On its third-quarter 2026 earnings call, held on Oct. 22, 2026, First BanCorp. (NYSE:FBP) announced a 25% dividend increase and a $350 million share repurchase authorization. Steady earnings generation gives the bank room to return capital to shareholders while protecting its balance sheet against higher funding costs. Three takeaways from management's remarks show how the business navigates changing interest rates. Capital generation remains a key strength for the bank, enabling $80 million in shareholder returns during the third quarter. With a CET1 ratio, a measure of core bank solvency, standing at 16.9%, management has ample room to return cash directly to owners. Rising deposit competition continues to push borrowing costs higher across the banking sector. The bank defends its profit margins by rolling mature, low-yielding securities into fresh, higher-yielding investments as loans reprice.
CryptoAlerta — análise de criptomoedas e mercado em tempo real