OKLAHOMA CITY – Forbes has included BancFirst in its “World’s Best Banks 2020” report.
And Forbes’ list of America’s “Best-in-State Banks” includes one in Lawton and two that have a presence in southwest Oklahoma.
Instead of gauging the balance sheets and profit and loss statements, Forbes partnered with market research company Statista to conduct a study of approximately 40,000 banking consumers in nearly two dozen countries based on their opinions about current and former banking relationships.
When the coronavirus pandemic closed main streets around the world, “banks saw firsthand the need for rock-solid online banking capabilities, digital payments technologies, and smartphone applications that clients could use while in quarantine,” Forbes reported.
Even before COVID-19 changed everything about the way we live, “customers around the world wanted and expected the ability to check balances, cash checks, and apply for loans with just a few easy clicks.”
Banks were rated on general satisfaction and key attributes such as trust, fees, digital services and financial advice.
Survey participants were asked to name all banks where they have or previously had a checking or savings accounts. The participants then rated each bank based on various evaluation criteria, including overall banking recommendation, general satisfaction, trust, terms and conditions, customer service, digital services, and financial advice.
BancFirst, founded by Gene Rainbolt, was ranked the 10th best bank in the United States, making it the top-ranked Oklahoma-based bank on the list.
“This recognition by Forbes is a direct reflection of the loyalty of the men and women working at each of our 120 locations and their dedication to the core values of our company,” said David Harlow, CEO of BancFirst Corp.
“Rankings based upon financial performance are of course important, but being ranked in this way by our own customers, recognizing the superior customer service provided by our 1,773 bankers, is in many ways more rewarding.”
In southwest Oklahoma, BancFirst has branches and/or ATMs in Chattanooga, Duncan, Frederick, Hobart, Lawton, Lone Wolf and Marlow.
Forbes’ list of America’s “Best-in-State Banks” for 2020 includes City National Bank & Trust of Lawton, with 429 employees; Arvest Bank, of Arkansas, which has branches in Lawton, Duncan and Walters; and MidFirst Bank, headquartered in Oklahoma City, which has branches in Altus, Chickasha and Anadarko.