Regional Bank Stocks That Could Benefit If Interest Rates Stay Higher for Longer

With Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh signaling that interest rates may remain elevated as the fight against inflation continues, regional banks sit at the center of one of today’s most important market debates. Higher borrowing costs can reshape loan demand, deposit behavior, and the value of bank securities, which can all feed through to regional bank earnings in different ways. This article looks at 3 stocks from a US Regional Banks screener that appear positively exposed to this backdrop and is intended to help you decide whether any of these banks might deserve a closer look in your portfolio research.

Farmers National Banc (FMNB)

Overview: Farmers National Banc Corp. is a Canfield, Ohio based regional bank holding company that provides traditional retail and commercial banking, along with trust, retirement consulting, insurance, and wealth management services to individuals and businesses in the United States.

Operations: Farmers National Banc generates about US$140.3m in revenue from its core Bank Segment, US$15.2m from its Trust and Retirement Consulting Segment, and US$38.4m from other revenues, all sourced within the United States.

Market Cap: US$866.9m

Farmers National Banc operates as a traditional interest margin sensitive regional bank at a time when the Federal Reserve is signaling that rates may stay higher for longer. This can meaningfully influence earnings for lenders whose business leans on spread income. The stock currently trades well below one DCF based estimate of fair value and offers a 4.64% dividend yield, which may appeal to income focused investors. At the same time, low allowances for bad loans, recent shareholder dilution and insider selling, and a relatively new management team mean that risk controls and governance quality deserve close inspection before deciding how it fits into a portfolio.

Farmers National Banc’s valuation gap and 4.64% yield could be masking a far more complex risk reward mix, and the real tension only comes into focus in the 3 key rewards and 3 important warning signs (1 is major!)

Horizon Bancorp (HBNC)

Overview: Horizon Bancorp is a regional bank holding company based in Michigan City, Indiana that offers a full suite of commercial and retail banking services, including loans, deposits, wealth management, retirement services, and insurance products for individuals and businesses across Indiana and Michigan.

Operations: Horizon Bancorp currently reports its revenue from commercial banking activities in the United States, with the latest period showing a small reported loss of US$23.16m at the segment level.

Market Cap: US$1.04b

Horizon Bancorp sits at an interesting crossroads for investors in a higher for longer rate setting, with its earnings tied closely to net interest income from traditional lending and deposit relationships. The company is working to tilt its balance sheet toward higher margin commercial loans while keeping a close eye on expenses, and Q1 2026 results already highlight meaningful net interest income and positive earnings. At the same time, the bank is still working through recent losses, shareholder dilution, and pressure on returns, and faces stiff competition and ongoing digital investment needs. How all of this lines up with analyst forecasts, DCF estimates and the latest Fed backdrop is where the investment case for Horizon Bancorp really starts to get interesting.

Horizon Bancorp’s turnaround story is taking shape, but the real question is how the latest Fed stance, recent losses and shareholder dilution fit together in one picture in the analysis report for Horizon Bancorp

Southern First Bancshares (SFST)

Overview: Southern First Bancshares is a Greenville, South Carolina based bank holding company for Southern First Bank, providing commercial, consumer, and mortgage lending along with deposit accounts and digital banking services to customers across South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia.

Operations: Southern First Bancshares generates about US$121.9m in revenue from its Banking Operations segment, all sourced within the United States.

Market Cap: US$588.1m

Southern First Bancshares stands out in a higher for longer rate setting because its community focused lending model is highly sensitive to net interest margins, which can benefit when borrowing costs stay elevated and loan books are carefully managed. Analysts expect earnings and revenue to grow at around 22.2% and 20.7% per year, and recent Q1 2026 results show net income of US$9.89m with very low net charge offs, pointing to disciplined credit risk. At the same time, the stock trades on a higher P/E than many peers and above one estimate of fair value, and shareholders have experienced dilution and limited board refreshment. How investors weigh that growth outlook against valuation, governance and Fed policy is where the Southern First story really starts to matter.

Southern First Bancshares’ growth story looks fast moving, but the real twist may lie in how that pace lines up with valuation and governance, which only comes through in the analyst forecasts for Southern First Bancshares

The three regional banks covered here are only a starting point, as the full US Regional Banks screener surfaces 42 more companies with equally interesting stories around capital strength, earnings mix, and rate sensitivity that could matter for your research. To identify the highest conviction ideas for your portfolio, use the US Regional Banks screener to filter for the specific catalysts and narratives that fit your view on credit quality, net interest income, and long term return potential.

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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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