As the craze of earnings season draws to a close, here’s a look back at some of the most exciting (and some less so) results from Q2. Today, we are looking at regional banks stocks, starting with Live Oak Bancshares (NYSE: LOB).
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 98 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. On average, they are relatively unchanged since the latest earnings results.
Live Oak Bancshares (NYSE: LOB)
Founded during the 2008 financial crisis with a vision to reimagine small business banking through technology, Live Oak Bancshares (NYSE: LOB) is a bank holding company that specializes in providing online banking services and SBA-guaranteed loans to small businesses across targeted industries nationwide.
Live Oak Bancshares reported revenues of $143.7 million, up 14.6% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 2.7%. Overall, it was a strong quarter for the company with an impressive beat of analysts’ net interest income estimates and a narrow beat of analysts’ tangible book value per share estimates.
“Live Oak Bank delivered an outstanding quarter in Q2, driven by excellent growth, healthy revenue, and lower provision expense,” said Live Oak Chairman and CEO James S. (Chip) Mahan III. “We remain focused on supporting our nation’s entrepreneurs as they continue to navigate a backdrop of uncertainty while also providing the service, technology and financial guidance they need to succeed.”
Interestingly, the stock is up 5.2% since reporting and currently trades at $34.11.
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 EPS in line with analysts’ 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 6.3% since reporting. It currently trades at $116.68.
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 6.9% since the results and currently trades at $108.45.
Read our full analysis of Coastal Financial’s results here.
Western Alliance Bancorporation (NYSE: WAL)
Operating through five distinct regional banking divisions across the western United States, Western Alliance Bancorporation (NYSE: WAL) provides commercial banking, treasury management, mortgage services, and specialized financial solutions through its banking divisions and subsidiaries.
Western Alliance Bancorporation reported revenues of $845.9 million, up 9.7% year on year. This number beat analysts’ expectations by 1.9%. Zooming out, it was a mixed quarter as it also logged a narrow beat of analysts’ tangible book value per share estimates but a significant miss of analysts’ EPS estimates.
The stock is flat since reporting and currently trades at $84.05.
Read our full, actionable report on Western Alliance Bancorporation here, it’s free.
Fulton Financial (NASDAQ: FULT)
Tracing its roots back to 1882 in the heart of Pennsylvania, Fulton Financial (NASDAQ: FULT) is a financial holding company that provides banking, lending, and wealth management services to consumers and businesses across five Mid-Atlantic states.
Fulton Financial reported revenues of $324.1 million, down 3.2% year on year. This result topped analysts’ expectations by 1.9%. It was a very strong quarter as it also produced EPS in line with analysts’ estimates and a narrow beat of analysts’ tangible book value per share estimates.
The stock is down 1.7% since reporting and currently trades at $18.72.
Read our full, actionable report on Fulton Financial 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.
Want to invest in winners with rock-solid fundamentals? Check out our Strong Momentum Stocks and add them to your watchlist. These companies are poised for growth regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate.
StockStory is growing and hiring equity analyst and marketing roles. Are you a 0 to 1 builder passionate about the markets and AI? See the open roles here.
