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BayFirst Financial Corp (BAFN) AI Stock Analysis

BAFN

BayFirst Financial Corp

(NASDAQ:BAFN)

Select Model
Rating:42Neutral
Price Target:$6.00▲(3.99% Upside)
Action:reiterated
Date:10/30/26

The overall score of 42 reflects a company in a difficult transition. The most significant factor is the extremely weak financial performance, marked by deep losses and declining revenue, which anchors the score at the low end. The earnings call provides a partial offset, highlighting a credible turnaround narrative with sharply reduced losses and improving credit trends, but the bank's ongoing unprofitability and negative valuation metrics prevent a higher score. Technical weakness further confirms the lack of market confidence.

Positive Factors
Community banking loan growthStrong quarterly growth in community-bank lending supports BayFirst’s strategic shift toward relationship-based local banking. If sustained, expanding loan production can improve asset utilization, deepen customer ties, and rebuild recurring net interest income after the exit from non-core SBA lending.
Negative Factors
Deep and persistent unprofitabilityBayFirst remains far from consistent profitability despite a sharp sequential improvement in quarterly results. Deep negative margins and lower trailing revenue weaken internal capital generation, making the recovery dependent on successful execution, credit normalization, and sustained operating improvement.

BayFirst Financial Corp Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Loan Portfolio BreakdownBreaks down the bank's loan mix — commercial, commercial real estate, consumer, and mortgage — along with credit-quality metrics and borrower or sector concentrations. A portfolio weighted toward commercial real estate or construction can drive income in good times but increases exposure to local economic weakness and property-price swings; a diversified mix with low delinquencies and limited borrower concentrations points to steadier earnings and lower credit risk. Tracking originations, average loan size, yields, and nonperforming loans highlights growth momentum, margin drivers, and early signs of potential charge-offs.

-$250.00M$0.00$250.00M$500.00M$750.00M$1.00B$1.25BMar 21Jun 21Sep 21Dec 21Mar 22Jun 22Sep 22Dec 22Mar 23Jun 23Sep 23Dec 23Mar 24Jun 24Sep 24Dec 24Mar 25Jun 25Sep 25Dec 25Mar 26Jun 26
Chart Insights

The portfolio has materially shifted from one-time PPP/SBA exposure toward residential and consumer lending, while commercial real estate and C&I volumes have recently contracted—consistent with management’s loan sales and SBA run‑off. That mix shift helps reduce legacy SBA concentration but has compressed NIM and left charge-offs concentrated in unguaranteed SBA balances. The $80M capital raise and new leadership buy time to rebuild higher‑quality earning assets in Tampa Bay, but profitability hinges on replacing runoff loans without reintroducing elevated credit risk.

Data provided by:The Fly

BayFirst Financial Corp (BAFN) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

-50%-40%-30%-20%-10%0%10%20%BAFN-31.47%SPY+12.58%Dec '25Jan '26Feb '26Mar '26Apr '26May '26Jun '26Jul '26Aug '26Sep '26Oct '26Nov '26
Market Cap
$24.15M
Dividend Yield
―
Average Volume (3M)
103.23K
Price to Earnings (P/E)
-0.6
Beta (1Y)
0.24
Revenue Growth
-40.59%
EPS Growth
-260.03%
Country
US
Employees
144
Sector
Financial
Sector Strength
68
Industry
Banks - Regional

BayFirst Financial Corp Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company Description

Founded in 1999 and headquartered in Saint Petersburg, Florida, BayFirst Financial Corp. functions as the parent entity for First Home Bank. This financial institution offers a comprehensive array of commercial and consumer banking solutions for both...

How the Company Makes Money

BayFirst Financial Corp makes money primarily through its bank subsidiary by (1) earning net interest income and (2) generating noninterest (fee-based) income. Net interest income is typically the largest driver of earnings for a bank: BayFirst colle...

BayFirst Financial Corp Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Oct 28, 2026(Q3-2026)|% Change Since:-6.48%|Next Earnings Date:Nov 11, 2020
Earnings Call SentimentPositive

The call was optimistic and emphasized measurable sequential improvements in loan and deposit growth, net interest margin, earnings, non-interest income, expenses, credit quality, liquidity, and capital. However, the bank remained unprofitable, loans and deposits were down year over year, tangible book value and shareholders' equity declined, and the unguaranteed SBA 7(a) portfolio continued to generate charge-offs. Highlights significantly outweighed the lowlights, with management expressing confidence in the ongoing transformation into a community bank.

Positive Updates

Strong Community Bank Loan Growth
Community Bank loans grew 25% during the quarter, an increase of $41 million. Total loans held for investment increased by $20.1 million, or 2.3%, to $903 million.

Negative Updates

The Bank Remained Unprofitable
The company reported a net loss of $677,000 for the third quarter. Management acknowledged that work remains to be done to deliver positive earnings in the short term.

Company Guidance

Management said the $10 million quarterly runoff of the $132 million unguaranteed loan portfolio is expected to continue, or “close to $40 million a year,” while the runoff has “kind of stabilized at this level over the past 6 months, give or take”; management’s hope is that charge-off trends moderate as the portfolio rolls down and that borrowers perform “at better levels going forward.” Higher loan balances at quarter-end combined with the 4.07% net interest margin are expected to provide higher net interest income in future periods and contribute to better earnings, although there is still work to do to deliver positive earnings in the short-term; management also said the quarterly earnings loss is not indicative of what it will do going forward. The bank plans to aggressively grow deposits at 6 of its 12 banking center locations that have been open for 5 years or less, with additional commercial bankers considered critical because loan demand is currently very strong.

BayFirst Financial Corp Financial Statement Overview

Summary

Financial performance is severely weak. The Income Statement Score (15) reflects a sharp revenue decline and deep net losses. The Cash Flow Score (30) shows declining operating cash flow and weak debt coverage. The Balance Sheet Score (45) provides some support due to low leverage, but negative profitability metrics dominate. Overall, the company faces substantial operational and earnings challenges.

Income Statement

15Very Negative

Balance Sheet

45Neutral

Cash Flow

30Negative
Financial statement breakdown
BreakdownTTMDec 2025Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue65.18M104.19M125.24M110.85M66.41M63.35M
Gross Profit-11.82M39.59M65.73M68.32M58.54M59.55M
EBITDA-74.16M-21.71M25.71M14.79M12.01M16.05M
Net Income-59.71M-22.94M12.60M5.70M-349.00K24.62M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets1.13B1.30B1.29B1.12B938.89M917.10M
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments212.92M206.98M88.94M102.61M113.28M143.00M
Total Debt18.66M20.82M22.40M20.96M37.37M12.71M
Total Liabilities1.02B1.21B1.18B1.02B847.01M820.80M
Stockholders Equity115.95M87.57M110.92M100.71M91.88M96.29M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow147.80M285.00M388.84M447.21M432.19M482.27M
Operating Cash Flow147.84M285.30M390.53M454.80M440.25M495.39M
Investing Cash Flow59.01M-194.94M-515.93M-641.28M-510.61M207.62M
Financing Cash Flow-142.14M38.84M144.80M178.82M26.67M-648.66M

BayFirst Financial Corp Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis SentimentNegative
Last Price5.77

Price Trends

50DMA7.12Negative
100DMA6.44Negative
200DMA6.54Negative

Market Momentum

MACD-0.27Positive
RSI42.03Neutral
STOCH10.29Positive

Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For BAFN, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 5.77 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 6.25, below the 50-day MA of 7.12, and below the 200-day MA of 6.54, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -0.27 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 42.03 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 10.29 is Positive, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for BAFN.

BayFirst Financial Corp Risk Analysis

BayFirst Financial Corp disclosed 51 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. BayFirst Financial Corp reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.

Higher RiskSector Avg.Lower RiskFinance & CorporateTech & InnovationLegal & RegulatoryProductionAbility to SellMacro & Political
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy

Latest Risks Added

0 New Risks

BayFirst Financial Corp Peers Comparison

Overall Rating

UnderperformOutperform
Sector (68)

Financial Indicators

BAFN against its peers
NameOverall RatingMarket CapP/E RatioROEDividend YieldRevenue GrowthEPS Growth
OPHCOPHC83Outperform$115.50M5.3616.39%―24.01%20.16%
ASRVASRV70Outperform$83.42M8.627.48%2.59%2.43%75.47%
Sector *68Neutral$18.00B11.429.92%3.81%9.73%1.22%
TCBSTCBS65Neutral$49.87M14.386.14%1.45%5.94%51.02%
HFBLHFBL64Neutral$69.25M10.8011.12%2.47%7.94%43.98%
BAFNBAFN42Neutral$156.38M-0.57-42.56%―-40.59%-260.03%

* Financial Sector Average

Performance Comparison

0%50%100%150%BAFNASRVHFBLOPHCTCBSDec '25Jan '26Feb '26Mar '26Apr '26May '26Jun '26Jul '26Aug '26Sep '26Oct '26Nov '26
BAFN and its peers over the selected period
Show on chartTickerCompany NamePriceChange% Change
BAFNBayFirst Financial Corp5.88-2.77-32.02%
ASRVAmeriServ Financial, Inc.4.631.6253.82%
HFBLHome Federal Bancorp Inc. Of Louisiana23.117.6649.54%
OPHCOptimumbank9.275.25130.60%
TCBSTexas Community Bancshares, Inc.17.251.469.24%

BayFirst Financial Corp Corporate Events

Business Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures

BayFirst Narrows Quarterly Loss Amid Strategic Restructuring Progress

Neutral
Oct 29, 2026

BayFirst Financial Corp. reported on October 29, 2026, that it recorded a third-quarter 2026 net loss of $0.7 million, sharply improved from a $32.7 million loss in the prior quarter, as its asset resolution plan began to show results. The bank poste...

Business Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures

BayFirst Financial Plans Upcoming Q3 2026 Results Call

Neutral
Sep 30, 2026

BayFirst Financial Corp. announced on September 30, 2026, that it would release third-quarter 2026 financial results after markets close on Thursday, October 29. The company said management will host a conference call and simultaneous internet webcas...

Business Operations and StrategyExecutive/Board Changes

BayFirst Financial Updates Executive Employment and Compensation Agreements

Positive
Sep 29, 2026

On September 24, 2026, BayFirst Financial Corp and BayFirst National Bank entered into revised employment agreements with Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Robin L. Oliver and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Sc...

Executive/Board ChangesShareholder Meetings

BayFirst Financial Holds 2026 Annual Shareholder Meeting

Positive
Sep 24, 2026

BayFirst Financial Corp. held its 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders on September 22, 2026, with 23,833,649 of 26,962,815 outstanding common shares represented in person or by proxy, amounting to 88.4% of shares eligible to vote. Shareholders electe...

Business Operations and StrategyPrivate Placements and FinancingRegulatory Filings and Compliance

BayFirst Financial Announces Shareholder Rights Offering Plan

Neutral
Sep 1, 2026

BayFirst Financial Corp., parent of BayFirst National Bank, operates as a regional bank holding company in Florida, generating income primarily through commercial and consumer banking services in the Tampa Bay-Sarasota region. With eleven full-servic...

Business Operations and StrategyExecutive/Board ChangesFinancial DisclosuresPrivate Placements and FinancingRegulatory Filings and ComplianceShareholder Meetings

BayFirst Details Q2 Losses and Restated Financials

Negative
Aug 18, 2026

On August 14, 2026, BayFirst Financial Corp detailed a tumultuous second quarter marked by a net loss of $32.7 million, largely driven by a $41.5 million asset resolution plan focused on legacy unguaranteed SBA 7(a) loans and related portfolio adjust...

Business Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures

BayFirst Posts Larger Loss, Shifts Strategy Toward Core Banking

Negative
Aug 13, 2026

BayFirst Financial Corp. reported on August 13, 2026, a sharply wider net loss of $32.7 million for the second quarter of 2026, driven primarily by $41.5 million of expenses tied to an asset resolution plan targeting problem government guaranteed and...

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: Oct 30, 2026