Horizon Bancorp, Inc. Reports First Quarter 2026 Results, Highlighted by Continued Peer Leading Profitability Metrics and Solid Capital Growth

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind, April 22, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- (NASDAQ GS: HBNC) -- Horizon Bancorp, Inc. (“Horizon” or the “Company”), the parent company of Horizon Bank (the “Bank”), announced its unaudited financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2026.

“Horizon’s first quarter results demonstrate the consistency of our profitability profile and the strength of Horizon’s high quality community banking model. Annualized returns on average assets again exceeded 1.60% and the net interest margin continued to be durable at 4.29%. Notably, our strategic focus on core deposit gathering yielded significant results during the quarter, delivering 11% annualized growth, led by 23% annualized growth in non-interest-bearing balances", President and CEO, Thomas Prame stated. "We are encouraged by the stability and predictability we see in our financial performance, driving significant value for our shareholders, despite what has become a volatile macro-economic environment. Our 2026 outlook is unchanged, which should yield solid balance sheet growth coupled with consistent, top-tier profitability metrics. The commercial loan engine continues to produce disciplined, high-quality growth, funded by relationship-based deposits across our attractive footprint. Within the quarter, credit quality remained excellent, expenses were well managed and capital generation continues to be a strength. Most importantly, our long-term shareholder value proposition remained steadfast, aimed at delivering a durable profitability profile, disciplined organic growth and peer leading capital generation".

Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2026 was $26.2 million, or $0.51 per diluted share, compared to net income of $26.9 million, or $0.53, for the fourth quarter of 2025 and net income of $23.9 million, or $0.54 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2025, which included the $7.0 million pre-tax gain on the sale of the mortgage warehouse business.

First Quarter 2026 Highlights

• Durability of top-tier performance metrics are reflective of the strong performance of Horizon’s community banking model. The Company generated a return on average assets was 1.62%, consistent with the fourth quarter of 2025, and a return on average tangible common equity of 19.02%.

• Net interest income of $62.2 million was up 19.1% compared with $52.3 million in the year ago period. The net interest margin, on a fully taxable equivalent ("FTE") basis¹, remained strong at 4.29%. These results were consistent with the three months ended December 31, 2025, and significantly higher than the 3.04% reported in the comparable year ago period.

• Excellent growth in total deposits, up $146.9 million, or 11.3% annualized, highlighted by an increase of $60.8 million in non-interest-bearing deposits, or 22.8% annualized. Additionally, total interest-bearing deposit costs declined by another 7 basis points from the prior quarter. The strong quarter in deposits provides ample funding for loan growth in subsequent quarters, but did result in elevated interest-earning cash balances during the first quarter. The elevated cash balance dampened the Q1 2026 net interest margin by about 4 basis points.

• Commercial loans increased $34.2 million, or 4.0% annualized, while total loans were stable from year end 2025. Management maintained disciplined pricing on new mortgage originations, electing to not leverage the balance sheet into lower yielding residential mortgages in Q1. Lending activity exiting the quarter provides confidence in future loan growth expectations and new production spreads.

• Credit quality remained strong, with annualized net charge offs of 0.05% of average loans during the first quarter. Non-performing assets remain well within expected and historical ranges, with non-performing assets to total assets of 0.67%.

• Expenses for the first quarter were well managed at $40.7 million, reflecting a disciplined approach to the continuous review of staffing models and variable expenses.

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¹ Non-GAAP financial metric. See non-GAAP reconciliation included herein for the most directly comparable GAAP measure.

Income Statement Highlights

Net Interest Income

Net interest income was $62.2 million in the first quarter of 2026, compared to $63.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2025, driven by the continued strength of the Company's net FTE interest margin¹, which remained consistent at 4.29% for the first quarter of 2026 and the fourth quarter of 2025. The margin's resilience is reflective of continued disciplined loan and deposit pricing, a favorable cash reinvestment profile and strong core deposit growth during the quarter.

Provision for Credit Losses

During the first quarter of 2026, the Company recorded a provision for credit losses of $0.4 million. This compares to a recorded provision for credit losses of $1.6 million during the fourth quarter of 2025, and $1.4 million during the first quarter of 2025. The decrease in the provision for credit losses during the first quarter of 2026 when compared with the fourth quarter of 2025 was primarily due to modest net loan growth and slight changes in the baseline economic outlook.

For the first quarter of 2026, net charge-offs were $0.6 million, or an annualized 0.05% of average loans outstanding, compared to net charge-offs of $1.0 million, or an annualized 0.08% of average loans outstanding for the fourth quarter of 2025, and net charge-offs of $0.9 million, or an annualized 0.07% of average loans outstanding, in the first quarter of 2025.

The Company’s allowance for credit losses as a percentage of period-end loans HFI was 1.05% at March 31, 2026, consistent with December 31, 2025, and down from 1.07% at March 31, 2025.

Non-Interest Income

Total non-interest income was $11.2 million in the first quarter of 2026, compared to non-interest income of $11.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2025. The decrease in non-interest income of $0.2 million is primarily attributable to a decrease in gains on the sale of mortgage loans, due to reduced loan origination and sales volumes. The decrease was partially offset by an increase in seasonal service charges on deposit accounts of $0.2 million. All other components of non-interest income remained relatively stable quarter over quarter.

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¹ Non-GAAP financial metric. See non-GAAP reconciliation included herein for the most directly comparable GAAP measure.

Non-Interest Expense

Total non-interest expense was $40.7 million in the first quarter of 2026, compared to $40.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2025. The slight increase was primarily driven by higher salaries and employee benefits of $1.3 million, largely reflecting increased benefit-related costs at the beginning of the year, and a $0.5 million seasonal increase in occupancy expense. These increases were partially offset by a $0.7 million reduction in other expenses, primarily due to lower marketing cost and decreased outside services and consulting expense. In addition, other losses declined by $0.5 million, as the prior quarter included the write-off of unamortized issuance costs related to the early redemption of the Company's subordinated notes due 2030. All other components of non-interest expense remained relatively stable quarter over quarter.

Income Taxes

Horizon recorded a net tax expense of $6.2 million for the first quarter of 2026, resulting in an effective tax rate of 19.1%, which is consistent with the Company's estimated annual effective tax rate.

Balance Sheet Highlights

Total assets increased by $127.6 million, or 2.0%, to $6.6 billion as of March 31, 2026, compared to $6.4 billion as of December 31, 2025. Asset growth during the period was primarily driven by an increase in interest earning deposits of $118.1 million, reflecting strong liquidity positioning, and a $6.9 million increase in investment securities. Total loans were $4.9 billion at March 31, 2026, an increase of $2.0 million from December 31, 2025. Net loan growth in the quarter was modest, but expressed solid origination volumes and disciplined pricing in commercial loans that was largely offset by runoff within the consumer and residential loan portfolios.

Total deposits increased by $146.9 million, or 2.8%, to $5.4 billion as of March 31, 2026 compared to December 31, 2025. Deposit growth was driven by a $61.3 million increase in time deposits, a $60.8 million increase in non-interest-bearing demand deposits, and a $52.9 million increase in savings and money market balances, reflecting continued success in core deposit gathering efforts. These increases were partially offset by a $28.1 million decrease in interest-bearing deposits, consistent with management's previously communicated strategy to de-emphasize higher-cost, transactional deposit relationships.

Overall, balance sheet growth during the quarter reflected a combination of steady asset growth, proactive liquidity management, and ongoing efforts to grow and optimize the deposit base. Management continues to focus on maintaining a strong funding position while supporting measured, relationship-driven loan growth aligned with long-term strategic objectives.

Capital

The following table presents the Consolidated Regulatory Capital Ratios of the Company for the previous three quarters, and the Company’s preliminary estimate of its consolidated regulatory capital ratios for the quarter ended March 31, 2026:

As of March 31, 2026, the ratio of total stockholders’ equity to total assets is 10.65%. Book value per common share was $13.69, increasing $0.19 during the first quarter of 2026, as growth in retained earnings was partially offset by modestly higher levels of other comprehensive losses.

Tangible common equity¹ totaled $537.3 million at March 31, 2026, and the ratio of tangible common equity to tangible assets¹ was 8.39% at March 31, 2026, up from 8.38% at December 31, 2025. Tangible book value, which excludes intangible assets from total equity, per common share¹ was $10.52, increasing $0.20 during the first quarter of 2026.

Credit Quality

As of March 31, 2026, total non-accrual loans increased by $2.3 million from December 31, 2025, and represent 0.71% of total loans held for investment. Total non-performing assets increased $3.4 million, to $44.0 million, compared with $40.6 million at December 31, 2025. Non-performing assets are 0.67% of total assets at quarter end, up slightly from 0.63% at December 31, 2025.

For the quarter ended March 31, 2026, net charge-offs were $0.6 million, or 0.05% annualized of average loans, compared to $1.0 million as of December 31, 2025. Charge‑off levels during the quarter remained low and consistent with management’s expectations, reflecting a continued focus on discipline underwriting and proactive portfolio monitoring. Overall, credit metrics remain stable, and management continues to closely monitor portfolio performance in the current economic environment.

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¹ Non-GAAP financial metric. See non-GAAP reconciliation included herein for the most directly comparable GAAP measure.

Earnings Conference Call

As previously announced, Horizon will host a conference call to review its first quarter financial results and operating performance.

Participants may access the live conference call on April 23, 2026 at 7:30 a.m. CT (8:30 a.m. ET) by dialing 1-833-974-2379 from the United States and Canada or 1-412-317-5772 from international locations and requesting the “Horizon Bancorp, Inc. Call.” Participants are asked to dial in approximately 10 minutes prior to the call.

A telephone replay of the call will be available approximately one hour after the end of the conference through May 23, 2026. The replay may be accessed by dialing 1-855-669-9658 from the United States and Canada, or 1–412–317-0088 from other international locations, and entering the access code 2139263.

About Horizon Bancorp, Inc.

Horizon Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ GS: HBNC) is the $6.6 billion-asset commercial bank holding company for Horizon Bank, which serves customers across diverse and economically attractive Midwestern markets through convenient digital and virtual tools, as well as its Indiana and Michigan branches. Horizon's retail offerings include prime residential and other secured consumer lending to in-market customers, as well as a range of personal banking and wealth management solutions. Horizon also provides a comprehensive array of in-market business banking and treasury management services, as well as equipment financing solutions for customers regionally and nationally, with commercial lending representing over half of total loans. More information on Horizon, headquartered in Northwest Indiana's Michigan City, is available at horizonbank.com and investor.horizonbank.com.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Certain information set forth in this press release refers to financial measures determined by methods other than in accordance with GAAP. Specifically, we have included non-GAAP financial measures relating to net income, diluted earnings per share, pre-tax, pre-provision net income, net interest margin, tangible stockholders’ equity and tangible book value per share, efficiency ratio, the return on average assets, the return on average common equity, and return on average tangible equity. In each case, we have identified special circumstances that we consider to be non-recurring and have excluded them. Horizon believes these non-GAAP financial measures are helpful to investors and provide a greater understanding of our business and financial results without giving effect to one-time costs and non–recurring items. These measures are not necessarily comparable to similar measures that may be presented by other companies and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the related GAAP measure. See the tables and other information below and contained elsewhere in this press release for reconciliations of the non-GAAP information identified herein and its most comparable GAAP measures.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward–looking statements regarding the financial performance, business prospects, growth and operating strategies of Horizon Bancorp, Inc. and its affiliates (collectively, “Horizon”). For these statements, Horizon claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements in this press release should be considered in conjunction with the other information available about Horizon, including the information in the filings we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Forward-looking statements provide current expectations or forecasts of future events and are not guarantees of future performance. The forward-looking statements are based on management’s expectations and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. We have tried, wherever possible, to identify such statements by using words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “will” and similar expressions in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance.

Although management believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially include: changes in U.S. trade policies, including the imposition of tariffs and retaliatory tariffs, changes within the domestic and international macroeconomic environment, including trade policy, monetary and fiscal policy, inflation levels, and conditions in the investment, credit, interest rate, and derivatives markets, and their impact on Horizon and its customers; current financial conditions within the banking industry; changes in the level and volatility of interest rates, changes in spreads on earning assets and changes in interest bearing liabilities; increased interest rate sensitivity; loss of key Horizon personnel; increases in disintermediation; potential loss of fee income, including interchange fees, as new and emerging alternative payment platforms take a greater market share of the payment systems; estimates of fair value of certain of Horizon’s assets and liabilities; changes in prepayment speeds, loan originations, credit losses, market values, collateral securing loans and other assets; changes in sources of liquidity; legislative and regulatory actions and reforms; changes in accounting policies or procedures as may be adopted and required by regulatory agencies; litigation, regulatory enforcement, and legal compliance risk and costs; rapid technological developments and changes; cyber terrorism and data security breaches; the rising costs of cybersecurity; the ability of the U.S. federal government to manage federal debt limits; climate change and social justice initiatives; the inability to realize cost savings or revenues or to effectively implement integration plans and other consequences associated with mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures; acts of terrorism, war and global conflicts, and the effects of foreign and military policies of the U.S. government; and supply chain disruptions and delays. These and additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements are discussed in Horizon’s reports (such as the Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K) filed with the SEC and available at the SEC’s website (www.sec.gov). Undue reliance should not be placed on the forward–looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Horizon does not undertake, and specifically disclaims any obligation, to publicly release the result of any revisions that may be made to update any forward-looking statement to reflect the events or circumstances after the date on which the forward–looking statement is made, or reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except to the extent required by law.