2025 Excellence in Banking Awards: Top Performers and Innovators 

The landscape for savings, certificates of deposit, and money market accounts has transformed significantly in recent years.

This current financial climate offers an unprecedented opportunity to save and invest more effectively. However, the critical question is how to ensure that you are capitalizing on the best available rates. This requires staying informed and possibly seeking expert advice to navigate these favorable conditions to your maximum advantage. 

We analyzed and compared hundreds of financial institutions and services to find the best personal finance accounts and products for 2025, emphasizing the best interest rates and returns. 

See which products and accounts made the list, and check back soon for updates. Our recommendations change throughout the year as new interest rates, accounts, and products become available to consumers. 

Best Bank Accounts

Deposit accounts enable you to put your money in a safe place when you use a federally insured bank. They include checking, savings, money market, and CD accounts. Browse our selections below and learn more.

Best Investment Accounts

Investment accounts enable you to put your money towards investments that can give you a steady return on your money and come in more flavors than you might realize. You can choose investment accounts you manage yourself or have a robot or investment professional suggest short- and long-term investments.

Here are some of the best in each category.

Which Banks Have the Best Savings Account Rates?

Savings rates are still some of the highest we’ve seen in years, but if you’re using a traditional, big-name bank, you might be missing out on these rates.

Here are our top picks for those who want to earn the highest interest on their savings.

Best Combination Accounts

When it comes to managing your finances, finding the right combination of accounts can make all the difference. Some institutions offer versatile solutions, whether you’re looking to pair checking with savings, optimize for retirement, or even blend life insurance with financial growth.

Here’s a look at some of the best combined accounts from leading financial institutions that excel in meeting diverse needs.

Best Credit-Building Accounts

Building credit can be a challenge, but the right accounts can make the process easier and more rewarding. Whether you’re starting fresh, need options for non-traditional IDs, or want to build credit through everyday actions like paying rent or making purchases, these accounts are designed to help.

Here’s a list of the best credit-building accounts tailored to meet unique needs.

Best Accounts for Freelancers and Gig Workers

Freelancers and gig workers need financial accounts that keep up with their dynamic lifestyles and unique needs. From managing taxes to accessing credit and integrating with business tools, the right account can streamline your finances and save you time.

Check out some of the best accounts tailored specifically for freelancers and gig workers.

Best Kid and Teen Accounts

Teaching kids and teens financial responsibility starts with the right account. Whether it’s managing allowances, setting spending limits, or even building credit, these accounts offer tools and features designed to help young people learn and grow.

Explore some of the best accounts for kids and teens, tailored to fit a variety of needs.

Best Neobanks

Neobanks are revolutionizing banking with modern features and low fees, making them a great choice for those seeking convenience and flexibility. From fee-free overdrafts to international money transfers, these digital-first banks cater to a variety of financial needs.

Here’s a list of the best neobanks and what they excel at.

Best Personal Loans

Personal loans can be used for just about any reason, from debt consolidation to home improvement and emergencies. The best personal loans offer good APRs, a variety of loan terms, and a chance for consumers with less-than-perfect credit to qualify. The best loans below offer all this and more.

Methodology: How We Chose the Top Performers and Innovators 

Best Savings Accounts 

Our comprehensive analysis encompassed at least 60 savings accounts. This evaluation was grounded in several critical criteria: interest rates, which formed the bulk of the assessment, accessibility and convenience, monthly and one-off fees, and minimum opening deposit requirements.

Additionally, we evaluated the availability and efficacy of money management tools and the quality of customer service.

Best CD Accounts 

We conducted an in-depth analysis of approximately 60 CD accounts to identify the top performers based on key criteria. Our evaluation primarily focused on interest rates, account access and convenience, minimum opening deposit requirements, and the variety of options.

Best Money Market Accounts 

Our examination covered 50 money market accounts, employing a scoring system to discern the optimal choices based on crucial criteria.

Our analysis focused primarily on interest rates. We also looked at account access and check writing capabilities, minimum opening deposit requirements, associated fees, and the effectiveness of money management tools.

Best Checking Accounts  

Our assessment reviewed more than 60 checking accounts, employing a scoring system to find the best options based on critical criteria.

Among these factors was the evaluation of interest rates, account access, check-writing capabilities, minimum opening deposit requirements, and the effectiveness of money management tools.

Best Cash Management Accounts 

We examined 10 cash management accounts, employing weighted scores to identify the best based on critical criteria. APY formed the majority, while account minimums and fees, user experience, access, and transparency collectively were also factored in.

Best Online Brokerages 

Our analysis included over 25 online brokerage accounts.

Among the factors considered were commission and other fees, account minimums, selection of investment options, platform accessibility, and money management tools.

Best Robo-Advisors 

Our evaluation extended to approximately 25 robo-advisors, employing an unbiased weighted scoring system to discern the best options based on key criteria. The commission and other fee assessments were central to our evaluation.

Furthermore, we scrutinized account minimums and the variety of investment selections offered. We assessed the accessibility of the platform, user experience and transparency, and the availability and effectiveness of customer support options.  

Best Real Estate Investing Platforms 

Our analysis covered 15 real estate investing platforms, using a scoring system to identify optimal choices based on critical criteria. The evaluation prioritized commission and other fees. We also considered account minimums, the variety of investment selections, platform accessibility, and transparency played a crucial role. Finally, we considered the availability and effectiveness of customer support options. 

Best Alternative Investing Platforms 

Examining 10 alternative investing platforms, we considered commission and fees, the minimum amount to open an account, investment selections, and access/user experience. We also considered customer support.

Best Combination Accounts

We analyzed 10 combination accounts, considering fees, standout features, consumer value, app ratings, and unique offerings.

Best Credit-Building Accounts

We analyzed 5 credit-building accounts that have checking/debit features. We considered fees, standout features, consumer value, and customer ratings.

Best Freelancer and Gig Worker Banking Accounts

We reviewed 10 freelancer and gig worker apps that have checking/debit features. We considered fees, standout features, customer value, and user ratings.

Best Kid and Teen Accounts

We looked at 10 kid and teen banking/money apps that have money management features. We considered fees, standout features, customer value, access, and financial literacy offerings.

Best Neobank Accounts

We analyzed 10 neobank checking/debit accounts for each category. We considered fees, standout features, consumer value, app ratings, and unique offerings for these categories.

Best Personal Loans 

Our review of 15 personal loans involved APR, origination and other fees, loan amounts and requirements, access, and user experience.

2025 Outlook: Forecasting Interest Rates and Banking Trends 

The banking landscape in 2025 is evolving rapidly, driven by technological advancements and shifting financial trends. Key among these changes is the integration of AI-driven virtual assistants, which will offer personalized financial guidance and sophisticated automated tools.

Banks are also innovating with hybrid account models and moving towards cardless transactions, signaling a significant shift in how we manage our finances. 

In an environment where interest rates might stabilize, savvy consumers may find it advantageous to lock in favorable rates through savings, CDs, and money market accounts. 

Here’s a snapshot of what we anticipate for banking and interest rates in 2024: 

Stabilizing Interest Rates  

Inflation appears to be easing. Following a period of rate increases, the Federal Reserve has lowered them twice in its recent meetings. There’s even speculation about potential rate cuts in 2025.

While this trend bodes well for those seeking mortgages and loans, it could also indicate a plateau in interest rates for deposit accounts. Now might be the ideal time to secure attractive rates, especially with products like CDs, in which interest rates can be fixed. 

The Rise of Personalized Banking and Artificial Intelligence Assistants  

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a practical part of daily life, including in the banking sector. In 2024, AI’s presence in banking grew substantially. This technology is already familiar to investors in the form of robo-advisors, but it’s set to expand into everyday banking for checking and savings accounts. 

Banks like U.S. Bank and Huntington Bank are pioneering this trend, utilizing technology from companies like Personetics. Bank of America’s virtual assistant Erica is also stepping up to offer such advice. The objective is to empower customers to make smarter banking decisions, similar to how robo-advisors assist investors. 

Additionally, fintech firms such as Chime and Acorns are leading the way with automated savings tools, a trend that traditional banks are quickly adopting. 

Soon, your banking virtual assistant will seamlessly operate across all your bank accounts, optimizing your financial management without any required effort on your part.   

Combination/Holistic/Relationship Banking 

Financial institutions are strategically broadening their service offerings to enhance their financial performance beyond traditional loans and deposits. This strategic diversification enables customers to seamlessly oversee and control multiple facets of their finances through a unified portal.  

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) facilitates effective communication between different accounts, providing customers with real-time updates on the status of each account within a singular interface. 

Using AI-driven technology lets consumers set up automated fund transfers and management. By configuring your primary account, you gain the advantage of having funds automatically distributed among various sub-accounts, streamlining financial management processes, and mitigating the need for manual intervention. 

As we look forward to exciting innovations in the financial landscape in 2025, several combination accounts are poised to emerge. These accounts cater to evolving customer needs and preferences, offering enhanced features and functionalities that go beyond conventional banking services. Keep an eye on these emerging combination accounts as they represent the evolving landscape of financial services, incorporating cutting-edge technologies and customer-centric solutions. 

• Vio (MMA and Savings) 
• Wysh (life insurance and savings) 
• SoFi (checking and savings) 
• Synchrony (retirement, CD) 

Cardless Banking Expansion 

Contemporary advancements in financial technology have allowed consumers to conduct most transactions without the necessity of a physical bank card. Using a digital wallet integrated into your mobile device or even a piece of jewelry makes it possible to make payments at any point where you can tap your bank card. 

The advent of cardless ATMs presents another way for ATM transactions, using the capabilities of a smartphone’s banking application. This innovation is convenient for people who don’t carry a debit card or seek to minimize their interactions with ATM touchscreens. 

The rise of digital payment methods indicates a shift toward widespread adoption across diverse demographics, transcending generational boundaries. This evolution is not exclusive to the younger generation, as shown by its permeation into the broader consumer base, signaling a more general acceptance and integration of mobile phone-based payment methods. 

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