Wrapping up Q3 earnings, we look at the numbers and key takeaways for the regional banks stocks, including First Bancorp (NASDAQ: FBNC) 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 Q3. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 1.6%.

Amidst this news, share prices of the companies have had a rough stretch. On average, they are down 6.2% since the latest earnings results.

First Bancorp (NASDAQ: FBNC)

Founded during the Great Depression in 1934 and originally known as Montgomery Bancorp, First Bancorp (NASDAQ: FBNC) is a community-oriented commercial bank providing a wide range of financial services to businesses and individuals in North and South Carolina.

First Bancorp reported revenues of $117.9 million, up 21.1% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 3.6%. Overall, it was a very strong quarter for the company with an impressive beat of analysts’ revenue estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ net interest income estimates.

Interestingly, the stock is up 9.7% since reporting and currently trades at $53.33.

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

Best Q3: 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 a solid beat of analysts’ net interest income estimates.

The market seems happy with the results as the stock is up 19.9% since reporting. It currently trades at $41.92.

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

Weakest Q3: National Bank Holdings (NYSE: NBHC)

Operating under familiar local brands like Community Banks of Colorado, Bank Midwest, and Bank of Jackson Hole, National Bank Holdings (NYSE: NBHC) operates regional banks across Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Wyoming, Texas, and other western states, offering commercial, business, and consumer banking services.

National Bank Holdings reported revenues of $102.6 million, down 3.7% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 2.7%. It was a disappointing quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ revenue estimates and a significant miss of analysts’ net interest income estimates.

As expected, the stock is down 3.5% since the results and currently trades at $38.66.

Read our full analysis of National Bank Holdings’s results here.

Axos Financial (NYSE: AX)

Originally founded as Bank of Internet USA in 1999 before rebranding in 2018, Axos Financial (NYSE: AX) is a diversified financial services company that provides digital banking, securities clearing, and investment advisory solutions to retail and business customers nationwide.

Axos Financial reported revenues of $385.1 million, up 25.1% year on year. This result beat analysts’ expectations by 12%. It was an exceptional quarter as it also produced a solid beat of analysts’ net interest income estimates and an impressive beat of analysts’ revenue estimates.

Axos Financial pulled off the biggest analyst estimates beat among its peers. The stock is down 12.1% since reporting and currently trades at $83.20.

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

Simmons First National (NASDAQ: SFNC)

With roots dating back to 1903 and a presence across Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas, Simmons First National (NASDAQ: SFNC) is a regional bank holding company that provides banking and financial services to individuals and businesses.

Simmons First National reported revenues of $251.9 million, up 17.2% year on year. This print topped analysts’ expectations by 5.3%. Overall, it was a very strong quarter as it also recorded an impressive beat of analysts’ revenue estimates and a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates.

The stock is down 3.1% since reporting and currently trades at $18.69.

Read our full, actionable report on Simmons First National here, it’s free.

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