First Financial Bancorp. (NASDAQ:FFBC – Get Free Report) and 1st Capital Bancorp (OTCMKTS:FISB – Get Free Report) 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, valuation, analyst recommendations, profitability, risk, earnings and institutional ownership.
Institutional and Insider Ownership
75.9% of First Financial Bancorp. shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 8.9% of 1st Capital Bancorp shares are held by institutional investors. 2.1% of First Financial Bancorp. 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.
Analyst Recommendations
This is a breakdown of recent recommendations for First Financial Bancorp. and 1st Capital Bancorp, as provided by MarketBeat.com.
| Sell Ratings | Hold Ratings | Buy Ratings | Strong Buy Ratings | Rating Score | |
| First Financial Bancorp. | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2.25 |
| 1st Capital Bancorp | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | N/A |
Volatility and Risk
First Financial Bancorp. has a beta of 1.08, meaning that its stock price is 8% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, 1st Capital Bancorp has a beta of 0.6, meaning that its stock price is 40% less volatile than the S&P 500.
Valuation and Earnings
This table compares First Financial Bancorp. and 1st Capital Bancorp’s gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.
| Gross Revenue | Price/Sales Ratio | Net Income | Earnings Per Share | Price/Earnings Ratio | |
| First Financial Bancorp. | $774.65 million | 2.47 | $217.61 million | $2.82 | 7.12 |
| 1st Capital Bancorp | $38.16 million | 1.44 | $8.58 million | $1.02 | 9.75 |
First Financial Bancorp. has higher revenue and earnings than 1st Capital Bancorp. First Financial Bancorp. is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than 1st Capital Bancorp, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.
Profitability
This table compares First Financial Bancorp. and 1st Capital Bancorp’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.
| Net Margins | Return on Equity | Return on Assets | |
| First Financial Bancorp. | 24.93% | 12.99% | 1.61% |
| 1st Capital Bancorp | 14.43% | N/A | N/A |
Summary
First Financial Bancorp. beats 1st Capital Bancorp on 12 of the 13 factors compared between the two stocks.
About First Financial Bancorp.
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First Financial Bancorp. operates as the bank holding company for First Financial Bank that provides commercial banking and related services to individuals and businesses in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois. The company accepts various deposit products, such as interest-bearing and noninterest-bearing accounts, time deposits, and cash management services for commercial customers. It also provides real estate loans secured by residential property, such as one to four family residential housing units or commercial property comprising owner-occupied and/or investor income producing real estate consisting of apartments, shopping centers, or office buildings; commercial and industrial loans for various purposes, including inventory, receivables, and equipment; consumer loans comprising new and used vehicle loans, second mortgages on residential real estate, and unsecured loans; and home equity lines of credit. In addition, the company offers commercial financing to the insurance industry, registered investment advisors, certified public accountants, indirect auto finance companies, and restaurant franchisees. Further, it provides a range of trust and wealth management services; and lease and equipment financing services. The company was founded in 1863 and is headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio.
About 1st Capital Bancorp
1st Capital Bancorp operates as the bank holding company for 1st Capital Bank that provides various banking products and services for businesses, professionals, real estate investors, family commercial entities, and individuals in the Central Coast region of California. It offers checking, saving, money market, savings, and certificate of deposit accounts, as well as individual retirement and health savings accounts; and other services including debit cards, check orders, and cannabis banking services. The company also provides lending services, which includes business, agriculture, and wine industry lending; commercial real estate and personal loans; and small business administration loans, and government guaranteed lending solutions. In addition, it offers electronic banking services including online services, such as personal and business online banking; and cash management services comprising ACH origination, online wire transfer, positive pay, merchant card, and remote deposit capture services. The company was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in Salinas, California.
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