First Business Bank Announces First Quarter 2026 Financial Results

"Our strong first quarter performance underscores the effectiveness of First Business Bank’s strategy,” said Corey Chambas, Chief Executive Officer. “We delivered broad-based growth, with loans and core deposits increasing 15% and 18%, respectively, exhibiting our team's success in driving exceptional levels of new client acquisition. Our higher-yielding C&I lending portfolios accounted for two-thirds of the late-quarter loan growth and should provide meaningful support to net interest margin going forward. Growth in non-interest income further reinforced the benefits of our diversified revenue model. Additionally, we made progress toward resolving our largest non-performing CRE credit, contributing to an 8% decline in non-accrual loans during the quarter. Our momentum in the first quarter positions us to achieve our full-year target of 10% growth and above-average shareholder returns while maintaining disciplined risk management."

Quarterly Highlights

• Robust Loan Growth. Loans increased $125.9 million, or 14.9% annualized, from the linked quarter and $315.9 million, or 9.9%, from the first quarter of 2025. The Bank's higher-yielding C&I lending portfolios contributed $84.4 million, or 67%, of the linked quarter's growth, the majority of which occurred late in the quarter.
• Continued Core Deposit Growth. Core deposits grew $123.1 million, or 18.4% annualized, from the linked quarter and $333.4 million, or 13.5%, from the first quarter of 2025.
• Net Interest Margin. The Company's net interest margin was 3.56%, compared to 3.53% for the linked quarter. The first quarter was reduced by approximately five basis points due to fewer interest-earnings days. Excluding this impact, net interest margin was 3.61%. The company remains positioned to achieve its targeted net interest margin range of 3.60%-3.65%.
• Strong Non-interest Income. Non-interest income increased $1.2 million, up 15.8% from the prior year quarter, reflecting the ongoing success of revenue diversification efforts, highlighted by a 25.8% increase in service charges on deposits. Fee income as a percentage of operating revenue measured 19.8% for the quarter, up from 18.8% in the prior year quarter.
• Continued Tangible Book Value Growth. The Company’s strong earnings continued to drive growth in tangible book value per share, producing a 13.6% increase compared to the prior year quarter.

Quarterly Financial Results

First Quarter 2026 Compared to Fourth Quarter 2025

Net interest income increased $756,000, or 2.2%, to $35.5 million.

• The increase in net interest income was driven by an increase in average loans and leases receivable during the first quarter and the impact of non-accrual interest reversals in the linked quarter. This was partially offset by a decrease in earning asset yields, the impact of fewer interest-earning days in the quarter, and the late-quarter timing of loan growth. More than two-thirds of first quarter loan growth occurred in March, muting growth in average loans and leases receivable, which increased by $62.0 million, or 7.4% annualized, to $3.426 billion.
• The yield on average interest-earning assets declined 17 basis points to 6.21% from 6.38%, primarily due to fewer interest-earning days in the quarter and lower short-term market rates. The fourth quarter of 2025 was negatively impacted by non-accrual interest. Excluding non-accrual interest activity in both periods, the yield decreased to 6.20% from 6.47%, representing an interest-earning asset beta of 104.6%. Asset beta measures the change in the yield on interest‑earning assets relative to changes in the effective daily federal funds rate.
• The rate paid for average core deposits declined 23 basis points to 2.41% from 2.64%, while the rate paid on average total bank funding decreased 22 basis points to 2.73% from 2.95%. Total bank funding includes total deposits and Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) advances. Compared to the prior quarter, core deposit beta was 89.1% and the total bank funding beta was 82.8%.
• Net interest margin increased to 3.56% from 3.53% in the linked quarter, driven primarily by non-accrual interest reversals in the linked quarter and partially offset by fewer interest-earning days in the current quarter. Excluding non-accrual interest reversals in the linked quarter and the impact of fewer days in the first quarter, net interest margin was 3.61%, compared to 3.63% in the linked quarter.
• The Company maintains a long-term target for net interest margin in the range of 3.60% - 3.65%. Performance in future quarters will vary due to factors such as the level of fees in lieu of interest and the timing, pace, and scale of future interest rate changes.

The Bank reported provision for credit losses of $3.0 million compared to $1.9 million in the linked quarter. The current quarter provision primarily reflects net charge-offs and loan growth, partially offset by a decrease in general reserve qualitative factors. See the Provision for Credit Loss breakdown table below for more detail.

Non-interest income increased $1.3 million, or 17.6%, to $8.8 million.

• Gain on sale of SBA loans increased $452,000 to $592,000. The fourth quarter of 2025 was lower primarily due to delays related to the government shutdown. Gain on sale of SBA loans varies period to period based on the amount of closed and fully funded loans.
• Other non-interest income increased $709,000 to $1.2 million, primarily due to the reclassification of partnership investment expenses in the linked quarter, partially offset by lower partnership investment income. In the fourth quarter of 2025, the Company reclassified $904,000 of partnership investment expenses incurred during the first nine months of 2025 to net against related revenue to better present the net benefit of these investments. This presentation will continue prospectively, and periods prior to 2025 were not adjusted due to immateriality.
• Service charges on deposits increased $130,000, or 10.9%, to $1.3 million, primarily driven by new and expanded core deposit relationships.
• Commercial loan swap fee income decreased $110,000, or 14.9%, to $628,000. Swap fee income varies from period to period based on loan activity and the interest rate environment.

Non-interest expense increased $2.8 million, or 11.7%, to $27.0 million, while operating expense increased $3.2 million, or 13.3%, to $27.1 million.

• Compensation expense was $18.5 million, an increase of $1.4 million, or 8.1% from the linked quarter. The increase was driven by higher seasonal payroll taxes, 401(k) match contributions paid on the annual cash bonus, annual merit increases, and workforce growth, partially offset by lower incentive compensation. Average full-time equivalents (“FTEs”) for the first quarter of 2026 were 373, compared to 368 in the linked quarter.
• Other non-interest expense increased $935,000 to $1.2 million, primarily due to the aforementioned reclassification of partnership investment expenses.
• Professional fees increased $445,000, or 44.5%, to $1.4 million, primarily due to increases in recruiting expenses and legal fees related to the Company's 10-K and Proxy filings.
• Marketing expense decreased $227,000, or 24.2%, to $711,000, primarily due to timing of projects. Management expects marketing spend for full year 2026 to be in line with prior year.

Income tax expense decreased $725,000 to $2.2 million. The effective tax rate was 15.2% for the three months ended March 31, 2026, compared to 17.9% for the linked quarter. The change in tax expense reflects updated tax credit partnership estimates and timing of stock compensation vesting activity. The Company expects to report an effective tax rate between 16% and 18% for 2026.

Total period-end loans and leases receivable increased $125.9 million, or 14.9% annualized, to $3.501 billion. The average rate earned on average loans and leases receivable was 6.57%, down 20 basis points from 6.77% in the prior quarter. Excluding the non-accrual interest activity in both periods, the average rate earned on average loans and leases was 6.57% compared to 6.87% in the prior quarter.

• C&I loans increased $84.4 million, or 26.5% to $1.358 billion, primarily due to growth across our bank markets and in Asset-Based Lending.
• CRE loans increased $35.2 million, or 6.8%, to $2.095 billion, primarily due to growth in the South Central Wisconsin markets.

Total period-end core deposits increased $123.1 million, or 18.4% annualized, to $2.796 billion. The average rate paid was 2.41%, down 23 basis points from 2.64% in the prior quarter primarily due to a decrease in short-term market rates.

Period-end wholesale funding, including FHLB advances and brokered deposits, increased $113.9 million, or 12.6%, to $1.019 billion, driven primarily by liquidity management considerations. The increase also supported interest rate risk management through match-funding of fixed-rate assets to enhance funding flexibility and help stabilize net interest margin.

• Wholesale deposits increased $62.5 million to $769.9 million. The average rate paid on wholesale deposits increased seven basis points to 3.97% and the weighted average original maturity decreased to 3.3 years from 4.4 years.
• FHLB advances increased $51.4 million to $248.6 million. The average rate paid on FHLB advances decreased five basis points to 3.13% and the weighted average original maturity increased to 6.2 years from 5.7 years.

Non-performing assets decreased $3.4 million to $40.5 million, or 0.94% of total assets, compared to 1.07% in the prior quarter. The decline was primarily due to the sale at par of a land development CRE non-accrual loan within a previously identified Southeast Wisconsin-based client relationship.

The allowance for credit losses, including the unfunded credit commitments reserve, increased $797,000, or 2.1%, primarily due to increases in general reserves due to loan growth, an increase in specific reserves, and a decline in the economic outlook in our model forecast, partially offset by a decrease in qualitative risk factors. The allowance for credit losses, including unfunded credit commitment reserves, as a percent of total gross loans and leases was 1.10% compared to 1.12% in the prior quarter.

First Quarter 2026 Compared to First Quarter 2025

Net interest income increased $2.3 million, or 6.8%, to $35.5 million.

• Growth reflects a 7.5% increase in average gross loans and leases, partially offset by a decrease in net interest margin.
• The yield on average interest-earning assets decreased 40 basis points to 6.21% from 6.61%. This decrease in yield was primarily due to the decrease in short-term market rates. The interest-earning asset beta was 59.3%.
• The rate paid for average core deposits decreased 30 basis points to 2.41% from 2.71%. The rate paid for average total bank funding decreased 29 basis points to 2.73% from 3.02%. The core deposit and total bank funding betas compared to the prior year were 43.5% and 42.0%, respectively.
• Net interest margin decreased 13 basis points to 3.56% from 3.69%. The decrease in net interest margin was primarily due to the decline in short-term earning asset yields outpacing the decline in total bank funding costs. Additionally, the year-over-year increase in non-performing assets contributed to three basis points of decline in net interest margin.

The Company reported provision for credit losses of $3.0 million, compared to $2.7 million in the first quarter of 2025. See the Provision for Credit Loss breakdown table below for more detail.

Non-interest income increased $1.2 million, or 15.8%, to $8.8 million.

• Commercial loan swap fee income increased $515,000 to $628,000. Swap fee income varies period to period based on loan activity and the interest rate environment.
• Private Wealth fee income increased $385,000, or 11.0%, to $3.9 million. Private wealth assets under management and administration measured $3.881 billion at March 31, 2026 up $456.2 million, or 13.3%.
• Bank-owned life insurance income increased $320,000, or 73.2%, to $757,000, primarily due to the purchase of new policies in the second quarter of 2025.
• Service charges on deposits increased $270,000, or 25.8%, to $1.3 million, primarily driven by new and expanded core deposit relationships and a reduction in earnings credit rates.
• Gain on sale of SBA loans decreased $371,000, or 38.5%, to $592,000. Gain on sale of SBA loans varies period to period based on the amount of closed and fully funded loans.

Non-interest expense increased $2.2 million, or 9.0%, to $27.0 million. Operating expense increased $2.5 million or 10.0%, to $27.1 million.

• Compensation expense increased $1.8 million, or 10.7%, to $18.5 million. Growth reflects an increase in average FTEs, salaries, individual incentive compensation, and the acceleration of deferred compensation related to the CEO transition. Average FTEs increased 5.7% to 373 in the first quarter of 2026, compared to 353 in the first quarter of 2025.
• Computer software expense increased $318,000, or 19.8%, to $1.9 million, primarily due to our commitment to innovative technology to support growth initiatives, enhance productivity, and improve the client experience.
• Data processing expense increased $188,000, or 17.4%, to $1.3 million, primarily due to a change in credit card vendor and core provider costs commensurate with an increase in transactions, accounts, and clients.
• FDIC insurance increased $129,000, or 16.5%, to $909,000, primarily due to an increase in assessment rate related to an increase in non-performing assets and wholesale deposits.
• Marketing expense decreased $257,000, or 26.5%, to $711,000, primarily due to seasonality and timing of projects. Management expects marketing spend for full year 2026 to be in line with prior year spend.

Total period-end loans and leases receivable increased $315.9 million, or 9.9%, to $3.501 billion. The average yield decreased 37 basis points to 6.57%, primarily due to a decrease in short-term market rates.

• CRE loans increased $185.5 million, or 9.7%, to $2.095 billion, primarily due to growth across our bank markets.
• C&I loans increased $129.3 million, or 10.5%, to $1.358 billion, primarily due to growth across our bank markets and in Asset-Based Lending.

Total period-end core deposits grew $333.4 million, or 13.5%, to $2.796 billion. The average rate paid decreased 30 basis points to 2.41%, reflecting a decrease in short-term market rates.

Period-end wholesale funding increased $6.3 million, or 0.6%, to $1.019 billion.

• Wholesale deposits decreased $10.4 million, or 1.3%, to $769.9 million. The average rate paid on wholesale deposits decreased six basis points to 3.97% and the weighted average original maturity decreased to 3.3 years from 4.1 years.
• FHLB advances increased $16.9 million, or 7.2%, to $303.5 million. The average rate paid on FHLB advances increased two basis points to 3.13% and the weighted average original maturity increased to 6.2 years from 5.4 years.

Non-performing assets increased to $40.5 million, or 0.94% of total assets, from $24.1 million, or 0.61% of total assets, primarily reflecting the fourth quarter 2025 downgrade of $20.4 million of CRE loans from a single client relationship. The increase was partially offset by a $3.4 million sale at par in the first quarter of 2026 related to that same relationship, as well as lower non-accrual balances from equipment finance loans and SBA loans.

The allowance for credit losses, including unfunded commitment reserves, increased $2.0 million to $38.5 million primarily due to higher general reserves as a result of loan growth and quantitative factors, partially offset by lower specific reserves. The allowance for credit losses as a percent of total gross loans and leases was 1.10%, compared with 1.15% in the prior year.

Dividend Announced

On April 23, 2026, the Company's Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend on its common stock of $0.34 per share, which is equivalent to a dividend yield of 2.37% based on the market close price of $57.27 on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. The quarterly dividend is the same as the quarterly dividend declared in January 2026, and based on first quarter 2026 earnings per share, this represents a dividend payout ratio of 24%. This regular cash dividend is payable on May 20, 2026, to shareholders of record at the close of business on May 6, 2026.

The Board of Directors also declared a dividend on the Company’s 7% Series A Preferred Stock of $17.50 per share, payable on June 15, 2026, to shareholders of record on May 29, 2026.

2026 CEO Succession Plan

On April 15, 2026, the Board of Directors of First Business Financial Services, Inc. (the “Company”) appointed David R. Seiler as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, effective May 3, 2026. Mr. Seiler will succeed Corey A. Chambas, whose retirement from his role as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer was announced in May 2025.

Earnings Release Supplement and Conference Call

On April 23, 2026, the Company posted an earnings release supplement to its website firstbusiness.bank under the “Investor Relations” tab which will also be furnished to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on April 23, 2026. The information included in the supplement provides an overview of the Company’s recent operating performance, financial condition, and other data relevant to the quarter. The Company intends to use this supplement in connection with its first quarter 2026 earnings call to be held at 1:00 p.m. Central time on April 24, 2026. The conference call can be accessed at 800-715-9871 (646-307-1963) if outside the United States and Canada), using the conference call access code: FBIZ, 2129267. Investors may also listen live via webcast at: https://events.q4inc.com/attendee/805218265. A replay of the call will be available through Friday, May 1, 2026, by calling 800-770-2030 (609-800-9909 if outside the United States and Canada). The webcast archive of the conference call will be available on the Company’s website, ir.firstbusiness.bank.

About First Business Bank

First Business Bank^® specializes in Business Banking, including Commercial Banking and Specialty Finance, Private Wealth, and Bank Consulting services, and through its refined focus delivers unmatched expertise, accessibility, and responsiveness. Specialty Finance solutions are delivered through First Business Bank’s wholly owned subsidiary First Business Specialty Finance, LLC^®. First Business Bank is a wholly owned subsidiary of First Business Financial Services, Inc^®. (Nasdaq: FBIZ). For additional information, visit firstbusiness.bank.

This release may include forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which reflect First Business Bank’s current views with respect to future events and financial performance. Forward-looking statements are not based on historical information, but rather are related to future operations, strategies, financial results, or other developments. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s expectations as well as certain assumptions and estimates made by, and information available to, management at the time the statements are made. Those statements are based on general assumptions and are subject to various risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from the views, beliefs, and projections expressed in such statements. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including among other things:

• Adverse changes in the economy or business conditions, either nationally or in our markets including, without limitation, inflation, economic downturn, labor shortages, wage pressures, the adverse effects of public health events on the global, national, and local economy, and geopolitical instability and international conflicts that may affect energy prices or otherwise result in market volatility.
• Uncertainty created by potential federal government actions relating to the authority of regulatory agencies (including bank regulators), international trade policy, prolonged shutdown of the federal government, and other significant policy matters.
• Competitive pressures among depository and other financial institutions nationally and in the Company’s markets.
• Increases in defaults by borrowers and other delinquencies.
• Management’s ability to manage growth effectively, including the successful expansion of our client support, administrative infrastructure, and internal management systems.
• Fluctuations in interest rates and market prices.
• Changes in legislative or regulatory requirements applicable to the Company and its subsidiaries.
• Changes in tax requirements, including tax rate changes, new tax laws, and revised tax law interpretations.
• Fraud, including client and system failure or breaches of our network security, including the Company’s internet banking activities.
• Failure to comply with the applicable SBA regulations in order to maintain the eligibility of the guaranteed portion of SBA loans.
• Ongoing volatility in the banking sector may result in new legislation, regulations or policy changes that could subject the Company and the Bank to increased government regulation and supervision.
• The proportion of the Company’s deposit account balances that exceed FDIC insurance limits may expose the Bank to enhanced liquidity risk.

For further information about the factors that could affect the Company’s future results, please see the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.