Core Insights - Popular reported a total loan growth of $2.2 billion for 2025, marking a 6% increase, with significant contributions from commercial loans and construction loans [1] - The company achieved a net income of $833 million for the full year 2025, a 36% increase compared to 2024, and a fourth-quarter net income of $234 million, reflecting strong performance driven by higher net interest income and lower operating expenses [2][3][6] Financial Performance - For Q4 2025, Popular's earnings per share reached $3.53, an increase of $0.38 from the previous quarter, with a return on tangible common equity (ROTCE) exceeding 14% [2][6] - The net interest income (NII) for Q4 was $658 million, up $11 million from Q3, and for the full year, NII increased by $259 million, or 11% [6][7] - The fourth-quarter net interest margin expanded by 10 basis points to 3.61% on a GAAP basis, driven by higher loan balances and lower interest expenses [7] Loan and Deposit Trends - Loans grew by $641 million in Q4, with $497 million from Banco Popular de Puerto Rico (BBPR) and $144 million from Popular Bank, while management anticipates a consolidated loan growth of 3%-4% for 2026 [7][8] - Ending deposit balances decreased by $323 million in Q4, primarily due to expected outflows in Puerto Rico public deposits, which ended the quarter at $19.4 billion [10] Capital Management and Shareholder Returns - Popular repurchased approximately $500 million of common stock in 2025 and increased its quarterly dividend to $0.75 per share [5][18] - The Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio stood at 15.7% at year-end 2025, with tangible book value per share rising by 21% to $82.65 [17] Expense Management and Guidance - Operating expenses for Q4 were $473 million, down $22 million from Q3, with management expecting a 3% increase in GAAP expenses for 2026 [14][15] - For 2026, Popular guided to a net interest income growth of 5%-7% and a modest increase in expenses, while anticipating continued margin expansion albeit at a slower pace than in 2025 [4][8] Credit Quality - Credit metrics remained stable, with non-performing loans decreasing to 1.27% of total loans, and net charge-offs for the full year 2025 improved to 52 basis points [16]

Core Insights - Amerant Bancorp reported a diluted EPS of $0.07 for Q4, down from $0.35 in Q3, with net interest income at $90.2 million, a decline of $4.0 million from the previous quarter [1][6] - The company is undergoing a strategic plan aimed at stabilizing, optimizing, and growing the organization, focusing on credit transformation, balance sheet optimization, and operational efficiency [5][14] Financial Performance - Net interest margin decreased to 3.78% from 3.92% in Q3, while non-interest income rose to $22.0 million from $17.3 million, driven by gains from the sale and leaseback of banking centers [1][6] - Non-interest expense increased to $106.8 million, up $28.9 million sequentially, primarily due to valuation expenses and contract termination costs [6][7] - ROA and ROE weakened, reported at 0.10% and 1.12% respectively, compared to 0.57% and 6.21% in Q3 [7] Balance Sheet and Capital Actions - Total assets decreased to $9.8 billion from $10.4 billion, driven by reduced wholesale funding and higher-cost deposits [8][10] - The company repurchased 737,334 shares at an average price of $17.63, representing 78% of tangible book value [2][5] - CET1 increased to 11.8% from 11.54% in the prior quarter, with $13 million in share repurchases and $3.7 million in dividends declared [2][5] Credit Quality and Asset Management - Non-performing assets rose to $187 million, or 1.9% of total assets, from $140 million, or 1.3%, in the prior quarter, attributed to a rigorous review of the commercial loan portfolio [11][12] - The company reported gross charge-offs of $29.5 million in Q4, with an allowance for credit losses coverage ratio declining to 1.20% from 1.37% [13] 2026 Outlook - For 2026, the company anticipates loan growth of 7% to 9% and deposit growth to match loan growth, with net interest margin projected between 3.65% and 3.70% [14][15] - Management aims to reduce expenses to approximately $70 million to $71 million in the first half of 2026, with further reductions expected by year-end [15] Strategic Initiatives - The company is focusing on improving credit quality and disciplined loan origination, with aspirations to achieve a ROA close to 1% and an efficiency ratio near 60% by year-end 2026 [16] - Amerant is monitoring developments in Venezuela, viewing potential opportunities in deposits and asset management rather than lending strategies [17]

This story was originally published on Banking Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Banking Dive newsletter. Nearly two years into her time at Wells Fargo, April Schneider has been squarely focused on improvements to the lender’s small and business banking segment. Schneider, who joined Wells in January 2024 after spending more than a dozen years at Bank of America, pointed to last year’s J.D. Power small-business banking satisfaction survey, which put Wells at No. 8 – tied ...