What is a "call report" in the banking sector?

A "call report" refers specifically to a quarterly report filed by banks that provides a comprehensive overview of their financial condition and performance. These reports are essential for regulators to assess the health of financial institutions, as they contain key financial data such as balance sheets, income statements, and information about asset quality and capital adequacy.

The information reported helps in monitoring the safety and soundness of banks, ensuring compliance with regulations, and facilitating the analysis of the banking sector's overall stability. Call reports are critical for regulatory authorities like the FDIC and the Federal Reserve in understanding trends in the banking system.

While other types of reports might focus on customer satisfaction, employee performance, or branch operations, those do not capture the detailed financial metrics and regulatory compliance information that are necessary for assessing a bank's financial health and operational integrity. The quarterly nature of call reports also underscores the ongoing requirement for banks to keep regulators informed about their financial conditions in a timely manner.