Citizens Bank vs Signature Bank

As of Q1 2026, Signature Bank carries a larger commercial real estate loan book than Citizens Bank, roughly 2.6× the size — $653.2M versus $252.0M. CRE book size is one gauge of how much lending capacity a bank is actively deploying, though a bigger book is not automatically better for a borrower; what matters is whether the bank is still growing that book and how concentrated it has become.

Both banks are growing their CRE books quarter over quarter — Citizens Bank at 4.8% and Signature Bank at 4.2%. A bank actively expanding its commercial real estate balance is generally still open to new originations, which is favorable for a borrower in the market today.

Citizens Bank is further up the concentration curve at 510% — past the 300% supervisory guideline — while Signature Bank sits lower at 165% with more balance-sheet capacity to keep lending. A borrower may find the less-concentrated bank more receptive to new credit, though concentration is only one of several appetite signals.

Signature Bank carries a higher nonaccrual CRE ratio (10% of its CRE book, versus 0% at the other). Rising nonaccruals consume management attention and provisions and often precede tighter credit standards — a useful caution flag when comparing the two as a potential lender.

County recorded documents show both lenders actively closing commercial loans — 9 recent for Citizens Bank and 1 for Signature Bank. Citizens Bank shows the heavier recent activity in the records we track. Filed deeds of trust are the ground truth of a closed, secured loan, so a presence here confirms the bank is writing business, not just quoting it.

The short version: Signature Bank runs the larger CRE book. The right lender for any specific deal still depends on property type, sponsorship, and the current terms each is quoting — the table above and each bank's full profile carry the detail.