The Forbes and Statista ranking process evaluated financial institutions based on direct customer feedback, weighing metrics such as trust, digital service quality, and financial advice. Keesler Federal’s performance in these categories, bolstered by its record-breaking merger in Louisiana and Mississippi this past March, solidified its position at the top of the state list.

Andrew Swoger, President and CEO of Keesler Federal, attributed the consistent high marks to the dedication of the institution's staff. Since its founding in 1947, the credit union has grown into a $5.3 billion institution. It now serves more than 390,000 members across Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, and the United Kingdom. While the firm has expanded from 24 branches to over 50 in the last ten years, Swoger emphasized that this growth remains a byproduct of member trust rather than a primary corporate objective.