The Best Checking Accounts in Wyoming for 2024

Finding the right checking account isn’t an easy process. You have many banks you can open accounts at and each of those banks likely has several checking accounts.

Some banks offer better products than others. While certain banks view checking accounts as a way to make money on fees, others use them to acquire new customers by offering relatively fee-free accounts.

If you’re looking for a checking account in Wyoming, we have you covered. Here’s what you should know.

The Best Checking Accounts of Wyoming

Glacier Bank - Totally Free Checking

Glacier Bank’s Totally Free Checking is our favorite checking account from this bank. The account has no opening deposit requirement, minimum balance requirement, or monthly service charge. It doesn’t pay interest but does offer unlimited check writing.

All checking accounts at Glacier Bank come with the following features:

• Free online banking with Bill Pay
• Free mobile banking with mobile check deposit
• Free debit card
• Option to sell unused checks or debit cards from another institution
• Free eStatements

Bank of Jackson Hole - Everyday Checking

The Bank of Jackson Hole has two checking account options. We prefer the Everyday Checking account. You only need $50 to open an account and there are no minimum balance requirements after that. It doesn’t pay interest but doesn’t have monthly maintenance fees, either.

You do have to pay $5 per month if you want paper statements, but eStatements are free. Other features include:

• Debit card
• Unlimited check writing
• Online and mobile banking
• Bill Pay
• Mobile deposit

Pinnacle Bank - Free Checking

At Pinnacle Bank, you have five checking account choices. We think their Free Checking account comes out on top. There are no monthly fees or minimum balance requirements, but you don’t earn interest. Statements are electronic with this account type and you need a $100 initial deposit to open an account.

Other features include:

• Debit card
• Online banking with Bill Pay
• Mobile banking with mobile deposit
• Account alerts

Hilltop Bank - E-Z Checking

Hilltop Bank’s E-Z Checking account doesn’t offer many frills, but it gets the job done. You have no minimum balance requirements or monthly maintenance fees. You can write an unlimited number of checks, get a free debit card, and get access to online banking.

ANB Bank - Free Checking

ANB Bank has four checking accounts adults can sign up for, but their Free Checking best met our criteria. You have no monthly service fee and only need $25 to open an account. You can opt for eStatements or paper statements without paying a fee.

Other benefits of this account include:

• Debit card with the ability to turn it on or off
• Online and mobile banking
• Bill Pay
• Mobile deposit
• 37,000+ location MoneyPass ATM Network

How we picked these accounts

To find the top checking accounts in Wyoming, we first identified the top 50 banks in the state by deposit market share -- with coverage of major cities including Cheyenne, Casper, Laramie, Gillette, and Rock Springs. To do this, we used the FDIC’s data from June 2023.

Next, we took a close look at the checking account options at these banks. In particular, we examined accounts to find those with no or low monthly service charges, ways to waive any monthly service charges that exist, the ATM networks of each bank, and other products and features each bank offers its checking account customers.

Big Banks vs. Online Banks

Local banks can provide detailed services other types of banks may not be able to provide. Still, big banks and online banks fit into the larger banking picture in some significant ways.

If you want to consider other options, here are the pros and cons of these two types of banks that may be a better fit for you.

Benefits of Big Banks

Accounts available

Larger banks have more corporate support, which may allow them to provide more account options. Some of these options may be smaller niche products.

Branch locations

A large branch network is a hallmark of this type of bank. These branches should be throughout your local area and the region around you.

Digital banking

You should have access to mobile and online banking. These features likely include most standard banking services, including mobile check deposits.

In-person help

Assistance may be able to be provided at local branches rather than calling into a call center.

Drawbacks of Big Banks

Big company slowdowns

These banks have several layers of management and approvals that may slow down certain processes or transactions.

Fees charged

Big banks often have a long fee schedule with some expensive fees to help pay for their expensive investment in an extensive branch network.

Hard-to-achieve fee waivers

You may have the option to get fees waived, but it may require putting thousands of dollars into an account to do so.

No or low interest

Most of these banks pay no interest on their checking accounts. If they pay interest, the rate is often so close to 0% that it isn’t worth mentioning.

Positives of Online Banks

Access to banking virtually

Online banks’ mobile apps and online banking let you bank anywhere you have a device and internet.

Better interest rates

Online banks typically pay interest on checking accounts. Often, it’s several times higher than the national rate brick-and-mortar banks pay.

FDIC insurance

If an online bank is an FDIC member, it provides the same deposit insurance coverage that brick-and-mortar member FDIC banks do.

Superior fee schedules

Expect a shorter list of fees, many of which may have lower costs, with an online bank.

Up-to-date technology options

Technology and mobile apps often offer more cutting-edge banking services, such as the ability to create sub-accounts and track your finances in unique ways.

Negatives of Online Banks

Cash deposits

Online banks don’t have branches where you can deposit cash. You may have other options that are less convenient.

Internet a necessity

If you don’t have reliable access to the Internet, online banking can be difficult. Natural disasters can result in long outages where not having access to your online bank account could present bigger problems.

No branch locations

These banks don’t have physical locations you can visit. If you prefer branch banking, online banks aren’t a good fit.

How to Identify Your Best-Fit Checking Account

Each person has unique banking needs. Banks know this and offer many checking account options so each person can find the best fit.

When looking for a checking account, you should look for the features most important to you. If you don’t know what those are, here are a few ideas to help you identify them.

Fees charged

Fees will likely play a large role in the checking account you choose because fees directly drain your bank account balance.

It’s fairly easy to find a checking account that doesn’t charge fees for day-to-day activities.

When considering accounts, look at the bank’s fee schedule to determine the average costs you’d pay each month in fees for the services you’d use. This should help you find the lowest fee option if that’s what is most vital for your needs.

Access to the bank the way you want

Checking accounts are used to move money in and out when you need it. For this reason, your account needs to be accessible in the ways you prefer to bank.

People who want a physical branch will need a local or big bank, while those who want to use apps and ATMs may prefer an online bank.

Interest rates

Interest usually isn’t a key feature on checking accounts, but it can help you decide between two otherwise close alternatives. Local and brick and mortar banks pay no interest or very low rates.

Online banks may pay rates several times the low national average, but it doesn’t add up to much in most cases.

Thankfully, rewards checking accounts provide an alternative that may be worth considering if interest makes a difference in your case.

These accounts may pay 1% interest or higher on a limited balance if you meet certain requirements each month. They aren’t easy to meet, though. Without meeting these requirements you earn no interest or a very low rate. They could include:

• Making twelve or more signature debit card transactions
• Signing into digital banking each month
• Opting into eStatements
• Making a direct deposit or ACH deposit

Technology usability

With technology playing such a large role in our lives, you need to make sure a bank’s mobile and online banking work as you expect. Verify features you expect to use are accessible, such as mobile check deposit and Bill Pay.

Other features, products, and services

Banks offer many services beyond checking accounts that may be helpful. If you plan to move banks, consider these other services, as well.

You may pick a checking account that is a little less than perfect if a bank’s other features are outstanding.

You may want to consider other offerings such as:

• Savings accounts and the interest rates they pay
• Investment options, the associated fees, and the availability of an on-site advisor
• Loan types offered and advertised interest rates you’d pay
• Availability of convenience items, such as cashier’s checks, money orders, safety deposit boxes, and more

Select Your Next Checking Account

You should now feel comfortable knowing what’s most important for you when looking for a checking account. You can start by evaluating our top five picks in Wyoming. Then, compare your favorites to online and big banks you may want to do business with.

The key is taking action and opening a new account. Each month you delay is another monthly fee you may have to pay for a substandard checking account at your current bank.