We research all brands listed and may earn a fee from our partners. Research and financial considerations may influence how brands are displayed. Not all brands are included. Learn more.

Editor:
Published: Oct 8, 2024 5 min read
Illustration of the state of IL
Money
Ads by Money. We may be compensated if you click this ad.AdAds by Money disclaimer
Our Partner
Company Highlight
TOP PARTNER
Our Partner

Earn up to 4.30% APY*

  • Limited Time Offer - New accounts earn a 0.70% APY boost to 4.30% for up to 6 months with eligible direct deposit*
  • $0 min. balance to earn APY
  • Open Checking & Savings Accounts with 1 Sign Up
  • Up to 2-Day-Early Paycheck3
  • FDIC Insured up to $250k plus up to $3M in supplemental insurance4
  • No Account Fees5 & No-fee Overdraft Coverage6

*Terms Apply

Open SoFi Account Today

1. Up to $300 Bonus Tiered Disclosure

New and existing Checking and Savings members who have not previously enrolled in Direct Deposit with SoFi are eligible to earn a cash bonus of either $50 (with at least $1,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period) OR $300 (with at least $5,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period). Cash bonus will be based on the total amount of Eligible Direct Deposit. If you have satisfied the Eligible Direct Deposit requirements but have not received a cash bonus in your Checking account, please contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. Direct Deposit Promotion begins on 12/7/2023 and will be available through 1/31/2026. Full terms at sofi.com/banking. SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A., Member FDIC. SoFi members with Eligible Direct Deposit can earn 3.60% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the 3.60% APY for savings (including Vaults). Members without Eligible Direct Deposit will earn 1.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 11/12/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. Fees may reduce earnings. Additional information can be found at http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.


2. APY disclosures

Annual percentage yield (APY) is variable and subject to change at any time. Rates are current as of 11/12/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. Fees may reduce earnings. Additional rates and information can be found at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet


3. Fee Policy

We do not charge any account, service or maintenance fees for SoFi Checking and Savings. We do charge a transaction fee to process each outgoing wire transfer. SoFi does not charge a fee for incomingwire transfers, however the sending bank may charge a fee. Our fee policy is subject to change at any time. See the SoFi Bank Fee Sheet for details at sofi.com/legal/banking-fees/.


4. Additional FDIC Insurance

SoFi Bank is a member FDIC and does not provide more than $250,000 of FDIC insurance per depositor per legal category of account ownership, as described in the FDIC’s regulations. Any additional FDIC insurance is provided by the SoFi Insured
Deposit Program. Deposits may be insured up to $3M through participation in the program. See full terms at SoFi.com/banking/fdic/sidpterms. See list of participating banks at SoFi.com/banking/fdic/participatingbanks.

5. ATM Access

We’ve partnered with Allpoint to provide you with ATM access at any of the 55,000+ ATMs within the Allpoint network. You will not be charged a fee when using an in-network ATM, however, third-party fees may be incurred when using out-of-network ATMs. SoFi’s ATM policies are subject to change at our discretion at any time.


6. Early Access to Direct Deposit Funds

Early access to direct deposit funds is based on the timing in which we receive notice of impending payment from the Federal Reserve, which is typically up to two days before the scheduled payment date, but may vary.


7. Overdraft Coverage

Overdraft Coverage is a feature automatically offered to SoFi Checking and Savings account holders who receive at least $1,000 or more in Eligible Direct Deposits within a rolling 31 calendar day period on a recurring basis. Eligible Direct Deposit is defined on the SoFi Bank Rate Sheet, available at
https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet. Members enrolled in Overdraft Coverage may be covered for up to $50 in negative balances on SoFi Bank debit card purchases only. Overdraft Coverage does not apply to P2P transfers, bill payments, checks, or other non-debit card transactions. Members with a prior history of unpaid negative balances are not eligible for Overdraft Coverage. Eligibility for Overdraft Coverage is determined by SoFi Bank in its sole discretion. Members can check their enrollment status, if eligible, at any time by logging into their account through the SoFi app or on the SoFi website.

8. 0.70% Savings APY Boost

Earn up to 4.30% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on SoFi Savings with a 0.70% APY Boost (added to the 3.60% APY as of 11/12/25) for up to 6 months. Enroll in SoFi Plus between 9/18/25 and 1/31/26. Rates variable, subject to change. Terms apply at sofi.com/sofi-plus SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.

 

Our Partner

Earn 4.00% APY* with Barclays' Tiered Savings Account

  • $0 Min. Balance to Earn APY on Barclays' Tiered Savings
  • No Monthly Maintenance Fees
  • Easy Direct Deposits & Online Transfers
  • Deposits are FDIC Insured

*Rate as of 11/19/2025

View Barclays Offer

* Barclays Tiered Savings Annual Percentage Yields (APYs) are accurate as of 01/13/2025 and may change at any time without prior notice, before or after the account is opened. The APYs are determined by the Balance Tiers (Tiers) and the amount deposited. The same rate may apply to multiple Tiers and Tiers may change without notice. APY is calculated based on the Tier into which the end of day account balance falls. Fees could reduce the earnings on the account. No minimum balance to open, but for interest to post to your account you must maintain a minimum balance that would earn you at least $0.01. Please see the Compare Account Page for current Tier and APY information. The APY for the Barclays Tiered Savings account for balance tiers greater than $250,000 are currently 10X the national average of 0.46% APY, based on the national average of savings account rates published in the FDIC's National Rates and Rate Caps, accurate as of 09/16/2024.

Our Partner

Earn 3.75% APY* with Platinum Savings

  • With a Balance of $5,000 or More*

  • Earn 0.25% APY with a Balance of Less than $5k*

  • $100 Minimum Deposit to Open Account

  • No Account Opening or Monthly Service Fees

  • CIT Bank Account is FDIC Insured

View CIT Bank Offer

*Rate as of 9/23/25

*For complete list of account details and fees, see our Personal Account disclosures

*Platinum Savings is a tiered interest rate account. Interest is paid on the entire account balance based on the interest rate and APY in effect that day for the balance tier associated with the end-of-day account balance.

*APYs — Annual Percentage Yields are accurate as of September 23, 2025: 0.25% APY on balances of $0.01 to $4,999.99; 3.85% APY on balances of $5,000.00 or more. Interest Rates for the Platinum Savings account are variable and may change at any time without notice. The minimum to open a Platinum Savings account is $100.

*Based on comparison to the national average Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on savings accounts as published in the FDIC National Rates and Rate Caps, accurate as of September 15, 2025.

Our Partner

Enjoy hassle-free banking and earn 4.20% APYwith no more hidden fees.

  • Enjoy free monthly maintenance
  • Watch your savings grow with daily compounded interest.
  • Deposit anytime, anywhere with unlimited mobile check deposits.
  • Deposits are FDIC-insured up to $250,000

*Rate as of 10/10/2025

View Bread Savings Offer

In many states, local banks are popular options for their tendency to offer higher interest rates, more flexible terms and lower fees than larger national institutions. Bank officials often live within the communities they serve, giving them specific knowledge and understanding of their customers’ needs.

That's also the case for the Prairie State, where many banks — including community and regional banks — operate in the Prairie State. Money researched leading financial institutions based on their account options, fees and annual percentage yields (APYs) to identify the best banks in Illinois for 2024-2025:

*Rates and APYs are subject to change. All information provided was accurate as of Oct. 8, 2024.

Ads by Money. We may be compensated if you click this ad.AdAds by Money disclaimer
Open a High-Yield Savings Account today and start earning interest
Take advantage of an FDIC insured, High-Yield Savings Account from SoFi®. Click on your state and find out more.
HawaiiAlaskaFloridaSouth CarolinaGeorgiaAlabamaNorth CarolinaTennesseeRIRhode IslandCTConnecticutMAMassachusettsMaineNHNew HampshireVTVermontNew YorkNJNew JerseyDEDelawareMDMarylandWest VirginiaOhioMichiganArizonaNevadaUtahColoradoNew MexicoSouth DakotaIowaIndianaIllinoisMinnesotaWisconsinMissouriLouisianaVirginiaDCWashington DCIdahoCaliforniaNorth DakotaWashingtonOregonMontanaWyomingNebraskaKansasOklahomaPennsylvaniaKentuckyMississippiArkansasTexas
View Rates

WinTrust is a community bank that operates over 75 branches in Illinois. It has a variety of account options, including free checking accounts, CDs and even accounts for children with low monthly fees. Through WinTrust, you can also take advantage of free financial education resources, safe deposit boxes and other perks.

WinTrust does require a minimum deposit of $100 for checking accounts, which is higher than some banks. Additionally, it doesn't disclose its APYs online; you have to contact a branch for details.

Pros
  • Broad branch and ATM network
  • Checking accounts without monthly fees
  • Special accounts for children and seniors
Cons
  • Checking accounts have a higher account minimum
  • Rates not listed online

BMO Harris offers APYs on its money market accounts that are significantly higher than the national average. While some banks require you to deposit thousands to open a money market account, BMO Harris has a minimum opening deposit requirement of just $25.

BMO Harris operates hundreds of branches in Illinois, so you can easily find a branch or ATM near you. However, the bank tends to offer lower-than-usual APYs on savings accounts, and most of its deposit accounts have monthly fees.

Pros
  • Broad branch and ATM network
  • Higher-than-average APY on money market accounts
  • Low minimum deposit requirement
Cons
  • Lower APYs on savings accounts
  • Monthly fees apply

While many banks have CDs, Citi offers several different types of CDs, including fixed-rate, step-up and no-penalty options. Plus, its promotional-rate CDs have higher-than-average APYS. The bank requires just $500 to open a CD — a lower-than-usual minimum — and you may qualify for a higher interest rate if you're an existing Citi customer.

However, the maximum CD term is five years, which is a shorter maximum than some other banks offer. Citi's rates for savings accounts tend to be on the low end, but rates vary by location.

Pros
  • Higher-than-average APYs on select CD terms
  • Multiple CD options
  • Low minimum deposit requirement
Cons
  • Maximum CD term is five years
  • Lower APYs ons savings accounts
  • Rates vary by ZIP code

High school and college students can take advantage of Old National's student accounts to get access to checking accounts without a monthly fee. Plus, they'll be able to access their money at ATMs and banking centers located near over 100 colleges and universities. Through Old National, students can also use the bank's budgeting tools to establish strong financial habits and better their money management skills.

Be aware, though, that the student account does have a monthly fee if the student opts for a paper statement, and unlike other banks, Old National doesn't have a special savings account for students.

Pros
  • Free checking option for students who opt for e-statements
  • No minimum balance requirement
  • Free budgeting tools
Cons
  • Paper statements require a monthly fee
  • No special savings accounts for students

With PNC's Virtual Wallet, you can take advantage of a checking account, reserve checking account and savings account all in one. And as a new customer, you can qualify for hundreds of dollars in promotional offers.

Although PNC has monthly fees on most deposit accounts, its fees are fairly low. Also, the bank offers higher-than average APYs on certain CD terms, helping you grow your money over time. However, PNC has lower APYs on its savings and money market accounts.

Pros
  • Special promotional bonuses
  • Budgeting and money management tools
  • Higher-than-average APYs on CDs
Cons
  • Low APYs on savings and money market accounts
  • Monthly fees apply
Ads by Money. We may be compensated if you click this ad.AdAds by Money disclaimer

Compare Savings Accounts rates today

Up to 2-day-early paycheck

Earn up to 4.30% APY*

  • Limited Time Offer - New accounts earn a 0.70% APY boost to 4.30% for up to 6 months with eligible direct deposit*
  • $0 min. balance to earn APY
  • Open Checking & Savings Accounts with 1 Sign Up
  • Up to 2-Day-Early Paycheck3
  • FDIC Insured up to $250k plus up to $3M in supplemental insurance4
  • No Account Fees5 & No-fee Overdraft Coverage6

*Terms Apply

Open SoFi Account Today

No monthly maintenance fees

  • $0 Min. Balance to Earn APY on Barclays' Tiered Savings
  • No Monthly Maintenance Fees
  • Easy Direct Deposits & Online Transfers
  • Deposits are FDIC Insured

*Rate as of 11/19/2025

Open an account in 5 minutes

  • With a Balance of $5,000 or More*
  • Earn 0.25% APY with a Balance of Less than $5k*

  • $100 Minimum Deposit to Open Account

  • No Account Opening or Monthly Service Fees

  • CIT Bank Account is FDIC Insured

No hidden fees

Enjoy hassle-free banking and earn 4.20% APYwith no more hidden fees.

  • Enjoy free monthly maintenance
  • Watch your savings grow with daily compounded interest.
  • Deposit anytime, anywhere with unlimited mobile check deposits.
  • Deposits are FDIC-insured up to $250,000

*Rate as of 10/10/2025

View Bread Savings Offer

How we chose the Best Banks of 2024-2025

To determine our list of best banks for 2024-2025, Money evaluated hundreds of the largest retail banks, credit unions, regional and state banks and online banks ranked by assets. We then compared opening balance requirements, interest paid, fees and features to determine our top picks.

To identify the best banks and credit unions in Illinois, we researched leading financial institutions operating within the state. We researched account offerings, deposit minimums, rates and fees, as well as the number of branches each institution operates in the state.

You can read our full methodology here.

More from Money

Back to Best Banks

Best Online Banks

Best National Banks