Cullen/Frost Bankers vs Zions Bancorp

This page compares Cullen/Frost Bankers and Zions Bancorp to illuminate their business models, financial performance, and market context in a neutral, accessible manner. It presents how each organisation approaches customers, risk, and growth, without forecasts or recommendations. Educational content, not financial advice.

This page compares Cullen/Frost Bankers and Zions Bancorp to illuminate their business models, financial performance, and market context in a neutral, accessible manner. It presents how each organisat...

Comparison Snapshot

Key Financial Metrics

CFR

Metric

ZION

$8.72B

Market Cap

$8.74B

2.22%

Potential Profit

8.32%

Hold

Analyst Rating

Hold

Investment Analysis

Cullen/Frost Bankers

CFR

Pros

Reported strong financial results in 3Q 2025, with net interest income up 9.1% and net income up 12.9% year-over-year.
Maintains high returns on average assets and common equity, with 1.24% and 15.98% respectively year-to-date 2025.
Has a focused Texas market presence with expanding physical branches and digital banking, supporting steady organic growth.

Considerations

Exposure concentrated in Texas makes it vulnerable to regional economic volatility and cyclicality risks.
Rising expenses due to branch expansion and technology investments could pressure margins in the near term.
Forecasted earnings show only marginal growth, with some projections suggesting potential slight declines by 2028.

Zions Bancorp

ZION

Pros

Zions Bancorp has a diversified footprint across multiple western states, reducing regional economic dependency.
Demonstrates solid asset quality and credit discipline, helping sustain stable earnings through varied cycles.
Executing initiatives to enhance technology and operational efficiency to improve customer experience and lower costs.

Considerations

Performance remains sensitive to interest rate changes and economic conditions affecting loan demand and margins.
The bank faces competitive pressures in its markets from larger national and regional competitors.
Expansion and modernization efforts carry execution risks and increase short-term expenses.

Related Market Insights

Community Banking Catalyst: Why Regional Banks Could Thrive Under New CRA Rules

FDIC's CRA rule changes could boost regional banks. Discover how simplified compliance unlocks value, boosts lending, and improves returns. Invest in community banking with Nemo.

Aimee Silverwood | Financial Analyst

July 14, 2025

Read Insight

Related Market Insights

Community Banking Catalyst: Why Regional Banks Could Thrive Under New CRA Rules

FDIC's CRA rule changes could boost regional banks. Discover how simplified compliance unlocks value, boosts lending, and improves returns. Invest in community banking with Nemo.

Aimee Silverwood | Financial Analyst

July 14, 2025

Read Insight

About The Companies

Cullen/Frost Bankers (CFR)

Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. (CFR) is a regional bank headquartered in Texas that provides commercial and consumer banking services, including lending, deposits and wealth management. With a market capitalisation of about $8.03 billion, it serves a concentrated but deep Texas client base where local relationships and commercial lending are important. Investors often watch net interest margin, loan growth, asset quality and deposit trends to assess performance. The bank is frequently noted for a conservative, relationship-driven approach to lending, which can support stability but does not eliminate cyclical credit risk. Like other regional banks, Cullen/Frost is sensitive to interest-rate moves, commercial real-estate trends and the regional economy. This summary is general education only and not personal financial advice; values can rise and fall and past performance is not a guide to the future. Consider your goals, risk tolerance and, if needed, seek professional advice before investing.

Zions Bancorp (ZION)

Zions Bancorporation (NASDAQ: ZION) is a US regional bank headquartered in Salt Lake City that provides commercial and consumer banking, mortgage lending and wealth-management services across several western states. With a market capitalisation of about $7.8 billion, Zions operates in the mid‑cap regional-bank space where earnings are propelled by net interest income, loan growth and fee income; at the same time credit quality, deposit costs and regulatory capital requirements are key variables for investors. Interest-rate movements and regional economic cycles can meaningfully affect profitability, and exposure to commercial real‑estate and small‑business lending can amplify cyclical risk. Recent strategy has emphasised diversification of loan mix and tight expense control, but outcomes depend on economic and credit trends. This is general educational information and not personal financial advice — suitability depends on your circumstances and risk tolerance, and past performance is not a reliable guide to the future.

Which Baskets Do They Appear In?

Community Banking Catalyst

This carefully selected group of stocks features regional and community banks positioned to benefit from the FDIC's proposed simplification of the Community Reinvestment Act. Our professional analysts identified these financial institutions as potentially gaining from reduced regulatory burdens, which could boost lending capacity and shareholder value.

Published: July 14, 2025

Explore Basket

Which Baskets Do They Appear In?

Community Banking Catalyst

This carefully selected group of stocks features regional and community banks positioned to benefit from the FDIC's proposed simplification of the Community Reinvestment Act. Our professional analysts identified these financial institutions as potentially gaining from reduced regulatory burdens, which could boost lending capacity and shareholder value.

Published: July 14, 2025

Explore Basket

Discover More Comparisons

Cullen/Frost Bankers vs Voya Financial

Cullen/Frost Bankers vs Popular

Cullen/Frost Bankers vs AXIS Capital

Cullen/Frost Bankers vs Zions Bancorp

Comparison Snapshot