Eastern Bank Boosts Stake in Southern Company

The financial institution significantly increased its holdings in the utility provider during the fourth quarter.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 8:18am

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Eastern Bank grew its stake in shares of Southern Company (NYSE:SO) by 265.9% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund now owns 51,254 shares of the utilities provider's stock, worth $4.47 million at the end of the quarter.

Why it matters

This transaction represents a major increase in Eastern Bank's investment in Southern Company, one of the largest electric and gas utility companies in the United States. The move suggests the bank sees significant potential in Southern's future performance and growth prospects.

The details

According to the 13F filing, Eastern Bank purchased an additional 37,245 shares of Southern Company stock during the fourth quarter. This brought the bank's total holdings in the utility provider to 51,254 shares. Southern Company operates electric and natural gas utilities across the southeastern United States, serving millions of residential, commercial and industrial customers.

  • Eastern Bank filed its 13F report for the fourth quarter on March 29, 2026.
  • The bank increased its Southern Company stake during the fourth quarter of 2025.

The players

Eastern Bank

A regional financial institution based in the northeastern United States that provides banking, investment and insurance services.

Southern Company

A major electric and gas utility company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia that serves customers across the southeastern United States.

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What’s next

Investors will be closely watching to see if Eastern Bank continues to increase its stake in Southern Company in future quarters, which could signal the bank's confidence in the utility's long-term growth prospects.

The takeaway

Eastern Bank's substantial increase in its Southern Company holdings underscores the bank's belief in the utility's financial strength and potential for future gains, even as the industry faces challenges around the transition to renewable energy sources.