Best Banks and Credit Unions in the Northeast for 2026

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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