17 Best Banks in Iowa That We Trust

1. Chase

Chase runs 12 branches in Iowa, 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 Iowans 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.

Set your expectations on the footprint. 12 branches across Iowa is not a bank on every corner, so treat Chase as a national account you can occasionally reach in person rather than a neighborhood bank. What carries it is the nationwide side: 5,000+ branches and 14,000+ ATMs, Zelle built in, a well-rated app, and the option to 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 Iowa branch network, claim the $400 with Chase here.

2. Current

A Des Moines heating bill in January does not wait for your deposit to clear. 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 $1,000 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. Wells Fargo

Iowans trust Wells Fargo for its strong presence, with over 60 branches and ATMs statewide, including in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Davenport. The Everyday Checking account is a practical choice, offering a $325 new customer bonus.

Open an account with a $25 minimum deposit, meet the $1,000 direct deposit requirement within 90 days, and enjoy the reward. Wells Fargo’s secure online banking platform and fraud monitoring services provide peace of mind for managing your finances. Start banking smarter with Wells Fargo, the bank Iowans can rely on.

4. Affinity Credit Union

You don’t have to bank with a traditional financial institution to open some of the best bank accounts. In fact, many of the most popular credit unions offer the best banking apps for managing your money from the comfort of your home. 

Affinity Credit Union offers online and mobile banking and various other financial products and services. These include checking and savings accounts. 

The New Beginning checking account is perfect for those looking to improve their banking history. With a $5 opening deposit, you can set the record straight about how you handle money. 

If you live or work in the following counties, you’re eligible for membership at Affinity Credit Union: 

• Polk
• Boone
• Story
• Marshall
• Dallas
• Jasper
• Madison
• Warren
• Marion
• Adams
• Union
• Page
• Taylor
• Ringgold

You can also qualify for membership if you’re an employee of one of the Select Employee Groups. Affinity Credit Union is based in Des Moines, Iowa. 

5. Bank Iowa

Choose from five of the best checking accounts with Bank Iowa. Two of these accounts have no minimum balance requirements or monthly fees. 

You’ll need at least $10 to open a Bank Iowa checking account. The bank also offers home and personal loans, CDs, savings accounts, and money market accounts. 

Bank Iowa operates branches in five regions, though you won’t find any physical locations in Cedar Rapids. All checking accounts come with complimentary identity theft services. 

6. Collins Credit Union

You can find Collins Credit Union locations in the following Iowa cities: 

• Cedar Rapids
• Asbury
• Clive
• Dubuque
• Johnston
• North Liberty
• Des Moines
• Iowa City
• Cedar Falls
• Marion 

Collins Credit Union membership requires employment through select employer groups or an immediate family member already part of the credit union. You can also live or work in several counties to gain membership. 

If you’re looking for a second-chance checking account, Collins Credit Union’s Take2 account has a $50 opening deposit and a $9.95 monthly fee. If you keep this account in good standing for a year, you can upgrade to a standard checking account. 

Collins Credit Union also offers online and mobile banking. You can deposit checks with your smartphone as well. 

7. Community 1st Credit Union

You’ll find competitive rates that rival the largest banks in the U.S. at Community 1st Credit Union. This credit union has low minimum balance requirements and plenty of accounts. 

Community 1st Credit Union is based in central Iowa and has branches in Des Moines and Cedar Rapids. It is also NCUA-insured and offers money market accounts, IRAs, and CDs. 

The only drawback to this credit union is that you must visit a branch to open an account. You can’t open one online, though this credit union does offer mobile and online banking. 

Community 1st Credit Union also lets you link your savings account to your checking account for easy transfers. 

8. Dubuque Bank and Trust Company

This bank offers four personal checking accounts you can choose from, including: 

• Cash Rewards Checking
• Free Checking with eStatements
• Signature Series Checking 
• Money Manager 5000

These accounts require a $25 opening deposit. However, you can waive the monthly fee if you sign up for eStatements instead of paper ones. 

Dubuque Bank and Trust Company has locations in Epworth, Farley, Holy Cross, and Dubuque. 

9. Exchange State Bank

If you’re looking for the best bank accounts because you’ve had issues in the past, look at Exchange State Bank’s policy for new account holders. To open an account, you don’t have to submit to a Telecheck, ChexSystems, EWS, or credit check. 

However,  you will need at least two forms of identification to open an account. You can visit many locations in Martelle or Springville, Iowa, to open your account. 

Our Town Checking is one of the most popular accounts at this bank. There’s no annual fee for the free debit card, no monthly fees for the account, and no fees for paper copies of your bank statements. 

10. Fidelity Bank & Trust

There are 30 Fidelity Bank & Trust branches in northeast Iowa, southwest Wisconsin, and northwest Illinois. This bank also offers online and mobile banking.

Checking accounts come with a $50 opening balance and no monthly fees or minimum balance requirements. You can also access the SHAZAM ATM network for free.

Fidelity Bank & Trust offers personalized financial guidance and financial adviser services. You can also add a photo to your debit card with myPIC. 

Regarding interest rates, Fidelity Bank & Trust offers competitive APYs on select checking, savings, and money market accounts. You can also set up specialized savings accounts for holidays or your kids. 

11. Grinnell State Bank

This bank operates four branches in Marengo, Polk City, Johnston, and Grinnell. It is headquartered in its namesake city and offers personal and business banking services. 

If you have at least $100 in your account, you won’t pay a monthly fee with Grinnell State Bank. This bank also requires a $100 minimum deposit, so waiving the monthly fee is easy. 

You can open a new account online or by visiting a branch. This FDIC-insured bank also offers CDs, investment accounts, loans, and savings accounts. 

12. Hills Bank and Trust Company

While you are subject to a credit check if you apply for an account with Hills Bank and Trust Company, this bank offers several perks that make it worth the sacrifice of a few points. Hills Bank and Trust Company has five locations in Cedar Rapids and Marion, Iowa. 

Choose from eight different types of checking accounts with this bank. Free Checking is free, as the name gives away, with no monthly fees or minimum balance requirements. 

Regardless of which checking account you open, you can manage it online and via the mobile app. Most accounts come with unlimited debit card transactions and no fees for out-of-network ATM transactions. 

Hills Bank and Trust Company partners with SHAZAM and MoneyPass ATMs, so you’re sure to find an ATM near you within the network. You can also earn a respectable APY on your checking account balance. 

13. MidWestOne Bank

Colorado, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Florida all host MidWestOne Banks, with 45 branches in total nationwide. This bank is known for exceptional customer service and great rates on loans. 

MidWestOne Bank offers personal and auto loans, money market and savings accounts, and CDs. Most checking accounts require a $100 minimum opening deposit. 

This bank also works with MoneyPass to offer tens of thousands of free ATMs. You can also use the Bank Your Change program to automatically round up your debit card purchases to add to your savings balance. 

14. Midwest Heritage Bank

Midwest Heritage Bank is part of the Hy-Vee family, which hosts nearly 300 stores nationwide. You’ll receive a similar level of customer service as you would with other banks in Iowa. 

This bank offers checking and savings accounts, insurance and investment services, and auto loans. You can also obtain a mortgage loan through Midwest Heritage Bank. 

15. Northwest Bank

You can find Northwest Bank locations in Nebraska and Iowa. This bank, headquartered in Spencer, Iowa, has made an impression on the local community by offering quality customer service. 

Northwest Bank offers welcome bonuses on its accounts year-round. Most accounts require a $10 opening deposit, but otherwise, you don’t pay a monthly fee. 

There are no minimum balance requirements for these accounts either. You can access any MoneyPass ATM for free and earn a small percentage on your checking account balance. 

Northwest Bank also offers cashback on debit card purchases. You can also open a CD, money market account, or savings account to increase your savings. 

You can set up bill pay from your online account or through the mobile app. You can also pay back your friends and family with Zelle. 

16. West Bank

This Iowan bank was founded in 1893 and operates six branches in the state. It’s also heavily involved in the community and offers several financial products and services to support life’s endeavors. 

West Bank offers checking and savings accounts, personal loans, credit cards, mortgages, home equity lines of credit (HELOCs), and business banking. If you’re looking for an ally to help you bank, check out West Bank’s website or visit a branch to open your new account.

17. Bankers Trust Company

You can waive the monthly maintenance fee if you have 12 debit card transactions each month and can deposit $25 into your new Bankers Trust Company account. This account doesn’t require a minimum balance either. 

Bankers Trust Company offers competitive savings, checking, and CD rates. It’s based in Des Moines, Iowa, and operates in Arizona. 

In addition to its checking accounts, Bankers Trust Company offers several accounts with tiered interest rates. You may earn a respectable welcome bonus, depending on which account you open. 

If you travel and need money, Bankers Trust Company works with Allpoint and MoneyPass networks for free ATM access.