Study names Mo. best state for banking

A study by MoneyRates.com named Missouri the best state for banking in the nation.

The banking information provider's 2014 Best and Worst States for Banking study examined four criteria: breadth of choice, stability, quality of service and competitive rates.

With more than 350 banks in the state and no bank failures in 2013, Missouri was awarded the top spot after ranking in the top 10 for choice, stability and customer service.

Neighboring Kansas ranked No. 2 on the list, while Arkansas ranked 10th. The top 10 are:

1. Missouri
2. Kansas
3. Nebraska
4. Massachusetts
5. California
6. Oklahoma
7. Pennsylvania
8. Iowa
9. New York
10. Arkansas

"Customers have a wide range of banking choices across most states, and thus can benefit from actively shopping for banks. But because the choices are especially good in the 10 states above, customers in these areas may wish to be especially demanding," MoneyRates.com officials said in the study.