Columbia Banking System (COLB) vs Western Alliance Bancorporation (WAL)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
Columbia Banking System (COLB) has outperformed Western Alliance Bancorporation (WAL) over the past year, gaining 7.6% versus a loss of 13.5%. Over five years, COLB leads with a -18.8% price change compared with -35.0% for WAL. Western Alliance Bancorporation is the larger company by market cap ($8.11 billion vs $7.99 billion), about 1.0 times the size.
On valuation, Western Alliance Bancorporation trades at a lower forward P/E (6.7x vs 8.5x for Columbia Banking System). Columbia Banking System offers the higher dividend yield (5.20% vs 2.21%). Western Alliance Bancorporation converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 713.5% versus 310.7%.
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 | WAL |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $28.26 | $74.35 |
| Market cap | $7.99B | $8.11B |
| 1-day change | -2.18% | -2.29% |
| YTD return | +0.82% | -11.56% |
| 1-year return | +7.60% | -13.55% |
| 5-year return | -18.79% | -35.00% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 11.08 | 8.39 |
| Forward P/E | 8.54 | 6.67 |
| EPS (TTM) | $2.55 | $8.86 |
| Dividend yield | 5.20% | 2.21% |
| Annual dividend | $1.47 | $1.64 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $177.00M | $135.80M |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +18.79% | +99.71% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $550.00M | $969.00M |
| Net margin | 310.73% | 713.55% |
| 52-week high | $33.68 | $97.23 |
| 52-week low | $23.83 | $65.82 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -16.09% | -23.53% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +19.04% | +23.40% |
| Average volume | 2.88M | 1.06M |
| Shares outstanding | 282.90M | 109.10M |
| Employees | 6,005 | 3,769 |
| 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
- COLB has outperformed WAL by 21.1 percentage points over the past year.
- Columbia Banking System trades at a higher earnings multiple (11.1x vs 8.4x trailing P/E).
- Columbia Banking System offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (5.20% vs 2.21%).
- Western Alliance Bancorporation is more profitable, keeping 713.5 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 310.7 cents for Columbia Banking System.
- Western Alliance Bancorporation grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+99.71% vs +18.79%).
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 Western Alliance Bancorporation
WAL stock →Western Alliance Bancorporation operates as the bank holding company for Western Alliance Bank that provides various banking products and related services primarily in Arizona, California, and Nevada. It operates through Commercial and Consumer Related segments.
Finance · Major Banks · 3,769 employees
COLB vs WAL FAQ
Which is bigger, Columbia Banking System or Western Alliance Bancorporation?
Western Alliance Bancorporation (WAL) is larger, with a market capitalization of $8.11B compared with $7.99B for Columbia Banking System (COLB).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, COLB or WAL?
COLB returned +7.60% over the past 12 months, compared with -13.55% for WAL (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, COLB or WAL?
WAL has the lower trailing P/E at 8.4, 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 Western Alliance Bancorporation?
Columbia Banking System has the higher yield at 5.20%, compared with 2.21% for Western Alliance Bancorporation.
Are Columbia Banking System and Western Alliance Bancorporation in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Major Banks industry within the Finance sector.