THE BEST

of

2025

Banking Awards

Even if you’re a total pro at online banking, having in-person access to a branch can be comforting — just in case. The Capital One 360 Checking account offers both access options. Even better, it doesn’t charge monthly service fees, overdraft fees, or foreign transaction fees, and it offers early pay access to eligible customers.

Additionally, It has options for joint accounts and features an excellent overall product suite, including savings accounts, CDs, a kids’ account, credit cards, and auto loans. This makes the Capital One 360 Checking account a great fit not just as a checking account, but also for those who are looking for one location for a variety of banking and personal finance needs.

If you’re more likely to use an app for your banking, you should choose an account with an excellent online experience, and Discover Cashback Checking does that in spades. More than that, the account has no monthly or overdraft fees, and if you do need cash in hand, you’ll have access to a large network of ATMs.

And while you won’t earn interest on your balance — something that’s not universal to checking accounts anyway — you can earn 1% cash back on debit card spending of up to $3,000 each month. That’s something fairly uncommon that when considered in combination with all its other features, puts this account at the top of our list.

Earning cash back on your purchases is not limited to credit cards. When you have to use your debit card, you may as well earn a little on that spending, and with Upgrade Rewards Checking Plus, you could earn up to 2% cash back on eligible spending in categories like restaurants, bars, food delivery, gas, utilities, and streaming services. You just need to have monthly direct deposits of $1,000 or more to be eligible for these rewards.⁴ <p>Rewards Checking Plus customers who set up monthly direct deposits of $1,000 or more earn 2% cash back on common everyday expenses at convenience stores, drugstores, restaurants and bars - including deliveries - and gas stations, as well as recurring payments on utilities and monthly subscriptions including phone, cable, TV and other streaming services, and 1% cash back on all other debit card purchases. 2% cash back is limited to $500 in rewards per calendar year; after $500, customers earn 1% cash back on all eligible debit card purchases for the remainder of the year. Rewards Checking Plus accounts with less than $1,000 in monthly direct deposits 60 days after account opening will earn 1% cash back on common everyday expenses and 0.50% cash back on all other eligible debit card purchases. Some limitations apply. Please refer to the applicable Upgrade VISA® Debit Card Agreement and Disclosures for more information.</p>

It should also be noted that the 2% earn rate is capped at $500 per year, but you’ll still earn unlimited 1% cash back on all spending after you hit that limit, which is as high as you’d find with most other cash back checking accounts. The account carries no monthly fees. FDIC insured through Cross River Bank.

Many accounts carry low-to-no fees. It’s a major selling point for checking accounts. We chose Lending Club Rewards Checking as our winner in this category because of all the perks it offers on top of having no monthly maintenance or overdraft fees. Lending Club Rewards Checking offers unlimited ATM fee rebates, early direct deposit, and unlimited 1% cash back on qualifying purchases made with your linked debit card. The experience of being an account holder is also highly rated.

While there’s no minimum balance required, accounts earn 0.10% (as of 3/26/25) annual percentage yield (APY) on balances between $2,5000 and $99,999.99 and up to 0.15% (as of 3/26/25) APY on account balances of $100,000 and up.

Bonuses come and go, but U.S. Bank's Smartly Checking almost always has a top bonus offer that feels achievable and worthwhile. Out of the banks we looked at for this category, it has the lowest monthly fees and most accessible options for getting those fees waived, including if you’re a senior or military personnel. It also has an extensive ATM network and branches in several states if you prefer in-person customer service. All together, that means this account gets you a lot of reliability and features, plus the potential for a bonus. Member FDIC.

Having your checking and savings accounts with the same financial institution can make money management a lot simpler. We chose SoFi® for best checking and savings account combo because it delivers on interest and additional features. 

For example, you could earn up to 3.80% APY on your savings balance with direct deposit.⁹ <p>SoFi members who enroll in SoFi Plus with Direct Deposit or by paying the SoFi Plus Subscription Fee every 30 days or with $5,000 or more in Qualifying Deposits during the 30-Day Evaluation Period can earn 3.80% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. Members without either SoFi Plus or Qualifying Deposits, during the 30-Day Evaluation Period will earn 1.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Only SoFi Plus members are eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of Jan. 24, 2025. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at <a href="http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet">http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet</a>. See the SoFi Plus Terms and Conditions at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/terms-of-use/#plus">https://www.sofi.com/terms-of-use/#plus</a>.</p> SoFi also offers more special features than any other account combo we looked at, including round-ups on debit spending, early payday⁷ <p>Early access to direct deposit funds is based on the timing in which we receive notice of impending payment from the Federal Reserve, which is typically up to two days before the scheduled payment date, but may vary.</p> , a direct deposit cash bonus, and a suite of other online financial products that you’ll get access to as a SoFi account holder. SoFi is also known for its easy-to-use app and website, as well as its excellent customer service. FDIC Insured.⁸ <p><b style="font-family: Rubik, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Roboto, &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, sans-serif;">SoFi Bank is a member FDIC and does not provide more than $250,000 of FDIC insurance per depositor per legal category of account ownership, as described in the FDIC’s regulations.&nbsp;Any additional FDIC insurance is provided by the SoFi Insured Deposit Program. Deposits may be insured up to $3M through participation in the program. See full terms at&nbsp;<a href="http://sofi.com/banking/fdic/sidpterms">SoFi.com/banking/fdic/sidpterms</a>. See list of participating banks at <a href="http://sofi.com/banking/fdic/participatingbanks">SoFi.com/banking/fdic/participatingbanks</a>.</b></p>

Truist One Checking doesn’t charge overdraft fees, and it even offers a $100 Negative Balance Buffer for qualifying customers¹¹ <p>The $100 Negative Balance Buffer is only available with Truist One Checking and allows eligible clients to overdraw their account up to $100.</p> <p>All eligibility requirements below must be met to initially qualify for the $100 Negative Balance Buffer:</p> <ul> <li>Account must be opened for a minimum of 35 calendar days</li> <li>Account must be funded and have a positive balance</li> <li>A single direct deposit of at least $100 per month must be made for 2 consecutive months</li> </ul> <p>To remain qualified for the $100 Negative Balance Buffer, the requirement below must be met:</p> <ul> <li>A recurring direct deposit of at least $100 per month</li> </ul> <p>For accounts that qualify for the $100 Negative Balance Buffer and also have Overdraft Protection, Truist will use the $100 Negative Balance Buffer first. If the account has neither, transactions that exceed the account balance will typically be declined or returned.</p> , which allows you to overdraw your account by up to $100 with no negative repercussions. This feature is unique in that it’s not a loan or line of credit, and $100 is generous compared to overdraft options from other institutions. It also offers several achievable ways to waive its monthly maintenance fee.¹² <p>The Monthly Maintenance Fee (MMF) can be waived for the Truist One Checking account for each statement cycle by:</p> <p><b>Option 1: Making $500 or more in total qualifying Direct Deposits per statement cycle.</b> A qualifying direct deposit is an electronic credit via ACH deposited to your account during the current statement cycle. Pre-authorized transfers made from one account to another or deposits made via a branch, ATM, online transfer, mobile device, debit card/prepaid card number or the mail are not eligible to meet this requirement.</p> <p><b>Option 2: Maintaining a total combined ledger balance of $500 or more in any Truist related accounts across personal deposits and all investments as reflected on the business day before your statement cycle end date.&nbsp;</b>A Ledger Balance is actual balance in your account on a specific day and does not reflect any holds or pending transactions. Your Total Combined Balance is the sum of all balances within the Truist personal deposit accounts (checking, savings, money market or CDs), IRAs or brokerage accounts introduced through Truist Investment Services, Inc. Related Accounts automatically includes all applicable accounts associated with primary and secondary account holders.</p> <p><b>Option 3: Having a personal Truist credit card, mortgage or consumer loan, excluding LightStream®. </b></p> <p><b>Option 4: Having a linked Small Business Checking Account.</b> Eligible Small Business account types include: Truist Dynamic Checking, Business Interest Checking, Simple Business Checking and Business Value 200.</p> <p><b>Option 5: Primary client is a student.</b>&nbsp;The waiver for a student requires they are listed as the primary account owner and they provide their anticipated graduation date. The waiver expires on the provided graduation date. On this date, the account is subject to the Monthly Maintenance Fee unless at least one waiver criterion is satisfied.</p> <p><b>Option 6: Primary client is under the age of 25 or age 62 and older.</b></p> <p>Truist Bank, Member FDIC. ©2024, Truist Financial Corporation. Truist, Truist Purple and the Truist Logo are service marks of Truist Financial Corporation.</p>

We also liked that the account does more than simply not charge overdraft fees. You can opt for a Delta SkyMiles Debit Card, get loyalty bonuses on eligible Truist credit cards, and open a Truist One Savings account with no monthly fees. It’s a comprehensive account and a solid all-around choice for banking. Member FDIC.

Many accounts carry low-to-no fees. It’s a major selling point for checking accounts. We chose Lending Club Rewards Checking as our winner in this category because of all the perks it offers on top of having no monthly maintenance or overdraft fees. Lending Club Rewards Checking offers unlimited ATM fee rebates, early direct deposit, and unlimited 1% cash back on qualifying purchases made with your linked debit card. The experience of being an account holder is also highly rated.

While there’s no minimum balance required, accounts earn 0.10% (as of 3/26/25) annual percentage yield (APY) on balances between $2,5000 and $99,999.99 and up to 0.15% (as of 3/26/25) APY on account balances of $100,000 and up.

If you’re a frequent international traveler, one of the most significant factors to look for in a checking account is a lack of out-of-network and foreign transaction fees. Foreign transaction fees typically range from 1% to 3%, and that can add up faster than you might think. Nothing can drain the joy out of a trip (and your travel budget) like unexpected fees, especially when there’s actually a convenient way to avoid them.

We chose Betterment Checking because Betterment will automatically reimburse operator fees charged by any ATM network worldwide and will even cover Visa’s 1% foreign transaction fee on debit activity — just be sure to notify the bank before you travel.

The account is also fee-free in general, with no overdraft or monthly fees and no minimum balance requirement.

Greenlight won this category because of its parental oversight tools and notifications and how easy it makes it to transfer money to your child. You can connect any account to Greenlight, so you can use an account you already have rather than having to open a new one. 

We especially like its investing tools and the healthy APY it offers on savings. We also like that Greenlight’s plans have a flat rate for up to five kids, as opposed to charging per child like some other institutions do.

The PNC Virtual Wallet Student has no monthly fees and no minimum balance requirement for the first six years from account opening, and doesn’t require a credit score to open, making it a great option for college students venturing into financial independence. While the account technically has overdraft fees, the first overdraft fee is refunded, giving students the chance to learn a valuable lesson about watching their account balance without actually incurring a fee. 

Also, its “Low Cash Mode” makes it simple to avoid those overdraft fees later on. For a fun little touch, you may even be able to get a linked debit card in your student’s school’s colors.

Chime® Checking won for its accessibility to those with low credit scores or limited credit history.²¹ <p>Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services&nbsp;and debit card provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A. The secured Chime Credit Builder Card is issued by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A.</p> Chime doesn’t check your credit when you apply for an account, and it doesn’t have monthly fees, overdraft fees up to $200 for eligible members²² <p>SpotMe® on Debit is an optional, no fee overdraft service attached to your Chime Checking Account. To qualify for the SpotMe on Debit service, you must receive $200 or more in qualifying direct deposits to your Chime Checking Account each month and have activated your physical Chime Visa® Debit Card or secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card. Qualifying members will be allowed to overdraw their Chime Checking Account for up to $20 on debit card purchases and cash withdrawals initially but may later be eligible for a higher limit of up to $200 or more based on Chime Account history, direct deposit frequency and amount, spending activity and other risk-based factors. The SpotMe on Debit limit will be displayed within the Chime mobile app and is subject to change at any time, at Chime's sole discretion. Although Chime does not charge any overdraft fees for SpotMe on Debit, there may be out-of-network or third-party fees associated with ATM transactions. SpotMe on Debit will not cover any non-debit card transactions, including ACH transfers, Pay Anyone transfers, or Chime Checkbook transactions. <a href="https://www.chime.com/policies/">SpotMe on Debit Terms and Conditions</a>.</p> , or foreign transaction fees. While Chime is a fintech company and not a bank, it participates in an extensive ATM network, and you can deposit cash at any Walgreens location without fees.²⁰ <p>Out-of-network ATM withdrawal and over the counter advance fees may apply except at MoneyPass ATMs in a 7-Eleven, or any Allpoint or Visa Plus Alliance ATM.</p>

Chime also offers a secured credit builder Visa card, which could be a good complement to its checking account for those looking to build or improve their credit.²³ <p>The secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card is issued by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa credit cards are accepted. Please see the back of your card for its issuing bank.&nbsp; To apply for Credit Builder, you must have an active Chime® Checking Account.</p>