The best in banking

Ally Bank offers best-in-class products that earn competitive yields, and there are no minimum deposit or balance requirements. Ally doesn’t charge maintenance fees, overdraft fees, or out-of-network ATM fees, and it reimburses up to $10 in monthly ATM surcharges from other banks. Ally’s 24/7 phone customer service and call center wait-time updates on its website exemplify its commitment to customer service.

Capital One provides an array of services online and through its 262 bank branches.  Despite being a big bank, Capital One offers competitive yields on its savings accounts and CDs. Another highlight is that its 360 Checking account has no monthly fees, no minimums and no overdraft fees. In addition, there are more than 70,000 fee-free ATMs from the Capital One, Allpoint and MoneyPass networks.

Ally is an online bank with competitive rates. In addition, the institution makes life easy for savers by providing a mobile banking app with helpful features such as savings boosters and savings buckets. Ally doesn’t require minimum balances to open accounts. It also began waiving overdraft fees in 2021. With Allpoint and MoneyPass, customers have access to more than 75,000 fee-free ATMs. Ally customers who use an out-of-network ATM can receive a reimbursement of up to $10  per statement cycle.

For the second year in a row, Texas Capital is our pick for the top regional bank. Texas Capital Bank continues offering robust rates on deposit accounts with few fees. The competitiveness of Texas Capital’s yields vary from account to account, and some accounts are only available in Texas, while others are available in all states.

Noteworthy account features include the bank’s large surcharge-free ATM network, the sizable ATM rebate for the Star Plus Checking account and the high yield on the Star High-Yield Savings account (limited to applicants with a Texas residential address). Applicants who do not have a Texas residential address will be offered the Star Savings Account, which earns a lower interest rate compared with the bank’s high-yield option. 

In addition to its full suite of deposit products — certificates of deposit (CDs), money market, savings and checking accounts — Texas Capital Bank also offers commercial and investment banking in addition to wealth management and small business services.

Quorum Federal Credit Union offers a variety of CDs, checking and savings accounts with competitive APYs. Each personal checking account features free bill pay, a debit Mastercard, mobile deposits and overdraft protection. In addition, more than 90,000 free ATMs are available to checking account customers.

Quorum’s HighQ Savings account is Bankrate’s top savings account pick for 2025. The savings account features a robust APY and comes with a highly rated app for both iOS and Android users. However, customers will need to watch out for a few fees that could cut into their savings, including a monthly fee if you opt in for paper statements. There’s also a hefty fee for transferring from your savings to your checking account in the case of an overdraft. That noted, customers can make withdrawals from the account without incurring a fee.  

As with other credit unions, you’ll first need to become a member to open an account at Quorum. Luckily, becoming a member is easy and free for everyone.

Membership eligibility is based on your affiliation with a group within Quorum’s field of membership, including being an employee (or family member of an employee) of select businesses. Joining the American Consumer Council, which is completely free, will also qualify you for membership. You can also join the Select Savers Club to become eligible, which requires a $5 lifetime fee, but Quorum will pay that fee for customers.

Ally won because of its access to your money and APY offered on its money market account. Ally money market customers have access to more than 75,000 ATMs – through MoneyPass and Allpoint – and they can write checks from their account.

Ally Bank offers seven standard CDs in a variety of term options, all of which earn yields that are well above national averages. Ally also offers a no-penalty CD and two raise-your-rate CDs. None of the CDs have a minimum deposit requirement, making them accessible to nearly anyone.

Ally Bank’s Spending Account is an interest-bearing checking account that requires no minimum balance, and you’ll earn a tiered yield based on your balance. There are no monthly service fees or overdraft fees, and you can get paid up to two days sooner with early direct deposit. Customers can access 75,000 in-network ATMs, and Ally doesn’t charge customers for using out-of-network ATMs. Moreover, it reimburses up to $10 each month in ATM surcharges imposed by other banks.

Wealthfront is an automated investment firm that also offers a compelling cash management account. The account earns a highly competitive APY on all balances, requires a minimum of just $1 to open, and charges no monthly fees. It also allows for unlimited withdrawals and transfers, and customers who set up direct deposit into the account can access their paychecks up to two days early. Your funds are protected up to $8 million by FDIC insurance because Wealthfront spreads deposits across multiple partner banks. Note: FDIC insurance isn’t provided until your money arrives at the program banks, according to Wealthfront’s website.

Chase Bank offers a variety of sign-up bonuses that are relatively easy to attain by opening certain checking accounts and meeting requirements. You can also receive a bonus by referring a friend who opens a qualifying account.

When we conducted our research, Chase offered cash bonuses between $100 and $300 for opening one of several personal or business checking accounts and meeting requirements (which can include making deposits, debit card purchases or online bill payments) and meeting the direct deposit requirement. Currently, Chase customers can also earn $50 for each friend who opens a qualifying bank account (up to $500 per calendar year).

Chase offers more branches than any other bank in the U.S., with locations in all 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia. In total, Chase maintains more than 4,700 branches, plus more than 15,000 ATMs.

Capital One offers its 360 Checking account customers fee-free access to more than 70,000 Allpoint, MoneyPass and Capital One ATMs, including those located in select Target, Walgreens and CVS stores. What’s more, Capital One doesn’t charge these account holders fees for using ATMs outside its network (although the banks that own such ATMs may impose a surcharge).

Bank of America takes the lead when it comes to mobile banking. There are many features, including the ability to manage Bank of America and Merrill investing accounts in one place. In addition, the app has a security center that helps users manage security settings. Customers are also able to send and receive money through Zelle, deposit checks and pay bills.

Capital One combines attractive account features, including high annual percentage yields and no monthly fees, with innovative technology both on its website and its highly rated app. 

Alongside the feature-rich digital experience, Capital One features Eno, the digital assistant. You can interact with Eno on the app or over text. Eno can be used to check your balance, recent transactions, available credit and payment dates. It can also be used to activate, lock or replace a card and even pay bills. 

Capital One offers various deposit products, including a savings account, checking account and a wide range of certificates of deposit (CDs). The bank also offers a savings account for children and a checking account for teens. In addition to these accounts, Capital One provides other financial services, including credit cards and business accounts.

Jenius Bank opened in 2023 and is the digital banking division of SMBC MANUBANK (Manufacturers Bank). Jenius’ sole deposit product is a savings account that earns a competitive yield and doesn’t require any minimum opening deposit. What’s more, you won’t pay maintenance fees or excessive transaction fees.

The federally insured savings account is best for savers who are comfortable banking entirely online, since Jenius Bank doesn’t offer branches. That said, the mobile app receives high ratings, and customer support can be reached by phone on a 24/7 basis. Of note, applications for the Jenius savings account aren’t accepted from residents of Hawaii or New Mexico.

Forbright Bank is our pick for the best eco-friendly bank. Among other environmental commitments, Forbright’s lending portfolio is aligned with its Responsible Investment Policy, meaning it doesn’t finance any fossil fuel extraction or infrastructure, according to Forbright’s 2023 Sustainability Report. Moreover, 30 percent of Forbright’s portfolio finances sustainable companies and projects, also according to the report. 

Forbright also states that customers receive debit and ATM cards that are made from 100 percent recycled PVC, and the bank even offers financial incentives for employees to install solar panels, conduct a home energy audit and “green” their commute to work. 

Several Forbright accounts can be opened online, including a high-yield savings account and a handful of certificates of deposit (CDs).