Exhibit 99.1
October 20, 2005
Cass Information Systems, Inc. Posts
57% Increase in 3rd Quarter 2005 Earnings
Firm Continues Record-Setting Earnings Pace
ST. LOUIS - Cass Information Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CASS), the nation's
leading provider of transportation, utility and telecom invoice payment and
information services, reported third quarter earnings of 55 cents per
fully-diluted share, a 57% increase from the 35 cents (adjusted for the
September 15, 2005 50% stock dividend) reported for the third quarter of 2004.
Net income for the quarter was also up 57% to $3,093,000, compared to the
$1,973,000 reported in the third quarter of 2004. Total revenues increased 20%
or $3,234,000 over the comparable period of the preceding year.
"The third quarter 2005 outcome means that year-to-date the company has
already achieved an all-time annual earnings record for shareholders. Presuming
a profitable fourth quarter, we will raise the bar even higher as the remainder
of 2005 unfolds," stated Lawrence A. Collett, Cass chief executive officer and
chairman. "Our results are gratifying on many levels. I commend our team for its
sense of purpose, clarity of vision and proficiency in executing our strategy
for growth."
Payment and processing fees increased 20% or $1,503,000 in the 2005 third
quarter compared to 2004, as transportation invoices were up 12% and dollar
volume rose 23% due to new business and heightened activity from existing
accounts. Payment and processing fees also increased as utility invoices
processed were up 9%, and include the results from the company's telecom group,
which was acquired in August 2004.
"Understandably, we are delighted with the consistent, strong growth we
are witnessing in our information processing operations," Collett added.
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Additionally, the company's Government e-Management Solutions, Inc. (GEMS)
subsidiary reported a 16% or $225,000 increase in software sale revenues as the
national market GEMS serves responded favorably to its recently enhanced product
line.
Net investment income increased 21% or $1,462,000 due mainly to growth in
funds generated from processing activities and to the rise in prevailing
interest rates.
Total operating expenses increased 9% or $1,265,000 largely as a result of
the telecom acquisition as well as expenses tied to the growth in payments
processed.
Finally, the company's effective income tax rate rose from 27% to 34% for
the period, due primarily to a decrease in the lower relative effect of
tax-exempt securities held during the quarter.
Nine-Month 2005 Results
For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2005, the company earned
$1.50 per fully-diluted share, a 52% increase from the $.99 per fully-diluted
share reported for the same period in 2004. Net income was $8,444,000, 53%
higher than the $5,520,000 earned in the first nine months of 2004. Total
revenues rose $9,071,000 or 19% for the first nine months of 2005 compared to
2004 due to increased processing volumes, fee revenues, software sales and
investment income. Operating expenses were up 10% or $4,010,000 in the
nine-month year-over-year period, primarily due to the telecom acquisition.
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Selected Consolidated Financial Data
The following table presents selected unaudited consolidated financial
data (in thousands, except per share data) for the periods ended September 30,
2005 and 2004:
Quarter Quarter Nine Months Nine Months
Ended Ended Ended Ended
9/30/05 9/30/04 9/30/05 9/30/04
Transportation Invoice Volume 6,846 6,104 19,911 17,454
Transportation Dollar Volume $ 3,111,175 $ 2,535,799 $ 8,548,554 $ 7,173,613
Utility Transaction Volume 1,419 1,304 4,225 3,874
Utility Dollar Volume $ 1,148,449 $ 985,369 $ 3,166,864 $ 2,815,462
Payment and Processing Fees $ 9,157 $ 7,654 $ 26,486 $ 22,873
Software Revenue 1,658 1,433 5,258 3,746
Net Investment Income 8,359 6,897 23,458 19,594
Gain on Sales of Debt Securities -- -- 547 441
Other 563 519 1,651 1,675
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Total Revenues $ 19,737 $ 16,503 $ 57,400 $ 48,329
Salaries and Benefits $ 10,734 $ 9,579 $ 31,688 $ 28,037
Occupancy 562 460 1,633 1,354
Equipment 834 877 2,501 2,888
Other 2,931 2,880 8,779 8,312
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Total Operating Expenses $ 15,061 $ 13,796 $ 44,601 $ 40,591
Income before Income Taxes $ 4,676 $ 2,707 $ 12,799 $ 7,738
Provision for Income Taxes $ 1,583 $ 734 $ 4,355 $ 2,218
Net Income $ 3,093 $ 1,973 $ 8,444 $ 5,520
Average Earning Assets $ 700,442 $ 665,105 $ 682,092 $ 630,719
Net Interest Margin 4.98% 4.42% 4.85% 4.44%
Allowance for Loan Losses to Loans 1.20% 1.21% 1.20% 1.21%
Non-performing Loans to Total Loans .22% .27% .22% .27%
Net Loan Charge-offs to Loans -- -- .08% --
Provision for Loan Losses $ 225 $ 150 $ 625 $ 500
Non-performing Loans $ 1,134 $ 1,289 $ 1,134 $ 1,289
Basic Earnings per Share $ .56 $ .35 $ 1.53 $ 1.00
Diluted Earnings per Share $ .55 $ .35 $ 1.50 $ .99
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About Cass Information Systems
Cass has been a leading provider of payables services and information support
systems to companies throughout North America since 1956. The company pays over
$14 billion annually in freight, utility, and telecom invoices on behalf of its
customers from processing centers in St. Louis, Mo., Columbus, Ohio, Boston,
Mass. and Greenville, S.C. The support of its bank subsidiary, Cass Commercial
Bank, founded in 1906, makes Cass Information Systems unique in the industry.
Note to Investors
Certain matters set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking
statements that are provided to assist in the understanding of anticipated
future financial performance. However, such performance involves risks and
uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those in
such statements. For a discussion of certain factors that may cause such
forward-looking statements to differ materially from the company's actual
results, see the company's reports filed from time to time with the Securities
and Exchange Commission including the company's annual report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 2004.
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