Best National Banks in 2024

Many banks operate only within a few states or regions of the United States. These can be great choices for many people, but if you travel frequently or move, you might face issues with finding convenient branches or ATMs.

National banks offer branch and ATM access nationwide and a full suite of financial services, including checking and savings, credit cards and loans, investing, and more.

Our recommendations

Best for online banking: Ally

Ally is a fully online bank that offers a wide range of services, including banking, borrowing, and investing. The bank is well-known for its low fees and it has competitive interest rates. You won’t earn the highest rate available, but if you want an online bank that can handle most of your financial needs, Ally is a strong contender.

Best for personal loans: American Express

American Express is better known for its credit cards but has basic online banking offerings. You can sign up for a checking or savings account and earn competitive interest rates with no fees. The bank also offers quick personal loans with approval in minutes and funding as soon as the next day. Outside of these offerings, the bank has a limited set of products, so it’s not a great choice for people looking for a one-stop shop.

Best for variety of services: Chase

Chase is one of the world's largest banks and offers almost every financial service, from banking to lending to wealth management. You can find one of its more than 4,700 branches almost anywhere in the U.S., making it a great choice for people who want a one-stop shop for all their financial needs. However, its savings account rates are poor.

Best for large ATM network: Citibank

CIti is another major financial services company offering various products, including banking, lending, and investing. It has a huge ATM network with nearly 65,000 ATMs located across the country, making it great for people who use cash frequently. It also offers solid interest rates. However, its branch network is relatively small compared to other national banks.

Best for investing: Goldman Sachs

Goldman Sachs offers an online savings account and investing service through Marcus by Goldman Sachs. It has competitive interest rates with no fees or minimum deposits, but its true value is its investing account. Using portfolios designed by Goldman Sachs experts, you can start investing through Marcus with as little as $5.

Best for daily money management: PNC

PNC is a national bank chain that offers an innovative product called the Virtual Wallet. This account combines checking and savings accounts, offering three separate buckets for your short-, medium-, and long-term money needs. It also has a good mobile app that makes it simple to manage your account. However, fees, including overdraft fees can be high.

Best for rewards debit card: Regions Bank

Regions Bank offers rewards for its checking account customers. You can earn cash back when using your debit card at select merchants, which is a relatively uncommon feature. You can also benefit from higher rewards rates on credit cards based on your relationship with the bank. One drawback of the bank is its limited network of branches and poor savings account APY.

Best for students: SoFi

SoFi started as a company offering student loan services but has expanded to include other financial services such as bank accounts and investing. If you’re a student, the idea of having your banking and student loans in the same place can be appealing.

Best for CDs: Synchrony Bank

Synchrony Bank is an online bank that offers savings accounts, certificates of deposit (CDs), and credit cards. Its CDs are one of its main draws, with APYs as high as 5.10%. You can select from various terms, ranging from three months to five years. However, the bank does not offer a checking account, so you can only use Synchrony if you’re looking to save rather than spend.

Best for no overdraft fees: Truist Bank

Truist is a national bank mostly concentrated on the east coast of the United States. It offers various financial services, but its checking accounts are a major draw. The Truist One Checking account has no overdraft fees and allows customers to overdraw by $100. However, savings rates are low, making it a poor choice if you want to grow your nest egg.

Best for high savings rates: UFB Direct

UFB Direct is an online bank with a national network of ATMs. You can also drop in to do some banking at the company’s headquarters in San Diego. The bank is great for savers, offering one of the highest APYs for savings accounts with no monthly fees. However, it doesn’t have much in the way of lending options.

Best for automated savings: Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo is a brick-and-mortar bank with branches in most U.S. states. Its savings rates aren’t great and require a massive balance to earn the best possible rate. However, Wells Fargo has features encouraging saving, such as automated transfers tied to purchase activity. One thing to watch out for is customer complaints about the quality of service.

The best national banks compared

Methodology

When comparing banks to build our list of the top national banks, we look at a few different factors.

• Variety of services. Most banks offer checking and savings accounts, but people need access to other important financial services, such as lending and investing. The more services a bank offers, the better.
• Fees. Watching your balance dwindle due to fees is the last thing you want, so we looked for banks with low or no fees, or fees that are easy to waive.
• Interest rates. The higher the interest rate a bank offers for its savings account, the better.
• Branch and ATM network. The more locations a bank has, the easier it is to access your money or get help when you need it, so banks with larger networks of branches and ATMs have the edge.
• Online banking. Many people do some or all of their banking online from a computer or phone. An easy-to-use online interface helped banks earn a spot on our list.

How to choose the right national bank

Choosing the right bank can be difficult. You have to think very carefully about what you’re looking for and find one that meets those needs.

If you’re simply looking to open a savings account and earn interest, you can ignore most aspects of a bank’s services and prioritize banks with high savings account APYs. On the other hand, if you want a bank that can help you manage all of your finances, you’ll want to choose a major company such as Chase or Bank of America that offers deposit accounts, lending, and investing services.

Whatever your needs, consider whether you live or work near one of the bank’s branches or ATMs so you can access your money easily. If you opt for an online-only bank, make sure its website is easy to use. And keep an eye out for fees.

More about the best national banks

Before opening an account with a national bank, it’s important to understand how they compare to other types of financial institutions.

What is a national bank, and how does it differ from a local bank or credit union?

A national bank is a large bank that has a presence across a significant portion of the country. These banks are chartered by the comptroller of the U.S. Treasury, serve as member banks of the Federal Reserve, and may play a role in helping with the auctioning of U.S. Treasury bonds.

Local banks are much smaller in size and may only operate in a small area, a single state, or a few states. Like national banks, they’re owned and operated for the benefit of their shareholders. Some people prefer local banks because of a perception that they can offer more personalized services.

Credit unions are a type of financial institution that functions similarly to banks. They offer loans and deposit accounts in the same way. What makes them unique is that they are owned by their account holders, also called members. Credit unions can be small, local operations or larger national institutions.

Services offered by banks

Checking and savings accounts are key services offered by banks, but deposit accounts are only one small aspect of banking. Banks offer many other services, including:

• Loans, including mortgages, auto loans, personal loans, and credit cards.
• Investing services and wealth management.
• Business banking, including business savings accounts, business checking accounts and loans.
• Money transfer services such as wire transfers, money orders, and cashier’s checks.
• Notary services.
• Foreign currency exchange.

How to open an account at a national bank

Opening an account at a national bank isn’t particularly difficult. It’s much like opening an account at any other bank.

To start, you’ll need to apply in person or online to open an account. This usually involves answering a few basic questions and providing some identifying information such as your Social Security number, address, and contact information.

Once you’re approved, you can make your initial deposit. If you’re opening the account in person, you can usually make the deposit in cash. If you’re opening the account online, you can make an electronic transfer from another account.

Requirements to open an account at a national bank

To open a bank account at a national bank, you’ll need:

• A government-issued ID such as a passport or driver’s license.
• Personal information such as your Social Security number, birth date, and phone number.
• A way to fund your initial deposit.

If you’re opening a joint account, your co-owner will also need to provide the same documents and information.

TIME Stamp: Compare banks to find the right one to suit uour needs

There are many high-quality national banks to choose from, each with its own offerings, strengths, and weaknesses. Remember that your choice of bank is a personal decision. There’s no one right answer.

Think about what you want from your new bank account, then compare how each bank’s offerings will meet that need. Follow a few simple rules, such as avoiding banks with high fees and making sure you have a few branches or ATMs you can access easily, and you should be happy with your new bank account.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Are national banks safe and secure?

Yes, national banks are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), which covers up to $250,000 per depositor, per account type. That means if your bank isn’t able to return money you’ve deposited, the FDIC will reimburse you, making these banks safe and reliable.

How can I find the best national bank for my needs?

To find the best national bank for your needs, you first need to think about your priorities. If you want a great savings account, prioritize banks with high interest rates. If you want a one-stop shop for your financial services needs, make sure the bank you choose has a wide variety of services.

Regardless of your unique needs, be sure to choose a bank with low fees.

What is the best and safest bank in the USA?

Most banks in the U.S. are insured by the FDIC, which means they’re all extremely safe. FDIC insurance reimburses you for up to $250,000 in losses if a bank isn’t able to return your deposited money.

Since FDIC coverage isn’t a distinguishing factor, the best bank is the one that offers services that align with your needs.

Are national banks better than other kinds of banks?

National banks have pros and cons. Their large footprint means you’ll be able to find a branch or ATM even if you travel somewhere new or wind up moving. They also tend to be large and offer a variety of services.

However, some people argue that smaller banks are better able to offer personalized services and may have lower fees or better rates.