Best Banks in South Carolina
Written by
Rudri Patel
Edited by
Elizabeth Constantineau
South Carolina residents have the option of choosing national financial institutions as well as regional credit unions and banks. Top bank, Wells Fargo, offers nationwide access, while another top pick, SouthState Bank, offers checking accounts with perks. This South Carolina banking guide reviews top options for checking, savings and certificates of deposit (CDs). 
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GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased bank reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our in-depth bank review methodology.
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TOP SOUTH CAROLINA BANKS AT A GLANCE
Bank/Institution
Savings APY
Notable Highlights
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Detailed Reviews of the Best Banks in South Carolina
Learn more about GOBankingRates’ top picks for best banks in South Carolina.
Gold Winner: First Citizens Bank
First Citizens Bank has several checking accounts, and if you enroll in paperless statements, you won’t face any monthly maintenance fees. The savings account has no monthly fees, and overdraft protection is available. Customers can find a wide range of CDs as well, which makes laddering possible. 
Best For
Highly-Rated Mobile App
Low Monthly Fees
Home Loans
Credit Cards
IRA Options
Preferred Rates on Home Equity Lines of Credit (HELOCs) and CDs
If you upgrade to a Premier or Prestige Checking account, you get better rates on HELOCs and CDs. Both accounts have generous requirements for avoiding monthly maintenance fees. If you are borrowing money against your property, you can potentially save thousands of dollars with a lower rate.
Total Branch Locations
Over 600
Mobile App Rating
4.6 on the Apple App Store and on Google Play
Other Products Offered
Checking, savings, money market, CDs, IRAs, home loans, auto loans, wealth management, business banking, insurance, credit cards
Pros
- $100 minimum to open some accounts
- Preferred rates if you upgrade your bank account
- Multiple ways to waive monthly fees
Cons
- Low APYs for checking and savings accounts
- Higher monthly fees
- Limited nationwide branch access
Why We Like First Citizens Bank
First Citizens Bank lets you score lower rates when you borrow money through an equity line if you have a higher-level bank account. Customers benefit from wide branch access throughout the Carolinas and into Virginia.
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Silver Winner: SouthState Bank
SouthState Bank has 256 branches across the country and offers five checking accounts with no minimum deposit if you choose to open an account online. Some checking accounts also come with perks like safety deposit boxes and free checks.
Also, healthcare workers, military, law enforcement and those in education qualify for checking accounts with no minimum deposit required. Money market accounts require no minimum deposit and can earn up to APY. 
Best For
Mobile App
No Minimum Deposit
Low Monthly Fees
Loan Options
Credit Cards
Fee-Free Interest-Bearing Checking for Community Heroes
SouthState Bank offers a special checking account for educators, healthcare providers, law enforcement, rescue services, military or veterans. The Community Hero Checking account has no fees, earns interest, offers free cashier's checks and more.
Total Branch Locations
Over 90
Mobile App Rating
4.6 on the Apple App Store and 4.8 on Google Play
Other Products Offered
Checking, savings, money market, CDs, personal, auto, and home loans, credit cards, investment accounts
Pros
- Several checking offerings, including no-fee and interest-bearing accounts
- Full range of deposit, loan and investment services
Cons
- Savings and money market interest rates are low
Why We Like SouthState Bank
The special offers for community heroes are a big advantage for SouthState Bank over the other best banks in Florida. In addition to fee-free interest-bearing checking accounts, these essential workers can save $250 on mortgage closing costs.
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Bronze Winner: Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo is one of the largest banks in the United States and has an advanced network of banks across 36 states. Wells Fargo offers four checking accounts, and the Everyday checking account requires a minimum deposit of only $25. Wells Fargo also offers several CD options, and the mobile banking app is well-rated by users.
Best For
Credit Cards
National Banks
Home Loans
Auto Loans
Investments
Everyday Banking and a Variety of Services
Wells Fargo has several banking products for everyday banking as well as options for mortgages, auto loans and credit cards. The app is user-friendly and the wide network of ATMs makes it easy to withdraw cash without paying a fee.
Total Branch Locations
Over 4,300
Mobile App Rating
4.9 on the Apple App Store and 4.8 on Google Play
Other Products Offered
Credit cards, home loans, auto loans, investments
Pros
- Extensive branch and ATM network
- Diverse product offerings
- User-friendly digital interface
Cons
- Minimum deposit requirements and monthly maintenance fees
- High overdraft fees
- Low interest rate on savings accounts
Why We Like Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo offers one-stop everyday banking and financial planning services. There are several products for consumers and accessibility to branches and ATMs.
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Best Banks
Checking Accounts
Savings Accounts
CD Account Rates
Money Market Accounts
Research Methodology
To discover the Best Banks by state, GOBankingRates analyzed the top institutions (excluding online banks and neobanks) by state branch locations. To determine rankings, GOBankingRates looked at the following factors: (1) total assets as sourced from the FDIC; (2) checking product minimum deposit; (3) monthly checking fee ratio (percentage of the minimum to avoid fees compared to the monthly fee itself); (4) savings product minimum deposit; (5) savings product APY; (6) Bauer rating (out of 5 stars); (7) products/services offered (auto loans, mortgage loans, credit cards, investment services and insurance); and (8) the average mobile app rating between the Google Play (Android) and Apple stores. All factors were then scored and combined, with the lowest score being the best. Factors (1), (2) and (4) were weighed 0.5 times, factor (5) was weighed 2.5 times and factor (7) was weighed 1.5 times. All products and offerings had to be available as of Nov. 8, 2024, to be considered. Rates are subject to change; unless otherwise noted, rates are updated periodically. All other information on accounts is accurate as of Aug. 26, 2025.
To qualify as one of the Best Banks in the state, the institution needed at least five branch locations in the respective state, with some exceptions for larger and/or smaller states.
How To Choose the Right Bank in South Carolina 
As you weigh your options, consider the following when selecting a bank in South Carolina:
- Local vs. national banks: Depending on your financial needs, you may want personalized attention for your bank transactions. If that is the case, then it may be in your best interest to consider a local bank. National banks may be good for those who want branch and ATM access. 
- Digital banking availability: Do you like conducting transactions on the go? If that is the case, you want an app and user platform that is user-friendly and seamless. Check out the digital platform of the bank you’re considering to determine if it works for you.
- Branch and ATM access: A national bank will likely have branches across the country and several ATMs you can access. If you need to conduct several in-person transactions, branch access is a must. 
- Fee structures and waivers: Examine the fee schedule and find out if basic account access requires minimum deposits and balances. You don’t want fees cutting into the funds you’re earning in your accounts. 
- Community involvement: Is your bank’s involvement in the community important to you? Either visit the about us page to find out what your bank is doing for the community or ask a customer service representative. 
Final Take
If you want the right bank in South Carolina, you need to examine what means the most in terms of your financial goals. It could be CDs, a checking account with no minimum balance requirements or the option to earn interest in a money market account. Explore the options above and start your application today. 
FAQs About Banking in South Carolina
Here's more information to help you find the best South Carolina bank for your needs.- What is the best bank for high-yield savings in South Carolina?
- Wells Fargo offers a tiered savings account with rates that can compete with some online high-yield savings accounts.
- Which banks have the most ATMs in South Carolina?
- SouthState Bank and First Citizens Bank both have wide ATM networks in South Carolina.
- Are there any banks in South Carolina with no monthly fees?
- Yes, First Citizens Bank offers a fee-free checking account.
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CD Account Rates
Money Market Accounts
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