10 Best Banks in North Carolina

1. Chase

Rent in Charlotte and the Triangle has climbed faster than most paychecks, which makes a $400 deposit that costs you nothing worth ten minutes of paperwork. Chase pays new customers $400 to open a Total Checking account and set up direct deposit It pays out in days, not at the end of a twelve month holding period.

Here is the whole requirement. Open a new Total Checking account, then have $1,000 or more in qualifying direct deposits arrive within 90 days of enrolling. It is cumulative, so two or three ordinary paychecks clear it, and the money lands within 15 days of you meeting it. The $15 monthly fee drops to $0 in any statement period you receive $500 or more in qualifying electronic deposits, or keep a $1,500 beginning-day balance, or hold $5,000 across linked Chase accounts. Worth knowing: Zelle transfers, cash, checks, wires and interest do not count toward either number.

The bonus is not the only reason to look. Chase runs 64 branches in North Carolina, plus more than 5,000 nationwide and over 14,000 fee-free ATMs. Sixty-four branches puts Chase on solid ground in the Charlotte and Raleigh metros while the app and the 14,000 plus ATMs carry the rest. North Carolina is also home to two of the largest banks in the country, so shop the bonus against what your current bank is actually paying you, which for most people is nothing.

The catch worth naming: the bonus is only for people who are not already Chase checking customers, and you can collect one new-checking bonus every two years. Chase reports it to you on a 1099-INT, so set a little aside for tax. If that describes you, open a Total Checking account and claim the $400.

2. Current

Charlotte and Raleigh rent has outrun wages for several years running, and the commute out to Concord, Cary or Durham costs fuel on top. Summer cooling bills land in July and August whether or not it is a payday week. That gap between deposits is where a $35 overdraft fee gets created.

Current closes that gap. Set up $1,500 or more in Eligible Payroll Deposits within your first 35 days using code WELCOME75 and you get $75. The $1,500 is cumulative, so two or three normal paychecks get you there, and the bonus usually shows up within about ten business days. After that you can pull up to $750 of your next paycheck early through Paycheck Advance, with no interest and no credit check.

There is no monthly fee and no minimum balance. Read the deposit rule carefully, because it is the one place people trip: only genuine payroll direct deposits count. Non-payroll ACH transfers, Venmo, Cash App, Zelle, PayPal, Google Pay, mobile check deposits, cash and one-time deposits like a tax refund are all excluded. Worth being precise about the coverage too: Current is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services and the debit card come from Choice Financial Group and Cross River Bank, both Members FDIC, so your deposits get pass-through FDIC coverage up to $250,000 through those partner banks.

New customers only, and it is worth doing in the order above: open the account, enter WELCOME75, then point your payroll at it. Switch your paycheck and claim the $75 here.

3. Wells Fargo

In North Carolina, Wells Fargo is a leading bank with over 325 branches and ATMs across cities like Charlotte, Raleigh, and Asheville.

The Everyday Checking account is perfect for managing your finances, offering a $325 bonus for new customers.

Open an account with $25 and set up $1,000 in direct deposits within 90 days to qualify.

The account also comes with 24/7 fraud monitoring and a $15 monthly fee that can be waived with simple activities.

Start your account today and enjoy secure banking in the Tar Heel State.

4. First Citizens Bank

North Carolina hosts fewer than 10 First Citizens Bank branches and offers a free basic checking with its First Citizens Checking Account. This checking account requires a $50 deposit, but you don’t have to have a minimum balance.

You can also waive the monthly fee if you enroll in paperless billing. First Citizens Bank also offers many other checking and savings accounts. 

First Citizens Bank was founded in 1898 and serves several North Carolinian communities. The mobile app lets you access this bank’s services and your accounts. 

Choose from three checking and two savings accounts with First Citizens Bank. You can also open a money market account or choose from several CDs and credit cards. 

5. First National Bank

First National Bank, headquartered in Pittsburgh, has expanded its reach to seven other states, including North Carolina. Established in 1864, the bank offers a network of nearly 90 branches for customers who prefer in-person banking experiences.

Customers at First National Bank have access to a diverse range of financial products and services.

From various checking account options, savings accounts, IRAs, CDs, HSAs, mortgages, home equity loans, personal loans, lines of credit, investment services, to insurance coverage including home, life, and auto insurance, the bank provides comprehensive solutions to meet customers' needs.

One standout offering from First National Bank is Freestyle Checking, designed specifically to cater to individuals' everyday banking needs. This account grants customers the convenience of unlimited check writing and a debit card.

Additionally, there are no monthly service fees or minimum balance requirements, making Freestyle Checking a reliable and straightforward option for effectively managing day-to-day finances.

6. Mechanics & Farmers Bank

You can find some of the best checking accounts when you bank with Mechanics & Farmers Bank. This financial institution is historically African-American-owned and was founded in 1907. 

Based in Durham, Mechanics & Farmers Bank offers several banking products, including: 

• Money market accounts (MMAs)
• Individual retirement accounts (IRAs)
• Certificates of deposit (CDs)
• Credit cards
• High-yield savings accounts (HYSAs) 
• Financial planning tools
• Home equity lines of credit (HELOCs)
• Business banking

You can also use any Wells Fargo ATM for free if you bank with Mechanics & Farmers Bank. Rest assured that FDIC insurance protects your funds through this North Carolinian bank. 

You can choose from several accounts when you open a Mechanics & Farmers Bank account. The Dash Checking account is popular because you can earn up to 3% APY on balances below $10,000. 

This bank account also gives you up to $15 in out-of-network ATM reimbursements per statement period. However, you’ll need to use your debit card at least 15 times or have at least $350 in your account to earn this reimbursement. 

You can also open a Prestige or Interest Account with only $100. These accounts let you earn interest on your checking account balance. 

However, Mechanics & Farmers Bank offers several savings accounts targeted to specific groups. You can open a Golden Years savings account, an account geared towards youth, or a Holiday Savings Account. 

Mechanic & Farmers Bank’s basic Statement Savings account comes with a $6 monthly fee. However, you can waive that fee if you have at least $200 in your account daily and make a $100 opening deposit. 

7. Ally Bank

Online-only banks are taking the financial world by storm, and Ally Bank is no different. This bank has no physical branches but offers customers higher interest rates and other great perks. 

Open a money market account, certificate of deposit, IRA, checking, or savings account with this online-only bank, and you won’t have to worry about monthly maintenance fees or minimum opening deposits. You can also earn up to 4% APY on top savings accounts. 

Ally Bank offers both a website and a mobile app you can download to access your financial accounts. You can also use Zelle and a network of 55,000 ATMs to manage your finances. 

With Ally Bank, you can get up to $10 per statement period for out-of-network ATM costs. Plus, interest is compounded daily on all balances, which are FDIC-insured. 

Ally Bank lets you earn 0.01% APY on its Interest Checking Account. You can also set up several savings “buckets” to achieve a savings goal. 

8. Truist Bank

If you’re looking for some of the best money market accounts, Truist Bank offers several to choose from. This bank was formed in 2019 when SunTrust Bank and BB&T merged. 

Headquartered in Charlotte, Truist Bank has almost 300 locations in North Carolina alone. However, you should note that this bank’s customer service is unavailable on Sundays. 

Choose from two checking accounts with Truist Bank. The Truist One Checking Account doesn’t earn interest, but you can waive the $12 monthly fee if you have at least $550 direct deposited. 

Truist also offers a Negative Balance Buffer that loans you up to $100 if you overdraft by that much. You can also open a Truist Bank savings account with a $50 minimum and waive the $5 monthly fee with a $300 daily balance or link it to your Truist checking account. 

Truist Bank offers money market accounts, debit cards, CDs, credit cards, auto loans, investing, mortgages, financial planning, and personal loans. Some accounts may not have overdraft fees. 

9. Bank of America

Bank of America (sometimes called “BofA”) runs several yearly promotions. You can make a lot of money from taking advantage of these Bank of America promotions, especially considering that most offers are easy to complete.

Opening an account with BofA is easy. Bank of America is one of several banks that don’t require Social Security numbers if you have another form of identification. 

Most of BofA’s checking accounts bear the name “Advantage,” such as the Advantage Plus Banking account. Most accounts require $100 to deposit into the account immediately. 

These checking accounts also offer up to $100 when you deposit $1,000 or more. Visit Bank of America’s website to learn more about these requirements. 

BofA hosts several thousand branches and ATMs nationwide, including in North Carolina. You can also bank with BofA through your smartphone. 

While Bank of America savings accounts don’t offer a competitive APY, the Keep the Change program lets you round up your purchases to increase your savings. You can also waive monthly maintenance fees with a $500 minimum balance. 

10. PNC Bank

PNC Bank ranks sixth largest in North Carolina, behind a few other national banks. It offers low interest rates and Virtual Wallet accounts to help you manage the finances of life. 

Most PNC Bank savings accounts require a $25 minimum deposit. You can waive the monthly fee if you:

• Are younger than 18 years old
• Connect your savings and checking accounts
• Maintain a $300 daily balance 

With a PNC Bank Virtual Wallet account, you can pay your bills, receive notifications about pending overdrafts, and track your deposits. You can also earn several welcome bonuses, many of which are for the Performance Select Checking account. 

For example, if you open an account, you can earn between $50 and $400. Just deposit $5,000 or more within 60 days of opening your account. 

You can also use PNC Banks’ Growth account to earn up to 0.03% APY on your savings account balance. Use the Reserve checking account to earn interest as well, but only at 0.01% APY.