The Farmers & Merchants Bank: how it compares with its peers
Against 18 AR banks with half to twice its assets, The Farmers & Merchants Bank's strongest measure in Q2 2026 is net interest margin (4.01% vs. a 4.05% peer median). Its weakest relative measure is return on assets (1.07% vs. 1.36%).
| Measure | The Farmers & Merchants Bank | Peer median | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Return on assets Annualized net income over average assets. | 1.07% | 1.36% | Bottom third Ahead of 22% of peers |
| Net interest margin Annualized net interest income over earning assets. | 4.01% | 4.05% | Middle third Ahead of 50% of peers |
| Efficiency ratio Noninterest expense per dollar of revenue. Lower is better. | 63.94% | 57.49% | Bottom third Ahead of 28% of peers |
| Assets per employee Total assets over full-time-equivalent staff. | $6.8M | $7.1M | Middle third Ahead of 44% of peers |
| Loans to deposits Net loans and leases over total deposits. | 82.25% | 89.41% | Context |
What it means for lending operations
Its efficiency ratio of 63.94% is above the 57.49% peer median: it spends more to earn each dollar of revenue than most banks its size. Staff time on manual borrower verification (collecting pay stubs, bank statements, and employment letters, then re-keying them) is one of the larger controllable costs behind that number.
Banks closest in size
- First Financial Bank El Dorado, AR · $2.04B
- The First National Bank of Fort Smith Fort Smith, AR · $2.31B
- Signature Bank of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR · $1.63B
- The Citizens Bank Batesville, AR · $1.62B
- Chambers Bank Danville, AR · $1.59B
- First National Bank Paragould, AR · $2.59B
Questions about The Farmers & Merchants Bank
How big is The Farmers & Merchants Bank?
The Farmers & Merchants Bank, established in 1945, is headquartered in Stuttgart, AR. It reported $2.02B in total assets in its Q2 2026 FDIC call report and operates 21 offices.
What is The Farmers & Merchants Bank's return on assets?
1.07% annualized in Q2 2026, against a 1.36% median for 18 AR banks with half to twice its assets, ahead of 22% of them.
What is The Farmers & Merchants Bank's efficiency ratio?
63.94% in Q2 2026: it spent about 64 cents in noninterest expense for each dollar of revenue. The peer median is 57.49%, and lower is better.
Is The Farmers & Merchants Bank growing its loans?
Net loans grew 5.8% over the year to Q2 2026, while deposits grew 11.2%.
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 AR 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 Arkansas bank ranked.