How to Value a Financial Services Business
What financial services businesses sell for in 2026, what drives value in the sector, and how to estimate your own — in about ten seconds.
Public EV/EBITDA
11.0×
Typical private range
3.3–7.7×
EV/Sales
3.5×
Public multiples: Damodaran, NYU Stern, January 2026. Private range applies SellSide's size discount. Indicative only.
What drives value in financial services
Recurring/assets-under-management fees, regulatory standing, client retention and compliance track record.
The headline multiples above are public-company averages. A private business almost always sells for less — smaller companies carry more risk, are harder to sell quickly, and are often more dependent on the owner. That's why the typical private range sits well below the public figure, with the smallest businesses at the bottom of it.
Worked example
A financial services business earning $500,000 of EBITDA, valued at the middle of the private range (~5.5×), would be worth around $2,750,000 — before adjusting for growth, margins and country.
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