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Best Checking Accounts in Wisconsin for 2025

Discover the best checking accounts in Wisconsin. Compare local and online banks based on fees, interest rates, customer service, and more to find the perfect fit for your financial needs.
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Written by Rebecca Lake
Financial Expert
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Managing Editor

If you’re looking for a new place to bank in Wisconsin, you have hundreds of options. But which one is right for you and your financial needs?

Let’s take a look at which banks offer the best checking accounts in Wisconsin, whether you’re looking for a local bank or an online checking option.

Compare Wisconsin and Online Checking Accounts

Local checking accounts and online checking accounts can help you manage your money, but they aren’t always the same. So, how do Wisconsin banks and online checking accounts measure up? Here’s a quick side-by-side comparison.

Compare Local Wisconsin and Online Checking Accounts

Best Checking Accounts in Wisconsin

What will you find at Wisconsin banks? Here are some of the best checking accounts to choose from statewide.

The Peoples Community Bank

The Peoples Community Bank serves customers throughout Wisconsin with a variety of checking accounts. Simply Good Checking has no monthly maintenance fees and no minimum balance requirements. You also get the benefit of fee-free ATM transactions in Wisconsin and Minnesota.

Premium Checking is an interest-bearing account that offers unlimited check-writing capabilities and all the other features you’d expect from a checking account. It has a monthly fee, but you can waive it by meeting a $2,500 minimum balance requirement.

The Peoples Community Bank is FDIC-insured, so your deposits are safe. You’ll have access to online and mobile banking for added convenience, but you can easily pop into a branch if you need help or have a deposit.

Farmers Savings Bank

Farmers Savings Bank is a full-service community bank that offers multiple checking options to meet different needs. Basic Checking is a simple checking account designed for people of all ages; there’s a $25 opening deposit requirement but no minimums after that.

Premier Checking is catered to people who maintain a higher balance in checking. This account allows you to avoid a monthly maintenance fee when you meet a $1,000 minimum balance requirement. You’ll also need $1,000 to open this account.

If you’re looking for something different, consider the Gold Money Market Checking account. This account requires a $10,000 minimum deposit to open, and balances earn interest. You’ll need to maintain a $10,000 minimum balance to avoid a $10 monthly maintenance fee.

Bank of Prairie du Sac

Bank of Prairie du Sac has everything you need to manage your money, including a range of checking accounts. There are five options altogether, including:

  • Free Kasasa Cash Back Checking
  • Free Kasasa Cash Checking
  • Free Checking
  • Interest Checking
  • Interest Checking 50+

Kasasa accounts offer some of the best perks, including the ability to earn interest on balances or cash-back rewards on debit card purchases. There are no monthly fees for these accounts or Interest Checking 50+. The Interest Checking account has a $5 monthly maintenance fee, which is waived when you maintain a minimum average daily balance of $1,000 or more.

Find the Best Checking Accounts

Hundreds of banks offer checking accounts, and there’s fierce competition among them to offer the best perks and the lowest fees. Check out the list below to find a checking account that fits your financial goals.

Pros & Cons of Local Banks

Local banks can offer some attractive features, but it’s also important to consider the downsides. Here are some of the main pros and cons to weigh while shopping around for a local bank.

Pros

  • Local banks can offer a more personalized banking experience.
  • Developing a good banking relationship could help you unlock special discounts on loans or other products.
  • A wide range of account options and banking products may be available.
  • Branch and ATM access are convenient if you need to bank in person or withdraw cash.
  • Local banks often focus on community involvement and improvement.

Cons

  • Some local banks have a smaller physical footprint than others.
  • After-hours customer support may be limited or unavailable.
  • Local banks can charge many of the same fees that bigger banks do.
  • Interest rates for deposit accounts, like interest checking or savings accounts, may be lower.
  • Online and mobile app features and functionality may be limited.

Online Checking for Wisconsin Residents

Online banks offer an alternative to local banks for people who are comfortable tracking their accounts through online or mobile banking. What online checking accounts can you choose from in Wisconsin? Here are some of the highest-rated banking options.

Citi Priority Checking

The Citi Priority Checking Account offers a range of benefits tailored for clients seeking premium banking services. Account holders can enjoy a generous signup bonus, potentially earning up to $2,000, depending on the balance maintained.

The account requires a $30 monthly maintenance fee; however, this fee is waived for customers maintaining a combined balance of $30,000 across eligible Citi accounts.

Key features include access to Citi’s extensive branch and ATM network, personalized financial advice from Citi Priority Advisors, and special product pricing, such as interest rate discounts on mortgages. Additionally, the account offers travel perks, including no fees for international ATM withdrawals and no foreign exchange fees on debit card transactions, making it advantageous for frequent travelers.

While the account does not earn interest, the combination of waived fees, personalized services, and travel benefits makes the Citi Priority Checking Account a compelling option for individuals who can maintain the required balance and seek a comprehensive banking experience.

Truist One Checking

Truist’s One Checking account is a versatile banking solution designed to adapt to clients’ financial growth. It features a $50 minimum opening deposit and a $12 monthly maintenance fee, which can be waived through various methods, such as maintaining a combined balance of $500 across eligible Truist accounts or making $500 in qualifying direct deposits per statement cycle.

A notable benefit is the absence of overdraft fees, providing peace of mind for account holders. Additionally, the account offers a Negative Balance Buffer of $100 for eligible clients, serving as a cushion against accidental overdrafts.

The account operates on a tiered system, offering enhanced perks as clients’ combined balances increase. These perks include loyalty bonuses on eligible credit cards, discounts on Delta SkyMiles® Debit Card annual fees, fee waivers for additional Truist One Checking and Savings accounts, and a number of fee-free non-Truist ATM transactions per monthly cycle.

Truist’s digital banking platform provides convenient features such as online and mobile banking, access to over 3,000 ATMs, and tools for managing finances efficiently.

ZYNLO

ZYNLO Bank offers a suite of digital banking products designed to maximize savings and simplify money management. The More Spending Account provides a competitive APY with no fees or minimum balance requirements, making it an attractive option for everyday banking.

Customers can enhance their savings potential by pairing the checking account with the Tomorrow Savings Account, which also offers a competitive APY. A standout feature is the ZYNG Round Up & Match program, which rounds up debit card purchases to the nearest dollar, matches the amount, and transfers it into the savings account.

ZYNLO’s digital platform includes tools for setting personalized savings goals, tracking spending through custom folders, and accessing funds up to two days early with direct deposit. The bank also provides access to over 55,000 fee-free ATMs nationwide and offers 24/7 customer service with live representatives.

ZYNLO Bank’s combination of high-yield accounts, automated savings features, and user-friendly digital tools makes it a compelling choice for individuals seeking to optimize their financial management.

Pros & Cons of Online Checking Accounts

While online checking accounts have a lot to like, they have some potential drawbacks. If you’re leaning toward an online checking account in Wisconsin, it helps to know what to expect.

Pros

  • Online banks may pay higher rates for interest checking or savings accounts.
  • There may be fewer fees or more ways to waive monthly fees.
  • Online and mobile banking features are more likely to be robust.
  • Customer support may be available 24/7 or during extended business hours.
  • Many online banks are FDIC-insured, so you don’t have to worry about putting your money at risk.

Cons

  • Online banks typically don’t have branch locations you can visit.
  • Some online banks refund foreign ATM fees, but not all of them do.
  • An online checking account may not include paper checks.
  • You may not be able to deposit cash into your account.
  • Electronic deposits and withdrawals can take a few days to process.

What to Look for When Choosing a Checking Account in Wisconsin

Research is your best friend when you’re ready to find a new checking account to open. If you live in Wisconsin or are interested in banking options available in the Badger State, here are some of the most important things to keep in mind.

Monthly Fees

A good checking account doesn’t charge a monthly fee; if it does, the bank gives you multiple ways to waive it. For example, you might be able to waive Wisconsin checking account fees by keeping a certain amount of money in your account or enrolling in direct deposit. If there’s a monthly fee you’re expected to pay, it helps to know how you might be able to get around it. Also, consider whether the checking account’s other features justify the fee if you’re unable to waive it.

Other Fees

Monthly fees aren’t the only fee banks may charge. You could also pay overdraft, returned item, wire transfer, or check fees. Reviewing the fee schedule can help you decide if a bank account is worth it based on what you’ll have to pay.

ATM and Branch Access

It helps to know where you can make deposits or withdrawals if you prefer a local bank. Some community banks may have more branches or ATMs to choose from than others. Also, consider the lobby and drive-thru hours for in-person banking and any fees you might pay to use an out-of-network ATM. Some banks may reimburse foreign ATM fees that other banks charge you, but not all of them do, so it pays to know where you can withdraw cash fee-free.

Interest Rates or Bonuses

Interest checking accounts can help you grow your money, which is something you might be looking for from a bank. If you’re eyeing interest checking accounts in Wisconsin, consider what rate you’ll earn and what conditions you’re expected to meet to get the advertised rate. If the bank offers an introductory bonus, review the terms and conditions to determine whether you’ll be able to qualify.

Mobile Banking

Mobile banking apps make it easy to manage your money from anywhere as long as you have an internet connection. As you compare Wisconsin banks or online banks, pay attention to the mobile app’s features and overall usability. You can look at reviews and star ratings in the Google Play Store or App Store to get a sense of what users do or don’t like about each bank’s app.

What to Know About Wisconsin Checking Accounts

  • Wisconsin law regulates the amount banks can charge for returned checks. The fee is $15 for returned checks involving closed-end credit agreements; it’s unlimited for open-ended credit agreements.

  • You must be 18 or older to open a bank account in Wisconsin alone; teens under 18 can open one with the help of a parent or legal guardian.

  • State law allows creditors to garnish consumer bank accounts to collect unpaid debts, with some limitations. A creditor must first obtain a judgment in civil court and pursue a separate order for garnishment to be able to seize money from your account.
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Contributor Writer
Rebecca Lake, a valued contributor at MoneyRates, unravels the intricacies of personal finance with her expertise in areas spanning from banking to homebuying and investing to small business strategies. Rebecca seamlessly bridges the gap between complex financial concepts and readers, demystifying them with her clear and insightful narratives. She has contributed to U.S. News and World Report, among numerous other publications. With Rebecca’s guidance, financial clarity is just an article away.