Columbia Banking System (COLB) vs Valley National Bancorp (VLY)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Valley National Bancorp (VLY) has outperformed Columbia Banking System (COLB) over the past year, gaining 15.2% versus a gain of 7.9%. Over five years, VLY leads with a -8.4% price change compared with -18.8% for COLB. Columbia Banking System is the larger company by market cap ($8.03 billion vs $7.01 billion), about 1.1 times the size.
On valuation, Valley National Bancorp trades at a lower forward P/E (8.2x vs 8.6x for Columbia Banking System). Columbia Banking System offers the higher dividend yield (5.18% vs 3.47%). Columbia Banking System converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 310.7% versus 29.5%.
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 | COLB | VLY |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $28.39 | $12.69 |
| Market cap | $8.03B | $7.01B |
| 1-day change | +0.44% | +1.68% |
| YTD return | +1.11% | +6.85% |
| 1-year return | +7.90% | +15.24% |
| 5-year return | -18.79% | -8.37% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 11.13 | 10.75 |
| Forward P/E | 8.58 | 8.22 |
| EPS (TTM) | $2.55 | $1.18 |
| Dividend yield | 5.18% | 3.47% |
| Annual dividend | $1.47 | $0.44 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $177.00M | $2.03B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +18.79% | +9.31% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $550.00M | $597.98M |
| Net margin | 310.73% | 29.52% |
| 52-week high | $33.68 | $15.20 |
| 52-week low | $23.83 | $9.64 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -15.72% | -16.51% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +18.51% | +30.02% |
| Average volume | 2.89M | 6.87M |
| Shares outstanding | 282.90M | 552.61M |
| Employees | 6,005 | 3,675 |
| 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
- Columbia Banking System offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (5.18% vs 3.47%).
- Columbia Banking System is more profitable, keeping 310.7 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 29.5 cents for Valley National Bancorp.
- Columbia Banking System grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+18.79% vs +9.31%).
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
About Valley National Bancorp
VLY stock →Valley National Bancorp operates as the holding company for Valley National Bank that provides various commercial, private banking, retail, insurance, and wealth management financial services products. The company operates through Consumer Banking, Commercial Banking, and Treasury and Corporate other segments.
Finance · Major Banks · 3,675 employees
COLB vs VLY FAQ
Which is bigger, Columbia Banking System or Valley National Bancorp?
Columbia Banking System (COLB) is larger, with a market capitalization of $8.03B compared with $7.01B for Valley National Bancorp (VLY).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, COLB or VLY?
VLY returned +15.24% 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, COLB or VLY?
VLY has the lower trailing P/E at 10.8, versus 11.1 for COLB. 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, Columbia Banking System or Valley National Bancorp?
Columbia Banking System has the higher yield at 5.18%, compared with 3.47% for Valley National Bancorp.
Are Columbia Banking System and Valley National Bancorp in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Major Banks industry within the Finance sector.