When it comes to account minimums, fees, and competitive interest rates on accounts, the best banks in Georgia combine accessibility and affordability. The top banks in the Peach State were discovered by SmartAsset using these criteria.
The best banks in Georgia include: Chase, Navy Federal Credit Union, Bank Of America, Wings Financial, Fifth Third, PNC, First Citizens…
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Table of Contents
Best Banks In Georgia
Chase: Best For Investing Services Are Available
Everyone can find a solution at Chase. There are locations all over the state, a sizable network of free ATMs, and a mobile app for when you need to conduct banking from the convenience of your home or place of business. Additionally, the abundance of financial products, including some of the best rewards credit cards, accounts, investments, mortgages, and personal loans, offers nearly everything you require.
By selecting Chase Secure Checking, the company’s basic checking account, you can begin banking with them. If you discover that you require services beyond those offered by basic banking, Premier Plus checking adds interest on your balance, free checks, and rebates on the first four ATM withdrawals made outside of your network each month.
By keeping a minimum balance, getting direct deposits, or connecting a checking and savings account, monthly maintenance fees for most accounts can be avoided.
Navy Federal Credit Union: Best For No Minimum Balance Requirements
A sizable portion of Georgia’s population is currently serving in the military. Navy Federal Credit Union is a great choice for anyone connected to or associated with the armed forces.
The NFCU mobile app allows you to manage almost everything, including account management, bill payment, and credit card applications, even though there aren’t many physical branches. Additionally, customer service is accessible round-the-clock.
NFCU is also one of the top credit unions in the nation. The majority of accounts don’t have a monthly maintenance fee, and if you meet the membership requirements, you’ll get dividends on your bank balances.
although there aren’t many branches in the US., deployed account holders will find locations in Spain, Italy, Japan, Cuba, Guam, Korea, and other countries. Customers can also get extra assistance from Co-Op locations or live chat.
Bank Of America: Best For Tiered Checking Account Bundles
Checking, savings, and loans are just a few of the services that Bank of America, Member FDIC, provides. It is beneficial to maintain a sufficient balance in your combined accounts. You may be eligible for Preferred Rewards membership, which opens up a number of benefits that the typical account holder won’t have access to, if you can keep your balance at least $20,000 per month.
For account holders with $20,000 or more, the Gold level is available. You are promoted to Platinum once you have at least $50,000. Those who earn six figures or more will advance to the Platinum Honors level. If you join the Preferred Rewards program, you’ll get relationship rates on balances and loans, the opportunity to earn more rewards when you use your credit card, and lower fees for ATM withdrawals, loans, accounts, and other services.
With Bank of America’s approach to checking accounts, you can change between the various tiers as necessary without having to order new checks or get a new ATM card. For a free banking option, start with Bank of America Advantage SafeBalance Banking®. Advantage Relationship and Advantage Plus offer extras like free checks, interest on balances, and other things as your needs change.
Wings Financial: Best For Serves Airline Employees
With Delta Airlines’ headquarters located in Atlanta, Georgia employs a sizable number of people in the airline industry. Both Atlanta, Georgia residents and those working in the aviation industry can access Wings Financial.
You’ll find the types of accounts you’d anticipate from a financial institution, like checking, savings, and IRAs. Additionally, Wings Financial offers account holders safe deposit boxes, foreign exchange, and an appointment concierge service for scheduling one-on-one consultations with a banker.
No matter your balance, all accounts are fee-free. For people who want to save money for a variety of objectives, Wing Financial provides several savings account options
Fifth Third: Best For Strong Digital Presence
With 31 bank branches across 13 cities, Fifth Third is well-represented in Georgia. The bank offers a full range of banking products, including checking and savings accounts, CDs, loans, investment accounts, and insurance, which can be accessed through physical locations or using digital tools like a website or mobile app.
In terms of GOBankingRates’ Best Regional Banks, Fifth Third Bank comes in at No. 3. You have access to 50,000 free partner ATMs in addition to the state’s many branches and onsite cash machines.
After a few months, new account holders should sign up for MyAdvance to help with cash flow problems. Before enrolling to receive a larger line of credit, be sure to build up a banking history with Fifth Third. MyAdvance offers a $50–$1,000 short-term credit line based on your past deposits. The money is immediately available after it has been approved.
PNC: Best For Monthly Maintenance Fees
Residents of Georgia who don’t require a neighborhood branch or who reside in rural areas might prefer to work with a bank with a strong online presence. PNC Bank is largely digital. New account holders choose a checking account type and begin with a basic Virtual Wallet®. In the event of a cash shortage, adding a savings account can act as the checking account’s overdraft protection.
Spend and Select are PNC’s next level of checking and savings accounts if you’re prepared to advance from the fundamental Virtual Wallet setup. Additional benefits, such as ATM fee reimbursements, will be provided to accountholders. However, to avoid PNC monthly maintenance fees, a higher balance is needed.
You can manage your balances and keep track of them using the incredibly feature-rich mobile app. Select transactions can be declined if your account balance is getting low so that they don’t overdraw your account and charge you an insufficient-funds fee. Furthermore, you will have 24 hours to fund your account before any overdraft charges start to apply.
First Citizens: Best For Low Minimum Of $500 To Open A CD
The minimal opening balance requirements for First Citizens’ free checking and savings accounts are available to residents of Georgia. The full range of services offered by the bank is among its best qualities. The financial institution provides credit cards, loans, credit checking for both individuals and businesses, savings, and insurance. The best part is that balances can benefit from competitive interest rates on savings, certificate of deposit, and money market accounts.
You should consider First Citizens if you want to open a CD. With a starting investment as low as $500, you could make up to 0.15% APY.
Wells Fargo: Best For A Number Of Bank Accounts
With Wells Fargo’s 725+ ATMs just in Georgia, accessing your bank account via an ATM has never been simpler. Georgians can choose from over 275 Wells Fargo branches if they need to meet with a representative in person. With these options available, along with the simplicity of online and mobile banking, Wells Fargo banking is a fantastic choice. Additionally, you will have access to physical locations across the nation and possibly the entire world as a large bank.
Several bank accounts are available from Wells Fargo. Among them are IRAs, three different CD types, five different checking account options, and two types of savings accounts. Depending on the specific account, monthly service fees range from $3 to $30. There are several ways to avoid paying the fee. Often, in order to avoid the monthly fee, you must maintain a minimum balance or transaction volume.
However convenient they may be, big banks aren’t known for having high interest rates. However, by linking accounts together, you can strive to earn at a bonus rate. You may also qualify for more favourable rates if your balance is higher (consider exceeding $100,000).
SunTrust Bank: Best Regional Bank
The second-highest number of physical locations and ATMs are provided to Georgia customers by SunTrust Bank. Over 115 ATMs and about 230 SunTrust branches are accessible to Georgians. However, there are only 11 states and the District of Columbia where the bank has locations.
SunTrust offers a wide range of bank accounts, including IRAs, four checking accounts, five CD terms, and money market accounts in addition to a standard savings account. Depending on the account, the majority of these accounts do have monthly maintenance fees that range from $3 to $25. By fulfilling certain criteria, such as maintaining a minimum balance, you can, however, completely avoid paying these fees.
The interest rates that come with a SunTrust bank account are fairly typical for a bank of this size. With some accounts, higher balances do give you the chance to earn at higher rates. Nevertheless, it is important to keep in mind that the bank offers higher rates than its large bank competitors, such as Wells Fargo.
CIT Bank: Best Savings Account Rate
The CIT Bank Savings Builder account has a high 1.00% APY and a variety of other savings options. You must maintain a balance in your account of at least $25,000 or make at least $100 in deposits each month to qualify for this rate. For any customers who fail to meet these requirements, a 0.40% APY is waiting. You must deposit a minimum of $100 to open an account.
More than ever, it’s crucial to be able to manage your accounts via your phone or computer, and CIT has noticed this. You can initiate internal account transfers, make remote check deposits, and view your account statements in digital format when you download the CIT mobile app for Apple or Android. Given that it has a total rating of 3.85 stars out of 5, the bank’s clientele must be pleased with this app.
CIT Bank is undoubtedly savings-centric. In addition to the Savings Builder account, you can opt for the Premier High-Yield Savings account, the Money Market account and a selection of term CDs, jumbo CDs, no-penalty CDs and CIT’s proprietary “RampUp” CDs.
United Community Bank: Best Customer Service
United Community Bank was rated as having the highest overall satisfaction in the Southeast in a recent survey of customer satisfaction. Certainly when you enter the bank’s website, it immediately brands itself as “The Right Partner” to help you manage your money and achieve your savings goals. In addition, United Community Bank asserts that Customer Service Profiles has given it an average score of 98% for customer satisfaction. Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee are the four states where the bank has 156 locations. Just in Georgia, there are 65 locations, some of which are open on Saturday. Furthermore, you can access your accounts wherever you are thanks to the availability of online and mobile banking.
With United Community Bank, you can choose from a variety of bank accounts. The bank provides you with a variety of options to customize your banking experience to your financial situation, including five different checking accounts, a straightforward savings account, and a five-year CD. For even greater convenience, you can do this and keep all of your bank accounts in one location.
Ameris Bank: Best Free Checking Account
The Totally Free Checking and Direct Free Interest Checking accounts from Ameris Bank are your best options if you’re looking for a free checking account. Both of these accounts do not have a monthly maintenance fee, as their names would imply. Each account offers free eStatements, ATM usage, Visa® Check Cards, and check card text alerts. Since most banks levy a nominal fee of about $2.50 when you use an ATM outside of their network, you should take advantage of the fee-free ATM offer. Fortunately, there is no such charge for Ameris Bank customers.
You must deposit a minimum of $50 to open an account. This is a little more than the usual $25 opening deposit. After opening, however, you’ll get to take advantage of the absence of fees and minimums. Even the Direct Free Interest Checking offers a 0.05% APY in interest. Once you have an account, you can easily access it using the bank’s website, mobile applications, and limitless check writing options. To speak with a representative in person, you can also stop by one of the 48 Ameris Bank locations in Georgia.
Renasant Bank: Best High-yield Checking Account
Renasant Bank, which had modest beginnings in Mississippi, now has one of the highest-earning checking accounts we’ve seen. Customers of the Rewards Checking account have the chance to earn money at an annual percentage yield of 1.51%. For both checking and savings accounts, this rate performs significantly better than the majority of its large bank and credit union rivals.
You must fulfill a number of requirements in order to earn at this high rate. Fortunately, if you intend to use this account as your primary checking account, these conditions ought to be simple to satisfy. Your debit card must be used for at least 10 transactions per qualification cycle, at least one direct deposit or ACH automatic payment must post, and you must receive your monthly statement electronically. Three business days prior to the start of your statement cycle and three business days prior to the end of your statement cycle, respectively, is when the qualification cycle begins.
For balances up to $25,000, the APY is 1.51%. If your account balance rises above this amount, provided you still meet the requirements, you will earn at a 0.30% APY rate instead. Even so, that rate is higher than the country as a whole. Your balance, regardless of its size, will earn at a 0.03% APY if you don’t meet the specified conditions.
The Renasant Bank Rewards Checking account also offers a debit MasterCard, unlimited check writing, a medium-level opening balance of $50, up to $25 in ATM fee refunds, and a medium-level opening balance of $100. A small $7.50 monthly service charge is charged. However, you can easily opt out of this by enrolling in eStatements or keeping a daily account balance of at least $500. See more about Best Banks In Michigan
How To Select The Best Bank?
Uncertain of which bank is best for you? To determine which bank has the services you require, think about the following inquiries.
Do They Provide The Accounts You Require?
Possess they any retirement accounts? Owners of small businesses? Do students have access to home and auto loans? Can you invest?
Are Banks Made Simple To Use?
We took into account convenience, both offline and online. After all, a respectable bank won’t have you detour from your route for 30 minutes to make a cash withdrawal.
Do they have locations close to you? How many, and how easy is it to use the ATMs?
What Are The Interest Rates Like?
Their interest rates were taken into account. How much can you make with your checking, savings, certificate of deposit, and money market accounts?
Conclusion
Georgia’s top banks are a mix of reputable credit unions and banks. Even though each financial institution has a different number of branches in the state, all the banks highlighted offer a good online banking experience, a selection of accounts to choose from, and a lot of free ATMs for a convenient experience.
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