Wrapping up Q2 earnings, we look at the numbers and key takeaways for the regional banks stocks, including First Financial Bancorp (NASDAQ: FFBC) and its peers.

Regional banks, financial institutions operating within specific geographic areas, serve as intermediaries between local depositors and borrowers. They benefit from rising interest rates that improve net interest margins (the difference between loan yields and deposit costs), digital transformation reducing operational expenses, and local economic growth driving loan demand. However, these banks face headwinds from fintech competition, deposit outflows to higher-yielding alternatives, credit deterioration (increasing loan defaults) during economic slowdowns, and regulatory compliance costs. Recent concerns about regional bank stability following high-profile failures and significant commercial real estate exposure present additional challenges.

The 99 regional banks stocks we track reported a satisfactory Q2. As a group, revenues were in line with analysts’ consensus estimates.

In light of this news, share prices of the companies have held steady as they are up 4.1% on average since the latest earnings results.

First Financial Bancorp (NASDAQ: FFBC)

Tracing its roots back to 1863 during the Civil War era, First Financial Bancorp (NASDAQ: FFBC) is a bank holding company that provides commercial banking, lending, deposit services, and wealth management to individuals and businesses.

First Financial Bancorp reported revenues of $226.3 million, up 5.4% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 3.1%. Overall, it was a strong quarter for the company with a decent beat of analysts’ net interest income and EPS estimates.

Archie Brown, President and CEO, commented on the quarter, "I am thrilled with our performance this quarter. We achieved record revenue of $226.3 million, which represents a 5% increase over the same quarter one year ago. This drove adjusted(1) earnings per share of $0.74, an adjusted(1) return on assets of 1.54% and an adjusted(1) return on tangible common equity of 20%. The Company's industry-leading profitability was once again driven by a robust net interest margin. Loan growth was 2% on an annualized basis, and we were pleased with broad-based growth in most portfolios, with the exception of commercial real estate, which declined due to accelerated payoffs. Payoffs have started to subside, and we expect higher loan growth in the second half of this year."

Interestingly, the stock is up 10.7% since reporting and currently trades at $26.38.

Is now the time to buy First Financial Bancorp? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Best Q2: UMB Financial (NASDAQ: UMBF)

With roots dating back to 1913 and a name derived from "United Missouri Bank," UMB Financial (NASDAQ: UMBF) is a financial holding company that provides banking, asset management, and fund services to commercial, institutional, and individual customers.

UMB Financial reported revenues of $689.2 million, up 76.7% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 8.6%. The business had a stunning quarter with a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and an impressive beat of analysts’ tangible book value per share estimates.

The market seems happy with the results as the stock is up 13.4% since reporting. It currently trades at $124.47.

Is now the time to buy UMB Financial? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Weakest Q2: Coastal Financial (NASDAQ: CCB)

Pioneering the intersection of traditional banking and financial technology in the Pacific Northwest, Coastal Financial (NASDAQ: CCB) operates as a bank holding company that provides traditional banking services and Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) solutions to consumers and businesses.

Coastal Financial reported revenues of $119.4 million, down 11.7% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 21.5%. It was a disappointing quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ net interest income estimates and a significant miss of analysts’ EPS estimates.

Interestingly, the stock is up 9.4% since the results and currently trades at $111.

Read our full analysis of Coastal Financial’s results here.

WesBanco (NASDAQ: WSBC)

Tracing its roots back to 1870 in West Virginia, WesBanco (NASDAQ: WSBC) is a bank holding company that provides retail and commercial banking, trust services, insurance, and investment products through its subsidiaries across several Midwestern and Mid-Atlantic states.

WesBanco reported revenues of $260.7 million, up 76.2% year on year. This result surpassed analysts’ expectations by 1.6%. Taking a step back, it was a satisfactory quarter as it also recorded a narrow beat of analysts’ net interest income estimates but a slight miss of analysts’ tangible book value per share estimates.

The stock is flat since reporting and currently trades at $32.10.

Read our full, actionable report on WesBanco here, it’s free.

OFG Bancorp (NYSE: OFG)

Originally founded in 1964 as a federal savings and loan institution, OFG Bancorp (NYSE: OFG) provides banking and financial services including commercial and consumer lending, wealth management, insurance, and trust services primarily in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

OFG Bancorp reported revenues of $182.4 million, up 1.4% year on year. This number met analysts’ expectations. It was a satisfactory quarter as it also put up a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates.

The stock is up 2% since reporting and currently trades at $44.80.

Read our full, actionable report on OFG Bancorp here, it’s free.

Market Update

The Fed’s interest rate hikes throughout 2022 and 2023 have successfully cooled post-pandemic inflation, bringing it closer to the 2% target. Inflationary pressures have eased without tipping the economy into a recession, suggesting a soft landing. This stability, paired with recent rate cuts (0.5% in September 2024 and 0.25% in November 2024), fueled a strong year for the stock market in 2024. The markets surged further after Donald Trump’s presidential victory in November, with major indices reaching record highs in the days following the election. Still, questions remain about the direction of economic policy, as potential tariffs and corporate tax changes add uncertainty for 2025.

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