BAC vs FRME: Which Is the Better Dividend Stock?
As of September 2026, FRME (First Merchants Corporation) screens as the stronger dividend stock, winning 5 of 8 head-to-head metrics. FRME offers the higher yield at 3.52%, FRME has the higher dividend-safety score, and FRME trades at the larger discount to fair value (+128%).
| Metric | BAC | FRME |
|---|---|---|
| Forward yield | 2.04% | 3.52% |
| Annual dividend | $1.28 | $1.48 |
| Payout ratio | 26% | 47% |
| Years of growth | 12 yr | 14 yr |
| 5-yr dividend growth | 8.4% | 6.6% |
| 5-yr total return | 48% | 1% |
| Dividend safety score | 86 (A) | 88 (A) |
| Fair value estimate | $90.46 | $95.76 |
| Upside to fair value | +44% | +128% |
| Frequency | quarterly | quarterly |
| Market cap | $438.3B | $2.6B |
| P/E ratio | 14.5 | 13.5 |
Higher yield
FRME
3.52%
Safer dividend
FRME
Grade A
Faster growth
BAC
8.4%
Better value
FRME
+128% upside
BAC vs FRME — FAQ
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