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Stephen Scouton

Managing Director and Senior Research Analyst at Piper Sandler

Stephen Scouten is a Managing Director and Senior Research Analyst at Piper Sandler, specializing in regional and mid-cap commercial banks primarily in the Southeastern U.S. He covers companies such as South Plains Financial (SPFI), First Citizens BancShares (FCNCA), Atlantic Union Bankshares (AUB), United Bankshares (UBSI), BankUnited (BKU), Southern First Bancshares (SFST), and First Bancorp (FBNC), with a strong performance track record including a 70% success rate, average return of 11.8-13.84%, and a 4.65-star ranking among top analysts. Scouten joined Piper Sandler following the merger with Sandler O’Neill + Partners in 2014, where he served as Managing Director after three years as an equity analyst at Keefe, Bruyette & Woods focusing on Southeast banks. He holds the CFA designation and relevant professional credentials as a seasoned equity research analyst.

Stephen Scouton's questions to Bank OZK (OZK) leadership

Question · Q4 2025

Stephen Scouton asked about the loan sale in the quarter, the outlook on credit charge-offs, potential for further loan sales, and the confidence in improving loss trends by 2027. He also inquired about fee income growth potential, particularly from CIB, and long-term tailwinds for non-interest income.

Answer

Brannon Hamblen, President, clarified that the loan sale was at par and not a change in strategy, but a one-off due to specific sponsor issues. George Gleason, Chairman and CEO, expressed optimism for 2027, expecting 2026 to be similar to 2024/2025 in working through the CRE cycle, citing green shoots in leasing and refinances. Regarding fee income, George Gleason stated a long-term goal for it to be a larger part of revenue. Jake Munn, President of Corporate and Institutional Banking, detailed CIB's growing loan syndication and corporate services, including capital markets and hedging. George Gleason also mentioned growth in mortgage, trust and wealth management, private banking, and enhanced treasury management services, anticipating real impact in 2027 and beyond.

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Question · Q4 2025

Stephen Scouton with Piper Sandler inquired about Bank OZK's loan sale strategy, the outlook for credit charge-offs, and the factors driving confidence in improved loss trends beyond 2026. He also asked about the potential for fee income growth, particularly from CIB investments, and its long-term trajectory.

Answer

Brannon Hamblen, President, clarified that the loan sale was at par and not a strategy change, but rather a one-off due to specific sponsor issues. George Gleason, Chairman and CEO, explained that 2026 is expected to be similar to 2024/2025, with 2027 showing an upturn due to improving CRE cycle conditions, increased liquidity, and Fed rate reductions. Jake Munn, President of Corporate and Institutional Banking, detailed CIB's shared services like loan syndication and interest rate hedging as drivers for fee income. George Gleason added that mortgage business, trust and wealth management, private banking, and enhanced treasury management services are also expected to contribute to fee income growth, with significant impact anticipated from 2027 onwards.

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