As the Q4 earnings season wraps, let’s dig into this quarter’s best and worst performers in the regional banks industry, including First Citizens BancShares (NASDAQ: FCNCA) 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 95 regional banks stocks we track reported a satisfactory Q4. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 1.4%.

Thankfully, share prices of the companies have been resilient as they are up 5.5% on average since the latest earnings results.

First Citizens BancShares (NASDAQ: FCNCA)

With roots dating back to 1898 and a significant expansion through its 2023 acquisition of Silicon Valley Bank, First Citizens BancShares (NASDAQGS:FCNC.A) is a bank holding company that provides financial services to individuals and businesses through its First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company subsidiary.

First Citizens BancShares reported revenues of $2.25 billion, up 1.2% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 1.5%. Overall, it was a very strong quarter for the company with an impressive beat of analysts’ tangible book value per share estimates and a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates.

Unsurprisingly, the stock is down 4% since reporting and currently trades at $2,115.

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

Best Q4: Merchants Bancorp (NASDAQ: MBIN)

With a strategic focus on low-risk, government-backed lending programs, Merchants Bancorp (NASDAQCM:MBIN) is an Indiana-based bank holding company specializing in multi-family mortgage banking, mortgage warehousing, and traditional banking services.

Merchants Bancorp reported revenues of $185.3 million, down 4.4% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 7.8%. The business had a stunning quarter with a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and an impressive beat of analysts’ net interest income estimates.

The market seems happy with the results as the stock is up 22.2% since reporting. It currently trades at $42.70.

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

Weakest Q4: The Bancorp (NASDAQ: TBBK)

Operating behind the scenes of many popular fintech apps and prepaid cards you might use daily, The Bancorp (NASDAQ: TBBK) is a bank holding company that specializes in providing banking services to fintech companies and offering specialty lending products.

The Bancorp reported revenues of $172.7 million, up 8.2% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 11%. It was a disappointing quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ tangible book value per share estimates and a significant miss of analysts’ revenue estimates.

As expected, the stock is down 14.7% since the results and currently trades at $60.20.

Read our full analysis of The Bancorp’s results here.

First Interstate BancSystem (NASDAQ: FIBK)

Tracing its roots back to 1971 and still guided by founding family principles, First Interstate BancSystem (NASDAQ: FIBK) operates a network of community banks across 14 western and midwestern states, offering comprehensive banking services to individuals, businesses, and government entities.

First Interstate BancSystem reported revenues of $250.2 million, down 4.1% year on year. This print lagged analysts' expectations by 2.3%. Zooming out, it was a satisfactory quarter as it also produced a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates but a miss of analysts’ revenue estimates.

The stock is up 4% since reporting and currently trades at $38.14.

Read our full, actionable report on First Interstate BancSystem here, it’s free.

Westamerica Bancorporation (NASDAQ: WABC)

Founded in 1884 and serving communities from Mendocino County in the north to Kern County in the south, Westamerica Bancorporation (NASDAQ: WABC) provides banking services to individuals and small businesses throughout Northern and Central California.

Westamerica Bancorporation reported revenues of $63.55 million, down 9.1% year on year. This number beat analysts’ expectations by 2.7%. It was a strong quarter as it also logged an impressive beat of analysts’ net interest income estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ revenue estimates.

Westamerica Bancorporation had the slowest revenue growth among its peers. The stock is up 6.1% since reporting and currently trades at $51.49.

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

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