West Virginia residents have access to a unique selection of banks, from national to regional. Online banks are also available. Whether you want to open a checking account, establish a college fund or invest with a money market account, there’s an option for you. To narrow down your search for a bank, Benzinga has selected the top banks in West Virginia.
Read through to compare your banking options.
Best Banks in West Virginia Near You:
- Best for Digital Banking Services: BBVA
- Best for Students: BB&T Bank
- Best Checking Account: Axos Bank
- Best Savings Account: CIT Bank
- Best Community Bank: City National Bank of West Virginia
Best for Digital Banking Services: BBVA
Bank on the go, anytime, anywhere with BBVA’s digital banking services. It serves a large client base including personal customers, small businesses, commercial clients and corporate entities. Personal banking customers can access savings and checking accounts, credit cards, lending facilities, mortgages and investments.
Through its global wealth services, the bank also offers a wide range of tailored advice, brokerage services and investment solutions including risk management, wealth planning and trust and fiduciary services.
BBVA takes the hassle off mobile banking with its award-winning mobile app — a 6-time award winner of Javelin Mobile Banking Leader. You can deposit checks, view balances, transfer money and set up account activity alerts. You can also enroll into its online banking services and enjoy the convenience of managing your money through the internet. Customers also have access to various loan options including:
- BBVA express personal loans
- Auto loans
- Home equity line of credit
- Home equity loans
- Mortgage loans
Small businesses can also enjoy a host of digital services, including online payroll services, small business insurance, BBVA remote deposit capture as well as merchant services.
Best for Students: BB&T Bank
BB&T bank helps students attain financial independence with its student checking account that’s designed for the student lifestyle. This checking account helps stretch your budget with no direct deposit requirement, no monthly maintenance fee, overdraft protection and a personalized debit card.
Through BB&T bank, personal banking customers can also access lending services, insurance solutions as well as retirement and investing solutions. Small businesses can also access multiple banking options, borrowing solutions, merchant and payroll services, employee benefits and business resources.
BB&T also makes savings your money easy and convenient with its savings account options which include:
- eSavings
- High-performance money market account
- Investor’s deposit account
- Health savings account
- Young savers
Go beyond everyday banking with U by BB&T®, its mobile and online banking experience which lets you link all your eligible accounts, monitor your credit score for free and get cash-back earnings by shopping with your card. BB&T clients can also use SunTrust ATMs free of charge for withdrawals.
- No Maintenance Fees
Best Checking Account: Axos Bank
Axos is an online bank that stands out for its award-winning checking accounts that offer low to no monthly maintenance fees, cashback rewards and unlimited domestic ATM fee reimbursements.
The bank has 5 distinct checking accounts — each is designed for a specific type of customer. Most of these checking accounts come with unique perks including unlimited check writing privileges, early paycheck deposits, no annual fees and more. Its client base includes personal bankers, businesses and partners, including real estate agents and dealer services.
Personal banking customers can access checking and savings accounts, certificates of deposit (CDs), mortgages, personal loans, refinance options and auto loans. With Axos Bank, you will enjoy industry-leading rates, lower ATM and monthly maintenance fees and agile software to enhance your banking experience.
Axos Bank also takes the hassle off investing with its managed investment portfolios courtesy of Axos Invest® — a premium automated tool that automates goal-based financial planning, portfolio rebalancing and personalized investing depending on your risk level. No account minimum is required to start investing.
- Business and Personal Checking
Best Savings Account: CIT Bank
CIT Bank offers its customers an extensive selection of accounts to save with. There’s a savings builder account, premier high-yield savings account, a money market account and more than 5 certificates of deposits including term CDs, no-penalty CDs, jumbo CDs and more.
The savings builder account is particularly popular since it earns you rates 16 times the national average while offering daily compounding interest to maximize your earning potential.
CIT is also a great mortgage lender and it offers term loans to finance your home. Other perks of taking out a loan with the bank include lower down payments, lower monthly payments and up to $525 cashback upon closing your new home loan. CIT Bank has also partnered with LoanCare LLC to offer loan servicing functions to its customers.
CIT Bank also offers stellar business banking solutions and has earned several awards recognizing its small business digital lending technology, including the fintech breakthrough award for best small business lending solution.
Best Community Bank: City National Bank of West Virginia
City National Bank — a highly-rated community bank in the country — has been delivering superior financial solutions to customers and businesses in West Virginia for over 60 years. City National Bank ranked No. 1 in customer satisfaction for 3 consecutive years in the north-central region of the country, according to 2018, 2019 and 2020 J.D. Power U.S. retail banking satisfaction study.
This full-service bank offers multiple checking and savings products, low-rate loans, competitive mortgages, home equity lines of credit and wealth management services. City National Bank’s checking accounts are designed to meet your unique needs and come with perks like multiple overdraft protection options, access to over 90 branches and ATMs, free mobile and text banking and free eStatements.
Its business banking services also meet the needs of small and large commercial customers with various commercial lending options, free business checking and cash management services.
The bank also runs a physician’s mortgage program that offers physicians 100% financing on loans up to $600,000 and other fixed-rate loan options with a 5% down payment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I manage my account online?
A: Yes. Once your account is activated, your bank will send an email with information and links to access and manage your account. You can review and update your account, customize your online banking experience, see recent activity and view statements.
Q: What is a SWIFT code?
A: The SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication) code is a unique identification code that some banks, investment managers or broker-dealers may require to complete an international wire transfer.
Choosing the Best Bank in West Virginia
Naturally, you’ll need a safe haven for your cash. Opening a bank account is the first step toward keeping your finances organized, whether you’re a personal banker or business owner. But there’s a catch — you’ll have different banking needs to consider. To maximize your money and limit the amount of fees you part with, conduct thorough research on the account types that fit your needs.
As long as you exercise due diligence, opening or switching up bank accounts should be an easy process. No matter your banking needs, the products from the banks above offer solutions to help you achieve your financial goals.
Methodology
To determine the best banks in West Virginia, Benzinga analyzed over 100 banks and financial institutions. We gave weight to banks in West Virginia with co-op ATMs and cashback options. We also gave greater rankings to banks which offered the following: checking and savings accounts, online banking, personal loans, mortgages, educational resources and a mobile app.
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