ASBA vs IBCP vs CBSH vs HBAN

For growth investors, Huntington Bancshares Incorporated (HBAN) is the stronger pick with 4.

4% 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. 7x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Huntington Bancshares Incorporated (HBAN) a "Buy" — based on 48 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. On forward P/E, Independent Bank Corporation is actually cheaper at 9. 7x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Huntington Bancshares Incorporated wins at 0. 74x versus Independent Bank Corporation's 1. 85x — a PEG below 1. 0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.

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

7%, compared to -12. 9% for Commerce Bancshares, Inc. (CBSH). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: IBCP returned +188. 6% versus ASBA's +19. 9%. 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.

20β versus Huntington Bancshares Incorporated's 1. 08β — meaning HBAN is approximately 431% 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 79% for Commerce Bancshares, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Huntington Bancshares Incorporated (HBAN) is pulling ahead at 4.

4% versus -6. 6% for Associated Banc-Corp (ASBA). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Huntington Bancshares Incorporated grew EPS 13. 9% 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.

Commerce Bancshares, Inc.

(CBSH) is the more profitable company, earning 26. 5% net margin versus 12. 9% for Associated Banc-Corp — meaning it keeps 26. 5% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: CBSH leads at 34. 2% versus 21. 5% for HBAN. 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.

The PEG ratio (forward P/E divided by expected earnings growth rate) is the most precise measure of undervaluation relative to growth potential.

By this metric, Huntington Bancshares Incorporated (HBAN) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 74x versus Independent Bank Corporation's 1. 85x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, Independent Bank Corporation (IBCP) trades at 9. 7x forward P/E versus 12. 8x for Commerce Bancshares, Inc. — 3. 0x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for HBAN: 25. 9% to $20. 38.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

Huntington Bancshares Incorporated (HBAN) offers the highest yield at 3. 7%, versus 2. 1% for Commerce Bancshares, Inc. (CBSH).

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.

20), 3. 6% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (ASBA: +19. 9%, HBAN: +120. 7%), 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; CBSH is a small-cap deep-value stock; HBAN is a mid-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.