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 Financial Services 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 Financial Services 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 Financial Services 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 Financial Services industry for Tuesday, March 31, 2026. Let’s take a closer look at their individual scores to see how they measure up against each other and the Financial Services 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.

California First Leasing Corporation’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

California First Leasing Corporation engages in the provision of loans and lease financing for universities, businesses, other commercial or non-profit organizations, healthcare, and state and local municipalities. The company was formerly known as California First National Bancorp and changed its name to California First Leasing Corporation in February 2021. California First Leasing Corporation was founded in 1977 and is headquartered in Newport Beach, 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.

California First Leasing Corporation has a Value Score of 78, which is considered to be undervalued.

When you look at California First Leasing Corporation’s price-to-sales ratio at 12.67 compared to the industry median at 1.90, this company has a higher price relative to revenue compared to its peers. This could make California First Leasing Corporation’s stock less attractive for value investors.

California First Leasing Corporation’s price-earnings ratio is 4.80 compared to the industry median at 14.60. This means it has a lower share price relative to earnings compared to its peers. This could make California First Leasing Corporation more attractive for value investors.

Now, let’s assess California First Leasing Corporation’s EV/EBITDA ratio, also known as enterprise multiple. At 11.5, when compared to the industry median of 11.2, the company may be considered overvalued in relation to its peers. Value investors could use the enterprise multiple to identify stocks that are considered overvalued or undervalued relative to their industry.

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. California First Leasing Corporation’s shareholder yield is higher than its industry median ratio of 0.10%. 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. California First Leasing Corporation’s price-to-book ratio is lower than its industry median ratio of 1.20. This could make California First Leasing Corporation more attractive to investors looking for a new addition to their portfolio.

Essent Group Ltd.’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

Essent Group Ltd., through its subsidiaries, provides private mortgage insurance and reinsurance, and title insurance and settlement services to mortgage lenders, borrowers, and investors in the United States. It operates through two segments, Mortgage Insurance and Reinsurance. The company’s mortgage insurance products include primary, pool, and master policy. It also provides information technology maintenance and development services; customer support-related services; underwriting consulting services to third-party reinsurers; and contract underwriting services, as well as credit risk management products. In addition, the company offers title insurance and settlement services; and title insurance underwriting services. It serves the originators of residential mortgage loans, such as regulated depository institutions, mortgage banks, credit unions, and other lenders. Essent Group Ltd. was founded in 2008 and is headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda.

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.

Essent Group Ltd. has a Value Score of 89, which is considered to be undervalued.

Essent Group Ltd.’s price-earnings ratio is 8.4 compared to the industry median at 14.6. This means that it has a lower price relative to its earnings compared to its peers. This makes Essent Group Ltd. more attractive for value investors.

Essent Group Ltd.’s price-to-book ratio is higher than its peers. This could make Essent Group Ltd. less attractive for value investors when compared to the industry median at 1.20.

You can read more about Essent Group Ltd.’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.

Federal National Mortgage Association’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

Federal National Mortgage Association provides financing solutions for residential mortgages in the United States. The company operates in two segments, Single-Family and Multifamily. It offers mortgage acquisitions and securitizations; and credit risk and loss management services. The company also engages in mortgage securitization transactions, including lender swap, portfolio securitization, and structured securitization transactions; and credit risk and loss management services. The company was incorporated in 1938 and is based in Washington, District of Columbia.

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.

Federal National Mortgage Association has a Value Score of 80, which is considered to be undervalued.

You can read more about Federal National Mortgage Association’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.

Merchants Bancorp’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

Merchants Bancorp operates as the diversified bank holding company in the United States. It operates through three segments: Multi-family Mortgage Banking, Mortgage Warehousing, and Banking. The Multi-family Mortgage Banking segment engages in the mortgage banking, which originates, and services government sponsored mortgages, including bridge financing products to refinance, acquire, or reposition multi-family housing projects, and construction lending for housing development and healthcare facilities financing. This segment also offers customized loan products for need-based skilled nursing facilities, such as independent living, assisted living, and memory care; and tax credit equity syndicator service. The Mortgage Warehousing segment funds agency eligible residential loans, as well as commercial loans to non-depository financial institutions. The Banking segment offers a range of financial products and services to consumers and businesses, which includes retail banking, commercial lending, agricultural lending, retail and correspondent residential mortgage banking, and small business administration lending. Merchants Bancorp was founded in 1990 and is headquartered in Carmel, 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.

Merchants Bancorp has a Value Score of 64, which is considered to be undervalued.

Merchants Bancorp’s price-earnings ratio is 11.2 compared to the industry median at 14.6. This means that it has a lower price relative to its earnings compared to its peers. This makes Merchants Bancorp more attractive for value investors.

Merchants Bancorp’s price-to-book ratio is higher than its peers. This could make Merchants Bancorp less attractive for value investors when compared to the industry median at 1.20.

You can read more about Merchants 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.

PagSeguro Digital Ltd.’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

PagSeguro Digital Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the provision of financial and payment solutions for consumers, individual entrepreneurs, micro-merchants, and small and medium-sized companies in Brazil and internationally. It provides digital banking solutions, including deposits, top-ups, debt management services, tax collections, wire transfers, ATM withdrawals, and various online and point-of-sale (POS) payment solutions; cards, such as debit, credit, cash, and prepaid cards; and credit products comprising FGTS withdrawals, payroll loans, working capital loans, and overdraft accounts. The company offers insurance services, including account, card, home, business, health assistance, life, and credit life insurance; investment services, such as investment and portfolio advisory, financial education, brokerage, fund management, treasury, and research services; and operates Shopping PagBank, a marketplace for various brands. In addition, it provides software solutions comprising PagVendas, a POS software app; ClubPag, a marketing tool that allows merchants to advertise across client base, available for POS devices; and PlugPag, a wireless solution that connects the machine to the commercial automation system, via Bluetooth technology. The company was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in São Paulo, Brazil.

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.

PagSeguro Digital Ltd. has a Value Score of 97, which is considered to be undervalued.

PagSeguro Digital Ltd.’s price-earnings ratio is 7.5 compared to the industry median at 14.6. This means that it has a lower price relative to its earnings compared to its peers. This makes PagSeguro Digital Ltd. more attractive for value investors.

PagSeguro Digital Ltd.’s price-to-book ratio is higher than its peers. This could make PagSeguro Digital Ltd. less attractive for value investors when compared to the industry median at 1.20.

You can read more about PagSeguro Digital Ltd.’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.

Paysafe Limited’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

Paysafe Limited provides digital payment solutions in the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Merchant Solutions and Digital Wallets. The Merchant Solutions segment offers payment acceptance and transaction processing solutions for merchants and integrated service providers, including merchant acquiring, transaction processing, gateway solutions, fraud and risk management tools, data and analytics, point of sale systems, and merchant financing solutions, as well as support services under the Paysafe and Petroleum Card Services brands. Its Digital Wallets segment provides digital wallet solutions under the Neteller, Skrill, and PagoEfectivo brands; eCash solutions under the PaysafeCard, PaysafeCash, viafintech, SafetyPay, and PagoEfectivo brands; and pay-by-bank solutions under the Rapid Transfer brand. The company also offers digital commerce solutions for specialized industry verticals, including travel, streaming and video gaming, retail and hospitality, and digital assets, as well as iGaming, which covers online betting related to sports, e-sports, fantasy sports, poker, and other casino games. Paysafe Limited was founded in 1996 and is based in London, the United Kingdom.

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.

Paysafe Limited has a Value Score of 99, which is considered to be undervalued.

Paysafe Limited’s price-to-book ratio is higher than its peers. This could make Paysafe Limited less attractive for value investors when compared to the industry median at 1.20.

You can read more about Paysafe Limited’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 Financial Services 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 Financial Services stocks as well as other industrys.

Choosing Which of the 6 Best Financial Services 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.

• California First Leasing Corporation stock has a Value Grade of B.
• Essent Group Ltd. stock has a Value Grade of A.
• Federal National Mortgage Association stock has a Value Grade of B.
• Merchants Bancorp stock has a Value Grade of B.
• PagSeguro Digital Ltd. stock has a Value Grade of A.
• Paysafe Limited stock has a Value Grade of A.

Now that you have a bit more background about each of the 6 undervalued stocks in the Financial Services 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 Financial Services Stocks

Want to learn more about Financial Services 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 Financial Services Stocks for Tuesday, March 31
• Is Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK.A) Overvalued?
• Is Mastercard Incorporated (MA) Overvalued?
• Is Visa Inc. (V) Overvalued?

AAII Disclaimer

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