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.

Compare

Total return — COLB vs VLY

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
COLB +36.1% (+3.1%/yr)VLY +102.0% (+7.3%/yr)VLY compounded faster over this window
100150200Start $10020182020202220242026$136$202
COLB VLY

COLB 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

MetricCOLBVLY
P/E ratio11.5310.66
Forward P/E9.5610.04
PEG ratioN/A6.42
P/S ratio2.302.38
P/B ratio1.080.94

Profitability

MetricCOLBVLY
Operating margin26.78%14.48%
Net margin19.96%23.26%
ROE9.41%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

MetricCOLBVLY
Dividend yield5.13%3.45%
Payout ratio58.96%36.67%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCOLBVLY
Revenue CAGR (5Y)20.01%14.60%
EPS CAGR (5Y)N/A1.65%
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.

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.