Do Shifting Analyst Tones On Loan Growth Reshape First Interstate’s Long-Term Thesis (FIBK)?

• In recent days, analysts have become more optimistic on First Interstate BancSystem, with UBS and others reaffirming Hold views while highlighting improving loan growth, balance sheet trajectory, and disciplined execution ahead of the bank’s late-January 2026 fourth-quarter earnings release and investor call.
• At the same time, a significant shareholder trimmed their position and the stock’s trading has stayed muted, underscoring how investors are waiting for clearer signals on interest rates, credit quality, and regional economic trends before re-rating the bank’s long-term prospects.
• We’ll now examine how this more optimistic analyst tone, centered on improving loan growth and balance sheet trajectory, affects First Interstate’s investment narrative.

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First Interstate BancSystem Investment Narrative Recap

To own First Interstate BancSystem, you need to be comfortable with a regional bank that leans on stable, low cost deposits and disciplined underwriting while working through sector-wide uncertainty on interest rates and credit quality. The recent UBS target price increase and generally constructive analyst tone support the near term catalyst around the late January 2026 earnings call, but they do not materially change the central risk that weaker credit trends or regional slowdowns could pressure loan growth and asset quality.

Among the recent developments, the scheduled fourth quarter 2025 results and investor call on January 28 and 29, 2026 stand out as the key near term event, because they should offer fresh detail on loan balances, criticized credits and net interest margin. Against a backdrop of muted trading, this update sits at the intersection of the main catalyst, improved loan growth and balance sheet trajectory, and the primary risk that asset quality or regional softness could restrain the bank’s progress.

Yet beneath the more optimistic analyst tone, investors should be aware of how rising criticized loans and regional concentration could...

Read the full narrative on First Interstate BancSystem (it's free!)

First Interstate BancSystem's narrative projects $1.1 billion revenue and $686.4 million earnings by 2028. This requires 6.8% yearly revenue growth and about a $456.9 million earnings increase from $229.5 million today.

Uncover how First Interstate BancSystem's forecasts yield a $35.50 fair value, a 4% downside to its current price.

Exploring Other Perspectives

Ten fair value estimates from the Simply Wall St Community span roughly US$27 to US$46 per share, showing how far apart individual views can be. You can set those expectations against the current focus on loan growth and balance sheet quality, which together may shape how First Interstate’s performance is judged over the next few quarters.

Explore 10 other fair value estimates on First Interstate BancSystem - why the stock might be worth as much as 24% more than the current price!

Build Your Own First Interstate BancSystem Narrative

Disagree with existing narratives? Create your own in under 3 minutes - extraordinary investment returns rarely come from following the herd.

• A great starting point for your First Interstate BancSystem research is our analysis highlighting 4 key rewards and 1 important warning sign that could impact your investment decision.
• Our free First Interstate BancSystem research report provides a comprehensive fundamental analysis summarized in a single visual - the Snowflake - making it easy to evaluate First Interstate BancSystem's overall financial health at a glance.

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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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