We believe HELOCs are an attractive and growing asset class and we expect to continue to invest in them, though we remain focused on our core strategy of acquiring and securitizing high-quality non-QM loans. We had a new warehouse credit facility in 2025, diversifying our lender base and continuing to optimize our funding mix to support high-quality loan purchases. Additionally, we completed our second issuance of senior unsecured notes, the capital from which was quickly deployed into accretive target asse ...

Core Insights - Bigbank experienced strong growth and solid profitability at the start of 2026, with significant increases in both loan and deposit portfolios [1][2] Loan Portfolio - The loan portfolio grew by 71 million euros in January, driven primarily by a 62 million euro increase in business loans and a 9 million euro increase in home loans, while consumer loans remained stable [1] - The credit quality of the loan portfolio remained strong, with expected credit losses decreasing to 1.0 million euros, down 0.7 million euros from the previous year, and non-performing exposures accounting for 4.3% of all loan receivables [4][9] Deposit Portfolio - The deposit portfolio saw a robust increase of 112 million euros in January, with savings deposits rising by 62 million euros, term deposits by 46 million euros, and current account balances by 5 million euros [2] Financial Performance - Net interest income for January reached 9.7 million euros, an increase of 1.2 million euros or 14% year-on-year, driven by the expansion of the loan portfolio [3][9] - Total net operating income was 10,529 thousand euros, reflecting a 13% increase compared to January 2025 [8] - Net profit for January was 3.8 million euros, up 0.8 million euros or 25% year-on-year, benefiting from increased net interest income and reduced expected credit losses [6][9] Operational Metrics - The bank employed 655 people at the end of January, with personnel expenses increasing by 0.8 million euros compared to the previous year [5] - The return on equity (ROE) for January was 15.1%, an increase of 1.7 percentage points from the previous year [10]

The Zacks Savings and Loan industry is gaining from falling interest rates and easing lending standards. With relatively lower rates, funding costs is gradually stabilizing, boosting net interest income (NII) and net interest margin (NIM). The digitization of operations will also support industry players. Despite several credit quality metrics creeping above the pre-pandemic levels, lower rates will likely aid repayment capacity. Hence, industry players like ServisFirst Bancshares Inc. (SFBS) , WSFS Financi ...

Core Insights - Urbo Bankas reported a net profit of EUR 5.5 million in 2025, which is 1.3 times lower than the EUR 7.4 million profit in 2024 [3] - The bank's total deposit portfolio increased by over 17% to EUR 655 million, while the loan portfolio grew by 31% to EUR 545 million [2][3] - Total assets reached EUR 740 million, a 17% increase from EUR 635 million the previous year [4] Financial Performance - Net interest income rose by 4% to EUR 23.9 million, despite a contraction in market interest margins [5] - The net result from foreign currency operations decreased by EUR 0.5 million to EUR 1.9 million, and net fee and commission income fell by EUR 0.7 million to EUR 2.9 million [6] - Shareholders' equity increased by 6% from EUR 64 million to EUR 68 million [4] Market Outlook - The CEO anticipates continued strong growth in 2026, driven by demand from small and medium-sized enterprises and growth in consumer and housing loans [7] - The Bank of Lithuania forecasts a GDP growth of 3.2% for the year, with rising average wages and declining inflation expected to support household consumption [8] - The bank employed 281 staff and operated 25 branches by the end of December 2025 [9]

Murstein said consumer lending remains the company’s largest and most profitable business line and highlighted growth in both portfolio size and interest income. He stated consumer lending interest income was $74.5 million for the quarter and $289.9 million for the year, up 5% compared with the same period last year and up 8% year over year.Cutrone also provided funding and yield details, including a fourth-quarter total interest yield of 11.70% and an average cost of borrowings of 4.24% . At year-end, the ...

Western Alliance Bancorporation (NYSE:WAL) is one of the 10 Best Bank Stocks to Buy in 2026. On February 4, UBS trimmed its target price on Western Alliance (WAL) by 0.9% to $106 (from $107) but retained its Buy recommendation on the stock. The firm said in a research note to investors that Q4 2025 results from mid-cap banks were strong and that it did not see any early asset quality concerns. It also thinks that the steepening of the yield curve, combined with faster loan book expansion and more M&A acti ...

Core Viewpoint - Wells Fargo has been upgraded to a Neutral rating by Baird, despite maintaining the target price at $85, as the recent stock selloff has improved its risk/reward profile [1] Financial Performance - In Q4 2025, Wells Fargo reported a 5.6% year-over-year growth in net income to $5.4 billion, up from $5.1 billion [2] - Earnings per diluted share increased by 13.3% year-over-year to $1.62, compared to $1.43 [2] - The bank's return on average equity improved by 52 basis points year-over-year to 12.3%, up from 11.7% [2] Revenue Drivers - The earnings growth was primarily driven by a 4.2% year-over-year increase in net interest income (NII) to $12.3 billion, up from $11.8 billion [3] - Loan growth was significant, with total loans increasing by 8% year-over-year to $986.2 billion, supported by a 12% increase in commercial loans to $599.9 billion [3] - Consumer loans grew only 2% year-over-year to $386.3 billion, indicating a disparity in loan growth across segments [3] Interest Margins - Net interest margins (NIM) fell by 10 basis points year-over-year to 2.60%, down from 2.70% [4] - The effective funding cost improved by 21 basis points year-over-year to 2.22%, while the earning asset yield declined by 27 basis points to 4.75% [4] Future Outlook - For 2026, management anticipates a 5.2% year-over-year growth in net interest income to $50 billion, driven by mid-single-digit loan and deposit growth [5] - The bank expects two to three rate cuts from the US Federal Reserve, which may have a slight negative impact on net interest income [5] Company Overview - Wells Fargo is a leading financial services company providing diversified banking services across various segments, including Consumer Banking and Lending, Commercial Banking, Corporate and Investment Banking, and Wealth and Investment Management [6]

Core Insights - Bank of the James Financial Group, Inc. (BOTJ) reported a 2.1% increase in shares following strong fourth-quarter 2025 results, driven by higher net interest income, expanding margins, and disciplined expense management [1] - The company achieved record annual earnings and steady balance sheet growth, indicating improving operating performance [1] Financial Performance - For Q4 2025, BOTJ's net income reached $2.72 million, up from $1.62 million in Q4 2024, with earnings per share increasing to $0.60 from $0.36 [4] - Annual net income for 2025 rose 13.6% to a record $9.02 million from $7.94 million in 2024, with earnings per share improving to $1.99 from $1.75 [4] Income and Expenses - Net interest income grew 11.1% year over year to $8.54 million in Q4 2025, and for the full year, it increased 12.2% to $32.81 million from $29.24 million in 2024 [5] - Non-interest income increased 13.3% in Q4 to $4.33 million and rose 4.7% for the year to $15.85 million, with wealth management fees climbing 10.4% year over year to $5.35 million in 2025 [6] - Non-interest expenses declined 4.2% year over year in Q4 to $9.11 million, leading to an improved efficiency ratio of 70.81% from 82.62% in the prior-year quarter [6] Asset and Deposit Growth - As of December 31, 2025, total assets increased 6.1% year over year to $1.04 billion, with loans rising 3.9% to $661.36 million and total deposits growing 6.2% to $937.13 million [7] Asset Quality and Capital Position - The allowance for credit losses was $6.45 million at December 31, 2025, down from $7.04 million at the end of 2024, while total non-performing loans slightly increased to $1.70 million [8] - Stockholders' equity rose 23.4% year over year to $80.05 million, with book value per share increasing to $17.62 from $14.28 [8] Conclusion - Overall, BOTJ delivered record annual earnings in 2025, supported by margin expansion, lower interest expenses, steady loan and deposit growth, and improved operating efficiency, positioning the company favorably for 2026 [10]

Core Viewpoint - KBC Group reported a fourth quarter net income of 1 billion euros, slightly exceeding analyst expectations, despite a 10% year-on-year decline due to a previous one-off tax benefit [1] Financial Performance - The net interest income (NII) grew by 12% year-on-year to 1.61 billion euros, contributing to a full year total NII of 6.1 billion euros, surpassing the previous target of 5.95 billion euros [1] - KBC's total income for 2026 is projected to grow at least 9.9% year-on-year, with an expected NII of 6.73 billion euros or more [1] - The combined ratio of the non-life insurance division improved to 87% from 90% in 2024, indicating profitability in that segment [1] Strategic Initiatives - KBC's strategy involved locking in long-term bonds early in the rate-hiking cycle, which has provided stability despite sacrificing short-term reinvestment gains [1] - The company has set new medium and long-term financial targets, aiming for a cost-to-income ratio below 38% by the end of 2028 and a total income increase of at least 7.7% [1] Dividend Proposal - KBC proposed a dividend of 5.1 euros per share for 2025, resulting in a pay-out ratio of 60% of its yearly net profit, aligning with the upper end of its guidance [1]

Core Viewpoint - Landmark Bancorp (LARK) has shown strong earnings growth and expanding margins, leading to a 3% increase in share price following the release of its fourth-quarter 2025 results [1] Banking Operations of Landmark Bancorp - Landmark Bancorp operates as the holding company for Landmark National Bank, focusing on community banking services in Kansas, with performance driven by net interest income, loan growth, and deposit trends [1] - In 2025, the company experienced higher asset yields, lower funding costs, and steady loan production, indicating robust balance sheet strength [1] Q4 Earnings - Landmark reported a net income of $4.7 million, or 77 cents per diluted share, compared to $3.3 million, or 54 cents per share, in the same quarter last year [2] - For the full year 2025, net earnings rose 44.4% year over year to $18.8 million, with diluted earnings per share increasing to $3.07 from $2.15 in 2024 [2] Net Interest Income - Net interest income for the fourth quarter reached $14.8 million, marking a 19.3% increase from the previous year [3] - The net interest margin expanded to 4.03%, reflecting a 52-basis-point improvement year over year and a 20-basis-point increase sequentially [3] - Total revenues increased by 2.9% to $18.7 million compared to the prior quarter [3] Loan & Deposit Trends - As of December 31, 2025, gross loans totaled $1.1 billion, slightly down from the prior quarter due to lower commercial and residential balances, but partially offset by growth in commercial real estate and agriculture loans [4] - Average loans for the full year grew by 11.5%, primarily driven by commercial real estate and residential mortgage production [4] Deposits - Total deposits increased by $63.4 million in the quarter to $1.4 billion, mainly due to growth in money market and checking accounts [5] - The loan-to-deposit ratio stood at 79.1% at year-end [5] Asset Quality & Capital Position - Non-performing loans totaled $10 million, or 0.90% of gross loans, at year-end [6] - The allowance for credit losses was $12.5 million, representing 1.12% of total gross loans [6] - Capital levels remained solid, with tangible common equity to tangible assets improving to 8.03% from 7.66% in the prior quarter [6] - Book value per share increased to $26.44, while tangible book value per share rose to $20.79 [6] Dividend Announcement - Landmark's board declared a quarterly cash dividend of 21 cents per share, payable on February 26, 2026, to shareholders of record as of February 12, 2026 [7] - Overall, Landmark Bancorp demonstrated strong year-over-year earnings growth in the fourth quarter, supported by margin expansion, steady loan production, and disciplined cost control [7]