Strong Core EPS Growth
Core EPS of $0.79 in Q4, representing an 88% year-over-year increase; core EPS excludes severance (~$2.4M pre-tax) and discrete tax items (~$2.7M).
Record Revenue and NIM Improvement
Record total revenues of $124 million in Q4; reported NIM increased to 3.11% (3.09% excluding ~2 bps of prepayment fees), marking the seventh consecutive quarterly NIM increase and a roughly 10 bps improvement referenced in remarks.
Deposit Growth and Strong Deposit Mix
Core deposits up $1.2 billion year-over-year; total deposits rose ~$800 million versus prior quarter (core-Q4 growth ~ $400M excluding seasonal/municipal items); non-interest-bearing DDA reached ~31% of deposits, supporting a lower cost of funds.
Improving Cost of Funds
Cost of total deposits was 1.85% in Q4, down 24 basis points versus prior quarter; spot deposit cost noted at ~1.68% at year-end.
Substantial Business Loan Growth and Pipeline
Business loans grew over $1.075 billion on a linked-quarter basis and over $500 million year-over-year; loan pipeline exceeds $1.3 billion with a weighted-average expected rate between 6.25% and 6.5%.
Capital, Liquidity and Asset Quality Strength
Total capital ratio above 16% and CET1 at 11.66%; NPAs improved to 34 basis points of total assets; multifamily credit reported zero NPAs; allowance to loans increased to 91 bps (within the 90 bps–1% target band).
Operational Discipline and Expense Control
Core cash operating expenses (ex. intangible amortization) were $62.3 million in Q4, below guidance of ~$63 million; full-year 2026 core cash operating expense guidance set at $255M–$257M.
Commercial Banking Buildout and Talent Additions
Launched multiple commercial verticals (fund finance, lender finance, mid-corporate, sponsor finance, syndications); hired experienced commercial bankers and a new Chief Credit Officer; Manhattan branch opened and two de novos (Lakewood, Locust Valley) targeted to open within the year.
Clear NIM Repricing Tailwind Guidance
Management outlined a path to NIM expansion driven by back-book repricing: ~ $1.4B of adjustable/fixed loans repricing or maturing in 2026 (WAC ~4%), potentially adding ~20 bps to quarterly NIM in 2026, and another $1.7B in 2027 potentially adding ~20–25 bps thereafter.