First BanCorp Reports Record Q4 2025 Earnings with Strong Guidance
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jan 27 2026
0mins
Should l Buy FBP?
Source: seekingalpha
First BanCorp's stock rose by 5.07% as it crossed above the 5-day SMA, reflecting positive investor sentiment following its earnings report.
The company reported a record net income of $87 million for Q4 2025, translating to $0.55 per share, which exceeded expectations by $0.04. This strong performance was driven by significant loan growth of $1.4 billion and an 11% increase in the quarterly dividend to $0.20 per share, indicating robust operational efficiency and a commitment to shareholder returns. Management also provided optimistic guidance for 2026, anticipating organic loan growth of 3% to 5%.
These results not only highlight First BanCorp's solid financial health but also position the company favorably for future growth, potentially attracting more investors and enhancing market confidence.
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Analyst Views on FBP
Wall Street analysts forecast FBP stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for FBP is 23.50 USD with a low forecast of 23.00 USD and a high forecast of 24.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
3 Analyst Rating
2 Buy
1 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 23.220
Low
23.00
Averages
23.50
High
24.00
Current: 23.220
Low
23.00
Averages
23.50
High
24.00
About FBP
First BanCorp. is a financial holding company. As of December 31, 2016, the Company controlled two subsidiaries: FirstBank Puerto Rico (the Bank or FirstBank) and FirstBank Insurance Agency, Inc. (FirstBank Insurance Agency). It operates in six segments: Commercial and Corporate Banking, which consists of lending and other services; Consumer (Retail) Banking, which consists of consumer lending and deposit-taking activities; Mortgage Banking, which consists of the origination, sale, and servicing of a range of residential mortgage loan products and related hedging activities; Treasury and Investments, which consists of treasury and investment management functions; United States Operations, which consists of all banking activities conducted by FirstBank on the United States mainland, and Virgin Islands Operations, which consists of banking activities conducted by FirstBank in the United States Virgin Islands and British Virgin Islands, including retail and commercial banking services.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
First BanCorp CFO Orlando Berges Retires; Successor Appointed
- Executive Retirement: First BanCorp. announced the retirement of CFO Orlando Berges effective June 30, which may impact the company's financial strategy and investor confidence moving forward.
- Succession Plan: The appointment of Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer Ortiz as the new CFO effective July 1 indicates stability in executive succession planning within the company.
- Financial Performance: In its Q4 2025 earnings report, First BanCorp. reported a GAAP EPS of $0.55, beating expectations by $0.04, with revenue of $257.17 million in line with market forecasts, demonstrating resilience in the current economic environment.
- Future Strategy: The company outlines a strategy for 2026 targeting 3-5% organic loan growth and a 100% earnings return, reflecting confidence in future growth and a positive market outlook.
See More
First BanCorp CFO Orlando Berges to Retire in 2026 After 17 Years
- Executive Retirement Announcement: First BanCorp has announced that CFO Orlando Berges will retire on June 30, 2026, after nearly 17 years of distinguished service, during which he played a central role in the corporation's transformation and long-term strengthening.
- Successor Appointment: The company also announced that current Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer Said Ortiz will take over as CFO effective July 1, 2026; Ortiz joined the corporation in 2013 and brings over 19 years of experience in accounting, auditing, and financial management.
- Seamless Transition Plan: Berges and Ortiz will work closely over the coming months to ensure a smooth transition, reflecting the company's commitment to leadership stability.
- Leadership Succession: This executive change not only recognizes internal talent but also lays the groundwork for future financial management and strategic development, ensuring the company remains competitive in an evolving market environment.
See More
First BanCorp Reports Record Q4 2025 Earnings with Strong Guidance
- Strong Performance: First BanCorp reported a net income of $87 million for Q4 2025, translating to $0.55 per share and an impressive return on assets of 1.8%, highlighting significant improvements in revenue and operational efficiency that further solidify its market position.
- Loan Growth: The bank originated $1.4 billion in loans during the quarter, with total loans increasing by $80 million, primarily driven by growth in commercial segments, which not only enhances client support capabilities but also lays a foundation for future revenue growth.
- Dividend Increase: The Board approved an 11% increase in the quarterly common stock dividend to $0.20 per share, reflecting a robust capital return strategy, with over 28% of outstanding shares repurchased since the buyback program began in 2021, demonstrating a strong commitment to shareholders.
- Outlook Guidance: Management anticipates organic loan growth of 3% to 5% in 2026 while maintaining a 52% or better efficiency ratio, indicating a focus on sustaining asset quality while continuing to prioritize profitability and shareholder returns.
See More
First BanCorp Reports Q4 Earnings Beat Expectations
- Earnings Performance: First BanCorp's Q4 GAAP EPS of $0.55 exceeded expectations by $0.04, demonstrating robust profitability growth amid challenging market conditions.
- Stable Revenue Growth: The company reported revenue of $257.17 million, reflecting a 6.5% year-over-year increase, aligning with market expectations and indicating stable business performance.
- Increased Credit Loss Reserves: The provision for credit losses rose to $23 million from $17.6 million a year earlier, highlighting the company's cautious approach to potential credit risks in its portfolio.
- Significant Core Deposit Growth: Core deposits, excluding brokered and government deposits, increased by $266.5 million to $13.1 billion, primarily driven by non-interest-bearing deposits in the Puerto Rico region, thereby strengthening the company's funding base.
See More
Elevated Volatility in US Options Market Post Earnings
- Options Market Volatility: The options market is experiencing heightened volatility due to the upcoming Federal Reserve policy decision, with some stocks showing implied volatility nearing 50% ahead of earnings reports.
- Capitol Federal Financial: CFFN is set to report earnings on January 28, with analysts expecting earnings per share of 15 cents and revenue of $57.51 million, reflecting a significant implied move of 48.48%.
- Other Bank Stocks: Stocks like First Financial Bancorp and Provident Financial Services are also seeing implied moves exceeding 39%, indicating cautious market sentiment regarding their earnings performance.
- Market Reaction: Overall, the market is reacting strongly to the impending earnings reports, particularly among regional banks, highlighting investor concerns over future earnings uncertainty and potential risks.
See More
First BanCorp Q4 Earnings Announcement Scheduled
- Earnings Release Date: First BanCorp is set to announce its Q4 earnings on January 27 before market open, with a consensus EPS estimate of $0.51, reflecting a 10.9% year-over-year increase, which could further solidify its market performance.
- Revenue Expectations: The anticipated revenue for Q4 is $257.07 million, representing a 6.5% year-over-year growth; however, the revenue estimates have seen five downward revisions in the last three months, indicating cautious market sentiment regarding growth.
- Historical Performance Review: Over the past two years, First BanCorp has beaten EPS estimates 100% of the time and has exceeded revenue estimates 63% of the time, demonstrating the company's stability in profitability.
- Expectation Adjustment Dynamics: In the last three months, EPS estimates have experienced four upward revisions and one downward revision, reflecting fluctuations in analyst confidence regarding the company's earnings potential, while revenue estimates have not seen any upward adjustments, indicating market divergence on future performance.
See More
First BanCorp CFO Orlando Berges Retires; Successor Appointed
- Executive Retirement: First BanCorp. announced the retirement of CFO Orlando Berges effective June 30, which may impact the company's financial strategy and investor confidence moving forward.
- Succession Plan: The appointment of Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer Ortiz as the new CFO effective July 1 indicates stability in executive succession planning within the company.
- Financial Performance: In its Q4 2025 earnings report, First BanCorp. reported a GAAP EPS of $0.55, beating expectations by $0.04, with revenue of $257.17 million in line with market forecasts, demonstrating resilience in the current economic environment.
- Future Strategy: The company outlines a strategy for 2026 targeting 3-5% organic loan growth and a 100% earnings return, reflecting confidence in future growth and a positive market outlook.
See More
First BanCorp CFO Orlando Berges to Retire in 2026 After 17 Years
- Executive Retirement Announcement: First BanCorp has announced that CFO Orlando Berges will retire on June 30, 2026, after nearly 17 years of distinguished service, during which he played a central role in the corporation's transformation and long-term strengthening.
- Successor Appointment: The company also announced that current Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer Said Ortiz will take over as CFO effective July 1, 2026; Ortiz joined the corporation in 2013 and brings over 19 years of experience in accounting, auditing, and financial management.
- Seamless Transition Plan: Berges and Ortiz will work closely over the coming months to ensure a smooth transition, reflecting the company's commitment to leadership stability.
- Leadership Succession: This executive change not only recognizes internal talent but also lays the groundwork for future financial management and strategic development, ensuring the company remains competitive in an evolving market environment.
See More
First BanCorp Reports Record Q4 2025 Earnings with Strong Guidance
- Strong Performance: First BanCorp reported a net income of $87 million for Q4 2025, translating to $0.55 per share and an impressive return on assets of 1.8%, highlighting significant improvements in revenue and operational efficiency that further solidify its market position.
- Loan Growth: The bank originated $1.4 billion in loans during the quarter, with total loans increasing by $80 million, primarily driven by growth in commercial segments, which not only enhances client support capabilities but also lays a foundation for future revenue growth.
- Dividend Increase: The Board approved an 11% increase in the quarterly common stock dividend to $0.20 per share, reflecting a robust capital return strategy, with over 28% of outstanding shares repurchased since the buyback program began in 2021, demonstrating a strong commitment to shareholders.
- Outlook Guidance: Management anticipates organic loan growth of 3% to 5% in 2026 while maintaining a 52% or better efficiency ratio, indicating a focus on sustaining asset quality while continuing to prioritize profitability and shareholder returns.
See More
First BanCorp Reports Q4 Earnings Beat Expectations
- Earnings Performance: First BanCorp's Q4 GAAP EPS of $0.55 exceeded expectations by $0.04, demonstrating robust profitability growth amid challenging market conditions.
- Stable Revenue Growth: The company reported revenue of $257.17 million, reflecting a 6.5% year-over-year increase, aligning with market expectations and indicating stable business performance.
- Increased Credit Loss Reserves: The provision for credit losses rose to $23 million from $17.6 million a year earlier, highlighting the company's cautious approach to potential credit risks in its portfolio.
- Significant Core Deposit Growth: Core deposits, excluding brokered and government deposits, increased by $266.5 million to $13.1 billion, primarily driven by non-interest-bearing deposits in the Puerto Rico region, thereby strengthening the company's funding base.
See More
Elevated Volatility in US Options Market Post Earnings
- Options Market Volatility: The options market is experiencing heightened volatility due to the upcoming Federal Reserve policy decision, with some stocks showing implied volatility nearing 50% ahead of earnings reports.
- Capitol Federal Financial: CFFN is set to report earnings on January 28, with analysts expecting earnings per share of 15 cents and revenue of $57.51 million, reflecting a significant implied move of 48.48%.
- Other Bank Stocks: Stocks like First Financial Bancorp and Provident Financial Services are also seeing implied moves exceeding 39%, indicating cautious market sentiment regarding their earnings performance.
- Market Reaction: Overall, the market is reacting strongly to the impending earnings reports, particularly among regional banks, highlighting investor concerns over future earnings uncertainty and potential risks.
See More
First BanCorp Q4 Earnings Announcement Scheduled
- Earnings Release Date: First BanCorp is set to announce its Q4 earnings on January 27 before market open, with a consensus EPS estimate of $0.51, reflecting a 10.9% year-over-year increase, which could further solidify its market performance.
- Revenue Expectations: The anticipated revenue for Q4 is $257.07 million, representing a 6.5% year-over-year growth; however, the revenue estimates have seen five downward revisions in the last three months, indicating cautious market sentiment regarding growth.
- Historical Performance Review: Over the past two years, First BanCorp has beaten EPS estimates 100% of the time and has exceeded revenue estimates 63% of the time, demonstrating the company's stability in profitability.
- Expectation Adjustment Dynamics: In the last three months, EPS estimates have experienced four upward revisions and one downward revision, reflecting fluctuations in analyst confidence regarding the company's earnings potential, while revenue estimates have not seen any upward adjustments, indicating market divergence on future performance.
See More
