First Busey Corporation (BUSE) vs Columbia Financial, Inc. (CLBK)
A side-by-side comparison of First Busey Corporation and Columbia Financial, Inc. 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 — BUSE vs CLBK
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 8yBUSE vs CLBK: by the numbers
- •CLBK is the larger company ($2.49B vs $2.49B market cap).
- •BUSE trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (10.61 vs 42.75 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •BUSE converts more revenue to profit (24.65% vs 11.53% net margin).
- •BUSE grew revenue faster over the past five years (16.75% vs 9.43% CAGR).
- •BUSE pays the higher dividend yield (3.49% vs 0.44%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | BUSE | CLBK |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 10.61 | 42.75 |
| Forward P/E | 11.54 | 39.92 |
| P/S ratio | 2.65 | 4.93 |
| P/B ratio | 1.04 | 2.08 |
Profitability
| Metric | BUSE | CLBK |
|---|---|---|
| Operating margin | 16.52% | 11.80% |
| Net margin | 24.65% | 11.53% |
| ROE | 9.69% | 4.86% |
First Busey 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.
Columbia Financial, Inc.: 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 | BUSE | CLBK |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 3.49% | 0.44% |
| Payout ratio | 37.18% | 19.20% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | BUSE | CLBK |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 16.75% | 9.43% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | -4.13% | -0.39% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 7.08% | 5.66% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, BUSE or CLBK?
- BUSE has the lower trailing P/E: BUSE trades at 10.61 and CLBK at 42.75. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, BUSE or CLBK?
- Over the past five years, BUSE grew revenue faster — BUSE at a 16.75% CAGR versus CLBK at 9.43%.
- Does BUSE or CLBK pay a bigger dividend?
- BUSE yields 3.49% and CLBK yields 0.44% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is BUSE or CLBK more profitable?
- BUSE runs the higher net margin — BUSE at 24.65% versus CLBK at 11.53%.
- How have BUSE and CLBK total returns compared?
- Over the past 5 years, BUSE delivered 7.08% and CLBK delivered 5.66% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
First Busey & Columbia Financial 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.