Columbia Banking System, Inc. (COLB) vs Valley National Bancorp (VLY)
A side-by-side comparison of Columbia Banking System, Inc. and Valley National Bancorp across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of October 6, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
Total return — COLB vs VLY
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yCOLB vs VLY: by the numbers
- •COLB is the larger company ($8.19B vs $7.09B market cap).
- •VLY trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (10.66 vs 11.53 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •VLY converts more revenue to profit (23.26% vs 19.96% net margin).
- •COLB grew revenue faster over the past five years (20.01% vs 14.60% CAGR).
- •COLB pays the higher dividend yield (5.13% vs 3.45%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | COLB | VLY |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 11.53 | 10.66 |
| Forward P/E | 9.56 | 10.04 |
| PEG ratio | N/A | 6.42 |
| P/S ratio | 2.30 | 2.38 |
| P/B ratio | 1.08 | 0.94 |
Profitability
| Metric | COLB | VLY |
|---|---|---|
| Operating margin | 26.78% | 14.48% |
| Net margin | 19.96% | 23.26% |
| ROE | 9.41% | 8.76% |
Columbia Banking System, Inc.: Gross margin is not shown for a lender or insurer: its revenue is interest, premiums and fees rather than the sale of goods, so there is no cost of goods sold to measure it against.
Valley National Bancorp: Gross margin is not shown for a lender or insurer: its revenue is interest, premiums and fees rather than the sale of goods, so there is no cost of goods sold to measure it against.
Dividends
| Metric | COLB | VLY |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 5.13% | 3.45% |
| Payout ratio | 58.96% | 36.67% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | COLB | VLY |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 20.01% | 14.60% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | N/A | 1.65% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | -0.75% | 3.07% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, COLB or VLY?
- VLY has the lower trailing P/E: COLB trades at 11.53 and VLY at 10.66. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, COLB or VLY?
- Over the past five years, COLB grew revenue faster — COLB at a 20.01% CAGR versus VLY at 14.60%.
- Does COLB or VLY pay a bigger dividend?
- COLB yields 5.13% and VLY yields 3.45% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is COLB or VLY more profitable?
- VLY runs the higher net margin — COLB at 19.96% versus VLY at 23.26%.
- How have COLB and VLY total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, COLB delivered 2.96% and VLY delivered 7.25% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Columbia Banking System & Valley National Bancorp appear in these rankings
Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified October 6, 2026.