Cathay Bank: how it compares with its peers
Against 93 U.S. banks with half to twice its assets, Cathay Bank's strongest measure in Q2 2026 is efficiency ratio (40.18% vs. a 55.13% peer median). Its weakest relative measure is net interest margin (3.48% vs. 3.63%).
| Measure | Cathay Bank | Peer median | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Return on assets Annualized net income over average assets. | 1.55% | 1.21% | Top third Ahead of 73% of peers |
| Net interest margin Annualized net interest income over earning assets. | 3.48% | 3.63% | Middle third Ahead of 40% of peers |
| Efficiency ratio Noninterest expense per dollar of revenue. Lower is better. | 40.18% | 55.13% | Top third Ahead of 86% of peers |
| Assets per employee Total assets over full-time-equivalent staff. | $19.0M | $12.1M | Top third Ahead of 74% of peers |
| Loans to deposits Net loans and leases over total deposits. | 96.59% | 85.78% | Context |
What it means for lending operations
Its efficiency ratio of 40.18% is better than the 55.13% 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
- Centennial Bank Conway, AR · $24.55B
- Simmons Bank Pine Bluff, AR · $24.73B
- Rockland Trust Company Rockland, MA · $24.97B
- TriState Capital Bank Pittsburgh, PA · $24.26B
- Bank of Hawaii Honolulu, HI · $23.81B
- Ameriprise Bank, FSB Minneapolis, MN · $25.48B
Questions about Cathay Bank
How big is Cathay Bank?
Cathay Bank, established in 1962, is headquartered in Los Angeles, CA. It reported $24.64B in total assets in its Q2 2026 FDIC call report and operates 66 offices.
What is Cathay Bank's return on assets?
1.55% annualized in Q2 2026, against a 1.21% median for 93 U.S. banks with half to twice its assets, ahead of 73% of them.
What is Cathay Bank's efficiency ratio?
40.18% in Q2 2026: it spent about 40 cents in noninterest expense for each dollar of revenue. The peer median is 55.13%, and lower is better.
Is Cathay Bank growing its loans?
Net loans grew 3.9% over the year to Q2 2026, while deposits grew 5.4%.
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 U.S. 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 California bank ranked.