Mendon Capital’s Bold Bet on Regional Bank

The market’s latest whisper came in a filing dated November 14, 2025. Mendon Capital Advisors, that sharp-eyed fund, snatched up 406,570 shares of Simmons First National Corporation-$7.79 million worth. A new position, but not a reckless one. Just the kind of move that makes you lean forward in your chair.

What Happened

The SEC’s document arrived like a cold wind. Mendon, a firm with a nose for value, took a stake in Simmons First National during the third quarter. The numbers don’t lie: 406,570 shares, worth nearly eight million at quarter-end. A quiet bet, but a calculated one.

What Else to Know

This isn’t a top-five holding. Mendon’s $260.71 million in reportable assets don’t bend that way. The new position? A sliver, 2.99% of the pie. The top five? A list of names that don’t quite match the weight of this new bet.

Top holdings after the filing:

NYSE:EQBK: $15.97 million (6.1% of AUM)
NASDAQ:MCHB: $14.04 million (5.4% of AUM)
NASDAQ:FRST: $12.82 million (4.9% of AUM)
NASDAQ:VBNK: $12.55 million (4.8% of AUM)
NASDAQ:ABL: $10.99 million (4.2% of AUM)

Shares closed at $18.67 on December 5, 2025-a 19.7% slide from a year prior. The S&P 500? A full 34 points ahead. The bank’s stock? A ghost in the market.

Company Overview

Metric	Value
Revenue (TTM)	$638.14 million
Net Income (TTM)	-$427.31 million
Dividend Yield	4.52%
Price (as of market close 2025-12-05)	$18.67

Company Snapshot

A bank that offers more than just loans-checking accounts, trust services, investment products. All the usual trappings.
Serves the South-Central states, from Arkansas to Kansas. A regional player, but not a local one.
200 branches, but not a friendly face. The kind of institution that makes you feel like a number.

Simmons First National-its numbers don’t sing. Revenue’s a tune in the minor key, net income a flat note. Dividend yield? A flicker of hope in a dim room. The stock’s a slow burn, but the fire’s not there.

Foolish Take

Mendon Capital isn’t a name you forget. Their CIO, Anton Schutz, knows regional banks like a cop knows a suspect. This isn’t just a purchase-it’s a verdict. A bet made by someone who’s seen the game played out. But here’s the kicker: Simmons First National’s fundamentals? As shaky as a house built on sand.

The company’s recent moves? A strategic repositioning, they say. But the numbers tell a different story. A $3.2 billion asset sale? That’s a wound that won’t heal fast. And the stock? A five-year CAGR of 1.2%-a crawl compared to the S&P’s 14.9%.

Mendon’s move is a red flag. Not because the bank’s doomed, but because the odds are stacked. Retail investors should watch this-this is a bet worth noting, but not one to chase without a map.

Glossary

Assets Under Management (AUM): Money under someone else’s control, with a fee attached.
Equity Position: A slice of ownership, often with more risk than reward.
Reportable Assets: The stuff that makes regulators sit up and take notice.
Dividend Yield: A promise of income, but not always a guarantee.
Stake: A piece of the pie, but not always a sweet one.
Fiduciary Services: Managing others’ money with a heavy burden.
Relationship Banking: A handshake deal in a world of algorithms.
TTM: The past year, wrapped in a report.

So, Mendon Capital’s bet. A sharp move, but the market’s a cold mistress. Keep an eye on Simmons First National. It might rise, but not without a fight. ⚖️

2025-12-09 02:17