Efficiency ratio: US bank rankings
Beal Bank USA has the lowest efficiency ratio of the 500 US banks ranked at , at 6.02%, ahead of Ameriprise Bank, FSB (9.99%) and Wells Fargo Bank South Central (14.50%). Median efficiency ratio: 55.91%. Source: FDIC Call Reports.
Key takeaways
- The median efficiency ratio fell to 55.91% from 56.63% between and (FDIC Call Report data).
- Median efficiency ratio by size: 56.87% for banks $1 bn to $10 bn, against 54.78% for banks over $100 bn (, FDIC Call Reports).
- 3 banks entered the top 25 by efficiency ratio in , including SMBC MANUBANK at 5th (FDIC Call Report data).
Ranking, Q2 2026
Rank 1 = lowest. Change: places since .
How is efficiency ratio distributed?
The middle half of the efficiency ratio table: between 48.88% and 63.42%. Top tenth of efficiency ratio: above 72.71%; bottom tenth: below 38.11%. Far from the rest on efficiency ratio: United Fidelity Bank, fsb (127.86%); Erebor Bank (211.95%).
| Size group (total assets) | Banks | Lower quarter | Median | Upper quarter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All banks ranked | 500 | 48.88% | 55.91% | 63.42% |
| $1 bn to $10 bn | 339 | 49.24% | 56.87% | 64.03% |
| $10 bn to $100 bn | 126 | 48.12% | 55.14% | 60.58% |
| Over $100 bn | 32 | 50.18% | 54.78% | 60.29% |
What changed since Q1 2026?
Into the top 25: SMBC MANUBANK (from 506th), River City Bank (from 28th), Macatawa Bank (from 27th). Out of it: First American Trust, FSB (to 28th), Sallie Mae Bank (to 29th), Carter Bank & Trust (to 54th).
Biggest climbs: SMBC MANUBANK (506th to 5th); TowneBank (475th to 257th); First Community Bank (331st to 179th); Heartland Bank and Trust Company (429th to 300th); Eastern Bank (379th to 263rd).
Biggest drops: BMO Bank (193rd to 488th); Ameris Bank (98th to 331st); Burke & Herbert Bank & Trust Company (175th to 387th); Stellar Bank (289th to 496th); Coastal Community Bank (232nd to 421st).
How the efficiency ratio ranking is built
The efficiency ratio is noninterest expense, less amortization of intangible assets, as a percent of net interest income plus noninterest income, as calculated by the FDIC (field EEFFR). Lower is more efficient, so this table ranks the lowest ratio first. Caveats: banks with large wealth management or trust businesses carry high cost bases that are matched by fee income; one-off merger costs raise the ratio temporarily; and very small or new banks often show high ratios while they grow.
Questions
Which US bank has the lowest efficiency ratio?
Beal Bank USA, at 6.02% at , among 500 banks reporting it.
What is the median efficiency ratio of US banks?
55.91% at , against 56.63% at .
How is efficiency ratio measured?
Noninterest expense (less amortization of intangibles) as a percent of net interest income plus noninterest income (FDIC calculation). Lower is more efficient.
When does the efficiency ratio ranking change?
Quarterly. figures come after .
Other US bank rankings
Size and balance sheet: Total assets, Total deposits, Net loans and leases, Loan-to-deposit ratio, Total securities, Deposits in domestic offices, Total loans and leases (gross)
Capital: CET1 ratio, Tier 1 leverage ratio, Total risk-based capital ratio, Bank equity capital, Total equity capital
Profitability: Return on equity (ROE), Return on assets (ROA), Net interest margin, Net income (year to date)
Asset quality: Noncurrent loans to total loans, Net charge-offs to average loans
Deposits at risk: Uninsured share of domestic deposits, Estimated uninsured deposits
Securities: Available-for-sale securities (fair value), Available-for-sale securities (amortized cost), Held-to-maturity securities (amortized cost), Held-to-maturity securities (fair value)
Staff and branches: Full-time equivalent employees, Number of offices