Simmons First National Corporation Q4 FY2025 earnings call

• Loan growth: Pleased with Q4 loan growth pace, with production offsetting paydowns. Pipeline in 2026 has positive elements like rate ready - to - close at high levels. - Margin: NIM analysis with components like balance sheet restructure impact, core NIM expansion, loan growth, rate and mix, deposit beta. - Asset quality: Stable credit with resolution of problem credits and equipment finance portfolio actions. - Talent: Strong talent pipelines across business areas, focused on revenue and support areas. - Better Bank Initiative: Middle innings of process improvement, still opportunities with expense guide reflecting investment balance. - ROTCE and ROA: ROTCE over 16% in Q4, ROA 1.29%, with seasonality and tax rate factors. - Deposit growth strategy: Focus on consumer side, private banking, commercial C&I, aiming to grow noninterest - bearing deposits.

Loan growth in Q4 was strong with highest production in years, despite agri, mortgage warehouse loans down and divestments/charge-offs. Loan pipeline had approved and ready-to-close at multi - quarter highs. Margin in Q4 was 3.81%, with back book repricing and deposit beta factors. Asset quality was stable with resolution of problem credits and equipment finance divestment.

• Loan growth: Guide for 2026 is low to mid - single - digit growth. - Margin: Q1 expected to be relatively stable to 3.81%, full year likely mid - 3.80s by Q4. NII guide 9% to 11%. Deposit beta expected to moderate to high 50s by end of 2026. - Expense: Guide up 2% to 3% year - over - year reflecting investment balance. - Capital: Priorities are organic growth, dividend, then share buyback opportunistically.

• Forward - looking statements involve risks and uncertainties like economic conditions, interest rates, lending/deposit activity, credit quality, liquidity, etc. - Deposit and loan pricing competition could impact profitability.

Q: Matt Olney at Stephens asked about loan growth drivers, pipeline components and 2026 growth, margin details, deposit and loan pricing competition.

A: Jay Brogdon and Daniel Hobbs discussed loan growth drivers, pipeline components, margin breakdown, deposit and loan pricing competition.

Q: David Feaster at Raymond James asked about asset quality divestments, talent hiring, Better Bank Initiative progress.

A: Jay Brogdon and Charles Hobbs talked about asset quality, talent pipelines, and Better Bank Initiative progress.

Q: Woody Lay at KBW asked about loan production drivers, NIM range shift, capital deployment.

A: Jay Brogdon and Charles Hobbs responded on loan production drivers, NIM range shift, and capital deployment.

Q: Brian Wilczynski with Morgan Stanley asked about ROTCE trajectory, deposit growth strategy.

A: Jay Brogdon and Chris Van Steenberg discussed ROTCE trajectory and deposit growth strategy.

Q: Gary Tenner at D.A. Davidson asked about loan - deposit ratio and loan growth funding.

A: Jay Brogdon answered on loan - deposit ratio and loan growth funding.