See All Online Banking

Citibank

Reviewed
July 2012
by ConsumerSearch
Citibank

Best traditional bank for online banking

Pros
  • Mobile banking
  • Free checking, online bill payment if you meet terms
  • Website functions well
Cons
  • Monthly fee for checking unless you meet terms
  • Complicated rates, terms that vary by state
  • No ATM fee reimbursement
Where to Buy
 

Reviews indicate that Citibank stacks up well against its big-bank competitors. For example, the latest American Customer Satisfaction Index report, released at the end of 2011, has Citibank in first place among the largest banks. In ComScore's report, based on a survey of 2,500 people who bank online, Citibank ranks fourth for satisfaction with the financial institution itself, but it ranks second in satisfaction with the bank's website, which is more relevant to.

Keynote Systems takes a more analytical approach, "interviewing and surveying… companies, opening accounts with firms for direct website examination, and conducting automated site analysis." Their Scorecard on banks, released in May 2012, has Citibank in second place among 24 large banks.

Reviewers, like the editors of the site MyBankTracker.com, say that Citibank offers a nice combination of branches, ATMs and online banking. BankRate.com vouches for Citibank's financial health by giving it a 4-star rating. Fees and rates are about average for large banks and not as good as almost any online bank is offering, reviewers say. Still, if you want the option to walk into a brick and mortar bank branch as well, Citibank is a good choice among the big banks for online banking, according to reviews.

Our Sources

1. Keynote Systems

Citibank ranks second overall out of 24 large banks in the report here. In the individual categories, such as privacy and security or ease of use, Citibank is consistently in the top three or four.

Review: Keynote Scorecards for Financial Services/Banks, Editors of Keynote Systems Inc., May 9, 2012

2. ComScore.com

This report is based on the results of a survey of 2,500 customers who bank online. Charts show customer satisfaction levels for the five largest banks -- Bank of America, Citibank, Chase, PNC and Wells Fargo.

Review: The 2011 State of Online and Mobile Banking Report, Sarah Lenart and Nathan Frederiksen, Feb. 2012

3. The American Customer Satisfaction Index

Citibank, listed as Citigroup in this comparison chart, is in first place in overall customer satisfaction. This report is updated annually.

Review: Bank, Editors of The American Customer Satisfaction Index, December 13, 2011

4. Bankrate.com

Bankrate.com rates Citibank 4 out of 5 stars, or sound. Details can be accessed by clicking on links inside the ratings box.

Review: Safe & Sound Ratings: Citibank, Editors of Bankrate.com

5. MyBankTracker.com

The editors of MyBankTracker.com give Citibank an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars. Citibank does more poorly among users posting to the site, however -- an overall grade of 2 out of 5 based on feedback from more than 100 customers.

Review: Bank Report Card: Citibank, Editors of MyBankTracker.com, As of July 2012

Online Banking Runners Up:

Ally Bank

4 picks including: Bankrate.com, Kiplinger.com…

Bank of America

2 picks including: Bankrate.com, Keynote Systems…

Wells Fargo

2 picks including: Keynote Systems, ComScore.com…

PNC

2 picks including: Bankrate.com, Kiplinger.com…

USAA Federal Savings Bank

2 picks including: Bankrate.com, Kiplinger.com…

Back to top