With the Federal Reserve holding rates at 3.5%–3.75% and signaling that borrowing costs may stay restrictive for longer, some financial stocks look more closely tied to this higher rate backdrop than others. This article uses a targeted screener to highlight three large banking and insurance stocks that appear especially exposed to the latest Fed news, whether through lending margins, underwriting income, or balance sheet positioning. You will see how each stock lines up against a higher for longer rate outlook and what that could mean for risk and reward before deciding whether any of these opportunities fit your portfolio.

Prosperity Bancshares (PB)

Overview: Prosperity Bancshares is a Houston based regional bank holding company that, through Prosperity Bank, provides a full range of deposit accounts, residential and commercial mortgages, business and agricultural loans, and everyday consumer credit products to individuals and businesses.

Operations: Prosperity Bancshares generates about US$1.3b in revenue from its core banking operations, all in the United States.

Market Cap: US$7.2b

Prosperity Bancshares gives you relatively direct exposure to the higher for longer Fed stance, with a business model that leans heavily on net interest margin from core Texas banking and a deposit base management describes as low cost and sticky. Analyst forecasts cited by the company indicate expectations for earnings and revenue growth alongside a solid dividend, while recent acquisitions, buybacks and a completed core system conversion show the company actively reshaping its balance sheet and franchise. Set against that, rising credit impairments, a reported 6.4% ROE and insider selling highlight that this is not a simple yield story. The key question is whether the potential benefits of higher rates and merger activity adequately compensate for the credit and concentration risks that investors need to weigh carefully.

Prosperity Bancshares could have its higher-for-longer upside masked by that 6.4% ROE and rising credit impairments, so it is worth seeing how those trends stack up in the 3 key rewards and 1 important warning sign

First Merchants (FRME)

Overview: First Merchants is a regional financial holding company based in Muncie, Indiana, providing a full suite of banking services, from everyday checking and savings accounts to mortgages, agricultural lending, and business loans, alongside wealth management and financial planning for individuals and companies across Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan.

Operations: First Merchants generates about US$637.8m in revenue, all from community banking in the United States.

Market Cap: US$2.6b

First Merchants stock sits at the crossroads of the Fed’s higher for longer stance and investors’ search for value in regional banks. Management has talked about steadily putting excess liquidity to work at higher yields, which ties directly into a rate environment where loan and securities yields are elevated. At the same time, analysts expect strong earnings growth and revenue expansion. Recent results, however, show compressed net income, a 7.4% ROE, higher charge offs, and insider selling, which all point to real risk if credit quality or funding costs bite harder. In addition, a growing dividend, share buybacks, and recent recognition on Forbes’ World’s Best Banks list contribute to a picture of a bank that may be interesting, but far from straightforward, for investors watching this rate cycle.

First Merchants looks like a higher rate beneficiary whose compressed net income and 7.4% ROE may be masking the real story, so it is worth reading the 3 key rewards and 1 important warning sign to see what might be hiding in the credit and funding mix.

Territorial Bancorp (TBNK)

Overview: Territorial Bancorp is the holding company for Territorial Savings Bank, a Honolulu based community bank that offers traditional deposit accounts, residential mortgages, home equity and consumer loans, as well as commercial and real estate lending, plus insurance and investment products for households and businesses across Hawaii.

Operations: Territorial Bancorp generates about US$36.4m in revenue from its core banking activities in the United States.

Market Cap: US$71.8m

Territorial Bancorp provides focused exposure to a regional Hawaiian lender with net interest margins closely tied to the rate it can earn on loans versus what it pays on deposits. The stock trades below some estimates of fair value and at a low P/B, yet the company is currently unprofitable, with a declining ROE and a track record of losses that introduces uncertainty. Experienced management and an independent board, along with an emphasis on credit quality and capital allocation, may appeal to investors who see potential in the rate environment and local franchise, but the path back to sustained profitability remains a key consideration.

Territorial Bancorp’s low P/B and local Hawaiian focus could be masking a more interesting story for patient investors. See how the analysis report for Territorial Bancorp reframes the path from current losses to any potential payoff.

The three financial stocks in this article are just a starting point. The full Financial Sector (Banks & Insurance) screener uncovers 18 more companies that share similarly compelling rate related stories. Use Simply Wall St to identify, analyze, and filter for the exact catalysts, balance sheet traits, and underwriting or lending narratives that matter most so you can focus on the highest conviction opportunities in this part of the market.

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If Territorial Bancorp or any of these companies sound like a great opportunity, register for FREE with Simply Wall St and add your companies to a Watchlist to monitor the share price against the fair value the ideal entry point. Once you've made your move, manage your holdings with our Portfolio Command Center that filters out the noise to deliver only the most critical, actionable updates. Throughout your journey, our Community allows you to filter the best ideas from thousands of investor perspectives. By uncovering hidden catalysts and risks early, you'll accelerate your decision-making and stay one step ahead of the market.

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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.