Banks - Regional
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Side-by-side financial analysisStock Comparison
UNTY vs MNSB
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Banks - Regional
UNTY vs MNSB — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Banks - Regional | Banks - Regional |
| Market Cap | $577M | $184M |
| Revenue (TTM) | $206M | $135M |
| Net Income (TTM) | $58M | $16M |
| Gross Margin | 63.1% | 54.3% |
| Operating Margin | 37.2% | 14.1% |
| Forward P/E | 9.7x | 11.0x |
| Total Debt | $266M | $70M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $217M | $26M |
UNTY vs MNSB — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | Jun 20 | Jun 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unity Bancorp, Inc. (UNTY) | 100 | 396.0 | +296.0% |
| MainStreet Bancshar… (MNSB) | 100 | 188.9 | +88.9% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: UNTY vs MNSB
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
UNTY carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for growth exposure and long-term compounding.
- Rev growth 15.5%, EPS growth 39.7%
- 415.6% 10Y total return vs MNSB's 135.4%
- NIM 3.9% vs MNSB's 3.1%
MNSB is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and sleep-well-at-night.
- Dividend streak 0 yrs, beta 0.60, yield 1.6%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.60, Low D/E 32.0%, current ratio 0.02x
- Beta 0.60, yield 1.6%, current ratio 0.02x
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 15.5% NII/revenue growth vs MNSB's -1.4% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (9.7x vs 11.0x) | |
| Quality / Margins | Efficiency ratio 0.3% vs MNSB's 0.4% (lower = leaner) | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.60 vs UNTY's 0.88, lower leverage | |
| Dividends | 1.0% yield, 12-year raise streak, vs MNSB's 1.6% | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +37.2% vs UNTY's +25.1% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | Efficiency ratio 0.3% vs MNSB's 0.4% |
UNTY vs MNSB — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
UNTY vs MNSB — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
UNTY leads this category, winning 4 of 5 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
UNTY is the larger business by revenue, generating $206M annually — 1.5x MNSB's $135M. UNTY is the more profitable business, keeping 28.1% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to MNSB's 11.5%.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $206M | $135M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $78M | $23M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $58M | $16M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $43M | $11M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +63.1% | +54.3% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +37.2% | +14.1% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +28.1% | +11.5% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +21.1% | +7.9% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | — | — |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +34.5% | +120.9% |
Valuation Metrics
UNTY leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 10.0x trailing earnings, UNTY trades at a 29% valuation discount to MNSB's 14.2x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, UNTY's 8.3x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than MNSB's 11.9x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $577M | $184M |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $627M | $227M |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 9.99x | 14.16x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 9.70x | 11.03x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | 0.48x | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 8.30x | 11.90x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 3.06x | 1.35x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.68x | 0.87x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 13.02x | 17.26x |
Profitability & Efficiency
UNTY leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
UNTY delivers a 17.8% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $18 in annual profit, vs $7 for MNSB. MNSB carries lower financial leverage with a 0.32x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to UNTY's 0.77x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), UNTY scores 6/9 vs MNSB's 5/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +17.8% | +7.3% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +2.0% | +0.7% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +10.0% | +5.0% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +13.0% | +6.0% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 6 | 5 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.77x | 0.32x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $50M | $43M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $217M | $26M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $266M | $70M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 1.33x | 0.31x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
UNTY leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in UNTY five years ago would be worth $26,359 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $11,813 for MNSB. Over the past 12 months, MNSB leads with a +37.2% total return vs UNTY's +25.1%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors UNTY at 34.9% vs MNSB's 4.2% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +11.5% | +26.5% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +25.1% | +37.2% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +145.4% | +13.1% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +163.6% | +18.1% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +415.6% | +135.4% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +34.9% | +4.2% |
Risk & Volatility
MNSB leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
MNSB is the less volatile stock with a 0.60 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than UNTY's 0.88 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.88x | 0.60x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $57.30 | $25.17 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $43.06 | $17.86 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +98.8% | +99.0% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 55.1 | 65.3 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 52K | 45K |
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — UNTY and MNSB each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates UNTY as "Buy" and MNSB as "Hold". For income investors, MNSB offers the higher dividend yield at 1.60% vs UNTY's 0.97%.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $66.50 | — |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 5 | 1 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +1.0% | +1.6% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 12 | 0 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.55 | $0.40 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +0.9% | +2.4% |
UNTY leads in 4 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Valuation Metrics). MNSB leads in 1 (Risk & Volatility). 1 tied.
UNTY vs MNSB: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is UNTY or MNSB a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Unity Bancorp, Inc.
(UNTY) is the stronger pick with 15. 5% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -1. 4% for MainStreet Bancshares, Inc. (MNSB). Unity Bancorp, Inc. (UNTY) offers the better valuation at 10. 0x trailing P/E (9. 7x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Unity Bancorp, Inc. (UNTY) 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.
02Which has the better valuation — UNTY or MNSB?
On trailing P/E, Unity Bancorp, Inc.
(UNTY) is the cheapest at 10. 0x versus MainStreet Bancshares, Inc. at 14. 2x. On forward P/E, Unity Bancorp, Inc. is actually cheaper at 9. 7x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — UNTY or MNSB?
Over the past 5 years, Unity Bancorp, Inc.
(UNTY) delivered a total return of +163. 6%, compared to +18. 1% for MainStreet Bancshares, Inc. (MNSB). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: UNTY returned +415. 6% versus MNSB's +135. 4%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — UNTY or MNSB?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), MainStreet Bancshares, Inc.
(MNSB) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 60β versus Unity Bancorp, Inc. 's 0. 88β — meaning UNTY is approximately 47% more volatile than MNSB relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, MainStreet Bancshares, Inc. (MNSB) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 32% versus 77% for Unity Bancorp, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — UNTY or MNSB?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Unity Bancorp, Inc.
(UNTY) is pulling ahead at 15. 5% versus -1. 4% for MainStreet Bancshares, Inc. (MNSB). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: MainStreet Bancshares, Inc. grew EPS 210. 0% year-over-year, compared to 39. 7% for Unity Bancorp, 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.
06Which has better profit margins — UNTY or MNSB?
Unity Bancorp, Inc.
(UNTY) is the more profitable company, earning 30. 8% net margin versus 11. 5% for MainStreet Bancshares, Inc. — meaning it keeps 30. 8% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: UNTY leads at 40. 1% versus 14. 0% for MNSB. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — UNTY leads at 67. 9%, 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.
07Is UNTY or MNSB more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Unity Bancorp, Inc.
(UNTY) trades at 9. 7x forward P/E versus 11. 0x for MainStreet Bancshares, Inc. — 1. 3x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis.
08Which pays a better dividend — UNTY or MNSB?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
MainStreet Bancshares, Inc. (MNSB) offers the highest yield at 1. 6%, versus 1. 0% for Unity Bancorp, Inc. (UNTY).
09Is UNTY or MNSB better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, MainStreet Bancshares, Inc.
(MNSB) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 60), 1. 6% yield, +135. 4% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (MNSB: +135. 4%, UNTY: +415. 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.
10What are the main differences between UNTY and MNSB?
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: UNTY is a small-cap high-growth stock; MNSB 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.
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