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 TheStreet.com Ratings.

Strongest Banks and Thrifts Data as of 01/06/2010 Company Name State TheStreet.com Financial Strength Rating SUMITOMO TRUST & BANKING CO  NJ  A+  CITIZENS 1ST BANK  TX  A+  ROSEDALE FS&LA  MD  A+  ELIZABETHTON FSB  TN  A+  COMMUNITY NATIONAL BANK & TR  TX  A+  GERMANTOWN TRUST & SAVINGS BK  IL  A+  APPLIED BANK  DE  A+  NEW ERA BANK  MO  A+  FIRST NATIONAL BANK  MO  A+  NATIONAL CAPITAL BANK OF WA  DC  A+  FIRST NATIONAL BK LIVINGSTON  TX  A+  AMERICAN BANK  WI  A+  ST HENRY BANK  OH  A+  DRUMMOND COMMUNITY BANK  FL  A+  FIRST STATE BANK OF BURNET  TX  A+  VIRGINIA BANK & TRUST COMPANY  VA  A+  KENTUCKY-FARMERS BANK  KY  A+  PEARLAND STATE BANK  TX  A+  FIRST NATIONAL BK IZARD CNTY  AR  A+  MIDDLETOWN VALLEY BANK  MD  A+

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

Weakest Banks and Thrifts Data as of 01/06/2010 Company Name State TheStreet.com Financial Strength Rating ANCHORBANK FSB  WI  E-  AMCORE BANK NA  IL  E-  FRONTIER BANK  WA  E-  RIVERSIDE NATIONAL BANK OF FL  FL  E-  HOMESTREET BANK  WA  E-  TIERONE BK  NE  E-  EUROBANK  PR  E-  SHOREBANK  IL  E-  BANK OF THE CASCADES  OR  E-  HILLCREST BANK  KS  E-  CF BANCORP  MI  E-  AMERICANWEST BANK  WA  E-  PREMIER BANK  MO  E-  FIRST MARINER BANK  MD  E-  CITY BANK  WA  E-  TOWN NORTH BANK NA  TX  E-  APPALACHIAN COMMUNITY BANK  GA  E-  LOS PADRES BK  CA  E-  FIDELITY BANK  MI  E-  CRESCENT BANK & TRUST COMPANY  GA  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.