Bank OZK is a Little Rock, Arkansas bank established in 1903 with $41.7 billion in assets, $32.6 billion in total loans and 272 domestic offices. Commercial real estate is central to its lending profile. FDIC filings show $18.1 billion of CRE loans as of June 30, 2026, equal to 55.7% of total loans. Its national position is substantial for a bank of this size, ranking 27 of 4,167 banks by CRE loans and 1 of 78 banks headquartered in Arkansas. Borrowers should view Bank OZK as a nationally active real estate lender whose portfolio is especially concentrated in investor properties and construction and land lending.
The bank describes its Real Estate Specialties Group as a nationwide source of senior secured financing for mixed-use, multifamily, condominium, office, hospitality, life-science, industrial and retail projects, with particular emphasis on construction lending. Publicly announced transactions support that description, including large construction loans for condominium, apartment, industrial and mixed-use developments across several markets. The portfolio was contracting during 2026, however, following several years of expansion. That change matters to prospective borrowers because a large existing CRE book does not establish current appetite for a particular property or request. It shows experience and capacity, while the bank’s recent repayments, new loan volume and asset management activity provide context for current selectivity.
The $18.1 billion CRE book is led by investor property and construction loans
Bank OZK held $18.1 billion of commercial real estate loans as of June 30, 2026. Investor nonfarm nonresidential loans were the largest component at $7.8 billion, representing 43.0% of the CRE portfolio and ranking 27 nationally within that segment. Construction and land loans were close behind at $6.9 billion, or 38.3%, and ranked 9 nationally. Together, these categories define the bank’s CRE exposure more clearly than its branch footprint does. Multifamily loans totaled $2.5 billion, representing 14.0% of CRE loans and ranking 45 nationally. Owner occupied CRE was considerably smaller at $852.2 million, or 4.7%, with a national segment rank of 125. These balances describe the portfolio the bank held, not a commitment to originate the same mix going forward.
CRE loans represented 55.7% of Bank OZK’s $32.6 billion total loan portfolio at June 30, 2026. Its investor CRE exposure was 2.75x equity, another indication that commercial property credit remains material to the institution. The bank says it manages the portfolio through limits covering property types, geographies and metropolitan areas, and describes the book as diversified by collateral type and location. For borrowers, the composition points to extensive experience evaluating income producing properties and complex development projects. It does not show published pricing, leverage, amortization or closing timelines. Those terms must be established for each transaction. The relatively small $852.2 million owner occupied balance also suggests that Bank OZK’s institutional CRE identity is more closely associated with investor and development lending than with owner occupied property finance.
| Segment | Loans ($M) | Share of CRE | National rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construction and land | $6,943 | 38.3% | #9 |
| Multifamily | $2,545 | 14.0% | #45 |
| Owner occupied | $852 | 4.7% | #125 |
| Investor nonfarm nonresidential | $7,801 | 43.0% | #27 |
Source: FDIC Call Report as of June 30, 2026, schedule RC-C. FDIC record for Bank OZK.
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Tell Us About Your DealSee the Best CRE Lenders rankingCRE balances remain above 2021 despite a sharp 2026 contraction
Bank OZK’s CRE portfolio increased from $12.8 billion at June 30, 2021 to $13.1 billion in 2022, $16.4 billion in 2023, $20.3 billion in 2024 and $21.6 billion in 2025. It then declined to $18.1 billion at June 30, 2026, a year over year change of -16.1%. Even after that contraction, CRE loans were +42.1% above June 30, 2021. The shift continued later in 2026. By September 2026, the bank said its Real Estate Specialties Group had declined to 45.2% of total loans and its overall CRE concentration had moved below the regulatory guidance threshold. During the 12 months ended September 2026, the group received $9.2 billion in repayments and originated $5.2 billion of new loans, reducing total commitments to $25.4 billion.
| June 30 | Total CRE loans ($M) | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $12,770 | |
| 2022 | $13,136 | +2.9% |
| 2023 | $16,395 | +24.8% |
| 2024 | $20,330 | +24.0% |
| 2025 | $21,621 | +6.4% |
| 2026 | $18,141 | -16.1% |
Recent transactions confirm a nationwide construction lending focus
Recent announcements show Bank OZK financing substantial construction projects across property types and regions. In October 2026, Berkadia announced a $132.7 million construction loan for ElevenOneEleven, a mixed-use development with 344 apartments and retail in Culver City, CA. The press reported a $75.5 million construction loan in September 2026 for the conversion of M7 Lofts in Norwalk, CT into 286 apartments. JLL announced $65.1 million of construction financing in February 2026 for the 631,011-square-foot Ellis Avenue Logistics Center in Perris, CA. January 2026 reports also included a $132.5 million construction loan for the 58-unit Ponce Park condominium development in Coral Gables, FL and a $74 million construction loan for The Aletto office and retail project in Boca Raton, FL. These examples reflect activity, not standardized loan terms.
Larger 2025 announcements further illustrate the bank’s development lending range. The press reported $475 million of construction financing for South Flagler House, two luxury condominium towers with 105 units in West Palm Beach, FL. JLL announced a $198.6 million construction loan for the 112-unit Ritz-Carlton Residences, Estero Bay North Tower in Bonita Springs, FL. Commercial Observer reported $156.3 million for the planned 428-unit Heritage Westminster apartment development in West Hempstead, NY. The bank says its nationwide specialty group covers mixed-use, multifamily, condominium, office, hospitality, life-science, industrial and retail projects. In January 2026, the press also reported that Bank OZK sold the $265 million construction loan on the largely vacant Pacific Center life-science campus in San Diego.
| Date | Property | Location | Type | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10 | ElevenOneEleven mixed-use development with 344 apartments and retail | Culver City, CA | construction | $132.7 million | berkadia.com |
| 2026-09 | M7 Lofts office-to-residential conversion with 286 apartments | Norwalk, CT | construction | $75.5 million | commercialobserver.com |
| 2026-02 | Ellis Avenue Logistics Center, a 631,011-square-foot industrial facility | Perris, CA | construction | $65.1 million | jll.com |
| 2026-01 | Ponce Park, an 11-story luxury condominium development with 58 units | Coral Gables, FL | construction | $132.5 million | therealdeal.com |
| 2026-01 | The Aletto mixed-use office and retail development | Boca Raton, FL | construction | $74 million | therealdeal.com |
| 2025-12 | Three-property industrial portfolio totaling more than 650,000 square feet | Rockford, IL | other | $96.7 million | businesswire.com |
| 2025-12 | Fifteen20 luxury condominium and mixed-use development site | Sarasota, FL | other | $20.5 million | berkadia.com |
| 2025-10 | Ritz-Carlton Residences, Estero Bay North Tower with 112 condominiums | Bonita Springs, FL | construction | $198.6 million | jll.com |
| 2025-10 | Harmony at Clear Creek, a 188-unit build-to-rent community | Shawnee, KS | construction | connectcre.com | |
| 2025-09 | 214 West Main Street, a planned 262-unit multifamily development | Patchogue, NY | construction | $95 million | jll.com |
| 2025-09 | The Coastline, a planned 198-unit multifamily development | Stamford, CT | construction | $59 million | commercialobserver.com |
| 2025-08 | Greenpoint Landing Block C, a planned three-tower mixed-income development | Brooklyn, NY | other | $81 million | jll.com |
| 2025-06 | Hillcrest Apartments, a 333-unit multifamily and retail development | Thousand Oaks, CA | construction | $117.2 million | jll.com |
| 2025-06 | South Flagler House, two luxury condominium towers with 105 units | West Palm Beach, FL | construction | $475 million | bisnow.com |
| 2025-04 | Heritage Westminster, a planned 428-unit transit-oriented apartment development | West Hempstead, NY | construction | $156.3 million | commercialobserver.com |
Financings publicly announced by the bank, its borrowers or their advisors, as reported by the linked source. Not a complete record of the bank’s lending.
The branch base is southeastern, while specialty lending reaches national markets
Bank OZK operates branches in 6 states, with its largest reported branch networks in Arkansas, Georgia, Florida, Texas and North Carolina. Arkansas has 77 branches and $11.6 billion of deposits, while Georgia has 70 branches and $9.6 billion. Florida has 45 branches and $5.8 billion, Texas has 36 branches and $4.3 billion, and North Carolina has 26 branches and $2.3 billion. Tennessee adds 2 branches and $472.2 million of deposits. That retail and deposit footprint is concentrated in the Southeast, but announced CRE loans extend to CA, CT, IL, KS and NY as well as FL. Borrowers should therefore distinguish the bank’s physical branch network from the nationwide mandate described for its Real Estate Specialties Group.
By CRE loan volume, Bank OZK’s $18.1 billion portfolio sits above Western Alliance Bank at $15.8 billion, United Bank at $14.2 billion, Goldman Sachs Bank USA at $13.5 billion, Associated Bank, N.A. at $10.6 billion and Centennial Bank at $9.9 billion, but below Citibank, N.A. at $26.0 billion. The strongest borrower fit appears to be an experienced sponsor seeking senior secured financing for a substantial investor property or construction project in a sector the specialty group identifies. That assessment follows the bank’s stated focus and announced transactions. Borrowers seeking published rate cards, preset leverage or standardized execution should not infer those features from FDIC portfolio balances or deal announcements.
| State | Branches | Deposits ($M) |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas | 77 | $11,558 |
| Georgia | 70 | $9,621 |
| Florida | 45 | $5,766 |
| Texas | 36 | $4,258 |
| North Carolina | 26 | $2,322 |
| Tennessee | 2 | $472 |
Peer banks with a similar CRE book
| Bank | Headquarters | Total CRE loans ($M) | Change, 1 year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goldman Sachs Bank USA | New York, NY | $13,518 | +5.2% |
| United Bank | Fairfax, VA | $14,204 | +3.2% |
| Centennial Bank | Conway, AR | $9,940 | +12.5% |
| Citibank, N.A. | Sioux Falls, SD | $26,036 | +2.9% |
| Western Alliance Bank | Phoenix, AZ | $15,781 | -3.1% |
| Associated Bank, N.A. | Green Bay, WI | $10,594 | +25.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Bank OZK make commercial real estate loans?
Yes. Bank OZK held $18.1 billion of commercial real estate loans as of June 30, 2026, equal to 55.7% of its $32.6 billion total loan portfolio. It ranked 27 of 4,167 banks nationally by CRE loans and 1 of 78 banks headquartered in Arkansas. The bank also says its Real Estate Specialties Group provides senior secured financing nationwide across several property types, with particular emphasis on construction lending. Actual availability and terms depend on the proposed property, market, sponsorship and transaction structure.
What types of commercial real estate does Bank OZK finance?
Bank OZK says its nationwide specialty group finances mixed-use, multifamily, condominium, office, hospitality, life-science, industrial and retail projects, with particular focus on construction lending. FDIC filings show construction and land loans of $6.9 billion, representing 38.3% of its CRE portfolio at June 30, 2026. Investor nonfarm nonresidential loans were even larger at $7.8 billion, or 43.0%. These portfolio categories and the bank’s stated focus indicate experience, but they do not guarantee approval for any property type or transaction.
Is Bank OZK primarily a construction lender?
Construction lending is a defining part of Bank OZK’s CRE profile. The bank identifies construction as a particular focus, and it held $6.9 billion of construction and land loans at June 30, 2026, ranking 9 nationally in that segment. Announced financings include condominium, apartment, mixed-use and industrial developments. Still, construction and land represented 38.3% of CRE loans, while investor nonfarm nonresidential loans represented a larger 43.0%. Bank OZK therefore has a broader investor CRE portfolio, even though construction is prominent in its public transactions.
Is Bank OZK reducing its commercial real estate exposure?
Yes. CRE loans declined from $21.6 billion at June 30, 2025 to $18.1 billion at June 30, 2026, a year over year change of -16.1%. During the 12 months ended September 2026, the Real Estate Specialties Group received $9.2 billion in repayments versus $5.2 billion of new loans, and total commitments fell to $25.4 billion. Bank OZK said its overall CRE concentration had moved below the regulatory guidance threshold by September 2026. The contraction does not by itself establish appetite for any individual request.
What should borrowers know about Bank OZK’s recent CRE credit issues?
Bank OZK reported $129.1 million of 2025 charge-offs involving Real Estate Specialties Group loans primarily secured by office, land or life-science properties, and warned that charge-offs could remain elevated in 2026. The press also reported that the bank sold a $265 million construction loan on the largely vacant Pacific Center life-science campus in San Diego in January 2026. These events provide relevant credit context, while the bank continued announcing construction financings during 2026. Borrowers should expect property, market, sponsorship and structure to receive transaction-specific review.
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BestCRE lender profiles are editorially independent and built from public regulatory filings and public announcements; no bank pays for a profile. Call report figures describe loans held on the bank’s balance sheet and do not show current terms or appetite. BestCRE is not a lender and is not affiliated with Bank OZK. See our Legal Disclaimer and Compensation Disclosure.