Best Banks in NYC
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Looking for the right bank in New York City? Check out this helpful guide to the best banks in NYC to see which is right for you.
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Bank of America Advantage Banking - Up to $500 Cash Offer
- The cash offer up to $500 is an online only offer and must be opened through the Bank of America promotional page.
- The offer is for new checking customers only.
- Offer expires 1/31/2026.
- To qualify, open a new eligible Bank of America Advantage Banking account through the promotional page and set up and receive Qualifying Direct Deposits* into that new eligible account within 90 days of account opening. Your cash bonus amount will be based on the total amount of your Qualifying Direct Deposits received in the first 90 days.
Cash Bonus Total Qualifying Direct Deposits $100 $2,000 $300 $5,000 $500 $10,000+ - If all requirements are met 90 days after account opening, Bank of America will attempt to deposit your bonus into your new eligible account within 60 days.
- Bank of America Advantage SafeBalance Banking® for Family Banking accounts are not eligible for this offer.
- Additional terms and conditions apply. See offer page for more details.
- *A Qualifying Direct Deposit is a direct deposit of regular monthly income – such as your salary, pension or Social Security benefits, which are made by your employer or other payer – using account and routing numbers that you provide to them.
- Bank of America, N.A. Member FDIC.
Wells Fargo Everyday Checking Account - $325 Bonus
- Get a $325 new checking customer bonus when you open an Everyday Checking account and receive $1,000 or more in qualifying direct deposits.
- Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
Member FDIC
Key Select Checking® - $500 Bonus
- Open a Key Select Checking® account online by December 19, 2025.
- Make the minimum opening deposit of $50, plus a total of $5,000 or more in eligible direct deposits within the first 90 days of account opening.
- Your $500 cash bonus will be deposited into your account within 60 days of meeting requirements. Account must not be closed at the time of gift payment.
As a New Yorker, you want a bank that's convenient to use. One that doesn't add stress to your already busy life.
So which NYC banks are worth your time?
Whether you're new to the city or just looking for a change, this guide will help you identify the top banks that New Yorkers trust. Keep reading to see which one suits you best.
The Best Banks in New York City
There are several important factors in order to identify the best banks in New York City. This includes reputation, the services they offer, their size, and the number of branches they have.
Not every bank is right for everyone, so make sure to check out the whole list so that you don't miss out on the best fit for you.
Bank of America® Business Advantage Banking Checking Account - $200 Bonus Offer
- The $200 bonus offer is an online only offer and must be opened through the Bank of America promotional page.
- The offer is for new eligible business checking customers only.
- Offer expires 12/31/2025.
- To qualify, deposit $5,000 or more in New Money* directly into a new eligible Bank of America Business Advantage Banking account within thirty (30) days of account opening.
- Maintain an average balance of $5,000 in that new Business Advantage Banking account during the Maintenance Period**.
- Once all requirements are met, Bank of America will attempt to pay bonus within 60 days.
- Additional terms and conditions apply. See offer page for more details.
- *New Money is new funds deposited into your business checking account that are not transfers from other Bank of America deposit accounts or
Merrill investment accounts.
- ** The Maintenance Period begins thirty-one (31) calendar days after account opening and ends ninety (90) calendar days after account opening.
- Bank of America, N.A. Member FDIC
Key Smart Checking® - $300 Bonus
- Open a Key Smart Checking® account online by December 19, 2025.
- Make the minimum opening deposit of $10, plus a total of $2,000 or more in eligible direct deposits within the first 90 days of account opening.
- Your $300 cash bonus will be deposited into your account within 60 days of meeting requirements. Account must not be closed at the time of gift payment.
Chase Bank: Best Branch Access
If you're a New Yorker who needs regular, reliable access to bank tellers and ATMs, then Chase Bank is worth your consideration.
With nearly 500 physical branches in the city, Chase operates over double the number of locations than any other retail banks do. That means that with a Chase Total Checking Account, you'll have ready access to your money just about wherever you are in New York.
Plus, you can find Chase banks with 24/7 ATMs every several blocks in many neighborhoods of the city, meaning you can withdraw cash for free.
Chase offers a variety of useful features including personal checking and savings accounts, credit cards, home and auto loans, and investing services through Investing by JPMorgan.
Apple Bank for Savings: Best Free Checking
Apple Bank, a New York exclusive, provides customers with access to free checking accounts, which none of the other banks on this list can claim.
Apple Bank's ExtraValue Checking Account is entirely free, without restrictive conditions like activity requirements or minimum balances.
They also offer a range of personal banking services including checking and savings accounts, Youth Savings accounts, CDs, loans, and more.
New customers at Apple Bank may even be able to receive a $100 bonus when they set up recurring direct deposits, like those from an employer or benefit program. While other banks may have flashier bonuses, few will offer accounts with as few requirements as Apple Bank.
Keep in mind, Apple Bank is smaller than the other banks on this list, with only about 80 branches in total. That means you'll have less accessibility outside of New York, and it also means that their mobile and online banking systems are not as robust as some of their competitors.
If you prefer online banking, you may be better off choosing a different bank.
Capital One: Best for Small Businesses and Online Savings
Most readers will probably already be familiar with Capital One. If you're a small business owner looking to open a checking account, or an everyday New Yorker interested in an online savings account, Capital One may be the best option for you.
Both of Capital One's business checking accounts, the Capital One Business Basic Checking and Capital One Business Enhanced Checking, offer easy ways to waive their monthly fee.
Both small business owners and regular customers will have access to branches and Capital One Cafés, which provide ATM access around the city in addition to those found at certain Target stores.
Citizens: Best for Customer Service
If you're looking for a personal touch when it comes to your banking, you might consider Citizens Bank (formerly HSBC, until they began transitioning out of the U.S. retail banking market in 2021).
The bank is regarded as one of the best in New York. According to a Pew study conducted in 2015, the bank ranked best in fairness, transparency, dispute resolution, and in their policy toward overdrafts.[1]
While many banks use questionable practices to increase the chances of their customers having an overdraft, Citizens processes daily transactions in order from low-to-high to decrease potential fees. They also don't charge fees on overdrafts of $10 or less.
Citizens offers customers a range of products and services including personal checking and savings, Premier Relationship Savings accounts, credit and debit cards, home loans, and more.
Santander Bank: Best for Students
For students aged between 16 and 25 years old, Santander Bank offers a free checking account and fee-free incoming wire transfers.
Whether you're from New York originally, or have just come there for school, this can be a valuable asset for receiving money from parents and other family members.
Electronic bank statements are free at Santander Bank, but paper ones cost $3, so it's best to take the environmentally friendly option. The bank has 108 branches in most parts of the city, save for Harlem and Brooklyn, where students may have more trouble finding access.
There are, however, a large number of locations near the NYU and Columbia campuses.
Santander Bank offers online and mobile banking. Their services include personal checking and savings accounts, Student Value Checking, Santander Youth Savings accounts, credit cards, personal loans, and more.
How to Choose the Right Bank for You
There's a lot to consider when you're choosing a new bank. Your top five factors will include:
- High-quality banking products
- Convenience
- Accessibility
- Good customer service
- Features that suit your lifestyle
At the end of the day, you want a bank that makes it easy to manage your finances, whether that's withdrawing cash, depositing paychecks, applying for loans, or simply keeping your savings safe.
Finding the right bank doesn't have to be difficult, but isn't a decision you should make lightly either. Think of banking like a long-term relationship. Choosing the right one can have a big impact on your life and finances.
Bottom Line
There are plenty of excellent banking options for residents of New York. If you're a small business owner, you can get a lot out of an account with Capital One.
If you're a student, Santander bank will offer free checking, which can provide valuable savings when money is tight.
For the best access, choose Chase, which has over 500 branches in NYC alone, and many more around the country. And if customer service is your primary concern, then Citizens is likely your best choice.
References
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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