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1. Company Snapshot

1.a. Company Description

Bankwell Financial Group, Inc.operates as the bank holding company for Bankwell Bank that provides various banking services for individual and commercial customers.It offers various traditional depository products, including checking, savings, money market, and certificates of deposit.


The company also provides first mortgage loans secured by one-to-four family owner occupied residential properties for personal use; home equity loans and home equity lines of credit secured by owner occupied one-to-four family residential properties; loans secured by commercial real estate, multi-family dwellings, and investor-owned one-to-four family dwellings; commercial construction loans for commercial development projects, including apartment buildings and condominiums, as well as office buildings, retail, and other income producing properties; land loans; commercial business loans secured by assignments of corporate assets and personal guarantees of the business owners; loans secured by savings or certificate accounts and automobiles; and unsecured personal loans and overdraft lines of credit.It operates branches in New Canaan, Stamford, Fairfield, Wilton, Westport, Darien, Norwalk, and Hamden, Connecticut.The company was formerly known as BNC Financial Group, Inc.


and changed its name to Bankwell Financial Group, Inc.in September 2013.Bankwell Financial Group, Inc.


was founded in 2002 and is headquartered in New Canaan, Connecticut.

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1.b. Last Insights on BWFG

Bankwell Financial Group's recent performance was driven by strong Q3 earnings, beating estimates with $1.27 per share, a significant increase from $0.24 per share a year ago. The company's pre-tax, pre-provision net revenue (PPNR) rose to $13.9 million, or 1.70% of average assets. A favorable interest rate environment is expected to expand the net interest margin, driving earnings growth. Zacks upgraded the stock to a Buy rating, citing growing optimism about earnings prospects. A $0.20 per share cash dividend was also declared.

1.c. Company Highlights

2. Bankwell Financial Group's Q3 2025 Earnings: A Strong Performance

Bankwell Financial Group reported a robust third-quarter 2025 performance, with GAAP net income reaching $10.1 million or $1.27 per share, significantly surpassing the estimated $1.02 per share. The company's pre-provision net revenue return on assets was 1.7%, marking a 27 basis point increase from the prior quarter. The net interest margin expanded to 3.34%, driven by a 13 basis point rise in loan yields and improved deposit costs. The earnings beat was a testament to the company's operational efficiency and strategic initiatives.

Publication Date: Nov -24

📋 Highlights
  • GAAP Net Income Growth: Q3 net income rose to $10.1M ($1.27/share) from $9.1M ($1.15/share) in Q2.
  • Pre-Provision ROA Increase: Pre-provision net revenue ROA improved 27 bps to 1.7% quarter-over-quarter.
  • Net Interest Margin Expansion: NIM grew to 3.34%, driven by 13 bps higher loan yields and improved deposit costs.
  • Noninterest Income Surge: Noninterest income jumped 24% QoQ, led by $1.4M in SBA gain on sale income.
  • Time Deposit Repricing Benefit: $1.25B in time deposits expected to reprice favorably, generating $3.4M annualized incremental income over 12 months.

Loan Originations and SBA Division Momentum

The company witnessed strong loan originations, with $220 million in fundings during the third quarter, bringing year-to-date fundings to $500 million. The SBA division saw increased momentum, with gains on sale rising to $1.4 million for the quarter. However, the government shutdown may temporarily impact SBA results for the remainder of the year. Noninterest income increased 24% versus the linked quarter, largely driven by $1.4 million of SBA gain on sale income.

Credit Trends and Efficiency Ratio

Credit trends continued to improve, with nonperforming assets as a percentage of total assets falling to 56 basis points. The company's efficiency ratio improved to 51.4% for the quarter, indicating better cost management. The balance sheet remains well-capitalized and liquid, with total assets of $3.2 billion and a consolidated common equity Tier 1 ratio of 10.39%. Tangible book value increased to $36.84.

Guidance and Outlook

The company revised its loan growth guidance to flat for the year due to elevated payoffs. Noninterest income guidance was affirmed at $7 million to $8 million for the full year, and net interest income guidance was also affirmed at $97 million to $98 million. The company expects its net interest margin to remain relatively flat in the fourth quarter but improve as term deposits mature. Analysts estimate next year's revenue growth at 13.7%, indicating a positive outlook.

Valuation and Dividend Yield

With a Price-to-Tangible Book Value (P/TBV) ratio of approximately 1.19, slightly above the industry average, and a Dividend Yield of 1.78%, Bankwell Financial Group presents a relatively attractive valuation. The stock's current P/E Ratio is 12.02, suggesting that the market has already priced in some of the company's growth prospects. The expected repricing of time deposits favorably over the next 12 months is likely to contribute to the company's profitability.

3. NewsRoom

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Has Bankwell Financial Group (BWFG) Outpaced Other Finance Stocks This Year?

Nov -19

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What Makes Bankwell Financial Group (BWFG) a New Buy Stock

Oct -29

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Bankwell Financial: Margin Growth To Drive Earnings, Potential For Price Upside

Oct -28

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Bankwell Financial Group, Inc. (BWFG) Q3 2025 Earnings Call Transcript

Oct -23

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Bankwell Financial Group, Inc. (BWFG) Beats Q3 Earnings and Revenue Estimates

Oct -23

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Bankwell Financial Group Reports Operating Results for the Third Quarter, Declares Fourth Quarter Dividend

Oct -23

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Bankwell Financial Group's Improving Margins Tell A Story

Jul -30

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Bankwell Financial Group, Inc. (BWFG) Q2 2025 Earnings Call Transcript

Jul -28

4. Business Breakdown

4.a. Revenues by Country

4.b. Revenues by Segment

5. Expected revenues mid-term growth (4.00%)

6. Segments

Banking and Related Activities

Expected Growth: 4.0%

Bankwell Financial Group, Inc.'s 4.0% growth in Banking and Related Activities is driven by increasing loan demand, expansion into new markets, and strategic acquisitions. Additionally, the company's focus on digital transformation, cost savings initiatives, and a strong capital position have contributed to its growth momentum.

7. Detailed Products

Commercial Banking

Bankwell Financial Group, Inc. offers a range of commercial banking services, including cash management, commercial loans, and treasury management solutions, designed to meet the financial needs of businesses.

Consumer Banking

The company provides consumer banking services, including checking and savings accounts, credit cards, personal loans, and mortgages, to individuals and families.

Mortgage Banking

Bankwell Financial Group, Inc. offers a range of mortgage products, including residential and commercial mortgages, home equity loans, and refinancing options.

Wealth Management

The company provides wealth management services, including investment management, financial planning, and trust services, to individuals, families, and institutions.

Insurance Services

Bankwell Financial Group, Inc. offers insurance services, including life insurance, disability insurance, and long-term care insurance, to individuals and businesses.

8. Bankwell Financial Group, Inc.'s Porter Forces

Forces Ranking

Threat Of Substitutes

The threat of substitutes for Bankwell Financial Group, Inc. is medium due to the presence of alternative financial institutions and online banking platforms.

Bargaining Power Of Customers

The bargaining power of customers for Bankwell Financial Group, Inc. is low due to the lack of negotiating power of individual customers.

Bargaining Power Of Suppliers

The bargaining power of suppliers for Bankwell Financial Group, Inc. is medium due to the presence of multiple suppliers of financial services and technology.

Threat Of New Entrants

The threat of new entrants for Bankwell Financial Group, Inc. is high due to the ease of entry into the financial services industry and the presence of fintech startups.

Intensity Of Rivalry

The intensity of rivalry for Bankwell Financial Group, Inc. is high due to the presence of multiple competitors in the financial services industry and the need to differentiate itself.

9. SWOT Analysis

10. Capital Structure

10.a. Balance Sheet

10.b. Weighted Average Cost of capital

Value
Debt Weight 37.78%
Debt Cost 5.37%
Equity Weight 62.22%
Equity Cost 7.94%
WACC 6.97%
Leverage 60.71%

11. Quality Control: Bankwell Financial Group, Inc. passed 3 out of 9 key points

12.a Historical Valuation

12.b Price/Earnings Ratio

12.c Margin Valuation

12.d Peers Valuation

Peers Group Analysis

Stock-Card
PCB Bank

A-Score: 7.3/10

Value: 7.4

Growth: 6.8

Quality: 6.0

Yield: 8.0

Momentum: 7.5

Volatility: 8.0

1-Year Total Return ->

Stock-Card
First Financial

A-Score: 7.0/10

Value: 7.3

Growth: 5.4

Quality: 6.0

Yield: 7.0

Momentum: 8.5

Volatility: 8.0

1-Year Total Return ->

Stock-Card
CB Financial Services

A-Score: 6.9/10

Value: 6.3

Growth: 4.8

Quality: 6.9

Yield: 7.0

Momentum: 8.0

Volatility: 8.7

1-Year Total Return ->

Stock-Card
First Financial

A-Score: 6.6/10

Value: 7.2

Growth: 6.1

Quality: 5.8

Yield: 8.0

Momentum: 5.0

Volatility: 7.7

1-Year Total Return ->

Stock-Card
Hanmi Financial

A-Score: 6.5/10

Value: 5.9

Growth: 5.2

Quality: 5.6

Yield: 8.0

Momentum: 8.0

Volatility: 6.3

1-Year Total Return ->

Stock-Card
Bankwell Financial Group

A-Score: 6.5/10

Value: 6.8

Growth: 6.1

Quality: 5.4

Yield: 4.0

Momentum: 9.0

Volatility: 7.7

1-Year Total Return ->

Peers Metrics

12.e Scoring Insights

12.f DCF BETA

Parameters

Short Term Growth

Short term Time

Long-Term Growth

WACC

Target Price

47.34$

Current Price

47.34$

Potential

-0.00%

Expected Cash-Flows