Checking Accounts
There is no clear winner when it comes to checking accounts. Capital One is best for users who feel comfortable online and do not want to pay an annual fee, while U.S. Bank has more branches for those who prefer a personal experience.
-
Account Types
The Capital One 360 checking accounts are mainly used and operated online for your optimal convenience.
Bank Account | Monthly Fee | APY On Balance |
|---|---|---|
Capital One 360 Checking Account | $0 | 0.10% |
U.S. Bank also offers two main checking accounts for customers: the U.S. Bank Smartly Checking and the U.S. bank safe debit. Both have monthly maintenance fees, but the Safe Debit account fees can't be waived, unlike the U.S. Bank Smartly Checking:
U.S. Bank Account | Monthly Fee | Average Day Balance To Waive |
|---|---|---|
U.S. Bank Smartly Checking | $6.95 | $1,500 |
Safe Debit
| $4.95 | Cannot be waived |
-
Features
With the Capital One 360 Checking Account customers can quickly pay their bills, get their cash, make deposits, and transfer their money without the added stress of a monthly fee.
There are over 38,000 fee-free ATMs and over 2,000 Capital One ATMs, which will successfully meet your needs when accessing your money. Another great incentive Capital One 360 offers is a free debit card for all purchases.
Bank Account | Main Features |
|---|---|
Capital One 360 Checking Account | No overdraft fees, get paid early, pay bills online, send cash with Zelle, mobile deposit, account alerts |
You can set up ovedraft options on Capital One app:
The U.S. Bank checking account offers a range of features designed to meet the diverse needs of customers:
U.S. Bank Account | Main Features |
|---|---|
U.S. Bank Smartly Checking | Smart Rewards, transfer money, set alerts, $50 overdrawn available |
Safe Debit
| Directly deposit paychecks, pay bills for free, no overdraft fees |
Savings Accounts
When it comes to savings accounts, Capital One is a clear winner.
The Capital One 360 Performance Savings offers competitive rates and easy account transfers, allowing you to move money between linked accounts or external banks. You can create multiple Performance Savings accounts for different financial goals. Additionally, the convenience of mobile check deposit allows you to deposit checks anytime.
Like many other brick-and-mortar banks, the U.S. bank savings account offers quite low rates.
Capital One 360 Performance Savings | U.S Bank Savings Account | |
|---|---|---|
Savings Rate | 4.25% | up to 4.25% |
Minimum Deposit | $0 | $25 |
Fees | $0 | $4
can be waived by $300+ daily ledger balance or $1,000 average monthly balance
|
Certificate Of Deposits (CDs)
When comparing CD options, Capital One is a clear winner.
While U.S. Bank offers high rates only on specific terms, with Capital One customers can get quite high rates on almost every term, with options to leverage CD investing strategies such as CD laddering and other combinations of short and long-term CDs.
-
Capital One CD Rates
CD Term | APY | Early Withdrawal Penalty |
|---|---|---|
6 Months | 4.25% | 3 months interest |
9 Months | 4.25% | 3 months interest |
12 Months | 5.00% | 3 months interest |
18 Months | 4.45%
| 6 months interest |
24 Months | 4.00% | 6 months interest |
30 Months | 4.00% | 6 months interest |
36 Months | 4.00% | 6 months interest |
48 Months | 3.95% | 6 months interest |
60 Months | 3.90% | 6 months interest |
-
U.S. Bank CDs
CD Type | CD Term | APY |
|---|---|---|
Standard CD
| 6 Months | 0.05% |
Standard CD
| 12 Months | 0.05% |
Standard CD
| 24 Months | 0.05%
|
Standard CD
| 36 Months | 0.10%
|
CD Special | 7 Months | 4.00% |
CD Special | 11 Months | 3.80% |
CD Special | 13 Months | 4.80% |
CD Special | 19 Months | 4.95%
|
Step Up CD
| 28 Months | 0.35% |
Trade Up CD | 30 Months | 0.10% |
Trade Up CD | 60 Months | 0.40% |
Credit Cards
When it comes to credit cards, both banks offer great options. If we have to pick one – Capital One will be our choice, mainly due to its redemption options.
The Capital One Savor Rewards Credit Card is tailored for individuals who want a high cashback rewards ratio on everyday spending categories. For those who want a flat rate cashback, The Capital One Quicksilver offers unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, making it straightforward and rewarding. For those looking to build or rebuild credit, the Capital One Platinum Credit Card is a solid choice.
For travelers, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is great for travel enthusiasts, while the Venture X card offers premium travel benefits and annual credits. With both cards customers can book a trip with miles:
Card | Rewards | Bonus | Annual Fee |
| 2X – 5X
2X miles per dollar on every purchase, plus 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
| 75,000 miles
75,000 miles once they spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
| $95 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 1.5% – 5%
5% percent cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 1.5% cash back on all purchases everyday.
| $200
$200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
| $0 | |
| 1X – 10X
10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars when booking via Capital One Travel, 5 miles per dollar on flights and 2 miles per dollar on all eligible purchases
|
75,000 miles
75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
| $395 | |
|
1% – 4%
unlimited 4% cash back on dining, entertainment, and popular streaming services, 3% at grocery stores and 1% on all other purchases.
| $300
$300 cash bonus once you spend $3,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
| $95 | |
| N/A | N/A | $0 |
Card | Rewards | Bonus | Annual Fee |
| U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards | 1.5% – 6%
6% cash back on your first $1,500 in combined eligible purchases each quarter at two retailers you choose, 3% back on your first $1,500 in eligible purchases each quarter on your choice of one everyday category, 1.5% back on all other qualifying purchases. Also, 5.5% back on reservations for hotels and prepaid car rentals when you book through the U.S. Bank Rewards Center.
| $250
$250 bonus after you spend $2,000 in eligible purchases within the first 120 days of account opening
| $95 ($0 on first year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card | 1% – 5%
5% cash back on purchases in two categories of your choice (up to $2,000 in combined purchases per quarter, then 1 percent). 5% back on prepaid air, hotel, and car reservations through the Rewards Center. 2% cash back on one choice everyday category. 1% back on all other purchases
| $200
$200 bonus after spending $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 120 days of account opening.
| $0 |
| U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card | 1X – 4X
4x points at restaurants, take-outs & deliveries, 2x points at supermarkets, gas stations & streaming servicesm and 1 point for 1 dollar on all other purchases
| 20,000 points
20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 90 days of account opening
| $0 |
| U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card | 1X – 5X
5X points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Altitude Rewards Center; 4X points on travel, gas stations, and EV charging stations; 2X points on grocery stores, grocery delivery, dining, and streaming services; and 1X points on all other eligible purchases
| 60,000 points
60,000 points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on the account owner's card within the first 180 days from account opening
| $95 (waived first year) |
| U.S Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card | 1X – 5X
5 points per dollar on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Altitude Rewards Center, 3 points per dollar on eligible travel purchases and mobile wallet spending and 1 point per dollar on all other eligible net purchases
| 50,000 points
50,000 points worth $750 on travel after spending $4,500 in the first 90 days of account opening
| $400 |
Mortgage And Loans
U.S. Bank is our winner when it comes to lending options, as it offers more options for borrowers than Capital One.
U.S. Bank provides mortgages for homebuyers, mortgage refinancing for improved terms, and home equity loans or lines of credit for leveraging property equity, all of which are not available through Capital One. It also offers personal loans and auto loans.
Capital One options for borrowers are limited and it mainly focuses on auto loans.
Which Bank Is Our Winner?
Capital One is our winner as it offers a full banking package which is better than U.S. Bank, especially if you have deposit needs.
When it comes to checking and credit cards, both banks have great options. But if you also want to deposit your money in a savings account or CD with the high rate, only Capital One can offer it. On the other hand, U.S. Bank has physical locations and better options for borrowers than Capital One.
However, it is crucial to assess various factors, primarily focusing on those that are significant for your specific needs. This could include banking services, overdraft assistance, frequent ATM usage, proximity to bank locations, and other elements that vary from person to person.
Compare U.S. Bank With Other Banks
US Bank offers an even more impressive range of banking services. Savings and checking account options, investments, personal loans, mortgage products, and wealth management are all available.
Bank of America offers a wide range of banking services. There are numerous credit cards available, as well as various checking and savings accounts, home loans, investments, and auto loans.
Read Full Comparison: Bank of America vs US Bank: Which is Best For You?
Wells Fargo offers a diverse range of products, including checking accounts, savings accounts, loans, mortgages, and investments such as 401ks, IRAs, and wealth management options.
US Bank offers an even more impressive range of banking services. Savings and checking account options, investments, personal loans, mortgage products, and wealth management are all available.
Read Full Comparison: Wells Fargo vs US Bank: Which Bank Account Is Better?
While Chase and U.S. Bank offer many banking services, Chase Bank is our winner in this competition. Here's why – and what else to know: Chase vs. U.S. Bank
While U.S. Bank offers some better conditions when it comes to lending options, Citibank is our winner in this comparison. Here's why.
Citibank vs. U.S. Bank: Which Bank Account Is Better?
There is no clear winner in this battle, as both banks offer similar bank account types. But what about the rest? Here's our winner: U.S. Bank vs. KeyBank
There is no clear winner when comparing Huntington and U.S. Bank , but if we have to pick one – Huntington is our first choice. Here's why.
U.S. Bank vs. Huntington Bank: Which Bank Account Is Better?
While PNC offers better savings rates than U.S. Bank, the latter has better credit cards. Which is best for bank account? Here's our verdict: U.S. Bank vs. PNC Bank
Our winner is U.S. Bank as it offers better package banking than Fifth Bank, but there are cases when Fifth Bank wins. Here's our comparison: U.S. Bank vs. Fifth Third Bank
Both U.S. Bank and BMO Bank are active in various states, such as Illinois, Wisconsin, Montana, and Minnesota. Here's our winner: U.S. Bank vs. BMO Bank
While Regions offers better checking options, U.S. Bank offers better credit card options. Let's compare them and see which is our winner: Regions Bank vs. U.S. Bank
U.S. Bank is one of the largest brick-and-mortar banks, while Ally is among the best online banks. Let's compare them and find our winner: Ally Bank vs. U.S. Bank
U.S. Bank is one of the largest brick-and-mortar banks in the US, while Amex Bank is among the best online banks. Let's compare them: U.S. Bank vs. American Express Bank
Top Offers From Our Partners
Top Offers From Our Partners
Our Methodology for Comparing Banks
In our thorough banking comparison, The Smart Investor team carefully reviewed and compared banks across five key categories:
Checking Accounts (30%): We examined features like direct deposit, debit card availability, monthly fees, ATM and branch access, check deposit, bill pay options, and account alerts. We also considered any special offers available to customers.
Savings Accounts and CDs (20%): Our focus was on important factors such as the Annual Percentage Yield (APY), minimum deposit requirements, account flexibility, FDIC insurance coverage, special savings offers, variety of CDs, automatic renewal options, and early withdrawal penalties.
Credit Cards (15%): We analyzed rewards programs, annual fees, introductory bonuses, travel benefits, APR, and balance transfer options offered by each bank's credit cards to provide a comprehensive comparison of available features.
Lending Options (15%): We assessed the variety of loan options provided, including personal loans, student loans, mortgages, secured loans, HELOCs, and Home Equity Loans, offering insights into the banks' lending capabilities.
Customer Experience and Bank Reputation (20%): Our evaluation included an analysis of online banking and mobile app usability and ratings, accessibility of customer support, online reviews, JD Power research, Trustpilot ratings, and overall financial stability, providing a holistic view of customer experience and reputation.
Compare Capital One With Other Banks
Discover Bank is a full-service online bank as well as a provider of payment services. Discover can be used for banking and retirement planning by individuals. Discover is best known for its credit cards with rewards, but it also provides personal, student, and home equity loans.
Capital One began as a credit card company, but it has grown to offer a diverse range of traditional banking services over the years. In addition to credit cards, it offers checking and savings accounts, loan refinancing, auto finance, and children's accounts. As a result, Capital One is more appealing to those seeking a traditional banking experience.
Read Full Comparison: Discover vs Capital One: Which Bank Account Wins?
Capital One is a premium online banking service that offers convenient, dependable service and physical locations to anyone looking for them. Capitol One 360, in addition to providing a trustworthy and dependable service, has no hidden fees or minimums, allowing you to continue earning interest on your daily money. There are over 38,000 fee-free ATMs and over 2,000 Capital One ATMs to meet your money access needs.
American Express is one of the world's most well-known credit card brand names. Customers can get a personal banking solution from American Express National Bank, which offers online savings and CD options. Personal savings accounts have a high potential yield. American Express National Bank is a respectable, secure banking option that does not offer any extra features but does offer the most important one.
Read Full Comparison: American Express vs Capital One: Which Bank Is Better For You?
CIT Bank offers a variety of savings accounts. Savings Connect has two tiers, with the first offering a higher rate if you make qualifying deposits and link your checking account. Savings Builder, on the other hand, offers 3.99 percent if you keep a balance of $25,000 or make monthly deposits of at least $100. There are no account maintenance fees, but you can only make six transactions per statement cycle.
Capital One offers a high yield savings account with a slightly lower rate than CIT Bank's top rate. However, you are not required to jump through any hoops. The account allows six withdrawals per calendar month, but there is no minimum deposit or balance requirement to keep your account open.
Read Full Comparison: CIT Bank vs Capital One: Which Bank Account Is Better?
Chase and Capital One both have banking product lines that compete with traditional high street banks.
Capital One also has a competitive advantage in terms of checking accounts. The Capital One checking account is not only fee-free, but you can also earn interest on your account balance. Chase's checking account does not pay interest, and you must meet certain requirements to have the $12 monthly fee waived.
However, when you open a qualifying account, Chase will give you a welcome bonus, and its checking account has some nice features such as paperless statements for up to seven years and checking account upgrade options.
Read Full Comparison: Chase vs Capital One: Compare Banking Options
Capital One began as a credit card company, but has expanded its line of banking products to rival a traditional bank. Aside from checking and savings accounts, you can also get loan refinancing, auto finance, and children's accounts.
Wells Fargo offers an even broader range of products. There are several checking accounts available, as well as two savings accounts and investment options such as IRAs and 401ks. You can also get loans and mortgages, as well as wealth management services. Wells Fargo is thus a highly comparable alternative to the traditional high street bank.
Read Full Comparison: Capital One vs Wells Fargo: Which Bank Wins?
Capital One made its name as a credit card company, but in recent years, it has developed a decent banking product line that rivals that of a traditional bank. Capital One offers loan refinancing, kids' accounts, and auto finance in addition to checking and savings accounts.
Credit One remains primarily a credit card company, but it does offer a limited range of banking products, including CDs.
Read Full Comparison: Capital One vs Credit One: Which Bank Account Is Better?
Ally has a decent banking product lineup that would make switching from a traditional high street bank relatively simple. Checking, savings, CDs, auto loans, personal loans, mortgages, investments, and retirement products are among the products available. The only obvious omission from the Ally line is the absence of a credit card.
Capital One began as a credit card company, but it has since expanded into a variety of other banking services. You can access auto finance, loan refinancing, and children's accounts in addition to savings and checking accounts.
Read Full Comparison: Ally vs Capital One: Compare Banking Options
Capital One began as a credit card company, but it has recently expanded its banking product line. Capital One offers checking and savings accounts, children's accounts, auto finance and refinancing, in addition to an impressive selection of credit cards.
Citi offers a diverse range of banking products, including checking and savings accounts, CDs, credit card options, mortgages, personal loans, wealth management plans, IRAs, and investment options.
Read Full Comparison: Citi vs Capital One: Which Bank is Best For You?
Bank of America has an impressive product lineup, as one would expect from a large banking institution. There are various checking and savings accounts, as well as numerous credit card options, auto loans, home loans, and investments. This makes switching from your current bank a breeze.
Capital One began as a credit company, but it has recently expanded its product line. You can now access checking and savings accounts, auto finance, refinancing, and children's accounts in addition to an impressive selection of credit cards.
Read Full Comparison: Bank of America vs Capital One: Which Bank Wins?
Capital One is our winner as it offers a full banking package. But if you have specific checking requirements, M&T Bank may win. Here's why.
Capital One is our winner as it offers a full banking package, which is better than TD Bank, especially if you have deposit needs. Here's why.
Regions Bank has physical branches you can visit, while Capital One operates mainly online. Let's compare their banking products: Regions Bank vs. Capital One
While PNC Bank is a brick-and-mortar bank, Capital One's presence is mainly online. Let's compare them and see which is our winner: Capital One vs. PNC Bank
Capital One is our winner as it is a better fit for most consumers, while HSBC banking products are designed for high-net-worth individuals.
Capital One is our winner for most consumers than Barclays bank. But, there are important things to consider when comparing them: Barclays Bank vs. Capital One
Capital One is our winner with a full banking package, including a decent checking option, high savings rates, and great credit cards.
