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 adjusted earnings-per-share target to $1.75–$1.83, against the $1.90–$1.93 previously reported by the publication.
LOAN GROWTH AND MARGINS
Huntington's presentation put expected 2026 loan growth at about 36% and deposit growth at about 33%. Its forecast for core expense growth remained unchanged at 32.5%–33.5%.
Commercial property lending and vehicle finance illustrated the pressure on balances. 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 6%–8%, alongside stable credit performance and core funding. These are planning assumptions, not realised results.
The lower earnings outlook makes subsequent quarterly results the next test of whether funding and loan-pricing pressures are easing. Management's forecasts remain conditional on the balance-sheet growth and credit assumptions set out in its presentation.