However, the nation has many other very large banks, all with total assets in the billions. These banks easily fall under the definition of “big banks,” and would presumably be considered by some as too big to fail. Become familiar with these banks so you can make better choices for your banking needs. After all, if you haven’t already, you’ll probably be doing business with one (or several) of the top 15 biggest banks in the future. Total assets: $2.68 trillion Headquarters: New York, NY Total assets: $2.43 trillion Headquarters: New York, NY Total assets: $1.92 trillion Headquarters: San Francisco, CA Total assets: $1.95 trillion Headquarters: New York, NY Total assets: $992 billion Headquarters: New York, NY Total assets: $895 billion Headquarters: New York, NY Total assets: $475 billion Headquarters: Minneapolis, MN Total assets: $1.41 trillion Headquarters: Cherry Hill, NJ Total assets: $410 billion Headquarters: Pittsburgh, PA Total assets: $381 billion Headquarters: New York, NY Total assets: $390 billion Headquarters: McLean, VA Total assets: $245 billion Headquarters: Boston, MA Total assets: $221.64 billion Headquarters: Winston-Salem, NC Total assets: $205.96 billion Headquarters: Atlanta, GA Total assets: $175 billion Headquarters: New York, NY Still not sure what a credit union is? Learn how they work. You might also find lower fees at some of these institutions, especially credit unions. Go online: Online banks are increasingly popular, and they can even stand on their own (without the need for a brick-and-mortar bank in some cases). They typically have competitive rates and low fees. However, there are some benefits to keeping access to a local branch. There was a time when big banks offered the best selection of products and services, but that’s no longer true. Small institutions sometimes even lead the way with new technologies, and big banks make it harder to manage your money. For example, some banks charge additional fees to download your transaction history into third-party software products, and your best bet for free checking is not a big bank.
