Ready to switch banks? Start with Money's list of best banks. And don't forget to check out smaller banks and credit unions, as well.
 USBank.com |
Best National Bank Checking
Our pick: U.S. Bank's Easy Checking
Why it's tops: Its customers say so.No big bank offers terrific terms, but if you prefer a behemoth with lots of branches, U.S. Bank -- which has a footprint in 25 states -- may be the best choice. Waiving the maintenance charge is easy ($500 of direct deposit does the trick).
And while its fees are neck and neck with those at runner-up Chase, U.S. Bank outshines for customer satisfaction in J.D. Power's 2011 retail banking survey.
And while its fees are neck and neck with those at runner-up Chase, U.S. Bank outshines for customer satisfaction in J.D. Power's 2011 retail banking survey.
 DiscoverBank.com |
Best Savings Account
Our pick: Discover Bank Online Savings Account
Why it's tops: An interest rate of 1.1% a year.
That's six times the national average.
Whereas some banks tout a high rate only to drop it soon after, Discover's rate has remained relatively stable the past two years. No minimum balance required.
Whereas some banks tout a high rate only to drop it soon after, Discover's rate has remained relatively stable the past two years. No minimum balance required.
 Ally.com |
Best Online Package
Our pick: Ally Bank
Why it's tops: High rates on savings and checking.
Ally pays 1.04% on the former, 0.5% to 0.9% on the latter. Unlimited ATM transaction reimbursements (many online banks set a cap). Same-day deposit available if you scan checks and submit online; a spokesperson hints that smartphone camera deposit is coming soon.
Bonus: While big banks are slashing debit rewards, Ally introduced a program in July.
Bonus: While big banks are slashing debit rewards, Ally introduced a program in July.
 AlliantCreditUnion.org |
Best All-Access Credit Union
Our pick: Alliant Credit Union
Why it's tops: Combines an open-door policy with competitive offerings.
Credit unions traditionally best the big banks for customer service and account terms, but membership can be tough to secure. Employment by major companies such as Google or Kaiser grants access here, as does a one-time $10 donation to the charity Foster Care to Success.
Alliant offers 1.15% on savings. Plus, no fees on non-interest checking, but a direct deposit to the interest-bearing option gets you 1.1% with no charges.
Alliant has branches in Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, New Jersey, Texas and Virginia.
Alliant offers 1.15% on savings. Plus, no fees on non-interest checking, but a direct deposit to the interest-bearing option gets you 1.1% with no charges.
Alliant has branches in Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, New Jersey, Texas and Virginia.
 BankoftheWest.com |
Best Regional Bank -- West
Our pick: Bank of the West
Why it's tops: Great checking options.
You have your pick of a free account or Choice ATM Checking. On the latter, fees are waived with $250 direct deposit or five online bill payments. And meeting those requirements buys you unlimited free withdrawals at other banks' ATMs for 12 months.
Also, the account automatically converts to interest checking after one year; rates vary by state and balance. Among J.D. Power's top picks for customer satisfaction in California.
Bank of the West has branches in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
Also, the account automatically converts to interest checking after one year; rates vary by state and balance. Among J.D. Power's top picks for customer satisfaction in California.
Bank of the West has branches in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
 Huntington.com |
Best Regional Bank -- Midwest
Our pick: Huntington
Why it's tops: Free checking, terrific customer service.
Huntington's Asterisk-Free Checking really is asterisk-free -- no maintenance fees, no catch. Charges for other checking services are generally lower than the national counterparts. The bank also recently introduced a "24-Hour Grace" program, which allows customers to make up any insufficient funds within the next business day to avoid fees.
Huntington mobile apps made their debut in June; remote deposit is coming soon. Recognized for strong customer service. Savings rates range from 0.05% to 0.1% -- not awesome, but on par with bigger banks.
Huntington has branches in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
Huntington mobile apps made their debut in June; remote deposit is coming soon. Recognized for strong customer service. Savings rates range from 0.05% to 0.1% -- not awesome, but on par with bigger banks.
Huntington has branches in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
 TDBank.com |
Best Regional Bank -- East
Our pick: TD Bank
Why it's tops: Branch convenience and a low bar to free checking.
While other banks are cutting back on branch hours, the Canadian TD Bank is open on Sundays and weekday evenings. It's easy here to dodge monthly fees as well. All you need to maintain: a $100 daily balance in checking and $250 in savings.
Keep $2,500 in savings -- the yield matches that of the bigger banks, at 0.1% a year -- and you'll get the added perk of being reimbursed for charges when you withdraw from another bank's ATM.
Over 60? Sign up for TD 60 Plus to snag free money orders and bank checks.
TD Bank has branches in Connecticut, Delaware, Washington D.C., Florida, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Virginia and Vermont.
Keep $2,500 in savings -- the yield matches that of the bigger banks, at 0.1% a year -- and you'll get the added perk of being reimbursed for charges when you withdraw from another bank's ATM.
Over 60? Sign up for TD 60 Plus to snag free money orders and bank checks.
TD Bank has branches in Connecticut, Delaware, Washington D.C., Florida, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Virginia and Vermont.
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