If you're residing in Georgia and on the hunt for the perfect bank, you probably know plenty of choices are available. The options are vast, from small local banks to larger ones serving broader regions, and even national banks, not to mention the convenience of online banks.
We carefully considered several important factors in our quest to find the right bank. We looked at their number of physical branches, the variety of products they offer, the interest rates they provide for deposits, the quality of their online banking services, and their overall customer service and support.
Best Georgia Regional And Community Banks
Here are our top picks for regional and community banks in Georgia:
Truist Bank
Checking Fees
Money Market APY
Savings APY
CDs APY
Truist Bank provides a wide range of financial solutions for both individuals and businesses. They offer various options like savings and checking accounts, CDs, and a money market account. With over 200 branches in 105 cities in Georgia, they ensure accessibility for customers across the country.
They also have around 3,000 ATMs available with low fees that are easy to avoid. However, the interest rates on savings and money market accounts are not very competitive, so it's better to consider other options for managing your savings.
Truist Bank was created in 2019 after the merger of BB&T and SunTrust, forming a unified entity known as Truist. Currently, it ranks among the top 10 largest banks in the entire United States.
Regions Bank
Checking Fees
Money Market APY
Savings APY
CDs APY
Regions Bank is a well-known financial institution with a strong presence in Georgia, operating in more than 100 branches across 75 cities. They offer a wide range of checking accounts to meet different needs, including accounts with interest, no overdraft fees, e-checking, and specialized options for students and seniors.
Customers who want to enjoy extra benefits can take advantage of opening multiple accounts with Regions Bank. This can lead to perks like discounts on safe deposit boxes, better rates on certificates of deposit (CDs), reduced loan rates, and cash back rewards on certain purchases.
However, there are some downsides to consider. Certain accounts may have monthly fees, and the bank's savings accounts have low APY. Additionally, both money market and checking accounts require high minimum balances to avoid monthly fees, which could be challenging for those with limited funds.
Best Georgia National Banks
We extensively analyzed several national banks in Georgia, comprehensively comparing their important aspects.
We started by looking at the number and locations of their branches. Moreover, we carefully examined the various products and services they offer. Our analysis gave special attention to their deposit rates, especially when it comes to comparing CDs and regular savings accounts.
Wells Fargo Bank
Checking Fees
Promotion
Savings APY
CDs APY
Wells Fargo is one of the largest banks in the US, with more than 180 branches spread across 80 cities in Georgia. They offer a wide range of financial products and have many ATMs for convenient access.
The Wells Fargo Everyday Checking is highly praised because they don't charge fees for insufficient funds, and their customer service is available 24/7 by phone. Moreover, they have a vast network of free ATMs nationwide, and they provide early direct deposit services. When it comes to CD rates, selected CDs offer competitive rates.
However, Wells Fargo has faced scrutiny from regulators in recent times due to issues like opening fake accounts. The interest rates on their savings accounts are not very competitive, and some accounts still come with monthly fees that you can avoid. Additionally, their overdraft fee is relatively high, so it's essential to be mindful of this aspect.
Bank Of America
Checking Fees
Checking Promotion
Savings APY
CDs APY
Bank of America is a large American bank that offers a wide range of financial services, including checking and savings accounts, credit cards, mortgages, loans, investments, and wealth management. They have more than 120 branches in Georgia, spread across 50 cities, making it easy to find a branch nearby.
The bank provides both in-person and online banking options for convenient transactions, promotions for checking accounts (most of the time), high rates on promotional CDs and their credit card rewards programs are appealing to cardholders.
However, there are some drawbacks to consider. Bank of America charges fees including overdraft fees, which may not be ideal for those seeking fee-free options. While their customer service has improved, some people still experience occasional issues with responsiveness and support. Additionally, their interest rates on savings accounts and certain loans may not be the most competitive.
PNC Bank
Checking Fees
Money Market APY
Savings APY
CDs APY
Unlike the previous national bank, PNC Bank doesn't have as many branches and coverage. They have around 50 branches scattered across 30 cities in the state.
However, they offer convenient mobile and online banking through their Virtual Wallet Spend checking account, which has no fees for bill payments. They also partially reimburse fees for using non-PNC ATMs, but the ATM owners may still charge separately.
PNC Bank has some attractive features, including a competitive interest rate for PNC online-only savings accounts (though it might be available only in specific states) and access to around 60,000 fee-free ATMs.
On the downside, PNC Bank has a relatively high overdraft fee of $36, which is one of the highest in the country. Opening a CD requires visiting a branch in person. Additionally, some accounts may have monthly fees, but you can avoid them by meeting certain conditions.
Best Georgia Online Banks
During our search for online banks in Georgia, we primarily focused on comparing their savings and CD rates. We also wanted to discover if these banks provided other services, such as checking accounts, loans, credit cards, and mortgages.
Ally Bank
Checking Fees
Checking Promotion
Savings APY
CDs APY
Ally Bank is a well-known online banking institution that provides a wide range of financial products to its customers. They offer checking accounts, savings accounts, CDs, IRAs, mortgages, and auto loans. One of the best things about Ally's checking account is that it has no monthly fees, which is a great money-saving advantage for their clients.
Ally Bank stands out for its competitive interest rates on savings accounts and CDs, earning praise from customers. They also offer convenient features such as 24/7 customer service, mobile banking, and online bill payment, making it easier for customers to manage their finances.
However, it's important to note that Ally Bank operates solely online and does not have physical branches. This may not be ideal for individuals who prefer in-person banking. Additionally, when compared to traditional brick-and-mortar banks, Ally might not offer the same breadth of services.
SoFi Bank
Checking Fees
Checking Promotion
Savings APY
CDs APY
SoFi offers a combined Checking and Savings account, each with its own interest rates. The account has some great advantages, like no monthly fees and a strong free overdraft coverage program for eligible customers.
They also provide a competitive rate for the savings account and give access to a wide and free nationwide ATM network. If you use direct deposit, you can even get paid up to two days earlier, which is pretty cool. Also, SoFi offers promotions for new customers from time to time.
However, there are a few downsides to consider. SoFi doesn't have physical branches, so if you like in-person banking, it might not be the best fit. Depositing cash comes with fees, which can be inconvenient for people who do it frequently. Also, they don't offer CDs or money market accounts, so if you want more specialized savings options, you might have to look elsewhere.
FAQs
What are the largest banks in Georgia?
As of 2023, Georgia is dominated by Truist Bank, Wells Fargo Bank, and Bank Of America, with each of them operating an extensive network of over 120 branches.
What's the top bank in Georgia?
Identifying the best bank in Georgia for you is based on what you prefer – online banking, high deposit rates, or no-fee checking accounts. Explore our recommended banks above, each excelling in its own way.
Which bank has the best CD rates in Georgia?
When it comes to CD rates in Georgia, terms matter. The best rates for 1 year may be offered by one bank, while the best rates for 3 months could be at another. Check out our suggested Georgia competitive CD rates list and compare them to credit unions.
Which bank offers the highest savings rates in Georgia?
Finding the best savings rates may seem hard, but there are great options in Georgia. Take a look at our list of some of the best options for high savings rates in Georgia for 2023.
