Financial Stocks with Industry-Leading Return on Equity

The five Canadian financial stocks on our list with high ROE have been top performers over the past year

SmallCapPower | December 5, 2017: Year to date, the Canadian financial stocks on our list have returned 19.5% on average, outperforming the BMO Equal Weight Banks Index ETF (TSX:ZEB), which returned 14.7% over the same period. The list includes a variety of banking operations, ranging from traditional brick and mortar consumer lenders, to operators of branchless banking platforms. In addition, the listed companies have achieved industry-leading Returns on Equity over the last year.

First National Financial Corp. (TSX:FN) – $28.81
Corporate Financial Services

First National Financial is the parent company of First National Financial LP, Canada’s largest non-bank lender. The Company operates an investment fund, which provides commercial and residential mortgages. As of June 30, 2017, the Company had ~$100 billion in mortgages under administration.

• Market Cap: $1,728 Million
• YTD Return: 23.9%
• 3 YR EPS Growth: 2.3%
• Return on Equity (TTM): 52.3%

Equitable Group Inc. (TSX:EQB) – $67.74
Consumer Lending

Equitable Group operates as a Schedule I bank that offers a variety of residential lending, commercial lending and saving solutions. The Company utilizes a branchless approach, instead working with mortgage brokers, deposit agents and financial planners. Currently, the Company has $22.3 billion in assets and employs 550 individuals across Canada.

• Market Cap: $1,116 Million
• YTD Total Return: 13.4%
• 3 YR EPS Growth: 13.4%
• Return on Equity (TTM): $17.1% Million

MCAN Mortgage Corp. (TSX:MKP) – $17.66
Banks

Publicly listed in 1991, MCAN Mortgage Corporation manages a portfolio of mortgages focused primarily on single-family residential and residential construction loans. The Company issues term deposits eligible for CIDC Deposit Insurance, and pays strong dividend returns (Dividend Yield: 8.38%).

• Market Cap: $413 Million
• YTD Total Return: 31.2%
• 3 YR EPS Growth: 4.4%
• Return on Equity (TTM): 13.5%

VersaBank (TSX:VB) – $6.15
Banks

VersaBank operates as a Schedule I Canadian Chartered bank that leverages the latest FinTech technology to operate a “branchless banking” platform. The Company sources its funding from a network of deposit brokers across Canada, and utilizes its low-cost business model to provide real estate development and commercial loans to clients at competitive rates.

• Market Cap: $130 Million
• YTD Total Return: 20.6%
• Year over Year EPS Growth: 121.43%
• Return on Equity (TTM): 9.5%

Laurentian Bank of Canada (TSX:LB) – $60.53
Banks

Founded in 1846, The Laurentian Bank of Canada operates as chartered Canadian bank serving over 500,000 clients across Canada. Operating a network of 145 branches, the Laurentian Bank employs over 3,600 individuals and has approximately $32 billion in assets under administration.

• Market Cap: $2,351 Million
• YTD Total Return: 8.3%
• Year over Year EPS Growth: 30%
• Return on Equity (TTM): 9.3%

Disclosure: Neither the author nor any of the principals at SmallCapPower, or their family members, own units in any of the companies mentioned above.