ARCHBOLD, Ohio, Aug. 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- F&M Bank (“F&M”), an Archbold, Ohio-based bank owned by Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq: FMAO), is inviting the community to put on their detective hats for a high-stakes summer challenge, $5,000 for a lucky hunter and $5,000 for a local charity. The Great Briefcase Hunt kicked off Monday, August 18, 2025, and dares residents across the F&M footprint to follow a series of weekly clues leading to a hidden briefcase in a local park. “It’s time to j ...

Core Points - Societe Generale initiated a EUR 1 billion ordinary share buy-back program aimed at share cancellation, starting on August 4, 2025 [1][2] - The program has received all necessary authorizations from supervisory authorities and complies with the conditions set forth by the General Meeting [2] - As of August 8, 2025, Societe Generale completed 9.6% of its buy-back program, which represents 0.2% of its total share capital of 785,180,327 shares [3] Buy-Back Transactions - The total number of shares repurchased from August 4 to August 8, 2025, was 1,718,926 shares at a daily weighted average price of EUR 55.8487 [5] - Daily transactions included: - August 4: 220,414 shares at EUR 54.8104 [4] - August 5: 209,844 shares at EUR 55.3552 [4] - August 6: 200,000 shares at EUR 55.4404 [5] - August 7: 200,000 shares at EUR 56.4492 [5] - August 8: 195,329 shares at EUR 57.2547 [5] Company Overview - Societe Generale is a leading European bank with approximately 119,000 employees serving over 26 million clients in 62 countries [6] - The bank has a strong commitment to sustainability and is included in major socially responsible investment indices [7]

Financial Performance - The company reported record net revenue of €6.549 billion for the first half of 2025, an increase of 6.0% compared to €6.178 billion in the same period of 2024 [2][8] - Retail banking revenue rose by 6.4% to €4.427 billion, driven by strong performance in banking networks and consumer finance [2][8] - Insurance revenue increased by 15.7% to €822 million, with growth across all business lines [2][9] - Specialized business lines generated €1.532 billion, up 2.8% year-on-year [2] - General operating expenses increased by 6.1% to €3.405 billion, reflecting investments in growth [2][11] - Income before tax rose by 8.7% to €2.402 billion, while net income decreased by 4.4% to €1.638 billion due to a corporate tax surcharge of €192 million [2][18][19] Cost and Risk Management - The cost of risk was stable at €782 million, a slight decrease of 2.1% from €799 million [2][12] - The cost of proven risk decreased by 6.3%, while the cost of non-proven risk increased significantly [12][13] - Operating income increased by 8.8% to €2.363 billion, supported by higher revenues and controlled risks [15][17] Business Line Contributions - Retail banking net income slightly increased to €643 million, with general operating expenses growing at a slower pace than revenue [26] - Insurance net income was €495 million, up 0.5% year-on-year [27] - Asset management and private banking saw a net revenue increase of 5.1% to €667 million, with net income rising by 14.3% to €129 million [28] - Corporate banking net revenue declined by 3.7% to €323 million, while net income remained stable at €158 million [29] - Capital markets reported a net revenue increase of 11.0% to €331 million, with net income rising by 3.1% to €124 million [30] Financial Structure - Shareholders' equity reached €46.7 billion at the end of June 2025, up from €45.2 billion at the end of 2024 [20] - The estimated Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio was 19.5%, indicating strong capital adequacy [20] - The company maintained a low cost/income ratio of 52.0% [32] Key Figures - The total balance sheet stood at €732.747 billion, with customer loans amounting to €343.888 billion [32] - The number of customers increased to 22.4 million, up from 22.2 million [32] - The loan-to-deposit ratio was 119.6%, reflecting a stable funding position [32]

Core Insights - Bank of America reported Q2 2025 earnings with EPS of $0.89, exceeding analyst expectations of $0.86, and net income rose to $7.1 billion, marking a year-over-year increase [1][5] - Total revenue for the quarter was $26.5 billion, slightly below consensus estimates of $26.77 billion, reflecting a 4.3% increase from the previous year [1][5] Financial Performance - EPS (GAAP) increased by 7.2% year-over-year from $0.83 to $0.89 [2] - Revenue (GAAP) rose to $26.5 billion from $25.4 billion in Q2 2024, but missed estimates by approximately 0.8% [2][5] - Net interest income grew to $14.7 billion, a 7.3% increase from $13.7 billion in the prior year [2][5] - Net income increased by 2.9% from $6.9 billion in Q2 2024 to $7.1 billion [2][5] Business Segments - Investment banking fees decreased by 9%, while Global Banking segment revenue fell by 6% [6] - Global Markets segment saw a strong performance with trading revenue up 14% and FICC revenue up 16% [6] - Wealth management asset management fees rose by 9%, with client balances exceeding $4.4 trillion [6] Operational Insights - Noninterest expenses rose by 5% to $17.2 billion, driven by higher revenue-related expenses and investments in technology and personnel [7] - The efficiency ratio improved in consumer banking, with 49 million active digital users and 65% of sales being digitally enabled [7] Risk Management - Provision for credit losses increased to $1.6 billion, consistent with previous quarters, while the net charge-off ratio remained steady at 0.55% [8] - The allowance for loan and lease losses was 1.17% of total loans for Q2 2025, down from 1.26% in Q2 2024 [8] Capital Returns - The company returned $7.3 billion to shareholders through dividends and buybacks, with an announced 8% dividend increase for Q3 2025 [9] Future Outlook - The company targets a quarterly exit rate of $15.5 billion to $15.7 billion by Q4 2025, with full-year expenses expected to rise by 2% to 3% [10] - Investors should monitor fee revenue softness in investment banking and potential challenges from expense growth due to technology and wage pressures [11]

Core Viewpoint - F&M Bank has promoted Eric D. Faust to Executive Vice President, recognizing his contributions to risk management and regulatory compliance since joining the bank in 2022 [1][4]. Company Overview - F&M Bank is an independent community bank based in Archbold, Ohio, serving its communities since 1897, offering commercial and retail banking services across multiple counties in Ohio and parts of Indiana and Michigan [5]. Leadership and Contributions - Eric D. Faust has successfully built a comprehensive risk and compliance team at F&M, integrating regulatory compliance into strategic decision-making and enhancing oversight structures [2][4]. - His leadership has been pivotal in ensuring that F&M meets evolving regulatory expectations while fostering a strong foundation for growth [2][4]. Background of Eric D. Faust - Prior to his role at F&M, Faust held significant positions in risk management, including First Vice President and Director of Risk Management at Northstar Financial Group and Examination Manager for the State of Michigan's Department of Insurance and Financial Services [3]. - He holds an MBA from Davenport University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Central Michigan University [3].

Market Overview - Stocks surged on Monday, with the Nasdaq entering a new bull market following the U.S. and China agreeing to de-escalate the tariff war [1] - The S&P 500 turned positive for the year due to continued buying on Tuesday [1] - The recent market rebound emphasizes the importance of maintaining exposure to the stock market [1] Economic Factors - Lower inflation and easing trade war tensions have increased the likelihood of the Federal Reserve lowering interest rates in June [2] - Strong corporate earnings, particularly from big tech and other key industries, are contributing to the positive market sentiment [2] Stock Screening Strategy - A stock screening method has been developed to identify stocks with strong upward earnings revisions, specifically those with a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) [3][4] - The screening process focuses on stocks trading within 20% of their 52-week highs and incorporates metrics like the PEG ratio and Price to Sales ratio to ensure value [5][8] Barclays Financial Performance - Barclays (BCS) stock has increased by 120% over the past two years, significantly outperforming the Financial Sector and the S&P 500 [6] - The stock has experienced a 28% year-to-date surge, reaching 10-year highs, yet it still trades 18% below its average Zacks price target [7] - Barclays reported 8% revenue growth last year, with expectations of 11% higher sales in 2025 and 5% stronger revenue next year [10] - The company achieved 30% GAAP earnings growth last year, with projected adjusted earnings growth of 22% in 2025 and 2026 [11]

Core Viewpoint - JPMorgan and Bank of America are two leading diversified financial institutions in the U.S., each employing distinct strategies for growth and facing macroeconomic challenges that impact their performance [1][2][3]. Group 1: Business Strategies - JPMorgan plans to open over 500 new branches by 2027, with 150 already built in 2024, aiming to enhance market share and cross-selling opportunities [5][6]. - The bank is also renovating 1,700 existing locations and expanding its digital retail bank Chase in the U.K. and the EU, while focusing on growth in China [6][7]. - Bank of America is prioritizing organic growth by opening over 165 new financial centers by 2026 and modernizing existing locations to improve client experience [8][9]. Group 2: Investment Banking Performance - Both banks experienced significant declines in investment banking (IB) fees due to macroeconomic factors, with JPMorgan's IB fees dropping 59% in 2022 and 5% in 2023, but rebounding by 49% in 2024 [14][15]. - Bank of America saw a 46% decline in IB fees in 2022 and a 3% decline in 2023, followed by a 31% increase in the subsequent year [15]. Group 3: Interest Rate Sensitivity - JPMorgan's net interest income (NII) is projected to face headwinds due to its asset-sensitive balance sheet, with a five-year CAGR of 10.1% from 2019 to 2024 [17]. - Bank of America, being highly rate-sensitive, benefited from a 100 basis point rate cut last year, with projected NII growth of 6-7% for the current year [18]. Group 4: Capital Distribution - JPMorgan raised its quarterly dividend by 12% to $1.40 per share in March 2024, with an annualized growth rate of 6.8% over the last five years [20]. - Bank of America increased its quarterly dividend by 8% to 26 cents per share in July 2024, with an annualized growth rate of 8.8% [20]. Group 5: Stock Performance and Valuation - Year-to-date, JPMorgan shares have gained 2%, while Bank of America shares have declined by 9.1% [27]. - JPMorgan is trading at a price-to-tangible book (P/TB) ratio of 2.59X, while Bank of America is at 1.51X, both above their five-year medians [30]. Group 6: Future Prospects - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for JPMorgan's 2025 sales and earnings implies decreases of 2.1% and 7.8%, respectively, while 2026 estimates suggest growth of 2.5% and 5.5% [33]. - Conversely, Bank of America's 2025 sales and earnings estimates imply growth of 5.8% and 11.9%, respectively, with similar growth projected for 2026 [36]. Group 7: Overall Investment Consideration - JPMorgan's broader approach, including international expansion and strategic acquisitions, positions it for more resilient long-term growth compared to Bank of America's domestic focus [39][40]. - Despite JPMorgan trading at a premium, its valuation is justified by superior execution and diversified income streams, making it a more compelling investment [41].

Q1 2025 Earnings Presentation April 17, 2025 Exhibit 99.2 Company Overview Strong, Resilient Franchise; Well Positioned for Growth Safe & Sound Customer Centric Attractive Market High Performing 2 • Strong balance sheet • Prudent interest rate and liquidity risk management • Significant capital buffer • Diversified, low-cost deposit base • Experienced commercial lender with conservative credit culture • Proven operator and acquiror • Full suite of retail banking, commercial banking, and wealth product offer ...