2018 RANKING & REVIEWS
BEST BANKS AND CREDIT UNIONS IN ATLANTA, GA
Check Out the 5 Best Atlanta Banks & Credit Unions in Atlanta for Mortgage Loans, Free Checking & More (and 2 Banks to Avoid)
Georgia’s capital city of Atlanta is known as a cultural and economic center in the South. The Atlanta metropolitan area is the ninth-largest in the U.S., with 5.8 million people. As one of the fastest growing cities in the country, good banks and mortgage lenders in Atlanta are in high demand.
When choosing the best Atlanta credit union or bank for a home loan, new credit card, or just your day-to-day banking, it’s important to shop around and check out their reviews. You may be missing out on better rates, member discounts, or other perks you’re not getting at your current bank.
Award Emblem: Top 5 Best Credit Unions & Banks in Atlanta, GA
We’ve taken a look at the best Atlanta banks and credit unions in Atlanta to bring you the top 5. These are the top financial institutions in Atlanta, Georgia you’ll want to check out for better banking and great rates.
We’ve also found two Atlanta, GA banks you may want to avoid, and we’ll tell you about those too! If you happen to be shopping for great mortgage lenders in Atlanta, we’ve got some advice in our FAQ that you won’t want to miss.
Top 5 Best Credit Unions & Best Banks in Atlanta, GA (& 2 to Avoid) | Brief Comparison & Ranking
| Best Atlanta Credit Union or Bank | 2018 Ratings |
| Delta Community Credit Union | 5 |
| Regions Bank | 5 |
| Associated Credit Union | 3 |
| Fidelity Bank | 3 |
| Georgia’s Own Credit Union | 3 |
| Ameris Bank | 1 |
| Credit Union of Atlanta | 1 |
Table: Top 5 Best Credit Unions & Banks in Atlanta, GA (& 2 to Avoid) | Above list is sorted by rating
FAQ: AdvisoryHQ Review of Banks in Atlanta | What Should I Do Before Talking to Mortgage Lenders in Atlanta?
Owning your own home is a dream of many. Finding the right mortgage lender in Atlanta is often key to being able to afford those monthly payments and bring that dream to life.
Something that will give you the best chance of success when you’re ready to apply for a home loan is being prepared. Nobody wants to walk into the loan office of an Atlanta credit union or bank only to get turned down because they didn’t check their credit report beforehand.
Here are some key things to do before getting a loan with one of the mortgage lenders in Atlanta:
- Check your credit score to see whether it needs improving
- If needed, fix any errors on your credit report
- Save money for your down payment (you usually need a minimum of 3.5% down)
- Pay down any debt and avoid opening new credit cards
- Use an online mortgage calculator to know exactly the type of monthly payment you’ll be able to afford
- Get pre-approved for a specific loan amount at one of the banks in Atlanta, GA before house shopping
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AdvisoryHQ’s Selection Methodology
What methodology does AdvisoryHQ use in selecting and finalizing the credit cards, financial products, firms, services, and products that are ranked on its various top-rated lists?
Please click here “AdvisoryHQ’s Ranking Methodologies” for a detailed review of AdvisoryHQ’s selection methodologies for ranking top-rated credit cards, financial accounts, firms, products, and services.
Detailed Review – AdvisoryHQ’s Top Ranking Best Atlanta Banks & Credit Unions (& 2 to Avoid)
Below, please find a detailed review of each firm on our list of top credit unions & banks in Atlanta. We have highlighted some of the factors that allowed each best bank or best credit union in Atlanta to score so highly in our selection ranking
Click on any of the names below to go directly to the review section for that firm.
- Delta Community Credit Union
- Regions Bank
- Associated Credit Union
- Fidelity Bank
- Georgia’s Own Credit Union
- Ameris Bank
- Credit Union of Atlanta
Delta Community Credit Union Review
Delta Airlines is headquartered in Atlanta, GA and Delta Community Credit Union was first started back in 1940 by Delta employees. Their membership has expanded quite a bit since then and anyone that lives or works in one of 11 Georgia counties can join.
Below are the highlights that make Delta Community Credit Union stand out on this 2018 best credit unions & best banks in Atlanta, GA ranking.
Rates & Perks at Delta Community Credit Union at a Glance:
- 30-year fixed rate mortgages starting at 4.337% APR
- Auto loans starting at 1.98%APR
- 22 locations in Atlanta, Georgia & surrounding area
- Personal checking with rewards point debit card
- Employee benefits packages for companies
Tons of Convenient Locations
If you enjoy the convenience of multiple locations when you choose from credit unions and banks in Atlanta, Delta Community Credit Union is a top choice. Besides having 24 locations in Georgia, they have 27 in Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky, Dallas, and Salt Lake City. They’re also a member of the CO-OP network with over 5,000 shared branches and 13,000 free ATMs.
Rating Summary
We rated Delta Community Credit Union a 5 on our ranking of the best Atlanta banks and credit unions. They get great reviews overall from members that praise their “outstanding” customer service and great loan rates. A few negative reviews mention poor phone support.
They have some of the lowest loan rates we’ve seen from any auto loan and mortgage lenders in Atlanta. They also happen to be the largest credit union in Georgia, so you know you’re banking with a solid financial institution.
They have an A+ rating at the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and 4.1 stars of out of 5 at WalletHub. Their great reputation and convenience makes them a top credit union in Atlanta to consider.
See Also: Top Memphis Credit Unions & Banks That Treat You Right | Ranking
Regions Bank Review
If you’re looking for a larger regional bank, then Regions Bank might be just what you’ve been searching for. They’re a member of the S&P 500 index and operate 1,500 banking offices and offer 1,900 ATMs across the South, Midwest, and Texas.
Below are the highlights that make Regions Bank stand out on this 2018 best credit unions & best banks in Atlanta, GA ranking.
Loan Benefits & Perks at Regions Bank at a Glance:
- Home Buyers Center online with helpful information
- Auto loan rate discounts available with automatic payment setup
- 20 locations in Atlanta, Georgia & surrounding area
- Cash and points from Regions Rewards program
- Life, vehicle, and property insurance products
Search Homes & Property for Sale on Their Site
Looking for a best bank or best credit union in Atlanta that makes your life easier? Then you’ll love the property search tool on Region’s website. Since the bank owns a variety of different residential and commercial properties, you can take a look through listings without having to leave their site.
Rating Summary
Regions Bank scored a 5 on our listing of the best Atlanta credit union or bank. Although they do have a few mixed reviews online about their customer service, overall customers give this larger bank positive reviews.
Happy customers mention decent rates and professional and friendly service. Regions Bank has an A+ rating at the BBB and 4.2 stars out of 5 at WalletHub.
They have a relationship with TaxSlayer, which is a perk for their members to help them file taxes online. They’re also one of the larger regional banks in Atlanta that still manages a hometown feel for many customers.
Associated Credit Union Review
Associated Credit Union is one of the oldest financial institutions in Georgia. It was started in 1930 and today is ranked among the top 150 credit unions in the country. Anyone that is a resident of the state of Georgia, opens one primary share account, and pays a one-time $5.00 membership fee can join.
Below are the highlights that make Associated Credit Union stand out on this 2018 best credit unions & best banks in Atlanta, GA ranking.
Rates & Perks at Associated Credit Union at a Glance:
- 30-year fixed rate mortgages starting at 4.506% APR
- Auto loans starting at 2.25%APR
- 9 locations in Atlanta, Georgia & surrounding area
- Member of the CO-OP network of over 5,000 shared branches
- Checking account with identity monitoring
Special Member Discounts Program
One of the benefits of joining this best credit union in Atlanta is that they’re part of the Love My Credit Union Rewards program. As a member of Associated Credit Union, you get discounts and rewards from online retailers, restaurants, and other service providers. A current example is $100 cash reward from Sprint with every new line.
Rating Summary
Associated Credit Union scored a high 3 on our ranking of the best Atlanta credit union or bank. They have a few negative reviews for poor phone customer service and issues with ATMs. However, many customers praise their helpful loan officers and low checking account fees.
They have an A+ rating at the BBB and an A+ health rating at DepositAccounts by Lendingtree, who also ranks them among the top 200 Healthiest Credit Unions.
Member discounts, great loan rates, and easy to qualify for membership requirements are all reasons that people think Associated Credit Union is the best credit union in Atlanta.
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Fidelity Bank Review
Fidelity Bank was founded in metro Atlanta in 1974. This is one of the best banks in Atlanta, GA that’s continued to grow and they now have over 60 branches throughout the Atlanta area and in Florida.
Below are the highlights that make Fidelity Bank stand out on this 2018 best credit unions & best banks in Atlanta, GA ranking.
Loan Benefits & Perks at Fidelity Bank at a Glance:
- First time home buyer grant program
- One of the largest auto loan providers in the Southeast
- 10 locations in Atlanta, Georgia & surrounding area
- Free interest-earning checking with direct deposit
- Loan calculators and other online financial tools
Grants to Help You Buy a Home
If you’re looking for all the help you can get to make buying a new home a reality, Fidelity is one of the best Atlanta banks to check out. Their First Time Home Buyer Grant matches a borrower contribution of $1,000 with up to $5,000 in down-payment assistance. They also offer down payment assistance grants for veterans, educators, and others.
Rating Summary
Fidelity Bank scored a 3 on our best bank or best credit union in Atlanta ranking. Some customers consider them as the “go-to” small town bank in Georgia with personal service. A few other reviews don’t feel quite the same and note frustration with their mobile apps and customer support.
Overall, people mention feeling like family at this bank in Atlanta. They have an A+ rating at the BBB. Fidelity also goes the extra mile with their grants programs to help home buyers afford their dream home.
One new free perk they’re offering customers is Trusteer Rapport, an online banking security software that provides alerts and proactive protection from online threats.
Georgia’s Own Credit Union Review
When you visit the website of this best credit union in Atlanta, you can tell they’re different. They give off a modern and inviting vibe. Georgia’s Own Credit Union was first started by telephone employees in 1934 and today, anyone that is a resident of one of 22 Georgia counties can become a member.
Below are the highlights that make Georgia’s Own Credit Union stand out on this 2018 best credit unions & best banks in Atlanta, GA ranking.
Rates & Perks at Georgia’s Own Credit Union at a Glance:
- 30-year fixed rate mortgages starting at 4.743% APR
- Auto loans starting at 2.20%APR
- 21 locations in Atlanta, Georgia & surrounding area
- Member of CO-OP shared branches network
- Member appreciation Monday with special offers 1st Monday of the month
GO Financial Education
Whether you’re planning for your future or would just like to know a little more about loans and mortgages, Georgia’s Own has you covered. Their GO Financial Education Center includes free online and interactive videos and a calculator library to get you up to speed on the financial information you need to get ahead.
Rating Summary
Georgia’s Own Credit Union nearly got a perfect score, but we gave them a high 3 for now due to some mixed reviews online and a B- rating at the BBB, due to not responding to 2 complaints.
They get high praise on sites like WalletHub, where they have 4.3 stars out of 5, and members mention their great experiences buying a home from this Atlanta bank. Over on Yelp, people aren’t as happy and mention long wait times for refinancing loans.
Out of all the best Atlanta banks and credit unions we’ve seen, their website is definitely the most inviting and easy to navigate. They could easily score higher on a future ranking with just a little attention to their BBB rating and online reputation.
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Ameris Bank Review
Now for the first of two banks in Atlanta, Georgia that we recommend avoiding until they improve upon a few things. Ameris Bank has branches in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee, but only a single location in Atlanta.
Below are some of the improvements we feel would help Ameris Bank with a higher ranking on our future Atlanta, GA listings.
Work on Their Online Reputation
Ameris Bank has just 1 star out of 5 at MyBankTracker with reviewers noting poor customer service and high service charges. Their track record at DepositAccounts by Lendingtree is not much better either, with 2 stars out of 5 on that site due to negative reviews.
If they addressed the negative and fostered more positive reviews it would help greatly.
Rating Summary
Ameris Bank was given a 1 because they’re a bank to avoid for now on our banks in Atlanta ranking. To be a major player in this big city, they really need to open more locations.
On a positive note, they do have an A+ rating at the BBB, so if they worked on the reviews on some of the other top websites to improve their score, they could definitely be reconsidered for a future Atlanta banks ranking.
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Credit Union of Atlanta Review
Credit Union of Atlanta also has a lack of locations, with just two in their namesake city. Their membership requirements are more restrictive than some other credit unions in Atlanta, GA, with eligibility being tied to employment criteria or being residents of Wheat Street Gardens, Wheat Street Towers, or Wheat Street Shopping Center.
Below are some of the improvements we feel would help Credit Union of Atlanta with a higher ranking as a best credit union in Atlanta in the future.
Expand Locations or Join CO-OP
If you want to compete in the city you’re named for, more locations would be a great place to start. But something that could help in the interim is if Credit Union of Atlanta joined the CO-OP network of shared credit union branches. That would immediately expand their reach by offering members 5,000 shared locations across the country.
Rating Summary
Credit Union of Atlanta scored a 1 as a bank or credit union in Atlanta, Georgia that you may want to avoid until they make a few improvements for member convenience.
They don’t have a lot of reviews online, so negative ones aren’t dragging them down. They also have an A+ rating at the BBB.
With easier to meet membership requirements and a few more branch options, Credit Union of Atlanta could easily move up in popularity and be considered for a future best Atlanta credit union or bank ranking.
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Conclusion – Top 5 Best Atlanta Banks & Credit Unions (+ 2 to Avoid)
People try new banks and credit unions for a variety of reasons, and buying a new home is one of the main ones. Finding the lowest mortgage rate at one of the top Atlanta banks or credit unions can make a major difference in being able to afford your dream home.
The great thing about these best Atlanta banks and credit unions is that they have multiple benefits to offer you even if you’re not shopping for a home. Their member rewards programs, free interest checking accounts, online financial tools, and more are all designed to earn your business and save you money.
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