Pioneer Bank & Trust vs Merchants State Bank
Comparing a Bank in Belle Fourche, SD with a Bank in Freeman, SD using federal FDIC, NCUA, and CFPB data. Trust Grades reflect financial strength and complaint history.
| Pioneer Bank & Trust ↗ Bank · Belle Fourche, SD · Est. 1937 | Merchants State Bank ↗ Bank · Freeman, SD · Est. 1899 | |
|---|---|---|
| Trust Grade | A · 98/100 | A · 98/100 |
| Institution type | Bank | Bank |
| Location | Belle Fourche, SD | Freeman, SD |
| Total assets | $985.9M | $217.6M |
| Capital ratio | 10.3% | 15.5% |
| Return on assets | 1.6% | 1.6% |
| Deposits | $874.1M | $176.4M |
| Branches | 7 | 4 |
| CFPB complaints | 0 | 0 |
| Complaints / $1B assets | — | — |
| State rank | #4 of 56 | #2 of 56 |
| Established | 1937 | 1899 |
Pioneer Bank & Trust
- Assets: $985.9M
- Deposits: $874.1M
- Capital ratio: 10.3%
- Return on assets: 1.6%
- CFPB complaints: 0
- State rank: #4 of 56
Merchants State Bank
- Assets: $217.6M
- Deposits: $176.4M
- Capital ratio: 15.5%
- Return on assets: 1.6%
- CFPB complaints: 0
- State rank: #2 of 56
Are both institutions federally insured?
Yes. Pioneer Bank & Trust is FDIC-insured and Merchants State Bank is FDIC-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, Pioneer Bank & Trust or Merchants State Bank?
Based on Bankzia's Trust Grade — which blends financial strength (capital ratio, ROA) with CFPB complaint history — Pioneer Bank & Trust 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 Pioneer Bank & Trust safe?
Yes — Pioneer Bank & Trust is FDIC-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 Merchants State Bank safe?
Yes — Merchants State Bank is FDIC-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 Pioneer Bank & Trust vs Merchants State Bank?
Pioneer Bank & Trust has a capital ratio of 10.3%, placing it in the top 47% of $100M–1B peers. Merchants State Bank's ratio is 15.5%, placing it in the top 9% of $100M–1B peers. A higher capital ratio generally signals a stronger financial cushion.
How many complaints does Pioneer Bank & Trust have compared to Merchants State Bank?
The CFPB database shows 0 complaints against Pioneer Bank & Trust, and 0 complaints against Merchants State Bank. 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 Pioneer Bank & Trust with other Banks in South Dakota
Financial data from FDIC call reports; complaint data from the CFPB Consumer Complaint Database. Bankzia is independent and not affiliated with any government agency or financial institution.
