East: Capital One

Branches: 900 in Connecticut, D.C., Delaware, Louisiana, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Texas, and Virginia

Why it’s a winner: Comparatively high yields on no-fee accounts. The first year is especially profitable, thanks to hearty intro rates—on savings, you’re kicked up to 0.75% once your balance tops $10,000. High-Yield Checking also has a generous ATM policy.

Caveats: You need a $5,000 balance across accounts or a mortgage in good standing to keep High-Yield Checking. A bank rep wouldn’t commit to post-intro rates—but said older High-Yield Checking accounts now pay 0.20% and newer Essential ­Savings will reset to a “competitive rate.”

Standout Accounts:

High-Yield Checking

• Maintenance fee: $0
• ATM fee: $0, and re­imburses up to $15 in surcharges a month
• Interest on $2,500: 0.40% for a year, then …?

Essential Savings

• Maintenance fee: $0
• Interest on...
  $2,500: 0.10%
  $10,000: 0.10%
  $25,000: 0.75% for six months, then …?