Best Banks for Frequent Travelers, 2019

BEST: Charles Schwab Bank

• Why it won: Unlike other banks, there are no strings attached to Schwab’s traveler-friendly perks. But you’ll have to do your banking online.
• Standout accounts: High Yield Investor Checking (opens in new tab) yields 0.4% with no minimum balances or monthly fees. High Yield Investor Savings (opens in new tab) returns 0.5% and is also free.

Charles Schwab Bank (opens in new tab) reimburses customers for any surcharges added to ATM withdrawals, anywhere in the world, and nixes foreign-transaction fees on its debit card. The High Yield Investor Checking account comes with a Schwab One brokerage account (opens in new tab), but there are no penalties for keeping a zero balance. You can also leave your card at home and load it into one of four compatible digital wallets instead. Schwab's mobile app will let you view transactions, pay bills and deposit checks on the go.

RUNNER UP: Radius Bank

• Why it won: A trio of checking accounts offer unlimited ATM rebates worldwide.
• Standout accounts: Hybrid Checking (opens in new tab) yields 1% on balances of $2,500 or more. High-Yield Savings (opens in new tab) returns a rate of 1.5% on holdings of $2,500 or more (2.05% once your balance hits $25,000).
• Where it is: One branch in Boston; otherwise online only.

You’ll need $100 to open one of Radius Bank’s three main checking accounts (opens in new tab), but no monthly maintenance fees apply. Besides Hybrid Checking, Radius offers a cash-back account (opens in new tab) and a charity-oriented account (opens in new tab) that makes donations based on your earnings. Although Radius reimburses you for all ATM fees worldwide, international travelers will incur a modest 1.1% foreign-transaction fee.

Radius offers two mobile apps with handy features. The Radius Card app (opens in new tab) lets you temporarily deactivate your debit card and dictate where and how it can be used. The Radius Mobile banking app (opens in new tab) includes a budgeting tool that analyzes spending.

The Best Banks and Credit Unions for You, 2019

These stellar banks and credit unions are making all the right moves to win satisfied customers:

Best National Banks

Best Banks for High-Net-Worth Families

Best Internet Banks

Best Banks for Families With Students

Best Banks for No-Fee, No-Fuss

Best Credit Unions

Best Banks for Frequent Travelers

Best Regional Banks

Best Banks for Retirees