Equity Bancshares Targets 5% to 7% Organic Loan Growth in 2027

Equity Bancshares, Inc. set a 5% to 7% target for organic loan growth in 2027, while its planned Lincoln Bancorp merger is expected to bring the combined bank’s assets to about $9.1 billion.

The merger would add 16 Iowa locations. The companies do not plan immediate branch closures or consolidations. Equity Bancshares expects the deal to lower its net interest margin by 8 to 10 basis points on a run-rate basis; if it closes around Dec. 1, the fourth-quarter impact would be 2 to 3 basis points.

Equity Bancshares had $5.4 billion in loans at the end of the third quarter, up $39.2 million at an annualized rate of 2.9%. Equity Bancshares reported third-quarter core earnings of $1.40 per share.