Community Financial System (CBU) vs TowneBank (TOWN)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
TowneBank (TOWN) has outperformed Community Financial System (CBU) over the past year, gaining 2.8% versus a gain of 1.7%. Over five years, TOWN leads with a +9.7% price change compared with -16.4% for CBU. TowneBank is the larger company by market cap ($3.23 billion vs $3.12 billion), about 1.0 times the size.
On valuation, TowneBank trades at a lower forward P/E (9.8x vs 11.4x for Community Financial System). Community Financial System offers the higher dividend yield (3.17% vs 3.12%).
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 | CBU | TOWN |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $59.22 | $34.98 |
| Market cap | $3.12B | $3.23B |
| 1-day change | -0.60% | -1.21% |
| YTD return | +3.10% | +4.82% |
| 1-year return | +1.72% | +2.76% |
| 5-year return | -16.38% | +9.66% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 13.74 | 17.58 |
| Forward P/E | 11.40 | 9.77 |
| EPS (TTM) | $4.31 | $1.99 |
| Dividend yield | 3.17% | 3.12% |
| Annual dividend | $1.88 | $1.09 |
| 52-week high | $71.11 | $39.03 |
| 52-week low | $53.46 | $31.91 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -16.72% | -10.38% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +16.80% | +14.35% |
| Average volume | 258.30K | 587.20K |
| Shares outstanding | 52.62M | 92.44M |
| Employees | 2,853 | 2,932 |
| 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
- TowneBank trades at a higher earnings multiple (17.6x vs 13.7x trailing P/E).
About Community Financial System
CBU stock →Community Financial System, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for Community Bank, N.A.
Finance · Major Banks · 2,853 employees
About TowneBank
TOWN stock →TowneBank provides retail and commercial banking services for individuals, commercial enterprises, and professionals in the United States. It operates through four segments: Banking, Mortgage, Resort Vacation Management, and Insurance.
Finance · Major Banks · 2,932 employees
CBU vs TOWN FAQ
Which is bigger, Community Financial System or TowneBank?
TowneBank (TOWN) is larger, with a market capitalization of $3.23B compared with $3.12B for Community Financial System (CBU).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CBU or TOWN?
TOWN returned +2.76% over the past 12 months, compared with +1.72% for CBU (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, CBU or TOWN?
CBU has the lower trailing P/E at 13.7, versus 17.6 for TOWN. 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, Community Financial System or TowneBank?
Community Financial System has the higher yield at 3.17%, compared with 3.12% for TowneBank.
Are Community Financial System and TowneBank in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Major Banks industry within the Finance sector.