If you’re looking to open a bank account as an Ohio resident, you’ll be glad to know there are plenty of quality banks in Ohio.
Whether you’re looking for a national, regional, or community bank, many financial institutions offer excellent banking services.
Below, we’ve listed the best banks in Ohio, including account options, fees, and other important features to consider when choosing a bank.
9 Best Banks in Ohio
- US Bank: Best for Large Bank Presence
- Chase Bank: Best for ATM Selection
- Fifth Third Bank: Best for Savings Account Options
- Huntington National Bank: Best for Overdraft Grace
- PNC Bank: Best for Combined Checking & Savings
- First Financial Bank: Best for Checking Account Options
- KeyBank: Best for Financial Resources
- Park National Bank: Best Customer Service
- The Savings Bank: Best for Low Monthly Service Fees
See the Best Bank Bonus Offers & Promotions in Ohio
1. U.S. Bank
Best For: Large bank presence
U.S. Bank is the trade name of U.S. Bancorp, which is one of the biggest banks in the U.S. It is a full-service bank serving both personal and business customers. The bank operates more than 2,000 branches and has a robust mobile app.
Accounts
U.S. Bank offers one checking account, the Smartly® Checking account, which includes overdraft protection options, budgeting tools, and Smart Rewards®, a chance to earn benefits and pricing discounts. The account has a waivable monthly fee of $6.95.
U.S. Bank also has one Standard Savings account with a $25 opening minimum balance and $4 monthly (waivable fee). It’s best for beginners. If you have more money to save and want more benefits, they have a robust Elite Money Market Account that earns 4.25% when you deposit at least $25,000 in new money into the account. They also have a Retirement Money Market account if you’re saving for the long term.
U.S. Bank also offers credit cards, debit cards, car loans, mortgages, and business and commercial banking.
Pros:
- Waivable monthly fees
- 24-hour banking
- Many options for various products
Cons:
- Low APYs
- High balance requirements to earn money market rates
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2. Chase Bank
Best For: ATM selection
Chase Bank is the largest national bank in the U.S., with more than 4,700 branches and 16,000+ ATMs. Currently, it offers new customers opening a Chase Total Checking account a $300 bonus when meeting eligibility criteria.
Accounts
Checking accounts are categorized into everyday accounts, premium accounts, and accounts for kids and students. Monthly service fees start at $4.95 for the Chase Secure Banking account and go up to $35 for the Chase Private Client Checking account.
There are two savings accounts, with service fees between $5 and $25. Interest rates start at 0.01% and top out at 0.02%.
Chase offers all the other products and services you might want or need, including CDs, investing products, credit cards, auto loans, mortgages, and business and commercial banking.
Pros:
- Large network of branches and ATMs
- Often runs promotions for new customers
- Free online bill pay and mobile banking
Cons:
- Low APYs
- Monthly fees on all accounts
Learn more:
3. Fifth Third Bank
Best For: Savings account options
Fifth Third Bank is a regional bank headquartered in Cincinnati that serves the Midwest. It has over 1,100 branches and almost 2,400 ATMs. It is quite involved in the communities it serves through its charitable foundation and various programs.
Accounts
Fifth Third has three checking accounts, including two that don’t require a minimum monthly balance and one that earns interest. If you want to earn interest, the Fifth Third Preferred Checking® account is a good option, but there’s a $25 monthly maintenance fee unless you have a combined $100,000 balance in all Fifth Third accounts. The account includes many perks, including Prewards®, which automatically saves money when using your Fifth Third debit card.
Fifth Third offers a standard savings account earning 0.01% interest, a money market account, kids savings, 529, and Health Savings accounts. They also have a wide selection of CDs, many of which have promotional rates.
There are four different credit cards: loans, insurance, investment products, and business and commercial banking.
Pros:
- Options to waive monthly fees
- Large number of savings accounts
- Large ATM network
Cons:
- Low APYs
- Limited number of branches
Learn more:
4. Huntington National Bank
Best For: Overdraft grace period
With over 500 branches all over Ohio, Huntington National Bank offers some of the best checking accounts. They are a full-service bank located in 11 states. They have 1,000 branches in total and 11 Private Client group offices.
Accounts
There are several checking accounts to choose from — from basic to more premium. With the premium checking account — Huntington Platinum Perks Checking — you can earn interest.
However, the basic account, Asterisk-Free Checking, is free to open and maintain. It also has a great perk – a 24-hour grace period to avoid overdraft fees.
Huntington Bank also has three savings accounts, each that earns interest, starting at 0.01%. Each of the three savings accounts charges monthly maintenance fees, but there are options to waive it by meeting the minimum balance requirement of $300 – $25,000.
The bank has a handy app with a high rating for online banking, including mobile check deposits. If you need support, the bank has a helpline, a Twitter feed, and an automated chat. They also have military banking products, CDs, credit cards, personal and mortgage loans, and business and commercial products.
Pros:
- Offers options to waive the monthly maintenance fees
- Offers promotional rates on some CDs
- Offers early access to direct deposit funds
Cons:
- Savings accounts have low APYs
- Smaller than average ATM network
Learn more:
5. PNC Bank
Best For: Combined Checking and Savings
PNC Bank is one of the largest banks in the U.S., operating in 28 states and the District of Columbia. It has over 2,300 branches and over 60,000 ATMs (including partner ATMs).
PNC serves personal customers as well as corporate, institutional, and small business owners. It is a component of the S&P 500 and trades on the NYSE as PNC.
Accounts
PNC does things differently than many of the other banks reviewed. While it offers traditional checking and savings accounts, it also provides an account that combines the two. This account offers the best of both worlds, and you can get a bonus of up to $400 when opening a Virtual Wallet account.
There are three Virtual Wallets with monthly fees starting at $7.00, which can be waived. Of course, you can still opt for a traditional savings and checking account combination if this is what you want or need.
APY interest rates on savings start at 0.01% and can go up depending on your chosen account and balance. You’ll also find other products and services, including mortgages, lines of credit, credit cards, small business and corporate banking.
Pros:
- Robust mobile banking app
- Simplifies checking and savings accounts by combining them
- Large ATM network
Cons:
- Charges overdraft fees
- Low APYs on most accounts
Learn more:
6. First Financial Bank
Best For: Checking account selection
First Financial Bank is a regional bank servicing customers in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. It has one of the oldest charters in the U.S. and has received an award for outstanding commitment to the communities it serves.
Accounts
There are six checking accounts, including two that earn interest and a student checking account. Monthly fees start at $0 and go up to $45. However, these fees can be avoided when meeting the applicable criteria.
Savings accounts are just as varied, with five accounts to consider, including Money Market Accounts. The most basic savings account is called DREAMmaker Savings and comes with no monthly fee and basic interest. You’re only allowed one free withdrawal per statement period, with anything above that costing $12.50.
At First Financial Bank, you will find many other products and services, including credit cards, loans, and investment options, as well as business banking.
Pros:
- Large number of accounts offered
- Offers ways to waive monthly maintenance fees
- Good customer service reviews
Cons:
- Has limited interest-bearing products
- Low APYs
Learn more:
7. KeyBank
Best For: Financial resources
KeyBank is a regional bank based in Cleveland. It has offices in 15 states with close to 1,000 branches and over 40,000 ATMs, including partner ATMs. It is very involved in the communities it serves, offering a Community Benefits Plan and publishing ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) reports.
Accounts
KeyBank has three everyday checking accounts, two of which don’t charge monthly maintenance fees but don’t earn interest. A fourth checking account they offer, called Key Private Client Checking, requires at least $250,000 to be deposited within 60 days of opening an account.
KeyBank offers two main savings accounts, with monthly service fees of up to $4. The minimum account opening balance varies by account but starts at $10. APY interest rates vary between 0.01% and 3.0%, depending on the type of account and the account balance.
KeyBank offers many other products and services, including resources and tools to help you budget and save money. They also offer mortgages, credit cards, auto loans, and business banking.
Pros:
- Lower than average overdraft fees
- 24/7 customer service
- Compound interest daily
Cons:
- High minimum balances required on CDs
- Small number of branches
Learn more:
8. Park National Bank
Best For: 24/7 customer service
Park National Bank is a community bank serving Ohio, the Carolinas, and Northern Kentucky. It operates around 96 locations and focuses on personalized service and strong leadership.
Accounts
Park National Bank offers four different checking accounts, with the Simplicity Account offering a basic, no-frills option. It has no monthly fee as long as you opt for electronic statements and includes free introductory checks and overdraft protection options.
There is one traditional savings account and several specialized ones, including HSA and a Christmas Club Savings Account. While they do not disclose the monthly fee for the savings account, you’ll need to maintain an average balance of just $250. At the same time, interest rates vary between 0.01% and 0.75% — depending on your account balance.
Park National Bank offers several other products and services, including loans, credit cards, investment options, and financial planning. They also offer business banking products.
Pros:
- Large selection of savings options
- Minimal monthly maintenance fees
- 24/7 customer support
Cons:
- High balance requirements to earn interest
- Low APYs
Learn more:
9. The Savings Bank
Best For: Low monthly service fees
The Savings Bank is an Ohio community bank founded in 1912. Since then, it has made many acquisitions and operates six branches. The Savings Bank offers most of the daily banking products and services you might need.
Accounts
The Savings Bank has a large selection of checking accounts, including a free checking account for those who are or have been in active duty service. On the other hand, their Smart Essentials Checking has a monthly fee of $2.00. It comes with access to mobile banking, online banking, and bill pay, among others.
Their savings account options include a traditional savings account and more specialized accounts such as HSAs, IRAs, and others. Unfortunately, the bank only gives interest rates over the phone, so be sure to call them if you’re considering opening an account at this bank.
The Savings Bank also offers credit cards and personal and business loans.
Pros:
- Large account selection
- Low opening deposit requirements for CDs
- Checking account options for all life stages
Cons:
- Doesn’t disclose APYs
- Most accounts have monthly maintenance fees
Learn more:
How to Choose the Best Bank in Ohio
At BankBonus.com, we’re committed to providing consumers with the resources they need to select a bank or credit union.
Here’s an overview of the steps we recommend our readers take to choose a bank:
- Understand different types of banks: You have access to traditional banks, online banks, credit unions, and neobanks. It’s important to understand the differences between them and determine which type of institution aligns best with your preferences.
- Choose the right account: Checking, savings, money market, and certificate of deposit accounts are the most common types of bank accounts. Understand what each offers and choose a bank with the type of account(s) you need.
- Look for low-fee banks: Account fees can add up quickly. As you compare bank accounts, look for an account that doesn’t charge unavoidable monthly maintenance fees, overdraft fees, and ATM fees.
- Consider branch and ATM access: If having access to branches matters to you, choose a bank with physical locations. Regardless, you should prioritize banks that have a vast ATM network or reimburse ATM fees.
- Compare account features: Determine which features you’re looking for. A few common bank account features to consider are interest, cashback, mobile features, cash deposits, and minimum account balance requirements.
- Check out reviews and ratings: It’s crucial to pick a reputable bank. To get an idea of a bank’s customer experience, you can read expert reviews and look to sources like TrustPilot, the Better Business Bureau, and J.D. Power.
- Read the fine print: Don’t sign up for an account without understanding the terms and conditions. Make sure the account is FDIC or NCUA insured and get a sense of its requirements, fees, and expiration dates for bank bonuses.
- Look at the bank’s additional products: If you want to manage all of your finances under one roof, look into each bank’s additional products. A lot of banks also offer credit cards, wealth management, investment accounts, and loans.
Read our full guide to choosing a bank here.
Our Methodology
The BankBonus team has analyzed dozens of banks to provide our readers with thoroughly informed and accurate reviews. We evaluated digital financial platforms, online banks, regional banks, and national banks with a presence in Hawaii.
Our assessment of each bank factors in these considerations:
- Product lineup: We review the types of accounts, loans, and services offered by each bank, as well as the number of accounts.
- Fees and pricing: We also consider each institution’s fees, including monthly maintenance fees and other service charges.
- Account features: To compare banks, we take a close look at the features, limits, and capabilities each one has to offer.
- Interest: Along with these features, we consider whether or not the bank offers interest-bearing accounts and compare their rates to industry averages.
- Brand reputation: The bank accounts we recommend have been carefully vetted to ensure they are legitimate, secure, and backed by FDIC insurance.
- User experience: Additionally, we consider the ease of use and availability of resources on each bank’s website and factor in reviews of the mobile app from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
- Branch and ATM access: To gauge convenience, we also look at each bank’s branch and ATM availability and consider their ATM reimbursement policies.
- Customer service: In our review process, we also explore their customer service channels, hours of availability, and third-party reviews.
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