Equity Bancshares, Inc. Fourth Quarter Results Highlighted by Earnings and Net Interest Margin Expansion

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WICHITA, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan 21, 2026--

Equity Bancshares, Inc. (NYSE: EQBK) (“Equity,” “the Company,” “we,” “us,” “our”), the Wichita-based holding company of Equity Bank, reported net income of $22.1 million or $1.15 per diluted share for the quarter ended December 31, 2025. Adjusting for pre-tax expenses associated with our acquisitions of NBC Corp of Oklahoma (“NBC”) and Frontier Holdings LLC (“Frontier”), tax effected at 21%, net income was $23.2 million, or $1.21 per share.

“2025 has been a transformative year for our Company and the fourth quarter was no exception,” said Brad S. Elliott, Chairman and CEO of Equity. “Our teams continued to integrate our newly expanded Oklahoma footprint, worked to position the balance sheet, locations and operational teams for our acquisition of Frontier, which closed on January 1, 2026 marking our entry into the state of Nebraska, while also continuing to provide exceptional products and services to our customers and communities.”

“I couldn’t be more proud of our employees and partners. Years like these are not possible without excellent operators committing to accomplishing significant tasks,” Mr. Elliott continued. “Our teams are motivated to make Equity the premier community bank in the communities we serve, as well as the premier merger partner for like-minded organizations across our footprint.”

Notable Items:

• For the fourth quarter 2025, net interest margin was 4.47%, expanding 2 basis points over the linked quarter. Normalizing acquisition accounting accretion by 12 basis points and removing the benefit of nonaccrual loans, core margin was 4.36%.
• Full year net interest income was $226.1 million for 2025 compared to $186.2 million for 2024, an annual increase of 21.4%, benefiting from expanded margin and balance sheet growth.
• Total loan and deposit balances increased year-over-year by $697.4 million and $763.5 million, respectively, driven by the addition of NBC during the third quarter of 2025.
• Closed our transaction with Frontier on January 1, 2026, contributing additional loan balances of approximately $1.34 billion and deposit balances of $1.1 billion. Consideration for the Frontier transaction included $32.5 million in cash and the issuance of 2.22 million shares of common stock.
• During the quarter, book value per share increased to $38.64 from $37.25, while tangible book value per share increased to $32.86 from $31.69. Tangible common equity to tangible common assets closed the quarter at 9.94%.
• During the quarter, the Company realized net charge-offs of $697 thousand, or 0.07% annualized. Year to date net charge-offs were $2.5 million, or 0.06% annualized. Reserves closed the quarter at 1.26% of outstanding balances, materially consistent quarter over quarter.
• The Company announced a $0.18 dividend on outstanding common shares as of December 31, 2025. During the quarter, the Company repurchased 172,338 shares at a weighted average cost of $41.69 per share. Under the currently active repurchase plan, 827,662 additional shares are authorized for purchase.

Financial Results for the Quarter Ended December 31, 2025

Net income allocable to common stockholders was $22.1 million, or $1.15 per diluted share, as compared to net loss allocable to common stockholders of $29.7 million, or $(1.55) per diluted share in the prior quarter. The drivers of the periodic change are discussed in detail in the following sections.

Net Interest Income

Net interest income was $63.5 million for the period, as compared to $62.5 million in the previous quarter. Purchase accounting accretion and benefits on previously non-accruing loans was materially flat quarter over quarter. Loan purchase accounting contributed 16 basis points to margin in the quarter.

Average interest-earning assets increased 1.20% during the quarter to $5.6 billion. The yield on interest-earning assets decreased 9 basis points while the cost of interest bearing liabilities declined by 15 basis points. The comparative improved performance in interest-earning asset yields was partially offset by a modest increase in interest-bearing liabilities as a percentage of interest-earning assets to 75.1%.

Provision for Credit Losses

During the quarter, there was not a material provision compared to $6.2 million in the previous quarter. In the previous quarter, provisioning was driven by the addition of NBC assets and the related reserve requirement.

During the quarter, we realized net charge-offs of $697 thousand as compared to $1.1 million, realizing an annualized ratio of charge-offs to average loans of 7 basis points. For the year, we realized net charge-offs of $2.5 million or 6 basis points of average loans on an annualized basis.

At the close of the quarter, the ratio of allowance for credit losses to gross loans held for investment was 1.26%. The Company continues to estimate the allowance for credit loss with assumptions that anticipate slower prepayment rates and continued market disruption caused by trade policy, elevated inflation, supply chain issues and the impact of monetary policy on consumers and businesses.

Non-Interest Income

Total non-interest income for the quarter was $9.5 million, as compared to $8.9 million for the linked quarter when adjusted to exclude a loss of $53.4 million on the sale of securities related to our repositioning during that period, an increase of $659 thousand, or 7.4%. The periodic change was driven by increased mortgage production and benefit from the resolution of a previously sold government guaranteed loan.

Non-Interest Expense

Total non-interest expense for the quarter was $46.6 million as compared to $49.1 million for the previous quarter. Adjusting for merger expenses in both periods, non-interest expense increased $2.2 million, or 5.1%. The increase during the period is primarily attributable to the recognition of a $1.0 million reserve for settlement costs related to ongoing overdraft litigation as well as a comparative change of $1.2 million in the reserve for unfunded commitments. Exclusive of merger expenses, the litigation accrual and provisioning for unfunded commitments in both periods annualized non-interest expense as a percentage of average assets declined 2 basis points, closing the quarter at 2.8%.

Income Tax Expense

At December 31, 2025, the effective tax rate for the quarter was 16.6% as compared to a rate of 20.5% for the quarter ended September 30, 2025. The full year tax rate at December 31, 2025, was 13.9%. The year-to-date tax rate at September 30, 2025, was not meaningful as the loss on the sale of bonds within the quarter resulted in a small year-to-date loss.

The change in the quarter over quarter tax rate is not meaningful as the third quarter tax rate was the result of loss recognized in the quarter related to the sale of bonds compared to net income recognized in the fourth quarter.

Loans, Total Assets and Funding

Loans held for investment were $4.2 billion at period end, decreasing $70.4 million during the quarter. Total assets closed the quarter at $6.4 billion, a $7.5 million decrease from prior quarter end.

Total deposit balances closed the quarter at $5.1 billion increasing $43.5 million from the previous quarter end. Brokered deposits declined $80 million and closed the quarter at 1.4% of total deposits down from 3.0% at prior quarter end.

Asset Quality

Nonperforming assets were $46.7 million, or 0.7% of total assets, compared to $52.6 million as of the end of the previous quarter, or 0.8% of total assets. Non-accrual loans were $40.3 million, as compared to $48.6 million at the end of the previous quarter. Total classified assets, including loans rated special mention or worse, other real estate owned, excluding previous branch locations, and other repossessed assets were $83.4 million, or 12.1% of regulatory capital, materially flat to the previous quarter. The periodic decline in nonaccrual and nonperforming assets is primarily driven by the resolution of one credit acquired through our merger with NBC.

Capital

Quarter over quarter, book capital increased $20.2 million to $732.1 million. The increase is reflective of earnings and improvement in unrealized gains on the bond portfolio partially offset by dividends and share repurchases processed in the quarter. Tangible book value and tangible book value per share closed the quarter at $622.6 million and $32.86, compared to $31.69 at prior quarter end.

The Company’s ratio of common equity tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets was 13.1%, the total capital to risk-weighted assets was 16.3% and the total leverage ratio was 10.6% at December 31, 2025. At September 30, 2025, the Company’s common equity tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets ratio was 12.9%, the total capital to risk-weighted assets ratio was 16.1% and the total leverage ratio was 10.4%.

Equity Bank's ratio of common equity tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets was 13.6%, total capital to risk-weighted assets was 14.8% and the total leverage ratio was 10.6% at December 31, 2025. At September 30, 2025, Equity Bank’s ratio of common equity tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets was 13.24%, the ratio of total capital to risk-weighted assets was 14.3% and the total leverage ratio was 10.3%.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to evaluating the Company’s results of operations in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”), management periodically supplements this evaluation with an analysis of certain non-GAAP financial measures that are intended to provide the reader with additional perspectives on operating results, financial condition and performance trends, while facilitating comparisons with the performance of other financial institutions. Non-GAAP financial measures are not a substitute for GAAP measures, rather, they should be read and used in conjunction with the Company’s GAAP financial information.

The efficiency ratio is a common comparable metric used by banks to understand the expense structure relative to total revenue. In other words, for every dollar of total revenue recognized, how much of that dollar is expended. To improve the comparability of the ratio to our peers, non-core items are excluded. To improve transparency and acknowledging that banks are not consistent in their definition of the efficiency ratio, we include our calculation of this non-GAAP measure.

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 return on average assets before income tax provision and provision for loan losses is a measure that the Company uses to understand fundamental operating performance before these expenses. Used as a ratio relative to average assets, we believe it demonstrates “core” performance and can be viewed as an alternative measure of how efficiently the Company services its asset base. Used as a ratio relative to average equity, it can function as an alternative measure of the Company’s earnings performance in relationship to its 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 by taking core net income allocable to common stockholders 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.

Core earnings per share is a non-GAAP financial measures we calculate by taking GAAP net income less non-core impacts to net income to arrive at core net income and core diluted earnings per share. This financial measure is used by financial statement users to evaluate the core financial performance of the Company

Tangible common equity and related measures are non-GAAP financial measures that exclude the impact of intangible assets, net of deferred taxes, and their related amortization. These financial measures are useful for evaluating the performance of a business consistently, whether acquired or developed internally. Return on average tangible common equity is used by management and readers of our financial statements to understand how efficiently the Company is deploying its common equity. Companies that are able to demonstrate more efficient use of common equity are more likely to be viewed favorably by current and prospective investors.

The Company believes that disclosing these non-GAAP financial measures is both useful internally and is expected by our investors and analysts in order to understand the overall performance of the Company. Other companies may calculate and define their non-GAAP financial measures and supplemental data differently. A reconciliation of GAAP financial measures to non-GAAP measures and other performance ratios, as adjusted, are included in Table 6 in the following press release tables.

Conference Call and Webcast

Equity’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brad Elliott, and Chief Financial Officer, Chris Navratil, will hold a conference call and webcast to discuss third quarter results on Thursday, January 22, 2026, at 10 a.m. eastern time or 9 a.m. central time.

Those wishing to participate in the conference call should call the applicable number below and reference the Access Code below.

United States (Local): +1 646 844 6383
United States (Toll-Free): +1 833 470 1428
Global Dial-In Numbers
Access Code: 962739

To eliminate wait times, conference call participants may pre-register using this registration link. After registering, a confirmation with access details will be sent via email.

A replay of the call and webcast will be available two hours following the close of the call until February 5, 2026, accessible at investor.equitybank.com. Webcast URL: https://events.q4inc.com/attendee/528508490

About Equity Bancshares, Inc.

Equity Bancshares, Inc. is the holding company for Equity Bank, offering a full range of financial solutions, including commercial loans, consumer banking, mortgage loans, trust and wealth management services and treasury management services, while delivering the high-quality, relationship-based customer service of a community bank. Equity’s common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange. under the symbol “EQBK.” Learn more at www.equitybank.com.

Special Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements reflect the current views of Equity’s management with respect to, among other things, future events and Equity’s financial performance. These statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as “may,” “should,” “could,” “predict,” “potential,” “believe,” “will likely result,” “expect,” “continue,” “will,” “anticipate,” “seek,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “project,” “positioned,” “forecast,” “goal,” “target,” “would” and “outlook,” or the negative variations of those words or other comparable words of a future or forward-looking nature. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts, and are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about Equity’s industry, management’s beliefs and certain assumptions made by management, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and beyond Equity’s control. Accordingly, Equity cautions you that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, assumptions and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Although Equity believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable as of the date made, actual results may prove to be materially different from the results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Equity’s expectations include competition from other financial institutions and bank holding companies; the effects of and changes in trade, monetary and fiscal policies and laws, including interest rate policies of the Federal Reserve Board; changes in the demand for loans; fluctuations in value of collateral and loan reserves; inflation, interest rate, market and monetary fluctuations; changes in consumer spending, borrowing and savings habits; the possibility that the expected benefits related to the proposed transaction with Frontier Bank (“Frontier”) may not materialize as expected; and the ability to successfully implement integration strategies or to achieve expected synergies and operating efficiencies within the expected time-frames or at all; and similar variables. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive.

For discussion of these and other risks that may cause actual results to differ from expectations, please refer to “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” in Equity’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 7, 2025, and any updates to those risk factors set forth in Equity’s subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or Current Reports on Form 8-K. If one or more events related to these or other risks or uncertainties materialize, or if Equity’s underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may differ materially from what Equity anticipates. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and Equity does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as required by law. New risks and uncertainties arise from time to time and it is not possible for us to predict those events or how they may affect us. In addition, Equity cannot assess the impact of each factor on Equity’s business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements, expressed or implied, included in this press release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. This cautionary statement should also be considered in connection with any subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements that Equity or persons acting on Equity’s behalf may issue.

Unaudited Financial Tables

• Table 1. Consolidated Statements of Income
• Table 2. Quarterly Consolidated Statements of Income
• Table 3. Consolidated Balance Sheets
• Table 4. Selected Financial Highlights
• Table 5. Year-To-Date Net Interest Income Analysis
• Table 6. Quarter-To-Date Net Interest Income Analysis
• Table 7. Quarter-Over-Quarter Net Interest Income Analysis
• Table 8. Non-GAAP Financial Measures