EBC vs NBTB vs CNOB vs TRMK

For growth investors, Trustmark Corporation (TRMK) is the stronger pick with 34.

8% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -1. 4% for Eastern Bankshares, Inc. (EBC). Trustmark Corporation (TRMK) offers the better valuation at 12. 1x trailing P/E (11. 5x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Eastern Bankshares, Inc. (EBC) a "Buy" — 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, Trustmark Corporation (TRMK) is the cheapest at 12.

1x versus Eastern Bankshares, Inc. at 49. 9x. On forward P/E, ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc. is actually cheaper at 9. 3x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Eastern Bankshares, Inc. wins at 0. 42x versus NBT Bancorp Inc. 's 1. 53x — a PEG below 1. 0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, Trustmark Corporation (TRMK) delivered a total return of +47.

6%, compared to -0. 4% for Eastern Bankshares, Inc. (EBC). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: TRMK returned +127. 7% versus EBC's +82. 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), NBT Bancorp Inc.

(NBTB) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 89β versus Eastern Bankshares, Inc. 's 1. 10β — meaning EBC is approximately 24% more volatile than NBTB relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Eastern Bankshares, Inc. (EBC) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 5% versus 74% for ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Trustmark Corporation (TRMK) is pulling ahead at 34.

8% versus -1. 4% for Eastern Bankshares, Inc. (EBC). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: NBT Bancorp Inc. grew EPS 12. 5% year-over-year, compared to -39. 4% for Eastern Bankshares, Inc.. 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.

Trustmark Corporation (TRMK) is the more profitable company, earning 20.

0% net margin versus 8. 4% for Eastern Bankshares, Inc. — meaning it keeps 20. 0% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: TRMK leads at 25. 5% versus 9. 9% for EBC. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — NBTB leads at 72. 1%, 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, Eastern Bankshares, Inc. (EBC) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 42x versus NBT Bancorp Inc. 's 1. 53x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc. (CNOB) trades at 9. 3x forward P/E versus 11. 5x for Trustmark Corporation — 2. 2x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for EBC: 14. 4% to $22. 83.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

NBT Bancorp Inc. (NBTB) offers the highest yield at 3. 2%, versus 2. 1% for ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc. (CNOB).

For long-horizon retirement investors, NBT Bancorp Inc.

(NBTB) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 89), 3. 2% yield, +102. 2% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (NBTB: +102. 2%, EBC: +82. 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.

In terms of investment character: EBC is a small-cap quality compounder stock; NBTB is a small-cap deep-value stock; CNOB is a small-cap quality compounder stock; TRMK is a small-cap high-growth 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.