COLB
Columbia Banking System, Inc.
Banks - Regional
Market Cap$7.19B
5Y Perf.+24.0%
Compare Stocks
2 / 10Try these comparisons:
Stock Comparison
COLB vs BOKF
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
BOKF
BOK Financial Corporation
Banks - Regional
Market Cap$10.44B
5Y Perf.+166.1%
COLB vs BOKF — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | COLB | BOKF |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Banks - Regional | Banks - Regional |
| Market Cap | $7.19B | $10.44B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $3.21B | $3.36B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $550M | $537M |
| Gross Margin | 67.7% | 57.1% |
| Operating Margin | 23.4% | 19.8% |
| Forward P/E | 9.9x | 13.3x |
| Total Debt | $4.01B | $4.45B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $511M | $1.43B |
COLB vs BOKF — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
COLB
BOKF
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia Banking Sy… (COLB) | 100 | 124.0 | +24.0% |
| BOK Financial Corpo… (BOKF) | 100 | 266.1 | +166.1% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: COLB vs BOKF
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: BOKF leads in 5 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and profitability and margin quality. Columbia Banking System, Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for valuation and capital efficiency and dividend income and shareholder returns. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
COLB
Columbia Banking System, Inc.
The Banking Pick
COLB is the clearest fit if your priority is bank quality.
- NIM 3.0% vs BOKF's 2.4%
- Lower P/E (9.9x vs 13.3x)
- 3.7% yield, vs BOKF's 1.7%
Best for: bank quality
BOKF
BOK Financial Corporation
The Banking Pick
BOKF carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 11 yrs, beta 1.03, yield 1.7%
- Rev growth 10.4%, EPS growth 1.5%
- 172.7% 10Y total return vs COLB's 51.1%
Best for: income & stability and growth exposure
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | BOKF | 10.4% NII/revenue growth vs COLB's 8.3% |
| Value | COLB | Lower P/E (9.9x vs 13.3x) |
| Quality / Margins | BOKF | Efficiency ratio 0.4% vs COLB's 0.4% (lower = leaner) |
| Stability / Safety | BOKF | Beta 1.03 vs COLB's 1.37 |
| Dividends | COLB | 3.7% yield, vs BOKF's 1.7% |
| Momentum (1Y) | BOKF | +47.4% vs COLB's +36.2% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | BOKF | Efficiency ratio 0.4% vs COLB's 0.4% |
COLB vs BOKF — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2024
COLB vs BOKF — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLCOLBLAGGINGBOKF
BOKFBOK Financial Corpora…
2leads
COLBColumbia Banking Syst…
2leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs BOKFMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
COLB4/5
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
COLB5/6
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
Tied
—
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
BOKF6/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
BOKF2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
Tied
—
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
COLB leads this category, winning 4 of 5 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
BOKF and COLB operate at a comparable scale, with $3.4B and $3.2B in trailing revenue. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 17.1% (COLB) to 15.6% (BOKF).
| Metric | COLBColumbia Banking … | BOKFBOK Financial Cor… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $3.2B | $3.4B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $895M | $797M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $550M | $537M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $724M | $1.5B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +67.7% | +57.1% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +23.4% | +19.8% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +17.1% | +15.6% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +22.0% | +42.6% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | — | — |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +5.9% | +1.8% |
COLB leads this category, winning 4 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
COLB leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 13.1x trailing earnings, COLB trades at a 21% valuation discount to BOKF's 16.7x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, COLB's 11.9x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than BOKF's 17.4x.
| Metric | COLBColumbia Banking … | BOKFBOK Financial Cor… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $7.2B | $10.4B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $10.7B | $13.5B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 13.13x | 16.65x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 9.86x | 13.25x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 5.60x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 11.93x | 17.44x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 2.24x | 3.11x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.14x | 1.56x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 10.18x | 7.30x |
COLB leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
Evenly matched — COLB and BOKF each lead in 4 of 8 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
BOKF delivers a 8.9% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $9 in annual profit, vs $8 for COLB. COLB carries lower financial leverage with a 0.51x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to BOKF's 0.80x.
| Metric | COLBColumbia Banking … | BOKFBOK Financial Cor… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +8.4% | +8.9% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +0.9% | +1.1% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +5.4% | +4.1% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +2.0% | +5.5% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 6 | 6 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.51x | 0.80x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $3.5B | $3.0B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $511M | $1.4B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $4.0B | $4.5B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 0.82x | 0.55x |
Evenly matched — COLB and BOKF each lead in 4 of 8 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
BOKF leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in BOKF five years ago would be worth $16,223 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $8,268 for COLB. Over the past 12 months, BOKF leads with a +47.4% total return vs COLB's +36.2%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors BOKF at 22.1% vs COLB's 21.3% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | COLBColumbia Banking … | BOKFBOK Financial Cor… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +8.4% | +14.7% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +36.2% | +47.4% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +78.6% | +82.1% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -17.3% | +62.2% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +51.1% | +172.7% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +21.3% | +22.1% |
BOKF leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
BOKF leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
BOKF is the less volatile stock with a 1.03 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than COLB's 1.37 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. BOKF currently trades 97.0% from its 52-week high vs COLB's 92.4% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | COLBColumbia Banking … | BOKFBOK Financial Cor… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.37x | 1.03x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $32.70 | $139.73 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $21.91 | $91.35 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +92.4% | +97.0% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 56.7 | 56.8 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 2.7M | 318K |
BOKF leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — COLB and BOKF each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates COLB as "Buy" and BOKF as "Hold". Consensus price targets imply 9.0% upside for COLB (target: $33) vs -2.9% for BOKF (target: $132). For income investors, COLB offers the higher dividend yield at 3.74% vs BOKF's 1.65%.
| Metric | COLBColumbia Banking … | BOKFBOK Financial Cor… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $32.92 | $131.57 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 19 | 21 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +3.7% | +1.7% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 0 | 11 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $1.13 | $2.24 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +1.5% | +0.9% |
Evenly matched — COLB and BOKF each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
COLB leads in 2 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Valuation Metrics). BOKF leads in 2 (Total Returns, Risk & Volatility). 2 tied.
Best OverallColumbia Banking System, In… (COLB)Leads 2 of 6 categories
Loading custom metrics...
COLB vs BOKF: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is COLB or BOKF a better buy right now?
For growth investors, BOK Financial Corporation (BOKF) is the stronger pick with 10.
4% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 8. 3% for Columbia Banking System, Inc. (COLB). Columbia Banking System, Inc. (COLB) offers the better valuation at 13. 1x trailing P/E (9. 9x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Columbia Banking System, Inc. (COLB) a "Buy" — based on 19 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which has the better valuation — COLB or BOKF?
On trailing P/E, Columbia Banking System, Inc.
(COLB) is the cheapest at 13. 1x versus BOK Financial Corporation at 16. 7x. On forward P/E, Columbia Banking System, Inc. is actually cheaper at 9. 9x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — COLB or BOKF?
Over the past 5 years, BOK Financial Corporation (BOKF) delivered a total return of +62.
2%, compared to -17. 3% for Columbia Banking System, Inc. (COLB). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: BOKF returned +172. 7% versus COLB's +51. 1%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — COLB or BOKF?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), BOK Financial Corporation (BOKF) is the lower-risk stock at 1.
03β versus Columbia Banking System, Inc. 's 1. 37β — meaning COLB is approximately 32% more volatile than BOKF relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Columbia Banking System, Inc. (COLB) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 51% versus 80% for BOK Financial Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — COLB or BOKF?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), BOK Financial Corporation (BOKF) is pulling ahead at 10.
4% versus 8. 3% for Columbia Banking System, Inc. (COLB). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: BOK Financial Corporation grew EPS 1. 5% year-over-year, compared to -9. 8% for Columbia Banking System, Inc.. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
06Which has better profit margins — COLB or BOKF?
Columbia Banking System, Inc.
(COLB) is the more profitable company, earning 17. 1% net margin versus 15. 6% for BOK Financial Corporation — meaning it keeps 17. 1% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: COLB leads at 23. 4% versus 19. 8% for BOKF. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — COLB leads at 67. 7%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
07Is COLB or BOKF more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Columbia Banking System, Inc.
(COLB) trades at 9. 9x forward P/E versus 13. 3x for BOK Financial Corporation — 3. 4x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for COLB: 9. 0% to $32. 92.
08Which pays a better dividend — COLB or BOKF?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Columbia Banking System, Inc. (COLB) offers the highest yield at 3. 7%, versus 1. 7% for BOK Financial Corporation (BOKF).
09Is COLB or BOKF better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, BOK Financial Corporation (BOKF) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1.
03), 1. 7% yield, +172. 7% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (BOKF: +172. 7%, COLB: +51. 1%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
10What are the main differences between COLB and BOKF?
Both stocks operate in the Financial Services sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
Find Stocks Like These
Explore pre-built screens for each stock's profile, or build a custom screen to find stocks that outperform both.
Revenue Growth>
%
(COLB: 8.3% · BOKF: 10.4%)Net Margin>
%
(COLB: 17.1% · BOKF: 15.6%)P/E Ratio<
x
(COLB: 13.1x · BOKF: 16.7x)You Might Also Compare
Based on how these companies actually compete and overlap — not just which sector they're filed under.