Let’s dig into the relative performance of Peoples Bancorp (NASDAQ: PEBO) and its peers as we unravel the now-completed Q1 regional banks earnings season.

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 92 regional banks stocks we track reported a slower Q1. As a group, revenues were in line with analysts’ consensus estimates.

While some regional banks stocks have fared somewhat better than others, they have collectively declined. On average, share prices are down 1.4% since the latest earnings results.

Peoples Bancorp (NASDAQ: PEBO)

Founded in 1902 in Ohio and expanding through both organic growth and acquisitions, Peoples Bancorp (NASDAQ: PEBO) is a financial holding company that provides banking, insurance, equipment leasing, and investment services to consumers and businesses.

Peoples Bancorp reported revenues of $119.3 million, up 5.6% year on year. This print was in line with analysts’ expectations, but overall, it was a decent quarter for the company with a narrow beat of analysts’ tangible book value per share and EPS estimates.

"We are pleased with the results for the first quarter of 2026, with improvements in net interest margin and our tangible equity to tangible assets ratio increasing to 8.91% versus 8.79% for the prior quarter," said Tyler Wilcox, President and Chief Executive Officer.

The stock is down 2.7% since reporting and currently trades at $33.81.

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

Best Q1: UMB Financial (NASDAQ: UMBF)

With roots dating back to 1913 and a name derived from "United Missouri Bank," UMB Financial (NASDAQ: UMBF) is a financial holding company that provides banking, asset management, and fund services to commercial, institutional, and individual customers.

UMB Financial reported revenues of $744.8 million, up 29.3% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 5.4%. The business had an exceptional quarter with a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ net interest income estimates.

UMB Financial pulled off the biggest analyst estimates beat among its peers. The market seems content with the results as the stock is up 3.3% since reporting. It currently trades at $129.47.

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

Weakest Q1: BankUnited (NYSE: BKU)

Born from the ashes of a failed Florida thrift during the 2009 financial crisis, BankUnited (NYSE: BKU) is a regional bank that provides commercial lending, deposit services, and treasury solutions to businesses and consumers primarily in Florida and the New York metropolitan area.

BankUnited reported revenues of $273.8 million, up 6.1% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 5.1%. It was a disappointing quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ revenue and net interest income estimates.

As expected, the stock is down 1.3% since the results and currently trades at $46.17.

Read our full analysis of BankUnited’s results here.

Banc of California (NYSE: BANC)

Originally established in 1941 and now operating with a tech-forward approach that includes its SmartStreet platform for homeowner associations, Banc of California (NYSE: BANC) is a California-based bank holding company that provides banking services to small and middle-market businesses, entrepreneurs, and individuals.

Banc of California reported revenues of $286.9 million, up 7.9% year on year. This print missed analysts’ expectations by 1.2%. Overall, it was a slower quarter as it also produced a miss of analysts’ net interest income estimates and a slight miss of analysts’ revenue estimates.

The stock is up 1.1% since reporting and currently trades at $18.60.

Read our full, actionable report on Banc of California here, it’s free.

Western Alliance Bancorporation (NYSE: WAL)

Operating through five distinct regional banking divisions across the western United States, Western Alliance Bancorporation (NYSE: WAL) provides commercial banking, treasury management, mortgage services, and specialized financial solutions through its banking divisions and subsidiaries.

Western Alliance Bancorporation reported revenues of $977.3 million, up 25.8% year on year. This result surpassed analysts’ expectations by 2.7%. However, it was a slower quarter as it recorded a significant miss of analysts’ EPS estimates and tangible book value per share in line with analysts’ estimates.

The stock is up 3.1% since reporting and currently trades at $80.28.

Read our full, actionable report on Western Alliance 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 Top 6 Stocks and add them to your watchlist. These companies are poised for growth regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate.