US banks, by state
America has more banks than any country on earth. This directory breaks it down the way it actually works: national banks, digital banks and credit unions available everywhere, plus the state regulator, local rules and regional banks specific to each of the 50 states.
How US banking actually works
Before choosing a state, it helps to understand the structure. Almost everything confusing about US banking comes from one thing: banks are chartered at two different levels.
The key insight. A bank in the United States is chartered either by the federal government (through the OCC) or by a single state (through that state's banking department). But a federally chartered bank can operate in every state, and a state-chartered bank can usually operate nationwide too. So the same Chase branch exists in all 50 states.
Who regulates US banks
The six ways a US bank can be chartered
| Type | Chartered by | What it means for you |
|---|
Deposit insurance: the part people get wrong
The FDIC insures deposits up to 250,000 US dollars per depositor, per insured bank, per ownership category. The wording matters. Protection is attached to the institution, not to each account you hold there. If you have a checking account and a savings account at the same bank, they share one 250,000 dollar limit.
Credit unions are insured separately by the NCUA, at the same 250,000 dollar limit. And a small number of charters — notably Wyoming's SPDI — are deliberately not FDIC insured, which is worth knowing before you deposit there.
Shared licences catch people out. Some digital brands are not banks at all — they are apps that hold your money at a partner bank. If two apps use the same partner bank, your deposits at both may share a single insurance limit. Always check which bank actually holds the money.
Banks that work in any state
These institutions operate nationwide, so your state choice does not restrict access to them. Use the state pages for what is genuinely local.
Major national banks
Digital banks and online accounts
Want the detail? Our guide to the best digital banks compares six of them side by side, and digital bank fees compared breaks down what each one actually charges.
Browse all 50 states
Each state page covers the state banking regulator, banks headquartered or prominent there, credit unions, state-specific rules, and the exact steps to open an account.
Northeast
Midwest
South
US banking, answered
Do I need a Social Security Number to open a US bank account?
Most US banks require a Social Security Number (SSN) or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). A small number of banks accept a foreign passport combined with a US address for non-resident accounts, but this is uncommon at the largest banks and usually requires an in-branch application with additional documentation.
How much of my money is protected in a US bank?
FDIC insurance covers 250,000 US dollars per depositor, per insured bank, per ownership category. Because protection is per institution rather than per account, splitting deposits across two different banks is the only way to raise your total coverage. Credit unions have equivalent NCUA coverage at the same limit.
Does it matter which state I open a bank account in?
For day-to-day banking, less than most people expect. Federal rules apply nationwide, and national banks offer the same core products everywhere. What differs by state is the banking regulator you would complain to, some consumer lending rules, the dormant account escheat period, and which regional banks are headquartered nearby.
Can I open a US bank account if I live abroad?
It is difficult but not impossible. A few banks offer non-resident accounts requiring a foreign passport, a US address or US-based contact, and sometimes an in-person visit. Digital banks generally require an SSN or ITIN, which rules out most non-residents. Our guide to bank accounts for expats and newcomers covers the practical routes.
Is a credit union better than a bank?
Not automatically, but often on cost. Credit unions are member-owned and not-for-profit, so they typically pay higher savings rates and charge lower fees. The trade-offs are narrower membership eligibility, fewer branches, and sometimes less developed digital tools. Every state page lists notable credit unions.
Which state has no bank fees or the best rates?
There is no single best state, because account pricing is set by each bank rather than by the state government. What does vary is competition: states with dense banking markets, such as California, Texas, Illinois and North Carolina, tend to have more aggressive fee waivers. State income tax treatment is a separate question and does affect your overall finances.
Work out what a loan would really cost
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Sources and verification
US banking rules, deposit insurance and regulator structures are published by the federal banking agencies.
- FDIC — Deposit insuranceFederal Deposit Insurance Corporation
- OCC — Who we areOffice of the Comptroller of the Currency
- Federal Reserve — Consumer resourcesBoard of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
- NCUA — Share insuranceNational Credit Union Administration
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