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Editorial Advisory Board

  • Professor Andrea M. Armani, University of Southern California
  • Ruti Ben-Shlomi, Ph.D., LightSolver
  • James Butler, Ph.D., Hamamatsu
  • Natalie Fardian-Melamed, Ph.D., Columbia University
  • Justin Sigley, Ph.D., AmeriCOM
  • Professor Birgit Stiller, Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, and Leibniz University of Hannover
  • Professor Stephen Sweeney, University of Glasgow
  • Mohan Wang, Ph.D., University of Oxford
  • Professor Xuchen Wang, Harbin Engineering University
  • Professor Stefan Witte, Delft University of Technology

2 Reasons to Like FBK and 1 to Stay Skeptical

FBK Cover Image

Over the past six months, FB Financial’s stock price fell to $49.50. Shareholders have lost 6.3% of their capital, which is disappointing considering the S&P 500 has climbed by 5.4%. This was partly due to its softer quarterly results and may have investors wondering how to approach the situation.

Following the pullback, is now an opportune time to buy FBK? Find out in our full research report, it’s free.

Why Does FB Financial Spark Debate?

Founded in 1906 and operating through more than a century of economic cycles, FB Financial (NYSE: FBK) operates FirstBank, providing commercial and consumer banking services across Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama, and North Georgia.

Two Things to Like:

1. Net Interest Income Skyrockets, Fueling Growth Opportunities

Net interest income commands greater market attention due to its reliability and consistency, whereas one-time fees are often seen as lower-quality revenue that lacks the same dependable characteristics.

FB Financial’s net interest income has grown at a 14.4% annualized rate over the last five years, better than the broader bank industry and faster than its total revenue. Its growth was driven by an increase in its net interest margin, which represents how much a bank earns in relation to its outstanding loans, as its loan book shrank throughout that period.

FB Financial Trailing 12-Month Net Interest Income

2. Outstanding Long-Term EPS Growth

Analyzing the long-term change in earnings per share (EPS) shows whether a company's incremental sales were profitable – for example, revenue could be inflated through excessive spending on advertising and promotions.

FB Financial’s EPS grew at a remarkable 7.6% compounded annual growth rate over the last five years, higher than its flat revenue. This tells us management responded to softer demand by adapting its cost structure.

FB Financial Trailing 12-Month EPS (Non-GAAP)

One Reason to be Careful:

Long-Term Revenue Growth Flatter Than a Pancake

From lending activities to service fees, most banks build their revenue model around two income sources. Interest rate spreads between loans and deposits create the first stream, with the second coming from charges on everything from basic bank accounts to complex investment banking transactions.

Unfortunately, FB Financial struggled to consistently increase demand as its $427.4 million of revenue for the trailing 12 months was close to its revenue five years ago. This wasn’t a great result, but there are still things to like about FB Financial. FB Financial Quarterly Revenue

Final Judgment

FB Financial has huge potential even though it has some open questions. With the recent decline, the stock trades at 1.3× forward P/B (or $49.50 per share). Is now the right time to buy? See for yourself in our full research report, it’s free.

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