Analyzing Bancorp (NASDAQ:TBBK) and Lifestore Financial Group (OTCMKTS:LSFG)

Bancorp (NASDAQ:TBBK) and Lifestore Financial Group (OTCMKTS:LSFG) are both finance companies, but which is the better investment? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their earnings, institutional ownership, valuation, profitability, risk, analyst recommendations and dividends.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of recent recommendations for Bancorp and Lifestore Financial Group, as provided by MarketBeat.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Bancorp	0	0	3	0	3.00
Lifestore Financial Group	0	0	0	0	0.00

Bancorp currently has a consensus price target of $55.00, indicating a potential upside of 3.17%. Given Bancorp’s stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, equities research analysts clearly believe Bancorp is more favorable than Lifestore Financial Group.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

96.2% of Bancorp shares are held by institutional investors. 5.2% of Bancorp shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 12.2% of Lifestore Financial Group shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Profitability

This table compares Bancorp and Lifestore Financial Group’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Bancorp	30.97%	26.63%	2.69%
Lifestore Financial Group	N/A	N/A	N/A

Risk & Volatility

Bancorp has a beta of 1.48, meaning that its share price is 48% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Lifestore Financial Group has a beta of 0.94, meaning that its share price is 6% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares Bancorp and Lifestore Financial Group”s gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Bancorp	$493.31 million	5.18	$192.30 million	$3.96	13.46
Lifestore Financial Group	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Bancorp has higher revenue and earnings than Lifestore Financial Group.

Summary

Bancorp beats Lifestore Financial Group on 9 of the 10 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Bancorp

The Bancorp, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for The Bancorp Bank, National Association that provides banking products and services in the United States. It offers a range of deposit products and services, including checking, savings, time, money market, and commercial accounts; overdrafts; and certificates of deposit. The company also provides securities-backed lines of credit and insurance policy cash value-backed lines of credit; investor advisor financing; lease financing for commercial and government vehicle fleets, including trucks and other special purpose vehicles; commercial real estate bridge loans; and small business administration loans. In addition, it offers bill and other payment services; debit and prepaid card issuing services; card and bill payment, and automated clearing house processing services; and internet banking services. The company was incorporated in 1999 and is headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware.

About Lifestore Financial Group

LifeStore Financial Group, Inc. operates as a federally chartered thrift holding company for LifeStore Bank that provides personal and business banking products and services in North Carolina. The company offers checking, savings, and money market accounts, as well as certificates of deposit; mortgage loans, automobile loans, home equity lines of credit, commercial real estate loans, commercial construction loans, investment property loans, equipment loans, working capital loans/lines of credit, and small business administration loans; and credit cards. It also provides insurance agency products and services; investment and cash management services; and online and mobile banking services. The company was formerly known as AF Financial Group and changed its name to LifeStore Financial Group, Inc. in September 2009. LifeStore Financial Group, Inc. was founded in 1939 and is headquartered in West Jefferson, North Carolina. Lifestore Financial Group, Inc. operates as a subsidiary of AsheCo MHC, Inc.