For the quarter ended March 31, 2026, annualized return on average common equity was 10.85%, annualized return on average assets was 1.24%, and annualized net interest margin was 3.71%, compared to 11.30%, 1.15% and 3.57%, respectively, for the quarter ended March 31, 2025.
Key Results:
Net Interest Income: Net interest income for the first quarter of 2026 decreased $1.0 million (or approximately 2.0%) to $48.3 million compared to $49.3 million for the first quarter of 2025, largely driven by the completion of accounting recognition in October 2025 of interest income from a previously terminated interest rate swap. This was partially offset by lower interest expense on deposit accounts and other borrowings. Annualized net interest margin was 3.71% for the quarter ended March 31, 2026, compared to 3.57% for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, and 3.70% for the quarter ended December 31, 2025.
Asset Quality: Non-performing assets and potential problem loans totaled $11.3 million at March 31, 2026, an increase of $1.8 million from $9.5 million at December 31, 2025. At March 31, 2026, non-performing assets were $10.1 million (0.18% of total assets), an increase of $2.0 million from $8.1 million (0.15% of total assets) at December 31, 2025. See "Asset Quality" below.
Liquidity: The Company had secured borrowing line availability at the FHLBank and Federal Reserve Bank of $1.24 billion and $332.1 million, respectively, at March 31, 2026.
Capital: The Company's capital position remained strong as of March 31, 2026, significantly exceeding the "well-capitalized" thresholds established by regulatory agencies. See "Capital" below.
Loans: Total net loans, excluding mortgage loans held for sale, increased $99.8 million, or 2.3%, from $4.36 billion at December 31, 2025 to $4.46 billion at March 31, 2026. This increase was primarily driven by increases in construction loans and commercial real estate loans, partially offset by decreases in other residential (multi-family) loans. The Bank experienced a decreased amount of loan payoffs in the 2026 first quarter compared to recent quarters.
Certain Income and Expense Items Impacting First Quarter 2026 Results: During the three months ended March 31, 2026, there were certain income and expense items that impacted the Company's results of operations in a positive manner.
Interest income on loans increased $483,000 due to collection of unbooked interest on three different relationships. Two of these relationships have recently provided interest payments generally semi-annually, but we do not have assurances of future payments or amounts if payments are made.
Other non-interest income increased $421,000 due to fees received on the origination of a loan with an interest rate swap included in the transaction and an unrelated payment received upon the Company's exit from a tax credit limited partnership. These types of fees and payments occur sporadically as part of our operations.
Advertising expense decreased $453,000 due to an annual reimbursement of qualifying expenses related to our debit card program. This reimbursement generally occurs in the first quarter of each year and the amount varies based upon the level of qualifying expenses. For comparison, an annual reimbursement of $433,000 was received in the 2025 first quarter.
Legal and professional fees decreased $261,000 due to an insurance reimbursement of legal fees that had been expensed in prior periods related to a loan foreclosure.
Selected Financial Data:
Three Months Ended
March 31,
March 31,
December 31,
2026
2025
2025
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Net interest income
$
48,328
$
49,334
$
49,163
Provision (credit) for credit losses on loans and unfunded commitments
(931
)
(348
)
882
Non-interest income
7,029
6,590
7,188
Non-interest expense
34,792
34,822
36,000
Provision for income taxes
4,020
4,290
3,194
Net income
$
17,476
$
17,160
$
16,275
Earnings per diluted common share
$
1.58
$
1.47
$
1.45
Joseph W. Turner, President and CEO of Great Southern, commented, "Our first-quarter 2026 results reflect a solid start to the year, driven by disciplined execution across the business. Throughout the quarter, we remained committed to the fundamentals that have supported our performance over time, including careful balance sheet management, sound credit and expense discipline, and thoughtful capital allocation. We reported net income of $17.5 million, or $1.58 per diluted common share, compared to $17.2 million, or $1.47 per diluted common share, in the first quarter of 2025."
Turner noted, "Underlying performance remained strong in the quarter. We did have a few income and expense items, which we separately noted above, that impacted the Company's results in a positive manner. Net interest income was $48.3 million, reflecting a continued focus on both asset pricing and funding costs, alongside the successful management of our earning asset base. This diligence partially mitigated the absence of income from a previously terminated interest rate swap, which contributed $2.0 million of net interest income in the first quarter of 2025. Though we continue to focus on net interest income growth, credit and pricing discipline may serve as governors given our prioritization of long-term stockholder returns over near-term earnings."
Turner added, "Loan balances increased during the quarter, supported primarily by growth in construction and commercial real estate lending, as payoff activity moderated from higher levels in recent quarters. While this balance sheet growth supported earnings in the quarter, period-to-period loan trends are influenced significantly by loan repayments from our borrowers. As such, we remain committed to measured loan origination with disciplined underwriting throughout the quarter. On the funding side, deposit balances remained stable in the first quarter of 2026, particularly within our non-maturity deposit products. Reflecting loan growth and the maturity of certain retail time deposits, wholesale funding increased as part of our broader liquidity management strategy.
Turner stated, "From a credit standpoint, we remain mindful of the volatility and macroeconomic challenges affecting our borrowers. We have seen isolated examples of multi-family projects where actual lease-up activities have been slower than initial projections, and we monitor these projects closely. While asset quality metrics in the first quarter of 2026 remained very strong, with low levels of delinquencies, few non-performing assets and virtually no net charge-offs, we continue to review both anecdotal and empirical information underscoring the importance of ongoing credit monitoring and oversight."
Turner further commented, "Operating discipline also remained an important contributor to quarterly performance. Non-interest expense totaled $34.8 million, as we continued to manage costs carefully while also investing in technology, infrastructure, and personnel to support the long-term capabilities of the franchise. Our overall expense levels in the first quarter of 2026 also benefited from certain reimbursements, which we noted. We expect that non-interest expense will increase a bit in the remainder of 2026 as we implement various technology initiatives and advancements. Non-interest income was $7.0 million, supported by recurring fee-based revenue streams and customer activity across the Bank."
Turner continued, "Our capital and liquidity positions remained strong at quarter-end. Tangible common equity was 10.99% of tangible assets, and book value per common share increased to $58.27. Regulatory capital levels significantly exceed "well-capitalized" thresholds. We continued to return capital through the repurchase of approximately 269,000 shares of common stock during the first quarter."
"We believe Great Southern entered 2026 in a position of strength, and our priorities remain consistent: maintain strong credit quality, manage funding and expenses carefully, and continue building long-term value for our stockholders through disciplined execution and sound risk management," Turner concluded.
NET INTEREST INCOME
Three Months Ended
March 31,
March 31,
December 31,
2026
2025
2025
(Dollars in thousands)
Interest Income
$
71,165
$
80,243
$
73,435
Interest Expense
22,837
30,909
24,272
Net Interest Income
$
48,328
$
49,334
$
49,163
Net interest margin
3.71
%
3.57
%
3.70
%
Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities
128.8
%
125.5
%
129.5
%
Net interest income for the first quarter of 2026 decreased $1.0 million (2.0%) to $48.3 million, compared to $49.3 million for the first quarter of 2025. This decrease was driven primarily by the $2.0 million net reduction in quarterly interest income associated with a previously terminated interest rate swap (income ended on October 6, 2025). Additionally, compared to the year-ago quarter, interest income declined due to lower loan balances and lower market rates, which primarily impacted the interest rates on variable-rate loans and new originations of fixed-rate loans. Mostly offsetting the decrease in interest income was reduced interest expense, due to the strategic management of maturing/repricing brokered deposits and interest-bearing demand deposits. Also, there was no interest expense on subordinated notes in the quarter ended March 31, 2026, as those notes were redeemed in June 2025. Correspondingly, annualized net interest margin was 3.71% in the first quarter of 2026, compared to 3.57% in the same period of 2025 and 3.70% in the fourth quarter of 2025. The average interest rate spread was 3.20% for the three months ended March 31, 2026, compared to 3.00% for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 3.16% for the three months ended December 31, 2025.
The average yield on total interest-earning assets decreased from 5.81% in the 2025 first quarter to 5.46% in the 2026 first quarter, with the average yield on loans decreasing 37 basis points, the average yield on investment securities decreasing 12 basis points and the average yield on other interest earning assets (primarily funds held at the Federal Reserve Bank) decreasing 73 basis points. The average rate paid on total interest-bearing liabilities decreased from 2.81% in the 2025 first quarter to 2.26% in the 2026 first quarter, with the average rate paid on interest-bearing demand and savings deposits, time deposits and brokered deposits decreasing 21 basis points, 52 basis points and 70 basis points, respectively. The average rate paid on short-term borrowings decreased 67 basis points.
Market interest rates, primarily the federal funds rate and SOFR rates, declined in the fourth quarter of 2025, and remained lower through the first quarter of 2026. There were no federal funds rate cuts in the first quarter of 2026, but there were federal funds rate cuts in September, October, and December of 2025, totaling 75 basis points. This market rate decline reduced the average yield on loans, though the impact was tempered as cash flows from lower-rate fixed rate loans originated a few years ago were deployed into residential and commercial real estate loans with comparably higher rates of interest. The decline in market interest rates also resulted in lower average rates paid on deposits and borrowings, compared to the prior-year first quarter and the fourth quarter of 2025.
To mitigate exposure to the risk of fluctuations in future cash flows resulting from changes in interest rates (primarily related to falling interest rates), the Company has strategically utilized derivative financial instruments - primarily interest rate swaps - as part of its interest rate risk management strategy.
The following table presents, for the periods indicated, the effect of cash flow hedge accounting included in interest income in the consolidated statements of income:
Three Months Ended
March 31,
March 31,
December 31,
2026
2025
2025
(In thousands)
Terminated interest rate swaps
$
—
$
2,003
$
134
Active interest rate swaps
(1,031
)
(1,742
)
(1,364
)
Increase (decrease) to interest income
$
(1,031
)
$
261
$
(1,230
)
The Company entered into an interest rate swap in October 2018, which was terminated in March 2020. Upon termination, the Company received $45.9 million, inclusive of accrued but unpaid interest, from its swap counterparty. The net amount, after deducting accrued interest and deferred income taxes, was accreted to interest income on loans monthly until the originally scheduled termination date of October 6, 2025. With this date having passed, the Company no longer has the benefit of that income from the terminated swap. At March 31, 2026, the Company had two active interest rate swaps with a combined notional amount of $400 million. These swaps resulted in a reduction of interest income of $1.0 million and $1.7 million in the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, respectively.
Market rates for time deposits for much of 2024 were elevated but have declined as the FOMC cut the federal funds rate by 100 basis points in late 2024, 25 basis points in the third quarter of 2025 and 50 basis points in the fourth quarter of 2025. As of March 31, 2026, time deposit maturities (including brokered time deposits) over the next 12 months were as follows: within three months, $647.0 million, with a weighted-average rate of 3.48%; within three to six months, $338.5 million, with a weighted-average rate of 3.04%; and within six to twelve months, $29.2 million, with a weighted-average rate of 1.41%. Based on time deposit market rates in March 2026, replacement rates for maturing time deposits originated through our retail branch system are likely to be approximately 2.70-3.10%, depending on term. Brokered time deposit rates were generally at or above 3.75% in March 2026.
NON-INTEREST INCOME
For the quarter ended March 31, 2026, non-interest income increased $439,000, to $7.0 million, when compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2025, primarily as a result of the following item:
Commissions: Commissions income increased $353,000, or 134.7%, from the prior-year quarter. The increase was due to annuity sales that were approximately 160% higher in the 2026 period compared to the 2025 period.
NON-INTEREST EXPENSE
For the quarter ended March 31, 2026, non-interest expense decreased $30,000, to $34.8 million, when compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2025, primarily as a result of the following items:
Legal, audit and other professional fees: Legal, audit and other professional fees decreased $348,000 from the prior-year quarter, to $690,000. In the quarter ended March 31, 2026, the Company recovered a total of $261,000 in legal fees, pursuant to an insurance reimbursement, related to a multi-family residential loan that had previously been expensed with no such expense recoveries in the quarter ended March 31, 2025.
Net occupancy and equipment expenses: Net occupancy and equipment expenses increased $331,000, or 3.9%, from the prior-year quarter. Various components of computer license and support expenses, related to upgrades of core systems capabilities and disaster recovery site, collectively increased by $339,000 in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the first quarter of 2025.
The Company's efficiency ratio for the quarter ended March 31, 2026, was 62.85% compared to 62.27% for the same quarter in 2025. The Company's ratio of non-interest expense to average assets was 2.47% for the three months ended March 31, 2026, compared to 2.34% for the three months ended March 31, 2025. Average assets for the three months ended March 31, 2026, decreased $332.9 million, or 5.6%, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2025, primarily due to the decline in the average balance of net loans.
INCOME TAXES
For the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, the Company's effective tax rate was 18.7% and 20.0%, respectively. These effective rates were below the statutory federal tax rate of 21.0%, due primarily to the utilization of certain investment tax credits and the Company's tax-exempt investments and tax-exempt loans, which reduced the Company's effective tax rate. The Company's effective tax rate may fluctuate in future periods as it is impacted by the level and timing of the Company's utilization of tax credits, the level of tax-exempt investments and loans, the amount of taxable income in various state jurisdictions and the overall level of pre-tax income. State tax expense estimates continually evolve as taxable income and apportionment between states are analyzed. The Company currently expects its effective tax rate (combined federal and state) will be approximately 18.5% to 19.5% in future periods.
CAPITAL
March 31,
December 31,
2026
2025
Consolidated Regulatory Capital Ratios
(Preliminary)
Tier 1 Leverage Ratio
12.2
%
12.2
%
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital Ratio
13.5
%
13.6
%
Tier 1 Capital Ratio
14.0
%
14.1
%
Total Capital Ratio
15.2
%
15.3
%
Tangible Common Equity Ratio
11.0
%
11.2
%
As of March 31, 2026, total stockholders' equity was $633.6 million, representing 11.1% of total assets and a book value of $58.27 per common share. This compares to total stockholders' equity of $636.1 million, or 11.4% of total assets, and a book value of $57.50 per common share at December 31, 2025. The $2.5 million decrease in stockholders' equity from December 31, 2025, was primarily driven by $4.7 million in cash dividends declared on the Company's common stock, $16.9 million in common stock repurchases, and an increase in unrealized losses on investments and interest rate swaps, partially offset by $17.5 million in net income and a $4.6 million increase from stock option exercises. The increased unrealized losses on the Company's available-for-sale investment securities and interest rate swaps, which totaled $35.1 million and $32.2 million (net of taxes) at March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, respectively, decreased stockholders' equity by $2.9 million during the first quarter of 2026. These net unrealized losses primarily resulted from increased intermediate-term market interest rates in prior periods, which generally decreased the fair value of the investment securities and interest rate swaps. In 2026, these market interest rates and interest rate expectations for future periods decreased early in the first quarter before increasing significantly in March to levels higher than those at December 31, 2025, ultimately resulting in decreases in the fair value of the Company's investment securities and interest rate swaps.
The Company had unrealized losses on its portfolio of held-to-maturity investment securities, which totaled $17.1 million and $16.6 million at March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, respectively, that were not included in its total capital balance. If held-to-maturity unrealized losses were included in capital (net of taxes) at March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, they would have decreased total stockholder's equity at those dates by $12.9 million and $12.5 million, respectively. These amounts were equal to 2.0% of total stockholders' equity of $633.6 million at March 31, 2026 and $636.1 million at December 31, 2025.
In April 2025, the Company's Board of Directors authorized the purchase, from time to time, of up to one million additional shares of the Company's common stock. As of March 31, 2026, approximately 419,000 shares remained available under this stock repurchase authorization.
During the three months ended March 31, 2026, the Company repurchased 268,664 shares of its common stock at an average price of $62.55, and the Company's Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.43 per common share, which, combined, reduced stockholders' equity by $21.6 million. During the three months ended March 31, 2026, the Company experienced stock option exercises of 80,259 shares of its common stock at an average price of $50.90, which increased stockholders' equity by $4.1 million.
LIQUIDITY AND DEPOSITS
Liquidity is a measure of the Company's ability to generate sufficient cash to meet present and future financial obligations in a timely manner. The Company's primary sources of funds are customer deposits, FHLBank advances, other borrowings, loan repayments, unpledged securities, proceeds from sales of loans and available-for-sale securities and funds provided from operations. The Company utilizes some or all of these sources of funds depending on the comparative costs and availability at the time. The Company has from time to time chosen not to pay rates on deposits as high as the rates paid by certain of its competitors and, at management's discretion, supplements deposits with alternative sources of funds. Management believes that the Company maintains overall liquidity sufficient to satisfy its depositors' requirements and meet its borrowers' credit needs.
At March 31, 2026, the Company had the following available secured lines and on-balance sheet liquidity:
March 31, 2026
Federal Home Loan Bank line
$1,238.0 million
Federal Reserve Bank line
332.1 million
Cash and cash equivalents
187.4 million
Unpledged securities, Available-for-sale
347.1 million
Unpledged securities, Held-to-maturity
23.9 million
During the three months ended March 31, 2026, the Company's total deposits decreased $37.6 million. Interest-bearing checking balances decreased $25.0 million (1.1%), primarily in certain money market accounts, and non-interest-bearing checking balances increased $15.8 million (1.9%). Time deposits generated through the Company's banking center and corporate services networks decreased $17.0 million (2.5%). Brokered deposits, obtained through a variety of sources, decreased $11.5 million (1.7%). As total assets (primarily loans receivable) increased, the Company elected to utilize FHLBank borrowings to replace some of its maturing time and brokered deposits.
At March 31, 2026, the Company had the following deposit balances:
March 31, 2026
Interest-bearing checking
$2,264.4 million
Non-interest-bearing checking
857.4 million
Time deposits
671.4 million
Brokered deposits
652.0 million
At March 31, 2026, the Company estimated that its uninsured deposits, excluding deposit accounts of the Company's consolidated subsidiaries, were approximately $740.1 million (16.7% of total deposits).
LOANS
Total net loans, excluding mortgage loans held for sale, increased $99.8 million, or 2.3%, from $4.36 billion at December 31, 2025 to $4.46 billion at March 31, 2026. This increase was primarily driven by increases in construction loans of $83.0 million and commercial real estate loans of $27.0 million, partially offset by a decrease in other residential (multi-family) loans of $18.1 million. Commercial construction loans, including multi-family construction loans, increased primarily due to draws on loans previously closed. Loan repayments in the first quarter of 2026 also decreased approximately $125 million compared to the quarterly average of repayments in 2025.
The pipeline of the unfunded portion of loans and formal loan commitments remained strong, with the largest portion of these unfunded balances represented by the unfunded portion of outstanding construction loans ($529.2 million at March 31, 2026). See the table below.
For additional details about the Company's loan portfolio, please refer to the quarterly loan portfolio presentation available on the Company's Investor Relations website under "Presentations."
Loan commitments and the unfunded portion of loans at the dates indicated were as follows (in thousands):
March 31, 2026
December 31, 2025
December 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
Closed non-construction loans with unused available lines
Secured by real estate (one- to four-family)
$
214,107
$
208,229
$
205,599
$
203,964
Secured by real estate (not one- to four-family)
—
—
—
—
Not secured by real estate, commercial business
106,024
114,568
106,621
82,435
Closed construction loans with unused available lines
Secured by real estate (one-to four-family)
119,231
112,684
94,501
101,545
Secured by real estate (not one-to four-family)
530,756
624,025
703,947
719,039
Loan commitments not closed
Secured by real estate (one-to four-family)
19,194
14,113
14,373
12,347
Secured by real estate (not one-to four-family)
24,053
19,412
53,660
48,153
Not secured by real estate, commercial business
35,762
38,262
22,884
11,763
$
1,049,127
$
1,131,293
$
1,201,585
$
1,179,246
PROVISION FOR CREDIT LOSSES AND ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES
During the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, the Company did not record a provision expense on its portfolio of outstanding loans. Total net recoveries were $13,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2026, compared to total net charge-offs of $56,000 during the same period in the prior year. Additionally, for the quarter ended March 31, 2026, the Company recorded a negative provision for losses on unfunded commitments of $931,000, compared to a negative provision for losses on unfunded commitments of $348,000 for the same period in 2025.
The Bank's allowance for credit losses as a percentage of total loans was 1.43% and 1.46% at March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, respectively. Management considers the allowance for credit losses adequate to cover losses inherent in the Bank's loan portfolio at March 31, 2026, based on recent reviews of the portfolio and current economic conditions. However, if challenging economic conditions persist or worsen, or if management's assessment of the loan portfolio changes, additional provisions for credit losses may be required, which could adversely impact the Company's future financial performance.
ASSET QUALITY
At March 31, 2026, non-performing assets were $10.1 million, an increase of $2.0 million from $8.1 million at December 31, 2025. Non-performing assets as a percentage of total assets were 0.18% at March 31, 2026, compared to 0.15% at December 31, 2025.
Activity in the non-performing loan categories during the quarter ended March 31, 2026, was as follows:
BeginningBalance,January 1
Additionsto Non-Performing
Removedfrom Non-Performing
Transfersto PotentialProblemLoans
Transfers toForeclosedAssets andRepossessions
Charge-Offs
Payments
EndingBalance,March 31
(In thousands)
One- to four-family construction
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
—
Subdivision construction
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Land development
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Commercial construction
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
One- to four-family residential
2,066
109
—
—
(643
)
—
(829
)
703
Other residential (multi-family)
—
2,725
—
—
—
—
—
2,725
Commercial real estate
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Commercial business
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Consumer
28
—
—
—
—
—
(2
)
26
Total non-performing loans
$
2,094
$
2,834
$
—
$
—
$
(643
)
$
—
$
(831
)
$
3,454
Compared to December 31, 2025, non-performing loans increased $1.4 million.
The non-performing one- to four-family residential category consisted of five loans at March 31, 2026, one of which was added during the current quarter.
The largest relationship in the one- to four-family residential category totaled $386,000 at March 31, 2026. This relationship was added to non-performing loans in 2024 and is collateralized by a single-family residential property in southern Iowa.
The non-performing other residential (multi-family) category consisted of one loan at March 31, 2026, which was added during the current quarter and is collateralized by an apartment in eastern Iowa. Recent scheduled monthly payments have not been made, causing the loan to become delinquent. The guarantor is involved in legal issues, not related to the subject property, that are causing stress on the financial condition of the guarantor. The Company expects that an updated valuation of the asset will be completed soon.
Activity in the potential problem loans categories during the quarter ended March 31, 2026, was as follows:
BeginningBalance,January 1
Additions toPotentialProblem
RemovedfromPotentialProblem
Transfersto Non-Performing
Transfers toForeclosedAssets andRepossessions
Charge-Offs
Loan Advances (Payments)
EndingBalance,March 31
(In thousands)
One- to four-family construction
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
—
Subdivision construction
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Land development
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Commercial construction
—
—
—
—
—
