2017 RANKING & REVIEWS
TOP RANKING BANKS IN NEW YORK


Intro: Key Questions to Finding the Best Banks in New York (NYC, Buffalo, & Other NY Cities)

Do you live or work in New York? If so, how much money are you paying each month in banking fees with a NY based bank? Could you be saving a substantial amount of money by reducing or eliminating those fees?

What about interest yields? Are you earning interest with your New York bank that are competitive in both your checking and savings accounts?

All of these are essential questions to ask when you’re considering the best bank in NY to use and whether or not it’s time to move to another NY bank.

Best Banks in New York Red Award Emblem

Award Emblem: Top 15 Best Banks in New York

It’s with these guiding questions in mind, along with many others, that this review, ranking and list of banks in New York was created.

The New York City Metro, as well as the entire state of New York, is a thriving hub of commerce and a center of the world’s economy. It’s only natural that this is also where some of the world’s top retail banks are found.

This list of the best banks in New York covers a diverse selection of institutions, from community to national banks.

It’s also dispersed geographically, so the ranking includes everything from the best bank in NYC to the top banks in Buffalo, NY.

Each bank included on this list of the best New York banks was researched with one thing in mind: the needs of the consumer. Whether you need the best banks in NYC or the best banks in Buffalo, NY, this list of top New York banks will provide you with everything you need to find the best NY bank for you.



AdvisoryHQ’s List of the Top 15 Best Banks in New York

List is sorted alphabetically (click any of the bank names below to go directly to the detailed review section for that New York bank):


Top Best 15 Best Banks in New York | Brief Comparison & Ranking

Best New York Banks

Highlighted Features

Bank of AmericaFocus on providing clarity & transparency
Capital OneDynamic options for savings accounts & lines of credit
CitibankCiti ThankYou Rewards program
Citizens BankMultiple overdraft protection options
HSBC Bank USAExclusive benefits & rates with the Premier checking account
JPMorgan ChaseComprehensive offerings for students via the Student Center
Key BankCustomizable personal checking & savings accounts
M&T BankVast array of debit card features & customizable options
New York Community BankEnhanced account security & banking alerts
People’s United BankConvenient, affordable checking programs
Santander BankNational & global access
Signature BankWide selection of business accounts & services
TD BankClover 1 Merchant Solutions
Valley National BankMultiple checking account options for different lifestyles
Wells FargoExclusive resources for those looking to build credit

Table: Top 15 Best New York Banks | Above list is sorted alphabetically



AdvisoryHQ’s Selection Methodology

What methodology does AdvisoryHQ use in selecting and finalizing the credit cards, financial products, firms, services, and products that are ranked on its various top-rated lists?

Please click here “AdvisoryHQ’s Ranking Methodologies” for a detailed review of AdvisoryHQ’s selection methodologies for ranking top-rated credit cards, financial accounts, firms, products, and services.


Detailed Review – Top Ranking Best Banks in New York

Below, please find a detailed review of each bank on our list of top banks in New York and best banks in Buffalo, NY. We have highlighted some of the factors that allowed these New York banks to score so high in our selection ranking.

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New York Community Bank Review


New York Community Bank is part of the New York Community Bancorp Inc., and this state-chartered NY bank works with customers throughout New York as well as New Jersey, Florida, Ohio, and Arizona.

Along with being considered a top selection for the best bank in New York, New York Community Bank is also the largest thrift in the nation.

The history of this NY bank goes back to 1859 when the state initially chartered it. In the New York metro, branches of the bank are dispersed throughout Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island, and other locations.

New York Community Bank - new york banks

Key Factors That Enabled Us to Rank This Bank as One of the Best Banks in NYC and New York State

Based on a comparison of New York banks, New York Community Bank was selected as one of the best banks in NYC based on the following criteria and ranking details.

My Community Free Checking

In an effort to provide reduced fees to customers, New York Community Bank is one of the top banks in New York offering a free checking account option. The My Community Free Checking account is a personal account with unlimited check writing.

With My Community Free Checking, along with no monthly fees, there are also rewards options available, and account holders can choose to have paperless e-Statements delivered to them.

Rewards Program

As one of the best banks in NYC and one of the top New York banks, New York Community Bank offers a rewards program for account holders each time they use their Visa check card on particular transactions.

Customers are automatically enrolled in the program by opening a consumer checking account, and it’s possible to earn cash with as few as 2,000 rewards points.

Account holders have the opportunity to earn up to 50,000 points, or $500, every calendar year, and if your points exceed that amount, they roll over to the next year. Each time $2,000 points or more are accrued, accounts are credited with cash automatically.

Popmoney

As a top NY bank, New York Community Bank offers account holders the opportunity to seamlessly and quickly send money using Popmoney. This personal payment service provides account holders from one of the top banks in New York with an easy way to receive and request money.

Popmoney is also part of the bill pay service provided by this New York bank, and all you need to send money using this platform is the name and email address or phone number of the recipient.

Since it’s offered through NYCB, all of the same security and protection measures are in place when account holders use Popmoney.

Account and Security Alerts

To ensure that customers and account holders can maintain control over their finances and how their money is handled, NYCB offers various account and security alerts.

Members of this top NY bank can choose their notifications, including if a balance goes above or below a set amount, when a direct deposit is made into your account, or when a withdrawal, deposit or check posts to your account.

You can also receive personalized alerts through email, text message, and push notification.

Security alerts are automatically sent to an account holder’s primary email address and can be customized to be sent by text message or push notification.

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TD Bank Review


TD Bank has been recognized for its delivery of excellent, personal banking customer service for more than 150 years.

What initially started as Portland Savings Bank in Portland, Maine, in 1852, has grown to include many locations throughout the country, leading it to become one of the best New York banks. 

TD is recognized as one of the ten largest banks in the U.S., with about 26,000 employees and more than 8.5 million customers throughout the country.

Key Factors That Led to Our Ranking of This Bank as One of the Best Banks in New York

Key reasons TD Bank was included in this ranking of the best banks in NYC, as well as one of the best banks in New York state, are listed below.

Digital Payments

As an innovative, forward-thinking financial institution, TD Bank embraces advanced technology in every possible area, and that includes the provision of digital payment options.

Digital payments add another layer of security to purchases and transactions, and they also make it faster to pay and check out quickly.

TD’s accounts integrate with four digital wallet solutions: Apple Pay, Android Pay, Samsung Pay, and Microsoft Wallet.

Account holders can also use Visa Checkout to pay online with their TD Bank Visa Card, which lets them pay with a single login from any device, without re-entering payment and shipping advice. Checkout is as simple as a single click with participating retailers.

Clover 1 Merchant Solutions

TD customers have access to not only personal banking services but also business options.

One way TD serves the needs of businesses and merchants is with the provision of The Clover 1 solution suite, which helps business clients not just accept payments but also manage and protect their business.

Features of the Clover 1 solution include the ability to process any payment securely, in flexible ways, and to get customized solutions and support when needed.

The solutions suite also includes cloud apps to help promote customer loyalty and security, for managing reporting and scheduling, and to manage inventory.



Cross-Border Banking

A range of convenient services is available to clients who require banking across the Canada-United States border.

Clients can open a U.S. dollar account online, apply for U.S. mortgages and credit cards, and can take advantage of free wire transfers between Canadian and U.S. TD accounts.

TD accounts available to customers who need banking, which extend across the Canada-U.S. border, include TD Simple, TD Convenience, and TD Premier.

TD Relationship Checking

One of the top-level checking accounts available from TD is the Relationship Checking account, which is packed with exclusive benefits, features, and discounts.

These include the following:

  • Account holders earn interest on their account balance
  • There is a discount rate on TD Bank home loans
  • TD ATM fees are waived regardless of the balance
  • Non-TD ATM usage includes fees reimbursed when a minimum daily balance of at least $2,500 is maintained
  • Free money orders
  • Free standard checks
  • Free waivers on savings accounts
  • Transfer fees waived for overdraft protection
  • When a $20,000 combined minimum daily balance is maintained between TD Bank deposit accounts, the $25 monthly maintenance fee is waived

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Wells Fargo Review


Wells Fargo is a large, multinational presence in the world of banking with $1.9 trillion in assets. It’s a diversified financial services provider founded in 1852 that delivers not only retail banking services but also insurance, investments, mortgages and more.

Along with the banks in New York, Wells Fargo has over 8,600 locations and 13,000 ATMs. Wells Fargo also works with 70 million customers and has been honored by media outlets including Barron’s, Forbes and Fortune.

Key Factors That Led to Our Ranking of This Bank as One of the Best Banks in New York

When comparing and researching the best bank in New York, the following were some of the criteria that made Wells Fargo a standout selection for a top NY bank.

Establishing Credit

Wells Fargo is unique because even though it’s a global powerhouse in terms of banking and finance, it offers many educational and informational resources to customers and the public in general.

One focus area of Wells Fargo is providing consumers with information to aid them in establishing and maintaining good credit. It has put together a comprehensive online guide that includes tips and activities to establish credit and build a sound financial foundation.

This top NY bank offers additional exclusive resources to help people with building their credit history. This includes information on credit basics, and video guides on attaining credit.

Finally, it features product selections for people who are just beginning to establish credit, such as secured loans and secured lines of credit.

Servicemembers and Military Families

Wells Fargo remains consistently committed to providing resources and support for military service members, veterans, and their families.

Not only does this New York bank participate in community programs providing support to veterans in the community, but it also works to employ veterans. Some of the programs it actively participates in are the SBA Veterans Pledge Initiative and the Warriors to Summits programs.

Additional Wells Fargo programs help service members and spouses translate their military skills into career competencies, and deliver banking products and services focused on their unique needs.

Some of these banking services include a combination of online classes, local seminars, and on-base forums to improve the financial literacy of veteran participants.




Portfolio Checking Account

Portfolio by Wells Fargo® is a checking option for those Wells Fargo customers with higher balances. This premier option features more benefits including bonus interest rates, fee waivers, and discounts on banking services.

This program also includes superior service from the dedicated Wells Fargo Premier Banking Team, available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.

While there is a $30 monthly fee, members of this NY bank can avoid this by meeting one of two monthly requirements:

  • $25,000 or more in qualifying direct deposits
  • $50,000 or more in any combination of qualifying linked bank, brokerage, and credit balances

Wells Fargo Works for Small Business

Wells Fargo Works for Small Business is a program designed specifically to address the banking and financial needs of small business owners.

Services are designed to fit with each step of the business cycle, from launching a new business, to running it and growing it.

Through the Small Business program participants not only have access to premier banking products, but also comprehensive resources that can allow them to be more successful in their ventures.

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Below, click on the individual banks included in the Top Banks in New York list, to browse the exclusive reviews:


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Conclusion – Top 15 Banks in New York

If you’re looking for banks in NYC, banks in Buffalo, or simply the best banks in New York state, there are likely to be some important considerations you take into mind.

Some of these common considerations include the cost to do business with a bank, including associated fees, the sense of transparency, the length of time they’ve been serving the community, the products they have available, and how technologically advanced their services are.

When creating this comprehensive list of banks in New York, these factors and many more weighed heavily into the ranking process. Each of the above institutions is not only considered to be one of the best banks in New York, but they also cater to a wide variety of financial and personal needs.

Despite their similarities in the quality of service and products, each NY bank is unique from one another with signature offerings and exclusive products.

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AdvisoryHQ (AHQ) Disclaimer:

Reasonable efforts have been made by AdvisoryHQ to present accurate information, however all info is presented without warranty. Review AdvisoryHQ’s Terms for details. Also review each firm’s site for the most updated data, rates and info.

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