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Bankwell Financial Group Inc (BWFG)
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Bankwell Financial Group (BWFG) AI Stock Analysis

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BWFG

Bankwell Financial Group

(NASDAQ:BWFG)

Rating:78Outperform
Price Target:
$45.00
▲(11.77% Upside)
The overall stock score reflects strong earnings performance and bullish technical indicators. The financial performance is stable with good profitability, though attention should be paid to high leverage. The valuation is balanced, and while there are some challenges, the positive earnings call sentiment supports a favorable outlook.

Bankwell Financial Group (BWFG) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Bankwell Financial Group Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionBankwell Financial Group, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for Bankwell Bank that provides various banking services for individual and commercial customers. It offers various traditional depository products, including checking, savings, money market, and certificates of deposit. The company also provides first mortgage loans secured by one-to-four family owner occupied residential properties for personal use; home equity loans and home equity lines of credit secured by owner occupied one-to-four family residential properties; loans secured by commercial real estate, multi-family dwellings, and investor-owned one-to-four family dwellings; commercial construction loans for commercial development projects, including apartment buildings and condominiums, as well as office buildings, retail, and other income producing properties; land loans; commercial business loans secured by assignments of corporate assets and personal guarantees of the business owners; loans secured by savings or certificate accounts and automobiles; and unsecured personal loans and overdraft lines of credit. It operates branches in New Canaan, Stamford, Fairfield, Wilton, Westport, Darien, Norwalk, and Hamden, Connecticut. The company was formerly known as BNC Financial Group, Inc. and changed its name to Bankwell Financial Group, Inc. in September 2013. Bankwell Financial Group, Inc. was founded in 2002 and is headquartered in New Canaan, Connecticut.
How the Company Makes MoneyBankwell Financial Group generates revenue primarily through the interest income earned on loans and investments, as well as fees associated with various banking services. Key revenue streams include net interest income, which comprises the difference between interest earned on loans and interest paid on deposits, and non-interest income from fees for services such as account maintenance, ATM usage, and mortgage origination. Additionally, BWFG may benefit from partnerships with other financial institutions, investment firms, or service providers to enhance its service offerings and customer base, contributing further to its earnings.

Bankwell Financial Group Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Jul 28, 2025
(Q2-2025)
|
% Change Since: 8.23%|
Next Earnings Date:Oct 22, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call highlighted significant improvements in earnings per share, net interest margin, and asset quality, along with growth in SBA loan originations and deposits. However, the call also mentioned challenges with elevated loan payoffs, increased noninterest expenses, and the ongoing resolution of significant nonperforming loans.
Q2-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Earnings Per Share and Net Interest Margin Growth
GAAP fully diluted earnings of $1.15 per share, up 32% relative to the first quarter, driven by significant net interest margin expansion and increased contributions from SBA loan sales. The net interest margin expanded by 29 basis points to 310 basis points.
Loan Originations and Deposit Growth
Bankwell funded $170 million in new loans, resulting in $24 million in linked quarter growth. Noninterest-bearing deposits grew by $48 million during the quarter, a year-to-date increase of $75 million or 23% since year-end.
Improvement in Asset Quality
Nonperforming loans dropped from a peak of $65 million to just under $24 million, representing 89 basis points of total loans. The bank also reduced its CRE exposure as a percentage of total risk-based capital to 349%, the lowest concentration in 10 years.
SBA Loan Platform Growth
The SBA business is on pace to deliver material growth to noninterest income. Bankwell funded $12 million in SBA loans during the quarter, bringing year-to-date SBA originations to $22 million.
Negative Updates
Elevated Loan Payoffs
Loan payoffs were $150 million during the second quarter, down from $200 million in the first quarter, but still elevated compared to expectations on a normalized basis.
Increased Noninterest Expenses
Noninterest expenses increased from $14.1 million to $14.5 million, primarily due to increased salaries and employee benefits. The bank is increasing its full-year 2025 guidance for noninterest expenses to $58 million to $59 million.
Challenges with Nonperforming Loans Resolution
One significant nonperforming loan is expected to resolve in the next few months, while another, part of a multi-bank participation, may take longer to resolve.
Company Guidance
During the Bankwell Financial Group's Second Quarter 2025 Earnings Call, the company provided guidance reflecting significant growth and strategic advancements. The net interest margin expanded to 310 basis points, a 29 basis point increase from the previous quarter, fueled by decreased funding costs and strategic investment in SBA loans. The company funded $170 million in new loans and reported a GAAP fully diluted earnings per share of $1.15, marking a 32% increase from Q1 2025. Noninterest-bearing deposits rose by $48 million, contributing to a year-to-date increase of $75 million or 23% since year-end 2024. Bankwell also achieved a reduction in nonperforming assets by $1.2 million. The guidance for full-year 2025 net interest income was updated to a range of $97 million to $98 million, assuming no further actions by the Federal Reserve. Noninterest income is expected to reach $7 million to $8 million, with continued growth in SBA gain-on-sale activity. Despite a modest increase in noninterest expenses, the efficiency ratio improved to 56.1% from 59.9% due to margin expansion and enhanced noninterest income. The company anticipates further improvements in its financial metrics and asset quality in the upcoming quarters.

Bankwell Financial Group Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Bankwell Financial Group is in a stable financial position with steady revenue growth and strong profitability margins. While the company maintains a balanced debt-to-equity ratio, its high leverage could be a risk in fluctuating market conditions. The cash flow position is solid, though there's a slight decline in free cash flow growth. Overall, the company is well-positioned in its regional banking sector, but should monitor leverage and cost management closely.
Income Statement
75
Positive
Bankwell Financial Group has demonstrated steady revenue growth with a TTM revenue increase of 0.4%. The gross profit margin is robust at 35.2%, and the net profit margin is strong at 6.6%. However, there has been a decline in EBIT and EBITDA margins compared to previous years, indicating potential cost pressures.
Balance Sheet
70
Positive
The company's debt-to-equity ratio is moderate at 0.40, reflecting a balanced use of debt. The return on equity is healthy at 4.7%, showcasing effective use of equity. However, the equity ratio stands at 8.6%, suggesting a relatively high leverage position which could pose risks.
Cash Flow
80
Positive
Bankwell Financial Group has shown a consistent operating cash flow with a TTM free cash flow growth rate of -17.5%, signaling potential challenges. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is favorable at 1.93, indicating strong cash generation relative to net income.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue196.50M195.71M193.30M120.98M87.03M80.37M
Gross Profit69.11M64.38M98.44M92.35M73.60M50.11M
EBITDA21.02M17.10M51.67M51.35M37.44M10.58M
Net Income12.89M9.77M36.66M37.43M26.59M5.90M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets3.18B3.27B3.22B3.25B2.46B2.25B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments313.80M325.27M277.31M448.59M381.80M493.94M
Total Debt109.51M159.45M159.21M158.96M84.44M200.26M
Total Liabilities2.91B3.00B2.95B3.01B2.25B2.08B
Stockholders Equity275.21M270.52M265.75M238.47M201.99M176.60M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow24.20M29.32M29.88M77.71M38.81M1.82M
Operating Cash Flow24.83M29.94M31.93M82.67M34.56M-1.51M
Investing Cash Flow13.95M-33.96M-48.30M-811.16M-270.02M-21.94M
Financing Cash Flow18.52M42.39M-70.15M739.49M170.55M355.00M

Bankwell Financial Group Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price40.26
Price Trends
50DMA
37.36
Positive
100DMA
34.67
Positive
200DMA
32.58
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
0.95
Negative
RSI
59.75
Neutral
STOCH
73.28
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For BWFG, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 40.26 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 39.14, above the 50-day MA of 37.36, and above the 200-day MA of 32.58, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 0.95 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 59.75 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 73.28 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for BWFG.

Bankwell Financial Group Risk Analysis

Bankwell Financial Group disclosed 35 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Bankwell Financial Group reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Bankwell Financial Group Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (68)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
79
Outperform
$300.91M11.149.73%5.86%8.59%14.56%
78
Outperform
$316.98M15.607.29%1.99%0.75%-12.45%
77
Outperform
$289.57M9.9611.76%5.61%12.08%9.69%
68
Neutral
$306.52M12.877.50%2.14%1.75%2.76%
68
Neutral
$17.53B11.7810.42%3.83%9.94%1.31%
62
Neutral
$278.47M94.170.79%3.61%4.72%
* Financial Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
BWFG
Bankwell Financial Group
40.26
13.74
51.81%
CZNC
Citizens & Northern
19.11
0.60
3.24%
FNLC
First Bancorp
25.83
1.32
5.39%
FRST
Primis Financial
11.09
-0.32
-2.80%
BCML
BayCom
28.06
6.39
29.49%

Bankwell Financial Group Corporate Events

DividendsBusiness Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
Bankwell Financial Group Reports Strong Q2 Earnings Growth
Positive
Jul 28, 2025

On July 28, 2025, Bankwell Financial Group reported its second-quarter financial results, showing a significant increase in net income to $9.1 million, or $1.15 per share, compared to the previous quarter. The company announced a quarterly dividend of $0.20 per share, payable on August 22, 2025. The results reflect an improved net interest margin of 3.10% and a net loan growth of $24 million, driven by accelerated loan originations, particularly in SBA loans. The company has also enhanced its deposit gathering capabilities by adding new private banking teams, which is expected to boost deposit growth. Bankwell updated its 2025 guidance, projecting growth in net interest income and noninterest income, while managing higher noninterest expenses due to investments in personnel.

The most recent analyst rating on (BWFG) stock is a Buy with a $34.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Bankwell Financial Group stock, see the BWFG Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Jul 30, 2025