THE BEST

of

2025

Banking Awards

Even if you’re a total pro at online banking, having in-person access to a branch can be comforting — just in case. The Capital One 360 Checking account offers both access options. Even better, it doesn’t charge monthly service fees, overdraft fees, or foreign transaction fees, and it offers early pay access to eligible customers.

Additionally, It has options for joint accounts and features an excellent overall product suite, including savings accounts, CDs, a kids’ account, credit cards, and auto loans. This makes the Capital One 360 Checking account a great fit not just as a checking account, but also for those who are looking for one location for a variety of banking and personal finance needs.

If you’re more likely to use an app for your banking, you should choose an account with an excellent online experience, and https://r.financebuzz.com/aff_c?source=%2Fawards-banking&offer_id=22591&aff_id=1006&aff_sub=direct&aff_sub2=&aff_sub3=&aff_sub4=none&aff_sub5={impressionid}&aff_click_id=&aff_unique1={aff_unique1}&aff_unique2=HGpMzVovXQcZGG0yBuRh&aff_unique3=&aff_unique4=&aff_unique5={aff_unique5}&rendered_slug=/awards-banking&contentblockid=&contentblockversionid=&ml_sort_id=&sorted_item_id=&widget_type=offer_widget_highlights&cms_offer_id=1101&keywords=&ai_listing_id=&ai_listing_section_id=" data-contentblockid="" data-contentblockversionid="" data-mlsortid="" data-sorteditemid="" data-widget-type="offer_widget_highlights" data-cms-offer-id="1101" data-company="Discover - Deposits (Gen3)" data-id="22591" data-name="Discover® Cashback Debit" data-image="//cdn.financebuzz.com/images/2024/10/11/568692b8-d479-48b7-b826-8b04e0a216a0.png" data-interstitial-override-text="Discover's secure website." data-fbz-on-click="offerOut" data-sms-interstitial-enabled="false" rel="nofollow" target="_blank does that in spades. More than that, the account has no monthly or overdraft fees, and if you do need cash in hand, you’ll have access to a large network of ATMs.

And while you won’t earn interest on your balance — something that’s not universal to checking accounts anyway — you can earn 1% cash back on debit card spending of up to $3,000 each month. That’s something fairly uncommon that when considered in combination with all its other features, puts this account at the top of our list.

Earning cash back on your purchases is not limited to credit cards. When you have to use your debit card, you may as well earn a little on that spending, and with Upgrade Rewards Checking Plus, you could earn up to 2% cash back on eligible spending in categories like restaurants, bars, food delivery, gas, utilities, and streaming services. You just need to have monthly direct deposits of $1,000 or more to be eligible for these rewards.⁵ <p>Rewards Checking Plus customers who set up monthly direct deposits of $1,000 or more earn 2% cash back on common everyday expenses at convenience stores, drugstores, restaurants and bars - including deliveries - and gas stations, as well as recurring payments on utilities and monthly subscriptions including phone, cable, TV and other streaming services, and 1% cash back on all other debit card purchases. 2% cash back is limited to $500 in rewards per calendar year; after $500, customers earn 1% cash back on all eligible debit card purchases for the remainder of the year. Rewards Checking Plus accounts with less than $1,000 in monthly direct deposits 60 days after account opening will earn 1% cash back on common everyday expenses and 0.50% cash back on all other eligible debit card purchases. Some limitations apply. Please refer to the applicable Upgrade VISA® Debit Card Agreement and Disclosures for more information.</p>

It should also be noted that the 2% earn rate is capped at $500 per year, but you’ll still earn unlimited 1% cash back on all spending after you hit that limit, which is as high as you’d find with most other cash back checking accounts. The account carries no monthly fees. FDIC insured through Cross River Bank.

Many accounts carry low-to-no fees. It’s a major selling point for checking accounts. We chose Lending Club Rewards Checking as our winner in this category because of all the perks it offers on top of having no monthly maintenance or overdraft fees. Lending Club Rewards Checking offers unlimited ATM fee rebates, early direct deposit, and unlimited 1% cash back on qualifying purchases made with your linked debit card. The experience of being an account holder is also highly rated.

While there’s no minimum balance required, accounts earn 0.10% (as of 4/21/25) annual percentage yield (APY) on balances between $2,500 and $99,999.99 and up to 0.10% (as of 4/21/25) APY on account balances of $100,000 and up.

Bonuses come and go, but U.S. Bank's Smartly Checking almost always has a top bonus offer that feels achievable and worthwhile. It has reasonable monthly fees and accessible options for getting those fees waived, including if you’re a senior or military personnel. It also has an extensive ATM network and branches in several states if you prefer in-person customer service. All together, that means this account gets you a lot of reliability and features, plus the potential for a bonus. Member FDIC.

Having your checking and savings accounts with the same financial institution can make money management a lot simpler. We chose SoFi® for best checking and savings account combo because it delivers on interest and additional features. 

For example, you could earn up to 3.80% APY on your savings balance with direct deposit.¹¹ <p>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 <a href="http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet">http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet</a>. See the SoFi Plus Terms and Conditions at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/terms-of-use/#plus">https://www.sofi.com/terms-of-use/#plus</a>.</p> SoFi also offers more special features than any other account combo we looked at, including round-ups on debit spending, early payday⁹ <p>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.</p> , a direct deposit cash bonus, and a suite of other online financial products that you’ll get access to as a SoFi account holder. SoFi is also known for its easy-to-use app and website, as well as its excellent customer service. FDIC Insured.¹⁰ <p><b style="font-family: Rubik, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Roboto, &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, sans-serif;">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.&nbsp;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&nbsp;<a href="http://sofi.com/banking/fdic/sidpterms">SoFi.com/banking/fdic/sidpterms</a>. See list of participating banks at <a href="http://sofi.com/banking/fdic/participatingbanks">SoFi.com/banking/fdic/participatingbanks</a>.</b></p>

Truist One Checking doesn’t charge overdraft fees, and it even offers a Balance Buffer for qualifying customers¹³ <p>The Balance Buffer is only available with Truist One Checking and allows clients to overdraw their account up to $100. There is no decision required as this feature is automatically available when a client qualifies.</p> <p><br></p> <p>To <b><u>INITIALLY QUALIFY</u></b> for the Balance Buffer, the requirements below must be met:</p> <ul> <li>- Account must be opened for a minimum of 35 calendar days</li> <li>- Account must be funded with a positive balance</li> <li>- A single direct deposit of at least $100 made within the last 35 calendar days</li> </ul> <p>To <b><u>REMAIN QUALIFIED</u></b> for the Balance Buffer, the requirement below must be met:</p> <ul> <li>- A single direct deposit of at least $100 made within the last 35 calendar days.&nbsp; <b>After qualifying, if 35 calendar days pass without a Direct Deposit of at least $100, you will no longer have access to the Balance Buffer.</b></li> </ul> <p>For accounts that qualify for the Balance Buffer, once the account is overdrawn by $100, additional transactions will typically be declined or returned.</p> <p><br></p> <p class="">For accounts that qualify for the Balance Buffer and also have Overdraft Protection, Truist will use the Balance Buffer first.&nbsp; If the account has neither, transactions that exceed the account balance will typically be declined or returned.</p> , which allows you to overdraw your account by up to $100 with no negative repercussions. This feature is unique in that it’s not a loan or line of credit, and $100 is generous compared to overdraft options from other institutions. It also offers several achievable ways to waive its monthly maintenance fee.¹⁴ <p>The Monthly Maintenance Fee (MMF) can be waived for the Truist One Checking account for each statement cycle by:</p> <p><b>Option 1: Making $500 or more in total qualifying Direct Deposits per statement cycle.</b> A qualifying direct deposit is an electronic credit via ACH deposited to your account during the current statement cycle. Pre-authorized transfers made from one account to another or deposits made via a branch, ATM, online transfer, mobile device, debit card/prepaid card number or the mail are not eligible to meet this requirement.</p> <p><b>Option 2: Maintaining a total combined ledger balance of $500 or more in any Truist related accounts across personal deposits and all investments as reflected on the business day before your statement cycle end date.&nbsp;</b>A Ledger Balance is actual balance in your account on a specific day and does not reflect any holds or pending transactions. Your Total Combined Balance is the sum of all balances within the Truist personal deposit accounts (checking, savings, money market or CDs), IRAs or brokerage accounts introduced through Truist Investment Services, Inc. Related Accounts automatically includes all applicable accounts associated with primary and secondary account holders.</p> <p><b>Option 3: Having a personal Truist credit card, mortgage or consumer loan, excluding LightStream®. </b></p> <p><b>Option 4: Having a linked Small Business Checking Account.</b> Eligible Small Business account types include: Truist Dynamic Checking, Business Interest Checking, Simple Business Checking and Business Value 200.</p> <p><b>Option 5: Primary client is a student.</b>&nbsp;The waiver for a student requires they are listed as the primary account owner and they provide their anticipated graduation date. The waiver expires on the provided graduation date. On this date, the account is subject to the Monthly Maintenance Fee unless at least one waiver criterion is satisfied.</p> <p><b>Option 6: Primary client is under the age of 25 or age 62 and older.</b></p> <p>Truist Bank, Member FDIC. ©2025, Truist Financial Corporation. Truist, Truist Purple and the Truist Logo are service marks of Truist Financial Corporation.</p>

We also liked that the account does more than simply not charge overdraft fees. You can opt for a Delta SkyMiles Debit Card, get loyalty bonuses on eligible Truist credit cards, and open a Truist One Savings account with no monthly fees. It’s a comprehensive account and a solid all-around choice for banking. Member FDIC.

We selected Wells Fargo Premier Checking because it offers a range of premium benefits that high net worth account holders might be looking for, including access to a dedicated Premier Client Service team, around-the-clock phone support, relationship interest rates on linked CDs and Platinum Savings accounts, and interest rate discounts on mortgages and certain new loans. You also get the fees waived on wire transfers, cashier’s checks, foreign currency purchases, and non-Wells Fargo ATMs.  

We also liked Wells Fargo’s large branch footprint so you have convenient access to personal service. Overall, this account offers access to a wide range of banking products and a host of perks that wealthier customers will find valuable. Wells Fargo Bank N.A. Member FDIC

If you’re a frequent international traveler, one of the most significant factors to look for in a checking account is a lack of out-of-network and foreign transaction fees. Foreign transaction fees typically range from 1% to 3%, and that can add up faster than you might think. Nothing can drain the joy out of a trip (and your travel budget) like unexpected fees, especially when there’s actually a convenient way to avoid them.

We chose Betterment Checking because Betterment will automatically reimburse operator fees charged by any ATM network worldwide and will even cover Visa’s 1% foreign transaction fee on debit activity — just be sure to notify the bank before you travel.

The account is also fee-free in general, with no overdraft or monthly fees and no minimum balance requirement.

Greenlight won this category because of its parental oversight tools and notifications and how easy it makes it to transfer money to your child. You can connect any account to Greenlight, so you can use an account you already have rather than having to open a new one. 

We especially like its investing tools and the healthy APY it offers on savings. We also like that Greenlight’s plans have a flat rate for up to five kids, as opposed to charging per child like some other institutions do.

The PNC Virtual Wallet Student has no monthly fees and no minimum balance requirement for the first six years from account opening, and doesn’t require a credit score to open, making it a great option for college students venturing into financial independence. While the account technically has overdraft fees, the first overdraft fee is refunded, giving students the chance to learn a valuable lesson about watching their account balance without actually incurring a fee. 

Also, its “Low Cash Mode” makes it simple to avoid those overdraft fees later on. For a fun little touch, you may even be able to get a linked debit card in your student’s school’s colors.

Chime® Checking won for its accessibility to those with low credit scores or limited credit history.²⁴ <p>Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services&nbsp;and debit card provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A. The secured Chime Credit Builder Card is issued by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A.</p> Chime doesn’t check your credit when you apply for an account, and it doesn’t have monthly fees, overdraft fees up to $200 for eligible members²⁵ <p>SpotMe® on Debit is an optional, no fee overdraft service attached to your Chime Checking Account. To qualify for the SpotMe on Debit service, you must receive $200 or more in qualifying direct deposits to your Chime Checking Account each month and have activated your physical Chime Visa® Debit Card or secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card. Qualifying members will be allowed to overdraw their Chime Checking Account for up to $20 on debit card purchases and cash withdrawals initially but may later be eligible for a higher limit of up to $200 or more based on Chime Account history, direct deposit frequency and amount, spending activity and other risk-based factors. The SpotMe on Debit limit will be displayed within the Chime mobile app and is subject to change at any time, at Chime's sole discretion. Although Chime does not charge any overdraft fees for SpotMe on Debit, there may be out-of-network or third-party fees associated with ATM transactions. SpotMe on Debit will not cover any non-debit card transactions, including ACH transfers, Pay Anyone transfers, or Chime Checkbook transactions. <a href="https://www.chime.com/policies/">SpotMe on Debit Terms and Conditions</a>.</p> , or foreign transaction fees. While Chime is a fintech company and not a bank, it participates in an extensive ATM network, and you can deposit cash at any Walgreens location without fees.²² <p>Out-of-network ATM withdrawal and over the counter advance fees may apply except at MoneyPass ATMs in a 7-Eleven, or any Allpoint or Visa Plus Alliance ATM.</p>

Chime also offers a secured credit builder Visa card, which could be a good complement to its checking account for those looking to build or improve their credit.²⁶ <p>The secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card is issued by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa credit cards are accepted. Please see the back of your card for its issuing bank.&nbsp; To apply for Credit Builder, you must have an active Chime® Checking Account.</p>

Whether you’re setting funds aside for a rainy day or for something specific like an upcoming vacation, it can be reassuring to be able to access your funds through a branch or online. Capital One 360 Performance Savings offers both options with a solid APY of 3.50%- A rate of 3.50% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) applies to all account balances. Advertised rates are variable and effective as of 06/26/25. Rates are subject to change at any time before or after account opening.. And it does that with no monthly service fees and a highly-rated mobile app. 

If you like all your accounts in one spot, you can combine it with Capital One 360 Checking — which won our award for best overall checking account — CDs, credit cards, and auto loans. It’s an excellent fit if you’re looking for a central location for all your personal finance needs.

While it may be better known for its credit cards, American Express also offers excellent banking options. The American Express^® High Yield Savings account offers a solid APY of 3.60%.²⁷ <p>The Annual Percentage Yield (APY) as advertised is accurate as of May 8, 2025. Interest rate and APY are subject to change at any time without notice before and after a High Yield Savings Account is opened.&nbsp;</p>  

Just as importantly, American Express offers its excellent customer service reputation. You can access customer support around the clock, and you also have access to Amex’s highly rated mobile app. If you’re already an Amex cardholder (or planning to be), you’ll be able to see all your accounts in one spot. 

The Amex HYSA also comes with no monthly fee and no minimum opening deposit, making it a safe and inexpensive option for your savings.²⁸ <p class="">There is no minimum balance required to open your Account, to avoid being charged a fee, or to obtain the Annual Percentage Yield (APY) disclosed to you.</p>

One potential hurdle to using an online savings account is access. If you need your funds quickly, can an online account deliver? Marcus by Goldman Sachs offers same-day transfers of $100,000 or less, keeping funds readily available. And it does that with no monthly service fees, no minimum deposit requirements, and an APY of 3.65%.²⁹ <p class="">The APY of 3.65% is accurate as of 05/29/25. Rates are subject to change and may vary by account type and financial institution.&nbsp;</p>  

Marcus by Goldman Sachs’ customer service also stands out — you can get assistance by phone or chat 24/7. Which is reassuring since you can’t visit a branch and get your questions answered in person.

Barclays Tiered Savings offers a healthy 3.90% APY³⁰ <p>Barclays Tiered Savings Annual Percentage Yields (APYs) are accurate as of 06/18/2025 and may change at any time without prior notice, before or after the account is opened. The APYs are determined by the Balance Tiers (Tiers) and the amount deposited. The same rate may apply to multiple Tiers and Tiers may change without notice. APY is calculated based on the Tier into which the end of day account balance falls. Fees could reduce the earnings on the account. No minimum balance to open, but for interest to post to your account you must maintain a minimum balance that would earn you at least $0.01. Please see the Compare Account Page for current Tier and APY information.</p> with no monthly service fees and no minimum balance requirements. Its highly rated mobile app makes accessing your account easy, and you can deposit checks directly into your account using your phone. It also offers online CDs with solid long-term APYs.

If you need to stash a substantial amount of money in a savings account, you want FDIC insurance to protect all your funds. While FDIC insurance is typically limited to $250,000 per account per depositor, the Wealthfront Cash Account offers up to $8 million in FDIC insurance through its partner banks. 

That’s not the only appealing feature, though. Wealthfront also has no monthly service fees, free wire transfers, and no minimum or maximum balance to earn its 4.00% APY.³¹ <p>Rate is current as of November 15, 2024.</p>  

If you’re new to saving, Current offers features that will help you do that and build your credit. It offers a savings boost of up to 4.00% for up to $2,000 in each of its savings pods, and $6,000 total. Its savings pods make it easy to designate what you’re saving for, which can also make it more motivating to save.³² <p>Boost Bonuses are credited to your Savings Pods within 48 hours of enabling the Boost feature and on a daily basis thereafter, provided that the Savings Pod has accrued a Boost Bonus of at least $0.01. The Boost rate on Savings Pods is variable and may change at any time. The disclosed rate is effective as of August 1, 2023. Must have $0.01 in Savings Pods to earn a Boost rate of either 0.25% or 4.00% annually on the portion of balances up to $2000 per Savings Pod, up to $6000 total. The remaining balance earns 0.00%. A qualifying direct deposit of $200 or more is required for 4.00%. No minimum balance required. For more information, please refer to Current Boost Terms and Conditions.<br></p> So you might have one pod for a car down payment, a pod for a vacation, and another pod for an emergency fund. 

Another convenient savings tool Current offers are Round-Ups, which round purchases up to the nearest dollar and deposit the difference into the savings pod of your choice. 

The Capital One Kids Savings Account offers a generous APY for this type of account at 2.50%³³ <p class="">The APY of 2.50% is accurate as of 05/02/25. Rates are subject to change and may vary by account type and financial institution.&nbsp;</p> . It also has no monthly fees or minimum balance requirements. 

An account can be opened for any child under 18, so you can encourage good savings habits from a young age. You can link your bank account to your kids’ account, even if it’s not at Capital One. And you can have multiple accounts so your child can save for specific goals like college expenses or an upcoming trip.

One of the challenges of saving money is knowing how much to set aside and remembering to do it. The Ally Savings Account helps with both of these issues. It analyzes your linked checking account to help you find savings that are safe to transfer, and then it moves your money into savings for you. 

You can also set up different savings buckets to help you track progress toward your goals. And, as with most savings accounts, you can easily set up recurring transfers so your savings are on a “set it and forget it” schedule. Overall, it makes saving intuitive and easier to accomplish.