Based on key financial metrics such as the price-to-sales ratio, shareholder yield and the price-earnings ratio, the following 6 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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6 Undervalued Banks Stocks

Of course, there are countless value stocks that are worth mentioning, but this is a concise list of the top 6 undervalued stocks in the Banks industry for Wednesday, November 26, 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.

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.

First Financial Bancorp.’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

First Financial Bancorp. operates as the bank holding company for First Financial Bank that provides commercial banking and related services to individuals and businesses in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois. The company offers checking and savings accounts; and accepts various deposit products, such as interest-bearing and non-interest-bearing accounts, time deposits, and cash management services for commercial customers. It also provides real estate loans secured by residential property, such as one to four family residential housing units or commercial property comprising owner-occupied and/or investor income producing real estate consisting of apartments, shopping centers, and office buildings; commercial and industrial loans for various purposes, including inventory, receivables, and equipment, as well as equipment and leasehold improvement financing for franchisees; consumer loans, such as new and used vehicle loans, second mortgages on residential real estate, and unsecured loans; and home equity lines of credit. In addition, the company offers secured commercial financing services to the insurance industry, registered investment advisors, certified public accountants, indirect auto finance companies, and restaurant franchisees. Further, it provides a range of trust and wealth management services; lease and equipment financing services; and currency payments, foreign exchange hedging, commodities hedging, and other advisory products. First Financial Bancorp. was founded in 1863 and is headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio.

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 Financial Bancorp. has a Value Score of 80, which is considered to be undervalued.

When you look at First Financial Bancorp.’s price-to-sales ratio at 2.93 compared to the industry median at 3.06, this company has a lower price relative to revenue compared to its peers. This could make First Financial Bancorp.’s stock more attractive for value investors.

First Financial Bancorp.’s price-earnings ratio is 9.30 compared to the industry median at 12.00. This means it has a lower share price relative to earnings compared to its peers. This could make First Financial Bancorp. more 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. First Financial Bancorp.’s shareholder yield is higher than its industry median ratio of 2.60%. 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. First Financial Bancorp.’s price-to-book ratio is lower than its industry median ratio of 1.07. This could make First Financial Bancorp. more attractive to investors looking for a new addition to their portfolio.

Lastly, let’s take a look at First Financial Bancorp.’s price-to-free-cash-flow ratio (P/FCF), which can indicate a company’s market value relative to its operating cash flow. First Financial Bancorp.’s price-to-free-cash-flow ratio is lower than its industry median ratio of 14.75. This could make First Financial Bancorp. more attractive because the lower P/FCF ratio indicates that First Financial Bancorp. 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.

Independent Bank Corporation’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

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 75, which is considered to be undervalued.

Independent Bank Corporation’s price-earnings ratio is 10.2 compared to the industry median at 12.0. 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 1.07.

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.

Investar Holding Corporation’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

Investar Holding Corporation operates as the bank holding company for Investar Bank that provides a range of commercial banking products to individuals, professionals, and small to medium-sized businesses in south Louisiana, southeast Texas, and Alabama in the United States. The company offers various deposit products and services, such as savings, checking, money market, and individual retirement accounts, as well as various certificates of deposit; debit and credit cards; internet, mobile, and video banking services; and reciprocal deposit products. It also provides commercial real estate loans; commercial and industrial loans, including working capital lines of credit and equipment loans; construction and development loans comprising loans for the construction of commercial projects, and single family residential and multifamily properties; one-to-four family residential real estate loans, such as second mortgage loans; and consumer loans, such as secured or unsecured, installment or term loans, home equity loans, home equity lines of credit, business purpose loans, and auto loans, as well as loans for personal, family, and household purposes. In addition, the company offers treasury management products, including remote deposit capture, lockbox payment processing, virtual vaults, positive pay, automated clearing house origination, credit card processing, wire transfer, investment sweep accounts, and business internet banking services. Further, it provides various other banking services, such as cashiers’ checks, direct deposit of payroll and social security checks, night depository, bank-by-mail, ATMs with deposit automation, electronic statements, interactive teller machines, online account opening, and mobile wallet payment services. Investar Holding Corporation was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

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.

Investar Holding Corporation has a Value Score of 65, which is considered to be undervalued.

Investar Holding Corporation’s price-earnings ratio is 11.2 compared to the industry median at 12.0. This means that it has a lower price relative to its earnings compared to its peers. This makes Investar Holding Corporation more attractive for value investors.

Investar Holding Corporation’s price-to-book ratio is higher than its peers. This could make Investar Holding Corporation less attractive for value investors when compared to the industry median at 1.07.

You can read more about Investar Holding 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.

Kearny Financial Corp.’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

Kearny Financial Corp. operates as the holding company for Kearny Bank that provides various banking products and services in the United States. The company offers various deposit products, including interest-bearing and non-interest-bearing checking accounts, money market deposit accounts, savings accounts, and certificates of deposit accounts. It also provides various loans, such as multi-family and nonresidential real estate mortgage loans, commercial term loans and lines of credit, one- to four-family residential mortgage loans, and home equity loans and lines of credit; loans to individuals, builders, or developers for the construction of multi-family residential buildings or commercial real estate, or for the construction or renovation of one- to four-family residences; overdraft lines of credit; and personal loans, as well as engages in the investment activities. The company was founded in 1884 and is headquartered in Fairfield, New Jersey.

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.

Kearny Financial Corp. has a Value Score of 83, which is considered to be undervalued.

Kearny Financial Corp.’s price-earnings ratio is 14.6 compared to the industry median at 12.0. This means that it has a higher price relative to its earnings compared to its peers. This makes Kearny Financial Corp. less attractive for value investors.

Kearny Financial Corp.’s price-to-book ratio is higher than its peers. This could make Kearny Financial Corp. less attractive for value investors when compared to the industry median at 1.07.

You can read more about Kearny Financial Corp.’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.

Pioneer Bancorp, Inc.’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

Pioneer Bancorp, Inc. operates as a holding company for Pioneer Bank, National Association that provides various banking products and services in New York. It accepts various deposit accounts, such as demand, savings, and money market accounts, as well as certificates of deposit. The company’s loan products include commercial real estate, commercial and industrial, commercial construction, residential mortgage, and consumer loans; and home equity loans and lines of credit. It also invests in securities, including U.S. treasury securities, fixed-rate mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations, fixed-rate investment grade bonds, and corporate debt securities. In addition, the company offers personal and commercial insurance products, including homeowners, automobile, and comprehensive business insurance; employee benefit products and consulting services, such as group health, dental, disability, and life insurance products; defined contribution and benefit administration, and human resource management services; and wealth management services comprising investment advice, retirement income planning, estate planning, business succession, and employer retirement planning. Pioneer Bancorp, Inc. was founded in 1889 and is based in Albany, New York. Pioneer Bancorp, Inc. is a subsidiary of Pioneer Bancorp MHC.

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.

Pioneer Bancorp, Inc. has a Value Score of 61, which is considered to be undervalued.

Pioneer Bancorp, Inc.’s price-earnings ratio is 16.0 compared to the industry median at 12.0. This means that it has a higher price relative to its earnings compared to its peers. This makes Pioneer Bancorp, Inc. less attractive for value investors.

Pioneer Bancorp, Inc.’s price-to-book ratio is higher than its peers. This could make Pioneer Bancorp, Inc. less attractive for value investors when compared to the industry median at 1.07.

You can read more about Pioneer Bancorp, 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.

Synovus Financial Corp.’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

Synovus Financial Corp. operates as the bank holding company for Synovus Bank that provides commercial and consumer banking products and services in the United States. It operates in four segments: Wholesale Banking, Community Banking, Consumer Banking, and Financial Management Services. The company provides commercial banking services, including commercial, financial, real estate lending, treasury management, asset management, capital markets services, and institutional trust services; consumer banking services, such as accepting customary types of demand and savings deposit accounts, mortgage, installment, and other consumer loans, investment and brokerage services, safe deposit services, automated banking services; automated fund transfers, internet-based banking services, and bank credit and debit card services. It also engages in portfolio management for fixed-income securities investment banking; the execution of securities transactions as a broker/dealer; and the provision of individual investment advice on equity and other securities, and financial planning services. The company was founded in 1888 and is headquartered in Columbus, Georgia.

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.

Synovus Financial Corp. has a Value Score of 78, which is considered to be undervalued.

Synovus Financial Corp.’s price-earnings ratio is 9.0 compared to the industry median at 12.0. This means that it has a lower price relative to its earnings compared to its peers. This makes Synovus Financial Corp. more attractive for value investors.

Synovus Financial Corp.’s price-to-book ratio is lower than its peers. This could make Synovus Financial Corp. more attractive for value investors when compared to the industry median at 1.07.

You can read more about Synovus Financial Corp.’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 6 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.

• First Financial Bancorp. stock has a Value Grade of B.
• Independent Bank Corporation stock has a Value Grade of B.
• Investar Holding Corporation stock has a Value Grade of B.
• Kearny Financial Corp. stock has a Value Grade of A.
• Pioneer Bancorp, Inc. stock has a Value Grade of B.
• Synovus Financial Corp. stock has a Value Grade of B.

Now that you have a bit more background about each of the 6 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.

• 6 Undervalued Banks Stocks for Wednesday, November 26
• Is Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. (BBVA) Overvalued?
• Is Banco Santander, S.A. (SAN) Overvalued?
• Is Bank of America Corporation (BAC) Overvalued?

AAII Disclaimer

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