Esquire Bank Ranks #1 in Raymond James Community Bankers Cup, Earning Recognition for Eighth Consecutive Year

Rhea-AI Summary

Esquire Financial (NASDAQ: ESQ), holding company for Esquire Bank, ranked #1 overall in the 2025 Raymond James Community Bankers Cup, recognizing the top 10% of U.S. community banks.

Esquire reported a 2.43% ROAA, 19.41% ROATCE, 6.02% net interest margin, and multi‑year stock returns far above the NASDAQ BANK Index.

Positive

• Ranked #1 among 191 eligible U.S. community banks in 2025
• Return on average assets of 2.43% in 2025
• Return on average tangible common equity of 19.41% in 2025
• Net interest margin of 6.02% in 2025
• Stock returns of 28.4% one-year and 431.9% five-year
• Eighth consecutive year of Raymond James Community Bankers Cup recognition

Negative

• None.

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JERICHO, N.Y., May 18, 2026 /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 ranked first overall in the 2025 Raymond James Community Bankers Cup, earning recognition as the top-performing community bank in the United States.

Now in its fourteenth year, the Raymond James Community Bankers Cup honors the top 10% of U.S. community banks based on profitability, operational efficiency and balance sheet strength, while also recognizing long-term shareholder value creation. Esquire ranked first among 191 eligible banks with assets between $500 million and $10 billion as of December 31, 2025.

In 2025, Esquire delivered a return on average assets of 2.43%, a return on average tangible common equity of 19.41%, and a net interest margin of 6.02%, ranking in the top 1% to 3% of peer banks evaluated across each of these metrics.

Esquire's stock delivered a 28.4% one-year return, a 135.9% three-year return, and a 431.9% five-year return – outperforming the NASDAQ BANK Index by approximately seven, 10, and 15 times respectively over the same periods.

"Eight consecutive years of recognition by Raymond James is a clear reflection of the outstanding management team and valued employees at Esquire," stated Tony Coelho, Chairman of the Board. "We have built a culture of excellence that shows up in our results year after year. I am immensely proud of what this team has achieved."

"Our #1 ranking validates our national business model built to outperform over the long term," said Andrew C. Sagliocca, Vice Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President. "The litigation and small business markets remain underserved by traditional banking, and Esquire's specialized expertise, technology infrastructure, client relationships and national expansion strategy – including our recently announced Signature Bank merger, strengthening our presence in the Chicago and broader Midwest markets – position us to capture significant runway for future long-term growth."

About Esquire Financial Holdings, Inc.:

Esquire Financial Holdings, Inc. is a financial holding company headquartered in Jericho, New York. Its wholly owned subsidiary, Esquire Bank, is a full-service commercial bank, with branch offices in Jericho, New York and Los Angeles, California, as well as an administrative office in Boca Raton, Florida. The Bank is 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 and Los Angeles metropolitan areas. 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. For more information, visit www.esquirebank.com.

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SOURCE Esquire Financial Holdings, Inc.

FAQ

What ranking did Esquire Bank (NASDAQ: ESQ) achieve in the 2025 Raymond James Community Bankers Cup?

Esquire Bank ranked first overall in the 2025 Raymond James Community Bankers Cup. According to Esquire, the award honors the top 10% of U.S. community banks for profitability, operational efficiency, balance sheet strength, and long-term shareholder value creation.

What were Esquire Bank’s key profitability metrics for 2025 (NASDAQ: ESQ)?

Esquire Bank reported a 2.43% return on average assets in 2025. According to Esquire, it also achieved a 19.41% return on average tangible common equity and a 6.02% net interest margin, ranking in roughly the top 1%–3% of peer banks on these measures.

How has Esquire Financial’s (NASDAQ: ESQ) stock performed over one, three, and five years?

Esquire’s stock delivered 28.4% one-year, 135.9% three-year, and 431.9% five-year returns. According to Esquire, these returns outpaced the NASDAQ BANK Index by about seven, ten and fifteen times, respectively, over the same periods, highlighting notable long-term shareholder value creation.

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

Esquire Bank has been recognized for eight consecutive years in the Raymond James Community Bankers Cup. According to Esquire, this ongoing recognition reflects its management team, employee performance, and a culture focused on consistent operational and financial results for shareholders.

What strategic markets does Esquire Financial (NASDAQ: ESQ) target for long-term growth?

Esquire focuses on litigation and small business markets it views as underserved by traditional banking. According to Esquire, its specialized expertise, technology infrastructure, client relationships, and national expansion strategy are intended to support a long-term growth runway in these niches.

How does the Signature Bank merger relate to Esquire Financial’s (ESQ) expansion plans?

Esquire describes a recently announced Signature Bank merger as strengthening its Chicago and broader Midwest presence. According to Esquire, this transaction aligns with its national expansion strategy and is intended to support future long-term growth in key regional markets.