Principal Bank: how it compares with its peers
Against 189 U.S. banks with half to twice its assets, Principal Bank's strongest measure in Q2 2026 is efficiency ratio (37.98% vs. a 55.13% peer median). Its weakest relative measure is net interest margin (2.46% vs. 3.71%).
| Measure | Principal Bank | Peer median | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Return on assets Annualized net income over average assets. | 1.68% | 1.30% | Top third Ahead of 76% of peers |
| Net interest margin Annualized net interest income over earning assets. | 2.46% | 3.71% | Bottom third Ahead of 10% of peers |
| Efficiency ratio Noninterest expense per dollar of revenue. Lower is better. | 37.98% | 55.13% | Top third Ahead of 86% of peers |
| Assets per employee Total assets over full-time-equivalent staff. | $15.7M | $10.1M | Top third Ahead of 80% of peers |
| Loans to deposits Net loans and leases over total deposits. | 32.24% | 88.11% | Context |
What it means for lending operations
Its efficiency ratio of 37.98% 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
- Byline Bank Chicago, IL · $9.91B
- Tri Counties Bank Chico, CA · $9.93B
- S&T Bank Indiana, PA · $9.94B
- Capitol Federal Savings Bank Topeka, KS · $9.68B
- EagleBank Bethesda, MD · $9.62B
- RBC Bank, (Georgia) National Association Atlanta, GA · $9.59B
Questions about Principal Bank
How big is Principal Bank?
Principal Bank, established in 1998, is headquartered in Des Moines, IA. It reported $9.84B in total assets in its Q2 2026 FDIC call report and operates 1 office.
What is Principal Bank's return on assets?
1.68% annualized in Q2 2026, against a 1.30% median for 189 U.S. banks with half to twice its assets, ahead of 76% of them.
What is Principal Bank's efficiency ratio?
37.98% in Q2 2026: it spent about 38 cents in noninterest expense for each dollar of revenue. The peer median is 55.13%, and lower is better.
Is Principal Bank growing its loans?
Net loans grew 13.6% over the year to Q2 2026, while deposits grew 10.5%.
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 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 Iowa bank ranked.