Fed Set to Cut Rates Tomorrow: 3 Bank Stocks Stand to Benefit

Core Insights - The Federal Reserve is anticipated to announce its first interest rate cut of the year, with expectations of a 25 basis point reduction, bringing the policy rate to 4.00-4.25% [2][9] Economic Context - Recent data indicates a weakening U.S. economy, characterized by slower hiring and a rising unemployment rate, which suggests a softening labor market [6] - Inflation remains above the Federal Reserve's 2% target, but increasing unemployment pressures policymakers to shift focus towards supporting growth and financial stability [7] Impact on Banks - The expected rate cuts are likely to stabilize banks' funding costs and support net interest income (NII) expansion, a critical earnings driver for banks [8] - Lower benchmark rates may compress yields on loans and securities, but easing funding pressures can help preserve margins [8] - A rate cut is expected to make refinancing more affordable, reducing default risks and improving credit quality for banks [10] Bank-Specific Insights M&T Bank (MTB) - MTB's NII has a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.4% over the past four years, with projections for NII to rise to $7.05-$7.15 billion in 2025 from $6.85 billion in 2024 [11][12] - The bank expects average loans and leases to be between $135 billion and $137 billion in 2025, with total deposits projected at $162-$164 billion [13] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for MTB's earnings implies year-over-year increases of 10.9% and 13.7% for 2025 and 2026, respectively [14] Bank OZK (OZK) - OZK's NII rose in the first half of 2025, with expectations for continued improvement [17] - The bank has experienced a 10.8% revenue CAGR from 2019 to 2024, driven by loan growth and higher fee income [18] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for OZK's earnings implies year-over-year rises of 3.6% and 5.9% for 2025 and 2026, respectively [19] Texas Capital Bancshares (TCBI) - TCBI's NII has a CAGR of 4.1% over the past three years, with expectations for continued growth due to rate cuts and improving loan demand [22] - The bank is advancing its strategic plan to improve efficiency and diversify revenues, including acquiring a $400 million healthcare loan portfolio [23] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for TCBI's earnings implies year-over-year increases of 39.1% and 11.4% for 2025 and 2026, respectively [25]