Cash conversion is weak with OCF/NI at 0.31 in Q2 2026, but capital returns remain sustainable as dividends and buybacks of $157.3M are below net income of $172.1M, while the $132.7M provision reversal inflates cash flow.
Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. (CFR) cash flow statement — 30-year operating, investing & financing cash flows
| Metric | TTM | Dec'25 | Dec'24 | Dec'23 | Dec'22 | Dec'21 | Dec'20 | Dec'19 | Dec'18 | Dec'17 | Dec'16 | Dec'15 | Dec'14 | Dec'13 | Dec'12 | Dec'11 | Dec'10 | Dec'09 | Dec'08 | Dec'07 | Dec'06 | Dec'05 | Dec'04 | Dec'03 | Dec'02 | Dec'01 | Dec'00 | Dec'99 | Dec'98 | Dec'97 | Dec'96 |
|---|
| Cash from Operations | 719.58M | 273.98M | 989.53M | 478.85M | 722.58M | 648.29M | 524.24M | 634.09M | 562.39M | 538.08M | 437.84M | 394.86M | 289.85M | 173.61M | 300M | 274.37M | 424.53M | 273.93M | 234.37M | 201.28M | -53.13M | 132.44M | 128.78M | 202.36M | 272.2M | 91.52M | 130.2M | 136.6M | 115.3M | 48.2M | 76.6M |
| Operating CF Growth % | 279.74% | -72.31% | 106.65% | -33.73% | 11.46% | 23.66% | -17.32% | 12.75% | 4.52% | 22.89% | 10.89% | 36.23% | 66.96% | -42.13% | 9.34% | -35.37% | 54.98% | 16.88% | 16.44% | 478.81% | -140.12% | 2.84% | -36.36% | -25.66% | 197.42% | -29.71% | -4.69% | 18.47% | 139.21% | -37.08% | -10.83% |
| Net Income | 683.68M | 648.56M | 582.54M | 597.97M | 579.15M | 443.08M | 331.15M | 443.6M | 454.92M | 364.15M | 304.26M | 279.33M | 277.98M | 237.87M | 237.95M | 217.53M | 208.76M | 179.03M | 207.25M | 212.07M | 193.59M | 165.42M | 141.32M | 130.5M | 116.99M | 80.92M | 108.82M | 97.6M | 75.6M | 73M | 62.9M |
| Depreciation & Amortization | 107.67M | 127.39M | 82.82M | 76.44M | 71.34M | 69.29M | 64.37M | 54.09M | 50.17M | 47.81M | 48.18M | 42.14M | 39.87M | 38.47M | 37.78M | 37.63M | 37.59M | 36.46M | 33.57M | 31.36M | 25.17M | 26.34M | 25.86M | 27.75M | 31.49M | 38.33M | 35.51M | 37.4M | 29.1M | 17.1M | 11.1M |
| Deferred Taxes | 4.32M | 5.37M | -11.6M | -14.83M | -4.92M | 7.78M | -15.83M | 7.61M | 52.92M | -14.49M | -11.6M | -19.06M | -4.13M | 3.28M | -6.41M | 8.17M | 4.64M | -9.85M | 11.42M | 857K | -1.27M | 555K | 5.32M | -3.78M | -7.82M | -7.5M | -1.78M | -6.1M | -5.6M | -6.7M | -3.9M |
| Other Non-Cash Items | -463.39M | 13.72M | 86.25M | 90.97M | 90.09M | 100.18M | 237.98M | 126.88M | 103.24M | 115.45M | 98.67M | 107.2M | 63.72M | 45.73M | 16.42M | 19.6M | 40.8M | 53.65M | 12.41M | -5.42M | -7.23M | 17.66M | 3.82M | -11.68M | 134.49M | -29.06M | -7.78M | 6.1M | 19.6M | -33.3M | 8.9M |
| Working Capital Changes | 360.88M | -545.81M | 229.76M | -296.31M | -31.41M | 15.21M | -107.34M | -14.04M | -112.81M | 12.15M | -13.46M | -27.48M | -100.09M | -163.7M | 1.42M | -24.53M | 117.81M | 2M | -40.45M | -37.59M | -263.4M | -77.54M | -47.54M | 59.57M | -2.95M | 8.84M | -4.56M | 1.6M | -3.4M | -1.9M | -2.4M |
| Cash from Investing | -2.91B | -1.6B | -180.88M | -942.75M | -8.28B | -2.53B | -1.63B | -1.39B | -1.91B | -670.6M | -1.37B | -1.24B | -2.28B | -385.92M | -2.16B | -2.46B | -399.82M | -919.38M | -1.23B | -461.27M | -368.95M | -421.72M | -633.4M | -619.72M | -289.21M | -635.56M | -385.97M | 22.3M | -672.7M | -347.3M | -215.9M |
| Purchase of Investments | -15.11B | -21.5B | -17.9B | -20.27B | -23.6B | -24.22B | -20.84B | -23.96B | -18.19B | -13.53B | -16.42B | -14.15B | -19.48B | -11.44B | -18.57B | -8.84B | -11.47B | -12.39B | -7.65B | -13.59B | -14.07B | -10.76B | -8.52B | -8.6B | -7.93B | -6.67B | -3.45B | -2.17B | -2.32B | -1.39B | -738.4M |
| Sale/Maturity of Investments | 13.78B | 21.17B | 19.81B | 21.17B | 16.24B | 20.6B | 22.12B | 23.44B | 17.33B | 14.07B | 15.55B | 13.55B | 17.29B | 11.38B | 17.66B | 6.32B | 10.89B | 11.14B | 7.61B | 13.54B | 14.01B | 10.97B | 8.48B | 8.05B | 7.73B | 6.18B | 3.47B | 2.65B | 2.08B | 1.38B | 856.4M |
| Net Investment Activity | -1.33B | -329.41M | 1.91B | 898.12M | -7.36B | -3.62B | 1.28B | -519.18M | -863.96M | 545.49M | -871.34M | -598.47M | -2.19B | -53.12M | -902.86M | -2.52B | -580.36M | -1.25B | -38.74M | -50.43M | -62.82M | 204.62M | -39.31M | -552.48M | -204.05M | -495.45M | 24.27M | 480.6M | -240.9M | -3M | 118M |
| Acquisitions | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -492K | 0 | 830.66M | -1.9M | -7.2M | -650K | 0 | -1.21M | -586K | -2.83M | -100.07M | -13.3M | -7.06M | -750K | 0 | -4.95M | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other Investing | -1.47B | -1.13B | -1.96B | -1.68B | -816.96M | 1.16B | -2.81B | -660.85M | -970.09M | -1.18B | -448.5M | -493.33M | -788.79M | -291.31M | -1.22B | 90.1M | 197.37M | 411.69M | -1.12B | -386.95M | -178.77M | -594.94M | -571.64M | -53.98M | -44.21M | -117.68M | -385.02M | -438M | -413M | -326.2M | -312.5M |
| Cash from Financing | 1.54B | -33.09M | 738.33M | -2.88B | 3B | 8.17B | 7.61B | 585.06M | 253.66M | 1.04B | 1.49B | 71.46M | 1.8B | 1.24B | 2.47B | 2.27B | 1.07B | 1.13B | 1.04B | 11.92M | -46.76M | 908.92M | 160.21M | -8.39M | 950.26M | 635.66M | 492.74M | -144.7M | 517.6M | 172.6M | 431.5M |
| Dividends Paid | -264.22M | -262.03M | -249.12M | -239M | -216.46M | -195.94M | -182.6M | -185.07M | -173.51M | -152.24M | -142.97M | -140.22M | -135.24M | -126.34M | -116.85M | -112.21M | -108.03M | -102.13M | -98.15M | -90.82M | -73.4M | -61.5M | -53.78M | -48.48M | -44.74M | -43.3M | -39.55M | -36M | -30.5M | -22.3M | -18.8M |
| Share Repurchases | -318.35M | -157.83M | -60.9M | -42.72M | -4.39M | -3.86M | -165.78M | -68.79M | -101.01M | -101.47M | -1.29M | -101.24M | -1.46M | -144.63M | -436K | -2.03M | -986K | -800K | -23.05M | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Stock Issued | 5.99M | 11.95M | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 158.01M | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3.54M | 2.5M | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Net Stock Activity | -312.36M | -145.89M | -60.9M | -42.72M | -4.39M | -3.86M | -7.78M | -68.79M | -101.01M | -101.47M | -1.29M | -101.24M | -1.46M | -144.63M | -436K | -2.03M | 2.55M | 1.7M | -23.05M | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Debt Issuance (Net) | 0 | 1000K | 1000K | -1000K | 1000K | 1000K | 1000K | 1000K | 1000K | 1000K | 1000K | 1000K | 1000K | 1000K | -1000K | 1000K | -1000K | -1000K | 1000K | -1000K | 1000K | 1000K | 1000K | -1000K | 1000K | 1000K | 1000K | 1000K | 1000K | -1000K | 1000K |
| Other Financing | 1.23B | 195.12M | 824.82M | -2.02B | 1.28B | 7.73B | 7.38B | 511.13M | 308.46M | 1.13B | 1.55B | 222.52M | 1.85B | 1.26B | 2.75B | 2.29B | 1.21B | 1.82B | 1.02B | 248.98M | -97.75M | 721.65M | 36.82M | 440.71M | 508.39M | 598.32M | 545.86M | -117.6M | 454.2M | 240.9M | 373.7M |
| Net Change in Cash | -648.89M | -1.36B | 1.55B | -3.34B | -4.55B | 6.29B | 6.5B | -167.6M | -1.1B | 911.6M | 549.92M | -772.6M | -192M | 1.03B | 617.39M | 86.61M | 1.1B | 484.15M | 40.82M | -248.07M | -468.84M | 619.64M | -344.42M | -425.74M | 933.25M | 91.62M | 236.97M | 14.3M | -39.8M | -126.5M | -661.8M |
| Exchange Rate Effect | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 100K | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Cash at Beginning | 7.14B | 10.23B | 8.69B | 12.03B | 16.58B | 10.29B | 3.79B | 3.96B | 5.05B | 4.14B | 3.59B | 4.36B | 4.56B | 3.52B | 2.91B | 2.82B | 1.72B | 1.24B | 1.2B | 1.44B | 1.91B | 1.29B | 1.64B | 2.06B | 1.13B | 1.04B | 802.11M | 787.8M | 827.6M | 954.1M | 661.8M |
| Cash at End | 6.47B | 8.87B | 10.23B | 8.69B | 12.03B | 16.58B | 10.29B | 3.79B | 3.96B | 5.05B | 4.14B | 3.59B | 4.36B | 4.56B | 3.52B | 2.91B | 2.82B | 1.72B | 1.24B | 1.2B | 1.44B | 1.91B | 1.29B | 1.64B | 2.06B | 1.13B | 1.04B | 802.1M | 787.8M | 827.6M | 938.1M |
| Interest Paid | 0 | 0 | 0 | 616.27M | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 46.8M | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Income Taxes Paid | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 54.44M | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Free Cash Flow | 645.6M | 127.33M | 861.76M | 320.21M | 620.08M | 582.44M | 428.82M | 427.37M | 483.12M | 503.99M | 384.19M | 247.73M | 157.88M | 134.01M | 275.11M | 247.65M | 407.71M | 195.67M | 166.9M | 180.22M | -80.42M | 114.34M | 113.38M | 189.85M | 231.25M | 74.04M | 104.98M | 116.3M | 96.5M | 30.1M | 55.2M |
| FCF Growth % | 650.82% | -85.22% | 169.12% | -48.36% | 6.46% | 35.82% | 0.34% | -11.54% | -4.14% | 31.18% | 55.09% | 56.91% | 17.82% | -51.29% | 11.09% | -39.26% | 108.37% | 17.23% | -7.39% | 324.09% | -170.34% | 0.84% | -40.28% | -17.9% | 212.33% | -29.47% | -9.73% | 20.52% | 220.6% | -45.47% | -30.57% |
Quick answers to the most common questions about buying CFR stock.
Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. (CFR) generated $274.0M in net cash from operating activities in 2025. This reflects the cash generated directly from core business operations.
Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. (CFR) generated $127.3M in free cash flow in 2025. Free cash flow is the cash left over after capital expenditures, which can be used to pay dividends, repurchase shares, or pay down debt.
Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. (CFR) spent $146.7M on capital expenditures in 2025. CapEx represents the cash invested in physical assets like property, plant, and equipment to maintain or grow the business.
In 2025, Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. (CFR) returned $262.0M to shareholders via cash dividends and spent $157.8M on share repurchases. This shows the company's commitment to returning capital to its equity investors.
Key Metrics
Top Statement Risk
Texas CRE concentration risk
Metrics are mathematically derived from official filings.
Earnings Retention Funds Organic Growth
CFR's net income rose to $172.1M in Q2 2026, per company filings, with OCF/NI at 0.31, indicating strong earnings retention that supports organic capital generation.
Despite the low OCF/NI ratio in Q2 2026, the bank's net income has grown steadily, and retained earnings after dividends and buybacks remain positive. This suggests that CFR is generating sufficient internal capital to fund loan growth and maintain regulatory buffers, consistent with its conservative capital management approach.
Securities Portfolio Churn Reflects Rate Strategy
Investment purchases outpaced sales by $1.3B in Q2 2026, as reported in financial statements, indicating active portfolio repositioning amid a flat yield curve.
The bank has been consistently buying and selling securities, with net purchases in most quarters, suggesting a strategy to manage duration and liquidity. The large swings in purchase and sale volumes, such as $5.8B purchases and $4.5B sales in Q2 2026, may indicate opportunistic reinvestment or balance sheet management, but the net impact on cash flow is modest.
Loan Growth Supported by Deposit Inflows
CFR's loan book appears to be expanding, with deposit inflows funding growth, as evidenced by stable OCF and positive loan loss provisions in recent quarters.
The cash flow data shows no direct loan origination figures, but the consistent net income and stable OCF suggest that loan growth is being funded by core deposits. The negative loan loss provisions in Q2 2026 and Q1 2026 (reversals) may indicate improving credit quality or conservative reserving, which could support continued lending.
Dividends and Buybacks Remain Sustainable
CFR paid $66.4M in dividends and repurchased $90.9M of stock in Q2 2026, per SEC filings, totaling $157.3M, which is below net income of $172.1M.
The combined capital return of $157.3M in Q2 2026 is slightly below net income, indicating that the bank is retaining a portion of earnings for growth. The dividend has been consistently increased, and buybacks have been modest, suggesting a balanced approach that is sustainable given the bank's earnings power.
Core Deposits Drive Stable Funding
CFR's deposit base remains a key strength, with non-interest-bearing deposits historically high, as noted in company intelligence, supporting a low cost of funds.
While the cash flow statement does not directly show deposit flows, the bank's ability to maintain a high proportion of non-interest-bearing deposits is reflected in its stable net interest margin and low funding costs. This deposit franchise provides a durable funding source that reduces reliance on wholesale funding, as evidenced by minimal changes in short-term debt.
Provision Reversals Boost Cash Flow
CFR recorded a negative provision of -$132.7M in Q2 2026, according to financial statements, reversing prior reserves and inflating net income.
The negative provisions in Q2 2026 and Q1 2026 are notable, as they suggest that the bank is releasing reserves, possibly due to improved credit conditions or changes in economic forecasts. This reversal has a positive impact on net income and cash flow, but investors should monitor whether this is sustainable or a one-time benefit.
What Could Invalidate the Base Case
CFR's Q2 2026 earnings quality is questionable due to a $132.7M provision reversal, per financial statements, which may not recur.
The provision reversal inflates net income and cash flow, masking underlying operational performance. If credit conditions deteriorate, the bank may need to rebuild reserves, which could pressure future earnings. Additionally, the low OCF/NI ratio in Q2 2026 suggests that operating cash flow is not fully covering net income, warranting closer scrutiny of the sustainability of earnings.