UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
_______________________________________________________________
FORM 8-K
  _______________________________________________________________
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d)
of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) January 25, 2017
  _______________________________________________________________
HUNTINGTON BANCSHARES INCORPORATED
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)  
  _______________________________________________________________
Maryland
 
1-34073
 
31-0724920
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
 
(Commission
File Number)
 
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
Huntington Center
41 South High Street
Columbus, Ohio
 
43287
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (614) 480-8300
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)  
_______________________________________
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
¨

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
¨
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
¨
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
¨
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________




Item  2.02.
Results of Operations and Financial Condition.
On January 25, 2017 , Huntington Bancshares Incorporated (“Huntington”) issued a news release announcing its earnings for the quarter ended December 31, 2016 . Also on January 25, 2017 , Huntington made a Quarterly Financial Supplement available on the Investor Relations section of its web site, www.huntington-ir.com . Copies of Huntington's news release and quarterly financial supplement are attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and Exhibit 99.2, respectively, and are incorporated by reference in this Item 2.02.
Huntington’s senior management will host an earnings conference call on January 25, 2017 , at 9:00 a.m. (Eastern Daylight Time). The call may be accessed via a live Internet webcast at the Investor Relations section of Huntington’s web site, www.huntington-ir.com or through a dial-in telephone number at (877) 407-8029 ; Conference ID 13652110 . Slides will be available in the Investor Relations section of Huntington’s web site, www.huntington-ir.com about an hour prior to the call. A replay of the webcast will be archived in the Investor Relations section of Huntington’s web site, www.huntington-ir.com . A telephone replay will be available approximately two hours after the completion of the call through February 8, 2017 at (877) 660-6853 or (201) 612-7415 ; conference ID 13652110 .
The information contained or incorporated by reference in this Current Report on Form 8-K contains certain forward-looking statements, including certain plans, expectations, goals, projections, and statements, which are subject to numerous assumptions, risks, and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as expect, anticipate, believe, intend, estimate, plan, target, goal, or similar expressions, or future or conditional verbs such as will, may, might, should, would, could, or similar variations.
While there is no assurance that any list of risks and uncertainties or risk factors is complete, below are certain factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained or implied in the forward-looking statements: changes in general economic, political, or industry conditions; uncertainty in U.S. fiscal and monetary policy, including the interest rate policies of the Federal Reserve Board; volatility and disruptions in global capital and credit markets; movements in interest rates; competitive pressures on product pricing and services; success, impact, and timing of our business strategies, including market acceptance of any new products or services implementing our “Fair Play” banking philosophy; the nature, extent, timing, and results of governmental actions, examinations, reviews, reforms, regulations, and interpretations, including those related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the Basel III regulatory capital reforms, as well as those involving the OCC, Federal Reserve, FDIC, and CFPB; the possibility that the anticipated benefits of the merger with FirstMerit Corporation are not realized when expected or at all, including as a result of the impact of, or problems arising from, the integration of the two companies or as a result of the strength of the economy and competitive factors in the areas where we do business; diversion of management’s attention from ongoing business operations and opportunities; potential adverse reactions or changes to business or employee relationships, including those resulting from the completion of the merger with FirstMerit Corporation; our ability to complete the integration of FirstMerit Corporation successfully; and other factors that may affect our future results. Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially from those described above can be found in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 and our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, including for the quarters ended March 31, 2016, June 30, 2016, and September 30, 2016, each of which is on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and available in the “Investor Relations” section of our website, http://www.huntington.com , under the heading “Publications and Filings” and in other documents we file with the SEC.
All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and are based on information available at that time. We do not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statements were made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events except as required by federal securities laws. As forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, caution should be exercised against placing undue reliance on such statements.

The information contained or incorporated by reference in Item 2.02 of this Form 8-K shall be treated as “furnished” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Item  9.01.
Financial Statements and Exhibits.
The exhibits referenced below shall be treated as “furnished” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(d)
Exhibits.




Exhibit 99.1 – News release of Huntington Bancshares Incorporated, dated January 25, 2017 .
Exhibit 99.2 – Quarterly Financial Supplement, December 2016 .




SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
HUNTINGTON BANCSHARES INCORPORATED
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date:
January 25, 2017
 
By:
 
/s/ Howell D. McCullough III
 
 
 
 
 
Howell D. McCullough III
 
 
 
 
 
Chief Financial Officer





EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.    Description
Exhibit 99.1    News release of Huntington Bancshares Incorporated, dated January 25, 2017
Exhibit 99.2    Quarterly Financial Supplement, December 2016





Exhibit 99.1
 
 
HUNTINGTONLOGOA10.JPG
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 25, 2017
Analysts: Mark Muth (mark.muth@huntington.com), 614.480.4720
Media: Brent Wilder (brent.wilder@huntington.com), 614.480.5875

HUNTINGTON BANCSHARES INCORPORATED REPORTS 2016 FOURTH QUARTER RESULTS INCLUDING 19% INCREASE IN NET INCOME
Fourth Quarter Represents Strong End to Historic and Transformational Year
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Huntington Bancshares Incorporated (NASDAQ: HBAN; www.huntington.com) reported net income for the 2016 fourth quarter of $212 million , or a 19% increase from the year-ago quarter. Earnings per common share for the 2016 fourth quarter were $ 0.18 , down 14% from the year-ago quarter. Excluding approximately $0.06 per common share after tax of FirstMerit acquisition-related net expenses, adjusted earnings per common share were $0.24. Return on average assets was 0.84% , while return on average tangible common equity was 11.4% . Total revenue increased 39% over the year-ago quarter.
2016 full-year net income was $685 million , a decrease of 1% from the prior year. Earnings per common share for the year were $0.67 , down 17% from the prior year. FirstMerit acquisition-related expenses totaled $282 million pretax, or $0.20 per common share after tax. Return on average assets for the full year was 0.82% , while return on average tangible common equity was 10.2 %. Total revenue increased 18% over the prior year.
“We are very pleased with our strong close to 2016,” said Steve Steinour, chairman, president and CEO. “2016 performance demonstrated continued progress toward achieving our long-term financial goals. We delivered positive operating leverage for the fourth consecutive year. We also executed our balance sheet optimization strategy, in which we chose to shrink the balance sheet in order to replenish our capital ratios more quickly. This included the successful completion of a $1.5 billion auto loan securitization within the 2016 fourth quarter, demonstrating strong investor demand for our superior automobile loan production quality.”
“This was a historic year for the company as we celebrated the 150th anniversary of our founding and completed our largest-ever acquisition, a transformational transaction,” Steinour said. "Integration of FirstMerit continues to go well, and remains on track for branch conversion in mid-February. Our progress within the fourth quarter included the completion of our required divestiture of certain branches and associated relationships.”
“Taking care of and looking out for our customers are at the heart of what we do. They are also good for business. We’re proud that this strategy and our commitment to delivering superior customer service continue to be recognized. During the fourth quarter, we were recognized as a top Midwest region ranking in the J.D. Power Small Business Banking Satisfaction Study. Huntington also was the recipient of the 2016 Greenwich Excellence Award for Wealth Management and Personal Investment Services, and our commercial, middle market and small business customers recognized us within the Greenwich Best Brand Awards for ease of doing business and as a Best Brand for trust earned,” Steinour said. “Huntington also rated among the Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality for the fourth consecutive year within the 2017 Human Rights Campaign Foundation Corporate Equality Index.”
Full-year 2016 highlights compared with 2015 :
•
Closing of the acquisition of FirstMerit Corporation (FirstMerit), which added approximately $26.8 billion of total assets, $15.5 billion of total loans and leases, and $21.2 billion of total deposits
•
FirstMerit integration proceeding as planned; branch conversion and consolidations scheduled for 2017 first quarter, and required branch divestiture completed during 2016 fourth quarter
•
Estimated FirstMerit annualized cost savings of $255 million are specifically identified and expected to be fully implemented by 2017 third quarter; revenue enhancements also identified and already being realized
•
Increased cash dividends for sixth consecutive year; end-of-year dividend yield of 2.4%

1


•
$8.8 billion , or 18% , increase in average loans and leases, including a $4.0 billion , or 20% , increase in commercial and industrial loans and a $1.8 billion , or 20% , increase in automobile loans
•
$9.3 billion , or 18% , increase in average total core deposits, including a $7.1 billion , or 31% , increase in average demand deposits and a $2.8 billion , or 53% , increase in average savings and other domestic deposits
•
$540 million , or 18% , increase in fully-taxable equivalent revenue, including a $429 million , or 22% , increase in fully-taxable equivalent net interest income
•
Net interest margin of 3.16% , an increase of 1 basis point
•
$111 million , or 11% , increase in noninterest income, including a $44 million , or 16% , increase in service charges on deposit accounts and a $26 million , or 18% , increase in cards and payment processing income
•
Net charge-offs (NCOs) of 0.19% of average loans and leases, up from 0.18% . 2016 represents the third consecutive year with NCOs below our long-term financial goal of 0.35% to 0.55%
•
$0.50, or 7% , decrease in tangible book value per common share (TBVPS) to $6.41

2016 Fourth Quarter highlights compared with 2015 Fourth Quarter :
•
$16.6 billion , or 33% , increase in average loans and leases, including a $7.5 billion , or 37% , increase in commercial and industrial loans and a $1.6 billion , or 17% , increase in automobile loans
•
$7.9 billion , or 54% , increase in average securities, including an increase of $0.9 billion of direct purchase municipal instruments in our Commercial banking segment
•
$20.5 billion , or 40% , increase in average total core deposits, driven by a $14.4 billion , or 60% , increase in demand deposits and a $7.1 billion , or 135% , decrease in savings and other domestic deposits
•
$304 million , or 39% , increase in fully-taxable equivalent revenue, including a $242 million , or 48% , increase in fully-taxable equivalent net interest income
•
Net interest margin of 3.25% , an increase of 16 basis points, primarily due to purchase accounting impact
•
$62 million , or 23% , increase in noninterest income, including a $19 million , or 26% , increase in service charges on deposit accounts, a $15 million , or 147% , increase in gain on sale of loans, and a $12 million , or 31% , increase in cards and payment processing income
•
Net charge-offs represented 0.26% of average loans and leases, up from 0.18%

2


Table 1 – Earnings Performance Summary
 
Full Year
 
2016
 
2015
($ in millions, except per share data)
2016
 
2015
 
Fourth Quarter
 
Third Quarter
 
Fourth Quarter
Net income
$
685

 
$
693

 
$
212

 
$
127

 
$
178

Diluted earnings per common share
0.67

 
0.81

 
0.18

 
0.11

 
0.21

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Return on average assets
0.82
%
 
1.01
%
 
0.84
%
 
0.58
%
 
1.00
%
Return on average common equity
8.2

 
10.7

 
8.2

 
5.4

 
10.8

Return on average tangible common equity
10.2

 
12.4

 
11.4

 
7.0

 
12.4

Net interest margin
3.16

 
3.15

 
3.25

 
3.18

 
3.09

Efficiency ratio
67.9

 
64.5

 
65.4

 
75.0

 
63.7

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tangible book value per common share
$
6.41

 
$
6.91

 
$
6.41

 
$
6.48

 
$
6.91

Cash dividends declared per common share
0.29

 
0.25

 
0.08

 
0.07

 
0.07

Average diluted shares outstanding (000’s)
918,790

 
817,129

 
1,104,358

 
952,081

 
810,143

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average earning assets
$
76,363

 
$
63,023

 
$
91,463

 
$
79,687

 
$
64,961

Average loans and leases
57,454

 
48,646

 
66,405

 
60,722

 
49,827

Average core deposits
59,380

 
50,121

 
72,070

 
62,022

 
51,585

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tangible common equity / tangible assets ratio
7.14
%
 
7.82
%
 
7.14
%
 
7.14
%
 
7.82
%
Common equity Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio
9.53

 
9.79

 
9.53

 
9.09

 
9.79

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NCOs as a % of average loans and leases
0.19
%
 
0.18
%
 
0.26
%
 
0.26
%
 
0.18
%
NAL ratio
0.63

 
0.74

 
0.63

 
0.61

 
0.74

ACL as a % of total loans and leases
1.10

 
1.33

 
1.10

 
1.06

 
1.33


3


Table 2 lists certain items that Management believes are significant in understanding corporate performance and trends (see Basis of Presentation). There was one Significant Item in the 2016 fourth quarter : $96 million of FirstMerit acquisition-related net expenses.
Table 2 – Significant Items Influencing Earnings
Three Months Ended
Pre-Tax
Impact
 
After-Tax Impact
($ in millions, except per share)
Amount
 
Amount  (1)
 
EPS (2)
December 31, 2016 – net income
 
 
$
212

 
$
0.18

•
 
Merger and acquisition-related net expenses
$
(96
)
 
(63
)
 
(0.06
)
September 30, 2016 – net income
 
 
$
127

 
$
0.11

•
 
Merger and acquisition-related net expenses
$
(159
)
 
(107
)
 
(0.11
)
June 30, 2016 – net income
 
 
$
175

 
$
0.19

•
 
Merger and acquisition-related net expenses
$
(21
)
 
(14
)
 
(0.02
)
March 31, 2016 – net income
 
 
$
171

 
$
0.20

•
 
Merger and acquisition-related net expenses
$
(6
)
 
(4
)
 
(0.01
)
December 31, 2015 - net income
 
 
$
178

 
$
0.21

•
 
Franchise repositioning-related expense
$
(8
)
 
(5
)
 
(0.01
)
•
 
Merger and acquisition-related net gains (3)
—

 
$
—

 
—

(1)
Favorable (unfavorable) impact on net income
(2)
EPS reflected on a fully diluted basis
(3)
Noninterest income and noninterest expense was recorded related to the integration of Huntington Technology Finance (HTF) and the sale of Huntington Asset Advisors (HAA), Huntington Asset Services (HASI), and Unified Financial Securities (Unified), resulting in a net gain less than $1 million.
FirstMerit Corporation Integration Update
On August 16, 2016, Huntington acquired FirstMerit Corporation and its subsidiary FirstMerit Bank. 2016 fourth quarter results reflect inclusion of FirstMerit for the entire quarter, while 2016 third quarter results reflect inclusion of FirstMerit since August 16, 2016.
Customer-facing colleagues remained focused on both growing and retaining customers, while integration-focused colleagues continued to make progress during the 2016 fourth quarter. Technology conversions have commenced and are scheduled to be substantially complete by the middle of the 2017 first quarter. The branch conversion and previously-announced branch consolidations are scheduled to be completed during the 2017 first quarter.
During the 2016 fourth quarter, Huntington also completed the previously announced divestiture of thirteen branches in the Canton, Ohio and Ashtabula, Ohio markets, including approximately $0.6 billion of total deposits and $0.1 billion of total loans and leases, to First Commonwealth Financial Corporation.

4


Net Interest Income, Net Interest Margin, and Average Balance Sheet
Table 3 – Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin Performance Summary – FirstMerit Drives Linked Quarter and Year-over-Year NIM Expansion
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
 
($ in millions)
Full Year
 
Full Year
 
Change YOY
 
Fourth Quarter
 
Third Quarter
 
Fourth Quarter
 
Change (%)
LQ
 
YOY
Net interest income
$
2,369

 
$
1,951

 
21
%
 
$
735

 
$
625

 
$
497

 
18
%
 
48
%
FTE adjustment
42

 
32

 
32

 
13

 
11

 
8

 
19

 
49

Net interest income - FTE
2,411

 
1,983

 
22

 
748

 
636

 
505

 
18

 
48

Noninterest income
1,150

 
1,039

 
11

 
334

 
302

 
272

 
11

 
23

Total revenue - FTE
$
3,561

 
$
3,022

 
18
%
 
$
1,082

 
$
938

 
$
777

 
15
%
 
39
%
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
 
 
Full Year
 
Full Year
 
Change YOY
 
Fourth Quarter
 
Third Quarter
 
Fourth Quarter
 
Change bp
Yield / Cost
 
LQ
 
YOY
Total earning assets
3.50
%
 
3.41
%
 
9
  bp
 
3.60
%
 
3.52
%
 
3.37
%
 
8 bp

 
23 bp
Total loans and leases
3.81

 
3.64

 
17
 
3.95

 
3.81

 
3.59

 
14

 
36
Total securities
2.54

 
2.60

 
(6)
 
2.58

 
2.47

 
2.58

 
11

 
—
Total interest-bearing liabilities
0.48

 
0.37

 
11
 
0.48

 
0.49

 
0.41

 
(1
)
 
7
Total interest-bearing deposits
0.23

 
0.22

 
1
 
0.23

 
0.22

 
0.23

 
1

 
—
 
 
 
 
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 

Net interest rate spread
3.02

 
3.04

 
(2)
 
3.12

 
3.03

 
2.96

 
9

 
16
Impact of noninterest-bearing funds on margin
0.14


0.11


3

0.13

 
0.15

 
0.13

 
(2
)
 
—
Net interest margin
3.16
%
 
3.15
%
 
1
  bp
 
3.25
%
 
3.18
%
 
3.09
%
 
7 bp

 
16 bp
See Pages 8-10 and 21-23 of Quarterly Financial Supplement for additional detail.
Note: 2016 results reflect inclusion of FirstMerit since August 16, 2016.
Fully-taxable equivalent (FTE) net interest income for the 2016 fourth quarter increased $242 million , or 48% , from the 2015 fourth quarter . This reflected the benefit from the $26.5 billion , or 41% , increase in average earning assets partially coupled with a 16 basis point improvement in the FTE net interest margin (NIM) to 3.25% . Average earning asset growth included a $16.6 billion , or 33% , increase in average loans and leases and a $7.9 billion , or 54% , increase in average securities. The NIM expansion reflected a 23 basis point increase related to the mix and yield of earning assets and a 0 basis point increase in the benefit from noninterest-bearing funds, partially offset by a 7 basis point increase in funding costs. FTE net interest income during the 2016 fourth quarter included $42 million, or approximately 18 basis points, of purchase accounting impact.
Compared to the 2016 third quarter , FTE net interest income increased $112 million , or 18% . Average earning assets increased $11.8 billion , or 15% , sequentially, while the NIM increased 7 basis points. The increase in the NIM reflected a 8 basis point increase related to the mix and yield of earning assets, partially offset by a 2 basis point decrease in the benefit from noninterest-bearing funds. The purchase accounting impact on the net interest margin was approximately 18 basis points in the 2016 fourth quarter compared to approximately 11 basis points in the prior quarter.

5


Table 4 – Average Earning Assets – C&I Represents Largest Driver of Loan Growth
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
 
($ in billions)
Full
 
Full
 
YOY
 
Fourth
 
Third
 
Fourth
 
Change (%)
Year
 
Year
 
Change
 
Quarter
 
Quarter
 
Quarter
LQ
 
YOY
Commercial and industrial
$
23.7

 
$
19.7

 
20
%
 
$
27.7

 
$
25.0

 
20.2

 
11
 %
 
37
%
Commercial real estate
6.0

 
5.2

 
15

 
7.2

 
6.4

 
5.3

 
13

 
37

Total commercial
29.7

 
25.0

 
19

 
34.9

 
31.3

 
25.5

 
12

 
37

Automobile
10.5

 
8.8

 
20

 
10.9

 
11.4

 
9.3

 
(5
)
 
17

Home equity
9.1

 
8.5

 
7

 
10.1

 
9.3

 
8.5

 
9

 
19

Residential mortgage
6.7

 
5.9

 
13

 
7.7

 
7.0

 
6.1

 
10

 
27

RV and marine finance
0.7

 
—

 
—

 
1.8

 
0.9

 
—

 
101

 
-

Other consumer
0.7

 
0.5

 
54

 
1.0

 
0.8

 
0.5

 
17

 
75

Total consumer
27.8

 
23.7

 
17

 
31.5

 
29.4

 
24.4

 
7

 
29

Total loans and leases
57.5

 
48.6

 
18

 
66.4

 
60.7

 
49.8

 
9

 
33

Total securities
17.8

 
13.6

 
30

 
22.4

 
18.2

 
14.5

 
23

 
54

Held-for-sale and other earning assets
1.2

 
0.7

 
55

 
2.6

 
0.8

 
0.6

 
231

 
343

Total earning assets
$
76.4

 
$
63.0

 
21
%
 
$
91.5

 
$
79.7

 
$
65.0

 
15
 %
 
41
%
See Pages 8 and 21 of Quarterly Financial Supplement for additional detail.
Note: 2016 results reflect inclusion of FirstMerit since August 16, 2016.
Average earning assets for the 2016 fourth quarter increased $26.5 billion , or 41% , from the year-ago quarter. The increase was driven by:
•
$7.9 billion , or 54% , increase in average securities, primarily reflecting the FirstMerit acquisition, as well as the reinvestment of cash flows and additional investment in Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) Level 1 qualifying securities. The 2016 fourth quarter average balance included $2.9 billion of direct purchase municipal instruments in our commercial banking segment, up from $2.0 billion in the year-ago quarter.
•
$7.5 billion , or 37% , increase in average commercial and industrial (C&I) loans and leases, primarily reflecting the impact of the FirstMerit acquisition, the $0.6 billion increase in automobile dealer floorplan loans, and the $0.4 billion increase in corporate banking.
•
$2.0 billion , or 37% , increase in commercial real estate (CRE) loans, primarily reflecting the FirstMerit acquisition.
•
$1.8 billion increase in average RV and marine finance loans, which was a new product offering for Huntington acquired with FirstMerit.
•
$1.6 billion , or 17% , increase in average automobile loans, primarily reflecting the addition of the FirstMerit portfolio. The increase also reflects continued strength in new and used automobile originations across our 23-state auto finance lending footprint, while maintaining our underwriting consistency and discipline, partially offset by the impact of the $1.5 billion auto loan securitization.
•
$1.6 billion , or 19% , increase in average home equity loans and lines of credit, primarily reflecting the FirstMerit acquisition.
•
$1.6 billion , or 27% , increase in average residential mortgage loans, reflecting increased demand for residential mortgage loans across our footprint and the addition of the FirstMerit portfolio.
Compared to the 2016 third quarter , average earning assets increased $11.8 billion , or 15% . This increase reflected a $4.3 billion , or 23% , increase in average securities, a $2.8 billion , or 11% , increase in C&I loans, a $0.9 billion , or 101% , increase in RV and marine finance loans, a $0.9 billion , or 13% , increase in CRE loans, a $0.8 billion , or 9% , increase in home equity loans and lines, a $0.7 billion , or 10% , increase in residential mortgage loans, and a $0.5 billion , or 5% , decrease in automobile loans. The primary driver of all increases was the mid-quarter acquisition of FirstMerit during the 2016 third quarter.
Under our previously-announced balance sheet optimization strategy, $1.5 billion of automobile loans were securitized, and $0.9 billion of non-relationship C&I and CRE loans were sold during the 2016 fourth quarter.

6


Table 5 – Average Deposits and Average Debt – Robust Growth in Demand Deposits Continues
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
Full
 
Full
 
YOY
 
Fourth
 
Third
 
Fourth
 
Change (%)
($ in billions)
Year
 
Year
 
Change
 
Quarter
 
Quarter
 
Quarter
 
LQ
 
YOY
Demand deposits - noninterest bearing
$
19.0

 
$
16.3

 
17
 %
 
$
23.2

 
$
20.0

 
$
17.2

 
16
 %
 
35
 %
Demand deposits - interest bearing
11.0

 
6.6

 
67

 
15.3

 
12.4

 
6.9

 
24

 
121

Total demand deposits
30.0

 
22.9

 
31

 
38.5

 
32.4

 
24.1

 
19

 
60

Money market deposits
19.1

 
19.4

 
(2
)
 
18.6

 
18.5

 
19.8

 
1

 
(6
)
Savings and other domestic deposits
8.0

 
5.2

 
53

 
12.3

 
8.9

 
5.2

 
38

 
135

Core certificates of deposit
2.3

 
2.6

 
(12
)
 
2.6

 
2.3

 
2.4

 
15

 
8

Total core deposits
59.4

 
50.1

 
18

 
72.1

 
62.0

 
51.6

 
16

 
40

Other domestic deposits of $250,000 or more
0.4

 
0.3

 
59

 
0.4

 
0.4

 
0.4

 
2

 
(8
)
Brokered deposits and negotiable CDs
3.5

 
2.8

 
27

 
4.3

 
3.9

 
2.9

 
9

 
46

Deposits in foreign offices
0.2

 
0.5

 
(59
)
 
0.2

 
0.2

 
0.4

 
(22
)
 
(62
)
Total deposits
$
63.5

 
$
53.6

 
18
 %
 
$
76.9

 
$
66.5

 
$
55.3

 
16
 %
 
39
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Short-term borrowings
$
1.5

 
$
1.3

 
14
 %
 
$
2.6

 
$
1.3

 
$
0.5

 
101
 %
 
402
 %
Long-term debt
8.0

 
5.6

 
44

 
8.6

 
8.5

 
6.8

 
1

 
27

Total debt
$
9.5

 
$
6.9

 
38
 %
 
$
11.2

 
$
9.8

 
$
7.3

 
14
 %
 
53
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Interest-bearing liabilities
$
54.0

 
$
44.2

 
22
 %
 
$
64.9

 
$
56.3

 
$
45.5

 
15
 %
 
43
 %
See Pages 8 and 21 of Quarterly Financial Supplement for additional detail.
Note: 2016 results reflect inclusion of FirstMerit since August 16, 2016.
Average total deposits for the 2016 fourth quarter increased $21.5 billion , or 39% , from the year-ago quarter, including a $20.5 billion , or 40% , increase in average total core deposits. The growth in average total core deposits more than fully funded the year-over-year increase in average total loans and leases. Average total interest-bearing liabilities increased $19.4 billion , or 43% , from the year-ago quarter. Including the impact of the FirstMerit acquisition, year-over-year changes in average total deposits and average total debt included:
•
$14.4 billion , or 60% , increase in average total demand deposits, including a $6.1 billion , or 35% , increase in average noninterest bearing demand deposits and an $8.4 billion , or 121% , increase in average interest bearing demand deposits. The increase in average total demand deposits was comprised of a $9.8 billion, or 62%, increase in average commercial demand deposits and a $4.6 billion, or 55%, increase in average consumer demand deposits.
•
$6.8 billion , or 158% , increase in average savings deposits, reflecting continued banker focus across all segments on obtaining our customers' full deposit relationship.
•
$3.9 billion, or 53% , increase in average total debt, reflecting a $2.1 billion , or 402% , increase in average short-term borrowings and a $1.8 billion , or 27% , increase in average long-term debt. The increase in average long-term debt reflected the issuance of $2.0 billion of holding company-level senior debt during 2016.
•
$1.3 billion , or 46% , increase in average brokered deposits and negotiable CDs, impacted by the FirstMerit acquisition.
Partially offset by:
•
$1.2 billion , or 6% , decrease in average money market deposits. During the 2016 third quarter, changes to commercial accounts resulted in the reclassification of $2.8 billion of deposits from money market into interest bearing demand deposits. This decrease was partially offset by the impact of the FirstMerit acquisition.
Compared to the 2016 third quarter , average noninterest bearing demand deposits increased $3.2 billion , or 16% , and average total interest-bearing liabilities increased $8.6 billion , or 15% . The increase in average total interest-bearing liabilities reflected a $3.2 billion , or 41% , increase in average savings deposits, a $2.9 billion , or

7


24% , increase in average interest bearing demand deposits, and a $1.3 billion , or 101% , increase in average short-term borrowings.
Noninterest Income (see Basis of Presentation)
Table 6 - Noninterest Income (GAAP) - Deposit Service Charge- and Card and Payment Processing-related Fee Growth Augmented by Balance Sheet Optimization-related Loan Sale Gains
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
Full
 
Full
 
YOY
 
Fourth
 
Third
 
Fourth
 
Change (%)
($ in millions)
Year
 
Year
 
Change
 
Quarter
 
Quarter
 
Quarter
 
LQ
 
YOY
Service charges on deposit accounts
$
324

 
$
280

 
16
 %
 
$
92

 
$
87

 
$
73

 
5
 %
 
26
 %
Cards and payment processing income
169

 
143

 
18

 
49

 
44

 
38

 
11

 
31

Mortgage banking income
128

 
112

 
15

 
38

 
41

 
31

 
(8
)
 
19

Trust services
108

 
106

 
2

 
34

 
29

 
25

 
18

 
35

Insurance income
65

 
65

 
(1
)
 
16

 
16

 
16

 
4

 
6

Brokerage income
62

 
60

 
3

 
17

 
15

 
14

 
16

 
18

Capital markets fees
60

 
54

 
11

 
19

 
15

 
14

 
27

 
36

Bank owned life insurance income
58

 
52

 
10

 
17

 
14

 
13

 
18

 
27

Gain on sale of loans
47

 
33

 
43

 
25

 
8

 
10

 
233

 
147

Securities (losses) gains
—

 
1

 
(111
)
 
(2
)
 
1

 
—

 
—

 
—

Other income
129

 
133

 
(3
)
 
30

 
33

 
37

 
(11
)
 
(21
)
Total noninterest income
$
1,150

 
$
1,039

 
11
 %
 
$
334

 
$
302

 
$
272

 
11
 %
 
23
 %
Table 7 - Impact of Significant Items
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
Full
 
Full
 
 
 
Fourth
 
Third
 
Fourth
 
 
($ in millions)
Year
 
Year
 
 
 
Quarter
 
Quarter
 
Quarter
 
 
 
 
Service charges on deposit accounts
$
—

 
$
—

 
 
 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
 
 
 
Cards and payment processing income
—

 
—

 
 
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
 
 
 
Mortgage banking income
—

 
—

 
 
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
 
 
 
Trust services
—

 
—

 
 
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
 
 
 
Insurance income
—

 
—

 
 
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
 
 
 
Brokerage income
—

 
—

 
 
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
 
 
 
Capital markets fees
—

 
—

 
 
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
 
 
 
Bank owned life insurance income
—

 
—

 
 
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
 
 
 
Gain on sale of loans
—

 
—

 
 
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
 
 
 
Securities (losses) gains
—

 
—

 
 
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
 
 
 
Other income
(1
)
 
3

 
 
 
(1
)
 
—

 
3

 
 
 
 
Total noninterest income
$
(1
)
 
$
3

 
 
 
$
(1
)
 
$
—

 
$
3

 
 
 
 


8


Table 8 - Adjusted Noninterest Income (Non-GAAP)
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
Full
 
Full
 
YOY
 
Fourth
 
Third
 
Fourth
 
Change (%)
($ in millions)
Year
 
Year
 
Change
 
Quarter
 
Quarter
 
Quarter
 
LQ
 
YOY
Service charges on deposit accounts
$
324

 
$
280

 
16
 %
 
$
92

 
$
87

 
$
73

 
5
 %
 
26
 %
Cards and payment processing income
169

 
143

 
18

 
49

 
44

 
38

 
11

 
31

Mortgage banking income
128

 
112

 
15

 
38

 
41

 
31

 
(8
)
 
19

Trust services
108

 
106

 
2

 
34

 
29

 
25

 
18

 
35

Insurance income
65

 
65

 
(1
)
 
16

 
16

 
16

 
4

 
6

Brokerage income
62

 
60

 
3

 
17

 
15

 
14

 
16

 
18

Capital markets fees
60

 
54

 
11

 
19

 
15

 
14

 
27

 
36

Bank owned life insurance income
58

 
52

 
10

 
17

 
14

 
13

 
18

 
27

Gain on sale of loans
47

 
33

 
43

 
25

 
8

 
10

 
233

 
147

Securities (losses) gains
—

 
1

 
(111
)
 
(2
)
 
1

 
—

 
—

 
—

Other income
130

 
129

 
1

 
31

 
33

 
34

 
(6
)
 
(9
)
Total adjusted noninterest income
$
1,151

 
$
1,035

 
11
 %
 
$
335

 
$
302

 
$
268

 
11
 %
 
25
 %
See Pages 11-12 and 24-25 of Quarterly Financial Supplement for additional detail.
Note: 2016 results reflect inclusion of FirstMerit since August 16, 2016.
Noninterest income for the 2016 fourth quarter increased $62 million , or 23% , from the year-ago quarter. The year-over-year increase primarily reflected:
•
$19 million , or 26% , increase in service charges on deposit accounts, reflecting the benefit of continued new customer acquisition. Of the increase, $12 million was attributable to consumer deposit accounts, while $7 million was attributable to commercial deposit accounts.
•
$15 million , or 147% , increase in gain on sale of loans, reflecting a $6 million auto loan securitization gain and $5 million of gains on non-relationship C&I and CRE loan sales, both of which were related to the balance sheet optimization strategy completed in the 2016 fourth quarter.
•
$12 million , or 31% , increase in cards and payment processing income, due to higher card-related income and underlying customer growth.
•
$9 million , or 35% , increase in trust services, primarily related to the FirstMerit acquisition.
•
$6 million , or 19% , increase in mortgage banking income, reflecting a $7 million increase from net mortgage servicing rights (MSR) hedging-related activities.
Partially offset by:
•
$8 million , or 21% , decrease in other income, reflecting $8 million unfavorable impact related to ineffectiveness of derivatives used to hedge fixed-rate, long-term debt.
Compared to the 2016 third quarter , total noninterest income increased $32 million , or 11% . Gain on sale of loans increased $17 million , or 233% , primarily as a result of the previously mentioned automobile loan securitization gain and non-relationship C&I and CRE loan sale gains related to our balance sheet optimization strategy. Trust services increased $5 million , or 18% , reflecting the full quarter's impact of the FirstMerit acquisition.

9


Noninterest Expense (see Basis of Presentation)
Table 9 – Noninterest Expense from Continuing Operations (GAAP) – Continued Expense Discipline Focus
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
Full
 
Full
 
YOY
 
Fourth
 
Third
 
Fourth
 
Change (%)
($ in millions)
Year
 
Year
 
Change
 
Quarter
 
Quarter
 
Quarter
 
LQ
 
YOY
Personnel costs
$
1,349

 
$
1,122

 
20
%
 
$
360

 
$
405

 
$
289

 
(11
)%
 
25
%
Outside data processing and other services
305

 
231

 
32

 
89

 
91

 
64

 
(3
)
 
39

Equipment
165

 
125

 
26

 
60

 
41

 
32

 
46

 
88

Net occupancy
153

 
122

 
32

 
49

 
41

 
33

 
19

 
50

Professional services
105

 
50

 
21

 
23

 
47

 
13

 
(51
)
 
78

Marketing
63

 
52

 
109

 
21

 
14

 
12

 
49

 
78

Deposit and other insurance expense
54

 
45

 
21

 
16

 
15

 
11

 
6

 
42

Amortization of intangibles
30

 
28

 
9

 
14

 
9

 
4

 
56

 
272

Other expense
225

 
201

 
12

 
91

 
48

 
42

 
88

 
119

Total noninterest expense
$
2,450

 
$
1,976

 
24
%
 
$
723

 
$
712

 
$
499

 
2
 %
 
45
%
(in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Number of employees (Average full-time equivalent)
16.0

 
12.2

 
31
%
 
16.0

 
14.5

 
12.4

 
10
 %
 
29
%
Table 10 - Impacts of Significant Items
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
 
 
Full
 
Full
 
 
 
Fourth
 
Third
 
Fourth
 
 
($ in millions)
Year
 
Year
 
 
 
Quarter
 
Quarter
 
Quarter
 
 
 
 
Personnel costs
$
76

 
$
5

 

 
$
(5
)
 
$
76

 
$
2

 

 

Outside data processing and other services
46

 
4

 

 
15

 
28

 
2

 

 

Equipment
25

 
—

 

 
20

 
7

 
5

 

 

Net occupancy
15

 
5

 

 
7

 
5

 
—

 

 

Professional services
58

 
5

 

 
9

 
34

 
1

 

 

Marketing
6

 
—

 

 
4

 
1

 
—

 

 

Other expense
56

 
39

 

 
44

 
8

 
—

 

 

Total noninterest expense
$
281

 
$
58

 

 
$
95

 
$
159

 
$
10

 

 

Table 11 - Adjusted Noninterest Expense (Non-GAAP)
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
 
 
Full
 
Full
 
YOY
 
Fourth
 
Third
 
Fourth
 
Change (%)
($ in millions)
Year
 
Year
 
Change
 
Quarter
 
Quarter
 
Quarter
 
LQ
 
YOY
Personnel costs
$
1,273

 
$
1,117

 
14
%
 
$
365

 
$
329

 
$
287

 
11
%
 
27
%
Outside data processing and other services
258

 
227

 
14

 
73

 
63

 
62

 
16

 
18

Equipment
140

 
125

 
12

 
40

 
34

 
27

 
18

 
48

Net occupancy
138

 
117

 
18

 
42

 
37

 
33

 
14

 
27

Professional services
47

 
45

 
4

 
14

 
13

 
12

 
8

 
17

Marketing
57

 
52

 
10

 
17

 
14

 
12

 
21

 
42

Deposit and other insurance expense
54

 
45

 
20

 
16

 
15

 
11

 
7

 
45

Amortization of intangibles
30

 
28

 
7

 
14

 
9

 
4

 
56

 
250

Other expense
170

 
162

 
5

 
47

 
40

 
41

 
18

 
15

Total adjusted noninterest expense
$
2,167

 
$
1,918

 
13
%
 
$
628

 
$
553

 
$
488

 
14
%
 
29
%
See Pages 11-12 and 24-25 of Quarterly Financial Supplement for additional detail.
Note: 2016 results reflect inclusion of FirstMerit since August 16, 2016.

10


Reported noninterest expense for the 2016 fourth quarter increased $224 million , or 45% , from the year-ago quarter. Including the impact of the FirstMerit acquisition, changes in reported noninterest expense primarily reflect:
•
$71 million , or 25% , increase in personnel costs, reflecting an $84 million increase in salaries related to the May implementation of annual merit increases and a 29% increase in the number of average full-time equivalent employees, partially offset by a $13 million decrease in benefits expense related to an $18 million gain on the settlement of a portion of the FirstMerit pension plan liability during the 2016 fourth quarter.
•
$49 million , or 119% , increase in other expense, primarily reflecting a $40 million contribution in the 2016 fourth quarter to achieve the philanthropic plans related to FirstMerit.
•
$28 million , or 88% , increase in equipment expense, reflecting the impact of the FirstMerit acquisition.
•
$25 million , or 39% , increase in outside data processing and other services expense, primarily related to ongoing technology investments and the impact of the FirstMerit acquisition.
•
$17 million , or 50% , increase in net occupancy costs, reflecting the FirstMerit acquisition.
•
$10 million , or 272% , increase in amortization of intangibles reflecting the FirstMerit acquisition.
•
$10 million , or 78% , increase in professional services, primarily related to $9 million of acquisition-related Significant Items in the 2016 fourth quarter.
•
$9 million , or 78% , increase in marketing, related to the FirstMerit acquisition.
Reported noninterest expense increased $11 million , or 2% , from the 2016 third quarter . Other expense increased $43 million , or 88% , from the prior quarter, primarily reflecting the previously-mentioned $40 million contribution, as well as the $6 million benefit related to the extinguishment of trust preferred securities in the 2016 fourth quarter compared to a $4 million benefit in the prior quarter. Equipment expense increased $8 million , or 19% , primarily reflecting $20 million of acquisition-related Significant Items in the 2016 fourth quarter. Net occupancy expense increased $19 million , or 46% , reflecting a full quarter's impact of the FirstMerit acquisition. Personnel expense decreased $45 million , or 11% , as a result of an $82 million decrease in acquisition-related Significant Items, partially offset by a full quarter's impact of the FirstMerit acquisition. Professional services decreased $24 million , or 51% , due to a $25 million decrease in acquisition-related Significant Items .

11


Credit Quality
Table 12 – Credit Quality Metrics – NPAs and NCOs Remain Stable Sequentially
 
2016
 
2015
($ in millions)
December 31,
 
September 30,
 
June 30,
 
March 31,
 
December 31,
Total nonaccrual loans and leases
$
423

 
$
404

 
$
461

 
$
499

 
$
372

Total other real estate, net
51

 
71

 
29

 
26

 
27

Other NPAs (1)
7

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Total nonperforming assets
481

 
475

 
490

 
525

 
399

Accruing loans and leases past due 90 days or more
129

 
135

 
99

 
106

 
106

NPAs + accruing loans and lease past due 90 days or more
$
610

 
$
610

 
$
589

 
$
631

 
$
505

NAL ratio (2)
0.63
%
 
0.61
%
 
0.88
%
 
0.97
%
 
0.74
%
NPA ratio (3) (4)
0.72

 
0.72

 
0.93

 
1.02

 
0.79

(NPAs+90 days)/(Loans+OREO)
0.91

 
0.92

 
1.12

 
1.22

 
1.00

Provision for credit losses
$
75

 
$
64

 
$
25

 
$
28

 
$
36

Net charge-offs
44

 
40

 
17

 
9

 
22

Net charge-offs / Average total loans
0.26
%
 
0.26
%
 
0.13
%
 
0.07
%
 
0.18
%
Allowance for loans and lease losses
$
638

 
$
617

 
$
623

 
$
614

 
$
598

Allowance for unfunded loan commitments and letters of credit
98

 
88

 
74

 
75

 
72

Allowance for credit losses (ACL)
$
736

 
$
705

 
$
697

 
$
689

 
$
670

ACL as a % of:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total loans and leases
1.10
%
 
1.06
%
 
1.33
%
 
1.34
%
 
1.33
%
NALs
174

 
174

 
151

 
138

 
180

NPAs
153

 
148

 
142

 
131

 
168

(1)
Other nonperforming assets includes certain impaired investment securities.
(2)
Total NALs as a % of total loans and leases.
(3)
Total NPAs as a % of sum of loans and leases and net other real estate.
(4)
Excludes nonaccruing troubled debt restructured home equity loans previously transferred to held-for-sale for the quarters ending December 31, 2015 through June 30, 2016.
See Pages 13-18 and 26-31 of Quarterly Financial Supplement for additional detail.
Overall asset quality remains strong, with modest volatility. Overall consumer credit metrics, led by the Home Equity and Residential portfolios, continue to show an improving trend, while the Commercial portfolios continue to experience some quarter-to-quarter volatility based on the absolute low level of problem loans. The FirstMerit portfolio quality, composition, and geographic distribution were similar to the legacy Huntington portfolio. The only new loan classification is the RV / marine portfolio.
Nonaccrual loans and leases (NALs) of $423 million represented 0.63% of total loans and leases, down from 0.74% a year ago. The decrease in the NAL ratio reflected a 14% year-over-year increase in NALs, more than offset by the impact of the 33% year-over-year increase in total loans. Nonperforming assets (NPAs) of $481 million represented 0.72% of total loans and leases and OREO, down from 0.79% a year ago. The NAL ratio increased 2 basis points from the prior quarter, while the NPA ratio remained unchanged.
The provision for credit losses increased to $75 million in the 2016 fourth quarter compared to $36 million in the 2015 fourth quarter. Net charge-offs (NCOs) increased $22 million , or 99% , to $44 million . NCOs represented an annualized 0.26% of average loans and leases in the current quarter, unchanged from the prior quarter but up from 0.18% in the year-ago quarter. Commercial charge-offs continued to be positively impacted by recoveries in the CRE portfolio and broader continued successful workout strategies, while consumer charge-offs remained within our expected range. We continue to be pleased with the net charge-off performance across the entire portfolio, as we remain below our targeted range of 0.35% to 0.55%.
The period-end allowance for credit losses (ACL) as a percentage of total loans and leases decreased to 1.10% from 1.33% a year ago, while the ACL as a percentage of period-end total NALs decreased to 174% from 180% .

12


The decline in the coverage ratios is primarily a function of the purchase accounting impact associated with FirstMerit.
Capital
Table 13 – Capital Ratios – Balance Sheet Optimization Strategy Drives Linked-Quarter Increase in Regulatory Capital Ratios
 
 
2016
 
2015
($ in millions)
 
December 31,
 
September 30,
 
June 30,
 
March 31,