Financial Contrast: Zions Bancorporation, N.A. (NASDAQ:ZION) vs. First Northern Community Bancorp (OTCMKTS:FNRN)

Zions Bancorporation, N.A. (NASDAQ:ZION) and First Northern Community Bancorp (OTCMKTS:FNRN) are both finance companies, but which is the superior investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, dividends, institutional ownership, valuation, risk, analyst recommendations and earnings.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

76.8% of Zions Bancorporation, N.A. shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 17.9% of First Northern Community Bancorp shares are held by institutional investors. 2.2% of Zions Bancorporation, N.A. shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 11.8% of First Northern Community Bancorp shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Profitability

This table compares Zions Bancorporation, N.A. and First Northern Community Bancorp’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Zions Bancorporation, N.A.	17.22%	13.84%	0.98%
First Northern Community Bancorp	23.58%	11.03%	1.08%

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of current recommendations and price targets for Zions Bancorporation, N.A. and First Northern Community Bancorp, as provided by MarketBeat.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Zions Bancorporation, N.A.	1	16	5	2	2.33
First Northern Community Bancorp	0	0	0	0	0.00

Zions Bancorporation, N.A. presently has a consensus target price of $61.62, indicating a potential upside of 16.00%. Given Zions Bancorporation, N.A.’s stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Zions Bancorporation, N.A. is more favorable than First Northern Community Bancorp.

Volatility and Risk

Zions Bancorporation, N.A. has a beta of 0.93, suggesting that its share price is 7% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, First Northern Community Bancorp has a beta of 0.23, suggesting that its share price is 77% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares Zions Bancorporation, N.A. and First Northern Community Bancorp”s top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Zions Bancorporation, N.A.	$4.99 billion	1.57	$784.00 million	$5.58	9.52
First Northern Community Bancorp	$84.67 million	2.41	$20.03 million	$1.28	10.16

Zions Bancorporation, N.A. has higher revenue and earnings than First Northern Community Bancorp. Zions Bancorporation, N.A. is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than First Northern Community Bancorp, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Summary

Zions Bancorporation, N.A. beats First Northern Community Bancorp on 10 of the 15 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Zions Bancorporation, N.A.

Zions Bancorporation, National Association provides various banking products and related services primarily in the states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. It operates through Zions Bank, California Bank & Trust, Amegy Bank, National Bank of Arizona, Nevada State Bank, Vectra Bank Colorado, and The Commerce Bank of Washington segments. The company offers commercial and small business banking services to small- and medium-sized businesses, such as commercial, industrial, and owner-occupied lending and leasing; municipal and public finance services; depository account and cash management services; commercial and small business cards; merchant processing services; corporate trust services; and correspondent banking and international lending services. It also provides capital markets and investment banking services, including loan syndications, foreign exchange services, interest rate derivatives, fixed income securities underwriting, advisory and capital raising, commercial mortgage-backed security conduit lending, and power and project financing; and commercial real estate lending services consisting of term and construction/land development financing for commercial and residential purposes. In addition, the company offers retail banking services comprising residential mortgages, home equity lines of credit, personal lines of credit, installment consumer loans, depository account services, consumer cards, and personal trust services; and wealth management services consisting of investment management, fiduciary and estate, and advanced business succession and estate planning services. The company was formerly known as ZB, National Association and changed its name to Zions Bancorporation, National Association in September 2018. Zions Bancorporation, National Association was founded in 1873 and is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah.

About First Northern Community Bancorp

First Northern Community Bancorp operates as the bank holding company for First Northern Bank of Dixon that provides commercial banking products and services to individuals, and small and medium sized businesses. The company accepts demand deposits, interest-bearing transaction deposits, savings and money market deposit accounts, and time deposits. It also offers commercial, commercial real estate, agriculture, residential mortgage, residential construction, and consumer loans. In addition, the company provides debit and credit cards; investment and brokerage services; alternative investment products, and fiduciary and other financial services; and equipment leasing, merchant card processing, payroll, and international banking services through third parties. Further, it offers cashier's checks, safe deposit boxes, and other customary banking services. The company operates branches located in the cities of Auburn, Colusa, Davis, Dixon, Fairfield, Orland, Rancho Cordova, Roseville, Sacramento, Vacaville, West Sacramento, Winters, Willows, and Woodland; satellite banking office inside a retirement community in the city of Davis; residential mortgage loan office in Davis; and commercial loan office in the Contra Costa County city of Walnut Creek. First Northern Community Bancorp was founded in 1910 and is headquartered in Dixon, California.