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Smart banking decisions start here

Our Nerds analyzed high-yield savings account rates, monthly fees, and more to find the best banks, credit unions, and accounts of 2023. While some winners may be partners, this didn't influence our decisions.

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Check out the winners

Best Checking and Savings Combo

APY

3.75%

With $0 minimum balance

Bonus

$250

Earn up to $250 with direct deposit. Terms apply.

APY

3.75%

With $0 minimum balance

Bonus

$250

Earn up to $250 with direct deposit. Terms apply.

Why our Nerds love it

SoFi’s combined account, with its high APYs and no monthly or overdraft fees, beat the competition.

Read our methodology

Best Savings Account

Discover Bank Online Savings

at Discover Bank, Member FDIC

at Discover Bank, Member FDIC

APY

3.50%

With $0 minimum balance

Bonus

$200

Requirements to qualify

APY

3.50%

With $0 minimum balance

Bonus

$200

Requirements to qualify

Why our Nerds love it

Discover Bank’s Online Savings Account offers strong rates with no monthly fees or minimum balance requirements.

Read our methodology

Best Checking Account Overall

Monthly fee

$0

APY

2.50%

With $0 minimum balance

Bonus

$250

Earn up to $250 with direct deposit. Terms apply.

Monthly fee

$0

APY

2.50%

With $0 minimum balance

Bonus

$250

Earn up to $250 with direct deposit. Terms apply.

Why our Nerds love it

SoFi Checking and Savings is a free account with a strong interest rate. It also has no overdraft fees and is part of the nationwide Allpoint ATM network.

Read our methodology

Best Bank Account for Sign-Up Bonuses

Chase Total Checking®

at Chase, Member FDIC

Monthly fee

$12.00

Waived with direct deposit or $1,500 minimum balance

Bonus

$200

Requirements to qualify

Monthly fee

$12.00

Waived with direct deposit or $1,500 minimum balance

Bonus

$200

Requirements to qualify

Why our Nerds love it

You can earn a Chase bonus by signing up for Total Checking and receiving direct deposits; unlike many bonuses, there is no minimum deposit requirement.

Read our methodology

Best Checking Account with No Monthly Fee

Monthly fee

$0

APY

2.50%

With $0 minimum balance

Bonus

$250

Earn up to $250 with direct deposit. Terms apply.

Monthly fee

$0

APY

2.50%

With $0 minimum balance

Bonus

$250

Earn up to $250 with direct deposit. Terms apply.

Why our Nerds love it

SoFi’s Checking and Savings account has no monthly fees, minimum balance fees or overdraft fees, and customers can earn a strong interest rate.

Read our methodology

Best Checking Account for Overdraft Fee Avoidance

Monthly fee

$0

APY

2.50%

With $0 minimum balance

Bonus

$250

Earn up to $250 with direct deposit. Terms apply.

Monthly fee

$0

APY

2.50%

With $0 minimum balance

Bonus

$250

Earn up to $250 with direct deposit. Terms apply.

Why our Nerds love it

SoFi doesn’t charge overdraft fees and provides free overdraft transfer service. Overdraft coverage includes spotting up to $50 to cover a transaction.

Read our methodology

BEST BANK OR CREDIT UNION FOR BRANCH ACCESS

Monthly fee

$10.00

Waived with direct deposit or $500 minimum balance

Bonus

$200

Requirements to qualify

Monthly fee

$10.00

Waived with direct deposit or $500 minimum balance

Bonus

$200

Requirements to qualify

Why our Nerds love it

Wells Fargo and Chase each have more branches — approximately 4,700 bank-owned branches nationwide — than any other U.S. financial institution.

Read our methodology

Best Bank or Credit Union for Branch Access

Chase Total Checking®

at Chase, Member FDIC

Monthly fee

$12.00

Waived with direct deposit or $1,500 minimum balance

Bonus

$200

Requirements to qualify

Monthly fee

$12.00

Waived with direct deposit or $1,500 minimum balance

Bonus

$200

Requirements to qualify

Why our Nerds love it

Wells Fargo and Chase each have more branches — approximately 4,700 bank-owned branches nationwide — than any other U.S. financial institution.

Read our methodology

Best Checking Account for High Interest

Monthly fee

$0

APY

2.50%

With $0 minimum balance

Bonus

$250

Earn up to $250 with direct deposit. Terms apply.

Monthly fee

$0

APY

2.50%

With $0 minimum balance

Bonus

$250

Earn up to $250 with direct deposit. Terms apply.

Why our Nerds love it

SoFi offers a strong interest rate on all balances for customers who set up direct deposit. There is also a solid baseline interest rate without direct deposit.

Read our methodology

Best Credit Union

Alliant Credit Union High-Rate Savings

at Alliant Credit Union, Federally insured by NCUA

at Alliant Credit Union, Federally insured by NCUA

APY

2.95%

With $100 minimum balance

APY

2.95%

With $100 minimum balance

Why our Nerds love it

Alliant Credit Union is easy to join and offers members accounts that earn strong rates with no monthly fees.

Read our methodology

Best Bank

APY

3.40%

With $0 minimum balance

APY

3.40%

With $0 minimum balance

Why our Nerds love it

Ally hits the mark across the board with a strong set of accounts that have strong rates and no monthly fees: interest checking, high-yield savings and high-yield CDs.

Read our methodology

Best Bank or Credit Union for CDs

APY

4.30%

Minimum Deposit

$0

APY

4.30%

Minimum Deposit

$0

Why our Nerds love it

Synchrony tends to have consistently competitive rates compared to other online banks and credit unions and has no minimum deposit.

Read our methodology

Best Money Market Account

APY

3.40%

With $0.01 minimum balance

APY

3.40%

With $0.01 minimum balance

Why our Nerds love it

Ally Bank’s Money Market Account shines with a competitive APY and no monthly fees or minimum balance requirements.

Read our methodology

Best Bank or Credit Union for ATM Access

Monthly fee

$0

APY

0.45%

With $0 minimum balance

Monthly fee

$0

APY

0.45%

With $0 minimum balance

Why our Nerds love it

Charles Schwab Bank offers unlimited ATM fee reimbursements worldwide and no foreign transaction fees.

Read our methodology

Frequently asked questions

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