22 min Read
By Heather Taylor
National banks operate across and within a nation, state or country and maintain a nationwide presence as well as thousands of brick-and-mortar branch locations. Examples of well-known national banks across the United States include Bank of America, Wells Fargo and Chase among many others. Some of the benefits of being a customer with a national bank include the ability to access credit, save and manage money in checking and savings accounts and pay bills.
Sometimes referred to as a central bank, a national bank is a commercial bank chartered and regulated by the United States Treasury. To find the Best National Banks of 2024, GOBankingRates ranked these reputable institutions based on the following factors:
- Total assets
- Checking account minimum deposit
- Checking fees or overdraft fees
- Savings account minimum deposit
- Savings account APY
- Minimum opening deposits for new accounts
- Debit card features
- Mobile banking app ratings
- Free ATM network and availability
- Bauer rating
- Products/services offered
- Average mobile app rating
Here are GOBankingRates’ Best National Banks of 2024.
Our Commitment to the Readers
Our editors are committed to bringing you unbiased ratings and information. Our editorial content is not influenced by advertisers. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and companies, so that all are measured equally. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and the banking methodology for the ratings below.
METHODOLOGY
20 Years
Helping You Live Richer
Reviewed by Experts
Trusted by Millions of Readers
Compare the Best National Banks
Bank
Best For
Products Offered
Fees
Savings APY
Branch Access
Learn More
Bank of America, N.A.
4.6
GOBankingRates scores and rankings are objectively determined by our research/editorial team. Our scoring formula weighs several factors that differ from category to category depending on what consumers want from varying products and banks. Read our full Editorial Guidelines here.
Best for All-in-One Banking
Checking, savings, CDs, credit cards, loans, etc.
$0-$25 monthly, can be waived
3,900 branches around the world
Capital One, N.A.
4.7
GOBankingRates scores and rankings are objectively determined by our research/editorial team. Our scoring formula weighs several factors that differ from category to category depending on what consumers want from varying products and banks. Read our full Editorial Guidelines here.
Best for No Fees or Minimums
Checking, savings, CDs, money market, credit cards, loans, etc.
No monthly service charge or overdraft fee
Branches and cafes in select states
Citibank, N.A.
4.7
GOBankingRates scores and rankings are objectively determined by our research/editorial team. Our scoring formula weighs several factors that differ from category to category depending on what consumers want from varying products and banks. Read our full Editorial Guidelines here.
Best for Checking Accounts
Checking, savings, CDs, credit cards, loans, etc.
$0-$15 monthly, can be waived
Up to
Branches in many states
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
4.6
GOBankingRates scores and rankings are objectively determined by our research/editorial team. Our scoring formula weighs several factors that differ from category to category depending on what consumers want from varying products and banks. Read our full Editorial Guidelines here.
Best for Wide Network of Branches
Checking, savings, CDs, credit cards, loans, etc.
$0-$35 monthly, some fees easier to waive than others
4,700+ branches nationwide
PNC Bank, N.A.
4.5
GOBankingRates scores and rankings are objectively determined by our research/editorial team. Our scoring formula weighs several factors that differ from category to category depending on what consumers want from varying products and banks. Read our full Editorial Guidelines here.
Best for Money Management Tools
Checking, savings, CDs, money market, credit cards, loans, etc.
$0-$25, some fees easier to waive than others
Up to 4.65%
2,300 branches coast-to-coast
U.S. Bank, N.A.
4.3
GOBankingRates scores and rankings are objectively determined by our research/editorial team. Our scoring formula weighs several factors that differ from category to category depending on what consumers want from varying products and banks. Read our full Editorial Guidelines here.
Best for Customer Service
Checking, savings, CDs, money market, credit cards, loans, etc.
$0-$6.95 monthly, some fees can be waived
2,000+ branches in 26 states
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
4.5
GOBankingRates scores and rankings are objectively determined by our research/editorial team. Our scoring formula weighs several factors that differ from category to category depending on what consumers want from varying products and banks. Read our full Editorial Guidelines here.
Best for Full-Service Banking
Checking, savings, CDs, credit cards, loans, etc.
$0-$35 monthly, some fees easier to waive than others
4,700 branches across most states
GOBankingRates Best National Banks
Best for All-in-One Banking
Bank of America, N.A.
4.6
ReviewGOBankingRates scores and rankings are objectively determined by our research/editorial team. Our scoring formula weighs several factors that differ from category to category depending on what consumers want from varying products and banks. Read our full Editorial Guidelines here.
Products Offered
Checking, savings, CDs, credit cards, loans, etc.
Savings Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
Branch Access
3,900 branches around the world
WHY WE LIKE BANK OF AMERICA, MEMBER FDIC
With one of the largest branch networks and highly rated mobile apps, it’s no wonder Bank of America is consistently one of our favorite national banks. This digital leader has a huge wealth of ATMs for easy access to your money as well as a variety of financial services and products to offer.
Sometimes you don’t want to overthink your next money move and just want to go with a name you can trust. As a big bank, it does have lower rates of return but this is balanced out by everything else it offers. Whether you’re looking for checking, savings, investment or loan options, we like Bank of America for its wide variety of accounts, services and more.
PROS & CONS
Pros
- Large variety of accounts and services
- Highly rated mobile app
- Wide network of branches and ATMs
Cons
- High fees for low-value accounts
- High overdraft fees or fees for non-Bank of America ATMs
- Low rates on CD accounts
WHO IT’S BEST FOR
Bank of America is best for customers looking for access to bank branches nationwide, a variety of accounts to suit multiple needs and ease of online banking through a stellar mobile app.
Best for No Fees or Minimums
Capital One, N.A.
4.7
ReviewGOBankingRates scores and rankings are objectively determined by our research/editorial team. Our scoring formula weighs several factors that differ from category to category depending on what consumers want from varying products and banks. Read our full Editorial Guidelines here.
Products Offered
Checking, savings, CDs, money market, credit cards, loans, etc.
Savings APY
Branch Access
Branches and cafes in select states
WHY WE LIKE CAPITAL ONE
As a mostly online bank, what Capital One lacks in brick-and-mortar locations, it more than makes up for in best-in-class features and service.
With a mobile banking app that offers great functionality, including the ability to transfer money through the popular app Zelle® and perform most banking transactions without setting foot in a branch office, Capital One is distinguished for its convenient, streamlined banking experience. We’re not the only ones who praise banking with Capital One online: The mobile app has 4.6 stars on Google Play and iOS users give it a near perfect score of 4.8 out of 5.
Using Capital One also comes with some real bang for your buck in terms of APY. The 360 Performance Savings Account comes with one of the most competitive APYs in banking.
PROS & CONS
Pros
- High APYs
- No monthly fees
- No minimum balance requirements
Cons
- Branches only available in limited states
- Limited account variety
WHO IT’S BEST FOR
Capital One suits customers who prioritize high-interest-rate, no-fee accounts and prefer to do their banking online. Although there are physical branches and cafes, they’re in a limited amount of states. Luckily, Capital One’s online banking platform and mobile app are easy to use for banking anywhere.
Best for Checking Accounts
Citibank, N.A.
4.7
ReviewGOBankingRates scores and rankings are objectively determined by our research/editorial team. Our scoring formula weighs several factors that differ from category to category depending on what consumers want from varying products and banks. Read our full Editorial Guidelines here.
Products Offered
Checking, savings, CDs, credit cards, loans, etc.
Savings APY
Branch Access
Branches in many states
WHY WE LIKE CITI®
Receiving top honors as one of GOBankingRates’ Best National Banks in 2024, Citi wants to know how it can help you on every step in your financial story.
There’s a wide selection of financial products and services designed just for you at Citi, from checking and savings accounts to help manage your money to credit cards with low intro rates and cash back. Grow your wealth using tools like Citi® Self Invest or Citi® Wealth Builder and turn your homeownership dreams into reality with the HomeRun Mortgage program. We can’t help but love how you can do and achieve so much more with your money at Citibank.
PROS & CONS
Pros
- Wide range of checking accounts
- No required minimums to open checking or savings accounts
- Opportunity for bonuses
Cons
- Low interest on savings
- Less U.S. branches than other national banks
- Can’t open top-tier savings account separately from relationship tier
WHO IT’S BEST FOR
Citi is best for customers who prefer to choose from a wide selection of checking accounts, from no-frills accounts to accounts that offer access to wealth management, financial planning services, ATM fee reimbursem*nt and more.
Best for Wide Network of Branches
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
4.6
ReviewGOBankingRates scores and rankings are objectively determined by our research/editorial team. Our scoring formula weighs several factors that differ from category to category depending on what consumers want from varying products and banks. Read our full Editorial Guidelines here.
Products Offered
Checking, savings, CDs, credit cards, loans, etc.
Savings APY
Branch Access
4,700+ branches nationwide
WHY WE LIKE CHASE BANK
Chase is a winner in the Best National Banks category for its wide selection of financial products and services to choose from. It offers multiple checking and savings accounts which can be opened in a matter of minutes; and opening an account gives you the ability to manage your money via mobile and online banking and access thousands of ATMs and physical branches to make withdrawals and deposits. From travel to earning rewards, Chase has an entire suite of credit cards that suit different lifestyles where cardholders can earn thousands of bonus points and receive generous offers.
Chase Bank also offers financing tools to help banking customers reach their financial milestones. Auto financing helps lock in your interest rate and monthly car payment before you visit the dealership, and if you’re looking to buy a home Chase can walk you through each step of the home lending process. Plus, depending on how you like to invest, you can invest on your own using J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing or utilize its team of personal advisors to create a financial plan expressly made for your goals.
PROS & CONS
Pros
- Large number of branches spanning almost the entire U.S.
- Big selection of account options
- User-friendly mobile app
Cons
- No money market accounts
- Monthly fees
- High fees for non-Chase ATMs
WHO IT’S BEST FOR
Chase Bank is best for customers who prefer to have access to a physical bank branch near them no matter where they are. It also has an impressively wide array of account options that include specialty accounts for students, high-net-worth individuals and more — plus wealth and investment planning tools that can help in all aspects of your financial journey.
Best for Money Management Tools
PNC Bank, N.A.
4.5
ReviewGOBankingRates scores and rankings are objectively determined by our research/editorial team. Our scoring formula weighs several factors that differ from category to category depending on what consumers want from varying products and banks. Read our full Editorial Guidelines here.
Products Offered
Checking, savings, CDs, money market, credit cards, loans, etc.
Savings APY
Up to
Branch Access
2,300 branches coast-to-coast
WHY WE LIKE PNC BANK
PNC Bank distinguishes itself from its competitors through its unique growth-oriented mindset. We think the range of services available across PNC Bank, including standard and high-yield savings accounts, doesn’t just help customers’ money work better for them — it takes them on a financial journey.
One of the key differentiators between PNC and its competitors is the PNC Virtual Wallet®. The Virtual Wallet is banking with a philosophy: Spend, Reserve and Growth. Bringing checking and savings together with efficient money management tools helps you better control spending and save toward your financial — and life — goals. It’s not every day that a bank takes interest in helping you learn how to use your money better, but that gives PNC an advantage. For added convenience, the PNC Virtual Wallet connects to popular apps like PayPal and Venmo while being Zelle compatible.
PROS & CONS
Pros
- Helpful management and planning tools
- 24-hour grace period for overdraft fees
- No minimum deposit needed
Cons
- Limited branch locations
- High overdraft fees
- Rates vary by location
WHO IT’S BEST FOR
PNC Bank best serves customers who utilize online banking and money management tools often. Its Virtual Wallet helps you set and achieve financial goals, especially when paired with the bank’s impressive high-yield savings account.
Best for Customer Service
U.S. Bank, N.A.
4.3
ReviewGOBankingRates scores and rankings are objectively determined by our research/editorial team. Our scoring formula weighs several factors that differ from category to category depending on what consumers want from varying products and banks. Read our full Editorial Guidelines here.
Products Offered
Checking, savings, CDs, money market, credit cards, loans, etc.
Savings APY
Branch Access
2,000+ branches in 26 states
WHY WE LIKE U.S. BANK
U.S. Bank impressed the GOBankingRates team as a one-stop shop for consumers and businesses who need a full suite of banking services.
Products like U.S. Bank’s Smartly Checking account stand out for low fees, which are easily waived, and the potential to earn Smart Rewards. The rewards program can help eliminate out-of-network ATM fees and increase your interest rate for your linked savings account. A variety of certificates of deposit, plus savings and money market accounts, give consumers lots of options to save.
U.S. Bank beats out its big four competitors, including Chase Bank and Bank of America, with exemplary customer service that includes a 24/7 phone number and a top-rated mobile app. It combines convenience and cutting-edge technology with the solid reputation and reliability of one of the largest banks in the U.S.
PROS & CONS
Pros
- 24/7 customer service
- Wide physical reach
- Variety of checking account options
Cons
- Low APYs
- Monthly checking account fees unless the minimum requirement is met
WHO IT’S BEST FOR
U.S. Bank is best for customers who want to bank with one of the largest national banks, with a wide range of products and branch access, while also receiving stellar customer service anytime they might need it.
Best for Full-Service Banking
Wells Fargo, N.A.
4.5
ReviewGOBankingRates scores and rankings are objectively determined by our research/editorial team. Our scoring formula weighs several factors that differ from category to category depending on what consumers want from varying products and banks. Read our full Editorial Guidelines here.
Products Offered
Checking, savings, CDs, credit cards, loans, etc.
Savings APY
Branch Access
4,700 branches across most states
WHY WE LIKE WELLS FARGO
As one of the four largest banks in the U.S., with $1.7 trillion in assets, Wells Fargo stands out for its variety of checking accounts, straightforward savings and other financial products such as CDs and investment services. Its Premier Checking Account was ranked by GOBankingRates as one of the best for 2024.
Nearly anywhere you are in the U.S., you’re likely to find a Wells Fargo nearby, with nearly 5,000 branches in all but 14 states and a network of 83,000 ATMs. This makes banking at Wells Fargo easy and convenient, while the mobile app also puts banking services at your fingertips.
If you want to fill all your banking and investment needs under one roof, with the security of one of America’s top banks, Wells Fargo could meet your needs.
PROS & CONS
Pros
- Wide array of products
- Large network of physical branches
- Rewards and bonus interest rates for high-balance accounts
Cons
- Low APYs
- Monthly service fees on checking and savings
- High overdraft fees
WHO IT’S BEST FOR
Wells Fargo is best for customers who prefer the option to in-person bank without needing to. Its large number of physical branches and account options make this national bank an attractive choice for customers who want a safe, streamlined banking experience.
Research Methodology
To discover the Best National Banks, GOBankingRates looked at the top national institutions (located in 20 or more states). To determine rankings, GOBankingRates looked at the following factors: (1) total assets as sourced from the FDIC; (2) number of branch locations as sourced from the FDIC; (3) checking account annual fee; (4) savings account APY rate; (5) 12-month CD APY rate; (6) customer service products offered (24/7 customer service and live chat with a human); (7) Bauer rating (out of 5 stars); (8) products/services offered (auto loans, mortgage loans, credit cards, investment services and insurance); and (9) the average mobile app rating between the Android and Apple stores. All factors were then scored and combined, with the lowest score being best. Factors (1) and (4) were weighted 1.5 times, factors (2) and (8) were weighted 2 times, and factor (6) was weighted 0.5 times. For all savings and checking account data, only the basic accounts/products offered at each institution were analyzed. All data is up to date as of Mar. 4, 2024.
What a National Bank Means
The purpose of a national bank, among other aspects, includes paying government bills and issuing a common currency people may transact with. National banks also assist businesses with transactions like lending money and cash deposits.
Differences Between National and Regional Banks
One of the primary differences between national banks and regional banks is size. National banks have many physical locations and a large ATM network while a regional bank is smaller physically as well in the amount of assets it has available.
Other differences include but are not limited to fee costs and customer service, the latter of which may be more personalized compared to a national bank’s more standardized services.
Pros and Cons of National Banks
Let’s review a few pros and cons associated with national banks.
Pros
- Single currency for the entire nation
- Sizeable amount of physical branches and ATM network
- Wide range of financial products and services
- Ability to manage federal government’s funds
Cons
- Fees may potentially be more expensive than at a smaller bank
- Customer service may be more standardized
- If the bank experiences a bank failure, its entire system of banks goes down
How To Choose a National Bank
Are you ready to become a banking customer at a national bank? Consider the following factors when choosing the right national bank for your financial needs.
Review the Fees
Fees are important when choosing a national bank since there are many common fees charged by banks which can quickly become expensive. Customers with larger deposits may be offered lower fees by national banks. If you find this pertains to your financial situation, find out if you qualify for lower fees and/or higher interest rates.
Read the Fine Print
Make sure to carefully read the fee schedule and account disclosures for the bank accounts you’re interested in as well as any other additional fine print outlining the terms and conditions of your account. Doing so will allow you to compare these offerings to other national banks and find any additional fees or restrictions you might not expect.
Check the APY
Many customers prioritize banking with financial institutions that have a high annual percentage yield. Most national banks are not known for high APY offerings on checking and savings accounts. This might be one reason why a recent GOBankingRates survey uncovered that 60% of participants keep $500 or less in checking, while 49% keep $500 or less in savings. However, it’s still worth reviewing a national bank’s website to learn more about their APY rates.
Explore the National Bank’s Website and App
Even if you plan to primarily bank in-person, it’s still a good idea to have an understanding of how to navigate and use the bank’s website and app. GOBankingRates found than over one in four, which is about 27% of survey respondents, do all of their banking online. This is about 31% of 25- to 34-year-olds. That shows an increasing reliance on this medium.. Should something unforeseen happen and you need to conduct a bit of banking online, you’ll be glad you took the time to familiarize yourself with the bank’s website and app.
FDIC Insurance
The FDIC insures most deposits at national banks. These banks carry a standard insurance limit of $250,000 per depositor, per bank and per ownership category. Additionally, this standard insurance may also be supplemented with additional private insurance from national banks. It’s a good idea to review bank policies if you are considering a few national banks if you will require a great deal of supplemental account insurance from your financial institution.
Which National Banks Are Biggest?
In making this consideration, it’s a good idea to consider banks in terms of assets. A large financial institution includes firms with assets of $100 billion or more.
Caitlyn Moorhead, Daria Uhlig, Ann Logue, John Csiszar and Gabrielle Olya contributed to the reporting for this article.
Recap of Winners
- Bank of America – Best for All-in-One Banking
- Capital One – Best for No Fees or Minimums
- Citibank – Best for Checking Accounts
- JPMorgan Chase Bank – Best for Wide Network of Branches
- PNC Bank – Best for Money Management Tools
- U.S. Bank – Best for Customer Service
- Wells Fargo Bank – Best for Full-Service Banking
FAQ
Customers preparing to join a national bank may have additional questions which require answers before making this decision. Here are some common questions and answers about national banks.
- Which bank is the best nationwide?
- GOBankingRates has ranked the following banks among the Best National Banks for 2024:
- Bank of America - Best for All-in-One Banking
- Capital One - Best for No Fees or Minimums
- Citibank - Best for Checking Accounts
- JPMorgan Chase Bank - Best for Wide Network of Branches
- PNC Bank - Best for Money Management Tools
- U.S. Bank - Best for Customer Service
- Wells Fargo Bank - Best for Full-Service Banking
- GOBankingRates has ranked the following banks among the Best National Banks for 2024:
- What is the No. 1 bank in America?
- In terms of assets JPMorgan Chase is the number one bank in America, with Bank of America, Wells Fargo and Citibank rounding out the big four national banks.
- Which bank is the most reliable?
- Here are some of the banks ranked among the Best National Banks in 2024 due to reliability, customer service, and variety of products and services:
- Bank of America
- Capital One
- Citibank
- JPMorgan Chase Bank
- PNC Bank
- U.S. Bank
- Wells Fargo Bank
- Here are some of the banks ranked among the Best National Banks in 2024 due to reliability, customer service, and variety of products and services:
- Are big national banks better than smaller banks?
- There are several notable differences between big banks and smaller banks. Big banks, for example, may offer a wider range of financial products and services, like credit cards, loans and wealth management services. Smaller banks may have fewer products and services or specialize in offerings tailored to the local area. Big banks may also have a substantially larger ATM network and branch locations while small banks will have fewer of both.
- Do national banks pay higher interest?
- Compared to other types of banks, larger banks generally pay lower interest rates. This is due to having an extensive network of locations and many employees which results in higher expenses.
- Are national banks safer?
- While not every financial institution is created the same, your money should be safe at a national bank which is federally insured with FDIC insurance. Remember that the standard insurance limit is $250,000 per depositor, per bank and per ownership category. For additional peace of mind, review the bank's financials before deciding to commit money to it.
