Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported net income of $106.1 million or $0.53 per diluted share for Q3 2025, with operating earnings of $74.1 million, reflecting a 44% increase year-over-year [10][11] - Operating return on assets (ROA) was 1.16%, up 34 basis points from the prior year, while return on average tangible common equity increased 300 basis points to 11.7% [6][11] - The efficiency ratio improved from 59.7% to 52.8%, driven by higher revenues and effective expense management [10][11] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total loans grew 1.3% linked quarter and 4.1% year-to-date, primarily driven by strong commercial lending results [7][16] - Wealth management assets under management reached a record high of $9.2 billion, driven by market appreciation and modest positive net flows [8][13] - Non-interest income was $41.3 million, down $1.6 million from the second quarter, with wealth management fees accounting for nearly half of total non-interest income [12][13] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Period-end deposits totaled $21.1 billion, a decrease of $104 million or less than 1% from Q2, with a favorable deposit mix benefiting the company [15] - The company remains fully deposit funded with essentially no wholesale funding, enhancing balance sheet strength [15] - The commercial real estate loan portfolio stands at $7.4 billion, with a focus on local markets and diversified by sector [19][20] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on organic growth and the integration of the HarborOne merger, which is expected to close on November 1 [5][22] - The strategy includes expanding the commercial banking division and enhancing wealth management capabilities [51] - The company plans to return capital to shareholders through share repurchases and consistent dividend growth [9][17] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the future, citing strong profitability and the potential for organic growth following the HarborOne merger [5][22] - The company remains cautious about credit quality but is optimistic about overall trends [18] - Management emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong deposit base amid heightened competition [15] Other Important Information - The company announced the resumption of its share repurchase program, authorizing up to 11.9 million shares [9][17] - The tangible book value per share increased by 5% from June 30 to $13.14 [9] - The company is committed to enhancing shareholder value through strategic investments and operational efficiencies [4][22] Q&A Session Summary Question: Thoughts on margin stability and future trends - Management indicated that core margin may hold steady in Q4, with competitive pressures on deposits likely to impact it [24][25] Question: Expense outlook for Q4 - Management expects expenses to remain flat or decrease slightly in Q4, with some inflation in tech expenses [27] Question: Appetite for additional deals post-HarborOne merger - The focus remains on organic growth and the integration of HarborOne, with no immediate plans for further mergers [28][30] Question: Wealth management asset growth breakdown - The increase in assets under management was predominantly market-driven, with net flows being slightly positive [35] Question: Update on office loan exposure - Management clarified that the increase in non-performing loans was due to one specific loan, which is being monitored closely [40][42] Question: Spot margin for September - The spot margin was reported at 3.48%, slightly higher than the previous quarter [44] Question: Long-term growth areas within the business - Management highlighted opportunities in commercial lending and wealth management as key areas for future growth [51][52]

Core Insights - Associated Banc-Corp's (ASB) Q3 2025 earnings per share (EPS) of 73 cents exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 66 cents and improved from 56 cents in the prior-year quarter [1][9] - The increase in net income available to common shareholders was 43% year over year, reaching $122 million, surpassing the estimate of $106.1 million [2] Revenue and Expenses - Total revenues for the quarter were $391 million, reflecting a 20% year-over-year increase and beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $375.91 million [3] - Net interest income (NII) reached a record $305 million, up 16% year over year, driven by higher commercial lending volumes and improved deposit mix management [4] - Non-interest income totaled $81 million, increasing 21%, primarily due to higher capital markets revenues and fees [5] - Non-interest expenses rose 8% to $216 million, mainly due to increased personnel and technology costs, exceeding the estimate of $209.3 million [5] Efficiency and Credit Quality - The efficiency ratio improved to 54.77%, down from 59.51% in the prior-year quarter, indicating enhanced profitability [6] - The provision for credit losses was $16 million, down from $21 million in the prior-year quarter, with total non-performing assets decreasing by 8% [8] Loans and Deposits - Total loans as of September 30, 2025, were $31.0 billion, up 1% sequentially, while total deposits rose 2% to $34.9 billion [7] Capital Ratios and Outlook - The Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio improved to 10.89%, up from 10.30% in the corresponding period of 2024 [10] - Management expects loans to grow at 5-6% and total core customer deposits to rise by 4-5% in 2025 [11] - Non-interest income is projected to increase by 5-6%, up from the previous guidance of 1-2% [12]

Core Insights - The acquisition of Comerica by Fifth Third Bancorp, valued at $10.9 billion, will create the ninth-largest bank in the U.S. by assets, emphasizing the importance of scale in deposits, technology, and data in regional banking [3][4][5] - The merger will enhance Fifth Third's footprint from the Midwest to the South and Sun Belt, positioning the new entity as a super-regional bank [6][8] Company Overview - The combined company will hold approximately $288 billion in assets, with Fifth Third shareholders owning about 73% and Comerica shareholders 27% of the new entity [4][5] - The merger is expected to close early next year, pending regulatory approvals [5] Industry Trends - The merger reflects a broader trend of consolidation among regional and super-regional banks, driven by the need for scale and technological integration [1][3][12] - Recent earnings reports from regional banks indicate a cautious optimism, with technology investments leading to significant revenue growth [10] Market Dynamics - The U.S. commercial banking landscape is becoming increasingly fragmented, with a steady decline in the number of measurable scale banks due to mergers [12][13] - Smaller community banks struggle to compete due to limited technology budgets and compliance capabilities, while larger national banks dominate the market [13] Technological Integration - The Fifth Third-Comerica merger will facilitate the integration of technology, consolidating core systems, data analytics, and payments infrastructure, which is crucial for operational efficiency [14]

Company Overview - Medallion Financial Corp is a specialty finance company focusing on consumer and commercial lending[2] - The company has a strong foundation with a history of niche lending excellence and significant insider ownership of over 20%[7] - Medallion Financial Corp has a coveted Industrial Bank Charter[7] Financial Performance - The company's core consumer lending business is performing well, with the consumer loan portfolio more than doubling over the past 5 years to $235 billion[7] - Total Company Net Interest Margin was 805% in FY24[7] - The company's market capitalization is $2382 million, with a share price of $1025 as of July 29, 2025[6] - The total gross loans as of June 30, 2025, were $25 billion, with recreation loans accounting for $1545 million (622%) and home improvement loans accounting for $804 million (323%)[13] - Net interest income for YTD 2Q25 was $1048 million[17] - Net income attributable to Medallion Financial Corp for YTD 2Q25 was $23083 million[41] Strategic Initiatives - The company has a strategic partnership program with fintech partners, generating $3049 million in loan originations in H1 2025[8] - The company is focused on enhanced operating efficiency, with operating costs as a percentage of net interest income decreasing from 50% in FY2020 to 40% in YTD 2Q25[26]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a net income of $12 million and earnings per share of $0.50 for the quarter [5] - Net interest income grew by 7% to $51.4 million compared to the previous year [13] - The net interest margin on gross loans was 7.94%, up 10 basis points from the previous quarter [13] - The net book value per share increased to $16.36 from $16 in the prior quarter and $14.93 a year ago [17] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The consumer lending business originated $136 million in loans, maintaining a loan book of $2.4 billion [5] - Recreation loans originated totaled $86.8 million at an average rate of 16.06%, while home improvement loans were $48.8 million at an average rate of 11.5% [14] - The commercial lending division originated $9.7 million in new loans and exited one loan with a significant return [6][7] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company collected $2.6 million in cash from its taxi medallion business, consistent with the previous quarter [9] - The strategic partnership program achieved over $125 million in originations for the second consecutive quarter [10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on a methodical approach to growth, ensuring sustainable practices in its lending operations [11] - There is an ongoing effort to expand the strategic partnership program, with expectations to add new partners over time [10] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the stability of cash collections from the taxi medallion business and identified recovery opportunities in charge-off loans [9] - The company anticipates continued gains from its equity investments, although the timing of exits remains unpredictable [8][27] Other Important Information - The company repurchased approximately 60,000 shares and has $15 million remaining under its share repurchase plan [11] - A 9% increase in the quarterly dividend to $0.12 per share was approved by the Board, marking the third increase since reinstating the dividend [12] Q&A Session Summary Question: Were there any nonrecurring expense items aside from those highlighted? - Management noted elevated professional fees, including $300,000 in technology costs and $600,000 related to the annual meeting [20] Question: Any update on the SEC matter? - Management believes the SEC matter has been resolved, pending board approval and judicial sign-off [22] Question: What flexibility exists in building reserves? - Management confirmed flexibility in determining allowances, using qualitative factors to increase consumer provisions [23] Question: Any anticipated capital gains from Medallion Capital? - Management expects one or two more capital gains this year, though timing is uncertain [27] Question: Outlook on normalized earnings? - Management discussed adjustments for nonrecurring items and expected normalized earnings to be around $0.35 per share [36] Question: Timing for loan sales? - Management anticipates closing a loan sale in Q2, with another sale expected in Q3 or Q4 [38] Question: Durability of strategic partnership loan volume? - Management expressed confidence in maintaining loan volume above $100 million per quarter, with potential for growth [43] Question: Outlook on margins and loan growth? - Management expects margins to remain stable and projects loan growth of 5% to 7% for the year [48]

Financial Performance - Net interest income for 1Q25 was $51.4 million[34] - The net interest margin was 7.94% on gross loans and 8.25% on net loans[16,34] - Net income attributable to Medallion Financial Corp was $12.0 million in 1Q25[30] - Return on common equity was 12.96%[16] Loan Portfolio - Total loan portfolio reached $2.486 billion as of March 31, 2025[18] - Recreation loans constitute 62% of the portfolio, totaling $1.545 billion[18] - Home Improvement loans represent 33% of the portfolio, amounting to $812 million[14,18] - Commercial loans account for 4% of the portfolio, with a total of $116 million[14,18] - Loan originations totaled $136.2 million for the Strategic Partnership Program[15] Shareholder Value - A dividend of $0.11 per share was paid per quarter, with an increase to $0.12 per share beginning May 2025[16] - The company repurchased 60,185 shares at an average cost of $8.83 per share[16] - $14.9 million remains in the share repurchase plan[16]