Finding the Best Banks in Omaha
Omaha is home to some of the country’s biggest banks. But with the wealth of options available, it could be a hassle to pick the right place to deposit your money into. Luckily for you, the banking experts at SmartAsset did most of the hard work in categorizing and ranking the options. Read on to learn all about the best banks in Omaha.
Bank | APY | Min. Deposit | Highlights | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Ally Bank | 3.80% | $0 |
| Learn more |
Highlights
| ||||
First National Bank of Omaha | 0.02% | $0 |
| Learn more |
Highlights
| ||||
CIT Bank | 0.40% | $100 |
| Learn more |
Highlights
| ||||
U.S. Bank | 0.05% | $25 |
| Learn more |
Highlights
| ||||
American National Bank | 0.05% | $50 |
| Learn more |
Highlights
| ||||
Wells Fargo | 0.00% | $25 |
| Learn more |
Highlights
|
How We Determine the Best Banks in Omaha
First we started by researching the largest banks in Omaha. Then we boiled down our list to the top ranking banks that offer excellent products and customer service. We analyzed details like best savings accounts, bonus perks and overall fee structure.
Ally Bank: The Top Savings Account
The 4.00% APY of the Ally Online Savings Account is one of the best rates you’ll come across. In fact, a starting balance of $10,000 would earn $1,698.59 in interest over four years. To maximize the account’s interest-earning capabilities, Ally offers daily compounding. Unlike many accounts with strong interest rates, there are no fees or minimums for Online Savings account holders.
Ally’s Spending Account is a great in-house pairing for the Online Savings Account. Customers with a $15,000 minimum daily balance or higher earn a 0.25% APY, and those beneath that margin receive a 0.10% APY. Account holders won’t pay monthly fees either. If you need cash from your checking account, Ally is partnered with the Allpoint ATM network, which has 55,000 fee-free ATMs in the U.S. and beyond. Ally offers reimbursements of up to $10 per statement cycle for out-of-network ATM charges.
The popularity of mobile banking is at an all-time high, and Ally is a major player in this space. Its Apple and Android apps provide many services, such as an ATM locator, mobile check deposit, a money transfer program called Zelle® and up-to-date transaction histories.
Best National Bank With Branches in Omaha: First National Bank of Omaha
With nearly 100 offices scattered throughout the city, First National Bank of Omaha stands as one of the largest banks around. And it’s no surprise. First National Bank of Omaha offers some of the most versatile products we’ve analyzed. For starters, you can open a Free Checking account with any amount you’d like. Plus, you don’t have to worry about a monthly service fee. The perk can save you a lot in the long run. You don’t even have to maintain a minimum balance to keep your account open.
But if your financials are a bit more complex, you can open a Premier Checking account. This option collects interest on balances higher than $15,000. However, that can cover your entire deposit account arsenal at First National Bank of Omaha. So that means that your checking, savings and certificate of deposit (CD) accounts can count toward the maximum.
And the bank’s savings options are just as affordable. You can open one with no minimum deposit requirement or monthly fee. However, the bank’s money market account might not be the smartest option. You need $1,000 to open it, and its annual percentage yield (APY) can’t lift it to a spot on the list of best money market accounts (MMAs). But unlike most similarly sized banks, the First National Bank of Omaha offers a health savings account (HSA).
Best Savings Account Rate: CIT Bank Savings Builder Account
Do you have at least $100 ready to deposit in a savings account? CIT Bank’s Savings Builder account is a great place to put it. The base APY for the account is 0.40%, but if you can manage to keep your balance at or above $25,000 or deposit $100 a month, your rate will jump to 1.00%. To put things into perspective, five years of this rate on a $10,000 deposit would garner $510 in interest earnings.
While owning multiple savings accounts can be a worthwhile venture, managing them at different financial institutions is rather difficult. Savings junkies may not need to leave CIT, though, as its list of savings options is quite lengthy:
- Premier High-Yield Savings account
- Money market account
- 6-month to 5-year term CDs
- 2-year to 5-year jumbo CDs
- 1-year to 4-year “RampUp” CDs
- No-Penalty/11-Month CD
The CIT mobile app is available on the Apple and Android app stores, and customers have rated it at 3.85 stars out of 5. This is due in part to the app’s robust set of services it provides, including mobile check deposit, digital account statements, detailed transaction histories and inter-account transfers. CIT’s proprietary money transfer program, “People Pay,” is available only to money market account holders.
Runner-up for Best Savings Account Rate: U.S. Bank
U.S. Bank offers one of the best savings accounts around. Omaha is home to more than 30 locations. You can open a variety of savings accounts. The most affordable, however, is the Standard Savings account. You can open one with $25. And the bank will waive the $3 monthly service fee if you maintain a minimum balance of $300.
In addition, you get access to U.S. Bank’s suite of online tools.
However, the APY isn’t the strongest out there. Still, it’s inexpensive to manage as long as you meet fee-waiver requirements. Plus, you get access to reliable customer service. But if you’re willing to sacrifice access to a local bank, you may find better deals by exploring the best online high yield savings accounts.
Best in Tech: American National Bank
American National Bank offers a suite of tech features to help you manage your finances. You can open any account to access the bank’s digital offerings. One of them is designed to help you manage your budget. In fact, the bank devotes an entire section on its website to providing tips on how to develop a budget, save and pay down debt.
Users on Google Play gave the bank’s app a nearly perfect ranking of 4.6 stars out of 5. The app also scored well with Apple users. It has a 4.7 ranking on the iTunes store.
Best Checking Account: Wells Fargo
Being one of the largest banks in the country, Wells Fargo offers a variety of products. But its checking options stand out. You can open an Everyday Checking account with just $25. In addition, you can avoid the $10 monthly service fee by engaging in any of the following:
- Make qualifying direct deposits totaling at least $500
- Keep a $500 minimum daily balance
- The primary account owner is 17 - 24 years old
- Have a linked Wells Fargo Campus ATM or Campus Debit Card (for college students)
For those looking for interest rate discounts on new select loans, however, Prime Checking could be of interest. You will get charged a monthly fee of $25, but you can avoid it with a minimum balance of $20,000.
And for those interested in investment services discounts and fee wavers, Premier Checking offers 24/7 support from its Premier service team. You can avoid the monthly fee of $35 with a minimum balance of $250,000.
Both Prime and Premier Checking accounts also require a minimum opening deposit of $25.
Additional SmartAsset Bank Reviews in Nebraska
Didn't find the best bank for you? Consider the following banks in your area.