Some of the largest banks in the United States can be found in Tennessee. These include Chase, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, PNC Bank, and U.S. Bank.
However, Tennessee holds some of the best regional banks. These banks might not be as well-known as more popular financial institutions, but they can still cater to their communities with various financial products.
In this guide, we’ll show you some of Tennessee's best banks you can partner with. These banks offer several accounts and services you can use to your advantage.
We’ve even got a few online-only banks you can choose from. These banks may not have physical locations, but they can still offer superior customer service and convenient features.
Are you ready to learn more about the best banks in Tennessee? Let’s get started!
15 Best Banks in Tennessee
Free checking that actually pays you. No monthly fees. No minimum balance. Earn $75 bonus. Get paid up to 2 days early with direct deposit. FDIC insured.
- Earn $75 bonus
- No monthly fees ever
- Get paid 2 days early with direct deposit
America's largest bank with thousands of branches. Best if you want a physical location nearby and a $400 cash bonus just for switching your direct deposit.
- Thousands of branches and ATMs nationwide
- $400 bonus with direct deposit
- No monthly fees with $500+ deposits
1. Current
Tennessee summers are punishing on a budget. Electric bills spike from June through September, gig workers and hospitality staff in Nashville and Memphis don't always get a paycheck on the same day each week, and one busted A/C unit can wipe out a paycheck before it even hits. If you're paycheck-to-paycheck like most Tennesseans, that gap between deposits is exactly when the costly stuff happens.
Current was built for that gap. Switch your direct deposit using code PAYROLL75 and you get $75 free, just for doing what you were going to do anyway. After that, you can pull up to $750 of your next paycheck early, with no interest, no credit check, and no questions asked. For a server in Nashville, a touring musician, or anyone heating and cooling a Knoxville house through Tennessee weather, that buffer is the difference between paying rent on time and getting hit with a $50 late fee.
There are no monthly fees, no minimum balance, no overdraft charges, and you get paid up to two days early. The whole account opens in two minutes from your phone, no branch required. Current is FDIC-insured, used by 4M+ Americans, and BBB A-rated.
If you don't love it, you can close the account in 60 seconds with no fees and no calls. So there's no real downside to trying it.
- Get instant access to up to $750 with no credit check and no interest
- $75 bonus with code PAYROLL75 and setting up $200 direct deposit
- No monthly fees, no overdrafts, and no hidden charges
2. Chase Total Checking®
Chase has a real footprint in Tennessee, with branches across Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, and Chattanooga, plus thousands of free Chase ATMs you can use whenever you cross into Kentucky, Georgia, North Carolina, or Alabama. For Tennesseans who travel for work, see family across state lines, or just want a bank you can walk into, Chase is the obvious pick.
Right now, Chase is offering a $400 bonus when you open a new Total Checking® account and set up qualifying direct deposit ($1,000+ within 90 days). Most working Tennesseans qualify, the bonus hits within 90 days, and the $15 monthly fee waives itself the moment your paycheck shows up. So the account is effectively free for anyone with steady direct deposit.
You also get 16,000+ free ATMs, 5,000+ branches, Zelle built in, and a top-rated mobile app. You can link Chase savings, credit cards, or auto loans later, all under one login, which makes it easy to keep your finances simple.
If you want the biggest checking bonus available right now and a national bank that follows you wherever you go in or out of Tennessee, Chase is the move.
- Access 15,000+ fee-free ATMs and 4,700 branches
- Earn a $400 bonus with qualifying direct deposits
- Free debit card with contactless payments
- Get paid up to 2 days early with direct deposit
3. Tennessee's Heat and Humidity Demand More Than Just a Checking Account
Current and Chase handle your checking account. You're set there. But Tennessee's gig economy—session musicians in Nashville, hospitality workers in Memphis, Gatlinburg tourism, and small business owners throughout the state—means most residents are juggling bigger financial problems: irregular income, climbing credit card debt, and wondering if you'll ever actually get ahead with unpredictable paychecks.
If those sound familiar, here are six financial tools Tennessee residents are using to take back control:
National Debt Relief – Credit card debt dragging you down from years of living between gigs? National Debt Relief negotiates with creditors to reduce what you owe. Tennessee clients typically save 24-48% of enrolled debt. Real relief. Not a temporary fix. Frees up hundreds monthly.
Upstart – Need a personal loan but your credit isn't perfect? Upstart uses AI to approve people traditional banks reject. Lower rates than credit cards. Fast funding. Essential when unexpected expenses hit between paychecks.
Monarch Money – Stop losing track of money when income is irregular. Monarch consolidates all your accounts into one dashboard. See your real net worth. Budget for unpredictable cash flow. Plan ahead. 7-day free trial, 50% off first year with code MONARCHVIP.
EarnIn – Gig work means paychecks don't always line up with bills. EarnIn lets you access up to $1,000 of wages you've already earned, zero interest, zero fees. You decide what's fair. Keeps Tennessee workers away from predatory loans.
Arrived – Want real estate income without dealing with property management across Tennessee? Arrived owns rental properties nationwide and you own fractional shares. Earn passive income from rent and appreciation. Real diversification for irregular income.
Robinhood – Never invested because you didn't know where to start? Robinhood removes all barriers. Commission-free stocks and ETFs. No minimums. Get a free stock worth up to $200 just for signing up. Build wealth alongside your music, gigs, or business work.
Want more Tennessee banking options? Keep reading for 12 additional banks below.
4. SoFi
SoFi is one of those banks that actually makes things easy. When you open a SoFi Checking and Savings account and set up direct deposit, they’ll give you up to a $300 bonus just for doing what you already do.
I like that there are no account fees, you can get your paycheck up to two days early, and the app is clean and simple to use. You can see everything in one place, from your checking and savings to investing.
It’s FDIC-insured and feels more modern than a traditional bank. If you want a bank that rewards you for being smart with your money, SoFi is worth checking out.
- Earn up to 4.00% APY on savings and 0.50% APY on checking balances
- No monthly fees, minimum balance requirements, or overdraft fees
- Earn up to $300 with direct deposit, terms apply
5. First Citizens Bank
Founded in 1898, First Citizens Bank serves its customers in nearly 20 states. It’s known for superb customer service and a multitude of available accounts.
First Citizens Bank offers three checking accounts, two savings accounts, money market accounts, CDs, and credit cards. You can open a free checking account with a minimum of $50.
With this free account, you can also waive monthly fees if you enroll in paperless billing. The Premier checking account also offers preferred rates on home equity lines of credit and CDs.
First Citizens Bank provides small business loans and commercial loans. You can easily manage your money through the mobile app, as the bank holds fewer than 10 physical branches.
While savings account APYs might be low at First Citizens Bank, they’re better than nothing. You can also use First Citizens Bank to manage your business finances, obtain a home or auto loan, and purchase car insurance.
6. Fifth Third Bank
Fifth Third Bank (5/3 Bank) is one of the largest consumer banks in the Midwestern United States. It's headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, with nearly 1,100 branches and customers in 12 states, including Tennessee.
You can open any of the following checking accounts at any Fifth Third Bank in Tennessee:
- Momentum Checking: Besides no monthly maintenance fees and minimum balance requirements, this account comes with early direct deposit.
- Express Checking: Similar to the Momentum Checking account, you won’t pay a monthly fee or have to meet a minimum balance requirement. Instead, you can cash your checks and set up a direct deposit with this account.
- Preferred Checking: You must open this account at a physical branch in person. You must deposit at least $100,000 or more to the account once you’ve opened it.
The Momentum Savings account offers 0.01% APY and a $5 monthly fee. However, you can waive the monthly fee if you meet specific criteria.
Fifth Third Bank is based out of Ohio. You can also open a money market account or 529 savings account at this Tennessee bank.
7. Bank of Tennessee
If you’re looking for the best checking accounts in Tennessee, the Bank of Tennessee seems like a logical place to start. This mid-size bank was established in 1974 and calls Kingsport home.
You’ll find over 20 branches in North Carolina and Tennessee. This bank offers various products, from IRAs and MMAs to CDs and brokerage accounts.
Some accounts come with various APYs. The Bank of Tennessee also has an extensive ATM network to complement its brick-and-mortar locations.
8. Ally Bank
Due to Ally Bank’s online-only presence, customers cannot deposit cash directly into their accounts. However, Ally Bank offers several perks many customers love, especially in this modern day and age.
Ally Bank offers several checking and savings accounts. The savings accounts come with “buckets” to save up for whatever you want.
You can earn up to 4% APY on Ally Bank’s savings accounts. This interest compounds daily, and your funds are FDIC-insured.
Open an Interest Checking Account, and you can earn 0.25% APY if you have over $15,000 in your account. Otherwise, you still earn 0.1% APY on your balance.
Ally Bank doesn’t charge monthly fees or have minimum opening deposits. You can reach customer support through live chat or over the phone if you need assistance.
Ally also partners with Zelle to allow its customers to send and receive money. If you have to use an ATM outside of Ally’s network, you can get reimbursed up to $10 per statement cycle.
Ally Bank also offers money market accounts, CDs, and IRAs.
9. Truist Bank
Headquartered in Charlotte, Truist Bank was formed in 2019 when SunTrust Bank and BB&T merged. This bank offers several types of accounts you can use to help achieve your goals.
In addition to checking and savings accounts, Truist Bank offers some of the best money market accounts. You can use these accounts to increase your earnings and save.
Truist’s Negative Balance Buffer covers you up to $100 if you overdraft by this amount or less. You can also use the Truist One Checking account for free if you have a $550 direct deposit each statement period.
Truist One comes with no interest and requires a $50 deposit. However, there are no overdraft fees associated with this account.
You can also open a Truist savings account with only $50. The $5 monthly fee can be waived if you have a $300 daily balance or link a Truist checking account.
10. Wells Fargo
Tennesseans can trust Wells Fargo for its excellent banking services and $325 new customer bonus.
With branches and ATMs in Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville, Wells Fargo ensures access to your money statewide. Open an Everyday Checking account with $25 and receive $1,000 in qualifying direct deposits within 90 days to earn the bonus.
Start your journey today and discover why Wells Fargo is one of the top banks in Tennessee.
11. FSNB
Fort Sill National Bank (the former name of this bank) hosts over 30 branches across the state. It also offers checking and savings accounts that you can open online.
Some of FSNB’s accounts come with a monthly maintenance fee, which you may or may not be able to waive. Others may offer free direct deposits or varying interest rates.
FSNB offers dedicated accounts for military members and veterans. This full-service bank serves Tennessee to give back to its citizens.
12. First Horizon
Formerly known as the First Tennessee Bank, First Horizon is headquartered in Memphis. You’ll find over 180 branches around the state that offer personal and business banking.
First Horizon has multiple accounts to choose from, including checking and savings accounts. You can also obtain debit and credit cards from this bank.
13. Regions Bank
You may find several Regions Bank branches in Texas, but they’re also found in Tennessee. This bank merged in 2004 with Union Painter Bank, so it has definitely grown since.
You can open everything from checking and savings accounts to lines of credit and mortgages with Regions Bank. Physical branches help, but you can also go online to manage your finances.
Regions Bank updates its members through texts and mobile app notifications. You can also have Regions Bank manage your wealth and investments, too.
14. Wilson Bank & Trust
Though you may not have heard of it, Wilson Bank & Trust offers nearly 30 locations in the middle of Tennessee. It offers the standard list of traditional financial products, including checking and savings accounts, debit cards, IRAs, and CDs.
You can access your Wilson Bank & Trust account online or through the mobile app. Wilson Bank & Trust will also manage your investments and wealth if you’d like.
15. Bank of America
Bank of America’s Advantage Plus Banking and similar accounts can help you manage your money and get rewarded for it. You can earn up to $100 if you open a new Advantage account and deposit $1,000 or more.
As one of the largest banks in the U.S., Bank of America offers several promotions like this throughout the year. It also provides its Keep the Change program which allows you to contribute to your savings account by rounding up your purchases.
Tennessee hosts several hundred Bank of America ATMs and physical branches. It also offers a top mobile banking experience to help you manage your finances from home.
Bank of America falls short when it comes to its savings account APYs. At 0.01% APY, it’s nothing to write home about, especially in the face of higher APYs from online-only banks.
FAQs
You can have as many checking accounts as you want. While it can be challenging to keep track of so many checking accounts simultaneously, sometimes you can take advantage of quite a few welcome bonuses to add to your savings with multiple checking accounts.
Most banks require that you’re at least 18 years old to open a grown-up bank account. However, some banks offer teen accounts you can open as young as 13.
First Citizens Bank offers a free checking account. However, you must deposit at least $50 in the account once it’s open, though there’s no minimum balance after that.
Which Bank Is Right for You?
Free checking that actually pays you. No monthly fees. No minimum balance. Earn $75 bonus. Get paid up to 2 days early with direct deposit. FDIC insured.
America's largest bank with branches and ATMs in every major city. Earn $400 cash just for setting up direct deposit. Best if you want in-person banking or need a teller for business deposits, wire transfers, or safe deposit boxes.
Banking to a Fine Tune in Tennessee
Dolly Parton and Elvis Presley were born in Tennessee, but you don’t have to be a celebrity to bank there. Instead, you can use the many banks on our list of the best in Tennessee to achieve your financial goals.
We hope this article has helped you find more banks you can use to your advantage. While bank accounts can be scary and intimidating, it’s all about how you use them to get where you want to be.
You’ll find a good mix of banks in Tennessee, from national and digital banks to credit unions. Each offers accounts and perks to boost your finances to a new level.
Which of the best banks in Tennessee caught your eye?
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