First National Bank of Pennsylvania Review: Robust Checking Account Options and Low Minimums

3.8

GBR RATING

GOBankingRates scores and rankings are objectively determined by our research/editorial team. Our scoring formula weighs several factors that differ from category to category depending on what consumers want from varying products and banks. Read our full Editorial Guidelines here.

A wide variety of banking products and services

First National Bank of Pennsylvania is best for those looking for a variety of products, from checking and savings accounts to loans, mortgages, investing, retirement, insurance and business solutions.

First National Bank offers customers a good range of low-minimum accounts in its service area, which now covering seven states and the District of Columbia. Although there is limited fee-free ATM access, the bank’s monthly maintenance fees are generally easy to avoid. 

GOBankingRates gave First National Bank the Silver for Maryland and the Bronze for Pennsylvania for the Best Banks by State 2025.

First National Bank of Pennsylvania Checking Accounts

First National Bank offers five types of checking accounts: Freestyle Checking, Lifestyle Checking, eStyle, eStyle Plus and Premierstyle Checking. Here are some key highlights: 

• The checking accounts vary in terms of fees charged and services offered, allowing customers to choose the account that best matches their needs. 
• Three of the accounts — Lifestyle, eStyle Plus and Premierstyle — pay interest if you maintain certain balances. Accounts with higher balances enjoy the highest rates.
• Even though Freestyle Checking doesn’t pay interest, it’s attractive due to ts combination of features and lack of fees. Customers get unlimited check writing and online bill pay without service fees. Also, no minimum balances or transactions are required.
• The bank waives the service charge on other accounts if customers meet certain criteria. For eStyle Plus, Lifestyle Checking and Premierstyle Checking, this means maintaining a minimum balance in the account. Customers with an eStyle account can avoid the service fee by setting up direct deposit and initiating five monthly transactions.
• With Lifestyle Checking, customers get a free first order of checks and a safe deposit box. All accounts come with access to mobile banking, online banking and digital payments.

First National Bank of Pennsylvania Checking Accounts

Start Banking

Best For

Mobile App

Banking in Pennsylvania

Low Monthly Fees

Loan Options

Investment Services

Flexible Options, No-Fee Checking

First National Bank of Pennsylvania offers five checking account options, including no-fee and interest-earning, with features like unlimited check writing and mobile banking.

Fees

$0 to $25

APY

Up to

Min Opening

$50

Pros

• eStyle account has no overdraft fees.
• Freestyle Checking has no monthly fees or minimum balance requirements.

Cons

• You can only earn interest on the Lifestyle Checking account if you maintain a balance of $2,500 or more.
• $25 monthly fee for the eStyle Plus account, which can only be waived with $1,000 or more daily balance or $25,000 in combined daily balance

Quick Take

First National Bank of Pennsylvania has a variety of great checking options, many of which are interest-bearing which is a great feature for your go-to bank account. 

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First National Bank of Pennsylvania Savings Accounts

First National Bank has a single savings account, called FirstRate Savings. Here are a few key takeaways: 

• This is a basic, no-frills savings account with low minimums and an easy-to-avoid fee.
• Simply maintain a $500 average daily balance, and the bank waives the $5 monthly service fee.
• The account comes with a free Visa debit card with free Google Pay, Samsung Pay and Apple Pay. 
• This account pays APY for balances up to $999.99 and APY on balances of $1,000 or more.

First National Bank of Pennsylvania Savings Accounts

Start Banking

Best For

Mobile App

Banking in Pennsylvania

Low Monthly Fees

Loan Options

Investment Services

Free Debit Card, Tiered Interest

First National Bank of Pennsylvania’s FirstRate Savings account offers tiered interest, a free debit card and a waivable $5 monthly fee with a $500 balance.

Fees

$5

APY

to

Min Opening

$0 at branch; $50 online

Pros

• $0 opening deposit requirement if your savings account is opened in person
• Earns a tiered interest rate, so you can earn more if you put more into the account

Cons

• Requires a $50 minimum opening deposit online
• $5 monthly maintenance fee if you don’t maintain an average daily balance of $500 or more

Quick Take

First National Bank of Pennsylvania offers a solid standard savings account with tiered interest and easily waivable fees.

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First National Bank of Pennsylvania CD Accounts

First National Bank of Pennsylvania has a variety of CD accounts to choose from, many of which could fit your financial needs. Here are a few factors to consider: 

• FNB offers CDs in terms of three to 60 months with a fixed rate of interest that’s compounded quarterly. 
• A $500 minimum deposit is required to earn interest. 
• All standard CDs feature a APY, except for the 60-month CD, which has a slightly higher rate. The bank offers flexible interest payment options. 
• First National Bank offers promotional CDs, which feature higher rates than those offered by its standard CDs. The current CD specials range from 5-month to 61-month term lengths.

3.6

GBR RatingGOBankingRates scores and rankings are objectively determined by our research/editorial team. Our scoring formula weighs several factors that differ from category to category depending on what consumers want from varying products and banks. Read our full Editorial Guidelines here.

First National Bank of Pennsylvania CD Accounts

Start Banking

Best For

Mobile App

Banking in Pennsylvania

Low Monthly Fees

Loan Options

Investment Services

Promotional CDs With Higher Rates

First National Bank of Pennsylvania offers CDs with competitive APYs, including promotional rates for various term lengths, starting at a $500 minimum deposit.

Fees

No monthly service fee

APY

Min Opening

$500

Pros

• Offers standard and flexible CDs as well as CD Specials for a variety of term-length and APY options.
• Competitive APYs

Cons

• CD Specials have better rates, but come with higher minimum opening deposit requirements.

Quick Take

If you are ready to up your savings game, First National Bank of Pennsylvania has different CD rates and term lengths available.

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First National Bank of Pennsylvania Money Market Accounts

First National Bank has both the FirstRate Money Market and Private Banking Select Money Market account options, here are a few key considerations: 

• The FirstRate Money Market account requires a larger balance to avoid fees. 
• If you open a FirstRate Money Market account at an FNB branch, there’s no minimum opening deposit required. However, accounts opened online require a $50 minimum deposit. 
• The account has a $10 monthly service charge, which will be waived if you maintain a $5,000 average daily balance. 
• Depending on the balance tier, standard rates range from to APY.
• The Private Banking Select Money Market account has no minimum opening deposit and you can waive the $10 monthly fee if you maintain an average daily balance of $5,000 or more.
• This account also earns tiered interest which is higher than regular savings and it has no fee from FNB for using non-FNB ATMs.

3.9

GBR RatingGOBankingRates scores and rankings are objectively determined by our research/editorial team. Our scoring formula weighs several factors that differ from category to category depending on what consumers want from varying products and banks. Read our full Editorial Guidelines here.

First National Bank of Pennsylvania Money Market Accounts

Start Banking

Best For

Mobile App

Banking in Pennsylvania

Low Monthly Fees

Loan Options

Investment Services

Tiered Interest, No ATM Fees

First National Bank offers two money market accounts with tiered interest rates, $0 opening deposit at branches and waived monthly fees with a $5,000 balance.

Fees

$5 to $10, waivable

APY

4.2%

Min Opening

$0 to $50

Pros

• $0 opening deposit requirement if you open an MMA in a branch
• Earns more interest than a standard savings account

Cons

• You need to keep $100,000 or more in the account to earn the highest tier of interest which is out of reach for many customers.

Quick Take

First National Bank of Pennsylvania has money market accounts that can boost your savings and help you more efficiently meet your financial goals. 

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Banking Experience

First National Bank is a full-service bank that offers customers more than an impressive number of checking and savings accounts. Its product lineup also includes a range of products designed to meet the diverse financial needs of its customers, such as certificates of deposit, a money market account, IRA savings and health savings accounts. 

The bank also provides a variety of loans, including mortgages and home equity loans as well as personal and vehicle loans. Customers can take advantage of investing and private banking services and insurance options to protect loved ones and property.

However, for a bank of its size, First National Bank has limited customer service options. Customers can visit a branch, call during business hours or send an email.

Its mobile app, FNB Direct, lets customers review transactions, deposit checks, transfer funds, manage debit cards and locate branches and ATMs. The app has a star rating of 4.7 on Google Play and 4.8 on the App Store.

How Does First National Bank Compare?

Here’s a look at how First National Bank stacks up against other banks in the area.

Checking

Savings

CDs

Money Market

SELECTED BANK

First National Bank of Pennsylvania Checking Accounts

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MOST COMPARABLE

4.3

GBR RatingGOBankingRates scores and rankings are objectively determined by our research/editorial team. Our scoring formula weighs several factors that differ from category to category depending on what consumers want from varying products and banks. Read our full Editorial Guidelines here.

PNC Checking Account

Read Review

MOST COMPARABLE

4.5

GBR RatingGOBankingRates scores and rankings are objectively determined by our research/editorial team. Our scoring formula weighs several factors that differ from category to category depending on what consumers want from varying products and banks. Read our full Editorial Guidelines here.

Citizens Bank Checking Account

Read Review

Fees

Fees

Fees

$0 to $25

$7 to $25

$0 to $25

APY

APY

APY

Up to

N/A

0%

Min Opening

Min Opening

Min Opening

$50

$0

$0

SELECTED BANK

First National Bank of Pennsylvania Savings Accounts

Start Banking

MOST COMPARABLE

PNC Standard Savings Account

Read Review

MOST COMPARABLE

Citizens Bank Savings Accounts

Read Review

Fees

Fees

Fees

$5

$5 monthly

$0-$4.99

APY

APY

APY

to

–

Min Opening

Min Opening

Min Opening

$0 at branch; $50 online

$0

$0

SELECTED BANK

3.6

GBR RatingGOBankingRates scores and rankings are objectively determined by our research/editorial team. Our scoring formula weighs several factors that differ from category to category depending on what consumers want from varying products and banks. Read our full Editorial Guidelines here.

First National Bank of Pennsylvania CD Accounts

Start Banking

MOST COMPARABLE

3.1

GBR RatingGOBankingRates scores and rankings are objectively determined by our research/editorial team. Our scoring formula weighs several factors that differ from category to category depending on what consumers want from varying products and banks. Read our full Editorial Guidelines here.

PNC CD Accounts

Read Review

MOST COMPARABLE

Citizens Bank CD Accounts

Read Review

Fees

Fees

Fees

No monthly service fee

No monthly service fee

No monthly service fee

APY

APY

APY

Up to

–

Min Opening

Min Opening

Min Opening

$500

$250 to $1,000

$1,000- $25,000

SELECTED BANK

3.9

GBR RatingGOBankingRates scores and rankings are objectively determined by our research/editorial team. Our scoring formula weighs several factors that differ from category to category depending on what consumers want from varying products and banks. Read our full Editorial Guidelines here.

First National Bank of Pennsylvania Money Market Accounts

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MOST COMPARABLE

4.7

GBR RatingGOBankingRates scores and rankings are objectively determined by our research/editorial team. Our scoring formula weighs several factors that differ from category to category depending on what consumers want from varying products and banks. Read our full Editorial Guidelines here.

Ally Bank Money Market Accounts

Read Review

MOST COMPARABLE

Citizens Access Money Market Accounts

Read Review

Fees

Fees

Fees

$5 to $10, waivable

$0

No monthly service fee

APY

APY

APY

4.2%

Up to

Min Opening

Min Opening

Min Opening

$0 to $50

$0

$0

First National Bank of Pennsylvania vs. PNC

PNC has a larger service area than First National Bank and more surcharge-free ATMs, but First National makes up for the lack of branches with an impressive menu of services. First National customers can choose from five checking accounts, compared to three available at PNC — and all of them come with service charges that cannot be waived easily. First National also offers standard certificates of deposit with a lower minimum opening balance than PNC.

First National Bank of Pennsylvania vs. Citizens Bank

Like FNB, Rhode Island-based Citizens Bank has hundreds of branches in Pennsylvania, and got the Silver in Best Banks by State 2025 which slightly edges out FNB’s Bronze. Also, like First National Bank, Citizens offers five checking accounts, but only one has no monthly service fee, and one account has no option for waiving the fee. Citizens has three savings accounts, which is more than FNB’s one option.

First National Bank of Pennsylvania vs. Capital One

As far as the Best Banks by State 2025 roundup goes, First National Bank of Pennsylvania may have scored the Silver in Maryland but Capital One got the Gold. Capital One has also taken advantage of its strong financial position thanks to its credit card division to offer online banking products and services such as checking, savings and CD accounts with no monthly service charges or minimum balance requirements to worry about. 

Final Take

The bottom line is that First National Bank is a decent option for customers in the bank’s service area. All of the basic banking account types are available, and checking accounts offer a good range of options. Although most account maintenance fees can be waived, APYs for interest-bearing accounts can be quite low.

The bank is best for customers who live in the bank’s service area and want an excellent fee-free checking account. However, if you’re looking for a low-fee, high-APY institution, there are better options available. First National Bank of Pennsylvania was ranked among the Best Banks by State 2025 for both Maryland and Pennsylvania.

Allison Hache, Cynthia Measom, John Csiszar and Vance Cariaga contributed to the reporting for this article.

Rates are subject to change; unless otherwise noted, rates are updated periodically. All other information on accounts is accurate as of Dec. 17, 2024. 

Editorial Note: This content is not provided by any entity covered in this article. Any opinions, analyses, reviews, ratings or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author alone and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any entity named in this article.

To discover the Best Banks by state, GOBankingRates analyzed the top institutions (excluding online banks and neobanks) by state branch locations. To determine rankings, GOBankingRates looked at the following factors: (1) total assets as sourced from the FDIC; (2) checking product minimum deposit; (3) monthly checking fee ratio (percentage of the minimum to avoid fees compared to the monthly fee itself); (4) savings product minimum deposit; (5) savings product APY; (6) Bauer rating (out of 5 stars); (7) products/services offered (auto loans, mortgage loans, credit cards, investment services and insurance); and (8) the average mobile app rating between the Google Play (Android) and Apple stores. All factors were then scored and combined, with the lowest score being the best. Factors (1), (2) and (4) were weighed 0.5 times, factor (5) was weighed 2.5 times and factor (7) was weighed 1.5 times. All products and offerings had to be available as of Nov. 8, 2024, to be considered. Rates are subject to change; unless otherwise noted, rates are updated periodically. All other information on accounts is accurate as of Dec. 17, 2024. To qualify as one of the Best Banks in the state, the institution needed at least five branch locations in the respective state, with some exceptions for larger and/or smaller states.

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