COLB
Columbia Banking System, Inc.
Banks - Regional
Market Cap$7.07B
5Y Perf.+22.0%
Compare Stocks
2 / 10Try these comparisons:
Stock Comparison
COLB vs CVBF
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
CVBF
CVB Financial Corp.
Banks - Regional
Market Cap$2.79B
5Y Perf.+5.3%
COLB vs CVBF — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | COLB | CVBF |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Banks - Regional | Banks - Regional |
| Market Cap | $7.07B | $2.79B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $3.21B | $643M |
| Net Income (TTM) | $550M | $209M |
| Gross Margin | 67.7% | 79.9% |
| Operating Margin | 23.4% | 43.8% |
| Forward P/E | 9.7x | 14.3x |
| Total Debt | $4.01B | $991M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $511M | $108M |
COLB vs CVBF — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
COLB
CVBF
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia Banking Sy… (COLB) | 100 | 122.0 | +22.0% |
| CVB Financial Corp. (CVBF) | 100 | 105.3 | +5.3% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: COLB vs CVBF
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: CVBF leads in 4 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for profitability and margin quality and capital preservation and lower volatility. Columbia Banking System, Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for growth and revenue expansion and valuation and capital efficiency. 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 growth exposure and bank quality.
- Rev growth 8.3%, EPS growth -9.8%
- NIM 3.0% vs CVBF's 2.9%
- 8.3% NII/revenue growth vs CVBF's -2.3%
Best for: growth exposure and bank quality
CVBF
CVB Financial Corp.
The Banking Pick
CVBF carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and long-term compounding.
- Dividend streak 4 yrs, beta 0.94, yield 4.0%
- 68.0% 10Y total return vs COLB's 50.3%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.94, Low D/E 43.2%, current ratio 0.01x
Best for: income & stability and long-term compounding
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | COLB | 8.3% NII/revenue growth vs CVBF's -2.3% |
| Value | COLB | Lower P/E (9.7x vs 14.3x) |
| Quality / Margins | CVBF | Efficiency ratio 0.4% vs COLB's 0.4% (lower = leaner) |
| Stability / Safety | CVBF | Beta 0.94 vs COLB's 1.37, lower leverage |
| Dividends | CVBF | 4.0% yield, 4-year raise streak, vs COLB's 3.8% |
| Momentum (1Y) | COLB | +31.9% vs CVBF's +12.4% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | CVBF | Efficiency ratio 0.4% vs COLB's 0.4% |
COLB vs CVBF — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2025
COLB vs CVBF — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLCVBFLAGGINGCOLB
COLBColumbia Banking Syst…
1leads
CVBFCVB Financial Corp.
5leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs COLBMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
CVBF5/5
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
COLB6/6
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
CVBF8/8
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
CVBF5/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
CVBF2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
CVBF2/2
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
CVBF leads this category, winning 5 of 5 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
COLB is the larger business by revenue, generating $3.2B annually — 5.0x CVBF's $643M. CVBF is the more profitable business, keeping 32.5% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to COLB's 17.1%.
| Metric | COLBColumbia Banking … | CVBFCVB Financial Cor… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $3.2B | $643M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $895M | $294M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $550M | $209M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $724M | $217M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +67.7% | +79.9% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +23.4% | +43.8% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +17.1% | +32.5% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +22.0% | +33.8% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | — | — |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +5.9% | +11.1% |
CVBF leads this category, winning 5 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
COLB leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 12.9x trailing earnings, COLB trades at a 4% valuation discount to CVBF's 13.5x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, COLB's 11.8x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than CVBF's 13.0x.
| Metric | COLBColumbia Banking … | CVBFCVB Financial Cor… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $7.1B | $2.8B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $10.6B | $3.7B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 12.92x | 13.51x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 9.70x | 14.26x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 4.25x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 11.80x | 13.04x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 2.20x | 4.34x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.12x | 1.22x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 10.02x | 12.83x |
COLB leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
CVBF leads this category, winning 8 of 8 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
CVBF delivers a 9.3% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $9 in annual profit, vs $8 for COLB. CVBF carries lower financial leverage with a 0.43x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to COLB's 0.51x.
| Metric | COLBColumbia Banking … | CVBFCVB Financial Cor… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +8.4% | +9.3% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +0.9% | +1.4% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +5.4% | +6.8% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +2.0% | +9.3% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 6 | 6 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.51x | 0.43x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $3.5B | $883M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $511M | $108M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $4.0B | $991M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 0.82x | 2.12x |
CVBF leads this category, winning 8 of 8 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
CVBF leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in CVBF five years ago would be worth $11,346 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $8,294 for COLB. Over the past 12 months, COLB leads with a +31.9% total return vs CVBF's +12.4%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors CVBF at 23.3% vs COLB's 19.3% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | COLBColumbia Banking … | CVBFCVB Financial Cor… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +6.7% | +11.1% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +31.9% | +12.4% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +69.8% | +87.6% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -17.1% | +13.5% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +50.3% | +68.0% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +19.3% | +23.3% |
CVBF leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
CVBF leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
CVBF is the less volatile stock with a 0.94 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. CVBF currently trades 95.6% from its 52-week high vs COLB's 90.9% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | COLBColumbia Banking … | CVBFCVB Financial Cor… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.37x | 0.94x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $32.70 | $21.48 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $21.91 | $17.95 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +90.9% | +95.6% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 51.3 | 50.8 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 2.7M | 1.6M |
CVBF leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
CVBF leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates COLB as "Buy" and CVBF as "Hold". Consensus price targets imply 20.5% upside for CVBF (target: $25) vs 10.8% for COLB (target: $33). For income investors, CVBF offers the higher dividend yield at 3.98% vs COLB's 3.80%.
| Metric | COLBColumbia Banking … | CVBFCVB Financial Cor… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $32.92 | $24.75 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 19 | 16 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +3.8% | +4.0% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 0 | 4 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $1.13 | $0.82 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +1.5% | +2.9% |
CVBF leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
CVBF leads in 5 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). COLB leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics).
Best OverallCVB Financial Corp. (CVBF)Leads 5 of 6 categories
Loading custom metrics...
COLB vs CVBF: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is COLB or CVBF a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Columbia Banking System, Inc.
(COLB) is the stronger pick with 8. 3% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -2. 3% for CVB Financial Corp. (CVBF). Columbia Banking System, Inc. (COLB) offers the better valuation at 12. 9x trailing P/E (9. 7x 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 CVBF?
On trailing P/E, Columbia Banking System, Inc.
(COLB) is the cheapest at 12. 9x versus CVB Financial Corp. at 13. 5x. On forward P/E, Columbia Banking System, Inc. is actually cheaper at 9. 7x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — COLB or CVBF?
Over the past 5 years, CVB Financial Corp.
(CVBF) delivered a total return of +13. 5%, compared to -17. 1% for Columbia Banking System, Inc. (COLB). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: CVBF returned +68. 0% versus COLB's +50. 3%. 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 CVBF?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), CVB Financial Corp.
(CVBF) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 94β versus Columbia Banking System, Inc. 's 1. 37β — meaning COLB is approximately 46% more volatile than CVBF relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, CVB Financial Corp. (CVBF) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 43% versus 51% for Columbia Banking System, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — COLB or CVBF?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Columbia Banking System, Inc.
(COLB) is pulling ahead at 8. 3% versus -2. 3% for CVB Financial Corp. (CVBF). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: CVB Financial Corp. grew EPS 5. 6% 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 CVBF?
CVB Financial Corp.
(CVBF) is the more profitable company, earning 32. 5% net margin versus 17. 1% for Columbia Banking System, Inc. — meaning it keeps 32. 5% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: CVBF leads at 43. 8% versus 23. 4% for COLB. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — CVBF leads at 79. 9%, 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 CVBF more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Columbia Banking System, Inc.
(COLB) trades at 9. 7x forward P/E versus 14. 3x for CVB Financial Corp. — 4. 6x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for CVBF: 20. 5% to $24. 75.
08Which pays a better dividend — COLB or CVBF?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
CVB Financial Corp. (CVBF) offers the highest yield at 4. 0%, versus 3. 8% for Columbia Banking System, Inc. (COLB).
09Is COLB or CVBF better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, CVB Financial Corp.
(CVBF) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 94), 4. 0% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (CVBF: +68. 0%, COLB: +50. 3%), 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 CVBF?
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% · CVBF: -2.3%)Net Margin>
%
(COLB: 17.1% · CVBF: 32.5%)P/E Ratio<
x
(COLB: 12.9x · CVBF: 13.5x)You Might Also Compare
Based on how these companies actually compete and overlap — not just which sector they're filed under.