Core Insights - Beach Cities Commercial Bank reported its financial results for the fourth quarter of 2025, highlighting robust growth and a focus on sustainable profitability [1] Financial Performance - The bank's net loss for Q4 2025 was $117.6k, a decrease from a profit of $14.5k in Q3 2025, but adjusted net income was $22.4k when excluding credit provisions [1] - Year-to-date loss for 2025 was $605.7k, significantly reduced by 87% from a loss of $4.5 million in 2024 [1] - Total deposits reached $143.5 million, marking a 9% increase from Q3 2025 and a 27% increase year-over-year [1] - Gross loans amounted to $144.1 million, reflecting a 12% growth from Q3 2025 and a 36% increase from the previous year [1] - Total assets grew to $176.7 million, a 13% increase from Q3 2025 and a 35% increase year-over-year [1] Asset Quality and Liquidity - The bank maintained a reserve for credit losses of $1.412 million, equating to 0.98% of total loans, with no delinquent or non-performing assets reported [1] - Total liquidity was high at $28.3 million, representing 16.02% of total assets, with additional contingent borrowing sources of $18.7 million [1] Interest Income and Expenses - Total interest income for Q4 2025 was $2.87 million, a 2.2% increase from Q3 2025, while interest expense decreased by 6.1% to $1.17 million [1] - The bank's net interest margin stood at 3.82% as of December 31, 2025, supported by an average loan yield of 7.69% [1] Operational Efficiency - Total operating expenses for Q4 2025 were $1.62 million, a 4.8% increase from Q3 2025, with a decrease in salaries and benefits expenses [1] - The bank's non-interest income from loan sales increased by 277% year-over-year, although gains from loan sales in Q4 2025 were lower than in Q3 2025 due to external factors [1] Future Outlook - The bank plans to raise up to $5 million through a private placement offering to support its growth momentum [1] - The appointment of a new President/CEO is expected to further enhance the bank's strategic direction and operational capabilities [1]

Core Viewpoint - Metropolitan Bank demonstrated strong performance in the fourth quarter of 2025, with notable growth in net interest margin, net interest income, deposits, and loans, setting a solid foundation for future progress in 2026 and beyond [5] Financial Performance - Deposits increased by $304 million in the fourth quarter, approximately 4.3%, with a significant portion of indexed deposits expected to reprice following a rate change [1] - The bank reported a net interest margin of 4.1%, up 22 basis points from the previous quarter, attributed to balance sheet growth and easing rates [2] - Net interest income for the fourth quarter was $85.3 million, reflecting over a 10% increase from the linked quarter and nearly 20% year-over-year [7] Loan and Deposit Growth - The loan book remained flat in the fourth quarter due to elevated prepayments of about $317 million, exceeding the previous three-quarter run rate by approximately $150 million [3] - The bank expanded its loan portfolio by approximately $775 million in 2025, representing nearly 13% growth, with total loan originations around $1.9 billion [4] Strategic Initiatives - Management eliminated wholesale funding of $450 million during 2025, indicating a shift towards more stable deposit funding [6] - The bank plans to open two new branches in Florida in the first half of 2026, enhancing its presence in key markets [17] Future Outlook - For 2026, the bank anticipates loan growth of about $800 million, or roughly 12%, funded entirely through deposits, with a modest expansion in net interest margin expected [13] - The company aims for a return on tangible common equity (ROTCE) approaching 16% by the fourth quarter of 2026 [14] Expense Management - Non-interest expense totaled $44.4 million, down $1.4 million from the prior quarter, with specific reductions in compensation and professional fees [10][15] - Operating expense guidance for 2026 is set between $189 million and $191 million, accounting for various unique items [14] Asset Quality and Capital - Asset quality remains stable with no significant negative trends across loan segments, and the bank is cautiously optimistic about resolving specific workouts by the end of the current quarter [11][12]

Core Insights - Gordon Brothers has established a $1.5 billion joint venture with Davidson Kempner Capital Management and secured a supporting lender finance facility with Wells Fargo [1][2]. Company Overview - Gordon Brothers aims to enhance its capital base to provide customized financing solutions for middle-market and large corporate clients in sectors such as construction, manufacturing, and transportation [2]. - The firm has launched a mid-ticket Commercial Equipment Finance offering, which complements its existing Structured Equipment Finance business, targeting companies facing operational or market challenges [4]. Partnership Details - The collaboration with Davidson Kempner and Wells Fargo is designed to deliver flexible and reliable equipment financing solutions, reinforcing Gordon Brothers' position as a comprehensive asset-based solution provider [3][5]. - Wells Fargo's Lender Finance team has a history of assisting entrepreneurs in launching specialty finance platforms, indicating a strategic alignment with Gordon Brothers' objectives [5]. Financial Background - Davidson Kempner Capital Management has over $35 billion in assets under management and extensive experience in serving various institutional clients [7]. - Wells Fargo, with approximately $2.0 trillion in assets, offers a diversified range of financial services, ranking No. 33 on Fortune's 2025 list of America's largest corporations [8].

Core Insights - Crédit Mutuel Alliance Fédérale reported strong business activity and solid results for the first half of 2025, despite being impacted by a non-recurring income tax surcharge [2][3]. Financial Performance - The mutualist group's operating results reached record levels, with net revenue of €8.8 billion, reflecting a 6.2% increase compared to the previous year [3][8]. - Income before tax was €2.9 billion, up 8.4%, while net income decreased to €1.8 billion, down 10.1% due to a €314 million impact from the income tax surcharge [3][8]. - General operating expenses rose to €5 billion, an increase of 6.7%, driven by investments in technology and expansion efforts [6][8]. Business Segments - All business lines performed well, with retail banking generating €6.5 billion in revenue (+6.1%), insurance at €812 million (+15.9%), and specialized business lines at €1.5 billion (+2.8%) [8]. - The banking networks benefited from an improved net interest margin and a rebound in new business [4]. Risk and Capital Structure - The total cost of risk stabilized at €902 million, a decrease of 5.8%, although it remains elevated due to ongoing economic challenges [5][8]. - The group maintains a strong financial position with €68 billion in shareholders' equity and a CET1 ratio of 19.5% as of June 30, 2025 [5][9]. Strategic Initiatives - Crédit Mutuel Alliance Fédérale is committed to promoting the common good through its "benefit corporation" approach, allocating 15% of its consolidated net income annually to societal initiatives [7].