Reviews

Best Banking Services

Partner with our trusted banks to secure your financial future through accounts and services supporting your journey toward fiscal stability.

Rickie C. Keys, Ph.D., MPH

Feb 27, 2024 — 15 min read

Partner with our trusted banks to secure your financial future through accounts and services supporting your journey toward fiscal stability.

These are our partners, all dedicated to assisting you in achieving your financial goals.

Best Checking Accounts

Ally Bank Spending Account

Features

Accounts Offered: Checking, Savings, Certificates of Deposit (CDs), and Money Market Accounts.
No Overdraft Fees: Eliminates the worry of overdraft charges.
Competitive Interest Rates:
- Savings Account APY: 4.25%, significantly higher than the national average.
- CD Rates: Up to 4.50% for 1-year CDs, showcasing competitive returns on fixed-term savings.
Accessibility: Over 43,000 free ATMs nationwide, with up to $10 reimbursement for out-of-network ATM fees per statement cycle.
No Monthly Fees or Minimum Deposit Requirements: This makes starting and maintaining accounts easy and cost-effective.
Online and Mobile Banking: Offers mobile check deposits with high daily and monthly limits, facilitating convenient account management.

American Express Rewards Checking

Features

High-Yield Savings Account: Offers a 4.35% APY, enabling your savings to grow faster.
Certificates of Deposit (CDs): Provides solid APYs across various terms, with no minimum deposit requirement to start earning interest.
Rewards Checking Account: Exclusively for American Express cardholders, offering a 1.00% APY and rewards points on debit purchases.
Customer Experience:
- Extensive ATM network nationwide.
- 24/7 customer service via phone.
No Monthly Fees: Enhances savings by eliminating routine costs.
Online and Mobile Banking: Convenient account management and fund transfer options, though cash deposits are not supported.

Axos Bank® Rewards Checking

Features

Rewards Checking Account: Offers an APY of up to 3.30% on balances up to $50,000, with no monthly fees and unlimited ATM fee reimbursements.
High-Yield Savings Account: A free account with an APY of 0.61% for balances under $25,000. The rate adjusts for higher balances, providing flexibility for savers.
Certificates of Deposit (CDs): Axos offers a range of CD terms from three months to five years, though rates are relatively low compared to competitors.
Customer Experience:
- Online and mobile banking capabilities.
- 24/7 customer service via phone, automated chat, secure messaging, and Twitter.
ATM Fee Rebates: Unlimited reimbursements for fees charged by domestic ATM operators.

Connexus Credit Union Xtraordinary Checking

Features

Xtraordinary Checking Account: Offers an APY of 1.75% on balances up to $25,000, with up to $25 in ATM fee rebates, provided certain conditions are met.
Savings Account: Features a 0.25% APY with a $100 minimum balance to earn interest and no monthly fees.
Certificates of Deposit: Impressive APYs such as 4.76% for 1-year, 4.21% for 3-year, and 3.51% for 5-year CDs, though with a $5,000 minimum deposit requirement.
Customer Experience:
- Access to over 5,000 shared branches nationwide.
- Comprehensive digital tools for budgeting and setting financial goals.
- Membership is open to all through joining the Connexus Association with a one-time $5 fee.

Discover® Cashback Debit

Features

Cashback Debit Account: Earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month, with no monthly fees.
Savings Account: Competitive 4.25% APY on the Online Savings Account, with no minimum balance requirements to earn interest.
Certificates of Deposit (CDs): Offers a range of term lengths with APYs up to 4.70% for a 1-year CD, requiring a minimum deposit of $2,500.
Money Market Account: Earns up to 4.05% APY for balances of $100,000 or higher, with check-writing privileges.
ATM Access: Over 60,000 fee-free ATMs nationwide.

LendingClub Rewards Checking

Features

High-Yield Savings Account: An APY of 5.00%, with just $100 needed to open an account and no monthly fees.
Certificates of Deposit (CDs): Offers terms from six months to five years, with APYs up to 5.15% for 1-year CDs, requiring a minimum deposit of $2,500.
Rewards Checking Account: Earn unlimited 1% cash back on signature-based purchases and up to 0.15% APY on balances over $100,000. Additionally, enjoy ATM fee rebates with no monthly fee and no minimum balance requirement after account opening.
Customer Experience: Access to deposit-taking ATMs for convenient cash deposits and comprehensive online and phone support.

nbkc bank Everything Account

Features

Everything Account: An innovative account with a 1.75% APY, no monthly fees, and no minimum deposit requirement, effectively blending checking and savings functionalities.
CDs and Money Market Accounts: Attractive interest rates for those looking to grow their savings over time.
ATM Network: Access over 37,000 MoneyPass ATMs nationwide, plus a $12 monthly reimbursement for out-of-network ATM fees.
Online Financial Management Tools: Features such as Savings Goals and Financial Snapshots to aid in budgeting and financial planning.

PNC Virtual Wallet® Checking Pro - Spend

Features

Virtual Wallet Checking Pro:
- Spend Account: No monthly fees, offering free mobile banking, online bill pay, and access to a network of 60,000 ATMs nationwide.
- Reserve Account: A secondary checking account for earmarking funds for upcoming expenses not considered in the ratings.
- Growth Account: A savings component with a competitive APY of 4.65% for balances over $1, designed to encourage savings growth.
Certificates of Deposit: Offers fixed-rate CDs with lower yields than the market.
Large Branch and ATM Network: Extensive accessibility across the country.

Schwab Bank Investor Checking™

Features

Investor Checking™ Account: No monthly fees or minimum balance requirements, featuring a 0.45% APY. Unlimited ATM fee reimbursements globally.
Investor Savings™ Account: Offers a modest 0.48% APY with no monthly fees or minimum balance requirements.
ATM Policy: Exceptional with unlimited domestic and international ATM fee rebates.
Customer Experience: Strong support via phone, chat, and X (Twitter), with highly rated iOS app but lower Android app ratings.

SoFi Checking and Savings

Features

No Monthly or Overdraft Fees: Simplifies banking with a straightforward, cost-effective approach.
High APY on Savings: Offers a 4.60% APY for customers with direct deposit, positioning it among the best rates available.
Early Direct Deposit: Provides the convenience of receiving paychecks up to two days early.
ATM Network: Access to over 55,000 free nationwide ATMs via the Allpoint network.
Cash Deposit Fees: Utilizes Green Dot retail locations for cash deposits, with a service fee of up to $4.95 per deposit.

ZYNLO Bank More Spending Account

Features

Automatic Savings Feature: Rounds up every debit card purchase to the nearest dollar, transferring the difference to a savings account.
Savings Account Match: A matching program where the bank matches the rounded-up savings at 100% for $3,000 or more balances and 25% for lower balances.
Competitive APY on Savings: The Tomorrow Savings Account boasts a 5.00% APY, accessible with just a $0.01 minimum balance.
No Monthly Fees: On select savings and checking accounts, easing the burden of account maintenance costs.
ATM Network and Customer Service: Provides access to a large, free nationwide ATM network and 24/7 phone support.

Best Savings Accounts

Barclays Online Savings Account

Features

High APY on Savings: The Online Savings Account boasts a 4.35% APY, enabling your savings to grow faster.
Competitive CD Rates: Offers CDs with rates up to 5.00% for 1-year terms, appealing for short- to mid-term savers.
No Minimum Deposits: Opens the door for all savers, regardless of the starting balance.
Extended Phone Support: Provides customer service beyond standard business hours, enhancing accessibility.

Citi® Accelerate Savings

Features

Massive ATM Network: Access to more than 65,000 fee-free ATMs nationwide, surpassing many competitors.
Diverse Banking Products: Offers various checking, savings, and CD products to meet varied customer needs.
Competitive CD Rates: Above-average rates on CDs, with the potential for even higher yields than the national average.
No Overdraft Fees: Eliminates the worry of overdraft charges, with declined transactions for insufficient funds.

EverBank Performance℠ Savings

Features

High APY on Savings: The Performance℠ Savings account features an impressive 5.15% APY across all balances.
Competitive CD Rates: Offers a range of CD terms with attractive rates, including a 4.90% APY for 1-year CDs.
Broad ATM Access: More than 80,000 fee-free ATMs nationwide, with reimbursement policies for non-network ATM fees.
Low Entry Point: No minimum deposit for savings accounts and a $1,000 minimum for CDs, making it accessible to a wider audience.

SoFi Checking and Savings

Features

No Monthly or Overdraft Fees: Simplifies banking with a straightforward, cost-effective approach.
High APY on Savings: Offers a 4.60% APY for customers with direct deposit, positioning it among the best rates available.
Early Direct Deposit: Provides the convenience of receiving paychecks up to two days early.
ATM Network: Access to over 55,000 free nationwide ATMs via the Allpoint network.
Cash Deposit Fees: Utilizes Green Dot retail locations for cash deposits, with a service fee of up to $4.95 per deposit.

UFB Secure Savings

Features

High APY: Savings and money market accounts boast a substantial 5.25% APY, applicable across all balance tiers.
No Monthly Fees on Savings: The Secure Savings account is free of monthly maintenance fees, enhancing its yield potential.
Accessible Money Market Account: Offers the flexibility of check writing with a $5,000 balance to avoid monthly fees.
24/7 Customer Support: Ensures help is always available, complemented by highly rated mobile apps for banking on the go.

Upgrade Premier Savings

Features

Cash Back Rewards: Earn up to 2% cash back on common daily purchases with the Rewards Checking Plus account, catering to those who prefer spending with a purpose.
High-Yield Savings: The Premier Savings account offers an attractive 5.21% APY on $1,000 or more balances, maximizing your savings potential.
No Monthly Fees: The checking and savings accounts are free of monthly maintenance fees, ensuring your money works harder for you.
ATM Fee Rebates: Offers reimbursement for ATM fees up to five times per month, enhancing access to cash without extra costs.

Best CD Rates

Alliant Credit Union Certificate

Features

Competitive Share Certificate Rates: Offers impressive APYs across various terms, with rates reaching up to 5.40% for 1-year certificates.
High-Yield Savings Accounts: Both the Ultimate Opportunity and High-Rate Savings Accounts offer a robust 3.10% APY, fostering an environment where savings grow faster.
Inclusive Membership: Unlike many credit unions with stringent membership requirements, Alliant makes it easy for virtually anyone to join and benefit from its services.
Extensive ATM Network: Access to a large, free, nationwide ATM network ensures members can easily manage their cash without unnecessary fees.

BMO Alto Certificate of Deposit

Features

APYs: Offers some of the market's most competitive Annual Percentage Yields (APYs) with 5.10% on savings accounts and up to 5.05% on CDs.
No Minimums: Zero minimum opening deposits and balance requirements make it accessible for all savers.
Fee Structure: The absence of monthly maintenance fees promotes a cost-effective saving strategy.
Savings Flexibility: Unlimited transfers and withdrawals, a rare feature that offers flexibility to savings account holders.

Bread Savings™️ CD

Features

High-Yield Savings Account: Offers a competitive 5.15% Annual Percentage Yield (APY), with a modest $100 minimum deposit to open and no monthly maintenance fees.
Certificates of Deposit: Features attractive APYs across various terms with a $1,500 minimum deposit requirement. The APYs for CDs range from 5.25% for a 1-year term to 4.15% for a 5-year term, catering to both short-term and long-term savings goals.
Online-Only Platform: Operates exclusively online, eliminating the need for physical branches and enabling efficient account management from anywhere.
Customer Service: Provides access to customer support seven days a week, ensuring assistance is always within reach for account holders.

EverBank Basic CD

Features

High APY on Savings: The Performance℠ Savings account features an impressive 5.15% APY across all balances.
Competitive CD Rates: Offers a range of CD terms with attractive rates, including a 4.90% APY for 1-year CDs.
Broad ATM Access: More than 80,000 fee-free ATMs nationwide, with reimbursement policies for non-network ATM fees.
Low Entry Point: No minimum deposit for savings accounts and a $1,000 minimum for CDs, making it accessible to a wider audience.

LendingClub CD

Features

High-Yield Savings Account: An APY of 5.00%, with just $100 needed to open an account and no monthly fees.
Certificates of Deposit (CDs): Offers terms from six months to five years, with APYs up to 5.15% for 1-year CDs, requiring a minimum deposit of $2,500.
Rewards Checking Account: Earn unlimited 1% cash back on signature-based purchases and up to 0.15% APY on balances over $100,000. Additionally, enjoy ATM fee rebates with no monthly fee and no minimum balance requirement after account opening.
Customer Experience: Access to deposit-taking ATMs for convenient cash deposits and comprehensive online and phone support.

Best Banking Services

Rickie C. Keys, Ph.D., MPH

Best Checking Accounts

Ally Bank Spending Account

American Express Rewards Checking

Axos Bank® Rewards Checking

Connexus Credit Union Xtraordinary Checking

Discover® Cashback Debit

LendingClub Rewards Checking

nbkc bank Everything Account

PNC Virtual Wallet® Checking Pro - Spend

Schwab Bank Investor Checking™

SoFi Checking and Savings

ZYNLO Bank More Spending Account

Best Savings Accounts

Barclays Online Savings Account

Citi® Accelerate Savings

EverBank Performance℠ Savings

SoFi Checking and Savings

UFB Secure Savings

Upgrade Premier Savings

Best CD Rates

Alliant Credit Union Certificate

BMO Alto Certificate of Deposit

Bread Savings™️ CD

EverBank Basic CD

LendingClub CD

Marcus by Goldman Sachs High-Yield CD

Popular Direct CD

Quontic Bank CD

Sallie Mae Bank CD

Synchrony Bank CD

TAB Bank CD

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