July 13, 2012

The following institutions, grouped by state, boast perfect scores using a method developed to diagnose failing banks.

The relationship Americans have with their banks used to be based on trust.

As well it should be. In many ways, banks make some of our biggest financial dreams come true.

We go to the bank when we want to buy our dream home, and again when we remodel the kitchen. Our bank helps us buy that great new car we've been thinking about. When we retire, the bank turns a lifetime of savings into income by paying us interest on money-market and savings accounts, and on certificates of deposit.

We trust banks to protect our hard-earned money. We expect that every dollar we put into our bank will be held safe until we come back for it.

But what if the bank doesn't deserve our trust?

In America, we have let our guard down in our banking relationships. We assume that everything will be fine if our bank fails. After all, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. insures our deposits up to $250,000. Why worry?

I hate to be the one to break this to you, but the FDIC's Deposit Insurance Fund -- aka the money used to cover bank failures -- has been all but drained.

In 2007, the DIF had a healthy $52.4 billion. But since 2008, more than 413 banks have failed, and that has taken a devastating toll on the once-solid reserve fund.

According to the FDIC, the balance in the DIF is now just $11.8 billion -- a drop of almost 78% from where it was before the financial crisis began. And though the fund will replenish slowly over time, the FDIC expects future bank failures from 2012 to 2016 to cost the fund $12 billion more.

I don't know about you, but I'm not willing to assume that the FDIC will always be there to cover my savings. Instead, I want to pick the safest bank in my area, so I know the FDIC will never have to get involved.

To help Americans regain their sense of financial security and peace of mind that their money is safe, we've found a way to find the safest banks in America -- using a special metric called the "Texas Ratio."

The Texas Ratio was developed by a financial wizard at RBC Capital Markets named Gerard Cassidy, who used it to correctly predict bank failures in Texas during the 1980s recession, and again in New England during the recession of the early 1990s.

While the ratio has been excellent at predicting bank failures, it can also be used to find the banks that are the furthest from failure.

Without walking through the formula (which you can find here), the takeaway is this: The closer the Texas Ratio gets to zero, the lower the bank's risk of failure.

Out of more than 7,300 banks in America, just 359 achieved a perfect Texas Ratio of 0.0. They are listed on the following pages, sorted by state (no banks qualified in Alaska, Hawaii, Maine, New Hampshire, South Carolina or Vermont).

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Alabama

Oakworth Capital Bank, Birmingham

Arizona

• First Scottsdale Bank, Scottsdale

Arkansas

• MeGehee Bank, McGehee

California

• 1st Enterprise Bank, Los Angeles
• Armed Forces Bank of California, San Diego
• Bank of New York Mellon Trust, Los Angeles
• California Republic Bank, Newport Beach
• Capital Bank and Trust Company, Irvine
• County Commerce Bank, Ventura
• Eastern International Bank, Los Angeles
• Evergreen International Bank, Long Beach
• First American Trust, Santa Ana
• Focus Business Bank, Los Angeles
• Malaga Bank, Palos Verdes Peninsula
• Merchants National Bank of Sacramento, Sacramento
• Premier Business Bank, Los Angeles
• Valley Republic Bank, Bakersfield
• Vibra Bank, Chula Vista
• Wells Fargo Bank, Los Angeles

Colorado

• AMG National Trust Bank, Boulder
• Bank of Burlington, Burlington
• Colorado State Bank of Walsh, Walsh
• First FarmBank, Greeley
• FlatIrons Bank, Boulder
• Redstone Bank, Centennial
• Trust Company of America, Centennial
• Young Americans Bank, Denver

Connecticut

• Bank of Fairfield, Fairfield
• Fieldpoint Private Bank & Trust, Greenwich
• MassMutual Trust, Enfield
• National Iron Bank, Salisbury
• Prudential Bank & Trust, Hartford
• Start Community Bank, New Haven

Delaware

• Bank of New Castle, New Castle
• HSBC Trust (Delaware), National Association, Wilmington

Florida

• Bank of the South, Aventura
• Broward Bank of Commerce, Tampa
• FirstCity Bank of Commerce, Panama City Beach
• First Green Bank, Milton
• First Navy Bank, Ponte Vedra Beach
• Intracoastal Bank, Ocala
• Members Trust, Bradenton
• One South Bank, Chipley
• Palm Beach Community Bank, Jacksonville
• Plus International Bank, Carrabelle
• Prime Meridian Bank, Miami
• Warrington Bank, Clewiston

Georgia

• Chattahoochee Bank of Georgia, Gainesville
• Community Business Bank, Cumming
• Invesco National Trust, Atlanta
• Independence Bank of Georgia, Braselton
• NOA Bank, Duluth
• Verity Bank, Winder

Idaho

• Western Capital Bank, Boise

Illinois

• American Union Savings and Loan Association, Chicago
• Arcola First Bank, Arcola
• Bank of Lawrence County, Bridgeport
• Buckley State Bank, Buckley
• Burling Bank, Chicago
• Collinsville Building and Loan Association, Collinsville
• Columbus Savings Bank, Chicago
• Community Bank of Easton, Easton
• Country Trust Bank, Bloomington
• Elkville State Bank, Elkville
• Farmers State Bank of Emden, Emden
• Farmers State Bank of Medora, Medora
• Franklin Bank, Franklin
• Franklin Grove Bank, Franklin Grove
• Grand Ridge National Bank, Grand Ridge
• Harris Central National Association, Roselle
• Heritage State Bank, Lawrenceville
• Lemont National Bank, Lemont
• Middletown State Bank, Middletown
• Midland Community Bank, Kincaid
• Nashville Savings Bank, Nashville
• North County Savings Bank, Red Bud
• Peoples Bank of Macon, Macon
• Peoples State Bank of Colfax, Colfax
• Sidell State Bank, Sidell
• Teutopolis State Bank, Teutopolis
• Washington Federal Bank For Savings, Chicago

Indiana

• Central National Bank and Trust, Attica
• Everence Trust, Goshen
• Forethought Federal Savings Bank, Batesville
• Ossian State Bank, Ossian

Iowa

• Benton County State Bank, Blairstown
• Breda Savings Bank, Breda
• Center Point Bank and Trust, Center Point
• Dysart State Bank, Dysart
• Exchange State Bank, Springville
• First State Bank, Stuart
• Hartwick State Bank, Hartwick
• ITS Bank, Johnston
• Maxwell State Bank, Maxwell
• Panora State Bank, Panora
• Peoples Trust and Savings Bank, Riverside
• Pleasantville State Bank, Pleasantville
• Pocahontas State Bank, Pocahontas
• Swisher Trust & Savings Bank, Swisher
• Victor State Bank, Victor
• Walker State Bank, Walker

Kansas

• 1st Bank of Troy, Troy
• Bank of Prairie Village, Prairie Village
• Caldwell State Bank, Caldwell
• Citizens State Bank, Grainfield
• Citizens State Bank, Hugoton
• Citizens State Bank, Miltonvale
• City State Bank, Fort Scott
• Downs National Bank, Downs
• Farmers & Merchants State Bank of Cawker City, Cawker City
• Farmers State Bank, Bucklin
• First Kansas Bank, Hoisington
• First National Bank, Frankfort
• First National Bank of Harveyville, Harveyville
• First National Bank of Howard, Howard
• Flint Hills Bank, Eskridge
• Leonardville State Bank, Leonardville
• Liberty Savings Association, Fort Scott
• Millennium Bank, Junction City
• Montezuma State Bank, Montezuma
• National Advisors Trust, Overland Park
• Prescott State Bank, Prescott
• Signature Bank, Haddam
• State Bank of Conway Springs, Conway Springs
• Stock Exchange Bank, Caldwell

Kentucky

• Bluegrass Community Bank, Danville
• Hart County Bank and Trust, Munfordville
• Sebree Deposit Bank, Sebree

Louisiana

• Lakeside Bank, Lake Charles
• Tri-State Bank and Trust, Haughton
• West Carroll Community Bank, Oak Grove

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Maryland

• Legg Mason Investment Counsel & Trust, Baltimore
• Revere Bank, Laurel
• T. Rowe Price Savings Bank, Baltimore

Massachusetts

• Boston Trust & Investment Management, Boston
• Fidelity Management Trust, Boston
• Fidelity Personal Trust, Boston
• Foxboro Federal Savings, Foxboro
• Mercantile Bank and Trust, Boston
• Northmark Bank, North Andover
• Patriot Community Bank, Woburn
• Winter Hill Bank, Somerville

Michigan

• Ann Arbor State Bank, Ann Arbor
• Auto Club Trust, Dearborn
• Bank of Birmingham, Birmingham
• Comerica Bank & Trust, Ann Arbor
• JPMorgan Chase Bank, Dearborn

Minnesota

• American State Bank of Erskine, Erskine
• First National Bank of Herman, Herman
• Kent State Bank, Kent
• Liberty Savings Bank, St. Cloud
• St. Martin National Bank, St. Martin
• State Bank of Bellingham, Bellingham
• State Bank of Jeffers, Jeffers
• State Bank of Lismore, Lismore
• Union State Bank of Browns Valley, Browns Valley

Mississippi

• Bank of Bolivar County, Shelby
• Bank of Jones County, Laurel
• Bank of Walnut Grove, Walnut Grove
• First Federal Savings and Loan Association, Aberdeen

Missouri

• Bank of Hillsboro, Hillsboro
• Bank of Minden, Mindenmines
• Community Bank of Russellville, Russellville
• Edward Jones Trust, St. Louis
• Midwest Federal Savings and Loan Association of St. Joseph, St. Joseph
• Missouri Bank and Trust of Kansas City, Kansas City
• Parkside Financial Bank & Trust, Clayton
• Peoples Bank of Wyaconda, Kahoka
• Scottrade Bank, St. Louis
• Silex Banking, Silex
• Springfield First Community Bank, Springfield
• TIAA-CREF Trust, St. Louis

Montana

• Bank of Montana, Missoula
• Davidson Trust, Great Falls
• Montana State Bank, Plentywood

Nebraska

• Adams State Bank, Adams
• Bank of Hartington, Hartington
• Bank of Lewellen, Lewellen
• Bank of Mead, Mead
• Bank of Newman Grove, Newman Grove
• Battle Creek State Bank, Battle Creek
• Boelus State Bank, Boelus
• Cedar Rapids State Bank, Cedar Rapids
• Citizens State Bank, Carleton
• Curtis State Bank, Curtis
• Farmers and Merchants Bank, Axtell
• Farmers and Merchants Bank, Milligan
• Farmers State Bank, Carroll
• Farmers State Bank, Dodge
• Farmers State Bank, Humphrey
• Farmers State Bank, Wallace
• First National Bank and Trust, Falls City
• Home State Bank, Louisville
• NebraskaLand National Bank, North Platte
• Oak Creek Valley Bank, Valparaiso
• Stanton State Bank, Stanton
• Tri Valley Bank, Talmage
• Winside State Bank, Winside

Nevada

• Credit One Bank, Woodhaven
• Eaglemark Savings Bank Carson City, Port Chester
• HSBC Bank Nevada, Glen Cove

New Jersey

• Bessemer Trust, Woodbridge
• First Commerce Bank, Lakewood
• Sumitomo Trust and Banking (U.S.A.), Hoboken

New Mexico

• Carlsbad National Bank, Carlsbad
• DSRM National Bank, Albuquerque
• Western Bank of Clovis, Clovis
• Western Heritage Bank, Las Cruces

New York

• Berkshire Bank Municipal Bank, Albany
• Bessemer Trust, New York City
• Delta National Bank and Trust, New York City
• Eastbank, New York City
• Emigrant Mercantile Bank, New York City
• Fairport Savings Bank, Fairport
• Flushing Commercial Bank, New Hyde Park
• Gold Coast Bank, Islandia
• Greene County Commercial Bank, Catskill
• Mizuho Trust & Banking USA, New York City
• Pathfinder Commercial Bank, Oswego
• PCSB Commercial Bank, Brewster
• Pioneer Commercial Bank, Troy
• Provident Municipal Bank, Montebello
• State Bank of Chittenango, Chittenango
• Sunnyside Federal Savings and Loan Association of Irvington, Irvington
• WSB Municipal Bank, Watertown

North Carolina

• Cedar Hill National Bank, Charlotte
• Coastal Bank & Trust, Jacksonville
• Live Oak Banking, Wilmington
• Mount Gilead Savings and Loan Association, Mount Gilead

North Dakota

• Farmers Security Bank, Washburn
• Farmers State Bank of Crosby, Crosby
• First State Bank of Golva, Golva
• Grant County State Bank, Carson
• Heartland State Bank, Edgeley
• Liberty State Bank, Powers Lake
• Merchants Bank, Rugby
• Peoples State Bank, Westhope
• Peoples State Bank of Velva, Velva
• Sargent County Bank, Forman
• Stock Growers Bank, Napoleon
• Strasburg State Bank, Strasburg
• United Community Bank of North Dakota, Leeds

Ohio

• Baltic State Bank, Baltic
• Corn City State Bank, Deshler
• Credit First National Association, Brook Park
• First Federal Savings and Loan Association, Centerburg
• Home Savings Bank of Wapakoneta, Wapakoneta
• Marblehead Bank, Marblehead
• Nelsonville Home and Savings, Nelsonville

Oklahoma

• Citizens Bank of Oklahoma, Pawhuska
• Community National Bank of Okarche, Erick
• Farmers & Merchants Bank, Duke
• Farmers and Merchants National Bank of Fairview, Fairview
• First National Bank of Nash, Nash
• First State Bank, Elmore City
• Pacific West Bank, Okarche
• Peoples State Bank, Blair
• Prime Bank, Edmond
• State Bank of Wynnewood, Wynnewood

Oregon

• Centerpointe Community Bank, Hood River

Pennsylvania

• American Bank, Allentown
• Eureka Bank, Pittsburgh
• Gateway Bank of Pennsylvania, McMurray
• Haverford Trust, Radnor
• Manor Bank, Manor
• Philadelphia Trust, Philadelphia
• Second Federal Savings and Loan Association of Philadelphia, Philadelphia
• SEI Private Trust, Oaks

Rhode Island

• Talbots Classics National Bank, Lincoln

South Dakota

• American State Bank, Oldham
• Farmers State Bank, Parkston
• Farmers State Bank of Turton, Turton
• Menno State Bank, Menno
• Richland State Bank, Bruce
• Roberts County National Bank of Sisseton, Sisseton
• Security National Bank of South Dakota, Dakota Dunes
• Security State Bank, Emery
• Target National Bank, Sioux Falls

Tennessee

• Independence Trust, Franklin

Texas

• American Bank, Dallas
• Amistad Bank, Del Rio
• Bandera First State Bank, Bandera
• Bank of San Antonio, San Antonio
• Bank of Texas, Midland
• Bloomburg State Bank, Bloomburg
• Brazos National Bank, Clute
• Business Bank of Texas, Austin
• Chasewood Bank, Houston
• Citizens Bank, Claude
• Citizens National Bank, Cameron
• Citizens National Bank of Crosbyton, Crosbyton
• Citizens National Bank of Wills Point, Wills Point
• Citizens State Bank, Anton
• Citizens State Bank, Ganado
• City National Bank of San Saba, San Saba
• City State Bank of Palacios, Palacios
• Columbus State Bank, Columbus
• Commercial Bank, Mason
• Farmers and Merchants Bank, De Leon
• First Associations Bank, Dallas
• First Bank and Trust of Memphis, Memphis
• First National Bank in Dalhart, Dalhart
• First National Bank in Whitney, Whitney
• First National Bank of Amherst, Amherst
• First National Bank of Colorado City, Colorado City
• First National Bank of Eldorado, Eldorado
• First National Bank of Hico, Hico
• First National Bank of Mertzon, Mertzon
• First National Bank of Seymour, Seymour
• First National Bank of Tahoka, Tahoka
• First National Bank of Woodsboro, Woodsboro
• First Private Bank of Texas, Dallas
• First State Bank, Junction
• First State Bank, Overton
• First State Bank, Stratford
• FirstLockhart National Bank, Lockhart
• Grand Bank, Dallas
• Granger National Bank, Granger
• Gruver State Bank, Gruver
• Heritage Bank, Pearland
• Hill Bank & Trust, Weimar
• Liberty Capital Bank, Addison
• Lone Star State Bank, Lone Star
• Memorial City Bank, Houston
• Memphis State Bank, Memphis
• Pegasus Bank, Dallas
• Peoples State Bank, Rocksprings
• Pointwest Bank, West
• R Bank, Round Rock
• Schwertner State Bank, Schwertner
• Stockmens National Bank in Cotulla, Cotulla
• Tejas Bank, Monahans
• Texas Financial Bank, Eden
• Texas Regional Bank, Harlingen
• Texas Security Bank, Dallas
• Tolleson Private Bank, Dallas
• White Oak State Bank, White Oak

Utah

• First Electronic Bank, Sandy
• Morgan Stanley Bank, National Association, Salt Lake City
• OptumHealth Bank, Salt Lake City

Virginia

• 1st Commonwealth Bank of Virginia, Arlington
• Chain Bridge Bank, National Association, Mclean
• E-Trade United Bank, Arlington
• Frontier Community Bank, Waynesboro
• Oak View National Bank, Warrenton
• Trust Company of Virginia, Richmond

Washington

• Farmington State Bank, Farmington
• Liberty Bay Bank, Poulsbo
• Raymond Federal Bank, Raymond

West Virginia

• First Federal Savings & Loan Association of Ravenswood, Ravenswood

Wisconsin

• Collins State Bank, Burlington
• M&I Bank of Mayville, Hudson
• Milton Savings Bank, West Allis
• Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management, Iron River
• Palmyra State Bank, Cassville
• Settlers Bank, Madison
• WPS Community Bank, Kenosha

Wyoming

• Converse County Bank, Douglas
• Wyoming State Bank, Laramie
• http://money.msn.com/personal-finance/the-359-safest-banks-in-america-investinganswers.aspx?page=0