Empire Bancshares, Inc. (EBSH) Stock Price & Analysis
Educational signal · not a buy or sell recommendation · How to read this
P/E 19.63 means the share price is 19.63 times one year of earnings per share. Market cap $28.4M is the value of all shares combined. Beta 0.03: the stock has moved about 97% less than the S&P 500.
For informational purposes only. Not financial advice. Machine-generated analysis by Stock Expert AI — model gemini-2.0-flash, generated Mar 16, 2026. Editorial oversight is systemic, not page-by-page. Editorially accountable: Sedat ANAK, Founder and Editor-in-Chief. Data sources: Financial Modeling Prep, Yahoo Finance, SEC EDGAR
Quick AnswerEmpire Bancshares, Inc. (EBSH) trades at $43.00. Empire Bancshares, Inc., founded in 1901, operates as the holding company for The Hicksville Bank, providing a range of banking products and services. Market cap: $28.4M, Sector: Financials.
Price as of · Last analyzed: Mar 16, 2026Analyst Coverage for EBSH: EBSH does not currently have published analyst price targets in our coverage universe. This is common for smaller-cap names with limited Wall Street coverage.
EBSH: 2/2 scored disciplines lean bullish. Dominant signal: Seth Klarman bullish.
How is this calculated? →AI simulations built from the named investors' published principles. Not affiliated with, endorsed by, or the opinion of these individuals. How these lenses are built
Empire Bancshares, Inc. (EBSH) Financial Services Profile
Empire Bancshares, Inc., through its subsidiary The Hicksville Bank, provides traditional banking services to individuals and businesses in Hicksville, Ohio. With a history dating back to 1901, the company focuses on deposit accounts, loans, and digital banking solutions, operating within the competitive regional banking sector.
What Is the Investment Thesis for EBSH?
Empire Bancshares, Inc. presents a focused investment opportunity within the community banking sector. The company's long-standing presence in Hicksville, Ohio, and its commitment to traditional banking services provide a stable foundation. With a P/E ratio of 19.63 and a dividend yield of 2.39%, EBSH offers potential value for investors seeking income and stability. The company's small market capitalization of $28.4M and a beta of 0.03 suggest low volatility. Growth catalysts include expanding digital banking services and increasing loan volume within its local market. However, potential risks include competition from larger regional banks and the impact of interest rate fluctuations on net interest margin. Investors should carefully consider these factors when evaluating EBSH.
Based on FMP financials and quantitative analysis
EBSH Key Highlights
Market capitalization of $28.4M indicates a small-cap company with potential for growth within its niche market.
- P/E ratio of 19.63 suggests the company is reasonably valued compared to its earnings.
- Profit margin of 12.1% demonstrates the company's ability to generate profit from its revenue.
- Gross margin of 100.0% reflects the nature of the banking business, where revenue is primarily derived from interest and fees.
- Dividend yield of 2.39% provides an income stream for investors, enhancing the stock's attractiveness.
Who Are EBSH's Competitors?
EBSH is benchmarked below against 8 industry peers on price, market cap, and our AI MoonshotScore.
| Company | Price | Change | Market Cap | MoonshotScore |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASCN Absecon Bancorp | $121.00 | 0.00% | $13.3M | — |
| CAIB California International Bank, N.A. | $0.15 | +50.00% | $25.6M | — |
| CBFC CNB Financial Services, Inc. | $80.00 | 0.00% | $30.4M | — |
| CCYY CCCB Bancorp, Inc. | $12.44 | 0.00% | $19.1M | — |
| FIDS FNB, Inc. | $27.25 | 0.00% | $18.2M | — |
| SBFG SB Financial Group, Inc. | $29.01 | -1.33% | $182M | 90 5-pillar |
| FCAP First Capital, Inc. | $63.74 | +1.34% | $213M | 89 5-pillar |
| HWBK Hawthorn Bancshares, Inc. | $38.35 | -0.72% | $265M | 90 5-pillar |
AI Score by Stock Expert AI · Price data: FMP / Yahoo Finance
What Are EBSH's Key Strengths?
Long-standing history and reputation in the local community.
- Strong relationships with local customers and businesses.
- Personalized service and local decision-making.
- Stable deposit base.
What Are EBSH's Weaknesses?
Limited geographic reach.
- Small size and limited resources compared to larger competitors.
- Dependence on the local economy.
- Lack of diversification in revenue streams.
What Could Drive EBSH Stock Higher?
Expansion of digital banking services to attract new customers and enhance customer experience.
- Efforts to increase loan volume in commercial real estate and SBA loans to drive revenue growth.
- Strategic partnerships with local businesses to enhance visibility and reputation.
- Potential expansion into adjacent markets to increase revenue and market share.
- Focus on customer retention strategies to ensure a stable revenue stream.
What Are the Key Risks for EBSH?
Competition from larger regional and national banks with greater resources.
- Interest rate fluctuations impacting net interest margin and profitability.
- Economic downturn in the local area affecting loan demand and credit quality.
- Increasing regulatory burden and compliance costs.
- Limited liquidity of the stock due to trading on the OTC market.
What Are the Growth Opportunities for EBSH?
- Expansion of Digital Banking Services: Investing in and promoting its online and mobile banking platforms can attract new customers and enhance the experience for existing ones. The market for digital banking is growing rapidly, with more customers preferring the convenience of managing their finances online. By offering a user-friendly and secure digital banking experience, Empire Bancshares can increase customer engagement and reduce operational costs. This initiative could potentially increase customer base by 10% within the next two years.
- Increase Loan Volume: Focusing on increasing loan volume, particularly in commercial real estate and small business administration loans, can drive revenue growth. The demand for loans in the Hicksville area is expected to increase as the local economy grows. By offering competitive rates and personalized service, Empire Bancshares can attract more borrowers and expand its loan portfolio. A 5% increase in loan volume over the next year could significantly boost the company's profitability.
- Strategic Partnerships: Collaborating with local businesses and community organizations can enhance Empire Bancshares' visibility and reputation. By partnering with local businesses to offer financial services to their employees or sponsoring community events, the bank can build stronger relationships with its customers and attract new ones. These partnerships can lead to a 3% increase in new accounts within the next year.
- Focus on Customer Retention: Implementing strategies to improve customer retention rates can ensure a stable revenue stream and reduce the cost of acquiring new customers. By providing excellent customer service and personalized financial advice, Empire Bancshares can build customer loyalty and reduce churn. A 2% improvement in customer retention rates can lead to significant cost savings and increased profitability over the long term.
- Explore New Markets: While focusing on its core market, Empire Bancshares can explore opportunities to expand into adjacent markets. By carefully evaluating the demographics and economic conditions of nearby communities, the bank can identify potential areas for expansion. This expansion could involve opening new branches or acquiring existing banks. A successful expansion into a new market could increase the company's revenue by 15% within the next three years.
What Are EBSH's Competitive Advantages?
- Long-standing presence and reputation in the Hicksville, Ohio community.
- Strong relationships with local customers and businesses.
- Personalized service and local decision-making.
- Focus on traditional banking services.
What Does EBSH Do?
Empire Bancshares, Inc. is the bank holding company for The Hicksville Bank, a community bank established in 1901. Based in Hicksville, Ohio, the bank has a long-standing history of serving the financial needs of local individuals and businesses. The bank offers a comprehensive suite of banking products and services, including checking and savings accounts, money market accounts, NOW accounts, and certificates of deposit. It also provides various lending options, such as auto loans, personal consumer loans, home equity lines of credit, mortgage loans, residential construction loans, commercial real estate lending, lines of credit, term loans, small business administration loans, and agriculture loans. In addition to traditional banking services, The Hicksville Bank offers modern conveniences like ATM and debit cards, online and mobile banking, and bill payment services. Other services include overdraft protection, wire transfers, safe deposit box rentals, account research and balancing assistance, cashier's checks, check cashing, money orders, night depository, and notary services. Empire Bancshares operates primarily within its local market, focusing on building relationships with its customers and supporting the economic growth of the Hicksville community. The company’s commitment to personalized service and local decision-making differentiates it from larger national banks.
What Products and Services Does EBSH Offer?
- Offers checking and savings accounts to individuals and businesses.
- Provides money market and NOW accounts.
- Offers certificates of deposit and individual retirement accounts (IRAs).
- Provides auto loans, personal consumer loans, and home equity lines of credit.
- Offers mortgage loans and residential construction loans.
- Provides commercial real estate lending, lines of credit, and term loans.
- Offers small business administration (SBA) loans and agriculture loans.
- Provides online and mobile banking services.
How Does EBSH Make Money?
- Generates revenue primarily through interest income from loans.
- Earns fees from various banking services, such as overdraft protection and wire transfers.
- Profits from the difference between interest earned on loans and interest paid on deposits (net interest margin).
What Industry Does EBSH Operate In?
Empire Bancshares, Inc. operates within the regional banking sector, which is characterized by intense competition and evolving customer expectations. The industry is undergoing digital transformation, with banks increasingly investing in online and mobile banking platforms to enhance customer experience and reduce costs. The competitive landscape includes larger national banks, regional players, and credit unions, all vying for market share. Regulatory compliance and interest rate fluctuations are key factors influencing the performance of regional banks. Empire Bancshares' focus on its local market and personalized service positions it to compete effectively within its community.
Who Are EBSH's Key Customers?
- Individuals seeking personal banking services.
- Small businesses requiring loans and deposit accounts.
- Commercial real estate developers seeking financing.
- Agricultural businesses needing loans for operations.
Research confidence
Thin evidence — scoring coverage unknown. Treat this as a starting point, not a conclusion.
- ● Scoring coverage unknown
- ● Price is current
- ● No filing on record
- ● No analyst coverage
MoonshotScore History
Recorded daily since 2026-08-23 · 42 snapshots
| 2026-08-23 | 48 |
| 2026-08-31 | 48 |
| 2026-09-08 | 48 |
| 2026-09-16 | 48 |
| 2026-09-24 | 48 |
| 2026-10-04 | 48 |
| 2026-10-05 | 48 |
What changed?
The score has stayed at 48.
Over the same 30 days the stock moved +2.4%.
Company Profile
Empire Bancshares, Inc. operates in the Banks - Regional industry within the Financial Services sector. It is headquartered in Hicksville, US. The company is led by CEO Gregory A. Smitley. EBSH has traded publicly since 2001.
EBSH Valuation & Market Position
With a $28.4M market cap, Empire Bancshares, Inc. sits in the micro-cap segment of the market.
Key Financial Metrics
Return on equity for Empire Bancshares, Inc. stands at 8.6%, a gauge of how efficiently it converts shareholder capital into profit. Return on assets is 0.7%, showing how much profit it generates from its asset base. EBSH trades at a trailing price-to-earnings ratio of 19.63, above the Financial Services sector average of ~17.20x. Its free cash flow yield is 5.0%, a gauge of the cash the business throws off relative to its market value. Its earnings yield is 5.3%, the inverse of the P/E and a quick read on earnings relative to price.
EBSH Financials
Fundamental Snapshot
Based on FMP financials and quantitative analysis · FY 2025
Bull Case vs Bear Case
Bull Case
- Long-standing history and reputation in the local community.
- Strong relationships with local customers and businesses.
- Personalized service and local decision-making.
- Stable deposit base.
Bear Case
- Limited geographic reach.
- Small size and limited resources compared to larger competitors.
- Dependence on the local economy.
- Lack of diversification in revenue streams.
AI-generated arguments based on insider flow, news sentiment and technicals — not financial advice · March 2026
EBSH Latest News
No recent news available for EBSH.
EBSH Analyst Consensus
Consensus Rating
Aggregated Buy/Hold/Sell recommendations collected by Financial Modeling Prep for EBSH.
Price Targets
Wall Street price target analysis for EBSH.
EBSH MoonshotScore
MoonshotScore is Stock Expert AI's proprietary 0-100 research rating, not a buy or sell recommendation. No MoonshotScore is published for EBSH; grades run from A+ (80-100) to F (below 30).
Leadership: Gregory A. Smitley
CEO
Gregory A. Smitley serves as the CEO of Empire Bancshares, Inc. and manages a team of 41 employees. Information regarding Mr. Therefore, a comprehensive biography cannot be constructed at this time. Further research would be needed to provide a more complete profile.
Track Record: Information regarding Mr. Smitley's specific achievements, strategic decisions, and company milestones under his leadership is not available in the provided data. Therefore, a detailed assessment of his track record cannot be provided at this time. Further research would be needed to provide a more complete evaluation.
EBSH OTC Market Information
The OTC Other tier represents the lowest tier of the OTC market, indicating that Empire Bancshares, Inc. may not meet the minimum financial standards or disclosure requirements for higher tiers like OTCQX or OTCQB. Companies in this tier may have limited financial reporting and may not be subject to the same level of regulatory scrutiny as companies listed on major exchanges like the NYSE or NASDAQ. Investing in companies on the OTC Other tier carries higher risks due to the potential for limited information and liquidity compared to stocks on major exchanges. This contrasts with listed exchanges, which have strict listing requirements.
- OTC Tier: OTC Other
- Limited financial disclosure and transparency.
- Lower trading volume and liquidity.
- Wider bid-ask spreads.
- Potential for price volatility.
- Higher risk of fraud or manipulation.
- Verify the company's financial statements and SEC filings (if any).
- Check the background and experience of the company's management team.
- Assess the company's business model and competitive landscape.
- Evaluate the company's financial condition and ability to generate profits.
- Review the company's legal and regulatory compliance.
- Determine the liquidity of the stock and the potential for price volatility.
- Consult with a qualified financial advisor.
- The Hicksville Bank has been operating since 1901, indicating a long-standing presence.
- The company is a bank holding company, suggesting regulatory oversight.
- The company has a physical presence in Hicksville, Ohio.
- The company offers a range of traditional banking services.
EBSH Financials Stock FAQ
Is EBSH a good stock to buy?
Stock Expert AI does not rate EBSH buy, sell or hold. Empire Bancshares, Inc. has no MoonshotScore yet; read the financial checkup, analyst consensus and risks directly. Whether it fits is your call: check what it sells, whether it earns and what the price assumes. This is educational content, not investment advice.
What is the EBSH stock price today?
The last price recorded on this page for Empire Bancshares, Inc. (EBSH) is $43.00, as of the Oct 5, 2026 trading session. It is a provider snapshot, not a live exchange feed, so check a brokerage quote before you trade.
What do analysts say about EBSH stock?
As of the current date, there is no available analyst coverage or consensus on Empire Bancshares, Inc. (EBSH) stock. The company's small market capitalization and OTC listing may limit analyst interest. Investors should conduct their own independent research and due diligence before investing in EBSH. Key valuation metrics to consider include the company's P/E ratio, dividend yield, and financial performance.
What are the key factors to evaluate for EBSH?
Evaluate EBSH on fundamentals, analyst consensus, and risk factors. P/E: 19.63x. With a P/E ratio of 19.63 and a dividend yield of 2.39%, EBSH offers potential value for investors seeking income and stability. Not financial advice.
How frequently does EBSH data refresh on this page?
EBSH's price is the last quote we recorded, from the Oct 5, 2026 trading session. Pages are served from a cache, so the copy you are reading can lag that quote. The quote is a provider snapshot, not an exchange feed. Fundamentals follow quarterly filings. V2 is recalculated from the most recent completed US trading session; the score's own date shows its last successful run.
What has driven EBSH's recent stock price performance?
Empire Bancshares, Inc. (EBSH) moves on earnings results, analyst revisions, sector rotation, and market sentiment. Notable catalyst: Long-standing history and reputation in the local community. See the News tab for the latest drivers. Past performance does not predict future results.
Should investors consider EBSH overvalued or undervalued right now?
Empire Bancshares, Inc. (EBSH) trades at 19.63x earnings. Compare P/E, P/S, and EV/EBITDA against sector peers for a full view.
How do I research EBSH before investing?
Before investing in Empire Bancshares, Inc. (EBSH), research these four areas: (1) the company's revenue model and competitive position (see Company Overview), (2) financial health through revenue growth, margins, and cash flow (see MoonshotScore), (3) analyst consensus ratings and price targets (see Analyst tab), and (4) specific risk factors that could impact the stock (see Risk Factors section).
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Always do your own research and consult a financial advisor.
Official Resources
No publishable V2 score is available for this stock yet.
Data provided for informational purposes only.
- Information is based on available data and may be limited.
- OTC market data may be less reliable than exchange-listed data.