10 Best Banks in Arizona That We’ve Found

1. Chase

Chase runs 189 branches in Arizona, and it will pay you $400 to open a checking account. That is the largest new-checking bonus any major bank is offering right now, and it is money most Arizonans leave on the table by keeping the account they opened years ago.

Here is the entire requirement. Open a new Total Checking account, then have $1,000 or more in qualifying direct deposits arrive within 90 days of enrolling in the offer. It is cumulative, so two or three ordinary paychecks clear it, and the bonus is paid within 15 days of you meeting the requirement. The $15 monthly service fee drops to $0 in any statement period with $500 or more in qualifying electronic deposits, a $1,500 daily beginning balance, or $5,000 in average beginning day balance across linked accounts. One trap to know: Zelle, cash, checks, wires and interest do not count toward either number.

Past the bonus, the footprint is the argument. 189 Arizona branches plus 5,000+ branches and 14,000+ ATMs nationwide means you can deposit cash near home and still use the account anywhere you travel. Zelle is built in, the mobile app is well rated, and you can add a Chase savings account or credit card later under the same login.

The catch worth naming: the bonus is only open to people who are not already Chase checking customers, and you can collect one new-checking bonus every two years. It is reported to the IRS on a 1099-INT. If that fits you, open a Total Checking account and route your paycheck to it.

If you want the biggest checking bonus on the market alongside a real Arizona branch network, claim the $400 with Chase here.

2. Current

Summer cooling bills in Phoenix land long before the paycheck that covers them. The gap between when a bill is due and when your paycheck lands is where most budgets actually break, and it is the specific problem Current is built for.

The signup math is simple. Open an account with promo code WELCOME75 and get $75 once your Eligible Payroll Deposits total $1,500 or more in your first 35 days. It is cumulative rather than one big deposit, it is new customers only, and the cash arrives about 10 business days after you cross the line. Recurring wages from an employer, a payroll provider or a government payer count. Non-direct-deposit ACH transfers, Venmo, Cash App, Zelle, PayPal, Google Pay, mobile check deposits, cash and one-off deposits such as a tax refund do not.

The feature that earns its keep after the bonus is Paycheck Advance, which lets you draw up to $750 of pay before payday and is offered by Finco Advance LLC rather than a bank. There is no monthly fee on the account, and the whole thing opens from your phone, which is the point in a state where the nearest branch may not be convenient.

One thing to be clear about, because it is routinely written up wrong: Current is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services come from Choice Financial Group and/or Cross River Bank, both Member FDIC, so deposit insurance reaches you on a pass-through basis up to $250,000 and depends on those conditions being met. If that structure is fine with you, open an account with code WELCOME75 and claim the $75.

3. First Citizens Bank

First Citizens Bank acquired CIT Bank and remains a strong force in Arizona. You’ll find many physical branches in Arizona, which makes banking convenient, especially when you have an issue. 

You’ll find several accounts at First Citizens Bank, including checking and savings accounts, CDs, mortgages, loans, and credit cards. This community bank offers a free checking account as well. 

With this free checking account, you can avoid monthly fees if you enroll in paperless statements. There is no minimum balance required for this account. 

4. Ally Bank

If you’re after superior savings accounts, Ally Bank offers up to 4% APY with no minimum deposit. Ally doesn’t charge monthly fees either. 

Unlike national banks, Ally Bank is an online-only financial institution. This classification allows it to offer customers higher APY rates without sacrificing quality. 

Ally Bank is known for its customer service and extensive ATM network. This bank will also reimburse you up to $10 per statement cycle for any out-of-network ATM fees you incur. 

In addition to the Online Savings account, the Interest Checking Account comes with a debit card and the chance to use Zelle to send and receive money. You can also earn 0.1% APY on balances under $15,000, but you’ll earn up to 0.25% APY if you have more than $15,000 in your account. 

5. Bank of America

Bank of America offers a wide variety of financial products, including checking and savings accounts, credit cards, loans, and investing services. Bank of America also offers bank accounts and loans to businesses.

If you open a basic Advantage SafeBalance checking account, you can easily waive the $4.95 monthly fee. You can also use Zelle to manage your money and invest in mutual funds through Merrill Edge. 

Bank of America requires a $100 deposit for its savings accounts, which earn you up to 0.01% APY. It’s not much compared to Ally Bank’s 4% APY, but Bank of America also offers many other banking services. 

Use several Bank of America promotions to put more money in your bank account.

6. BMO Harris Bank

Did you know that BMO Harris Bank is one of a handful of banks that let you overdraft? The list includes Chase, Bank of America, PNC Bank, and Wells Fargo.  

BMO Harris is based out of Chicago and resides in just eight states. However, it offers various accounts and services, from checking and savings to money market accounts, CDs, and more. 

The BMO Harris Bank mobile app incorporates several handy tools to manage your money. You can also view your accounts anytime, including any CDs you obtain, with interest rates as high as 4.75% APY. 

If you open a Smart Money account, you can waive the $5 monthly fee if you’re under 25. You can also get $300 when you deposit $4,000 or more within the first 90 days of account ownership. 

Many customers love BMO Harris Total Look. This interactive tool lets you view your banking accounts across institutions so you can keep everything in one place. 

BMO Harris offers personal, home, and auto loans and lines of credit. Most account fees are waived when you opt for eStatements, and you only need $25 to open a savings account. 

7. MidFirst Bank

Some of Arizona's best money market accounts can be found at MidFirst Bank. You can earn up to 0.6% APY with the MidFirst Bank Titanium Money Market Account. 

MidFirst Bank incorporates five checking accounts, three savings accounts, and various CDs and IRAs. You can open checking and savings accounts for kids and teens, often with no monthly fees or minimum deposits. 

This bank is privately owned but offers FDIC-insured accounts across 22 locations in Arizona.  In addition to free checking accounts, MidFirst Bank is known for its customer service. 

Open a MidFirst Bank eChecking account to earn up to 3% APY. This regional bank also offers loans, credit cards, and online resources you can use to increase your financial knowledge. 

8. National Bank of Arizona

Zions Bancorporation owns the National Bank of Arizona, which is based in Phoenix. It’s also a member-FDIC with 55 physical branches within the state. 

You can open several checking, savings, and money market accounts with the National Bank of Arizona. Choose from eight checking accounts, two savings accounts, and two money market accounts. 

The National Bank of Arizona also offers credit cards, CDs, and mobile banking. You can also visit the National Bank of Arizona online to manage your finances. 

Most National Bank of Arizona accounts come with a monthly fee attached. However, you can waive them by meeting qualifying requirements, which are achievable. 

The National Bank of Arizona is a community bank that offers several banking services. Check out the National Bank of Arizona if you’re an Arizona resident to see how it can help your finances. 

9. PNC Bank

This bank is well-known for its Virtual Wallet accounts, which bundle a checking and savings account to make managing your money much easier. PNC Bank is also one of many banks that don’t require Social Security numbers when you sign up for an account. 

There are over 60 physical PNC Bank locations in Arizona. This bank offers numerous deposit accounts, credit cards, loans, and business services. 

You won't pay any monthly maintenance fees if you keep $300 in this account. 

To open a Standard Savings Account, you’ll need $25. However, you can waive that requirement if you open the account online. 

PNC Bank offers up to 4.5% APY on savings account balances. It also rewards members with $100 for referrals. 

10. Alliance Bank of Arizona

Based out of Phoenix, Alliance Bank of Arizona offers some of the best checking accounts and is a member-FDIC. It is also a division of the Western Alliance Bancorporation. 

While Alliance Bank of Arizona offers several personal accounts, including checking and savings accounts, the main focus is commercial banking. You can also find business checking, money market, savings accounts, and CDs. 

Alliance Bank of Arizona is a full-service bank offering online and mobile banking. The mobile app struggles to rival national banks for a seamless experience, but it’s still a convenient way to bank in Arizona.