As the craze of earnings season draws to a close, here’s a look back at some of the most exciting (and some less so) results from Q3. Today, we are looking at regional banks stocks, starting with TowneBank (NASDAQ: TOWN).

Regional banks, financial institutions operating within specific geographic areas, serve as intermediaries between local depositors and borrowers. They benefit from rising interest rates that improve net interest margins (the difference between loan yields and deposit costs), digital transformation reducing operational expenses, and local economic growth driving loan demand. However, these banks face headwinds from fintech competition, deposit outflows to higher-yielding alternatives, credit deterioration (increasing loan defaults) during economic slowdowns, and regulatory compliance costs. Recent concerns about regional bank stability following high-profile failures and significant commercial real estate exposure present additional challenges.

The 99 regional banks stocks we track reported a satisfactory Q3. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 1.6%.

While some regional banks stocks have fared somewhat better than others, they have collectively declined. On average, share prices are down 4.2% since the latest earnings results.

TowneBank (NASDAQ: TOWN)

Founded in 1998 with a commitment to community-centered banking in the Hampton Roads region, TowneBank (NASDAQ: TOWN) is a community-focused financial institution providing banking, lending, and wealth management services to individuals and businesses in Virginia and North Carolina.

TowneBank reported revenues of $215.7 million, up 23.6% year on year. This print was in line with analysts’ expectations, but overall, it was a mixed quarter for the company with a solid beat of analysts’ tangible book value per share estimates but a miss of analysts’ net interest income estimates.

"We’re excited to have completed most of the Village integration and system conversions, marking a major milestone for our team. Our immediate priority is to finalize the Dogwood partnership and integrate Old Point systems which we expect could occur in the first quarter of 2026. Looking ahead, we anticipate scheduling the Dogwood system integration in the second half of 2026. I want to express my sincere gratitude to our dedicated teammates whose leadership and commitment to our mission of Serving Others and Enriching Lives make these achievements possible," stated William I. Foster III, President and Chief Executive Officer.

The market was likely pricing in the results, and the stock is flat since reporting. It currently trades at $33.32.

Is now the time to buy TowneBank? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Best Q3: Merchants Bancorp (NASDAQ: MBIN)

With a strategic focus on low-risk, government-backed lending programs, Merchants Bancorp (NASDAQCM:MBIN) is an Indiana-based bank holding company specializing in multi-family mortgage banking, mortgage warehousing, and traditional banking services.

Merchants Bancorp reported revenues of $185.3 million, down 4.4% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 7.8%. The business had a stunning quarter with a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and an impressive beat of analysts’ net interest income estimates.

The market seems happy with the results as the stock is up 22.2% since reporting. It currently trades at $42.70.

Is now the time to buy Merchants Bancorp? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Weakest Q3: National Bank Holdings (NYSE: NBHC)

Operating under familiar local brands like Community Banks of Colorado, Bank Midwest, and Bank of Jackson Hole, National Bank Holdings (NYSE: NBHC) operates regional banks across Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Wyoming, Texas, and other western states, offering commercial, business, and consumer banking services.

National Bank Holdings reported revenues of $102.6 million, down 3.7% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 2.7%. It was a disappointing quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ revenue estimates and a significant miss of analysts’ net interest income estimates.

As expected, the stock is down 4% since the results and currently trades at $38.45.

Read our full analysis of National Bank Holdings’s results here.

Stock Yards Bank (NASDAQ: SYBT)

Founded in 1904 in Louisville and named after the city's historic livestock market district, Stock Yards Bancorp (NASDAQ: SYBT) operates a regional bank providing commercial banking, wealth management, and trust services across Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio.

Stock Yards Bank reported revenues of $101.6 million, up 13% year on year. This result topped analysts’ expectations by 1.8%. It was a strong quarter as it also logged a decent beat of analysts’ net interest income estimates and a decent beat of analysts’ revenue estimates.

The stock is down 4.3% since reporting and currently trades at $64.21.

Read our full, actionable report on Stock Yards Bank here, it’s free.

Westamerica Bancorporation (NASDAQ: WABC)

Founded in 1884 and serving communities from Mendocino County in the north to Kern County in the south, Westamerica Bancorporation (NASDAQ: WABC) provides banking services to individuals and small businesses throughout Northern and Central California.

Westamerica Bancorporation reported revenues of $63.55 million, down 9.1% year on year. This print surpassed analysts’ expectations by 2.7%. Overall, it was a strong quarter as it also put up an impressive beat of analysts’ net interest income estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ revenue estimates.

Westamerica Bancorporation had the slowest revenue growth among its peers. The stock is up 5.7% since reporting and currently trades at $51.28.

Read our full, actionable report on Westamerica Bancorporation here, it’s free.

Market Update

Late in 2025 into early 2026, there was hand wringing around artificial intelligence. For software companies, the fear was that AI would erode pricing power and compress margins as new tools made it easier to replicate what once required expensive enterprise platforms. Crypto investors had their own version of the same anxiety: if AI agents could trade, allocate capital, and manage wallets autonomously, what exactly was the long-term value of today’s crypto infrastructure?

These concerns triggered a noticeable rotation away from these sectors and into safer havens. But markets rarely dwell on one narrative for long. Spring 2026 came, and the focus shifted abruptly from technological disruption to geopolitical risk. The US’ conflict with Iran became the dominant driver of market psychology, and when geopolitics takes center stage, the script changes quickly. Investors stop debating growth rates and start worrying about oil supply, inflation, and global stability.

Want to invest in winners with rock-solid fundamentals? Check out our Strong Momentum Stocks and add them to your watchlist. These companies are poised for growth regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate.