Best Banks in Phoenix

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A sizable portion of the savings market is missing top-end interest rates, which has led to proportionately low interest earnings for many Americans. The Ally Bank Online Savings Account takes direct aim at this issue, though, as its 4.25% APY is 10x higher than the national average. There are no minimum deposit requirements for this account, which makes it attainable for just about anyone. You also won’t have to pay monthly fees, ensuring that every dollar you make remains in your wallet.

Saving money gets a whole lot easier when even your checking balance can grow, and Ally’s Spending Account can oblige. Account holders with a minimum daily balance at or above $15,000 receive a 0.25% APY, while everyone else is subject to a 0.10% APY. This fee-less account also comes with a debit card that you can use to either make purchases or withdraw cash from an ATM. Ally is partnered with the Allpoint ATM network that customers can use free of charge.

Apple and Android customers alike can download the Ally mobile banking app. It has a wide range of features, including mobile check deposit, online account statements, up-to-date transaction histories, an ATM locator and peer-to-peer money transfers through Zelle®.

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The biggest perk of working with a national bank is the widespread access you have to the bank, not only in your city, but across the country, too. Chase Bank has thousands of branches and ATMs in 26 states. This makes visiting a branch or ATM much more convenient in your own city and while traveling. 

Chase also offers a wide range of accounts, from personal bank accounts to credit cards to loans. This spread allows you to keep your money and accounts all in one place, if you so choose.

The downside of big banks is that the costs of location upkeep detracts from high-yield savings. Chase’s deposit interest rates are some of the lowest in the industry. You won’t be able to snag big savings from Chase savings accounts, unfortunately. 

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MidFirst Bank offers Phoenix residents a more regional, community-like feel to banking. You can find 25 branches in the Phoenix area which you can visit to open a number of the bank’s available accounts. This includes five different checking accounts and two savings accounts, allowing you to find an account that fits best with what you’re looking for. Many accounts do have high minimums to open or waive a monthly fee, however, so be careful of those when opening an account. 

MidFirst Bank was also found to be the bank with the best customer service in the Southwest in 2018. The bank conveniently offers different phone numbers for various branches or support teams you might need to contact. That way, you don’t need to wade through levels of an automated phone tree to try to speak to someone. There are also various contact forms in case you need to reach human resources, the president’s office, customer service and more. 

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There are few, if any, factors that affect someone’s choice of savings account more than its interest rate structure. In the case of CIT Bank, the Savings Builder account’s 1.00% APY is its hallmark. In order to hold onto this rate, customers will need to deposit $100 a month or maintain an account balance of $25,000. Anyone who does not satisfy these rules will see their APY shrivel to 0.40%.

Diversifying your savings portfolio is important for long-term financial growth. CIT Bank is a great institution to help you do this, as it has the following savings products:

• Premier High-Yield Savings account
• Money market account (MMA)
• 6-month to 5-year term CDs
• 2-year to 5-year jumbo CDs
• 1-year to 4-year “RampUp” CDs
• No-Penalty/11-Month CD

Between the Apple and Android app stores, CIT Bank’s mobile app has an average rating of 3.85 stars out of 5. While this doesn’t place it at the top of the market, it does seem to be a decent mobile offering. Mobile check deposit, inter-account money transfers and digital account statements are just a few of the features you’ll get. Additionally, MMA account holders can send payments to friends and family through “People Pay.”

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For some of the best savings, Phoenix residents can turn to local Parkway Bank for its Free Kasasa Saver account. You’ll need at least $100 to open the account, which may be a bit high for a number of customers. However, banks with lower savings account minimums offer savings at much lower rates.

This free account comes linked to a free Kasasa Cash® or Kasasa Cash Back® account. You’ll want to make these accounts your primary accounts to snag the best rates and benefits. By making at least 12 debit card purchases, enrolling in eStatements and enrolling in online banking, you’ll be able to start earning at a 1.70% APY on all balances up to $100,000. Balances higher than that will earn somewhere between 1.70% and 1.05% depending on your exact balance. Still, without meeting these requirements, your balance will earn at a 0.05% APY. 

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Arizona Bank & Trust's Free Checking with eStatements offers unlimited check writing, online/mobile banking and a debit card with no minimum balance needed to avoid a monthly fee. A minimum of $25, however, is required to open the account.

For those who want to earn premium interest by keeping a minimum balance, Arizona Bank & Trust offers Platinum Checking. You can get eStatements, a debit card and free checks with this account. But it charges a monthly maintenance fee of $12 and requires a minimum of $500 to open the account. You can, however, avoid the monthly fee by maintaining a minimum balance. Balances up to $50,000 can earn a 1.00% APY

This bank also offers Signature Series Checking. Those who can maintain large balances can get a high interest rate. Balances between $50,000 and $250,000 and over can earn up to 1.75% APY.  

Runner-up: BMO Harris Smart Advantage Account

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What’s better than a checking account that earns big savings? An interest-earning checking account that’s free certainly makes it easier to grow your savings. Parkway Bank’s Free Kasasa Cash Account doesn’t charge a monthly fee, no strings attached. You’ll need at least $100 to open the account.

This account earns at a 2.05% APY on balances up to $25,000. Any balances above that will earn between 2.05% and 0.61%, depending on the exact balance. To earn at these rates, you’ll need to make at least 12 debit card purchases each statement cycle, be enrolled in eStatement notices and be enrolled in online banking. If you don’t meet these qualifications, your balance will earn a 0.05% APY. 

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Chase offers a great opportunity for students who need a checking account. For starters, young high school students from 13 to 17 years old can open the Chase High School Checking account with a parent or guardian. This accompanying adult must also have a qualifying Chase checking account of their own. This account can help you teach your child about money management and doesn't charge a monthly fee.

However, if you’re heading to college, you can have a Chase College Checking account instead if you’re from 17 to 24 years of age. It also comes with a $6 monthly fee, but you can waive that fee as well. Banking with Chase as a college student is incredibly handy for those students going to school out of state, whether you’re from Phoenix or attending school there, due to the thousands of Chase branches and ATMs throughout the country.