Best Banks and Credit Unions

The best bank or credit union for you depends on what you’re in the market for: a savings account, a checking account or both. Whatever you're looking for, NerdWallet has you covered.

Here is an overview of the best overall institutions and accounts of 2023. APYs shown are current as of March 17, 2023. All other information is current as of Jan. 13, 2023.

Best banks and credit unions

NerdWallet spent more than 200 hours comparing and rating nearly 80 financial institutions, including banks, neobanks and credit unions, to pick winners across more than ten categories. Read on for more information about the institutions and accounts that took top honors this year.

Alliant Credit Union: Best credit union

• More than 80,000 free ATMs; interest checking available.

• 2.70% APY on savings.

• Read more in our Alliant Credit Union review.

Ally Bank: Best bank and best money market account

• No overdraft fees and more than 43,000 ATMs

• 4.25% APY on savings and 4.40% APY on all balances in the money market account.

• Read more in our Ally Bank review.

Capital One 360: Best online banking experience

• More than 70,000 free ATMs; offers tools such as virtual assistance and virtual card numbers; teen checking available.

• 4.30% savings APY.

• Read more in our Capital One 360 review.

Charles Schwab: Best for ATM access

• Unlimited worldwide ATM fee reimbursements.

• 0.45% checking APY.

• Read more in our Charles Schwab Bank review.

Chase: Best for sign-up bonuses and for branch access (tie) 

• No minimum direct deposit requirement to earn cash bonus for new checking account.

• More than 4,700 branches in 49 states.

• Read more in our Chase review.

Discover Bank: Best savings account

• No monthly fees and 4.30% APY.

• Read more in our Discover Bank review.

SoFi: Best for checking and savings combo, high interest checking, overdraft fee avoidance and more

• Up to 4.50% APY on savings balances and 0.50% APY on checking balances (APY is variable and subject to change).

• No overdraft fees and no fee for overdraft coverage.

• Read more in our SoFi review.

Synchrony Bank: Best for CDs

• Highly competitive CD rates.

• Bump-up CDs and 11-month no-penalty CD available.

• Read more in our Synchrony Bank review.

Wells Fargo Bank: Best for branch access (tie)

• About 4,700 branches across the country.

• Read more in our Wells Fargo Bank review.

Other great accounts of 2023

You should also consider a savings or checking account at one of the institutions below. The savings accounts offer APYs much higher than the national average of 0.45% and the checking accounts come with perks like interest on checking balances or ATM fee reimbursements. (Read more about each kind of account in our articles on checking accounts and savings accounts.)

Axos Bank: Great for interest checking on up to $50,000

• Up to 3.30% APY on checking for balances up to $50,000.

• Unlimited ATM fee reimbursements.

• Read more in our Axos Bank review.

Connexus Credit Union: Great for interest checking on up to $25,000

• Up to 1.75% APY on checking for balances up to $25,000.

• More than 67,000 fee-free ATMs.

• Read more in our Connexus Credit Union review.

LendingClub Bank: Best for cash back

• Unlimited 1% cash back on debit card purchases when you meet a minimum monthly balance or direct deposit requirement.

• Unlimited worldwide ATM fee reimbursements.

• Read more in our LendingClub Bank review.

Marcus by Goldman Sachs: Best for same-day, high-limit transfers

• Same-day online external transfers up to $125,000.

• 4.40% APY (annual percentage yield) with $0 minimum balance to earn stated APY. Accounts must have a positive balance to remain open. APY valid as of 09/15/2023.

• Read more in our Marcus by Goldman Sachs review.

Quontic Bank: Most domestic ATMs 

• More than 90,000 in-network ATMs.

• 1.10% APY on checking when you meet minimum debit card spending requirements.

• Read more in our Quontic Bank review.

» Looking for other excellent options? Browse our picks for best savings accounts and best checking accounts

Did you have something more specific in mind? If so, check out these articles:

Compare the best savings and money market accounts

Compare the best CD accounts

Compare the best checking accounts

Compare the best banks, credit unions and cash management accounts

Compare the best bank accounts for students and kids

Summary of the best banks and credit unions of 2023

» Looking for the biggest banks in the country? See the list of largest banks in the U.S.

We took a close look at nearly 80 financial institutions and financial service providers, including the largest U.S. banks based on assets, internet search traffic and other factors; the nation’s largest credit unions, based on assets and membership; and other notable and/or emerging players in the industry. We rated them on criteria including annual percentage yields, minimum balances, fees, digital experience and more.