Core Viewpoint - Valley National Bancorp reported strong financial performance in Q3 2025, with net income of $163.4 million, reflecting a significant increase from both the previous quarter and the same quarter last year [1][2]. Financial Performance - Net income for Q3 2025 was $163.4 million, or $0.28 per diluted share, compared to $133.2 million ($0.22 per share) in Q2 2025 and $97.9 million ($0.18 per share) in Q3 2024 [1]. - Adjusted net income, excluding non-core items, was $164.1 million for Q3 2025, up from $134.4 million in Q2 2025 and $96.8 million in Q3 2024 [1]. Net Interest Income and Margin - Net interest income on a tax-equivalent basis increased to $447.5 million in Q3 2025, up $13.8 million from Q2 2025 and $35.7 million from Q3 2024 [3][4]. - The net interest margin improved to 3.05% in Q3 2025, a 4 basis point increase from 3.01% in Q2 2025 and a 19 basis point increase from 2.86% in Q3 2024 [5]. Deposits - Total deposits rose by $450.5 million to $51.2 billion as of September 30, 2025, primarily due to inflows from commercial and government deposits [3][9]. - Non-interest bearing deposits remained stable at approximately $11.7 billion [9]. Loan Portfolio - Total loans decreased by $118.6 million, or 1.0% on an annualized basis, to $49.3 billion as of September 30, 2025, driven by declines in commercial real estate and commercial and industrial loans [3][6]. - Residential mortgage loans increased by $85.4 million to $5.8 billion, while total consumer loans rose by $50.7 million to $4.0 billion [8]. Credit Quality - The allowance for credit losses for loans was $598.6 million, representing 1.21% of total loans as of September 30, 2025 [11][17]. - Net loan charge-offs totaled $14.6 million in Q3 2025, a decrease from $37.8 million in Q2 2025 and $42.9 million in Q3 2024 [11][17]. Capital Adequacy - Total risk-based capital ratio was 13.83% as of September 30, 2025, up from 13.67% at June 30, 2025 [18]. - The company repurchased 1.3 million shares of common stock at an average price of $9.38 during the third quarter [18].

Core Insights - SmarFinancial (SMBK) reported a revenue of $51.07 million for the quarter ended September 2025, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 15.6% and a slight surprise of +0.05% over the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $51.04 million [1] - The earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter was $0.86, compared to $0.54 in the same quarter last year, resulting in an EPS surprise of +17.81% against the consensus estimate of $0.73 [1] Financial Performance Metrics - Efficiency Ratio stood at 66.3%, slightly above the average estimate of 65.9% based on three analysts [4] - Net Interest Margin was reported at 3.3%, matching the average estimate of 3.3% [4] - Net charge-offs to average loans were 0.1%, consistent with the average estimate of 0.1% from two analysts [4] - Average Balance of Total interest earning assets was $5.23 billion, exceeding the average estimate of $5.07 billion [4] - Total noninterest income was $8.64 million, below the average estimate of $9.01 million [4] - Mortgage banking income was $0.71 million, slightly above the estimate of $0.69 million [4] - Net interest income (FTE) was reported at $42.79 million, surpassing the average estimate of $42.03 million [4] - Interchange and debit card transaction fees were $1.34 million, slightly below the estimate of $1.37 million [4] - Service charges on deposit accounts were $1.83 million, in line with the average estimate of $1.8 million [4] - Investment services income was $1.69 million, exceeding the average estimate of $1.53 million [4] - Other noninterest income was $1.78 million, below the average estimate of $1.93 million [4] - Insurance commissions were reported at $1.05 million, significantly lower than the average estimate of $1.59 million [4] Stock Performance - Over the past month, shares of SmarFinancial have returned -5.1%, contrasting with the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +1.2% change [3] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 4 (Sell), indicating potential underperformance relative to the broader market in the near term [3]

Core Viewpoint - First Citizens BancShares (FCNCA) is expected to report a quarterly earnings per share (EPS) of $39.08, reflecting a year-over-year decline of 23.2%, with revenues projected at $2.22 billion, a decrease of 9.6% compared to the previous year [1]. Earnings Projections - Analysts have revised the consensus EPS estimate upward by 1.4% over the past 30 days, indicating a collective reassessment of initial projections [2]. - It is crucial to consider earnings estimate revisions as they are strongly linked to short-term stock price performance [3]. Key Financial Metrics - The forecast for 'Net Interest Margin' is 3.2%, down from 3.6% in the same quarter last year [5]. - The 'Efficiency Ratio' is estimated at 59.9%, compared to 56.4% a year ago [5]. - Analysts predict 'Average Balance - Total interest-earning assets' to be $209.62 billion, up from $200.71 billion in the same quarter last year [5]. Loan and Asset Projections - 'Nonaccrual loans at period end' are expected to be $1.23 billion, up from $1.14 billion a year ago [6]. - 'Total nonperforming assets' are projected to reach $1.27 billion, compared to $1.21 billion last year [6]. - 'Net Interest Income' is anticipated to be $1.69 billion, down from $1.82 billion in the previous year [6]. Noninterest Income Estimates - 'Total Noninterest Income' is expected to be $545.54 million, down from $639.00 million a year ago [7]. - 'Factoring commissions' are projected at $17.80 million, compared to $19.00 million last year [7]. - 'Cardholder services, net' is expected to be $41.92 million, slightly up from $40.00 million a year ago [7]. Additional Income Projections - 'Merchant services, net' is estimated at $14.18 million, up from $12.00 million last year [8]. - 'Wealth management services' are projected to reach $56.28 million, compared to $52.00 million in the same quarter last year [8]. - 'Insurance commissions' are expected to be $14.00 million, compared to $13.00 million a year ago [9]. Stock Performance - Over the past month, First Citizens shares have returned +11.9%, outperforming the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +5.9% change [9].

Financial Performance - For the quarter ended June 2025, SmarFinancial (SMBK) reported revenue of $49.24 million, up 21.8% year-over-year [1] - EPS for the quarter was $0.69, compared to $0.46 in the same quarter last year [1] - The reported revenue exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $48.71 million by +1.09% [1] - EPS also surpassed the consensus estimate of $0.66 by +4.55% [1] Key Metrics - Efficiency Ratio was 66.1%, better than the three-analyst average estimate of 67% [4] - Net Interest Margin was reported at 3.3%, matching the average estimate [4] - Net charge-offs to average loans were 0%, compared to the two-analyst average estimate of 0.1% [4] - Average Balance of Total interest earning assets was $4.96 billion, in line with estimates [4] - Total noninterest income was $8.9 million, exceeding the average estimate of $8.61 million [4] - Interchange and debit card transaction fees were $1.34 million, slightly above the average estimate of $1.32 million [4] - Service charges on deposit accounts were $1.77 million, slightly below the average estimate of $1.79 million [4] - Other noninterest income was $2.17 million, significantly above the two-analyst average estimate of $1.85 million [4] - Investment services revenue was $1.44 million, below the average estimate of $1.55 million [4] - Insurance commissions were $1.55 million, exceeding the average estimate of $1.33 million [4] - Net interest income (FTE) was $40.69 million, above the two-analyst average estimate of $40.19 million [4] Stock Performance - Shares of SmarFinancial have returned +14.7% over the past month, outperforming the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +5.4% change [3] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), indicating potential performance in line with the broader market [3]

Core Insights - SmarFinancial (SMBK) reported revenue of $46.84 million for Q1 2025, a year-over-year increase of 16.8% and a surprise of +1.84% over the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $45.99 million [1] - The EPS for the same period was $0.67, compared to $0.49 a year ago, resulting in a surprise of +21.82% over the consensus estimate of $0.55 [1] Financial Performance Metrics - Efficiency Ratio was reported at 69%, better than the estimated 70.3% [4] - Net Interest Margin remained stable at 3.2%, matching the analyst estimate [4] - Net charge-offs to average loans were 0%, outperforming the estimate of 0.1% [4] - Average Balance of Total interest earning assets was $4.87 billion, exceeding the estimate of $4.81 billion [4] - Total noninterest income reached $8.60 million, surpassing the estimate of $7.90 million [4] - Mortgage banking income was $0.49 million, above the estimate of $0.38 million [4] - Net interest income (FTE) was $38.58 million, compared to the estimate of $38.21 million [4] - Interchange and debit card transaction fees were $1.22 million, below the estimate of $1.38 million [4] - Service charges on deposit accounts totaled $1.74 million, slightly above the estimate of $1.69 million [4] - Investment services income was $1.77 million, exceeding the estimate of $1.52 million [4] - Other noninterest income was reported at $1.97 million, significantly above the estimate of $1.38 million [4] - Insurance commissions were $1.41 million, slightly below the estimate of $1.42 million [4] Stock Performance - SmarFinancial shares have returned -7% over the past month, compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's -5.6% change [3] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), indicating potential performance in line with the broader market in the near term [3]