In 2002, Colorado had 181 insured banks, with assets of $50 billion. Most of these institutions were concentrated in metropolitan Denver, the leading banking center between Kansas City and the Pacific. Colorado credit unions and savings and loans are regulated by the Division of Financial Services, under the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA). Chartered commercial banks are regulated by the Division of Banking.
Although Colorado experienced negative economic conditions in 2001/02 (including a rate of job losses that exceeded that of the nation), insured institutions headquartered in the state performed well. The average return on assets (ROA) ratio (the measure of earnings in relation to all resources) was among the highest level in a decade, in part due to the low cost of funds.