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Best Banks and Credit Unions of 2026

  1. Ruth Sarreal Author Avatar
  2. Tony Armstrong Author Avatar
Written by
Ruth SarrealRuth Sarreal
,
Edited by
Tony ArmstrongTony Armstrong
Last updated on January 7, 2026
Fact Checked
Ruth Sarreal Author Avatar+1
Written by
Ruth Sarreal
Last updated on January 7, 2026
Fact Checked
The best bank or credit union for you depends on what you’re in the market for: a savings account, a checking account or some other service. Whatever you're looking for, NerdWallet has you covered.

NerdWallet writers and editors compared and rated around 100 financial institutions and financial technology companies, including banks, neobanks and credit unions, to pick winners across eight categories. Read on for more information about the institutions and accounts that took top honors this year.

Here is an overview of the best overall institutions and accounts of 2026.

  • + See a summary of NerdWallet's best banks and credit unions of 2026

    Best-of 2026 Banking Winners:

    • Alliant Credit Union: Best credit union.

    • SoFi®: Best bank.

    • Chase: Best for branch access.

    • Chime®: Best checking account; best online banking experience.

    • Marcus by Goldman Sachs: Best for CDs.

    • Newtek Bank: Best savings account. 

    • Zynlo Bank: Best money market account.

  • Our pick for

    Best credit union

  • Our pick for

    Best bank

    • SoFi Checking and Savings
      SoFi Checking and Savings
      Learn moreon partner's site
      at SoFi Bank, N.A., Member FDIC
      NerdWallet rating
      5.0/5
      Learn moreon partner's site
      at SoFi Bank, N.A., Member FDIC

      APY

      0.50%

      With $0 min. balance for APY

      Bonus

      $50 to $300

      Earn $50 or $300 with eligible direct deposit. Terms apply.

      Monthly fee

      $0

      Overdraft star rating

      5.0/5

      Our Take
      Why We Like It

      SoFi offers online banking including a checking account that pays 0.50% APY with no requirements or fees. The savings account pays up to 3.30% APY when you meet one of the following requirements:

      - Enroll in SoFi Plus and set up direct deposit in any amount. - Deposit a total of at least $5,000 every 31 days using qualifying methods. - Pay a $10 SoFi Plus subscription fee every 30 days.

      Without meeting the direct deposit requirement, savings balances still earn a rate that’s many times the national average APY. Account holders have fee-free access to more than 55,000 ATMs.

      Read more in our SoFi review.

      SoFi says: “Annual percentage yield (APY) is variable and subject to change at any time. Rates are current as of 12/23/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. Fees may reduce earnings. Additional rates and information can be found at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.” SoFi says: "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 Bank Fee Sheet for details at sofi.com/legal/banking-fees/." SoFi says: "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 may be incurred when using out-of-network ATMs. SoFi’s ATM policies are subject to change at our discretion at any time."

  • Our pick for

    Best for branch access 

  • Our pick for

    Best for CDs

  • Our pick for

    Best savings account

  • Our pick for

    Best money market account

Want to compare more options? Here are our other top picks:

Video preview image

» 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

Best high-yield online savings accounts

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Compare the best CD accounts

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Compare the best banks, credit unions and cash management accounts

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Compare the best bank accounts for students and kids

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The best banks and credit unions of 2026

Best-of 2026 Banking Award Winners

Alliant Credit Union

  • Best credit union.

SoFi

  • Best bank.

Chase

  • Best for branch access.

Chime

  • Best checking account.

  • Best online banking experience.

Marcus by Goldman Sachs

  • Best for CDs.

Newtek Bank

  • Best savings account.

ZYNLO Bank

  • Best money market account.

Back to top

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

Last updated on January 7, 2026

Methodology

We took a close look at around 100 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.

Financial institutions and providers surveyed are: Affirm, All America Bank, Alliant Credit Union, Ally Bank, Amalgamated Bank, American Express National Bank, Andrews Federal Credit Union, Associated Bank, Axos Bank, Bank of America, Bank5 Connect, Barclays, Bask Bank, BMO, BMO Alto, Boeing Employees Credit Union, Bread Savings®, BrioDirect, Capital One, CFG Bank, Charles Schwab Bank, Chase, Chime, CIBC U.S., CIT Bank, Citibank, Citizens, Citizens Bank, Climate First Bank, ConnectOne Bank, Connexus Credit Union, Consumers Credit Union, Current, Customers Bank, Discover® Bank, E*TRADE, EverBank, Fifth Third Bank, First Foundation, First Internet Bank, First Tech Federal Credit Union, FNBO Direct, Forbright Bank, FourLeaf Federal Credit Union, GO2bank, Golden 1 Credit Union, Hope Credit Union, HSBC Bank, Huntington Bank, Ivy Bank, Jenius Bank, KeyBank, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Laurel Road Bank, LendingClub Bank, Live Oak Bank, M&T Bank, Marcus by Goldman Sachs, My Banking Direct, NASA Federal Credit Union, Navy Federal Credit Union, NBKC, Newtek Bank, OMB Bank, OnePay, Openbank, Pentagon Federal Credit Union, PNC, Poppy Bank, Popular Direct, Quontic Bank, Regions Bank, Revolut, Salem Five Direct, Sallie Mae Bank, Santander Bank, SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, Security Service Federal Credit Union, Securityplus Federal Credit Union, Self-Help Credit Union, Service Credit Union, SoFi, State Employees’ Credit Union of North Carolina, Synchrony Bank, TAB Bank, TD Bank, Truist Bank, U.S. Bank, UFB Direct, Upgrade, USAA Bank, Varo, Vio Bank, Wells Fargo, Western Alliance Bank and Zynlo Bank.

How we rate banks and credit unions

To recap our selections...

NerdWallet's Best Banks and Credit Unions of 2026