The best banks and credit unions in the mid-Atlantic
Despite their small size, many regional banks offer the same access to many banking products. Like their national counterparts, most offer competitive rates on savings accounts and loans. The central region – including Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and Washington, DC – is no different.
Many top financial institutions operate in this region. Therefore, in order to identify the best banks and Card of Atlantic unions, we studied their accounts, fees, annual yield (APYS) and customer satisfaction ratings and customer satisfaction ratings and customer satisfaction ratings and customer satisfaction ratings and customer satisfaction ratings and customer satisfaction ratings and customer satisfaction ratings and customer satisfaction ratings.
Here is a selection of the best banks and credit unions in the mid-ATLANTIC in 2026:
*KilePrices and fees were as of Oct. 14, 2025.
Although it is a regional financial institution, Mid-Atlantic Federal Credit Union has an ATM network of 30,000 locations. Offers checking, savings, money market and student accounts and share certificates (ie, credit union equivalents of CDs) at competitive rates. Its rewards test currently offers 5.00% Apy up to $10,000 and the credit union is reviewing ATM fees.
Mid-Atlantic also offers loan discounts for its members and offers certain retirement accounts (IRAs) and youth accounts, which receive dividends. The credit union operates only in three branch locations, but offers its own online branch, which offers comprehensive services.
- The highest apy for test accounts
- Refund of ATM fees
- Loan discounts for members
- The maximum test apy is capped at $10,000
- Opening balance of $2,500 for money market
- By comparing low yields on CDs
Bank of America is the second largest US bank by assets with 3,857 branch locations in addition to 15,000 ATM locations. The bank has a strong presence in the northeast, and offers checking accounts, savings accounts, student accounts and CDs.
Its CDs are where the bank comes from. With terms ranging from 28 days to 10 years and aps as high as 3.51%, Bank of America CDs has favorable options for long-term and long-term borrowers. They do, however, require a minimum deposit of $1,000. Bank of America receives a JD strength score of 8 out of 9, but does not offer money market accounts.
- 3,857 branch locations
- JD Power Score of 8 out of 9
- High quality CDs
- $1,000 CD minimum
- A monthly fee for checking and savings
- No Money Market Accounts
CFG Bank receives high scores from customers, with a 3.4 star rating from TrustPilot. The bank offers checking, savings, Money Market accounts and CDs. But its fertile gaze trembles. The CFG checking account currently offers an apy of up to 2.00% and offers access to more than 55,000 ATMs worldwide as part of the Allpoint ™ network.
CFG only operates three branches in Maryland; However, it allows online access to its customers, including the Mobile Check Pipoli deposit through its app. The Bank Market Account offers the highest APY – currently 4.15% for an opening deposit of at least $1,000.
- An attractive assessment of interest
- Top Aps in the money market
- Access to a network of over 55,000 ATMs
- Branch locations are limited
- $50,000 is the maximum test requirement
- The longest CD is five years
IM & T Bank operates more than 960 branches and 1,600 ATMs in Washington, DC, and 11 states, including many in the mid-Atlantic. One of its key features is its financial management tool. Customers, including children who open a Starter savings account, can create budgets and track spending online or through the M&T Bank mobile app.
M&T Bank’s free EZ Choice Checking account is outstanding, with no monthly maintenance fee, no minimum balance requirements and no minimum transaction requirements. Its MyChoice Plus checking account is interest-only, and customers can avoid $14.95 per month mDaily balance maintenance fee of $2,500 or direct cash up to $1,500 per monthly cycle.
- Free trial without minimum balance requirements
- 960 branches in 12 states
- It also offers interest-bearing checking accounts
- Higher Deposit Requirements and Terms Under CDs
- No Money Market Accounts
- Apys are not disclosed on their website
Atlantic Union Bank has more than 130 branch offices throughout Maryland, North Carolina and Virginia. It has a network of 30,000 ATMs and offers checking, savings, money market accounts in addition to CDs. One of the bank’s biggest appeals is that it has multiple interest checking options and a highly rated mobile app.
So it’s little wonder that the Bank is getting good customer satisfaction, with high ratings from JD Power over the past several years, including the highest ATLANCI ranking points. The Atlantic Union still faces some setbacks in taking regulatory action over the CFPB’s December 2023 guidelines, but the Bank has made progress, including reduced capital and, in some cases, hedged funds.
- Many fertility testing options
- It operates more than 130 branch locations
- A highly rated mobile app
- Relatively low savings
- Requirements not included in minimum opening measurements
How we chose the best banks of 2026
To find our list of the best banks, financial staff checked hundreds of large banks, credit unions, regional and state banks, ranked by the most popular banks online. We then compare average opening requirements, interest paid, capital and features to determine our top picks.
To select the best banks and Card of Atlantic unions, we researched the largest financial institutions in the area and compared deposit accounts, APYS, cash and additional fees and benefits. We also looked at the number of branches and ATMs each bank has, as well as their customer satisfaction ratings.
You can read our full guide here.
More from money
Back to the best banks
The best banks for digital investment
The best online banks
