Farmers & Merchants Bancorp (FMCB) Announces Record Quarterly Dividend

Core Viewpoint - Farmers & Merchants Bancorp has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $5.05 per share, marking a total year-to-date cash dividend of $19.35 per share, which is a 6.9% increase from the previous year [1][2]. Financial Performance - For the trailing twelve months ending September 30, 2025, the company reported a net income of $91.6 million, up from $88.0 million the previous year [2]. - Diluted earnings per share for the same period totaled $130.83, reflecting a 10.4% increase compared to $118.46 a year earlier [2]. - The net income for the third quarter of 2025 was $23.7 million, or $33.92 per diluted common share, representing a 13.2% increase year-over-year [3]. Capital and Asset Quality - As of September 30, 2025, total assets were reported at $5.6 billion, with a non-accrual loans and leases amounting to $955,000, or 0.03% of total loans and leases [3]. - The allowance for credit losses on loans and leases stood at $76.0 million, or 2.10% of total loans and leases [3]. - The common equity tier 1 ratio was 14.26%, and the total risk-based capital ratio was 15.74%, both exceeding regulatory requirements for a "well-capitalized" classification [3]. Dividend Policy and Recognition - The company transitioned its dividend policy from semi-annual to quarterly payments starting in August 2025, with the latest dividend declaration marking the 90th consecutive year of cash dividends and the 60th consecutive year of dividend increases [4][6]. - Farmers & Merchants Bancorp is recognized as a "Dividend King," ranking 17th among only 55 publicly traded companies with a history of increasing dividends for 50 or more consecutive years [4][6]. Industry Recognition - In July 2025, Farmers & Merchants Bancorp was ranked the 3 best-performing bank in the nation across all asset categories by Bank Director's Magazine for 2024 [7]. - The bank has consistently received high rankings in various studies, including being named the 1 best-performing bank in 2022 and 2 in 2023 [7]. - F&M Bank was also recognized as one of "America's Best Banks" by Forbes Magazine and ranked 4th on S&P Global Market Intelligence's "Top 50 List of Best-Performing Community Banks" in 2023 [8][9].