The First National Bank of Texas (FNBT) is a large regional bank with locations throughout the Southwestern United States. Among these locations are personal consumer finance centers, mortgage centers, commercial finance centers, and fraud protection centers.
First National offers a wide range of products and services, including personal banking and wealth management, interest-bearing deposit accounts, certificates of deposit (CDs), mortgages and consumer loans, and solutions for commercial, medium, and small-business banking.
The bank is known for its people-first customer service, involvement in local communities the bank serves, and financial fitness center with webinars, podcasts, and financial coaching.
It makes banking friendly and accessible, however, it lacks the promotions and referral bonuses that other banks commonly offer and it has a high number of fees to look out for so you can avoid them or get them waived.
What Is the First National Bank of Texas?
First National Bank of Texas is a financially solid, privately-held, regional bank that has served the community since 1901. It was founded in Killeen, in Central Texas, 19 years after the city’s founding. The bank’s headquarters remain there today.
Over the years, FNBT has demonstrated steady growth, liquidity, and stability. Today, it boasts over 3,200 employees who provide banking to over one million customers. First National Bank of Texas, with its affiliates First Convenience Bank and First Heroes National Bank, has over $4 billion in assets.
Their pledge is to provide old-fashioned customer service with the modern convenience of digital banking.
First National Bank of Texas: Checking Accounts
First National Bank of Texas offers six (6) checking accounts to meet their customers’ varying needs.
1. Power Account
The Power Account is FNBT’s most popular checking account, as it’s designed to be a no-frills account that meets the basic, everyday banking needs of most consumers.
It has a $12 monthly maintenance fee but provides numerous ways to avoid the fee. That charge is waived if consumers are aged 60 or older, make at least 12 debit card purchases per month, maintain a $250 minimum daily balance, or make at least one deposit of $250 per statement cycle.
The balance does not bear interest, but no minimum opening deposit is needed.
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2. Checking With Interest
The checking account is a step up from the Power Account, as the account balance bears interest. Any balance of $0.01 or greater is eligible to accrue. Interest is compounded daily and credited monthly at a variable APY rate which is currently set at an APY of 0.02%.
No initial deposit is required to open an account. There is a $12 monthly maintenance fee, but FNBT will waive the fee if you maintain a minimum daily balance of $500.
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3. President Select High Yield Checking
This checking account is a tier above Checking With Interest. It has a $20 monthly maintenance fee, waivable if the account holder meets the $10,000 minimum daily balance requirement.
Balances of at least $10,000 bear interest. Interest is compounded daily and then credited monthly. APY rates are 0.50% for balances up to $250,000, 0.75% for balances up to $500,000, and 1.01% for balances over $500,000.
4. eAccount
The eAccount is designed to meet the needs of digital-minded customers. It has a predictable, recurring monthly maintenance fee of $5. The account is set up for digital or electronic transactions only. Unlike the other checking accounts, the eAccount does not offer check-writing. It comes with a First National Bank of Texas Debit Mastercard.
There’s no minimum opening deposit or balance required, and there are no NSF or withdrawal fees.
5. Service 1 Military Checking
Designed for military personnel and their families, the Service 1 Military account has no monthly maintenance fees and balances of at least $1,000 earning interest at a 0.02% APY.
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6. Service 1 Military High Yield Checking
Also designed for members of the military and their dependents, the Service 1 Military High Yield Checking account is designed for account holders who maintain a minimum high daily account balance and want the ability to earn a higher rate of interest than the Service 1 account.
Balances of at least $10,000 earn an APY of 0.50%. At the $250,000 and $500,000 minimum thresholds, balances earn APYs of 1.01% and 1.51%.
No opening deposit is required, but there is a $20 monthly fee assessed if you do not maintain a minimum daily balance of $10,000.
First National Bank of Texas: Savings Accounts
The First National Bank of Texas offers two traditional deposit savings accounts.
1. Regular Savings
A no-frills, basic savings account that helps consumers build the habit of saving funds each month to prepare for a rainy day.
An account can be opened online or in person, with no deposit due at account opening. A $2.50 monthly account maintenance fee is assessed if a minimum, daily account balance of $20 is not maintained.
Balances due earn interest, but the APY rates are quite low. Balances up to $50,000 earn an APY of 0.05%, and balances over earn an APY of 0.10%.
The account can be used to provide free AccountTRANSFER overdraft protection when linked to a checking or other eligible deposit account.
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2. Kids Count
This account is designed for customers under the age of 21 and their parents and grandparents. The goal is to teach kids about saving for the future, and showing them that every cent counts.
Interest is paid at a tiered rate, with higher rates of return on higher balances. As with regular savings accounts, the APY is 0.05% for balances under $50,000 and an APY of 0.10% for balances over that amount.
No opening deposit is due, but a monthly fee of $2.50 is charged if the account’s daily balance falls below $20.
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First National Bank of Texas: CD Accounts
First National Bank of Texas offers certificates of deposit (CDs) for a simple, secure way to see money and see a guaranteed rate of return.
FNBT offers 7-month or 13-month CD terms.
APY rates for 7-month CDs are tiered. Balances of $500 to $10,000 earn an APY of 2.68%, and balances above $10,000 earn an APY of 4.00%.
For 13-month CDs, rates are also tiered. Balances of $10,000 to $100,000 earn an APY of 4.50%, and balances of greater than $100,000 earn an APY of 5.00%.
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First National Bank of Texas: MMA Account
The FNBT also offers money market account (MMA) options for consumers looking for a spending account that bears more interest than a traditional savings account yet with the flexibility to make regular withdrawals.
There is no opening deposit required to open an MMA account with the First National Bank of Texas, however, accounts with a daily balance of less than $2,500 will incur a $12 monthly fee.
APY rates are tiered based on the total account balance. Balances up to $2,499 earn a 0.02% APY and at the highest end, balances of greater than $250,000 earn a 1.51% APY.
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Additional Products
In addition to their checking, savings, CD, and MMA accounts, the bank features a broad range of other products and financial services to meet consumer and business needs.
- Mobile wallet
- Digital banking
- Gift cards with Mastercard logo
- Secured credit cards and student credit cards
- Rewards credit cards for cash back or points
- Car insurance
- Life insurance
- Home and property insurance
- Mortgage loans and home equity loans
- Personal loans
- Auto loans and recreation vehicle loans
- Small Business Administration (SBA) loans
- Commercial loans
- Account Load at Walmart
Features
- Mobile wallet: FNBT offers the ease and flexibility of mobile pay directly from your phone. The bank supports mobile integration of your debit card with Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, or Google Pay.
- Digital and mobile banking: Securely manage your account 24/7 on the bank website or app for smartphones and the Apple This includes remote deposit, Zelle, bill pay, Live Chat, budgeting tools, fund transfers, and submitting service requests.
- Extended customer service hours: Live customer support is offered 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
- Easy account deposit: Customers can make cash deposits at Walmart stores, branch locations, or select ATMs. Check deposits can be made via mobile direct deposit.
Pricing and Fees
As with any community bank or large financial institution, First National Bank of Texas does have a schedule of fees for additional financial and cash management services. Here are some of the most commonly assessed fees as featured on FNBT’s schedule of fees.
- Non-Sufficient Funds (NSF) Fee: A fee of $17 per item is charged.
- Overdraft Fee: A fee of $34 is charged for every NSF item that is either paid or returned.
- Negative Balance Fee: If your account is overdrawn or in the negative for seven (7) consecutive days, a negative balance fee of $34 will be assessed. For accounts overdrawn by $25 or less, the fee may be waived.
- AccountTRANSFER Overdraft Protection Plan: This is a free service offered at no charge. To prevent your checking or spending account from being overdrawn, the account may be linked to a savings account from which it pulls funds.
- Telephone Services Fee: A $3 service fee may be assessed for a telephone call for checking or savings account assistance received directly from a “Bank employee.”
- Money Orders: A nominal $1 fee is charged per bank-issued money order.
- Cashier’s Checks: A $5 to $7 fee is charged for a bank-issued cashier’s check. An “On Us” check has a $7 fee, and other cashier’s checks have a $5 fee.
- Wire Transfer Fees: A $10 fee is charged for incoming, domestic wire transfers or $20 for outgoing, domestic wire transfers. International and Western Union transfers are also available, but customers must directly request pricing from a bank representative.
- Zelle Fee: There is a $1 fee per debit using Zelle.
- Paper Statement Fee: There is a $2 fee for paper statements. Digital or eStatements, delivered via email, are free.
- Stop Payment Order: There is a $35 fee for any stop-payment order, which is a stop-payment attempt by the bank on behalf of the customer.
- Out-of-Network ATM Fees: There is a $2.50 fee for debit card transactions made at out-of-network ATMs. On top of this fee, the ATM owner will assess its own surcharges.
- Legal Processing Fee: There is a $100 processing fee for any legal orders the bank must process on any account, such as child support orders, garnishments, liens, or levies.
- Account Inactivity Fee: A $35 fee for account inactivity will be assessed for any account with no consumer-initiated activity for 11 consecutive months. The fee is $35 or the account balance, whichever is the lesser.
Promotions
First National Bank of Texas isn’t particularly known for its banking promotions, and it doesn’t currently have any signup bonuses for customers who open a new checking or savings account.
However, the bank does periodically offer promotional CD rates for select terms. You can follow along with the bank’s website and social media, or contact a representative at your local branch to hear about current rates and offers.
Getting Started
You can open an account at a branch location or on the First National Bank of Texas website.
To get started online, you will need your Social Security number (SSN), driver’s license or government-issued ID, and funds for your initial deposit. You can fund your new account with an external checking or savings account, a debit card, or even a credit card.
To open an account, you must reside in Texas, Arkansas, Arizona, or New Mexico.
Security
First National Bank of Texas is a member FDIC financial institution. Up to $250,000, a customer’s deposit is fully insured by the federal government. For additional account types or jointly held accounts, there may be additional FDIC coverage.
In terms of data privacy and online security, FNBT’s digital banking is extremely safe.
Security features include facial recognition log-in, Touch ID for fingerprint login, security alerts, DebtProtect Communicate, card controls, data encryption, and a fraud resource prevention center to give customers tools to protect their data and avoid common scams.
Customer Support
In addition to visiting a branch location to speak with a banker, there are a number of other ways you can reach FNBT’s customer service.
- Phone: Call 254-554-6699 or 800-677-9801. Personal account service is available 24/7 and there’s a phone tree guide to help you receive support more quickly.
- Mail: First National Bank Texas, Attention: Correspondence, PO Box 937, Killeen, Texas 76540-0937
- Live Chat: Agents are available Mondays to Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Customer Reviews
First National Bank of Texas doesn’t have quite as many reviews as some of the larger national banks. All in all, it has mixed customer reviews, with an average rating of 2.5/5 on Wallethub. However, some individual branches have higher ratings and more positive Google reviews.
Here’s what a few First National Bank of Texas customers had to say about their experience with the bank:
5-Star Customer Review:
My Go-to bank for over 20 years. The staff is friendly & helpful, and always willing to help you with your financial needs. This bank is a winner!First National Bank of Texas customer Wallethub
4-Star Customer Review:
Pretty good bank helps me when I need help in my account. Only thing, they take forever if you go through the drive-through... You’re better off going inside the bank.First National Bank of Texas customer Google Reviews
3-Star Customer Review:
I joined the bank in ****. They have lost their care and concern for their customers. Feels like a cold corporate environment. Recently I made an error that resulted in a NSF charge. I have not had one of those for over 10 years. I realize that they are there to make money, but what is their penalty for making a mistake?First National Bank of Texas customer Better Business Bureau
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Convenient branch locations: First National Bank Texas has over 340 locations, including 293 within the state of Texas.
- Easy opening deposit requirements: Low or no minimum opening deposit requirements.
- Attractive CD products: Solid interest rates on CDs compared to other large banks.
- No fees for overdraft protection: Free overdraft protection when linked to a qualifying account.
- Low monthly service fees: Possible to waive for meeting very basic requirements.
- Best in class digital banking: Bank’s website and mobile app products are especially sleek, user-friendly, and secure, offering facial log-in, tap-and-pay digital wallet, and Zelle among its many features.
Cons
- Limited physical locations: Branches are available only in AZ, AR, NM, or TX.
- Numerous bank fees: Monthly service fees and a lengthy schedule of other fees, including telephone customer service fees.
- Low interest rates on many deposit accounts: Rates for savings and money market accounts are not competitive.
Alternatives to First National Bank
Beyond First National Bank of Texas, here are some other financial institutions to consider.
First Citizens Bank
This North Carolina-based bank has locations across 19 states, including 8 branches in the Lonestar State. While its live customer service hours aren’t 24/7 like FNBT, it does offer support 7 days a week from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. EST.
Additionally, First Citizens offers a better variety of products, including free checking and savings accounts.
Ally Bank
If you don’t need a physical branch location, then online-only bank Ally should receive strong consideration. It has excellent customer service via phone or chat that’s offered 24 hours a day 7 days a week, free person-to-person transfer via Zelle, and a network of 55,000 Allpoint ATMs you can use for free. Ally will also reimburse up to $10 in out-of-network ATM fees each month.
You can’t deposit cash at Ally, but it offers other compensating perks like competitive APYs on savings, CDs, and other bank products, no minimum balance requirements, and no monthly fees.
Alliant Credit Union
Our editorial team gives Alliant Credit Union top marks, rating it the best credit union in Texas.
Membership is open to any U.S. resident anywhere in the country and it offers high-yield accounts with low service fees that are easy to get waived, outstanding customer service, and APY rates for CDs that are frequently among the highest anywhere in the nation.
It also offers a large network of over 80,000 ATMs you can use for free. Alliant will also reimburse up to $20 a month in out-of-network ATM charges.
Alliant does not have any physical branch locations in Texas, however, it offers excellent email and phone support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most common FAQs that consumers have about First National Bank of Texas and regional banking in that coverage area.
Is First National Bank Texas a Good Bank?
Yes, First National Bank of Texas is a solid bank with a longstanding history of financial strength, solid products and services, an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, and friendly service. It offers live, personalized customer support 24/7 — which not all big-box banks offer — best-in-class digital banking, and the convenience of over 300 locations in Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, and Arkansas.
Is First National Bank and First National Bank Texas the Same?
No. There are a number of banks throughout the country with “First National Bank” as part of the institution’s name.
Very commonly, “First National Bank” refers to the First National Bank Corporation (NYSE: FNB) and its subsidiary First National Bank which is not affiliated in any way with the First National Bank of Texas.
Within the Texas area, however, many consumers may refer to the First National Bank of Texas as “First National” or “First National Bank.” While in local conversation, the designation may mean the same thing, be aware of the distinction when doing research online.
Who Owns First National Bank of Texas?
First National Bank is a privately-held institution (not traded on the stock exchange), owned by the bank holding company, First Community Bancshares, Inc.
What is the Most Common Bank in Texas?
In terms of number of branch locations, Wells Fargo is the most common bank. There are 529 Wells Fargo branches in Texas. Chase Bank and Bank of America come in second and third place for the most locations, with 493 and 339 branches.
Is First National Bank Texas Best for Your Needs?
If you live in Texas, or in a neighboring state that has a branch location in your area, then First National Bank Texas may be a very strong option. It has a wide range of products, including low-fee accounts and CDs with attractive rates, excellent digital banking, and 24/7 customer service.
The bank does charge for many services other banks offer for free, such as Zelle debits or incoming domestic wire transfers. However, the First National Bank of Texas offers free overdraft protection where other institutions may charge a courtesy fee or extend it as a line of credit.
It’s important to look at the bank fee schedules and account options carefully and see if it’s the right fit for you.
Our Methodology
The BankBonus team has analyzed dozens of banks to provide our readers with thoroughly informed and accurate reviews.
We evaluate digital financial platforms, online banks, regional banks, and national banks across several metrics.
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 banks’ customer service channels, hours of availability, and third-party reviews.
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