HBT Financial, Inc. Announces Fourth Quarter 2025 Financial Results

Fourth Quarter Highlights

• Net income of $18.9 million, or $0.60 per diluted share; return on average assets (“ROAA”) of 1.47%; return on average stockholders’ equity (“ROAE”) of 12.34%; and return on average tangible common equity (“ROATCE”)⁽¹⁾ of 14.08%
• Adjusted net income⁽¹⁾ of $20.1 million, or $0.64 per diluted share; adjusted ROAA⁽¹⁾ of 1.57%; adjusted ROAE⁽¹⁾ of 13.12%; and adjusted ROATCE⁽¹⁾ of 14.97%
• Asset quality remained strong with nonperforming assets to total assets of 0.17% and net charge-offs to average loans of 0.10%, on an annualized basis
• Net interest margin decreased 1 basis point to 4.12% and net interest margin (tax-equivalent basis)⁽¹⁾ decreased 2 basis points to 4.16%

BLOOMINGTON, Ill., Jan. 26, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — HBT Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ: HBT) (the “Company”, “HBT Financial” or “HBT”), the holding company for Heartland Bank and Trust Company, today reported net income of $18.9 million, or $0.60 diluted earnings per share, for the fourth quarter of 2025. This compares to net income of $19.8 million, or $0.63 diluted earnings per share, for the third quarter of 2025, and net income of $20.3 million, or $0.64 diluted earnings per share, for the fourth quarter of 2024.

J. Lance Carter, President and Chief Executive Officer of HBT Financial, said, “Our fourth quarter results wrapped up a very successful 2025, with adjusted net income⁽¹⁾ of $20.1 million, or $0.64 per diluted share, which was underpinned by strong balance sheet growth, excellent asset quality, and a resilient net interest margin. Loans increased $56.2 million, or 6.6% on an annualized basis, during the fourth quarter of 2025. Deposits also increased during the quarter despite moving $50.0 million of wealth management deposits off balance sheet due to strong liquidity. Asset quality remained strong with nonperforming assets to total assets remaining stable at 0.17% and charge-offs for the quarter remaining modest at 0.10%, on an annualized basis, and 0.07% for the full year.

Profitability remained strong during the fourth quarter of 2025, with an adjusted return on average assets⁽¹⁾ of 1.57% and an adjusted return on average tangible common equity⁽¹⁾ of 14.97%. In addition, tangible book value per share⁽¹⁾ increased to $17.20 at December 31, 2025, a 16.2% increase over the past year.

Looking ahead to 2026, we feel our strong liquidity, capital, and asset quality levels position us for another solid year of performance. We are excited about the proposed merger with CNB Bank Shares, Inc., which will be an attractive combination of our two franchises, materially enhancing our presence in the Chicago and St. Louis markets while also providing access to many new markets in central Illinois. We look forward to CNB Bank employees joining our team. The integration planning is progressing well, with anticipated closing and core system conversion expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2026.”

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^{(1)   See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to their most closely comparable GAAP financial measures.}

Adjusted Net Income

In addition to reporting GAAP results, the Company believes non-GAAP measures such as adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per share, which adjust for acquisition expenses, branch closure expenses, losses on extinguishment of debt, gains (losses) on closed branch premises, realized gains (losses) on sales of securities, mortgage servicing rights (“MSR”) fair value adjustments, and the tax effect of these pre-tax adjustments, provide investors with additional insight into its operational performance. The Company reported adjusted net income of $20.1 million, or $0.64 adjusted diluted earnings per share, for the fourth quarter of 2025. This compares to adjusted net income of $20.5 million, or $0.65 adjusted diluted earnings per share, for the third quarter of 2025, and adjusted net income of $19.5 million, or $0.62 adjusted diluted earnings per share, for the fourth quarter of 2024. See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” tables below for reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to their most closely comparable GAAP financial measures.

Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin

Net interest income for the fourth quarter of 2025 was $50.5 million, an increase of 1.1% from $50.0 million for the third quarter of 2025. The increase was primarily attributable to a decrease in funding costs and higher average interest-earning asset balances, which were partially offset by lower yields on loans as a result of decreases in benchmark interest rates. Additionally, a $0.3 million decrease in loan fees was partially offset by a $0.1 million increase in nonaccrual interest recoveries.

Relative to the fourth quarter of 2024, net interest income increased 6.6% from $47.4 million. The increase was primarily attributable to lower funding costs, higher average interest-earning asset balances, and improved yields on debt securities which were partially offset by a decrease in loan yields. Partially offsetting these improvements were a $0.2 million decrease in acquired loan discount accretion and a $0.1 million decrease in nonaccrual interest recoveries.

Net interest margin for the fourth quarter of 2025 was 4.12%, compared to 4.13% for the third quarter of 2025, while net interest margin (tax-equivalent basis)⁽¹⁾ for the fourth quarter of 2025 was 4.16%, compared to 4.18% for the third quarter of 2025. Lower yields on loans, which decreased 13 basis points to 6.22%, primarily driven by lower interest rates and a reduction in loan fees, were largely offset by higher average loan balances and lower funding costs, which decreased 6 basis points to 1.23%.

Relative to the fourth quarter of 2024, net interest margin increased 16 basis points from 3.96% and net interest margin (tax-equivalent basis)⁽¹⁾ increased 15 basis points from 4.01%. These increases were primarily attributable to lower funding costs and improved yields on debt securities, partially offset by a decrease in loan yields.

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^{(1)   See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to their most closely comparable GAAP financial measures.}

Noninterest Income

Noninterest income for the fourth quarter of 2025 was $9.9 million, a slight increase from $9.8 million for the third quarter of 2025. The increase was primarily attributable to a $0.2 million increase in wealth management fees, primarily driven by an increase in farm management fees and higher values of assets under management, as well as changes in the MSR fair value adjustment, with a $0.3 million negative MSR fair value adjustment included in the fourth quarter 2025 results compared to a $0.5 million negative MSR fair value adjustment included in the third quarter 2025 results. These improvements were mostly offset by a $0.2 million loss on the sale of foreclosed assets during the fourth quarter of 2025 compared to a $0.1 million gain during the third quarter 2025.

Relative to the fourth quarter of 2024, noninterest income decreased 14.9% from $11.6 million. The decrease was primarily attributable to changes in the MSR fair value adjustment, with a $0.3 million negative MSR fair value adjustment included in the fourth quarter 2025 results compared to a $1.3 million positive MSR fair value adjustment included in the fourth quarter 2024 results. Additionally, a $0.2 million decrease in income of bank owned life insurance, primarily attributable to the absence of a $0.2 million gain on life insurance proceeds recognized in the fourth quarter 2024 results, was mostly offset by higher wealth management fees.

Noninterest Expense

Noninterest expense for the fourth quarter of 2025 was $33.1 million, a 1.7% increase from the third quarter of 2025. The increase was primarily attributable to $1.0 million of acquisition-related expenses included in the fourth quarter 2025 results. Excluding acquisition-related expenses, the $0.4 million decrease in noninterest expense was primarily attributable to the absence of a $0.4 million loss on extinguishment of debt included in the third quarter 2025 results associated with the early payoff of $40.0 million of subordinated notes. Additionally, a $0.4 million increase in data processing expense, primarily related to a planned call center software upgrade, was mostly offset by a $0.3 million decrease in other noninterest expense.

Relative to the fourth quarter of 2024, noninterest expense increased 7.0% from $30.9 million. Excluding acquisition-related expenses, the $1.2 million increase in noninterest expense was primarily attributable to higher salaries expense, driven by annual merit increases, and higher employee benefits expense, driven by higher medical benefit costs.

Pending Acquisition of CNB Bank Shares, Inc.

On October 20, 2025, HBT Financial and CNB Bank Shares, Inc. (“CNB”), the holding company for CNB Bank & Trust, N.A. (“CNB Bank”), jointly announced the signing of a definitive agreement pursuant to which HBT will acquire CNB and CNB Bank. The acquisition will further enhance HBT’s footprint in the central Illinois, the Chicago MSA and the St. Louis MSA markets. Acquisition-related expenses consisted of the following during the fourth quarter of 2025 (dollars in thousands):

Loan Portfolio

Total loans outstanding, before allowance for credit losses, were $3.46 billion at December 31, 2025, compared with $3.40 billion at September 30, 2025, and $3.47 billion at December 31, 2024. The $56.2 million increase from September 30, 2025 was primarily attributable to new originations to existing customers within the construction and land development and multi-family segments, as well as higher line usage in our commercial and industrial portfolio. The higher line usage was driven in part by a $15.5 million seasonal increase in grain elevator line balances as well as $8.0 million drawn on two customers’ lines which were funded shortly before and paid off shortly after year-end.

Deposits

Total deposits were $4.36 billion at December 31, 2025, compared with $4.35 billion at September 30, 2025, and $4.32 billion at December 31, 2024. The $12.1 million increase from September 30, 2025 was primarily attributable to higher balances maintained in retail and business accounts. These increases were partially offset by a $65.2 million reduction in wealth management customer money market deposits, of which $50.0 million was moved off-balance sheet during the fourth quarter due to strong levels of on-balance sheet liquidity, and lower balances maintained in public fund accounts.

Asset Quality

Nonperforming assets totaled $8.7 million, or 0.17% of total assets, at December 31, 2025, compared with $8.6 million, or 0.17% of total assets, at September 30, 2025, and $8.0 million, or 0.16% of total assets, at December 31, 2024. Additionally, of the $7.6 million of nonperforming loans held as of December 31, 2025, $2.2 million were either wholly or partially guaranteed by the U.S. government.

The Company recorded a provision for credit losses of $1.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2025. The provision for credit losses primarily reflects a $2.2 million increase in required reserves driven by increased loan balances and changes within the portfolio; a $0.1 million increase in required reserves driven by changes in the economic forecast; and a $0.8 million decrease in specific reserves.

The Company had net charge-offs of $0.8 million, or 0.10% of average loans on an annualized basis, for the fourth quarter of 2025, compared to net charge-offs of $0.1 million, or 0.02% of average loans on an annualized basis, for the third quarter of 2025, and net charge-offs of $0.7 million, or 0.08% of average loans on an annualized basis, for the fourth quarter of 2024.

The Company’s allowance for credit losses was 1.21% of total loans and 552% of nonperforming loans at December 31, 2025, compared with 1.23% of total loans and 548% of nonperforming loans at September 30, 2025. In addition, the allowance for credit losses on unfunded lending-related commitments totaled $4.1 million as of December 31, 2025, compared with $3.3 million as of September 30, 2025.

Capital

As of December 31, 2025, the Company exceeded all regulatory capital requirements under Basel III as summarized in the following table:

The ratio of tangible common equity to tangible assets⁽¹⁾ increased to 10.82% as of December 31, 2025, from 10.56% as of September 30, 2025, and tangible book value per share⁽¹⁾ increased by $0.56 to $17.20 as of December 31, 2025, when compared to September 30, 2025.

During the fourth quarter of 2025, the Company repurchased 23,879 shares of its common stock at a weighted average price of $24.33 under its stock repurchase program. The Company’s Board of Directors authorized a new stock repurchase program that took effect upon the expiration of the Company’s prior stock repurchase program on January 1, 2026. The new stock repurchase program will be in effect until January 1, 2027 and authorizes the Company to repurchase up to $30.0 million of its common stock.

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^{(1)   See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to their most closely comparable GAAP financial measures.}

About HBT Financial, Inc.

HBT Financial, Inc., headquartered in Bloomington, Illinois, is the holding company for Heartland Bank and Trust Company, and has banking roots that can be traced back to 1920. HBT Financial provides a comprehensive suite of financial products and services to consumers, businesses, and municipal entities throughout Illinois and eastern Iowa through 66 full-service branches. As of December 31, 2025, HBT Financial had total assets of $5.1 billion, total loans of $3.5 billion, and total deposits of $4.4 billion.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Some of the financial measures included in this press release are not measures of financial performance recognized in accordance with GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures include adjusted net income, adjusted earnings per share, adjusted ROAA, pre-provision net revenue, pre-provision net revenue less charge-offs (recoveries), adjusted pre-provision net revenue, adjusted pre-provision net revenue less charge-offs (recoveries), net interest income (tax-equivalent basis), net interest margin (tax-equivalent basis), efficiency ratio (tax-equivalent basis), adjusted efficiency ratio (tax-equivalent basis), the ratio of tangible common equity to tangible assets, tangible book value per share, adjusted ROAE, ROATCE, and adjusted ROATCE. Our management uses these non-GAAP financial measures, together with the related GAAP financial measures, in its analysis of our performance and in making business decisions. Management believes that it is a standard practice in the banking industry to present these non-GAAP financial measures, and accordingly believes that providing these measures may be useful for peer comparison purposes. These disclosures should not be viewed as substitutes for the results determined to be in accordance with GAAP; nor are they necessarily comparable to non-GAAP financial measures that may be presented by other companies. See our reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures in the “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” tables.

Forward-Looking Statements

Readers should note that in addition to the historical information contained herein, this press release contains, and future oral and written statements of the Company and its management may contain, “forward-looking statements” within the meanings of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “will,” “propose,” “may,” “plan,” “seek,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” or “should,” or similar terminology. Any forward-looking statements presented herein are made only as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect changes in assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events, or otherwise.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: (i) the strength of the local, state, national and international economies and financial markets (including effects of inflationary pressures and supply chain constraints); (ii) effects on the U.S. economy resulting from the threat or implementation of, or changes to, existing policies and executive orders including tariffs, immigration policy, regulatory or other governmental agencies, foreign policy and tax regulations; (iii) the economic impact of any future terrorist threats and attacks, widespread disease or pandemics, acts of war or other threats thereof (including the Russian invasion of Ukraine, conflicts in the Middle East and recent military activity in Venezuela), or other adverse events that could cause economic deterioration or instability in credit markets, and the response of the local, state and national governments to any such adverse external events; (iv) new and revised accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted by state and federal regulatory banking agencies, the Financial Accounting Standards Board or the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board; (v) changes in local, state and federal laws, regulations and governmental policies concerning the Company’s general business and any changes in response to bank failures; (vi) the imposition of tariffs or other governmental policies impacting the value of products produced by the Company’s commercial borrowers; (vii) changes in interest rates and prepayment rates of the Company’s assets; (viii) increased competition in the financial services sector, including from non-bank competitors such as credit unions and fintech companies, and the inability to attract new customers; (ix) technological changes implemented by us and other parties, including our third-party vendors, which may have unforeseen consequences to us and our customers, including the development and implementation of tools incorporating artificial intelligence; (x) unexpected results of acquisitions, which may include failure to realize the anticipated benefits of acquisitions and the possibility that transaction costs may be greater than anticipated; (xi) the loss of key executives and employees, talent shortages and employee turnover; (xii) changes in consumer spending; (xiii) unexpected outcomes or costs of existing or new litigation or other legal proceedings and regulatory actions involving the Company; (xiv) the economic impact on the Company and its customers of climate change, natural disasters and of exceptional weather occurrences such as tornadoes, floods and blizzards; (xv) fluctuations in the value of securities held in our securities portfolio, including as a result of changes in interest rates; (xvi) credit risks and risks from concentrations (by type of borrower, geographic area, collateral and industry) within our loan portfolio (including commercial real estate loans) and large loans to certain borrowers; (xvii) the overall health of the local and national real estate market; (xviii) the ability to maintain an adequate level of allowance for credit losses on loans; (xix) the concentration of large deposits from certain clients who have balances above current FDIC insurance limits and who may withdraw deposits to diversify their exposure; (xx) the ability to successfully manage liquidity risk, which may increase dependence on non-core funding sources such as brokered deposits, and may negatively impact the Company’s cost of funds; (xxi) the level of nonperforming assets on our balance sheet; (xxii) interruptions involving our information technology and communications systems or third-party servicers; (xxiii) the occurrence of fraudulent activity, breaches or failures of our third-party vendors’ information security controls or cybersecurity-related incidents, including as a result of sophisticated attacks using artificial intelligence and similar tools or as a result of insider fraud; (xxiv) the effectiveness of the Company’s risk management framework; (xxv) the possibility that stockholders of CNB may not approve the merger agreement; (xxvi) the risk that a condition to closing of the proposed transaction with CNB may not be satisfied, that either party may terminate the merger agreement or that the closing of the proposed transaction might be delayed or not occur at all; (xxvii) potential adverse reactions or changes to business or employee relationships, including those resulting from the announcement or completion of the proposed transaction with CNB; (xxviii) the diversion of management time on transaction-related issues; (xxix) the ultimate timing, outcome and results of integrating the operations of CNB into those of HBT; (xxx) the effects of the merger with CNB in HBT’s future financial condition, results of operations, strategy and plans, and (xxxi) regulatory approvals of the transaction with CNB, and (xxxii) the ability of the Company to manage the risks associated with the foregoing as well as anticipated.

Readers should note that the forward-looking statements included in this press release are not a guarantee of future events, and that actual events may differ materially from those made in or suggested by the forward-looking statements. Additional information concerning the Company and its business, including additional factors that could materially affect the Company’s financial results, is included in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

Important Information and Where to Find It
In connection with the proposed transaction, HBT has filed materials with the SEC, including a Registration Statement on Form S-4 of HBT that includes a proxy statement of CNB and a prospectus of HBT. The Registration Statement has been declared effective by the SEC, and on or about December 19, 2025, HBT and CNB mailed a definitive proxy statement/prospectus to the shareholders of CNB in connection with its special meeting of shareholders to be held on January 26, 2026. This news release is not a substitute for the proxy statement/prospectus or the Registration Statement or for any other document that HBT has filed or may file with the SEC and send to CNB’s shareholders in connection with the proposed transaction. CNB’S SHAREHOLDERS ARE URGED TO CAREFULLY AND THOROUGHLY READ THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT, AS MAY BE AMENDED OR SUPPLEMENTED FROM TIME TO TIME, AND OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED BY HBT OR CNB WITH THE SEC, BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT HBT, CNB, THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION, THE RISKS RELATED THERETO AND RELATED MATTERS.

Investors are able to obtain free copies of the Registration Statement and proxy statement/prospectus, as each may be amended from time to time, and other relevant documents filed by HBT with the SEC through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. Copies of documents filed with the SEC by HBT will be available free of charge from HBT’s website at https:// ir.hbtfinancial.com or by contacting HBT’s Investor Relations Department at HBTIR@hbtbank.com.

Participants in the Proxy Solicitation

HBT, CNB and their respective directors and certain of their executive officers and other members of management and employees may be deemed, under SEC rules, to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from CNB’s shareholders in connection with the proposed transaction. Information regarding the executive officers and directors of HBT is included in its definitive proxy statement for its 2025 annual meeting filed with the SEC on April 9, 2025. Information regarding the executive officers and directors of CNB and additional information regarding the persons who may be deemed participants and their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, is set forth in the Registration Statement and proxy statement/prospectus filed with the SEC in connection with the proposed transaction. Free copies of these documents may be obtained as described in the paragraphs above.

No Offer or Solicitation

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval with respect to the proposed transaction or otherwise, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

CONTACT:
Peter Chapman
HBTIR@hbtbank.com
(309) 664-4556

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^{*Annualized measure.}

^{(1)    See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to their most closely comparable GAAP financial measures.
(2)    On a tax-equivalent basis assuming a federal income tax rate of 21% and a state tax rate of 9.5%.}

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^{*Annualized measure.}

^{(1)   Net interest margin represents net interest income divided by average total interest-earning assets.
(2)   On a tax-equivalent basis assuming a federal income tax rate of 21% and a state income tax rate of 9.5%.
(3)   See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to their most closely comparable GAAP financial measures.
(4)   Net interest rate spread represents the difference between the yield on average interest-earning assets and the cost of average interest-bearing liabilities.
(5)   Net interest-earning assets represents total interest-earning assets less total interest-bearing liabilities.}

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^{(1)   Net interest margin represents net interest income divided by average total interest-earning assets.
(2)   On a tax-equivalent basis assuming a federal income tax rate of 21% and a state income tax rate of 9.5%.
(3)   See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to their most closely comparable GAAP financial measures.
(4)   Net interest rate spread represents the difference between the yield on average interest-earning assets and the cost of average interest-bearing liabilities.
(5)   Net interest-earning assets represents total interest-earning assets less total interest-bearing liabilities.}

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^{*Annualized measure.}

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^{*Annualized measure.}

^{(1)   Assumes a federal income tax rate of 21% and a state tax rate of 9.5%, and excludes non-deductible acquisition expenses.}

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^{*Annualized measure.}

^{(1)   On a tax-equivalent basis assuming a federal income tax rate of 21% and a state tax rate of 9.5%.}

^{(1)   On a tax-equivalent basis assuming a federal income tax rate of 21% and a state tax rate of 9.5%.}