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S&T BANCORP INC (STBA)·Q3 2025 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- EPS of $0.91 rose 9.6% YoY and 9.6% QoQ, a beat versus S&P Global consensus of $0.86; “Operating revenue” dynamics were mixed with net interest income up 3.0% QoQ and noninterest income relatively flat, while S&P’s revenue actual of $100.2M missed consensus of $103.0M. EPS beat; revenue miss. Values retrieved from S&P Global* *
- Net interest margin (FTE) expanded 5 bps to 3.93%, and efficiency ratio improved to 54.41% on lower salaries/benefits and professional services, providing a clean quality-of-earnings setup .
- Credit moved off a very low base: NPAs increased to $49.6M (0.62%), net charge-offs rose to 0.12% annualized; management emphasized issues concentrated in “two CRE credits and one C&I credit” with resolution plans underway and no broad sector/geography concern .
- Balance sheet growth was muted: loans +$46.6M (2.33% annualized), deposits +$1.0M (0.05% annualized); DDA averaged +$50M QoQ and represents 28% of total deposits, supporting margin expansion .
- Board approved a dividend increase to $0.36 per share (5.9% YoY), and management reiterated a first-half 2026 path to crossing $10B assets, with mid-single digit loan growth targeted for Q4 2025; $50M buyback authorization in place .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
What Went Well
- Margin and PPNR expansion: NIM (FTE) up 5 bps to 3.93%; PPNR/Average Assets up 16 bps to 1.89%, with CFO citing CD repricing and higher average DDA balances as key drivers .
- Operating discipline: Efficiency ratio improved to 54.41% on lower incentives/medical and reduced consulting spend; management guided expenses to ~$57–$58M for coming quarters .
- Capital strength and shareholder returns: TCE/TA rose to 11.65%; buyback authorization of $50M and dividend increased to $0.36 per share. “This capital level gives us a lot of flexibility around acquisitions as well as share buyback opportunities,” CEO said .
What Went Wrong
- Credit normalization: NPAs increased to 0.62% of loans plus OREO, and net charge-offs rose to 0.12%; management attributed rise to two CRE credits and one C&I credit—idiosyncratic, with specific reserves established .
- Loan growth below recent trend: QoQ loan growth of $46.6M (2.33% annualized) was “a little lighter” due to higher payoffs and C&I exits; Q4 guide moderated to mid-single-digit growth .
- S&P revenue miss: While net interest income climbed, S&P revenue actual missed consensus; competitive CD pricing pressure noted post Fed cut, a potential near-term headwind for deposit costs and margin trajectory . Values retrieved from S&P Global*
Financial Results
EPS and Revenue vs Prior Periods and Consensus
Values retrieved from S&P Global*
Operating Revenue Components and Margins
Loans and Deposits (Period-End)
Asset Quality KPIs
Segment Loan Breakdown (Period-End)
Guidance Changes
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- CEO: “Our results reflect improving revenue gains supported by net interest margin expansion… We continue to build robust capital levels which provide us financial flexibility for future growth.”
- CEO: “We have a very clear path to $10 billion and above through organic growth in the coming quarters.”
- CFO: “Net interest margin expanded by five basis points… mostly due to CD repricings and the higher average DDA balances of $50 million.”
- President: “The increase [in NPAs] was primarily a result of two CRE credits and one C&I credit that migrated during the quarter… we established additional specific reserve of $2.7 million.”
Q&A Highlights
- Loan growth moderation: Paydowns higher QoQ; Q4 loan growth guided mid-single digit; C&I declines include credits exited; CRE pipelines strongest in five quarters .
- Margin outlook and betas: Margin expected “relatively stable” over next ~3 quarters; CD repricing and funding mix support; competitive pressure heightened post Fed cut; deposit betas managed via exception pricing .
- Asset threshold: Crossing $10B targeted for first half of 2026; monitoring potential regulatory relief; Durbin impact estimated at $6–$7M .
- Capital deployment: $50M buyback authorization; willingness to consider repurchases amid bank stock downdraft .
- M&A appetite and geography: Focus on deposit franchises; Mid-Atlantic through Ohio; priorities include funding mix, C&I/small business capabilities .
Estimates Context
- EPS: Q3 2025 actual $0.91 vs consensus $0.86 → Beat; Q2 2025: $0.83 vs $0.81 → Beat; Q1 2025: $0.87 vs $0.75 → Beat. Values retrieved from S&P Global*
- Revenue: Q3 2025 actual $100.2M vs consensus $103.0M → Miss; Q2 2025: $98.1M vs $99.1M → Miss; Q1 2025: $96.8M vs $96.4M → Slight Beat. Values retrieved from S&P Global*
Values retrieved from S&P Global*
Where estimates may need to adjust:
- Revenue expectations may temper near term given competitive deposit pricing and moderated loan growth, while margin stability and expense discipline support EPS durability .
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Quality-of-earnings: Margin expansion and lower expenses drove an EPS beat despite a revenue miss; efficiency ratio improvement signals operating leverage .
- Credit normalization watch: NPAs and NCOs increased off a low base, tied to specific credits; management has reserves and resolution plans—monitor subsequent quarters for stabilization .
- Near-term growth lane: Q4 loan growth guided mid-single digit with strong CRE pipelines; C&I rebuild depends on recruiting and macro clarity (budget impasses) .
- Deposits/margin: DDA at 28% and CD repricing underpin margin; watch competitive intensity post Fed cuts for deposit cost trajectory .
- Capital flexibility: TCE/TA at 11.65%, CET1 14.75%, $50M buyback authorization, and dividend increase to $0.36 create optionality for returns/M&A .
- Regulatory threshold: Plan to cross $10B in H1’26; Durbin impact ($6–$7M) manageable amid efficiency discipline; could be a stock narrative driver as timeline firms .
- Trading setup: EPS beats with margin stability and dividend/buyback support vs revenue pressure and credit normalization; catalysts include Q4 loan growth delivery, NPAs trajectory, and deposit cost behavior .