Choosing the right bank can meaningfully change how much you pay in fees and earn in interest over a year. This hub compares every major banking category — from the biggest US banks to the best online-only options — so you can find the right fit. Specific dollar bonus amounts and APY figures below are illustrative of the general range and change frequently — confirm current offers and rates directly with each bank before applying.
Status note (verified September 2026): Discover Bank’s deposit accounts (savings, checking, money market, CDs) merged into Capital One, N.A. on May 18, 2025. New “Discover” savings applications now redirect to Capital One 360. Discover-branded credit cards are unaffected. See the Discover Bank guide for details before treating any “Discover” mention below as a currently-independent deposit account option.
Quick Bank Comparison (2026)
| Category | Best Pick | Runner-Up | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall best | Ally Bank | SoFi | No fees, high HYSA rate, solid checking |
| Best for branches | Chase | Bank of America | Largest branch and ATM network |
| Best online | Ally Bank | Capital One 360 (see note above re: former Discover) | No fees, strong savings, great mobile app |
| Best for small business | Chase Business | Relay Financial | National reach vs. no-fee digital tools |
| Best no ATM fees | Schwab Bank | Axos Bank | Schwab refunds all global ATM fees |
| Best bonus (confirm current offers) | Chase Total Checking | Citi Priority | Confirm current bonus amounts directly with each bank |
| Best credit union | PenFed | Alliant CU | Nationwide membership, competitive rates |
Online Banks vs. Traditional Banks
Online banks win on: fees (commonly $0 vs. traditional banks’ $10–$25/mo), savings rates (commonly several times higher than big-bank rates, which have stayed near 0.01% for years), and early direct deposit.
Traditional banks win on: physical branches (for cash deposits, notarizations, safe deposit boxes), business services, and complex products (mortgages, business loans).
Best hybrid approach: Use an online bank (Ally, SoFi) for everyday banking and savings, and maintain a no-fee account at a large bank for occasional branch needs.
Biggest US Banks by Total Assets
For the current ranked list of the largest US banks by domestic assets — sourced from Federal Reserve data and updated to reflect the latest available quarter — see Biggest Banks in America. As of that guide’s most recent update, Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank, and US Bank hold the top five spots by domestic assets, though exact figures shift each quarter.
Best Bank Sign-Up Bonuses
Bank sign-up bonuses change frequently — the table below reflects the general shape of typical offers, not live promotions. Always confirm the current bonus amount and requirements directly on the bank’s website before applying. See Best Bank Bonuses and Promotions for more detail and the same caveat applied throughout.
| Bank | Typical Requirement Type |
|---|---|
| Chase Total Checking | Direct deposit within a set window |
| Citi Priority | Larger new-money deposit for a set period |
| U.S. Bank Smartly | Direct deposits totaling a set amount within a set window |
| Huntington Unlimited Plus | Cumulative deposits within a set window |
| TD Bank Beyond Checking | Direct deposit within a set window |
Compare Banks Articles in This Cluster
Rankings
Comparisons
Specialty
- Best Banks with No ATM Fees
- Best Bank Sign-Up Bonuses
- Best Small Business Banks
- Business Checking Accounts Compared
Resources
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