Meridian Bank (MRBK) is a Top Dividend Stock Right Now: Should You Buy?

Company Overview - Meridian Bank (MRBK) is headquartered in Malvern and operates in the Finance sector, with a stock price change of 16.33% since the beginning of the year [3]. Dividend Information - The company currently pays a dividend of $0.12 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 2.74%, which is higher than the Banks - Northeast industry's yield of 2.3% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.35% [3]. - Meridian Bank's annualized dividend of $0.56 has increased by 12% from the previous year, with an average annual increase of 18.90% over the last five years [4]. Earnings Growth Expectations - For the fiscal year, MRBK anticipates solid earnings growth, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 projected at $2.30 per share, indicating a year-over-year growth rate of 21.69% [5]. Investment Considerations - The company has a current payout ratio of 26%, meaning it distributes 26% of its trailing 12-month earnings per share as dividends [4]. - MRBK is considered a compelling investment opportunity due to its strong dividend profile and a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) [6].