First Bank: how it compares with its peers
Against 18 VA banks with half to twice its assets, First Bank's strongest measure in Q2 2026 is net interest margin (4.07% vs. a 3.58% peer median). Its weakest relative measure is efficiency ratio (65.43% vs. 59.11%).
| Measure | First Bank | Peer median | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Return on assets Annualized net income over average assets. | 1.14% | 1.26% | Middle third Ahead of 39% of peers |
| Net interest margin Annualized net interest income over earning assets. | 4.07% | 3.58% | Top third Ahead of 67% of peers |
| Efficiency ratio Noninterest expense per dollar of revenue. Lower is better. | 65.43% | 59.11% | Bottom third Ahead of 22% of peers |
| Assets per employee Total assets over full-time-equivalent staff. | $6.7M | $8.3M | Bottom third Ahead of 33% of peers |
| Loans to deposits Net loans and leases over total deposits. | 79.80% | 88.95% | Context |
What it means for lending operations
Its efficiency ratio of 65.43% is above the 59.11% 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
- Chain Bridge Bank, National Association Mclean, VA · $2.19B
- MainStreet Bank Fairfax, VA · $2.24B
- Bank Of Clarke Berryville, VA · $1.85B
- Blue Ridge Bank, National Association Martinsville, VA · $2.31B
- The National Bank of Blacksburg Blacksburg, VA · $1.83B
- Old Dominion National Bank Charlottesville, VA · $1.80B
Questions about First Bank
How big is First Bank?
First Bank, established in 1907, is headquartered in Strasburg, VA. It reported $2.07B in total assets in its Q2 2026 FDIC call report and operates 33 offices.
What is First Bank's return on assets?
1.14% annualized in Q2 2026, against a 1.26% median for 18 VA banks with half to twice its assets, ahead of 39% of them.
What is First Bank's efficiency ratio?
65.43% in Q2 2026: it spent about 65 cents in noninterest expense for each dollar of revenue. The peer median is 59.11%, and lower is better.
Is First Bank growing its loans?
Net loans grew 3.1% over the year to Q2 2026, while deposits grew 0.5%.
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 VA 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 Virginia bank ranked.