Newsletter Subscription

A Laser Focus World newsletter subscription is free to qualified professionals:

The Daily Beam

Showcases the newest content from Laser Focus World, including photonics- and optics-based applications, components, research, and trends. (Daily)

Product Watch

The latest in products within the photonics industry. (9x per year)

Bio & Life Sciences Product Watch

The latest in products within the biophotonics industry. (4x per year)

Laser Processing Product Watch

The latest in products within the laser processing industry. (3x per year)

Reflecting On Regional Banks Stocks’ Q2 Earnings: Commerce Bancshares (NASDAQ:CBSH)

By: StockStory

September 15, 2025 at 23:32 PM EDT

CBSH Cover Image

Looking back on regional banks stocks’ Q2 earnings, we examine this quarter’s best and worst performers, including Commerce Bancshares (NASDAQ: CBSH) and its peers.

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 Q2. As a group, revenues were in line with analysts’ consensus estimates.

In light of this news, share prices of the companies have held steady as they are up 1.9% on average since the latest earnings results.

Commerce Bancshares (NASDAQ: CBSH)

Founded in 1865 during the post-Civil War economic boom, Commerce Bancshares (NASDAQGS:CBSH) is a Midwest-focused bank holding company that provides retail, commercial, and wealth management services to individuals and businesses.

Commerce Bancshares reported revenues of $446.2 million, up 6.8% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 2.8%. Overall, it was a strong quarter for the company with a decent beat of analysts’ tangible book value per share and EPS estimates.

In making this announcement, John Kemper, Chief Executive Officer, said, “Commerce delivered a strong financial performance in the second quarter, one that reflected our diversified operating model and the talented team behind it. Our financial results were supported by loan growth, strong fee income, low credit costs and continued disciplined expense management, all key ingredients in our steady profit growth over time.”

Unsurprisingly, the stock is down 6.8% since reporting and currently trades at $59.02.

We think Commerce Bancshares is a good business, but is it a buy today? Read our full report here, it’s free.

Best Q2: 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 $689.2 million, up 76.7% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 8.6%. The business had a stunning quarter with a beat of analysts’ EPS and tangible book value per share estimates.

The market seems happy with the results as the stock is up 9.7% since reporting. It currently trades at $120.40.

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

Weakest Q2: Coastal Financial (NASDAQ: CCB)

Pioneering the intersection of traditional banking and financial technology in the Pacific Northwest, Coastal Financial (NASDAQ: CCB) operates as a bank holding company that provides traditional banking services and Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) solutions to consumers and businesses.

Coastal Financial reported revenues of $119.4 million, down 11.7% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 21.5%. It was a disappointing quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ net interest income and EPS estimates.

Interestingly, the stock is up 7.5% since the results and currently trades at $109.01.

Read our full analysis of Coastal Financial’s results here.

German American Bancorp (NASDAQ: GABC)

Founded in 1910 during a wave of community banking expansion in the Midwest, German American Bancorp (NASDAQ: GABC) is a financial holding company that provides banking, wealth management, and insurance services across southern Indiana and Kentucky.

German American Bancorp reported revenues of $89.89 million, up 38.5% year on year. This print topped analysts’ expectations by 0.8%. Aside from that, it was a mixed quarter as it recorded a slight miss of analysts’ net interest income estimates.

The stock is up 1.8% since reporting and currently trades at $40.91.

Read our full, actionable report on German American Bancorp here, it’s free.

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 $272.8 million, up 5.2% year on year. This result came in 1.2% below analysts' expectations. Overall, it was a softer quarter as it also produced a significant miss of analysts’ EPS estimates.

The stock is up 8.5% since reporting and currently trades at $16.58.

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

Market Update

Thanks to the Fed’s series of rate hikes in 2022 and 2023, inflation has cooled significantly from its post-pandemic highs, drawing closer to the 2% goal. This disinflation has occurred without severely impacting economic growth, suggesting the success of a soft landing. The stock market thrived in 2024, spurred by recent rate cuts (0.5% in September and 0.25% in November), and a notable surge followed Donald Trump’s presidential election win in November, propelling indices to historic highs. Nonetheless, the outlook for 2025 remains clouded by potential trade policy changes and corporate tax discussions, which could impact business confidence and growth. The path forward holds both optimism and caution as new policies take shape.

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.

StockStory is growing and hiring equity analyst and marketing roles. Are you a 0 to 1 builder passionate about the markets and AI? See the open roles here.

About Us

Laser Focus World Membership

Magazine Subscription

Newsletter Subscription

The Daily Beam

Product Watch

Bio & Life Sciences Product Watch

Laser Processing Product Watch

Get Published!

Photonics Hot List

Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast

Social Media

Meet the Laser Focus World Team

Editorial

Sales

Editorial Advisory Board