First Mid Bancshares (FMBH) vs Westamerica Bancorporation (WABC)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
First Mid Bancshares (FMBH) has outperformed Westamerica Bancorporation (WABC) over the past year, gaining 33.8% versus a gain of 26.5%. Over five years, FMBH leads with a +16.8% price change compared with +8.8% for WABC. Westamerica Bancorporation is the larger company by market cap ($1.38 billion vs $1.31 billion), about 1.1 times the size.
On valuation, First Mid Bancshares trades at a lower forward P/E (9.9x vs 12.7x for Westamerica Bancorporation). Westamerica Bancorporation offers the higher dividend yield (3.12% vs 2.03%).
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 | FMBH | WABC |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $49.24 | $59.59 |
| Market cap | $1.31B | $1.38B |
| 1-day change | +0.78% | +2.20% |
| YTD return | +26.26% | +24.59% |
| 1-year return | +33.84% | +26.52% |
| 5-year return | +16.82% | +8.80% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 12.22 | 13.13 |
| Forward P/E | 9.91 | 12.72 |
| EPS (TTM) | $4.03 | $4.54 |
| Dividend yield | 2.03% | 3.12% |
| Annual dividend | $1.00 | $1.86 |
| 52-week high | $53.36 | $63.61 |
| 52-week low | $34.16 | $44.93 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -7.72% | -6.32% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | +14.46% | +7.40% |
| Average volume | 132.95K | 191.76K |
| Shares outstanding | 26.60M | 23.11M |
| Employees | 1,316 | 608 |
| Sector | Financial Services | Financial Services |
| Industry | Banks - Regional | Banks - Regional |
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
- Westamerica Bancorporation offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (3.12% vs 2.03%).
About First Mid Bancshares
FMBH stock →First Mid Bancshares, Inc., a financial holding company, provides community banking products and services to commercial, retail, and agricultural customers in the United States. It accepts various deposit products, such as demand deposits, savings accounts, money market deposits, and time deposits.
Financial Services · Banks - Regional · 1,316 employees
About Westamerica Bancorporation
WABC stock →Westamerica Bancorporation operates as a bank holding company for Westamerica Bank that provides various banking products and services to individual and commercial customers in the United States. The company accepts various deposit products from local businesses and professionals, as well as retail savings and checking accounts, as well as certificates of deposit.
Financial Services · Banks - Regional · 608 employees
FMBH vs WABC FAQ
Which is bigger, First Mid Bancshares or Westamerica Bancorporation?
Westamerica Bancorporation (WABC) is larger, with a market capitalization of $1.38B compared with $1.31B for First Mid Bancshares (FMBH).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, FMBH or WABC?
FMBH returned +33.84% over the past 12 months, compared with +26.52% for WABC (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, FMBH or WABC?
FMBH has the lower trailing P/E at 12.2, versus 13.1 for WABC. 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 Mid Bancshares or Westamerica Bancorporation?
Westamerica Bancorporation has the higher yield at 3.12%, compared with 2.03% for First Mid Bancshares.
Are First Mid Bancshares and Westamerica Bancorporation in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Banks - Regional industry within the Financial Services sector.