These days, online and mobile banking are a staple for any financial institution worth its salt. Mobile banking is most popular among the younger generation of the banking population (ages 18 to 24), but even those between 30 and 44 find it helpful to bank wherever they get internet or cell phone service.
The best banks in Idaho know you don’t need 5G to want to manage your money better. These banks offer online and mobile banking and several other financial products to help you achieve your financial goals.
The Gem State is often called the home of the neutral accent, but there’s nothing neutral about the various bank accounts you can open with the best banks below. You won’t have to dig in the dirt to find a great welcome bonus.
Are you ready to learn more about the best banks in Idaho? Let’s get started!
13 Best Banks in Idaho
From national banks to the best local banks that offer personalized service, Idaho has it all. See which banks you can work with and how they can help you put your finances back on track.
1. Chase
Did you know that some Chase banks are open on Sunday? This national bank has a heavy presence in southern Idaho and even offers a free checking account.
You must maintain a $1,500 balance or receive $500 in monthly direct deposits to earn this free account. Chase also offers several other checking accounts with no opening deposits required.
- Largest bank in the U.S.
- More than 15,000 ATMs and 4,700 physical locations
- New customers can qualify for a $300 intro bonus
- User-friendly online and mobile banking tools
- No minimum deposit to open
- Chase Overdraft Assist and Zero Liability Protection
- $12 monthly maintenance fee that can be waived
- Low APYs on savings accounts and CDs
Chase’s savings accounts have a low APY that struggles to compete with online-only banks. However, it offers many financial products, from CDs and money market accounts to wealth management services.
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Earn $3,000 bonus
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MMG Rating:
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MMG Rating:
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MMG Rating:
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If you’re new to Chase and open a Chase Total Checking® account, you can earn up to a $300 welcome bonus. To complete the requirements for this consumer checking account, set up a direct deposit within 90 days. You’ll receive your bonus within 15 business days. |
If it’s a business bank account you’re looking for, look no further than the Chase Business Complete Checking® account that allows you to earn up to a $300 bonus with qualifying activities. |
A $100 bonus is yours if you open a Chase Secure Banking℠ account and complete 10 qualifying transactions within 60 days. Once you complete the requirements, you should receive your Chase Secure Banking bonus within 15 days. |
Open a Chase College Checking℠ account to earn a $100 bonus. To qualify for this promotion, you’ll need to make at least 10 transactions within the first 60 days between debit card transactions. You’ll receive your bonus within 15 business days. |
The Chase Private Client experience unlocks access to lower rates when financing a big purchase and connects you with a private banker and investment advisor whenever you like. Save time and money with better banking benefits and special services, plus a $3,000 welcome bonus. |
If you’re new to Chase and open a Chase Total Checking® account, you can earn up to a $300 welcome bonus. To complete the requirements for this consumer checking account, set up a direct deposit within 90 days. You’ll receive your bonus within 15 business days.
If it’s a business bank account you’re looking for, look no further than the Chase Business Complete Checking® account that allows you to earn up to a $300 bonus with qualifying activities.
A $100 bonus is yours if you open a Chase Secure Banking℠ account and complete 10 qualifying transactions within 60 days. Once you complete the requirements, you should receive your Chase Secure Banking bonus within 15 days.
Open a Chase College Checking℠ account to earn a $100 bonus. To qualify for this promotion, you’ll need to make at least 10 transactions within the first 60 days between debit card transactions. You’ll receive your bonus within 15 business days.
The Chase Private Client experience unlocks access to lower rates when financing a big purchase and connects you with a private banker and investment advisor whenever you like. Save time and money with better banking benefits and special services, plus a $3,000 welcome bonus.
2. U.S. Bank
This bank is one of the largest banks in the U.S., but it struggles to compete with online-only and local banks to offer competitive interest rates on savings and money market accounts, loans, and CDs. However, it offers the security of a larger bank that operates nationwide.
You can earn a sign-up bonus if you open a Bank Smartly® Checking account. Other checking accounts come with fees ranging from free to $6.95, but you can waive those fees if you maintain a $1,500 minimum balance or receive $1,000 in direct deposits.
U.S. Bank accounts require $25 to open and offer fee-free overdraft protection. You can also access your account via MoneyPass ATMs.
For business accounts, U.S. Bank has three business checking accounts, Gold and Platinum — including a free option with its Silver Business Checking. You can apply for an account online, over the phone or in person at a branch (U.S. Bank has branches in 26 states).
To earn up to $800, open a U.S. Bank Business Checking account using the promo code Q3AFL24 and complete the following activities:
- Open a U.S. Bank Business Checking account online (Silver, Gold, Platinum)
- Open a Deposit at least $5,000 or $30,000 in new money within 30 days of account opening and maintain at least that balance for 60 days after opening the account.
3. Bank of Idaho
We couldn’t compile a list of the best banks in Idaho and not include the Bank of Idaho itself. This bank is smaller than most of the banks on our list, but that’s not to say it can’t help out Idahoans in a big way.
This bank offers a handful of locations throughout the state. However, you can bank online or from your smartphone if you’re away from a branch.
When you open a checking account with the Bank of Idaho, you can avoid monthly fees if you opt into eStatements. You’ll need $100 to open the account, but there’s no minimum daily balance.
The Bank of Idaho also works with the larger MoneyPass ATM network to connect you to your account as you travel. You can also use several financial tools on the Bank of Idaho website.
4. Cottonwood Community Federal Credit Union
You can find some of the best checking accounts at credit unions nationwide, Cottonwood Community Federal Credit Union included. This credit union was founded in 1942 and serves those who live, work, worship, or attend school in Idaho and Lewis Counties.
Cottonwood Community FCU pays above-average rates for its savings accounts. Regular share accounts come with no monthly fees.
To help serve Idaho residents, this credit union also participates in shared branching. This partnership allows you to complete transactions at other credit unions within the same network.
5. D.L. Evans Bank
This bank was founded over 100 years ago and faithfully serves southern Idaho. D.L. Evans Bank offers online and mobile banking and connects customers to the MoneyPass network of over 40,000 ATMs.
Free Community Checking from D.L. Evans Bank comes without monthly fees or minimum balance requirements. You’ll need $100 to open the account, but you can earn interest with a $500 balance.
The more you put into your checking account, the higher the interest you’ll earn. You’ll also earn a decent APY on savings accounts from this bank.
D.L. Evans Bank also offers several other checking accounts to choose from. You can also obtain loans and CDs from this Idahoan bank.
6. Farmers Bank
If you’re looking for fee-free checking from a local bank, look no further than Farmers Bank. There are only a few Farmers Bank branches in the state, but you can also bank online and through the mobile app if you’re an account holder.
Opt into eStatements, and you can avoid the monthly fees and minimum balance requirements. Farmers Bank also offers competitive loan rates and drive-up banking on Saturdays for convenient access to your bank account.
7. First Federal Savings Bank of Twin Falls
For a potent combination of high APYs and no monthly fees or minimum balance requirements, look to First Federal Savings Bank of Twin Falls. After all, it’s much easier to read in your head than aloud.
Nevertheless, this bank offers free checking accounts with impressive APYs and savings accounts with respectable APYs. You must open the accounts with $100, but you get up to $25 in ATM fees refunded each statement cycle.
First Federal Savings Bank of Twin Falls also offers business banking services. Most of the physical branches of this Idaho-only bank are in the Twin Falls area, but you can also obtain competitive rates on loans.
8. Idaho Central Credit Union
If you live in Washington, Oregon, or Idaho, you can open an account at Idaho Central Credit Union. This credit union offers competitive rates on savings accounts and loans.
Idaho Central Credit Union offers several free checking accounts and higher interest rates on its savings accounts than at many other local banks. These accounts also come without minimum balance requirements, though you’ll need at least $100 to open the account.
This credit union charges a $5 membership fee as well. However, membership gives you access to free credit scores and monitoring, as well as 30,000 ATMs scattered throughout the nation.
9. KeyBank
This regional bank offers some of the best bank accounts across the 15 states it serves. KeyBank offers competitive loan rates and connects its customers to the Allpoint network of tens of thousands of ATMs.
KeyBank offers the EasyUp program that automatically transfers money to your savings account as you make debit card transactions. Checking accounts come without monthly fees or minimum balance requirements but require $10 to open.
10. STCU
You can join this credit union if you belong to a qualified organization or association affiliated with STCU or live in north Idaho. However, you won’t find any physical branches south of Coeur D’Alene.
The First5 Savings Account from STCU has a high APY, but the rate only applies to the first $500 you deposit. However, you won’t pay any monthly fees or have to meet minimum balance requirements.
11. Washington Trust Bank
You can’t bank in Idaho without coming across Washington Trust Bank, the oldest community bank in the nation. It was also the first bank to print bills with the first president on them.
Washington Trust Bank has physical branches in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. Many of its accounts come with no monthly fees or minimum balance requirements, as well as no overdraft fees and low opening deposits.
However, Washington Trust Bank doesn’t score well regarding APYs for its savings and checking accounts. You’ll also need at least $5,000 to qualify for the highest APY.
Open a Simply Free Checking account, and you won’t pay overdraft fees. Simplicity Checking requires $50 to open but offers free paper and eStatements.
12. Wells Fargo
The Everyday Checking account from Wells Fargo comes with a waivable $10 monthly fee. If you have a $500 minimum daily balance or receive the equivalent in direct deposits each month, you can save that $10 and earn a respectable APY.
You’ll need at least $25 to open the Everyday Checking account. You can also earn interest on your balance if you open a Prime Checking account.
Wells Fargo offers a full suite of banking products like any national bank should. Members can access over 12,000 ATMs nationwide and several financial products and services to tackle life’s challenges.
13. Zions Bank
With over 150 years of history in Idaho, this regional bank offers everything from personal and auto loans to CDs, checking, and savings accounts. It also has one of the best banking apps for banks in Idaho.
The broad Zions Bank network extends to Utah, Wyoming, and Idaho. Most checking accounts come with no monthly fees or minimum balance requirements, though you must have $50 to deposit when opening your account.
Zions Bank does offer a decent APY for its savings accounts. You can also open a free Anytime Checking account, but you’ll pay $3 if you want paper statements.
The Anytime Checking account is non-interest bearing and doesn’t require a minimum balance. It also connects you to Zelle and requires $50 to open.
Basic Components of a Checking Account
Checking accounts are versatile tools you can use to manage your money. Below is a list of the basic components of a checking account you should be aware of before you open an account:
- Deposits and withdrawals: Checking accounts allow individuals to deposit and withdraw various funds, such as paychecks, cash, or electronic transfers.
- Check writing: Checking accounts supply checks to pay individuals, businesses, or organizations.
- Debit card: Most checking accounts come with a debit card.
- Online and mobile banking: Many checking accounts offer online and mobile banking services, enabling individuals to access their accounts, view transactions, transfer funds, and pay bills electronically.
- Overdraft protection: Some checking accounts provide overdraft protection, although coverage is often subject to certain limits and fees.
- Account statements: Account holders receive periodic statements detailing their transaction history.
- Direct deposits: Checking accounts often support direct deposits and may base welcome or sign-up bonuses on these types of transactions.
- Bill pay: Many checking accounts offer bill pay, which allows you to pay your bills electronically.
- Account alerts: Customizable alerts via email or text message keep you informed about low balances, transaction activity, and important account updates.
Some checking accounts do not come with this full list of features. However, you can easily tailor your bank account to your needs, even if that account doesn’t include every feature listed above.
Best Checking Accounts
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Best for liability protection
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Best for cashback rewards
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Best for APY
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Best for mobile banking
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Best for building credit
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MMG Rating:
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MMG Rating:
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MMG Rating:
4.5
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MMG Rating:
3.9
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MMG Rating:
4.5
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Monthly fee: $12
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Monthly fee: $0
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Monthly fee: $0
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Monthly fee: $0
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Monthly fee: $0
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- Bonus: $300
- APY: 3.30%
- Bonus: $250
- APY: 4.60%
FAQs
Some of the best credit unions in Idaho include Cottonwood Community Federal Credit Union, Idaho Central Credit Union, and STCU. These credit unions have various membership requirements, but most Idahoans can easily qualify.
Most banks in Idaho require that you have some form of identification, proof of a mailing address, and a Social Security number to open an account. Depending on which bank you choose to open an account with, you may also need a deposit.
Zions Bank, D.L. Evans Bank, Washington Trust Bank, and Idaho Central Credit Union offer free checking accounts. Many other banks on our list also offer free checking accounts, though you must meet specific requirements to waive the monthly fees.
Strike it Rich in Idaho with the Best Banks
It’s easy to assume that Idaho is all about potatoes and gems, but this state has more beauty to behold. The same goes for local and community banks that offer Idaho residents some of the best perks for banking in this state.
We hope this article helps you find a bank you can trust and that rewards you for your business. Banking in Idaho is easier with these banks by your side.
Whether you go with a local or national bank, you know that your money is safe and secure in a bank account. Plus, most banks offer several other types of accounts you can use to manage your money more effectively.
Which of the banks above have bank accounts that interest you?
