# Equity Bancshares Reports Q3 Earnings Growth and Boosts Dividend 22%

- URL: https://stocks.freetheai.org/news/equity-bancshares-reports-q3-earnings-growth-and-boosts-dividend-22-327be1
- Published: 2026-10-14T20:15:00Z
- Category: earnings; sentiment: bullish; impact: medium
- Symbols: [NYSE:EQBK](https://stocks.freetheai.org/symbols/NYSE-EQBK)
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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.

## Key points

- Net income rose to $26.8 million or $1.29 per diluted share in the third quarter of 2026, up from $26.4 million in the prior quarter.
- Quarterly loan production reached $379.3 million, driving total loans held for investment to $5.4 billion.
- The company increased its quarterly dividend by 22% to $0.22 per share and has repurchased 711,369 shares year to date.
- Net interest margin settled at 4.20% as rising deposit costs offset gains in interest income.
- Management expects fourth-quarter net interest margin to improve to a range of 4.25% to 4.35%.

## Questions and answers

### What were Equity Bancshares' third quarter 2026 earnings?

Equity Bancshares reported third-quarter net income of $26.8 million, or $1.29 per diluted share, with core earnings reaching $1.40 per share.

### Did Equity Bancshares raise its dividend in Q3 2026?

Yes, Equity Bancshares increased its quarterly dividend by 22% to $0.22 per common share.

### What is Equity Bancshares' loan growth outlook?

Equity Bancshares saw total loans reach $5.4 billion following $379.3 million in new loan production during the third quarter.