Best Banks in America

Best Banks in America

For the 2027 edition of Best Banks in America, Money evaluated more than 275 financial institutions, including national, online and regional banks and credit unions. We looked at hundreds of data points covering minimum deposit requirements, annual percentage yields, fees and other features like customer service and convenience.

Among those more than 275 institutions, we established Money's top picks in the following categories: best national banks, best online banks, best banks for digital investing, best credit unions, best banks for students, best banks for seniors, best banks for members of the military, best banks for digital investing and the best banks for CD rates, high-yield savings accounts and money market accounts.

We also looked at five regions: the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, Midwest and West.  

Money's Best Banks is one of the publication's oldest franchises, providing readers with an annual analysis of the best financial institutions for everyday banking needs.

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Oct. 15, 2026 | Read the full methodology here.

CIT Bank Savings Account Logo
Our Partner
See Offer
Rates as of: 1/09/2026
FDIC Insurance: $250,000.00

Earn 3.65% APY* with CIT's Savings Connect Account

  • $100 minimum balance for APY
  • No account opening or monthly service fees

  • Deposit checks online with the CIT Bank mobile app
  • FDIC Insured

*Rate as of 1/09/2026

*For complete list of account details and fees, see our Personal Account disclosures

1APY — Annual Percentage Yield is accurate as of July 1, 2026. Interest Rates for the Savings Connect Account are variable and may change at any time without notice. The minimum to open a Savings Connect account is $100. Fees could reduce earnings on the account.
2Based 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.

Savings Account with up to 3.30% APY* (read their website to see terms)

SoFi® Checking & Savings Logo
Our Partner
See Offer
Rates as of: 9/23/2026
FDIC Insurance: $250,000.00
  • Cash Bonus up to $400 with direct deposit set up (Terms apply)
  • No monthly fees 
  • Up to 2-day-early paycheck
  • Access additional FDIC insurance up to $3M on deposits

*Rate as of 9/23/2026.

* Interest rates are subject to change at any time. Terms and conditions may apply.

Get paid up to 2 days early with direct deposit²

Chime® Logo
Our Partner
See Offer
FDIC Insurance: $250,000.00

Get Paid Up To 2 Days Early with Direct Deposit Set Up

  • No minimum balance fees
  • 47k+ Fee-free ATMs³ at Walgreens®, 7-Eleven®, CVS® & more1
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • 24/7 live support

1. Out-of-network ATM withdrawal and over-the-counter advance fees may apply except at FCTI® ATMs in a 7-Eleven® or Speedway, or any Allpoint® or Visa® Plus Alliance ATM participating in the Allpoint network.

2. Early access to direct deposit funds depends on the timing of the submission of the payment file from the payer. We generally make these funds available on the day the payment file is received, which may be up to 2 days earlier than the scheduled payment date.

Savings Account with up to 3.30% APY* (read their website to see terms)

SoFi® Checking & Savings Logo
Our Partner
See Offer
Rates as of: 9/23/2026
FDIC Insurance: $250,000.00
  • Cash Bonus up to $400 with direct deposit set up (Terms apply)
  • No monthly fees 
  • Up to 2-day-early paycheck
  • Access additional FDIC insurance up to $3M on deposits

*Rate as of 9/23/2026.

* Interest rates are subject to change at any time. Terms and conditions may apply.

Get paid up to 2 days early with direct deposit²

Chime® Logo
Our Partner
See Offer
FDIC Insurance: $250,000.00

Get Paid Up To 2 Days Early with Direct Deposit Set Up

  • No minimum balance fees
  • 47k+ Fee-free ATMs³ at Walgreens®, 7-Eleven®, CVS® & more1
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • 24/7 live support

1. Out-of-network ATM withdrawal and over-the-counter advance fees may apply except at FCTI® ATMs in a 7-Eleven® or Speedway, or any Allpoint® or Visa® Plus Alliance ATM participating in the Allpoint network.

2. Early access to direct deposit funds depends on the timing of the submission of the payment file from the payer. We generally make these funds available on the day the payment file is received, which may be up to 2 days earlier than the scheduled payment date.

CIT Bank Savings Account Logo
Our Partner
See Offer
Rates as of: 1/09/2026
FDIC Insurance: $250,000.00

Earn 3.65% APY* with CIT's Savings Connect Account

  • $100 minimum balance for APY
  • No account opening or monthly service fees

  • Deposit checks online with the CIT Bank mobile app
  • FDIC Insured

*Rate as of 1/09/2026

*For complete list of account details and fees, see our Personal Account disclosures

1APY — Annual Percentage Yield is accurate as of July 1, 2026. Interest Rates for the Savings Connect Account are variable and may change at any time without notice. The minimum to open a Savings Connect account is $100. Fees could reduce earnings on the account.
2Based 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.

Slide Table to Compare
Bank
Category
Best For
Minimum Opening Deposit
Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
Number of ATMs
Monthly Service Fees

Ally

National Bank, Online Bank Best for Overall, Best Online $0 3.10% 75,000 $0

American Express

National Bank, Online Bank Best for Digital Tools, Best Checking Account $0 3.10% 70,000 $0

Axos

National Bank Best Savings Account $0 3.75% 91,000 $0

BMO

National Bank Best Money Market Account $25 3.01% 40,000 $0

EverBank

National Bank, Online Bank Best CDs, Best Savings Account $0 4.20% 80,000 $0

Capital One

National Bank Best for Customer Satisfaction $0 3.10% 70,000 $0

SoFi

National Bank, Online Bank, Student Bank Best for Low Fees, Best for Customer Satisfaction, Best Overall $0 3.30% 55,000 $0

Alliant Credit Union

Credit Union Best Overall $100 3.01% 80,000 $0

PenFed Credit Union

Credit Union Best Checking Account $5 2.70% 85,000 $0

Digital Credit Union

Credit Union Best Savings Account $0 5.00% 80,000 $0

Best Banks Rankings

Here are our picks for the best banks in these categories: National, Online and Credit Unions.

We’ve also picked the best banks for students, seniors and members of the armed forces.

Patelco Credit Union

Credit Union, Student Bank Best Money Market Accounts, Best New Account Offer $0 0.05% 30,000 $0

Golden1 Credit Union

Credit Union, Senior Bank Best for Seniors, Best for Extra Perks $0 4.00% 30,000 $0

Consumers Credit Union

Credit Union Best for Customer Satisfaction $5 3.00% 30,000 $0

Navy Federal Credit Union

Credit Union, Military Bank Best for Service Members, Best Overall $5 0.25% 1,700,000 $0

Redneck Bank

Online Bank Best Checking Accounts $500 3.85% N/A $0

Bank5Connect

Online Bank Best Money Market Account $10 1.50%–3.65% N/A $0

Happen Bank

Online Bank Best for Rewards $0 4.20% 55,000 $0

Vio

Online Bank Best for CDs $100 4.01% N/A $0

Citi

Online Bank Best for Bonus Offers $0 3.00% 60,000 $4.50

Chase

Student Bank, Military Bank Best for ATM Access, Best for Branch and ATM Access $0 0.01% 15,000 $25

PNC

Student Bank, Senior Bank Best Checking Account, Best Overall $0 0.03% 60,000 $5

FourLeaf Federal Credit Union

Student Bank Best Savings Account $0 5.00% 30,000 $0

Bank of America

Student Bank, Senior Bank Best for New Students, Best for Branch Access $100 0.04% 15,000 $8

FitnessBank

Senior Bank Best Checking Account $100 3.75% N/A $10

East West Bank

Senior Bank Best Savings Account $100 N/A 55,000 $0

Huntington Bank

Senior Bank Best for Elder Support $100 4.00% 1,600 $0

Regions Bank

Senior Bank Best for Fee Waivers $5 0.01% 2,000 $5

USAA

Military Bank Best for CDs $25 3.00% 100,000 $0

Service Credit Union

Military Bank Best for Active-Duty Service Members and Deployment Benefits $0 5%–10% 88,000 $0

Armed Forces Bank

Military Bank Best for New Recruits $25 0.03% 30,000 $5
No results match.
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* APY for deposit accounts varies depending on balance, type of account and/or area

# Membership in a credit union is obtained by opening a savings account with a $5 deposit in many cases. However, some credit unions may have higher or lower opening deposit requirements. The minimums quoted here are to become a member of the credit union.

^ Monthly fee can be waived

Note: APYs are valid as of 10/14/2026