Best Banks and Credit Unions in the Midwest for 2026

Regional banks and credit unions may have a smaller physical footprint than big national financial institutions, but they can often be more flexible and provide better terms. They’re also familiar with the financial needs of residents in the areas they serve and can tailor their products to meet those needs. In some cases, they can offer surprising perks and a personal touch to banking.

To help you find the right one in the Midwest, Money researched dozens of financial institutions in that region. Based on their offerings, fees and customer service, here are our choices for the best banks and credit unions in the Midwest for 2026:

• MidWest America Federal Credit Union - Best Overall
• Gate City Bank - Best for CDs
• Associated Bank - Best for Interest-Bearing Checking
• Huntington Bank - Best for Free Checking
• Bremer Bank - Best for Customer Satisfaction

*Rates and APYs are subject to change. All information provided was accurate as of Oct. 14, 2025.

MidWest America Federal Credit Union operates branches in Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky with plans to expand their service area in the future. The credit union has an ATM network with 55,000 locations and offers various savings, checking and money market accounts, in addition to student and senior accounts, share certificates and individual retirement accounts (IRAs).

In order to receive the highest APY available for MidWest America's money market account, customers must have a minimum balance of $100,000. But the checking accounts offered by MidWest America are interest-bearing, with APYs up to 4.00% on balances up to $10,000.

Gate City Bank operates 45 locations in 23 communities across North Dakota and Minnesota. It has an ATM network with 85,000 locations and has a Trustpilot rating of 3.2 stars out of a possible 5. Gate City offers an interest-bearing checking account, but its APY is relatively low and requires a $50 minimum opening balance. The bank also offers IRAs and student accounts.

The bank charges a monthly fee for its money market accounts, but it can be waived by meeting certain criteria. Where Gate City separates itself from other Midwest banks is with its CDs, with terms ranging from three months to five years and APYs up to 3.80%.

With hundreds of locations throughout Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri and Wisconsin as well as 24/7 online banking, Associated Bank stands out for its strong Trustpilot rating (3.1 stars out of 5) and diverse account offerings that include health savings accounts (HSAs) and interest-bearing checking accounts (though the bank doesn't disclose its APYs on its website).

There is minimum deposit requirement of $1,000 for CDs and money market accounts, as well as a $100 minimum opening deposit for its interest-bearing checking accounts. Associated bank also offers annuities and IRAs.

Huntington Bank operates branch locations in 13 states, including several in the Midwest. It offers various savings, checking, and money market accounts in addition to CDs. The bank's Premier savings account has a relatively low APY and a monthly maintenance fee; however, that fee can be waived by meeting certain requirements.

The bank's free checking account — Asterisk Free Checking — does not charge monthly maintenance fees or requirement minimum opening balances. Additionally, the account's Standby Cash feature allows customers to qualify for emergency cash of $100 to $750 with no monthly interest and no credit check. However, Huntington has a limited ATM network with only 1,600 locations.

Bremer Bank has a network of 25,000 ATM locations and receives a high 3.2-star Trustpilot rating out of a possible 5. The bank's Select Banking is a free checking account if you enroll in online statements. The bank has branch locations in Minnesota, Wisconsin and North Dakota. If you can’t access one of its fee-free ATMs, Bremer Bank reimburses up to $15 per statement cycle for out-of-network fees. The bank charges monthly fees for its checking and savings accounts, but they can be waived by enrolling in paperless statements.

Bremer has a positive Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) rating for lending, investments and services. The bank also receives high marks for its customer service, mortgage lending services and its mobile app, which is currently receives 4.8 stars out of possible 5 on Apple's App Store and 3.6 stars out of 5 on the Google Play Store. Bremer is now a division of Old National Bank, which finalized its acquisition of the bank in May 2025.

How we chose the Best Banks of 2026

To determine our list of best banks for 2026, Money staff evaluated hundreds of financial institutions. We then evaluated the interest rates offered, minimum required balances, fees charged, ATM accessibility and perks or rewards obtained by opening a specific account. You can read our full methodology here.

We researched leading regional financial institutions to identify the best banks and credit unions in the Midwest for 2026. We compared bank account options, rates, deposit minimums, fees and added benefits and features to select our top choices. We placed particular emphasis on banks with branch locations in midwestern states. We also prioritized banks with broad ATM networks and low fees.

You can read our full methodology here.

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