The 10 Worst Banks in America (2024)

This information was according to Their Customers and was gathered from The Penny Hoarder.

TheCFPBis a government organization that collects consumer complaints about financial institutions.The Penny Hoarder teamtook a deep dive into the database to determine which banks are making their customers happy - and which are not.

The 10 Worst Banks in America (1)

How We Ranked the Worst-Rated Banks in America

To rank banks, we considered the total number of customer complaints, the number of complaints per $1 billion deposited, the percentage of unresolved complaints, and the Better Business Bureau grade.

The 10 Worst-Rated Banks in America

The most popular banks in the U.S. are regional banks like Truist Financial, TD Bank and First National of Omaha. The worst banks are Wells Fargo and Citibank.

1: Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo is the worst bank overall, with a high percentage of unresolved complaints and loss of Better Business Bureau accreditation.

2: Citibank

Citibank has a string of high-profile cases involving operational chaos and regulatory fines.

3: Bank of America

Bank of America has the most complaints overall, but is also facing $250 million in fines over alleged double-dipping schemes.

5: Discover

Discover is a credit card company that also provides banking services. It receives top marks for resolving consumer concerns quickly.

6: Citizens Bank

Citizens Bank was alleged to have failed to manage credit disputes and refund finance charges and fees, and had its BBB rating downgraded.

7: Flagstar Bank

Flagstar Bancorp, one of the largest U.S. residential mortgage servicers, has an unrated status with the Better Business Bureau and may have a rocky road ahead.

8: Fifth Third Bank

Fifth Third Bank is a large consumer bank with concerns over delays in processing deposits and unresponsive customer service.

What Makes These the Worst Banks?

When shopping for a bank, review the features and look into customer reviews, ratings and complaints. How a bank handles difficult and unusual issues could make all the difference.

AS I WAS WRITING THIS ARTICLE TWO MORE IMPORTANT PIECES OF INFORMATION REGARDING BANKS EMERGED

Over the weekend Wells Fargo had customers seeing their deposits disappear from their accounts. They claim that the glitch has been resolved, but how scary is that? This after in May, Wells Fargo agreed to pay $1 billion to settle a class-action lawsuit that claimed the bank had defrauded investors by misrepresenting the progress it had made in fixing problems in the aftermath of a major fraud case. The scandal included bankers’ opening millions of customer accounts without their knowledge to meet steep sales goals from 2002 to 2016. WOW!!

The second incidents collectively were the closing of three banks in 2023.

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  • Heartland Tri‑State Bank, Elkhart, KS on July 28th, 2023
  • First Republic Bank, San Francisco, CA on May 1st, 2023
  • Signature Bank, New York, NY on March 12th, 2023

Together they had approximately $500 million in deposits at the time of closure.

The 10 Worst Banks in America (5)

It Is Important to Choose a Bank That Fits Your Needs and Protects Your Assets.

When choosing a bank, consider what you need, read online reviews and ratings, and ask family and friends for their personal experiences with institutions you're considering. Compare interest rates and fees, and look for an account with low fees and high APY interest.

In Conclusion, the information provided by The Penny Hoarder, based on data collected by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), sheds light on the best and worst banks in America according to their customers. The ranking was determined by considering various factors, including the total number of customer complaints, complaints per $1 billion deposited, the percentage of unresolved complaints, and the Better Business Bureau grade.

The results reveal that regional banks like Truist Financial, TD Bank, and First National of Omaha are among the most popular and generally well-regarded by their customers. On the other hand, Wells Fargo and Citibank emerged as the two worst-rated banks overall, with high percentages of unresolved complaints and issues such as operational chaos and regulatory fines.

Bank of America, despite having the highest number of overall complaints, is also facing significant fines over alleged double-dipping schemes. Discover, while primarily a credit card company, received positive marks for quickly resolving consumer concerns. Citizens Bank faced allegations of mismanagement in credit disputes and finance charge refunds, leading to a downgrade in their Better Business Bureau rating. Flagstar Bank, one of the largest U.S. residential mortgage servicers, received an unrated status from the Better Business Bureau, indicating potential challenges ahead. Fifth Third Bank, a large consumer bank, faced concerns related to delays in processing deposits and unresponsive customer service.

The 10 Worst Banks in America (6)

When considering a bank, it is essential for consumers to review features, read online reviews and ratings, and seek personal experiences from family and friends. How a bank handles difficult and unusual issues can be crucial in ensuring a positive banking experience. Ultimately, individuals should compare interest rates and fees, aiming to find an account that offers low fees and competitive APY interest.

Make an informed decision that aligns with your specific needs and preferences when selecting a bank. Your financial well-being relies on a reliable and customer-focused institution that can meet your requirements and provide a seamless banking experience.

The 10 Worst Banks in America (7)
The 10 Worst Banks in America (2024)

FAQs

Which bank has the most complaints? ›

Banks getting the most complaints
CompanyNumber of complaintsPercentage of complaints
Chase7594.23%
Wells Fargo5543.09%
Barclays4532.53%
US Bancorp3722.08
6 more rows
Apr 4, 2024

Which big banks are in trouble? ›

About the FDIC:
Bank NameBankCityCityClosing DateClosing
Signature BankNew YorkMarch 12, 2023
Silicon Valley BankSanta ClaraMarch 10, 2023
Almena State BankAlmenaOctober 23, 2020
First City Bank of FloridaFort Walton BeachOctober 16, 2020
55 more rows

What is the least safest bank? ›

The worst banks are Wells Fargo and Citibank. Wells Fargo is the worst bank overall, with a high percentage of unresolved complaints and loss of Better Business Bureau accreditation. Citibank has a string of high-profile cases involving operational chaos and regulatory fines.

Which bank collapsed in 2024? ›

The news: Last Friday, Pennsylvania financial regulators seized and shut down Philadelphia-based Republic First Bank in the first FDIC-insured bank failure of 2024.

Which 4 banks are in trouble? ›

First Republic Bank failed on April 28, 2023. Signature Bank failed on March 12, 2023. Silicon Valley Bank failed on March 10, 2023. Almena State Bank failed on October 23, 2020.

What is the most trusted bank in America? ›

Following one of the most successful years in United's long history, United Bank has been named the Most Trustworthy Bank in America by Newsweek for 2023. Across 23 industries evaluated, United joined the list of the “Most Trustworthy Companies in America,” earning the No.

Which is the safest bank? ›

JPMorgan Chase, the financial institution that owns Chase Bank, topped our experts' list because it's designated as the world's most systemically important bank on the 2023 G-SIB list. This designation means it has the highest loss absorbency requirements of any bank, providing more protection against financial crisis.

How many U.S. banks are in danger? ›

Consulting firm Klaros Group analyzed about 4,000 U.S. banks and found 282 banks face the dual threat of commercial real estate loans and potential losses tied to higher interest rates. The majority of those banks are smaller lenders with less than $10 billion in assets.

Who is the number one bank in America? ›

J.P. Morgan Chase is the number one bank in America in terms of total assets held, according to the Federal Reserve.

Which bank is least likely to go bust? ›

The safest banks in the U.S. for May 2024
BankThe Ascent's RatingFDIC Insured?
Western Alliance Bank4.25Yes
SoFi4.00Yes
Wells Fargo4.00Yes
Axos Bank3.50Yes
6 more rows
Apr 25, 2024

Which banks are AAA rated? ›

Global Top 100
RankNameMoody's Rating
1KfWAaa
2Zuercher KantonalbankAaa
3BNG BankAaa
35 more rows
Nov 10, 2023

What is the safest bank for millionaires? ›

The Most Popular Banks for Millionaires
  1. JP Morgan Private Bank. “J.P. Morgan Private Bank is known for its investment services, which makes them a great option for those with millionaire status,” Kullberg said. ...
  2. Bank of America Private Bank. ...
  3. Citi Private Bank. ...
  4. Chase Private Client.
Jan 29, 2024

Is the US bank in trouble? ›

Read the CFPB's order. Read the CFPB's 2022 action against U.S. Bank. In its previous action against the bank, the CFPB fined U.S. Bank $37.5 million for illegally accessing its customers' credit reports and opening checking and savings accounts, credit cards, and lines of credit without customers' permission.

Why are US banks failing? ›

A run on deposits (leaving the bank without the cash to pay customer withdrawals). Too many bad loans/assets that fall sharply in value (eroding the bank's capital reserves). A mismatch between what the bank can earn on its assets (primarily loans) and what it has to pay on its liabilities (primarily deposits).

Is TD bank in trouble? ›

TD was recently fined $9 million by Fintrac for not disclosing suspicious transactions, among several additional violations. Other Canadian banks have faced similar money laundering-related fines recently, though with fewer violations than TD: RBC was fined $7.5 million and CIBC was fined $1.3 million.

What bank has the highest customer satisfaction? ›

Capital One received the highest customer satisfaction score among the largest banks in the United States as of 2023, with a score reaching 706 points out of 1,000. JPMorgan Chase, TD Bank, and U.S. Bank followed, while Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Truist received the lowest scores.

Which bank is fined the most? ›

15 Biggest Compliance Fines ($1Billion and Above)
  • Credit Suisse's Toxic Asset Sell-Off — $5.3 Billion.
  • Goldman Sachs & the Pilfered Malaysian Coffers — $5.4 Billion.
  • Deutsche Bank & SMC — $7.2 Billion.
  • BNP Paribas' Money Laundering — $8.973 Billion.
  • JPMorgan Chase & SMC — $13 Billion.
  • Bank of America & SMC — $30.6 Billion.
Nov 30, 2023

What top US banks are under investigation? ›

Attorney General Paxton joined a multistate investigation into Bank of America Corporation, Wells Fargo & Company, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, JPMorgan Chase & Co., The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., and Citigroup Inc.

Which bank ranks most trusted? ›

Most Trusted Banks
BankTrust Rating
Capital One95.5 | ***
Citibank91.0 | ***
PNC Bank89.5 | ***
TD Bank88.3 | ***
11 more rows
Mar 28, 2023

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