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    Matt Breese

    Managing Director and Senior Research Analyst at Stephens Inc.

    Matt Breese is a Managing Director and Senior Research Analyst at Stephens Inc., specializing in coverage of Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regional banks. He covers over 60 companies within the financial sector, including notable names such as Signature Bank, Valley National Bancorp, and NBT Bancorp, and maintains a strong performance record with an average return of 7.4% per rating and a 59% success rate according to TipRanks, with past rankings as the No. 1 and No. 3 stock picker in the thrift and mortgage finance segment by StarMine. Breese began his analyst career at Sterne Agee in 2008, held senior roles at Piper Jaffray from 2015 to 2019, and joined Stephens in August 2019. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting and Finance from the University of Rhode Island and is registered with FINRA as required for senior analyst roles.

    Matt Breese's questions to Northwest Bancshares (NWBI) leadership

    Matt Breese's questions to Northwest Bancshares (NWBI) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Matt Breese from Stephens Inc. asked about the potential for non-accrual loan creation following the increase in classifieds, deposit growth prospects, and the recent uptick in home equity and consumer loan balances. He also questioned the current roll-on versus roll-off yields.

    Answer

    CFO Douglas Schosser stated the bank is adequately reserved and expects to reduce non-performing assets by year-end without material losses. He also noted deposit competition has eased. President and CEO Louis Torchio characterized the consumer loan growth as opportunistic rather than a strategic shift, leveraging the bank's flexibility. Schosser added that new commercial loan yields are near 7%, while consumer loan roll-on/roll-off rates are relatively stable.

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    Matt Breese's questions to CAMDEN NATIONAL (CAC) leadership

    Matt Breese's questions to CAMDEN NATIONAL (CAC) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Matt Breese from Stephens Inc. sought more detail on the syndicated C&I credit, including the total loan size and Camden's exposure. He also questioned the guidance for fee income and expenses, the timing of Northway cost synergy realization, and whether the company would consider a stock buyback given the share price reaction.

    Answer

    President & CEO Simon Griffiths stated Camden's exposure to the syndicated loan is $12 million out of a total facility of around $200 million involving five or six other banks. EVP & CFO Michael Archer explained the slightly lower Q3 fee income guidance ($12M-$13M) is due to potential volatility in mortgage pipeline valuation and BOLI, and he confirmed the Q3 expense target is near $34 million as Northway synergies are realized. Regarding the stock, Griffiths acknowledged the buyback program is an available option while emphasizing a positive outlook for the second half of the year.

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    Matt Breese's questions to CAMDEN NATIONAL (CAC) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Matt Breese of Stephens Inc. sought more details on the syndicated C&I credit, including the total loan size and Camden's exposure. He also questioned the guidance for a slight pullback in fee income, the expense run-rate after realizing Northway synergies, and the company's interest in share buybacks given the stock's reaction.

    Answer

    President & CEO Simon Griffiths stated Camden's exposure is $12 million out of a total facility of around $200 million involving five or six other banks, and he reiterated that broader credit trends are healthy. CFO Michael Archer explained the conservative Q3 fee income guidance of $12-13 million is due to potential volatility in BOLI and fair value adjustments on mortgage pipeline loans. He guided Q3 non-interest expenses to around $34 million as Northway synergies are realized. Griffiths confirmed a buyback program is in place and remains an option, expressing confidence in the company's second-half performance.

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    Matt Breese's questions to WEBSTER FINANCIAL (WBS) leadership

    Matt Breese's questions to WEBSTER FINANCIAL (WBS) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Matt Breese of Stephens Inc. asked about the sustainability of strong C&I loan originations, the dynamics of commercial real estate payoffs, and the potential risk from its New York City rent-regulated loan portfolio.

    Answer

    Chairman & CEO John Ciulla and COO & President Luis Massiani expressed confidence in loan growth, citing broad-based activity and building pipelines. Regarding the rent-regulated portfolio, they emphasized it is seasoned, granular, and well-underwritten, and they do not foresee a material credit impact from potential regulatory changes.

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