Best Banks With Free Credit Score Monitoring [2025]: Boost Your Credit

I'm fanatical about my credit score. I didn't use to be, but then my bank (shoutout to Capital One!) sent me an alert that said I had a new car loan account. That was news to me, since I'm still driving a 15-year-old minivan that I bought with cash.

I did some digging and found out my identity had been stolen, and the thief had used my info to take out a loan online. Without my bank's credit monitoring, I may not have found out for months, and my credit would've tanked.

You don't have to pay hefty subscription fees or one-time payments to view your credit score. Several banks and credit unions offer free credit score access and monitoring, so you can keep an eye on your credit and get a new checking or savings account if you've been hacked.

To help you get started, I identified the best banks with free credit score monitoring based on factors like the credit score model used, the frequency of updates, and available credit reports.

What is credit score monitoring, and why is it important?

Your credit score plays a big role in your life. It can affect getting a job or apartment, qualifying for low-cost car insurance, and getting a loan or credit card. Unfortunately, identity theft and credit report account errors are common. In fact, Consumer Reports found that 44% of study participants found errors on their credit reports.

Whether you're like me and your identity was stolen or you have a common name that often gets mixed up with someone else, those issues can cause damage to your credit score.

Credit monitoring is a tool or service that monitors your credit for you. It allows you to track your progress, and some services will send you alerts if there's unusual activity. For example, I received an alert when someone opened a new loan account in my name.

If you're working on improving your credit, these services can help you stay on track and catch problems before they worsen.

Compare banks with credit score monitoring

Bank name	Best for …	Credit score model
Capital One	Digital banking	FICO Score 8 (based on TransUnion)
SoFi®	Combined checking and savings	VantageScore 3.0 (based on TransUnion)
Chase	College students	VantageScore 3.0 (based on Experian)
Synchrony	Synchrony credit card holders	VantageScore 4.0 (based on TransUnion)
Navy Federal Credit Union	Military service members	VantageScore (based on TransUnion)

Capital One

If you're looking for a basic checking or high-yield savings account (HYSA), Capital One offers products without monthly account fees or minimum balance requirements. Plus, J.D. Power has ranked Capital One highly for customer satisfaction over the last several years.

With Capital One's Credit Wise, you can view your TransUnion credit report and see your FICO Score 8. The platform will send you notifications about new inquiries, delinquent payments, and other important credit details. You can sign up even if you don't have any Capital One products.

Unfortunately, Capital One has a limited number of physical locations, so many people won't have access to a local branch. However, you can still visit a Walgreens or CVS location to deposit cash or use your debit card at an ATM for deposits and withdrawals.

Learn more in our Capital One 360 review

SoFi

2025 award winner Best Checking and Savings Combo

5.0

FinanceBuzz writers and editors score products and companies on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence our ratings.

SoFi Checking and Savings

SoFi Checking & Savings - Earn Up to $300 When You Set Up Direct Deposit

Limited-Time Offer: Earn up to a $300 bonus and up to 4.50% APY on Savings (3.80% APY¹ <p>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 <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/">sofi.com/banking</a>. SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A., Member FDIC.</p><p>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.&nbsp;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>.</p> with +0.70% APY Boost) for 6 Months on new accounts with eligible direct deposit. Terms Apply.² <p>Earn up to 4.50% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on SoFi Savings with a 0.70% APY Boost (added to the 3.80% APY as of 8/5/25) for up to 6 months. Open a new SoFi Checking &amp; Savings account with Eligible Direct Deposit by 1/31/26. Rates variable, subject to change. Terms apply at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/#2">sofi.com/banking#2</a>. SoFi Bank, N.A. Member&nbsp;FDIC.</p> FDIC Insured.³ <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>

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SoFi offers a combined checking and savings account option. It doesn't charge any monthly fees,⁴ <p>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 <a href="http://sofi.com/legal/banking-fees/">sofi.com/legal/banking-fees/</a></p> and it offers one of the best savings accounts right now with a much higher-than-usual annual percentage yield (APY) of up to 3.80%.⁵ <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> Plus, your checking balance earns 0.50% with direct deposit.

Through SoFi, you can get weekly credit score updates, receive insights on the factors affecting your score, and even earn rewards when you improve your score by at least five points. This service is available even if you don't open a SoFi bank account.

But SoFi doesn't have physical branches, so you can't visit a local bank with questions. Plus, to earn the highest savings APY, you must sign up for direct deposit, make a minimum of other qualifying deposits, or pay $10 per month for SoFi Plus.

Member FDIC.³ <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>

Visit SoFi Checking and Savings | Learn more in our SoFi review

Chase

Chase is one of the largest banks in the country. It operates more than 5,000 physical branches, making it easy to deposit and withdraw cash.

While Chase offers multiple checking and savings account options, the bank particularly stands out for its College Checking product for those aged 17 to 24. You'll pay no monthly fee while in school (for up to five years), and then a $12 monthly fee applies unless you meet the waiver criteria.

If you sign up for Chase Credit Journey, you can view your VantageScore 3.0 based on your Experian credit report and check your credit report for any changes. Plus, you can receive alerts about potential identity theft. Like Capital One's service, Chase Credit Journey is available even if you're not a customer.

Learn more in our Chase Banking review

Synchrony

4.8

FinanceBuzz writers and editors score products and companies on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence our ratings.

Synchrony Bank High Yield Savings

Synchrony Bank High Yield Savings - 3.80% APY

Let your money work for you with great rates: count on it. Open a High Yield Savings account with Synchrony today. Member FDIC.⁶ <p>Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is subject to change at any time without notice. Rate accurate as of 6/3/2025. Offer applies to personal accounts only. Fees may reduce earnings. For High Yield Savings accounts, the rate may change after the account is opened. Visit synchrony.com/banking for current rates, terms and account requirements. Member FDIC.</p>

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Synchrony Bank offers a high-yield savings account that allows you to earn a much higher-than-average APY of 3.80%⁶ <p>Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is subject to change at any time without notice. Rate accurate as of 6/3/2025. Offer applies to personal accounts only. Fees may reduce earnings. For High Yield Savings accounts, the rate may change after the account is opened. Visit synchrony.com/banking for current rates, terms and account requirements. Member FDIC.</p> as well as a money market account with a 2.00% (as of 04/25/25) APY and check-writing privileges. Neither account has a minimum balance requirement or a monthly fee. Plus, Synchrony makes it easy to open a bank account online.

If you also have an existing Synchrony credit card, you can also enroll in the bank's free credit monitoring service, which lets you view and track your VantageScore at any time. Plus, you'll get tips on how you can improve your score. However, while some services update your credit score weekly or even daily, Synchrony's service only updates your credit score monthly.

There are no Synchrony branches or cash deposit locations. Also, the bank received a below-average customer satisfaction rating for its savings products in the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Direct Banking Satisfaction Study.

Visit Synchrony Bank High Yield Savings | Learn more in our Synchrony Bank review

Navy Federal Credit Union

Navy Federal Credit Union is a top-rated credit union with 366 branches globally. It offers several checking and savings accounts, including free options like Free Easy Checking. Plus, you can open a money market account, which some competitors don't offer.

When you join Navy Federal Credit Union, you get access to Making Cents, a powerful suite of personal finance tools. You can use the platform to create a budget, track spending, and monitor your credit. You'll get monthly credit score updates and be able to use a simulator to see how different actions — like paying down your credit card balance or applying for a loan — would affect your score.

However, not everyone is eligible to become a customer. You must be a veteran, active service member, Department of Defense employee, or a qualifying immediate family member of a current member to open an account.

Learn more in our Navy Federal Credit Union review

What to know about bank credit monitoring

Although banks that offer free credit monitoring can be helpful, there are three things you should know.

1. Not all credit scores are the same

Did you know you have more than one credit score? There are several different scoring models with the two most common being FICO and VantageScore. And, even within those two, there are specialized scores, such as FICO Score 8 or VantageScore 4.0.

Each scoring type uses a different formula to calculate your score, so the number you see in your credit monitoring app may differ from the one a lender sees.

2. Each service pulls from just one bureau

When the credit monitoring service shows you your score and credit report, it pulls that information from a particular credit bureau. For example, one service might provide a credit score based on your TransUnion credit report while another may use Equifax.

Your credit report can vary between credit reporting agencies, so not every credit check or missed payment may show up on all three. As a result, set reminders to check all your credit reports at least once a year at AnnualCreditReport.com.

3. Services vary in terms of how often they update

Some credit monitoring services update your score daily or weekly while others update it monthly. If you're actively working on bettering your credit or you've recently experienced identity theft, look for a service that offers more frequent updates so you can spot changes and issues sooner. The best credit monitoring services update weekly (if not sooner).

What steps can I take to improve my credit score?

Whether you're building credit from scratch or repairing it after missing payments or defaulting on a loan, taking these steps can help you boost your credit score.

• Monitor your credit and dispute problems: Use your credit monitoring tools to check your credit quarterly. If you find errors, like accounts that don't belong to you, you can dispute the problems online through Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
• Pay your bills on time: With the FICO scoring model, your payment history — or how often you make your payments on time — is the most influential factor affecting your credit. If possible, sign up for autopay to reduce the risk of missed payments, and set calendar reminders for yourself.
• Keep a cushion in your bank account: Although your bank account balance doesn't directly affect your credit score, keeping a financial cushion in your account can prevent account overdrafts or missed payments due to inadequate funds.
• Become an authorized user: If you have a parent, relative, or close friend who has good credit, ask them to add you to their credit card account as an authorized user. Even if you never use the card, being an authorized user can help you benefit from their good credit habits.
• Pay down credit card balances: How much of your revolving credit — or your total credit limit — you use can impact your score. Pay down your balances to improve your credit utilization and your credit score.
• Consider secured card or credit-builder loans: If you have poor credit or no credit history, a secured credit card or credit-builder loan can help you build a strong credit profile.

FAQs

Bottom line

Monitoring your credit is a key part of managing your finances and protecting your information. Luckily, there's no need to pay for a credit monitoring service. Between the free credit reports available through AnnualCreditReport.com and credit monitoring through some banks and credit unions, you can keep an eye on your credit score and catch any issues as soon as they pop up.

If you're ready to get a new bank account, check out our guide on how to open an account online.

Methodology

To identify the best banks with free credit monitoring, we evaluated leading banks and credit unions based on several factors, including:

• Their availability, with priority given to institutions that operate in most states
• Bank account options
• Credit score model used
• Credit bureaus monitored
• Frequency of credit report updates
• Bank account fees and potential waivers
• Availability of add-on services, such as identity theft restoration or dark web monitoring

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5.0

FinanceBuzz writers and editors score products and companies on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence our ratings.

2025 award winner Best Checking and Savings Combo

High APY of up to 4.50%⁵ <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> with direct deposit

Paycheck access up to 2 days early⁷ <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>

No monthly maintenance or overdraft fees⁴ <p>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 <a href="http://sofi.com/legal/banking-fees/">sofi.com/legal/banking-fees/</a></p>

Streamlined savings and savings goals with Vaults

Access to a large ATM network⁸ <p>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.</p>

Author Details

Kat Tretina

Kat Tretina is a FinanceBuzz writer and personal finance expert focusing on practical financial matters, including student loans, debt repayment, side hustles, insurance, and healthcare. Drawing from her personal experience, she aims to simplify complex financial topics and provide individuals with the information they need to make informed decisions.