Hancock Whitney Reports Q1 2026 Earnings, Highlights $98.6M Charge and Outlook for Loan Growth
Hancock Whitney Corp. (NASDAQ:HWC) disclosed its first‑quarter 2026 results, showing net income of $47.4 million, or $0.57 per diluted share, after a $98.6 million pretax charge tied to a securities‑portfolio restructuring. Adjusted earnings rose to $1.52 per share, and management reaffirmed guidance for mid‑single‑digit loan growth and low‑single‑digit deposit growth for the full year.
Financial Details
| Net Income Q1 2026 Million Usd | 47.40 |
| Eps Diluted Q1 2026 Usd | 0.57 |
| Pretax Charge Million Usd | 98.60 |
| Adjusted Eps Q1 2026 Usd | 1.52 |
| Adjusted Ppnr Million Usd | 172.90 |
| Total Loans Billion Usd | 24.00 |
| Loan Growth Qoq Percent | 0.1% |
| Average Loans Billion Usd | 24.00 |
| Average Loan Growth Qoq Percent | 1.0% |
| Total Deposits Billion Usd | 29.10 |
| Deposit Change Qoq Percent | -1.0% |
| Noninterest Bearing Ddas Billion Usd | 10.30 |
| Interest Bearing Transaction Savings Deposits Billion Usd | 12.20 |
| Interest Bearing Transaction Savings Deposits Change Qoq Percent | 2.0% |
| Retail Time Deposits Billion Usd | 3.60 |
| Retail Time Deposits Change Qoq Percent | -4.0% |
| Interest Bearing Public Fund Deposits Billion Usd | 2.90 |
| Public Fund Deposits Change Qoq Percent | -9.0% |
| Average Deposits Billion Usd | 28.80 |
| Acl Million Usd | 343.70 |
| Acl Ratio Percent | 1.4% |
| Provision Credit Losses Million Usd | 13.20 |
| Net Charge Offs Million Usd | 11.10 |
| Net Charge Offs Percent Of Average Loans | 0.2% |
| Criticized Commercial Loans Million Usd | 522.20 |
| Criticized Commercial Loans Percent Of Commercial | 2.8% |
| Nonaccrual Loans Million Usd | 113.30 |
| Nonaccrual Loans Percent Of Total | 0.5% |
| Net Interest Income Million Usd | 287.60 |
| Nim Percent | 3.5% |
| Noninterest Income Million Usd | 7.50 |
| Adjusted Noninterest Income Million Usd | 106.10 |
| Effective Tax Rate Percent | 19.3% |
| Common Equity Billion Usd | 4.40 |
| Tce Ratio Percent | 9.9% |
| Cet1 Ratio Percent | 13.3% |
| Risk Based Capital Ratio Percent | 15.1% |
| Shares Repurchased Million | 1.40 |
| Average Repurchase Price Usd | 67.55 |
| Dividend Per Share Usd | 0.50 |
| New Bankers Hired | 27 |
Earnings and Adjusted Performance
The bank’s net income fell sharply to $47.4 million, down from $125.6 million in the prior quarter, primarily because of a one‑time $98.6 million pretax charge related to a securities‑portfolio restructuring. Excluding that charge, adjusted earnings per share were $1.52, a modest increase from $1.49 in Q4 2025. Adjusted pre‑provision net revenue (PPNR) reached $172.9 million, indicating stable core profitability despite the charge.
Balance‑Sheet Highlights
Total loans edged up 0.1% quarter‑over‑quarter to $24.0 billion, while average loans grew 1% to $24.0 billion. Deposits slipped 1% to $29.1 billion, with non‑interest‑bearing DDAs down $30.1 million and retail time deposits down 4% to $3.6 billion. However, interest‑bearing transaction and savings deposits rose 2% to $12.2 billion, partially offsetting the decline in public‑fund deposits, which fell 9%.
Capital and Credit Quality
Capital ratios slipped modestly: CET1 fell to 13.30% (down 35 basis points), TCE to 9.93% (down 13 bps), and the risk‑based capital ratio to 15.10% (down 35 bps). The allowance for credit losses rose to $343.7 million (1.43% of loans), unchanged on a QoQ basis. Net charge‑offs were $11.1 million (0.19% of average loans), and non‑accrual loans increased slightly to $113.3 million.
Shareholder Returns and Operations
Hancock Whitney repurchased 1.4 million shares at an average price of $67.55 and announced a quarterly dividend increase of 11% to $0.50 per share. The company also added 27 net new bankers during the quarter. Management reiterated its 2026 outlook: mid‑single‑digit loan growth year‑over‑year and low‑single‑digit deposit growth by period‑end.
Market Reaction
The stock traded at $67.46, down 1.5% on the day of the filing, underperforming the S&P 500’s 0.91% gain. The share price remains near the upper end of its 52‑week range (76%).
Conference Call
A conference call for analysts was scheduled for April 21, 2026, at 3:30 p.m. Central Time, with a webcast available for investors.
The filing (Form 8‑K, accession 0001193125‑26‑166705) provides the full set of disclosed numbers.
Key Takeaways
- Q1 net income $47.4 million ($0.57 EPS) after a $98.6 million pretax charge for securities‑portfolio restructuring.
- Adjusted EPS $1.52 and adjusted PPNR $172.9 million show underlying earnings strength.
- Loans marginally up to $24.0 billion; deposits down 1% to $29.1 billion, with mixed component trends.
- Capital ratios slipped modestly (CET1 13.30%, TCE 9.93%); credit‑loss allowance stable at 1.43% of loans.
- Share repurchase of 1.4 million shares, dividend raised 11% to $0.50, and guidance for mid‑single‑digit loan growth YoY in 2026.