HBT Financial (NASDAQ: HBT) was ranked #1 on Forbes’ 17th annual America’s Best Banks list published Feb. 4, 2026. The ranking evaluated the 200 largest publicly traded banks using 11 equally weighted metrics including net interest margin, ROE, ROA, capital ratios, efficiency, asset quality and growth.
The accolade highlights HBT Financial’s relative strength among regional banks and cites performance across growth, credit quality, profitability and stock performance as evaluation factors.
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Positive
Ranked #1 on Forbes America’s Best Banks (2026)
Evaluated across 11 equally weighted metrics focusing on core banking performance
Selected from the 200 largest publicly traded banks by asset size
Recognition emphasizes regional bank operational efficiency
Negative
None.
News Market Reaction – HBT
-2.63%
-2.63%Session close to close
In the Feb 18 session, HBT declined 2.63%, reflecting a moderate negative market reaction.
This announcement underscores external validation of HBT Financial’s business model, with Forbes ran...
Analysis
This announcement underscores external validation of HBT Financial’s business model, with Forbes ranking the company #1 among America’s Best Banks after evaluating 11 metrics across 200 large public institutions. It complements recent developments such as steady earnings, a new $30 million repurchase program, and the pending CNB acquisition. Investors may watch ongoing credit quality, integration progress, and capital returns to gauge how this recognized strength translates into long-term performance.
Key Figures
Forbes rank:#1List year:2026List edition:17th annual+3 more
6 metrics
Forbes rank#1Ranked #1 on Forbes’ 2026 America’s Best Banks list
List year2026Forbes’ 2026 America’s Best Banks list publication year
List edition17th annualForbes’ 17th annual list of America’s Best Banks
Banks ranked100 banksTop 100 strongest banks identified by Forbes
Metrics used11 metricsNumber of key metrics used in Forbes’ bank ranking
Universe analyzed200 banks200 largest publicly traded banks and thrifts analyzed
Strong Q3 earnings with robust ROAA/ROAE and continued repurchases.
24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.
Pattern Detected
News has generally aligned with positive price reactions, with one notable selloff on strong earnings.
Recent Company History
Over the last few months, HBT Financial has combined steady financial performance with strategic actions. Q3 and Q4 2025 results showed solid profitability and asset quality, alongside growing tangible book value per share. The company announced a definitive agreement to acquire CNB Bank Shares, targeting a combined asset base of roughly $6.9 billion, and authorized a new $30 million repurchase program. Today’s recognition as Forbes’ #1 bank extends this narrative of operational strength and regional banking leadership.
Key Terms
net interest margin, return on equity, return on assets, capital ratios, +1 more
5 terms
net interest marginfinancial
"The equally weighted metrics included net interest margin, return on equity..."
Net interest margin measures how much a bank earns from lending and investing compared with what it pays for funding, expressed as a percentage of its interest-earning assets. Think of it like a grocery store’s markup: it shows the gap between buying cost and selling price per dollar of goods — here, the cost is interest paid and the sale is interest received. Investors watch it because a higher margin usually means a bank is more profitable and better at managing interest rate and credit conditions.
return on equityfinancial
"The equally weighted metrics included net interest margin, return on equity..."
Return on equity shows how effectively a company uses its shareholders' money to generate profit. It is calculated by dividing the company's net profit by its shareholders' equity, indicating how much profit is earned for each dollar invested by owners. Higher return on equity suggests the company is good at turning investments into earnings, which can be an important factor for investors assessing its profitability and efficiency.
return on assetsfinancial
"The equally weighted metrics included net interest margin, return on equity, return on assets..."
Return on assets (ROA) is a percentage that shows how much profit a company earns for each dollar of its assets, calculated by dividing its profit by its total assets. Investors use ROA to judge how efficiently a business turns its resources into earnings — like measuring how many miles a car gets per gallon — and to compare efficiency across companies, keeping in mind that capital‑intensive industries naturally show different typical ROA levels.
capital ratiosfinancial
"The equally weighted metrics included net interest margin, return on equity, return on assets, capital ratios..."
Capital ratios measure how much financial cushion a company—most often a bank or other regulated lender—holds compared with the size and risk of its loans and investments. They matter to investors because higher ratios mean a bigger buffer to absorb losses and stay solvent, influencing a firm’s safety, regulatory standing, and ability to pay dividends or raise capital; think of it as the difference between having a spare tire and driving without one.
asset qualityfinancial
"The equally weighted metrics included net interest margin... efficiency, asset quality, and growth."
Asset quality refers to the overall condition and reliability of the assets held by a financial institution, indicating how likely they are to generate income or be paid back as expected. High-quality assets are like dependable tools that consistently perform well, while lower-quality assets are riskier and may lead to losses. Investors pay close attention to asset quality because it reflects the financial health and stability of an institution.
BLOOMINGTON, Ill., Feb. 18, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HBT Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ: HBT) (“HBT Financial”), the parent company of Heartland Bank and Trust Company (“Heartland Bank”), today announced it has been ranked #1 on Forbes’ 17th annual list of America’s Best Banks. The prestigious ranking, published February 4, identifies the 100 strongest banks in the nation based on an objective analysis of 11 key metrics. The 200 largest publicly traded banks and thrifts by asset size were analyzed.
Forbes evaluated banks based on growth, credit quality, and profitability, as well as stock performance. The equally weighted metrics included net interest margin, return on equity, return on assets, capital ratios, efficiency, asset quality, and growth.
“We are incredibly proud to be recognized as the top bank in America by Forbes,” said J. Lance Carter, President and Chief Executive Officer of HBT Financial and Heartland Bank. “This ranking is a testament to the dedication of our team, our commitment to serving our customers in Illinois and eastern Iowa, and our focus on efficient, sustainable growth.”
This year’s list highlights the strength of regional banks, with HBT Financial leading a group of similarly sized institutions often recognized for their operational efficiency.
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 December 31, 2025, HBT Financial had total assets of $5.1 billion, total loans of $3.5 billion, and total deposits of $4.4 billion.
What does HBT (NASDAQ: HBT) being ranked #1 on Forbes America’s Best Banks 2026 mean for investors?
It signals top relative performance across core bank metrics, implying strong fundamentals and operational efficiency. According to the company, Forbes assessed HBT among 200 largest banks using 11 equally weighted metrics including profitability, credit quality, and growth.
Which metrics led Forbes to rank HBT Financial #1 on the America’s Best Banks list?
Forbes used 11 equally weighted metrics such as net interest margin, ROE, ROA, capital ratios, efficiency, asset quality, and growth. According to the company, the analysis also considered stock performance and credit quality among the 200 banks reviewed.
When was HBT Financial announced as #1 on Forbes’ America’s Best Banks list?
The Forbes ranking naming HBT Financial #1 was published on Feb. 4, 2026. According to the company, the list is Forbes’ 17th annual America’s Best Banks and reviewed the 200 largest publicly traded banks by asset size.
How broad was the peer group when Forbes evaluated HBT Financial for the 2026 ranking?
Forbes analyzed the 200 largest publicly traded banks and thrifts by asset size to create the list. According to the company, HBT topped that peer set based on the 11-objective metric analysis used by Forbes.
Does the Forbes #1 ranking reflect HBT Financial’s regional market strength?
Yes, the ranking highlights HBT’s strength among regional banks and operational efficiency relative to peers. According to the company, Forbes’ list emphasizes growth, credit quality, profitability and other performance measures for regional institutions.
