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In our previous blog post, “Statum BankRank: A New Outlook on Performance,” we introduced a fresh perspective on evaluating financial institutions—one that looks beyond traditional, backward-focused metrics. The Statum KPI methodology emphasizes a forward-looking framework, assessing not just where a bank has been, but where it’s likely headed, considering emerging challenges and opportunities. Instead of relying solely on past data, this approach factors in the resilience, adaptability, and long-term prospects of each financial institution.

From Metrics to Meaningful Insights
At the heart of this methodology is the Statum KPI GPA. Each bank’s performance is judged by six critical financial measures, each rated on a scale from 1 to 9 (where 9 represents an A+ level of excellence and 1 represents a C-). These six ratings are combined into a single GPA, creating a holistic view of a bank’s financial health, stability, and forward readiness. Crucially, this is a relative measure. A bank’s GPA isn’t evaluated in isolation—it’s compared against more than 4,000 U.S. banks, offering a clear sense of how well that bank stands up against the broader industry landscape. Once the GPA is calculated for every bank, those GPAs are lined up to determine the Statum BankRank. In other words, the Statum BankRank shows where each bank’s GPA stands compared to all other U.S. banks in the most recent quarter.

Unpacking the Six Key Measures
The six parameters that make up the GPA capture a bank’s broad financial profile:

1. Tier 1 Leverage Ratio (T1LR):
   A measure of the bank’s core capital compared to its overall assets, serving as a fundamental indicator of financial strength and stability.

2. Adjusted Expense Ratio (AER):
   Reflects how efficiently a bank operates by comparing expenses to income, ensuring the institution is managing costs effectively.

3. Return on Assets (ROA):
   Shows how effectively a bank uses its assets to generate profit, indicating overall operational efficiency and strategic prowess.

4. Return on Equity (ROE):
   Measures how efficiently a bank uses its shareholders’ equity to produce income, often seen as a key gauge of management effectiveness.

5. Tangible Common Equity (TCE):
   Assesses the bank’s tangible capital reserves, offering insight into how well it could withstand unforeseen losses.

6. Return on Tangible Common Equity (ROTC):
   Evaluates how effectively a bank uses its tangible equity to generate earnings, shedding light on long-term value creation.

By blending these six ratings, the Statum GPA offers a nuanced, multi-dimensional portrait of a bank’s financial health—one that’s more telling than any single metric on its own.

Introducing the Statum KPI Honor Roll 2025
Applying this rigorous methodology, we’re proud to present the Statum KPI Honor Roll for 2025. This curated list identifies banks best positioned to excel in the upcoming year. Our forward-looking perspective helps us spotlight institutions demonstrating strong capital positions, reliable profitability, operational efficiency, and a readiness to tackle emerging risks.

Ranging in asset size from $100 million to $10 billion, the 23 banks on this year’s Honor Roll exemplify balanced excellence. They show not only strong historical performance but also the strategic foresight needed in an industry that’s constantly evolving. They’re the institutions poised to stay competitive in a landscape shaped by changing regulations, new technologies, and shifting customer expectations.

Spotlight on the Top 5 Statum KPI Honor Roll 2025

1. Magnolia State Bank (GA)
   Statum GPA: 8.00
   Assets ($000s): 198,916
   What Stands Out: Magnolia State Bank sits at the very top, combining robust capital strength, effective cost management, and impressive returns. Its best-in-class GPA signals not only a track record of strong performance, but also a strategic posture ready to leverage future opportunities.

2. American Interstate Bank (NE)
   Statum GPA: 7.83
   Assets ($000s): 126,948
   What Stands Out: American Interstate Bank’s high GPA stems from a consistent and balanced showing across all performance parameters. Its well-rounded approach suggests it’s prepared to maintain stability and growth even as market conditions evolve.

3. Valley Bank of Commerce (NM)
   Statum GPA: 7.83
   Assets ($000s): 266,278
   What Stands Out: With stable earnings and efficient operations, Valley Bank of Commerce proves that predictability and balance can be powerful drivers of long-term success. Its scores indicate a steady hand at the wheel, ready to adapt and thrive.

4. State Bank of Cochran (GA)
   Statum GPA: 7.83
   Assets ($000s): 253,754
   What Stands Out: Across the board, State Bank of Cochran displays strength and consistency. Its equally solid scores highlight a bank that doesn’t rely on just one area of excellence, but has built a sturdy foundation from multiple pillars of performance.

5. Durden Banking Company, Incorporated (GA)
   Statum GPA: 7.83
   Assets ($000s): 272,184
   What Stands Out: Durden Banking Company’s well-rounded performance underscores its adaptability. From capital adequacy to operational efficiency, it demonstrates a resilience that positions it well for both stability and future growth.

Complete Rankings Table
Below is the list of 2025 Statum KPI Honor Roll Awardees, each linked to their official website. Explore their stories, financials, and mission to understand how these institutions are not only succeeding today but preparing for tomorrow.

A Glimpse into the Future of Banking
The Statum KPI Honor Roll 2025 does more than highlight today’s top performers. It offers a forward-looking compass guiding us toward what successful banking will look like tomorrow. By focusing on a single, comprehensive GPA informed by multiple dimensions of financial health—and then comparing that GPA across thousands of institutions—we can identify the banks that are not just succeeding in the present, but are poised to excel in the face of whatever changes the future may hold.

This integrated view—encompassing methodology, metrics, and rankings—provides a clearer, more meaningful understanding of the banking landscape, helping investors, customers, and stakeholders recognize true excellence and long-term readiness.