Huntington Bankshares is powering digital growth—by opening a branch almost every 2 weeks, says CFO

Core Viewpoint - Huntington Bancshares Inc. is celebrating its 160th anniversary by demonstrating that traditional branch banking and digital growth can coexist and enhance each other rather than compete [1] Company Strategy - Founded in 1866, Huntington operates over 1,000 branches and is focusing on expansion, with 2026 identified as a "major" strategic year for integrating partnerships and growing core businesses in payments, wealth management, and capital markets [2] - The bank plans to open approximately one branch every two weeks in North Carolina and South Carolina, aiming for about 55 locations by the end of 2027 [3][4] Digital Growth - Huntington has shifted towards a digital-first approach for customer acquisition, now attracting more customers online than through branches, which is noted as "very unusual" for a bank of its size [5] - Approximately 80% of new digital customers reside within five miles of a Huntington branch, indicating the importance of local presence even for online account openings [6] Financial Performance - Huntington reported solid fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 results, with fourth-quarter EPS at $0.30, or $0.37 adjusted, reflecting a 9% year-over-year increase and surpassing estimates [7] - The bank's growth is attributed to loan and deposit increases, higher fee income, improving margins, and strong credit quality [7] Integration and Long-term Strategy - Huntington is actively integrating two recent bank partnerships, including a merger with Veritex Holdings and an acquisition of Cadence Bank, applying lessons learned to retain employees and customers during transitions [7] - The strategy emphasizes consistent, multi-year investments in branches, digital platforms, and specialized businesses to capture market share over time [8]