First Busey (BUSE) vs First Financial Bancorp. (FFBC)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
First Busey (BUSE) has outperformed First Financial Bancorp. (FFBC) over the past year, gaining 25.0% versus a gain of 21.1%. Over five years, FFBC leads with a +32.4% price change compared with +14.1% for BUSE. First Financial Bancorp. is the larger company by market cap ($3.25 billion vs $2.40 billion), about 1.4 times the size, while First Busey is growing revenue faster (+55.7% vs +18.3%).
On valuation, First Financial Bancorp. trades at a lower forward P/E (8.7x vs 10.6x for First Busey). First Busey offers the higher dividend yield (3.51% vs 3.23%). First Financial Bancorp. converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 319.4% versus 18.8%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | BUSE | FFBC |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $29.06 | $30.95 |
| Market cap | $2.40B | $3.25B |
| 1-day change | -0.55% | -0.80% |
| YTD return | +22.82% | +24.70% |
| 1-year return | +25.03% | +21.07% |
| 5-year return | +14.10% | +32.37% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 12.01 | 10.94 |
| Forward P/E | 10.61 | 8.75 |
| EPS (TTM) | $2.42 | $2.83 |
| Dividend yield | 3.51% | 3.23% |
| Annual dividend | $1.02 | $1.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $719.58M | $80.02M |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +55.66% | +18.30% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $135.26M | $255.60M |
| Net margin | 18.80% | 319.43% |
| 52-week high | $31.70 | $36.25 |
| 52-week low | $22.00 | $23.06 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -8.33% | -14.62% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +11.60% | +22.78% |
| Average volume | 776.19K | 916.72K |
| Shares outstanding | 82.58M | 105.17M |
| Employees | 1,833 | 2,371 |
| Sector | Finance | Finance |
| Industry | Major Banks | Major Banks |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- First Financial Bancorp. is more profitable, keeping 319.4 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 18.8 cents for First Busey.
- First Busey grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+55.66% vs +18.30%).
About First Busey
BUSE stock →First Busey Corporation operates as the bank holding company for Busey Bank that engages in the provision of retail and commercial banking products and services to individual, corporate, institutional, and governmental customers in the United States. The company operates through three segments: Banking, Wealth Management, and FirsTech.
Finance · Major Banks · 1,833 employees
About First Financial Bancorp.
FFBC stock →First Financial Bancorp. operates as the bank holding company for First Financial Bank that provides commercial banking and banking-related services to individuals and businesses in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois.
Finance · Major Banks · 2,371 employees
BUSE vs FFBC FAQ
Which is bigger, First Busey or First Financial Bancorp.?
First Financial Bancorp. (FFBC) is larger, with a market capitalization of $3.25B compared with $2.40B for First Busey (BUSE).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, BUSE or FFBC?
BUSE returned +25.03% over the past 12 months, compared with +21.07% for FFBC (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, BUSE or FFBC?
FFBC has the lower trailing P/E at 10.9, versus 12.0 for BUSE. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, First Busey or First Financial Bancorp.?
First Busey has the higher yield at 3.51%, compared with 3.23% for First Financial Bancorp..
Are First Busey and First Financial Bancorp. in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Major Banks industry within the Finance sector.