In the United States, big banks are taking over. Small private banks and credit unions that offer a personal relationship are far and few between, as the big banks gobble them all up. At some point or another you will need a loan, whether it be a home mortgage, auto loan or a personal loan, and chances are you’ll be working with the large banks and there terms.

The good news is that big banks have the resources to make things pretty much automated. If you want a new credit card or a loan, just fill out an online application and you’ll find out instantly how much you’re approved for. Need to transfer cash from your account to your kids’ account? No problem. That can be done in seconds.

The 25 Largest Banks in 2010

This list of the largest banks is ranked by the banks with the largest dollar value of consolidated assets, as compiled by the Federal Reserve.

1. JP Morgan Chase – 5,143 domestic branches
2. Bank of America – 6,012 domestic branches
3. Citibank/Citigroup – 1,025 domestic branches
4. Wells Fargo – 6,519 domestic branches
5. US Bank – 3,050 domestic branches
6. PNC - 2,596 domestic branches
7. FIA Card Services (BOA) – 0 domestic branches
8. HSBC - 482 domestic branches
9. Bank of NY Mellon – 4 domestic branches
10. Suntrust Bank – 1,724 domestic branches
11. State Street – 2 domestic branches
12. TD Bank – 1,091 domestic branches
13. Branch BKG&TC/BB&T – 1,790 domestic branches
14. Citibank SD NA/Citigroup – 0 domestic branches
15. Chase Bank/JP Morgan Chase – 1 domestic branches
16. Regions Bank – 1,769 domestic branches
17. Capital One – 991 domestic branches
18. RBS Citizens Financial Group – 1,118 domestic branches
19. Fifth Third Bank – 1,364 domestic branches
20. Goldman Sachs - 3 domestic branches
21. Keybank - 1,041 domestic branches
22. Union Bank – 401 domestic branches
23. Captial One Bank – 0 domestic branches
24. Manufacturers & Traders TC/M&T Bank – 792 domestic branches
25. Northern Trust – 15

This list is current as of June 30, 2010.

For those interested in keeping there savings diversified, these banks may be some obvious institutions that you could safely hold your money while providing competitive savings or Money Market rates.