19 Best Banks in Virginia in 2026

1. Chase

Northern Virginia rent and an I-95 or I-66 commute will eat $400 in a month, which is exactly why collecting it once for free is worth the paperwork. Chase pays new customers $400 to open a Total Checking account and set up direct deposit The bonus is paid in days, not held for a year.

The bar is low and it is written down. Open a new Total Checking account and get $1,000 or more in qualifying direct deposits in within 90 days of enrolling. The total is cumulative rather than per deposit, so a couple of normal paychecks does it, and Chase pays the bonus within 15 days of you hitting the number. That $15 monthly fee waives to $0 with $500 or more in qualifying electronic deposits in the statement period, a $1,500 daily beginning balance, or $5,000 across linked accounts. Zelle, cash, checks, wires and interest are all excluded from the count.

The bonus is not the only reason to look. Chase runs 77 branches in Virginia, plus more than 5,000 nationwide and over 14,000 fee-free ATMs. Seventy-seven branches gives Chase real presence across Northern Virginia, Richmond and Hampton Roads, with the app and the ATM network filling in the rest of the Commonwealth. Several Virginia credit unions on this page pay better on savings, so the sensible play is often Chase for the bonus and checking and a credit union for the savings balance.

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

Northern Virginia rent is among the highest in the country and the I-95 and I-66 commute charges you in fuel, tolls and time. Richmond and Hampton Roads are cheaper but not cheap. Whatever part of the Commonwealth you are in, the bills cluster at the start of the month and the pay does not.

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. 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 $475 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.

4. Wells Fargo

With over 200 branches and ATMs across Virginia, Wells Fargo is a top choice for residents in Richmond, Alexandria, Virginia Beach, and beyond.

The Everyday Checking account offers a $325 bonus for new customers who open an account with $25 and meet the $1,000 direct deposit requirement within 90 days.

Wells Fargo’s robust digital tools and 24/7 fraud monitoring ensure secure and convenient banking for Virginians. The $15 monthly fee is waivable with simple qualifying activities.

5. Carter Bank & Trust

This state-chartered community bank offers members many financial tools, including checking and savings accounts. New members can choose from four checking accounts requiring a $50 minimum deposit.

Beyond the initial $50 investment, Carter Bank & Trust’s checking accounts don’t require a minimum balance. However, they are interest-bearing, though the specific rates aren’t published on the bank’s website. 

Open a Carter Savings Account, and you can waive the $5 monthly fee if you maintain a balance of $100 or more. You can also earn a ticket by saving $25 to participate in the Carter Ca$h giveaway, where you could win up to $25,000. 

When it comes to banking in Virginia, Carter Bank & Trust makes it easy to manage your money. This Virginia bank also offers credit cards, loans, and mortgages to help residents accomplish their life goals. 

6. Citi

Virginians, if you can deposit $300,000 into your new Citi account, you can earn up to $2,000 in rewards. If you’ve only got $10,000 to deposit, you can still earn $200 when you open a new Citi Priority Account. 

To earn this new member bonus, you’ll need to complete the following criteria:

• Deposit $10,000 or more within 20 days of opening your account
• Maintain that balance for 60 consecutive days after the 21st day

If your balance dips below $10,000, you’ll only earn a bonus for that lower amount. Bonuses are typically deposited within a month after you complete your required activities. 

7. Eastman Credit Union

Eastman Credit Union continues to grow and support its many members in Virginia. This credit union offers free checking and savings, money market accounts, investments, loans, and more. 

Members of many communities in Virginia can join Eastman Credit Union simply based on where they live, work, attend school, or worship. You can easily open an account online if you’re over 18. 

Eastman Credit Union offers $100 for new members who open a personal checking account. If you set up a direct deposit shortly after opening the account, you’re awarded the $100 bonus. 

8. First Bank Virginia

This bank might not be the first to open in Virginia, but it’s a catchy name. Plus, you can make $200 just by opening a bank account with First Bank Virginia. 

You must first open a Personal Checking Account and receive a direct deposit. Then, you must keep that account open for at least 90 days to receive your $200 bonus. 

9. Fulton Bank

Speaking of $200, you can also earn that amount with Fulton Bank. This bank requires more of you than First Bank Virginia, which might make you want to open an account with them instead of Fulton. 

All the same, here are the requirements to earn a $200 bonus: 

• Open a personal checking account
• Make 15 debit card purchases within 60 days OR set up a direct deposit of $250 or more 

Fulton Bank is available to employees of companies that participate in the Workplace Banking Program. You can find out more about Fulton Bank by visiting its website. 

10. Gateway First Bank

If you can make a direct deposit of $250 or more within 90 days, you can open a Gateway First Bank Personal Checking Account and earn $250. 

In addition to funding your account with a $250 direct deposit, Gateway First Bank also requires that you maintain that amount for 90 days. Then you’ll get $250 deposited into your account.

11. HomeTrust Bank

If you’re looking for some of the best bank account bonuses from Virginian banks, check out HomeTrust Bank. This bank offers a $400 bonus for new members who open a personal checking account with the promo code “UPTO400.” 

HomeTrust Bank splits your bonus up into three parts:

• $150 when you set up and receive a direct deposit of $2,500 or more within two of the first three statement cycles
• $150 for opening your account with a balance of $10,000 or more and maintaining that balance for 90 days
• $100 for making 15 debit card purchases of $500 or more within one statement cycle within 90 days of opening your account

Hurry! This offer only lasts until June 15.  

12. Lafayette Federal Credit Union

If you want to make money by opening a savings account, Lafayette Federal Credit Union awards you $100. You can earn the same $100 if you open a checking account instead. 

Members who open Lafayette Federal Credit Union savings accounts must qualify for membership and open the account with the promo code “DD2022.” Members must also receive a direct deposit of $500 or more within 45 days of opening the account. 

13. M&T Bank

Open an M&T Bank business checking or money market account, and you could earn $500 or $450, respectively. You can earn up to $200 when you open a new personal checking account. 

To earn the $200, you’ll need to open your new M&T Bank account online or in person and have a direct deposit of at least $500 within 90 days. If you can manage this, you can boost your savings with an extra $200.  

14. Peoples Bancorp

Like many other Virginia banks on our list, Peoples Bancorp requires you to complete several criteria to earn a $300 bonus. These actions include: 

• Open a new personal checking account
• Receive a direct deposit at least once in each statement cycle for the first six cycles
• Make five or more debit card purchases
• Elect to receive eStatements

When you complete these requirements, you can earn $50 for each statement cycle. That totals $300 across six months.  

You can earn $300 for your new account if you can manage all these steps. This sum can also help you make ends meet if you need extra cash. 

15. PNC Bank

PNC Bank is known for having one of the best banking apps. It also offers a $50 bonus when you open a Virtual Wallet Checking account. 

To earn $50, you must deposit $500 or more within the first 60 days of owning your account. PNC Bank will credit you the $50 within 90 days of completing this requirement. 

If you do miss it, you might be able to earn $400 by opening a new Performance Select Checking account or $200 for a Performance Spend Checking account. 

16. Sandy Spring Bank

This Virginia bank offers new members a $75 bonus when they complete the following: 

• Open a new personal checking account
• Receive a direct deposit of $100 or more (+$25 bonus)
• Make three debit card purchases during the third statement cycle (+$25 bonus)
• Select eStatements by the end of the third cycle (+$25 bonus)

Most of these requirements are easy enough to meet. If you prefer banking with Sandy Spring Bank, it pays to open a new bank account.  

17. TD Bank

The Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD Bank) is one of the largest banks in the US and one of the best banks in Canada. Open a new TD Beyond Checking account, and you can earn up to $300 in cash. You can also earn $200 if you open a Convenience Checking account instead, with similar requirements.

To earn your $300 bonus, you must open a new Beyond Checking account and receive a direct deposit of $2,500 or more within the first 60 days. If you have a direct deposit of $5,000 or have a balance of at least $2,500 within each statement cycle, you can also waive the monthly fees for this account. 

TD Bank reimburses members for ATM fees and overdrafts. You can also use your new TD Bank account and Zelle to send and receive money.  

18. Truist Bank

Open a Truist Bank checking account to earn $400. Use promo code “TRUISTCHKQ223” and make two direct deposits of $1,000 plus within the first 90 days of ownership. 

Though known as having some of the best money market accounts, Truist Bank also offers its Confidence Account that helps you build or repair your credit. This account requires a $25 opening deposit, but you can waive the $5 monthly fee in several ways. 

19. First National Bank

This regional bank offers some of the best checking accounts for a full-service bank. You can choose from five checking accounts in total, including: 

• Freestyle Checking
• Lifestyle Checking
• eStyle Checking
• eStyle Plus Checking
• Premierstyle Checking

Choose the Premierstyle Checking account, and you can get your first order of checks free. First National Bank also offers savings accounts, mortgages, loans, investment planning, insurance, and business accounts.