Black Hills logo

Black Hills in Rapid City, SD

4.0/5

CUScore is an independent directory and comparison tool for federally insured credit unions, providing NCUA financial data, health scores, and branch location information for 4,374 credit unions across America.

Data compiled from public sources · Rating from CreditDoc methodology

Black Hills Review

CUScore operates as a comprehensive directory and research platform for credit union discovery and comparison in the United States. The platform aggregates and publishes quarterly financial data from the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), enabling consumers and researchers to explore the credit union industry landscape across all 50 states, Washington D.C., and U.S. territories. The site explicitly states it is an independent directory not affiliated with the NCUA or any individual credit union.

The platform offers several core features for credit union research and comparison. Users can browse and compare 4,374 federally insured credit unions using metrics including total assets, membership size, net worth ratios, and financial health scores. The directory provides state-by-state browsing capabilities and national rankings that highlight the largest credit unions by total assets. The site includes detailed comparative data showing the industry encompasses 146 million members nationwide with combined assets of $2.456 trillion as of Q4 2025, and maintains an average net worth ratio of 11.2% across the industry.

CUScore distinguishes itself through its educational approach and data transparency. Beyond the directory function, the platform provides educational guides comparing credit unions to banks, explaining how to join a credit union, and defining what credit unions are and how they operate. The comparison charts highlight structural differences in ownership, purpose, deposit insurance, interest rates, fees, and governance between credit unions and traditional banks. All financial data is sourced directly from NCUA Quarterly Call Reports and clearly dated, providing verifiable, official regulatory information rather than proprietary analysis.

The platform serves as a reference tool rather than a service provider. CUScore does not offer accounts, loans, or financial products—it functions purely as an information aggregator and comparison directory. Users seeking to join a credit union must contact individual institutions directly. The value proposition relies entirely on data accuracy, comprehensiveness of the directory, and educational content quality. This positions CUScore as a research utility for consumers comparing credit union options rather than a financial services provider.

Services & Features

Branch location information for credit unions
Credit union popular selection highlights and top 10 largest rankings
Directory search of 4,374 federally insured credit unions with NCUA financial data
Educational guide: Credit Union vs. Bank comparison
Educational guide: How to Join a Credit Union
Educational guide: What Is a Credit Union
Financial health scoring and ratings for credit unions
Industry statistics and aggregate data (146M members, $2.456T assets, 11.2% avg net worth ratio)
NCUA regulatory compliance information and insurance details
National rankings of credit unions by total assets
Quarterly financial data including total assets, membership counts, and net worth ratios
State-by-state credit union browsing and filtering

Feature Checklist

Mobile App
Online Portal
Score Tracking
Credit Education
Personal Advisor
Identity Theft Protection

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Comprehensive directory covering 4,374 federally insured credit unions with complete NCUA regulatory data
  • Provides objective health scores and financial metrics for comparing credit union stability and performance
  • State-by-state browsing with nationwide rankings by total assets, enabling targeted searches
  • Free educational guides explaining credit union structures, membership requirements, and CU vs. bank comparisons
  • Data sourced directly from official NCUA Quarterly Call Reports, ensuring regulatory accuracy and transparency
  • Clearly states independence from NCUA and individual credit unions, reducing bias concerns
  • Updated quarterly with current financial data (Q4 2025 as of March 2026), maintaining relevance

Cons

  • Directory only—cannot open accounts, apply for loans, or conduct transactions directly through the platform
  • State-level asset totals display as $0, suggesting incomplete data presentation or technical issues in the interface
  • Limited depth on individual credit union product offerings, rates, or membership eligibility criteria
  • No personalized recommendation engine—users must manually compare institutions without decision support
  • Mobile functionality and user experience not evident from website content; unclear how accessible platform is across devices

Rating Breakdown

Value
5.0
Effectiveness
3.5
Customer Service
3.7
Transparency
4.2
Ease of Use
4.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Black Hills legitimate?

Yes. Black Hills is a registered company, headquartered in Rapid City, SD, founded in 1941.

How long does Black Hills take to show results?

Membership approval and account opening typically takes 1-3 business days. Loan decisions are usually faster than traditional banks.

Quick Facts

Founded
1941
Headquarters
Rapid City, SD
BBB Accredited
No
Certifications
NCUA Insured Charter #4365
Starting Price
Contact provider
Setup Fee
None
Money-Back Guarantee
No
Visit Black Hills

CreditDoc Diagnosis

Doctor's Verdict on Black Hills

CUScore is best for consumers and researchers seeking objective, regulatory-based information to compare and evaluate credit unions before joining. The key caveat is that CUScore is a reference tool only—it provides no account opening, lending, or transactional services, so users must contact credit unions directly to actually join or apply for products.

CFPB Transparency Report

Public data from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

Issues Resolved
100%
Timely Responses
100%

Source: consumerfinance.gov | Last checked 2026-04-09

Best For

  • Consumers researching which credit union to join by comparing financial health and size across states
  • Individuals learning the differences between credit unions and traditional banks before deciding where to bank
  • Researchers and analysts needing authoritative NCUA financial data and credit union industry benchmarks
  • People relocating who need to find federally insured credit unions in their new state
Updated 2026-05-14

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