FFBC vs ONB vs WTFC vs IBCP vs FBNC

For growth investors, Old National Bancorp (ONB) is the stronger pick with 25.

5% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -0. 3% for Independent Bank Corporation (IBCP). 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 Wintrust Financial Corporation (WTFC) a "Buy" — based on 22 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 First Bancorp at 22. 1x. On forward P/E, Old National Bancorp 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: Wintrust Financial Corporation wins at 0. 59x versus Independent Bank Corporation's 1. 82x — a PEG below 1. 0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, Wintrust Financial Corporation (WTFC) delivered a total return of +102.

9%, compared to +38. 4% for Old National Bancorp (ONB). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: FBNC returned +228. 5% versus FFBC's +104. 6%. 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), Independent Bank Corporation (IBCP) is the lower-risk stock at 0.

83β versus Old National Bancorp's 1. 23β — meaning ONB is approximately 49% more volatile than IBCP relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, First Bancorp (FBNC) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 5% versus 88% for Old National Bancorp — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Old National Bancorp (ONB) is pulling ahead at 25.

5% versus -0. 3% for Independent Bank Corporation (IBCP). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: First Bancorp grew EPS 45. 7% year-over-year, compared to 3. 5% for Independent Bank Corporation. 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 18. 0% for Old National Bancorp — meaning it keeps 21. 7% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: FBNC leads at 26. 6% versus 23. 6% for ONB. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — FBNC leads at 70. 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, Wintrust Financial Corporation (WTFC) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 59x versus Independent Bank Corporation's 1. 82x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, Old National Bancorp (ONB) trades at 9. 3x forward P/E versus 12. 6x for First Bancorp — 3. 3x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for WTFC: 15. 5% to $174. 57.

In this comparison, FFBC (3.

2% yield), IBCP (3. 0% yield), ONB (2. 4% yield), FBNC (1. 5% yield) pay a dividend. WTFC does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

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

83), 3. 0% yield, +184. 6% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (IBCP: +184. 6%, WTFC: +224. 8%), 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: FFBC is a small-cap deep-value stock; ONB is a small-cap high-growth stock; WTFC is a mid-cap deep-value stock; IBCP is a small-cap deep-value stock; FBNC is a small-cap quality compounder stock. FFBC, ONB, IBCP, FBNC pay a dividend while WTFC does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. 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.