greeksoup/ stock research

Fulton Financial Corp.: Q4 FY2025 earnings call

What management said about Q4 FY2025, from the documents filed with the SEC on 21 January 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 1 raised. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Fourth-quarter net income slightly lower: Net income available to common shareholders was $96.4 million, or $0.53 per diluted share, down $1.5 million from the third quarter, while diluted EPS was $0.53 in both quarters. Source
  • Lower funding costs lifted net interest income: Net interest income rose $1.8 million, as deposit interest expense fell $5.9 million and borrowing interest expense fell $3.6 million, partly offset by lower loan and investment interest income. Source
  • Expenses rose on incentive pay: Non-interest expense rose $16.4 million to $213.0 million, mainly from higher salaries and benefits, including $7.5 million more incentive compensation and $1.0 million more healthcare. Source
  • Deposit growth led by brokered: Deposits rose $256.9 million, led by brokered deposits up $145.4 million and noninterest-bearing demand up $119.9 million; interest-bearing demand and time deposits declined. Source
  • Provision fell on a recovery: The provision fell from $10.2 million in the third quarter, and included a $5.0 million loan recovery adjustment on a loan acquired in the Acquisition. Source
  • Buybacks in fourth quarter: The company repurchased 1,082,678 shares for $19.9 million, averaging $18.34 per share; $59.0 million had been repurchased under the 2025 program at year-end. Source

“The strength of our strategy and the dedication of our team combined to generate a 17% increase in our operating diluted earnings per share,”

Curtis J. Myers, Fulton Chairman, CEO and President

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Share repurchases SourceJanuary 1, 2026 to January 31, 2027up to $150 millionRaised from $125 million

What changed from last quarter

  • New: The Board approved a 2026 share repurchase program on December 16, 2025, following the 2025 program that expired at year-end. Source

Quarterly and full-year earnings

  • Fourth-quarter net income slightly lower: Net income available to common shareholders was $96.4 million, or $0.53 per diluted share, down $1.5 million from the third quarter, while diluted EPS was $0.53 in both quarters. Source
  • Full-year 2025 earnings rose: For 2025, net income available to common shareholders was $381.4 million, or $2.08 per diluted share, up $0.51 per diluted share from 2024. Source
  • Operating net income edged lower: Operating net income available to common shareholders was $99.4 million in the fourth quarter, a $1.9 million decrease from the third quarter, reported as a non-GAAP measure. Source
  • Stated focus on trusted advisors: In the third-quarter release, management described its focus as serving customers as trusted advisors and deepening customer relationships.

Net interest income and margin

  • Lower funding costs lifted net interest income: Net interest income rose $1.8 million, as deposit interest expense fell $5.9 million and borrowing interest expense fell $3.6 million, partly offset by lower loan and investment interest income. Source
  • Loan mark accretion declined: Purchase loan mark accretion from the Acquisition was $10.5 million in the fourth quarter, down from $12.7 million in the third quarter. Source
  • Cost of funds fell 13 basis points: Total cost of funds decreased 13 basis points from the prior quarter, which the company cited alongside its margin result. Source

“In 2025, we delivered value to customers, expanded our team and customer base, and generated solid financial performance.”

Curtis J. Myers, Fulton Chairman, CEO and President

Fee income and operating costs

  • Expenses rose on incentive pay: Non-interest expense rose $16.4 million to $213.0 million, mainly from higher salaries and benefits, including $7.5 million more incentive compensation and $1.0 million more healthcare. Source
  • Occupancy and data processing costs rose: Operating non-interest expense rose $12.7 million to $204.1 million; net occupancy rose $1.6 million, largely on snow removal and maintenance, and data processing and software rose $1.2 million. Source
  • Non-interest income dipped slightly: Non-interest income was $70.0 million, down $0.4 million: equity-method income fell $1.7 million and a prior-quarter $1.1 million commercial loan sale gain did not recur, while wealth revenue rose $1.2 million. Source

Loans and deposits

  • Loan growth came from consumer: Growth in net loans came from consumer loans, up $73.4 million, and commercial loans, up $30.0 million, while commercial construction loans fell $158.4 million. Source
  • Deposit growth led by brokered: Deposits rose $256.9 million, led by brokered deposits up $145.4 million and noninterest-bearing demand up $119.9 million; interest-bearing demand and time deposits declined. Source
  • FHLB advances reduced: Federal Home Loan Bank advances were $250.0 million at December 31, down from $450.0 million at September 30. Source

Credit quality and provision

  • Provision fell on a recovery: The provision fell from $10.2 million in the third quarter, and included a $5.0 million loan recovery adjustment on a loan acquired in the Acquisition. Source
  • Allowance coverage eased: The allowance on net loans was $364.5 million, or 1.51% of total net loans, down from 1.57% at September 30. Source
  • Net charge-offs rose: Net charge-offs were $14.3 million, up from $10.9 million in the third quarter, driven by commercial real estate charge-offs of $14.1 million. Source
  • Non-performing assets declined: Non-performing assets declined from $201.0 million at September 30, as commercial real estate non-performing loans fell $12.8 million. Source

Capital, cash and shareholder returns

  • Buybacks in fourth quarter: The company repurchased 1,082,678 shares for $19.9 million, averaging $18.34 per share; $59.0 million had been repurchased under the 2025 program at year-end. Source
  • Tangible equity ratio improved: Tangible common equity to tangible assets was 8.52%, up from 8.29%; tangible book value per share was $14.92, up from $14.39. Source
  • Regulatory ratios still preliminary: Regulatory capital ratios at December 31 are preliminary estimates, while prior periods are actual, according to the company. Source
  • Quarterly cash dividend rose: Cash dividends were $0.19 per share in the fourth quarter, up from $0.18 in each of the three prior quarters of 2025. Source

Coming up, as management said on 21 January 2026

  • Repurchase channels under the 2026 program: Purchases under the 2026 program may be made from time to time in open market, privately negotiated or accelerated repurchase transactions, subject to market conditions. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Net interest margin Source3.59%
Net interest income Source$266.0 million
Loans and loan growth Source$24.1 billion net loans, up $103.4 million from September 30, 2025
Deposits Source$26.6 billion
Deposit costs Source1.86%
Provision for credit losses Source$2.9 million
Net charge-offs Source0.24% annualized
Nonperforming assets Source$185.2 million, 0.58% of total assets
CET1 ratio Source11.8%
Efficiency ratio Source60.0%

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.