Go Pro

ECB Bancorp (ECBK) Competitors

ECB Bancorp logo
$20.75 -0.80 (-3.71%)
As of 09/4/2026 04:00 PM Eastern

ECBK vs. PFIS, VBNK, CARE, BCAL, and MSBI

Should you buy ECB Bancorp stock or one of its competitors? ECB Bancorp's main competitors and comparable companies include Peoples Financial Services (PFIS), VersaBank (VBNK), Carter Bankshares (CARE), California BanCorp (BCAL), and Midland States Bancorp (MSBI). Companies are selected based on similarities in market, industry, and size. These companies are all part of the "regional banks" industry.

How does ECB Bancorp compare to Peoples Financial Services?

ECB Bancorp (NASDAQ:ECBK) and Peoples Financial Services (NASDAQ:PFIS) are both small-cap finance companies, but which is the superior investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their risk, valuation, earnings, profitability, analyst recommendations, dividends, institutional ownership and media sentiment.

ECB Bancorp has a beta of 0.45, meaning that its stock price is 55% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Peoples Financial Services has a beta of 0.74, meaning that its stock price is 26% less volatile than the broader market.

30.3% of ECB Bancorp shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 31.7% of Peoples Financial Services shares are owned by institutional investors. 10.4% of ECB Bancorp shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 8.2% of Peoples Financial Services shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Peoples Financial Services has a net margin of 20.66% compared to ECB Bancorp's net margin of 13.19%. Peoples Financial Services' return on equity of 17.27% beat ECB Bancorp's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
ECB Bancorp13.19% 6.55% 0.70%
Peoples Financial Services 20.66%17.27%1.70%

Peoples Financial Services has higher revenue and earnings than ECB Bancorp. Peoples Financial Services is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than ECB Bancorp, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
ECB Bancorp$38.81M4.67$7.77M$1.3715.15
Peoples Financial Services$283.67M2.53$59.19M$8.838.13

In the previous week, Peoples Financial Services had 2 more articles in the media than ECB Bancorp. MarketBeat recorded 3 mentions for Peoples Financial Services and 1 mentions for ECB Bancorp. ECB Bancorp's average media sentiment score of 1.79 beat Peoples Financial Services' score of 1.03 indicating that ECB Bancorp is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
ECB Bancorp
1 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
0 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Very Positive
Peoples Financial Services
2 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Peoples Financial Services has a consensus price target of $65.50, indicating a potential downside of 8.81%. Given Peoples Financial Services' higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Peoples Financial Services is more favorable than ECB Bancorp.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
ECB Bancorp
0 Sell rating(s)
0 Hold rating(s)
0 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
4.00
Peoples Financial Services
0 Sell rating(s)
2 Hold rating(s)
1 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.33

Summary

Peoples Financial Services beats ECB Bancorp on 11 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does ECB Bancorp compare to VersaBank?

VersaBank (NASDAQ:VBNK) and ECB Bancorp (NASDAQ:ECBK) are both small-cap finance companies, but which is the better stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their dividends, earnings, analyst recommendations, risk, media sentiment, profitability, valuation and institutional ownership.

VersaBank has higher revenue and earnings than ECB Bancorp. ECB Bancorp is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than VersaBank, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
VersaBank$148.71M4.87$20.32M$0.7629.49
ECB Bancorp$38.81M4.67$7.77M$1.3715.15

In the previous week, VersaBank had 9 more articles in the media than ECB Bancorp. MarketBeat recorded 10 mentions for VersaBank and 1 mentions for ECB Bancorp. ECB Bancorp's average media sentiment score of 1.79 beat VersaBank's score of 0.42 indicating that ECB Bancorp is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
VersaBank
3 Very Positive mention(s)
3 Positive mention(s)
2 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral
ECB Bancorp
1 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
0 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Very Positive

VersaBank has a beta of 1.06, suggesting that its stock price is 6% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, ECB Bancorp has a beta of 0.45, suggesting that its stock price is 55% less volatile than the broader market.

VersaBank presently has a consensus target price of $24.00, indicating a potential upside of 7.10%. Given VersaBank's higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe VersaBank is more favorable than ECB Bancorp.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
VersaBank
0 Sell rating(s)
2 Hold rating(s)
2 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.50
ECB Bancorp
0 Sell rating(s)
0 Hold rating(s)
0 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
4.00

56.9% of VersaBank shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 30.3% of ECB Bancorp shares are held by institutional investors. 5.3% of VersaBank shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 10.4% of ECB Bancorp shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

ECB Bancorp has a net margin of 13.19% compared to VersaBank's net margin of 9.92%. VersaBank's return on equity of 8.74% beat ECB Bancorp's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
VersaBank9.92% 8.74% 0.77%
ECB Bancorp 13.19%6.55%0.70%

Summary

VersaBank beats ECB Bancorp on 11 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does ECB Bancorp compare to Carter Bankshares?

Carter Bankshares (NASDAQ:CARE) and ECB Bancorp (NASDAQ:ECBK) are both small-cap finance companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their risk, valuation, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, earnings, profitability, media sentiment and dividends.

Carter Bankshares has a net margin of 36.79% compared to ECB Bancorp's net margin of 13.19%. Carter Bankshares' return on equity of 7.46% beat ECB Bancorp's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Carter Bankshares36.79% 7.46% 0.73%
ECB Bancorp 13.19%6.55%0.70%

41.5% of Carter Bankshares shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 30.3% of ECB Bancorp shares are held by institutional investors. 2.4% of Carter Bankshares shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 10.4% of ECB Bancorp shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Carter Bankshares has higher revenue and earnings than ECB Bancorp. Carter Bankshares is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than ECB Bancorp, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Carter Bankshares$254.63M2.78$31M$5.815.50
ECB Bancorp$38.81M4.67$7.77M$1.3715.15

In the previous week, Carter Bankshares and Carter Bankshares both had 1 articles in the media. ECB Bancorp's average media sentiment score of 1.79 beat Carter Bankshares' score of 0.00 indicating that ECB Bancorp is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Carter Bankshares
0 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral
ECB Bancorp
1 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
0 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Very Positive

Carter Bankshares presently has a consensus target price of $30.75, suggesting a potential downside of 3.85%. Given Carter Bankshares' higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Carter Bankshares is more favorable than ECB Bancorp.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Carter Bankshares
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
1 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.20
ECB Bancorp
0 Sell rating(s)
0 Hold rating(s)
0 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
4.00

Carter Bankshares has a beta of 0.5, meaning that its stock price is 50% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, ECB Bancorp has a beta of 0.45, meaning that its stock price is 55% less volatile than the broader market.

Summary

Carter Bankshares beats ECB Bancorp on 10 of the 16 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does ECB Bancorp compare to California BanCorp?

California BanCorp (NASDAQ:BCAL) and ECB Bancorp (NASDAQ:ECBK) are both small-cap finance companies, but which is the better stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, earnings, valuation, profitability, risk, media sentiment and dividends.

California BanCorp presently has a consensus target price of $24.50, indicating a potential upside of 11.87%. Given California BanCorp's higher possible upside, equities analysts clearly believe California BanCorp is more favorable than ECB Bancorp.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
California BanCorp
0 Sell rating(s)
1 Hold rating(s)
5 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.83
ECB Bancorp
0 Sell rating(s)
0 Hold rating(s)
0 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
4.00

In the previous week, California BanCorp had 4 more articles in the media than ECB Bancorp. MarketBeat recorded 5 mentions for California BanCorp and 1 mentions for ECB Bancorp. ECB Bancorp's average media sentiment score of 1.79 beat California BanCorp's score of 1.72 indicating that ECB Bancorp is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
California BanCorp
5 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
0 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Very Positive
ECB Bancorp
1 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
0 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Very Positive

55.4% of California BanCorp shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 30.3% of ECB Bancorp shares are owned by institutional investors. 8.1% of California BanCorp shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 10.4% of ECB Bancorp shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

California BanCorp has higher revenue and earnings than ECB Bancorp. California BanCorp is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than ECB Bancorp, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
California BanCorp$180.21M3.91$63.06M$1.8411.90
ECB Bancorp$38.81M4.67$7.77M$1.3715.15

California BanCorp has a beta of 0.92, indicating that its share price is 8% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, ECB Bancorp has a beta of 0.45, indicating that its share price is 55% less volatile than the broader market.

California BanCorp has a net margin of 26.01% compared to ECB Bancorp's net margin of 13.19%. California BanCorp's return on equity of 10.44% beat ECB Bancorp's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
California BanCorp26.01% 10.44% 1.49%
ECB Bancorp 13.19%6.55%0.70%

Summary

California BanCorp beats ECB Bancorp on 11 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does ECB Bancorp compare to Midland States Bancorp?

Midland States Bancorp (NASDAQ:MSBI) and ECB Bancorp (NASDAQ:ECBK) are both small-cap finance companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their risk, valuation, institutional ownership, earnings, profitability, dividends, media sentiment and analyst recommendations.

Midland States Bancorp presently has a consensus price target of $29.10, suggesting a potential downside of 13.73%. Given Midland States Bancorp's higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Midland States Bancorp is more favorable than ECB Bancorp.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Midland States Bancorp
0 Sell rating(s)
5 Hold rating(s)
0 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.33
ECB Bancorp
0 Sell rating(s)
0 Hold rating(s)
0 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
4.00

Midland States Bancorp has a beta of 0.65, suggesting that its stock price is 35% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, ECB Bancorp has a beta of 0.45, suggesting that its stock price is 55% less volatile than the broader market.

ECB Bancorp has a net margin of 13.19% compared to Midland States Bancorp's net margin of 9.40%. Midland States Bancorp's return on equity of 13.32% beat ECB Bancorp's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Midland States Bancorp9.40% 13.32% 0.92%
ECB Bancorp 13.19%6.55%0.70%

In the previous week, Midland States Bancorp had 4 more articles in the media than ECB Bancorp. MarketBeat recorded 5 mentions for Midland States Bancorp and 1 mentions for ECB Bancorp. ECB Bancorp's average media sentiment score of 1.79 beat Midland States Bancorp's score of 1.72 indicating that ECB Bancorp is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Midland States Bancorp
5 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
0 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Very Positive
ECB Bancorp
1 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
0 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Very Positive

ECB Bancorp has lower revenue, but higher earnings than Midland States Bancorp. ECB Bancorp is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Midland States Bancorp, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Midland States Bancorp$476.05M1.47-$124.28M$1.5621.62
ECB Bancorp$38.81M4.67$7.77M$1.3715.15

60.9% of Midland States Bancorp shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 30.3% of ECB Bancorp shares are held by institutional investors. 8.6% of Midland States Bancorp shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 10.4% of ECB Bancorp shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

Midland States Bancorp beats ECB Bancorp on 9 of the 15 factors compared between the two stocks.

Get ECB Bancorp News Delivered to You Automatically

Sign up to receive the latest news and ratings for ECBK and its competitors with MarketBeat's FREE daily newsletter.

Subscribe Now
SMS is currently available in Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. By entering your phone number and clicking the sign-up button, you agree to receive periodic text messages from MarketBeat at the phone number you submitted, including texts that may be sent using an automatic telephone dialing system. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency will vary. Messages will consist of stock alerts, news stories, and partner advertisements/offers. Consent is not a condition of the purchase of any goods or services. Text HELP for help/customer support. Unsubscribe at any time by replying "STOP" to any text message that you receive from MarketBeat or by visiting our mailing preferences page. Read our full terms of service and privacy policy.

New MarketBeat Followers Over Time

This chart shows the number of new MarketBeat users adding ECBK and its top 5 competitors to their watchlist. Each company is represented with a line over a 90 day period.
Skip Chart

Media Sentiment Over Time

This chart shows the average media sentiment of NASDAQ and its competitors over the past 90 days as caculated by MarketBeat. The averaged score is equivalent to the following: Very Negative Sentiment <= -1.5, Negative Sentiment > -1.5 and <= -0.5, Neutral Sentiment > -0.5 and < 0.5, Positive Sentiment >= 0.5 and < 1.5, and Very Positive Sentiment >= 1.5.
Skip Chart

ECBK vs. The Competition

MetricECB BancorpBanks IndustryFinance SectorNASDAQ Exchange
Market Cap$181.35M$24.22B$14.30B$12.91B
Dividend YieldN/A3.14%5.88%9.14%
P/E Ratio15.1527.3526.1925.45
Price / Sales4.679.55528.79106.58
Price / Cash22.3416.3439.9652.44
Price / Book1.011.392.136.17
Net Income$7.77M$2.58B$1.32B$350.08M
7 Day Performance0.05%1.39%3.84%-0.14%
1 Month Performance0.83%1.08%1.69%0.94%
1 Year Performance23.59%24.39%11.19%14.02%

ECB Bancorp Competitors List

CompanyMarketRankShare PriceAnalysts' Price Target1Y Price PerformanceMarket CapRevenueP/E RatioEmployee CountIndicator(s)
ECBK
ECB Bancorp
0.787 of 5 stars
$20.75
-3.7%
N/A+23.6%$181.35M$38.81M15.1550
PFIS
Peoples Financial Services
2.0477 of 5 stars
$71.88
+1.4%
$65.50
-8.9%
+35.7%$719.51M$283.67M8.14400
VBNK
VersaBank
3.234 of 5 stars
$22.25
+8.1%
$24.00
+7.9%
+85.2%$719.34M$217.14M32.25100
CARE
Carter Bankshares
2.1276 of 5 stars
$31.95
+0.6%
$30.75
-3.8%
+64.0%$708.01M$254.63M5.50730
BCAL
California BanCorp
4.0203 of 5 stars
$21.90
+1.1%
$24.50
+11.9%
+28.1%$704.09M$237.07M11.90204

Related Companies and Tools


This page (NASDAQ:ECBK) was last updated on 9/6/2026 by MarketBeat.com Staff.
From Our Partners