Stellar Bancorp vs Lakeland Financial

Stellar Bancorp and Lakeland Financial are compared on this page to shed light on how their business models, financial performance, and market context differ. The discussion covers strategy, revenue drivers, risk considerations, and competitive position within their banking ecosystems. Educational content, not financial advice.

Comparison Snapshot

Key Financial Metrics

STEL

Metric

LKFN

$1.63B

Market Cap

$1.50B

-5.02%

Potential Profit

9.01%

Hold

Analyst Rating

Hold

Investment Analysis

Stellar Bancorp

STEL

Pros

Stellar Bancorp reported strong Q3 2025 earnings with $25.7 million net income and an EPS of $0.50, beating forecasts and showing robust financial performance.
The bank's net interest income increased sequentially, reaching $100.6 million, supported by strong loan originations that rose 62% year-to-date.
Stellar Bancorp has a good financial health score and focuses on relationship banking in dynamic Texas markets like Houston and Dallas, enhancing its competitive position.

Considerations

The company operates in a highly competitive regional banking sector with challenges in margin defence and expense management amid changing interest rates.
Stellar Bancorp recently closed two branches, which may signal strategic consolidation but also limits physical presence expansion.
The stock trades at about 0.97 times book value, implying limited valuation upside compared to peers and requiring continued operational execution to drive share price growth.

Lakeland Financial

LKFN

Pros

Lakeland Financial shows strong regional banking fundamentals with steady loan growth focusing on small to mid-sized business lending.
The company maintains disciplined expense management and capital allocation supporting improved profitability and efficiency ratios.
Lakeland benefits from a well-diversified customer base and geographic footprint, which reduces exposure to any single industry or region.

Considerations

Lakeland Financial faces risks from interest rate fluctuations affecting net interest margins and overall loan demand.
The bank is exposed to cyclical economic trends that can impact loan quality and credit losses during downturns.
Regulatory and compliance costs are rising, posing pressure on operating expenses and potentially limiting earnings growth.

About The Companies

Stellar Bancorp (STEL)

Stellar Bancorp, Inc. is a bank holding company operating primarily through its subsidiary, Stellar Bank. It provides a wide range of commercial banking services targeted at small-to-medium-sized businesses, professionals, and individual customers. The company's main operations are concentrated in Texas, with numerous full-service banking centres across the Houston, Beaumont, and Dallas regions. Its offerings include various commercial and personal loans, such as those for small businesses, mortgages, and automobiles, alongside typical deposit services like checking, savings, and money market accounts. For investors, Stellar Bancorp represents a regionally focused financial institution with a diversified service portfolio. As with any investment, it's important to remember that the value can go down as well as up, and past performance is not an indicator of future results.

Lakeland Financial (LKFN)

Lakeland Financial Corp (LKFN) is a regional bank holding company with a market capitalisation of about $1.56bn. It operates through a community banking subsidiary offering commercial and consumer loans, deposit accounts and related treasury services. Investors often focus on net interest margin, loan growth, asset quality and efficiency as key drivers of profitability; results can be sensitive to interest-rate movements and the health of local economies. Strengths can include customer deposit stability and relationship lending, while risks include credit losses, competition from larger banks and non-bank lenders, and regulatory oversight. For valuation and comparative purposes, look at price-to-book, return on assets and tangible common equity versus peers. This summary is educational and not personalised investment advice — consider reading the company’s filings, recent results and speak to a qualified adviser to assess suitability for your situation.

Which Baskets Do They Appear In?

No baskets available in this category

Which Baskets Do They Appear In?

No baskets available in this category

Buy STEL or LKFN in Nemo

🆓

Zero Commission

Trade stocks, ETFs, and more with zero commission. Keep more of your returns.

🔒

Trusted & Regulated

Part of Exinity Group 2015, serving over a million customers globally.

💰

6% Interest on Cash

Earn 6% AER on uninvested cash with daily interest payments.

Discover More Comparisons

Stellar Bancorp vs 1st Source

Stellar Bancorp vs 1st Source: A comparison

Stellar Bancorp vs Lakeland Financial

Comparison Snapshot