DCOM · Dime Community Bancshares, Inc.

Dime Community Bancshares delivered strong Q1 2026 results with net income rising to $32.8 million or $0.75 per diluted share, reflecting a 10% quarter-over-quarter increase driven by net interest margin expansion to 3.21% from 3.11%, fueled by business loan growth of $123.8 million linked-quarter and significant year-over-year core deposit inflows of $999.3 million. CEO Stuart H. Lubow highlighted execution on the growth plan, balance sheet diversification, and aggressive hiring of experienced bankers from competitors like Flagstar and Signature Bank to capture market share in a target-rich environment. Net interest income held steady at $112.3 million sequentially despite a slight decline in total loans to $10.61 billion, supported by a weighted average loan rate ticking up to 5.28% and substantial liquidity of $2.1 billion in cash. Non-interest expense decreased to $62.8 million, improving the efficiency ratio to 50.8% from 52.6%, while credit quality showed non-performing loans at $57.1 million and a $12.3 million provision. Capital strength improved with Tier 1 Common Equity at 11.87% and book value per share at $31.33. The company redeemed $40 million in subordinated debentures at par, bolstering its funding profile amid lower FHLB advances. Management anticipates ongoing loan repricing tailwinds through 2027 and plans a re-brand to 'Dime Commercial Bank' in Q2, signaling strategic focus on commercial lending amid robust deposit growth and proactive CRE concentration management to 371%.