First Citizens BancShares Reports Third Quarter 2026 Earnings, Announces Additional Share Repurchase Plan
Loan and deposit growth accompanied lower quarterly earnings, while capital ratios remained above regulatory requirements.
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Rhea-AI Summary
First Citizens BancShares (Nasdaq: FCNCA) reported third-quarter 2026 net income of $606 million and approved an additional share repurchase plan. Net income fell from $672 million in the second quarter; earnings per common share declined to $51.23 from $55.52. The new authorization covers up to $1.2 billion of Class A shares through 2027, following $600 million of repurchases during the quarter.
Net interest income increased $43 million sequentially to $1.70 billion, while net interest margin fell 3 basis points to 3.07%. Loans and leases rose 4.1% to $157.19 billion, and deposits increased 6.8% to $185.26 billion. The completed BMO branch acquisition added approximately $4.9 billion in deposits and $650 million in loans. Borrowings fell $7.72 billion to $24.47 billion. Credit-loss provision was $55 million versus a $10 million benefit, although net charge-offs and nonaccrual loans declined. Liquid assets fell to $57.33 billion from $59.14 billion.
Positive
- New Class A share repurchase authorization covers up to $1.2 billion through 2027.
- Quarterly repurchases returned $600 million, buying 278,828 Class A shares, or 2.68% of June 30 Class A shares.
- Existing 2025 repurchase plan retained $711 million of capacity at September 30, 2026.
- Net interest income increased $43 million sequentially to $1.70 billion in the third quarter.
- Loans and leases grew 4.1% to $157.19 billion from June 30 to September 30, 2026.
- Deposits increased 6.8% to $185.26 billion from June 30 to September 30, 2026.
- BMO branch acquisition completed September 4, adding approximately $4.9 billion in deposits and approximately $650 million in loans.
- Borrowings declined $7.72 billion to $24.47 billion, mainly through $8.00 billion of Purchase Money Note repayments.
- Deposit funding share increased to 88.3% at September 30 from 84.3% at June 30.
- Net charge-offs declined to $103 million, or 0.27% of average loans, from $108 million, or 0.29%, sequentially.
- Nonaccrual loans fell to $1.37 billion, or 0.87% of loans, from $1.45 billion, or 0.96%, sequentially.
- Capital ratios remained above regulatory requirements; estimated common equity Tier 1 ratio was 10.24% at September 30.
- Series F perpetual preferred stock issuance raised $300 million, included in Tier 1 capital.
- Investment securities increased $1.32 billion to $44.88 billion from June 30 to September 30.
- Average interest-earning asset yield rose 2 basis points sequentially to 5.36%.
- Lending-related fees increased $10 million sequentially, largely driven by higher capital markets activity.
- Client investment fees increased $9 million sequentially, mainly reflecting higher average off-balance-sheet client funds.
- Operating lease equipment rental income increased $8 million sequentially with railcar portfolio growth, repricing and utilization.
- Customer derivatives fair value increased $13 million sequentially.
- Realized gain on investment sales increased $28 million sequentially.
Negative
- Net income fell to $606 million in third-quarter 2026 from $672 million in the second quarter.
- Common earnings declined to $577 million, or $51.23 per share, from $640 million, or $55.52, sequentially.
- Credit-loss provision reached $55 million, versus a $10 million benefit in the preceding quarter.
- Net interest margin declined 3 basis points sequentially to 3.07%.
- Noninterest income fell $42 million sequentially to $734 million.
- Noninterest expense increased $22 million sequentially to $1.57 billion.
- Average total deposit cost increased to 2.16% from 2.07% in the preceding quarter.
- Noninterest-bearing deposits fell $73 million, or 0.2%; their deposit share declined to 22.9% from 24.5% sequentially.
- Average interest-bearing liability rate increased 6 basis points sequentially to 3.01%.
- Liquid assets declined to $57.33 billion at September 30 from $59.14 billion at June 30.
- Interest-earning deposits at banks declined $2.84 billion to $18.29 billion from June 30 to September 30.
- Senior unsecured notes issuance added $400 million of bank debt during the quarter.
- Series F perpetual preferred stock issuance added $300 million of preferred capital alongside existing common equity.
- Equity warrant fair-value change deteriorated $37 million sequentially, shifting from a $31 million increase to a $6 million decline.
- Tax credit investment gains decreased $12 million sequentially; the preceding quarter included a sale gain.
- Marketable equity securities fair-value adjustment decreased $38 million sequentially.
- Loss on debt extinguishment increased $12 million sequentially following larger Purchase Money Note repayments.
News Explained
During the third quarter, BancShares repurchased
Key Figures
- Net income
- $606 million
- Q3 2026; compared with $672 million in Q2 2026
- EPS
- $51.23 per common share
- Q3 2026; compared with $55.52 in Q2 2026
- Net interest income
- $1.70 billion
- Q3 2026; increased $43 million from Q2 2026
- Net interest margin
- 3.07%
- Q3 2026; down 3 basis points from Q2 2026
- Loans and leases
- $157.19 billion
- At September 30, 2026; increased $6.16 billion or 4.1% since June 30, 2026
- Deposits
- $185.26 billion
- At September 30, 2026; increased $11.84 billion or 6.8% since June 30, 2026
- Quarterly share repurchases
- $600 million
- Q3 2026
- New repurchase plan
- Up to $1.2 billion
- Class A common shares; plan runs through 2027
Previous Buybacks,earnings Reports
-
Reported higher Q2 2025 earnings and announced a new $4.0 billion share repurchase plan.
24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.
Key Terms
non-gaap financial
net interest margin financial
net charge-offs financial
nonaccrual loans financial
common equity tier 1 regulatory
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
Chairman and CEO Frank B. Holding, Jr. said: "Third quarter performance exceeded our expectations, fueled by strong, high quality top-line growth, accelerated loan and deposit growth, highly resilient credit quality, and expense discipline. We returned
BMO BRANCH ACQUISITION
On September 4, 2026, First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company ("First Citizens Bank"), the wholly owned banking subsidiary of BancShares, completed its previously announced acquisition of 138 branches from BMO Bank N.A. located throughout the Midwest, Great Plains and West regions of the
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Measures referenced below "as adjusted" or "excluding PAA" (or purchase accounting accretion) are non-GAAP financial measures. Refer to the Financial Supplement available at ir.firstcitizens.com or www.sec.gov for a reconciliation of each non-GAAP measure to the most directly comparable GAAP measure.
Net income for the third quarter of 2026 ("current quarter") was
Adjusted net income for the current quarter was
NET INTEREST INCOME AND MARGIN
- Net interest income was
for the current quarter, an increase of$1.70 billion over the linked quarter. Net interest income, excluding PAA, was$43 million , an increase of$1.66 billion over the linked quarter.$47 million - Interest income on loans increased
, mainly due to a higher average balance and a higher yield, partially offset by a$88 million decrease in loan PAA.$5 million - Interest income on investment securities increased
due to a higher average balance and a higher yield.$26 million - Interest expense on borrowings decreased
, mainly due to a decline in the average balance as we repaid an additional$19 million of the Purchase Money Note, partially offset by a higher average balance of and a higher rate paid on senior unsecured borrowings.$8.00 billion - Interest expense on interest-bearing deposits increased
due to a higher average balance and a higher rate paid, reflecting growth in the Direct Bank and brokered deposits.$90 million
- Interest income on loans increased
- Net interest margin ("NIM") was
3.07% for the current quarter, a modest decline of 3 basis points from the linked quarter. NIM, excluding PAA, was2.99% in the current quarter, down 2 basis points from the linked quarter.- The yield on average interest-earning assets was
5.36% , an increase of 2 basis points from the linked quarter, mainly due to higher yields on and higher average balances of loans and investment securities. - The rate paid on average interest-bearing liabilities was
3.01% , an increase of 6 basis points from the linked quarter, primarily due to increases in the average balance of and rate paid on interest-bearing deposits, partially offset by the impact of a lower average balance of borrowings.
- The yield on average interest-earning assets was
NONINTEREST INCOME AND EXPENSE
- Noninterest income was
, compared to$734 million in the linked quarter, a decrease of$776 million . Adjusted noninterest income was$42 million , a decrease of$575 million from the linked quarter. The decreases in noninterest income and adjusted noninterest income were largely due to the following:$11 million - Other noninterest income decreased
, mainly reflecting a$42 million sequential quarter decrease in the fair value of equity warrants as the fair value declined$37 million in the current quarter after increasing$6 million in the linked quarter. Additionally, the gain on tax credit investments decreased$31 million as the linked quarter included a gain on sale. The decreases in other noninterest income were partially offset by a$12 million increase in the fair value of customer derivatives.$13 million - Lending-related fees increased
, largely driven by higher capital markets activity.$10 million - Client investment fees increased
, mainly due to higher average off-balance sheet client funds.$9 million - Rental income on operating lease equipment increased
, primarily due to growth in the railcar portfolio, positive repricing, and increased utilization.$8 million
- Other noninterest income decreased
- Additionally, the fair value adjustment on marketable equity securities decreased
, partially offset by a$38 million increase in the realized gain on sale of investments. The loss on extinguishment of debt increased$28 million due to payments of$12 million on the Purchase Money Note in the current quarter, compared to$8.00 billion in the linked quarter.$2.50 billion - Noninterest expense was
, an increase of$1.57 billion from the linked quarter, mainly due to the following:$22 million - Other noninterest expense increased
, including software impairment and other accruals.$19 million - Acquisition-related expenses increased
due to completion of the BMO Branch Acquisition.$10 million - Third-party processing fees increased
, largely offset by a decrease of$12 million in equipment expense, reflecting continued investment in digital infrastructure and data center modernization.$8 million - Professional fees decreased
as several risk management and technology projects were completed.$8 million - Marketing expense decreased
, primarily due to lower promotion costs for Direct Bank deposits.$5 million
- Other noninterest expense increased
- Adjusted noninterest expense was
, an increase of$1.36 billion from the linked quarter.$9 million
BALANCE SHEET SUMMARY
- Loans and leases were
at September 30, 2026, an increase of$157.19 billion or$6.16 billion 4.1% compared to at June 30, 2026, primarily due to loan growth of$151.03 billion in the Commercial Bank segment, mainly concentrated in Fund Banking. Loan growth of$5.48 billion $633 million in the General Bank segment was largely due to the BMO Branch Acquisition. - Total investment securities were
at September 30, 2026, an increase of$44.88 billion since June 30, 2026. Purchases during the current quarter remained concentrated in available for sale$1.32 billion U.S . treasury and agency mortgage-backed securities. - Deposits were
at September 30, 2026, an increase of$185.26 billion or$11.84 billion 6.8% since June 30, 2026, due to the following:- General Bank segment deposits increased
, largely due to deposits of approximately$5.66 billion assumed in the BMO Branch Acquisition.$4.86 billion - Corporate deposits increased
, mainly due to growth in the Direct Bank and brokered deposits of$4.71 billion and$3.21 billion , respectively.$1.32 billion - Commercial Bank segment deposits increased
.$1.46 billion
- General Bank segment deposits increased
- Noninterest-bearing deposits decreased by
($73 million 0.2% from the linked quarter) and represented22.9% of total deposits as of September 30, 2026, compared to24.5% at June 30, 2026. The cost of average total deposits was2.16% for the current quarter, compared to2.07% for the linked quarter. - Borrowings were
at September 30, 2026, a decrease of$24.47 billion compared to$7.72 billion at June 30, 2026, mainly due to payments of$32.19 billion on the Purchase Money Note, partially offset by the issuance of$8.00 billion of senior unsecured notes by First Citizens Bank.$400 million - The Purchase Money Note declined from
at September 30, 2025 to$35.85 billion at September 30, 2026.$20.45 billion - Funding mix improved as deposits represented
88.3% of total funding at September 30, 2026 compared to84.3% at June 30, 2026. - Interest-earning deposits at banks were
at September 30, 2026, a decrease of$18.29 billion compared to$2.84 billion at June 30, 2026, a function of the balance sheet trends discussed above.$21.13 billion
PROVISION FOR CREDIT LOSSES AND CREDIT QUALITY
- Provision for credit losses was
for the current quarter, compared to a benefit for credit losses of$55 million for the linked quarter. The current quarter included a provision for loan and lease losses of$10 million and a provision for off-balance sheet credit exposure of$50 million .$6 million - The provision for loan and lease losses for the current quarter was
, compared to$50 million for the linked quarter. The$34 million increase was mainly attributable to the impact of a$16 million reserve release in the current quarter compared to a$48 million reserve release in the linked quarter, partially offset by a decline of$74 million in net charge-offs and the initial reserve of$5 million for the loans acquired in the BMO Branch Acquisition.$5 million - The
reserve release in the current quarter was largely driven by lower specific reserves, improvements in credit quality, and growth concentrated in capital call lines which have a significantly lower loss rate relative to our other loan portfolios, partially offset by changes in the macroeconomic scenarios.$48 million - The
reserve release in the linked quarter was largely driven by lower specific reserves, improvements in credit quality including updates to certain models used to estimate the allowance, changes in the macroeconomic scenarios, and growth concentrated in capital call lines.$74 million
- The
- The provision for loan and lease losses for the current quarter was
- Net charge-offs were
($103 million 0.27% of average loans) for the current quarter, compared to ($108 million 0.29% of average loans) for the linked quarter. - Nonaccrual loans were
($1.37 billion 0.87% of loans) at September 30, 2026, compared to ($1.45 billion 0.96% of loans) at June 30, 2026. - The allowance for loan and lease losses totaled
at September 30, 2026, compared to$1.44 billion at June 30, 2026. The allowance for loan and lease losses as a percentage of loans was$1.48 billion 0.91% at September 30, 2026, compared to0.98% at June 30, 2026.
CAPITAL AND LIQUIDITY
- Capital ratios remained above regulatory requirements. The estimated total risk-based capital, Tier 1 risk-based capital, Common equity Tier 1 risk-based capital, and Tier 1 leverage ratios were
12.90% ,11.32% ,10.24% , and9.00% , respectively, at September 30, 2026. During the current quarter, BancShares issued Series F perpetual preferred stock for an aggregate amount of , which is included in Tier 1 capital.$300 million - During the current quarter, we repurchased 278,828 shares of our Class A common stock for
and paid a dividend of$600 million per share on our Class A and Class B common stock. Shares repurchased during the current quarter represented$2.10 2.68% of Class A common shares and2.45% of total Class A and Class B common shares outstanding at June 30, 2026.- From inception of the 2024 Share Repurchase Plan through September 30, 2026, we have repurchased 3,420,683 shares of our Class A common stock for
, representing$6.79 billion 25.29% of Class A common shares and23.54% of total Class A and Class B common shares outstanding as of June 30, 2024. - As of September 30, 2026, the total capacity remaining under the 2025 Share Repurchase Plan was
. Additionally, the entire$711 million capacity through 2027 remains under the Share Repurchase Plan announced on October 23, 2026 ("2027 SRP").$1.2 billion
- From inception of the 2024 Share Repurchase Plan through September 30, 2026, we have repurchased 3,420,683 shares of our Class A common stock for
- Liquidity position remains strong as liquid assets were
at September 30, 2026, compared to$57.33 billion at June 30, 2026.$59.14 billion
EARNINGS CALL/ WEBCAST DETAILS
BancShares will host a conference call to discuss the company's financial results on Friday, October 23, 2026, at 9 a.m. Eastern time.
The call may be accessed via webcast on the company's website at ir.firstcitizens.com.
Our earnings release, investor presentation, and financial supplement are available at ir.firstcitizens.com. In addition, these materials will be furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on a Form 8-K and will be available on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. After the event, a replay of the call will be available via webcast at ir.firstcitizens.com.
ABOUT FIRST CITIZENS BANCSHARES
First Citizens BancShares, Inc. (Nasdaq: FCNCA), a top 20 U.S. financial institution with more than
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This communication contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding the financial condition, results of operations, business plans, asset quality, future performance, and other strategic goals of BancShares. Words such as "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "predicts," "forecasts," "intends," "plans," "projects," "targets," "designed," "could," "may," "should," "will," "potential," "continue," "aims" or other similar words and expressions are intended to identify these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on BancShares' current expectations and assumptions regarding BancShares' business, the economy, and other future conditions.
Because forward-looking statements relate to future results and occurrences, they are subject to inherent risks, uncertainties, changes in circumstances and other factors that are difficult to predict. Many possible events or factors could affect BancShares' future financial results and performance and could cause actual results, performance or achievements of BancShares to differ materially from any anticipated results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, general competitive, economic (including the imposition of tariffs, retaliatory tariff measures, trade barriers on trading partners, and supply chain disruptions), political (including impacts of any U.S. government shutdown), geopolitical events (including conflicts or developments in Ukraine, the Middle East and Latin America), natural disasters and market conditions, including changes in competitive pressures among financial institutions and the impacts related to or resulting from previous bank failures, the risks and impacts of future bank failures and other volatility in the banking industry, public perceptions of our business practices, including our deposit pricing and acquisition activity, the financial success or changing conditions or strategies of BancShares' vendors or customers, including changes in demand for deposits, loans and other financial services, fluctuations in interest rates, changes in the quality or composition of BancShares' loan or investment portfolio, actions of government regulators, including interest rate decisions by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the "Federal Reserve"), changes to estimates of future costs and benefits of actions taken by BancShares, BancShares' ability to maintain adequate sources of funding and liquidity, the timing and amount of any prepayments of the Purchase Money Note, which depend on deposit growth, market conditions and the availability and cost of alternative funding, the potential impact of decisions by the Federal Reserve on BancShares' capital plans, adverse developments with respect to U.S. or global economic conditions, including significant turbulence in the capital or financial markets, the impact of any sustained or elevated inflationary environment, the impact of any cyberattack, information or security breach, the effect of technological change, including artificial intelligence and digital assets, the impact of implementation and compliance with current or proposed laws, regulations and regulatory interpretations, including potential increased regulatory requirements, limitations, and costs, such as FDIC special assessments, increases to FDIC deposit insurance premiums, changes in regulatory capital requirements, or limitations on credit card interest rates, along with the risk that such laws, regulations and regulatory interpretations may change, the availability of capital and personnel, changes or enhancements BancShares implements with respect to risk management, technology, personnel, financial service offerings, or other areas, and the risks associated with BancShares' previously completed acquisition transactions, including the integration of, and retention of deposits and clients acquired in, the BMO Branch Acquisition, or any future transactions.
BancShares' Share Repurchase Plan announced in July 2025 ("2025 SRP") allows BancShares to repurchase shares of its Class A common stock through 2026, and the 2027 SRP allows BancShares to repurchase shares of its Class A common stock in 2027. BancShares is not obligated under the 2025 SRP or the 2027 SRP to repurchase any minimum or particular number of shares, and repurchases may be suspended or discontinued at any time (subject to the terms of any Rule 10b5-1 plan in effect) without prior notice. The authorization to repurchase Class A common stock will be utilized at management's discretion. The actual timing and amount of Class A common stock that may be repurchased under the 2025 SRP or the 2027 SRP will depend on a number of factors, including the terms of any Rule 10b5-1 plan then in effect, price, general business and market conditions, regulatory requirements, and alternative investment opportunities or capital needs.
Except to the extent required by applicable laws or regulations, BancShares disclaims any obligation to update forward-looking statements or to publicly announce the results of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements included herein to reflect future events or developments. Additional factors which could affect the forward-looking statements can be found in BancShares' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 and its other filings with the SEC.
NON-GAAP MEASURES
Certain measures in this release, including those referenced as "adjusted" or "excluding PAA," are "non-GAAP," meaning they are numerical measures of BancShares' financial performance, financial position or cash flows that are not presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. ("GAAP") because they exclude or include amounts or are adjusted in some way so as to be different than the most directly comparable measures calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP in BancShares' statements of income, balance sheets or statements of cash flows and also are not codified in U.S. banking regulations currently applicable to BancShares. BancShares management believes that non-GAAP financial measures, when reviewed in conjunction with GAAP financial information, can provide transparency about or an alternative means of assessing its operating results, financial position or cash flows to its investors, analysts and management. These non-GAAP measures should be considered in addition to, and not superior to or a substitute for, GAAP measures. Each non-GAAP measure is reconciled to the most comparable GAAP measure in the non-GAAP reconciliation. This information can be found in the Financial Supplement located in the Quarterly Results section of our website at https://ir.firstcitizens.com/financial-information/quarterly-results/default.aspx.
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Contact: |
Deanna Hart |
Angela English |
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Investor Relations |
Corporate Communications |
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919-716-2137 |
803-931-1854 |
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SOURCE First Citizens BancShares, Inc.
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