Low-cost checking accounts in Wisconsin

Wisconsin sits in the middle of the national picture with 42 certified checking accounts — #12 of the 51 states and territories we track, against a median of 32. 24 of those come from institutions based in or focused on Wisconsin and 18 from national banks. At 57% locally supplied against a 36% median across states, Wisconsin is one of the markets where a certified account is most likely to come from a hometown bank or credit union.

27 of the 42 carry a $0 monthly maintenance fee; the 15 that do charge run from $4.95 to $20 a month. 30 can be opened with $0 on deposit, and the largest opening deposit asked anywhere on this list is $1,000. 39 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 24 state-based listings, the most come from Bank Five Nine, Bristol Morgan Bank and Byline Bank.

Certified accounts
42
$0 monthly fee
27
No overdraft program
39
Local institutions
24

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

BCU

Go 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

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

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

First-Citizens Bank and Trust

Sure Advantage

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

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

Byline Bank

Opportunity 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

CIBC Bank USA

EasyPath Access 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

Verve, a Credit Union

Verve Essential 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
Verve network of free ATMs nationwide

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

Apply

Range Bank

My Spend - Teen

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

Citizens Community Federal

Beyond Spend

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

Bristol Morgan Bank

Essential 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

Equitable Bank

EZ 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

First Federal Bank of Wisconsin

Fresh Start Checking 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.

Contact bank

Mitchell Bank

Safe Debit Checking 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.

Contact bank

WaterStone Bank

Stepping Stone 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

Prime Financial Credit Union

Simply 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

Horicon Bank

Take Flight 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

Shoreline Credit Union Worry-Free Hometown

Checking 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
100+ surcharge-free

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

Apply

Chase

Secure Banking 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
14,000+ surcharge-free

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

Wintrust Community Banks Money

Smart Checking

LocalBank On Certified

Costs you per year

$0.00

No monthly maintenance fee.

Monthly fee × 12
$0.00 × 12 = $0.00
To open
$10 to open — this stays your money
Overdraft
No overdraft or NSF fees on this account
Free ATMs
6+ surcharge-free

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

Apply

Johnson Financial Group Digital

Checking

LocalBank On Certified

Costs you per year

$0.00

No monthly maintenance fee.

Monthly fee × 12
$0.00 × 12 = $0.00
To open
$25 to open — this stays your money
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

Summit Credit Union

Balance Account

LocalBank On Certified

Costs you per year

$0.00

No monthly maintenance fee.

Monthly fee × 12
$0.00 × 12 = $0.00
To open
$25 to open — this stays your money
Overdraft
None on this account; optional overdraft service available
Free ATMs
5,000+ 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

Range Bank Blue Path

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
$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

North Shore Bank

Balance 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
$0 to open
Overdraft
No overdraft or NSF fees on this account
Free ATMs
33,000+ surcharge-free

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

Apply

PNC Bank

Simple 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
$0 to open
Overdraft
No overdraft or NSF fees on this account
Free ATMs
60,000+ surcharge-free

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

Apply

Self-Help Federal Credit Union

Access 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
$0 to open
Overdraft
No overdraft or NSF fees on this account
Free ATMs
surcharge-free ATMs nationwide

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

Apply

Peoples State Bank Peoples

Balance Banking

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
$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

Flagstar Bank

Flagstar One Account

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
$1 to open — this stays your money
Overdraft
No overdraft or NSF fees on this account
Free ATMs
56,000+ surcharge-free

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

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

Bank Five Nine

Achieve Checking Account

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
100+ 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

First Mid Bank & Trust Blue Sky

Account

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
First Mid ATMs

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

Apply

Old National Bank

EZ Access Checking Account

NationalBank On Certified

Costs you per year

$83.40

$6.95 a month, every month.

Monthly fee × 12
$6.95 × 12 = $83.40
To open
$50 to open — this stays your money
Overdraft
None on this account; optional overdraft service available
Free ATMs
55,000+ 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 Wisconsin residents