Regions Financial Corporation Announces Extension of Common Stock Repurchase Program

Rhea-AI Summary

Regions Financial (NYSE:RF) announced the extension of its common stock repurchase program through Q4 2025. The program, initially announced in April 2022 with a $2.5 billion authorization, has resulted in the repurchase of approximately 31 million shares at a total cost of $557 million as of September 30, 2024. The repurchase execution will be influenced by market conditions, internal capital generation, and capital requirements. The program may be conducted through open market purchases, accelerated share repurchase transactions, or private negotiations, with no specific price targets set.

Positive

• Authorization of $2.5 billion share repurchase program extended through Q4 2025
• Successfully repurchased 31 million shares worth $557 million, demonstrating commitment to returning capital to shareholders
• Flexible implementation strategy allowing for market-responsive execution

Negative

• Only 22.3% ($557M of $2.5B) of authorized buyback executed since April 2022
• Program can be suspended at any time without notice

Insights

Financial Analyst

The extension of Regions Financial's $2.5 billion share repurchase program through Q4 2025 demonstrates continued commitment to capital return but reveals notably slow execution, with only $557 million (22%) utilized since April 2022. The conservative pace, having repurchased 31 million shares, suggests cautious capital management amid banking sector challenges. The flexibility in timing and amount, without specific price targets, provides strategic optionality but also indicates uncertainty around future capital deployment. This extension appears more defensive than aggressive, potentially reflecting concerns about maintaining strong capital buffers in the current banking environment. The program's execution will likely remain measured, prioritizing internal capital generation and loan growth opportunities over aggressive buybacks.

Market Research Analyst

The modest utilization of the buyback program - just 22% over nearly two years - signals RF's conservative capital management stance amid regional banking sector headwinds. While the extension provides continued support for the stock, the deliberate slow pace suggests management's priority on maintaining robust capital levels over aggressive shareholder returns. The flexible structure without price targets allows RF to opportunistically repurchase shares but also indicates cautious outlook. This approach aligns with broader regional banking sector trends where capital preservation takes precedence over immediate shareholder returns. The extended timeline to 2025 provides a longer runway but doesn't materially change the near-term capital return outlook.

Previously announced repurchase program extended through the fourth quarter of 2025.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Regions Financial Corp. (NYSE:RF) Board of Directors on Tuesday authorized the extension of its previously announced common stock repurchase program through the fourth quarter of 2025. The repurchase program, initially announced on April 20, 2022, authorized the repurchase of up to $2.5 billion of the company’s common stock for the period including the second quarter of 2022 through the fourth quarter of 2024. As of Sept. 30, 2024, Regions had repurchased approximately 31 million shares of common stock at a total cost of $557 million under this plan.

The timing and exact amount of common stock repurchased will depend on various factors, including market conditions, internal capital generation and capital consumption through loan growth or other uses. The repurchase program does not include specific price targets; the repurchase program may be executed through open market purchases, accelerated share repurchase transactions or privately negotiated transactions, including utilizing Rule 10b5-1 programs, and the repurchase program may be suspended at any time.

About Regions Financial Corporation

Regions Financial Corporation (NYSE:RF), with $157 billion in assets, is a member of the S&P 500 Index and is one of the nation’s largest full-service providers of consumer and commercial banking, wealth management, and mortgage products and services. Regions serves customers across the South, Midwest and Texas, and through its subsidiary, Regions Bank, operates approximately 1,250 banking offices and more than 2,000 ATMs. Regions Bank is an Equal Housing Lender and Member FDIC. Additional information about Regions and its full line of products and services can be found at www.regions.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241211709855/en/

Jeremy D. King

Regions Bank

Regions News Online: regions.doingmoretoday.com

Regions Media Line: 205-264-4551

Source: Regions Financial Corporation

FAQ

When does Regions Financial's (RF) extended stock repurchase program end?

Regions Financial's extended stock repurchase program will run through the fourth quarter of 2025.

How much has Regions Financial (RF) spent on share repurchases under the current program?

As of September 30, 2024, Regions Financial has spent $557 million to repurchase approximately 31 million shares under the current program.

What is the total authorized amount for Regions Financial's (RF) share repurchase program?

The total authorized amount for Regions Financial's share repurchase program is $2.5 billion.

How will Regions Financial (RF) execute its share repurchase program?

Regions Financial can execute the program through open market purchases, accelerated share repurchase transactions, or privately negotiated transactions, including Rule 10b5-1 programs.

When was Regions Financial's (RF) share repurchase program initially announced?

Regions Financial's share repurchase program was initially announced on April 20, 2022.