing from Commerce enabled the growing not-for-proﬁt to consolidate with an addition to its headquarters. 23 | A place to call home For residents of rural communities, senior services can be limited. With an estate gift from a 102-year-old resident and ﬁnancial guidance from Commerce, the leaders of Snyder Village in Metamora, Illinois have changed all that. 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 Few U.S. companies have the honor of celebrating their 150th birthday. Any company that succeeds will have navigated civil and world wars, The Great Depression and the invention of the light bulb, along with countless other cultural shifts and technological revolutions. Commerce reached this milestone in 2015 by remaining true to values that date back to our earliest days. We have long measured our success not only by the strength of our balance sheet, but also by the relationships we build in the community and the innovations we develop to address changing customer needs. From solutions that enable a family-owned smokehouse to expand nationally, to technologies that help a sporting goods retailer boost its bottom line, to investment strategies that allow one of America’s great urban parks to be maintained into perpetuity, we are committed to helping our customers succeed. We do so by asking good questions, listening to customer needs and offering solutions that address them. For 150 years, this has been key to their success — and ours. We ask, listen and solve. COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 15 Building a world of difference BLACK & VEATCH OVERLAND PARK, KANSAS One of the nation’s oldest and largest engineering and construction companies Back in the late 1920s, N.T. Veatch struck up a friendship with the presiding judge in Jackson County, Missouri, where the engineering company he co-founded was designing a road project. The friendship continued, even after that judge — Harry Truman — moved to the White House. “Mr. Veatch set an example of building lasting relationships,” says Karen Daniel, chief ﬁnancial ofﬁcer of that company, Black & Veatch. “Just as I imagine the founders of Commerce Bank once did.” Mr. Veatch would undoubtedly be pleased with how the company has continued to follow his example. Many of its business relationships have stood the test of time —including one with Commerce that began in 1960. Today, Commerce provides a broad array of cash management and treasury services, supporting the company’s credit needs and offering Beneﬁts Banking services to its employee-owners. Karen has personally banked with Commerce for more than 30 years. “For most of our history, we designed energy, water and telecommunications infrastructure,” explains Karen. A turning point came in the early 1990s when Black & Veatch began to evolve into an engineering, procurement and construction company. Since then, the company’s credit needs have grown substantially, and Commerce is now one of several banks that serve them through a series of ﬁnancial instruments. With 10,000 professionals and more than 100 ofﬁces worldwide, Black & Veatch is today one the nation’s largest employee- owned companies. “Commerce is the only local bank that has been with us since early in our growth,” says Karen. “They have been by our side through numerous cycles. We appreciate their support in helping us meet our goals.” “ Commerce is more than a bank to us. They are a business partner who helped us grow globally.” In 2015 Black & Veatch celebrated the 100th anniversary of its founding – and its 55th year of banking with Commerce. From left: Steven L. Edwards, chairman and chief executive ofﬁcer; and Karen L. Daniel, chief ﬁnancial ofﬁcer. We ask, listen and solve. COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 16 the business to St. Louis. Sue’s late husband, former Chief Executive Ofﬁcer and Chairman Todd Epsten, helped Major Brands expand statewide. Like Commerce, Major Brands’ Missouri roots run deep and are one of its competitive advantages. From left: Tom Schawang, chief ﬁnancial ofﬁcer; Sue McCollum, chairman and CEO; and Kathie Hinkebein, controller. “Our success comes from our great people and from treating all we do business with as family,” says Sue. “We have long believed that we build our business by building the communities we serve.” It’s also one reason Major Brands has long banked with Commerce. “Our relationship with Commerce goes way back,” says Sue. “Like us, they take the long view of their business." Never was that more evident than in 2012 when the company faced a series of challenges, including Todd’s untimely death. “Through two acquisitions and signiﬁcant organizational changes, Commerce was there, forging a new future with us,” she says. Today, Commerce serves as lead bank on the company’s credit line and supports its treasury, commercial real estate and other business needs. “Still,” Sue admits, “the Commerce relationship I value most is the one I have “ One thing I’ve learned in life is that relationships matter. Commerce treats every facet of our relationship with importance.” with my private banker, who calls me faithfully if she notices unusual account activity or anticipates a need. The personal service she delivers — that is Commerce to me.” Distilling success MAJOR BRANDS, INC. ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI The largest Missouri-owned distributor of premium wine, spirits and beer With more than 9,000 customers and 400 suppliers, Major Brands is the largest Missouri-owned distributor of wine, spirits and beer. It carries everything from Absolut Vodka and Maker’s Mark, to St. James Winery and Schlaﬂy beer. The third-generation family business is also, according to Chief Executive Ofﬁcer Sue McCollum, one of the country’s few remaining large, single-state wine and spirits distributors. Major Brands’ Missouri roots run deep. It was founded in St. Joseph in 1934, shortly after the repeal of Prohibition. In the early 1950s, as the second generation entered the business, it expanded into Kansas City. The third generation brought We ask, listen and solve. COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 17 A business on a roll GOLDEN ALUMINUM FT. LUPTON, COLORADO A privately held manufacturer of rolled aluminum Jeff Frim and Roy Dillow had two goals in 2014 when they sought a new ﬁnancing partner for Golden Aluminum, which manufactures the rolls of aluminum used to make everything from sardine cans and beverage tabs to window blinds. First, they wanted a competitively priced way to bundle the ﬁnancing for inventory, accounts receivables and major purchases. Second, they wanted a bank that was the “right size” for their privately held company. After soliciting bids from three banks, they awarded the business to Commerce. “Many banks want to lend to companies like ours,” says Jeff, Golden Aluminum’s president and chief executive ofﬁcer. “But not all banks understand our business like Commerce.” “Banks presume we want ﬁxed loans for our longer-term assets,” explains Roy, the company’s vice president of ﬁnance and business development. “But we prefer to roll that debt into our credit line. That allows us to scale production up or down quickly without restructuring our debt. Darren gets that.” “Darren” is Darren Lemkau, who worked with Golden Aluminum earlier in his banking career before joining Commerce as its Colorado president. “Darren took the time to get to know how our business works,” says Jeff. “And then Commerce structured a ﬁnancial facility around it.” Golden Aluminum’s relationship with Commerce has since grown to include a full range of treasury services. “Banks can be intimidating,” says Roy. “But we feel we can be open with Commerce when we face challenges, and we feel heard.” “And then they ﬁnd a solution,” adds Jeff. “That’s what happens when you work with people you know and trust.” “ Any bank can provide an umbrella when it's sunny. I want to know I have an umbrella when it’s raining. That is the kind of relationship we have with Commerce.” Golden Aluminum relies on a single line of credit from Commerce to finance inventory, accounts receivables and major purchases. From left: Jeff Frim, president and CEO; and Roy Dillow, vice president of finance and business development. We ask, listen and solve. COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 18 Investing in community health FREEMAN HEALTH SYSTEMS JOPLIN, MISSOURI A locally owned, three-hospital system that serves more than 450,000 people in Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Kansas Like many not-for-proﬁt healthcare organizations, Freeman Health Systems depends on income it earns from investing its excess capital to help fund important needs and initiatives. So when the nation’s ﬁnancial crisis hit in 2008, Freeman’s leaders were understandably nervous. Some of their ﬁxed-income investments, they determined, were exposing the system to risks that exceeded their comfort level. As they looked for help in rebalancing their portfolio, they knew one thing for sure: The partner they chose would need to be one they could trust. They didn’t have to look far. The Commerce Trust Company had been successfully managing a bond reserve account for Freeman since the 1990s. “We are conservative investors,” says Steve Graddy, the health system’s chief ﬁnancial ofﬁcer. “When we named Commerce Trust the active manager for When the nation’s ﬁnancial crisis hit, Freeman Health Systems turned to Commerce Trust to rebalance and manage its ﬁxed-income investments. From left: Paula Baker, chief executive ofﬁcer; and Steve Graddy, chief ﬁnancial ofﬁcer. Since then, the relationship between Freeman and Commerce has deepened, with the bank providing ﬁnancing for a number of expansion projects and supporting Freeman’s efforts to add beds after an EF-5 tornado devastated the community in 2011. “Commerce has always been responsive to our needs, receptive to our ideas and invested in achieving the goals that are important to us.” “Commerce is a great partner,” says Paula Baker, chief executive ofﬁcer. “They’re leaders who make things happen. our ﬁxed-income investments in 2009, we described exactly what we hoped to achieve. They listened and then balanced our portfolio in a way that mitigated our risks and made our goals achievable.” “When there is a community need, we can always depend on Commerce being there at the table with us,” she adds. “We give them the highest rating for their service and their results.” We ask, listen and solve. COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 19 Forever, a private group that has partnered with the City of St. Louis ever since. Its mission: to restore the 1,300-acre park to its former glory and keep it that way, forever. But “forever” is a long time. So the group’s leaders have focused recently on growing its once-modest endowment and ﬁnding professionals to manage it with care. “As we narrowed our options, we realized how much we valued working Commerce Trust serves as master custodian for the $100 million endowment Forest Park Forever depends on to ﬁnance the long-term maintenance of Forest Park. From left: John O’Gorman, senior vice president, development; Tamara Shefﬁeld, senior vice president, ﬁnance and operations; and Lesley S. Hoffarth, P.E., president and executive director. That led them to The Commerce Trust Company, which today serves as master custodian for the $100 million endowment. In addition to that role, it also manages ﬁxed-income investments, which represent a third of the endowment's funds. “ Commerce is tops in the banking ﬁeld and a leader in our community. It’s great to work with people who are as invested in your project as you are.” with strong local partners who understood what Forest Park means to St. Louis and could grow with us,” says Tamara Shefﬁeld, senior vice president, ﬁnance and operations. We have a long history with Commerce and great trust in their professional expertise and their desire to do what’s right for our community,” says John O’Gorman, senior vice president, development. “The people of Commerce have been great advocates for Forest Park,” adds Lesley S. Hoffarth, P.E., president and executive director. “And that means a lot.” Keeping the polish on a jewel FOREST PARK FOREVER ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI A not-for-proﬁt organization dedicated to the restoration and maintenance of one of the nation’s largest urban parks Forest Park isn’t just a city park. It’s the crown jewel in the St. Louis park system. Since opening in 1876, it has hosted a World’s Fair and welcomed visitors from Helen Keller and Mark Twain to Charles Lindbergh and Bob Hope. It is home to major cultural institutions, golf courses and balloon races, the world’s largest outdoor musical theater, countless family reunions and much, much more. By 1986, heavy use — the park gets 13 million visitors a year — combined with decades of deferred maintenance had taken their toll. In stepped Forest Park We ask, listen and solve. COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 20 20 A smokin’ family business BURGERS’ SMOKEHOUSE CALIFORNIA, MISSOURI The largest producers of country cured hams in the U.S. In 1927, using a recipe his mother brought with her from Germany, E.M. Burger cured six country hams on a farm near California, Missouri. Today, almost 90 years later, a fourth generation of family is still curing hams — more than a half million in 2015 — along with other specialty meats that their company, Burgers’ Smokehouse, sells to restaurants, grocers and online customers nationwide. Theirs is an American success story built on old world quality and a new world entrepreneurial vision. Burgers’ country hams, for example, were the ﬁrst in the nation to undergo federal inspection, setting the stage for the company’s national expansion. Later, production increased 300% after the family found a way to shorten the curing process from 12 months to four without compromising quality. “By the 1970s, we had outgrown our local bank,” recalls Morris Burger, Board Emeritus, who came back to the family business after college and military service. For more than 40 years, Commerce has provided the working capital that Burgers’ Smokehouse needs to ﬁnance its inventory during the six-plus-month curing and sales process. From left: Steven Burger, president; Ted Rohrbach, corporate treasurer; and Philip Burger, corporate vice president. In addition to a credit line, Commerce today provides Burgers’ Smokehouse with everything from purchasing cards and investment services, to treasury services. “We like long relationships. The fact that we have banked with Commerce for more than 40 years says a lot about what the bank means to us.” “We enjoy the kind of strong relationship you’d expect from a small bank, except that Commerce has resources many small banks can’t offer,” says Steven Burger, Morris’ son and current president. “Our relationship with Commerce “We needed a new, reliable source of working capital.” For the past 40-plus years, that source has been Commerce. is like the relationships we have with customers who come back year after year,” adds Morris. “High quality and strong customer service are traits we share.” We ask, listen and solve. COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 21 Making sport of paying bills SCHEELS ALL SPORTS FARGO, NORTH DAKOTA A privately owned operator of 26 sporting goods and entertainment stores nationwide Scheels All Sports may be the only sporting goods company in the world where a shopper might discover a working Ferris Wheel, a 16,000-gallon aquarium and a resident expert in ﬂy-ﬁshing, all under one roof. But Scheels is no ordinary retailer. With head-turning attractions, knowledgeable staff and goods that reﬂect local interests, its 26 stores are each a one-of-a-kind shopping and entertainment destination. They’re also enormous — the largest, in Sparks, Nevada, could house six football ﬁelds — with a vast product selection. And that translates into thousands of invoices to track and pay, says Michelle Killoran, Scheels’ chief ﬁnancial ofﬁcer. So in 2006 when Commerce proposed a new automated approach to bill paying, Scheels was interested. Instead of cutting checks, the company could pay participating vendors electronically. The vendors received funds quickly, and Scheels received a revenue share in return. “Our inventory is our biggest expense,” explains Michelle. “This was an opportunity to streamline our operations and increase our revenue at the same time.” After successfully piloting the program in 2007, Scheels rolled it out to its entire chain. “We’re employee-owned and have a unique, decentralized structure where each store purchases its own inventory,” she explains. “They love the Commerce program because the revenue share checks go directly to their bottom lines.” Now in its ninth year, the program is still growing. “Vendor enrollment has increased every year, and usage has outpaced our sales growth,” reports Michelle. “Commerce has been a true partner,” says Bill Nelson, Scheels’ president. “We’re dedicated to this program, and that’s because Commerce provides such great support. We beneﬁt every single day.” “The report on our Commerce program is a highlight of our monthly board meetings. Everyone looks forward to hearing our revenue share results.” The new ﬂagship Scheels All Sports that opened in Overland Park, Kansas in June 2015 is the 26th store in the sports and entertainment company to reap the ﬁnancial beneﬁts of Commerce’s automated payments system. Above: Bill Nelson, president. We ask, listen and solve. COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 22 Banking on a life-saving mission MIDWEST TRANSPLANT NETWORK WESTWOOD, KANSAS A not-for-proﬁt that procures vital human organs, tissues and eyes for transplantation. When a call comes in to Midwest Transplant Network with word of a tragedy, Rob Linderer and his staff take a deep breath and spring into action, no matter the time of day or night. The Westwood, Kansas-based not-for-proﬁt recovers donated organs from across Kansas and western Missouri for transplantation. Federally certiﬁed as an Organ Procurement Organization, it has been procuring and raising awareness about organ and tissue donations since 1972. Its 155-person staff today coordinates as many as 220 organ donors, 1,200 tissue donations and 500 cornea donations a year. But Rob, chief executive ofﬁcer, would always like to do more to help donor families serve those who await the gift of life. “Our goal is to save the lives of the people on the national organ waiting list, which is growing,” he says. To keep pace, Midwest Transplant needed to expand its own facilities which, by 2012, included two off-site operating rooms for tissue recovery. And that meant ﬁnding a way to ﬁnance a $13 million headquarters expansion, including construction of four new surgical suites. “If there was anyone who could help us be good stewards of With ﬁnancing help from Commerce, Midwest Transplant Network recently completed a $13 million expansion to meet growing demand. From left: Rob Linderer, chief executive ofﬁcer; and Jan Finn, chief operating ofﬁcer, at the Celebration of Heroes Wall. bank could no longer meet the group’s growing needs. Since then, Commerce has introduced Rob to everything from HIPAA-compliant deposit services, to the purchasing cards his team uses to pay for charter ﬂights and other transplant- related expenses. To ﬁnance the bulk of the headquarters “ There’s great value in working with bankers who absolutely understand our business and believe in our mission. That’s the beneﬁt of working with Commerce.” expansion, Commerce offered tax-exempt bonds. “They led us through the process, and it worked fantastically,” says Rob. “Commerce meets every service expectation we our funds and help those awaiting organs, it was Commerce,” says Rob. Midwest Transplant has banked with Commerce since 2006, making the move after it grew evident that its former local might have, and not in a superﬁcial way. We appreciate how their services have improved our ﬁnancial processes and increased our security. They’re an important member of our team.” We ask, listen and solve. COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 23 A place to call home SNYDER VILLAGE METAMORA, ILLINOIS A full-service, 375-resident retirement community serving central Illinois When Bertha Snyder died in 1982 at age 102, she left behind a surprise for the small Illinois town she had called home since emigrating from Switzerland 97 years earlier. It was her estate. Her only request was that the funds be used for the public good. A committee appointed to oversee disbursement chose to use a portion as seed money for construction of a new retirement community. “Bertha knew our area needed more senior services,” says Keith Swartzentruber, executive director of Snyder Village, Bertha’s legacy. Even with a Certiﬁcate of Need from the state, however, the venture was considered ﬁnancially risky. “We even talked to Lloyd’s of London,” Keith recalls. Eventually, a community bank in nearby Peoria stepped up to make the construction loan. The original 60-bed nursing facility opened in 1988 with just two residents. But word spread. By the time Commerce purchased the bank that made the original loan, Snyder Village was ready to grow. “Retirement living has evolved tremendously,” explains Keith. To keep pace, Snyder Village added apartments and cottages for independent living, built a community center and, most recently, completed a major expansion of its assisted living facilities. Most of the projects beneﬁted from tax-exempt ﬁnancing, says Keith. “Commerce has been there for us every time with a solution that works for our situation.” The seniors of central Illinois, as a result, now have access to an entire continuum of care. “Commerce has done a fantastic job of supporting us every step of the way,” says Keith. “They help us continue what Bertha started.” “ Commerce isn’t just a lender, but a true partner. They’ve helped with everything from reorganizing our ﬁnancing department, to ﬁguring out where we should head next.” Thanks to a gift from a longtime resident, thoughtful planning and strong management, seniors in central Illinois today have access to an entire continuum of care at Synder Village. From left: Keith Swartzentruber, executive director; Angie Pate, assisted living director; and Judy Winkler, board president. We ask, listen and solve. COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 24 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- the fabric of the market. Local civic and business community strategy is the role of our Community leaders, serving as Community Advisors, provide Advisors. We believe that a deep understanding and the insight to local needs that ensures Commerce a close relationship with the communities we serve delivers on its promise. Following are the names of can be achieved only when we are interwoven in these ambassadors within each of our markets. 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 HANNIBAL C. Todd Ahrens Hannibal Regional Healthcare System 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. 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 Clive C. Veri Commerce Bank Jerry Watley Able 2 Products Co. CAPE GIRARDEAU Alan Gregory Gregory Construction, Inc. Gregg E. Hollabaugh Commerce Bancshares, Inc. Mike Kasten Beef Alliance Quality Beef by the Numbers 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 Burgers' Smokehouse Brad Clay Commerce Bank Mark Fenner MFA Oil Joe Hartman Retired, Commerce Bank Gregg E. Hollabaugh Commerce Bancshares, 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 Robby Miller Mexico Heating Company Todd Norton Commerce Bank Mike Petrie Commerce Bancshares, Inc. Commerce Bank Robert K. Pugh MBS Textbook Exchange Jim Rolls Retired, Associated Electric Cooperative HARRISONVILLE KANSAS CITY Aaron Aurand Crouch, Spangler & Douglas Connie Aversman Commerce Bank Larry Dobson Real Estate Investments Mark Hense Iﬁl USA, LLC Scott Milner Max Ford 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 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. 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 We ask, listen and solve. COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 25 Missouri Continued POPLAR BLUFF ST. LOUIS METRO ST. LOUIS METRO EAST ST. LOUIS EAST SPRINGFIELD 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 Blackford F. Brauer Hunter Engineering Co. Kyle Chapman Forsyth Capital Investors Charles L. Drury, Jr. Drury Hotels Frederick D. Forshaw Forshaw of St. Louis James G. Forsyth, III Moto, Inc. David S. Grossman Grossman Iron and Steel Juanita Hinshaw H & H Advisors Robert S. Holmes Commerce Bank 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. Thomas H. Stillman Summit Distributing Christine Taylor-Broughton Enterprise Holdings Andrew Thome J.W. Terrill Gregory Twardowski Whelan Security Company Kelvin R. Westbrook KRW Advisors, LLC Patricia D. Whitaker Arcturis 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 Kurt Schroeder Greensfelder, Hemker, & Gale Joe Wiley Quest Management Consultants Dr. Charles J. Willey Innovare Health Advocates ST. LOUIS SOUTH 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, Hanna et al Jack Hoffmann Milestone Solutions Richard E. Hrabko Retired Stuart Krawll Beam of St. Louis, Inc. Stephen Mattis Allied Industrial Equipment Corporation Richard C. Mueller, Jr. Bopp Funeral Chapel Greg W. Schmittgens, CPA CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP Tino DiFranco Tropicana Bowling Lanes J. L. (Juggie) Hinduja Sinclair Industries, Inc. Myron J. Klevens Organizational Development Strategies Patrick N. Lawlor Lawlor Corporation Lisa D. McLaughlin Muhm & Reilly, LLC McGraw Milhaven Talk Show Host KTRS Sue Prapaisilp Global Foods Market Dennis Scharf Scharf Tax Services ST. CHARLES COUNTY/NORTH Ronald D. Chesbrough St. Charles Community College Michael D. Shonrock 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. Lisle J. Wescott President, SSM St. Joseph Hospital West William J. Zollmann, III Attorney at Law Don Zykan Zykan Properties Roger Campbell, Jr. Campbell Ford 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 Jannis Keeling Keeling Accounting & Financial Services Seth M. Leadbeater Commerce Bancshares, Inc. Commerce Bank Craig Lehman Shelter Insurance Agency Michael Meek Meek Lumber Yard, Inc. Alvin D. Meeker Retired, Commerce Bank James F. Moore Investments Robert Moreland Commerce Bank David Murray R.B. Murray Company Douglas D. Neff Commerce Bank Keith Noble Commerce Bank Richard Ollis Ollis/Akers/Arney Insurance & Business Advisors Mike Petrie Commerce Bancshares, Inc. Commerce Bank B. Glenn Robinson Grand Country Square Dr. C. Pat Taylor Southwest Baptist University Kansas BUTLER COUNTY (EL DORADO) Vince Haines Gravity :: Works Architecture Ryan T. Murry ICI, Inc. Marilyn B. Pauly Commerce Bank Jeremy Sundgren Sundgren Realty, Inc. 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 We ask, listen and solve. COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 26 GARDEN CITY LAWRENCE MANHATTAN WICHITA 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. Craig Duerksen Commerce Bank Ronald W. Holt Sedgwick County Paul D. Jackson Vantage Point Properties, Inc. Gaylyn K. McGregor Commerce Bank Glen N. Malan 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. Thomas D. White White & Ellis Drilling, Inc. 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 Tamara Roth Brungardt Hower Ward Elliott & Pfeifer L.C. Pat Sullivan Sullivan Analytical Service, Inc. 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 Mark Bachamp Olsson Associates 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. David Pauls Surgical Associates Mike Petrie Commerce Bancshares, Inc. Commerce Bank PITTSBURG 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 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. Allison Vance Moore Colliers International 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 Chris Klimek Central Bag, Inc. 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 We ask, listen and solve. COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 27 Colorado DENVER Robert L. Cohen The IMA Financial Group, Inc. Thomas A. Cycyota AlloSource 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 Jason Zickerman The Alternative Board Ed Keller Titan Properties LLC Teresa Knox Community Care College P. Ken Lackey The NORDAM Group, Inc. Dr. George Mauerman Director Emeritus, Eastern Oklahoma Orthopedic Center Tom Maxwell Retired, Flintco, LLC Sanjay Meshri Advanced Research Chemicals John Neas Neas Investments Shannon O’Doherty Commerce Bank D. Lindsay Perkins Lindsay Development Tracy Poole Precision Partners LLC John Turner First Stuart Corporation John Williams John Williams Company Daryl Woodard SageNet Illinois BLOOMINGTON-NORMAL Julie Dobski Little Jewels Learning Center McDonald’s Brent A. Eichelberger Commerce Bank Ron Greene Afni, Inc. Jared Hall Commerce Bank Gregg E. Hollabaugh Commerce Bancshares, Inc. Robert S. Holmes Commerce Bancshares, Inc. Commerce Bank Parker Kemp Kemp Farms, Inc. Seth M. Leadbeater Commerce Bancshares, Inc. Commerce Bank 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. Brian Egeberg Commerce Bank Brent A. Eichelberger Commerce Bank Tim Harrington Devonshire Group Gregg E. Hollabaugh Commerce Bancshares, Inc. 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 Gregg E. Hollabaugh Commerce Bancshares, Inc. Robert S. Holmes Commerce Bancshares, Inc. Commerce Bank 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. Charlie Crouse Commerce Bank Zane Fleming Eagle Drilling Fluids Mike McDonald Triad Energy Reeder Ratliff Mason Harrison Ratliff Enterprises Kelly Sachs Commerce Bank Joe Warren Cimarron Production TULSA Jack Allen HUB International, Inc. R. Scott Case Case & Associates Properties, Inc. Gary Christopher Christoper Energy Wade Edmundson Commerce Bank Dr. John Frame Breast Health Specialists of Oklahoma Gip Gibson Commerce Bank Kent Harrell Harrell Energy Carl Hudgins Commerce Bank We ask, listen and solve. COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 28 Ofﬁcers David W. Kemper Chairman of the Board Charles G. Kim Chief Financial Ofﬁcer and Chief Executive Ofﬁcer and Executive Vice President Jonathan M. Kemper Vice Chairman John W. Kemper President and Chief Operating Ofﬁcer Kevin G. Barth Executive Vice President Daniel D. Callahan Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Ofﬁcer Sara E. Foster Executive Vice President Robert S. Holmes 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 Directors Terry D. Bassham* Chairman of the Board, Chief Earl H. Devanny, III Retired Chairman, James B. Hebenstreit* Chairman of the Board Jonathan M. Kemper Vice Chairman, Andrew C. Taylor Executive Chairman, Executive Ofﬁcer and President Chief Executive Ofﬁcer and Chief Executive Ofﬁcer, Commerce Bancshares, Inc. Enterprise Holdings, Inc. of Great Plains Energy, KCP&L, and President, Bartlett and Company and Greater Missouri Operations The TriZetto Group, John R. Capps* Vice President, BCJ Motors, Inc. President of Healthcare, Nuance Communications, Inc. W. Thomas Grant, II President, SelectQuote Senior Insurance Services David W. Kemper Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Ofﬁcer, Commerce Bancshares, Inc. John W. Kemper President and Chief Operating Ofﬁcer, Commerce Bancshares, Inc. Benjamin F. Rassieur, III* President, Kimberly G. Walker* Chief Investment Ofﬁcer, Paulo Products Company Washington University Todd R. Schnuck* Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Ofﬁcer, Schnuck Markets, Inc. in St. Louis * Audit and Risk Committee Members U N I T E D S T A T E S S E C U R I T I E S A N D E X C H A N G E C O M M I S S I O N Washington, D.C. 20549 F O R M 1 0 - K A N N U A L R E P O R T P U R S U A N T T O S E C T I O N 1 3 O R 1 5 ( d ) O F T H E S E C U R I T I E S E X C H A N G E A C T O F 1 9 34 For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2015 – Commission File No. 0-2989 C O M M E R C E B A N C S H A R E S , I N C . (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Missouri 43-0889454 (State of Incorporation) (IRS Employer Identification No.) 1000 Walnut, Kansas City, MO (Address of principal executive offices) (816) 234-2000 64106 (Zip Code) (Registrant’s telephone number, including area code) Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: Title of class $5 Par Value Common Stock Depository Shares, each representing a 1/1000th interest in a share of 6.0% Series B Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock Name of exchange on which registered NASDAQ Global Select Market 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 3 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 3 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 3 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 3 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 3 Accelerated filer Non-accelerated filer (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 3 As of June 30, 2015, the aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant was approximately $3,888,000,000. As of February 9, 2016, there were 96,744,198 shares of Registrant’s $5 Par Value Common Stock outstanding. Smaller reporting company Portions of the Registrant’s definitive proxy statement for its 2016 annual meeting of shareholders, which will be filed within 120 days of December 31, 2015, are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Report. DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REF ERENCE 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 8 12 12 12 12 14 15 16 58 58 115 115 117 117 117 117 117 117 118 119 E-1 2 table of contents 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 private equity investment, securities brokerage, insurance agency, 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, 2015, the Company had consolidated assets of $24.6 billion, loans of $12.4 billion, deposits of $20.0 billion, and equity of $2.4 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 principal markets, which are served by 191 branch 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 Company also has commercial loan production offices in Dallas, Nashville, and Cincinnati, and operates a national payments business with sales representatives covering 48 states. 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 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, technology, financial services, aircraft and general manufacturing, health care, numerous service industries, and food and agricultural production. 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. 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. The Company's latest acquisition was Summit Bancshares Inc. (Summit) in 2013. 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. Employees The Company employed 4,391 persons on a full-time basis and 468 persons on a part-time basis at December 31, 2015. The Company provides a variety of benefit programs including a 401(k) savings plan with a company matching contribution, 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. None of the Company's employees are represented by collective bargaining agreements. Competition The Company faces intense competition from hundreds of financial service providers in its markets and around the United States. 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 3 table of contents intermediaries such as securities brokers and dealers, personal loan companies, insurance companies, finance companies, and certain governmental agencies. Some of these competitors are not 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 13% of the deposit market share in Kansas City and approximately 9% 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, and consumer debit and credit bank card activities. It provides services through a network of 191 full-service branches, a widespread ATM network of 387 machines, and the use of alternative delivery channels such as extensive online banking, mobile, and telephone banking services. In 2015, 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 2015, the Commercial segment contributed 60% of total segment pre-tax income. The Wealth segment provides traditional trust and estate planning services, brokerage services, and advisory and discretionary investment portfolio management services to both personal and institutional corporate customers. At December 31, 2015, the Trust group managed investments with a market value of $22.6 billion and administered an additional $15.8 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 48 and 93. 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, as amended (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. The Bank is subject to a number of federal and 4 table of contents state consumer protection laws, including laws designed to protect customers and promote lending to various sectors of the economy and population. These laws include the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Truth in Lending Act, the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, and their respective state law counterparts. 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 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 Gramm- Leach-Bliley Financial Modernization Act of 1999 (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. Title VI of the Dodd-Frank Act, commonly known as the Volcker Rule, placed trading restrictions on financial institutions and separated 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 certain types of investments, which must be divested by July 21, 2016. The Federal Reserve has announced its intention to grant an additional one-year extension to July 21, 2017. The Company does not believe it will be significantly affected by the Volcker Rule provisions. However, the Company was required to develop new policies and procedures to ensure ongoing compliance with the Volcker Rule which resulted in additional operating and compliance costs. 5 table of contents 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 Deposit 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 Deposit Insurance Fund member institutions. The FDIC classifies 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. FDIC insurance expense also includes assessments to fund the interest on outstanding bonds issued in the 1980s in connection with the failures in the thrift industry. The Company's FDIC insurance expense was $12.1 million in 2015, $11.6 million in 2014, and $11.2 million in 2013. 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, which are based on the risk levels of assets and off-balance sheet financial instruments. Capital adequacy guidelines and prompt corrective action regulations involve quantitative measures of assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance sheet items calculated under regulatory accounting practices. Capital amounts and classifications are also subject to judgments by regulators regarding qualitative components, risk weightings, and other factors. In July 2013, the FDIC, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the Federal Reserve Board 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 capital conservation buffer, which will be phased in during 2016-2019, is intended to absorb losses during periods of economic stress. Failure to maintain the buffer will result in constraints on dividends, equity repurchases and executive compensation. The final rule also adjusted the methodology for calculating risk-weighted assets to enhance risk sensitivity. Beginning January 1, 2015, the Company was compliant with revised minimum regulatory capital ratios and began the transitional period for definitions of regulatory capital and regulatory capital adjustments and deductions established under the final rule. The Company was also compliant with the required risk-weighted asset calculations effective January 1, 2015. At December 31, 2015, the Company met all capital adequacy requirements under Basel III on a fully phased-in basis as if such requirements had been in effect. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act (FDICIA) requires each federal banking agency to take prompt corrective action to resolve the problems of insured depository institutions, including but not limited to those that fall below one or more prescribed minimum capital ratios. Pursuant to FDICIA, the FDIC promulgated regulations defining the following five categories in which an insured depository institution will be placed, based on the level of its capital ratios: well-capitalized, adequately capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized, and critically undercapitalized. Under the prompt corrective action provisions of FDICIA, an insured depository institution generally will be classified as well-capitalized (under the Basel III rules mentioned above) if it has a Tier 1 capital ratio of at least 8%, a common equity Tier 1 capital ratio of at least 6 table of contents 6.5%, a Total capital ratio of at least 10% and a Tier 1 leverage ratio of at least 5%. An institution that, based upon its capital levels, is classified as “well-capitalized,” “adequately capitalized,” or “undercapitalized,” may be treated as though it were in the next lower capital category if the appropriate federal banking agency, after notice and opportunity for hearing, determines that an unsafe or unsound condition or an unsafe or unsound practice warrants such treatment. At each successive lower capital category, an insured depository institution is subject to more restrictions and prohibitions, including restrictions on growth, restrictions on interest rates paid on deposits, restrictions or prohibitions on payment of dividends and restrictions on the acceptance of brokered deposits. Furthermore, if a bank is classified in one of the undercapitalized categories, it is required to submit a capital restoration plan to the federal bank regulator, and the holding company must guarantee the performance of that plan. The Bank has consistently maintained regulatory capital ratios at or above the “well-capitalized” standards. Stress Testing 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 annual stress tests based on factors provided by the Federal Reserve, supplemented by institution-specific factors. The Company submitted its first regulatory report on its stress test results to the Federal Reserve in March 2014, and in June 2015, the Company made its first public disclosure of the results of the 2015 stress tests performed under the severely adverse scenario. In 2016, the Company will submit its stress test results to the Federal Reserve in July and will disclose the results to the public in October. Executive and Incentive Compensation Guidelines adopted by federal banking agencies prohibit excessive compensation as an unsafe and unsound practice and describe compensation as excessive when the amounts paid are unreasonable or disproportionate to the services performed by an executive officer, employee, director or principal shareholder. The Federal Reserve Board has issued comprehensive guidance on incentive compensation intended to ensure that the incentive compensation policies do not undermine safety and soundness by encouraging excessive risk taking. This guidance covers all employees that have the ability to materially affect the risk profile of an organization, either individually or as part of a group, based on key principles that (i) incentives do not encourage risk-taking beyond the organization's ability to identify and manage risk, (ii) compensation arrangements are compatible with effective internal controls and risk management, and (iii) compensation arrangements are supported by strong corporate governance, including active and effective board oversight. Deficiencies in compensation practices may affect supervisory ratings and enforcement actions may be taken if incentive compensation arrangements pose a risk to safety and soundness. Transactions with Affiliates The Federal Reserve Board regulates transactions between the Company and its subsidiaries. Generally, the Federal Reserve Act and Regulation W, as amended by the Dodd-Frank Act, limit the Company’s banking subsidiary and its subsidiaries, to lending and other “covered transactions” with affiliates. The aggregate amount of covered transactions a banking subsidiary or its subsidiaries may enter into with an affiliate may not exceed 10% of the capital stock and surplus of the banking subsidiary. The aggregate amount of covered transactions with all affiliates may not exceed 20% of the capital stock and surplus of the banking subsidiary. Covered transactions with affiliates are also subject to collateralization requirements and must be conducted on arm’s length terms. Covered transactions include (a) a loan or extension of credit by the banking subsidiary, including derivative contracts, (b) a purchase of securities issued to a banking subsidiary, (c) a purchase of assets by the banking subsidiary unless otherwise exempted by the Federal Reserve, (d) acceptance of securities issued by an affiliate to the banking subsidiary as collateral for a loan, and (e) the issuance of a guarantee, acceptance or letter of credit by the banking subsidiary on behalf of an affiliate. Certain transactions with our directors, officers or controlling persons are also subject to conflicts of interest regulations. Among other things, these regulations require that loans to such persons and their related interests be made on terms substantially the same as for loans to unaffiliated individuals and must not create an abnormal risk of repayment or other unfavorable features for the financial institution. See Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information on loans to related parties. 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. 7 table of contents 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 . . 22, 54-57 Investment Portfolio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38-39, 78-82 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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 28 33-37 31-33 54, 84 17 84 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 national environment, accelerated job growth, lower unemployment levels, high consumer confidence, and improving credit conditions are expected to continue. However, the U.S. economy is also affected by foreign economic events and conditions. Although the Company does not hold foreign debt, the slowing global economy, a strong U.S. dollar, and low oil prices may ultimately affect interest rates, business export activity, capital expenditures by businesses, and investor confidence. Unfavorable changes in these factors may result in declines in consumer credit usage, adverse changes in payment patterns, reduced loan demand, 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 services activity, including lower loan demand, declines in 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. 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. 8 table of contents 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. 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 and national banks may enter our markets and add to existing competition. Large national financial institutions have substantial capital, technology and marketing resources. 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. They may have greater access to capital at a lower cost than the Company, which may adversely affect the Company’s ability to compete effectively. 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 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. Significant changes in banking laws and regulations could materially affect the Company’s business. A significant increase in bank regulation has occurred over the past several years and is likely to continue. These new laws and regulations have reduced overdraft fees and credit card revenues, eliminated the guaranteed student loan business and affected lending transparency, risk-based FDIC insurance assessments, and derivative clearing processes. Most recently, the regulatory focus has been on stress-testing and Basel III regulatory capital reform. These regulations generally resulted in lower revenues and higher compliance burdens. 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. 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 policies 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 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 for the year ended at December 31, 2015. The interest rate environment in which the Company operates fluctuates in response to general economic conditions and policies of various governmental and regulatory 9 table of contents 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 ensuring 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. Until its recent initiative to raise rates, 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 approximately 43% 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 been strong, growing 5% on average in 2015, 9% in 2014, and 10% in 2013. During these years, growth in loans was mainly funded by maturities of investment securities, and growth in deposits was mostly reinvested in the securities portfolio. At December 31, 2015, the Company's loan to deposit rate was 61.4%, a sign of strong liquidity. While further loan growth is expected as the economy continues to slowly expand, if demand for loans increases in the future while deposit balances decline significantly, the Company may have to take actions to reduce its investment portfolio or obtain new borrowings to fund loan growth. These actions could reduce net interest income and related interest margins. The Company’s asset valuation may include methodologies, models, 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 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 processes the Company uses to estimate the fair value of financial instruments, as well as the processes used to estimate the effects of changing interest rates and other market measures on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations, depend upon the use of analytical and forecasting models. If these models are inadequate or inaccurate due to flaws in their design or implementation, the fair value of such financial instruments may not accurately reflect what the Company could realize upon sale or settlement of such financial instruments, or the Company may incur increased or unexpected losses upon changes in market interest rates or other market measures. Any such failure in the Company's analytical or forecasting models could have a material adverse effect on the Company business, financial condition and results of operations. 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. 10 table of contents 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 including emergence periods, 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 2015 and 2014, 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 probable loan loss. The Company’s reputation and future growth prospects could be impaired if cyber-security attacks or other computer system breaches occur. 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. Information security risks for financial institutions have increased recently due to new technologies, the use of the Internet and telecommunications technologies (including mobile devices) to conduct financial and other business transactions, and the increased sophistication and activities of organized crime, perpetrators of fraud, hackers, and others. 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. The Company outsources a portion of its information systems, communication, data management and transaction processing to third parties. These third parties are sources of risk associated with operational errors, system interruptions or breaches and unauthorized disclosure of confidential information. If the service providers encounter any of these issues, the Company could be exposed to disruption of service, damage to reputation and litigation. 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 the 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 continually encounters technological change. The financial services industry is continually undergoing rapid technological change with frequent introductions of new technology-driven products and services. The effective use of technology increases efficiency and enables financial institutions to better serve customers and to reduce costs. The Company’s future success depends, in part, upon its ability to address the needs of its customers by using technology to provide products and services that will satisfy customer demands, as well as to create additional efficiencies in the Company’s operations. Many of the Company’s competitors have substantially greater resources to invest in technological improvements. The Company may not be able to effectively implement new technology-driven products and services or be successful in marketing these products and services to its customers. Failure to successfully keep pace with technological change affecting the financial services industry could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations. Commerce Bancshares, Inc. relies on dividends from its subsidiary bank for most of its revenue. Commerce Bancshares, Inc. is a separate and distinct legal entity from its banking and other subsidiaries. It receives substantially all of its revenue from dividends from its subsidiary bank. These dividends, which are limited by various federal and state regulations, are the principal source of funds to pay dividends on its preferred and common stock and to meet its other cash needs. In the event the subsidiary bank is unable to pay dividends to it, Commerce Bancshares, Inc. may not be able to pay dividends or other obligations, which would have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition and results of operations. 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 11 table of contents 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 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 256,000 390,000 237,000 178,000 124,000 95% 93% 79 100 100 95 39 98 100 34 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 186 branch locations in Missouri, Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma and Colorado which are owned or leased, and 156 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 110. Item 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES Not applicable Executive Officers of the Registrant The following are the executive officers of the Company as of February 24, 2016, 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, 61 Kevin G. Barth, 55 Jeffrey M. Burik, 57 Daniel D. Callahan, 59 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. 12 table of contents Name and Age Sara E. Foster, 55 Robert S. Holmes, 52 Patricia R. Kellerhals, 58 David W. Kemper, 65 John W. Kemper, 38 Jonathan M. Kemper, 62 Charles G. Kim, 55 Michael J. Petrie, 59 Robert J. Rauscher, 58 Positions with Registrant Executive Vice President of the Company since February 2012 and Senior Vice President of the Company prior thereto. Executive Vice Present of Commerce Bank since January 2016 and Senior Vice President of Commerce Bank prior thereto. Executive Vice President of the Company since April 2015 and Executive Vice President of Commerce Bank since January 2016. Prior to his employment with Commerce Bank in March 2015, he was employed at a Midwest regional bank where he served as managing director and head of Regional Banking. Senior Vice President of the Company since February 2016 and Vice President of the Company prior thereto. Executive Vice President of Commerce Bank since 2005. 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. Member of Board of Directors since September 2015. 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. 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, 64 Executive Vice President of the Company since July 2005 and Senior Vice President of the Company prior thereto. 13 table of contents PART II Item 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES 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 2015). 2015 2014 2013 Quarter High Low Cash Dividends First Second Third Fourth First Second Third Fourth First Second Third Fourth $ $ $ 41.86 $ 37.65 $ 45.71 46.38 47.10 39.55 40.43 41.40 42.91 $ 37.79 $ 43.04 43.22 42.19 38.18 40.22 36.29 35.32 $ 30.58 $ 38.54 41.05 41.51 33.22 36.32 37.01 .214 .214 .214 .214 .204 .204 .204 .204 .194 .194 .194 .194 Commerce Bancshares, Inc. common shares are listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market (NASDAQ) under the symbol CBSH. The Company had 3,968 common shareholders of record as of December 31, 2015. 14 table of contents Performance Graph The following graph presents a comparison of Company (CBSH) performance to the indices named below. It assumes $100 invested on December 31, 2010 with dividends invested on a cumulative total shareholder return basis. Commerce (CBSH) 100.00 103.15 105.84 145.32 150.67 157.85 NASDAQ OMX Global-Bank 100.00 74.57 100.48 137.27 153.50 156.89 S&P 500 100.00 102.11 118.39 156.72 178.15 180.60 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 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 2015. Period October 1—31, 2015 November 1—30, 2015 December 1—31, 2015 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 45,775 7,907 274,149 327,831 $44.52 $47.27 $42.38 $42.79 45,775 7,907 274,149 327,831 5,000,000 4,992,093 4,717,944 4,717,944 The Company’s stock purchases shown above were made under authorizations by the Board of Directors. Under the most recent authorization in October 2015 of 5,000,000 shares, 4,717,944 shares remained available for purchase at December 31, 2015. Item 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA The required information is set forth below in Item 7. 15 table of contents 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 346 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 $263.7 million, an increase of .8% compared to the previous year. The return on average assets was 1.11% in 2015, and the return on average common equity was 11.43%. Diluted earnings per share increased 2.8% in 2015 compared to 2014. Total revenue — Total revenue is comprised of net interest income and non-interest income. Total revenue in 2015 increased $25.7 million over 2014, due to growth in non-interest income of $11.6 million and growth in net interest income of $14.1 million. Growth in non-interest income resulted principally from increases in trust fees, bank card transaction fees, and mortgage banking revenue. Net interest income increased over 2014 due in part to higher average earning assets, including growth of 5.4% in average loans and 4.7% in average investment securities. Despite this growth, continuing low interest rates depressed the net interest margin, which declined to 2.94% in 2015, a 6 basis point decline from 2014. Non-interest expense — Total non-interest expense grew 3.0% this year compared to 2014, mainly as a result of higher costs for salaries and employee benefits and an increase in data processing and software costs. Costs for occupancy declined in 2015, while smaller increases occurred in equipment, supplies and communication, marketing and deposit insurance expense. Asset quality — Net loan charge-offs in 2015 decreased $804 thousand from those recorded in 2014 and averaged .28% of loans compared to .31% in the previous year. Total non-performing assets, which include non-accrual loans and foreclosed real estate, amounted to $29.4 million at December 31, 2015, a decrease of $16.9 million from balances at the previous year end, and represented .24% of loans outstanding. 16 table of contents • Shareholder return — Total shareholder return, including the change in stock price and dividend reinvestment, was 4.8% over the past year, compared to the S&P 500 return of 1.4%. Shareholder return was 9.6% over the past 5 years and 5.6% over the past 10 years. During 2015, the Company paid cash dividends of $.857 per share on its common stock, representing an increase of 5% over the previous year, and paid dividends of 6% on its preferred stock. In 2015, the Company issued its 22nd consecutive annual 5% common 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 common risk-based capital ratio (4) Tier I risk-based capital ratio (4) Total risk-based capital ratio (4) Tier I leverage ratio (4) Tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio (5) Common cash dividend payout ratio (1) Includes loans held for sale. (2) Revenue includes net interest income and non-interest income. 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 1.11% 11.43 10.00 61.44 35.12 2.94 41.37 62.32 11.52 12.33 13.28 9.23 8.48 33.35 1.15% 11.65 10.10 59.91 33.73 3.00 1.19% 11.99 9.95 57.12 33.01 3.11 1.30% 12.00 10.84 55.80 32.82 3.41 1.32% 12.15 10.87 59.15 30.26 3.65 41.28 61.95 NA 13.74 14.86 9.36 8.55 32.69 40.32 60.40 NA 14.06 15.28 9.43 9.00 31.46 38.44 59.18 NA 13.60 14.93 9.14 9.25 78.57 37.82 59.02 NA 14.71 16.04 9.55 9.91 30.87 (3) The efficiency ratio is calculated as non-interest expense (excluding intangibles amortization) as a percent of revenue. (4) Risk-based capital information at December 31, 2015 was prepared under Basel III requirements, which were effective January 1, 2015. Risk-based capital information for prior years was prepared under Basel I requirements. (5) The tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio is a measurement which management believes is a useful indicator of capital adequacy and utilization. It provides a meaningful basis for period to period and company to company comparisons, and also assist regulators, investors and analysts in analyzing the financial position of the Company. 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 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) 2015 $ 2,367,418 5,428 144,784 138,921 5,031 $ 2,073,254 $ 24,604,962 138,921 5,031 $ 24,461,010 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 8.48% 8.55% 9.00% 9.25% 9.91% 17 table of contents 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 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 $ 634,320 $ 28,727 447,555 6,320 675,903 620,204 $ 29,531 435,978 14,124 656,342 619,372 $ 20,353 418,386 (4,425) 628,668 639,906 $ 27,287 399,630 4,828 617,598 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 263,730 254,730 2.56 2.56 84,961 .857 42.54 22.86 97,226 24,604,962 12,444,299 9,901,680 19,978,853 103,818 2,367,418 29,394 261,754 257,704 2.50 2.49 84,241 .816 41.42 21.65 101,144 23,994,280 11,469,238 9,645,792 19,475,778 104,058 2,334,246 46,251 260,961 260,961 2.47 2.46 82,104 .777 40.73 20.95 105,709 23,072,036 10,956,836 9,042,997 19,047,348 455,310 2,214,397 55,439 269,329 269,329 2.52 2.51 211,608 1.991 30.29 20.52 105,823 22,159,589 9,840,211 9,669,735 18,348,653 503,710 2,171,574 64,863 * Restated for the 5% stock dividend distributed in December 2015. 646,070 51,515 392,917 10,812 616,440 256,343 256,343 2.33 2.32 79,140 .721 31.36 20.07 108,122 20,649,367 9,208,554 9,358,387 16,799,883 511,817 2,170,361 93,803 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 $ Change % Change '15-'14 '14-'13 '15-'14 '14-'13 $ 2015 634,320 $ (28,727) 447,555 6,320 (675,903) (116,590) 2014 620,204 $ (29,531) 435,978 14,124 (656,342) (121,649) 2013 619,372 $ (20,353) 418,386 (4,425) (628,668) (123,195) 14,116 $ (804) 11,577 (7,804) 19,561 (5,059) (3,245) (1,030) (156) 2,215 263,730 (9,000) 261,754 (4,050) 260,961 — 1,976 (4,950) 832 9,178 17,592 18,549 27,674 (1,546) 874 793 (4,050) 2.3 % (2.7) 2.7 (55.3) 3.0 (4.2) N.M. .8 N.M. .1 % 45.1 4.2 N.M. 4.4 (1.3) N.M. .3 N.M. $ 254,730 $ 257,704 $ 260,961 $ (2,974) $ (3,257) (1.2)% (1.2)% Net income attributable to Commerce Bancshares, Inc. for 2015 was $263.7 million, an increase of $2.0 million compared to $261.8 million in 2014. Diluted income per common share was $2.56 in 2015 compared to $2.49 in 2014. The increase in net income resulted from increases of $14.1 million in net interest income and $11.6 million in non-interest income. These increases in net income were partly offset by a $19.6 million increase in non-interest expense, as well as a $7.8 million decrease in investment securities gains. The return on average assets was 1.11% in 2015 compared to 1.15% in 2014, and the return on average common equity was 11.43% in 2015 compared to 11.65% in 2014. At December 31, 2015, the ratio of tangible common equity to assets declined to 8.48%, compared to 8.55% at year end 2014. During 2015, net interest income increased $14.1 million compared to 2014. This increase reflected growth of $9.5 million in interest on loans and $3.8 million in interest on investment securities. Both increases were due to higher average balances which were partly offset by lower rates earned; however, interest on investment securities also declined due to lower inflation income of $7.9 million earned on its portfolio of U.S. Treasury inflation-protected securities (TIPS). In addition, deposit interest expense declined $924 thousand due to slightly lower rates paid. The provision for loan losses decreased $804 thousand from the 18 table of contents previous year, totaling $28.7 million in 2015, and was $5.0 million lower than net loan charge-offs. Net charge-offs decreased by $804 thousand in 2015 compared to 2014, mainly in business, business real estate, and consumer loans. Non-interest income in 2015 was $447.6 million, an increase of $11.6 million compared to $436.0 million in 2014. This increase resulted mainly from growth in trust fees, loan fees and sales, and bank card fees, which increased $7.6 million, $3.1 million, and $3.1 million, respectively. Non-interest expense in 2015 was $675.9 million, an increase of $19.6 million over $656.3 million in 2014. The increase in non-interest expense was largely due to a $16.6 million, or 4.3%, increase in salaries and benefits expense due to higher full-time salaries, incentives, stock-based compensation and 401(k) expense. During 2015, investment securities net gains totaled $6.3 million, compared to $14.1 million during 2014. Gains 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. 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 common share was $2.49 in 2014 compared to $2.46 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 $27.7 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 during 2014 was $436.0 million, an increase of $17.6 million, or 4.2%, compared to $418.4 million in 2013. This increase was mainly due to growth in trust fees and bank card fees, which increased $9.6 million and $9.2 million, respectively. Non-interest expense during 2014 was $656.3 million, an increase of $27.7 million over $628.7 million in 2013. Salaries and benefits expense, which grew $17.2 million, was the largest contributor to this increase, mainly due to higher full- time salaries expense and medical costs. 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 TIPS. In June 2014, the Company issued $150.0 million in perpetual preferred stock with a 6% dividend; its first issuance of preferred stock. During 2015, the Company purchased $123.2 million in shares of its common stock, compared to $271.0 million in 2014. The Company also distributed a 5% stock dividend for the 22nd consecutive year on December 14, 2015. All per share and average share data in this report has been restated to reflect the 2015 stock dividend. 19 table of contents 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. 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 $9.0 billion, or 92.2% of the available for sale portfolio at December 31, 2015, and were classified as Level 2 measurements. The Company also holds $17.2 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. 20 table of contents At December 31, 2015, certain non-agency guaranteed mortgage-backed securities with a fair value of $44.0 million were identified as other-than-temporarily impaired. The cumulative credit-related impairment loss recorded on these securities amounted to $14.1 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 $65.6 million at December 31, 2015. 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. 21 table of contents 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: Business Real estate- construction and land Real estate - business Real estate - personal Consumer Revolving home equity Consumer credit card Total interest on 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 Total interest on 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 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 2015 Change due to Average Volume Average Rate Total 2014 Change due to Average Volume Average Rate Total $ 7,569 $ 2,216 (269) 3,082 9,004 163 (913) 20,852 191 (862) 2,388 2,540 4,929 (536) 3,324 11,783 (1,905) $ (967) (2,186) (470) (4,813) (1,089) 777 (10,653) — (7,708) 1,720 (1,079) (4,222) 5,118 (1,215) (7,386) 5,664 $ 1,249 (2,455) 2,612 4,191 (926) (136) 10,199 191 (8,570) 4,108 1,461 707 4,582 2,109 4,397 17,332 $ 1,580 2,044 4,816 8,480 94 226 34,572 (176) (9,388) $ (790) (6,393) (2,115) (7,345) (728) 1,229 (25,530) — 2,105 5,100 3,533 (5,677) (2,047) (2,376) 638 2,870 (547) (462) (1,617) (452) (916) (1,124) 7,944 790 (4,349) 2,701 1,135 (634) 1,455 9,042 (176) 4,975 4,553 3,071 (7,294) (2,499) (3,292) (486) (50) 9 (41) 31 (36) (5) 214 (37) 32,953 485 10 (17,535) 699 (27) 15,418 (3,409) 162 31,818 (5,237) 6 (31,921) 76 324 (430) (299) (55) (493) (471) 424 323 (36) (42) 32,995 $ 519 126 50 (17,585) $ $ 21 (169) (901) 125 842 90 8 15,410 $ 54 442 (530) 688 35 (1,364) (1,335) (1,145) (74) 328 908 30,910 $ 284 (208) (3,733) (28,188) $ (8,646) 168 (103) 89 (922) (1,865) (457) 210 120 (2,825) 2,722 Net interest income totaled $634.3 million in 2015, increasing $14.1 million, or 2.3%, compared to $620.2 million in 2014. On a tax equivalent (T/E) basis, net interest income totaled $664.0 million, and increased $15.4 million over 2014. This increase included growth of $10.2 million in loan interest, resulting from higher loan balances offset by lower rates earned. In addition, interest earned on investment securities increased $4.4 million, due to higher average balances that were offset by lower inflation- adjusted interest on the Company's holdings of TIPS. Interest expense on deposits and borrowings combined was static at $28.1 million for both 2015 and 2014. The net yield on earning assets (T/E) was 2.94% in 2015 compared with 3.00% in the previous year. 22 table of contents During 2015, loan interest income (T/E) grew $10.2 million over 2014 due to average loan growth of $609.0 million, or 5.4%, partly offset by lower rates earned, which declined 12 basis points. The average tax equivalent rate earned on the loan portfolio was 3.92% in 2015 compared to 4.04% in 2014. The higher average balances contributed interest income of $20.9 million; however, the lower rates depressed interest income by $10.7 million, which together resulted in a $10.2 million net increase in interest income. The largest increase occurred in business loan interest, which was higher by $5.7 million as a result of growth in average balances of $266.7 million, or 6.8%, partly offset by a decline in rates of 5 basis points. Consumer loan interest grew $4.2 million due to a $212.8 million, or 13.2%, increase in average balances coupled with a 26 basis point decrease in average rates. The increase in average consumer loan balances was mainly the result of increases of $181.2 million in loans secured by passenger vehicles and $14.3 million in fixed rate home equity loans. These increases were partially offset by a $55.3 million decrease in marine and recreational vehicle (RV) loans as that portfolio continues to pay down. Higher levels of interest were earned on personal real estate and construction and land loans, which increased $2.6 million and $1.2 million, respectively. These increases were due to higher average balances, which increased 4.5% in personal real estate and 14.0% in construction and land loans, partly offset by lower average rates earned. Partially offsetting the increases in interest earned was lower interest on business real estate loans. Interest on these loans decreased $2.5 million due to a decline in average balances of $7.0 million coupled with a 9 basis point decline in rates. In addition, interest on revolving home equity loans decreased $926 thousand due to a 25 basis point decrease in average rates, while interest on consumer credit card loans decreased slightly due to lower average balances. Tax equivalent interest income on total investment securities increased $4.4 million during 2015, as average balances increased by $427.5 million, or 4.7%, while the average rate earned declined 6 basis points from 2014. The average balance of the total investment securities portfolio (at amortized cost) was $9.5 billion and the average rate earned was 2.24% in 2015, compared to an average balance of $9.1 billion and an average rate earned of 2.30% in 2014. The increase in interest income was mainly due to higher interest earned on most security types, except for a decline of $7.9 million in TIPS inflation-adjusted interest. Interest earned on government-sponsored enterprise obligations grew by $4.1 million, as average balances rose $143.8 million, or 18.1%, and the average rate earned increased 19 basis points. Interest earned on asset-backed securities increased $4.6 million, mainly due to an increase of 19 basis points in the average rate earned, partly offset by a decline in the average balance of $60.9 million. Interest income on state and municipal obligations increased $1.5 million, mainly due to growth of $70.7 million in average balances, partly offset by a rate decline of 6 basis points. The overall increase in state and municipal interest included $516 thousand of discount accretion on auction rate securities that were called by the issuer in the fourth quarter of 2015. In addition, interest on corporate debt issues increased $2.9 million due to an increase of $114.3 million in the average balance and higher rates earned, while interest on mortgage-backed securities increased $707 thousand, due to higher average balances, partly offset by lower rates earned. However, these overall increases in income were partly offset by the decline in TIPS interest mentioned above and a $1.2 million decline in interest on non-marketable investments due to lower rates earned, partly offset by higher average balances. Interest on long-term securities purchased under resell agreements increased $699 thousand in 2015 compared to the prior year due to a $16.8 million increase the average balances of these instruments, coupled with an increase in the average rate earned from 1.27% in the previous year to 1.31% in 2015. During 2015, interest expense on deposits declined $924 thousand from 2014. This decline was largely due to lower interest on certificates of deposit of $776 thousand and lower interest expense on money market and interest checking accounts of $169 thousand. The decline in certificate of deposit expense was largely due to a $251.2 million, or 10.9%, decline in average balances from the prior year. However, this overall decline was partly offset by a $23.3 million increase in long-term jumbo certificates of deposit, which carry higher rates. The decline in money market and interest checking expense resulted from a slight decline in average rates paid, partly offset by the effect of higher balances, which increased $274.8 million, or 2.9% over 2014. The overall rate paid on total deposits declined from .19% in 2014 to .18% in the current year. Interest expense on borrowings increased $932 thousand, mainly due to higher average balances and rates paid on repurchase agreements. The overall average rate incurred on all interest bearing liabilities was .20% in both 2015 and 2014. During 2014, net interest income totaled $620.2 million, 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 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 (T/E) was 3.00% in 2014 compared with 3.11% in the previous year. Interest income on loans (T/E) grew $9.0 million over 2013 due to an increase of $948.6 million, or 9.2%, in average balances, partly offset by a decrease in average rates earned, which declined from 4.32% in 2013 to 4.04% in 2014. The higher average balances generated interest income of $34.6 million which was offset by a $25.5 million decline in income due to lower rates, combining for 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 23 table of contents 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 $33.5 million in fixed rate home equity loans, partly offset by a $67.2 million decrease in marine and RV loans. 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%. Interest income on total investment securities (T/E) 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 U.S. government securities increased $5.0 million over 2013, largely due to growth of $4.3 million in inflation-adjusted interest earned on TIPS. 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 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 average balances, in addition to a decrease in the average rate of 53 basis points. 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. 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. Provision for Loan Losses The provision for loan losses totaled $28.7 million in 2015, which represented a decline of $804 thousand from the 2014 provision of $29.5 million. Net loan charge-offs for the year totaled $33.7 million; also a decline of $804 thousand compared to $34.5 million in 2014. The decrease in net loan charge-offs from the previous year was mainly the result of lower business, business real estate, and consumer loan losses, which decreased $853 thousand, $560 thousand and $527 thousand, respectively. These decreases were partly offset by higher losses on revolving home equity, construction, and consumer credit card loans. The allowance for loan losses totaled $151.5 million at December 31, 2015, a decrease of $5.0 million compared to the prior year, and represented 1.22% of outstanding loans at year end 2015 compared to 1.36% at year end 2014. 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 * Total revenue is calculated as net interest income plus non-interest income. 2015 178,926 119,801 80,416 11,476 13,200 8,228 35,508 447,555 41.4% 226.8 $ $ 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 $ $ $ % Change '15-'14 '14-'13 1.8% 6.8 2.2 (9.4) 9.9 61.1 (10.2) 2.7% 5.5% 9.4 (.4) (10.4) 9.1 (12.9) .9 4.2% 24 table of contents Non-interest income totaled $447.6 million, an increase of $11.6 million, or 2.7%, compared to $436.0 million in 2014. Bank card fees increased $3.1 million, or 1.8%, over the prior year, as a result of a $1.8 million, or 2.1%, increase in corporate card fees, which totaled $89.6 million this year. Debit card fees grew $1.1 million, or 3.1%, to $38.3 million, while credit card fees increased 1.0% over last year and totaled $24.2 million. The table below is a summary of bank card transaction fees for the last three years. (Dollars in thousands) Debit card fees Credit card fees Merchant fees Corporate card fees 2015 2014 2013 '15-'14 '14-'13 % Change $ 38,330 $ 37,195 $ 24,202 26,784 89,610 23,959 26,862 87,790 35,499 23,424 27,075 80,629 3.1% 1.0 (.3) 2.1 1.8% 4.8% 2.3 (.8) 8.9 5.5% Total bank card transaction fees $ 178,926 $ 175,806 $ 166,627 Trust fee income increased $7.6 million, or 6.8%, as a result of continued growth in both personal (up 7.0%) and institutional (up 5.9%) trust fees. New asset management sales generated $10.5 million in annualized revenue, while client attrition remained low at 5%. The market value of total customer trust assets totaled $38.4 billion at year end 2015, which was a decline of 1.6% from year end 2014. Deposit account fees increased $1.7 million, or 2.2%, partly due to growth in corporate cash management fees of $1.2 million, or 3.6%. In addition, other deposit service charges increased $1.1 million, or 7.0%, while overdraft fees declined $540 thousand, or 1.8%. In 2015, overdraft fees comprised 36.2% of total deposit fees, while corporate cash management fees comprised 43.2% of total deposit fees. Capital market fees declined $1.2 million, or 9.4%, due to continued lower sales volumes, while consumer brokerage services revenue increased $1.2 million, or 9.9%, due to growth in advisory and annuity fees. Loan fees and sales increased $3.1 million this year mainly due to higher mortgage banking revenue, resulting from sales of newly originated residential mortgages, as the Company began a new program of selling longer-term fixed rate mortgages in 2015. Total mortgage banking revenue totaled $3.8 million in 2015 compared to $274 thousand in 2014. Other non-interest income declined $4.0 million, or 10.2%, from the prior year. This decrease was partly due to a gain of $2.1 million on the sales of three retail branches and fee revenue of $885 thousand related to the settlement of previous litigation, which were both recorded in 2014. In addition, lower net gains were recorded in 2015 on bank properties sold or held for sale during the current period, which decreased by $2.3 million. These declines in revenue were partly offset by growth of $2.6 million in interest rate swap fees. During 2014, non-interest income increased $17.6 million, or 4.2%, over 2013 to $436.0 million. Bank card fees increased $9.2 million, or 5.5%, over 2013, as a result of a $7.2 million, or 8.9%, increase in corporate card fees, which totaled $87.8 million in 2014. Debit card fees grew $1.7 million, or 4.8%, to $37.2 million, while credit card fees increased 2.3% over 2013 and totaled $24.0 million in 2014. Trust fee income increased $9.6 million, or 9.4%, as a result of solid growth in both personal and institutional trust fees. The market value of total customer trust assets 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. Capital market fees decreased $1.5 million, or 10.4%, as a result of 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 the $2.1 million gain on branch sales and litigation- related fee revenue mentioned above, coupled with higher operating lease revenue. 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. 25 table of contents Investment Securities Gains (Losses), Net (In thousands) Available for sale: Common stock U.S. government bonds Municipal bonds Corporate bonds Asset-backed bonds OTTI losses on non-agency mortgage-backed bonds Non-marketable: Private equity investments Total investment securities gains (losses), net 2015 2014 2013 $ — $ 1,263 1,262 118 282 (483) 1,570 $ (5,197) — — — 1,375 — 126 — — (1,365) (1,284) 3,878 6,320 $ 19,116 14,124 $ (4,642) (4,425) $ Net gains and losses on investment securities during 2015, 2014 and 2013 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 private equity investment 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 $2.3 million in 2015, expense of $180 thousand in 2014 and income of $1.1 million in 2013. Net securities gains of $6.3 million were recorded in 2015, which included $3.9 million in net gains relating to the private equity investment portfolio. In addition, during the first half of 2015, the Company sold $114.6 million of municipal securities, $48.1 million of TIPS and $506.4 million of asset-backed bonds, realizing gains of $2.8 million. Most of these sales were part of a plan to extend the duration of the securities portfolio and improve net interest margins. Credit-related impairment losses of $483 thousand were recorded during 2015 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 $44.0 million at December 31, 2015, compared to $54.6 million at December 31, 2014. Net securities gains of $14.1 million were recorded in 2014, compared to net losses of $4.4 million in 2013. The 2014 gains included a gain of $19.6 million relating to the sale of a private equity investment which had been held by the Company for many years. In both years, gains were also recorded on the donation of appreciated common stock. Non-Interest Expense (Dollars in thousands) Salaries Employee benefits Net occupancy Equipment Supplies and communication Data processing and software Marketing Deposit insurance Other 2015 2014 2013 '15-'14 '14-'13 % Change $ 340,521 $ 322,631 $ 310,179 60,180 44,788 19,086 22,970 83,944 16,107 12,146 76,161 61,469 45,825 18,375 22,432 78,980 15,676 11,622 79,332 56,688 45,639 18,425 22,511 78,245 14,176 11,167 71,638 5.5% (2.1) (2.3) 3.9 2.4 6.3 2.7 4.5 (4.0) 3.0% 4.0% 8.4 .4 (.3) (.4) .9 10.6 4.1 10.7 4.4% Total non-interest expense $ 675,903 $ 656,342 $ 628,668 Efficiency ratio Salaries and benefits as a % of total non-interest expense Number of full-time equivalent employees 62.3% 59.3% 4,770 62.0% 58.5% 4,744 60.4% 58.4% 4,727 Non-interest expense was $675.9 million in 2015, an increase of $19.6 million, or 3.0%, over the previous year. Salaries and benefits expense increased $16.6 million, or 4.3%, mainly due to higher full-time salaries, incentives, stock-based compensation and 401(k) plan corporate contributions, partly offset by lower medical plan costs and pension expense. Growth in salaries expense 26 table of contents resulted partly from staffing additions in residential lending, commercial banking, trust, information technology and other support units. Full-time equivalent employees totaled 4,770 at December 31, 2015, an increase of .5% over 2014. Occupancy expense decreased $1.0 million, mainly due to lower building depreciation, utilities and building services, and real estate tax expense, while equipment expense was higher by $711 thousand, due to higher equipment depreciation and service contract expense. Supplies and communication expense increased by $538 thousand, or 2.4%, mainly due to reissuance costs for new chip cards distributed to customers. Data processing and software expense increased $5.0 million, or 6.3%, mainly due to higher software license costs, online subscription services and bank card processing costs. Marketing expense increased by $431 thousand, or 2.7%, while deposit insurance expense was higher by $524 thousand, or 4.5%, mainly due to continuing growth in average assets. Other non-interest expense decreased $3.2 million, or 4.0%, from the prior year and included a recovery of $2.8 million in 2015 related to a letter of credit exposure which had been drawn upon and subsequently paid off. In addition, lower costs were recorded for bank card rewards expense (down $1.2 million), legal fees (down $1.4 million) and impairment losses on surplus branch sites (down $1.5 million). These decreases were partly offset by higher bank card fraud losses of $3.7 million in the current year, coupled with a loss recovery of $1.7 million in 2014 from the settlement of past litigation. In 2014, non-interest expense was $656.3 million, an increase of $27.7 million, or 4.4%, over 2013. Salaries and benefits expense increased $17.2 million, or 4.7%, mainly due to higher full-time salaries expense and medical plan costs. Full-time equivalent employees totaled 4,744 at December 31, 2014, an increase of .4% over 2013. Occupancy expense increased $186 thousand, while equipment expense and supplies and communication expense both declined slightly. Data processing and software expense increased $735 thousand 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 average assets. Other non-interest expense increased $7.7 million, or 10.7%, over 2013. The increase resulted from a $2.1 million increase in bank card rewards costs and higher costs for operating lease depreciation, coupled with a $2.0 million reimbursement from the Company's bank card processor in 2013 and gains of $3.1 million on sales of foreclosed properties during 2013. These effects were partly offset by the 2014 litigation recovery of $1.7 million mentioned above and letter of credit provisions in 2013 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. Income Taxes Income tax expense was $116.6 million in 2015, compared to $121.6 million in 2014 and $123.2 million in 2013. The effective tax rate, including the effect of non-controlling interest, was 30.7% in 2015 compared to 31.7% in 2014 and 32.1% in 2013. 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. 27 table of contents 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 54. (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 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 Balance at December 31 $ 4,397,893 $ 3,969,952 $ 3,715,319 $ 3,134,801 $ 2,808,265 624,070 2,355,544 403,507 2,288,215 406,197 2,313,550 355,996 386,598 2,214,975 2,180,100 1,915,953 1,924,365 432,981 779,744 6,142 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 1,428,777 1,289,650 1,114,889 437,567 804,245 9,291 463,587 788,701 6,561 $ 12,436,692 $ 11,469,238 $ 10,956,836 $ 9,831,384 $ 9,177,478 The contractual maturities of loan categories at December 31, 2015, 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 $ 2,191,233 $ 1,832,997 $ 373,663 $ 4,397,893 300,957 506,783 172,566 253,497 1,387,005 506,758 69,616 461,756 1,236,629 $ 3,171,539 $ 3,980,257 $ 2,141,664 624,070 2,355,544 1,915,953 9,293,460 1,924,365 432,981 779,744 6,142 $ 12,436,692 $ $ 719,069 $ 2,239,212 $ 1,241,160 $ 4,199,441 2,452,470 1,741,045 900,504 5,094,019 3,171,539 $ 3,980,257 $ 2,141,664 $ 9,293,460 (1) Consumer loans with floating rates totaled $308.0 million. (2) Revolving home equity loans with floating rates totaled $425.6 million. (3) Consumer credit card loans with floating rates totaled $686.1 million. Total loans at December 31, 2015 were $12.4 billion, an increase of $967.5 million, or 8.4%, over balances at December 31, 2014. The growth in loans during 2015 occurred in all loan categories, with the exception of consumer credit card loans, which declined slightly from the prior year. Business loans increased $427.9 million, or 10.8%, reflecting growth in commercial and industrial loans, lease loans, corporate card loans and tax-advantaged lending. Business real estate loans increased $67.3 million, or 2.9%, due to higher totals of non-owner-occupied loans during 2015. Construction loans increased $220.6 million, or 54.7% due to growth in commercial construction projects. Personal real estate loans retained by the Company increased $32.9 million, or 1.7%, as low rates during the year contributed to a stable market. However, the Company also sold $95.7 million in 30-year fixed rate loans under a new initiative in 2015. Consumer loans were higher by $219.2 million, or 12.9%, which was largely 28 table of contents driven by continued demand for automobile loans, while marine and recreational vehicle loan balances continued to run off during the year. Revolving home equity and consumer credit card loan balances saw only slight changes compared to balances at year end 2014. The Company currently generates approximately 28% of its loan portfolio in the St. Louis market, 30% in the Kansas City market, and 42% in other regional markets. The portfolio is diversified from a business and retail standpoint, with 59% in loans to businesses and 41% 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, 2015, the balance of SNC loans totaled approximately $656.0 million, with an additional $1.2 billion in unfunded commitments, compared to $508.0 million in loans and $1.2 billion in unfunded commitments at December 31, 2014. Commercial Loans Business Total business loans amounted to $4.4 billion at December 31, 2015 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 $822.9 million at December 31, 2015, which was a $95.4 million, or 13.1%, increase over December 31, 2014 balances, and comprised 6.6% of the Company's total loan portfolio. The business loan portfolio also includes direct financing and sales type leases totaling $463.1 million, which are used by commercial customers to finance capital purchases ranging from computer equipment to office and transportation equipment. These leases increased $50.2 million, or 12.1%, over 2014 and comprised 3.7% of the Company’s total loan portfolio. The Company has outstanding energy-related loans totaling $136.5 million at December 31, 2015. Also included in this portfolio are corporate card loans, which totaled $223.9 million at December 31, 2015. These loans, which increased by $11.7 million, or 5.5% in 2015, are made in conjunction with the Company’s corporate card business. They are generally for corporate trade purchases and are 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 recoveries in this category totaled $388 thousand in 2015, while net loan charge-offs of $465 thousand were recorded in 2014. Non-accrual business loans were $10.9 million (.2% of business loans) at December 31, 2015 compared to $11.6 million December 31, 2014. Real Estate-Construction and Land The portfolio of loans in this category amounted to $624.1 million at December 31, 2015, which was an increase of $220.6 million, or 54.7%, over the prior year and comprised 5.0% of the Company’s total loan portfolio. These loans are mostly made to businesses in and around the Company's local markets. Commercial construction and land development loans totaled $419.5 million, or 67.2% of total construction loans at December 31, 2015. These commercial loans increased $206.1 million over 2014 year end balances; driving the growth in the total construction portfolio. 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, 2015 totaled $204.6 million, or 32.8% of total construction loans. A stable market has contributed to improved loss trends, with net loan recoveries of $1.3 million and $1.5 million recorded in 2015 and 2014, respectively. Construction and land loans on non-accrual status declined to $3.1 million at year end 2015 compared to $5.2 million at year end 2014. 29 table of contents Real Estate-Business Total business real estate loans were $2.4 billion at December 31, 2015 and comprised 18.9% 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 (41.8% 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 35. At December 31, 2015, non-accrual balances amounted to $7.9 million, or .3% of the loans in this category, down from $17.9 million at year end 2014. The Company experienced net recoveries of $133 thousand in 2015 compared to net charge-offs of $427 thousand in 2014. Personal Banking Loans Real Estate-Personal At December 31, 2015, there were $1.9 billion in outstanding personal real estate loans, which comprised 15.4% 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, and at December 31, 2015, 32% of the portfolio was comprised of adjustable rate loans and 68% was comprised of fixed rate loans. The Company does not purchase any loans from outside parties or brokers, and has never maintained or promoted subprime or reduced-document products. The Company retains adjustable rate mortgage loans, and until recently has retained fixed rate loans as directed by its Asset/Liability Management Committee. In 2015, an initiative to originate and sell certain long-term fixed rate loans was begun, under which $95.7 million were sold during 2015. Levels of mortgage loan origination activity increased in 2015 compared to 2014, with originations of $401 million in 2015 compared with $344 million in 2014. 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 2015 amounted to $441 thousand, compared to $527 thousand in the previous year. The non-accrual balances of loans in this category decreased to $4.4 million at December 31, 2015, compared to $6.2 million at year end 2014. Consumer Consumer loans consist of automobile, motorcycle, marine, tractor/trailer, recreational vehicle (RV), fixed rate home equity, and other consumer loans. These loans totaled $1.9 billion at year end 2015. Approximately 59% of consumer loans outstanding were originated indirectly from auto and other dealers, while the remaining 41% were direct loans made to consumers. Approximately 58% of the consumer portfolio consists of loans secured by passenger vehicles, 16% in fixed rate home equity loans, and 7% in marine and RV loans. As mentioned above, total consumer loans increased by $219.2 million in 2015, mainly the result of growth in loans collateralized by passenger vehicles (mainly automobiles) of $154.2 million, or 16.1%. Growth of $101.6 million in other consumer loans and $12.6 million in fixed rate home equity loans was offset by the run-off of $49.1 million in marine and RV loans. Net charge-offs on consumer loans were $8.3 million in 2015 compared to $8.8 million in 2014, averaging .5% of consumer loans in both years. Consumer loan net charge-offs included marine and RV loan net charge-offs of $2.2 million, which were 1.3% of average marine and RV loans in 2015, compared to 1.1% in 2014. Revolving Home Equity Revolving home equity loans, of which 98% are adjustable rate loans, totaled $433.0 million at year end 2015. An additional $668.6 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 $402 thousand in 2015, compared to $40 thousand in 2014. Consumer Credit Card Total consumer credit card loans amounted to $779.7 million at December 31, 2015 and comprised 6.3% 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 37% of the households that own a Commerce credit card product also maintain a deposit relationship with the subsidiary bank. At December 31, 2015, approximately 88% of the outstanding credit card loan balances had a floating interest rate, compared to 85% in the prior year. Net charge-offs amounted to $25.0 million in 2015, an increase of $317 thousand over $24.7 million in 2014. The ratio of credit card loan net charge-offs to total average credit card loans was 3.4% in 2015 compared to 3.3% in 2014. 30 table of contents Loans Held for Sale Loans held for sale are comprised of certain long-term fixed rate personal real estate loans and loans extended to students while attending colleges and universities. The personal real estate loans are carried at fair value and totaled $5.0 million at December 31, 2015. The student loans, carried at the lower of cost or fair value, totaled $2.6 million at December 31, 2015. Both of these portfolios are further discussed in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements. 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. In addition to past loan loss experience, various qualitative factors are considered, such as current loan portfolio composition and characteristics, trends in delinquencies, portfolio risk ratings, levels of non-performing assets, credit concentrations, collateral values, 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, 2015, the allowance for loan losses was $151.5 million compared to $156.5 million at December 31, 2014. Total loans delinquent 90 days or more and still accruing were $16.5 million at December 31, 2015, an increase of $2.8 million compared to year end 2014. Non-accrual loans at December 31, 2015 were $26.6 million, a decrease of $14.2 million (mainly in business real estate non-accrual loans) from the prior year. The 2015 year end balance was comprised of $10.9 million of business loans, $7.9 million of business real estate loans, $4.4 million of personal real estate loans, and $3.1 million of construction loans. The percentage of allowance to loans decreased to 1.22% at December 31, 2015 compared to 1.36% at year end 2014 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 570% at December 31, 2015, compared to 384% at December 31, 2014. Net loan charge-offs totaled $33.7 million in 2015, representing an $804 thousand decrease compared to net charge-offs of $34.5 million in 2014. Declines in net charge-offs occurred in business, business real estate, and consumer loans. Business loans experienced net recoveries of $388 thousand in 2015, compared to net charge-offs of $465 thousand in 2014. Net recoveries of $133 thousand occurred in business real estate loans in 2015, compared to net charge-offs of $427 thousand in 2014. Net charge- offs on consumer loans decreased $527 thousand to $8.3 million in 2015, compared to net charge-offs of $8.8 million in 2014. Lower net charge-offs also occurred in personal real estate loans, which declined $86 thousand. These decreases in net charge- offs were partly offset by higher charge-offs in other loan categories. Net recoveries on construction and land loans declined $267 thousand to $1.3 million in 2015, compared to $1.5 million in 2014. Net charge-offs on consumer credit card loans increased $317 thousand to $25.0 million in 2015, compared to $24.7 million in 2014, and consumer credit card net charge-offs grew to 3.35% of average consumer credit card loans in 2015 compared to 3.28% in 2014. Consumer credit card loan net charge-offs as 31 table of contents a percentage of total net charge-offs increased to 74.2% in 2015 compared to 71.6% in 2014, as slightly higher consumer credit card charge-offs offset lower overall net charge-offs in other loan categories. Revolving home equity loans also experienced higher net charge-offs, which increased by $362 thousand over the previous year. The ratio of net charge-offs to total average loans outstanding in 2015 was .28% compared to .31% in 2014 and .30% in 2013. The provision for loan losses in 2015 was $28.7 million, compared to provisions of $29.5 million in 2014 and $20.4 million in 2013. The Company considers the allowance for loan losses of $151.5 million adequate to cover losses inherent in the loan portfolio at December 31, 2015. 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 $ $ $ 2015 12,436,692 11,869,276 156,532 28,727 $ $ $ Years Ended December 31 2014 2013 2012 11,469,238 11,260,233 $ $ 10,956,836 10,311,654 $ $ 9,831,384 9,379,316 $ $ 161,532 $ 172,532 $ 184,532 $ 29,531 20,353 27,287 2011 9,177,478 9,222,568 197,538 51,515 2,295 499 1,263 1,037 11,708 722 31,326 2,200 51,050 2,683 1,761 1,396 596 3,430 320 6,287 850 17,323 33,727 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 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 $ 151,532 $ 156,532 $ 161,532 $ 172,532 $ 184,532 Ratio of allowance to loans at end of year Ratio of provision to average loans outstanding 1.22% .24% 1.36% .26% 1.47% .20% 1.75% .29% 2.01% .56% (A) Net of unearned income, before deducting allowance for loan losses, excluding loans held for sale. 32 table of contents Years Ended December 31 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 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)% (.26) (.01) .02 .45 .09 3.35 24.93 .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 .28 % .31% .30 % .42 % .17% 1.66 .17 .19 1.09 .36 4.23 11.62 .70% 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) 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 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 $ 43,617 35.4% $ 40,881 34.6% $ 43,146 33.9% $ 47,729 31.9% $ 49,217 30.5% RE — construction and land RE — business RE — personal Consumer Revolving home equity Consumer credit card Overdrafts Total 16,312 22,157 6,680 21,717 1,393 38,764 892 $ 151,532 5.0 18.9 15.4 15.5 3.5 6.3 13,584 35,157 7,343 16,822 2,472 39,541 3.5 20.0 16.4 14.9 3.7 6.8 18,617 32,426 4,490 15,440 3,152 43,360 3.7 21.1 16.3 13.8 3.8 7.3 20,555 37,441 3,937 15,165 4,861 41,926 3.6 22.5 16.1 13.1 4.5 8.2 28,280 45,000 3,701 15,369 2,220 39,703 4.2 23.8 15.6 12.1 5.1 8.6 — 732 100.0% $ 156,532 .1 901 100.0% $ 161,532 .1 918 100.0% $ 172,532 .1 1,042 100.0% $ 184,532 .1 100.0% 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. 33 table of contents 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 Loans past due 90 days and still accruing interest December 31 2015 $ 26,575 2,819 $ 29,394 2014 40,775 5,476 46,251 2013 48,814 6,625 55,439 2012 51,410 13,453 64,863 $ $ $ $ $ $ 2011 75,482 18,321 93,803 $ $ .24% .12% .40% .19% .51% .24% .66% .29% 1.02% .45% $ 16,467 $ 13,658 $ 13,966 $ 15,347 $ 14,958 The table below shows the effect on interest income in 2015 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 $ $ 2,335 239 2,096 Non-accrual loans, which are also classified as impaired, totaled $26.6 million at year end 2015, a decrease of $14.2 million from the balance at year end 2014. The decline from December 31, 2014 occurred mainly in business real estate loans, which decreased $10.0 million largely due to the payoff of a single loan. At December 31, 2015, non-accrual loans were comprised primarily of business (40.9%), business real estate (29.6%) and personal real estate (16.7%) loans. Foreclosed real estate totaled $2.8 million at December 31, 2015, a decrease of $2.7 million when compared to December 31, 2014. Total non-performing assets remain low compared to the overall banking industry in 2015, with the non-performing loans to total loans ratio at .21% at December 31, 2015. Total loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing interest were $16.5 million as of December 31, 2015, an increase of $2.8 million when compared to December 31, 2014. 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 $113.1 million at December 31, 2015 compared with $81.2 million at December 31, 2014, resulting in an increase of $32.0 million, or 39.4%. The change in potential problem loans was largely comprised of an increase of $34.9 million in business loans, mainly due to the downgrade of several large commercial and industrial loans. (In thousands) Potential problem loans: Business Real estate – construction and land Real estate – business Real estate – personal Consumer Total potential problem loans December 31 2015 2014 $ $ $ 58,860 1,159 51,107 1,755 262 113,143 $ 23,919 8,654 45,140 3,469 — 81,182 At December 31, 2015, the Company had $53.7 million of loans whose terms have 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 $21.9 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 34 table of contents 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 5.0% of total loans outstanding at December 31, 2015. (Dollars in thousands) Residential land and land development Residential construction Commercial land and land development Commercial construction Total real estate – construction and land loans Real Estate – Business Loans December 31, 2015 % of Total % of Total Loans December 31, 2014 % of Total % of Total Loans $ 72,622 131,943 54,176 365,329 11.6% 21.2 8.7 58.5 .6% $ 1.1 .4 2.9 82,072 108,058 62,379 150,998 20.3% 26.8 15.5 37.4 $ 624,070 100.0% 5.0% $ 403,507 100.0% .7% 1.0 .5 1.3 3.5% Total business real estate loans were $2.4 billion at December 31, 2015 and comprised 18.9% 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 42% of these loans were for owner- occupied real estate properties, which present lower risk profiles. (Dollars in thousands) Owner-occupied $ Retail Office Multi-family Farm Hotels Industrial Other Total real estate - business loans Real Estate - Personal Loans December 31, 2015 % of Total % of Total Loans December 31, 2014 % of Total % of Total Loans 983,844 322,644 218,018 196,212 167,344 157,317 112,261 197,904 41.8% 13.7 9.3 8.3 7.1 6.7 4.7 8.4 7.9% $ 1,017,099 2.6 1.8 1.6 1.3 1.2 .9 1.6 305,296 230,798 200,295 151,788 158,348 94,266 130,325 44.4% 13.3 10.1 8.8 6.6 6.9 4.2 5.7 8.9% 2.7 2.1 1.7 1.3 1.4 .8 1.1 $ 2,355,544 100.0% 18.9% $ 2,288,215 100.0% 20.0% The Company’s $1.9 billion personal real estate loan portfolio is composed mainly of residential first mortgage real estate loans. The majority of this portfolio is comprised of approximately $1.7 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 this portfolio has FICO scores of less than 660, and delinquency levels have been low. Loans of approximately $15.5 million in this personal real estate portfolio were structured with interest only payments. Interest only loans are typically made to high net-worth borrowers and generally have low LTV ratios at origination or have additional collateral pledged to secure the loan. 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 comprised of personal real estate loans made to commercial customers which totaled $257.8 million at December 31, 2015. 35 table of contents The following table presents information about the retail-based personal real estate loan portfolio for 2015 and 2014. (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 2015 2014 Principal Outstanding at December 31 $ 15,516 % of Loan Portfolio Principal Outstanding at December 31 % of Loan Portfolio .9% $ 17,159 1.0% 85,438 28,284 33,119 146,841 1,667,713 5.1 1.7 2.0 8.8 80,897 27,707 35,233 143,837 1,643,227 4.9 1.7 2.1 8.7 The Company also has revolving home equity loans that are generally collateralized by residential real estate. Most of these loans (93.5%) 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 772. 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 34% of the Company's current outstanding balances are expected to mature. Of these balances, 82% 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. (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, 2015 404,758 $ New Lines Originated * During 2015 93.5% $193,606 * 44.7% Unused Portion of Available Lines at December 31, 2015 $654,919 Balances Over 30 Days Past Due $4,143 * 151.3% 45,061 23,000 68,061 10.4 5.3 15.7 23,293 6,357 29,650 5.4 1.4 6.8 40,482 9,272 49,754 9.3 2.2 11.5 443 232 675 432,981 206,934 686,976 * Percentage of total principal outstanding of $433.0 million at December 31, 2015. (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. Fixed Rate Home Equity Loans * 1.0% .1 .1 .2 * .4% .1 — .1 In addition to the residential real estate mortgage and the revolving home equity products mentioned above, the Company offers a third choice to those consumers desiring a fixed rate home equity loan with a fixed maturity date and a determined amortization schedule. 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. 36 table of contents Outstanding balances for these loans were $304.5 million and $291.9 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, 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, 2015 and 2014. The delinquency history on this product has been low, as balances over 30 days past due totaled only $1.0 million, or .3% of the portfolio, at year end 2015 and $1.3 million, or .4% of the portfolio, at year end 2014. (Dollars in thousands) 2015 2014 Principal Outstanding at December 31 * New Loans Originated * Principal Outstanding at December 31 * New Loans Originated * Loans with interest only payments $ 1,905 .6% $3,474 1.1% $ 3,400 1.2% $2,015 .7% Loans with LTV: Between 80% and 90% Over 90% Over 80% LTV 65,643 21.6 17,402 5.7 83,045 27.3 23,133 6,175 29,308 7.6 2.0 9.6 Total loan portfolio from which above loans were identified 304,456 20.9 6.6 27.5 23,397 6,129 29,526 8.0 2.1 10.1 60,924 19,472 80,396 291,891 * Percentage of total principal outstanding of $304.5 million and $291.9 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, 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 2015 of $112 thousand, $441 thousand and $402 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. Other Consumer Loans Within the consumer loan portfolio are several direct and indirect product lines comprised mainly of loans secured by passenger vehicles (mainly automobiles and motorcycles), marine, and RVs. During 2015, $650.7 million of new vehicle loans were originated, compared to $617.0 million during 2014. Marine and RV loan production has been significantly curtailed since 2008 with few new originations. The loss ratios experienced for marine and RV loans have been higher than for other consumer loan products, at 1.3% and 1.1% in 2015 and 2014, respectively. Balances over 30 days past due for marine and RV loans decreased $530 thousand at year end 2015 compared to 2014. The table below provides the total outstanding principal and other data for this group of direct and indirect lending products at December 31, 2015 and 2014. (In thousands) Passenger vehicles Marine RV Total Principal Outstanding at December 31 2015 New Loans Originated Balances Over 30 Days Past Due Principal Outstanding at December 31 2014 New Loans Originated Balances Over 30 Days Past Due $ $ 1,112,434 $ 650,738 $ 12,475 $ 958,270 $ 616,994 $ 36,895 106,180 2,173 1,678 1,248 3,883 49,722 142,492 810 1,445 8,801 2,049 3,612 1,255,509 $ 654,589 $ 17,606 $ 1,150,484 $ 619,249 $ 14,462 Additionally, the Company offers low promotional rates on selected consumer credit card products. Out of a portfolio at December 31, 2015 of $779.7 million in consumer credit card loans outstanding, approximately $180.3 million, or 23.1%, carried a low promotional rate. Within the next six months, $50.3 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. Energy Lending The company's energy lending portfolio totaled $136.5 million at December 31, 2015. The portfolio was comprised of lending to the petroleum and natural gas sectors and included $65.6 million in loans related to extraction, $28.7 million of loans in the mid-stream shipping and storage sector, $27.2 million of loans in the downstream distribution and refining sector, and $14.9 million of loans for support activities. 37 table of contents Investment Securities Analysis Investment securities are comprised of securities which are classified as available for sale, non-marketable, or trading. During 2015, total investment securities increased $307.6 million, or 3.2%, to $9.8 billion (excluding unrealized gains/losses) compared to $9.5 billion at the previous year end. During 2015, securities of $3.5 billion were purchased in the available for sale and non- marketable portfolios, which included $1.2 billion in asset-backed securities, $560.9 million in agency mortgage-backed securities and $585.6 million in non-agency mortgage-backed securities. Total sales, maturities and pay downs in these portfolios were $3.2 billion during 2015. During 2016, maturities and pay downs of approximately $1.6 billion are expected to occur. The average tax equivalent yield earned on total investment securities was 2.24% in 2015 and 2.30% in 2014. At December 31, 2015, the fair value of available for sale securities was $9.8 billion, including a net unrealized gain in fair value of $85.6 million, compared to a net unrealized gain of $137.3 million at December 31, 2014. The overall unrealized gain in fair value at December 31, 2015 included gains of $39.3 million in agency mortgage-backed securities, $35.3 million in state and municipal obligations, and $35.3 million in equity securities held by the Parent, partially offset by a loss of $15.8 million in asset- backed securities. 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 2015 2014 $ 729,846 $ 794,912 1,706,635 2,579,031 879,186 2,660,201 335,925 5,678 497,336 968,574 1,789,215 2,523,377 372,911 3,090,174 140,784 3,931 $ $ 9,691,414 $ 9,386,302 727,076 $ 793,023 1,741,957 2,618,281 879,963 2,644,381 331,320 41,003 501,407 963,127 1,813,201 2,593,708 382,744 3,091,993 139,161 38,219 Total available for sale investment securities $ 9,777,004 $ 9,523,560 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 $880.0 million, at fair value, at December 31, 2015, and included Alt-A type mortgage-backed securities of $44.0 million and prime/jumbo loan type securities of $237.5 million. Certain 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, 2015, U.S. government obligations included $416.8 million in TIPS, and state and municipal obligations included $17.2 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 $38.3 million at December 31, 2015. 38 table of contents The types of debt securities held in the available for sale security portfolio at year end 2015 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. December 31, 2015 Percent of Total Debt Securities Weighted Average Yield Estimated Average Maturity* 7.5% 1.29% 4.6 years 8.1 17.9 26.9 9.0 27.2 3.4 1.79 2.46 2.62 2.54 1.33 2.54 4.1 5.5 3.5 3.5 2.4 5.9 Non-marketable securities totaled $112.8 million at December 31, 2015 and $106.9 million at December 31, 2014. These include Federal Reserve Bank stock and Federal Home Loan Bank (Des Moines) stock held by the bank subsidiary in accordance with debt and regulatory requirements. These are restricted securities and are carried at cost. Also included are private equity investments, most of which are held by a subsidiary qualified as a Small Business Investment Company. These investments are carried at estimated fair value, but 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. Non-marketable securities at year end for the past two years are shown below: (In thousands) Federal Reserve Bank stock Federal Home Loan Bank stock Private equity investments in debt securities Private equity investments in equity securities Other equity securities $ December 31 2015 2014 32,634 $ 14,191 30,262 35,354 345 32,383 14,203 32,793 27,371 125 Total non-marketable investment securities $ 112,786 $ 106,875 In addition to its holdings in the investment securities portfolio, the Company invests in long-term securities purchased under agreements to resell, which totaled $875.0 million at December 31, 2015 and $1.1 billion at December 31, 2014. These investments mature in 2016 through 2018 and may have fixed rates, variable rates, or 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 $906.3 million in marketable investment securities at December 31, 2015. The average rate earned on these agreements during 2015 was 1.11%. The Company also holds offsetting repurchase and resale agreements totaling $550.0 million and $450.0 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, which are further discussed in Note 19 to the consolidated financial statements. These agreements involve the exchange of collateral under simultaneous repurchase and resale agreements with the same financial institution counterparty. These repurchase and resale agreements have been offset against each other in the balance sheet, as permitted under current accounting guidance. The agreements mature in 2016 through 2019 and earned an average of 52 basis points during 2015. 39 table of contents 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 $20.0 billion at December 31, 2015, compared to $19.5 billion last year, reflecting an increase of $503.1 million, or 2.6%. Most of this growth occurred in the fourth quarter of 2015. Average deposits grew by $529.9 million, or 2.8%, in 2015 compared to 2014 with most of this growth occurring in business demand deposits, which increased $387.7 million, or 8.0%, and in money market deposits, which grew $280.1 million, or 3.1%. Total certificates of deposit fell on average by $251.2 million, or 10.9%, but personal demand deposits and savings grew $68.2 million, or 5.4%, and $58.7 million, or 8.7%, respectively. 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 2015 2014 35.8% 54.2 3.9 6.1 100.0% 35.0% 54.1 4.5 6.4 100.0% Core deposits, which include non-interest bearing, interest checking, savings, and money market deposits, supported 76% of average earning assets in both 2015 and 2014. Average balances by major deposit category for the last six years appear on page 54. A maturity schedule of time deposits outstanding at December 31, 2015 is included in Note 7 on Deposits in the consolidated financial statements. 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 December 31, 2015 were $2.0 billion, a $101.0 million increase over the $1.9 billion balance outstanding at year end 2014. On an average basis, these borrowings increased $397.2 million, or 31.6%, during 2015, with an increase of $53.1 million in federal funds purchased coupled with an increase of $344.1 million in repurchase agreements. The average rate paid on total federal funds purchased and repurchase agreements was .11% during 2015 and .08% during 2014. The Company’s long-term debt is currently comprised of fixed rate advances from the FHLB. These borrowings decreased to $103.8 million at December 31, 2015, from $104.1 million outstanding at December 31, 2014. The average rate paid on FHLB advances was 3.50% and 3.51% during 2015 and 2014, respectively. Most of the remaining balance outstanding at December 31, 2015 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 2015, the Company continued to see more growth in average loans (up 5.4%) than in deposits (up 2.8%). As a result, the Company’s average loans to deposits ratio, one measure of liquidity, increased to 61.4% in 2015 from 59.9% in 2014. 40 table of contents 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. At December 31, 2015 and 2014, 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 2015 2014 $ 9,777,004 $ 9,523,560 14,505 875,000 23,803 10,690,312 $ $ 32,485 1,050,000 600,744 11,206,789 Federal funds sold are funds lent to the Company’s correspondent bank customers with overnight maturities, and totaled $14.5 million at December 31, 2015. At December 31, 2015, the Company had lent funds totaling $875.0 million under long-term resale agreements to other large financial institutions. The agreements mature in years 2016 through 2018. Under these agreements, the Company holds marketable securities, safekept by a third-party custodian, as collateral. This collateral totaled $906.3 million in fair value at December 31, 2015. Interest earning balances at the Federal Reserve Bank, which have overnight maturities and are used for general liquidity purposes, totaled $23.8 million at December 31, 2015. The Company’s available for sale investment portfolio includes scheduled maturities and expected pay downs of approximately $1.6 billion during 2016, 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, 2015 and 2014, total investment securities pledged for these purposes were as follows: (In thousands) 2015 2014 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 $ 166,153 $ 31,095 2,116,537 1,827,195 4,140,980 3,886,219 1,749,805 362,920 40,978 2,389,093 1,861,001 4,653,992 3,107,968 1,761,600 Total available for sale securities, at fair value $ 9,777,004 $ 9,523,560 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, 2015, such deposits totaled $18.0 billion and represented 90.0% 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 $627.6 million at year end 2015 over 2014, with growth of $506.5 million in consumer and $302.0 million in corporate core deposits, partially offset by a decline of $103.4 million in private banking. 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 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 investment security maturities and pay downs of $1.6 billion as noted above. In addition, as shown on page 42, the Company has borrowing capacity of $3.2 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 2015 2014 $ 7,146,398 $ 6,811,959 1,267,757 9,566,989 1,352,759 9,188,842 $ 17,981,144 $ 17,353,560 41 table of contents Time open and certificates of deposit of $100,000 or greater totaled $1.2 billion at December 31, 2015. These deposits are normally considered more volatile and higher costing, and comprised 6.1% of total deposits at December 31, 2015. 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 2015 2014 $ $ 556,970 $ 1,406,582 103,818 3,840 1,858,678 104,058 2,067,370 $ 1,966,576 Federal funds purchased, which totaled $557.0 million at December 31, 2015, are unsecured overnight borrowings obtained mainly from upstream correspondent banks with which the Company maintains approved lines of credit. Retail 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. Repurchase agreements are collateralized by securities in the Company’s investment portfolio. Total repurchase agreements at December 31, 2015 were comprised of non-insured customer funds totaling $1.4 billion and securities pledged for these retail agreements totaled $1.6 billion. 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 $103.8 million at December 31, 2015. 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, 2015. (In thousands) Total collateral value pledged Advances outstanding Letters of credit issued Available for future advances December 31, 2015 FHLB Federal Reserve Total 2,398,242 $ 1,241,990 $ 3,640,232 (103,818) (291,540) — — (103,818) (291,540) 2,002,884 $ 1,241,990 $ 3,244,874 $ $ The Company’s average loans to deposits ratio was 61.4% at December 31, 2015, 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 Rating outlook 42 Standard & Poor’s Moody’s A- Stable BBB- A Stable P-1 Stable Baa1 A2 Stable table of contents 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 in 2014. Additionally, the Company completed a $100.0 million accelerated share repurchase program during 2015. These transactions are 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 $598.0 million in 2015, as reported in the consolidated statements of cash flows on page 62 of this report. Operating activities, consisting mainly of net income adjusted for certain non-cash items, provided cash flow of $289.1 million and has historically been a stable source of funds. Investing activities used total cash of $1.2 billion in 2015 and consisted mainly of purchases, sales, 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 $1.0 billion, activity in the investment securities portfolio used cash of $338.4 million, and net repayments of long-term resale agreements provided cash of $175.0 million. 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 $308.3 million, primarily resulting from a $420.6 million increase in deposits and a net increase of $101.0 million in borrowings of federal funds purchased and repurchase agreements. These increases to cash were partly offset by cash dividend payments of $85.0 million and $9.0 million on common and preferred stock, respectively. The Company entered into an accelerated share repurchase agreement as mentioned above, resulting in a net outflow of $100.0 million. Direct treasury stock purchases during 2015 totaled $23.2 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 share repurchase agreements Common cash dividends paid Issuance of preferred stock Preferred cash dividends paid Cash used 2015 2014 2013 $ 1.9 $ 8.7 $ (23.2) (100.0) (85.0) — (9.0) (71.0) (200.0) (84.2) 144.8 (4.1) 9.4 (69.4) — (82.1) — — $ (215.3) $ (205.8) $ (142.1) 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 2015 2014 2013 $ $ 160.0 $ 25.7 185.7 $ 234.0 $ 25.8 259.8 $ 200.4 20.7 221.1 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, 2015, the Parent’s available for sale investment securities totaled $52.1 million at fair value, consisting of common and preferred 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 2015 or 2014. 43 table of contents 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 new Basel III rules, effective January 1, 2015, changed the components of regulatory capital and changed the way in which risk ratings are assigned to various categories of bank assets. Also, a new Tier I common risk-based ratio was defined. The new rules resulted in only minor changes to the Company's Tier I and Total risk-based capital, and increased risk-weighted assets due to higher risk weightings for short-term loan commitments, certain asset-backed securities, and construction loans. Under the Basel III requirements, at December 31, 2015, the Company met all capital adequacy requirements and had regulatory capital ratios in excess of the levels established for well-capitalized institutions, as shown in the following table. (Dollars in thousands) Risk-adjusted assets Tier I common risk-based capital Tier I risk-based capital Total risk-based capital 2015 $ 17,809,554 2,051,474 2,196,258 2,364,761 Minimum Ratios under Capital Adequacy Guidelines* Minimum Ratios for Well- Capitalized Banks** Tier I common risk-based capital ratio 11.52% 7.00% 6.50% Tier I risk-based capital ratio Total risk-based capital ratio Tier I leverage ratio Tangible common equity to tangible assets Dividend payout ratio 8.50 10.50 4.00 8.00 10.00 5.00 12.33 13.28 9.23 8.48 33.35 * as of the fully phased-in date of Jan. 1, 2019, including capital conservation buffer **under Prompt Corrective Action requirements At December 31, 2015, the Company’s risk-weighted assets under Basel III increased to $17.8 billion compared to $15.5 billion and $14.7 billion at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, as calculated under the Basel I capital rules. Tier I risk-based capital was $2.2 billion and Total risk-based capital was $2.4 billion at December 31, 2015 under Basel III rules, and were relatively unchanged from the Basel I amounts at December 31, 2014 and 2013. Tier I and Total risk-based capital ratios at December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 were as follows: Tier I risk-based capital ratio Total risk-based capital ratio 2015 2014 2013 12.33% 13.28% 13.74% 14.86% 14.06% 15.28% The Company maintains a treasury stock buyback program under authorizations by its Board of Directors and normally purchases stock in the open market. During 2014, the Company purchased 4.7 million shares, including 3.1 million shares purchased under an accelerated share repurchase (ASR) agreement. During 2015, the Company purchased 4.2 million shares, including 3.6 million purchased under ASRs. At December 31, 2015, 4.7 million 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 2015 compared with 2014. The Company also distributed its 22nd consecutive annual 5% stock dividend in December 2015. 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 $10.0 billion (including approximately $4.7 billion in unused approved credit card lines) and the contractual amount of standby letters of credit totaling $311.8 million at December 31, 2015. As many commitments expire unused or only partially used, these totals do not necessarily reflect future 44 table of contents 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, 2015 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 $ $ 3,818 $ 5,633 66,706 1,547,305 1,623,462 $ 100,000 $ 8,874 126,484 338,477 573,835 $ — $ 4,605 41,357 107,592 153,554 $ — $ 13,023 5,236 4,335 22,594 $ 103,818 32,135 239,783 1,997,709 2,373,445 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 during the last three years, and the Company is not required nor does it expect to make a contribution in 2016. 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, 2015, the investments totaled $24.0 million and are recorded as other assets in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. Unfunded commitments, which are recorded as liabilities, amounted to $18.5 million at December 31, 2015. 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 2015, purchases and sales of tax credits amounted to $39.3 million and $21.7 million, respectively. At December 31, 2015, the Company had outstanding purchase commitments totaling $67.4 million that it expects to fund in 2016. 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 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. 45 table of contents Additionally, the Company 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 tables below compute the effects of gradual rising interest rates over a twelve month period on the Company’s net interest income, assuming a static balance sheet with the exception of deposit attrition. The difference between the two simulations is the amount of deposit attrition incorporated, which is shown in the tables below. In both simulations, three rising rate scenarios were selected as shown in the tables, and net interest income was calculated and compared to a base scenario in which assets, liabilities and rates remained constant over a twelve month period. For each of the simulations, 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 twelve month period, except that as presented in the tables below, it was assumed certain non-maturity type deposit attrition would occur, as a result of higher interest rates, and would be replaced with short-term federal funds borrowings. The simulations reflect two different assumptions related to deposit attrition. The Company utilizes these simulations both for monitoring interest rate risk and for liquidity planning purposes. 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. The Company believes that its approach to interest rate risk has appropriately considered its susceptibility to both rising rates and falling rates and has adopted strategies which minimize impacts to overall interest rate risk. Simulation A December 31, 2015 September 30, 2015 (Dollars in millions) $ Change in Net Interest Income % Change in Net Interest Income Assumed Deposit Attrition $ Change in Net Interest Income % Change in Net Interest Income Assumed Deposit Attrition 300 basis points rising $ 200 basis points rising 100 basis points rising 9.1 10.3 8.4 1.36% $ (375.1) $ 1.54 1.26 (264.8) (142.7) 8.3 9.1 7.5 1.29% $ (378.9) 1.41 1.17 (269.4) (148.9) Simulation B December 31, 2015 September 30, 2015 (Dollars in millions) $ Change in Net Interest Income % Change in Net Interest Income Assumed Deposit Attrition $ Change in Net Interest Income % Change in Net Interest Income Assumed Deposit Attrition 300 basis points rising $ (15.6) (2.33)% $ (1,543.0) $ 200 basis points rising 100 basis points rising (7.7) (2.7) (1.15) (.41) (1,438.4) (1,323.7) (9.8) (3.5) 2.0 (1.53)% $ (1,295.5) (.54) .32 (1,190.9) (825.6) The difference in these two simulations is the degree to which deposits are modeled to decline as noted in the above table. Both simulations assume that a decline in deposits would be offset by increased short-term borrowings, which are more rate sensitive and can result in higher interest costs in a rising rate environment. Under Simulation A, a gradual increase in interest rates of 100 basis points is expected to increase net interest income from the base calculation by $8.4 million, while a gradual increase in rates of 200 basis points would increase net interest income by $10.3 million. An increase in rates of 300 basis points would result an increase in net interest income of $9.1 million, slightly lower than the 200 basis points scenario because deposit attrition is assumed to be higher. The change in net interest income from the base calculation at December 31, 2015 was higher than projections made at September 30, 2015 largely due to an increase in deposits and a decrease in federal funds purchased during the fourth quarter of 2015. Additionally, the Company's forecast at December 31, 2015 includes higher interest income earned on loans and investments, due to a Federal Reserve rate increase during the fourth quarter of 2015. 46 table of contents Under Simulation B, the same assumptions utilized in Simulation A were applied. However, in Simulation B, deposit attrition was accelerated to consider the effects that large deposit outflows might have on net interest income and liquidity planning purposes. The effect of higher deposit attrition was that greater reliance was placed on short-term borrowings at higher rates, which are more rate sensitive. As shown in the table, under these assumptions, net interest income in Simulation B was significantly lower than in Simulation A, reflecting higher costs for short-term borrowings. Projecting deposit activity in a historically low interest rate environment is difficult, and the Company cannot predict how deposits will react to rising rates. The comparison provided above provides insight into potential effects of changes in rates and deposit levels on net interest income. 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 may be used on a limited basis as part of this strategy. The Company also sells interest rate 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. These paired swap contracts comprised the Company's swap portfolio at December 31, 2015 with a total notional amount of $1.0 billion. 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, 2015 mature within six months. The Company began selling new originations of certain long-term residential mortgage loans in early 2015. Derivative instruments arising from this activity include mortgage loan commitments and forward loan sale contracts. Changes in the fair values of the loan commitments and funded loans prior to sale that are due to changes in interest rates are economically hedged with forward contracts to sell residential mortgage-backed securities in the to-be-announced (TBA) market. These TBA forward contracts, which are settled in cash at the delivery date, are also derivatives. 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. The following table summarizes the notional amounts and estimated fair values of the Company’s derivative instruments at December 31, 2015 and 2014. 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. (In thousands) Notional Amount Positive Fair Value Negative Fair Value Notional Amount Positive Fair Value Negative Fair Value Interest rate swaps $ 1,020,310 $ 11,993 $ (11,993) $ 647,709 $ 10,144 $ (10,166) 2015 2014 Interest rate caps Credit risk participation agreements Foreign exchange contracts Mortgage loan commitments Mortgage loan forward sale contracts Forward TBA contracts Total at December 31 66,118 62,456 15,535 8,605 642 73 1 437 263 — (73) (195) (430) — — 53,587 75,943 19,791 — — 62 3 248 — — (62) (226) (494) — — 11,000 $ 1,184,666 $ 4 12,771 $ 47 (38) (12,729) — 797,030 $ $ — 10,457 $ — (10,948) table of contents 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. 48 table of contents 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, 2015: 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, 2014: Net interest income Provision for loan losses Non-interest income Investment securities gains, net $ 266,328 $ 296,466 $ 42,653 $ 605,447 $ 28,873 $ 634,320 (34,864) 119,558 — 1,032 194,131 — 75 136,374 — (33,757) 450,063 — (273,323) (267,521) (108,755) (649,599) $ $ 77,699 264,974 (34,913) 113,869 — $ $ 224,108 287,244 559 190,538 — $ $ $ $ 70,347 40,128 372 128,238 — $ $ 372,154 592,346 (33,982) 432,645 — 5,030 (2,508) 6,320 (26,304) 11,411 27,858 4,451 3,333 14,124 (39,879) $ $ (28,727) 447,555 6,320 (675,903) 383,565 620,204 (29,531) 435,978 14,124 (656,342) Non-interest expense (263,521) (254,121) (98,821) (616,463) Income before income taxes $ 80,409 $ 224,220 $ 69,917 $ 374,546 $ 9,887 $ 384,433 2015 vs 2014 Increase (decrease) in income before income taxes: Amount $ (2,710) $ (112) $ 430 $ (2,392) $ 1,524 $ (868) Percent (3.4)% — % .6% (.6)% 15.4 % (.2)% Year ended December 31, 2013: Net interest income Provision for loan losses Non-interest income Investment securities losses, net $ 262,579 $ 280,121 $ 40,185 $ 582,885 $ 36,487 $ 619,372 (33,943) 108,180 — 3,772 186,433 — (688) 117,322 — (30,859) 411,935 — 10,506 6,451 (4,425) (36,420) (20,353) 418,386 (4,425) (628,668) Non-interest expense (260,336) (235,382) (96,530) (592,248) Income before income taxes $ 76,480 $ 234,944 $ 60,289 $ 371,713 $ 12,599 $ 384,312 2014 vs 2013 Increase (decrease) in income before income taxes: Amount Percent Consumer $ 3,929 $ (10,724) $ 9,628 $ 2,833 $ (2,712) $ 121 5.1 % (4.6 )% 16.0 % .8 % (21.5)% — % The Consumer segment includes consumer deposits, consumer finance, and consumer debit and credit cards. During 2015, income before income taxes for the Consumer segment decreased $2.7 million, or 3.4%, compared to 2014. This decrease was mainly due to an increase in non-interest expense of $9.8 million, or 3.7%. The higher expense was partly offset by increases of $5.7 million, or 5.0%, in non-interest income and $1.4 million in net interest income. Net interest income increased due to a $1.2 million decline in deposit interest expense. Non-interest income increased mainly due to growth in mortgage banking revenue, debit card fees and deposit account service charges. Non-interest expense increased over the prior year due to higher bank card fraud losses, bank card processing expense, and allocated servicing and support costs. These increases were partly offset by declines in occupancy expense and bank card rewards expense. The provision for loan losses totaled $34.9 million, a slight decrease from the prior year, mainly due to lower charge-offs on fixed rate home equity and marine and RV loans, partly offset by higher charge-offs in other consumer and consumer credit card loans. Total average loans in this segment increased $123.7 million, or 5.2%, in 2015 compared to the prior year due to continued growth in auto loans, partly offset by a decline in marine and RV loans. Average deposits continued to grow and increased $132.0 million, or 1.4%, over the prior year; however, much of the growth occurred in personal demand and money market accounts, with lower balances in certificates of deposit. 49 table of contents Pre-tax profitability for 2014 was $80.4 million, an increase of $3.9 million, or 5.1%, over 2013. This increase was mainly due to growth of $2.4 million in net interest income and an increase in non-interest income of $5.7 million. Net interest income increased due to a $2.9 million decrease in deposit interest expense and a $1.3 million increase in loan interest income, partly offset by a $1.8 million decline in net allocated funding credits assigned to the Consumer segment's loan and deposit portfolios. Non-interest income increased due to growth in mortgage banking revenue and bank card fees (mainly debit and credit card). These increases to income were partly offset by growth of $3.2 million in non-interest expense and $970 thousand in the provision for loan losses. Non-interest expense increased over the prior year due to higher bank card rewards expense and higher allocated servicing and support costs. The provision for loan losses totaled $34.9 million, a $970 thousand increase over the prior year, which was mainly due to higher net charge-offs 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 $137.9 million, or 6.2%, 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 $219.6 million, or 2.4%, over the prior year, resulting from growth in interest checking and money market deposit accounts, partly offset by a decline in certificates of deposit less than $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 2015 decreased slightly compared to the prior year, mainly due to an increase in non-interest expense, partly offset by growth in net interest income and non-interest income. Net interest income increased $9.2 million, or 3.2%, due to an increase in loan interest income of $6.6 million and higher net allocated funding credits of $4.1 million, partly offset by higher borrowings expense of $966 thousand. Non-interest income increased $3.6 million, or 1.9%, over 2014 due to growth in swap fees, corporate bank card fees and corporate cash management fees, partly offset by lower capital market fees. Non-interest expense increased $13.4 million, or 5.3%, mainly due to increases in salaries and benefits expense and allocated servicing and support costs. These increases were partly offset by a recovery related to a letter of credit exposure. The provision for loan losses decreased $473 thousand from the prior year, due to higher net recoveries on business and business real estate loans of $854 thousand and $560 thousand, respectively. These recoveries were partly offset by higher personal real estate loan net charge-offs of $490 thousand. Average segment loans increased $341.9 million, or 5.0%, compared to 2014, with most of the growth in commercial and industrial, construction and tax-advantaged loans. Average deposits increased $260.0 million, or 3.6%, due to growth in business demand deposit accounts, partly offset by a decline in certificates of deposit greater than $100,000. In 2014, pre-tax income for the Commercial segment decreased $10.7 million, or 4.6%, compared 2013, 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 $1.3 million, respectively. Non-interest income increased $4.1 million, or 2.2%, over the previous year due to growth in corporate card fees and operating lease income, partly offset by lower capital market fees and tax credit sales income. Non-interest expense increased $18.7 million, or 8.0%, 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 service and support functions also rose. These increases were partly offset by letter of credit provisions recorded in 2013 that did not recur in 2014. 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 and money market deposit accounts. 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, 2015, the Trust group managed investments with a market value of $22.6 billion and administered an additional $15.8 billion in non-managed assets. It also provides investment management services to The Commerce Funds, a series of mutual funds with $2.1 billion in total assets at December 31, 2015. Wealth segment pre-tax profitability for 2015 was $70.3 million, a slight increase compared to $69.9 million in 2014. Net interest income increased $2.5 million, or 6.3%, mainly due to an increase of $2.4 million in loan interest income. Non-interest income increased $8.1 million, or 6.3%, over 2014 due to higher personal and institutional trust fees, in addition to higher advisory and annuity brokerage fees. Non-interest expense increased $9.9 million, or 10.1%, mainly due to higher full-time salary costs and incentive compensation, higher allocated support costs, and loss recoveries recorded in 2014 related to past litigation. The provision for loan losses increased by $297 thousand, mainly due to lower recoveries on revolving home equity loans. Average assets increased $106.7 million, or 11.5%, during 2015 mainly due to higher loan balances (mainly Private Banking consumer loans and 50 table of contents personal real estate loans) originated in this segment. Average deposits increased $144.8 million, or 7.6%, due to growth in money market and business demand deposit accounts. In 2014, pre-tax income for the wealth segment was $69.9 million, compared to $60.3 million in 2013, an increase of $9.6 million, or 16.0%. 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 $2.3 million, or 2.4%, 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 8.9%, during 2014 mainly due to higher personal real estate and consumer loans. Average deposits also increased $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. 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 2015, the pre-tax income in this category was $11.4 million, compared to $9.9 million in 2014. This increase was due to lower unallocated non- interest expense of $13.6 million, which was partly offset by lower securities gains of $7.8 million and lower non-interest income of $5.8 million. Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Standards Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures The Financial Accounting Standards Board (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 Company's 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 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. 51 table of contents 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. Under the ASU, the amendments are effective for interim and annual periods beginning January 1, 2018 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, including potential changes to the Company's accounting for brokerage commissions, investment and trust fees, real-estate sales, and credit card loyalty programs. 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 were 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 were required in interim and annual periods beginning April 1, 2015. The adoption did not 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 and the adoption did not have a significant effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements. Consolidation The FASB issued ASU 2015-02, "Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis", in February 2015. The amendments require an evaluation of whether certain legal entities should be consolidated and modify the evaluation of whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are variable interest entities or voting interest entities. The amendments are effective for interim and annual periods beginning January 1, 2016. The adoption did not have a significant effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements. Intangible Assets The FASB issued ASU 2015-05, "Customer's Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement", in April 2015. The amendments provide guidance to customers about whether a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license. Arrangements containing a license should be recorded as consistent with the acquisition of software licenses, whereas arrangements that do not include a software license should be recorded as consistent with the accounting for service contracts. These amendments are effective for interim and annual periods beginning January 1, 2016. The adoption did not have a significant effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements. Financial Instruments The FASB issued ASU 2016-01, "Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities", in January 2016. The amendments require all equity investments to be measured at fair value with changes in the fair value recognized through net income, other than those accounted for under the equity method of accounting or those that result in the consolidation of the investee. Additionally, these amendments require presentation in other comprehensive income the portion of the total change in the fair value of a liability resulting from a change in the instrument-specific credit risk for those liabilities measured at fair value. The amendments also require use of the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes. These amendments are effective for interim and annual periods beginning January 1, 2018. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of the ASU's adoption on the Company's consolidated financial statements, including potential changes to the Company's note disclosure of the fair value of its loan portfolio. 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. 52 table of contents SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY STATEMENTS OF INCOME Year ended December 31, 2015 (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 12/31/2015 9/30/2015 6/30/2015 3/31/2015 For the Quarter Ended $ 169,742 $ 169,115 $ 170,577 $ (7,255) 162,487 115,889 (1,480) (102,098) (73,526) (9,186) 92,086 (27,661) (715) (7,077) 162,038 111,148 (378) (100,874) (70,388) (8,364) 93,182 (27,969) (601) (6,920) 163,657 114,092 2,143 (99,655) (65,665) (6,757) 107,815 (32,492) (970) 152,982 (6,844) 146,138 106,426 6,035 (98,074) (65,623) (4,420) 90,482 (28,468) (959) 61,055 .58 .58 100,053 100,367 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* $ $ $ 63,710 $ 64,612 $ 74,353 $ .63 $ .63 $ 96,212 96,486 .63 $ .63 $ 96,589 96,882 .72 $ .72 $ 99,099 99,437 Year ended December 31, 2014 (In thousands, except per share data) 12/31/2014 9/30/2014 6/30/2014 3/31/2014 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 $ 158,916 $ 161,811 $ 167,567 $ (6,987) 151,929 112,302 3,650 (99,526) (70,461) (4,664) 93,230 (29,488) (1,017) (7,095) 154,716 112,286 2,995 (95,462) (66,378) (7,652) 100,505 (31,484) (836) (7,074) 160,493 108,763 (2,558) (94,849) (67,704) (7,555) 96,590 (30,690) 631 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 $ .60 $ .60 $ 99,940 100,301 .66 $ .65 $ 99,859 100,292 .63 $ .63 $ 103,116 103,540 159,998 (6,932) 153,066 102,627 10,037 (94,263) (67,699) (9,660) 94,108 (29,987) 192 64,313 .61 .61 104,487 104,951 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 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 2015. $ 162,141 $ 162,144 $ 167,255 $ (7,276) 154,865 109,522 (1,342) (95,012) (66,045) (5,543) 96,445 (30,620) 90 (7,438) 154,706 106,311 650 (91,405) (64,672) (4,146) 101,444 (32,999) (221) (7,797) 159,458 102,676 (1,568) (89,569) (67,163) (7,379) 96,455 (30,416) (234) 65,915 $ 68,224 $ 65,805 $ .62 $ .62 $ 104,564 105,091 .65 $ .64 $ 104,190 104,710 .62 $ .62 $ 103,936 104,370 $ $ $ 53 158,745 (8,402) 150,343 99,877 (2,165) (90,881) (63,921) (3,285) 89,968 (29,160) 209 61,017 .58 .58 104,431 104,700 table of contents 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 2015 Interest Income/ Expense Average Rates Earned/Paid Average Balance 2014 Interest Income/ Expense Average Rates Earned/Paid Average Balance 2013 Interest Income/ Expense Average Rates Earned/Paid Years Ended December 31 $ 4,186,101 $ 477,320 2,293,839 1,899,234 1,829,830 431,033 — 746,503 5,416 11,869,276 4,115 116,455 17,075 85,751 71,666 72,625 15,262 — 86,162 — 464,996 191 466,135 5,180 938,589 1,786,235 3,164,447 2,773,069 262,937 20,517 111,380 9,523,309 17,319 63,054 80,936 29,558 7,038 562 9,540 213,187 16,184 60 13,172 528 692,134 876 12,498 3,236 6,051 22,661 1,861 3,574 5,435 28,096 1,002,053 206,115 22,621,052 (152,690) 146,854 378,803 359,773 383,810 $ 23,737,602 $ 729,311 9,752,794 832,343 1,224,402 12,538,850 1,654,860 103,884 1,758,744 14,297,594 6,786,741 280,231 2,373,036 $ 23,737,602 2.78% $ 3.58 3.74 3.77 3.97 3.54 — 11.54 — 3.92 4.64 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 — 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 4,488 497,271 13,750 1.11 1.85 3.53 2.56 1.07 2.68 2.74 8.57 2.24 .37 1.31 .26 3.06 794,752 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 .12 .13 .39 .49 .18 $ 670,650 9,477,947 935,387 1,372,509 12,456,493 .11 3.44 .31 .20% 1,257,660 104,896 1,362,556 13,819,049 6,339,183 225,554 2,289,137 $ 22,672,923 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 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 $ 21,873,984 102,847 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 24,669 106 $ 664,038 $ 648,628 $ 645,906 2.94% 2.38% 3.00% .42% 3.05 % 3.97 4.11 3.91 4.68 3.96 — 11.28 — 4.32 3.92 2.19 1.73 3.62 2.75 .90 3.09 2.25 10.49 2.30 .43 1.80 .25 3.26 .12 .15 .58 .46 .22 .06 3.24 .30 .23 % 3.11 % (2.90) % (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 $8,332,000 in 2015, $7,640,000 in 2014, $6,673,000 in 2013, $5,803,000 in 2012, $5,538,000 in 2011, and 54 table of contents AVERAGE BALANCE SHEETS — AVERAGE RATES AND YIELDS Average Balance 2012 Interest Income/ Expense Average Rates Earned/Paid Average Balance 2011 Interest Income/ Expense Average Rates Earned/Paid Average Balance 2010 Interest Income/ Expense Average Rates Earned/Paid Average Balance Five Year Compound Growth Rate Years Ended December 31 $ 2,962,699 $ 356,425 2,193,271 1,503,357 1,180,538 446,204 — 730,697 6,125 9,379,316 102,013 15,146 98,693 65,642 66,402 18,586 — 85,652 — 452,134 3.44 % 4.25 4.50 4.37 5.62 4.17 — 11.72 — 4.82 9,688 361 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 % 332,382 12,260 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 38,063 306,676 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 $ 574,336 8,430,559 1,117,236 1,181,426 11,303,557 1,185,978 108,916 1,294,894 12,598,451 5,522,991 334,684 2,244,552 $ 20,700,678 $ 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% 7.71% (3.05) 2.48 5.17 7.92 (2.33) NM (.36) (5.76) 4.12 NM 1.20 35.75 13.07 2.32 7.04 7.48 (1.30) (.35) 7.21 19.86 46.16 3.70 5.74 (4.86) (.30) .56 (1.86) (1.33) 5.41 8.79 7.53 (12.90) (1.55) 4.12 8.81 (25.51) 2.72 3.94 10.53 (4.15) 3.60 5.41% 3.84% 4.02 5.05 5.18 6.74 4.31 2.35 11.74 — 5.28 1.70 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% 3.89% 1.83% $ 665,214 $ 669,515 $ 666,143 3.41 % (.64)% 3.65% .51% $4,620,000 in 2010. Investment securities interest income includes tax equivalent adjustments of $21,386,000 in 2015, $20,784,000 in 2014, $19,861,000 in 2013, $19,505,000 in 2012, $17,907,000 in 2011,and $15,593,000 in 2010 . 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. 55 table of contents 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, 2015 4,352 584 2,320 1,916 1,909 430 757 6 12,274 6 581 824 1,780 3,336 2,575 337 23 114 9,570 19 902 178 22,949 (151) 130 379 358 383 24,048 737 9,805 797 1,220 12,559 1,707 104 1,811 14,370 6,996 296 2,386 24,048 170 2.78% $ 3.41 3.68 3.76 3.91 3.44 11.23 — 3.85 5.40 .17 1.89 3.64 2.54 1.25 2.83 2.65 8.19 2.27 .32 1.40 .28 3.07 .12 .13 .37 .51 .18 .14 3.47 .33 .20% $ $ $ $ 4,222 476 2,285 1,911 1,862 434 746 5 11,941 4 403 888 1,806 3,218 2,547 302 22 114 9,300 21 1,008 161 22,435 (151) 119 367 359 380 23,509 739 9,620 821 1,171 12,351 1,677 104 1,781 14,132 6,782 251 2,344 23,509 170 2.73% $ 3.52 3.71 3.73 4.00 3.50 11.59 — 3.89 4.26 4.39 1.77 3.44 2.47 1.15 2.65 2.72 8.28 2.39 .40 1.29 .25 3.12 .13 .13 .38 .53 .18 .11 3.43 .31 .20% $ $ $ $ 4,135 432 2,288 1,891 1,816 430 734 5 11,731 4 425 988 1,799 3,161 2,839 249 20 110 9,591 13 1,050 198 22,587 (153) 170 381 361 394 23,740 739 9,759 845 1,227 12,570 1,675 104 1,779 14,349 6,745 261 2,385 23,740 171 2.79% $ 3.65 3.83 3.77 3.92 3.60 11.74 — 3.95 3.94 6.09 1.82 3.49 2.61 1.03 2.61 2.86 8.90 2.45 .47 1.40 .25 3.16 .11 .13 .39 .49 .18 .10 3.44 .30 .19% $ $ $ $ 4,032 415 2,282 1,877 1,731 430 749 6 11,522 2 2.82% 3.81 3.73 3.83 4.05 3.63 11.62 — 3.99 4.65 456 (5.32) 1.90 3.55 2.62 .88 2.50 2.74 8.94 1.84 .30 1.18 .25 2.89 .12 .13 .41 .45 .18 .10 3.43 .30 .19% 1,058 1,759 2,938 3,140 161 17 107 9,636 12 1,050 289 22,511 (156) 169 389 362 377 23,652 702 9,829 868 1,280 12,679 1,558 104 1,662 14,341 6,621 314 2,376 23,652 153 Net yield on interest earning assets 2.94% 3.00% 3.04% 2.76% (A) Includes tax equivalent calculations. 56 table of contents QUARTERLY AVERAGE BALANCE SHEETS — AVERAGE RATES AND YIELDS 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 (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) 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. 57 table of contents Item 7a. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK The information required by this item is set forth on pages 45 through 47 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, 2015 and 2014, 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, 2015. 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, 2015 and 2014, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2015, 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, 2015, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated February 24, 2016 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Kansas City, Missouri February 24, 2016 58 table of contents Commerce Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiaries CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS ASSETS Loans Allowance for loan losses Net loans Loans held for sale, including $4,981,000 of residential mortgage loans carried at fair value Investment securities: Available for sale ($568,257,000 and $467,143,000 pledged at December 31, 2015 and 2014, 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: Preferred stock, $1 par value Authorized 2,000,000 shares; issued 6,000 shares Common stock, $5 par value Authorized 120,000,000 shares; issued 97,972,433 shares at December 31, 2015 and 96,830,977 shares at December 31, 2014 Capital surplus Retained earnings Treasury stock of 603,003 shares at December 31, 2015 and 367,487 shares at December 31, 2014, 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. 59 December 31 2015 2014 (In thousands) $ 12,436,692 $ 11,469,238 (151,532) (156,532) 12,285,160 11,312,706 7,607 — 9,777,004 9,523,560 11,890 112,786 15,357 106,875 9,901,680 9,645,792 14,505 875,000 23,803 464,411 352,581 138,921 6,669 534,625 32,485 1,050,000 600,744 467,488 357,871 138,921 7,450 380,823 $ 24,604,962 $ 23,994,280 $ 7,146,398 $ 6,811,959 10,834,746 10,541,601 785,191 1,212,518 878,433 1,243,785 19,978,853 19,475,778 1,963,552 1,862,518 103,818 191,321 104,058 217,680 22,237,544 21,660,034 144,784 144,784 489,862 1,337,677 383,313 484,155 1,229,075 426,648 (26,116) 32,470 (16,562) 62,093 2,361,990 2,330,193 5,428 4,053 2,367,418 2,334,246 $ 24,604,962 $ 23,994,280 table of contents 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. $ $ $ 60 For the Years Ended December 31 2014 2013 2015 $ 456,664 $ 191 191,801 447,157 $ — 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 79,332 656,342 384,433 121,649 262,784 1,030 261,754 4,050 257,704 $ 2.50 $ 2.49 $ 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 71,638 628,668 384,312 123,195 261,117 156 260,961 — 260,961 2.47 2.46 60 13,172 528 662,416 13,374 3,236 6,051 1,861 3,574 28,096 634,320 28,727 605,593 178,926 119,801 80,416 11,476 13,200 8,228 35,508 447,555 (1,233) 750 (483) 6,803 6,320 400,701 44,788 19,086 22,970 83,944 16,107 12,146 76,161 675,903 383,565 116,590 266,975 3,245 263,730 9,000 254,730 $ 2.56 $ 2.56 $ table of contents 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 2015 2014 2013 $ 266,975 $ 262,784 $ 261,117 (518) (31,517) 2,412 (29,623) 237,352 3,245 (412) 60,007 (7,233) 52,362 315,146 1,030 958 (138,960) 11,389 (126,613) 134,504 156 134,348 Comprehensive income attributable to Commerce Bancshares, Inc. $ 234,107 $ 314,116 $ See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 61 table of contents 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 Originations of loans held for sale Net (increase) decrease in trading securities, excluding unsettled transactions Stock-based compensation (Increase) decrease in interest receivable Increase (decrease) in interest payable Increase (decrease) in income taxes payable Excess 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 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 share repurchase agreements Issuance of stock under equity compensation plans Excess 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 Settlement of accelerated share repurchase agreement and receipt of treasury stock Loans transferred from held for sale to held for investment category See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 62 For the Years Ended December 31 2014 2013 2015 $ 266,975 $ 262,784 $ 261,117 28,727 42,803 32,618 7,432 (6,320) (3,076) 97,813 (103,199) (86,045) 10,147 (4,992) 336 19,165 (2,132) (11,189) 289,063 — — 689,031 2,515,113 (3,542,537) (1,005,657) — 175,000 (31,897) 5,545 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 (1,195,402) (1,062,682) 545,147 (124,509) — 101,034 (240) — — (23,176) (100,000) 1,914 2,132 (84,961) (9,000) 308,341 (597,998) 1,100,717 $ $ 502,719 $ 95,341 $ 27,760 3,778 60,000 — 282,276 (57,956) (350,000) 865,960 (1,252) (2,000) 144,784 (70,974) (200,000) 8,652 1,850 (84,241) (4,050) 533,049 (168,797) 1,269,514 1,100,717 $ 120,172 $ 28,218 5,074 — — 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 47,643 — 16,299 2,542,123 (2,411,153) (938,223) (125,000) 175,000 (23,841) 3,492 (713,660) 801,211 (82,013) (50,000) 313,008 (1,578) 2,000 — (69,353) — 9,426 1,003 (82,104) — 841,600 489,689 779,825 1,269,514 114,336 32,432 8,747 — 8,941 table of contents Commerce Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiaries CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (In thousands, except per share data) 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 ($.777 per share) Excess tax benefit related to equity compensation plans Stock-based compensation Issuance under stock purchase and equity compensation plans, net 5% stock dividend, net Balance, December 31, 2013 Net income Other comprehensive income Distributions to non-controlling interest Issuance of preferred stock Purchases of treasury stock Accelerated share repurchase agreement Cash dividends paid on common stock ($.816 per share) Cash dividends paid on preferred stock ($.675 per depositary share) Excess tax benefit related to equity compensation plans Stock-based compensation Issuance under stock purchase and equity compensation plans, net 5% stock dividend, net Balance, December 31, 2014 Net income Other comprehensive loss Distributions to non-controlling interest Purchases of treasury stock Accelerated share repurchase agreements Cash dividends paid on common stock ($.857 per share) Cash dividends paid on preferred stock ($1.500 per depositary share) Excess 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, 2015 Commerce Bancshares, Inc. Shareholders Preferred Stock Common Stock Capital Surplus Retained Earnings Treasury Stock Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Non- Controlling Interest Total $ — $ 458,646 $ 1,102,507 $ 477,210 $ (7,580) $ 136,344 $ 4,447 $ 2,171,574 260,961 156 261,117 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) (60,000) 1,850 8,829 (14,703) 31,071 (69,353) 25,066 10,699 (10,097) (70,974) (140,000) 24,209 2,931 13,151 (196,651) 180,300 (126,613) (848) (126,613) 43,197 (848) (69,353) (82,104) 1,003 6,427 10,242 (245) 9,731 52,362 3,755 1,030 2,214,397 262,784 (732) 52,362 (732) 144,784 (70,974) (200,000) (84,241) (4,050) 1,850 8,829 9,506 (269) 144,784 484,155 1,229,075 426,648 263,730 (16,562) 62,093 4,053 3,245 2,334,246 266,975 60,000 (23,176) (160,000) (84,961) (9,000) 2,132 10,147 (16,615) 19,503 5,707 52,938 (213,104) 154,119 (29,623) (1,870) (29,623) (1,870) (23,176) (100,000) (84,961) (9,000) 2,132 10,147 2,888 (340) $ 144,784 $ 489,862 $ 1,337,677 $ 383,313 $ (26,116) $ 32,470 $ 5,428 $ 2,367,418 See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 63 table of contents 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. The Company, in the normal course of business, engages in a variety of activities that involve variable interest entities (VIEs). A VIE is a legal entity that lacks equity investors or whose equity investors do not have a controlling financial interest in the entity through their equity investments. The enterprise that has a controlling financial interest in a VIE is referred to as the primary beneficiary and consolidates the VIE. An enterprise is deemed to have a controlling financial interest and is the primary beneficiary of a VIE if it has both the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and an obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that could potentially be significant to the VIE. The Company’s interests in VIEs are evaluated to determine if the Company is the primary beneficiary, both at inception and when there is a change in circumstances that requires a reconsideration. This evaluation gives appropriate consideration to the design of the entity and the variability that the entity was designed to pass along, the relative power of each party, and to the Company’s relative obligation to absorb losses or receive residual returns of the entity, in relation to such obligations and rights held by each party. The Company is considered to be the primary beneficiary in a rabbi trust related to a deferred compensation plan offered to certain employees. The assets and liabilities of this trust, which are included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, are not significant. The Company also has variable interests in certain entities in which it is not the primary beneficiary. These entities are not consolidated. These interests include affordable housing limited partnership interests, holdings in its investment portfolio of various asset and mortgage-backed bonds that are issued by securitization trusts, and managed discretionary trust assets that are not included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The Company invests in low-income housing partnerships which supply funds for the construction and operation of apartment complexes that provide affordable housing to lower income families. As permitted by ASU 2014-01, "Accounting for Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Projects," issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the Company adopted a new method of accounting for these investments on January 1, 2015. The new method is the practical expedient to the proportional amortization method, which allows the Company to record the amortization of its investments in income tax expense, rather than in non-interest expense. The Company made this change because it believes that presenting the investment performance net of taxes more fairly represents the economics and returns on such investments. The amortization recognized as a component of income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2015 was $1.9 million. As required by the ASU, all prior period information in this report has been revised to reflect the adoption, resulting in a decrease to non-interest expense and an increase to income tax expense (as originally reported) of $1.4 million and $965 thousand, respectively, for 2014 and 2013. 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. 64 table of contents 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, 2015 totaled $84.2 million. 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. 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. Loans Held For Sale Loans held for sale include student loans and certain fixed rate residential mortgage loans. These loans are typically classified as held for sale upon origination based upon management's intent to sell the production of these loans. The student loans are carried at the lower of aggregate cost or fair value, and their fair value is determined based on sale contract prices. The mortgage loans are carried at fair value, which is based on secondary market prices for loans with similar characteristics, including an adjustment for embedded servicing value. Changes in fair value and gains and losses on sales are included in loan fees and sales. Deferred fees and costs related to these loans are not amortized but are recognized as part of the cost basis of the loan at the time it is sold. 65 table of contents 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 influenced by several qualitative factors which include collateral valuation, evaluation of performance and status, current loan portfolio composition and characteristics, trends in portfolio risk ratings, levels of non-performing assets, and prevailing regional and national economic and business conditions. 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. 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). 66 table of contents 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 evaluated quarterly 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. Securities sold under agreements to repurchase are a source of funding to the Company and are offered to cash management customers as an automated, collateralized investment account. From time to time, securities sold may also be used by the Bank to obtain additional borrowed funds at favorable rates. These borrowings are secured by a portion of the Company's investment security portfolio. 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 are further discussed in Note 19, Resale and Repurchase Agreements. 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, utilizing estimated useful lives; generally 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 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 reviewed 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. 67 table of contents 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. 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 does not utilize hedge accounting. All of the derivatives currently held by the Company are free-standing instruments, 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. In 2015, the Company began recognizing derivatives related to its origination and sales program of certain personal real estate mortgages, which included mortgage loan commitments, forward loan sale contracts, and forward contracts to sell certain to-be-announced (TBA) securities. 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. 68 table of contents 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 sheets, 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 2015. 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. 69 table of contents 3. Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses Major classifications within the Company’s held to maturity loan portfolio at December 31, 2015 and 2014 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 2015 2014 $ 4,397,893 $ 3,969,952 624,070 403,507 2,355,544 2,288,215 1,915,953 1,924,365 432,981 779,744 6,142 1,883,092 1,705,134 430,873 782,370 6,095 $ 12,436,692 $ 11,469,238 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, 2015 Additions Amounts collected Amounts written off Balance, December 31, 2015 $ $ 55,273 246,475 (250,581) — 51,167 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, 2015 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, 2015, unfunded loan commitments totaled $10.0 billion (which included $4.7 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, 2015, 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 $1.5 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 $463.1 million and $413.0 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, which is included in business loans on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. This investment includes deferred income of $29.4 million and $26.4 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The net investment in operating leases amounted to $16.9 million and $22.8 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and is included in other assets on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. 70 table of contents 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, 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 Provision for loan losses Deductions: Loans charged off Less recoveries Net loans charged off (recoveries) Balance at December 31, 2015 Commercial Personal Banking Total $ 105,725 $ 66,807 $ 172,532 (16,143) 36,496 20,353 5,170 9,777 (4,607) 94,189 (5,204) 4,548 5,185 (637) 89,622 (9,319) 4,057 5,840 (1,783) 49,029 13,069 35,960 67,343 34,735 48,225 13,057 35,168 66,910 38,046 46,993 11,483 35,510 54,199 22,846 31,353 161,532 29,531 52,773 18,242 34,531 156,532 28,727 51,050 17,323 33,727 $ 82,086 $ 69,446 $ 151,532 The following table shows the balance in the allowance for loan losses and the related loan balance at December 31, 2015 and 2014, 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, 2015 Commercial Personal Banking Total December 31, 2014 Commercial Personal Banking Total Impaired Loans All Other Loans Allowance for Loan Losses Loans Outstanding Allowance for Loan Losses Loans Outstanding 1,927 $ 1,557 3,484 $ 4,527 $ 2,314 6,841 $ 43,027 22,287 65,314 55,551 25,537 81,088 $ $ $ $ 80,159 $ 7,334,480 67,889 5,036,898 148,048 $ 12,371,378 85,095 $ 6,606,123 64,596 4,782,027 149,691 $ 11,388,150 $ $ $ $ 71 table of contents Impaired loans The table below shows the Company’s investment in impaired loans at December 31, 2015 and 2014. 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 current accounting guidance. 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 76. (In thousands) Non-accrual loans Restructured loans (accruing) Total impaired loans 2015 2014 $ $ 26,575 $ 38,739 65,314 $ 40,775 40,313 81,088 72 table of contents The following table provides additional information about impaired loans held by the Company at December 31, 2015 and 2014, 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, 2015 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, 2014 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 9,330 $ 11,777 $ 2,961 4,793 373 8,956 6,264 373 17,457 $ 27,370 $ — — — — — 18,227 $ 20,031 $ 1,119 1,227 6,489 7,667 5,599 704 7,944 2,804 9,008 10,530 5,599 852 7,944 47,857 $ 65,314 $ 56,768 $ 84,138 $ 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 $ 63 745 831 63 67 596 3,484 3,484 — — — — — 1,844 1,081 1,602 1,441 50 9 814 6,841 6,841 $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ Total average impaired loans during 2015 and 2014 are shown in the table below. (In thousands) Commercial 2015 Personal Banking Total Commercial 2014 Personal Banking Total Average impaired loans: Non-accrual loans Restructured loans (accruing) Total $ $ 24,284 $ 5,449 $ 16,671 18,395 40,955 $ 23,844 $ 29,733 35,066 64,799 $ $ 38,114 $ 7,132 $ 33,156 20,040 71,270 $ 27,172 $ 45,246 53,196 98,442 73 table of contents The table below shows interest income recognized during the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 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 2015 2014 2013 $ 495 $ 344 $ 80 122 187 348 20 750 361 153 208 286 27 993 $ 2,002 $ 2,372 $ 509 758 215 263 346 36 1,116 3,243 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, 2015 and 2014. (In thousands) December 31, 2015 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, 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 Current or Less Than 30 Days Past Due 30 – 89 Days Past Due 90 Days Past Due and Still Accruing Non-accrual Total $ 4,384,149 $ 2,306 $ 564 $ 10,874 $ 4,397,893 617,838 2,340,919 1,901,330 1,903,389 427,998 762,750 5,834 3,142 6,762 7,117 18,273 2,641 8,894 308 — — 3,081 2,703 2,019 8,100 — 3,090 7,863 4,425 — 323 — — 624,070 2,355,544 1,915,953 1,924,365 432,981 779,744 6,142 $ 12,344,207 $ 49,443 $ 16,467 $ 26,575 $ 12,436,692 $ 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 74 table of contents 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, 2015 Pass Special mention Substandard Non-accrual Total December 31, 2014 Pass Special mention Substandard Non-accrual Total Commercial Loans Business Real Estate - Construction Real Estate - Business Total $ 4,278,857 $ 618,788 $ 2,281,565 $ 7,179,210 $ $ 49,302 58,860 10,874 1,033 1,159 3,090 4,397,893 $ 624,070 $ 15,009 51,107 7,863 2,355,544 $ 65,344 111,126 21,827 7,377,507 3,871,569 $ 385,831 $ 2,184,541 $ 6,441,941 62,904 23,919 11,560 3,865 8,654 5,157 40,668 45,140 17,866 107,437 77,713 34,583 $ 3,969,952 $ 403,507 $ 2,288,215 $ 6,661,674 75 table of contents 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 loans totaled $257.8 million at December 31, 2015 and $244.3 million at December 31, 2014; less than 6.0% of the Personal Banking portfolio. For the remainder of loans in the Personal Banking portfolio, the table below shows the percentage of balances outstanding at December 31, 2015 and 2014 by FICO score. December 31, 2015 FICO score: Under 600 600 – 659 660 – 719 720 – 779 780 and over Total December 31, 2014 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 1.5% 4.5% 1.5% 3.9% 3.0 9.1 25.0 61.4 9.7 21.8 26.4 37.6 3.9 13.6 28.4 52.6 12.0 31.7 27.9 24.5 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 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 % 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 $53.7 million at December 31, 2015. 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 $14.9 million at December 31, 2015. Other performing restructured loans totaled $38.7 million at December 31, 2015. 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 $21.9 million and $21.8 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, 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 $7.9 million at December 31, 2015 and $10.4 million at December 31, 2014. 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 $8.5 million and $8.1 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Interest on these loans is being recognized on an accrual basis, as the borrowers are continuing to make payments. 76 table of contents The table below shows the outstanding balance of loans classified as troubled debt restructurings at December 31, 2015, 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, 2015 $ 26,248 $ 4,116 4,793 4,547 5,623 391 7,944 $ 53,662 $ — 1,081 — 27 43 43 586 1,780 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 $3.5 million at December 31, 2015 to lend additional funds to borrowers with restructured loans, compared to $6.9 million at December 31, 2014. Loans held for sale Beginning January 1, 2015, certain long-term fixed rate personal real estate loan originations have been designated as held for sale, and the Company has elected the fair value option for these loans. The election of the fair value option aligns the accounting for these loans with the related economic hedges discussed in Note 18. At December 31, 2015, the fair value of these loans was $5.0 million, and the unpaid principal balance was $4.9 million. The unrealized gain in fair value was recognized in loan fees and sales in the consolidated statements of income. None of these loans were on non-accrual status or past due. Interest income with respect to loans held for sale is accrued based on the principal amount outstanding and the loan's contractual interest rate. Beginning in the third quarter of 2015, the Company has designated certain student loan originations as held for sale. The borrowers are credit-worthy students who are attending colleges and universities. The loans are intended to be sold in the secondary market, and the Company maintains contracts with Sallie Mae to sell the loans at various times while the student is attending 77 table of contents school or shortly after graduation. At December 31, 2015, the balance of these loans was $2.6 million. These loans are carried at lower of cost or fair value, and none were on non-accrual status or past due. Foreclosed real estate/repossessed assets The Company’s holdings of foreclosed real estate totaled $2.8 million and $5.5 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Personal property acquired in repossession, generally autos and marine and recreational vehicles, totaled $3.3 million and $2.4 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Upon acquisition, these assets are recorded at fair value less estimated selling costs at the date of foreclosure, establishing a new cost basis. They are subsequently carried at the lower of this cost basis or fair value less estimated selling costs. 4. Investment Securities Investment securities, at fair value, consisted of the following at December 31, 2015 and 2014. (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 2015 2014 $ 727,076 $ 793,023 1,741,957 2,618,281 879,963 2,644,381 331,320 41,003 9,777,004 11,890 112,786 501,407 963,127 1,813,201 2,593,708 382,744 3,091,993 139,161 38,219 9,523,560 15,357 106,875 $ 9,901,680 $ 9,645,792 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 $46.8 million and $46.6 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, 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 $65.6 million and $60.2 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, 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, 2015 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, 2015. 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. 78 table of contents (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 After 10 years Total other debt securities Equity securities Amortized Cost Fair Value Weighted Average Yield 1.82*% 1.56* .63* .02* 1.29* 2.08 1.62 2.41 2.51 1.79 2.78 2.40 2.43 3.16 2.46 2.62 2.54 1.33 2.05 $ 59,506 $ 474,370 143,468 52,502 729,846 15,725 619,406 154,151 5,630 794,912 105,233 673,068 870,631 57,703 59,870 476,793 142,759 47,654 727,076 15,818 618,442 153,327 5,436 793,023 105,507 688,528 889,719 58,203 1,706,635 1,741,957 2,579,031 2,618,281 879,186 2,660,201 6,118,418 879,963 2,644,381 6,142,625 9,294 94,871 219,760 12,000 335,925 5,678 9,359 94,140 216,285 11,536 331,320 41,003 Total available for sale investment securities $ 9,691,414 $ 9,777,004 * Rate does not reflect inflation adjustment on inflation-protected securities Investments in U.S. government securities include U.S. Treasury inflation-protected securities, which totaled $416.8 million, at fair value, at December 31, 2015. 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 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. In December 2015, auction rate securities with a par value of $80.8 million were called by the issuer, reducing the Company's holdings to $17.2 million, at fair value, at December 31, 2015. Equity securities are primarily comprised of investments in common stock held by the Parent, which totaled $38.3 million, at fair value, at December 31, 2015. 79 table of contents 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, 2015 Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Fair Value U.S. government and federal agency obligations $ 729,846 $ 5,051 $ (7,821) $ 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, 2014 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 794,912 1,706,635 2,579,031 879,186 2,660,201 6,118,418 335,925 5,678 2,657 37,061 47,856 8,596 1,287 57,739 377 35,325 (4,546) (1,739) (8,606) (7,819) (17,107) (33,532) (4,982) — 727,076 793,023 1,741,957 2,618,281 879,963 2,644,381 6,142,625 331,320 41,003 $ $ 9,691,414 $ 138,210 $ (52,620) $ 9,777,004 497,336 $ 9,095 $ (5,024) $ 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 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, 2015, the fair value of securities on this watch list was $95.8 million compared to $123.9 million at December 31, 2014. As of December 31, 2015, 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 $44.0 million. The cumulative credit-related portion of the impairment on these securities, which was recorded in earnings, totaled $14.1 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 80 Range 0% - 25% 17% - 53% 0% - 24% 19% - 63% table of contents 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 not previously recognized 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 2015 2014 2013 $ $ 13,734 $ 12,499 $ 76 407 (88) — 1,365 (130) 11,306 — 1,284 (91) 14,129 $ 13,734 $ 12,499 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, 2015 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 $ 491,998 $ 3,098 $ 31,012 $ 4,723 $ 523,010 $ 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, 2014 157,830 66,998 530,035 653,603 2,207,922 3,391,560 244,452 $ 4,352,838 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 224,808 172,980 55,128 141,655 1,424,457 1,621,240 16,434 $ $ 1,975 544 2,989 7,059 12,492 22,540 3,687 110,250 31,120 291,902 54,536 223,311 569,749 25,218 2,571 1,195 5,617 760 4,615 268,080 98,118 821,937 708,139 2,431,233 10,992 3,961,309 1,295 269,670 31,844 $ 767,349 $ 20,776 $ 5,120,187 818 922 646 429 609 2,009 3,047 55 $ 32,077 $ 224,779 215,702 381,617 43,659 159,098 584,374 80,203 4,206 7,118 7,708 5,163 619 3,094 8,876 1,988 $ 122,338 449,587 388,682 436,745 185,314 1,583,555 2,205,614 96,637 $ $ 7,821 4,546 1,739 8,606 7,819 17,107 33,532 4,982 52,620 5,024 8,040 8,354 5,592 1,228 5,103 11,923 2,043 $ 2,125,723 $ 5,488 $ 1,137,135 $ 29,896 $ 3,262,858 $ 35,384 The total available for sale portfolio consisted of approximately 2,000 individual securities at December 31, 2015. The portfolio included 466 securities, having an aggregate fair value of $5.1 billion, that were in a loss position at December 31, 2015, compared to 363 securities, with a fair value of $3.3 billion, at December 31, 2014. The total amount of unrealized loss on these securities increased $17.2 million to $52.6 million. At December 31, 2015, the fair value of securities in an unrealized loss position for 12 months or longer totaled $767.3 million, or 7.8% of the total portfolio value, and included only one security identified as other- than-temporarily impaired. The Company’s holdings of state and municipal obligations included gross unrealized losses of $1.7 million at December 31, 2015. Of these losses, $1.2 million related to auction rate securities and $566 thousand related to other state and municipal obligations. The state and municipal portfolio totaled $1.7 billion at fair value, or 17.8% of total available for sale securities. The portfolio is diversified in order to reduce risk, and 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. 81 table of contents The credit ratings (Moody’s rating or equivalent) at December 31, 2015 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 6.7% 78.0 14.6 .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 2015 2014 2013 $ $ $ 675,870 $ 13,161 689,031 $ 30,998 $ 33,444 64,442 $ 2,925 $ — $ — — (483) 2,516 (40) 1,402 (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) (4,425) Investment securities gains (losses), net $ 6,320 $ 14,124 $ Investment securities with a fair value of $4.1 billion and $4.7 billion were pledged at December 31, 2015 and 2014, 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 $568.3 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. 5. Land, Buildings and Equipment Land, buildings and equipment consist of the following at December 31, 2015 and 2014: (In thousands) Land Buildings and improvements Equipment Total Less accumulated depreciation Net land, buildings and equipment 2015 2014 $ 105,182 $ 541,736 250,193 897,111 544,530 $ 352,581 $ 106,599 535,039 244,239 885,877 528,006 357,871 Depreciation expense of $30.1 million, $29.8 million and $30.7 million for 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, was included in occupancy expense and equipment expense in the consolidated statements of income. Repairs and maintenance expense of $16.3 million, $16.5 million and $16.8 million for 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, was included in occupancy expense and equipment expense. There has been no interest expense capitalized on construction projects in the past three years. 82 table of contents 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, 2015 December 31, 2014 Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Valuation Allowance Net Amount Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Valuation Allowance Net Amount $ 31,270 4,638 $ 35,908 $ $ (26,239) (2,971) (29,210) $ $ — $ 5,031 1,638 (29) $ 6,669 (29) $ 31,270 3,693 $ 34,963 $ $ (24,698) (2,718) (27,416) $ $ — $ 6,572 878 (97) $ 7,450 (97) The carrying amount of goodwill and its allocation among segments at December 31, 2015 and 2014 is shown in the table below. As a result of ongoing assessments, no impairment of goodwill was recorded in 2015, 2014 or 2013. Further, the annual assessment of qualitative factors on January 1, 2016 revealed no likelihood of impairment as of that date. (In thousands) Consumer segment Commercial segment Wealth segment Total goodwill December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 $ $ 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, 2015 and 2014 are shown in the following table. (In thousands) Balance at December 31, 2013 Originations Amortization Impairment Balance at December 31, 2014 Originations Amortization Impairment reversal Goodwill Core Deposit Premium Mortgage Servicing Rights $ 138,921 $ 8,489 $ — — — 138,921 — — — — (1,917) — 6,572 — (1,541) — 779 263 (151) (13) 878 945 (253) 68 1,638 Balance at December 31, 2015 $ 138,921 $ 5,031 $ 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, 2015, temporary impairment of $29 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, 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $1.8 million, $2.1 million and $2.2 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, 2015. 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) 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 $ 1,412 1,068 817 677 553 83 table of contents 7. Deposits At December 31, 2015, the scheduled maturities of total time open and certificates of deposit were as follows: (In thousands) Due in 2016 Due in 2017 Due in 2018 Due in 2019 Due in 2020 Thereafter Total $ 1,547,305 212,969 125,508 46,533 61,059 4,335 $ 1,997,709 The following table shows a detailed breakdown of the maturities of time open and certificates of deposit, by size category, at December 31, 2015. (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 $100,000 144,126 $ 28,527 $ 317,181 $ 13,995 $ 157,787 234,347 83,037 31,508 46,719 59,140 338,601 182,054 298,460 17,505 34,955 9,767 Total 503,829 545,401 498,075 450,404 619,297 $ 165,894 $ 1,136,296 $ 76,222 $ 1,997,709 $ $ The aggregate amount of time open and certificates of deposit that exceeded the $250,000 FDIC insurance limit totaled $922.1 million at December 31, 2015. 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: 2015 2014 2013 Year End Weighted Rate Average Weighted Rate Average Balance Outstanding Maximum Outstanding at any Month End Balance at December 31 .2% .1 .1 .1% $ 1,654,860 $ 2,193,197 $ 1,963,552 .1 .1 1,119,578 914,554 1,862,518 1,479,849 1,862,518 996,558 Short-term borrowings consist primarily of federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase (repurchase agreements), which generally have one day maturities. Short-term repurchase agreements at December 31, 2015 were comprised of non-insured customer funds totaling $1.4 billion, which were secured by a portion of the Company's investment portfolio. Additional information about the securities pledged for repurchase agreements is provided in Note 19 on Resale and Repurchase Agreements. 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, 2015, total outstanding advances were $103.8 million with a weighted interest rate of 3.5% and a remaining maturity of two years. All of the outstanding advances have fixed interest rates and contain prepayment penalties. The FHLB has also issued letters of credit, totaling $291.5 million at December 31, 2015, to secure the Company’s obligations to certain depositors of public funds. 84 table of contents 9. Income Taxes The components of income tax expense from operations for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 were as follows: (In thousands) Year ended December 31, 2015: U.S. federal State and local Total Year ended December 31, 2014: U.S. federal State and local Total Year ended December 31, 2013: U.S. federal State and local Total Current Deferred Total $ $ $ $ $ $ 102,607 $ 6,551 109,158 $ 110,552 $ 11,637 122,189 $ 103,094 $ 10,900 113,994 $ 7,084 $ 348 7,432 $ (679) $ 139 (540) $ 7,984 $ 1,217 9,201 $ 109,691 6,899 116,590 109,873 11,776 121,649 111,078 12,117 123,195 The components of income tax (benefit) expense recorded directly to stockholders’ equity for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 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 2015 2014 2013 $ $ (19,634) $ 1,478 (2,132) (20,288) $ 36,525 $ (4,433) (1,850) 30,242 $ (84,582) 6,981 (1,003) (78,604) Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31, 2015 and 2014 were as follows: (In thousands) Deferred tax assets: Loans, principally due to allowance for loan losses Accrued expenses Equity-based compensation Private equity investments 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) 2015 2014 $ $ 60,885 $ 15,080 12,733 8,157 7,751 5,078 5,291 114,975 67,938 32,524 12,186 7,674 5,893 4,129 130,344 (15,369) $ 68,014 14,590 12,689 6,001 7,397 5,885 10,172 124,748 67,531 52,158 14,520 7,532 5,919 3,181 150,841 (26,093) 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. 85 table of contents 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 2015, 2014 and 2013 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: 2015 2014 2013 $ 133,112 $ 134,191 $ 134,455 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 (19,083) 4,484 (1,093) (830) 116,590 $ (17,806) 7,655 (1,116) (1,275) 121,649 $ (16,612) 7,876 (1,116) (1,408) 123,195 $ The gross amount of unrecognized tax benefits was $1.3 million at both December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that would impact the effective tax rate, if recognized, was $830 thousand and $852 thousand, respectively. The activity in the accrued liability for unrecognized tax benefits for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 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 2015 2014 $ $ 1,312 $ 40 — 272 (346) 1,278 $ 1,428 20 (5) 299 (430) 1,312 The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to income tax by federal, state and local government taxing authorities. Tax years 2012 through 2015 remain open to examination for U.S. federal income tax as well as income tax in major state taxing jurisdictions. 10. Employee Benefit Plans 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 2015 2014 2013 22,235 $ 20,659 12,841 1,495 2,950 60,180 $ 21,417 $ 22,855 12,057 2,555 2,585 61,469 $ 21,118 18,490 12,465 1,627 2,988 56,688 $ $ 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 2015 or 2014, and the minimum required contribution for 2016 is expected to be zero. The Company does not expect to make any further contributions in 2016 other than the necessary funding contributions to the CERP. 86 table of contents Contributions to the CERP were $20 thousand, $69 thousand and $69 thousand during 2015, 2014 and 2013, 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, 2015, 2014 and 2013. (In thousands) Service cost-benefits earned during the year Interest cost on projected benefit obligation Expected return on plan assets Amortization of prior service cost Amortization of unrecognized net loss Settlement loss recognized Net periodic pension cost 2015 2014 2013 $ 503 $ 430 $ 4,762 (6,092) (271) 2,593 — 5,069 (6,285) — 1,654 1,687 $ 1,495 $ 2,555 $ 509 4,509 (6,476) — 3,085 — 1,627 The following table sets forth the pension plans’ funded status, using valuation dates of December 31, 2015 and 2014. (In thousands) Change in projected benefit obligation Projected benefit obligation at prior valuation date Service cost Interest cost Plan settlements Plan amendments 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 2015 2014 $ 125,447 $ 113,673 503 4,762 — (2,619) (6,400) (4,131) 430 5,069 (7,163) — (5,193) 18,631 117,562 125,447 104,794 107,172 911 20 — (6,400) 99,325 9,909 69 (7,163) (5,193) 104,794 (20,653) Funded status and net amount recognized at valuation date $ (18,237) $ The accumulated benefit obligation, which represents the liability of a plan using only benefits as of the measurement date, was $117.6 million and $125.4 million for the combined plans on December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. 87 table of contents Amounts not yet reflected in net periodic benefit cost and included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at December 31, 2015 and 2014 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 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 Prior service cost Net loss arising during period Amortization or settlement recognition of net loss Amortization of prior service credit Total recognized in other comprehensive income Total income (expense) recognized in net periodic pension cost and other comprehensive income 2015 2014 $ $ $ $ $ 2,348 $ (35,602) (33,254) 15,017 (18,237) $ 2,618 $ (1,050) 2,593 (271) 3,890 $ 2,395 $ — (37,145) (37,145) 16,492 (20,653) — (15,007) 3,341 — (11,666) (14,221) The estimated net loss and prior service credit to be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic pension cost in 2016 is $2.3 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 2015 2014 2013 4.15% 5.00% 3.95% 6.00% 5.00% 3.95% 5.00% 4.55% 6.00% 5.00% 4.55% 5.00% 3.65% 6.50% 5.00% 88 table of contents The following table shows the fair values of the Company’s pension plan assets by asset category at December 31, 2015 and 2014. 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, 2015 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, 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 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 $ 2,540 $ 2,540 $ — $ 1,208 10,478 1,352 5,740 6,965 32,800 15,746 12,960 2,545 3,125 392 — — — — — — 15,746 12,960 2,545 3,125 392 1,208 10,478 1,352 5,740 6,965 32,800 — — — — — 3,474 99,325 $ 3,474 40,782 $ — 58,543 $ 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 $ — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — (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 manufacturing sectors. 89 table of contents The investment policy of the pension plan is designed for growth in principal, 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, 2015. 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 2015 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 6.6%. During 2015, the plan’s rate of return was .6%, compared to 9.1% in 2014. 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 2016, compared to $1.5 million in 2015. The increase in expense expected in 2016 as compared to 2015 is primarily due to asset losses that occurred during 2015, partly offset by a higher discount rate and the effect of the new mortality projection scale 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 on that date by $11.4 million. At December 31, 2015, the Company incorporated an updated mortality projection scale published by the Society of Actuaries, which decreased the benefit obligation on that date by $1.8 million. The following future benefit payments are expected to be paid: (In thousands) 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 - 2025 $ 6,922 7,102 7,202 7,249 7,419 36,940 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. During the past three years, stock-based compensation has been issued in the form of nonvested stock awards and stock appreciation rights. At December 31, 2015, 3,303,021 shares remained available for issuance under the plan. The stock-based compensation expense that was charged against income was $10.1 million, $8.8 million and $6.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The total income tax benefit recognized in the income statement for share-based compensation arrangements was $3.8 million, $3.3 million and $2.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. 90 table of contents Nonvested Restricted Stock Awards 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 of restricted stock awards. A summary of the status of the Company’s nonvested share awards as of December 31, 2015 and changes during the year then ended is presented below. Nonvested at January 1, 2015 Granted Vested Forfeited Shares 1,322,502 233,654 (150,196) (21,543) Nonvested at December 31, 2015 1,384,417 $ Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value 32.77 $ 39.85 28.67 34.37 34.38 The total fair value (at vest date) of shares vested during 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $6.0 million, $4.5 million and $2.1 million, respectively. Stock Appreciation Rights and Stock Options 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 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. A summary of SAR activity during 2015 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, 2015 Granted Forfeited Expired Exercised Outstanding at December 31, 2015 Exercisable at December 31, 2015 Vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2015 1,869,224 $ 252,149 (7,837) (1,237) (523,842) 1,588,457 $ 1,078,797 $ 1,563,538 $ 32.34 39.43 37.46 35.53 31.44 33.74 31.56 33.67 4.3 years $ 13,978 2.4 years $ 11,845 4.2 years $ 13,867 91 table of contents Non-qualified stock options were granted in 2005 and prior years, vesting ratably over three years of continuous service with 10-year contractual terms. The last of these was exercised in 2015, as shown in the summary of stock option activity during 2015 below. Outstanding at January 1, 2015 72,091 $ 27.88 Weighted Average Exercise Price Shares Granted Forfeited Expired Exercised Outstanding, exercisable and vested at December 31, 2015 — — — — — — (72,091) — $ 27.88 — 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 during the past three years are shown in the table below. Weighted per share average fair value at grant date Assumptions: Dividend yield Volatility Risk-free interest rate Expected term 2015 $7.22 2014 2013 $8.40 $6.18 2.2% 21.3% 1.8% 2.0% 22.1% 2.3% 2.3% 23.2% 1.2% 7.2 years 7.1 years 7.3 years 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 2015 2014 2013 $ $ $ 7,541 $ 1,914 $ 1,041 $ 8,068 8,652 1,153 $ $ $ 6,580 9,426 335 As of December 31, 2015, there was $19.9 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 2.7 years. Directors Stock Purchase Plan 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 106,865 at December 31, 2015. In 2015, 23,425 shares were purchased at an average price of $41.60, and in 2014, 21,122 shares were purchased at an average price of $40.32. * All share and per share amounts in this note have been restated for the 5% common stock dividend distributed in 2015. 92 table of contents 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. (In thousands) Balance January 1, 2015 Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Securities (1) OTTI Other Pension Loss (2) Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income $ 3,791 $ 81,310 $ (23,008) $ 62,093 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 Transfer of unrealized gain on securities for which impairment was not previously recognized Balance December 31, 2015 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 (1,319) 483 (836) 318 (518) 43 3,316 4,203 (2,030) 1,365 (665) 253 (412) $ $ (47,907) (2,926) (50,833) 19,316 (31,517) (43) 49,750 21,303 93,158 3,627 96,785 (36,778) 60,007 $ $ 1,568 2,322 3,890 (1,478) 2,412 — (20,596) (15,775) (15,007) 3,341 (11,666) 4,433 (7,233) $ $ Balance December 31, 2014 $ 3,791 $ 81,310 $ (23,008) $ (47,658) (121) (47,779) 18,156 (29,623) — 32,470 9,731 76,121 8,333 84,454 (32,092) 52,362 62,093 (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 prior service cost, "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. Effective January 1, 2015, certain personal real estate loans, which are held for investment and totaled approximately $340 million, were removed from the Consumer segment. These loans were transferred to the "Other/Elimination" category, outside of segment totals. Management's performance evaluation of the residential mortgage business within the Consumer segment is based on originations and sales of mortgages and the related fees. Information for prior periods presented below have been revised to reflect the transfer of the held for investment loans and their related income and expense, in order to provide comparable data. 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 procedures and methods, which have been developed to reflect the underlying economics of the businesses. These methodologies are 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. 93 table of contents 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. 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, 2015: 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, 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 Consumer Commercial Wealth Segment Totals Other/ Elimination Consolidated Totals $ $ $ $ $ 266,328 $ (34,864) 119,558 — (273,323) 77,699 $ 264,974 $ (34,913) 113,869 — (263,521) 80,409 $ 262,579 $ (33,943) 108,180 — (260,336) $ 76,480 $ 296,466 $ 1,032 194,131 — (267,521) 224,108 $ 287,244 $ 559 190,538 — (254,121) 224,220 $ 280,121 $ 3,772 186,433 — (235,382) 234,944 $ 42,653 $ 75 136,374 — (108,755) 70,347 $ 40,128 $ 372 128,238 — (98,821) 69,917 $ 40,185 $ (688) 117,322 — (96,530) 60,289 $ 605,447 $ (33,757) 450,063 — (649,599) 372,154 $ 592,346 $ (33,982) 432,645 — (616,463) 374,546 $ 582,885 $ (30,859) 411,935 — (592,248) 371,713 $ 28,873 $ 5,030 (2,508) 6,320 (26,304) 11,411 $ 27,858 $ 4,451 3,333 14,124 (39,879) 9,887 $ 36,487 $ 10,506 6,451 (4,425) (36,420) 12,599 $ 634,320 (28,727) 447,555 6,320 (675,903) 383,565 620,204 (29,531) 435,978 14,124 (656,342) 384,433 619,372 (20,353) 418,386 (4,425) (628,668) 384,312 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 2015: Assets Loans, including held for sale Goodwill and other intangible assets Deposits Average balances for 2014: Assets Loans, including held for sale Goodwill and other intangible assets Deposits $ $ Consumer Commercial Wealth Segment Totals Other/ Elimination Consolidated Totals 2,643,094 $ 2,500,002 75,964 9,667,972 7,302,671 $ 7,125,310 69,246 7,548,925 1,038,119 $ 1,029,332 746 2,056,190 10,983,884 $ 10,654,644 145,956 19,273,087 12,753,718 $ 1,218,747 — 52,504 23,737,602 11,873,391 145,956 19,325,591 2,519,476 $ 2,376,275 76,786 9,536,003 6,966,453 $ 6,783,404 69,733 7,288,884 931,397 $ 922,120 746 1,911,391 10,417,326 $ 10,081,799 147,265 18,736,278 12,255,597 $ 1,178,434 — 59,398 22,672,923 11,260,233 147,265 18,795,676 94 table of contents 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. 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 14, 2015, the Company distributed a 5% stock dividend on its $5 par common stock for the 22nd 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 2015 2014 2013 $ $ $ $ $ $ 263,730 $ 9,000 254,730 3,548 251,182 $ 97,974 2.56 $ 254,730 $ 3,541 251,189 $ 97,974 261,754 $ 4,050 257,704 3,332 254,372 $ 101,833 2.50 $ 257,704 $ 3,323 254,381 $ 101,833 305 98,279 420 102,253 2.56 $ 2.49 $ 260,961 — 260,961 2,939 258,022 104,280 2.47 260,961 2,931 258,030 104,280 439 104,719 2.46 Nearly all unexercised stock options and stock appreciation rights were included in the computations of diluted income per share for the years ended 2014 and 2013. Unexercised options and rights of 402 thousand were excluded from the computation of diluted income per share for the year ended December 31, 2015 because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive. In June 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. 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 95 table of contents 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 net proceeds from the issuance and sale of the Series B Preferred Stock were approximately $144.8 million and were used to fund, in part, an accelerated share repurchase (ASR) program. Under this ASR agreement, the Company paid $200.0 million to Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC (Morgan Stanley) and received from Morgan Stanley 3,368,616 shares of the Company’s common stock in June 2014. Final settlement occurred in June 2015 at which time the remaining shares, totaling 1,554,397 were received by the Company. The specific number of shares that the Company ultimately repurchased was based on the volume-weighted- average price per share of the Company’s common stock during the repurchase period. The Company entered into a second ASR agreement in May 2015, under which it paid $100.0 million to Morgan Stanley and received from Morgan Stanley 1,893,598 shares of common stock at that time. Final settlement occurred in August 2015, at which time the remaining shares, totaling 369,201, were received by the Company. The Company accounted for repurchases under each 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. The shares purchased under the ASR agreements are part of the Company's stock repurchase program, as authorized by its board of directors. The most recent board authorization in October 2015 approved future purchases of 5,000,000 shares of the Company's common stock. At December 31, 2015, 4,717,944 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 share buyback programs Other purchases of treasury stock Other Shares outstanding at December 31 Years Ended December 31 2015 2014 2013 96,327 95,881 91,414 435 4,641 — (3,635) (535) (7) 97,226 549 4,586 — (3,055) (1,626) (8) 96,327 653 4,565 1,000 — (1,742) (9) 95,881 * Except as noted in the above table, all share and per share amounts in this note have been restated for the 5% common stock dividend distributed in 2015. 15. Regulatory Capital Requirements 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. 96 table of contents The following tables show the capital amounts and ratios for the Company (on a consolidated basis) and the Bank, together with the minimum capital adequacy and well-capitalized capital requirements (under transition provisions, if applicable), at the last two year ends. (Dollars in thousands) Amount Ratio Amount Ratio Amount Ratio Actual Minimum Capital Adequacy Requirement Well-Capitalized Capital Requirement December 31, 2015 (under Basel III) Total Capital (to risk-weighted assets): Commerce Bancshares, Inc. (consolidated) $ 2,364,761 13.28% $ 1,424,764 8.00% N.A. N.A. Commerce Bank 2,135,668 12.07 1,415,812 8.00 $ 1,769,765 10.00% Tier I Capital (to risk-weighted assets): Commerce Bancshares, Inc. (consolidated) $ 2,196,258 12.33% $ 1,068,573 6.00% N.A. Commerce Bank 1,983,051 11.21 1,061,859 6.00 $ 1,415,812 Tier I Common Capital (to risk-weighted assets): Commerce Bancshares, Inc. (consolidated) $ 2,051,474 11.52% $ 801,430 4.50% N.A. Commerce Bank 1,983,051 11.21 796,394 4.50 $ 1,150,347 Tier I Capital (to adjusted quarterly average assets): (Leverage Ratio) Commerce Bancshares, Inc. (consolidated) $ 2,196,258 9.23% $ 951,370 4.00% N.A. Commerce Bank 1,983,051 8.37 948,259 4.00 $ 1,185,324 N.A. 8.00% N.A. 6.50% N.A. 5.00% December 31, 2014 (under Basel I) Total Capital (to risk-weighted assets): 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 1,869,053 8.24 907,807 4.00 $ 1,134,759 N.A. 6.00% N.A. 5.00% In 2013 and 2014, the U.S. bank regulators approved the final rules implementing the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision's capital adequacy guidelines, which were effective January 1, 2015. Under the final rules, known as Basel III, minimum requirements increased for both the quantity and quality of capital held by the Company. The rules included a new common equity Tier I capital to risk-weighted assets minimum ratio of 4.5%, raised 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, was 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 began 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 ending January 1, 2019. The Basel III minimum required ratios for well-capitalized banks (under prompt corrective action provisions) are 6.5% for Tier I common capital, 8.0% for Tier I capital, 10.0% for Total capital and 5.0% for the leverage ratio. These thresholds were effective January 1, 2015. At December 31, 2015, the Company met all capital requirements to which it is subject, and the Bank’s capital position exceeded the regulatory definition of well-capitalized. 97 table of contents 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. 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. 98 table of contents 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, 2015 and 2014. There were no transfers among levels during these years. (In thousands) December 31, 2015 Assets: Residential mortgage loans held for sale 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, 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 * 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 $ 4,981 $ — $ 4,981 $ — 727,076 793,023 1,741,957 2,618,281 879,963 2,644,381 331,320 41,003 11,890 63,032 12,771 9,278 9,878,956 727,076 — — — — — — 20,263 — — — 9,278 756,617 — 793,023 1,724,762 2,618,281 879,963 2,644,381 331,320 20,740 11,890 — 12,507 — 9,041,848 12,729 12,729 $ — — $ 12,534 12,534 $ 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 $ — — 17,195 — — — — — — 63,032 264 — 80,491 195 195 — — 95,143 — — — — — — 57,581 3 — 152,727 226 226 99 table of contents 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: Residential mortgage loans held for sale The Company originates fixed rate, first lien residential mortgage loans that are intended for sale in the secondary market. Fair value is based on quoted secondary market prices for loans with similar characteristics, which are adjusted to include the embedded servicing value in the loans. This adjustment represents an unobservable input to the valuation but is not considered significant given the relative insensitivity of the valuation to changes in this input. Accordingly, these loan measurements are classified as Level 2. 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 100 table of contents 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. • 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. 101 table of contents • Derivatives relating to residential mortgage loan sale activity include commitments to originate mortgage loans held for sale, forward loan sale contracts, and forward commitments to sell TBA securities. The fair values of loan commitments and sale contracts are estimated using quoted market prices for loans similar to the underlying loans in these instruments. The valuations of loan commitments are further adjusted to include embedded servicing value and the probability of funding. These assumptions are considered Level 3 inputs and are significant to the loan commitment valuation; accordingly, the measurement of loan commitments is classified as Level 3. The fair value measurement of TBA contracts is based on security prices published on trading platforms and is classified as Level 2. 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. 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, 2015: Balance at January 1, 2015 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 / pay down of private equity securities Capitalized interest/dividends Sale of risk participation agreement Balance at December 31, 2015 Total gains or losses for the year months included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to assets still held at December 31, 2015 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 / pay down 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 year months included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to assets still held at December 31, 2014 Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) State and Municipal Obligations Private Equity Investments Derivatives Total $ 95,143 $ 57,581 $ (223) $ 152,501 — 4,169 (82,825) 708 — — — — 1,402 — — — 13,112 (9,204) 141 — 17,195 $ 63,032 $ 320 — — — — — — (28) 69 $ 1,722 4,169 (82,825) 708 13,112 (9,204) 141 (28) 80,296 — $ 1,127 $ 322 $ 1,449 127,724 $ 56,612 $ (65) $ 184,271 — 3,638 (38,225) 2,006 — — — — — 95,143 $ 19,137 122 — — — 14,152 (32,464) 144 — — 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 $ $ $ $ $ 102 table of contents 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, 2015: Loan Fees and Sales 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, 2015 Year ended December 31, 2014: Total gains or losses included in earnings Change in unrealized gains or losses relating to assets still held at December 31, 2014 $ $ $ $ 263 $ 263 $ — $ — $ 57 $ 59 $ 1,402 $ 1,127 $ 1,722 1,449 122 $ 19,137 $ 19,259 118 $ 718 $ 836 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, investments in portfolio concerns held by the Company's private equity subsidiaries, and held for sale residential mortgage loan commitments. ARS are included in state and municipal securities and totaled $17.2 million at December 31, 2015, while private equity investments, included in non-marketable securities, totaled $63.0 million. Information about these inputs is presented in the table and discussions below. Auction rate securities Private equity investments Mortgage loan commitments Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements Valuation Technique Discounted cash flow Unobservable Input Estimated market recovery period Estimated market rate Market comparable companies EBITDA multiple Discounted cash flow Probability of funding Embedded servicing value Range Weighted Average 3.3% - - 4.0 5 years 3.5% 5.5 64.1% - 100.0% 80.9% 1.0% 1.0% .9% - 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. The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Company’s derivative commitments to originate residential mortgage loans are the percentage of commitments that are actually funded and the mortgage servicing value that is inherent in the underlying loan value. A significant increase in the rate of loans that fund would result in a larger derivative asset or liability. A significant increase in the inherent mortgage servicing value would result in an increase in the derivative asset or a 103 table of contents reduction in the derivative liability. The probability of funding and the inherent mortgage servicing values are directly impacted by changes in market rates and will generally move in the same direction as interest rates. Instruments Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis For assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis during 2015 and 2014, and still held as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, 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, 2015 and 2014. (In thousands) Balance at December 31, 2015 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 $ Mortgage servicing rights Foreclosed assets Long-lived assets Balance at December 31, 2014 5,457 $ 1,638 238 822 — $ — $ — — — — — — 5,457 $ 1,638 238 822 Collateral dependent impaired loans $ 11,742 $ — $ — $ 11,742 $ Private equity investments Mortgage servicing rights Foreclosed assets Long-lived assets 984 878 2,540 9,895 — — — — — — — — 984 878 2,540 9,895 (2,464) 68 (108) (240) (1,184) (1,516) (13) (706) (2,327) 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, 2015 and 2014 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. 104 table of contents 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 When investments in branch facilities and various office buildings are determined to be impaired, their carrying values 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. 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 terms. 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”. Future cash flows for each individual loan are modeled using current rates and all contractual features, while adjusting for optionality such as prepayments. Loans with potential optionality are modeled under a multiple-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. Loans Held for Sale, 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 cash flows using an estimate of the current market rate for similar instruments. 105 table of contents 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 cash flows 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 Loans held for sale 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 Non-interest bearing deposits 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 Fair Value Hierarchy Level 2015 2014 Carrying Amount Estimated Fair Value Carrying Amount Estimated Fair Value Level 3 $ 4,397,893 $ 4,421,237 $ 3,969,952 $ 3,982,531 Level 3 Level 3 Level 3 Level 3 Level 3 Level 3 Level 3 Level 2 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 2 Level 3 Level 1 Level 3 Level 1 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 624,070 633,083 403,507 407,905 2,355,544 2,387,101 2,288,215 2,315,378 1,915,953 1,940,863 1,883,092 1,933,456 1,924,365 1,916,747 1,705,134 1,701,037 432,981 779,744 6,142 7,607 434,607 793,428 6,142 7,607 430,873 782,370 6,095 — 433,508 794,929 6,095 — 747,339 747,339 519,382 519,382 9,012,470 9,012,470 8,909,035 8,909,035 17,195 11,890 112,786 14,505 875,000 23,803 464,411 12,507 264 17,195 11,890 112,786 14,505 879,546 23,803 464,411 12,507 264 95,143 15,357 106,875 32,485 95,143 15,357 106,875 32,485 1,050,000 1,048,866 600,744 467,488 10,454 3 600,744 467,488 10,454 3 Level 1 $ 7,146,398 $ 7,146,398 $ 6,811,959 $ 6,811,959 Level 1 Level 3 Level 1 Level 3 Level 3 Level 2 Level 3 10,834,746 10,834,746 10,541,601 10,541,601 1,997,709 1,993,521 2,122,218 2,121,114 556,970 556,970 3,840 3,840 1,406,582 1,406,670 1,858,678 1,858,731 103,818 12,534 195 108,542 12,534 195 104,058 10,722 226 111,102 10,722 226 106 table of contents 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 Company's derivative instruments are accounted for as free-standing derivatives, and changes in their fair value are recorded in current earnings. (In thousands) Interest rate swaps Interest rate caps Credit risk participation agreements Foreign exchange contracts Mortgage loan commitments Mortgage loan forward sale contracts Forward TBA contracts Total notional amount December 31 2015 1,020,310 66,118 62,456 15,535 8,605 642 11,000 1,184,666 $ $ 2014 647,709 53,587 75,943 19,791 — — — 797,030 $ $ The largest group of notional amounts relate to 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. 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. The banking customer counterparties to interest rate swaps are engaged in a variety of businesses, including real estate, manufacturing, retail product distribution, education, and retirement communities. At December 31, 2015, the largest loss exposures were in the groups related to real estate, retirement communities, and education. 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 $5.5 million (real estate), $1.4 million (retirement communities), and $1.3 million (education), based on estimated amounts at December 31, 2015. 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. 107 table of contents 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. In 2015, the Company initiated a program of secondary market sales of residential mortgage loans and has designated certain newly-originated residential mortgage loans as held for sale. Derivative instruments arising from this activity include mortgage loan commitments and forward loan sale contracts. Changes in the fair values of the loan commitments and funded loans prior to sale that are due to changes in interest rates are economically hedged with forward contracts to sell residential mortgage-backed securities in the to-be-announced (TBA) market. These forward TBA contracts are also considered to be derivatives and are settled in cash at the security settlement date. 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 2015 2014 2015 2014 (In thousands) Fair Value Fair Value Derivative instruments: Interest rate swaps Interest rate caps Credit risk participation agreements Foreign exchange contracts Mortgage loan commitments Mortgage loan forward sale contracts Forward TBA contracts $ 11,993 73 $ 10,144 62 $ (11,993) (73) $ (10,166) (62) 1 437 263 — 4 3 248 — — — (195) (430) — — (38) (226) (494) — — — Total $ 12,771 $ 10,457 $ (12,729) $ (10,948) The effects of derivative instruments on the consolidated statements of income are shown in the table below. (In thousands) Derivative instruments: Interest rate swaps Interest rate caps Credit risk participation agreements Foreign exchange contracts: Mortgage loan commitments Mortgage loan forward sale contracts Forward TBA contracts Total 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 2015 2014 2013 Other non-interest income $ 4,309 $ 1,674 $ 1,140 Other non-interest income Other non-interest income Other non-interest income Loan fees and sales Loan fees and sales Loan fees and sales 32 57 253 263 — 82 33 122 (263) — — — — 234 81 — — — $ 4,996 $ 1,566 $ 1,455 The following table shows the extent to which assets and liabilities relating to derivative instruments have been offset in the consolidated balance sheets. It also provides 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 is generally cash or marketable securities. The collateral amounts in this table are limited to the outstanding balance of the related asset or liability (after netting is applied); thus amounts of excess collateral are not shown. Most of the derivatives in the following table were transacted under master netting arrangements that contain a conditional right of offset, such as close-out netting, upon default. 108 table of contents 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, 2015, the Company had a net liability position with dealer bank and clearing agency counterparties totaling $11.9 million, and had posted securities with a fair value of $2.4 million and cash totaling $17.9 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. (In thousands) December 31, 2015 Assets: Derivatives subject to master netting agreements Derivatives not subject to master netting agreements Total derivatives Liabilities: Derivatives subject to master netting agreements Derivatives not subject to master netting agreements Total derivatives December 31, 2014 Assets: Derivatives subject to master netting agreements Derivatives not subject to master netting agreements Total derivatives Liabilities: Derivatives subject to master netting agreements Derivatives not subject to master netting agreements Total derivatives 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 Collateral Received/ Pledged Net Amount $ 12,071 $ — $ 12,071 $ (94) $ — $ 11,977 700 12,771 12,299 430 12,729 — — — — — 700 12,771 12,299 430 12,729 (94) (10,927) 1,278 $ 10,209 $ — $ 10,209 $ (251) $ — $ 9,958 248 10,457 10,454 494 10,948 — — — — — 248 10,457 10,454 494 10,948 (251) (8,738) 1,465 19. Resale and Repurchase Agreements The following table shows the extent to which assets and liabilities relating to securities purchased under agreements to resell (resale agreements) and securities sold under agreements to repurchase (repurchase agreements) have been offset in the consolidated balance sheets, in addition to the extent to which they could potentially be offset. Also shown is collateral received or pledged, which consists of marketable securities. The collateral amounts in the table are limited to the outstanding balances of the related asset or liability (after netting is applied); thus amounts of excess collateral are not shown. The agreements in the following table were transacted under master netting arrangements that contain a conditional right of offset, such as close-out netting, upon default. Resale 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 resale 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. 109 table of contents The Company is party to several agreements commonly known as collateral swaps. These agreements involve the exchange of collateral under simultaneous repurchase and resale agreements with the same financial institution counterparty. These repurchase and resale agreements have the same principal amounts, inception dates, and maturity dates and have been offset against each other in the balance sheet, having met the accounting requirements for this treatment. The collateral swaps totaled $550.0 million at December 31, 2015 compared to $450.0 million at December 31, 2014. At December 31, 2015, the Company had posted collateral of $565.8 million in marketable securities, consisting mainly of agency mortgage-backed bonds and treasuries, and had accepted $629.6 million in investment grade asset-backed, commercial mortgage-backed, and corporate bonds. (In thousands) December 31, 2015 Total resale agreements, subject to master netting arrangements Total repurchase agreements, subject to master netting arrangements December 31, 2014 Total resale agreements, subject to master netting arrangements 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 $ 1,425,000 $ (550,000) $ 875,000 $ — $ (875,000) $ 1,956,582 (550,000) 1,406,582 — (1,406,582) $ 1,500,000 $ (450,000) $ 1,050,000 $ — $ (1,049,370) $ 2,308,678 (450,000) 1,858,678 — (1,858,678) — — 630 — The table below shows the remaining contractual maturities of repurchase agreements outstanding at December 31, 2015, in addition to the various types of marketable securities that have been pledged as collateral for these borrowings. (In thousands) December 31, 2015 Repurchase agreements, secured by: U.S. government and federal agency obligations Government-sponsored enterprise obligations Agency mortgage-backed securities Asset-backed securities Total repurchase agreements, gross amount recognized Remaining Contractual Maturity of the Agreements Overnight and continuous Up to 90 days Greater than 90 days Total $ $ 210,346 $ 356,970 579,974 212,000 1,359,290 $ — $ — 2,292 45,000 47,292 $ 300,000 $ 24,096 225,904 — 550,000 $ 510,346 381,066 808,170 257,000 1,956,582 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 $6.8 million, $6.7 million and $6.5 million in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. A summary of minimum lease commitments follows: (In thousands) Year Ended December 31 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 After Total minimum lease payments Type of Property Real Property Equipment Total $ 5,586 $ 47 $ 4,912 3,931 2,761 1,844 13,023 20 11 — — — $ 5,633 4,932 3,942 2,761 1,844 13,023 32,135 All leases expire prior to 2052. 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 2016. 110 table of contents 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 2015 2014 $ 4,705,715 $ 3,517,639 5,249,368 4,922,748 311,844 4,935 324,817 7,519 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, 2015, the Company had recorded a liability in the amount of $2.8 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 $311.8 million at December 31, 2015. 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 2015, purchases and sales of tax credits amounted to $39.3 million and $21.7 million, respectively. At December 31, 2015, the Company had outstanding purchase commitments totaling $67.4 million that it expects to fund in 2016. 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, 2015, 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, 2015, the fair value of the Company's guarantee liability RPAs was $195 thousand, and the notional amount of the underlying swaps was $58.5 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. 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 111 table of contents 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, 2015, 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 71% of the outstanding stock of Tower. At December 31, 2015, Tower owned 245,485 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. These 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) Leasing agent fees Operation of parking garages Building management fees Property construction management fees Dividends paid on Company stock held by Tower Total 2015 2014 2013 $ $ 66 $ 75 1,850 322 210 502 $ 86 1,824 335 200 2,523 $ 2,947 $ 50 84 1,799 114 191 2,238 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 line of credit is collateralized by Company stock and based on collateral value had a maximum borrowing amount of approximately $8.0 million at December 31, 2015. The maximum borrowings outstanding under this line during 2015 were $1.3 million, and there was no balance outstanding at December 31, 2015. The maximum borrowings outstanding during 2014 and 2013 were $3.0 million and $2.0 million, and there was $1.3 million balance outstanding at December 31, 2014. There was no balance outstanding at December 31, 2013. Interest paid on these borrowings during the last three years was not significant. Letters of credit may be collateralized under this line of credit; however, there were no letters of credit outstanding during 2015, 2014 or 2013, 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 2015, 2014 and 2013. Tower leases office space in the Kansas City bank headquarters building owned by the Company. Rent paid to the Company totaled $69 thousand in both 2015 and 2014 and $67 thousand in 2013, at $15.42, $15.17 and $14.92 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 2015, the Company sold state tax credits to its Chief Executive Officer, his father (a former Chief Executive Officer), its Vice Chairman, and its President, in the amount of $478 thousand, $40 thousand, $372 thousand, and $65 thousand, respectively, for personal tax planning. 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. During 2013, the Company's Chief Executive Officer, his father, its Vice Chairman, and a member of its Board of Directors purchased state tax credits of $846 thousand, $282 thousand, $456 thousand, and $200 thousand, respectively. 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. 112 table of contents 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 2015 2014 $ 2,147,284 $ 2,069,369 50,223 53 104,440 52,076 1,787 18,560 8,444 17,246 45,600 56 161,650 52,118 1,787 19,731 3,848 16,551 2,400,113 $ 2,370,710 $ $ 18,237 $ 19,886 38,123 2,361,990 $ 2,400,113 $ 20,653 19,864 40,517 2,330,193 2,370,710 For the Years Ended December 31 2015 2014 2013 $ 160,001 $ 200,001 $ 200,001 — 106,636 2,272 25,713 — 1,422 34,000 32,493 2,501 25,806 204 2,176 390 62,815 4,029 20,701 1,294 2,958 296,044 297,181 292,188 22,167 1,833 3,186 9,265 36,451 (4,137) 26,030 2,363 3,030 10,578 42,001 (6,574) 20,433 3,538 2,775 10,236 36,982 (5,755) $ 263,730 $ 261,754 $ 260,961 113 table of contents Condensed Statements of Cash Flows (In thousands) Operating Activities Net income 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 For the Years Ended December 31 2015 2014 2013 $ 263,730 $ 261,754 $ 260,961 (106,636) (3,284) 153,810 (32,493) 5,412 234,673 (62,815) (139) 198,007 (Increase) decrease in securities purchased under agreements to resell 57,210 (19,000) (74,975) (Increase) 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 share repurchase agreements Issuance of stock under equity compensation plans Excess 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 (6) — 3,516 (2,500) 1,171 (113) 59,278 — (23,176) (100,000) 1,914 2,132 (84,961) (9,000) 357 157 5,852 — (17,959) (98) 151 866 13,644 — 3,732 (402) (30,691) (56,984) 144,784 (70,974) (200,000) 8,652 1,850 (84,241) (4,050) — (69,353) — 9,426 1,003 (82,104) — (213,091) (203,979) (141,028) (3) 56 53 $ 3 53 56 $ (5) 58 53 1,278 $ (8,209) $ (6,933) $ $ Dividends paid by the Parent to its shareholders were substantially provided from Bank dividends. The Bank may distribute common 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, 2015, the fair value of available for sale investment securities held by the Parent consisted of investments of $40.9 million in common and preferred stock and $11.1 million in non-agency mortgage-backed securities. The Parent’s unrealized net gain in fair value on its investments was $36.0 million at December 31, 2015. The corresponding net of tax unrealized gain included in stockholders’ equity was $22.3 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 $30.7 million at December 31, 2015. 114 table of contents 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 (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on our evaluation under the framework in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013), our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2015. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015 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. 115 table of contents 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, 2015, based on criteria established in Internal Control Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring 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, 2015, based on criteria established in Internal Control Integrated Framework (2013) 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, 2015 and 2014, 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, 2015, and our report dated February 24, 2016 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements. Kansas City, Missouri February 24, 2016 116 table of contents 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 2019 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 2019 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. 117 table of contents 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 59 60 61 62 63 64 53 (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). 118 table of contents SIGNATURES 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 2016. 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 2016. 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 John W. Kemper Jonathan M. Kemper 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: 119 table of contents 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) 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. (c) 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. (d)(1) 2009 Form of Severance Agreement between Commerce Bancshares, Inc. and the persons listed at the end of such agreement was filed in annual report on Form 10-K (Commission file number 0-2989) dated February 24, 2015, and the same is hereby incorporated by reference. (d)(2) 2015 Form of Severance Agreement between Commerce Bancshares, Inc. and the persons listed at the end of such agreement was filed in annual report on Form 10-K (Commission file number 0-2989) dated February 24, 2015, and the same is hereby incorporated by reference. (e) 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. (f) Commerce Bancshares, Inc. 2016 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, 2016, and the same is hereby incorporated by reference. (g) 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. (h) 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. (i) 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. (j) 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. E-1 table of contents (k) 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. (l) 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 E-2 The consolidated subsidiaries of the Registrant at February 1, 2016 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 South Yale Holdings, LLC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tulsa, OK Oklahoma 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. 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, 2016, with respect to the consolidated balance sheets of Commerce Bancshares, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, 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, 2015, and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, which reports appear in the December 31, 2015 annual report on Form 10-K of Commerce Bancshares, Inc. KPMG LLP Kansas City, Missouri February 24, 2016 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, 2015, 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 5th day of February, 2016. /s/ TERRY D. BASSHAM /s/ JOHN R. CAPPS /s/ EARL H. DEVANNY, III /s/ W. THOMAS GRANT, II /s/ DAVID W. KEMPER /s/ JOHN W. KEMPER /s/ JONATHAN M. KEMPER /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, 2016 /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, 2016 /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, 2015 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, 2016 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. CO R P O R AT E H E A D Q U A 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 T S 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 2015 5% stock dividend. F I S C A L 2 0 1 5 First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter H I G H L O W $41.86 45.71 46.38 47.10 $37.65 39.55 40.43 41.40 A N N UA L M E E T I N G The annual meeting of shareholders will be held Wednesday, April 20, 2016 at 9:30 a.m., at The Ritz Carlton - St. Louis, 100 Carondelet Plaza, Clayton, MO 63105 in the Amphitheater on level two. 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. i r u o s s i M , s i u o L . t S , n o s i r r a H k l a F y b d e n g i s e D We ask, listen and solve. COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. 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

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