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Cathay General Bancorp: Q2 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q2 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 22 July 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 1 raised, 1 new. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Net income rose on higher margin: Net income was $92.2 million, up $5.3 million or 6.1% from the first quarter. Source
  • Lower deposit costs widened margin: Cost of funds fell mainly on lower deposit rates, as maturing time deposits repriced lower. Source
  • Commercial loans led growth: Commercial loans rose $242.4 million, or 7.4%, during the quarter. Source
  • Non-accrual loans rose 25.5%: Non-accrual loans reached $111.7 million, up $22.7 million from March 31. Source
  • Buyback authorization raised to $200M: The board raised the existing repurchase authorization from $150 million to $200 million. Regulatory approval is pending. Source

“Improved profitability reflects the strength of our relationships and the resilience of our business model.”

Chang M. Liu, President and Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Share repurchases Sourcenot stated$200 millionRaised from $150 million
Trust preferred securities redemption Sourcenot stated$54.1 millionNew

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: Share repurchase authorization raised from $150 million to $200 million. Source
  • New: Board approved redemption of $54.1 million of trust preferred securities. Source

Results and earnings growth

  • Net income rose on higher margin: Net income was $92.2 million, up $5.3 million or 6.1% from the first quarter. Source
  • Diluted EPS rose to $1.37: Diluted EPS was $1.37, against $1.29 in the first quarter. Source
  • Six-month profit up 21.8%: Net income for the first half was $179.1 million, up 21.8% from the same period last year. Source
  • Return on equity reached 12.21%: Return on average equity was 12.21% and return on average assets was 1.52% for the quarter. Source

Net interest margin and funding

  • Lower deposit costs widened margin: Cost of funds fell mainly on lower deposit rates, as maturing time deposits repriced lower. Source
  • Loan rates pulled asset yield lower: Yield on interest-earning assets fell mainly because loan rates were lower. Source
  • Spread widened to 2.77%: Net interest spread was 2.77% for the quarter, against 2.71% in the first quarter. Source

“We believe these fundamentals, along with thoughtful capital management, will continue to support long-term value creation for our shareholders.”

Chang M. Liu, President and Chief Executive Officer

Loan growth mix

  • Commercial loans led growth: Commercial loans rose $242.4 million, or 7.4%, during the quarter. Source
  • Commercial real estate grew 1.8%: Commercial real estate loans rose $190.6 million, or 1.8%. Source
  • Construction loans declined: Residential loans rose $53.6 million, or 0.9%, while construction loans fell $40.7 million, or 14.1%. Source

Credit quality and provisions

  • Non-accrual loans rose 25.5%: Non-accrual loans reached $111.7 million, up $22.7 million from March 31. Source
  • Allowance rose to $218.9 million: Allowance for loan losses increased $10.1 million to $218.9 million, or 1.06% of gross loans. Source
  • Coverage of nonperforming loans declined: Allowance covered 195.97% of nonperforming loans, down from 220.95% in the first quarter. Source
  • Nonperforming assets to total assets: Nonperforming assets were 0.59% of total assets, up from 0.53% in the first quarter. Source

Non-interest income and expense

  • Securities repositioning losses narrowed: Non-interest income rose $0.7 million to $21.4 million, mainly from smaller securities repositioning losses. Source
  • Housing partnership amortization lifted costs: Non-interest expense rose $5.6 million to $92.3 million, mainly from higher amortization of housing and energy partnerships. Source
  • Salaries and director fees increased: Salaries and benefits rose $1.2 million and director fees rose $0.9 million from the first quarter. Source

Capital and share repurchases

  • Buyback authorization raised to $200M: The board raised the existing repurchase authorization from $150 million to $200 million. Regulatory approval is pending. Source
  • Trust preferred redemption approved: Board approved redeeming $54.1 million, about 45% of $119.1 million outstanding trust preferred securities. Source
  • Tier 1 capital ratios increased: At June 30, Tier 1 risk-based ratio was 13.70%, total risk-based 15.47%, and Tier 1 leverage 11.28%. Source

Coming up, as management said on 22 July 2026

  • Buyback start awaits approval: Company will announce the expanded buyback program's start if and when regulatory approval is received. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Net interest margin Source3.48%
Net interest income Source$200.9 million
Loans Source$20.62 billion
Deposits Source$21.06 billion
Deposit cost Source2.86%
Provision for credit losses Source$11.2 million
Nonperforming assets Source$145.4 million
Efficiency ratio Source41.53%

Risks management discussed

  • Financial: Non-performing assets rose $17.5 million to $145.4 million, mainly from higher non-accrual loans. Source
  • Financial: Non-interest income includes equity securities gains, which fell $5.7 million in the quarter. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Met: Management said the $150.0 million program announced in June 2025 was completed in the first quarter.
  • Missed: Management said loan growth did not meet its earlier expectations, as stated in the first quarter release.

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.