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Equity Bancshares (EQBK) Competitors

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$47.79 -0.77 (-1.59%)
Closing price 09/23/2026 03:59 PM Eastern
Extended Trading
$47.92 +0.13 (+0.28%)
As of 08:14 AM Eastern
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EQBK vs. BUSE, FFBC, FRME, IBCP, and IBOC

Should you buy Equity Bancshares stock or one of its competitors? Equity Bancshares's main competitors and comparable companies include First Busey (BUSE), First Financial Bancorp. (FFBC), First Merchants (FRME), Independent Bank (IBCP), and International Bancshares (IBOC). Companies are selected based on similarities in market, industry, and size. These companies are all part of the "regional banks" industry.

How does Equity Bancshares compare to First Busey?

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

First Busey has a net margin of 21.00% compared to Equity Bancshares' net margin of 8.26%. Equity Bancshares' return on equity of 13.34% beat First Busey's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
First Busey21.00% 10.48% 1.40%
Equity Bancshares 8.26%13.34%1.46%

56.5% of First Busey shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 71.8% of Equity Bancshares shares are held by institutional investors. 3.8% of First Busey shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 14.5% of Equity Bancshares 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.

First Busey pays an annual dividend of $1.04 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.5%. Equity Bancshares pays an annual dividend of $0.88 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.8%. First Busey pays out 43.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Equity Bancshares pays out 52.7% 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. First Busey has increased its dividend for 10 consecutive years and Equity Bancshares has increased its dividend for 3 consecutive years. First Busey is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

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

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
First Busey$789.53M3.10$135.26M$2.4212.25
Equity Bancshares$252.07M3.90$22.73M$1.6728.62

First Busey has a beta of 0.71, indicating that its stock price is 29% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Equity Bancshares has a beta of 0.76, indicating that its stock price is 24% less volatile than the broader market.

In the previous week, First Busey's average media sentiment score of 0.50 beat Equity Bancshares' score of -0.50 indicating that First Busey is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Overall Sentiment
First Busey Positive
Equity Bancshares Negative

First Busey presently has a consensus price target of $32.00, indicating a potential upside of 7.96%. Equity Bancshares has a consensus price target of $55.33, indicating a potential upside of 15.78%. Given Equity Bancshares' stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Equity Bancshares is more favorable than First Busey.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
First Busey
0 Sell rating(s)
3 Hold rating(s)
4 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.57
Equity Bancshares
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
4 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.67

Summary

Equity Bancshares beats First Busey on 10 of the 18 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Equity Bancshares compare to First Financial Bancorp.?

First Financial Bancorp. (NASDAQ:FFBC) and Equity Bancshares (NYSE:EQBK) are both finance companies, but which is the superior business? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, valuation, analyst recommendations, earnings, institutional ownership, risk, dividends and media sentiment.

First Financial Bancorp. has a beta of 0.91, meaning that its stock price is 9% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Equity Bancshares has a beta of 0.76, meaning that its stock price is 24% less volatile than the broader market.

In the previous week, First Financial Bancorp. had 4 more articles in the media than Equity Bancshares. MarketBeat recorded 4 mentions for First Financial Bancorp. and 0 mentions for Equity Bancshares. First Financial Bancorp.'s average media sentiment score of 0.13 beat Equity Bancshares' score of -0.50 indicating that First Financial Bancorp. is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Overall Sentiment
First Financial Bancorp. Neutral
Equity Bancshares Negative

First Financial Bancorp. presently has a consensus price target of $33.67, suggesting a potential upside of 7.84%. Equity Bancshares has a consensus price target of $55.33, suggesting a potential upside of 15.78%. Given Equity Bancshares' stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Equity Bancshares is more favorable than First Financial Bancorp..

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
Equity Bancshares
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
4 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.67

77.2% of First Financial Bancorp. shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 71.8% of Equity Bancshares shares are held by institutional investors. 1.1% of First Financial Bancorp. shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 14.5% of Equity Bancshares shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

First Financial Bancorp. has a net margin of 20.77% compared to Equity Bancshares' net margin of 8.26%. Equity Bancshares' return on equity of 13.34% beat First Financial Bancorp.'s return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
First Financial Bancorp.20.77% 11.13% 1.49%
Equity Bancshares 8.26%13.34%1.46%

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

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
First Financial Bancorp.$1.26B2.60$255.60M$2.8311.03
Equity Bancshares$252.07M3.90$22.73M$1.6728.62

First Financial Bancorp. pays an annual dividend of $1.04 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.3%. Equity Bancshares pays an annual dividend of $0.88 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.8%. First Financial Bancorp. pays out 36.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Equity Bancshares pays out 52.7% 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. First Financial Bancorp. has raised its dividend for 1 consecutive years and Equity Bancshares has raised its dividend for 3 consecutive years. First Financial Bancorp. is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio.

Summary

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

How does Equity Bancshares compare to First Merchants?

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

In the previous week, First Merchants had 6 more articles in the media than Equity Bancshares. MarketBeat recorded 6 mentions for First Merchants and 0 mentions for Equity Bancshares. First Merchants' average media sentiment score of 0.47 beat Equity Bancshares' score of -0.50 indicating that First Merchants is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Overall Sentiment
First Merchants Neutral
Equity Bancshares Negative

First Merchants has a beta of 0.84, meaning that its stock price is 16% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Equity Bancshares has a beta of 0.76, meaning that its stock price is 24% less volatile than the broader market.

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

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
First Merchants$1.05B2.39$226M$3.1212.83
Equity Bancshares$252.07M3.90$22.73M$1.6728.62

First Merchants currently has a consensus target price of $49.00, suggesting a potential upside of 22.41%. Equity Bancshares has a consensus target price of $55.33, suggesting a potential upside of 15.78%. Given First Merchants' higher probable upside, equities analysts clearly believe First Merchants is more favorable than Equity Bancshares.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
First Merchants
0 Sell rating(s)
3 Hold rating(s)
3 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.50
Equity Bancshares
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
4 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.67

First Merchants has a net margin of 17.05% compared to Equity Bancshares' net margin of 8.26%. Equity Bancshares' return on equity of 13.34% beat First Merchants' return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
First Merchants17.05% 8.86% 1.12%
Equity Bancshares 8.26%13.34%1.46%

First Merchants pays an annual dividend of $1.48 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.7%. Equity Bancshares pays an annual dividend of $0.88 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.8%. First Merchants pays out 47.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Equity Bancshares pays out 52.7% 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. First Merchants has increased its dividend for 13 consecutive years and Equity Bancshares has increased its dividend for 3 consecutive years. First Merchants is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

73.9% of First Merchants shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 71.8% of Equity Bancshares shares are held by institutional investors. 1.8% of First Merchants shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 14.5% of Equity Bancshares shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

First Merchants beats Equity Bancshares on 12 of the 20 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Equity Bancshares compare to Independent Bank?

Independent Bank (NASDAQ:IBCP) and Equity Bancshares (NYSE:EQBK) are both small-cap finance companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their earnings, profitability, analyst recommendations, valuation, institutional ownership, media sentiment, risk and dividends.

Independent Bank has a beta of 0.7, indicating that its stock price is 30% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Equity Bancshares has a beta of 0.76, indicating that its stock price is 24% less volatile than the broader market.

Independent Bank has a net margin of 22.32% compared to Equity Bancshares' net margin of 8.26%. Independent Bank's return on equity of 14.12% beat Equity Bancshares' return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Independent Bank22.32% 14.12% 1.29%
Equity Bancshares 8.26%13.34%1.46%

79.4% of Independent Bank shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 71.8% of Equity Bancshares shares are owned by institutional investors. 5.9% of Independent Bank shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 14.5% of Equity Bancshares shares are owned 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.

Independent Bank presently has a consensus price target of $39.50, suggesting a potential upside of 11.90%. Equity Bancshares has a consensus price target of $55.33, suggesting a potential upside of 15.78%. Given Equity Bancshares' stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Equity Bancshares is more favorable than Independent Bank.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Independent Bank
0 Sell rating(s)
3 Hold rating(s)
2 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.40
Equity Bancshares
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
4 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.67

Independent Bank pays an annual dividend of $1.12 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.2%. Equity Bancshares pays an annual dividend of $0.88 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.8%. Independent Bank pays out 32.6% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Equity Bancshares pays out 52.7% 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. Independent Bank has raised its dividend for 11 consecutive years and Equity Bancshares has raised its dividend for 3 consecutive years. Independent Bank is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

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

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Independent Bank$315.38M2.48$68.54M$3.4410.26
Equity Bancshares$252.07M3.90$22.73M$1.6728.62

In the previous week, Independent Bank's average media sentiment score of 0.29 beat Equity Bancshares' score of -0.50 indicating that Independent Bank is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Overall Sentiment
Independent Bank Neutral
Equity Bancshares Negative

Summary

Independent Bank beats Equity Bancshares on 10 of the 19 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Equity Bancshares compare to International Bancshares?

Equity Bancshares (NYSE:EQBK) and International Bancshares (NASDAQ:IBOC) are both finance companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their earnings, risk, profitability, media sentiment, valuation, analyst recommendations, dividends and institutional ownership.

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

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Equity Bancshares$252.07M3.90$22.73M$1.6728.62
International Bancshares$1.06B4.07$412.29M$6.6310.42

International Bancshares has a net margin of 38.83% compared to Equity Bancshares' net margin of 8.26%. Equity Bancshares' return on equity of 13.34% beat International Bancshares' return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Equity Bancshares8.26% 13.34% 1.46%
International Bancshares 38.83%12.67%2.47%

Equity Bancshares pays an annual dividend of $0.88 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.8%. International Bancshares pays an annual dividend of $1.46 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.1%. Equity Bancshares pays out 52.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. International Bancshares pays out 22.0% 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. Equity Bancshares has raised its dividend for 3 consecutive years and International Bancshares has raised its dividend for 16 consecutive years. International Bancshares is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

71.8% of Equity Bancshares shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 65.9% of International Bancshares shares are held by institutional investors. 14.5% of Equity Bancshares shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 13.1% of International Bancshares shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

In the previous week, International Bancshares had 1 more articles in the media than Equity Bancshares. MarketBeat recorded 1 mentions for International Bancshares and 0 mentions for Equity Bancshares. International Bancshares' average media sentiment score of 0.00 beat Equity Bancshares' score of -0.50 indicating that International Bancshares is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Overall Sentiment
Equity Bancshares Negative
International Bancshares Neutral

Equity Bancshares presently has a consensus target price of $55.33, indicating a potential upside of 15.78%. International Bancshares has a consensus target price of $85.00, indicating a potential upside of 22.99%. Given International Bancshares' stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe International Bancshares is more favorable than Equity Bancshares.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Equity Bancshares
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
4 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.67
International Bancshares
0 Sell rating(s)
0 Hold rating(s)
1 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
3.00

Equity Bancshares has a beta of 0.76, suggesting that its stock price is 24% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, International Bancshares has a beta of 0.67, suggesting that its stock price is 33% less volatile than the broader market.

Summary

International Bancshares beats Equity Bancshares on 13 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 EQBK 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 NYSE 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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EQBK vs. The Competition

MetricEquity BancsharesBanks IndustryFinance SectorNYSE Exchange
Market Cap$999.95M$23.48B$13.78B$23.07B
Dividend Yield1.48%3.09%5.95%3.61%
P/E Ratio28.6226.8825.2228.10
Price / Sales3.909.46518.6990.59
Price / Cash10.4415.4446.1238.68
Price / Book1.241.352.714.66
Net Income$22.73M$2.58B$1.31B$1.07B
7 Day Performance-2.58%-1.22%-0.36%-1.27%
1 Month Performance-4.55%-1.04%-1.55%-4.71%
1 Year Performance16.56%21.32%8.90%7.48%

Equity Bancshares Competitors List

CompanyMarketRankShare PriceAnalysts' Price Target1Y Price PerformanceMarket CapRevenueP/E RatioEmployee CountIndicator(s)
EQBK
Equity Bancshares
3.9283 of 5 stars
$47.79
-1.6%
$55.33
+15.8%
+16.5%$999.95M$252.07M28.62909
BUSE
First Busey
3.6858 of 5 stars
$30.54
+0.0%
$32.00
+4.8%
+21.9%$2.52B$789.53M12.621,948
FFBC
First Financial Bancorp.
2.9997 of 5 stars
$32.67
-0.2%
$33.67
+3.1%
+20.9%$3.43B$1.26B11.542,199
FRME
First Merchants
4.5793 of 5 stars
$41.73
+0.5%
$49.00
+17.4%
+1.2%$2.62B$691.54M13.382,086
IBCP
Independent Bank
4.0245 of 5 stars
$37.35
+0.4%
$39.50
+5.8%
+11.7%$829.17M$315.38M10.86826

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This page (NYSE:EQBK) was last updated on 9/24/2026 by MarketBeat.com Staff.
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