Table of Contents
7777F
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025
Commission File Number: 0-24649
REPUBLIC BANCORP, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Kentucky
61-0862051
(State or other jurisdiction of
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)
601 West Market Street, Louisville, Kentucky
40202
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (502) 584-3600
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Trading Symbol
Name of each exchange on which registered
Class A Common
RBCAA
The NASDAQ Stock Market
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
(Title of Class)
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. ☐ Yes ⌧ No
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. ☐ Yes ⌧ No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. ⌧ Yes ☐No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). ⌧ Yes ☐ No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer ☐
Accelerated filer ⌧
Non-accelerated filer ☐
Smaller reporting company ☐
Emerging growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ⌧
If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). ☐ Yes ⌧ No
The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold as of June 30, 2025 (the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter) was approximately $620,362,810 (for purposes of this calculation, the market value of the Class B Common Stock was based on the market value of the Class A Common Stock into which it is convertible).
The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, as of February 27, 2026 was 17,461,076 and 2,148,269.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the Registrant’s Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held April 23, 2026 are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I
Item 1.
Business.
6
Item 1A.
Risk Factors.
28
Item 1B.
Unresolved Staff Comments.
39
Item 1C.
Cybersecurity
Item 2.
Properties.
41
Item 3.
Legal Proceedings.
42
Item 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures.
PART II
Item 5.
Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.
43
Item 6.
[Reserved]
44
Item 7.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
45
Item 7A.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
93
Item 8.
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
94
Item 9.
Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.
180
Item 9A.
Controls and Procedures.
Item 9B.
Other Information.
181
Item 9C.
Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections.
PART III
Item 10.
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.
Item 11.
Executive Compensation.
182
Item 12.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.
183
Item 13.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.
Item 14.
Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
PART IV
Item 15.
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.
184
Item 16.
Form 10-K Summary.
190
Signatures
191
2
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
The terms identified in alphabetical order below are used throughout this Form 10-K. You may find it helpful to refer to this page as you read this report.
Term
Definition
2024 Tax Season
December 2023 through February 2024
Diluted EPS
Diluted earnings per Class A Common Share
NA
Not Applicable
2025 Tax Season
December 2024 through February 2025
Dodd-Frank Act
The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act
NASDAQ
The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC
2026 Tax Season
December 2025 through February 2026
DTA
Deferred Tax Assets
NIM
Net Interest Margin
ACH
Automated Clearing House
DTL
Deferred Tax Liabilities
NM
Not Meaningful
ACLC
Allowance for Credit Losses on Off-Balance Sheet Credit Exposures
EBITDA
Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization
NOW
Negotiable Order of Withdrawal account
ACLL
Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans
EGRRCPA
Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief and Consumer Protection Act of 2018
OBS
Off-Balance Sheet
ACLS
Allowance for Credit Losses on Securities
ELC
Executive Loan Committee
OCI
Other Comprehensive Income
AFS
Available-for-Sale
ERA
Early Season Refund Advance
OFAC
Office of Foreign Asset Control
AI
Artificial Intelligence
ESPP
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
OREO
Other Real Estate Owned
Allowance
Allowance for Losses
EVP
Executive Vice President
PCD
Purchased Credit Deteriorated
AML
Anti-Money Laundering
Exchange Act
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
PD
Probability of Default
AOCI
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
FD
Regulation Fair Disclosure
PATH Act
Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes of 2015
ARM
Adjustable Rate Mortgage
FDIA
Federal Deposit Insurance Act
POS
Point of Sale
ASC
Accounting Standards Codification
FDIC
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
Prime
The Wall Street Journal Prime Interest Rate
ASU
Accounting Standards Update
FDICIA
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act
Provision
Provision for Expected Credit Loss Expense
ATM
Automated Teller Machine
FFTR
Federal Funds Target Rate
PSU
Performance Stock Unit
Basic EPS
Basic earnings per Class A Common Share
FHC
Financial Holding Company
R&D
Research and Development
BHC
Bank Holding Company
FinTech
Financial Technology
RA
Refund Advance
BHCA
Bank Holding Company Act
FHLB
Federal Home Loan Bank
RB&T / the Bank
Republic Bank & Trust Company
Board
Board of Directors
FHLMC
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation or Freddie Mac
RBF
Republic Bank Finance
BOLI
Bank Owned Life Insurance
FICO
Fair Isaac Corporation
RCS
Republic Credit Solutions segment
BPO
Broker Price Opinion
FNMA
Federal National Mortgage Association or Fannie Mae
Republic / Company
Republic Bancorp, Inc.
BSA
Bank Secrecy Act
FOMC
Federal Open Market Committee
ROA
Return on Average Assets
C&I
Commercial & Industrial
FRB
Federal Reserve Bank
ROE
Return on Average Equity
C&LD
Construction & Land Development
FTE
Full Time Equivalent
RPG
Republic Processing Group division
CAMELS
Capital adequacy, Asset quality, Management quality, Earnings, Liquidity, and Sensitivity to market risk.
FTP
Funds Transfer Pricing
RPS
Republic Payment Solutions segment
CBLR
Community Bank Leverage Ratio
GAAP
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States
RT
Refund Transfer
CCAD
Commercial Credit Administration Department
GLBA
Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act
RRE
Residential Real Estate
CCPA
California Consumer Privacy Act
GNMA
Ginnie Mae
S&P
Standard and Poor's
CDI
Core Deposit Intangible
HEAL
Home Equity Amortizing Loan
SAC
Special Asset Committee
CECL
Current Expected Credit Losses
HELOC
Home Equity Line of Credit
SBA
Small Business Administration
CEO
Chief Executive Officer
HFS
Held for Sale
Securities Act
Securities Act of 1933, as amended
CFO
Chief Financial Officer
HTM
Held-to-Maturity
SEC
Securities and Exchange Commission
CISO
Chief Information Security Officer
IRS
Internal Revenue Service
SERP
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan
CLO
Chief Lending Officer
ITM
Interactive Teller Machine
SOFR
Secured Overnight Financing Rate
CFPB
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
KDFI
Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions
SSUAR
Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase
CMO
Collateralized Mortgage Obligation
LOC
Line of Credit
SVP
Senior Vice President
CODM
Chief Operating Decision Maker
LOC I
RCS product introduced in 2014 for which the Bank participates out a 90% interest and holds a 10% interest
TBA
To be Announced
Core Bank
The Traditional Bank and Warehouse Lending reportable segments
LOC II
RCS product introduced in 2021 for which the Bank participates out a 95% interest and holds a 5% interest
TDR
Troubled Debt Restructuring
CPRA
California Privacy Rights and Enforcement Act
LRA
Lender Risk Account
TRS
Tax Refund Solutions segment
CRA
Community Reinvestment Act
LTV
Loan to Value
TRUP
Trust Preferred Security
CRE
Commercial Real Estate
MBS
Mortgage-Backed Security
U.S.
United States
DDA
Demand Deposit Account
MSR
Mortgage Servicing Right
Warehouse
Warehouse Lending segment
DIF
Deposit Insurance Fund
3
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This Annual Report on Form 10-K (this “report”) contains statements relating to future results of Republic Bancorp, Inc. that are considered “forward-looking” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). The forward-looking statements are principally, but not exclusively, contained in Part I Item 1 “Business,” Part I Item 1A “Risk Factors,” and Part II Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. These statements are often, but not always, identified by words or phrases such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “can,” “conclude,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “foresee,” “goal,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “outlook,” “possible,” “plan,” “predict,” “project,” “potential,” “seek,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “will likely,” “would,” or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts; rather, they are based on current expectations, estimates, and projections about the Company’s industry, management’s beliefs, and certain assumptions made by management—many of which are inherently uncertain and beyond management’s control.
Forward-looking statements detail management’s expectations regarding the future and are based on information known to management only as of the date the statements are made and management undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date forward-looking statements are made, except as required by applicable law.
There is no assurance that the following list of risks and uncertainties is complete. However, risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements include:
Financial, Economic, and Market Risks
Credit and Liquidity Risks
4
Operational and Strategic Execution Risks
Technology, Cybersecurity, and Compliance Risks
Environmental, Social, and Geopolitical Risks
Other Risks
5
Item 1. Business.
OVERVIEW
The consolidated financial statements included in this report include the accounts of Republic Bancorp, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary, Republic Bank & Trust Company. As used in this report, the terms “Republic,” the “Company,” “we,” “our,” and “us” refer to Republic Bancorp, Inc. and, where the context requires, Republic Bancorp, Inc. and its subsidiary. The term the “Bank” refers to the Company’s subsidiary bank, Republic Bank & Trust Company, as well as its wholly owned subsidiary, RBT Insurance Agency LLC. The Company dissolved Republic Insurance Services, Inc., its former insurance captive subsidiary, in 2023. All significant intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.
Republic is an FHC headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, which is the most populous city in Kentucky. The Bank is a Kentucky-based, state-chartered non-member financial institution that provides both traditional and non-traditional banking products and services through five reportable segments using a multitude of delivery channels. While the Bank operates primarily in its geographical market footprint where it has physical locations, its non-brick-and-mortar delivery channels allow it to reach clients across the U.S.
The principal business of Republic is directing, planning, and coordinating the business activities of the Bank. The financial condition and results of operations of Republic are primarily dependent upon the results of operations of the Bank. As of December 31, 2025, Republic had total assets of $7.04 billion, total loans of $5.45 billion, total deposits of $5.20 billion, and total stockholders’ equity of $1.10 billion. Based on total assets as of December 31, 2025, Republic ranked as the second largest Kentucky-based FHC. The executive offices of Republic are located at 601 West Market Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, telephone number (502) 584-3600. The Company’s website address is www.republicbank.com.
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
The Company makes its Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports, filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, available free of charge through its website, https:republicbank.q4ir.com, as soon as reasonably practicable after the Company electronically files such material with, or furnishes it to, the SEC. The Company also uses its Investor Relations website to disclose material non-public information and may use the site to satisfy its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Accordingly, the Company encourages investors, the media, and other interested parties to review the information posted on the Investor Relations website. The website address is provided for informational purposes only; it is not intended to be an active link. The information provided on the Company’s website is not part of this report, and is therefore not incorporated by reference, unless that information is otherwise specifically referenced elsewhere in this report.
The SEC maintains an internet site at http://www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy statements, information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC.
Also available on the Company’s website are its Code of Conduct and Ethics, the charter of each active committee of the Board, and other materials outlining the Company's corporate governance practices. If the Company amends or grants a waiver of one or more of the provisions of its Code of Conduct and Ethics, the Company intends to satisfy the requirements under Item 5.05 of Form 8-K regarding the disclosure of amendments to or waivers from provisions of the Company’s Code of Conduct and Ethics that apply to its principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, by posting the required information on our corporate website at www.republicbank.com.
BUSINESS SEGMENTS
The Company’s Executive Chair/CEO serves as the Company’s CODM. Income before income tax expense is the reportable measure of segment profit or loss that the CODM regularly reviews and utilizes to allocate resources and evaluate performance.
As of December 31, 2025, the Company was divided into five reportable segments: (I) Traditional Banking, (II) Warehouse Lending, (III) TRS, (IV) RPS, and (V) RCS. Management considers the first two segments to collectively constitute “Core Bank” or “Core Banking” operations, while the last three segments collectively constitute RPG operations.
Core Banking Operations:
The Core Bank consists of the Traditional Banking and Warehouse Lending segments.
The Traditional Banking segment provides traditional banking products and services primarily to customers in the Company’s market footprint, with all products and services generally offered under the Company’s traditional RB&T brand. As of December 31, 2025, Republic had 47 full-service banking centers with locations as follows:
●
Kentucky — 29
Metropolitan Louisville — 19
Central Kentucky — 6
Georgetown — 1
Lexington — 5
Northern Kentucky (Metropolitan Cincinnati) — 4
●Bellevue— 1
Crestview Hills — 1
Florence — 1
Indiana — 3
Southern Indiana (Metropolitan Louisville) — 3
Floyds Knobs — 1
Jeffersonville — 1
New Albany — 1
Florida — 7
Metropolitan Tampa — 7
Ohio — 4
Metropolitan Cincinnati — 4
Tennessee — 4
Metropolitan Nashville — 4
Traditional Banking results of operations are primarily dependent upon net interest income, which represents the difference between the interest income and fees on interest-earning assets and the interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities used to fund those assets. Principal interest-earning Traditional Banking assets represent investment securities and commercial and consumer loans primarily secured by real estate and/or personal property. Interest-bearing liabilities primarily consist of interest-bearing deposit accounts, SSUAR, and short-term and long-term borrowing sources. FHLB advances have traditionally served as a significant borrowing and liquidity source for the Bank. Net interest income is impacted by both changes in the amount and composition of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, as well as market interest rates.
Other sources of Traditional Banking income include service charges on consumer and commercial deposit accounts, mortgage banking income, debit and credit card interchange fee income, title insurance commissions, swap fee income and increases in the cash surrender value of BOLI.
Traditional Banking operating expenses consist primarily of salaries and employee benefits; technology, equipment, and communication; occupancy; interchange related expense; marketing and development; FDIC insurance expense; and various other general and administrative costs. Traditional Banking results of operations are significantly impacted by general economic and competitive conditions, particularly changes in market interest rates, government laws and policies, and actions of regulatory agencies.
7
Traditional Bank lending activities consist of the following:
Retail Mortgage Lending — Through its retail banking centers and its online Consumer Direct channel, the Bank originates single-family RRE loans and HELOCs which are typically indexed to Prime. In addition, the Bank originates HEALs through its retail banking centers. Such loans are generally collateralized by owner-occupied, RRE properties. For those loans originated through the Bank’s retail banking centers, the collateral is predominately located in the Bank’s market footprint, while loans originated through its Consumer Direct channel are generally secured by owner-occupied collateral located within and outside of the Bank’s market footprint.
The Bank offers single-family, first-lien RRE ARMs with interest rate adjustments tied to the SOFR index with specified minimum and maximum adjustments. The Bank generally charges a premium interest rate for its ARMs if the property is nonowner-occupied. The interest rates on the majority of ARMs are adjusted after their fixed rate periods on an annual or semi-annual basis, with most having annual and lifetime limitations on upward rate adjustments to the loan. These loans typically feature amortization periods of up to 30 years and have fixed interest-rate periods generally ranging from five to seven years, with demand dependent upon market conditions. While there is no requirement for clients to refinance their loans at the end of the fixed-rate period, clients have historically done so the majority of the time, as most clients are interest-rate-risk averse on first-lien mortgage loans.
Single-family, first-lien RRE loans with fixed-rate periods of 15, 20, and 30 years are primarily originated and sold into the secondary market. MSR’s attached to the sold portfolio are either sold along with the loan or retained. Loans sold into the secondary market, along with their corresponding MSR’s, are included as a component of the Company’s Traditional Banking segment, as discussed elsewhere in this report. The Bank, as it has in the past, may retain such longer-term, fixed-rate loans from time to time in the future to help combat NIM compression.
As part of the sale of loans with servicing retained, the Bank records MSR’s. MSR’s represent an estimate of the present value of future cash servicing income, net of estimated costs, which the Bank expects to receive on loans sold with servicing retained by the Bank. MSR’s are capitalized as separate assets. This transaction is posted to net gain on sale of loans, a component of noninterest income under “mortgage banking income” in the income statement. Management considers all relevant factors, in addition to pricing considerations from other servicers, to estimate the fair value of the MSR’s to be recorded when the loans are initially sold with servicing retained by the Bank. The carrying value of MSR’s is initially amortized in proportion to and over the estimated period of net servicing income. MSR amortization is recorded as a reduction to net servicing income.
With the assistance of an independent third-party, the MSR’s asset is reviewed at least quarterly for impairment based on the fair value of the MSR’s using groupings of the underlying loans based on predominant risk characteristics. Any impairment of a grouping is reported as a valuation allowance. A primary factor influencing the fair value is the estimated remaining life of the underlying loans serviced which is significantly influenced by market interest rates. During a period of declining interest rates, the fair value of the MSR’s is expected to decline due to increased anticipated prepayment speeds within the portfolio. Alternatively, during a period of rising interest rates, the fair value of MSR’s would be expected to increase as prepayment speeds on the underlying loans would be expected to decline.
The Bank does, on occasion, purchase single-family, first-lien RRE loans made to low-to-moderate income borrowers and/or secured by property located in low-to-moderate income areas, which assists the Bank in meeting its obligations under the CRA. In connection with loan purchases, the Bank receives various representations and warranties from the sellers regarding the quality and characteristics of the loans.
Correspondent Lending — During 2014, 2015 and 2023, the Bank purchased select blocks of single family, first-lien mortgage loans for investment from Warehouse Lending clients through its Correspondent Lending channel. These loans were purchased at a premium that is amortized into interest income over the expected life of the loan utilizing the level-yield. Loans acquired through the Correspondent Lending channel are generally made to borrowers outside of the Bank’s historical market footprint. During the first quarter of 2024, management elected to sell $67 million of the loans purchased in 2023 and the sale was completed during the second quarter of 2024.
8
Commercial Lending — As described in detail below, the Bank conducts commercial lending activities primarily through the following groups/divisions: Corporate Banking, CRE Banking, Commercial Banking, Business Banking, Private Banking, and Retail Banking channels and clients are primarily located within the Bank’s market footprint or in an adjoining market. In general, all commercial lending credit approvals and processing are prepared and underwritten through the Bank’s centralized CCAD.
Credit opportunities are generally driven by the following: companies expanding their businesses; companies acquiring new businesses; and/or companies refinancing existing debt from other institutions. The Bank has a primary focus on C&I, CRE, and multi-family lending.
C&I loans typically include those secured by general business assets, which consist of equipment, accounts receivable, inventory, and other business assets owned by the borrower/guarantor. Credit facilities include annually renewable LOCs and term loans with maturities typically ranging from three to five years and may also involve financial covenant requirements. These requirements are monitored by the Bank’s CCAD. Underwriting for C&I loans is based upon the borrower’s capacity to repay these loans from operating cash flows, typically measured by EBITDA, with capital strength, collateral, and management experience also important underwriting considerations. The targeted C&I credit size for client relationships is typically between $1 million and $10 million, with higher targets between $10 million and $35 million targeted by the Corporate Banking group.
CRE and multi-family loans are typically secured by improved property such as office buildings, medical facilities, retail centers, warehouses, apartment buildings, condominiums, schools, religious institutions, and other types of commercial use property. The CRE Banking group, which launched in 2022, focuses on large CRE projects, typically in amounts from $5 million to $25 million. Borrowers are generally single-asset entities and the underlying collateral is nonowner-occupied. Primary underwriting considerations are cash flow projections (current and historical), financial capacity of sponsors, and collateral value financed.
Fixed rate financing and reciprocal interest rate swaps are used as well. Given the size of these credits, the Bank generally seeks established, well-known borrowers and projects with low credit risk.
The Commercial Banking group focuses on small and medium-sized C&I and CRE owner-occupied opportunities. Borrowers are generally single-asset entities and loan sizes typically range from $1 million to $5 million. As with Corporate Banking, the primary underwriting considerations are cash flow projections (current and historical), quality of leases, financial capacity of sponsors, and collateral value of property financed. Interest rates offered are based on both fixed and variable interest-rate formulas.
The Business Banking group, reporting under Retail Banking in most markets, focuses on locally based small businesses in the Bank’s market footprint with primary annual revenues up to $10 million and borrowings between $350,000 and $1 million. The needs of these clients range from expansion or acquisition financing, equipment financing, owner-occupied real estate financing, and smaller operating lines of credit.
The Bank is an SBA Preferred Lending Partner, which allows the Bank to underwrite and approve its own SBA loans in an expedited manner. The Bank makes loans to borrowers generally up to $3 million under both the SBA “7A Program” and the “504 Program” for CRE owner-occupied opportunities. The Bank utilizes these programs to reduce credit risk exposure.
Lease financing receivables, which are generally direct financing leases, are reported at their principal balance outstanding, including any lease residual amount, net of any unearned income, deferred loan fees and costs, and applicable ACLL. Leasing income is recognized on the basis that achieves a constant periodic rate of return on the outstanding lease financing balances over the lease terms. During the fourth quarter of 2025, approximately $82 million of loans and leases were reclassified from held for investment to HFS, as the Bank entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement to sell its St. Louis-based RBF operations during December 2025. The transaction closed in February 2026 and the Company recorded a gain, net of broker commissions, of $6 million as a result of the sale in the first quarter of 2026. See additional discussion under the section titled “Recent Developments” of Part II Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
9
Construction & Land Development Lending — The Bank originates business loans for the construction of both single-family, residential properties and commercial properties (apartment complexes, shopping centers and office buildings) to borrowers primarily located within the Bank’s market footprint or in an adjoining market. While not a major focus for the Bank, the Bank may originate loans for the acquisition and development of residential or commercial land into buildable lots.
Single-family, residential-construction loans are made in the Bank’s market area to established homebuilders with solid financial records. The majority of these loans are made for “contract” homes that the builder has already pre-sold to a homebuyer.
Commercial-construction loans are made in the Bank’s market to established commercial builders/developers with solid financial records. Typically, these loans are made for investment properties and have tenants pre-committed for some or all of the space. Generally, commercial-construction loans are made for the duration of the construction period and slightly beyond and will either convert to permanent financing with the Bank or with another lender at or before maturity.
Construction-to-permanent loans are another type of construction-related financing that the Bank offers. These loans are made to borrowers who are going to build a property and retain it for ownership after construction completion. These loans are offered on both owner-occupied and nonowner-occupied CRE.
Consumer Lending — Traditional Banking consumer loans include home improvement and home equity loans, other secured and unsecured personal loans, and credit cards originated to borrowers primarily located within the Bank’s market footprint or in an adjoining market. In 2024, the Traditional Bank ceased originating new consumer credit cards and sold its $5 million portfolio in the second quarter of 2025. Except for home equity loans, which are actively marketed in conjunction with single family, first lien RRE loans, other Traditional Banking consumer loan products while available, are not and have not been actively promoted in the Bank’s markets.
Aircraft Lending — Aircraft loans are typically made to purchase or refinance personal aircrafts, along with engine overhauls and avionic upgrades with borrowers across the U.S. Loans typically range between $200,000 and $4 million in size and have terms up to 20 years. The credit characteristics of an aircraft borrower are higher than a typical consumer in that they must demonstrate and indicate a higher degree of creditworthiness for approval.
The Bank’s other Traditional Banking activities generally consist of the following:
Private Banking — The Bank provides financial products and services to high-net-worth individuals through its Private Banking department. The Bank’s Private Banking officers have extensive banking experience and are trained to meet the unique financial needs of this clientele.
Treasury Management Services — The Bank provides various deposit products designed for commercial business clients located throughout its market footprint. Lockbox processing, remote deposit capture, business on-line banking, account reconciliation, and ACH processing are additional services offered to commercial businesses through the Bank’s Treasury Management department. Treasury Management officers work closely with commercial and retail officers to support the cash management needs of Bank clients.
Internet Banking — The Bank expands its market penetration and service delivery of its RB&T brand by offering clients Internet Banking services and products through its website, www.republicbank.com.
Mobile Banking — The Bank allows clients to securely access and manage their accounts through its mobile banking application.
Other Banking Services — The Bank also provides title insurance and other financial institution related products and services.
Bank Acquisitions — The Bank maintains an acquisition strategy to selectively grow its franchise as a complement to its organic growth strategies.
See additional discussion regarding the Traditional Banking segment under the Footnote titled “Segment Information” of Part II Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
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The Core Bank provides short-term, revolving credit facilities to mortgage bankers across the U.S. through mortgage warehouse lines of credit. These credit facilities are primarily secured by single-family, first-lien RRE loans. The credit facility enables the mortgage banking clients to close single-family, first-lien RRE loans in their own name and temporarily fund their inventory of these closed loans until the loans are sold to investors approved by the Bank. Individual loans are expected to remain on the warehouse LOC for an average of 15 to 30 days. Advances for reverse mortgage loans and construction loans typically remain on the LOC longer than conventional mortgage loans. Interest income and loan fees are accrued for each individual advance during the time the advance remains on the warehouse LOC and collected when the loan is sold. The Core Bank receives the sale proceeds of each loan directly from the investor and applies the funds to pay off the warehouse advance and related accrued interest and fees. The remaining proceeds are credited to the mortgage banking client.
See additional discussion regarding the Warehouse Lending segment under the Footnote titled “Segment Information” of Part II Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
Republic Processing Group Operations:
Republic Processing Group consists of the Tax Refund Solutions, Republic Payment Solutions and Republic Credit Solutions segments.
Through the TRS segment, the Bank facilitates the receipt and payment of federal and state tax refund products and offers a credit product through third-party tax preparers across the U.S., as well as through tax-preparation software providers that offer Republic Bank ERAs, RAs and RTs (collectively, the “Tax Providers”). The substantial majority of TRS’s business activity occurs during the first half of each year, while the second half of the year is characterized by limited revenue and costs associated with preparing for the upcoming tax season.
Contract Expiration:
As previously disclosed, the Company’s largest Tax Provider contract within TRS based on product volume expired in October 2025 and the Company did not enter into a new contract with this Tax Provider for the 2026 Tax Season (which began in December 2025).
ERAs/RAs originated through this Tax Provider represented approximately 67% of total ERA/RA dollars originated through TRS from December 2024 through February 2025. As a result, ERA/RA fee income attributable to this Tax Provider accounted for 61% of TRS’s total ERA/RA fee income for the 2025 calendar year, 88% for the fourth quarter of 2024 and 0% during the fourth quarter of 2025, respectively.
In addition, the Provision for ERAs/RAs originated through this Tax Provider represented 58% of TRS’s total ERA/RA Provision for the 2025 calendar year, 96% for the fourth quarter of 2024 and 0% for the fourth quarter of 2025, respectively.
Net RT revenue generated from this Tax Provider accounted for approximately 20% of TRS’s total net RT revenue for the 2025 calendar year. RT revenue recognized in the fourth quarter of any year is minimal, as the RT product is primarily earned and recognized during the first half of the year.
Management estimates that the TRS segment earned approximately $6 million of pre-tax net income from this expiring contract during the twelve month period from October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025, which the Company considers to be TRS’s fiscal operating year. Management further estimates that the TRS segment earned approximately $13 million of pre-tax net income from this expiring contract for the 2025 calendar year.
Management does not believe that the net revenue from this Tax Provider will be replaced during the 2026 calendar year.
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Refund Advances:
The RA loan product is a loan made in conjunction with the filing of a taxpayer’s federal tax return, which allows the taxpayer to borrow funds as an advance of a portion of their tax refund. The RA product had the following features during the 2024, 2025, and 2026 Tax Seasons:
Early Season Refund Advances:
Since its introduction in December of 2022, the ERA loan product has been structured similarly to the RA, with the primary differences being the timing of when the ERAs are originated and the documentation available to underwrite the ERAs. The ERA is originated prior to the taxpayer receiving their fiscal year taxable income documentation, such as Form W-2, and the filing of the taxpayer’s final federal tax return. As such, the Company generally uses paystub information to underwrite the ERA. The repayment of the ERA is incumbent upon the taxpayer client returning to the Bank’s Tax Provider for the filing of their final federal tax return in order for the tax refund to potentially be received by the Bank from the federal government to pay off the advance. The ERA product had the following features during the 2024, 2025 and 2026 Tax Seasons:
The Company reports fees earned for ERAs/RAs as “Interest income on loans.” The number of days for delinquency eligibility is based on management’s annual analysis of tax return processing times. RAs, including ERAs that were originated related to the first quarter 2024 Tax Season were repaid, on average, within 32 days after the taxpayer’s tax return was submitted to the applicable taxing authority. Since ERAs/RAs do not have a contractual due date, the Company considered the advance delinquent during 2025 if it remained unpaid 35 days after the taxpayer’s tax return was submitted to the applicable taxing authority.
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Provisions on ERAs/RAs are estimated when advances are made. Unpaid ERAs/RAs, related to the first quarter tax filing season of a given year are considered delinquent at June 30th of that year and charged-off. In addition, as of June 30, 2025, RAs that were subject to Tax Provider loan loss guarantees were charged-off and immediately recorded as recoveries of previously charged-off loans with corresponding receivables recorded in other assets for the Tax Provider guarantees. Corresponding receivables are settled during the third quarter of each year. RAs collected during the second half of each year, not subject to loan loss guarantee arrangements, are recorded as recoveries of previously charged-off loans.
Related to the overall credit losses on ERAs/RAs, the Bank’s ability to control losses is highly dependent upon its ability to predict the taxpayer’s likelihood to receive the tax refund as claimed on the taxpayer’s tax return. In addition, the Bank’s ability to control losses for the ERA product is highly dependent upon the taxpayer returning to a Tax Provider for the filing of their final tax return. Each year, the Bank’s ERA/RA approval model is based primarily on the prior-year’s tax refund payment patterns. Because the substantial majority of the ERA/RA volume occurs each year before that year’s tax refund payment patterns can be analyzed and subsequent underwriting changes implemented, credit losses during a given year could be higher than management’s predictions if tax refund payment patterns change materially between years.
In response to changes in the legal, regulatory, and competitive environment, management annually reviews and revises the ERA/RA product parameters. Changes in product parameters do not ensure positive results and could have an overall material negative impact on the performance of all ERA/RA product offerings and therefore on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.
See additional discussion regarding the ERA/RA products under the sections titled:
Refund Transfers:
RTs are fee-based products whereby a tax refund is issued to the taxpayer after the Bank has received the refund from the federal or state government. There is no credit risk or borrowing cost associated with these products because they are only delivered to the taxpayer upon receipt of the tax refund directly from the governmental paying authority. An RT allows a taxpayer to pay any applicable tax preparation and filing related fees directly from his federal or state government tax refund, with the remainder of the tax refund disbursed directly to the taxpayer. RT fees and all applicable tax preparation, transmitter, audit, and any other taxpayer authorized amounts are deducted from the tax refund by either the Bank or the Bank’s service provider and automatically forwarded to the appropriate party as authorized by the taxpayer. The remainder of the refund is disbursed to the taxpayer by a Bank check, direct deposit to the taxpayer’s personal bank account, or loaded to a prepaid card.
The Company executes contracts with individual Tax Providers to offer RTs to their taxpayer customers. RT revenue is recognized by the Bank immediately after the taxpayer’s refund is disbursed in accordance with the RT contract with the taxpayer customer. The fee paid by the taxpayer for the RT is shared between the Bank and the Tax Providers based on contracts executed between the parties.
The Company presents RT revenue net of any amounts shared with the Tax Providers. The Bank’s share of RT revenue is generally based on the obligations undertaken by the Tax Provider for each individual RT program, with more obligations generally corresponding to higher RT revenue share. The significant majority of net RT revenue is recognized and obligations under RT contracts fulfilled by the Bank during the first half of each year. Incremental expenses associated with the fulfilment of RT contracts are generally expensed during the first half of each year. Fees earned by the Company on RTs, net of revenue share, are reported as noninterest income under the line item “Net refund transfer fees.”
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The RPS segment offers a range of payment-related products and services to consumers through third-party service providers. Through the Bank, the RPS segment offers both issuing solutions and money movement capabilities.
Issuing Solutions:
The RPS segment offers prepaid and debit solutions primarily marketed to the consumer industry. Prepaid solutions include the issuing of payroll and general purpose reloadable cards. Characteristics of these cards include the following:
Debit solutions include the issuing of DDAs, savings accounts and/or debit cards. In addition to offering traditional POS purchasing, ATM withdrawals, and direct deposit options, these accounts may include overdraft protection.
Money Movement Capabilities:
Through RPS, the Bank participates in traditional money movement solutions including ACH transactions, wire transfers, check processing, and the Mastercard Remote Payment and Presentment Service. These capabilities are also complementary products facilitating the movement of money for other RPG divisions.
The Company reports its share of client-related charges and fees for RPS programs as noninterest income under “Program fees.” Additionally, the Company’s portion of interchange revenue generated by prepaid card transactions is reported as noninterest income under “Interchange fee income.” The Company began sharing interest income revenue with its largest prepaid marketer-servicer during 2024, with the interest shared reported as “Interest expense on deposits.” The Company did not share interest income revenue with its largest prepaid marketer-servicer for the year ended December 31, 2025, as minimum deposit balance thresholds were not met.
See additional discussion regarding the RPS segment under the sections titled:
Through the RCS segment, the Bank offers consumer credit products. In general, the credit products are unsecured, small dollar consumer loans that are dependent on various factors. RCS loans typically earn a higher yield but also have higher credit risk compared to loans originated through the Traditional Banking segment, with a significant portion of RCS clients considered subprime or near-prime borrowers. Ordinary gains or losses on the sale of RCS products are reported as a component of “Program fees.” Through the Bank, RCS uses third-party service providers for certain services such as marketing and loan servicing for RCS’s LOC products, Installment loan product and Healthcare receivables products.
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LOC Products:
Through the RCS segment, the Bank uses third-party service providers to originate two line-of-credit products (“LOC I” and “LOC II”) offered generally to subprime or near-prime borrowers across multiple states. These service providers, operating under the Bank’s oversight and supervision, perform certain marketing, servicing, technology, and support functions. In addition, a separate third-party provides customer support, servicing, and other operational services on the Bank’s behalf. The Bank is the lender for both products and is marketed as such. The Bank establishes and controls the loan terms and underwriting guidelines and exercises consumer-compliance oversight over each product. The Bank sells participation interests in these products as follows:
Installment Loan Product:
Through the RCS segment, the Bank offers installment loans with terms ranging from 12 to 60 months to borrowers in multiple states. The same third-party service provider for RCS’s LOC II is the third-party provider for the installment loan product. This third-party provider is subject to the Bank’s oversight and supervision and provides the Bank with marketing services and loan servicing for these RCS installment loans. The Bank is the lender for these loans and is marketed as such. Furthermore, the Bank controls the loan terms and underwriting guidelines, and the Bank exercises consumer compliance oversight of this RCS installment loan product. Currently, all loan balances originated under this RCS installment loan program are carried as HFS on the Bank’s balance sheet, with the intent to sell to a third-party, who is an affiliate of the Bank’s third-party service provider, generally within 16 days following the Bank’s origination of the loans. Loans originated under this RCS installment loan program are carried at fair value under a fair-value option, with the portfolio marked to market monthly.
Healthcare Receivables Products:
Through the RCS segment, the Bank originates healthcare receivables products across the U.S. through three different third-party service providers. For two of the programs, the Bank retains 100% of the receivables, with recourse in the event of default. For the remaining program, in some instances the Bank retains 100% of the receivables originated, with recourse in the event of default, and in other instances, the Bank sells 100% of the receivables generally within one month of origination. Loan balances HFS through this program are carried at the lower of cost or fair value.
For the RCS LOC and healthcare receivable products, the Company reports interest income and loan origination fees under “Loans, including fees,” while any net gains or losses on sale and mark-to-market adjustments of RCS loans are reported as noninterest income under “Program fees.” The Company has elected fair value accounting for its RCS installment loan product that it sells after an initial holding period. As a result, interest income on loans, loan origination fees, net gains or losses on sale, and mark-to-market adjustments for the RCS installment loan product are reported as noninterest income under “Program fees.”
See additional discussion regarding the RCS segment under the sections titled:
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HUMAN CAPITAL
As of December 31, 2025, Republic had 973 FTE employees, consisting of 963 full-time and 20 part-time employees. None of the Company’s employees are subject to a collective bargaining agreement, and Republic has never experienced a work stoppage. Management strives to be an employer of choice and believes that it has had and continues to have good employee relations.
Attracting and retaining talented employees is essential to the Company’s ability to execute its strategy and compete effectively. The Company values the diverse talents, backgrounds, and experiences that each employee brings to the organization and recognizes that its long-term success depends on cultivating a workforce that is engaged, capable, and well supported. To that end, the Company strives to provide an environment that promotes personal well-being, professional fulfillment, and meaningful opportunities for career development. The Company is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and enforces those values consistently throughout the organization. In alignment with applicable federal, state, and local laws, the Company prohibits discrimination in hiring, promotion, compensation, and all other employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sex, national origin, age, marital status, pregnancy, mental disability, genetics, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic. The Company is committed to fostering a workplace that is inclusive, respectful, and supportive, where all employees feel empowered to contribute and succeed.
Management promotes its core values by prioritizing employee well-being, supporting long-term career development, offering competitive compensation, and maintaining flexible work arrangements. To attract and retain a high-quality workforce, the Company provides a comprehensive suite of benefits and programs, including:
The safety, health, and wellness of Republic’s employees is considered a top priority. The Company promotes a healthy and supportive work environment by encouraging work-life balance, offering flexible work schedules, and striving to maintain employee healthcare premiums at competitive levels relative to the local market. In addition, the Company supports employee well-being through a range of programs and resources, including wellness initiatives, mental-health support offerings, and access to employee assistance services.
Republic also places significant emphasis on maintaining a strong ethical culture. To reinforce its corporate values, the Company communicates expectations for ethical conduct clearly and consistently through multiple channels, including regular town hall meetings, senior leadership updates, and internal communications. These efforts are designed to ensure that employees understand and adhere to the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and accountability in all aspects of their work.
INFORMATION REGARDING EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
See Part III, Item 10. “Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance” for information about the Company’s executive officers.
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SEASONALITY OF BUSINESS
Core Banking operations are not materially affected by seasonal factors. Demand for the Bank’s core products and services—including commercial and consumer lending, deposit accounts, and treasury management services—has historically remained relatively stable throughout the year. Although certain business lines may experience predictable but immaterial seasonal variations, such as higher consumer spending and payment activity during the fourth quarter or increased mortgage and Warehouse lending origination volumes during spring and summer months, these fluctuations have not had a material impact on the Bank’s consolidated financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity.
Customer deposit activity may reflect limited seasonal behaviors, including tax-related outflows during the first half of the year and year-end liquidity management by commercial clients. These patterns have been consistent and not significant to the Bank’s overall funding profile.
COMPETITION
The Traditional Bank encounters intense competition in its market footprint in originating loans, attracting deposits, and selling other banking-related financial services. The deregulation of the banking industry, the ability to create financial services holding companies to engage in a wide range of financial services other than banking, and the widespread enactment of state laws that permit multi-bank BHC’s, as well as the availability of nationwide interstate banking, has created a highly competitive environment for financial institutions. In one or more aspects of the Bank’s business, the Bank competes with local and regional retail and commercial banks, savings banks, credit unions, finance companies, mortgage companies, FinTech companies, and other financial intermediaries operating in Kentucky, Indiana, Florida, Tennessee, Ohio, and other states where the Bank offers its products. The Bank also competes with insurance companies, consumer finance companies, investment banking firms, and mutual fund managers. Some of the Company’s competitors are not subject to the same degree of regulatory review and restrictions that apply to the Company and the Bank. Many of the Bank’s primary competitors, some of which are affiliated with large BHC’s or other larger financial based institutions, have substantially greater resources, larger established client bases, higher lending limits, more extensive banking center networks, numerous ATMs or ITMs, and greater advertising and marketing budgets. They may also offer services that the Bank does not currently provide. These competitors attempt to gain market share through their financial product mix, pricing strategies, and banking center locations. Legislative developments related to interstate branching and banking in general, by providing large banking institutions easier access to a broader marketplace, can act to create more pressure on smaller financial institutions to consolidate. It is anticipated that competition from both bank and non-bank entities will continue to remain strong in the near future.
The Bank competes for customers by offering convenient branch locations, ATMs, ITMs, flexible operating hours, competitive interest rates, a broad range of services, and robust digital capabilities such as internet and mobile banking. Its diverse lending products and competitive fee structure also play key roles in attracting and retaining clients. The Bank believes that personalized service remains a primary differentiator within its competitive markets. Personalized service at the Bank extends beyond traditional customer interaction and reflects a deliberate strategy to understand and respond to the unique financial goals, preferences, and circumstances of individual clients and local businesses. Relationship managers and front-line staff are trained to provide attentive, initiative-taking support, including tailored product recommendations, timely problem resolution, and consistent follow-up to ensure client satisfaction. The Bank believes that its focus on delivering highly personalized service combined with its strong local presence and community-banking philosophy will continue to strengthen its competitive position within its market footprint.
The financial services industry continues to undergo rapid technological transformation, driven by the frequent introduction of new digital products, delivery channels, and customer-facing innovations. These developments include advanced mobile payment capabilities, digital wallets, contactless transaction technologies, person-to-person payment platforms, and emerging digital currencies, all of which provide consumers with alternative ways to make payments, access funds, or manage their financial lives.
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In recent years, competitive pressures have intensified as non-bank institutions—particularly financial technology companies, or Fin-techs—have expanded their presence in the marketplace. Many of these providers offer bank-like products or services, including payments, lending, deposit-like stored-value accounts, and money-movement solutions, while operating outside the regulatory frameworks applicable to domestic banks and bank holding companies. This creates competitive challenges, as such entities may be able to innovate and bring products to market more quickly, operate with lower regulatory compliance costs, or tailor user experiences in ways that differentiate them from traditional financial institutions.
As technological innovation accelerates and Fin-tech providers continue to broaden their offerings, the Company expects competition to remain strong across consumer banking, commercial banking, and payments-related services. The Company monitors these developments closely and continues to invest in digital capabilities, cybersecurity, fraud prevention, and operational infrastructure to maintain its competitive position and meet evolving customer expectations.
The Bank faces strong competition from financial institutions across the U.S. for mortgage banking clients in need of warehouse lines of credit. Competitors may have substantially greater resources, larger established client bases, higher lending limits, and different underwriting standards or oversight requirements that could be viewed more favorably by some clients. A few or all of these factors can lead to a competitive disadvantage to the Company when attempting to retain or grow its Warehouse Lending client base.
The TRS segment encounters direct competition for RT and RA market share from a limited number of banks in the industry. The Bank promotes these products to Tax Providers using various revenue-share and pricing incentives, as well as product features and overall service levels.
The prepaid card industry is subject to intense and increasing competition. The Bank competes with a number of companies that market different types of prepaid card products, such as general-purpose-reloadable, gift, incentive, and corporate disbursement cards. There is also competition from large retailers who are seeking to integrate more financial services into their product offerings. Increased competition is also expected from alternative financial services providers who are often well-positioned to service the “underbanked” and who may wish to develop their own prepaid card programs.
V.Republic Credit Solutions segment
The small-dollar consumer loan industry is highly competitive. Competitors include, but are not limited to, billers who accept late payments for a fee, overdraft privilege programs of other banks and credit unions, payday lenders, and Fin-tech companies.
New entrants to the small-dollar consumer loan market must successfully implement underwriting and fraud prevention processes, overcome consumer brand loyalty, and have sufficient capital to withstand early losses associated with unseasoned loan portfolios. In addition, there are substantial regulatory and compliance costs, including the need for expertise to customize products associated with licenses to lend in various states across the U.S.
REGULATION AND SUPERVISION
The Company and the Bank are separate and distinct entities and are subject to extensive federal and state banking laws and regulations, which establish a comprehensive framework of activities in which the Company and the Bank may engage. These laws and regulations are primarily intended to provide protection to depositors and the DIF, not stockholders. The Company, as a public reporting company, is also subject to various federal securities laws and regulations. Because the Company’s Class A Common Stock is listed on the NASDAQ, the Company is subject to NASDAQ’s rules for listed companies.
As an umbrella supervisor, the FRB requires that FHCs operate in a safe and sound manner so that their financial condition does not threaten the viability of affiliated depository institutions. The FRB conducts periodic examinations to review the Company’s compliance with various legal and safety and soundness requirements, which directly impact the Bank.
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The Bank is a Kentucky-chartered commercial banking and trust corporation that is not a member of the Federal Reserve System, and as such it is subject to supervision and regulation by the FDIC and the KDFI. The Bank operates physical locations in Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, and Tennessee and originates and purchases loans on a national basis. All deposits, subject to regulatory prescribed limitations, held by the Bank are insured by the FDIC. The Bank is subject to the restrictions and requirements of potential enforcement actions and examinations by the FDIC and KDFI. The Bank is a member of the FHLB system. As a member of the FHLB system, the Bank must also comply with applicable regulations of the Federal Housing Finance Agency. Regulation and supervision by each of these agencies is intended primarily for the protection of the Bank’s depositors and the DIF and not for the benefit of the Company’s stockholders. The Bank’s activities are also regulated under federal and state consumer protection laws applicable to the Bank’s lending, deposit, and other activities. An adverse ruling or finding against the Company or the Bank under these laws could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations.
The Company and the Bank are also subject to the regulations of the CFPB. The CFPB has consolidated rules and orders with respect to consumer financial products and services and has substantial power to define the rights of consumers and responsibilities of lending institutions, such as the Bank. The CFPB does not, however, examine or supervise the Bank for compliance with such regulations; rather, based on the Bank’s size (less than $10 billion in assets), enforcement authority remains with the FDIC and the KDFI although the Bank may be required to submit reports or other materials to the CFPB upon its request. Notwithstanding jurisdictional limitations set forth in the Dodd-Frank Act, the CFPB and federal banking regulators may endeavor to work jointly on supervision matters. The CFPB has recently been the target of intense scrutiny from the current Presidential administration, which has indicated a desire to dismantle, or significantly reform, the agency, one which it perceives as lacking sufficient supervision and regularly exceeding its statutory authority. The future structure, operation, and authority of the CFPB, as well as its fate, are currently uncertain and cannot be predicted.
Regulators have extensive discretion in connection with their supervisory and enforcement authority and examination policies, including, but not limited to, policies that can materially impact the classification of assets and the establishment of adequate loan loss reserves. Any change in regulatory requirements and policies, whether by the FRB, the FDIC, the KDFI, the CFPB, or state or federal legislation, could have a material adverse impact on Company operations.
Regulators also have broad enforcement powers over banks and their holding companies, including, but not limited to: the power to mandate or restrict particular actions, activities, or divestitures; impose monetary fines and other penalties for violations of laws and regulations; issue cease and desist or removal orders; seek injunctions; publicly disclose such actions; and prohibit unsafe or unsound practices. This authority includes both informal and formal actions to effect corrective actions and/or sanctions. In addition, the Bank is subject to regulation and potential enforcement actions by other state and federal agencies.
Certain regulatory requirements applicable to the Company and the Bank are referred to below or elsewhere in this report. The description of statutory provisions and regulations applicable to banks and their holding companies set forth in this report does not purport to be a complete description of such statutes and regulations. The description of these statutes and regulations and their effect on the Company and the Bank are qualified in their entirety by reference to the actual laws and regulations.
The Dodd-Frank Act
The Dodd-Frank Act, signed into law in 2010, introduced extensive and complex regulatory reforms impacting the banking industry. Key provisions include, but are not limited to:
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The EGRRCPA and its implementing regulations rolled back several Dodd-Frank Act requirements for community banks with total consolidated assets of less than $10 billion, such as the Bank. As a result of exemptions within the Dodd-Frank Act, the EGRRCPA, and related regulations, the Company and the Bank are not subject to several significant provisions of Dodd-Frank Act, including:
The Company
Source of Strength Doctrine — The Dodd-Frank Act codified the FRB’s longstanding “source of strength” doctrine, a policy that bank holding companies act as a source of strength to their insured depository institution subsidiaries by providing capital, liquidity, and other support in times of distress. FRB policies and regulations also prohibit BHC’s from engaging in unsafe and unsound banking practices. The FDIC and the KDFI have similar restrictions with respect to the Bank. Under the Dodd-Frank Act and in line with prior FRB policy, a BHC is expected to act as a source of financial and managerial strength to its banking subsidiaries and to commit resources for their support. Providing financial support of this nature could restrict the Company’s ability to pay dividends and may be required at times when the Company may not be inclined to provide it. A BHC may also be required to guarantee the capital restoration plan of an undercapitalized banking subsidiary and any applicable cross-guarantee provisions that may apply to the BHC. In addition, any capital loans by the Company to its bank subsidiary are subordinate in right of payment to deposits and to certain other indebtedness of the bank subsidiary. In the event of a BHC’s bankruptcy, any commitment by the BHC to a federal bank regulatory agency to maintain the capital of a subsidiary bank will be assumed by the bankruptcy trustee and entitled to a priority of payment.
Acquisitions and Strategic Planning — The Company generally is required to obtain the prior approval of the FRB under the BHCA before it may, among other things, merge or consolidate with another BHC, acquire all or substantially all of the assets of any bank, or acquire ownership or control of any voting shares of any bank, if after such acquisition it would own or control, directly or indirectly, more than 5% of any class of the voting shares of such bank. In addition, the Bank must obtain regulatory approval before completing certain transactions, such as adding new banking offices and mergers with, or acquisitions of, other financial institutions. This may affect the Company’s or the Bank’s acquisition, or timely acquisition, of interests in other banks, other merger and acquisition activity and banking office expansion.
The Change in Bank Control Act generally requires the approval of the appropriate federal banking regulatory agency before any person can acquire control of a bank or BHC. An acquisition of control occurs if, immediately after a transaction, the acquiring person directly or indirectly owns, controls, or holds with the power to vote 25% or more of the outstanding shares of any class of voting securities of the bank or BHC. Additionally, control is refutably presumed to exist if, immediately after a transaction, the acquiring person owns, controls, or holds with the power to vote 10% or more of any class of voting securities of an institution and (i) the institution has registered securities under Section 12 of the Exchange Act or (ii) no other person will own, control, or hold the power to vote a greater percentage of that class of voting securities immediately after the transaction.
Financial Activities — The Company is an FHC. A BHC may elect to become an FHC if it and each of its banking subsidiaries is well capitalized, is professionally managed and has at least a “Satisfactory” rating under the CRA. The failure to continue to meet such requirements could result in material restrictions on the activities of the Company and may also adversely affect the Company’s ability to enter into certain transactions (including mergers and acquisitions) or obtain necessary approvals in connection therewith, as well as the loss of FHC status. If restrictions are imposed on the activities of an FHC, such information may not necessarily be available to the public.
As an FHC, the Company is permitted to engage directly or indirectly in a broader range of activities than those permitted for a BHC under the BHCA. Permitted activities for an FHC include securities underwriting and dealing, insurance underwriting and brokerage, merchant banking, and other activities that are declared by the FRB, in cooperation with the Treasury Department, to be “financial in nature or incidental thereto” or are declared by the FRB unilaterally to be “complementary” to financial activities. Permitted activities also include those determined to be “closely related to banking” activities by the FRB under the BHCA and permissible for any BHC. An FHC is allowed to conduct permissible new financial activities or acquire permissible non-bank financial companies with after-the-fact notice to the FRB.
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The Bank
The Kentucky and federal banking statutes prescribe the permissible activities in which a Kentucky-chartered bank may engage and where those activities may be conducted. Kentucky’s statutes contain a super parity provision that permits a well-rated Kentucky bank to engage in any banking activity in which a national bank in Kentucky, a state bank, state thrift, or state savings association operating in any other state, a federal savings bank, or a federal thrift meeting the qualified thrift lender test engages, provided it first obtains a legal opinion from counsel specifying the statutory or regulatory provisions that permit the activity.
Safety and Soundness — The federal banking regulatory agencies have prescribed, by regulation, guidelines for all insured depository institutions relating to: (i) internal controls, information systems, and internal audit systems; (ii) loan documentation; (iii) credit underwriting; (iv) interest rate risk exposure and market risk; (v) asset growth; (vi) asset quality; (vii) earnings; (viii) capital; (ix) management; (x) liquidity; and (xi) compensation and benefits. These guidelines set forth safety and soundness standards that the federal banking regulatory agencies use to identify and address problems at FDIC insured institutions before capital becomes impaired. If the FDIC determines that the Bank fails to meet any standard prescribed by these guidelines, the FDIC may require the Bank to submit to it an acceptable plan to achieve compliance with the standard. FDIC regulations establish deadlines for the submission and review of such safety and soundness compliance plans in response to any such determination.
Branching — Kentucky law generally permits a Kentucky chartered bank to establish a branch office in any county in Kentucky. A Kentucky bank may also, subject to regulatory approval and certain restrictions, establish a branch office outside of Kentucky. Well-capitalized Kentucky state-chartered banks that have been in operation at least three years and that satisfy certain criteria relating to, among other things, their composite and management regulatory exam ratings, may establish a branch in Kentucky without the approval of the Commissioner of the KDFI, upon notice to the KDFI and any other state bank with its main office located in the county where the new branch will be located. Branching by banks not meeting these criteria requires the approval of the Commissioner of the KDFI, who must ascertain and determine that the public convenience and advantage will be served and promoted and that there is a reasonable probability of the successful operation of the branch. In any case, the proposed branch must also be approved by the FDIC, which considers a number of factors, including financial condition, capital adequacy, earnings prospects, character of management, needs of the community, and consistency with corporate powers. As a result of several legislative acts including the Dodd-Frank Act, the Bank, along with any other national or state-chartered bank, generally may branch across state lines. Such unlimited branching authority has the potential to increase competition within the markets in which the Company and the Bank operate.
Restrictions on Affiliate Transactions and Loans to Insiders — Transactions between the Bank or its subsidiaries and affiliates (including the Company), and in some cases the Bank’s correspondent banks, are subject to FDIC regulations, the FRB’s Regulations O and W, and Sections 23A, 23B, 22(g), and 22(h) of the Federal Reserve Act. In general, these transactions must be on terms and conditions that are consistent with safe and sound banking practices and substantially the same, or at least as favorable to the Bank or its subsidiaries, as those for comparable transactions with non-affiliated parties. In addition, certain types of these transactions referred to as “covered transactions” are subject to quantitative limits based on a percentage of the Bank’s capital, thereby restricting the total dollar amount of transactions the Bank or its subsidiaries may engage in with each individual affiliate and with all affiliates in the aggregate. Limitations are also imposed on loans and extensions of credit by a bank to its executive officers, directors, and principal stockholders and each of their related interests. The Dodd-Frank Act expanded the scope of these regulations, including by applying them to the credit exposure arising under derivative transactions, repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements, and securities borrowing and lending transactions.
The FRB promulgated Regulation W to implement Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act. This regulation contains many of the foregoing restrictions and addresses derivative transactions, overdraft facilities, and other transactions between a bank and its non-bank affiliates.
Restrictions on Distribution of Subsidiary Bank Dividends and Assets — Bank regulators may declare a dividend payment to be unsafe and unsound even if the Bank continues to meet its capital requirements after the dividend. Dividends paid by the Bank substantially provide all of the Company’s operating funds. Regulatory requirements limit the amount of dividends that may be paid by the Bank. Under applicable federal regulations, the Bank generally cannot pay a dividend if the Bank is not adequately capitalized or if, after paying the dividend, the Bank would be undercapitalized. Under applicable federal capital adequacy guidelines, banks are also subject to dividend limitations and restrictions if they fail to maintain an appropriate capital conservation buffer.
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Under Kentucky law and applicable federal banking regulations, the dividends the Bank can pay during any calendar year are generally limited to its profits for that year, plus its retained net profits for the two preceding years, less any required transfers to surplus or to fund the retirement of preferred stock or debt, absent approval of the respective state or federal banking regulators. FDIC regulations also require all insured depository institutions to remain in a safe and sound condition, as defined in applicable regulations, as a condition of having FDIC deposit insurance.
FDIC Deposit Insurance Assessments — All Bank deposits are insured to the maximum extent permitted by the DIF. Insured Bank deposits are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. As insurer, the FDIC is authorized to conduct examinations of and to require reporting by insured institutions. The FDIC also may prohibit any insured institution from engaging in any activity determined by regulation or order to pose a serious threat to the DIF.
The FDIC assesses all banks quarterly. A bank’s assessment base and assessment rates are determined quarterly and are risk-based. For “small” banks, such as the Bank, individual assessment rates are individually assigned based on the FDIC’s financial ratios method that estimates the probability of a bank’s failure over three years using financial data and a weighted-average of the bank’s CAMELS component ratings, subject to adjustment. CAMELS composite ratings are used to set minimum and maximum assessment rates. The assessment base consists of average consolidated total assets minus average tangible equity. Management cannot predict what insurance assessment rates will be in the future.
The FDIC may terminate the deposit insurance of any insured depository institution, including the Bank, if it determines that the institution has engaged or is engaging in unsafe or unsound practices, is in an unsafe or unsound condition to continue operations, or has violated any applicable law, regulation, order or condition imposed by an agreement with the FDIC. It may also suspend deposit insurance temporarily if an institution has no tangible capital. If insurance is terminated, the accounts at the institution at the time of termination, less subsequent withdrawals, continue to be insured for a period of six months to two years, as determined by the FDIC. Management is aware of no existing circumstances that would result in termination of the Bank’s FDIC deposit insurance.
Anti-Money Laundering and Related Laws — The Company and the Bank are subject to federal laws that are designed to counter money laundering and terrorist financing and transactions with persons, companies, or foreign governments sanctioned by the U.S. These laws include the BSA, the Money Laundering Control Act, the AML Act of 2020, the Corporate Transparency Act, and the U.S Patriot Act, as administered by the U.S. Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network. These laws obligate depository institutions and broker-dealers to verify their customers’ identity, conduct customer due diligence, report on suspicious activity, file reports of certain transactions in currency, and conduct enhanced due diligence on certain accounts. The U.S. Treasury Department’s OFAC prohibits persons from engaging in transactions with certain designated restricted countries and persons. Depository institutions and broker-dealers are required by their federal regulators to maintain robust policies and procedures in order to ensure compliance with these AML and anti-terrorist financing obligations.
Failure to comply with these laws or maintain an adequate compliance program can lead to significant monetary penalties and reputational damage. Additionally, federal banking regulatory agencies evaluate the effectiveness of an applicant in combating money laundering when determining whether to approve, among other things, a proposed bank merger, acquisition, restructuring, or other expansionary activity.
Consumer Laws and Regulations — The Bank is subject to a number of federal and state consumer protection laws, including, but not limited to, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Truth in Lending Act, the Truth in Savings Act, the Electronic Fund Transfer Act, the Expedited Funds Availability Act, the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, the Military Lending Act, the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, and these laws’ respective state-law counterparts, among many others. As discussed in more detail below, the Bank must also comply with fair lending and privacy laws. Banks as well as nonbank consumer financial services providers are subject to any rule, regulation, or guideline created by the CFPB. The CFPB is an independent “watchdog” within the Federal Reserve System that regulates any person or service provider who offers or provides personal, family, or household financial products or services by overseeing the application and implementation of federal “consumer financial laws.”
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The CFPB is authorized to prescribe rules applicable to any covered person or service provider identifying and prohibiting acts or practices that are unfair, deceptive, or abusive in connection with any consumer financial product or service transaction. The CFPB has engaged in rulemaking and taken enforcement actions that directly impact the business operations of financial institutions offering consumer financial products or services, including the Bank and its divisions. The FDIC also regulates unfair and deceptive or abusive acts or practices under Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act.
Such laws and regulations and the other consumer protection laws and regulations to which the Bank has been subject have historically mandated certain disclosure requirements and regulated the manner in which financial institutions must deal with clients when taking deposits from, making loans to, or engaging in other types of transactions with such clients. The continued effect of the CFPB on the development and promulgation of consumer protection rules and guidelines and the enforcement of federal “consumer financial laws” on the Bank, if any, cannot be determined with certainty at this time.
Community Reinvestment Act and Fair Lending Laws — Banks have a responsibility under the CRA and related regulations to help meet the credit needs of their entire communities, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods. In addition, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and the Fair Housing Act prohibit lenders from discriminating in their lending practices on the basis of characteristics specified in those statutes. An institution’s failure to comply with the provisions of the CRA could, at a minimum, result in regulatory restrictions on its activities and the denial of applications. In addition, an institution’s failure to comply with the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and the Fair Housing Act could result in federal regulatory agencies or the Department of Justice taking enforcement actions against the institution. Failure by the Bank to fully comply with these laws could result in material penalties being assessed against the Bank. The Bank received an “Outstanding” CRA Performance Evaluation in March 2024, the most recent evaluation for which it has received final ratings. A copy of the public section of this CRA Performance Evaluation is available to the public upon request.
CRA Final Rule — In July 2025, the federal banking agencies issued a notice of proposed rulemaking to rescind the October 2023 final CRA modernization rule and reinstate the prior CRA regulatory framework. The October 2023 rule had remained stayed due to a preliminary injunction, and therefore the previously existing framework has continued to apply.
Privacy and Data Security — The FRB, FDIC, other bank regulatory agencies, and states have adopted guidelines for safeguarding confidential, personal customer information. These guidelines require each financial institution, under the supervision and ongoing oversight of its Board or an appropriate committee thereof, to create, implement and maintain a comprehensive written information security program designed to ensure the security and confidentiality of customer information, protect against any anticipated threats or hazards to the security or integrity of such information and protect against unauthorized access to or use of such information that could result in substantial harm or inconvenience to any customer. If the Bank fails to properly safeguard customer information or is the subject of a successful cyber-attack, it could result in material fines and/or liabilities that could materially affect the Company’s results of operations. Additionally, in November 2021, the FRB, FDIC, and Office of the Comptroller of the Currency issued a joint final rule establishing computer-security incident notification requirements for banking organizations and their bank service providers. Banking organizations are required to satisfy specified consumer notice requirements if certain computer-security incidents occur, including incidents that have materially disrupted or degraded, or are reasonably likely to materially disrupt or degrade, the organization’s (i) ability to carry out banking operations, activities, or processes, or deliver banking products and services to a material portion of its customer base, in the ordinary course of business, (ii) business lines, including associated operations, services, functions, and support, that upon failure would result in a material loss of revenue, profit, or franchise value, or (iii) operations the failure or discontinuance of which would pose a threat to the financial stability of the U.S.
In addition, various U.S. regulators, including the FRB and the SEC, have increased their focus on cyber-security through guidance, examinations, and regulations. The Company’s Board has approved and adopted a written information security program.
The GLBA requires financial institutions to implement policies and procedures regarding the disclosure of nonpublic personal information about consumers to non-affiliated third parties. In general, the statute requires explanations to consumers on policies and procedures regarding the disclosure of such nonpublic personal information, and, except as otherwise required by law, prohibits disclosing such information except as provided in the financial institution’s policies and procedures. In addition to the GLBA, the Company and the Bank are also subject to applicable state privacy laws.
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Prohibitions Against Tying Arrangements — The Bank is subject to prohibitions on certain tying arrangements. A depository institution generally is prohibited, subject to certain exceptions, from extending credit or offering any other service, or fixing or varying the consideration for an extension of credit or service, on the condition that the client obtain some additional product or service from the institution or its affiliates or not obtain products or services of a competitor of the institution.
Depositor Preference — The FDIA provides that, in the event of the liquidation or other resolution of an insured depository institution, the claims of depositors of the institution, including the claims of the FDIC as subrogee of insured depositors, and certain claims for administrative expenses of the FDIC as receiver, will have priority over other general unsecured claims against the institution. If an insured depository institution fails, insured and uninsured depositors, along with the FDIC, will have priority in payment ahead of unsecured, non-deposit creditors (including depositors whose deposits are payable only outside of the U.S.), and the parent BHC, with respect to any extensions of credit they have made to such insured depository institution.
Federal Home Loan Bank System — The FHLB offers credit to its members, which include savings banks, commercial banks, insurance companies, credit unions, and other entities. The FHLB system is currently divided into eleven federally chartered regional FHLBs that are regulated by the Federal Housing Finance Agency. The Bank is a member and owns capital stock in the FHLB Cincinnati. The amount of capital stock the Bank must own to maintain its membership depends on its balance of outstanding advances. It is required to acquire and hold shares in an amount at least equal to 1% of the aggregate principal amount of its unpaid single-family, RRE loans and similar obligations at the beginning of each year, or 1/20th of its outstanding advances from the FHLB, whichever is greater. Advances are secured by pledges of loans, mortgage backed securities, and capital stock of the FHLB. FHLBs also purchase mortgages in the secondary market through their Mortgage Purchase Program. The Bank began selling loans to the Mortgage Purchase Program during 2024.
In the event of a default on an advance, the FHLB Act establishes priority of the FHLB’s claim over various other claims. If an FHLB falls below its minimum capital requirements, the FHLB may seek to require its members to purchase additional capital stock of the FHLB. If problems within the FHLB system were to occur, it could adversely affect the pricing or availability of advances, the amount and timing of dividends on capital stock issued by FHLB Cincinnati to its members, or the ability of members to have their FHLB capital stock redeemed on a timely basis. Congress continues to consider various proposals that could establish a new regulatory structure for the FHLB system, as well as for other government-sponsored entities. The Bank cannot predict at this time which, if any, of these proposals may be adopted or what effect they would have on the Bank’s business.
Federal Reserve System — Under regulations of the FRB, the Bank is required to maintain noninterest-earning reserves against its transaction accounts (primarily NOW and regular checking accounts). The Bank is in compliance with the foregoing reserve requirements as of the date of this report. Required reserves must be maintained in the form of vault cash, a depository account at the FRB, or a pass-through account as defined by the FRB. The balances maintained to meet the reserve requirements imposed by the FRB may be used to satisfy liquidity requirements imposed by the FDIC. The Bank is also authorized to borrow from the FRB discount window.
Loans to One Borrower — Under current limits, loans and extensions of credit outstanding at one time to a single borrower and not fully secured generally may not exceed 15% of the Bank’s unimpaired capital and unimpaired surplus. Loans and extensions of credit fully secured by certain readily marketable collateral may represent an additional 10% of unimpaired capital and unimpaired surplus.
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Capital Adequacy Requirements
Capital Guidelines — The Company and the Bank are subject to regulatory capital requirements established under the Basel III framework, as administered by federal banking regulators. These regulations measure capital adequacy within a framework that links required capital levels to the risk profiles of individual financial institutions. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can trigger certain mandatory, and potentially additional discretionary, regulatory actions—including prompt corrective action described below—which could materially impact the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.
Under the capital adequacy guidelines and the prompt corrective action framework, the Company and the Bank must satisfy specific quantitative capital standards that consider the levels and risk characteristics of their assets, liabilities, and certain OBS exposures, as measured under regulatory accounting practices. In addition to these quantitative measures, regulators may apply qualitative judgment when assessing capital adequacy, including evaluating capital composition, risk weightings, and other supervisory factors.
As of the date of this report, banking regulators have categorized the Bank as well-capitalized. Consistent with Basel III regulatory standards, a bank is considered well-capitalized if it maintains a Total Risk-Based Capital ratio of at least 10.0%, a Common Equity Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital ratio of at least 6.5%, a Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital ratio of at least 8.0%, and a Tier 1 Leverage ratio of at least 5.0%. Additionally, to avoid limitations on capital distributions—including dividend payments and certain discretionary bonus payments to executive officers—the Company and the Bank must maintain a capital conservation buffer of 2.5%, composed entirely of Common Equity Tier 1 capital, above the minimum risk-based capital requirements.
As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, the Company’s consolidated and Bank capital ratios* were as follows:
2025
2024
Years Ended December 31, (in thousands)
Amount
Ratio
Total capital to risk-weighted assets
$
1,144,661
17.79
%
1,042,149
16.98
1,079,675
16.80
989,800
16.14
Common equity tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets
1,064,167
16.54
965,243
15.73
999,248
15.55
912,968
14.89
Tier 1 (core) capital to risk-weighted assets
Tier 1 leverage capital to average assets
15.11
14.07
14.17
13.29
* The Company and the Bank elected in 2020 to defer the regulatory capital impact of adopting CECL. The deferral period spanned five years and allowed 100% of the estimated CECL impact to be deferred during the first two years, followed by a phased-in recognition over the subsequent three years. Absent this election, the Company’s regulatory capital ratios as of December 31, 2024 would have been approximately 3 bps lower than the ratios presented in the table above.
CBLR Framework — The EGRRCPA simplified certain regulatory capital requirements for qualifying financial institutions and holding companies with total consolidated assets of less than $10 billion. Among other provisions, the EGRRCPA directed the federal banking agencies to establish a CBLR framework for such institutions with an appropriate risk profile. The statute required that the CBLR be set at a minimum of not less than 8% and not more than 10%.
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In October 2019, the federal banking agencies issued a final rule implementing the CBLR framework, establishing a CBLR of 9%. Under this rule, the CBLR is generally calculated as Tier 1 capital divided by average total consolidated assets, reduced by amounts deducted from Tier 1 capital. Effective January 1, 2020, a qualifying community banking organization that elects to use the CBLR framework is deemed to have satisfied the generally applicable risk-based and leverage capital requirements, the capital thresholds required to be considered “well capitalized” under the prompt corrective action framework, and any other applicable capital or leverage requirements, provided it maintains a CBLR greater than 9%.
In November 2025, the federal banking agencies issued a notice of proposed rulemaking proposing to lower the CBLR to 8% and make certain other modifications to the CBLR framework; however, there can be no assurance that a final rule lowering the CBLR will be issued by the federal banking agencies.
A qualifying community banking organization must:
While the Company believes it meets the criteria to qualify under the CBLR framework, it has not elected to opt into the CBLR framework.
Corrective Measures for Capital Deficiencies — Banking regulators are required to take “prompt corrective action” with respect to capital deficient institutions. Applicable regulations define, for each capital category, the levels at which institutions are well capitalized, adequately capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized, and critically undercapitalized. A bank is undercapitalized if it fails to meet any one of the ratios required to be adequately capitalized.
Undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized, and critically undercapitalized institutions are required to submit a capital restoration plan, which must be guaranteed by the institution’s holding company. In addition, applicable regulations contain broad restrictions on certain activities of undercapitalized institutions, including asset growth, acquisitions, branch establishment, and expansion into new lines of business. With certain exceptions, an insured depository institution is prohibited from making capital distributions, including dividends, and is prohibited from paying management fees to control persons if the institution would be undercapitalized after any such distribution or payment. A bank’s capital classification will also affect its ability to accept brokered deposits. Under applicable regulations, a bank may not lawfully accept, roll over, or renew brokered deposits unless it is either well capitalized or it is adequately capitalized and receives a waiver from its applicable regulator.
If a banking institution’s capital decreases below acceptable levels, bank regulatory enforcement powers become more enhanced. A significantly undercapitalized institution is subject to mandated capital raising activities, restrictions on interest rates paid and transactions with affiliates, removal of management, and other restrictions. Banking regulators have limited discretion in dealing with a critically undercapitalized institution and are normally required to appoint a receiver or conservator. Banks with risk-based capital and leverage ratios below the required minimums may also be subject to certain administrative actions, including the termination of deposit insurance upon notice and hearing, or a temporary suspension of insurance without a hearing if the institution has no tangible capital.
In addition, an FHC may face significant consequences if its bank subsidiary fails to maintain the required capital and management ratings, including the imposition of an agreement with the FRB that imposes limitations on its operations and may require divestitures. Until such deficiencies are corrected, the FRB generally may impose any limitations or conditions on the conduct or activities of the FHC and its affiliates that the FRB determines are appropriate, and the FHC may not commence any additional activity or acquire control of any company under Section 4(k) of the BHCA without prior FRB approval. Unless the period for compliance is extended by the FRB, if an FHC fails to correct deficiencies in maintaining its qualification for FHC status within 180 days of notice of such deficiencies from the FRB, the FRB may order divestiture of any depository institution controlled by the company. A company may comply with a divestiture order by ceasing to engage in any financial or other activity that would not be permissible for a BHC that has not elected to be treated as an FHC. The Company is currently classified as an FHC.
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Under FDICIA, each federal banking agency has prescribed, by regulation, non-capital safety and soundness standards for institutions under its authority. These standards cover internal controls, information systems and internal audit systems, loan documentation, credit underwriting, interest rate exposure, asset growth, compensation and benefits, standards for asset quality, earnings, and stock valuation, and other operational and managerial standards the agency determines to be appropriate. An institution that fails to meet these standards must develop a plan acceptable to the applicable agency specifying the steps that the institution will take to meet the standards. Failure to submit or implement such a plan may subject the institution to regulatory sanctions.
Incentive and Executive Compensation
In 2010, the federal banking regulatory agencies published final interagency guidance for structuring incentive compensation arrangements at banking organizations. The guidance does not set forth any formulas or pay caps but contains certain principles that organizations are required to follow with respect to employees and groups of employees that may expose the organizations to material amounts of risk. The three primary principles on which this guidance was based are (i) balancing risk and financial results so as to not encourage imprudent risk-taking, (ii) compatibility with effective controls and risk management, and (iii) strong corporate governance. The FRB and the FDIC monitor compliance with this guidance as part of safety and soundness oversight. The Company has adopted a Responsible Compensation and Sales Practices Program to comply with the interagency guidance on incentive and executive compensation.
Governmental Policies
The Bank’s earnings depend significantly on the spread between interest earned on loans and investments and the interest paid on deposits and other borrowings. The yields on interest-earning assets and the rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities are sensitive to changes in prevailing market interest rates. As a result, the Bank’s earnings and growth are influenced by general economic conditions, federal fiscal policy, and the actions of regulatory agencies—particularly the FRB, which establishes national monetary policy. The timing and effect of future fiscal or monetary policy changes cannot be predicted.
Commercial banks, including the Bank, are also affected by the credit policies of regulatory authorities such as the FRB. A key function of the FRB is to regulate the supply of bank credit. The FRB uses various monetary policy tools—including open market operations in U.S. Government securities, adjustments to reserve requirements, changes in the discount rate on bank borrowings, and limits on interest rates payable on deposits—to influence the growth of bank loans, investments, and deposits, as well as the interest rates charged on loans, earned on investments, and paid on deposits.
More broadly, the monetary and fiscal policies of federal regulatory authorities affect the banking industry as a whole. Through changes in reserve requirements, open market operations, and adjustments to the discount rate, the FRB affects the cost and availability of funds for lending and investing. Future changes in interest rates, deposit levels, or loan demand—and their impact on the Company’s or the Bank’s business, results of operations, or earnings—cannot be predicted.
Future Regulatory and Legislative Initiatives
Future changes in laws and regulations affecting the Company or the Bank are inherently uncertain and could impact operations or profitability. Congress and various state legislatures regularly consider proposals that could alter the regulatory framework, competitive landscape, or structure of financial institutions. It is not possible to predict whether, or in what form, these proposals or other regulatory initiatives will be adopted, the impact they may have on the financial services industry, or how they may affect the Company’s business, financial condition, or results of operations.
STATISTICAL DISCLOSURES
The statistical disclosures required by Part I Item 1 “Business” are located under Part I Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
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Item 1A.Risk Factors.
Republic’s Class A Common Stock is traded on the NASDAQ under the symbol “RBCAA.” There is no established public trading market for the Company’s Class B Common Stock, however, the Company’s Class B Common Stock is fully convertible into the Company’s publicly-traded Class A Common Stock on a one-for-one basis.
FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT FUTURE RESULTS
An investment in Republic’s common stock is subject to risks inherent in its business. There are factors, many beyond the Company’s control, which may significantly change the results or expectations of the Company. The following are the material risk factors that impact the Company of which it is currently aware. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below together with all the other information included in this report. In addition to the risks and uncertainties described below, other risks and uncertainties not currently known to the Company or that the Company currently deems to be immaterial also may materially and adversely affect its business, financial condition, and results of operations in the future. The value or market price of the Company’s common stock could decline due to any of these identified or other risks, and an investor could lose all or part of their investment.
For information regarding forward-looking statements, see the section titled “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”
Risks Related to Republic’s Business and Industry
ECONOMIC, INTEREST RATE, AND LIQUIDITY RISKS
Fluctuations in interest rates could reduce profitability. The Bank’s asset/liability management strategy may not be able to prevent changes in interest rates from having a material adverse effect on financial condition and results of operations. The Bank’s primary source of income is from the difference between interest earned on loans and investments and the interest paid on deposits and borrowings. The Bank expects to periodically experience “gaps” in the interest rate sensitivities of its assets and liabilities, meaning that either interest-bearing liabilities will be more sensitive to changes in market interest rates than interest-earning assets, or vice versa. In either event, if market interest rates move contrary to the Bank’s balance sheet position, earnings may be negatively affected.
Inversion of the interest rate yield curve may reduce profitability. Changes in the slope of the “yield curve,” or the spread between short-term and long-term interest rates, could reduce the Bank’s NIM. Normally, the yield curve is upward sloping, meaning short-term rates are lower than long-term rates. Because the Bank’s interest-bearing liabilities tend to be shorter in duration than its interest-earning assets, when the yield curve flattens or even inverts, the Bank’s NIM generally decreases, as its cost of funds rises higher and at a faster pace than the yield on its interest-earning assets. A rise in the Bank’s cost of interest-bearing liabilities without a corresponding increase in the yield on its interest-earning assets would have an adverse effect on the Bank’s NIM and overall results of operations.
The Bank may be compelled to offer market-leading interest rates to maintain sufficient funding and liquidity levels. The Bank has traditionally relied on client deposits (with approximately 8% of deposits concentrated with the Bank’s top 20 depositors as of December 31, 2025), brokered deposits, and advances from the FHLB to fund operations. Such traditional sources may be unavailable, limited, or insufficient in the future. If the Bank were to lose a significant funding source, such as a few major depositors, or if any of its lines of credit were cancelled or curtailed, such as its borrowing line at the FHLB, or if the Bank cannot obtain brokered deposits, the Bank may be compelled to offer market-leading interest rates to meet its funding and liquidity needs. Obtaining funds at market-leading interest rates would have an adverse impact on the Company’s net interest income and overall results of operations.
The loss of large deposit relationships could increase the Bank’s funding costs. The Bank has several large deposit relationships that do not require collateral; therefore, cash from these accounts can generally be utilized to fund the loan portfolio. If any of these balances are moved from the Bank, the Bank would likely utilize overnight borrowing lines on a short-term basis to replace the balances. The overall cost of gathering brokered deposits and/or FHLB advances, however, could be substantially higher than the Traditional Bank deposits they replace, increasing the Bank’s funding costs and reducing the Bank’s overall results of operations.
The proportion of Republic’s deposit account balances that exceed FDIC insurance limits may expose the Bank to enhanced liquidity risk and earnings risks in times of financial distress. Historically, uninsured deposits have been less stable than insured deposits. As a result, in the event of financial distress, uninsured depositors historically have been more likely to withdraw their deposits. The Company estimates that 41% of its total deposits as of December 31, 2025, were uninsured as they were above the FDIC’s insurance limit. If a sizable portion of these uninsured deposits were to be withdrawn within an abbreviated period of time such that additional sources of funding would be required to meet withdrawal demands, the Bank may be unable to obtain funding at favorable terms or obtain funding at all, which may have an adverse effect on its NIM. Moreover, obtaining adequate funding to meet the Bank’s deposit obligations may be more challenging during periods of elevated prevailing interest rates. The Bank’s ability to attract depositors during a time of actual or perceived distress or instability in the marketplace may be limited. Further, interest rates paid for borrowings generally exceed the interest rates paid on deposits. If the Bank had to rely more on higher-cost wholesale borrowings to fund a loss of deposits, it could materially, negatively impact the Company’s results of operations.
Prepayment of loans may negatively impact the Bank’s financial condition and results of operations. The Bank’s clients may prepay the principal amount of their outstanding loans at any time. The speeds at which such prepayments occur, as well as the size of such prepayments, are within the Bank’s clients’ discretion. If clients prepay the principal amount of their loans, and the Bank is unable to lend those funds to other clients or invest the funds at the same or higher interest rates, the Bank’s interest income will be reduced. A significant reduction in interest income would have a negative impact on the Bank’s financial condition and results of operations.
CREDIT RISKS
RAs represent a significant credit risk, and if the Bank is unable to collect a sizable portion of its RAs, it would materially, negatively impact the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. There is credit risk associated with an RA because the funds are disbursed to the taxpayer customer prior to the Bank receiving the taxpayer customer’s refund as claimed on the return. Management annually reviews and revises its RAs underwriting criteria. These changes in the RAs underwriting criteria do not ensure positive results and could have an overall material negative impact on the performance of the RA and therefore on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.
Because there is no recourse to the taxpayer customer if the RA is not paid off by the taxpayer customer’s tax refund, the Bank must collect all of its payments related to RAs through the refund process. Losses will generally occur on RAs when the Bank does not receive payment due to several reasons, such as IRS revenue protection strategies, including audits of returns, errors in the tax return, tax return fraud, and tax debts not previously disclosed to the Bank during its underwriting process. The Bank’s underwriting during the RA approval process takes these factors into consideration based on prior years’ payment patterns, such that if the IRS significantly alters its revenue protection strategies, if refund payment patterns for a given tax season meaningfully change, if the federal government fails to timely deliver refunds, or if the Bank is incorrect in its underwriting assumptions, the Bank could experience higher loan loss provisions above those projected. The Provision is a significant determining factor of the RPG division’s overall net earnings.
In addition, as a result of 2015 PATH Act, the federal government mandates that tax refunds for tax returns with certain characteristics cannot receive their corresponding refunds before February 15th each year. Substantially all the tax returns driving TRS’s product volume meet the criteria of those subject to this later funding under the PATH Act. These funding delays effectively restrict the Bank’s ability to make in-season modifications to its RA underwriting model based on then-current year tax refund funding patterns, because the substantial majority of all RAs are issued prior to February 15th. As a result, the underwriting criteria that TRS establishes for the RA product at the beginning of the tax season could have a material negative impact on the performance of the RA before mitigating revisions can be made.
Consumer loans originated through the RCS segment represent a higher credit risk. Loss rates for some RCS products have consistently been significantly higher than Traditional Bank loss rates for unsecured consumer loans. A material increase in RCS loan charge-offs would have a material adverse effect on the Bank’s financial condition and results of operations and, if such increase in RCS loan charge-offs persisted for an extended period of time, could lead to the discontinuation of the underlying products.
Consumer installment loans originated for sale through the RCS segment represent a higher risk of loss on sale. RCS originates its installment loan product for sale and sells this product at a loss if the originated loan defaults on its first payment to RCS, which is generally 16 days following the loan’s origination date. A material increase in first payment defaults for RCS installment loans would result in a material increase in these loans being sold at a loss. Such an increase could have a material adverse impact on the program, and if such losses persisted for an extended period, it could lead to the discontinuation of the underlying product.
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Management’s changes to RPG product parameters could have a material negative impact on the performance of the RPG products. In response to changes in the legal, regulatory, and competitive environment, management annually reviews and revises RPG product parameters. Further changes in product parameters do not ensure positive results and could have an overall material negative impact on the performance of the product and therefore on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.
The ACLL could be insufficient to cover the Bank’s actual loan losses. The Bank makes various assumptions and judgments about the collectability of its loan portfolio, including the creditworthiness of its borrowers and the value of the real estate and other assets serving as collateral for the repayment of many of its loans. In determining the amount of the ACLL, the Bank considers, among other factors, its historical loss and delinquency experience and prevailing economic conditions. If its assumptions are incorrect, the ACLL may not be sufficient to cover losses inherent in its loan portfolio, resulting in additions to its ACLL. In addition, regulatory agencies periodically review the ACLL and may require the Bank to increase its Provision or recognize further loan charge-offs. A material increase in the ACLL or loan charge-offs would have a material adverse effect on the Bank’s financial condition and results of operations.
Deterioration in the quality of the Traditional Banking loan portfolio may result in additional charge-offs, which would adversely impact the Bank’s financial condition and results of operations. When borrowers default on their loan obligations, it may result in lost principal and interest income and increased operating expenses associated with the increased allocation of management time and resources associated with collection efforts. In certain situations where collection efforts are unsuccessful or acceptable “work-out” arrangements cannot be reached or performed, the Bank may charge-off loans, either in part or in whole. Additional charge-offs will adversely affect the Bank’s financial condition and results of operations.
The Bank’s financial condition and results of operations could be negatively impacted to the extent the Bank relies on borrower information that is false, misleading, or inaccurate. The Bank relies on the accuracy and completeness of information provided by vendors, clients, and other parties in deciding whether to extend credit and/or enter into transactions with other parties. If the Bank relies on incomplete and/or inaccurate information, the Bank may incur additional charge-offs that adversely affect its financial condition and results of operations.
The Traditional Bank uses appraisals as part of the decision process to make a loan for, or secured by, real property. In addition, appraisals are used to value a loan if it becomes “collateral dependent” as a problem credit. Appraisals do not ensure the value of the real property collateral. As part of the new loan process or in valuing a collateral dependent problem credit, the Bank generally requires an independent third-party appraisal of the real property. An appraisal, however, is only an estimate of the value of the property at the time the appraisal is made. An error in fact or judgment could adversely affect the reliability of the appraisal. In addition, events occurring after the appraisal may cause the value of the real estate to decrease. As a result of any of these factors, the value of collateral securing a loan may be less than supposed, and if a default occurs, the Bank may not recover the outstanding balance of the loan. Approximately 38% of the Traditional Bank’s portfolio is secured by RRE and 40% is secured by CRE properties as of December 31, 2025. Both of these loan types are heavily dependent upon third-party appraisals in the decision process. Additional charge-offs in either of these portfolios as a result of inaccurate appraisals could adversely affect the Bank’s financial condition and results of operations.
The Warehouse Lending business is subject to numerous risks that may have a material adverse impact on the Bank’s financial statements and results of operations. Risks associated with warehouse loans include, without limitation, (i) credit risks relating to the mortgage bankers that borrow from the Bank, including but not limited to bankruptcy, (ii) the risk of intentional misrepresentation or fraud by any of such mortgage bankers and their third-party service providers, (iii) changes in the market value of mortgage loans originated by the mortgage banker during the time in warehouse, the sale of which is the expected source of repayment of the borrowings under a warehouse LOC, or (iv) unsalable or impaired mortgage loans so originated, which could lead to decreased collateral value and the failure of a purchaser of the mortgage loan to purchase the loan from the mortgage banker. Failure to mitigate these risks could have a material adverse impact on the Bank’s financial statements and results of operations.
The Bank holds a significant amount of BOLI, which creates credit risk relative to the insurers and liquidity risk relative to the product. The Bank holds BOLI on certain employees. The eventual repayment of the cash surrender value is subject to the ability of the various insurance companies to pay death benefits or to return the cash surrender value to the Bank if needed for liquidity purposes. The Bank continually monitors the financial strength of the various insurance companies that carry these policies. However, any one of these companies could experience a decline in financial strength, which could impair its ability to pay benefits or return the Bank’s cash surrender value. If the Bank needs to liquidate these policies for liquidity purposes, it would be subject to taxation on the increase in cash surrender value and penalties for early termination, both of which would adversely impact earnings.
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OPERATIONAL AND STRATEGIC RISKS
RPG products represent a significant operational risk, and RPG relies heavily on the accuracy and timeliness of data received from the Bank’s third-party marketers and service providers. To conduct its RPG businesses, the Bank must implement and test new systems, train associates for new products and changes to existing products, and process information and data received from third-party marketers and service providers. Due to the high volume of transaction activity across all the RPG product lines, the Bank relies heavily on the communications and information systems of the Bank, as well as the communications and information systems of its third-party providers to operate these products. Any failure, sustained interruption, or breach in security, including the cybersecurity, of these systems could result in failures or disruptions in client relationship management and other systems. If the Bank were unable to properly service this business as a result of inaccurate or untimely data from its third-party marketers and service providers, it could materially impact earnings.
RCS revenues and earnings are highly concentrated in its LOC products. The discontinuation of these LOC products, or a substantial change in the terms under which these products are offered, would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.
Many of the RCS programs are heavily reliant on the ability of the Bank to sell all or a sizable portion of the loans originated to a third party in order to fund the programs. If the Bank were unable to sell these loans to a third-party purchaser for any reason, RCS would likely cease originating new loans under that product line, which would significantly and negatively impact the overall earnings of RCS. RCS originates installment loans and lines of credits through its various product lines. For some of its installment products, RCS sells 100% of the balances after its origination. For its LOC products, the Bank sells a 90% or 95% participation in the product after origination, depending upon the product. If the Bank were unable to sell these loan balances for any reason, RCS would likely cease originating new loans for that particular product as soon as practical under the terms of its various agreements. The inability of RCS to originate new loans under any of its higher-yield RCS products would cause a material adverse impact to the results of operation of RCS.
In addition, the agreements between the Bank and the consumer for many of its LOC products do not allow RCS to stop originating new customer draws on that product if RCS chooses to exit the product line. For these products, if the Bank were unable to sell these balances for any reason, RCS would retain 100% of the balances it originates on those products. In those circumstances, the credit risk for the Bank would increase substantially, as it would then be responsible for 100% of any charge-offs for these loans, as opposed to 5% or 10%, when it is able to sell participating balances to a third-party purchaser. While the Bank would also be retaining 100% of the revenue from these balances as well, there is no guarantee the additional revenue would offset the charge-offs in the event of an economic downturn. Such an increase in charge-offs could have a material adverse impact on the results of operations of the RCS segment and the Company, as a whole.
Difficult or volatile market conditions in the national financial markets, the U.S. economy generally, or the Company’s markets in particular may adversely affect the Company’s lending activity or other businesses, as well as its financial condition. The Company’s business and financial performance are vulnerable to weak economic conditions in the financial markets and economic conditions generally and specifically in the markets in which the Company operates. The Company conducts its Core Banking operations across Kentucky (Louisville MSA/central/northern), Indiana (southern), Florida (Tampa MSA), Ohio (Cincinnati MSA), and Tennessee (Nashville MSA). Because of this geographic concentration, the Company’s financial condition and results of operations depend heavily on economic conditions within these specific markets. A favorable business environment is typically characterized by sustained economic growth, low inflation, low unemployment, strong business and investor confidence, solid business earnings, and healthy capital markets. Conversely, unfavorable or uncertain economic and market conditions may arise from a decline in economic growth locally or nationally; reductions in business activity or consumer confidence; limited availability or increased cost of credit and capital; rising inflation or interest rates; elevated unemployment; commodity price volatility; natural disasters; or a combination of these or other factors. Any regional or local economic downturn affecting the Company’s geographic markets—particularly one that impacts existing or prospective borrowers, depositors, or real estate values—could adversely affect the Company’s profitability more significantly than competitors with more geographically diversified operations.
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The Company operates in a highly competitive banking and financial services environment and competes with significantly larger regional, national, and international institutions, many of which have limited or no physical presence in the Company’s markets and instead compete through digital channels and other electronic delivery platforms. In addition, banking and financial services competitors—including newly formed institutions—may enter the Company’s geographic markets through branch expansion or acquisitions of existing competitors. FinTech companies continue to emerge and expand in key areas of banking, further intensifying competition. Many competitors possess substantially greater financial resources, higher lending limits, broader geographic reach, and, in some cases, lower cost structures, and may offer products and services that the Company does not or cannot provide. Certain non-bank competitors are also subject to fewer regulatory constraints. Increased competition may result in reduced loan and deposit volumes, compressed interest margins, or more favorable pricing and terms for customers, any of which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity.
Clients may pursue alternatives to traditional bank deposits, which could reduce the Bank’s access to a relatively inexpensive and stable source of funding. Checking and savings account balances, as well as other forms of client deposits, may decline if clients perceive alternative investments—such as equity or bond markets, money-market funds, or other higher-yield financial products—as offering superior expected returns. If clients reallocate funds away from deposit accounts in favor of these alternatives, the Bank could experience deposit outflows, resulting in a loss of low-cost funding. Replacing these deposits with higher-cost funding sources, such as brokered deposits or wholesale borrowings, would increase the Bank’s overall funding costs and could negatively impact its NIM and results of operations.
The Company may be adversely affected by the soundness of other financial institutions. Financial services institutions are interrelated because of trading, clearing, counterparty, or other relationships. The Company has exposure to many different industries and counterparties and routinely executes transactions with counterparties in the financial services industry, including commercial banks, brokers and dealers, investment banks, and other institutional clients. Many of these transactions expose the Company to credit risk in the event of a default by a counterparty or client. In addition, the Company’s credit risk may be exacerbated when the collateral held by the Company cannot be realized upon or is liquidated at prices not sufficient to recover the full amount of the credit or derivative exposure due to the Company. Any such losses could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.
The Company’s information systems may experience an interruption that could adversely impact the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. The Company relies heavily on communications and information systems to conduct its business. Any failure or interruption of these systems could result in failures or disruptions in client relationship management, general ledger, deposit, loan, and other systems. While the Company has policies and procedures designed to prevent or limit the impact of the failure or interruption of information systems, there can be no assurance that any such failures or interruptions will not occur or, if they do occur, that they will be adequately addressed. The occurrence of any failures or interruptions of the Company’s information systems could damage the Company’s reputation, result in a loss of client business, subject the Company to additional regulatory scrutiny, or expose the Company to civil litigation and possible financial liability, any of which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.
The Company’s operations could be impacted if its third-party service providers experience difficulty. The Company depends on several relationships with third-party service providers, including core systems processing and web hosting. These providers are well-established vendors that provide these services to a sizable number of financial institutions. If these third-party service providers experience difficulty, including but not limited to a cybersecurity incident, or terminate their services, and the Company is unable to replace them with other providers, its operations could be interrupted, which would adversely impact its business.
The Company’s operations, including third-party and client interactions, are increasingly done via electronic means, and this has increased the risks related to cybersecurity threats. The Company is exposed to the risk of cyber-attacks in the normal course of business and incurs substantial cybersecurity protection costs. In general, cyber incidents can result from deliberate attacks or unintentional events. Management has observed an increased level of attention in the industry focused on cyber-attacks that include, but are not limited to, gaining unauthorized access to digital systems for purposes of misappropriating assets or sensitive information, corrupting data, or causing operational disruption. Cyber-attacks may also be carried out in a manner that does not require gaining unauthorized access, such as by causing denial-of-service attacks on websites. Further, the rapid evolution and increased adoption of AI technologies may further intensify cybersecurity risks by making cyber-attacks more difficult to detect, contain or mitigate. Cyber-attacks may be carried out directly against the Company, or against the Company’s clients or service providers/vendors by third parties or insiders using techniques that range from highly sophisticated efforts to electronically circumvent network security or overwhelm
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websites to more traditional intelligence gathering and social engineering aimed at obtaining information necessary to gain access. While the Company, to its knowledge, has not incurred any material losses related to cyber-attacks, the Bank may incur substantial costs and suffer other negative consequences if the Bank, the Bank’s clients, or one of the Bank’s third-party service providers fall victim to successful cyber-attacks. Such negative consequences could include: remediation costs for stolen assets or information; system repairs; consumer protection costs; increased cybersecurity protection costs that may include organizational changes; deploying additional personnel and protection technologies, training employees, and engaging third-party experts and consultants; lost revenues resulting from unauthorized use of proprietary information or the failure to retain or attract clients following an attack; litigation and payment of damages; and reputational damage adversely affecting client or investor confidence.
The evolving federal “AI Action Plan” and related regulatory initiatives could increase compliance costs, constrain the Company’s use of AI, and expose the Company to new legal, operational, and reputational risks. The U.S. federal government has announced an “AI Action Plan” pursuant to a January 2025 Executive Order directing federal agencies to develop a coordinated framework for the governance, development, and use of AI. The Company is in the initial stages of incorporating AI into its business activities to increase employee productivity. The Company has not deployed AI-driven systems in critical decision making or client-facing processes. While the scope, timing, and final form of the AI Action Plan and any resulting laws, regulations, supervisory guidance, or enforcement priorities remain uncertain, these initiatives may significantly affect how financial institutions develop, deploy, and oversee AI-enabled systems.
The AI Action Plan may result in new or enhanced requirements related to model governance, data usage, explainability, human oversight, testing, recordkeeping, vendor management, and accountability for AI-driven outcomes. Compliance with these requirements could require substantial investments in technology, personnel, controls, documentation, and third-party risk management, and may reduce the efficiency or effectiveness of certain AI-enabled processes. In addition, heightened regulatory scrutiny of AI systems—particularly in areas such as fair lending, consumer protection, privacy, and model risk management—could increase the risk of supervisory findings, enforcement actions, civil litigation, or reputational harm, even where AI systems are designed and implemented in good faith. The use of third-party AI models or data sources may further increase these risks if such vendors fail to meet evolving regulatory expectations or contractual standards.
If the AI Action Plan or related regulatory actions limit the Company’s ability to use AI technologies, require material changes to existing systems, or impose inconsistent or overlapping obligations across federal and state regulators, operating costs could increase and the Company’s ability to compete with other financial institutions or non-bank competitors could be adversely affected. Any of these outcomes could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, or reputation.
The adoption of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology has rapidly expanded in recent years, and future regulatory changes may lead to additional growth of digital assets. In the past year, there has been an increased governmental focus on digital assets with the passage of the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins Act, which was signed into law in July 2025 and provides a regulatory framework for the adoption and issuance of stablecoins. Cryptocurrency and other new forms of payment could result in increased BSA/AML compliance risks, particularly with respect to “know-your-customer” and transaction monitoring requirements. In addition, future regulatory developments may increase the ability of Fin-tech’s and other competitors to compete with traditional banks, including through the use of cryptocurrency and other digital assets or alternative payment systems.
New lines of business or new products and services may subject the Company to additional risks. From time to time, the Company may develop and grow new lines of business or offer new products and services within existing lines of business. There are substantial risks and uncertainties associated with these efforts, particularly in instances where the markets are not fully developed. In developing and marketing new lines of business and/or new products and services, the Company may invest considerable amounts of time and resources. Initial timetables for the introduction and development of new lines of business and/or new products or services may not be achieved, and price and profitability targets may not prove feasible. External factors, such as compliance with regulations, competitive alternatives and shifting market preferences, may also impact the successful implementation of a new line of business or a new product or service. Furthermore, any new line of business and/or new product or service could have a significant impact on the effectiveness of the Company’s system of internal control. Failure to successfully manage these risks in the development and implementation of new lines of business or new products or services could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations. All service offerings, including current offerings and those that may be provided in the future, may become riskier due to changes in economic, competitive, and market conditions beyond the Company’s control.
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The Company is dependent upon retaining and recruiting key qualified personnel and the loss of one or more of these key individuals could curtail its growth and adversely affect its prospects. The Company is materially dependent upon the ability and experience of a number of its key management personnel who have substantial experience with Company operations, including specialized products and services, and the markets in which the Company offers services. It is possible that the loss of the services of one or more of its key personnel would have an adverse effect on operations. Management believes that future results also will depend in part upon attracting and retaining highly skilled and qualified management, as well as sales and marketing personnel. The failure to attract or retain, including as a result of an untimely death or illness, key personnel, or to find suitable replacements for them, could have a negative effect on Company operating results. Competition for such personnel is intense, and management cannot be sure that the Company will be successful in attracting or retaining such personnel.
REGULATORY AND LEGAL RISKS
The Bank’s RPG products represent a significant legal, compliance, and regulatory risk, and if the Bank fails to comply with all statutory and regulatory requirements, it could have a material negative impact on earnings. Federal and state laws and regulations govern numerous matters relating to the offering of consumer loan products and consumer deposits. Failure to comply with disclosure requirements or with laws relating to the permissibility of interest rates and fees charged could have a material negative impact on earnings. In addition, failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations could also expose the Bank to civil money penalties and litigation risk, including client and shareholder actions. Various states and consumer groups have, from time to time, questioned the fairness of the products offered by RPG. Initiatives at the federal and state level, including by governmental agencies and consumer groups, could result in regulatory, governmental, or legislative action or litigation, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s RPG operations. If the Company can no longer offer or must substantially alter its RPG products, it will have a material negative impact on earnings.
The Company is significantly impacted by the regulatory, fiscal, and monetary policies of federal and state governments that could negatively impact the Company’s liquidity position and earnings. These policies can materially affect the value of the Company’s financial instruments and can also adversely affect the Company’s clients and their ability to repay their outstanding loans. In addition, failure to comply with laws, regulations or policies, or adverse examination findings, could result in significant penalties, negatively impact operations, or result in other sanctions against the Company. The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System regulates the supply of money and credit in the U.S. Its policies determine, in large part, the Company’s cost of funds for lending and investing and the return the Company earns on these loans and investments, all of which impact NIM.
The Company and the Bank are heavily regulated at both the federal and state levels and are subject to various routine and non-routine examinations by federal and state regulators. This regulatory oversight is primarily intended to protect depositors, the DIF, and the banking system, not the shareholders of the Company. Changes in policies, regulations and statutes, or the interpretation thereof, could significantly impact the product offerings of Republic causing the Company to terminate or modify its product offerings in a manner that could materially adversely affect the earnings of the Company.
Federal and state laws and regulations govern numerous aspects of the business of banking, including changes in the ownership or control of banks and BHC’s, maintenance of adequate capital and the financial condition of a financial institution, permissible types, amounts and terms of extensions of credit and investments, permissible non-banking activities, the level of reserves against deposits and restrictions on dividend payments. Various federal and state regulatory agencies possess cease and desist powers and other authority to prevent or remedy unsafe or unsound practices or violations of law by banks subject to their regulations. The FRB possesses similar powers with respect to BHC’s. These, and other restrictions, can limit in varying degrees the way Republic conducts its business.
Federal and state laws and regulations also govern numerous matters relating to the offering of banking products. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations, including those mandating disclosure requirements or relating to the permissibility of interest rates and fees charged, could have a material negative impact on earnings. In addition, failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations could also expose the Bank to civil money penalties and litigation risk, including shareholder actions. Initiatives of the current President and the current Congress, along with actions of the states, governmental agencies, and consumer groups, could result in regulatory, governmental, or legislative action or litigation that could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s operations.
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Legislative and regulatory actions taken now or in the future may increase Republic’s costs and impact its business, governance structure, financial condition, or results of operations. Enacted financial reform legislation has changed and will continue to change the bank regulatory framework. Ongoing uncertainty and adverse developments in the financial services industry and the domestic and international credit markets, and the effect of new legislation and regulatory actions in response to these conditions, may adversely affect Company operations by restricting business activities, including the Company’s ability to originate or sell loans, modify loan terms, or foreclose on property securing loans. These measures are likely to increase the Company’s costs of doing business and may have a significant adverse effect on the Company’s lending activities, financial performance, and operating flexibility. In addition, these risks could affect the performance and value of the Company’s loan and investment securities portfolios, which also would negatively affect financial performance.
Federal and state regulatory agencies frequently adopt changes to their regulations or change the manner in which existing regulations are applied. Regulatory or legislative changes to laws applicable to the financial services industry, if enacted or adopted, may impact the profitability of the Company’s business activities, require more oversight or change certain business practices, including the ability to offer new products, obtain financing, attract deposits, make loans and achieve satisfactory interest spreads, and could expose Republic to additional costs, including increased compliance costs. These changes also may require Republic to invest significant management attention and resources to make any necessary changes to operations and could have an adverse effect on its business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Use of third parties creates a third-party management risk. If RB&T’s third-party service providers fail to comply with all the statutory and regulatory requirements for products offered or if RB&T fails to properly monitor its third-party service providers offering these products, it could have a material negative impact on earnings. The Bank, including RPG, and its third-party service providers operate in a highly regulated environment and deliver products and services that are subject to strict legal and regulatory requirements. Failure by the Bank’s third-party service providers to comply with, or failure of the Bank to properly monitor the compliance of its third-party service providers with, laws and regulations could result in fines and penalties that materially and adversely affect the Bank’s earnings. Such penalties could include the discontinuance of any or all third-party program manager products and services.
The Bank’s “Overdraft Honor” program represents a significant business risk, and if the Bank terminated the program, it would materially impact the earnings of the Bank. There can be no assurance that Congress, the Bank’s regulators, or others will not impose additional limitations on this program or prohibit the Bank from offering the program. The Bank’s “Overdraft Honor” program permits eligible customers to opt into the Bank’s overdraft program and overdraft their checking accounts up to a limit that is calculated and assigned each day for the Bank’s customary overdraft fee(s). Generally, to be eligible for the Overdraft Honor program, customers must qualify for one of the Bank’s traditional checking products when the account is opened and have recurring deposit activity. During the first 30 days after an account is opened, a client may participate in the Overdraft Honor program with a small, fixed limit amount depending upon the account type. After the initial 30-day period a daily overdraft limit is calculated based upon deposits and other activity in the account. If an overdraft occurs, the Bank may pay the overdraft, at its discretion, up to the client’s individual overdraft limit. Under regulatory guidelines, customers utilizing the Overdraft Honor program may remain in overdraft status for no more than 60 days before it must be closed and charged off. Substantially altering this program, or terminating it altogether, would have an adverse impact to the Company’s results of operations.
Loans originated through the Bank’s Consumer Direct and Correspondent Lending channels subject the Bank to regulatory and legal risks that the Bank does not have through its historical origination and servicing channels. Loans serviced outside the Bank’s traditional footprint also subject the Bank to various state-level servicing laws and regulations that are different than those within the Bank’s traditional footprint and may impact the Bank’s ability to collect a deficiency and timely foreclose on a loan. Failure by the Bank to properly comply with these various state-level laws and regulations could subject the Bank to fines and penalties that materially and adversely affect the Bank’s earnings. Such penalties could include the discontinuance of the Consumer Direct Channel or Correspondent Lending operations. Failure to appropriately manage these additional risks could lead to regulatory and compliance risks, as well as create burdens that reduce profitability or cause operating losses from these origination channels.
Republic’s management is required to evaluate the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and internal control over financial reporting. If the Company is unable to maintain effective disclosure controls and internal control over financial reporting, investors may lose confidence in the accuracy of the Company’s financial reports. As a public company, the Company is required to maintain internal control over financial reporting and to report any material weaknesses in such internal control. Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires that management evaluate and determine the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial
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reporting. Additionally, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm is required to deliver an attestation report on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
In order to maintain and improve the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting, the Company has expended and anticipates that it will continue to expend significant resources, including for accounting, internal audit, and compliance costs, along with significant management oversight. If any of these new or improved controls and systems do not perform as expected, the Company may experience further deficiencies in its controls.
The Company’s current controls and any new controls that it develops may become inadequate because of changes in conditions in its business. Any failure to develop or maintain effective controls or any difficulties encountered in their implementation or improvement could harm the Company’s results of operations, cause the Company to fail to meet its reporting obligations, and adversely affect the results of periodic management evaluations and the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm’s attestation reports required by the SEC. Ineffective internal control over financial reporting could diminish investor confidence, negatively affect the price of the Company’s Class A common stock, and could result in the Company’s delisting from the NASDAQ. See Item 9A. “Controls and Procedures” for further discussion.
The Company is required to use judgment in applying accounting policies and different estimates and assumptions in the application of these policies could result in a decrease in capital and/or other material changes to the Company’s reports of financial condition and results of operations. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to meaningful change relate to the determination of the ACLL, the fair value of certain financial instruments, particularly securities, goodwill, and purchase accounting. While the Company has identified those accounting policies that it considers critical and has procedures in place to facilitate the associated judgments, different assumptions in the application of these policies could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.
The Company may be adversely affected by changes in tax laws. Any change in federal or state tax laws or regulations, including any increase in the federal corporate income tax rate from the current level of 21%, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.
The Company may be subject to examinations by taxing authorities that could adversely affect the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. Republic is subject to multiple taxing jurisdictions outside of those in which its branches are located. In the normal course of business, the Company may be subject to examinations from federal and state taxing authorities regarding the amount of taxes due in connection with investments it has made and the businesses in which the Company is engaged. Federal and state taxing authorities have continued to be aggressive in challenging tax positions taken by financial institutions. The challenges made by taxing authorities may result in adjustments to the timing or amount of taxable income or deductions or the allocation of income among tax jurisdictions. If any such challenges are made and are not resolved in the Company’s favor, they could have an adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.
Risks Related to Acquisition Activity
The Company’s ability to successfully complete acquisitions will affect its ability to grow and compete effectively in its market footprint. The Company pursues a policy of strategic growth through acquisitions to supplement organic growth. The Company’s efforts to acquire other financial institutions and financial service companies or branches may not be successful. Numerous potential acquirers exist for many acquisition candidates, creating intense competition, which affects the purchase price for which the institutions can be acquired. In many cases, the Company’s competitors have significantly greater resources than the Company has, and greater flexibility to structure the consideration for the transaction. The Company may also not be the successful bidder in acquisition opportunities that it pursues due to the willingness or ability of other potential acquirers to propose a higher purchase price or more attractive terms and conditions than the Company is willing or able to propose. Further, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to secure any regulatory approvals required for the Company to acquire another financial institution, financial services company, or branch. Additionally, the pursuit and completion of acquisitions may divert the attention of management away from the operation of our existing business. The Company intends to continue to pursue acquisition opportunities in its market footprint. The risks presented by the acquisition of other financial institutions could adversely affect the Bank’s financial condition and results of operations.
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Successful Company acquisitions present many risks that could adversely affect the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. An institution that the Company acquires may have unknown asset quality issues or unknown or contingent liabilities that the Company did not discover or fully recognize in the due diligence process, thereby resulting in unanticipated losses. The acquisition of other institutions also typically requires the integration of different corporate cultures, loan and deposit products, pricing strategies, data processing systems and other technologies, accounting, internal audit and financial reporting systems, operating systems and internal controls, marketing programs, and personnel of the acquired institution, to make the transaction economically advantageous. The integration process is complicated and time consuming and could divert the Company’s attention from other business concerns and may be disruptive to its clients and the clients of the acquired institution. The Company’s failure to successfully integrate an acquired institution could result in the loss of key clients and employees and prevent the Company from achieving expected synergies and cost savings. Acquisitions and failed acquisitions also result in professional fees and may result in creating goodwill that could become impaired, thereby requiring the Company to recognize further charges. The Company may finance acquisitions with borrowed funds, thereby increasing the Company’s leverage and reducing liquidity, or with potentially dilutive issuances of equity securities.
Risks Related to the Company’s Common Stock
The Company’s common stock generally has a low average daily trading volume, which limits shareholders’ ability to quickly accumulate or quickly sell large numbers of shares of Republic’s common stock without causing wide price fluctuations. Republic’s common stock price can fluctuate widely in response to a variety of factors, as detailed in the next risk factor. A low average daily stock trading volume can lead to significant price swings even when a relatively small number of shares are being traded.
The market price for the Company’s common stock may be volatile. The market price of the Company’s common stock could fluctuate substantially in the future in response to several factors, including those discussed below. Some of the factors that may cause the price of the Company’s common stock to fluctuate include, but are not limited to:
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In addition, the stock market, in general, has historically experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations. This is due, in part, to investors’ shifting perceptions of the effect of changes and potential changes in the economy on various industry sectors. This volatility has had a significant effect on the market price of securities issued by many companies for reasons unrelated to their performance or prospects. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the market price of the Company’s common stock, notwithstanding its actual or anticipated cash flows, financial condition and results of operations. The Company expects that the market price of its common stock will continue to fluctuate due to many factors, including prevailing interest rates, other economic conditions, operating performance, and investor perceptions of the outlook for the Company specifically and the banking industry in general. There can be no assurance about the level of the market price of the Company’s common stock in the future or that investors will be able to resell their shares at times or at prices they find attractive.
The Company’s insiders hold voting rights that give them significant control over matters requiring shareholder approval. The Company’s Executive Chair/CEO and Vice Chair hold substantial voting authority over the Company’s Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock. Each share of Class A Common Stock is entitled to one vote and each share of Class B Common Stock is entitled to ten votes. This group generally votes together on matters presented to shareholders for approval. These actions may include, for example, the election of directors, the adoption of amendments to corporate documents, the approval of mergers and acquisitions or sales of assets, and the continuation of the Company as a registered company with obligations to file periodic reports and other filings with the SEC. Consequently, other shareholders’ ability to influence Company actions through their vote may be limited and the non-insider shareholders may not have sufficient voting power to approve a change in control even if a significant premium is being offered for their shares. Majority shareholders may not vote their shares in accordance with minority shareholder interests.
The Company is classified as a “controlled company” for purposes of the NASDAQ Listing Rules and, as a result, it qualifies for certain exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements. Shareholders may not have the same protections afforded to shareholders of companies that are subject to such requirements. As of the date of this report, the Trager family controls a majority of the voting power of the Company’s outstanding common stock. As a result, the Company is classified as a “controlled company” within the meaning of the corporate governance standards of the NASDAQ Listing Rules. Under the NASDAQ Listing Rules, a company of which more than 50% of the outstanding voting power is held by an individual, group or another company is a “controlled company” and may elect not to comply with certain stock exchange corporate governance requirements, including:
Although the Company is permitted to rely on these exemptions, it has not historically elected to reduce its corporate governance practices on this basis. Nonetheless, because the Company qualifies as a controlled company, shareholders may not have the same protections afforded to shareholders of companies that are fully subject to all NASDAQ corporate governance requirements.
An investment in the Company’s common stock is not an insured deposit. The Company’s common stock is not a bank deposit and, therefore, is not insured against loss by the FDIC, any other deposit insurance fund or by any other public or private entity. Investment in the Company’s common stock is inherently risky for the reasons described in this section and elsewhere in this report and is subject to the same market forces that affect the price of common stock in any company. As a result, if an individual acquires the Company’s common stock, the shareholder could lose some or all of that investment.
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Item 1B.Unresolved Staff Comments.
Item 1C. Cybersecurity
Risk Management and Strategy
The Company employs a multi-layered approach in an effort to assess, identify and manage risks from cybersecurity threats:
Risk Assessment: On a regular basis, the Company conducts assessments to identify potential cybersecurity threats and vulnerabilities within its systems and networks. This includes evaluating the impact of potential breaches and the likelihood of occurrence.
Security Measures: The Company has implemented various security measures like firewalls, encryption, intrusion detections systems, and access controls to mitigate potential risks. Further, the Company also regularly updates software and security protocols to stay ahead of any emerging threats.
Employee Training: The Company provides associates with cybersecurity training and awareness programs. These initiatives are intended to help employees recognize and respond appropriately to potential threats like phishing attempts or social engineering and account takeover. This includes conducting tabletop exercises, fostering preparedness and effective response within the Company.
Incident Response Plan: The Company has established an incident response plan in an effort to address and contain any breaches or cybersecurity incidents. This plan includes defining roles, responsibilities, and steps to recover from a potential attack.
Regular Audits and Monitoring: The Company conducts periodic audits and continuous monitoring of systems intended to detect any anomalies or potential security breaches. This involves using advanced tools to monitor network traffic and behavior for suspicious activities.
Disclosure and Transparency: The Company has implemented policies and procedures related to disclosing its cybersecurity risks and management strategies in its annual report, SEC filings, and other regulatory filings providing investors with an understanding of the potential impact on the Company’s operations and financials.
This multi-layered approach has been integrated into the Company’s overall risk management system and processes. Integrating cybersecurity risk management into the overall risk management system demonstrates the Company’s commitment to addressing threats that could significantly impact its operations, financial stability, and reputation. This integration is intended to provide a holistic approach to risk management and helps in creating a more resilient organization against cybersecurity threats.
The Company, as an integral aspect of its regular operations and risk management processes, engages third-party entities and service organizations. The Company evaluates and selects these external partners through its due diligence process. This scrutiny is intended to provide alignment with the Company’s standards for security, reliability, and compliance. Additionally, the Company engages third-party firms to augment the Company’s cybersecurity defenses, leveraging external expertise to mitigate and prevent potential threats. Furthermore, the Company maintains ongoing oversight and monitoring of these third parties in an effort to mitigate potential risks and provide continued adherence to established protocols in order to foster an ecosystem of trusted collaboration within its operational framework.
During the periods covered by this report, there were no cybersecurity incidents that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect the Company, including its business strategy, financial condition or results of operations. For a discussion of whether and how any risks from cybersecurity threats, including as a result of any previous cybersecurity incidents, have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect the Company, including its business strategy, financial condition or results of operations, see Part 1 Item 1A “Risk Factors.” The Company’s operations, including third-party and client interactions, are increasingly done via electronic means, and this has increased the risks related to cybersecurity threats, which is incorporated by reference into this Item 1C.
Governance
The Company’s Board plays a pivotal role in overseeing risks arising from cybersecurity threats within the Company. The Board exercises oversight by adopting a Written Information Security Program, engaging in discussions, reviewing reports, and seeking updates on the Company’s cybersecurity posture. The Boards Risk Committee oversees and monitors the Bank’s enterprise risk management practices. The Risk Committee assists the Company’s Board with monitoring the Company’s information technology and cybersecurity plans and policies, in addition to compliance with information security and technology risk management requirements, including reporting related to the SEC’s cybersecurity disclosure rules.
The Company’s Board is kept informed about cybersecurity issues through a structured and responsive communication process tailored to its needs. This involves updates provided by the CISO or other members of management during Company Board and Risk Committee meetings. Additionally, management reports to the Company’s Board on significant cyber incidents, emerging threats, and the effectiveness of existing security measures. The communication framework is intended to keep the Company’s Board informed about cybersecurity matters, allowing them to make informed decisions and provide strategic guidance to fortify the Company’s defenses against potential threats.
The Company employs a software platform designed for tracking, monitoring, and managing cybersecurity threats across its systems and networks. The platform serves as a centralized hub that aggregates data from various sources, allowing the cybersecurity team, led by the CISO, to take action to mitigate risks. This technological tool serves as a key component in the Company’s cybersecurity arsenal, enhancing its ability to monitor, analyze, and respond to evolving cyber threats.
In cases where cybersecurity threats are deemed significant or pose a potential risk to the Company’s operations, they are escalated to members of management who oversee cybersecurity matters. Depending on the nature and criticality of the threat, it may be escalated to executives such as the CISO, Chief Information Officer, Chief Risk Officer, CFO, CLO/General Counsel, or other relevant senior management personnel. These leaders possess the expertise and authority to assess the situation’s impact on the Company’s operations, finances, and reputation. Further, the CISO and Chief Information Officer both have over 15 years of experience each in their respective fields of expertise. Upon receiving this information, they engage in deliberation and decision-making, collaborating with the cybersecurity team to formulate and execute an appropriate response plan, which may include elevating the matter to the Risk Committee, or the Company’s Board, if warranted. This hierarchical escalation process is intended to ensure that key decision-makers are properly informed, enabling appropriate actions to mitigate the identified cybersecurity risks.
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Item 2.Properties.
The Company’s executive offices are located at 601 West Market Street in Louisville, Kentucky. The Company also has principal support and operational functions located in three additional facilities in Louisville at 200 South Seventh Street, 9600 Brownsboro Road, and 661 South Hurstbourne Parkway. As of December 31, 2025, Republic had 29 banking centers located in Kentucky, seven banking centers in Florida, three banking centers in Indiana, four banking centers in Tennessee, and four banking centers in Ohio.
The location of Republic’s facilities, their respective approximate square footage, and their form of occupancy are as follows:
Approximate
Square
Owned (O)/
Bank Offices
Footage
Leased (L)
Kentucky Banking Centers:
Louisville Metropolitan Area
2801 Bardstown Road, Louisville
5,000
L (1)
601 West Market Street, Louisville
57,000
661 South Hurstbourne Parkway, Louisville
21,000
9600 Brownsboro Road, Louisville
19,000
8800 Dixie Highway, Suite A, Louisville
2,000
O/L (2)
10100 Brookridge Village Boulevard, Louisville
9101 U.S. Highway 42, Prospect
3,000
11330 Main Street, Middletown
6,000
3902 Taylorsville Road, Louisville
4,000
3811 Ruckriegel Parkway, Louisville
5125 New Cut Road, Louisville
4808 Outer Loop, Louisville
438 Highway 44 East, Shepherdsville
1420 Poplar Level Road, Louisville
O
4921 Brownsboro Road, Louisville
L
3950 Kresge Way, Suite 108, Louisville
<1,000
3726 Lexington Road, Louisville
1720 West Broadway, Suite 103, Louisville
Lexington
3098 Helmsdale Place
3608 Walden Drive
2401 Harrodsburg Road
641 East Euclid Avenue
333 West Vine Street, Suite 102
Northern Kentucky
535 Madison Avenue, Covington
25 Town Center Boulevard, Suite 104, Crestview Hills
8513 U.S. Highway 42, Florence
119 Fairfield Avenue, Suite 110, Bellevue
(continued)
Georgetown, 430 Connector Road
Shelbyville, 1614 Midland Trail
L (2)
Florida Banking Centers:
12933 Walsingham Road, Largo
10577 State Road 54, New Port Richey
6300 4th Street North, St. Petersburg
10,000
6600 Central Avenue, St. Petersburg
9,000
7800 Seminole Boulevard, Seminole
6906 East Fowler Avenue, Temple Terrace
1300 North West Shore Boulevard, Suite 150, Tampa
Southern Indiana Banking Centers:
4571 Duffy Road, Floyds Knobs
3141 Highway 62, Jeffersonville
3001 Charlestown Crossing Way, New Albany
Tennessee Banking Centers:
113 Seaboard Lane, Suite A130, Franklin
3404 West End Avenue, Suite 106, Nashville
128 Kedron Parkway, Spring Hill
1,000
1141 Fortress Boulevard, Suite A, Murfreesboro
Ohio Banking Centers:
4030 Smith Road, Suite 100, Norwood
9110 West Chester Towne Center Drive, West Chester
8050 Hosbrook Road, Cincinnati
8100 Montgomery Road, Cincinnati
Support and Operations:
200 South Seventh Street, Louisville, KY
80,000
Item 3.Legal Proceedings.
In the ordinary course of operations, Republic and the Bank are defendants in various legal proceedings. There is no proceeding, pending, or threatened litigation in which Republic and the Bank are a defendant, to the knowledge of management, in which an adverse decision could result in a material adverse change in the business or consolidated financial position of Republic or the Bank. For additional discussion, see the Footnote titled “Off-Balance Sheet Risks, Commitments and Contingent Liabilities” under Part II Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
Item 4.Mine Safety Disclosures.
Not applicable.
Item 5.Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.
Market and Dividend Information
On February 27, 2026, the Company’s Class A Common Stock was held by 1,067 shareholders of record and the Class B Common Stock was held by 86 shareholders of record. The Company intends to continue its historical practice of paying quarterly cash dividends; however, there is no assurance by the Board that such dividends will continue to be paid in the future. The payment of dividends in the future is dependent upon future income, financial position, capital requirements, the discretion and judgment of the Board, and numerous other considerations.
For additional discussion regarding regulatory restrictions on dividends, see the Footnote titled “Stockholders’ Equity and Regulatory Capital Matters” under Part II Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
Republic has made available to its employees participating in its 401(k) Plan the opportunity, at the employee’s sole discretion, to invest funds held in their accounts under the plan in shares of Class A Common Stock of Republic. Shares are purchased by the independent trustee administering the plan from time to time in the open market in the form of broker’s transactions. As of December 31, 2025, the trustee held 228,914 shares of Class A Common Stock and 1,215 shares of Class B Common Stock on behalf of the plan.
Details of Republic’s Class A Common Stock purchases during the fourth quarter of 2025 are included in the following table:
Total Number of
Maximum Number
Shares Purchased
of Shares that May
as Part of Publicly
Yet Be Purchased
Average Price
Announced Plans
Under the Plans
Three Months Ended December 31, 2025
Paid Per Share
or Programs
October 1 - October 31
—
433,395
November 1 - November 30
December 1 - December 31
Total
The Company did not repurchase any of its shares during the fourth quarter of 2025. During the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company repurchased 1,015 shares. In addition, in connection with employee stock awards, there were 79,193 shares withheld upon exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted stock awards to satisfy the withholding taxes and, for stock options, the exercise price.
On January 24, 2024, the Board increased the Company’s existing authorization to purchase shares of its Class A Common Stock by 400,000 shares. The repurchase program will remain effective until the total number of shares authorized is repurchased or until Republic’s Board terminates the program. As of December 31, 2025 the Company had 433,395 shares which could be repurchased under its current share repurchase programs.
During 2025, there were 1,821 shares of Class A Common Stock issued upon conversion of shares of Class B Common Stock by stockholders of Republic in accordance with the share-for-share conversion provision option of the Class B Common Stock. The exemption from registration of the newly issued Class A Common Stock relied upon was Section (3)(a)(9) of the Securities Act. There were no equity securities of the registrant sold without registration during the quarter covered by this report.
STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following stock performance graph does not constitute soliciting material and should not be deemed filed or incorporated by reference into any other Company filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except to the extent the Company specifically incorporates the performance graph by reference therein.
The following stock performance graph sets forth the cumulative total shareholder return (assuming reinvestment of dividends) on Republic’s Class A Common Stock as compared to the KBW NASDAQ Bank Index and the S&P 500 Index. The graph covers the period beginning December 31, 2020 and ending December 31, 2025. The calculation of cumulative total return assumes an initial investment of $100 in Republic’s Class A Common Stock, the KBW NASDAQ Bank Index and the S&P 500 Index on December 31, 2020. The stock price performance shown on the graph below is not necessarily indicative of future stock price performance.
December 31,
2020
2021
2022
2023
Republic Class A Common Stock (RBCAA)
100.00
144.53
120.06
167.31
217.96
220.76
S&P 500 Index
128.71
105.40
133.10
166.40
196.16
KBW NASDAQ Bank Index
138.33
108.73
107.76
147.85
196.00
Item 6. [Reserved]
Item 7.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
General Business Overview
As of December 31, 2025, the Company was divided into five reportable segments: (I) Traditional Banking, (II) Warehouse Lending, (III) TRS, (IV) RPS, and (V) RCS. Management considers the first two segments to collectively constitute “Core Bank” or “Core Banking” operations, while the last three segments collectively constitute RPG operations. Prior to the first quarter of 2024, Republic had reported mortgage banking as a separate reportable segment.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of Republic should be read in conjunction with Part II Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
Forward-looking Statements
Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. These statements are often, but not always, identified by words or phrases such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “can,” “conclude,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “foresee,” “goal,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “outlook,” “possible,” “plan,” “predict,” “project,” “potential,” “seek,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “will likely,” “would,” or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts; rather, they are based on current expectations, estimates, and projections about the Company’s industry, management’s beliefs, and certain assumptions made by management—many of which are inherently uncertain and beyond management’s control. For additional information regarding forward-looking statements, see the section titled “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”
Accounting Standards Updates
For disclosure regarding the impact to the Company’s financial statements of ASUs, see the Footnote titled “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” of Part II Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
Critical Accounting Estimates
Republic’s consolidated financial statements and accompanying footnotes have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reported periods.
Management continually evaluates the Company’s accounting policies and estimates that it uses to prepare the consolidated financial statements. In general, management’s estimates and assumptions are based on historical experience, accounting and regulatory guidance, and information obtained from independent third-party professionals. Actual results may differ from those estimates made by management.
Critical accounting policies are those that management believes are the most important to the portrayal of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations and require management to make estimates that are difficult, subjective, and complex. Most accounting policies are not considered by management to be critical accounting policies. Several factors are considered in determining whether or not a policy is critical in the preparation of the financial statements. These factors include, among other things, whether the estimates have a significant impact on the financial statements, the nature of the estimates, the ability to readily validate the estimates with other information including independent third parties or available pricing, sensitivity of the estimates to changes in economic conditions and whether alternative methods of accounting may be utilized under GAAP. Management has discussed each critical accounting policy and the methodology for the identification and determination of critical accounting policies with the Company’s Audit Committee.
Republic believes its critical accounting policies and estimates relate to the ACLL and Provision. Management’s evaluation of the appropriateness of the ACLL is often the most critical accounting estimate for a financial institution, as the ACLL requires significant reliance on the use of estimates and significant judgment as to the reliance on historical loss rates, consideration of quantitative and qualitative economic factors, and the reliance on a reasonable and supportable forecast.
As of December 31, 2025, the Bank maintained an ACLL for expected credit losses inherent in Company’s loan portfolio, which includes overdrawn deposit accounts. Management evaluates the adequacy of the ACLL monthly and presents and discusses the ACLL with the Audit Committee and the Board quarterly.
The Company’s CECL method is a “static-pool” method that analyzes historical closed pools of loans over their expected lives to attain a loss rate, which is then adjusted for current conditions and reasonable, supportable forecasts prior to being applied to the current balance of the analyzed pools. Due to its reasonably strong correlation to the Company's historical net loan losses, the Company has chosen to use the U.S. national unemployment rate as its primary forecasting tool. Additionally, the Company reviews and utilizes CRE and C&I vacancy rates as a secondary forecasting tool. Subsequent to the one-year forecasts, loss rates are assumed to immediately revert back to long-term historical averages. Adjustments to the historical loss rate for current conditions include differences in underwriting standards, portfolio mix or term, delinquency level, as well as for changes in environmental conditions, such as changes in property values or other relevant factors.
The impact of utilizing the CECL approach to calculate the ACLL is significantly influenced by the composition, characteristics, and quality of the Company’s loan portfolio, as well as the prevailing economic conditions and forecasts utilized. Material changes to these and other relevant factors may result in greater volatility to the ACLL, and therefore, greater volatility to the Company’s reported earnings.
See additional detail regarding the Company’s adoption of ASC 326 and the CECL method under the Footnote titled “Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses” of Part II Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
46
Management evaluates the reasonableness of its Core Bank ACLL by evaluating absorption and exhaustion rates that account for CECL life-of-loan considerations. The absorption rate considers a range of total Core Bank net loan losses to the Total Core Bank ACLL using the 2008 to 2013 “Great Recession” timeframe as a baseline. The exhaustion rate considers how many years of total Core Bank gross loan charge-offs the end-of-year Core Bank ACLL could withstand based on a range of average annual net Core Bank loan losses, also using the 2008 to 2013 timeframe as a baseline. The years 2008 to 2013 represent a six-year period during which the U.S. unemployment rate rose above 8% and the Core Bank incurred a historically high period of loan losses relative to an average year of loan losses for the Core Bank. The timeframe of 2008 to 2013 is the most recent period in which the Core Bank incurred notable loan losses, and as such, Management believes is an appropriate baseline starting point in its overall absorption and exhaustion analyses.
Management considered the range of absorption rates and exhaustion rates calculated for the Core Bank as of December 31, 2025 and 2024 to be within acceptable ranges under current economic conditions. Based on management’s evaluation, a Core Bank ACLL of $66 million, or 1.24%, of total Core Bank loans, was an adequate estimate of expected losses within the loan portfolio as of December 31, 2025 and resulted in Core Banking Provision for its loans of a net charge of $6.0 million during 2025.
If the mix and amount of future charge-off percentages differ significantly from those assumptions used by management in making its determination, an adjustment to the Core Bank ACLL and the resulting effect on the income statement could be material.
The RPG ACLL as of December 31, 2025 primarily related to loans originated and held for investment through the RCS segment. RCS generally originates small-dollar, consumer credit products. For its healthcare receivable products, the Bank originates the loans, and in some instances, sells 100% of the balances and in other instances retains 100% of the balances. For its LOC products, the Bank originates these products, sells 90% or 95% of the balances within three business days of loan origination, and retains a 5% or 10% interest. RCS LOC products typically earn a higher yield but also have higher credit risk compared to loans originated through Core Banking operations, with a sizable portion of RCS clients considered subprime or near-prime borrowers.
As of December 31, 2025, the ACLL to total loans estimated for each RCS product ranged from as low as 0.25% for its healthcare-receivables portfolios to as high as 70.63% for its LOC portfolios. A lower reserve percentage was provided for RCS’s healthcare receivables as of December 31, 2025, as such receivables have recourse back to the Company’s third-party service providers.
Management only evaluates the ACLL on its active RCS products that have incurred meaningful losses since their inception, which are its LOC products. Due to the general short-term nature of these products, management utilized the current year net charge-offs for 2024 and 2025, along with the end-of-the-year ACLL to calculate each years’ absorption rate and exhaustion rate. The absorption and exhaustion rates were both considered to be within acceptable ranges as of December 31, 2025 and 2024. Based on management’s calculation, an ACLL of $19 million, or 17.15%, of total RCS loans was an adequate estimate of expected losses within the RCS portfolio as of December 31, 2025.
RPG’s TRS segment offered its RA credit product during the first two months of 2025, 2024 and 2023, and its ERA credit product during the month of December in 2025, 2024 and 2023 related to the subsequent first quarter tax filing seasons. An ACLL for losses on ERAs /RAs is estimated during the limited, short-term period the product is offered. RAs originated during the first two months of 2025, were repaid, on average, within 32 days of origination. Provisions for ERAs/RAs losses are estimated when advances are made and adjusted to actual net charge-offs as of June 30th of each year. The ACLL for ERAs as of December 31, 2025 was $296,000 for $13 million of ERAs originated during the month of December 2025.
Related to the overall credit losses on ERAs/RAs, the Bank’s ability to control losses is highly dependent upon its ability to predict the taxpayer’s likelihood to receive the tax refund as claimed on the taxpayer’s tax return. Each year, the Bank’s ERA/RA approval model is based primarily on the prior-year’s tax refund funding patterns. Because much of the loan volume occurs each year before that year’s tax refund funding patterns can be analyzed and subsequent underwriting changes made, credit losses during a current year could be higher than management’s predictions if tax refund funding patterns change materially between years.
See additional discussion regarding ERAs/RAs under the sections titled:
47
RPG recorded a net charge of $25.6 million, $50.6 million, and $39.1 million to the Provision during 2025, 2024, and 2023, with the Provision for each year primarily due to net losses on RAs and growth in short-term, consumer loans originated through the RCS segment. If the number of future charge-offs on RAs and RCS loans differ significantly from assumptions used by management in making its determination, an adjustment to the RPG ACLL and the resulting effect on the income statement could be material.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
Republic Bank Finance Division Divestiture
On December 22, 2025, the Bank entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement with CAN Capital Merchant Services, Inc. (“CAN”) pursuant to which CAN is expected to purchase substantially all of the assets of RBF, a division of the Bank, consisting of approximately $82 million of loans and leases, and to assume approximately $3 million of related liabilities. CAN will also assume all on-going operations of RBF upon the closing of the transaction. Located in Marietta, Georgia, CAN is engaged in the business of alternative small business finance. Republic acquired RBF as part of its March 2023 acquisition of CBank
Per the Asset Purchase Agreement the aggregate purchase price is equal to the net book value of RBF’s assets and liabilities at Closing, plus a fixed premium. In connection with the transaction the Bank recorded a gain, net of broker commissions, of approximately $6 million during the first quarter of 2026.
48
Total Company net income was $131.3 million and Diluted EPS was $6.72 for 2025, compared to net income of $101.4 million and Diluted EPS of $5.21 for 2024. The following table presents Republic’s financial performance for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023:
Table 1 — Summary
Percent Increase/(Decrease)
Years Ended December 31, (dollars in thousands, except per share data)
2025/2024
2024/2023
Income before income tax expense
165,709
127,703
113,213
Net income
131,317
101,371
90,374
Diluted EPS of Class A Common Stock
6.72
5.21
4.62
1.84
1.47
1.44
12.31
10.50
10.10
General highlights by reportable segment for the year ended December 31, 2025 compared to the year ended December 31, 2024 consisted of the following:
(I) Traditional Banking segment
(II) Warehouse Lending segment
49
(III)Tax Refund Solutions segment
(IV)Republic Payment Solutions segment
50
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
This section of this Form 10-K generally discusses 2025 and 2024 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2025 and 2024. Discussions of 2023 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2024 and 2023 that are not included in this Form 10-K can be found in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Part II, Item 7 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, filed with the SEC on March 6, 2025.
Net Interest Income
See the section titled “Asset/Liability Management and Market Risk” in this section of the report regarding the Bank’s interest rate sensitivity.
Traditional Banking results of operations are primarily dependent upon net interest income, which represents the difference between the interest income and fees on interest-earning assets and the interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities used to fund those assets. Principal interest-earning Traditional Banking assets represent investment securities and commercial and consumer loans primarily secured by real estate and/or personal property. Interest-bearing liabilities primarily consist of interest-bearing deposit accounts, SSUAR, as well as short-term and long-term borrowing sources. FHLB advances have traditionally served as a significant borrowing and liquidity source for the Bank. Net interest income is impacted by both changes in the amount and composition of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, as well as market interest rates.
Over the past 15 months, the FRB has reduced the FFTR by 175 bps. The most recent cut occurred on December 10, 2025, when the FRB lowered the FFTR by 25 bps to 3.75%, marking the third consecutive monthly reduction. Earlier adjustments included a 50-bp cut in September 2024 and two 25-bp cuts in November and December 2024. The FOMC has indicated the potential for further rate reductions in 2026.
Total Company net interest income was $334.7 million during 2025 and represented a $22.5 million, or 7%, increase over 2024. Total Company NIM increased to 5.05% during 2025 compared to 4.85% for 2024. In general, notably lower interest-bearing deposit costs combined with a modest decline in interest-earning assets yields during 2025 led to NIM expansion and strong net interest income for the year.
The following were the most significant components comprising the total Company’s net interest income and NIM fluctuations by reportable segment:
Traditional Banking net interest income increased $23.5 million, or 12%, for 2025 compared to 2024. The increase in net interest income was primarily driven by year-over-year growth in average interest-earning assets and NIM expansion. Overall, the Traditional Bank’s NIM increased from 3.55% for 2024 to 3.88% for 2025, driven by primarily by lower interest-bearing deposit costs as well as improved loan and investment yields.
Items of note impacting the Traditional Bank’s change in net interest income and NIM between 2024 and 2025 follows:
Traditional Bank average loans decreased $18 million, from $4.60 billion in 2024 to $4.58 billion in 2025, while the weighted-average yield increased from 5.56% to 5.68%, resulting in a $4.8 million year-over-year increase in interest income. The higher yield was driven primarily by the runoff of lower-yielding loans through amortization and payoffs combined with the origination of new loans at higher rates.
The modest decline in average loan balances reflected the second-quarter 2024 sale of $67 million in RRE loans previously held for investment. In addition, on December 19, 2025, management agreed to sell $82 million of lease financing receivables, which were reclassified from held for investment to HFS as of December 31, 2025. While this reclassification did not materially impact 2025 average balances, it will affect period-to-period comparability going forward.
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From 2024 through the first nine months of 2025, management maintained a more conservative pricing strategy across its lending function. As expected, this approach resulted in slower origination volume across most product categories during that timeframe. Management shifted this strategy in the fourth quarter of 2025, contributing to a $32 million increase in average Traditional Bank loans when comparing the fourth quarter of 2025 to the fourth quarter of 2024. Given the current positively sloped shape of the yield curve, management expects to continue this pricing approach into 2026, provided market conditions remain favorable and funding costs remain stable.
Average interest-earning cash—managed as a separate but complementary component of the Company’s investment portfolio—rose $33 million, or 7%, to $505 million in 2025, compared to $473 million in 2024. This increase was driven primarily by excess liquidity generated from growth in average interest-bearing deposits. The weighted-average yield on interest-earning cash declined from 5.26% in 2024 to 4.32% in 2025, reflecting the 175-basis-point decrease in the FFTR over the past 15 months.
Beginning in 2020, the Company pursued an investment strategy focused on shorter-term securities while maintaining a significant level of excess cash at the FRB. As market conditions improved, the Company shifted its strategy in the fourth quarter of 2024 and throughout 2025, purchasing longer-duration investment securities, primarily MBSs, to take advantage of higher yields relative to overnight cash. The yield curve, which began to steepen in the fourth quarter of 2024, became positively sloped in late March 2025 and generally remained so through year-end 2025.
Average investments increased $107 million, or 16%, to $754 million in 2025 from $647 million in 2024, while the weighted-average yield rose from 3.10% to 3.88%, driving a $6.1 million, or 14%, increase in interest income. The higher year-over-year yield was driven primarily by a more favorable yield curve and the strategic redeployment of cash from maturing investments into longer-term securities that offered yields superior to overnight interest-earning cash alternatives.
The Traditional Bank’s average cost of interest-bearing liabilities decreased from 2.45% during 2024 to 2.03% for 2025 driven primarily by the following:
Average noninterest-bearing deposits declined $48 million, or 4%, in 2025 compared to 2024. This decline reflects an industry-wide trend that began in late 2022, as the interest rate environment—particularly during periods of an inverted yield curve—combined with heightened deposit competition, has continued to make premium-rate interest-bearing checking and savings products more attractive to both consumer and business clients.
Management believes that further reductions to the FFTR are unlikely to benefit the Traditional Bank’s net interest income or NIM in 2026. The extent of any impact from the most recent or future FFTR decreases will depend on several factors, including the ongoing shift from noninterest-bearing to interest-bearing deposits, the steepness and shape of the yield curve, demand for the Company’s lending and deposit products, the Company’s ability to reduce deposit costs in line with rate cuts, and overall liquidity needs.
52
Warehouse Lending net interest income increased $2.2 million, or 17%, from 2024 to 2025, driven by a $1.9 million, or 5%, increase in total interest income and a $287,000 reduction in interest expense. Although Warehouse NIM and loan yields declined by 2 bps and 91 bps, respectively, the segment benefited from higher average outstanding balances, which grew $87 million, or 18%, year-over-year.
Average committed Warehouse lines of credit increased from $938 million in 2024 to $1.05 billion in 2025, and average LOC usage rose from 50% to 53% over the same periods.
Because consumer mortgage activity drives utilization of Warehouse LOCs, overall usage has historically been sensitive to movements in long-term interest rates. A meaningful decline in long-end rates could increase Warehouse demand by stimulating mortgage origination volume. Conversely, declines limited to the short-end of the yield curve would not be expected to materially affect Warehouse demand.
TRS’s net interest income decreased $3.9 million, or 11%, from 2024 to 2025. Loan-related interest and fees decreased $5.3 million, or 13%, during 2025, consistent with the $72 million, or 8% decline in total ERA/RA volume for the 2025 Tax Season. In addition, TRS received a $560,000 payment during the 2024 representing a Tax Provider yield enhancement for the RA program to offset the Company’s higher funding costs. This yield enhancement was new for the 2024 Tax Season and was eliminated for the 2025 Tax Season.
ERAs/RAs originated through this Tax Provider represented approximately 67% of total ERA/RA dollars originated through TRS from December 2024 through February 2025. As a result, ERA/RA fee income attributable to this Tax Provider accounted for 61% of TRS’s total ERA/RA fee income for the 2025 calendar year, 88% for the fourth quarter of 2024 and 0% during the fourth quarter of 2025.
See additional detail regarding the ERA/RA product under the Footnote titled “Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses” of Part II Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplemental Data.”
Net interest income from the Company’s prepaid card division increased $2.0 million, or 17%, in 2025 compared to 2024. This increase was driven primarily by a reduction in the segment’s revenue share component, as its largest marketer-servicer did not meet the minimum contractual deposit balance thresholds required to earn revenue share for 2025. By comparison, revenue share payments totaled $4.8 million in 2024 and were recorded as interest expense. Management is currently unable to predict the level of future revenue share expense as future revenue-share payments are possible but not certain.
Partially offsetting the benefit of the reduced revenue share, RPS earned a lower yield on an average balance of $340 million in prepaid program deposits during 2025, driven primarily by the 175 bp decrease in the FFTR over the past 15 months.
Historically, customer demand for prepaid card products has not been sensitive to interest rate movements, and management therefore does not expect changes in the rate environment to materially affect origination volumes. However, a declining interest rate environment would likely reduce the internal FTP credit allocated to this segment more than it would reduce any revenue-share expense, resulting in lower NIM for the segment. The magnitude of this impact will depend on the final FTP rate applied as well as the overall volume of balances generated.
53
(V)Republic Credit Solutions segment
RCS’s net interest income decreased $1.2 million, or 2%, from 2024 to 2025, driven primarily by a decrease in fee income from RCS’s LOC II product. RCS’s LOC II loan fees, which are recorded as interest income on loans, decreased $1.5 million during 2025 to $27.9 million, a 5% decrease compared to the $29.4 million recorded during 2024. The decrease in fee income for the LOC II product was generally driven by a decline in new loan origination volume.
Historically, customer demand for RCS consumer loan products has not been sensitive to changes in interest rates, and management therefore does not expect rate movements to materially affect origination volumes. However, a declining interest rate environment would likely reduce the internal FTP cost allocated to this segment, which in turn would be favorable to the segment’s NIM. The magnitude of this benefit would depend on the final FTP rate applied, as well as the overall volume and mix of loans the segment originates.
54
The following table presents average balances, along with the related calculations of tax-equivalent net interest income, NIM and net interest spread for the related periods.
Table 2 — Total Company Average Balance Sheets and Interest Rates
Years Ended December 31,
Average
(in thousands)
Balance
Interest
Rate
ASSETS
Interest-earning assets:
Federal funds sold and other interest-earning deposits
505,468
21,844
4.32
472,512
24,846
5.26
183,647
9,418
5.13
Investment securities, including FHLB stock (a)
754,181
29,225
3.88
647,409
20,076
3.10
772,104
21,497
2.78
TRS Refund Advances (b)
75,431
33,620
44.57
86,496
38,040
43.98
73,255
32,572
44.46
RCS LOC products (b)
45,299
48,205
106.42
44,164
48,148
109.02
35,486
36,655
103.29
Other RPG loans (c)
104,177
6,536
6.27
120,584
9,351
7.75
115,691
8,736
7.55
Outstanding Warehouse lines of credit
556,830
38,560
6.92
470,028
36,822
7.83
396,629
29,695
7.49
Traditional Bank loans (c)
4,583,603
260,523
5.68
4,601,400
255,703
5.56
4,302,154
217,490
5.06
Total loans (d)
5,365,340
387,444
7.22
5,322,672
388,064
7.29
4,923,215
325,148
6.60
Total interest-earning assets
6,624,989
438,513
6.62
6,442,593
432,986
5,878,966
356,063
6.06
Allowance for credit losses
(92,164)
(92,071)
(82,230)
Noninterest-earning assets:
Noninterest-earning cash and cash equivalents
165,892
139,775
150,785
Premises and equipment, net
35,570
33,397
33,544
Bank owned life insurance
108,954
105,560
102,750
Other assets (a)
275,181
255,041
212,228
Total assets
7,118,422
6,884,295
6,296,043
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Transaction accounts
1,686,558
10,053
0.60
1,783,723
22,293
1.25
1,500,975
11,602
0.77
Money market accounts
1,446,921
40,654
2.81
1,181,060
39,514
3.35
874,332
21,150
2.42
Time deposits
450,646
16,986
3.77
387,156
15,380
3.97
298,313
8,681
2.91
Reciprocal money market and time deposits
317,523
10,210
3.22
338,644
13,886
4.10
203,993
7,532
3.69
Brokered deposits
170,102
7,681
4.52
207,877
11,023
5.30
47,078
2,516
5.34
Total interest-bearing deposits
4,071,750
85,584
2.10
3,898,460
102,096
2.62
2,924,691
51,481
1.76
SSUARs and other short-term borrowings
100,869
504
0.50
101,680
546
0.54
134,632
574
0.43
Federal Home Loan Bank advances
409,718
17,755
4.33
400,032
18,190
4.55
325,678
15,230
4.68
Total interest-bearing liabilities
4,582,337
103,843
2.27
4,400,172
120,832
2.75
3,385,001
67,285
1.99
Noninterest-bearing liabilities and Stockholders’ equity:
Noninterest-bearing deposits
1,331,886
1,374,457
1,880,471
Other liabilities
137,670
144,461
135,882
Stockholders’ equity
1,066,529
965,205
894,689
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
Net interest income
334,670
312,154
288,778
Net interest spread
4.35
4.07
Net interest margin
5.05
4.85
4.91
55
Table 3 — Loan Fee Income
The amount of loan fee income can meaningfully impact total interest income, loan yields, NIM, and net interest spread. The following table illustrates loan fees recorded as interest income on loans by segment:
Traditional Banking
6,054
5,326
5,357
Warehouse Lending
1,405
1,285
1,031
Total Core Bank loan fees
7,459
6,611
6,388
34,005
39,274
33,529
Total RPG loan fees
82,210
87,422
70,184
Total Company loan fees
89,669
94,033
76,572
The following table illustrates the extent to which changes in interest rates and changes in the volume of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities impacted Republic’s interest income and interest expense during the periods indicated. Information is provided in each category with respect to (i) changes attributable to changes in volume (changes in volume multiplied by prior rate), (ii) changes attributable to changes in rate (changes in rate multiplied by prior volume), and (iii) net change. The changes attributable to the combined impact of volume and rate have been allocated proportionately to the changes due to volume and the changes due to rate.
Table 4 — Total Company Volume/Rate Variance Analysis
Year Ended December 31, 2025
Year Ended December 31, 2024
Compared to
Year Ended December 31, 2023
Total Net
Increase / (Decrease) Due to
Change
Volume
Interest income:
(3,002)
1,646
(4,648)
15,428
15,183
245
Investment securities, including FHLB stock
9,149
3,640
5,509
(1,421)
(3,704)
2,283
TRS Refund Advance loans*
(4,420)
(4,925)
505
5,468
5,827
(359)
RCS LOC products
57
1,221
(1,164)
11,493
9,369
2,124
Other RPG loans
(2,815)
(1,171)
(1,644)
615
375
240
1,738
6,315
(4,577)
7,127
5,699
1,428
Traditional Bank loans
4,820
(992)
5,812
38,213
15,747
22,466
Net change in interest income
5,527
5,734
(207)
76,923
48,496
28,427
Interest expense:
(12,240)
(1,154)
(11,086)
10,691
2,501
8,190
1,140
8,062
(6,922)
18,364
8,779
9,585
1,606
2,424
(818)
6,699
3,009
3,690
(3,676)
(824)
(2,852)
6,354
5,443
911
(3,342)
(1,840)
(1,502)
8,507
8,527
(20)
(42)
(4)
(38)
(28)
(157)
129
(435)
433
(868)
2,960
3,391
(431)
Net change in interest expense
(16,989)
7,097
(24,086)
53,547
31,493
22,054
Net change in net interest income
22,516
(1,363)
23,879
23,376
17,003
6,373
56
Total Company Provision was a net charge of $31.6 million for 2025 compared to a net charge of $54.4 million for 2024.
The following were the most significant components comprising the total Company’s Provision by reportable segment:
The Traditional Banking Provision during 2025 was a net charge of $5.5 million compared to a net charge of $3.2 million for 2024.
The net charge for 2025 was primarily driven by the following:
The net charge for 2024 was primarily driven by the following:
As a percentage of total Traditional Bank loans, the Traditional Banking ACLL was 1.40% as of December 31, 2025, compared to 1.31% as of December 31, 2024.
The Company believes, based on information presently available, that it has adequately provided for Traditional Banking loan losses as of December 31, 2025.
Warehouse recorded a net charge to the Provision of $508,000 during 2025 compared to a net charge of $527,000 for 2024. Provision for both periods reflected changes in general reserves consistent with changes in outstanding period-end balances. Outstanding Warehouse period-end balances increased $203 million, or 37%, during 2025 compared to an increase of $211 million, or 62%, during 2024.
As a percentage of total Warehouse outstanding balances, the Warehouse ACLL was 0.25% as of both December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024.
The Company believes, based on information presently available, that it has adequately provided for Warehouse loan losses as of December 31, 2025.
TRS recorded a net charge to the Provision of $9.5 million during 2025 compared to a net charge of $30.0 million during 2024. Substantially all TRS Provision in both periods was related to its ERA/RA products.
The Bank’s ability to control ERA/RA losses is highly dependent upon its ability to predict the taxpayer’s likelihood to receive the tax refund as claimed on the taxpayer’s tax return. In addition, the Bank’s ability to control losses for the ERA product is highly dependent upon the taxpayer returning to a Tax Provider for the filing of their final tax return. Each year, the Bank’s ERA/RA approval model is based primarily on the prior-year’s tax refund payment patterns. Because the substantial majority of the ERA/RA volume occurs each year before that year’s tax refund payment patterns can be analyzed and subsequent underwriting changes implemented, credit losses during a given year could be higher than management’s predictions if tax refund payment patterns change materially between years.
2025 Tax Season Fee Structure Changes and Corresponding Shift and Decline in Total Origination Volume:
During the fourth quarter of 2024, the Company revised its agreement with its largest Tax Provider based on product volume for the 2025 Tax Season. Under the revised structure, the ERA fee was increased and a new ERA-specific loss-cap guarantee was added, while the fee applicable to RAs was reduced. Consistent with these changes, TRS experienced a shift in product mix and an overall decline in total ERA/RA volume for the 2025 Tax Season compared to the 2024 Tax Season.
Total ERA/RA volume for the 2025 Tax Season declined $72 million, or 9%, from $874 million originated for the 2024 Tax Season to $802 million for the 2025 Tax Season. Total RA origination volume was $663 million during 2025 compared to $771 million during 2024, with originations for both periods occurring during the first quarter. Total ERA origination volume was $139 million during the 2025 Tax Season compared to $103 million during the 2024 Tax Season, with originations occurring in December 2024 and December 2023, respectively.
2026 Tax Season Contract Expiration:
As previously disclosed, the Company’s largest Tax Provider contract within TRS based on product volume, expired in October 2025, and the Company did not enter into a new contract with this Tax Provider for the 2026 Tax Season (which began in December 2025). Provision for ERAs/RAs originated through this Tax Provider represented 58% of TRS’s total ERA/RA Provision for the 2025 calendar year, 96% for the fourth quarter of 2024 and 0% for the fourth quarter of 2025. Management does not believe that the net revenue from this Tax Provider will be replaced during the 2026 calendar year.
The lower Provision during 2025 compared to 2024 related to the following factors:
58
The Company believes, based on information presently available, that it has adequately provided for TRS loan losses as of December 31, 2025.
See additional detail regarding the ERA/RA products under the Footnote titled “Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses” of Part II Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplemental Data.”
There is no ACLL or Provision for RPS, as the segment offers prepaid and debit solutions to consumers.
As illustrated in the following table, RCS recorded a net charge to the Provision of $16.1 million during 2025 compared to a net charge of $20.6 million for 2024. RCS recorded net charge-offs of $17.7 million during 2025 compared to $17.9 million during 2024. In addition, the RCS Provision fluctuation from 2024 to 2025 was meaningfully impacted by calculated reserve requirements tied to period-to-period balance fluctuations in the higher risk LOC II product, whose period-end balances grew nearly $4.6 million during 2024 and declined $1.6 million during 2025.
RCS recorded a net charge to the Provision of $20.6 million during 2024 compared to a net charge to the Provision of $16.5 million for 2023. The increase in the Provision during 2024 was substantially within the LOC II product and was generally in-line with its calculated required requirements tied to the increase in its period-end loan balances from 2023 to 2024.
While RCS loans generally return higher yields, they also present a greater credit risk than Traditional Banking loan products. As a percentage of total RCS loans, the RCS ACLL was 17.30% as of December 31, 2025 compared to 16.30% as of December 31, 2024.
The Company believes, based on information presently available, that it has adequately provided for RCS loan losses as of December 31, 2025.
Table 5 — Republic Credit Solutions Provision by Product Type
Product:
Lines of credit
16,171
20,644
16,486
Healthcare receivables
(33)
(19)
Total RCS provision
16,138
20,625
16,529
59
Noninterest Income
Table 6 — Analysis of Noninterest Income
Years Ended December 31, (dollars in thousands)
Service charges on deposit accounts
14,436
14,186
13,855
Net refund transfer fees
17,685
15,356
15,748
(2)
Mortgage banking income
7,401
5,438
3,542
Interchange fee income
12,191
12,967
13,057
(6)
(1)
Program fees
17,605
17,818
15,582
Increase in cash surrender value of bank owned life insurance
3,596
3,208
2,719
Death benefits in excess of cash surrender value of life insurance
1,728
(100)
Net losses on other real estate owned
(211)
(206)
Gain on sale of Visa Class B-1 shares
4,090
100
Other
6,032
3,883
5,437
(29)
Total noninterest income
82,825
72,650
71,457
Total Company noninterest income increased $10.2 million, or 14%, from 2024 to 2025.
The following were the most significant components comprising the total Company’s noninterest income fluctuation by reportable segment:
Noninterest income increased $8.0 million, or 20%, from 2024 to 2025, primarily driven by the following:
Warehouse noninterest income, which consists entirely of service charges on deposit accounts, increased $21,000 from $62,000 in 2024 to $83,000 in 2025.
60
TRS’s noninterest income increased $2.4 million, or 16%, during 2025 compared to 2024, with RT fees representing the majority of noninterest income for each period. Despite a 5.6% decrease in overall volume, RT income expanded $2.3 million, or 15%, in 2025 attributable to a 22.8% increase in the per-unit net fee earned. The better per-unit profitability was led by select product price increases combined with a minimal change in revenue share.
Net RT revenue generated from this Tax Provider accounted for approximately 20% of TRS’s total net RT revenue for the 2025 calendar year. The RT product is primarily earned and recognized during the first half of the year. Management does not believe that the net revenue from this Tax Provider will be replaced during the 2026 calendar year.
RPS’s noninterest income decreased $172,000, or 5%, for 2025 compared to 2024. RPS program fees, which are volume based and represent a portion of the net interchange revenue earned for cardholder activity, drove the noninterest income decline.
RCS’s noninterest income decreased $41,000, during 2025 compared to 2024, with program fees representing the substantial majority of RCS’s noninterest income. As noted in the following table, lower sales volume from RCS’s LOC products from 2024 to 2025 was offset by expansion within the installment products.
The following table presents program fees by RPG Segment:
Table 7 — Program Fees by Republic Processing Group Segment
Segment:
2,948
3,121
2,827
14,657
14,697
12,755
Total RPG program fees
The following table presents RCS program fees by product type:
Table 8 — Program Fees by Republic Credit Solutions Product
9,131
10,307
8,762
203
189
196
Installment loans*
5,323
4,201
3,797
Total RCS program fees
*The Company has elected the fair value option for this product, with mark-to-market adjustments recorded as a component of Program Fees.
61
Noninterest Expense
Table 9 — Analysis of Noninterest Expense
Salaries and employee benefits
127,060
118,650
115,869
Technology, equipment, and communication
34,618
30,690
29,107
Occupancy
14,175
13,856
13,967
Marketing and development
7,720
9,439
8,446
(18)
FDIC insurance expense
3,064
3,012
2,728
Interchange related expense
5,845
5,965
Legal and professional fees
3,709
3,489
3,204
Merger expense
2,160
(98)
Core conversion and related contract consulting fees
6,213
17,257
17,703
17,952
(3)
Total noninterest expense
220,189
202,725
199,398
Total Company noninterest expense increased $17.5 million, or 9%, during 2025 compared to 2024.
The following were the most significant components comprising the total Company’s noninterest expense fluctuation by reportable segment:
Traditional Bank noninterest expense increased $19.8 million, or 12%, for 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, driven primarily by the following:
62
Noninterest expense at the Warehouse Lending segment increased $157,000, or 4%, during 2024 to 2025.
Noninterest expense at the TRS segment decreased $740,000, or 6%, during 2025 compared to 2024, as various underwriting and administrative related expenses declined consistent with ERA/RA volume.
Noninterest expense at the RPS segment increased $536,000, or 13%, during 2025 compared to 2024, primarily due to a $657,000 increase in salary and employee benefits resulting from an increase in allocated staff.
Noninterest expense at the RCS segment decreased $2.3 million, or 16%, during 2025 compared 2024, driven primarily by a $2.5 million, or 47%, reduction in marketing and development expenses, which generally fluctuate in-line with overall origination volume. Under the terms of the Company’s contract with its LOC II marketer-servicer, RCS reimburses the marketer-servicer a certain dollar amount for marketing costs based on each new product originated during the period.
63
FINANCIAL CONDITION
Overview
Total assets increased $195 million, or 3%, to $7.04 billion at December 31, 2025 from $6.85 billion at December 31, 2024, driven primarily by expansion within the investment portfolio.
Total liabilities increased $85 million, or 1%, to $5.94 billion at December 31, 2025 from $5.85 billion at December 31, 2024, due mainly to a $111 million, or 28%, increase in total FHLB advances outstanding.
Stockholders’ equity increased $110 million, or 11%, to $1.10 billion at December 31, 2025, compared to $992 million at December 31, 2024. This increase reflected net income of $131.3 million and an improvement in AOCI, partially offset by $35 million of cash dividends declared during 2025. The improvement in AOCI was attributable to changes in the interest-rate environment and the corresponding impact on the valuation of the AFS debt-securities portfolio and cash-flow-hedging derivatives.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash, deposits with other financial institutions with original maturities of less than 90 days, and federal funds sold. The Company had $220 million in cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2025, compared to $432 million as of December 31, 2024. Average interest-earning cash and cash equivalents totaled $671 million for 2025, compared to $612 million for 2024. For cash held at the FRB, the Bank earns a yield on balances in excess of required reserves, with these funds earning a weighted-average yield of 4.33% during 2025 compared to 5.26% during 2024. Cash held within the Bank’s banking centers and ATM/ITM networks does not earn interest. Despite the year-over-year increase in average interest-earning cash balances, the Company has, over the past several months, deployed a higher percentage of its excess cash into investment securities resulting in a decrease in period-end cash balances.
In prior years, the Company maintained elevated cash balances during the fourth quarter due to near-term funding requirements for ERAs/RAs related to the upcoming Tax Season. As previously disclosed, the Company’s largest Tax Provider contract within TRS, based on product volume, expired in October 2025, and the Company did not enter into a replacement agreement. Consistent with the non-renewal of this contract, the Company did not acquire any short-term brokered deposits at year-end 2025, compared to $200 million acquired at year-end 2024.
Beginning in 2020, the Company employed an investment strategy focused on purchasing securities with shorter-term durations while maintaining significant excess cash at the FRB. Beginning in the fourth quarter of 2024 and continuing throughout 2025, the Company shifted to purchasing longer-duration investment securities in response to a more favorable yield curve and the relatively higher yields available compared to overnight cash. The yield curve, which began to steepen during the fourth quarter of 2024, became positively sloped in late March 2025 and remained so through year-end 2025.
64
Investment Securities
Table 10 — Investment Securities Portfolio
December 31, (in thousands)
Available-for-sale debt securities (fair value):
U.S. Treasury securities and U.S. Government agencies
293,375
389,086
Private label mortgage-backed security
1,439
1,550
Mortgage-backed securities - residential
567,909
168,233
Collateralized mortgage obligations
16,907
19,243
Corporate bonds
1,001
2,009
Trust preferred security
4,062
4,034
Total available-for-sale debt securities
884,693
584,155
Held-to-maturity debt securities (amortized cost):
Mortgage backed securities - residential
4,931
5,756
4,999
Total held-to-maturity debt securities
4,944
10,778
Equity securities with a readily determinable fair value (fair value):
Freddie Mac preferred stock
945
693
Total equity securities with a readily determinable fair value
Total investment securities
890,582
595,626
The primary purpose of the Company’s investment securities portfolio is to provide a stable source of interest income and serve as an important liquidity management tool. In managing overall balance-sheet composition, the Company seeks to balance earnings generation with credit quality and liquidity considerations.
At December 31, 2025, the Company’s AFS debt securities primarily consisted of U.S. Treasury securities and U.S. Government agency obligations, including agency MBSs and agency CMOs. The agency MBSs consist mainly of hybrid mortgage securities and other ARM-based securities underwritten and guaranteed by GNMA, FHLMC, or FNMA. The agency CMOs held in the portfolio are predominantly floating-rate securities that reset monthly. A portion of the investment portfolio is pledged to support client SSUAR balances, while remaining eligible securities not pledged for SSUARs may be pledged to the FHLB as collateral for the Bank’s borrowing capacity.
Beginning in 2020, the Company employed an investment strategy focused on purchasing securities with shorter-term durations while maintaining significant excess cash at the FRB. Beginning in the fourth quarter of 2024 and continuing throughout 2025, the Company shifted to purchasing longer-duration investment securities in response to a more favorable yield curve and the relatively higher yields available compared to overnight cash. The yield curve, which began to steepen during the fourth quarter of 2024, became positively sloped in late March 2025 and remained so through year-end 2025. As a result of this strategy, Republic’s investment portfolio increased $295 million, or 50%, from December 31, 2024, to December 31, 2025. This growth was driven by $771 million of securities purchases, partially offset by $492 million in calls and maturities of debt securities and paydowns on MBS’s.
Strategies for the investment securities portfolio are influenced by economic and market conditions, loan demand, deposit mix, and liquidity needs. The Company’s investment management strategy for 2026 and beyond will depend on a variety of factors, including the Company’s current and projected liquidity position, customer demand for loan and deposit products, the Company’s overall interest-rate-risk profile, the shape of the yield curve and prevailing interest-rate environment, as well as expectations for short-term and long-term interest-rate trends.
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Table 11 — Available-for-Sale Debt Securities
Weighted
Amortized
Fair
Maturity in
December 31, 2025 (dollars in thousands)
Cost
Value
Yield
Years
U.S. Treasury securities and U.S. Government agencies:
Due in one year or less
84,959
83,944
2.00
0.71
Due from one year to five years
209,981
209,431
3.18
Total U.S. Treasury securities and U.S. Government agencies
294,940
3.26
2.47
Corporate bonds, due in one year or less
6.39
0.42
Trust preferred security, due beyond ten years
3,924
9.17
11.39
Private label mortgage backed security
7.61
8.63
Total mortgage backed securities - residential
570,491
4.41
19.56
Total collateralized mortgage obligations
17,528
4.12
16.90
887,884
4.05
13.77
Table 12 — Held-to-Maturity Debt Securities
8.83
4,916
14.26
4,929
14.24
Actual maturities for MBS may differ from contractual maturities due to prepayments on underlying collateral.
See the Footnote titled “Investment Securities” of Part II Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for further information regarding the Bank’s investment securities.
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Loan Portfolio
Table 13 — Loan Portfolio Composition
Traditional Banking:
Residential real estate:
Owner-occupied
1,040,080
1,032,459
Nonowner-occupied
283,246
318,096
Commercial real estate:
666,948
659,216
799,420
840,517
Multi-family
331,370
313,444
Construction & land development
238,455
244,121
Commercial & industrial
528,873
460,245
Lease financing receivables
20,523
93,304
Aircraft*
203,120
226,179
Home equity
413,638
353,441
Consumer:
Credit cards
10,711
16,464
Overdrafts
971
982
Automobile loans
738
1,156
Other consumer
8,204
9,555
Total Traditional Banking
4,546,297
4,569,179
Warehouse lines of credit*
754,090
550,760
Total Core Banking
5,300,387
5,119,939
Republic Processing Group*:
Tax Refund Solutions:
Refund Advances
12,924
138,614
Other TRS commercial & industrial loans
19,473
52,180
Republic Credit Solutions
113,545
128,733
Total Republic Processing Group
145,942
319,527
Total loans**
5,446,329
5,439,466
(85,352)
(91,978)
Total loans, net
5,360,977
5,347,488
Note: Loan segments as of December 31, 2024 changed from those defined in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, as the CRE loan pool was further segmented into Owner-occupied CRE, Nonowner-occupied CRE, and Multi-family beginning in 2025.
*Identifies loans to borrowers located primarily outside of the Bank’s market footprint.
**Total loans are presented inclusive of premiums, discounts and net loan origination fees and costs.
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The Company’s credit exposure is diversified across both commercial and consumer borrowers, with no single industry representing more than 10% of total loans outstanding. Although the loan portfolio is broadly diversified, a borrower’s ability to meet contractual obligations remains influenced by the economic conditions and industry dynamics affecting that borrower. Loans outstanding and related unfunded commitments are primarily concentrated within the Company’s core market footprint, which includes Kentucky, Indiana, Florida, Ohio, and Tennessee.
Total Company gross loans increased $7 million during 2025, reaching $5.45 billion outstanding as of December 31, 2025. The most significant components comprising the change in loans by reportable segment follow:
Traditional Banking period-end loan balances decreased $23 million, or 1%, from December 31, 2024 to December 31, 2025. Excluding the $82 million of RBF lease-financing receivables that were reclassified from held for investment to HFS, the Traditional Bank would have generated $59 million of year-over-year loan growth. The primary drivers of the decline in Traditional Banking loan balances are as follows:
Outstanding Warehouse period-end balances increased $203 million, or 37%, from December 31, 2024, to December, 2025. Average committed Warehouse lines of credit increased from $938 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, to $1.05 billion during 2025, with higher demand driving average usage rates for Warehouse lines of credit from 50% to 53% for the same periods.
Due to mortgage-market volatility and seasonality, projecting future outstanding balances for Warehouse lines of credit remains challenging; however, portfolio expansion has historically aligned with broader industry trends. Since entering the business in 2011, the Bank has experienced fluctuations in Warehouse balances consistent with overall mortgage-origination activity. Weighted-average quarterly usage rates have ranged from a low of 31% during the first quarter of 2023 to a high of 71% during the fourth quarter of 2019. On an annual basis, weighted-average usage rates have ranged from a low of 39% during 2022 to a high of 66% during 2020.
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During December 2024, $139 million of ERAs were originated and outstanding at period end related to tax returns that were anticipated to be filed during the first quarter 2025 Tax Season. ERA originations related to the largest Tax Provider contract totaled $123 million, during 2025. During December 2025, $13 million of ERAs were originated and outstanding at period end related to tax returns that anticipated to be filed during the first quarter 2026 Tax Season.
Outstanding period-end RCS balances decreased $15 million, or 12%, to $114 million as of December 31, 2025, consistent with pay off activity and decreased origination volume primarily associated with the healthcare receivable and LOC products.
There are no outstanding loans at RPS, as the segment offers prepaid and debit solutions to consumers.
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The following table presents the maturity distribution and rate sensitivity of the loan portfolio:
Table 14 — Selected Loan Distribution
Over One
Over Five
One Year
Through
Over
December 31, 2025 (in thousands)
Or Less
Five Years
15 Years
Fixed rate loan maturities:
500,589
38,741
13,446
121,508
326,894
96,827
981
75,002
19,972
872
254,203
35,186
157,866
60,926
225
255,349
12,733
192,749
49,867
Multi-Family
78,451
817
37,911
39,723
56,923
12,947
27,716
16,260
231,906
24,621
179,739
27,546
3,251
17,272
Aircraft
201,491
65,834
74,043
61,614
Warehouse lines of credit
232
199
Consumer
125,180
63,799
3,439
303
57,639
Total fixed rate loans
1,821,674
193,275
771,007
410,148
447,244
Variable rate loan maturities:
539,491
137
1,058
18,454
519,842
186,419
5,284
80,416
83,001
17,718
Commercial real estate
412,745
20,126
100,628
281,537
10,454
544,071
12,063
267,206
264,802
252,919
2,691
107,664
142,564
181,532
11,260
66,480
100,913
2,879
316,440
143,170
108,957
46,277
18,036
1,629
413,406
24,528
78,648
310,230
21,913
12,581
9,289
Total variable rate loans
3,624,655
987,559
811,061
1,247,817
578,218
Total:
38,878
14,504
139,962
846,736
6,265
155,418
102,973
18,590
55,312
258,494
342,463
10,679
24,796
459,955
314,669
3,508
145,575
182,287
24,207
94,196
117,173
548,346
167,791
288,696
73,823
24,727
78,681
147,093
76,380
3,443
342
66,928
Total loans
1,180,834
1,582,068
1,657,965
1,025,462
Loans at maturity interval to overall total loans
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Allowance for Credit Losses
The Bank maintains an ACLL on the balance for expected credit losses inherent in the Bank’s loan portfolio, which includes overdrawn deposit accounts. The Bank also maintains an ACLC for expected OBS credit exposure losses. Management evaluates the adequacy of the ACLL monthly and the adequacy of the ACLC for OBS quarterly. The ACLL calculation is presented to and discussed with the Audit Committee and the Board on a quarterly basis.
The Company’s ACLL decreased to $85 million at December 31, 2025, compared to $92 million at December 31, 2024, with the total Company ACLL as a percentage of total loans declining to 1.57% at year-end 2025 from 1.69% at year-end 2024.
The most significant components comprising the change in ACLL by reportable segment follow:
While Traditional Bank loan balances decreased $23 million during 2025, the corresponding ACLL increased $4 million to $64 million as of December 31, 2025, primarily due to the following:
The Warehouse ACLL increased $508,000 to $1.9 million, while the Warehouse ACLL as a percentage of total Warehouse loans remained at 0.25% when comparing December 31, 2025 to December 31, 2024. Outstanding Warehouse period-end balances increased $203 million, or 37%, over the same period As of December 31, 2025, the Warehouse ACLL remained entirely qualitative in nature, with no adjustments required to the qualitative reserve percentage for 2025.
The TRS ACLL decreased approximately $10 million from December 31, 2024 to approximately $300,000 as of December 31, 2025, reflecting the impact of the previously-disclosed non-renewal of a large tax provider contract, which significantly impacted period-to-period comparability. During the fourth quarter of 2024, ERA originations through this Tax Provider totaled $123 million, resulting in a $10 million ACLL at year-end. ERAs are primarily originated during December of each year in connection with the upcoming first-quarter tax filing season.
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The RCS ACLL decreased $2 million to $19 million as of December 31, 2025, primarily due to declines in spot loan balances within the LOC II and healthcare receivables products.
RCS maintained an ACLL for two distinct credit products as of December 31, 2025: its LOC products and its healthcare receivables products. As of year-end, the ACLL-to-total-loans percentage for these products ranged from as low as 0.25% for healthcare receivables to as high as 70.63% for LOC products. The lower reserve percentage for healthcare receivables reflects the recourse the Bank maintains to the third-party service providers for these balances.
While RCS loans generally return higher yields, they also present a greater credit risk than Traditional Banking loan products. As a percentage of total RCS loans, the RCS ACLL was 17.15% as of December 31, 2025 compared to 16.30% as of December 31, 2024. The RCS segment continued to experience a change in loan mix, growing in categories with higher loan loss reserve requirements thus driving its higher ACLL for the quarter.
For additional discussion regarding Republic’s methodology for determining the adequacy of the ACLL, see the section titled “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” in this section of the report.
See additional detail regarding RCS’ loan products under Item 1 “Business.”
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Table 15 — Summary of Loan and Lease Loss Experience
ACLL at beginning of period
91,978
82,130
70,413
CBank Fair Value Adjustment
216
Charge-offs:
Residential real estate
(128)
(62)
(26)
(27)
(262)
(390)
(205)
(141)
(56)
(64)
(1,197)
(3,105)
(1,182)
(2,033)
(3,463)
(1,351)
Republic Processing Group:
(24,893)
(32,555)
(25,823)
Other TRS loans
(165)
(137)
(19,131)
(19,239)
(13,912)
(44,189)
(51,931)
(39,863)
Total charge-offs
(46,222)
(55,394)
(41,214)
Recoveries:
90
128
154
337
123
82
304
379
454
970
726
6,047
8,533
3,463
1,481
1,306
871
7,545
9,886
4,365
Total recoveries
7,999
10,856
5,091
Net loan recoveries (charge-offs)
(38,223)
(44,538)
(36,123)
Provision - Core Bank Loans
5,993
3,778
8,536
Provision - RPG Loans
25,604
50,608
39,088
Total Provision for All Loans
31,597
54,386
47,624
ACLL at end of period
85,352
Credit Quality Ratios - Total Company:
ACLL to total loans
1.57
1.69
ACLL to nonperforming loans
356
404
398
Net loan charge-offs (recoveries) to average loans
0.84
0.73
Credit Quality Ratios - Core Banking:
1.24
1.19
1.21
275
270
313
0.03
0.05
0.01
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Table 16 — Net Loan Charge-offs (Recoveries) to Average Loans by Loan Category
Net Loan Charge-Offs (Recoveries) to Average Loans
(0.01)
Total commercial real estate
(0.02)
(0.03)
0.39
0.14
0.28
0.10
0.63
1.01
0.55
92.26
73.65
84.39
(2.39)
0.66
0.09
20.25
0.33
Refund Advances*
24.13
27.29
29.56
0.53
14.43
13.17
10.52
16.29
17.49
16.27
*All loss rates above are based on net charge-offs as a function of average outstanding portfolio balances. RAs are originated during the first two months of each year, and ERAs for the upcoming first quarter tax filing season are originated during the fourth quarter of the year. All RAs, including ERAs, are charged-off by June 30th of each year.
Total Company net charge-offs to average total loans decreased from 0.84% in 2024 to 0.71% in 2025, reflecting a $6.3 million, or 14%, decline in net charge-offs and a $43 million increase in average total Company loans over the same periods. The reduction in net charge-offs was driven primarily by a $5.1 million, or 21%, year-to-year decrease in net charge-offs within the Company’s TRS operations, attributable to significantly improved payment performance from the U.S. Treasury on ERAs/RAs during the 2025 Tax Season.
Total Traditional Bank net charge-offs to average total loans decreased from 0.05% in 2024 to 0.03% in 2025, driven by a $914,000, or 37%, decline in net charge-offs, alongside an $18 million decrease in average Traditional Bank loans over the same periods. While 2025 reflected elevated charge-offs within the lease-financing receivable and C&I portfolios, 2024 included $1.9 million in charge-offs related to three linked, broker-related marine loans. During the first quarter of 2025, the Traditional Bank recorded a $1.6 million insurance recovery in noninterest income associated with these broker-related loans. The Company discontinued originating broker-related marine loans in 2024 and had $3 million outstanding as of December 31, 2025.
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During the fourth quarter of 2025, the Traditional Bank recorded a $4.8 million specific allocation related to a $16 million C&I participation relationship, in which Republic is not the lead bank.
The following table sets forth management’s allocation of the ACLL by loan class. The allocation reflects management’s assessment of prevailing economic conditions, historical loss experience, forecasts for unemployment and vacancy rates, and various other life-of-loan and forward-looking considerations, as well as qualitative factors.
Table 17 — Management’s Allocation of the Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans
December 31, 2025
December 31, 2024
Percent of
Loans to
ACLL to
(dollars in thousands)
Loans*
Loan Class
Loan Class*
10,844
1.04
10,849
1.05
4,140
1.30
7,207
1.08
7,425
1.13
11,690
1.46
12,474
1.48
2,860
0.86
2,657
0.85
21,757
22,556
8,117
3.40
8,227
3.37
7,403
1.40
2,527
718
3.50
1,117
1.20
507
0.25
565
8,629
2.09
7,378
957
8.93
1,379
8.38
724
0.95
217
2.65
283
2.96
63,662
84
59,756
1.31
1,882
1,374
65,544
98
61,130
296
2.29
9,793
7.06
0.19
1
0.13
19,475
17.15
20,987
16.30
19,808
13.57
30,848
9.65
*See the Table titled “Loan Portfolio Composition” in this section of the report for loan portfolio balances. Values of less than 50 bps in the table above are rounded down to zero.
Management believes, based on information presently available, that it has adequately provided for loan and lease credit losses as of December 31, 2025.
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Asset Quality
Classified and Special Mention Loans
The Bank applies credit quality indicators, or ratings, to individual loans based on internal Bank policies, which are informed by regulatory standards. Loans rated “Loss,” “Doubtful,” “Substandard,” and PCD-Substandard are considered “Classified.”
Total Classified loans increased by $22 million from December 31, 2024 to December 31, 2025, while Special Mention loans decreased approximately $19 million for the same period.
During the fourth quarter of 2025, the Traditional Bank downgraded a $16 million C&I participation relationship, in which Republic is not the lead bank, from Pass to Substandard and recorded a $4.8 million specific allocation. This credit has been negatively affected by strong competition, declining revenues, and rising operating expenses. The Company does not have a material concentration in this credit type. The Company does not have a material concentration of credits of this nature.
In the second quarter of 2025, the Company downgraded a $22 million hospitality relationship from Special Mention to Substandard based on the overall performance of the underlying operations. This relationship was graded Special Mention at December 31, 2024. This relationship exited the Bank in the fourth quarter of 2025, with no loss recognized.
See the Footnote titled “Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses” of Part II Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for additional discussion regarding Classified and Special Mention loans.
Table 18 — Classified and Special Mention Loans
December 31, (dollars in thousands)
Loss
Doubtful
Substandard
50,289
27,350
PCD - Substandard
818
1,378
Total Classified Loans
51,107
28,728
Special Mention
35,754
53,924
PCD - Special Mention
359
Total Special Mention Loans
54,283
Total Classified and Special Mention Loans
86,861
83,011
Nonperforming Loans
Nonperforming loans include loans on nonaccrual status and loans past due 90-days-or-more and still accruing. Nonperforming loans to total loans increased to 0.44% as of December 31, 2025, from 0.42% as of December 31, 2024, as the total balance of nonperforming loans increased by $1 million and total loans increased $7 million.
The ACLL to total nonperforming loans decreased to 356% as of December 31, 2025, from 404% as of December 31, 2024, as the total ACLL decreased $7 million and the balance of nonperforming loans increased by $1 million.
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Table 19 — Nonperforming Loans and Nonperforming Assets Summary
Loans on nonaccrual status*
23,806
22,619
Loans past due 90-days-or-more and still on accrual**
161
141
Total nonperforming loans
23,967
22,760
Other real estate owned
1,277
1,160
Total nonperforming assets
25,244
23,920
Nonperforming loans to total loans
0.44
Nonperforming assets to total loans (including OREO)
0.46
Nonperforming assets to total assets
0.36
0.35
Credit Quality Ratios - Core Bank:
0.45
0.47
0.38
* Loans on nonaccrual status include collateral-dependent loans. See the Footnote titled “Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses” of Part II Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for the components within the nonaccrual loans to total loans and ACLL to nonaccrual loans ratios, as well as additional discussion regarding nonaccrual loans and collateral-dependent loans.
** Loans past due 90-days-or-more and still accruing consist of smaller balance consumer loans.
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Table 20 — Nonperforming Loan Composition
Percent of Total Loan Class
18,894
1.82
17,331
1.68
119
0.04
81
377
0.06
424
799
344
0.07
860
0.24
147
0.16
0.02
3,727
0.90
2,359
0.67
3.61
557
5.83
0.52
0.11
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Table 21 — Stratification of Nonperforming Loans
Number of Nonperforming Loans and Recorded Investment
> $100 &
No.
<= $100
<= $500
> $500
164
5,711
11,478
1,705
239
2,141
1,586
295
233
8,021
85
13,703
2,082
321
8,182
.
December 31, 2024 (dollars in thousands)
140
5,119
10,247
1,965
207
524
678
1,288
1,071
556
613
188
6,788
12,842
3,045
22,675
6,929
22,816
NM – Not meaningful. RCS loans are small dollar homogenous consumer loans.
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Table 22 — Rollforward of Nonperforming Loans
Nonperforming loans at the beginning of the period
20,618
Loans added to nonperforming status during the period that remained nonperforming at the end of the period
10,313
9,607
Loans removed from nonperforming status during the period that were nonperforming at the beginning of the period (see table below)
(7,597)
(4,443)
Principal balance paydowns of loans nonperforming at both period ends
(1,430)
(1,841)
Net change in principal balance of other nonperforming loans*
(79)
(1,181)
Nonperforming loans at the end of the period
*Includes RCS loans which are small dollar homogenous consumer loans.
Table 23 — Detail of Loans Removed from Nonperforming Status
Loans charged-off
(13)
Loans transferred to OREO
(216)
(169)
Loan payoffs and paydowns
(4,959)
(1,911)
Loans returned to accrual status
(2,343)
(2,350)
Total loans removed from nonperforming status during the period that were nonperforming at the beginning of the period
Interest income that would have been recorded if nonaccrual loans were on a current basis in accordance with their original terms was $1.5 million, $703,000, and $912,000 in 2025, 2024 and 2023.
Based on the Bank’s review as of December 31, 2025, management believes that its reserves are adequate to absorb expected losses on all nonperforming credits.
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Delinquent Loans
Total Company delinquent loans to total loans increased to 0.42% as of December 31, 2025, from 0.38% as of December 31, 2024. Core Bank delinquent loans to total Core Bank loans increased to 0.26% as of December 31, 2025, from 0.20% as of December 31, 2024. Except for small-dollar consumer loans, all Traditional Bank loans past due 90-days-or-more as of December 31, 2025, and December 31, 2024, were on nonaccrual status.
Table 24 — Delinquent Loan Composition*
9,028
0.87
7,015
0.68
519
355
904
0.20
0.26
0.08
4,346
1,396
0.17
12.67
173
17.62
13,925
0.31
10,185
0.22
8,938
7.87
10,304
8.00
6.12
Total delinquent loans
22,863
20,489
*Represents total loans 30-days-or-more past due. Delinquent status may be determined by either the number of days past due or number of payments past due.
Table 25 — Rollforward of Delinquent Loans
Delinquent loans at the beginning of the period
22,092
Loans added to delinquency status during the period and remained in delinquency status at the end of the period
11,323
6,421
Loans removed from delinquency status during the period that were in delinquency status at the beginning of the period (see table below)
(7,339)
(3,788)
Principal balance paydowns of loans delinquent at both period ends
(146)
(716)
Net change in principal balance of other delinquent loans*
(1,464)
(3,520)
Delinquent loans at the end of period
Table 26 — Detail of Loans Removed from Delinquent Status
(111)
(15)
(328)
(2,196)
(772)
Loans paid current
(4,704)
(2,832)
Total loans removed from delinquency status during the period that were in delinquency status at the beginning of the period
Collateral-Dependent Loans and Loan Modifications
When management determines that a loan is collateral dependent and that foreclosure is probable, expected credit losses are measured using the fair value of the collateral as of the reporting date, adjusted for estimated selling costs, when applicable.
In accordance with the Bank’s charge-off policy, the Bank will charge-off all, or the portion of, its recorded investment in a collateral-dependent loan when it concludes that the full amount of contractual principal and interest is not expected to be collected.
A loan modification occurs when, due to a borrower’s financial difficulties, the Bank grants a concession that it would not otherwise consider. Most modifications involve restructuring the loan’s original terms, including—depending on the borrower’s circumstances—a temporary payment reduction requiring only interest and escrow (if applicable), a reduction in the contractual interest rate, and/or an extension of the loan’s maturity date.
Loans on nonaccrual status that are subsequently modified continue to remain on nonaccrual and are reported as nonperforming until the borrower demonstrates sustained repayment capacity in accordance with the modified terms.
Accruing loans that are modified are evaluated for nonaccrual classification based on a current assessment of the borrower’s financial condition and their demonstrated ability and willingness to repay under the modified terms.
Collateral-dependent loan modifications made during 2025 totaled $5 million and there were $33 million of collateral-dependent loans outstanding on the Company’s balance sheet at December 31, 2025.
Collateral-dependent loan modifications made during 2024 totaled $885,000 and there were $30 million of collateral-dependent loans outstanding on the Company’s balance sheet at December 31, 2024.
Federal Home Loan Bank Stock
FHLB stock holdings increased $8 million, or 31%, to $32 million at December 31, 2025, compared to $25 million at December 31, 2024. As FHLB members are required to hold specified levels of FHLB stock based on the amount of outstanding advances, the Company’s FHLB stock holdings fluctuate in line with its borrowing activity from period to period.
Premises and Equipment
Premises and equipment are presented on the consolidated balance sheets net of related accumulated depreciation, as well as fair-value adjustments associated with purchase accounting. Premises and equipment increased $4 million, or 11%, between December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2025. The Company’s branch network currently consists of 47 locations across Kentucky, Indiana, Florida, Ohio, and Tennessee.
Right-of-Use Assets and Operating Lease Liabilities
The Company records right-of-use assets for the underlying leased property. Operating lease liabilities represent the present value of its required minimum lease payments plus any amounts probable of being owed under a residual value guarantee.
Goodwill
At December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the Company had $41 million of goodwill recorded on its balance sheet. Of this amount, $24 million related to the CBank acquisition (2023), while Goodwill of $6 million and $10 million were attributed to the acquisitions of Cornerstone Community Bank (2016) and GulfStream Community Bank (2006).
Events that may trigger goodwill impairment include deterioration in economic conditions, declines in market-dependent valuation metrics (such as the Company’s stock price falling below tangible book value), negative trends in overall financial performance, and regulatory actions. As of September 30, 2025, the Company performed its annual qualitative assessment to evaluate whether it was more-likely-than-not that the fair value of its reporting units exceeded their carrying value, including goodwill. The qualitative assessment indicated that it was not more-likely-than-not that the carrying value of the reporting units exceeded their fair value.
Core Deposit Intangible Assets
CDIs arising from business acquisitions are initially measured at fair value and are subsequently amortized using an accelerated method over their estimated useful lives. As of December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the Company’s CDI assets totaled $1.5 million and $2.0 million, respectively.
The fair value of OREO represents the estimated amount management expects to realize upon the sale of the property, net of estimated costs to sell. Fair value estimates are based on the most recent available real estate appraisals, adjusted as necessary for factors such as property type, the age of the appraisal, the current condition and status of the property, and other relevant market or property-specific considerations.
Table 27 — Rollforward of Other Real Estate Owned Activity
OREO at beginning of period
1,370
1,581
Transfer from loans to OREO
328
169
Proceeds from sale*
(173)
Net gain on sale
Writedowns
(210)
OREO at end of period
*Inclusive of non-cash proceeds where the Bank financed the sale of the property.
83
BOLI offers tax advantaged noninterest income that serves to offset employee benefits expenses. BOLI assets increased $4 million, or 3%, to $111 million at December 31, 2025, compared to $107 million at December 31, 2024. The increase was driven by appreciation in cash-surrender values within the policy plans and a §1035 policy exchange executed in 2025 to enhance the overall yield of the portfolio.
Table 28 — Rollforward of Bank Owned Life Insurance
Years ended December 31, (in thousands)
BOLI at beginning of period
107,124
103,916
101,687
BOLI acquired
Death benefits paid from cash surrender value
(490)
Increase in cash surrender value
3,597
BOLI at end of period
110,721
Other Assets and Other Liabilities
Other assets increased $4 million, or 2%, to $201 million between December 31, 2024, and December 31, 2025. Other liabilities increased $1 million, or 1%, to $110 million over the same period.
Deposits
Table 29 — Deposit Composition
Core Bank:
Demand
1,128,255
1,166,517
Money market
1,497,561
1,295,024
Savings
217,723
238,596
Reciprocal money market
224,731
212,033
Individual retirement accounts (1)
34,349
34,543
Time deposits, $250 and over (1)
156,283
129,593
Other certificates of deposit (1)
290,087
239,643
Reciprocal time deposits (1)
70,729
80,016
Wholesale brokered deposits (1)
87,420
87,285
Total Core Bank interest-bearing deposits
3,707,138
3,483,250
Total Core Bank noninterest-bearing deposits
1,102,041
1,123,208
Total Core Bank deposits
4,809,179
4,606,458
12,734
199,964
Interest-bearing prepaid card deposits
286,841
296,921
22,973
22,647
Total RPG interest-bearing deposits
322,548
519,532
Noninterest-bearing prepaid card deposits
5,228
2,842
Other noninterest-bearing deposits
66,192
81,714
Total RPG noninterest-bearing deposits
71,420
84,556
Total RPG deposits
393,968
604,088
Total deposits
5,203,147
5,210,546
Total Company deposits decreased $7 million from December 31, 2024, to $5.20 billion as of December 31, 2025.
Total Core Bank deposits increased by $203 million, or 4%, from December 31, 2024 to December 31, 2025, as a $224 million increase in interest-bearing deposits was partially offset by a $21 million decline in noninterest-bearing deposits over the same period.
Core Bank consumer and money market accounts—which generally pay premium rates—grew $203 million, or 16%, during 2025. Time deposits also increased $77 million, ending the year at $481 million. These increases within the interest-bearing deposit category were partially offset by a $55 million decline in NOW/savings accounts, which include lower costing Traditional Bank client accounts and higher costing third party listing service accounts. The Core Bank continues to experience a migration from lower-costing interest-bearing and noninterest-bearing deposits into higher-costing deposit categories as customers respond to the current rate environment.
While Core Bank period-end noninterest-bearing deposits decreased $21 million for the 2025, the average balances of Core Bank noninterest-bearing deposits for 2025 decreased $44 million, or 4%, compared to 2024. Overall, the Core Bank’s noninterest-bearing deposits have experienced a general quarterly decline in balances dating back to the fourth quarter of 2022.
Management believes the Company is more likely to experience slower overall growth, and possibly, contraction in its noninterest-bearing deposits over the near future.
Republic Processing Group
Within RPG, period-end total deposit balances decreased $210 million, or 35%, during 2025. Of this decline, $200 million related to the scheduled maturity of short-term brokered deposits that had been used to partially fund TRS ERA/RA loan volume for the 2025 Tax Season. The Company did not utilize short-term brokered deposits during the fourth quarter of 2025 to fund the upcoming 2026 Tax Season.
Deposits related to the RPS prepaid card program declined $20 million, or 6%, during 2025 driven primarily by a contraction in balances from the segment’s largest marketer-servicer. As previously disclosed, RPS began sharing a sizable portion of the interest income earned on its prepaid card balances with its prepaid card marketer-servicer beginning in the first quarter of 2024. This revenue share, recorded as interest expense on deposits, totaled $4.8 million in 2024. However, throughout 2025, program balances did not reach the minimum contractual thresholds required to earn a revenue share. Partially offsetting the favorable reduction in revenue share expense, RPS earned a lower yield on average prepaid program balances during the year due to reductions in the overnight FFTR.
All prepaid card deposit balances subject to a revenue-share arrangement are reported as interest-bearing deposits for as long as they remain subject to such arrangements. Conversely, for any periods reported prior to 2024, these balances are classified as noninterest-bearing deposits, as they were not subject to a revenue-share arrangement during those periods.
Table 30 — Average Deposits
Years ended December 31, (dollars in thousands)
Reciprocal money market accounts
242,109
2.06
246,238
2.03
146,435
3.41
Reciprocal time deposits
75,414
3.68
92,406
4.49
57,558
4.42
Total average interest-bearing deposits
Total average noninterest-bearing deposits
Total average deposits
5,403,636
1.58
5,272,917
1.94
4,805,162
1.07
Table 31 — Maturity Schedule of Time Deposits in Excess of the FDIC Limit and Estimated Time Deposits that are Otherwise Uninsured as of December 31, 2025
Individual Instruments
Estimated
that Meet or Exceed the
Otherwise Uninsured
Otherwise Insured
Maturity (dollars in thousands)
FDIC Insurance Limit
Time Deposits
Three months or less
60,162
37,412
22,750
Over three months through six months
58,503
28,753
29,750
Over six months through 12 months
23,915
8,915
15,000
Over 12 months
3,203
10,500
78,283
78,000
The Bank held total estimated uninsured deposits of $2.15 billion as of December 31, 2025 and $1.91 billion as of December 31, 2024.
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SSUARs are collateralized by securities and are accounted for as financings. Accordingly, the securities underlying these agreements are recorded as assets and held by a safekeeping agent, while the related obligations to repurchase the securities are recorded as liabilities. All underlying securities remain under the Bank’s control throughout the term of the agreements. SSUARs generally represent large customer deposit relationships that require collateralization in excess of the $250,000 FDIC insurance limit, and the Bank pledges securities to satisfy these collateral requirements.
SSUARs decreased $15 million, or 14%, during 2025 to $89 million as of December 31, 2025. Due to the size of the underlying relationships, large fluctuations in the underlying account balances from period to period are common.
Table 32 — Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase
As of and for the Years Ended December 31, (dollars in thousands)
Outstanding balance at end of period
88,504
103,318
97,618
Weighted-average interest rate at period end
Average outstanding balance during the period
Average interest rate during the period
Maximum outstanding at any month end
345,645
322,074
311,035
Federal Home Loan Bank Advances
FHLB advances totaled $506 million as of December 31, 2025, compared to $395 million as of December 31, 2024. Overnight borrowings increased to $130 million at year-end 2025 from $25 million at year-end 2024 and were generally utilized to fund growth in outstanding Warehouse balances.
The Bank’s utilization of FHLB advances during any given period depends on several factors, including asset growth, deposit growth, current earnings, and expectations for future interest rates. More recently, the Company has used FHLB advances to partially offset outflows in noninterest-bearing deposits and to support overall loan growth.
During the second quarter of 2024, the Bank elected to extend $100 million of FHLB borrowings through a third-party fixed-rate swap executed in May and June. The transaction allowed the Bank to capitalize on the then-inverted yield curve and reduce its overall borrowing costs. As a result, the Bank effectively locked in an annualized cost of 4.42% on this $100 million over a five-year term.
As of December 31, 2025, the Company’s outstanding term FHLB advances had a weighted-average maturity of 1.98 years and a weighted-average cost of 4.16%, both including the impact of the related swaps. Overall use of FHLB advances during a given year is dependent upon many factors including asset growth, deposit growth, current earnings, and expectations of future interest rates, among others.
Table 33 — Federal Home Loan Bank Advances
506,000
395,000
380,000
4.19
4.36
4.63
798,000
1,030,000
525,000
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Interest Rate Swaps
Interest rate swap derivatives are reported at fair value in other assets or other liabilities. The accounting for changes in the fair value of a derivative depends on whether it has been designated and qualifies for hedge accounting as part of a cash flow hedging relationship. For a derivative designated as a cash flow hedge, the effective portion of the derivative’s unrealized gain or loss is recorded as a component of OCI. The amount included in AOCI would be reclassified to current earnings should the hedge no longer be considered effective. Derivatives not designated as hedges are economic derivatives with the gain or loss recognized in current period earnings.
Interest Rate Swaps Used as Cash Flow Hedges
The Bank entered into three interest rate swap agreements during the second quarter of 2024 related to FHLB advances tied to the 1-month SOFR index. The counterparty for all three swaps met the Bank’s credit standards and the Bank believes that the credit risk inherent in the swap contracts is not significant. As of August 8, 2024 the Bank designated the swaps to be effective for hedge accounting purposes. The Bank expects the hedges to remain fully effective during the remaining term of the swaps.
Non-hedge Interest Rate Swaps
The Bank also enters into interest rate swaps to facilitate client transactions and meet their financing needs. Upon entering into these instruments, the Bank enters into offsetting positions in order to minimize the Bank’s interest rate risk. These swaps are derivatives, but are not designated as hedging instruments, and therefore changes in fair value are reported in current year earnings.
Interest rate swap contracts involve the risk of dealing with counterparties and their ability to meet contractual terms. When the fair value of a derivative instrument contract is positive, this generally indicates that the counterparty or client owes the Bank, and results in credit risk to the Bank. When the fair value of a derivative instrument contract is negative, the Bank owes the client or counterparty, and therefore, has no credit risk.
A summary of the Bank’s interest rate swaps related to clients follows:
Table 34 — Non-hedge Interest Rate Swaps
Notional
Bank Position
Fair Value
Interest rate swaps with Bank clients - Other assets and accrued interest receivable
Pay variable/receive fixed
196,667
3,922
103,707
1,070
Interest rate swaps with Bank clients - Other liabilities and accrued interest payable
69,628
(2,399)
128,621
(5,518)
Interest rate swaps with Bank clients - Total
266,295
1,523
232,328
(4,448)
Offsetting interest rate swaps with institutional swap dealer - Other assets and accrued interest receivable
Pay fixed/receive variable
2,399
5,518
Offsetting interest rate swaps with institutional swap dealer - Other liabilities and accrued interest payable
(3,922)
(1,070)
Offsetting interest rate swaps with institutional swap dealer - Total
(1,523)
4,448
532,590
464,656
See the Footnote titled “Interest Rate Swaps” of Part II Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for further information regarding the Bank’s interest rate swaps.
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Liquidity
The Bank maintains sufficient liquidity to fund routine loan demand and routine deposit withdrawal activity. Liquidity is managed by maintaining sufficient liquid assets, primarily in the form of cash, cash equivalents, and unencumbered investment securities. Funding and cash flows can also be realized through deposit product promotions, the sale of AFS debt securities, principal paydowns on loans and MBSs, and proceeds realized from loans HFS.
Table 35 — Liquid Assets and Borrowing Capacity
The Company’s liquid assets and borrowing capacity included the following:
Cash and cash equivalents
219,972
432,151
Unencumbered debt securities
717,936
432,183
Total liquid assets
937,908
864,334
Available borrowing capacity with the FHLB
646,148
755,288
Available borrowing capacity with the FRB
9,606
45,880
Available borrowing capacity through unsecured credit lines
100,000
Total available borrowing capacity
755,754
901,168
Total liquid assets and available borrowing capacity
1,693,662
1,765,502
Republic had a period-end loan-to-deposit ratio (excluding brokered deposits) of 107% as of December 31, 2025 and 111% as of December 31, 2024. Republic’s banking centers and its website, www.republicbank.com, provide access to retail deposit markets. These retail deposit products, if offered at attractive rates, have historically been a source of additional funding when needed. If the Bank were to lose a significant funding source, such as a few major depositors, or if any of its lines of credit were cancelled, or if the Bank cannot obtain brokered deposits, the Bank would be compelled to offer market leading deposit interest rates to meet its funding and liquidity needs.
As of December 31, 2025, the Bank had approximately $1.2 billion in deposits from 217 large non-sweep deposit relationships, including reciprocal deposits, where the individual relationship exceeded $2 million for a depositor’s taxpayer identification number. Total uninsured deposits for the Bank were $2.2 billion, or 41%, of total deposits as of December 31, 2025. The 20 largest non-sweep deposit relationships represented approximately $421 million, or 8%, of the Company’s total deposit balances as of December 31, 2025. These accounts do not require collateral; therefore, cash from these accounts can generally be utilized to fund the loan portfolio. If any of these balances were moved from the Bank, the Bank would likely utilize overnight borrowing lines in the short-term to replace the balances. On a longer-term basis, the Bank would likely utilize wholesale-brokered deposits to replace withdrawn balances, or alternatively, higher-cost internet-sourced deposits. Based on experience utilizing brokered deposits and internet-sourced deposits, the Bank believes it can quickly obtain these types of deposits if needed. The overall cost of gathering these types of deposits, however, could be substantially higher than the Traditional Bank deposits they replace, potentially decreasing the Bank’s earnings.
The Bank’s liquidity is impacted by its ability to sell certain investment securities, which is limited due to the level of investment securities that are needed to secure public deposits, SSUAR, FHLB advances, and for other purposes, as required by law. As of December 31, 2025, and December 31, 2024, these pledged investment securities had a fair value of $131 million and $152 million.
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Capital
Table 36 — Capital
Information pertaining to the Company’s capital balances and ratios follows:
As of and for the Years Ended December 31, (dollars in thousands, except per share data)
1,102,293
992,029
912,756
Book value per share at December 31,
56.41
51.01
47.15
Tangible book value per share at December 31,
53.91
48.47
44.55
Dividends declared per share - Class A Common Stock
1.804
1.628
1.496
Dividends declared per share - Class B Common Stock
1.640
1.480
1.360
Average stockholders’ equity to average total assets
14.98
14.02
14.21
Total risk-based capital
16.10
Common equity tier 1 capital
14.85
Tier 1 risk-based capital
Tier 1 leverage capital
13.89
Dividend payout ratio
Dividend yield
2.61
2.33
3.66
*See the section titled “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” at the end of this section of the report.
The Company and the Bank elected in 2020 to defer the regulatory capital impact of adopting CECL. The deferral period spanned five years and allowed 100% of the estimated CECL impact to be deferred during the first two years, followed by a phased-in recognition over the subsequent three years. Absent this election, the Company’s regulatory capital ratios as of December 31, 2024 would have been approximately 3 bps lower than the ratios presented in the table above.
Total stockholders’ equity increased from $992 million as of December 31, 2024, to $1.10 billion as of December 31, 2025. The increase in stockholders’ equity was attributable to net income earned during 2025 reduced primarily by cash dividends declared.
See Part II, Item 5. “Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds” for additional detail regarding stock repurchases and stock buyback programs.
Common Stock — The Class A Common shares are entitled to cash dividends equal to 110% of the cash dividend paid per share on Class B Common Stock. Class A Common shares have one vote per share and Class B Common shares have ten votes per share. Class B Common shares may be converted, at the option of the holder, to Class A Common shares on a share for share basis. The Class A Common shares are not convertible into any other class of Republic’s capital stock.
Dividend Restrictions — The Parent Company’s principal source of funds for dividend payments are dividends received from RB&T. Banking regulations limit the amount of dividends that may be paid to the Parent Company by the Bank without prior approval of the respective states’ banking regulators. Under these regulations, the amount of dividends that may be paid in any calendar year is limited to the current year’s net profits, combined with the retained net profits of the preceding two years. As of January 1, 2026, RB&T could, without prior approval, declare dividends of approximately $179 million. Any payment of dividends in the future will depend, in large part, on the Company’s earnings, capital requirements, financial condition, and other factors considered relevant by the Company’s Board.
Regulatory Capital Requirements — The Company and the Bank are subject to capital regulations in accordance with Basel III, as administered by banking regulators. Regulatory agencies measure capital adequacy within a framework that makes capital requirements, in part, dependent on the individual risk profiles of financial institutions. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on Republic’s financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Parent Company and the Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of the Company’s assets, liabilities, and certain OBS items, as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators regarding components, risk weightings, and other factors.
Banking regulators have categorized the Bank as well capitalized. For prompt corrective action, the regulations in accordance with Basel III define “well capitalized” as a 10.0% Total Risk-Based Capital ratio, a 6.5% Common Equity Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital ratio, an
8.0% Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital ratio, and a 5.0% Tier 1 Leverage ratio. Additionally, to avoid limitations on capital distributions, including dividend payments and certain discretionary bonus payments to executive officers, the Company and Bank must hold a capital conservation buffer of 2.5% composed of Common Equity Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital above their minimum risk-based capital requirements.
Republic continues to exceed the regulatory requirements for Total Risk Based Capital, Common Equity Tier I Risk Based Capital, Tier I Risk Based Capital and Tier I Leverage Capital. Republic and the Bank intend to maintain a capital position that meets or exceeds the “well-capitalized” requirements as defined by the FRB and the FDIC, in addition to the Capital Conservation Buffer. Formal measurements of the capital ratios for Republic and the Bank are performed by the Company at each quarter end.
Contractual Obligations and Commitments
The Company or the Bank has required future payments under various contractual obligations and other commitments.
See the following titled Footnotes within Part II Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for additional detail regarding contractual obligations and other commitments of the Company or Bank:
In addition, the Bank maintains contractual obligations for its technological needs, including its enterprise risk management application, customer relationship management application, internet banking platform, and its core accounting application.
Asset/Liability Management and Market Risk
Asset/liability management is designed to ensure safety and soundness, maintain liquidity, meet regulatory capital standards, and achieve acceptable net interest income based on the Bank’s risk tolerance. Interest rate risk is the exposure to adverse changes in net interest income as a result of market fluctuations in interest rates. The Bank, on an ongoing basis, monitors interest rate and liquidity risk to implement appropriate funding and balance sheet strategies. Management considers interest rate risk to be a significant risk to the Bank’s overall earnings and balance sheet.
The interest sensitivity profile of the Bank at any point in time will be impacted by a number of factors. These factors include the mix of interest sensitive assets and liabilities, as well as their relative pricing schedules. It is also influenced by changes in market interest rates, deposit and loan balances, and other factors.
The Bank utilizes earnings simulation models as tools to measure interest rate sensitivity, including both a static and dynamic earnings simulation model. A static simulation model is based on current exposures and assumes a constant balance sheet. In contrast, a dynamic simulation model relies on detailed assumptions regarding changes in existing business lines, new business, and changes in management and customer behavior. While the Bank runs the static simulation model as one measure of interest rate risk, historically, the Bank has utilized its dynamic earnings simulation model as its primary interest rate risk tool to measure the potential changes in market interest rates and their subsequent effects on net interest income for a one-year time period. This dynamic model projects a “Base” case net interest income over the next 12 months and the effect on net interest income of instantaneous movements in interest rates between various bp increments equally across all points on the yield curve. Many assumptions based on growth expectations and on the historical behavior of the Bank’s deposit and loan rates and their related balances in relation to changes in interest rates are incorporated into this dynamic model. These assumptions are inherently uncertain and, as a result, the dynamic model cannot precisely measure future net interest income or precisely predict the impact of fluctuations in market interest rates on net interest income. Actual results will differ from the model’s simulated results due to the actual timing, magnitude and frequency of interest rate changes, the actual timing and magnitude of changes in loan and deposit balances, as well as the actual changes in market conditions and the application and timing of various management strategies as compared to those projected in the various simulated models. Additionally, actual results could differ materially from the model if interest rates do not move equally across all points on the yield curve.
91
As of December 31, 2025, a dynamic simulation model was run for interest rate changes from “Down 400” bps to “Up 400” bps. The following table illustrates the Bank’s projected percent change from its Base net interest income over the period beginning January 1, 2026, and ending December 31, 2026, based on instantaneous movements in interest rates from Down 400 to Up 400 bps equally across all points on the yield curve. The Bank’s dynamic earnings simulation model includes secondary market loan fees, which are a component of mortgage banking income within noninterest income and excludes Traditional Bank loan fees.
Table 37 — Bank Interest Rate Sensitivity
Change in Rates
-400
-300
-200
-100
+100
+200
+300
+400
Basis Points
% Change from base net interest income as of December 31, 2025
(0.7)
(1.7)
(3.7)
(2.2)
2.6
5.3
7.6
10.1
% Change from base net interest income as of December 31, 2024
3.4
4.4
(0.2)
0.2
1.5
3.1
6.0
The results of the interest rate sensitivity analysis performed as of December 31, 2025, were derived from subjective assumptions the Company uses in its earnings simulation model, particularly in relation to deposit betas, which measure how responsive management’s deposit repricing may be to changes in market rates based on historical data. Management uses different betas in the rising and falling rate scenarios to better simulate expected earnings trends.
The Company’s current interest rate sensitivity analysis projects that increases in market interest rates (in all illustrated scenarios) would have a positive effect on net interest income, while decreases in market interest rates (in all illustrated scenarios) would have a negative impact. These results depict an asset-sensitive interest rate risk profile.
In comparing the Company’s interest rate sensitivity projections from December 31, 2024, to December 31, 2025, there were notable changes in all illustrated scenarios. In declining market interest rate scenarios, the Company projects that the rates the Company pays for its non-maturity, interest-bearing deposits cannot be lowered sufficiently to offset the decrease in interest income associated with its declining asset yields. Conversely, the Company projects a notable improvement in all illustrated scenarios, as the yield the Company projects it will earn for its interest-earning assets is expected to increase more than the increase in its projected funding costs.
More specifically, driving the period-to-period improvement in net interest income in the illustrated up-rate scenarios are the following:
The Company had higher floating rate loan balances as of December 31, 2025, most notably within the Warehouse lending portfolio, with yields that increase immediately in an up-rate scenario. More specifically, driving the period-to-period deterioration in net interest income in the illustrated down-rate scenarios are the following:
For additional discussion regarding the Bank’s net interest income, see the sections titled “Net Interest Income” in this section of the report under “RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.”
92
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The following table provides a reconciliation of total stockholders’ equity in accordance with GAAP to tangible stockholders’ equity, a non-GAAP disclosure. The Company provides the tangible book value per share, a non-GAAP measure, in addition to those defined by banking regulators, because of its widespread use by investors to evaluate capital adequacy.
As of
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Total stockholders' equity - GAAP (a)
Less: Goodwill
40,516
Less: Mortgage servicing rights
6,811
6,975
Less: Core deposit intangible
1,535
1,957
Tangible stockholders' equity - Non-GAAP (c)
1,053,431
942,581
Total assets - GAAP (b)
7,042,061
6,846,667
Tangible assets - Non-GAAP (d)
6,993,199
6,797,219
Total stockholders' equity to total assets - GAAP (a/b)
15.65
14.49
Tangible stockholders' equity to tangible assets - Non-GAAP (c/d)
15.06
13.87
Number of shares outstanding (e)
19,541
19,448
Book value per share - GAAP (a/e)
Tangible book value per share - Non-GAAP (c/e)
The efficiency ratio, a non-GAAP measure, equals total noninterest expense divided by the sum of net interest income and noninterest income (total revenue). The adjusted efficiency ratio, a non-GAAP measure with no GAAP comparable, excludes notable nonrecurring revenues and expenses related to the gain on the sale of Visa Class B-1 shares, gain on sale of consumer credit cards, insurance proceeds, expenses related to the Bank’s planned core system conversion, as well as merger expenses.
Years Ended
December 31, 2023
Net interest income - GAAP (a)
Noninterest income - GAAP (b)
Total net revenue - GAAP (c)
417,495
384,804
360,235
Less: Gain on sale of Visa Class B-1 shares
Less: Gain on sale of consumer credit card portfolio
Less: Insurance proceeds
1,571
Less: BOLI benefit payment received
Total adjusted revenue - Non-GAAP (e)
411,506
358,507
Noninterest expense - GAAP (d)
Less: Merger expenses
Less: Core conversion and contract consulting fees
Total adjusted noninterest expense - Non-GAAP (f)
213,976
202,684
197,238
Efficiency Ratio - GAAP (d/c)
52.7
55.4
Adjusted Efficiency Ratio - Non-GAAP (f/e)
52.0
55.0
Item 7A.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
See the section titled “Asset/Liability Management and Market Risk” included under Part II Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
Item 8.Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
The following are included in this section:
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (Crowe LLP, Louisville, Kentucky, PCAOB ID 173)
95
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (Forvis Mazars, LLP, Louisville, Kentucky, PCAOB ID 686)
96
Consolidated balance sheets — December 31, 2025 and 2024
99
Consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income — years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023
Consolidated statements of changes in stockholders’ equity — years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023
102
Consolidated statements of cash flows — years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023
103
Footnotes to consolidated financial statements
104
[
Crowe LLP
Independent Member Crowe Global
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Stockholders and the Board of Directors of Republic Bancorp, Inc.
Louisville, Kentucky
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2023 of Republic Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”), and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the results of the Company’s operations and its cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2023, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial statements based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ Crowe LLP
We served as the Company’s auditor from 1996, through the filing of the 2023 Form 10-K, which was filed on March 14, 2024.
March 14, 2024, except for Note 24, as to which the date is March 6, 2025
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Stockholders, Board of Directors, and Audit Committee
Opinions on the Consolidated Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Republic Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2025, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). We also have audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2025, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework: (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2025, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2025, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework: (2013) issued by COSO.
The Company’s management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements and an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audits.
We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audits of the financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures include examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
Definitions and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of reliable financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current-period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.
Allowance for Credit Losses on loans
The Company’s loan portfolio totaled $5.4 billion and the associated allowance for credit losses on loans (ACLL) was $85.4 million at December 31, 2025. As more fully described in Notes 1 and 4 to the consolidated financial statements, the ACLL under Accounting Standards Codification 326 requires the measurement of expected lifetime credit losses on a collective or pooled basis when similar risk characteristics exist. For each of its loan pools, the Company uses a “static-pool” method, which analyzes historical closed pools of similar loans over their expected lives to attain a loss rate. For the core bank to reflect risks not fully captured in the “static-pool” methodology, qualitative adjustments are made to the historical loss rate for current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. One-year forecast adjustments to the historical loss rate are based on U.S. national unemployment rate and commercial real estate values. Subsequent to the one-year forecast, loss rates are assumed to immediately revert back to long-term historical averages.
We identified the qualitative factor framework applied in the core bank segment, specifically as it relates to management’s judgment in evaluating the past-due, nonperforming and classified loans, collateral values, and other environmental factors qualitative adjustments (referred to in the procedures described below as “the adjustments”) as a critical audit matter. The principal considerations for our determination included the high degree of auditor judgment and subjectivity involved in evaluating management’s assessment of the adjustments, including the directional impact and magnitude of those adjustments.
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The primary procedures we performed to address the critical audit matter included:
/s/ Forvis Mazars, LLP
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2024.
March 6, 2026
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, (in thousands, except share data)
Available-for-sale debt securities, at fair value (amortized cost of $887,884 in 2025 and $602,493 in 2024)
Held-to-maturity debt securities (fair value of $4,929 in 2025 and $10,735 in 2024)
Equity securities with a readily determinable fair value
Mortgage loans held for sale, at fair value
7,516
8,312
Consumer loans held for sale, at fair value
10,968
Consumer loans held for sale, at the lower of cost or fair value
17,027
18,632
Other loans held for sale, at the lower of cost or fair value
81,839
Loans
Loans, net
Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost
32,114
24,478
35,986
32,309
Right-of-use assets
31,330
36,182
107,125
Other assets and accrued interest receivable
201,236
197,245
TOTAL ASSETS
LIABILITIES
Deposits:
Noninterest-bearing
1,173,461
1,207,764
Interest-bearing
4,029,686
4,002,782
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase and other short-term borrowings
Operating lease liabilities
32,370
37,121
Other liabilities and accrued interest payable
109,747
108,653
Total liabilities
5,939,768
5,854,638
Commitments and contingent liabilities (Footnote 12)
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Preferred stock, no par value
Class A Common Stock, no par value, 30,000,000 shares authorized, 17,393,095 shares (2025) and 17,297,878 shares (2024) issued and outstanding; Class B Common Stock, no par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized, 2,148,269 shares (2025) and 2,150,090 shares (2024) issued and outstanding
4,601
4,587
Additional paid in capital
156,695
148,053
Retained earnings
945,399
853,627
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(4,402)
(14,238)
Total stockholders’ equity
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
See accompanying footnotes to consolidated financial statements.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, (in thousands, except per share data)
INTEREST INCOME:
Loans, including fees
Taxable investment securities
26,851
17,370
19,260
Federal Home Loan Bank stock and other
24,218
27,552
11,655
Total interest income
INTEREST EXPENSE:
Total interest expense
NET INTEREST INCOME
Provision for expected credit loss expense on loans
54,376
NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION
303,073
257,778
241,154
NONINTEREST INCOME:
NONINTEREST EXPENSE:
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAX EXPENSE
INCOME TAX EXPENSE
34,392
26,332
22,839
NET INCOME
BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE:
Class A Common Stock
6.74
5.24
4.64
Class B Common Stock
6.13
4.76
4.21
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE:
6.11
4.74
4.20
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, (in thousands)
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Change in fair value of derivatives
(1,903)
(133)
Reclassification amount for net derivative losses realized in income
(124)
(514)
Unrealized gain on AFS debt securities
15,147
8,874
15,426
Total other comprehensive income before income tax
13,120
Income tax expense related to items of other comprehensive income
(3,284)
(2,057)
(3,855)
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax
9,836
6,170
11,571
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
141,153
107,541
101,945
101
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Common Stock
Accumulated
Class A
Class B
Additional
Shares
Paid In
Retained
Comprehensive
Stockholders’
Outstanding
Earnings
Income (Loss)
Equity
Balance, January 1, 2023
17,585
4,648
141,694
742,250
(31,979)
856,613
Net change in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Dividends declared on Common Stock:
Class A Shares ($1.496 per share)
(26,002)
Class B Shares ($1.360 per share)
(2,933)
Stock options exercised, net of shares withheld
340
(343)
Conversion of Class B to Class A Common Shares
(5)
Repurchase of Class A Common Stock
(456)
(3,319)
(16,860)
(20,279)
Net change in notes receivable on Class A Common Stock
Deferred compensation - Class A Common Stock:
Directors
767
769
Designated key employees
671
Employee stock purchase plan - Class A Common Stock
735
Stock-based awards - Class A Common Stock:
Performance stock units, net of shares tendered back
(281)
Restricted stock, net of shares tendered back
694
Stock options
774
Balance, December 31, 2023
17,203
2,155
4,553
142,124
786,487
(20,408)
Class A Shares ($1.628 per share)
(27,998)
Class B Shares ($1.480 per share)
(3,182)
1,901
(2,572)
(638)
712
714
795
796
779
789
145
782
(488)
291
758
Balance, December 31, 2024
17,298
2,150
Class A Shares ($1.804 per share)
(31,212)
Class B Shares ($1.640 per share)
(3,524)
4,557
(4,322)
248
(8)
(72)
(60)
555
620
(179)
440
727
729
1,514
(244)
1,270
608
Balance, December 31, 2025
17,393
2,148
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Net amortization on investment securities and low-income housing investments
8,267
5,717
4,947
Net accretion and amortization on loans and deposits
(4,349)
(2,978)
(3,576)
Unrealized and realized gains on equity securities with a readily determinable fair value
(252)
(519)
(63)
Depreciation of premises and equipment
6,680
6,911
7,063
Amortization of mortgage servicing rights
1,831
1,727
1,881
Provision for on-balance sheet exposures
Provision for off-balance sheet exposures
(40)
150
Net gain on sale of mortgage loans held for sale
(5,925)
(3,875)
(2,053)
Origination of mortgage loans held for sale
(210,932)
(186,959)
(77,800)
Proceeds from sale of mortgage loans held for sale
217,653
186,174
77,928
Net gain on sale of consumer loans held for sale
(14,986)
(14,697)
(12,753)
Origination of consumer loans held for sale
(1,136,769)
(1,231,782)
(1,056,995)
Proceeds from sale of consumer loans held for sale
1,147,507
1,246,412
1,063,615
Net gain realized on sale of other real estate owned
Writedowns of other real estate owned
211
210
Deferred compensation expense - Class A Common Stock
995
1,510
1,440
Stock-based awards and ESPP expense - Class A Common Stock
2,116
1,311
1,298
Amortization of right-of-use assets
6,169
5,989
6,062
Repayment of operating lease liabilities
(6,068)
(5,898)
(6,023)
Increase in cash surrender value of BOLI
(3,596)
(3,208)
(2,719)
Gain from death benefit received in excess of cash surrender value of BOLI
(1,728)
(4,090)
Net change in other assets and liabilities:
Accrued interest receivable
(2,163)
(1,681)
(4,875)
Accrued interest payable
(1,865)
1,080
3,834
Other assets
(10,529)
(12,952)
(24,763)
15,433
614
(4,488)
Net cash provided by operating activities
168,212
148,999
108,531
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Net cash proceeds paid in acquisition
(40,970)
Purchases of available-for-sale debt securities
(840,320)
(299,810)
(45,000)
Purchases of held-to-maturity debt securities
(25,000)
Proceeds from calls, maturities and paydowns of equity and available-for-sale debt securities
555,049
316,120
106,123
Proceeds from calls, maturities and paydowns of held-to-maturity debt securities
5,834
65,619
35,999
Net change in outstanding warehouse lines of credit
(203,330)
(211,037)
64,837
Purchase of correspondent loans, including premiums paid
(110,620)
Net change in other loans, net of allowance
75,811
(97,931)
(493,163)
Proceeds from sale of mortgage loans transferred to held for sale
67,176
Net proceeds from sale of consumer loans transferred to held for sale
5,305
Net purchases of Federal Home Loan Bank stock
(7,636)
(708)
(14,624)
Proceeds from sale of other real estate owned
Proceeds of principal and earnings from BOLI
2,218
Proceeds from sale of Visa Class B-1 shares
Investments in low-income housing tax partnerships
(23,821)
(14,819)
10,145
Net purchases of premises and equipment
(7,104)
(5,809)
(6,896)
Net cash used in investing activities
(436,122)
(181,026)
(516,951)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Net change in deposits
(7,399)
157,383
293,640
Net change in securities sold under agreements to repurchase and other short-term borrowings
(14,814)
5,700
(119,338)
Payments of Federal Home Loan Bank advances
(528,000)
(815,000)
(733,000)
Proceeds from Federal Home Loan Bank advances
639,000
830,000
1,018,000
Net proceeds from Class A Common Stock purchased through employee stock purchase plan
672
627
Net proceeds from option exercises and equity awards vested - Class A Common Stock
Cash dividends paid
(33,852)
(30,506)
(28,350)
Net cash provided by financing activities
55,731
147,611
411,298
NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
(212,179)
115,584
2,878
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD
316,567
313,689
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASHFLOW INFORMATION:
Cash paid during the period for:
105,708
119,752
63,451
Income taxes
22,074
27,488
21,487
SUPPLEMENTAL NONCASH DISCLOSURES:
Mortgage servicing rights capitalized
1,667
1,291
522
Transfers from loans to real estate acquired in settlement of loans
Net transfers from loans held for investment to loans held for sale
86,816
68,173
New unfunded obligations in low-income-housing investments
12,000
11,000
30,300
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities
1,317
7,480
3,736
Premises and equipment obtained through the use of vendor credits
3,253
FOOTNOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1.
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Nature of Operations and Principles of Consolidation – The consolidated financial statements included in this report include the accounts of Republic Bancorp, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary, Republic Bank & Trust Company. As used in this report, the terms “Republic,” the “Company,” “we,” “our,” and “us” refer to Republic Bancorp, Inc. and, where the context requires, Republic Bancorp, Inc. and its subsidiary. The term the “Bank” refers to the Company’s subsidiary bank, Republic Bank & Trust Company, as well as its wholly owned subsidiary, RBT Insurance Agency LLC. The Company dissolved Republic Insurance Services, Inc., its former insurance captive subsidiary, in 2023. All significant intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.
As of December 31, 2025, the Company was divided into five reportable segments: (I) Traditional Banking, (II) Warehouse Lending, (III) TRS, (IV) RPS, and (V) RCS. Management considers the first two segments to collectively constitute “Core Bank” or “Core Banking” operations, while the last three segments collectively constitute RPG operations. Prior to the first quarter of 2024, Republic had reported mortgage banking as a separate reportable segment. See additional discussion regarding segment information under the Footnote titled “Segment Information” in this section of the report.
Core Banking Operations
The Traditional Banking segment provides traditional banking products and services primarily to customers in the Company’s market footprint ,with all products and services generally offered under the Company’s traditional RB&T brand. As of December 31, 2025, Republic had 47 full-service banking centers with locations as follows:
Republic Processing Group Operations
105
RTs are fee-based products whereby a tax refund is issued to the taxpayer after the Bank has received the refund from the federal or state government. There is no credit risk or borrowing cost associated with these products because they are only delivered to the taxpayer upon receipt of the tax refund directly from the governmental paying authority. Fees earned by the Company on RTs, net of revenue share, are reported as noninterest income under the line item “Net refund transfer fees.”
106
107
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates — To prepare financial statements in conformity with GAAP, management must make estimates and assumptions that require difficult, complex, or subjective judgments, some of which may relate to matters that are inherently uncertain. Estimates are susceptible to material changes as a result of changes in facts and circumstances. Facts and circumstances which could affect these judgments include, but are not limited to, changes in interest rates, changes in the performance of the economy and changes in the financial condition of borrowers. The Company’s accounting policies are fundamental to understanding management’s discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. At December 31, 2025, the accounting policy considered the most critical in preparing the Company’s consolidated financial statements is the determination of the ACLL.
Accounting for Business Acquisitions — The Company accounts for acquisitions in accordance with the acquisition method as outlined in ASC Topic 805, “Business Combinations.” The acquisition method requires: a) identification of the entity that obtains control of the acquiree; b) determination of the acquisition date; c) recognition and measurement of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed, and any non-controlling interest in the acquiree; and d) recognition and measurement of goodwill or bargain purchase gain.
Identifiable assets acquired, liabilities assumed, and any non-controlling interest in acquirees are generally recognized at their acquisition-date (“day-one”) fair values based on the requirements of ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurement of Equity Securities Subject to Contractual Sale Restrictions.” The measurement period for day-one fair values begins on the acquisition date and ends at the earlier of: (a) the day management believes it has all the information necessary to determine day-one fair values; or (b) one year following the acquisition date. In many cases, the determination of day-one fair values requires management to make estimates about discount rates, future expected cash flows, market conditions and other future events that are highly complex and subjective in nature and subject to provisional period adjustments, which are retrospective adjustments to reflect new information existing at the acquisition date affecting day-one fair values. More specifically, these provisional period adjustments may be made, as market value data, such as valuations, are received by the Bank. Increases or decreases to day-one fair values are reflected with a corresponding increase or decrease
108
to bargain purchase gain or goodwill. Acquisition related costs are expensed as incurred unless those costs are related to issuing debt or equity securities used to finance the acquisition.
Concentration of Credit Risk — With limited exception, the Company’s Traditional Banking business activity is with clients located in Kentucky, Indiana, Florida, and Tennessee. The Company’s Traditional Banking exposure to credit risk is significantly affected by changes in the economy in these specific areas.
The Bank’s warehouse lines of credit are secured by single family, first-lien RRE loans originated by the Bank’s mortgage clients across the U.S. As of December 31, 2025, 25% of collateral securing warehouse lines was located in California.
Earnings Concentration — For 2025, 2024 and 2023, approximately 31%, 34% and 32% of total Company net revenues (net interest income plus noninterest income) were derived from RPG operations. Within RPG, the TRS segment accounted for 12%, 13% and 13%, the RPS segment accounted for 4%, 4% and 5%, while the RCS segment accounting for 15%, 17% and 14% of total Company net revenues. For 2025, 2024, and 2023, approximately 4%, 3% and 3% of total Company net revenues (net interest income plus noninterest income) were derived from the Company’s Warehouse segment.
Cash Flows — Cash and cash equivalents include cash, deposits with other financial institutions with original maturities less than 90 days and federal funds sold. Net cash flows are reported for client loan and deposit transactions, interest-bearing deposits in other financial institutions, repurchase agreements and income taxes.
Interest-Bearing Deposits in Other Financial Institutions — Interest-bearing deposits in other financial institutions mature within one year and are carried at cost.
Debt Securities — Debt securities are classified as AFS when they might be sold before maturity. AFS debt securities are carried at fair value, with unrealized holding gains and losses reported in other comprehensive income, net of tax. Debt securities are classified as HTM and carried at amortized cost less any applicable ACLS when management has the positive intent and ability to hold them to maturity.
Interest income includes amortization of purchase premiums and accretion of discounts. Premiums and discounts on securities are generally amortized on the level-yield method without anticipating prepayments, except for MBs where prepayments are anticipated. Premiums on callable securities are amortized to the earliest call date. Gains and losses on sales are recorded on the trade date and determined using the specific identification method.
A debt security is placed on nonaccrual status at the time any principal or interest payments become more than 90 days delinquent. Interest accrued but not received for a security placed on nonaccrual would be reversed against interest income.
Equity Securities — Equity securities are carried at fair value, with changes in fair value reported in net income. Equity securities without a readily determinable fair values are carried at cost, minus impairment, if any, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar investment.
Allowance for Credit Losses on Available-for-Sale Securities — For AFS debt securities in an unrealized loss position, the Company first assesses whether it intends to sell or will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met, the security’s amortized cost basis is written down to fair value through income. For other AFS debt securities that do not meet the aforementioned criteria, the Company evaluates whether the decline in fair value has resulted from credit losses or other factors. In making this assessment, management considers the extent to which fair value is less than amortized cost, any changes to the rating of the security by a rating agency, and adverse conditions specifically related to the security, among other factors. If this assessment indicates that a credit loss exists, the present value of cash flows expected to be collected from the security are compared to the amortized cost basis of the security. If the present value of cash flows expected to be collected is less than the amortized cost basis, a credit loss exists and an ACLS is recorded for the credit loss, limited by the amount that the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis. Any impairment that has not been recorded through an ACLS is recognized in other comprehensive income.
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Changes in ACLS are recorded as a charge or credit to the Provision. Losses are charged against the ACLS when management believes the lack of collectability of an AFS debt security is confirmed or when either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met.
Accrued interest on AFS debt securities totaled $5 million and $3 million as of December 31, 2025 and 2024 and is excluded from the ACLS. Accrued interest on AFS debt securities is presented as a component of other assets on the Company’s balance sheet.
Allowance for Credit Losses on Held-to-Maturity Securities — The Company measures expected credit losses on HTM debt securities on a collective basis by major security type, considering historical credit loss information adjusted for current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts.
The Company classifies its HTM portfolio into the following major security types: MBS, corporate bonds, and municipal bonds. MBS securities include CMOs. Nearly all of the MBS portfolio is issued by U.S. government entities or government sponsored entities. These securities are highly rated by major rating agencies and have a long history of no credit losses. The MBS portfolio also carries ratings no lower than investment grade.
Accrued interest receivable on HTM debt securities totaled $12,000 and $60,000 as of December 31, 2025 and 2024 and is excluded from the ACLS. Accrued interest on HTM debt securities is presented as a component of other assets on the Company’s balance sheet.
Loans Held for Sale - In the ordinary course of business, the Bank originates for sale mortgage loans and consumer loans. Mortgage loans originated for sale are primarily originated and sold into the secondary market through the Bank’s Traditional Banking segment, while consumer loans originated for sale are originated and sold through the RCS segment.
Mortgage Banking Activities — Mortgage loans originated and intended for sale in the secondary market are carried at fair value, as determined by outstanding investor commitments. Net gains on mortgage loans HFS are recorded as a component of “mortgage banking income” in the income statement and represent the difference between the selling price and the carrying value of the loans sold. Substantially all of the gains or losses on the sale of loans are reported in earnings when the interest rates on loans are locked.
Commitments to fund mortgage loans (“interest rate lock commitments”) to be sold into the secondary market and non-exchange traded mandatory forward sales contracts (“forward contracts”) for the future delivery of these mortgage loans or the purchase of TBA securities are accounted for as free-standing derivatives. Fair values of these mortgage derivatives are estimated based on changes in mortgage interest rates from the date the Bank enters into the derivative. Generally, the Bank enters into forward contracts for the future delivery of mortgage loans or the purchase of TBA securities when interest rate lock commitments are entered into, in order to hedge the change in interest rates resulting from its commitments to fund the loans. Changes in the fair values of these mortgage derivatives are included in net gains on sales of loans, which is a component of Mortgage Banking income on the income statement.
Mortgage loans HFS are generally sold with the MSRs retained. When mortgage loans are sold with servicing retained, servicing rights are initially recorded at fair value with the income statement effect recorded as a component of mortgage banking income. Fair value is based on market prices for comparable mortgage servicing contracts, when available or alternatively, is based on a valuation model that calculates the present value of estimated future net servicing income. All classes of servicing assets are subsequently measured using the amortization method, which requires servicing rights to be amortized into mortgage banking income in proportion to, and over the period of, the estimated future net servicing income of the underlying loans. Amortization of MSRs are initially set at seven years and subsequently adjusted on a quarterly basis based on the weighted-average remaining life of the underlying loans.
MSRs are evaluated for impairment quarterly based upon the fair value of the MSRs as compared to carrying amount. Impairment is determined by stratifying MSRs into groupings based on predominant risk characteristics, such as interest rate, loan type, loan terms, and investor remittance type. Impairment is recognized through a valuation allowance for an individual grouping, to the extent that fair value is less than the carrying amount. If the Bank later determines that all or a portion of the impairment no longer exists for a particular grouping, a reduction of the valuation allowance is recorded as an increase to income. Changes in valuation allowances are reported within mortgage banking income in the income statement. The fair value of the MSR portfolios is subject to significant fluctuations as a result of changes in estimated and actual prepayment speeds and default rates.
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A primary factor influencing the fair value is the estimated life of the underlying serviced loans. The estimated life of the serviced loans is significantly influenced by market interest rates. During a period of declining interest rates, the fair value of the MSRs generally will decline due to higher expected prepayments within the portfolio. Alternatively, during a period of rising interest rates the fair value of MSRs generally will increase, as prepayments on the underlying loans would be expected to decline.
See the Footnote titled “Mortgage Banking Activities” in this section of the report for management’s determination of MSR impairment.
Loan servicing income is reported on the income statement as a component of “mortgage banking” income. Loan servicing income is recorded as loan payments are collected and includes servicing fees from investors and certain charges collected from borrowers. The fees are based on a contractual percentage of the outstanding principal, or a fixed amount per loan and are recorded as income when earned. Loan servicing income totaled $3.3 million, $3.3 million and $3.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023. Late fees and ancillary fees related to loan servicing are considered nominal.
Consumer Loans Held for Sale, at Fair Value — The Bank offers RCS installment loans with terms ranging from 12 to 60 months to borrowers in multiple states. Balances originated under this RCS installment loan program are carried as HFS on the Bank’s balance sheet, with the intent to sell generally within sixteen days following the Bank’s origination of the loans. Loans originated under this RCS installment loan program are carried at fair value under a fair-value option, with the portfolio marked to market monthly.
Consumer Loans Held for Sale, at Lower of Cost or Fair Value — RCS originates for sale 90% or 95% of the balances from its LOC products and a portion of its healthcare receivables product. Ordinary gains or losses on the sale of these RCS products are reported as a component of “Program fees.”
Other Loans Held for Sale, at Lower of Cost or Fair Value — During the fourth quarter of 2025, approximately $82 million of loans and leases were reclassified from held for investment to HFS, as the Bank entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement to sell its St. Louis-based RBF operations during December. The transaction closed in February 2026.
Loans — Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the near future or until maturity or pay off are reported at amortized cost net of the ACLL. Amortized cost is the principal balance outstanding, net of premiums and discounts, and deferred loan fees and costs. Accrued interest on loans, which is excluded from the ACLL, totaled $17 million and $17 million as of December 31, 2025 and 2024 and was reported as a component of other assets on the Company’s balance sheet.
Interest income is accrued on the unpaid principal balance. Loan origination fees, net of certain direct origination costs, are deferred and recognized in interest income using the level-yield method. Premiums on loans held for investment are amortized into interest income on the level-yield method over the expected life of the loan.
Lease financing receivables, which are generally direct financing leases, are reported at their principal balance outstanding, including any lease residual amount, net of any unearned income, deferred loan fees and costs, and applicable ACLL. Leasing income is recognized on the basis that achieves a constant periodic rate of return on the outstanding lease financing balances over the lease terms.
Interest income on mortgage and commercial loans is typically discontinued at the time the loan is 80 days delinquent unless the loan is well secured and in process of collection. Past due status is based on the contractual terms of the loan, which may define past due status by the number of days or the number of payments past due. In most cases, loans are placed on nonaccrual or charged-off at an earlier date if collection of principal or interest is considered doubtful. Nonaccrual loans and loans past due 80 days still on accrual include smaller balance, homogeneous loans that are evaluated collectively or individually for loss.
Interest accrued but not received for all classes of loans placed on nonaccrual is reversed against interest income. Interest received on such loans is accounted for on the cash-basis or cost recovery method, until qualifying for return to accrual. Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured, typically a minimum of six consecutive months of performance. Consumer and credit card loans are not placed on nonaccrual status but are reviewed periodically and charged-off when the loan is deemed uncollectible, generally no more than 120 days.
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Purchased Credit Deteriorated Loans — The Company has purchased loans, some of which have experienced more than insignificant credit deterioration since origination.
PCD loans are recorded at the amount paid. An ACLL is determined using the same methodology as other loans held for investment. The initial ACLL determined on a collective basis is allocated to individual loans. The sum of the loan’s purchase price and ACLL becomes its initial amortized cost basis. The difference between the initial amortized cost basis and the par value of the loan is a noncredit discount or premium, which is amortized into interest income over the life of the loan. Subsequent changes to the ACLL are recorded through the Provision.
Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans — The ACLL is a valuation account that is deducted from the loans’ amortized cost basis to present the net amount expected to be collected on the loans. Expected credit losses are estimated over the contractual loan term, adjusted for expected prepayments when appropriate. The contractual term excludes expected extensions, renewals, or modifications. Loans are charged-off against the ACLL when management believes the lack of collectability of a loan balance is confirmed. Expected recoveries do not exceed the aggregate of amounts previously charged-off and expected to be charged-off.
The ACLL is measured on a collective or pooled basis when similar risk characteristics exist. The first table of the Footnote titled “Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses” in this section of the report illustrates the Company’s loan portfolio by ACLL risk pool. This pooling method is primarily based on the pool’s collateral type or the pool’s purpose and generally follows the Bank’s loan segmentation for regulatory reporting. For each of its loan pools, the Company uses a “static-pool” method, which analyzes historical closed pools of similar loans over their expected lives to attain a loss rate. This loss rate is then adjusted for current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts prior to being applied to the current balance of the analyzed pools. For the Core Bank, adjustments to the historical loss rate for current conditions include changes in borrowers’ financial condition, prepayment and maturities, nature, volume and seasoning of the portfolio, concentrations of credit, past-due, nonperforming and classified loans and leases, collateral values, lending policies, credit review system, experience of lending management and staff, and other environmental factors, such as international, national, regional, and local economic and business conditions. For its CRE loan pool, the Company uses a one-year forecast of general CRE values. Subsequent to one-year forecasts, loss rates are assumed to immediately revert back to long-term historical averages. For RPG, adjustments to the historical loss rate for current conditions include changes in nature, volume, and seasoning of the portfolio.
Loans that do not share risk characteristics, including loans with a risk rating of Special Mention or worse, are evaluated on an individual basis, with the Company choosing to individually evaluate all loan modifications. Loans evaluated individually are not included in the pooled evaluation but are instead evaluated under a discounted cash flow or collateral-dependent method. A collateral dependent method is used when foreclosure is probable, with expected credit losses based on the fair value of the collateral at the reporting date, adjusted for selling costs if appropriate.
See the Footnote titled “Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses” in this section of the report for additional discussion regarding the Company’s ACLL.
Loan Modifications — A loan modification is a situation where, due to a borrower’s financial difficulties, the Bank grants a concession to the borrower that the Bank would not otherwise have considered. The Company measures the ACLL for loan modifications individually using the collateral method.
Transfers of Financial Assets — Transfers of financial assets are accounted for as sales when control over the assets has been relinquished. Control over transferred assets is deemed to be surrendered when the assets have been isolated from the Company, the transferee obtains the right (free of conditions that constrain it from taking advantage of that right) to pledge or exchange the transferred assets and the Company does not maintain effective control over the transferred assets through an agreement to repurchase them before their maturity.
Other Real Estate Owned — Assets acquired through loan foreclosures are initially recorded at fair value less costs to sell when acquired, establishing a new cost basis. Physical possession of RRE property collateralizing a consumer mortgage loan occurs when legal title is obtained upon completion of foreclosure or when the borrower conveys all interest in the property to satisfy the loan through completion of a deed in lieu of foreclosure or through a similar legal agreement. These assets are subsequently accounted for at lower of cost or fair value less estimated costs to sell. The Bank’s selling costs for OREO typically range from 10% to 13% of each property’s fair value, depending on property class. Fair value is commonly based on recent real estate appraisals or BPO. Operating costs incurred post-acquisition are expensed as incurred.
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Appraisals for both collateral-dependent loans and OREO are performed by certified general appraisers (for commercial properties) or certified residential appraisers (for residential properties) whose qualifications and licenses have been reviewed and verified by the Bank. Appraisals may utilize a single valuation approach or a combination of approaches including comparable sales and the income approach. Once the appraisal is received, a member of the Bank’s CCAD reviews the assumptions and approaches utilized in the appraisal, as well as the overall resulting fair value in comparison with independent data sources, such as recent market data or industry-wide statistics. On at least an annual basis, the Bank performs a back test of collateral appraisals by comparing actual selling prices on recent collateral sales to the most recent appraisal of such collateral. Back tests are performed for each collateral class, e.g., RRE or CRE, and may lead to additional adjustments to the value of unliquidated collateral of similar class.
Premises and Equipment, Net — Land is carried at cost. Premises and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed over the estimated useful lives of the related assets on the straight-line method. Estimated lives typically range from 25 to 40 years for buildings and improvements, three to ten years for furniture, fixtures and equipment and three to five years for leasehold improvements.
Right of Use Assets and Operating Lease Liabilities — Leases are classified as operating or finance leases at the lease commencement date. The Company has no finance leases. For its long-term operating leases, the Company records on its balance sheet operating lease liabilities equal to the present value of the required minimum lease payments plus any amounts probable of being owed under a residual value guarantee.
Offsetting these operating lease liabilities, the Company records right-of-use assets for the underlying leased property. Operating lease expense consists of a single lease cost allocated over the remaining lease term on a straight-line basis, variable lease expense, and any impairment of the right-of-use asset. The Company’s variable lease expense includes rent escalators that are based on market conditions and include items such as common area maintenance, utilities, parking, property taxes, insurance, and other costs associated with the lease.
Regarding lease terms, the Company’s assumes the remaining lease term includes the fixed noncancelable term, plus all periods for which failure to renew the lease imposes a penalty on the Company, plus all periods for which the Company is reasonably certain to exercise a lease renewal option, plus all periods for which the Company is reasonably certain not to exercise a lease termination option. In determining whether it is reasonably certain to exercise a lease renewal or termination option, the Company considers its overall strategic plan and all economic and environmental circumstances connected to the leased property.
To discount its operating lease payments and guarantees, the Company employs the interest rate curve published by the FHLB of Cincinnati for the FHLB’s collateralized term borrowings, matching expected lease term to borrowing term.
The Company does not place short-term leases on its balance sheet. Short-term leases have a lease term of 12 months or less and do not include a purchase option that the Company is reasonably certain to exercise.
Federal Home Loan Bank Stock — The Bank is a member of the FHLB system. Members are required to own a certain amount of stock based on the level of borrowings and other factors and may invest in additional amounts. FHLB stock is carried at cost, classified as a restricted security, and annually evaluated for impairment. Because this stock is viewed as a long-term investment, impairment is based on ultimate recovery of par value. Both cash and stock dividends are recorded as interest income.
Bank Owned Life Insurance — The Bank maintains BOLI policies on certain employees. BOLI is recorded at the amount that can be realized under the insurance contract at the balance sheet date, which is the cash surrender value adjusted for other charges or other amounts due that are probable at settlement. The Bank recognizes tax-free income from the periodic increases in cash surrender value of these policies and from death benefits in noninterest income. Credit ratings for the Bank’s BOLI carriers are reviewed at least annually.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets — Goodwill resulting from business acquisitions represents the excess of the fair value of the consideration transferred, plus the fair value of any noncontrolling interests in the acquiree, over the fair value of the net assets assumed as of the acquisition date. Goodwill and intangible assets acquired in a purchase combination and determined to have an indefinite useful life are not amortized but tested annually or more frequently if events and circumstances exist that indicate that a goodwill impairment test should be performed.
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The Company has selected September 30th as the date to perform its annual goodwill impairment test. Intangible assets with definite useful lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives to their estimated residual values. Goodwill is the only intangible asset with an indefinite life on the Bank’s balance sheet.
All goodwill is attributable to the Company’s Traditional Banking segment and is not expected to be deductible for tax purposes. Based on its assessment, the Company believes its goodwill of $41 million as of December 31, 2025 and 2024 was not impaired and is properly recorded in the consolidated financial statements.
Other intangible assets consist of CDI arising from business acquisitions. CDI assets are initially measured at fair value and then amortized on an accelerated method over their estimated useful lives.
Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Investments — The Company periodically invests in certain partnerships that generate federal income tax credits. The tax benefit of these investments exceeds the amortization expense associated with them, resulting in a positive impact on net income. In addition to income tax benefits, these investments also serve as an economical means of achieving CRA goals. The investments in such partnerships are recorded in other assets on the consolidated balance sheets, while the corresponding contribution requirements are recorded in other liabilities. While contributions are made periodically over the life of the respective investments, which can be up to 10 years depending on the type of investment, the majority of contributions associated with a respective investment are made within the first few years after entering the partnership.
Effective January 1, 2024, the Company adopted ASU 2023-02, “Investments – Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323): Accounting for Investments in Tax Credit Structures Using the Proportional Amortization Method.” As a result, all of the Company’s investments in tax credit partnerships are now accounted for under the proportional amortization method, with related amortization expense recorded within income tax expense on the consolidated income statements. Prior to 2024, the Company used both the effective yield and the proportional amortization methods to account for these investments, with related amortization expense recorded as a component of noninterest expenses on the consolidated income statements.
Off-Balance Sheet Financial Instruments — Financial instruments include OBS credit instruments, such as commitments to fund loans and standby letters of credit. The face amount for these items represents the exposure to loss, before considering client collateral or ability to repay. Such financial instruments are recorded upon funding. Instruments such as standby letters of credit are considered financial guarantees and are recorded at fair value.
Allowance for Credit Losses on Off-Balance Sheet Credit Exposures — The Company estimates expected credit losses over the contractual period in which the Company is exposed to credit risk via a contractual obligation to extend credit unless that obligation is unconditionally cancellable by the Company. The estimate includes consideration of the likelihood that funding will occur and an estimate of expected credit losses on commitments expected to be funded over its estimated life. The likelihood that funding will occur is based on the historical usage rate of such commitments.
For a listing of OBs credit exposures the Company generally considers for an ACLC, see the Footnote titled “Off-Balance Sheet Risks, Commitments And Contingent Liabilities” in this section of the report.
The ACLC is recorded as a component of other liabilities on the Company’s balance sheet. Any Provision for the ACLC is recorded on the Company’s income statement as a component of other noninterest expense.
Derivatives —Derivatives are reported at fair value in other assets or other liabilities. The Company’s derivatives include interest rate swap agreements. For asset/liability management purposes, the Bank uses interest rate swap agreements to hedge the exposure or to modify the interest rate characteristic of certain immediately repricing liabilities.
The accounting for changes in the fair value of a derivative depends on whether it has been designated and qualifies as part of a hedging relationship. For a derivative designated as a cash flow hedge, the effective portion of the derivative’s unrealized gain or loss is recorded as a component of other comprehensive income (loss). For derivatives not designated as hedges, the gain or loss is recognized in current period earnings.
Net cash settlements on interest rate swaps are recorded in interest expense and cash flows related to the swaps are classified in the cash flow statement the same as the interest expense and cash flows from the liabilities being hedged. The Bank formally documents the
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relationship between derivatives and hedged items, as well as the risk-management objective and the strategy for undertaking hedge transactions at the inception of the hedging relationship. This documentation includes linking cash flow hedges to specific assets and liabilities on the balance sheet. The Bank also formally assesses, both at the hedge’s inception and on an ongoing basis, whether a swap is highly effective in offsetting changes in cash flows of the hedged items. The Bank discontinues hedge accounting when it determines that the derivative is no longer effective in offsetting changes in cash flows of the hedged item, the derivative is settled or terminates, or treatment of the derivative as a hedge is no longer appropriate or intended.
When hedge accounting is discontinued, subsequent changes in fair value of the derivative are recorded as noninterest income. When a cash flow hedge is discontinued but the hedged cash flows or forecasted transactions are still expected to occur, gains or losses that were accumulated in other comprehensive income are amortized into earnings over the same periods that the hedged transactions will affect earnings.
The Bank enters into interest rate swaps to facilitate client transactions and meet their financing needs. Upon entering into these instruments to meet client needs, the Bank enters into offsetting positions with dealer counterparties in order to minimize the Bank’s interest rate risk. These swaps are derivatives but are not designated as hedging instruments; therefore, changes in fair value are reported in current year earnings.
Interest rate swap contracts involve the risk of dealing with counterparties and their ability to meet contractual terms. When the fair value of a derivative instrument contract is positive, this generally indicates that the counterparty or client owes the Bank and results in credit risk to the Bank. When the fair value of a derivative instrument contract is negative, the Bank owes the client or counterparty and does not have credit risk.
Stock Based Compensation — For stock options and restricted stock awards issued to employees, compensation cost is recognized based on the fair value of these awards at the date of grant. The Company utilizes a Black-Scholes model to estimate the fair value of stock options, while the market price of the Company’s common stock at the date of grant is used for restricted stock awards. Compensation expense is recognized over the required service period, generally defined as the vesting period. For awards with graded vesting, compensation cost is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award. Forfeitures of stock-based awards are accounted for when incurred in lieu of using forfeiture estimates.
Income Taxes — Income tax expense is the total of the current year income tax due or refundable and the change in DTAs and DTLs. DTAs and DTLs are the expected future tax amounts for the temporary differences between carrying amounts and tax bases of assets and liabilities, computed using enacted tax rates. A valuation allowance, if needed, reduces DTAs to the amount expected to be realized.
A tax position is recognized as a benefit only if it is “more-likely-than-not” that the tax position would be sustained in a tax examination, with a tax examination being presumed to occur. The amount recognized is the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized on examination. For tax positions not meeting the “more-likely-than-not” test, no tax benefit is recorded.
The Company recognizes interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense.
Retirement Plans — 401(k) plan expense is recorded as a component of salaries and employee benefits and represents the amount of Company matching contributions. Deferred compensation and supplemental retirement plan expense allocates the benefits over years of service.
Earnings Per Common Share — Basic earnings per share is based on net income (in the case of Class B Common Stock, less the dividend preference on Class A Common Stock), divided by the weighted-average number of shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share include the dilutive effect of additional potential Class A common shares issuable under stock options. All outstanding unvested share-based payment awards that contain rights to nonforfeitable dividends are considered participating securities for this calculation. Earnings and dividends per share are restated for all stock dividends through the date of issuance of the financial statements.
Comprehensive Income — Comprehensive income consists of net income and OCI. OCI includes, net of tax, unrealized gains, and losses on AFS debt securities and unrealized gains and losses on cash flow hedges, which are also recognized as separate components of equity.
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Loss Contingencies — Loss contingencies, including claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business, are recorded as liabilities when the likelihood of loss is probable, and an amount or range of loss can be reasonably estimated. Management does not believe there are any outstanding matters that would have a material effect on the financial statements.
Restrictions on Cash and Cash Equivalents — Republic has historically been required by the FRB to maintain average reserve balances. Effective March 15, 2020, the FRB reduced the Bank’s reserve requirement ratio to zero percent, therefore, cash and due from banks on the consolidated balance sheet included no required reserve balances as of December 31, 2025 and 2024. For the Bank’s Non-hedge Interest Rate Swaps, the Bank and its counterparties are required to pledge securities or cash as collateral when either party is in a net loss position exceeding $250,000 with the other party.
Dividend Restrictions — Banking regulations require maintaining certain capital levels and may limit the dividends paid by the Bank to Republic or by Republic to shareholders.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments — Fair values of financial instruments are estimated using relevant market information and other assumptions, as more fully disclosed in the Footnote titled “Fair Value” in this section of the report. Fair value estimates involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment regarding interest rates, credit risk, prepayments, and other factors, especially in the absence of broad markets for particular items. Changes in assumptions or in market conditions could significantly affect the estimates.
Revenue from Contracts with Customers — The Company’s services that fall within the scope of ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, are presented within noninterest income and are recognized as revenue as the Company satisfies its obligation to its client. The Company expenses as-incurred incremental costs of obtaining a contract when the amortization period of those costs would be less than one year.
Segment Information — The Company’s Executive Chair/CEO serves as the Company’s CODM. Income before income tax expense is the reportable measure of segment profit or loss that the CODM regularly reviews and utilizes to allocate resources and evaluate performance. Republic’s internal information is primarily reported and evaluated in five reportable segments: (I) Traditional Banking, (II) Warehouse Lending, (III) TRS, (IV) RPS, and (V) RCS. Management considers the first two segments to collectively constitute “Core Bank” or “Core Banking” operations, while the last three segments collectively constitute RPG operations.
Reclassifications — Certain amounts presented in prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications had no impact on previously reported prior periods’ net income or shareholders’ equity.
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
The following ASUs were adopted by the Company during the year ended December 31, 2025:
Method of
Financial
ASU. No.
Topic
Nature of Update
Date Adopted
Adoption
Statement Impact
2024-02
Codification Improvements—Amendments to Remove References to the Concepts Statements
This ASU contains amendments to the Codification that remove references to various Concepts Statements. In most instances the references are extraneous and not required to understand or apply the guidance. In other instances the references were used in prior Statements to provide guidance in certain topical areas.
January 1, 2025
Prospectively
Immaterial
2023-09
Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures
Among other things, these amendments require that public business entities on an annual basis (1) disclose specific categories in the rate reconciliation and income tax paid information and (2) provide additional information for reconciling items that meet a quantitative threshold (if the effect of those reconciling items is equal to or greater than 5 percent of the amount computed by multiplying pretax income [or loss] by the applicable statutory income tax rate).
The Company updated its income tax disclosures upon adoption.
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The following not-yet-effective ASUs were issued since the Company’s most recently filed Form 10-K and are considered relevant to the Company’s financial statements. Generally, if an issued-but-not-yet-effective ASU with an expected immaterial impact to the Company has been disclosed in prior Company filings, that ASU will not be subsequently redisclosed.
Date Adoption
Expected
Required
Method
Financial Impact
2024-03
Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income—Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses
This ASU requires public companies to disclose, in the notes to financial statements, specified information about certain costs and expenses at each interim and annual reporting period.
Annual reporting periods beginning after Dec. 15, 2026, and interim periods within annual reporting periods beginning after Dec. 15, 2027.
Retrospectively
The Company is currently analyzing the impact of this ASU on its financial statements.
2025-01
Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income—Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Clarifying the Effective Date
This ASU amends the effective date of ASU No. 2024-03 to clarify that all public business entities are required to adopt the guidance in annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim periods within annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027.
2025-06
Intangibles—Goodwill and Other— Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Targeted Improvements to the Accounting for Internal-Use Software.
This ASU modernizes and clarifies the threshold for when an entity is required to start capitalizing software costs and is based on when (i) management has authorized and committed to funding the software project and (ii) it is probable that the project will be completed and the software will be used to perform the function intended.
Annual reporting periods beginning after Dec. 15, 2027, and interim reporting periods within those annual reporting periods.
2025-07
Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815) and Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Derivatives Scope Refinements and Scope Clarification for Share-Based Noncash Consideration from a Customer in a Revenue Contract
This ASU refines the scope of Topic 815 to clarify which contracts are subject to derivative accounting. The guidance also provides clarification under Topic 606 for share-based payments from a customer in a revenue contract.
Annual reporting periods beginning after Dec. 15, 2026, and interim reporting periods within those annual reporting periods.
2025-08
Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Purchased Loans
The ASU expands the population of acquired financial assets accounted for using the gross-up approach. Acquired loans (excluding credit cards) are deemed purchased seasoned loans and accounted for using the gross-up approach upon acquisition if criteria established by the new guidance are met. This change aims to enhance comparability, consistency, and better reflect the economics of acquiring financial assets.
2025-09
Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Hedge Accounting Improvements
The ASU enables entities to apply hedge accounting to a greater number of highly effective economic hedges.
2025-11
Interim Reporting (Topic 270): Narrow-Scope Improvements
This ASU does not change the fundamental nature of interim reporting or expand or reduce current interim disclosure requirements. The ASU clarifies that all entities preparing GAAP‑compliant interim financial statements must follow Topic 270. It also creates a complete list of required interim disclosures, adds a principle requiring disclosure of material events occurring after year‑end, and improves guidance on the content and format of interim financial statements.
Interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2027.
2025-12
Codification Improvements
These amendments in this ASU update the FASB Accounting Standards Codification® for a broad range of Topics arising from technical corrections, unintended application of the Codification, clarifications, and other minor improvements.
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2.
INVESTMENT SECURITIES
Available-for-Sale Debt Securities
The following tables summarize the amortized cost and fair value of AFS debt securities along with the corresponding amounts of related gross unrealized gains and losses recognized in AOCI:
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
Losses
159
(1,724)
4,210
(6,792)
(648)
138
5,973
(9,164)
December 31, 2024 (in thousands)
395,609
(6,527)
121
1,429
180,765
193
(12,725)
20,127
(911)
2,008
3,863
171
602,493
1,825
(20,163)
Held-to-Maturity Debt Securities
The following tables summarize the amortized cost and fair value of HTM debt securities along with the corresponding amounts of related gross unrecognized gains and losses:
Unrecognized
(44)
(86)
5,706
5,005
10,735
Sales and Calls of Available-for-Sale Debt Securities
During 2025, 2024, and 2023 there were no material sales of AFS debt securities and no material gains or losses on sales or calls of AFS. During 2025, 2024, and 2023, the amortized cost of AFS debt securities called totaled $255 million, $281 million and $65 million.
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Debt Securities by Contractual Maturity
The amortized cost and fair value of debt securities by contractual maturity as of December 31, 2025, follows. Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities if borrowers have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. Securities not due at a single maturity date are detailed separately.
Debt Securities
85,960
84,945
Due from five years to ten years
Due beyond ten years
Total debt securities
Unrealized Loss Analysis on Debt Securities
The following tables summarize AFS debt securities in an unrealized loss position for which an ACLS had not been recorded, aggregated by investment category and length of time in a continuous unrealized loss position:
Less than 12 months
12 months or more
Available-for-sale debt securities:
84,947
(53)
78,317
(1,671)
163,264
84,131
(149)
86,744
(6,643)
170,875
14,242
169,078
(202)
179,303
(8,962)
348,381
145,048
(212)
209,033
(6,315)
354,081
52,347
(874)
104,453
(11,851)
156,800
700
15,951
(903)
16,651
198,095
(1,094)
329,437
(19,069)
527,532
As of December 31, 2025, the Bank’s security portfolio consisted of 198 securities, 86 of which were in an unrealized loss position. As of December 31, 2024, the Bank’s security portfolio consisted of 182 securities, 114 of which were in an unrealized loss position. As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, there were no holdings of debt securities of any one issuer, other than the U.S. Government and its agencies, in an amount greater than 10% of stockholders’ equity.
Accrued interest receivable on AFS debt securities is presented as a component of other assets on the Company’s balance sheet and is excluded from the ACLS, if applicable. Accrued interest on AFS debt securities totaled $5 million and $3 million as of December 31, 2025, and December 31, 2024. Accrued interest receivable on HTM debt securities totaled $12,000 as of December 31, 2025, and $60,000 as of December 31, 2024.
Mortgage-Backed Securities and Collateralized Mortgage Obligations
As of December 31, 2025, with the exception of the $1.4 million private label MBS, all other MBS’s and CMO’s held by the Bank were issued by U.S. government-sponsored entities and agencies, primarily the FHLMC and FNMA. As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, there were gross unrealized losses of $7 million and $14 million related to AFS MBS’s and CMO’s. Because these unrealized losses are attributable to changes in interest rates and illiquidity, and not credit quality, and because the Bank does not have the intent to sell these securities, and it is likely that it will not be required to sell the securities before their anticipated recovery, management does not consider these securities to have credit-related impairment that would require a provision adjustment to the ACLS.
Private Label Mortgage-Backed Security
The Bank owns one private label MBS with a total carrying value of $1.4 million as of December 31, 2025. This security is mostly backed by “Alternative A” first-lien mortgage loans but also has an insurance “wrap” or guarantee as an added layer of protection to the security holder. This asset is illiquid, and as such, the Bank determined it to be a Level 3 security in accordance with ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurement”. Based on this determination, the Bank utilized an income valuation model (“present value model”) approach, in determining the fair value of the security. This approach is beneficial for positions that are not traded in active markets or are subject to transfer restrictions, and/or where valuations are adjusted to reflect illiquidity and/or non-transferability. Such adjustments are generally based on available market evidence. In the absence of such evidence, management’s best estimate is used. Management’s best estimate consists of both internal and external support for this investment.
See additional discussion regarding the Bank’s private label MBS under the Footnote titled “Fair Value” in this section of the report.
The following table presents a rollforward of the Bank’s private label MBS credit losses recognized in earnings:
Balance, beginning of period
1,462
Recovery of losses previously recorded
(136)
Balance, end of period
1,326
Further deterioration in economic conditions could cause the Bank to record an additional impairment charge related to credit losses.
There were no HTM debt securities on nonaccrual or past due 90 days or more as of December 31, 2025, and December 31, 2024. All of the Company’s HTM corporate bonds were rated investment grade as of December 31, 2024. There were no HTM debt securities considered collateral dependent as of December31, 2025, and December 31, 2024.
Pledged Debt Securities
Debt securities pledged to secure public deposits, SSUAR, and debt securities held for other purposes, as required or permitted by law were as follows:
Amortized cost
168,530
205,160
Fair value
166,757
199,607
Carrying amount
120
Equity Securities
There were no sales of equity securities in 2025, 2024 or 2023. The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, and fair value of equity securities with a readily determinable fair values were as follows:
Total equity securities
For equity securities with a readily determinable fair value the gross realized and unrealized gains and losses recognized in the Company’s consolidated statements of income were as follows:
Gains (Losses) Recognized on Equity Securities
Realized
252
3.
LOANS HELD FOR SALE
In the ordinary course of business, the Bank originates for sale mortgage loans and consumer loans. Mortgage loans originated for sale are primarily originated and sold into the secondary market through the Bank’s Traditional Banking segment, while consumer loans originated for sale are originated and sold through the RCS segment.
Mortgage Loans Held for Sale, at Fair Value
See additional detail regarding mortgage loans originated for sale, at fair value under the Footnote titled “Mortgage Banking Activities” in this section of the report.
Consumer Loans Held for Sale, at Fair Value
Through RCS, the Bank offers RCS installment loans with terms ranging from 12 to 60 months to borrowers in multiple states. Balances originated under this RCS installment loan program are carried as HFS on the Bank’s balance sheet, with the intent to sell to a third-party, who is an affiliate of the Bank’s third-party service provider, generally within 16 days following origination. Loans originated under the RCS installment loan program are carried at fair value under a fair-value option, with the portfolio marked to market monthly.
Activity for consumer loans HFS and carried at fair value follows:
7,914
4,706
175,859
151,608
130,185
Proceeds from the sale of consumer loans held for sale
(175,655)
(158,280)
(130,772)
5,321
3,795
Consumer Loans Held for Sale, at the Lower of Cost or Fair Value
RCS originates for sale 90% or 95% of the balances from its LOC products and 100% for some of its healthcare receivables products. Ordinary gains or losses on the sale of these RCS products are reported as a component of “Program fees.”
During the first quarter of 2025, management reached an agreement to sell $5 million of consumer credit cards, and as a result, these balances were reclassified from held for investment to HFS as of March 31, 2025 with the sale finalized during the second quarter of 2025.
Activity for consumer loans held for sale and carried at the lower of cost or market value was as follows:
16,094
13,169
960,910
1,080,174
926,810
Transferred from held for investment to held for sale
4,977
(977,157)
(1,088,132)
(932,843)
9,665
10,496
8,958
Other Loans Held for Sale, at the Lower of Cost or Fair Value
During the fourth quarter of 2025, approximately $82 million of loans and leases were reclassified from held for investment to HFS, as the Bank entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement to sell its St. Louis-based RBF operations during December 2025. The transaction closed in February 2026.
Activity for other loans HFS and carried at the lower of cost or market value was as follows:
122
4.
LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES
The composition of the loan portfolio follows:
Note: Loan segments and risk categories as of December 31, 2024 changed from those defined in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, as the CRE loan pool was further segmented into Owner-occupied CRE, Nonowner-occupied CRE, and Multi-family beginning in 2025.
**Total loans are presented inclusive of premiums, discounts and net loan origination fees and costs. See table directly below for expanded detail.
The following table reconciles the contractually receivable and carrying amounts of loans:
Contractually receivable
5,454,833
5,445,531
Unearned income
(3,137)
(2,932)
Unamortized premiums
142
Unaccreted discounts
(1,003)
(1,619)
Other net unamortized deferred origination (fees) and costs
(4,506)
(1,698)
Carrying value of loans
Credit Quality Indicators
Bank procedures for assessing and maintaining credit gradings are the same whether a new or renewed loan is being underwritten, or whether an existing loan is being re-evaluated for potential credit quality concerns. The latter usually occurs upon receipt of updated financial information, or other pertinent data, which triggers a review in the loan grade. Specific Bank procedures follow:
On at least an annual basis, the Bank’s internal loan review department analyzes all individual loans with outstanding balances greater than $1 million that are internally classified as “Special Mention,” “Substandard,” “Doubtful,” or “Loss.” In addition, on an annual basis, the Bank analyzes a sample of “Pass” rated loans.
The Bank categorizes loans into risk categories based on relevant information about the ability of borrowers to service their debt such as current financial information, historical payment experience, public information, and current economic trends. The Bank also considers the fair value of the underlying collateral and the strength and willingness of the guarantor(s). The Bank analyzes loans individually, and based on this analysis, establishes a credit risk rating. The Bank uses the following definitions for risk ratings:
Excellent (Pass): Loans fully secured by liquid collateral, such as certificates of deposit, reputable bank letters of credit, or other cash equivalents; loans fully secured by publicly traded marketable securities where there is no impediment to liquidation; or loans to any publicly held company with a current long-term debt rating of A or better.
Good (Pass): Loans to businesses that have strong financial statements containing an unqualified opinion from a Certified Public Accounting firm and at least three consecutive years of profits; loans supported by unaudited financial statements containing strong balance sheets, five consecutive years of profits, a five-year satisfactory relationship with the Bank, and key balance sheet and income statement trends that are either stable or positive; loans that are guaranteed or otherwise backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government or an agency thereof, such as the SBA; or loans to publicly held companies with current long-term debt ratings of Baa or better.
124
Satisfactory (Pass): Loans supported by financial statements (audited or unaudited) that indicate average or slightly below average risk and having some deficiency or vulnerability to changing economic conditions; loans with some weakness but offsetting features of other support are readily available; loans that are meeting the terms of repayment, but which may be susceptible to deterioration if adverse factors are encountered.
Satisfactory/Monitored (Pass): Loans in this category are considered to be acceptable credit quality but contain greater credit risk than Satisfactory loans due to weak balance sheets, marginal earnings or cash flow, or other uncertainties. These loans warrant a higher-than-average level of monitoring to ensure that weaknesses do not advance. The level of risk in a Satisfactory/Monitored loan is within acceptable underwriting guidelines so long as the loan is given the proper level of management supervision. All revolving lines of credit will be placed in this category if a borrowing base is to be implemented as a condition of approval for the loan. Lastly, a start-up business venture will receive this rating due to the lack of any historical financial data.
Special Mention: Loans that possess some credit deficiency or potential weakness that deserves close attention. Such loans pose an unwarranted financial risk that, if not corrected, could weaken the loan by adversely impacting the future repayment ability of the borrower. The key distinctions of a Special Mention classification are that (1) it is indicative of an unwarranted level of risk and (2) credit weaknesses are considered potential and are not defined impairments to the primary source of repayment.
Purchased with Credit Deterioration Loans — Group 1: To the extent that a PCD loan’s performance does not reflect an increased risk of loss of contractual principal beyond the ACLL established as part of its initial day-one evaluation, such loan would be classified in the PCD-1 category, whose credit risk is considered by management equivalent to a non-PCD “Special Mention” loan within the Bank’s credit rating matrix.
Purchased with Credit Deterioration Loans — Substandard: If during the Bank’s periodic evaluations of its PCD loan portfolio, management deems a PCD-1 loan to have an increased risk of loss of contractual principal beyond the ACLL established as part of its initial day-one evaluation, such loan would be classified PCD-Sub within the Bank’s credit risk matrix. Management deems the risk of default and overall credit risk of a PCD-Sub loan to be greater than a PCD-1 loan and more analogous to a non-PCD “Substandard” loan within the Bank’s credit rating matrix.
Substandard: One or more of the following characteristics may be exhibited:
Doubtful: One or more of the following characteristics may be present in loans classified as Doubtful:
125
Loss: Loans are considered uncollectible and of such little value that continuing to carry them as assets is not feasible. Loans will be classified “Loss” when it is neither practical nor desirable to defer charging-off or reserving all or a portion of a basically worthless asset, even though partial recovery may be possible at some time in the future.
For all real estate and consumer loans, including small-dollar RPG loans, which do not meet the scope above, the Bank uses a grading system based on delinquency and nonaccrual status. Loans that are 80 days or more past due or on nonaccrual are graded Substandard. Occasionally, a real estate loan below scope may be graded as “Special Mention” or “Substandard” if the loan is cross collateralized with a classified C&I or CRE loan.
Purchased loans are accounted for as any other Bank-originated loan, potentially becoming nonaccrual, as well as being risk rated under the Bank’s standard practices and procedures. In addition, these loans are considered in the determination of the ACLL once day-one fair values are final.
Management separately monitors PCD loans and no less than quarterly reviews them against the factors and assumptions used in determining day-one fair values. In addition to its quarterly evaluation, a PCD loan is typically reviewed when it is modified or extended, or when information becomes available to the Bank that provides additional insight regarding the loan’s performance, the status of the borrower, or the quality or value of the underlying collateral.
If a loan modification is performed on a PCD loan, the loan is transferred out of the PCD population. The loan may require an additional Provision if its restructured cash flows are less than management’s initial day-one expectations. PCD loans for which the Bank simply chooses to extend the maturity date are generally not considered loan modifications and remain in the PCD population.
The following tables include loans by segment, risk category, and, for non-revolving loans, based upon year of origination. Loan segments and risk categories as of December 31, 2024 changed from those defined in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, as the CRE loan pool was further segmented into Owner-occupied CRE, Nonowner-occupied CRE, and Multi-family beginning in 2025. Regarding origination year, loan extensions and renewals are generally considered originated in the year extended or renewed unless the loan is classified as a loan modification. Loan extensions and renewals classified as loan modifications generally receive no change in origination date upon extension or renewal.
Revolving Loans
Term Loans Amortized Cost Basis by Origination Year
Converted
As of December 31, 2025
Prior
Cost Basis
to Term
Residential real estate owner-occupied:
Risk Rating
Pass or not rated
153,758
57,359
208,250
162,417
134,290
292,708
9,745
1,018,527
1,610
582
2,192
1,063
2,185
3,130
2,729
10,072
19,361
153,940
58,422
210,435
167,157
137,019
303,362
YTD Gross Charge-offs
Residential real estate nonowner-occupied:
18,769
13,367
46,289
48,701
62,996
89,968
2,640
282,730
516
90,484
Commercial real estate owner-occupied:
103,994
40,027
64,149
101,727
103,722
162,831
13,894
56,250
646,594
752
1,112
594
9,191
409
12,058
5,448
942
1,906
8,296
110,194
41,139
65,091
104,316
173,928
56,659
Commercial real estate nonowner-occupied:
22,179
104,436
134,803
101,477
230,556
19,700
90,983
782,062
676
16,682
17,358
78,604
151,485
126
Term Loans Amortized Cost Basis by Origination Year (Continued)
Commercial real estate multi-family:
11,117
12,841
49,881
66,953
45,347
56,668
4,910
83,653
Construction & land development:
99,673
47,328
86,555
593
3,303
481
Commercial & industrial:
139,641
62,991
44,005
41,331
17,176
33,515
153,706
15,935
508,300
569
1,556
2,189
334
1,618
11,516
4,411
18,384
139,729
63,894
44,078
42,949
18,732
45,031
158,181
16,279
262
Lease financing receivables:
5,931
4,909
7,469
1,433
20,015
274
508
5,938
4,978
7,556
1,707
261
297
390
Aircraft:
31,154
26,092
47,389
35,121
29,828
33,239
202,823
30,125
Home equity:
408,021
3,660
1,799
3,984
1,840
566
12,267
20,539
567
12,351
20,624
1,154
1,197
Warehouse:
TRS:
32,397
15,501
9,557
25,058
127
RCS:
862
3,448
4,490
674
310
103,719
19,131
Grand Total:
677,023
294,525
664,753
593,811
495,615
903,747
1,470,788
259,206
5,359,468
1,681
18,292
9,773
2,021
5,725
1,466
3,287
5,022
3,097
24,011
8,155
Grand Total
684,176
297,672
668,040
617,125
500,862
937,531
1,480,964
259,959
15,532
9,664
20,341
46,222
As of December 31, 2024
79,874
236,681
181,703
157,834
150,449
191,013
8,840
1,006,394
4,343
4,426
875
1,052
2,566
2,806
4,099
10,241
21,639
80,749
237,733
184,269
160,640
154,631
205,597
53,718
58,776
69,355
57,310
59,130
2,431
315,867
1,795
1,815
414
60,571
59,564
44,982
68,442
113,338
101,216
114,208
120,576
16,503
64,832
644,097
1,177
5,324
832
545
5,897
317
14,092
785
242
1,027
46,159
118,662
102,048
115,538
126,715
16,820
50,179
106,785
139,026
112,082
144,363
148,481
16,337
97,321
814,574
4,171
17,592
25,763
116,082
148,534
166,253
13,766
41,171
79,181
56,993
38,908
41,422
5,054
36,949
52,732
105,616
63,117
15,741
1,689
3,740
1,161
243,796
325
105,941
82,096
77,333
63,187
48,621
25,608
25,286
125,002
4,722
451,855
1,225
2,126
922
2,022
843
7,531
333
859
83,321
77,448
63,619
50,749
26,530
27,641
125,871
5,066
34,335
34,370
15,427
5,759
2,226
451
92,568
231
360
34,508
15,833
5,830
2,299
499
205
36,972
71,706
40,778
35,652
23,933
16,380
225,421
312
446
35,964
16,826
350,828
2,513
5,156
2,403
1,256
18,426
27,594
563
5,712
1,263
28,157
828
1,170
1,103
3,105
190,794
23,534
9,158
32,692
8,625
9,954
247
47,383
58,959
128,463
59,229
19,239
614,658
808,179
757,773
603,642
558,960
655,118
1,143,030
215,095
5,356,455
2,402
382
7,524
6,999
5,794
29,922
1,260
1,431
1,248
2,999
3,150
4,884
11,863
2,809
618,491
809,809
768,296
613,791
569,638
696,903
1,147,099
215,439
24,362
10,383
192
20,406
55,394
Both the Traditional Banking segment and the RCS segment of the Company have certain classes of loans that are considered to be subprime or near-prime strictly due to the credit score of the borrower at the time of origination.
Traditional Bank loans considered subprime totaled approximately $54 million and $51 million as of December 31, 2025 and 2024. Approximately $34 million and $34 million of the outstanding Traditional Bank subprime loan portfolio as of December 31, 2025 and 2024 were originated for CRA purposes. Management does not consider these loans to possess significantly higher credit risk due to other underwriting qualifications.
The RCS segment originates two short-term LOC products, with the second product introduced in January 2021. The Bank sells 90% or 95% of the balances maintained through these products within three business days of loan origination and retains a 5% or 10% interest. These products are unsecured and made to borrowers with subprime or near prime credit scores. The aggregate outstanding balance held for investment for these products totaled $39 million and $41 million as of December 31, 2025 and 2024.
The following tables present the activity in the ACLL by portfolio class:
ACLL Roll-forward
Beginning
Charge-
Ending
offs
Recoveries
10,337
450
(598)
3,047
1,089
Commercial real estate*:
Owner-occupied*
7,319
(113)
Nonowner-occupied*
12,523
(836)
Multi-Family*
2,714
146
Total commercial real estate*
(803)
25,830
(3,611)
(110)
6,060
2,167
5,132
4,236
(1,686)
(31)
1,061
179
(58)
625
1,279
5,501
(333)
(155)
1,074
489
(256)
1,044
(999)
202
647
(847)
230
(11)
(46)
(59)
501
1,732
(2,002)
5,485
58,998
847
527
59,845
9,349
3,929
29,886
18,295
22,285
* Loan segments as of December 31, 2024 changed from those defined in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, as the CRE loan pool was further segmented into Owner-occupied CRE, Nonowner-occupied CRE, and Multi-family beginning in 2025.
130
CBank
Adjustment**
for Credit Loss
8,909
1,303
151
2,831
213
23,739
1,997
4,123
1,937
3,976
866
449
176
4,628
996
(162)
667
(896)
197
(32)
(37)
135
386
(87)
50,709
8,698
1,009
51,718
22,492
14,807
18,695
** The net fair value adjustment to ACLL includes an estimate of lifetime credit losses for PCD loans.
During the first quarter of 2025, the Company further segmented its CRE portfolio into Owner-occupied CRE, Nonowner-occupied CRE, and Multi-family. The Company believes this additional portfolio segmentation will provide better granularity to the ACLL on a go-forward basis. Given the loss history for each of these portfolio segments over the past several years, this additional segmentation did not have a material impact to the Company’s ACLL as of December 31, 2025. This additional segmentation could have material impacts to the ACLL in the future, however, depending upon the overall credit performance of each of these individual portfolios on a go-forward basis.
The cumulative loss rate used as the basis for the estimate of the Company’s ACLL as of December 31, 2025, was primarily based on a static pool analysis of each of the Company’s loan pools using the Company’s loss experience from 2013 through 2025, supplemented by qualitative factor adjustments for current and forecasted conditions. The Company employs a one-year forecast for unemployment and commercial vacancy rates within its ACLL model. The cumulative loss rate within the Company’s ACLL also includes estimated losses based on an individual evaluation of loans which are either collateral dependent or which do not share risk characteristics with pooled loans, e.g., loan modifications. During the second quarter of 2025, the Company implemented a minimum loan balance threshold, as a practical expedient, for assessing individual loans for impairment. This threshold applies to loans with a risk rating of Special Mention or worse. The application of this new practical expedient resulted in a $518,000 net credit to the Provision during the second quarter of 2025.
131
Nonperforming Loans and Nonperforming Assets
Detail of nonperforming loans, nonperforming assets and select credit quality ratios follows:
*Loans on nonaccrual status include collateral-dependent loans.
**Loans past due 90-days-or-more and still accruing consist of smaller balance consumer loans.
The following tables present nonaccrual loans and loans past due 90-days-or-more and still on accrual by portfolio class:
Past Due 90-Days-or-More
Nonaccrual
and Still Accruing Interest*
* Loans past due 90-days-or-more and still accruing consist of smaller balance consumer loans.
132
Year Ended
Interest Income
Loans with
Loans without
Recognized
on Nonaccrual Loans*
376
721
23,085
1,808
* Includes interest income for loans on nonaccrual loans as of the beginning of the period that were paid off during the period.
688
16,643
1,207
244
152
134
327
562
2,705
19,914
1,863
* Includes interest income for loans on nonaccrual as of the beginning of the period that were paid off during the period.
Nonaccrual loans and loans past due 90-days-or-more and still on accrual both include smaller balance, primarily retail, homogeneous loans. Nonaccrual loans are typically returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and held current for six consecutive months and future contractual payments are reasonably assured. Modified loans classified as nonaccrual are reviewed for return to accrual status on an individual basis, with additional consideration given to performance under modified terms.
133
The following tables present the aging of the recorded investment in loans by portfolio class:
30 - 59
60 - 89
90 or More
Days
Delinquent
Delinquent*
Delinquent**
Current
4,770
2,140
2,118
1,031,052
528,518
20,470
3,082
937
409,292
848
8,184
7,951
2,522
3,452
4,532,372
5,286,462
6,947
1,830
104,607
137,004
14,898
4,352
3,613
5,423,466
Delinquency ratio***
0.27
*All loans past due 90-days-or-more, excluding small balance consumer loans, were on nonaccrual status.
**Delinquent status may be determined by either the number of days past due or number of payments past due.
***Represents total loans 30-days-or-more past due by aging category divided by total loans.
2,320
2,292
1,025,444
318,075
658,972
840,242
459,341
93,229
204
478
352,045
16,436
163
809
1,145
9,512
3,386
2,814
3,985
4,558,994
5,109,754
7,915
2,248
118,429
309,223
11,301
5,062
4,126
5,418,977
0.21
*All loans past due 90 days-or-more, excluding small-dollar consumer loans, were on nonaccrual status.
***Represents total loans 30-days-or-more past due divided by total loans.
Collateral-Dependent Loans
The following table presents the amortized cost basis of collateral-dependent loans by portfolio class:
Secured
by Real
by Personal
Estate
Property
19,343
23,116
535
149
3,659
31,833
806
28,112
When management determines that a loan is collateral dependent and that foreclosure is probable, expected credit losses are measured using the fair value of the collateral as of the reporting date, adjusted for estimated selling costs, when applicable. Collateral-dependent loans are generally secured by real estate or personal property. If there is insufficient collateral value to secure the Company’s recorded investment in these loans, they are charged down to collateral value less estimated selling costs, when selling costs are applicable. Estimated selling costs range from 10% to 13%, with those percentages based on annual studies performed by the Company.
In accordance with the Bank’s charge-off policy, the Bank will charge off all, or the portion of, its recorded investment in a collateral-dependent loan when it concludes that the full amount of contractual principal and interest is not expected to be collected.
The ACLL incorporates an estimate of lifetime expected credit losses using historical loss information. The Company uses a static pool loss rate method to determine an estimate which is recorded for each asset upon origination. Occasionally, the Company has reason to modify certain terms of loans for borrowers experiencing financial distress by providing the following forms of relief: forgiveness of loan principal, extension of repayment terms, interest rate reduction or an other-than-insignificant payment delay. The Company may make any or all of these types of concessions as part of such modifications. Since an estimate for historical losses is already included as a component of the ACLL, a change to the ACLL is generally not recorded at the time of such modifications unless the loan is individually analyzed and the modification changes the specific reserve allocation. In the event forgiveness of principal is provided, the amount of the forgiveness is charged-off against the ACLL.
136
Accruing loans that are modified are evaluated for nonaccrual classification based on a current assessment of the borrower’s financial condition and their demonstrated ability and willingness to repay under the modified terms. Loans on nonaccrual status that are subsequently modified continue to remain on nonaccrual and are reported as nonperforming until the borrower demonstrates sustained repayment capacity in accordance with the modified terms.
Collateral-dependent loan modifications made during 2025 totaled $5 million and there were $33 million collateral-dependent loans outstanding on the Company’s balance sheet at December 31, 2025. During the second quarter of 2025, the Company modified two loans for borrowers experiencing financial difficulty with an amortized cost basis of $4 million. One CRE owner-occupied loan, with an amortized cost basis of $250,000, was extended three months. One CRE nonowner-occupied loan, with an amortized cost basis of $4 million, was extended 12 months. During the fourth quarter of 2025, the Company modified seven loans for borrowers experiencing financial difficulty with a total amortized cost basis of $13 million. Two CRE owner-occupied loans, with a total amortized cost basis of $5 million, were extended three months. One CRE nonowner-occupied loan, with an amortized cost basis of $380,000, was extended three months. One C&I loan, with an amortized cost basis of $25,000, was extended three months. One CRE owner-occupied loan, with an amortized cost basis of $7 million, was extended six months. One C&I loan, with an amortized cost basis of $47,000, was extended 12 months. One C&I loan, with an amortized cost basis of $200,000, received a 12 month forbearance. There were no other material modifications made to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty during 2025.
During 2025 and 2024, there were no payment defaults by borrowers experiencing financial difficulty related to loans that were modified in the prior 12 months.
Foreclosures
The following table presents the carrying amount of foreclosed properties held as a result of the Bank obtaining physical possession of such properties:
1,033
Total other real estate owned
The following table presents the recorded investment in consumer mortgage loans secured by residential real estate properties for which formal foreclosure proceedings were in process according to requirements of the applicable jurisdiction:
Recorded investment in consumer residential real estate mortgage loans in the process of foreclosure
3,148
1,562
The Company’s TRS segment offered (i) for the 2026 Tax Season, its ERA product during December 2025 (ii) for the 2025 Tax Season, its RA product during the first two months of 2025 and its ERA product during December 2024 and (iii) for the 2024 Tax Season, its RA product during the first two months of 2024, and its ERA product during December 2023 and the first two weeks of 2024. Each year, all unpaid RAs, including ERAs, are charged-off at June 30th, and each quarter thereafter, any credits to the Provision for ERAs/RAs, are recorded as recoveries of previously charged-off accounts.
Information regarding RA activities follows:
Refund Advances originated
675,480
909,705
840,162
Net charge (credit) to the Provision for RAs, including ERAs
Provision as a percentage of RAs originated, including ERAs
1.38
3.29
2.68
Refund Advances net charge-offs
18,846
24,022
22,360
Refund Advances net charge-offs to total Refund Advances originated
2.79
2.64
2.66
Information regarding ERA activities follows:
Early Season Refund Advances originated in December
103,115
Net charge to the December Provision for outstanding Early Season Refund Advances
3,931
December provision to total Early Season Refund Advances
3.81
5.
PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT, NET
A summary of the cost and accumulated depreciation of premises and equipment follows:
Land
4,578
Buildings and improvements
32,292
33,222
Furniture, fixtures and equipment
62,703
55,943
Leasehold improvements
27,768
25,824
Construction in progress
1,099
Total premises and equipment
128,440
119,648
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization
92,454
87,339
Depreciation expense related to premises and equipment follows:
Depreciation expense
6.RIGHT-OF-USE ASSETS AND OPERATING LEASE LIABILITIES
The Company records the present value of its required minimum lease payments plus any amounts probable of being owed under a residual value guarantee as operating lease liabilities. In addition to these operating lease liabilities, the Company records right-of-use assets for the underlying leased property.
As of December 31, 2025, the Company was under 47 separate and distinct operating lease contracts to lease the land and/or buildings for 41 of its offices, with 10 such operating leases contracted with a related party of the Company. As of December 31, 2025, payments on 24 of the Company’s operating leases were considered variable because such payments were adjustable based on periodic changes in the Consumer Price Index.
The Company recorded six third-party lease renewals during 2025 with a total right-of-use asset value of $1.3 million.
The Company recorded five third-party lease renewals during 2024 with a total right-of-use asset value of $2.2 million and recorded one existing related-party lease renewals during 2024 with a total right-of-use asset value of $5.3 million.
The following table presents information concerning the Company’s operating lease expense recorded as a noninterest expense within the category “Occupancy and equipment, net” for years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023:
Operating lease expense:
Related Party:
Variable lease expense
4,704
4,611
4,688
Fixed lease expense
Third-Party:
1,673
1,601
1,464
1,607
1,538
1,566
Total operating lease expense
8,088
7,941
Other information concerning operating leases:
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities
7,196
6,943
6,901
Cash paid for variable rent payments not included in measurement of operating lease liabilities
603
The following table presents the weighted-average remaining term and weighted-average discount rate for the Company’s long-term operating leases:
Weighted average remaining term in years
7.32
Weighted average discount rate
2.82
3.08
The following table presents a maturity schedule of the Company’s operating lease liabilities based on undiscounted cash flows, and a reconciliation of those undiscounted cash flows to the operating lease liabilities recognized on the Company’s balance sheet as of December 31, 2025:
Year (in thousands)
Related Party
Third-Party
2026
4,216
2,800
7,016
2027
4,271
2,426
6,697
2028
4,149
1,676
5,825
2029
3,841
1,174
5,015
2030
3,086
525
3,611
Thereafter
5,464
2,792
8,256
Total undiscounted cash flows
25,027
11,393
36,420
Discount applied to cash flows
(3,871)
(4,050)
Total discounted cash flows reported as operating lease liabilities
21,156
11,214
139
7.GOODWILL AND CORE DEPOSIT INTANGIBLE ASSETS
A progression of the balance for goodwill follows:
Beginning of period
16,300
Acquired goodwill
24,216
Impairment
End of period
The goodwill balance relates entirely to the Company’s Traditional Banking segment and Core Banking operations.
At December 31, 2025, and December 31, 2024, the Company had $41 million in goodwill recorded on its balance sheet. Goodwill of $24 million was attributed to the 2023 CBank acquisition, while goodwill totaling $6 million and $10 million were attributed to the acquisitions of Cornerstone Community Bank and GulfStream Community Bank in 2016 and 2006.
Impairment exists when a reporting unit’s carrying value of goodwill exceeds its fair value. As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, the Company’s Core Banking reporting unit had positive equity and the Company elected to perform a qualitative assessment to determine if it was more-likely-than-not that the fair value of the reporting unit exceeded its carrying value, including goodwill. The qualitative assessment indicated that it was not more-likely-than-not that the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeded its fair value.
The Company recorded a $3 million CDI asset in association with its 2023 CBank acquisition. The gross carrying amount and life-to-date accumulated amortization of the CDI asset follow:
Gross Carrying Amount
Accumulated Amortization
Net Carrying Amount
2,844
(1,309)
(887)
Changes in the net carrying amount of the CDI asset follow:
2,439
Added from acquisition
Amortized to expense
(422)
(482)
Aggregate CDI amortization expense follows:
Core deposit amortization expense
422
482
405
Future CDI amortization expense is estimated as follows:
Years (dollars in thousands)
371
320
269
166
2031
2032
Total future amortization expense
8.
INTEREST RATE SWAPS
The Bank entered into three interest rate swap agreements during the second quarter of 2024 related to FHLB advances tied to 1-month SOFR. The counterparty for all three swaps met the Bank’s credit standards and the Bank believes that the credit risk inherent in the swap contracts is not significant. As of August 8, 2024 the Bank designated the swaps to be effective for hedge accounting purposes. The Bank expects the hedges to remain fully effective during the remaining term of the swaps.
The following tables reflect information about swaps designated as cash flow hedges:
Interest rate swaps on FHLB advances - Other liabilities and accrued interest payable
(2,674)
(647)
Pay
Receive
Assets /
Gain (Loss)
(Liabilities)
in AOCI
4.14
1M SOFR
5/2024 - 6/2029
The following table reflects the total interest expense recorded on these swap transactions in the consolidated statements of income:
Interest rate swaps on FHLB advances
Total interest (benefit) expense on swap transactions
The following table presents the net gains (losses) recorded in OCI and the consolidated statements of income relating to the swaps designated as cash flow hedges:
Losses recognized in OCI on derivative (effective portion)
Losses reclassified from OCI on derivative (effective portion)
Gains (losses) recognized in income on derivative (ineffective portion)
A summary of the Bank’s interest rate swaps related to clients is included in the following table:
The Bank and its counterparties are required to pledge securities or cash as collateral when either party is in a net loss position exceeding $250,000 with the other party. As of December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the Bank’s counterparties had cash of $0 and $4 million pledged to the Bank, which were included in Interest-bearing deposits on the Company’s Balance Sheet. Conversely, the Bank had $5 million and $0 pledged to its counterparties as of December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, which were included in Cash and cash equivalents on the Company’s Balance Sheet.
9.
DEPOSITS
The composition of the deposit portfolio follows:
As of December 31, 2025, the scheduled maturities and weighted-average rate of all time deposits, including brokered and reciprocal certificates of deposit, were as follows:
Principal
558,805
3.90
13,438
2.39
36,042
2.49
23,895
3.87
19,422
651,602
3.79
143
10.SECURITIES SOLD UNDER AGREEMENTS TO REPURCHASE
SSUAR consist of short-term excess funds from correspondent banks, repurchase agreements, and overnight liabilities to deposit clients arising from the Bank’s treasury management program. While comparable to deposits in their transactional nature, these overnight liabilities to clients are in the form of repurchase agreements. Repurchase agreements collateralized by securities are treated as financings; accordingly, the securities involved with the agreements are recorded as assets and are held by a safekeeping agent and the obligations to repurchase the securities are reflected as liabilities. Should the fair value of currently pledged securities fall below the associated repurchase agreements, the Bank would be required to pledge additional securities. To mitigate the risk of under collateralization, the Bank typically pledges at least two percent more in securities than the associated repurchase agreements. All such securities are under the Bank’s control.
As of December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, all SSUAR had overnight maturities. Information regarding SSUAR follows:
Weighted average interest rate at end of period
Fair value of securities pledged:
130,940
151,972
Total securities pledged
Weighted average interest rate during the period
Maximum outstanding at any month end during the period
11.
FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK ADVANCES
FHLB advances were as follows:
Overnight advances
130,000
25,000
Fixed interest rate advances
376,000
370,000
Total FHLB advances
Each FHLB advance is payable at its maturity date, with a prepayment penalty for fixed rate advances that are paid off earlier than maturity.
FHLB advances are collateralized by a blanket pledge of eligible real estate loans. As of December 31, 2025, and December 31, 2024, Republic had available borrowing capacity of $646 million and $755 million, respectively, from the FHLB. In addition to its borrowing capacity with the FHLB, Republic also had unsecured lines of credit totaling $100 million available through various other financial institutions as of December 31, 2025, and December 31, 2024.
144
Aggregate future principal payments on FHLB advances based on contractual maturity and the weighted-average cost of such advances are detailed below:
Year (dollars in thousands)
260,000
4.23
4.01
160,000
4.39
As more fully disclosed in the Footnote titled “Interest Rate Swaps” in this section of the report, the Bank elected to extend $100 million of FHLB advances during the second quarter of 2024 through a third-party. As a result of this swap, the Bank locked in an annualized cost of 4.42% for this $100 million over a five-year term. The total weighted-average cost of all advances, including the impact of any corresponding swaps, is 4.16%.
Information regarding overnight FHLB advances follows:
3.80
4.45
37,644
71,981
197,185
4.48
5.47
428,000
760,000
485,000
The following table illustrates real estate loans pledged to collateralize advances and letters of credit with the FHLB:
First-lien, single family residential real estate
1,136,838
1,177,113
Home equity lines of credit
355,875
312,168
Multi-family commercial real estate
92,167
94,334
260,789
330,911
12.
OFF-BALANCE SHEET RISKS, COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES
Commitments to Extend Credit
The Company, in the normal course of business, is party to financial instruments with OBS risk. These financial instruments primarily include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. The contract or notional amounts of these instruments reflect the potential future obligations of the Company pursuant to those financial instruments. Creditworthiness for all instruments is evaluated on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the Company’s credit policies. Collateral from the client may be required based on the Company’s credit evaluation of the client and may include business assets of commercial clients, as well as personal property and real estate of individual clients or guarantors.
The Company also extends binding commitments to clients and prospective clients. Such commitments assure a borrower of financing for a specified period of time at a specified rate. The risk to the Company under such loan commitments is limited by the terms of the contracts. For example, the Company may not be obligated to advance funds if the client’s financial condition deteriorates or if the client fails to meet specific covenants.
An approved but unfunded loan commitment represents a potential credit risk and a liquidity risk, since the Company’s client(s) may demand immediate cash that would require funding. In addition, unfunded loan commitments represent interest rate risk as market interest rates may rise above the rate committed to the Company’s client. Since a portion of these loan commitments normally expire unused, the total amount of outstanding commitments at any point in time may not require future funding.
The following table presents the Company’s commitments, exclusive of Mortgage Banking loan commitments:
Unused warehouse lines of credit
436,909
404,240
Unused home equity lines of credit
487,822
478,040
Unused loan commitments - other
1,203,211
1,093,990
Standby letters of credit
10,385
11,282
Total commitments
2,138,327
1,987,552
Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by the Company to guarantee the performance of a client to a third-party. The terms and risk of loss involved in issuing standby letters of credit are similar to those involved in issuing loan commitments and extending credit. In addition to credit risk, the Company also has liquidity risk associated with standby letters of credit because funding for these obligations could be required immediately. The Company does not deem this risk to be material.
The following table presents a rollforward of the ACLC:
ACLC Roll-forward
Loan Commitments
Unused construction lines of credit
677
(92)
585
820
(143)
Unused RCS lines of credit
300
(70)
251
373
349
1,490
1,450
1,340
13.
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND REGULATORY CAPITAL MATTERS
Dividend Restrictions — The Parent Company’s principal source of funds for dividend payments are dividends received from RB&T. Banking regulations limit the amount of dividends that may be paid to the Parent Company by the Bank without prior approval of the respective states’ banking regulators. Under these regulations, the amount of dividends that may be paid in any calendar year is limited to the current year’s net profits, combined with the retained net profits of the preceding two years. As of January1, 2026, RB&T could, without prior approval, declare dividends of approximately $179 million. Any payment of dividends in the future will depend, in large part, on the Company capital requirements, financial condition, results of operations and other factors considered relevant by the Company’s Board.
Regulatory Capital Requirements — The Parent Company and the Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by banking regulators. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on Republic’s financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Parent Company and the Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of the Company’s assets, liabilities and certain OBS items, as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings, and other factors.
Prompt corrective action regulations provide five classifications: well capitalized, adequately capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized, and critically undercapitalized, although these terms are not used to represent overall financial condition. If adequately capitalized, regulatory approval is required to accept brokered deposits. If undercapitalized, capital distributions are limited, as is asset growth and expansion, and capital restoration plans are required. As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, the most recent regulatory notifications categorized the Bank as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. There are no conditions or events since that notification that management believes have changed the institution’s category.
For prompt corrective action, the regulations in accordance with Basel III define “well capitalized” as a 10.0% Total Risk-Based Capital ratio, a 6.5% Common Equity Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital ratio, an 8.0% Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital ratio, and a 5.0% Tier 1 Leverage ratio. Additionally, in order to avoid limitations on capital distributions, including dividend payments and certain discretionary bonus payments to executive officers, the Company and Bank must hold a capital conservation buffer of 2.5% composed of Common Equity Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital above their minimum risk-based capital requirements.
Minimum Requirement
to be Well Capitalized
Under Prompt
for Capital Adequacy
Corrective Action
Actual
Purposes
Provisions
514,734
514,221
643,417
10.00
289,538
4.50
289,249
418,221
6.50
386,050
6.00
385,666
280,780
4.00
282,054
350,975
5.00
490,967
490,567
613,209
276,169
275,944
398,586
368,225
367,925
274,384
274,789
343,486
148
14.
FAIR VALUE
Fair value represents the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. There are three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair values:
Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the entity has the ability to access as of the measurement date.
Level 2: Significant other observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.
Level 3: Significant unobservable inputs that reflect a reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability.
Authoritative guidance requires maximization of use of observable inputs and minimization of use of unobservable inputs in fair value measurements. Where there exists limited or no observable market data, the Company derives its own estimates by generally considering characteristics of the asset/liability, the current economic and competitive environment, and other factors. For this reason, results cannot be determined with precision and may not be realized on an actual sale or immediate settlement of the asset or liability.
The Bank used the following methods and significant assumptions to estimate the fair value of each type of financial instrument:
Available-for-sale debt securities: Except for the Bank’s U.S. Treasury securities, its private label MBS, and its TRUP investment, the fair value of AFS debt securities is typically determined by matrix pricing, which is a mathematical technique used widely in the industry to value debt securities without relying exclusively on quoted prices for the specific securities, but rather by relying on the securities’ relationship to other benchmark quoted securities (Level 2 inputs).
The Bank’s U.S. Treasury securities are based on quoted market prices (Level 1 inputs) and considered highly liquid.
The Bank’s private label MBS remains illiquid, and as such, the Bank classifies this security as a Level 3 security in accordance with ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement. Based on this determination, the Bank utilized an income valuation model (present value model) approach in determining the fair value of this security.
See the Footnote titled “Investment Securities” in this section of the report for additional discussion regarding the Bank’s private label MBS.
The Company acquired its TRUP investment in 2015 and considers the most recent bid price for the same instrument to approximate market value as of December 31, 2025. The Company’s TRUP investment is considered highly illiquid and also valued using Level 3 inputs, as the most recent bid price for this instrument is not always considered generally observable.
Equity securities with a readily determinable fair value: The fair value of the Company’s Freddie Mac preferred stock is determined based on market prices of similar securities, as described above (Level 2 inputs).
Mortgage loans held for sale, at fair value: The fair value of mortgage loans HFS is determined using quoted secondary market prices. Mortgage loans HFS are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.
Consumer loans held for sale, at fair value: The fair value for these loans is based on contractual sales terms, Level 3 inputs.
Mortgage banking derivatives: Mortgage banking derivatives used in the ordinary course of business primarily consist of mandatory forward sales contracts (“forward contracts”) and interest rate lock loan commitments. The fair value of the Bank’s derivative instruments is primarily measured by obtaining pricing from broker-dealers recognized to be market participants. The pricing is derived from market observable inputs that can generally be verified and do not typically involve significant judgment by the Bank. Forward contracts and rate lock loan commitments are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.
Interest rate swap agreements: Interest rate swaps are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. The Company values its interest rate swaps using a third-party valuation service and classifies such valuations as Level 2. Valuations of these interest rate swaps are also received from the relevant dealer counterparty and validated against the Company’s calculations. The Company has considered counterparty credit risk in the valuation of its interest rate swap assets and has considered its own credit risk in the valuation of its interest rate swap liabilities.
Discussion of assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis follows:
Collateral-dependent loans: Collateral-dependent loans generally reflect partial charge-downs to their respective fair value, which is commonly based on recent real estate appraisals or BPOs. These appraisals or BPOs may utilize a single valuation approach or a combination of approaches including comparable sales and the income approach. Adjustments are routinely made in the process by the independent experts to adjust for differences between the comparable sales and income data available. Such adjustments are usually significant and typically result in a Level 3 classification of the inputs for determining fair value. Non-real estate collateral may be valued using an appraisal, net book value per the borrower’s financial statements or aging reports, adjusted or discounted based on management’s historical knowledge, changes in market conditions from the time of the valuation, and management’s expertise and knowledge of the client and client’s business, resulting in a Level 3 fair value classification. Collateral-dependent loans are evaluated on a quarterly basis for additional impairment and adjusted accordingly.
Other real estate owned: Assets acquired through or instead of loan foreclosure are initially recorded at fair value less costs to sell when acquired, establishing a new cost basis. These assets are subsequently accounted for at lower of cost or fair value less estimated costs to sell. Fair value is commonly based on recent real estate appraisals or BPOs. These appraisals or BPOs may utilize a single approach or a combination of approaches, including comparable sales and the income approach. Adjustments are routinely made in the process by the independent experts to adjust for differences between the comparable sales and income data available. Such adjustments may be significant and typically result in a Level 3 classification of the inputs for determining fair value.
Appraisals for collateral-dependent loans, impaired premises and OREO are performed by certified general appraisers (for commercial properties) or certified residential appraisers (for residential properties) whose qualifications and licenses have been reviewed and verified by the Bank. Once the appraisal is received, a member of the Bank’s CCAD reviews the assumptions and approaches utilized in the appraisal, as well as the overall resulting fair value in comparison with independent data sources, such as recent market data or industry-wide statistics. On at least an annual basis, the Bank performs a back test of collateral appraisals by comparing actual selling prices on recent collateral sales to the most recent appraisal of such collateral. Back tests are performed for each collateral class, e.g., RRE or CRE, and may lead to additional adjustments to the value of unliquidated collateral of similar class.
Mortgage servicing rights: At least quarterly, MSR’s are evaluated for impairment based upon the fair value of the MSR’s as compared to carrying amount. If the carrying amount of an individual tranche exceeds fair value, impairment is recorded, and the respective individual tranche is carried at fair value. If the carrying amount of an individual tranche does not exceed fair value, impairment is reversed if previously recognized and the carrying value of the individual tranche is based on the amortization method. The valuation model utilizes assumptions that market participants would use in estimating future net servicing income and can generally be validated against available market data (Level 2).
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, including financial assets and liabilities for which the Bank has elected the fair value option, are summarized below:
Fair Value Measurements at
December 31, 2025 Using:
Quoted Prices in
Significant
Active Markets
for Identical
Observable
Unobservable
Assets
Inputs
(Level 1)
(Level 2)
(Level 3)
Financial assets:
34,854
258,521
844,338
Equity securities with a readily determinable fair value:
Mortgage loans held for sale
Consumer loans held for sale
Rate lock commitments
279
Interest rate swap agreements - Bank clients and institutional swap dealer
6,321
Financial liabilities:
Mandatory forward contracts
Interest rate swap agreements on FHLB advances
2,674
December 31, 2024 Using:
84,775
304,311
493,796
5,584
223
6,588
All transfers between levels are generally recognized at the end of each quarter. There were no transfers into or out of Level 1, 2 or 3 assets during the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024.
The following table presents a reconciliation of the Bank’s private label MBS measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3):
1,773
2,127
Total gains or losses included in earnings:
Net change in unrealized gain (loss)
Realized pass through of actual loss
Principal paydowns
(322)
(400)
The fair value of the Bank’s single private label MBS is supported by analysis prepared by an independent third-party. The third-party’s approach to determining fair value involved several steps: 1) detailed collateral analysis of the underlying mortgages, including consideration of geographic location, original loan-to-value, and the weighted-average FICO score of the borrowers; 2) collateral performance projections for each pool of mortgages underlying the security (PD, severity of default, and prepayment probabilities) and 3) discounted cash flow modeling.
The significant unobservable inputs in the fair value measurement of the Bank’s single private label MBS are prepayment rates, PD, and loss severity in the event of default. Significant fluctuations in any of those inputs in isolation would result in a significantly different fair value measurement.
Quantitative information about recurring Level 3 fair value measurement inputs for the Bank’s single private label MBS follows:
Valuation Technique
Unobservable Inputs
Range (1)
Discounted cash flow
(1) Constant prepayment rate
2.2% - 5.4%
(2) Probability of default
0.8% - 6.9%
(3) Loss severity
25%
(1) The bank owns one private label MBS; therefore, the range presented is equivalent to the weighted-average range.
Valuation
Technique
1.5% - 2.6%
0.5% - 9.1%
The following table presents a reconciliation of the Company’s TRUP investment measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3):
4,118
3,855
Discount accretion
The fair value of the Company’s TRUP investment is based on the most recent bid price for this instrument, as provided by a third-party broker.
Mortgage Loans Held for Sale
The Bank has elected the fair value option for mortgage loans HFS. These loans are intended for sale and the Bank believes that the fair value is the best indicator of the resolution of these loans. Interest income is recorded based on the contractual terms of the loans and in accordance with Bank policy for such instruments. None of these loans were past due 90-days-or-more or on nonaccrual as of December 31, 2025, and December 31, 2024.
The aggregate fair value, contractual balance, and unrealized gain were as follows:
Aggregate fair value
Contractual balance
7,367
Unrealized gain
195
The total amount of net gains from changes in fair value included in earnings for mortgage loans HFS, at fair value, are presented in the following table:
Interest income
282
Change in fair value
Total included in earnings
630
763
Consumer Loans Held for Sale
RCS carries loans originated through its installment loan program at fair value. Interest income is recorded based on the contractual terms of the loan and in accordance with Bank policy for such instruments. None of these loans were past due 90-days-or-more or on nonaccrual as of December 31, 2025, and December 31, 2024.
The significant unobservable inputs in the fair value measurement of the Bank’s short-term installment loans are the net contractual premiums and level of loans sold at a discount price. Significant fluctuations in any of those inputs in isolation would result in a significantly lower/higher fair value measurement.
153
The following table presents quantitative information about recurring Level 3 fair value measurement inputs for installment loans:
Contract Terms
(1) Net Premium
0.15%
(2) Discounted Sales
10%
The aggregate fair value, contractual balance, and unrealized gain on consumer loans HFS, at fair value, were as follows:
11,044
5,476
Unrealized loss
(76)
The total amount of net gains from changes in fair value included in earnings for consumer loans HFS, at fair value, follows:
6,872
5,025
4,242
(43)
(22)
6,829
5,042
4,220
Assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis are summarized below:
Collateral-dependent loans:
412
306
Total collateral-dependent loans
1,978
Other real estate owned:
949
201
* The difference between the carrying value and the fair value of collateral dependent or impaired loans measured at fair value is reconciled in a subsequent table of this Footnote.
155
The following tables present quantitative information about Level 3 fair value measurements for financial instruments measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis:
Range
(Weighted
Average)
Collateral-dependent loans - residential real estate owner-occupied
Appraisal
Appraisal discounts
10% (10%)
Collateral-dependent loans - residential real estate nonowner occupied
Collateral-dependent loans - commercial real estate owner-occupied
13%-70% (27%)
Other real estate owned - residential real estate
Other real estate owned - commercial real estate nonowner-occupied
65% (65%)
3% (3%)
Other real estate owned - commercial real estate
57% (57%)
Collateral Dependent Loans
Collateral-dependent loans are generally measured for loss using the fair value for reasonable disposition of the underlying collateral. The Bank’s practice is to obtain new or updated appraisals or BPOs on the loans subject to the initial review and then to evaluate the need for an update to this value on an as necessary or possibly annual basis thereafter (depending on the market conditions impacting the value of the collateral). The Bank may discount the valuation amount as necessary for selling costs and past due real estate taxes. If a new or updated appraisal or BPO is not available at the time of a loan’s loss review, the Bank may apply a discount to the existing value of an old valuation to reflect the property’s current estimated value if it is believed to have deteriorated in either: (i) the physical or economic aspects of the subject property or (ii) material changes in market conditions. The review generally results in a partial charge-off of the loan if fair value, less selling costs, are below the loan’s carrying value. Collateral-dependent loans are valued within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
During the years ended December 31, 2025, and 2024, the Provision recorded for collateral-dependent loans was not material.
OREO, which is carried at the lower of cost or fair value, is periodically assessed for impairment based on fair value at the reporting date. Fair value is determined from external appraisals or BPOs using judgments and estimates of external professionals. Many of these inputs are not observable and, accordingly, these measurements are classified as Level 3.
Detail of OREO carrying value and write downs follows:
Other real estate owned carried at fair value
Total carrying value of other real estate owned
156
Financial Instruments
The carrying amounts and estimated exit price fair values of financial instruments follows:
December 31, 2025:
Carrying
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Assets:
Available-for-sale debt securities
Held-to-maturity debt securities
Equity securities with a readily determinable fair values
17,124
82,837
5,332,160
Federal Home Loan Bank stock
22,291
Mortgage servicing rights
17,432
Liabilities:
Transaction deposits
3,378,084
652,942
508,892
3,288
December 31, 2024:
18,714
5,209,571
20,128
17,159
3,231,738
771,044
773,415
395,814
5,153
157
15.MORTGAGE BANKING ACTIVITIES
Mortgage banking activities primarily include residential mortgage originations and servicing.
Activity for mortgage loans HFS, at fair value, was as follows:
3,227
1,302
210,932
186,959
77,800
Proceeds from the sale of mortgage loans held for sale
(217,653)
(253,922)
(77,928)
Net gain on mortgage loans held for sale
5,925
3,875
2,053
Mortgage loans serviced for others, which are not reported as assets, were as follows:
764,492
830,835
450,787
448,488
128,084
44,299
1,343,363
1,323,622
Servicing loans for others generally consists of collecting mortgage payments, maintaining escrow accounts, disbursing payments to investors and processing foreclosures. Custodial escrow account balances maintained in connection with serviced loans were approximately $8 million and $8 million as of December 31, 2025 and 2024.
Mortgage loans are sold to the FHLB under a LRA, which represents a recourse obligation of the FHLB for absorbing potential losses on loans sold to the FHLB and an asset to the Company. The funds withheld by the FHLB to settle these recourse obligations totaled $3 million and $1 million as of December 31, 2025 and 2024. In the event that the estimated losses are not realized within the portfolio, the LRA agreements provide for repayment of these funds to the Company. These receivables are recorded on the Company’s balance sheet at the present value of their expected future cash flows upon the establishment of the LRA and adjusted on a quarterly basis based on changes in interest rates and the projected future cash flows. As of the December 31, 2025 and 2024, the LRA had a carrying value on the Company’s balance sheet of $2 million and $572,000.
158
The following table presents the components of mortgage banking income:
Net gain realized on sale of mortgage loans held for sale
6,014
4,624
1,784
Fair value adjustment for correspondent loans reclassified to held for sale
(997)
Net change in fair value recognized on loans held for sale
Net change in fair value recognized on rate lock loan commitments
Net change in fair value recognized on forward contracts
(99)
Net gain recognized
Loan servicing income
3,307
3,290
3,370
Net amortization of mortgage servicing rights
(1,831)
(1,727)
(1,881)
Net servicing income recognized
1,476
1,563
1,489
Total mortgage banking income
Activity for capitalized MSR’s was as follows:
7,411
8,770
Additions
Activity in the valuation allowance for capitalized MSR’s follows:
Beginning valuation allowance
Charge during the period
Ending valuation allowance
Other information relating to MSR’s follows:
Fair value of mortgage servicing rights portfolio
Monthly weighted average prepayment rate of unpaid principal balance*
Discount rate
9.74
10.25
Weighted average foreclosure rate
Weighted average life in years
7.35
7.51
* Rates are applied to individual tranches with similar characteristics.
Estimated future amortization expense of the MSR portfolio (net of any applicable impairment charge) follows; however, actual amortization expense will be impacted by loan payoffs and changes in estimated lives that occur during each respective year:
965
960
946
Mortgage banking derivatives used in the ordinary course of business primarily consist of mandatory forward sales contracts and interest rate lock loan commitments. Mandatory forward contracts represent future commitments to deliver loans at a specified price and date and are used to manage interest rate risk on loan commitments and mortgage loans HFS. Interest rate lock loan commitments represent commitments to fund loans at a specific rate. These derivatives involve underlying items, such as interest rates, and are designed to transfer risk. Substantially all of these instruments expire within 90 days from the date of issuance. Notional amounts are amounts on which calculations and payments are based, but which do not represent credit exposure, as credit exposure is limited to the amounts required to be received or paid.
Mandatory forward contracts also contain an element of risk in that the counterparties may be unable to meet the terms of such agreements. In the event the counterparties fail to deliver commitments or are unable to fulfill their obligations, the Bank could potentially incur significant additional costs by replacing the positions at then current market rates. The Bank manages its risk of exposure by limiting counterparties to those banks and institutions deemed appropriate by management and the Board. The Bank does not expect any counterparty to default on their obligations and therefore, the Bank does not expect to incur any cost related to counterparty default.
The Bank is exposed to interest rate risk on loans HFS and rate lock loan commitments. As market interest rates fluctuate, the fair value of mortgage loans HFS and rate lock commitments will decline or increase. To offset this interest rate risk the Bank enters into derivatives, such as mandatory forward contracts to sell loans or purchase TBA securities. The fair value of these mandatory forward contracts will fluctuate as market interest rates fluctuate, and the change in the value of these instruments is expected to largely, though not entirely, offset the change in fair value of loans HFS and rate lock commitments. The objective of this activity is to minimize the exposure to losses on rate loan lock commitments and loans HFS due to market interest rate fluctuations. The net effect of derivatives on earnings will depend on risk management activities and a variety of other factors, including market interest rate volatility; the amount of rate lock commitments that close; the ability to fill the forward contracts before expiration; and the time period required to close and sell loans.
The following table includes the notional amounts and fair values of mortgage loans HFS and mortgage banking derivatives:
Included in Mortgage loans held for sale:
Included in other assets:
Rate lock loan commitments
12,617
12,592
18,776
Included in other liabilities:
16,280
160
16.
STOCK PLANS AND STOCK BASED COMPENSATION
In November 2024, the Company’s Board adopted the Republic Bancorp, Inc. 2025 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2025 Plan”), which replaced the 2015 Stock Incentive Plan. The number of authorized shares under the 2025 Plan was fixed at 3,000,000, with such number subject to adjustment in the event of certain events, such as stock dividends, stock splits, or the like. There is a minimum three-year vesting period for awards granted to employees under the 2025 Plan that vest based solely on the completion of a specified period of service, with options generally exercisable three to six years after the issue date. Stock options generally must be exercised within one year from the date the options become exercisable and have an exercise price that is at least equal to the fair market value of the Company’s stock on their grant date.
Outstanding awards under the 2015 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2015 Plan”) will generally continue in effect according to their terms and the shares with respect to outstanding awards under the 2015 Plan will be issued or transferred under the 2025 Plan and accounted for pursuant to the 2025 Plan.
All shares issued under the 2025 Plan were from authorized and reserved unissued shares. The Company has a sufficient number of authorized and reserved unissued shares to satisfy all anticipated option exercises. There are no Class B stock options outstanding or available for exercise under the Company’s plans.
Stock Options
The fair value of each stock option granted is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes based stock option valuation model. This model requires the input of subjective assumptions that will usually have a significant impact on the fair value estimate. Expected volatilities are based on historical volatility of Republic’s common stock and other factors. Expected dividends are based on dividend trends and the market price of Republic’s common stock price at grant. Republic uses historical data to estimate option exercises and employee terminations within the valuation model. The risk-free rate for periods within the contractual life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve at the time of grant.
All share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, are recognized as compensation expense over the service period (generally the vesting period) in the consolidated financial statements based on their fair values.
The fair value of stock options granted was determined using the following weighted-average assumptions as of grant date:
Risk-free interest rate
4.51
4.02
3.86
Expected dividend yield
3.04
3.19
Expected stock price volatility
25.82
27.62
33.14
Expected life of options (in years)
3.5
Estimated fair value per share
15.01
9.64
The following table summarizes stock option activity from January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2025:
Options
Remaining
Aggregate
Exercise
Contractual
Intrinsic
Price
Term (years)
Outstanding, January 1, 2024
460,650
38.37
Granted
59,413
49.25
Exercised
(223,252)
36.24
Forfeited or expired
(20,930)
42.03
Outstanding, December 31, 2024
275,881
42.15
2.2
7,646,215
Outstanding, January 1, 2025
45,002
67.71
(131,646)
40.75
(10,882)
58.94
Outstanding, December 31, 2025
178,355
48.62
3,633,491
Unvested
96,177
56.32
4.2
1,218,648
Exercisable (vested) at December 31, 2025
82,178
39.60
0.8
2,414,843
Information related to the stock options during each year follows:
Years Ended December 31, (in thousands, except per share data)
Total intrinsic value of options exercised
3,552
4,453
Total cash received from options exercised, net of shares redeemed
Total tax benefit of options exercised
Loan balances of employees that were originated solely to fund stock option exercises were as follows:
Outstanding loans
162
Restricted Stock Awards
Restricted stock awards generally vest within three to six years after issuance, with accelerated vesting due to “change in control” or “death or disability of a participant” as defined and outlined in the 2025 Plan.
The following table summarizes all restricted stock activity from January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2025:
Restricted
Weighted-Average
Stock Awards
Grant Date
Remaining Contractual
Class A Shares
87,066
43.37
13,590
58.88
Forfeited
(3,400)
43.67
Earned and issued
(29,454)
45.25
67,802
45.65
1.75
17,552
58.25
(4,500)
44.22
(11,929)
52.23
68,925
47.81
The fair value of the restricted stock awards is based on the closing stock price on the date of grant with the associated expense amortized to compensation expense over the vesting period, generally three to six years. The total fair value of restricted shares that vested during 2025, 2024, and 2023 was approximately $808,000, $1.8 million, and $1.5 million.
Performance Stock Units
PSUs are earned within one year of issuance and vest within three years of issuance, with accelerated vesting due to “change in control” or “death or disability of a participant” as defined and outlined in the 2025 Plan.
The following table summarizes all PSU activity from January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2025:
Performance
Stock Units
Grant Date Fair Value
8,854
6,377
68.02
(9,543)
50.61
5,688
Expense Related to Stock Incentive Plans
The Company recorded expense related to stock incentive plans as follows:
Stock option expense
653
Restricted stock award expense
1,377
829
Performance stock unit expense
Total expense
2,114
2,061
1,322
Unrecognized expenses related to unvested awards under stock incentive plans are estimated as follows:
Stock
367
899
1,266
200
1,086
1,660
Deferred Compensation
On April 19, 2018, the shareholders of Republic approved an amendment and restatement of the Non-Employee Director and Key Employee Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Plan”). Prior to the Plan’s 2018 amendment and restatement, only directors participated in the plan, with the 2018 amendment and restatement initiating key-employee participation. The Plan provides non-employee directors and designated key employees the ability to defer compensation and have those deferred amounts paid later in the form of Company Class A Common shares based on the shares that could have been acquired as the deferrals were made. The Company maintains a bookkeeping account for each director or key-employee participant, and at the end of each fiscal quarter, deferred compensation is converted to “stock units” equal to the amount of compensation deferred during the quarter divided by the quarter-end fair market value of the Company’s Class A Common stock. Stock units for each participant’s account are also credited with an amount equal to the cash dividends that would have been paid on the number of stock units in the account if the stock units were deemed to be outstanding shares of stock. Any dividends credited are converted into additional stock units at the end of the fiscal quarter in which the dividends were paid.
DIRECTORS
Members of the Board may defer board and committee fees from two to five years, with each director participant retaining a nonforfeitable interest in his or her deferred compensation account. The following table presents information on director deferred compensation under the Plan for the periods presented:
Weighted-Avg Remaining
Market Price
Contractual Term
Units
at Date of Deferral
Until Distribution (years)
113,403
35.65
Deferred fees and dividend equivalents converted to stock units
12,726
55.68
Stock units converted to Class A Common Shares
(6,371)
36.77
119,758
37.72
13,555
70.42
(10,872)
33.80
122,441
41.69
2.40
Vested
Director deferred compensation has been expensed as follows:
Director deferred compensation expense
961
719
777
KEY EMPLOYEES
Designated key employees may defer a portion of their base salaries on a pre-tax basis under the Plan, with the Company matching employee deferrals up to a prescribed limit. With limited exception, the Company match amount remains unvested until December 31st of the year that is five years from the beginning of the year that the Company match is made. The following table presents information on key-employee deferred compensation under the Plan for the periods presented:
96,258
42.17
Deferred base salaries and dividend equivalents converted to stock units
8,412
56.88
Matching stock units credited
8,215
57.87
Matching stock units forfeited
(2,087)
43.70
(5,734)
46.34
105,064
44.32
3.16
7,287
69.08
7,088
69.02
(6,965)
45.86
(10,298)
34.70
102,176
48.66
2.67
76,420
47.20
2.74
25,756
53.00
2.45
165
The following presents key-employee deferred compensation expense for the period presented:
Key employee - base salary
506
493
484
Key employee - employer match
385
250
645
878
734
On April 19, 2018, the shareholders of Republic approved the ESPP. Under the ESPP, participating employees may purchase shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock through payroll withholdings at a purchase price that cannot be less than 85% of the lower of the fair market value of the Company’s Class A Common Stock on the first trading day of each offering period, or on the last trading day of each offering period. Participating employees were able to purchase the Company’s Class A Common Stock through the ESPP as follows: 85% of fair market value on the last day of the three-month offering periods ended March 31, 2023, June 30, 2023, September 30, 2023, December 31, 2023, March 31, 2024, June 30, 2024, September 30, 2024, December 31, 2024, March 31, 2025, June 30, 2025, September 30, 2025, and December 31, 2025.
The following presents expense under the ESPP for the period presented:
ESPP expense
17.
BENEFIT PLANS
401(k) Plan
Republic maintains a 401(k) plan for eligible employees. All eligible employees are automatically enrolled at 6% of their eligible compensation within 30 days of their date of hire unless the eligible employee elects to enroll sooner. Participants in the plan have the option to contribute from 1% to 75% of their annual eligible compensation, up to the maximum allowed by the IRS. The Company matches 100% of participant contributions up to 1% and an additional 75% for participant contributions between 2% and 5% of each participant’s annual eligible compensation. Participants are fully vested after two years of employment.
Republic may also contribute discretionary matching contributions in addition to the matching contributions if the Company achieves certain operating goals. Normal and discretionary contributions for each of the periods ended were as follows:
Employer matching contributions
3,446
3,043
3,136
Discretionary employer bonus matching contributions
In association with the Cornerstone Community Bank acquisition in 2016, the Company inherited a SERP. The SERP requires the Company to pay monthly benefits following retirement of the SERP’s four participants. The Company accrues the present value of such benefits monthly. The SERP liability was approximately $2 million as of December 31, 2025 and 2024. No expense was recorded related to the SERP for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023.
18.
INCOME TAXES
Allocation of federal and state income tax between current and deferred portion is as follows:
Current expense:
Federal
22,562
24,962
22,015
State
6,556
6,396
5,237
Deferred expense:
5,742
(4,232)
(3,329)
(468)
(794)
(1,084)
Effective tax rates differ from federal statutory rate applied to income before income taxes due to the following:
Reconciliation Item (in thousands)
Percent
U.S. federal statutory tax expense
34,799
21.00
State and local income taxes, net of federal benefit (1)
5,112
Tax Credits
Low-income housing and historic tax credits
(3,891)
(2.35)
Other credits
(265)
(0.16)
Change in valuation allowance
Nontaxable or nondeductible items
(563)
(0.34)
Changes in unrecognized tax benefits
(454)
(0.27)
Other, net
(0.31)
Effective income tax expense
20.75
Federal corporate tax rate
Effect of:
State taxes, net of federal benefit
3.47
2.90
Low-income housing and R&D tax credits
(3.12)
(2.67)
Nontaxable income
(1.03)
(1.38)
Tax benefit of vesting employee benefits
(0.11)
(0.06)
0.41
Effective tax rate
20.62
20.17
For the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company made the following income tax payments, net of refunds received:
Jurisdiction (in thousands)
Cash Taxes Paid
16,126
State and local taxes:
2,850
All other states
3,098
Total income taxes paid
167
Year-end DTAs and DTLs were due to the following:
Deferred tax assets:
22,062
22,944
8,367
9,261
Accrued expenses
7,982
7,306
Net operating loss carryforward(1)
833
1,012
Acquisition fair value adjustments
Other-than-temporary impairment
597
689
Fair value of cash flow hedges
R&D capitalization
490
5,923
Unrealized investment security losses
792
4,584
2,646
2,303
Total deferred tax assets
44,485
54,238
Deferred tax liabilities:
Right of use assets - operating leases
(8,098)
(9,027)
Depreciation and amortization
(2,473)
(2,996)
Federal Home Loan Bank dividends
(778)
(751)
Deferred loan costs
(2,720)
(2,556)
Lease Financing Receivables
(2,629)
(2,802)
(1,760)
(1,740)
Total deferred tax liabilities
(18,458)
(19,872)
Less: Valuation allowance
(213)
Net deferred tax asset
25,814
34,366
Unrecognized Tax Benefits
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits follows:
2,799
2,862
2,866
Additions based on tax related to the current period
1,115
319
280
Reductions for tax positions of prior years
(720)
Reductions due to the statute of limitations
(384)
(320)
2,810
Of the 2025 total, $2.4 million represented the amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would favorably affect the effective income tax rate in future periods.
168
It is the Company’s policy to recognize interest and penalties as a component of income tax expense related to its unrecognized tax benefits. Amounts related to interest and penalties recorded in the income statements and accrued on the balance sheets follows:
Interest and penalties recorded in the income statement as a component of income tax expense
(68)
314
Interest and penalties accrued on balance sheet
1,037
1,096
1,163
The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state jurisdictions. The Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal income tax examinations by taxing authorities for all years prior to and including 2020. With a few exceptions, which are immaterial in the aggregate, the Company is no longer subject to state income tax examinations for all years prior to and including 2020.
On July 4, 2025, new tax legislation referred to as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act was enacted into law by the federal government. The tax provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act did not have a material impact on the Company’s income tax expense. The retroactive extension of bonus depreciation and the repeal requiring the capitalization of research and development expenditures has afforded the Company additional income tax deductions for 2025, reducing the anticipated income taxes payable for 2025.
19.
EARNINGS PER SHARE
The Company calculates EPS under the two-class method. Under the two-class method, earnings available to common shareholders for the period are allocated between Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock according to dividends declared (or accumulated) and participation rights in undistributed earnings. The difference in EPS between the two classes of common stock results from the 10% per share cash dividend premium paid on Class A Common Stock over that paid on Clas B Common Stock. For additional information, see the Footnote titled “Stockholders’ Equity and Regulatory Capital Matters” in this section of the report.
A reconciliation of the combined Class A and Class B Common Stock numerators and denominators of the EPS and diluted EPS computations follows:
(in thousands, except per share data)
Class B Shares
Undistributed net income for basic earnings per share
96,581
70,191
61,439
Weighted average potential dividends on Class A Shares upon exercise of dilutive options
(117)
(140)
Undistributed net income for diluted earnings per share
96,464
70,051
61,347
Weighted average shares outstanding:
17,595
17,499
17,634
2,149
2,151
2,158
Effect of dilutive securities on Class A Shares outstanding
Weighted average shares outstanding including dilutive securities
19,809
19,736
19,853
Basic earnings per share:
Class A Common Stock:
Per share dividends distributed
1.80
1.63
1.50
Undistributed earnings per share*
4.94
3.14
Total basic earnings per share - Class A Common Stock
Class B Common Stock:
1.64
1.36
3.28
2.85
Total basic earnings per share - Class B Common Stock
Diluted earnings per share:
4.92
3.58
3.12
Total diluted earnings per share - Class A Common Stock
4.47
2.84
Total diluted earnings per share - Class B Common Stock
*To arrive at undistributed earnings per share, undistributed net income is first pro rated between Class A and Class B Common Shares, with Class A Common Shares receiving a 10% premium. The resulting pro-rated, undistributed net income for each class is then divided by the weighted-average shares for each class.
Stock options excluded from the detailed earnings per share calculation because their impact was antidilutive are as follows:
Antidilutive stock options
38,422
149,169
Average antidilutive stock options
36,540
145,809
170
20.
TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES AND THEIR AFFILIATES
Republic leases office facilities under operating leases from limited liability companies in which Republic’s Executive Chair/CEO and Vice Chair are partners. Rent expense and obligations under these leases are presented under the Footnote titled “Right-Of-Use Assets and Operating Lease Liabilities,” in this section of the report.
Loans made to executive officers and directors of Republic and their related interests during 2025 were as follows:
Beginning balance
10,595
Effect of changes in composition of related parties
(552)
New loans
538
Repayments
(1,616)
Ending balance
8,965
Deposits from executive officers, directors, and their affiliates totaled $83 million and $59 million as of December 31, 2025 and 2024.
By an agreement dated December 14, 1989, as amended August 8, 1994, the Company entered into a split-dollar insurance agreement with a trust established by the Company’s deceased former Chair, Bernard M. Trager. Pursuant to the agreement, from 1989 through 2002 the Company paid $690,000 in total annual premiums on the insurance policies held in the trust. The policies are joint-life policies payable upon the death of Mrs. Jean Trager, as the survivor of her husband Bernard M. Trager. The cash surrender value of the policies was approximately $2 million as of December 31, 2025 and 2024.
Pursuant to the terms of the trust, the beneficiaries of the trust will each receive the proceeds of the policies after the repayment of any unreimbursed portion of the $690,000 annual premiums paid by the Company. The unreimbursed portion constitutes indebtedness from the trust to the Company and is secured by a collateral assignment of the policies. As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, the unreimbursed portion was $0 and $40,000, and the net death benefit under the policies was approximately $5 million. Upon the termination of the agreement, whether by the death of Mrs. Trager or earlier cancellation, the Company is entitled to be repaid by the trust the amount of indebtedness outstanding at that time.
21.
OCI components and related tax effects were as follows:
Available-for-Sale Debt Securities:
(3,791)
(2,219)
Net of tax
11,356
6,655
Derivatives:
Net losses
(2,027)
Tax effect
(1,520)
(485)
Total other comprehensive income components, net of tax
Amounts reclassified out of each component of AOCI follows:
Amounts Reclassified From
Accumulated Other
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
(93)
(385)
The following is a summary of the AOCI balances, net of tax:
Unrealized gain (loss) on AFS debt securities
(13,753)
(2,397)
Unrealized loss on derivatives
(2,005)
Total unrealized gain (loss)
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives
22.
PARENT COMPANY CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
BALANCE SHEETS
68,486
54,132
Securities available for sale
4,831
Investment in bank subsidiary
1,037,176
939,517
2,922
2,829
1,112,646
1,001,309
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity:
10,353
9,280
172
STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Income and expenses:
Dividends from subsidiary
48,000
395
502
429
Other income
(9)
Less: Other expenses
1,191
920
1,097
Income before income tax benefit
47,257
47,573
47,295
Income tax benefit
212
Income before equity in undistributed net income of subsidiaries
47,469
47,672
47,461
Equity in undistributed net income of subsidiaries
83,848
53,699
42,913
Comprehensive income
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Operating activities:
Accretion of investment securities
(71)
(83,848)
(53,699)
(42,913)
Director deferred compensation
Change in other assets
477
(1,639)
Change in other liabilities
(1,196)
3,973
48,030
47,179
50,505
Investing activities:
Proceeds from maturities of available-for-sale debt securities
Investment in venture capital fund
(681)
(532)
Investment in subsidiary bank
(620)
(672)
(627)
(353)
(1,159)
Financing activities:
Common Stock repurchases
Net proceeds from Class A Common Stock purchased through the ESPP
Net proceeds from Common Stock options exercised and equity awards
Net cash used in financing activities
(33,056)
(30,472)
(48,004)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
14,354
16,354
1,342
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
37,778
36,436
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
23. REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS
The following tables present the Company’s net revenue and net revenue concentration by reportable segment:
Core Banking
Tax
Republic
Traditional
Core
Refund
Payment
Credit
Banking
Lending
Solutions
Company
Net interest income (1)
226,608
14,620
241,228
30,489
13,810
49,143
93,442
Noninterest income:
14,351
14,434
Mortgage banking income (1)
12,084
Program fees (1)
Increase in cash surrender value of BOLI (1)
Gain on sale of Visa Class B-1 Shares (1)
5,721
311
47,032
47,115
17,950
3,100
14,660
35,710
Total net revenue
273,640
14,703
288,343
48,439
16,910
63,803
129,152
Net-revenue concentration (2)
Years Ended December 31, 2024
203,139
12,469
215,608
34,420
11,811
50,315
96,546
14,120
14,182
12,855
3,664
219
39,079
39,141
15,536
3,272
14,701
33,509
242,218
12,531
254,749
49,956
15,083
65,016
130,055
174
194,798
9,447
204,245
29,557
15,729
39,247
84,533
13,854
12,926
4,987
215
39,501
39,545
16,089
2,985
12,838
31,912
234,299
9,491
243,790
45,646
52,085
116,445
The following represents information for significant revenue streams subject to ASC 606:
Service charges on deposit accounts – The Company earns revenue for account-based and event-driven services on its retail and commercial deposit accounts. Contracts for these services are generally in the form of deposit agreements, which disclose fees for deposit services. Revenue for event-driven services is recognized in close proximity or simultaneously with service performance. Revenue for certain account-based services may be recognized at a point in time or over the period the service is rendered, typically no longer than a month. Examples of account-based and event-driven service charges on deposits include per item fees, stop payment fees, paper-statement fees, check-cashing fees, below balance fees, check upcharge fees and analysis fees.
Net Refund Transfer fees – An RT is a fee-based product offered by the Bank through third-party tax preparers located throughout the U.S., as well as tax-preparation software providers (collectively, the “Tax Providers”), with the Bank acting as an independent contractor of the Tax Providers. An RT allows a taxpayer to pay any applicable tax preparation and filing related fees directly from his federal or state government tax refund, with the remainder of the tax refund disbursed directly to the taxpayer. RT fees and all applicable tax preparation, transmitter, audit, and any other taxpayer authorized amounts are deducted from the tax refund by either the Bank or the Bank’s service provider and automatically forwarded to the appropriate party as authorized by the taxpayer. RT fees generally receive first priority when applying fees against the taxpayer’s refund, with the Bank’s share of RT fees generally superior to the claims of other third-party service providers, including the Tax Providers. The remainder of the refund is disbursed to the taxpayer by a Bank check, direct deposit to the taxpayer’s personal bank account, or loaded to a prepaid card.
The Company presents RT revenue net of any amounts shared with the Tax Providers. The Bank’s share of RT revenue is generally based on the obligations undertaken by the Tax Provider for each individual RT program, with more obligations generally corresponding to higher RT revenue share. The significant majority of net RT revenue is recognized and obligations under RT contracts fulfilled by the Bank during the first half of each year. Incremental expenses associated with the fulfilment of RT contracts are generally expensed during the first half of each year.
175
Interchange fee income – As an “issuing bank” for card transactions, the Company earns interchange fee income on transactions executed by its cardholders with various third-party merchants. Through third-party intermediaries, merchants compensate the Company for each transaction for the ability to efficiently settle the transaction, and for the Company’s willingness to accept certain risks inherent in the transaction. There is no written contract between the merchant and the Company, but a contract is implied between the two parties by customary business practices. Interchange fee income is recognized almost simultaneously by the Company upon the completion of a related card transaction.
The Company compensates its cardholders by way of cash or other “rewards” for generating card transactions. These rewards are disclosed in cardholder agreements between the Company and its cardholders. Reward costs are accrued over time based on card transactions generated by the cardholder. Interchange fee income is presented net of reward costs within noninterest income.
Net gains/(losses) on other real estate – The Company routinely sells OREO it has acquired through loan foreclosure. Net gains/(losses) on OREO reflect both 1) the gain or loss recognized upon an executed deed and 2) mark-to-market write-downs the Company may record on its OREO inventory.
The Company generally recognizes gains or losses on OREO at the time of an executed deed, although gains may be recognized over a financing period if the Company finances the sale. For financed OREO sales, the Company assesses whether the buyer is committed to perform their obligations under the contract and whether collectability of the transaction price is probable. Once these criteria are met, the OREO asset is derecognized and the gain or loss on sale is recorded upon the transfer of control of the property to the buyer. In determining the gain or loss on sale, the Company adjusts the transaction price and related gain/(loss) on sale if a significant financing component is present.
Mark-to-market write-downs taken by the Company during the holding period are generally at least 10% per year but may be higher based on updated real estate appraisals or BPOs. Incremental expenditures to bring OREO to salable condition are generally expensed as-incurred.
24.
SEGMENT INFORMATION
Reportable segments are determined by the type of products and services offered and the level of information provided to the chief operating decision maker, who uses such information to review performance of various components of the business (such as banking centers and business units), which are then aggregated if operating performance, products/services, and clients are similar. The Company’s Executive Chair/CEO serves as the Company’s CODM. Income before income tax expense is the reportable measure of segment profit or loss that the CODM regularly reviews and utilizes to allocate resources and evaluate performance.
As of December 31, 2025, the Company was divided into five reportable segments: Traditional Banking, Warehouse Lending, TRS, RPS, and RCS. Management considers the first two segments to collectively constitute “Core Bank” or “Core Banking” operations, while the last three segments collectively constitute RPG operations.
The nature of segment operations and the primary drivers of net revenue by reportable segment are provided below:
Reportable Segment:
Nature of Operations:
Primary Drivers of Net Revenue:
Core Banking:
Provides traditional banking products to clients in its market footprint via its banking center network and to clients outside of its market footprint primarily via its digital delivery channels.
Provides short-term, revolving credit facilities to mortgage bankers across the U.S.
Tax Refund Solutions
Offers tax-related credit products and facilitates the receipt and payment of federal and state tax refunds through Refund Transfer products. TRS products are primarily provided to clients outside of the Bank’s market footprint.
Net interest income and Net refund transfer fees
Republic Payment Solutions
Offers general-purpose reloadable cards. RPS products are primarily provided to clients outside of the Bank’s market footprint.
Net interest income and Program fees
Offers consumer credit products. RCS products are primarily provided to clients outside of the Bank’s market footprint, with a substantial portion of RCS clients considered subprime or near-prime borrowers.
The accounting policies used for Republic’s reportable segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies. Segment performance is evaluated using operating income before income taxes. Goodwill is allocated to the Traditional Banking segment. Income taxes are generally allocated based on income before income tax expense unless specific segment allocations can be reasonably made.
Transactions among reportable segments are made at carrying value. Net Interest income is reflected within each applicable business segment based on the underlying financial instruments assigned to each segment as well as the impact of the Company’s internal FTP applied to each instrument. FTP is allocated from the Traditional Bank to each segment based on the assumed terms of the underlying financial instruments within that segment in combination with applicable market interest rates matching the assumed terms of each instrument.
177
The Company adopted ASU 2023-07 in 2024 retrospectively. Segment information for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023 follows:
Provision for expected credit loss expense
9,466
Other noninterest income (1)
35,541
35,624
265
420
36,044
107,441
2,899
110,340
8,081
4,715
16,720
Technology, Equipment, and Communication
29,949
30,121
495
3,913
4,497
13,764
13,890
285
4,619
268
3,101
Core conversion and contract consulting fees
Other noninterest expense (2)
27,094
571
27,665
1,776
570
392
2,738
30,403
189,080
3,768
192,848
10,865
4,637
11,839
27,341
Income (loss) before income tax expense
79,075
10,427
89,502
28,108
12,273
35,826
76,207
Income tax expense (benefit)
15,395
2,350
17,745
6,116
2,678
7,853
16,647
Net income (loss)
63,680
8,077
71,757
21,992
9,595
27,973
59,560
Period-end assets
5,817,278
754,564
6,571,842
32,165
314,814
123,240
470,219
Period-end loans
Period-end deposits
4,764,303
44,876
20,461
58,693
2.63
Net-revenue concentration*
3,241
29,983
33,641
33,703
335
34,038
100,298
2,845
103,143
7,785
3,267
4,455
15,507
26,467
26,612
430
3,644
4,078
13,387
13,458
3,617
5,329
5,822
25,529
550
26,079
2,650
707
654
4,011
30,090
169,298
172,909
11,605
4,101
14,110
29,816
69,679
8,393
78,072
8,368
10,982
30,281
49,631
Income tax expense
13,306
1,892
15,198
1,970
2,427
6,737
11,134
56,373
6,501
62,874
6,398
8,555
23,544
38,497
5,608,110
551,747
6,159,857
217,662
335,369
133,779
686,810
4,572,044
34,414
216,998
334,989
52,101
3.55
3.48
178
22,559
34,231
34,275
341
34,857
97,522
2,924
100,446
8,011
3,070
4,342
15,423
26,393
26,480
406
2,209
2,627
13,523
13,591
326
3,193
523
4,729
5,253
27,489
468
27,957
2,769
602
681
4,052
32,009
168,120
3,547
171,667
12,035
3,710
11,986
27,731
57,481
6,106
63,587
11,052
15,004
23,570
49,626
10,766
1,365
12,131
2,196
5,205
10,708
46,715
4,741
51,456
8,856
11,697
18,365
38,918
5,519,632
340,224
5,859,856
228,738
366,117
140,180
735,035
6,594,891
4,618,569
339,723
4,958,292
149,207
132,362
281,569
5,239,861
4,362,959
34,048
4,397,007
228,371
366,118
61,667
656,156
5,053,163
3.70
2.38
*Net revenue represents net interest income plus total noninterest income. Net-revenue concentration equals segment-level net revenue divided by total Company net revenue.
(1) Other noninterest income includes Service charges on deposit accounts, Interchange fee income, Increase in cash surrender value of BOLI, Net losses on other real estate owned, and Other noninterest income.
(2) Other noninterest expense includes FDIC insurance expense, Interchange related expense, Legal and professional fees, Merger expense, and Other noninterest expense.
25.
LOW-INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDIT INVESTMENTS
The Company is a limited partner in several low-income housing partnerships whose purpose is to invest in qualified affordable housing. The Company expects to recover its remaining investments in these partnerships through the use of tax credits that are generated by the investments. These investments are included in other assets and accrued interest receivable on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, with any unfunded obligations included in other liabilities and accrued interest payable. The investments are amortized as a component of income tax expense.
The following table summarizes the tax credits and benefits of the losses recognized related to the Company’s qualified low-income housing investments and obligations:
Unfunded
Investment
Accounting Method
Investments
Obligations (2)
Obligations (1)
Low-income housing tax credit - Gross
Proportional amortization
96,236
42,976
72,415
54,797
Life-to-date amortization
(30,262)
(21,899)
Low-income housing tax credit - Net
65,974
50,516
The following table summarizes the amortization expense and tax credits recognized in income tax expense for the Company’s qualified low-income housing investments for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively:
Amortization expense
8,363
5,995
5,313
Tax credits recognized
(12,254)
(9,440)
(7,666)
Item 9.Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.
Item 9A.Controls and Procedures.
As of the end of the period covered by this report, an evaluation was carried out by Republic Bancorp, Inc.’s management, with the participation of its CEO and CFO, of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act. Based upon that evaluation, the Company’s CEO and CFO concluded that these disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.
(b)
Management’s Report on our Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) promulgated under the Exchange Act. Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. There are inherent limitations in the effectiveness of internal control, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of controls. Accordingly, even effective internal control can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to reliability of financial statements.
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Executive Chair/CEO and CFO, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations (“COSO”) of the Treadway Commission (“2013 Framework”). Based on our evaluation under the COSO 2013 Framework, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2025. In addition, no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) occurred during the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2025 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Forvis Mazars LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, has audited the 2025 Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and, as part of its audit, has issued an attestation report, included in Item 8. “Financial Statement and Supplemental Data,” on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting.
Remediation of Material Weakness
As previously disclosed in Item 9A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, the Company determined that a material weakness existed as of December 31, 2022, as the Company did not maintain effective controls over the initial implementation of new products offered through third parties within RPG. Specifically, management identified that an RCS product’s contractual terms were not sufficiently communicated internally, and the controls were not designed to identify and test all relevant transactional data posting to the Company’s financial statements for the product.
As previously disclosed, the Company determined that two other material weaknesses identified as of December 31, 2022, were remediated as of December 31, 2023.
With respect to the material weakness related to new product implementation within RPG, the Company took measures to remediate this material weakness during 2023. The Company, however, did not offer any new material third-party products within the RPG group during 2024 or 2023, and as such, management was unable to test its enhanced policies and procedures for new product implementation. During 2025, the Company was able to successfully test these remediation efforts. As a result of this testing, management concluded that its internal controls over financial reporting related to new product implementation within RPG were adequate, and as such, the material weakness identified as of December 31, 2022 related to new product implementations within RPG has been remediated as of December 31, 2025.
Item 9B. Other Information.
Adoption or Termination of Trading Arrangements by Directors and Executive Officers
During the quarter ended December 31, 2025, none of our directors or officers (as defined in Rule 16a-1(f) of the Exchange Act) informed us of the adoption or termination of any “Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement” or “non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement,” as those terms are defined in Item 408 of Regulation S-K.
Item 9C. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections.
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.
The information required by this Item appears under the headings “PROPOSAL ONE: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS,” “DELINQUENT SECTION 16(A) REPORTS” and “THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND ITS COMMITTEES” of the Proxy Statement of Republic for the 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (“Proxy Statement”) to be held April 23, 2026, all of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Set forth below is certain information with respect to the Company’s executive officers:
Name
Age
Position with the Company
Christy Ames
Secretary of the Company; EVP of RB&T
Juan Montano
EVP of RB&T
Scott Nardi
William R. Nelson
President of RB&T's Republic Processing Group
Logan Pichel
Director of the Company and RB&T; President and CEO of RB&T
Anthony T. Powell
Kevin Sipes
EVP, CFO, and Chief Accounting Officer of the Company and RB&T
Jeff Starke
A. Scott Trager
Vice Chair and President of the Company; Director of the Company and RB&T
Steven E. Trager
Executive Chair and CEO of the Company; Executive Chair of RB&T
Andrew Trager-Kusman
Director of the Company and RB&T; SVP of RB&T
Cheryl VanAllen
Executive officers of the Company are elected by the Board and serve at the pleasure of the Board. Steven E. Trager and A. Scott Trager are cousins. Steven E. Trager is Andrew Trager-Kusman’s uncle.
Christy Ames joined the Company in 2018 as the Bank’s SVP, General Counsel. She also serves as the Secretary for the Bank and the Company. She has represented financial institutions for over 20 years, most recently serving as a member at Stites & Harbison, PLLC and Chair of the firm’s Financial Institution Litigation Sub Group and as General Counsel for First Residential Mortgage Network, Inc. d/b/a SurePoint Lending. In January 2022, she was named an EVP of the Bank.
Juan Montano has served as the Bank’s EVP and Chief Mortgage Banking Officer since 2018. He previously served as SVP and Managing Director of Mortgage Lending from 2015 to 2018. He joined the Company in 2009 as SVP and Managing Director of Finance.
Scott Nardi was promoted to EVP and Chief Risk & Compliance Officer of the Bank in 2025, leading the Compliance, Risk, BSA, Fraud, and Security functions. He has served as the Chief Compliance Officer of RB&T since 2018. He has over 20 years of financial services legal and compliance experience, including prior roles at Skadden and Goodwin, SunTrust Bank and EverBank.
William R. Nelson has served as President of RPG since 2007. He previously served as Director of Relationship Management of HSBC, Taxpayer Financial Services, in 2004 and was promoted to Group Director — Independent Program in 2006 through 2007. He previously served as Director of Sales, Marketing and Customer Service with the Bank from 1999 through 2004.
Logan Pichel was appointed CEO of the Bank effective October 1, 2021 and was elected to the boards of the Company and the Bank in September 2021. He joined the Company in June 2020 as the Bank’s President and has over 25 years in the banking industry. Prior to joining the Company, he served from 2005 to 2020 at Regions Bank, most recently as their EVP, Head of Corporate Development and Financial Planning & Analysis and Mergers and Acquisitions.
Anthony T. Powell joined the Company in 1999 as VP. In 2001, he was promoted to SVP and Senior Commercial Lending Officer. In 2005, he was promoted to SVP and Managing Director of Business Lending. In 2015, he assumed responsibility for the Retail Banking division of the Company and was named SVP and Chief Credit and Retail Officer. In January 2017, he was named EVP and CLO.
Kevin Sipes joined the Company in 1995 and has served as EVP and Treasurer of Republic and the Company since 2002 and CFO of Republic and the Company since 2000. He began serving as Chief Accounting Officer of the Company in 2000.
Jeff Starke joined the Company in 2021 as the Bank’s EVP, Chief Information Officer and became the Bank’s Chief Information and Operating Officer in 2024. Prior to joining the Company, he served from 2010 to 2021 at Bank OZK, most recently as Chief Technology Officer and Chair of the Information Systems Steering Committee. He has held various technological and operational roles in the financial services vertical for over 20 years.
Scott Trager has served as Vice Chair of Republic and the Bank since April 2017. He has also served as Director and President of Republic since 2012. He served as President of the Bank from 1984 to 2017 and Vice Chair of Republic from 1994 to 2012.
Steven E. Trager has served as Executive Chair (previously titled Chair) and CEO of Republic since 2012. He was named Executive Chair of the Bank in September 2021, prior to which he served as Chair and CEO of the Bank since 1998. From 1994 to 1997 he served as Vice Chair of the Company. From 1994 to 1998 he served as Secretary, and from 1998 to 2012 he served as President and CEO of Republic.
Andrew Trager-Kusman has served as the Bank’s Chief Strategy Officer since 2021. He previously served as Managing Director of Corporate Strategies for the Bank since 2016. He was named a Director of Republic in 2019 and a SVP of the Bank in 2020.
Cheryl VanAllen joined the Company in 2024 as the Bank’s Chief People Officer. Prior to joining the Company, she served various roles at Yum! Brands from 2013 to 2024, where she most recently led talent strategy and people analytics for the KFC US market. She has over 20 years of experience in Human Resources and held a variety of roles at United Parcel Services prior to her time at Yum! Brands.
The Company has adopted an insider trading compliance policy and program applicable to the Company’s directors, officers, and employees, as well as the Company itself, that the Company believes is reasonably designed to promote compliance with insider trading laws, rules and regulations and The NASDAQ Stock Market listing standards. The foregoing summary of the Company’s insider trading compliance policy and program does not purport to be complete. A copy of the Insider Trading Policy is filed as Exhibit 19 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Item 11. Executive Compensation.
The compensation-related information required by this Item appears under the headings “COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS,” COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT,” “DIRECTOR COMPENSATION,” and “2025 SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE” of the Proxy Statement, all of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table sets forth information regarding Republic’s Common Stock that may be issued upon exercise of options, warrants and rights under all equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2025. Republic’s security holders approved each of the equity compensation plans listed in the table below. There were no equity compensation plans not approved by security holders as of December 31, 2025.
(a) (1)
(c)
Number of Securities Remaining
Available for Future Issuance
Number of Securities to be Issued
Weighted-Average Exercise Price
Under Equity Compensation Plans
Upon Exercise of Outstanding
of Outstanding Options, Warrants
(Excluding Securities Reflected in
Plan Category
Options, Warrants and Rights
and Rights
Column (a))
2025 Stock Incentive Plan (4)
410,959
2,586,361
2018 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (3)
143,608
Additional information required by this Item appears under the heading “SHARE OWNERSHIP” of the Proxy Statement, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.
Information required by this Item is under the headings “PROPOSAL ONE: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS” and “CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS” of the Proxy Statement, all of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
Information required by this Item appears under the heading “PROPOSAL TWO: RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM” of the Proxy Statement which is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 15.Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules.
(a)(1) Financial Statements:
The following are included under Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data:”
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Notes to consolidated financial statements
(a)(2) Financial Statements Schedules:
Financial statement schedules are omitted because the information is not applicable.
(a)(3) Exhibits:
Description
3(i)
Articles of Incorporation of Registrant, as amended (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(i) to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed October 13, 2016)
3(ii)
Amended and Restated Bylaws (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Registrant’s Form 8-K filed April 26, 2021)
4.1
Provisions of Articles of Incorporation of Registrant defining rights of security holders (see Articles of Incorporation, as amended, of Registrant incorporated as Exhibit 3(i) herein)
Description of Securities (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 of Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019)
10.01*
Agreement of Employment dated April 24, 2020, between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Logan Pichel (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Registrant’s Form 8-K filed May 5, 2020)
10.02*
Change in Control Severance Agreement dated January 27, 2021 between Republic Bank & Trust Company and William Nelson (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of Registrant’s Form 8-K filed February 1, 2021)
10.03*
Form of Executive Officer Change in Control Agreement between Republic Bank & Trust Company and designated Executive Officers (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of Registrant’s Form 8-K filed February 1, 2021)
10.04
Split Dollar Insurance Policy with Citizens Fidelity Bank and Trust Company as the Trustee of the Bernard Trager Irrevocable Trust, dated December 14, 1989, as amended August 8, 1994 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.70 to Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012)
10.05
Right of First Offer Agreement by and among Republic Bancorp, Inc., Teebank Family Limited Partnership, Bernard M. Trager and Jean S. Trager. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Registrant’s Form 8-K filed September 19, 2007)
10.06
Lease between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Jaytee Properties, dated August 1, 1982, relating to property at 2801 Bardstown Road (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 of Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1998)
10.07
Lease between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Jaytee Properties, dated August 1, 2008, relating to property at 2801 Bardstown Road (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Registrant’s Form 8-K filed June 9, 2008)
10.08
First Amendment to Lease between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Jaytee Properties, dated August 1, 2008, relating to property at 2801 Bardstown Road (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 of Registrant’s Form 10-K filed March 9, 2018)
10.09
Lease between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Teeco Properties, dated April 1, 1995, relating to property at 601 West Market Street (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.10 of Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1998)
Lease between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Teeco Properties, dated October 1, 1996, relating to property at 601 West Market Street (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.10 of Registrant’s Form S-1)
10.11
Lease extension between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Teeco Properties, dated September 25, 2001, relating to property at 601 West Market Street (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.25 of Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2001)
10.12
First Amendment to Lease between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Teeco Properties, dated May 1, 2002, relating to property at 601 West Market Street (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.1 of Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2002)
10.13
Lease between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Teeco Properties, dated October 1, 2005, relating to property at 601 West Market Street (Floor 4), amending and modifying previously filed exhibit 10.1 of Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2002 (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.1 of Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2005)
10.14
Lease between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Teeco Properties, as of October 1, 2006, relating to property at 601 West Market Street (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.1 of Registrant’s Form 8-K filed September 25, 2006)
10.15
First Amendment to Lease between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Teeco Properties, as of July 8, 2008, relating to property at 601 West Market Street (Floors 1,2,3,5 and 6) (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.1 of Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2008)
10.16
First Amendment to Lease between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Teeco Properties, as of July 8, 2008, relating to property at 601 West Market Street (Floor 4) (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.2 of Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2008)
10.17
Assignment of Lease relating to property at 601 West Market Street (Floors 1,2,3,5 and 6) (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.31 of Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016)
10.18
Assignment of Lease relating to property at 601 West Market Street (Floor 4) (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.32 of Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016)
10.19
Master Office Lease between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Makbe LLC, dated August 1, 2020, relating to property at 601 West Market Street (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.1 of Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2020)
10.20
Lease between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Jaytee Properties, dated February 3, 1993, as amended, relating to property at 661 South Hurstbourne Parkway (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 of Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1998)
10.21
Fifth Amendment to Lease between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Jaytee Properties, dated February 1, 1999, as amended, relating to property at 661 South Hurstbourne Parkway (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 of Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1999)
185
10.22
Sixth Amendment to Lease between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Jaytee Properties, dated February 1, 2000, as amended, relating to property at 661 South Hurstbourne Parkway (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 of Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999)
10.23
Seventh Amendment to Lease between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Jaytee Properties, dated July 1, 2003, as amended, relating to property at 661 South Hurstbourne Parkway (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2003)
10.24
First Amendment to Lease between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Jaytee Properties, dated August 2, 1993, relating to property at 661 South Hurstbourne Parkway (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 of Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003)
Amendment to Lease between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Jaytee Properties, dated September 1, 1995, as amended, relating to property at 661 South Hurstbourne Parkway (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 of Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003)
10.26
Second Amendment to Lease between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Jaytee Properties, dated February 16, 1996, as amended, relating to property at 661 South Hurstbourne Parkway (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 of Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003)
10.27
Third Amendment to Lease between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Jaytee Properties, dated January 21, 1998, as amended, relating to property at 661 South Hurstbourne Parkway (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 of Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003)
10.28
Fourth Amendment to Lease between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Jaytee Properties, dated September 11, 1998, as amended, relating to property at 661 South Hurstbourne Parkway (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 of Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003)
10.29
Eighth Amendment to Lease between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Jaytee Properties, dated February 1, 2004, as amended, relating to property at 661 South Hurstbourne Parkway (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2004)
10.30
Lease between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Jaytee Properties, dated September 1, 2005, relating to property at 661 South Hurstbourne Parkway amending and modifying previously filed exhibit 10.12 of Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1998 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2005)
10.30.1
First Amendment to Lease between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Jaytee Properties, dated August 14, 2015, as amended, relating to property at 661 South Hurstbourne Parkway (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Registrant’s Form 10Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2015)
10.30.2
Second Amendment to Lease between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Jaytee Properties, dated January 31, 2018, as amended, relating to property at 661 South Hurstbourne Parkway (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.47 of Registrant’s Form 10-K filed March 9, 2018)
10.30.3
Third Amendment to Lease between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Jaytee-Hurstbourne LLC, dated January 10, 2023, as amended, relating to property at 661 South Hurstbourne Parkway (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.31.3 of Registrant’s Form 10-K filed March 3, 2023)
10.30.4
First amendment to Lease between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Jaytee-Hurstbourne LLC, dated January 10, 2023, as amended, relating to property at 661 South Hurstbourne Parkway (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.32.1 of Registrant’s Form 10-K filed March 3, 2023)
186
10.31
Lease between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Jaytee Properties, dated November 17, 1997, relating to property at 9600 Brownsboro Road (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 of Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1998)
10.32
Lease between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Jaytee Properties, dated August 1, 1999, relating to property at 9600 Brownsboro Road (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 of Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1999)
10.33
Amendment to Lease between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Jaytee Properties, dated October 30, 1999, as amended, relating to property at 9600 Brownsboro Road (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 of Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999)
10.34
Third Amendment to Lease between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Jaytee Properties, dated May 1, 2003, as amended, relating to property at 9600 Brownsboro Road (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2003)
10.35
Lease between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Jaytee Properties, dated November 1, 2005, relating to property at 9600 Brownsboro Road (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.33 of Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005)
10.36
Assignment and Assumption of Lease by Republic Bank & Trust Company with the consent of Jaytee Properties, dated May 1, 2006, relating to property at 9600 Brownsboro Road (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2006)
10.37
First Amendment to Lease between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Jaytee Properties, dated January 17, 2008, as amended, relating to property at 9600 Brownsboro Road (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.40 of Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007)
10.38
Fourth Amendment to Lease between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Jaytee Properties, dated January 15, 2014, as amended, relating to property at 9600 Brownsboro Road (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.47 of Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013)
10.39
Fifth Amendment to Lease between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Jaytee Properties, dated March 15, 2017, as amended, relating to property at 9600 Brownsboro Road (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2017)
10.40
Sixth Amendment to Lease between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Jaytee Properties, dated August 1, 1999, as amended, relating to property at 9600 Brownsboro Road (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.35 of Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019)
10.41
Seventh Amendment to Office Lease dated as of September 1, 2021 to the Office Lease dated August 1, 1999, as amended, by and between Jaytee-Springhurst, LLC and Republic Bank & Trust Company relating to property at 9600 Brownsboro Road (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2021)
10.42
Eighth Amendment to Office Lease dated as of November 17, 2021 to the Office Lease dated August 1, 1999, as amended, by and between Jaytee-Springhurst, LLC and Republic Bank & Trust Company relating to property at 9600 Brownsboro Road (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.46 of Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 (Commission Number: 0-24649))
187
10.43
Ground lease between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Jaytee Properties, relating to property at 9600 Brownsboro Road, dated January 17, 2008, relating to 9600 Brownsboro Road (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.41 of Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007)
10.44
Lease between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Jaytee Properties II SPE, LLC, dated June 27, 2008, relating to property at 200 South Seventh Street (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Registrant’s Form 8-K filed July 1, 2008)
10.45
Lease between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Jaytee Properties II SPE, LLC, dated March 1, 2011, relating to property at 200 South Seventh Street (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.66 of the Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010)
10.46
Lease between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Jaytee Properties II SPE, LLC, dated May 1, 2013, relating to property at 200 South Seventh Street (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2013)
10.47
First Amendment to Lease between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Jaytee Properties II SPE, LLC, dated January 15, 2014, as amended, relating to property at 200 South Seventh Street (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.54 of Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013)
10.48
First Amendment to Lease between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Jaytee Properties II SPE, LLC, dated March 18, 2015, as amended, relating to property at 200 South Seventh Street (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2015)
10.49
Lease between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Jaytee Properties II SPE, LLC, dated September 30, 2015, relating to property at 200 South Seventh Street (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2015)
Lease between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Jaytee Properties II SPE, LLC, dated March 15 2017 relating to property at 200 South Seventh Street (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2017)
10.51
First Amendment to Lease between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Jaytee Properties II SPE, LLC, dated September 20 2017, as amended, relating to property at 200 South Seventh Street (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2017)
Master Office Lease between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Jaytee Properties II SPE, LLC, dated October 1 2020, relating to property at 200 South Seventh Street (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.56 of Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021)
10.53*
2015 Stock Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Annex A of Registrant’s 2015 Proxy Statement)
10.54*
Option Award Agreement for 2015 Stock Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2015)
10.55*
Restricted Stock Award Agreement for 2015 Stock Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2015)
10.56*
Performance Stock Unit Award Agreement for 2015 Stock Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Registrant’s Form 8-K filed January 27, 2016)
10.57*
Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Registrant’s Form 8-K filed February 1, 2021)
10.58*
Form of Performance Stock Unit Award (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Registrant’s Form 8-K filed February 1, 2021)
10.59*
Form of Option Award Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of Registrant’s Form 8-K filed February 1, 2021)
10.60*
Form of Agreement for TRS Transaction Bonus Program (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Registrant’s Form 8-K filed May 19, 2021)
10.61*
Republic Bancorp, Inc. 401(k)/Profit Sharing Plan and Trust (Incorporated by reference to Form S-8 filed December 28, 2005)
10.62*
Republic Bancorp, Inc. 401(k) Retirement Plan, as Amended and Restated, effective April 1, 2011 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 23.2 to Form 11-K for the year ended December 31, 2011)
10.63*
Republic Bancorp, Inc. 401(k) Retirement Plan, as Amended and Restated, effective January 1, 2015 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 23.2 of Form 11-K for the year ended December 31, 2014)
10.64*
Republic Bancorp, Inc. 401(k) Retirement Plan, as Amended and Restated, effective May 1, 2021 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2021)
10.65*
Republic Bancorp, Inc. and subsidiaries Non-Employee Director and Key Employee Deferred Compensation Plan and the Republic Bank & Trust Company Non-Employee Director and Key Employee Deferred Compensation Plan (as adopted November 18, 2004) (Incorporated by reference to Form S-8 filed November 30, 2004)
10.66*
Republic Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries Non-Employee Director and Key Employee Deferred Compensation Plan Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 (Incorporated by reference to Form S-8 filed April 13, 2005)
10.67*
Republic Bancorp, Inc. and subsidiaries Non-Employee Director and Key Employee Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended and restated as of March 16, 2005 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Registrant’s Form 8-K filed March 18, 2005)
10.68*
Republic Bancorp, Inc. and subsidiaries Non-Employee Director and Key Employee Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended and restated as of March 19, 2008 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2008)
10.69*
Republic Bancorp, Inc. and subsidiaries Non-Employee Director and Key Employee Deferred Compensation Plan, as adopted November 18 2004 and then amended and restated as on March 16, 2005, March 19, 2008, and again on January 24, 2018 (Incorporated by reference to Annex A of Registrant’s 2018 Proxy Statement)
10.70*
Amendment 2019-1 to the Republic Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries Non-Employee Director and Key Employee Deferred Compensation Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020)
10.71*
Republic Bancorp, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan (Incorporated by reference to Annex B of Registrant’s 2018 Proxy Statement)
10.72*
Consulting Agreement dated as of July 16, 2019, between David P. Feaster and Republic Bank & Trust Company (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.70 of Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019)
10.73*
Form of Bonus Agreement between Republic Bank & Trust Company and designated Executive Officers (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.79 of Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023)
10.74*
Form of RPG Bonus Agreement between Republic Bank & Trust Company and designated Executive Officers (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.80 of Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023)
10.75*
Change in Control Severance Agreement dated January 16, 2024 between Republic Bancorp, Inc. and Logan Pichel (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.79 of Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024)
10.76*
2025 Stock Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Appendix A of Registrants 2025 Proxy Statement)
Republic Bancorp, Inc. Insider Trading Policy (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 19 of Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024)
Subsidiaries of Republic Bancorp, Inc.
23.1
Consent of Crowe LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
23.2
Consent of Forvis Mazars LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
31.1
Certification of Principal Executive Officer, pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Axt of 2002
31.2
Certification of Principal Financial Officer, pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32**
Certification of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2003
97*
Republic Bancorp, Inc. Incentive-Based Compensation Recovery Policy effective November 15, 2023 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 97 of Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023)
The following financial statements from the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K were formatted in iXBRL (Inline eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Changes Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023 and (v) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).
*Denotes management contracts and compensatory plans or arrangements required to be filed as exhibits to this Form 10-K pursuant to Item 15(b).
**This certification shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, nor shall it be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.
Item 16. Form 10-K Summary.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Company has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
/s/ Steven E. Trager
By:
Executive Chair and Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Executive Chair, Chief Executive Officer
and Director
/s/ A. Scott Trager
Vice Chair, President and Director
/s/ Kevin Sipes
Chief Financial Officer and
Chief Accounting Officer
/s/ Yoania Cannon
Director
Yoania Cannon
/s/ David P. Feaster
David P. Feaster
/s/ Jennifer N. Green
Jennifer N. Green
/s/ Heather V. Howell
Heather V. Howell
/s/ Timothy S. Huval
Timothy S. Huval
/s/ Ernest W. Marshall, Jr.
Ernest W. Marshall, Jr.
/s/ W. Patrick Mulloy, II
W. Patrick Mulloy, II
/s/ W. Kennett Oyler, III
W. Kennett Oyler, III
/s/ Logan M. Pichel
Logan M. Pichel
/s/ Vidya Ravichandran
Vidya Ravichandran
SIGNATURES (continued)
/s/ Alejandro M. Sanchez
Alejandro M. Sanchez
/s/ Andrew Trager-Kusman
/s/ Mark A. Vogt
Mark A. Vogt