STEL

Financial Services

Stellar Bancorp, Inc. · Banks - Regional · $2B

UQS Score — Balanced Preset
40.7
Below Average

Stellar Bancorp, Inc. scores 40.7/100 using the Balanced preset.

UQS vs Financial Services Sector
STEL
40.7
Sector avg
39.7
Quality
Neutral
Moat
Weak
Growth
Weak
Risk
Weak
Valuation
Good

What is Stellar Bancorp, Inc.?

Stellar Bancorp is a Houston-based bank holding company focused on serving small and medium-sized businesses, professionals, and individual customers across Texas. It operates primarily through commercial banking services in the Southeast region.

The company generates revenue through traditional banking activities — accepting deposits and extending loans. Its loan book spans commercial and industrial lending, commercial real estate, residential mortgages, and consumer loans. Deposit products include checking, money market, savings, and certificates of deposit. Customers also access ATM, mobile banking, wire transfer, and cash management services.

Stellar Bancorp was founded in 2017 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas.

  • Commercial and industrial loans
  • Commercial real estate and construction loans
  • Deposit accounts including money market and CDs
  • Digital and mobile banking services

Is STEL a Good Stock to Buy?

UQS Score rates STEL as Below Average overall, reflecting meaningful limitations across several key quality dimensions.

The most constructive elements of STEL's profile are its Risk and Valuation pillars, both rated Good. The bank appears to carry a manageable risk profile relative to peers, and its current valuation does not appear stretched by sector standards.

Both the Moat and Growth pillars register as Weak, suggesting limited competitive differentiation and subdued business expansion prospects. The Quality pillar sits at Neutral, offering little additional support.

See the exact pillar breakdown and full financial metrics by signing up for a Pro account at uqs-score.com. 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 STEL pay dividends?

Yes — Stellar Bancorp, Inc. pays a dividend.

Stellar Bancorp pays a regular dividend, consistent with the income-oriented tradition of community and regional banks. For shareholders seeking periodic income alongside capital exposure, this cadence can be a relevant consideration. The dividend reflects the company's approach to returning capital to shareholders while maintaining its lending operations.

When does STEL report earnings?

Stellar Bancorp reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, typical for US-listed bank holding companies.

As a community-focused commercial bank, STEL's quarterly results are shaped by loan growth trends, net interest margin dynamics, and credit quality. Investors typically watch deposit costs and loan portfolio composition for signals on near-term performance.

For the most recent quarter's results, visit Stellar Bancorp's investor relations page directly.

STEL Price History

+40.3% over 5Y

Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.

Return Calculator

What if I invested in Stellar Bancorp, Inc.?

$
Today it would be worth
$13,034
That's a +30.3% total return, or +5.4% annualized.

Based on Stellar Bancorp, 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.

STEL Long-term Outlook

With Weak Growth and Weak Moat pillar ratings, the fundamental outlook for STEL suggests limited near-term expansion momentum and a narrow competitive position in a crowded regional banking landscape. The Good Risk rating provides some stability, but the absence of a strong moat makes sustained outperformance harder to sustain. Valuation rated Good may offer a degree of downside cushion relative to peers.

Growth drivers

  • Continued commercial lending activity in the Houston and Dallas metro markets
  • Potential deposit growth from small and medium-sized business clients in Texas
  • Expansion of digital banking services to improve customer retention

Key risks

  • Limited competitive differentiation in a fragmented regional banking market
  • Interest rate sensitivity affecting net interest margins
  • Subdued loan demand or credit quality deterioration in key Texas markets

STEL vs Peers

Stellar Bancorp operates in a competitive regional banking space alongside several similarly sized community-focused institutions.

CLBKSTEL scores higher
Columbia Financial, Inc.

Columbia Financial operates primarily in the Mid-Atlantic region, offering a different geographic footprint compared to STEL's Texas-centric presence.

FCFSTEL scores lower
First Commonwealth Financial Corporation

First Commonwealth serves communities across Pennsylvania and Ohio, with a longer operating history and broader branch network than Stellar Bancorp.

NWBISTEL scores lower
Northwest Bancshares, Inc.

Northwest Bancshares emphasizes retail and consumer banking across the Northeast, contrasting with STEL's commercial-lending focus in the Southeast.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Stellar Bancorp do?

Stellar Bancorp is a bank holding company that provides commercial banking services to small and medium-sized businesses, professionals, and individuals. It accepts deposits, extends loans across commercial and residential categories, and offers digital banking, wire transfers, and cash management services — primarily across Texas markets including Houston and Dallas.

Does STEL pay dividends?

Yes, Stellar Bancorp pays a regular dividend. This is consistent with the income-return practices common among community and regional bank holding companies. Investors seeking periodic income may find this relevant, though dividend sustainability depends on the company's ongoing earnings and capital position.

When does STEL report earnings?

Stellar Bancorp follows a quarterly earnings reporting schedule, standard for US-listed bank holding companies. For the exact timing of upcoming results, check the investor relations section of the company's official website, as specific dates are subject to change.

Is STEL a good stock to buy?

UQS Score rates STEL as Below Average, driven by Weak Moat and Growth pillars alongside a Neutral Quality rating. The Good Risk and Valuation ratings provide some balance. Whether it fits your portfolio depends on your investment goals — view the full pillar breakdown on uqs-score.com for a deeper picture.

Is STEL overvalued?

The UQS Valuation pillar for STEL is rated Good, suggesting the stock does not appear significantly overpriced relative to sector peers at this time. That said, valuation should be considered alongside the company's Weak Growth profile, which can affect how much premium the market is willing to assign.

How does STEL compare to its competitors?

Compared to peers like Columbia Financial, First Commonwealth, and Northwest Bancshares, Stellar Bancorp is a Texas-focused commercial lender with a relatively concentrated geographic footprint. Its UQS profile reflects a below-average composite score, and a side-by-side pillar comparison with these peers is available to Pro members on uqs-score.com.

What is STEL's market cap bracket?

Stellar Bancorp is classified as a small-cap company. This places it in a segment of the market that can offer growth potential but may also carry lower liquidity and higher volatility compared to large-cap banking peers.

Who founded Stellar Bancorp?

Stellar Bancorp was founded in 2017. For detailed information on the founding team and corporate history, the company's official investor relations page and public filings provide the most accurate and up-to-date background.

Is STEL a long-term quality investment?

From a long-term quality perspective, STEL's UQS profile raises some caution. Weak Moat and Growth ratings suggest limited structural advantages and expansion capacity over time. The Good Risk rating offers some reassurance on stability, but long-term quality investors typically look for stronger moat and growth characteristics. Pro members can explore the full analysis on uqs-score.com.

What sector does STEL belong to?

Stellar Bancorp operates in the Financial Services sector, specifically as a regional bank holding company. It competes within the community and commercial banking segment, where net interest margins, credit quality, and deposit growth are the primary performance drivers.

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Pro Analysis

STEL — Score History

354045505560Apr 2Apr 12Apr 22May 2May 12May 22May 24v5
Score changes· 12 most recent
DateUQSQualityMoatGrowthRiskValueChange
May 7, 202644.654.416.025.372.773.50.0
May 3, 202644.654.416.025.372.773.8-0.1
May 1, 202644.754.416.025.372.774.0-0.2
Apr 26, 202644.954.416.026.072.774.7+0.1
Apr 19, 202644.854.416.026.072.773.80.0
Apr 18, 202644.854.416.026.072.774.2-0.3
Apr 14, 202645.154.416.026.072.776.0-8.5
Apr 13, 202653.654.150.026.072.776.3+8.5
Apr 12, 202645.154.416.026.072.776.3-0.2
Apr 9, 202645.354.416.026.072.777.3+0.3

STEL — Pillar Breakdown

Quality

58.8/100 (25%)

Stellar Bancorp, Inc. shows solid profitability with healthy returns on capital and reasonable margins.

Return on EquityWeak

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

26.1/100 (20%)

Stellar Bancorp, Inc. faces growth headwinds with declining or stagnant revenue trends.

Recent Revenue TrendWeak

Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.

3Y Revenue CAGRModerate

Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.

EPS GrowthWeak

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

36.4/100 (15%)

Stellar Bancorp, Inc. has some risk factors including moderate leverage or solvency concerns.

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

75.4/100 (15%)

Stellar Bancorp, Inc. appears attractively valued relative to its earnings, cash flows, and sector peers.

Earnings YieldModerate

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 SectorStrong

Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.

Moat

16/100 (25%)

Stellar Bancorp, 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 STEL.

Score Composition

Quality
58.8×25%14.7
Growth
26.1×20%5.2
Risk
36.4×15%5.5
Valuation
75.4×15%11.3
Moat
16.0×25%4.0
Total
40.7Below Average

Financial Data

More Stock Analysis

How is the STEL UQS Score Calculated?

The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for Stellar Bancorp, 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 Stellar Bancorp, 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 Stellar Bancorp, 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.