Preferred Bank: how it compares with its peers
Against 21 CA banks with half to twice its assets, Preferred Bank's strongest measure in Q2 2026 is assets per employee ($24.1M vs. a $13.1M peer median). Its weakest relative measure is net interest margin (3.64% vs. 3.72%).
| Measure | Preferred Bank | Peer median | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Return on assets Annualized net income over average assets. | 1.69% | 1.29% | Top third Ahead of 81% of peers |
| Net interest margin Annualized net interest income over earning assets. | 3.64% | 3.72% | Middle third Ahead of 48% of peers |
| Efficiency ratio Noninterest expense per dollar of revenue. Lower is better. | 33.01% | 47.56% | Top third Ahead of 81% of peers |
| Assets per employee Total assets over full-time-equivalent staff. | $24.1M | $13.1M | Top third Ahead of 84% of peers |
| Loans to deposits Net loans and leases over total deposits. | 95.77% | 81.62% | Context |
What it means for lending operations
Its efficiency ratio of 33.01% is better than the 47.56% 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
- Hanmi Bank Los Angeles, CA · $7.95B
- Mizrahi Tefahot Bank, Ltd. Los Angeles, CA · $7.39B
- Poppy Bank Santa Rosa, CA · $8.32B
- SMBC MANUBANK Los Angeles, CA · $6.60B
- First American Trust, FSB Santa Ana, CA · $9.23B
- River City Bank Sacramento, CA · $6.04B
Questions about Preferred Bank
How big is Preferred Bank?
Preferred Bank, established in 1991, is headquartered in Los Angeles, CA. It reported $7.73B in total assets in its Q2 2026 FDIC call report and operates 17 offices.
What is Preferred Bank's return on assets?
1.69% annualized in Q2 2026, against a 1.29% median for 21 CA banks with half to twice its assets, ahead of 81% of them.
What is Preferred Bank's efficiency ratio?
33.01% in Q2 2026: it spent about 33 cents in noninterest expense for each dollar of revenue. The peer median is 47.56%, and lower is better.
Is Preferred Bank growing its loans?
Net loans grew 9.3% over the year to Q2 2026, while deposits grew 6.5%.
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 CA 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.