S&T Bancorp Expects Margin Above 4%, Targets About 3% 2027 Noninterest Expense Growth

S&T Bancorp, Inc. expects its net interest margin to stay above 4% into 2027 and aims to limit 2027 noninterest expense growth to about 3% as it prioritizes margin protection.

Management is favoring disciplined underwriting over loan volume and expects lending to be flat or grow in the low single digits as competition for loans and deposits intensifies.

CEO Christopher McComish said S&T set quarterly records with earnings per share of $1.09 and revenue close to $108 million. Return on assets was 1.55%, while return on equity was just under 11%.

Management is reconsidering share buybacks after a pause, with any decision dependent on business conditions in the fourth quarter and beyond.