PFIS

Financial Services

Peoples Financial Services Corp. · Banks - Regional · $590M

UQS Score — Balanced Preset
54.3
Good

Peoples Financial Services Corp. scores 54.3/100 using the Balanced preset.

UQS vs Financial Services Sector
PFIS
54.3
Sector avg
39.7
Quality
Good
Moat
Weak
Growth
Neutral
Risk
Weak
Valuation
Attractive

What is Peoples Financial Services Corp.?

Peoples Financial Services Corp. is the holding company for Peoples Security Bank and Trust Company, a community-focused institution serving commercial and retail banking customers primarily in the northeastern United States, headquartered in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

Peoples Security Bank and Trust generates revenue through traditional banking activities — accepting deposits and extending loans across residential, commercial, and agricultural categories. The bank also provides trust and investment management services, estate planning, retirement solutions, and brokerage services, giving it a broader revenue base than a purely transactional community bank.

The holding company was established in 2002 and is headquartered in Scranton, US.

  • Commercial and retail deposit accounts
  • Residential, commercial, and agricultural lending
  • Trust, estate, and investment management services
  • Retirement planning and brokerage services

Is PFIS a Good Stock to Buy?

UQS Score rates PFIS as Good overall, reflecting a balanced profile with some notable strengths and one clear area of concern.

The Quality and Risk pillars both score at the Good level, suggesting the bank maintains reasonable financial discipline and a manageable risk profile relative to peers. Valuation is rated Attractive, meaning the stock does not appear expensive relative to its fundamentals.

The Moat pillar is rated Weak, which is common among community banks that compete on relationships rather than structural advantages. Growth is rated Neutral, indicating limited near-term expansion signals.

See the exact pillar breakdown and full financial metrics by signing up for a Pro account at UQS Score. Sign up free →

Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.

Does PFIS pay dividends?

Yes — Peoples Financial Services Corp. pays a dividend.

PFIS pays a regular dividend, consistent with the income-oriented tradition of community bank holding companies. Management's commitment to returning capital to shareholders reflects the bank's relatively stable deposit-funded business model. Investors seeking income from the financial sector may find this cadence appealing alongside the Attractive valuation rating.

When does PFIS report earnings?

Peoples Financial Services Corp. reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, typical for US-listed bank holding companies.

The bank's earnings profile reflects the dynamics of a community lender — net interest income driven by loan and deposit spreads, supplemented by fee income from trust and investment services. Performance tends to track regional economic conditions and interest rate movements.

For the most recent quarter's results, visit Peoples Financial Services Corp.'s investor relations page directly.

PFIS Price History

+59.4% over 5Y

Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.

Return Calculator

What if I invested in Peoples Financial Services Corp.?

$
Today it would be worth
$16,722
That's a +67.2% total return, or +10.8% annualized.

Based on Peoples Financial Services Corp.'s historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.

PFIS Long-term Outlook

With Growth rated Neutral and Risk rated Good, PFIS appears positioned for steady rather than rapid expansion. The bank's diversified service mix — spanning lending, trust, and brokerage — provides some buffer against rate cycle volatility. The Attractive valuation rating suggests the market may not be fully pricing in the bank's stability characteristics.

Growth drivers

  • Expansion of trust and investment management fee income
  • Loan growth in commercial real estate and small business segments
  • Stable deposit base supporting consistent net interest income

Key risks

  • Weak Moat rating reflects limited pricing power versus larger regional banks
  • Interest rate sensitivity inherent to community bank balance sheets
  • Neutral Growth outlook limits near-term earnings acceleration potential

PFIS vs Peers

PFIS operates in a competitive community banking landscape alongside several similarly sized regional peers.

TCBXPFIS scores higher
Third Coast Bancshares, Inc.

Third Coast Bancshares focuses on commercial banking in Texas markets, offering a geographically distinct growth profile compared to PFIS's northeastern footprint.

NFBKPFIS scores higher
Northfield Bancorp, Inc.

Northfield Bancorp operates in the New York metro area, competing in a denser urban market with a heavier emphasis on real estate lending.

BHBPFIS scores higher
Bar Harbor Bankshares

Bar Harbor Bankshares serves northern New England communities, with a similarly relationship-driven model but a distinct regional deposit base.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Peoples Financial Services Corp. do?

Peoples Financial Services Corp. is the holding company for Peoples Security Bank and Trust Company. The bank provides commercial and retail banking, including loans and deposits, alongside trust services, investment management, estate planning, and brokerage — serving individuals, businesses, and agricultural clients primarily in northeastern Pennsylvania.

Does PFIS pay dividends?

Yes, PFIS pays a regular dividend. This is consistent with the income-return tradition common among community bank holding companies. The dividend reflects the bank's stable, deposit-funded business model. Investors should verify the current dividend rate and payment schedule through the company's investor relations page.

When does PFIS report earnings?

Peoples Financial Services Corp. reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, as is standard for US-listed bank holding companies. For the exact timing of upcoming earnings releases, check the company's investor relations page or a financial calendar service.

Is PFIS a good stock to buy?

UQS Score rates PFIS as Good overall. The Quality and Risk pillars are both rated Good, and Valuation is rated Attractive. The Moat pillar is rated Weak and Growth is Neutral. Whether PFIS fits your portfolio depends on your own investment criteria — the full pillar breakdown is available to Pro members.

Is PFIS overvalued?

Based on the UQS Score framework, PFIS carries an Attractive Valuation rating, suggesting the stock is not considered expensive relative to its fundamentals. Community banks can trade at discounts when growth prospects are modest, which may partly explain this rating. Full valuation metrics are available to Pro members.

How does PFIS compare to its competitors?

PFIS competes with other small-cap community banks such as Third Coast Bancshares, Northfield Bancorp, and Bar Harbor Bankshares. Each operates in different regional markets with varying loan mixes. UQS Score provides side-by-side pillar comparisons for Pro members to evaluate relative quality and risk across these peers.

What is PFIS's market cap bracket?

PFIS is classified as a small-cap stock. This places it among smaller community bank holding companies, which typically have more concentrated geographic exposure and less liquidity than large regional or national banks. Small-cap financials can offer attractive valuations but may carry higher volatility.

Who founded Peoples Financial Services Corp.?

Peoples Financial Services Corp. was established as a holding company in 2002. The underlying banking operations through Peoples Security Bank and Trust have deeper community roots in the Scranton, Pennsylvania region. Detailed founding history is available through the company's official website and public filings.

Is PFIS a long-term quality investment?

As a long-term quality indicator, the UQS Score rates PFIS as Good. The Good Quality and Risk ratings suggest financial discipline and manageable risk, while the Weak Moat rating is a consideration for long-term durability. Investors focused on income and stability may find the Attractive valuation and regular dividend relevant to a long-term thesis.

What is the main competitive advantage of Peoples Financial Services Corp.?

Peoples Security Bank and Trust competes primarily through community relationships, local market knowledge, and a diversified service mix that includes trust and investment management alongside traditional banking. However, the UQS Moat pillar is rated Weak, reflecting that structural competitive advantages are limited relative to larger banking institutions.

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Pro Analysis

PFIS — Score History

455055606570Apr 2Apr 12Apr 22May 2May 12May 22May 24v5
Score changes· 7 most recent
DateUQSQualityMoatGrowthRiskValueChange
May 17, 202654.773.825.058.829.991.5-5.5
Apr 26, 202660.275.625.058.062.493.80.0
Apr 18, 202660.275.625.058.062.493.6-0.5
Apr 12, 202660.775.625.058.062.497.2-0.1
Apr 9, 202660.875.625.058.062.497.7-0.2
Apr 4, 202661.076.725.057.862.497.7-0.1
Apr 2, 202661.176.925.057.862.497.8

PFIS — Pillar Breakdown

Quality

72.7/100 (25%)

Peoples Financial Services Corp. shows solid profitability with healthy returns on capital and reasonable margins.

Return on EquityModerate

Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.

Operating ProfitabilityModerate

Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.

Net ProfitabilityStrong

Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.

Cash GenerationStrong

Free cash flow relative to market value.

Growth

58.8/100 (20%)

Peoples Financial Services Corp. demonstrates healthy growth trends across revenue and earnings.

Recent Revenue TrendModerate

Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.

3Y Revenue CAGRStrong

Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.

EPS GrowthStrong

Year-over-year earnings per share growth.

Forward Revenue OutlookWeak

Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.

Forward EPS GrowthStrong

Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.

Risk

29.9/100 (15%)

Peoples Financial Services Corp. presents elevated risk with concerns around leverage or financial stability.

Debt/EquityStrong

Total debt relative to shareholder equity.

Current RatioWeak

Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.

Interest CoverageWeak

Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.

Valuation

91.0/100 (15%)

Peoples Financial Services Corp. appears attractively valued relative to its earnings, cash flows, and sector peers.

Earnings YieldStrong

Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.

Price to Free Cash FlowStrong

How many years of FCF the market cap represents.

PEG RatioStrong

P/E relative to earnings growth — lower is more attractive.

EV/EBITDA vs SectorModerate

Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.

Moat

25/100 (25%)

Peoples Financial Services Corp. operates in a highly competitive environment with limited sustainable advantages. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for PFIS.

Score Composition

Quality
72.7×25%18.2
Growth
58.8×20%11.8
Risk
29.9×15%4.5
Valuation
91.0×15%13.7
Moat
25.0×25%6.3
Total
54.3Good

Financial Data

More Stock Analysis

How is the PFIS UQS Score Calculated?

The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for Peoples Financial Services Corp. is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.

Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.

Moat (25%) assesses Peoples Financial Services Corp.'s competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.

Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.

Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.

Valuation (15%) measures whether Peoples Financial Services Corp. is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.

Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.