FRBA

First Bank

Fundamental data last updated:April 13, 2026

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company profile

SECTOR

Financial Services

industry

Banks - Regional

Exchange

Nasdaq

County of HQ

United States

Next Earnings Date

04/27/26

Business Summary

First Bank operates as a regional commercial bank generating revenue primarily through net interest income and fee-based banking services. Its model depends on gathering deposits at competitive costs and redeploying that capital into higher-yielding loans, capturing the spread. Trading at 1x book, its moat is tied to local relationships, underwriting discipline, and balance sheet management rather than scale dominance. Sustainable cash generation hinges on maintaining credit quality and defending its net interest margin while keeping operating costs controlled within its 9.80% margin structure.

 


VALUATION

P/E

9.7

Market Cap ($M USD)

$424

Forward P/E

8.2

PEG

0.9

PRICE TO SALES

2.9

PRICE TO BOOK

1

EV / EBITDA

-

5-Year Average P/E

Free Cash Flow Yield

DCF Value

Graham Number

Price to FCF

EV to FCF

Earnings Yield

FCF Yield

DIVIDEND

Yield

1.60%

Annual Payout

$0.27

Payout Ratio

13.70%

Consecutive Years of Dividend Growth

0

5-Year Dividend Growth Rate

24.60%

Financial Health & Profitability

Earnings Per Share

$1.75

Next Year EPS Growth Estimate

$2.07

Next Year Revenue Growth Estimate

5.90%

Return on Equity (ROE)

9.80%

FREE CASH FLOW

Operating Margin

47.00%

Debt-to-Equity

0.6

Piotroski F-Score

7

Altman Z-Score

0.2

Return on Invested Capital (ROIC)

19.90%

Current Ratio

-

Quick Ratio

Net Debt to EBITDA

Interest Coverage

Gross Profit margin

FCF PER SHARE

REVENUE PER SHARE

Gainseekers Quantitative Analysis

Summary

FRBA screens as a statistically cheap regional bank with a 9.7 P/E and an even lower 8.2 Forward P/E, implying earnings expansion the market does not fully trust. The 0.9 forward PEG suggests growth is being priced below its trajectory, but the 0.2 Altman Z-Score is a severe financial distress signal that cannot be ignored. A Piotroski F-Score of 7 and 19.90% ROIC indicate operational competence, yet the market is clearly discounting balance sheet risk. This is a classic deep value setup where valuation screams mispricing, but the Z-Score warns that safety is far from guaranteed.

AI Exposure / Tech Reliance

As a Nasdaq-listed regional bank in Financial Services, FRBA operates in an industry undergoing rapid digitization and automation. Banks that effectively deploy AI for underwriting, fraud detection, and cost control can expand margins beyond the current 9.80% operating level. However, regional banks must invest carefully, as scale disadvantages versus larger institutions can pressure efficiency gains.

The Bull Case

A value or GARP investor could justify buying FRBA on capital efficiency and valuation asymmetry alone. The stock trades at just 1x book and 2.9x sales with a Forward P/E of 8.2 and PEG of 0.9, implying growth at a discount price. A 19.90% ROIC is exceptional relative to a 5.90% ROE, suggesting strong capital deployment dynamics beneath headline returns. The Piotroski F-Score of 7 signals fundamentally improving conditions, while modest 47.00% Debt/Equity indicates leverage is present but not extreme for a bank. If earnings next year reach $1.75 as estimated, multiple expansion alone could drive meaningful upside.

The Bear Case

The bear case centers on structural fragility and market skepticism. An Altman Z-Score of 0.2 is distress-level and overwhelms the comfort provided by a low P/E. Short interest at 24.60% of float signals that sophisticated investors are aggressively betting against the company. Operating margin of 9.80% and ROE of 5.90% are not robust enough to offset macro credit risk, and with institutional ownership at $18.83, sponsorship appears thin. The market is clearly pricing in a non-trivial probability of capital impairment.

Market Sentiment & Smart Money

Short Interest %

0.70%

Analyst Consensus

2

Average Analyst Price Target

$18.83

Institutional Ownership %

58.10%

1-Year Beta

0.7

Insider Buying % (6 Mo)

6.40%%

Distance to 52-Week High

93.40%

Distance to 52-Week Low

132.80%

EARNINGS SURPRISE %

50-DAY SMA

200-DAY SMA

⚠️ Financial Disclaimer:
This content is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice. Information may be delayed or inaccurate. We may earn a commission from partner links.