Spotting Winners: First Citizens BancShares (NASDAQ:FCNCA) And Regional Banks Stocks In Q1

The end of the earnings season is always a good time to take a step back and see who shined (and who didn’t). Let’s take a look at how regional banks stocks fared in Q1, starting with First Citizens BancShares (NASDAQ:FCNCA).

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 91 regional banks stocks we track reported a slower Q1. 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 3% on average since the latest earnings results.

First Citizens BancShares (NASDAQ:FCNCA)

With roots dating back to 1898 and a significant expansion through its 2023 acquisition of Silicon Valley Bank, First Citizens BancShares (NASDAQGS:FCNC.A) is a bank holding company that provides financial services to individuals and businesses through its First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company subsidiary.

First Citizens BancShares reported revenues of $2.14 billion, flat year on year. This print fell short of analysts’ expectations by 1.3%. Overall, it was a slower quarter for the company with a miss of analysts’ net interest income and revenue estimates.

Interestingly, the stock is up 1.5% since reporting and currently trades at $2,076.

Read our full report on First Citizens BancShares 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 and net interest income estimates.

UMB Financial scored the biggest analyst estimate beat among its peers. The market seems happy with the results as the stock is up 7% since reporting. It currently trades at $134.14.

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.

Interestingly, the stock is up 3% since the results and currently trades at $48.15.

Read our full analysis of BankUnited’s results here.

Hilltop Holdings (NYSE:HTH)

Transformed from a residential communities business to a financial services powerhouse in 2007, Hilltop Holdings (NYSE:HTH) is a Texas-based financial holding company that provides banking, broker-dealer, and mortgage origination services.

Hilltop Holdings reported revenues of $301.3 million, up 5.4% year on year. This result was in line with analysts’ expectations. It was a strong quarter as it also logged a beat of analysts’ EPS and net interest income estimates.

The stock is flat since reporting and currently trades at $37.70.

Read our full, actionable report on Hilltop Holdings here, it’s free.

FB Financial (NYSE:FBK)

Founded in 1906 and operating through more than a century of economic cycles, FB Financial (NYSE:FBK) operates FirstBank, providing commercial and consumer banking services across Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama, and North Georgia.

FB Financial reported revenues of $172.7 million, up 30.8% year on year. This number came in 1.7% below analysts’ expectations. Overall, it was a softer quarter as it also produced a miss of analysts’ revenue and net interest income estimates.

The stock is down 3.9% since reporting and currently trades at $53.82.

Read our full, actionable report on FB Financial 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 9 Best Market-Beating Stocks and add them to your watchlist. These companies are poised for growth regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate.