1^st National Bank Offers Multi-State FNB Cash Checking

Minnesota-based 1^st National Bank’s rewards checking account (RCA), FNB Cash Checking, currently earns 2.50% APY on qualifying balances up to $35k. Qualifying balances above $35k earn 0.40% APY, with non-qualifying balances earning 0.10% APY.

The qualification cycle requirements include,

• At least 12 debit card purchases.
• At least one direct deposit, ACH payment, or bill pay transaction.
• Be enrolled in and log into online or mobile banking.
• Be enrolled in and received eStatements.

The FNB Cash Checking account has no monthly service fee or minimum balance requirement, but it does require a $100 minimum opening deposit. There is unlimited check writing and a free VISA® EMV debit card is provided. Unlimited nationwide ATM fees will be reimbursed (if qualifications are met), with a maximum of $4.99 per transaction. There is a limit of one account per Social Security number.

1^st National Bank has been offering an RCA for at least 13 years. When I first wrote about the account in November 2007, the RCA offered a very competitive 6.01% APY. By February 2009, the APY had fallen to 3.01% in a series of three rate drops. The qualify balance cap also changed several times, including caps of $10k, $20k, $25k, and finally $35k. Prior to offering the FNB Cash Checking account, the Kasasa brand was part of 1^st National Bank’s product line.

Availability

Headquartered in Ottertail, Minnesota, 1^st National Bank’s physical presence is limited to Otter Tail County, but offers its FBN Cash Checking account to U.S. citizens and resident aliens who live in Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

While the FNB Cash Checking page has an “Open An Account” button, it goes to a form that just collects basic personal information.

Please fill out the fields in the form to the right. One of our representatives will contact you within one business day to complete the process.

1^st National Bank has closed the lobbies of its three Minnesota branch lobbies to walk-in transactions, but appointments can be scheduled.

Bank Overview

1^st National Bank has an overall health grade of "A" at DepositAccounts.com, with a Texas Ratio of 6.21% (excellent) based on December 31, 2019 data. In the past year, the Bank has increased its total non-brokered deposits by $5.48 million, an excellent annual growth rate of 3.04%. Please refer to our financial overview of 1^st National Bank (FDIC Certificate # 5162) for more details.

1^st National Bank’s roots can be traced back to three Otter Tail County banks: Otter Tail County Bank (est. 1900), The First National Bank of Henning (est. 1903), and The First National Bank of Battle Lake (est. 1903). 1^st National Bank’s current owners, the Espeland family, have been involved with the Bank since 1930. Currently the 84^th largest bank in Minnesota, 1^st National Bank has assets in excess of $217 million.

How the FNB Cash Checking Compares

Given that the FNB Cash Checking account is available in multiple states, I’ve opted to compare it to nationally available RCAs. When compared to the nationally available High Yield Rewards Checking Accounts tracked by DepositAccounts.com with qualifying balances of at least $35k, 1^st National Bank’s FNB Cash Checking APY currently ranks first.

The above rates are accurate as of 5/15/2020.

To look for the best Reward Checking Account rates, both nationwide and state specific, please refer to our High Yield Reward Checking Account Rates Table page.