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# Huntington cuts income growth forecast as funding costs squeeze lending margins
- URL: https://www.theglobalbanker.com/huntington-cut-income-growth-forecast-as-funding-costs-squeezed-lending-margins/
- Published: 2026-09-16T14:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-02T01:12:59.000Z
- Description: Huntington lowered its 2026 net interest income growth forecast to approximately 35% as higher funding costs and pressure on loan yields weakened its outlook for lending profitability.
- Author: TGB Editorial Team
- Tags: Banking News, Americas

Huntington lowered its 2026 net interest income growth forecast to approximately 35%, from a previous range of 39% to 43%. The US bank presented the revised outlook at the Barclays Global Financial Services Conference on 16 September. It also reduced its expected revenue growth to about 34%, from approximately 37%.

The revision reflected higher funding costs and competition that reduced the yields available on loans. American Banker reported that chief executive Steve Steinour described the pressures during the conference. The bank also lowered its 2027 earnings-per-share target to $1.75–$1.83, from the $1.90–$1.93 target previously reported by American Banker.

#### LOAN GROWTH AND MARGINS

Huntington's presentation put expected 2026 average loan growth at about 36% and average deposit growth at about 33%, down from 36%–37% and 33%–34% previously. Its forecast for core expense growth remained unchanged at 32.5%–33.5%.

American Banker said competition had hampered production of commercial real estate and indirect auto loans. Commercial property loans fell by approximately $800 million in the second quarter, while vehicle loans declined by 4.3% during the first half, according to American Banker.

#### ASSUMPTIONS BEHIND THE OUTLOOK

The presentation based its 2027 earnings target on loan growth of about 6% at the low end of the range and 7%–8% at the high end, alongside stable credit and sustained core funding.

The presentation also raised expected share repurchases to $1.3–$1.4 billion.