Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Hilltop reported net income of approximately $42 million for Q4 2025, equating to $0.69 per diluted share, with a return on average assets of 1.1% and return on average equity of 7.6% [7] - For the full year 2025, consolidated income attributable to common stockholders was $165.6 million, representing a 46% increase compared to the prior year [15] - Total revenues for 2025 increased by 8% to approximately $1.3 billion, while expenses grew by only 2%, resulting in positive operating leverage of 6% [15] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - PlainsCapital Bank experienced an expansion in net interest margin, increasing by 12 basis points year-over-year, and generated $43.5 million in pre-tax income [4][7] - PrimeLending reported a pre-tax loss of $5 million in Q4 2025, with origination volume of $2.4 billion, indicating a seasonal rebound despite ongoing industry challenges [9][10] - Hilltop Securities achieved a pre-tax margin of 18% on net revenues of $138 million, with public finance services seeing a 20% year-over-year increase in net revenues [10][11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The average total deposits for Q4 2025 were approximately $10.7 billion, a decline of $233 million compared to Q4 2024, driven by the return of sweep deposits [19] - The interest-bearing deposit cost decreased to 269 basis points, down 44 basis points from the prior year [20] - Mortgage-related income and fees increased by $2.5 million compared to Q4 2024, driven by improvements in lock and originated volumes [20] Company Strategy and Development Direction - Hilltop aims to be a full solution provider to clients, focusing on executing strategic initiatives while maintaining solid capital levels with a Common Equity Tier 1 capital ratio of 19.7% [12] - The company is actively evaluating acquisition opportunities while also focusing on organic growth amidst a competitive market environment [47][48] - Management emphasized the importance of operational cost reductions and efficiency improvements to navigate the challenging mortgage industry landscape [10][25] Management Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted a positive interest rate environment supporting expanded net interest margins, despite increasing competition [8] - The outlook for 2026 anticipates average bank loan growth of 4%-6%, excluding the impact of loans retained from PrimeLending [26] - There is uncertainty regarding interest rates and inflation, but management remains optimistic about the company's positioning for long-term success [28] Other Important Information - Hilltop returned $229 million to stockholders through share repurchases and dividends in 2025 [6] - The allowance for credit losses decreased by $3.6 million to $91.5 million, with net charge-offs of $11.5 million recorded in Q4 2025 [15][17] Q&A Session Summary Question: Expectations for broker-dealer fees and pre-tax margin for 2026 - Management expressed confidence in the stability of broker-dealer fees and indicated that a pre-tax margin of 13.5% is a reasonable baseline for 2026 [33][38] Question: Sensitivity of NII to potential Fed rate cuts - Management noted that every 25 basis points reduction in rates could impact NII by approximately $4.5 million, with broker fee income being more variable [39][41] Question: Discussion on capital priorities and M&A opportunities - Management highlighted the increase in dividends and standard share repurchase authorization, while also evaluating acquisition opportunities amidst a competitive landscape [46][48] Question: Loan growth pipeline and pricing competition - The loan pipeline entering 2026 is approximately $2.6 billion, with management noting increased competition in loan pricing due to the current rate environment [58] Question: Expectations for gain on sale margins in the mortgage sector - Management expects stable revenue from gain on sale margins and mortgage origination fees, with a projected range of 350-360 basis points [59][60]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Bank OZK reported a strong performance with nearly $700 million in earnings, nearly matching the record from the previous year [66] - The tangible common equity increased by 35 basis points during the quarter, despite buying back $100 million of common stock [49] - The company bought back 2.25 million shares at an average price of $44.45, which was below the tangible book value [48] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The loan syndication and corporate services business line within Corporate and Institutional Banking (CIB) continues to grow, with services including interest rate hedging and loan syndications [14][15] - The mortgage business is expected to gain traction as it enters its third year, contributing to fee income growth [16] - The trust and wealth business is expanding beyond fiduciary trust services, with a focus on private banking and treasury management services [17] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The office market is showing positive trends, with good leasing activity and refinancing opportunities, particularly in high-quality buildings [26][28] - Life sciences projects are facing challenges due to macroeconomic factors, but there is no new speculative supply being added, which may help stabilize the market [22][23] - The company is seeing a normalization of supply-demand metrics in various markets, which is providing opportunities for life science projects [29] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to diversify its earning assets and increase fee income as a larger part of its revenue over the long term [14] - There is a focus on managing assets prudently, especially in the context of the current credit cycle, with a well-prepared allowance for credit losses [60] - The management is optimistic about the potential for growth in 2027, anticipating improvements in market conditions [12] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management believes that 2026 will be similar to 2025 in terms of credit trends, with expectations of a gradual resolution of non-performing assets [55][62] - The company is cautiously optimistic about the life sciences market, noting that while some sponsors may struggle, many are still committed to their projects [30] - The management has indicated that the prolonged challenges faced by sponsors are nearing an end, with signs of recovery in leasing and property sales [11] Other Important Information - The company has built its allowance for credit losses (ACL) from $300 million to $632 million in anticipation of potential credit losses [35] - The management has emphasized the importance of sponsor support in the life sciences sector, with ongoing engagement from many sponsors [30][31] Q&A Session Summary Question: Outlook on credit charge-offs and loan sales - Management confirmed that the recent loan sale was at par and does not reflect a change in strategy, emphasizing that it was a unique case [6][7] Question: Fee income growth potential - Management indicated that while fee income has not been a significant part of the story, there are long-term tailwinds expected from investments in CIB [14] Question: Life sciences market recovery timeline - Management noted that the life sciences market is facing headwinds but is seeing some positive developments, with no new speculative projects being added [22][23] Question: Non-performing asset resolution timeline - Management discussed various strategies for resolving non-performing assets, including potential sales and ongoing negotiations with sponsors [36][41] Question: Margin performance and buyback outlook - Management highlighted that the margin performed well due to effective deposit cost management and indicated plans for opportunistic buybacks [48][50]

Core Insights - Companies with a strong history of dividend payments and increases are attractive to income-focused investors, with Tyson Foods, First Merchants, and Fidelity National Financial recently announcing dividend hikes [1] Tyson Foods - Tyson Foods has increased its dividends for 12 consecutive years, with the latest hike on Nov. 12 raising the quarterly payout from $0.49 to $0.50 per share, resulting in an annual figure of $2 per share [3] - The current dividend yield for Tyson Foods is 3.84% [3] - The company's annual revenue as of June 30 was $54.15 billion, and Q3 2025 revenues were reported at $13.88 billion with an EPS of $0.91, both exceeding market expectations [4] First Merchants - First Merchants has raised its dividends for 13 consecutive years, with the most recent increase on May 16 raising the quarterly payout from $0.35 to $0.36 per share, equating to an annual figure of $1.44 per share [5] - The current dividend yield for First Merchants is 3.98% [5] - The company's annual revenue as of June 30 was $637.74 million, with Q2 2025 revenues reported at $164.32 million, which was below the consensus estimate of $169.76 million, while EPS of $0.98 exceeded the consensus of $0.94 [6] Fidelity National Financial - Fidelity National Financial provides a range of insurance products in the U.S. [7]

Core Insights - Independent Bank Corporation reported a net income of $17.5 million, or $0.84 per diluted share, for Q3 2025, an increase from $13.8 million, or $0.65 per diluted share, in the same period last year [1][2]. Financial Performance - Net interest income for Q3 2025 was $45.4 million, up $3.5 million, or 8.4%, year-over-year, and $0.7 million, or 1.7%, from Q2 2025 [3]. - The net interest margin (NIM) was 3.54% in Q3 2025, compared to 3.37% in Q3 2024 and 3.58% in Q2 2025 [3][29]. - Non-interest income totaled $11.9 million in Q3 2025, an increase from $9.5 million in the prior year, primarily due to variances in mortgage banking revenues [4][29]. - Non-interest expenses were $34.1 million in Q3 2025, compared to $32.6 million in the same period last year [8][29]. Asset Quality - Non-performing loans increased to $20.4 million, or 0.48% of total portfolio loans, from $6.0 million, or 0.15%, in the previous year [9]. - The allowance for credit losses stood at 1.49% of total loans, with net charge-offs at historically low levels of four basis points through the first three quarters of 2025 [10][11]. Balance Sheet and Capital - Total assets were $5.49 billion at September 30, 2025, an increase of $155 million from December 31, 2024 [12]. - Total deposits reached $4.86 billion, up $205.1 million from the end of 2024, driven by increases in savings and interest-bearing checking accounts [12]. - Shareholders' equity was $490.7 million, or 8.93% of total assets, compared to $454.7 million, or 8.52%, at the end of 2024 [14]. Shareholder Returns - The company paid a dividend of $0.26 per share on August 15, 2025 [4]. - A share repurchase plan authorized the purchase of up to 1,100,000 shares, with 266,008 shares repurchased for $7.77 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2025 [16].