Deposit Accounts Bank and Credit Union Ratings Methodology

When it comes to banking, you have endless choices. But who has the time to compare 275,000 deposit rates at 11,000 banks and credit unions? We do! For the most comprehensive and unbiased deposit account information available, you’ve come to the right place.

Our Secret Recipe for More Accurate Ratings

Our team uses a proprietary rating system to review financial institutions and their deposit products fairly and accurately, so you can compare all your options and make informed banking decisions.

All ratings are based on objective data that is continuously reviewed and updated by our editorial staff. We analyze and weigh factors that matter most to consumers, including interest rates, fees, customer service, security and technology. Our website uses the star system, from zero to five stars, to make comparing even easier.

We give every bank and credit union in the U.S. an overall score based on five categories.

How we Rate Financial Instituions

We give every bank and credit union in the U.S. an overall score based on five categories. The score is then displayed as stars so you can quickly see how financial institutions compare to one another.

Overall Value	Savings rates and perks compared to fees and restrictions	25%
Digital Banking	Online and mobile banking availability and features	20%
Customer Satisfaction	Aggregated feedback and real customer reviews	10%
Health & Stability	Financial stability based on their quarterly financial data	25%
Availability	How many branches it has and how many states where they are available online	20%

How we Rate Deposit Products

We give every deposit product an overall score based on five categories.

Checking Accounts - types include standard, reward, free and business
Savings Accounts - regular and high-yield accounts
Money Market Accounts - traditional and high-yield accounts
Certificates of Deposit (CD) - terms from three months to six years or more

Products are rated using a percentile rank, meaning we assess the rates, fees and features by comparing them to what other banks and credit unions offer. Each product is rates based on five categories.

Competitive Rates	How attractive their rates are compared to similar products	25%
Low Minimums	The minimum deposit and minimum balance required	25%
Low Monthly Fees	How much the service fees are compared to similar products	15%
Few Transaction Fees	How much you pay for overdraft fees, ATM fees and more	25%
Additional Perks	If you get money-saving extras such as ATM refunds	10%

Meet the Team

Our editorial team is a group of financial writers, researchers and developers who have spent more than 20 years making DepositAccounts the most comprehensive, objective and accurate website for banking comparisons in the United States.

We’ve tested and tweaked our methodology over the years to make sure our ratings are as clear and accurate as possible. And, because we focus exclusively on deposit products, our ratings and reviews are more thorough than you’ll find elsewhere.

Our goal is always to provide you with the most helpful and up-to-date information, so you can save time and money with the best rates for your needs.

The financial institution, product, and APY (Annual Percentage Yield) data displayed on this website is gathered from various sources and may not reflect all of the offers available in your region. Although we strive to provide the most accurate data possible, we cannot guarantee its accuracy. The content displayed is for general information purposes only; always verify account details and availability with the financial institution before opening an account. Contact [email protected] to report inaccurate info or to request offers be included in this website. We are not affiliated with the financial institutions included in this website.