The Best Savings Accounts in South Carolina for 2024

South Carolina has nearly 40 banks and credit unions regulated by the state’s Office of the Commissioner of Banking.

Plus, there are federal credit unions, online banks, and other institutions that will pay interest to residents who save money.

With so many choices, where should you keep your cash?

The best savings accounts in South Carolina are those that offer high interest rates, low fees, and flexible account management options.

Here’s a look at some of our top picks and how to make the right choice for yourself.

The Best Savings Accounts in South Carolina

• UFB Direct
• American Express® National Bank, Member FDIC
• Barclays
• Citi
• South Carolina Federal Credit Union
• Beacon Community Bank

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Online Savings Accounts Available in South Carolina

Since online institutions don’t have expensive physical branches to maintain, they often pass some of those savings on to customers in the form of higher APYs.

If you are worried about whether your money is safe in an online bank, you can rest assured it is. Most use advanced security, and money held in online banks that are members of the FDIC is protected the same as cash deposited in traditional banks.

If your idea of the best saving account in South Carolina is the one paying the most interest, then you should consider the following online banks.

UFB Direct

A division of Axos Bank, UFB Direct is a promising contender for the best savings account in South Carolina.

The digital bank has high-yield savings accounts, money market accounts, and mortgages.

There is no minimum deposit requirement to open an account.

And while some banks require you to maintain a large balance to earn their best rates, UFB Direct pays the same great APY to everyone.

Although the bank has no branches, accounts can be managed with a user-friendly mobile app.

American Express®, Member FDIC, National Bank

American Express has a banking division, and its high-yield savings account is worth a look for its low fees and high APY.

The account is $0 to open, and there are no monthly fees. Setting up an account is quick and easy and can be done from the comfort of your home.

For even higher interest rates, you may want to check out the certificates of deposit offered by American Express.

Barclays

If you are looking for a bank with staying power, Barclays Bank has been in existence for more than 300 years.

It was founded in London but now also does business in the United States.

It offers online savings accounts and CDs, and you’ll find great APYs offered on both.

Like many other digital accounts, you won’t have to worry about keeping a minimum amount deposited, and there are no monthly service fees.

Citi

Citi is a national bank that has branches in many states.

However, even if there isn’t a location nearby, you can open an Accelerate Savings account online.

This account is only available as part of an account package, and there may be monthly fees if you don’t maintain a certain minimum balance or have qualifying direct deposits.

But it also comes with a great savings rate and convenient savings tools.

A Look at Local South Carolina Banks

Online banks are great if you want a high APY.

But if you also want the option to do your banking in person, you’ll need to look to local institutions.

Credit unions and community banks are prized by many South Carolina customers for their personal service, and here are two examples.

South Carolina Federal Credit Union

South Carolina Federal Credit Union has more than 175,000 members and operates 27 offices in six of the state’s major cities.

It also has seven savings account products in addition to checking accounts, mortgages, loans, and investment accounts.

The best interest rate offered by South Carolina FCU is attached to the MY Savings Account, which is a special account for those who are 18 to 25 years old.

Beacon Community Bank

With three branches in Charleston and Mount Pleasant, Beacon Community Bank is a small institution that offers above-average interest on its savings accounts.

It promises that while other banks in the area are merging with larger banks, it has plans to stay a community bank that invests in local neighborhoods.

Beacon Community Bank offers both personal and business accounts for savings, checking, and lending.

How We Picked: Methodology

We chose the best savings accounts in South Carolina by conducting a comprehensive analysis of savings accounts offered by online, national, regional, and local banks serving major cities in the state, including Charleston, Myrtle Beach, and Columbia.

MoneyRates focused our “best of” search on savings accounts with low monthly maintenance fees, fee waivers, ATM network availability, excess withdrawal fees, ease of online and in-app banking, interest rates, and more.

The best savings accounts reflect market conditions and bank APYs at the time of our analysis.

Banks can and do change their rates and terms on a regular basis, so you should check with South Carolina banks directly to see what savings accounts they currently offer.

How to Choose a Savings Account in South Carolina

While many of the best savings accounts in South Carolina share similar attributes, you’ll want to look at the following factors to select the right bank or credit union for your needs.

Interest Rate

Interest rates have been rising lately, and that’s good news for savers.

However, not all banks and credit unions are raising the APYs on savings at the same rate.

Your savings are most likely to earn the greatest amount of interest at an online bank.

Fees

A great interest rate doesn’t mean much if all your earnings get eaten up by monthly fees.

The best savings accounts in South Carolina don’t have monthly maintenance fees or similar service charges.

Opening Deposit

Although many banks have made it possible to open a savings account with any amount of money, some still have opening deposit requirements.

For instance, credit unions often require $5 or $10 to open an account, but the minimum deposit at other institutions can be much higher — sometimes reaching into the thousands of dollars.

Other Accounts Available

It’s convenient to do all your banking in one place, but if you see your savings balance every time you log into your online account, will you be tempted to spend it?

Decide whether you want to keep your savings with your checking or have it in a separate bank or credit union.

If you prefer to keep everything in one place, be aware that some online banks only offer savings products and don’t have checking accounts.

Access

Before signing up for an online bank, be sure to review how you can access your money.

Although some provide ATM cards and mobile check deposits, others may only support transfers to external bank accounts or require that you mail checks.

With so many savings accounts in South Carolina, be sure you select one that will be convenient for you to use.

Customer Service

When you have a question or problem with your account, will someone from customer service be available 24/7, or do you need to wait until the next business day?

And do you have to call, or can you chat with a representative online or send an email?

Regardless of your preferences, be sure the bank or credit union you choose makes it easy to get in touch.

Where Can You Open a Savings Account in South Carolina?

The best savings accounts in South Carolina are generally found in one of three places:

Credit Unions

Credit unions operate like banks, but they are not-for-profit and member-owned entities.

As a result, they often have higher interest rates on savings than traditional banks.

However, since they still must maintain physical branches, those rates generally aren’t as high as what’s offered by online banks.

Online Banks

This is where to go for the best interest rates and top tech tools, such as user-friendly apps.

Online banks typically make it easy to set up your account and manage your money.

However, if you want to visit a branch, you’ll need to select one of the next two options.

Traditional Banks

First Citizens Bank, Wells Fargo, and Bank of America are a few of the large banks with branches in South Carolina.

You’ll also find small community banks across the state.

Either way, traditional banks offer personalized service in branches, but you won’t see the same APYs on savings accounts that you’ll find with online banks.

South Carolina Savings Accounts vs. Money Market Accounts

At some banks and credit unions, the top interest rates are reserved for money market accounts, but this isn’t always the case. Some banks offer similar rates for both accounts.

Because these two accounts have several similarities, it’s important to compare them before you choose one.

Minimum Deposits

Although some savings accounts have minimum deposit requirements, they are much more common with money market accounts.

In some cases, you may need to deposit thousands to open a money market account.

Withdrawal Restrictions

These restrictions can vary by institution.

Some may allow unlimited withdrawals while others limit accountholders to six or nine transactions per month.

It’s not uncommon for banks and credit unions to impose the same restrictions, if any, on both their savings accounts and money market accounts.

Check-Writing Privilege

Other than minimum deposit requirements, this is the main difference between a savings account and a money market account.

A money market account generally comes with a checkbook and/or debit card, which means you can use this account similar to a checking account.

This is a perk that doesn’t come with savings accounts.

FDIC Insurance

So long as your bank or credit union belongs to the FDIC or NCUA, your money is protected up to $250,000 per depositor.

That insurance covers all deposit accounts, including both savings accounts and money market accounts.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)