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Chase Bank is the safest bank in our study, earning a perfect score thanks to its combination of security features, high capital requirements and massive asset size (it’s the largest bank in the nation).
To qualify for our ranking, a bank had to be listed on the Financial Stability Board’s 2024 list of global systemically important banks (G-SIBs). We rated banks on several criteria, focusing heavily on consumer sentiment, which includes feedback regarding bank security, customer service, fees and stability. We also considered a bank’s digital and fraud protection features, including liability protection, debit card locking and multifactor authentication.
Additionally, we rewarded banks with larger asset sizes to differentiate the titans of the banking industry. So, although Chase and Citi both may be too big to fail, we rewarded Chase because it has roughly double the assets.
Bank details and annual percentage yields (APYs) are accurate as of April 1, 2025.
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Show Summary
Safest Banks in the U.S. 2025
Best for Large Global Banks
Chase Bank
Products
Checking, Savings, CDs
Fees
Monthly service, out-of-network ATM and overdraft fees
ATM Network
15,000+ Chase ATMs
Learn More
Read Our Review
Checking, Savings, CDs
Monthly service, out-of-network ATM and overdraft fees
15,000+ Chase ATMs
Editor's Take
JPMorgan Chase, the financial institution that owns Chase Bank, topped our experts’ list because it’s designated as the world’s most systemically important bank on the 2023 G-SIB list. This designation means it has the highest loss absorbency requirements of any bank, providing more protection against financial crisis. Chase is also the largest bank in the U.S. in terms of asset size.
Chase customers have access to many security features, including multi-factor authentication, virtual card numbers, account alerts and debit card locking, for increased digital safety.
Read more in our Chase Bank Review.
Pros & Cons
- Over 4,700 branches and 15,000 ATMs nationwide
- Frequently offers bank bonuses to new customers
- Full suite of financial products offered
- Low interest rates on CDs, savings and checking accounts
- Monthly fees with most accounts if you don’t qualify for waivers
- Out-of-network ATM fees with Chase’s basic accounts
Details
You must have a linked Chase personal checking account to qualify for relationship rates on Chase CDs. CD ladders are only available to customers with linked Chase Private Client Checking accounts.
Consumer Sentiment Index
- Overall rating: 3.1/5
- Fraud Prevention and Security: #1
- Customer Service: #1
- Fees and Transparency: #3
- Stability and Access: #3
Based on 284,281 customer insights and reviews for the entire category.
Chase customers have decidedly mixed feelings toward the bank. Many customers are pleased with the bank’s broad footprint and digital experiences, but other account holders complain about Chase’s fees, customer service and unexpected account closures. Generally, however, customers believe their money is safe with Chase, particularly due to the bank’s fraud detection capabilities.
Disclaimer: The Consumer Sentiment Index from Forbes Advisor uses a proprietary weighting system designed by our subject matter experts. It evaluates thousands of consumer insights and reviews from leading online forums to determine customer satisfaction at scale.
Best for Large National Banks
Bank of America
Products
Checking, Savings, CDs
Fees
Monthly maintenance, wire transfer, stop payment, out-of-network ATM and overdraft fees
ATM Network
15,000+ ATMs in the U.S.
Learn More
Read Our Review
Checking, Savings, CDs
Monthly maintenance, wire transfer, stop payment, out-of-network ATM and overdraft fees
15,000+ ATMs in the U.S.
Editor's Take
Bank of America is just one place below JPMorgan Chase on both the 2023 G-SIBs list and the Federal Reserve’s list of the largest U.S. banks, which is why it was chosen in our research as one of the safest banks. The bank’s security features also helped it score highly.
While Bank of America is only one of two banks on our list that doesn’t offer virtual card numbers for online spending, it makes up for it with other safety features like unusual account activity alerts, multi-factor authentication and debit card locking to prevent unauthorized transactions if your card is lost or stolen.
Read more in our Bank of America Review.
Pros & Cons
- Large national presence with 3,800 financial centers and 15,000 ATMs
- Easily open an account online or at a branch
- Preferred Rewards members enjoy fee waivers and higher rates on deposit accounts
- High monthly maintenance fees
- Interest rates for savings and CD accounts lag behind other banks
- $10 overdraft fee can be charged up to two times daily
- High account balances are required to qualify for Preferred Rewards status
Details
Bank of America charges a $10 overdraft fee per item, up to two times daily. The bank’s lone savings account, Bank of America Advantage Savings, requires a $100 minimum deposit to open and carries an $8 monthly fee, which is waived with a minimum daily balance of $500 or more, an eligible linked Bank of America checking account, enrollment in Preferred Rewards or for anyone under the age of 25.
Bank of America has two business checking accounts (Bank of America Business Advantage Fundamentals™ Banking and Bank of America Business Advantage Relationship Banking), a Bank of America Business Advantage Savings account and three types of business CDs (Featured CDs, Fixed Term CDs and Flexible CDs). The bank’s business checking and savings accounts all charge monthly maintenance fees that can be waived by maintaining a high balance or, sometimes, becoming a Preferred Rewards for Business member.
Consumer Sentiment Index
- Overall rating: 2.1/5
- Fraud Prevention and Security: #5
- Customer Service: #3
- Fees and Transparency: #4
- Stability and Access: #4
Based on 284,281 customer insights and reviews for the entire category.
Overall, Bank of America’s customers aren’t satisfied with the bank. According to account holders, the BofA offers a poor customer service experience and makes it difficult to speak with a live representative. Many customers also report unexpected account closures and an unwillingness to resolve fraudulent charges and disputes. Additionally, many are displeased with the bank’s fees and find its mobile app glitchy.
Disclaimer: The Consumer Sentiment Index from Forbes Advisor uses a proprietary weighting system designed by our subject matter experts. It evaluates thousands of consumer insights and reviews from leading online forums to determine customer satisfaction at scale.
Best for 24/7 Customer Service
Wells Fargo Bank
Products
Savings, checking, money market accounts, CDs
Fees
Monthly service, out-of-network ATM and overdraft fees
ATM Network
11,000
Learn More
Read Our Review
Savings, checking, money market accounts, CDs
Monthly service, out-of-network ATM and overdraft fees
11,000
Editor's Take
Our researchers picked Wells Fargo because it offers 24/7 customer service on top of being a global systemically important bank and the third largest bank in the U.S. Having 24/7 access to customer service by phone or online makes it easy to report and respond to suspicious or fraudulent activity immediately.
Wells Fargo doesn’t offer virtual cards for digital shopping, but it keeps accounts safe with security features like multi-factor authentication and activity alerts.
Read more in our Wells Fargo Review.
Pros & Cons
- Extensive network of local banks and ATMs
- Monthly fees can be waived on some checking and savings accounts
- Highly rated mobile app
- Low interest rates
- Out-of-network ATM fees
- Overdraft fees charged up to three times daily
Details
Wells Fargo charges a $2.50 fee on out-of-network ATM transactions on select bank accounts. Wells Fargo Prime Checking and Wells Fargo Premier Checking* accounts do not carry out-of-network ATM fees and come with varying degrees of reimbursement for fees charged on out-of-network ATM transactions by operators.
The Wells Fargo Way2Save® Savings account earns a low 0.01% APY on all balances. The Wells Fargo CDs (Certificates of Deposit) earn competitive rates based on your account balance and require a $2,500 minimum opening deposit. Wells Fargo often offers promotional CDs that pay higher rates, especially for Relationship customers, but may require a larger opening deposit.
Consumer Sentiment Index
- Overall rating: 2.7/5
- Fraud Prevention and Security: #2
- Customer Service: #2
- Fees and Transparency: #5
- Stability and Access: #1
Based on 284,281 customer insights and reviews for the entire category.
Like most other banks, Wells Fargo has mixed reviews. Many customers appreciate the bank’s convenience and user-friendly app, but others have concerns about the bank’s customer service. Wells Fargo has also received countless complaints about issues with account handling.
Disclaimer: The Consumer Sentiment Index from Forbes Advisor uses a proprietary weighting system designed by our subject matter experts. It evaluates thousands of consumer insights and reviews from leading online forums to determine customer satisfaction at scale.
Best for Security Features
Citi®
Products
Checking, savings, CDs
Fees
Monthly service and out-of-network ATM fees
ATM Network
65,000
Learn More
Read Our Review
Checking, savings, CDs
Monthly service and out-of-network ATM fees
65,000
Editor's Take
Citibank makes our experts’ list thanks to its host of security measures designed to keep your accounts and personal information protected. In addition to its owner Citigroup being on the list of G-SIBs and among the top five largest U.S. banks, Citibank offers multi-factor authentication, account alerts and virtual card numbers. The bank also provides round-the-clock customer support and Citi Quick Lock, a debit card-locking security feature.
Read more in our Citibank Review.
Pros & Cons
- Large ATM network
- Various checking and savings account packages
- Competitive APY on high-yield savings account
- Virtual card numbers
- Some accounts are unavailable in certain areas of the U.S.
- Costly monthly fees if you don’t meet the requirements to waive them
- Lower APYs than most online banks
- CD rates aren’t competitive with online banks
Details
Citibank offers fee-free ATM access at more than 65,000 ATMs at Citibank branches and through the Allpoint and MoneyPass ATM networks. The bank waives monthly service fees on its checking accounts for three months after account opening for individuals with Citi Relationship status and in months when you receive at least $250 in qualifying direct deposits. Similarly, Citibank waives monthly fees on its savings account for three months after account opening and on an ongoing basis for Relationship Tier customers, with an average monthly balance of at least $500, and for customers with a Citi checking account.
Citibank offers three types of deposit certificates: fixed-rate CDs, no-penalty CDs and step-up CDs.
Consumer Sentiment Index
- Overall rating: 2.8/5
- Fraud Prevention and Security: #3
- Customer Service: #5
- Fees and Transparency: #2
- Stability and Access: #2
Based on 284,281 customer insights and reviews for the entire category.
Citi users have mixed feelings about the bank. On the one hand, they love their account’s flexibility and the ability to earn cashback rewards. However, many other users have gripes with the company’s customer service. The Citi app also seems to cause significant frustration, leading some of the bank’s customers to question Citi’s reliability.
Disclaimer: The Consumer Sentiment Index from Forbes Advisor uses a proprietary weighting system designed by our subject matter experts. It evaluates thousands of consumer insights and reviews from leading online forums to determine customer satisfaction at scale.
Best for High APYs
Barclays
Products
Savings, CDs
Fees
Non-sufficient funds fees
ATM Network
N/A
Learn More
Read Our Review
Savings, CDs
Non-sufficient funds fees
N/A
Editor's Take
Although it’s not as large as the other banks on our list, and its U.S. offerings are limited, Barclays stood out in our analysis because of its overall security and because its online savings and CD accounts earn competitive savings rates. Barclays is considered a global systemically important bank, meaning it meets certain standards that protect it from failure, and customers can get support 24/7 by phone or online. The bank employs safety measures like account alerts and virtual card numbers to keep your accounts protected.
Read more in our Barclays US Savings Review.
Pros & Cons
- No fees
- Competitive APYs
- No physical branch locations or ATMs in the U.S.
- No checking account
- No chat support
- Mobile app has low ratings
Details
Barclays only offers savings accounts and CDs. Barclays Online Savings earns a competitive APY and has no monthly fees or minimum balance requirements. Barclays Tiered Savings earns a competitive tiered APY from 4.15% to 4.40% and has no monthly fees. Barclays Certificates of Deposit come in six terms ranging from one to five years. All of its CD terms currently earn high yields. There is no minimum balance requirement to open a CD through Barclays.
Consumer Sentiment Index
- Overall rating: 2.5/5
- Fraud Prevention and Security: #4
- Customer Service: #4
- Fees and Transparency: #1
- Stability and Access: #5
Based on 284,281 customer insights and reviews for the entire category.
Barclays’ customers have mixed feelings about the bank—especially concerning its customer service, account management and banking practices. Many customers report issues with communication and account closures. However, some account holders appreciate Barclays’ competitive rates and the bank’s reliability. Overall, though, complaints about the bank outweigh the benefits it offers.
Disclaimer: The Consumer Sentiment Index from Forbes Advisor uses a proprietary weighting system designed by our subject matter experts. It evaluates thousands of consumer insights and reviews from leading online forums to determine customer satisfaction at scale.
Summary: Safest Banks In The U.S. Of 2025
Methodology
The point of this ranking is to determine which bank is the most secure in the event of another financial crisis. These aren’t necessarily the best banks, since you can find better checking account terms and savings yields elsewhere. Rather, these are the financial institutions best able to weather a catastrophic financial storm, while also offering its customers practical security to protect their dollars from fraud.
Aside from our proprietary Consumer Sentiment Indent, Forbes Advisor uses the Financial Stability Board’s list of global systemically important banks (G-SIBs) annual report to inform our rankings. The international agency coordinates with two dozen of the world’s biggest economies to help ward off another financial calamity. Making the list means that a bank is, essentially, too big to fail, and thus must abide by stricter regulations and oversight.
In the U.S., the Federal Reserve requires G-SIB banks to add a surcharge (depending on their size) to their capital requirements. (The thinking is that these banks have a responsibility to ensure they can survive a terrible scenario without depending on taxpayer bailouts for their survival.) For instance, JPMorgan Chase was labeled the most significantly important bank, and therefore had the largest surcharge from the Fed. It also meant it had the highest score on our list for that particular weighting.
Additionally, we gave points to banks based on their asset size. This helps differentiate even the biggest financial institutions in the world. Both Chase and Citi may be too big to fail, but Chase does have roughly twice the assets.
Moreover, we rewarded those banks that offered the best digital security (multi-factor authentication, virtual card numbers and account alerts) as well as top-class fraud protection (liability protection, debit card locking and 24/7 customer service).
Lastly, we gave credit to those banks that offered more than the typical $250,000 in FDIC insurance.
Here’s the weighting assigned to each category:
- Consumer Sentiment Index: 40%
- G-SIB Status: 25%
- Asset Size: 15%
- FDIC/NCUA Insurance: 7%
- Multi-factor authentication: 4%
- Account alerts: 2%
- Liability protection: 2%
- Debit card locking: 2%
- 24/7 customer service: 2%
- Disposable/virtual card numbers: 1%
To learn more about our rating and review methodology and editorial process, check out our guide on How Forbes Advisor Reviews Banks.
How To Pick the Safest Bank
Chances are the bank you pick won’t go belly-up any time soon. Bank failures are incredibly rare, especially in recent years. There have only been 11 collapses since 2020, according to the FDIC, including none in 2021 and 2022.
This is an important data point to keep in mind when you go searching for the best terms and conditions on whatever banking product you need. Typically, the top savings accounts, for instance, are offered by online banks and credit unions, neither of which made our Safest Banks list.
Therefore, if you want the financial institution that’s the most fundamentally sound, you’ll likely have to give up a little yield or endure a few more fees.
FDIC Insurance
Security Measures
Bank History and Reputation
Are High-Yield Savings Accounts Safe?
High-yield savings accounts are typically the best place to put the cash you’ll need in a pinch. Your savings are covered up to $250,000 (assuming you select a bank that has FDIC insurance and you don’t hold any other cash at the bank), which means you know your money is protected.
The best high-yield savings accounts offer interest rates that (at least in the recent past) have outstripped inflation, thereby allowing you to retain your buying power. This isn’t the case for the paltry yields typically provided by traditional brick-and-mortar banks.
Moreover, you’ll better protect your savings from yourself (in the form of conspicuous consumption) if you keep it separated in its own account.
Find The Best High-Yield Savings Accounts Of 2025
Are Credit Unions as Safe as Banks?
Most credit unions provide the same basic protections as most banks. Credit unions offer insurance through the NCUA, rather than through the FDIC, protecting deposits up to $250,000 per depositor, per account type.
While credit unions are member-owned, not-for-profit organizations, they can still run into trouble. Seven credit unions, for instance, have been put into conservatorship or liquidated over the past two years, per the NCUA.
Credit unions also tend to be smaller than traditional banks, and therefore less significant to the financial industry as a whole, which is why they weren’t included in our rankings.
