NBKC Bank Review: High-Yield Checking Account

A myriad of banks now offer interest checking accounts with no fees. NBKC Bank is one such bank.

If you’re the type of person who hasn’t opened a new checking account since ninth grade, keep reading. You may decide that an interest checking account from NBKC Bank fits your needs.

See why NBKC Bank makes our list of the best free checking accounts.

What Is NBKC?

NBKC is a digital-forward bank that was founded in 1999. It's based in Kansas City which is what the "KC" in its name stands for. If you live near that area, you can visit one of its local branches. But for everyone else, NBKC is an online-only bank.

What Does It Offer?

NBKC offers a variety of banking products including checking, CDs, money market accounts, mortgages, and business bank accounts. For our review, we're going to focus on its personal and business checking accounts.

Everything Account

NBKC's calls its high-yield checking account the Everything Account. Instead of having to use a checking and savings account, why not just have one account that gives you the best of both worlds? That's what the Everything Account is all about.

Unfortunately, the rates that the NBKC Everything Account currently offers isn't as high as they were in the past. Right now, deposits in the Everything Account earn 0.15% on all balances.

You can withdraw money from over 37,000 MoneyPass ATMs. Plus, NBKC Bank will refund up to $12 per month in ATM fees incurred by other banks.

The only bit of concerning fine print is the ATM daily withdrawal limit. The limit is set at $1,010 which is quite a bit higher than most banks. However, if you want to buy furniture or a used car, you’ll have to think ahead to have the necessary cash on hand.

Open an account here >>

Free Business Checking

Another area that sets NBKC apart is their Free Business Checking. 

Just like their Everything account, this account is monthly maintenance fee-free and easy to use. It doesn't offer any interest on the account, but there is $0 minimum deposit, $0 monthly maintenance fees, $0 overdrafts, and $0 for incoming wire transfers.

They also offer mobile check deposit via their app to make collecting your money easy.

See how they compare to our best business checking accounts here.

Open an nbkc Free Business Checking Account here >>

Are There Any Fees?

Overall, NBKC Bank’s fee-free account really means fee-free. It has no minimum balances and you don’t have to pay any sort of NSF or overdraft fees. The only two fees are the $5 domestic wire transfer fee and the $45 international wire transfer fee.

NBKC customers get fee-free access to all of the 37,000+ ATMs that are part of the MoneyPass® network. And it should be noted that you can deposit cash and checks to these ATMs in addition to making withdrawals. Need to use an out-of-network ATM? No problem. NBKC will reimburse out-of-network ATM fees up to $12 per month.

How Does NBKC Bank Compare?

When it first launched, the NBKC Everything Account was one of the best high-yield checking accounts available. At one time, it offered an APY of 0.50% on all balances.

But now the Everything Account APY is just 0.15%. That's still not shabby, especially when you consider that the average APY of interest checking accounts is 0.03% according to the FDIC. But there are other online banks today that are offering better rates.

But if you're looking to handle all your business and personal banking in one place, NBKC could still be worth considering. Here's how they compare to some of the other popular options:

How Do I Open An Account?

To open a high-yield checking account at NBKC Bank, you don’t have to live in Kansas or Missouri (where the bank has branches). Anyone can open an account online in just a few minutes and there's no minimum opening deposit.

To open the account, you have to be at least 18 years old, be a U.S. citizen or resident alien, have a state ID or driver’s license, and a Social Security number. If you check all those boxes, you qualify to open the checking account.

Is It Safe And Secure?

Yes, NBKC is a member FDIC bank. That means that all accounts receive up to $250,000 of FDIC insurance per depositor.

The NBKC site is encrypted and customers can set up two-factor authentication. And, in an usual step, the bank even offers downloadable Detect Safe Browsing Software that's specifically designed to protect you while you're on NBKC's site.

How Do I Contact NBKC Bank?

If you don't live near one of NBKC's Kansas City branches, you'll need to reach out to customer service by phone, email or chat. Online and mobile banking support is available Monday through Friday 8 AM-7 PM (CST) at 866-931-0850 or [email protected].

NBKC boasts that it has a 4.9 out of 5 average rating out of over 19,000+ customer reviews. Unfortunately, it's unclear which review platform is referring to. On Trustpilot, the bank is rated 2.6/5 from only 12 reviews. They are, however, rated A+ by the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

Is It Worth It?

Overall, NBKC Bank offers a solid fee-free and interest-bearing checking account. If you don’t currently have a checking account, or your bank gouges you with monthly fees, it’s time to switch to a new bank. NBKC Bank could be a good option; but it’s not your only choice. 

Axos Bank has an even higher-yield checking account that’s well worth considering. LendingClub Personal Checking also has a better APY and its business checking account is interest-bearing too which could be a big bonus for small business owners.

Compare your online banking options here >>

NBKC Bank FAQs

Here are the answers to a few of the most questions that people ask us about NBKC Bank:

Is NBKC Bank legit?

Yes, NBKC has been serving customers for 20+ years, has over 200 employees, and has been named a "Best Place to Work" since 2017 by the Kansas City Business Journal.

Does NBKC Bank accept cash deposits?

Yes, customers can deposit cash for free at 37,000+ MoneyPass ATMs,.

Does NBKC have a savings account?

Not specifically; but since NBKC's "Everything Account" earns interest it can serve as both a checking account and savings account rolled into one. It also offers CDs and a money market account.

Can you get a signup bonus with NBKC?

No, NBKC isn't currently offering any bonuses to new customers.

NBKC Bank Features