9 bank accounts with built-in budgeting tools to help track your personal finances

Yahoo

16-06-2025

Built-in budgeting tools help automatically track and categorize spending without needing separate budgeting apps.
Ally Bank's 'buckets' feature allows both spending categorization and savings goal tracking within one platform.
Capital One's Eno virtual assistant can identify recurring charges and subscription fees to help eliminate unnecessary expenses.
Most major banks now offer some form of automated expense tracking, making budgeting more accessible than ever.
Technology is becoming more integrated into daily life, and mobile banking apps are proof of that. Your bank's app may offer advanced personal finance hubs, providing insights into spending habits, tracking savings progress, and even creating budgets automatically.
Unlike older systems of manually tracking expenses, innovative budgeting tools can automatically categorize your spending and offer real-time updates. Here are the best bank accounts offering the most advanced built-in budgeting tools to help you take control of your personal finances.
Pros
User-friendly bucket system makes tracking intuitive
Combines spending tracking with savings goal management
Automatic categorization reduces manual entry
Suggestions help identify additional saving opportunities
Cons
Limited physical branch access
Bucket customization could be more robust
No advanced investment tracking integration
Who it's best for: Savers who want to organize finances into specific categories and goals while earning competitive rates on both checking and savings accounts.
Ally Bank, renowned for its prowess in online banking, takes personal finance to the next level with tools that track your spending and saving. The bank calls these tools 'buckets,' which are essentially customizable categories that help you organize your money by purpose.
For spending buckets, which come with Ally's checking account, you can create categories such as 'groceries' or 'entertainment,' and the bank's app will automatically categorize expenses as they come in. You can also assign certain businesses to each type of bucket to make tracking more accurate.
With an Ally Savings account, customers can set up savings buckets to set and track savings goals, set up recurring transfers, and get suggestions on areas to save more money.Pros
Excellent visual representation of spending patterns
Easy-to-understand charts highlight budget variances
Combines digital tools with extensive branch network
Comprehensive mobile app functionality
Cons
May require maintaining higher balances to avoid fees
Less advanced than some online-only competitors
Limited automation compared to newer fintech options
Who it's best for: Users who value branch access alongside digital budgeting tools and prefer visual chart-based budget tracking.
With both a large physical and digital presence, Bank of America offers easy accessibility, and its budgeting tools make it straightforward to track your personal finances. The bank's mobile app breaks down your spending into interactive charts, highlighting spending trends and areas where you might be under or over budget.
The platform shows your total spending for the month, broken down into incoming and outgoing cash flows with customizable budget categories, making it easy to see exactly where your money is going each month.Pros
Advanced virtual assistant provides real-time insights
Excellent at identifying hidden recurring charges
Helps eliminate unnecessary subscription costs
Text-based queries make budgeting convenient
Cons
Limited savings goal tracking features
Fewer visual budgeting components
Virtual assistant requires learning curve for some users
Who it's best for: Tech-savvy users who want to identify and eliminate unnecessary recurring expenses while getting instant budget updates via text or app.
Capital One has been at the forefront of financial innovation, and its automated budgeting tools are proof of that. The tools available with its 360 Checking account allow customers to effortlessly monitor their spending through automatic tracking and categorizing of expenses.
With Eno — the bank's built-in virtual assistant — you can simply ask for a list of your recent transactions or an update on your savings progress through the app or by text message. Another unique feature is Eno's ability to identify recurring charges, such as subscription fees you might not have been aware of, and alert you when these fees increase or when free trials are about to end.Pros
Comprehensive budgeting tools in one convenient tab
Clear visual breakdown of spending habits
Works with any Chase checking account or credit card
Extensive branch network for support
Cons
May require Chase products to access full features
Less automated categorization than some competitors
Limited integration with external accounts
Who it's best for: Chase customers who want holistic budgeting tools with visual insights and prefer having everything in one banking relationship.
Chase's mobile app comes with an entire tab dedicated to your budget. On this tab, users can set their budget category limits, track expenses, and get a visual breakdown of their spending from month to month. With Snapshot, users get insights into their spending trends and patterns.
Chase's built-in budgeting tools come with any of its checking accounts or a Chase credit card, making it accessible to most Chase customers who want to better track their financial habits.Pros
Strong budgeting tools for a digital-first platform
Helpful spending alerts without transaction blocking
User-friendly category customization
No traditional banking fees structure
Cons
Not a traditional bank (may limit some services)
Fewer physical locations for support
Less comprehensive than full-service banks
Who it's best for: Users seeking alternative banking with robust budgeting features who don't need extensive traditional banking services.
While Current might not be a traditional bank, its powerful budgeting tools make it a strong candidate for those interested in alternative banking options. In the Current app, users can access a tab called Insights, which offers expense tracking and customizable budgeting categories.
Users can assign a goal amount for each category or choose a suggested amount from the tool. When they're close to the limit for a particular spending category, users get a mobile alert, though the transaction won't be declined.
Pros
Spend Analysis for expense categorization
Spend Setter for budget limits
Huntington Heads Up alert system
Look Ahead Calendar for upcoming payments
Cons
May be overwhelming for simple budgeting needs
Regional bank with limited geographic coverage
Multiple tools may require learning curve
Who it's best for: Users who want budgeting tools with predictive features and don't mind managing multiple integrated systems.
With one of Huntington Bank's checking accounts, customers get numerous in-app budgeting tools. Spend Analysis organizes expenses into preset categories, while Spend Setter allows customers to set spending limits for budget categories. Huntington Heads Up sends alert-style updates on category spending.
The standout feature is Look Ahead Calendar, which shows upcoming payments and bill due dates in a visually appealing calendar format, taking predictive financial planning beyond basic alerts.Pros
Comprehensive view including external accounts
Desktop and mobile access
Personalized spending reduction suggestions
Good memo and tracking features
Cons
Regional availability may be limited
Interface may feel less modern than competitors
Fewer advanced automation features
Who it's best for: Users who want to consolidate all financial accounts into one budgeting dashboard and prefer traditional banking with digital enhancements.
Regions Bank offers a suite of budgeting tools through My GreenInsights, accessible on both mobile app and desktop. Beyond basic expense tracking, the platform allows customers to add memos to transactions, set spending targets, and receive suggestions for reducing expenses.
The ability to link external accounts provides a comprehensive view of finances, making it easier to manage budgets across multiple institutions.Pros
Holistic financial view across all account types
Strong integration of banking and investment products
Comprehensive external account linking
Modern, user-friendly interface
Cons
Limited physical presence for support
May be overwhelming for users wanting simple budgeting
Focus on higher-income users
Who it's best for: Users with multiple financial products who want a comprehensive dashboard covering banking, investing, and loan management in one place.
SoFi offers budgeting insights that integrate data from numerous linked accounts, including checking accounts, savings, credit cards, student loans, and mortgages. You can link external accounts for a complete financial overview each month.
SoFi's budgeting tools include expense tracking, spending charts, and alerts for upcoming bills, making it particularly valuable for users with diverse financial products.Pros
Comprehensive budgeting package with multiple tools
Excellent visual analysis and reporting
Automatic expense tracking and categorization
Large branch network for support
Cons
May require Wells Fargo relationship for full access
Some tools may feel dated compared to fintech competitors
Past customer service issues may concern some users
Who it's best for: Users who want budgeting tools from an established bank with extensive branch access and don't mind working within one banking ecosystem.
Wells Fargo brings several budgeting tools together in a package called My Money Map. These tools include spending reports, personalized budget creation, spending goals, and savings goal monitoring.
When you create a budget, the tool automatically tracks and categorizes expenses while providing visual analysis through bar graphs that highlight how actual spending compares to budget limits.Built-in budgeting tools have made personal finance management more accessible than ever. These automated systems can enhance your ability to track and control spending without requiring separate apps or manual entry.
When choosing a bank account with budgeting tools, consider your specific needs: Do you prefer visual charts, goal-based savings buckets, or comprehensive account integration? Also factor in other important considerations like fees, branch access and overall banking services.
The key to successful budgeting is consistency, so choose tools you'll actually use. Having everything integrated into your bank's app makes it more likely you'll stick with your budgeting routine and achieve your financial goals.
Ready to start budgeting more effectively?
What are some savings accounts with buckets?
Ally Bank is the most well-known provider of savings 'buckets,' allowing you to divide your savings into different goals like 'vacation fund' or 'emergency savings.' Capital One offers a similar feature called 'Goals' with its 360 Performance Savings account. Some credit unions also offer comparable goal-based savings features, though they may use different terminology.
How do you set up a bank account for budgeting?
To set up a bank account for budgeting, first choose a bank with built-in budgeting tools that match your needs. After opening your account, download the mobile app and explore the budgeting features. Set up automatic categorization for your expenses, create spending categories that align with your lifestyle, and establish budget limits for each category. Link any external accounts if the platform supports it, and set up alerts to notify you when you're approaching spending limits.
How many bank accounts should I have for budgeting?
Most financial experts recommend having at least two accounts: one checking account for daily expenses and one savings account for goals and emergencies. However, some budgeters benefit from additional accounts like a separate 'bills' checking account or multiple savings accounts for different goals. Banks like Ally make this easier with their bucket system, allowing you to organize money within fewer actual accounts. The key is finding a system you can manage consistently without making banking overly complicated.