National Bank of Arizona (NBAZ) offers award-winning banking services to consumers and local businesses. The bank has a small-town feel but offers access to the same scope of investment, banking, and borrowing products offered at most other large banks and credit unions.
For over 20 years straight, the National Bank of Arizona has been recognized as Arizona’s #1 bank. It’s also won a number of Greenwich Excellence awards, including being ranked first for Middle Market Banking.
National Bank of Arizona: Overview
Founded in 1984, the National Bank of Arizona (NBAZ) has delivered exceptional banking and financial services to consumers for decades.
The bank is owned and operated by the Zions Bancorporation, a premier financial services company managing banks across Arizona and 10 other Western states including:
- California
- Colorado
- Idaho
- Nevada
- New Mexico
- Oregon
- Texas
- Utah
- Washington
- Wyoming
Altogether, Zions has more than 500 financial centers across these 11 states. The bank holds $8 billion in total deposit assets and has nearly $290M in yearly net revenue.
National Bank of Arizona Accounts
1. Checking Accounts
NBAZ has a number of checking accounts designed to meet the diverse goals and needs of consumers.
Anytime Checking
The bank’s most popular checking out, it offers tools to efficiently move and manage money. The account features bill pay services, online banking, Zelle integrations, a banking app and remote mobile deposits, and a Visa debit card.
You can also link your Anytime Checking debit card to Apple Pay or Google Wallet.
There is a $50 minimum deposit due at account opening and an $8 monthly maintenance fee. The service fee is waived if you make at least 10 debit or credit card transactions per billing cycle, or if you get at least $250 per month in recurring direct deposits. The service fee is also waived for account holders under age 25.
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Anytime Interest Checking
The Anytime Interest Checking account offers the same features as the Anytime Checking account, but here your account balance accrues interest. Balances of any amount earn a 0.01% variable annual percentage yield (APY). Additionally, account holders get one (1) out-of-network ATM fee waived per month.
An initial $50 deposit is due to open account opening, and there is a $10 monthly maintenance fee. The fee is waived if you maintain a minimum average daily balance of $1,500, or a combined consumer loan and deposit account balance of at least $10,000.
Premium Interest Checking
Bank of Arizona’s Premium Interest Checking is for account holders who want to grow their funds quickly.
It boasts a “premium rate” on your balance, no-fee overdraft protection with automatic funds transfer from a linked account, complimentary standard checks, a free standard-size safe deposit box, and up to three (3) out-of-network ATM charges reimbursed each month.
The bank’s schedule of rates, lists the same 0.01% APY for Premium Interest Checking as it lists for lower-tier Anytime Interest Checking, and there is a $50 minimum opening deposit required. Additionally, there is a $20 monthly account maintenance fee, but it is waived with a $10,000 combined deposit account balance or $25,000 consumer loan balance.
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Senior Advantage Checking
Designed for seniors, this is a low-fee account that has simple, convenient features for consumers aged 62 and older.
An opening deposit of $50 is required and the account has a $5 monthly account maintenance fee. The $5 fee is waived for keeping a minimum average daily balance of $500 or receiving at least $250 per month via ACH direct deposit.
Additionally, there’s no paper statement fee, and up to three (3) out-of-network ATM charges are reimbursed per billing cycle.
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Premier Elite Checking
The Premier Elite Checking account is a benefit-rich account touting premium perks.
The Premier account offers a higher APY than other interest checking accounts, and it comes with free standard Deluxe® checks or a 50% discount off custom checks, reimbursement of up to six (6) out-of-network ATM transaction fees, a free monthly safety deposit box, and no-charge overdraft protection where funds are automatically transferred from a linked savings account or credit reserve line.
The current listed interest rate for the Premier Checking account is 0.03%.
A $50 minimum deposit is required to open an account, and it has a sizable monthly maintenance fee of $25. The fee is waived if you maintain a combined deposit account balance of at least $25,000 or a combined deposit and consumer loan balance of at least $75,000.
Military Advantage Checking
The Military Advantage account offers flexible perks designed for active duty and retired military personnel and their dependents.
An account can be opened with an initial deposit of $50. There is a $5 monthly account maintenance fee, but the charge is waived for maintaining an average daily balance of $500 or receiving at least $250 each month in recurring ACH deposits.
The account does not bear interest, but it does have some other convenient perks. Account holders get a free safe deposit box, complimentary standard checks or 50% off other checks, up to three (3) ATM out-of-network fees reimbursed each month, free mobile deposits, and free Zelle integration.
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OnBudget Banking
The OnBudget account is a no-frills account designed to meet your basic checking account needs.
A $25 minimum deposit is needed to open the account, and it has a monthly service fee of $5. Unlike other accounts, there is no way to get the fee waived. However, the OnBudget account has no overdraft fees and is designed to help you stay in control of your finances.
The OnBudget account comes with a Visa debit card and offers free remote deposit through the bank’s mobile app.
2. Savings Accounts
The National Bank of Arizona offers two traditional, FDIC-insured savings accounts. They offer a safe way to stash your money for a rainy day.
Savings Account
Earn an APY of 0.02% on your savings balance, with a variable rate that is compounded daily and paid monthly. A higher rate of interest may be available if you have linked a Premium Interest Checking Account.
The account requires a $50 minimum opening deposit and a $5 monthly service charge. The recurring fee is waived if you maintain a daily balance of at least $200, or if the account is funded with a minimum of $25 monthly transfer from a linked checking account.
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Young Savers Account
The NBAZ Young Savers account is designed to kick off a lifetime of good financial habits, and to teach children and teens they are never too young to start saving.
A minimum deposit of just $5 is needed to open an account for your young saver, and the account has no monthly service fees. Families can set up automated transfers from a linked parent or grandparent checking account, and kids can view their account balance and transaction history online or in the app.
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3. CD Accounts
Certificates of Deposit
The National Bank of Arizona offers a range of options for certificates of deposit (CDs) with fixed periods ranging from one (1) month to five (5) years.
A deposit of at least $1,000 is required to open a CD account, and account holders can save any amount in increments of $1,000 and receive a fixed rate of interest. CDs of up to $250,000 are FDIC-insured.
CDs must be purchased in person at a physical branch. The top CD rate with a 4.75% APY requires a minimum $100,000 deposit. It’s available for a 5-month, 7-month, or 11-month CD. CDs with a 4.50% APY are available with a deposit of at least $10,000.
CD rates are not published for other term lengths or deposit amounts.
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IRA Certificates of Deposit
IRA CDs offer consumers a tax-deferred way to save for retirement, along with the security of earning a fixed rate of interest for a specific period of time.
IRA CD accounts are FDIC-insured up to $250,000 per CD and have no monthly maintenance fees. A CD can be purchased for any amount from $1,000 to $5 million (purchased in increments of $1,000) for terms of one day to 5 years.
IRA CD rates are tiered based on the length of terms, with APYs ranging from 0.15% to 0.35%.
4. MMA Account(s)
The National Bank of Arizona has two (2) money market account (MMA) options. An MMA is like a checking and savings account combined, as it offers a more competitive rate of interest and convenient access to your funds.
Money Market Account
A standard MMA at the National Bank of Arizona requires a $500 minimum deposit and has a $10 monthly service fee, although the fee is waived if you maintain a minimum daily balance of at least $1,000.
Up to six (6) free withdrawals are allowed per month. Beyond that, account holders are charged a withdrawal fee.
MMA rates are not published online.
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IRA Money Market Account
This NBAZ account option is designed with flexibility in mind, so you can make deposits while your nest egg keeps growing through interest compounded daily and paid monthly.
Just $100 is required to open an account and there are no monthly maintenance fees. Additionally, there’s no fee for paper statements which are distributed annually.
Interest rates are not published online. Consumers are directed to contact their local bank branch and accounts must be opened in person.
Additional Products and Services
Beyond checking, savings, money market, and CD accounts, the National Bank of Arizona offers a range of other consumer products.
- Rewards credit cards
- Secured credit cards
- Real estate home loans, including fixed-rate mortgages, ARMs, FHA mortgages, VA mortgages, jumbo loans, construction loans, and home equity lines of credit
- Auto loans
- Personal loans unsecured and secured
- Digital Investing
- Direct Connect financial management software
- Apple Pay and Google Pay
- Direct Connect for digital banking
- Zelle integration in the app
- Deposit-ready ATMs
Features
- Branches: Over 60 branches all located in Arizona
- App: A highly rated mobile app with a 4.6-star rating in Google Play and a 4.8-star rating in iTunes
- Investment and wealth management: Comprehensive solutions for retirement planning, estate planning, college savings, and growing wealth
- Low-fee everyday banking accounts: Range of checking and savings account options with monthly fees starting at $4 and easy ways to waive them
Pricing and Fees
The National Bank of Arizona does have a relatively high number of fees it assesses, including account maintenance, ATM charges out of work, and paper statements.
- Monthly Account Maintenance Fees: All of the bank checking and savings accounts come with monthly fees ranging from $4 to $25. For many of the accounts, it’s easy to get the fees waived by meeting some easy requirements. But for the two highest-tier checking accounts, Premium Interest and Premier Elite, minimum balances of $10,000 and $25,000 must be maintained to avoid a monthly service charge.
- NSF Fees: The bank assesses a non-sufficient funds fee (NSF) of $29 for any transaction that overdraws a personal account. The bank will charge no more than five (5) NSF charges per business day, or up to $140. Additionally, no per-item NSF fees are assessed if your account is overdrawn by less than $30 after all debits and credits have been posted to your account following the close of business day.
- Overdraft Protection: If your account is overdrawn, funds may be transferred from a linked account to protect your account from overdrafts. There is a $10 fee for a Deficit Funds Transfer or a Credit Reserve Line Transfer.
- Wire Transfer Fees: The bank charges fees of $11 to $28 for incoming and outgoing domestic wire transfers (ACH). For international wires, charges range from $22 to $50.
- Cashier’s Check: If you need a cashier’s check or certified bank check, there is a $7 charge for bank customers.
- Dormant Account: If your account is inactive or dormant for more than 365 days, a dormancy fee of $8 per month will be assessed. An account is considered. dormant when there is no credit or debit activity on the account, or no customer communication with the bank, for 365 consecutive calendar days. IRA and CD accounts are an exception; neither are assessed account dormancy fees.
- Excessive Withdrawal Fees: A fee of $10 will be charged for excessive withdrawals from a money market or savings account. Excessive is defined as more than six (6) withdrawals. Beyond six (6) within one (1) statement cycle, a $10 fee will be charged for each individual withdrawal transaction.
Getting Started
You can open an account online or at a National Bank of Arizona branch location.
Online, it takes about 5 to 10 minutes on the website at nbarizona.com. This option is open to Arizona and non-Arizona residents. It’s a straightforward process with step-by-step prompts.
You will be prompted to provide your name, address, Social Security number, employment information, and phone number. You will also be asked to make an opening deposit from an existing, external bank account. Or you can opt to mail in a check.
Promotions
Consumer
The National Bank of Arizona is not running any current new account promotions, referral rewards, or other bonuses for consumer accounts.
In the past, the bank has offered a generous $500 bonus for its National Bank of Arizona Reserve credit card. The financier has offered $500 for new members who sign up and spend at least $5,000 within the first 90 days. That same promotion, or a similar version, may be offered again in the future.
Business
A $1,000 credit card bonus is offered to business customers who open a new AmaZing Cash Business Visa Credit Card. Cardholders earn a $1,000 cash bonus for spending $5,000 within the first 120 days, enjoy a 0% APR on purchases for the first six (6) months, pay no annual fees, and earn 1% to 3% cash back on all purchases.
The AmaZing card is funded by the First National Bank and has no expiry date.
This business credit card promotion expires at the end of September 2023, but this promotion or a similar version of it may be extended.
Security
The National Bank of Arizona does an excellent job securing the safety of your funds and your personal information.
Deposits are FDIC insured up to $250,000 per account holder per account, and NBAZ offers information on how to increase your FDIC coverage beyond $250,000 when you have accounts with more than one account owner or in different ownership categories.
When it comes to personal information, NBAZ uses state-of-the-art encryption to protect data. The bank also offers a free fraud alert program you can opt into to get alerts for card spend or suspicious account activity.
Customer Support
Bank customer support is available seven (7) days a week through a variety of channels.
- Visit a branch location during business hours and speak with a teller or branch manager.
- Customer service phone line: 1-800-497-8168. U.S.-based support is available Mondays – Saturdays from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. MST.
- Schedule an appointment. Use the bank’s online appointment scheduler to book a time at a local branch.
- 24/7 Automated phone support: 1-888-244-6622
- FAQ resource pages: NBAZ has helpful articles and common FAQs for general questions about the National Bank of Arizona, digital banking, deposit accounts, and loans and credit cards.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Friendly bank experience with personalized customer service; consistent praise for its warm, small-town feel and commitment to local communities.
- Online and mobile banking for ultimate convenience, including mobile deposit and easy integration with your Apple Pay or Google Wallet.
- Zelle integrations to easily send and receive cash within the NBAZ app; no fee to use Zelle when it’s connected to your account.
- Account discounts for seniors and military personnel; lower monthly fees with easy ways to waive, and added perks like free paper statements and safety deposit boxes.
- Rewards and recognition as Arizona’s top-rated bank; voted Arizona’s top bank for over 20 years.
Cons
- High banking fees; service charges for just about every fee a bank is able to assess, and at average to above average rates.
- Narrow range of products compared to competitors; limited options for consumer savings accounts and IRAs.
- Low APYs for interest-bearing deposit accounts; published APYs range from 0.01% to 0.03% for deposit accounts and up to 0.35% for IRA certificates of deposit (CDs).
- Many APYs are not published; customers are directed to contact the bank in person to inquire.
- No branches outside of Arizona; ATM fees for out-of-state residents and Arizonans traveling out of state.
Alternatives
Bank of America (BOA)
With a market cap of over $229 billion in assets, BOA offers the might of a global banking behemoth and the local convenience of more than 100 Arizona locations. It also offers a wider range of credit and loan products, less severe overdraft fees ($10 charge compared to NBAZ’s $29 fee), and customer phone support a full seven (7) days a week.
Read our full Bank of America Review
Wells Fargo Bank
Known as a national bank, Wells Fargo is one of Arizona’s top ten best banks. It has 170 branch locations within the state, and a broader footprint of over 4,700 throughout the country for added convenience when traveling.
Wells Fargo has a wide scope of financial product offerings, designed to fit different age groups, income levels, and credit scores. It also has outstanding business solutions for companies of all sizes, from startups to large enterprises.
The bank does charge $35 per NSF — which is at the very top end of what banks in the U.S. charge — and has low APYs and savings rates for its deposit accounts. But its line of products is large enough to meet almost anyone’s personalized needs and it offers the small-town convenience of nearby branches.
Read our full Wells Fargo Bank Review
Tucson Federal Credit Union (TFCU)
This Tucson-based credit union is open to anyone who lives, works, worships, volunteers, or attends school in Pima County — along with immediate family and household members.
Offering six (6) locations in the Tucson area, the TFCU has a much smaller physical presence in the state than the NBAZ. It does however offer online and mobile banking for added convenience, higher rates of interest, lower bank fees, and a higher overall rating for its mobile app.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most common FAQs that consumers have about the National Bank of Arizona.
Is the National Bank of Arizona a Good Bank?
Yes, the National Bank of Arizona has solid ratings for customer satisfaction, financial stability, and a history of supporting local communities through infrastructure investment, grants, and volunteering.
Its rates of interest for deposit accounts and savings accounts are on the lower side, and it has a large schedule of banking fees. However, the bank has won repeated awards for being Arizona’s number one back and offers personal, friendly service that customers will not find at a larger bank.
Who Owns the National Bank of Arizona?
Utah-based Zions Bancorporation owns the National Bank of Arizona and seven (7) other banking institutions across 11 Western states. Zions acquired the National Bank of Arizona for $61 million in January 1994.
How Long Has the National Bank of Arizona Been in Business?
The NBAZ has been in business since 1984. Founders created the bank to build local relationships within Arizona communities and develop a higher level of customer service.
Does the National Bank of Arizona Use Zelle?
Yes, the National Bank of Arizona offers Zelle in its digital banking app. When a customer links their checking account, they can send money for free to trusted friends and family.
NBZA also offers Zelle for Business to small business owners.
Is the National Bank of Arizona Best for Your Needs?
For some Arizona consumers, possibly yes. It’s a solid, full-service community bank that offers outstanding customer service and a range of deposit accounts and banking products that can fit most people’s everyday saving and spending needs.
It does have a high schedule of fees and low-interest rates on its savings instruments, but this is typical among many large regional and national banks. If you want high-APY savings and investment products, this may not be the right institution. But if you need a basic checking account to manage your spending and a no-frills rainy-day fund, the National Bank of Arizona could fit the bill.
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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