BAC vs CATY: Which Is the Better Dividend Stock?
As of Oct 18, 2026, CATY (Cathay General Bancorp) screens as the stronger dividend stock, winning 5 of 8 head-to-head metrics. CATY offers the higher yield at 2.54%, CATY has the higher dividend-safety score, and CATY looks like the better value (its fair-value estimate is 36% above its share price).
Key facts: BAC vs CATY
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Oct 18, 2026, Cathay General Bancorp (CATY) has the higher forward dividend yield at 2.54%, versus 2.50% for Bank of America Corporation (BAC).
- As of Oct 18, 2026, SmarterDividends grades BAC's dividend safety A (87/100) and CATY's A (91/100).
- By SmarterDividends' count as of Oct 18, 2026, BAC has raised its dividend for 12 consecutive years and CATY for 0.
- As of Oct 18, 2026, BAC pays out 26% of its earnings as dividends and CATY pays out 28%.
- As of Oct 18, 2026, BAC's fair-value estimate is 24% above its share price and CATY's fair-value estimate is 36% above its share price, so CATY looks like the better value of the two on SmarterDividends' blended model.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "BAC vs CATY: Dividend Yield, Safety & Value Compared," updated Oct 18, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/bac-vs-caty
| Metric | BAC | CATY |
|---|---|---|
| Forward yield | 2.50% | 2.54% |
| Annual dividend | $1.28 | $1.52 |
| Payout ratio | 26% | 28% |
| Years of growth | 12 yr | 0 yr |
| 5-yr dividend growth | 8.4% | 1.9% |
| 5-yr total return | 15% | 43% |
| Dividend safety score | 87 (A) | 91 (A) |
| Fair value estimate | $63.43 | $81.68 |
| Upside to fair value | +24% | +36% |
| Frequency | quarterly | quarterly |
| Market cap | $358.2B | $4.0B |
| P/E ratio | 12.2 | 11.7 |
Higher yield
CATY
2.54%
Safer dividend
CATY
Grade A
Faster growth
BAC
8.4%
Better value
CATY
+36% upside
BAC vs CATY — FAQ
Is BAC or CATY a better dividend stock?
On the data, CATY wins more head-to-head categories (5 vs 3). CATY offers the higher yield (2.54%), while CATY has the stronger dividend-safety score. The right pick depends on whether you prioritise income, safety or value.
Which has a higher dividend yield, BAC or CATY?
CATY has the higher forward dividend yield at 2.54%, versus 2.50% for BAC.
Is BAC or CATY safer?
CATY has the higher dividend-safety score (91/100 vs 87/100), reflecting stronger payout coverage and dividend-growth history.
Is BAC or CATY better value right now?
As of Oct 18, 2026, CATY looks like the better value: its fair-value estimate is 36% above its share price (undervalued). For BAC, its fair-value estimate is 24% above its share price.
Related comparisons
See more dividend stock comparisons · data refreshes daily · for informational purposes only, not investment advice.