Takeaways from the 2026 Gulf South Bank Conference - Trends Remain Positive

Research evidence excerpt

Takeaways from the 2026 Gulf South Bank Conference - Trends Remain Positive

I N D U S T R Y N O T E

M a y 2 0 , 2 0 2 6

Bank Insights

CONCLUSION Stephen Scouten, CFA

Highlights from Gulf South - Earlier this week we attended the Gulf South Bank Managing Director, Piper Sandler & Co.

Conference in New Orleans, LA. In attendance were nearly 20 Southeast/Southwest 404 442-2882, stephen.scouten@psc.com

focused banks along with dozens of investors and sell-side analysts. Though there was Jackson Andrew

little truly new information given the conference’s proximity to first quarter earnings calls, Research Analyst, Piper Sandler & Co.

404 442-2859, jackson.andrew@psc.comwe walked away from the conference feeling confident that banks are on a good path to

achieving goals/guidance for 2Q26 and FY26. Additionally, after meeting with 10 of our

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covered banks in NOLA, a few key points stick out to us: (1) The opportunity to add new RNST 41.12

clients and new hires is very strong due to M&A disruption, especially in Texas; (2) M&A SPFI 40.09

conversations are ongoing as banks are trying to take advantage of the accommodative SMBK 41.57

regulatory environment; (3) Competition remains high and in many places has increased

INDUSTRY RISKSsince the start of the year, which may limit NIM upside.

Key risks include: 1) potential rate hikes;

• M&A-Related Disruption Creating Huge Hiring and Client Acquisition 2) competitive pressures; 3) increasing credit

Opportunities – Multiple banks we spoke to highlighted just how excited they are to losses; and 4) slowing macro-economic

conditions. take advantage of large bank M&A in their footprints, especially in Texas. While hiring

hasn’t seen a noticeable uptick in 2Q, banks expect this to become more pronounced in