Summary of East West Bancorp Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: East West Bancorp (NasdaqGS:EWBC) - **Industry**: Banking - **Date of Conference**: February 10, 2026 Key Points 1. Growth Outlook for 2026 - 2026 is expected to be a constructive year for growth, with both loans and deposits meeting expectations and showing positive trends [6][7] - Loan growth guidance for 2026 is set at 5%-7%, an increase from the previous year's guidance of 4%-6% [7] 2. Commercial Real Estate (CRE) Insights - Credit quality concerns in the CRE sector have abated, with refinancing options available and a thawing market for transactions [13][14] - The bank is cautious about pursuing new CRE opportunities, focusing instead on reliable customers and maintaining a balanced portfolio [15][17] 3. Commercial and Industrial (C&I) Growth Drivers - The bank is expanding its expertise in various sectors, including charter schools, aerospace, and ESOPs, to drive C&I growth [19][20] - Growth is expected to be broad-based, complementing positive momentum from previous quarters [21] 4. Tax Incentives and Investment Trends - Clients are actively considering bonus depreciation incentives, which are accelerating their investment timelines [24] - There is a trend of reshoring and investment in U.S. supply chains, driven by tax benefits and operational flexibility [25][27] 5. Market Expansion and Acquisition Strategy - East West Bancorp is exploring growth opportunities in underpenetrated markets like New York and Boston, focusing on organic growth and potential acquisitions [28][29] - The bank is cautious about increasing CRE exposure and aims for a diversified customer deposit base [29][30] 6. Deposit Growth and Competitive Landscape - The bank expects to fund loan growth primarily through deposit growth, with a tightening competitive landscape for deposits [40][41] - The bank has launched a six-month CD at a rate of 3.73%, setting a competitive floor for deposit pricing [40] 7. Net Interest Income (NII) and Risks - NII growth is projected to align with loan growth, with expectations of 5%-7% growth in both areas [44] - Risks include potential interest rate cuts that could impact margins and backbook repricing [45] 8. Capital and Liquidity Position - The bank maintains a strong capital and liquidity position, with a focus on fixed-rate securities to manage interest rate risk [46][47] - The bank is well-positioned to meet customer needs and navigate potential challenges in 2026 [47] 9. Expense Management and Investment Focus - The bank plans to invest in people and technology, particularly in front-line sales and cybersecurity [54][55] - Despite a projected 7%-9% growth in expenses, revenue growth is expected to outpace this, maintaining positive operating leverage [61] 10. Fee Income Growth - Fee income, particularly from wealth management and foreign exchange, is expected to continue being a significant growth driver [72][73] - Disruptive market conditions tend to increase transaction activity, benefiting fee income [74] 11. Greater China Strategy - The bank plays a crucial role in facilitating transactions for U.S. consumers purchasing goods from overseas, particularly from smaller and mid-sized enterprises [66][67] - Continued investment in the U.S. is expected from clients engaged in cross-border trade, providing lending opportunities for East West [69][70] Conclusion East West Bancorp is optimistic about its growth prospects in 2026, with a focus on maintaining credit quality, expanding into new markets, and leveraging tax incentives to drive investment. The bank's strategic emphasis on expertise in various sectors and a strong capital position positions it well for future opportunities.

Core Insights - Bank of America (BAC) and Truist Financial (TFC) reported solid fourth-quarter 2025 results with year-over-year growth in earnings and revenues, prompting a comparison of their investment potential post-earnings [2] Group 1: Bank of America (BAC) - BAC is expected to see net interest income (NII) growth of approximately 5-7% in 2026, driven by asset repricing, loan and deposit growth, and technological efficiency [3][11] - The bank plans to expand its financial center network by opening over 150 centers by 2027, enhancing customer relationships and tapping into new markets [4] - BAC's non-interest income streams, including asset management fees and investment banking, showed positive momentum and are expected to continue in 2026 [5] - The bank's return on equity (ROE) stands at 11.07%, indicating efficient use of shareholder funds [21] - Following the 2025 stress test, BAC raised its dividend by 8% to 28 cents per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 2.15% [17] Group 2: Truist Financial (TFC) - TFC expects NII growth of 3-4% in 2026, supported by average loan growth and fixed-rate asset repricing [10][11] - The company announced a growth plan to open 100 new branches and renovate over 300 existing locations by 2030, focusing on enhancing its digital capabilities [8] - TFC's ROE is lower at 9.03%, reflecting less efficient use of shareholder funds compared to BAC [21] - TFC maintains a higher dividend yield of 4.14%, with its dividend payout remaining at 52 cents per share [17] Group 3: Comparative Analysis - Over the past six months, BAC shares have risen by 11.3%, outperforming TFC's 7.9% increase [13] - In terms of valuation, TFC is trading at a forward P/E of 11.11X, while BAC is at 11.94X, indicating TFC is trading at a discount [16][17] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate indicates BAC's earnings growth of 13.1% and 14.4% for 2026 and 2027, respectively, while TFC's growth is estimated at 13.4% and 12.1% [23][26] - Overall, BAC is viewed as better positioned for long-term growth due to its scale, diversified income streams, and ongoing expansion strategy, despite TFC's higher dividend yield [29][30]

Group 1 - Bank of America expects net interest income to grow between 5% and 7% on a fully tax-equivalent basis in 2026 [1] - The bank anticipates a 7% rise in net interest income for the first quarter, despite having two fewer days of interest accrual [1] Group 2 - Bank of America projects continued growth in deposits, aiming for a slight increase this year compared to last year, within a low-single-digits environment [2]

Core Insights - Bank of New York Mellon reported an increase in fourth-quarter profit driven by rising net interest income and fees revenue [1] Financial Performance - The company's net interest income saw significant growth, contributing to the overall profit increase [1] - Fees revenue also continued to surge, indicating strong performance in service-related income streams [1]

Core Insights - AmeriServ Financial, Inc. (ASRV) shares increased by 5.6% following the earnings report for Q3 2025, outperforming the S&P 500's 0.9% change during the same period [1] - The company reported a net income of 15 cents per share, a 114% increase from 7 cents per share in the previous year, with total revenues significantly driven by net interest income [2] Financial Performance - Net interest income rose by 23.9% to $11 million compared to $8.9 million a year earlier, supported by a net interest margin increase of 56 basis points to 3.27% [3] - Total revenues were impacted by elevated credit loss provisions and a decline in non-interest income year-over-year [2][6] Management Commentary - CEO Jeffrey A. Stopko attributed the record earnings to a focus on operating leverage and disciplined balance sheet management, noting a $4.8 million increase in net interest income year-to-date [5] Credit Quality and Non-Interest Income - The company recorded a $0.4 million provision for credit losses in Q3, reversing a recovery from the previous year, while non-performing assets decreased by 8.9% to $15 million [6] - Non-interest income increased by 4.7% to $4.4 million, primarily due to bank-owned life insurance revenue [8] Capital Position and Dividends - A quarterly dividend of 3 cents per share was declared, representing a 4% annualized yield and a 36% payout ratio based on year-to-date earnings [10] - Shareholders' equity rose to $114.6 million, with book value per share increasing by 6% to $6.94 [10]

Core Insights - The article discusses the importance of enabling Javascript and cookies in browsers to ensure proper functionality and access to content [1] Group 1 - The article highlights that users may face access issues if they have an ad-blocker enabled, suggesting the need to disable it for a better experience [1]

Core Insights - M&T Bank Corporation's (MTB) net interest income (NII) is significantly influenced by the Federal Reserve's interest rate changes, with a recent cut of 25 basis points to a range of 4.00–4.25% and expectations for further cuts by year-end [1][3] Financial Performance - MTB's NII showed modest year-over-year growth in the first half of 2025, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.4% over the five years ending in 2024, driven by disciplined asset repricing and balance sheet optimization [2] - The bank anticipates its 2025 NII to be between $7.0 billion and $7.15 billion, an increase from the reported $6.9 billion in 2024 [3][8] - MTB expects its net interest margin (NIM) to be in the mid-to-high 3.60% range, up from 3.58% reported in 2024 [4][8] - Average loan and lease balances for 2025 are projected to be between $135 billion and $137 billion, while average total deposit balances are expected to be between $162 billion and $164 billion [4][8] Peer Comparison - Peers such as Comerica Incorporated (CMA) and Fifth Third Bancorp (FITB) are also experiencing NII growth influenced by interest rate changes, with Comerica showing a CAGR of 3.5% over the last five years and a 6.4% year-over-year increase in the first half of 2025 [5][6] - Fifth Third has maintained a CAGR of 4.2% over five years, with a 5.8% increase in NII in the first half of 2025, and projects a growth of 5.5%–6.5% for 2025 [7]

Core Insights - Texas Capital Bancshares, Inc. (TCBI) has seen a 15.8% increase in share price over the past six months, outperforming the industry growth of 9% and its peers BOK Financial Corporation (8.4%) and Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. (3.0%) [1] Key Factors Driving Growth - The Federal Reserve's recent rate cuts are expected to support net interest income (NII) growth for TCBI, with a 13.4% year-over-year increase in NII in the first half of 2025, driven by higher average earning assets and lower funding costs [6][7] - TCBI's strategic expansion includes a $400 million acquisition in the healthcare sector and enhancements in investment banking capabilities, which are anticipated to contribute to future earnings and reduce non-interest expenses [8][11] - The company's loan portfolio has grown at a CAGR of 4% from 2021 to 2024, with total average loans increasing by 6.9% sequentially to $23.6 billion as of June 30, 2025, supported by a focus on middle-market clients and high-net-worth individuals [12] Financial Position - TCBI maintains strong liquidity with $2.69 billion in liquid assets and manageable debt levels of $1.87 billion as of June 30, 2025 [13] - The total capital ratio stands at 15.3% and the common equity tier 1 (CET1) ratio at 11.4%, both above regulatory requirements, with expectations for CET1 to increase by over 11% by the end of 2025 [14] - A share repurchase program of up to $200 million has been authorized, with approximately $148 million remaining as of June 30, 2025, reflecting the company's commitment to shareholder value [17] Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 earnings has been revised upward, indicating expected growth of 39.3% for 2025 and 11.8% for 2026 [25][28] - TCBI shares are currently trading at a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 12.9X, below the industry average of 13.37X, suggesting potential for healthy long-term returns [21][24]

Group 1 - ING Groep N.V. is recognized as one of the best-performing European stocks, with Morgan Stanley upgrading its rating from Equalweight to Overweight and raising the price target from EUR 23.50 to EUR 25.40 [1] - Morgan Stanley projects that ING will mitigate approximately €300 million in headwinds from its replicating portfolio next year by reducing savings rates and maintaining volume growth, leading to net interest income growth in 2026 [2] - The bank is expected to see favorable surprises in fee income, with the next share buyback anticipated in Q3 acting as an immediate driver for the stock [2] Group 2 - ING Groep N.V. operates as a Dutch multinational banking and financial services company across five business segments: Retail Netherlands, Retail Belgium, Retail Germany, Retail Other, and Wholesale Banking [3]

Group 1 - Western Alliance Bancorporation is approaching the $100 billion asset mark, driven by six deposit initiatives that are at an "inflection point" [1][2] - Analyst Anthony Elian from JPMorgan has maintained an Overweight rating and raised the price target from $92 to $100, anticipating stronger net interest income in 2025 [1][2] - The company's growth outlook is considered attractive, with expectations of continued net interest income growth fueled by balance sheet growth momentum [2][3] Group 2 - The digital asset segment is highlighted as a key focus area following the enactment of the GENIUS Act, which may impact the company's strategic direction [3] - If the proposed rules around Total Loss-Absorbing Capacity (TLAC) are fully implemented, it could be more beneficial for the company than the removal of Large Financial Institution (LFI) rules [3] - The historical balance sheet growth rate of over 20% may not be sustained if the $100 billion threshold is lifted or eliminated [4]