Equity Bancshares, Inc. Class A (EQBK)

In the third quarter of 2025, Equity Bancshares reported a GAAP net loss of $29.7 million due to merger-related expenses and bond portfolio repositioning, but expects strategic maneuvers to position the company for sustained momentum. The acquisition of NBC Corp. of Oklahoma closed in July 2025, contributing to loan and deposit balances. A merger agreement with Frontier Holdings, LLC in Omaha, Nebraska, was announced in September 2025, with closing anticipated in Q4 2025. The company announced a $0.18 dividend on outstanding common shares as of September 30, 2025, a 20% increase, and renewed its share repurchase program. Over the last six months, EQBK's stock price has risen by 9.61%, although it has seen a 3.55% decrease over the past year.

The banking industry experiences seasonal trends in demand, particularly in loan volumes, with lows in January and February, increasing in March, and peaking in August or September. Spring is a prime home-buying season, increasing mortgage applications in March, April, and May. The financial services sector sees increased business from October through early January due to year-end portfolio rebalancing and tax planning. Loan-loss provisions and chargeoffs tend to cluster in the fourth quarter.

Equity Bancshares, Inc. is a bank holding company for Equity Bank, offering financial services to individual and corporate clients, operating in the Regional Banks industry. It provides a range of banking, mortgage banking, and financial services, including various deposit types and a diverse loan portfolio encompassing commercial, real estate, and consumer loans. Additionally, it offers debit and credit cards, insurance brokerage, trust and wealth management, online and mobile banking, ATMs, and treasury management services.

Equity Bancshares, Inc. has a presence across the Midwest and Southern United States, operating 69 branches in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma as of December 31, 2021, and 66 Equity Bank locations as of March 31, 2023, along with Brilliant Bank. Its corporate offices are in Wichita, Kansas, with metropolitan operations in Kansas City and Tulsa. In 2025, it expanded its Oklahoma footprint by acquiring NBC Corp. of Oklahoma, and a merger agreement with Frontier Holdings, LLC in Omaha, Nebraska, is planned for Q4 2025, marking its entry into Nebraska.

Equity Bancshares, through its Equity Bank brand, maintains a positive brand reputation, emphasizing its community banking approach. Customer testimonials highlight personal connection, helpful staff, and efficient service, particularly regarding loan processing. The bank is praised for meeting the needs of locally-owned small businesses and for its responsive customer service. There have been no specific events reported in the past year that negatively impacted Equity Bancshares' reputation.

Institutional investors hold a substantial portion of Equity Bancshares' shares, with figures reported at 71.8% and 69.63%. Insider ownership stands at 6.6% or 14.2%. Equity Bancshares insiders have bought more company stock than they have sold in the past three months, with $10,080.00 in purchases and no sales.