The end of an earnings season can be a great time to discover new stocks and assess how companies are handling the current business environment. Let’s take a look at how Ameris Bancorp (NYSE: ABCB) and the rest of the regional banks stocks fared in Q2.

Regional banks, financial institutions operating within specific geographic areas, serve as intermediaries between local depositors and borrowers. They benefit from rising interest rates that improve net interest margins (the difference between loan yields and deposit costs), digital transformation reducing operational expenses, and local economic growth driving loan demand. However, these banks face headwinds from fintech competition, deposit outflows to higher-yielding alternatives, credit deterioration (increasing loan defaults) during economic slowdowns, and regulatory compliance costs. Recent concerns about regional bank stability following high-profile failures and significant commercial real estate exposure present additional challenges.

The 98 regional banks stocks we track reported a satisfactory Q2. As a group, revenues were in line with analysts’ consensus estimates.

In light of this news, share prices of the companies have held steady. On average, they are relatively unchanged since the latest earnings results.

Ameris Bancorp (NYSE: ABCB)

Tracing its roots back to 1971 and expanding significantly through both organic growth and strategic acquisitions, Ameris Bancorp (NYSE: ABCB) is a financial holding company that provides a full range of banking services to retail and commercial customers across select markets in the southeastern United States.

Ameris Bancorp reported revenues of $300.7 million, flat year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 1.4%. Overall, it was a very strong quarter for the company with a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ net interest income estimates.

Commenting on the Company’s results, Palmer Proctor, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, said, “Our second quarter results underscore the strength, consistency, and long-term value of the Ameris franchise. We delivered above-peer profitability, with a return on assets of 1.65% and a return on tangible common equity of 15.82%. Tangible book value per share - one of our long-standing strategic priorities - grew at a 15.5% annualized rate to surpass $41. Other key performance indicators, including our net interest margin, allowance coverage ratio, and efficiency ratio, remain among the best in the industry. Backed by a strong balance sheet and a proven ability to execute, we are well positioned to capitalize on growth opportunities across our Southeast footprint and drive continued success through the remainder of 2025 and beyond.”

Interestingly, the stock is up 5.5% since reporting and currently trades at $70.02.

Is now the time to buy Ameris Bancorp? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Best Q2: UMB Financial (NASDAQ: UMBF)

With roots dating back to 1913 and a name derived from "United Missouri Bank," UMB Financial (NASDAQ: UMBF) is a financial holding company that provides banking, asset management, and fund services to commercial, institutional, and individual customers.

UMB Financial reported revenues of $689.2 million, up 76.7% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 8.6%. The business had a stunning quarter with a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ tangible book value per share estimates.

The market seems happy with the results as the stock is up 5.7% since reporting. It currently trades at $116.

Is now the time to buy UMB Financial? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Weakest Q2: Coastal Financial (NASDAQ: CCB)

Pioneering the intersection of traditional banking and financial technology in the Pacific Northwest, Coastal Financial (NASDAQ: CCB) operates as a bank holding company that provides traditional banking services and Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) solutions to consumers and businesses.

Coastal Financial reported revenues of $119.4 million, down 11.7% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 21.5%. It was a disappointing quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ net interest income estimates and a significant miss of analysts’ EPS estimates.

Interestingly, the stock is up 4.2% since the results and currently trades at $105.71.

Read our full analysis of Coastal Financial’s results here.

Comerica (NYSE: CMA)

Founded in 1849 during the California Gold Rush era, Comerica (NYSE: CMA) is a financial services company that provides commercial banking, retail banking, and wealth management services to businesses and individuals.

Comerica reported revenues of $849 million, up 3% year on year. This number surpassed analysts’ expectations by 0.7%. Overall, it was a satisfactory quarter as it also recorded an impressive beat of analysts’ tangible book value per share estimates.

The stock is up 8.2% since reporting and currently trades at $67.58.

Read our full, actionable report on Comerica here, it’s free.

Western Alliance Bancorporation (NYSE: WAL)

Operating through five distinct regional banking divisions across the western United States, Western Alliance Bancorporation (NYSE: WAL) provides commercial banking, treasury management, mortgage services, and specialized financial solutions through its banking divisions and subsidiaries.

Western Alliance Bancorporation reported revenues of $845.9 million, up 9.7% year on year. This print topped analysts’ expectations by 1.9%. Taking a step back, it was a mixed quarter as it also logged a narrow beat of analysts’ tangible book value per share estimates but a miss of analysts’ EPS estimates.

The stock is down 2.4% since reporting and currently trades at $82.50.

Read our full, actionable report on Western Alliance Bancorporation here, it’s free.

Market Update

Thanks to the Fed’s rate hikes in 2022 and 2023, inflation has been on a steady path downward, easing back toward that 2% sweet spot. Fortunately (miraculously to some), all this tightening didn’t send the economy tumbling into a recession, so here we are, cautiously celebrating a soft landing. The cherry on top? Recent rate cuts (half a point in September 2024, a quarter in November) have propped up markets, especially after Trump’s November win lit a fire under major indices and sent them to all-time highs. However, there’s still plenty to ponder — tariffs, corporate tax cuts, and what 2025 might hold for the economy.

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