Cullen/Frost Bankers(CFR) ZACKS·2025-01-31 15:51Core Viewpoint - Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. (CFR) reported a strong performance in Q4 2024, with earnings per share (EPS) of 153.2 million, up from 556.4 million, a 6.3% increase year-over-year, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2.3% [4] - For the full year 2024, revenues reached 433.7 million year-over-year, with a net interest margin (NIM) expansion of 12 basis points to 3.56% [5] - Non-interest income improved by 8% to 336.2 million, although excluding special surcharge expenses, they increased by 7.2% [6] Loan and Deposit Growth - Total loans as of December 31, 2024, were 42.7 billion, up 2.4% from the previous quarter [7] Credit Quality - Credit loss expenses were reported at 16 million in the prior-year quarter, with the allowance for credit losses on loans at 1.30%, down 1 basis point [8] - Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans increased by 4 basis points year-over-year to 0.27% [8] Capital and Profitability Ratios - The Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio improved to 14.07% from 13.73% year-over-year, while the total risk-based capital ratio rose to 15.53% from 15.18% [9] - Return on average assets and return on average common equity were 1.19% and 15.58%, respectively, compared to 0.82% and 13.51% in the prior-year quarter [10] Strategic Positioning - The company is well-positioned for revenue growth due to steady improvement in loan balances and a solid capital position, with efforts to expand its presence in Texas markets appearing encouraging [12]