Business Insider
Personal Finance Banking

Best Banks: Top Choices for Savings, Checking, Customer Service and More

two piggybanks with a money design stand in front of an ATM at the best banks against a green background
Compare Business Insider's top picks for best banks. iStock; Gilbert Espinoza/Business Insider
Updated

The credit unions near where you live to see if any of them offer banking products that fit your needs.

Compare Bank Account Offers

SoFi® Checking and Savings (Member FDIC)
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SoFi Bank, N.A., Member FDIC
Insider’s Rating
A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star
4.75/5
Icon of check mark inside a promo stamp It indicates a confirmed selection.
Perks

Earn up to 4.50% APY¹ and up to $300 with direct deposit. Open a new SoFi Checking and Savings account by 1/31/26, set up eligible direct deposit within 60 days, and maintain direct deposit for six months.Terms apply.

Fees

no monthly service fee

Annual Percentage Yield (APY)

up to 3.80%

Minimum Opening Deposit

$0

Bonus

up to $300

Pros
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. FDIC insured up to $3 million
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. High interest rate
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Earn a higher interest rate with qualifying activities
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. No minimum opening deposit
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. No monthly service fees
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Up to $300 bonus with qualifying direct deposit (terms apply)
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Savings tools
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Early direct deposit
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Joint account available
Cons
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Declined purchase if you overdraw by more than $50
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Doesn't reimburse out-of-network ATM providers' fees
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. May deposit cash at Green Dot locations but there's a $4.95 fee
Insider’s Take

SoFi Checking and Savings is a great account option if you don't mind keeping your savings and checking in one account.

SoFi® Checking and Savings (Member FDIC) review External link Arrow An arrow icon, indicating this redirects the user."
Product Details
  • Sign-up bonus of up to $300. When you sign up and set up direct deposit. Wait for direct deposit to hit account (typically 2-4 weeks). Collect cash bonus of $50 to $300 depending on direct deposit amount
  • Up to 3.80% APY with direct deposit or $5,000 or more in qualifying deposits during the 30-day evaluation period
  • FDIC Insured and covered up to $3 million in FDIC coverage through a network of participating banks
  • 55,000+ fee-free ATMs
  • +0.70% Boost on Savings APY to up to 4.50% for up to 6 months on new accounts with eligible Direct Deposit. Terms apply.
Best for rewards credit and debit cards
Discover® Bank
Insider’s Rating
A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star
4.25/5
Icon of check mark inside a promo stamp It indicates a confirmed selection.
Perks

Earn cash back with your debit card

Annual Percentage Yield (APY)

Varies depending on account

Minimum Opening Deposit

Varies depending on account

Pros
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Cash back with your debit card
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. High interest rates on savings, CD, and money market accounts
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Long CD terms
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. 24/7 customer service
Cons
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Doesn't reimburse out-of-network ATM fees
Product Details
  • Online bank with no physical branch locations
  • Access to 60,000 free ATMs
  • Interest on interest-earning accounts compounds daily
  • Member FDIC

Overview of the Best Banks

These are our top picks for the best banks. Our personal finance team at Business Insider has reviewed over 200 financial institutions to determine our top picks, and why you might like to consider them a good option for your banking:

  • Capital One: Best bank to open a checking account from a national brand
  • Chase: Best for a large branch network
  • Axos Bank: Best online bank
  • Discover®: Best for rewards credit and debit cards
  • Ally: Best for saving and investing
  • Synchrony Bank: Best for a high-yield savings account from a national brand
  • TD Bank: Best for customer service
  • Popular Direct: Best for the highest interest rates on CDs
  • Pibank: Best for a high interest rate on a high-yield savings account

Compare the Best Banks in America

The best banks in America are well-rounded financial institutions with various banking products and services and strong customer service. We have a mix of online and brick-and-mortar banks because, depending on what you're looking for, one type of bank may appeal to you more than another.

For each of our top picks, we highlighted specific stand-out features or services. Read more about the best banks below.

Capital One Bank

Capital One 360 Checking is one of the best online banks for checking accounts. It doesn't charge any overdraft, foreign transaction, or monthly service fees, and Capital One doesn't require any minimum opening deposits. The bank ranks No. 1 on J.D. Power's Synchrony Bank Review

TD Bank

TD Bank is ranked third in JD Power's 2024 U.S. National Banking Satisfaction Study. Many branch locations are open seven days per week, which is great if you struggle to make it to the bank during the workday.

TD Bank's ATM fees aren't necessarily higher than other banks' fees, but its fine print may affect which checking account you choose to open.

Just be aware that the 5% interest savings accounts. Small banks have higher savings rates than national brands, but as you can see from our top pick Synchrony, you'll still benefit from a great interest rate regardless of whether choose a national or local institution.

You should out look out for exchange foreign currency, or offer more CD term lengths.

Security Considerations for Online Banking

Security is important for any bank. It should be had been breaking the law by charging customers for its Debit Card Advance service without their permission.

In 2023, JP Morgan Chase was also required to pay $2.6 million in a settlement when accused of calling customers about bank accounts they didn't have.

In 2024, Discover was required to pay $1 million in a settlement that claimed Discover denied Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, recipients loans because of their immigration status. In the settlement, Discover agreed to rewrite its lending rules to make DACA recipients equally eligible for loans as comparable U.S. citizens.

Best Banks FAQs

Which type of bank account is best for everyday transactions?

Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.

A checking account is the bank account that's best for everyday transactions. Personal checking accounts don't limit how many times you can withdraw money in a month, and they generally come with spending tools such as debit cards and checks.

What is the best bank?

Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.

We chose Chase, Capital One, Ally, TD Bank, and Axos Bank, among others, as some of the best banks to bank with, depending on your banking needs.

What are the best online banks?

Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.

We chose Axos Bank, Ally, Capital One, and Discover as some of the best online banks you could choose.

What is the major difference between a nationwide bank and a community bank?

Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.

The major difference between a nationwide bank and a community bank is who the bank serves. Nationwide banks generally offer accounts to any adult U.S. resident, while community banks might limit their customer base to those who live in a specific area.

Why You Should Trust Us: Our Expert Panel for the Best Banks

PFI Banking Expert Panel (updated Mar 2024); (from left to right) Tania Brown; Roger Ma; Sophia Acevedo; Mykail James
BI

To learn more about what makes a good bank and how to choose the best fit, four experts weighed in:

Sophia has spent seven and a half years writing and editing as a journalist. She began her journalism career at her college newspaper, where she took on various roles.Sophia was nominated for an Axel Springer Award for Change in 2023 for her coverage of ABLE Accounts, tax-free savings accounts for people with disabilities. She was also a winner of a 2018 California Journalism Awards Campus Contest for her photography.She loves helping people find the best solutions for their unique needs and hopes that more people will find the tools to solve their financial problems. She’s inspired by stories of everyday people adapting to their financial circumstances and overcoming their fears around money.ExpertiseSophia's expertise includes:
  • Bank accounts
  • Savings and CD rate trends
  • Budgeting
  • Saving
  • How banks operate
EducationSophia graduated from California State University Fullerton with a degree in journalism and a minor in political science.Sophia is a member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.She is an avid reader across a variety of genres, and she started running in 2021. She ran in the 2024 Los Angeles Marathon.

**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 during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period) OR $300 (with at least $5,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period). Cash bonus will be based on the total amount of Eligible Direct Deposit. 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 12/7/2023 and will be available through 1/31/2026. Full terms at sofi.com/banking. SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A., Member FDIC. SoFi members with Eligible Direct Deposit can earn 3.80% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the 3.80% APY for savings (including Vaults). Members without Eligible Direct Deposit will earn 1.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 1/24/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet. SoFi members who enroll in SoFi Plus with Eligible Direct Deposit or by paying the SoFi Plus Subscription Fee every 30 days or SoFi members with $5,000 or more in Qualifying Deposits during the 30-Day Evaluation Period can earn 3.80% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. Members without either SoFi Plus or Qualifying Deposits, during the 30-Day Evaluation Period will earn 1.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 1/24/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. If you have satisfied Eligible Direct Deposit requirements for our highest APY but do not see 3.80% APY on your APY Details page the day after your Eligible Direct Deposit arrives, please contact us at 855-456-7634. Additional information can be found at http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet. See the SoFi Plus Terms and Conditions at https://www.sofi.com/terms-of-use/#plus.

***The Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is accurate as of 04/01/2025. The base and promotional interest rate and corresponding APY for Axos ONE Checking is variable and is set at our discretion. The base and promotional interest rate and corresponding APY for Axos ONE Savings is variable and is set at our discretion. Axos ONE Savings is a tiered variable rate account. Axos ONE Checking is a non-tiered variable rate account. Interest rates may change as often as daily without prior notice. Fees may reduce earnings. Promotional terms and conditions are subject to change or removal without notice. Incentive may be taxable and reported on IRS Form 1099-MISC. Consult your tax advisor. After the accounts are opened, the amount of incentive earned will depend on meeting the additional requirements outlined below. The Axos ONE Checking account will earn a base rate of 0.00% APY. The Axos ONE Savings account will earn a base rate of 1.00% APY. Axos ONE accounts are eligible to receive a promotional APY for each statement cycle where the promotional criteria are met during the Qualification Period. To receive the promotional APY on both Axos ONE Checking and Axos ONE Savings, the Axos ONE Checking account must meet both of the requirements in either Option 1 or Option 2 below during the Qualification Period: Option 1 1. Your Axos ONE Checking account has received qualifying direct deposits of at least $1,500 in total. 2. The average daily balance of your Axos ONE Checking account is at least $1,500. Option 2 1. Your Axos ONE Checking account has received qualifying deposits of at least $5,000 in total. 2. The average daily balance of your Axos ONE Checking account is at least $5,000. If both of the requirements in either Option 1 or Option 2 above are met during the Qualification Period: The Axos ONE Checking account will earn a promotional rate of 0.51% APY for the statement cycle in which the requirements are met. The Axos ONE Savings account will earn a promotional rate of up to 4.66% APY for the statement cycle in which the requirements are met. The Qualification Period is from the 1st of the month through the 25th of the month. The Qualification Period for new accounts will begin on the day the account is approved. Any qualifying direct deposits received after the 25th of the month will count toward the next Qualification Period. A direct deposit is an electronic deposit of your paycheck or government benefits, such as Social Security, Disability, etc. Other deposits (i.e., online banking transfers, ATM and mobile check deposits, etc.) or person-to-person payments are not considered a direct deposit. Qualifying deposits only include deposits from the following eligible sources: (i) ACH transfers from external accounts, (ii) inbound wire transfers from external accounts, (iii) check deposits. Qualifying deposits do not include: (i) transfers internal to the bank (i.e., transfers between an account holder's Checking and/or Savings account), (ii) interest payments, (iii) promotional bonuses, (iv) credits, reversals, and refunds. Both accounts must be in an open and active status on the date the interest is paid to receive the promotional APY for that statement cycle. Account transactions may take one or more business days from the transaction date to post to the account.

Up to $300 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 during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period) OR $300 (with at least $5,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period). Cash bonus will be based on the total amount of Eligible Direct Deposit. 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 11/12/2025 and will be available through 1/31/2026. Full terms at sofi.com/banking. SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A., Member FDIC. SoFi members with Eligible Direct Deposit can earn up to 3.60% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the 3.80% APY for savings (including Vaults). Members without Eligible Direct Deposit will earn 1.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 11/12/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.

APY disclosures SoFi members who enroll in SoFi Plus with Eligible Direct Deposit or by paying the SoFi Plus Subscription Fee every 30 days or SoFi members with $5,000 or more in Qualifying Deposits during the 30-Day Evaluation Period can earn up to 3.60% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. Members without either SoFi Plus or Qualifying Deposits, during the 30-Day Evaluation Period will earn 1.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 1/24/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. If you have satisfied Eligible Direct Deposit requirements for our highest APY but do not see 3.80% APY on your APY Details page the day after your Eligible Direct Deposit arrives, please contact us at 855-456-7634. Additional information can be found at http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet. See the SoFi Plus Terms and Conditions at https://www.sofi.com/terms-of-use/#plus.

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 Checking & Savings Fee Sheet for details at sofi.com/legal/banking-fees/.

Additional FDIC Insurance (must be bolded) 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 incurred when using out-of-network ATMs are not subject to reimbursement. 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 limited to $50 on debit card purchases only and is an account benefit available to customers with Eligible Direct Deposits of $1,000 or more during the current 30-day Evaluation Period as determined by SoFi Bank, N.A. The 30-Day Evaluation Period refers to the "Start Date" and "End Date" set forth on the APY Details page of your account, which comprises a period of 30 calendar days (the "30-Day Evaluation Period"). You can access the APY Details page at any time by logging into your SoFi account on the SoFi mobile app or SoFi website and selecting either (i) Banking > Savings > Current APY or (ii) Banking > Checking > Current APY. Members with a prior history of non-repayment of negative balances are ineligible for Overdraft Coverage.

0.70% Savings APY Boost Earn up to 4.30% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on SoFi Savings with a 0.70% APY Boost (added to the 3.60% APY as of 8/5/25) for up to 6 months. Open a new SoFi Checking & Savings account with Eligible Direct Deposit by 1/31/26. Rates variable, subject to change. Terms apply at sofi.com/banking#2. SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.

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