Pathward Financial: Credit Deterioration Is Concerning (Downgrade)

Pathward Financial is downgraded to "Sell" due to deteriorating credit quality and insufficient loan loss reserves. Despite stable capital ratios and aggressive buybacks, NPLs have nearly tripled to 2.39%, with reserves now covering less than 1x NPLs. Loan growth remains robust, but underwriting standards appear lax, increasing exposure to riskier credits as government guarantees decline.