WesBanco(US:WSBC)2026-01-28 15:02Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Full year pre-tax, pre-provision earnings growth of 105% year-over-year, with earnings per share increasing 45% to $3.40 when excluding merger-related charges [3][4] - Fourth quarter net income available to common shareholders of $81 million, with diluted earnings per share of $0.84, an 18% increase year-over-year [4][11] - Return on tangible common equity for the fourth quarter was 16%, with non-performing assets to total assets at 0.33% [6][15] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total portfolio loans increased 52% year-over-year to $19.2 billion, driven by both acquired loans and organic growth [13] - Treasury management revenue reached a record of $6 million, with total wealth management assets under management at $10.4 billion [7][10] - Non-interest income for the fourth quarter was $43.3 million, a 19% increase year-over-year, primarily due to the acquisition of Premier [16] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total deposits increased 53% year-over-year to $21.7 billion, with organic growth of $662 million fully funding loan growth [14] - Commercial real estate project payoffs totaled $415 million in the fourth quarter and over $900 million for the year, exceeding previous expectations [8][13] - The commercial loan pipeline stood at over $1.2 billion, with more than 40% tied to new markets and loan production offices [9] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company successfully integrated Premier Financial, transforming into a $28 billion asset regional financial services partner, ranking among the top 50 publicly traded U.S. financial institutions [6] - Continued investment in organic growth through new loan production offices and a new healthcare vertical, optimizing financial center networks and digital banking capabilities [7][10] - Focus on relationship banking as a differentiator, with plans to expand into new markets such as Richmond and Atlanta [10][37] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management anticipates mid-single-digit year-over-year loan growth during 2026, despite expected elevated commercial real estate payoffs [9][34] - The company expects net interest margin to remain consistent with the fourth quarter margin of 3.61% in the first quarter, with gradual increases anticipated throughout the year [21][49] - Management remains committed to disciplined expense management to drive positive operating leverage and shareholder value [22][60] Other Important Information - The efficiency ratio for the fourth quarter was just below 52%, reflecting updated calculation methodologies [18] - The company redeemed $150 million of Series A Preferred Stock and $50 million of subdebt acquired for Premier during the fourth quarter [19] - Anticipated effective tax rate for the full year is between 20.5% and 21.5%, slightly higher than 2025 [25] Q&A Session Summary Question: Loan growth expectations and payoffs - Management expects a step down in payoffs from the elevated fourth quarter number, estimating $600 million to $800 million in 2026, weighted towards the first half [31][32] Question: Details on the healthcare vertical - The healthcare vertical generated around $500 million in new loans last year and is expected to be a significant growth engine moving forward [35][36] Question: Expense guidance and branch evaluations - Management confirmed that branch closures are not reflected in current expense guidance, and evaluations of the branch network will continue [44][45] Question: Margin outlook and factors influencing it - Management discussed the extraordinary deposit growth in the fourth quarter and its impact on margin, with expectations for continued improvement in the second quarter [46][49] Question: Fee initiatives and treasury management growth - Treasury management fees have seen significant growth, with expectations for continued double-digit growth this year [98][100]