WABC

EX-99.1

2 exh_991.htm

PRESS RELEASE

EdgarFiling

EXHIBIT 99.1

Westamerica Bancorporation Reports Third Quarter 2026 Financial Results

SAN RAFAEL, Calif., Oct. 15, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Westamerica Bancorporation (Nasdaq: WABC), parent company of Westamerica Bank, generated net income for the third quarter 2026 of $28.2 million and diluted earnings per common share ("EPS") of $1.22. Third quarter 2026 results compare to second quarter 2026 net income of $27.4 million and EPS of $1.17.

"Westamerica’s third quarter 2026 results continued to benefit from the Company’s low-cost operating principles. The annualized cost of funding interest-earning loans, bonds and cash was 0.26 percent for the third quarter 2026. Excess cash from stable deposit balances was invested in higher interest earning investment securities resulting in an annualized net interest margin of 3.81 percent for the third quarter 2026, a 4 basis point increase when compared to the second quarter 2026. The Company recognized no provision for credit losses in the third quarter 2026. At September 30, 2026, nonperforming assets were $476 thousand and the allowance for credit losses on loans was $10.5 million. Westamerica operated efficiently, spending 41 percent of its revenue on operating costs in the third quarter 2026”, said Chairman, President and CEO David Payne. “Third quarter 2026 results generated an annualized 11.5 percent return on average common equity. Westamerica paid a $0.48 per common share dividend during the third quarter 2026, and retired 51 thousand common shares using its share repurchase plan. Westamerica’s capital ratios remain at historically high levels exceeding the highest regulatory guidelines,” concluded Payne.

Net interest income on a fully-taxable equivalent (FTE) basis was $53.5 million for the third quarter 2026, compared to $52.7 million for the second quarter 2026. The annualized yield earned on loans, bonds and cash for the third quarter 2026 was 4.07 percent compared to 4.01 percent for the second quarter 2026. The annualized cost of funding interest-earning loans, bonds and cash was 0.26 percent for the third quarter 2026 compared to 0.24 percent for the second quarter 2026.

Noninterest income for the third quarter 2026 totaled $10.7 million compared to $10.3 million for the second quarter 2026. The increase in noninterest income is primarily due to higher merchant processing services fee income related to receipt of a one-time termination fee and increased transaction volumes in the third quarter 2026.

Noninterest expense was $26.2 million for the third quarter 2026 compared to $26.0 million for the second quarter 2026. The increase in noninterest expense is primarily due to higher occupancy and equipment expense and professional fees, partially offset by lower salaries and benefits expense.

The income tax provision (FTE) for the third quarter 2026 was $9.9 million compared to $9.5 million for the second quarter 2026.

Westamerica Bancorporation’s wholly owned subsidiary Westamerica Bank, operates commercial banking and trust offices throughout Northern and Central California.

Westamerica Bancorporation Web Address: www.westamerica.com

For additional information contact:

Westamerica Bancorporation

1108 Fifth Avenue, San Rafael, CA 94901

Robert A. Thorson – Investor Relations Contact

707-863-6090

investments@westamerica.com

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION:

The following appears in accordance with the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995:

This press release may contain forward-looking statements about the Company, including descriptions of plans or objectives of its management for future operations, products or services, and forecasts of its revenues, earnings or other measures of economic performance. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They often include the words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "estimate," or words of similar meaning, or future or conditional verbs such as "will," "would," "should," "could," or "may."

Forward-looking statements, by their nature, are subject to risks and uncertainties. A number of factors — many of which are beyond the Company's control — could cause actual conditions, events or results to differ significantly from those described in the forward-looking statements. The Company's most recent reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the annual report for the year ended December 31, 2025 filed on Form 10-K and quarterly report for the quarter ended June 30, 2026 filed on Form 10-Q, describe some of these factors, including certain credit, interest rate, operational, liquidity and market risks associated with the Company's business and operations. Other factors described in these reports include changes in business and economic conditions, competition, fiscal and monetary policies, disintermediation, cyber security risk

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