tiprankstipranks
Trending News
More News >
Valley National Bancorp (VLY)
NASDAQ:VLY

Valley National Bancorp (VLY) AI Stock Analysis

Compare
460 Followers

Top Page

VLY

Valley National Bancorp

(NASDAQ:VLY)

Select Model
Select Model
Select Model
Neutral 69 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:69Neutral
Price Target:
$14.00
â–²(11.55% Upside)
Action:DowngradedDate:02/28/26
The score is driven mainly by solid financial performance and a constructive earnings-call outlook (margin expansion, NII growth, deposit improvement, and disciplined expenses). Valuation is supportive with a reasonable P/E and strong dividend yield, while technical indicators are mixed and do not strongly reinforce near-term momentum.
Positive Factors
Core deposit growth / funding improvement
Sustained core deposit growth materially strengthens Valley's funding profile, lowering reliance on costly wholesale sources and improving net interest margin durability. A larger stable deposit base supports loan originations, liquidity buffers and reduces refinancing risk across economic cycles.
NII and margin expansion guidance
Management's guidance for double-digit NII growth and modest NIM expansion reflects structural improvements in funding mix and loan mix. If realized, this drives sustainable core earnings power because Valley's business model depends on interest spread and scale of earning assets over time.
Controlled leverage and improving capital
A balanced capital structure with rising tangible equity, explicit CET1 targets and improving returns increases resilience to credit shocks and supports ongoing capital returns. Stronger capital generation enables buybacks or absorb losses without immediate dilutive capital raises.
Negative Factors
Uneven cash flow generation
Volatile operating and free cash flow reduces predictability of internal funding for dividends, buybacks, and loan growth. In periods of weaker cash flow, the bank may need to tap wholesale funding or curtail capital returns, increasing sensitivity to funding markets and cyclical earnings.
Reliance on episodic fee items
If noninterest income includes sizable one-off gains, the underlying recurring fee revenue base may be weaker than headline figures imply. This reduces revenue diversification durability and can cause earnings to be more cyclical if such episodic items diminish over subsequent quarters.
Remaining brokered and wholesale funding
Material outstanding brokered and FHLB funding creates rollover and repricing risk until replaced by core deposits. Continued dependence on non‑core funding leaves margins and liquidity exposed to market stress or higher deposit betas, challenging sustainable margin improvement.

Valley National Bancorp (VLY) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Valley National Bancorp Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionValley National Bancorp operates as the holding company for Valley National Bank that provides various commercial, retail, insurance, and wealth management financial services products. It operates through Commercial Lending, Consumer Lending, and Investment Management segments. The company offers non-interest bearing, savings, NOW, money market, and time deposit accounts, commercial and industrial, commercial real estate, residential mortgage, and automobile loans; loans secured by the cash surrender value of life insurance; home equity loans and lines of credit; and secured and unsecured other consumer loans. It also invests in various securities and interest-bearing deposits with other banks; and provides international banking services, such as standby and documentary letters of credit, and related products, as well as foreign exchange transactions, documentary collections, foreign wire transfers services, and transaction accounts for non-resident aliens. In addition, the company offers investment services for individuals and small to medium sized businesses; and trusts and custom -tailored investment strategies for various retirement plans. Further, it provides trust services, such as living and testamentary trusts, investment management, custodial and escrow services, and estate administration to individuals; tax credit advisory services; property and casualty, life, health, and title insurance agency services; and health care equipment lending and other commercial equipment leasing services, as well as owns real estate related investments. Additionally, the company offers online, mobile, and telephone banking services; and overdraft, drive-in and night deposit, automated teller machine, remote deposit capture, and safe deposit facility services. As of December 31,2021, it operated 232 branch offices in New Jersey, New York, Florida, and Alabama. The company was incorporated in 1927 and is headquartered in New York, New York.
How the Company Makes MoneyValley National Bancorp generates revenue primarily through net interest income, which is earned from the interest on loans and investments minus the interest paid on deposits and borrowed funds. Key revenue streams include commercial loans, consumer loans, and mortgage loans, all of which contribute significantly to the bank's interest income. Additionally, the company earns non-interest income through fees from services such as asset management, investment advisory, and transaction fees. The bank also benefits from strategic partnerships with other financial institutions and service providers that enhance its product offerings and customer base, contributing to its overall profitability.

Valley National Bancorp Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Jan 29, 2026
(Q4-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Apr 23, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The call emphasized strong operating momentum: record earnings, meaningful core deposit growth, expanding margins, improving credit metrics, and disciplined capital returns. Management provided constructive 2026 guidance (NII +11–13%, mid-single-digit loan growth, expense control, and margin expansion of 15–20 bps) while acknowledging near-term seasonality, some episodic revenue items in 4Q, a few idiosyncratic credits, and sensitivity to the interest-rate path and competitive spreads. Overall, positives (profitability, funding improvement, loan pipeline, credit improvement, capital returns) materially outweigh the manageable near-term and idiosyncratic risks.
Q4-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Record Profitability and Strong Yearly Earnings
Reported net income of ~$195,000,000 in 4Q25 ($0.33 diluted EPS) and adjusted net income of $180,000,000 ($0.31 vs $0.28 prior year). Full-year 2025 net income was $598,000,000 (or $585,000,000 adjusted), reflecting material improvement versus 2024.
Improved Profitability Metrics and Margin Expansion
Adjusted return on average assets of 1.14% (highest since 2022). Net interest margin expanded to 3.17% in 4Q25 (above the 3.1% target), with net interest income up 4% quarter-over-quarter and 10% year-over-year. Management expects an additional 15–20 bps of NIM expansion from 4Q25 to 4Q26 and NII growth of 11–13% in 2026.
Core Deposit Growth and Funding Improvement
Core deposits grew nearly $4,000,000,000 year-over-year (≈9%) and rose about $1,500,000,000 in the quarter, enabling payoff of nearly $500,000,000 of maturing higher-cost brokered deposits. Noninterest deposits grew over 15% on an annualized basis; total deposit costs declined 24 bps sequentially.
Loan Growth and Robust Pipeline
Total loans grew roughly $800,000,000 (≈7% annualized) in the quarter. Immediate and late-stage loan pipelines increased by over $1,000,000,000 (nearly 70% YoY), driven by ~$600,000,000 increase in C&I and ~$700,000,000 increase in CRE. Management guides to mid-single-digit loan growth in 2026 with ~10% C&I growth.
Improving Credit Metrics
Quarterly net charge-offs were 18 bps of average loans; full-year 2025 net charge-offs were 24 bps vs 40 bps in 2024. Criticized and classified loans declined over $350,000,000 (≈8%) during the quarter, and management expects further normalization of credit costs in 2026.
Revenue Diversification and Fee Income Momentum
Noninterest income grew ~18% sequentially in 4Q25, with strong momentum from deposit service charges and wealth management. Management expects high single-digit fee income growth in 2026 (while noting some episodic items contributed to 4Q).
Disciplined Expense and Capital Deployment
Full-year operating expenses increased just 2.6% in 2025 versus 9% revenue growth; management expects low single-digit expense growth in 2026 and an efficiency ratio moving toward ~50%. Tangible book value rose nearly 3% in the quarter. The company repurchased 6,000,000 shares in 2025 (>$60,000,000 spent) and returned $109,000,000 of $188,000,000 4Q earnings to shareholders via dividends and buybacks.
Negative Updates
Reliance on Episodic Fee Income Items
Fourth-quarter fee income benefited materially from abnormally high commercial loan swap activity and unrealized valuation gains on fintech equity investments that management warns may not recur, creating potential moderation in near-term fee growth.
Seasonal and Short-Term Headwinds for 1Q26
Management cautioned first-quarter softness due to lower day count, elevated payroll taxes, and likely moderation of late-quarter spikes in noninterest deposits and fee activity; NIM expected to dip from 3.17% in 1Q before recovering later in the year.
Idiosyncratic Asset Quality Items
Some upticks in problem loans were driven by a few specific credits: one larger C&I moved to nonaccrual and three loans drove the 30–59 day past-due increase (~$56,000,000). Allowance coverage declined modestly (2 bps) in the quarter as lower quantitative reserves offset higher specific and qualitative items.
Ongoing Need for Brokered and Wholesale Funding
Although core deposit replacement is progressing, material brokered and wholesale funding remains (management cited ~$1.2B of brokered deposits and $600M of FHLB advances maturing in 2026), so funding risk and FHLB/brokered reductions are still part of the transition plan.
Competitive Pressure on Loan Spreads
Management noted modest spread compression and competitive pressure in lending markets; guidance assumes some compression is already baked into NII and margin forecasts, representing execution risk if competition intensifies.
Sensitivity to Interest-Rate Path
Guidance assumes two rate cuts in 2026 and is sensitive to the yield curve; management noted that if there are no Fed cuts it could represent a modest headwind to NII, and the margin outlook depends on both front-end and longer-term curve dynamics.
Company Guidance
Guidance highlighted mid‑single digit loan growth for 2026 (roughly 10% C&I, low‑single‑digit CRE, mid‑single‑digit consumer/residential), with deposit growth expected to outpace loans and further reduce the loan‑to‑deposit ratio; core deposits grew nearly $4.0B (≈9% YoY) in 2025 and rose about $1.5B in 4Q, noninterest deposits +15% annualized. They expect net interest income to grow 11–13% and net interest margin to expand ~15–20 bps from 4Q25 to 4Q26 (3.17% in 4Q25, a modest Q1 dip then back to mid‑3.30s by 4Q26), modeling two rate cuts and a 50% total deposit beta (4Q implied quarterly beta ~55%); spot deposit cost ~2.32% (core ~2.10%, brokered ~4.20%), new deposit originations blended ~2.17%. Fee income is expected to grow high single digits (quarterly fee income baseline mid‑to‑high $60M), operating expenses guided to low‑single‑digit growth with efficiency improving toward ~50%, and loan loss provision implied around $100M as allowance coverage is expected to be broadly stable while net charge‑offs normalize (2025 NCOs 24 bps YTD; 4Q25 18 bps). Capital guidance: CET1 targeted 10.5–11.0% (gross CET1 generation ~130–140 bps in 2026 with ~50 bps to loan growth, ~50 bps to dividends and ~30–40 bps for buybacks), Q4 generated ~38 bps CET1, and management indicated potential buyback capacity of roughly $150–$200M while maintaining capital targets.

Valley National Bancorp Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Good earnings power with improving profitability in 2025 and a controlled leverage profile for a regional bank, but cash flow is uneven (notably weaker in 2025) and margins remain below 2021–2022 peak levels.
Income Statement
72
Positive
Revenue has expanded meaningfully over the last several years (notably strong growth in 2022–2023), with 2024–2025 showing more moderate but still positive growth. Profitability is solid in the most recent year (2025 net margin ~17% and improved operating profitability vs. 2024), but margins are below the stronger levels seen in 2021–2022 and have shown volatility—typical of a bank navigating changing rates/credit conditions. Overall: good earnings power with some cyclical pressure versus prior peaks.
Balance Sheet
70
Positive
Leverage looks controlled for a regional bank: debt-to-equity is roughly ~0.49 in 2024–2025, improved from the higher level in 2020, indicating a more balanced capital structure versus earlier years. Equity has grown over time, supporting asset growth, and return on equity improved in 2025 (~7.7%) from 2024 (~5.1%). The main drawback is returns remain moderate rather than standout, and total debt is higher than the 2021–2022 period, which can reduce flexibility if credit costs rise.
Cash Flow
55
Neutral
Cash generation is positive in each year shown, but it is uneven: operating/free cash flow fell in 2025 (down ~24% vs. 2024) and has been choppy since 2022. Cash flow coverage metrics provided are also inconsistent year-to-year, suggesting variability in how well operating cash flow supports key obligations in certain periods. Strength: free cash flow is positive and sizable; weakness: reliability and trend are less stable than earnings.
BreakdownDec 2025Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue3.49B3.57B3.35B2.18B1.49B
Gross Profit1.88B1.53B1.83B1.81B1.33B
EBITDA743.87M517.35M761.54M860.11M691.70M
Net Income597.98M380.27M498.51M568.85M473.84M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets64.28B62.49B60.93B57.46B43.45B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments315.17M2.12B2.19B2.21B3.18B
Total Debt3.43B3.69B3.71B2.10B2.42B
Total Liabilities56.47B55.06B54.23B51.06B38.36B
Stockholders Equity7.81B7.44B6.70B6.40B5.08B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow403.05M548.54M378.19M1.43B837.14M
Operating Cash Flow403.05M548.54M378.19M1.43B837.14M
Investing Cash Flow-9.99M-709.28M-3.35B-6.79B-1.08B
Financing Cash Flow-548.16M1.16B2.91B4.26B964.35M

Valley National Bancorp Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Neutral
Last Price12.55
Price Trends
50DMA
12.52
Positive
100DMA
11.70
Positive
200DMA
10.59
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
0.08
Positive
RSI
44.33
Neutral
STOCH
30.35
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For VLY, the sentiment is Neutral. The current price of 12.55 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 13.24, above the 50-day MA of 12.52, and above the 200-day MA of 10.59, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of 0.08 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 44.33 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 30.35 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Neutral sentiment for VLY.

Valley National Bancorp Risk Analysis

Valley National Bancorp disclosed 38 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Valley National Bancorp reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Valley National Bancorp Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (68)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
75
Outperform
$5.35B7.6312.09%3.68%2.79%2.11%
74
Outperform
$7.11B12.037.09%3.31%0.55%19.13%
71
Outperform
$6.09B10.868.66%2.73%4.54%27.56%
69
Neutral
$6.97B10.937.85%3.69%-1.94%41.35%
68
Neutral
$5.47B11.5111.51%2.85%1.43%19.58%
68
Neutral
$18.00B11.429.92%3.81%9.73%1.22%
67
Neutral
$5.87B22.446.43%2.89%8.73%26.19%
* Financial Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
VLY
Valley National Bancorp
12.55
3.75
42.68%
OZK
Bank OZK
47.14
3.47
7.94%
FNB
F.N.B.
17.03
3.50
25.83%
GBCI
Glacier Bancorp
45.14
0.45
1.00%
HOMB
Home Bancshares
27.84
-0.28
-0.99%
PB
Prosperity Bancshares
70.04
-1.43
-2.01%

Valley National Bancorp Corporate Events

Business Operations and StrategyStock Buyback
Valley National Bancorp Authorizes New Common Stock Buyback
Positive
Feb 24, 2026

On February 24, 2026, Valley National Bancorp announced that its board approved a new stock repurchase program authorizing buybacks of up to 25 million shares of its common stock. The new authorization will take effect on April 27, 2026, immediately after the current plan expires on April 26, 2026, and will remain in place until April 27, 2028, giving management a two-year window to execute repurchases.

Valley said buybacks may be carried out through open market purchases and Rule 10b5-1 trading plans, with the pace and scale of repurchases dependent on share price, market conditions, business outlook, and alternative investment opportunities. The plan can be suspended or discontinued at any time, providing capital management flexibility and signaling continued willingness to return excess capital to shareholders while navigating changing market and regulatory environments.

The most recent analyst rating on (VLY) stock is a Buy with a $15.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Valley National Bancorp stock, see the VLY Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
Valley National Bancorp Reports Record Fourth-Quarter 2025 Earnings
Positive
Jan 29, 2026

On January 29, 2026, Valley National Bancorp reported record fourth-quarter 2025 earnings, with net income rising to $195.4 million, or $0.33 per diluted share, up from $163.4 million in the third quarter of 2025 and $115.7 million a year earlier, as adjusted earnings and performance ratios also strengthened. The quarter was marked by improved net interest income and a 12-basis-point expansion in net interest margin to 3.17%, driven by strong non-interest-bearing deposit growth, reduced reliance on higher-cost brokered deposits, and a shift toward higher-yielding loans, alongside $863.9 million in loan growth led by commercial real estate and commercial and industrial portfolios. Credit quality metrics showed net charge-offs of $22.6 million and modest increases in non-accrual and past-due loans, while the allowance for credit losses remained stable at about 1.19% of total loans. Non-interest income grew to $76.3 million on higher capital markets, wealth management and other fee activity, offset in part by higher non-interest expenses tied to branding, seasonal and operating costs, tax credit investment amortization, and professional fees. A tax refund benefit and additional tax credit investments reduced the effective tax rate to 11.9%, contributing to stronger returns, with annualized ROA, ROE and ROTCE reaching 1.24%, 10.12% and 14.17%, respectively, and an essentially stable efficiency ratio near 53.5%, underscoring management’s focus on balance sheet growth, profitability and shareholder value.

The most recent analyst rating on (VLY) stock is a Hold with a $13.50 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Valley National Bancorp stock, see the VLY Stock Forecast page.

Executive/Board Changes
Valley National Bancorp Appoints Carlos Vazquez to Board
Positive
Jan 28, 2026

On January 27, 2026, Valley National Bancorp’s board appointed Carlos Vazquez as an independent director to serve until the next annual shareholders’ meeting, also naming him to its Audit and Compensation and Human Capital Management Committees, strengthening board oversight in key governance areas. Vazquez brings decades of financial services leadership, including serving as executive vice president and chief financial officer of Popular, Inc. from 2013 to 2024 and as a board member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York, and will join Valley National’s non‑employee director compensation program, enhancing the board’s depth of banking, risk, and operational expertise without any disclosed related‑party conflicts.

The most recent analyst rating on (VLY) stock is a Buy with a $13.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Valley National Bancorp stock, see the VLY Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Feb 28, 2026