Best Banks and Credit Unions in the Southeast of 2023-2024
Checking Account offers 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month (see website for details)
- No minimum opening deposit and no minimum balance
- Early Pay: early paycheck access up to 2 days early
- No. Fees. Period.
- FDIC insured
Savings Account with up to 4.60% APY* (read their website to see terms)
- Cash Bonus up to $300 with direct deposit set up (Terms apply)
- No monthly fees
- Up to 2-day-early paycheck
- Up to $2M of additional FDIC insurance through a network of participating banks
*Rate as of 12/26/2023
Get paid up to 2 days early with direct deposit
- No minimum balance, no monthly fees and no overdraft fees
- Over 60,000 fee-free ATM locations
- Banking services provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A.; Members FDIC
Despite their smaller size, most regional banks offer the same access to an array of banking products. Like their national counterparts, most offer competitive rates on savings accounts and loans.
Here are our picks for the best banks and credit unions in the Southeast for 2023-2024.
- EverBank (formerly TIAA) - Best Overall
- Synovus Bank - Customer Satisfaction
- American Airlines Credit Union - Best Rates
- Texas Capital Bank - Best Fees
- State Employees Credit Union of Maryland - Best Rewards
Best Overall: EverBank (formerly TIAA)
EverBank is our overall pick for the best bank in the Southeast because of the high interest rate paid on deposit accounts, extensive ATM network and low account fees. Earn 0.25% on the Yield Pledge Checking account and a one-year introductory rate of 5% APY on the Yield Pledge Online Savings account (4.75% afterward). Plus, you can get out-of-network ATM fees reimbursed with the checking account.
- High APY
- 80,000-ATM network
- Low fees
- No ATM fee reimbursement on savings account
- No debit card on savings account
Best Customer Satisfaction: Synovus Bank
Synovus Bank scored 702 points out of 1,000 on J.D. Power’s 2023 U.S. Retail Banking Satisfaction Study, the highest among the banks we considered in the region and the reason it’s our top pick for customer satisfaction. The Personal Savings account has an easily waived low monthly account fee, and there are benefits for members of the armed forces.
- High customer satisfaction rating
- Military perks
- Low 0.01% APY on savings
- High balance to waive the $10 monthly service fee on checking
Best Rates: American Airlines Credit Union
American Airlines Credit Union’s Savings Account is our choice for the best rates. It pays 2.38% APY, the highest among the banks we considered, and there’s no monthly service fee. You’ll also earn a very good 0.40% on the credit union’s Priority Checking account. Lower-than-usual overdraft/insufficient fund fees and a large ATM network are pluses on AACU’s checking account.
- High APY
- 85,000-ATM network
- Low fees
- No ATM access with savings account
Best Fees: Texas Capital Bank
Texas Capital Bank doesn’t charge monthly service fees on its accounts and has lower-than-usual fees for other account services, making it our choice for the best fees. There is a low $15 overdraft fee, free incoming wire transfers and low outgoing wire transfer fees. Texas residents can also earn 5% APY when they open a Star High Yield Savings account.
- High APY on savings
- 55,000-ATM network
- Branches only in Texas (accounts available online in other states)
Best Rewards: State Employees Credit Union of Maryland
Our pick for best rewards is State Employees’ Total Checking and Rewards Account. Depending on the account balance, you’ll earn between 0.5% and 2% APY on deposits. New customers get a $250 sign-up bonus and a cash-back debit card. Higher account balances can increase the level of rewards, which include rebates on mortgage closing costs and rate bumps on certificates of deposit.
- High APY
- Cash back
- 55,000-ATM network
- $75,000 balance required to reach higher reward levels
How we chose the Best Banks of 2023-2024
To determine our list of Best Banks for 2023-2024, Money staff evaluated 273 of the largest retail banks, credit unions, regional and state banks, ranked by assets, and 20 of the most popular online banks. We then compared opening balance requirements, interest paid, fees and features to determine our top picks. You can read our full methodology here.
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Best National Banks of 2023-2024