We sell aggregated (non-personal) information from users on our site to banks and credit unions to help them align their products and services with demand in their markets. FindABetterBank enables consumers to choose the best bank or credit union given their specific requirements. It's critical comparisons are "fair and square." Therefore, we don't sell advertising or placement in search results. Also, we don't make money if you visit a bank's website from FindABetterBank or if you open an account as a result of using FindABetterBank.
We have a full-time research staff that maintains all the account information on the site.
Our branch location database is sourced from the FDIC and is updated with information provided by banks and credit unions. In addition, we utilize Google's Maps to identify which banks have locations near you.
We currently cover checking, savings and money market accounts at over 140 US banks and credit unions -- representing over half of all branch locations in the US.
We electronically monitor listed banks' and credit unions' websites to identify when they've updated information. We call institutions' contact centers on a rolling schedule for any information not published on their websites. Inaccuracies brought to our attention are researched and updated immediately.
A "Branchless Bank" is an institution that does not have any physical bank locations to conduct business with it's customers -- instead it relies on the Internet and other channels.
A "Student Account" is a checking account with features that appeal to full-time students.
Many banks offer checking accounts with features and benefits that appeal to people who are 50 or older. The age thresholds required to qualify for theses accounts varies by bank.
We track over 30 different types of fees that banks charge their checking account customers and have developed a method to estimate the fees you could expect based on your answers to a few questions.
We track 12 of the most common features banks bundle into their checking accounts (i.e., free online banking, debit card reward programs). For the best comparisons, customize this list (in Step 3) so you're only comparing accounts with all the features want.
We exclude from the search results all checking accounts that do not fulfill 100% of the features you set as "Must have."
We use your question responses to filter out accounts where you don't meet the requirements. For example, some checking accounts require a direct deposit. So if you indicate that you don't have a direct deposit, we won't include these accounts in your search results. Also, many banks have several checking account options, so we use your responses to show you the two best choices per bank.
Many banks charge different fees based on where you live. For example, a bank may charge $30 for an overdraft in one state and $34 in another. We attempt to collect the fee charges in the bank's largest market. We suggest you verify our information with the bank prior to opening an account.