11 Best Banks in Wisconsin to Keep Your Money Growing

1. Chase

$400 is a month of groceries for most Wisconsin families. That's exactly what you leave on the table by sticking with the same checking account you opened years ago. Chase pays new customers $400 just to open a Total Checking® account and set up direct deposit. The bonus lands within 15 days of qualifying. Most working Wisconsinites 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 drops to $0 in any statement period you receive $500 or more in qualifying electronic deposits, so the account is effectively free.

Beyond the bonus, Chase has a solid footprint across Wisconsin. Branches across Milwaukee, Madison, Kenosha, Racine, and Green Bay, plus thousands of free Chase ATMs. Plus 14,000+ free ATMs and 5,000+ branches nationwide for whenever you cross into Illinois, Minnesota, Iowa, or Michigan. 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 you can actually walk into, claim your $400 with Chase here.

2. Current

Wisconsin winters punish your wallet. Heating bills run hard from October through April, snow removal eats up weekends, and one dead car battery in February can wipe out a paycheck before it even hits. Milwaukee renters paying $1,400+ for a one-bedroom and Madison hospitality workers waiting on tips don't always get a paycheck on the same day. If you're paycheck-to-paycheck like most working Wisconsinites, that gap between deposits is exactly when the costly stuff happens.

Current closes that gap. Set up $1,500 or more in direct deposits using code WELCOME75 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 Milwaukee's Third Ward, a server in downtown Madison, or anyone heating a Green Bay house through a real Wisconsin 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 a financial technology company, not a bank, and banking services come from Choice Financial Group and Cross River Bank, both Members FDIC.

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.

3. SoFi

SoFi is one of the most popular online banks for Wisconsinites who want a simple, high-yield way to manage their money.

The all-in-one SoFi app makes it easy to handle your money, invest, or even refinance loans in one place. Plus, new members can earn a bonus of up to $475 when they open an account and set up qualifying direct deposits.

Why we like it:

• No monthly or overdraft fees
• Free access to 55,000+ ATMs nationwide
• Easy-to-use mobile app with budgeting and investing tools

Bonus offer: Open a SoFi Checking & Savings account and earn up to $475 when you set up direct deposit.

4. Wells Fargo

Wisconsin residents can rely on Wells Fargo for secure and accessible banking, with branches and ATMs across Milwaukee, Madison, and Green Bay.

The Everyday Checking account offers a $325 bonus for new customers. Open an account with $25, meet the $1,000 direct deposit requirement within 90 days, and claim your reward. With 24/7 fraud monitoring, a user-friendly mobile app, and a $15 monthly fee that’s easy to waive, Wells Fargo provides practical and secure banking for Wisconsinites.

Start your Wells Fargo journey today and discover why it’s one of Wisconsin’s top banks.

5. First Citizens Bank

Though it has fewer than 10 branches, First Citizens Bank offers three checking accounts, two savings accounts, a money market account, CDs, and credit cards. You can also manage your First Citizens Bank account(s) from the mobile app or website. 

Many people praise First Citizens Bank’s customer service. However, it does offer an inferior APY on savings accounts, so it might be worth looking elsewhere if that’s your main goal. 

Of note is the First Citizens Bank free checking account that you can open with a $50 minimum deposit. You can waive the monthly fees if you enroll in paperless billing. 

6. Town Bank

The name of this bank might sound generic, but the bank itself is anything but that. You’ll find over 20 locations across the state of Wisconsin. 

In addition to checking and savings accounts, Town Bank offers credit cards, mortgages, credit repair services, mobile banking, and home equity lines of credit. You can also use any ATMs within the MoneyPass, Sum, ATM Access, and Allpoint ATM networks. 

Town Bank is also part of the Wintrust Community Bank network. This network hosts 150 branches alone. 

7. BMO Bank

Shortened from BMO Harris Bank, BMO Bank is a regional bank that offers competitive interest rates on high balances. The monthly maintenance fees are also easy to waive. 

For instance, the basic checking account waives your monthly fee if you sign up for e-statements. You can also waive the BMO Bank savings account fees if you have a minimum balance of $100 or more. 

BMO Bank reimburses you for any out-of-network ATM uses. You can open most checking accounts with as little as $25 and receive a debit card and other perks. 

This bank has fewer locations than national banks. However, it does offer a competitive rate on accounts if you have at least a $1,000 balance. 

8. Ally Bank

Earn up to 4% APY with Ally Bank, an online-only bank that’s web- and mobile-app-based. This bank doesn’t let you deposit cash into your account, but your funds are still FDIC-insured. 

Most Ally Bank accounts come with no monthly fees or minimum opening deposits. You can also set up savings “buckets” for up to 10 savings goals. 

Reach Ally Bank’s customer service through the phone or live chat 24/7. You can also use Zelle to manage your finances by sending and receiving money. 

Ally Bank gives customers access to over 55,000 ATMs across the nation. It will also reimburse you up to $10 per statement period for out-of-network ATM charges. 

In addition to checking and savings accounts, Ally Bank offers money market accounts, CDs, and IRAs. It’s a viable option for those who don’t need a physical bank nearby. 

9. Associated Bank

You’ll find Associated Bank locations in Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Most Associated Bank accounts have waivable fees, and you can easily open an account online. 

Associated Bank offers a network of free ATMs you can use to manage your finances. You can also use the mobile app if you prefer a virtual experience. 

You’ll find the best deals with promotional CDs that Associated Bank offers. These have higher APY rates that exceed any typical interest rates on savings accounts or CDs. 

Associated Bank offers 24/7 customer service and cashback on most accounts. 

10. Tri City National Bank

This bank ranks high on the Forbes Best-In-State-Banks list and continues to serve over 30 locations in Milwaukee alone. Tri City National Bank offers online and mobile banking. 

With a Tri City National Bank account, you can use Zelle to pay your friends and family or receive money from them. You can also open a free checking account when you apply online. 

Tri City National Bank also offers savings accounts and business loans. While interest rates could be more competitive, Tri City National Bank does try to keep fees low. 

11. North Shore Bank

This small bank is headquartered in Brookfield and has 43 branches in eastern Wisconsin. You can earn cash back with both credit and cash back debit cards through North Shore Bank. 

There are no monthly maintenance fees with a North Shore Bank checking account. In addition, you can earn up to $500 if you refer friends and family to the bank. 

North Shore Bank offers personal and business accounts, including checking and savings accounts. You’ll also have access to 24/7 customer support if you need it.