HBT Financial, Inc. Announces Authorization of New $30 Million Stock Repurchase Program

Rhea-AI Summary

HBT Financial (NASDAQ:HBT) announced that its Board approved a new $30 million stock repurchase program that takes effect when the current program expires on January 1, 2026. The Program authorizes repurchases through January 1, 2027 and permits open-market, privately negotiated, or other transactions that comply with applicable securities law, including Rule 10b-18. The company is not obligated to buy shares and may suspend or end the Program at any time.

Positive

• $30 million authorized for repurchases under the Program
• Repurchases may be made via open-market or negotiated transactions
• Program explicitly allows compliance with Rule 10b-18

Negative

• Company is not obligated to repurchase any shares under the Program
• Program may be suspended or discontinued at any time without notice
• Timing and amount depend on price, volume, regulatory and market conditions

Key Figures

Repurchase authorization $30 million Maximum common stock buybacks under new program

Program start date January 1, 2026 Effective date after current program expiration

Program end date January 1, 2027 Stated expiration of new repurchase program

Market Reality Check

$26.18 Last Close

Volume Volume 35,478 vs 20-day average 35,050 (relative volume 1.01x) indicates typical trading interest ahead of the new program. normal

Technical Price $26.98 is trading above the 200-day MA $24.37, reflecting a pre-existing upward trend into the buyback news.

Peers on Argus

HBT gained 0.48% while key regional bank peers were mostly lower (e.g., MBWM -0.93%, EQBK -0.23%, TRST -0.21%, UVSP -0.69%, with CFFN up 1.27%), suggesting a more company-specific setup into this buyback announcement.

Historical Context

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Oct 20	Merger announcement	Positive	+4.2%	Definitive merger with CNB Bank Shares valued at about $170.2M.
Oct 20	Earnings results	Positive	+4.2%	Strong Q3 2025 earnings with solid profitability and asset quality.
Oct 10	Earnings notice	Neutral	+1.1%	Scheduled Q3 2025 earnings release and investor materials timing.
Jul 21	Earnings results	Positive	+4.1%	Strong Q2 2025 earnings with higher net income and margin.
Jul 08	Earnings notice	Neutral	-1.3%	Announcement of upcoming Q2 2025 earnings release date.

Pattern Detected

Recent headlines, especially earnings and the CNB merger, have generally been followed by positive one-day price reactions, indicating constructive sentiment toward corporate actions.

Recent Company History

Over the last six months, HBT’s news flow featured strong quarterly results and a strategic acquisition of CNB Bank Shares. Q2 and Q3 2025 earnings showed solid profitability and asset quality, each followed by gains of about 4%. The October 2025 merger announcement, valuing CNB at about $170.2M, also coincided with a positive reaction. Against this backdrop, the new $30M repurchase authorization extends a pattern of capital returns alongside growth via acquisition.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement details a new $30M stock repurchase program running from January 1, 2026 to January 1, 2027, replacing the current authorization. It continues HBT’s recent pattern of combining capital returns with strategic growth moves like the CNB acquisition. The company retains full discretion and no obligation to buy shares, so investors may watch actual repurchase volumes and future earnings to gauge how actively this program is used.

Key Terms

stock repurchase program financial

"approved a new stock repurchase program (the “Program”) that takes effect..."

A stock repurchase program is when a company buys back its own shares from the market. This can make each remaining share more valuable and shows that the company believes its stock is a good investment. It’s like a business treating its shares like a limited resource, hoping to boost confidence and share prices.

Rule 10b-18 regulatory

"including pursuant to the safe harbor provided under Rule 10b-18 of the Securities Act..."

Rule 10b-18 is a regulation that sets strict rules for how a company's executives and employees can buy back their own company's stock from the market. It helps ensure that these buybacks happen in a fair and transparent way, reducing the chance of market manipulation. This is important for investors because it offers protection against unfair practices and promotes confidence in the integrity of the stock market.

Securities Act of 1934 regulatory

"safe harbor provided under Rule 10b-18 of the Securities Act of 1934, as amended"

The Securities Act of 1934 is a U.S. federal law that governs the ongoing trading of stocks, bonds and other publicly traded securities, setting rules for regular financial disclosure, anti-fraud protections and oversight of exchanges, brokers and trading markets. It matters to investors because those disclosure and conduct rules create transparency and accountability—like traffic laws for markets—helping people assess risk, detect problems and trade with greater confidence.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

BLOOMINGTON, Ill., Dec. 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HBT Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ: HBT) (the “Company” or “HBT Financial”) announced today that its Board of Directors has approved a new stock repurchase program (the “Program”) that takes effect upon the expiration of the Company’s current stock repurchase program on January 1, 2026. The Company will not execute additional repurchases under the current program after January 1, 2026. The new Program authorizes the Company to repurchase up to $30 million of its common stock.

Stock repurchases under the Program may be made from time to time on the open market, in privately negotiated transactions, or in any other manner that complies with the applicable securities law (including pursuant to the safe harbor provided under Rule 10b-18 of the Securities Act of 1934, as amended), at the discretion of the management of the Company. The Program will be in effect until January 1, 2027, with the timing of purchases and number of shares repurchased under the Program dependent upon a variety of factors including price, trading volume, corporate and regulatory requirements, and market conditions. The Company is not obligated to purchase any shares under the Program, and the Program may be suspended or discontinued at any time without notice.

About HBT Financial, Inc.

HBT Financial, Inc., headquartered in Bloomington, Illinois, is the holding company for Heartland Bank and Trust Company, and has banking roots that can be traced back to 1920. HBT Financial provides a comprehensive suite of financial products and services to consumers, businesses, and municipal entities throughout Illinois and eastern Iowa through 66 full-service branches. As of September 30, 2025, HBT Financial had total assets of $5.0 billion, total loans of $3.4 billion, and total deposits of $4.3 billion.

CONTACT:
Peter Chapman
HBTIR@hbtbank.com
(309) 664-4556

FAQ

When does HBT's new $30 million stock repurchase program start and end?

The Program becomes effective on January 1, 2026 and is in effect through January 1, 2027.

How much is HBT authorized to repurchase under the new program (NASDAQ:HBT)?

The Board authorized repurchases of up to $30 million of common stock under the Program.

Will HBT be required to buy shares under the new repurchase program?

No. The company is not obligated to purchase shares and may choose not to execute any repurchases.

What purchase methods will HBT use for repurchases under the Program?

Repurchases may occur on the open market, in privately negotiated transactions, or by other lawful methods, including Rule 10b-18.

Can HBT pause or stop the repurchase program before January 1, 2027?

Yes. The Program may be suspended or discontinued at any time without prior notice.