Strongest and Weakest Banks and Thrifts		Back

A weak bank or thrift represents a potential for financial loss to its depositors, as well as a number of headaches and hassles for both its depositors and borrowers. And if a failed institution is taken over by another bank, customers can be forced to accept lower interest rates on their CDs or even lose an existing line of credit.

That's why it is important to check the financial security offered by a financial institution prior to opening an account and then periodically monitor the company's condition going forward. Low-rated banks and thrifts should be avoided in favor of highly rated companies.

The following U.S. banks and thrifts received the highest ratings from Weiss Ratings.

Strongest Banks and Thrifts Data as of 03/24/2008 Company Name State Weiss Safety Rating WASHINGTON FS&LA  WA  A+  FARMERS & MERCHANTS BK  CA  A+  CITY NB OF FLORIDA  FL  A+  MASPETH FS&LA  NY  A+  CUSTODIAL TRUST CO  NJ  A+  BANK OF COMMERCE  ID  A+  FIRST NB&TC OF NEWTOWN  PA  A+  ROSEDALE FS&LA  MD  A+  CITIZENS BK  TN  A+  CALVIN B TAYLOR BKG CO  MD  A+  ELIZABETHTON FSB  TN  A+  MUNICIPAL T&SB  IL  A+  FIRST PIEDMONT FS&LA GAFFNEY  SC  A+  PIONEER TR BK NA  OR  A+  FIRST FIDELITY BK  SD  A+  PREMIER BANK  WI  A+  BANK OF PRAIRIE DU SAC  WI  A+  NATIONAL CAPITAL BK OF WA  DC  A+  CITIZENS NB  CT  A+  FIRST ST BK  MO  A+

The following U.S. banks and thrifts received the lowest ratings from Weiss Ratings.

Weakest Banks and Thrifts Data as of 03/24/2008 Company Name State Weiss Safety Rating FEDERAL TRUST BANK  FL  E-  AMERICAN STERLING BK  MO  E-  ISN BK  NJ  E-  FIRST PERSONAL BK  IL  E-  EBANK  GA  E-  MAIN ST BK  MI  E-  AMERICAN PARTNERS BANK  MD  E-  PENNSYLVANIA BUSINESS BK  PA  E-  STOCKMANS BANK  OK  E-  RIVERGREEN BK  ME  E-  HORIZON BANK  IA  E-  PLATINUM COMMUNITY BK  IL  E-  FIRST TUSKEGEE BK  AL  E-  COMMUNITY FIRST BANK  KY  E-  CENTERBANK  OH  E-  CITIZENS B&TC CHICAGO  IL  E-  STATE BK OF COKATO  MN  E-  VIRGIN ISLANDS CMNTY BK  VI  E-  MERIDIAN BK  IL  E-  CURRIE ST BK  MN  E-

Just because a particular institution does not appear on this list of lowest rated banks and thrifts, it does not necessarily mean that the company is safe or highly rated.  To check the rating of a specific institution, Weiss Ratings offers several online options and publications covering all commercial banks, savings banks, and savings and loans.  

A =  Excellent B =  Good C =  Fair D =  Weak E =  Very Weak

For more information about Weiss Ratings and our products, contact our Customer Hotline at 1-800-289-9222.