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Insider's experts choose the best products and services to help make smart decisions with your money (here’s how). In some cases, we receive a commission from our our partners,
however, our opinions are our own. Terms apply to offers listed on this page. Choosing a bank is a major decision. To help you find the right fit, we've broken our favorite banks into two categories: brick-and-mortar and online. TD Bank Beyond Checking Account Annual Percentage Yield (APY) 0.01% Minimum Deposit Amount $0 TD Bank Beyond Checking Account Annual Percentage Yield (APY) 0.01% Minimum Deposit Amount $0 TD Bank Beyond Checking AccountDetailsAnnual Percentage Yield (APY) 0.01% Minimum Deposit Amount $0 Pros & ConsChevron iconIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. No opening deposit Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. 2 overdraft fee reimbursements per year Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Waive other TD Bank account monthly fees when you have a Beyond Checking Account Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. No out-of-network ATM fees Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Reimburses out-of-network ATM fees charged by providers when your balance is at least $2,500 Dash iconA dash. It often indicates an interaction to shrink a section. $25 monthly service fee Dash iconA dash. It often indicates an interaction to shrink a section. $35 overdraft fee
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Additional ReadingChevron iconIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.Branch and ATM locations: TD Bank has over 1,300 branch locations across 16 states, with about 1,900 ATMs. Why it stands out: Many branch locations are open seven days per week, which is great if you struggle to make it to the bank during the workday. TD Bank also ranked third in JD Power's 2021 US National Banking Satisfaction Study. What to look out for: TD Bank's ATM fees aren't necessarily higher than other banks' fees, but its fine print may affect which checking account you choose to open. Just be aware that the TD Bank Beyond Checking Account is the only TD Bank checking account that doesn't charge a fee when you non-TD Bank ATMs — and you must maintain a $2,500 balance for TD Bank to reimburse fees charged by out-of-network ATM operators. Regions BankRegions LifeGreen® Savings Account Annual Percentage Yield (APY) 0.01% Minimum Deposit Amount $5 at a branch, $50 online Regions LifeGreen® Savings Account Annual Percentage Yield (APY) 0.01% Minimum Deposit Amount $5 at a branch, $50 online On Regions Bank's website Regions LifeGreen® Savings AccountOn Regions Bank's website DetailsAnnual Percentage Yield (APY) 0.01% Minimum Deposit Amount $5 at a branch, $50 online Pros & ConsChevron iconIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. No monthly service fees Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. You could earn a 1% annual savings bonus Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. $5 minimum deposit when opened at a branch Dash iconA dash. It often indicates an interaction to shrink a section. $50 minimum deposit when opened online Dash iconA dash. It often indicates an interaction to shrink a section. Low APY
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Additional ReadingChevron iconIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.Branch and ATM locations: Regions has around 1,500 branch locations in 15 states, and about 2,200 ATMs. Why it stands out: Regions offers a wide range of bank accounts, so you can probably find one that fits your needs. The Regions LifeGreen® Savings Account is a unique savings option from a brick-and-mortar bank. It doesn't charge monthly fees, and it pays an annual cash bonus. What to look out for: Regions charges you if you overdraw from your account or if you use an out-of-network ATM. You also may have to pay a monthly service fee on some accounts. US BankUS Bank Standard Savings Account Annual Percentage Yield (APY) 0.01% Minimum Deposit Amount $25 US Bank Standard Savings Account Annual Percentage Yield (APY) 0.01% Minimum Deposit Amount $25 US Bank Standard Savings AccountDetailsAnnual Percentage Yield (APY) 0.01% Minimum Deposit Amount $25 Pros & ConsChevron iconIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. $25 minimum opening deposit Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. You may qualify to waive the monthly fee Dash iconA dash. It often indicates an interaction to shrink a section. Low APY Dash iconA dash. It often indicates an interaction to shrink a section. $4 monthly service fee HighlightsChevron iconIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.
Additional ReadingChevron iconIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.Branch and ATM locations: US Bank has around 3,000 branch locations in 26 states, and roughly 5,000 ATMs. Why it stands out: If you want to open a CD with a national bank, US Bank is a solid choice. The bank provides more types of CDs than most big banks, including Step Up CDs that increase your rate every seven months, and Trade Up CDs that increase your rate once during the term if US Bank rates go up. What to look out for: Although you may be eligible to waive monthly maintenance fees, US Bank makes it a little harder than many competing national banks. Bank of AmericaBranch and ATM locations: Bank of America has over 4,200 branch locations in 37 US states, and 16,000 ATMs. Why it stands out: Bank of America has branches in 37 states, and it's one of the biggest banks in the US. However, the Better Business Bureau gives Bank of America a much better score than Wells Fargo — the banks have scores of an A+ and F, respectively. A strong score helped Bank of America beat Wells Fargo for a spot on our list. The bank is also tied with Chase for the most ATMs by a national brick-and-mortar bank. You can also receive a $100 bonus for signing up for a checking account with Bank of America. What to look out for: You'll pay a monthly service fee if you don't meet certain account requirements. You'll also have to pay a fee if you use an out-of-network ATM. Axos BankAxos Bank Rewards Checking Annual Percentage Yield (APY) up to 1.25% Minimum Deposit Amount $50 Axos Bank Rewards Checking Annual Percentage Yield (APY) up to 1.25% Minimum Deposit Amount $50 Axos Bank Rewards CheckingDetailsAnnual Percentage Yield (APY) up to 1.25% Minimum Deposit Amount $50 Pros & ConsChevron iconIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. High APY Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Unlimited out-of-network ATM reimbursements Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. No monthly maintenance fees Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. No overdraft fees Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. No non-sufficient funds fees Dash iconA dash. It often indicates an interaction to shrink a section. $50 opening deposit Dash iconA dash. It often indicates an interaction to shrink a section. No APY if you can't meet qualifications Dash iconA dash. It often indicates an interaction to shrink a section. Few mobile app reviews
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Additional ReadingChevron iconIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.Branch and ATM locations: As an online-only bank, Axos doesn't have physical branches. You have free access to around 91,000 ATMs. Axos doesn't have a specific ATM network, but you can likely use one near you for free. Axos also offers generous out-of-network ATM fee reimbursements, in case you can't find a free ATM close by. Why it stands out: Axos offers five different checking accounts, all geared toward specific needs:
You can also open a savings account with a decentrate, and both checking and savings accounts come with a debit card. Axos doesn't charge monthly maintenance fees. What to look out for: You'll need at least $250 to open a high-yield savings account. Some of the options on our list do not require an initial deposit. There are also several requirements to earn the full 1.25% APY with an Axos Bank Rewards Checking account. You'll have to meet the following criteria:
Capital One 360Capital One 360 Checking® Annual Percentage Yield (APY) 0.10% Minimum Deposit Amount $0 Capital One 360 Checking® Annual Percentage Yield (APY) 0.10% Minimum Deposit Amount $0 Capital One 360 Checking®DetailsAnnual Percentage Yield (APY) 0.10% Minimum Deposit Amount $0 Pros & ConsChevron iconIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. 0.10% APY on all account balances Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. No opening deposit or minimum account balance Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. No monthly service fee Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. No foreign transaction fee Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Range of overdraft protection options Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Processes direct deposits up to 2 days early Dash iconA dash. It often indicates an interaction to shrink a section. $2 out-of-network ATM fee Dash iconA dash. It often indicates an interaction to shrink a section. Doesn't reimburse out-of-network ATM fees Dash iconA dash. It often indicates an interaction to shrink a section. Limited access to customer service by phone HighlightsChevron iconIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.
Additional ReadingChevron iconIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.Branch and ATM locations: Although Capital One 360 is considered an online bank, the institution does have some physical branches. There are over 470 branches in nine US states, plus dozens of Capital One Cafés, where you can grab Peet's Coffee®, speak with a money coach, and open a bank account. You can use over 40,000 ATMs for free, both through the Capital One and Allpoint networks. Why it stands out: Capital One 360 Checking ranks as one of our top checking accounts. It doesn't charge any overdraft, foreign transaction, or monthly service fees, and Capital One doesn't require any minimum opening deposits. The bank ranks No. 1 on J.D. Power's US National Banking Satisfaction Study. What to look out for: You can use your debit card at over 40,000 ATMs nationwide for free, but unlike many online banks, Capital One doesn't reimburse any fees charged by out-of-network ATM providers. AllyAlly High Yield Savings Account Annual Percentage Yield (APY) 3.00% Minimum Deposit Amount $0 Ally High Yield Savings Account Annual Percentage Yield (APY) 3.00% Minimum Deposit Amount $0 Ally High Yield Savings AccountDetailsAnnual Percentage Yield (APY) 3.00% Minimum Deposit Amount $0 Pros & ConsChevron iconIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. High APY Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. No minimum opening deposit Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. No monthly service fees Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Savings buckets help you save for different goals Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Surprise savings transfers help you save extra money from your checking account Dash iconA dash. It often indicates an interaction to shrink a section. No physical branch locations Dash iconA dash. It often indicates an interaction to shrink a section. No way to deposit cash
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Additional ReadingChevron iconIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.Branch and ATM locations: Ally doesn't have any physical branches, but you'll have free access to over 40,000 ATMs in the Allpoint network. Why it stands out: Ally ranks as one of our top high-yield savings accounts. This bank has been a power player in the high-yield savings space for a few years now, and it consistently nabs top awards for online banking. Ally is known for paying competitive rates and not requiring initial deposits for any of its accounts. Its mobile app has features many banking apps lack, such as mobile check deposits and an in-network ATM locator. What to look out for: The Ally Interest Checking Account is perfectly fine if you just want a basic checking account that pays a little interest. But some of the other online banks on our list have checking accounts with impressive features, like high rates or cash back debit cards. Discover BankDiscover Cashback Debit Account Annual Percentage Yield (APY) None Minimum Deposit Amount $0 Discover Cashback Debit Account Annual Percentage Yield (APY) None Minimum Deposit Amount $0 Discover Cashback Debit AccountDetailsAnnual Percentage Yield (APY) None Minimum Deposit Amount $0 Pros & ConsChevron iconIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Earn up to 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in purchases per month Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. No monthly service fee Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Over 60,000 ATMs Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Early direct deposit Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Enroll in free overdraft protection Dash iconA dash. It often indicates an interaction to shrink a section. Debit card can only be used in the US, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean Dash iconA dash. It often indicates an interaction to shrink a section. Only 1 branch location HighlightsChevron iconIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.
Additional ReadingChevron iconIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.Branch and ATM locations: Discover has just one physical branch, in Delaware. You have free access to over 60,000 ATMs in the Allpoint and MoneyPass networks. Why it stands out: Discover is a good option for people who want to do all their banking, investing, and borrowing with one institution. It offers a wide range of products, including credit cards. The bank is a good option if you want to earn cash back with your debit card — you'll earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in purchases per month. What to look out for: While you don't need to place an initial deposit for a checking or savings account, you'll need at least $2,500 to open a money market account or CD. If you don't have a lot of money to deposit, some of the options are our list do not require a minimum opening deposit on accounts. Alliant Credit UnionAlliant High-Rate Savings Account Annual Percentage Yield (APY) 2.50% Minimum Deposit Amount $5 (Alliant will pay it for you) Alliant High-Rate Savings Account Annual Percentage Yield (APY) 2.50% Minimum Deposit Amount $5 (Alliant will pay it for you) On Alliant Credit Union's website Alliant High-Rate Savings AccountOn Alliant Credit Union's website DetailsAnnual Percentage Yield (APY) 2.50% Minimum Deposit Amount $5 (Alliant will pay it for you) Pros & ConsChevron iconIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Competitive APY Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Alliant covers your $5 minimum opening deposit Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. No monthly service fee if you opt for eStatements instead of paper statements Dash iconA dash. It often indicates an interaction to shrink a section. Interest compounded monthly, not daily Dash iconA dash. It often indicates an interaction to shrink a section. Minimum $100 balance to earn interest HighlightsChevron iconIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.
Additional ReadingChevron iconIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.Branch and ATM locations: As an online-only credit union, Alliant doesn't have any physical branch locations. It has 80,000 free ATMs nationwide. There isn't a specific network, but you can use Allpoint ATMs and machines at some other banks. Why it stands out: You might like Alliant if you prefer a credit union over a bank, and Alliant ranks as one of Insider's top credit unions. Alliant has separate checking and savings accounts for minors. These pay relatively high interest rates and allow parents to have joint ownership, which provides a balance of children's independence and parental control. Alliant offers an impressive 80,000 ATMs nationwide, and it reimburses up to $20 per month for out-of-network ATM fees. What to look out for: Like most credit unions, Alliant compounds interest monthly rather than daily, which will limit how much you earn in the long run. The best banks of 2022
Chevron iconIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. Chevron iconIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. Branch and ATM locations, sign-up bonus Branch and ATM locations, sign-up bonus Cash back checking account Other banks that didn't make the cut and whyWe considered dozens of banks when choosing our favorites. Here are some of the banks we considered but ultimately didn't choose as top picks:
If you live in one of the following states, you can also check out our region-specific bank recommendations:
Bank trustworthiness and BBB ratingsThe Better Business Bureau grades companies by looking at responses to customer complaints, advertising, and transparency about business practices. A strong BBB grade doesn't guarantee you'll have a smooth experience with a bank. You may also want to read online reviews or look into public scandals. We've also detailed any existing public issues with each bank. Brick-and-mortar banksUS Bank and TD Bank ratings are due to government action taken against the banks. Despite their strong BBB grades, brick-and-mortar banks on our list ( with the exception of Regions) have public scandals. The US Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection said TD Bank has been breaking the law by charging customers for its Debit Card Advance service without their permission. US Bank paid the government $200 million in a settlement when accused of approving FHA mortgages for insurance when borrowers didn't meet the minimum criteria. The Department of Justice charged Bank of America for unfairly denying home loans to adults with disabilities, even though they qualified for loans. Bank of America paid around $300,000 total to people who were refused loans. The Department of Labor required Bank of America to pay $4.2 million to people who claimed the bank discriminated against women, Black, and Hispanic applicants in the hiring process. Online banksAlly has the lowest BBB grade of our favorite online banks. The BBB cites Ally's high number of customer complaints for its C- grade. Capital One 360's BBB rating is because the company received a high volume of customer complaints. None of our top online picks have recent public scandals. Why trust our recommendations?Personal Finance Insider's mission is to help smart people make the best decisions with their money. We understand that "best" is often subjective, so in addition to highlighting the clear benefits of a financial product or account — a high APY, for example — we outline the limitations, too. We spent hours comparing and contrasting the features and fine print of various products so you don't have to. Methodology: How did we choose the best banks?There are a lot of online banks out there. Through our research, we've found that the best banks offer a wide range of products and effective customer service. Banks should make it easy to access your money. With a brick-and-mortar bank, we looked at banks with large branch and ATM networks. Although most online banks don't have physical branches, we chose ones with plenty of ATMs nationwide. A bank should also make it affordable to keep your money with the institution. We chose online banks that pay high rates and charge low fees, or no fees at all. Brick-and-mortar banks are known for paying lower rates and charging higher fees, but a good one should make it possible to waive monthly fees. We also looked at other types of charges, such as fees for overdrafts, using out-of-network ATMs, and foreign transactions. Frequently asked questionsWhich is better, a brick-and-mortar bank or an online bank?It depends on your priorities. If you value face-to-face banking, you'll want a brick-and-mortar bank. Physical banks are also better for anyone who needs to deposit cash regularly; with an online bank, you can usually deposit checks with your phone, but there's no way to deposit cash. Online banks are typically better for low fees and higher APYs, though. Because online banks don't have to pay for physical branch locations, they can afford to charge less and pay more. What is the No. 1 bank in America?It's hard to say, because banking needs vary from person to person. Wells Fargo has the most locations, making it good for access to your money and customer service. Bank of America and Chase aren't far behind, though, and they have more ATMs than Wells Fargo (although Wells Fargo still has an impressive 13,000 ATMs). Bank of America and Chase also have better scores from the Better Business Bureau than Wells Fargo. Experts' advice on choosing the best bankInsiderTo learn more about what makes a good online bank and how to choose the best fit, four experts weighed in:
We're focusing on what will make a bank most useful, including fees, interest rates, accessibility, and more. Here's what they had to say about banking online. (Some text may be lightly edited for clarity.) How can someone determine whether a bank is the right fit for them?Tania Brown, CFP: "Obviously, you want to make sure it's FDIC insured. Also, your banking experience — do you like walking into a bank? Well, then you need someone local. Do you just not care if you ever see your bank? Then you're okay online. Do you write checks? Do you not write checks? So it's thinking through how your experience with it is going to be before you make that decision." Laura Grace Tarpley, Personal Finance Insider: "I would look for the bank that charges you the least in fees. This means either no monthly fees, or you qualify to waive the monthly fees. If you never overdraw from your account, then a bank's overdraft fees won't matter much to you. But if you occasionally overdraw, then I'd look at the fees or overdraft protection options." What should someone look for in a brick-and-mortar bank?Tania Brown, CFP: "How can that bank grow with you? If you are 25, single or newly married, and all you need is a checking account, that's going to look very different 15 years from now when you may have had a couple of jobs, you may have an IRA roll over, or you may want a financial adviser." Mykail James, CFEI: "How accessible it is. So where are the branches? And if I am to go out of town or something, how accessible is my money to me?" What should someone look for in an online bank?Roger Ma, CFP: "How onerous the transfer process is, transferring money in and transferring money out. Is it same day, next day? Is it pretty easy to sync a brick-and-mortar checking account to this particular high-yield savings account?" Mykail James, CFEI: "When it comes to online banks, you want to be a little bit more strict about what type of interest rates they're providing. That's the biggest thing, because online banks are supposed to have the higher interest rate because they don't have the overhead of the brick-and-mortar. You want to make sure that it's well above the national average. "What types of securities do they provide? Do they have two-factor identification? If it's an online bank, they should definitely have — at the bare minimum — two-factor authentication in how easy it is to change your passwords and things like that, because you want to be a little more hypersensitive about the cyber security for a strictly online bank."
Laura Grace Tarpley, CEPF Personal Finance Reviews Editor Laura Grace Tarpley (she/her) is a personal finance reviews editor at Insider. She edits articles about mortgage rates, refinance rates, lenders, bank accounts, wealth building, and borrowing and savings tips for Personal Finance Insider. She was a writer and editor for Insider's "The Road to Home" series, which won a Silver award from the National Associate of Real Estate Editors. She is also a Certified Educator in Personal Finance (CEPF). She has written about personal finance for over six years. Before joining the Insider team, she was a freelance finance writer for companies like SoFi and The Penny Hoarder, as well as an editor at FluentU. You can reach Laura Grace at . Learn more about how Personal Finance Insider chooses, rates, and covers financial products and services » Read more Read less Top Offers From Our Partners
Wealthfront Cash Account A high-yield savings account that earns 3.30% annual percentage yield. No account fees. APY as of 11/14/2022.Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards. Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available. **Enrollment required. Related articlesLoadingSomething is loading. Thanks for signing up! Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. More... Which bank is best for checking account in US?The best checking accounts for November 2022. Best overall rate: Heritage Bank.. Best for no/low fees: NBKC Bank.. Best for members of the military and veterans: Navy Federal Credit Union.. Best for mobile app high-yield rate: Ally Bank.. Best for unlimited ATM fee rebates: LendingClub Bank.. What is the most trustworthy bank in America?The Lifestory Research 2022 America's Most Trusted® Bank Study found Chase the most trusted bank. The America's Most Trusted® Study is a large-scale survey of consumers in the United States that seeks to identify the brands that people trust the most within their respective industries.
What bank has the best interest on checking accounts?Best High-Yield Checking Accounts. La Capitol Federal Credit Union: 4.25% APY.. Consumers Credit Union: 4.09% APY.. Liberty Federal Credit Union: 3.30% APY.. Lake Michigan Credit Union: 3.00% APY.. Presidential Bank: 2.25% APY.. Garden Savings Federal Credit Union: 2.00% APY.. Industrial Bank: 1.47% APY.. Which US Bank is best for non residents?8 Best Banks for Non-US Citizens. Bank of America.. Capital One.. Chase.. Charles Schwab Bank.. Wells Fargo.. |