Equity Bancshares Reports Q3 Earnings Growth and Boosts Dividend 22%

Equity Bancshares, Inc. (NYSE:EQBK) reported net income of $26.8 million, or $1.29 per diluted share, for the third quarter ended September 30, 2026, compared to $26.4 million in the previous quarter. Core earnings per share reached $1.40. Total loans expanded to $5.4 billion, driven by $379.3 million in new quarterly loan production. Alongside operating results, the company raised its quarterly dividend by 22% to $0.22 per share and noted ongoing share repurchases under its authorized buyback program.

Despite solid underlying loan expansion and a 16.6% year-over-year rise in net interest income to $72.8 million, net interest income dipped $1.0 million from the prior quarter. Higher deposit costs and elevated interest expenses compressed the bank's net interest margin to 4.20%. Total deposits declined by $136.4 million to $6.2 billion due to rate-sensitive customer movements and seasonal outflows. Asset quality remained stable, with nonperforming assets at 0.99% of total assets and an allowance for credit losses covering 1.18% of loans.

Looking ahead, management expects net interest margin to recover to between 4.25% and 4.35% in the fourth quarter. Investors will also monitor the regulatory approval process for the bank's pending merger with Lincoln Bancorp, alongside expected fourth-quarter non-interest income between $10.0 million and $11.0 million and non-interest expenses between $47.0 million and $48.0 million.