Let’s dig into the relative performance of Cathay General Bancorp (NASDAQ: CATY) and its peers as we unravel the now-completed Q4 regional banks earnings season.

Regional banks, financial institutions operating within specific geographic areas, serve as intermediaries between local depositors and borrowers. They benefit from rising interest rates that improve net interest margins (the difference between loan yields and deposit costs), digital transformation reducing operational expenses, and local economic growth driving loan demand. However, these banks face headwinds from fintech competition, deposit outflows to higher-yielding alternatives, credit deterioration (increasing loan defaults) during economic slowdowns, and regulatory compliance costs. Recent concerns about regional bank stability following high-profile failures and significant commercial real estate exposure present additional challenges.

The 95 regional banks stocks we track reported a satisfactory Q4. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 1.6%.

Amidst this news, share prices of the companies have had a rough stretch. On average, they are down 6.4% since the latest earnings results.

Cathay General Bancorp (NASDAQ: CATY)

Founded in 1962 with its first branch in Los Angeles' Chinatown, Cathay General Bancorp (NASDAQ: CATY) operates Cathay Bank, providing commercial banking services to businesses and individuals with a strong presence in Asian-American communities.

Cathay General Bancorp reported revenues of $213.2 million, up 13.5% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 0.6%. Overall, it was a satisfactory quarter for the company with a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates.

“We are pleased by the continued increase in the net interest margin compared to the third quarter of 2025 and fourth quarter of 2024. During the fourth quarter of 2025, we repurchased 1,099,803 shares at an average cost of $47.15 per share for a total of $51.9 million,” commented Chang M. Liu, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

Unsurprisingly, the stock is down 9.3% since reporting and currently trades at $47.43.

Is now the time to buy Cathay General Bancorp? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Best Q4: Merchants Bancorp (NASDAQ: MBIN)

With a strategic focus on low-risk, government-backed lending programs, Merchants Bancorp (NASDAQCM:MBIN) is an Indiana-based bank holding company specializing in multi-family mortgage banking, mortgage warehousing, and traditional banking services.

Merchants Bancorp reported revenues of $185.3 million, down 4.4% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 7.8%. The business had a stunning quarter with a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and an impressive beat of analysts’ net interest income estimates.

The market seems happy with the results as the stock is up 19.8% since reporting. It currently trades at $41.86.

Is now the time to buy Merchants Bancorp? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Weakest Q4: National Bank Holdings (NYSE: NBHC)

Operating under familiar local brands like Community Banks of Colorado, Bank Midwest, and Bank of Jackson Hole, National Bank Holdings (NYSE: NBHC) operates regional banks across Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Wyoming, Texas, and other western states, offering commercial, business, and consumer banking services.

National Bank Holdings reported revenues of $102.6 million, down 3.7% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 2.7%. It was a disappointing quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ revenue estimates and a significant miss of analysts’ net interest income estimates.

As expected, the stock is down 2.6% since the results and currently trades at $39.03.

Read our full analysis of National Bank Holdings’s results here.

Westamerica Bancorporation (NASDAQ: WABC)

Founded in 1884 and serving communities from Mendocino County in the north to Kern County in the south, Westamerica Bancorporation (NASDAQ: WABC) provides banking services to individuals and small businesses throughout Northern and Central California.

Westamerica Bancorporation reported revenues of $63.55 million, down 9.1% year on year. This print beat analysts’ expectations by 2.7%. It was a strong quarter as it also produced an impressive beat of analysts’ net interest income estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ revenue estimates.

Westamerica Bancorporation had the slowest revenue growth among its peers. The stock is up 4.8% since reporting and currently trades at $50.83.

Read our full, actionable report on Westamerica Bancorporation here, it’s free.

TriCo Bancshares (NASDAQ: TCBK)

Founded in 1975 and headquartered in Chico, California, TriCo Bancshares (NASDAQ: TCBK) operates Tri Counties Bank, providing personal, small business, and commercial banking services through branches across California.

TriCo Bancshares reported revenues of $109.6 million, up 8.8% year on year. This number surpassed analysts’ expectations by 1.4%. Taking a step back, it was a satisfactory quarter as it also produced a decent beat of analysts’ net interest income estimates but a narrow beat of analysts’ EPS estimates.

The stock is down 7% since reporting and currently trades at $47.07.

Read our full, actionable report on TriCo Bancshares here, it’s free.

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