Cullen/Frost Bankers vs Popular

This page compares Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. and Popular, Inc. to illuminate differences in business models, financial performance, and market context. It presents neutral, accessible information about each company’s approach and positioning within the sector, helping readers understand contrasts without presuming outcomes. Educational content, not financial advice.

This page compares Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. and Popular, Inc. to illuminate differences in business models, financial performance, and market context. It presents neutral, accessible information abo...

Comparison Snapshot

Key Financial Metrics

CFR

Metric

BPOP

$8.78B

Market Cap

$8.33B

-3.32%

Potential Profit

12.76%

Hold

Analyst Rating

Buy

Investment Analysis

Cullen/Frost Bankers

CFR

Pros

Cullen/Frost Bankers reported strong Q3 2025 results with EPS of $2.67, beating forecasts by over 12%, and 19.2% year-over-year earnings growth.
The bank is expanding its branch network aggressively, opening 70 new locations, particularly growing in Texas markets including Houston, Dallas, and Austin.
Cullen/Frost employs a community-based, relationship banking model with tailored local management, aiding competitive differentiation and strong deposit and loan growth.

Considerations

The stock trades at a premium valuation relative to peers with a forward price-to-book ratio around 1.8x, suggesting potentially stretched pricing.
Despite growth, average deposits increased only moderately by around 3.3%, which may indicate challenges in deposit base expansion compared to loan growth.
Concentration in the Texas market exposes the bank to regional economic risks and limits geographic diversification compared to national or global banks.

Popular, Inc. benefits from its strong foothold in Latin American and U.S. Hispanic markets, diversifying its customer base and revenue streams beyond typical regional banks.
The company has shown steady growth in commercial and consumer banking segments supported by specialized financial products addressing underserved markets.
Popular has been investing in digital transformation and financial technology to improve customer experience and efficiency across its operations.

Considerations

Popular’s performance is sensitive to macroeconomic conditions and currency fluctuations in Latin America, which can impact earnings volatility.
The bank faces regulatory and compliance challenges due to its diverse markets, increasing operational and legal risks.
Popular’s valuation and profitability have lagged behind some peers due to slower organic growth and higher exposure to economic cycles in emerging markets.

About The Companies

Cullen/Frost Bankers (CFR)

Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. (CFR) is a regional bank headquartered in Texas that provides commercial and consumer banking services, including lending, deposits and wealth management. With a market capitalisation of about $8.03 billion, it serves a concentrated but deep Texas client base where local relationships and commercial lending are important. Investors often watch net interest margin, loan growth, asset quality and deposit trends to assess performance. The bank is frequently noted for a conservative, relationship-driven approach to lending, which can support stability but does not eliminate cyclical credit risk. Like other regional banks, Cullen/Frost is sensitive to interest-rate moves, commercial real-estate trends and the regional economy. This summary is general education only and not personal financial advice; values can rise and fall and past performance is not a guide to the future. Consider your goals, risk tolerance and, if needed, seek professional advice before investing.

Popular (BPOP)

Popular, Inc. is a financial holding company with a significant presence in both Puerto Rico and the United States mainland. The company operates through two main segments: Banco Popular de Puerto Rico (BPPR) and Banco Popular North America (BPNA). BPPR is a key player in Puerto Rico, offering a wide array of services including retail, mortgage, and commercial banking, alongside specialised services like investment banking and insurance. On the US mainland, its BPNA segment operates under the name 'Popular Community Bank' with branches primarily in New York, Florida, and New Jersey. This dual-market strategy allows the company to tap into different economic environments. For investors, understanding the performance and regulatory climate in both these distinct regions is key to evaluating the company's potential. As with any financial institution, its fortunes are closely tied to broader economic health and interest rate trends.

Which Baskets Do They Appear In?

Community Banking Catalyst

This carefully selected group of stocks features regional and community banks positioned to benefit from the FDIC's proposed simplification of the Community Reinvestment Act. Our professional analysts identified these financial institutions as potentially gaining from reduced regulatory burdens, which could boost lending capacity and shareholder value.

Published: July 14, 2025

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Which Baskets Do They Appear In?

Community Banking Catalyst

This carefully selected group of stocks features regional and community banks positioned to benefit from the FDIC's proposed simplification of the Community Reinvestment Act. Our professional analysts identified these financial institutions as potentially gaining from reduced regulatory burdens, which could boost lending capacity and shareholder value.

Published: July 14, 2025

Explore Basket

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Cullen/Frost Bankers vs Popular

Comparison Snapshot