Cathay General Bancorp Q1 FY2026 earnings call

• Net income for Q4 2025 was $90.5 million, up 16.5% from Q3; full year 2025 net income $315.1 million, up 10.1% from 2024. • Repurchased 1.1 million shares in Q4 for $51.9 million, with $12 million remaining in the $150 million buyback program. • Loan growth expected 3.5%-4.5% in 2026. • CRE loans: average LTV steady at 49%, retail property loans 24% of CRE, 12% of total; office private loans 13% of CRE, 7% of total. • Deposit growth in Q4 driven by core deposits, expecting 4%-5% in 2026.

For the fourth quarter of 2025, net income was $90.5 million, a 16.5% increase from Q3. Full year 2025 net income was $315.1 million, a 10.1% increase from 2024. Total gross loans grew by $42 million, driven by $80 million in CRE loans and $17 million in residential loans. Q4 net charge-offs were $5.4 million vs $15.6 million prior quarter. Non-accrual loans were 0.6% of total loans. Classified loans decreased, special mention loans increased. Provisions for credit losses in Q4 were $17.2 million. Total deposits increased by $373 million in Q4.

• Loan growth in 2026 expected between 3.5% and 4.5%. • Net interest margin for 2026 expected to range between 3.4% and 3.5%. • Deposit growth in 2026 expected to range between 4% and 5%. • Effective tax rate for 2026 expected between 20.5% and 21.5%.

Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties described in the company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31st, 2024, at item 1A in particular.

Q: Kelly Mota asked about deposits, margin guidance, and credit migration.

A: Assumed deposit betas in 60% range, credit migrations explained with examples like New York mixed-use project, Pacific Northwest multifamily, and CNI distributor.

Q: Andrew Terrell asked about margin, lending competition.

A: Mentioned residential mortgage growth, CRE competition, CNI competition, and expected amortization in 2026