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BOK FINANCIAL CORPORATION NASD : BOKF Exhibit 99 ( a ) BOK Financial Corporation Reports Quarterly Earnings of $ 146 million or $ 2.10 Per Share in the First Quarter CEO Commentary Steven G. Bradshaw , president and chief executive officer stated , " Not since the energy downturn in 2016 have we had an opportunity to demonstrate how valuable our organization's differentiated credit culture is to shareholder outcomes . Exceptional credit outcomes coupled with improving economic metrics led us to release $ 25 million in reserves in the quarter . This is a testament not only to how well we've managed the ongoing crisis , but more importantly , our ability to remain disciplined with credit decisions in more favorable parts of the cycle . " Bradshaw continued , " While loan growth remains challenged industry - wide during a time of unprecedented liquidity and heightened uncertainty , BOK Financial Corporation remains focused on the long - term . We have a longstanding track record of loan growth outpacing U.S. GDP growth , and with the economic recovery underway , we see a clear path to growing loans this year . With substantial capital levels , a strong competitive position and a favorable footprint , we remain confident in our ability to serve both our clients and our shareholders well in 2021 . As always , we are closely monitoring our expense levels , striving for balance between expense reductions and containment while keeping our level of long term investments in people and technology a top priority . We believe the company is extremely well positioned to attract and expand new relationships as the economy expands and further opens in 2021. " First Quarter 2021 Financial Highlights • . • • • Net income was $ 146.1 million or $ 2.10 per diluted share for the first quarter of 2021 and $ 154.2 million or $ 2.21 per diluted share for the fourth quarter of 2020 . Net interest revenue totaled $ 280.4 million , a decrease of $ 16.8 million . Net interest margin was 2.62 percent compared to 2.72 percent in the fourth quarter of 2020. A reduction in average outstanding loan balances and the timing of certain loan fees , combined with reinvestment of cash flows from our available for sale securities portfolio at current rates , led to lower net interest revenue and compressed net interest margin in the first quarter . Fees and commissions revenue totaled $ 162.2 million , a decrease of $ 18.9 million . Brokerage and trading revenue decreased $ 18.7 million , largely due to a decrease in trading volume and margin compression . While still strong , mortgage banking revenue decreased $ 2.2 million , primarily the result of increasing mortgage interest rates coupled with margin compression . Operating expense decreased $ 18.0 million to $ 282.6 million . Personnel expense decreased $ 3.2 million , primarily due to lower incentive compensation , partially offset by a seasonal increase in employee benefits expense . Non - personnel expense decreased $ 14.8 million primarily due to a gain on sale of repossessed oil and gas assets . Decreases in professional fees , business promotion , occupancy and equipment expense and other expenses were partially offset by an increase in data processing and communications expense . Period - end loans decreased $ 474 million to $ 22.5 billion at March 31 , 2021 , primarily due to paydowns of commercial loans and commercial real estate loans . Period - end Paycheck Protection Program ( " PPP " ) loans increased $ 166 million to $ 1.8 billion . Average loans were $ 22.8 billion , a $ 691 million decrease compared to the fourth quarter of 2020 . 1