Best Banks and Credit Unions in Illinois for 2025
Earn up to 3.80% APY* & up to $50 or $400 with direct deposit*
- Limited Time Offer - New accounts earn a 0.70% APY boost to 3.80% 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
- Access additional FDIC insurance up to $3M on deposits4
- No Account Fees5 & No-fee Overdraft Coverage6
*Terms Apply
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Up to $400 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 within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more) OR $400 (with at least $5,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more). Cash bonus amount will be based on the total amount of Eligible Direct Deposit received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more. 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 5/15/2026 and will be available through 12/31/26. See full bonus and annual percentage yield (APY) terms at sofi.com/banking/checking-offer/
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APY disclosures
Annual percentage yield (APY) is variable and subject to change at any time. Rates are current as of 5/28/26.. 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. -
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 incoming wire 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/. -
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. -
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. -
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.
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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.
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0.70% Savings APY Boost
Earn up to 3.80% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on SoFi Savings with a 0.70% APY Boost (added to the 3.10% APY) for up to 6 months. Open a new SoFi Checking & Savings account with Eligible Direct Deposit by 12/31/26. Rates variable, subject to change. Terms apply at sofi.com/banking#2. SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.
Earn Up to 3.75% APY* on qualifying balances 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 4/14/2026
Barclays Tiered Savings Annual Percentage Yields (APYs) are accurate as of 4/14/2026. Rates may change at any time without prior notice, before or after the account is opened. The same rate may apply to multiple Tiers and Tiers may change without notice. APY earned is based on the Tier in which your end of day account balance falls. Please see Barclays Tiered Savings for current Tier and APY information.
Earn 3.75% APY* with Platinum Savings
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With a Balance of $5,000 or More*
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Earn 0.25% APY with a Balance of Less than $5k*
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$100 Minimum Deposit to Open Account
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No Account Opening or Monthly Service Fees
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CIT Bank Account is FDIC Insured
*For complete list of account details and fees, see our Personal Account disclosures
1 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-ofday account balance. *APYs — Annual Percentage Yields are accurate as of January 9, 2026: 0.25% APY on balances of $0.01 to $4,999.99; 3.75% 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.
2 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 February 17, 2026.
*Platinum Savings APY Boost Promotion Terms and Conditions
This is a limited time offer available to New and Existing customers who meet the Platinum Savings APY Boost promotion criteria.
Accounts enrolled in the Platinum Savings Annual Percentage Yield (APY) Boost promotion will receive a 0.35% APY boost on the Platinum Savings current standard APY tiers for 6 months following the opening of a new account or when an existing Platinum Savings account is enrolled in the promotion. The Platinum Savings APY boost will be applied on account balances up to $9,999,999.00. Account balances above $9,999,999.00 will earn the standard APY. If the standard-published APY should change during the promotion period, the APY boost will move with it, offering an account APY above the standard rate.
The Promotion begins on February 13, 2026, and ends June 30, 2026. Customers enrolled in the promotion prior to the end date will receive the APY boost for the 6-month period outlined in the terms and conditions.
The promotion can end at any time without notice.
New CIT Bank Customers: This Platinum Savings APY Boost promotion offer is valid for New CIT Bank customers, who, at account opening, do not have a valid CIT Bank User ID (a "New Customer") or any open CIT Bank accounts provided that the following requirements are met:
• New customers must open a Platinum Savings account with a valid Promo Code, CITBoost. The Platinum Savings APY Boost Promo Code will appear on the online account opening enrollment web page. The Promo Code must be used at the time of account opening. Accounts opened during the program period without the Promo Code are ineligible to receive the APY boost.
• The enrolled Platinum Savings account must be open to receive the APY boost during the promotional period.
CIT Bank Customers with an account prior to the promotion: This Platinum Savings APY Boost promotion is valid for a Primary account owner with an existing account with a CIT Bank User ID before the start of the promotion, provided that the following requirements are met:
• Customers without a Platinum Savings account open prior to the Promotion must open a new Platinum Savings account via the enrollment web page using Promo Code CITBoost.
• Customers with a Platinum Savings account opened prior to the promotion may enroll their current Platinum Savings account into the Platinum Savings Boost promotion via the enrollment web page using Promo Code CITBoost.
• Customers who are not the Primary account owner on a Platinum Savings account may open a new Platinum Savings account as the primary account owner via the enrollment web page using Promo Code CITBoost.
• Accounts opened or enrolled during the program period without the Promo Code are ineligible to receive the APY boost.
There is a limit of one Platinum Savings APY Boost promotional offer per account and per Primary customer. If multiple Platinum Savings accounts are opened, only one account per primary account owner is eligible.
There is no minimum account balance requirement to participate in the Platinum Savings APY Boost promotion.
Additional Important Terms
• The Platinum Savings APY Boost promotion may not be combined with other promotions.
• Customers are ineligible to participate in the Platinum Savings APY Boost promotion if:
o They are earning an APY over the standard rate.
o They participated in a cash bonus promotion in the past 6 months.
• Custodial accounts and accounts in the name of a Trust are not eligible.
• This offer is non-transferable.
The value of Platinum Saving Boost will be reported as interest income on IRS Form 1099-INT for the calendar year in which it was paid. The recipient is responsible for any applicable taxes.
Earn a variable 3.10% APY* with American Express® High Yield Savings Account
- No monthly fees1
- $0 minimum balance required to open account1
- Bank on the go with the American Express® App2
- Member FDIC
*Rate as of 5/19/2026
*The Annual Percentage Yield (APY) as advertised is accurate as of 05/19/2026. Interest rate and APY are subject to change at any time without notice before and after a High Yield Savings Account is opened. Interest Rate and APY of a Certificate of Deposit account is fixed once the account is funded.
1. There is no minimum balance required to open your Account, to avoid being charged a fee, or to obtain the Annual Percentage Yield (APY) disclosed to you.
2. iOS and Android™ only. See app store listings for operating system info.
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:
- WinTrust - Best Overall
- BMO Harris - Best for Money Market Accounts
- Citi - Best for CDs
- Old National - Best for Students
- PNC - Best for Savings Accounts
*Rates and APYs are subject to change. All information provided was accurate as of Oct. 8, 2024.
Best Overall: Wintrust
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.
- Broad branch and ATM network
- Checking accounts without monthly fees
- Special accounts for children and seniors
- Checking accounts have a higher account minimum
- Rates not listed online
Best for Money Market Accounts: BMO Harris
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.
- Broad branch and ATM network
- Higher-than-average APY on money market accounts
- Low minimum deposit requirement
- Lower APYs on savings accounts
- Monthly fees apply
Best for CDs: Citi
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.
- Higher-than-average APYs on select CD terms
- Multiple CD options
- Low minimum deposit requirement
- Maximum CD term is five years
- Lower APYs ons savings accounts
- Rates vary by ZIP code
Best for Students: Old National
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.
- Free checking option for students who opt for e-statements
- No minimum balance requirement
- Free budgeting tools
- Paper statements require a monthly fee
- No special savings accounts for students
Best for Savings Accounts: PNC
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.
- Special promotional bonuses
- Budgeting and money management tools
- Higher-than-average APYs on CDs
- Low APYs on savings and money market accounts
- Monthly fees apply
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.