Commercial banks, Savings and Loan banks (homesteads) and credit unions all offer banking services across New Orleans. Changes in federal regulations in the 1970's and 1980's blurred the distinctions between these institutions. New Orleans offers may fine regional and local banks as well as branches of the big national players.

Chase, acutally J.P.Morgan Chase, became a big local player after it acquirer BankOne which had in turn acquired FNBC. FNBC was the biggest local bank having itself grown by acquisitions. (I started with University City Bank which folded and its assets were acquired by the Bank of New Orleans (BNO) which was acquired by FNBC, then Bank One, and now Chase.)

Capital One similarly vaulted to local prominence after acquiring Hibernia.

Whitney is one of the few local players who have been around for a while (1883). Noted for its conservatism, Whitney has been consistently profitable though up and down markets of many types. Whitney now operates in five states across the Gulf South.

Regions Bank is a significant regional bank out of Alabama. Regions has grown organically into the New Orleans area rather than through any major acquisition.

Liberty Bank is a local / regional bank that targets the African American community.

Fifth District Savings and Loan has provided Algiers with mortgage banking since its inception in 1926.

Metairie Bank has been making loans since 1947.