DepositAccounts 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 the Most 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 of your options and make informed banking decisions.

All ratings are based on objective data that is continually reviewed and updated by our editorial staff. We analyze and weigh factors that matter most to consumers, including interest rates, fees and technologies, as well as customer service and security. 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 Institutions

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 with one another.

Overall value	Savings rates and perks compared with fees and restrictions	25%
Digital banking	Online and mobile banking availability and features	20%
Customer satisfaction	Aggregated feedback and real customer reviews	10%
Health and stability	Financial stability based on quarterly financial data	25%
Availability	Number of states where the bank operates and branches it offers	20%

How We Rate Deposit Products

We assign an overall score to every deposit product:

Checking accounts — types include standard, rewards, free and business
Savings accounts — regular and high-yield accounts
Money market accounts (MMAs) — traditional and high-yield accounts
Certificates of deposit (CDs) — 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 with what other banks and credit unions offer. Each product is rated based on five categories.

Competitive rates	How attractive rates are compared with similar products	25%
Low minimums	Minimum deposit and balance requirements	25%
Low monthly fees	Service fees compared with similar products	15%
Few transaction fees	Minimal overdraft, ATM and other fees	25%
Perks	Money-saving extras such as ATM fee 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 nation.

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.

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.