Best Banks in Wisconsin

Quick Look: The Best Banks in Wisconsin

• Best for Variety of Services: U.S. Bank
• Best for Checking Accounts: Axos
• Best for Savings Accounts: CIT Bank
• Best for Credit Card Selection: Bank of America
• Best for Mobile Banking: BBVA
• Best for Affordable Fees and Compounded Interest: First Citizens Bank

Finding the right bank can be a daunting task. A good place to start is by figuring out what type of services you are looking for. Maybe you need a checking account, savings account, line of credit or a combination of services. Take a look at our guide of the best banks in Wisconsin to get started. 

U.S. Bank

If you’re the type of person that prefers to do banking in person, rest assured — there’s no shortage of U.S. Bank locations and ATMs in Wisconsin. You can also access your U.S. Bank accounts online, by calling a 24/7 hotline or through mobile banking. 

U.S. Bank offers personal checking accounts, savings accounts, credit cards, mortgages, refinancing options, loans, credit lines, investment solutions and more. There’s a host of learning resources available that give great financial tips. There are numerous savings account options that don’t incur monthly fees. Most of the time, it’s possible to opt-out of monthly fees for checking accounts as well. 

If you’re the owner of a business worth up to $20 million, you can use U.S. Bank for checking accounts, savings accounts, credit cards, money market accounts, lending and more. You can also take advantage of wealth management and investment advisory services whether you’re a private client or business owner. 

Axos Bank

Axos Bank is an online bank that works with both private individuals and businesses. As a private client, you have a range of borrowing, saving, investing and checking services at your disposal. Most notably, Axos offers a variety of checking accounts — each with distinct benefits.

Take a look at some popular features: 

Rewards Checking: With this account, you’ll earn up to 1.25% APY, get reimbursed for all domestic ATM fees and never incur any overdraft or nonsufficient fees. 

Essential Checking: This account is a great choice if you're looking for a no-fee checking account. There are no monthly maintenance fees, no minimum balance required and no overdraft fees. You’ll also be reimbursed for all domestic ATM fees.

CashBack Checking: This account is ideal for debit card users looking for additional rewards. You’ll earn 1% cash back on eligible debit card purchases when you maintain a balance of $1,500. Plus, you’ll be reimbursed for all domestic ATM fees. 

Golden Checking: Especially useful to seniors who write checks frequently, this no-fee account offers unlimited checks and a 0.20% APY. It’s designed for seniors 55 years and older. 

CIT Bank 

CIT Bank is an online bank that offers checking accounts, loans, learning resources and savings accounts. Whether you are looking to establish an emergency fund or have enough cash for a down-payment, CIT Bank offers these savings accounts that can help you reach your goals: 

• Savings Builder
• Premier high yield savings
• Money market
• Certificates of deposits (CDs)

Savings Builder and Premier high yield savings accounts have flexible minimum balances and offer various APYs up to 1.15%. CD APYs range from 0.72% and 1.10% and depends on the time frame you choose. The money market account earns the highest APY at 1.20%. There are no monthly fees for any of these savings accounts and all are FDIC-insured. 

Bank of America

Bank of America’s customers includes private individuals, small businesses and larger sized institutions. Like most major banks, it offers individuals checking accounts, savings accounts, mortgages, personal loans, auto loans, investing services and learning resources. All accounts are accessible at branch locations and through the Bank of America mobile app.

Its credit card selection of over 20 different choices is particularly impressive. Bank of America offers credit cards with travel rewards, airline rewards, cash rewards, low-interest rates and choices that can even help you build credit. There is also a selection of no annual fee credit cards. 

BBVA

BBVA operates branches across the country in conjunction with online banking. It offers checking, saving, credit cards, lending, mortgages, investments and learning resources for individuals. Small businesses can also benefit from unique checking, savings and lending solutions. BBVA also operates investment banking and wealth management divisions. 

Clients often point to the award-winning mobile app as a defining benefit of the BBVA. The mobile app allows you to retrieve your online checking account 24/7. Online checking accounts never incur monthly maintenance fees and come with a free BBVA Visa debit card — and you will always be reimbursed for ATM fees. You only need a minimum deposit of $25 to open an online checking account. 

First Citizens Bank

First Citizens Bank is a unique outfit that offers both banking locations and online services you can utilize on the website or through the mobile app. You can open a checking or savings account online, manage the account electronically, earn interest on all balances and enjoy other banking options like credit cards, loans, CDs, etc. that are available. This allows you to centralize all your finances so that you can see a snapshot of where your money is going and how it’s performing.

You can earn up to 0.03% on your savings balance—which is compounded daily—or you can earn 0.01% on your checking balance. The Free Checking account only has a $50 minimum deposit while Premier and Prestige only require a $100 deposit. The qualifiers to avoid monthly maintenance fees are easy to reach in most cases, and there are very few drawbacks when using these services. Remember, some fees will apply when transferring funds between accounts or outside the bank, but other fees are easy to avoid, and there is even an overdraft protection service.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need to pay more for mobile banking?

A: Because mobile banking is an extension of customer service, most banks won’t charge you for downloading or using their app. 

Q: What do I need to open a bank account?

A: You will need your identification, Social Security number, personal information, along with additional requirements specific to your bank. It’s a good idea to get in touch with your bank directly for all the information. 

Choosing the Right Bank

The next step is to contact 1 or more of the banks on our list and ask them any additional questions you may have. Make sure you understand the benefits and fees of all your options. Ultimately, the right bank can make managing your money a straightforward and positive experience. 

Methodology

To determine the best banks in Wisconsin, Benzinga analyzed over 100 banks and financial institutions. We gave weight to banks in Wisconsin with co-op ATMs and cash-back options. We also gave greater rankings to banks which offer the following: checking and savings accounts, online banking, personal loans, mortgages, educational resources and a mobile app.