Core Viewpoint - Manulife Financial Corporation has announced a 10.2% increase in its quarterly common shareholders' dividend, raising it to $0.485 per share, effective March 19, 2026 [1]. Group 1: Dividend Announcement - The Board of Directors declared a dividend increase of 4.5 cents per share, resulting in a new dividend of $0.485 per share [1]. - The dividend is payable to shareholders of record as of February 25, 2026 [1]. - The company will purchase common shares on the open market for its Canadian and U.S. Dividend Reinvestment and Share Purchase Plans, with no applicable discounts on the purchase price [1]. Group 2: Company Overview - Manulife is a leading international financial services provider, operating under the name Manulife in Canada, Asia, and Europe, and as John Hancock in the United States [1]. - The company offers financial advice, insurance, and investment services, serving over 36 million customers globally [1]. - As of the end of 2024, Manulife had more than 37,000 employees and over 109,000 agents [1].

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - NBT Bancorp reported net income of $55.5 million or $1.06 per diluted common share for the fourth quarter, with core operating earnings of $1.05 per share, consistent with the prior quarter [7] - Operating return on assets was 1.37% for the second consecutive quarter, with a return on tangible equity of 17.02%, reflecting positive operating leverage [3] - Tangible book value per share increased to $26.54, an 11% rise year-over-year [4] - Net interest margin improved by 36 basis points year-over-year, despite a slight decrease of 1 basis point to 3.65% compared to the prior quarter [4][9] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total loans increased by $1.63 billion or 16.3% year-over-year, reaching a total loan portfolio of $11.6 billion, with 56% in commercial relationships and 44% in consumer loans [7][8] - Non-interest income grew by 17.4% from the fourth quarter of 2024, contributing to a total operating revenue increase of 25% year-over-year [7][11] - Total deposits rose by $2 billion from December 2024, with a favorable shift towards no- and low-cost checking and savings accounts [8][9] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company noted strong demand across its franchise, particularly in Western New York, with good loan pipelines in regions like Rochester and Buffalo [18][19] - The commercial production remained strong, although there was a higher level of commercial real estate payoffs, which could impact future loan growth [15][16] Company Strategy and Development Direction - NBT Bancorp's strategy focuses on organic growth, capital utilization for M&A opportunities, and returning capital to shareholders through share repurchases [4][5] - The company is actively expanding its presence in New England and Western New York, with plans for new branches and hiring initiatives to support growth [39][40] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the operating environment, citing stable asset quality and a strong capital position to pursue growth opportunities [13] - The company anticipates a stable net interest margin with potential for modest improvements driven by earning asset growth [43][46] Other Important Information - The effective tax rate for the fourth quarter was 20.3%, lower than the prior quarter due to the finalization of merger-related expense assessments [12] - The company repurchased 250,000 shares in the fourth quarter, reflecting its commitment to returning capital to shareholders [5] Q&A Session Summary Question: Expectations on commercial real estate payoffs - Management noted $150 million-$175 million of unscheduled commercial real estate payoffs in 2025, which could pose a risk to loan growth [15][16] Question: Loan pipeline and opportunities - Demand across various markets is strong, with no significant gaps in demand noted [18] Question: Impact of U.S.-Canada tensions - Management acknowledged frustrations among Canadian customers due to unpredictability in trade relations, which could affect future investments [28][30] Question: M&A hurdle rates - The company is looking for M&A opportunities that can generate at least $0.05 of accretion, reflecting a cautious approach to acquisitions [31][33] Question: Credit quality and areas of caution - Management is monitoring concentrations in hospitality and office space but does not see any emerging trends that warrant significant caution [60] Question: Charge-off expectations - Charge-off rates are expected to normalize around 15-20 basis points as the consumer balances wind down [66] Question: Share repurchase catalysts - The company will consider share repurchases based on valuation and capacity, with the potential for continued repurchases in the future [74][75]

Group 1 - Lincoln Financial will report its fourth quarter and full year results for 2025 on February 12, 2026, at 6:00 a.m. Eastern Time [1] - A conference call is scheduled for the same day at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time, with earnings materials available on the company's Investor Relations webpage [1][2] - The company had approximately 17 million customers as of December 31, 2024, and $347 billion in end-of-period account balances as of September 30, 2025 [3] Group 2 - Lincoln Financial operates in four core businesses: annuities, life insurance, group protection, and retirement plan services [3] - The company is headquartered in Radnor, PA, and is the marketing name for Lincoln National Corporation and its affiliates [3]

Core Insights - Lincoln Financial has appointed Nilanjan (Neel) Adhya as Executive Vice President, Chief AI, Data and Analytics Officer, effective January 9, 2026, to enhance AI and data capabilities within the company [1][3] Company Overview - Lincoln Financial operates across four core businesses: annuities, life insurance, group protection, and retirement plan services, serving approximately 17 million customers as of December 31, 2024 [5] - The company reported $347 billion in end-of-period account balances, net of reinsurance, as of September 30, 2025 [5] Leadership Background - Adhya previously served as Chief Digital Officer and Global Head of Digital Platforms and Experiences at BlackRock, where he led AI initiatives and modernized digital strategies [2] - He has 25 years of experience in product and customer-experience driven business transformations, including 16 years at IBM in various leadership roles [4] Strategic Vision - Ellen Cooper, Chairman, President and CEO of Lincoln Financial, emphasized the importance of AI and data in optimizing the company's operating model for future growth [3] - Adhya expressed his commitment to applying AI and data in a disciplined manner to enhance customer experience, improve operational efficiency, and foster innovation [5]