What ownership structure do commercial banks in the United States have?

Commercial banks in the United States primarily operate under a structure where they are owned by private individuals through the purchase of common stock. This ownership model is typical for many financial institutions, allowing them to raise capital from individual and institutional investors who hold shares in the bank. These shareholders have a stake in the bank’s profits, which can lead to dividends and potentially appreciation in the stock's value.

This structure enables banks to function with the flexibility and capital that they need to engage in lending, investment, and other financial services, while also subjecting them to market forces and regulatory oversight. Owning shares gives individuals the opportunity to participate in the governance of the bank—often through voting rights associated with their shares.

In contrast, ownership by the government would imply a different operational framework, typically found in state-run banks which do not represent the dominant model in the U.S. Similarly, while large corporations may have significant equity interests in some banks, they do not represent the primary ownership structure. Lastly, cooperatives, while they do exist, are not the predominant form for commercial banks, as they are typically structured differently, focusing more on member benefits rather than generating returns for shareholders.