Yellowstone Bank  ranked as the top in the country among 2020’s best-performing community banks with less than $3 billion in assets, by S&P Global Market Intelligence. The number one ranking is a 32 spot jump over their 2019 ranking.

S&P Global Market Intelligence reported, “Founded over a century ago, the bank has established itself as an active commercial, agricultural, and real estate lender in Montana with eight brick-and-mortar branches and one facility operating across six different cities. Yellowstone Bank was highly profitable during 2020, yielding a return on average tangible common equity, or ROATCE, of 21.4% while also growing operating revenues to 36.2% year over year.”

This Yellowstone Bank and other community banks accomplished during a most difficult year, underscored S & P Global. “Despite going through a challenging year filled with economic uncertainty, we have seen community banks and credit unions play a significant role in their regional markets, providing support and essential services needed in their local communities. I’m thrilled to see these community banks and credit unions thrive in a challenging time and proud to recognize these top performing local financial institutions in our annual rankings,” said Jimmy Pittenger, Senior Director of Financial Institutions at S&P Global Market Intelligence.

Among larger banks, United National Corp. earned the top spot among the best-performing community banks with assets between $3 billion and $10 billion. This Sioux Falls, S.D.-based bank outperformed the industry median in four of the six ranking metrics analyzed and achieved the highest net interest margin among the top 50 banks in the group at 18.84%.

This year’s top performing credit union designation was awarded to Philadelphia’s Police and Fire Credit Union. The 82-year-old credit union outperformed the industry median in all five ranking metrics. In addition, the credit union saw an 11.6% increase in member growth year over year while its delinquency ratio fell to 0.18%, down 13 basis points from year-ago levels.