Citizens Financial Group (NYSE:CFG) reported stronger-than-expected results for the fourth quarter on Wednesday, with net income climbing 32% from a year earlier to $528 million. Earnings per share came in at $1.13, ahead of the $1.10 consensus forecast.
Despite the earnings beat, the bank’s shares slipped 0.77% in after-hours trading following the release.
The Providence, Rhode Island-based lender generated quarterly revenue of $2.16 billion, marginally above analysts’ expectations of $2.15 billion. Citizens also delivered positive operating leverage, recording a 1.3% improvement quarter on quarter and 5.2% year on year on an underlying basis, highlighting continued efficiency gains.
“We are pleased to report good fourth quarter and full year results that reflect strong execution of our key growth initiatives and continued improvement in our net interest margin,” said Chairman and CEO Bruce Van Saun. “Our strong fee growth was paced by Capital Markets and Wealth, we continue to achieve positive operating leverage, up 5% in Q4 vs. prior year, our credit costs are trending favorably.”
For the full year 2025, Citizens posted net income of $1.8 billion and earnings per share of $3.86, representing underlying increases of 14% and 19%, respectively. The Private Bank ended the year with $14.5 billion in deposits, contributing 7% to group earnings and generating a 25% return on equity.
The board declared a quarterly dividend of $0.46 per share, payable on February 18, 2026, to shareholders on record as of February 4, 2026.
As of December 31, 2025, Citizens Financial Group reported total assets of $226.4 billion and operated roughly 1,000 branches and 3,100 ATMs across 14 U.S. states and the District of Columbia.