Credit unions dominated rankings in MagnifyMoney's third annual Mobile Banking App Study, which compiled the iOS and Android banking apps ratings from over 100 of the biggest credit unions and banks.

Credit unions nearly swept the top 10 rankings for all apps this year, taking 9 of the top 10 spots. That's an even better showing than last year, when credit unions took eight out of the top 10 spots.

The data, collected from iTunes and Google Play the week of November 30, 2016, was used to create a composite 1 to 5 rating, factoring a weighted average of the ratings from both the iOS and Android platforms from over 100 of the biggest banks and credit unions, including the 50 largest banks and 50 largest credit unions along with a selection of top online direct banks.

MagnifyMoney ranked each app based on its rating score. This year's results include comparisons to 2015 to see which banks and credit union apps have most improved and deteriorated.

Summary of key findings:

• Best Overall App: Eastman Credit Union ($3. 5 billion, Kingsport, Tenn.). A 2% ratings improvement was just enough to give Eastman Credit Union the edge this year, securing the no. 1 spot for 2016. It's a familiar position. Eastman found itself in a five-way tie for first place in 2015. The credit union's most recent update in September added Apple Watch compatibility to its list of features.

• The best app among the 10 largest credit unions: PenFed ($20.2 billion, Alexandria, Va.).

• The overall most improved app: BECU ($15.1 billion, Tukwila, Wash.)

• Four credit unions tied for second place with a score of 4.7 — ESL Credit Union ($5.9 billion, Rochester, N.Y.), Redstone Federal Credit Union ($4.4 billion, Huntsville, Ala.), SEFCU ($3.3 billion, Albany, N.Y.), and Wright-Patt Credit Union ($3.3 billion, Beavercreek, Ohio).

• Credit unions aren't all bulletproof. Four out of the top 10 most deteriorated apps in 2016 were from credit unions.

• Best app among the 10 largest banks: Chase

• Worst app among the 10 largest banks: BB&T.

Instant Insights /

Credit Unions Dominate Mobile App Study

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