Equity Bancshares closes Frontier acquisition, expands regional footprint

The latest update is out from Equity Bancshares ( (EQBK) ).

For the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2025, Equity Bancshares reported net income of $22.1 million, or $1.15 per diluted share, compared with a net loss in the prior quarter, with adjusted earnings of $23.2 million, or $1.21 per share, after acquisition-related costs. Net interest margin expanded to 4.47%, full-year 2025 net interest income rose 21.4% to $226.1 million on margin expansion and balance-sheet growth, and loan and deposit balances increased sharply year over year, aided by the NBC acquisition. On January 1, 2026, the company closed its acquisition of Frontier Holdings LLC, adding roughly $1.34 billion in loans and $1.1 billion in deposits and marking its entry into Nebraska, while maintaining solid asset quality with low net charge-offs and a 1.26% allowance for credit losses. Capital and book value strengthened, with tangible book value per share rising to $32.86 and regulatory capital ratios improving, even as Equity paid a $0.18 common dividend and repurchased 172,338 shares, underscoring management’s confidence in the bank’s financial position and its strategy to build scale as a premier community bank and merger partner in its markets.

The most recent analyst rating on (EQBK) stock is a Hold with a $49.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Equity Bancshares stock, see the EQBK Stock Forecast page.

Spark’s Take on EQBK Stock

According to Spark, TipRanks’ AI Analyst, EQBK is a Neutral.

Overall score reflects moderate financial performance with profitability and cash-flow growth pressures as the primary constraint, partially balanced by constructive (but not strong) technicals and strategically positive expansion actions. The biggest offsetting risk is valuation, with a high P/E and only a modest yield.

To see Spark’s full report on EQBK stock, click here.

More about Equity Bancshares

Equity Bancshares, Inc., based in Wichita, Kansas, is the holding company for Equity Bank, a community-focused regional bank operating across its Midwestern footprint. The company offers traditional banking products and services, including loans and deposit accounts, and is actively expanding through acquisitions, most recently entering the Nebraska market via the purchase of Frontier Holdings LLC while also integrating its enlarged Oklahoma presence following the NBC Corp of Oklahoma transaction.

Average Trading Volume: 74,951

Technical Sentiment Signal: Buy

Current Market Cap: $895.1M

See more insights into EQBK stock on TipRanks’ Stock Analysis page.