Cullen/Frost Bankers (CFR) vs Columbia Banking System (COLB)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
Cullen/Frost Bankers (CFR) has outperformed Columbia Banking System (COLB) over the past year, gaining 18.0% versus a gain of 7.9%. Over five years, CFR leads with a +21.6% price change compared with -18.8% for COLB. Cullen/Frost Bankers is the larger company by market cap ($9.35 billion vs $7.99 billion), about 1.2 times the size, while Columbia Banking System is growing revenue faster (+18.8% vs +8.3%).
On valuation, Columbia Banking System trades at a lower forward P/E (8.5x vs 12.6x for Cullen/Frost Bankers). Columbia Banking System offers the higher dividend yield (5.20% vs 2.68%). Columbia Banking System converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 310.7% versus 29.0%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | CFR | COLB |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $150.37 | $28.26 |
| Market cap | $9.35B | $7.99B |
| 1-day change | -1.69% | -2.18% |
| YTD return | +18.75% | +1.11% |
| 1-year return | +18.00% | +7.90% |
| 5-year return | +21.60% | -18.79% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 14.21 | 11.08 |
| Forward P/E | 12.61 | 8.54 |
| EPS (TTM) | $10.58 | $2.55 |
| Dividend yield | 2.68% | 5.20% |
| Annual dividend | $4.03 | $1.47 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $2.24B | $177.00M |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +8.31% | +18.79% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $648.56M | $550.00M |
| Net margin | 29.02% | 310.73% |
| 52-week high | $170.80 | $33.68 |
| 52-week low | $119.00 | $23.83 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -11.96% | -16.09% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +15.29% | +19.04% |
| Average volume | 545.11K | 2.88M |
| Shares outstanding | 62.15M | 282.90M |
| Employees | 6,008 | 6,005 |
| Sector | Finance | Finance |
| Industry | Major Banks | Major Banks |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- CFR has outperformed COLB by 10.1 percentage points over the past year.
- Cullen/Frost Bankers trades at a higher earnings multiple (14.2x vs 11.1x trailing P/E).
- Columbia Banking System offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (5.20% vs 2.68%).
- Columbia Banking System is more profitable, keeping 310.7 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 29.0 cents for Cullen/Frost Bankers.
- Columbia Banking System grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+18.79% vs +8.31%).
About Cullen/Frost Bankers
CFR stock →Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for Frost Bank that provides commercial and consumer banking services in Texas.
Finance · Major Banks · 6,008 employees
About Columbia Banking System
COLB stock →Columbia Banking System, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for Columbia Bank that provides banking, private banking, mortgage, and other financial services in the United States.
Finance · Major Banks · 6,005 employees
CFR vs COLB FAQ
Which is bigger, Cullen/Frost Bankers or Columbia Banking System?
Cullen/Frost Bankers (CFR) is larger, with a market capitalization of $9.35B compared with $7.99B for Columbia Banking System (COLB).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CFR or COLB?
CFR returned +18.00% over the past 12 months, compared with +7.90% for COLB (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, CFR or COLB?
COLB has the lower trailing P/E at 11.1, versus 14.2 for CFR. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Cullen/Frost Bankers or Columbia Banking System?
Columbia Banking System has the higher yield at 5.20%, compared with 2.68% for Cullen/Frost Bankers.
Are Cullen/Frost Bankers and Columbia Banking System in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Major Banks industry within the Finance sector.