Native American-Owned Banks, Credit Unions: Where to Find Them

Native American-owned banks and credit unions focus on providing services and support to Indigenous communities.

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Updated Jun 18, 2024 · 1 min read

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Native American-owned banks and credit unions provide services that help support Native and Indigenous people in the United States (encompassing Native Hawaiians and Alaska Natives) with financial products and assistance, with the mission of helping people achieve their financial goals.

» Skip ahead to the list of Native American-owned U.S. banks and credit unions

Native communities have historically been prevented from accessing traditional paths to wealth in the United States, which has led to a wealth gap. In 2022, American Indian and Alaska Native households had a median income of $58,060, which was lower than the overall U.S. median income of $74,580, according to a 2022 U.S. Census Bureau survey.

The goal of many Native American-owned financial institutions is to help close this wealth gap by providing affordable and accessible banking services. Native American-owned institutions are classified as minority depository institutions, which means they are mission-driven to help unbanked and underbanked people in minority groups bolster their financial situations. One way they might do this is by making loans and mortgages easier to access for the minority groups they serve, thereby investing in community development.

» Want to see other minority-owned financial institutions? See our lists of Black-owned banks, Asian American-owned banks and Hispanic American-owned banks

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Native American-owned bank?

Per the definition of a minority depository institution from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., a Native American-owned bank is one where the majority of voting stock is owned by Native Americans, Native Hawaiians or Alaska Natives, or the majority of the bank’s board of directors and the community it serves is predominantly from those groups. Banks, whether minority-owned or not, are usually for-profit institutions, unlike credit unions.

What is a Native American-owned credit union?

Like a Native American-owned bank, a Native American-owned credit union has Native Americans as a majority of its current members, board members and/or the community it serves. Credit unions are typically not-for-profit. To open an account at a credit union, you might need to meet membership requirements, such as living in a particular area or working for a particular employer.

What are minority depository institutions (MDIs)?

Minority depository institutions, or MDIs, are federally insured depository institutions like banks and credit unions where minorities hold at least 51% of the voting stock, or where the majority of the board of directors is made up of minorities and where the institution's target community is primarily made up of minorities.

What are community development financial institutions (CDFIs)?

Community development financial institutions, or CDFIs, are financial institutions — typically banks and credit unions — that are mission-driven to support communities that have traditionally been shut out of mainstream banking services.

Can allies join a Native American-owned bank?

Yes, minority depository institutions are available to all races and ethnicities. Credit unions sometimes have membership requirements such as geographic location or working for a particular employer, so you’ll want to check whether you qualify before trying to join. Banking with an MDI can be a valuable way to show your support to the community it serves.

List of Native American-owned banks and credit unions

Here are the Native American-owned banks and credit unions operating within the U.S.

Financial Institution	Headquarters
Legacy Bank	Murrieta, CA.
Native American Bank	Denver, CO.
Hawaii First Federal Credit Union	Kamuela, HI.
Kauai Government Employees Federal Credit Union	Lihue, HI.
Pinnacle Bank	Marshalltown, IA.
Woodlands National Bank	Hinckley, MN.
Choctaw Federal Credit Union	Choctaw, MS.
People's Bank of Seneca	Seneca, MO.
Eagle Bank	Polson, MT.
The Morning Star Federal Credit Union	Lame Deer, MT.
Four Corners Federal Credit Union	Kirtland, NM.
Lumbee Guaranty Bank	Pembroke, NC.
Turtle Mountain State Bank	Belcourt, ND.
Seneca Nation of Indians Federal Credit Union	Irving, NY.
AllNations Bank	Calumet, OK.
Carson Community Bank	Stilwell, OK.
Chickasaw Community Bank	Oklahoma City, OK.
F&M Bank	Edmond, OK.
FirstBank	Antlers, OK.
Gateway First Bank	Jenks, OK.
Local Bank (formerly known as Bank of Cherokee County)	Hulbert, OK.
Pauls Valley National Bank	Pauls Valley, OK.
Security State Bank of Oklahoma	Wewoka, OK.
Sovereign Bank	Shawnee, OK.
Lakota Federal Credit Union	Kyle, SD.
Sisseton-Wahpeton Federal Credit Union	Agency Village, SD.
The First State Bank	Abernathy, TX.
Bay Bank	Green Bay, WI.
Lac Courte Oreilles Federal Credit Union	Hayward, WI.

Don’t see your Native American-owned bank or credit union here? Let us know.

Note: This list is not necessarily exhaustive due, in part, to the different processes for banks and credit unions to be recognized as Native American-owned. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. tracks eligible banks. All Native American-owned banks are represented as of the most recent list, published in the last quarter of 2023. For credit unions, see the NCUA website for a list of Native American-owned credit unions.

Article sources

NerdWallet writers are subject matter authorities who use primary, trustworthy sources to inform their work, including peer-reviewed studies, government websites, academic research and interviews with industry experts. All content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness and relevance. You can learn more about NerdWallet's high standards for journalism by reading our editorial guidelines.

1. United States Census Bureau. Income in the United States: 2022. Accessed May 27, 2024.

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List of Native American-owned banks and credit unions

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