HBT Financial, Inc. (HBT)

In the past six months, HBT Financial, Inc. reported its Q4 2025 and Q1 2026 earnings on January 26, 2026, and April 27, 2026, respectively. The company completed its merger with CNB Bank Shares, Inc. on March 2, 2026, which increased its total assets, loans, and deposits, but led to a decrease in Q1 2026 net income due to acquisition-related costs. On March 11, 2026, it issued $85.0 million in fixed-to-floating rate subordinated notes due 2036. HBT Financial declared a quarterly dividend of $0.23 per share, payable on May 19, 2026. The company reported net charge-offs of $758,000 for the first quarter ended March 31, 2026. As of May 9, 2026, HBT Financial's stock has increased by 9.9% year-to-date.

There is some indication of demand seasonality for HBT Financial's products and services, particularly within its agricultural lending segment. The company experienced a $23.2 million increase in grain elevator lines of credit in Q1 2025 due to seasonally higher line utilization. The company's sales and marketing strategy incorporates "effective seasonal targeting" for agricultural loan volume.

HBT Financial, Inc. is a bank holding company based in Bloomington, Illinois, operating in the financial services sector, specifically regional banking. Through its subsidiary, Heartland Bank and Trust Company, it offers financial products and services to consumers, businesses, and municipal entities, including deposit accounts, lending products (regulatory commercial real estate, commercial and industrial loans, etc.), wealth management services, farm management services, and digital banking services.

HBT Financial, Inc. has a significant geographic footprint across Illinois and eastern Iowa, operating 66 full-service branch locations as of December 31, 2024. Following its merger with CNB Bank Shares, Inc. in March 2026, it expanded to approximately 84 branch locations across Illinois, Eastern Iowa, and Missouri. The company holds a leading deposit market share in many central Illinois markets and has strategically expanded into metro-east St. Louis, Springfield, Decatur, Jacksonville, Quincy, and the Chicago metropolitan area.

HBT Financial, Inc. and Heartland Bank and Trust Company have built a strong brand reputation through various accolades. HBT Financial was ranked #1 on Forbes' 17th annual America's Best Banks list in February 2026. Heartland Bank was recognized by S&P Global as one of the Top 50 Community Banks and by Bank Director's RankingBanking as one of the Top 25 U.S. Banks. Newsweek named Heartland Bank among America's Best Regional Banks and Credit Unions in 2024, and it received a Raymond James Award in 2024 for community banks.

Ownership of HBT Financial, Inc. includes founding-family stakes and institutional holdings. The Drake family retains significant influence, holding approximately 54%. Institutional ownership accounts for about 32% as of early 2025, with major institutional owners including BlackRock, Inc., and Vanguard Group Inc.