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WaFd (WAFD) Competitors

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$36.09 0.00 (0.00%)
As of 08/28/2026 04:00 PM Eastern

WAFD vs. ABCB, CATY, FFBC, HWC, and SFNC

Should you buy WaFd stock or one of its competitors? WaFd's main competitors and comparable companies include Ameris Bancorp (ABCB), Cathay General Bancorp (CATY), First Financial Bancorp. (FFBC), Hancock Whitney (HWC), and Simmons First National (SFNC). Companies are selected based on similarities in market, industry, and size. These companies are all part of the "regional banks" industry.

How does WaFd compare to Ameris Bancorp?

WaFd (NASDAQ:WAFD) and Ameris Bancorp (NASDAQ:ABCB) are both mid-cap finance companies, but which is the superior business? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, profitability, media sentiment, dividends, risk, valuation, earnings and institutional ownership.

WaFd pays an annual dividend of $1.08 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.0%. Ameris Bancorp pays an annual dividend of $0.80 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.9%. WaFd pays out 34.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Ameris Bancorp pays out 14.5% 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. WaFd has raised its dividend for 2 consecutive years. WaFd is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Ameris Bancorp has a net margin of 21.46% compared to WaFd's net margin of 18.47%. Ameris Bancorp's return on equity of 9.57% beat WaFd's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
WaFd18.47% 8.98% 0.89%
Ameris Bancorp 21.46%9.57%1.32%

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

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
WaFd$782.48M3.41$226.07M$3.1711.38
Ameris Bancorp$1.23B4.67$358.68M$5.5315.48

WaFd presently has a consensus target price of $37.00, suggesting a potential upside of 2.52%. Ameris Bancorp has a consensus target price of $91.67, suggesting a potential upside of 7.11%. Given Ameris Bancorp's stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Ameris Bancorp is more favorable than WaFd.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
WaFd
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
1 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.20
Ameris Bancorp
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
3 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.43

In the previous week, WaFd had 4 more articles in the media than Ameris Bancorp. MarketBeat recorded 8 mentions for WaFd and 4 mentions for Ameris Bancorp. Ameris Bancorp's average media sentiment score of 1.58 beat WaFd's score of 1.26 indicating that Ameris Bancorp is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
WaFd
5 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
2 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Ameris Bancorp
4 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
0 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Very Positive

WaFd has a beta of 0.84, meaning that its share price is 16% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Ameris Bancorp has a beta of 0.92, meaning that its share price is 8% less volatile than the broader market.

83.7% of WaFd shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 91.6% of Ameris Bancorp shares are held by institutional investors. 1.5% of WaFd shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 5.7% of Ameris Bancorp shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

Ameris Bancorp beats WaFd on 16 of the 19 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does WaFd compare to Cathay General Bancorp?

WaFd (NASDAQ:WAFD) and Cathay General Bancorp (NASDAQ:CATY) are both mid-cap finance companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their earnings, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, media sentiment, dividends, profitability, valuation and risk.

83.7% of WaFd shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 75.0% of Cathay General Bancorp shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.5% of WaFd shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 4.5% of Cathay General Bancorp shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

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

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
WaFd$782.48M3.41$226.07M$3.1711.38
Cathay General Bancorp$1.38B2.98$315.12M$5.1212.08

Cathay General Bancorp has a net margin of 24.66% compared to WaFd's net margin of 18.47%. Cathay General Bancorp's return on equity of 11.71% beat WaFd's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
WaFd18.47% 8.98% 0.89%
Cathay General Bancorp 24.66%11.71%1.43%

In the previous week, Cathay General Bancorp had 5 more articles in the media than WaFd. MarketBeat recorded 13 mentions for Cathay General Bancorp and 8 mentions for WaFd. WaFd's average media sentiment score of 1.26 beat Cathay General Bancorp's score of 1.09 indicating that WaFd is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
WaFd
5 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
2 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Cathay General Bancorp
9 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
0 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

WaFd currently has a consensus target price of $37.00, indicating a potential upside of 2.52%. Cathay General Bancorp has a consensus target price of $62.25, indicating a potential upside of 0.61%. Given WaFd's stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, equities analysts plainly believe WaFd is more favorable than Cathay General Bancorp.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
WaFd
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
1 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.20
Cathay General Bancorp
1 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
1 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.00

WaFd has a beta of 0.84, meaning that its stock price is 16% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Cathay General Bancorp has a beta of 0.86, meaning that its stock price is 14% less volatile than the broader market.

WaFd pays an annual dividend of $1.08 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.0%. Cathay General Bancorp pays an annual dividend of $1.52 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.5%. WaFd pays out 34.1% 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. WaFd has raised its dividend for 2 consecutive years. WaFd is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Summary

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

How does WaFd compare to First Financial Bancorp.?

First Financial Bancorp. (NASDAQ:FFBC) and WaFd (NASDAQ:WAFD) are both mid-cap finance companies, but which is the better business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their dividends, institutional ownership, profitability, media sentiment, analyst recommendations, earnings, valuation and risk.

77.2% of First Financial Bancorp. shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 83.7% of WaFd shares are held by institutional investors. 1.1% of First Financial Bancorp. shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 1.5% of WaFd shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

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

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
First Financial Bancorp.$1.26B2.74$255.60M$2.8311.60
WaFd$782.48M3.41$226.07M$3.1711.38

First Financial Bancorp. pays an annual dividend of $1.00 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.0%. WaFd pays an annual dividend of $1.08 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.0%. First Financial Bancorp. pays out 35.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. WaFd pays out 34.1% 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 Financial Bancorp. has raised its dividend for 1 consecutive years and WaFd has raised its dividend for 2 consecutive years.

First Financial Bancorp. currently has a consensus price target of $33.67, suggesting a potential upside of 2.58%. WaFd has a consensus price target of $37.00, suggesting a potential upside of 2.52%. Given First Financial Bancorp.'s stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe First Financial Bancorp. is more favorable than WaFd.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
First Financial Bancorp.
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
4 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.50
WaFd
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
1 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.20

First Financial Bancorp. has a net margin of 20.77% compared to WaFd's net margin of 18.47%. First Financial Bancorp.'s return on equity of 11.13% beat WaFd's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
First Financial Bancorp.20.77% 11.13% 1.49%
WaFd 18.47%8.98%0.89%

First Financial Bancorp. has a beta of 0.92, indicating that its share price is 8% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, WaFd has a beta of 0.84, indicating that its share price is 16% less volatile than the broader market.

In the previous week, WaFd had 1 more articles in the media than First Financial Bancorp.. MarketBeat recorded 8 mentions for WaFd and 7 mentions for First Financial Bancorp.. WaFd's average media sentiment score of 1.26 beat First Financial Bancorp.'s score of 0.89 indicating that WaFd is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
First Financial Bancorp.
4 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
WaFd
5 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
2 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Summary

First Financial Bancorp. beats WaFd on 11 of the 19 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does WaFd compare to Hancock Whitney?

WaFd (NASDAQ:WAFD) and Hancock Whitney (NASDAQ:HWC) are both mid-cap finance companies, but which is the superior investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, risk, institutional ownership, profitability, earnings, media sentiment, dividends and valuation.

In the previous week, Hancock Whitney had 2 more articles in the media than WaFd. MarketBeat recorded 10 mentions for Hancock Whitney and 8 mentions for WaFd. Hancock Whitney's average media sentiment score of 1.75 beat WaFd's score of 1.26 indicating that Hancock Whitney is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
WaFd
5 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
2 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Hancock Whitney
9 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
0 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Very Positive

Hancock Whitney has a net margin of 21.81% compared to WaFd's net margin of 18.47%. Hancock Whitney's return on equity of 11.36% beat WaFd's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
WaFd18.47% 8.98% 0.89%
Hancock Whitney 21.81%11.36%1.41%

WaFd has a beta of 0.84, suggesting that its stock price is 16% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Hancock Whitney has a beta of 0.95, suggesting that its stock price is 5% less volatile than the broader market.

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

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
WaFd$782.48M3.41$226.07M$3.1711.38
Hancock Whitney$2.02B2.98$486.07M$5.1014.72

83.7% of WaFd shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 81.2% of Hancock Whitney shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.5% of WaFd shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 0.9% of Hancock Whitney shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

WaFd pays an annual dividend of $1.08 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.0%. Hancock Whitney pays an annual dividend of $2.00 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.7%. WaFd pays out 34.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Hancock Whitney pays out 39.2% 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. WaFd has increased its dividend for 2 consecutive years and Hancock Whitney has increased its dividend for 3 consecutive years. WaFd is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio.

WaFd presently has a consensus target price of $37.00, suggesting a potential upside of 2.52%. Hancock Whitney has a consensus target price of $83.78, suggesting a potential upside of 11.60%. Given Hancock Whitney's stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Hancock Whitney is more favorable than WaFd.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
WaFd
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
1 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.20
Hancock Whitney
0 Sell rating(s)
3 Hold rating(s)
7 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.82

Summary

Hancock Whitney beats WaFd on 15 of the 20 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does WaFd compare to Simmons First National?

Simmons First National (NASDAQ:SFNC) and WaFd (NASDAQ:WAFD) are both mid-cap finance companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their profitability, dividends, analyst recommendations, risk, institutional ownership, earnings, media sentiment and valuation.

27.6% of Simmons First National shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 83.7% of WaFd shares are held by institutional investors. 0.8% of Simmons First National shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 1.5% of WaFd shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Simmons First National has a beta of 0.91, indicating that its stock price is 9% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, WaFd has a beta of 0.84, indicating that its stock price is 16% less volatile than the broader market.

In the previous week, WaFd had 6 more articles in the media than Simmons First National. MarketBeat recorded 8 mentions for WaFd and 2 mentions for Simmons First National. WaFd's average media sentiment score of 1.26 beat Simmons First National's score of 1.04 indicating that WaFd is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Simmons First National
0 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
WaFd
5 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
2 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Simmons First National presently has a consensus price target of $24.50, suggesting a potential upside of 7.98%. WaFd has a consensus price target of $37.00, suggesting a potential upside of 2.52%. Given Simmons First National's stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, equities research analysts clearly believe Simmons First National is more favorable than WaFd.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Simmons First National
0 Sell rating(s)
5 Hold rating(s)
2 Buy rating(s)
2 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.67
WaFd
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
1 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.20

WaFd has a net margin of 18.47% compared to Simmons First National's net margin of -24.64%. WaFd's return on equity of 8.98% beat Simmons First National's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Simmons First National-24.64% 8.32% 1.16%
WaFd 18.47%8.98%0.89%

WaFd has lower revenue, but higher earnings than Simmons First National. Simmons First National is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than WaFd, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Simmons First National$1.43B2.30-$397.55M-$2.53N/A
WaFd$782.48M3.41$226.07M$3.1711.38

Simmons First National pays an annual dividend of $0.86 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.8%. WaFd pays an annual dividend of $1.08 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.0%. Simmons First National pays out -34.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. WaFd pays out 34.1% 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. Simmons First National has raised its dividend for 14 consecutive years and WaFd has raised its dividend for 2 consecutive years. Simmons First National is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Summary

Simmons First National and WaFd tied by winning 10 of the 20 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 WAFD 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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WAFD vs. The Competition

MetricWaFdBanks IndustryFinance SectorNASDAQ Exchange
Market Cap$2.67B$23.55B$14.01B$12.89B
Dividend Yield2.99%3.17%5.88%11.28%
P/E Ratio11.3827.3926.7425.45
Price / Sales3.419.40521.97104.21
Price / Cash11.7016.0630.4036.03
Price / Book1.041.372.856.36
Net Income$226.07M$2.58B$1.31B$349.79M
7 Day Performance-0.55%-0.10%0.29%-0.40%
1 Month Performance-1.85%0.59%2.55%4.24%
1 Year Performance14.75%22.94%10.76%15.13%

WaFd Competitors List

CompanyMarketRankShare PriceAnalysts' Price Target1Y Price PerformanceMarket CapRevenueP/E RatioEmployee CountIndicator(s)
WAFD
WaFd
2.1861 of 5 stars
$36.09
flat
$37.00
+2.5%
+14.8%$2.67B$782.48M11.382,037
ABCB
Ameris Bancorp
4.0719 of 5 stars
$85.44
-0.6%
$91.67
+7.3%
+16.7%$5.74B$1.23B16.412,850
CATY
Cathay General Bancorp
2.8283 of 5 stars
$61.85
-0.8%
$62.25
+0.6%
+24.0%$4.13B$1.38B12.081,268
FFBC
First Financial Bancorp.
2.9451 of 5 stars
$32.71
-0.7%
$33.67
+2.9%
+23.9%$3.44B$1.26B11.572,199
HWC
Hancock Whitney
4.0483 of 5 stars
$74.28
-0.8%
$83.78
+12.8%
+19.3%$5.96B$2.02B14.563,627

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This page (NASDAQ:WAFD) was last updated on 8/31/2026 by MarketBeat.com Staff.
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