Banking

Citizens, previously known as Citizens Access, is a fairly new online-only bank that offers high-yield savings and CD accounts with rates up to 5.00% APY

Varo Bank offers customers a simple online banking experience with competitive savings rates and no fees, but it doesn’t have any branch locations

Discover Bank is an online bank with a range of deposit accounts that have no fees, solid perks and competitive rates. It’s also well-known for its customer service

BMO Alto received a 4.2 out of 5 rating from our expert review team and stands out for its high-yield savings account, CDs and no fees.

BMO Bank’s wide range of products and large ATM network can make it suitable as a primary bank, as long as you live near one of its branch locations.

Barclays Bank offers competitive rates on deposit accounts and doesn’t charge fees or have minimum deposit requirements. It also doesn’t have branches or ATMs.

Our team rated USAA Bank 4.2 out of 5 stars because of the bank’s great checking accounts, CDs, and low deposit requirements on these accounts. 

We rate Capital One 4.2 out of 5 stars for its high interest rates on deposit accounts and no fees, but it has fewer than 300 branches across nine states

Bask Bank stands out for its high-yield savings rates and lack of monthly account fees, but it offers few deposit accounts, no ATMs and no branch access

Online-only Quontic Bank offers high interest rates on most of its deposit accounts and a large network of free ATMs and doesn’t charge overdraft fees

Zelle limits at top banks generally range from $500 to $5,000 per day and up to $20,000 per month, but your limit could depend on your account history

Synchrony Bank could be right for you if you’re looking for high-yield savings or CD accounts with APYs up to 5%, but it doesn’t offer in-person access

Connexus Credit Union earns 4.1 out of 5 stars for having competitive rates on certain accounts, no monthly fees and accessible in-person banking options

Huntington earns 3.9 out of 5 stars for its checking accounts and banking access, but it has fewer branches and strict requirements to earn higher rates.

If you’re comfortable banking only online and want competitive rates on savings products, Marcus by Goldman Sachs might be the right fit for you

With deposit accounts offering up to 4.50% APY, Ally Bank is a worthwhile choice if you’re comfortable banking only online since it doesn’t offer branches

Alliant Credit Union offers a variety of deposit accounts with competitive rates for checking, savings and CDs, but it doesn’t offer in-person banking

Formerly known as TIAA Bank, EverBank offers high-yield deposit accounts with competitive APYs and no monthly fees, but it only offers branches in Florida

Zynlo offers high-yield checking, savings and money market accounts with no monthly fees, but it doesn’t offer branch access or other financial products

Truist Bank earns 3.7 out of 5 stars in our review. It has a wide array of deposit accounts, but branch locations are mostly confined to the southeastern United States

You can open a joint business account by following a few simple steps and providing your EIN, business license and partnership agreement

A business bank account can help better manage your business finances, keep your personal and work expenses separate and automate bookkeeping tasks

A financial plan is a comprehensive strategy outlining your current financial situation and actionable steps necessary to achieve short-term and long-term goals.

You can set up a business bank account completely online with a few simple steps.

Switching business bank accounts can be a smooth process, but it takes numerous steps to get there

Follow these steps to make sure all the boxes are checked before you officially close an account.

The Federal Reserve is essential in shaping monetary policy, regulating banks, maintaining financial stability and providing crucial financial services.

Cardless ATMs allow access to your funds using a mobile device without the need for a physical debit or credit card

U.S. Bank earns 4 out of 5 stars thanks to its checking options and its accessibility in 26 states, but most of its deposit accounts offer low rates

Financially squeezed by inflation and insufficient wages, many Americans are turning to side hustles as a way to make ends meet

Financially squeezed by inflation and insufficient wages, many Americans are turning to side hustles as a way to make ends meet

Certified checks are personal checks verified by the bank to increase confidence in a money exchange

Americans on smaller incomes have big obstacles to building savings, but experts say it’s still possible. Here are their tips.

You Need a Budget, PocketGuard, Goodbudget, Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets, Empower and EveryDollar are the best budgeting apps for managing your finances

ATMs have played a vital role in modern banking, but what does it stand for?

Check-cashing services will quickly redeem your payroll check or tax refund, but fees can be steep. If you have a checking account, your bank is typically a better way to cash your check.

The federal funds rate is a key benchmark that affects rates on loans and bank accounts across the country. It rises in times of rapid growth to tamp down inflation. The rate is cut to stimulate the economy.

These nine apps can help you earn rewards or cash with little effort, but you may not be able to earn enough to make a living.

The market for repurchase agreements – repos, for short – is a vital piece of the nation’s financial system and a tool the Federal Reserve uses to influence the economy.

The process is similar to opening an account on your own. You’ll just need to collect information on two people instead of one.

The obstacles making it harder for women to build wealth — and tips to succeed in spite of them

Annual percentage yield, or APY, measures how much you earn in interest on your savings deposits over the course of the year. The higher the APY, the more you earn.

Banks and credit unions typically offer remote deposit services that allow you to deposit checks via an app on your mobile phone instead of going into a branch.

FDIC insurance protects your savings in the event your bank fails, up to $250,000.

Interest is the amount you pay to borrow or the amount you earn on your savings. High rates are great for savers, but not so good for borrowers.

Direct deposit is a secure way to transfer money directly into your bank account electronically. Most modern workplaces offer direct deposit of your paycheck.

The CFPB is an independent government agency that aims to protect consumers by enforcing federal consumer finance laws and supervising banks and lenders.

The largest credit unions in the U.S. include Navy Federal, State Employees’, PenFed, Boeing Employees’, SchoolsFirst, Golden 1, America First and Alliant.

Wells Fargo offers savings account options with APYs up to 2.51%, but to get the best rate, you’ll need to deposit a lot of money.

Learn five ways to transfer money between banks, along with the benefits of each method and their potential costs and security issues

U.S. household debt grew by $800 million from 2022 to 2023, including a 16.6% growth in credit card debt.

Read our TD Bank review, including pros, cons, customer feedback and a breakdown of its deposit accounts, to decide if TD is right for you.

Our Chime checking account review gives this banking option 4.3 out of 5 stars for its optional savings features, large ATM network and lack of fees

In our Chase Bank review, we evaluate its checking, savings and certificate of deposit options, as well as customer ratings.

Our team of experts gave Citibank 4.2 out of 5 stars and were impressed by the bank’s checking and savings accounts.

Our PNC Bank review looks at the company’s bank account options and its overall banking experience.

Our top eight picks for the best bank bonuses offer a maximum bonus between $200 and $900 when you open a new checking or savings account.

Wells Fargo is a widely available online and in-person bank with a range of deposit accounts, but it tends to offer lower rates than its competitors

Our top three picks for the best savings accounts are SoFi Bank (4.60%), Service Credit Union (0.25%) and Bask Bank (5.10%). For our full list of the best savings accounts, we at the MarketWatch Guides team researched 128 savings accounts and surveyed 1,000 account holders about how they bank.

We then narrowed down our list to nine picks, five of which we opened accounts with to help you get a first-hand perspective on the application process and beyond.

Bank of America is a reputable option for customers who want both in-person and online service, but its deposit accounts generally have low rates

Our top three picks for the best online banks are SoFi Bank, Discover Bank and Ally Bank.

To help you choose, we at the MarketWatch Guides team reviewed 154 banks and credit unions, 43 of which are online financial institutions. We also opened accounts at four of our top picks to provide you with firsthand experience about the application process, managing your account and contacting customer support.

Our picks for the best online banks can help you cut down on fees, access extra perks and grow your funds faster with high interest rates. And if you don’t want to leave your current bank, note that 54% of the 1,000 respondents to our latest banking survey stated they have accounts at two or more banks to take advantage of different services or products.

Learn what inflation is, what causes it and how it affects consumers’ financial decisions on things ranging from everyday purchases to investments

Money orders provide a secure and easy way to send a prepaid amount (usually up to $1,000) to private sellers, service providers and friends and family

An account number is a unique identifier for your bank account, and you need it for various financial transactions

Customers in Washington, D.C., and the 28 states PNC operates in have access to over 2,000 branch locations and a massive network of about 60,000 ATMs

Chase has over 4,700 branches and over 15,000 ATMs across the country