June 11, 2014: Newly released star-ratings from BAUERFINANCIAL, Inc., the nation’s bank rating firm, Show continued progress by U.S. Banks and Credit Unions. For the first time in seven years, banks rated 5-Stars or 4-Stars (recommended by the firm) represent 74.5% of the entire industry while 76.5% of credit unions are rated 5-Stars or 4-Stars. Delaware, North Dakota and Vermont were the only states to have a year over year drop in the percentage of recommended banks.
The number of banks in the nation that are relegated to Bauer’s Troubled and Problematic Report (rated 2-Stars or below) has dropped to 6% this quarter. However, ten states (plus Puerto Rico) still have 10% or more represented in that group. Those states are: Georgia 23.4%; South Carolina 19.4%; Florida 18.3%; Maryland 14.1%; Arizona 13%; New Jersey 12.1%; Hawaii 11.1%; North Carolina 10.5%; and Delaware and Rhode Island each have 10.0%.
Those states with no banks rated 2-Stars or below include Alaska, Louisiana, North Dakota, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Vermont and Wyoming (plus the District of Columbia).