TD Bank vs. Bank of America: Which Is Better for You? - SmartAsset (2024)

TD Bank vs. Bank of America: Which Is Better for You? - SmartAsset (1)

Finding the best bank in Americato fit your specific needs is crucial for building a solid foundation in your financial life. But with dozens of different banks operating in the U.S., how can you know which one is best suited for you? The answer is to compare each bank on the metrics that matter most: account options, fees and interest rates. Below you’ll find a comprehensive side-by-side analysis of TD Bank and Bank of America so you can make a smart, informed decision about where you should consider opening an account.

Picking a bank and then selection which types of accounts to have can be challenging. That’s where the insights and guidance of a financial advisor can be valuable.

What to Know About TD Bank

If you’re looking for a bank that enables you to withdraw money anytime and anywhere, TD Bank, which traces its origins to a merger of Canada’s Dominion Bank and Bank of Toronto, should be a strong contender. TD Bank also stands out with its unusually long store hours and commitment to being open on weekends and many holidays. It operates about 1,148 branches in the U.S.

TD Bank offers a great deal of account variety to its customers: savings accounts,checking accounts,certificates of deposit(CDs), money market accounts(MMAs)and IRAs. Some savings accounts include waivable monthly maintenance fees. MMAs even come complete with check-writing capabilities. In general, most of these services also offer increased rates with qualifying account activity.

What to Know About Bank of America

With a beginning in 1904 as the Bank of Italy, the Bank of America of today has expanded worldwide. Not only that, but its offerings of banking products have grown to include home loans, auto loans,investmentopportunities with Merrill Lynch and more. It operates approximately 3,900 branches.

Though one of the nation’s largest banks, it doesn’t feature any of the nation’s highest-earning interest rates. So if you’re focused on other benefits in addition to buildingyour current savingsincrementally, BoA could be a great place for you to have an account. Itoffers checking accounts, savings accounts and nearly a dozen CDs. There are two types of CDs, both with a minimum initial deposit of $1,000. It also offers mortgages.

TD Bank vs. Bank of America: Bank Accounts

TD Bank vs. Bank of America: Which Is Better for You? - SmartAsset (2)

TD Bank is one of a few banks in America that offersmoney market accounts(MMAs). These are a type of savings account that will generally earn you a higher amount of interest than a run-of-the-mill savings account. However, a small caveat is that the minimum balance and deposit for MMAs are often much higher than for a basic savings account.

With TD Bank, you may also take advantage of CDs, high interest-earning checking accounts and more. The bank also specializes in mobile banking for savings and checking account customers, which gives you the ability to deposit your checks as you receive them, via the convenience of your smartphone.

Bank of America, meanwhile, offers its customers savings accounts, checking accounts, two types of CDs and IRAs.Perhaps the strongest feature that Bank of America offers customers is its Apple and Android mobile apps. Through these platforms, users can review their account activity and balances, order new checks, order debit card replacements, mobile bill pay, do internal transfers and, via Zelle, do external transfers, find ATMs and branches in their area, set up secure login procedures and more.

Bank of America’s most popular loans are its fixed-rate conventional mortgages. It also offers these mortgages in 15-, 20- and 30-year terms, affording you flexibility in how long you want to take to pay off your home. Although shorter-term loans allow you to save significantly on interest, you will then be subject to larger monthly payments. But if you can afford these heftier bills, it’s well worth doing.

Jumbo loans are exactly what they sound like: a sizable loan for those who are likely looking to purchase a more expensive home. The exact amount that a mortgage must reach in order to be considered “jumbo” was set by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae and currently sits at $647,200. Jumbo mortgages sometimes come with higher interest rates than their fixed-rate counterparts, but that’s not always the case, and they can come as either a fixed-rate oradjustable-rate mortgage(ARM). Its ARMs are available in 10/1, 7/1 and 5/1 forms.

Here is a table, representing percentages and dollar amounts, as of mid-2022:

Comparing TD Bank and Bank of America Fixed-Rate Mortgages

ProductInterest RateLoan SizeYour Payments
BoA 30-Year Fixed5.625%$200,000$1,151 for 30 Years
TD Bank 30-Year Fixed6%$200,000$1,191 for 30 Years
BoA 15-Year Fixed4.625%$200,000$1,542 for 15 years
TD Bank 15-Year Fixed5.12%$200,000$1,594 for 15 Years

In comparing TD Bank vs. Bank of America, you may want to consider access to personalized customer service. If you prefer to talk with a real person about your finances, BoA can provide you with extensive human expertise. Even more so than TD Bank, BoA boasts thousands of physical branches around the U.S., as well as a large network of ATMs nationwide. For those who want mobile banking as a centerpiece, the BoA app does it all, giving you access to your balances on the go. The bank buttresses these services with ultra-tight security measures to give you peace of mind.

TD Bank vs. Bank of America: Fees

It’s easy to overlook fees when opening an account with a bank that seemingly fits your needs, but don’t let down your guard. Doing business with a bank that has an extensive set of fees can end up costing you a ton in the long run. The TD Bank vs. Bank of America consideration measures up in the following way:

TD Bank vs. Bank of America

FeeTD BankBank of America
Basic Checking Account$5.99 per month$4.95 per month (three ways to have fee waived)
Basic Savings Account$5 per month with online statements (can be waived)$8 per month (can be waived)
Out-of-network U.S. ATM fee$3 per transaction, $0 for Signature Savings$2.50 per transaction
Overdraft$35$0

The bank’s saving accounts have monthly maintenance fees, but it’s also possible to waive those. Its CD accounts don’t have a fee, while Simple Savings accounts have a $5 to $8 monthly fee and Signature Savings accounts’include a $15 rate. Overall, the takeaway for fees is that, for the most part, they are usually nonexistent or waivable.

With a Bank of America Advantage Savings account, you will be charged a $8 monthly fee that’s waivable under certain circumstance. You can avoid this fee if you maintain a minimum daily balance of at least $500, link your Bank of America Advantage Relationship Checking account to your Advantage Savings account or if you are, or plan to become, a Bank of America Preferred Rewards client.

TD Bank vs. Bank of America: Rates

As you may have gathered, Bank of America loses this round. Bank of America has notoriously low interest rates. Many online-only banks have Bank of America beat in terms of what they may offer customers in annual rates across several different accounts.

TD’s interest rates, while better than Bank of America’s, are still not stellar. TD has a reputation for offering its clients mostly below-average savings rates. However, if you elect to open a TD Signature Savings account (as opposed to the standard account, known as a Simple Savings account),you could begin to collect higher interest rates as your account balances increase. Even at the lowest tier and most basic version of the account, your rates would still be higher than those of most other big banks. Needless to say, when you’re sizing up TD Bank vs. Bank of America in terms of rates, TD wins here.

TD Bank vs. Bank of America

Account TypeTD BankBank of America
Basic Checking Account0.01% APY (with qualified account activity)0.02%APY (with qualified account activity)
Basic Savings Account0.02%APY (with qualified account activity)0.01%APY (with qualified account activity)
Money Market Account0.01%-4.00%APY (with qualified account activity)0.01%–0.04% APY depending on term and balance
CDs0.05%-5.00% APY (with qualified account activity)0.03%–4.75% APY depending on term and balance

Bottom Line

TD Bank vs. Bank of America: Which Is Better for You? - SmartAsset (3)

The TD Bank vs. Bank of America decision is a difficult one. TD Bank is a great choice for those who don’t have a particularly large amount of savings and would appreciate having around-the-clock help when they need it. Bank of America, on the other hand, is a big chain for a reason: it offers some great benefits. But if you’re just starting out financially, you’ll likely have to wait some time to take full advantage of those perks.

Bank of America should be your choice if you’re more secure and have some wiggle room with your finances. TD Bank is better suited for banking newbies. Some of you may fall in the middle. In that case, it may be best to determine which bank would be better for you according to respective rates, accounts and fees.

Tips for Choosing the Right Bank

  • First and foremost, take the time to identify the two or three most important factors that you want included in your new account(s). This will drastically help in narrowing down the banks you should be considering. For example, if you want to earn rewards from your checking account, check out the best rewards checking accounts. But if no fees are more important to you, a free checking account might be a better choice.
  • You might find that while a bank suits you well, a credit union could work even better. These financial institutions afford members special perks that most banks simply cannot match. Interested? SmartAsset came up with the best credit unions of 2018.
  • A financial advisor can offer valuable help as you review your choices of banks. Finding a financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three financial advisors who serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.

Photo credit: ©iStock.com/AntonioGuillem, ©iStock.com/gremlin, ©iStock.com/Ridofranz

TD Bank vs. Bank of America: Which Is Better for You? - SmartAsset (2024)

FAQs

TD Bank vs. Bank of America: Which Is Better for You? - SmartAsset? ›

Bank of America should be your choice if you're more secure and have some wiggle room with your finances. TD Bank is better suited for banking newbies. Some of you may fall in the middle. In that case, it may be best to determine which bank would be better for you according to respective rates, accounts and fees.

Is Bank of America better than TD Bank? ›

Many online-only banks have Bank of America beat in terms of what they may offer customers in annual rates across several different accounts. TD's interest rates, while better than Bank of America's, are still not stellar. TD has a bad reputation for offering its clients mostly below-average savings rates.

What are the disadvantages of TD Bank? ›

Cons
  • APYs are generally below the national average. ...
  • To avoid monthly fees, customers need to meet minimum requirements for most checking and savings accounts.
  • There is a $3 fee for using a non-TD Bank ATM.
  • Overdraft fee is $35 per transaction and can be charged up to three times a day.

Which is the No. 1 bank of the USA? ›

Chase Bank

How financially secure is TD Bank? ›

FDIC coverage for your TD Bank accounts

All deposits and deposit products are FDIC-insured, up to $250,000 per depositor, per ownership category.

What is the most reliable bank in the US? ›

Summary: Safest Banks In The U.S. Of May 2024
BankForbes Advisor RatingProducts
Chase Bank5.0Checking, Savings, CDs
Bank of America4.2Checking, Savings, CDs
Wells Fargo Bank4.0Savings, checking, money market accounts, CDs
Citi®4.0Checking, savings, CDs
1 more row
May 9, 2024

What is the most trusted bank in us? ›

Following one of the most successful years in United's long history, United Bank has been named the Most Trustworthy Bank in America by Newsweek for 2023.

Why is TD Bank so popular? ›

TD Bank stands out from other banks if you're interested in a brick-and-mortar banking experience and want bank accounts with low initial deposits, a variety of home loans or personal loan options, or a 2% cash back credit card.

Is Bank of America trustworthy? ›

Bank of America is a reputable option for customers who want both in-person and online service, but its deposit accounts generally have low rates. Key Takeaways: We rate Bank of America 4 out of 5 stars, making it our eighth highest-rated of the 10 largest banks in the country.

What is the best bank for personal banking? ›

Best Banks of May 2024
  • Capital One 360 Checking: Best online checking account.
  • Chase Total Checking®: Best for a large branch network.
  • Axos Bank Rewards Checking: Best for online account options.
  • Discover® Bank: Best for doing all of your banking at one place.
  • Synchrony Bank: Best high-yield savings account.
Apr 29, 2024

Who owns TD Bank? ›

The Canada-based TD Bank Group then became majority owner in 2004 and renamed it "TD Banknorth, N.A." by adding the Canadian bank's popular "TD" initials.

How many bank accounts should I have? ›

Money coach and certified financial planner Ohan Kayikchyan says it can make sense for a household to maintain four accounts: one checking account for monthly recurring bills and another for variable expenses, plus one savings account for emergency funds and a second for other savings goals.

Are credit unions safer than banks? ›

Generally, credit unions are viewed as safer than banks, although deposits at both types of financial institutions are usually insured at the same dollar amounts. The FDIC insures deposits at most banks, and the NCUA insures deposits at most credit unions.

Is TD at risk of collapse? ›

With roughly $1.26 trillion in assets, TD Bank would certainly be considered too big to fail, and many believe the large banks are set to benefit from this recent banking crisis because they're likely to be seen as a safe place to transfer funds into.

Is TD Bank at risk of bankruptcies? ›

Toronto Dominion's likelihood of distress is under 9% at this time. It has tiny risk of undergoing some form of financial distress in the near future. Odds of distress shows the probability of financial torment over the next two years of operations under current economic and market conditions.

Is TD a better bank than Chase? ›

Both banks offer relatively low-interest rates, but TD offers the potential for higher rates on its savings and checking accounts than Chase does. TD Bank offers a rate that starts at 0.01% APY for it's signature savings and caps out at 4.00% based on how much you have in the account.

What bank is better than Bank of America? ›

The Wells Fargo Everyday Checking slightly beats out the Bank of America Advantage Plus Banking® because it requires a lower minimum opening deposit and monthly service fee. It also boasts a higher bank bonus for new customers.

Is Bank of America considered a good bank? ›

Bank of America could be good for personal banking if you want to manage accounts such as checking, savings, CDs and investments in one place. It could also be a good choice for you if you value online and mobile banking, as its mobile app has high reviews.

What is the best bank to bank with? ›

Best-of 2024 Banking Winners:
  • Alliant Credit Union: Best credit union.
  • Ally Bank: Best bank; best CDs.
  • Charles Schwab Bank: Best for ATM access.
  • Chase: Best for sign-up bonuses; best for branch access.
  • Discover® Bank: Best online banking experience.
May 10, 2024

Why Bank of America is the best bank? ›

Pros. Bank of America has approximately 4,300 branch locations and 17,000 ATMs, so you'll always have access to your money. The minimums to open a checking account are relatively low, so it's fairly easy to switch banks. If you can qualify for their Preferred Rewards program, it's worth it.

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