Listed

Equity Bancshares Inc: Form 10-Q for the period ended Mar 31, 2026

Filed with the SEC on May 8, 2026 and accepted by EDGAR at May 8, 2026, 16:31 ET.

Share

Management's discussion and analysis

As filed, 93,576 characters, with its headings, lists and tables. Extracted from the main document; charts and exhibits are in the original on sec.gov.

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 6, 2026, and our consolidated financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this Quarterly Report. The following discussion contains “forward-looking statements” that reflect our future plans, estimates, beliefs and expected performance. We caution that assumptions, expectations, projections, intentions or beliefs about future events may, and often do, vary from actual results and the differences can be material. See “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.” Also, see the risk factors and other cautionary statements described under the heading “Item 1A: Risk Factors” included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K and in Item 1A of this Quarterly Report. We do not undertake any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements except as otherwise required by applicable law.

This discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operation includes the following sections:

  • Table containing selected financial data and ratios for the periods;
  • Overview – a general description of our business and financial highlights;
  • Critical Accounting Policies – a discussion of accounting policies that require critical estimates and assumptions;
  • Results of Operations – an analysis of our operating results, including disclosures about the sustainability of our earnings;
  • Financial Condition – an analysis of our financial position;
  • Liquidity and Capital Resources – an analysis of our cash flows and capital position; and
  • Non-GAAP Financial Measures – a reconciliation of non-GAAP measures.

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

Statement of Income Data (for the quarterly period ended) March 31, 2026 December 31, 2025 September 30, 2025 June 30, 2025 March 31, 2025
Interest and dividend income $108,024 $90,866 $91,098 $74,187 $74,684
Interest expense 34,360 27,364 28,613 24,385 24,392
Net interest income 73,664 63,502 62,485 49,802 50,292
Provision (reversal) for credit losses 5,955 (16) 6,228 19 2,722
Net gain (loss) from securities transactions (108) 154 (53,352) 12 12
Other non-interest income 9,595 9,378 8,873 8,577 10,318
Merger expenses 5,725 1,481 6,163 355 66
Loss on debt extinguishment — — — 1,361 —
Other non-interest expense 49,244 45,106 42,919 38,285 38,984
Income (loss) before income taxes 22,227 26,463 (37,304) 18,371 18,850
Provision for income taxes 5,261 4,379 (7,641) 3,107 3,809
Net income (loss) 16,966 22,084 (29,663) 15,264 15,041
Net income (loss) allocable to common stockholders 16,966 22,084 (29,663) 15,264 15,041
Basic earnings (loss) per share $0.81 $1.16 $(1.55) $0.87 $0.86
Diluted earnings (loss) per share $0.80 $1.15 $(1.55) $0.86 $0.85
Balance Sheet Data (at period end)
Cash and cash equivalents $564,165 $607,817 $699,410 $366,204 $431,382
Securities available-for-sale 1,125,162 1,030,568 903,858 973,402 950,453
Securities held-to-maturity 5,254 5,248 5,243 5,236 5,226
Loans held for sale 7,631 1,392 617 217 338
Gross loans held for investment 5,428,275 4,198,180 4,268,587 3,600,728 3,631,628
Allowance for credit losses 64,245 52,756 53,469 45,270 45,824
Loans held for investment, net of allowance for credit losses 5,364,030 4,145,424 4,215,118 3,555,458 3,585,804
Goodwill and core deposit intangibles, net 135,494 103,735 100,468 66,009 67,025
Naming rights, net 5,629 5,703 5,778 5,852 5,926
Total assets 7,667,370 6,373,172 6,365,631 5,373,837 5,446,100
Total deposits 6,300,910 5,138,264 5,094,769 4,234,918 4,405,364
Borrowings 484,932 438,009 481,772 444,221 371,126
Total liabilities 6,849,760 5,641,118 5,653,739 4,738,201 4,828,776
Total stockholders’ equity 817,610 732,054 711,892 635,636 617,324
Tangible common equity* 676,487 622,616 605,646 563,775 544,373
Performance ratios
Return on average assets (ROAA) annualized 0.92% 1.43% (1.93)% 1.18% 1.17%
Return on average equity (ROAE) annualized 8.17% 12.07% (16.45)% 9.76% 10.07%
Return on average tangible common equity (ROATCE)* annualized 10.77% 14.91% (18.31)% 11.69% 12.12%
Yield on loans annualized 6.80% 7.01% 7.18% 6.94% 7.15%
Cost of interest-bearing deposits annualized 2.51% 2.43% 2.58% 2.47% 2.44%
Cost of total deposits 2.00% 1.88% 1.98% 1.93% 1.90%
Net interest margin annualized 4.33% 4.47% 4.45% 4.17% 4.27%
Efficiency ratio* 56.68% 59.98% 58.31% 63.62% 62.43%
Non-interest expense to net interest income plus non-interest income 66.11% 63.79% 272.59% 68.51% 64.42%
Non-interest income / average assets annualized 0.52% 0.62% (2.90)% 0.66% 0.80%
Non-interest expense / average assets annualized 2.99% 3.01% 3.20% 3.08% 3.04%
Dividend payout ratio 22.03% 15.73% (11.78)% 17.49% 17.81%
Performance ratios - Core
Core earnings per diluted share* $1.32 $1.26 $1.21 $0.99 $0.90
Core return on average assets* 1.52% 1.57% 1.51% 1.35% 1.24%
Core return on average equity* 13.41% 13.23% 12.47% 11.18% 10.69%
Core return on average tangible common equity* 16.10% 15.56% 14.30% 12.64% 12.14%
Core non-interest expense / average assets* 2.57% 2.82% 2.71% 2.86% 2.94%
Capital Ratios
Tier 1 Leverage Ratio 9.49% 10.64% 10.41% 12.07% 11.76%
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital Ratio 11.54% 13.08% 12.84% 15.07% 14.70%
Tier 1 Risk Based Capital Ratio 11.96% 13.59% 13.35% 15.67% 15.30%
Total Risk Based Capital Ratio 14.36% 16.31% 16.09% 16.84% 18.32%
Total Stockholders equity / Total Assets 10.66% 11.49% 11.18% 11.83% 11.34%
Tangible common equity to tangible assets* 8.99% 9.94% 9.68% 10.63% 10.13%
Book value per share $39.37 $38.64 $37.25 $36.27 $35.23
Tangible common book value per share* $32.58 $32.86 $31.69 $32.17 $31.07
Tangible common book value per diluted share* $32.30 $32.43 $31.41 $31.89 $30.84

* The value noted is considered a Non-GAAP financial measure. For a reconciliation of Non-GAAP financial measures see “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” in this Item 2.

Overview

We are a financial holding company headquartered in Wichita, Kansas. Our wholly-owned banking subsidiary, Equity Bank, provides a broad range of financial services primarily to businesses and business owners as well as individuals through our network of 84 full-service banking sites located in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma. As of March 31, 2026, we had consolidated total assets of $7.67 billion, total loans held for investment, net of allowance, of $5.36 billion, total deposits of $6.30 billion, and total stockholders’ equity of $817.6 million. During the three month period ended March 31, 2026, the Company had net income of $17.0 million. The Company had net income of $15.0 million for the three month period ended March 31, 2025.

Critical Accounting Policies

Our significant accounting policies are integral to understanding the results reported. Our accounting policies are described in detail in Note 1 to the December 31, 2025, audited financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 6, 2026. The preparation of our financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make a number of judgments and assumptions that affect our reported results and disclosures. Several of our accounting policies are inherently subject to valuation assumptions and other subjective assessments and are more critical than others in terms of their importance to results. Changes in any of the estimates and assumptions underlying critical accounting policies could have a material effect on our financial statements. Our accounting policies are described in “NOTE 1 – NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES” in the Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements.

The accounting policies that management believes are the most critical to an understanding of our financial condition and results of operations and require complex management judgment are described below.

Allowance for Credit Losses: The allowance for credit losses represents management’s estimate of all expected credit losses over the expected life of our loan portfolio. This assessment includes procedures to estimate the allowance and test the adequacy and appropriateness of the resulting balance. The level of the allowance is based upon management’s evaluation of historical default and loss experience, current and projected economic conditions, asset quality trends, known and inherent risks in the portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay a loan (including the timing of future payments), the estimated value of any underlying collateral, composition of the loan portfolio, industry and peer bank loan quality indications, and other pertinent factors, including regulatory recommendations. The level of the allowance for credit losses maintained by management is believed adequate to absorb all expected future losses inherent in the loan portfolio at the balance sheet date; however, determining the appropriateness of the allowance is complex and requires judgment by management about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. The actual realized facts and circumstances may be different than those currently estimated by management and may result in significant changes in the allowance for credit losses in future periods. The allowance for credit losses, as reported in our consolidated balance sheets, is adjusted by provision for credit losses, which is recognized in earnings and is reduced by the charge-off of loan amounts, net of recoveries.

The allowance represents management’s best estimate, but significant changes in circumstances relating to loan quality and economic conditions could result in significantly different results than what is reflected in the consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2026. Likewise, an improvement in loan quality or economic conditions may allow for a further reduction in the required allowance. Changing credit conditions would be expected to impact realized losses, driving variability in specifically assessed allowances, as well as calculated quantitative and more subjectively analyzed qualitative factors. Depending on the volatility in these conditions, material impacts could be realized within the Company’s operations. Significant changes in economic conditions, both positive and negative, could result in unexpected realization of provision or reversal of allowance for credit losses due to its impact on the quantitative and qualitative inputs to the Company’s calculation. Under the CECL methodology, the impact of these conditions has the potential to further exacerbate periodic differences due to its life of loan perspective. The life of loans calculated under the methodology is based in contractual duration, modified for prepayment expectations, making significant variation in periodic results possible due to changing contractual or adjusted duration of the assets within the calculation.

Goodwill: Goodwill results from business acquisitions and represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of acquired tangible assets and liabilities and identifiable intangible assets. Goodwill is assessed at least annually for impairment and any such impairment is recognized and expensed in the period identified. Goodwill will be assessed more frequently if a triggering event occurs which indicates that the carrying value of the asset might be impaired. We have selected December 31 as the date to perform our annual goodwill impairment test. Goodwill is the only intangible asset with an indefinite useful life. For the quarter ended March 31, 2026, management conducted the quarterly qualitative assessment and has determined there was no evidence of a triggering event as of or during the period then ended. Based on this qualitative analysis and conclusion, it was determined that a more robust quantitative assessment was not necessary at our measurement date.

When performing quantitative goodwill impairment assessments, management is required to estimate the fair value of the Company’s equity in a change in control transaction. To complete this valuation, management is required to derive assumptions related to industry performance, reporting unit business performance, economic and market conditions, and various other assumptions, many of which require significant management judgment.

Although management believes that the judgments and estimates used are reasonable, actual results could differ and we may be exposed to losses or gains that could be material.

Results of Operations

We generate our revenue from interest income and fees on loans, interest and dividends on investment securities, and non-interest income, such as service charges and fees, debit card income, trust and mortgage banking income. We incur interest expense on deposits and other borrowed funds and non-interest expense, such as salaries and employee benefits and occupancy expenses.

Changes in interest rates earned on interest-earning assets or incurred on interest-bearing liabilities, as well as the volume and types of interest-earning assets, interest-bearing and non-interest-bearing liabilities and stockholders’ equity, are usually the largest drivers of periodic change in net interest income. Fluctuations in interest rates are driven by many factors, including governmental monetary policies, inflation, deflation, macroeconomic developments, changes in unemployment, the money supply, political and international circumstances and domestic and foreign financial markets. Periodic changes in the volume and types of loans in our loan portfolio are affected by, among other factors, economic and competitive conditions in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma, as well as developments affecting the consumer, commercial and real estate sectors within these markets.

Net Income

Three months ended March 31, 2026, compared with three months ended March 31, 2025: Net income allocable to common stockholders for the three months ended March 31, 2026, was $17.0 million, or $0.80 diluted earnings per share as compared to $15.0 million, or $0.85 diluted earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2025, an increase of $1.9 million. The increase was primarily due to an increase in interest and dividend income of $33.3 million, partially offset by increases in non-interest expense of $15.9 million, interest expense of $10.0 million, provision for loan losses of $3.2 million and in the provision for taxes of $1.5 million.

Excluding the pre-tax merger and acquisition expenses of $5.7 million and provisioning of $6.1 million, realized in closing our transaction with Frontier, pre-tax income was $34.4 million for the quarter. Tax effected at 23%, adjusted net income was $26.3 million, or $1.23 per diluted share.

Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin Analysis

Net interest income is the difference between interest income on interest-earning assets, including loans and securities, and interest expense incurred on interest-bearing liabilities, including deposits and other borrowed funds. To evaluate net interest income, management measures and monitors (1) yields on loans and other interest-earning assets, (2) the costs of deposits and other funding sources, (3) the net interest spread, and (4) net interest margin. Net interest spread is the difference between rates earned on interest-earning assets and rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities. Net interest margin is calculated as net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets. Because non-interest-bearing sources of funds, such as non-interest-bearing deposits and stockholders’ equity also fund interest-earning assets, net interest margin includes the benefit of these non-interest-bearing sources of funds. Net interest income is affected by changes in the amount and mix of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, referred to as a “volume change,” and is also affected by changes in yields earned on interest-earning assets and rates paid on interest-bearing deposits and other borrowed funds, referred to as a “yield/rate change.”

Three months ended March 31, 2026, compared with three months ended March 31, 2025: The following table shows the average balance of each principal category of assets, liabilities, and stockholders’ equity and the average yields on interest-earning assets and average rates on interest-bearing liabilities for the three months ended March 31, 2026, and 2025. The yields and rates are calculated by dividing annualized income or annualized expense by the average daily balances of the associated assets or liabilities.

(Dollars in thousands)

Interest-earning assets: Loans(1) Average Balance Sheets and Net Interest Analysis For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2026 Average Outstanding Balance Interest Income/ Expense Average Yield/ Rate(3)(4) 2025 Average Outstanding Balance Interest Income/ Expense Average Yield/ Rate(3)(4)
Commercial and industrial $989,469 $17,698 7.25% $690,124 $14,322 8.42%
Commercial real estate 2,266,995 37,977 6.79% 1,424,110 24,591 7.00%
Real estate construction 672,347 11,931 7.20% 457,910 8,802 7.80%
Residential real estate 718,633 9,653 5.45% 565,672 6,715 4.81%
Agricultural real estate 424,055 7,714 7.38% 264,100 5,415 8.32%
Agricultural 264,213 4,780 7.34% 84,901 1,667 7.96%
Consumer 118,569 1,709 5.85% 88,413 1,485 6.81%
Total loans 5,454,281 91,462 6.80% 3,575,230 62,997 7.15%
Taxable securities 1,102,263 13,659 5.03% 937,021 9,114 3.94%
Nontaxable securities 23,989 222 3.75% 56,815 377 2.69%
Total Securities 1,126,252 13,881 5.00% 993,836 9,491 3.87%
Federal funds sold and other 315,683 2,681 3.44% 202,906 2,196 4.39%
Total interest-earning assets 6,896,216 108,024 6.35% 4,771,972 74,684 6.35%
Non-interest-earning assets:
Other real estate owned, net 5,384 4,619
Premises and equipment, net 139,996 117,437
Bank-owned life insurance 148,867 133,272
Goodwill, core deposit and other intangibles, net 141,742 72,389
Other non-interest-earning assets 119,504 112,728
Total assets $7,451,709 $5,212,417
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Interest-bearing demand deposits $1,450,755 6,871 1.92% $1,061,195 5,580 2.13%
Savings and money market 1,975,221 10,574 2.17% 1,466,589 8,001 2.21%
Demand, savings and money market 3,425,976 17,445 2.07% 2,527,784 13,581 2.18%
Certificates of deposit 1,495,970 13,033 3.53% 693,346 5,796 3.39%
Total interest-bearing deposits 4,921,946 30,478 2.51% 3,221,130 19,377 2.44%
FHLB term and line of credit advances 202,439 1,886 3.78% 274,385 2,916 4.31%
Federal Reserve Bank discount window 11 — 0.25% — — 0.00%
Bank stock loan — 4 0.25% — — 0.00%
Subordinated debt 98,194 1,800 7.43% 97,540 1,851 7.69%
Other borrowings 48,070 192 1.62% 46,213 248 2.18%
Total interest-bearing liabilities 5,270,660 34,360 2.64% 3,639,268 24,392 2.72%
Non-interest-bearing liabilities and stockholders’ equity:
Non-interest-bearing checking accounts 1,271,350 922,021
Non-interest-bearing liabilities 67,861 45,211
Stockholders’ equity 841,838 605,917
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $7,451,709 $5,212,417
Net interest income $73,664 $50,292
Interest rate spread 3.71% 3.63%
Net interest margin(2) 4.33% 4.27%
Total cost of deposits, including non-interest bearing deposits $6,193,296 $30,478 2.00% $4,143,151 $19,377 1.90%
Average interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities 130.84% 131.12%

(1) Average loan balances include non-accrual loans.

(2) Net interest margin is calculated by dividing annualized net interest income by average interest-earnings assets for the period.

(3) Tax exempt income is not included in the above table on a tax equivalent basis.

(4) Actual un-rounded values are used to calculate the reported yield or rate disclosed. Accordingly, recalculations using the amounts in thousands as disclosed in this report may not produce the same amounts.

Increases and decreases in interest income and interest expense result from changes in average balances (volume) of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, as well as changes in average interest yields/rates. The following table analyzes the change in volume variances and yield/rate variances for the three month periods ended March 31, 2026, and 2025.

Analysis of Changes in Net Interest Income

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2026, and 2025

(Dollars in thousands)

Interest-earning assets: Loans Increase (Decrease) Due to: Volume(1) Yield/Rate(1) Total Increase / (Decrease)
Commercial and industrial $5,561 $(2,185) $3,376
Commercial real estate 14,141 (755) 13,386
Real estate construction 3,850 (721) 3,129
Residential real estate 1,976 962 2,938
Agricultural real estate 2,968 (669) 2,299
Agricultural 3,254 (141) 3,113
Consumer 456 (232) 224
Total loans 32,206 (3,741) 28,465
Taxable securities 1,780 2,765 4,545
Nontaxable securities (269) 114 (155)
Total securities 1,511 2,879 4,390
Federal funds sold and other 1,032 (547) 485
Total interest-earning assets 34,749 (1,409) 33,340
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Interest-bearing demand deposits 1,888 (597) 1,291
Savings and money market 2,725 (152) 2,573
Demand, savings and money market 4,613 (749) 3,864
Certificates of deposit 6,982 255 7,237
Total interest-bearing deposits 11,595 (494) 11,101
FHLB term and line of credit advances (701) (329) (1,030)
Bank stock loan 4 — 4
Subordinated debt 12 (63) (51)
Other borrowings 10 (66) (56)
Total interest-bearing liabilities 10,920 (952) 9,968
Net Interest Income $23,829 $(457) $23,372

(1) The effect of changes in volume is determined by multiplying the change in volume by the previous year’s average rate. Similarly, the effect of rate changes is calculated by multiplying the change in average rate by the prior year’s volume. The changes attributable to both volume and rate, which cannot be segregated, have been allocated to the volume variance and the rate variance in proportion to the relationship of the absolute dollar amount of the change in each.

Interest income increased $33.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2026, as compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2025. $28.5 million of the increase was due to increased volume of average interest earning assets, primarily attributable to the our mergers with Frontier and NBC. The average rate/yield on securities increased by 113 bps while the average yield/rate on loans decreased 35 bps, resulting in the overall yield/rate on interest-earning assets remaining unchanged compared to the same period in the prior year.

The increase in interest expense of $10.0 million was due to an increase in deposit interest expense of $11.1 million due to an increase in volume in deposits primarily attributable to our mergers with Frontier and NBC. As expected, cost of interest-bearing deposits increased 7 bps as market interest rate reductions were offset by a comparatively higher cost deposit portfolio contributed by Frontier.

During the quarter ended March 31, 2026 when compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2025, net interest margin increased 6 bp and net interest spread increased by 8 bp to 3.71% from 3.63%. The comparative expansion was driven by earning asset dynamics resulting in a consistent yield year over year coupled with market interest rate declines driving a reduction in overall cost of funds.

Provision for Credit Losses

We maintain an allowance for credit losses for estimated losses in our loan portfolio. The allowance for credit losses is increased by a provision for credit losses, which is a charge to earnings, and subsequent recoveries of amounts previously charged-off, but is decreased by charge-offs when the collectability of a loan balance is unlikely. Management estimates the allowance balance required using past loan loss experience within the Company’s portfolio. This historical loss calculation is then modified to reflect quantitative economic circumstances based on evidenced economic conditions and regression formulas, which incorporate lag factors in identifying a sufficiently predictive adjusted-R square, as well as qualitative factors not inherently reflected in our historical loss or quantitative economic inputs. Included in our qualitative assessment is the consideration of prospective economic conditions over the next 12 months, considered the Company’s reasonable and supportable forecast period. As these factors change, the amount of the credit loss provision changes.

Three months ended March 31, 2026, compared with three months ended March 31, 2025: During the three months ended March 31, 2026, there was a provision for credit losses of $6.0 million compared to a provision for credit losses of $2.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025. The provision for the three months ended is primarily attributable to the establishment of reserves on purchased seasoned loans acquired in the Frontier acquisition. The Company continues to estimate the allowance for credit losses with assumptions that anticipate slower prepayment rates and continued market disruption caused by the impact of U.S. trade and fiscal policy and the resulting impact on consumers and businesses. Net charge-offs for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, were $1.4 million and $165 thousand, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2026, gross charge-offs were $2.1 million, offset by gross recoveries of $701 thousand. In comparison, gross charge-offs were $1.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, offset by gross recoveries of $974 thousand.

Non-Interest Income

The primary sources of non-interest income are service charges and fees, debit card income, mortgage banking income, trust income and increases in the value of bank-owned life insurance. Non-interest income does not include loan origination or other loan fees, which are recognized as an adjustment to yield using the interest method.

Three months ended March 31, 2026, compared with three months ended March 31, 2025: The following table provides a comparison of the major components of non-interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2026, and 2025.

Non-Interest Income

For the Three Months Ended March 31,

(Dollars in thousands)

2026 2025 2026 vs. 2025 Change%
Service charges and fees $2,493 $2,064 $429 20.8%
Debit card income 3,117 2,504 613 24.5%
Mortgage banking 348 106 242 228.3%
Increase in value of bank-owned life insurance 1,398 3,593 (2,195) (61.1)%
Other
Investment referral income 148 118 30 25.4%
Trust income 542 457 85 18.6%
Insurance sales commissions 212 37 175 473.0%
Recovery on zero-basis purchased loans 1 2 (1) (50.0)%
Income (loss) from equity method investments — — — —%
Other non-interest income 1,336 1,437 (101) (7.0)%
Total other 2,239 2,051 188 9.2%
Subtotal 9,595 10,318 (723) (7.0)%
Net gain (loss) on acquisition and branch sales — — — —%
Net gain (loss) from securities transactions (108) 12 (120) (1000.0)%
Total non-interest income $9,487 $10,330 $(843) (8.2)%

Total non-interest income decreased $843 thousand during the three months ended March 31, 2026, as compared to the same period in 2025. The decrease is due to a death benefit that was realized during the three months ended March 31, 2025, that did not recur in the current quarter causing a decrease in bank owned life insurance of $2.2 million, partially offset by increases in debit card income of $613 thousand and service charges and fees of $429 thousand driven by additional customers gained through our mergers with NBC and Frontier.

Non-Interest Expense

Three months ended March 31, 2026, compared with three months ended March 31, 2025: For the three months ended March 31, 2026, non-interest expense totaled $55.0 million, an increase of $15.9 million, when compared to the three months ended March 31, 2025. Changes in the various components of non-interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2026, and 2025, are discussed in more detail in the following table.

Non-Interest Expense

For the Three Months Ended March 31,

(Dollars in thousands)

2026 2025 2026 vs. 2025 Change%
Salaries and employee benefits $26,255 $19,954 $6,301 31.6%
Net occupancy and equipment 4,789 3,675 1,114 30.3%
Data processing 5,388 5,086 302 5.9%
Professional fees 1,768 1,527 241 15.8%
Advertising and business development 1,666 1,344 322 24.0%
Telecommunications 690 587 103 17.5%
FDIC insurance 765 630 135 21.4%
Courier and postage 645 799 (154) (19.3)%
Free nationwide ATM cost 566 513 53 10.3%
Amortization of core deposit intangible 1,928 1,045 883 84.5%
Loan expense 498 129 369 286.0%
Other real estate owned 91 101 (10) (9.9)%
Other 4,195 3,594 601 16.7%
Subtotal 49,244 38,984 10,260 26.3%
Merger expenses 5,725 66 5,659 8574.2%
Total non-interest expense $54,969 $39,050 $15,919 40.8%

Salaries and employee benefits: There was an increase in salaries and employee benefits of $6.3 million for the period ended March 31, 2026, as compared to the same period in 2025. The increase in employee salaries and wages was due to additional payroll costs as well as an increase in employee insurance expense, which is primarily driven by the increase in staff from the NBC and Frontier mergers.

Merger expenses: There was an increase in merger expenses of $5.7 million for the period ended March 31, 2026, as compared to the same period in 2025. This increase is primarily due to the completion of the Frontier merger in the first quarter of 2026.

Net occupancy and equipment: There was an increase in net occupancy and equipment of $1.1 million for the period ended March 31, 2026, as compared to the same period in 2025. The increase was primarily related to Frontier lease amortization, rent and depreciation.

Other: Other non-interest expenses consists of subscriptions, memberships and dues, employee expenses, including travel, meals, entertainment and education, supplies, printing, insurance, account related losses, correspondent bank fees, customer program expenses, losses net of gains on the sale of fixed assets, losses net of gains on the sale of repossessed assets other than real estate, other operating expenses, such as settlement of claims, losses from limited partnerships entered into for tax credits and provision for unfunded commitments. The overall increase is comprised of a number of insignificant changes within expense categories noted above.

Efficiency Ratio

The efficiency ratio is a supplemental financial measure utilized in the internal evaluation of performance and is not defined under GAAP. For a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures see “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” in this Item 2. Our efficiency ratio is computed by dividing non-interest expense, excluding goodwill impairment, merger expenses and loss on debt extinguishment, by the sum of net interest income and non-interest income, excluding net gains on sales of and settlement of securities and gain on acquisition. Generally, an increase in the efficiency ratio indicates that more resources are being utilized to generate the same volume of income, while a decrease would indicate a more efficient allocation of resources.

The efficiency ratio was 56.68% for the three months ended March 31, 2026, compared with 62.43% for the three months ended March 31, 2025. The positive trend was driven by increasing net interest income partially offset by increased non-interest expense, both primarily attributable to our mergers with NBC and Frontier.

Income Taxes

In general, the Company records income tax expense each quarter based on its estimate of the full year’s effective tax rate which includes, in addition to statutory rates, estimated amounts for tax-exempt interest income, non-taxable life insurance income, non-deductible executive compensation, valuation allowance on deferred assets, other non-deductible expense, and federal and state income tax credits anticipated to be available in proportion to anticipated annual income before income taxes. Certain items, however, are given discrete period treatment and the tax effects for such items are therefore reported in the quarter that an event arises. Events or items that may give rise to discrete recognition include excess tax benefits or shortfalls with respect to share-based compensation and changes in tax law.

During the tax year ended December 31, 2024, a Corporate Application for Tentative Refund was filed to carry back excess general business credits from 2023 to the 2020, 2021 and 2022 tax years resulting in a refund of $14.9 million which was received in the second quarter of 2025. Pursuant to Section 6405 of the Internal Revenue Code, refunds in excess of $5 million to a corporate taxpayer must be reviewed by the Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT). Accordingly, the IRS has referred the proposed refund to the JCT and remains under review as of March 31, 2026. While tax years ending 12/31/2020 and 12/31/2021 are closed for audit purposes, tax year ending 12/31/2022 remains open and, under request from the IRS, the statute of limitation has been extended to October 31, 2027.

On July 4, 2025, the United States enacted tax reform legislation through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which changes existing U.S. tax laws, including extending or making permanent certain provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, repealing certain clean energy initiatives, in addition to other changes. While the company is still evaluating the tax provisions effective in 2026, it does not expect them to have a material effect on the company’s financial statements.

Three months ended March 31, 2026, compared with three months ended March 31 2025: The effective income tax rate for the three month period ended March 31, 2026, was 23.7% as compared to 20.2% for the three month period ended March 31, 2025. The increase in the effective tax rate for the quarter ended March 31, 2026, was primarily driven by a quarter over quarter increase in pre-tax income which diluted the relative impact of permanent tax benefits, a detriment in the current quarter related to the remeasurement of deferred state tax assets at a lower state tax rate, and proceeds from bank-owned life insurance policies received in the comparative quarter of 2025 that did not recur in the current quarter.

Financial Condition

Total assets increased $1.29 billion from December 31, 2025, to $7.67 billion at March 31, 2026. This variance was primarily due to an increase in loans held for investment of $1.22 billion, partially offset by a decrease in cash and cash equivalents of $43.7 million. Total liabilities increased $1.2 billion to $6.85 billion at March 31, 2026. The change in total liabilities is primarily due to increase in total deposits of $1.16 billion and an increase in FHLB borrowings of $47.7 million. Total stockholders’ equity increased $85.6 million from $732.1 million at December 31, 2025, to $817.6 million at March 31, 2026, principally due to an increase of $101.1 million in additional paid-in-capital. Balance sheet changes for the quarter are primarily attributable to the Company’s merger with Frontier.

Loan Portfolio

The following table summarizes our loan portfolio by type of loan as of the dates indicated.

Composition of Loan Portfolio

(Dollars in thousands)

March 31, 2026 Amount Percent December 31, 2025 Amount Percent Change%
Commercial and industrial $967,049 17.8% $816,885 19.5% $150,164 18.4%
Real estate loans:
Commercial real estate 2,958,263 54.5% 2,226,348 53.0% 731,915 32.9%
Residential real estate 720,441 13.3% 582,145 13.9% 138,296 23.8%
Agricultural real estate 431,308 7.9% 278,927 6.6% 152,381 54.6%
Total real estate loans 4,110,012 75.7% 3,087,420 73.5% 1,022,592 33.1%
Agricultural 249,053 4.6% 188,475 4.5% 60,578 32.1%
Consumer 102,161 1.9% 105,400 2.5% (3,239) (3.1)%
Total loans held for investment $5,428,275 100.0% $4,198,180 100.0% $1,230,095 29.3%
Total loans held for sale $7,631 100.0% $1,392 100.0% $6,239 448.2%
Total loans held for investment (net of allowances) $5,364,030 100.0% $4,145,424 100.0% $1,218,606 29.4%

Our commercial loan portfolio consists of various types of loans, most of which are generally made to borrowers located in the Wichita, Kansas City, and Tulsa Metropolitan Statistical Areas (“MSAs”), as well as various community markets throughout Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma. The majority of our portfolio consists of commercial and industrial and commercial real estate loans, and a substantial portion of our borrowers’ ability to honor their obligations is dependent on local economies in which they operate.

At March 31, 2026, gross total loans, including loans held for sale, were 86.3% of deposits and 70.9% of total assets. At December 31, 2025, gross total loans, including loans held for sale, were 81.7% of deposits and 65.9% of total assets.

We provide commercial lines of credit, working capital loans, commercial real estate loans (including loans secured by owner-occupied commercial properties), term loans, equipment financing, aircraft financing, real property acquisition and development loans, borrowing base loans, real estate construction loans, homebuilder loans, SBA loans, agricultural and agricultural real estate loans, letters of credit and other loan products to national and regional companies, real estate developers, mortgage lenders, manufacturing and industrial companies and other businesses. The types of loans we make to consumers include residential real estate loans, home equity loans, home equity lines of credit, installment loans, unsecured and secured personal lines of credit, overdraft protection, and letters of credit.

Commercial and industrial: Commercial and industrial loans include loans used to purchase fixed assets, to provide working capital or meet other financing needs of the business.

Commercial real estate: Commercial real estate loans include all loans secured by non-farm nonresidential properties and multifamily residential properties, as well as 1-4 family investment-purpose real estate loans.

Residential real estate: Residential real estate loans include loans secured by primary or secondary personal residences. Pools of mortgages are occasionally purchased to expand our loan portfolio and provide additional loan income.

Agricultural real estate, Agricultural, Consumer and other: Agricultural real estate loans are loans related to farmland. Agricultural loans are primarily operating lines subject to annual farming revenues including productivity/yield of the agricultural commodities produced. Consumer loans are generally secured by consumer assets but may be unsecured.

The contractual maturity ranges of loans in our loan portfolio and the amount of such loans with predetermined interest rates and floating rates in each maturity range as of March 31, 2026, are summarized in the following table.

Loan Maturity and Sensitivity to Changes in Interest Rates

(Dollars in thousands)

As of March 31, 2026 One year or less After one year through five years After five years through fifteen years After fifteen years Total
Commercial and industrial $363,496 $436,452 $108,830 $58,271 $967,049
Real Estate:
Commercial real estate 793,816 1,601,734 408,203 154,510 2,958,263
Residential real estate 32,785 107,865 111,592 468,199 720,441
Agricultural real estate 111,100 187,080 64,609 68,519 431,308
Total real estate 937,701 1,896,679 584,404 691,228 4,110,012
Agricultural 186,258 44,193 6,735 11,867 249,053
Consumer 45,436 47,015 6,876 2,834 102,161
Total $1,532,891 $2,424,339 $706,845 $764,200 $5,428,275
Loans with a predetermined fixed interest rate $611,585 $1,108,518 $144,425 $276,591 $2,141,119
Loans with an adjustable/floating interest rate 921,306 1,315,821 562,420 487,609 3,287,156
Total $1,532,891 $2,424,339 $706,845 $764,200 $5,428,275

The contractual maturity ranges of loans in our loan portfolio and the amount of such loans with predetermined interest rates and floating rates in each maturity range as of December 31, 2025, are summarized in the following table.

Loan Maturity and Sensitivity to Changes in Interest Rates

(Dollars in thousands)

As of December 31, 2025 One year or less After one year through five years After five years through fifteen years After fifteen years Total
Commercial and industrial $289,631 $350,270 $112,600 $64,384 $816,885
Real Estate:
Commercial real estate 531,763 1,268,127 325,353 101,105 2,226,348
Residential real estate 5,267 11,996 111,555 453,327 582,145
Agricultural real estate 74,354 131,536 36,836 36,201 278,927
Total real estate 611,384 1,411,659 473,744 590,633 3,087,420
Agricultural 133,092 38,040 5,663 11,680 188,475
Consumer 52,119 44,205 7,021 2,055 105,400
Total $1,086,226 $1,844,174 $599,028 $668,752 $4,198,180
Loans with a predetermined fixed interest rate $412,708 $653,731 $109,432 $269,857 $1,445,728
Loans with an adjustable/floating interest rate 673,518 1,190,443 489,596 398,895 2,752,452
Total $1,086,226 $1,844,174 $599,028 $668,752 $4,198,180

60

Credit Quality Indicators

We categorize loans into risk categories based on relevant information about the ability of borrowers to service their debt, such as current financial information, historical payment experience, credit documentation, public information, current economic trends, and other factors. Loans are analyzed individually and classified based on credit risk. Consumer loans are considered pass credits unless downgraded due to payment status or reviewed as part of a larger credit relationship.

For additional information, see “NOTE 3 – LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES” in the Condensed Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements.

Nonperforming Assets

The following table presents information regarding nonperforming assets at the dates indicated.

Nonperforming Assets

(Dollars in thousands)

March 31, 2026 December 31, 2025
Non-accrual loans $52,440 $40,276
Accruing loans 90 or more days past due 2,876 2,610
OREO acquired through foreclosure, net 2,885 3,245
Other repossessed assets 140 579
Total nonperforming assets $58,341 $46,710
Ratios:
Nonperforming assets to total assets 0.76% 0.73%
Nonperforming assets to total loans plus OREO and repossessed assets 1.07% 1.11%

Generally, loans are designated as non-accrual when either principal or interest payments are 90 days or more past due based on contractual terms, unless the loan is well secured and in the process of collection. Consumer loans are typically charged off no later than 180 days past due. In all cases, loans are placed on non-accrual, or charged off, at an earlier date if collection of principal or interest is considered doubtful. When a loan is placed on non-accrual status, unpaid interest credited to income earned in the current year is reversed against income and unpaid interest earned in prior years is charged off. Future interest income may be recorded on a cash basis after recovery of principal is reasonably assured. Non-accrual loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured.

The nonperforming loans at March 31, 2026, consisted of 335 separate credits and 271 separate borrowers. We had 6 nonperforming loan relationships, totaling $26.8 million, with an outstanding balance in excess of $1.0 million as of March 31, 2026.

There are several procedures in place to assist us in maintaining the overall quality of our loan portfolio. We have established underwriting guidelines to be followed by lenders and we also monitor delinquency levels for any negative or adverse trends. In accordance with applicable regulation, appraisals or evaluations are required to independently value real estate and are an important element to consider when underwriting loans secured in part or in whole by real estate. The value of real estate collateral provides additional support to the borrower’s credit capacity. There can be no assurance, however, that our loan portfolio will not become subject to increasing pressures from deteriorating borrower credit due to general economic conditions.

Potential Problem Loans

Potential problem loans consist of loans that are performing in accordance with contractual terms, but for which management has concerns about the borrower’s ability to comply with repayment terms because of the borrower’s potential financial difficulties. Potential problem loans are assigned a grade of special mention or substandard. At March 31, 2026, the Company had $22.0 million in potential problem loans which were not included in either non-accrual or 90 days past due categories, compared to $24.6 million at December 31, 2025.

With respect to potential problem loans, all monitored and under-performing loans are reviewed and evaluated to determine if they are impaired. If we determine that a loan is impaired, then we evaluate the borrower’s overall financial condition to determine the need, if any, for possible write downs or appropriate additions to the allowance for credit losses based on the unlikelihood of full repayment of principal and interest in accordance with the contractual terms or the net realizable value of the pledged collateral.

Allowance for Credit Losses

Please see “Critical Accounting Policies – Allowance for Credit Losses” for additional discussion of our allowance policy. For additional information, see “NOTE 3 – LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES” in the Condensed Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements.

In connection with our review of the loan portfolio, risk elements attributable to particular loan types or categories are considered when assessing the quality of individual loans. Some of the risk elements include the following items.

  • Commercial and industrial loans are dependent on the strength of the industries of the related borrowers and the success of their businesses. Commercial and industrial loans are advanced for equipment purchases, to provide working capital, or to meet other financing needs of the business. These loans may be secured by accounts receivable, inventory, equipment, or other business assets. Financial information is obtained from the borrower to evaluate the debt service coverage and ability to repay the loans.
  • Commercial real estate loans are dependent on the industries tied to these loans as well as the local commercial real estate market. The loans are secured by the real estate, and appraisals are obtained to support the loan amount. An evaluation of the project’s cash flows is performed to evaluate the borrower’s ability to repay the loan at the time of origination and is periodically updated during the life of the loan.
  • Residential real estate loans are affected by the local residential real estate market, the local economy, and movement in interest rates. We evaluate the borrower’s repayment ability through a review of credit reports and debt to income ratios. Appraisals are obtained to support the loan amount.
  • Agricultural real estate loans are real estate loans related to farmland and are affected by the value of farmland. We evaluate the borrower’s ability to repay based on cash flows from farming operations.
  • Agricultural loans are primarily operating lines subject to annual farming revenues including productivity/yield of the agricultural commodities produced and market pricing at the time of sale.
  • Consumer loans are dependent on the local economy. Consumer loans are generally secured by consumer assets but may be unsecured. We evaluate the borrower’s repayment ability through a review of credit scores and an evaluation of debt to income ratios.

The following table presents, as of and for the periods indicated, an analysis of the allowance for credit losses and other related data.

Allowance for Credit Losses

For the Quarters Ended,

(Dollars in thousands)

March 31, 2026 Commercial Real Estate Commercial and Industrial Residential Real Estate Agricultural Real Estate Agricultural Consumer Total
Allowance for credit losses (ACL) $22,882 $23,850 $7,701 $7,665 $291 $1,856 $64,245
Total loans outstanding (1) 2,958,263 967,049 720,441 431,308 249,053 102,161 5,428,275
Net (charge-offs) recoveries QTD (41) (1,127) (28) (24) 1 (160) (1,379)
Average loan balance QTD (1) 2,939,342 989,469 718,633 424,055 264,213 118,569 5,454,281
Non-accrual loan balance 15,980 25,146 3,467 3,753 3,357 737 52,440
Loans to total loans outstanding 54.5% 17.8% 13.3% 7.9% 4.6% 1.9% 100.0%
ACL to total loans 0.8% 2.5% 1.1% 1.8% 0.1% 1.8% 1.2%
Net charge-offs to average loans QTD —% (0.1)% —% —% —% (0.1)% —%
Non-accrual loans to total loans 0.5% 2.6% 0.5% 0.9% 1.3% 0.7% 1.0%
ACL to non-accrual loans 143.2% 94.8% 222.1% 204.2% 8.7% 251.8% 122.5%
March 31 2025 Commercial Real Estate Commercial and Industrial Residential Real Estate Agricultural Real Estate Agricultural Consumer Total
Allowance for credit losses (ACL) $16,122 $13,548 $8,827 $5,158 $356 $1,813 $45,824
Total loans outstanding (1) 1,863,200 762,906 563,954 260,683 94,199 86,686 3,631,628
Net (charge-offs) recoveries QTD 420 (39) (4) 48 (16) (574) (165)
Average loan balance QTD (1) 1,882,018 690,124 565,251 264,100 84,901 88,413 3,574,807
Non-accrual loan balance 7,738 7,593 4,578 2,900 714 722 24,245
Loans to total loans outstanding 51.3% 21.0% 15.5% 7.2% 2.6% 2.4% 100.0%
ACL to total loans 0.9% 1.8% 1.6% 2.0% 0.4% 2.1% 1.3%
Net charge-offs to average loans QTD —% —% —% —% —% (0.6)% —%
Non-accrual loans to total loans 0.4% 1.0% 0.8% 1.1% 0.8% 0.8% 0.7%
ACL to non-accrual loans 208.3% 178.4% 192.8% 177.9% 49.9% 251.1% 189.0%

(1) Excluding loans held for sale.

Management believes that the allowance for credit losses at March 31, 2026, was adequate to cover current expected credit losses in the loan portfolio as of such date. There can be no assurance, however, that we will not sustain losses in future periods, which could be substantial in relation to the size of the allowance at March 31, 2026.

The allowance for credit losses on loans measured on a collective basis totaled $54.9 million, or 1.0% of the $5.43 billion in loans measured on a collective basis at March 31, 2026, compared to an allowance for credit losses of $46.2 million, or 1.1%, of the $4.1 billion in loans measured on a collective basis at December 31, 2025. The total reserve percentage to total loans was 1.2% at March 31, 2026, and 1.3% at December 31, 2025.

Securities

We use our securities portfolio to provide a source of liquidity, to provide an appropriate return on funds invested, to manage interest rate risk, to meet pledging requirements and to meet regulatory capital requirements. At March 31, 2026, securities represented 14.7% of total assets, decreasing from 16.3% at December 31, 2025.

At the date of purchase, debt securities are classified into one of two categories: held-to-maturity or available-for-sale. We do not purchase securities for trading purposes. At each reporting date, the appropriateness of the classification is reassessed. Investments in debt securities that are classified as held-to-maturity are carried at cost, and adjusted for the amortization of premiums and the accretion of discounts, only if management has the positive intent and ability to hold those securities to maturity. Debt securities that are not classified as held-to-maturity are classified as available-for-sale and are measured at fair value in the financial statements with unrealized gains and losses reported, net of tax, as accumulated comprehensive income or loss until realized. Interest earned on securities is included in total interest and dividend income. Also included in total interest and dividend income are dividends received on stock investments in the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City and the FHLB of Topeka. These stock investments are stated at cost.

The following table summarizes the amortized cost and fair value by classification of available-for-sale securities as of the dates shown.

Available-For-Sale Securities

(Dollars in thousands)

March 31, 2026 Amortized Cost Fair Value December 31, 2025 Amortized Cost Fair Value
U.S. Government-sponsored entities $25,676 $25,879 $25,960 $26,298
U.S. Treasury securities 38,665 38,731 35,134 35,250
Mortgage-backed securities
Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities 862,036 863,068 763,827 772,145
Private label residential mortgage-backed securities 4,298 4,203 4,441 4,326
Corporate 93,044 92,360 92,142 91,798
Small Business Administration loan pools 77,400 77,335 80,199 80,205
State and political subdivisions 24,036 23,586 20,767 20,546
Total available-for-sale securities $1,125,155 $1,125,162 $1,022,470 $1,030,568

The following table summarizes the amortized cost and fair value by classification of Held-to-Maturity securities as of the dates shown.

Held-To-Maturity Securities

(Dollars in thousands)

Mortgage-backed securities March 31, 2026 Amortized Cost Fair Value December 31, 2025 Amortized Cost Fair Value
Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities $3,974 $4,053 $3,967 $4,098
State and political subdivisions 1,280 1,293 1,281 1,311
Total held-to-maturity securities $5,254 $5,346 $5,248 $5,409

At March 31, 2026, and December 31, 2025, we did not own securities of any one issuer (other than the U.S. government and its agencies or sponsored entities) for which aggregate par value exceeded 10% of consolidated stockholders’ equity at the reporting dates noted.

The following tables summarize the contractual maturity of debt securities and their weighted average yields as of March 31, 2026, and December 31, 2025. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations, with or without call or prepayment penalties. Securities not due at a single maturity date, primarily mortgage-backed securities, are shown separately. Available-for-sale securities are shown at fair value and held-to-maturity securities are shown at cost, adjusted for the amortization of premiums and the accretion of discounts.

(Dollars in thousands)

Available-for-sale securities: March 31, 2026 Due in one year or less Carrying Value Yield Due after one year through five years Carrying Value Yield Due after five years through 10 years Carrying Value Yield Due after 10 years Carrying Value Yield Total Carrying Value Yield
U.S. Government-sponsored entities $12,599 4.41% $13,280 4.47% $— —% $— —% $25,879 4.44%
U.S. Treasury securities 34,721 3.79% 4,010 4.58% — —% — —% 38,731 3.88%
Mortgage-backed securities
Government-sponsored residential mortgage- backed securities 1 4.29% $55,922 4.95% $14,778 5.10% $792,367 4.90% 863,068 4.91%
Private label residential mortgage-backed securities — —% — —% — —% 4,203 2.00% 4,203 2.00%
Corporate 9,768 5.19% 11,879 8.93% 69,942 7.24% 771 6.01% 92,360 7.23%
Small Business Administration loan pools — —% 2,098 4.50% 36,143 4.15% 39,094 4.34% 77,335 4.26%
State and political subdivisions(1) 1,174 3.08% 3,851 3.29% 11,308 3.25% 7,253 4.79% 23,586 3.72%
Total available-for-sale securities 58,263 4.15% 91,040 5.30% 132,171 5.82% 843,688 4.86% 1,125,162 4.97%
Held-to-maturity securities:
Mortgage-backed securities
Government-sponsored residential mortgage- backed securities — —% — —% 3,111 5.02% 863 4.90% 3,974 4.99%
State and political subdivisions(1) — —% — —% 169 3.02% 1,111 4.62% 1,280 4.40%
Total held-to-maturity securities — —% — —% 3,280 4.91% 1,974 4.74% 5,254 4.85%
Total debt securities $58,263 4.15% $91,040 5.30% $135,451 5.79% $845,662 4.86% $1,130,416 4.97%

(1) The calculated yield is not presented on a tax equivalent basis.

(Dollars in thousands)

Available-for-sale securities: December 31, 2025 Due in one year or less Carrying Value Yield Due after one year through five years Carrying Value Yield Due after five years through 10 years Carrying Value Yield Due after 10 years Carrying Value Yield Total Carrying Value Yield
U.S. Government-sponsored entities $10,112 4.45% $16,186 4.45% $— —% $— —% $26,298 4.45%
U.S. Treasury securities 29,747 3.83% 5,503 4.60% — —% — —% 35,250 3.95%
Mortgage-backed securities
Government-sponsored residential mortgage- backed securities 2 4.26% 55,875 4.95% 15,337 5.13% 700,931 4.94% 772,145 4.95%
Private label residential mortgage-backed securities — —% — —% — —% 4,326 4.21% 4,326 4.21%
Corporate 2,326 3.76% 18,877 7.89% 69,839 5.49% 756 6.01% 91,798 5.95%
Small Business Administration loan pools — —% 2,402 5.01% 37,952 4.50% 39,851 4.72% 80,205 4.62%
State and political subdivisions(1) 908 3.04% 3,791 3.10% 10,330 3.22% 5,517 4.22% 20,546 3.46%
Total available-for-sale securities 43,095 3.95% 102,634 5.33% 133,458 4.99% 751,381 4.92% 1,030,568 4.93%
Held-to-maturity securities:
Mortgage-backed securities
Government-sponsored residential mortgage- backed securities — —% — —% 3,101 5.02% 866 4.91% 3,967 4.99%
State and political subdivisions(1) — —% — —% 170 3.02% 1,111 4.62% 1,281 4.40%
Total held-to-maturity securities — —% — —% 3,271 4.91% 1,977 4.74% 5,248 4.85%
Total debt securities $43,095 3.95% $102,634 5.33% $136,729 4.99% $753,358 4.92% $1,035,816 4.93%

(1) The calculated yield is not presented on a tax equivalent basis.

Mortgage-backed securities are securities that have been developed by pooling a number of real estate mortgages which are principally issued by federal agencies such as Ginnie Mae, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac. Unlike U.S. Treasury and U.S. government agency securities, which have a lump sum payment at maturity, mortgage-backed securities provide cash flows from regular principal and interest payments and principal prepayments throughout the lives of the securities. Premiums and discounts on mortgage-backed securities are amortized and accreted over the expected life of the security and may be impacted by prepayments. As such, mortgage-backed securities which are purchased at a premium will generally produce decreasing net yields as interest rates drop because homeowners tend to refinance their mortgages, resulting in prepayments and an acceleration of premium amortization. Securities purchased at a discount will reflect higher net yields in a decreasing interest rate environment, as prepayments result in an acceleration of discount accretion.

The contractual maturity of mortgage-backed securities is not a reliable indicator of their expected lives because borrowers have the right to prepay their obligations at any time. Monthly pay downs on mortgage-backed securities cause the average lives of these securities to be much different than their stated lives. At March 31, 2026, and December 31, 2025, 91.5% and 90.8% of the residential mortgage-backed securities held by us had contractual final maturities of more than ten years, with a weighted average life of 4.8 years and 5.0 years and a modified duration of 3.9 years and 4.1 years.

Goodwill Impairment Assessment

At March 31, 2026, we performed an interim qualitative analysis and concluded there were no indications that goodwill was impaired. For additional information, see “Goodwill” under "Critical Accounting Policies" in the Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation.

Deposits

Our lending and investing activities are primarily funded by deposits. A variety of deposit accounts are offered with a wide range of interest rates and terms including demand, savings, money market, and time deposits. We rely primarily on competitive pricing policies, convenient locations, comprehensive marketing strategy, and personalized service to attract and retain these deposits.

The following table shows our composition of deposits at March 31, 2026, and December 31, 2025.

Composition of Deposits

(Dollars in thousands)

March 31, 2026 Amount Percent of Total December 31, 2025 Amount Percent of Total
Non-interest-bearing demand $1,274,533 20.2% $1,148,409 22.3%
Interest-bearing demand 1,492,789 23.7% 1,268,307 24.7%
Savings and money market 2,011,909 31.9% 1,736,680 33.8%
Time 1,521,679 24.2% 984,868 19.2%
Total deposits $6,300,910 100.0% $5,138,264 100.0%

Total deposits at March 31, 2026, were $6.30 billion, an increase of $1.16 billion, or 22.6%, compared to total deposits of $5.14 billion at December 31, 2025.

The following tables show deposit acquired in 2026, as of the time of each acquisition.

(Dollars in thousands)

Frontier Acquisition Amount Percent of Total
Non-interest-bearing demand $150,136 13.3%
Interest-bearing demand 185,050 16.3%
Savings and money market 249,372 22.0%
Time 547,411 48.4%
Total deposits $1,131,969 100.0%

Equity Bank participates in the Insured Cash Sweep (“ICS”) service that allows the Bank to break large non-time deposits into smaller amounts and place them in a network of other ICS banks to ensure FDIC insurance coverage on the entire deposit. These deposits are placed through ICS services but are Equity Bank’s customer relationships that management views as core funding. The Bank also participates in the Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Service (“CDARS”) program. CDARS allows the bank to break large time deposits into smaller amounts and place them in a network of other CDARS banks to ensure FDIC insurance coverage on the entire deposit. Reciprocal deposits are not considered brokered deposits as long as the aggregate balance is less than the lesser of 20% of total liabilities or $5.0 billion and Equity Bank is well capitalized and well rated. All non-reciprocal deposits and reciprocal deposits in excess of regulatory limits are considered brokered deposits.

The following table lists reciprocal and brokered deposits included in total deposits categorized by type at March 31, 2026, and December 31, 2025.

(Dollars in thousands)

Interest-bearing demand March 31, 2026 December 31, 2025
Reciprocal $645,277 $571,989
Non-reciprocal brokered — —
Total interest-bearing demand 645,277 571,989
Savings and money market
Reciprocal 159,413 100,226
Non-reciprocal brokered 50,052 1,605
Total savings and money market 209,465 101,831
Time
Reciprocal 103,164 51,691
Non-reciprocal brokered 310,172 70,170
Total time 413,336 121,861
Total reciprocal and brokered deposits $1,268,078 $795,681

The following table provides information on the maturity distribution of time deposits of $250 thousand or more as of March 31, 2026, and December 31, 2025.

(Dollars in thousands)

March 31, 2026 December 31, 2025 Change Percent Change
3 months or less $133,561 $136,661 $(3,100) (2.3)%
Over 3 through 6 months 164,450 206,748 (42,298) (20.5)%
Over 6 through 12 months 172,449 67,260 105,189 156.4%
Over 12 months 58,017 69,857 (11,840) (16.9)%
Total Time Deposits $528,477 $480,526 $47,951 10.0%

Other Borrowed Funds

We utilize borrowings to supplement deposits to fund our lending and investing activities. Short-term borrowings and long-term borrowings include federal funds purchased and retail repurchase agreements, FHLB advances, Federal Reserve Bank borrowings, a bank stock loan, and subordinated debt. For additional information see “NOTE 7 – BORROWINGS” in the Condensed Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statement.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity

The following tables disclose average balances as a percentage of total average assets as of the time periods listed.

Source of funds Deposits For the three months ended March 31, 2026 2025
Non-interest-bearing 16.90% 17.69%
Interest-bearing demand 19.28% 20.36%
Savings and money market 26.25% 28.14%
Time 19.88% 13.30%
Federal Home Loan Bank advances 2.69% 5.26%
Subordinated borrowings 1.31% 1.87%
Other borrowings 0.64% 0.89%
Other liabilities 0.88% 0.87%
Stockholders' equity 12.17% 11.62%
Total 100.00% 100.00%
Uses of funds
Loans 72.49% 68.59%
Taxable securities 14.65% 17.98%
Nontaxable securities 0.32% 1.09%
Federal funds sold and other 4.20% 3.89%
Other real estate owned, net 0.07% 0.09%
Premises and equipment, net 1.86% 2.25%
Other non-interest-earnings assets 6.41% 6.11%
Total 100.00% 100.00%

Market and public confidence in our financial strength and financial institutions in general will largely determine access to appropriate levels of liquidity. This confidence is significantly dependent on our ability to maintain sound asset quality and appropriate levels of capital reserves.

Liquidity is defined as the ability to meet anticipated customer demands for future funds under credit commitments and deposit withdrawals at a reasonable cost and on a timely basis. We measure our liquidity position by considering both on and off-balance sheet sources of and demands for funds on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis.

Liquidity risk involves the risk of being unable to fund assets with the appropriate duration and rate-based liabilities, as well as the risk of not being able to meet unexpected cash needs. Liquidity planning and management are necessary to ensure the ability to fund operations in a cost-effective manner and to meet current and future potential obligations such as loan commitments, lease obligations, and unexpected deposit outflows. In this process, we focus on both assets and liabilities, and the way they combine to provide adequate liquidity to meet our needs.

During the three months ended March 31, 2026, and 2025, our liquidity needs have primarily been met by core deposits, security and loan maturities, and amortizing security and loan portfolios. Other funding sources include federal funds purchased, brokered certificates of deposit, borrowings from the FHLB, and Federal Reserve Bank borrowings.

Our largest sources of funds are deposits and FHLB borrowings and our largest uses of funds are loan fundings, securities purchases and debt servicing. Average loans were $5.45 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2026, an increase of 38.5% over the December 31, 2025, average balance. Excess deposits are primarily invested in our interest-bearing deposit account with the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, investment securities, federal funds sold or other short-term liquid investments until the funds are needed to fund loan growth. Our securities portfolio has a weighted average life of 4.8 years and a modified duration of 3.9 years at March 31, 2026.

Cash and cash equivalents were $564.2 million at March 31, 2026, a decrease of $43.7 million from the $607.8 million cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2025. The majority of our liquidity comes from our operations, including net income, supplemented by the repayment of principal on loans and investment securities through payoffs, paydowns and normal amortization. From time to time as conditions warrant, we borrow funds to maintain our liquidity requirement and fund operational needs. We believe that our daily funding needs can be met through cash provided by operating activities, payments and maturities on loans and investment securities, the core deposit base and FHLB advances and other borrowing relationships.

Off-Balance-Sheet Items

In the normal course of business, we enter into various transactions, which, in accordance with GAAP, are not included in our consolidated balance sheets. We enter into these transactions to meet the financing needs of our customers. These transactions include commitments to extend credit and standby and commercial letters of credit, which involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk and interest rate risk in excess of the amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets. Our exposure to credit loss is represented by the contractual amounts of these commitments. The same credit policies and procedures are used in making these commitments as for on-balance sheet instruments.

Standby and Performance Letters of Credit: For additional information see “NOTE 12 – COMMITMENTS AND CREDIT RISK” in the Condensed Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statement.

Commitments to Extend Credit: For additional information see “NOTE 12 – COMMITMENTS AND CREDIT RISK” in the Condensed Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statement.

Capital Resources

Capital management consists of providing equity to support our current and future operations. The federal bank regulators view capital levels as important indicators of an institution’s financial soundness. As a general matter, FDIC-insured depository institutions and their holding companies are required to maintain minimum capital relative to the amount and types of assets they hold. As a financial holding company and a state-chartered-Fed-member bank, the Company and Equity Bank are subject to regulatory capital requirements.

Capital adequacy guidelines and, additionally for banks, prompt corrective action regulations, involve quantitative measures of assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance-sheet items calculated under regulatory accounting practices. Capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by regulators. Failure to meet capital requirements can initiate regulatory action. Management believes as of March 31, 2026, and December 31, 2025, the Company and Equity Bank meet all capital adequacy requirements to which they are subject.

Prompt corrective action regulations provide five classifications: well capitalized, adequately capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized, and critically undercapitalized; although, these terms are not used to represent overall financial condition. If adequately capitalized, regulatory approval is required to accept brokered deposits. If undercapitalized, capital distributions are limited, as are asset growth and acquisitions, and capital restoration plans are required.

Failure to meet capital guidelines could subject the institution to a variety of enforcement remedies by federal bank regulatory agencies, including termination of deposit insurance by the FDIC, restrictions on certain business activities and appointment of the FDIC as conservator or receiver. As of March 31, 2026, the most recent notifications from the federal regulatory agencies categorized Equity Bank as “well capitalized” under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. To be categorized as well capitalized, Equity Bank must maintain minimum Total capital, Tier 1 capital, Common Equity Tier 1 capital, and Tier 1 leverage ratios. For additional information, see “NOTE 9 – REGULATORY MATTERS” in the Condensed Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements. There are no conditions or events since that notification that management believes have changed Equity Bank’s category.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We identify certain financial measures discussed in this Quarterly Report as being “non-GAAP financial measures.” In accordance with SEC’s rules, we classify a financial measure as being a non-GAAP financial measure if that financial measure excludes or includes amounts, or is subject to adjustments that have the effect of excluding or including amounts, that are included or excluded, as the case may be, in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP in our statements of income, balance sheet or statements of cash flows. Non-GAAP financial measures do not include operating and other statistical measures or ratios, or statistical measures calculated using exclusively either financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP, operating measures or other measures that are not non-GAAP financial measures or both.

The non-GAAP financial measures that we discuss in this Quarterly Report should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the most directly comparable or other financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. Moreover, the way we calculate the non-GAAP financial measures that we discuss in this Quarterly Report may differ from that of other companies reporting measures with similar names. You should understand how such other banking organizations calculate their financial measures similar to, or with names like, the non-GAAP financial measures we have discussed in this Quarterly Report when comparing such non-GAAP financial measures.

Tangible Book Value Per Common Share and Tangible Book Value Per Diluted Common Share: Tangible book value is a non-GAAP measure generally used by financial analysts and investment bankers to evaluate financial institutions. We calculate: (a) tangible common equity as total stockholders’ equity less preferred stock, goodwill, core deposit intangibles (net of accumulated amortization), and other intangible assets (net of accumulated amortization); (b) tangible book value per common share as tangible common equity (as described in clause (a)) divided by shares of common stock outstanding; and (c) tangible book value per diluted common share as tangible common equity (as described in clause (a)) divided by diluted shares of common stock outstanding. For tangible book value, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP is book value.

Management believes that these measures are important to many investors interested in changes from period to period in book value per common share exclusive of changes in intangible assets. Goodwill and other intangible assets have the effect of increasing total book value while not increasing our tangible book value.

The following table reconciles, as of the dates set forth below, total stockholders’ equity to tangible common equity, tangible book value per common share, and tangible book value per diluted common share and compares these values with book value per common share.

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

As of the Period Ended March 31, 2026 December 31, 2025 September 30, 2025 June 30, 2025 March 31, 2025
Total stockholders’ equity $817,610 $732,054 $711,892 $635,636 $617,324
Goodwill (104,958) (82,101) (77,573) (53,101) (53,101)
Core deposit intangibles, net (30,536) (21,634) (22,895) (12,908) (13,924)
Naming rights, net (5,629) (5,703) (5,778) (5,852) (5,926)
Tangible common equity $676,487 $622,616 $605,646 $563,775 $544,373
Common shares issued at period end 20,767,023 18,944,987 19,111,084 17,527,191 17,522,994
Diluted common shares outstanding at period end 20,946,924 19,196,160 19,279,741 17,680,489 17,652,110
Book value per common share $39.37 $38.64 $37.25 $36.27 $35.23
Tangible book value per common share $32.58 $32.86 $31.69 $32.17 $31.07
Tangible book value per diluted common share $32.30 $32.43 $31.41 $31.89 $30.84

Tangible Common Equity to Tangible Assets: Tangible common equity to tangible assets is a non-GAAP measure generally used by financial analysts and investment bankers to evaluate financial institutions. We calculate (a) tangible common equity as total stockholders’ equity less preferred stock, goodwill, core deposit intangibles (net of accumulated amortization), and other intangible assets (net of accumulated amortization); (b) tangible assets as total assets less goodwill, core deposit intangibles (net of accumulated amortization), and other intangible assets (net of accumulated amortization); and (c) tangible common equity to tangible assets as tangible common equity (as described in clause (a)) divided by tangible assets (as described in clause (b)). For tangible common equity to tangible assets, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP is total stockholders’ equity to total assets.

Management believes that this measure is important to many investors in the marketplace interested in the relative changes from period to period in common equity and total assets, each exclusive of changes in intangible assets. Goodwill and other intangible assets have the effect of increasing both total stockholders’ equity and total assets while not increasing tangible common equity or tangible assets.

The following table reconciles, as of the dates set forth below, total stockholders’ equity to tangible common equity and total assets to tangible assets.

(Dollars in thousands)

As of the Period Ended March 31, 2026 December 31, 2025 September 30, 2025 June 30, 2025 March 31, 2025
Total stockholders’ equity $817,610 $732,054 $711,892 $635,636 $617,324
Goodwill (104,958) (82,101) (77,573) (53,101) (53,101)
Core deposit intangibles, net (30,536) (21,634) (22,895) (12,908) (13,924)
Naming rights, net (5,629) (5,703) (5,778) (5,852) (5,926)
Tangible common equity $676,487 $622,616 $605,646 $563,775 $544,373
Total assets $7,667,370 $6,373,172 $6,365,631 $5,373,837 $5,446,100
Goodwill (104,958) (82,101) (77,573) (53,101) (53,101)
Core deposit intangibles, net (30,536) (21,634) (22,895) (12,908) (13,924)
Naming rights, net (5,629) (5,703) (5,778) (5,852) (5,926)
Tangible assets $7,526,247 $6,263,734 $6,259,385 $5,301,976 $5,373,149
Equity to assets 10.66% 11.49% 11.18% 11.83% 11.34%
Tangible common equity to tangible assets 8.99% 9.94% 9.68% 10.63% 10.13%

Core Return on Average Equity: Core return on average equity is a non-GAAP measure generally used by financial analysts and investment bankers to evaluate financial institutions. We calculate: (a) average tangible common equity as total average stockholders’ equity less average intangible assets and preferred stock; (b) core net income allocable to common stockholders as net income allocable to common stockholders less net gain on acquisition, less gain(loss) on securities transactions, plus loss on debt extinguishment, plus merger expenses, plus BOLI tax expense, plus goodwill impairment, net of actual tax effect, plus amortization of intangible assets less estimated tax effect on adjustments (c) core return on average equity as core net income allocable to common stockholders (as described in clause (b)) divided by a simple average of net income and core net income plus average stockholders' equity. For return on average equity, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP is return on average equity.

Return on Average Tangible Common Equity: Return on average tangible common equity is a non-GAAP measure generally used by financial analysts and investment bankers to evaluate financial institutions. We calculate: (a) average tangible common equity as total average stockholders’ equity less average intangible assets and preferred stock; (b) core net income allocable to common stockholders as net income allocable to common stockholders plus goodwill impairment, net of actual tax effect, plus amortization of intangible assets less estimated tax effect on amortization of intangible assets (c) return on average tangible common equity as core net income allocable to common stockholders (as described in clause (b)) divided by average tangible common equity (as described in clause (a)). For return on average tangible common equity, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP is return on average equity.

Management believes that this measure is important to many investors in the marketplace because it measures the return on equity, exclusive of the effects of intangible assets on earnings and capital. Goodwill and other intangible assets have the effect of increasing average stockholders’ equity and, through amortization, decreasing net income allocable to common stockholders while not increasing average tangible common equity or decreasing core net income allocable to common stockholders.

The following table reconciles, as of the dates set forth below, total average stockholders’ equity to average equity and net income allocable to common stockholders to core net income allocable to common stockholders.

(Dollars in thousands)

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2026 December 31, 2025 September 30, 2025 June 30, 2025 March 31, 2025
Total average stockholders’ equity $841,838 $725,651 $715,319 $627,103 $605,917
Average intangible assets (141,742) (108,779) (95,046) (72,406) (72,389)
Average tangible common equity $700,096 $616,872 $620,273 $554,697 $533,528
Net income (loss) allocable to common stockholders $16,966 $22,084 $(29,663) $15,264 $15,041
Amortization of intangible assets 2,056 1,390 1,312 1,145 1,144
Net gain on acquisition — — — — —
Net (gain) loss on securities transactions 108 (154) 53,352 (12) (12)
Merger expenses 5,725 1,481 6,163 355 66
Loss on debt extinguishment — — — 1,361 —
Day 2 Merger provision 6,099 — 6,228 — —
Tax effect (2,937) (571) (14,082) (598) (252)
Core net income allocable to common stockholders $28,017 $24,230 $23,310 $17,515 $15,987
Return on total average stockholders’ equity (ROAE) annualized 8.17% 12.07% (16.45)% 9.76% 10.07%
Core return on average equity 13.41% 13.23% 12.47% 11.18% 10.69%
Return on average tangible common equity (ROATCE) annualized 10.77% 14.91% (18.31)% 11.69% 12.12%
Core return on average tangible common equity (CROATCE) annualized 16.10% 15.56% 14.30% 12.64% 12.14%

Core income calculations: Core income calculations are a non-GAAP measure that management believes is an effective alternative measure of how efficiently the company utilizes its asset base. Core income is calculated by adjusting GAAP income by non-core gains and losses and excluding non-core expenses, net of tax, as outlined in the table below. We calculate (a) core net income (loss) allocable to common stockholders plus merger expenses, tax effected non-core items, goodwill impairment and BOLI tax adjustment, less gain (loss) from securities transactions; (b) adjusted operating net income as net income (loss) allocable to common stockholders plus adjusted non-core items, tax effected non-core items and BOLI tax adjustments.

Core Net Income and Earnings Per Share: Core net income and Core earnings per share are non-GAAP financial measures generally used to disclose core net income from the Company's operations and earnings per share. We calculated this by taking GAAP net income less non-core impacts to net income to arrive at core net income and core diluted earnings per share. These financial measures are used by financial statement users to evaluate the core financial performance of the Company. Management believes that these measures are important to many investors who are interested in changes from period to period in the Company's financial performance and quality of earnings.

The following table reconciles as of the dates set forth below, core net income and earnings per share and compares them to GAAP net income and earnings per share.

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2026 December 31, 2025 September 30, 2025 June 30, 2025 March 31, 2025
Net income (loss) allocable to common stockholders $16,966 $22,084 $(29,663) $15,264 $15,041
Amortization of intangible assets $2,056 $1,390 $1,312 $1,145 $1,144
Tax effect of adjustments (432) (292) (276) (240) (240)
Adjusted non-core items 18,590 23,182 (28,627) 16,169 15,945
Net gain on acquisitions — — — — —
Gain (loss) from securities transactions 108 (154) 53,352 (12) (12)
Loss on debt extinguishment — — — 1,361 —
Merger expense 5,725 1,481 6,163 355 66
Day 2 Merger provision 6,099 — 6,228 — —
Tax effect of adjustments (2,505) (279) (13,806) (358) (12)
Adjusted operating net income $28,017 $24,230 $23,310 $17,515 $15,987
GAAP earnings (loss) per diluted share $0.80 $1.15 $(1.55) $0.86 $0.85
Core earnings (loss) per diluted share $1.32 $1.26 $1.22 $0.99 $0.90
Total average assets $7,451,709 $6,141,284 $6,085,064 $5,206,950 $5,212,417
Total average stockholder's equity $841,838 $725,651 $715,319 $627,103 $605,917
Weighted average diluted common shares 21,262,009 19,235,412 19,129,726 17,651,298 17,666,834
Return on Average Assets (ROAA) annualized 0.92% 1.43% -1.93% 1.18% 1.17%
Core Operating ROAA annualized 1.51% 1.57% 1.51% 1.35% 1.24%

Efficiency Ratio: The efficiency ratio is a non-GAAP measure generally used by financial analysts and investment bankers to evaluate financial institutions. We calculate the efficiency ratio by dividing non-interest expense, excluding goodwill impairment, merger expenses and loss on debt extinguishment, by the sum of net interest income and non-interest income, excluding net gains on the sale of available-for-sale securities and other securities transactions, and the net gain on acquisition. The GAAP-based efficiency ratio is non-interest expense less goodwill impairment, divided by net interest income plus non-interest income.

In management’s judgment, the adjustments made to non-interest expense and non-interest income allow investors and analysts to better assess operating expenses in relation to operating revenue by removing merger expenses, loss on debt extinguishment, net gains on the sale of available-for-sale securities and other securities transactions, and the net gain on acquisition.

The following table reconciles, as of the dates set forth below, the efficiency ratio to the GAAP-based efficiency ratio.

(Dollars in thousands)

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2026 December 31, 2025 September 30, 2025 June 30, 2025 March 31, 2025
Non-interest expense $54,969 $46,587 $49,082 $40,001 $39,050
Merger expense (5,725) (1,481) (6,163) (355) (66)
Loss on debt extinguishment — — — (1,361) —
Amortization of intangibles assets (2,056) (1,390) (1,312) (1,145) (1,144)
Non-interest expense $47,188 $43,716 $41,607 $37,140 $37,840
Net interest income $73,664 $63,502 $62,485 $49,802 $50,292
Non-interest income $9,487 $9,532 $(44,479) $8,589 $10,330
Net gain on acquisition and branch sales — — — — —
Net gain (loss) from securities transactions 108 (154) 53,352 (12) (12)
Non-interest income, excluding net gain (loss) from securities transactions and net gain on acquisition and branch sales $9,595 $9,378 $8,873 $8,577 $10,318
Net interest income plus non-interest income, excluding net gain on acquisition and branch sales and net gain (loss) from securities transactions $83,259 $72,880 $71,358 $58,379 $60,610
Non-interest expense to net interest income plus non-interest income 66.11% 63.79% 272.59% 68.51% 64.42%
Efficiency Ratio 56.68% 59.98% 58.31% 63.62% 62.43%
Total Average Assets $7,451,709 $6,141,284 $6,085,064 $5,206,950 $5,212,417
Core non-interest expense / Average assets 2.57% 2.82% 2.71% 2.86% 2.94%

Market risk

As filed, 8,564 characters, with its headings, lists and tables. Extracted from the main document; charts and exhibits are in the original on sec.gov.

Our asset-liability policy provides guidelines for effective funds management and management has established a measurement system for monitoring net interest rate sensitivity position within established guidelines.

As a financial institution, the primary component of market risk is interest rate volatility. Fluctuations in interest rates will ultimately impact both the level of income and expense recorded on most assets and liabilities and the market value of all interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, other than those which have a short-term maturity. Interest rate risk is the potential of economic gains or losses due to future interest rate changes. These changes can be reflected in future net interest income and/or fair market values. The objective is to measure the effect on net interest income (“NII”) and economic value of equity (“EVE”) and to adjust the balance sheet to minimize the inherent risk while at the same time maximizing income.

We manage interest rate exposure by structuring the balance sheet in the ordinary course of business. We have the ability to enter into instruments such as leveraged derivatives, interest rate swaps, financial options, financial futures contracts or forward delivery contracts for the purpose of reducing interest rate risk. Currently, we do not have a material exposure to these instruments. We also have the ability to enter into interest rate swaps as an accommodation to our customers in connection with an interest rate swap program. Based upon the nature of our operations, we are not subject to foreign exchange or commodity price risk. We do not own any trading assets.

Our exposure to interest rate risk is managed by the Asset Liability Committee (“ALCO”), which is composed of certain members of senior management, in accordance with policies approved by the Board of Directors. ALCO formulates strategies based on appropriate levels of interest rate risk. In determining the appropriate level of interest rate risk, ALCO considers the impact on earnings and capital of the current outlook on interest rates, potential changes in interest rates, regional economies, liquidity, business strategies and other factors. ALCO meets monthly to review, among other things, the sensitivity of assets and liabilities to interest rate changes, the book and market values of assets and liabilities, unrealized gains and losses, securities purchased and sale activities, commitments to originate loans and the maturities of investment securities and borrowings. Additionally, the ALCO reviews liquidity, projected cash flows, maturities of deposits and consumer and commercial deposit activity.

ALCO uses a simulation analysis to monitor and manage the pricing and maturity of assets and liabilities in order to diminish the potential adverse impact that changes in interest rates could have on net interest income. The simulation tests the sensitivity of NII and EVE. Contractual maturities and repricing opportunities of loans are incorporated in the simulation model as are prepayment assumptions, maturity data and call options within the investment securities portfolio. Assumptions based on past experience are incorporated into the model for non-maturity deposit accounts. All assumptions are as of the base period without consideration of preceding market rate changes and any lag in impact to NII. The depicted expectations are management's estimate exclusive of any non-contractual lagging impacts that have not yet been realized in income from preceding changes to interest rates. The assumptions used are inherently uncertain and, as a result, the model cannot precisely measure the future NII and EVE. Actual results will differ from the model’s simulated results due to timing, magnitude and frequency of interest rate changes as well as changes in market conditions and the application and timing of various management strategies.

The change in the impact of net interest income from the base case for March 31, 2026, and December 31, 2025, was primarily driven by the rate and mix of variable and fixed rate financial instruments, the underlying duration of the financial instruments and the level of response to changes in the interest rate environment.

The continuing positive impact to net interest income in the rates up interest rate shock scenarios is due to the lower proportion of fixed rate investments and fixed rate loans compared to the interest earning cash balances and adjustable-rate loans. The offsetting negative impact in the rates up interest rate shocks and relatively less positive total impact compared to December 31, 2025 are mainly caused by the proportional increase in fixed rate loans, short-term time deposits, and beta-sensitive non-maturity deposits (i.e. money market deposits). In the rates down interest rate shock scenarios, the main drivers of the negative impact on net interest income are the downward pricing of variable rate loans receivable, interest earning cash, and slower repricing from longer term borrowings. This is partially offset by the faster downward repricing of short-term time deposits and beta-sensitive non-maturity deposits and slower downward repricing of fixed rate loans. While improved year-to-date, these factors result in the overall negative impact to net interest income in the down rate interest rate shock scenarios.

The change in the economic value of equity from the base case for March 31, 2026, is due to us being in a liability sensitive position and the level of convexity in our prepayable assets. Generally, with a liability sensitive position, as interest rates increase, the value of your assets decrease faster than the value of liabilities and, as interest rates decrease, the value of your assets increases at a faster rate than liabilities. First, the mix of interest-bearing deposit and non-interest-bearing deposits impact the level of deposit decay and the resulting benefit of discounting from the non-interest-bearing deposits. Non-interest-bearing and other low-beta interest-bearing deposits were proportionally lower, while beta sensitive deposits were proportionally higher year-to-date, negatively impacting up and down rate scenario results. Second, due to the level of convexity in our fixed-rate prepayable assets, we do not experience a similar change in the value of assets in a rates down interest rate shock scenario. As rates decrease, the level of modeled prepayments increases for fixed rate prepayable assets, and as rates increase, the level of modeled prepayments decreases. In rates down, the EVE values have a more positive impact year-to-date and the rates up scenarios have a more negative impact, mainly due to the proportionally higher amount of longer term fixed-rate assets resulting in slower asset repricing overall, despite the asymmetric impact of their convexity. The significant negative impact in the 300 bps down rate scenario is driven by a significant level of liabilities hitting their implied cost floors of near 0% due to their relatively low current cost, compared to the higher yielding floating rate assets that can still absorb rate cuts as rates fall.

Management utilizes static balance sheet rate shocks to estimate the potential impact on various rate scenarios. This analysis estimates a percentage of change in the metric from the stable rate base scenario versus alternative scenarios of rising and falling market interest rates by instantaneously shocking a static balance sheet. The following table summarizes the simulated immediate change in net interest income for twelve months as of the dates indicated.

Market Risk

Change in prevailing interest rates Impact on Net Interest Income March 31, 2026 December 31, 2025
+300 basis points 9.5% 11.3%
+200 basis points 6.3% 7.5%
+100 basis points 3.0% 3.6%
0 basis points — —
-100 basis points (0.6)% (1.4)%
-200 basis points (1.4)% (2.9)%
-300 basis points (3.2)% (5.3)%

The following table summarizes the simulated immediate impact on economic value of equity as of the dates indicated.

Change in prevailing interest rates Impact on Economic Value of Equity March 31, 2026 December 31, 2025
+300 basis points (10.5)% (8.0)%
+200 basis points (7.1)% (5.3)%
+100 basis points (3.9)% (2.8)%
0 basis points — —
-100 basis points 1.3% 0.2%
-200 basis points 0.1% (2.0)%
-300 basis points (3.6)% (6.8)%

Controls and procedures

As filed, 1,871 characters, with its headings, lists and tables. Extracted from the main document; charts and exhibits are in the original on sec.gov.

Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures

An evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q was performed under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives and management was required to apply judgment in evaluating its controls and procedures. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures are effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure and are effective to provide reasonable assurance that such information is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the SEC rules and forms.

Changes in internal control over financial reporting

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Risk factors

As filed, 157 characters, with its headings, lists and tables. Extracted from the main document; charts and exhibits are in the original on sec.gov.

There have been no material changes in the Company’s risk factors previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 6, 2026.

Figures reported in this filing

Standardized line items from the XBRL in this filing, for the period ended 2026-03-31. Comparative periods it repeats are left out.

Figures reported in this filing
Line itemPeriodValueXBRL concept
Interest expense3 months2026-01-01 to 2026-03-31$34.4mus-gaap:InterestExpense
Income tax3 months2026-01-01 to 2026-03-31$5.3mus-gaap:IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
Net income3 months2026-01-01 to 2026-03-31$17.0mus-gaap:NetIncomeLoss
Diluted EPS3 months2026-01-01 to 2026-03-31$0.80us-gaap:EarningsPerShareDiluted
Basic EPS3 months2026-01-01 to 2026-03-31$0.81us-gaap:EarningsPerShareBasic
Diluted shares (weighted)3 months2026-01-01 to 2026-03-3121,263,164 sharesus-gaap:WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding
Operating cash flow3 months2026-01-01 to 2026-03-31$15.3mus-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities
Capital expenditure3 months2026-01-01 to 2026-03-31$3.8mus-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
Dividends paid3 months2026-01-01 to 2026-03-31$3.5mus-gaap:PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock
Share repurchases3 months2026-01-01 to 2026-03-31$22.7mus-gaap:PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock
Total assetsAt period end2026-03-31$7.67bnus-gaap:Assets
Total liabilitiesAt period end2026-03-31$6.85bnus-gaap:Liabilities
Long-term debtAt period end2026-03-31$490.0mus-gaap:LongTermDebt
Shareholders' equityAt period end2026-03-31$817.6mus-gaap:StockholdersEquity

Source: SEC EDGAR, the filing index for accession 0001193125-26-214751. Last ingested by Listed: Nov 6, 2026, 16:59 ET. Listed shows no prices and gives no investment advice.