UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-Q (Mark one) ☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2025 OR ☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the transition period from to Commission file number: 001-36872 HANCOCK WHITNEY CORPORATION (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Mississippi 64-0693170 (State or o ...

Core Insights - Hancock Whitney (NASDAQ: HWC) has seen its shares decline recently, but overall, the Mississippi-based bank has experienced growth over the past six months [1] Company Overview - The company adopts a long-term, buy-and-hold investment strategy, focusing on stocks that can consistently deliver high-quality earnings, particularly in the dividend and income sectors [1] Investment Perspective - The analyst expresses a beneficial long position in HWC shares, indicating confidence in the bank's future performance [2]

Core Viewpoint - Hancock Whitney (NASDAQ: HWC) has experienced a decline in share price over the past few weeks, but the Mississippi-based bank has still seen an overall increase in its stock value over the last six months [1]. Group 1: Company Performance - The bank's shares have added to their value despite recent declines, indicating resilience in its stock performance [1]. Group 2: Investment Strategy - The investment approach favored is a long-term, buy-and-hold strategy, particularly focusing on stocks that can consistently deliver high-quality earnings, often found in the dividend and income sectors [1].

Core Insights - The article discusses the importance of succession planning in organizations, emphasizing the need for a structured approach to ensure business continuity and effective leadership transitions [3][4][5][6][7]. Group 1: Succession Planning Essentials - Succession plans should encompass all critical leadership and operational roles that impact business continuity and client relationships, including positions like CEO, CFO, and COO [3]. - Identifying potential successors and interim leaders is crucial for seamless transitions during unexpected events, supported by a cross-functional advisory team [3]. Group 2: Assessing Internal Candidates - Organizations should evaluate current leaders and potential successors based on required skills, experience, and values, utilizing performance reviews and leadership assessments [4]. - Customized growth plans should be developed for candidates, including mentoring and exposure to strategic projects, to prepare them for future leadership roles [4]. Group 3: Legal and Financial Considerations - Succession planning involves complex legal and financial implications, including business valuation and potential tax liabilities [5]. - Legal documentation must align with the succession plan, necessitating collaboration with a team of advisors to mitigate tax exposure and liquidity challenges [5]. Group 4: Plan Review and Updates - Succession plans should be reviewed at least annually or when significant changes occur, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and ownership dynamics [6]. - Continuous communication with advisors and stakeholders is essential to keep the succession plan relevant and actionable [6]. Group 5: Common Mistakes in Succession Planning - Common pitfalls include starting too late, failing to identify successors, and neglecting communication with stakeholders [7]. - To avoid these mistakes, organizations should document their plans formally, engage professional advisors, and regularly test and refine the plan [7].

Core Insights - Hancock Whitney Corp. (HWC) reported third-quarter 2025 earnings per share of $1.49, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.41, and reflecting a 12% increase from the prior year quarter [1][9] Financial Performance - Net income for the quarter was $127.5 million, a 10.3% increase year over year, exceeding the estimate of $119.5 million [2] - Total revenues reached $385.7 million, up 4.9% year over year, but fell short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $387.9 million [3] - Net interest income (NII) increased by 2.9% year over year to $282.3 million, with a net interest margin (NIM) of 3.49%, expanding by 10 basis points [3] - Non-interest income totaled $106 million, reflecting a 10.5% increase, driven by growth in nearly all components except other income [4] - Total non-interest expenses rose by 4.4% to $212.8 million, slightly below the projected $217.4 million [4] Loan and Deposit Trends - Total loans amounted to $23.6 billion, showing a slight increase from the previous quarter, while total deposits decreased by 1.3% to $28.7 billion [5] Credit Quality - The provision for credit losses was $12.7 million, down 31.9% from the prior-year quarter, indicating improved credit quality [6] - Net charge-offs were 0.19% of average total loans, down 11 basis points from the prior-year quarter [6] Capital and Profitability Ratios - As of September 30, 2025, the Tier 1 leverage ratio improved to 11.46% from 11.03% a year ago, and the common equity Tier 1 ratio rose to 14.08% from 13.78% [7] - Return on average assets increased to 1.46% from 1.32%, while return on average common equity rose to 11.58% from 11.43% [7] Share Repurchase Activity - In the reported quarter, HWC repurchased 0.66 million shares at an average price of $60.45 per share [10] Strategic Outlook - The company's strategic expansion initiatives are expected to support top-line growth, while bond restructuring efforts and higher rates may enhance NII and NIM [11]

Group 1 - The article does not provide any specific content related to a company or industry [1]

Core Insights - Hancock Whitney (HWC) reported revenue of $385.74 million for Q3 2025, a year-over-year increase of 4.9% and an EPS of $1.49 compared to $1.33 a year ago, with a revenue surprise of -0.55% against the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $387.87 million and an EPS surprise of +5.67% over the consensus estimate of $1.41 [1] Financial Performance Metrics - Net interest margin (TE) was reported at 3.5%, matching the four-analyst average estimate of 3.5% [4] - Efficiency Ratio stood at 54.1%, better than the four-analyst average estimate of 56.1% [4] - Total net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans were 0.2%, in line with the average estimate [4] - Average balance of total interest-earning assets was $32.21 billion, slightly below the three-analyst average estimate of $32.41 billion [4] - Total nonperforming loans amounted to $113.55 million, exceeding the two-analyst average estimate of $94.44 million [4] - Total nonperforming assets were reported at $124.69 million, slightly above the two-analyst average estimate of $121.03 million [4] - Total noninterest income reached $106 million, surpassing the four-analyst average estimate of $102.89 million [4] - Net interest income (TE) was $282.31 million, below the four-analyst average estimate of $286.53 million [4] - Net interest income was reported at $279.74 million, compared to the three-analyst average estimate of $283.83 million [4] - Secondary mortgage market operations generated $3.48 million, below the two-analyst average estimate of $4.13 million [4] - Bank card and ATM fees totaled $21.81 million, slightly below the two-analyst average estimate of $22.52 million [4] - Investment and annuity fees and insurance commissions were $14.51 million, exceeding the two-analyst average estimate of $10.87 million [4] Stock Performance - Shares of Hancock Whitney have returned -4.1% over the past month, contrasting with the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +1.1% change, and the stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), indicating potential performance in line with the broader market [3]

Core Insights - Hancock Whitney (HWC) reported quarterly earnings of $1.49 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.41 per share, and up from $1.33 per share a year ago, representing an earnings surprise of +5.67% [1] - The company posted revenues of $385.74 million for the quarter ended September 2025, which was below the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.55%, but an increase from $367.66 million year-over-year [2] - Hancock Whitney has surpassed consensus EPS estimates in all four of the last quarters [2] Earnings Performance - The earnings surprise for the previous quarter was +2.24%, with actual earnings of $1.37 per share compared to an expected $1.34 per share [1] - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $1.45, with projected revenues of $393.55 million, and for the current fiscal year, the EPS estimate is $5.60 on revenues of $1.52 billion [7] Stock Performance - Hancock Whitney shares have increased approximately 10.6% year-to-date, while the S&P 500 has gained 13.1% [3] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), indicating expected performance in line with the market in the near future [6] Industry Outlook - The Banks - Southeast industry, to which Hancock Whitney belongs, is currently ranked in the top 38% of over 250 Zacks industries, suggesting a favorable outlook compared to lower-ranked industries [8] - Empirical research indicates a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions, which can be tracked by investors [5]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported an ROA of 1.46%, up from 1.32% a year ago, indicating continued profitability improvement [6] - Adjusted net income for the quarter was nearly $128 million, or $1.49 per share, compared to $118 million, or $1.37 per share in the previous quarter [10] - The efficiency ratio improved to 54.1% from 54.91% in the prior quarter, and year-to-date efficiency ratio is 54.73%, down from 55.67% last year [11] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Fee income grew to $106 million, an increase of 8% from the prior quarter, with investment, insurance, and annuity fees leading the increase [6] - Loans grew by $135 million, or 2% annualized, with production increasing 6% quarter-over-quarter and 46% year-over-year [7] - Deposits decreased by $387 million, primarily due to seasonal activity in public fund DDA and interest-bearing accounts [8] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Interest-bearing transaction balances increased, while retail time deposits and DDA balances decreased, reflecting promotional pricing changes [8] - The company ended the quarter with a TCE of 10.01% and a common equity tier one ratio of 14.08% [8] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to open five new locations in the Dallas market, aiming for growth and profitability [9] - The focus remains on organic growth, with a goal of achieving more favorable loan yields and relationship revenue [7] - The company is optimistic about closing out 2025 with continued growth despite a dynamic macroeconomic environment [9] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in navigating challenges and supporting clients, highlighting a strong capital stack and solid allowance for credit losses [9] - The company anticipates low single-digit growth in 2025, with expectations of continued paydowns impacting loan growth [8] - Management noted that while paydowns may persist, they are focused on increasing loan production to offset this [21] Other Important Information - The company repurchased 662,000 shares of common stock during the quarter, continuing to return capital to investors [8] - The company expects to maintain a strong capital position while being proactive in deploying capital for organic growth [26] Q&A Session Summary Question: Loan growth expectations and paydowns - Management indicated that loan production was strong, with a healthy growth rate, but paydowns are expected to continue due to project completions [18][21] Question: Capital management and M&A opportunities - Management clarified that they are not focused on M&A currently but are open to opportunistic approaches in the future [25][26] Question: Deposit growth expectations for Q4 - Management expects strong seasonal growth in public fund deposits and DDAs, projecting a total deposit growth of $400 million to $500 million [90][91] Question: Future growth in the Dallas market - The company plans to double its offices in the Dallas MSA and anticipates significant growth driven by business purpose clients [95][96] Question: Credit quality and criticized loans - Management expressed confidence in the moderation of criticized loans, noting improvements in client performance and refinancing activity [78][79]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported an adjusted net income of nearly $128 million, or $1.49 per share, compared to $118 million, or $1.37 per share in the previous quarter, reflecting a strong performance [10] - Return on Assets (ROA) improved to 1.46% from 1.32% a year ago, indicating continued profitability improvement [5] - The efficiency ratio improved to 54.1% from 54.91% in the prior quarter, and year-to-date efficiency ratio is 54.73%, down from 55.67% last year [10][11] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Net interest income (NII) increased by $3 million, or 1%, while fee income grew to $106 million, an increase of 8% from the prior quarter, driven by record highs in investment, insurance, and annuity fees [5][10] - Loans grew by $135 million, or 2% annualized, with production increasing 6% quarter over quarter and 46% year over year [6][10] - The yield on the loan portfolio increased by 1 basis point to 5.87%, while the yield on fixed-rate loans rose by 7 basis points to 5.24% [11][12] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Deposits decreased by $387 million, primarily due to seasonal activity in public fund DDA and interest-bearing accounts [7][13] - Interest-bearing transaction balances increased, while retail time deposits and DDA balances decreased, reflecting promotional pricing changes [7] - The company expects low single-digit growth in deposits for the fourth quarter, with anticipated seasonal growth in public fund deposits [72] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to open five new locations in the Dallas market, aiming for increased hiring to solidify growth targets [9][27] - The focus remains on organic growth, with a goal of achieving more favorable loan yields and relationship revenue [6][9] - The company aspires to become the best bank in the Southeast for privately owned businesses, emphasizing the importance of local service and efficiency [78] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in navigating the dynamic macroeconomic environment, highlighting a strong capital position and solid allowance for credit losses [9] - The company anticipates continued growth and profitability, despite challenges from high paydowns and competitive pressures [9][23] - Management expects to maintain a proactive approach to managing capital, focusing on organic growth and potential share repurchases [27][29] Other Important Information - The company repurchased approximately $40 million of shares during the quarter and plans to continue at this level [14][29] - The capital ratios remain strong, with a tangible common equity (TCE) of 10.01% and a common equity tier one ratio of 14.08% [8] Q&A Session Summary Question: Loan growth expectations and paydowns - Management noted that loan production was strong, with a 6% increase quarter over quarter, but high paydowns are expected to persist, impacting net growth [18][19] Question: Capital management and M&A opportunities - Management clarified that while they are not focused on M&A currently, they remain opportunistic and will consider capital deployment for organic growth and share repurchases [25][27] Question: Guidance for NII and expenses - Management indicated that NII growth expectations are modest, with a bias toward the lower end of the range, and expenses are expected to grow slightly more in the fourth quarter [43][44] Question: Deposit competition and growth expectations - Management expects strong seasonal growth in deposits for the fourth quarter, with no significant changes in competitive pressures noted [72][74] Question: Credit quality and criticized loans - Management expressed confidence in the moderation of criticized loans, citing improvements in client performance and refinancing activity [57][59]