Best Banks and Credit Unions in North Carolina 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
The Tar Heel State has experienced rapid growth in recent years. In fact, the U.S. Census Bureau reported that North Carolina's population grew by over 140,000 people in 2023, one of the highest growth rates in the country. With that growth comes additional banking needs for residents. Fortunately, there are over 150 credit unions and banks operating in the state.
To help you find the best option, Money researched the leading financial institutions' account offerings, annual percentage yields (APYs), rates and fees to identify the best banks and credit unions in North Carolina for 2024-2025:
- Synchrony - Best Overall
- Bank of America - Best for CDs
- First Citizens - Best for Digital Banking
- PNC - Best for Checking Accounts
- State Employees Credit Union - Best for Customer Satisfaction
*Rates and APYs are subject to change. All information provided was accurate as of Oct. 8, 2024.
Best Overall: Synchrony
Synchrony Bank has a strong presence in North Carolina; although the company's corporate headquarters is in Connecticut, it has a large office in Charlotte, and its accounts are available to customers online. Synchrony offers savings accounts, money market accounts and certificates of deposit (CDs) with higher-than-average APYs. For those looking to maximize their savings, the bank's deposit accounts offer significantly higher-than-average APYs, with no minimum balance requirements or monthly fees.
However, Synchrony is a digital bank, so there aren't any physical locations. Also, Synchrony doesn't offer checking accounts, so you'll need another option for an account to pay your bills and withdrawal cash.
- High APYs on CDs and money market accounts
- High-yield savings without a monthly fee
- No minimum balance requirements
- Doesn't offer checking accounts
- Limited CD terms
- No physical branches
Best for CDs: Bank of America
With Bank of America, you can open a CD, and your money can earn a much higher-than-usual APY on your account. Compared to some banks, which require a minimum deposit of $2,500 or more, Bank of America has a relatively low minimum deposit requirement. Its headquarters are in Charlotte, a city which referred to as the banking capital of the South, and there are about 70 branches across the state, so you likely have a branch near you if you need to ask questions or want personalized assistance.
However, most of Bank of America's checking and savings accounts have monthly fees, and its savings accounts have lower APYs than you'll find elsewhere. Additionally, Bank of America has less-than-stellar customer satisfaction ratings. It was ranked seventh out of nine major banks in the J.D. Power U.S. National Banking Satisfaction Study.
- Higher-than-average APYs on CDs
- Relatively low minimum deposit requirement
- Widespread branch access
- Comparatively lower APYs on savings accounts
- Monthly maintenance fees apply
- Lower ratings for customer satisfaction
Best for Digital Banking: First Citizens
With First Citizens Bank, you can use its mobile app or digital banking platform to manage all of your bank accounts in one place. You can deposit checks, pay bills, transfer money or send money to friends via Zelle. Although First Citizens Bank has powerful digital tools available, it also operates over 250 locations in North Carolina, so it's a convenient choice for those who prefer to handle their banking in person.
Despite those perks, there are some drawbacks. The bank tends to have lower-than-usual APYs on savings accounts, money market accounts and CDs, and its money market accounts have monthly fees.
- Multiple checking account options
- Robust digital banking tools
- Hundreds of branch locations
- Lower-than-average APY on savings and CDs
- Monthly fees on money market accounts
Best for Checking Accounts: PNC
With PNC's Virtual Wallet, you can choose a checking account type that matches your needs. It has three options, but all three are interest-bearing accounts. Existing customers can qualify for special rate boosts. PNC has over 100 branches in North Carolina, and you can earn higher-than-usual APYs on select CD terms, locking in a rate for months at a time.
However, PNC's checking, savings and money market accounts do charge monthly fees. Additionally, its savings accounts offer relatively low APYs.
- Interest-bearing checking accounts available
- Existing customers can qualify for special rates
- Higher-than-usual APYs on some CD terms
- Charges monthly fees
- Fairly low APY on savings accounts
Best for Customer Satisfaction: State Employees Credit Union
As a credit union, the State Employees' Credit Union (SECU) is focused on solutions for its members. It has a variety of account options, including special holiday savings accounts, accounts for kids and teens and summer cash accounts for teachers. Plus, it has many online and mobile banking tools, making it easy to manage your money or reach customer support when you need to do it. SECU has hundreds of branches in North Carolina, and customers have access to a broad network of ATMs through the CashPoints ATM network.
Be mindful, though, that not everyone is eligible for membership to the credit union, and it does have lower-than-average rates on savings accounts.
- Specialty accounts available
- Interest-bearing checking accounts
- Low fees
- Membership not open to everyone
- Lower-than-usual APYs on savings accounts
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 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 select the best banks and credit unions in North Carolina, we researched the largest banks and credit unions operating in the state. We looked at what types of accounts they offer, their minimum deposit requirements, fees and APYs. We also considered other factors, such as branch and ATM access, and digital banking tools.
You can read our full methodology here.