Equity Bancshares EQBK Form 10-Q filing Q1 FY2026

Important Notice about Information in this Quarterly Report

Unless we state otherwise or the context otherwise requires, references in this Quarterly Report to “we,” “our,” “us,” “the Company” and “Equity” refer to Equity Bancshares, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, including Equity Bank, which we sometimes refer to as “Equity Bank,” “the Bank” or “our Bank.”

The information contained in this Quarterly Report is accurate only as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and as of the dates specified herein.

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PART I

Item 1: Financial Statements

EQUITY BANCSHARES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

March 31, 2026, and December 31, 2025

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

See accompanying condensed notes to interim consolidated financial statements.

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EQUITY BANCSHARES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2026, and 2025

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)

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EQUITY BANCSHARES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2026, and 2025

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

See accompanying condensed notes to interim consolidated financial statements.

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EQUITY BANCSHARES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2026, and 2025

(Unaudited)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)

See accompanying condensed notes to interim consolidated financial statements.

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See accompanying condensed notes to interim consolidated financial statements.

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EQUITY BANCSHARES, INC.

CONDENSED NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

March 31, 2026

(Unaudited)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)

NOTE 1 – BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The interim consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Equity Bancshares, Inc., its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Equity Bank (“Equity Bank”), EBAC, LLC (“EBAC”) and Equity Risk Management, Inc. (“ERMI”). ERMI provides property and casualty insurance coverage to Equity Bancshares and Equity Bank and reinsurance to other third party insurance captives for which insurance may not be currently available or economically feasible in today's insurance marketplace. The wholly-owned subsidiaries of Equity Bank are comprised of SA Holdings, Inc. (“SA Holdings”), SA Property LLC (“SA Property”), and EQBK Investments, LLC. (“EQBK Investments”). SA Holdings and SA Property were established for the purpose of holding and selling other real estate owned. EQBK Investments was established for the purpose to hold Equity Bank's investment in a real estate investment trust. These entities are collectively referred to as the “Company”. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The accompanying unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and in accordance with guidance provided by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial information. The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. In the opinion of management, the interim statements reflect all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Company on a consolidated basis and all such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. These financial statements and the accompanying notes should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2025, included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 6, 2026. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2026, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2026, or any other period.

Reclassifications

Some items in prior financial statements were reclassified to conform to the current presentation. Management determined the items reclassified are immaterial to the consolidated financial statements taken as a whole and did not result in a change in equity or net income for the periods reported.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income - Expense Disaggregation Disclosures. The amendments in ASU 2024-03, update require disclosure, in the notes to financial statements, of specified information about certain costs and expenses. The amendments will require the Company to disclose employee compensation, depreciation, and intangible amortization included in each relevant expense caption on the face of the income statement. In addition, certain amounts already required to be disclosed under other current GAAP will be disclosed in this disaggregation and a qualitative description of the amounts remaining in each relevant expense caption. The amendments in this update are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2026, and early adoption is permitted for annual financial statements that have not yet been issued or made available for issuance. The amendments in this update should be applied on a prospective basis; however, retrospective application is permitted. The Company's financial condition, results of operations and cash flows will not be impacted by this guidance; however, this guidance will impact the Company's financial statement disclosures.

In January 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-01, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income - Expense Disaggregation Disclosures - Clarifying the Effective Date. The amendments in ASU 2025-01, clarify that all public entities should initially adopt the disclosure requirements of ASU 2024-03 in the first annual reporting period beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027. The transition guidance included in ASU 2024-03 and related impact is unchanged by this guidance.

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In November 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-08, Financial Instruments — Credit Losses (Topic 326): Purchased Loans. The amendments in ASU 2025-08, amends the guidance in ASC 326 to expand and clarify the accounting for acquired loans, including “purchased seasoned loans,” with the objective of addressing concerns about complexity and potential double counting of expected credit losses in acquisition accounting. ASU 2025-08 requires entities to apply the amendments prospectively to loans acquired on or after the initial application date and does not require retrospective restatement of prior periods. The amendments in this update are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2026, and early adoption is permitted for annual financial statements that have not yet been issued or made available for issuance. The Company early adopted the provisions of ASU 2025-08 in connection with its acquisition of Frontier Holdings LLC, which was completed on January 1, 2026. The Company applied the guidance prospectively to loans acquired in the transaction and will apply the updated guidance to any subsequent acquisitions occurring on or after initial adoption. Early adoption of the ASU 2025-08 affected the timing and measurement of expected credit losses for acquired performing loans. The impact from adoption is included in the accompanying footnotes.

In November 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-09, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815), Hedge Accounting Improvements. The amendments in ASU 2025-09, will cause the guidance in ASC 815 to more closely align hedge accounting with the economics of an entities risk management activities by: (1) allowing aggregating in a group of individual forecasted transaction in a cash flow hedge that have similar risk exposure rather than shared risk exposure; (2) allows the application of cash flow hedge accounting on variable rate debt instruments with contractual terms that permit the borrower to change the interest rate index and interest rate tenor; (3) permits hedge accounting for forecasted purchases and sales of non-financial assets, that meet specific criteria, to apply hedge accounting to eligible components of forecasted sport-market transactions, forward-market transactions and subcomponents of an agreements pricing formula; (4) eliminates the requirement to apply the net written options test to a compound derivative that comprises a swap and a written option designated in a cash flow or fair value hedge of interest rate risk; and (5) eliminates the recognition and presentation mismatch related to a dual hedge strategy, when a foreign currency denominated debt instrument is both designated as the hedge in a net investment hedge and as the hedged item in a fair value hedge of interest rate risk. The amendments in this update are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim periods within those annual reporting periods. Early adoption is permitted on any date on or after the issuance of this Update. Entities should apply the amendments in this update on a prospective basis for all hedging relationships. The company is currently evaluating the impact of adoption of ASU 2025-09, but does not expect it to have a significant impact on the Company's financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

NOTE 2 – INVESTMENTS

The amortized cost and fair value of available-for-sale securities and the related gross unrealized gains and losses recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are listed below.

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The amortized cost and fair value of held-to-maturity securities and the related gross unrecognized gains and losses are listed in the following tables.

The fair value and amortized cost of debt securities at March 31, 2026, by contractual maturity, is shown below. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. Securities not due at a single maturity date, primarily mortgage-backed securities, are shown separately.

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The following table shows the carrying value and fair value of securities pledged as collateral to secure public fund deposits; borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal Reserve Bank; and retail repurchase obligations at March 31, 2026, and December 31, 2025.

The following tables show gross unrealized or unrecognized losses and fair value, aggregated by investment category, and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous loss position at March 31, 2026, and December 31, 2025.

As of March 31, 2026, the Company held 142 available-for-sale securities in an unrealized loss position and two held-to-maturity securities in an unrecognized loss position.

Unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities and unrecognized losses on held-to-maturity securities have not been recognized into income because the security issuers are of high credit quality, management does not intend to sell and it is more likely than not that the Company will not be required to sell the securities prior to their anticipated recovery. The decline in fair value is largely due to changes in interest rates and the fair value is expected to recover as the securities approach maturity.

The Company's available-for-sale and held-to-maturity investments that carry some form of credit risk are private label residential mortgage-backed, corporate and state and political subdivisions securities.

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The Company's private label residential mortgage-backed exposure consists of one security held by the Company and is senior in the capital structure, carries substantial credit enhancement and is 20% risk weighted by the Simplified Supervisory Formula Approach (“SSFA”). At March 31, 2026, the Company does not anticipate any credit losses in the private label residential mortgage-backed portfolio.

The Company's corporate debt exposure consists of 39 separate positions in U.S. financial institutions, all of which the Company has determined to be investment grade. Substantially all of the positions are subordinated debt issued by bank holding companies. The Company periodically reviews financial data of the issuers to ensure their continued investment grade status. At March 31, 2026, the Company does not anticipate any credit losses in the corporate debt securities portfolio.

The Company's portfolio of state and political subdivisions securities is comprised of 71 positions of which 58% of the positions are rated “A” or better by a Nationally Recognized Statistical Ratings Organization (“NRSRO”), and 48% of the overall portfolio is made up of general obligation bonds. The Company periodically reviews financial data of the entities and regularly monitors credit ratings changes of the entities. At March 31, 2026, the Company does not anticipate any credit losses in the state and political subdivisions securities portfolio.

The proceeds from sales and the associated gains and losses on available-for-sale securities reclassified from other comprehensive income to income are listed below.

The Company also invests in several other investments, including investments in stocks and partnerships, which are included in other assets. The following table shows the various investment balances and method of accounting at March 31, 2026, and December 31, 2025.

The unrealized gain/(loss) for other investments accounted for at fair value that were still held at the reporting period were $222 and $159 at March 31, 2026, and December 31, 2025.

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The following table discloses the financial statement impact of tax credit investments for the three month period ended March 31, 2026, and 2025.

NOTE 3 – LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES

Types of loans and normal collateral securing those loans are listed below.

Commercial real estate: Commercial real estate loans include all loans secured by non-farm, nonresidential properties and by multifamily residential properties, as well as 1-4 family investment-purpose real estate loans.

Commercial and industrial: Commercial and industrial loans include loans used to purchase fixed assets, provide working capital or meet other financing needs of the business. Loans are normally secured by the assets being purchased or already owned by the borrower, inventory or accounts receivable. These may include SBA and other guaranteed or partially guaranteed types of loans.

Residential real estate: Residential real estate loans include loans secured by primary or secondary personal residences.

Agricultural real estate: Agricultural real estate loans are loans typically secured by farmland.

Agricultural: Agricultural loans are primarily operating lines subject to annual farming revenues including productivity/yield of the agricultural commodities produced. These loans may be secured by growing crops, stored crops, livestock, equipment, and miscellaneous receivables.

Consumer: Consumer loans may include installment loans, unsecured and secured personal lines of credit, overdraft protection and letters of credit. These loans are generally secured by consumer assets but may be unsecured.

The following table reconciles the outstanding balance of loans at March 31, 2026, and December 31, 2025.

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The following table lists categories of loans at March 31, 2026, and December 31, 2025.

From time to time, the Company has purchased pools of residential real estate loans originated by other financial institutions to hold for investment with the intent to diversify the residential real estate portfolio. During the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025 the Company did not purchase any pools of residential loans. As of March 31, 2026, and December 31, 2025, residential real estate loans include $269,832 and $252,884 of purchased residential real estate loans.

The Company occasionally purchases the government guaranteed portion of loans originated by other financial institutions to hold for investment. During the three months ended March 31, 2026, the Company did not purchase any loans guaranteed by governmental agencies. During the three months ended March 31, 2025, the Company purchased $61,987 in loans guaranteed by governmental agencies.

The unamortized purchase accounting discounts related to non-purchase credit deteriorated loans included in the loan totals above are $22,847 with related loans of $1,563,591 at March 31, 2026, and $12,853 with related loans of $627,644 at December 31, 2025.

Overdraft deposit accounts are reclassified and included in consumer loans above. These accounts totaled $940 at March 31, 2026, and $878 at December 31, 2025.

The following tables present the activity in the allowance for credit losses by class for the three month period ended March 31, 2026, and 2025.

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The following tables present the amortized cost in loans and the balance in the allowance for credit losses by portfolio and class based on the method to determine allowance for credit loss as of March 31, 2026, and December 31, 2025.

The following tables present information related to non-accrual loans at March 31, 2026, and December 31, 2025.

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The tables below present average recorded investment and interest income related to non-accrual loans for the three months ended March 31, 2026, and 2025. Interest income recognized in the following table was substantially recognized on a cash basis. The recorded investment in loans excludes accrued interest receivable due to immateriality.

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The following table presents the amount of non-accrual interest income written off for the three months ended March 31, 2026, and 2025.

The following tables present the aging of the recorded investment in past due loans as of March 31, 2026, and December 31, 2025, by portfolio and class of loans.

Credit Quality Indicators

The Company categorizes loans into risk categories based on relevant information about the ability of borrowers to service their debt, such as current financial information, historical payment experience, credit documentation, public information and current economic trends, among other factors. The Company analyzes loans individually by classifying the loans as to credit risk. Consumer loans are considered pass credits unless downgraded due to payment status or reviewed as part of a larger credit relationship. The Company uses the following definitions for risk ratings.

Pass: Loans classified as pass include all loans that do not fall under one of the three following categories.

Special Mention: Loans classified as special mention have a potential weakness that deserves management’s close attention. If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the loan or of the Company’s credit position at some future date.

Substandard: Loans classified as substandard are inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any. Loans so classified have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that

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jeopardize the liquidation of the debt. They are characterized by the distinct possibility that the institution will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.

Doubtful: Loans classified as doubtful have all the weaknesses inherent in those classified as substandard, with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions and values, highly questionable and improbable.

Based on the analysis performed at March 31, 2026, the risk category of loans by type and year of origination is as follows.

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Based on the analysis performed at December 31, 2025, the risk category of loans by type and year of origination is as follows.

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The following table discloses the charge-off and recovery activity by loan type and year of origination for the three month period ending March 31, 2026.

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The following table discloses the charge-off and recovery activity by loan type and year of origination for the three month period ending March 31, 2025.

Modifications to Debtors Experiencing Financial Difficulty

The following table presents the amortized cost basis of loans at March 31, 2026, and 2025, that were both experiencing financial difficulty and modified during the three months ended March 31, 2026, and 2025, by class and by type of modification. The percentage of the amortized cost basis of loans that were modified to borrowers in financial distress as compared to the amortized cost basis of each class of financing receivable is also presented below.

At March 31, 2026, and 2025, there were $74 and $30 in commitments to lend additional amounts on these loans.

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At modification date, the Company considers loans modified to borrowers in financial distress as loans that do not share similar risk characteristics with collectively evaluated loans at modification date for the purposes of calculating the allowance for credit losses. These loans will be evaluated for credit losses based on either discounted cash flows or the fair value of collateral at modification date; however, subsequent to the modification date these loans will be evaluated for credit losses as part of the collectively evaluated pools after a period of ongoing performance under the terms of the modified loan.

The Company closely monitors the performance of loans that are modified to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty to understand the effectiveness of its modification efforts. The following table presents the performance of such loans that have been modified during the twelve months ended March 31, 2026, and 2025.

The following table presents the financial effect of the loan modifications presented above to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty for the three months ended March 31, 2025. There were no modified loans to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty for the three months ended March 31, 2026.

Allowance for Credit Losses on Off-Balance-Sheet Credit Exposures

The Company estimates expected credit losses over the contractual period in which the Company is exposed to credit risk from a contractual obligation to extend credit, unless that obligation is unconditionally cancelable by the Company. The allowance for credit losses on off-balance-sheet credit exposures is adjusted as a provision for credit loss expense recognized within other non-interest expense on the consolidated statements of income and included in other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. The estimated credit loss includes consideration of the likelihood that funding will occur and an estimate of expected credit losses on commitments expected to be funded over its estimated life. The estimate of expected credit loss is based on the historical loss rate for the class of loan the commitments would be classified as if funded.

The following table lists allowance for credit losses on off-balance-sheet credit exposures as of March 31, 2026, and December 31, 2025.

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NOTE 4 – DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The Company is exposed to interest-rate risk primarily from the effect of interest rate changes on its interest-earning assets and its sources of funding these assets. The Company will periodically enter into interest rate swaps or interest rate caps/floors to manage certain interest rate risk exposure.

Interest Rate Swaps Designated as Fair Value Hedges

The Company periodically enters into interest rate swaps to hedge the fair value of certain commercial real estate loans. These transactions are designated as fair value hedges. In this type of transaction, the Company typically receives from the counterparty a variable-rate cash flow based on the one-month LIBOR or one-month SOFR plus a spread to the index and pays a fixed-rate cash flow equal to the customer loan rate. At March 31, 2026, the portfolio of interest rate swaps had a weighted average maturity of 6.12 years, a weighted average pay rate of 4.44% and a weighted average rate received of 6.91%. At December 31, 2025, the portfolio of interest rate swaps had a weighted average maturity of 6.27 years, a weighted average pay rate of 4.45% and a weighted average rate received of 7.10%.

Interest Rate Swaps Designated as Cash Flow Hedges

The Company has entered into cash flow hedges to hedge future cash flows related to subordinated debt and Federal Home Loan Bank advances interest expense and adjustable rate loans interest income. These agreements are designated as cash flow hedges and are marked to market through other comprehensive income.

The following table lists the cash flow hedges at March 31, 2026, and December 31, 2025.

Stand-Alone Derivatives

The Company periodically enters into interest rate swaps with our borrowers and simultaneously enters into swaps with a counterparty with offsetting terms for the purpose of providing our borrowers long-term fixed rate loans, in addition to stand alone interest-rate swaps designed to offset the economic impact of fixed rate loans. Neither swap is designated as a hedge, and both are marked to market through earnings. At March 31, 2026, this portfolio of interest rate swaps had a weighted average maturity of 5.92 years, weighted average pay rate of 6.74% and a weighted average rate received of 6.76%. At December 31, 2025, this portfolio of interest rate swaps had a weighted average maturity of 6.17 years, weighted average pay rate of 6.79% and weighted average rate received of 6.82%.

Reconciliation of Derivative Fair Values and Gains/(Losses)

The notional amount of a derivative contract is a factor in determining periodic interest payments or cash flows received or paid. The notional amount of derivatives serves as a level of involvement in various types of derivatives. The notional amount does not represent the Company’s overall exposure to credit or market risk, generally, the exposure is significantly smaller.

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The following table shows the notional balances and fair values (including net accrued interest) of the derivatives outstanding by derivative type at March 31, 2026, and December 31, 2025.

The table below lists designated and qualifying hedged items in fair value hedges at March 31, 2026, and December 31, 2025.

The Company reports hedging derivative gains (losses) as adjustments to loan interest income and loan interest expense along with the related net interest settlements. The non-hedging derivative gains (losses) and related net interest settlements for economic derivatives are reported in other income. For the three month period ended March 31, 2026, and 2025, the Company recorded net gains (losses) on derivatives and hedging activities as shown in the table below.

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The following tables show the recorded net gains (losses) on derivatives and the related hedged items in fair value hedging relationships and the impact of those derivatives on the Company’s net interest income for the three month periods ended March 31, 2026, and 2025.

The following tables show the recorded net gains or (losses) on derivatives and the related hedged items in cash flow hedging relationships and the impact of those derivatives on the Company's net interest income for the three month periods ended March 31, 2026, and 2025.

NOTE 5 – OTHER REAL ESTATE OWNED AND OTHER REPOSSESSED ASSETS Changes in other real estate owned and other repossessed assets for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025 were as follows.

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Expenses related to other real estate owned and other repossessed assets for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025 were as follows.

The balance of other real estate owned includes $443 of foreclosed residential real estate properties recorded as a result of obtaining physical possession of the property at March 31, 2026, and $804 at December 31, 2025. The recorded investment of consumer mortgage loans secured by residential real estate properties for which formal foreclosure proceedings are in process was $1,933 at March 31, 2026, and $776 at December 31, 2025. At March 31, 2026 and December 31 ,2025, included in the other real estate owned balance is $2,141 related to closed bank locations transferred from premises and equipment.

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NOTE 6 – LEASE OBLIGATIONS

Right-of-use asset and lease obligations by type of property for the periods ended March 31, 2026, and December 31, 2025, are listed below.

Operating lease costs for the three months ended March 31, 2026, and 2025, are listed below.

There were no sale and leaseback transactions, leverage leases, lease transactions with related parties or leases that had not yet commenced during the three month period ended March 31, 2026.

A maturity analysis of operating lease liabilities and reconciliation of the undiscounted cash flows to the total operating lease liability is listed below.

NOTE 7 – BORROWINGS

Federal funds purchased and retail repurchase agreements

Federal funds purchased and retail repurchase agreements as of March 31, 2026, and December 31, 2025, are listed below.

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Securities sold under agreements to repurchase (retail repurchase agreements) consist of obligations of the Company to other parties. The obligations are secured by residential mortgage-backed securities held by the Company with a fair value of $39,826 and $41,481 at March 31, 2026, and December 31, 2025. The agreements are on a day-to-day basis and can be terminated on demand.

The following table presents the borrowing usage and interest rate information for federal funds purchased and retail repurchase agreements at March 31, 2026, and December 31, 2025.

Federal Home Loan Bank advances

Federal Home Loan Bank advances include both draws against the Company’s line of credit and fixed rate term advances. Federal Home Loan Bank advances as of March 31, 2026, and December 31, 2025, are as follows.

At March 31, 2026, and December 31, 2025, the Company had un-disbursed advance commitments (letters of credit) with the Federal Home Loan Bank of $59,742 and $64,635. These letters of credit were obtained in lieu of pledging securities to secure public fund deposits that are over the FDIC insurance limit.

The advances, Mortgage Partnership Finance credit enhancement obligations and letters of credit were collateralized by certain qualifying loans of $904,073 at March 31, 2026, and qualifying loans of $932,939 at December 31, 2025. Based on this collateral and the Company’s holdings of Federal Home Loan Bank stock, the Company was eligible to borrow an additional $494,792 and $567,399 at March 31, 2026, and December 31, 2025.

Federal Reserve Bank borrowings

At March 31, 2026, and December 31, 2025, the Company had a borrowing capacity of $2,142,985 and $1,863,782, for which the Company has pledged loans with an outstanding balance of $2,622,634 at March 31, 2026 and $2,456,465 at December 31, 2025. The Company had no outstanding borrowings at March 31, 2026 or December 31, 2025.

Bank stock loan

The Company entered into an agreement with an unaffiliated financial institution and is secured by the Company’s stock in Equity Bank. The loan was renewed on February 10, 2023, with a new maturity date of February 10, 2024. With this renewal, the maximum borrowing amount remained at $25,000. Each note will bear interest at the greater of a variable interest rate equal to the prime rate published in the “Money Rates” section of The Wall Street Journal (or any generally recognized successor), floating daily, or a floor of 3.25%. Accrued interest and principal payments will be due quarterly with one final payment of unpaid principal and interest due at the end of the five-year term of each separate note. The Company is also required to pay an unused commitment fee in an amount equal to 20 basis points per annum on the unused portion of the maximum borrowing facility due on the maturity date of the renewal.

The loan has been renewed and amended annually on February 10, with the same terms as the previous renewal. The most recent renewal was February 10, 2026 with a maturity date of February 10, 2027.

There were no outstanding principal balances on the bank stock loan at March 31, 2026 or December 31, 2025.

The terms of the borrowing facility require the Company and Equity Bank to maintain minimum capital ratios and other covenants. In the event of default, the lender has the option to declare all outstanding balances immediately due. The Company believes it is in compliance with the terms of the borrowing facility and has not been otherwise notified of noncompliance.

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Subordinated debt

Subordinated debt as of March 31, 2026, and December 31, 2025, are listed below.

Subordinated debentures

In conjunction with prior acquisitions, the Company assumed certain subordinated debentures owed to special purpose unconsolidated subsidiaries that are controlled by the Company. These subordinated debentures have the same terms as the trust preferred securities issued by the special purpose unconsolidated subsidiaries.

FCB Capital Trust II (“CTII”): The trust preferred securities issued by CTII were initially issued to accrue and pay distributions quarterly at three-month LIBOR plus 2.00%; however on July 12, 2023, after the LIBOR transition it will now accrue and pay distributions quarterly at three-month CME term SOFR plus a tenor spread adjustment of 0.26% plus 2.00 % on the stated liquidation amount of the trust preferred securities. These trust preferred securities are mandatorily redeemable upon maturity on April 15, 2035, or upon earlier redemption.

FCB Capital Trust III (“CTIII”): The trust preferred securities issued by CTIII were initially issued to accrue and pay distributions quarterly at three-month LIBOR plus 1.89%; however on September 15, 2023, after the LIBOR transition it will now accrue and pay distributions quarterly at three-month CME term SOFR plus a tenor spread adjustment of 0.26% plus 1.89% on the stated liquidation amount of the trust preferred securities. These trust preferred securities are mandatorily redeemable upon maturity on June 15, 2037, or upon earlier redemption.

Community First (AR) Statutory Trust I (“CFSTI”): The trust preferred securities issued by CFSTI were initially issued to accrue and pay distributions quarterly at three-month LIBOR plus 3.25%; however on September 26, 2023, after the LIBOR transition it will now accrue and pay distributions quarterly at three-month CME term SOFR plus a tenor spread adjustment of 0.26% plus 3.25% on the stated liquidation amount of the trust preferred securities. These trust preferred securities are mandatorily redeemable upon maturity on December 26, 2032, or upon earlier redemption.

American State Bank Statutory Trust I (“ASBSTI”): The trust preferred securities issued by ASBSTI were initially issued to accrue and pay distributions quarterly at three-month LIBOR plus 1.80%; however on September 15, 2023, after the LIBOR transition it will now accrue and pay distributions quarterly at three-month CME term SOFR plus a tenor spread adjustment of 0.26% plus 1.80% on the stated liquidation amount of the trust preferred securities. These trust preferred securities are mandatorily redeemable upon maturity on September 15, 2035, or upon earlier redemption.

Subordinated debentures as of March 31, 2026, and December 31, 2025, are listed below.

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Subordinated notes

On June 29, 2020, the Company entered into Subordinated Note Purchase Agreements with certain qualified institutional buyers and institutional accredited investors pursuant to which the Company issued and sold $42,000 in aggregate principal amount of its 7.00% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated notes due 2030. The notes were issued under an Indenture, dated as of June 29, 2020 (the “Indenture”), by and between the Company and UMB Bank, N.A., as trustee. The notes will mature on June 30, 2030. From June 29, 2020, through June 29, 2025, the Company will pay interest on the notes semi-annually in arrears on June 30 and December 30 of each year, commencing on December 30, 2020, at a fixed interest rate of 7.00%. Beginning June 30, 2025, the notes convert to a floating interest rate, to be reset quarterly, equal to the then-current Three-Month Term SOFR, as defined in the Indenture, plus 688 basis points. Interest payments during the floating-rate period will be paid quarterly in arrears on March 30, June 30, September 30 and December 30 of each year, commencing on September 30, 2025. On July 23, 2020, the Company closed on an additional $33,000 of subordinated notes with the same terms as the June 29, 2020 issue.

On June 30, 2025, the Company redeemed the subordinated note described above.

On July 17, 2025, the Company entered into new Subordinated Note Purchase Agreements with certain qualified institutional buyers and institutional accredited investors pursuant to which the Company issued and sold $75,000 in aggregate principal amount of its 7.125% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated notes due 2035. The notes were issued under an Indenture, dated as of June 17, 2025 (the “Indenture”), by and between the Company and UMB Bank, N.A., as trustee. The notes will mature on August 1, 2035. From July 17, 2025, through August 1, 2030, the Company will pay interest on the notes semi-annually in arrears on February 1 and August 1 of each year, commencing on February 1, 2026, at a fixed interest rate of 7.125%. Beginning August 1, 2030, the notes convert to a floating interest rate, to be reset quarterly, equal to the then-current Three-Month Term SOFR, as defined in the Indenture, plus 349 basis points for each quarterly interest period during the floating rate period. Interest payments during the floating-rate period will be paid quarterly in arrears on February 1, May 1, August 1 and November 1 of each year, commencing on November 1, 2030.

Subordinated notes as of March 31, 2026, are listed below.

Subordinated notes as of December 31, 2025, are listed below.

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Future principal repayments

Future principal repayments of the March 31, 2026 outstanding balances are as follows.

NOTE 8 – STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Preferred stock

The Company’s articles of incorporation provide for the issuance of shares of preferred stock. At March 31, 2026, and December 31, 2025, there was no preferred stock outstanding.

Common stock

The Company’s articles of incorporation provide for the issuance of 45,000,000 shares of Class A voting common stock (“Class A common stock”) and 5,000,000 shares of Class B non-voting common stock (“Class B common stock”), both of which have a par value of $0.01 per share.

The following table presents shares that were issued, held in treasury or were outstanding at March 31, 2026, and December 31, 2025.

Treasury stock is stated at cost, determined by the first-in first-out method.

In 2019, the Company’s Board of Directors adopted the Equity Bancshares, Inc. 2019 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”). The ESPP enables eligible employees to purchase the Company’s common stock at a price per share equal to 85% of the lower of the fair market value of the common stock at the beginning or end of each offering period. ESPP compensation expense of $44 was recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2026. ESPP compensation expense of $41 was recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2025. The following table presents the offering periods and costs associated with this program during the reporting period.

In September of 2025, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a share repurchase plan for up to 1,000,000 shares of outstanding common stock beginning on October 1, 2025, and concluding on September 30, 2026. The repurchase program does not obligate the Company to acquire a specific dollar amount or number of shares, and it may be extended, modified or

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discontinued at any time without notice. Non-objection from the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City related to this repurchase plan was received September 23, 2025. At March 31, 2026, there are 327,662 shares remaining or repurchase under the program.

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

At March 31, 2026, and December 31, 2025, accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) consisted of (i) the after-tax effect of unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities and (ii) unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges.

Components of accumulated other comprehensive income as of March 31, 2026, and December 31, 2025, are listed below.

NOTE 9 – REGULATORY MATTERS

Banks and bank holding companies (on a consolidated basis) are subject to regulatory capital requirements administered by federal banking agencies. Capital adequacy guidelines and, additionally for banks, prompt corrective action regulations, involve quantitative measures of assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance-sheet items calculated under regulatory accounting practices. Capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by regulators. Failure to meet capital requirements can initiate regulatory action. The Basel III rules require banks to maintain a Common Equity Tier 1 capital ratio of 6.5%, a total Tier 1 capital ratio of 8%, a total capital ratio of 10% and a leverage ratio of 5% to be deemed “well capitalized” for purposes of certain rules and prompt corrective action requirements. The risk-based ratios include a “capital conservation buffer” of 2.5% which can limit certain activities of an institution, including payment of dividends, share repurchases and discretionary bonuses to executive officers, if its capital level is below the buffer amount. Management believes as of March 31, 2026, the Company and Bank meet all capital adequacy requirements to which they are subject.

Prompt corrective action regulations provide five classifications: well capitalized, adequately capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized, and critically undercapitalized, although these terms are not used to represent overall financial condition. If adequately capitalized, regulatory approval is required to accept brokered deposits. If undercapitalized, capital distributions are limited, as are asset growth and acquisitions, and capital restoration plans are required.

As of March 31, 2026, the most recent notifications from the federal regulatory agencies categorized Equity Bank as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. To be categorized as well capitalized, Equity Bank must maintain minimum regulatory capital ratios as set forth in the table below. There are no conditions or events since that notification that management believes have changed Equity Bank’s category.

The Company’s and Equity Bank’s capital amounts and ratios at March 31, 2026, and December 31, 2025, are presented in the table below. Ratios provided for Equity Bancshares, Inc. represent the ratios of the Company on a consolidated basis.

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Equity Bank is subject to certain restrictions on the amount of dividends that it may declare without prior regulatory approval.

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NOTE 10 – EARNINGS PER SHARE

The following table presents earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2026, and 2025.

Average shares not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because they were antidilutive are shown in the following table as of March 31, 2026, and 2025.

NOTE 11 – FAIR VALUE

The Company uses fair value measurements to record fair value adjustments to certain assets and liabilities and to disclose the fair value of its financial instruments. Fair value is the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. For disclosure purposes, the Company groups its financial and non-financial assets and liabilities into three different levels based on the nature of the instrument and the availability and reliability of the information that is used to determine fair value. The three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair values are defined as follows.

Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the entity has the ability to access as of the measurement date.

Level 2: Significant other observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

Level 3: Significant unobservable inputs that reflect a reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability.

Level 1 inputs are considered to be the most transparent and reliable. The Company assumes the use of the principal market to conduct a transaction of each particular asset or liability being measured and then considers the assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability. Whenever possible, the Company first looks for quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets (Level 1 inputs) to value each asset or liability. However, when inputs from identical assets or liabilities on active markets are not available, the Company utilizes market observable data for similar assets and liabilities. The Company maximizes the use of observable inputs and limits the use of unobservable inputs to occasions when observable inputs are not available. The need to use unobservable inputs generally results from the lack of market liquidity of the

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actual financial instrument or of the underlying collateral. Although, in some instances, third party price indications may be available, limited trading activity can challenge the implied value of those quotations.

The following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for assets and liabilities measured at fair value, as well as the general classification of each instrument under the hierarchy.

Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring Basis

The fair values of securities available-for-sale and equity securities with readily determinable fair value are carried at fair value on a recurring basis. To the extent possible, observable quoted prices in an active market are used to determine fair value and, as such, these securities are classified as Level 1. For securities where quoted prices are not available, fair values are calculated based on market prices of similar securities, generally determined by matrix pricing, which is a mathematical technique widely used in the industry to value securities without relying exclusively on quoted prices for the specific securities but rather by relying on the securities’ relationship to other benchmark quoted securities (Level 2 inputs). The Company’s available-for-sale securities, including U.S. Government sponsored entity securities, residential mortgage-backed securities (all of which are issued or guaranteed by government sponsored agencies), private-label residential mortgage-backed securities, corporate securities, Small Business Administration securities, and State and Political Subdivision securities are classified as Level 2.

The fair values of derivatives are determined based on a valuation pricing model using readily available observable market parameters such as interest rate yield curves (Level 2 inputs) adjusted for credit risk attributable to the seller of the interest rate derivative. Cash collateral received from or delivered to a derivative counterparty is classified as Level 1.

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized in the following tables as of March 31, 2026, and December 31, 2025.

• (Level 1)
• (Level 2)
• (Level 3)_

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• (Level 1)
• (Level 2)
• (Level 3)_

There were no material transfers between levels during the three months ended March 31, 2026, or the year ended December 31, 2025. The Company’s policy is to recognize transfers into or out of a level as of the end of a reporting period.

Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Non-recurring Basis

Certain assets are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis when there is evidence of loans individually assessed for credit losses. The fair value of loans individually assessed for credit losses with specific allowance for credit losses are generally based on recent real estate appraisals of the collateral. Declines in the fair values of other real estate owned, subsequent to their initial acquisitions, are also based on recent real estate appraisals less estimated selling costs.

Real estate appraisals may utilize a single valuation approach or a combination of approaches including comparable sales and the income approach. Adjustments are routinely made in the appraisal process by the appraisers to adjust for differences between the comparable sales and income data available. Such adjustments made to real estate appraisals and other loan valuations are typically significant and result in a Level 3 classification of the inputs for determining fair value.

Assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis are summarized below as of March 31, 2026, and December 31, 2025.

• (Level 1)
• (Level 2)
• (Level 3)_

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• (Level 1)
• (Level 2)
• (Level 3)_

The Company did not record any liabilities for which the fair value was measured on a non-recurring basis at March 31, 2026, or December 31, 2025.

Valuations of individually evaluated loans and other real estate owned utilize third party appraisals or broker price opinions and were classified as Level 3 due to the significant judgment involved. Appraisals may include the utilization of unobservable inputs, subjective factors and utilize quantitative data to estimate fair market value.

The following table presents additional information about the unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of financial assets measured on a nonrecurring basis that were categorized with Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy as of March 31, 2026, and December 31, 2025.

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Carrying amount and estimated fair values of financial instruments at period end were as follows for March 31, 2026, and December 31, 2025.

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The fair value of off-balance-sheet items is not considered material.

NOTE 12 – COMMITMENTS AND CREDIT RISK

The Company extends credit for commercial real estate mortgages, residential mortgages, working capital financing and loans to businesses and consumers.

Commitments to Originate Loans and Available Lines of Credit

Commitments to originate loans and available lines of credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments and lines of credit generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since a portion of the commitments and lines of credit may expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment and lines of credit amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. Each customer’s creditworthiness is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary, is based on management’s credit evaluation of the counterparty. Collateral held varies, but may include accounts receivable, inventory, property, plant and equipment, commercial real estate and residential real estate. Mortgage loans in the process of origination represent amounts that the Company plans to fund within a normal period of 60 to 90 days, and which are intended for sale to investors in the secondary market.

The contractual amounts of commitments to originate loans and available lines of credit as of March 31, 2026, and December 31, 2025, were as follows.

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At March 31, 2026, the fixed rate loan commitments have interest rates ranging from 3.45% to 9.19% and maturities ranging from 1 month to 59 months.

Standby Letters of Credit

Standby letters of credit are irrevocable commitments issued by the Company to guarantee the performance of a customer to .a third party once specified pre-conditions are met. Financial standby letters of credit are primarily issued to support public and private borrowing arrangements, including commercial paper, bond financing, and similar transactions. Performance standby letters of credit are issued to guarantee performance of certain customers under non-financial contractual obligations. The credit risk involved in issuing standby letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loans to customers.

The contractual amounts of standby letters of credit as of March 31, 2026, and December 31, 2025, were as follows.

NOTE 13 – LEGAL MATTERS

The Company is party to various matters of litigation in the ordinary course of business. The Company periodically reviews all outstanding pending or threatened legal proceedings and determines if such matters will have an adverse effect on the business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. A loss contingency is recorded when the outcome is probable and reasonably able to be estimated. Any loss contingency described below has been identified by the Company as reasonably possible to result in an unfavorable outcome for the Company or the Bank.

Equity Bank is party to a lawsuit filed on January 28, 2022, in the Sedgwick County Kansas District Court on behalf of one of our customers, alleging improperly collected overdraft fees. The plaintiff sought to have the case certified as a class action.

Equity Bank is party to a lawsuit filed on February 2, 2022, in Jackson County, Missouri District Court against the Bank on behalf of one of our Missouri customers alleging improperly collected overdraft fees. The plaintiff sought to have the case certified as a class action.

Equity Bank is party to a lawsuit filed on February 28, 2023, in Saline County, Missouri District Court against the Bank on behalf of one of our Missouri customers alleging improperly collected overdraft fees. The plaintiff sought to have the case certified as a class action.

The Company has reached a settlement of each of the above-described actions. In return for a comprehensive release of all claims listed above, the company has agreed to pay the total value of approximately $1,150 in cash and customer credits after court approvals expected in the second quarter of 2026.

NOTE 14 – REVENUE RECOGNITION

The majority of the Company’s revenues come from interest income on financial instruments, including loans, leases, securities and derivatives, which are outside the scope of ASC 606. The Company’s services that fall within the scope of ASC 606 are presented with non-interest income and are recognized as revenue as the Company satisfies its obligation to the customer. Services within the scope of ASC 606 include service charges and fees on deposits, debit card income, investment referral income, insurance sales commissions and other non-interest income related to loans and deposits.

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Except for gains or losses from the sale of other real estate owned, all of the Company’s revenue from contracts with customers within the scope of ASC 606 are recognized in non-interest income. The following table presents the Company’s sources of non-interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2026, and 2025.

NOTE 15 – BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

Acquisition of Frontier Holdings LLC: At close of business on January 1, 2026, the Company acquired 100% of the outstanding common shares of Frontier Holdings LLC, ("Frontier"). Frontier is the parent company of Frontier Bank, which has seven branch locations in Lincoln, Falls City, Madison, Norfolk, Omaha and Pender. Results of operations of Frontier were included in the Company's results of operations beginning January 2, 2026. Acquisition-related costs associated with this acquisition were $5,333 ($4,142 on an after-tax basis) and are included in merger expense in the Company's income statement for the three months ended March 31, 2026.

Information necessary to recognize the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed is currently still ongoing and such amounts are subject to change for up to one year from the acquisition date. The acquisition was an expansion of the Company's footprint into Nebraska with the addition of seven branch locations throughout the state.

The following table summarizes the amounts of assets acquired and liabilities assumed by Frontier on January 1, 2026.

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The following tables reconcile the par value of Frontier loan portfolio as of the purchase date to the fair value indicated in the table above. For purchased seasoned loans and purchase-credit deteriorated assets, as required by CECL, the fair value mark is divided between an adjustment to par and an addition to the ACL. The addition to ACL represents the portion of the fair value mark attributable to expected credit losses and was determined by comparing a valuation that reflects management's loss rate assumptions with a valuation assuming no credit losses.

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Assuming the Frontier acquisition would have taken place on January 1, 2025, total combined revenue would have been $71,055 for the three months ended March 31, 2025, and $253,712 for the year ended December 31, 2025. Net income would have been $22,752 at March 31, 2025, and $40,506 at December 31, 2025. The pro forma amounts disclosed exclude merger expense from non-interest expense, which is considered a non-recurring adjustment. Separate revenue and earnings of the former Frontier locations are not available following the acquisition.

On April 2, 2025 the Company entered into an agreement and plan of reorganization with NBC Corp. of Oklahoma ("NBC"). The transaction was completed at close of business on July 2, 2025. Acquisition-related costs associated with the NBC transaction during the three months ended March 31, 2026 were $392 ($310 on an after-tax basis).

NOTE 16 – SEGMENT REPORTING

Equity Bancshares, Inc. is a financial holding company, whose principal activity is the ownership and management of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, including Equity Bank (“Equity Bank”). As a community-oriented financial institution, substantially all of the Company’s operations involve the delivery of loan and deposit products to customers. Management makes operating decisions and assesses performance based on an ongoing review of these banking operations, which constitute the Company’s only operating segment for financial reporting purposes.

The Company’s chief operating decision maker is comprised of the executive leadership team. For Equity Bancshares Inc., the executive leadership team uses gross profit and profit or loss from operations before interest and income taxes to allocate resources for in the annual budget and forecasting process. The chief operating decision maker considers budget-to-actual variances on a monthly basis for profit measures when making decisions about allocating capital and personnel to the operating segment. For Equity Bank, the executive leadership team uses net-interest income and non-interest income to allocate resources (including employees, financial, or capital resources) to that segment in the annual budget and forecasting process and uses that measure as a basis for evaluating lending terms for customer loans.

The following tables present information about reported segment revenue, measures of a segment’s profit or loss, significant segment expenses, and measure of a segment’s assets for the three months ended March 31, 2026, and 2025. The Company does not allocate all holding company expenses, income taxes or unusual items to the reportable segment. The following tables present the reconciliations of reportable segment revenues and measures of profit or loss and line item reconciliation to the Company’s consolidated financial statement totals.

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