The Globe and Mail reports in its Tuesday, April 2, edition that CIBC World Markets analyst Paul Holden commenced coverage on EQB with an "outperformer" recommendation and a $100 share target. The Globe's David Leeder writes in the Eye On Equities column that analysts on average target the shares at $104. Mr. Holden calls EQB "a rare growth story among Canadian banks." The CIBC stockpicker says the company has the potential to deliver higher earnings per share gains in both fiscal 2024 and 2025 than the Big Six banks. Mr. Holden says in a note: "A high ROE [return on equity] and the recycling of capital into organic growth have been the primary drivers of relative stock outperformance over time. We expect that track record of outperformance to continue with low credit losses, strong loan growth and stable NIM [net interest margins]." Mr. Holden says his bullish stance on the Toronto-based digital financial services company centres on its potential for double-digit loan growth and a track record of low credit losses continuing. He adds, "Despite the slowdown in single-family residential (SFR) mortgage growth, we expect EQB to grow loans under management by double digits this year and next."