BAC vs NTRS: Which Is the Better Dividend Stock?
As of Oct 23, 2026, BAC (Bank of America Corporation) screens as the stronger dividend stock, winning 5 of 8 head-to-head metrics. BAC offers the higher yield at 2.51%, NTRS has the higher dividend-safety score, and BAC looks like the better value (its fair-value estimate is 24% above its share price).
Key facts: BAC vs NTRS
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Oct 23, 2026, Bank of America Corporation (BAC) has the higher forward dividend yield at 2.51%, versus 2.12% for Northern Trust Corporation (NTRS).
- As of Oct 23, 2026, SmarterDividends grades BAC's dividend safety A (87/100) and NTRS's A (94/100).
- By SmarterDividends' count as of Oct 23, 2026, BAC has raised its dividend for 12 consecutive years and NTRS for 1.
- As of Oct 23, 2026, BAC pays out 26% of its earnings as dividends and NTRS pays out 27%.
- As of Oct 23, 2026, BAC's fair-value estimate is 24% above its share price and NTRS's fair-value estimate is 4% above its share price, so BAC looks like the better value of the two on SmarterDividends' blended model.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "BAC vs NTRS: Dividend Yield, Safety & Value Compared," updated Oct 23, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/bac-vs-ntrs
| Metric | BAC | NTRS |
|---|---|---|
| Forward yield | 2.51% | 2.12% |
| Annual dividend | $1.28 | $3.28 |
| Payout ratio | 26% | 27% |
| Years of growth | 12 yr | 1 yr |
| 5-yr dividend growth | 8.4% | 2.1% |
| 5-yr total return | 15% | 43% |
| Dividend safety score | 87 (A) | 94 (A) |
| Fair value estimate | $63.43 | $172.36 |
| Upside to fair value | +24% | +4% |
| Frequency | quarterly | quarterly |
| Market cap | $357.2B | $30.3B |
| P/E ratio | 12.2 | 13.1 |
Higher yield
BAC
2.51%
Safer dividend
NTRS
Grade A
Faster growth
BAC
8.4%
Better value
BAC
+24% upside
BAC vs NTRS — FAQ
Is BAC or NTRS a better dividend stock?
On the data, BAC wins more head-to-head categories (5 vs 3). BAC offers the higher yield (2.51%), while NTRS 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 NTRS?
BAC has the higher forward dividend yield at 2.51%, versus 2.12% for NTRS.
Is BAC or NTRS safer?
NTRS has the higher dividend-safety score (94/100 vs 87/100), reflecting stronger payout coverage and dividend-growth history.
Is BAC or NTRS better value right now?
As of Oct 23, 2026, BAC looks like the better value: its fair-value estimate is 24% above its share price (undervalued). For NTRS, its fair-value estimate is 4% above its share price.
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See more dividend stock comparisons · data refreshes daily · for informational purposes only, not investment advice.