Cons

  • The bigger banks typically do not provide the highest earning rates available. These are commonly provided by online-only FDIC-insured banks.
  • Large banks usually request a direct deposit to avoid a monthly service cost. Alternatively, they may have greater minimum balance requirements than FDIC-insured online banks.
  • Online banks may have more ATMs than traditional banks. Capital One and PNC Bank are two exceptions to this rule.

The Best Bank Awards

Our specialists examined major financial organizations to determine the best banking experiences, rates and offers for 2024. While some winners may be partners, this did not influence our decision-making process.

  • Ally Bank
  • Capital One
  • Texas Capital Bank
  • Alliant Credit Union
  • EverBank
  • Quontic Bank
  • Chase Bank
  • Wealthfront
  • Citibank

1. Ally Bank

Ally Bank offers a wide range of best-in-class products, all of which pay reasonable yields. Ally does not charge fees (overdraft fees were discontinued in 2021), and its accounts have no minimum deposit or balance limits. The bank’s 24-hour phone customer service and call center wait-time updates on its website demonstrate its dedication to client service.

Top Features

  • Ally provides competitive yields on its products, allowing consumers to keep all of their accounts with the same bank without sacrificing returns.
  • Ally does not charge account fees, including overdraft costs.
  • No minimum deposit is required to open any of the accounts.

2. Capital One

Capital One maintains around 300 branches and cafés, as well as offering online banking services. This full-service bank’s savings accounts and CDs offer competitive returns for a large bank. Customers can use over 70,000 fee-free ATMs from the Capital One, Allpoint, and MoneyPass networks. In 2022, the bank removed overdraft and insufficient funds fees.

Top Features

  • The Capital One 360 Performance Savings account and 360 CDs offer reasonable APYs when compared to other major banks.
  • Capital One’s deposit options do not levy monthly or overdraft fees, nor do they have minimum balance requirements.
  • The bank provides a full range of online banking services and has approximately 300 branches, including café locations.

3. Texas Capital Bank

Texas Capital Bank’s core deposit accounts—checking, savings, money market, and CDs—helped it gain the best regional bank title. The bank has ten locations in Texas, according to the FDIC. The bank has branches in Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio, according to its website.

Its Star Plus Checking account has no minimum balance requirement, four out-of-network ATM reimbursements, and over 55,000 fee-free ATMs. With the account, you get free checks and earn interest. The account also offers Zelle for sending money.

Those looking for higher-than-average rates might explore the bank’s Star Money Market and High-Yield Savings accounts. Some of Texas Capital Bank’s CDs offer a very competitive yield.

It was not considered in this score, however, Texas Capital Bank also provides an online bank called Bask Bank for customers outside of Texas.

Top Features

  • Texas Capital provides attractive APYs on its Star Money Market, High-Yield Savings account, and select CD periods.
  • Texas individuals who live near one of its branches can choose Texas Capital Bank.
  • During the Bankrate analysis, at least one of Texas Capital Bank’s CDs offered a very competitive yield.

4. Alliant Credit Union

Alliant Credit Union provides inexpensive CDs ranging from three months to five years. It also offers a slightly higher APY on several of its CDs for deposits of more than $100,000. The Alliant High-Rate Savings account gives a higher interest than the national average. Alliant provides access to hundreds of ATMs that do not charge fees.

The credit union’s High-Rate Checking account earns interest and has no overdraft penalties. When you start the account, you also receive a free box of checks.

Alliant Credit Union, the country’s 13th largest credit union, operates exclusively online and has over 809,000 members as of June 30, 2023.

One way to qualify for Alliant Credit Union membership is to live or work in a designated community near the credit union’s Chicago headquarters. Those who do not satisfy Alliant’s usual membership requirements can make a one-time $5 payment, and Alliant Credit Union will give the proceeds to Foster Care to Success.

Top Features

  • Alliant Credit Union makes it simple to become a member.
  • Its savings and CD accounts pay higher-than-average interest rates.
  • Members have access to over 80,000 fee-free ATMs.

5. EverBank

EverBank, previously TIAA Bank, provides the Yield Pledge Online Savings account, which pays a very competitive rate. In addition, there is no minimum opening deposit or monthly service cost with this account.

The savings account also provides a one-year introductory APY to new customers. That might come in handy if the Federal Reserve cuts interest rates dramatically in the coming year, causing some banks to lower their yields in turn. (Although the Fed is not expected to decrease interest rates, no one knows exactly what will happen.)

According to EverBank’s website, the bank’s Yield Pledge assures that its APYs will remain within five percent of competitive accounts.

Following the sale of TIAA Bank to private investors, the company began operating as EverBank in August 2023.

Top Features

  • According to EverBank’s website, the Yield Pledge Online Savings account guarantees a yield in the top 5% of competing accounts.
  • There is no minimum starting deposit for this account.
  • No monthly service cost is required.

6. Quontic Bank

Quontic Bank’s money market account has a competitive interest and requires only a $100 initial deposit. The account comes with a debit card and has no monthly servicing fees. It also provides check-writing privileges.

Top Features

  • Quontic’s money market account offers a very competitive yield.
  • The account has a debit card and check-writing privileges.
  • The account does not have a monthly service cost.

7. Chase Bank

Chase Bank provides easy access to branches and ATMs, as well as a robust mobile app and website for quick digital banking. However, the bank is also recognized for offering sign-up incentives when you open specific checking accounts or suggest a friend who creates a qualifying account.

During our study, we discovered that Chase offered cash bonuses ranging from $100 to $300 for opening one of numerous personal or corporate checking accounts and satisfying certain requirements. Chase customers can now earn $50 for every friend who registers a qualified bank account (up to $500 per calendar year).

Top Features

  • Chase Bank provides a cash incentive when you open one of their numerous checking accounts and meet certain requirements.
  • Chase clients can presently receive a $50 bonus for referring a friend who opens a qualified bank account, up to a maximum of ten referrals each year.
  • Qualifying for Chase bonuses is relatively easy.

8. Wealthfront

Wealthfront is an automated investment firm that also provides a useful cash management account. The account earns a very competitive APY on all balances, takes only $1 to open, and has no monthly fees. It also enables limitless withdrawals and transfers, and clients who set up direct deposit have access to their paychecks up to two days earlier. Wealthfront spreads deposits across numerous partner banks, so your funds are safeguarded by FDIC protection for up to $8 million.

Top Features

  • The account provides an extremely competitive yield that is equivalent to the APYs offered by prominent online banks.
  • Wealthfront provides fee-free access to 19,000 ATMs.
  • The account costs just $1 to start and has no monthly fees.

9. Citibank

Citibank’s mobile banking app is well regarded in the Apple App and Google Play stores, with over 4 million people reviewing it combined. The app allows you to easily execute all of your essential banking chores in one place, such as sending money with Zelle, locking or unlocking a lost or stolen card, setting travel alerts, opening new accounts, and finding ATMs near you. It also offers excellent expenditure analytics and bill control tools.

Top Features

  • Citibank’s app is highly rated in the Apple App and Google Play stores.
  • The application offers a wide range of banking services.
  • It provides tools and information for spending, budgeting, and investing.

What does it mean to be a national bank?

For this roundup, national banks are financial entities that operate in at least 15 states. This includes both traditional and online-only banks. People from practically every state can open accounts with online banks. We only evaluated banks with more than 1,000 branches.

What makes big banks different from smaller banks?

Big national banks service a larger portion of the country than regional or community banks. A regional bank may serve only a few nearby states, but a community bank may serve a single city within a state.

National banks often have more technology resources and a broader range of products than smaller banks; nevertheless, smaller banks can provide more personalized service.

How much interest do the best big banks pay?

The top national brick-and-mortar banks may not usually offer the highest interest rates on savings. They, like other traditional banks, may pay savings rates around the national average — 0.47% — or lower.

And, like other online banks, the finest national internet banks frequently provide greater APYs than their brick-and-mortar competitors.

Are national banks better than other kinds of banks?

It depends on what you’re looking for. If in-person accessibility is your top priority, a national, brick-and-mortar bank may be a smart choice. You’re more likely to discover a branch regardless of where you live. If you want the greatest rates and huge ATM networks, one of the best national online banks could be a suitable choice. In our bank selection guide, we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of various banking institutions.

If having access to a branch when you’re away from home isn’t a concern and you appreciate in-person, individualized service, a regional or community bank may be a better fit.

Are the best national banks brick-and-mortar banks?

Not necessarily. Many of NerdWallet’s top national banks are online, as they frequently provide higher deposit interest rates than traditional banks. However, some brick-and-mortar banks stand out for other reasons, such as competitive sign-up bonuses or excellent customer service.

Many internet banks allow customers to sign up from practically anywhere in the United States, although most traditional banks do not serve all states. Chase, for example, has branches around the country but does not operate in all 50 states.

What makes the best national brick-and-mortar banks different from the best national online banks?

The finest national brick-and-mortar banks and top national online banks offer distinct advantages and disadvantages. Brick-and-mortar banks are more likely to provide promotions or welcome bonuses for new accounts, whereas Internet banks are more likely to provide greater interest rates on savings.

While both are available to many people in the United States, brick-and-mortar banks provide in-person service. However, online banks can provide access to vast third-party ATM networks.

Is my money safer in a national bank vs. a regional bank (or a national credit union vs. a regional credit union)?4

Your money is equally safe at any bank that is covered by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. As long as your bank offers this insurance — which most do — you’re covered for up to $250,000 per person, per ownership category, per bank.

Similarly, your money is safe in any credit union insured by the National Credit Union Administration. Credit unions that offer this protection will insure your money up to $250,000 per person, per account, and credit union.

What is the No. 1 bank in America?

Chase Bank is now America’s largest bank in terms of assets. It has branches in almost every state (excluding Alaska), approximately 16,000 ATMs, and extended phone hours for customer support.

However, this does not necessarily imply that Chase is the best bank to choose. Before making a decision, compare its interest rates, fees, and other criteria to those available in your area.

Which bank is the best-rated in America?

There are numerous ways to rate a bank, but client happiness is a crucial one. The J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Retail Banking Satisfaction Study℠ found that Chase outperformed all other banks in three regions.

Chase is the best-rated bank for customer satisfaction in the Upper Midwest, the Mid-Atlantic region, and Florida, while U.S. Bank is the best-rated bank in California.

Which is better: Chase vs. Wells Fargo? Wells Fargo vs. Bank of America?

The best bank for you is determined by the services you use the most and the number of branches and ATMs nearby, so it’s worth looking into the details.

Which national banks will pay me a bonus?

Many national banks regularly give sign-up bonuses to new customers who create accounts. Bonuses ranging from $100 to $200 are common nowadays.

What are the top 10 banks in the United States?

According to the most recent Federal Reserve data, the top ten retail banks in the United States based on assets are:

  1. Chase Bank.

  2. Bank of America.

  3. Wells Fargo.

  4. Citibank.

  5. U.S. Bank.

  6. PNC Bank.

  7. Goldman Sachs.

  8. Trust Bank.

  9. Capital One.

  10. TD Bank.

These banks often have extensive branch and ATM networks, as well as a diverse product offering. However, before you sign up with one, think about your priorities, like as interest rates and accessibility.

Methodology

We examined over 90 financial institutions and service providers, including the largest banks in the United States based on assets, internet search traffic, and other factors; the largest credit unions in the country based on assets and membership; and other notable and/or emerging industry players. We assessed them based on a variety of criteria, including yearly percentage yields, minimum balances, fees, and digital experience.

For this compilation, we only evaluated brick-and-mortar banks with at least 1,000 locations in at least 15 states, as well as widely available online banks in a variety of areas.

The following financial institutions and services were surveyed:

Affirm, All America Bank, Alliant Credit Union, Ally Bank, Amalgamated Bank, America First Credit Union, American Express National Bank, Andrews Federal Credit Union, Associated Bank, Axos Bank, Bank of America, Bank5 Connect, Bank7, Barclays, Bask Bank, Bethpage Federal Credit Union, BMO, BMO Alto, Boeing Employees Credit Union, Bread Savings, BrioDirect, Capital One, Carver Federal Savings Bank, Charles Schwab Bank, Chase, Chime, CIBC U.S., CIT Bank, Citibank, Citizens, Citizens Bank, City First Bank, Climate First Bank, Commerce Bank, Community First Credit Union of Florida, ConnectOne Bank, Connexus Credit Union, Consumers Credit Union, Current, Delta Community Credit Union, Discover Bank, E*TRADE, EverBank (formerly TIAA Bank), Fifth Third Bank, First Foundation, First National Bank, First Tech Federal Credit Union, Flagstar Bank, FNBO Direct, Global Credit Union, GO2bank, Golden 1 Credit Union, Greenwood, Hope Credit Union, Huntington Bank, Industrial Bank, Ivy Bank, KeyBank, Lake Michigan Credit Union, LendingClub Bank, Liberty Bank, Live Oak Bank, M&T Bank, Marcus by Goldman Sachs, Nationwide (by Axos), Navy Federal Credit Union, NBKC, One, OneUnited Bank, Pentagon Federal Credit Union, PNC, Popular Direct, Quontic Bank, Regions Bank, Revolut, Salem Five Direct, Sallie Mae Bank, Santander Bank, SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, Security Service Federal Credit Union, Securityplus Federal Credit Union, Self-Help Credit Union, Service Credit Union, SoFi, State Employees’ Credit Union of North Carolina, Suncoast Credit Union, Synchrony Bank, TAB Bank, TD Bank, Truist Bank, U.S. Bank, UFB Direct, Upgrade, USAA Bank, Varo, Vio Bank, Wells Fargo and Zynlo Bank.