Palmetto Citizens vs Carolina Foothills
Comparing a Credit Union in Columbia, SC with a Credit Union in Spartanburg, SC using federal FDIC, NCUA, and CFPB data. Trust Grades reflect financial strength and complaint history.
| Palmetto Citizens ↗ Credit Union · Columbia, SC · Est. 1936 | Carolina Foothills ↗ Credit Union · Spartanburg, SC · Est. 1960 | |
|---|---|---|
| Trust Grade | A · 98/100 | A · 98/100 |
| Institution type | Credit Union | Credit Union |
| Location | Columbia, SC | Spartanburg, SC |
| Total assets | $1.5B | $220.5M |
| Net worth ratio | 13.2% | 12.3% |
| Return on assets | 1.3% | 3.0% |
| Shares & deposits | — | — |
| Members | 86,899 | 19,389 |
| CFPB complaints | 0 | 0 |
| Complaints / $1B assets | — | — |
| State rank | #2 of 46 | #4 of 46 |
| Established | 1936 | 1960 |
Palmetto Citizens
- Assets: $1.5B
- Members: 86,899
- Capital ratio: 13.2%
- Return on assets: 1.3%
- CFPB complaints: 0
- State rank: #2 of 46
Carolina Foothills
- Assets: $220.5M
- Members: 19,389
- Capital ratio: 12.3%
- Return on assets: 3.0%
- CFPB complaints: 0
- State rank: #4 of 46
Are both institutions federally insured?
Yes. Palmetto Citizens is NCUA-insured and Carolina Foothills 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, Palmetto Citizens or Carolina Foothills?
Based on Bankzia's Trust Grade — which blends financial strength (capital ratio, ROA) with CFPB complaint history — Palmetto Citizens 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 Palmetto Citizens safe?
Yes — Palmetto Citizens 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 Carolina Foothills safe?
Yes — Carolina Foothills 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 Palmetto Citizens vs Carolina Foothills?
Palmetto Citizens has a net worth ratio of 13.2%, placing it in the top 17% of $1B–10B peers. Carolina Foothills's ratio is 12.3%, placing it in the top 37% of $100M–1B peers. A higher capital ratio generally signals a stronger financial cushion.
How many complaints does Palmetto Citizens have compared to Carolina Foothills?
The CFPB database shows 0 complaints against Palmetto Citizens, and 0 complaints against Carolina Foothills. 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 Palmetto Citizens with other Credit Unions in South Carolina
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.
