U.S. Bank Review [2025]: Special Perks in Select States

U.S. Bank overview

Although U.S. Bank isn't available nationwide, it's one of the largest banks in the country by asset size. The bank, based in Minneapolis, operates branches in the Midwest, West Coast, East Coast, and more.

U.S. Bank offers a range of banking products for individuals and businesses, as well as credit cards, loans, and home mortgages.

Bank	U.S. Bank
Number of branches	2,000+
States with branches	27
ATM network	15,000+ U.S. Bank ATMs 30,000+ partner ATMs
Banking accounts	Personal checking Personal savings Personal money market account Personal CDs Business checking Business savings Business money market account Business CDs

Who is U.S. Bank best for?

U.S. Bank is a reputable bank well-suited for those with large cash deposits. To qualify for the highest APYs on savings accounts and fee waivers, you need to have multiple accounts and maintain a balance of $25,000 or more.

If you're on a tight budget and need to avoid monthly service fees, you may find U.S. Bank too expensive. If you can't qualify for the fee waivers or meet balance requirements for the best APYs, it's probably not worth it.

When you should consider another bank

When your budget is stretched thin, instead of U.S. Bank, look for a company that offers fee-free checking and savings options. We recommend:

• SoFi®: SoFi offers the SoFi Checking and Savings account with no monthly service fees,² <p>We do not charge any account, service or maintenance fees for SoFi Checking and Savings. We do charge a transaction fee to process each outgoing wire transfer. SoFi does not charge a fee for incoming wire transfers, however the sending bank may charge a fee. Our fee policy is subject to change at any time. See the SoFi Checking & Savings Fee Sheet for details at <a href="http://sofi.com/legal/banking-fees/">sofi.com/legal/banking-fees/</a></p> excellent fee-free overdraft coverage,³ <p>Overdraft Coverage is limited to $50 on debit card purchases only and is an account benefit available to customers with Eligible Direct Deposits of $1,000 or more during the current 30-day Evaluation Period as determined by SoFi Bank, N.A.&nbsp; The 30-Day Evaluation Period refers to the "Start Date" and "End Date" set forth on the APY Details page of your account, which comprises a period of 30 calendar days (the "30-Day Evaluation Period"). You can access the APY Details page at any time by logging into your SoFi account on the SoFi mobile app or SoFi website and selecting either (i) Banking &gt; Savings &gt; Current APY or (ii) Banking &gt; Checking &gt; Current APY.&nbsp; Members with a prior history of non-repayment of negative balances are ineligible for Overdraft Coverage.</p> and early direct deposit.⁴ <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> The account earns interest on both checking and savings balances but requires direct deposit for the best savings rates.⁵ <p>Annual percentage yield (APY) is variable and subject to change at any time. Rates are current as of 1/24/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. Fees may reduce earnings. Additional rates and&nbsp;information can be found at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet">https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet</a></p>
• Synchrony: With no monthly fees, Synchrony is an excellent option for savings. You can earn competitive APYs on your balance with no account fees.

These are digital companies with easy-to-open online accounts, but you won't be able to visit a local branch like you can with U.S. Bank.

U.S. Bank banking account overview

U.S. Bank is a full-service financial institution offering a range of banking products. Whether you're looking for an account for your day-to-day expenses or to save for long-term goals, it has options.

U.S. Bank checking accounts

U.S. Bank has two checking products: U.S. Bank Smartly^® Checking and Safe Debit.

U.S. Bank Smartly Checking

• Monthly account fee: $12⁶ <p>No Monthly Maintenance Fee for the U.S. Bank Smartly® Checking account with one of the following: Combined monthly direct deposit totaling $1,500+, an average account balance of $1,500 or greater, the owner of an eligible Small Business Checking account, the owner of a U.S. Bank Smartly VisaTM Signature® Card, are 24 and under, 65 and over, or a member of the military (must self-disclose), or qualify for Smart Rewards® Gold tier or above.</p>
• Minimum deposit: $25⁷ <p>Subject to certain terms and limitations</p>

The U.S. Bank Smartly Checking account is the bank's signature checking account. As a Smartly Checking account holder, you're eligible for the Smart Rewards program. This program offers many financial benefits, including banking fee waivers, debit card cash back, loan discounts, a free Greenlight kids banking and budgeting membership, and more.

This account has a monthly maintenance fee, but there are several ways to waive it.

• Maintain a balance of $1,500 or more
• Receive at least $1,500 in combined monthly direct deposits
• Have a U.S Bank Smartly Visa Signature card
• Be a member of the military, between the ages of 13 and 24, or over the age of 65
• Have a U.S. Bank Small Business Checking account

Smartly Checking offers multiple overdraft protection options, but it does charge overdraft fees.⁸ <p>If you have linked eligible accounts and the negative Available Balance in your checking account is $5.01 or more, the advance amount will transfer in multiples of $50. If, however, the negative Available Balance is $5 or less, the amount advanced will be $5. The Overdraft Protection Transfer Fee is waived if the negative Available Balance in your checking account is $50 or less.</p> <p>Note: If you have Overdraft Protection and your account becomes overdrawn, Overdraft Protection funds will be accessed before the account is eligible for U.S. Bank Overdraft Fee Forgiven.</p> <p>Consumer checking accounts (excluding Safe Debit accounts) assessed an Overdraft Paid Fee may qualify for a fee waiver. The Overdraft Fee Forgiven period starts the first day your Available Balance becomes negative and you were charged an Overdraft Paid Fee(s). U.S. Bank will review your account at the end of the Overdraft Fee Forgiven period (11 p.m. ET) and if your Available Balance (excluding the Overdraft Paid Fees and including immediate and same day deposits), is at least $0 we will waive Overdraft Paid Fee(s) charged. Deposits that generally will qualify for Overdraft Fee Forgiven include: ACH and electronic deposits, cash deposits, wire transfers, ATM deposits at U.S. Bank ATMs, check deposits in branch and internal transfers from another U.S. Bank account. Deposits that generally will not qualify for Overdraft Fee Forgiven include: Mobile check deposit, extended hold placed on a deposit and deposits into new accounts opened less than 30 days where funds are generally made available the fifth business day after the day of your deposit.</p>

U.S. Bank Smartly® Checking

4.6

FinanceBuzz writers and editors score products and companies on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence our ratings.

2025 award winner Best for Bonuses

• Earn up to $400 when you open a new U.S. Bank Smartly® Checking account and complete qualifying activities
• Subject to certain terms and limitations
• Offer valid through November 26, 2025
• Member FDIC
• Offer may not be available if you are an existing U.S. Bank customer or live outside of the U.S. Bank footprint

4.6

FinanceBuzz writers and editors score products and companies on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence our ratings.

Open Account

Check out our full U.S. Bank Smartly Checking review

U.S. Bank Safe Debit

• Monthly account fee: $4.95
• Minimum deposit: $25

The U.S. Bank Safe Debit Account is checkless and doesn't have overdraft fees, hence its name. You get a debit card for transactions and ATM withdrawals, and you can manage your money via the U.S. Bank mobile app.

If you don't mind a small monthly fee to avoid overdraft fees or bounced checks, it could be a good fit. But it's not a great option if you want banking perks.

U.S. Bank savings accounts

Some of U.S. Bank's savings accounts offer above-average APYs, but they often have monthly fees, and some rates are very poor.

Bank Smartly Savings Account

• Monthly account fee: $5
• Minimum deposit: $25
• Highest APY: 0.05% (as of 11/05/25)

The Bank Smartly Savings Account is U.S. Bank's high-yield savings account (HYSA). It offers a high APY, but you must have a U.S. Bank checking account, debit account, or Bank Smartly Visa Signature card to earn the highest APY. Compared to the best savings accounts, this rate is decent but not outstanding.

You can qualify for a fee waiver if you have a U.S. Bank Smartly Checking account, Safe Debit account, or Bank Smartly Visa Signature credit card.

Money market accounts (MMAs)

• Monthly account fee: $10
• Minimum deposit: $100
• Highest APY: 0.01% (as of 11/05/25) to 0.25% APY

Money market accounts typically offer higher APYs than savings or checking accounts, making them valuable for saving money.

With U.S. Bank, you can open an Elite MMA and earn a respectable APY, but only if you maintain a balance of at least $25,000. Lower balances earn a below-average APY. This is a very high minimum balance requirement compared to the best money market accounts.

Certificates of deposit (CDs)

• Monthly account fee: $0
• Minimum deposit: $500 or $1,000 (varies by CD type)
• Highest APY: 0.05%-4.00% (as of 10/27/25)

U.S. Bank offers CDs with terms ranging from one month to five years. Its rates are lower than average, except for some promotional term lengths. That said, U.S. Bank does provide unique CD types that can be useful, including step-up and trade-up CDs, that let you take advantage of positive rate changes.

Other accounts and services from U.S. Bank

U.S. Bank offers a broad range of products, including:

• Auto loans: You can finance a new or used car through U.S. Bank, and the bank also offers auto loan refinancing.
• Credit cards: U.S. Bank credit cards don't have annual fees, and the bank provides options for earning cash back, building credit, and more. A couple of options that stand out are the U.S. Bank Shield™ Visa^® Card, which offers excellent intro APRs, and U.S. Bank Cash+^® Visa Signature^® Card, which earns cash back on unique categories.
• Home loans: If you're shopping for a home, U.S. Bank offers conventional loans, Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans, and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) loans.
• Personal loans: U.S. Bank offers several personal loan options. If you're an existing customer, you can borrow up to $50,000.

Banks to consider instead of U.S. Bank

If you live outside U.S. Bank's service area or are looking for a no-fee banking option, you may need to choose another bank. Here's how U.S. Bank stacks up to three major competitors:.

Bank of America

Unlike U.S. Bank, Bank of America is available nationwide. It operates over 3,600 financial centers nationwide, so it's a good choice if you prefer visiting brick-and-mortar bank branches.

Bank of America is similar to U.S. Bank in that it has a tiered relationship banking program called Preferred Rewards that unlocks more benefits as your combined balance with the bank grows. So if you see more accounts you like with one bank than the other, go with that one.

While Bank of America is more widely available than U.S. Bank, it offers poor savings rates.

Check out our full Bank of America Advantage Banking review.

4.8

FinanceBuzz writers and editors score products and companies on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence our ratings.

Bank of America Advantage Banking

Up to $500 cash offer. Click ‘Learn More' for more details. Bank of America, N.A. Member FDIC.

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Chase

Chase is the largest bank in the country with a huge branch and ATM network, so it's also more accessible than U.S. Bank.

Chase has more checking account options than U.S. Bank as well, including options for children, teens, and college students. Its accounts do have service fees,¹¹ <p>$15 Monthly Service Fee OR $0 with one of the following, each monthly statement period: </p> <p>Electronic deposits made into this account totaling $500 or more, such as payments from payroll providers or government benefit providers, by using (i) the ACH network, (ii) the Real Time Payment network or FedNow(SM) network, or (iii) third party services that facilitate payments to your debit card using the Visa® or Mastercard® network,</p> <p> OR a balance at the beginning of each day of $1,500 or more in this account,</p> <p> OR an average beginning day balance of $5,000 or more in any combination of this account and linked qualifying Chase checking, savings, and other balances.</p> but there are multiple ways to waive them. On the whole, we'd argue that Chase credit cards are stronger than U.S. Bank credit cards.

Check out our full Chase Bank review.

4.3

FinanceBuzz writers and editors score products and companies on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence our ratings.

Enjoy $300 as a new Chase checking customer

When you open a new Chase Total Checking® account with qualifying activities.¹² <p>Offer not available to existing Chase checking customers, or those whose accounts have been closed within 90 days or closed with a negative balance within the last 3 years. You can receive only one new checking account opening related bonus every two years from the last coupon enrollment date and only one bonus per account. Coupon is good for one-time use. To receive the bonus: 1) Open a new Chase Total Checking account, which is subject to approval; AND 2) Have your direct deposits totaling $500 or more made to this account within 90 days of coupon enrollment. Your direct deposit needs to be an electronic deposit of your paycheck, pension or government benefits (such as Social Security) from your employer or the government. Person to Person payments (such as Zelle®) are not considered a direct deposit. Micro-deposits do not qualify as a direct deposit for the bonus. Micro-deposits are small deposits, typically less than $1, that are sent to your account to verify it is the correct account. After you have completed all the above requirements, we'll deposit the bonus in your new account within 15 days. To receive this bonus, the enrolled account must not be closed or restricted at the time of payout. Eligibility may be limited based on account ownership. Bonus is considered interest and will be reported on IRS Form 1099-INT (or Form 1042-S, if applicable). Offer availability subject to change. Other Chase checking bonus offers may exist concurrently.</p> FDIC Insured. Offer valid through 1/21/2026.

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Citibank

Citi has savings and checking accounts with competitive APYs, but they also have monthly fees. Citi stands out from U.S. Bank for its CD options. Besides longer CD terms, it also offers no-penalty CDs, so you can withdraw cash before the end of the CD term without sacrificing the interest you earned.

Like U.S. Bank and Bank of America, Citi provides a relationship banking program that gives you access to the most perks.

Check out our full Citibank review.

What we like about U.S. Bank

U.S. Bank balances digital accessibility with physical locations, so you can get personalized service however you prefer. If you live in an eligible state, you can visit a branch and/or use U.S. Bank's digital platforms.

If you want to open multiple account types, such as a checking account and a savings account, you can qualify for fee waivers and earn decent APYs. Most accounts have monthly fees, but with multiple accounts or a larger account balance, you can qualify for fee waivers.

What U.S. Bank could improve

U.S. Bank isn't available everywhere, so you can't open an account if you don't live in a qualifying state. Plus, many of its accounts (besides CDs) have monthly fees, which can be a frustrating expense.

And outside of its Smartly Checking account and Smart Rewards program, its banking benefits are pretty lackluster given the costs and requirements, especially compared to those of online banks.

FAQs

Bottom line

U.S. Bank offers some valuable banking products and services. In particular, its relationship banking program and low-cost, checkless account stand out from offerings from other big banks. And with a large enough balance, its savings rates can be decently competitive.

But the bank's limited availability and fees are significant drawbacks, and it definitely won't be the best for everyone. Check out some of the best banks to find the one that suits your needs.

Learn More

4.6

FinanceBuzz writers and editors score products and companies on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence our ratings.

2025 award winner Best for Bonuses

Multiple overdraft protection options¹³ <p>If you have linked eligible accounts and the negative Available Balance in your checking account is $5.01 or more, the advance amount will transfer in multiples of $50. If, however, the negative Available Balance is $5 or less, the amount advanced will be $5. The Overdraft Protection Transfer Fee is waived if the negative Available Balance in your checking account is $50 or less.</p> <p>Note: If you have Overdraft Protection and your account becomes overdrawn, Overdraft Protection funds will be accessed before the account is eligible for U.S. Bank Overdraft Fee Forgiven.</p> <p>Refer to <a href="https://www.usbank.com/dam/documents/pdf/Deposit-Account-Agreement.pdf">Your Deposit Account Agreement</a> (PDF) section titled Overdraft Protection Plans for additional information.</p>

Branches in 27 states

Banking and borrowing perks for higher balances

Free Greenlight subscription