Preferred Bank
Preferred Bank is a publicly traded independent commercial bank (NASDAQ: PFBC) with over $7 billion in assets, operating 15 branches across California, New York, and Texas to serve middle-market businesses, real estate borrowers, international traders, and Pacific Rim private banking clients through relationship-based commercial and consumer banking.
- Company typePublic
- Founded1991
- HeadquartersLos Angeles, United States
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Preferred Bank does
Preferred Bank is a publicly traded independent commercial bank (NASDAQ: PFBC) founded in 1991 and headquartered in Los Angeles, California, with over $7 billion in total assets, $6.25 billion in loans, and $6.47 billion in deposits as of Q2 2026. The bank operates 15 branches across California (12), New York (2), and Texas (1), and serves five primary customer segments: middle-market businesses with sales of $3 million to $50 million, real estate developers and investors, professional services firms, international trade businesses, and Pacific Rim private banking clients served through multi-lingual staff in English, Spanish, and Chinese.
The bank generates revenue primarily through net interest income from commercial lending (working capital lines, term loans, SBA 7(a) and 504 loans up to $5 million, real estate construction and mini-perm loans, trade finance, and mortgage products), supplemented by fee income from treasury management services (ACH origination, lockbox, remote deposit capture, positive pay, merchant solutions via Elavon). Digital channels include iOS and Android mobile apps with biometric authentication, business and consumer online banking platforms, Zelle P2P payments, and telephone banking. Geographic footprint reflects a deliberate strategy to serve Asian-American communities and Pacific Rim businesses in major U.S. metropolitan markets.
The bank earned $133.6 million in net income in 2025 ($10.41 diluted EPS), achieving a 17.35% ROE, 1.84% ROA, and 3.73% net interest margin in Q2 2026 with a 32.3% efficiency ratio. It has delivered five consecutive years of dividend increases and was ranked in the Top 100 of Forbes America's Best Banks 2025 and the S&P Global Top 50 Best Performing Banks. Recent quarters have seen notable credit quality events including $115 million in multifamily and commercial real estate loans moved to nonaccrual status tied to Cantor Group fraud allegations and multiple loan default litigations.
Preferred Bank firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Preferred Bank
- Legal name
- Preferred Bank
- Website
- https://preferredbank.com
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 1991
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Preferred Bank is a publicly traded independent commercial bank (NASDAQ: PFBC) with over $7 billion in assets, operating 15 branches across California, New York, and Texas to serve middle-market businesses, real estate borrowers, international traders, and Pacific Rim private banking clients through relationship-based commercial and consumer banking.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Preferred Bank industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Commercial Banking
- NAICS
- Commercial Banking (52211), Commercial Banking (522110), Depository Credit Intermediation (5221)
- SIC
- State Commercial Banks (6022)
- akta.pro primary industry
- General SME & Middle-Market Commercial Banking (FSABABAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- SME Business Lending (Term Loans, Lines of Credit, Overdrafts) (FSABABAB), SME Deposits & Business Accounts (Operating, Savings, CDs) (FSABABAC), Real Estate (Commercial Property, REITs) (FSABACAH)
Keywords
Where Preferred Bank is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Los Angeles
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices17 records
Markets served
Preferred Bank business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Certificate of Deposit accounts with FDIC insurance coverage up to $50 million through IntraFi Network |
| Subscription | Monthly | DDA/MMDA accounts with expanded FDIC insurance up to $100 million per account type |
| Other | Monthly | Expanded FDIC Deposit Insurance Protection service |
| Other | Monthly | SBA 7(a) Loan Program |
| Other | Monthly | SBA 504 Loan Program |
| Other | Monthly | Conforming or Jumbo Adjustable Rate Mortgage |
| Other | Monthly | Conforming or Jumbo Adjustable Rate Asset Verifier Mortgage |
| Other | Monthly | Non-Resident Mortgage |
Distribution channels8 records
Marketing channels7 records
Preferred Bank product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Preferred Bank operates as a full-service independent commercial bank offering deposit products (checking, savings, CDs), lending products (commercial loans, real estate and construction loans, SBA loans, mortgage loans, trade finance), treasury management services, and electronic banking platforms to personal, business, and commercial customers. The bank specializes in middle-market business lending, international trade finance, and Pacific Rim private banking across 15 branches in California, New York, and Texas.
Product overview
Preferred Bank operates as a full-service independent commercial bank offering a comprehensive suite of banking products across three segments: Personal, Business, and Commercial. The core digital banking platform includes Mobile Banking and Online Banking portals, supplemented by Bill Pay and Treasury Management Services (ACH Origination, Cash Vault, Courier, Lockbox, Merchant Solutions, Night Drop, Positive Pay, Remote Deposit Capture, Zero Balance). Lending products span Commercial Loans, Real Estate & Construction Loans, SBA Lending (7(a) and 504 programs), Mortgage Loans, and Trade Finance Services (Letters of Credit, Export/Import Financing). Deposit products include Checking Accounts, Savings Accounts, CDs, and Expanded FDIC Deposit Insurance Protection. The bank also provides International Private Banking for Pacific Rim clients and Merchant Solutions through Elavon. Digital tools include Remote Deposit Capture, Positive Pay Services, and Zelle for person-to-person payments. The bank operates 15 branches across Southern California, Northern California, New York (Flushing, Manhattan), and Texas (Houston/Sugar Land).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Mobile Banking Mobile app for iOS and Android allowing customers to view balances, deposit checks via Remote Deposit Capture, set account alerts, and initiate Zelle person-to-person transfers.
- Online Banking Web-based banking platform for managing accounts, paying bills, transferring funds, viewing statements, and setting up alerts from desktop.
- Online Bill Pay Electronic bill payment service allowing customers to pay recurring bills without checks or postage, supporting person-to-person payments.
- Treasury Management Services Comprehensive cash management suite for businesses including ACH Origination, Cash Vault Services, CD Rom Statements, Courier Services, Electronic File Transmission, Lockbox Services, Merchant Solutions, Night Drop Services, Positive Pay Services, Remote Deposit Capture, and Zero Balance Accounting.
- SBA Lending Small Business Administration loan programs including SBA 7(a) (up to $5 million for working capital, equipment, and acquisitions) and SBA 504 (long-term fixed-rate financing for commercial real estate with 50/40/10 structure).
- Commercial Loans Revolving lines of credit, term loans, and letters of credit for small businesses to address cash flow needs, equipment purchases, expansion, and acquisitions.
- Real Estate & Construction Loans Mini-perm loans for apartment buildings, shopping centers, office and medical buildings, and industrial/warehouse facilities; construction loans for apartments, condos, homes, and commercial projects.
- Trade Finance Loans & Services International banking services including Standby Letters of Credit, Export/Import Letters of Credit, Export Financing, Documentary Collections, Wire Transfers, Foreign Currency Drafts, and Foreign Exchange Services.
- Mortgage Loans Adjustable-rate mortgage products including Conforming/Jumbo ARM, Asset Verifier, and Non-Resident mortgages for properties in California, New York, and Texas.
- Checking Accounts Personal checking accounts including Standard Checking (free, no minimum), Personal Checking, Personal Interest Checking, and Personal Money Market.
- Savings Accounts & CDs Personal savings accounts, Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), and Certificates of Deposit with competitive interest rates.
- Credit Cards Visa debit and credit cards issued through Elan Financial Services with chip technology and zero fraud liability.
- Expanded FDIC Deposit Insurance Protection Additional FDIC insurance coverage through IntraFi Network Deposits, splitting large deposits across network banks. CD accounts up to $50 million, DDA/MMDA up to $100 million per account type.
- Business Checking Accounts Business checking including Business Checking (non-interest), Business Interest Checking, Attorney Client Trust Account (IOLTA), and Business Money Market.
- International Private Banking Pacific Rim-focused private banking with multi-lingual staff handling international banking needs including deposit accounts, loans, and wealth management.
Quantifiable outcome
- Return on equity of 17.35% and return on assets of 1.84% for 2025, both top of industry profitability metrics
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Preferred Bank
Customer profileSegments6 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Preferred Bank technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration6 records
Preferred Bank partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- IntraFi Network DepositscorePreferred Bank partners with IntraFi Network Deposits to offer expanded FDIC insurance protection through the IntraFi Network CD and DDA/MMDA programs. This allows the bank to provide insurance coverage on deposits up to $50 million for CD accounts and $100 million for DDA/MMDA accounts by placing funds across a network of well-capitalized banks.
- ElavoncorePreferred Bank has partnered with Elavon to provide merchant solutions for business customers. Elavon processes payments including Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, and ACH payments. Funds are automatically deposited next business day.
- Overseas Chinese Credit Guarantee FundminorPreferred Bank's International Department is a participating lender in the Overseas Chinese Credit Guarantee Fund, providing additional credit support for Chinese-American business borrowers.
Scale indicators15 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Preferred Bank competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- First Foundation Inc. First Foundation is a California-based community bank offering middle-market commercial lending, CRE financing, and wealth management, with overlapping client base in Southern California.
- Heritage Commerce Corp: Heritage Commerce Corp operates Heritage Bank of Commerce, a California community bank with comparable middle-market commercial lending, SBA, and CRE products in Northern and Southern California.
- Pacific Premier Bancorp: Pacific Premier Bancorp is a California-headquartered commercial bank with similar middle-market business banking, CRE lending, and SBA programs, competing in the same Southern California market.
- East West Bank: East West Bank is a similarly positioned California-based commercial bank with deep Asian-American and Pacific Rim commercial banking franchise, comparable middle-market and CRE lending focus, and a multi-state California/NY/TX branch footprint.
- PCB Bancorp: PCB Bancorp (Pacific City Bank) is a Los Angeles-based commercial bank serving Korean-American small businesses with comparable SBA, CRE, and middle-market lending products, overlapping directly with Preferred Bank's niche.
- CVB Financial Corp (Citizens Business Bank): CVB Financial, parent of Citizens Business Bank, is a California-headquartered commercial bank focused on middle-market businesses with comparable CRE and commercial lending franchises in Southern California.
- Bank of Marin Bancorp: Bank of Marin is a Northern California community commercial bank with similar middle-market and small business lending focus, operating in overlapping California geographies.
- RBB Bancorp (Royal Business Bank): Royal Business Bank is a California-based community bank with a strong Asian-American commercial banking niche, similar middle-market lending focus, and bilingual service model targeting Korean and Chinese business communities.
- Cathay General Bancorp: Cathay General Bancorp is a Los Angeles-headquartered commercial bank focused on serving Asian-American businesses and consumers, offering similar middle-market lending, CRE, and trade finance products, making it the closest direct peer.
Broad incumbents
- Banner Corporation: Banner Corporation operates Banner Bank, a Pacific Northwest community bank with similar middle-market commercial lending, CRE, and SBA focus, providing a useful peer for community-bank economics comparison.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights8 records
Customer concentration
Preferred Bank social profiles
Digital presencePreferred Bank compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance5 records
Preferred Bank financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Preferred Bank leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Preferred Bank funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Preferred Bank M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Preferred Bank
What does Preferred Bank do?
Preferred Bank operates as a full-service independent commercial bank offering deposit products (checking, savings, CDs), lending products (commercial loans, real estate and construction loans, SBA loans, mortgage loans, trade finance), treasury management services, and electronic banking platforms to personal, business, and commercial customers. The bank specializes in middle-market business lending, international trade finance, and Pacific Rim private banking across 15 branches in California, New York, and Texas.
Is Preferred Bank a public or private company?
Preferred Bank is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was Preferred Bank founded?
Preferred Bank was founded in 1991. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Preferred Bank based?
Preferred Bank is headquartered in Los Angeles, United States, in the North America region.
Who are Preferred Bank's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are First Foundation Inc., Heritage Commerce Corp, Pacific Premier Bancorp, East West Bank, PCB Bancorp, CVB Financial Corp (Citizens Business Bank), Bank of Marin Bancorp, RBB Bancorp (Royal Business Bank) and Cathay General Bancorp. Banner Corporation is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Preferred Bank have an API?
No public API is recorded for Preferred Bank.
What industry is Preferred Bank in?
Preferred Bank's product category is Commercial Banking. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSABABAA, General SME & Middle-Market Commercial Banking, with a secondary code of FSABABAB, SME Business Lending (Term Loans, Lines of Credit, Overdrafts). Its NAICS code is 52211 and its SIC code is 6022.