Low-cost checking accounts in Iowa

Iowa sits in the middle of the national picture with 32 certified checking accounts — #26 of the 51 states and territories we track, against a median of 32. 13 come from local or regional institutions and 19 from national banks — a 41% local share, close to the 36% median across the states we track.

21 of the 32 carry a $0 monthly maintenance fee; the 11 that do charge run from $3 to $20 a month. 21 can be opened with $0 on deposit, and the largest opening deposit asked anywhere on this list is $1,000. 29 run no overdraft program at all; the other 3 still cannot charge overdraft or NSF fees on the certified account itself and offer coverage only as a separate service you would have to opt into.

Of the 13 state-based listings, the most come from American Bank & Trust Company, American National Bank and Bank Iowa.

Certified accounts
32
$0 monthly fee
21
No overdraft program
29
Local institutions
13

Great Southern Bank Foundations

Banking

NationalBank On Certified

Costs you per year

$0.00

No monthly maintenance fee.

Monthly fee × 12
$0.00 × 12 = $0.00
To open
$0 to open
Overdraft
No overdraft or NSF fees on this account
Free ATMs
Not specified, but belongs to several surcharge-free ATM networks.

Out-of-network ATM fees are not included — we do not hold that figure per account.

Contact bank

First National Bank of Omaha

Access Debit Account

NationalBank On Certified

Costs you per year

$0.00

No monthly maintenance fee.

Monthly fee × 12
$0.00 × 12 = $0.00
To open
$0 to open
Overdraft
No overdraft or NSF fees on this account
Free ATMs
Not specified, but belongs to several surcharge-free ATM networks.

Out-of-network ATM fees are not included — we do not hold that figure per account.

Apply

First Interstate Bank

Simple Banking

NationalBank On Certified

Costs you per year

$0.00

No monthly maintenance fee.

Monthly fee × 12
$0.00 × 12 = $0.00
To open
$0 to open
Overdraft
No overdraft or NSF fees on this account
Free ATMs
Not specified, but belongs to several surcharge-free ATM networks.

Out-of-network ATM fees are not included — we do not hold that figure per account.

Apply

Quorum Federal Credit Union

QFlex Checking

NationalBank On Certified

Costs you per year

$0.00

No monthly maintenance fee.

Monthly fee × 12
$0.00 × 12 = $0.00
To open
$0 to open
Overdraft
No overdraft or NSF fees on this account
Free ATMs
Not specified, but belongs to several surcharge-free ATM networks.

Out-of-network ATM fees are not included — we do not hold that figure per account.

Apply

LendingClub

Level Up Checking

NationalBank On Certified

Costs you per year

$0.00

No monthly maintenance fee.

Monthly fee × 12
$0.00 × 12 = $0.00
To open
$0 to open
Overdraft
No overdraft or NSF fees on this account
Free ATMs
Unlimited ATM fee rebates

Out-of-network ATM fees are not included — we do not hold that figure per account.

Apply

MidWestOne Bank

Freedom Checking

LocalBank On Certified

Costs you per year

$0.00

No monthly maintenance fee.

Monthly fee × 12
$0.00 × 12 = $0.00
To open
$0 to open
Overdraft
No overdraft or NSF fees on this account
Free ATMs
Not specified, but belongs to several surcharge-free ATM networks.

Out-of-network ATM fees are not included — we do not hold that figure per account.

Apply

First National Bank of Omaha

Free Checking

NationalBank On Certified

Costs you per year

$0.00

No monthly maintenance fee.

Monthly fee × 12
$0.00 × 12 = $0.00
To open
$0 to open
Overdraft
No overdraft or NSF fees on this account
Free ATMs
55,000+ surcharge-free

Out-of-network ATM fees are not included — we do not hold that figure per account.

Apply

American Bank & Trust Company

Edge Checking

LocalBank On Certified

Costs you per year

$0.00

No monthly maintenance fee.

Monthly fee × 12
$0.00 × 12 = $0.00
To open
$0 to open
Overdraft
No overdraft or NSF fees on this account
Free ATMs
Not specified, but belongs to several surcharge-free ATM networks.

Out-of-network ATM fees are not included — we do not hold that figure per account.

Apply

Sterling Federal Bank

BankOn Checking

LocalBank On Certified

Costs you per year

$0.00

No monthly maintenance fee.

Monthly fee × 12
$0.00 × 12 = $0.00
To open
$0 to open
Overdraft
No overdraft or NSF fees on this account
Free ATMs
Not specified, but belongs to several surcharge-free ATM networks.

Out-of-network ATM fees are not included — we do not hold that figure per account.

Apply

Bank Iowa

Balance Banking

LocalBank On Certified

Costs you per year

$0.00

No monthly maintenance fee.

Monthly fee × 12
$0.00 × 12 = $0.00
To open
$0 to open
Overdraft
No overdraft or NSF fees on this account
Free ATMs
Not specified, but belongs to several surcharge-free ATM networks.

Out-of-network ATM fees are not included — we do not hold that figure per account.

Apply

Centris Federal Credit Union

Basic Access Checking

LocalBank On Certified

Costs you per year

$0.00

No monthly maintenance fee.

Monthly fee × 12
$0.00 × 12 = $0.00
To open
$0 to open
Overdraft
No overdraft or NSF fees on this account
Free ATMs
Not specified, but belongs to several surcharge-free ATM networks.

Out-of-network ATM fees are not included — we do not hold that figure per account.

Contact bank

American National Bank

SafeSpend Account

LocalBank On Certified

Costs you per year

$0.00

No monthly maintenance fee.

Monthly fee × 12
$0.00 × 12 = $0.00
To open
$0 to open
Overdraft
No overdraft or NSF fees on this account
Free ATMs
4+ surcharge-free

Out-of-network ATM fees are not included — we do not hold that figure per account.

Apply

Northwest Bank

Compass Digital Account

LocalBank On Certified

Costs you per year

$0.00

No monthly maintenance fee.

Monthly fee × 12
$0.00 × 12 = $0.00
To open
$0 to open
Overdraft
No overdraft or NSF fees on this account
Free ATMs
Not specified, but belongs to several surcharge-free ATM networks.

Out-of-network ATM fees are not included — we do not hold that figure per account.

Apply

Bankers Trust

Foundation Checking

LocalBank On Certified

Costs you per year

$0.00

No monthly maintenance fee.

Monthly fee × 12
$0.00 × 12 = $0.00
To open
$0 to open
Overdraft
No overdraft or NSF fees on this account
Free ATMs
Not specified, but belongs to several surcharge-free ATM networks.

Out-of-network ATM fees are not included — we do not hold that figure per account.

Apply

nbkc bank

Everything Account

NationalBank On Certified

Costs you per year

$0.00

No monthly maintenance fee.

Monthly fee × 12
$0.00 × 12 = $0.00
To open
$0 to open
Overdraft
No overdraft or NSF fees on this account
Free ATMs
90,000+ surcharge-free

Out-of-network ATM fees are not included — we do not hold that figure per account.

Apply

Discover Bank

Cashback Debit Checking Account

NationalBank On Certified

Costs you per year

$0.00

No monthly maintenance fee.

Monthly fee × 12
$0.00 × 12 = $0.00
To open
$0 to open
Overdraft
No overdraft or NSF fees on this account
Free ATMs
Not specified, but belongs to several surcharge-free ATM networks.

Out-of-network ATM fees are not included — we do not hold that figure per account.

Apply

Bank of America

SafeBalance Banking

NationalBank On Certified

Costs you per year

$0.00

No monthly maintenance fee.

Monthly fee × 12
$0.00 × 12 = $0.00
To open
$0 to open
Overdraft
None on this account; optional overdraft service available
Free ATMs
Not specified, but belongs to several surcharge-free ATM networks.

Out-of-network ATM fees are not included — we do not hold that figure per account.

Apply

Ally Bank

Spending Account

NationalBank On Certified

Costs you per year

$0.00

No monthly maintenance fee.

Monthly fee × 12
$0.00 × 12 = $0.00
To open
$0 to open
Overdraft
No overdraft or NSF fees on this account
Free ATMs
75,000+ surcharge-free

Out-of-network ATM fees are not included — we do not hold that figure per account.

Apply

Alliant Credit Union

High-Rate Checking

NationalBank On Certified

Costs you per year

$0.00

No monthly maintenance fee.

Monthly fee × 12
$0.00 × 12 = $0.00
To open
$0 to open
Overdraft
No overdraft or NSF fees on this account
Free ATMs
80,000+ surcharge-free

Out-of-network ATM fees are not included — we do not hold that figure per account.

Apply

Alliant Credit Union

Teen Checking

NationalBank On Certified

Costs you per year

$0.00

No monthly maintenance fee.

Monthly fee × 12
$0.00 × 12 = $0.00
To open
$0 to open
Overdraft
No overdraft or NSF fees on this account
Free ATMs
80,000+ surcharge-free

Out-of-network ATM fees are not included — we do not hold that figure per account.

Apply

Quad City Bank and Trust QCBT

BankOn Checking

LocalBank On Certified

Costs you per year

$0.00

No monthly maintenance fee.

Monthly fee × 12
$0.00 × 12 = $0.00
To open
$50 to open — this stays your money
Overdraft
No overdraft or NSF fees on this account
Free ATMs
Money Pass Network

Out-of-network ATM fees are not included — we do not hold that figure per account.

Apply

First Bank

(Iowa) First Start

NationalBank On Certified

Costs you per year

$36.00

$3.00 a month, every month.

Monthly fee × 12
$3.00 × 12 = $36.00
To open
$25 to open — this stays your money
Overdraft
None on this account; optional overdraft service available
Free ATMs
10+ surcharge-free

Out-of-network ATM fees are not included — we do not hold that figure per account.

Apply

U.S. Bank

Safe Debit Account

NationalBank On Certified

Costs you per year

$59.40

$4.95 a month, every month.

Monthly fee × 12
$4.95 × 12 = $59.40
To open
$25 to open — this stays your money
Overdraft
No overdraft or NSF fees on this account
Free ATMs
USA network

Out-of-network ATM fees are not included — we do not hold that figure per account.

Apply

Cedar Rapids Bank and Trust

CRBT BankOn Checking

LocalBank On Certified

Costs you per year

$60.00

$5.00 a month, every month.

Monthly fee × 12
$5.00 × 12 = $60.00
To open
$25 to open — this stays your money
Overdraft
No overdraft or NSF fees on this account
Free ATMs
55,000+ surcharge-free

Out-of-network ATM fees are not included — we do not hold that figure per account.

Apply

Community Bank & Trust

CBT BankOn Checking

LocalBank On Certified

Costs you per year

$60.00

$5.00 a month, every month.

Monthly fee × 12
$5.00 × 12 = $60.00
To open
$25 to open — this stays your money
Overdraft
No overdraft or NSF fees on this account
Free ATMs
55,000+ surcharge-free

Out-of-network ATM fees are not included — we do not hold that figure per account.

Apply

BMO

Smart Money Checking

NationalBank On Certified

Costs you per year

$60.00

$5.00 a month, every month.

Monthly fee × 12
$5.00 × 12 = $60.00
To open
$25 to open — this stays your money
Overdraft
No overdraft or NSF fees on this account
Free ATMs
40,000+ surcharge-free

Out-of-network ATM fees are not included — we do not hold that figure per account.

Apply

CBI Bank & Trust Bank

On Checking

LocalBank On Certified

Costs you per year

$60.00

$5.00 a month, every month.

Monthly fee × 12
$5.00 × 12 = $60.00
To open
$25 to open — this stays your money
Overdraft
No overdraft or NSF fees on this account
Free ATMs
CBI Bank & Trust locations

Out-of-network ATM fees are not included — we do not hold that figure per account.

Apply

Wells Fargo

Clear Access Banking

NationalBank On Certified

Costs you per year

$60.00

$5.00 a month, every month.

Monthly fee × 12
$5.00 × 12 = $60.00
To open
$25 to open — this stays your money
Overdraft
No overdraft or NSF fees on this account
Free ATMs
10,000+ surcharge-free

Out-of-network ATM fees are not included — we do not hold that figure per account.

Apply

Horizon Bank

Fresh Start

NationalBank On Certified

Costs you per year

$60.00

$5.00 a month, every month.

Monthly fee × 12
$5.00 × 12 = $60.00
To open
$25 to open — this stays your money
Overdraft
No overdraft or NSF fees on this account
Free ATMs
MoneyPass

Out-of-network ATM fees are not included — we do not hold that figure per account.

Apply

Community State Bank

CSB BankOn Checking

LocalBank On Certified

Costs you per year

$84.00

$7.00 a month, every month.

Monthly fee × 12
$7.00 × 12 = $84.00
To open
$100 to open — this stays your money
Overdraft
No overdraft or NSF fees on this account
Free ATMs
20+ surcharge-free

Out-of-network ATM fees are not included — we do not hold that figure per account.

Apply

nbkc bank

Money Market Account

NationalBank On Certified

Costs you per year

$144.00

$12.00 a month, every month.

Monthly fee × 12
$12.00 × 12 = $144.00
To open
$0 to open
Overdraft
No overdraft or NSF fees on this account
Free ATMs
90,000+ surcharge-free

Out-of-network ATM fees are not included — we do not hold that figure per account.

Apply

UMB Bank

Check-Free Banking

NationalBank On Certified

Costs you per year

$240.00

$20.00 a month, every month.

Monthly fee × 12
$20.00 × 12 = $240.00
To open
$1,000 to open — this stays your money
Overdraft
None on this account; optional overdraft service available
Free ATMs
UMB

Out-of-network ATM fees are not included — we do not hold that figure per account.

Apply

Next steps for Iowa residents