Best Banks for Retirees, 2017

BEST: U.S. Bank

For those 65 and older, U.S. Bank waives the monthly main­tenance fee on its Premium Checking account, which yields from 0.01% to 0.02%, depending on the balance (other customers must maintain a $5,000 balance to avoid the fee). Standard checks, paper statements, money orders, cashier's checks, and copies of checks and statements are all free, and a safe-deposit box is half-price. Plus, U.S. Bank won't charge Premium account customers for using an ATM outside its network, although the machine's owner may levy a fee. U.S. Bank offers seniors a variety of savings products, including a retirement money market account that earns interest within one of the bank's IRAs (you can also use CDs in an IRA).

If you want a deeper relationship with the bank, it also offers a suite of investment and wealth-management services. Members of the Private Client Group, for customers with investable assets of $100,000 to $3 million, get a dedicated relationship manager and access to services such as trust administration.

RUNNER-UP: Fidelity Cash Management

Fidelity's Cash Management account doesn't come from a bank, per se, but it has the perks of a great checking account: no monthly fee or minimum balance requirements and a 0.07% interest rate, a debit card, free checks and paper statements, and reimbursement of all ATM fees.

You aren't required to have an investment account or other ties to Fidelity to use Cash Management, but you do have to be comfortable using an online checking account. Other pluses: You can safeguard up to $1.25 million in deposits with Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. coverage (well beyond the standard $250,000 limit per individual account holder) thanks to a cash-sweep program, which moves balances higher than the FDIC limit to accounts with partner banks. If you use the Fidelity Rewards Visa credit card, you'll get 2% cash back on all purchases if you deposit the earnings into your account.

The Best Banks and Credit Unions for You, 2017

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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 Credit Unions
• Best Banks for Frequent Travelers
• Best Banks for Millennials
• Best Banks for Military Personnel
• Best Internet Banks
• Best Regional Banks
• Best Banks for Students