Best banks and credit unions of 2026

What Axos Bank lacks in certificates of deposit (CDs) and money market accounts, it more than makes up for in its solid checking and savings accounts. In addition to its three checking and two savings accounts, Axos offers access to a teen checking and savings account along with ways to borrow and invest.

• Unlimited ATM fee reimbursements: On top of having access to over 90,000 fee-free ATMs, Axos Bank offers unlimited out-of-network ATM fee reimbursements for its Essential and Rewards checking accounts.
• No balance requirements or monthly fees: Axos checking and savings accounts don’t have minimum balances and charge $0 in monthly fees.
• Support all day (and night): You can get support from an Axos customer service agent 24/7.

Savings account, checking account, loans, investing

LendingClub — soon to be renamed Happen Bank — is another completely online option. It has a number of products available, including high-yielding CDs, checking and savings accounts. Like other top banks on our list, it offers a number of perks, including low fees and no minimums.

• LevelUp Checking interest and rewards: You will need at least $2,500 in your checking account to earn the 1.00% APY, but there is no minimum balance to earn 1.00% to 2.00% cash back on eligible purchases and payments.
• No monthly fees or minimums: LendingClub has $0 minimums to open an account and no monthly fees, but the savings account does require monthly deposits of at least $250 to earn the best rate.
• Fee-free ATM access: LendingClub uses the MoneyPass ATM network to give you access to your funds for free. On top of the large network, LendingClub provides unlimited ATM fee reimbursements.

Savings account, checking account, CDs, loans, investing, business accounts

Capital One is one of the largest banks in the U.S., and provides a whole suite of products. In addition to its CDs and checking and savings accounts, it offers credit cards, loans and business products. And, unlike many big banks, Capital One offers a solid yield on its savings account.

• Hybrid service: Capital One has branches and cafes across the U.S. that allow you to access and get help with your account in person in addition to online account access.
• ATMs available across the country: Because it’s part of the Allpoint and MoneyPass ATM networks, you’ll have access to over 70,000 fee-free ATMs.
• Fee-free checking and savings: You won’t encounter any monthly fees or minimum balance requirements for Capital One’s 360 checking and savings accounts. There also aren’t any overdraft fees.

Savings account, checking account, CDs, credit cards, loans, business accounts

Ally Bank is an online bank and a digital leader offering the full suite of deposit products, all with competitive rates, making it a great option for those looking to consolidate their finances under one roof. And even if you’re interested in just one or two accounts, yields at Ally tend to always be competitive — even if they’re not always the highest — so you can trust you’re getting a competitive rate.

• Most of what you need in one place: Ally Bank offers savings, checking and money market accounts along with CDs, credit cards, auto loans and ways to invest.
• Specialty CDs available: Ally offers a number of CDs including no-penalty and bump-up options.
• Minimal fees: Monthly maintenance, overdraft, standard checks, and transfers all cost $0 for Ally’s checking account.

Savings account, checking account, CDs, money market account, credit cards, auto loans, investing

SoFi was originally known for its student loan products, but has since expanded to offer some banking products, including a checking account and high-yield savings account. While there aren’t a lot of options, what is available is top notch.

• Extra FDIC insurance: SoFi partners with other institutions to offer up to a total of $3 million in FDIC coverage.
• Checking earns interest: You can earn 0.50% APY on your entire checking balance with SoFi.
• Savings tools: SoFi requires that a savings account be opened with its checking account, but the linked accounts have a number of tools. In addition to optional purchase roundups, you can create buckets for specific savings goals.

Savings account, checking account, credit cards, loans, business accounts

Despite being a credit union, Alliant makes it easy for anyone to join even if you’re not eligible through your employer or your location. You can join the Alliant Credit Union Foundation for $5, and Alliant will pay it. Membership has its benefits, too. Alliant offers an interest-bearing checking account with monthly ATM fee rebates, CDs with solid yields and the option to house many of the financial products that keep your life running smoothly in one place.

• Generous membership options: While most credit unions have regional requirements, anyone in the U.S. can join Alliant.
• Solid checking account: Checking with Alliant comes with $0 monthly service and overdraft fees, along with 0.25% APY on all balances. Alliant also offers early direct deposit access, up to two days.
• Fee-free ATM access: Alliant offers up to $20 in ATM fee reimbursements per month. You might not need to take advantage of it though — you’ll have access to over 80,000 fee-free ATMs.

Savings account, checking account, CDs, credit cards, loans, investing

While NBKC Bank is an oddity in that it doesn’t have an account specifically branded as “savings” alone, it does offer an Everything Account that acts as a high-yield checking account. It also has a money market account along with standard and IRA CDs. All banking can be done online and through ATMs, but there are also branches available in Kansas City for those who want to talk with a banker.

• High-yield checking: NBKC offers a 1.75% APY on all checking account balances above $0, regardless of how much you keep in the account.
• Large ATM network and rebates: You’ll have access to over 90,000 fee-free ATMs globally. If you still land at an out-of-network ATM, NBKC reimburses ATM fees — up to $12 a month.
• No monthly fees: NBKC doesn’t charge monthly fees for its CDs or checking or money market accounts.

Checking account, CDs, money market account, loans

UFB Direct is a completely online option that offers checking, savings and money market accounts. It is unique in that it is one of a handful of banks that offers greater APYs when you hold both a checking and savings account with it. The downside is that to open a checking account, you’ll need to also open either a savings or money market account.

• Earn on your checking balance: You’ll earn 2.00% APY on your checking account balance with UFB Direct.
• Mobile banking: Many banks offer mobile-friendly sites and apps, but UFB Direct takes it a step further. In addition to online banking, you can text to access your account information instead of using an app if needed.
• Solid savings APYs: Even without the rate boost, UFB Direct offers a solid savings APY for both its savings and money market accounts. There are also no monthly maintenance fees to eat into your earnings.

Savings account, checking account, money market account, loans

E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley Private Bank offers a number of checking and savings accounts — but it doesn’t stop there, it also has a number of trading and investing options. With E*TRADE you can choose from stocks, options, mutual funds and more when building your investing portfolio.

• Banking and investing under one roof: E*TRADE offers a huge suite of investing options that you can take advantage of alongside your spending and savings accounts.
• No minimums or monthly fees on most accounts: There are no monthly fees or balance minimums for three out of four accounts. The Max-Rate checking account requires an average monthly balance of $5,000 to avoid a $15 monthly fee, but you’ll earn 2.00% APY on your balance.
• Unlimited nationwide ATM fee refunds: Regardless of if you have a Max-Rate or standard checking account with E*TRADE, you’ll be protected from third-party ATM fees within the U.S. For Max-Rate checking account holders, you’ll receive unlimited ATM fee reimbursements worldwide.

Savings account, checking account, CDs, investing

Bask Bank the online division of Texas Capital Bank — a large Texas-based bank with branches across the state. You won’t find too many frills at Bask Bank, but you can get a competitive APY on both a checking and savings account with no hoops to jump through for either APY. If you have some funds that you can afford to stash away for a few months, Bask also offers CDs with solid APYs.

• High yields with no monthly fees: There aren’t any monthly fees needed to get high APYs for Bask’s checking or savings accounts.
• Large number of fee-free ATMs: Bask Bank is part of the Allpoint network, giving you access to over 55,000 fee-free ATMs across the U.S. If you are mistakenly charged a fee at an Allpoint ATM, Bask Bank will refund it.
• Solid CD APYs: You can get a competitive APY on CDs from three months to two years with Bask Bank.

Savings account, checking account, CDs