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Westamerica Bancorporation (WABC) Competitors

Westamerica Bancorporation logo
$59.60 +0.48 (+0.81%)
Closing price 10/2/2026 04:00 PM Eastern
Extended Trading
$59.60 +0.00 (+0.01%)
As of 10/2/2026 07:30 PM Eastern
Extended trading is trading that happens on electronic markets outside of regular trading hours. This is a fair market value extended hours price provided by Massive. Learn more.

WABC vs. BUSE, CATY, FFBC, FRME, and NWBI

Should you buy Westamerica Bancorporation stock or one of its competitors? Westamerica Bancorporation's main competitors and comparable companies include First Busey (BUSE), Cathay General Bancorp (CATY), First Financial Bancorp. (FFBC), First Merchants (FRME), and Northwest Bancshares (NWBI). Companies are selected based on similarities in market, industry, and size. These companies are all part of the "regional banks" industry.

How does Westamerica Bancorporation compare to First Busey?

Westamerica Bancorporation (NASDAQ:WABC) and First Busey (NASDAQ:BUSE) are both finance companies, but which is the superior investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, dividends, valuation, earnings, profitability, risk, institutional ownership and media sentiment.

Westamerica Bancorporation has a net margin of 41.71% compared to First Busey's net margin of 21.00%. Westamerica Bancorporation's return on equity of 12.31% beat First Busey's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Westamerica Bancorporation41.71% 12.31% 1.88%
First Busey 21.00%10.48%1.40%

81.9% of Westamerica Bancorporation shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 56.5% of First Busey shares are held by institutional investors. 5.9% of Westamerica Bancorporation shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 3.8% of First Busey shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

First Busey has higher revenue and earnings than Westamerica Bancorporation. First Busey is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Westamerica Bancorporation, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Westamerica Bancorporation$271.77M5.07$116.17M$4.5413.13
First Busey$1.04B2.35$135.26M$2.4212.29

In the previous week, Westamerica Bancorporation had 3 more articles in the media than First Busey. MarketBeat recorded 4 mentions for Westamerica Bancorporation and 1 mentions for First Busey. First Busey's average media sentiment score of 0.87 beat Westamerica Bancorporation's score of 0.44 indicating that First Busey is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Westamerica Bancorporation
1 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
3 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral
First Busey
0 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
0 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Westamerica Bancorporation presently has a consensus target price of $64.00, suggesting a potential upside of 7.38%. First Busey has a consensus target price of $31.00, suggesting a potential upside of 4.27%. Given Westamerica Bancorporation's higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Westamerica Bancorporation is more favorable than First Busey.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Westamerica Bancorporation
0 Sell rating(s)
2 Hold rating(s)
0 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.00
First Busey
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
3 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.43

Westamerica Bancorporation pays an annual dividend of $1.92 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.2%. First Busey pays an annual dividend of $1.04 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.5%. Westamerica Bancorporation pays out 42.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. First Busey pays out 43.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Westamerica Bancorporation has increased its dividend for 34 consecutive years and First Busey has increased its dividend for 10 consecutive years.

Westamerica Bancorporation has a beta of 0.56, meaning that its stock price is 44% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, First Busey has a beta of 0.75, meaning that its stock price is 25% less volatile than the broader market.

Summary

Westamerica Bancorporation beats First Busey on 12 of the 19 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Westamerica Bancorporation compare to Cathay General Bancorp?

Westamerica Bancorporation (NASDAQ:WABC) and Cathay General Bancorp (NASDAQ:CATY) are both finance companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their risk, earnings, institutional ownership, profitability, dividends, analyst recommendations, media sentiment and valuation.

Westamerica Bancorporation pays an annual dividend of $1.92 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.2%. Cathay General Bancorp pays an annual dividend of $1.52 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.5%. Westamerica Bancorporation pays out 42.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Cathay General Bancorp pays out 29.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Westamerica Bancorporation has raised its dividend for 34 consecutive years. Westamerica Bancorporation is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

In the previous week, Westamerica Bancorporation had 3 more articles in the media than Cathay General Bancorp. MarketBeat recorded 4 mentions for Westamerica Bancorporation and 1 mentions for Cathay General Bancorp. Cathay General Bancorp's average media sentiment score of 0.90 beat Westamerica Bancorporation's score of 0.44 indicating that Cathay General Bancorp is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Westamerica Bancorporation
1 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
3 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral
Cathay General Bancorp
0 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Westamerica Bancorporation has a net margin of 41.71% compared to Cathay General Bancorp's net margin of 24.66%. Westamerica Bancorporation's return on equity of 12.31% beat Cathay General Bancorp's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Westamerica Bancorporation41.71% 12.31% 1.88%
Cathay General Bancorp 24.66%11.71%1.43%

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

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Westamerica Bancorporation$271.77M5.07$116.17M$4.5413.13
Cathay General Bancorp$870.57M4.66$315.12M$5.1211.88

81.9% of Westamerica Bancorporation shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 75.0% of Cathay General Bancorp shares are held by institutional investors. 5.9% of Westamerica Bancorporation shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 4.5% of Cathay General Bancorp shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Westamerica Bancorporation presently has a consensus target price of $64.00, indicating a potential upside of 7.38%. Cathay General Bancorp has a consensus target price of $62.25, indicating a potential upside of 2.32%. Given Westamerica Bancorporation's higher possible upside, equities research analysts plainly believe Westamerica Bancorporation is more favorable than Cathay General Bancorp.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Westamerica Bancorporation
0 Sell rating(s)
2 Hold rating(s)
0 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.00
Cathay General Bancorp
1 Sell rating(s)
5 Hold rating(s)
1 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.00

Westamerica Bancorporation has a beta of 0.56, meaning that its share price is 44% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Cathay General Bancorp has a beta of 0.89, meaning that its share price is 11% less volatile than the broader market.

Summary

Westamerica Bancorporation beats Cathay General Bancorp on 11 of the 18 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Westamerica Bancorporation compare to First Financial Bancorp.?

Westamerica Bancorporation (NASDAQ:WABC) and First Financial Bancorp. (NASDAQ:FFBC) are both finance companies, but which is the better investment? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their earnings, valuation, profitability, media sentiment, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, dividends and risk.

Westamerica Bancorporation presently has a consensus price target of $64.00, indicating a potential upside of 7.38%. First Financial Bancorp. has a consensus price target of $34.00, indicating a potential upside of 6.68%. Given Westamerica Bancorporation's higher probable upside, research analysts plainly believe Westamerica Bancorporation is more favorable than First Financial Bancorp..

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Westamerica Bancorporation
0 Sell rating(s)
2 Hold rating(s)
0 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.00
First Financial Bancorp.
0 Sell rating(s)
3 Hold rating(s)
5 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.63

Westamerica Bancorporation has a net margin of 41.71% compared to First Financial Bancorp.'s net margin of 20.77%. Westamerica Bancorporation's return on equity of 12.31% beat First Financial Bancorp.'s return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Westamerica Bancorporation41.71% 12.31% 1.88%
First Financial Bancorp. 20.77%11.13%1.49%

In the previous week, Westamerica Bancorporation and Westamerica Bancorporation both had 4 articles in the media. First Financial Bancorp.'s average media sentiment score of 0.77 beat Westamerica Bancorporation's score of 0.44 indicating that First Financial Bancorp. is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Westamerica Bancorporation
1 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
3 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral
First Financial Bancorp.
1 Very Positive mention(s)
2 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Westamerica Bancorporation has a beta of 0.56, meaning that its share price is 44% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, First Financial Bancorp. has a beta of 0.93, meaning that its share price is 7% less volatile than the broader market.

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

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Westamerica Bancorporation$271.77M5.07$116.17M$4.5413.13
First Financial Bancorp.$1.26B2.66$255.60M$2.8311.26

81.9% of Westamerica Bancorporation shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 77.2% of First Financial Bancorp. shares are owned by institutional investors. 5.9% of Westamerica Bancorporation shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 1.1% of First Financial Bancorp. shares are owned by company 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.

Westamerica Bancorporation pays an annual dividend of $1.92 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.2%. First Financial Bancorp. pays an annual dividend of $1.04 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.3%. Westamerica Bancorporation pays out 42.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. First Financial Bancorp. pays out 36.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Westamerica Bancorporation has increased its dividend for 34 consecutive years and First Financial Bancorp. has increased its dividend for 1 consecutive years. First Financial Bancorp. is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio.

Summary

Westamerica Bancorporation beats First Financial Bancorp. on 10 of the 18 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Westamerica Bancorporation compare to First Merchants?

First Merchants (NASDAQ:FRME) and Westamerica Bancorporation (NASDAQ:WABC) are both finance companies, but which is the better stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, media sentiment, earnings, dividends, profitability, valuation and risk.

First Merchants has a beta of 0.87, indicating that its share price is 13% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Westamerica Bancorporation has a beta of 0.56, indicating that its share price is 44% less volatile than the broader market.

Westamerica Bancorporation has a net margin of 41.71% compared to First Merchants' net margin of 17.05%. Westamerica Bancorporation's return on equity of 12.31% beat First Merchants' return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
First Merchants17.05% 8.86% 1.12%
Westamerica Bancorporation 41.71%12.31%1.88%

In the previous week, First Merchants had 3 more articles in the media than Westamerica Bancorporation. MarketBeat recorded 7 mentions for First Merchants and 4 mentions for Westamerica Bancorporation. Westamerica Bancorporation's average media sentiment score of 0.44 beat First Merchants' score of 0.33 indicating that Westamerica Bancorporation is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
First Merchants
1 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
6 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral
Westamerica Bancorporation
1 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
3 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral

73.9% of First Merchants shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 81.9% of Westamerica Bancorporation shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.8% of First Merchants shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 5.9% of Westamerica Bancorporation shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

First Merchants pays an annual dividend of $1.48 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.7%. Westamerica Bancorporation pays an annual dividend of $1.92 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.2%. First Merchants pays out 47.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Westamerica Bancorporation pays out 42.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. First Merchants has raised its dividend for 13 consecutive years and Westamerica Bancorporation has raised its dividend for 34 consecutive years.

First Merchants presently has a consensus price target of $51.00, indicating a potential upside of 27.02%. Westamerica Bancorporation has a consensus price target of $64.00, indicating a potential upside of 7.38%. Given First Merchants' stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, equities research analysts clearly believe First Merchants is more favorable than Westamerica Bancorporation.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
First Merchants
0 Sell rating(s)
2 Hold rating(s)
2 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.50
Westamerica Bancorporation
0 Sell rating(s)
2 Hold rating(s)
0 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.00

First Merchants has higher revenue and earnings than Westamerica Bancorporation. First Merchants is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Westamerica Bancorporation, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
First Merchants$1.05B2.40$226M$3.1212.87
Westamerica Bancorporation$271.77M5.07$116.17M$4.5413.13

Summary

Westamerica Bancorporation beats First Merchants on 11 of the 19 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Westamerica Bancorporation compare to Northwest Bancshares?

Northwest Bancshares (NASDAQ:NWBI) and Westamerica Bancorporation (NASDAQ:WABC) are both finance companies, but which is the superior investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their dividends, profitability, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, earnings, risk, media sentiment and valuation.

Northwest Bancshares presently has a consensus target price of $15.80, indicating a potential upside of 4.02%. Westamerica Bancorporation has a consensus target price of $64.00, indicating a potential upside of 7.38%. Given Westamerica Bancorporation's higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Westamerica Bancorporation is more favorable than Northwest Bancshares.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Northwest Bancshares
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
2 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.33
Westamerica Bancorporation
0 Sell rating(s)
2 Hold rating(s)
0 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.00

Northwest Bancshares has a beta of 0.71, indicating that its stock price is 29% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Westamerica Bancorporation has a beta of 0.56, indicating that its stock price is 44% less volatile than the broader market.

66.3% of Northwest Bancshares shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 81.9% of Westamerica Bancorporation shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.1% of Northwest Bancshares shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 5.9% of Westamerica Bancorporation shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Westamerica Bancorporation has a net margin of 41.71% compared to Northwest Bancshares' net margin of 16.26%. Westamerica Bancorporation's return on equity of 12.31% beat Northwest Bancshares' return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Northwest Bancshares16.26% 10.25% 1.15%
Westamerica Bancorporation 41.71%12.31%1.88%

In the previous week, Westamerica Bancorporation had 2 more articles in the media than Northwest Bancshares. MarketBeat recorded 4 mentions for Westamerica Bancorporation and 2 mentions for Northwest Bancshares. Northwest Bancshares' average media sentiment score of 0.59 beat Westamerica Bancorporation's score of 0.44 indicating that Northwest Bancshares is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Northwest Bancshares
1 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Westamerica Bancorporation
1 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
3 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral

Northwest Bancshares has higher revenue and earnings than Westamerica Bancorporation. Westamerica Bancorporation is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Northwest Bancshares, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Northwest Bancshares$878.94M2.53$126.01M$1.0314.75
Westamerica Bancorporation$271.77M5.07$116.17M$4.5413.13

Northwest Bancshares pays an annual dividend of $0.80 per share and has a dividend yield of 5.3%. Westamerica Bancorporation pays an annual dividend of $1.92 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.2%. Northwest Bancshares pays out 77.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Westamerica Bancorporation pays out 42.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Westamerica Bancorporation has raised its dividend for 34 consecutive years.

Summary

Westamerica Bancorporation beats Northwest Bancshares on 11 of the 19 factors compared between the two stocks.

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New MarketBeat Followers Over Time

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

MetricWestamerica BancorporationBanks IndustryFinance SectorNASDAQ Exchange
Market Cap$1.38B$22.61B$13.39B$13.18B
Dividend Yield3.29%3.14%6.03%16.78%
P/E Ratio13.1325.3824.5026.04
Price / Sales5.479.33498.73108.79
Price / Cash11.9114.7446.4551.75
Price / Book1.591.342.706.31
Net Income$116.17M$2.58B$1.32B$362.16M
7 Day Performance-1.76%-1.00%-1.04%-1.66%
1 Month Performance0.88%-2.59%0.36%-4.50%
1 Year Performance24.24%21.00%11.52%2.06%

Westamerica Bancorporation Competitors List

CompanyMarketRankShare PriceAnalysts' Price Target1Y Price PerformanceMarket CapRevenueP/E RatioEmployee CountIndicator(s)
WABC
Westamerica Bancorporation
2.4211 of 5 stars
$59.60
+0.8%
$64.00
+7.4%
+22.8%$1.38B$251.90M13.13627
BUSE
First Busey
3.5892 of 5 stars
$29.34
-1.4%
$32.00
+9.1%
+28.9%$2.42B$1.04B12.121,948
CATY
Cathay General Bancorp
2.9647 of 5 stars
$59.92
-1.4%
$62.25
+3.9%
+26.9%$4.00B$1.38B11.701,268
FFBC
First Financial Bancorp.
3.3039 of 5 stars
$31.46
-1.4%
$34.00
+8.1%
+25.0%$3.30B$1.26B11.122,199
FRME
First Merchants
4.7257 of 5 stars
$39.99
-0.9%
$51.00
+27.5%
+7.1%$2.51B$1.05B12.822,086

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This page (NASDAQ:WABC) was last updated on 10/3/2026 by MarketBeat.com Staff.
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