Most products on this page are from partners who may compensate us. This may influence which products we write about and where and how they appear on the page. However, opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain. This page may include information about American Express products currently unavailable on Slickdeals. American Express is not a partner of Slickdeals.
Disclaimer: Banking services and debit card provided by The Bancorp Bank N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted.
In a day and age where convenience is highly valued, online banks have become increasingly popular for personal banking services. Not only do online banks provide instant access to your money, but they also do it while offering interest-earning potential well above the national average.
Best Online Banks
Money kept at an online bank is just as safe as your local bank branch. Most online bank deposits are FDIC-insured up to legal limits. Many online banks provide full-service banking services too. Below is an overview of the best online banks right now and how to choose the right online bank for you.
Related Article
Best Bank Account Bonus Promotions in November 2024
Ally Bank
- Banking products available: Checking, savings, money market account and CDs
- Fees: No monthly maintenance fees
- App Store Rating: 4.7
- Google Play Rating: 4.0
- ATM Access: 43,000+ fee-free Allpoint ATMs, up to $10 in out-of-network ATM fee reimbursement/month
The history of Ally Bank goes back a hundred years as GMAC, a division of GM. Since becoming Ally Bank in 2009, they’ve provided full-service online banking services to millions of customers.
Banking products include an interest-bearing checking account and competitive APYs through its online savings account, money market account and several CDs options. There are no monthly maintenance fees or minimum balance requirements. Checking account balances over $15,000 earn a higher interest rate.
Ally’s checking and money market accounts both come with ATM cards and check-writing privileges.
On top of its deposit accounts, Ally offers investment and retirement accounts, and home, auto and personal loans.
Aspiration
- Banking products available: Spend and Save Account
- Fees: Monthly fee is based on what you think is fair ($0-?), Aspiration Plus $7/month ($5.75/month if paid annually)
- App Store Rating: 4.8
- Google Play Rating: 4.3
- ATM Access: 55,000+ fee-free Allpoint ATMs, up to one out-of-network ATM fee reimbursement/month
Aspiration is a financial firm, not a bank, but it’s the perfect banking solution for socially-conscious individuals who want to make a difference with their money. Aspiration guarantees that customer deposits will never fund fossil fuel projects.
Customers can open a Spend & Save account for as little as $0— you set your own monthly fee. For real. The account doesn’t earn interest, but gives you access to 55,000+ fee-free ATMs across the U.S. and cash back on select purchases. Every time you swipe your ATM card, Aspiration plants a tree.
For a small monthly fee, customers have the option to upgrade to Aspiration Plus, which allows you high-yield interest and a higher cashback percentage.
For any fees paid, 10 cents per dollar is donated to partner charities working to protect the planet.
There is a $10 minimum deposit required to open a Spend & Save Account. Aspiration customers have access to investment and retirement accounts too.
Axos Bank
- Banking products available: Checking accounts, savings, money market account and CDs
- Fees: No monthly fees
- App Store Rating: 4.7
- Google Play Rating: 3.5
- ATM Access: No fee-free ATM network, ATM reimbursements from $8/month to unlimited depending on the account you have
Axos Bank has been a leader in the online banking industry since it opened in 2000.
The online bank features five checking accounts, including options to earn interest and cashback. There are also accounts available for minors and seniors.
Axos Rewards Checking Account
- Our Rating 5/5 How our ratings work
- APYUp to 3.30%
Earn up to 3.30% APY for completing qualifying activities.
- Minimum
Deposit Required$50 -
Intro Bonus
Up to $300Expires December 31, 2023
Use promo code SUNNYBONUS and apply by December 31st, to earn up to a $300 bonus!
Axos Bank Rewards Checking gives customers the chance to earn up to a 3.30% APY on their deposits with no monthly fees. These are all terrific features for a checking account, but Axos is digital-only, so if you deal with cash regularly it’s probably not the best fit for you.
Overview
While it takes a bit of work to unlock the maximum interest rate, Axos Rewards Checking customers can potentially earn an impressive 3.30% APY. This account also does not include any monthly fees.
Pros
- Strong APY compared to similar accounts
- No monthly maintenance fee or monthly minimum balance
- No overdraft or non-sufficient fund fees
- Unlimited domestic ATM fee reimbursements
Cons
- Minimum deposit required for account opening
- Several qualifying activities required to earn maximum interest
- No physical branch locations
For high-yield interest, Axos Bank offers a savings account and money market account. There is a $250 minimum opening deposit to open a savings account and a $1,000 minimum opening deposit to open a money market account. The money market account comes with an ATM card and check-writing privileges.
Axos customers don’t have access to an ATM network, but many of its accounts come with unlimited ATM fee reimbursements.
Customers also have access to home, auto and personal loans through Axos Bank.
Capital One
Capital One
- Banking products available: Checking, savings and CDs
- Fees: No monthly fees
- App Store Rating: 4.8
- Google Play Rating: 4.7
- ATM Access: 40,000+ fee-free ATMs
Capital One is a full-service online bank offering a variety of banking products and services. The online bank offers limited in-person services at select local bank branches and Capital One Cafes, but most of its business is online.
Bank accounts include savings and checking accounts, CDs and accounts for kids and teens. CD terms range from six months to five years. Other accounts include IRA Savings and IRA CDs. Capital One customers also have access to auto financing online.
Capital One doesn’t charge monthly maintenance fees on any of its bank accounts, and there are no minimum deposit requirements. You can use your Capital One ATM card at over 40,000 fee-free ATMs nationwide. The online bank doesn’t offer ATM fee reimbursement for out-of-network ATM use.
Capital One’s mobile app is one of the highest-rated mobile banking apps in both the App Store and Google Play.
CIT Bank
- Banking products available: Checking, savings, money market account and CDs
- Fees: No monthly maintenance fees
- App Store Rating: 4.6
- Google Play Rating: 3.9
- ATM Access: None
CIT Bank is another top online bank to consider. It offers competitive rates on many of its accounts, especially its Savings Connect Account.
CIT Bank Savings Connect Account
- Our Rating 4.5/5 How our ratings work
- APY4.65%
Annual Percentage Yield is accurate as of July 27, 2023. Interest rates for the Savings Connect account are variable and subject to change at any time without notice.
- Minimum
Deposit Required$100 - Intro Bonus N/A
CIT Bank's Savings Connect account is one of our top picks for high-yield savings accounts. Featuring a competitive flat APY on all balances, it can go head-to-head with most of the top savings accounts available. What's more, you don't have to do anything special to earn this high interest rate; many similar accounts (including some offered by CIT) only offer their highest interest rates to customers who complete certain requirements.
Overview
With extremely competitive interest rates and a host of convenient features, the CIT Bank Savings Connect account can go head-to-head with nearly any other savings account in the U.S.
Pros
- Competitive APY
- No monthly service fee
- Free electronic bank transfers to checking accounts (even if it isn't a CIT checking account)
Cons
- No fee-free ATM network
- Minimum opening deposit required
CIT’s bank accounts require an initial $100 deposit, while most CDs have a $1,000 minimum opening deposit. CD terms range from six months to five years but only offer average earning potential compared to the top online banks. CIT Bank’s other CD options include no-penalty and jumbo CDs.
If you’re looking for access to a checkbook with your online bank account, you’re out of luck with CIT Bank. Neither its e-checking account nor money market account feature check-writing privileges.
Discover
- Banking products available: Checking, savings, money market account, CDs and retirement accounts
- Fees: No monthly maintenance fees
- App Store Rating: 4.8
- Google Play Rating: 4.5
- ATM Access: 60,000+ Fee-free Allpoint and MoneyPass ATMs
Credit card giant Discover brings the same no-fee philosophy to its online banking with no fees and no minimum balance requirements on any of its accounts.
Customers have access to several bank accounts that earn competitive high-yield interest, including its savings and money market accounts. Discover’s CDs are also a great way to build savings with high APYs and terms from three months to 10 years.
Discover’s online checking account comes with a debit card and access to a checkbook. The account also earns cash back on select debit card purchases each month.
HSBC
- Banking products available: Checking, savings and CDs
- Fees: No monthly maintenance fees
- App Store Rating: 1.4
- Google Play Rating: 2.7
- ATM Access: Global ATM network in almost every country, no ATM fees at US-based network ATMs
HSBC is one of the largest banking and financial services organizations in the world. It only makes sense for the banking giant to feature an online banking division.
HSBC offers free checking through its Premier Checking account. The account earns interest but at a much lower rate than other interest-bearing checking accounts on this list. It does come with access to a global ATM network with no fees at US-based ATMs, but no checkbook.
HSBC Premier Checking Account
- Our Rating 5/5 How our ratings work
- APYN/A
-
Intro Bonus
Up to $2,500Expires November 22, 2024
We're here to help you navigate your financial commitments both in the U.S. and abroad. Plus, you could earn a cash bonus of up to $2,500 when you open a new Premier checking account and complete qualifying activities1.
We’ve seen the HSBC Premier Checking Account offer some of the most valuable new customer bonuses around, though the requirements to earn the bonuses are often equally steep. We also appreciate that this account doesn't have wire transfer or foreign transaction fees. The monthly maintenance fee of $50 is high, however, and it can be waived by maintaining a high account balance. This all adds up to a great high-end checking account for frequent travelers.
Overview
HSBC’s high-end Premier Checking Account is designed with multinational banking in mind. This account doesn’t charge fees for incoming or outgoing wire transfers, and you also won’t need to worry about foreign transaction fees. On top of that, HSBC does not charge added fees for international ATM transactions. While this account does charge a steep $50 monthly maintenance fee, it does offer customers options to waive this fee.
Pros
- Strong signup bonus
- No HSBC wire transfer fees
- No foreign transaction fees
- Multiple options to waive monthly fee
Cons
- Steep monthly maintenance fee
There is a $1 minimum opening deposit for its checking and savings accounts and a $1,000 minimum balance requirement to open a CD. Then HSBC Premier savings account has an interest rate comparable to other top online banks. CDs are only available in three term lengths— 6, 12 and 24 months. CDs also feature high-yield interest rates comparable to its competitors.
Despite being a global banking leader, its mobile apps have some of the lowest ratings among banks on our list.
SoFi Checking and Savings
- Banking products available: Joint checking and savings account, brokerage account, mortgage loans, student loans and private loans
- Fees: No monthly maintenance fees
- App Store Rating: 4.8
- Google Play Rating: 4.1
- ATM Access: Fee-free access to 55,000 ATMs worldwide in the Allpoint network
SoFi Checking and Savings allows you to enjoy the benefits of both a checking and a savings account. What's more, if you open an account, you can get a sign-up bonus, even if you want to just take SoFi Checking and Savings for a "test drive."
SoFi Checking and Savings
- Our Rating 5/5 How our ratings work
- APY0.50% - 4.50%
Customers earn 4.50% APY on savings balances when they set up recurring monthly direct deposit of their paycheck or benefits provider via ACH deposit. Alternatively, deposit at least $5,000 each month to earn 4.50% APY on your savings balance. Checking balances earn 0.50% APY. See full terms and disclosures at sofi.com/banking. Direct Deposit Promotion begins on 12/7/2023 and will be available through 12/31/24. SoFi members with Direct Deposit can earn 4.60% 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 4.60% APY for savings (including Vaults). Members without Direct Deposit will earn 1.20% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 10/24/2023. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.
- Minimum
Deposit RequiredN/A -
Intro Bonus
$50-$250Expires December 31, 2024
New customers can earn a $250 bonus for opening a new SoFi Checking and Savings account and receiving a total of $5,000+ in qualifying direct deposits within the specified evaluation period; receive $1,000 - $4,999 in qualifying direct deposits to earn a $50 bonus.
SoFi Checking and Savings boasts an impressive 4.50% APY on savings balances for customers who set up direct deposit, or who deposit at least $5,000 each month. This account also offers 0.50% APY on checking balances. There are no monthly maintenance fees, and new customers can even earn a generous signup bonus worth up to $250. If you don’t care about physical bank locations, this is a great option.
Overview
SoFi Checking and Savings features remarkably strong interest rates for customers who receive recurring monthly direct deposit, or who deposit $5,000+ every 30 days. This account also doesn’t have any maintenance fees, overdraft fees or non-sufficient funds fees. To top it off, new customers can earn a signup bonus worth up to $250.
Pros
- Accounts with monthly direct deposit earn interest
- No minimum opening balance or minimum monthly balance
- No maintenance fees, non-sufficient fund fees or overdraft fees
- Access to Allpoint’s worldwide ATM network
- Get paid up to two days early
Cons
- No physical branch locations
Beyond the sign-up bonus, though, SoFi has a lot to offer. This account's APY is remarkably strong; it can go head to head with the best high-yield savings accounts.
UFB Direct
- Banking products available: Savings and money market accounts
- Fees: savings account - No monthly maintenance fee | MMA - $10/month for average daily balances under $5,000
- App Store Rating: 4.7
- Google Play Rating: 3.4
- ATM Access: 91,000 fee-free ATMs
UFB Direct is a division of Axos Bank. Even though it doesn’t have a checking account option or CDs, it still offers plenty of value for customers who plan to keep larger balances.
Both the High Yield Savings account and Premium Money Market account earn competitive rates. UFB Direct’s savings account comes with an ATM card and has no minimum deposit requirement. The money market account requires a minimum account balance of $5,000 if you want to avoid its monthly maintenance fee.
UFB Direct High Yield Savings Account
- Our Rating 5/5 How our ratings work
- APY5.25%
UFB Direct breaks balances into five tiers, but, currently, there is only one interest rate.
- Minimum
Deposit RequiredN/A - Intro Bonus N/A
The UFB High Yield Savings Account has one of the highest interest rates we’ve seen for a high-yield savings account at up to 5.25% APY. Plus, there are no monthly fees and no minimum balance to open.
Overview
With one of the strongest high-yield savings interest rates on the market, as well as no monthly fees or minimum opening deposit, UFB Direct’s High Yield Savings Account is an extremely attractive package.
Pros
- Strong interest rate
- No maintenance fees or minimum monthly balances
- Free complimentary ATM card
- Mobile app and SMS banking
Cons
- No signup bonus
- No associated checking account
UFB Direct High Yield Money Market Account
- Our Rating 4/5 How our ratings work
- APY5.25%
UFB Direct breaks balances into five tiers, but, currently, there is only one interest rate.
- Minimum
Deposit RequiredN/A - Intro Bonus N/A
The UFB High Yield Money Market account offers up to 5.25% APY on balances, which is competitive with the very best money market accounts. This account also doesn't feature a minimum opening balance requirement, which makes it a viable option regardless of how often you need to move your money around.
Overview
With no minimum opening balance requirement, UFB Direct’s High Yield Money Market Account is an extremely attractive option. It offers high interest rates on all balance tiers, as well as handy features like limited check-writing privileges and debit card access.
Pros
- Option to waive monthly maintenance fee
- Competitive interest rate
- Free debit card
- Limited check-writing privileges
Cons
- Monthly maintenance fee applied for low account balances
- No associated checking account offered
While both accounts advertise varying interest rates based on balance tiers, currently there is only one interest rate for all tiers.
UFB Direct’s money market account also comes with limited check-writing privileges.
What Is an Online Bank?
Online banks are banks and credit unions that typically exist without traditional brick and mortar branches. While many local banks offer online services in addition to in-person service, they are not considered online banks. Online banks provide banking services via online and mobile access almost exclusively. Customer service for online banks is usually limited to phone, email and online chat support.
How to Choose an Online Bank
There are several factors to consider when comparing online banks to find the right one for you:
- Fees: Most online banks don’t charge monthly maintenance fees, but some do. Ensure you’re clear about monthly fees and any other fees that might pop up like overdraft fees.
- Rates: Opt for an account that earns a competitive rate to maximize your savings.
- Mobile App: Since most of your banking is through online access and a bank’s mobile app, survey what features its app offers before committing to a bank. Does it allow mobile check deposits? What about online bill pay or the ability to link to popular third-party payment sites like Venmo, Apple Pay and more?
- FDIC insurance: Most online banks are FDIC-insured, but it’s a good habit to check. You want to know your money is protected wherever you store it.
- Access: Look for details on how to make deposits and withdrawals from a bank’s accounts. Many online banks make cash deposits difficult or impossible to make. Make sure transaction options line up with your needs.
It’s human nature to skip over the fine print, but take time to read those details when picking an online bank. You could be looking over vital information that would affect your decision. Much of our lives are spent online, so why not boost your savings with higher rates from an online bank? Even if you don’t do all of your banking online, a high-yield online bank account is a great spot to keep an emergency fund or save for another project or savings goal.
Kevin Payne
Kevin Payne is a personal finance, credit card, and travel writer. He is the family travel and budget expert behind FamilyMoneyAdventure.com. Kevin lives in Cleveland, Ohio, with his wife and four kids. His work has appeared on several websites, including FinanceBuzz, Credit Karma, Millennial Money, Club Thrifty, Student Loan Planner and Slickdeals.
