Home Banks Checking Accounts

Compare Checking Accounts: First Citizens Bank vs Bank of America (2026)

First Citizens Bank VS Bank of America

Alex Parker, CFA

Senior Banking Editor

November 2, 2026

Bank of America vs First Citizens Bank: Overview & Banking Footprint

When comparing Bank of America and First Citizens Bank in the Checking Accounts market, both financial institutions offer distinct advantages across interest rates, fee transparency, digital banking tools, and customer rewards.

Bank of America has built a reputation around consistent financial reliability and broad account servicing, while First Citizens Bank emphasizes competitive yields, low maintenance fees, and streamlined mobile account management across its Checking Accounts lineup.

Interest Rates, APY/APR & Fee Structures Compared

Choosing between Bank of America and First Citizens Bank comes down to your personal financial priorities: annual percentage yields (APY), borrowing APRs, monthly fee waivers, ATM/branch convenience, and welcome bonuses. Reviewing each bank's specific aspect ratings below provides deeper insight into where each institution leads.

Pros & Cons Comparison

Bank of America

Established regulatory protection and deposit security
Comprehensive suite of Checking Accounts options
Strong customer satisfaction and dispute support

First Citizens Bank

Competitive rate structure and low everyday account fees
Intuitive mobile app and fast digital onboarding
Attractive loyalty rewards and account perks

Final Verdict: Which Bank Should You Choose?

For customers who prioritize full-service relationship banking and established institutional reach, Bank of America is a standout choice. Conversely, if you are looking to maximize rates while minimizing monthly fees in Checking Accounts, First Citizens Bank delivers a highly compelling value proposition.

Bank of America Checking Accounts Overview

When evaluating Bank of America for Checking Accounts, our financial analysts examined interest rates, annual and monthly fees, customer satisfaction scores, and digital banking tools.

Bank of America is one of the world's largest financial institutions, serving approximately 68 million consumer and small business clients with 3,800 retail financial centers and 15,000 ATMs. Its standout Preferred Rewards program boosts credit card cashback bonuses by 25% to 75% and reduces mortgage origination fees for clients who maintain qualifying balances across Bank of America and Merrill investment accounts.

First Citizens Bank Checking Accounts Overview

First Citizens Bank Checking Accounts Review & Rating (8.3/10)

In our comprehensive evaluation of First Citizens Bank Checking Accounts, First Citizens Bank earns an overall category score of 8.3/10. First Citizens Bank is one of the largest family-controlled banks in the U.S. (now including Silicon Valley Bank and CIT Bank), offering free checking, premier wealth management, and small business banking.

First Citizens Bank Checking Accounts Aspect Breakdown

Interest Rates & APY (8.1/10): First Citizens Bank provides solid, dependable Interest Rates & APY in Checking Accounts (8.1/10), balancing convenience with standard market pricing.
Fees & Minimums (8.4/10): First Citizens Bank provides solid, dependable Fees & Minimums in Checking Accounts (8.4/10), balancing convenience with standard market pricing.
Customer Service (8.7/10): First Citizens Bank delivers strong above-average performance for Customer Service (8.7/10), offering reliable features and well-structured Checking Accounts options.
Mobile App & Digital Banking (8.1/10): First Citizens Bank provides solid, dependable Mobile App & Digital Banking in Checking Accounts (8.1/10), balancing convenience with standard market pricing.
Rewards & Perks (8.4/10): First Citizens Bank provides solid, dependable Rewards & Perks in Checking Accounts (8.4/10), balancing convenience with standard market pricing.

Bottom Line Verdict

Whether you are comparing First Citizens Bank's Checking Accounts for everyday value, low fees, or digital banking convenience, First Citizens Bank stands out as a competitive choice in United States. Compare individual First Citizens Bank accounts and head-to-head bank matchups below.

First Citizens Bank vs Bank of America: Key Banking Specifications

Bank

Overall Rating

4.7

Savings APY / AER

0.04% - 4.15% APY

Deposit Insurance

FDIC Insured ($250k)

Official Site

Visit First Citizens Bank ↗

Visit Bank of America ↗

Aspect-by-Aspect Rating & Analysis (Checking Accounts)

Overall

First Citizens Bank

8.3 / 10.0

First Citizens Bank achieves an overall rating of 8.3/10 in Checking Accounts based on interest rates, fees, digital tools, customer service, and rewards.

Bank of America

6.8 / 10.0

Overall composite rating across rates, fees, service, digital banking, and rewards.

Comparing Bank of America and First Citizens Bank across Overall in Checking Accounts provides crucial perspective for savers and borrowers deciding between two leading financial institutions. Bank of America combines broad institutional resources with dependable account servicing, while First Citizens Bank delivers agile digital features and competitive everyday terms.

Interest Rates & APY

First Citizens Bank

8.1 / 10.0

First Citizens Bank provides solid, dependable Interest Rates & APY in Checking Accounts (8.1/10), balancing convenience with standard market pricing.

Bank of America

6.0 / 10.0

The interest-bearing checking options offer near-zero APYs (typically 0.01% to 0.04%), severely lagging behind modern high-yield alternatives and fintechs. Depositors seeking meaningful yields on operational cash balances will find virtually no value here.

Comparing interest rates and annual percentage yields (APY/APR) between Bank of America and First Citizens Bank in Checking Accounts highlights how each institution structures returns for savers and borrowing costs for credit customers. Bank of America focuses on competitive relationship tiers and promotional intro periods, while First Citizens Bank emphasizes consistent everyday rate competitiveness across standard account balances.

Before applying, compare both the headline introductory APR/APY and the ongoing standard variable rate to ensure your Checking Accounts account remains rewarding over the long term.

Fees & Minimums

First Citizens Bank

8.4 / 10.0

First Citizens Bank provides solid, dependable Fees & Minimums in Checking Accounts (8.4/10), balancing convenience with standard market pricing.

Bank of America

6.0 / 10.0

Accounts carry monthly maintenance fees ranging from $4.95 to $25 unless specific balance or direct deposit thresholds are met. While the bank eliminated non-sufficient funds fees and reduced overdraft charges, avoiding recurring fees requires careful balance management.

Fee transparency and minimum balance thresholds are crucial when evaluating Bank of America versus First Citizens Bank for Checking Accounts. Bank of America offers clear fee waiver pathways through qualifying direct deposits or combined relationship balances, whereas First Citizens Bank focuses on keeping monthly maintenance fees, overdraft charges, and foreign transaction costs to a minimum.

Customers who prefer zero-hurdle banking with $0 / £0 monthly maintenance requirements should weigh each bank's fee schedule against their typical monthly balance.

Customer Service

First Citizens Bank

8.7 / 10.0

First Citizens Bank delivers strong above-average performance for Customer Service (8.7/10), offering reliable features and well-structured Checking Accounts options.

Bank of America

7.0 / 10.0

Customers benefit from extensive physical branch coverage and 24/7 phone support, but experience can be inconsistent across high-traffic urban centers. Dedicated relationship managers are largely reserved for higher-tier Preferred Rewards members.

Customer service quality in Checking Accounts reflects how effectively Bank of America and First Citizens Bank handle fraud alerts, billing disputes, and account inquiries. Bank of America backs its accounts with dedicated 24/7 telephone specialists and in-person branch advisors, while First Citizens Bank provides rapid in-app live chat support and streamlined digital dispute resolution.

Both institutions maintain strong satisfaction scores among account holders and provide full zero-liability fraud protection.

Mobile App & Digital Banking

First Citizens Bank

8.1 / 10.0

First Citizens Bank provides solid, dependable Mobile App & Digital Banking in Checking Accounts (8.1/10), balancing convenience with standard market pricing.

Bank of America

9.5 / 10.0

Bank of America sets a gold standard for digital banking with its top-rated mobile app, intuitive budgeting tools, and the advanced AI financial assistant, Erica. Security features, mobile check deposit limits, and integration with Zelle are seamlessly executed.

Digital banking capabilities play a central role in managing Checking Accounts with Bank of America and First Citizens Bank. Both banks deliver highly rated iOS and Android mobile apps featuring biometric authentication, instant card lock/unlock controls, mobile check deposit, and real-time transaction notifications.

Bank of America excels in comprehensive wealth and multi-account dashboards, while First Citizens Bank stands out for automated savings tools, credit score monitoring, and intuitive everyday navigation.

Rewards & Perks

First Citizens Bank

8.4 / 10.0

First Citizens Bank provides solid, dependable Rewards & Perks in Checking Accounts (8.4/10), balancing convenience with standard market pricing.

Bank of America

8.5 / 10.0

The Preferred Rewards program is among the most competitive relationship reward ecosystems available, offering credit card rewards boosters up to 75% and fee waivers. However, realizing these elite perks requires substantial combined balances across deposit and Merrill investment accounts.

When comparing rewards, welcome bonuses, and account perks in Checking Accounts, Bank of America and First Citizens Bank cater to slightly different spending and saving habits. Bank of America emphasizes flexible points, travel protections, and relationship bonus multipliers, whereas First Citizens Bank focuses on straightforward flat-rate cashback, merchant offers, and fee rebates.

Matching your monthly spending categories and redemption preferences to each bank's loyalty ecosystem will maximize your annual return.

More Checking Accounts Bank Comparisons

Sainsburys Bank vs MBNA American Express vs Upgrade Bank of America vs Scotiabank U.S. Bank vs Webster Bank (BrioDirect) Fifth Third Bank vs Navy Federal Credit Union Charles Schwab Bank vs Nationwide Building Society