• Record net revenue of $5,640 million, record net income of $1,750 million and record diluted earnings per share of $1.02
• Industry leading return on average assets of 1.54% and return on average common equity of 15.3%

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul. 18, 2018-- U.S. Bancorp (NYSE: USB):

2Q18 Key Financial Data

2Q18 Highlights

• Net income of $1,750 million and diluted earnings per common share of $1.02 in the second quarter of 2018
• Industry leading return on average assets of 1.54% and return on average common equity of 15.3%
• Return on tangible common equity of 19.8%
• Returned 69% of 2Q earnings to shareholders through dividends and share buybacks
• Year-over-year positive operating leverage
• Net interest income grew 4.9% year-over-year (4.1% on a taxable-equivalent basis)
• Total noninterest income grew 2.8% year-over year
  • Payment services revenue grew 5.3%
  • Trust and investment management fees increased 5.5%
  • Mortgage banking revenue decreased 9.9%
• Nonperforming assets decreased 19.1% on a year-over-year basis and 9.4% on a linked quarter basis

CEO Commentary

“Our second quarter results were highlighted by record revenue, net income and diluted earnings per common share. We continue to deliver industry-leading profitability metrics, including a return on tangible common equity of 19.8%. This quarter, the Federal Reserve conducted its annual stress test and, as in prior years, the results confirmed our ability to withstand severely adverse economic conditions. Following this exercise, we announced a 23% increase in our quarterly dividend, as well as a 15% increase in our stock repurchase authorization, supporting our commitment to maximize shareholder value. In addition to these solid results, we are investing in our future by expanding our digital offerings, which will allow our customers to access us how, when and where they want and enhance their customer experiences. Each and every day our employees exemplify what being the most trusted choice in banking is all about and I want to thank our entire U.S. Bank team, whose commitment to serving all our customers is what ultimately drives our financial success.”

— Andy Cecere, Chairman, President and CEO, U.S. Bancorp

In the Spotlight

2018 Annual Stress Test
The results of the Federal Reserve Board's most recent annual stress test continued to demonstrate U.S. Bancorp's ability to withstand periods of economic stress while remaining profitable.

Automated Investor Offering
Responding to customers’ desire for smart, easy-to-use and safe digital investment tools and strategies, the Company recently launched its new Automated Investor offering. Automated Investor provides an easy-to-use digital advice platform with the power of the Company's investment expertise through U.S. Bancorp Investments.

2018 Capital Plan
Based on the 2018 stress test results, the Company's board of directors approved an increase of the Company's quarterly dividend of 23% to $0.37 per common share beginning in the third quarter of 2018, as well as a new share repurchase program for the year.

New U.S. Bancorp Directors
U.S. Bancorp's Board of Directors recently elected Elizabeth L. Buse, Yusuf I. Mehdi, and Dorothy J. Bridges as directors of the Company. Each new director brings unique insight that is extremely useful to the board and will help further guide the Company's future success.

Net income attributable to U.S. Bancorp was $1,750 million for the second quarter of 2018, which was 16.7 percent higher than the $1,500 million for the second quarter of 2017, and 4.5 percent higher than the $1,675 million for the first quarter of 2018. Diluted earnings per common share were $1.02 in the second quarter of 2018, compared with $0.85 in the second quarter of 2017 and $0.96 in the first quarter of 2018.

The increase in net income year-over-year was primarily due to total net revenue growth of 3.5 percent partially offset by noninterest expense growth of 3.4 percent. Net interest income increased 4.9 percent (4.1 percent on a taxable-equivalent basis), mainly a result of the impact of rising interest rates and earning assets growth. Noninterest income increased 2.8 percent driven by higher payment services revenue and trust and investment management fees, partially offset by decreases in mortgage banking revenue and commercial products revenue compared with a year ago. Noninterest expense increased 3.4 percent primarily due to increased compensation expense related to supporting business growth and compliance programs, merit increases, and variable compensation related to revenue growth, along with higher employee benefits expense, partially offset by lower other noninterest expense driven by a reduction in mortgage banking costs.

Net income increased on a linked quarter basis primarily due to total net revenue growth of 3.1 percent. The increase in total net revenue reflected an increase in net interest income of 0.9 percent due to the impact of rising interest rates and an additional day in the second quarter. Noninterest income increased 6.3 percent driven by seasonally higher payment services revenue, higher commercial products revenue, and other noninterest income. The increase in total net revenue was partially offset by an increase in noninterest expense of 1.0 percent primarily driven by increased compensation expense related to seasonal merit increases as well as hiring to support business growth, along with higher marketing and business development costs and professional services expense, partially offset by seasonally lower employee benefits expense.

Net interest income on a taxable-equivalent basis in the second quarter of 2018 was $3,226 million, an increase of $126 million (4.1 percent) over the second quarter of 2017. The increase was principally driven by earning assets growth and the impact of rising interest rates, partially offset by deposit and funding mix shift and the impact of tax reform which reduced the taxable-equivalent adjustment benefit related to tax exempt assets. Average earning assets were $8.8 billion (2.2 percent) higher than the second quarter of 2017, reflecting increases of $3.1 billion (1.1 percent) in average total loans, $3.2 billion (2.9 percent) in average investment securities, and $1.7 billion (12.3 percent) in average other earning assets.

Net interest income on a taxable-equivalent basis increased $29 million (0.9 percent) on a linked quarter basis primarily driven by the impact of higher rates and an additional day in the second quarter, partially offset by deposit and funding mix shift. Average earning assets were $827 million (0.2 percent) higher on a linked quarter basis, primarily due to an increase of $1.1 billion (1.0 percent) in average investment securities. Average total loans decreased $764 million (0.3 percent) which reflects the sale of approximately $1.5 billion of student loans in the second quarter of 2018. Excluding the impact of the student loan portfolio sale, average total loans increased $767 million (0.3 percent).

The net interest margin in the second quarter of 2018 was 3.13 percent, compared with 3.08 percent in the second quarter of 2017 and 3.13 percent in the first quarter of 2018. The increase in the net interest margin year-over-year was primarily due to higher interest rates, partially offset by loan mix, higher funding costs and the impact of tax reform of 2 basis points. Net interest margin is flat on a linked quarter basis reflecting the impact of higher rates offset by deposit and funding mix shift.

Average investment securities in the second quarter of 2018 were $3.2 billion (2.9 percent) higher year-over-year and $1.1 billion (1.0 percent) higher than the prior quarter. The increases were primarily due to purchases of U.S. government mortgage-backed securities, net of prepayments and maturities, in support of liquidity management.

Average total loans were $3.1 billion (1.1 percent) higher than the second quarter of 2017 (1.8 percent excluding the impact of the student loan portfolio sale). The increase was due to growth in total commercial loans (2.8 percent), residential mortgages (3.9 percent), and retail leasing (13.5 percent). These increases were partially offset by a decrease in total commercial real estate loans (6.3 percent) due to disciplined underwriting and customers paying down balances. Loan growth was also impacted by continued run-off of the covered loans portfolio (18.1 percent). Average total loans were $764 million (0.3 percent) lower than the first quarter of 2018 primarily due to the impact of the student loan portfolio sale. Excluding this impact, average total loans increased 0.3 percent driven by growth in residential mortgages (1.1 percent), total commercial loans (0.9 percent), and retail leasing (2.1 percent), partially offset by continued pay-offs of commercial real estate loans (1.3 percent) and run-off of covered loans (5.0 percent).

Average total deposits for the second quarter of 2018 were $3.7 billion (1.1 percent) higher than the second quarter of 2017. Average noninterest-bearing deposits decreased $3.7 billion (4.5 percent) year-over-year primarily due to decreases in Corporate and Commercial Banking and Wealth Management and Investment Services. Average total savings deposits were $729 million (0.3 percent) higher year-over-year driven by growth in Consumer and Business Banking, partially offset by decreases in Corporate and Commercial Banking and Wealth Management and Investment Services. Average time deposits were $6.6 billion (21.5 percent) higher than the prior year quarter. Changes in time deposits are largely related to those deposits managed as an alternative to other funding sources such as wholesale borrowing, based largely on relative pricing and liquidity characteristics.

Average total deposits increased $242 million (0.1 percent) from the first quarter of 2018. On a linked quarter basis, average noninterest-bearing deposits decreased $495 million (0.6 percent) primarily due to a decrease in Corporate and Commercial Banking, partially offset by an increase in Wealth Management and Investment Services. Average total savings deposits increased $207 million (0.1 percent) reflecting an increase in Consumer and Business Banking, partially offset by a decline in Corporate and Commercial Banking. Average time deposits, which are managed based on funding needs, relative pricing and liquidity characteristics, increased $530 million (1.4 percent).

Second quarter noninterest income of $2,414 million was $66 million (2.8 percent) higher than the second quarter of 2017 led by strong growth in payment services revenue and trust and investment management fees. ATM processing services revenue also increased year-over-year. These increases were partially offset by lower mortgage banking revenue and commercial products revenue which were impacted by industry trends in these revenue categories. Payment services revenue increased $45 million (5.3 percent) due to higher credit and debit card revenue of $21 million (6.4 percent), an increase in corporate payment products revenue of $18 million (12.9 percent), and higher merchant processing services of $6 million (1.6 percent) all driven by higher sales volumes. Trust and investment management fees increased $21 million (5.5 percent) due to business growth and favorable market conditions. ATM processing services revenue increased $15 million (20.0 percent) primarily due to higher transaction volumes. The decrease in mortgage banking revenue of $21 million (9.9 percent) was primarily due to lower mortgage production, partially offset by a favorable change in the valuation of mortgage servicing rights, net of hedging activities. Treasury management fees declined $5 million (3.1 percent) reflecting core business growth offset by the impact of earnings credits during rising interest rates. In addition, the decrease in commercial products revenue of $9 million (3.7 percent) was mainly due to lower trading revenue, commercial leasing fees, and loan fees, partially offset by higher foreign currency customer activity.

Noninterest income was $142 million (6.3 percent) higher in the second quarter of 2018 compared with the first quarter of 2018 reflecting stronger payment services revenue as credit and debit card revenue grew $27 million (8.3 percent) due to seasonally higher sales volumes and merchant processing services increased $24 million (6.6 percent) primarily due to higher volumes. Commercial products revenue increased $14 million (6.4 percent) due to stronger capital markets volume. Other noninterest income increased $40 million (24.0 percent), which included the student loan portfolio sale and equity investment income.

Second quarter noninterest expense of $3,085 million was $101 million (3.4 percent) higher than the second quarter of 2017 primarily due to higher personnel costs and technology investment, partially offset by lower other noninterest expense. Compensation expense increased $126 million (8.9 percent) principally due to the impact of hiring to support business growth and compliance programs, merit increases, and higher variable compensation related to business production. Employee benefits expense increased $25 million (9.1 percent) primarily driven by increased medical costs and staffing. Other noninterest expense decreased $64 million (13.4 percent) due to lower mortgage servicing-related costs.

Noninterest expense increased $30 million (1.0 percent) on a linked quarter basis primarily due to higher compensation expense, reflecting the impact of seasonal merit increases as well as hiring to support business growth, and higher variable compensation related to business production. Marketing and business development and professional services expense are also seasonally higher during the second quarter. These increases were largely offset by a seasonal decrease in employee benefits due to higher payroll taxes during the first quarter of each year.

Provision for Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes for the second quarter of 2018 resulted in a tax rate of 21.1 percent on a taxable-equivalent basis (effective tax rate of 20.1 percent), compared with 28.5 percent (effective tax rate of 26.7 percent) in the second quarter of 2017, and 18.9 percent on a taxable-equivalent basis (effective tax rate of 17.7 percent) in the first quarter of 2018. The lower 2018 tax rates reflect the tax reform legislation enacted during the fourth quarter of 2017. In addition, the first quarter of 2018 reflected the tax benefit of restricted stock vesting that occurs principally in the first quarter of each year, as well as a favorable settlement of tax matters.

The Company’s provision for credit losses for the second quarter of 2018 was $327 million, which was $14 million (4.1 percent) lower than the prior quarter and $23 million (6.6 percent) lower than the second quarter of 2017. Credit quality was relatively stable compared with a year ago and the first quarter of 2018 with lower nonperforming assets.

Total net charge-offs in the second quarter of 2018 were $332 million, compared with $341 million in the first quarter of 2018, and $340 million in the second quarter of 2017. Net charge-offs decreased $9 million (2.6 percent) compared with the first quarter of 2018 mainly due to lower total other retail net charge-offs, partially offset by lower commercial real estate recoveries. Net charge-offs decreased $8 million (2.4 percent) compared with the second quarter of 2017 primarily due to lower commercial net charge-offs, partially offset by lower commercial mortgage recoveries and higher credit card net charge-offs. The net charge-off ratio was 0.48 percent in the second quarter of 2018, compared with 0.49 percent in the first quarter of 2018 and in the second quarter of 2017.

The allowance for credit losses was $4,411 million at June 30, 2018, compared with $4,417 million at March 31, 2018, and $4,377 million at June 30, 2017. The ratio of the allowance for credit losses to period-end loans was 1.57 percent at June 30, 2018, compared with 1.59 percent at March 31, 2018, and 1.58 percent at June 30, 2017. The ratio of the allowance for credit losses to nonperforming loans was 484 percent at June 30, 2018, compared with 431 percent at March 31, 2018, and 383 percent at June 30, 2017.

Nonperforming assets were $1,091 million at June 30, 2018, compared with $1,204 million at March 31, 2018, and $1,349 million at June 30, 2017. The ratio of nonperforming assets to loans and other real estate was 0.39 percent at June 30, 2018, compared with 0.43 percent at March 31, 2018, and 0.49 percent at June 30, 2017. The year-over-year decrease in nonperforming assets was driven by improvements in nonperforming residential mortgages, total commercial loans, and other real estate owned, partially offset by increases in nonperforming other retail loans and other nonperforming assets. Accruing loans 90 days or more past due were $640 million ($514 million excluding covered loans) at June 30, 2018, compared with $702 million ($566 million excluding covered loans) at March 31, 2018, and $639 million ($477 million excluding covered loans) at June 30, 2017.

Total U.S. Bancorp shareholders’ equity was $49.6 billion at June 30, 2018, compared with $49.2 billion at March 31, 2018, and $48.3 billion at June 30, 2017. During the second quarter, the Company returned 69 percent of earnings to shareholders through dividends and share buybacks.

All regulatory ratios continue to be in excess of “well-capitalized” requirements. The common equity tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets ratio using the Basel III standardized approach was 9.1 percent at June 30, 2018, compared with 9.0 percent at March 31, 2018, and 9.5 percent at June 30, 2017. The common equity tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets ratio using the Basel III advanced approaches method was 11.6 percent at June 30, 2018, compared with 11.5 percent at March 31, 2018, and 12.0 percent at June 30, 2017.

Investor Conference Call

On Wednesday, July 18, 2018, at 8:00 a.m. CDT, Andy Cecere, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Terry Dolan, Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer, will host a conference call to review the financial results. The conference call will be available online or by telephone. To access the webcast and presentation, visit U.S. Bancorp’s website at usbank.com and click on “About US”, “Investor Relations” and “Webcasts & Presentations.” To access the conference call from locations within the United States and Canada, please dial 866-316-1409. Participants calling from outside the United States and Canada, please dial 706-634-9086. The conference ID number for all participants is 9049069. For those unable to participate during the live call, a recording will be available at approximately 11:00 a.m. CDT on Wednesday, July 18 and will be accessible until Wednesday, July 25 at 11:00 p.m. CDT. To access the recorded message within the United States and Canada, please dial 855-859-2056. If calling from outside the United States and Canada, please dial 404-537-3406 to access the recording. The conference ID is 9049069.

About U.S. Bancorp

U.S. Bancorp, with 74,000 employees and $461 billion in assets as of June 30, 2018, is the parent company of U.S. Bank, the fifth-largest commercial bank in the United States. The Minneapolis-based bank blends its relationship teams, branches and ATM network with mobile and online tools that allow customers to bank how, when and where they prefer. U.S. Bank is committed to serving its millions of retail, business, wealth management, payment, commercial and corporate, and investment services customers across the country and around the world as a trusted financial partner, a commitment recognized by the Ethisphere Institute naming the bank a 2018 World’s Most Ethical Company. Visit U.S. Bank at www.usbank.com or follow on social media to stay up to date with company news.

Forward-looking Statements

The following information appears in accordance with the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995:

This press release contains forward-looking statements about U.S. Bancorp. Statements that are not historical or current facts, including statements about beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements and are based on the information available to, and assumptions and estimates made by, management as of the date hereof. These forward-looking statements cover, among other things, anticipated future revenue and expenses and the future plans and prospects of U.S. Bancorp. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, and important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. A reversal or slowing of the current economic recovery or another severe contraction could adversely affect U.S. Bancorp’s revenues and the values of its assets and liabilities. Global financial markets could experience a recurrence of significant turbulence, which could reduce the availability of funding to certain financial institutions and lead to a tightening of credit, a reduction of business activity, and increased market volatility. Stress in the commercial real estate markets, as well as a downturn in the residential real estate markets could cause credit losses and deterioration in asset values. In addition, changes to statutes, regulations, or regulatory policies or practices could affect U.S. Bancorp in substantial and unpredictable ways. U.S. Bancorp’s results could also be adversely affected by deterioration in general business and economic conditions; changes in interest rates; deterioration in the credit quality of its loan portfolios or in the value of the collateral securing those loans; deterioration in the value of its investment securities; legal and regulatory developments; litigation; increased competition from both banks and non-banks; changes in customer behavior and preferences; breaches in data security; effects of mergers and acquisitions and related integration; effects of critical accounting policies and judgments; and management’s ability to effectively manage credit risk, market risk, operational risk, compliance risk, strategic risk, interest rate risk, liquidity risk and reputational risk.

For discussion of these and other risks that could cause actual results to differ from expectations, refer to U.S. Bancorp’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the sections entitled “Corporate Risk Profile” and “Risk Factors” contained in Exhibit 13, and all subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. However, factors other than these also could adversely affect U.S. Bancorp’s results, and the reader should not consider these factors to be a complete set of all potential risks or uncertainties. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof, and U.S. Bancorp undertakes no obligation to update them in light of new information or future events.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to capital ratios defined by banking regulators, the Company considers various other measures when evaluating capital utilization and adequacy, including:

• Tangible common equity to tangible assets
• Tangible common equity to risk-weighted assets
• Return on tangible common equity

These capital measures are viewed by management as useful additional methods of evaluating the Company’s utilization of its capital held and the level of capital available to withstand unexpected negative market or economic conditions. Additionally, presentation of these measures allows investors, analysts and banking regulators to assess the Company’s capital position relative to other financial services companies. These capital measures are not defined in generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) or are not defined in federal banking regulations. As a result, these capital measures disclosed by the Company may be considered non-GAAP financial measures. In addition, certain capital measures related to prior periods are presented on the same basis as those capital measures in the current period. The effective capital ratios defined by banking regulations for these periods were subject to certain transitional provisions. Management believes this information helps investors assess trends in the Company’s capital adequacy.

The Company also discloses net interest income and related ratios and analysis on a taxable-equivalent basis, which may also be considered non-GAAP financial measures. The Company believes this presentation to be the preferred industry measurement of net interest income as it provides a relevant comparison of net interest income arising from taxable and tax-exempt sources. In addition, certain performance measures, including the efficiency ratio and net interest margin utilize net interest income on a taxable-equivalent basis.

There may be limits in the usefulness of these measures to investors. As a result, the Company encourages readers to consider the consolidated financial statements and other financial information contained in this press release in their entirety, and not to rely on any single financial measure. A table follows that shows the Company’s calculation of these non-GAAP financial measures.