Liquidity management appears strained as cash and cash equivalents dropped to $13.3 million in 2026Q1, necessitating tactical rotation of a $34.0 billion securities portfolio.
| Metric | TTM | Dec'25 | Dec'24 | Dec'23 | Dec'22 | Dec'21 | Dec'20 | Dec'19 | Dec'18 | Dec'17 | Dec'16 | Dec'15 | Dec'14 | Dec'13 | Dec'12 | Dec'11 | Dec'10 | Dec'09 |
|---|
| Cash from Operations | 360.55M | 358.61M | 433.78M | 657.5M | 1.29B | 1.22B | 864.17M | 635.71M | 824.25M | 318.63M | 308.51M | 219.48M | -49.75M | -67.11M | -351.61M | -248.59M | -448.06M | -353.13M |
| Operating CF Growth % | 82.27% | -17.33% | -34.03% | -49.18% | 6.04% | 41.2% | 35.94% | -22.87% | 158.69% | 3.28% | 40.56% | 541.2% | 25.87% | 80.91% | -41.44% | 44.52% | -26.88% | - |
| Net Income | 271.77M | 268.35M | 232.47M | 178.67M | 284.97M | 414.98M | 197.85M | 313.1M | 324.87M | 614.27M | 225.74M | 251.66M | 204.22M | 208.94M | 211.26M | 63.17M | 184.74M | 119.05M |
| Depreciation & Amortization | 45.66M | 51.02M | 60.11M | 74.06M | 77.62M | 78.5M | 72.51M | 72.42M | 64.27M | 61.55M | 56.44M | 43.39M | 31.55M | 23.18M | 15.06M | 7.99M | 3.4M | 1.2M |
| Deferred Taxes | -279K | -5.36M | -43.93M | -46.83M | 1.44M | -9.02M | -27.59M | 24.53M | 67.78M | 57.8M | 30.19M | 29.47M | -39.58M | 8.24M | -72.23M | -15.11M | 24.09M | -2.33M |
| Other Non-Cash Items | 162.12M | 153.87M | 142.91M | 327.54M | 689.07M | 687.93M | 703.67M | 263.76M | 32.97M | -76.74M | -76.63M | -118.68M | -250.35M | -373.64M | -477.97M | -506.43M | -575.97M | -508.04M |
| Working Capital Changes | -139.68M | -129.73M | 20.64M | 104.43M | 219.78M | 31.88M | -102.65M | -61.47M | 311.24M | -360.95M | 54.73M | -2.39M | -11.13M | 52.24M | -50.93M | 57.03M | -85.61M | 36.99M |
| Cash from Investing | -475.91M | -214.43M | 409.71M | 980.57M | -2.12B | -1.64B | -2.62B | -1.08B | -2.04B | -2.45B | -3.83B | -4.61B | -3.81B | -2.61B | 201M | -235.88M | 965.48M | 2.86B |
| Purchase of Investments | -4.77B | -4.1B | -2.75B | -950.37M | -3.45B | -5.9B | -4.34B | -4.31B | -4.45B | -3.38B | -3.31B | -2.24B | -1.63B | -1.14B | -1.35B | -2.07B | -1.5B | -1.82B |
| Sale/Maturity of Investments | 4.95B | 4.07B | 2.82B | 1.94B | 2.9B | 5B | 3.05B | 4.77B | 2.87B | 2.81B | 2.04B | 1.77B | 761.54M | 1.58B | 1.64B | 897.37M | 913.71M | 186.34M |
| Net Investment Activity | 175.7M | -23.61M | 74.04M | 986.9M | -549.98M | -902.15M | -1.29B | 463M | -1.58B | -565.48M | -1.27B | -469.82M | -870.91M | 446.92M | 289.21M | -1.18B | -582.29M | -1.64B |
| Acquisitions | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -277.55M | 0 | 0 | -1.63M | 0 | -50.49M | 3.43B |
| Other Investing | -672.39M | -213.68M | 187.37M | -106.66M | -1.62B | -691.57M | -1.31B | -1.47B | -275.74M | -1.79B | -2.47B | -3.67B | -2.81B | -2.87B | -15.47M | 983.87M | 1.63B | 1.07B |
| Cash from Financing | 56.56M | -417.52M | -940.66M | -1.62B | 1.08B | 334.87M | 1.94B | 272.39M | 1.4B | 1.88B | 3.7B | 4.47B | 3.79B | 2.43B | 342.22M | 223.43M | -309.18M | -2.15B |
| Dividends Paid | -93.81M | -91.9M | -85.51M | -79.09M | -79.44M | -85.79M | -86.52M | -84.08M | -91.31M | -91.63M | -89.82M | -88.98M | -87.72M | -65.22M | -89.02M | -55.8M | -20M | 0 |
| Share Repurchases | -104.76M | -44.8M | 0 | -55.15M | -401.29M | -318.5M | -100.97M | -154.03M | -299.97M | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Stock Issued | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 62.09M | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 98.62M | 2.5M | 0 |
| Net Stock Activity | -104.76M | -44.8M | 0 | -55.15M | -401.29M | -318.5M | -100.97M | -154.03M | -299.97M | 62.09M | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 98.62M | 2.5M | 0 |
| Debt Issuance (Net) | -2M | -1000K | -1000K | -1000K | 1000K | -1000K | -1000K | -1000K | 1000K | -1000K | 1000K | 1000K | 1000K | 1000K | -1000K | -1000K | 1000K | -1000K |
| Other Financing | 1.29B | 1.48B | 1.33B | -1.18B | -1.95B | 1.96B | 3.19B | 825.5M | 1.77B | 2.44B | 2.56B | 3.47B | 2.99B | 2B | 741.88M | 205.9M | -489.2M | 640.48M |
| Net Change in Cash | -58.8M | -273.33M | -97.17M | 15.64M | 257.79M | -82.86M | 183.04M | -167.4M | 187.49M | -253.73M | 180.81M | 79.98M | -65.23M | -242.6M | 191.61M | -261.03M | 208.56M | 356.21M |
| Exchange Rate Effect | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Cash at Beginning | 217.78M | 491.12M | 588.28M | 572.65M | 314.86M | 397.72M | 214.67M | 382.07M | 194.58M | 448.31M | 267.5M | 187.52M | 252.75M | 495.35M | 303.74M | 564.77M | 356.21M | 0 |
| Cash at End | 384.94M | 217.78M | 491.12M | 588.28M | 572.65M | 314.86M | 397.72M | 214.67M | 382.07M | 194.58M | 448.31M | 267.5M | 187.52M | 252.75M | 495.35M | 303.74M | 564.77M | 356.21M |
| Interest Paid | 793.72M | 831.9M | 1.03B | 950.48M | 294.14M | 169.29M | 336.99M | 518.86M | 387.8M | 247.55M | 186.53M | 130.96M | 105.39M | 93.73M | 143.16M | 164.96M | 217.95M | 227.42M |
| Income Taxes Paid | 144.03M | 147.75M | 101.77M | 48.78M | 0 | 248.47M | 8.64M | 229K | 0 | 69.23M | 16.46M | 29.35M | 129.99M | 97.63M | 257.96M | 80.22M | 197.22M | 0 |
| Free Cash Flow | 360.55M | 358.61M | 433.78M | 657.5M | 1.29B | 1.19B | 844.57M | 571.92M | 633.75M | 219.07M | 219.95M | 32.15M | -176.58M | -251.19M | -422.72M | -291.18M | -475.6M | -358.02M |
| FCF Growth % | -6.03% | -17.33% | -34.03% | -49.18% | 8.84% | 40.75% | 47.67% | -9.76% | 189.29% | -0.4% | 584.14% | 118.21% | 29.7% | 40.58% | -45.17% | 38.78% | -32.84% | - |
CRE concentration and funding
According to recent SEC filings, BankUnited's net income of $61.9 million in 2026Q1, paired with consistent dividend payments of $24.1 million, suggests a measured approach to capital retention that prioritizes regulatory compliance over aggressive organic growth in the current high-rate, credit-sensitive environment.
The bank's ability to generate internal capital remains constrained by the persistent pressure on net interest margins. Investors should monitor whether this retention level is sufficient to absorb potential credit losses from the commercial real estate portfolio without necessitating future dilutive equity issuance.
As reported in financial statements, BankUnited engaged in significant investment activity during 2026Q1, purchasing $1.5 billion in securities while selling $1.8 billion, indicating a tactical rotation of the portfolio to manage duration and liquidity in response to shifting interest rate expectations.
This high level of turnover suggests that the investment portfolio is being utilized as a primary liquidity buffer rather than a static yield-enhancement tool. The net reduction in securities holdings may imply a strategic shift toward funding loan growth or managing deposit outflows.
Based on BKU's reported figures, the $60.0 million in share buybacks executed in 2026Q1 represents a notable departure from previous quarters, potentially signaling management's confidence in capital adequacy despite the broader macroeconomic headwinds facing the regional banking sector.
While the dividend appears stable, the sudden increase in buyback activity warrants investigation into whether this reflects a lack of attractive organic lending opportunities. Analysts should consider if this capital return pace is sustainable given the bank's vulnerability to CRE-related credit volatility.
As indicated by the $24.6 million provision expense recorded in 2026Q1, BankUnited's cash flow statement highlights the impact of CECL-driven accounting, where periodic adjustments to reserves significantly influence the reported operating cash flow and overall earnings quality.
The fluctuation in provision levels suggests that the bank is actively recalibrating its loss expectations in response to the softening commercial real estate market. This volatility complicates the assessment of core operating cash flow, as non-cash reserve builds often obscure the underlying cash-generating capacity of the franchise.
Quick answers to the most common questions about buying BKU stock.
BankUnited, Inc. (BKU) generated $358.6M in net cash from operating activities in 2025. This reflects the cash generated directly from core business operations.
BankUnited, Inc. (BKU) generated $358.6M in free cash flow in 2025. Free cash flow is the cash left over after capital expenditures, which can be used to pay dividends, repurchase shares, or pay down debt.
BankUnited, Inc. (BKU) spent $22.9M on capital expenditures in 2025. CapEx represents the cash invested in physical assets like property, plant, and equipment to maintain or grow the business.
In 2025, BankUnited, Inc. (BKU) returned $91.9M to shareholders via cash dividends and spent $44.8M on share repurchases. This shows the company's commitment to returning capital to its equity investors.