Fulton Financial Corporation reported Q4 net income available to common shareholders of $96.4 million, or $0.53 per diluted share, exceeding the consensus estimate of $0.52. Revenue for the quarter rose to $340.4 million, above expectations of $336.9 million. Despite a sequential net income decline of $1.5 million compared with Q3, the bank’s ability to outpace analyst forecasts underscores resilient core profitability in a challenging rate environment.

Operating net income available to common shareholders was $99.4 million, or $0.55 per diluted share, down $1.9 million from the prior quarter. Net interest margin held at a robust 3.59%, supported by a 13-basis-point reduction in cost of funds. Non-interest income slipped marginally by $0.4 million to $70.0 million, while non-interest expense jumped $16.4 million to $213.0 million, driven primarily by a $10.4 million rise in salaries and benefits and elevated occupancy and technology costs.

Total net loans increased $103.4 million sequentially to $24.1 billion, led by growth in both consumer and commercial portfolios. Deposits expanded by $256.9 million to $26.6 billion, with notable gains in brokered and noninterest-bearing accounts. The provision for credit losses was modest at $2.9 million, resulting in an allowance equal to 1.51% of net loans. Common equity tier 1 capital rose to approximately 11.8%, and the board authorized a new repurchase program allowing up to $150 million of stock buybacks through January 2027.