Did you know the median bank account balance in 2019 was $5,300? If you’re banking in Colorado and living in Denver, that might cover two or three months' rent.
Living in the Mile-High City isn’t cheap, but the good news is that plenty of banks are accessible and ready to work with you to increase your financial stability. These banks are the subject of our discussion today.
Our list of Colorado's best banks includes many you’re probably familiar with. While some of these banks are specific to Colorado, others can be found across the country or online.
Whether you’re a Colorado native or a transplant, the banks on our list below offer welcome bonuses and perks to all customers. You may even find that some offer second-chance bank accounts if that’s what you need.
Are you ready to learn more about the best banks in Colorado? Let’s get started!
13 Best Banks in Colorado
Free checking that actually pays you. No monthly fees. No minimum balance. Earn $75 bonus. Get paid up to 2 days early with direct deposit. FDIC insured.
- Earn $75 bonus
- No monthly fees ever
- Get paid 2 days early with direct deposit
America's largest bank with thousands of branches. Best if you want a physical location nearby and a $400 cash bonus just for switching your direct deposit.
- Thousands of branches and ATMs nationwide
- $400 bonus with direct deposit
- No monthly fees with $500+ deposits
You may recognize a few of the best national banks on this list, but most of the banks below are regional or community banks. Because of their locale, they offer Coloradoans some of the best bank account bonuses, whether that’s welcome offers or year-round perks.
1. Current
Denver rent now averages over $2,000 for a one-bedroom. Add ski-season parking fees, $150 grocery runs at King Soopers, and the gas you burn driving to Boulder, Fort Collins, or up to the mountains, and most Coloradans are stretched thin from the moment payday hits to the next one. One AWD service in November, one ER copay, one busted ski boot, and you're underwater for a week.
Current closes that gap. Set up your direct deposit ($200 or more) using code PAYROLL75 and you get $75 in free cash just for doing what you were going to do anyway. After that, you can pull up to $750 of your next paycheck early, with no interest, no credit check, and no application. The money's already there in the app whenever you need it. For a renter in LoDo, a server in Aspen, a seasonal worker in Vail, or anyone heating a house through a real Rocky Mountain winter, that's the difference between paying rent on time and eating a $50 late fee.
No monthly fees. No minimum balance. No overdraft charges. Get paid up to two days early. The account opens in two minutes from your phone, no branch visit. Current is FDIC insured, BBB A-rated, and trusted by 4M+ Americans.
And if it's not for you, close it in 60 seconds. No fees, no calls, no penalty. Switch your paycheck and claim your $75 here.
- Get instant access to up to $750 with no credit check and no interest
- $75 bonus with code PAYROLL75 and setting up $200 direct deposit
- No monthly fees, no overdrafts, and no hidden charges
2. Chase Total Checking
$400 is two weeks of groceries in Colorado. That's exactly what most Coloradans leave on the table by sticking with the same checking account they opened in college. Chase pays new customers $400 just to open a Total Checking account and set up direct deposit. The bonus hits within 90 days. Most working Coloradans qualify on the first try.
The requirement is straightforward: open a new Total Checking account and have $1,000+ in qualifying direct deposits within 90 days of enrollment. The $15 monthly fee waives itself automatically once your paycheck starts rolling in, so the account is effectively free. Offer expires soon, so if you've been thinking about switching, this is the window.
Beyond the bonus, Chase has a major footprint across Colorado. Branches across Denver, Aurora, Colorado Springs, Boulder, and Fort Collins, plus thousands of free Chase ATMs. Plus 16,000+ free ATMs and 5,000+ branches nationwide for whenever you cross into Wyoming, Utah, or New Mexico for work or family. Zelle is built in. The mobile app is top-rated. And you can link a Chase savings account or credit card later, all under one login.
If you want the biggest checking bonus on the market and a national bank with real Colorado presence, claim your $400 with Chase here.
- Access 15,000+ fee-free ATMs and 4,700 branches
- Earn a $400 bonus with qualifying direct deposits
- Free debit card with contactless payments
- Get paid up to 2 days early with direct deposit
3. Novo
Colorado is one of the top states in the country for small business density. Boulder tech founders, Denver Etsy sellers, ski instructors who freelance in summer, AirBnB operators in mountain towns, outdoor gear brands selling on Shopify, real estate operators, consultants, and creators across the Front Range. If you run any of them, mixing business income with your personal checking account is a tax nightmare waiting to happen. The IRS notices. Your accountant charges extra to untangle it. And you waste hours every spring sorting receipts.
Novo is a free business checking account built specifically for that. No monthly fees. No minimum balance. Unlimited transactions. ATM fees get refunded nationwide. The account connects natively to Stripe, PayPal, Shopify, QuickBooks, and dozens of other tools you're already using, so your books stay clean automatically. No more spreadsheet exports.
The Reserves feature is the killer app for self-employed Coloradans: Novo automatically sets aside money for federal taxes, Colorado state taxes (4.4% flat rate), and quarterly estimated payments every time you get paid. So when April rolls around, the cash is already there. No more scrambling.
You can open a Novo business account in minutes from your phone, no credit check, no minimum deposit, no branch visit. FDIC insured (through Middlesex Federal Savings) and built for the way modern Colorado businesses actually run. Open your free account here.
- Award-winning, free business checking account
- No monthly fees, unlimited refunds for ATM charges
- Great option for small-business owners on the go
Below are 10 more Colorado banks worth knowing about. Most won't pay you to open an account, will charge monthly fees you'll need to actively avoid, and don't offer paycheck advances. They're solid traditional choices if you want a community bank or a brick-and-mortar branch in your hometown. But if you read the top 3 and one of them fits, scroll back up. The bonuses don't last forever.
4. KeyBank
Based out of Cleveland, Ohio, KeyBank hosts 50 locations in Colorado and remains one of the state’s largest regional banks. KeyBank is also an Equal Housing Lender (NMLS #: 399797) with several superior loan options.
If you open a Key Smart Checking® account, you can avoid overdraft fees in several ways. You can set up mobile alerts to help you stay mindful of your account balance or link your KeyBank savings account to make free transfers to cover overdrafts.
KeyBank also has a user-friendly mobile app that allows you to check your account balance. If you’re banking in Colorado and need a new bank account, check out KeyBank.
- No monthly maintenance fees
- No minimum balance required
- Access to over 40,000 fee-free ATMs nationwide
- Limited-time $300 bonus with qualifying direct deposit
5. Wells Fargo
Coloradans trust Wells Fargo for its exceptional service and wide availability, with over 120 branches and ATMs throughout the state, including in Denver, Boulder, and Colorado Springs.
The Everyday Checking account is ideal for managing daily finances, and new customers can earn a $325 bonus. Simply open an account with a $25 minimum deposit, meet the $1,000 direct deposit requirement within 90 days, and enjoy the reward.
Wells Fargo offers advanced online banking tools, 24/7 fraud monitoring, and strong customer support. The $15 monthly fee is easily waivable through direct deposits or other qualifying activities.
Open your account today and experience why Wells Fargo is a top choice in the Centennial State.
6. Bank of Colorado
Bank of Colorado was founded in 1938 and is headquartered in Fort Collins. This bank hosts over 40 locations across the state and operates in eight other states.
With Bank of Colorado, you can open a free checking account with a minimum balance or monthly fees. However, the savings account APY rates can’t compete with those offered by online-only banks.
Bank of Colorado also deals in business banking and loans for home, auto, and personal use. Students can choose between the Growth, Diamond Secure, and Interest Checking accounts for various perks.
7. FirstBank
Besides Wells Fargo, FirstBank is one of the largest banks in the U.S. It’s also one of the best regional banks in Colorado.
FirstBank was founded in Lakewood, Colorado, in 1963. It offers in-person, mobile, and online banking in Colorado, California, and Arizona.
Choose from 12 different accounts to open at FirstBank, from savings and checking accounts to CDs and business accounts.
The Bloom Package is popular among FirstBank members. This package integrates your checking and savings accounts and allows you to fund your savings with up to $99.99 per swipe of your Visa debit card.
Most FirstBank accounts don’t require a minimum balance or monthly maintenance fees. Minimum opening deposits are low as well.
FirstBank hosts 13 locations in Denver, with various ATMs available throughout the state. If you’re banking in Colorado, it pays to check out FirstBank and everything it offers.
8. High Country Bank
Headquartered in Salida, High Country Bank owns five branches in Colorado. Though it’s one of the smallest banks on our list, this bank doesn’t skimp on financial products and services.
Choose from several free or low-cost checking and savings accounts, credit cards, real estate loans, and CDs. High Country Bank also specializes in vacant land loans, which Colorado residents often seek.
If you own a business, High Country Bank offers commercial checking and savings accounts, real estate loans, commercial lines of credit, and equipment loans. This bank is also active in the community and serves local organizations.
9. NuVista Federal Credit Union
To qualify for membership, NuVista Federal Credit Union requires that you live or work in one of the following counties:
- Montrose
- Delta
- Gunnison
- Ouray
- San Miguel
NuVista Federal Credit Union is a community development financial institution (CDFI) with two branches in Colorado. It is a mission-driven credit union that seeks to serve Colorado residents in the communities in which it operates.
You’ll find several checking and savings accounts at this Colorado credit union, including a second-chance bank account. The Share Savings account is also a good option because you only need $25 to fund it, and there are no monthly fees to worry about.
10. Premier Members Credit Union
Join this credit union, and you can take advantage of some of the state's best money market accounts and CDs. You can earn a superior APY on money market balances under $2,000. Premier Members Credit Union also offers a Share Certificate (a credit union’s version of a CD) that’s only $500.
If you live or work in several large counties in Colorado, you can qualify for membership. Premier Members Credit Union will also accept you as a member if you join Impact on Education, a Boulder Valley School District charity.
11. First Citizens Bank
First Citizens Bank is headquartered in North Carolina but operates six branches in Colorado. It serves the greater Denver area with several financial products and services.
You can open several checking and savings accounts with First Citizens Bank. This family-owned bank's free checking account is an excellent option for managing your money.
First Citizens Bank also offers credit cards, loans, insurance, investment, retirement, and mortgages. Check out First Citizens Bank to see how you can bank better in Colorado.
12. Ally Bank
Did you know that Ally Bank is one of many online-only banks that let you overdraft? Though avoiding overdrafting your account is wise, covering emergency expenses in a pinch can help ease your stress.
Ally Bank also offers superior checking and savings accounts. For example, the Interest Checking Account does just that by earning interest on your balances.
You can also open a savings account and earn a high annual percentage yield (APY) rate. Neither account requires you to maintain a minimum deposit or pay monthly fees.
Ally Bank also partners with the Allpoint ATM network, which hosts over 55,000 ATMs nationwide. If you have to use an ATM outside this network, Ally reimburses you up to $10 in ATM fees each statement cycle.
You can access your Ally Bank account online or through the mobile app. You can access services such as online account statements, Zelle peer-to-peer transfers, mobile check deposits, and an ATM locator.
13. Alpine Bank
Headquartered in Glenwood Springs, Alpine Bank has almost 40 branches in Colorado. Alpine is most known for its land loans but offers some of the best checking accounts.
You can open a Liberty or Elite checking account and a Saver’s Choice Money Market account with Alpine Bank. This bank is also part of the Allpoint network of ATMs, which includes over 40,000 ATMs across the country.
If it’s business accounts you’re looking for, Alpine offers business loans, credit cards, and lines of credit up to $50,000. Alpine Bank also deals in Small Business Administration (SBA) and commercial property loans.
FAQs
FirstBank is the largest locally-owned bank in Colorado. You’ll find over 100 locations within the state.
Bank of Colorado, CIT Bank, and Ally Bank offer free checking accounts. Many other banks on our list offer checking accounts with waivable fees.
The best credit unions in Colorado include Ent, the largest credit union in the state. Other credit unions in Colorado include Elevations Credit Union, Navy Federal Credit Union, Denver Fire Department Federal Credit Union, and San Juan Mountains Credit Union.
Which Bank Is Right for You?
Free checking that actually pays you. No monthly fees. No minimum balance. Earn $75 bonus. Get paid up to 2 days early with direct deposit. FDIC insured.
America's largest bank with branches and ATMs in every major city. Earn $400 cash just for setting up direct deposit. Best if you want in-person banking or need a teller for business deposits, wire transfers, or safe deposit boxes.
Banking in the Rocky Mountains with the Best Banks in Colorado
Colorado has a lot to offer residents and travelers alike. With the best banks in Colorado, you can set aside your financial worries and focus on the awe-inspiring landscapes instead.
We hope you’ve found this article helpful in finding the best banks in Colorado to help you build your financial future. Banking in Colorado might not look that different from banking in other states, but it’s nice to know that you can use local banks to help you achieve your dreams.
Which of the best banks in Colorado will you work with?
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