OptimumBank Holdings, Inc. Announces Formation of OptimumFunding to Launch HUD and FHA Lending Platform

Rhea-AI Summary

OptimumBank Holdings (NYSE: OPHC) formed OptimumFunding, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary to launch a HUD and FHA lending platform focused on bridge-to-HUD financing and government-insured FHA/HUD loan origination for multifamily and healthcare properties.

The board approved a dividend to the holding company and the holding company authorized a capital investment to fund OptimumFunding’s initial operations; program approvals, staffing, and pipeline updates are expected as the platform develops.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

Positive

• New subsidiary created to offer HUD and FHA lending
• Board-approved dividend enabled holding-company capital injection
• Integrated bridge-to-HUD pathway for multifamily and healthcare borrowers
• Dedicated team with sector experience for origination and servicing

Negative

• HUD/FHA program approvals and staffing remain pending
• No quantitative guidance or timeline provided for revenue impact

News Market Reaction – OPHC

-1.50%

1 alert

-1.50% News Effect

On the day this news was published, OPHC declined 1.50%, reflecting a mild negative market reaction.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Market Reality Check

Price: $5.50 Vol: Volume 75,919 is 2.2x the...

high vol

$5.50 Last Close

Volume Volume 75,919 is 2.2x the 20-day average of 34,531, signaling elevated interest ahead of this announcement. high

Technical Shares at $5.35 are trading above the 200-day MA of $4.38 and within 4.29% of the 52-week high of $5.59.

Peers on Argus

OPHC is up 2.88% while key regional bank peers are mostly flat-to-down: TCBS -0....

OPHC is up 2.88% while key regional bank peers are mostly flat-to-down: TCBS -0.66%, ASRV -1.79%, HFBL 0%, BAFN -3.85%, with only MBBC modestly higher at +1.6%. This points to a company-specific reaction to the HUD/FHA platform news rather than a sector-wide move.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Feb 11 (Neutral)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Feb 11	Earnings webcast notice	Neutral	+3.0%	Announcement of webcast to discuss Q4 and full-year 2025 results.
Feb 02	Earnings results	Positive	+3.2%	Reported Q4 and full-year 2025 earnings with strong loan and asset growth.
Jan 16	Investor conference	Neutral	+0.0%	Upcoming Emerging Growth Conference presentation by the chairman.
Jan 09	Lending promotion	Positive	+0.7%	Launch of Q1 2026 owner-occupied CRE financing promotion with defined terms.
Jan 05	Capital structure update	Positive	+0.2%	Capital structure modernization to support growth beyond a $1.1B asset milestone.

Pattern Detected

Recent announcements, especially on earnings and capital structure, have generally coincided with stable-to-positive price reactions, indicating the market has responded constructively to OPHC’s disclosed developments.

Recent Company History

Over the last few months, OPHC has highlighted solid financial progress and corporate actions. Fourth-quarter 2025 results showed net earnings of $4.85M and full-year earnings of $16.64M, alongside $1.11B in assets and $958.79M in gross loans. A year-end capital structure enhancement supported asset growth beyond $1.1B. Promotional activity in owner-occupied CRE lending and participation in an investor conference reinforced growth ambitions. Against this backdrop, today’s launch of OptimumFunding extends the lending platform into HUD/FHA, building on existing healthcare and multifamily strengths.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement outlines OPHC’s formation of OptimumFunding to extend its lending platform into HU...

Analysis

This announcement outlines OPHC’s formation of OptimumFunding to extend its lending platform into HUD- and FHA-insured products, leveraging long-standing expertise in healthcare and multifamily finance. Recent history shows solid earnings, asset growth to over $1.11B, and capital structure updates supporting expansion. Investors may focus on how quickly the new platform secures approvals, builds a loan pipeline, and integrates with existing risk and compliance frameworks while maintaining disciplined capital allocation.

Key Terms

fha, bridge-to-hud financing, government-insured lending, accounts receivable lending

4 terms

fha regulatory

"to support a new HUD and FHA lending initiative, representing a significant"

The FHA is the U.S. Federal Housing Administration, a government agency that insures home loans so lenders take less risk; think of it as a safety net that encourages banks to lend to buyers who might not qualify for conventional mortgages. For investors, FHA policy and activity matter because they shape demand for housing, affect mortgage availability and default risk, and influence the performance of banks, mortgage lenders, homebuilders, and mortgage-backed securities.

bridge-to-hud financing financial

"by offering bridge-to-HUD financing, as well as FHA- and HUD-insured loan"

Bridge-to-HUD financing is a short-term loan that covers costs while a property owner or developer waits to secure a long-term, HUD-insured mortgage from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. It matters to investors because it reduces the risk that a project stalls for lack of funding and can affect short-term interest costs and the timing of when a property moves onto more stable, lower-cost financing—think of it as a temporary stepping stone to a permanent HUD-backed loan.

government-insured lending regulatory

"extending this foundation into government-insured lending, allowing borrowers to"

A type of loan where a government program promises to cover some or all of the lender’s losses if the borrower can’t repay. Like a safety net behind a trampoline, this guarantee makes lenders more willing to offer credit and often lowers borrowing costs, which can expand activity in housing, small business, or other markets; for investors it changes the risk and return picture by shifting credit risk from private lenders toward the government.

accounts receivable lending financial

"with a particular focus on accounts receivable lending for aged receivables."

Accounts receivable lending is a short-term financing arrangement where a company uses its unpaid customer invoices as collateral to borrow cash from a lender; the lender advances most of the invoice value and collects payment when customers pay. It matters to investors because it improves a company’s cash flow and working capital without issuing equity, but also signals dependency on external financing and exposes lenders (and indirectly investors) to customer payment risk, which can affect liquidity and balance-sheet strength.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Feb. 23, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- OptimumBank Holdings, Inc. (NYSE American: OPHC) (“Company”) announced today the formation of OptimumFunding, LLC (“OptimumFunding”), a wholly owned subsidiary created to support a new HUD and FHA lending initiative, representing a significant milestone in the Company’s long-term strategic growth plan.

OptimumFunding has been established to expand the Company’s commercial real estate lending capabilities by offering bridge-to-HUD financing, as well as FHA- and HUD-insured loan origination, with servicing and relationship management supported by professionals with deep experience in the markets and client segments historically served by the Company.

A Natural Progression of a Proven Platform

The launch of OptimumFunding reflects a natural progression of the Company’s longstanding role as a trusted banking partner to skilled nursing home operators and commercial real estate investors, with a focus in the multifamily and skilled nursing home sector.

For many years, the Company has built deep expertise supporting the healthcare sector, including a long history of providing bank financing for skilled nursing facility (“SNF”) operators, with a particular focus on accounts receivable lending for aged receivables. OptimumBank has also provided mortgage financing for nursing homes and multifamily properties. By forming OptimumFunding the Company is extending this foundation into government-insured lending, allowing borrowers to transition seamlessly from short-term bridge financing to long-term FHA and HUD-insured solutions under one integrated platform.

Through OptimumFunding the Company expects to offer a focused suite of financing solutions, including:

• Bridge-to-HUD Financing: Short-term transitional financing solutions designed to support acquisitions, refinancings, recapitalizations, and property repositioning, with the objective of facilitating a transition to long-term HUD or FHA-insured financing.
• FHA and HUD-Insured Loan Origination: Government-insured financing solutions for qualifying multifamily and healthcare properties, including stabilized and transitional assets.
• Healthcare and Multifamily Lending Focus: Specialized expertise serving skilled nursing facilities, senior housing, and multifamily assets, building upon the Company’s established lending relationships and sector knowledge.
  
  

Importantly, OptimumFunding’s platform is designed to complement the Company’s core banking operations, enabling borrowers to benefit from expanded capabilities while maintaining continuity of service.

Unlike larger, transactional platforms, OptimumFunding will operate with a relationship-driven model, emphasizing responsiveness, transparency, and long-term partnership.

Loan origination, structuring, and ongoing servicing will be delivered by a dedicated team with deep experience in healthcare and multifamily finance, ensuring continuity, responsiveness, and a consistent client experience throughout the life of each transaction.

Management and Governance

In connection with the formation of OptimumFunding the Board of Directors of OptimumBank approved a dividend to OptimumBank Holdings, Inc. The Holding Company, in turn, authorized a capital investment into OptimumFunding to support initial operations and platform development. OptimumFunding has been structured to operate independently while remaining fully aligned with the Company’s governance, compliance, and risk management frameworks.

Moishe Gubin, Chairman of the Company commented, “The formation of OptimumFunding marks an important next chapter for our organization. We have spent years building deep relationships and specialized expertise across healthcare and multifamily lending. Expanding into HUD and FHA financing allows us to better serve our clients as they grow, while creating a new line of business that we believe will enhance profitability and shareholder value.”

The Company believes this disciplined capital allocation approach positions OptimumFunding for scalable growth while maintaining strong oversight and risk management. The Company expects OptimumFunding to diversify revenue streams through government-insured lending, strengthen the Company’s national presence in healthcare and multifamily finance, provide borrowers with a single-platform solution from bridge financing through permanent execution, and align long-term profitability with mission-driven housing and healthcare outcomes. As the platform develops, the Company anticipates further updates regarding program approvals, staffing, and pipeline activity.

About OptimumBank Holdings, Inc.

OptimumBank Holdings, Inc. is the corporate parent company of OptimumFunding and OptimumBank, formed in 2004. OptimumFunding was founded in 2025. OptimumBank was founded in 2000 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Our customers found a bank that is strongly service oriented with reasonable fees, unseen at larger financial institutions. OptimumBank is committed to supporting economic development and social progress through responsible banking and community partnerships. OptimumBank’s business and financial solutions include: Business Banking, Business Lending, SBA Lending Solutions, Treasury Management, and Personal Banking.

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. These statements are based on management’s current expectations and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. These statements are not guarantees of future results or occurrences and are subject to change, possibly materially. See “Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and the sections entitled “Risk Factors” in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission which are available on OptimumBank's website (Investor Relations - OptimumBank) and on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website (www.sec.gov). Any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of OptimumBank speak only as to the date they are made, and OptimumBank 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: OptimumBank Holdings, Inc.

Investor Relations & Corporate Relations
Contact: Seth Denison
Telephone: (305) 401-4140 / SDenison@OptimumBank.com

FAQ

What did OptimumBank (OPHC) announce on February 23, 2026 about OptimumFunding?

OptimumBank launched OptimumFunding, a wholly owned subsidiary to offer HUD and FHA-insured lending solutions. According to the company, OptimumFunding will provide bridge-to-HUD financing, FHA/HUD loan origination, servicing, and relationship management for multifamily and healthcare borrowers.

How will OptimumFunding’s bridge-to-HUD financing work for OPHC borrowers?

Bridge-to-HUD financing will provide short-term transitional loans to support acquisitions, refinancings, and repositioning. According to the company, the goal is to enable seamless transitions from short-term bridge financing to long-term FHA or HUD-insured loans on one platform.

What capital actions did OptimumBank (OPHC) take to fund OptimumFunding?

The board approved a dividend to the holding company, which then authorized a capital investment into OptimumFunding to support initial operations. According to the company, this funds platform development and early staffing.

Will OptimumFunding change OptimumBank’s focus on healthcare and multifamily lending?

OptimumFunding extends the bank’s existing expertise into government-insured lending for healthcare and multifamily assets. According to the company, it builds on longstanding relationships serving skilled nursing and multifamily owners with a relationship-driven model.

Are there any immediate approvals or timelines for OPHC’s HUD/FHA programs?

Program approvals, staffing, and pipeline updates are still forthcoming as the platform develops. According to the company, further updates will be provided regarding program approvals, staffing, and pipeline activity as progress is made.