BWFG

This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Release Date: April 23, 2026 For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. Bankwell Financial Group Inc (NASDAQ:BWFG) reported a strong start to 2026 with GAAP net income of $11.3 million or $1.41 per share. The company achieved solid loan production with $190 million in originations, including $34 million from SBA production. Core deposits increased by $113 million sequentially, with $39 million coming from low-cost deposits. The net interest margin was 328 basis points, with improvements in deposit costs declining by 5 basis points sequentially. Bankwell Financial Group Inc (NASDAQ:BWFG) successfully opened its first full-service branch in New York, enhancing its presence and service capabilities. Net interest margin experienced modest pressure due to asset repricing and an unfavorable day count impact. Non-performing assets increased modestly to 56 basis points of total assets. The efficiency ratio for the quarter was 55.8%, reflecting the seasonality of first-quarter expenses. The provision for credit losses was a release of $1 million, indicating some pressure from loan growth and economic factors. The competitive environment for deposits remains challenging, impacting funding costs. Is BWFG fairly valued? Test your thesis with our free DCF calculator. Q: Are you seeing more competition on the deposit side in the current flat rate environment? A: Yes, the deposit market is very competitive. We are focused on bringing in low-cost deposits to reduce funding costs, and despite the competition, we have successfully grown core deposits this quarter. - Matt McNeil, President and Chief Banking Officer Q: Can you provide an update on SBA loan originations and their impact on fee income? A: We have a strong team and could originate more SBA loans, but we are maintaining our current volume. Our fee income guidance has increased due to higher-than-expected fees from other sources. - Matt McNeil, President and Chief Banking Officer Q: What is the strategy behind opening the Brooklyn office, and how much lending do you expect from it? A: The Brooklyn office primarily serves as a deposit gathering hub, and while some lending will occur, it is not the main focus. The office supports our existing lending activities in NYC. - Matt McNeil, President and Chief Banking Officer...

NEW CANAAN, Conn., April 22, 2026--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Bankwell Financial Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: BWFG) reported GAAP net income of $11.3 million, or $1.41 per share for the first quarter of 2026, versus $9.1 million, or $1.15 per share, for the fourth quarter of 2025. The Company's Board of Directors declared a $0.20 per share cash dividend, payable May 19, 2026 to shareholders of record on May 8, 2026. Discussion of Outlook; Bankwell Financial Group Chief Executive Officer, Christopher R. Gruseke: "We generated outstanding first quarter results while advancing our strategic priorities. Profitability increased during the quarter, reflected in a return on average assets of 1.35%, and the Company grew core deposits by $113 million sequentially. Our SBA division continues to execute measured, profitable growth, with originations this quarter of $34 million, and we have continued to improve our asset and liability mix as floating rate loans now comprise 42% of the loan portfolio. Results for the quarter include a sequential increase to the Company’s non-interest expense of approximately $1.4 million. This increase reflects the timing of some expense recognition, and we believe current trends support our non-interest expense guidance previously provided of $64 to $65 million for the full year. We also affirm prior guidance regarding Net Interest Income and loan growth for 2026. Due to an improved outlook for SBA gains on sale and other commercial fees, however, we are increasing our guidance for Non-Interest Income to a range of $12 to $13 million. As we enter the remainder of the year, we are confident in our credit quality and are well positioned to reduce NPAs in the quarters ahead." Key Points for First Quarter and Bankwell’s Outlook Core Deposit Growth Funds Loan Growth and Reduces Wholesale Reliance. Core deposit growth of $113 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2026, including $39.0 million growth in low‑cost deposits, when compared to December 31, 2025. Brokered deposits and FHLB borrowings declined by $44.5 million and $50.0 million, respectively, lowering the Wholesale Ratio to 18.1%(1) as of March 31, 2026. Since the peak brokered deposit balance of $1,026.6 million at December 31, 2022, the Company has successfully reduced brokered deposits by $512.4 million, or 49.9%, as of March 31, 2026. $27.1 million net loan growth during the quarter ended Mar...

Bankwell Financial Group, Inc. (BWFG) came out with quarterly earnings of $1.41 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.23 per share. This compares to earnings of $0.87 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items. This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of +14.63%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this company would post earnings of $1.2 per share when it actually produced earnings of $1.15, delivering a surprise of -4.17%. Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times. Bankwell Financial Group, which belongs to the Zacks Banks - Northeast industry, posted revenues of $30.34 million for the quarter ended March 2026, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 3.97%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $23.57 million. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates four times over the last four quarters. The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call. Bankwell Financial Group shares have added about 11.1% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 3.2%. While Bankwell Financial Group has outperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock? There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's earnings outlook. Not only does this include current consensus earnings expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately. Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions. Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for Bankwell Financial Group was mixed. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to perform in line with the market in the near future. Yo...

Performance was anchored by a deliberate shift toward core deposits, which grew by $113 million sequentially, allowing the bank to reduce expensive wholesale funding by $95 million. Management attributed the 50% reduction in broker deposits since late 2022 to a multi-year strategy of improving the funding mix and lowering overall deposit costs. The net interest margin of 328 basis points faced headwinds from floating rate loans resetting lower and unfavorable day count impacts, though these were partially mitigated by a 5 basis point decline in deposit costs. Strategic positioning in the SBA market remains a core pillar, with $34 million in originations contributing $2.4 million in gain-on-sale income during the quarter. The opening of the Bay Ridge, Brooklyn branch represents a 'people-first' strategy, following an experienced private client team to capture high-quality deposits rather than pursuing a broad geographic expansion. Management noted that while nonperforming assets rose to 56 basis points, they have clear visibility into resolutions for several credits over the coming quarters. Full-year net interest income guidance of $111 million to $112 million is maintained, assuming incremental margin improvement as deposit repricing continues to flow through the balance sheet. Management raised full-year noninterest income guidance to $12 million to $13 million, reflecting stronger-than-anticipated SBA performance and service fee growth. The bank expects an incremental $1.6 million in annualized benefit from the repricing of $1.1 billion in time deposits over the next 12 months, assuming current market rates. Loan growth is projected to remain within the 4% to 5% range for the full year, supported by a strong pipeline and disciplined origination standards. Capital allocation remains focused on reaching a consolidated common equity Tier 1 ratio goal of 11%, which will influence the pace of future share repurchases. First quarter noninterest expense was elevated by approximately $1 million due to seasonal employee compensation and professional services, though the underlying run rate remains at $64 million to $65 million. The bank successfully increased its proportion of variable rate loans to 42% of the portfolio, up from approximately 20% at the start of 2025, to better manage interest rate sensitivity. A $1 million provision release was recorded, driven b...

GAAP net income of $11.3 million ( $1.41 per share) in Q1 was driven by solid loan production, strong SBA gain‑on‑sale income and lower funding costs; management reported a ROAA of 1.35% and ROTCE of 15%. Net interest margin modestly declined to 3.28% due to floating‑rate loan repricing, but deposit costs improved to 3.10% (March exit ~2.98%), and the company affirmed full‑year net interest income guidance of $111–$112 million while expecting incremental margin improvement as time deposits reprice. Loan originations were $190 million (including $34 million of SBA) with net loan growth of $27 million and a strong pipeline; core deposits rose $113 million, broker/FHLB borrowings were reduced, tangible common equity was 9.17% and CET1 ~10.58%, while NPAs modestly increased to 56 bps and allowance for credit losses was 1.03% of loans. Interested in Bankwell Financial Group, Inc.? Here are five stocks we like better. Bankwell Financial Group (NASDAQ:BWFG) reported a “solid start to 2026” in the first quarter, citing strong earnings, improving funding mix, and continued progress on strategic priorities, according to comments from Chief Executive Officer Chris Gruseke on the company’s quarterly earnings call. For the first quarter, Gruseke said Bankwell posted GAAP net income of $11.3 million, or $1.41 per share. He attributed the results to “solid loan production,” “strong fee income from our SBA platform,” lower funding costs, “meaningful core deposit growth,” and continued balance sheet optimization, including reduced reliance on wholesale funding. → Credo Stock Flashes Strong Bullish Signal—Upswing Just Starting Chief Financial Officer Courtney Sacchetti reported net interest income of $26.9 million, largely unchanged from the prior quarter. Sacchetti said the bank generated a return on average assets of 1.35% and a return on average tangible common equity of 15%. Sacchetti said net interest margin declined modestly to 328 basis points, driven primarily by the repricing of floating-rate loans in a lower-rate environment and an unfavorable day-count impact. She added that, on a day-count normalized basis, the sequential net interest margin variance would have been about 5 basis points. → Allbirds Exits Shoes, Pivots to AI With NewBird Rebrand Management pointed to continued progress in deposit costs. Total deposit costs declined to 310 basis points, down 5 basis...

Image source: The Motley Fool. Thursday, April 23, 2026 at 9 a.m. ET Chief Executive Officer — Christopher R. Gruseke Chief Financial Officer — Courtney E. Sacchetti President & Chief Banking Officer — Matthew J. McNeill Christopher R. Gruseke: Thanks, Courtney. Welcome, and thank you to everyone for joining Bankwell Financial Group, Inc.'s quarterly earnings call. This morning, I am joined by Courtney E. Sacchetti, our Chief Financial Officer, and Matthew J. McNeill, our President and Chief Banking Officer. We appreciate your interest in our performance, and I am excited by this opportunity to discuss our results with you. We have delivered a solid start to 2026 with strong earnings, continued balance sheet improvement, and continued progress on our strategic priorities. For the first quarter, we reported GAAP net income of $11.3 million, or $1.41 per share. These results were supported by solid loan production, strong fee income from our SBA platform, lower funding costs, meaningful core deposit growth, and ongoing balance sheet optimization, including reduced reliance on wholesale funding and continued progress on building a more interest rate neutral balance sheet. Loan growth remained positive during the quarter with $190 million of originations, including $34 million of SBA production, resulting in net loan growth of $27 million. On an annualized basis, this level of growth is consistent with our previously communicated guidance of 4% to 5% for the full year, and our pipeline remains strong. Importantly, this growth is supported by strong core deposit inflows. Core deposits increased by $113 million sequentially, with $39 million coming from low-cost deposits. Included in that $39 million is $24 million of growth in analyzed checking balances, for an 8% increase on the quarter. In addition to funding our loan growth, we reduced brokered deposit balances and Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings by a combined $95 million, further improving our funding mix. Since our peak at the end of 2022, we have successfully reduced our brokered deposits by $513 million, a 50% decline. The net interest margin was 328 basis points, reflecting modest pressure from asset repricing, as floating-rate loans reset lower, and an unfavorable day-count impact relative to the prior quarter. These factors were partially offset by continued improvement in deposit costs, which decline...

NEW CANAAN, Conn., April 08, 2026--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Bankwell Financial Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: BWFG), the holding company for Bankwell Bank, today announced that it will issue its earnings release for the quarter ended March 31, 2026, on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. Management will also host an audio webcast and conference call at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time, on Thursday, April 23, 2026, to review the Company's financial performance and operating results. The audio webcast link, along with the corresponding presentation slides, will be available on the Company’s Investor Relations site (https://investor.mybankwell.com/news-market-data/event-calendar/default.aspx) prior to the beginning of the webcast. The webcast will also be archived on the Company’s website for twelve months and can be accessed at any time during this period. About Bankwell Financial Group, Inc. Bankwell Financial Group, Inc. is the holding company for Bankwell Bank ("Bankwell"), a full-service commercial bank headquartered in New Canaan, CT. Bankwell offers its customers unmatched accessibility, expertise, and responsiveness through a range of commercial financing products including working capital lines of credit, SBA loans, acquisition loans, and commercial mortgages as well as treasury management and deposit services. More about Bankwell can be found at www.mybankwell.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260408378149/en/ Contacts Courtney E. Sacchetti (203) 652-0166

Bankwell Financial Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:BWFG) last week reported its latest annual results, which makes it a good time for investors to dive in and see if the business is performing in line with expectations. Results were roughly in line with estimates, with revenues of US$107m and statutory earnings per share of US$4.45. Earnings are an important time for investors, as they can track a company's performance, look at what the analysts are forecasting for next year, and see if there's been a change in sentiment towards the company. Readers will be glad to know we've aggregated the latest statutory forecasts to see whether the analysts have changed their mind on Bankwell Financial Group after the latest results. AI is about to change healthcare. These 20 stocks are working on everything from early diagnostics to drug discovery. The best part - they are all under $10bn in marketcap - there is still time to get in early. Taking into account the latest results, the consensus forecast from Bankwell Financial Group's three analysts is for revenues of US$123.7m in 2026. This reflects a decent 15% improvement in revenue compared to the last 12 months. Statutory earnings per share are predicted to climb 16% to US$5.23. In the lead-up to this report, the analysts had been modelling revenues of US$120.6m and earnings per share (EPS) of US$5.18 in 2026. So it looks like there's been no major change in sentiment following the latest results, although the analysts have made a modest lift to to revenue forecasts. See our latest analysis for Bankwell Financial Group Even though revenue forecasts increased, there was no change to the consensus price target of US$51.50, suggesting the analysts are focused on earnings as the driver of value creation. That's not the only conclusion we can draw from this data however, as some investors also like to consider the spread in estimates when evaluating analyst price targets. There are some variant perceptions on Bankwell Financial Group, with the most bullish analyst valuing it at US$55.00 and the most bearish at US$48.00 per share. Still, with such a tight range of estimates, it suggeststhe analysts have a pretty good idea of what they think the company is worth. One way to get more context on these forecasts is to look at how they compare to both past performance, and how other companies in the same industry are performing. The analys...

This article first appeared on GuruFocus. GAAP Net Income: $9.1 million or $1.15 per share. Operating Income: $10.7 million or $1.36 per share. Pre-Provision Net Revenue Return on Average Assets: 180 basis points, up 10 basis points from the prior quarter. Net Interest Margin: 340 basis points, an increase of 6 basis points from the prior quarter. Net Loan Growth: $122 million for the quarter; $134 million or 5% for the full year. SBA Gain on Sale Income: $2.2 million for the quarter; $5.1 million for the full year. Nonperforming Assets to Total Assets Ratio: 49 basis points, down from 56 basis points last quarter. Efficiency Ratio: Improved to 50.8% from 51.4% in the prior quarter. Total Assets: $3.4 billion, up 3.6% versus the linked quarter. Common Equity Tier 1 Ratio: 10.2%. Tangible Book Value Per Share: $37.84, representing 11% growth over 2024. Effective Tax Rate for 2025: 27.4%. Expected Loan Growth for 2026: 4% to 5%. Expected Net Interest Income for 2026: $111 million to $112 million. Expected Noninterest Income for 2026: $11 million to $12 million. Expected Total Noninterest Expense for 2026: $64 million to $65 million. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 5 Warning Sign with BWFG. Is BWFG fairly valued? Test your thesis with our free DCF calculator. Release Date: January 29, 2026 For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. Bankwell Financial Group Inc (NASDAQ:BWFG) reported a strong fourth-quarter GAAP net income of $9.1 million, or $1.15 per share, with operating income excluding one-time adjustments at $10.7 million, or $1.36 per share. The company achieved a pre-provision net revenue return on average assets of 180 basis points, reflecting a 10 basis point increase from the prior quarter and a 75 basis point increase over Q4 2024. Net interest margin expanded to 340 basis points, driven by a 15-basis-point reduction in deposit costs. Loan production remained robust with $240 million of new loans funded in Q4, contributing to a total of $758 million in funded originations for the year. Nonperforming assets as a percentage of total assets improved to 49 basis points, down from 56 basis points in the previous quarter, indicating better credit quality. The pace of net interest margin expansion has moderated due to increased exposure to floating rate loans. Asset yields contracted by 11 basis poin...

Q4 results: Bankwell reported GAAP net income of $9.1 million ($1.15/share), which included a one‑time $1.5 million state tax adjustment; on an adjusted basis operating income was $10.7 million ($1.36/share). Margin expansion and deposit repricing: Net interest margin rose to 3.40% as deposit costs fell (total deposit cost 3.08%), and management expects roughly $4 million of annualized benefit (~12 bps of NIM) from $1.2 billion of time deposits repricing over the next 12 months. Loan growth, portfolio mix, and SBA rebound: Funded $240 million of loans in Q4 (5% annual loan growth), increased floating‑rate loans to 38% of the portfolio, and saw SBA-driven fee income rebound (Q4 SBA gain‑on‑sale $2.2m) with a 2026 SBA origination target of about $100 million. Interested in Bankwell Financial Group, Inc.? Here are five stocks we like better. Bankwell Financial Group (NASDAQ:BWFG) reported fourth-quarter 2025 GAAP net income of $9.1 million, or $1.15 per share, management said on the company’s earnings call. Results included a $1.5 million one-time adjustment to the income tax provision tied to state tax filings and changes in estimated tax positions. Excluding that item, operating income for the quarter was $10.7 million, or $1.36 per share. Chief Executive Officer Chris Gruseke said pre-provision net revenue return on average assets was 180 basis points, up 10 basis points from the prior quarter and 75 basis points from the fourth quarter of 2024. He attributed the improvement to net interest margin expansion and higher non-interest income, “driven primarily by our SBA division.” → Trump Triggers Buying Opportunity in UnitedHealth Group Chief Financial Officer Courtney Sacchetti said net interest margin expanded to 3.40% in the quarter, up 6 basis points sequentially. The increase was driven by a 15 basis point reduction in deposit costs to 3.15%, which more than offset an 11 basis point decline in asset yields to 6.23% as certain rate-sensitive assets reset lower. Sacchetti said the company adjusted deposit pricing in response to 75 basis points of Federal Reserve rate cuts since late September. Actions included lowering offered time deposit rates by 50 basis points, repricing about $250 million of indexed deposits at 100% beta, and reducing rates on roughly $700 million of non-maturity deposits by an average of 22 basis points. The company exited 2025 with a...

Image source: The Motley Fool. Thursday, January 29, 2026 at 11 a.m. ET Chief Executive Officer — Christopher R. Gruseke Chief Financial Officer — Courtney E. Sacchetti President and Chief Banking Officer — Matthew J. McNeill Need a quote from a Motley Fool analyst? Email [email protected] Christopher R. Gruseke: Welcome, and thank you to everyone for joining Bankwell Financial Group, Inc.'s quarterly earnings call. This morning, I'm joined by Courtney E. Sacchetti, our Chief Financial Officer, and Matthew J. McNeill, our President and Chief Banking Officer. Appreciate your interest in our performance and this opportunity to discuss our results with you. Our fourth quarter GAAP net income was $9.1 million or $1.15 per share, which includes a $1.5 million one-time adjustment to the income tax provision associated with various state tax filings and changes in estimated tax positions. This adjustment relates to both current and prior year tax estimates. Excluding this one-time adjustment, operating income for the quarter was $10.7 million or $1.36 per share on an operating basis. A reconciliation of GAAP operating results is included in our materials, and we encourage you to review both metrics together. Courtney will walk you through these results in more detail in a moment. Pre-provision net revenue return on average assets was 180 basis points for the quarter, an increase of 10 basis points from the prior quarter and a 75 basis point increase over 2024. This improvement reflects continued expansion of our net interest margin as well as strong growth in non-interest income, driven primarily by our SBA division. We also made further progress in reducing our asset balances during the quarter and maintain a constructive outlook on credit quality heading into 2026. While our net interest margin has continued to expand this quarter, as we've previously signaled, the pace of that expansion has moderated. This is a result of our intentional increased exposure to floating rate loans. We ended 2025 with floating rate loans comprising 38% of our total loan portfolio, compared to 23% at the end of 2024. On the funding side, we've taken advantage of the lower rate environment to raise $1.2 billion of time deposits this year and have also reduced rates on key non-maturity interest-bearing deposits. In addition, the mix of our deposits continues to improve. Average low-cost depo...