Frost Bank Review 2024

Texas has a vast geographic and financial landscape, so choosing a bank in the Lone Star state can be somewhat challenging. If you’re looking for an established bank in Texas, Frost Bank has a long history of customer-centricity and commitment to community development.

Plus, they cater to personal and business banking needs, which can be appealing to customers who want all their banking needs under one roof.

Keep reading to learn more about Frost Bank and why it may be a good fit for you.

What Is Frost Bank?

Frost Bank has a long and fascinating history as a financial institution and more. Founded in 1868 in San Antonio Texas, Frost Bank was initially a small bank run out of the back of a mercantile store. It provided individuals and businesses with financial tools and advice needed to survive on the frontier.

Today, Frost Bank has grown to one of the most prominent financial institutions in the state of Texas. They offer a series of products and services, including checking and savings accounts, loans, investments, insurance, and wealth management. They have also adapted to the modern technological age and offer many tools for customers to manage their finances online or through their mobile devices.

Frost Bank Checking Accounts

Frost Bank offers three different checking accounts to meet their customers’ financial needs: Personal, Plus, and Premium.

Frost Personal Account

The Frost Personal Account is Frost Bank’s standard checking account to meet the basic needs of their customers. It offers essential checking account features such as the ability to talk to a customer service representative 24/7, two-day early direct deposit, a free debit card, and the ability to bank anytime on their mobile app. There is an $8 monthly service charge, but it can be waived if you meet any of the following conditions:

• At least $100 monthly direct deposit amount
• At least $1,000 minimum daily balance
• At least $5,000 combined average daily balance of personal deposit accounts.
• 25 years old or younger

Frost Plus Account

The Frost Plus Account comes with all the features of the Frost Personal Account and more. As a Plus account holder, you can open as many personal Frost savings accounts as you want, one for each savings goal if you’d like. You’ll also get ATM fee refunds up to $5 per statement cycle when you use non-Frost ATMs.

The Plus account charges a $15 monthly service fee, but you can waive it if you meet the following deposit requirements:

• $10,000 combined average daily balances of personal deposit accounts
• Borrower of a Frost consumer real estate secured loan

Frost Premium Account

The Frost Premium Account is meant to reward and protect clients who have high account balances. It comes with a dedicated Frost private banker who can help manage your entire personal financial life. There are no ATM fees from Frost when you travel and use non-Frost ATMs and a $15 refund each statement cycle when you use non-Frost ATMs around your city.

This account comes with the highest monthly service fee of all the checking accounts at $30. However, you can waive it if you have a combined average daily balance of at least $250,000 between all personal deposit and investment accounts.

Frost Bank Savings Account

While Frost Bank only offers one savings account, the Frost Savings Account features a competitive interest rate that rivals even some of the best banks like Bank of America and Chase Bank.

The Frost Savings Account prioritizes high-yield, competitive rates to help customers grow their balance and offset the effects of inflation. The current interest rate for the Frost Savings Account is 1.00% annual percentage yield (APY), which is more than double the national average of 0.45% APY.

In addition to the high interest rate, the Frost Savings Account allows customers to create an emergency savings account or bucket funds for different savings goals. You can have a single account or open many accounts to help you squirrel away funds for different purposes.

Frost Bank CD Account

Frost Bank offers certificates of deposit (CD) that can help you earn a guaranteed return provided you store your money in the account for the entire term length. Frost’s CD rates are tiered based on the deposit amount and the term length. The minimum deposit amount starts at $1,000, and you can open a CD account with $500,000 or more. The term lengths for Frost Bank’s CDs range from 90 days to 24 months.

Frost Bank MMA Account

The Frost Money Market Account (MMA) is a hybrid account that allows you to keep your funds liquid and growing. Like the CD account, the Frost MMA has tiered rates based on your deposit amount. You can earn anywhere from 2.15% APY to 3.75% APY depending on your account balance. This account comes with a $15 monthly service charge that can be waived if you maintain $15,000 minimum daily balance in the account or if you have a Frost Premium Account.

Frost Bank Additional Products

Frost Bank’s products and services don’t end with their checking and savings bank accounts. Their product and service portfolio includes many different types of accounts, such as:

• Personal loans
• Personal lines of credit
• Auto loans
• Home equity and home improvement loans
• Mortgages
• Investment accounts
• Wealth management
• Business checking and savings accounts
• Business loans
• Business credit cards
• Insurance

Frost Bank Features

Frost Bank has many features that can help customers get the best experience possible. These features include:

• Online and Mobile Banking: Frost Bank lets you mana ge several aspects of your account through their mobile app and online banking platform. You can check your balance from your Apple Watch, text or email money, deposit checks with your smartphone, and much more.
• Award-Winning Customer Service: If you need help with your account at any time, Frost Bank is there to help. They have 24/7 customer service available through phone, email, and chat to help you sort through any issues you’re experiencing.
• Financial Research: Frost Bank does more than just offer financial products. They are also active in conducting financial and psychological research studies, such as their study that found a link between financial health and a sense of belonging.
• Zelle: Frost Bank has partnered with Zelle to allow customers to send money between trusted friends and family members. Plus, you don’t need to download the Zelle app to take advantage of this feature. You can send money directly from your Frost app.
• Digital Wallet: Frost Bank allows you to upload your debit and credit cards to your digital wallet, allowing you to pay with your smartphone wherever tap-and-go payments are accepted.

Pricing and Fees

Many banks have account fees, overdraft charges, and ATM surcharges, and Frost Bank is no exception. Here are some of the common fees that you can expect when banking with Frost Bank.

Monthly Service Fee

One of the ways that Frost Bank makes money is through their monthly service or account maintenance fees. These fees are charged to checking and savings accounts across Frost Bank’s product portfolio. But you can waive these fees by meeting certain criteria that vary from account to account. Here are some of the monthly service fees that Frost Bank charges for their deposit accounts:

• Frost Personal Account: $8
• Frost Plus Account: $15
• Frost Premium Account: $30
• Frost Savings Account: $3.50
• Frost Money Market Account: $15

ATM Fee

Customers can use over 1,700 ATMs, including H-E-B and Circle K locations across Texas, for free. But any locations outside of Frost-approved ATMs will incur an ATM charge, which Frost Bank does not disclose on its site.

Overdraft Fee

Frost Bank offers a $100 overdraft grace, which means you can overdraft up to $100 for a specific period of time before Frost Bank will begin charging overdraft fees. Beyond that, Frost Bank will charge $35 for each item presented for payment with a maximum of $175 per day.

Getting Started

Getting started with Frost Bank is a straightforward process that requires a few key steps. You can become a Frost Bank customer by opening a checking account either online or in-person at a branch. Whether you choose the convenience of opening an account online or visiting a branch, you will need to gather the required information needed to verify and open your account.

To open your account, you will need to provide certain documentation that proves your identity. This information typically includes your full name, date of birth, Social Security number, and a government-issued photo ID. You may also have to provide residential information and employment status.

Once you have filled out your application, Frost Bank will need to verify this information before approving your account. After your account is approved, you need to make an initial deposit. The minimum opening deposit amount will vary depending on the account type, so be sure to consider this before you fill out your application.

Once you’ve opened your account, you can opt into online and mobile banking, order checks and credit cards, and explore additional services offered by Frost Bank.

Promotions

Frost Bank does not typically offer promotions on their banking products and services. However, you can keep tabs on their current offerings through their website and social media channels.

Security

Like many financial institutions, Frost Bank is dedicated to keeping your information and transactions secure. They utilize cybersecurity measures to protect your transactions and personal information and deposit insurance to protect your money in case of financial collapse.

Frost Bank gives customers access to security tools to help them protect their cash. They allow you to personalize your debit card alerts to help you stop fraud in its tracks. You can also freeze your cards in case your debit or credit card is lost or stolen. They also utilize multi-factor authentication and biometric login to help create a more secure way to access your accounts online.

The best banks are member FDIC, and Frost Bank is no exception. As member FDIC, Frost Bank protects your deposits up to $250,000. This means that you won’t lose a cent up to $250,000 if Frost Bank goes down for whatever reason.

Customer Support

You can contact Frost Bank’s customer support team by phone, in-person, or live chat. Their general inquiry line is 800-513-7678 and is available to assist 24/7. You can also chat with a representative by logging into your online banking account. Finally, you can visit a branch near you or schedule an appointment to get in-person help with a specific issue.

Pros and Cons

These are the most common reasons why customers like and dislike banking with Frost Bank.

Pros:

• Competitive APYs: While many banks and credit unions claim to have competitive rates, Frost Bank actually advertises their rates and even compares them to other financial institutions.
• 24/7 customer service: You don’t need to worry about calling within customer service’s working hours to get help with your account. Frost Bank offers customer assistance 24/7.
• Low opening minimum balances: You can open an account with Frost Bank with as little as $25.

Cons:

• Limited fee-free withdrawals: You can make two free withdrawals from your Frost Bank savings account per month. After that, you will be charged $3 per withdrawal.
• Limited geography: Frost Bank branches and ATM locations are limited to the state of Texas. If you live outside of the state, you will have trouble using ATMs and managing your account.

Alternatives to Frost Bank

Deciding where to store your hard-earned money is a major financial decision. If you’re not completely sold on banking with Frost Bank, here are some top alternatives to consider.

First Citizens Bank

If you’re looking for a full-service bank with locations across the country, First Citizens Bank is an excellent choice. Founded in North Carolina, First Citizens has locations that span 19 states and have locations in Texas cities such as Austin, Houston, Dallas, and Cedar Park. They offer a long lineup of products, including interest-bearing checking accounts, free checking and savings accounts, and financial planning services.

First National Bank of Texas

Are you looking to support a Texas-based financial institution for a localized experience? The First National Bank of Texas offers stellar products and services to private citizens and businesses alike. While they don’t have many branches, they have a spectacular product lineup, and their small business offerings are especially impressive. They offer a suite of financial tools to help small businesses build and maintain credit, build business plans, and create detailed financial statements. Plus, their Small Business Checking Account lets customers avoid the monthly maintenance fee by making ten debit card purchases per month.

Wells Fargo

With over 640 branches and 1,200+ ATMs, Wells Fargo has the largest presence of any bank in Texas. They have offices in 195 cities across the state and are the third largest bank in the country. Besides their wide geographic reach, Wells Fargo has a large variety of financial products and services, including checking and savings accounts, credit cards, investment options, and more. If you are looking for a national bank that can help you keep your money under one roof, Wells Fargo is an excellent choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Frost Bank a good bank?

Frost Bank is a good option if you’re looking for a reliable and trustworthy bank in Texas. They have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and have a long history of a customer-centric approach to their business practices.

Where is Frost Bank located?

Frost Bank has over 184 locations across Texas. They do not have branches or ATM locations in any other state.

Is Frost Bank owned by Chase?

No, Frost Bank is owned by a holding company called Cullen/Frost Bankers.

Is Frost Bank Best for Your Needs

Frost Bank’s rich history of customer service, diverse range of products, and technological innovation make them a compelling choice for Texans. There are minor considerations before signing on the dotted line, but the overall reputation and experience of Frost Bank speaks volumes about their commitment to service.

If you want a bank with a history of community development and a wide range of products, Frost Bank is a worthy consideration. However, customers outside of the state who want a more personalized banking experience will struggle with Frost Bank’s Texas-only geographic presence.

Our Methodology

The BankBonus editorial 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.