LODI, Calif., Aug. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Farmers & Merchants Bancorp (OTCQX: FMCB) (the “Company” or “FMCB”), the parent company of Farmers & Merchants Bank of Central California (the “Bank” or “F&M Bank”), announced today that the Company is changing its dividend policy related to the frequency of cash dividend payments from semi-annually to quarterly. The unanimous decision to change the frequency of the cash dividend was done after the Board of Directors completed a thorough analysis of the Compan ...

Financial Performance - Net income available to common shareholders for Q2 2025 was $2.5 million, or $0.26 per diluted share, a decrease from $4.2 million, or $0.43 per diluted share in Q1 2025, but an increase from $1.1 million, or $0.11 per diluted share in Q2 2024 [2][6]. - Total income before non-interest expense was $22.4 million for Q2 2025, a decrease of 9.3% from $24.7 million in Q1 2025, but an increase of 9.8% from $20.4 million in Q2 2024 [8]. - Net interest income increased to $17.9 million in Q2 2025, up 2.3% from $17.5 million in Q1 2025 and up 13.3% from $15.8 million in Q2 2024 [12][6]. Loan and Deposit Growth - Total loans increased by $115 million, or 4.7%, from $2.43 billion in Q1 2025 to $2.54 billion in Q2 2025 [6][20]. - Total deposits were $2.53 billion as of June 30, 2025, an increase of 0.4% from $2.52 billion in Q1 2025 and an increase from $2.41 billion in Q2 2024 [21]. Net Interest Margin and Efficiency - Net interest margin increased by 6 basis points to 2.67% in Q2 2025 from 2.61% in Q1 2025, and increased by 32 basis points from 2.35% in Q2 2024 [10][11]. - The efficiency ratio improved to 78.83% in Q2 2025 from 79.16% in Q1 2025 and 82.25% in Q2 2024 [17]. Credit Quality - Non-performing assets totaled $18.8 million, or 0.62% of total assets, as of June 30, 2025, compared to $17.1 million, or 0.59% of total assets in Q1 2025, and a decrease from $49.3 million, or 1.68% of total assets in Q2 2024 [26]. - Non-performing loans increased to $14.4 million as of June 30, 2025, from $12.8 million in Q1 2025, but decreased from $37.9 million in Q2 2024 [27]. Capital Position - As of June 30, 2025, the Company exceeded minimum capital levels required by regulators, with a Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets ratio of 9.96% [29]. - Book value per common share increased by 0.8% from $26.44 in Q1 2025 to $26.64 in Q2 2025, and increased by 4.3% from $25.55 in Q2 2024 [30].

Financial Performance Highlights - Net income for the first six months of 2025 reached a record of $384.6 million, an increase of $44.9 million or 13% compared to the same period in 2024[10] - Diluted earnings per share (EPS) for the first six months of 2025 were $5.47, up $0.26 or 5% from the same period in 2024[10] - Net interest income for the first six months of 2025 was $1.1 billion, an increase of $138.4 million or 15% compared to the same period in 2024[10] - Total assets reached $69.0 billion, an increase of $9.2 billion or 15% compared to June 2024[10, 16] - Total loans amounted to $51.0 billion, an increase of $6.3 billion or 14% compared to June 2024[10, 16] - Total deposits increased to $55.8 billion, an increase of $7.8 billion or 16% compared to June 2024[10, 16] Balance Sheet and Capital - Tangible book value per common share (non-GAAP) increased to $81.86 as of June 30, 2025[10, 14] - The investment portfolio totaled $8.7 billion as of June 30, 2025, representing 13% of total assets[41] Credit Quality - Non-performing loans totaled $189 million, comprising 0.37% of total loans as of June 30, 2025[16]

Core Insights - Bank First Corporation reported a net income of $16.9 million, or $1.71 per share, for Q2 2025, an increase from $16.1 million, or $1.59 per share, in Q2 2024 [1] - For the first half of 2025, net income was $35.1 million, or $3.53 per share, compared to $31.5 million, or $3.10 per share, in the same period of 2024 [1] Operating Results - Net interest income (NII) for Q2 2025 was $36.7 million, up $0.2 million from the previous quarter and $3.7 million from Q2 2024 [3] - Net interest margin (NIM) improved to 3.72% in Q2 2025, compared to 3.65% in Q1 2025 and 3.63% in Q2 2024 [4] - The increase in NIM was supported by higher yields on new and renewed loans while deposit rates decreased [4] Credit Losses - The provision for credit losses was $0.2 million in Q2 2025, down from $0.4 million in Q1 2025, and no provision was recorded in Q2 2024 [5] Noninterest Income and Expenses - Noninterest income for Q2 2025 was $4.9 million, down from $6.6 million in Q1 2025 and $5.9 million in Q2 2024 [6] - Noninterest expense totaled $20.8 million in Q2 2025, slightly up from $20.6 million in Q1 2025 and $19.1 million in Q2 2024 [7] Balance Sheet - Total assets were $4.37 billion as of June 30, 2025, a decrease of $130 million from December 31, 2024, but an increase of $219.3 million from June 30, 2024 [9] - Total loans reached $3.58 billion, up $63.2 million from December 31, 2024, and up $151.7 million from June 30, 2024 [9] Deposits - Total deposits were $3.60 billion as of June 30, 2025, down $65.6 million from December 31, 2024, but up $195.5 million from June 30, 2024 [10] Asset Quality - Nonperforming assets were $13.6 million at June 30, 2025, with a nonperforming assets to total assets ratio of 0.31% [11] Capital Position - Stockholders' equity was $612.3 million at June 30, 2025, a decrease of $27.4 million from the end of 2024 [12] - The book value per common share was $62.27 at June 30, 2025, compared to $63.89 at December 31, 2024 [12] Dividend Declaration - A quarterly cash dividend of $0.45 per common share was approved, payable on October 8, 2025 [13]

随着监管持续加码，银行也同步收紧中介合作，部分机构已全面叫停相关业务。 近日，深圳10余家银行密集发布声明，集体澄清与不法贷款中介无任何合作，并罕见点名贷款中介"鑫心惠邻"。记者调查发现，该中介目前还在营业中，此 前曾以"降息优化""携手XX银行"等话术揽客，甚至宣称可将贷款年化利率从4.5%降至2.5%，但实际存在夸大宣传的嫌疑。 此次银行集中发声，正值监管部门重拳打击金融"黑灰产"之际。今年以来，公安部和金融监管总局联合开展专项行动，重点整治非法贷款中介、恶意逃废债 等乱象。业内人士透露，助贷行业长期存在假冒合作、夸大营销、伪造资质等乱象，部分中介甚至通过虚高房产评估价套取"超贷"，或协助客户包装虚假经 营资质骗取低息经营贷。随着监管持续加码，银行也同步收紧中介合作，部分机构已全面叫停相关业务。 多家银行罕见点名贷款中介 近日，中国银行、农业银行、邮储银行、中信银行、招商银行、平安银行等约15家银行深圳分行密集发布声明，称未与不法中介合作。 记者梳理发现，这些银行的声明内容主要聚焦于澄清与中介机构的关系，并警示消费者警惕假冒银行合作方的中介机构，强调办理贷款业务应通过银行官方 渠道。 其中，多家银行罕见" ...

Company Overview - Nu Holdings (NU) shares increased by 3.6%, closing at $13.54, with trading between $13.12 and $13.54 during the day [1] - The stock's rise is attributed to growing analyst confidence, with several Wall Street firms raising their price targets modestly over the past week [1] - Despite the gains, Nu's stock is still 16% below its 52-week high of approximately $16.14 [4] Market Performance - Nu's stock outperformed the Nasdaq Composite, which was up 0.18%, and the S&P 500, which dropped by 0.4% [2] - Trading volume for Nu was around 123 million shares, double the 50-day average of 84.5 million [2] Competitive Landscape - Industry peers also experienced gains, with Inter & Co (INTR) rising by 4% to $7.05, reflecting strength after recent earnings and supportive central bank signals for digital lenders [3] - In contrast, StoneCo (STNE) declined by 2% to $14.87 despite the broader tech momentum this year [3] Analyst Sentiment - The positive reassessments of Nu's stock are driven by accelerating user metrics and promising early results from its credit card and loan offerings in new Latin American markets [4] - If Nu continues to execute well, further price target revisions may occur [4]

Company Overview - First Western Financial, Inc. is a financial services holding company headquartered in Denver, Colorado, with operations in Colorado, Arizona, Wyoming, California, and Montana [5] - The company provides a fully integrated suite of wealth management services on a private trust bank platform, including deposit, loan, trust, wealth planning, and investment management products and services [5] - First Western's common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol "MYFW" [5] Upcoming Financial Results - First Western will release its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2025, after the markets close on Thursday, July 24, 2025 [1] - A conference call will be held on Friday, July 25, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. Mountain Time/12:00 p.m. Eastern Time to discuss the financial results [2] - The conference call will be webcast live on the News & Events page of First Western's investor relations website, with an archived version available shortly after the live call [4]

Core Insights - LHV Group experienced significant growth in its loan portfolio in May, with a consolidated increase of EUR 104 million, while deposits decreased by EUR 34 million [1][3] - The company reported a consolidated net profit of EUR 10.3 million for May, with a return on equity of 17.3% [2] - The number of customers for LHV Pank grew by 2,800, surpassing 470,000, indicating strong customer acquisition [3][8] Loan and Deposit Performance - The loan growth was robust at EUR 83 million, with EUR 51 million from corporate loans and EUR 32 million from private loans [3] - The overall quality of the loan portfolio remains strong, with a resolution found for one of the largest non-performing loans, leading to a reduction in provisions [3] - Corporate banking deposits decreased less than expected, while retail banking deposits increased by EUR 88 million [3] Subsidiary Performance - AS LHV Pank earned a net profit of EUR 10.5 million, while LHV Bank Ltd, LHV Kindlustus, and LHV Varahaldus reported net profits of EUR 28 thousand, EUR 339 thousand, and EUR 297 thousand respectively [2] - LHV Kindlustus continued stable revenue growth, concluding new insurance contracts worth EUR 3.15 million, with a total of 274,000 valid contracts by the end of May [5] - LHV Varahaldus saw its larger pension funds grow by 1.2% and 2.3%, with the LHV Pensionifond Indeks increasing by 5.6% [6] Market Developments - LHV Bank launched its initial retail customer offer in the UK, allowing customers to use the bank app and perform various banking functions [4] - The company issued AT1 bonds worth EUR 50 million in April, with EUR 15 million called back in May, and increased share capital by EUR 366,721.30 through a share option program [7] Company Overview - LHV Group is the largest domestic financial group in Estonia, with key subsidiaries including LHV Pank, LHV Varahaldus, LHV Kindlustus, and LHV Bank Limited [8] - The group employs over 1,150 people and serves 471,000 banking customers, 111,000 pension fund customers, and 176,000 insurance customers [8]

Group 1 - The core viewpoint emphasizes the importance of industrial prosperity for rural revitalization, with the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) in Weihai focusing on the cold chain logistics industry to support high-quality development through financial assistance [1][2] - ICBC Weihai branch successfully issued a loan of 10 million yuan to Shandong Runze Cold Chain Logistics Co., Ltd., which is a key project in Shandong's 14th Five-Year Plan and has received strong local government support [1][2] - The "Shandong Runze Cold Chain Smart Distribution Center" project occupies 70 acres and includes various facilities such as frozen warehouses, processing workshops, and temporary breeding pools, aiming to create a modern integrated distribution system [1][2] Group 2 - The bank established a two-tier marketing team to conduct on-site assessments of the cold chain logistics market and the Runze Cold Chain Smart Distribution Center, identifying a funding gap in the company's operations [2] - After reaching a preliminary financing agreement, the bank expedited the loan process, ensuring timely approval and disbursement to benefit the project and contribute to rural revitalization [2] - ICBC Weihai branch plans to continue innovating financial products and optimizing service mechanisms to support the upgrade of local industries and promote sustainable economic development in the region [2]

Core Viewpoint - Farmers & Merchants Bancorp has declared a mid-year cash dividend of $9.30 per share, marking a 5.7% increase from the previous year, reflecting the company's strong financial performance and commitment to returning value to shareholders [1][3]. Financial Performance - For the trailing twelve months, the company reported a net income of $88.7 million, up from $87.5 million the previous year, with diluted earnings per share increasing by 5.97% to $123.32 [1][2]. - In the first quarter of 2025, net income was $23.0 million, or $32.86 per diluted common share, compared to $22.7 million, or $30.56 per diluted common share for the same quarter in 2024 [2]. - The annualized return on average assets for Q1 2025 was 1.70%, and return on average equity was 15.65% [2]. Asset Quality and Capital Ratios - Total assets at the end of Q1 2025 were reported at $5.7 billion, with a solid credit quality indicated by only $193,000 in non-accrual loans and a delinquency ratio of 0.01% [2]. - The allowance for credit losses stood at $75.4 million, or 2.10% of total loans and leases, while the common equity tier 1 ratio was 13.75% and the total risk-based capital ratio was 15.23% [2]. Dividend History and Recognition - The company has paid dividends for 90 consecutive years and has increased dividends for 60 consecutive years, earning it a place among the "Dividend Kings" [3][5]. - Farmers & Merchants Bancorp is ranked 17th among only 55 publicly traded companies designated as "Dividend Kings" [5]. Industry Recognition - In August 2024, Farmers & Merchants Bancorp was recognized as the 2 best performing bank in the nation across all asset categories by Bank Director's Magazine [6]. - The bank was also ranked 6th on Forbes Magazine's list of "America's Best Banks" in 2023, based on various performance metrics [7]. - Additionally, it was ranked 4th on S&P Global Market Intelligence's "Top 50 List of Best-Performing Community Banks" in the US for 2023 [8]. Community Engagement - F&M Bank is the 15th largest bank lender to agriculture in the United States and has a long-standing commitment to supporting the agribusiness community in California [10][11].