Best Banks in North Carolina
Written by
Rudri Patel
Edited by
Elizabeth Constantineau
With so many bank choices in North Carolina, picking the right one depends on your needs and where you live. The state has a mix of community banks, credit unions and national institutions, which can make a difference in branch access, fees and service. Whether you’re searching for an interest-bearing checking account, a high-yield savings option or a competitive certificate of deposit (CD), GOBankingRates’ list of the Best Banks in North Carolina can help you find the best fit.
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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 NORTH CAROLINA BANKS AT A GLANCE
Bank/Institution
Savings APY
Notable Highlights
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Detailed Reviews of the Best Banks in North Carolina
Lots of banks have branches in North Carolina, and some financial institutions operate exclusively in the Tar Heel State. These are some of the top North Carolina Banks to consider for 2025.
Gold Winner: First Citizens Bank
First Citizens Bank established its roots in North Carolina back in 1898. The bank has since grown, acquiring multiple financial institutions. First Citizens Bank offers a wide array of financial products for consumers and business owners.
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: Fifth Third Bank
J.D. Power recently gave Fifth Third Bank the title of “Best Mobile Banking App for Customer Satisfaction among Regional Banks.” The accolade explains part of the bank’s appeal, but customers flock to it for its personal and business banking solutions.
Fifth Third Bank offers identity theft monitoring options for all of its checking accounts and has a nationwide network of no-fee ATMs.
Best For
Mobile Banking
No Minimum Deposit
Low Monthly Fees
Loan Options
Wealth Management
Resources for All Areas of Your Financial Life
Fifth Third Bank stands out for its Momentum Banking, which helps you set up your new account for direct deposit, gives you a free 90-day overdraft window, and then pays your direct deposit two days early. There's no minimum deposit and no monthly service fee.
Total Branch Locations
Over 1,000
Mobile App Rating
4.8 on the Apple App Store and 4.6 on Google Play
Other Products Offered
Checking, savings, CDs, credit cards, loans and wealth management services
Pros
- Help transfer your old account and set up direct deposit
- Different banking programs for all kinds of needs
- Award-winning mobile app
Cons
- Savings interest rate is low
- Express Checking has a $5 per month fee that can't be waived
Why We Like Fifth Third Bank
First Third Bank is among the top banks because it offers holistic banking services that can help you take charge of your finances. From help transferring your direct deposit to checking and savings accounts that work together, this is a bank that grows with you.
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Bronze Winner: First Horizon Bank
First Horizon Bank has been in business since 1864 and continues to offer personal and business banking products to this day.
The bank has several checking accounts and will boost your account rewards based on your tenure. Customers have several ways to avoid monthly maintenance fees on the higher-level bank accounts, and the low minimum opening deposit makes it easy to get started.
Best For
Vehicle Loans
Digital Banking
Low Monthly Fees
Personal Loans
Credit Cards
Refunded ATM Fees
Although First Horizon Bank primarily caters to the Southeastern United States, you can still withdraw from ATMs throughout the country. For some accounts, the bank will also refund foreign ATM fees and surcharges that you may incur along the way.
Total Branch Locations
Over 410
Mobile App Rating
4.8 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, credit cards
Pros
- Reward Tenure Interest rewards people who use the bank for many years
- Some accounts come with ATM fee refunds
- Low minimum opening deposit
Cons
- Low APYs for savings accounts
- $1,000 minimum deposit for CDs
- Most of its branches are in the Southeastern United States
Why We Like First Horizon Bank
First Horizon Bank offers better rates and rewards based on your tenure. For some accounts, it will also refund any foreign ATM and surcharge fees that you may incur. Each checking account has a low $50 minimum opening deposit and easy ways to waive the monthly maintenance fee.
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Best Banks
Find the Best Checking Accounts
Best Savings Accounts
CD Account Rates
Best 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. 22, 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.
Choosing the Right Bank in North Carolina
Regional banks are a strong option in North Carolina for customers who want the personal touch of local service but still need modern features like mobile apps and online banking. Community banks and credit unions play a big role here, especially in smaller towns and rural areas. At the same time, larger regional and national banks provide broader ATM networks and a wider range of account options.
How To Compare Banks
Here are some factors to weigh when deciding which North Carolina bank is right for you:
- Location: From Charlotte to Raleigh to smaller rural towns, make sure your bank has branches or ATMs near where you live and work.
- Availability: Check the operating hours, including holidays, of your bank. Some may not have the availability of a national or online bank.
- Bank health: Some North Carolina banks remain focused on community-level service, while others are expanding across the Southeast. Look at your bank’s financial stability to ensure long-term reliability.
- Rewards and promotions: Banks in North Carolina often use promotional CD rates or checking account bonuses to attract customers. Compare these offers to see which best fits your goals.
- Account offerings: Some regional banks are limited in terms of their product lines, so be sure that the regional bank you’re considering offers everything you’ll need.
Conclusion
Finding the best bank in North Carolina requires knowing what you want from your banking experience. Some people value high APYs, while others want banks that let them borrow and invest money. Many leading banks operate in North Carolina, and starting with these top options can help you find the right fit.
FAQs About Banking in North Carolina
Here’s more information to help you find the best North Carolina bank for your needs.- What is the best bank for high-yield savings in North Carolina?
- First Horizon Bank currently offers the best savings rates. However, you can earn higher APYs if you look at online banks like Varo Bank.
- Which banks have the most ATMs in North Carolina?
- Truist Bank has the most ATMs in North Carolina, but First Horizon Bank will refund fees from foreign ATMs for some accounts.
- Are there any banks in North Carolina with no monthly fees?
- Yes. All three banks on this list have checking and savings accounts with no monthly fees. The accounts with better perks have small maintenance fees that you can easily waive by fulfilling some requirements.
More Resources for Banking
Best Banks
Find the Best Checking Accounts
Best Savings Accounts
CD Account Rates
Best Money Market Accounts
Marc Guberti contributed to the reporting for this article.
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