15 Best Banks in North Carolina for 2024

U.S. Bank is currently welcoming new applicants with a special online offering:

• Earn up to $700 when you open a new U.S. Bank Smartly® Checking account and a Standard Savings account, and complete qualifying activities.
• Subject to certain terms and limitations. Offer valid through June 27, 2024. Member FDIC.
• Offer may not be available if you live outside of the U.S. Bank footprint or are not an existing client of U.S. Bank or State Farm.

The account includes a free debit card that can be locked or unlocked if ever misplaced or stolen. There are no ATM transaction fees at U.S. Bank ATMs and no surcharge fees at over 40,000 MoneyPass® Network ATMs.

The checking account requires a $25 opening deposit and a $6.95 monthly fee. This fee can be waived for those 24 and under, 65 and over, or military members (must self-disclose).

Additionally, the fee can be waived with monthly deposits of $1,000+, an average balance of $1,500+, or holding an eligible U.S. Bank credit card. Qualifying for any Smart Rewards® tier (Primary, Plus, Premium, or Pinnacle) also waives the fee.

Banking with SoFi comes with some extra perks. One such feature is early direct deposit, which means you could get your paycheck up to two days earlier than usual.

SoFi takes security seriously. Your money is insured up to $2 million by the FDIC, providing you extra peace of mind. SoFi also offers up to $50 in overdraft coverage at no extra cost if you have qualifying direct deposits.

New customers can even earn a welcome bonus of $50 to $300, depending on the amount they deposit initially.

If you need to withdraw money, SoFi has you covered. Customers have access to a wide network of over 55,000 Allpoint® Network ATMs. This makes it easy to withdraw money when you need it and is one reason why SoFi is a popular choice for many people.

In North Carolina, you can find bank branches in 282 locations, including in key cities like Charlotte, Fort Liberty, Raleigh, Greensboro, Fayetteville, Asheville, Durham, Wilmington, and Greenville.

When it comes to checking accounts, First Citizens Bank makes it easy on your wallet. They don’t charge any monthly maintenance fees when you sign up for paperless statements, and opening the bank account is straightforward too; it only requires a $50 minimum opening deposit. Plus, there’s no minimum balance requirement.

Beyond checking accounts, First Citizens Bank offers savings accounts, rewards credit cards, business loans, and numerous other services to meet your financial needs. If you prefer doing your banking on the go, they offer strong mobile banking options that allow you to manage your money from your phone.

The Upgrade Rewards Checking Plus account eliminates common banking obstacles such as minimum deposits, monthly fees, overdraft fees, and transfer fees.

Customers benefit from features like early direct deposit, which allows them to access their paychecks up to two days sooner. The account also offers up to 2% cash back on regular debit card purchases.

Additionally, with the Upgrade Premier savings account, you can earn up to 5.21% APY on balances of $1,000 or more. Upgrade partners with Cross River Bank, ensuring that all accounts are protected with FDIC insurance up to $250,000.

If you open a checking account, you can earn interest on your balance, which is not very common with most banks. There are no monthly fees, and you don’t need a minimum opening deposit or a minimum balance in your account.

Interest rates are an area where CFCU really shines. You can get up to 3.00% annual percentage yield (APY) on your savings account balance. For share certificates, you can get up to 5.00% APY.

Coastal Federal Credit Union also provides competitive rates on loans, making it easier to finance things like cars or homes.

If you’re unsure about how to manage your finances, look into financial planning assistance to help you make the most of your money. With all these benefits, it’s easy to see why CFCU is a strong choice for many residents in North Carolina.

The Essential Bank Account is particularly noteworthy, featuring a $4.95 monthly fee that is waived for teenagers aged 13 to 17. This makes it a compelling starting account for younger individuals keen to learn the ropes of personal finance.

One of the highlights of TD Bank is its fee structure. The bank notably does away with overdraft fees, giving you some breathing room in managing your finances.

Additionally, opening an account requires no minimum deposit, and there are no cumbersome minimum balance requirements to worry about.

When it comes to earning interest, TD Bank is no slouch. Savings accounts yield a healthy 3.51% APY, and CDs offer an outstanding 5.00% APY. If that’s not incentive enough, the bank also throws in a $200 bonus for those opening new checking accounts.

For checking accounts, there’s a $12 monthly fee, but no initial deposit or minimum daily balance is required. If you need to withdraw money, you can access any of the 16,000 Chase Bank ATMs nationwide without any extra fees.

As for savings account options, the rates are quite low. However, Chase does offer up to 3.75% APY on CDs. In addition, if you’re in the market for a credit card, Chase offers a variety with bonuses and cash-back rewards that are worth checking out.

You can use over 53,000 Allpoint ATMs nationwide without any fees, and Ally even refunds up to $10 in out-of-network ATM fees each month.

One of Ally’s standout features is its high interest rates on deposit accounts. The bank offers a 0.25% APY on checking accounts, 4.25% APY on savings accounts, and up to 5.00% APY on CDs.

Money market accounts also earn a strong 4.40% APY. Additional perks include spending buckets for easy savings and Robo Portfolios for automated investing.

To open a checking account, all it takes is a $50 initial deposit, and there are no monthly fees or minimum balance requirements to worry about.

What makes First Horizon Bank particularly appealing is its competitive interest rates. You can get an impressive 5.38% APY on money market accounts and a solid 2.78% APY on savings accounts.

Beyond personal banking, First Horizon provides comprehensive options for business banking and also offers wealth management services.

You’ll get a 10% loyalty bonus based on your monthly account balance, and if you go for a Truist credit card, you’ll receive an additional 10%.

To open a checking account, a $50 deposit is required, but there’s no ongoing minimum balance requirement. If you’re concerned about the $12 monthly service fee, it can be waived with a monthly direct deposit of at least $500.

Alternatively, maintaining a daily balance of $500 across all your Truist accounts, holding a qualifying Truist credit card or loan, or linking a business checking account can also get rid of this fee. Students aged 25 or younger are eligible for a fee-free account.

If you’re looking for a savings account with a high interest rate, you’ll have to look elsewhere, as Truist’s rates are very low.

Today, the bank continues to serve the community with multiple locations across the state. In addition, M&F Bank offers 44,000 ATMs nationwide, thanks to its partnerships with major banks like Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, and Wells Fargo.

Starting a checking account at M&F Bank is simple, requiring just a $50 minimum deposit. One of the big advantages is that there’s no monthly service fee to contend with.

M&F Bank also offers a basic savings account, a health savings account, and a savings account for seniors. In addition, customers can earn rewards on debit card transactions, making everyday spending more rewarding.

Additionally, the bank delivers a robust set of business banking options that can meet the needs of entrepreneurs and established companies alike.

Its Freestyle Checking is a free checking account with no monthly service fees. To get started, you’ll need a $50 minimum deposit, and there’s no ongoing minimum balance requirement.

When it comes to earning interest, First National Bank doesn’t disappoint. You can get up to 5.00% APY on CDs and up to 1.25% APY on MMAs.

Additionally, there are several savings accounts to choose from: a basic savings account, a health savings account, and an IRA savings account.

It has everything from basic checking and savings accounts to more specialized offerings like mortgages, car and personal loans, as well as business banking solutions.

PNC Bank distinguishes itself with its Virtual Wallet feature, which comes standard with a checking account. This tool helps you manage your finances and offers double overdraft protection. It will transfer money from other accounts to prevent overdrafts.

Although the bank does have monthly fees, you have the option to get these charges waived under specific conditions. Moreover, PNC Bank enhances user experience through its comprehensive mobile app, enabling you to manage your finances wherever you are.

Opening a checking account with Fifth Third Bank is hassle-free. There’s no monthly maintenance fee, and you can open an account without a minimum deposit or maintaining a minimum balance.

Once you’re a customer, you’ll have fee-free ATM access at Fifth Third Bank’s 2,100 locations and an extensive network of more than 40,000 partner ATMs nationwide.

One of its standout features is the competitive CD rates, specifically a 7-month CD with an attractive 5.00% APY.

Additional benefits include an Early Pay feature, which allows you access to your direct deposit funds two days ahead of schedule. Fifth Third Bank also offers a grace period to resolve overdraft issues, adding an extra layer of financial flexibility.

Opening a basic checking account comes with some strings attached; you’ll need to make an initial deposit of $100, and there’s a monthly maintenance fee of $12.

However, there is no requirement to maintain a minimum account balance once it’s open. Customers enjoy fee-free transactions at over 15,000 Bank of America ATMs nationwide.

Bank of America also offers competitive interest rates on CDs, going up to 4.75% APY. Additional benefits include appealing bonuses for new credit card accounts and access to Merrill Edge’s wealth planning and investment services.