Best Banks and Credit Unions in Georgia 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.
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 11 Month No Penalty CD
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 January 9, 2026. $1,000 minimum to open the account.
- 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
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.