credit union

Essential

Baton Rouge, LA · Est. 1972
B
Trust Grade
Strong
Score: 83/100

Essential is a credit union based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, established in 1972, with $430 million in total assets serving 31,118 members. By Trust Grade it ranks 108th of 136 credit unions we track in Louisiana. Its net worth ratio of 9.0% trails most similarly sized credit unions (15th percentile), versus a Louisiana median of 14.5%. It was profitable over the most recent period, with a 0.48% return on assets. No consumer complaints against Essential appear in the CFPB database over our analysis window — common for an institution of this size and a point in its favor.

Total assets
$429.8M
$100M–1B institution
Members
31,118
Shares & deposits
—
Net worth ratio
9.0%
Bottom 15% of $100M–1B peers · Louisiana median 14.5%
Return on assets
0.5%
Bottom 35% of $100M–1B peers · Louisiana median 0.49%
Rank in Louisiana
#108
of 136 credit unions

How Essential compares to Louisiana peers

Net worth ratio
Bottom 15% of $100M–1B peers
Essential
9.0%
Louisiana median
14.5%
Higher capital ratio = stronger financial cushion
Return on assets
Bottom 35% of $100M–1B peers
Essential
0.5%
Louisiana median
0.5%
Higher ROA = more profitable relative to asset base

How we graded Essential

The Trust Grade blends financial strength with complaint history. Full methodology →

Financial strength
83/100
Customer experience
n/a
Overall
B · 83
  • Well-capitalized (9.0% capital ratio)
  • Profitable (ROA 0.48%)
  • No CFPB complaints on record

Consumer complaints (CFPB)

No CFPB complaints are on file for Essential over the analysis window. For a smaller institution this is common and counts in its favor.

Are deposits at Essential insured?

Yes. Essential is an NCUA-insured credit union. Deposits are federally insured up to $250,000per depositor, per ownership category — regardless of this institution's Trust Grade. The grade reflects financial strength and complaint history for comparison, not the safety of insured deposits.

Essential: frequently asked questions

Is Essential a good credit union?

Essential earns a Bankzia Trust Grade of B (83/100, "Strong"), based on a financial-strength score of 83/100 (it has no CFPB complaints on record). Well-capitalized (9.0% capital ratio); Profitable (ROA 0.48%).

Is Essential NCUA-insured?

Yes. Essential is a NCUA-insured credit union. Deposits are protected up to the standard NCUA limit of $250,000 per depositor, per ownership category.

How big is Essential?

Essential holds $430 million in total assets, ranking 108th of 136 credit unions we track in Louisiana. It serves 31,118 members.

Does Essential have CFPB complaints?

No CFPB complaints against Essential appear in our data over the analysis window, which is typical for a credit union of this size.

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Financial data from NCUA call reports; complaint data from the CFPB Consumer Complaint Database. Bankzia is an independent resource and is not affiliated with any government agency or financial institution. Figures are for general information, not financial advice.

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