Citizens Trust Bank Review

How does your bank stack up?

  • Financial Rates: 1.0 Star Icon
  • Customer Service: 3.0 Star Icon
  • Website Experience: 3.5 Star Icon
  • Bank Fees: 3.0 Star Icon

Pros:

  • Variety of personal deposit accounts
  • Most accounts have low opening amounts
  • Business accounts available
  • Other products offered

Cons:

  • Most accounts have a monthly fee
  • Cannot open all accounts online
  • Personal accounts have low rates
  • Jumbo and regular CDs earn same rates

What You Need to Know

Citizens Trust Bank has a variety of personal deposit accounts. There is a checking account for students and those over 50 years old. Citizens Trust Bank offers regular savings, holiday savings accounts, and youth accounts. The different accounts require different balances, allowing you to find the best account for your finances.

The opening required amounts for most Citizens Trust Bank accounts are low. The amounts needed to open accounts range from $25 to $100. Most checking accounts require $50 to open. The basic savings account requires $100 to open. CDs require $500 to open. The money market account and Silver Investor savings account have higher opening amounts. They require between $1,000 to $5,000.

Citizens Trust Bank offers business accounts. Checking and savings accounts are available. There are merchant services and cash management options available to businesses. They also offer loans, credit cards, and investment accounts for businesses.

There are a variety of products offered through Citizens Trust Bank. They offer personal and business credit cards and loans. They offer investment accounts, life insurance, disability insurance, and final expense insurance.

Most Citizens Trust Bank accounts have a monthly fee. The fees range from $0.30 per check or debit card transaction to $15 a month. Waive the fees by keeping a minimum balance in the account. The required balances range from $5 to $7,500, depending on the account. Some accounts require enrolling in online banking and receiving eStatements.

Not all Citizens Trust Bank accounts can be opened online. Some accounts require visiting one of the financial centers. The youth savings account and the Christmas Club account must be opened in a branch location.

The interest rates for Citizens Trust Bank are low. The rates are similar to your typical brick and mortar bank rates. Their rates are not competitive with online bank rates.

Citizens Trust Bank offers regular and jumbo CDs. The regular CDs require $500 to open. The jumbo CDs require $100,000 to open. The interest rates are the same for regular CDs and jumbo CDs. Both rates are not competitive with other online CDs. The CD terms range from seven-days to five-years.

Digital or Mobile Banking

Citizens Trust Bank offers online banking, along with a mobile app. Through these tools, you can:

  • View account balances
  • Make mobile deposits
  • Pay bills
  • Set up account alerts
  • Transfer money to other Citizen Trust Bank accounts
  • Pay others through Popmoney
  • Find branch or ATM locations
  • See account statements

Cool Things

Citizens Trust Bank Blog

On the website is a link to the Citizens Trust Bank blog. The blog features a variety of financial topics to help their customers. The topics cover filing for bankruptcy and building credit. Paying down debt and learning how to stop living paycheck to paycheck are other topics. Their Facebook page has financial articles, as well.

History

Heman E. Perry founded Citizens Trust Bank in 1921. The bank opened as one that primarily served African American's in Georgia. In the next few years, the bank built 200 homes with bathrooms and water. They built homes with terms their customers could meet.

In 1947, Citizens Trust Bank was asked to become a member of the Federal Bank Reserve Bank. This was the first African American owned bank in the U.S. to become a member.

By 1971, Citizens Trust Bank had $34 million in assets. It was one of the largest African American owned banks in the country. By 2000, they had 13 branch locations. The branches are African American owned and operated, but they serve all citizens of the community.

Awards and Recognition

  • Credit cards awarded by Kiplinger, MONEY Magazine, and Clark Howard for low rate and no fees

Giving Back

Citizens Trust Bank sponsors "A Night Under the Stars." They have sponsored the event for the past ten years. It is a candlelight concert. They partner with Atlanta's Historic West End to bring the concert to the community they serve.

Citizens Trust Bank participated in the Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Summit. The conference took place in North Carolina. The conference supports small business owners.

List of Common Bank Fees

  • ATM Fees in the United States: $0-2
  • ATM fees international: Not listed
  • Bill Pay: Not listed
  • CD Early Withdrawal Fees: Not listed
  • Excessive Withdrawal Fees: Not listed
  • Monthly Service Fees: $5-15
  • Overdraft Service Fees: $35
  • Paper Bank Statements: $0-5
  • Wire Transfers (Domestic): Not listed
  • Wire Transfers (International): Not listed

Frequently Asked Questions

Are all the accounts FDIC insured?

Yes. Citizens Trust Bank is FDIC insured. The FDIC is an agency of the United States government. They protect funds deposited in banks, up to $250,000 per customer, per bank. The money is backed by the full faith and credit of the United States government.

How do I access my money?

With ATM or debit cards, checks, and online bill pay. You can also access your money with electronic transfers or by visiting a local branch.

Can I deposit cash?

Yes, at local branch locations. Some ATMs may accept cash deposits.

How long do transfers take?

Deposits are typically available the next business day. This includes mobile deposits.

Can I sign up for direct deposit?

Yes. Money can be directly deposited into Citizens Trust Bank checking or savings accounts.

Are ATM transactions free?

Transactions made at Citizen Trust Bank ATMs are free. Other ATM transactions may have a fee of $2.

Are ATM transaction fees reimbursed?

No. ATM transactions are not reimbursed.

Is mobile banking or a mobile app available?

Yes. With the Citizens Trust Bank app, you can make deposits, check balances, and set up alerts. You can transfer money, pay bills, and pay others with Popmoney.

Is bill pay offered?

Yes. Citizens Trust Bank offers bill pay for their checking accounts.

Do the accounts offer competitive interest rates?

No. The interest rates are not competitive with other online-only accounts. Their rates are similar to your typical brick and mortar bank rates.

Do checking accounts earn interest?

Some Citizens Trust Bank checking accounts earn interest. The rates are low, but they do earn interest.

What are the most popular accounts?

The Citizens Trust Bank money market account is popular.

What are the monthly maintenance fees?

Most Citizens Trust Bank accounts have a monthly fee. The fees range from $5-15, depending on the account. Waive the fees by having a set balance in the account. The account balances change depending on the account.

Is this one of the best banks?

Citizens Trust Bank offers a variety of personal deposit accounts. The interest rates are low. Not all accounts can be opened online and most have a monthly fee. Business accounts are available through Citizens Trust Bank.

How are my money and information protected?

Citizens Trust Bank provides your accounts with the latest security software. Accounts are password protected.

Are any business accounts offered?

Yes. Citizens Trust Bank offers a variety of business accounts. Checking, savings, and investment accounts are available. Also offered are loans, credit cards, and merchant processing services.

What makes these accounts different?

Citizen Trust Banks are similar to typical banks. The interest rates are the same. Not all accounts can be opened online.

How do I reach customer service?

Through email, phone, or by visiting a local branch location. Customer service is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET. You can follow Citizens Trust Bank on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

Bank Contact Information

Citizens Trust Bank
888-214-3099

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