Farmers and Merchants Bank: how it compares with its peers
Against 42 AL banks with half to twice its assets, Farmers and Merchants Bank's strongest measure in Q2 2026 is assets per employee ($8.5M vs. a $6.0M peer median). Its weakest relative measure is net interest margin (3.18% vs. 4.16%).
| Measure | Farmers and Merchants Bank | Peer median | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Return on assets Annualized net income over average assets. | 1.08% | 1.15% | Middle third Ahead of 38% of peers |
| Net interest margin Annualized net interest income over earning assets. | 3.18% | 4.16% | Bottom third Ahead of 10% of peers |
| Efficiency ratio Noninterest expense per dollar of revenue. Lower is better. | 55.39% | 62.89% | Top third Ahead of 81% of peers |
| Assets per employee Total assets over full-time-equivalent staff. | $8.5M | $6.0M | Top third Ahead of 86% of peers |
| Loans to deposits Net loans and leases over total deposits. | 45.63% | 69.87% | Context |
What it means for lending operations
Its efficiency ratio of 55.39% is better than the 62.89% peer median. Banks that already run lean usually find their next gains in loan growth: faster digital applications and fewer borrowers abandoning a slow document chase.
Banks closest in size
- Farmers and Merchants Bank Piedmont, AL · $309M
- The Citizens Bank of Winfield Winfield, AL · $301M
- 22nd State Banking Company Mobile, AL · $292M
- HNB First Bank Headland, AL · $282M
- Phenix-Girard Bank Phenix City, AL · $342M
- FirstState Bank Lineville, AL · $349M
Questions about Farmers and Merchants Bank
How big is Farmers and Merchants Bank?
Farmers and Merchants Bank, established in 1934, is headquartered in Lafayette, AL. It reported $308M in total assets in its Q2 2026 FDIC call report and operates 3 offices.
What is Farmers and Merchants Bank's return on assets?
1.08% annualized in Q2 2026, against a 1.15% median for 42 AL banks with half to twice its assets, ahead of 38% of them.
What is Farmers and Merchants Bank's efficiency ratio?
55.39% in Q2 2026: it spent about 55 cents in noninterest expense for each dollar of revenue. The peer median is 62.89%, and lower is better.
Is Farmers and Merchants Bank growing its loans?
Net loans grew 4.4% over the year to Q2 2026, while deposits grew 4.9%.
Sources and method
Figures are from the FDIC’s public call report data for the quarter ending 06/30/2026, via FDIC BankFind. Return on assets and net interest margin are annualized year to date. Peers are AL banks with half to twice its assets in the same quarter, excluding this bank. The page refreshes daily, so new quarters appear as banks file. Compare another bank or see every Alabama bank ranked.