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Most investors who want to gain exposure to the financial sector focus solely on the well-known, mega-cap bank stocks such as JP Morgan Chase (JPM) and Bank of America (BAC).

However, some smaller financial services companies have maintained much longer dividend growth streaks than the popular big banks. At the same time, many banks have shareholder return programs in place with attractive dividend yields.

The following 3 regional banks have long histories of raising dividends, and currently yield over 3%.

Eastern Bankshares (EBC)
 

Eastern Bankshares Inc. provides commercial banking products and services primarily to retail, commercial and small business customers.

It provides banking, trust, and investment services, as well as insurance services, through its full service bank branches and insurance offices.

As of March 31, 2025, Eastern Bankshares had total consolidated assets of $25.0 billion, total gross loans of $18.2 billion, and total deposits of $20.8 billion. The company was founded in 1818 and has 1,744 employees.

On July 24th, 2025, Eastern Bankshares announced its second-quarter 2025 results for the period ending June 30th, 2025.

For the quarter, the company reported a net income of $100.2 million, a strong rebound from a net loss of $217.7 million in the first quarter. Reported earnings per diluted share for the same periods were $0.50 and $(1.08), respectively, marking a significant improvement.

Despite the prior GAAP loss, operating net income rose to $81.7 million, up from $67.5 million in the first quarter, reflecting enhanced core profitability.

Net interest income increased by $13.1 million, or 7%, to $202.0 million for the second quarter, compared to $188.9 million for the first quarter of 2025. This improvement was driven by higher asset yields and ongoing benefits from the Cambridge merger.

EBC has increased its dividend for 26 consecutive years, and shares currently yield 2.8%.

WesBanco, Inc. (WSBC)
 

WesBanco is a diversified financial services company which offers retail banking, corporate banking, personal and corporate trust services, brokerage services, mortgage banking and insurance. It reports results through two segments, community banking and investment services.

The bank, which was founded in 1870, operates primarily in the Rust Belt region of the United States. It is headquartered in Wheeling, West Virginia. As of June 30th, 2025, the company had approximately $27.6 billion total assets, and $7.2 billion of assets under management.

WesBanco reported second quarter 2025 results on July 29th, 2025. Net income for the quarter, after adjustments for tax-restructuring and merger-related expenses, was $87.3 million, a 197% increase compared to the same quarter of 2024. Earnings-per-share for the quarter increased by 86% to $0.91.

Total portfolio loans increased 54% year-over-year to $18.8 billion ($5.9 billion of which was acquired through PFC). Meanwhile, total deposits rose 58% year-over-year to $21.2 billion due primarily to the PFC acquisition.

The company achieved a net interest margin of 3.59% for the second quarter, which was up 64 basis point year-over-year due to higher loan and securities yields and lower funding costs.

Net interest income increased 86% year-over-year to $217 million due to the impact of the PFC acquisition, loan growth and higher loan and securities yields.

Adjusted results for the quarter produced an annualized return on average assets and average tangible common equity of 1.28% and 18.36%, respectively. Tangible book value per share decreased 4.5% compared to last year to $20.48.

Citizens Financial Group (CFG)
 

Citizens Financial Group is a bank holding company for Citizens Bank, a regional bank that is based in Providence, Rhode Island. Citizens operates in two segments: Consumer Banking and Commercial Banking.

The consumer segment offers traditional banking products and services, such as deposit accounts, home and education loans, credit cards, business loans, mortgage and home equity loans, personal loans, auto finance loans, and wealth management.

The commercial segment offers a full suite of financial products and services to businesses, including treasury management, cash management, forex and interest rate risk solutions, M&A advisory services, and more. Citizens traces its roots back to 1828 and operates about 1,000 branches in 11 states in the U.S.

Citizens posted second quarter earnings on July 17th, 2025, and results were better than expected on both the top and bottom lines. Adjusted earnings-per-share came to 92 cents, which was four cents ahead of estimates.

Revenue was up just over 4% to $2.04 billion, $30 million ahead of estimates. Management noted strong net interest income and fee growth, discipline with expense management, and good credit outcomes.

Net interest income was up 3% sequentially and 2% from a year ago to $1.44 billion in the second quarter. Noninterest income was up to $600 million from $544 million in Q1, and $553 million a year ago.

Provisions for credit losses rose to $164 million from $153 million in Q1, but down from $182 million in last year’s Q2. Period-end loans were $139 billion, up from $128 billion in Q1. Period-end deposits were $175 billion, up from $173 billion quarter-over-quarter.

CFG yields 3.1%.

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