Brean Capital has reinitiated coverage on SB Financial Group (NASDAQ: SBFG), issuing a Buy recommendation and setting a price objective of $24.00, the firm said in a research note released on Friday. At the time of the note, the target represented roughly a 14% increase above the stock’s prevailing price of $21.09.
In its analysis, Brean pointed to valuation metrics that support a favorable view. Data from InvestingPro shows SBFG trading at a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.7, a level Brean sees as consistent with its bullish stance.
The decision to resume coverage followed Brean Capital’s January 30, 2026 acquisition of Janney Montgomery Scott’s Banking and Insurance capital markets teams, an event the firm cited as context for restoring analyst coverage on regional banking names including SBFG.
On the fundamentals, Brean raised its earnings per share (EPS) estimate for SB Financial to $2.47 for fiscal 2026 and introduced a $2.58 EPS forecast for 2027. Those projections reflect the firm’s expectation of lower credit costs and a modest lift to net interest income stemming from a larger balance sheet. Brean’s 2026 estimate sits above the current consensus for fiscal 2026, which is $2.38.
InvestingPro’s assessment also flags SBFG as slightly undervalued relative to its Fair Value calculation, with additional ProTips available to subscribers according to the data provider.
Brean expects the positive elements - lower credit costs and incremental net interest income - to more than offset headwinds such as reduced mortgage revenue and somewhat higher operating expenses. The research note emphasized management’s approach to supporting EPS growth in 2026 through balance-sheet expansion, continued loan growth momentum, disciplined expense control and ongoing vigilance over asset quality to maintain low credit costs.
SB Financial’s capital-markets profile and income attributes are supplemented by a long-running dividend program. The company has raised its dividend for 13 consecutive years, carries a current yield of 2.96% and reported recent dividend growth of 6.9%.
On valuation and market size metrics, Brean highlighted a market capitalization of $132.23 million for SBFG and a PEG ratio of 0.34, indicating the firm’s view that SBFG may offer growth potential relative to its current valuation.
Operational performance in recent reporting provided additional support for the positive outlook. In its fourth-quarter 2025 results, SB Financial delivered diluted earnings per share of $0.65, narrowly above the consensus estimate of $0.64. Revenue for the quarter was reported at $16.58 million. Those results were discussed on a conference call and webcast, and a transcript of the event is included in the company’s Form 8-K filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The company is incorporated in Ohio and listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market. The most recent report noted 6,227,310 common shares outstanding. Despite the quarterly beat, SBFG shares experienced a modest decline in after-hours trading following the earnings release.
Bottom line - Brean Capital’s re-initiation of coverage on SB Financial with a Buy rating and a $24 target is grounded in a combination of improved credit-cost expectations, anticipated net interest income benefits from balance-sheet growth, an above-consensus EPS forecast for 2026, and a record of steady dividend increases. The firm recognizes offsetting pressures from lower mortgage income and slightly higher expenses, and it points to management priorities aimed at sustaining asset quality while pursuing growth.