First Bancorp (FBNC) vs Merchants Bancorp (MBINL)
A side-by-side comparison of First Bancorp 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.
Total return — FBNC vs MBINL
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 2yFBNC vs MBINL: by the numbers
- •FBNC is the larger company ($2.47B vs $2.38B market cap).
- •MBINL trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (4.67 vs 18.55 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •FBNC converts more revenue to profit (31.13% vs 20.51% net margin).
- •MBINL grew revenue faster over the past five years (23.60% vs 5.97% CAGR).
- •MBINL pays the higher dividend yield (8.34% vs 1.54%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | FBNC | MBINL |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 18.55 | 4.67 |
| Forward P/E | 13.14 | 4.17 |
| P/S ratio | 5.78 | 1.82 |
| P/B ratio | 1.44 | 1.29 |
Profitability
| Metric | FBNC | MBINL |
|---|---|---|
| Operating margin | 26.56% | 21.15% |
| Net margin | 31.13% | 20.51% |
| ROE | 7.76% | 11.22% |
First 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.
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
| Metric | FBNC | MBINL |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.54% | 8.34% |
| Payout ratio | 29.50% | 38.31% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | FBNC | MBINL |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 5.97% | 23.60% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | -1.22% | -0.37% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 9.41% | N/A |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, FBNC or MBINL?
- MBINL has the lower trailing P/E: FBNC trades at 18.55 and MBINL at 4.67. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, FBNC or MBINL?
- Over the past five years, MBINL grew revenue faster — FBNC at a 5.97% CAGR versus MBINL at 23.60%.
- Does FBNC or MBINL pay a bigger dividend?
- FBNC yields 1.54% and MBINL yields 8.34% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is FBNC or MBINL more profitable?
- FBNC runs the higher net margin — FBNC at 31.13% versus MBINL at 20.51%.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
First Bancorp & Merchants 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.