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Banking in Ohio can feel like navigating a corn maze–lots of choices, and you want the right turn. Luckily, whether you’re in Cleveland, Columbus, or Cincinnati, there are some standout options for different needs. We’ve analyzed the data and expert reviews to select the top banks for Ohio customers in 2025.
These include online giants with sky-high savings APYs and big banks with local branches. Buckle up for a friendly tour of our top picks, what they offer overall, and the pros and cons of each.
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Top Ohio Bank Picks
- Discover Bank – Great All-Around
- SoFi Bank – High-Yield “Checking+Savings” With Perks
- Barclays Online Savings – Strong APY, All-Digital
- CIT Bank – Top Savings Yields on Stashed Cash
- Ally Bank – Best for Fee-Free, Full-Service Online Banking
- Chase Bank – Best Branch Network
Discover Bank – Great All-Around
Discover Bank operates as an internet-based financial institution (no Ohio branches) that provides excellent savings account features, together with bonus checking benefits. The Online Savings account at Discover Bank maintains a consistent competitive APY rate of 3.50% during mid-2025, which exceeds the national average.
The savings account at Discover Bank requires no minimum balance and has no monthly fees to establish. The website and mobile application of Discover receive high marks from users for their user-friendly design. The Cashback Debit checking account from Discover provides 1% cash back on debit purchases up to $3000 per month.
The checking account at Discover comes with no monthly maintenance fees and no overdraft fees, which makes it beneficial for customers who want to avoid unexpected charges. The checking balance at Discover doesn’t generate interest, but the cashback rewards provide the only earnings opportunity while the bank operates its single Delaware office with no Ohio branches. The bank provides 24/7 phone and online support, but doesn’t have local branches for customers to visit.
According to Bankrate, Discover provides a vast network of fee-free ATMs across the country, which enables easy cash access despite its online-only banking model. Discover offers a great overall package for customers who want high savings returns and fee-free checking services, but it may not suit those who need traditional banking services.
- High-yield Online Savings (roughly 3.50% APY)
- Checking account with 1% cash-back on debit purchases
- No monthly or overdraft fees on accounts
- Large ATM network (60,000+ fee-free ATMs)
- No branches (fully online-only)
- Cashback checking earns no interest (just cash back)
- Savings and checking are separate accounts
>> Open Your Discover Account Today! >>
SoFi Bank – High-Yield “Checking+Savings” With Perks
SoFi Bank offers a Checking and Savings account hybrid that functions to enhance your interest rates. The account divides your money into two sections: checking earns 0.50% APY while savings earns up to 3.80% APY (variable) when you fulfill specific requirements. The savings account earns 1.00% APY unless you subscribe to SoFi Plus or set up direct deposit or regularly transfer money into the account, which would give you the maximum 3.8% APY.
The account features no monthly fees, no minimum opening requirement, and no overdraft fees. When you enable direct deposit with SoFi, regardless of the amount, you receive two-day early access to your deposited funds. The Allpoint ATM network allows SoFi customers to withdraw cash without fees at thousands of ATMs across the United States.
SoFi provides an exceptional FDIC insurance limit of $3 million through partner banks, which exceeds the standard $250k limit and benefits wealthy savers. The account requires you to fulfill specific conditions to earn the highest 3.8% APY.
The savings yield remains at 1.0% when you don’t meet the requirements, but it remains higher than typical checking yields, although SoFi promotes it as the highest yield. SoFi operates as an online bank, which means it doesn’t have any physical locations.
Users who want to deposit cash through Green Dot retailers must pay fees that reach up to $4.95. The fee structure for cash deposits may cause frustration among users who prefer this payment method. The SoFi account provides excellent features for users who need checking and high-yield savings capabilities while meeting its requirements.
- Combined checking and savings with up to 3.80% APY on savings
- Checking still earns 0.50% APY (above average)
- Early direct deposit (get paid 2 days early)
- No monthly fees or minimum balances; no overdraft fees
- Up to $3 million FDIC insurance through the partner program
- Must meet requirements (e.g., direct deposit or SoFi Plus) to earn the top 3.80% APY
- No physical branches (online-only bank)
- Cash deposits cost a fee (via Green Dot)
>> Open Your SoFi Bank Account Today! >>
Barclays Online Savings – Strong APY, All-Digital
The online savings specialist, Barclays Bank (US), operates as one of its financial services. The Tiered Savings account at Barclays Bank offers two different interest rates: 3.90% APY for balances under $250k and 4.10% APY for balances above $250k.
The interest rates at Barclays are among the highest available right now since they have fluctuated. The account requires no minimum deposit to open and features no monthly fees. The Barclays mobile application enables users to set personalized savings targets, which provide effective tracking capabilities.
The main disadvantage of Barclays Bank is its lack of checking account services. The bank doesn’t offer checking services or daily fund parking, or check writing capabilities, since it operates as a savings-only institution.
You’ll require an additional checking account at another bank if you decide to switch your banking services. The high-yield savings account at Barclays provides the best rate available to customers who have $5k or more in savings. The combination of Barclays with another bank becomes necessary for customers who need full-service banking with checking capabilities.
Barclays stands as a simple winner for pure savings because it offers a high APY with no conditions. The service works well for people who want to grow their stashed cash, but it doesn’t provide complete banking solutions.
- Very competitive APY (e.g., ~3.9%–4.1%) for its savings account
- No monthly fee, no minimum balance required
- Easy online access and useful savings tools (savings goals)
- No checking account or debit card (savings only)
- Online-only (no branches or in-person service)
- Must link to another bank for your checking/spending needs
>> Open Your Barclays Account Today! >>
CIT Bank – Top Savings Yields on Stashed Cash
The online banking platform First Citizens acquired CIT Bank to become another online financial institution that provides high-interest savings rates. The Platinum Savings account at CIT Bank provides a 4.00% APY to customers who maintain balances of $5,000 or higher. The account provides excellent returns for customers who maintain long-term deposits above $5,000 since it offers one of the highest available interest rates. The APY at CIT drops to 0.25% when your account balance falls under $5,000.
The financial institution operates best for users who plan to keep their money deposited for an extended period. The yield from this account remains low for small deposits, but becomes very attractive when you maintain at least $5,000. The Platinum account requires only $100 as the minimum opening deposit, and CIT Bank doesn’t charge any monthly maintenance fees. The high APY functions as “free money” because you don’t need to pay any fees to maintain the account. The online interface and mobile app provided by CIT are satisfactory.
CIT operates only online with no Ohio branches, while its primary focus remains on savings products. CIT Bank provides checking accounts with low interest rates that don’t match the competitive rates of other accounts. The CIT bank provides a 4.00% interest rate to customers who save $5,000 or more. The interest rate stands as one of the highest available options that require minimal additional requirements. The interest rate becomes almost zero when your balance falls below $5,000.
For complete list of account details and fees, see our Personal Account disclosures.
- High APY (4.00%) on balances ≥$5,000
- No monthly fee; only $100 needed to open
- Simple online savings with competitive rates for large balances
- Requires $5,000 minimum to earn the high APY
- APY drops to 0.25% if the balance < $5,000
- Online-only (no branches; no companion checking benefits)
>> Open Your CIT Bank Account Today! >>
Ally Bank – Best for Fee-Free, Full-Service Online Banking
The online banking service Ally Bank maintains its position as the leading online banking institution. The bank provides competitive interest rates for all its savings and checking, and CD products with no hidden charges. The deposit accounts at Ally Bank come with no monthly fees and no minimum requirements.
The savings and money-market rates at Ally Bank match the highest rates available in the market, but some specialized banks offer slightly higher absolute APY. The mobile application receives high ratings from users, and Ally provides “buckets” as a useful tool to organize savings.
The Allpoint network provides users with access to 43,000+ fee-free ATMs, and Ally will pay back up to $10 in out-of-network ATM fees per statement. The online banking platform provides complete banking services with excellent mobile tools and continuous support, and no additional charges.
The main drawback of Ally’s checking account is its low annual percentage yield, which typically stands at 0.25% and customers cannot visit any physical branches for assistance. (But if you want branches, Chase is the one to pick below.) As a major online bank, Ally provides basic product quality instead of promotional deals or unexpected benefits.
Ally provides savers with consistent, competitive rates and supports a mobile banking app with useful features while requiring no minimum balances and no overdraft fees. The bank provides reliable, customer-friendly service, although it lacks flashy features.
- Competitive rates on savings and CDs (often near best in class)
- No account fees or minimums on any deposit account
- 24/7 customer service and excellent digital tools
- Huge ATM network (~43,000 fee-free ATMs) and ATM fee reimbursement
- Lower interest on checking (around 0.25% APY) compared to top high-yield accounts
- Fully online (no physical branches)
- No fancy branches or local presence (so not ideal for in-person needs)
>> Open Your Ally Bank Account Today! >>
Chase Bank – Best Branch Network
Chase Bank operates many locations throughout the entire state of Ohio. The bank operates the largest network of branches across the United States while maintaining a presence in all 48 lower states. The Ohio cities of Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati have many Chase Bank branches throughout their areas. The bank stands out as a convenient option because it provides extensive branch locations and easy access to its services. The bank operates over 15,000 ATMs throughout the United States.
The extensive physical presence of Chase Bank requires customers to accept certain disadvantages. The interest rates Chase Bank offers for deposit accounts remain extremely low. The standard savings APY at Chase Bank stands at 0.01% while Premier Savings offers 0.02% APY as of mid-2025. The interest rates at Chase Bank remain significantly lower than both national averages and the high-yield savings accounts available. Your money will not experience significant growth at Chase Bank.
The monthly fees for Chase checking and savings accounts range between $12 and $25 until you meet specific balance or deposit requirements. What reasons would lead someone to choose Chase Bank? Mostly for the branch’s convenience.
The bank offers the best option for customers who need to deposit checks and receive teller help and loan applications through in-person services. The checking accounts at Chase (such as Chase Total Checking) are easy to access, yet customers need to watch out for the associated fees.
- The largest branch network in the country (open in all 50 states), easy in-person access for Ohioans
- Over 4,700 branches and 15,000 ATMs nationwide
- Full suite of services (loans, wealth, etc.)
- Very low savings/checking interest (≈0.01% APY)
- Monthly fees on accounts ($5–$25) unless waived by balance/deposits
- Requires higher balances to waive fees; complex account requirements
>> Open Your Chase Account Today! >>
How to Choose the Best Bank in Ohio: Buyer’s Guide
Define Your Banking Priorities
If you’re primarily concerned with everyday use, look for a bank that offers free checking and solid digital tools. For those focused on savings, high APY accounts with minimal conditions are the way to go. If you prefer in-person banking, a bank with a robust Ohio branch network is essential.
Watch for Hidden Fees
Check for maintenance fees, overdraft penalties, and ATM charges. Online banks typically waive these, while traditional banks might not.
Understand APY Structures
Some banks offer high APYs only if certain requirements are met. Read the fine print so you know what’s needed to maximize returns.
Evaluate Customer Support and App Quality
Good customer service and easy-to-use mobile apps can make your banking experience smoother. Consider checking app ratings and features before you commit.
>> Boost Your Savings With Discover Bank >>
Ohio Banking FAQs
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Final Thoughts
Ohioans have no shortage of excellent banking choices in 2025. Whether you’re saving for a house, managing daily expenses, or just want fewer fees, there’s a perfect bank for you.
If you’re looking for a well-rounded experience, Discover and Ally are solid picks. For high-yield savings, consider SoFi, Barclays, or CIT. Need comfort from a local branch? Chase and Fifth Third won’t disappoint. Bank smart, compare wisely, and may your money grow steadily in the Buckeye State!
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