Banks & Credit Unions Industry Profile

The US banking industry includes about 6,400 commercial banks, 1,100 savings banks, and 7,200 credit unions with combined annual revenue of about $700 billion. Major companies include Bank of America, Citibank, JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo, and Navy Federal Credit Union. The industry is concentrated: the 50 largest firms generate 70 percent of revenue. Commercial banks account for about 80 percent of industry revenue; savings banks, 15 percent; and credit unions, 5 percent.

Worldwide, the banking industry generates revenue of $3.75 trillion annually. Major banks include French firm BNP Paribas, Royal Bank of Scotland, Frankfurt-based Deutsche Bank, and UK's HSBC Bank.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Demand for banking services is closely tied to economic activity and the level of interest rates. The profitability of individual banks depends on marketing skills, efficient operations, and good risk management. Large economies of scale exist in some segments of the industry, which has encouraged industry consolidation. Smaller banks can compete successfully in segments where customer service or knowledge of the local market is more important.

Many banks and thrifts aggressively offered adjustable rate and subprime mortgages during the housing boom of the early 2000s only to find themselves saddled with loan defaults and extensive losses when the housing bubble burst. Deep exposure to subprime mortgages and mortgage-backed securities caused bank failures, government takeovers, and involuntary mergers. Although the financial climate has improved, slow demand for loans and increased government regulation ...