Best Banks in Idaho for 2023

Idaho has become a hot spot for those looking to relocate. Whether you’ve moved to Boise, Idaho Falls, or one of Idaho’s many small towns, you’ll need a place to park your money. The best banks in Idaho offer low fees and plenty of services. Here are some top contenders to consider if you’re in the market for a new bank.

Welcome to Idaho

13 Best Banks in Idaho

1. D. L. Evans Bank

Southern Idahoans looking for a local option should consider D.L. Evans Bank. Founded more than a century ago, this bank offers online and mobile options, as well as access to both D.L. Evans ATMs and 40,000 MoneyPass network ATMs.

Although D.L. Evans has multiple checking accounts, Free Community Checking is a great all-around option, featuring no monthly maintenance fees or balance requirements. You’ll also get online and mobile banking, along with savings, CDs, and loan options.

Fees:

  • No monthly service fee

Balance requirements:

  • $100 opening deposit
  • No minimum daily balance required

ATMs:

  • Fee-free at D.L. Evans ATMs
  • Fee-free at 40,000 MoneyPass ATMs nationwide

Interest on balance:

  • Tiered APY on checking with $500 balance
  • 0.05% APY on savings

Additional perks:

  • Video chat with customer service representatives
  • Competitive loan rates

2. Chime

To pull new customers away from big banks, online-only banks like Chime have competitive offerings. You’ll get a fee-free checking account with a mobile app to meet all your banking needs.

Chime also offers a higher interest rate than other banks, at 2.00% APY. And autosave features will help you boost your balance.

Fees:

  • No monthly fees
  • No overdraft fees

Balance requirements:

  • No minimum daily balance
  • No opening deposit required

ATMs:

  • Fee-free at more than 60,000 ATMs nationwide

Interest on balance:

  • 2.00% APY on savings

Additional perks:

  • Automatic savings feature available
  • Access to paycheck up to two days early

3. Chase

Another national bank with a robust ATM network is Chase Bank, which has a heavy presence in Southern Idaho. You’ll find banking options both at branches and in select Fred Meyer grocery stores.

You can get fee-free checking with Chase as long as you either maintain a $1,500 balance or receive at least $500 in direct deposits each month. Chase also has a variety of other financial products, including savings accounts, CDs, and wealth management services through JPMorgan.

Fees:

  • $12 monthly fee (waived with balance or direct deposit qualifications)
  • $34 overdraft fee

Balance requirements:

  • $1,500 minimum or $500 in direct deposits to waive service fee
  • No opening deposit required

ATMs:

  • Fee-free at 16,000 ATM locations nationwide

Interest on balance:

  • Up to 0.01% APY on savings

Additional perks:

  • $200 bonus on new checking with qualifications
  • Special accounts available for ages 6-17

4. Washington Federal Bank

Now known as WaFd, Washington Federal Bank is a great regional bank that serves Arizona, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, Utah, and Washington. Your account includes access to 37,000 ATMs in the MoneyPass network, which operates nationwide.

WaFd account holders choose from multiple checking options, but if lower fees are what you want, the Free Checking tier is worth checking out. One of the best things about WaFd is its online banking app, which includes standard features like bill pay and Zelle payments, along with tools that help you track your spending habits.

Fees:

  • No monthly fees
  • $30 overdraft fee per presentment

Balance requirements:

  • No balance minimums
  • $25 opening deposit

ATMs:

  • Fee-free at 37,000 ATM locations nationwide

Interest on balance:

  • Up to 0.25% APY on high-balance checking
  • Up to 0.10% APY on savings ($100 minimum balance)

Additional perks:

  • Financial management tools in app
  • Competitive credit card and loan options

5. Zions Bank

As far as regional banks go, Zions Bank is a great choice. With a 150-year history in the area, Zions Bank is a trustworthy financial institution that offers a variety of banking products, including auto loans, CDs, and military checking accounts.

It’s important to note that Zions is limited in its reach. You can deposit checks, pay bills, and manage your money through mobile banking, but if you regularly need cash, check the ATM locator. There are only 200 ATMs, located in Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming, and Zions charges a $2.50 out-of-network transaction fee in addition to fees charged by the other ATM operators.

Fees:

  • No monthly fees
  • $29 overdraft fee per transaction

Balance requirements:

  • No minimum balance
  • $50 opening deposit

ATMs:

  • Fee-free at 200 ATM locations regionally
  • $2.50 fee per out-of-network transaction

Interest on balance:

  • Up to 0.19% APY on savings

Additional perks:

  • Competitive rates on loans
  • Easy-to-use mobile app

6. Washington Trust Bank

Washington Trust Bank has a long, fascinating history. Not only is it the oldest community bank in the nation, but it was also the first bank to print bills with George Washington on them. Washington Trust has branches in Idaho, Washington, and Oregon.

If you’re looking for an online bank with no monthly service charges or balance minimums, Washington Trust could be a great choice. However, if you regularly travel, it may not be the best bank for you.

Fees:

  • No monthly fees
  • No overdraft fees

Balance requirements:

  • No minimum balance
  • $25 minimum deposit to open

ATMs:

  • Fee-free at Washington Trust ATMs
  • $2.00 fee per out-of-network transaction

Interest on balance:

  • 0.01% APY on checking if you keep a $5,000 daily balance
  • Up to 0.05% APY on savings

Additional perks:

  • $200 bonus for Freedom Checking with qualifying deposits
  • No overdraft fees with Simply Free checking account

7. KeyBank

Another regional bank option is KeyBank, which has locations in 15 states. Unlike other regional banks, it’s fairly large, though. In fact, it’s one of the largest banks in the U.S.

One of the best features of KeyBank is its automatic savings program. Debit cards can be set up to automatically move money into your savings account to help you start saving.

Fees:

  • No monthly fees
  • $29 overdraft fee on each item

Balance requirements:

  • No minimum balance
  • $10 minimum deposit to open

ATMs:

  • Fee-free at KeyBank ATMs
  • Fee-free at AllPoint network ATMs

Interest on balance:

  • Up to 0.01% APY on savings

Additional perks:

  • Automatic savings available with every debit card purchase with EasyUp
  • Competitive rates on loans

8. First Federal Savings Bank of Twin Falls

If you don’t mind an Idaho-only bank, check out First Federal Bank of Twin Falls. Branches are primarily in the Twin Falls area, but bank accounts come with a 30,000-plus ATM network across the U.S.

Currently, this bank offers a checking account that issues an impressive 4.07% APY on checking. The savings account rates aren’t quite as competitive, but it’s worth checking out if you keep a decent checking balance.

Fees:

  • No monthly fees
  • $30 overdraft fee on each item

Balance requirements:

  • No minimum balance
  • $100 minimum deposit to open

ATMs:

  • Fee-free at more than 30,000 MoneyPass ATMs nationwide
  • Refund of $25 in fees per statement cycle

Interest on balance:

  • Up to 4.07% APY on checking
  • 0.10% APY on savings

Additional perks:

  • Robust business banking options available
  • Competitive rates on loans

9. Idaho Central Credit Union

Residents of Idaho, Washington, or eastern Oregon, may qualify to join Idaho Central Credit Union. There are plenty of benefits to being a member, including competitive rates on savings accounts and loans.

Although ICCU does have fee-free checking accounts, you can find higher interest rates on savings with other options. But ICCU gives you nationwide ATM and mobile banking options, so it may be worth it if you prefer a smaller bank.

Fees:

  • No monthly fees
  • $24.94 overdraft fee on each item

Balance requirements:

  • No minimum daily balance
  • $5 membership fee
  • $100 minimum opening deposit

ATMs:

  • Fee-free at more than 30,000 ATMs nationwide

Interest on balance:

  • Up to 0.10% APY on savings

Additional perks:

  • Security features built into debit card
  • Free credit score and monitoring

10. Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo has branches in both Northern and Southern Idaho, particularly the Coeur d’Alene, Idaho Falls, and Boise Falls areas. Currently, Wells Fargo is offering a $300 bonus to new checking customers who make $1,000 or more in qualifying direct deposits in the first 90 days.

Northern and Southern Idaho residents who prefer traditional banks will like the availability of ATMs across the nation, as well as the convenience of branch locations. The most affordable checking account is Everyday Checking, which comes with a $10 monthly service charge that can be waived by keeping a $500 balance or having $500 in at least one qualifying deposit each month.

Fees:

  • $10 monthly fee (waived with balance or direct deposit qualifications)
  • $35 overdraft fee

Balance requirements:

  • $500 minimum or $500 in direct deposits to waive service fee
  • $25 to open

ATMs:

  • Fee-free at 12,000 ATM locations nationwide

Interest on balance:

  • Up to 0.10% APY on Prime Checking
  • Up to 2.51% APY on high-balance savings

Additional perks:

  • $300 bonus on new checking with qualifications
  • $525 bonus on new savings with qualifications

11. Farmers Bank

Another option for those who like local banks is Farmers Bank. You can get a fee-free checking account and features like bill pay and alerts in the app.

One downside to Farmers is that there are only a few branches in Idaho. But if you regularly travel outside Idaho, you’ll enjoy ATM access at MoneyPass ATMs nationwide.

Fees:

  • No service fees with e-statements
  • $30 overdraft fee per transaction

Balance requirements:

  • No minimum daily balance
  • $100 opening deposit required

ATMs:

  • Fee-free at Farmers ATMs and MoneyPass ATMs nationwide

Interest on balance:

  • Up to 0.30% APY on savings

Additional perks:

  • Competitive rates on loans
  • Drive-up banking on Saturdays

12. Bank of Idaho

If you’re looking for an Idaho bank with a community focus, Bank of Idaho can help. Like many banks with a local angle, Bank of Idaho goes beyond money to focus on connecting with its customers.

But Bank of Idaho does have only a few locations. You’ll rely on mobile apps to do most of your banking with a community-centered bank, making it more like online banks.

Fees:

  • No service fees with e-statements

Balance requirements:

  • No minimum daily balance
  • $100 opening deposit required

ATMs:

  • Fee-free at MoneyPass ATMs nationwide

Interest on balance:

  • Rates not publicly disclosed

Additional perks:

  • Community focus, including local events
  • Financial tools on the website

13. Citizens Community Bank

Fee-free checking accounts and competitive loan rates make Citizens Community Bank a great option for Idahoans. You’ll get a fee-free checking account with an online app to make things easy.

Although Citizens is local, you can withdraw money at ATMs at MoneyPass locations across the country. You’ll get all the amenities of online banks with the benefits of a small, local bank.

Fees:

  • No service fees
  • $30 overdraft fee per item

Balance requirements:

  • No minimum daily balance
  • No opening deposit required

ATMs:

  • Fee-free at MoneyPass ATMs nationwide and Glacier Bank local ATMs

Interest on balance:

  • Up to 0.20% APY on savings

Additional perks:

  • Competitive rates on loans
  • Free thank you gift for new members

Bottom Line

Whether you’re looking for an interest-bearing account for your money or a fee-free checking account, Idaho has plenty of options. If you prefer a small or regional bank, make sure you’re getting the amenities a larger bank offers with your account.

Stephanie Faris
Meet the author

Stephanie Faris is a professional finance writer with more than a decade of experience. Her work has been featured on a variety of top finance sites, including Money Under 30, GoBankingRates, Retirable, Sapling, and Benzinga.