Strong Core Earnings and Returns
Q4 core EPS of $1.43 (up 29% YoY) and full-year 2025 core EPS of $5.21 (up 19% YoY). Q4 core ROA of 1.42% and full-year core ROA of 1.39%; core return on tangible common equity of 18% (Q4 and full year).
Net Interest Margin Resilience
Q4 NIM of 3.83%, down 8 bps linked quarter (including a 4 bps impact from a prior one-time interest recovery) but up 3 bps YoY while absorbing ~75 bps of rate cuts since Q4 2024; management outlook for full-year 2026 NIM approximately 3.80%.
Recurring Fee Revenue and Wealth & Trust Momentum
Core fee revenue rose 2% linked quarter and 8% YoY; Wealth & Trust grew 13% YoY with WSFS Institutional Services up 29% and BMT of Delaware up 24%. Fee businesses contribute ~1/3 of total revenue and are expected to grow mid-single digits (ex-Cash Connect) with Wealth & Trust targeted to grow double digits in 2026.
Loan Growth and Commercial Momentum
Total gross loans increased 2% linked quarter (9% annualized) with commercial C&I growth of 4% linked quarter (15% annualized). Residential mortgage and WSFS-originated consumer loans grew 5% linked quarter; the quarter included the largest fundings in over two years.
Deposit Growth and Strong Low-Cost Funding
Total client deposits up 2% linked quarter (10% annualized). Noninterest-bearing deposits grew 6% linked quarter and now represent 32% of total client deposits. Exit deposit beta for December was 43%.
Improved Asset Quality and Controlled Credit Outlook
Problem assets meaningfully improved and nonperforming assets ended the year at the lowest level in over two years and down ~40% versus year-end 2024. Full-year 2025 net charge-offs were 40 bps (excluding Upstart) and management guidance for 2026 net charge-offs is 35–45 bps of average loans.
Capital Return and Buyback Activity
Q4 capital returned of $119 million, including $109 million of buybacks (3.7% of outstanding shares). Total 2025 buybacks were $288 million (over 9% of outstanding shares). Management plans to maintain elevated buybacks toward a ~12% capital target while retaining discretion based on conditions.
Practical Balance Sheet / Hedging Actions
Securities portfolio targeted to remain ~21% of assets and reinvestment yields are materially higher than existing portfolio (management cited ~2.35% current portfolio yield vs reinvestment at ~4.3–4.4%, ~200 bps uplift). Hedging program: ~$1.3 billion of hedges currently in the money (would be ~$1.5 billion after another rate cut).