Janney upgrades ChoiceOne Financial to Buy after Fentura deal
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Mar 03 2025
0mins
Should l Buy COFS?
Upgrade and Acquisition: Janney Montgomery Scott upgraded ChoiceOne Financial to Buy from Neutral, with a $38 fair value estimate following its acquisition of Fentura Financial, which significantly increases its assets and market presence in eastern Michigan.
Future Prospects: The analyst suggests that the acquisition enhances ChoiceOne's attractiveness as an acquisition target due to the limited availability of high-performing Michigan franchises, while also indicating the company's intent to expand further.
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Analyst Views on COFS
About COFS
ChoiceOne Financial Services, Inc. is a financial holding company headquartered in Sparta, Michigan and the parent corporation of ChoiceOne Bank and The State Bank. It operates 56 offices in parts of Kent, Ottawa, Muskegon, Newaygo, Lapeer, St. Clair, Macomb, Genesee, Jackson, Livingston, Ingham, Saginaw, Shiawassee, and Bay counties. It offers deposit, payment, credit and other financial services to all types of customers. Its services include time, savings, and demand deposits, safe deposit services, and automated transaction machine services. Commercial lending covers such categories as business, industry, agricultural, construction, inventory, and real estate. It provides services to small businesses and consumers in West, Central and Southeast Michigan a line of products and services delivered through a retail network including digital and branch banking. It offers insurance and investment products through ChoiceOne Insurance Agencies, Inc.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
ChoiceOne Financial Services Reports Strong Q4 Earnings
- Earnings Performance: ChoiceOne Financial Services reported a non-GAAP EPS of $0.92 for Q4, indicating stable growth in profitability, which reflects effective cost control and revenue management strategies.
- Revenue Growth: The company achieved total revenue of $42.9 million in Q4, showing an increase compared to the same period last year, suggesting that ChoiceOne has maintained strong sales momentum in a competitive market, thereby enhancing its market share.
- Financial Health: The financial data from ChoiceOne indicates robustness in its balance sheet, with continuous revenue growth providing funding support for future investments and expansions, thereby boosting investor confidence.
- Dividend Performance: ChoiceOne's dividend scorecard reflects its commitment to shareholder returns, and a stable dividend policy may attract more long-term investors, further enhancing the company's market appeal.
See More
ChoiceOne Financial Services Reports Strong 2025 Financial Results Post-Merger
- Successful Merger: ChoiceOne's merger with Fentura and its subsidiary, The State Bank, completed on March 1, 2025, propelled total assets to $4.4 billion, an increase of $1.7 billion from 2024, significantly enhancing market competitiveness.
- Net Income Growth: ChoiceOne reported net income of $13.87 million in Q4 2025, a 94.5% increase from $7.16 million in Q4 2024, reflecting strong financial performance driven by the merger.
- Core Loan Increase: Core loans grew by $55.6 million or 7.6% year-over-year in Q4 2025, with organic growth of $86.1 million for the full year, indicating sustained strong loan demand.
- Increased Shareholder Equity: As of December 31, 2025, ChoiceOne's shareholder equity reached $465.4 million, up 78.5% from 2024, primarily due to the merger and stock repurchase plan, enhancing the robustness of its capital structure.
See More
ChoiceOne Bank Launches Annual Scholarship Program for Students
- Scholarship Program Launch: ChoiceOne Bank has announced that applications are now open for its 2026 scholarship program, offering $1,000 each to 19 high school seniors from local Michigan communities to support their higher education pursuits.
- Eligibility Criteria: The program is designed for graduating seniors, GED recipients, and homeschooled students with high school equivalency documentation who plan to attend an accredited Michigan college in the fall of 2026, encouraging and rewarding local talent.
- Application Requirements: Applicants must submit a 500-word essay detailing their community service experiences and supporting documents by March 8, with scholarships paid directly to the chosen college, thereby alleviating financial burdens on students.
- Community Commitment: ChoiceOne Bank President Michael J. Burke, Jr. emphasized the bank's commitment to helping students continue their education, reflecting its responsibility to invest in future community leaders and mitigate the financial pressures of college attendance.
See More
ChoiceOne Bank Partners with FHLBank to Fund $1 Million Housing Initiative
- Funding Support: ChoiceOne Bank, in partnership with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis, has awarded a $1 million Affordable Housing Program (AHP) grant to Fresh Coast Alliance, aimed at enhancing housing stability and supporting low-income families.
- Housing Expansion: The grant will fund renovations to four of Fresh Coast Alliance's sober living homes, increasing housing capacity by 10%, thereby providing additional beds for men and women rebuilding their lives after incarceration or addiction.
- Community Commitment: ChoiceOne CEO Kelly Potes emphasized that this partnership represents more than just financial support; it reflects a shared commitment to dignity and long-term success, sending a powerful message about the community's belief in second chances.
- Education and Development: ChoiceOne Bank plans to donate to Fresh Coast Alliance and initiate financial education classes, further investing in the community and promoting neighborhood development and healthier communities.
See More
ChoiceOne Bank Partners with FHLBank to Fund $1 Million Housing Initiative
- Funding Support: ChoiceOne Bank, in partnership with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis, has awarded a $1 million Affordable Housing Program (AHP) grant to Fresh Coast Alliance, aimed at enhancing housing stability and supporting low-income families.
- Housing Expansion: The grant will fund renovations to four of Fresh Coast Alliance's sober living homes, expected to increase housing capacity by 10%, providing additional beds for men and women rebuilding their lives after incarceration or addiction.
- Community Commitment: Executives at ChoiceOne Bank emphasized that this partnership reflects a shared commitment to dignity and long-term success, sending a powerful message about the community's belief in second chances and promoting social stability.
- Education and Development: ChoiceOne Bank also plans to donate to Fresh Coast Alliance and initiate financial education classes, further strengthening its investment in the community and fostering neighborhood development and healthier communities.
See More
ChoiceOne Financial Services Insiders Buy $143K in Shares
- Insider Purchases: ChoiceOne Financial Services' Independent Director Eric Burrough purchased $143K worth of shares at $28.50 each over the past year, indicating optimism about the company's prospects as this price is close to the current share price of $28.97.
- No Sales Recorded: Over the last year, insiders at ChoiceOne Financial Services have not sold any shares, which enhances market confidence in the company's future performance and suggests that insiders recognize the company's value.
- Insider Ownership Percentage: Insiders own 8.3% of ChoiceOne Financial Services, valued at approximately $37 million, which, while not exceptionally high, indicates a sufficient alignment of interests between management and common shareholders.
- Positive Investment Signal: The combination of insider purchases and significant ownership sends a positive signal about the future development of ChoiceOne Financial Services, although it remains important to monitor the risks and warning signs the company faces.
See More
ChoiceOne Financial Services Reports Strong Q4 Earnings
- Earnings Performance: ChoiceOne Financial Services reported a non-GAAP EPS of $0.92 for Q4, indicating stable growth in profitability, which reflects effective cost control and revenue management strategies.
- Revenue Growth: The company achieved total revenue of $42.9 million in Q4, showing an increase compared to the same period last year, suggesting that ChoiceOne has maintained strong sales momentum in a competitive market, thereby enhancing its market share.
- Financial Health: The financial data from ChoiceOne indicates robustness in its balance sheet, with continuous revenue growth providing funding support for future investments and expansions, thereby boosting investor confidence.
- Dividend Performance: ChoiceOne's dividend scorecard reflects its commitment to shareholder returns, and a stable dividend policy may attract more long-term investors, further enhancing the company's market appeal.
See More
ChoiceOne Financial Services Reports Strong 2025 Financial Results Post-Merger
- Successful Merger: ChoiceOne's merger with Fentura and its subsidiary, The State Bank, completed on March 1, 2025, propelled total assets to $4.4 billion, an increase of $1.7 billion from 2024, significantly enhancing market competitiveness.
- Net Income Growth: ChoiceOne reported net income of $13.87 million in Q4 2025, a 94.5% increase from $7.16 million in Q4 2024, reflecting strong financial performance driven by the merger.
- Core Loan Increase: Core loans grew by $55.6 million or 7.6% year-over-year in Q4 2025, with organic growth of $86.1 million for the full year, indicating sustained strong loan demand.
- Increased Shareholder Equity: As of December 31, 2025, ChoiceOne's shareholder equity reached $465.4 million, up 78.5% from 2024, primarily due to the merger and stock repurchase plan, enhancing the robustness of its capital structure.
See More
ChoiceOne Bank Launches Annual Scholarship Program for Students
- Scholarship Program Launch: ChoiceOne Bank has announced that applications are now open for its 2026 scholarship program, offering $1,000 each to 19 high school seniors from local Michigan communities to support their higher education pursuits.
- Eligibility Criteria: The program is designed for graduating seniors, GED recipients, and homeschooled students with high school equivalency documentation who plan to attend an accredited Michigan college in the fall of 2026, encouraging and rewarding local talent.
- Application Requirements: Applicants must submit a 500-word essay detailing their community service experiences and supporting documents by March 8, with scholarships paid directly to the chosen college, thereby alleviating financial burdens on students.
- Community Commitment: ChoiceOne Bank President Michael J. Burke, Jr. emphasized the bank's commitment to helping students continue their education, reflecting its responsibility to invest in future community leaders and mitigate the financial pressures of college attendance.
See More
ChoiceOne Bank Partners with FHLBank to Fund $1 Million Housing Initiative
- Funding Support: ChoiceOne Bank, in partnership with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis, has awarded a $1 million Affordable Housing Program (AHP) grant to Fresh Coast Alliance, aimed at enhancing housing stability and supporting low-income families.
- Housing Expansion: The grant will fund renovations to four of Fresh Coast Alliance's sober living homes, increasing housing capacity by 10%, thereby providing additional beds for men and women rebuilding their lives after incarceration or addiction.
- Community Commitment: ChoiceOne CEO Kelly Potes emphasized that this partnership represents more than just financial support; it reflects a shared commitment to dignity and long-term success, sending a powerful message about the community's belief in second chances.
- Education and Development: ChoiceOne Bank plans to donate to Fresh Coast Alliance and initiate financial education classes, further investing in the community and promoting neighborhood development and healthier communities.
See More
ChoiceOne Bank Partners with FHLBank to Fund $1 Million Housing Initiative
- Funding Support: ChoiceOne Bank, in partnership with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis, has awarded a $1 million Affordable Housing Program (AHP) grant to Fresh Coast Alliance, aimed at enhancing housing stability and supporting low-income families.
- Housing Expansion: The grant will fund renovations to four of Fresh Coast Alliance's sober living homes, expected to increase housing capacity by 10%, providing additional beds for men and women rebuilding their lives after incarceration or addiction.
- Community Commitment: Executives at ChoiceOne Bank emphasized that this partnership reflects a shared commitment to dignity and long-term success, sending a powerful message about the community's belief in second chances and promoting social stability.
- Education and Development: ChoiceOne Bank also plans to donate to Fresh Coast Alliance and initiate financial education classes, further strengthening its investment in the community and fostering neighborhood development and healthier communities.
See More
ChoiceOne Financial Services Insiders Buy $143K in Shares
- Insider Purchases: ChoiceOne Financial Services' Independent Director Eric Burrough purchased $143K worth of shares at $28.50 each over the past year, indicating optimism about the company's prospects as this price is close to the current share price of $28.97.
- No Sales Recorded: Over the last year, insiders at ChoiceOne Financial Services have not sold any shares, which enhances market confidence in the company's future performance and suggests that insiders recognize the company's value.
- Insider Ownership Percentage: Insiders own 8.3% of ChoiceOne Financial Services, valued at approximately $37 million, which, while not exceptionally high, indicates a sufficient alignment of interests between management and common shareholders.
- Positive Investment Signal: The combination of insider purchases and significant ownership sends a positive signal about the future development of ChoiceOne Financial Services, although it remains important to monitor the risks and warning signs the company faces.
See More
