The end of the earnings season is always a good time to take a step back and see who shined (and who not so much). Let’s take a look at how regional banks stocks fared in Q3, starting with Ameris Bancorp (NYSE: ABCB).

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 94 regional banks stocks we track reported a satisfactory Q3. As a group, revenues missed analysts’ consensus estimates by 1.1%.

Thankfully, share prices of the companies have been resilient as they are up 6.1% on average since the latest earnings results.

Ameris Bancorp (NYSE: ABCB)

Tracing its roots back to 1971 and expanding significantly through both organic growth and strategic acquisitions, Ameris Bancorp (NYSE: ABCB) is a financial holding company that provides a full range of banking services to retail and commercial customers across select markets in the southeastern United States.

Ameris Bancorp reported revenues of $313.1 million, up 10.3% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 2.5%. Overall, it was a strong quarter for the company with a solid beat of analysts’ revenue estimates and a decent beat of analysts’ tangible book value per share estimates.

Commenting on the Company’s results, Palmer Proctor, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, said, “Our performance continues to be outstanding, with a third quarter return on assets of 1.56% and return on tangible common equity of 14.6%. Our focus on sustainable growth in both core deposits and tangible book value per share was again evident in the quarter. Deposits grew 5% annualized while our non-interest bearing deposit mix remained over 30%. Tangible book value grew by more than 15% annualized to almost $43 per share. Our net interest margin of 3.80% places us among the top performers across the industry. The efficiency ratio remained low, aided by approximately 18% annualized revenue growth. Given our robust capital levels and proven track record, we are well positioned to take advantage of the growth potential across our Southeast franchise in 2026 and beyond.”

Interestingly, the stock is up 3.2% since reporting and currently trades at $76.81.

Is now the time to buy Ameris Bancorp? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free for active Edge members.

Best Q3: Customers Bancorp (NYSE: CUBI)

Originally founded with a "high-tech, high-touch" branch-light banking strategy, Customers Bancorp (NYSE: CUBI) is a bank holding company that provides commercial and consumer banking services through its Customers Bank subsidiary, with a focus on business lending and digital banking.

Customers Bancorp reported revenues of $232.1 million, up 38.9% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 7%. The business had a stunning quarter with an impressive beat of analysts’ net interest income estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ revenue estimates.

The market seems happy with the results as the stock is up 8.5% since reporting. It currently trades at $71.14.

Is now the time to buy Customers Bancorp? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free for active Edge members.

Weakest Q3: The Bancorp (NASDAQ: TBBK)

Operating behind the scenes of many popular fintech apps and prepaid cards you might use daily, The Bancorp (NASDAQ: TBBK) is a bank holding company that specializes in providing banking services to fintech companies and offering specialty lending products.

The Bancorp reported revenues of $174.6 million, up 38.8% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 10%. 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 15.3% since the results and currently trades at $65.41.

Read our full analysis of The Bancorp’s results here.

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 $678.3 million, up 67% year on year. This print surpassed analysts’ expectations by 3.5%. Overall, it was a strong quarter as it also put up an impressive beat of analysts’ revenue estimates and a decent beat of analysts’ tangible book value per share estimates.

The stock is up 2.8% since reporting and currently trades at $115.49.

Read our full, actionable report on UMB Financial here, it’s free for active Edge members.

Provident Financial Services (NYSE: PFS)

Founded in 1839 and serving communities across New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York, Provident Financial Services (NYSE: PFS) operates a regional bank providing commercial, residential, and consumer lending alongside wealth management and insurance services.

Provident Financial Services reported revenues of $221.8 million, up 5.3% year on year. This number topped analysts’ expectations by 0.7%. Taking a step back, it was a mixed quarter as it also recorded a narrow beat of analysts’ tangible book value per share estimates but EPS in line with analysts’ estimates.

The stock is up 7.9% since reporting and currently trades at $20.03.

Read our full, actionable report on Provident Financial Services here, it’s free for active Edge members.

Market Update

As a result of the Fed’s rate hikes in 2022 and 2023, inflation has come down from frothy levels post-pandemic. The general rise in the price of goods and services is trending towards the Fed’s 2% goal as of late, which is good news. The higher rates that fought inflation also didn't slow economic activity enough to catalyze a recession. So far, soft landing. This, combined with recent rate cuts (half a percent in September 2024 and a quarter percent in November 2024) have led to strong stock market performance in 2024. The icing on the cake for 2024 returns was Donald Trump’s victory in the U.S. Presidential Election in early November, sending major indices to all-time highs in the week following the election. Still, debates around the health of the economy and the impact of potential tariffs and corporate tax cuts remain, leaving much uncertainty around 2025.

Want to invest in winners with rock-solid fundamentals? Check out our 9 Best Market-Beating Stocks and add them to your watchlist. These companies are poised for growth regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate.