The best of banking awards for 2026

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. So is banking.

Choosing the right bank is a personal decision, but excellence can be measured. To identify the industry leaders for 2026, MyBankTracker partnered with MoneyRates.com to conduct a comprehensive data-driven analysis of the financial landscape. We crunched the numbers across a diverse field of large, medium, and small institutions—collectively representing over half of all U.S. bank deposits. The result is our definitive 2026 Banking Awards, honoring the 15 top-performing savings accounts and 15 premier checking accounts that set the standard for competitive terms and consumer value.

Best savings accounts of 2026

When choosing a savings account, people are often drawn to one that offers a high interest rate. However, there’s more to the story than that.

The interest rate, or annual percentage yield (APY), on a savings account isn’t always what it seems. Many banks offer different rates depending on the account size. One trick some banks use is to offer a very attractive-looking rate, but only on a limited amount of money. The remainder of the account might earn a much lower rate. To account for this, MyBankTracker calculated the APY each account would earn on a typical account size for American bank customers.

A big trend in recent years is that more savings accounts have started charging a monthly maintenance fee. This is especially common among very large banks. In many cases, the cost of that monthly fee can exceed the interest you’d earn on the account. So, MyBankTracker considered fees alongside interest rates in ranking the best savings accounts.

Often, you can avoid the monthly maintenance fee if you keep a certain minimum balance in the account. So, MyBankTracker also considered the minimum balance required to avoid the fee – the lower the better.

Savings account terms are subject to change at any time. However, the banks offering the best terms tend to be pretty consistently near the top from one month to the next. So, you should check the current terms before you sign up, but the list below should help you know where to look.

Here are the results of this analysis:

1. Axos Bank: With the highest APY in the survey and no monthly maintenance fee, the Axos savings account provides good value. The high APY only applies to the first $3,000,000 you have on deposit, but that should easily meet the needs of most consumers.
2. Openbank: The APY on this savings account ranked just behind the Axos account, and Openbank also charges no monthly fee. There is a $500 minimum deposit requirement, but that shouldn’t shut out too many customers.
3. Jenius Bank: Another high-ranking APY with no monthly fee.
4. Valley Bank: A special offer made this savings account one of just four in the survey offering an APY of 4% or better. Note that there is a minimum deposit of $1,000 required for this account.
5. Western Alliance Bank: Besides a competitive APY, this account also offers over 30 locations in the Southwestern U.S.
6. Barclays Bank: No fees and no minimum account size make their strong APY easily accessible to consumers.
7. Believe Savings: This is a division of Regent Bank, which allows them to offer FDIC insurance along with a good APY.
8. E*Trade: You probably know E*Trade best as an online broker, but because they are affiliated with Morgan Stanley Private Bank, they are also able to offer a savings account with FDIC insurance.
9. Community Savings Bank: This account features a high APY and a low $25 minimum deposit, plus Community has over 200 locations.
10. Quontic Bank: This is an FDIC-insured bank offering a savings account with a good APY and no monthly fee.
11. CIT Bank: This savings account offers a high APY with no monthly fee. However, there is a $5,000 minimum deposit requirement.
12. Marcus by Goldman Sachs (tie): Both Marcus and Synchrony offered the same APY with no monthly fee, so they’re ranked equally here.
13. Synchrony Bank (tie): See the above note on Marcus by Goldman Sachs.
14. Capital One Bank: No monthly fee, a decent APY, plus over 250 locations.
15. American Express Bank: They’re not just a credit card company! They’re also a bank offering FDIC-insured savings accounts.

See more: Best high-yield savings accounts of January 2026

Best checking accounts of 2026

While some checking accounts pay interest, it’s usually negligible compared to the fees on these accounts. So, for this category, the focus was on fees. Monthly maintenance fees are most important because they are charged regardless of how you use the account. Overdraft fees and the minimum balance required to avoid a monthly fee were also considered.

1. Capital One 360 Checking (tie): Both Capital One and the Found Business Checking account offer low-cost checking with no monthly or overdraft fees.
2. Found Business Checking (tie): With identical fee terms, the key distinction between these two first-place accounts is that this one is for business customers, while Capital One’s is for individuals.
3. BMO Smart Advantage: This account has no monthly or overdraft fees, and with a $25 minimum deposit, it is easily available.
4. First Internet Bank (tie): No monthly or overdraft fees, plus identical $100 minimum deposits created a three-way tie among these accounts.
5. Truist Bank Business (tie): This is a business account – Truist also has an account for individuals that appears later on this list.
6. U.S. Bank (tie): See note above for First Internet Bank.
7. Huntington Bank Asterisk Free Checking (tie): Both Huntington and M&T have checking accounts with no monthly fees and $15 overdraft fees. They even share the characteristic of having over 1,000 locations.
8. M&T Bank EZ Choice Checking (tie): See the above note for Huntington Bank.
9. Fifth Third Bank Momentum Checking: Having no monthly fee and over 1,000 locations are attractive features, though some customers may be put off by the $35 overdraft fee.
10. Bank of America: This is the first bank on this list that charges a monthly fee, though at $4.95, it is smaller than many. Better yet, it’s waived if you carry a balance of at least $500.
11. PNC Bank Simple Checking: PNC offers the convenience of having over 2,000 branches, though this account will cost you a $5 monthly fee.
12. Citizens Bank One Deposit: Like many accounts at banks with extensive branch networks, this one will cost you – in this case, a $9.99 monthly fee, plus $12 for overdrafts.
13. Wells Fargo Everyday Checking: The $10 monthly fee is on the high side, though it is waived if you have a balance of at least $1,500. Also, this bank doesn’t charge overdraft fees.
14. Truist Bank Retail: Unlike their business account, this one does charge a $12 monthly fee. However, it does not have overdraft fees.
15. U.S. Bank: Though the $12 monthly fee is smaller than some, this account also charges $12.50 for overdrafts, so it might not be the best choice if you tend to overdraft your account.

See more: The best checking accounts of January 2026

The “all-in-one” solution: Our top combined banking winner

While different institutions often lead in individual categories, many consumers prefer the convenience of managing their finances under one roof. To find the best “one-stop” shop, we cross-referenced the winners from both our savings and checking surveys to identify the bank with the highest average performance.

The 2026 overall winner: Capital One

Capital One emerged as the definitive leader for bundled banking. By securing the #1 spot for checking and maintaining a top-tier position in our savings rankings, they offer a rare balance of accessibility and growth.

• Best of both worlds: With the top-ranked checking account and a high-yield savings option that consistently outperforms the national average, Capital One is our top choice for customers who want elite features without the hassle of managing multiple institutions.
• Integrated excellence: Capital One’s 360 platform allows for near-instant transfers between accounts, making it easy to move money from your “workhorse” checking to your “growth” savings.
• High-value, low-hurdle: Both accounts feature no monthly maintenance fees and no minimum balance requirements, removing the friction often found at larger traditional banks.

Best online bank accounts

There is a fundamental difference between online and branch-based banking, and choosing between them often comes down to personal preference or generational habits. To ensure our 2026 Banking Awards cover every type of consumer, we evaluated both models to identify the top-performing savings and checking accounts in each category.

Top online savings account: Axos Bank

Axos Bank earned the title of best online savings account by delivering exceptional value. Boasting the highest APY in our survey alongside a total absence of monthly fees, it offers highly competitive terms for those who prefer a digital-first banking experience.

Top online checking accounts: Capital One 360 and Found Business Banking

When it came to online checking, two institutions stood out by offering a “triple-zero” fee structure: no monthly maintenance fees, no overdraft fees, and no minimum balance requirements.

• Capital One 360 is the premier choice for individual consumers seeking a seamless digital experience.
• Found Business Banking provides an equally strong option tailored specifically for the needs of business owners.

By offering these distinct, specialized products, both banks ensure that every type of customer has a high-quality path to fee-free checking.

Best branch-based bank accounts

While digital banking is rising, many customers still prefer the personal touch of a physical location. For those who value in-person service, Western Alliance Bank led the way for branch-based savings. Their account features one of the highest APYs in our survey, paired with a complete absence of monthly fees. With a reasonable $500 minimum deposit, it is a high-value choice, particularly for customers in California, Arizona, and Nevada, where their locations are primarily concentrated.

For branch-based checking, the Capital One 360 account earned our top honors. Not only did this account rank as the best checking option overall, but it also provides the perfect hybrid model—offering elite online tools alongside more than 250 physical locations and Cafés for those who occasionally need to visit a branch.

Because bank terms can change and every customer’s financial situation is unique, we encourage you to use these rankings as a foundation for your own research. While these lists represent our top-chosen products for 2026, the best bank for you is ultimately the one that fits your specific daily needs.

Methodology

In association with MoneyRates.com, MyBankTracker looked at a sample of large, medium and small banks. This sample included the 20 largest banks by U.S. deposits. Overall, the list represents over half the total dollar value of U.S. deposits. Accounts eligible for federal deposit insurance were considered.

Savings account criteria included APY, monthly fees, and the minimum balance required for a fee waiver. Checking account criteria included monthly fees, overdraft fees, the minimum balance required to have the monthly fee waived, and the minimum deposit amount.

All information collected was as of December 2025. Account terms are subject to change at any time, so you should check the current terms before opening an account.