greeksoup/ stock research

ServisFirst Bancshares, Inc.: Q4 FY2025 earnings call

What management said about Q4 FY2025, from the documents filed with the SEC on 20 January 2026: press release. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Quarterly diluted EPS rose to $1.58: Diluted EPS was $1.58, compared with $1.20 in the third quarter of 2025 and $1.19 in the fourth quarter of 2024. Source
  • Margin rose as funding costs fell: Federal funds purchased rates fell from the prior quarter. Management linked the margin rise to a reduction in benchmark interest rates. Source
  • Average loans grew 9% annualized: Average loans rose $299.2 million from the third quarter, or 9.0% annualized, and rose 8.7% from the fourth quarter of 2024. Source
  • Nonperforming assets rose on one relationship: Management attributed the year-over-year rise in nonperforming assets to one large, real-estate secured relationship. Source
  • Dividend raised 13% to $0.38: The quarterly cash dividend was raised to $0.38 per share, from $0.335 in the third quarter. Source
  • Footprint now includes Texas: ServisFirst Bank provides services from locations in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia, plus a Florida loan production office. Source

“We were pleased with the loan growth in the fourth quarter that was indicative of our improved outlook combined with the hard work of the best bankers in the Southeast.”

Tom Broughton, Chairman, President, and CEO

What changed from last quarter

  • New: The company entered the Texas market with a commercial banking team led by Chris Dvorachek. The third-quarter release did not list Texas among its locations. Source
  • Ended: The company redeemed its $30 million 4.5% subordinated notes due November 2027 during the quarter. Source

Earnings and returns

  • Quarterly diluted EPS rose to $1.58: Diluted EPS was $1.58, compared with $1.20 in the third quarter of 2025 and $1.19 in the fourth quarter of 2024. Source
  • Full-year EPS grew on both bases: Full-year diluted EPS was $5.06 and adjusted diluted EPS was $5.25. The adjusted figures exclude a legal accrual reversal and securities losses recorded in 2025. Source
  • Net income and return on equity rose: Net income was $86.4 million, compared with $65.2 million a year earlier. Return on average common equity was 18.9%. Source

Margin and funding costs

  • Margin rose as funding costs fell: Federal funds purchased rates fell from the prior quarter. Management linked the margin rise to a reduction in benchmark interest rates. Source
  • Loan yields eased slightly: Loan yields were 6.29%, down from 6.34% in the third quarter of 2025. Source
  • Investment yields rose this quarter: Investment yields were 3.77%, up from 3.60% in the third quarter of 2025. Source

“We continued our focus on net interest margin expansion, which was enhanced by a reduction in benchmark interest rates, and we remain disciplined on expense controls.”

David Sparacio, CFO

Loans, deposits and liquidity

  • Average loans grew 9% annualized: Average loans rose $299.2 million from the third quarter, or 9.0% annualized, and rose 8.7% from the fourth quarter of 2024. Source
  • Commercial loans led the increase: Commercial, financial and agricultural loans rose to $3.15 billion, from $2.95 billion in the third quarter of 2025. Source
  • Average deposits rose modestly: Average total deposits were $14.21 billion, up $77.4 million from the third quarter of 2025. Source
  • Cash held, no wholesale funding: The company held $1.63 billion of cash and cash equivalents, about 9% of total assets, and reported no FHLB advances or brokered deposits. Source

Credit quality

  • Nonperforming assets rose on one relationship: Management attributed the year-over-year rise in nonperforming assets to one large, real-estate secured relationship. Source
  • Charge-offs tied to impaired relationship: Charge-offs of $5.0 million on a long-standing impaired relationship were recorded this quarter, compared with $3.0 million on previously unimpaired loans in the third quarter. Source
  • Allowance ratio edged lower: The allowance for credit losses to total loans was 1.25%, down from 1.28% in the third quarter and 1.30% a year earlier. Source

“Continuing our focus as we grow our franchise and gain market share will allow us to deliver solid financial performance in 2026.”

David Sparacio, CFO

Income and costs

  • Non-interest income rose sharply: Non-interest income was $15.7 million, compared with $8.8 million a year earlier, and included no securities losses this quarter. Source
  • BOLI policy income boosted results: The company recognized $4.3 million of income tied to one BOLI policy in the quarter. Source
  • Service charge rates raised in July: Service charges on deposit accounts rose 26.0% year over year, after checking account service charge rates were increased in July 2025. Source
  • Non-interest expense slightly lower: Non-interest expense was $46.7 million, down 2.7% from the third quarter of 2025 and slightly below a year earlier. Source
  • Headcount rose year over year: Full-time equivalent employees were 666 at December 31, 2025, up 36 from a year earlier and 16 from the end of the third quarter. Source
  • Effective tax rate rose: Tax expense was $21.2 million, with an effective rate of 19.72%, compared with 16.81% in the third quarter, which had renewable energy tax credit benefits. Source

Capital and shareholder returns

  • Dividend raised 13% to $0.38: The quarterly cash dividend was raised to $0.38 per share, from $0.335 in the third quarter. Source
  • Book value per share rose 14%: Book value per share reached $33.87, up from $32.62 at September 30, 2025. Source
  • Regulatory capital ratios preliminary: The company noted that regulatory capital ratios for the most recent period are preliminary. Source

Franchise and leadership

  • Footprint now includes Texas: ServisFirst Bank provides services from locations in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia, plus a Florida loan production office. Source
  • CEO credits bankers for growth: The chairman, president and CEO linked the quarter's loan growth to a better view ahead and to the company's bankers. Source
  • Growth focus into 2026: The chief financial officer said continued franchise growth and market share gains are intended to support solid performance in 2026. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Net interest margin Source3.38%
Net interest income Source$146.5 million
Loans (ending) Source$13.70 billion
Deposits (ending) Source$14.22 billion
Cost of interest-bearing deposits Source3.01%
Provision for credit losses Source$8.1 million
Net charge-offs to average loans Source0.20% annualized
Nonperforming assets to total assets Source0.97%
CET1 ratio Source11.65%
Efficiency ratio Source28.78%

Risks management discussed

  • Financial: Charge-offs of $5.0 million were recorded on a long-standing impaired relationship in the quarter. Source
  • Financial: Nonperforming assets increased year over year, with the rise attributed to one large real-estate secured relationship. Source

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.