First Internet Bank of Indiana Review

How does your bank stack up?

  • Financial Rates: 5.0 Star Icon
  • Customer Service: 5.0 Star Icon
  • Website Experience: 3.5 Star Icon
  • Bank Fees: 4.0 Star Icon
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0.81%APY
Savings/MMA · Member FDIC Insured

Pros:

  • Low opening required amounts
  • Competitive interest rates on accounts
  • Variety of accounts offered
  • Free ATM transactions and fee refunds

Cons:

  • Accounts have monthly fees
  • Savings have high required daily balances
  • CD early withdrawal penalties are high
  • Excessive withdrawal fee high

What You Need to Know

First IB only requires $25 to open the free checking and savings account. The Interest checking, Money Market Savings, and Tomorrow's Tycoons require $100 to open. CDs required $1,000 to open. The HSA does not have a required amount to open.

First IB accounts earn competitive interest rates. The account rates are competitive with other online-only accounts. To earn the best rate for the checking account only requires $500 in the account. The savings accounts do not have a set limit to earn the competitive interest rates.

A variety of accounts are available through First IB. The accounts include:

  • Free checking
  • Interest checking
  • Money Market Savings
  • Free savings
  • CD terms from three to 60-months
  • Health Savings Account
  • Tomorrow's Tycoons savings account for children
  • Coverdell Education Savings account
  • IRA accounts
  • Credit cards, personal, student, and auto loans
  • Home equity loans and mortgages
  • Business checking, savings, and CDs
  • Business lending options

First IB is a member of the ATM Plus network, giving you access to millions of ATMs across the U.S. Certain accounts with First IB reimburse up to $10 each month in ATM fees. The Interest checking, money market, and regular savings offer the reimbursement option.

Most First IB accounts have a monthly fee. The fees range from $2 to $10 each month. Waive the fees by keeping an average daily balance in the accounts. The required balances vary between accounts.

The First IB Money Market Savings account requires a daily balance of $4,000 to avoid the monthly fee. The Interest checking account requires $500 to avoid the fee. Free savings and checking accounts do not have a required balance to avoid the monthly fee.

The early withdrawal penalty for First IB CDs are high. CD terms for three-months requires 90 days of interest. Terms from six to 18-months require 180 days of interest. The fee for CD terms over 24-months is 360 days of interest.

The government limits the withdrawals from savings accounts to six per month. The excessive withdrawal fee for First IB accounts is $30 per extra transaction, which is higher than other banks. The withdrawals restrictions apply to the money market and Free savings accounts.

Digital or Mobile Banking

First IB offers a mobile app and online banking. Through these tools, you can:

  • Make mobile check deposits
  • See account balances and transactions
  • Transfer money between First IB accounts
  • Pay bills
  • Access accounts through Apple Watch
  • Set account notifications
  • View account statements
  • Make transfers to external bank accounts - online only

Cool Things

Tomorrow's Tycoons

First IB offers bank accounts for kids. The opening balance is $100. There are no fees or required balances to keep. These accounts earn competitive interest rates and are for children under 18. Once the child reaches 18, the account converts into a regular First IB savings account.

First IB Blog

On their website is a link to the First IB blog. There are posts on budgeting and buying a home. There are topics about personal finances and interest rates. Popular posts include learning about cashier checks and why to refinance. Good credit and creating strong passwords are other topics on their blog.

History

First Internet Bank launched to the public in February 1999. The idea came from David Becker. He and some friends were sitting around his kitchen table while he was doing his banking. He asked those friends what banking tasks they wish they could do from home. He works to make banking convenient for the customer.

By 2001, First IB ranked as the number one online bank by Gomez. In 2009, after acquiring a financial company, they began to offer loans. By 2011, they had expanded their products to offer commercial products. In 2015, they surpassed $1 billion in assets.

Everything through First IB is online. They have customers in all 50 states. First IB offers personal deposit and business accounts. They offer mortgage, personal, auto, and student loans.

Awards and Recognition

  • Awarded "Best Banks" by GoBankingRates in 2020
  • Ranked #4 of "Top Workplaces in Indianapolis" in 2018, 2017, and 2016
  • "Tech-Enabled Company of the Year" in 2016
  • "Best Place to Work in Indiana" in 2017, 2016, & 2015
  • "Best Online Bank" by GoBankingRates in 2015

Giving Back

First IB employees take time to give back to the communities in central Indiana. They become certified as tax preparers and volunteer doing taxes. They work with Habitat for Humanity. Employees assist in local schools. They teach financial topics to those students. They have participated in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.

First IB donates to charitable causes. They support charities their employees suggest. Those charities include local youth baseball teams and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Cystic Fibrosis Foundations and Alliance for Lupus Research are other charities they support. Their support also focuses on affordable housing, community service, and revitalization.

List of Common Bank Fees

  • ATM Fees in the United States: $0
  • ATM fees international: 3% of the transaction
  • Bill Pay: $0 for checking accounts
  • CD Early Withdrawal Fees: 90-360 days of interest
  • Excessive Withdrawal Fees: $30
  • Monthly Service Fees: $0-10
  • Overdraft Service Fees: $30
  • Paper Bank Statements: $3
  • Wire Transfers (Domestic): $0-20
  • Wire Transfers (International): $0-50

Frequently Asked Questions

Are all the accounts FDIC insured?

Yes. First Internet 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 debit or ATM cards, checks, electronic transfers, and free online bill pay. You cannot transfer money from First IB to another institution on the app. Make those transfers on the website.

Can I deposit cash?

Some ATMs may accept cash. Make deposits through direct deposit or through electronic deposits. You can upload a check through the app or iScan deposit. You can send a deposit in the mail.

How long do transfers take?

First IB displays the transfer date and status of the transfer. After four business days, you can confirm your transaction was complete.

Can I sign up for direct deposit?

Yes. Money can be directly deposited into First IB accounts.

Are ATM transactions free?

There is not a fee for transactions at First IB ATMs.

Are ATM transaction fees reimbursed?

Some First IB accounts offer ATM refunds. These include the money market, Free savings, and Interest checking accounts. Each account offers ATM refunds up to $10 per month.

Is mobile banking or a mobile app available?

Yes. With the First IB mobile app, you can check balances, transfer money, and deposit checks. You can pay bills online. To transfer money to another financial institution requires online banking.

Is bill pay offered?

Yes. First IB offers free bill pay for their interest and free checking accounts. Their business checking account also offers free bill pay.

Do the accounts offer competitive interest rates?

Yes. First IB accounts earn competitive interest rates. Only the money market account has tiered rates. To earn the highest interest rate on the money market account requires $250,000. But, the rate for lower balances is still competitive, just lower.

Do checking accounts earn interest?

One of the two checking accounts offered from First IB earns interest. The interest rate is competitive with other online accounts. The interest earning checking account only requires $100 to open the account.

What are the most popular accounts?

The Money Market Savings account is popular.

What are the monthly maintenance fees?

Most First IB accounts have a monthly fee. The fees range from $2 to $10 each month. Keeping an average daily balance in the account from $500 to $4,000 waives the monthly fees.

Is this one of the best banks?

First IB is entirely online. The interest rates are competitive with other online accounts. The required opening balances are low. Accounts have a monthly fee, but they are low and easy to waive. There are no branch locations.

How are my money and information protected?

Security measures comply with federal laws. Their computers have safeguards. Their files and buildings are secure.

Are any business accounts offered?

Yes. First IB offers business accounts. Checking, savings, and money market accounts are available. CDs, loans, and HSA are offered for businesses.

What makes these accounts different?

There are no branch locations. Everything for your account is online. The interest rates for the accounts are much higher than typical bank rates.

How do I reach customer service?

By phone, fax, email, or mail. Customer service is open Monday-Friday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Eastern Time.

Bank Contact Information

First Internet Bank of Indiana
P.O. Box 6080
Fishers, IN 46038
888-873-3424

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