Bankwell Financial Group (BWFG) vs Private Bancorp of America (PBAM)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Bankwell Financial Group (BWFG) has outperformed Private Bancorp of America (PBAM) over the past year, gaining 51.0% versus a gain of 43.8%. Over five years, PBAM leads with a +246.1% price change compared with +120.0% for BWFG. Bankwell Financial Group is the larger company by market cap ($523.4 million vs $489.1 million), about 1.1 times the size.
On valuation, Private Bancorp of America trades at a lower forward P/E (9.8x vs 11.1x for Bankwell Financial Group). Bankwell Financial Group pays a dividend yielding 1.22%, while Private Bancorp of America does not currently pay one.
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 | BWFG | PBAM |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $65.66 | $85.43 |
| Market cap | $523.44M | $489.15M |
| 1-day change | +0.52% | -0.62% |
| YTD return | +42.56% | +49.42% |
| 1-year return | +51.03% | +43.77% |
| 5-year return | +120.01% | +246.05% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 12.20 | 11.09 |
| Forward P/E | 11.07 | 9.78 |
| EPS (TTM) | $5.38 | $7.70 |
| Dividend yield | 1.22% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $0.80 | $0.00 |
| 52-week high | $69.59 | $92.09 |
| 52-week low | $40.45 | $54.45 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -5.65% | -7.23% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +5.85% | +12.96% |
| Average volume | 71.84K | 72.40K |
| Shares outstanding | 7.97M | 5.73M |
| Employees | 167 | — |
| 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
- Bankwell Financial Group offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (1.22% vs 0.00%).
About Bankwell Financial Group
BWFG stock →Bankwell Financial Group, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for Bankwell Bank that provides various banking services for individual and commercial customers.
Finance · Major Banks · 167 employees
About Private Bancorp of America
PBAM stock →Private Bancorp of America, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for CalPrivate Bank that provides banking products and services to individuals and businesses in California.
Finance · Major Banks
BWFG vs PBAM FAQ
Which is bigger, Bankwell Financial Group or Private Bancorp of America?
Bankwell Financial Group (BWFG) is larger, with a market capitalization of $523.44M compared with $489.15M for Private Bancorp of America (PBAM).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, BWFG or PBAM?
BWFG returned +51.03% over the past 12 months, compared with +43.77% for PBAM (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, BWFG or PBAM?
PBAM has the lower trailing P/E at 11.1, versus 12.2 for BWFG. 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, Bankwell Financial Group or Private Bancorp of America?
Bankwell Financial Group pays a dividend yielding 1.22%, while Private Bancorp of America does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Bankwell Financial Group and Private Bancorp of America in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Major Banks industry within the Finance sector.