EPS of $1.27 and Core EPS of $1.41 Reflects Franchise Earning Power
WICHITA, Kan., July 14, 2026--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Equity Bancshares, Inc. (NYSE: EQBK), ("Equity", "the Company," "we," "us," "our"), the Wichita-based holding company of Equity Bank, reported net income of $26.4 million or $1.27 per diluted share for the quarter ended June 30, 2026. Core earnings per diluted share for the quarter was $1.41.
"This quarter demonstrates what we wanted to accomplish when we entered into and then closed the Frontier transaction on January 1. It has driven growth in both earnings and efficiency. Our ROATCE was 16.6% and our efficiency ratio was 53.4% both improving meaningfully. We have built the franchise to compete and continuously drive improving performance," said Brad S. Elliott, Chairman and CEO of Equity Bancshares.
"The core conversion is complete, the integration work is largely behind us, and our team is focused on what we do best: growing relationships, serving customers, and producing results. The second half of 2026 is about execution and organic growth, and Rick Sems has done a great job working with the entire team, both old and new, to position them to have the ability to grow organically," Mr. Elliott continued.
Notable Items:
Net interest income was $73.8 million, up modestly quarter over quarter and 48.3% year over year. Margin expanded in the period from 4.33% to 4.36%. Loan purchase accounting accretion was $2.9 million in the quarter.
Efficiency ratio for the period improved to 53.4% from 56.7% in the previous period. As compared to the same period in 2025, the ratio improved 10.2 percentage points, or 16.1%. Non-interest expense, adjusted for merger expenses and intangible amortization, as a percentage of average assets improved 14 basis points quarter over quarter and 54 basis points year over year.
Return on average equity for the quarter was 12.9%, up from 8.2% in the previous quarter. Adjusting for merger costs and amortization of intangible assets in both periods, return on tangible common equity ("ROATCE") improved to 16.6% from 16.1% in the previous quarter. As compared to the same period in the prior year, return on tangible common equity improved 4.9%, from 11.7%. Core ROATCE was 17.2% for the quarter.
Book value per share increased to $40.22 from $39.37 and tangible book value per share increased to $33.45 from $32.58. Tangible common equity to tangible common assets closed the quarter at 9.1%.
During the quarter, the Company realized net charge-offs of $1.7 million. The allowance for credit losses ("ACL") closed the quarter at 1.19% of outstanding balances, while ACL plus purchase discounts on loans closed the quarter at 1.73%.
The Company announced an $0.18 dividend on outstanding common shares as of June 30, 2026. During the quarter, the Company repurchased 211,369 shares at a weighted average cost of $45.02 per share. Year to date the Company has repurchased 711,369 shares at a weighted average cost of $44.84. Under the currently active repurchase plan, 116,293 additional shares are authorized for purchase.