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, February 19, 2026. 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.

Banc of California, Inc.’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

Banc of California, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for Banc of California that provides various banking products and services. The company offers deposit products, such as checking, savings, money market, demand, and time deposits; certificates of deposit; retirement accounts; and safe deposit boxes. It also provides real estate loans to professional developers and real estate investors for the acquisition, construction, refinancing, renovation, and on-going operation of commercial real estate properties; commercial real estate mortgage, residential real estate mortgage, and real estate construction and land loans; commercial loans and leases, such as equipment and lender finance, other asset-based, venture capital, secured business, warehouse, and other lending services; small business administration lending; and consumer loans comprising personal, auto, and other loans, as well as home equity and revolving lines of credit. In addition, the company offers international banking, multi-state deposit, and asset and investment management services; automated bill payments; cash and treasury management, foreign exchange, card payment, mobile deposit capture, automated clearing house origination, wire transfer, and direct deposit services; and online, mobile, remote deposit, and telephone banking services. It serves small and middle-market businesses, venture capital and private equity firms, non-profit organizations, business owners, entrepreneurs, professionals, and high-net worth individuals. The company offers its products and services through branches located throughout California; Denver, Colorado; and Durham, North Carolina, as well as through regional offices in the United States. The company was founded in 1941 and is headquartered in Los Angeles, California.

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.

Banc of California, Inc. has a Value Score of 63, which is considered to be undervalued.

When you look at Banc of California, Inc.’s price-to-sales ratio at 3.19 compared to the industry median at 3.44, this company has a lower price relative to revenue compared to its peers. This could make Banc of California, Inc.’s stock more attractive for value investors.

Banc of California, Inc.’s price-earnings ratio is 19.40 compared to the industry median at 13.20. This means it has a higher share price relative to earnings compared to its peers. This could make Banc of California, Inc. 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. Banc of California, Inc.’s shareholder yield is higher than its industry median ratio of 2.40%. 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. Banc of California, Inc.’s price-to-book ratio is lower than its industry median ratio of 1.21. This could make Banc of California, Inc. more attractive to investors looking for a new addition to their portfolio.

Lastly, let’s take a look at Banc of California, Inc.’s price-to-free-cash-flow ratio (P/FCF), which can indicate a company’s market value relative to its operating cash flow. Banc of California, Inc.’s price-to-free-cash-flow ratio is higher than its industry median ratio of 16.40. This could make Banc of California, Inc. less attractive because the higher P/FCF ratio indicates that Banc of California, Inc. 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.

CVB Financial Corp.’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

CVB Financial Corp. operates as a bank holding company for Citizens Business Bank, a state-chartered bank that provides banking and financial services to small to mid-sized businesses and individuals. The company offers checking, savings, money market, and time certificates of deposit products for business and personal accounts; and serves as a federal tax depository for business customers. It also provides commercial lending products comprising lines of credit and other working capital financing, accounts receivable lending, and letters of credit; agriculture loans to finance the operating needs of wholesale dairy farm operations, cattle feeders, livestock raisers, and farmers; lease financing services for municipal governments; commercial real estate and construction loans; consumer financing products, including automobile leasing and financing, lines of credit, credit cards, home mortgages, and home equity loans; and equipment and vehicle leasing services. In addition, the company offers various specialized services, such as treasury management systems for monitoring cash flow, a merchant card processing program, armored pick-up and delivery, payroll services, remote deposit capture, electronic funds transfers, wires and automated clearinghouse, and online account access; and foreign exchange services. Further, it provides financial and trust services, such as fiduciary services, mutual funds, annuities, 401(k) plans, and individual investment accounts. CVB Financial Corp. was founded in 1974 and is headquartered in Ontario, California.

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.

CVB Financial Corp. has a Value Score of 61, which is considered to be undervalued.

CVB Financial Corp.’s price-earnings ratio is 14.0 compared to the industry median at 13.2. This means that it has a higher price relative to its earnings compared to its peers. This makes CVB Financial Corp. less attractive for value investors.

CVB Financial Corp.’s price-to-book ratio is lower than its peers. This could make CVB Financial Corp. more attractive for value investors when compared to the industry median at 1.21.

You can read more about CVB 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.

The First Bancorp, Inc.’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

The First Bancorp, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for First National Bank that provides a range of banking products and services to individual and corporate customers. The company accepts various deposit products, including demand, NOW, time, savings, money market, and certificates of deposit accounts. It also provides commercial loans, such as mortgage loans to finance investments in real property, which includes retail spaces, offices, industrial buildings, hotels, educational facilities, and other specific or mixed use properties; commercial real estate non-owner occupied loans; commercial construction to finance construction in a mix of owner- and nonowner occupied commercial real estate properties; and commercial and industrial loans, including revolving and term loans for financing working capital and/or capital investment. In addition, the company offers commercial multifamily loans; residential real estate term and construction loans; loans to municipalities in Maine for capitalized expenditures, construction projects, or tax anticipation notes; home equity revolving and term loans; and personal lines of credit and amortizing loans for various purposes, such as autos, recreational vehicles, debt consolidation, personal expenses, or overdraft protection. Further, it offers private banking, financial planning, investment management, and trust services to individuals, businesses, non-profit organizations, and municipalities, as well as brokerage, annuity, and various insurance products. The company operates through full-service banking offices in Lincoln, Knox, Waldo, Penobscot, Hancock, and Washington counties in the Mid-Coast, Eastern, and Down East regions of Maine. The company was formerly known as First National Lincoln Corporation and changed its name to The First Bancorp, Inc. in April 2008. The First Bancorp, Inc. was founded in 1864 and is based in Damariscotta, Maine.

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 First Bancorp, Inc. has a Value Score of 72, which is considered to be undervalued.

The First Bancorp, Inc.’s price-earnings ratio is 10.3 compared to the industry median at 13.2. This means that it has a lower price relative to its earnings compared to its peers. This makes The First Bancorp, Inc. more attractive for value investors.

The First Bancorp, Inc.’s price-to-book ratio is lower than its peers. This could make The First Bancorp, Inc. fairly attractive for value investors when compared to the industry median at 1.21.

You can read more about The First 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.

HBT Financial, Inc.’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

HBT Financial, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for Heartland Bank and Trust Company that provides financial products and services to consumers, businesses, and municipal entities in Illinois and Eastern Iowa. The company’s deposits accounts consist of noninterest-bearing demand deposits, interest-bearing transaction accounts, money market accounts, savings accounts, certificates of deposits, health savings accounts, and individual retirement accounts. Its loan offering comprises owner and non-owner occupied commercial real estate; construction and land development and multi-family; commercial and industrial; agricultural and farmland; and one-to-four family residential loans, as well as municipal, consumer, and other loans. The company also offers wealth management services, including financial planning to consumers, trusts, and estates; trustee and custodial; investment management; corporate retirement plan consulting and administration; and retail brokerage services. In addition, it provides farmland management, and farmland sales and services; commercial checking accounts; and treasury management services, as well as originates and services residential mortgage loans. Further, the company offers digital banking services, such as online and mobile banking, and digital payment services, as well as personal financial management tools. The company was formerly known as Heartland Bancorp, Inc. and changed its name to HBT Financial, Inc. in September 2019. HBT Financial, Inc. was founded in 1920 and is headquartered in Bloomington, 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.

HBT Financial, Inc. has a Value Score of 63, which is considered to be undervalued.

HBT Financial, Inc.’s price-earnings ratio is 11.5 compared to the industry median at 13.2. This means that it has a lower price relative to its earnings compared to its peers. This makes HBT Financial, Inc. more attractive for value investors.

HBT Financial, Inc.’s price-to-book ratio is lower than its peers. This could make HBT Financial, Inc. more attractive for value investors when compared to the industry median at 1.21.

You can read more about HBT Financial, 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.

Southern Missouri Bancorp, Inc.’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

Southern Missouri Bancorp, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for Southern Bank that provides banking and financial services to individuals and corporate customers in the United States. The company offers deposits products, including interest-bearing and noninterest-bearing transaction accounts, money market deposit accounts, saving accounts, certificates of deposit, and retirement savings plans. It also provides loans secured by mortgages on one- to four-family residences and commercial and agricultural real estate; construction loans on residential and commercial properties; commercial and agricultural business loans; and consumer loans. In addition, the company offers fiduciary and investment management services; commercial and consumer insurance products; and debit or credit cards. The company was founded in 1887 and is headquartered in Poplar Bluff, Missouri.

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.

Southern Missouri Bancorp, Inc. has a Value Score of 75, which is considered to be undervalued.

Southern Missouri Bancorp, Inc.’s price-earnings ratio is 11.1 compared to the industry median at 13.2. This means that it has a lower price relative to its earnings compared to its peers. This makes Southern Missouri Bancorp, Inc. more attractive for value investors.

Southern Missouri Bancorp, Inc.’s price-to-book ratio is lower than its peers. This could make Southern Missouri Bancorp, Inc. more attractive for value investors when compared to the industry median at 1.21.

You can read more about Southern Missouri 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.

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.

• Banc of California, Inc. stock has a Value Grade of B.
• CVB Financial Corp. stock has a Value Grade of B.
• The First Bancorp, Inc. stock has a Value Grade of B.
• HBT Financial, Inc. stock has a Value Grade of B.
• Southern Missouri Bancorp, Inc. 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, February 19
• 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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