GOBankingRates Reveals 2026 Best Banks Finalists in Annual Rankings
Written by
Rudri Bhatt Patel, CFHC™
Edited by
Melanie Grafil, M.A., CHFC™
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GOBankingRates is revealing the finalists for America’s Best Banks of 2026 as part of its annual rankings. The list, created using a rigorous data-driven analysis, will help consumers make educated decisions on where to open a checking account, invest in a certificate of deposit (CD) or park their funds in a high-yield savings account.
“Using the latest industry data, our research spotlights the banks that truly deliver best-in-class service for their customers,” said Andrew Murray, Lead Content Data Researcher at GOBankingRates.
To formulate the rankings, GOBankingRates’ team of in-house researchers spent several months analyzing the latest FDIC data for more than 100 of the largest banks, online banks and consumer digital platforms in the country.
These findings were used to determine the finalists in 11 different categories. Bank data that was reviewed and analyzed include total assets, APY, fees, minimum deposit requirements, products and services offered, and mobile app experience, among other factors.
GOBankingRates Categories and Research
The 2026 finalists were chosen in the following categories:
- Checking accounts
- High-yield savings accounts
- CD accounts
- Money market accounts
- National banks
- Online banks
- Free checking accounts
- Savings account with no minimum deposit
- Consumer digital financial platform
- Accounts for the wealthy (premium accounts)
- Mobile banking apps
By using recent, in-depth data, the research highlights the banks that are responding to consumer needs. The analysis of APYs, fees, minimum deposit requirements, product availability and digital experience helps to demonstrate meaningful differences between banks. This information matters to consumers because banking choices directly affect everyday costs, savings growth and the ability to exercise financial flexibility.
“This comprehensive review gives consumers clear, trustworthy information they can use to make confident financial decisions in 2026 and beyond,” Murray said.
Americans want to make informed financial decisions through data-driven research. For over a decade, GOBankingRates has helped consumers make those decisions with confidence.
Whether you prefer to bank in-person, online or a hybrid of both options, these finalists can help evaluate which banks and accounts align with your needs.
The winners will be announced on March 29, 2026, at the Banking CMO Summit during the Fintech Meetup. The full list of finalists is below.
GOBankingRates Best Banks 2026 Finalists
Here are the finalists for the individual categories:
Best Checking Account Finalists 2026
- Ally Bank
- Axos Bank
- Bask Bank
- Capital One
- Citi®
- Discover Bank, Member FDIC
- E*TRADE Bank
- First National Bank of Omaha
- SoFi®
- Truist Bank
Best High-Yield Savings Account Finalists 2026
- Axos Bank
- Barclays Bank Delaware
- Bask Bank
- E*TRADE Bank
- EverBank
- Marcus by Goldman Sachs
- Salem 5 Direct
- Synchrony Bank
- Texas Capital Bank
- Vio Bank
Best CD Finalists 2026
- Ally Bank
- American Express National Bank, Member FDIC
- Bread Financial
- Capital One
- Discover Bank
- E*TRADE Bank
- EverBank
- First Internet Bank
- Marcus by Goldman Sachs
- Synchrony Bank
Best Money Market Account Finalists 2026
- Ally Bank
- BankUnited
- EverBank
- First Internet Bank
- FNBO Direct
- Sallie Mae Bank
- Synchrony Bank
- U.S. Bank
- UMB Bank
- Vio Bank
Best National Bank Finalists 2026
- Bank of America
- Capital One
- Citi®
- JPMorgan Chase Bank
- PNC Bank
- Truist Bank
- U.S. Bank
- Wells Fargo Bank
Best Online Bank Finalists 2026
- Ally Bank
- American Express National Bank
- Axos Bank
- Bask Bank
- Citizens Access
- Discover Bank
- E*TRADE Bank
- Marcus by Goldman Sachs
- SoFi
- TAB Bank
Best Free Checking Account Finalists 2026
- Bask Bank
- Capital One
- Discover Bank
- E*TRADE Bank
- The Huntington National Bank
Best Savings Account with No Minimum Deposit Finalists 2026
- Axos Bank
- Barclays Bank Delaware
- Bask Bank
- Capital One
- Discover Bank
- E*TRADE Bank
- EverBank
- Marcus by Goldman Sachs
- Synchrony Bank
- Texas Capital Bank
Best Consumer Digital Financial Platform Finalists 2026
- Acorns
- Betterment
- Chime*
- One Finance
- Varo
- Wealthfront
Best Premium Account Finalists 2026
- Citi
- Comerica Bank
- E*TRADE Bank
- JPMorgan Chase Bank
- Santander Bank
- Wells Fargo Bank
*Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by, and debit card issued by, The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC.
All information about Discover® products has been collected independently by GOBankingRates. Discover® products are no longer available through GOBankingRates.
