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When looking for the best banks in Wisconsin, you’ll want to look for those that offer no fees, have many branches available to access, and have a nationwide ATM network. These top features can make filling out all that banking paperwork worthwhile.
Our guide below includes several of the best banks in Wisconsin, including a few you probably haven’t heard of. These banks may offer welcome bonuses if you’re new and want to open a checking or savings account.
Are you ready to learn more about the best banks in Wisconsin? Let’s get started!
10 Best Banks in Wisconsin
The best banks in Wisconsin offer some of the best checking accounts and savings accounts. See what you can do with a bank account in Wisconsin with banks on the following list.
1. Chase Bank
Chase Bank caters to various customers with some of the best checking accounts. Chase is the bank you should go with if you’re looking for a way to open a new bank account and make money simultaneously.
The Chase Total Checking® account earns you up to $300 if you set up direct deposit.
Chase Total Checking® is the bank’s most popular account and best for everyday use. While there’s no minimum deposit to open the account, it does have a $12 monthly maintenance fee that can be waived. This account also comes with Overdraft Assist and Zero Liability Protection, along with online and mobile banking. New customers can qualify for a $300 intro bonus by opening a new account and receiving $500 via direct deposits within 90 days.
You can also open a Chase College Checking℠ or Chase High School Checking℠ account to receive similar benefits.
For instance, the Chase College Checking℠ account has a waivable $6 fee. If you’re a student, set up a direct deposit, or have an average daily balance of $5,000 or more, you can waive this fee.
TheChase High School Checking℠ account caters to younger children between the ages of 13 and 17. There are no fees associated with this account.
Chase offers over 16,000 ATMs and 4,700 branches across the nation. It also offers 0.01% APY on savings accounts and online and mobile banking.
Discover the latest Chase Bank promotions:
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Earn $300 bonus
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Earn $300 bonus
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Earn $100 bonus
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Earn $100 bonus
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Earn $3,000 bonus
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MMG Rating:
5.0
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MMG Rating:
4.9
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MMG Rating:
4.5
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MMG Rating:
4.5
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MMG Rating:
4.9
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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. Old National Bank
Technically, Old National Bank is headquartered in Indiana. However, it has several locations in Wisconsin and received an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
This regional bank also serves surrounding states, including:
- Michigan
- Kentucky
- Minnesota
Old National Bank merged with First Midwest Bank and gained 250 additional locations. Though it’s still smaller than many national banks, it offers customers several banking services.
You can open a checking or savings account with Old National Bank. You can also take out various loans, including mortgages and home equity lines of credit.
Many accounts give you a chance to waive the monthly fees. Old National Bank also offers a variety of CD terms.
3. U.S. Bank
Ranked among the best national banks, U.S. bank promotions are worth considering for those looking to bank in Wisconsin. These promotions let you make some extra cash just for taking your banking business to U.S. Bank.
You can open the following accounts with U.S. Bank:
- CDs
- Money market accounts
- Checking
- Savings
- Investing
- Retirement
- Lines of credit
- Auto and personal loans
U.S. Bank supports a website and mobile app. You can link Zelle to your U.S. Bank account to send and receive money.
Your U.S. Bank account lets you set up automatic bill payments and make mobile check deposits. You can also receive personalized financial insights to help you achieve your financial goals.
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$800 Bonus
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MMG Rating:
4.5
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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). |
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).
4. 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.
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.
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Free checking account
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Experience hassle-free banking with a free checking account. No fees, no minimum balance requirement, and the convenience of 24/7 digital banking, bill pay, and mobile deposits. Enroll in paperless statements to avoid the monthly fee. Make your life easier with better banking. |
Open a First Citizens online savings account for easy access and mobility. Enjoy convenience with no minimum balance requirement and no monthly service charges. Earn interest on your daily balance and receive monthly credits with competitive rates. |
Experience hassle-free banking with a free checking account. No fees, no minimum balance requirement, and the convenience of 24/7 digital banking, bill pay, and mobile deposits. Enroll in paperless statements to avoid the monthly fee. Make your life easier with better banking.
Open a First Citizens online savings account for easy access and mobility. Enjoy convenience with no minimum balance requirement and no monthly service charges. Earn interest on your daily balance and receive monthly credits with competitive rates.
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.
What to Look For in a Checking Account
Opening a checking account is a reasonably simple task. However, knowing what you need from a checking account can be different.
Here are a few things to look for when you consider opening a new checking account:
- Fees: Most checking accounts come with a monthly maintenance fee. You might be able to waive this fee if you complete specific requirements, but each bank has its own standards. You will also likely pay fees for overdrafts, wire transfers, and more.
- Minimum balance requirements: Many banks limit new accounts to those who can provide some cash to back up their request. If a bank requires a minimum balance, it’s typically tied to waiving a fee or managing the account. The majority of minimum balances are under $1,000 or around $100.
- ATM network: A vast ATM network can make any bank popular among customers. An extensive ATM network can make it easy to use convenient machines in your area without worrying about additional costs. The best banks offer reimbursements for out-of-network ATM costs as well.
- Accessibility: Mobile and online banking are a must in this day and age. Each of the banks listed in this article offers online and mobile banking. In some cases, the banks themselves are digital-only.
- Interest rates: Speaking of online-only banks, these financial institutions tend to offer higher APYs for savings accounts and potentially even checking accounts. However, most national banks don’t offer more than a few tenths of a percentage in this area.
- Reputation and support: Banks praised for their customer service ethic can be worth every penny. Multiple ways to contact customer support can be helpful, especially on weekends or holidays.
The banks on our list above include several of these features. Which ones do you need from your new checking account?
FAQs
Some of the best banks in Wisconsin include Tri City National Bank, First Citizens Bank, Old National Bank, and Town Bank. You can also bank with Chase, Ally Bank, and U.S. Bank.
Chase offers several welcome bonuses for its checking accounts, including $300 from the Chase Total Checking® account. You can also earn up to $500 if you refer friends and family to North Shore Bank.
Yes, there are several credit unions in Wisconsin. These include Cloverbelt Credit Union, Heritage Credit Union, and Summit Credit Union.
Opening a bank account in Wisconsin doesn’t require much. You just need to prove your identity with some type of verification, including your driver’s license.
Most bank accounts have requirements regarding monthly maintenance fees, minimum opening deposits, and minimum balances. Read the fine print to see which banks offer the best deals for your money.
Stay Out of the Cold with the Best Banks in Wisconsin
Battling Wisconsin winters is bad enough. Don’t let lousy banking in this northern state bring you down.
We hope this article helps you to find the best banks in Wisconsin that you can use to help manage your finances and get you back on track. You may even profit from opening a new bank account if you can partner with the right bank.
The best banks help us achieve our financial goals rather than keep us from them. With these banks, you can manage your finances online, through your smartphone, or in person.
When will you start banking with the best banks in Wisconsin?
A free account with unlimited ATM fee reimbursements. You don't have to worry about keeping a minimum balance with Axos' Rewards Checking. As with the bank's other checking accounts, there are no monthly fees, and all fees charged by domestic ATM operators are reimbursed. Axos doesn't charge any ATM fees itself.
