WaFd Bank: how it compares with its peers
Against 90 U.S. banks with half to twice its assets, WaFd Bank's strongest measure in Q2 2026 is efficiency ratio (52.58% vs. a 55.14% peer median). Its weakest relative measure is net interest margin (2.87% vs. 3.59%).
| Measure | WaFd Bank | Peer median | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Return on assets Annualized net income over average assets. | 0.99% | 1.22% | Bottom third Ahead of 29% of peers |
| Net interest margin Annualized net interest income over earning assets. | 2.87% | 3.59% | Bottom third Ahead of 20% of peers |
| Efficiency ratio Noninterest expense per dollar of revenue. Lower is better. | 52.58% | 55.14% | Middle third Ahead of 58% of peers |
| Assets per employee Total assets over full-time-equivalent staff. | $13.4M | $12.4M | Middle third Ahead of 58% of peers |
| Loans to deposits Net loans and leases over total deposits. | 95.11% | 85.69% | Context |
What it means for lending operations
Its efficiency ratio of 52.58% is better than the 55.14% 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
- WesBanco Bank, Inc. Wheeling, WV · $27.75B
- Arvest Bank Fayetteville, AR · $28.05B
- Renasant Bank Tupelo, MS · $26.99B
- Ameris Bank Atlanta, GA · $28.42B
- Sallie Mae Bank Salt Lake City, UT · $28.54B
- Charles Schwab Premier Bank, SSB Westlake, TX · $26.58B
Questions about WaFd Bank
How big is WaFd Bank?
WaFd Bank, established in 1917, is headquartered in Seattle, WA. It reported $27.58B in total assets in its Q2 2026 FDIC call report and operates 213 offices.
What is WaFd Bank's return on assets?
0.99% annualized in Q2 2026, against a 1.22% median for 90 U.S. banks with half to twice its assets, ahead of 29% of them.
What is WaFd Bank's efficiency ratio?
52.58% in Q2 2026: it spent about 53 cents in noninterest expense for each dollar of revenue. The peer median is 55.14%, and lower is better.
Is WaFd Bank growing its loans?
Net loans shrank 1.3% over the year to Q2 2026, while deposits shrank 2.1%.
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 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 Washington bank ranked.