CPB Q2 Earnings Call Highlights

Central Pacific Financial (CPB) posted second-quarter net income of $20.8 million, or $0.80 per diluted share, up 19% from a year earlier, helped by higher earning assets, stable funding costs and a slightly wider net interest margin. Management reaffirmed full-year net interest income growth guidance of 4% to 6% and expects margin to stay relatively steady or improve modestly in the second half, with loan growth likely to strengthen as commercial construction activity picks up. Credit quality remained solid, with low nonperforming assets and stable past-due trends, while the company continued returning capital through a higher quarterly dividend and share repurchases. Central Pacific Financial Corp. CPB NYSE: CPF reported second-quarter 2026 net income of $20.8 million, or $0.80 per diluted share, as the Hawaii-based bank benefited from higher earning-asset balances and yields, stable funding costs and a modest expansion in net interest margin. Diluted earnings per share increased 19% from the year-earlier quarter. Return on average assets was 1.12%, while return on average equity was 13.94%, according to Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Dayna Matsumoto. Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Arnold Martines said the company maintained profitability while managing its balance sheet with discipline. He said the bank expanded average earning assets, preserved a stable core funding base and continued investing in talent, technology, automation and data capabilities while managing expenses. Net interest income totaled $62.8 million during the second quarter, while net interest margin increased four basis points from the prior quarter to 3.57%. Matsumoto attributed the result to growth in average loans and securities, higher earning-asset yields and stable funding costs. The company expects net interest margin to remain relatively steady or rise slightly in the second half of 2026. While the benefit from repricing existing assets remains favorable, Matsumoto said that benefit has moderated. CPB expects deposit costs to remain fairly steady if the Federal Reserve keeps rates unchanged. Management reaffirmed guidance for full-year net interest income growth of 4% to 6% over the prior year. Matsumoto said the balance sheet is relatively neutral to slightly asset sensitive and is positioned to benefit from a potential Federal Reserve rate increase, although management does not expect such an increase to have a significant impact this year. During the question-and-answer session, Matsumoto said loan pricing remains competitive in Hawaii, with some spread compression, while deposit pricing has remained rational. She said the company expects its margin to remain in the “high 350s” as it balances profitability with growth opportunities. Total loans ended the quarter relatively unchanged at $5.3 billion, although average loan balances rose $33 million from the first quarter. Vice Chair and Chief Operating Officer David Morimoto said second-quarter loan growth was affected by several closings shifting into the third quarter and expected commercial real estate loan payoffs. Average loan yield increased to 4.96% from 4.93% in the prior quarter, primarily reflecting higher yields on new loan production relative to runoff loans. Morimoto said the bank originated nearly $70 million of new construction loans during the quarter, mainly multifamily construction loans on the mainland, with floating rates at Secured Overnight Financing Rate plus spreads in the low 200-basis-point range. Management expects stronger loan growth in the second half than in the first half, supported by commercial construction funding activity, a comm...