Charlotte is my home and in this post I wanted to talk about city’s best community banks and credit unions. It’s not easy for small lenders to compete with large national banks clustered in Charlotte. With Bank of America headquarters and Wells Fargo 26,000 employees Queen City is rightfully considered banking center. Recently Charlotte has reclaimed its title as second largest banking center in U.S. Rankings are based on the value of loans and other assets held by banks headquarter in each city. What makes smaller financial institutions competitive and attractive to consumers and businesses in this town?
- Charlotte Metro Credit Union has $500 million in assets, 10 convenient locations and more than 59,000 members. If you live, work, worship, or attend school in Cabarrus, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Rowan, or Union Counties in North Carolina or York, Lancaster, or Chester Counties in South Carolina, you can open an account at CMCU. No, you don’t have to work for a specific company or have a certain job to qualify.
- Pinnacle Financial Partners was founded in 2000 with the specific goal of creating a culture where client service really means something. Pinnacle strives to be a different kind of bank and built a business model from the ground up to provide a truly great client experience. Nearly 94.7% of respondents on bank’s client survey agree that “Pinnacle is recognizably better than its competition.”
- TowneBank began its journey in April 1999 with only three banking offices. Now bank has 41 financial centers spanning from Charlotte, NC to Richmond, VA. Bank’s commitment to exquisite service for their members leads its ability to create a reasonable rate of return for shareholders, a bright future for their dedicated bankers, and a leadership role for the bank in promoting the social, cultural, and economic well-being of communities it serves.
- First Citizens Bank remembers that banking is about people first and money second. It means having experienced bankers on hand for you to talk to when you need them. And it means the name on their door will stay the same for years to come. With $35 billion in assets as one of America’s largest family-controlled banks, First Citizens understands the financial decisions you make today will shape the way you live for decades.
- NC State Employees’ Credit Union was founded in 1937 with 17 members and $437 in assets. SECU is committed to Diversity and Inclusion and values the differences in our staff and in our North Carolina communities. SECU now serves over 2.2 million members with over $40 billion in assets through more than 260 branch locations, more than 1,100 ATMs, 24/7 Member Services Support, 24/7 voice response telephone service and a 24/7 interactive website.
- Aquesta Bank is a community bank serving the NC communities around Lake Norman, Charlotte, Wilmington and Raleigh. Aquesta has recently moved into South Carolina, with offices in Greenville and Charleston. Established in 2006, the bank is headquartered in Cornelius, NC and offers a full array of banking products and services to meet your needs.
- Truliant Federal Credit Union values its member-owners and is dedicated to providing trusted financial guidance with their member’s best interest at heart. Truliant will always put their members’ needs before profits. Credit union’s products and services are designed to improve lives and create financial security.
- Woodforest National Bank has successfully stood among the strongest community banks in the nation, proudly offering outstanding quality customer service since 1980. Woodforest offers both consumer and small business products and services. Today Woodforest National Bank has over 700 branch locations throughout Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia.
- South State Bank opened their doors in 1934. Bank offers the right combination of high-touch, personalized service and high-tech capabilities and enable each customer to bank on his or her terms. Whether at one of their many locations and ATMs throughout the Carolinas, Bank is committed to outstanding service, building long-lasting customer relationships and providing the best financial solutions that have made South State one of the fastest-growing regional banks in the South.
- Peoples Bank founded in 1912, is independently owned and operated, and committed to serving their friends and neighbors exceptionally well. Bank’s emphasis is on making their banking experience exceptional. Peoples Bank (NC) is headquartered in Newton NC and currently has 334 employees and 21 locations.
