Looking for an honest Emprise Bank review? In need of a new checking account?
A checking account is a basic financial instrument that may help you properly handle your money. The only issue is that numerous checking accounts aren't constructed to work in your favor.
Many checking accounts also don't offer great interest rates on the money that's already in there. Plus there are so many monthly fees to deal with. Some banks even charge you simply for having a checking account with them.
Thankfully, there is a bank account that offers a competitive interest rate and no fees.
It's called the Emprise Bank, and it's been around for several years now. In this review, we'll explore some of the benefits of using this checking account as well as why you should look into getting it if you haven't already.
What Is Emprise Bank?
The history of Emprise Bank stretches back to more than a century and includes more than 100 years of expertise in meeting clients' needs.
Emprise Bank has grown from a $200 million bank to a $2 billion institution with locations in 20 different municipalities in the Midwest throughout the last few decades.
It's gone from a tiny bank to the seventh-largest in Kansas. It has also expanded its online customer experience to provide consumers with useful banking services across the country.
What Does Emprise Bank Offer?
How can Emprise Bank assist you? The bank offers two fantastic checking accounts that put its customers first. Here's what you need to know about them.
Cash Back Checking
Customers may get 2% cash back on all debit card transactions up to a maximum of $6 each month, or $72 per year with the Cash Back Checking account.
With this additional cash, you'll have more money to spend on other things. You won't have to maintain any minimum account balance to take advantage of these perks.
Rewards
- 2% cash back on debit card purchases
- Access to 55,000 surcharge-free ATMs
- Nationwide ATM fee refunds up to $25 per month
Monthly Qualifications
To earn cash rewards and ATM fee refunds is super simple. To qualify each month, just do really convenient things that you’re probably doing already, like:
- Make at least 12 debit card purchases
- Enroll in the convenience of eStatements
- Have at least one direct deposit, automatic deposit or withdrawal
If you don’t make it one month, just try again. And remember, your account is always free.
Extra Perks
- No monthly service fee
- No minimum balance to earn rewards
- Can connect to a Savings Plus account for automatic savings
Cash back on purchases and ATM fee refunds, plus free personal finance tools to view spending insights, set budgets, and goals. Get 2% cash back on debit card purchases and nationwide ATM fee refunds up to $25 per month.
High Interest Checking
A high-interest savings account is one that pays a higher rate of interest than normal. However, a high-interest checking account is something of a rarity.
Emprise Bank offers a High Interest Checking account that will allow you to continue growing your money even after it's placed in your checking account.
As of 2024, you may earn 3.00% APY on balances of up to $10,000. All accounts over $10,000 are eligible for 0.59% APY, which is still a rather generous rate in today's environment.
Rewards
- 3.00% APY on balances up to $10,000
- 3.00% to 0.59% APY on amount of balance over $10,000
- 0.01% APY if qualifications are not met
- Access to network of 55,000 surcharge-free ATMs
- Non-network ATM fee refunds up to $25 per month*
Monthly Qualifications
To earn higher interest and ATM fee refunds is super simple. To qualify each month, just do really convenient things that you’re probably doing already, like:
- Make at least 12 debit card purchases
- Enroll in the convenience of eStatements
- Have at least one direct deposit, automatic deposit or withdrawal
If you don’t make it one month, just try again. And remember, your account is always free.
Extra Perks
- No monthly service fee
- No minimum balance to earn rewards
- Can connect to a Savings Plus account for automatic savings
The Emprise Bank High Interest Checking account is a free checking account with no minimum balance. Earn up to 1.75% APY and up to $25 in ATM reimbursements.
Savings Plus
With a Cash Back or High Interest Checking account connected to a Savings Plus account, your rewards are transferred automatically and your savings add up even faster!
Saving money can take work, but this high interest savings account does the work for you, making saving easy.
Are There Any Fees?
Although most banks charge fees, Emprise Bank isn't one of them. Here's a closer look at what it includes.
ATM Fee Refunds
Emprise Bank gives you access to over 55,000 surcharge-free ATMs worldwide with their participation in the Allpoint ATM Network. On top of that, they offer fee refunds if you use a non-network ATM.
To earn the benefits of cash back or high interest, as well as ATM fee withdrawal reimbursements of up to $25 a month, you'll need to:
- Make at least 12 debit card transactions.
- Start using eStatements.
- Have one or more direct deposits, automated deposits, or withdrawals.
The ATM fee reimbursements for both checking accounts are the same.
No Monthly Service Fee
Finally, neither of Emprise's checking accounts or Savings Plus account will charge you a monthly service fee.
Emprise Bank has all of the qualities that make other banks undesirable. After all, you don't want to pay a bank for the opportunity to store and spend your own money.
Transaction And Activity Fees
Emprise Bank charges a few other fees that you should be aware of.
The first charge is a $32 per-use overdraft fee. Second, accounts that are closed within 180 days of opening incur a $25 penalty. Third, foreign transactions cost up to 2%.
The following are just a few of the most prevalent costs that Emprise clients may encounter.
To see all fees, you can see their Schedule of Charges.
How Do I Contact Emprise Bank?
You may reach out to Emprise Bank using a secure email or chat on the website's chat box. You can also call 855-383-4301 Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM to 8:00 PM, or Saturday from 8:30 AM to 2 PM for assistance.
Customers who want to bank by video can do so by texting a banker at 855-491-0368 within the same time limits and scheduling virtual consultation sessions with a Video Banker. Finally, if you live in Kansas, you may visit one of the bank's 30+ brick-and-mortar locations.
Emprise Bank has an A+ Better Business Bureau rating, which means you're likely to receive excellent customer service. While there are several complaints on the internet, most were resolved promptly.
Emprise Bank vs Competitors
If you’re looking for Emprise Bank alternatives, you’re really looking for two things: somewhere to park idle cash.
In terms of where to hold your money, there are other checking accounts or high-yield savings accounts. Plus, many Emprise Bank competitors don’t have such high deposit or balance requirements.
For example, Aspiration’s Spend & Save Account lets you earn 1% APY and pays up to $200 for opening an account. You can also earn up to 0.40% APY with CIT Bank’s Saving Builder if you just deposit $100 per month.
In terms of investing, Emprise Bank has a lackluster brokerage services and there are also various commission-free brokers you can consider. For example, Robinhood and Webull both let you trade for free and even pay you with free stock for signing up. Furthermore, both platforms let you buy fractional shares unlike Unifimoney.
As for robo-advisors, popular Emprise Bank competitors include Betterment, which charges at 0.25% annual management fee for accounts under $100,000. You can also invest with SoFi Invest’s automated investing for free.
Ultimately, Emprise Bank is ideal if you are located in one of the states it operates in (nationwide except for those living in New York, New Jersey, California, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, or Connecticut) and can meet the minimum requirements. If you can’t meet the funding requirements, stick with low-fee or free alternatives below:
- APY: 4.50%
- Minimum to Earn APY: $1
- Up to $325 welcome bonus for new accounts
How Do I Open An Account?
After you've chosen the proper account for you, go to either the Cash Back Checking or High Interest Checking account page. Then click the “open an account” button and you'll be able to create and open a bank account in less than 5 minutes.
You'll need to provide your name, email address, and phone number at this stage. Emprise will now ask if you wish to establish a joint account. If that's the case, be ready with the other account holder's information.
After that, you'll be requested to supply an email address. Furthermore, at the end of the process, you'll need to decide on a funding source and finish the account.
Is It Safe And Secure?
Emprise Bank provides a safe banking environment. You'll also get up to $250,000 in FDIC insurance through your accounts.
Is It Worth It?
Emprise Bank offers two strong checking accounts. It will be difficult to outdo what Emprise Bank has to offer if you're looking for a Cash Back Checking account or a High Interest Checking account.
You'll get a larger amount of cash back with the premium checking account. If you opt for the high-interest checking account, you'll receive a rate that is superior to most savings accounts on the market.
Emprise Bank, on the other hand, is not a good fit for non-residents seeking to access brick-and-mortar branches. Do you want to learn more about Emprise Bank's checking account choices? Take a look at these free checking accounts if you're looking for more choices.
Cash back on purchases and ATM fee refunds, plus free personal finance tools to view spending insights, set budgets, and goals. Get 2% cash back on debit card purchases and nationwide ATM fee refunds up to $25 per month.
The Emprise Bank High Interest Checking account is a free checking account with no minimum balance. Earn up to 1.75% APY and up to $25 in ATM reimbursements.
Emprise Bank Features
| Account Types | Checking, savings, CD, and more |
| Minimum Deposit | $100 |
| High Interest Checking | Up to $10,000: 3.00% Above $10,000: 0.59% *if requirements are met |
| Cash Back Checking | 2%* (up to $6/mo)*If requirements are met |
| Maintenance Fees | None |
| Branches | 30+ throughout the state of Kansas |
| ATM Availability | Unlimited fee-free deposits and withdrawals at over 55,000 in-network ATMs; up to $25/mo fee refunds for non-network ATMs (for ATM fees of $4.99 or less) |
| Customer Service Number | 855-383-4301 |
| Customer Service Hours | Monday – Friday, 7:30 AM to 8:00 PM Saturday, 8:30 AM to 2 PM |
| Mobile App Availability | iOS and Android |
| Bill Pay | Yes |
| FDIC Certificate | 4789 |
| Promotions | None |
