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Side-by-side comparison

Area vs Norstar

Comparing a Credit Union in Aberdeen, SD with a Credit Union in Britton, SD using federal FDIC, NCUA, and CFPB data. Trust Grades reflect financial strength and complaint history.

Area
Credit Union · Aberdeen, SD · Est. 1935
Norstar
Credit Union · Britton, SD · Est. 1942
Trust GradeA · 98/100
A · 98/100
Institution typeCredit UnionCredit Union
LocationAberdeen, SDBritton, SD
Total assets$200.2M
$77.9M
Net worth ratio16.7%
15.0%
Return on assets1.3%
1.8%
Shares & deposits
Members11,7512,810
CFPB complaints0
0
Complaints / $1B assets
State rank#1 of 33#2 of 33
Established19351942

Area

A98/100
  • Assets: $200.2M
  • Members: 11,751
  • Capital ratio: 16.7%
  • Return on assets: 1.3%
  • CFPB complaints: 0
  • State rank: #1 of 33
Full Area profile →

Norstar

A98/100
  • Assets: $77.9M
  • Members: 2,810
  • Capital ratio: 15.0%
  • Return on assets: 1.8%
  • CFPB complaints: 0
  • State rank: #2 of 33
Full Norstar profile →

Are both institutions federally insured?

Yes. Area is NCUA-insured and Norstar is NCUA-insured. Both protect deposits up to $250,000 per depositor, per ownership category, regardless of Trust Grade. The Trust Grade reflects financial strength and complaint history — not the safety of insured deposits. Estimate your coverage →

Frequently asked questions

Which is better, Area or Norstar?

Based on Bankzia's Trust Grade — which blends financial strength (capital ratio, ROA) with CFPB complaint history — Area scores higher with a grade of A (98/100). However, "better" depends on your needs: if you prioritize branch access, local service, or membership eligibility for a credit union, the lower-scoring option may still be the right choice for you.

Is Area safe?

Yes — Area is NCUA-insured, meaning deposits up to $250,000 per depositor, per ownership category are federally protected regardless of the institution's Trust Grade. Its Trust Grade is A (98/100), reflecting its financial strength and complaint history relative to peers.

Is Norstar safe?

Yes — Norstar is NCUA-insured, meaning deposits up to $250,000 per depositor, per ownership category are federally protected. Its Trust Grade is A (98/100).

What is the capital ratio of Area vs Norstar?

Area has a net worth ratio of 16.7%, placing it in the top 7% of $100M–1B peers. Norstar's ratio is 15.0%, placing it in the top 45% of <$100M peers. A higher capital ratio generally signals a stronger financial cushion.

How many complaints does Area have compared to Norstar?

The CFPB database shows 0 complaints against Area, and 0 complaints against Norstar. The per-$1B rate adjusts for institution size and is a more meaningful comparison metric.

How does Bankzia calculate the Trust Grade?

The Trust Grade combines a financial strength score (based on capital ratio, return on assets, and other FDIC/NCUA metrics) with a customer experience score derived from CFPB complaint data. The scores are weighted and normalized within peer groups by institution size and type. See our full methodology for details.

Compare Area with other Credit Unions in South Dakota

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Compare any two institutions →

Financial data from NCUA call reports; complaint data from the CFPB Consumer Complaint Database. Bankzia is independent and not affiliated with any government agency or financial institution.

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