Sterling vs Rio Grande
Comparing a Credit Union in Sterling, CO with a Credit Union in Grand Junction, CO using federal FDIC, NCUA, and CFPB data. Trust Grades reflect financial strength and complaint history.
| Sterling ↗ Credit Union · Sterling, CO · Est. 1938 | Rio Grande ↗ Credit Union · Grand Junction, CO · Est. 1940 | |
|---|---|---|
| Trust Grade | A · 98/100 | A · 98/100 |
| Institution type | Credit Union | Credit Union |
| Location | Sterling, CO | Grand Junction, CO |
| Total assets | $246.9M | $81.6M |
| Net worth ratio | 16.7% | 21.3% |
| Return on assets | 1.4% | 1.6% |
| Shares & deposits | — | — |
| Members | 10,321 | 4,910 |
| CFPB complaints | 0 | 0 |
| Complaints / $1B assets | — | — |
| State rank | #2 of 62 | #4 of 62 |
| Established | 1938 | 1940 |
Sterling
- Assets: $246.9M
- Members: 10,321
- Capital ratio: 16.7%
- Return on assets: 1.4%
- CFPB complaints: 0
- State rank: #2 of 62
Rio Grande
- Assets: $81.6M
- Members: 4,910
- Capital ratio: 21.3%
- Return on assets: 1.6%
- CFPB complaints: 0
- State rank: #4 of 62
Are both institutions federally insured?
Yes. Sterling is NCUA-insured and Rio Grande 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, Sterling or Rio Grande?
Based on Bankzia's Trust Grade — which blends financial strength (capital ratio, ROA) with CFPB complaint history — Sterling 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 Sterling safe?
Yes — Sterling 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 Rio Grande safe?
Yes — Rio Grande 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 Sterling vs Rio Grande?
Sterling has a net worth ratio of 16.7%, placing it in the top 7% of $100M–1B peers. Rio Grande's ratio is 21.3%, placing it in the top 18% of <$100M peers. A higher capital ratio generally signals a stronger financial cushion.
How many complaints does Sterling have compared to Rio Grande?
The CFPB database shows 0 complaints against Sterling, and 0 complaints against Rio Grande. 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 Sterling with other Credit Unions in Colorado
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.
