AMERICA'S BEST REGIONAL BANKS & CREDIT UNIONS 2026

These financial institutions are ones you can trust for your business and personal banking relationshipswithout the corporate feel

- - Jennifer H. Cunningham, Editor-in-Chief

REGIONAL BANKS AND CREDIT unions form the financial backbone of communities across the country.

They power local economies by supporting small businesses, financing community projects and providing reliable access to everyday banking services. With deep roots in the regions they serve, these institutions build personal relationships with customers, allowing them to tailor their support to local needs.

Credit unions, structured as member-owned cooperatives, operate with service as their guiding mission. That commitment often results in lower fees, competitive loan options and an emphasis on member satisfaction. More than financial service providers, credit unions are community partners, showing up in neighborhoods, participating in local initiatives and helping strengthen the connections that bind their members together.

To recognize the banks and credit unions making a meaningful difference, Newsweek and Plant-A Insights Group are proud to present America’s Best Regional Banks and Credit Unions 2026.

Our methodology utilized the Texas Ratio (a measure of a bank’s credit quality) as well as reviewed profitability and net loans and leases, press coverage over the past two years, an elaborate large-scale independent customer survey of more than 71,000 U.S. citizens, 1.9 million social media reviews and 129 million mobile app reviews. We then determined the top 500 regional banks and top 500 credit unions.

We hope this list helps you find the most trusted financial institutions in your area—whether you're planning your next business venture or taking your next step toward financial security.

Methodology