ASBA vs IBCP

For growth investors, Independent Bank Corporation (IBCP) is the stronger pick with -0.

3% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -6. 6% for Associated Banc-Corp (ASBA). Independent Bank Corporation (IBCP) offers the better valuation at 10. 4x trailing P/E (9. 6x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Independent Bank Corporation (IBCP) a "Hold" — based on 7 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.

On trailing P/E, Independent Bank Corporation (IBCP) is the cheapest at 10.

4x versus Associated Banc-Corp at 31. 3x.

Over the past 5 years, Independent Bank Corporation (IBCP) delivered a total return of +63.

7%, compared to +19. 4% for Associated Banc-Corp (ASBA). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: IBCP returned +184. 6% versus ASBA's +19. 4%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Associated Banc-Corp (ASBA) is the lower-risk stock at 0.

18β versus Independent Bank Corporation's 0. 83β — meaning IBCP is approximately 349% more volatile than ASBA relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Associated Banc-Corp (ASBA) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 17% versus 23% for Independent Bank Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Independent Bank Corporation (IBCP) is pulling ahead at -0.

3% versus -6. 6% for Associated Banc-Corp (ASBA). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Independent Bank Corporation grew EPS 3. 5% year-over-year, compared to -29. 2% for Associated Banc-Corp. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.

Independent Bank Corporation (IBCP) is the more profitable company, earning 21.

7% net margin versus 12. 9% for Associated Banc-Corp — meaning it keeps 21. 7% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: IBCP leads at 25. 8% versus 24. 6% for ASBA. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — ASBA leads at 100. 0%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

Associated Banc-Corp (ASBA) offers the highest yield at 3. 6%, versus 3. 0% for Independent Bank Corporation (IBCP).

For long-horizon retirement investors, Associated Banc-Corp (ASBA) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.

18), 3. 6% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (ASBA: +19. 4%, IBCP: +184. 6%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.

Both stocks operate in the Financial Services sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.

In terms of investment character: ASBA is a small-cap income-oriented stock; IBCP is a small-cap deep-value stock. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.