Best Banks and Credit Unions in the Northeast for 2026
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
-
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/
-
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.
-
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.
-
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
-
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
*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.
The Northeast encompasses nine states: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont. These states are home to thousands of banks and credit unions, so finding the right accounts can feel overwhelming.
We researched leading financial institutions that operate within these states and evaluated them based on their accounts, interest rates, fees, deposit requirements and customer satisfaction. Based on that information, we identified the five best banks in the Northeast for 2026:
- Capital One - Best Overall
- Bank of America - Best for CDs
- KeyBank - Best for Interest-Bearing Checking
- Liberty - Best for Free Checking
- TD Bank - Best for Customer Satisfaction
*Rates and fees were current as of Oct. 14, 2025.
Best Overall: Capital One
As an online and traditional bank, Capital One operates branches in 16 states, including Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York in the Northeast. The bank's ATM network includes more than 70,000 locations, and it offers checking accounts, savings accounts and CDs. The bank's Auto Navigator helps customers find vehicles, get pre-approved for auto loans and adjust things like down payments, term length and more to build a deal that's the right fit for them.
Its 360 Checking account doesn't charge monthly maintenance fees, doesn't require a minimum opening balance and provides early paycheck access. Meanwhile, its 360 Performance Savings account currently offers 3.40% APY while also not requiring a minimum balance or charging monthly fees. Capital One's CDs offer competitive rates with terms ranging from six months to six years, but the bank does not offer money market accounts.
- Early paycheck access
- No minimum balance requirements
- No monthly maintenance fees
- No money market accounts
- Branches aren’t available in all Northeast states
- No reimbursement for out-of-network ATMs
Best for CDs: Bank of America
Bank of America is the second largest U.S. bank by assets and the third largest by branch locations with 3,857 supplemented with 15,000 ATM locations. The bank has a solid presence in the Northeast, and it offers checking accounts, savings accounts, student accounts and CDs.
Its CDs are where the bank stands out. With terms ranging from 28 days to 10 years and APYs as high as 3.51%, the Bank of America's CDs have high-yielding options for short- and long-term savers. They do, however, require a minimum deposit of $1,000. This year, Bank of America ranked highest in the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Retail Banking Advice Satisfaction Study.
- 3,857 branch locations
- J.D. Power score of 8 out of 9
- High APY CDs
- $1,000 CD minimum
- Monthly fees for checking and savings
- No money market accounts
Best for Interest: KeyBank
KeyBank offers several checking account options, including a free checking account with no monthly maintenance fees. The Key Smart Checking account includes benefits like free paper checks, and you can open an account with as little as $10. With many banks, only the accounts with monthly fees are eligible for new customer promotions. But with KeyBank, customers can qualify for hundreds in promotional offers with its free checking options. Additionally, KeyBank has checking accounts for seniors and students without monthly fees.
However, KeyBank has unusually high deposit minimums for its money market accounts and CDs, so those with limited funds available may find its deposit minimum to be a significant obstacle. And its savings accounts tend to have lower-than-average APYs. KeyBank operates branches in 15 states, including Connecticut, Maine, New York, Pennsylvania and Vermont in the Northeast.
- Checking accounts without monthly fees available
- Senior and student checking options
- Free checking options eligible for promotional offers
- High minimum deposit for money market accounts
- High minimum deposit for CDs
- Lower-than-average rates on savings accounts
Best for Free Checking: Liberty Bank
Liberty Banks offers savings, checking, money market and student accounts as well as CDs. There are two different checking accounts available through Liberty Bank. Its Quarter Back Checking account lets you earn 25 cents on debit card purchases over $25, while its Payback checking account provides up to $15 per month in out-of-network ATM fees reimbursement. Both accounts feature no minimum balance requirements and no monthly maintenance fees.
The bank receives a Trustpilot rating of 3.8 stars out of a possible 5, but it only has 55 branch locations, the majority of which are in Connecticut. In order to open a checking account, Liberty Bank requires a minimum opening deposit of $25.
- No monthly maintenance fees
- No minimum balance requirements
- Out-of-network ATM fee reimbursement
- $25 minimum opening deposit requirement
- Must enroll in eStatements to avoid $2 monthly paper statement fee
- Only 55 branch locations
Best for Customer Satisfaction: TD Bank
Despite its national footprint, TD Bank's core service area is the Northeast, where it operates branches in Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont. It has multiple savings accounts to choose from, with no minimum deposit requirements and the potential for a higher-than-average APY. With TD Bank, there are options for savings, checking and student accounts as well as CDs. However, the bank doesn't offer money market accounts and its checking account has a $15 monthly fee.
Where TD Bank separates itself from the pack is customer satisfaction. According to the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Retail Banking Satisfaction Study, the bank holds the highest score for Trust and Problem Resolution and was ranked first in online banking satisfaction among national banks in last year's U.S. Online Banking Satisfaction Study. Additionally, TD Bank's call center is recognized for its outstanding customer service.
- Multiple savings account options
- Free accounts for seniors and those under 18
- Those with high balances can qualify for high APYs
- Not everyone will qualify for fee waivers
- Highest APY requires large balances
- Limits on withdrawals per month
How we chose the Best Banks for 2026
To determine our list of best banks for 2026, 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.
We researched leading banks and credit unions that operate in the Northeast, vetting their accounts, rates, fees and customer service options to select the top institutions in that region for 2026. We placed particular emphasis on banks and credit unions with broad branch networks and ATM networks in the Northeast, as well as online offerings that expand accessibility.
You can read our full methodology here.