Columbia Banking rises after Raymond James upgrades to 'strong buy'

Columbia Banking System

15/09/2025 15:26

** Shares of regional lender Columbia Banking COLB.O up 2% at $26.58

** Raymond James upgrades COLB to "strong buy" from "outperform" following investor meetings after the closing of Pacific Premier Bancorp deal

** Brokerage also raises price target on COLB to $31 from $27 representing a 19% upside to the stock's last close

** Raymond James says management confronted several misperceptions around the bank, including likelihood of additional M&A near-term and timing of potential capital return

** Brokerage expects M&A to be on pause for some time, which can drive EPS growth despite a stable balance sheet

** Capital return is likely on the horizon as well, Raymond James says

** Two of the 12 analysts rate the stock buy or higher and 10 "hold"; their median PT is $28- LSEG data

** Including session's move, COLB down 2.14% YTD

 (Reporting by Anuj T in Bengaluru)

 ((Anuj.T@thomsonreuters.com))