During the final quarter of the year, Central Trust Co initiated a sizable investment in Central Bancompany, Inc. (Nasdaq: CBC), acquiring 7,338,237 shares with an estimated value of $177 million based on quarterly average prices. This marks a significant addition to Central Trust Co's portfolio, representing 3.47% of its reportable U.S. equity assets under management as of December 31.
Reported in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing dated February 2, the move places Central Bancompany among the top five holdings within Central Trust Co’s fund. Other notable holdings include Central Fund of Canada (NYSEMKT: CEF) at $338.53 million (6.63% of assets), Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) at $270.83 million (5.31%), the Schwab U.S. TIP fund (NYSEMKT: SCHP) at $202.21 million (3.96%), and Broadcom Inc. (NASDAQ: AVGO) at $150.44 million (2.95%).
Central Bancompany shares trade on the Nasdaq Global Select Market and began public trading only a few months ago in November at an initial price of $21 per share. As of early February, shares were priced at $24.90, reflecting positive market interest since their debut.
Operating as a comprehensive community banking provider, Central Bancompany delivers a wide array of financial products including checking and savings accounts, various types of loans, mortgages, credit cards, brokerage services, retirement planning, trust administration, insurance, and wealth management solutions. The firm functions under a multi-bank holding company structure and caters to a diverse clientele including individuals, businesses, corporate entities, and government organizations.
The bank primarily serves customers in Missouri, Kansas, Illinois, Iowa, Oklahoma, Colorado, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Florida. It distinguishes itself through an integrated service model and a solid regional footprint, which enables it to cultivate strong relationships across retail and commercial segments.
From a performance standpoint, Central Bancompany demonstrated solid earnings strength in its most recent quarterly report. The bank recorded net income of $107.6 million in the quarter, contributing to full-year earnings reaching $390.9 million. Notably, the return on assets improved to 2.17% from 2.02% in the prior quarter, underlining efficient profitability.
This strategic investment by Central Trust Co comes amid a portfolio composition that emphasizes closed-end funds, assets tied to inflation protection, and mega-cap equities. The addition of a sizable regional bank holding is indicative of a focus on durable income streams and resilient balance sheet qualities rather than speculative short-term gains.
Central Bancompany's inclusion alongside established giants such as Apple and Broadcom, as well as gold-linked instruments, highlights investor confidence that regional banks can still offer attractive risk-adjusted returns despite a backdrop of prevailing higher interest rates.
In commentary linked to the latest earnings, CEO John "JR" Ross underscored the firm's achievement of record profitability last year. Looking ahead into 2026, the company plans to prudently expand its business, invest strategically in technology enhancements, and thoughtfully allocate excess capital. For investors with a long-term horizon, these priorities suggest an emphasis on disciplined underwriting, stable deposit bases, and steady compounding growth rather than reliance on interest rate cuts or aggressive expansion.
Overall, Central Trust Co’s substantial equity acquisition in Central Bancompany reflects a measured confidence in the regional bank’s fundamental strength and strategic execution within a competitive regional banking landscape.