PFS

Financial Services

Provident Financial Services, Inc. · Banks - Regional · $3B

UQS Score — Balanced Preset
51.9
Good

Provident Financial Services, Inc. scores 51.9/100 using the Balanced preset.

UQS vs Financial Services Sector
PFS
51.9
Sector avg
39.7
Quality
Good
Moat
Weak
Growth
Neutral
Risk
Weak
Valuation
Attractive

What is Provident Financial Services, Inc.?

Provident Financial Services is a New Jersey-based bank holding company operating through Provident Bank, serving individuals, families, and businesses across the United States with a broad range of deposit, lending, and wealth management services.

Provident Bank generates revenue primarily through traditional banking activities — accepting deposits and extending credit. Its loan book spans commercial real estate, residential mortgages, commercial business loans, and consumer lending products such as home equity lines and auto loans. Beyond core banking, the company offers wealth management services including investment management, trust administration, and financial planning, as well as insurance and investment products. Cash management and digital banking tools round out the offering for business clients.

The holding company was incorporated in 2003 and is headquartered in Jersey City, New Jersey.

  • Commercial real estate and business lending
  • Residential mortgage and consumer loans
  • Deposit accounts including money market and CDs
  • Wealth management, trust, and estate services
  • Insurance, annuities, and investment products

Is PFS a Good Stock to Buy?

UQS Score rates PFS as Good overall, reflecting a balanced but mixed fundamental profile.

The Quality pillar comes in at a Good level, suggesting the bank maintains reasonable earnings consistency and operational discipline relative to peers. Valuation is rated Attractive, meaning the stock does not appear richly priced compared to its fundamental profile — a notable characteristic for income-oriented investors evaluating regional banks.

The Moat and Risk pillars both register as Weak, indicating limited competitive differentiation and meaningful exposure to credit, interest-rate, or balance-sheet risks common in community banking. Growth is rated Neutral, pointing to a steady but unexceptional expansion trajectory.

See the exact pillar breakdown and full financial metrics by signing up for a UQS Pro account. 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 PFS pay dividends?

Yes — Provident Financial Services, Inc. pays a dividend.

Provident Financial Services pays a regular dividend, consistent with the income-distribution culture common among community and regional banks. The dividend reflects the company's ability to generate recurring net interest income and return capital to shareholders. Investors focused on dividend income may find PFS worth examining alongside its peer group in the regional banking sector.

When does PFS report earnings?

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

Results in recent periods have reflected the broader regional banking environment — shaped by interest rate dynamics, loan growth trends, and credit quality management. The company's performance across deposit gathering and lending activity drives the top line, while expense discipline influences bottom-line outcomes.

For the most recent quarter's results and guidance commentary, visit Provident Financial Services' investor relations page directly.

PFS Price History

+12.1% over 5Y

Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.

Return Calculator

What if I invested in Provident Financial Services, Inc.?

$
Today it would be worth
$12,717
That's a +27.2% total return, or +4.9% annualized.

Based on Provident Financial Services, Inc.'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.

PFS Long-term Outlook

The Growth pillar rating of Neutral suggests Provident is not positioned as a high-expansion story, but rather a steady-state operator within the regional banking landscape. The Weak Risk rating warrants attention — interest rate sensitivity and credit concentration in commercial real estate are structural factors that can weigh on earnings visibility. The Attractive Valuation label may offer a margin of safety for patient investors, though the Weak Moat rating suggests the bank competes in a commoditized environment with limited pricing power.

Growth drivers

  • Expansion of commercial lending relationships in core markets
  • Wealth management and fee-based revenue diversification
  • Digital banking adoption improving deposit retention

Key risks

  • Commercial real estate credit quality in a higher-rate environment
  • Net interest margin compression if rate dynamics shift
  • Limited competitive differentiation in a crowded regional banking market

PFS vs Peers

Provident Financial Services competes with other mid-sized regional banks that share similar business models centered on commercial lending and community deposit gathering.

BANCPFS scores higher
Banc of California, Inc.

Banc of California focuses on serving California-based businesses and entrepreneurs, giving it a distinct geographic and client-segment concentration compared to Provident's Northeast footprint.

FFBCSimilar UQS
First Financial Bancorp.

First Financial Bancorp operates primarily across the Midwest and has built a broader insurance and specialty finance capability alongside its core community banking franchise.

SFNCPFS scores higher
Simmons First National Corporation

Simmons First has pursued an acquisition-driven growth strategy across the South-Central US, differentiating itself through geographic expansion rather than organic deposit deepening.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Provident Financial Services do?

Provident Financial Services operates Provident Bank, offering deposit accounts, commercial and residential loans, consumer lending, and wealth management services. The company also sells insurance and investment products and provides digital banking tools for business clients across its US market footprint.

Does PFS pay dividends?

Yes, Provident Financial Services pays a regular dividend. This is consistent with the capital return practices of many profitable regional banks. Investors seeking income from financial sector holdings often consider dividend-paying community banks like PFS as part of a diversified portfolio.

When does PFS report earnings?

PFS reports on a quarterly cadence, as is standard for US-listed bank holding companies. For precise dates and the most recent results, check Provident Financial Services' official investor relations page, which publishes earnings calendars and press releases.

Is PFS a good stock to buy?

UQS Score rates PFS as Good overall. The Valuation pillar is Attractive and Quality is Good, but the Moat and Risk pillars are both Weak. Whether PFS fits your portfolio depends on your risk tolerance and income objectives. The full pillar breakdown is available to UQS Pro members.

Is PFS overvalued?

Based on the UQS Valuation pillar, PFS is rated Attractive — meaning the stock does not appear overpriced relative to its fundamental profile. Regional banks can trade at varying multiples depending on credit cycle positioning, so the Attractive label should be considered alongside the Weak Risk rating.

How does PFS compare to its competitors?

PFS competes with regional banks like Banc of California, First Financial Bancorp, and Simmons First National. Each operates a similar deposit-and-lending model but with different geographic footprints and strategic priorities. UQS Score provides side-by-side pillar comparisons for Pro members.

What is PFS's market cap bracket?

Provident Financial Services is classified as a mid-cap company. This places it in the tier of established regional banks with meaningful scale but without the systemic footprint of large national institutions. Mid-cap banks often balance growth potential with income characteristics.

Who founded Provident Financial Services?

Provident Financial Services, Inc. was incorporated as a holding company in 2003, though Provident Bank itself has a longer operating history in the New Jersey market. Founding details for the underlying bank are publicly available through the company's official history and regulatory filings.

Is PFS a long-term quality investment?

As a long-term quality indicator, PFS scores as Good on the UQS composite. The Attractive Valuation and Good Quality pillar support a case for patient holders, but the Weak Moat and Risk ratings suggest the bank faces structural challenges in sustaining competitive advantages over time.

What is the main competitive advantage of Provident Financial Services?

Provident's primary strengths lie in its established Northeast deposit franchise and its diversified revenue mix — combining traditional lending with wealth management and insurance. However, the UQS Moat pillar rates as Weak, reflecting the commoditized nature of regional banking and limited pricing power versus peers.

What sector does PFS belong to?

PFS operates in the Financial Services sector, specifically within the regional and community banking industry. Banks in this segment earn revenue primarily through net interest income — the spread between lending rates and deposit costs — alongside fee-based services like wealth management.

Is PFS a growth stock or value stock?

Based on UQS pillar labels, PFS leans toward value characteristics. The Valuation pillar is Attractive and Growth is rated Neutral, suggesting the market does not price in aggressive expansion. Income-oriented investors may find the dividend and valuation profile more relevant than growth prospects.

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Pro Analysis

PFS — Score History

45505560Apr 2Apr 12Apr 22May 2May 12May 22May 24v5
Score changes· 11 most recent
DateUQSQualityMoatGrowthRiskValueChange
May 22, 202651.979.820.051.321.290.20.0
May 17, 202651.979.820.051.321.290.1+0.1
May 7, 202651.877.820.051.123.790.2+0.1
May 3, 202651.777.820.051.123.789.80.0
May 2, 202651.777.820.051.123.789.9-0.2
Apr 26, 202651.977.820.051.623.790.3+0.1
Apr 19, 202651.877.820.051.623.790.1-0.1
Apr 18, 202651.977.820.051.623.790.4-1.1
Apr 12, 202653.077.820.051.623.798.0-0.1
Apr 10, 202653.177.820.051.623.798.30.0

PFS — Pillar Breakdown

Quality

79.8/100 (25%)

Provident Financial Services, Inc. demonstrates outstanding capital efficiency and profitability, placing it among the highest-quality businesses in the market.

Return on EquityModerate

Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.

Operating ProfitabilityStrong

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

51.3/100 (20%)

Provident Financial Services, Inc. shows steady but unspectacular growth, typical for mature companies.

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 GrowthModerate

Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.

Risk

21.2/100 (15%)

Provident Financial Services, Inc. presents elevated risk with concerns around leverage or financial stability.

Debt/EquityModerate

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

90.2/100 (15%)

Provident Financial Services, Inc. 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

20/100 (25%)

Provident Financial Services, Inc. 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 PFS.

Score Composition

Quality
79.8×25%19.9
Growth
51.3×20%10.3
Risk
21.2×15%3.2
Valuation
90.2×15%13.5
Moat
20.0×25%5.0
Total
51.9Good

Financial Data

More Stock Analysis

How is the PFS UQS Score Calculated?

The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for Provident Financial Services, Inc. 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 Provident Financial Services, Inc.'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 Provident Financial Services, Inc. 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.