Based on key financial metrics such as the price-to-sales ratio, shareholder yield and the price-earnings ratio, the following 5 stocks made the list for top value stocks in the Banks industry. Those looking for value stocks to add to their portfolio may want to use this list as a starting point for further investment research.
Why Focus on Undervalued Banks Stocks?
Value investors seek to buy stocks at a discount to their intrinsic value. Long-term returns show that such strategies are advantageous. Value stocks, as a group, tend to outperform growth stocks over extended periods of time. Typically, value investors perform financial analysis of numerous metrics, don’t follow the herd and are long-term investors.
AAII’s A+ Investor Value Grade is derived from a stock’s Value Score. The Value Score is the percentile rank of the average of the percentile ranks of the price-to-sales ratio, price-earnings ratio, enterprise-value-to-EBITDA (EV/EBITDA) ratio, shareholder yield, price-to-book-value ratio and price-to-free-cash-flow ratio. The score is variable, meaning it can consider all six ratios or, should any of the six ratios not be valid, the remaining ratios that are valid. To be assigned a Value Score, stocks must have a valid (non-null) ratio and corresponding ranking for at least two of the six valuation ratios.
What Goes Into AAII’s Value Grade?
Stock evaluation requires access to huge amounts of data as well as the knowledge and time to sift through it all, make sense of financial ratios, read income statements and analyze recent stock movement. AAII created A+ Investor, a robust data suite that condenses data research in an actionable and customizable way suitable for investors of all knowledge levels, to help investors with that task.
AAII’s proprietary stock grades come with A+ Investor. These offer intuitive A–F grades for more than just value. It is possible for a stock to appear cheap based on one valuation metric but appear expensive on another. It is also possible for one valuation ratio to be associated with outperforming stocks during certain periods of time but not others. Some stocks may even have null values for certain metrics like the price-earnings ratio or the price-to-book ratio but not others. An example of this would be a company with losses instead of profits or a negative book value because of heavy borrowing. Negative earnings or book value result in non-meaningful ratios that are left blank or null.
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5 Undervalued Banks Stocks
Of course, there are countless value stocks that are worth mentioning, but this is a concise list of the top 5 undervalued stocks in the Banks industry for Thursday, March 27, 2025. Let’s take a closer look at their individual scores to see how they measure up against each other and the Banks industry median.
| Company | Ticker | Price/Sales | Price/Earnings | EV/EBITDA | Shareholder Yield | Price/Book Value | Price/Free Cash Flow | Value Grade |
| The Bank of Nova Scotia | BNS | 2.16 | 14.5 | na | 13.9% | 0.69 | 8.1 | A |
| Bridgewater Bancshares, Inc. | BWB | 3.65 | 13.6 | na | 1.5% | 0.84 | 10.1 | B |
| First Mid Bancshares, Inc. | FMBH | 2.66 | 10.8 | na | 2.8% | 1.00 | 8.7 | B |
| Independent Bank Corporation | IBCP | 3.02 | 10.0 | na | 3.0% | 1.45 | 18.8 | B |
| First Internet Bancorp | INBK | 2.00 | 9.4 | na | 0.7% | 0.61 | 28.3 | B |
The Value Grade is assigned based on how each stock’s composite valuation compares to all other stocks.
The process for assigning grades starts with each variable for a given stock. The percentile rankings for all valid ratios that a stock has are calculated. So, for instance, a stock could have a price-to-book ranking in the 43rd percentile, a price-earnings ranking in the 67th percentile, a price-to-sales ranking in the 23rd percentile, etc. Then, those rankings are averaged for each stock. (A minimum of two valid variables are required, though all six will be used if available.)
Once the average of the individual variables is calculated, that average is ranked against all stocks. Put another way, each stock’s composite valuation is compared to all other stocks. These ranks are then sorted into quintiles from the cheapest 20% (a grade of A) to the most expensive 20% (a grade of F).
As always, we recommend that you conduct proper due diligence and research before investing in any security. We also suggest that investors utilize numerous grades, not just value, when it comes to deciding whether a company is a good fit for their allocation needs.
The Bank of Nova Scotia’s Value Grade
Value Grade:
| Metric | Score | BNS | Industry Median |
| Price/Sales | 55 | 2.16 | 2.93 |
| Price/Earnings | 38 | 14.5 | 11.5 |
| EV/EBITDA | na | na | 0.0 |
| Shareholder Yield | 3 | 13.9% | 2.8% |
| Price/Book Value | 20 | 0.69 | 0.97 |
| Price/Free Cash Flow | 19 | 8.1 | 15.7 |
The Bank of Nova Scotia provides various banking products and services in Canada, the United States, Mexico, Peru, Chile, Colombia, the Caribbean and Central America, and internationally. It operates through Canadian Banking, International Banking, Global Wealth Management, and Global Banking and Markets segments. The company offers financial advice and solutions, and banking products, including debit and credit cards, chequing and saving accounts, investments, mortgages, loans, and insurance to individuals; and retail automotive financing solutions. It also provides business banking solutions comprising lending, deposit, cash management, and trade finance solutions to small, medium, and large businesses. In addition, it provides wealth management advice and solutions, including online brokerage, mobile investment, full-service brokerage, trust, private banking, and private investment counsel services; and retail mutual funds, exchange traded funds, liquid alternatives, and institutional funds. The company was founded in 1832 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada.
Stocks with a Value Score from 81 to 100 are considered deep value, those with a score between 61 and 80 are value and so on.
The Bank of Nova Scotia has a Value Score of 88, which is considered to be undervalued.
When you look at The Bank of Nova Scotia’s price-to-sales ratio at 2.16 compared to the industry median at 2.93, this company has a lower price relative to revenue compared to its peers. This could make The Bank of Nova Scotia’s stock more attractive for value investors.
The Bank of Nova Scotia’s price-earnings ratio is 14.50 compared to the industry median at 11.50. This means it has a higher share price relative to earnings compared to its peers. This could make The Bank of Nova Scotia less attractive for value investors.
Shareholder yield is the sum of a stock’s dividend yield (paid over previous 12 months minus special dividends) and the percentage of net share buybacks over the previous 12 months. The Bank of Nova Scotia’s shareholder yield is higher than its industry median ratio of 2.80%. Value investors may look for an attractive shareholder yield because it can be a powerful tool for identifying if the company has a good management team.
As one of the most common value metrics, the price-to-book ratio evaluates a company’s current market price relative to its book value. The Bank of Nova Scotia’s price-to-book ratio is lower than its industry median ratio of 0.97. This could make The Bank of Nova Scotia more attractive to investors looking for a new addition to their portfolio.
Lastly, let’s take a look at The Bank of Nova Scotia’s price-to-free-cash-flow ratio (P/FCF), which can indicate a company’s market value relative to its operating cash flow. The Bank of Nova Scotia’s price-to-free-cash-flow ratio is lower than its industry median ratio of 15.70. This could make The Bank of Nova Scotia more attractive because the lower P/FCF ratio indicates that The Bank of Nova Scotia is undervalued. The P/FCF ratio metric can also be viewed over a long-term time frame to see if the company's cash flow to share price value is generally improving or worsening.
Bridgewater Bancshares, Inc.’s Value Grade
Value Grade:
| Metric | Score | BWB | Industry Median |
| Price/Sales | 73 | 3.65 | 2.93 |
| Price/Earnings | 35 | 13.6 | 11.5 |
| EV/EBITDA | na | na | 0.0 |
| Shareholder Yield | 35 | 1.5% | 2.8% |
| Price/Book Value | 27 | 0.84 | 0.97 |
| Price/Free Cash Flow | 25 | 10.1 | 15.7 |
Bridgewater Bancshares, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for Bridgewater Bank that provides banking products and services in the United States. The company offers commercial loans, including loans secured by nonfarm, nonresidential properties, multifamily residential properties, and nonowner occupied single family residential properties; construction, land development, and commercial and industrial loans; commercial real estate loans, such as owner and nonowner occupied properties; single family residential construction, land development, finished lots and raw land, and commercial and multifamily construction loans, as well as paycheck protection program loans. It also provides deposit products, including savings and money market accounts, demand deposits, time and brokered deposits, and interest and noninterest bearing transaction accounts, as well as certificates of deposit. In addition, the company offers online, mobile, and direct banking services. The company was incorporated in 2005 and is headquartered in St. Louis Park, Minnesota.
Stocks with a Value Score from 81 to 100 are considered deep value, those with a score between 61 and 80 are value and so on.
Bridgewater Bancshares, Inc. has a Value Score of 67, which is considered to be undervalued.
Bridgewater Bancshares, Inc.’s price-earnings ratio is 13.6 compared to the industry median at 11.5. This means that it has a higher price relative to its earnings compared to its peers. This makes Bridgewater Bancshares, Inc. less attractive for value investors.
Bridgewater Bancshares, Inc.’s price-to-book ratio is higher than its peers. This could make Bridgewater Bancshares, Inc. less attractive for value investors when compared to the industry median at 0.97.
You can read more about Bridgewater Bancshares, Inc.’s key financial metrics like shareholder yield, price-to-free-cash-flow and EV/EBITDA ratio, or learn more about its Momentum and Growth Grades, by subscribing to A+ Investor.
First Mid Bancshares, Inc.’s Value Grade
Value Grade:
| Metric | Score | FMBH | Industry Median |
| Price/Sales | 62 | 2.66 | 2.93 |
| Price/Earnings | 23 | 10.8 | 11.5 |
| EV/EBITDA | na | na | 0.0 |
| Shareholder Yield | 27 | 2.8% | 2.8% |
| Price/Book Value | 34 | 1.00 | 0.97 |
| Price/Free Cash Flow | 21 | 8.7 | 15.7 |
First Mid Bancshares, Inc., a financial holding company, provides community banking products and services to commercial, retail, and agricultural customers in the United States. It accepts various deposit products, such as demand deposits, savings accounts, money market deposits, and time deposits. The company’s loan products include commercial real estate, commercial and industrial, agricultural and agricultural real estate, residential real estate owner and non-owner occupied, and consumer loans, as well as construction and land development, 1-4 family residential properties, and multifamily residential properties loans; and other loans comprising loans to municipalities to support community projects, such as infrastructure improvements or equipment purchases. It also offers wealth management services, which include estate planning and investment services to individuals; employee benefit services for businesses; and farm management and brokerage services. In addition, the company provides property and casualty, senior insurance products, and group medical insurance for businesses; and personal lines insurance to individuals. The company was formerly known as First Mid-Illinois Bancshares, Inc. and changed its name to First Mid Bancshares, Inc. in April 2019. First Mid Bancshares, Inc. was founded in 1865 and is headquartered in Mattoon, Illinois.
Stocks with a Value Score from 81 to 100 are considered deep value, those with a score between 61 and 80 are value and so on.
First Mid Bancshares, Inc. has a Value Score of 78, which is considered to be undervalued.
First Mid Bancshares, Inc.’s price-earnings ratio is 10.8 compared to the industry median at 11.5. This means that it has a lower price relative to its earnings compared to its peers. This makes First Mid Bancshares, Inc. more attractive for value investors.
First Mid Bancshares, Inc.’s price-to-book ratio is lower than its peers. This could make First Mid Bancshares, Inc. fairly attractive for value investors when compared to the industry median at 0.97.
You can read more about First Mid Bancshares, Inc.’s key financial metrics like shareholder yield, price-to-free-cash-flow and EV/EBITDA ratio, or learn more about its Momentum and Growth Grades, by subscribing to A+ Investor.
Independent Bank Corporation’s Value Grade
Value Grade:
| Metric | Score | IBCP | Industry Median |
| Price/Sales | 66 | 3.02 | 2.93 |
| Price/Earnings | 19 | 10.0 | 11.5 |
| EV/EBITDA | na | na | 0.0 |
| Shareholder Yield | 26 | 3.0% | 2.8% |
| Price/Book Value | 50 | 1.45 | 0.97 |
| Price/Free Cash Flow | 48 | 18.8 | 15.7 |
Independent Bank Corporation operates as the bank holding company for Independent Bank that provides banking services in the United States. The company offers demand deposits, interest checking, money market accounts, savings accounts, and time certificates of deposit, including free checking accounts. It also provides consumer loans that consists of real estate loans comprising residential mortgages and home equity loans and lines, all secured by one-to-four family residential properties, as well as other consumer loans; and investment and financial services. In addition, the company offers cash management; investment management and trust services; additional services, such as estate settlement, financial planning, tax services, and other special services; sale of mutual fund shares, unit investment trust shares, third party model portfolios, general securities, and fixed and variable annuities, as well as life insurance products; debit and credit card; safe deposit box services; automatic teller machines; and internet and mobile banking services. Independent Bank Corporation was founded in 1864 and is based in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Stocks with a Value Score from 81 to 100 are considered deep value, those with a score between 61 and 80 are value and so on.
Independent Bank Corporation has a Value Score of 62, which is considered to be undervalued.
Independent Bank Corporation’s price-earnings ratio is 10.0 compared to the industry median at 11.5. This means that it has a lower price relative to its earnings compared to its peers. This makes Independent Bank Corporation more attractive for value investors.
Independent Bank Corporation’s price-to-book ratio is lower than its peers. This could make Independent Bank Corporation more attractive for value investors when compared to the industry median at 0.97.
You can read more about Independent Bank Corporation’s key financial metrics like shareholder yield, price-to-free-cash-flow and EV/EBITDA ratio, or learn more about its Momentum and Growth Grades, by subscribing to A+ Investor.
First Internet Bancorp’s Value Grade
Value Grade:
| Metric | Score | INBK | Industry Median |
| Price/Sales | 52 | 2.00 | 2.93 |
| Price/Earnings | 16 | 9.4 | 11.5 |
| EV/EBITDA | na | na | 0.0 |
| Shareholder Yield | 40 | 0.7% | 2.8% |
| Price/Book Value | 18 | 0.61 | 0.97 |
| Price/Free Cash Flow | 63 | 28.3 | 15.7 |
First Internet Bancorp operates as the bank holding company for First Internet Bank of Indiana that provides various commercial, small business, consumer, and municipal banking products and services to individuals and commercial customers in the United States. The company offers noninterest-bearing and interest-bearing demand deposits, savings accounts, and money market accounts, as well as certificates of deposit and brokered deposits. It also provides commercial and industrial, owner-occupied commercial real estate, investor commercial real estate, construction, single tenant lease financing, public and healthcare finance, small business lending, franchise finance, residential mortgage, home equity, and other consumer loans. In addition, the company is involved in the provision of municipal finance lending and leasing products to government entities, as well as treasury management services; purchase, manage, service, and safekeeping of municipal securities; and offers corporate credit cards. First Internet Bancorp was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in Fishers, Indiana.
Stocks with a Value Score from 81 to 100 are considered deep value, those with a score between 61 and 80 are value and so on.
First Internet Bancorp has a Value Score of 69, which is considered to be undervalued.
First Internet Bancorp’s price-earnings ratio is 9.4 compared to the industry median at 11.5. This means that it has a lower price relative to its earnings compared to its peers. This makes First Internet Bancorp more attractive for value investors.
First Internet Bancorp’s price-to-book ratio is higher than its peers. This could make First Internet Bancorp less attractive for value investors when compared to the industry median at 0.97.
You can read more about First Internet Bancorp’s key financial metrics like shareholder yield, price-to-free-cash-flow and EV/EBITDA ratio, or learn more about its Momentum and Growth Grades, by subscribing to A+ Investor.
Other Banks Stock Grades
Value is just one of the five Stock Grades included in our A+ Investor service. AAII members can see the top-graded stocks—those with grades of A or B for value, growth, momentum, earnings estimate revisions and quality—on the A+ Stock Grades Screener.
Also, if you want full access to all of AAII’s premium services, you can subscribe to one convenient bundled plan called AAII Platinum where you can try out A+ Investor, AAII Dividend Investing, the Stock Superstars Report, Growth Investing and VMQ Stocks. With the other premium services, you can dive deep into additional metrics, portfolios, commentary and information about Banks stocks as well as other industrys.
Choosing Which of the 5 Best Banks Stocks Is Right for You
Choosing which value stocks to invest in will ultimately depend on your individual goals and allocation; however, comparing similar value stocks in the same industry can help you analyze which might be better investments for you in the long run. So, let’s take a look at the Value Grade for all of our stocks.
- The Bank of Nova Scotia stock has a Value Grade of A.
- Bridgewater Bancshares, Inc. stock has a Value Grade of B.
- First Mid Bancshares, Inc. stock has a Value Grade of B.
- Independent Bank Corporation stock has a Value Grade of B.
- First Internet Bancorp stock has a Value Grade of B.
Now that you have a bit more background about each of the 5 undervalued stocks in the Banks industry as well as their overall grades, it’s time for you to conduct additional research to see if these could fit your portfolio needs based on your goals and risk tolerance. AAII can help you figure out both and identify which investments align with what works best for you.
We do so through a program of education that teaches you to invest for yourself and become an effective manager of your own wealth—no more relying on others for your financial independence. You can rely on AAII for timeless articles on financial planning and stock-picking, unbiased research and actionable analysis that makes you a better investor.
A+ Investor adds to that qualitative teaching by giving you a powerful data suite that helps you whittle down investment decisions to find stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) or mutual funds that meet your needs.
Additional Resources About Banks Stocks
Want to learn more about Banks stocks to see if they could be the right investment for you? Check out some additional resources and articles to help you on your financial journey.
- 5 Undervalued Banks Stocks for Thursday, March 27
- Which Is a Better Investment, Bank of Hawaii Corporation or First Interstate BancSystem, Inc. Stock?
- 5 Undervalued Banks Stocks for Wednesday, March 26
- Which Is a Better Investment, BancFirst Corporation or Enterprise Financial Services Corp Stock?
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We make no representations or warranties that any investor will, or is likely to, achieve profits similar to those shown, because past, hypothetical or simulated performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. Before making an investment decision, you should consider your circumstances and whether the information on our content is applicable to your situation. This information was prepared in good faith and we accept no liability for any errors or omissions. The full disclaimer can be read here.
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