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 09/19/2008 Company Name State Weiss Safety Rating CITY NB OF FLORIDA  FL  A+  SUMITOMO TR & BKG CO USA  NJ  A+  BANK OF COMMERCE  ID  A+  ROSEDALE FS&LA  MD  A+  CITIZENS BK  TN  A+  CALVIN B TAYLOR BKG CO  MD  A+  ELIZABETHTON FSB  TN  A+  FIRST PIEDMONT FS&LA GAFFNEY  SC  A+  FIRST NB  MO  A+  NATIONAL CAPITAL BK OF WA  DC  A+  PREMIER BANK  WI  A+  NEW ERA BK  MO  A+  FIRST FIDELITY BK  SD  A+  AMERICAN BK  WI  A+  HERITAGE BANK  UT  A+  FARMERS & MERCHANTS BK  MS  A+  ST HENRY BK  OH  A+  BANK OF YORK  SC  A+  FIRST SECURITY THRIFT CO  CA  A+  CHINATOWN FSB  NY  A+

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

Weakest Banks and Thrifts Data as of 09/19/2008 Company Name State Weiss Safety Rating INDYMAC BK FSB  CA  E-  FEDERAL TRUST BANK  FL  E-  COMMUNITY BK  GA  E-  WESTSOUND BK  WA  E-  SOUTHERN COMMUNITY BK  GA  E-  MAGNET BANK  UT  E-  PARAMOUNT BK  MI  E-  FIRST GEORGIA COMMUNITY BK  GA  E-  OCALA NB  FL  E-  AMERICAN STERLING BK  MO  E-  CENTERBANK OF JACKSONVILLE NA  FL  E-  FIRST SUBURBAN NB  IL  E-  FIRST PERSONAL BK  IL  E-  HASTINGS ST BK  NE  E-  FREEDOM BK OF GEORGIA  GA  E-  ISN BK  NJ  E-  EBANK  GA  E-  STOCKMANS BANK  OK  E-  RIVERGREEN BK  ME  E-  CENTERBANK  OH  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.