Citibank Review: Checking, Savings and CDs
Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This may influence which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money.
Overall bank rating
4.0
The bottom line:
Citibank has many perks you can expect from a big, national bank, including a wide range of product offerings and a massive ATM network. But it has fewer branches than some of its peers, like Wells Fargo and Bank of America, and its most competitive savings account is not available in all regions.
Best for: Customers who want access to a huge network of free ATMs and a variety of banking products and live in one of the regions that’s eligible for Citi’s high-yield savings account.
Pros
- Many customer service options.
- More than 65,000 fee-free ATMs.
- Approximately 1,700 overseas branches.
Cons
- Most savings rates are low; better rates available elsewhere.
- Fewer U.S. branches (about 600) than similar-sized peers.
Full review
Savings
3.5
/5 NerdWallet ratingCiti Savings can be a good place to keep your money safe and accessible, but its rates are generally low. You’ll find better rates — generally around 0.50% — at online-only banks or credit unions.
» Want to see more options? Check out NerdWallet’s best savings accounts
The information related to Citi® Savings has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer or provider of this product or service.
Checking
3.5
/5 NerdWallet ratingAt $12, the monthly fee for Simple Checking is on the high side, but you can get it waived by setting up at least one direct deposit and one bill payment per statement period. And you can make free withdrawals from your account at more than 65,000 ATMs, which is many more than some other national banks offer.
The checking account in the basic banking package has the best balance of options to avoid the monthly fee and to access services such as check writing.
» Looking for a sign-up promotion? Check out current Citibank bonus offers
The information related to Citi® Simple Checking has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer or provider of this product or service.
CD
3.0
/5 NerdWallet ratingCitibank’s CD rates are a bit higher than those of other national banks, but online banks and credit unions can offer better rates.
» Find high yields with our list of best CD rates for the month
The information related to Citi® CDs has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer or provider of this product or service.
Banking experience
4.5
NerdWallet ratingUsers can contact the bank 24 hours a day, and its customer service channels include phone, live chat and Twitter. The Android and iOS apps earn high user ratings.
Branches are plentiful in New York and California, but less so in other states. Citi offers more than 65,000 fee-free ATMs — more than the three largest national banks combined. And if you’re traveling abroad, it’s helpful to know that you can get service at the bank’s approximately 1,700 overseas branches.
» Looking for more Citi products? Check out Citi credit cards with cash-back, balance transfer and travel rewards features
Overdraft fees
4.5
NerdWallet ratingIn June 2022, Citibank joined the league of other banks that don’t charge overdraft fees. If you don’t have enough funds in your account, your ATM and other debit card transactions will be declined. Optional overdraft protection transfers are still available from another linked Citi account, but they're also now free.
Savings
3.5
/5 NerdWallet ratingCiti Savings can be a good place to keep your money safe and accessible, but its rates are generally low. You’ll find better rates — generally around 0.50% — at online-only banks or credit unions.
» Want to see more options? Check out NerdWallet’s best savings accounts
The information related to Citi® Savings has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer or provider of this product or service.
Checking
3.5
/5 NerdWallet ratingAt $12, the monthly fee for Simple Checking is on the high side, but you can get it waived by setting up at least one direct deposit and one bill payment per statement period. And you can make free withdrawals from your account at more than 65,000 ATMs, which is many more than some other national banks offer.
The checking account in the basic banking package has the best balance of options to avoid the monthly fee and to access services such as check writing.
» Looking for a sign-up promotion? Check out current Citibank bonus offers
The information related to Citi® Simple Checking has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer or provider of this product or service.
CD
3.0
/5 NerdWallet ratingCitibank’s CD rates are a bit higher than those of other national banks, but online banks and credit unions can offer better rates.
» Find high yields with our list of best CD rates for the month
The information related to Citi® CDs has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer or provider of this product or service.
4.5
NerdWallet ratingUsers can contact the bank 24 hours a day, and its customer service channels include phone, live chat and Twitter. The Android and iOS apps earn high user ratings.
Branches are plentiful in New York and California, but less so in other states. Citi offers more than 65,000 fee-free ATMs — more than the three largest national banks combined. And if you’re traveling abroad, it’s helpful to know that you can get service at the bank’s approximately 1,700 overseas branches.
» Looking for more Citi products? Check out Citi credit cards with cash-back, balance transfer and travel rewards features
4.5
NerdWallet ratingIn June 2022, Citibank joined the league of other banks that don’t charge overdraft fees. If you don’t have enough funds in your account, your ATM and other debit card transactions will be declined. Optional overdraft protection transfers are still available from another linked Citi account, but they're also now free.
How does Citibank, N.A. compare?
Current Product
 Citizens Online Savings Account Member FDIC | ||
|---|---|---|
NerdWallet rating 4.5 /5 | NerdWallet rating 4.0 /5 | NerdWallet rating 4.5 /5 |
APY 1.65% With $1 min. balance for APY | APY 2.10% With $5,000 min. balance for APY | APY 1.70% With $0 min. balance for APY |
Bonus N/A | Bonus N/A | Bonus N/A |
Methodology
NerdWallet’s overall ratings for banks and credit unions are weighted averages of several categories: checking, savings, certificates of deposit or credit union share certificates, banking experience and overdraft fees. Factors we consider, depending on the category, include rates and fees, ATM and branch access, account features and limits, user-facing technology, customer service and innovation. The stars represent ratings from poor (one star) to excellent (five stars). Ratings are rounded to the nearest half-star. How we rate banks, credit unions and other financial service providers.
