Columbia Banking System (COLB) AI Stock Analysis

• Market Cap: $5.50B
• Dividend Yield: 5.51%
• Average Volume (3M): 2.43M
• Price to Earnings (P/E): 10.4
• Beta (1Y): 1.17
• Revenue Growth: -1.39%
• EPS Growth: 11.31%
• Country: US
• Employees: 4,721
• Sector: Financial
• Sector Strength: 71
• Industry: Banks - Regional
• EPS (TTM): 0.76
• Shares Outstanding: 210,301,400
• 10 Day Avg. Volume: 2,150,925
• 30 Day Avg. Volume: 2,429,791
• PEG Ratio: 0.25
• Price to Book (P/B): 1.10
• Price to Sales (P/S): 1.90
• P/FCF Ratio: 9.03
• Enterprise Value/Market Cap: 1.53
• Enterprise Value/Revenue: 2.85
• Enterprise Value/Gross Profit: 4.59
• Enterprise Value/Ebitda: 10.26
• 1Y Price Target: $27.92
• Price Target Upside: 6.81% Upside
• Rating Consensus: Moderate Buy
• Number of Analyst Covering: 13

• Rating: 75 Outperform
• Price Target: $27.00 ▲(3.29% Upside)

Columbia Banking System's strong financial performance and strategic initiatives, including the acquisition of Pacific Premier, are key strengths. The stock's low valuation and high dividend yield further enhance its appeal. Technical indicators are neutral, and legal challenges related to the merger present some risk.

Positive Factors

Profitability Strategy

The bank is prioritizing profitability over short-term balance sheet growth, replacing lower-margin transactional real estate business with more profitable commercial relationships.

Stock Buybacks

Buybacks may be on the table before anticipated, with management calling buybacks very attractive.

Valuation

Columbia Banking System remains discounted relative to the quality of the franchise, a discount expected to fade.

Negative Factors

Competition for Deposits

Management does not see competition for deposits diminishing in the future.

Seasonal Outflows

Seasonality seems to be playing out, explaining the DDA outflows that are likely to occur.

Short-term Strategy

The strategy in the near term is optimizing the balance sheet, not necessarily driving for growth.

Columbia Banking System Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company Description

Columbia Banking System (COLB) is a regional bank holding company based in the Pacific Northwest, primarily serving customers in Washington and Oregon. It operates through its wholly owned subsidiary, Columbia Bank, which offers a wide range of financial products and services including commercial and consumer banking, mortgage lending, and wealth management. The bank focuses on building long-term relationships with its customers, providing personalized banking solutions to individuals, businesses, and communities.

How the Company Makes Money

Columbia Banking System generates revenue primarily through net interest income and non-interest income. Net interest income is derived from the difference between the interest earned on loans and the interest paid on deposits, a common revenue stream for banks. The bank provides various loan products, including commercial loans, residential mortgages, and consumer loans, which contribute significantly to this income. Additionally, non-interest income comes from services such as fees for account maintenance, transaction services, mortgage origination fees, and wealth management services. Significant partnerships with local businesses and community organizations also enhance its customer base and revenue opportunities. Economic factors such as interest rates and the overall health of the regional economy can also impact earnings.

Columbia Banking System Financial Statement Overview

Summary

Columbia Banking System demonstrates robust profitability with strong operational efficiency and effective capital management. The balance sheet is stable, though revenue growth has slowed, indicating potential market maturity or competition.

Income Statement

Columbia Banking System demonstrates robust profitability with a consistent gross profit margin and improving net profit margin over the years. The TTM revenue shows a slight decline compared to the previous annual figure, but EBIT and EBITDA margins remain strong, indicating operational efficiency. The revenue growth rate has slowed, which could signal a mature market or increased competition.

Balance Sheet

The balance sheet reflects a stable financial position with a moderate debt-to-equity ratio, indicating reasonable leverage. The equity ratio suggests a solid equity base, though slightly below average for the banking industry. Return on equity shows a positive trend, signifying effective utilization of shareholder funds.

Cash Flow

The cash flow statement showcases strong operational cash flow, with a healthy free cash flow to net income ratio. The company has maintained positive free cash flow growth, which is a good indicator of financial health and capability to fund future growth or return capital to shareholders.

Breakdown	TTM	Dec 2024	Dec 2023	Dec 2022	Dec 2021	Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue	2.95B	2.97B	2.74B	1.35B	1.32B	1.42B
Gross Profit	1.83B	1.82B	1.78B	1.19B	1.32B	1.09B
EBITDA	818.46M	868.62M	615.45M	478.88M	589.66M	-1.42B
Net Income	496.20M	533.67M	348.71M	336.75M	420.30M	-1.52B
Balance Sheet
Total Assets	51.52B	51.58B	52.17B	31.85B	30.64B	29.24B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments	2.33B	2.08B	10.99B	4.49B	6.63B	5.51B
Total Debt	3.29B	3.90B	4.76B	1.72B	975.13M	1.60B
Total Liabilities	46.28B	46.46B	47.18B	29.37B	27.89B	26.53B
Stockholders Equity	5.24B	5.12B	5.00B	2.48B	2.75B	2.70B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow	565.36M	623.20M	669.84M	1.04B	647.25M	81.79M
Operating Cash Flow	595.37M	658.87M	669.84M	1.07B	662.72M	93.77M
Investing Cash Flow	442.49M	114.57M	501.74M	-3.53B	-1.53B	-960.11M
Financing Cash Flow	-1.17B	-1.06B	-303.69M	1.00B	1.06B	2.08B

Columbia Banking System Technical Analysis

• Technical Analysis Sentiment: Positive
• Last Price: 26.14
• 50DMA: Positive
• 100DMA: Positive
• 200DMA: Positive
• MACD: Negative
• RSI: Neutral
• STOCH: Negative

Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For COLB, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 26.14 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 24.34, above the 50-day MA of 24.00, and above the 200-day MA of 25.39, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 0.34 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 66.01 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 98.87 is Negative, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for COLB.

Columbia Banking System Peers Comparison

Name	Overall Rating	Market Cap	P/E Ratio	ROE	Dividend Yield	Revenue Growth	EPS Growth
HWC	80 Outperform	$5.11B	11.12	11.30%	2.78%	0.76%	27.66%
COLB	75 Outperform	$5.50B	10.38	10.24%	5.51%	-1.39%	11.31%
FNB	74 Outperform	$5.57B	12.05	7.40%	3.00%	7.73%	8.39%
GBCI	74 Outperform	$5.47B	23.97	6.60%	2.82%	8.37%	17.00%
VLY	74 Outperform	$5.46B	12.48	6.33%	4.37%	0.20%	9.86%
UBSI	71 Outperform	$5.34B	13.33	7.71%	3.92%	7.80%	6.87%
Sector *	58 Neutral	HK$111.71B	6.60	-4.20%	3.95%	9.04%	-46.99%

Columbia Banking System Corporate Events

Columbia Banking System Gains Approval for Merger

On August 6, 2025, Columbia Banking System and Pacific Premier Bancorp announced they received all necessary regulatory approvals for their merger, initially announced on April 23, 2025. The merger is expected to close by August 31, 2025, enhancing Columbia’s market position in the western U.S. and promising long-term value for stakeholders.

The most recent analyst rating on (COLB) stock is a Buy with a $35.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Columbia Banking System stock, see the COLB Stock Forecast page.

Columbia Banking System Reports Strong Q2 2025 Results

Columbia Banking System reported strong financial results for the second quarter of 2025, with net income reaching $152 million and a net interest margin of 3.75%. The company experienced growth in commercial loans and higher yields on investment securities, which contributed to increased net interest income. Despite a seasonal decline in customer deposits, the bank’s strategic initiatives, including a successful small business and retail campaign, attracted over $450 million in new deposits. The opening of new branches in Arizona and Eastern Oregon further supports its growth strategy. The company’s focus on profitability and balance sheet optimization, alongside expense discipline, has positioned it well for future growth and shareholder returns.

The most recent analyst rating on (COLB) stock is a Buy with a $35.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Columbia Banking System stock, see the COLB Stock Forecast page.

Columbia Banking System’s Merger with Pacific Premier Approved

On July 21, 2025, Columbia Banking System and Pacific Premier Bancorp announced the approval of their merger by shareholders, a significant step towards Columbia’s acquisition of Pacific Premier. This merger aims to enhance market leadership across the West and create value for customers and shareholders, with the transaction expected to close later in 2025 after regulatory approvals.

The most recent analyst rating on (COLB) stock is a Buy with a $35.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Columbia Banking System stock, see the COLB Stock Forecast page.

Columbia Banking System Faces Legal Challenges in Merger

On April 23, 2025, Columbia Banking System entered into a merger agreement with Pacific Premier Bancorp, aiming to merge their operations and enhance their market presence. However, the proposed transaction has faced legal challenges, with complaints filed against both companies alleging breaches of fiduciary duty and material omissions in the joint proxy statement. Despite these challenges, Columbia and Pacific Premier plan to supplement their disclosures to address the claims, while denying any wrongdoing.

The most recent analyst rating on (COLB) stock is a Hold with a $27.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Columbia Banking System stock, see the COLB Stock Forecast page.

Columbia Banking System to Announce Q2 2025 Results

Columbia Banking System, Inc. announced on June 30, 2025, that it will release its second quarter 2025 financial results on July 24, 2025, after market close. The company will host a conference call on the same day to discuss these results and recent activities, providing an opportunity for investors and analysts to engage with management through a live question-and-answer session. This announcement is significant as it offers stakeholders insights into the company’s financial performance and strategic direction.

The most recent analyst rating on (COLB) stock is a Buy with a $35.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Columbia Banking System stock, see the COLB Stock Forecast page.

Columbia Banking System Declares Quarterly Dividend

On May 16, 2025, Columbia Banking System, Inc. announced that its Board of Directors approved a quarterly cash dividend of $0.36 per common share, payable on June 16, 2025, to shareholders recorded by May 30, 2025. This decision reflects Columbia’s ongoing commitment to returning value to its shareholders and may enhance its attractiveness to investors, reinforcing its position as a significant player in the regional banking sector.

The most recent analyst rating on (COLB) stock is a Buy with a $35.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Columbia Banking System stock, see the COLB Stock Forecast page.

Columbia Banking System Holds 2025 Shareholders Meeting

On May 15, 2025, Columbia Banking System, Inc. held its 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, where key decisions were made, including the election of eleven directors to serve until the 2026 Annual Meeting. Shareholders also voted on advisory resolutions regarding executive compensation and the ratification of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025. These decisions are indicative of the company’s ongoing governance and operational strategies, impacting its future direction and stakeholder relations.

The most recent analyst rating on (COLB) stock is a Buy with a $35.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Columbia Banking System stock, see the COLB Stock Forecast page.