How to read a bank's call-report metrics
A bank call report is the detailed quarterly filing every US bank submits to regulators; the FDIC publishes the data. The metrics that matter most for health are the capital ratio (equity ÷ assets) and risk-based capital ratio (the loss-absorbing cushion), the nonperforming-asset ratio and Texas Ratio (asset quality), and return on assets (profitability). Read together they give a rounded picture; in isolation any one can mislead. BankGrade pulls these straight from the FDIC for the largest banks.
Source: FDIC BankFind Suite API. Data as of June 2026.
The metrics that matter, in plain English
| Metric | What it measures | Rule-of-thumb |
|---|---|---|
| Capital ratio (equity ÷ assets) | Loss-absorbing cushion vs total assets | Higher is sturdier; ~8–12% is typical for big banks |
| Risk-based capital ratio | Capital vs risk-weighted assets (regulatory) | ~10%+ is 'well capitalized' under PCA rules |
| Nonperforming assets ÷ assets | Share of assets that are problem loans / OREO | Lower is better; under ~1% is comfortable |
| Texas Ratio | Problem assets vs capital + reserves | Lower is better; near 100% is a stress signal |
| Return on assets (ROA) | Profitability per dollar of assets | ~1%+ is healthy for a large bank |
Reading them together
No single metric tells the whole story. A bank can have a high capital ratio but weak earnings, or strong profits but rising problem assets. That is why BankGrade's A–F grade combines all five — capital, risk-based capital, the Texas Ratio, ROA and the nonperforming-asset ratio — into one transparent score, while still showing every underlying number so you can judge for yourself.
Where to look it up
You can view any insured US bank's call-report figures for free on the FDIC BankFind Suite. BankGrade presents the headline metrics for the largest banks — start with the bank index or a specific bank's page.
Frequently asked questions
What is a bank call report?
A call report (officially the Consolidated Reports of Condition and Income) is a detailed quarterly financial filing that every US bank must submit to federal regulators. It contains the balance sheet, income statement, capital ratios and asset-quality detail. The FDIC publishes the data, and it is the primary public source for assessing a bank's financial health.
Which call-report metrics matter most for bank health?
The most useful are: the capital ratio (equity ÷ assets) and the risk-based capital ratio, which show the loss-absorbing cushion; the nonperforming-asset ratio and the Texas Ratio, which show asset quality; and return on assets (ROA), which shows profitability. Read together they give a rounded picture; any one in isolation can mislead.
Where can I see a bank's call-report data myself?
The FDIC's free BankFind Suite lets you search any insured US bank by name and view its call-report figures, history and peer comparisons. BankGrade pulls the same public data via the FDIC API and presents the headline health metrics for the largest banks.
How often is call-report data updated?
Banks file call reports quarterly, for periods ending March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31, with the data published a few weeks after each quarter-end. BankGrade uses the Q1 2026 (call report dated March 31, 2026) filing for this snapshot.
Keep exploring
Last updated: 2026-06-20