SALT LAKE CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Zions Bancorporation, N.A. (NASDAQ: ZION) ("Zions" or "the Bank") today reported net earnings applicable to common shareholders for the first quarter of 2022 of $195 million, or $1.27 per diluted common share, compared with net earnings applicable to common shareholders of $314 million, or $1.90 per diluted common share, for the first quarter of 2021, and net earnings applicable to common shareholders of $207 million, or $1.34 per diluted common share, for the fourth quarter of 2021.
Harris H. Simmons, Chairman and CEO of Zions Bancorporation, commented, “The first quarter results included $1.2 billion of growth in average non-PPP loans relative to the prior quarter, or an annualized growth rate of over 10%, and annualized growth rate of net interest income excluding PPP income of over 17%. Credit quality continued to show strength, with net charge-offs equaling an annualized 0.05% of average loans and a sequential quarter decline in nonaccrual loans of 7%, which were contributing factors in the reduction of the allowance for credit losses.”
“Higher operating costs were primarily the product of both a higher level of compensation increases resulting from a tight labor market and related inflationary pressures, together with increased incentive compensation accruals as a result of higher interest rates and stronger loan growth that are expected to produce improved performance through the remainder of the year. Our balance sheet is well positioned to generate stronger earnings in the higher interest rate environment we expect in coming quarters.”
For the full version of the Bank's 2022 first quarter earnings release, including financial schedules, please visit www.zionsbancorporation.com.
Supplemental Presentation and Conference Call
Zions has posted a supplemental presentation to its website, which will be used to discuss the first quarter results at 5:30 p.m. ET on April 25, 2022. Media representatives, analysts, investors, and the public are invited to join this discussion by calling (877) 709-8150 (domestic and international) and entering the passcode 13728972, or via on-demand webcast. A link to the webcast will be available on the Zions Bancorporation website at www.zionsbancorporation.com. The webcast of the conference call will also be archived and available for 30 days.
About Zions Bancorporation, N.A.
Zions Bancorporation, N.A. is one of the nation's premier financial services companies with annual net revenue of $2.9 billion in 2021 and more than $90 billion of total assets. Zions operates under local management teams and distinct brands in 11 western states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. The Bank is a consistent recipient of national and state-wide customer survey awards in small- and middle-market banking, as well as a leader in public finance advisory services and Small Business Administration lending. In addition, Zions is included in the S&P 500 and NASDAQ Financial 100 indices. Investor information and links to local banking brands can be accessed at www.zionsbancorporation.com.
Forward-Looking Information
This earnings release includes “forward-looking statements” as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements, often accompanied by words such as “may,” “might,” “could,” “anticipate,” “expect,” and similar terms, are based on management’s current expectations and assumptions regarding future events or determinations, all of which are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties.
Forward-looking statements are not guarantees, nor should they be relied upon as representing management’s views as of any subsequent date. Factors that could cause our actual results, performance or achievements, industry trends, and results or regulatory outcomes to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements are discussed in our 2021 Form 10-K and subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and are available on our website (www.zionsbancorporation.com) and from the SEC (www.sec.gov).
Except to the extent required by law, we specifically disclaim any obligation to update any factors or to publicly announce the revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect future events or developments.