Equity Bancshares (EQBK) Achieves Nearly 50% Asset Growth, Targets Over $5 EPS in 2026
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jan 22 2026
0mins
Source: seekingalpha
- Significant Asset Growth: Equity Bancshares reported assets of $6.4 billion at the end of Q4 2025, marking a nearly 50% increase from $5.3 billion at the start of the year, demonstrating rapid expansion through the Frontier acquisition and enhancing market competitiveness.
- Improved Profitability: The company reported net income of $22.1 million or $1.15 per diluted share, with adjusted earnings rising to $23.3 million from $22.4 million in the previous quarter, indicating a sustained improvement in profitability.
- Credit Quality Improvement: Nonaccrual loans decreased from $48.6 million to $40.3 million, a 17% decline, reflecting positive progress in credit management that helps reduce risk and enhance financial stability.
- Positive Future Outlook: Management set an ambitious target of over $5 per share in earnings for 2026 and anticipates a loan-to-deposit ratio of 88%, reflecting confidence in future growth and a robust strategic plan in a competitive market.
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Analyst Views on EQBK
Wall Street analysts forecast EQBK stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for EQBK is 49.67 USD with a low forecast of 45.00 USD and a high forecast of 57.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
3 Analyst Rating
1 Buy
2 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 45.190
Low
45.00
Averages
49.67
High
57.00
Current: 45.190
Low
45.00
Averages
49.67
High
57.00
About EQBK
Equity Bancshares, Inc. is the holding company for Equity Bank, offering a full range of financial solutions, including commercial loans, consumer banking, mortgage loans, trust and wealth and treasury management services. The Company operates full-service locations in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Oklahoma. It also operates a loan production office in West Des Moines, Iowa. The Company's products and services include personal, business and mortgage. Its personal products include checking, lending, investing, savings and digital banking. Its business products include checking, savings, treasury management services, insurance, lending, trust and digital banking. Its mortgage loan products include first-time home buyer programs, government home loan programs and home equity line of credit. Its personal checking products include rewards checking, perks plus checking, and order checks. Its lending products include business credit card, commercial loans, and specialty loans.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Equity Bancshares (EQBK) Achieves Nearly 50% Asset Growth, Targets Over $5 EPS in 2026
- Significant Asset Growth: Equity Bancshares reported assets of $6.4 billion at the end of Q4 2025, marking a nearly 50% increase from $5.3 billion at the start of the year, demonstrating rapid expansion through the Frontier acquisition and enhancing market competitiveness.
- Improved Profitability: The company reported net income of $22.1 million or $1.15 per diluted share, with adjusted earnings rising to $23.3 million from $22.4 million in the previous quarter, indicating a sustained improvement in profitability.
- Credit Quality Improvement: Nonaccrual loans decreased from $48.6 million to $40.3 million, a 17% decline, reflecting positive progress in credit management that helps reduce risk and enhance financial stability.
- Positive Future Outlook: Management set an ambitious target of over $5 per share in earnings for 2026 and anticipates a loan-to-deposit ratio of 88%, reflecting confidence in future growth and a robust strategic plan in a competitive market.
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Equity Bancshares Acquires Frontier Holdings, Reports $22.1 Million Net Income
- Acquisition Completed: Equity Bancshares completed its acquisition of Frontier Holdings LLC on January 1, 2026, marking its entry into Nebraska, which is expected to add approximately $1.34 billion in loan balances and $1.1 billion in deposits, significantly expanding its market share.
- Net Income Growth: For the quarter ended December 31, 2025, Equity reported net income of $22.1 million, or $1.15 per diluted share, a significant recovery from a net loss of $29.7 million in the prior quarter, demonstrating the company's success in integrating newly acquired assets.
- Interest Income Increase: Total net interest income for 2025 reached $226.1 million, a 21.4% increase from 2024, primarily driven by margin expansion and balance sheet growth, reflecting the company's adaptability in changing interest rate environments.
- Shareholder Returns: The company announced a $0.18 dividend per share and repurchased 172,338 shares at an average price of $41.69 per share during the quarter, indicating a strong commitment to shareholder returns and confidence in its financial health.
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