Many companies featured on Money advertise with us. Opinions are our own, but compensation and
in-depth research may determine where and how companies appear. Learn more about how we make money.

By:
Editor:
Published: Oct 18, 2023 4 min read
Ads by Money. We may be compensated if you click this ad.AdAds by Money disclaimer
Our Partner
Company Highlight
TOP PARTNER
Our Partner

Checking Account offers 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month (see website for details)

  • No minimum opening deposit and no minimum balance
  • Early Pay: early paycheck access up to 2 days early
  • No. Fees. Period.
  • FDIC insured
Our Partner

Savings Account with up to 4.60% APY* (read their website to see terms)

  • Cash Bonus up to $300 with direct deposit set up (Terms apply)
  • No monthly fees 
  • Up to 2-day-early paycheck
  • Up to $2M of additional FDIC insurance through a network of participating banks

 

*Rate as of 12/26/2023

Our Partner

Get paid up to 2 days early with direct deposit

  • No minimum balance, no monthly fees and no overdraft fees
  • Over 60,000 fee-free ATM locations
  • Banking services provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A.; Members FDIC

Despite their smaller size, most regional banks offer the same access to an array of banking products. Like their national counterparts, most offer competitive rates on savings accounts and loans.

Here are our picks for the best banks and credit unions in the Southeast for 2023-2024.

Ads by Money. We may be compensated if you click this ad.AdAds by Money disclaimer
Open a High-Yield Savings Account today and start earning interest
Take advantage of an FDIC insured, High-Yield Savings Account from SoFi. Click on your state and find out more.
HawaiiAlaskaFloridaSouth CarolinaGeorgiaAlabamaNorth CarolinaTennesseeRIRhode IslandCTConnecticutMAMassachusettsMaineNHNew HampshireVTVermontNew YorkNJNew JerseyDEDelawareMDMarylandWest VirginiaOhioMichiganArizonaNevadaUtahColoradoNew MexicoSouth DakotaIowaIndianaIllinoisMinnesotaWisconsinMissouriLouisianaVirginiaDCWashington DCIdahoCaliforniaNorth DakotaWashingtonOregonMontanaWyomingNebraskaKansasOklahomaPennsylvaniaKentuckyMississippiArkansasTexas
View Rates

EverBank is our overall pick for the best bank in the Southeast because of the high interest rate paid on deposit accounts, extensive ATM network and low account fees. Earn 0.25% on the Yield Pledge Checking account and a one-year introductory rate of 5% APY on the Yield Pledge Online Savings account (4.75% afterward). Plus, you can get out-of-network ATM fees reimbursed with the checking account.

Pros
  • High APY
  • 80,000-ATM network
  • Low fees
Cons
  • No ATM fee reimbursement on savings account
  • No debit card on savings account

Synovus Bank scored 702 points out of 1,000 on J.D. Power’s 2023 U.S. Retail Banking Satisfaction Study, the highest among the banks we considered in the region and the reason it’s our top pick for customer satisfaction. The Personal Savings account has an easily waived low monthly account fee, and there are benefits for members of the armed forces.

Pros
  • High customer satisfaction rating
  • Military perks
Cons
  • Low 0.01% APY on savings
  • High balance to waive the $10 monthly service fee on checking

American Airlines Credit Union’s Savings Account is our choice for the best rates. It pays 2.38% APY, the highest among the banks we considered, and there’s no monthly service fee. You’ll also earn a very good 0.40% on the credit union’s Priority Checking account. Lower-than-usual overdraft/insufficient fund fees and a large ATM network are pluses on AACU’s checking account.

Pros
  • High APY
  • 85,000-ATM network
  • Low fees
Cons
  • No ATM access with savings account

Texas Capital Bank doesn’t charge monthly service fees on its accounts and has lower-than-usual fees for other account services, making it our choice for the best fees. There is a low $15 overdraft fee, free incoming wire transfers and low outgoing wire transfer fees. Texas residents can also earn 5% APY when they open a Star High Yield Savings account.

Pros
  • High APY on savings
  • 55,000-ATM network
Cons
  • Branches only in Texas (accounts available online in other states)

Our pick for best rewards is State Employees’ Total Checking and Rewards Account. Depending on the account balance, you’ll earn between 0.5% and 2% APY on deposits. New customers get a $250 sign-up bonus and a cash-back debit card. Higher account balances can increase the level of rewards, which include rebates on mortgage closing costs and rate bumps on certificates of deposit.

Pros
  • High APY
  • Cash back
  • 55,000-ATM network
Cons
  • $75,000 balance required to reach higher reward levels

How we chose the Best Banks of 2023-2024

To determine our list of Best Banks for 2023-2024, Money staff evaluated 273 of the largest retail banks, credit unions, regional and state banks, ranked by assets, and 20 of the most popular online banks. We then compared opening balance requirements, interest paid, fees and features to determine our top picks. You can read our full methodology here.

Ads by Money. We may be compensated if you click this ad.AdAds by Money disclaimer
Save money the right way with a High-Yield Savings Account
For an easy and effective way of saving money, a High-Yield Savings Account from SoFi is a good bet. Just click below and open your account today.
View Rates

More from Money

Back to Best Banks of 2023-2024

Best National Banks of 2023-2024

How to Choose a Regional Bank

Ads by Money. We may be compensated if you click this ad.Ad
With a Savings Account from SoFi, you can save money while earning it