Cathay General Bancorp vs First BanCorp

Cathay General Bancorp vs First BanCorp: this page compares business models, financial performance, and market context to help readers understand how the organisations differ in a neutral, accessible way. Educational content, not financial advice.

Cathay General Bancorp vs First BanCorp: this page compares business models, financial performance, and market context to help readers understand how the organisations differ in a neutral, accessible ...

Comparison Snapshot

Key Financial Metrics

CATY

Metric

FBP

$3.38B

Market Cap

$3.32B

-1.22%

Potential Profit

9.45%

Hold

Analyst Rating

Buy

Investment Analysis

Cathay General Bancorp

CATY

Pros

Cathay General Bancorp reported an 11% increase in net income for Q2 2025, reflecting strong profitability and operational discipline.
The bank maintains a robust efficiency ratio of 45.34%, indicating effective cost management relative to its peers.
Cathay General Bancorp has demonstrated consistent loan and deposit growth, supporting balance sheet expansion and resilience in a challenging regional banking environment.

Considerations

Revenue has declined at an annualised rate of 1.5% over the last two years, reversing a previous five-year growth trend.
The stock trades at a forward price-to-book ratio of 1.1x, which is considered fair but offers limited upside compared to sector peers.
Analyst consensus is a 'Hold' rating, with modest projected price appreciation and limited near-term catalysts for outperformance.

First BanCorp

FBP

Pros

First BanCorp maintains a stable share price and has shown resilience in Puerto Rico's unique banking environment.
The bank benefits from a diversified deposit base and a strong local market presence, supporting steady core operations.
First BanCorp has demonstrated prudent risk management, with capital ratios that remain within healthy regulatory thresholds.

Considerations

The bank faces ongoing macroeconomic challenges in Puerto Rico, including exposure to regional economic volatility and fiscal uncertainty.
Growth prospects are constrained by the relatively small size of the Puerto Rican economy and limited opportunities for rapid expansion.
First BanCorp's stock has exhibited low trading volume and limited analyst coverage, which may reduce liquidity and market visibility.

About The Companies

Cathay General Bancorp (CATY)

Cathay General Bancorp (CATY) is a US regional banking group with a market capitalisation of about $3.22 billion. It primarily provides commercial banking services, deposit-taking and credit to small and medium-sized businesses, property-related borrowers and local communities. Investors should know its earnings generally depend on net interest margin, loan growth and credit quality, and can be sensitive to economic cycles and interest-rate moves. The company’s size and regional focus can offer opportunities for steady deposit funding and relationship banking, but can also concentrate exposure to local market conditions. This summary is educational only and not personalised investment advice; values can rise and fall and past performance is no guarantee of future returns. Prospective investors should review regulatory filings, capital and asset-quality metrics, and consider whether a regional bank suits their risk tolerance and portfolio objectives.

First BanCorp (FBP)

First BanCorp is a financial holding company operating primarily through its main subsidiary, FirstBank Puerto Rico. It serves a diverse clientele, including small to mid-sized businesses and individual consumers. The company's operations are organised into several segments: Commercial and Corporate Banking, Consumer (Retail) Banking, and Mortgage Banking. It also manages Treasury and Investments. Geographically, First BanCorp has a significant presence not only in Puerto Rico but also through its United States Operations on the mainland and its Virgin Islands Operations, which cover both the U.S. and British Virgin Islands. This structure allows it to offer a comprehensive range of financial services across key Caribbean and U.S. markets. As with any investment, the value can go down as well as up, and returns are not guaranteed. This information is for educational purposes and not financial advice.

Which Baskets Do They Appear In?

Hang Seng Deal Explained | Regional Banking Dynamics

HSBC has proposed a multi-billion dollar deal to take Hang Seng Bank private, signaling a major investment in the Hong Kong financial market. This strategic move could trigger a wave of consolidation, creating opportunities among other regional banks and financial institutions poised for growth or acquisition.

Published: October 10, 2025

Explore Basket

Asian Banking M&A: What's Next After HSBC Deal

HSBC's proposed $37.36 billion buyout of Hang Seng Bank signals a major consolidation event in Hong Kong's financial industry. This strategic move to take the bank private could catalyze further mergers and acquisitions, creating opportunities for other dominant banking institutions in the Asia-Pacific region.

Published: October 9, 2025

Explore Basket

Which Baskets Do They Appear In?

Hang Seng Deal Explained | Regional Banking Dynamics

HSBC has proposed a multi-billion dollar deal to take Hang Seng Bank private, signaling a major investment in the Hong Kong financial market. This strategic move could trigger a wave of consolidation, creating opportunities among other regional banks and financial institutions poised for growth or acquisition.

Published: October 10, 2025

Explore Basket

Asian Banking M&A: What's Next After HSBC Deal

HSBC's proposed $37.36 billion buyout of Hang Seng Bank signals a major consolidation event in Hong Kong's financial industry. This strategic move to take the bank private could catalyze further mergers and acquisitions, creating opportunities for other dominant banking institutions in the Asia-Pacific region.

Published: October 9, 2025

Explore Basket

Discover More Comparisons

Cathay General Bancorp vs BankUnited

Cathay General Bancorp vs Palomar

Fulton Financial vs First BanCorp

Cathay General Bancorp vs First BanCorp

Comparison Snapshot