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Zions' Q3 Earnings Beat Estimates on Higher NII & Fee Income, Stock Up

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Key Takeaways

  • Zions' adjusted EPS of $1.54 topped estimates and rose 12.4% year over year.
  • Higher NII and fee income drove an 8.7% revenue increase to $861 million.
  • Deposits grew 1.5% to $74.9B, while loans dipped 1% and provisions climbed.

Shares of Zions Bancorporation (ZION - Free Report) rose 1.6% in yesterday’s after-market hours trading session on better-than-expected quarterly results. Its third-quarter 2025 adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.54 beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.40. Moreover, the bottom line surged 12.4% from the year-ago quarter.

The results were primarily aided by higher net interest income (NII) and non-interest income. Additionally, a higher deposit balance was a positive. However, a rise in adjusted non-interest expenses and provisions alongside a decline in loans was a major headwind.

Results in the reported quarter excluded the negative impact of 6 cents per share from net credit valuation adjustment (CVA) loss due to an update in valuation methodology for derivatives. After considering it, net income attributable to its common shareholders (GAAP) was $221 million, up 8.3% year over year. We had projected the metric to be $211.7 million.

Zions’ Revenues & Expenses Rise

Net revenues (tax equivalent) were $861 million, up 8.7% year over year. Further, the top line beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $845.5 million.

NII was $672 million, up 8.4%. The increase was mainly attributed to lower funding costs alongside a favorable mix in average interest-earning assets, reflecting growth in higher-yielding loans and a decline in lower-yielding money market investments and securities. Likewise, net interest margin (NIM) expanded 25 basis points (bps) to 3.28%. Our estimates for NII and NIM were $644.6 million and 3.04%, respectively.

Non-interest income rose 9.9% to $189 million. The rise was driven by an increase in almost all the components except capital markets fees and income. We had projected non-interest income to be $169.9 million.

Adjusted non-interest expenses increased 4.2% to $520 million. Our estimate for the metric was $517.7 million.

Adjusted efficiency ratio was 59.6%, down from 62.5% in the prior-year period. A decline in the efficiency ratio indicates an increase in profitability.

As of Sept. 30, 2025, net loans and leases held for investment were $59.6 billion, down roughly 1% from the prior quarter. On the other hand, total deposits were up 1.5% to $74.9 billion. Our estimates for net loans and leases held for investment and total deposits were $60.2 billion and $75.7 billion, respectively.

Credit Quality of ZION: A Mixed Bag

The ratio of non-performing assets to loans and leases, as well as other real estate owned, contracted 8 bps year over year to 0.54%.

In the reported quarter, the company recorded net loan and lease charge-offs of $56 million, significantly up from $3 million in the prior-year quarter. Provision for credit losses was $49 million in the reported quarter compared with the provision for credit losses of $13 million in the year-ago quarter.

Zions’ Profitability & Capital Ratios

Tier 1 leverage ratio was 8.8% as of Sept. 30, 2025, up from 8.6% in the prior-year quarter. The common equity tier 1 capital ratio was 11.3%, up from 10.7% in the prior-year period.

As of Sept. 30, 2025, the tier 1 risk-based capital ratio was stable at 11.4% compared with the prior-year quarter.

At the end of the third quarter, the return on average assets was 0.99%, up from 0.95% in the prior-year quarter. Return on average tangible common equity was 16%, down from 17.4% in the year-ago quarter.

Our Take on ZION Stock

Zions’ rising loan demand and improving fee income, alongside relatively higher interest rates, bode well for the future. However, persistently increasing operating expenses and significant exposure to commercial loans and weak asset quality are major concerns.

Zions Bancorporation, N.A. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Zions Bancorporation, N.A. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Zions Bancorporation, N.A. price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Zions Bancorporation, N.A. Quote

Currently, Zions carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Performance of Other Banks

F.N.B. Corporation’s (FNB - Free Report) third-quarter 2025 adjusted earnings of 41 cents per share outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 37 cents. Also, the bottom line compared favorably with earnings of 34 cents in the prior-year quarter.

FNB’s results benefited from growth in NII and non-interest income. Higher loans and deposits were the other positives. However, higher provisions and adjusted expenses were the undermining factors.

KeyCorp’s (KEY - Free Report) third-quarter 2025 EPS from continuing operations of 41 cents surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 38 cents. The bottom line reflected a 36.7% jump from the prior-year quarter.

KEY’s results primarily benefited from higher NII and a substantial rise in non-interest income. The average loan balance increased sequentially, which was another positive. However, higher expenses and a rise in provisions were the undermining factors.


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