First Busey Corporation (BUSE) vs Merchants Bancorp (MBINL)

A side-by-side comparison of First Busey Corporation and Merchants 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.

Compare

Total return — BUSE vs MBINL

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 2y
BUSE +20.3% (+9.7%/yr)MBINL +6.6% (+3.3%/yr)BUSE compounded faster over this window
8090100110120130Start $10020252026$120$107
BUSE MBINL

BUSE vs MBINL: by the numbers

  • •BUSE is the larger company ($2.50B vs $2.38B market cap).
  • •MBINL trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (4.66 vs 10.67 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • •BUSE converts more revenue to profit (24.65% vs 20.51% net margin).
  • •MBINL grew revenue faster over the past five years (23.60% vs 16.75% CAGR).
  • •MBINL pays the higher dividend yield (8.34% vs 3.49%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricBUSEMBINL
P/E ratio10.674.66
Forward P/E11.594.16
P/S ratio2.671.82
P/B ratio1.051.29

Profitability

MetricBUSEMBINL
Operating margin16.52%21.15%
Net margin24.65%20.51%
ROE9.69%11.22%

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.

Merchants 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

MetricBUSEMBINL
Dividend yield3.49%8.34%
Payout ratio37.18%38.31%

Growth (annualized)

MetricBUSEMBINL
Revenue CAGR (5Y)16.75%23.60%
EPS CAGR (5Y)-4.13%-0.37%
Total return CAGR (5Y)7.08%N/A

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, BUSE or MBINL?
MBINL has the lower trailing P/E: BUSE trades at 10.67 and MBINL at 4.66. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, BUSE or MBINL?
Over the past five years, MBINL grew revenue faster — BUSE at a 16.75% CAGR versus MBINL at 23.60%.
Does BUSE or MBINL pay a bigger dividend?
BUSE yields 3.49% and MBINL yields 8.34% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is BUSE or MBINL more profitable?
BUSE runs the higher net margin — BUSE at 24.65% versus MBINL at 20.51%.

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.