Did you know that the number of bank branches dropped by over 5,500 between 2009 and 2019? That’s quite a few branches to lose in 10 years.
It’s not necessarily surprising, given how much we use online and mobile banking. Talking face-to-face with a teller is probably something you only do if you have to.
The best banks in North Dakota offer online and mobile banking, but many still invite you in to speak with a human representative. The personalized service and attention you get with these best North Dakota banks is what you come back for, even when national banks offer more.
While you can undoubtedly bank with big names like Wells Fargo and Bank of America, comparing them to local banks that can offer you more is a good idea. Plus, it’s nice to know you’re giving back to the community, especially if you open an account with a community credit union.
Are you ready to learn more about the best banks in North Dakota? Let’s get started!
Best Banks in North Dakota
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
Based on our research, these are the best banks in North Dakota:
1. Current
If you've ever had your check posted on Wednesday but rent due on Monday, you know the feeling. North Dakota winters make it worse. Heating bills can hit $300+ a month. One dead car battery in February is $200. One frozen pipe is $400. And payday is still six days out.
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 just there in the app whenever you need it. For a renter in Fargo, an oil worker in Williston, or anyone heating a Bismarck house through a real North Dakota 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 a lot of money to leave on the table. That's exactly what most North Dakotans do every year by sticking with the same checking account they opened in college. Chase pays new customers $400 just to open an account and set up direct deposit. The bonus hits within 90 days. Most working adults qualify.
The requirement is simple: 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, you get the largest banking footprint in the country. Chase has 16,000+ free ATMs and 5,000+ branches across all 50 states, so you're covered every time you cross into Minnesota, Montana, or South Dakota. 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 real bank you can walk into, 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
If you run any kind of business in North Dakota, from a Bakken oil services contractor to an Etsy seller in Fargo to a rancher selling beef shares to an AirBnB host in Medora, 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 North Dakotans: Novo automatically sets aside money for federal taxes 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 North Dakota businesses actually operate. 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
4. American Federal Bank
American Federal Bank offers a variety of checking account options. One of their primary offerings is the American Free Checking account, which stands out for its simplicity and customer-friendly features.
This account has no monthly fees, unlimited check writing, and a free debit card. There are no minimum balance requirements to worry about either.
American Federal Bank emphasizes convenience. Customers can use direct deposit, bill pay, and online banking.
When opening an American Free Checking account, customers receive a complimentary set of 16 checks. The bank operates multiple locations across North Dakota, including Fargo, Grand Forks, Northwood, and Wahpeton.
5. Bell Bank
Bell Bank is headquartered in Fargo, North Dakota. Established in 1966 within a shopping center, the bank has expanded its presence to nine locations across the state.
This North Dakota bank is one of the largest family-owned banks in the state. Bell Bank stands out for its extensive list of free services, including Roundup Savings, ATM fee waivers, identity theft recovery insurance, and ATM reimbursements.
Bell Bank provides three free options regarding checking accounts, including accounts that bear interest. This bank also offers five savings account options and many CDs.
Bell Bank is renowned for its outstanding customer service. For individuals seeking the best bank account bonuses, Bell Bank may offer various promotional offers throughout the year.
6. BNC National Bank
BNC National Bank offers a comprehensive range of financial services. This bank is headquartered in Bismarck, North Dakota.
The bank caters to personal and business banking needs and wealth management services. You can find BNC National Bank locations in North Dakota, Minnesota, and Arizona.
BNC National Bank also offers mortgage banking services in Kansas, Missouri, and Illinois. The bank has a community-oriented approach, with 10 branches in North Dakota.
BNC National Bank offers four checking account options, all of which are free. These accounts provide customers with competitive interest rates based on tiered balances.
The bank also offers various savings options, including money market accounts, CDs, and traditional savings accounts. BNC National Bank requires an initial deposit of $50 to open a checking account.
Premier Interest Checking has a monthly fee of $6 if the account balance falls below $1,500. Otherwise, this BNC National Bank checking account is free.
7. Dakota Community Bank
You must submit to a credit check to become a member of Dakota Community Bank. If you don't initially qualify for a checking account, you can open a savings account and then open a checking account after six months.
Dakota Community Bank offers a range of checking account options, including:
- Free Checking
- Now Checking
- Relationship Checking
- Relationship+ Checking
- Student Checking
You can also open several money market accounts with Dakota Community Bank. The Free Checking account is the simplest option, providing customers with a straightforward banking experience.
This free account comes with a free check card and unlimited check writing. You can also earn interest on your funds with no minimum balance requirement.
Dakota Community Bank hosts physical branches in the following cities:
- Bismarck
- Bowman
- Dickinson
- Glen Ullin
- Hebron
- Lincoln
- Mandan
- New Leipzig
- Taylor
If you’re looking for a new North Dakota bank, try Dakota Community Bank.
8. First Community Credit Union
Established in Jamestown in 1939, First Community Credit Union is the largest credit union in the state. This credit union expanded its reach through mergers with Citizens Community Credit Union and Agassiz Federal Credit Union in 2017 and 2018, respectively.
You can find 29 locations spanning over half of the state and three branches in Minnesota. First Community Credit Union serves approximately 45,000 members with various financial services and products.
Members can choose from three checking account options, including Free Kasasa Checking and Reward Checking. The free checking account comes with a high interest rate, while Reward Checking offers the chance to earn points you can exchange for prizes.
You can also open savings accounts and CDs with First Community Credit Union. Accounts have no monthly fees or minimum balance requirements.
This North Dakota credit union does operate under restricted business hours. However, you can use several credit union promotions to make opening a new account worthwhile.
9. Gate City Bank
This bank offers comprehensive financial services, including personal and business banking, investment services, and insurance products. Gate City Bank operates over 35 locations, with a significant presence in North Dakota and several locations in Minnesota.
Established in 1923, Gate City Bank has a long-standing history in the region. Additionally, the bank is recognized as one of the top mortgage lenders in North Dakota.
Gate City Bank provides checking accounts, savings accounts, CDs, IRAs, loans, and credit cards. The bank offers four checking account options, all of which include overdraft protection and Early Payday features.
These accounts have no minimum balance requirements, provide free checks, offer interest, and require low opening deposits. Gate City Bank provides five account options, including money market accounts and the Coverdell Education College Savings Account.
The bank provides respectable APY rates on its accounts compared to the best national banks. Gate City Bank offers My School Spirit debit cards to support local communities, allowing customers to show support for their favorite schools.
The bank also provides SavingsLink, a service that helps minimize overdrafts, although transfers using this feature come with a $5 fee. Opening a checking account with Gate City Bank requires an initial deposit of $25.
10. Town & Country Credit Union
Town & Country Credit Union offers various checking account options, including Perks, Progress, and Premium Checking. These accounts are tiered based on the average daily balance maintained in the account.
Perks Checking stands out as it has no monthly fee or minimum balance requirement, even if the account balance is below $300. Town & Country Credit Union members can also qualify for courtesy pay and overdraft protection, subject to credit approval.
The credit union provides a free debit card and online banking with bill pay. To qualify for membership, you must reside within 75 miles of Minot, ND, 50 miles of Kenmare, ND, Fargo, MD, or Moorhead, MN.
Town & Country Credit Union has branch locations in Fargo, Kenmare, Minot, Ryder, Stanley, and West Fargo. The NCUA insures your balance at Town & Country Credit Union.
11. VISIONBank
VISIONBank is a locally-owned financial institution that was established in 2003. The bank offers various checking account options to meet various customer needs.
Among these options are Totally Free Checking, Interest Checking (requiring direct deposit or automatic payment), 55+ Interest Checking (with a co-signer aged 55 or older), and High-Interest Checking. Each account tier provides distinct features and benefits.
In addition to checking accounts, VISIONBank offers savings accounts, money market accounts, and CDs. The bank provides free checking account options with a free debit card and online banking.
VISIONBank offers free mobile banking and bill pay through one of the best banking apps. This bank also reimburses up to four ATM fees per month.
The High-Interest Checking account requires a $1,500 minimum balance to avoid a monthly fee. However, its attractive interest rate can make it an appealing choice.
12. Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo is one of the most reliable banking options in North Dakota, with branches and ATMs throughout Fargo, Bismarck, and Grand Forks.
The Everyday Checking account offers a $325 bonus for new customers who open an account with $25 and receive $1,000 in direct deposits within 90 days.
With robust fraud protection and excellent online tools, Wells Fargo makes managing your finances in the Peace Garden State easy.
FAQs
Some of the best banks and credit unions in North Dakota include Gate City Bank, Town & Country Credit Union, Capital Credit Union, First International Bank & Trust, and Dakota Community Bank & Trust. Many banks offer free checking accounts and a full suite of financial products and services.
Yes, you can have more than one checking account in North Dakota. You can have as many checking accounts as you like, but it’s up to you to keep track of them all.
Gate City Bank, Dakota Community Bank & Trust, and First International Bank & Trust offer free checking accounts. You may also be able to open a free checking account with other top banks in North Dakota, but you must meet specific requirements to waive those monthly fees.
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.
Superior Banking in North Dakota
Many different forms of wildlife find refuge in North Dakota. With the best banks in the state, you can find refuge to help build your finances to where you want them to be.
We hope this article helps you find a superior bank in North Dakota that offers the financial products and services you need. When you can find a bank you trust, reaching your financial goals is less of a burden.
North Dakota hosts many banks, several offering free checking accounts and other banking perks. Check out the banks above to see which one offers you the best deal so you can take your finances to the next level.
Which of the best banks in North Dakota will you choose?
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