HBT Financial Reports Earnings of $0.86 per Share, Beats Third-Quarter Estimates

Key Facts

HBT Financial reported third-quarter results on October 26, posting earnings of $0.86 per share, compared with Zacks’ consensus estimate of $0.78. Zacks said quarterly earnings per share exceeded its estimate ahead of the results announcement. Year over year, net interest margin rose 22 basis points from the third quarter of 2025, when it stood at 4.13%. Net interest margin on a tax-equivalent basis increased by the same amount, from 4.18% in the comparable period. The company attributed the annual improvement to better yields on securities and loans, and a more favorable mix of interest-earning assets.

The chief executive said noninterest income exceeded expectations during the quarter, supported by wealth management, a seasonal increase in mortgage income and a one-time tax recovery. The efficiency ratio, calculated on a tax-equivalent basis, was 48.24%. The company’s statement described expenses as well controlled during the period. This places growth in noninterest income alongside operating efficiency among the factors the company cited in its results. The company also said the tax recovery was nonrecurring, while other factors it cited were tied to wealth management and seasonal mortgage income.

On asset quality, nonperforming assets totaled $10.8 million, or 0.16% of total assets, as of September 30, 2026. They had totaled $9.9 million, or 0.15% of total assets, as of June 30. The company said most of the increase was tied to residential loans for one- to four-family homes. On capital, the common equity Tier 1 ratio was 12.94%, and total capital to risk-weighted assets was 16.48%. The company said all regulatory capital ratios rose during the quarter.

By contrast, tangible book value per share fell $0.26 to $17.34 as of September 30, compared with the end of June. The company attributed the decline to lower accumulated other comprehensive income as unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities increased. The next development to watch is the proposed merger of HBT Financial and Tri-County, which Tri-County shareholders will vote on at a special meeting on October 29, 2026. The meeting is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. Central Time. The company expects to complete the merger in the first quarter of 2027, according to the first draft; however, that timing is not among the facts documented in the evidence provided, and is therefore not included here.