Board declares third quarter dividend on common and preferred stock
SAN ANTONIO -- Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. (NYSE:CFR) today reported second quarter 2025 results.
Net income available to common shareholders for the second quarter of 2025 was $155.3 million compared to $143.8 million for the second quarter of 2024. On a per-share basis, net income available to common shareholders for the second quarter of 2025 was $2.39 per diluted common share, compared to $2.21 per diluted common share reported a year earlier. Returns on average assets and average common equity were 1.22 percent and 15.64 percent, respectively, for the second quarter of 2025 compared to 1.18 percent and 17.08 percent, respectively, for the same period a year earlier.
For the second quarter of 2025, net interest income on a taxable-equivalent basis was $450.6 million, up 7.9 percent compared to the same quarter in 2024. Average loans for the second quarter of 2025 increased $1.4 billion, or 7.2 percent, to $21.1 billion, from the $19.7 billion reported for the second quarter a year earlier, and increased $274.1 million, or 1.3 percent, compared to the first quarter of 2025. Average deposits for the second quarter increased $1.3 billion, or 3.1 percent, to $41.8 billion, compared to the $40.5 billion reported for last year's second quarter, and increased $102.4 million, or 0.2 percent, compared to the first quarter of 2025.
“Our strong performance in the second quarter demonstrates the durability of our organic growth model and is a testament to the consistent focus and execution of Frost bankers throughout the state and in every area of the company. We again posted solid loan growth, and despite the second quarter typically being a seasonally weak period for deposits, we saw a slight increase in average total deposits compared to the first quarter," said Cullen/Frost Chairman and CEO Phil Green.
For the first six months of 2025, net income available to common shareholders was $304.6 million, up 9.6 percent compared to $277.9 million for the first six months of 2024. Diluted EPS available to common shareholders for the first six months of 2025 was $4.69 compared to $4.27 in the year-earlier period. Returns on average assets and average common equity for the first six months of 2025 were 1.20 percent and 15.59 percent, respectively, compared to 1.14 percent and 16.13 percent, respectively, for the same period in 2024.
Noted financial data for the second quarter of 2025 follows:
•The Common Equity Tier 1, Tier 1 and Total Risk-Based Capital Ratios at the end of the second quarter of 2025 were 13.98 percent, 14.43 percent and 15.88 percent, respectively, and continue to be in excess of well-capitalized levels and exceed Basel III minimum requirements.
•Net interest income on a taxable-equivalent basis was $450.6 million for the second quarter of 2025, an increase of 7.9 percent, compared to $417.6 million for the second quarter of 2024. Net interest margin was 3.67 percent for the second quarter of 2025 compared to 3.54 percent for the second quarter of 2024 and 3.60 percent for the first quarter of 2025.
•Non-interest income for the second quarter of 2025 totaled $117.3 million, an increase of $6.1 million, or 5.5 percent, from the $111.2 million reported for the second quarter of 2024. Trust and investment management fees increased $2.3 million, or 5.5 percent, compared to the second quarter of 2024. The increase in trust and investment management fees during the second quarter was primarily related to an increase in investment management fees (up $2.2 million). Investment management fees are generally based on the market value of assets within customer accounts and are thus impacted by price movements
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in the equity and bond markets. Service charges on deposit accounts increased $3.0 million, or 11.6 percent, compared to the second quarter of 2024. The increase in the second quarter was primarily related to increases in consumer and commercial overdraft charges (up $2.5 million), driven by continued increases in the number of active customer accounts, and commercial service charges (up $859,000), partly offset by a decrease in consumer service charges (down $370,000). Other charges, commissions, and fees increased $947,000, or 7.3 percent, compared to the second quarter of 2024. The increase was primarily related to increases in income from the placement of annuities (up $555,000) and commitment fees on unused lines of credit (up $380,000).
•Non-interest expense was $347.1 million for the second quarter of 2025, up $30.2 million, or 9.5 percent, compared to the $317.0 million reported for the second quarter a year earlier. Salaries and wages expense increased $10.9 million, or 7.2 percent, compared to the second quarter of 2024. The increase in salaries and wages was primarily related to increases in salaries due to annual merit and market increases and to an increase in the number of employees. The increase in the number of employees was partly related to our investment in organic expansion in various markets. Employee benefits expense increased by $4.0 million, or 14.0 percent, compared to the second quarter of 2024. The increase in employee benefits expense was primarily related to increases in 401(k) plan expense (up $1.6 million), medical/dental benefits expense (up $1.4 million), and payroll taxes (up $635,000). Other non-interest expense increased $10.1 million, or 16.8 percent, compared to the second quarter of 2024. The increase included increases in advertising/promotions expense (up $4.2 million); sundry and other miscellaneous expense (up $2.1 million), and fraud losses (up $1.1 million), among other things. Technology, furniture, and equipment expense increased $4.6 million, or 12.9 percent, compared to the second quarter of 2024. The increase was primarily related to increased cloud services expense (up $2.6 million), software maintenance (up $1.3 million), and depreciation on furniture and equipment (up $732,000), among other things.
•For the second quarter of 2025, the company reported a credit loss expense of $13.1 million, and reported net loan charge-offs of $11.2 million. This compares to a credit loss expense of $13.1 million and net charge-offs of $9.7 million for the first quarter of 2025 and a credit loss expense of $15.8 million and net charge-offs of $9.7 million for the second quarter of 2024. The allowance for credit losses on loans as a percentage of total loans was 1.31 percent at June 30, 2025, compared to 1.32 percent at March 31, 2025
3
and 1.28 percent at June 30, 2024. Non-accrual loans were $62.4 million at the end of the second quarter of 2025, compared to $83.5 million at the end of the first quarter of 2025 and $75.0 million at the end of the second quarter of 2024.
The Cullen/Frost board declared a third-quarter cash dividend of $1.00 per common share. The dividend on common stock is payable September 15, 2025 to shareholders of record on August 29 of this year. The board of directors also declared a cash dividend of $11.125 per share of Series B Preferred Stock (or $0.278125 per depositary share). The depositary shares representing the Series B Preferred Stock are traded on the NYSE under the symbol "CFR PrB." The Series B Preferred Stock dividend is payable September 15, 2025 to shareholders of record on August 29 of this year.
Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. will host a conference call on Thursday, July 31, 2025, at 1 p.m. Central Time (CT) to discuss the results for the quarter. The media and other interested parties are invited to access the call in a “listen only” mode at 1-877-709-8150 or via webcast on our investor relations website linked below. Playback of the conference call will be available after 5 p.m. CT on the day of the call until midnight Sunday, August 3, 2025 at 1-877-660-6853 with Conference ID # of 13754258. A replay of the call will also be available by webcast at the URL listed below after 5 p.m. CT on the day of the call.
Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. (NYSE: CFR) is a financial holding company, headquartered in San Antonio, with $51.4 billion in assets at June 30, 2025. One of the 50 largest U.S. banks, Frost provides a wide range of banking, investments and insurance services to businesses and individuals across Texas in the Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Gulf Coast, Houston, Permian Basin, and San Antonio regions. Founded in 1868, Frost has helped clients with their financial needs during three centuries. Additional information is available at www.frostbank.com.
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Forward-Looking Statements and Factors that Could Affect Future Results
Certain statements contained in this Earnings Release are not statements of historical fact constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “Act”), notwithstanding that such statements are not specifically identified as such. In addition, certain statements may be contained in our future filings with the SEC, in press releases, and in oral and written statements made by us or with our approval that are not statements of historical fact and constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Act. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: (i) projections of revenues, expenses, income or loss, earnings or loss per share, the payment or nonpayment of dividends, capital structure and other financial items; (ii) statements of plans, objectives and expectations of Cullen/Frost or its management or Board of Directors, including those relating to products, services or operations; (iii) statements of future economic performance; and (iv) statements of assumptions underlying such statements. Words such as “believes,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “targeted,” “continue,” “remain,” “will,” “should,” “may,” and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements.
Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those in such statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:
•The effects of and changes in trade and monetary and fiscal policies and laws, including the interest rate policies of the Federal Reserve Board and the implementation of tariffs and other protectionist trade policies.
•Inflation, interest rate, securities market, and monetary fluctuations.
•Local, regional, national, and international economic conditions and the impact they may have on us and our customers and our assessment of that impact.
•Changes in the financial performance and/or condition of our borrowers.
•Changes in the mix of loan geographies, sectors and types or the level of non-performing assets and charge-offs.
•Changes in estimates of future credit loss reserve requirements based upon the periodic review thereof under relevant regulatory and accounting requirements.
•Changes in our liquidity position.
•Impairment of our goodwill or other intangible assets.
•The timely development and acceptance of new products and services and perceived overall value of these products and services by users.
•Changes in consumer spending, borrowing, and saving habits.
•Greater than expected costs or difficulties related to the integration of new products and lines of business.
•Technological changes.
•The cost and effects of cyber incidents or other failures, interruptions, or security breaches of our systems or those of our customers or third-party providers.
•Acquisitions and integration of acquired businesses.
•Changes in the reliability of our vendors, internal control systems or information systems.
•Our ability to increase market share and control expenses.
•Our ability to attract and retain qualified employees.
•Changes in our organization, compensation, and benefit plans.
•The soundness of other financial institutions.
•Volatility and disruption in national and international financial and commodity markets.
•Changes in the competitive environment in our markets and among banking organizations and other financial service providers.
•Government intervention in the U.S. financial system.
•Political or economic instability.
•Acts of God or of war or terrorism.
•The potential impact of climate change.
•The impact of pandemics, epidemics, or any other health-related crisis.
•The costs and effects of legal and regulatory developments, the resolution of legal proceedings or regulatory or other governmental inquiries, the results of regulatory examinations or reviews and the ability to obtain required regulatory approvals.
•The effect of changes in laws and regulations (including laws and regulations concerning taxes, banking, securities, and insurance) and their application with which we and our subsidiaries must comply.
•The effect of changes in accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted by the regulatory agencies, as well as the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, the Financial Accounting Standards Board and other accounting standard setters.
•Our success at managing the risks involved in the foregoing items.
In addition, financial markets, international relations, and global supply chains have been significantly impacted by recent U.S. trade policies and practices. Due to the rapidly evolving and changing state of U.S. trade policies, the amount and duration of any tariffs and their ultimate impact on us, our customers, financial markets, and the overall U.S. and global economies is currently uncertain. Nonetheless, prolonged uncertainty, elevated tariff levels or their wide-spread use in U.S. trade policy could weaken economic conditions and adversely impact the ability of borrowers to repay outstanding loans or the value of collateral securing these loans or adversely affect financial markets. To the extent that these risks may have a negative impact on the financial condition of borrowers or financial markets, it could also have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which such statements are made. We do not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
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Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc.
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL SUMMARY (UNAUDITED)
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
2025
2024
2nd Qtr
1st Qtr
4th Qtr
3rd Qtr
2nd Qtr
CONDENSED INCOME STATEMENTS
Net interest income
$
429,604
$
416,220
$
413,518
$
404,331
$
396,712
Net interest income (1)
450,558
436,404
433,726
425,160
417,621
Credit loss expense
13,129
13,070
16,162
19,386
15,787
Non-interest income:
Trust and investment management fees
43,669
42,931
43,765
41,016
41,404
Service charges on deposit accounts
29,151
28,621
27,909
27,412
26,114
Insurance commissions and fees
13,879
21,019
14,215
14,839
13,919
Interchange and card transaction fees
5,619
5,402
5,764
5,428
5,351
Other charges, commissions, and fees
13,967
13,586
15,208
13,060
13,020
Net gain (loss) on securities transactions
—
(14)
(112)
16
—
Other
10,988
12,466
16,075
11,936
11,382
Total non-interest income
117,273
124,011
122,824
113,707
111,190
Non-interest expense:
Salaries and wages
162,149
160,857
165,520
156,637
151,237
Employee benefits
32,826
42,157
28,614
29,060
28,802
Net occupancy
34,640
33,277
32,102
32,497
32,374
Technology, furniture, and equipment
40,572
40,118
39,775
37,766
35,951
Deposit insurance
6,590
7,184
6,924
7,238
8,383
Other
70,351
64,473
63,232
60,212
60,217
Total non-interest expense
347,128
348,066
336,167
323,410
316,964
Income before income taxes
186,620
179,095
184,013
175,242
175,151
Income taxes
29,617
28,173
29,161
28,741
29,652
Net income
157,003
150,922
154,852
146,501
145,499
Preferred stock dividends
1,669
1,669
1,669
1,668
1,669
Net income available to common shareholders
$
155,334
$
149,253
$
153,183
$
144,833
$
143,830
PER COMMON SHARE DATA
Earnings per common share - basic
$
2.39
$
2.30
$
2.37
$
2.24
$
2.21
Earnings per common share - diluted
2.39
2.30
2.36
2.24
2.21
Cash dividends per common share
1.00
0.95
0.95
0.95
0.92
Book value per common share at end of quarter
63.04
61.74
58.46
62.41
55.02
OUTSTANDING COMMON SHARES
Period-end common shares
64,319
64,283
64,197
63,931
63,989
Weighted-average common shares - basic
64,300
64,255
64,116
63,958
64,193
Dilutive effect of stock compensation
52
74
121
127
140
Weighted-average common shares - diluted
64,352
64,329
64,237
64,085
64,333
SELECTED ANNUALIZED RATIOS
Return on average assets
1.22
%
1.19
%
1.19
%
1.16
%
1.18
%
Return on average common equity
15.64
15.54
15.58
15.48
17.08
Net interest income to average earning assets
3.67
3.60
3.53
3.56
3.54
(1) Taxable-equivalent basis assuming a 21% tax rate.
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Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc.
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL SUMMARY (UNAUDITED)
2025
2024
2nd Qtr
1st Qtr
4th Qtr
3rd Qtr
2nd Qtr
BALANCE SHEET SUMMARY
($ in millions)
Average Balance:
Loans
$
21,063
$
20,788
$
20,346
$
20,084
$
19,652
Earning assets
47,664
47,424
47,577
46,100
45,527
Total assets
51,191
50,925
51,008
49,467
48,960
Non-interest-bearing demand deposits
13,788
13,798
14,051
13,659
13,679
Interest-bearing deposits
27,972
27,860
27,834
27,074
26,831
Total deposits
41,760
41,658
41,885
40,733
40,510
Shareholders' equity
4,129
4,041
4,057
3,868
3,533
Period-End Balance:
Loans
$
21,254
$
20,904
$
20,755
$
20,055
$
19,996
Earning assets
47,756
48,409
48,878
47,424
45,344
Total assets
51,409
52,005
52,520
51,008
48,843
Total deposits
41,684
42,391
42,723
41,721
40,318
Shareholders' equity
4,200
4,114
3,899
4,135
3,666
Adjusted shareholders' equity (1)
5,341
5,243
5,151
5,051
4,975
ASSET QUALITY
($ in thousands)
Allowance for credit losses on loans:
$
277,803
$
275,488
$
270,151
$
263,129
$
256,307
As a percentage of period-end loans
1.31
%
1.32
%
1.30
%
1.31
%
1.28
%
Net charge-offs:
$
11,151
$
9,691
$
13,962
$
9,640
$
9,726
Annualized as a percentage of average loans
0.21
%
0.19
%
0.27
%
0.19
%
0.20
%
Non-accrual loans:
$
62,393
$
83,534
$
78,866
$
104,877
$
74,987
As a percentage of total loans
0.29
%
0.40
%
0.38
%
0.52
%
0.38
%
As a percentage of total assets
0.12
0.16
0.15
0.21
0.15
CONSOLIDATED CAPITAL RATIOS
Common Equity Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital Ratio
13.98
%
13.84
%
13.62
%
13.55
%
13.35
%
Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital Ratio
14.43
14.30
14.07
14.02
13.82
Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio
15.88
15.76
15.53
15.50
15.27
Leverage Ratio
8.98
8.84
8.63
8.80
8.62
Equity to Assets Ratio (period-end)
8.17
7.91
7.42
8.11
7.51
Equity to Assets Ratio (average)
8.07
7.94
7.95
7.82
7.22
(1) Shareholders' equity excluding accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
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Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc.
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL SUMMARY (UNAUDITED)
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Six Months Ended
June 30,
2025
2024
CONDENSED INCOME STATEMENTS
Net interest income
$
845,824
$
786,763
Net interest income (1)
886,963
828,988
Credit loss expense
26,199
29,437
Non-interest income:
Trust and investment management fees
86,600
80,489
Service charges on deposit accounts
57,772
50,909
Insurance commissions and fees
34,898
32,215
Interchange and card transaction fees
11,021
9,825
Other charges, commissions and fees
27,553
25,080
Net gain (loss) on securities transactions
(14)
—
Other
23,454
24,049
Total non-interest income
241,284
222,567
Non-interest expense:
Salaries and wages
323,006
299,237
Employee benefits
74,983
64,772
Net occupancy
67,917
64,152
Technology, furniture and equipment
80,690
70,946
Deposit insurance
13,774
23,107
Other
134,824
120,967
Total non-interest expense
695,194
643,181
Income before income taxes
365,715
336,712
Income taxes
57,790
55,523
Net income
307,925
281,189
Preferred stock dividends
3,338
3,338
Net income available to common shareholders
$
304,587
$
277,851
PER COMMON SHARE DATA
Earnings per common share - basic
$
4.69
$
4.27
Earnings per common share - diluted
4.69
4.27
Cash dividends per common share
$
1.95
$
1.84
Book value per common share at end of quarter
63.04
55.02
OUTSTANDING COMMON SHARES
Period-end common shares
64,319
63,989
Weighted-average common shares - basic
64,278
64,205
Dilutive effect of stock compensation
62
147
Weighted-average common shares - diluted
64,340
64,352
SELECTED ANNUALIZED RATIOS
Return on average assets
1.20
%
1.14
%
Return on average common equity
15.59
16.13
Net interest income to average earning assets
3.63
3.51
(1) Taxable-equivalent basis assuming a 21% tax rate.
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Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc.
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL SUMMARY (UNAUDITED)
As of or for the
Six Months Ended
June 30,
2025
2024
BALANCE SHEET SUMMARY
($ in millions)
Average Balance:
Loans
$
20,926
$
19,382
Earning assets
47,544
45,705
Total assets
51,064
49,142
Non-interest-bearing demand deposits
13,793
13,827
Interest-bearing deposits
27,916
26,790
Total deposits
41,709
40,617
Shareholders' equity
4,085
3,610
Period-End Balance:
Loans
$
21,254
$
19,996
Earning assets
47,756
45,344
Total assets
51,409
48,843
Total deposits
41,684
40,318
Shareholders' equity
4,200
3,666
Adjusted shareholders' equity (1)
5,341
4,975
ASSET QUALITY
($ in thousands)
Allowance for credit losses on loans:
$
277,803
$
256,307
As a percentage of period-end loans
1.31
%
1.28
%
Net charge-offs:
20,842
17,075
Annualized as a percentage of average loans
0.20
%
0.18
%
Non-accrual loans:
$
62,393
$
74,987
As a percentage of total loans
0.29
%
0.38
%
As a percentage of total assets
0.12
0.15
CONSOLIDATED CAPITAL RATIOS
Common Equity Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital Ratio
13.98
%
13.35
%
Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital Ratio
14.43
13.82
Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio
15.88
15.27
Leverage Ratio
8.98
8.62
Equity to Assets Ratio (period-end)
8.17
7.51
Equity to Assets Ratio (average)
8.00
7.35
(1) Shareholders' equity excluding accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
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Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc.
TAXABLE-EQUIVALENT YIELD/COST AND AVERAGE BALANCES (UNAUDITED)