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From the Great Lakes shoreline to the farmland of the Driftless Area, Wisconsin blends natural beauty with a strong sense of community—and that carries over into its banking options. Whether you’re managing daily expenses in Milwaukee or saving for a cabin in the Northwoods, choosing the right bank can make your finances easier to manage.
Wisconsin’s best banks include everything from large national names to smaller banks with deep local roots. The right one depends on your priorities: lower fees, better rates, strong mobile tools, or in-person service.
10 Best Banks in Wisconsin
We’ve selected the top banks in Wisconsin based on service, features, accessibility, and overall value.
Subject to certain terms and limitations. Offer valid through May 6, 2025. Member FDIC.
Offer may not be available if you live outside of the U.S. Bank footprint or are not an existing client of U.S. Bank or State Farm.
The account includes a free debit card that can be locked or unlocked if ever misplaced or stolen. There are no ATM transaction fees at U.S. Bank ATMs and no surcharge fees at over 40,000 MoneyPass® Network ATMs.
The checking account requires a $25 opening deposit and a $6.95 monthly fee. This fee can be waived for those 24 and under, 65 and over, or military members (must self-disclose).
Additionally, the fee can be waived with monthly deposits of $1,000+, an average balance of $1,500+, or holding an eligible U.S. Bank credit card. Qualifying for any Smart Rewards® tier (Primary, Plus, Premium, or Pinnacle) also waives the fee.
SoFi is a popular choice for online banking in Wisconsin, offering a mix of high-yield accounts and customer-friendly features.
Its Checking & Savings account earns up to 3.80% APY on savings and 0.50% APY on checking balances, with no monthly fees or minimum deposit requirements.
New customers can earn a welcome bonus between $50 and $300 based on the amount set up for direct deposit.
SoFi also offers early direct deposit, letting users access their paychecks up to two days in advance.
Deposits are FDIC-insured up to $2 million, and those who qualify receive up to $50 in overdraft coverage.
With access to over 55,000 Allpoint® Network ATMs worldwide, SoFi combines strong value with reliable convenience.
Community First Bank is a long-established regional bank with deep roots in Wisconsin.
Founded in 1851, it remains locally owned and operated, serving communities through branches in Baraboo, Boscobel, Fennimore, Livingston, Muscoda, Platteville, Prairie du Chien, Reedsburg, and Richland Center.
The bank offers a wide selection of services, including checking and savings accounts, CDs, personal and business loans, health savings accounts, and retirement planning options.
Its personalized approach and focus on local decision-making have made it a trusted financial partner for generations.
Community First Bank continues to prioritize flexibility, offering tailored solutions for individuals and businesses throughout Wisconsin.
Upgrade offers a convenient and rewarding online banking option for Wisconsin residents looking to avoid traditional banking fees and earn meaningful perks.
The Upgrade Rewards Checking Plus account comes with no minimum deposit, no monthly maintenance fees, no overdraft fees, and no transfer fees.
Customers can access their paychecks up to two days early with qualifying direct deposit, and earn up to 2% cash back on everyday debit card purchases.
For savers, the optional Upgrade Premier Savings account provides a competitive yield on balances over $1,000.
Plus, all customers get access to more than 55,000 fee-free ATMs through the Allpoint® Network, making cash access easy no matter where you are in the state.
PNC Bank maintains a strong presence in Wisconsin, operating 26 branches in cities like Brookfield, Franklin, Green Bay, Kenosha, Madison, Milwaukee, New Berlin, and Waukesha.
Its standout product is the Virtual Wallet® Checking Pro paired with the Growth savings account.
Customers can earn a $200 bonus by meeting direct deposit requirements, and the Growth account offers a competitive interest rate for eligible balances.
The Checking Pro account has no monthly maintenance fees and no minimum deposit to open. It includes helpful tools to track spending, set budget goals, and manage bills.
A secondary Reserve account is also included for setting aside funds, although it doesn’t earn interest.
PNC customers also get access to more than 60,000 fee-free ATMs nationwide, adding convenience to its digital tools and local support.
Landmark Credit Union, based in Brookfield, Wisconsin, is one of the largest member-owned credit unions in the state.
It serves residents across southern and northeastern Wisconsin, as well as Lake and McHenry Counties in Illinois.
Membership includes access to a full range of financial services, from checking and savings accounts to mortgages, auto loans, personal loans, and investment options.
As a not-for-profit cooperative, Landmark focuses on delivering member value through lower fees and competitive rates.
Members benefit from a user-friendly digital banking platform for managing accounts, making transfers, and paying bills.
Landmark also promotes financial education through community programs and online tools that help members make smart money decisions.
North Shore Bank headquartered in Brookfield, Wisconsin, operates 43 branches across eastern Wisconsin and northern Illinois.
In Wisconsin, it maintains a strong presence in cities such as Appleton, Green Bay, Kenosha, Mequon, Milwaukee, Racine, Waukesha, and West Bend.
Since its founding in 1923, North Shore Bank has built a reputation for local service, offering a broad range of personal and business banking products.
These include checking and savings accounts, mortgages, auto loans, RV and boat financing, and credit cards.
The bank combines traditional customer service with modern convenience. Its online and mobile banking platforms provide easy access to account management, transfers, and loan applications.
North Shore Bank also promotes financial literacy through community programs and educational tools, helping individuals and businesses make informed financial decisions.
BMO Bank is one of the largest banks in Wisconsin, with branches across the state, including major locations in cities like Appleton, Green Bay, Madison, Milwaukee, and Racine.
Its strong local presence, combined with a wide range of financial products, makes it a dependable option for both personal and business banking.
Customers can choose from several checking and savings account options, including interest-bearing and premium accounts.
Savings products include money market accounts and CDs, offering a range of tools to help customers grow their funds.
BMO also provides a robust selection of loans, including mortgages, home equity loans, auto loans, and personal loans.
For businesses, it offers tailored checking and savings accounts, credit lines, commercial loans, and treasury management services.
In addition to in-branch service, BMO offers modern digital banking tools, making it easy to manage accounts, transfer funds, and pay bills online.
Town Bank is a community bank with branches throughout Wisconsin, including Brookfield, Delafield, Elm Grove, Madison, Mequon, Milwaukee, and Whitefish Bay.
It offers a full range of personal banking services, including checking and savings accounts, mortgage lending, HELOCs, and insurance policy loans.
Business customers benefit from services like commercial lending, business checking and savings accounts, and treasury management tools designed to streamline operations.
Town Bank also provides private banking and wealth management solutions tailored to high-net-worth individuals.
Its relationship-driven approach ensures clients receive personalized guidance and responsive support across all areas of banking.
Nicolet National Bank is headquartered in Green Bay, Wisconsin, with 52 branches across the state in cities like Appleton, Green Bay, De Pere, Manitowoc, Sheboygan, and Wausau.
It offers several checking and savings accounts with no minimum balance requirements, making them accessible and attractive to Wisconsin residents.
For checking accounts, Nicolet National Bank provides the popular Value Checking, a simple option with no monthly maintenance fee.
Real Rewards Checking offers 3.00% APY on balances up to $15,000 each month, without requiring a monthly fee or minimum balance. Student Checking caters to students aged 15 to 25 who prefer a straightforward account.
Nicolet’s savings account lineup includes High-Interest Savings for high-net-worth individuals seeking maximum interest rates, Cash Back Savings for those wanting to earn cash back on their savings, and Rewards Savings, which provides competitive interest rates on both checking and savings balances.
All these accounts come with no monthly service fees or minimum balance requirements, giving Wisconsin residents simple banking solutions with competitive interest rates from a local community bank.
How to Choose the Best Bank in Wisconsin
Choosing the best bank in Wisconsin starts with understanding your financial needs and comparing what each institution offers. Here are key factors to consider:
Account types and services: Identify what you need—checking, savings, loans, or investment products. Banks vary in what they offer, so look for one that fits your priorities.
Fees and charges: Review account fees, including those for overdrafts, wire transfers, and monthly maintenance. Many top banks in Wisconsin offer low-fee or no-fee options.
Interest rates and rewards: Compare rates on savings, CDs, and high-yield checking accounts. Some banks also offer cash-back or rewards programs that add extra value.
Branch and ATM access: If in-person banking matters to you, choose a bank with nearby branches and access to a large, fee-free ATM network.
Digital banking tools: Make sure the bank provides strong online and mobile features like bill pay, mobile deposits, and account alerts, especially if you manage most of your finances digitally.
Customer service: Read reviews to assess service quality. A bank with responsive and helpful support can make day-to-day banking much easier.
Promotions and bonuses: Some banks offer cash bonuses or promotional interest rates. These can be helpful, but only if the account terms meet your long-term needs.
Community involvement: Regional and community banks often support local development and offer more personalized service. If that matters to you, it may be worth prioritizing.
Final Thoughts
Wisconsin offers strong banking choices that fit a wide range of needs. Whether you’re after low fees, competitive rates, or easy access to local branches, there’s a bank that fits the bill.
Focus on what matters most—whether that’s everyday convenience, better returns on savings, or support for long-term financial goals—and choose the bank that helps you manage your money with confidence.
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