Esquire Bank Awarded Raymond James Community Bankers Cup for Seventh Consecutive Year

Rhea-AI Summary

Esquire Financial Holdings (NASDAQ: ESQ) has been awarded the 2024 Raymond James Community Bankers Cup for the seventh consecutive year, ranking third out of 202 banks with assets between $500M-$10B. The recognition is based on key performance metrics including profitability, operational efficiency, and balance sheet strength. The bank has demonstrated exceptional market performance with stock returns of 59%, 152%, and 205% over one, three, and five years respectively, significantly outperforming the NASDAQ BANK index which returned 17%, -11%, and 11% over the same periods. Esquire focuses on serving two national markets with tech-enabled financial solutions and data-driven services, maintaining a strong risk management foundation for sustained growth.

Positive

• Ranked 3rd out of 202 community banks in Raymond James Community Bankers Cup
• Achieved exceptional stock returns: 59% (1Y), 152% (3Y), and 205% (5Y), significantly outperforming NASDAQ BANK index
• Seven consecutive years of receiving the Raymond James Community Bankers Cup recognition
• Strong balance sheet and risk management foundation

Negative

• None.

Insights

Banking Industry Analyst

Esquire Bank's seventh consecutive Raymond James award confirms exceptional performance with 205% five-year returns versus industry's 11%.

Esquire Financial Holdings' third-place ranking among 202 community banks in the prestigious Raymond James Community Bankers Cup represents elite performance persistence that's exceedingly rare in banking. The seventh consecutive recognition places Esquire in the top 10% nationally among institutions with $500 million to $10 billion in assets, based on a comprehensive evaluation of profitability, operational efficiency, and balance sheet strength metrics.

What truly distinguishes this achievement is the remarkable shareholder value creation alongside the operational excellence. The reported stock returns of 59%, 152%, and 205% over one, three, and five years respectively showcase exceptional performance compared to the NASDAQ BANK index's underwhelming 17%, -11%, and 11% during identical periods. This 216 percentage point outperformance over the five-year horizon demonstrates sustainable competitive advantages.

The management's reference to "two vast, disruption-ready national markets" with "tailored tech-enabled financial solutions" suggests Esquire has successfully identified and capitalized on specialized banking niches that larger institutions have overlooked or ineffectively served. The combination of technology integration, strategic market selection, and disciplined execution has created a repeatable formula for outperformance.

This recognition also carries significant signaling value beyond the accolade itself – it demonstrates that Esquire's balance sheet remains robust even while generating returns substantially above industry norms, indicating effective risk management alongside aggressive growth. This balanced approach to performance sustainability represents banking's equivalent of the talent-laden sports team that consistently makes deep playoff runs year after year.

JERICHO, N.Y., June 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Esquire Financial Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: ESQ) (the "Company"), the financial holding company for Esquire Bank, National Association ("Esquire Bank" or the "Bank") (collectively "Esquire"), today announced that it has been awarded the 2024 Raymond James Community Bankers Cup as one of the best performing community banks (or top 10%) in the United States. Esquire ranked third overall out of 202 banks with assets between $500 million and $10 billion as of December 31, 2024, based on key performance metrics including profitability, operational efficiency, and balance sheet strength while also being recognized by Raymond James for building long-term shareholder value.

"We are proud and humbled that our consistent performance has been recognized by Raymond James for the seventh consecutive year," stated Tony Coelho, Chairman of the Board. "We remain focused on serving two vast, disruption-ready national markets with tailored tech-enabled financial solutions and data that support our clients' unique business and growth objectives."

"With industry-leading performance as well as a fortified balance sheet and strong risk management as a foundation, we believe Esquire is well-positioned for sustained growth in these fragmented, complex and underserved national markets for the foreseeable future," said Andrew C. Sagliocca, Vice Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President. "While short-term growth and performance metrics are valuable, it is our long-term view that has positioned Esquire for our current and continued success in the future."

This report also highlights Esquire's stock market returns of 59%, 152%, and 205% over the past year, three years, and five years, respectively, while the NASDAQ BANK index has underperformed the broader market with returns of 17%, -11%, and 11%, respectively.

The full list of rankings can be accessed here.

About Esquire Financial Holdings, Inc.:

Esquire Financial Holdings, Inc. is a financial holding company headquartered in Jericho, New York, with one branch office in Jericho, New York and an administrative office in Boca Raton, Florida. Its wholly-owned subsidiary, Esquire Bank, is a full-service commercial bank dedicated to serving the financial needs of the litigation industry and small businesses nationally, as well as commercial and retail customers in the New York metropolitan area. The Bank offers tailored financial and payment processing solutions to the litigation community and their clients as well as dynamic and flexible payment processing solutions to small business owners. The Company was named to Fortune's 2024 Fastest-Growing Companies list. For more information, visit www.esquirebank.com.

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SOURCE Esquire Financial Holdings, Inc.

FAQ

What is Esquire Bank's (ESQ) performance ranking in the 2024 Raymond James Community Bankers Cup?

Esquire Bank ranked third overall out of 202 banks with assets between $500 million and $10 billion based on profitability, operational efficiency, and balance sheet strength metrics.

How has Esquire Bank's (ESQ) stock performed compared to the NASDAQ BANK index?

Esquire Bank's stock returned 59%, 152%, and 205% over one, three, and five years respectively, significantly outperforming the NASDAQ BANK index's returns of 17%, -11%, and 11% for the same periods.

How many consecutive years has Esquire Bank (ESQ) won the Raymond James Community Bankers Cup?

Esquire Bank has won the Raymond James Community Bankers Cup for seven consecutive years.

What is Esquire Bank's (ESQ) business focus and strategy?

Esquire Bank focuses on serving two national markets with tech-enabled financial solutions and data services, maintaining strong risk management practices for sustained growth in underserved markets.