Independent Bank Corporation Reports 2026 Third Quarter Earnings of $0.80 Per Diluted Share
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Oct. 27, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Independent Bank Corporation (NASDAQ: IBCP) reported third quarter 2026 net income of $17.9 million, or $0.80 per diluted share, versus net income of $17.5 million, or $0.84 per diluted share, in the prior-year period.
Highlights for the third quarter of 2026 include:
(1) Non-GAAP financial measures. See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below.
William B. (“Brad”) Kessel, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Independent Bank Corporation, commented: “Our third quarter results reflect strong organic growth, continued margin expansion, and the first full quarter of contributions from Highpoint Community Bank (“Highpoint”). Net income was $17.9 million, or $0.80 per diluted share. Excluding after tax merger-related expenses of $2.8 million, adjusted net income (1) was $20.6 million or $0.92 per diluted share. Net interest income increased 15.4% from the second quarter to $55.3 million, and net interest margin expanded 12 basis points to 3.79% (11 basis points to 3.82% on a tax-equivalent basis (1)).”
“We delivered outstanding annualized linked-quarter commercial loan growth of 20.9% and total deposit growth of 9.4%, each excluding Highpoint, underscoring the strength of our relationship banking strategy and momentum in our core franchise. Credit loss provisioning increased due to new loans added to the portfolio, including acquired Highpoint loans unfunded lending commitments and an increase in the specific reserve for one commercial relationship, while net loan charge-offs remained low at $0.2 million.”
“As we prepare for Highpoint’s system conversion in November, our teams remain focused on a seamless customer transition and on realizing the long-term benefits of the combined banks. We thank our colleagues for their continued commitment to our customers and their efforts to bring our two organizations together.”
(1) Non-GAAP financial measures. See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below.
Significant items impacting comparable third quarter 2026 and 2025 results include the following (per share after-tax amounts are calculated using an assumed 21% tax rate):
Operating Results
The Company’s net interest income totaled $55.3 million during the third quarter of 2026, an increase of $9.9 million, or 21.8% from the year-ago period, and an increase of $7.4 million, or 15.4%, from the second quarter of 2026. The Company’s net interest income as a percent of average interest-earning assets (the “net interest margin”) was 3.79% during the third quarter of 2026, compared to 3.51% in the year-ago period and 3.67% in the second quarter of 2026. The Company’s tax equivalent net interest margin (Non-GAAP) was 3.82% during the third quarter of 2026, compared to 3.54% in the year-ago period, and 3.71% in the second quarter of 2026. The linked quarter increase in the net interest margin was supported by a 13 basis point increase on earning asset yield.
The year-over-year quarter and linked quarter increases in net interest income were due to an increase in average interest-earning assets, higher net interest margin, and a six basis point benefit from the accretion of purchase accounting adjustments. Average interest-earning assets were $5.82 billion in the third quarter of 2026, compared to $5.16 billion in the year-ago quarter and $5.22 billion in the second quarter of 2026.
Non-interest income totaled $15.8 million for the third quarter of 2026, compared to $15.3 million in the second quarter of 2026 and $11.9 million in the comparable prior year period. This change was primarily due to variances in mortgage loan servicing related revenues.
Net gains on mortgage loans were $1.0 million in the third quarter of 2026, $1.7 million in the second quarter of 2026 and $1.5 million in the third quarter of 2025. The decreases in net gains on mortgage loans in the current quarter were due to unfavorable fair value adjustments on loans originated for sale.
Mortgage loan servicing, net, generated income of $4.1 million, $2.5 million and $0.1 million in the quarters ended September 30, 2026, June 30, 2026, and September 30, 2025, respectively. The significant variance in mortgage loan servicing, net is primarily due to changes in the fair value of capitalized mortgage loan servicing rights associated with changes in interest rates and the associated expected future prepayment levels and expected float rates. Capitalized mortgage loan servicing rights totaled $37.8 million and $31.5 million at September 30, 2026 and September 30, 2025, respectively.
Non-interest expenses totaled $44.8 million in the third quarter of 2026, compared to $37.8 million in the prior quarter and $34.1 million in the year-ago period. The increase in non-interest expense is primarily due to increases related to the merger with Highpoint Community Bank in compensation and employee benefits, merger-related expenses, data processing and amortization of other intangibles.
The Company recorded income tax expense of $3.6 million in the third quarter of 2026. This compares to an income tax expense of $3.9 million in the second quarter of 2026 and $3.7 million in the third quarter of 2025.
Asset Quality
The provision for credit losses was an expense of $4.81 million, $2.72 million and $1.99 million in the third quarter of 2026, second quarter of 2026 and third quarter of 2025, respectively. The increase in the current period provision is primarily attributable to an increase in specific reserves associated with one commercial lending relationship, as well as loan growth and an increase in unfunded commitments. The Company recorded loan net charge offs of $0.21 million, $0.37 million and $0.73 million in the quarters ended September 30, 2026, June 30, 2026 and September 30, 2025, respectively. At September 30, 2026, the allowance for credit losses for loans totaled $73.7 million, or 1.51% of total portfolio loans compared to $62.5 million, or 1.49% of total portfolio loans at September 30, 2025.
Non-performing loans totaled $39.2 million, or 0.80% of total portfolio loans, at September 30, 2026, compared to $32.8 million, or 0.74%, at June 30, 2026 and $20.4 million, or 0.48%, at September 30, 2025. The increase was primarily in commercial loans, where non-performing loans rose to $37.6 million from $13.8 million in the year ago period, primarily driven by four commercial loan relationships being placed on non-accrual status. Government-guaranteed loans of $11.1 million are excluded from these totals. The allowance for credit losses represented 188.26% of non-performing loans at September 30, 2026, compared to 306.85% at September 30, 2025.
Balance Sheet, Capital and Liquidity
Total assets were $6.26 billion at September 30, 2026, an increase of $599.8 million from June 30, 2026. Loans, excluding loans held for sale, were $4.90 billion at September 30, 2026, compared to $4.41 billion at June 30, 2026. Deposits totaled $5.52 billion at September 30, 2026, an increase of $659.3 million from June 30, 2026. In addition to the deposits acquired from the acquisition of Highpoint Community Bank, this increase is related to an inflow of deposits from business and municipal customers.
Cash and cash equivalents totaled $181.8 million at September 30, 2026, versus $165.5 million at June 30, 2026. Securities available for sale (“AFS”) totaled $519.6 million at September 30, 2026, versus $494.0 million at June 30, 2026.
Total shareholders’ equity was $577.3 million at September 30, 2026, or 9.22% of total assets compared to $528.4 million or 9.33% at June 30, 2026. The increase in shareholders’ equity is primarily the result of shares issued in connection with the acquisition of HCB Financial Corp. and earnings retention that was partially offset by dividend payments and an increase in the accumulated other comprehensive loss. Tangible common equity (non-GAAP) totaled $510.0 million at September 30, 2026, or $23.10 per share compared to $499.3 million or $24.24 per share at June 30, 2026. The decrease in tangible common equity per share primarily reflects $39.1 million of goodwill and other intangible assets recorded in the HCB Financial Corp. acquisition.
The Company’s wholly owned subsidiaries, Independent Bank and Highpoint Community Bank, exceeded the “well capitalized” thresholds for regulatory purposes at September 30, 2026, based on preliminary ratios.
At September 30, 2026, in addition to liquidity available from our normal operating, funding, and investing activities, we had unused credit lines with the FHLB and FRB of approximately $858.9 million and $1.13 billion, respectively. We also had approximately $463.8 million in fair value of unpledged securities AFS and HTM at September 30, 2026 which could be pledged for an estimated additional borrowing capacity at the FHLB and FRB of approximately $437.9 million.
Share Repurchase Plan
On December 16, 2025, the Board of Directors of the Company authorized the 2026 share repurchase plan. Under the terms of the 2026 share repurchase plan, the Company is authorized to purchase up to 1,100,000 shares, or approximately 5% of its then outstanding common stock. The repurchase plan is authorized to last through December 31, 2026. During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2026, the Company repurchased 119,425 shares of common stock, for an aggregate purchase price of $4.2 million.
Earnings Conference Call
Brad Kessel, President and CEO, Gavin Mohr, CFO and Joel Rahn, EVP – Commercial Banking will review the quarterly results in a conference call for investors and analysts beginning at 11:00 am ET on Tuesday, October 27, 2026.
To access via phone, participants will need to register using the following link where they will be provided a phone number and access code: https://register-conf.media-server.com/register/BI8251941b98524fec94bd98aeea90727e.
In order to view the webcast and presentation slides, please go to https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/oko972r9 during the time of the call. A replay of the webcast will be available until October 27, 2027.
About Independent Bank Corporation
Independent Bank Corporation (NASDAQ: IBCP) is a Grand Rapids, Michigan-based bank holding company and the parent company of Independent Bank and, as of July 1, 2026, Highpoint Community Bank. Independent Bank Corporation has total assets of approximately $6.3 billion and operates from 66 locations across Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. Founded in 1864 as First National Bank of Ionia, Independent Bank provides a full range of financial services, including commercial banking, consumer banking, mortgage lending, and investment services. Independent Bank expects to complete the full system integration of Highpoint Community Bank’s operations on November 9, 2026. Until conversion, customers of Highpoint Community Bank should continue using their existing Highpoint Community Bank branches, checks, bank cards, online and mobile banking, and other banking services as usual.
For more information, please visit our Web site at: IndependentBank.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are often identified by words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “estimate,” “target,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “outlook,” and similar expressions. These statements include, without limitation, statements regarding our anticipated future financial performance and components of that performance, acquisition integration activities, expected benefits of the completed acquisition, and future plans, prospects and performance.
Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include deterioration in general business and economic conditions or turbulence in domestic or global financial markets; changes in interest rates; changes in unemployment rates; deterioration in the credit quality of our loan portfolio or in the value of collateral securing loans; deterioration in the value of our investment securities; changes in funding availability or costs; legal and regulatory developments; the timing, cost and outcome of pending or threatened litigation and regulatory matters; changes in customer behavior and preferences; cybersecurity incidents or other data-security breaches; risks relating to the integration of Highpoint Community Bank, including customer and employee retention, systems conversion, unexpected costs, disruption to business relationships, and the risk that anticipated benefits may not be realized when expected or at all; and management’s ability to effectively manage the risks facing our business. Additional risk factors are described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 and other reports filed with the SEC, including under the heading “Risk Factors.” Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of future results. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and, except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement.
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Independent Bank Corporation
Independent Bank Corporation believes non-GAAP measures are meaningful because they reflect adjustments commonly made by management, investors, regulators and analysts to evaluate the adequacy of common equity and performance trends. Tangible common equity is used by the Company to measure the quality of capital. Tax-equivalent net interest income and net interest margin adjust for the tax-favored status of certain loans and securities, which improves comparability between taxable and tax-exempt assets. Net interest margin excluding acquisition-related accretion, and adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share excluding merger-related expenses, help investors compare core operating performance across periods without the effects of the HCB Financial Corp. acquisition. Pre-tax, pre-provision net revenue shows earnings capacity before tax and credit costs. These non-GAAP measures supplement, and are not a substitute for, measures calculated in accordance with GAAP, and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.
The tangible common equity ratio removes the effect of goodwill and other intangible assets from capital and total assets. Tangible common equity per share of common stock removes the effect of goodwill and other intangible assets from common shareholders’ equity per share of common stock.