ARA Banking / Q3 2026 / Full Shelf Diagnostic

AI models give 44% of their banking picks to brands outside the 15 audited banks, from American Express to Bluevine.

Why these three lead the shelf
1. Chasechosen 34× / 9.7% / 4/4 models

Chase appears in answers to 14 of the 15 questions, which is the widest reach on the shelf. All four models name it, and at least one answer ranks it first. The models appear to treat Chase as a default bank for almost every buyer need asked.

2. Capital Onechosen 33× / 9.4% / 4/4 models

Capital One is one choice behind Chase. It appears in answers to 13 of the 15 questions, and all four models name it. At least one answer ranks it first. Its reach is almost as wide as Chase's.

3. Bank of Americachosen 26× / 7.4% / 4/4 models

Bank of America appears in answers to 12 of the 15 questions, and all four models name it. At least one answer ranks it first. It still collects 7 fewer choices than Capital One, so the models name it less often than the top two.

About the AI Shelf
The AI Shelf is the short list of names an AI assistant gives when someone asks what to buy. ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini and Perplexity answer the questions a real buyer asks, and every brand they name lands on the shelf. Your customer sees it before they see yours, and nobody can pay for position on it.
Each time a model chooses a brand over every other brand it could have named, that counts once. 350 choices were made here. Slice size is share of all of them.
55.7%held by the 15 audited brands
100brands chosen in total
9.7%largest holding / Chase
The takeaway
Chase, Capital One and Bank of America hold 26.6% of the shelf together. Brands outside the audited set take 44.3% of all choices. Examples include American Express, Axos Bank, Charles Schwab and Marcus by Goldman Sachs. Across these questions, the models spread their picks over 100 brands. No single bank holds more than one choice in ten.
ARA Chase — chosen 34x (9.7%) / 4/4 models (Cl, GPT, Gm, Px) / 14 of 15 questions / best rank #1Capital One — chosen 33x (9.4%) / 4/4 models (Cl, GPT, Gm, Px) / 13 of 15 questions / best rank #1Bank of America — chosen 26x (7.4%) / 4/4 models (Cl, GPT, Gm, Px) / 12 of 15 questions / best rank #1Ally — chosen 20x (5.7%) / 4/4 models (Cl, GPT, Gm, Px) / 8 of 15 questions / best rank #1SoFi — chosen 17x (4.9%) / 4/4 models (Cl, GPT, Gm, Px) / 8 of 15 questions / best rank #1Discover — chosen 11x (3.1%) / 4/4 models (Cl, GPT, Gm, Px) / 7 of 15 questions / best rank #1Wells Fargo — chosen 11x (3.1%) / 4/4 models (Cl, GPT, Gm, Px) / 8 of 15 questions / best rank #2American Express — chosen 10x (2.9%) / 4/4 models (Cl, GPT, Gm, Px) / 5 of 15 questions / best rank #1Chime — chosen 10x (2.9%) / 4/4 models (Cl, GPT, Gm, Px) / 7 of 15 questions / best rank #2Axos Bank — chosen 9x (2.6%) / 4/4 models (Cl, GPT, Gm, Px) / 5 of 15 questions / best rank #1Charles Schwab — chosen 9x (2.6%) / 4/4 models (Cl, GPT, Gm, Px) / 6 of 15 questions / best rank #1Citi — chosen 9x (2.6%) / 4/4 models (Cl, GPT, Gm, Px) / 4 of 15 questions / best rank #1Marcus by Goldman Sachs — chosen 7x (2.0%) / 3/4 models (Cl, GPT, Gm) / 4 of 15 questions / best rank #1U.S. Bank — chosen 7x (2.0%) / 4/4 models (Cl, GPT, Gm, Px) / 5 of 15 questions / best rank #2PNC — chosen 5x (1.4%) / 3/4 models (Cl, GPT, Px) / 3 of 15 questions / best rank #2Bluevine — chosen 4x (1.1%) / 4/4 models (Cl, GPT, Gm, Px) / 1 of 15 questions / best rank #1Found — chosen 4x (1.1%) / 4/4 models (Cl, GPT, Gm, Px) / 1 of 15 questions / best rank #1Regions Bank — chosen 4x (1.1%) / 4/4 models (Cl, GPT, Gm, Px) / 2 of 15 questions / best rank #2Rocket Mortgage — chosen 4x (1.1%) / 4/4 models (Cl, GPT, Gm, Px) / 1 of 15 questions / best rank #1Centerview Partners — chosen 3x (0.9%) / 3/4 models (Cl, GPT, Gm) / 1 of 15 questions / best rank #1Evercore — chosen 3x (0.9%) / 3/4 models (Cl, GPT, Gm) / 1 of 15 questions / best rank #2Navy Federal Credit Union — chosen 3x (0.9%) / 2/4 models (GPT, Gm) / 2 of 15 questions / best rank #4Newtek Bank — chosen 3x (0.9%) / 2/4 models (Cl, Px) / 2 of 15 questions / best rank #1Novo — chosen 3x (0.9%) / 3/4 models (Cl, GPT, Gm) / 1 of 15 questions / best rank #4Relay — chosen 3x (0.9%) / 3/4 models (GPT, Gm, Px) / 1 of 15 questions / best rank #2TD Bank — chosen 3x (0.9%) / 2/4 models (Cl, GPT) / 3 of 15 questions / best rank #3Truist — chosen 3x (0.9%) / 3/4 models (GPT, Gm, Px) / 1 of 15 questions / best rank #1USAA — chosen 3x (0.9%) / 3/4 models (GPT, Gm, Px) / 3 of 15 questions / best rank #1Wise — chosen 3x (0.9%) / 3/4 models (GPT, Gm, Px) / 1 of 15 questions / best rank #4Alliant Credit Union — chosen 2x (0.6%) / 2/4 models (GPT, Gm) / 2 of 15 questions / best rank #4BancFirst — chosen 2x (0.6%) / 2/4 models (Cl, GPT) / 1 of 15 questions / best rank #5CIT Bank — chosen 2x (0.6%) / 2/4 models (GPT, Gm) / 1 of 15 questions / best rank #4Fidelity Investments — chosen 2x (0.6%) / 2/4 models (Cl, GPT) / 1 of 15 questions / best rank #3First Citizens Bank — chosen 2x (0.6%) / 1/4 models (Px) / 2 of 15 questions / best rank #3Happen Bank — chosen 2x (0.6%) / 2/4 models (Cl, Gm) / 1 of 15 questions / best rank #2Huntington Bank — chosen 2x (0.6%) / 2/4 models (Cl, Px) / 2 of 15 questions / best rank #1Lili — chosen 2x (0.6%) / 2/4 models (Cl, Gm) / 1 of 15 questions / best rank #3Mercury — chosen 2x (0.6%) / 2/4 models (Cl, GPT) / 1 of 15 questions / best rank #5Morgan Stanley — chosen 2x (0.6%) / 2/4 models (Cl, GPT) / 1 of 15 questions / best rank #4Oakworth Capital Bank — chosen 2x (0.6%) / 2/4 models (Gm, Px) / 1 of 15 questions / best rank #2Self — chosen 2x (0.6%) / 2/4 models (Cl, Gm) / 1 of 15 questions / best rank #5Synchrony Bank — chosen 2x (0.6%) / 1/4 models (Gm) / 2 of 15 questions / best rank #6TowneBank — chosen 2x (0.6%) / 2/4 models (Cl, Px) / 2 of 15 questions / best rank #3Wintrust Community Banks — chosen 2x (0.6%) / 2/4 models (GPT, Gm) / 1 of 15 questions / best rank #4Ameris — chosen 1x (0.3%) / 1/4 models (GPT) / 1 of 15 questions / best rank #7Associated Bank — chosen 1x (0.3%) / 1/4 models (Px) / 1 of 15 questions / best rank #2Banco do Brasil — chosen 1x (0.3%) / 1/4 models (Gm) / 1 of 15 questions / best rank #3Bangor Savings Bank — chosen 1x (0.3%) / 1/4 models (GPT) / 1 of 15 questions / best rank #6Banner Bank — chosen 1x (0.3%) / 1/4 models (Gm) / 1 of 15 questions / best rank #6Bask Bank — chosen 1x (0.3%) / 1/4 models (GPT) / 1 of 15 questions / best rank #3Better Mortgage — chosen 1x (0.3%) / 1/4 models (Gm) / 1 of 15 questions / best rank #6Better.com — chosen 1x (0.3%) / 1/4 models (Cl) / 1 of 15 questions / best rank #6Bilt Rewards — chosen 1x (0.3%) / 1/4 models (Gm) / 1 of 15 questions / best rank #5BrioDirect — chosen 1x (0.3%) / 1/4 models (GPT) / 1 of 15 questions / best rank #2Clearsight Advisors — chosen 1x (0.3%) / 1/4 models (Gm) / 1 of 15 questions / best rank #3CreditStrong — chosen 1x (0.3%) / 1/4 models (Px) / 1 of 15 questions / best rank #2DBS Group — chosen 1x (0.3%) / 1/4 models (Gm) / 1 of 15 questions / best rank #2DC Advisory — chosen 1x (0.3%) / 1/4 models (Gm) / 1 of 15 questions / best rank #4DCU — chosen 1x (0.3%) / 1/4 models (GPT) / 1 of 15 questions / best rank #6DCU (Digital Federal Credit Union) — chosen 1x (0.3%) / 1/4 models (Cl) / 1 of 15 questions / best rank #4Digital Federal Credit Union — chosen 1x (0.3%) / 1/4 models (Gm) / 1 of 15 questions / best rank #5Fidelity — chosen 1x (0.3%) / 1/4 models (Gm) / 1 of 15 questions / best rank #2First Tech Federal Credit Union — chosen 1x (0.3%) / 1/4 models (Cl) / 1 of 15 questions / best rank #3FitnessBank — chosen 1x (0.3%) / 1/4 models (Px) / 1 of 15 questions / best rank #1Frost Bank — chosen 1x (0.3%) / 1/4 models (Gm) / 1 of 15 questions / best rank #6GO2bank — chosen 1x (0.3%) / 1/4 models (Px) / 1 of 15 questions / best rank #3HBT Financial / Heartland Bank and Trust — chosen 1x (0.3%) / 1/4 models (Px) / 1 of 15 questions / best rank #5Heartland Bank and Trust — chosen 1x (0.3%) / 1/4 models (GPT) / 1 of 15 questions / best rank #4HSBC — chosen 1x (0.3%) / 1/4 models (Px) / 1 of 15 questions / best rank #7Huntington — chosen 1x (0.3%) / 1/4 models (GPT) / 1 of 15 questions / best rank #4KeyBank — chosen 1x (0.3%) / 1/4 models (GPT) / 1 of 15 questions / best rank #5KfW — chosen 1x (0.3%) / 1/4 models (Gm) / 1 of 15 questions / best rank #7Lazard — chosen 1x (0.3%) / 1/4 models (GPT) / 1 of 15 questions / best rank #5Live Oak Bank — chosen 1x (0.3%) / 1/4 models (Px) / 1 of 15 questions / best rank #1loanDepot — chosen 1x (0.3%) / 1/4 models (Px) / 1 of 15 questions / best rank #3M&S Bank — chosen 1x (0.3%) / 1/4 models (Px) / 1 of 15 questions / best rank #6Moelis & Company — chosen 1x (0.3%) / 1/4 models (GPT) / 1 of 15 questions / best rank #3Nationwide — chosen 1x (0.3%) / 1/4 models (Px) / 1 of 15 questions / best rank #5NBKC — chosen 1x (0.3%) / 1/4 models (GPT) / 1 of 15 questions / best rank #1Orsa Credit Union — chosen 1x (0.3%) / 1/4 models (Cl) / 1 of 15 questions / best rank #5Pibank — chosen 1x (0.3%) / 1/4 models (GPT) / 1 of 15 questions / best rank #1Pinnacle Financial Partners — chosen 1x (0.3%) / 1/4 models (Gm) / 1 of 15 questions / best rank #5PJT Partners — chosen 1x (0.3%) / 1/4 models (GPT) / 1 of 15 questions / best rank #6PT Bank Central Asia (BCA) — chosen 1x (0.3%) / 1/4 models (Gm) / 1 of 15 questions / best rank #1Quontic Bank — chosen 1x (0.3%) / 1/4 models (GPT) / 1 of 15 questions / best rank #2Rate — chosen 1x (0.3%) / 1/4 models (Px) / 1 of 15 questions / best rank #5Redneck Bank — chosen 1x (0.3%) / 1/4 models (GPT) / 1 of 15 questions / best rank #7Santander — chosen 1x (0.3%) / 1/4 models (Px) / 1 of 15 questions / best rank #6State Bank of India (SBI) — chosen 1x (0.3%) / 1/4 models (Gm) / 1 of 15 questions / best rank #4SunTrust — chosen 1x (0.3%) / 1/4 models (Px) / 1 of 15 questions / best rank #3Tomo Mortgage — chosen 1x (0.3%) / 1/4 models (GPT) / 1 of 15 questions / best rank #6Unite Community Bank — chosen 1x (0.3%) / 1/4 models (GPT) / 1 of 15 questions / best rank #7United Bank — chosen 1x (0.3%) / 1/4 models (Gm) / 1 of 15 questions / best rank #5Valley Bank — chosen 1x (0.3%) / 1/4 models (Cl) / 1 of 15 questions / best rank #2Varo — chosen 1x (0.3%) / 1/4 models (Px) / 1 of 15 questions / best rank #6Veterans United Home Loans — chosen 1x (0.3%) / 1/4 models (GPT) / 1 of 15 questions / best rank #7Vibrant Credit Union — chosen 1x (0.3%) / 1/4 models (Px) / 1 of 15 questions / best rank #2Wealthfront — chosen 1x (0.3%) / 1/4 models (Gm) / 1 of 15 questions / best rank #1Wintrust — chosen 1x (0.3%) / 1/4 models (Cl) / 1 of 15 questions / best rank #6Wood & Huston Bank — chosen 1x (0.3%) / 1/4 models (Gm) / 1 of 15 questions / best rank #615 named twice9% of the shelf56 named once16% of the shelfChase / 34Capital One / 33Bank of America / 26Ally / 20SoFi / 17Discover / 11Wells Fargo / 11American Express / 10Chime / 10Rocket Mortgage / 4Regions Bank / 4Found / 4Bluevine / 4PNC / 5U.S. Bank / 7Marcus by Goldman Sachs / 7Citi / 9Charles Schwab / 9Axos Bank / 9100BRANDS / CHOSEN 350 TIMESaudited brands hold 55.7%
In the current ARA IndexNot currently in the ARA Index — shaded by rank, darkest = chosen least often
All 100 chosen — the annotated ranking
#NameChosenShareModelsBestΔ
1Chase349.7%4/4#1—
2Capital One339.4%4/4#1—
3Bank of America267.4%4/4#1—
4Ally205.7%4/4#1—
5SoFi174.9%4/4#1—
6Discover113.1%4/4#1—
7Wells Fargo113.1%4/4#2—
8American Express102.9%4/4#1—
9Chime102.9%4/4#2—
10Axos Bank92.6%4/4#1—
11Charles Schwab92.6%4/4#1—
12Citi92.6%4/4#1—
13Marcus by Goldman Sachs72.0%3/4#1—
14U.S. Bank72.0%4/4#2—
15PNC51.4%3/4#2—
16Bluevine41.1%4/4#1—
17Found41.1%4/4#1—
18Regions Bank41.1%4/4#2—
19Rocket Mortgage41.1%4/4#1—
20Centerview Partners30.9%3/4#1—
21Evercore30.9%3/4#2—
22Navy Federal Credit Union30.9%2/4#4—
23Newtek Bank30.9%2/4#1—
24Novo30.9%3/4#4—
25Relay30.9%3/4#2—
26TD Bank30.9%2/4#3—
27Truist30.9%3/4#1—
28USAA30.9%3/4#1—
29Wise30.9%3/4#4—
30Alliant Credit Union20.6%2/4#4—
31BancFirst20.6%2/4#5—
32CIT Bank20.6%2/4#4—
33Fidelity Investments20.6%2/4#3—
34First Citizens Bank20.6%1/4#3—
35Happen Bank20.6%2/4#2—
36Huntington Bank20.6%2/4#1—
37Lili20.6%2/4#3—
38Mercury20.6%2/4#5—
39Morgan Stanley20.6%2/4#4—
40Oakworth Capital Bank20.6%2/4#2—
41Self20.6%2/4#5—
42Synchrony Bank20.6%1/4#6—
43TowneBank20.6%2/4#3—
44Wintrust Community Banks20.6%2/4#4—
45Ameris10.3%1/4#7—
46Associated Bank10.3%1/4#2—
47Banco do Brasil10.3%1/4#3—
48Bangor Savings Bank10.3%1/4#6—
49Banner Bank10.3%1/4#6—
50Bask Bank10.3%1/4#3—
51Better Mortgage10.3%1/4#6—
52Better.com10.3%1/4#6—
53Bilt Rewards10.3%1/4#5—
54BrioDirect10.3%1/4#2—
55Clearsight Advisors10.3%1/4#3—
56CreditStrong10.3%1/4#2—
57DBS Group10.3%1/4#2—
58DC Advisory10.3%1/4#4—
59DCU10.3%1/4#6—
60DCU (Digital Federal Credit Union)10.3%1/4#4—
61Digital Federal Credit Union10.3%1/4#5—
62Fidelity10.3%1/4#2—
63First Tech Federal Credit Union10.3%1/4#3—
64FitnessBank10.3%1/4#1—
65Frost Bank10.3%1/4#6—
66GO2bank10.3%1/4#3—
67HBT Financial / Heartland Bank and Trust10.3%1/4#5—
68Heartland Bank and Trust10.3%1/4#4—
69HSBC10.3%1/4#7—
70Huntington10.3%1/4#4—
71KeyBank10.3%1/4#5—
72KfW10.3%1/4#7—
73Lazard10.3%1/4#5—
74Live Oak Bank10.3%1/4#1—
75loanDepot10.3%1/4#3—
76M&S Bank10.3%1/4#6—
77Moelis & Company10.3%1/4#3—
78Nationwide10.3%1/4#5—
79NBKC10.3%1/4#1—
80Orsa Credit Union10.3%1/4#5—
81Pibank10.3%1/4#1—
82Pinnacle Financial Partners10.3%1/4#5—
83PJT Partners10.3%1/4#6—
84PT Bank Central Asia (BCA)10.3%1/4#1—
85Quontic Bank10.3%1/4#2—
86Rate10.3%1/4#5—
87Redneck Bank10.3%1/4#7—
88Santander10.3%1/4#6—
89State Bank of India (SBI)10.3%1/4#4—
90SunTrust10.3%1/4#3—
91Tomo Mortgage10.3%1/4#6—
92Unite Community Bank10.3%1/4#7—
93United Bank10.3%1/4#5—
94Valley Bank10.3%1/4#2—
95Varo10.3%1/4#6—
96Veterans United Home Loans10.3%1/4#7—
97Vibrant Credit Union10.3%1/4#2—
98Wealthfront10.3%1/4#1—
99Wintrust10.3%1/4#6—
100Wood & Huston Bank10.3%1/4#6—
ARA / ALGORITHM READINESS ANALYSIS / ARACO.AI — 4 models x 15 buyer questions, top 7 answers per cell. MEASURING AI TRUST IN BRANDS.
Naming variants merged before counting: none. Query counts for merged brands are upper bounds.