Eagle Bancorp Montana Earns $4.7 Million, or $0.60 per Diluted Share, for the Fourth Quarter of 2025, and $14.8 Million, or $1.90 per Diluted Share, for the Year 2025; Declares Quarterly Cash Dividend of $0.145 Per Share
HELENA, Mont., Jan. 27, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Eagle Bancorp Montana, Inc. (NASDAQ:EBMT), (the "Company," "Eagle"), the holding company of Opportunity Bank of Montana (the "Bank"), today reported net income increased 30.3% to $4.7 million, or $0.60 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2025, compared to $3.6 million, or $0.46 per diluted share, in the preceding quarter, and increased 37.8% compared to $3.4 million, or $0.44 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2024. For the year ended December 31, 2025, net income increased 51.7% to $14.8 million, or $1.90 per diluted share, compared to $9.8 million, or $1.24 per diluted share, in 2024.Eagle's board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.145 per share on January 22, 2026. The dividend will be payable March 6, 2026, to shareholders of record February 13, 2026. The current dividend represents an annualized yield of 2.93% based on recent market prices."We finished the year on a high note with excellent fourth quarter results that reflect the strength of our franchise," said Laura F. Clark, President and CEO. "Net income and earnings per share grew compared to both the prior quarter and year-over-year, as we benefited from reduced funding costs, resilient asset yields and continued operational efficiency gains. The expansion in our net interest margin during the fourth quarter further strengthens our earnings profile as we look ahead. Our strong core deposit base and diversified loan portfolio position us well to capitalize on opportunities across our Montana markets, and we remain committed to executing our strategy and delivering long term shareholder value."Fourth Quarter 2025 Highlights (at or for the three-month period ended December 31, 2025, except where noted):Net income was $4.7 million, or $0.60 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2025, compared to $3.6 million, or $0.46 per diluted share in the preceding quarter, and $3.4 million, or $0.44 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter a year ago.Net interest margin ("NIM") was 4.08% in the fourth quarter of 2025, a 14-basis point increase compared to 3.94% in the preceding quarter and a 49-basis point increase compared to the fourth quarter a year ago.Net interest income, before the provision for credit losses, increased 2.5% to $19.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2025, compared to $18.7 million in the third quarter of 2025, and increased 14.1% compared to $16.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2024.Revenues (net interest income before the provision for credit losses, plus noninterest income) increased 3.8% to $24.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2025, compared to $23.4 million in the preceding quarter and increased 13.7% compared to $21.4 million in the fourth quarter a year ago.Total loans were $1.52 billion, at December 31, 2025, unchanged compared to a year earlier, and a decrease compared to $1.56 billion at September 30, 2025.The allowance for credit losses represented 1.14% of portfolio loans and 308.4% of nonperforming loans at December 31, 2025, compared to 1.11% of total portfolio loans and 437.7% of nonperforming loans at December 31, 2024, and compared to 1.14% of total portfolio loans and 430.4% of nonperforming loans at September 30, 2025.Total deposits increased $100.4 million or 6.0% to $1.78 billion at December 31, 2025, compared to a year earlier, and increased $29.4 million or 1.7%, compared to September 30, 2025.The Company's available borrowing capacity was approximately $601.0 million at December 31, 2025, compared to $404.0 million at December 31, 2024, and $508.4 million at September 30, 2025. On October 1, 2025, the Company redeemed all its outstanding 5.50% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes due July 1, 2030, having an aggregate principal amount of $15.0 million. The Company utilized its existing line of credit with a correspondent bank to finance the redemption payment.The Company paid a quarterly cash dividend in the third quarter of $0.145 per share on December 5, 2025, to shareholders of record November 14, 2025. Balance Sheet Results Total assets were $2.11 billion at December 31, 2025, compared to $2.10 billion a year ago, and $2.12 billion three months earlier. The investment securities portfolio totaled $281.7 million at December 31, 2025, compared to $292.6 million a year ago, and $279.9 million at September 30, 2025.Eagle originated $66.8 million in new residential mortgages during the quarter and sold $64.3 million in residential mortgages, with an average gross margin on sale of mortgage loans of approximately 3.21%. This production compares to residential mortgage originations of $76.4 million in the preceding quarter with sales of $68.3 million and an average gross margin on sale of mortgage loans of approximately 3.27%.Total loans decreased $1.6 million compared to a year ago, and decreased $38.8 million, or 2.5%, from three months earlier. Commercial real estate loans decreased 1.5% to $636.0 million at December 31, 2025, compared to $646.0 million a year earlier. Commercial real estate loans were comprised of 70.7% non-owner occupied and 29.3% owner occupied at December 31, 2025. Agricultural and farmland loans increased 5.7% to $297.0 million at December 31, 2025, compared to $281.0 million a year earlier. Residential mortgage loans decreased 3.4% to $148.5 million, compared to $153.7 million a year earlier. Commercial loans increased 3.7% to $149.4 million, compared to $144.0 million a year ago. Commercial construction and development loans decreased 3.2% to $120.3 million, compared to $124.2 million a year ago. Home equity loans increased 10.8% to $108.1 million, residential construction loans decreased 22.8% to $35.3 million, and consumer loans decreased 14.3% to $24.4 million, compared to a year ago."Like other community banks, we saw customers move toward higher yielding deposit products when rates were elevated. Now, with the 2024 and 2025 rate cuts taking effect, deposit costs are starting to ease, a trend we anticipate will gain momentum as maturing CDs roll over at reduced rates," said Miranda Spaulding, Chief Financial Officer.Total deposits increased to $1.78 billion at December 31, 2025, compared to $1.68 billion at December 31, 2024, and $1.75 billion at September 30, 2025. Noninterest-bearing checking accounts represented 25.4%, interest-bearing checking accounts represented 12.3%, savings accounts represented 11.7%, money market accounts comprised 24.7% and time certificates of deposit made up 25.9% of the total deposit portfolio at December 31, 2025. The average cost of total deposits was 1.71% in the fourth quarter of 2025, compared to 1.63% in the preceding quarter and 1.71% in the fourth quarter of 2024. The estimated amount of uninsured deposits was approximately $354.6 million, or 20% of total deposits, at December 31, 2025, compared to $339.7 million, or 19% of total deposits, at September 30, 2025.FHLB advances and other borrowings decreased to $37.9 million at December 31, 2025, compared to $140.9 million at December 31, 2024, and $79.2 million at September 30, 2025. The average cost of FHLB advances and other borrowings was 5.07% in the fourth quarter of 2025, compared to 4.57% in the preceding quarter and 5.02% in the fourth quarter of 2024. Other borrowings for fourth quarter of 2025 include the line of credit draw for $15.0 million at an average rate of 6.61%.Shareholders' equity was $191.8 million at December 31, 2025, compared to $174.8 million a year earlier and $186.5 million three months earlier. Book value per share increased to $24.10 at December 31, 2025, compared to $21.77 a year earlier and $23.45 three months earlier. Tangible book value per share, a non-GAAP financial measure calculated by dividing shareholders' equity, less goodwill and core deposit intangible, by common shares outstanding, increased to $19.32 at December 31, 2025, compared to $16.88 a year earlier and $18.63 three months earlier.Operating Results"Our net interest margin expanded 14-basis points during the quarter from the prior quarter and expanded 49-basis points compared to the year ago quarter, reflecting declining funding costs combined with stable yields on our earning assets. While the current Fed rate environment is constantly evolving and subject to a changing political dynamic, we anticipate further improvement in our cost of funds if rates continue to decline," said Spaulding.Eagle's NIM was 4.08% in the fourth quarter of 2025, compared to 3.94% in the preceding quarter and 3.59% in the fourth quarter a year ago. The interest accretion on acquired loans totaled $138,000 and resulted in a three basis-point increase in the NIM during the fourth quarter of 2025, compared to $234,000 and a five-basis point increase in the NIM during the preceding quarter. Average yields on interest earning assets for the fourth quarter of 2025 were 5.83%, compared to 5.87% in the third quarter of 2025 and 5.70% in the fourth quarter a year ago. Funding costs for the fourth quarter of 2025 decreased to 2.28%, compared to 2.45% in the third quarter of 2025 and 2.69% in the fourth quarter of 2024. For the year, NIM expanded 50 basis points to 3.92% compared to 3.42% for 2024.Net interest income, before the provision for credit losses, increased 2.5% to $19.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2025, compared to $18.7 million in the third quarter of 2025, and increased 14.1% compared to $16.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2024. For 2025, net interest income increased 14.9% to $72.9 million, compared to $63.4 million one year earlier.Revenues for the fourth quarter of 2025 increased 3.8% to $24.3 million, compared to $23.4 million in the preceding quarter and increased 13.7% compared to $21.4 million in the fourth quarter a year ago. For 2025, revenues were $91.6 million, a 12.8% increase compared to $81.2 million in 2024.Total noninterest income increased 8.8% to $5.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2025, compared to $4.7 million in the preceding quarter, and increased 12.2% compared to $4.6 million in the fourth quarter a year ago. Net mortgage banking income, the largest component of noninterest income, totaled $2.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2025, compared to $2.9 million in the preceding quarter and $2.8 million in the fourth quarter a year ago. For the year, noninterest income increased 5.0% to $18.7 million, compared to $17.8 million in 2024. Net mortgage banking income increased 5.3% to $10.5 million in 2025, compared to $10.0 million in 2024."We remain committed to balancing cost discipline with strategic investments that drive long term value," said Darryl Rensmon, Chief Operating Officer. Eagle's fourth quarter noninterest expense was $18.2 million, a decrease of 1.1% compared to $18.4 million in the preceding quarter and a 2.7% increase compared to $17.7 million in the fourth quarter a year ago. For the year, noninterest expense increased 3.2% to $71.5 million, compared to $69.3 million in 2024.For the fourth quarter of 2025, the Company recorded income tax expense of $1.4 million, compared to $1.3 million in the preceding quarter and $269,000 in the fourth quarter of 2024. The effective tax rate for the fourth quarter of 2025 was 22.2%, compared to 26.8% for the third quarter of 2025 and 7.3% for the fourth quarter of 2024. The effective tax rate was 21.5% for 2025 compared to 14.2% in 2024. The increase in the effective tax rate for 2025 is primarily due to the Company's pretax earnings increasing at a faster pace than tax-exempt income.Credit Quality Eagle recorded a $39,000 provision for credit losses for the fourth quarter of 2025, compared to a $62,000 provision for credit losses in the preceding quarter and a $36,000 recapture to the provision for credit losses in the fourth quarter a year ago. The allowance for credit losses represented 308.4% of nonperforming loans at December 31, 2025, compared to 430.4% three months earlier and 437.7% a year earlier. Nonperforming loans were $5.6 million at December 31, 2025, $4.1 million at September 30, 2025, and $3.9 million a year earlier. Net loan charge-offs totaled $99,000 in the fourth quarter of 2025, compared to $72,000 in the preceding quarter and $44,000 in the fourth quarter a year ago. The allowance for credit losses was $17.4 million, or 1.14% of total loans, at December 31, 2025, compared to $17.7 million, or 1.14% of total loans, at September 30, 2025, and $16.9 million, or 1.11% of total loans, a year ago.Capital ManagementThe Bank's Tier 1 capital to adjusted total average assets was 10.62% as of December 31, 2025. The ratio of tangible common shareholders' equity (shareholders' equity, less goodwill and core deposit intangible) to tangible assets (total assets, less goodwill and core deposit intangible) was 7.43% at December 31, 2025, up from 6.57% a year ago and 7.12% three months earlier. This ratio is a non-GAAP financial measure. For the most comparable GAAP financial measure, see "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" below. As of December 31, 2025, the Bank's regulatory capital was in excess of all applicable regulatory requirements and is deemed well capitalized.About the CompanyEagle Bancorp Montana, Inc. is a bank holding company headquartered in Helena, Montana, and is the holding company of Opportunity Bank of Montana, a community bank established in 1922 that serves consumers and small businesses in Montana through 30 banking offices. Additional information is available on the Bank's website at www.opportunitybank.com. The shares of Eagle Bancorp Montana, Inc. are traded on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol "EBMT."Forward Looking StatementsThis release may contain certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and may be identified by the use of such words as "believe," "will" "expect," "anticipate," "should," "planned," "estimated," and "potential." These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to statements of our goals, intentions, expectations and anticipations; statements regarding our business plans, prospects, mergers, expense management initiatives, growth and operating strategies; statements regarding the asset quality of our loan and investment portfolios; and estimates of our risks and future costs and benefits. These forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs and expectations of our management and are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control. In addition, these forward-looking statements are subject to assumptions with respect to future business strategies and decisions that are subject to change. These factors include, but are not limited to, changes in laws or government regulations or policies affecting financial institutions, including changes in regulatory fees and capital requirements; general economic conditions and political events, either nationally or in our market areas, that are worse than expected; the emergence or continuation of widespread health emergencies or pandemics, including steps taken by governmental and other authorities to contain, mitigate and combat such emergencies or pandemics; the impact of volatility in the U.S. banking industry, including the associated impact of any regulatory changes or other mitigation efforts taken by governmental agencies in response thereto; the direct or indirect impact of any new regulatory, policy or enforcement developments resulting from the policies or actions of the current U.S. presidential administration, including the implantation of tariffs and other protectionist trade policies, including any reciprocal tariffs by foreign countries, and any uncertainties related thereto; the possibility that future credit losses may be higher than currently expected due to changes in economic assumptions, customer behavior, adverse developments with respect to U.S. economic conditions and other uncertainties, including the impact of supply chain disruptions, inflationary pressures and labor shortages on economic conditions and our business; an inability to access capital markets or maintain deposits or borrowing costs; limitations on Eagle's ability to receive dividends from its subsidiaries; competition among banks, financial holding companies and other traditional and non-traditional financial service providers; loan demand or residential and commercial real estate values in Montana; the concentration of our business in Montana; our ability to continue to increase and manage our commercial real estate, commercial business and agricultural loans; the costs and effects of legal, compliance and regulatory actions, changes and developments, including the initiation and resolution of legal proceedings (including any securities, bank operations, consumer or employee litigation); inflation and changes in the interest rate environment that reduce our margins or reduce the fair value of financial instruments; possible changes in governmental monetary and fiscal policies, or any leadership changes of those determining such policies; adverse changes in the securities markets that lead to impairment in the value of our investment securities and goodwill; other economic, governmental, competitive, regulatory and technological factors that may affect our operations; our ability to implement new technologies and maintain secure and reliable technology systems including those that involve the Bank's third-party vendors and service providers; cyber incidents, or theft or loss of Company or customer data or money; the effects of any U.S. federal government shutdown, or closures or significant staff reductions in agencies regulating our business; our ability to navigate differing social, environmental, and sustainability concerns among governmental administrations, our stakeholders and other activists that may arise from our business activities; the effect of our recent or future acquisitions, including the failure to achieve expected revenue growth and/or expense savings, the failure to effectively integrate their operations, the outcome of any legal proceedings and the diversion of management time on issues related to the integration. Because of these and other uncertainties, our actual future results may be materially different from the results indicated by these forward-looking statements. All information set forth in this press release is current as of the date of this release and the company undertakes no duty or obligation to update this information.Use of Non-GAAP Financial MeasuresIn addition to results presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles utilized in the United States, or GAAP, this release, including the Financial Ratios and Other Data contains non-GAAP financial measures. Non-GAAP financial measures in this release include: 1) core efficiency ratio, 2) tangible book value per share and 3) tangible common equity to tangible assets. The Company uses these non-GAAP financial measures to provide meaningful supplemental information regarding the Company's operational performance, performance trends and financial condition, and to enhance investors' overall understanding of such financial performance. In particular, the use of tangible book value per share and tangible common equity to tangible assets is prevalent among banking regulators, investors and analysts.The numerator for the core efficiency ratio is calculated by subtracting acquisition costs and intangible asset amortization from noninterest expense. Tangible assets and tangible common shareholders' equity are calculated by excluding intangible assets from assets and shareholders' equity, respectively. For these financial measures, our intangible assets consist of goodwill and core deposit intangible. Tangible book value per share is calculated by dividing tangible common shareholders' equity by the number of common shares outstanding. We believe that this measure is consistent with the capital treatment by our bank regulatory agencies, which exclude intangible assets from the calculation of risk-based capital ratios and present this measure to facilitate the comparison of the quality and composition of our capital over time and in comparison, to our competitors.Non-GAAP financial measures have inherent limitations, are not required to be uniformly applied, and are not audited. Because non-GAAP financial measures are not standardized, it may not be possible to compare these financial measures with other companies' non-GAAP financial measures having the same or similar names. Further, the non-GAAP financial measure of tangible book value per share should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for book value per share or total shareholders' equity determined in accordance with GAAP, and may not be comparable to a similarly titled measure reported by other companies. Eagle strongly encourages investors to review its consolidated financial statements in their entirety and not to rely on any single financial measure. Reconciliation of the GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures are presented below. Balance Sheet (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) (Unaudited) December 31,September 30,December 31, 202520252024 Assets: Cash and due from banks $24,110 $25,061 $29,824 Interest bearing deposits in banks 38,852 4,454 1,735 Total cash and cash equivalents 62,962 29,515 31,559 Securities available-for-sale, at fair value 281,692 279,920 292,590 Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") stock 2,650 5,200 7,778 Federal Reserve Bank ("FRB") stock 4,131 4,131 4,131 Mortgage loans held-for-sale, at fair value 7,452 10,364 13,368 Loans: Real estate loans: Residential 1-4 family 148,515 149,119 153,721 Residential 1-4 family construction 35,278 35,423 45,701 Commercial real estate 635,970 670,403 645,962 Commercial construction and development 120,289 113,455 124,211 Farmland 162,580 159,279 146,610 Other loans: Home equity 108,073 106,648 97,543 Consumer 24,424 25,558 28,513 Commercial 149,431 143,029 144,039 Agricultural 134,459 154,857 134,346 Total loans 1,519,019 1,557,771 1,520,646 Allowance for credit losses (17,370) (17,740) (16,850) Net loans 1,501,649 1,540,031 1,503,796 Accrued interest and dividends receivable 14,448 16,903 12,890 Mortgage servicing rights, net 15,043 15,131 15,376 Assets held-for-sale, at cost - - 960 Premises and equipment, net 101,438 102,032 101,540 Cash surrender value of life insurance, net 54,708 54,333 53,232 Goodwill 34,740 34,740 34,740 Core deposit intangible, net 3,314 3,599 4,499 Other assets 22,140 23,907 26,631 Total assets $2,106,367 $2,119,806 $2,103,090 Liabilities: Deposit accounts: Noninterest bearing $452,183 $429,064 $419,211 Interest bearing 1,329,416 1,323,115 1,262,017 Total deposits 1,781,599 1,752,179 1,681,228 Accrued expenses and other liabilities 50,482 42,713 47,018 Federal Funds Purchased 105 - - FHLB advances and other borrowings 37,917 79,167 140,930 Other long-term debt, net 44,450 59,261 59,149 Total liabilities 1,914,553 1,933,320 1,928,325 Shareholders' Equity: Preferred stock (par value $0.01 per share; 1,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding) - - - Common stock (par value $0.01; 20,000,000 shares authorized; 8,507,429 shares issued; 7,957,769, 7,952,177 and 8,027,177 shares outstanding at December 31, 2025, September 30, 2025, and December 31, 2024, respectively 85 85 85 Additional paid-in capital 108,086 108,730 108,334 Unallocated common stock held by Employee Stock Ownership Plan (3,437) (3,581) (4,010) Treasury stock, at cost (549,660, 555,252, and 480,252 shares at December 31, 2025, September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively) (11,567) (11,925) (10,762) Retained earnings 111,521 107,947 101,264 Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax (12,874) (14,770) (20,146) Total shareholders' equity 191,814 186,486 174,765Full story available on Benzinga.com
