First State Bank of the South, Inc.: how it compares with its peers
Against 35 AL banks with half to twice its assets, First State Bank of the South, Inc.'s strongest measure in Q2 2026 is efficiency ratio (65.88% vs. a 70.25% peer median). Its weakest relative measure is assets per employee ($3.7M vs. $4.9M).
| Measure | This bank | Peer median | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Return on assets Annualized net income over average assets. | 1.05% | 1.06% | Middle third Ahead of 49% of peers |
| Net interest margin Annualized net interest income over earning assets. | 3.98% | 3.79% | Middle third Ahead of 60% of peers |
| Efficiency ratio Noninterest expense per dollar of revenue. Lower is better. | 65.88% | 70.25% | Top third Ahead of 69% of peers |
| Assets per employee Total assets over full-time-equivalent staff. | $3.7M | $4.9M | Bottom third Ahead of 20% of peers |
| Loans to deposits Net loans and leases over total deposits. | 51.81% | 63.44% | Context |
What it means for lending operations
Its efficiency ratio of 65.88% is better than the 70.25% 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
- The Citizens Bank Greensboro, AL · $129M
- The Southern Bank Company Gadsden, AL · $133M
- Brantley Bank and Trust Company Brantley, AL · $127M
- Merchants & Farmers Bank of Greene County, Alabama Eutaw, AL · $136M
- The Samson Banking Company, Inc. Samson, AL · $124M
- Bank of Moundville Moundville, AL · $145M
Questions about First State Bank of the South, Inc.
How big is First State Bank of the South, Inc.?
First State Bank of the South, Inc., established in 1973, is headquartered in Sulligent, AL. It reported $131M in total assets in its Q2 2026 FDIC call report and operates 5 offices.
What is First State Bank of the South, Inc.'s return on assets?
1.05% annualized in Q2 2026, against a 1.06% median for 35 AL banks with half to twice its assets, ahead of 49% of them.
What is First State Bank of the South, Inc.'s efficiency ratio?
65.88% in Q2 2026: it spent about 66 cents in noninterest expense for each dollar of revenue. The peer median is 70.25%, and lower is better.
Is First State Bank of the South, Inc. growing its loans?
Net loans shrank 2.2% over the year to Q2 2026, while deposits grew 0.5%.
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.