Carter Bankshares, Inc. Announces Second Quarter 2026 Financial Results

About this update from Carter Bankshares, Inc.

MARTINSVILLE, VA / ACCESS Newswire / July 23, 2026 / Carter Bankshares, Inc. (the "Company") (NASDAQ:CARE), the holding company of Carter Bank (the "Bank") today announced quarterly net income of $28.9 million, or $1.31 diluted earnings per share ("EPS"), for the second quarter of 2026 compared to net income of $85.8 million, or $3.88 diluted EPS, for the first quarter of 2026 and net income of $8.5 million, or $0.37 diluted EPS, for the second quarter of 2025. Net interest income was $40.0 million for the second quarter of 2026, $35.9 million for the first quarter of 2026, and $32.4 million for the second quarter of 2025. Adjusted net income1 was $11.6 million for the second quarter of 2026, $8.6 million for the first quarter of 2026 and $9.3 million for the second quarter of 2025. For the six months ended June 30, 2026, net income was $114.7 million, or $5.18 diluted EPS, compared to net income of $17.5 million, or $0.76 diluted EPS for the same period in 2025. Net interest income was $75.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2026, and $62.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025. Adjusted net income1 was $20.2 million and $16.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025, respectively. On May 1, 2026, the Company announced that it had completed the sale of its membership interest in Bearing Insurance Group, LLC (the "Insurance Transaction") to an unaffiliated third party, effective May 1, 2026. As a result of the successful completion of the Insurance Transaction and the sale of the large nonperforming credit relationship ("Loan Sale Transaction") during the first quarter of 2026, the Company generated approximately $100.9 million of aggregate nonrecurring gains during the first six months of 2026. These gains afforded an opportunity to optimize the Company's balance sheet, improve future earnings potential and enhance interest rate risk positioning. As part of this process, the Company completed a strategic repositioning of a portion of its available-for-sale securities portfolio (the "Portfolio Repositioning") during the second quarter of 2026, resulting in a pre-tax loss of $12.5 million. The Portfolio Repositioning is expected to enhance future earnings performance through improved asset yields and balance sheet positioning. In the Portfolio Repositioning, the Company sold $139.4 million in book value of securities available-for-sale with a weighted average yield of 2.28% and representing approximately 18.7% of the Company's securities portfolio, and purchased approximately $88.5 million of securities available-for-sale with a weighted average yield of approximately 5.27%. All of the securities purchased were rated AAA or AA by a recognized credit rating agency. The Company expects to use the remaining proceeds from the Portfolio Repositioning to fund organic loan growth during the remainder of 2026. Financial Highlights for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2026 "We are very pleased with the successful completion of the sale of our membership interest in Bearing Insurance Group, LLC during the second quarter of 2026," stated Litz H. Van Dyke, Chief Executive Officer. "This Transaction resulted in a significant capital gain, which increased tangible book value by $1.28 per share, and provided the flexibility to reposition a portion of our available-for-sale securities portfolio. We expect these strategic actions to enhance future earnings through increased asset yields and a stronger balance sheet." Van Dyke added, "Our core operating performance remained strong during the quarter, highlighted by continued net interest margin expansion and growth in our loan portfolio across our markets. Excluding the impact of the Loan Sale Transaction during the first quarter, loans increased approximately 6.45%7 from a year ago despite elevated payoff activity. We continue to see a healthy pipeline and growing momentum in small business and commercial and industrial lending, and we expect additional growth from prior construction lending commitments that are anticipated to fund over the next 12 to 18 months as projects progress." Van Dyke concluded, "We believe the strategic initiatives undertaken in the first half of 2026 have strengthened our capital and liquidity position, providing additional financial flexibility to support future organic growth, optimize our balance sheet and capitalize on new opportunities as market conditions evolve. We are excited about what the future holds for Carter Bank." Operating Highlights Credit Quality At June 30, 2026, nonperforming loans totaled $37.6 million, compared to $24.0 million at March 31, 2026 and $250.6 million at June 30, 2025. The linked quarter increase was primarily attributable to a commercial and industrial relationship consisting of three loans with an aggregate principal balance of $13.4 million that was downgraded to substandard and placed on nonperforming status during the quarter. Nonperforming assets totaled $40.9 million at June 30, 2026, compared to $27.4 million at March 31, 2026 and $250.6 million at June 30, 2025. The ratio of nonperforming assets to total portfolio loans plus other real estate owned ("OREO") was 1.09% at June 30, 2026, compared to 0.73% at March 31, 2026 and 6.73% at June 30, 2025. The allowance for credit losses on loans totaled $55.2 million, or 1.48% of total portfolio loans, at June 30, 2026, compared to $52.5 million, or 1.41% at March 31, 2026 and $71.0 million, or 1.90% at June 30, 2025. The allowance for credit losses to nonperforming loans decreased to 146.88% at June 30, 2026, compared to 219.03% at March 31, 2026 and increased compared to 28.34% at June 30, 2025. The linked quarter decrease in the coverage ratio primarily reflected the increase in nonperforming loans during the quarter. The Company recognized net recoveries of $0.7 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2026, compared to net recoveries of $14.9 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2026 and net charge-offs of $0.2 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2025. Net recoveries (annualized) to average portfolio loans, were 0.07% for the second quarter of 2026, compared to net recoveries of 1.55% in the first quarter of 2026 and net charge-offs of 0.02% in the second quarter of 2025. Management continues to closely monitor credit quality trends and believes the allowance for credit losses remains appropriate based on the composition of the loan portfolio, current economic conditions, and other qualitative factors. Year-to-date credit quality metrics continue to reflect the impact of the first quarter 2026 Loan Sale Transaction. The transaction removed $209.5 million of nonperforming loans from the balance sheet and included the release of $18.0 million of specific reserves and the recognition of $15.0 million of loan recoveries. As a result, year-to-date comparisons to prior periods are influenced by this transaction and should be evaluated in that context. Net Interest Income and Margin Net interest income (GAAP) for the quarter ended June 30, 2026 totaled $40.0 million, representing an increase of $4.1 million, or 11.2%, from net interest income of $35.9 million in the prior quarter and an increase of $7.6 million, or 23.5%, from net interest income of $32.4 million in the prior year quarter. Net interest income, on an FTE basis4 (non-GAAP) totaled $40.2 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2026, representing an increase of $4.1 million, or 11.4%, compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2026, and an increase of $7.7 million, or 23.5% compared to the quarter ended June 30, 2025. The linked-quarter increase in net interest income, on an FTE basis4 (non-GAAP) was primarily driven by a 10 basis point decline in funding costs and a 16 basis point increase in the yield on average interest-earning assets. The year-over-year increase was attributable to a 37 basis point decline in funding costs and a 22 basis point increase in average interest-earning assets yields. During the second quarter of 2026, interest-bearing funding costs declined compared to both the prior quarter and year ago quarter, primarily reflecting a reduction in higher cost FHLB borrowings following the Loan Sale Transaction and Insurance Transaction, as well as stabilization in deposit pricing, partially reflecting the broader interest rate environment. Net interest margin was 3.38% for the quarter ended June 30, 2026 compared to 3.07% for the prior quarter and 2.80% for the quarter ended June 30, 2025. On an FTE basis4 (non-GAAP) net interest margin was 3.40% compared to 3.08% and 2.82% for the prior quarter and prior year quarter, respectively. Net interest margin continued to expand during the quarter ended June 30, 2026, reflecting the benefits of disciplined balance sheet management. The Portfolio Repositioning improved the yield on the investment portfolio, while lower funding costs, favorable loan repricing, and approximately $0.6 million in loan prepayment penalties recognized during the quarter further supported the increase in net interest income and net interest margin. The Company expects the Portfolio Repositioning to provide an ongoing benefit to future earnings through higher asset yields. Noninterest Income Noninterest income totaled $28.7 million for the second quarter of 2026, compared to $71.0 million for the first quarter of 2026 and $4.9 million for the second quarter of 2025. Key drivers of noninterest income: These items are considered non-core in nature and not indicative of the Company's ongoing operating performance. Compared to the first quarter of 2026, noninterest income decreased $42.2 million, primarily due to the $65.0 million gain recognized from the Loan Sale Transaction during the first quarter of 2026 and $12.5 million of securities losses recognized in connection with the Portfolio Repositioning during the second quarter of 2026. These decreases were partially offset by the net gain recognized from the Insurance Transaction during the second quarter of 2026. Other notable changes in noninterest income included a $0.5 million increase from the prior quarter in service charges on deposit accounts. Insurance commissions declined $0.8 million from the prior quarter, primarily due to the Insurance Transaction, which reduced ongoing insurance commission income, and a favorable prior year adjustment true-up recorded in the first quarter of 2026. Compared to the second quarter of 2025, noninterest income increased $23.8 million, primarily due to the net gain recognized from the Insurance Transaction, partially offset by the $12.5 million securities losses recognized in connection with the Portfolio Repositioning during the second quarter of 2026. For the six months ended June 30, 2026, noninterest income totaled $99.7 million, compared to $11.8 million for the same period in 2025. The increase was primarily attributable to the $65.0 million gain recognized from the Loan Sale Transaction during the first quarter of 2026, the $35.9 million net gain recognized from the Insurance Transaction during the second quarter of 2026 and higher service charges on deposit accounts. These increases were partially offset by $12.5 million of securities losses recognized in connection with the Portfolio Repositioning during the second quarter of 2026 and the $1.9 million bank owned life insurance ("BOLI") death benefit recognized during the first quarter of 2025. Noninterest Expense Noninterest expense totaled $30.0 million for the second quarter of 2026, compared to $31.0 million for the first quarter of 2026 and $29.3 million for the second quarter of 2025. The linked-quarter decrease was primarily attributable to lower FDIC insurance expense and salaries and employee benefits, partially offset by increases in other noninterest expense, professional and legal fees, and data processing expense. FDIC insurance expense declined during the second quarter of 2026, primarily reflecting the favorable impact of the Loan Sale Transaction during the first quarter of 2026, which improved the Company's FDIC assessments. Salaries and employee benefits decreased $0.9 million, primarily due to lower incentive compensation compared to the first quarter of 2026, partially offset by annual merit increases, higher medical costs, and increased deferred compensation expense. Other noninterest expense increased primarily due to a $0.8 million write-down of an OREO property based on an updated appraisal received during the second quarter of 2026, as well as a $0.5 million write-down on a closed corporate office building. Professional and legal fees increased as a result of costs associated with the litigation involving the Loan Sale Transaction and higher expenses related to the management of special assets. Data processing expense increased primarily due to new and existing service agreements implemented in early 2026. Compared to the second quarter of 2025, noninterest expense increased $0.7 million, primarily reflecting increases of $1.1 million in other noninterest expense, $0.8 million in data processing expense, and $0.4 million in occupancy expense, partially offset by a $1.7 million decrease in FDIC insurance expense. The increases in other noninterest expense and data processing expense and the decrease in FDIC insurance expense were driven by the same factors discussed above. The increase in occupancy expense primarily reflected higher costs associated with new and existing service agreements, software licenses, maintenance contracts, and related infrastructure investments. For the six months ended June 30, 2026, noninterest expense totaled $61.0 million, compared to $57.3 million for the same period in 2025, an increase of $3.7 million. The increase primarily reflected $1.6 million in higher other noninterest expense, $1.2 million in data processing expense, $1.2 million in salaries and employee benefits, $0.7 million in occupancy expense, and $0.4 million in professional and legal fees, partially offset by a $1.6 million decrease in FDIC insurance expense. These changes were attributable to the same factors discussed in the quarterly comparison above. Financial Condition Total assets increased $2.6 million to $4.8 billion at June 30, 2026, compared to March 31, 2026. The increase was primarily driven by a $6.1 million increase in portfolio loans, despite approximately $132.6 million in commercial real estate loan payoffs during the second quarter of 2026, reflecting continued loan origination activity and customer demand across the Company's markets. Total cash and cash equivalents increased $48.2 million during the quarter, primarily reflecting higher interest-bearing deposits maintained with other financial institutions from excess liquidity generated by the Loan Sale Transaction during the first quarter of 2026 and the Insurance Transaction during the second quarter of 2026. The increase in interest-bearing deposits with other financial institutions reflected the redeployment of excess liquidity from Federal Reserve balances into higher-yielding deposit accounts during the quarter. The Company continued to strategically deploy excess liquidity during the quarter through loan growth and the previously announced Portfolio Repositioning. The allowance for credit losses on loans totaled $55.2 million, or 1.48% of total portfolio loans at June 30, 2026, compared to $52.5 million, or 1.41%, at March 31, 2026. Available-for-sale investment securities declined $21.8 million during the second quarter of 2026, primarily reflecting the previously announced Portfolio Repositioning, which is part of the Company's broader balance sheet optimization strategy. These securities represented 13.3% of total assets at June 30, 2026, compared to 13.8% at March 31, 2026. Total deposits decreased $37.7 million from March 31, 2026, primarily reflecting normal fluctuations in customer deposit balances. The Company had no Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") borrowings outstanding at June 30, 2026, as higher cost wholesale borrowings had been repaid with proceeds from the Company's recent strategic transactions, contributing to lower funding costs and a more efficient balance sheet. At June 30, 2026, approximately 82.3% of total deposits were insured under FDIC insurance coverage limits, while approximately 17.7% of total deposits were uninsured. At March 31, 2026, approximately 82.8% of total deposits were insured under Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC") insurance coverage limits, while approximately 17.2% of total deposits were uninsured. Capitalization and Liquidity The Company maintained a strong capital and liquidity position at June 30, 2026. Capital levels increased significantly and continued to exceed all applicable regulatory requirements, supported by earnings for the quarter and the impact of the recent strategic transactions. The Company remained well capitalized at June 30, 2026. The Company's Tier 1 capital ratio was 14.26% at June 30, 2026, compared to 13.52% at March 31, 2026. The Company's leverage ratio was 11.65% at June 30, 2026, compared to 11.10% at March 31, 2026. The Company's total risk-based capital ratio was 15.51% at June 30, 2026, compared to 14.78% at March 31, 2026. During both the three and six months ended June 30, 2026, the Company repurchased 108,601 shares of its common stock at a total cost of $2.9 million and a weighted average cost per share of $26.50. At June 30, 2026, funding sources accessible to the Company included borrowing availability at the FHLB equal to 30.0% of total assets, or $1.4 billion, subject to eligible collateral pledged, of which the Company had the capacity to borrow an additional $879.5 million. During the six months ended June 30, 2026, the Company's previously disclosed $45.0 million secured line of credit with a correspondent financial institution was converted to an unsecured facility, with a borrowing capacity of $25.0 million. In addition, a $50.0 million unsecured line of credit with an unrelated correspondent financial institution was fully reinstated. Reflecting the Company's improved earnings performance and enhanced credit risk profile following the Loan Sale Transaction during the first quarter of 2026, the Company now maintains unsecured borrowing lines of credit totaling $105.0 million with four correspondent financial institutions and continues to have access to the institutional CD market. In addition to these funding sources, the Company had $500.6 million of unpledged available-for-sale investment securities at fair value at June 30, 2026, providing additional liquidity. About Carter Bankshares, Inc. Headquartered in Martinsville, VA, Carter Bankshares, Inc. (NASDAQ:CARE) provides a full range of commercial banking, consumer banking, mortgage and other services through its subsidiary Carter Bank. The Company has $4.8 billion in assets and 63 branches in Virginia and North Carolina as of June 30, 2026. For more information or to open an account visit www.carterbank.com . Important Note Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures In addition to results presented in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP"), management uses, and this press release contains or references, certain non-GAAP financial measures, including pre-tax pre-provision income, adjusted net income, adjusted earnings per common share (diluted), tangible book value, tangible shareholders' equity, adjusted noninterest income, adjusted noninterest expense, adjusted loan growth, adjusted efficiency ratio, and interest and dividend income, yield on interest-earning assets, net interest income and net interest margin on a fully taxable equivalent ("FTE") basis. These non-GAAP measures should be read along with the accompanying tables in our definitions and reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures. Management believes these non-GAAP financial measures are useful because they enhance the ability of investors and management to evaluate and compare the Company's operating results across periods in a meaningful manner. These measures also assist in assessing the Company's underlying operating performance and performance trends and facilitate comparisons with other financial services companies. The Company believes that presenting interest and dividend income, yield on interest-earning assets, net interest income and net interest margin on an FTE basis improves comparability between income derived from taxable and tax-exempt sources and is consistent with industry practice. While management believes these non-GAAP measures provide meaningful supplemental information, they should not be considered as an alternative to GAAP results, as more relevant than financial results prepared in accordance with GAAP, or as necessarily comparable to similarly titled non-GAAP measures used by other companies. Non-GAAP financial measures have limitations as analytical tools, and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for an analysis of the Company's financial condition or results of operations as reported under GAAP. Investors are encouraged to review the Company's GAAP financial results and all other relevant information when evaluating its performance and financial condition. Important Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include statements made in Mr. Van Dyke's quotations and may include statements relating to the financial consequences of the Portfolio Restructuring, our financial condition, market conditions, results of operations, plans, including our strategic plan, brand strategy, and guiding principles and the anticipated results of the foregoing, objectives, outlook for earnings, revenues, expenses, capital and liquidity levels and ratios, asset levels, asset quality, loan pipeline and nonaccrual and nonperforming loans. Forward looking statements are typically identified by words or phrases such as "will likely result," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "forecast," "project," "intend," "believe," "assume," "strategy," "trend," "plan," "outlook," "outcome," "continue," "remain," "potential," "opportunity," "comfortable," "current," "position," "maintain," "sustain," "seek," "achieve" and variations of such words and similar expressions, or future or conditional verbs such as will, would, should, could or may. These statements are not guarantees of future results or performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict and often are beyond the Company's control. Although we believe the assumptions upon which these forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, any of these assumptions could prove to be inaccurate and the forward-looking statements based on these assumptions could be incorrect. Actual results may differ significantly from those expressed in or implied by these forward-looking statements. The matters discussed in these forward-looking statements are subject to various risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results and trends to differ materially from those made, projected, or implied in or by the forward-looking statements including, but not limited to the effects of: Many of these factors, as well as other factors, are described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including in the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025. All risk factors and uncertainties described herein and therein should be considered in evaluating the Company's forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on beliefs and assumptions using information available at the time the statements are made. We caution you not to unduly rely on forward-looking statements because the assumptions, beliefs, expectations and projections about future events are expressed in or implied by a forward-looking statement may, and often do, differ materially from actual results. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as to the date on which it is made, and we undertake no obligation to update, revise or clarify any forward-looking statement to reflect developments occurring after the statement is made, except as required by law. Carter Bankshares, Inc. [email protected] CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. CONSOLIDATED SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA BALANCE SHEETS CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. CONSOLIDATED SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA INCOME STATEMENTS *All outstanding unvested restricted stock awards are considered participating securities for the earnings per share calculation. As such, these shares have been allocated to a portion of net income ($402 thousand, $1,069 thousand and $97 thousand for the quarters ended June 30, 2026, March 31, 2026 and June 30, 2025, respectively and $1,514 thousand and $190 thousand for the six months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025, respectively) and are excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation. CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. CONSOLIDATED SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA NET INTEREST MARGIN (FTE) (QTD AVERAGES) (Unaudited) a Nonaccruing loans are included in the daily average loan amounts outstanding. CARTER BANKSHARES, INC. CONSOLIDATED SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA NET INTEREST MARGIN (FTE) (YTD AVERAGES) (Unaudited)

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