11 Best National Banks 2020: Get Branch Coverage, Account Variety, & More

You may not think very much about the bank you use for your everyday checking and savings accounts, but it might be worth a second look. Some of the best banks have above-and-beyond customer service, have so many branches you’ll never have to go too far to be in touch, or offer the broadest range of financial products.

A national bank is chartered and regulated by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. Choosing one of these financial institutions has its advantages. Because they’re bigger, they often offer more financial services in-house, so you don’t have to shop around for each new account or credit card you want. See below for information on the best national banks for 2020.

The Best National Banks

PNC Bank – Best 12-month APY

With well over 2000 branches in 22 states across the country, PNC is widely available in brick-and-mortar. Not only that, PNC charges only $7 in monthly maintenance fees, which can be waived if you keep at least $500 in the account. The clincher? PNC offers great products like Certificate of Deposits (CDs) with an annual percentage yield (APY) of 0.05% to 0.5%.

U.S. Bank – Best Account Selection

U.S. Bank has you covered no matter your banking needs: Individual retirement accounts (IRAs), mortgages, and investment accounts are all available here, right with your everyday checking or savings account. It’s got a great presence nation-wide, and the solidity of a recognizable name.

Wells Fargo Bank – Best Branch Coverage

While Wells Fargo’s checking accounts do have fees of $10-$30, there are ways to avoid them, like by using your debit card multiple times in the month, or by having direct deposits come into your account. But this bank’s claim to fame is its near omnipresence, with over 5,000 branches and 13,000 ATMs country-wide – perfect for customers who like that personal touch at brick-and-mortar banks.

Bank of America – Best Customer Service

With 4,000 branches nationally, you’re likely to find Bank of America around the next corner. The truth is, though, that’s not how most people access their banks. So it’s a good thing you can call the customer support telephone line from 8 am to 11 pm, on weekdays and 8 am to 8 pm on weekends, or contact them by Facebook or Twitter message.

Chase – Best Credit Card Offerings

A great suite of credit cards and a big presence across the country (Chase branches can be found in 40 states) are part of Chase’s appeal, but so are its great credit card offerings. For customers that want a specific specialized credit card or two, Chase is a good choice.

Capital One – Best for Checking Accounts

Capital One has low fees amongst many of its most popular products, including no fees at all on the 360 Checking and 360 Savings accounts. There aren’t as many branches as some other banks have, its network of free ATMs is huge, so you can always access your cash with ease.

First Citizens – Best Interest on Savings Accounts

National banks aren’t well-known for having high interest rates on savings accounts, so that’s what makes First Citizens 0.03% savings account interest rates stand out. The monthly fee for the savings account is just $5, but if you keep a minimum balance of $300 that fee will be waived.

CIT Bank – Best Online Only

Some consider it a downside not to have a physical presence, but CIT offers lots of features for those who are okay with an online-only and mobile banking experience. CIT offers as many account options as the best of them, with a selection of money market savings, checking, and high-yield savings accounts. There are no monthly fees for a checking or savings bank account, but you’ll pay each time you use your debit card at an ATM, as CIT doesn’t have a network of free ones for customers’ use.

Huntington – Best Range of Products

Starting with three different checking accounts, all with different features, Huntington breaks out from there with account offerings for investments, for borrowing money, and insurance for your personal accounts.

TD Bank – Best for ATMs

If you can afford to sock away $2,5000 in the TD Premier bank account, you can earn interest on your cash, waive the monthly $25 account fee, and get access to ATMs everywhere you go, for free. TD also offers a “Simple” account, which is a basic checking account with no minimum balances.

HSBC – Best for Sign-up Bonuses

HSBC is knocking socks off, offering $475 for opening a Premier checking account, if you set up direct deposits to go into the account, for a total of $5,000 over 3 months. Earn $225 with an Advance Checking account if you set up direct deposits that total $500 over 3 months. Either way, it’s cash in the bank.

Which is the Best National Bank for You?

With all these incentives, you can find exactly what you need in a national bank.

Choose options with great interest rates on savings accounts if you’re socking money away for your next big purchase, or look for best ATM access with the lowest fees if you believe cash is king. Of course, minimum balances may come into play if you’re just starting out, and online and mobile banking features will be crucial for the techie crowd who’s always on the go. Look through some of the options to find security, online banking, free checking, overdraft protection, and other perks that will help you along your financial path.