U.S. Bank Review: Pros, Cons, And Alternatives

U.S. Bank is one of the largest banks in the United States, and offers a full range of personal and business banking products.

When it comes to finding the right bank, there is no shortage of options to sift through. As you do your research for the best checking accounts, U.S. Bank might make its way to the top of the list. 

A combination of low fees and accessible digital features makes opening an account with this bank a worthwhile option. Plus, if you have a side hustle or small business, they have great business banking options as well.

Let’s take a closer look at what you can expect from U.S. Bank. 

What Is U.S. Bank?

U.S. Bank can trace its roots back to the First National Bank of Cincinnati, which was founded in 1863. Since its humble beginnings, it has grown to be one of the largest banks in the country. In fact, it just received approval to acquire Union Bank, which will continue to make U.S. Bank a banking powerhouse.

As a consumer, you’ll have access to over 2,000 physical branch locations. The physical locations are spread out across 26 states. U.S. Bank headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 

What Does It Offer?

Here’s a closer look at what U.S. Bank has to offer. 

U.S. Bank Smartly® Checking Account 

Although U.S. Bank offers more than one checking account, the U.S. Bank Smartly® Checking account stands apart from the crowd as a viable option for adults and students alike. 

This account includes a U.S. Bank Visa® Debit Card, mobile and online banking, mobile check deposit, online bill pay, and more! You also get access to send money with Zelle®, and access to U.S. Bank Smart Rewards® to reap additional benefits.

U.S. Bank Smartly® Checking has a $6.95 per month maintenance fee that's easily waived if you simply do ONE of the following:

• Are age 24 and under, 65 and over, or a member of the military (must self-disclose), OR
• Have combined monthly direct deposits totaling $1,000 or more, OR
• Average account balance of $1,500 or more, OR
• Hold an eligible U.S. Bank credit card, OR
• Qualify for one of the four Smart Rewards® tiers (Primary, Plus, Premium, or Pinnacle).

If you attend a college that participates in the U.S. Bank Campus, there are several extra perks. This program issues you a campus card that links your student ID with your debit card, opens the door to a university-branded debit card, and gives you access to on-campus or near-campus advisory centers. 

Savings Accounts: Elite Money Market 

While you are in school or just starting out, creating a habit of saving money is critical. U.S. Bank has the Elite Money Market Account that could be the tool for you. 

The Elite Money Market Account is another place to store savings, and their rates have become more competitive. However, make sure you compare their rates to other high yield savings accounts.

CDs

Certificates of Deposit, or CDs, offer a low-risk way to grow your savings. But in exchange for a higher interest rate, you’ll give up liquidity, or easy access, that comes with a savings account. 

You can also opt for their Trade up CD with a minimum deposit of $1,000. This CD allows you to take advantage of rising rates once per term.

Before tucking your funds into a CD, make sure you are comfortable with the lack of liquidity.

You can see how U.S. Bank compares on our list of the Best Bank CDs here.

Business Banking

U.S. Bank has a full suite of business banking options - including business checking, business savings, lending, and merchant services.

Their main business checking products include Silver Business Checking, Gold Business Checking, and Platinum business checking. The big differentiator between the levels is the number of transactions your business does each month.

U.S. Bank Silver Business Checking

The U.S. Bank Silver Business Checking account is is a solid basic business checking account with all the features you need in a bank.

This account is designed for businesses with limited transaction activity, and has a $0 monthly maintenance fee.

This account includes a U.S. Bank Visa Debit Card, mobile and online banking, mobile check deposit, online bill pay, and more! It also includes 125 free transactions per month with a $0.50 fee for each additional transaction.

This account continually appears on our list of the best business checking accounts.

U.S. Bank Platinum Business Money Market

The U.S. Bank Platinum Business Money Market is one of the best business money market accounts available. It pays a high APY, connects to your U.S. Bank Business Checking Account, and even offers a bonus APY when you sign up.

Receive an introductory bonus interest rate of up to 3.50% when you open a new Platinum Business Money Market Account and complete qualifying activities, subject to certain terms and limitations. Offer valid through December 20, 2024. Member FDIC.

Offer is limited to Business Platinum Money Market account only. Standard variable interest rates are determined at the bank’s discretion and are subject to change at any time without notice. Speak to a banker for current deposit rates, disclosures on rates, compounding and crediting and other balance information. The minimum deposit required to open a Platinum Business Money Market account is $100. 

Interest and Fee Information: You must maintain the minimum balance needed for each tier to earn the interest rate. Interest will be compounded daily and credited to your account monthly at the end of the statement cycle. Fees could reduce earnings on the account. Other restrictions may apply.

The following bonus interest rates are accurate as of today:

• The bonus interest rate will be 3.50% when your account balance tier is $25,000 to $2,999,999.99.
  

For Platinum Business Money Market accounts with $3 million or greater in balances, the bonus interest rate does not apply, and the full account balance will earn the standard variable interest rate in effect at that time until the account balance is $2,999,999.99 or below.

Check out the full list of business savings accounts here.

Are There Any Fees?

Yes, U.S. Bank does have monthly fees for most of its products, but these fees can typically be waived by meeting certain requirements.

For example, the U.S. Bank Smartly® Checking has a $6.95 per month maintenance fee that's easily waived if you simply do ONE of the following:

• Are age 24 and under, 65 and over, or a member of the military, OR
• Have combined monthly direct deposits totaling $1,000 or more, OR
• Average account balance of $1,500 ore more, OR
• Hold an eligible U.S. Bank credit card, OR
• Qualify for one of the four Smart Rewards™ tiers (Primary, Plus, Premium, or Pinnacle).

The Elite Money Market Account comes with a $10 monthly fee, which can be waived if you maintain a minimum daily balance of $10,000. 

How Do I Contact U.S. Bank?

If you need to get in touch with U.S. Bank, you can call 800-USBANKS. Another option is to resolve your issue at a physical branch location. 

For a bank of such a large size, it might not be surprising that the bank has only earned 1.3 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot. Also, it has earned a B+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. Unfortunately, the bulk of the complaints center around bad customer service experiences. 

How Does U.S. Bank Compare?

U.S. Bank is one of the biggest banks in the country. Its biggest competitors include other major banks like Chase Bank and Wells Fargo. 

In terms of physical branches, its roughly 2,000 branches pale in comparison to Chase Bank’s 5,300 branches. But many of the account types are relatively similar. Chase also offers a student checking account with helpful fee waivers. 

But what if you are looking for a banking experience that makes up for a lack of physical branches with stellar online account offerings? In that case, you might want to check out Chime. 

Chime is a financial technology company that offers banking services through The Bancorp Bank or Stride Bank. You’ll find a fee-free experience and a streamlined mobile app for painless money management. 

How Do I Open An Account?

If you want to open a Bank Smartly® account at U.S. Bank, you’ll need to be at least 18 years old to proceed on your own. If you are between the ages of 13 and 17, a parent will need to apply for the account with you. 

Be prepared to provide your full name, email, phone number, date of birth, and more. Also, the bank will likely ask for your driver’s license before finalizing the account. 

Is It Safe And Secure?

U.S. Bank is a member of the FDIC. With that, your deposits are FDIC insured for up to $250,000. Even if the U.S. Bank closed its doors, you could get up to $250,000 of your money bank. 

Additionally, the bank employs several levels of fraud prevention and offers security alerts through its mobile app. 

Why Should You Trust Us?

I have been writing and researching banking and personal finance products since 2009. At The College Investor, we've been comparing and reviewing banks since 2018, and track the best banks for savings and money market accounts daily from a list of over 50 major banks and credit unions.

We are also small business owners, and finding bank accounts that match our needs has been a challenge. That's what led us to review the best business banks and share those with you.

Furthermore, our compliance team reviews our rates every weekday to ensure that we are accurately showing the correct rates and terms so you can make an informed decision about where to open a bank account.

Who Is This For And Is It Worth It?

The U.S. Bank Smartly® account offered by U.S. Bank is a compelling option for college students and young adults. It’s especially helpful for students attending a college that participates in the campus banking program. 

The interest rates offered by the interest-bearing savings accounts aren’t very impressive. If you are looking to put your savings to work for you, then it’s worth it to seek out another place to stash your funds. 

If you're a side hustler or small business, the U.S. Bank Silver Business Checking is a compelling choice.

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