First Bank (CA/IL/MO) Adds Competitive Reward Checking Account
Missouri-based First Bank has introduced a new reward checking accounts. The competitive First Performance Checking account earns 3.04% APY on qualifying balances up to $25k. Qualifying balances above $25k and non-qualifying balances both earn 0.10% APY.
| APY | MIN | MAX | INSTITUTION | PRODUCT | DETAILS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.04*†% | - | $25k | First Bank (MO) | First Performance Checking Account | |
| OTHER TIERS: 0.10% → $25k+ | |||||
There are only two monthly qualification cycle requirements:
- At least 15 debit card transactions.
- A Direct Deposit of at least $250.
The $11.95 monthly service charge will be waived if the two qualify requirements are met. The First Performance Checking can be opened with a $100 minimum deposit. Unlimited check writing is available and a free debit card is issued following account opening. Non-First Bank ATM fees are not reimbursable. Electronic statements are free, but paper statements have fees of $2 (basic statement) and $3 (statement with check image).
Availability
Headquartered in Creve Coeur, Missouri, First Bank’s footprint includes Missouri, Illinois, Northern California, and Southern California.
Opening a First Performance Checking account can be done by calling 800.760.2265 or in-branch by appointment only. (The Checking Accounts page has a “Schedule an Appointment” button.) First Bank has 14 Illinois, 41 Missouri, and 46 California branches, but many of the branches are temporarily closed due to COVID-19. First Bank’s Locations page details which branch lobbies are open for appointments.
Note: First Bank has a new website that was debuted about two weeks ago, and it’s not very intuitive.
Bank Overview
First Bank has an overall health grade of "A" at DepositAccounts.com, with a Texas Ratio of 2.80% (excellent) based on June 30, 2020 data. In the past year, First Bank has increased its total non-brokered deposits by $814.04 million, an excellent annual growth rate of 15.31%. Please refer to our financial overview of First Bank (FDIC Certificate # 12229) for more details.
Founded in 1906 as Creve Coeur Farmers Bank, First Bank describes itself simply as a “family-owned bank,” which paints a picture of a small hometown bank. In fact, First Bank is the fifth largest bank headquartered in Missouri (and the 185th largest bank in the country), with assets in excess of $6.9 billion and more than 173,000 customer accounts. Between 1954 and 2007, First Bank acquired 31 banks in California, Florida, Illinois, Missouri, and Texas, and rebranded five times.
How First Performance Checking Compares
Given the multi-state availability of First Bank's RCA, a comparison to nationally available RCAs is appropriate. When compared to the High Yield Reward Checking Accounts tracked by DepositAccounts.com, which are available nationwide and have maximum qualifying balances of at least $25k, First Bank's First Performance Checking APY currently and clearly ranks first.
| Interest Rate | Account Name | Credit Union/Bank |
|---|---|---|
| 3.04% APY | First Performance Checking (up to $25k) | First Bank |
| 2.50% APY | Kasasa Cash (up to $25k) | The Bank of Denver |
| 2.25% APY | Advantage Checking (up to $25k) | Presidential Bank |
| 2.22% APY | Hi Yield Checking (up to $25k) | Hiway Federal Credit Union |
The above rates are accurate as of 9/30/2020.
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.
