First Bank: how it compares with its peers
Against 11 NJ banks with half to twice its assets, First Bank's strongest measure in Q2 2026 is net interest margin (3.70% vs. a 3.21% peer median). Its weakest relative measure is assets per employee ($12.1M vs. $13.2M).
| Measure | First Bank | Peer median | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Return on assets Annualized net income over average assets. | 0.92% | 1.23% | Middle third Ahead of 45% of peers |
| Net interest margin Annualized net interest income over earning assets. | 3.70% | 3.21% | Top third Ahead of 73% of peers |
| Efficiency ratio Noninterest expense per dollar of revenue. Lower is better. | 54.89% | 59.58% | Middle third Ahead of 64% of peers |
| Assets per employee Total assets over full-time-equivalent staff. | $12.1M | $13.2M | Bottom third Ahead of 27% of peers |
| Loans to deposits Net loans and leases over total deposits. | 100.08% | 95.26% | Context |
What it means for lending operations
Its efficiency ratio of 54.89% is better than the 59.58% 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
- Spencer Savings Bank, SLA Elmwood Park, NJ · $4.04B
- Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank (U.S.A.) Limited Hoboken, NJ · $3.92B
- Manasquan Bank Manasquan, NJ · $3.59B
- Unity Bank Clinton, NJ · $3.18B
- Amboy Bank Old Bridge, NJ · $3.12B
- BCB Community Bank Bayonne, NJ · $3.12B
Questions about First Bank
How big is First Bank?
First Bank, established in 2007, is headquartered in Hamilton, NJ. It reported $4.09B in total assets in its Q2 2026 FDIC call report and operates 26 offices.
What is First Bank's return on assets?
0.92% annualized in Q2 2026, against a 1.23% median for 11 NJ banks with half to twice its assets, ahead of 45% of them.
What is First Bank's efficiency ratio?
54.89% in Q2 2026: it spent about 55 cents in noninterest expense for each dollar of revenue. The peer median is 59.58%, and lower is better.
Is First Bank growing its loans?
Net loans grew 1.1% over the year to Q2 2026, while deposits grew 4.9%.
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 NJ 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 New Jersey bank ranked.