Sterling Federal Bank, F.S.B.: how it compares with its peers
Against 118 IL banks with half to twice its assets, Sterling Federal Bank, F.S.B.'s strongest measure in Q2 2026 is net interest margin (3.81% vs. a 3.68% peer median). Its weakest relative measure is return on assets (-2.24% vs. 1.16%).
| Measure | This bank | Peer median | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Return on assets Annualized net income over average assets. | -2.24% | 1.16% | Bottom third Ahead of 0% of peers |
| Net interest margin Annualized net interest income over earning assets. | 3.81% | 3.68% | Middle third Ahead of 63% of peers |
| Efficiency ratio Noninterest expense per dollar of revenue. Lower is better. | 82.92% | 62.63% | Bottom third Ahead of 7% of peers |
| Assets per employee Total assets over full-time-equivalent staff. | $5.0M | $7.3M | Bottom third Ahead of 6% of peers |
| Loans to deposits Net loans and leases over total deposits. | 81.29% | 77.37% | Context |
What it means for lending operations
Its efficiency ratio of 82.92% is above the 62.63% 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
- Hoyne Savings Bank Chicago, IL · $480M
- American Eagle Bank South Elgin, IL · $485M
- Solutions Bank Forreston, IL · $492M
- First National Bank in Olney Olney, IL · $469M
- Casey State Bank Casey, IL · $497M
- The FNB Community Bank Vandalia, IL · $499M
Questions about Sterling Federal Bank, F.S.B.
How big is Sterling Federal Bank, F.S.B.?
Sterling Federal Bank, F.S.B., established in 1885, is headquartered in Sterling, IL. It reported $482M in total assets in its Q2 2026 FDIC call report and operates 9 offices.
What is Sterling Federal Bank, F.S.B.'s return on assets?
-2.24% annualized in Q2 2026, against a 1.16% median for 118 IL banks with half to twice its assets, ahead of 0% of them.
What is Sterling Federal Bank, F.S.B.'s efficiency ratio?
82.92% in Q2 2026: it spent about 83 cents in noninterest expense for each dollar of revenue. The peer median is 62.63%, and lower is better.
Is Sterling Federal Bank, F.S.B. growing its loans?
Net loans shrank 7.7% over the year to Q2 2026, while deposits shrank 1.1%.
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 IL 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 Illinois bank ranked.