• BankFinancial Corporation (NASDAQ:BFIN) has a ROIC of 1.96% and a WACC of 5.35%, indicating it does not generate returns exceeding its cost of capital.
• ESSA Bancorp shows strong performance with a ROIC of 16.19% and a WACC of 10.26%, suggesting effective capital utilization.
• Ames National Corporation stands out with a ROIC of 56.88% and a WACC of 19.65%, showcasing exceptional financial performance and efficiency.

BankFinancial Corporation (NASDAQ:BFIN) is a financial institution that provides a range of banking services. It operates primarily in the United States, offering personal and business banking products. The company competes with other regional banks like ESSA Bancorp, Sierra Bancorp, BCB Bancorp, Bank of Marin Bancorp, and Ames National Corporation. These competitors also provide similar financial services, making the comparison of financial metrics crucial for investors.

In evaluating BankFinancial Corporation, the focus is on its Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) and Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC). BFIN's ROIC is 1.96%, while its WACC is 5.35%, resulting in a ROIC to WACC ratio of 0.37. This indicates that BFIN is not generating returns that exceed its cost of capital, which can be a concern for investors looking for efficient capital utilization.

Comparatively, ESSA Bancorp shows a strong performance with a ROIC of 16.19% and a WACC of 10.26%, leading to a ROIC to WACC ratio of 1.58. This suggests that ESSA is effectively generating returns above its cost of capital, indicating better financial health and capital efficiency than BFIN.

Sierra Bancorp, with a ROIC of 3.91% and a WACC of 12.23%, has a ROIC to WACC ratio of 0.32, slightly lower than BFIN. This suggests that Sierra Bancorp also struggles to generate returns above its cost of capital, similar to BFIN. Meanwhile, BCB Bancorp and Bank of Marin Bancorp have even lower ratios, with BCBP at 0 and BMRC at -0.002, indicating challenges in capital efficiency.

Ames National Corporation stands out with a ROIC of 56.88% and a WACC of 19.65%, resulting in a ROIC to WACC ratio of 2.89. This highlights ATLO's exceptional ability to generate returns well above its cost of capital, showcasing strong financial performance and efficient capital utilization compared to its peers, including BFIN.