Esquire Financial Holdings, Inc. (ESQ) vs Mercantile Bank Corporation (MBWM)
A side-by-side comparison of Esquire Financial Holdings, Inc. and Mercantile Bank Corporation 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 — ESQ vs MBWM
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 9yESQ vs MBWM: by the numbers
- •ESQ is the larger company ($1.03B vs $1.02B market cap).
- •MBWM trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (10.44 vs 19.59 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •ESQ converts more revenue to profit (29.32% vs 24.79% net margin).
- •ESQ grew revenue faster over the past five years (24.48% vs 14.13% CAGR).
- •MBWM pays the higher dividend yield (2.63% vs 0.66%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | ESQ | MBWM |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 19.59 | 10.44 |
| Forward P/E | 17.11 | 10.70 |
| PEG ratio | 0.68 | 0.69 |
| P/S ratio | 5.70 | 2.67 |
| P/B ratio | 3.27 | 1.36 |
Profitability
| Metric | ESQ | MBWM |
|---|---|---|
| Operating margin | 40.57% | 28.78% |
| Net margin | 29.32% | 24.79% |
| ROE | 16.81% | 12.61% |
Esquire Financial Holdings, 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.
Mercantile Bank 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.
Dividends
| Metric | ESQ | MBWM |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.66% | 2.63% |
| Payout ratio | 12.79% | 27.46% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | ESQ | MBWM |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 24.48% | 14.13% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 29.96% | 15.04% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 32.17% | 16.02% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, ESQ or MBWM?
- MBWM has the lower trailing P/E: ESQ trades at 19.59 and MBWM at 10.44. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, ESQ or MBWM?
- Over the past five years, ESQ grew revenue faster — ESQ at a 24.48% CAGR versus MBWM at 14.13%.
- Does ESQ or MBWM pay a bigger dividend?
- ESQ yields 0.66% and MBWM yields 2.63% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is ESQ or MBWM more profitable?
- ESQ runs the higher net margin — ESQ at 29.32% versus MBWM at 24.79%.
- How have ESQ and MBWM total returns compared?
- Over the past 5 years, ESQ delivered 32.17% and MBWM delivered 16.02% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Esquire Financial & Mercantile Bank 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.