Updated March 3, 2023

Best Banks in Georgia

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On the hunt for a new bank in Georgia? Look no further than this helpful list of the best banks in Georgia.

Picking a new bank can be hard.

And you have no shortage of banking options in Georgia.

Fortunately, you don't have to go it alone. In this guide, review the most noteworthy banks serving Georgia customers. See your best options for checking, savings, and more, below.

The Best Banks in Georgia

We looked at a variety of factors to find the best banks in Georgia, including accounts offered, interest rates, and convenience.

Let's dive in and see which banks in Georgia really are the best.

Truist Bank: Best Regional Bank

Truist Bank has 328 branches in the state of Georgia, rivaling even big national banks. In fact, they have 46 branches in Atlanta alone.

Truist offers a range of personal banking services, including four checking accounts, a prepaid money account, and a range of savings and money market accounts.

Truist's checking accounts, including Dimension Checking, Truist Bright Checking, and Truist Fundamental Checking all have a minimum opening deposit of $50 and monthly fees ranging from $5 to $20. [1]

However, it's possible to waive those fees on the first two by maintaining specific balances or meeting other requirements.

They also have a fee-free student checking account for students under 23, with mobile banking access.

If you're in the market for a loan, Truist offers a variety of those too. You can take out a home or auto loan, a line of credit, and boat and RV loans, as well as other personal loans. Truist also offers investing and retirement accounts.

Wells Fargo: Best National Bank

Sometimes a regional bank isn't enough to satisfy your needs. If that's the case, consider Wells Fargo, our pick for the best national bank in Georgia.

Wells Fargo has over 275 locations in the state, which means wherever you are in the state, you won't be far from banking services.

And if you're frequently on the move, the bank has 4,900 branches across the U.S., and 12,000 ATMs.

Wells Fargo stands out for their wide variety of personal banking services, including:

  • Personal checking account (with easy-to-waive fees)
  • Savings accounts
  • Debit and credit cards
  • Home, auto, student loans (and more)
  • Investing and retirement accounts
  • Wealth management services

Wells Fargo is also a solid pick for small business owners.

According to reports from the Small Business Administration (SBA), Wells Fargo is one of the most active SBA 7(a) lenders. Wells Fargo provides its own business loans too.[2]

Small business owners will also appreciate the Wells Fargo Business Choice Checking account with an easy-to-waive fee. Just sign up for Wells Fargo Payroll Services or Merchant Services or make 10 debit card purchases a month.

An added perk: Many business-oriented banks refuse to disclose interest rates on their loans unless you visit a branch office. Wells Fargo posts their rates publicly, scoring them points for transparency.

CIT Bank: Best Online Bank

CIT Bank, now a division of First Citizens Bank, is another popular online bank that offers a range of services for Georgia residents to take advantage of.

They offer fairly high returns on deposits into their savings accounts, including their CIT Savings Connect and Platinum Savings account.

Their RampUp CDs ensure that if CIT adjusts their rates, you have one opportunity to increase yours as well. Meanwhile, Jumbo and No-Penalty CDs offer moderate returns with fewer requirements.

CIT also offers home loans.

Chase: Best for Checking

If you want the convenience of mobile banking services, along with the ability to head down the street and step into a local branch, Chase may be the right fit for you.

Chase has over 80 locations in Georgia with plans to add more, and more than 4,700 branches and more than 15,000 ATMs in the U.S.

And if you're not in range of a branch, you can easily manage your account from their desktop site or mobile app.

Chase checking accounts provide access to their branches and ATMs and online banking services, as well as Autosave automatic transfers. Here's a few of their popular accounts to consider:

Tip: Pricing varies from one account to another, but Chase fees can often be waived. Check out our guide to learn how to avoid the monthly service fees.

Bank of America

Of course, when it comes to national banks, Wells Fargo isn't your only option. Bank of America, the second largest banking institution in the US after JP Morgan Chase[3] also has a strong presence in Georgia, with over 80 locations in the state, all told.

Bank of America provides a solid mix of traditional brick-and-mortar banking and online services through their easy-to-use mobile app. Retail customers can open checking and savings accounts, apply for credit cards and home or auto loans, or get started investing through Merrill, a division of Bank of America.

Regions Bank

Regions Bank is a good choice for those looking to secure financial services with a bank from the local area. Regions is based in Georgia's neighbor to the west, in Birmingham, Alabama, and has 150 branches and 183 ATMs in the state of Georgia.

Regions combines local expertise with a broad reach, operating 1,454 branches across 16 southern and midwestern states. That means they'll understand you better as a customer than some national banks will, while still offering service should you travel or move within the region.

Services offered by Regions Bank include checking and savings accounts, credit cards, investment options, and can be accessed in person as well as online or through their mobile app.

How to Choose the Best Bank in Georgia

Just like you're laying down roots in Georgia, your money also needs a financial home. Here's what to consider when choosing the right bank:

Accessibility
Convenience is key. Choose a bank with branches close to your home and work, so you have easy access to ATMs and in-person support.

Checking and savings accounts
Pick a bank with the accounts and features you need. For example, some banks' checking accounts may have overdraft assistance or free budgeting tools.

Monthly fees
Some banks (especially traditional banks) charge a monthly fee unless you maintain a certain minimum balance or meet other criteria. This doesn't have to be a dealbreaker, as long as you can easily meet the requirements.

Additional services
Looking for more than banking? Banks usually also offer credit cards, loans, investment tools, and small business products. Look into the bank's other services if you want a one-stop-shop.

Bottom Line

There are several excellent banking options for Georgia residents, regardless of their preferences and individual needs. For those who prefer online banking with high interest rates, an account with CIT is a solid choice.

For those looking for a local bank, Truist, formerly SunTrust, has strong ties to the state.

And for those looking for a national bank with the widest range of services, Chase and Wells Fargo both provide access to extensive networks of branches and ATMs.

References

  1. ^ "Personal Checking Accounts": Truist, 2022.
  2. ^ "100 most active SBA 7(a) lenders": SBA.gov, 2022.
  3. ^ Federal Reserve Board. Large Commercial Banks, Retrieved 4/30/2022

Jeremy Harshman is a creative assistant at CreditDonkey, a bank comparison and reviews website. Write to Jeremy Harshman at jeremy.harshman@creditdonkey.com. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for our latest posts.

Note: This website is made possible through financial relationships with some of the products and services mentioned on this site. We may receive compensation if you shop through links in our content. You do not have to use our links, but you help support CreditDonkey if you do.

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