Skip to content

Associated Bank Review: Checking, Savings and CDs

Many or all of the products on this page are from partners who compensate us when you click to or take an action on their website, but this does not influence our evaluations or ratings. Our opinions are our own.

July 27, 2022
Tony Armstrong
Written by 
Head of Content, Banking
Yuliya Goldshteyn
Assigning Editor
Fact Checked
Tony Armstrong
Written by 
Head of Content, Banking
Yuliya Goldshteyn
Assigning Editor
Fact Checked
Associated Bank

    Overall institution rating

    3.5

    NerdWallet rating
    The bottom line:

    Associated Bank is a regional bank located in Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin, with an extensive free ATM network accessible nationwide. Its interest rates are low on savings and regular CD terms. A few promotional CDs offer higher APYs, but you can find much better rates from online banks.

    Best if: You live in Associated’s service area and prioritize in-person access over interest rates, and can avoid monthly service fees.

    Pros
    • No monthly fees on some checking accounts.
    • Large, free, nationwide ATM network.
    • Extended phone customer service hours.
    Cons
    • Expensive overdraft fee.
    • Low rates.
    • Monthly fees on some checking and savings accounts (though they are avoidable).
    • Limited branch access.

    Methodology

    NerdWallet’s overall ratings for banks and credit unions are weighted averages of several categories: checking, savings, certificates of deposit or credit union share certificates, banking experience and overdraft fees. Factors we consider, depending on the category, include rates and fees, ATM and branch access, account features and limits, user-facing technology, customer service and innovation. The stars represent ratings from poor (one star) to excellent (five stars). The ratings are incremented in tenths of a star.