Core Viewpoint - First Financial Bancorp is set to complete its acquisition of BankFinancial Corporation on January 1, 2026, enhancing its presence in the Chicago market with retail consumer-focused locations [1][2]. Group 1: Acquisition Details - The acquisition is an all-stock transaction that will add BankFinancial's 18 financial centers and its commercial loan, lease, and deposit lines of business to First Financial [2][3]. - Following the acquisition, First Financial will have $22 billion in assets and will expand its range of consumer, commercial, specialty lending, and wealth management services [2][3]. Group 2: Strategic Growth - The acquisition aligns with First Financial's strategy to grow in the Midwest, having previously established a commercial lending presence in Chicago's Fulton Market and acquired Agile Premium Finance in 2024 [4]. - In November 2025, First Financial completed the acquisition of Westfield Bank, further enhancing its commercial banking and wealth management capabilities in Northeast Ohio [4]. Group 3: Operational Transition - BankFinancial locations will continue to operate under their existing name until the conversion process is completed, expected by June 2026, which will integrate the two banks' products and systems [3]. - Clients of BankFinancial will receive information regarding account conversions in the coming months, while First Financial clients will not be affected by the merger [3]. Group 4: Company Overview - As of September 30, 2025, First Financial Bancorp had $18.6 billion in assets, $11.7 billion in loans, $14.4 billion in deposits, and $2.6 billion in shareholders' equity [5]. - The company operates 127 full-service banking centers across Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois, and has a wealth management division with approximately $4.0 billion in assets under management [5].

Core Viewpoint - Capital Bancorp, Inc. has renewed Ed Barry's employment agreement through December 2027 and is evolving its executive leadership structure to support its long-term vision as a diversified financial services enterprise [1][2]. Leadership Changes - Ed Barry will continue as Chief Executive Officer, focusing on enterprise-level strategy and key strategic initiatives [2]. - Steve Poynot, currently President and Chief Operating Officer, will be elevated to Chief Executive Officer of Capital Bank, N.A., while retaining oversight of Windsor Advantage [3]. Strategic Vision - The company's long-term growth strategy aims to create a diversified financial services enterprise, combining a core commercial bank with differentiated, high-performing businesses [4]. - The leadership alignment is designed to manage the complexity of the enterprise and maximize growth across various lines of business [4]. Financial Overview - As of September 30, 2025, Capital Bancorp, Inc. has $3.4 billion in assets and operates a diversified portfolio of regional banking and national specialty platforms [5].

Core Viewpoint - U.S. Bancorp's shares have outperformed both the industry and the S&P 500 Index over the past six months, indicating strong market performance and investor confidence [1][7]. Performance Summary - U.S. Bancorp's shares increased by 21.5% in the last six months, surpassing the industry's growth of 20.3% and the S&P 500's 14.5% [1]. - In comparison, Fifth Third Bancorp and M&T Bank Corporation saw their shares rise by 17.7% and 6.9%, respectively, during the same period [1]. Revenue Growth - The company has achieved a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.6% in revenue over the five years ending in 2024, with continued growth expected in 2025 [5][9]. - Net interest income (NII) growth is supported by improved deposit trends and investment portfolio repositioning, with projections for three Federal Reserve rate cuts in 2025 likely to stabilize funding costs and encourage loan growth [8]. Inorganic Growth Initiatives - U.S. Bancorp has made several acquisitions and partnerships to enhance its market presence and service offerings, including the acquisition of Salucro Healthcare Solutions and partnerships to expand its embedded finance capabilities [10][11]. - Recent initiatives include enhancing consumer engagement through partnerships and expanding its point-of-sale lending platform [10]. Liquidity and Capital Deployment - As of September 30, 2025, U.S. Bancorp maintained a strong liquidity position with cash and due from banks totaling $66.6 billion, significantly exceeding short-term borrowings of $15.4 billion [12]. - The company has increased its quarterly dividend by 4% to 52 cents per share, with a current dividend yield of 3.78%, outperforming the industry average [13]. Digital and AI Investments - U.S. Bancorp is investing in AI and digital infrastructure to drive profitability, including the launch of the U.S. Bank Liquidity Manager and enhancements to its SinglePoint platform [17][18]. - These initiatives are expected to improve operational efficiency and support long-term growth, with management anticipating over 200 basis points of positive operating leverage in 2025 [19]. Expense Trends - Non-interest expenses have grown at a CAGR of 6.1% from 2019 to 2024, primarily due to higher merger costs and technology investments, although expenses declined in the first nine months of 2025 [20]. Loan Concentration Risk - As of September 30, 2025, 51.4% of U.S. Bancorp's loan portfolio consisted of commercial loans, which may pose asset quality risks in a changing economic environment [23]. Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings has been revised upward, projecting growth of 14.3% for 2025 and 7.8% for 2026 [25].

BUFFALO, Wyo., Dec. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- We continue to build our franchise as Crazy Woman Creek Bancorp (OTCPink: CRZY) and Buffalo Federal Bank, known as The Banks of Buffalo, Sheridan, Gillette and BFSB Mortgage of Evanston. Headquartered in Buffalo, Wyoming, our bank remains a vital business and community partner since founding in 1936. We take great pride in meeting our customers’ banking needs with a passion for local decision-making and personal involvement in our communities. Our vision rema ...

Core Points - East West Bancorp, Inc. announced plans to host conference calls to review financial results for specific periods [1] Group 1 - The financial results for the Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2025 will be released on January 22, 2026, at 2 p.m. PT/5 p.m. ET [1] - The financial results for the First Quarter 2026 will be released on April 21, 2026, at 2 p.m. PT/5 p.m. ET [1] - The financial results are scheduled to be released after the market closes on the specified dates [1]

Back in April, when it seemed the US economy might soon be upended by tariffs and trade wars, I wrote my first analysis of Northeast Community Bancorp, Inc. ( NECB ). Its stock wasI have been involved in the financial world for over 20 years with experience as an advisor, teacher, and writer. I am a full believer in the free-market system and that financial markets are efficient with most stocks reflecting their real current value. The best opportunities for profits on individual stocks come from stocks tha ...

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ARCHBOLD, Ohio, Dec. 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Board of Directors of Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc., (Nasdaq: FMAO) the holding company of F&M Bank, with total assets of $3.39 billion at September 30, 2025, today announced that it has approved the Company’s quarterly cash dividend of $0.23 per share. The fourth-quarter dividend is payable on January 20, 2026, to shareholders of record as of December 29, 2025.   The $0.23 per share dividend represents a $0.00875 per share, or 4.0% increase year-ove ...

The declaration and amount of any future cash dividends will be subject to the sole discretion of the Board of Directors and will depend upon many factors, including the Company's results of operations, financial condition, capital requirements, regulatory and contractual restrictions, business strategy and other factors deemed relevant by the Board of Directors. First Internet Bancorp is a bank holding company with assets of $5.6 billion as of September 30, 2025. The Company's subsidiary, First Internet Ba ...

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