Author: Ravi Shankar

– Peer-Reviewed Paper Introducing QRX003 and Its Mechanism of Action in Netherton Syndrome Now Published

– Case Report Details 21 Months of Compassionate Use Treatment in a Pediatric Patient

– Patient’s Skin Improved from Severe to Clear with Complete Elimination of Pruritus (itch)

– After 21 Months of Treatment with QRX003, Patient’s Skin Remains Fully Clear and Pruritus Free

– No Adverse Events have Been Reported for the Patient

– Full Recruitment in Ongoing Phase 2/3 Netherton Syndrome Study Expected to Complete by End of 2026, with Topline Data Expected in Q2 2027

ASHBURN, Va., Oct. 20, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Quoin Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (NASDAQ: QNRX) (“Quoin” or the “Company”), a late clinical-stage specialty pharmaceutical company focused on rare and orphan diseases, today announced the publication of a peer-reviewed manuscript titled “An Investigational Mechanism-Informed Therapy for Netherton Syndrome: Introduction to QRX003 and a Pediatric Compassionate-Use Case Report” in Dermatology and Therapy. The paper was published online on October 13, 2026, is open access, and is available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13555-026-01948-y

The peer-reviewed paper introduces QRX003, the Company’s investigational topical serine protease inhibitor lotion, and describes its mechanism of action in Netherton Syndrome. It also presents a case report from Professor Alan Irvine, consultant dermatologist at Children’s Health Ireland and professor of dermatology at Trinity College Dublin, describing his positive clinical experience treating a pediatric patient with QRX003 under Quoin’s Pediatric Compassionate Use Program.

The case report describes a pediatric patient with genetically confirmed Netherton Syndrome treated with once-daily, whole-body application of QRX003 on a compassionate-use basis, added to the patient’s existing treatment plan. After six weeks, the patient’s Investigator’s Global Assessment (IGA) score improved from 4 (severe) at baseline to 1 (almost clear), and itch, as measured by the Worst Itch Numeric Rating Scale (WI-NRS), was reduced from 5 to 1. By eight months, IGA was 0 (clear) and WI-NRS was 0 (no itch). Over 21 months of treatment, the patient remained mostly at IGA 0, with occasional episodes recorded at IGA 1. During the treatment period, the patient discontinued previously required medications, including antihistamines, glucocorticoids and antivirals, has not required antibiotics since whole-body application began, and is experiencing no sleep disturbances related to Netherton Syndrome. No adverse events considered treatment-related were reported by the family or treating physician. The case represents the first use of QRX003 in a pediatric patient and the longest continuous exposure to QRX003 to date.

The authors note that these single-patient observations are consistent with a possible treatment-associated effect, and that ongoing clinical trials will further evaluate the safety and efficacy of QRX003.

Separately, in August Quoin reported positive interim results from CL-QRX003-004, its ongoing Phase 2/3 study of QRX003 4% lotion in Netherton Syndrome. In the interim analysis of the first six participants to complete 12 weeks of treatment, four of six (66.7%) achieved the primary endpoint of a 1-grade or greater improvement in Investigator Global Assessment (p=0.0087 vs. a pre-specified alpha of 0.0215). Quoin expects to complete recruitment of all 20 participants in CL-QRX003-004 by the end of 2026 and report topline data in the second quarter of 2027.

“Publication of this paper makes the scientific rationale behind QRX003, and Professor Irvine’s clinical experience with it, available to the broader dermatology and Netherton communities. Netherton Syndrome remains unfamiliar to many physicians, and peer-reviewed evidence such as this plays an important role in building awareness of the disease and of new approaches to treating it,” said Dr. Michael Myers, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Quoin Pharmaceuticals. “We are grateful to the patient and family for allowing this experience to be shared. This case report adds to a growing body of clinical evidence for QRX003, from our pediatric compassionate use program to the positive interim results from our ongoing Phase 2/3 study. We look forward to completing recruitment in that study by the end of this year.”

About Netherton Syndrome
Netherton Syndrome is a rare, serious genetic skin disease caused by mutations in the SPINK5 gene. The condition is characterized by impaired skin barrier function, persistent inflammation, and increased serine protease activity in the skin. There are currently no approved therapies in the United States indicated specifically for Netherton Syndrome.

About QRX003
QRX003 is an investigational topical serine protease inhibitor lotion in late-stage development for Netherton Syndrome and other orphan skin diseases. QRX003 has been granted Orphan Drug, Rare Pediatric Disease, and Fast Track designations by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and Orphan Drug Designation in the European Union and Japan. QRX003 lotion (4%) is currently being evaluated in whole-body clinical trials in patients with Netherton Syndrome, including the Phase 2/3 study CL-QRX003-004.

About Quoin Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
Quoin Pharmaceuticals Ltd. is a late clinical-stage specialty pharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing therapeutic products that treat rare and orphan diseases. We are committed to addressing unmet medical needs for patients, their families, communities, and care teams. Quoin’s innovative pipeline is focused on two key platform products, QRX003 and QRX009, that collectively have the potential to target a broad number of rare and orphan indications, including Netherton Syndrome, Peeling Skin Syndrome, Palmoplantar Keratoderma, Pachyonychia Congenita, Gorlin Syndrome and Tuberous Sclerosis Complex, Microcystic Lymphatic Malformations, Venous Malformations, Angiofibromas and others. For more information, visit: www.quoinpharma.com or LinkedIn for updates.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements
The Company cautions that statements in this press release that are not descriptions of historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words referencing future events or circumstances, such as “expect,” “intend,” “hope,” “plan,” “potential,” “anticipate,” “look forward,” “believe,” “may,” and “will,” among others. This press release contains forward-looking statements. All statements that reflect the Company’s expectations, assumptions, projections, beliefs, or opinions about the future, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements relating to: ongoing clinical trials further evaluating the safety and efficacy of QRX003; the timing of completing participant recruitment and reporting topline data for the Company’s ongoing Phase 2/3 Netherton Syndrome study; publication of the aforementioned paper making the scientific rationale and clinical experience associated with QRX003 available to the broader dermatology and Netherton communities; and the role of peer-reviewed evidence in building awareness of Netherton Syndrome and its treatment; and Quoin’s belief that its products in development collectively have the potential to target a broad number of rare and orphan indications, including Netherton Syndrome, Peeling Skin Syndrome, Palmoplantar Keratoderma, Pachyonychia Congenita, Gorlin Syndrome, Tuberous Sclerosis Complex, microcystic lymphatic malformations, venous malformations, angiofibromas and others.

Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon the Company’s current expectations and involve assumptions that may never materialize or may prove to be incorrect. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of various risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, the Company’s ability to pursue its regulatory strategy; the Company’s ability to obtain regulatory approvals for commercialization of product candidates or to comply with ongoing regulatory requirements; the Company’s ability to complete clinical trials on time and achieve desired results and benefits as expected; and other factors discussed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 and in other filings the Company has made and may make with the SEC in the future. One should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they were made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made, except as may be required by law.

For further information, contact:

Quoin Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
Dr. Michael Myers, Ph.D., CEO
mmyers@quoinpharma.com

Investor Relations
PCG Advisory
Jeff Ramson
jramson@pcgadvisory.com
(646) 863-6341

NEWPORT NEWS, Va., Oct. 20, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — HII (NYSE: HII) announced today that former HII CEO and President Mike Petters was elected to the company’s board of directors.

“Mike brings deep shipbuilding expertise to the Board, and a unique familiarity with the history, mission, and evolution of HII,” said HII CEO and President Chris Kastner. “Mike’s shipbuilding background and strategic guidance are extremely valuable, and I look forward to welcoming him back to our Board of Directors.”

In 2022, Petters stepped down from his position as first CEO and president of Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc., having steered its spin-off from Northrop Grumman in 2011. Petters joined Newport News Shipbuilding in 1987 in the Los Angeles-class submarine construction division and was promoted through the shipbuilding ranks to become president of the shipyard. Petters earned a bachelor’s degree in physics from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1982, served aboard the nuclear-powered submarine USS George Bancroft (SSBN 643) and spent five years in the U.S. Naval Reserve, and later earned an MBA from the College of William and Mary.

“There are few people with as much experience in shipbuilding as Mike Petters,” said Kirkland Donald, HII’s chairman of the Board of Directors. “We are proud to be able to continue to leverage his expertise as HII ramps the nation’s capacity to deliver for the U.S. Navy.”

A photo accompanying this release is available at: http://hii.com/news/former-hii-ceo-mike-petters-joins-board-of-directors/.

Petters has served as the chairman of the Virginia Business Council, as chairman of the Aerospace Industries Association, and on the William and Mary Board of Visitors and the Center for a New American Security Board of Advisors. He continues to serve on the U.S. Naval Academy Foundation Board of Directors and on the U.S. Naval Institute Board of Directors. Among numerous awards and recognition, Petters has received the Lone Sailor Award from the Navy Memorial Foundation, the Owen B. Butler Education Excellence Award from the Committee for Economic Development, and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Virginia Chamber of Commerce. A lifelong supporter of early childhood education, Petters also established HII’s Scholarship Fund in 2016, which supports the educational needs of its employees through scholarships for pre-K and secondary education and continues through today, having served over 1,900 students.

About HII

HII is America’s Seapower Company. The nation’s largest shipbuilder, HII builds the manned and unmanned maritime systems and all-domain mission technologies that project U.S. and allied power around the world. With a more than 140-year history of advancing U.S. national security, HII is headquartered in Virginia and employs 45,000 people across three divisions. For more information, visit:

• HII on the web: https://www.HII.com/
• HII on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeamHII
• HII on X: https://www.twitter.com/WeAreHII
• HII on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/WeAreHII
• HII on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearehii

Contact:
Danny Hernandez
Danny.J.Hernandez@hii.com
(202) 264-7143

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/cbc0a7c9-9649-4887-b7fb-de5cb9f43a6b

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 20, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Miata Metals Corp. (TSXV: MMET; FSE: 8NQ; OTCQX: MMETF) (“Miata” or the “Company”) is pleased to report assay results from 14 diamond drill holes from its ongoing 25,000 m drill program at its Sela Creek Gold Project (“Sela Creek” or the “Project”) in Suriname.

The results are highlighted by hole 26DDH-JT-025, which intersected 43.0 m at 2.42 g/t gold from 191.0 m, including 4.0 m at 17.11 g/t gold. JT-025 also intersected a separate, shallower interval intersecting 25.6 m at 1.96 g/t gold from 132.0 m, including 1.49 m at 17.51 g/t gold. Assays from four holes drilled in between the existing discovery zones now confirm continuity of mineralization over 1.5 km, spanning from Jons Trend to Big Berg.

Highlights:

• Hole 26DDH-JT-025 intersected:
  • 43.0 m at 2.42 g/t Au from 191.0 m, including:
    • 4.0 m at 17.11 g/t Au from 205.0 m
  • 25.6 m at 1.96 g/t Au from 132.0 m, including:
    • 6.3 m at 2.16 g/t Au from 137.0 m
    • 1.49 m at 17.51 g/t Au from 148.0 m
• Hole 26DDH-BB-015 intersected:
  • 13.0 m at 1.64 g/t Au from 60.0 m, including:
    • 3.0 m at 4.42 g/t Au from 70.0 m
  • 14.1 m at 2.23 g/t Au from 80.5 m, including:
    • 3.0 m at 6.68 g/t Au from 91.6 m
• Drilling in between Jons Trend and Big Berg intersected multiple mineralized vein zones in the intervening corridor, with highlights including:
  • 12.5 m at 1.62 g/t Au from 75.0 m in 26DDH-GH-005, including:
    • 2.0 m at 3.22 g/t Au from 75.0 m
    • 1.1 m at 4.36 g/t Au from 86.4 m
• Jons Trend and Big Berg are not separate discoveries but represent a continuous 1.5 km mineralized trend with strong potential for an open-pit gold system. The mineralized system remains open along strike and at depth.

“We are excited to be drilling these high gold grades over wide intervals at Jons Trend. JT-025 returned 43 m grading 2.42 g/t Au, including 4 m at 17.11 g/t Au, and is an approximately 130 m step out hole from 26DDH-JT-023 that previously yielded 35.25 m at 3.41 g/t Au. Substantial mineralization at Jons Trend is now extended to 1.5 km strike length and contains high-grade zones over significant distance. With gold mineralization at Jons Trend starting at surface and extending to at least 250 m depth, these results support further evaluation of Jons Trend as a potential open-pit target. We continue to drill test the high-grade zones, which remain open to the southwest, while expanding on the strike length and depth,” stated Dr. Jacob (Jaap) Verbaas, CEO of Miata Metals.

Evidence of 1.5 km Continuously Mineralized Corridor:

Results from four holes drilled in between Jons Trend and Big Berg confirm that these discoveries are connected and are part of a larger mineralized system. Spanning approximately 1.5 km in length, the combined zones remain open along strike and at depth, and Miata will continue to drill to establish further continuity and define the corridor’s limits.

Gold in each of the targets throughout the system is hosted in a moderately southwest-dipping, southeast-trending folded metasedimentary package that displays shear zones along fold limbs and hinges with pervasive silica, sericite, and biotite alteration. These zones host repeating extensional quartz vein arrays associated with sulfide mineralization dominated by pyrite and pyrrhotite. The mineralized system remains open along the tested WNW–ESE axis in both directions and at depth.

Figure 1. Plan view showing the Jons Trend and Big Berg zones, which are now proven to connect through drilling, drill collars and traces, and interpreted mineralized zones.

Jons Trend Drilling:

The latest Jons Trend results comprise holes 26DDH-JT-024 and 26DDH-JT-025, drilled in the southeastern and northwestern parts of the trend, respectively. 26DDH-JT-025 was a 130 m step-out from 26DDH-JT-023 (released September 29, 2026, returning 35.25 m at 3.41 g/t Au), and confirmed the continuation of a broad, high-grade vein zone. The hole returned two broad mineralized intervals:

• 43.0 m at 2.42 g/t Au from 191.0 m, including:
  • 4.0 m at 17.11 g/t Au
• 25.6 m at 1.96 g/t Au from 132.0 m, including:
  • 1.49 m at 17.51 g/t Au

JT-024 returned several narrower intervals, including 3.0 m at 1.28 g/t Au from 115.2 m, 3.0 m at 1.61 g/t Au from 203.0 m and 10.99 m at 0.75 g/t Au from 229.5 m. The results show structurally controlled repeating vein array that is continuous and open at depth and along strike.

Figure 2. SSW-NNE cross-section (A-A’ in Figure 1) through northwestern Jons Trend area showing 26DDH-JT-025 trace and its intercepts of 43.0 m at 2.42g/t Au and 25.6 m at 1.96 g/t Au.

Connecting Jons Trend and Big Berg:

26DDH-GH-001 tested a mineralized vein zone parallel to and approximately 500 m east of Jons Trend. Four holes, 26DDH-GH-002 through GH-005, tested the central corridor between Jons Trend and Big Berg. All holes intersected multiple mineralized vein zones. Bedrock results include:

• 9.23 m at 0.80 g/t Au from 53.2 m in 26DDH-GH-001
• 17.15 m at 0.65 g/t Au from 79.65 m in 26DDH-GH-002
• 4.5 m at 1.85 g/t Au from 157.0 m in 26DDH-GH-003
• 13.7 m at 1.01 g/t Au from 75.8 m in 26DDH-GH-004
• 12.5 m at 1.62 g/t Au from 75.0 m in 26DDH-GH-005, including:
  • 2.0 m at 3.22 g/t Au from 75.0 m
  • 1.1 m at 4.36 g/t Au from 86.4 m

Near-surface saprolite results include 14.0 m at 1.09 g/t Au in 26DDH-GH-002, 20.1 m at 1.19 g/t Au in GH-004 and 9.5 m at 0.80 g/t Au in 26DDH-GH-005. Similar to mineralization at Jons Trend and Big Berg, these holes show mineralization hosted in moderately southwest-dipping quartz vein arrays that are associated with pervasive silica, sericite, and biotite alteration and pyrite plus pyrrhotite. As well as confirming a new vein zone in the intervening corridor, these drilling results clearly link the Big Berg and Jons Trend discoveries.

Figure 3. SSW-NNE cross-section (B-B’ in Figure 1) showing highlight intercepts in GH-002, -003, -004 and -005. These results connect the Jons Trend and Big Berg discoveries.

Big Berg Drilling:

Results from 26DDH-BB-014 through BB-020 returned mineralized intervals to the west and northwest of existing drilling at Big Berg. Highlights include two broad intervals in 26DDH-BB-015 (13.0 m at 1.64 g/t Au from 60.0 m and 14.1 m at 2.23 g/t Au from 80.5 m), as well as 18.45 m at 1.37 g/t Au from 223.8 m in 26DDH-BB-017. The results show mineralization in multiple holes and at different depths, expanding the known mineralized footprint of Big Berg by approximately 150 m in both west and northwest directions. The next planned Big Berg drilling phase is designed to further infill between Jons Trend and Big Berg and to test the southeastern extension of known mineralization.

Figure 4. SSW-NNE cross-section (C-C’ in Figure 1) showing highlight intercepts in BB-014 to -020 (left) and GH-001 (right).

Drill Results Table:

Table 1. Gold assay results. Reported intervals are down-hole lengths.

Hole ID	From (m)	To (m)	Interval (m)	Au (g/t)	Est. true width (m)
26DDH-JT-024	21.7	24.7	3	0.87	Saprolite
and	30.7	32.2	1.5	0.52	Saprolite
and	50.2	51.7	1.5	0.66	Saprolite
and	83.2	84.7	1.5	0.79	1.36
and	115.2	118.2	3	1.28	2.72
and	136.2	140.7	4.5	0.59	4.23
and	172	174	2	0.53	1.97
and	192	193.5	1.5	0.97	1.48
and	203	206	3	1.61	2.46
including	205	206	1	3.27	0.82
and	229.5	240.49	10.99	0.75	7.77
including	229.5	237.72	8.22	0.85	5.81
and	246	247	1	0.62	0.57
and	251	254.27	3.27	0.52	2.5
and	256.4	257.5	1.1	1.08	0.84
26DDH-JT-025	40.68	44.57	3.89	1.32	2.98
and	61	63	2	0.56	1.64
and	87.94	89.5	1.56	0.54	1.41
and	102.2	103.93	1.73	1.41	1.5
and	106.49	108	1.51	0.67	1.31
and	112	114.75	2.75	1.03	2.38
and	132	157.6	25.6	1.96	23.2
including	137	143.3	6.3	2.16	5.71
including	148	149.49	1.49	17.51	1.35
and	167.6	169	1.4	0.59	1.07
and	191	234	43	2.42	32.94
including	205	209	4	17.11	3.06
including	217	219	2	3.79	1.53
and	241	247.63	6.63	0.55	5.08
and	267.83	269	1.17	0.62	0.9
26DDH-GH-001	46.5	48	1.5	0.71	Saprolite
and	53.2	62.43	9.23	0.8	5.29
including	59.5	62.43	2.93	1.83	1.68
and	101.13	103.09	1.96	0.51	1.12
and	121	122.19	1.19	1.16	0.68
26DDH-GH-002	19	33	14	1.09	Saprolite
including	20.5	28	7.5	1.65	Saprolite
and	66.9	70.9	4	0.71	3.46
and	79.65	96.8	17.15	0.65	16.12
including	88	92	4	0.94	3.76
and	127	130	3	1.15	2.82
and	138	142	4	2.14	2.83
and	193	194.5	1.5	0.51	1.41
26DDH-GH-003	38.4	39.45	1.05	1.91	Saprolite
and	87.8	89.5	1.7	0.6	1.67
and	157	161.5	4.5	1.85	4.23
including	157	158.5	1.5	3.69	1.41
and	177	182.1	5.1	1.09	4.79
including	178.1	180	1.9	1.87	1.65
26DDH-GH-004	6.4	26.5	20.1	1.19	Saprolite
and	30.7	48	17.3	0.63	9.92
including	46.85	48	1.15	2.49	0.66
and	56.4	59.5	3.1	2.12	2.81
and	75.8	89.5	13.7	1.01	12.42
including	85	89.5	4.5	2.15	4.08
and	125	127	2	0.52	1.99
26DDH-GH-005	16	25.5	9.5	0.8	Saprolite
and	29.5	31.5	2	0.59	1.64
and	41	43.54	2.54	0.55	2.08
and	46.45	51	4.55	0.74	3.73
and	75	87.5	12.5	1.62	10.24
including	75	77	2	3.22	1.64
including	79	85	6	1.27	4.91
including	86.4	87.5	1.1	4.36	0.9
and	100.4	113.9	13.5	0.62	13.29
including	105.5	108.9	3.4	1.35	3.35
and	140.2	142.2	2	0.61	1
26DDH-BB-014	50	51.73	1.73	2.06	0.99
and	68.75	75.5	6.75	0.63	5.53
including	74.18	75.5	1.32	1.65	1.08
and	83	88	5	0.55	4.33
and	97	99	2	0.52	1.81
26DDH-BB-015	0	3	3	0.51	Saprolite
and	13.5	18	4.5	0.57	Saprolite
and	60	73	13	1.64	8.36
including	70	73	3	4.42	1.93
and	80.5	94.6	14.1	2.23	10.8
including	80.5	83.5	3	1.56	2.3
including	88	90.6	2.6	2.29	1.99
including	91.6	94.6	3	6.68	2.3
and	104	107	3	1.25	2.46
26DDH-BB-016	58.5	62.5	4	0.52	3.94
and	69	70.5	1.5	1.28	1.48
and	108.5	109.5	1	0.99	0.98
and	135	147	12	1.1	9.83
including	135	137.5	2.5	1.97	2.05
including	144	147	3	1.41	2.46
and	151.5	154	2.5	0.58	2.35
26DDH-BB-017	36	37.5	1.5	0.56	1.45
and	54.6	56	1.4	2.49	1.35
and	118	120	2	1.2	1.64
and	140	142	2	0.72	1.53
and	169	176	7	0.78	5.73
including	169	171	2	1.82	1.64
and	192	202	10	0.82	8.19
including	192	193	1	1.48	0.82
including	201	202	1	4.46	0.82
and	223.8	242.25	18.45	1.37	15.11
including	223.8	226.8	3	2.46	2.9
including	233.5	239	5.5	2.38	3.54
and	287.8	294.15	6.35	0.85	5.5
including	287.8	290.8	3	1.59	2.6
and	301.5	310.9	9.4	1.07	7.2
including	308.9	310.9	2	2.33	1.53
26DDH-BB-018	41	43.75	2.75	0.69	2.38
and	114	115.5	1.5	1.03	1.06
26DDH-BB-019	38.8	40.95	2.15	1.02	Saprolite
and	91.49	110.5	19.01	0.81	12.22
including	91.49	96	4.51	1.51	2.9
including	105	107.5	2.5	1.43	1.61
and	141.72	144.55	2.83	1.29	2.73
and	149	150.87	1.87	0.82	1.81
26DDH-BB-020	1.5	10.1	8.6	1.71	Saprolite
including	1.5	5.6	4.1	3.1	Saprolite
and	92.08	93.79	1.71	0.83	1.61
and	103.46	106	2.54	2.72	2.39
and	112.33	116	3.67	1.98	2.6
including	114	116	2	3.32	1.41
and	146	152	6	1.43	5.2
and	160.09	163.86	3.77	2.89	3.26
including	162.15	163.86	1.71	5.52	1.48

Table 2. Updated Collar Table

Hole ID	Easting	Northing	Elevation (m)	Azimuth	Dip	Length (m)
26DDH-BB-014	755600	417578	117	340	-60	122.16
26DDH-BB-015	755579	417610	114	350	-55	291.04
26DDH-BB-016	755465	417481	114	5	-58	163.41
26DDH-BB-017	755539	417406	113	0	-48	333.26
26DDH-BB-018	755534	417573	112	0	-72	210
26DDH-BB-019	755529	417630	115	355	-55	177
26DDH-BB-020	755516	417608	112	335	-60	226.1
26DDH-GH-001	755712	418026	134	338	-50	195
26DDH-GH-002	755349	417659	110	35	-57	200
26DDH-GH-003	755385	417749	110	45	-48	200.8
26DDH-GH-004	755329	417688	110	5	-58	148.35
26DDH-GH-005	755326	417681	110	5	-58	156.5
26DDH-JT-024	755136	417784	126	355	-48	260.7
26DDH-JT-025	754832	418060	105	355	-63	296.6

All drill information is available through this link.

QAQC

Drillholes BB-020, GH-002, JT-024, and JT-025 were crushed at the preparation lab on Sela Creek. The Sela Creek preparation lab uses heavy-duty jaw-crushers to reduce regular half core samples to a fine crush, whereby at least 75% of the sample can pass a 2.2 mm screen. The uniformly crushed sample is then put through a riffle-splitter; resulting in a ca. 300-500 g sample, to be shipped to the Filab in Paramaribo for further sample preparation (pulverizing) followed by analysis, and the remaining reject is kept in dry storage for future quality control or duplicate testing. The Company inserts regular crush duplicates to ensure the split sample is representative of the entire section of drill core. The remainder of the samples were fully processed at FiLAB Suriname, a commercial certified laboratory under ISO 9001:2015. At FiLAB, samples are crushed and pulverized to 85% passing 88 µm prior to analysis using a 50 g fire assay (50 g aliquot) with an Atomic Absorption (AA) finish. For samples that return assay values over 5.0 grams per tonne (g/t) Au, another cut was taken from the original pulp and fire assayed with a gravimetric finish. Samples with coarse visible gold or returning an assay value over 10.0 g/t Au, metallic screen analysis is conducted on the coarse reject material. Miata Metals inserts certified reference standards, as well as blanks and crushed core duplicates, in the sample sequence for quality control and assurance. All samples passed QAQC.

QP Statement

The scientific and technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Dr. Jacob Verbaas, P.Geo., a director of the Company and Qualified Person as defined under the definitions of National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

About Miata Metals Corp.

Miata Metals Corp. (TSX.V: MMET) is a Canadian mineral exploration company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange, as well as the OTCQX (OTCQX: MMETF) and Frankfurt (FSE: 8NQ) Exchanges. The Company is focused on the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties. The Company holds a 70% interest in the ~215 km² Sela Creek Gold Project with an option to acquire a full 100% interest, and a 70% beneficial interest in the Nassau Gold Project with an option to acquire 100%. Both exploration properties are located in the greenstone belt of Suriname.

On Behalf of the Board

Dr. Jacob (Jaap) Verbaas, P.Geo | CEO and Director

For Further Information, please contact:

Nikki McEachnie
Director of Investor Relations
nikki@miatametals.com
1-778-486-1500

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information contained herein constitutes “forward-looking information” under Canadian securities legislation. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “anticipates”, “anticipated”, “expected”, “intends”, “will” or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results will occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. Although management of the Company have attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. The Company will not update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws.

Neither the TSX.V nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6d7007c5-b72d-425f-8ac6-23ce3352eddb
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7657dda4-a52a-40a4-997b-8e2aff286031
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b9fa47a2-8b55-403f-8dbf-064442ac7a13
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a3fde647-e3b5-4c2e-a6bf-12e210206304

#FORM 8.3

PUBLIC OPENING POSITION DISCLOSURE/DEALING DISCLOSURE BY
A PERSON WITH INTERESTS IN RELEVANT SECURITIES REPRESENTING 1% OR MORE
Rule 8.3 of the Takeover Code (the “Code”)

1.        KEY INFORMATION

(a)   Full name of discloser:	Man Group PLC
(b)   Owner or controller of interests and short positions disclosed, if different from 1(a):         The naming of nominee or vehicle companies is insufficient. For a trust, the trustee(s), settlor and beneficiaries must be named.
(c)   Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant securities this form relates:         Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree	Rotork Plc
(d)   If an exempt fund manager connected with an offeror/offeree, state this and specify identity of offeror/offeree:
(e)   Date position held/dealing undertaken:         For an opening position disclosure, state the latest practicable date prior to the disclosure	19/10/2026
(f)   In addition to the company in 1(c) above, is the discloser making disclosures in respect of any other party to the offer?	NO

2.        POSITIONS OF THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE

If there are positions or rights to subscribe to disclose in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 2(a) or (b) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security.

(a)      Interests and short positions in the relevant securities of the offeror or offeree to which the disclosure relates following the dealing (if any)

Class of relevant security:	0.5p ordinary
	Interests		Short positions
	Number	%		Number	%
(1)   Relevant securities owned and/or controlled:
(2)   Cash-settled derivatives:	15,514,116	1.89		11,213	0.00
(3)   Stock-settled derivatives (including options) and agreements to purchase/sell:
TOTAL:	15,514,116	1.89		11,213	0.00

All interests and all short positions should be disclosed.

Details of any open stock-settled derivative positions (including traded options), or agreements to purchase or sell relevant securities, should be given on a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions).

(b)      Rights to subscribe for new securities (including directors’ and other employee options)

Class of relevant security in relation to which subscription right exists:
Details, including nature of the rights concerned and relevant percentages:

3.        DEALINGS (IF ANY) BY THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE

Where there have been dealings in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 3(a), (b), (c) or (d) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security dealt in.

The currency of all prices and other monetary amounts should be stated.

(a)        Purchases and sales

Class of relevant security

Purchase/sale

Number of securities

Price per unit

(b)        Cash-settled derivative transactions

Class of relevant security	Product description e.g. CFD	Nature of dealing e.g. opening/closing a long/short position, increasing/reducing a long/short position	Number of reference securities	Price per unit
0.5p ordinary	Equity swap	Reducing a long position	5,816	4.9270 GBP

(c)        Stock-settled derivative transactions (including options)

(i)        Writing, selling, purchasing or varying

Class of relevant security

Product description e.g. call option

Writing, purchasing, selling, varying etc.

Number of securities to which option relates

Exercise price per unit

Type e.g. American, European etc.

Expiry date

Option money paid/ received per unit

(ii)        Exercise

Class of relevant security

Product description e.g. call option

Exercising/ exercised against

Number of securities

Exercise price per unit

(d)        Other dealings (including subscribing for new securities)

Class of relevant security

Nature of dealing e.g. subscription, conversion

Details

Price per unit (if applicable)

4.        OTHER INFORMATION

(a)        Indemnity and other dealing arrangements

Details of any indemnity or option arrangement, or any agreement or understanding, formal or informal, relating to relevant securities which may be an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing entered into by the person making the disclosure and any party to the offer or any person acting in concert with a party to the offer:

None

(b)        Agreements, arrangements or understandings relating to options or derivatives

Details of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, formal or informal, between the person making the disclosure and any other person relating to: (i)   the voting rights of any relevant securities under any option; or (ii)   the voting rights or future acquisition or disposal of any relevant securities to which any derivative is referenced:

None

(c)        Attachments

Is a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions) attached?

NO

Date of disclosure:	20/10/2026
Contact name:	Graham Keene
Telephone number:	+44 20 7144 2259

Public disclosures under Rule 8 of the Code must be made to a Regulatory Information Service.

The Panel’s Market Surveillance Unit is available for consultation in relation to the Code’s disclosure requirements on +44 (0)20 7638 0129.

The Code can be viewed on the Panel’s website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk.

Expansion Stage to Compare Opamtistomig Plus Chemotherapy Head-to-Head With Tislelizumab Plus Chemotherapy in Previously Untreated Disease

NANJING, China, Oct. 20, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Nanjing Leads Biolabs Co., Ltd. (“Leads Biolabs” or the “Company,” Stock Code: 9887.HK) today announced that a Phase II study of opamtistomig (LBL-024) in first-line gastric cancer has advanced to the expansion stage, after the safety lead-in produced positive preliminary efficacy signals. The study is evaluating opamtistomig, a PD-L1/4-1BB bispecific antibody, in combination with chemotherapy in locally advanced or metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma. The expansion makes gastric cancer the fifth gastrointestinal tumor type in the opamtistomig program, alongside biliary tract cancer (BTC), hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and colorectal cancer (CRC). Four of the five studies have now progressed to the expansion stage.

Gastric cancer remains a major clinical challenge, as early symptoms are often nonspecific and many patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage, when prognosis is poor. Although PD-1 inhibitors combined with chemotherapy have become a standard first-line treatment approach, median progression-free survival (PFS) remains approximately seven months, while median overall survival (OS) is generally 13–17 months. Patients with a PD-L1 combined positive score (CPS) below 5 may derive limited benefit from existing immunotherapy-based regimens, underscoring the need for more effective treatment strategies.

Opamtistomig conditionally activates 4-1BB while blocking PD-1/PD-L1, reactivating and substantially expanding T cells. Because that activation does not depend on high PD-L1 expression, the approach may reach patients that checkpoint monotherapy leaves behind. Across several clinical studies, opamtistomig has produced objective responses and OS benefit even in tumors with negative or low PD-L1 expression. That profile could move first-line treatment past the current ceiling for immunotherapy combinations and deliver more durable benefits for these patients.

The study is led by Professor Shen Lin of Peking University Cancer Hospital and is being conducted at multiple sites across China. Following a comprehensive assessment of the encouraging preliminary clinical data from the safety lead-in phase, the sponsor and investigators have decided to advance the study to the combination therapy expansion stage. This stage will use a randomized, controlled design to compare the efficacy and safety of opamtistomig plus chemotherapy directly with tislelizumab plus chemotherapy. The study will also explore associations between tumor tissue biomarkers and treatment outcomes to help identify patient populations most likely to benefit from opamtistomig-based combination therapy.

Executive Commentary
Dr. Charles Cai, Chief Medical Officer of Leads Biolabs, stated: “Gastric cancer represents a significant unmet medical need, particularly for patients with low PD-L1 expression who may derive limited benefit from current first-line immunotherapy combinations. The encouraging preliminary signals observed in the safety lead-in support advancing opamtistomig into a randomized expansion stage, where its efficacy and safety will be evaluated against an established immunotherapy-based regimen. We look forward to generating more robust clinical evidence to determine whether opamtistomig can offer a differentiated first-line treatment option and improve outcomes for patients with advanced gastric cancer.”

About Gastric Cancer
According to data from the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organization in 2022, there were approximately 968,000 new cases of gastric cancer and approximately 660,000 deaths worldwide, making gastric cancer the fifth most commonly diagnosed cancer and the fourth leading cause of cancer death globally. In China, there were approximately 359,000 new cases, representing 37.1% of the global total, and approximately 260,000 deaths, representing 39.4% of the global total. Early-stage gastric cancer is often asymptomatic. In China, early gastric cancer accounts for only approximately 20% of diagnosed cases, and most patients are diagnosed with advanced disease. The overall prognosis for advanced gastric cancer remains poor, with a five-year survival rate of approximately 9%.

About Opamtistomig
Opamtistomig (LBL-024) is emerging as a next-generation pan-cancer backbone therapy with potential overall survival (OS) benefit that simultaneously targets PD-L1 and the co-stimulatory receptor 4-1BB. Currently, opamtistomig is being evaluated in 14 indications, including one pivotal single-arm registrational study, one confirmatory Phase III study, and nine proof-of-concept studies, covering major indications such as NSCLC and multiple cold tumors. To date, opamtistomig has demonstrated robust antitumor activity across seven tumor types—extrapulmonary neuroendocrine carcinoma (EP-NEC), non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), small cell lung cancer (SCLC), biliary tract cancer (BTC), hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), and ovarian cancer (OC)—highlighting its clinical value and broad therapeutic promise.

Developed using Leads Biolabs’ proprietary X-body bispecific platform, opamtistomig is designed to simultaneously block PD-1/PD-L1 immune suppression and conditionally activate 4-1BB, an agonist pathway, resulting in a potent and synergistic anti-tumor immune response. It has a safety profile comparable to PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors and demonstrates broader-spectrum anti-cancer potential. Mechanistically, 4-1BB agonism can reactivate exhausted T cells and promote robust T-cell proliferation, offering significant promise for PD-1/PD-L1–resistant or immunologically “cold” tumors and potentially offering durable survival benefits.

Recognizing its clinical potential in EP-NEC, opamtistomig received Breakthrough Therapy Designation from China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) in October 2024, Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in November 2024, Fast Track Designation from the FDA and ODD from the European Commission in January 2026, and ODD from Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) in September 2026. In October 2026, the FDA granted a second Fast Track Designation, this one for first-line advanced or metastatic biliary tract cancer.

In July 2026, its New Drug Application (NDA) was granted priority review designation by the NMPA, followed by NDA acceptance in August 2026, positioning opamtistomig as a potential world’s first approved 4-1BB-targeting antibody, the first approved agonist antibody, and the first approved treatment for EP-NEC.

About Leads Biolabs
Founded in 2012, Leads Biolabs is a clinical-stage biotechnology company dedicated to the discovery, development, and commercialization of innovative therapies to address underserved medical needs in oncology, autoimmune, and other severe diseases both in China and globally.

Leads Biolabs is a front-runner in next-generation immuno-oncology treatments with a differentiated pipeline of 15 innovative drug candidates, including five clinical-stage drug candidates and one registration-stage asset.

The Company adopts a science-driven R&D approach and has successfully established comprehensive R&D capabilities spanning antibody discovery and engineering, in vivo and in vitro efficacy evaluation, as well as druggability assessment. It has also developed multiple proprietary technology platforms, including LeadsBody (a CD3 T-cell engager platform), X-body (a 4-1BB engager platform), TOPiKinectics (an ADC platform) and ImBiTDC (a TDC platform), which serve as the cornerstone for its continued innovation and have been validated by the clinical outcomes of its bispecific antibody portfolios.

Leads Biolabs has established integrated capabilities across early discovery, translational medicine, clinical development, CMC and business development. The innovative nature and competitive strengths of its drug candidates, coupled with its global perspectives, proactive strategy, and efficient clinical validation, have made it an attractive partner for leading industry players and investment institutions. For more information, please visit https://en.leadsbiolabs.com/

CONTACT: Media Contact
yizi@leadsbiolabs.com

HAUPPAUGE, N.Y., and STATEN ISLAND, N.Y., Oct. 20, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Dime Commercial Bancshares, Inc. (“Dime”) (NYSE: DCOM), and ES Bancshares, Inc. (“Empire”) (OTCQX: ESBS), today announced the signing of a definitive merger agreement pursuant to which Dime will acquire Empire. The transaction significantly enhances Dime’s presence in Staten Island, and strengthens Dime’s presence in Brooklyn, by adding a granular and low-cost core deposit base, expanding business-focused customer relationships, and increasing market density. Upon closing, Dime will be one of only a few commercial banks with a ground level branch presence across all five boroughs of New York City.

Empire, headquartered in Staten Island, is the parent company of Empire State Bank. As of September 30, 2026, Empire had total assets of approximately $596 million, total loans receivable, net of $518 million, and total deposits of $491 million. Empire focuses on serving businesses and valued customers from three branch locations in Staten Island and two branch locations in Brooklyn.

Stuart H. Lubow, President and Chief Executive Officer of Dime, stated, “This transaction represents another logical step in Dime’s growth strategy. Staten Island is an attractive banking market that has untapped potential for Dime. Empire is a well-run commercial bank that has developed a strong deposit base. We are extremely pleased to partner with and welcome Phil and his team to Dime, add a granular and low-cost core deposit base, expand our customer reach, and fill out our branch footprint. Together, we will be well-positioned to continue delivering the personalized service our customers value while advancing our goal of becoming The BEST Commercial Bank in Metro NY.”

Phil Guarnieri, Chief Executive Officer of Empire, said, “When evaluating the future of our franchise, it was important to identify a partner with a relationship-driven approach to banking, best-in-class treasury management capabilities, and a commitment to our local markets. We believe this partnership with Dime will create meaningful opportunities for our customers, employees, and communities while building on the strengths of both organizations.”

Transaction Details

Under the terms of the definitive merger agreement, at the closing of the transaction, Dime will issue 720,000 shares of common stock and $30.0 million in cash to Empire shareholders. Shareholders of Empire will be able to elect to receive stock or cash in exchange for their shares, subject to the pro ration formula described in the merger agreement. Based upon Dime’s 10-day volume-weighted average price of $38.55 as of October 19, 2026, this represents a transaction value of approximately $58 million (based on 6,886,282 Empire common shares outstanding) or $8.39 per Empire common share. The purchase price represents approximately 1.09x Empire’s tangible book value per share.

It is anticipated that the transaction’s internal rate of return exceeds Dime’s cost of capital hurdles, the transaction will generate approximately 3.5% EPS accretion, minimal TBV dilution of approximately 2%, and an earn-back of less than 3 years.

The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2027 and is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approval, as well as the approval of Empire’s shareholders.

Luse Gorman, PC served as Dime’s legal advisor. FinPro Capital Advisors served as exclusive financial advisor to Empire, and Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP served as Empire’s legal advisor.

About Dime Commercial Bancshares, Inc.
Dime Commercial Bancshares, Inc. is the holding company for Dime Commercial Bank, a New York State-chartered trust company with approximately $15 billion in assets and the number one deposit market share on Greater Long Island ⁽¹⁾.

      (1)   Aggregate deposit market share for Kings, Queens, Nassau & Suffolk counties for commercial banks with less than $20 billion in assets

About ES Bancshares, Inc.
ES Bancshares, Inc. is the holding company for Empire State Bank, a community bank headquartered in Staten Island. Founded in 2004, Empire State Bank provides personal and business banking products and services through branch offices in Staten Island and Brooklyn.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This Current Report on Form 8-K and the exhibits filed herewith contain “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In general, forward-looking statements usually use words such as “may,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “should,” “plan,” “estimate,” “predict,” “continue” and “potential” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology, including statements related to the expected timing of the closing of the proposed merger with Empire, the expected returns and other benefits of the proposed merger to shareholders, expected improvement in operating efficiency resulting from the proposed merger, estimated expense reductions resulting from the transactions and the timing of achievement of such reductions, the expected impact on and timing of the recovery of the impact on tangible book value, and the expected effect of the proposed merger on Dime’s capital ratios. Forward-looking statements represent management’s beliefs, based upon information available at the time the statements are made, with regard to the matters addressed; they are not guarantees of future performance. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties that change over time and could cause actual results or financial condition to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by such statements.

Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to (1) the risk that the cost savings and any revenue synergies from the proposed merger may not be realized or take longer than anticipated to be realized, (2) disruption from the proposed merger with customers, suppliers, employee or other business partners, (3) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the merger agreement, (4) the risk of successful integration of Empire’s business into Dime, (5) the failure to obtain the necessary approval by the shareholders of Empire, (6) the amount of the costs, fees, expenses and charges related to the proposed merger, (7) the ability of the parties to obtain required governmental approvals of the proposed merger, (8) reputational risk and the reaction of each of the companies’ customers, suppliers, employees or other business partners to the merger, (9) the failure of the closing conditions in the Merger Agreement to be satisfied, or any unexpected delay in closing of the proposed merger, (10) the risk that the integration of Empire’s operations into the operations of Dime will be materially delayed or will be more costly or difficult than expected, (11) the possibility that the proposed merger may be more expensive to complete than anticipated, including as a result of unexpected factors or events, (12) the dilution caused by Dime’s issuance of additional shares of its common stock in the merger transaction, and (13) general competitive, economic, political and market conditions. Other relevant risk factors may be detailed from time to time in Dime’s press releases and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Consequently, no forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Neither Dime nor Empire undertakes any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. For any forward-looking statements made in this communication or any related documents, Dime and Empire claim protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

Additional Information About the proposed transaction and Where To Find It

In connection with the proposed transaction, Dime will file a registration statement on Form S-4 with the SEC under the Securities Act to register the shares of Dime common stock to be issued in connection with the proposed transaction that will include a proxy statement of Empire and a prospectus of Dime (the “proxy statement/prospectus”) and other relevant documents in connection with the proposed transaction. The definitive proxy statement/prospectus will be sent to the stockholders of Empire seeking their approval of the proposed transaction and other related matters. This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. INVESTORS AND STOCKHOLDERS OF EMPIRE ARE URGED TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS REGARDING THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE AND EACH OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENT FILED WITH THE SEC BY DIME IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION, AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS TO THOSE DOCUMENTS, BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. The proxy statement/prospectus (when it becomes available) and any other documents Dime has filed and will file with the SEC may be obtained free of charge at the SEC’s website (www.sec.gov). In addition, copies of the proxy statement/prospectus and documents Dime and Empire have filed or will file with the SEC that will be incorporated by reference into the proxy statement/prospectus may also be obtained free of charge on Dime’s website at www.dime.com or by contacting Judy Wu, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Dime Commercial Bancshares, 898 Veterans Memorial Highway, Suite 560, Hauppauge, NY 11788.

Participants in Solicitation

Dime, Empire and certain of their respective directors, executive officers and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies of Empire’s stockholders in respect of the proposed transaction under the rules of the SEC. Information regarding Dime’s directors and executive officers is available in its definitive proxy statement related to its 2026 annual meeting of shareholders, which was filed with the SEC on April 13, 2026 and certain other documents filed by Dime with the SEC. Other information regarding the participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the proposed transaction and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be contained in the proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC. Free copies of these documents, when available, may be obtained as described in the preceding paragraph. Investors should read the proxy statement/prospectus carefully when it becomes available before making any voting or investment decisions.

Investor Relations Contact:
Avinash Reddy
Senior Executive Vice President – Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer
Phone: 718-782-6200; Ext. 5909
Email: avinash.reddy@dime.com

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y., Oct. 20, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ES Bancshares, Inc. (OTCQX: ESBS) (the “Company”) the holding company for Empire State Bank, (the “Bank”) today reported net income of $1.0 million, or $0.14 per diluted common share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2026, compared to a net income of $882 thousand, or $0.13 per diluted common share for the quarter ended June 30, 2026.

Key Quarterly Financial Data								2026 Highlights
Performance Metrics	3Q26		2Q26		1Q26			•Our core deposits grew by $3.5 million from year end 2025 inclusive of a $12.1 million increase in non-interest bearing deposits.
Return on average assets (%)		0.65		0.57		0.71
Return on average equity (%)		7.54		6.72		8.91
Return on average tangible equity (%)		7.63		6.80		9.02
Net interest margin (%)		3.21		3.10		3.06		•The Cost of Funds for the three months ended September 30, 2026, dropped to 2.36% from 2.41% in the prior linked quarter.
Income Statement (a)	3Q26		2Q26		1Q26
Net interest income	$	4,814	$	4,666	$	4,698
Non-interest income	$	369	$	317	$	366		•For 3 months ended September 30, 2026, the Company’s net interest margin increased to 3.21% compared to 3.10% for the 3 months ended June 30, 2026.
Net income	$	1,004	$	882	$	1,108
Earnings per diluted common share	$	0.14	$	0.13	$	0.16
Balance Sheet (a)	3Q26		2Q26		1Q26			•Book value for the quarter ended September 30, 2026, totaled $7.78 per share increasing for the tenth consecutive quarter.
Average total loans	$	525,813	$	533,801	$	541,939
Average total deposits	$	508,855	$	503,221	$	515,419
Book value per share	$	7.78	$	7.64	$	7.50
Tangible book value per share	$	7.69	$	7.56	$	7.42
(a) In thousands except for per share amounts

Phil Guarnieri, Director, and Chief Executive Officer of ES Bancshares said “We have increased our earnings per share, net interest margin and our net interest income this quarter. Our book value per share has grown to $7.78. Our cost containment program and greater efficiencies have contributed to our improved performance this quarter.”

Selected Balance Sheet Information:

September 30, 2026 vs. December 31, 2025

As of September 30, 2026, total assets were $596.1 million, a decrease of $20.6 million, or 3.3%, as compared to total assets of $616.7 million on December 31, 2025. The decrease can be attributed to our reductions in our borrowed funds and brokered deposits partially offset by our increase in non-interest deposits and a corresponding decrease in loans receivable of $26.4 million.

Loans receivable, net of Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans totaled $518.2 million, a decrease of $26.4 million or 4.9% from December 31, 2025. As of September 30, 2026, the Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans as a percentage of gross loans was 0.98%.

Nonperforming assets, which includes nonaccrual loans and foreclosed real estate were $4.9 million or 0.83% of total assets, as of September 30, 2026, decreasing from $5.9 million, or $958 thousand, from December 31, 2025. The ratio of nonaccrual loans to loans receivable, net was 0.95%, as of September 30, 2026, and 1.08% for December 31, 2025. The decrease from December 31, 2025, was primarily due to the payoff of one non-owner occupied commercial real estate loan in the first quarter of 2026.

Total liabilities decreased $23.3 million to $542.5 million at September 30, 2026, from $565.8 million at December 31, 2025. The decrease can be attributed to decrease in borrowed money of $13.6 million and a decrease in brokered deposits of $15.0 million, partially offset by an increase in non-interest deposits of $12.1 million.

As of September 30, 2026, the Bank’s Tier 1 capital leverage ratio, common equity tier 1 capital ratio, Tier 1 capital ratio and total capital ratios were 10.35%, 15.62%, 15.62% and 16.87% respectively, all in excess of the ratios required to be deemed “well-capitalized.” During the third quarter of 2026 the Company did not repurchase any shares. We have terminated our second stock repurchase plan. Book value per common share was $7.78 at September 30, 2026, compared to $7.34 at December 31, 2025. Tangible common book value per share (which represents common equity less goodwill, divided by the number of shares outstanding) was $7.69 at September 30, 2026, compared to $7.25 at December 31, 2025.

Financial Performance Overview:

Three Months Ended September 30, 2026, vs. June 30, 2026

For the three months ended September 30, 2026, the Company net income totaled $1.0 million, compared to a net income of 882 thousand for the three months ended June 30, 2026. The increase can be attributed to higher net interest income partially offset by higher income taxes.

Net interest income for the three months ended September 30, 2026 increase $148 thousand to $4.8 million, from $4.7 million in the June quarter despite the lower average loan balance during the current quarter. The Company’s net interest margin increased by 11 basis points to 3.21% for the three months ended September 30, 2026, as compared to 3.10% for the three months ended June 30, 2026. The increase in margin can be attributed to a decrease in interest expense on borrowings. Our subordinated debt repriced as of Jul 30, 2026, and adjusts quarterly at a margin of 579 basis points over the 3-month SOFR rate.

There was a $44 thousand reversal for credit losses taken for the three months ended September 30, 2026, compared to a $52 thousand reversal for credit losses for the three months ended June 30, 2026. The reversal for credit losses was due to reversal of the loan and investment allowance for credit losses due to the lower outstanding balances of each respective category.

Non-interest income increased $52 thousand, to $369 thousand for the three months ended September 30, 2026, compared with non-interest income of $317 thousand for the three months ended June 30, 2026. The majority of the increase can be attributed to higher service charges and fees on loans in the third quarter of 2026. We have not yet received the remaining ERTC installments for the 2021 tax year.

Non-interest expenses remained at $3.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2026, and for the three months ended June 30, 2026. The largest fluctuations quarter over quarter were due to a $196 thousand increase in compensation and benefits, partially offset by a decrease of $106 thousand in professional fees and a $49 thousand decrease in marketing.

About ES Bancshares Inc.
ES Bancshares, Inc. (the “Company”) is incorporated under Maryland law and serves as the holding company for Empire State Bank (the “Bank”). The Company is subject to regulation by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System while the Bank is primarily subject to regulation and supervision by the New York State Department of Financial Services. Currently, the Company does not transact any material business other than through the Bank, its subsidiary.

The Bank was organized under federal law in 2004 as a national bank regulated by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. The Bank’s deposits are insured up to legal limits by the FDIC. In March 2009, the Bank converted its charter to a New York State commercial bank charter. The Bank’s principal business is attracting commercial and retail deposits in New York and investing those deposits primarily in loans, consisting of commercial real estate loans, and other commercial loans including SBA and mortgage loans secured by one-to-four-family residences. In addition, the Bank invests in mortgage-backed securities, securities issued by the U.S. Government and agencies thereof, corporate securities and other investments permitted by applicable law and regulations.

We operate from our five Banking Center locations, a Loan Production Office and our Corporate Headquarters located in Staten Island, New York. The Company’s website address is www.esbna.com. The Company’s annual report, quarterly earnings releases and all press releases are available free of charge through its website, as soon as reasonably practicable.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release may contain certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. For this purpose, any statements contained in this release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Without limiting the foregoing, words such as “may”, “will”, “expect”, “believe”, “anticipate”, “estimate” or “continue” or comparable terminology, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements by their nature involve substantial risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially depending on a variety of factors, many of which are not within ES Bancshares, Inc’s. control. The forward-looking statements included in this release are made only as of the date of this release. We have no intention, and do not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements.

Investor Contact:
Peggy Edwards, Corporate Secretary
(845) 451-7825

ES Bancshares, Inc. Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition (in thousands)
		September 30, 2026				December 31, 2025
		(unaudited)
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents		$	22,169			$	36,645
Securities, net			33,403				11,915
Loans receivable, net:
Real estate mortgage loans			507,359				528,158
Commercial and Lines of Credit			12,433				17,648
Home Equity and Consumer Loans			284				379
Deferred costs			3,217				3,544
Allowance for Loan Credit Losses			(5,121	)			(5,142	)
Total loans receivable, net			518,172				544,586
Accrued interest receivable			3,034				2,649
Investment in restricted stock, at cost			3,215				3,846
Goodwill			581				581
Bank premises and equipment, net			3,713				4,128
Repossessed assets			–				–
Right of use lease asset			4,345				5,019
Bank Owned Life Insurance			5,785				5,653
Other Assets			1,671				1,645
Total Assets		$	596,088			$	616,667
Liabilities & Stockholders’ Equity
Non-Interest-Bearing Deposits		$	118,108			$	105,966
Interest-Bearing Deposits			372,927				381,531
Brokered Deposits			–				15,040
Total Deposits			491,035				502,537
Bond Issue, net of costs			11,359				11,823
Borrowed Money			25,737				39,328
Lease liability			4,624				5,307
Other Liabilities			9,765				6,839
Total Liabilities			542,520				565,834
Stockholders’ equity			53,568				50,833
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity		$	596,088			$	616,667

	ES Bancshares, Inc. Consolidated Statement of Income (in thousands)
	Three Months Ended,
	September 30, 2026				June 30, 2026				March 31, 2026
	(unaudited)
Interest income
Loans	$	7,397			$	7,383			$	7,510
Securities		230				149				181
Other interest-earning assets		445				463				464
Total Interest Income		8,072				7,995				8,155
Interest expense
Deposits		2,606				2,602				2,721
Borrowings		652				727				736
Total Interest Expense		3,258				3,329				3,457
Net Interest Income		4,814				4,666				4,698
Reversal of Credit Losses		(44	)			(52	)			(21	)
Net Interest Income after Provision for Credit Losses		4,858				4,718				4,719
Non-interest income
Service charges and fees		320				270				301
Other		49				47				65
Total non-interest income		369				317				366
Non-interest expenses
Compensation and benefits		2,096				1,900				2,112
Occupancy and equipment		618				615				624
Data processing service fees		333				326				315
Professional fees		199				305				272
FDIC & NYS Banking Premiums		80				96				101
Marketing		73				122				79
Insurance		48				48				49
Other		453				451				491
Total non-interest expense		3,900				3,863				4,043
Income(loss) prior to tax expense		1,327				1,172				1,042
Income taxes		323				290				(66	)
Net Profit	$	1,004			$	882			$	1,108

		ES Bancshares, Inc.
		Average Balance Sheet Data
		For the Three Months Ended (dollars in thousands)
		September 30, 2026						June 30, 2026						March 31, 2026
		Avg Bal		Interest		Average		Avg Bal		Interest		Average		Avg Bal		Interest		Average
		Rolling 3 Mos.		Rolling 3 Mos.		Yield/Cost		Rolling 3 Mos.		Rolling 3 Mos.		Yield/Cost		Rolling 3 Mos.		Rolling 3 Mos.		Yield/Cost
Assets
Interest-earning assets:
Loans receivable		$	525,813	$	7,397	5.63	%	$	533,801	$	7,383	5.53	%	$	541,939	$	7,510	5.54	%
Investment securities			25,910		230	3.55	%		18,079		149	3.29	%		21,053		181	3.43	%
Other interest earning assets			48,646		445	3.71	%		49,961		463	3.76	%		50,677		464	3.71	%
Total interest-earning assets			600,369		8,072	5.38	%		601,841		7,995	5.31	%		613,669		8,155	5.31	%
Non-interest earning assets			13,439						14,932						28,474
Total assets		$	613,808					$	616,773					$	642,143
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Demand Deposit accounts		$	37,787	$	35	0.36	%	$	36,234	$	35	0.38	%	$	39,363	$	36	0.37	%
Savings accounts			225,436		1,327	2.34	%		214,768		1,282	2.39	%		221,971		1,360	2.48	%
Certificates of deposit			134,906		1,244	3.66	%		146,949		1,285	3.51	%		149,160		1,235	3.36	%
Total interest-bearing deposits			398,130		2,606	2.60	%		397,951		2,602	2.62	%		410,494		2,721	2.69	%
Borrowings			30,859		361	4.64	%		38,002		444	4.69	%		39,200		454	4.69	%
Subordinated debenture			11,356		291	10.20	%		11,346		283	9.97	%		11,337		282	9.95	%
Total interest-bearing liabilities			440,344		3,258	2.94	%		447,299		3,329	2.98	%		461,031		3,457	3.04	%
Non-interest-bearing demand deposits			110,726						105,270						104,925
Other liabilities			9,473						11,717						24,577
Total non-interest-bearing liabilities			120,199						116,987						129,502
Stockholders’ equity			53,265						52,487						51,610
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity		$	613,808					$	616,773					$	642,143
Net interest income				$	4,814					$	4,666					$	4,698
Average interest rate spread (1)						2.44	%					2.33	%					2.27	%
Net interest margin (2)						3.21	%					3.10	%					3.06	%
(1) Average interest rate spread represents the difference between the yield on average interest-earning assets and
and the cost of average interest-bearing liabilities.
(2) Net interest margin represents net interest income divided by average total interest-earning assets.

								ES Bancshares, Inc.
Five Quarter Performance Ratio Highlights		Three Months Ended
		September 30, 2026			June 30, 2026			March 31, 2026			December 31, 2025			September 30, 2025
Performance Ratios (%) – annualized
	Return on Average Assets		0.65	%		0.57	%		0.71	%		0.42	%		0.41	%
	Return on Average Equity		7.54	%		6.72	%		8.91	%		5.31	%		5.12	%
	Return on Average Tangible Equity		7.63	%		6.80	%		9.02	%		5.37	%		5.18	%
	Efficiency Ratio		75.23	%		77.52	%		79.84	%		80.84	%		81.71	%
Yields / Costs (%)
	Average Yield – Interest Earning Assets		5.38	%		5.31	%		5.31	%		5.21	%		5.25	%
	Average Cost – Interest-bearing Liabilities		2.94	%		2.98	%		3.04	%		3.20	%		3.22	%
	Net Interest Margin		3.21	%		3.10	%		3.06	%		2.77	%		2.79	%
Capital Ratios (%)
	Equity / Assets		8.99	%		8.52	%		8.07	%		8.25	%		8.07	%
	Tangible Equity / Assets		8.90	%		8.44	%		7.99	%		8.16	%		7.98	%
	Tier I leverage ratio (a)		10.35	%		10.13	%		10.01	%		10.00	%		9.91	%
	Common equity Tier I capital ratio (a)		15.62	%		15.07	%		15.10	%		14.91	%		14.51	%
	Tier 1 Risk-based capital ratio (a)		15.62	%		15.07	%		15.10	%		14.91	%		14.51	%
	Total Risk-based capital ratio (a)		16.87	%		16.32	%		16.35	%		16.16	%		15.76	%
Stock Valuation
	Book Value (c)	$	7.78		$	7.64		$	7.50		$	7.34		$	7.24
	Tangible Book Value (c)	$	7.69		$	7.56		$	7.42		$	7.25		$	7.15
	Shares Outstanding (b)		6,886			6,887			6,927			6,926			6,926
Asset Quality (%)
	ACL / Total Loans		0.98	%		0.97	%		0.95	%		0.94	%		0.93	%
	Non Performing Loans / Total Loans, net		0.95	%		0.93	%		0.92	%		1.08	%		1.10	%
	Non Performing Assets / Total Assets		0.83	%		0.80	%		0.78	%		0.96	%		0.98	%
	(a) Ratios at Bank level (b) Shares information presented in thousands (c) Share value is in dollars

NIM Expansion and Growth in Net Interest Income Drives Record Quarterly Revenue of $135 million

Deposits Increased by 15% and Loans Increased by 8% on an Annualized Basis Versus The Linked Quarter

Asset Liability Management Profile, Which is Underpinned by $2.2 Billion of Cash and
a Growing Floating Rate Loan Portfolio, Positions Dime Well For Rising Rates

HAUPPAUGE, N.Y., Oct. 20, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Dime Commercial Bancshares, Inc. (NYSE: DCOM) (the “Company” or “Dime”), the parent company of Dime Commercial Bank (the “Bank”), today reported net income available to common stockholders of $39.7 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2026, or $0.90 per diluted common share, compared to net income available to common stockholders of $33.0 million, or $0.75 per diluted common share, for the quarter ended June 30, 2026 and net income available to common stockholders of $25.8 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2025, or $0.59 per diluted common share.

Adjusted net income available to common stockholders (non-GAAP) was $39.9 million and adjusted diluted EPS (non-GAAP) was $0.91 per share for the quarter ended September 30, 2026, compared to $0.79 per share for the quarter ended June 30, 2026, and $0.61 for the quarter ended September 30, 2025 (see “Non-GAAP Reconciliation” tables at the end of this news release).

Stuart H. Lubow, President and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) of the Company, stated, “Dime continues to execute on our growth plan and delivered another quarter of record revenue. Third quarter results were marked by strong growth in core deposits and business loans and continued NIM expansion. Our return metrics continue to improve, and the Return on Average Assets improved to 1.10%. Our balance sheet, with $2.2 billion of cash and an 83% loan-to-deposit ratio, was intentionally constructed keeping in mind the potential for an elevated interest rate environment. We believe this highly liquid balance sheet uniquely positions Dime versus our local peers. Finally, we anticipate continued expansion in NIM and growth in Net Interest Income in the quarters ahead as we take advantage of growth opportunities and benefit from a significant loan repricing opportunity that we anticipate will continue through 2027.”

Mr. Lubow continued, “As outlined in a separate press release, this morning we announced our intention to acquire ES Bancshares, Inc., the parent company of Empire State Bank (headquartered in Staten Island). This transaction represents another logical step in Dime’s growth strategy.”

Highlights for the Third Quarter of 2026 included:

• Return on Average Assets increased to 1.10% for the third quarter of 2026 compared to 0.94% for the prior quarter;
• Total deposits increased $1.08 billion on a year-over-year basis;
• Core deposits (excluding brokered and time deposits) increased $1.18 billion on a year-over-year basis;
• Average non-interest-bearing deposits to average total deposits for the third quarter increased to 32.1%;
• Business loans grew $346.6 million on a linked quarter basis and $929.1 million on a year-over-year basis;
• The net interest margin increased to 3.35% for the third quarter of 2026 compared to 3.28% for the prior quarter;
• The efficiency ratio decreased to 48.4% for the third quarter of 2026 compared to 53.8% for the third quarter of 2025;
• The Company’s Consolidated CRE Concentration ratio was proactively managed lower to 338%;
• The Company repurchased 298,003 shares of its common stock, which represented 0.7% of shares outstanding at the beginning of the period, at a weighted-average price of $40.64 per share; and
• Announced entry into the affordable housing space with the launch of a dedicated group that will be led by Michael Camoia, SVP, Head of Affordable Housing.

Management’s Discussion of Quarterly Operating Results

Net Interest Income

Net interest income for the third quarter of 2026 was $121.2 million compared to $115.2 million for the second quarter of 2026 and $103.4 million for the third quarter of 2025. The Net Interest Margin for the third quarter of 2026 was 3.35% compared to 3.28% for the second quarter of 2026 and 3.01% for the third quarter of 2025.

Loan Portfolio

The ending weighted average rate (“WAR”) on the total loan portfolio was 5.50% at September 30, 2026, a 14-basis point increase compared to the ending WAR of 5.36% on the total loan portfolio at June 30, 2026.

Outlined below are loan balances and WARs for the quarter ended as indicated.

		September 30, 2026					June 30, 2026					September 30, 2025
(Dollars in thousands)		Balance			WAR (1)		Balance			WAR (1)		Balance			WAR (1)
Loans held for investment balances at period end:
Business loans (2)		$	3,991,773		6.44	%	$	3,645,194		6.32	%	$	3,062,674		6.60	%
One-to-four family residential and coop/condo apartment			1,124,190		5.10			1,075,904		5.04			1,030,949		4.92
Multifamily residential and residential mixed-use (3)(4)			2,951,768		4.54			3,113,647		4.48			3,509,811		4.52
Non-owner-occupied commercial real estate			2,753,169		5.26			2,770,751		5.14			2,975,474		5.13
Acquisition, development, and construction			88,587		6.76			90,476		7.10			139,145		8.04
Other loans			8,668		12.28			8,401		11.81			7,621		11.14
Loans held for investment		$	10,918,155		5.50	%	$	10,704,373		5.36	%	$	10,725,674		5.37	%

⁽¹⁾ WAR is calculated by aggregating interest based on the current loan rate from each loan in the category, adjusted for non-accrual loans, divided by the total balance of loans in the category.

⁽²⁾ Business loans include commercial and industrial loans, and owner-occupied commercial real estate loans. At September 30, 2025, business loans included balances related to Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loans; no PPP loans were outstanding at September 30, 2026 or June 30, 2026.

⁽³⁾ Includes loans underlying multifamily cooperatives.

⁽⁴⁾ While the loans within this category are often considered “commercial real estate” in nature, multifamily and loans underlying cooperatives are reported separately from commercial real estate loans in order to emphasize the residential nature of the collateral underlying this significant component of the total loan portfolio.

Outlined below are the loan originations for the quarter ended as indicated.

(Dollars in millions)		Q3 2026			Q2 2026			Q3 2025
Originations Excluding New Lines of Credit		$	374.8		$	255.3		$	170.6
Originations Including New Lines of Credit			745.8			533.4			535.6

Deposits and Borrowed Funds

Period end total deposits (including mortgage escrow deposits) at September 30, 2026 were $13.14 billion, compared to $12.68 billion at June 30, 2026 and $12.06 billion at September 30, 2025.

Brokered deposits were $200.0 million at September 30, 2026, compared to $200.0 million at June 30, 2026 and $200.0 million at September 30, 2025. Total Federal Home Loan Bank advances were lowered to $335.0 million at September 30, 2026, compared to $385.0 million at June 30, 2026 and $508.0 million at September 30, 2025.

Non-Interest Income

Non-interest income was $14.1 million during the third quarter of 2026, $11.3 million during the second quarter of 2026, and $12.2 million during the third quarter of 2025. Excluding the fair value change in equity securities and loans held for sale, and (gain) loss on sale of securities, loans and other assets, non-interest income was $13.4 million during the third quarter of 2026, $13.2 million during the second quarter of 2026 and $13.3 million during the third quarter of 2025.

Non-Interest Expense

Total non-interest expense was $65.5 million during the third quarter of 2026, $64.7 million during the second quarter of 2026, and $62.2 million during the third quarter of 2025. Excluding the impact of the net loss (gain) on extinguishment of debt, amortization of other intangible assets and severance expense, adjusted non-interest expense was $64.3 million during the third quarter of 2026, $64.1 million during the second quarter of 2026, and $62.0 million during the third quarter of 2025 (see “Non-GAAP Reconciliation” tables at the end of this news release).

The ratio of non-interest expense to average assets was 1.73% during the third quarter of 2026, compared to 1.74% during the linked quarter and 1.73% during the third quarter of 2025. Excluding the impact of the net loss (gain) on extinguishment of debt, amortization of other intangible assets and severance expense, the ratio of adjusted non-interest expense to average assets was 1.70% during the third quarter of 2026, 1.72% during the second quarter of 2026, and 1.72% during the third quarter of 2025 (see “Non-GAAP Reconciliation” tables at the end of this news release).

The efficiency ratio was 48.4% during the third quarter of 2026, compared to 51.2% during the linked quarter and 53.8% during the third quarter of 2025. Excluding the impact of (gain) loss on sale of securities, loans and other assets, fair value change in equity securities and loans held for sale, severance expense, net loss (gain) on extinguishment of debt, and amortization of other intangible assets, the adjusted efficiency ratio was 47.8% during the third quarter of 2026, compared to 49.9% during the linked quarter and 53.1% during the third quarter of 2025 (see “Non-GAAP Reconciliation” tables at the end of this news release).

Mr. Lubow commented, “Our organic growth strategy is paying dividends as evidenced by a decline in the core efficiency ratio to below 48% for the third quarter. Growth in revenues is anticipated to continue to drive the efficiency ratio lower in the years ahead.”

Income Tax Expense

Income tax expense was $14.5 million during the third quarter of 2026, $13.1 million during the second quarter of 2026, and $12.4 million during the third quarter of 2025. The effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2026 was 25.8%, compared to 27.3% for the second quarter of 2026 and 31.0% for the third quarter of 2025.

Credit Quality

Non-performing assets were $99.5 million at September 30, 2026, compared to $69.0 million at June 30, 2026 and $72.1 million at September 30, 2025.

A credit loss provision of $13.8 million was recorded during the third quarter of 2026, compared to $13.9 million during the second quarter of 2026, and $13.3 million during the third quarter of 2025.

Capital Management

Stockholders’ equity increased $2.3 million to $1.52 billion at September 30, 2026.

The Company’s and the Bank’s regulatory capital ratios continued to be in excess of all applicable regulatory requirements as of September 30, 2026.

Dividends per common share were $0.25 for each of the third and second quarters of 2026.

Book value per common share was $32.10 at September 30, 2026 compared to $31.79 at June 30, 2026.

Tangible common book value per share (which represents common equity less goodwill and other intangible assets, divided by the number of shares outstanding) was $28.49 at September 30, 2026 compared to $28.21 at June 30, 2026 (see “Non-GAAP Reconciliation” tables at the end of this news release).

Earnings Call Information

The Company will conduct a conference call at 8:30 a.m. (ET) on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, during which CEO Lubow will discuss the Company’s third quarter 2026 financial performance, with a question-and-answer session to follow.

Participants may access the conference call via webcast using this link: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/aihfhaeg. To participate via telephone, please register in advance using this link: https://register-conf.media-server.com/register/BIe576e0e1823d40b89d52de726f0b9563. Upon registration, all telephone participants will receive a one-time confirmation email detailing how to join the conference call, including the dial-in number along with a unique PIN that can be used to access the call. All participants are encouraged to dial-in 10 minutes prior to the start time.

A replay of the conference call and webcast will be available on-demand for 12 months at https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/aihfhaeg.

ABOUT DIME COMMERCIAL BANCSHARES, INC.
Dime Commercial Bancshares, Inc. is the holding company for Dime Commercial Bank, a New York State-chartered trust company with approximately $15 billion in assets and the number one deposit market share on Greater Long Island ⁽¹⁾.

      ⁽¹⁾   Aggregate deposit market share for Kings, Queens, Nassau & Suffolk counties for commercial banks with less than $20 billion in assets.

This news release contains a number of forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). These statements may be identified by use of words such as “annualized,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “likely,” “may,” “outlook,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “will,” “would” and similar terms and phrases, including references to assumptions. Any forward-looking statements presented herein are made only as of the date of this release, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect changes in assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events, or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

Forward-looking statements are based upon various assumptions and analyses made by the Company in light of management’s experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors it believes are appropriate under the circumstances. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors (many of which are beyond the Company’s control) that could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on such statements. Factors that could affect our results include, without limitation, the following: the timing and occurrence or non-occurrence of events may be subject to circumstances beyond the Company’s control; there may be increases in competitive pressure among financial institutions or from non-financial institutions; changes in the interest rate environment may affect demand for our products and reduce interest margins and the value of our investments; changes in government monetary or fiscal policies and actions may adversely affect our customers, cost of credit and overall result of operations; changes in deposit flows, the cost of funds, loan demand or real estate values may adversely affect the business of the Company; changes in the quality and composition of the Company’s loan or investment portfolios or unanticipated or significant increases in loan losses may negatively affect the Company’s financial condition or results of operations; changes in accounting principles, policies or guidelines may cause the Company’s financial condition to be perceived differently; changes in corporate and/or individual income tax laws may adversely affect the Company’s financial condition or results of operations; general socio-economic conditions, public health emergencies, international conflict, inflation, tariffs, and recessionary pressures, either nationally or locally in some or all areas in which the Company conducts business, or conditions in the securities markets or the banking industry may be less favorable than the Company currently anticipates and may adversely affect our customers, our financial results and our operations; legislation or regulatory changes may adversely affect the Company’s business; technological changes may be more difficult or expensive than the Company anticipates; there may be failures or breaches of information technology security systems; success or consummation of new business initiatives may be more difficult or expensive than the Company anticipates; there may be difficulties or unanticipated expense incurred in the consummation of new business initiatives or the integration of any acquired entities; and litigation or other matters before regulatory agencies, whether currently existing or commencing in the future, may delay the occurrence or non-occurrence of events longer than the Company anticipates. For discussion of these and other risks that may cause actual results to differ from expectations, please refer to the sections entitled “Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and updates set forth in the Company’s subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K.

Contact: Avinash Reddy
Senior Executive Vice President – Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer
718-782-6200 extension 5909

DIME COMMERCIAL BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
(In thousands)
		September 30,				June 30,				December 31,
		2026				2026				2025
Assets:
Cash and due from banks		$	2,184,800			$	1,934,594			$	2,353,966
Securities available-for-sale, at fair value			897,276				895,251				797,935
Securities held-to-maturity			701,601				706,606				618,901
Loans held for sale			2,413				1,862				1,989
Loans held for investment, net:
Business loans (1)			3,991,773				3,645,194				3,240,600
One-to-four family residential and coop/condo apartment			1,124,190				1,075,904				1,035,983
Multifamily residential and residential mixed-use (2)(3)			2,951,768				3,113,647				3,424,565
Non-owner-occupied commercial real estate			2,753,169				2,770,751				2,933,287
Acquisition, development and construction			88,587				90,476				117,215
Other loans			8,668				8,401				6,558
Allowance for credit losses			(108,548	)			(104,963	)			(97,372	)
Total loans held for investment, net			10,809,607				10,599,410				10,660,836
Premises and fixed assets, net			28,711				30,570				31,255
Restricted stock			59,046				61,167				67,197
BOLI			422,101				417,459				401,163
Goodwill			155,797				155,797				155,797
Other intangible assets			2,339				2,534				2,938
Operating lease assets			44,114				36,830				42,876
Derivative assets			99,951				70,545				76,315
Accrued interest receivable			57,694				56,282				55,572
Other assets			81,419				74,046				74,891
Total assets		$	15,546,869			$	15,042,953			$	15,341,631
Liabilities:
Non-interest-bearing checking (excluding mortgage escrow deposits)		$	4,158,300			$	3,946,965			$	3,915,081
Interest-bearing checking			1,068,293				1,140,667				1,178,281
Savings (excluding mortgage escrow deposits)			1,608,662				1,621,056				1,777,143
Money market			5,187,009				4,853,645				4,806,572
Certificates of deposit			1,034,729				1,068,824				1,117,118
Deposits (excluding mortgage escrow deposits)			13,056,993				12,631,157				12,794,195
Non-interest-bearing mortgage escrow deposits			81,429				45,980				47,051
Interest-bearing mortgage escrow deposits			—				—				—
Total mortgage escrow deposits			81,429				45,980				47,051
Total deposits (including mortgage escrow deposits)			13,138,422				12,677,137				12,841,246
FHLBNY advances			335,000				385,000				508,000
Subordinated debt, net			231,313				231,186				272,503
Derivative cash collateral			100,550				61,790				52,400
Operating lease liabilities			46,834				39,626				45,729
Derivative liabilities			99,394				69,631				73,573
Other liabilities			72,598				58,127				72,411
Total liabilities			14,024,111				13,522,497				13,865,862
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, Series A			116,569				116,569				116,569
Common stock			462				462				462
Additional paid-in capital			622,827				622,636				623,041
Retained earnings			926,880				898,089				854,167
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (“AOCI”), net of deferred taxes			(46,314	)			(31,573	)			(31,468	)
Unearned equity awards			(15,311	)			(17,590	)			(8,661	)
Treasury stock, at cost			(82,355	)			(68,137	)			(78,341	)
Total stockholders’ equity			1,522,758				1,520,456				1,475,769
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity		$	15,546,869			$	15,042,953			$	15,341,631

⁽¹⁾ Business loans include commercial and industrial loans, and owner-occupied commercial real estate loans.

⁽²⁾ Includes loans underlying multifamily cooperatives.

⁽³⁾ While the loans within this category are often considered “commercial real estate” in nature, multifamily and loans underlying cooperatives are here reported separately from commercial real estate loans in order to emphasize the residential nature of the collateral underlying this significant component of the total loan portfolio.

DIME COMMERCIAL BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Dollars in thousands except share and per share amounts)
		Three Months Ended												Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				June 30,				September 30,				September 30,				September 30,
		2026				2026				2025				2026				2025
Interest income:
Loans		$	149,776			$	143,892			$	147,756			$	435,758			$	435,909
Securities			15,428				14,518				11,338				42,734				34,014
Other short-term investments			18,182				16,840				16,449				53,544				35,035
Total interest income			183,386				175,250				175,543				532,036				504,958
Interest expense:
Deposits and escrow			54,220				52,171				62,950				158,755				181,205
Borrowed funds			7,279				7,351				8,406				22,930				25,141
Derivative cash collateral			668				542				788				1,695				2,903
Total interest expense			62,167				60,064				72,144				183,380				209,249
Net interest income			121,219				115,186				103,399				348,656				295,709
Provision for credit losses			13,812				13,875				13,294				40,000				32,141
Net interest income after provision			107,407				101,311				90,105				308,656				263,568
Non-interest income:
Service charges and other fees			6,879				6,483				5,209				19,092				14,494
Title fees			191				187				126				520				342
Loan level derivative income			702				535				650				1,709				1,653
BOLI income			4,683				5,038				4,956				14,279				13,135
Gain on sale of Small Business Administration (“SBA”) loans			—				196				38				196				507
Gain on sale of residential loans			77				49				37				198				119
Fair value change in equity securities and loans held for sale			(38	)			38				51				(38	)			152
Gain on securities			—				—				14				—				163
Gain (loss) on sale of loans and other assets			757				(2,000	)			(1,117	)			(1,563	)			(1,117	)
Other			877				740				2,247				2,347				3,991
Total non-interest income			14,128				11,266				12,211				36,740				33,439
Non-interest expense:
Salaries and employee benefits			39,303				39,781				38,344				118,677				110,213
Severance			974				454				6				1,530				218
Occupancy and equipment			7,855				7,899				8,107				23,963				23,838
Data processing costs			5,835				5,151				4,798				16,409				14,495
Marketing			2,258				1,951				1,961				6,234				5,383
Professional services			1,981				2,325				2,228				6,215				6,441
Federal deposit insurance premiums			1,627				1,712				1,799				4,605				5,538
Net loss (gain) on extinguishment of debt			—				2				—				(972	)			—
Loss due to pension settlement			—				—				—				—				7,231
Amortization of other intangible assets			195				195				236				599				723
Other			5,475				5,231				4,745				15,700				13,954
Total non-interest expense			65,503				64,701				62,224				192,960				188,034
Income before taxes			56,032				47,876				40,092				152,436				108,973
Income tax expense			14,472				13,062				12,421				41,480				30,147
Net income			41,560				34,814				27,671				110,956				78,826
Preferred stock dividends			1,822				1,821				1,822				5,465				5,465
Net income available to common stockholders		$	39,738			$	32,993			$	25,849			$	105,491			$	73,361

DIME COMMERCIAL BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED COMMON SHARE DATA
(Dollars in thousands except per share amounts)
		Three Months Ended												Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				June 30,				September 30,				September 30,				September 30,
GAAP		2026				2026				2025				2026				2025
Net income available to common stockholders		$	39,738			$	32,993			$	25,849			$	105,491			$	73,361
Less: Dividends paid and earnings allocated to participating securities			(801	)			(687	)			(493	)			(2,081	)			(1,323	)
Income attributable to common stock – Basic and Diluted		$	38,937			$	32,306			$	25,356				103,410				72,038
Weighted-average common shares outstanding			43,137,429				43,218,619				43,052,898				43,155,159				43,010,919
Basic and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) (1)		$	0.90			$	0.75			$	0.59			$	2.40			$	1.67
Non-GAAP
Adjusted net income available to common stockholders (2)		$	39,914			$	34,663			$	26,588			$	106,982			$	79,139
Less: Dividends paid and earnings allocated to participating securities			(805	)			(722	)			(507	)			(2,113	)			(1,417	)
Adjusted income attributable to common stock – Basic and Diluted		$	39,109			$	33,941			$	26,081			$	104,869			$	77,722
Weighted-average common shares outstanding			43,137,429				43,218,619				43,052,898				43,155,159				43,010,919
Adjusted basic and diluted EPS (3)		$	0.91			$	0.79			$	0.61			$	2.43			$	1.81

⁽¹⁾ The earnings per share is calculated by dividing income attributable to common stock by weighted-average common shares outstanding.

⁽²⁾ See “Non-GAAP Reconciliation” tables for reconciliation of reported and adjusted (non-GAAP) net income available to common stockholders.

⁽³⁾ The adjusted earnings per share is calculated by dividing adjusted income attributable to common stock by weighted-average common shares outstanding.

DIME COMMERCIAL BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED SELECTED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(Dollars in thousands except per share amounts)
		At or For the Three Months Ended									At or For the Nine Months Ended
		September 30,			June 30,			September 30,			September 30,			September 30,
		2026			2026			2025			2026			2025
Per Share Data:
Reported EPS (Diluted)		$	0.90		$	0.75		$	0.59		$	2.40		$	1.67
Cash dividends paid per common share			0.25			0.25			0.25			0.75			0.75
Book value per common share			32.10			31.79			30.44			32.10			30.44
Tangible common book value per share (1)			28.49			28.21			26.81			28.49			26.81
Common shares outstanding			43,811			44,158			43,889			43,811			43,889
Dividend payout ratio			27.78	%		33.33	%		42.37	%		31.25	%		44.91	%
Performance Ratios (Based upon Reported Net Income):
Return on average assets			1.10	%		0.94	%		0.77	%		0.99	%		0.75	%
Return on average equity			10.77			9.15			7.59			9.71			7.31
Return on average tangible common equity (1)			12.57			10.62			8.80			11.31			8.47
Net interest margin			3.35			3.28			3.01			3.28			2.98
Non-interest expense to average assets			1.73			1.74			1.73			1.72			1.78
Efficiency ratio			48.4			51.2			53.8			50.1			57.1
Effective tax rate			25.83			27.28			30.98			27.21			27.66
Balance Sheet Data:
Average assets		$	15,142,449		$	14,862,346		$	14,426,002		$	14,996,020		$	14,074,794
Average interest-earning assets			14,364,889			14,086,464			13,638,036			14,218,475			13,267,962
Average tangible common equity (1)			1,268,341			1,247,394			1,182,158			1,248,060			1,162,403
Loan-to-deposit ratio at end of period (2)			83.1	%		84.4	%		88.9	%		83.1	%		88.9	%
Capital Ratios and Reserves – Consolidated:
Tangible common equity to tangible assets (1) (3)			8.11	%		8.37	%		8.18	%
Tangible equity to tangible assets (1) (3)			8.87			9.15			8.99
Tier 1 common equity ratio (3)			11.75			11.99			11.53
Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio (3)			12.81			13.09			12.64
Total risk-based capital ratio (3)			15.96			16.30			16.18
Tier 1 leverage ratio (3)			9.40			9.46			9.29
Consolidated CRE concentration ratio (3)(4)			338			352			401
Allowance for credit losses/ Total loans			0.99			0.98			0.88
Allowance for credit losses/ Non-performing loans held for investment			111.54			157.09			130.54

⁽¹⁾ See “Non-GAAP Reconciliation” tables for reconciliation of tangible equity, tangible common equity, and tangible assets.

⁽²⁾ Total deposits include mortgage escrow deposits, which fluctuate seasonally.

⁽³⁾ September 30, 2026 ratios are preliminary pending completion and filing of the Company’s regulatory reports.

⁽⁴⁾ The Consolidated CRE concentration ratio is calculated using the sum of commercial real estate, excluding owner-occupied commercial real estate, multifamily, and acquisition, development, and construction, divided by consolidated capital. The September 30, 2026 ratio is preliminary pending completion and filing of the Company’s regulatory reports.

DIME COMMERCIAL BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED AVERAGE BALANCES AND NET INTEREST INCOME
(Dollars in thousands)
		Three Months Ended
		September 30, 2026								June 30, 2026								September 30, 2025
								Average								Average								Average
		Average						Yield/		Average						Yield/		Average						Yield/
		Balance			Interest			Cost		Balance			Interest			Cost		Balance			Interest			Cost
Assets:
Interest-earning assets:
Business loans		$	3,798,622		$	62,650		6.54	%	$	3,489,614		$	56,520		6.50	%	$	2,957,434		$	50,271		6.74	%
One-to-four family residential and coop/condo apartment			1,111,740			13,604		4.85			1,064,043			12,588		4.75			1,023,844			12,120		4.70
Multifamily residential and residential mixed-use			3,059,148			35,123		4.56			3,195,372			35,930		4.51			3,591,822			41,712		4.61
Non-owner-occupied commercial real estate			2,724,952			36,719		5.35			2,815,624			37,117		5.29			3,067,598			40,439		5.23
Acquisition, development, and construction			79,710			1,654		8.23			90,738			1,711		7.56			145,902			3,184		8.66
Other loans			8,981			26		1.15			8,580			26		1.22			7,515			30		1.58
Total loans			10,783,153			149,776		5.51			10,663,971			143,892		5.41			10,794,115			147,756		5.43
Securities			1,640,702			15,428		3.73			1,582,300			14,518		3.68			1,340,223			11,338		3.36
Other short-term investments			1,941,034			18,182		3.72			1,840,193			16,840		3.67			1,503,698			16,449		4.34
Total interest-earning assets			14,364,889			183,386		5.06	%		14,086,464			175,250		4.99	%		13,638,036			175,543		5.11	%
Non-interest-earning assets			777,560								775,882								787,966
Total assets		$	15,142,449							$	14,862,346							$	14,426,002
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity:
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Interest-bearing checking (1)		$	1,082,628		$	4,453		1.63	%	$	1,040,981		$	4,058		1.56	%	$	1,069,761		$	5,306		1.97	%
Money market			4,907,654			31,883		2.58			4,796,008			30,049		2.51			4,359,512			34,877		3.17
Savings (1)			1,635,196			9,776		2.37			1,684,130			9,826		2.34			1,821,289			13,273		2.89
Certificates of deposit			1,051,590			8,108		3.06			1,075,789			8,238		3.07			1,116,152			9,494		3.37
Total interest-bearing deposits			8,677,068			54,220		2.48			8,596,908			52,171		2.43			8,366,714			62,950		2.99
FHLBNY advances			337,717			3,469		4.08			418,517			3,541		3.39			508,000			4,104		3.21
Subordinated debt, net			231,229			3,809		6.54			231,102			3,810		6.61			272,429			4,301		6.26
Other short-term borrowings			76			1		5.22			—			—		—			76			1		5.22
Total borrowings			569,022			7,279		5.08			649,619			7,351		4.54			780,505			8,406		4.27
Derivative cash collateral			75,524			668		3.51			62,134			542		3.50			63,856			788		4.90
Total interest-bearing liabilities			9,321,614			62,167		2.65	%		9,308,661			60,064		2.59	%		9,211,075			72,144		3.11	%
Non-interest-bearing checking (1)			4,102,780								3,864,575								3,573,448
Other non-interest-bearing liabilities			174,880								166,688								183,627
Total liabilities			13,599,274								13,339,924								12,968,150
Stockholders’ equity			1,543,175								1,522,422								1,457,852
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity		$	15,142,449							$	14,862,346							$	14,426,002
Net interest income					$	121,219							$	115,186							$	103,399
Net interest rate spread								2.41	%							2.40	%							2.00	%
Net interest margin								3.35	%							3.28	%							3.01	%
Deposits (including non-interest-bearing checking accounts) (1)		$	12,779,848		$	54,220		1.68	%	$	12,461,483		$	52,171		1.68	%	$	11,940,162		$	62,950		2.09	%

⁽¹⁾ Includes mortgage escrow deposits.

DIME COMMERCIAL BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED SCHEDULE OF NON-PERFORMING ASSETS
(Dollars in thousands)
		At or For the Three Months Ended
		September 30,				June 30,				September 30,
Asset Quality Detail		2026				2026				2025
Non-performing loans held for investment
Business loans		$	33,171			$	23,898			$	21,005
One-to-four family residential and coop/condo apartment			4,852				4,465				2,440
Multifamily residential and residential mixed-use			47,773				26,893				—
Non-owner-occupied commercial real estate			11,109				11,151				47,952
Acquisition, development, and construction			412				412				657
Other loans			—				—				—
Non-accrual loans held for investment		$	97,317			$	66,819			$	72,054
Non-accrual loans held for sale		$	1,750			$	1,750			$	—
Total non-accrual loans		$	99,067			$	68,569			$	72,054
Total non-accrual loans/ Total loans			0.91	%			0.64	%			0.67	%
Total non-performing assets (“NPAs”) (1)		$	99,517			$	69,019			$	72,054
Total loans 90 days delinquent and accruing (“90+ Delinquent”)		$	—			$	—			$	—
NPAs and 90+ Delinquent		$	99,517			$	69,019			$	72,054
NPAs and 90+ Delinquent / Total assets			0.64	%			0.46	%			0.50	%
Net loan charge-offs (“NCOs”)		$	9,749			$	9,662			$	12,586
NCOs / Average loans (2)			0.36	%			0.36	%			0.47	%

⁽¹⁾ September 30, 2026 and June 30, 2026 balances include one non-performing available-for-sale security in the amount of $450 thousand.

⁽²⁾ Calculated based on annualized NCOs to average loans.

DIME COMMERCIAL BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION
(Dollars in thousands except per share amounts)

The following tables below provide a reconciliation of certain financial measures calculated under generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) (as reported) and non-GAAP measures. A non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of historical or future financial performance, financial position or cash flows that excludes or includes amounts that are required to be disclosed in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP in the United States. The Company’s management believes the presentation of non-GAAP financial measures provides investors with a greater understanding of the Company’s operating results in addition to the results measured in accordance with GAAP. While management uses these non-GAAP measures in its analysis of the Company’s performance, this information should not be viewed as a substitute for financial results determined in accordance with GAAP or considered to be more important than financial results determined in accordance with GAAP.

The following non-GAAP financial measures exclude pre-tax income and expenses associated with the fair value change in equity securities and loans held for sale, (gain) loss on sale of securities, loans and other assets, severance, net loss (gain) on extinguishment of debt and loss due to pension settlement.

		Three Months Ended												Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				June 30,				September 30,				September 30,				September 30,
		2026				2026				2025				2026				2025
Reconciliation of Reported and Adjusted (non-GAAP) Net Income Available to Common Stockholders
Reported net income available to common stockholders		$	39,738			$	32,993			$	25,849			$	105,491			$	73,361
Adjustments to net income (1):
Fair value change in equity securities and loans held for sale			38				(38	)			(51	)			38				(152	)
(Gain) loss on sale of securities, loans and other assets			(757	)			2,000				1,112				1,563				1,040
Severance			974				454				6				1,530				218
Net loss (gain) on extinguishment of debt			—				2				—				(972	)			—
Loss due to pension settlement			—				—				—				—				7,231
Income tax effect of adjustments noted above (1)			(79	)			(748	)			(328	)			(668	)			(2,559	)
Adjusted net income available to common stockholders (non-GAAP)		$	39,914			$	34,663			$	26,588			$	106,982			$	79,139
Adjusted Ratios (Based upon Adjusted (non-GAAP) Net Income as calculated above)
Adjusted EPS (Diluted)		$	0.91			$	0.79			$	0.61			$	2.43			$	1.81
Adjusted return on average assets			1.10	%			0.98	%			0.79	%			1.00	%			0.80	%
Adjusted return on average equity			10.82				9.59				7.80				9.84				7.84
Adjusted return on average tangible common equity			12.63				11.16				9.05				11.47				9.14
Adjusted non-interest expense to average assets			1.70				1.72				1.72				1.71				1.70
Adjusted efficiency ratio			47.8				49.9				53.1				49.6				54.5

⁽¹⁾ Adjustments to net income are taxed at the Company’s approximate statutory tax rate.

The following table presents a reconciliation of operating expense as a percentage of average assets (as reported) and adjusted operating expense as a percentage of average assets (non-GAAP):

		Three Months Ended												Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				June 30,				September 30,				September 30,				September 30,
		2026				2026				2025				2026				2025
Operating expense as a % of average assets – as reported		1.73	%			1.74	%			1.73	%			1.72	%			1.78	%
Severance		(0.03	)			(0.01	)			—				(0.01	)			—
Net loss (gain) on extinguishment of debt		—				—				—				—				—
Loss due to pension settlement		—				—				—				—				(0.07	)
Amortization of other intangible assets		—				(0.01	)			(0.01	)			—				(0.01	)
Adjusted operating expense as a % of average assets (non-GAAP)		1.70	%			1.72	%			1.72	%			1.71	%			1.70	%

The following table presents a reconciliation of efficiency ratio (non-GAAP) and adjusted efficiency ratio (non-GAAP):

		Three Months Ended												Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				June 30,				September 30,				September 30,				September 30,
		2026				2026				2025				2026				2025
Efficiency ratio – as reported (non-GAAP) (1)			48.4	%			51.2	%			53.8	%			50.1	%			57.1	%
Non-interest expense – as reported		$	65,503			$	64,701			$	62,224			$	192,960			$	188,034
Severance			(974	)			(454	)			(6	)			(1,530	)			(218	)
Net (loss) gain on extinguishment of debt			—				(2	)			—				972				—
Loss due to pension settlement			—				—				—				—				(7,231	)
Amortization of other intangible assets			(195	)			(195	)			(236	)			(599	)			(723	)
Adjusted non-interest expense (non-GAAP)		$	64,334			$	64,050			$	61,982			$	191,803			$	179,862
Net interest income – as reported		$	121,219			$	115,186			$	103,399			$	348,656			$	295,709
Non-interest income – as reported		$	14,128			$	11,266			$	12,211			$	36,740			$	33,439
Fair value change in equity securities and loans held for sale			38				(38	)			(51	)			38				(152	)
(Gain) loss on sale of securities, loans and other assets			(757	)			2,000				1,112				1,563				1,040
Adjusted non-interest income (non-GAAP)		$	13,409			$	13,228			$	13,272			$	38,341			$	34,327
Adjusted total revenues for adjusted efficiency ratio (non-GAAP)		$	134,628			$	128,414			$	116,671			$	386,997			$	330,036
Adjusted efficiency ratio (non-GAAP) (2)			47.8	%			49.9	%			53.1	%			49.6	%			54.5	%

⁽¹⁾ The reported efficiency ratio is a non-GAAP measure calculated by dividing GAAP non-interest expense by the sum of GAAP net interest income and GAAP non-interest income.

⁽²⁾ The adjusted efficiency ratio is a non-GAAP measure calculated by dividing adjusted non-interest expense by the sum of GAAP net interest income and adjusted non-interest income.

The following table presents a reconciliation of pre-tax pre-provision net revenue (non-GAAP) and adjusted pre-tax pre-provision net revenue (non-GAAP):

		Three Months Ended									Nine Months Ended
		September 30,			June 30,			September 30,			September 30,			September 30,
		2026			2026			2025			2026			2025
Financial Data:
Net interest income		$	121,219		$	115,186		$	103,399		$	348,656		$	295,709
Non-interest income			14,128			11,266			12,211			36,740			33,439
Total revenue			135,347			126,452			115,610			385,396			329,148
Non-interest expense			65,503			64,701			62,224			192,960			188,034
Pre-tax pre-provision net revenue (non-GAAP) (1)		$	69,844		$	61,751		$	53,386		$	192,436		$	141,114
Adjusted pre-tax pre-provision net revenue (non-GAAP) (2)		$	70,294		$	64,364		$	54,689		$	195,194		$	150,174

⁽¹⁾ The reported pre-tax pre-provision net revenue is a non-GAAP measure calculated by adding GAAP net interest income and GAAP non-interest income less GAAP non-interest expense.

⁽²⁾ The adjusted pre-tax pre-provision net revenue is a non-GAAP measure calculated by adding GAAP net interest income and the adjusted non-interest income less the adjusted non-interest expense as shown in the reconciliation of efficiency ratio table above.

The following table presents the tangible common equity to tangible assets, tangible equity to tangible assets, and tangible common book value per share calculations (non-GAAP):

		September 30,				June 30,				September 30,
		2026				2026				2025
Reconciliation of Tangible Assets:
Total assets		$	15,546,869			$	15,042,953			$	14,538,943
Goodwill			(155,797	)			(155,797	)			(155,797	)
Other intangible assets			(2,339	)			(2,534	)			(3,173	)
Tangible assets (non-GAAP)		$	15,388,733			$	14,884,622			$	14,379,973
Reconciliation of Tangible Common Equity – Consolidated:
Total stockholders’ equity		$	1,522,758			$	1,520,456			$	1,452,342
Goodwill			(155,797	)			(155,797	)			(155,797	)
Other intangible assets			(2,339	)			(2,534	)			(3,173	)
Tangible equity (non-GAAP)			1,364,622				1,362,125				1,293,372
Preferred stock, net			(116,569	)			(116,569	)			(116,569	)
Tangible common equity (non-GAAP)		$	1,248,053			$	1,245,556			$	1,176,803
Common shares outstanding			43,811				44,158				43,889
Tangible common equity to tangible assets (non-GAAP)			8.11	%			8.37	%			8.18	%
Tangible equity to tangible assets (non-GAAP)			8.87				9.15				8.99
Book value per common share		$	32.10			$	31.79			$	30.44
Tangible common book value per share (non-GAAP)			28.49				28.21				26.81