Bank directories by region
Banking rules are set nationally but felt locally. This directory covers the countries where finance content is valued most highly, broken down by the regions that actually differ.
Why these countries? Advertising rates in finance vary enormously by country. Advertisers in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia bid far more aggressively than in most other markets, because the customers they reach there are worth more. These directories cover the ten highest-value markets for personal finance content.
The ten highest-value finance markets
| # | Country | Code | Typical page RPM (USD) | What the directory covers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States | US | 15 – 40+ | The highest-paying ad market in the world, and the deepest banking sector. Covered separately with all 50 states. |
| 2 | United Kingdom | GB | 12 – 30 | Four nations with distinct banking traditions, including Scottish and Northern Irish banknote issuance. |
| 3 | Canada | CA | 10 – 28 | Thirteen provinces and territories, with provincial credit unions alongside the nationwide big five. |
| 4 | Australia | AU | 8 – 25 | Eight states and territories, dominated by the big four banks plus a strong mutual sector. |
| 5 | Switzerland | CH | up to 24 | Twenty-six cantons, each with its own banking character and cantonal bank. |
| 6 | Germany | DE | up to 22 | All sixteen federal states, each with its own Sparkassen savings bank network. |
| 7 | France | FR | up to 20 | Thirteen régions with a unique mix of national banks, cooperatives and regional savings banks. |
| 8 | Spain | ES | up to 18 | Nineteen autonomous communities with distinct banking traditions, from Basque cooperatives to Catalan savings banks. |
| 9 | Netherlands | NL | up to 20 | Twelve provinces with near-universal digital banking and strong cooperative tradition. |
| 10 | Norway — coming soon | NO | up to 21 | A small, digitally mature banking market. |
RPM ranges are indicative benchmarks for finance content, compiled from published publisher reporting. Actual results depend on your traffic, content quality and ad placement.
Regional directories
Four of the ten markets split into regions that genuinely differ in banking. Those are covered in full detail.
13 provinces and territories
Provincial credit unions sit alongside the nationwide big five banks, each province with its own rules.
13 regions Germany16 federal states
The Sparkassen savings bank network is organised by state, so the bank available to you depends on where you live.
16 regions United Kingdom4 nations
England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland — including which banks issue their own banknotes.
4 nations Australia8 states and territories
The big four banks plus a strong mutual sector, with coverage that thins sharply outside the capitals.
8 regions France13 régions
A unique mix of national banks, cooperative networks and regional savings banks across all of metropolitan France.
13 regions Spain19 autonomous communities
From Basque cooperatives to Catalan savings banks, each region has distinct banking traditions and regulations.
19 regions Switzerland26 cantons
Each canton has its own cantonal bank, plus the major global private banks centred in Zurich and Geneva.
26 cantons Netherlands12 provinces
Near-universal digital banking with strong cooperative tradition and innovative fintech sector.
12 provincesAlso covered in depth
What actually differs between regions
Once you look past the marketing, regional banking differences come down to a short list.
Which regulator you would complain to
In federal systems the national regulator supervises most banks, but regional institutions — credit unions, Sparkassen, caisses — fall under a regional authority. Knowing which one applies matters if a dispute escalates.
Deposit protection limits and who provides them
National schemes usually cover banks, while regional schemes cover regional institutions. Several Canadian provinces and Swiss cantons offer protection above or separate from the national limit, so the region you bank in can change your real exposure.
How much branch coverage you actually get
This is the difference people feel most. Rural regions in Canada, Australia and parts of Germany have sharply thinner branch networks than metropolitan areas, which makes digital banking a necessity rather than a preference.
Local identity requirements
Germany requires address registration before most account openings. Quebec requires membership in a caisse. Spain needs an NIE. Requirements like these are regional or national, and they are usually the real obstacle rather than the bank's own policy.
Language of service
Quebec operates primarily in French, New Brunswick is officially bilingual, and the Swiss cantons split across four national languages. This affects the practical experience of opening and running an account far more than it affects the rules.
Check the numbers before you borrow
Our calculators run entirely in your browser — no signup, no stored data.
Sources and verification
Deposit protection limits and regulator names are taken from the official schemes and bodies for each country.
- FCA — Information for consumersFinancial Conduct Authority (UK)
- BaFin — Banking supervisionBundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht (DE)
- CDIC — Deposit insuranceCanada Deposit Insurance Corporation
- APRA — Banking supervisionAustralian Prudential Regulation Authority
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