BCML vs WAFD

For growth investors, BayCom Corp (BCML) is the stronger pick with 3.

0% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -1. 6% for WaFd, Inc. (WAFD). WaFd, Inc. (WAFD) offers the better valuation at 13. 6x trailing P/E (10. 9x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate BayCom Corp (BCML) a "Buy" — based on 5 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, WaFd, Inc.

(WAFD) is the cheapest at 13. 6x versus BayCom Corp at 14. 0x. On forward P/E, WaFd, Inc. is actually cheaper at 10. 9x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: BayCom Corp wins at 0. 82x versus WaFd, Inc. 's 3. 55x — a PEG below 1. 0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, BayCom Corp (BCML) delivered a total return of +83.

4%, compared to +22. 5% for WaFd, Inc. (WAFD). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: BCML returned +176. 6% versus WAFD's +84. 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), BayCom Corp (BCML) is the lower-risk stock at 0.

62β versus WaFd, Inc. 's 0. 81β — meaning WAFD is approximately 30% more volatile than BCML relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, BayCom Corp (BCML) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 7% versus 60% for WaFd, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), BayCom Corp (BCML) is pulling ahead at 3.

0% versus -1. 6% for WaFd, Inc. (WAFD). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: WaFd, Inc. grew EPS 5. 2% year-over-year, compared to 3. 8% for BayCom 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.

BayCom Corp (BCML) is the more profitable company, earning 16.

9% net margin versus 16. 0% for WaFd, Inc. — meaning it keeps 16. 9% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: BCML leads at 23. 2% versus 20. 5% for WAFD. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — BCML leads at 68. 4%, 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, BayCom Corp (BCML) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 82x versus WaFd, Inc. 's 3. 55x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, WaFd, Inc. (WAFD) trades at 10. 9x forward P/E versus 11. 2x for BayCom Corp — 0. 3x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for BCML: 11. 5% to $34. 00.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

WaFd, Inc. (WAFD) offers the highest yield at 3. 0%, versus 2. 0% for BayCom Corp (BCML).

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

62), 2. 0% yield, +176. 6% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (BCML: +176. 6%, WAFD: +84. 4%), 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.

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.