RANKING & REVIEWS
TOP RANKING BANKS & CREDIT UNIONS IN HOUSTON, TX
Which Houston Credit Unions and Banks are in Our Top 5? (And Which Ones Should You Avoid?)
Houston, Texas has a lot of things going for it. The city is the most populous in Texas and the fourth most populous city in the U.S. In a city with over 2 million people in an area of 667 square miles, finding the best banks in Houston includes knowing which ones have plenty of convenient locations.
The home to NASA’s Johnson Space Center also has several credit unions and banks to choose from, both big and small, such as Houston Federal Credit Union, Chase Bank Houston, TX, and Houston Police Federal Credit Union.
Award Emblem: Best 5 Banks & Credit Unions in Houston, TX
So, how do you know which of the Houston, Texas credit unions or banks to trust with your money? Who is going to give you the best rates when it comes time for a car or home loan? And which ones accommodate Houston suburbs with banks in Katy, TX or credit unions in Pasadena, TX?
We’ve taken a look through multiple Houston, Texas bank and credit union options to bring you a ranking list of the 5 best credit unions and banks in Houston. We’ve noted number of locations, Better Business Bureau rating, and highlighted some other factors that make each Houston credit union or bank stand out.
So, if you live in “Space City,” as it’s commonly known, you’ll want to take a look below to find the best banks and best credit unions in Houston that can help you reach your financial goals.
Top 5 Best Houston, Texas Banks & Credit Unions (and 2 to Avoid) | Brief Comparison & Ranking
Best Houston Credit Union or Bank | Ratings |
| Amegy Bank | 5 |
| Chase Bank | 5 |
| Houston Federal Credit Union | 5 |
| AllegianceBank® | 3 |
| Houston Police Federal Credit Union | 3 |
| TDECU | 1 |
| Unity National Bank | 1 |
What to Look for When Researching Banks & Credit Unions in Houston, Texas | FAQ
Before you hit that search bar for the “best bank Houston” or “best Houston credit union” you’ll want to know what key things to look for.
For example, a Houston, Texas bank or credit union might have really convenient locations, but do they also have online banking and mobile app tools that are up to par?
If you think you might be in the market for a car or home loan in the future, you’ll want to make sure that the best credit unions in Houston you’re looking at also have great loan rates.
Here are a few things to consider when you’re looking at credit unions or banks in Houston, Texas for your financial needs.
Take These Things into Account When Looking for the Best Credit Unions or Best Banks in Houston:
- Number of locations or shared branches they have
- Typical loan rates offered
- Ratings on sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB)
- Employee ratings on sites like Glass Door
- Mobile banking tools
- Credit card and rewards programs
- Account or ATM fees
- Whether they’re open on weekends
- Minimum balance requirements
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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 – Top Ranking Best Houston, Texas Banks & Credit Unions
Below, please find a detailed review of each firm on our list of top credit unions & banks in Houston. We have highlighted some of the factors that allowed these best banks in Houston, Texas 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.
- Amegy Bank
- AllegianceBank®
- Chase Bank
- Houston Federal Credit Union
- Houston Police Federal Credit Union
- TDECU
- Unity National Bank
See Also: Ally Bank Review | Ally Bank’s Services, High Yield Accounts, CDs, …
Amegy Bank Review
The first Houston, Texas bank on our list is Amegy Bank, also known as Amegy Bank of Texas. They’re a division of ZB, N.A., which has almost 500 local financial centers in 11 states in the west. Amegy Bank was started over 25 years ago with a goal of offering
“relationship banking” where clients and bankers know each other by name.
This is one of the Houston, Texas banks that tries to balance big bank services with a small community bank feel. Of their 20 locations in the Houston area, all of them are among the best bank Houston offers with convenient Saturday banking hours.
Top Houston Credit Union or Bank Services at a Glance:
- 20 branch locations in Houston & surrounding areas
- Personal & business credit cards and rewards programs
- Regional locations in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, & Fort Worth
- Personal & business checking, savings, online/mobile banking
- Private wealth management services
- Better Business Bureau A+ rating
Highlights That Make Amegy Bank Stand Out on Our List of Best Credit Unions & Best Banks in Houston
Business Credit Card Choices
If you’re starting your own business or trying to grow a small business into a larger one, Amegy is the best bank Houston offers with multiple business credit card choices.
They call it their AMAZING options and they give cash back, have extra low interest rates, and offer points to use for office supplies, cell service, internet, and more.
Amegy Bank Business Credit Card Options:
- AMAZING CASH® for Business
- AMAZING RATE® for Business
- AMAZING REWARDS® for Business
Multiple Online Banking Tools
Just because you choose one of the medium-sized Houston, Texas credit unions or banks doesn’t mean you’ll automatically have to give up those technology tools you enjoy with the larger banks in Houston.
Amegy Bank has “Anytime Checking™”, with multiple digital banking options like support for Apple®, Android®, and Samsung® pay, mobile device deposit, and easy online person-to-person money tranfers.
We gave Amegy Bank a 5 in our banks & credit unions in Houston, Texas review, because they perfectly implement big bank convenience with a small bank community feeling.
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AllegianceBank® Review
AllegianceBank® is one of the youngest that we’ve ever reviewed, but even though they just opened in 2007, they’re making their mark as one of the best banks in Houston. Sometimes when you’re smaller, it’s easier to focus on the details that make customers happy.
This is definitely a Houston, Texas bank focused on the community and one that understands the importance of having suburban locations. Included in their 16 branches in Houston and surrounding areas are banks in Katy, Bellaire, and Brookshire, TX.
Top Houston Credit Union or Bank Services at a Glance:
- 16 branch locations in Houston & surrounding areas
- Online banking for Apple and Android devices
- Money markets and CDs
- Business & personal banking services
- Personal loans
- Better Business Bureau A+ rating
Highlights That Make AllegianceBank® Stand Out on Our List of Best Credit Unions & Best Banks in Houston
They Value their Employees
As Richard Branson once said, “If you look after your staff, they’ll look after your customers,” and it’s always a good sign when a bank promotes their employees on their website.
AllegianceBank® notes that they take pride in hiring the “best and brightest,” which lets you know that a Houston, Texas bank that takes the time and care to foster their staff, is going to have that reflected in the service that you receive as a customer.
Investment Options
Whether you’re banking as a business or for a personal account, this is one of the banks in Houston, Texas that offers attractive certificate of deposit (CD) rates. They have CDs for a minimum of just a $1,000 investment, and for larger deposits of $20,000 or more they offer a SuperSuite CD that gives premium interest rates and staggered maturities allowing flexibility for liquidity.
We rated AllegianceBank® a 3, although it’s a very high one. They could easily increase that rating by offering credit card options, improving their website design and the information available there.
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Chase Bank Review
The largest in our list of best credit unions & best banks in Houston is Chase Bank. This giant is of course part of the JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.—company that serves nearly half of America’s households with a number of financial services.
If you love convenience and want to be able to dash into your bank on nearly any corner, then Chase Bank Houston, TX may just be your top banking choice. They have an impressive 221 branch locations in the Houston, TX and surrounding areas with banks in Katy, Bellaire, Pasadena, TX, and more.
Top Houston Credit Union or Bank Services at a Glance:
- 221 branch locations in Houston & surrounding areas
- Personal savings & checking
- Free credit score
- Mobile banking and payment app
- Credit Card and lending options
- Better Business Bureau no rating
Highlights That Make Chase Bank Houston, TX Stand Out on Our List of Best Credit Unions & Best Banks in Houston
Multiple Locations
Chase Bank has by far the most locations of any of the banks in Houston, Texas. So no matter where you might be in the city, if you need to make a quick banking stop Chase Bank has you covered with over 200 locations.
And if you travel or move out of state, they have over 5,100 branches and 16,000 ATMs nationwide. So pretty much whever you go, your bank goes with you.
Great Personal Credit Card Options
You’ll never have to worry about not having great credit card options with Chase Bank in Houston, TX. They have multiple personal credit cards with rewards points, cash back, and even $150 bonus offers. Whether you’re a traveler that likes accumulating mileage points, want to sign up for a hotel card from the Hyatt, or are looking for a great business credit card, they’ve got all those offers and more.
We gave Chase Bank Houston, TX a 5 rating. Even though their “no rating” at the BBB is a bit concerning, they have so many conveniences to offer Houston residents that we felt the high score was warranted.
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Houston Federal Credit Union Review
Now that we’ve taken a look at a few of the best banks in Houston, let’s talk about the best credit unions in Houston. First up is Houston Federal Credit Union, that has bragging rights as the official credit union of the Houston Rockets NBA team.
This Houston credit union was first chartered as Fluor Mid-Continent Employees Federal Credit Union. It now has over $600 million in assets and serves thousands of members as one of the Houston, Texas credit unions people trust.
Top Houston Credit Union or Bank Services at a Glance:
- 9 branch location and 100 shared branch locations in Houston & surrounding areas
- Auto, boat, and home loans
- Online banking and security services
- Free checking and savings accounts
- Financial counseling services
- Better Business Bureau A+ rating
Highlights That Make Houston Federal Credit Union Stand Out on Our List of Best Credit Unions & Best Banks in Houston
Excellent Loan Rates
One of the benefits of choosing one of the credit unions in Houston, Texas instead of a best bank in Houston, is that you can often get really great interest rates on loans.
Here are a few of the current loan rates that Houston Federal Credit Union offers:
- 2.05% on new & used auto loans
- 3.70% on boat loans
- 3.20% on home equity loans
- 4.25% on a home equity line of credit (HELOC)
Easy to Quality for Membership Requirements
One thing that keeps people from considering joining credit unions in Houston, Texas and other places is that they don’t know if they’ll qualify for membership. But many of the Houston, Texas credit unions make it easy to become a member.
To join Houston Federal Credit Union you only need to live, work, worship, or attend school within the member communities they serve, aka Houston or many of the surrounding areas.
We gave Houston Federal Credit Union a 5 rating on our list of the best credit unions in Houston because they exemplify many of the reasons people choose to bank with credit unions over traditional banks.
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Houston Police Federal Credit Union Review
The fifth institution among the Houston, Texas banks or credit unions on our top 5 list is Houston Police Federal Credit Union. They’ve been a mainstay in Houston for 80 years and offer multiple services beyond just checking and savings accounts.
While, you may balk at seeing just 3 branch locations, never fear, because through the Houston, Texas credit unions network, they have another 49 shared branch locations to ensure you’ve got plenty of physical banking options.
Top Houston Credit Union or Bank Services at a Glance:
- 3 branch locations and 49 shared branches in Houston & surrounding areas
- Checking accounts and savings plans
- Auto, property, and life insurance
- Loans & credit
- Online banking and bill pay services
- Better Business Bureau no rating
Highlights That Make Houston Police Federal Credit Union Stand Out on Our List of Best Credit Unions & Best Banks in Houston
Multiple Savings Account Options
If you’re a saver, rather than a spender, then the multiple savings account options at Houston Police Federal Credit Union will be something that catches your eye. The fact that they put so much focus on saving for the future means they care about helping you reach your financial goals.
Savings Accounts Include:
- Primary Savings
- Dependent Savings
- Lil Star Savings
- Teen Savings
- Silver Star Savings
- Secondary Savings
Spin A Rate Auto Loans
If you’re looking for the lowest rate you can find on an auto loan, Houston Police Federal Credit Union is ranked in the top one percent for the lowest of any Houston, Texas banks or credit unions.
And they go even lower with their “Spin A Rate” offer that gives you even more off the APR. You can get pre-approved at this Houston credit union for as low as 1.74% APR on an auto loan.
We rated Houston Police Federal Credit union a 3 on our list of best credit unions in Houston because they could improve their business banking options, which aren’t really highlighted much on their website.
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TDECU Review
One of the 2 Houston credit unions to avoid is TDECU, which was originally named Texas Dow Employees Credit Union. It was formed in 1955 when a group of friends from Dow pitched in to loan their friend money to buy a refrigerator.
Despite the heartwarming origin story, we can’t ignore the D- Better Business Bureau rating due to negative customer reviews, which were mainly focused on issues with TDECU’s loan department.
Houston Credit Union or Bank Services at a Glance:
- 23 branch locations in Houston & surrounding areas
- Savings & CDs
- Insurance for health, home, and more
- Wealth management services
- Auto and personal loans
- Better Business Bureau D- rating
What TDECU Can Do To Improve their Standing Among the Best Houston, Texas Banks & Credit Unions
Improve their Loan Department
It looks like most of the negative BBB reviews are due to poor service and bad reporting from their TDECU’s loan department. They have a lot of other good things going for them, so they could significantly improve their ranking among Houston, Texas banks and credit unions by improving customer service in their loan department, which would positively impact their BBB rating.
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Unity National Bank Review
The second of the Houston, Texas banks or credit unions on our “to avoid” list is Unity National Bank. Although they were founded in 1963, they still look to be far behind other banks in both locations and services.
They have just two locations, one in Houston and one in Missouri City, TX. And if you look at their website, you’ll see why we don’t rank them among the best banks in Houston, but rather ones to avoid, at least until they make a few improvements.
Houston Credit Union or Bank Services at a Glance:
- 2 branch locations in Houston & surrounding areas
- Merchant credit card processing services
- Mobile banking
- Visa and Mastercard options
- Business and personal banking services
- No rating on Better Business Bureau
What Unity National Bank Can Do To Improve their Standing Among the Best Houston, Texas Banks & Credit Unions
Update Their Website
In today’s world, your business website tells a lot about you. If it’s outdated, then most likely your customers also think your business is too. Unity National Bank could go a long way toward improving their reputation among Houston, Texas banks by overhauling and updating their website in addition to adding more banking locations.
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Conclusion – Top 5 Best Credit Unions & Banks in Houston
As the fourth largest city in the United States, Houston is not only popular but also has a lot of other great things going for it, such as being a hub of our nation’s space exploration.
If you live and work there, then you’ll want to know which are the best banks in Houston or the best credit unions in Houston to open a checking account with, get a loan from, or use for investment and wealth management services.
Whether you choose to go with a Houston, Texas bank or Houston credit union, you have plenty of A+ options that give both a community feeling with all the technology tools you need to make your life easier.
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