Republic Bancorp Inc., parent company of Republic Bank & Trust Co., has been named to American Banker's 2026 list of top-performing banks with $2 billion to $10 billion in assets, according to The Lane Report. The Louisville-based bank was recognized based on financial measures including profitability, return on equity, net interest margin and growth.

The annual ranking, developed in partnership with Capital Performance Group, evaluates banks nationwide using key performance metrics. Banks making this year's list benefited from improved operating efficiency, strong lending performance, deposit growth and expanded net interest margins, according to the organizations.

"Being acknowledged among the nation's top-performing banks is a testament to the dedication of our associates and the trust our clients place in us every day," Executive Chair Steve Trager said. "This honor reflects our commitment to delivering strong financial performance while investing in our people, technology, and communities to help our clients thrive."

Republic Bancorp, founded in 1982, has expanded from a local banking franchise into a multistate institution. As of June 30, the company reported approximately $7.06 billion in total assets. Republic Bank operates 47 banking centers across five metropolitan areas in Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Florida and Tennessee.

Kentucky remains the company's largest market, with 22 banking centers in the Louisville metropolitan area serving Louisville, Prospect, Shelbyville and Shepherdsville, as well as Southern Indiana. The bank operates six locations in the Lexington market, eight in the Cincinnati area, seven in the Tampa, Florida market and four in Nashville, Tennessee.

The recognition adds to a growing list of national honors for the Kentucky-based financial institution. Republic has been named an S&P Global Market Intelligence Top 50 Community Bank for three consecutive years, including 2026, and received the Raymond James Community Bankers Cup in 2025 and 2026. The bank was also named one of Newsweek's Best Regional Banks in 2024, 2025 and 2026, and by Forbes among its World's Best Banks for 2026.

"Recognition like this reinforces that we're moving in the right direction, but our focus remains on what's next," President and CEO Logan Pichel said. "We're not content with standing still."