Technological Advances, Including AI, Drive Record Number of Loan Unit Originations for 1Q26
Rhea-AI Summary
NewtekOne (NASDAQ: NEWT) reported a record 961 loan originations in 1Q26, a 40% increase versus 1Q25, with dollar originations of approximately $391 million. Monthly volume accelerated after process enhancements and added AI resources supporting the Newtek Seven Day Business Loan™.
In March, Newtek originated 500 loans (a 74% increase year-over-year) with roughly $230 million in dollar volume. The company reiterated 2026 EPS guidance of $2.15–$2.55 and 1Q26 EPS range of $0.37–$0.47, and will discuss diversification and credit metrics on the April 30 earnings call.
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
Positive
- Loan units originated +40% YoY in 1Q26 (961 units)
- March originations surged +74% YoY (500 units)
- March dollar volume +34% YoY (~$230M)
- Reiterated full-year EPS guidance of $2.15–$2.55
Negative
- Over half of 1Q26 units concentrated in March (500 of 961)
- Slower start to 1Q due to process enhancements and staff training
News Market Reaction – NEWT
On the day this news was published, NEWT gained 4.71%, reflecting a moderate positive market reaction.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
NEWT was down 0.45% while peers like PCB, FNLC, BCML, CZFS and CZNC showed gains between 0.85% and 2.40%, indicating stock-specific factors around this AI-driven lending update.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 30 | Earnings call scheduled | Neutral | +1.1% | Announced timing of Q1 2026 results release and conference call details. |
| Mar 13 | Dividend declaration | Positive | +0.5% | Declared cash dividends on common and Series B preferred stock for April payment. |
| Mar 10 | AI loan product launch | Positive | +0.2% | Introduced AI-enabled Newtek Seven Day Business Loan with faster funding and processing. |
| Feb 17 | Industry awards | Positive | +2.5% | Received recognition as SBA Bank Lender of the Year and best savings account provider. |
| Feb 02 | Debt retirement | Positive | -0.4% | Retired $95.0 million of senior notes using working capital and exchange offer. |
Recent fundamentally positive announcements—new products, awards, dividends—have generally seen modestly positive price reactions, with only one divergence on a debt retirement update.
Over the last few months, NewtekOne has highlighted several developments, including retiring $95.0 million of senior notes on Feb 2, 2026, industry awards for lending and deposit products on Feb 17, and the launch of the AI-enabled Newtek Seven Day Business Loan™ on Mar 10. It also declared a $0.19 common dividend on Mar 13 and set its Q1 2026 earnings date on Mar 30. Today’s AI-focused origination record builds directly on that technology and lending narrative.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement highlights AI-enabled growth, with a record 961 loans and $391 million in Q1 2026 originations, plus strong March momentum of 500 loan units. It builds on prior launches of the Newtek Seven Day Business Loan™ and the company’s technology-focused banking strategy. Investors may watch how these originations translate into earnings within the stated $2.15–$2.55 EPS guidance range, alongside credit quality and portfolio diversification metrics discussed on the upcoming earnings call.
Key Terms
ai-powered technical
eps financial
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
BOCA RATON, Fla., April 06, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NewtekOne, Inc. (NASDAQ: NEWT) (the “Company”) reported that it originated a record 961 loans in the first quarter of 2026, marking a
Barry Sloane, Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman, of NewtekOne commented, "We are pleased that recently introduced technological advances have supported a record number of loan originations in the first quarter of 2026 and, after a slower start to the year due to implementing process enhancements and staff training, we were encouraged to see the number of units originated surge in the second half of the quarter following the launch of the Newtek Seven Day Business Loan™. In March alone, we originated 500 loan units, a
Mr. Sloane added, "Further incorporating AI into the loan origination process has helped us support deposit gathering and the lending function simultaneously. We believe that we have not only reduced the time and cost to close a loan, but borrowers will benefit from faster access to capital and lower closing costs, while we gain efficiency and the ability to attract higher-quality credits. These technological advances, which are now fully incorporated into our loan origination process, can position us to capture incremental market share, increase volume, and further diversify our loan portfolio. In our lending demographic, the highest quality loans gravitate toward the lender that can commit, fund, and close fastest.
“Our Newtek Seven Day Business Loan™, which is funded within seven days of a completed loan application, has proven to be a great success in its early stages. After a slow January and early February, we are optimistic about our full-year origination projections and credit quality metrics. We remain comfortable with the first quarter and full year EPS guidance ranges of
About NewtekOne, Inc.
NewtekOne®, Your Business Solutions Company®, is a financial holding company, which along with its bank and non-bank consolidated subsidiaries (collectively, “NewtekOne”), provides a wide range of business and financial solutions under the Newtek® brand to independent business owners. Since 1999, NewtekOne has provided state-of-the-art, cost-efficient products and services and efficient business strategies to independent business owners across all 50 states to help them grow their sales, control their expenses, and reduce their risk.
NewtekOne’s and its subsidiaries’ business and financial solutions include: Banking (Newtek Bank, N.A.), Business Lending, SBA Lending Solutions, Electronic Payment Processing, Accounts Receivable Financing & Inventory Financing, Insurance Solutions and Payroll and Benefits Solutions. In addition, NewtekOne offers its clients the Technology Solutions (Cloud Computing, Data Backup, Storage and Retrieval, IT Consulting and Web Services) provided by Intelligent Protection Management Corp. (IPM.com)
Newtek®, NewtekOne®, Newtek Bank®, National Association, Your Business Solutions Company®, One Solution for All Your Business Needs® and Newtek Advantage® are registered trademarks of NewtekOne, Inc.
Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the rules and regulations of the Private Securities Litigation and Reform Act of 1995 are based on the current beliefs and expectations of NewtekOne's management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. See “Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and the sections entitled “Risk Factors” in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission which are available on NewtekOne's website (https://investor.newtekbusinessservices.com/sec-filings) and on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website (www.sec.gov). Any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of NewtekOne speak only as to the date they are made, and NewtekOne does not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect the impact of circumstances or events that arise after the date the forward-looking statements were made.
SOURCE: NewtekOne, Inc.
Investor Relations & Public Relations
Contact: Bryce Rowe
Telephone: (212) 273-8292 / browe@newtekone.com
