Best Banks and Credit Unions in Georgia for 2025
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
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.
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
* 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.
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
*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.
Enjoy hassle-free banking and earn 4.20% APY* with 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
Georgia is one of the largest states based on population, with over 11 million people calling the Peach State home. So it's no surprise that there are 15 commercial banks and over 100 credit unions operating in the state.
With so many options, finding the right bank can be challenging. Money researched the top financial institutions in the state based on their account offerings, interest rates and fees in order to identify the best banks and credit unions in Georgia for 2024:
- Ally - Best Overall
- Ameris - Best for Customer Satisfaction
- CIT - Best for CDs
- Credit Union of Georgia - Best for Seniors
- Regions - Best for Checking
*Rates and APYs are subject to change. All information provided was accurate as of Oct. 8, 2024.
Best Overall: Ally
Although Ally is primarily an online bank, one of its key locations is in Georgia, so it's a top bank within the state. It offers high-yield savings accounts (HYSAs), low cost checking accounts and multiple certificates of deposit (CD) and money market options with higher-than-average APYs. While many banks charge monthly fees or require customers to deposit hundreds of dollars to open an account, Ally offers checking, savings, money market accounts and CDs with no minimum deposit requirement. Additionally, Ally has several CD options, including no-penalty options that allow you to withdraw money before the CD's maturity date without sacrificing interest.
However, those who prefer the option of visiting a bank in person will be disappointed to learn that Ally doesn't operate any physical branches. And if you open a savings or money market account through the bank, be aware that you're limited to six withdrawals per month. Although Ally doesn't charge excess transaction fees, it can decide to close your account if you exceed the withdrawal limit multiple times.
- No monthly maintenance fees
- High APYs on savings accounts, money market accounts and CDs
- No-penalty CD option
- Doesn't operate any branches
- Limits on number of withdrawals allowed per month
Best for Customer Satisfaction: Ameris
Ameris is a full service bank that offers both online accounts and in-person assistance at its branches. There are over 70 locations in Georgia, and Ameris has excellent ratings for customer satisfaction in the J.D. Power Retail Banking Satisfaction Study. The bank's customers can take advantage of added benefits on its checking account that provide even more value, such as cell phone insurance, credit monitoring and identity theft protection and reimbursement. The bank also has a useful mobile app with powerful budgeting tools, automatic bill payments and Zelle money transfers.
Although Ameris has free checking account options, its money market and savings account charge monthly fees. It has limited CD term options — the maximum term length is just five years — and it limits customers to six withdrawals from a money market or savings account per month.
- Highly rated by J.D. Power for customer satisfaction
- Added benefits on checking accounts
- Robust mobile app
- Monthly fees apply to most money market and savings accounts
- Limited number of withdrawals on savings and money market accounts
- Limited CD terms
Best for CDs: CIT
CIT is another digital bank. However, it's a division of First Citizens, a major bank that operates 29 branches within Georgia. As a result, CIT is a popular bank offering some of the best CD rates and options within the state, including no-penalty CDs and jumbo CDs. Through CIT, you can open a CD and lock in a higher-than-usual APY for the length of the CD's term. Besides the typical term CD, CIT has a no-penalty option that allows you to withdraw money from the CD before the end of its term without penalty. However, there is only one term option for no-penalty CDs with CIT Bank: 11 months.
With CIT Bank, you can earn a high APY with a savings account. However, the highest-possible APY only applies to balances over $5,000. Additionally, CIT Bank doesn't operate physical branches, which may be a frustrating drawback for some.
With a No-Penalty CD, you may withdraw the total balance and interest earned, without penalty, beginning 7 days after funds have been received for your CD. No withdrawals are permitted during the first 6 days following the receipt of funds.
For a complete list of account details and fees, see our Personal Account disclosures.
APY — Annual Percentage Yield is accurate as of September 23, 2025.
- Higher-than-average APYs on CDs
- Low minimum deposit for CDs
- Multiple CD options
- HYSAs only earn the highest rate on balances over $5,000
- No physical branches available
- Limited terms on some CDs
Best for Seniors: Credit Union of Georgia
The Credit Union of Georgia has the "Senior Class" program. For customers age 65 or older, the Senior Class benefits are automatically added to their checking and savings accounts. This program provides added perks, such as free checks every 12 months, special rates on jumbo CDs, free paper statements and discounts on safe deposit boxes. The Credit Union of Georgia offers accounts without monthly fees, and as a credit union member, you can also qualify for additional discounts. For example, members of the credit union are eligible for discounts on home security systems, car and homeowners insurance, tax preparation software and even fitness classes.
However, not everyone is eligible for membership with the Credit Union of Georgia. To qualify, you must live or work in an eligible county within Georgia, work for a partner employer to have an immediate family member who is a member.
- Added benefits for those 65 and older
- Interest-bearing checking without a monthly fee
- Customers eligible for added discounts
- Limited membership eligibility
- Minimum balance requirement for money market accounts
- Charges excess withdrawal fees
Best for Checking: Regions
While most banks and credit unions have just one or two checking account options, Regions Bank has six. It offers options ranging from interest-bearing accounts to specialty accounts for seniors and students. Depending on the account, it may not carry a monthly fee, or you may be eligible for a fee waiver based on your balance or monthly deposits. If you have a checking account with Regions, you can take advantage of added benefits like discounts on safe deposit boxes, relationship APYs for existing customers, discounts on Regions loan products and cash back at partner retailers.
Regions offer a range of banking products, but some of its accounts — such as its savings for minors account or CD account — require you to visit a branch in person to open them. Lastly, its CDs are limited; the maximum CD term is 72 months.
- Six checking account options available
- Multiple ways to qualify for monthly fee waivers
- Added discounts
- Relatively low APY on checking accounts
- Some accounts require you to visit a branch in person to open a new account
- Limited CD terms
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
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*
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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
No hidden fees
Enjoy hassle-free banking and earn 4.20% APY* with 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
How we chose the Best Banks of 2024-2025
To determine our list of Best Banks for 2024-2025, Money staff evaluated hundreds of the largest retail banks, credit unions, regional and state banks, ranked by assets, and 20 of the most popular online banks. We then compared opening balance requirements, interest paid, fees and features to determine our top picks. We identified the top banks and credit unions in Georgia by examining which financial institutions operate within the state and comparing their account options, minimum deposit amounts, APYs and fees. We also considered typical customer satisfaction levels and accessibility, including what mobile or online tools the institution provides.
You can read our full methodology here.