Best Banks in Iowa 2024

Not all banks are created equal, and Iowa has many to consider. Before choosing the right bank for you, consider what is most important to you.

I’ve listed the ten best banks in Iowa and their features to help narrow down your choices and help you get started quickly.

Keep reading for an overview of the best banks in Iowa, including their pros and cons and what you need to look out for when choosing a bank.

10 Best Banks in Iowa

Comparing banks in Iowa requires considering fees, products, accessibility, and customer service. No two banks are the same, so comparing them can help you determine which is right for you.

1. US Bank: Best for All-in-One Banking
2. MidWestOne Bank: Best Regional Bank in IA
3. Bank of America: Best Mobile Banking
4. Northwest Bank: Best Accomodations
5. Wells Fargo: Best National Bank in IA
6. Bank Iowa: Best In-State Bank in IA
7. Bankers Trust: Best Multipurpose Bank
8. Fidelity Bank & Trust: Best Local Bank
9. West Bank: Best Customer-Centric Bank
10. Midwest Heritage Bank: Best Bank for CDs

See Iowa’s Best Bank Bonus Offers & Promotions

1. U.S. Bank

Best For: All-In-One Bank

U.S. Bank is a prominent regional bank in Iowa. They started in 1863 and have remained financially strong since then. They’ve pushed through many financial crises, including the most recent pandemic, and they’ve continually changed with the times to offer digital products and services to meet consumers where they are today.

U.S. Bank is transparent about its fees and helps consumers find ways to waive them to keep more money in their accounts. They offer plenty of branches and ATMs, an all-in-one banking platform, and the convenience of a large bank. If you’re located in Iowa, you shouldn’t have any trouble locating a branch or ATM.

Accounts:

U.S. Bank has CDs (Certificates of Deposit) along with checking and savings accounts for individuals and businesses. It tops our list of the best banks in Iowa.

They offer two types of checking accounts: one with waivable monthly fees and variable interest rates and another without overdraft fees or physical checks.

U.S. Bank savings accounts can also be linked to a checking account. They offer three types of business accounts and multiple CDs.

Learn More:

• Read our full US Bank review

up to $900

U.S. Bank : Business Checking
Available nationwide

Details

up to $450

U.S. Bank : Smartly® Checking
Open online

Details

2. MidWestOne Bank

Best For: Regional Bank in IA

MidWestOne Bank was voted the ‘Best Small Bank in Iowa’ for 2023 for its superior customer support. They’ve been in business for 80 years and invest in their customers and community.

MidWestOne started as a small Iowa bank, but they’ve quickly grown to 56 locations throughout the Midwest.

Today, they offer a wide range of banking products, including various accounts, loans, lines of credit, and more.

Accounts:

MidWestOne offers diverse checking account options to suit your needs whether it be a fee-free account or one with interest earnings and ATM fee reimbursement.

You can also find savings accounts, CDs, and online banking services. MidWestOne offers checking and saving accounts, overdraft protection, lines of credit, and more for businesses.

Learn More:

• Visit MidWestOne.Bank↗

3. Bank of America

Best For: Mobile Banking

Bank of America is one of the country’s largest banks, with eight locations in Iowa.

Bank of America customers can bank at any branch in or out of Iowa and handle most of their banking needs online. Bank of America provides an outstanding mobile banking experience. Their app has over 5.4 million reviews, with an average rating of 4.8 in the App Store and 4.6 in the Google Play Store.

Accounts:

Bank of America offers many product promotions, including credit cards and ways to waive monthly maintenance fees on their deposit accounts.

Bank of America offers personal CDs, IRAs, checking, and savings accounts. Its mobile and online accounts allow for convenient and secure banking from almost anywhere.

For businesses, Bank of America serves multiple types of businesses, from multinational companies to small local businesses.

Learn More:

• Bank of America Review
• Visit BankofAmerica.com↗

4. Northwest Bank

Best For: Accommodations

Northwest Bank believes in helping customers face-to-face, not only with technology. They pride themselves on listening to customers’ needs to help every customer reach their desired goals.

Northwest Bank combines the benefits of technology (online and mobile banking) with in-person service to give customers everything they need. With its highly-rated customer service and accessibility, Northwest Bank works to accommodate every customer’s financial needs and goals.

Accounts:

Northwest Bank offers a range of account options tailored to meet the diverse needs of individuals and businesses alike.

Northwest Bank’s checking offers accounts that meet various needs, such as primary or interest-bearing accounts. Customers can open a checking account for as little as $25, and the minimum balance requirements to waive monthly maintenance fees are manageable.

They offer savings accounts for those with high balances, young savers, and those who need a safety net. Both individual savings and checking accounts are designed to suit different financial goals and lifestyles.

Northwest Bank offers specialized business accounts with features to support businesses’ financial needs, especially small businesses.

Learn More:

• Visit NW.bank↗

5. Wells Fargo

Best For: National Bank in IA

Wells Fargo is one of the most popular banks in the country. With a vast network of branches and ATMs nationwide, including several locations in Iowa, Wells Fargo provides convenient accessibility for customers both locally and nationally.

Accounts:

As you would expect from a bank with 4,700 branches throughout the country, Wells Fargo offers a wide range of products and robust educational tools to make the most of your personal financial goals.

Wells Fargo customers can select from four different kinds of checking accounts. Every account includes waivable fees, Zelle money transfers, mobile banking access, and a $25 opening minimum. Two savings accounts are available, and unless you fulfill certain requirements, monthly maintenance costs start at $5. Compared to other banks in Iowa, the annual percentage yield (APY) for savings accounts is relatively low.

Wells Fargo serves small businesses, major corporations, and everything in between. Its services include business credit cards, payroll services, business credit and savings accounts, business loans, and credit lines.

Learn More:

• Wells Fargo Bank Review
• Visit WellsFargo.com↗

6. Bank Iowa

Best For: In-state Bank in IA

Bank Iowa is one of the largest family-owned banks in Iowa. They began in 1901. Since then, they have continued to have their customers at the forefront of their philosophies from start to finish.

Accounts:

Bank Iowa offers many banking products for a community bank, including a checking account with no fees. The Freebird Checking account is their latest product and requires only a $10 opening deposit, no monthly minimum balance, and no monthly fees.

Bank Iowa’s savings accounts offer low minimum balances and easy access to funds. A Bank Iowa CD is best if you are looking for higher interest and don’t need immediate access to your money. Bank Iowa provides specialty accounts such as business checking, savings, loans, and more commercial services to assist businesses with their banking needs and promote development.

Learn More:

• Visit BankIowa.Bank↗

7. Bankers Trust

Best For: Multipurpose Bank

Bankers Trust is a privately owned bank in Iowa. They’ve been serving Cedar Rapids, Iowa, for 20 years, providing banking and wealth management services to the people of Iowa.

Bankers Trust offers a savings account to suit your goals, whether you’re saving for a child’s college education, a significant purchase, your ideal trip, or anything else. Each savings account can be tailored to your needs accordingly.

Accounts:

Bankers Trust helps customers reach their financial goals and is fully vested in the community, doing its part to help. At Bankers Trust, they make banking simple by offering personal, business, and wealth management services.

Currently, they offer five different savings accounts, including the critical features of Internet banking, mobile banking, express deposit, and online tools/documents.

Bankers Trust’s CDs offer interest rates much higher than the national average. Interest is compounded annually and provided for various lengths ranging from 3 months to 5 years.

Learn More:

• Visit BankersTrust.com↗

8. Fidelity Bank & Trust

Best For: Local Bank

Fidelity Bank & Trust has been Iowa’s hometown bank for over 100 years. They have branches in over 30 communities and offer extensive bank services with a small-town bank feel. So you get personal service without sacrificing the products you’d find at your bigger banks.

Accounts:

Fidelity Bank offers a wide range of personal financial products, such as credit cards, HELOCs, student banking, internet banking, checking, and savings accounts.

They provide a range of products, from basic accounts for regular banking requirements to more sophisticated choices with extras like shopping discounts, mobile phone insurance, and health savings accounts. Fidelity Bank brings significant benefits while maintaining its local community feel.

Learn More:

• Visit BankFidelity.Bank↗

9. West Bank

Best For: Customer-Centric Bank

West Bank was founded in 1893 and provides full-service banking and trust services. They have six branches in Iowa, each heavily involved in the community.

When you visit a West Bank branch, you can expect to be greeted personally, not as a number. The bankers get to know each customer by name and can recommend products and services to help them reach their financial goals. This environment sets West Bank apart from traditional banking experiences by fostering an atmosphere where clients feel appreciated and encouraged in their financial goals.

Accounts:

West Bank offers checking and savings accounts, loans, online banking, and more for personal and business purposes. All personal checking accounts require an opening deposit of $100 and provide four free uses of non West Bank ATMs.

With personal loans, mortgage loans, a home equity line of credit, credit cards, and more, West Bank is a great option when opting for a local bank

Learn More:

• Visit WestBankStrong.com↗

10. Midwest Heritage Bank

Best For: CDs

Midwest Heritage Bank is part of the Hy-Vee family, which began in 1930 and today has over 275 stores. Midwest Heritage Bank offers the same high level of customer service combined with many banking products to solve your financial needs.

Midwest Heritage Bank caters to every customer’s needs and offers various services and account types.

Accounts:

Regardless of your life stage, Midwest Heritage Bank has products and services to meet you where you need to be. Midwest Heritage offers personal banking (checking, savings, mortgage, and auto loans), personal investment services, and personal insurance (auto, home, pet, umbrella, etc.).

The E-Checking, E-Plus Checking, and Premier accounts have attainable opening and minimum balances. Only the premier checking account offers interest rates, so if you’d like that, it’s best to turn to their savings accounts.

Their CDs offer an APY rate of 4.85+ with a minimum balance, much higher than the current annual rate. CDs range in length from 6 to 12 months, so you can choose what works best for your situation.

Learn More:

• Visit MidWestHeritage.com↗

How To Choose The Best Bank In Iowa

At BankBonus.com, we’re committed to providing consumers with the resources they need to select a bank or credit union. Here’s an overview of the steps we recommend our readers take to choose a bank:

• Understand different types of banks: You have access to traditional banks, online banks, credit unions, and neobanks. It’s important to understand the differences between them and determine which type of institution aligns best with your preferences.
• Choose the right account: Checking, savings, money market, and certificate of deposit accounts are the most common types of bank accounts. Understand what each offers and choose a bank with the type of account(s) you need.
• Look for low-fee banks: Account fees can add up quickly. As you compare bank accounts, look for an account that doesn’t charge unavoidable monthly maintenance fees, overdraft fees, and ATM fees.
• Consider branch and ATM access: If having access to branches matters to you, choose a bank with physical locations. Regardless, you should prioritize banks that have a vast ATM network or reimburse ATM fees.
• Compare account features: Determine which features you’re looking for. A few common bank account features to consider are interest, cashback, mobile features, cash deposits, and minimum account balance requirements.
• Check out reviews and ratings: It’s crucial to pick a reputable bank. To get an idea of a bank’s customer experience, you can read expert reviews and look to sources like TrustPilot, the Better Business Bureau, and J.D. Power.
• Read the fine print: Don’t sign up for an account without understanding the terms and conditions. Make sure the account is FDIC or NCUA insured and get a sense of its requirements, fees, and expiration dates for bank bonuses.
• Look at the bank’s additional products: If you want to manage all of your finances under one roof, look into each bank’s additional products. A lot of banks also offer credit cards, wealth management, investment accounts, and loans.

Read our Full Guide to Choosing a Bank

Our Methodology

The BankBonus team has analyzed dozens of banks to provide our readers with thoroughly informed and accurate reviews. We evaluated digital financial platforms, online banks, regional banks, and national banks with a presence in Iowa.

Our assessment of each bank factors in these considerations:

• Product lineup: We review the types of accounts, loans, and services offered by each bank, as well as the number of accounts.
• Fees and pricing: We also consider each institution’s fees, including monthly maintenance fees and other service charges.
• Account features: To compare banks, we take a close look at the features, limits, and capabilities each one has to offer.
• Interest: Along with these features, we consider whether or not the bank offers interest-bearing accounts and compare their rates to industry averages.
• Brand reputation: The bank accounts we recommend have been carefully vetted to ensure they are legitimate, secure, and backed by FDIC insurance.
• User experience: Additionally, we consider the ease of use and availability of resources on each bank’s website and factor in reviews of the mobile app from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
• Branch and ATM access: To gauge convenience, we also look at each bank’s branch and ATM availability and consider their ATM reimbursement policies.
• Customer service: In our review process, we also explore their customer service channels, hours of availability, and third-party reviews.