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 Friday, May 29, 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.

Cathay General Bancorp’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

Cathay General Bancorp operates as the holding company for Cathay Bank that offers various commercial banking products and services to individuals, professionals, and small to medium-sized businesses in the United States. It offers savings accounts, checking accounts, money market deposit accounts, certificates of deposit, individual retirement accounts, and public funds deposits, and acceptance of checking, savings, demand deposits, time deposits, real estate, and consumer loans. The company also provides loan products, such as commercial real estate loans, commercial loans, small business administration loans, residential mortgage loans, real estate construction loans, and home equity lines of credit, and installment loans to individuals for household and other consumer expenditures. In addition, it offers trade financing, letter of credit, wire transfer, foreign currency spot and forward contract, safe deposit, overdraft, cash checking, automatic teller machine, Internet banking, investment, and other customary bank services, as well as investment products and services, such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, insurance, annuities, and advisory services. The company was formerly known as Cathay Bancorp, Inc. and changed its name to Cathay General Bancorp in November 2003. Cathay General Bancorp was founded in 1962 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.

Cathay General Bancorp has a Value Score of 71, which is considered to be undervalued.

When you look at Cathay General Bancorp’s price-to-sales ratio at 5.12 compared to the industry median at 3.27, this company has a higher price relative to revenue compared to its peers. This could make Cathay General Bancorp’s stock less attractive for value investors.

Cathay General Bancorp’s price-earnings ratio is 11.80 compared to the industry median at 11.80. This means it has a similar share price relative to earnings compared to its peers. This could make Cathay General Bancorp fairly 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. Cathay General 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. Cathay General Bancorp’s price-to-book ratio is higher than its industry median ratio of 1.15. This could make Cathay General Bancorp less attractive to investors looking for a new addition to their portfolio.

Lastly, let’s take a look at Cathay General Bancorp’s price-to-free-cash-flow ratio (P/FCF), which can indicate a company’s market value relative to its operating cash flow. Cathay General Bancorp’s price-to-free-cash-flow ratio is lower than its industry median ratio of 15.40. This could make Cathay General Bancorp more attractive because the lower P/FCF ratio indicates that Cathay General 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.

Greene County Bancorp, Inc.’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

Greene County Bancorp, Inc. operates as a holding company for The Bank of Greene County that provides various financial services in the United States. The company offers deposit products, such as savings, NOW accounts, money market accounts, certificates of deposit, non-interest bearing checking accounts, and individual retirement accounts. Its loan portfolio includes residential, construction and land loans; commercial real estate mortgages; consumer loans, including loans on new and used automobiles, personal loans, and home equity loans, as well as other consumer installment loans comprising passbook loans, unsecured home improvement loans, recreational vehicle loans, and deposit account overdrafts; and commercial loans. In addition, it provides transaction processing and investment brokerage services. Further, it engages in the sale of securities and the operation of banking office, lending centers, an operations center, customer call center, administration center, and a wealth management center. The company was founded in 1889 and is based in Catskill, New York. Greene County Bancorp, Inc. operates as a subsidiary of Greene County 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.

Greene County Bancorp, Inc. has a Value Score of 60, which is considered to be fairly valued.

Greene County Bancorp, Inc.’s price-earnings ratio is 11.3 compared to the industry median at 11.8. This means that it has a lower price relative to its earnings compared to its peers. This makes Greene County Bancorp, Inc. more attractive for value investors.

Greene County Bancorp, Inc.’s price-to-book ratio is lower than its peers. This could make Greene County Bancorp, Inc. more attractive for value investors when compared to the industry median at 1.15.

You can read more about Greene County 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.

Hawthorn Bancshares, Inc.’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

Hawthorn Bancshares, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for Hawthorn Bank that provides various banking products and services to families and businesses. It offers checking and savings accounts, and certificates of deposit. The company also provides commercial and industrial, single payment personal, mortgage, installment, and commercial and residential real estate loans. In addition, it provides trust, wealth and treasury management, and brokerage services; and safety deposit boxes, debit cards, and internet banking services. Hawthorn Bancshares, Inc. was formerly known as Exchange National Bancshares, Inc. and changed its name to Hawthorn Bancshares, Inc. in 2007. The company was founded in 1865 and is headquartered in Jefferson City, 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.

Hawthorn Bancshares, Inc. has a Value Score of 73, which is considered to be undervalued.

Hawthorn Bancshares, Inc.’s price-earnings ratio is 10.6 compared to the industry median at 11.8. This means that it has a lower price relative to its earnings compared to its peers. This makes Hawthorn Bancshares, Inc. more attractive for value investors.

Hawthorn Bancshares, Inc.’s price-to-book ratio is lower than its peers. This could make Hawthorn Bancshares, Inc. more attractive for value investors when compared to the industry median at 1.15.

You can read more about Hawthorn 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.

SmartFinancial, Inc.’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

SmartFinancial, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for SmartBank that provides various financial services to individuals and corporate customers in the United States. The company offers various deposits, including noninterest-bearing and interest-bearing checking, savings, money market, and individual retirement accounts, as well as certificates of deposit. It also provides commercial and residential real estate, consumer real estate, construction and land development, commercial and industrial, and consumer and other loans, as well as leases to small and mid-size companies for equipment financing leases. In addition, the company offers wealth management, insurance, mortgage origination, and internet and mobile banking services. It operates in Tennessee, Alabama, and Florida. SmartFinancial, Inc. is based in Knoxville, Tennessee.

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.

SmartFinancial, Inc. has a Value Score of 62, which is considered to be undervalued.

SmartFinancial, Inc.’s price-earnings ratio is 13.4 compared to the industry median at 11.8. This means that it has a higher price relative to its earnings compared to its peers. This makes SmartFinancial, Inc. less attractive for value investors.

SmartFinancial, Inc.’s price-to-book ratio is lower than its peers. This could make SmartFinancial, Inc. more attractive for value investors when compared to the industry median at 1.15.

You can read more about SmartFinancial, 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.

Timberland Bancorp, Inc.’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

Timberland Bancorp, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for Timberland Bank that provides various community banking services in Washington. It offers various deposit products, including money market deposit, checking, and regular savings accounts, as well as certificates of deposit. The company also provides one-to four-family residential, multi-family, commercial real estate loans, and land loans; and construction lending products, such as custom and owner/builder, speculative one- to four-family, commercial, multi-family, and land development. In addition, it offers consumer loans comprising home equity lines of credit and second mortgage loans, automobile loans, boat loans, motorcycle loans, recreational vehicle loans, savings account loans, and unsecured loans; and commercial business loans. The company was founded in 1915 and is headquartered in Hoquiam, Washington.

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.

Timberland Bancorp, Inc. has a Value Score of 73, which is considered to be undervalued.

Timberland Bancorp, Inc.’s price-earnings ratio is 10.5 compared to the industry median at 11.8. This means that it has a lower price relative to its earnings compared to its peers. This makes Timberland Bancorp, Inc. more attractive for value investors.

Timberland Bancorp, Inc.’s price-to-book ratio is lower than its peers. This could make Timberland Bancorp, Inc. fairly attractive for value investors when compared to the industry median at 1.15.

You can read more about Timberland 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.

Unity Bancorp, Inc.’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

Unity Bancorp, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for Unity Bank that provides commercial and retail banking services. It offers personal and business checking, money market, savings, retirement, money market accounts, as well as time and noninterest and interest-bearing demand deposits. The company also provides commercial, small business administration, consumer, mortgage, and home equity and personal loans; and owner and non-owner-occupied commercial mortgages. In addition, it is involved in the residential construction, commercial, and industrial lending activities secured by business assets, including real estate, receivables, inventory, and equipment. Further, the company offers credit and debit cards, wire transfers, safe deposit boxes, automated teller, and internet and mobile banking services; automated clearing house origination and remote deposit capture services; and business services, such as escrow account, merchant, and online services. Unity Bancorp, Inc. was founded in 1991 and is headquartered in Clinton, 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.

Unity Bancorp, Inc. has a Value Score of 62, which is considered to be undervalued.

Unity Bancorp, Inc.’s price-earnings ratio is 9.5 compared to the industry median at 11.8. This means that it has a lower price relative to its earnings compared to its peers. This makes Unity Bancorp, Inc. more attractive for value investors.

Unity Bancorp, Inc.’s price-to-book ratio is lower than its peers. This could make Unity Bancorp, Inc. more attractive for value investors when compared to the industry median at 1.15.

You can read more about Unity 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 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.

• Cathay General Bancorp stock has a Value Grade of B.
• Greene County Bancorp, Inc. stock has a Value Grade of C.
• Hawthorn Bancshares, Inc. stock has a Value Grade of B.
• SmartFinancial, Inc. stock has a Value Grade of B.
• Timberland Bancorp, Inc. stock has a Value Grade of B.
• Unity Bancorp, Inc. 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.

• 2026 Robo-Advice Landscape: Survivors Search for the Next Leg of Growth
• 6 Undervalued Banks Stocks for Thursday, May 28
• Is Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. (BBVA) Overvalued?
• Is Banco Santander, S.A. (SAN) Overvalued?

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