#United States #Nashville #Crowe LLP #RankingBanking #U.S. Banks

Overview of the 2026 RankingBanking Study

In August 2026, Bank Director published its annual RankingBanking study, which evaluates the performance of the top 300 largest publicly traded banks in the United States. Sponsored by Crowe, this impactful report relies on year-end data from 2025 compiled by Piper Sandler & Co. through SP Global Market Intelligence. Each bank is assessed based on metrics such as return on average total assets, return on average tangible common equity, ratio of tangible common equity to tangible assets, and the ratio of nonperforming assets to loans and real estate owned. The cumulative scores determine their rankings, with lower scores reflecting better overall performance.

Key Insights

Despite the ongoing challenges in the financial sector, including post-crisis regulations, consolidation, inflation, and the rise of AI, the study reveals that fundamental banking principles remain the bedrock of success. Jackie Stewart, the Executive Editor of Bank Director, emphasizes that the banks achieving the highest rankings operated on solid fundamental practices, demonstrating that disciplined lending and deposit relationships continue to drive profitability.

As articulated by Kara Baldwin, a partner at Crowe LLP, the most successful banks masterfully link loan offers with deposit relationships, effectively saying, "We will provide you with an outstanding loan, but you must also engage with us for your deposit needs."

Patrick Vernon, another advisory partner at Crowe Advisory LLC, concurs that strong deposits are crucial for banks seeking to enhance margins and overall profitability. His insights reflect a broader sentiment in the industry regarding the importance of establishing a stable deposit base.

The Top 25 Banks in 2026

The following banks have emerged as the top performers in the 2026 RankingBanking study, showcasing the strength of their financial practices:

1. Commerce Bancshares (CBSH), Kansas City, MO
2. Bank7 Corp. (BSVN), Oklahoma City, OK
3. Esquire Financial Holdings (ESQ), Jericho, NY
4. Commercial Bancgroup (CBK), Harrogate, TN
5. Northeast Community Bancorp (NECB), White Plains, NY
6. Bank First Corp. (BFC), Manitowoc, WI
7. Farmers & Merchants Bancorp (FMCB), Lodi, CA - TIED
7. Thomasville Bancshares (THVB), Thomasville, GA - TIED
9. City Holding Co. (CHCO), Charleston, WV
10. Nicolet Bankshares (NIC), Green Bay, WI
11. HBT Financial (HBT), Bloomington, IL
12. West Coast Community Bancorp (WCCB), Santa Cruz, CA
13. Westamerica Bancorp (WABC), San Rafael, CA
14. ACNB Corp. (ACNB), Gettysburg, PA
15. East West Bancorp (EWBC), Pasadena, CA
16. Ameris Bancorp (ABCB), Atlanta, GA
17. Stock Yards Bancorp (SYBT), Louisville, KY
18. Home BancShares (HOMB), Conway, AR
19. Central Bancompany (CBC), Jefferson City, MO
20. California BanCorp (BCAL), San Diego, CA
21. CVB Financial Corp. (CVBF), Ontario, CA
22. Community Trust Bancorp (CTBI), Pikeville, KY
23. Mission Bancorp (MSBC), Bakersfield, CA
24. Republic Bancorp (RBCA.A), Louisville, KY
25. Columbia Banking System (COLB), Tacoma, WA

This year’s study introduces a new feature that categorizes all 300 banks by state, providing an exclusive overview available on BankDirector.com. Moreover, the report highlights significant activity from banks actively pursuing acquisitions, particularly SouthState Bank Corp., which has expanded its footprint into Texas and Colorado through strategic deals.

Conclusion

The 2026 RankingBanking study offers valuable insights into the current landscape of the U.S. banking industry. As financial institutions navigate ongoing changes and challenges, those that prioritize strong deposit relationships and fundamental banking practices are positioned for success. To explore the complete rankings and access previous reports, visit BankDirector.com.

About Bank Director

Bank Director serves as a critical information resource for leaders within financial institutions across the United States, offering insightful research, peer insights, and executive services since its inception in 1991. The organization delivers timely and relevant information via its magazine and board training services, with signature events such as "Acquire or Be Acquired." For further details, please visit BankDirector.com.

About Crowe LLP

Crowe LLP has been a respected partner to financial services companies for over half a century. With a dedicated team of more than 2,300 specialists and a global network of over 300 firms, Crowe's expertise spans audit, tax, advisory, and consulting services. They deliver tailored support to over 2,900 financial institutions worldwide. More information is available at crowe.com/fs.