Based on key financial metrics such as the price-to-sales ratio, shareholder yield and the price-earnings ratio, the following 7 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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7 Undervalued Banks Stocks

Of course, there are countless value stocks that are worth mentioning, but this is a concise list of the top 7 undervalued stocks in the Banks industry for Monday, July 20, 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 67, which is considered to be undervalued.

When you look at Cathay General Bancorp’s price-to-sales ratio at 5.60 compared to the industry median at 3.54, 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 12.90 compared to the industry median at 12.85. This means it has a higher share price relative to earnings compared to its peers. This could make Cathay General 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. Cathay General Bancorp’s shareholder yield is higher than its industry median ratio of 2.30%. 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 1.25. 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 16.20. 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.

Enterprise Financial Services Corp’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

Enterprise Financial Services Corp operates as the financial holding company for Enterprise Bank & Trust that offers banking and wealth management services to individuals and corporate customers in Arizona, California, Florida, Kansas, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, and in the United States. It provides interest and non-interest-bearing demand, money markets accounts, savings, and certificates of deposit. The company also provides commercial and industrial, commercial real estate, real estate construction and development, residential real estate, small business administration, consumer, and other loan products. In addition, it offers treasury management and international trade services; life insurance premium and sponsor finance; tax credit related lending; tax credit brokerage services; other deposit accounts, such as community associations, property management, legal industry and escrow services; treasury management product and services; customized solutions and products; cash management systems; fiduciary, investment management, and financial advisory services; and customer hedging products, international banking, card services, and tax credit businesses. Further, the company provides online, device applications, text, and voice banking; remote deposit capture; internet banking, mobile banking, cash management, positive pay, fraud detection and prevention, automated payables, check image, and statement and document imaging services; and controlled disbursements, repurchase agreements, and sweep investment accounts. Financial Services Corp was founded in 1988 and is headquartered in Clayton, 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.

Enterprise Financial Services Corp has a Value Score of 66, which is considered to be undervalued.

Enterprise Financial Services Corp’s price-earnings ratio is 12.7 compared to the industry median at 12.9. This means that it has a lower price relative to its earnings compared to its peers. This makes Enterprise Financial Services Corp more attractive for value investors.

Enterprise Financial Services Corp’s price-to-book ratio is lower than its peers. This could make Enterprise Financial Services Corp fairly attractive for value investors when compared to the industry median at 1.25.

You can read more about Enterprise Financial Services 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. It accepts various deposit products, including demand, NOW, time, savings, money market, and certificates of deposit accounts. The company 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, it 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, the company 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. It 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 79, which is considered to be undervalued.

The First Bancorp, Inc.’s price-earnings ratio is 10.7 compared to the industry median at 12.9. 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. more attractive for value investors when compared to the industry median at 1.25.

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.

Franklin Financial Services Corporation’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

Franklin Financial Services Corporation operates as the bank holding company for Farmers and Merchants Trust Company of Chambersburg that provides banking services to businesses, individuals, and governmental entities in Pennsylvania. It offers various deposit products, including demand deposits, savings, money management accounts, time deposits, and certificates of deposits. The company also provides commercial real estate, construction and land development, commercial and industrial, and residential mortgage loans, as well as installment and revolving loans; consumer loans comprising unsecured personal lines of credit and installment loans; and secured and unsecured commercial and industrial loans, including accounts receivable and inventory financing, and commercial equipment financing. In addition, it offers various trust services comprising estate planning and administration, corporate and personal trust fund management, pension, and profit sharing and other employee benefit funds management services, and custodial services, as well as non-trust related investment services; sells mutual funds, annuities, and insurance products; safe deposit; and pension and fiduciary services. Further, the company engages in non-bank investment activities, such as venture capital investments. The company was founded in 1906 and is headquartered in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania.

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.

Franklin Financial Services Corporation has a Value Score of 74, which is considered to be undervalued.

Franklin Financial Services Corporation’s price-earnings ratio is 11.7 compared to the industry median at 12.9. This means that it has a lower price relative to its earnings compared to its peers. This makes Franklin Financial Services Corporation more attractive for value investors.

Franklin Financial Services Corporation’s price-to-book ratio is lower than its peers. This could make Franklin Financial Services Corporation more attractive for value investors when compared to the industry median at 1.25.

You can read more about Franklin Financial Services 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:

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, single tenant lease, public, specialty, healthcare and finance, small business lending, commercial deposits and treasury management, 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 76, which is considered to be undervalued.

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 1.25.

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.

Southern BancShares (N.C.), Inc.’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

Southern BancShares, (N.C.), Inc. operates as the bank holding company for Southern Bank and Trust Company that provides banking services to consumers and businesses in Eastern North Carolina and southeastern Virginia. The company provides checking, savings, money market, demand, and time deposits, as well as certificates of deposit. It also offers commercial loans, including construction and land development, agricultural, industrial, commercial mortgages, paycheck protection program, and other loans; and non-commercial loans, such as consumer, construction and land development, demand overdrafts, residential mortgage, and revolving mortgage. In addition, the company provides debit and credit cards, safe deposits, cashier’s checks, and money orders; and check cashing, wire transfers, and internet banking services. Further, it offers investment services, including brokerage custodial, insurance, and other management services; and holds, manages, and sells real estate owned properties. Southern BancShares (N.C.), Inc. was founded in 1901 and is headquartered in Mount Olive, North Carolina.

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 BancShares (N.C.), Inc. has a Value Score of 62, which is considered to be undervalued.

Southern BancShares (N.C.), Inc.’s price-earnings ratio is 13.8 compared to the industry median at 12.9. This means that it has a higher price relative to its earnings compared to its peers. This makes Southern BancShares (N.C.), Inc. less attractive for value investors.

Southern BancShares (N.C.), Inc.’s price-to-book ratio is lower than its peers. This could make Southern BancShares (N.C.), Inc. fairly attractive for value investors when compared to the industry median at 1.25.

You can read more about Southern BancShares (N.C.), 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.

Truist Financial Corporation’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

Truist Financial Corporation, a financial services company, provides banking and trust services in the Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic United States. The company operates through two segments, Consumer and Small Business Banking; and Wholesale Banking. Its deposit products include noninterest-bearing checking, interest-bearing checking, savings, and money market deposit accounts, as well as certificates of deposit and individual retirement accounts. The company also provides funding; asset management; credit card lending; home equity and mortgage lending; other direct retail lending; home mortgage lending; Investment brokerage services; mobile/online banking; payment solutions; point-of-sale lending; retail and small business deposit products; and small business lending. In addition, it offers asset-based lending, commercial deposit and treasury services; commercial lending; floor plan lending; derivatives; institutional trust services; insurance premium finance; international banking; investment banking and capital markets services; leasing; merchant services; mortgage warehouse lending; real estate lending; supply chain financing; and wealth management/private banking. The company was formerly known as BB&T; Corporation and changed its name to Truist Financial Corporation in December 2019. Truist Financial Corporation was founded in 1872 and is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina.

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.

Truist Financial Corporation has a Value Score of 70, which is considered to be undervalued.

Truist Financial Corporation’s price-earnings ratio is 13.0 compared to the industry median at 12.9. This means that it has a higher price relative to its earnings compared to its peers. This makes Truist Financial Corporation less attractive for value investors.

Truist Financial Corporation’s price-to-book ratio is higher than its peers. This could make Truist Financial Corporation less attractive for value investors when compared to the industry median at 1.25.

You can read more about Truist Financial 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.

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 7 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.
• Enterprise Financial Services Corp stock has a Value Grade of B.
• The First Bancorp, Inc. stock has a Value Grade of B.
• Franklin Financial Services Corporation stock has a Value Grade of B.
• First Internet Bancorp stock has a Value Grade of B.
• Southern BancShares (N.C.), Inc. stock has a Value Grade of B.
• Truist Financial Corporation stock has a Value Grade of B.

Now that you have a bit more background about each of the 7 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.

• 7 Undervalued Banks Stocks for Friday, July 17
• Is Fifth Third Bancorp (FITB) Overvalued?
• Is KB Financial Group Inc. (KB) Overvalued?
• Which Is a Better Investment, 1st Source Corporation or Stock Yards Bancorp, Inc. Stock?

AAII Disclaimer

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.