Most Popular Banks By State 2024 (2024)

Choosing where to store your money can be challenging. On the one hand, you want to shop around for the best interest rates and lowest fees. Yet on the other hand, you may want to consider customer service, branch locations and reputation.

The best banks offer desirable account features and top-notch customer service, but many of those banks exclusively operate online. If you’re after a bank with a large footprint and established reputation in your region, you may want to consider the most popular bank in your state. Here’s a list of the most popular banks by state plus tips on how to compare them.

Most Popular Banks in Each State

We determined the most popular bank in each state by looking at branch and ATM access as well as search trends. Not surprisingly, many of these institutions are some of the largest banks in the country by asset size. Others might be less familiar, but their regional footprints and perks boost their popularity with locals.

Here are the most popular banks by state:

Methodology

In order to identify the most popular banks in each state, our data team reviewed 169 financial institutions across all 50 states and Washington D.C. and ranked them based on branch access, ATM access and Google Search trends.

The following weights were assigned to each category:

• Branch access: 37.50%
• ATM access: 37.50%
• Google Trends searches in that state: 25%

Based on these factors, we ranked the banks in each state from most to least popular. Banks with the highest number of branches and ATMs in the state rose to the top of that state’s list. Banks with the most Google Search queries originating from that state were also given preference.

To learn more about our rating and review methodology and editorial process, check out our guide on How Forbes Advisor Reviews Banks.

What Makes Banks Popular

Several factors play into a bank’s popularity, but local presence is often chief among them. For customers used to banking in person, having access to several nearby branches and ATMs can be a deciding factor. That’s likely why national giants like Wells Fargo are popular across a wide range of states, while institutions like Huntington Bank, with a regional focus in the Midwest, are popular in Ohio and Michigan.

In addition to local presence, a long history and recognizable name help make national banks more popular than small regional banks and credit unions. While bigger isn’t necessarily better, many consumers do see national banks as more trustworthy. Forbes Advisor’s recent consumer banking survey shows that almost half of all consumers are willing to pay higher fees for accounts at more established banks.

While many consumers still choose the convenience and perceived safety of large national banks over the perks offered by online banks, online banks are growing in popularity. Brick-and-mortar banks may have secured the No. 1 spot in every state, but digital-forward banks fared well.

Quontic Bank, an online bank, ranked in the top 10 most popular banks in a number of states despite having zero branch locations. The bank offers 90,000 fee-free ATMs and is considered one of the best online banks when it comes to low fees and competitive rates. Capital One—a hybrid bank offering both low-fee online accounts and select branch locations—also made the top 10 in many places, even ranking second and third in several states.

How To Compare the Most Popular Banks

The most popular bank in your state can be a great place to start your research. But when deciding where to open an account, also consider the following questions:

• Do the bank’s account offerings match your needs? Every bank has its own unique slate of products ranging from checking and savings accounts to certificates of deposit (CDs) to mortgages and more. Make sure the bank offers accounts that are right for you, and pay attention to account fees and balance requirements.
• Is there a fee-free ATM nearby? If you use ATMs to withdraw cash, make sure the bank has in-network ATMs near you. Remember, many online banks do offer ATM access, so if branch access isn’t important to you, consider those as well.
• Are interest rates competitive? This is an especially important question if you’re planning to open a high-yield savings account or CD, as rates can vary significantly by institution. Often, credit unions and online banks have more favorable rates.
• Does the bank offer any relationship bonuses? Many institutions offer premium accounts and perks for customers who open multiple types of accounts with the bank, making it favorable to do all your banking at that institution. This could include waived account fees, higher savings rates, discounted loan rates and more.
• Is the online portal easy to navigate? It’s likely you’ll handle most of your banking online, from transferring funds to depositing checks. Make sure your bank’s mobile app and online banking portal are easy to navigate and offer all of the features you need.
• How is customer service? A good customer service department can help you make smart financial decisions and take care of banking issues quickly. Read reviews of the banks you’re comparing, check bank hours and look for 24/7 customer service options like live chat.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)