What is the minimum balance for a Gate City Bank savings account?

The Regular Savings account requires a minimum daily balance of $200 to avoid a $5 monthly maintenance fee. You need to maintain a balance of $100 in a Relationship Savings account and $500 in a Money Market account or will pay a fee.

What is the negative balance fee for Gate City Bank?

If your account has had a negative balance for at least 5 days, you will pay a fee of $8 each day until it reaches a positive balance. The bank does not charge a negative balance fee for the BankOn Checking account.

Does Gate City Bank offer Zelle?

Yes, Gate City Bank offers Zelle for person-to-person payments. To send money via Zelle, log in to online banking and tap the "Send Money With Zelle" button. This service is free for most accounts, but you'll pay $0.50 for each payment you send from a BankOn account.

Does Gate City Bank have ATM fees?

If you use an ATM not owned by Gate City Bank, you may pay a surcharge to the ATM's owner . Gate City Bank will reimburse you for these fees -- up to $250 per year.

What types of accounts does Gate City Bank offer?

Gate City Bank offers several accounts for personal and business customers, including checking, savings, CDs and IRAs. The bank also provides loans, insurance and investment services.

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Gate City Bank Review: Fee-Free Accounts and Competitive Rates

January 2, 2025

Written by Allison Hache

Edited by Elizabeth Constantineau

Commitment to Our Readers

GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology.

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Gate City Bank Checking Accounts
Gate City Bank Savings Accounts
Gate City Bank CD Accounts
Gate City Bank Money Market Accounts
Banking Experience
Comparable Regional Bank Options
Final Take

Gate City Bank offers fee-free checking accounts and rewards just for using your debit card.

With a strong focus on customer service, Gate City Bank ensures that both checking and savings account holders can manage their finances conveniently with access to online banking and a network of ATMs. GOBankingRates awarded Gate City Bank the Silver award for Best Banks in North Dakota for 2025.

Gate City Bank is a regional financial institution serving communities in North Dakota and Minnesota. With a focus on customer-centric banking, it stands out by offering no fee accounts, an impressive debit card rewards program and personalized services designed to meet the needs of local residents.

Gate City Bank Checking Accounts

Gate City Bank has four checking accounts. All accounts come with fee-free access to ATMs, overdraft protection, early paydays and debit card rewards. Here’s how they compare:

Totally Free Checking has no maintenance fees or minimum balance requirements, making it a good choice for budget-conscious customers.
Customers who want to earn interest while avoiding fees can open a Benefit Interest Checking account that pays APY.
To earn more interest, consider the Premium Interest Checking account, which pays APY on balances between $0.01 and $2,499.99. Balances greater than $2,500 earn an APY of .
The BankOn Checking account comes with the same features as the Totally Free Checking account with a lower opening deposit — $25 vs. $50.
The Payday Your Way feature gives you access to direct deposits from employers up to 2 days earlier.

Gate City Bank Checking Account

Start Banking

Best For

Banking in North Dakota

Mobile App

Low Monthly Fees

Loan Options

Investment Services

Earn Up to on Your Balance

Gate City Bank’s checking accounts offer a variety of options, from fee-free checking to interest-earning accounts with no minimum balance requirements. With debit card rewards, early payday access and generous ATM reimbursements, these accounts cater to a range of needs while keeping things simple and accessible.

Fees

$0 to $50 monthly

APY

Up to

Min Opening

$25 to $50

Pros

Earn points with the debit card rewards program and redeem them for gift cards, travel, cash back and more
ATM surcharge reimbursement of up to $250 per year
Debit card designs featuring local schools with $10 donations for each selected design

Cons

Low rates compared to other banks
Fee to send Zelle payments from a BankOn Account

Quick Take

The Benefit Interest Checking account is worth a look from savers. The fee-free account pays interest and unlocks higher relationship rates for CDs.

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Gate City Bank Savings Accounts

Gate City Bank has a few savings accounts to offer customers. The accounts are easy to manage in person and online. If you’re looking for a simple savings account with no frills, here’s what you can choose from:

You can open a Regular Savings account or Relationship Savings account with $50, but you’ll earn a nominal APY of or on balances.
The High Yield Savings account has tiered interest rates.
If you can deposit at least $50,000 in a High Yield Savings account, you can earn the top rate of .

Gate City Bank Savings Account

Start Banking

Best For

Banking in North Dakota

Mobile App

Low Monthly Fees

Loan Options

Investment Services

Easy To Waive Monthly Fees

Gate City Bank’s savings accounts offer flexible options with low minimum deposits and no monthly fees. While the high-yield options require higher balances to unlock the top APYs, the accounts are easy to manage and offer a solid foundation for building savings.

Fees

$0 to $10 monthly

APY

Up to

Min Opening

$50 to $50,000

Pros

Nominal monthly fee compared to national banks
No monthly fees for accounts meeting balance requirements
No monthly fees for children and teenagers younger than 18

Cons

High balance requirements limiting accessibility for smaller savers
Non-competitive APY for balances under $50,000
Branch visit required to open a High Yield Savings account

Quick Take

While Gate City Bank’s savings accounts are accessible with low minimum deposits and no monthly fees, the interest rates may not be competitive for those seeking higher yields.

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Gate City Bank CD Accounts

Gate City Bank has certificates of deposit in terms ranging from 3 months to 5 years. Customers with a Benefit Interest Checking account qualify for special relationship rates for CDs. Here’s what makes them stand out:

CD rates are above-average, ranging from to APY.
Relationship CD rates range from APY to APY.
Open a CD for as little as $1,000.
CD deposits are backed by the FDIC.

Gate City Bank CD Account

Start Banking

Best For

Banking in North Dakota

Mobile App

Low Monthly Fees

Loan Options

Investment Services

Competitive Rates With Flexible Terms

Gate City Bank’s CD accounts offer attractive interest rates with terms ranging from 3 months to 5 years. Enjoy flexible terms and relationship perks with Benefit Interest Checking customers.

Fees

Early withdrawal penalties may apply

APY

Up to

Min Opening

$1,000

Pros

Attractive short-term rates for special CDs
Flexible term lengths
Special relationship rates for Benefit Interest Checking customers

Cons

Minimum deposit is higher than some competitors with similar rates
Must call or visit a branch to open a CD account

Quick Take

Gate City Bank CD accounts have above-average rates, flexible term lengths and special relationship perks for Benefit Interest Checking customers. However, the minimum deposit and requirement to speak to a bank representative to open an account may be less convenient for some.

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Gate City Bank Money Market Accounts

Gate City Bank’s Money Market Savings account pays a competitive APY if you can meet the minimum balance requirement. You’ll need to deposit $500 to open the account. Additional features to consider include:

Tiered interest rates range from to APY.
The top APY requires a balance of at least $1,000,000.
Accounts with less than $50,000 earn a nominal APY.
Enroll in the Simply Save plan and deposit your spare change in a savings account by rounding up your purchases paid from a Gate City Bank checking account.
The opening balance is only $500.

Gate City Bank Money Market Account

Start Banking

Best For

Banking in North Dakota

Mobile App

Low Monthly Fees

Loan Options

Investment Services

Open With Just $500

Gate City Bank’s Money Market Savings account offers competitive APY rates for higher balances. Enroll in Simply Save for automatic savings or maintain a balance to waive the monthly fee.

Fees

$10 a month if balance is under $500

APY

Up to

Min Opening

$500

Pros

Competitive APY for higher balances
Access to funds with limited check-writing capabilities
Opportunity to waive the monthly fee by maintaining a minimum balance

Cons

Lower APY for balances under $50,000
Higher minimum balance required to earn the top APY

Quick Take

Gate City’s Money Market account is suitable for customers maintaining higher balances to take advantage of the competitive APY. However, those with lower balances may find the interest rate less appealing.

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Banking Experience

Gate City Bank customers have access to live customer service Monday through Saturday, from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. during the week and from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday. The bank also offers support for debit card issues 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, along with account access and check ordering via self-service phone banking.

Since Gate City Bank is a brick-and-mortar institution, you can also visit a local branch in person if you’re more comfortable speaking to someone face to face. For customers who prefer digital access to their accounts, banking online and through a mobile app is available.

Customers generally report positive experiences with Gate City Bank. Specifically, they note the bank’s exceptional customer service and generous ATM reimbursement policy.

Comparable Regional Bank Options

When choosing a bank, it’s helpful to compare features and benefits to find the best fit for your financial needs. Gate City Bank competes with several regional banks by offering perks. Here’s how Gate City stacks up against a few others.

Checking

Savings

CDs

Money Market

Fees

$0 to $50 monthly

Range from $3-$10, but can be waived.

Up to $6.95, which is waivable

APY

Up to

Min Opening

$25 to $50

$100

$25

Fees

$0 to $10 monthly

$4 for customers over 21 years old

No monthly service fee

APY

Up to

Min Opening

$50 to $50,000

$50

$25

Fees

Early withdrawal penalties may apply

No monthly service fee

APY

Up to

Min Opening

$1,000

$500

Fees

$10 a month if balance is under $500

$10-$25 Monthly Service Fee

$10, waivable

APY

Up to

Min Opening

$500

$1,000

$100

Gate City Bank vs. First International Bank and Trust

First International Bank and Trust offers a range of checking and savings accounts with competitive rates, including a Rewards Account that comes with a cash rewards program and ATM fee refunds.

However, earning rewards is easier with Gate City’s debit card rewards program — just enroll and select the credit option when paying with a debit card. First International requires you to meet spending requirements, receive electronic statements and accept a direct deposit or complete a mobile check deposit each month to qualify.

Gate City Bank vs. BNC National Bank

BNC National Bank provides three personal checking accounts and two personal savings accounts. The bank does not have CDs, but it does offer a money market savings account. You’ll need to maintain a balance of at least $1,000 in the account to avoid the $10 monthly fee, an amount that’s double what you have to keep in a Gate City Bank Money Market Savings account.

BNC National Bank does not publish interest rates on its website, so you need to contact the bank directly to find out your account’s APY.

Gate City Bank vs. Western State Bank

Western State Bank offers multiple checking and savings accounts, in addition to accounts for kids and teens. Both Western State Bank and Gate City Bank let you open a checking account online with as little as $50. You can choose between a fee-free account and those that earn interest. Western State also gives checking account customers gift cards and refunds ATM fees, but it does not have a rewards program like Gate City’s debit card rewards.

To open an account at Western State Bank, you must live in Arizona, North Dakota or Minnesota, a restriction you won’t find at Gate City Bank.

Final Take

Gate City Bank is best suited for customers in North Dakota and Minnesota seeking a community-focused bank with fee-free checking options and a rewarding debit card program. While savings account interest rates are modest, the bank’s CD offerings present competitive rates for those able to meet minimum balance requirements.

The bank’s reputation for excellent customer service and generous ATM fee reimbursement make it an appealing choice for those who value accessibility and support in their banking experience.

Gate City Bank FAQ

Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Gate City Bank.

What is the minimum balance for a Gate City Bank savings account?
- The Regular Savings account requires a minimum daily balance of $200 to avoid a $5 monthly maintenance fee. You need to maintain a balance of $100 in a Relationship Savings account and $500 in a Money Market account or will pay a fee.
What is the negative balance fee for Gate City Bank?
- If your account has had a negative balance for at least 5 days, you will pay a fee of $8 each day until it reaches a positive balance. The bank does not charge a negative balance fee for the BankOn Checking account.
Does Gate City Bank offer Zelle?
- Yes, Gate City Bank offers Zelle for person-to-person payments. To send money via Zelle, log in to online banking and tap the "Send Money With Zelle" button. This service is free for most accounts, but you'll pay $0.50 for each payment you send from a BankOn account.
Does Gate City Bank have ATM fees?
- If you use an ATM not owned by Gate City Bank, you may pay a surcharge to the ATM's owner. Gate City Bank will reimburse you for these fees -- up to $250 per year.
What types of accounts does Gate City Bank offer?
- Gate City Bank offers several accounts for personal and business customers, including checking, savings, CDs and IRAs. The bank also provides loans, insurance and investment services.

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. 13, 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.

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.

Rates are subject to change; unless otherwise noted, rates are updated periodically. All other information on accounts is accurate as of Dec. 13, 2024.