Great Southern Bancorp, Inc. Reports Preliminary Fourth Quarter Earnings of $1.45 Per Diluted Common Share
SPRINGFIELD, Mo., Jan. 21, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Great Southern Bancorp, Inc. (the "Company") (NASDAQ:GSBC), the holding company for Great Southern Bank (the "Bank"), today reported that preliminary earnings for the three months ended December 31, 2025, were $1.45 per diluted common share ($16.3 million net income) compared to $1.27 per diluted common share ($14.9 million net income) for the three months ended December 31, 2024. Full-year preliminary earnings for 2025 were $71.0 million, or $6.19 per diluted common share, compared to $61.8 million, or $5.26 per diluted common share, for 2024.
For the quarter ended December 31, 2025, annualized return on average common equity was 10.16%, annualized return on average assets was 1.16%, and annualized net interest margin was 3.70%, compared to 9.76%, 1.00% and 3.49%, respectively, for the quarter ended December 31, 2024. For the year ended December 31, 2025, return on average common equity was 11.38%, return on average assets was 1.22%, and net interest margin was 3.67%, compared to 10.55%, 1.05% and 3.42%, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2024.
Key Results:
Significant Expense Items: During the three months ended December 31, 2025, the Company recorded expenses related to adjustments to asset values for branch closures and certain leased facilities. Expenses totaling $259,000 and $287,000 were recorded in Other Income and Net Occupancy and Equipment Expense, respectively.
Net Interest Income: Net interest income for the fourth quarter of 2025 decreased $371,000 (or approximately 0.7%) to $49.2 million compared to $49.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2024, largely driven by the completion of accounting recognition in October 2025 of interest income from a previously-terminated interest rate swap, partially offset by lower interest expense on deposit accounts and other borrowings. Annualized net interest margin was 3.70% for the quarter ended December 31, 2025, compared to 3.49% for the quarter ended December 31, 2024, and 3.72% for the quarter ended September 30, 2025.
Asset Quality: Non-performing assets and potential problem loans totaled $9.5 million at December 31, 2025, a decrease of $7.1 million from $16.6 million at December 31, 2024. At December 31, 2025, non-performing assets were $8.1 million (0.15% of total assets), a decrease of $1.5 million from $9.6 million (0.16% of total assets) at December 31, 2024. See "Asset Quality" below.
Liquidity: The Company had secured borrowing line availability at the FHLBank and Federal Reserve Bank of $1.32 billion and $305.2 million, respectively, at December 31, 2025.
Capital: The Company's capital position remained strong as of December 31, 2025, significantly exceeding the "well-capitalized" thresholds established by regulatory agencies. See "Capital" below.
Loans: Total net loans, excluding mortgage loans held for sale, decreased $333.5 million, or 7.1%, from $4.69 billion at December 31, 2024 to $4.36 billion at December 31, 2025. This decrease was primarily driven by decreases in other residential (multi-family) loans, construction loans, one- to four-family residential loans, and commercial business loans. Compared to September 30, 2025, net loans decreased $110.8 million. The Bank experienced significant loan repayments in the 2025 fourth quarter and year.
Selected Financial Data:
Three Months Ended
December 31,
December 31,
September 30,
2025
2024
2025
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Net interest income
$
49,163
$
49,534
$
50,773
Provision (credit) for credit losses on loans and unfunded commitments
882
1,556
(379
)
Non-interest income
7,188
6,934
7,062
Non-interest expense
36,000
36,947
36,116
Provision for income taxes
3,194
3,043
4,346
Net income
$
16,275
$
14,922
$
17,752
Earnings per diluted common share
$
1.45
$
1.27
$
1.56
Joseph W. Turner, President and CEO of Great Southern, commented, "Our fourth quarter and full year 2025 results reflect the sustained success of our core banking operations and our commitment to long-term tangible book value appreciation, despite a volatile economic environment. Throughout the year, we remained focused on preserving net interest margin, protecting credit quality, controlling non-interest expense, and opportunistically repurchasing our stock. That discipline translated into solid profitability in the fourth quarter, with net income of $16.3 million, or $1.45 per diluted common share, compared to $14.9 million, or $1.27 per diluted common share, in the prior year period. For the full year, net income was $71.0 million, or $6.19 per diluted common share, compared to $61.8 million, or $5.26 per diluted common share, in the prior year."
Turner noted, "Core performance remained solid during the quarter, supported by resilient net interest income, a steady net interest margin, continued moderation in funding costs, and disciplined asset-liability management. Net interest income totaled $49.2 million for the 2025 fourth quarter, down modestly from the prior-year quarter, due mainly to the end of quarterly recognition of interest income from a previously-terminated interest rate swap, as we had disclosed in prior filings. The quarterly recognition had been $2.0 million in prior quarters and was only $134,000 in the fourth quarter of 2025, since it ended in early October 2025. Despite lower interest income, effective management of funding costs reduced interest expense and mostly offset the decrease in interest income. The effective management of loan repricing and funding costs resulted in net interest margin expansion, reaching 3.70% in the fourth quarter of 2025, compared to 3.49% in the same quarter in 2024. Core deposits remained stable during the quarter, underscoring the strength of our customer relationships and the enduring value of our community banking franchise. Compared to the third quarter of 2025, net interest income decreased $1.6 million, due mainly to the ending of income recognition from the previously-terminated interest rate swap."
Turner added, "Loan production remained active during the quarter, though total net loans declined modestly due to heightened paydown and refinancing activity. These repayments were primarily within the multi-family, construction, one- to four-family residential, and commercial business loan portfolios. While we continue to be selective with loan originations, our pipeline of unfunded commitments remained solid, particularly within construction and commercial real estate lending. Additionally, our credit discipline, emphasis on relationship-based lending, and conservative underwriting standards remain evident in our excellent asset quality metrics."
Turner further commented, "Non-performing assets were 0.15% of total assets at year-end 2025, and net charge-offs were negligible for both the fourth quarter and the full year. We did not record a provision for credit losses on loans during 2025."
Turner continued, "Operating discipline remained a priority in the fourth quarter. Non-interest expense totaled approximately $36.0 million, in line with the prior-year quarter and the third quarter of 2025. As part of our focus on controlling operating costs, we continue to strategically invest in technology, infrastructure, and personnel, enabling efficiencies and ultimately expanding capabilities for our customers. The fourth quarter of 2025 also included certain facility-related costs incurred during the period which were not normal operating costs. In 2026, we expect to continue investing in technology. Non-interest income for the quarter totaled $7.2 million, supported by recurring fee-based revenue streams and increased loan-related fee income."
"As we begin 2026, we remain focused on maintaining strong capital and liquidity positions, deploying capital thoughtfully, maintaining strong credit metrics, and supporting our customers and communities. At December 31, 2025, our tangible common equity ratio was 11.2%, and book value per common share was approximately $57.50, reflecting the benefit of consistent earnings and disciplined capital management, including share repurchases during the quarter and throughout 2025. While economic conditions and market interest rate levels may fluctuate throughout 2026, we believe our conservative approach, sound balance sheet, and dedicated associates position Great Southern to continue delivering long-term value for our stockholders," Turner concluded.
NET INTEREST INCOME
Three Months Ended
December 31,
December 31,
September 30,
2025
2024
2025
(Dollars in thousands)
Interest Income
$
73,435
$
82,585
$
79,079
Interest Expense
24,272
33,051
28,306
Net Interest Income
$
49,163
$
49,534
$
50,773
Net interest margin
3.70
%
3.49
%
3.72
%
Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities
129.5
%
127.0
%
128.1
%
Net interest income for the fourth quarter of 2025 decreased $371,000 (0.7%) to $49.2 million, compared to $49.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2024. This decrease was driven primarily by the $1.9 million net reduction in quarterly interest income associated with a previously-terminated interest rate swap (income ended on October 6, 2025). Additionally, interest income declined due to lower loan balances and lower market rates, which primarily impacted the interest rates on variable-rate loans and new originations of fixed-rate loans. Mostly offsetting the decrease in interest income was reduced interest expense, due to the strategic management of maturing/repricing brokered deposits and interest-bearing demand deposits. Also, there was no interest expense on subordinated notes in the quarter ended December 31, 2025, as those notes were redeemed in June 2025. Correspondingly, annualized net interest margin was 3.70% in the fourth quarter of 2025, compared to 3.49% in the same period of 2024 and 3.72% in the third quarter of 2025. The average interest rate spread was 3.16% for the three months ended December 31, 2025, compared to 2.87% for the three months ended December 31, 2024 and 3.13% for the three months ended September 30, 2025. Net interest income for the fourth quarter of 2025 decreased $1.6 million (3.2%) compared to $50.8 million for the third quarter of 2025, primarily due to the impact of the end of income recognition on the previously-terminated interest rate swap.
The average yield on total interest-earning assets decreased from 5.83% in the 2024 fourth quarter to 5.53% in the 2025 fourth quarter, with the average yield on loans decreasing 34 basis points, the average yield on investment securities increasing 12 basis points and the average yield on other interest earning assets (primarily funds held at the Federal Reserve Bank) decreasing 91 basis points. The average rate paid on total interest-bearing liabilities decreased from 2.96% in the 2024 fourth quarter to 2.37% in the 2025 fourth quarter, with the average rate paid on interest-bearing demand and savings deposits, time deposits and brokered deposits decreasing 26 basis points, 50 basis points and 76 basis points, respectively. The average rate paid on short-term borrowings decreased 70 basis points.
Market interest rates, primarily the federal funds rate and SOFR rates, declined in the fourth quarter of 2024, and remained lower through the fourth quarter of 2025, with additional federal funds rate cuts in September, October, and December of 2025, totaling 75 basis points. This market rate decline reduced the average yield on loans, though the impact was tempered as cash flows from lower-rate fixed rate loans originated a few years ago were deployed into residential and commercial real estate loans with comparably higher rates of interest. The decline in market interest rates also resulted in lower average rates paid on deposits and borrowings, compared to the prior-year fourth quarter.
To mitigate exposure to the risk of fluctuations in future cash flows resulting from changes in interest rates (primarily related to falling interest rates), the Company has strategically utilized derivative financial instruments - primarily interest rate swaps - as part of its interest rate risk management strategy. The following table presents, for the periods indicated, the effect of cash flow hedge accounting included in interest income in the consolidated statements of income:
Three Months Ended
December 31,
December 31,
September 30,
2025
2024
2025
(In thousands)
Terminated interest rate swaps
$
134
$
2,047
$
2,047
Active interest rate swaps
(1,364
)
(2,172
)
(1,761
)
Increase (decrease) to interest income
$
(1,230
)
$
(125
)
$
286
The Company entered into an interest rate swap in October 2018, which was terminated in March 2020. Upon termination, the Company received $45.9 million, inclusive of accrued but unpaid interest, from its swap counterparty. The net amount, after deducting accrued interest and deferred income taxes, was accreted to interest income on loans monthly until the originally scheduled termination date of October 6, 2025. With this date having passed, the Company no longer has the benefit of that income from the terminated swap. At December 31, 2025, the Company had two active interest rate swaps with a combined notional amount of $400 million. These swaps resulted in a reduction of interest income of $1.4 million and $2.2 million in the three months ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
Market rates for time deposits for much of 2024 were elevated, but have declined as the FOMC cut the federal funds rate by 100 basis points in late 2024, 25 basis points in the third quarter of 2025 and 50 basis points in the fourth quarter of 2025. As of December 31, 2025, time deposit maturities over the next 12 months were as follows: within three months, $591.3 million, with a weighted-average rate of 3.53%; within three to six months, $262.9 million, with a weighted-average rate of 3.13%; and within six to twelve months, $38.7 million, with a weighted-average rate of 1.87%. Based on time deposit market rates in December 2025, replacement rates for these maturing time deposits are likely to be approximately 2.70-3.10%, depending on term.
NON-INTEREST INCOME
For the quarter ended December 31, 2025, non-interest income increased $254,000, to $7.2 million, when compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2024, primarily as a result of the following item:
Late charges and fees on loans: Late charges and fees on loans increased $289,000, or 218.9%, from the prior-year quarter. This increase was primarily due to prepayment fees on one large commercial real estate loan, which paid off in the 2025 fourth quarter.
Additionally, Other Income, which decreased by $67,000, includes $259,000 in contra-income associated with leased facility asset disposals, mentioned in the ‘Significant Expense Item' section above.
NON-INTEREST EXPENSE
For the quarter ended December 31, 2025, non-interest expense decreased $947,000, to $36.0 million, when compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2024, primarily as a result of the following items:
Other operating expenses: Other operating expenses decreased $2.0 million, or 49.0%, from the prior-year quarter. In the 2024 period, the Company expensed $2.0 million due to developments related to a litigation/contract dispute matter.
Net occupancy and equipment expenses: Net occupancy and equipment expenses increased $1.2 million, or 13.9%, from the prior-year quarter. Various components of computer license and support expenses, related to upgrades of core systems capabilities and disaster recovery site, collectively increased by $593,000 in the fourth quarter of 2025 compared to the fourth quarter of 2024. During the three months ended December 31, 2025, the Company recorded expenses totaling $287,000 related to adjustments to asset values for branch closures and certain leased facilities. Also, during the three months ended December 31, 2025, the Company recorded a total of $219,000 of seasonal expenses for snow removal and adjustments to real estate taxes.
The Company's efficiency ratio for the quarter ended December 31, 2025, was 63.89% compared to 65.43% for the same quarter in 2024. The Company's ratio of non-interest expense to average assets was 2.56% for the three months ended December 31, 2025, compared to 2.46% for the three months ended December 31, 2024. Average assets for the three months ended December 31, 2025, decreased $381.1 million, or 6.4%, compared to the three months ended December 31, 2024, primarily due to the decline in the average balance of net loans.
INCOME TAXES
For the three months ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, the Company's effective tax rate was 16.4% and 16.9%, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, the Company's effective tax rate was 18.7% and 18.1%, respectively. These effective rates were below the statutory federal tax rate of 21.0%, due primarily to the utilization of certain investment tax credits and the Company's tax-exempt investments and tax-exempt loans, which reduced the Company's effective tax rate. The Company's effective tax rate may fluctuate in future periods as it is impacted by the level and timing of the Company's utilization of tax credits, the level of tax-exempt investments and loans, the amount of taxable income in various state jurisdictions and the overall level of pre-tax income. State tax expense estimates continually evolve as taxable income and apportionment between states are analyzed. The Company currently expects its effective tax rate (combined federal and state) will be approximately 18.5% to 19.5% in future periods.
CAPITAL
December 31,
December 31,
September 30,
2025
2024
2025
Consolidated Regulatory Capital Ratios
(Preliminary)
Tier 1 Leverage Ratio
12.2
%
11.2
%
11.9
%
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital Ratio
13.6
%
12.3
%
13.3
%
Tier 1 Capital Ratio
14.1
%
12.8
%
13.8
%
Total Capital Ratio
15.3
%
15.4
%
15.1
%
Tangible Common Equity Ratio
11.2
%
9.9
%
10.9
%
As of December 31, 2025, total stockholders' equity was $636.1 million, representing 11.4% of total assets and a book value of $57.50 per common share. This compares to total stockholders' equity of $599.6 million, or 10.0% of total assets, and a book value of $51.14 per common share at December 31, 2024. The $36.6 million increase in stockholders' equity from December 31, 2024, was primarily driven by $71.0 million in net income, a decrease in unrealized losses on investments and interest rate swaps, and a $6.7 million increase from stock option exercises, partially offset by $18.8 million in cash dividends declared on the Company's common stock and $44.5 million in common stock repurchases. The decreased unrealized losses on the Company's available-for-sale investment securities and interest rate swaps, which totaled $32.2 million and $54.4 million (net of taxes) at December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively, increased stockholders' equity by $22.2 million during 2025. These net unrealized losses primarily resulted from increased intermediate-term market interest rates in prior periods, which generally decreased the fair value of the investment securities and interest rate swaps. In 2025, these market interest rates decreased, resulting in increases in the fair value of the Company's investment securities and interest rate swaps.
The Company had unrealized losses on its portfolio of held-to-maturity investment securities, which totaled $16.6 million and $24.7 million at December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively, that were not included in its total capital balance. If held-to-maturity unrealized losses were included in capital (net of taxes) at December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, they would have decreased total stockholder's equity at those dates by $12.5 million and $18.6 million, respectively. These amounts were equal to 2.0% of total stockholders' equity of $636.1 million at December 31, 2025, compared to 3.1% of total stockholders' equity of $599.6 million at December 31, 2024.
In April 2025, the Company's Board of Directors authorized the purchase, from time to time, of up to one million additional shares of the Company's common stock. As of December 31, 2025, approximately 687,000 shares remained available under this stock repurchase authorization.
During the three months ended December 31, 2025, the Company repurchased 241,301 shares of its common stock at an average price of $59.33, and the Company's Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.43 per common share, which, combined, reduced stockholders' equity by $19.2 million.
During the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company repurchased 755,759 shares of its common stock at an average price of $58.35, and the Company's Board of Directors declared regular quarterly cash dividends totaling $1.66 per common share, which, combined, reduced stockholders' equity by $63.3 million.
LIQUIDITY AND DEPOSITS
Liquidity is a measure of the Company's ability to generate sufficient cash to meet present and future financial obligations in a timely manner. The Company's primary sources of funds are customer deposits, FHLBank advances, other borrowings, loan repayments, unpledged securities, proceeds from sales of loans and available-for-sale securities and funds provided from operations. The Company utilizes some or all of these sources of funds depending on the comparative costs and availability at the time. The Company has from time to time chosen not to pay rates on deposits as high as the rates paid by certain of its competitors and, at management's discretion, supplements deposits with alternative sources of funds. Management believes that the Company maintains overall liquidity sufficient to satisfy its depositors' requirements and meet its borrowers' credit needs.
At December 31, 2025, the Company had the following available secured lines and on-balance sheet liquidity:
December 31, 2025
Federal Home Loan Bank line
$1,320.6 million
Federal Reserve Bank line
305.2 million
Cash and cash equivalents
189.6 million
Unpledged securities, Available-for-sale
338.5 million
Unpledged securities, Held-to-maturity
24.4 million
During the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company's total deposits decreased $122.8 million. Interest-bearing checking balances increased $74.7 million (3.4%), primarily in certain money market accounts, and non-interest-bearing checking balances decreased $1.4 million (0.2%). Time deposits generated through the Company's banking center and corporate services networks decreased $87.3 million (11.3%). Brokered deposits, obtained through a variety of sources, decreased $108.7 million (14.1%). During the three months ended December 31, 2025, the Company's total deposits decreased $45.3 million, $16.6 million of which was in brokered deposits and $35.2 million of which was in retail time deposits. As total assets (primarily loans receivable) decreased, the Company elected not to replace some of its maturing brokered deposits.
At December 31, 2025, the Company had the following deposit balances:
December 31, 2025
Interest-bearing checking
$2,289.4 million
Non-interest-bearing checking
841.5 million
Time deposits
688.4 million
Brokered deposits
663.4 million
At December 31, 2025, the Company estimated that its uninsured deposits, excluding deposit accounts of the Company's consolidated subsidiaries, were approximately $720.1 million (16.1% of total deposits).
LOANS
Total net loans, excluding mortgage loans held for sale, decreased $333.5 million, or 7.1%, from $4.69 billion at December 31, 2024 to $4.36 billion at December 31, 2025. This decrease was primarily driven by decreases in other residential (multi-family) loans of $161.8 million, construction loans of $96.5 million, one- to four-family residential loans of $51.3 million and commercial business loans of $41.8 million. Compared to September 30, 2025, net loans decreased $110.8 million.
The pipeline of the unfunded portion of loans and formal loan commitments remained strong, with the largest portion of these unfunded balances represented by the unfunded portion of outstanding construction loans ($605.5 million at December 31, 2025). See the table below.
For additional details about the Company's loan portfolio, please refer to the quarterly loan portfolio presentation available on the Company's Investor Relations website under "Presentations."
Loan commitments and the unfunded portion of loans at the dates indicated were as follows (in thousands):
December 31,2025
September 30,2025
June 30,2025
March 31,2025
December 31,2024
December 31,2023
Closed non-construction loans with unused available lines
Secured by real estate (one- to four-family)
$
208,229
$
207,820
$
211,453
$
211,119
$
205,599
$
203,964
Secured by real estate (not one- to four-family)
—
—
—
—
—
—
Not secured by real estate, commercial business
114,568
87,205
102,891
106,211
106,621
82,435
Closed construction loans with unused available lines
Secured by real estate (one-to four-family)
112,684
88,257
96,935
96,807
94,501
101,545
Secured by real estate (not one-to four-family)
624,025
600,243
644,427
657,828
703,947
719,039
Loan commitments not closed
Secured by real estate (one-to four-family)
14,113
16,923
17,148
19,264
14,373
12,347
Secured by real estate (not one-to four-family)
19,412
27,565
13,002
50,296
53,660
48,153
Not secured by real estate, commercial business
38,262
32,837
27,003
18,484
22,884
11,763
$
1,131,293
$
1,060,850
$
1,112,859
$
1,160,009
$
1,201,585
$
1,179,246
PROVISION FOR CREDIT LOSSES AND ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES
During the three months ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, the Company did not record a provision expense on its portfolio of outstanding loans. During the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company did not record a provision expense on its portfolio of outstanding loans, compared to a provision expense of $1.7 million in the year ended December 31, 2024. Total net recoveries were $22,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2025, compared to total net charge-offs of $155,000 during the same period in the prior year. Total net recoveries were $11,000 for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to total net charge-offs of $1.6 million during the prior year. Additionally, for the quarter ended December 31, 2025, the Company recorded a provision for losses on unfunded commitments of $882,000, compared to a provision for losses on unfunded commitments of $1.6 million for the same period in 2024. For the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company recorded a provision for losses on unfunded commitments of $45,000, compared to a provision for losses on unfunded commitments of $1.0 million in 2024.
The Bank's allowance for credit losses as a percentage of total loans was 1.46%, 1.36% and 1.43% at December 31, 2025, December 31, 2024 and September 30, 2025, respectively. Management considers the allowance for credit losses adequate to cover losses inherent in the Bank's loan portfolio at December 31, 2025, based on recent reviews of the portfolio and current economic conditions. However, if challenging economic conditions persist or worsen, or if management's assessment of the loan portfolio changes, additional provisions for credit losses may be required, which could adversely impact the Company's future financial performance.
ASSET QUALITY
At December 31, 2025, non-performing assets were $8.1 million, a decrease of $1.5 million from $9.6 million at December 31, 2024 and an increase of $319,000 from $7.8 million at September 30, 2025. Non-performing assets as a percentage of total assets were 0.15% at December 31, 2025, compared to 0.16% at December 31, 2024 and 0.14% at September 30, 2025.
Activity in the non-performing loan categories during the quarter ended December 31, 2025, was as follows:
BeginningBalance,October 1
Additionsto Non-Performing
Removedfrom Non-Performing
Transfersto PotentialProblemLoans
Transfers toForeclosedAssets andRepossessions
Charge-Offs
Payments
EndingBalance,December 31
(In thousands)
One- to four-family construction
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
—
Subdivision construction
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Land development
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Commercial construction
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
One- to four-family residential
1,706
388
(21
)
—
—
—
(7
)
2,066
Other residential (multi-family)
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Commercial real estate
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Commercial business
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Consumer
22
18
—
—
—
(9
)
(3
)
28
Total non-performing loans
$
1,728
$
406
$
(21
)
$
—
$
—
$
(9
)
$
(10
)
$
2,094
Compared to September 30, 2025, non-performing loans increased $366,000.
The non-performing one- to four-family residential category consisted of six loans at December 31, 2025, one of which was added during the current quarter.
The largest relationship in the one- to four-family residential category totaled $821,000 at December 31, 2025. This relationship was added to non-performing loans in 2024 and is collateralized by multiple low-income single-family residential properties in New Orleans, La.
Activity in the potential problem loans categories during the quarter ended December 31, 2025, was as follows:
BeginningBalance,October 1
Additions toPotentialProblem
RemovedfromPotentialProblem
Transfersto Non-Performing
Transfers toForeclosedAssets andRepossessions
Charge-Offs
Loan Advances (Payments)
EndingBalance,December 31
(In thousands)
One- to four-family construction
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
—
Subdivision construction
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Land development
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Commercial construction
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
One- to four-family residential
1,155
39
—
—
—
—
(15
)
1,179
Other residential (multi-family)
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Commercial real estate
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Commercial business
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Consumer
243
70
(85
)
—
—
(9
)
(8
)
211
Total potential problem loans
$
1,398
$
109
$
(85
)
$
—
$
—
$
(9
)
$
(23
)
$
1,390
Compared to September 30, 2025, potential problem loans decreased $8,000.
At December 31, 2025, the one- to four-family residential category consisted of 14 loans, one of which was added to potential problem loans during the current quarter.
The largest relationship in the one- to four-family category totaled $262,000 and was added in the third quarter of 2025. This relationship is collateralized by a single-family residential property in the St. Louis area.
At December 31, 2025, the consumer category of potential problem loans consisted of 15 loans, four of which were added during the current quarter.
Activity in the foreclosed assets and repossessions categories during the quarter ended December 31, 2025 was as follows:
BeginningBalance,October 1
Additions
ORE andRepossessionSales
CapitalizedCosts
ORE andRepossessionWrite-Downs
EndingBalance,December 31
(In thousands)
One-to four-family construction
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
—
Subdivision construction
—
—
—
—
—
—
Land development
—
—
—
—
—
—
Commercial construction
—
—
—
—
—
—
One- to four-family residential
—
—
—
—
—
—
Other residential (multi-family)
—
—
—
—
—
—
Commercial real estate
6,036
—
—
—
(11
)
6,025
Commercial business
—
—
—
—
—
—
Consumer
47
23
(59
)
—
—
11
Total foreclosed assets and repossessions
$
6,083
$
23
$
(59
)
$
—
$
(11
)
$
6,036
Compared to September 30, 2025, foreclosed assets decreased $47,000.
The largest asset in the commercial real estate category, totaling $6.0 million, consisted of an office building located in Clayton, Mo. This asset was foreclosed upon in the fourth quarter of 2024.
BUSINESS INITIATIVES
The Company maintains its focus on technology initiatives and advancements with its current core provider. Several projects to improve customer-facing online services and delivery continue to move forward. These investments in both foundational projects and a heightened customer experience continue to foster an organizational emphasis on innovation and forward progress.
Great Southern's new banking center at 723 N. Benton Ave. in Springfield, Mo., opened October 20, 2025, replacing an existing branch. The new facility, designed as a next-generation banking center, features customer-centered designs, tools, and technology, and will allow the Company to test new processes and innovations. The location is one of 12 banking centers the Company operates in Springfield, in addition to a drive-thru Express Center.
The Company expects to transition its banking center located at 4700 Mid Rivers Mall Dr. in Cottleville, Mo., to its second drive-thru Express Center location in Spring 2026. This will be the Company's first Express Center in the St. Louis, Mo., market. In addition to the Cottleville location, the Company operates 17 other locations in the St. Louis metro region.
At the end of January 2026, the Company will consolidate operations of its Edina, Minn., banking center, located at 3400 W. 66th St., in Edina, Minn., with its banking center at 10880 175th Court in Lakeville, Minn. Great Southern operates two additional banking centers in the greater Minneapolis area. A 24-hour deposit ATM will remain at the Edina location to serve customers.
Earnings Conference Call
The Company will host a conference call on Thursday, January 22, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. Central Time to discuss fourth quarter 2025 preliminary earnings. The call will be available live or in a recorded version at the Company's Investor Relations website, http://investors.greatsouthernbank.com. Participants may register for the call at https://register-conf.media-server.com/register/BId7a25ff609a1458dafd4385e9f9bf51c.
About Great Southern Bancorp, Inc.
Headquartered in Springfield, Missouri, Great Southern offers a broad range of banking services to customers. The Company operates 89 retail banking centers in Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Arkansas and Nebraska and commercial lending offices in Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Omaha, and Phoenix. The common stock of Great Southern Bancorp, Inc. is listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol "GSBC."
www.GreatSouthernBank.com
Forward-Looking Statements
When used in this press release and in other documents filed or furnished by the Company with or to the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), in the Company's other press releases or other public or stockholder communications, and in oral statements made with the approval of an authorized executive officer, the words or phrases "may," "might," "could," "should," "will likely result," "are expected to," "will continue," "is anticipated," "believe," "estimate," "project," "intends" or similar expressions are intended to identify "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements also include, but are not limited to, statements regarding plans, objectives, expectations or consequences of announced transactions, known trends and statements about future performance, operations, products and services of the Company. The Company's ability to predict results or the actual effects of future plans or strategies is inherently uncertain, and the Company's actual results could differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements.
Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to: (i) expected revenues, cost savings, earnings accretion, synergies and other benefits from the Company's merger and acquisition activities might not be realized within the anticipated time frames or at all, and costs or difficulties relating to integration matters, including but not limited to customer and employee retention, might be greater than expected; (ii) changes in economic conditions, either nationally or in the Company's market areas; (iii) the effects of any new or continuing public health issues on general economic and financial market conditions; (iv) fluctuations in interest rates, the effects of inflation or a potential recession, whether caused by Federal Reserve actions or otherwise; (v) the impact of bank failures or adverse developments at other banks and related negative press about the banking industry in general on investor and depositor sentiment; (vi) slower or negative economic growth caused by tariffs, changes in energy prices, supply chain disruptions or other factors; (vii) the risks of lending and investing activities, including changes in the level and direction of loan delinquencies and write-offs and changes in estimates of the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses; (viii) the possibility of realized or unrealized losses on securities held in the Company's investment portfolio; (ix) the Company's ability to access cost-effective funding and maintain sufficient liquidity; (x) fluctuations in real estate values and both residential and commercial real estate market conditions; (xi) the ability to adapt successfully to technological changes to meet customers' needs and developments in the marketplace; (xii) the possibility that security measures implemented might not be sufficient to mitigate the risk of a cyber-attack or cyber theft, and that such security measures might not protect against systems failures or interruptions; (xiii) legislative or regulatory changes that adversely affect the Company's business; (xiv) changes in accounting policies and practices or accounting standards; (xv) results of examinations of the Company and the Bank by their regulators, including the possibility that the regulators may, among other things, require the Company to limit its business activities, change its business mix, increase its allowance for credit losses, write-down assets or increase its capital levels, or affect its ability to borrow funds or maintain or increase deposits, which could adversely affect its liquidity and earnings; (xvi) costs and effects of litigation, including settlements and judgments; (xvii) competition; and (xviii) natural disasters, war, terrorist activities or civil unrest and their effects on economic and business environments in which the Company operates. The Company wishes to advise readers that the factors listed above and other risks described in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, including, without limitation, those described under "Item 1A. Risk Factors," subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other documents filed or furnished from time to time by the Company with the SEC (which are available on our website at www.greatsouthernbank.com and the SEC's website at www.sec.gov), could affect the Company's financial performance and cause the Company's actual results for future periods to differ materially from any opinions or statements expressed with respect to future periods in any current statements.
The Company does not undertake-and specifically declines any obligation- to publicly release the result of any revisions which may be made to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.
The following tables set forth selected consolidated financial information of the Company at the dates and for the periods indicated. Financial data at all dates other than December 31, 2024, and for all periods other than the year ended December 31, 2024, is unaudited. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, which consist only of normal recurring accrual adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the results at and for such unaudited dates and periods have been included. The results of operations and other data for the three months and year ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, and the three months ended September 30, 2025, are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations which may be expected for any future period.
December 31,
December 31,
2025
2024
(In thousands)
Selected Financial Condition Data:
Total assets
$
5,598,606
$
5,981,628
Loans receivable, gross
4,427,678
4,761,848
Allowance for credit losses
64,771
64,760
Other real estate owned, net
6,036
5,993
Available-for-sale securities, at fair value
523,831
533,373
Held-to-maturity securities, at amortized cost
179,200
187,433
Deposits
4,482,774
4,605,549
Total borrowings
405,169
679,341
Total stockholders' equity
636,126
599,568
Non-performing assets
8,130
9,566
Three Months EndedDecember 31,
Year EndedDecember 31,
Three Months Ended September 30,
2025
2024
2025
2024
2025
(In thousands)
Selected Operating Data:
Interest income
$
73,435
$
82,585
$
313,732
$
324,698
$
79,079
Interest expense
24,272
33,051
113,499
135,555
28,306
Net interest income
49,163
49,534
200,233
189,143
50,773
Provision (credit) for credit losses on loans and unfunded commitments
882
1,556
45
2,716
(379
)
Non-interest income
7,188
6,934
29,052
30,565
7,062
Non-interest expense
36,000
36,947
