Despite a challenging mortgage landscape, SB Financial Group (SBFG) reports robust fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 results, marking one of its strongest performances in history with significant loan growth and disciplined expense management.
Primis Financial (FRST) posted Q4 earnings of $29.5M, buoyed by a one-time gain. Management pegs core quarterly earnings near $8M, citing mortgage growth and deposit mix improvements as key drivers for its 2026 profitability target.
Despite a challenging mortgage landscape and specific credit headwinds, Hilltop Holdings Inc. (HTH) reported a 46% surge in annual net income for 2025, buoyed by a steepening yield curve and disciplined cost management across its banking, lending, and securities divisions.
ARMOUR Residential REIT (ARR) received a bullish upgrade from Jones Trading, which moved the stock to Buy with a $20.50 target, citing a discounted valuation and expected book value growth compared to agency mortgage REIT rivals.
Analysts at BTIG have upgraded mortgage REIT Annaly Capital Management (NLY) from 'Neutral' to 'Buy', with a $25 price target, arguing the stock is positioned to benefit from dividend stability and potential spread movements in a turbulent interest rate landscape.
Analyst firm Piper Sandler reiterates its Overweight rating on AGNC Investment Corp., highlighting a favorable shift in agency mortgage-backed securities spreads that could bolster the REIT's book value.
SoFi Technologies posts a sharp rise in quarterly profit, driven by record loan demand and a 78% revenue surge in its fee-generating financial services arm. The performance highlights a strategic shift as consumers flock to digital lenders for debt consolidation, while potential regulatory headwinds loom for the credit card industry.
After a punishing period, AGNC Investment Corp. staged a remarkable comeback in 2025. With a 12% dividend yield and a more favorable macroeconomic backdrop, the mortgage REIT is attracting income investors. But is the momentum sustainable?
PennyMac Financial Services capped a robust fiscal 2025 with Q4 net income of $107 million, overcoming headwinds from an unexpected wave of mortgage prepayments. While competitive pressures limited margin expansion, CEO David Spector pointed to strategic tech investments and a significant embedded refinance portfolio as catalysts for targeted mid-to-high teens ROE later this year.
Annaly Capital Management capped off a robust 2025 with a fourth-quarter economic return of 8.6%, driven by a constructive fixed-income environment and growth across its core strategies. The mortgage REIT highlighted conservative leverage, a secure dividend, and strategic capital deployment as it navigates evolving market conditions.
As the dust settles on the latest earnings season, a mixed picture emerges for regional lenders. While some, like Peoples Bancorp, posted resilient results, others faced significant headwinds, highlighting the sector's diverging fortunes amid economic uncertainty.
KKR Real Estate Finance Trust (KREF) reported a Q4 2025 net loss of $32 million, driven by increased credit provisions. Management outlined a strategic pivot for 2026, emphasizing aggressive asset resolutions, portfolio repositioning, and a fortified $880 million liquidity position to weather ongoing market shifts.
After navigating a turbulent housing market, Rocket Companies is betting its future on a vertically integrated real estate and finance platform. With key acquisitions now under its belt, analysts debate whether its premium valuation is justified by a new, more resilient business model.
The Monetary Policy Committee is widely anticipated to maintain the Bank Rate at 3.75% in its first 2024 meeting, as policymakers balance stubborn price pressures against a fragile economic outlook, with future cuts remaining uncertain.
Many parents wish to help their children buy a home, but concerns about complex tax rules can be a barrier. We break down the realities of the federal gift tax, the lender's requirements for 'gift letters,' and why a $50,000 gift is unlikely to trigger a tax bill for the vast majority of families.
The Reserve Bank of India is fundamentally reshaping its oversight of lenders, moving beyond traditional financial metrics to scrutinize the actual business practices and credit management processes within banks.
Hanmi Financial Corporation (NASDAQ:HAFC) announced a dividend increase to $0.28 per share, lifting its yield to 4.1%. While the move highlights the bank's strong earnings and cash flow, analysts note its mixed dividend history and the broader challenges facing regional lenders.
As the dust settles on fourth-quarter earnings, a clear divergence emerges among regional lenders. While the sector broadly met expectations, individual performances from OceanFirst Financial to Live Oak Bancshares tell a story of strategic bets, merger moves, and the ongoing battle against fintech disruption and economic uncertainty.
As the fourth-quarter earnings season concludes, a mixed picture emerges for regional lenders. While many surpassed revenue expectations, underlying challenges from fintech competition to commercial real estate exposure persist. We analyze the results of Westamerica Bancorporation and its peers.
Faced with mounting debt, Houston's Nine Energy Service has filed for a prepackaged Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The company, which will continue operations, has secured new financing and plans a major financial restructuring agreed upon with key lenders.
