First Horizon's CFO, CCO to Address Investors on Growth and Risk

MEMPHIS, TN – February 20, 2026 – First Horizon Corporation (NYSE: FHN) is preparing to take the stage at the influential Raymond James 47th Annual Institutional Investors Conference, a key event where corporate strategy meets investor scrutiny. The Memphis-based financial services company announced that Chief Financial Officer Hope Dmuchowski and newly appointed Chief Credit Officer Thomas Hung will represent the firm on March 3, 2026. Their presentation is poised to offer institutional investors a detailed look into the bank's financial health, credit discipline, and strategic vision for navigating the year ahead.

This high-profile appearance provides a critical platform for First Horizon's leadership to directly communicate its narrative following a year of robust performance and strategic repositioning. For those not in attendance, the company has committed to transparency, making a live webcast and subsequent audio replay available on its investor relations website.

A Foundation of Strong 2025 Performance

Dmuchowski and Hung will address investors from a position of strength, building on a successful 2025. The company reported a formidable 29% increase in full-year net income available to common shareholders, reaching $956 million, or $1.87 per share. The fourth quarter capped the year on a positive note, with net income growing to $257 million, or $0.52 per share, comfortably surpassing analyst expectations.

This outperformance was not accidental, but the result of deliberate strategic actions. Management attributed the success to an improved loan mix, disciplined pricing strategies, and the enhancement of its treasury management systems. Key metrics from the fourth quarter underscore this momentum: period-end loans grew by $1.1 billion, representing 2% growth, while deposit balances swelled by an impressive $2 billion quarter-over-quarter—a significant achievement amid fierce industry-wide competition for deposits. The bank's net interest margin, a critical indicator of profitability, stood at a healthy 3.51%.

Investors will also be keenly aware of First Horizon's commitment to capital return. In 2025, the company returned approximately $900 million to shareholders through stock repurchases and over $300 million in dividends. Looking ahead, a new $1.2 billion share buyback program, with nearly $1 billion in remaining authorization, signals continued confidence from the board and management. This robust financial footing, combined with solid asset quality and a strong Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) capital ratio of 10.64%, provides a powerful backdrop for the company's 2026 narrative.

The Leadership Playbook: Finance and Credit in Focus

The decision to feature both the Chief Financial Officer and the Chief Credit Officer is a strategic one, signaling a balanced focus on growth and prudent risk management. The duo represents two pillars of the bank's operational integrity, and their joint appearance is designed to assure investors that the institution's financial and credit engines are working in concert.

Hope Dmuchowski, who joined as CFO in 2021, has been a transformative figure. With over two decades of experience, including senior roles at Truist and its predecessor BB&T, she has brought a sharp focus on financial optimization to First Horizon. Her leadership in centralizing deposit pricing and repositioning the bank's balance sheet was instrumental in bolstering net interest income. Recognitions such as being named a Most Powerful Woman in Banking by American Banker in 2024 and CFO of the Year by the Memphis Business Journal in 2023 highlight her industry-wide influence and effectiveness. At the conference, she is expected to elaborate on the bank’s path to achieving its target of a 15% return on tangible common equity (ROTCE) and its plans for disciplined capital deployment.

Sharing the stage is Thomas Hung, who stepped into the Chief Credit Officer role in October 2024. His appointment brought deep expertise in credit risk, honed over two decades at institutions like GE Capital and Citizens Bank. Hung's background in specialized lending, particularly in franchise finance, provides him with a granular understanding of credit dynamics across various sectors. His presence is intended to send a clear message about First Horizon's unwavering commitment to maintaining a high-quality loan portfolio. He will likely detail the bank's solid asset quality, evidenced by a low allowance for credit losses to loans ratio of 1.31% and modest net charge-offs, assuring investors that the bank’s growth is not coming at the expense of credit discipline.

Navigating the Regional Banking Crosscurrents

First Horizon's presentation will be viewed within the wider context of a complex operating environment for regional banks. The sector continues to grapple with the effects of a fluctuating interest rate environment, intense competition for liquidity, and a shifting regulatory landscape. While higher rates have bolstered net interest margins for many, they have also created unrealized losses in securities portfolios and increased funding costs.

First Horizon appears to be navigating these challenges effectively. Its reported $2 billion increase in quarterly deposits demonstrates a successful strategy in a difficult market, a point Dmuchowski will likely emphasize. Furthermore, in a climate where investors are laser-focused on credit quality, Hung's update will be critical. The bank's solid credit metrics serve as a bulwark against concerns that have plagued other parts of the sector, positioning it as a potentially more resilient player.

The M&A landscape also remains a topic of interest. With a more favorable regulatory environment for approvals anticipated, M&A activity is expected to pick up, particularly among banks in the $10 billion to $100 billion asset range. Strong performers with robust balance sheets like First Horizon are often viewed as attractive partners or disciplined acquirers, and investors will be listening for any hints regarding the company's long-term strategic positioning.

Charting the Course for 2026 and Beyond

Ultimately, the Raymond James conference is about the future. Investors and analysts will be looking beyond the 2025 results to understand management's vision for sustained growth. First Horizon has already provided guidance for 2026, projecting 3-7% total revenue growth alongside a flattish expense outlook—a combination that, if achieved, would demonstrate significant operating leverage and drive profitability.

Analyst sentiment heading into the event is broadly positive, with a consensus "Moderate Buy" rating and price targets suggesting a healthy upside from current levels. However, this optimism is tempered with key questions about the durability of revenue growth, the bank's ability to maintain expense discipline, and its strategy for capital deployment through its new buyback program. The presentation by Dmuchowski and Hung is a prime opportunity to address these questions head-on, reinforce their strategic priorities, and build further confidence in their leadership.

As the executives prepare their remarks, they are aware that they are not just presenting numbers but are crafting a narrative of stability, strategic foresight, and disciplined execution. Their performance at the conference will play a significant role in shaping market perception and setting the tone for First Horizon's journey through 2026.