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Highest rated credit union or community bank in oregon
Executive summary
Forbes’ Best‑in‑State rankings show Mid Oregon Credit Union was named the #1 credit union in Oregon for 2023 and 2024, and Forbes’ 2025 Best‑in‑State list continues to be a frequent reference for “highest rated” claims [1] [2]. SELCO Community Credit Union has also repeatedly placed highly on Forbes’ state lists—ranked third among Oregon credit unions on Forbes’ 2025/related reporting of winners—and multiple consumer‑review and rate‑comparison sites (WalletHub, CreditUnionsOnline, Phroogal) publish alternative top‑lists that emphasize different metrics such as member reviews, APYs or asset size [3] [4] [5] [6] [7].
1. What “highest rated” means — competing definitions that change the answer
“Highest rated” is not a single metric: Forbes’ Best‑in‑State list blends consumer surveys (80%) and online reviews (20%), producing one kind of ranking that prioritizes satisfaction and perceived service [2]. Other lists measure different things: Phroogal ranks by asset size and rates (APY/loan rates) using NCUA data [6], FactoryWarrantyList (F&I Tools) sorts by APR and lists Oregon State CU at #1 by that metric [7], while WalletHub and CreditUnionsOnline compile member reviews and other consumer signals [4] [5]. Because methodologies differ, the “highest rated” credit union depends on whether you value member satisfaction surveys, rate competitiveness, asset size, branch reach or local review aggregates [2] [6] [7] [4].
2. Forbes’ baseline: Mid Oregon, SELCO and other repeat winners
Forbes and Statista’s Best‑in‑State methodology is widely cited and drives many local “top” headlines. Mid Oregon Credit Union was named Oregon’s #1 credit union by Forbes for at least 2023 and 2024, and local reporting highlights that repeat selection [1]. SELCO Community Credit Union has also repeatedly made Forbes’ state lists, with SELCO citing a third‑place positioning among Oregon credit unions that met Forbes’ survey criteria in 2025/related press claims [3] [8]. Forbes’ published methodology—surveys plus scraped online reviews—explains why community perception and digital sentiment heavily influence which institution is “highest rated” there [2].
3. Rate‑oriented lists give different winners (APY/APR focus)
If your priority is the best savings/loan rates rather than survey scores, other rankings change the leader. F&I Tools’ sortable list ranks Oregon credit unions by APR and shows Oregon State Credit Union and OnPoint near the top for lending rates [7]. Phroogal’s list emphasizes APY and asset size (and notes OnPoint is the largest with $9.6 billion in assets), so OnPoint, Rogue and Oregon Community CU show prominence on rate/size grounds [6]. In short: rate‑focused shoppers should consult APR/APY lists rather than satisfaction surveys [7] [6].
4. Local review directories and consumer sites — a community perspective
Consumer‑driven directories (WalletHub, CreditUnionsOnline, Yelp) surface member review‑based rankings and local favorites: WalletHub lists a 2025 roster of Oregon credit unions based on user reviews and highlights organizations like Valley Credit Union and NW Preferred in its summaries [4]. CreditUnionsOnline publishes a Top‑25 member‑review list as well [5]. Yelp’s Portland pages show Unitus, OnPoint, Rivermark and others frequently rated highly by local customers [9]. These platforms reflect everyday member experiences but are susceptible to sampling bias and local review concentration [4] [5] [9].
5. Scale and footprint matter for different customers
Phroogal calls out OnPoint as Oregon’s largest credit union (over $9.6 billion in assets, 585,000 members), while SELCO and Rogue are also large players by assets and membership [6]. Large credit unions may offer broad product menus and branch/ATM access; smaller ones often tout closer community ties. Which is “best” depends on whether you want convenience, rates, community service, or high customer satisfaction scores [6].
6. How to decide which ranking to trust for your needs
Decide upfront what “highest rated” means to you: member satisfaction (Forbes/Statista), rate competitiveness (APR/APY lists like F&I Tools or Phroogal), or local review sentiment (WalletHub, CreditUnionsOnline, Yelp). For a quick rule: consult Forbes for overall satisfaction rankings [2], Phroogal and APR/APY lists for rates and size [6] [7], and WalletHub/CreditUnionsOnline/Yelp for granular member feedback [4] [5] [9].
7. Limitations and what reporting does not say
Available sources do not provide a single, definitive “highest rated” credit union for every consumer because each ranking uses different metrics; no source claims to universally determine the best provider for all needs [2] [7] [6] [4]. Also, while multiple outlets highlight Mid Oregon and SELCO on Forbes’ lists and other compilations, user‑specific factors (eligibility, branch access, particular product rates) mean your optimal choice could differ from the top‑ranked name on any one list [1] [3] [6].
If you want, I can: (a) pull the current Forbes Best‑in‑State entry for Oregon and quote the 2025/most‑recent placement; (b) compile a short comparison table of Mid Oregon, SELCO, OnPoint and Oregon State CU on assets, membership and recent rankings using the cited lists above. Which would help you choose?