Core Insights - NBT Bancorp reported a total loan increase of $1.63 billion, or 16.3%, for the year, bringing the loan portfolio to $11.6 billion, with a diversified mix of 56% commercial and 44% consumer loans [1][6] - The company achieved a net income of $55.5 million, or $1.06 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter, with core operating earnings consistent with the prior quarter at $1.05 per share [3][7] - Operating return on assets was reported at 1.37% and return on tangible equity at 17.02%, with tangible book value per share increasing by 11% year-over-year to $26.54 [2][7] Loan and Deposit Growth - Total loans rose by 16.3% to $11.6 billion, including the acquisition of Evans Bancorp, while deposits increased by approximately $2.0 billion, with a shift towards lower-cost checking, savings, and money market accounts [1][6] - 58% of deposits, amounting to $7.8 billion, were categorized as no- or low-cost accounts, reflecting a strategic move away from higher-cost time deposits [7] Profitability and Capital Management - NBT's net interest margin (NIM) was reported at 3.65% for Q4, down 1 basis point from the previous quarter, with net interest income totaling $135.4 million, an increase of $29 million year-over-year [5][8] - The company repurchased 250,000 shares in Q4, amounting to approximately $10 million, as part of its capital planning strategy [2][7] Fee Income and Expenses - Fee income for the quarter was $49.6 million, down from the previous quarter but up 17.4% year-over-year, with non-interest income representing 27% of total revenues [11] - Operating expenses for Q4, excluding acquisition costs, were $112 million, reflecting a 1.5% sequential increase due to higher technology and marketing costs [13] Credit Quality and Outlook - The provision expense for the quarter was $3.8 million, with an allowance for credit losses at 1.19% of total loans, indicating stable asset quality [15] - Management anticipates mid- to lower-single-digit loan growth in 2026, with potential risks from unscheduled commercial real estate payoffs estimated between $150 million to $175 million [16]

In addition, we appreciate the opportunity to evaluate and partner with other like-minded community banks. Returning capital to shareholders and opportunistic share repurchases is also part of our capital planning. And as such, we renewed our $2 million share repurchase authorization through the end of 2027. Before turning the meeting over to Annette to review our third quarter results with you in detail, Joe Stagliano will provide some additional color on our progress in the Western region of New York and ...

Group 1: Company Expansion and Mergers - The company is expanding into Buffalo and Rochester, which are the largest markets by population in Upstate New York, enhancing its presence in the region and positioning itself as the community bank with the largest deposit market share [1] - The merger with Evans Bancorp, a $2.3 billion community bank, received regulatory approvals and shareholder support, with a planned closing in the second quarter of 2025 [2][1] - The merger is seen as a natural geographic expansion into the western region of New York, complementing the company's existing footprint [2] Group 2: Financial Performance - Non-interest income constituted 30% of total revenues for 2024, with record revenue and earnings generation across non-banking businesses [3] - The company declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.34, a 6.3% increase from the previous year's first quarter, marking the 12th consecutive year of annual dividend increases [3] - Net income for the fourth quarter was reported at $36 million, or $0.76 per share, with operating earnings per share at $0.77, a decrease of $0.03 from the prior quarter [5] Group 3: Loan and Deposit Growth - Total loans increased by $319 million, or 3.3%, for the year, with significant growth in commercial and industrial, commercial real estate, indirect auto, and residential lending portfolios [5][6] - Total deposits rose to $11.6 billion, an increase of $578 million, or 5.3%, from December 2023 [6] - The loan portfolio remains diversified, with 53% in commercial relationships and 47% in consumer loans [6] Group 4: Interest Income and Margin - The net interest income for the fourth quarter was 3.34%, up 7 basis points from the prior quarter, primarily due to a decrease in the cost of deposits [7] - The company experienced a $257.5 million growth in average earning assets, contributing to the increase in net interest income [8] - The cost of total deposits decreased by 12 basis points to 1.60% [7] Group 5: Asset Quality and Provisions - A loan loss provision expense of $2.2 million was recorded in the fourth quarter, which was $700,000 lower than the prior quarter [10] - Net charge-offs to total loans increased to 23 basis points in the fourth quarter compared to 16 basis points in the prior quarter, driven by two commercial relationships [11] - Reserve coverage was 1.16% of total loans, covering more than twice the level of non-performing loans [11] Group 6: Future Outlook and Growth Opportunities - The company is optimistic about growth opportunities in the semiconductor chip corridor in Upstate New York, with ongoing investments and expansions [2][36] - The company plans to focus on enhancing its geographic footprint and exploring additional M&A opportunities post-Evans merger [48][52] - The company anticipates continued growth in its fee-based businesses, particularly in retirement plan administration, wealth management, and insurance [27][70]

分组1 - Fulton Financial reported quarterly earnings of $0.55 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.52 per share, and up from $0.48 per share a year ago, representing an earnings surprise of +6.80% [1] - The company posted revenues of $340.44 million for the quarter ended December 2025, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.62%, and an increase from year-ago revenues of $323.93 million [2] - Fulton Financial has consistently surpassed consensus EPS estimates over the last four quarters, achieving this four times [2] 分组2 - The stock has gained approximately 1.8% since the beginning of the year, while the S&P 500 has declined by 0.7% [3] - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $0.50 on revenues of $329 million, and for the current fiscal year, it is $2.05 on revenues of $1.4 billion [7] - The Zacks Industry Rank for Banks - Northeast is in the top 34% of over 250 Zacks industries, indicating a favorable outlook for the industry [8]

Core Viewpoint - Atlantic Union (AUB) reported quarterly earnings of $0.84 per share, slightly missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.85 per share, but showing an increase from $0.83 per share a year ago [1][2] Financial Performance - The company posted revenues of $375.38 million for the quarter ended September 2025, which was 0.7% below the Zacks Consensus Estimate and an increase from $221.12 million year-over-year [2] - Over the last four quarters, Atlantic Union has surpassed consensus EPS estimates only once and has topped consensus revenue estimates two times [2] Stock Performance - Atlantic Union shares have declined approximately 10.2% since the beginning of the year, contrasting with the S&P 500's gain of 13.9% [3] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), indicating expected performance in line with the market in the near future [6] Earnings Outlook - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $0.85 on revenues of $381.18 million, and for the current fiscal year, it is $3.03 on revenues of $1.37 billion [7] - The estimate revisions trend for Atlantic Union was mixed ahead of the earnings release, which may change following the recent report [6] Industry Context - The Banks - Northeast industry, to which Atlantic Union belongs, is currently ranked in the top 24% of over 250 Zacks industries, suggesting a favorable outlook compared to lower-ranked industries [8]

Group 1 - The primary earnings catalyst for NBT Bancorp Inc. is the acquisition of Evans Bancorp, which was completed in May 2025 [1] - The merger has resulted in an increase in loan balance and net interest margin for NBT Bancorp [1] - Cost savings from the acquisition are expected to further enhance earnings [1]

Group 1 - Carter Bankshares, Inc. reported quarterly earnings of $0.41 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.31 per share, and showing an increase from $0.21 per share a year ago, resulting in an earnings surprise of +32.26% [1] - The company posted revenues of $37.44 million for the quarter ended June 2025, which was below the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.88%, but an increase from $33.82 million year-over-year [2] - Over the last four quarters, Carter Bankshares has surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times, but has only topped consensus revenue estimates once [2] Group 2 - The stock's immediate price movement will depend on management's commentary during the earnings call, as Carter Bankshares shares have gained about 1.3% year-to-date, compared to the S&P 500's gain of 8.1% [3] - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $0.34 on revenues of $39.64 million, and for the current fiscal year, it is $1.30 on revenues of $155.48 million [7] - The Zacks Industry Rank for Banks - Northeast is currently in the top 23% of over 250 Zacks industries, indicating a favorable outlook for the industry [8]

分组1 - LCNB reported quarterly earnings of $0.41 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.37 per share, and showing an increase from $0.29 per share a year ago, resulting in an earnings surprise of +10.81% [1] - The company posted revenues of $22.79 million for the quarter ended June 2025, which was below the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.49%, but an increase from $19.3 million year-over-year [2] - Over the last four quarters, LCNB has surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times and topped consensus revenue estimates two times [2] 分组2 - The stock has gained approximately 2.6% since the beginning of the year, while the S&P 500 has increased by 7.2% [3] - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $0.39 on revenues of $23.6 million, and for the current fiscal year, it is $1.50 on revenues of $92.6 million [7] - The Zacks Industry Rank for Banks - Northeast is in the top 30% of over 250 Zacks industries, indicating a favorable outlook for the industry [8]