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 03/30/2009 Company Name State TheStreet.com Financial Strength Rating BROADWAY NB  TX  A+  NATIONAL EXCHANGE B&TC  WI  A+  BANK OF COMMERCE  ID  A+  CITIZENS 1ST BANK  TX  A+  ROSEDALE FS&LA  MD  A+  CALVIN B TAYLOR BKG CO  MD  A+  ELIZABETHTON FSB  TN  A+  COMMUNITY NB&T OF TX  TX  A+  FIRST SECURITY THRIFT CO  CA  A+  FIRST NB  MO  A+  FIRST PIEDMONT FS&LA GAFFNEY  SC  A+  NEW ERA BK  MO  A+  NATIONAL CAPITAL BK OF WA  DC  A+  FIRST FIDELITY BK  SD  A+  FIRST NB OF LIVINGSTON  TX  A+  AMERICAN BK  WI  A+  APPLIED BANK  DE  A+  FARMERS & MERCHANTS BK  MS  A+  DRUMMOND COMMUNITY BK  FL  A+  ST HENRY BK  OH  A+

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

Weakest Banks and Thrifts Data as of 03/30/2009 Company Name State TheStreet.com Financial Strength Rating WESTERNBANK PUERTO RICO  PR  E-  BANKUNITED FSB  FL  E-  CORUS BK NA  IL  E-  LEHMAN BROTHERS BK FSB  DE  E-  CALIFORNIA NB  CA  E-  LEHMAN BROTHERS COMML BANK  UT  E-  VINEYARD BK NA  CA  E-  PACIFIC NATIONAL BANK  CA  E-  MUTUAL BK  IL  E-  AFFINITY BK  CA  E-  FIRST MARINER BK  MD  E-  CENTURY BK FSB  FL  E-  LINCOLN BANK  IN  E-  INTER SVGS BK FSB  MN  E-  PEOPLES COMMUNITY BANK  OH  E-  CAPITALSOUTH BANK  AL  E-  WARREN BK  MI  E-  FEDERAL TRUST BANK  FL  E-  BRADFORD BANK  MD  E-  PARK AVENUE BANK  NY  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.