UMB Financial (UMBF) vs Western Alliance Bancorporation (WAL)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
UMB Financial (UMBF) has outperformed Western Alliance Bancorporation (WAL) over the past year, gaining 9.6% versus a loss of 8.3%. Over five years, UMBF leads with a +30.6% price change compared with -34.0% for WAL. UMB Financial is the larger company by market cap ($9.86 billion vs $8.12 billion), about 1.2 times the size, while Western Alliance Bancorporation is growing revenue faster (+99.7% vs +62.8%).
On valuation, Western Alliance Bancorporation trades at a lower forward P/E (6.7x vs 9.3x for UMB Financial). Western Alliance Bancorporation offers the higher dividend yield (2.20% vs 1.30%). Western Alliance Bancorporation converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 713.5% versus 26.5%.
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 | UMBF | WAL |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $129.79 | $74.42 |
| Market cap | $9.86B | $8.12B |
| 1-day change | -0.46% | -1.43% |
| YTD return | +13.34% | -10.19% |
| 1-year return | +9.59% | -8.32% |
| 5-year return | +30.63% | -33.99% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 10.80 | 8.40 |
| Forward P/E | 9.32 | 6.67 |
| EPS (TTM) | $12.02 | $8.86 |
| Dividend yield | 1.30% | 2.20% |
| Annual dividend | $1.69 | $1.64 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $2.65B | $135.80M |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +62.81% | +99.71% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $702.40M | $969.00M |
| Net margin | 26.48% | 713.55% |
| 52-week high | $153.32 | $97.23 |
| 52-week low | $103.38 | $65.82 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -15.35% | -23.46% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +27.17% | +23.29% |
| Average volume | 609.55K | 1.07M |
| Shares outstanding | 75.95M | 109.10M |
| Employees | 5,222 | 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
- UMBF has outperformed WAL by 17.9 percentage points over the past year.
- UMB Financial trades at a higher earnings multiple (10.8x vs 8.4x trailing P/E).
- Western Alliance Bancorporation is more profitable, keeping 713.5 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 26.5 cents for UMB Financial.
- Western Alliance Bancorporation grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+99.71% vs +62.81%).
About UMB Financial
UMBF stock →UMB Financial Corporation operates as a bank holding company that provides banking services and asset servicing in the United States and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Commercial Banking, Institutional Banking, and Personal Banking.
Finance · Major Banks · 5,222 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
UMBF vs WAL FAQ
Which is bigger, UMB Financial or Western Alliance Bancorporation?
UMB Financial (UMBF) is larger, with a market capitalization of $9.86B compared with $8.12B for Western Alliance Bancorporation (WAL).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, UMBF or WAL?
UMBF returned +9.59% over the past 12 months, compared with -8.32% for WAL (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, UMBF or WAL?
WAL has the lower trailing P/E at 8.4, versus 10.8 for UMBF. 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, UMB Financial or Western Alliance Bancorporation?
Western Alliance Bancorporation has the higher yield at 2.20%, compared with 1.30% for UMB Financial.
Are UMB Financial and Western Alliance Bancorporation in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Major Banks industry within the Finance sector.