Best Banks and Credit Unions of 2024

See our lists of the best banks and credit unions that can help you manage and grow your funds more optimally.

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Written by Ruth Sarreal
Content Management Specialist
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Assigning Editor
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.

Here is an overview of the best overall institutions and accounts of 2024.

Best-of 2024 Banking Winners:

  • Alliant Credit Union: Best credit union.

  • Ally Bank: Best bank; best CDs.

  • Charles Schwab Bank: Best for ATM access.

  • Chase: Best for sign-up bonuses; best for branch access.

  • Discover® Bank: Best online banking experience.

  • SoFi: Best checking account overall; best checking account for overdraft fee avoidance.

  • UFB Direct: Best savings account.

  • Vio Bank: Best money market account.

Best banks and credit unions

NerdWallet compared and rated 60 financial institutions, 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.

Alliant Credit Union: Best credit union

Ally Bank: Best bank and best CDs

  • No overdraft fees and more than 43,000 ATMs.

  • 4.00% APY on savings and 4.00% on 1-year CD; flexible and no-penalty CDs with competitive rates.

  • Read more in our Ally Bank review.

Charles Schwab: Best for ATM access

Chase: Best for sign-up bonuses and best for branch access 

  • 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 online banking experience

  • No monthly fees and 3.90% APY on savings.

  • Read more in our Discover Bank review. (Discover Bank is FDIC Insured.)

SoFi: Best for checking account overall and best checking account for overdraft fee avoidance

  • Up to 4.00% 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.

UFB Direct: Best savings account

  • 4.31% APY on all savings balances.

  • No minimum deposit requirement and no monthly fees.

  • Read more in our UFB Direct review.

Vio Bank: Best money market account

  • 4.90% APY on all money market balances.

  • No monthly fees.

  • Read more in our Vio Bank review.

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SoFi Bank, N.A. logo
Learn More

Member FDIC

SoFi Checking and Savings

SoFi Bank, N.A. logo
APY

4.00%

Min. balance for APY

$0

Forbright Bank Growth Savings

Forbright Bank logo
APY

4.60%

Min. balance for APY

$0

Barclays logo
Learn More

Member FDIC

Barclays Tiered Savings Account

Barclays logo
APY

4.50%

Min. balance for APY

$0

U.S. Bank logo
Learn More

Member FDIC

U.S. Bank Smartly® Savings

U.S. Bank logo
APY

N/A

Min. balance for APY

$0

» 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 2024

NerdWallet rating 
  • Best credit union overall.

NerdWallet rating 
  • Best bank overall.

  • Best bank or credit union for CDs.

NerdWallet rating 
  • Best bank or credit union for ATM access.

NerdWallet rating 
  • Best bank or credit union for sign-up bonuses.

  • Best bank or credit union for branch access.

NerdWallet rating 
  • Best online banking experience.

NerdWallet rating 
  • Best checking account overall.

  • Best checking account for overdraft fee avoidance.

NerdWallet rating 
  • Best savings account.

NerdWallet rating 
  • Best money market account.

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

We took a close look at 60 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.

Methodology

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