Regional Banking ETF (KRE) Hits New 52-Week High

KRE hits a 52-week high as rate-cut hopes lift regional banks. With a steepening yield curve boosting margins, ETFs like KRE could see more momentum.

Zacks Investment Research • Dec 11, 2025

Should You Invest in the iShares U.S. Regional Banks ETF (IAT)?

The iShares U.S. Regional Banks ETF (IAT) was launched on May 1, 2006, and is a passively managed exchange traded fund designed to offer broad exposure to the Financials - Regional Banks segment of the equity market.

Zacks Investment Research • Dec 8, 2025

Community Banks' Margins Expanding, Credit Quality Holding Up For Now

Community bank margins have expanded as the benefit from fixed-rate assets repricing has overshadowed modest increases in funding costs. Most regional and community banks, in a variety of geographies, reported little to no deterioration in their credit quality in the quarter.

Seeking Alpha • Nov 29, 2025

IAT: Complacent Lending Is Common In Late-Cycle Environments

IAT faces elevated volatility after credit concerns at Zions Bancorp and Western Alliance Bancorp triggered a sector-wide selloff. Zions Bancorp and Western Alliance Bancorp show no signs of liquidity issues so far, and their bad loans are only a small part of tangible equity. Complacent lending in a booming late-cycle market often signals systemic credit issues that could trigger a chain reaction across the economy.

Seeking Alpha • Oct 21, 2025

IAT: Cockaroaches Don't Tempt Me

iShares U.S. Regional Banks ETF (IAT) is rated a sell due to structural disadvantages facing regional banks in the digital age. IAT appears cheap on PEG and EPS growth, but its weighted ROE of 11% is below the estimated 12.6% cost of equity. Recent bad loans and bankruptcies highlight ongoing risks, and aggressive lending could worsen outcomes in a downturn.

Seeking Alpha • Oct 20, 2025

Further Rate Cuts Could Pave the Way for M&A ETFs

After holding steady for much of 2025, the U.S. Federal Reserve finally instituted the first rate cut of 25 basis points, which could help jumpstart more mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity. Likewise, this and further rate cuts could benefit exchange traded funds (ETFs) that provide exposure to M&A dealmaking.

ETF Trends • Oct 6, 2025

History Favors the Financial Sector Following Rate Cuts

The first rate cut of the year gives investors the opportunity to position their portfolios to capture future upside in certain sectors, should further cuts occur. History has an uncanny ability to repeat itself, and it's telling us that we should target the financial sector.

ETF Trends • Oct 1, 2025

IAT: Rate Cuts Back In Play, Regional Banks Poised To Benefit

I reiterate my buy rating on IAT, supported by its compelling valuation and potential Fed rate cuts boosting regional banks. IAT offers a high dividend yield and value tilt, with a low PEG ratio near one and exposure to small and midsize US banks. Technical momentum is mixed but improving, with a rising 200-day moving average and a recent golden cross pattern signaling potential upside.

Seeking Alpha • Aug 14, 2025

U.S. Banks Maintain Favorable Earnings While Confronting Economic Uncertainty

US banks' net interest margins are poised to expand, but higher-for-longer interest rates and uncertainty created by tariffs will push credit costs higher and limit earnings growth in 2025. Banks' earnings should remain healthy through the first half of the year, buoyed by continued margin expansion, steady loan growth and benign credit quality.

Seeking Alpha • Jul 26, 2025

IAT: Tight Credit Spreads Near Decade-Low In Late Cycle Signal Caution (Rating Downgrade)

IAT is a regional banks ETF with a high cyclical nature, and its risk and reward are unattractive in the late-cycle stage, where credit spreads are at decade-tight levels. Trump's tariff policies and "Trade War 2.0" create elevated uncertainty in the market, increasing recession risk, despite the possibility of a Trump Put. The ideal entry for IAT is post-credit crisis or at the start of a new expansion cycle, but current high rates and softening data suggest we're in a late-cycle stage.

Seeking Alpha • Mar 27, 2025