First Busey (BUSE) vs NBT Bancorp (NBTB)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
First Busey (BUSE) has outperformed NBT Bancorp (NBTB) over the past year, gaining 25.0% versus a gain of 21.6%. Over five years, NBTB leads with a +36.8% price change compared with +13.1% for BUSE. NBT Bancorp is the larger company by market cap ($2.61 billion vs $2.39 billion), about 1.1 times the size.
On valuation, First Busey trades at a lower forward P/E (10.5x vs 11.0x for NBT Bancorp). First Busey offers the higher dividend yield (3.52% vs 2.95%).
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 | NBTB |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $28.97 | $50.18 |
| Market cap | $2.39B | $2.61B |
| 1-day change | -1.46% | -0.97% |
| YTD return | +21.77% | +20.86% |
| 1-year return | +24.98% | +21.56% |
| 5-year return | +13.12% | +36.84% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 11.97 | 12.27 |
| Forward P/E | 10.55 | 10.99 |
| EPS (TTM) | $2.42 | $4.09 |
| Dividend yield | 3.52% | 2.95% |
| Annual dividend | $1.02 | $1.48 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | — | $182.95M |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | — | +10.40% |
| Net income (latest FY) | — | $169.24M |
| Net margin | — | 92.50% |
| 52-week high | $31.70 | $54.50 |
| 52-week low | $22.00 | $39.20 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -8.61% | -7.93% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | +11.94% | +13.25% |
| Average volume | 775.63K | 346.76K |
| Shares outstanding | 82.58M | 51.96M |
| Employees | 1,833 | 2,303 |
| 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.
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 NBT Bancorp
NBTB stock →NBT Bancorp Inc., a financial holding company, provides personal and commercial banking, retail banking, and wealth management services in the United States. It operates through Banking, Retirement Plan Administration, and All Other segments.
Finance · Major Banks · 2,303 employees
BUSE vs NBTB FAQ
Which is bigger, First Busey or NBT Bancorp?
NBT Bancorp (NBTB) is larger, with a market capitalization of $2.61B compared with $2.39B for First Busey (BUSE).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, BUSE or NBTB?
BUSE returned +24.98% over the past 12 months, compared with +21.56% for NBTB (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, BUSE or NBTB?
BUSE has the lower trailing P/E at 12.0, versus 12.3 for NBTB. 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 NBT Bancorp?
First Busey has the higher yield at 3.52%, compared with 2.95% for NBT Bancorp.
Are First Busey and NBT Bancorp in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Major Banks industry within the Finance sector.