--- title: Best Banks and Credit Unions in the West for 2026 description: Money looked at dozens of financial institutions to find the best banks and credit unions in the West. editors: - name: Jordan Chussler role: Editor, Investing and Banking url: https://money.com/author/jordan-chussler/ bio: Jordan is an investment editor who specializes in topics ranging from traditional equities, retirement savings and income investing to alternative assets and commodities, specifically focusing on gold and other precious metals. He combines his personal interests and professional experience in finance and education to help readers increase their financial literacy and make better investment choices. Jordan is a Certified Personal Finance Counselor. education: Lynn University certifications: Certified Personal Finance Counselor at_money_since: 2023 articles: 132 covers: - Banking - Credit - Credit Cards - Economy and Politics - Housing - Identity Theft - Insurance - Investing - Loans - Mortgages - Personal Finance - Professional Services - Retirement also_seen_in: - Weiss Ratings - 24/7 Wall Street - Better Investing - Yahoo Finance - Nasdaq - Investing.com - Marketbeat - MSN Money social: - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-chussler-b3597811/ published: '2025-10-15T13:40:23.000Z' modified: '2025-10-15T13:40:23.000Z' section: Banking tags: - Best - Best Banks 2025–2026 word_count: 818 canonical: https://money.com/best-banks-and-credit-unions-west/ type: Article source: structured-blocks --- > **Disclosure:** We research all brands listed and may earn a fee from our partners. Research and financial considerations may influence how brands are displayed. Not all brands are included. [Learn more](https://money.com/page/disclaimer/). ![Best Banks and Credit Unions in the West for 2026](https://img.money.com/2025/10/Best-Banks-2026-Western-States.jpg?quality=85&w=1012&h=569&crop=1) ## Our Partners ### TOP PARTNER ![Sign Up](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/19227/medium_5c3a0d96-3da5-45d8-8e99-d58f043e9433.png) Our Partner [Sign Up](https://money.com/go/0bc98158fcab?ap_referrer=%2Fbest-banks-and-credit-unions-west%2F&bidid=4102392877&ptid=669584790&ptoken=8c79c789b5f84e8a97e8ddcb7f37f60f&zip=20149) **Earn up to 3.10% APY\* & up to $50 or $400 with direct deposit\*** - Limited Time Offer - +0.90% Boost on Savings APY to up to 4.00% for up to 6 months on new accounts. Terms apply.8 - $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 **\[AFFILIATE LINK: Open SoFi Account Today\]** * * * ![Sign Up](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/7510/medium_8a6feaaf-bb2a-4668-a20d-603241767f86.png) Our Partner [Sign Up](https://money.com/go/ec9a2be52fed?ap_referrer=%2Fbest-banks-and-credit-unions-west%2F&bidid=4102392873&ptid=669584790&ptoken=06f7a3a7c83590805c527054f1d24a19&zip=20149) **Earn up to 3.65% APY\* on qualifying balances with a Barclays' Tiered Savings account** - $200 Bonus with qualifying activities. Terms Apply. - No monthly maintenance fees - Easy direct deposits & online transfers - Member FDIC \*Rate as of 6/24/2026 **\[AFFILIATE LINK: View Barclays Offer\]** * * * ![Sign Up](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/40232/medium_cfa5e5b0-4ccd-4dc6-814f-910bb4151eb3.webp) Our Partner [Sign Up](https://money.com/go/a6f8cce2f55a?ap_referrer=%2Fbest-banks-and-credit-unions-west%2F&bidid=4102392881&ptid=669584790&ptoken=336c3dec391bfc61e8bde59c432b9165&zip=20149) **Earn 4.10% APY\* for 6 months with $5k min. balance** - $5,000 min. balance to earn top APY - $100 minimum deposit to open an account - No account opening or monthly service fees - Member FDIC \*Boosted rate for 6 months; 3.75% APY after. Enter promo code CITBOOST for APY bonus. Rate as of 07/01/2026. **\[AFFILIATE LINK: View CIT Bank Offer\]** * * * ![Sign Up](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/35396/medium_03f248f6-d7f4-4da6-8f13-322fce5d1be2.webp) Our Partner [Sign Up](https://money.com/go/7a93c1819fb7?ap_referrer=%2Fbest-banks-and-credit-unions-west%2F&bidid=4102392883&ptid=669584790&ptoken=d5ed3d32591580fc0182fdf61cd948b9&zip=20149) **Earn 3.80% APY\* with an Openbank High Yield Savings account** - $500 minimum opening deposit - Keep more of your money with no fees - Trusted device security with quick face or fingerprint login - Member FDIC, Santander Bank, N.A. \*Rate as of 8/24/2026 **\[AFFILIATE LINK: View Openbank Offer\]** Regional and community banks can provide excellent rates and service. In the western states, there are several excellent banks and credit unions that offer higher-than-average APYs, low account fees and added customer perks. To help you find the best account, Money researched leading financial institutions in this region and identified the five best banks in the West for 2026: - **[Bank of America](#bofa)** - Best Overall - [****Citibank****](#citi) - Best for CDs - [****Banner Bank****](#banner) - Best for Interest-Bearing Checking - [****BMO****](#bmo) - Best for Free Checking - [**Glacier Bank**](#glacier) - Best for Customer Satisfaction \**Rates and APYs are subject to change. All information provided was accurate as of Oct. 14, 2025.* ## Best Overall: Bank of America ![](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/40322/large_d1bef5b9-e221-4053-b558-d66a2429c8c2.webp) [Sign Up](https://money.com/pr/qc3d37bc5552?ap_referrer=%2Fbest-banks-and-credit-unions-west%2F&url=) [Bank of America](https://money.com/pr/b3971a6f5097?data-trk-company=bank-of-america-savings&data-trk-imp=true&data-trk-pcu-type=direct_link&data-trk-pcu-uuid=b3971a6f5097&encoded_id=) 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](https://money.com/best-banks-for-students/) and [CDs](https://money.com/best-cd-rates/), the latter of which offers terms ranging from 28 days to 10 years and APYs as high as 3.51%. Bank of America requires a minimum deposit of $1,000 for its CDs. This year, Bank of America ranked highest in the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Retail Banking Advice Satisfaction Study. However, it does not offer money market accounts and there are monthly maintenance fees for its checking and savings accounts. However, those fees can be waived if certain criteria are met. **Pros** - 3,857 branch locations - J.D. Power score of 8 out of 9 - High APY CDs **Cons** - $1,000 CD minimum - Monthly fees for checking and savings - No money market accounts ## Best for CDs: Citibank ![](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/7715/large_66f49ae5-85d6-4090-9bd3-54e6449e2ec5.png) [Sign Up](https://money.com/pr/gd82d4b9f4cc?ap_referrer=%2Fbest-banks-and-credit-unions-west%2F&url=) Last year, [Citibank](https://money.com/pr/r30962eb44b8?ap_referrer=https%253A%252F%252Fmoney.com%252Fbest-banks-and-credit-unions-west%252F) was the highest-ranked financial institution in J.D. Power's U.S. Retail Banking Advice Satisfaction Study. Last year, the bank posted the highest score at 631 with a study average of 611 (only two other banks — Chase and Bank of America — finished above the average mark). Citibank also receives high marks for its 24/7 phone support and online chat availability. On the downside, Citi charges a $4.50 monthly fee for its savings accounts and a $15 monthly fee for its regular checking. However, the bank's CDs currently provide up to 4.00% APY, which is among the best available. Citi operates branches in 13 states, but it is available to customers online in all 50 states and boasts a network of 60,000 ATMs. **Pros** - Top score in J.D. Power’s 2024 U.S. Retail Banking Advice Satisfaction Study - 24/7 phone support and online chat availability - Above average APYs for CDs **Cons** - Monthly fees for savings and checking - No money market accounts ## Best for Interest-Bearing Checking: Banner Bank ![](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/40326/large_2e179dcf-4fb9-4f2d-9e91-26a070e4eae9.webp) [Sign Up](https://money.com/pr/dc40d15e11a2?ap_referrer=%2Fbest-banks-and-credit-unions-west%2F&url=) When you open a new checking account with [Banner Bank](https://money.com/pr/y951cfd4b413?data-trk-company=banner-bank-savings-accounts-review&data-trk-imp=true&data-trk-pcu-type=direct_link&data-trk-pcu-uuid=y951cfd4b413&encoded_id=), you can qualify for unusual perks like identity theft monitoring and resolution services, cell phone protection and discounts on check orders and safe deposit boxes. The community bank serves California, Idaho, Oregon and Washington and is highly-rated for customer satisfaction. Where Banner Bank stands out is by offering interest-bearing checking accounts — currently up to 0.05% APY — as well as bonuses that come with those accounts. However, to qualify for the cash bonuses, customers must deposit at least $25,000 within 30 days of opening the account and maintain that minimum balance for 90 days. Additionally, its accounts typically have monthly maintenance fees. **Pros** - Checking accounts offer added perks and benefits - Highly-rated for customer satisfaction - Higher-than-average APY on savings accounts **Cons** - Highest APY requires a large balance - Monthly fees apply to checking and savings accounts - Limited CD terms ## Best for Free Checking: BMO ![](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/27221/large_76542624-019d-4108-a323-6063273cd535.png) [Sign Up](https://money.com/pr/kac9ef2cf614?ap_referrer=%2Fbest-banks-and-credit-unions-west%2F&url=) BMO's Smart Advantage Checking account doesn't require a minimum balance, nor does it charge monthly maintenance fees. The bank also offers higher-tier checking accounts, including an interest-bearing option, but those accounts carry monthly fees. [BMO's Savings Builder](https://money.com/pr/p435d4a99995?data-trk-company=bmo-savings-builder-review&data-trk-imp=true&data-trk-pcu-type=direct_link&data-trk-pcu-uuid=p435d4a99995&encoded_id=) account rewards customers with an extra $5 for every month they grow their balance by $200 or more for the first year. However, the bank's money market accounts and CDs currently offer APYs that comparatively lower, and customers must deposit at least $1,000 to open a CD at BMO. The bank's ATM network features more than 40,000 locations. **Pros** - Multiple checking account options - Free checking features no monthly fees or minimum balances - ATM network of more than 40,000 locations **Cons** - Monthly fees for higher-tier checking accounts - Relatively lower APYs for CDs and money market accounts - $1,000 minimum deposit for CDs ## Best for Customer Satisfaction: Glacier Bank ![](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/22097/large_45e1ba97-6ad7-4fcb-bd77-b5f2bf79e53e.png) [Sign Up](https://money.com/pr/s83f33d9e317?ap_referrer=%2Fbest-banks-and-credit-unions-west%2F&url=) Based in Montana, [Glacier Bank](https://money.com/pr/i5599a84cf91?data-trk-company=glacier-bank-savings-account-review&data-trk-imp=true&data-trk-pcu-type=direct_link&data-trk-pcu-uuid=i5599a84cf91&encoded_id=) is a top-ranked financial institution for customer service. In fact, J.D. Power awarded the bank the top spot in the Northwest in its U.S. Retail Banking Satisfaction Study last year. The bank has several interest-bearing checking options without monthly fees, and new customers can benefit from the bank's buy-back program. Glacier Bank will buy your old checks or debit card from another bank when you open a new account, and it will give you a $25 credit. Glacier Bank doesn't disclose all of its rate details online, and the bank's savings and money market accounts charge monthly fees. You may be eligible for a fee waiver based on your balance, but it's important to keep the fee in mind when shopping for a new account. **Pros** - Highly-rated for customer satisfaction - Multiple interest-bearing checking accounts - New customer buy-back program **Cons** - Rate information not disclosed online - Savings and money market accounts have monthly fees ## Compare Savings Accounts rates today ### Up to 2-day-early paycheck ![Sign Up](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/19227/medium_5c3a0d96-3da5-45d8-8e99-d58f043e9433.png) Our Partner [Sign Up](https://money.com/go/e823dd652c1c?bidid=4102392830&pmeta=p129-c561-u25621&ptid=669584787&ptoken=edd3cc131838edf667d763998b1ad8fd) ### No monthly maintenance fees ![Sign Up](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/7510/medium_8a6feaaf-bb2a-4668-a20d-603241767f86.png) Our Partner [Sign Up](https://money.com/go/5329524d8462?bidid=4102392827&pmeta=p129-c561-u25621&ptid=669584787&ptoken=15d22a4c5fa67af12693f0f221fc7cbc) ### Open an account in 5 minutes ![Sign Up](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/40232/medium_cfa5e5b0-4ccd-4dc6-814f-910bb4151eb3.webp) Our Partner [Sign Up](https://money.com/go/71f69d487485?bidid=4102392833&pmeta=p129-c561-u25621&ptid=669584787&ptoken=8be65d286a8d7ce8c8e56faf42346cf3) ### $500 minimum opening deposit ![Sign Up](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/35396/medium_03f248f6-d7f4-4da6-8f13-322fce5d1be2.webp) Our Partner [Sign Up](https://money.com/go/a92cedb6ca12?bidid=4102392837&pmeta=p129-c561-u25621&ptid=669584787&ptoken=757d0d957607eeaf39e88c64668c59e1) ## 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 selected the best banks and credit unions of the West for 2026 by researching financial institutions operating in western states and scrutinizing their account options, interest rates, minimum deposit requirements and fees. Special consideration was given to banks and credit unions who scored well for customer satisfaction. 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