Exhibit 99(a)

 

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

 

TrustCo’s Positive Momentum Yields 6.5% Net Income Increase;

$17.3 Million for Third Quarter of 2026

 

Executive Snapshot:

 

Financial results:

 

 

 

Glenville, New York – October 21, 2026

 

TrustCo Bank Corp NY (TrustCo, NASDAQ: TRST) today announced financial results for the third quarter of 2026 highlighted by a continued increase in net interest income and sustained loan and deposit growth across core lending and deposit categories. For the three months ended September 30, 2026, net interest income increased 9.1% year over year to $47.0 million. This was driven by the ongoing asset repricing across our loan portfolio at higher yields and effective execution of deposit growth and pricing strategies. For the three months ended September 30, 2026, net interest margin expanded to 2.95% from 2.79% in the prior year period. This resulted in third quarter 2026 net income of $17.3 million, or $1.02 diluted earnings per share, compared to net income of $16.3 million, or $0.86 diluted earnings per share, for the third quarter 2025; and contributed to net income of $50.6 million, or $2.91 diluted earnings per share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2026, compared to net income of $45.6 million, or $2.41 diluted earnings per share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2025.

 

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Overview

 

Chairman, President, and CEO, Robert J. McCormick, said “Another quarter of solid financial performance is the product of TrustCo’s continued execution of tried and true banking principles that, quarter after quarter, continue to build positive momentum. Steady growth in both loans and deposits, coupled with favorable repricing of the Bank’s nearly $5.5 billion loan portfolio, have boosted net interest income to $47 million for the quarter, increased margin by 16 basis points, and driven return on average equity up 1.28% year over year, a 14% increase. Our management team has built a resilient balance sheet that can perform well in the current dynamic interest-rate environment, which efforts are supported by the entire organization’s focus on our relationship-based banking strategy. The ongoing repurchase of shares and regular payment of our recently-increased quarterly dividend work together to enhance shareholder value. With all of these factors coming together and trending favorably, we are optimistic about the Company’s ability to maintain positive momentum into 2027.”

 

Details

 

We have continued to see meaningful net income and net interest income improvement. The loan and investment portfolios of Trustco Bank (the “Bank”) continue to reprice upward as lower yielding assets mature and are replaced with higher rate loan originations and investment purchases, driving steady improvement in overall asset yields. We believe that this ongoing repricing reflects disciplined loan production aligned with current market conditions. Complementing this, the Bank maintains a strong liquidity position, driven by deposit growth while decreasing funding costs which underscores the Bank's disciplined relationship banking strategy and the value customers place on stability and service. We believe that these factors position the Bank to generate continued net income and net interest income growth in the coming quarters and deliver long-term value to shareholders. Net interest income was $47.0 million for the third quarter of 2026, an increase of $3.9 million, or 9.1%, compared to the third quarter of 2025, driven by loan growth at higher interest rates and a decrease in interest expense. The net interest margin for the third quarter of 2026 was 2.95%, up 16 basis points from 2.79% in the third quarter of 2025. The yield on interest-earning assets increased to 4.35% in the third quarter of 2026, up 10 basis points from 4.25% in the third quarter of 2025. The cost of interest bearing liabilities decreased to 1.79% in the third quarter of 2026, down 11 basis points from 1.90% in the third quarter of 2025.

 

Average loans were up $238.1 million, or 4.6%, in the third quarter of 2026 over the same period in 2025. Average residential loans and Home Equity Credit Lines (HECLs), our primary lending focus, were up $177.3 million, or 4.0%, and $50.0 million, or 11.4%, respectively, in the third quarter of 2026 over the same period in 2025. Average commercial loans also increased $13.5 million, or 4.3%, in the third quarter of 2026 over the same period in 2025. Loan growth in the third quarter of 2026 remained steady, driven by continued strength in core relationship lending. Credit quality metrics were stable. Following this period of sustained growth, TrustCo remains confident in the quality of its loan portfolio amid broader market concerns. We believe that our continued focus on strong underwriting within our loan portfolio and conservative lending standards positions us to manage credit risk effectively in the current environment. The consistent growth in the loan portfolio will likely enhance net interest income in the quarters ahead. Average deposits were up $229.6 million, or 4.2%, for the third quarter of 2026 compared to the third quarter of 2025, primarily as a result of an increase in time deposits, interest bearing checking accounts, and demand deposits. The Bank’s ongoing emphasis on relationship banking, combined with competitive product offerings and digital capabilities, has contributed to a broadening deposit base that supports ongoing loan growth and expansion.

 

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During the third quarter of 2026, the Bank remained focused on capital deployment and allocation, guided by a disciplined framework, with a dividend increase, and share repurchases, these serve as key tools to enhance shareholder value. This reflects our confidence in the long-term strength of the franchise and our focus on capital optimization. During the third quarter, the Bank declared an increased quarterly cash dividend of $0.40 per share, or $1.60 per share on an annualized basis. The declared dividend represents an increase of 5.3% over the prior dividend amount which continues the Banks commitment in paying dividends for over a century. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2026, TrustCo repurchased 500 thousand and 1.5 million shares, or 2.9% and 8.3%, respectively, of TrustCo’s outstanding common stock under its previously announced stock repurchase program, which authorizes TrustCo to repurchase up to two million shares, or 11.1%, of TrustCo’s outstanding common stock in 2026. We continue to believe that our approach ensures every dollar of capital is working to generate solid returns, strengthen customer relationships, and enhance shareholder value. As of September 30, 2026, our equity to asset ratio was 9.72%, compared to 10.90% as of September 30, 2025. Book value per share as of September 30, 2026 was $38.20, up 2.4% compared to $37.30 as of a year earlier.

 

Asset quality remains strong and has been consistent over the past twelve months. TrustCo recorded a provision for credit losses of $850 thousand in the third quarter of 2026, an increase of $600 thousand compared to the same period in 2025. For the three months ended September 30, 2026, the provision for credit losses was the result of a provision for credit losses on loans of $1.05 million due to loan growth and changes in forward looking economic assumptions, and a benefit for credit losses on unfunded commitments of $200 thousand due to the seasonal decrease in the loan pipeline. Accordingly, increases in the overall provision expense are being driven by loan growth and changes in economic forecasts rather than the deterioration in underlying credit performance. The ratio of allowance for credit losses on loans to total loans was 1.01% and 1.00% as of September 30, 2026 and September 30, 2025, respectively. The allowance for credit losses on loans was $55.2 million as of September 30, 2026, compared to $51.9 million as of September 30, 2025. Nonperforming loans (NPLs) were $21.1 million as of September 30, 2026, compared to $18.5 million as of September 30, 2025. NPLs were 0.39% and 0.36% of total loans as of September 30, 2026 and September 30, 2025, respectively. The coverage ratio, or allowance for credit losses on loans to NPLs, was 261.8% as of September 30, 2026, compared to 280.8% as of September 30, 2025. Nonperforming assets (NPAs) were $22.3 million as of September 30, 2026, compared to $19.7 million as of September 30, 2025. Asset quality metrics remain stable and well covered by reserves, reflecting the Bank’s conservative underwriting standards.

 

A conference call to discuss third quarter 2026 results will be held at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time on October 22, 2026. Those wishing to participate in the call may dial toll-free for North America 1-833-461-5787, Meeting ID 638 789 515. The call will also be audio webcast at https://events.q4inc.com/attendee/638789515. The webcast replay will be available for one year at the same link.

 

About TrustCo Bank Corp NY

 

TrustCo Bank Corp NY is a $6.5 billion savings and loan holding company and through its subsidiary, Trustco Bank, operated 133 offices in New York, New Jersey, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Florida as of September 30, 2026.

 

In addition, the Bank’s Wealth Management Department offers a full range of investment services, retirement planning and trust and estate administration services. The common shares of TrustCo are traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol TRST.

 

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Forward-Looking Statements

 

All statements in this news release and the related earnings call that are not historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "goal," "seek," "believe," "project," "estimate," "expect," "strategy," "future," "likely," "may," "should," "will," “can” and similar references to future development, results or periods. Examples of forward-looking statements include, among others, statements we make regarding our expectations for our future performance, including our expectations regarding net income, net interest income and shareholder value for future quarters; expectations regarding our future momentum; the anticipated impact of our focus on underwriting within our loan portfolio and conservative lending standards; the expected impact of the continued repricing of our loan and investment portfolios, as well as our liquidity position, on our future net interest and net interest income; our balance sheet’s performance in future interest-rate environments; future overall asset yields; the amount of shares that we expect to repurchase in 2026; and the anticipated effects of our capital management strategy, including our stock repurchase program. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations, as well as certain assumptions and estimates made by, and information available to, management at the time the statements are made. Such forward-looking statements are subject to factors and uncertainties that could cause TrustCo’s actual results to differ materially from the views, beliefs and projections expressed in such statements. TrustCo wishes to caution readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. The following important factors, among others, in some cases have affected and in the future could affect TrustCo’s actual results and could cause TrustCo’s actual financial performance to differ materially from that expressed in any forward-looking statement: future changes in interest rates; external economic factors, such as changes in monetary policy, ongoing inflationary pressures and continued elevated prices; exposure to credit risk in our lending activities; the risk of weakness in residential real estate markets; our increasing commercial loan portfolio; the sufficiency of our allowance for credit losses on loans to cover actual loan losses; our ability to meet the cash flow requirements of our depositors or borrowers or to meet our operating cash needs to fund corporate expansion and other activities; claims and litigation pertaining to fiduciary responsibility and lender liability; the enforcement of federal cannabis laws and regulations and its impact on our ability to provide services in the cannabis industry; our dependency upon the services of the management team; our disclosure controls and procedures’ ability to prevent or detect errors or acts of fraud; the adequacy of our business continuity and disaster recovery plans; the effectiveness of our risk management framework; the impact of any expansion by us into new lines of business or new products and services; the rising popularity of alternative financial products, including fintech platforms, cryptocurrencies, money market funds, and digital wallets; an increase in the prevalence of fraud and other financial crimes; the impact of severe weather events and climate change on us and the communities we serve, including societal responses to climate change; environmental, social and governance risks and their impact on our reputation and relationships; the chance of a prolonged economic downturn, especially one affecting our geographic market area; instability in global economic conditions and geopolitical matters, including as a result of the conflict between the United States (U.S.) and Iran, as well as volatility in financial markets; the chance of a downgrade in the credit rating of the U.S. government or a default by the U.S. government; the soundness of other financial institutions; U.S. government shutdowns; fluctuations in the trust wealth management fees we receive as a result of investment performance; the impact of regulatory capital rules on our growth; changes in laws and regulations, including changes in cybersecurity or privacy regulations; our compliance with laws designed to protect consumers, including the Community Reinvestment Act and fair lending laws; restrictions on data collection and use; our compliance with the USA PATRIOT Act, Bank Secrecy Act, and other laws and regulations that could result in material fines or sanctions; changes in tax laws; limitations on our ability to pay dividends; TrustCo Realty Corp.’s ability to qualify as a real estate investment trust; changes in accounting standards; competition within our market areas; consumers and businesses’ use of non-banks to complete financial transactions; our reliance on third-party service providers; the impact of data breaches and cyber-attacks; the development and use of artificial intelligence; the impact of a failure in or breach of our operational or security systems or infrastructure, or those of third parties; the impact of an unauthorized disclosure of sensitive or confidential client or customer information; the impact of interruptions in the effective operation of our computer systems; the impact of anti-takeover provisions in our organizational documents; the impact of the manner in which we allocate capital; the impact of the actions of activist shareholders; and other risks and uncertainties set forth in our public filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the first and second quarters of 2026, our upcoming quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the third quarter of 2026, and future reports to be filed with the SEC. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release represent TrustCo management’s judgment as of the date of this news release. TrustCo disclaims, however, any intent or obligation to update forward-looking statements, either as a result of future developments, new information or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

 

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TRUSTCO BANK CORP NY

GLENVILLE, NY

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

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FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS, Continued

 

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

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(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

 

 

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME, Continued

 

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

 

 

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

 

(dollars in thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

 

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NONPERFORMING ASSETS

 

(dollars in thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

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DISTRIBUTION OF ASSETS, LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY -

INTEREST RATES AND INTEREST DIFFERENTIAL

 

(dollars in thousands)

(Unaudited)