Alerus Financial Corporation (ALRS) vs California BanCorp (BCAL)
A side-by-side comparison of Alerus Financial Corporation and California BanCorp across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of October 6, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
Total return — ALRS vs BCAL
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yALRS vs BCAL: by the numbers
- •ALRS is the larger company ($816M vs $696M market cap).
- •BCAL trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (11.77 vs 30.05 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •BCAL converts more revenue to profit (26.02% vs 8.33% net margin).
- •BCAL grew revenue faster over the past five years (29.76% vs 5.76% CAGR).
- •ALRS pays the higher dividend yield (2.65% vs 1.38%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | ALRS | BCAL |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 30.05 | 11.77 |
| Forward P/E | 10.76 | 12.42 |
| PEG ratio | N/A | 0.37 |
| P/S ratio | 2.45 | 3.01 |
| P/B ratio | 1.40 | 1.19 |
Profitability
| Metric | ALRS | BCAL |
|---|---|---|
| Operating margin | 10.36% | 35.94% |
| Net margin | 8.33% | 26.02% |
| ROE | 4.75% | 10.26% |
Alerus Financial Corporation: Gross margin is not shown for a lender or insurer: its revenue is interest, premiums and fees rather than the sale of goods, so there is no cost of goods sold to measure it against.
California BanCorp: Gross margin is not shown for a lender or insurer: its revenue is interest, premiums and fees rather than the sale of goods, so there is no cost of goods sold to measure it against.
Dividends
| Metric | ALRS | BCAL |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.65% | 1.38% |
| Payout ratio | 79.63% | 16.30% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | ALRS | BCAL |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 5.76% | 29.76% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | -23.13% | 31.29% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 4.67% | 7.09% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, ALRS or BCAL?
- BCAL has the lower trailing P/E: ALRS trades at 30.05 and BCAL at 11.77. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, ALRS or BCAL?
- Over the past five years, BCAL grew revenue faster — ALRS at a 5.76% CAGR versus BCAL at 29.76%.
- Does ALRS or BCAL pay a bigger dividend?
- ALRS yields 2.65% and BCAL yields 1.38% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is ALRS or BCAL more profitable?
- BCAL runs the higher net margin — ALRS at 8.33% versus BCAL at 26.02%.
- How have ALRS and BCAL total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, ALRS delivered 9.99% and BCAL delivered 9.44% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Alerus Financial & California BanCorp appear in these rankings
Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified October 6, 2026.