FirstBank Review: Regional Bank With an Account for Everybody
Written by
Daria Uhlig
Edited by
Melanie Grafil, M.A., CHFCâ„¢
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Choose from FirstBank's many checking and savings options to bank the way that works best for you.
FirstBank offers personal and business checking and savings accounts, as well as loans and credit cards. The bank offers different products for different budgets, from no-frills checking and savings to time-deposit (CD) accounts.
Pros
- Wide range of productsÂ
- Linked checking and savings accountsÂ
- Interest-bearing checking accountsÂ
- Account opening bonusÂ
Cons
- Low interest rates on savingsÂ
- Limited number of free ATMsÂ
FirstBank is a regional bank that was started in 1963 and has 95 locations in Arizona and Colorado. The bank offers a full suite of personal and business banking and lending products, with online banking and a mobile app.
FirstBank has a wide choice of accounts to help Colorado and Arizona residents manage their money and save for the future. All accounts pay interest, and some have tiered rates to maximize earnings.
FirstBank Checking Accounts
FirstBank has four different checking accounts to choose from. All are checkless accounts, and most earn interest. However, you’ll have to pay monthly fees unless you meet the criteria to waive them. Overdraft protection is available for a fee via an optional cash reserve line of credit — subject to approval — or transfer from a linked account.
- Get your first 90 days fee-free with FirstBank’s Anywhere Account, a basic checking account with a $12 monthly fee for customers ages 26 and older. Avoid the fee by meeting the $1,500 minimum balance requirement or receiving $500 in qualifying direct deposits each statement cycle.
- The Bloom Package is a checking and savings bundle with the same checking account fee as the Anywhere Account, and the same opportunities for waiving it. FirstBank charges $1 per check presented after the first three per statement cycle.
- Maintain a $2,500 Premier Checking balance to earn APY and waive the $20 monthly fee. Premier Checking customers pay no annual cash reserve fee for overdraft protection.
- The Climb Account waives the $5 monthly fee for the first 30 days after account opening. This account has no inactivity or overdraft fees, but you must open it in person or by phone.
Where It Stands Out
Checking Accounts
Mobile Banking
CD Options
Senior Accounts
Checking Accounts for Every Budget
Each of FirstBank’s checking accounts gives you several ways to avoid monthly fees, whether by maintaining a minimum balance or receiving qualified direct deposits into the account.
Fees
$5 to $20, depending on the account
APY
to
Min Opening
$10
Pros
- 4 accounts to choose from
- Monthly fees waivable with most accounts
- Pay no fees at over 37,000 MoneyPass ATMs nationwide
- No fee for overdrafts of $15 or less
Cons
- All checking accounts except Premier Checking are non-interest-bearing
- High overdraft fees and fees for overdraft protection
- Only 3 free checks per statement cycle with Bloom Package
Why We Like FirstBank
For customers who qualify for bank account fee waivers and rarely or never overdraw their accounts, FirstBank is a solid choice for simplified cash management, thanks to checkless checking and a large network of fee-free ATMs. Premier Checking customers can earn above-average rates on higher balances.
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FirstBank Savings Accounts
FirstBank savings account options range from Regular Savings with a low minimum balance requirement to money market and Liquid Asset accounts that can earn highly competitive interest rates at high balance tiers. Just watch the fees, which can be high, and in some cases, difficult to have waived.
- Regular Savings has a $100 minimum balance requirement to waive the $5 quarterly service charge. This account pays APY regardless of balance.
- The Bloom Package savings account earns up to APY. However, you’ll need a balance of at least $100,000 to earn a competitive rate.
- Liquid Asset savings accounts generally pay higher interest than money market accounts, and unlike CDs, they don’t tie up your money. Rates are competitive. Maintain a $20,000 balance to waive the $20 monthly service charge.
- Money Market Savings has a comparatively low minimum balance of $1,000 to waive the $10 monthly service charge. While rates are lower than average, you earn interest on your entire balance.
Where It Stands Out
Checking Accounts
Mobile Banking
CD Options
Senior Accounts
Earn More Interest for Higher Balances
FirstBank savings accounts let you grow your savings at your own pace. Start slow with a Regular Savings account, or supercharge your interest earnings with a high-yield Liquid Asset account.
Fees
$5 per quarter to $20 per month
APY
to
Min Opening
$10
Pros
- Earn higher interest on large balances without tying up your funds
- Minimum balances as low as $100
- Save automatically with the Bloom Package
Cons
- High monthly fees on some accounts
- Transfer fee each day linked savings account is used for overdraft protection
Why We Like It
FirstBank’s Liquid Asset Savings lets you earn CD-like interest on large balances without losing access to your money.
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FirstBank CD Accounts
FirstBank offers time savings and deposit accounts, which are similar to CDs. Whereas Time Savings has the most flexibility, Time Deposit accounts have the highest rates and best selection of terms.
- Earn a variable rate of interest on the Time Savings Account, and maintain a $100 minimum balance to avoid the $5 quarterly fee[time savings]. Unlike CDs, Time Savings lets you make additional deposits after opening the account. Terms range from 91 days to two years.
- The Time Deposit Account has a minimum deposit of $500, which is reasonable for an account with fixed rates as competitive as this one’s[12][fdic]. Choose from terms of 91 days to five years.
- The Premier Time Account has a $10,000 minimum balance. While terms are the same as for the Time Deposit Account, rates are higher[13].
Where It Stands Out
Checking Accounts
Mobile Banking
CD Options
Senior Accounts
Choose Variable or Locked-In Rates
FirstBank time savings and deposit accounts offer terms of up to five years. The minimum balance for variable-rate Time Savings Accounts is just $100. Time Deposit Accounts have higher minimums, but rates are guaranteed for the full term.
Fees
$5 if Time Savings minimum balance not met
APY
Up to
Min Opening
$10
Pros
- Low minimum to open most accounts
- Time Savings offers flexibility to make additional deposits
- Fixed rates on Time Deposit and Premier Time accounts
Cons
- Limited choice of terms
- Below-average rates on Time Savings Account
Why We Like FirstBank
FirstBank’s CD-equivalent accounts help new savers with limited budgets get off to a strong start. Although Time Savings rates are low, the minimum deposit is just $100. Once that account matures, you can move into a Time Deposit Account with higher rates and longer terms available.
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Banking Experience
FirstBank customers have been slow to review the bank itself, but the bank’s mobile app is rated highly, garnering 4.8 out of 5 stars on both the Apple App store and Google Play. Most users laud the easy navigation and ability to conduct nearly all banking activities on the app.
Customer service is another strong point at FirstBank. Representatives are available by phone 24/7 and by live chat Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. through 7 p.m. MT.
Editor’s Favorite
The Bloom Package account links checking and savings and pays interest on the savings account regardless of your balance. It’s relatively easy to meet the requirements to avoid the monthly service charge.
FirstBank vs. Competitors
When choosing a new bank, you want to compare your options so you can select the one that’s best for you. Here are some of FirstBank’s competitors and how they stack up.
SELECTED BANK
MOST COMPARABLE
MOST COMPARABLE
Fees
Fees
Fees
$5 to $20, depending on the account
$0 or $12, with options to waive
$5 to $35 waivable monthly fee
APY
APY
APY
to
N/A
Up to
Min Opening
Min Opening
Min Opening
$10
$0
$25
SELECTED BANK
MOST COMPARABLE
MOST COMPARABLE
Fees
Fees
Fees
$5 per quarter to $20 per month
$5 monthly, waivable
None
APY
APY
APY
to
Min Opening
Min Opening
Min Opening
$10
$0
$0
SELECTED BANK
MOST COMPARABLE
MOST COMPARABLE
Fees
Fees
Fees
$5 if Time Savings minimum balance not met
No monthly service fee
Early withdrawal penalty may apply
APY
APY
APY
Up to
Up to
Up to
Min Opening
Min Opening
Min Opening
$10
$1,000
$500
FirstBank vs. Bellco Credit Union
Bellco Credit Union is one of Colorado’s largest credit unions. It offers a checking account that pays up to APY on balances up to $25,000. Account holders can access over 30,000 ATMs. However, you need to be a member to open an account.
FirstBank vs. Chase Bank
Chase Bank is a national bank with a robust product line. If credit card options are important to you, Chase has a credit card for just about everybody. It also has 4,700 branches, but fewer ATMs than FirstBank — less than 15,000 vs. 37,000.
FirstBank vs. Marcus by Goldman Sachs
Marcus by Goldman Sachs is an online bank with higher rates on savings accounts and CDs, and no savings account fee or minimum balance requirement. However, Marcus doesn’t offer checking accounts.
Final Take
FirstBank is a regional bank that offers most of the financial services products most people need. There are many fee-free options for those who can meet the minimum balance or direct deposit requirements. Interest rates are relatively low for most accounts, however, and you must live in Arizona or Colorado to earn them. Therefore, FirstBank is best for residents of those states.
FirstBank FAQ
Here are answers to some of FirstBank’s more commonly asked questions.- Who owns FirstBank?
- FirstBank is privately held and owned by FirstBank Holding Company.
- Does FirstBank have brick-and-mortar branches?
- Yes, FirstBank has about 95 branches in Arizona and Colorado.
- Does FirstBank use Zelle?
- Yes. With the FirstBank mobile app, you can use Zelle to send money to friends and family who also have Zelle.
- What digital banking features does FirstBank provide?
- FirstBank offers a full-featured mobile app with mobile check deposit, plus free online banking with alerts and bill pay for customers enrolled in eStatements.
- Are there minimum balance requirements for FirstBank accounts?
- Yes, a minimum opening deposit of $10 is required. Ongoing balance requirements vary by account to avoid monthly or quarterly fees.
- Does FirstBank charge monthly maintenance fees?
- Yes, but most fees can be waived by meeting minimum balance or direct deposit requirements.
- Does FirstBank offer nationwide ATM access?
- Yes. FirstBank customers have fee-free access to more than 37,000 ATMs nationwide.
- Are FirstBank bonus offers available?
- FirstBank has offered promotions in the past, but no bonuses are available as of Dec. 9.
Karen Doyle contributed to the reporting for this new article.
Rates are subject to change. Information on accounts is accurate as of Dec. 29, 2025.
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.Â
