third quarter 2026
Filed Oct 29, 2026Isabella Bank Corporation Reports Record Third Quarter 2026 Earnings
Record quarterly net income, wider net interest margin, higher deposits and stronger noninterest income supported results, while nonaccrual loans, net unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities and merger-related expenses increased.
Key metrics
shortened, hover for the filing’s print| Metric | Value | q/q | y/y |
|---|---|---|---|
| Net income, three months ended September 30, 2026GAAP | $6.61M | – | – |
| Diluted earnings per common share, three months ended September 30, 2026GAAP | $ 0.86 | – | – |
| Basic earnings per common share, three months ended September 30, 2026GAAP | $ 0.86 | – | – |
| Net income, nine months ended September 30, 2026GAAP | $16.64M | – | – |
| Diluted earnings per common share, nine months ended September 30, 2026GAAP | $ 2.24 | – | – |
| Net interest income, three months ended September 30, 2026GAAP | $19.37M | – | – |
| Net interest income, nine months ended September 30, 2026GAAP | $54.34M | – | – |
| Net interest margin yield, three months ended September 30, 2026non-GAAP | 3.71% | – | – |
| Net interest margin yield, nine months ended September 30, 2026non-GAAP | 3.53% | – | – |
| Yield on loans, three months ended September 30, 2026other | 5.95% | – | – |
| Book yield from securities, three months ended September 30, 2026other | 3.20% | – | – |
| Cost of interest-bearing liabilities, three months ended September 30, 2026other | 2.08% | – | – |
| Provision for credit losses, three months ended September 30, 2026GAAP | $50K | – | – |
| Provision for credit losses, nine months ended September 30, 2026GAAP | $1.55M | – | – |
| Net loan charge-offs, three months ended September 30, 2026other | $207K | – | – |
| Net loan charge-offs, nine months ended September 30, 2026other | $844K | – | – |
| Total noninterest income, three months ended September 30, 2026GAAP | $4.57M | – | – |
| Service charges and fees, three months ended September 30, 2026GAAP | $2.43M | – | – |
| Wealth management fees, three months ended September 30, 2026GAAP | $1.17M | – | – |
| Total noninterest expenses, three months ended September 30, 2026GAAP | $15.65M | – | – |
| Compensation and benefits, three months ended September 30, 2026GAAP | $8.50M | – | – |
| Merger-related expenses, three months ended September 30, 2026GAAP | $672K | – | – |
| After-tax merger-related expenses, three months ended September 30, 2026other | $657,000 | – | – |
| Income tax expense, three months ended September 30, 2026GAAP | $1.64M | – | – |
| Effective tax rate, three months ended September 30, 2026GAAP | 20% | – | – |
| Total assets, September 30, 2026GAAP | $2.24B | – | – |
| Loans held for investment, September 30, 2026GAAP | $1.54B | – | – |
| Allowance for credit losses, September 30, 2026GAAP | $14.40M | – | – |
| Total deposits, September 30, 2026GAAP | $1.89B | – | – |
| Total shareholders' equity, September 30, 2026GAAP | $245.6M | – | – |
| Tangible book value per share, September 30, 2026non-GAAP | $ 25.78 | – | – |
| Nonaccrual loans, September 30, 2026other | $7.49M | – | – |
| Nonperforming loans to total loans, September 30, 2026other | 0.49% | – | – |
| Allowance for credit losses to loans, September 30, 2026other | 0.94% | – | – |
| Efficiency ratio, three months ended September 30, 2026non-GAAP | 64.74% | – | – |
| Wealth assets under management, September 30, 2026other | $746.0M | – | – |
Capital returns
- Cash dividends per common share were $ 0.28 for the three months ended September 30, 2026, $ 0.28 for the three months ended June 30, 2026, and $ 0.28 for the three months ended September 30, 2025.
- The Company issued 322,685 shares as part of the ongoing at-the-market stock offering, increasing total equity by $12.5 million, net of expenses.
What drove it
- Net interest income was supported by a 5.95% yield on loans, compared with 5.78% for the three months ended September 30, 2025, as higher rates on new loans and variable rate commercial loans continued to reprice.
- The cost of interest-bearing liabilities decreased to 2.08% from 2.25%, primarily due to lower rates on money market and certificate of deposit products.
- Money market accounts increased $141.8 million and savings deposits increased $11.1 million from December 31, 2025.
- Service charges and fees increased $202,000 and wealth management fees increased $94,000 due to growth in assets under management since second quarter 2025.
- Compensation and benefit expenses increased $867,000, reflecting annual merit increases, incentives, and higher medical insurance claims.
Concerns
- Nonaccrual loans were $7.5 million as of September 30, 2026 compared to $4.6 million at December 31, 2025.
- The allowance for credit losses increased $671,000, or 4.9%, to $14.4 million as of September 30, 2026 due to loan growth and an increase in loss rates driven by loans charged off during the year.
- The consumer loan portfolio continues to decrease amid declining demand, continued competition, and disciplined adherence to credit quality standards.
- Net unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities reduced tangible book value per share by $2.26 as of September 30, 2026.
- Third-quarter noninterest expenses included $672,000 of merger-related expenses.
What to watch
- The proposed acquisition of Grand River Commerce, Inc. and Grand River Bank is expected to close on November 2, 2026, subject to the satisfaction or waiver of customary closing conditions.
- Management said it is focused on a smooth integration and clear communication with customers and employees.
- Commercial real estate and residential real estate loan portfolios grew $29.9 million and $29.7 million, respectively, while advances to mortgage brokers and consumer loans declined $39.0 million and $10.6 million, respectively.
- Past due and accruing accounts between 30 to 89 days as a percentage of total loans were 0.10% at September 30, 2026, compared to 0.44% at year-end 2025.
Balance sheet and cash flow
- Cash and cash equivalents were $ 138,540 (dollars in thousands) at September 30, 2026, compared with $ 26,041 (dollars in thousands) at December 31, 2025.
- Marketable securities available-for-sale, at fair value were $ 409,541 (dollars in thousands) at September 30, 2026, compared with $ 497,791 (dollars in thousands) at December 31, 2025.
- Total borrowed funds were 87,455 (dollars in thousands) at September 30, 2026, compared with 142,514 (dollars in thousands) at December 31, 2025.
- Subordinated debt, net of unamortized issuance costs, was 29,581 (dollars in thousands) at September 30, 2026.
- Net unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities were $21.7 million as of September 30, 2026, compared to $9.9 million at December 31, 2025.
- Net unrealized losses as a percentage of the amortized cost of available-for-sale securities were 5.0% as of September 30, 2026, compared to 1.9% at December 31, 2025.
Analysis
Isabella reported record third-quarter net income of $6.6 million, or $0.86 per diluted share, compared with $5.2 million, or $0.71 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2025. Nine-month net income was $16.6 million, or $2.24 per diluted share, compared with $14.2 million, or $1.92 per diluted share. Third-quarter results included after-tax merger-related expenses of $657,000.
Net interest income was $19.4 million for the quarter compared with $16.2 million a year earlier. Fully tax equivalent net interest margin was 3.71%, compared with 3.15%. Loan yield increased to 5.95% from 5.78%, while the cost of interest-bearing liabilities decreased to 2.08% from 2.25%. The company attributed the loan-yield improvement to higher rates on new loans and repricing variable-rate commercial loans, and attributed the lower funding cost to money market and certificate of deposit rates.
Fee income also improved. Quarterly noninterest income was $4.6 million compared with $4.3 million, led by higher service charges and fees and wealth management fees. Noninterest expense was $15.6 million compared with $14.0 million, including higher compensation and benefits, occupancy and equipment costs, and $672,000 of merger-related expenses. The efficiency ratio was 64.74%, compared with 67.62% in the prior-year quarter.
Balance-sheet funding strengthened during the first nine months. Total deposits increased $73.0 million, or 4.0%, to $1.9 billion as of September 30, 2026, with money market accounts up $141.8 million and savings deposits up $11.1 million. Loans decreased $556,000 to $1.5 billion, as commercial real estate and residential real estate growth was offset by declines in advances to mortgage brokers and consumer loans. Total equity was $245.6 million, or $32.09 per share, and tangible book value per share was $25.78.
Credit and securities marks remain important offsets. Nonaccrual loans were $7.5 million compared with $4.6 million at December 31, 2025, and the allowance for credit losses increased to $14.4 million. Net unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities were $21.7 million, compared with $9.9 million at December 31, 2025, and reduced tangible book value per share by $2.26. The Grand River acquisition received required regulatory and shareholder approvals and is expected to close on November 2, 2026, subject to customary closing conditions.
Management, verbatim
Isabella Bank Corporation reported a record quarter of net income, supported by continued expansion in our net interest margin. We are pleased with the increase in deposit balances, which further strengthens the Corporation’s funding position. Overall, the quarter reflected positive earnings momentum.
Jerome Schwind, President and CEO
We also have received required regulatory and shareholder approvals to complete the acquisition of Grand River Commerce and Grand River Bank. This is a key milestone and the transaction is on track for our anticipated November 2, 2026 close. Importantly, this merger supports our disciplined growth strategy by expanding our customer base and presence in West Michigan. We are keenly focused on a smooth integration and clear communication with customers and employees to assure continued strong customer service.
Jerome Schwind, President and CEO
Not in the filing
stated, not guessed- Financial revenue guidance, gross-margin guidance, operating-expense guidance and tax-rate guidance were not provided.
- Prior-release outlook was not provided.
- Operating cash flow and free cash flow were not reported.
- Share repurchases were not reported.
- Reportable operating segments and segment revenue were not reported.
- Gross margin is not reported.
AlphAI analysis generated from the company’s SEC earnings filing (Form 8-K Item 2.02, or Form 6-K for a foreign private issuer). Every figure was cross-checked against the filing text; consensus estimates, price targets and share-price reactions are not shown because they are not in the filing. AI-generated research, not investment advice.