Best Banks in PA [2024] Pennsylvania – Avoid Fees

Pennsylvania is the 5th-biggest state in the country, with 12,972,008 people. It also has a ton of banks – more than 160, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities.

If you’re a Pennsylvanian, you probably love having so many options. But you might also be wondering: “How can I choose between them?”

Below, I’ll walk you through some of the best banks in PA by describing their most important features and explaining their best account options. 

That way, you can choose wisely and have the best possible banking experience!

5 Best Banks in PA

As a Pennsylvanian, you have access to banks of all shapes and sizes. 

You can find:

• National banks with branches in PA
• Major banks with headquarters in PA
• Local banks
• Credit unions
• Online banks available in PA
• App-based platforms with nationwide access

I’ve looked at banks in all those categories and created a list of the best banks in Pennsylvania.

1 – PSECU (Pennsylvania State Employees Credit Union)

Best for: Checking

With over 560,000 members, it’s safe to say PSECU has become one of the biggest and best financial institutions in PA.

But let me be clear: PSECU isn’t technically a “bank.” It’s a credit union, which means it only offers services to “members.” 

In the case of PSECU, you’re already eligible for membership if:

1. You have a close relative who’s a member.
2. You’re associated with a college or university that works with PSECU.
3. Your employer offers PSECU membership as a benefit.

And even if you’re not already eligible, there’s an easy way to gain eligibility. Just sign up to be a member of the Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society (PRPS). It only costs $20, but PSECU will pay you back half the fee when you enroll for the credit union online.

Once you’re a PSECU member, you can take advantage of a wide variety of financial services, including basic checking accounts.

PSECU keeps it simple, offering a single checking account option. Luckily, that option has everything you’ll need, such as:

• No monthly fee or minimum balance
• A debit card
• Access to 70,000+ fee-free ATMs nationwide and rebates for fees from other ATMs

The PSECU checking account also includes some perks you don’t typically see. For one, you’ll earn 0.20% annual percentage yield (APY) interest on the money in your account (at the time of this publication). 

And you can earn even more in cash rewards. Earn up to $0.10 on purchases over $10 if you receive at least $500 a month in qualifying direct deposits.

2 – CIT Bank

Best for: High-yield savings accounts

CIT Bank operates entirely online, and it offers excellent services to people in Pennsylvania and beyond. 

Of course, being an online bank means there are no physical branches. But the CIT Bank mobile app has a 4.6-star rating on the Apple App Store, so it’s safe to say the digital banking experience is solid!

CIT Bank offers all sorts of financial services, from eChecking accounts to mortgages. 

But there’s one side of CIT Bank’s business that really stands out: the high-yield savings accounts. 

CIT Bank offers four different savings accounts, and all of them are super appealing:

• Platinum Savings – This account earns 0.25% APY on balances under $5,000 and 4.85% APY if your balance is over $5,000. So if you’re planning on depositing more than 5K, this is the account for you!
• Savings Connect – This account earns 4.60% APY after you make a minimum deposit of just $100.
• Money Market – This account’s 1.55% APY isn’t off the charts, but you’ll still get access to CIT Bank’s mobile banking features while avoiding monthly fees. 
• Savings Builder – With this tiered interest rate account, you can earn 1.00% APY (after the introductory period) if you maintain a $25,000 minimum balance or make monthly $100 deposits.

*Note: Each of the above savings accounts requires a minimum opening deposit of $100. Also, these rates are current as of June 2023, but they can change over time.

With rates like those, CIT Bank is absolutely one of the best banks in PA!

3 – Chime

Best for: Saving features

Chime is another online option for banking in Pennsylvania. It’s designed as an app, which makes it super convenient and user-friendly. It also provides both checking and savings accounts with all sorts of perks.

The checking account doesn’t charge any fees, and it provides a lot more features than you might expect from a digital service.

With the Chime checking account, you’ll get:

• 24/7 mobile banking
• A debit card
• Access to over 60,000 fee-free ATMs
• No fees for overdrafts up to $200
• No monthly service fees
• No minimum balance fees

And if you set up direct deposit to your Chime checking account, you’ll have the option to receive your paycheck two days early!

Now let’s focus on the Chime high-yield savings account. At the time of writing this, it pays 2.00% APY. That’s less than some other banks, but still a decent return. 

But the real highlight of the Chime savings account is the automatic saving features.

With Chime, you can:

• Use the “Round Ups” feature to save a portion of every purchase.
• Use the “Save When I Get Paid” feature to save a portion of each paycheck.

I love everything about these features. They’re perfect “cheat codes” for long-term financial success. And that’s why I consider Chime one of the best banks in Pennsylvania!

4 – Revolut

Best for: International travel

Revolut is another cutting-edge banking option in Pennsylvania. Like Chime, it’s all based on an app, and it offers a revolutionary banking experience. 

With Revolut, you won’t find options for “savings accounts” or “checking accounts.” This app is far too cool for those tired old terms! Instead, you’ll choose between three different Revolut “plans,” each with its own price and set of benefits.

The three plan levels are:

1. Standard (free)
2. Premium ($9.99/month)
3. Metal ($16.99/month)

Whatever plan you choose, you’ll get:

• A debit card with access to over 55,000 fee-free ATMs
• Interest on your savings (up to 4.25% APY; varies based on plan)

So a Revolut plan basically acts as a checking account and savings account packaged together. 

And while Revolut might be appealing to any Pennsylvanian, it’s especially great for international travelers. That’s because it offers:

• No currency exchange fees (up to $1,000/month with a Standard Plan, $10,000/month with a Premium plan, and unlimited with a Metal plan)
• Market-leading exchange rates for international spending
• Travel protection (for Premium and Metal plans)

Those perks could save users some serious money, which is what makes Revolut one of the best banks in PA.

5 – First National Bank

Best for: In-person banking

Now headquartered in Pittsburgh, First National Bank has branches across most of Pennsylvania. That makes it a great option for anyone who wants to do their banking the old-fashioned way, you know, by talking to an actual teller. 

First National Bank offers a full slate of personal and business banking services. And when it comes to checking accounts, customers benefit from a wide range of options. 

Checking accounts offers include:

• eStyle Account – This account doesn’t offer physical checks, but it maximizes the convenience of digital banking. 
• eStyle Plus Account – This is another checkless account, and it pays 0.10% APY on balances below $2,500. 
• Freestyle Checking – This is a basic checking account with no minimum balance and no monthly fee if you opt for paperless statements. 
• Lifestyle Checking – In addition to standard checking account features, this account pays 0.05% APY on balances between $2,500 – $14,999.99 and 0.10% APY on balances of $15,000+.
• Premierstyle Checking – This account is designed for people who maintain higher balances, and pays 0.15% APY on balances of $15,000+.

With so many checking accounts to choose from, you’re bound to find one that suits your financial situation. 

And who doesn’t like options? I certainly do, which is why I place First National Bank up there with the best banks in PA. 

Commonly Asked Questions About Best Banks in PA

What is The Best Bank To Go With?

In Pennsylvania, First National Bank is the best “traditional” bank. It has five different checking account options, and you’ll have access to ATMs and branches across the state. But would you rather use an app-based service? Then try Chime. Its built-in saving features can be super helpful. You can also check out this list of the best banks in America.

And if you’re looking to boost your new bank account fast, check out these banks with immediate sign-up bonus.

Is PNC a Good Bank To Bank With?

PNC is a solid bank, especially if you live in Pennsylvania or another state full of PNC branches. The best option from PNC Bank is probably the Virtual Wallet. It allows you to manage a checking account and a savings account within a single platform. Other fantastic options include PSECU, CIT Bank, Chime, Revolut, and First National Bank. 

If you’d like to learn which budgeting app could best help you manage your finances, check out these comparisons:

• Rocket Money vs YNAB
• Rocket Money vs Simplifi
• Rocket Money vs Copilot

Then use a net worth tracker to see how your new financial strategies are paying off. 

What is The Largest Bank in PA?

PNC Bank is the largest Bank in PA. It has over 270 branches across the state. Other excellent bank options in PA include PSECU, CIT Bank, Chime, Revolut, and First National Bank. 

Is Chase Bank a Good Bank?

Chase Bank is an excellent bank. Not only is it the largest bank in America with $3.2 trillion in assets, but it also has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). You can use Chase Bank for a variety of services, from checking accounts to credit cards. Check out this article for a current Chase Bank bonus. 

Best Banks in Philadelphia?

Some of the best banks in Philadelphia include:

• PSECU
• CIT Bank
• Chime
• Revolut

Credit Union Banks in Pennsylvania?

There are several excellent credit unions available for personal banking in Pennsylvania. I’d consider PSECU (Pennsylvania State Employees Credit Union), which offers a fantastic checking account product. Other banking options in Pennsylvania include CIT Bank, Chime, Revolut, and First National Bank.