Best Companies in the Financial Services Industry

Allianz Life

Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Employees at Allianz Life report a workplace with strong opportunities for internal promotion and better-than-average diversity within its mid-level management ranks. Staff members indicate that the company provides fair processes for performance management that can encourage professional growth. However, some employees describe a challenging internal culture, noting that leadership seems to prioritize aggressive growth over employee well-being, which can contribute to burnout. The overall work environment is sometimes perceived as being divided, with a disconnect between different departments and levels of the organization.

Ally Financial

Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Staff members at Ally Financial describe a company that has adapted well to modern work expectations, offering a flexible environment that supports a healthy work-life balance. Employees report a positive and inclusive culture where leadership is seen as caring and genuinely concerned for their well-being. The firm is noted for providing broad opportunities for professional development and career growth. Colleagues feel that their contributions are valued and that the company is committed to both its employees and its community engagement efforts.

American Express

Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Employees suggest American Express offers a stable environment with a strong emphasis on work-life balance and psychological safety. Staff members note a culture that values internal candidates for career advancement, supported by robust colleague networks and exceptional benefits like parental leave. While compensation is considered decent, it is sometimes seen as a trade-off for the firm’s stability. Reports indicate that leadership is generally supportive, though moving up can require significant networking and navigating internal politics to secure growth opportunities.

Baird

Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Staff members at Baird report working for an employee-owned firm that actively promotes community involvement and maintains ethical business practices. Employees often feel welcomed and express pride in the company's client service reputation. The culture is described by some as one that supports professional growth, with leadership seen as honest. However, other reports suggest the work-life balance can be extremely demanding, and the experience may feel similar to other high-pressure firms, with career advancement opportunities potentially limited outside of the Milwaukee headquarters.

Bank of America

Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Employees describe Bank of America as a valuable entry point into the financial services industry, offering immense learning opportunities in a customer-facing environment. Staff members in roles like Relationship Banker report that while the work can be mentally demanding, it provides a clear stepping stone for promotion for those who demonstrate effort. The company is said to offer strong benefits and considerable paid time off. Leadership is seen as providing the tools for advancement within a structured, albeit sometimes high-pressure, corporate setting.

BHG Financial

Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Employees at BHG Financial report a welcoming and positive work environment where they feel treated as full members of the team regardless of their position. Staff members note that the company provides the necessary resources and equipment to perform their jobs effectively and supports a healthy work-life balance with adequate time off. The culture is described as contributing to a good working environment, with leadership fostering a sense of inclusion. Growth opportunities and job security are perceived positively within this supportive framework.

Capital One

Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Staff at Capital One report a company with great benefits, competitive pay, and attractive perks, such as a monthly day off for personal investment. Employees note that the firm’s growth mindset and culture of collaboration can lead to fast career advancement for high performers. However, the environment is also described as highly competitive and political, driven by a biannual stack-ranking system. This creates a high-pressure atmosphere where the employee experience is often dependent on the quality of one's direct manager and line of business.

Charles Schwab

Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Employees at Charles Schwab feel they work for a company with a strong customer service reputation, which they believe enhances their professional resumes. Staff members report that managers can be supportive and colleagues are often willing to work as a team. The company is said to provide good benefits and opportunities for growth, including paying for licensing. However, some employees describe a culture of being overworked in high-volume roles, with compensation and bonuses not always keeping pace with inflation or workload, leading to burnout.

Edward Jones

Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Staff members report that Edward Jones provides one of the best training programs in the industry, offering a strong foundation for a career in financial advising. The firm is noted for its supportive, community-focused model, where advisors are given their own office and assistant. However, employees also describe a challenging environment where compensation and benefits, particularly health insurance, are below industry average. Success and satisfaction are often dependent on inheriting an existing book of clients rather than starting from scratch.

Fannie Mae

Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Employees at Fannie Mae describe a positive work environment with strong compensation, excellent benefits, and a culture that supports a healthy work-life balance. Staff members report feeling happy and see a positive outlook for the company, which is known for its mission-driven work in the housing market. Leadership is viewed favorably, and colleagues are generally seen as collaborative. While the company is considered a great place to work, some employees note that opportunities for professional development and career advancement can sometimes feel stagnant.

Fidelity Investments

Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Employees suggest Fidelity Investments is an outstanding place to begin a career, offering excellent, paid training for licensing and clear paths for internal mobility for those who align with its culture. The firm is reported to have good benefits and a supportive environment for learning the business. However, some staff members, particularly in service roles, report a decline in culture post-pandemic, citing high-pressure sales quotas, stagnant pay, and burnout as significant challenges that can limit long-term career satisfaction.

Goldman Sachs

Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Staff at Goldman Sachs report working in a high-prestige environment that offers exceptional compensation and opportunities for career-defining work. The firm is known for its innovative approach and attracts top-tier talent, creating a challenging and intellectually stimulating culture. Employees feel they are part of a leading global institution with a strong commitment to excellence. While the work-life balance can be demanding, the opportunities for professional growth and the quality of leadership are often seen as unparalleled in the industry.

JPMorgan Chase

Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Employees at JPMorgan Chase report that the firm offers very good benefits, including generous parental leave, and provides opportunities to work on innovative projects at a global scale. The company's commitment to community service, including paid time off for volunteering, is also viewed positively. However, many staff members describe a demanding culture where leadership appears to prioritize shareholders over employees, exemplified by rigid return-to-office policies. This has reportedly led to low morale and concerns about work-life balance and job security.

Morgan Stanley

Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Staff members at Morgan Stanley describe a culture that provides access to top-tier resources and opportunities for significant career growth in wealth management and investment banking. Employees report that the firm invests in its talent and offers a path to build a successful, long-term career. The compensation and benefits are considered competitive for the industry. While the environment can be high-pressure, the quality of leadership and the firm's commitment to excellence are seen as key strengths that drive employee satisfaction.

Mountain America Credit Union

Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Employees at Mountain America Credit Union report a strong, supportive culture focused on serving its members and the community. Staff members feel they are part of a trusted financial partner that values integrity and teamwork. The credit union is said to offer a good work-life balance and competitive benefits. Leadership is viewed as approachable and committed to the organization's values, creating a stable and satisfying work environment with opportunities for steady career growth within a collaborative setting.

MSU Federal Credit Union

Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Staff members at MSU Federal Credit Union describe a workplace built on a strong foundation of member service and community contribution. Employees report a positive and inclusive culture where they feel valued and supported by leadership. The organization is said to offer a good work-life balance, comprehensive benefits, and a stable environment conducive to long-term career growth. Colleagues feel a sense of pride in working for an institution that prioritizes the financial well-being of its members over profits.

Nationwide

Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Employees at Nationwide describe a caring, non-confrontational culture that strongly supports work-life balance and flexibility, making it a great place for those with families. The company is praised for its commitment to community volunteerism and for providing good benefits, including a rare pension plan. While the environment is stable and people are friendly, some staff members note that career progression can be slow and that the culture can be frustrating for those who are highly action-oriented and want to execute quickly.

Pinnacle Financial Partners

Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Employees at Pinnacle Financial Partners overwhelmingly report a uniquely positive and people-centric culture where they feel genuinely cared for. Staff describe leadership as transparent, accessible, and committed to making it a great place to work. The firm is said to foster exceptional teamwork and a healthy work-life balance, supported by strong compensation and benefits. This intentional focus on associate well-being is seen as the direct cause of high employee satisfaction and excellent client service.

PNC Financial Services

Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Staff at PNC Financial Services report that the company offers great benefits, including tuition reimbursement and a strong parental leave policy, which supports personal and professional growth. In many departments, the people are described as friendly and the culture as collaborative. However, the employee experience is said to vary significantly by team, with some staff members citing low pay, slow career advancement due to rigid HR policies, and instances of micromanagement as major drawbacks in an otherwise stable environment.

Progressive Insurance

Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Employees at Progressive Insurance report a culture that embraces diversity and inclusion, making it a career destination where people from all backgrounds can thrive. Staff members feel the company is innovative and adaptable, consistently evolving to meet market demands. The work environment is described as collaborative, with good work-life balance and competitive compensation and benefits. Leadership is seen as supportive, fostering opportunities for professional growth and ensuring job security within a well-respected organization.

Prudential Financial

Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Staff members at Prudential Financial describe a stable and ethical company with a long history of serving its clients and communities. The culture is reported to be professional and supportive, with a focus on teamwork and employee development. The company offers competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package that contributes to job security and employee satisfaction. Leadership is generally viewed as steady and reliable, guiding the firm with a long-term perspective that values both innovation and stability.

Raymond James

Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Employees at Raymond James describe a firm with an excellent culture, strong technology, and great resources that support its advisors. The company is seen as a solid place to build a long-term career, particularly in its investment banking division, which has strong deal flow. However, staff in the advisor training program report that success is extremely difficult without an existing network of clients. While the work-life balance can be better than at some competitors, the path to success for new advisors is challenging.

Synchrony

Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Employees at Synchrony report an amazing, employee-centric culture where leadership, from the CEO down, shows sincere care for its people. The company is praised for its commitment to flexibility and work-life balance. Staff members feel there are broad opportunities to grow professionally, with the company investing heavily in training and development to help them achieve their goals. This supportive and engaging environment is seen as a key driver of high employee satisfaction and pride in the organization.

Truist Financial

Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Staff at Truist Financial report that the company offers a good benefits package, including ample vacation time and a 401(k) plan. In certain departments, employees describe their direct managers and teams as supportive and knowledgeable. However, many employees express significant dissatisfaction with the broader company culture following the merger, citing a heavy focus on sales metrics and a disconnect between executive leadership and frontline staff. This has reportedly led to low morale, concerns about job security, and a stressful work environment.

U.S. Bancorp

Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Employees at U.S. Bancorp report that the company provides very decent benefits and a good amount of paid time off. The culture is described as inclusive, particularly during the integration of new staff from mergers, and many teams are seen as hardworking and collaborative. However, this is often offset by reports of overwhelming workloads and average pay. A recent push for return-to-office for previously remote employees has become a major source of dissatisfaction, with many feeling it is unfair and undermines work-life balance.

USAA

Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Staff members at USAA describe a mission-driven culture rooted in service to the military community, which fosters a strong sense of purpose and integrity. The company is known for its stability and commitment to its employees, offering competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits. Leadership is seen as upholding the organization's core values, creating a supportive and respectful work environment. Employees report feeling proud to work for a company that is consistently recognized as a top employer and is dedicated to its members.

Veterans United Home Loans

Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Employees at Veterans United Home Loans report an amazing, values-driven culture with a powerful mission to serve those who have served the country. Staff in support roles describe a fun environment with great people, fantastic benefits, and an excellent work-life balance. The company’s commitment to community giving through its employee-funded foundation is a major source of pride. However, employees in loan production roles describe a high-pressure, “meat grinder” environment, and some express concerns about job security during market downturns.

Wells Fargo

Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Employees at Wells Fargo report that the company offers opportunities for internal career movement and exposure to many different parts of the banking industry. The firm provides competitive compensation and a solid benefits package. While the company has faced public challenges, staff members in many departments describe their direct teams and managers as supportive. Leadership is seen as focused on rebuilding trust and adapting the company’s culture, though the work environment can still be stressful and demanding depending on the role.

West Bend Insurance Company

Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Staff members at West Bend Insurance Company describe a supportive, family-oriented culture where employees feel valued and respected. The company is reported to offer a great work-life balance, competitive benefits, and a stable work environment. Leadership is seen as trustworthy and committed to the company's long-term success and its positive impact on the community. Employees express a high level of satisfaction and pride in working for an organization that prioritizes both its people and its policyholders.

Workiva

Why This Company Has Been Nominated:
Employees at Workiva report a culture of innovation and collaboration, centered on simplifying complex work for its clients through its cloud platform. Staff members feel they are part of a forward-thinking company that is a leader in its field. The work environment is described as positive and supportive, with a good work-life balance and competitive compensation and benefits. Leadership is seen as transparent and accessible, fostering opportunities for professional growth and empowering employees to make an impact.