FNBO Direct review: Online checking with no fees, plus free canceled payments and incoming domestic wire transfers

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Overall bank rating

Feature	Insider rating (out of 5)
Savings	4
Checking	4.25
Trustworthiness	5
Total	4.5

Pros and cons

Pros	Cons
Earn interest on checking account No monthly service fees on accounts Free stop payments and domestic wire transfer fees with the checking account Good interest rate on savings account	No money market account or CDs Other online banks and credit unions may offer higher interest rates No paper checks for checking account (you can use Popmoney to send mobile or email payments, though)

FNBO Direct Online Savings Account review

The FNBO Direct Online Savings Account might be worthwhile if you’re searching for a fee-free online savings account.

However, our best savings accounts guide has accounts with higher interest rates.

FNBO Direct Online Checking Account review

The FNBO Direct Online Checking Account is an excellent fee-free online checking account. If you need to cancel a payment already sent, FNBO Direct has free stop payments. You also get free domestic incoming wire transfers and one free overdraft refund every 12 months. 

The one downside to the account is that it doesn’t have paper checks. You’ll have to be comfortable with online banking to use Popmoney to send mobile or email payments.

How FNBO Direct works

FNBO Direct is an online division of First National Bank of Omaha.

The online operation has a high-yield savings account and an interest-earning checking account that anyone in the US can open.

You’ll also have access to over 2 million fee-free ATMs; customers may use any bank ATMs or Allpoint ATMs.

Customer service is available 24/7 by phone.

The bank’s mobile app has 3.3 out of 5 stars in the Google Play Store and 2.4 out of 5 stars in the Apple Store.

FNBO Direct is FDIC insured. You may deposit up to $250,000 in an individual bank account. 

FNBO Direct trustworthiness and BBB score

First National Bank of Omaha hasn’t been involved in any recent public scandals.

The Better Business Bureau grades businesses by looking at responses to customer complaints, honesty in advertising, and transparency about business practices.

FNBO received an A+ rating from the BBB.

A BBB score isn’t necessarily the be-all and end-all. Consider talking to customers or reading online customer reviews to see if FNBO Direct is a good choice for you.

FNBO Direct vs. Bank5 Connect 

Bank5 Connect is the online operation of Bank5. It has a high-yield savings account, a high-interest checking account, and CDs.

Here’s how the two banks compare:

Savings APY FNBO Direct Online Savings Account	Savings APY Bank5 Connect High-Yield Savings Account
Checking APY FNBO Direct Online Checking Account	Checking APY Bank5 Connect High-Interest Checking Account
FNBO Direct Online Savings Account	Bank5 Connect High-Interest Checking Account

Bank5 Connect pays a higher interest rate on its savings account than FNBO Direct. However, you’ll need to maintain at least $100 in your account to earn interest. 

If you are interested in opening a checking account, it’ll boil down to your preferences.

Both institutions offer solid interest-earning checking accounts with zero monthly service fees. FNBO Direct won’t charge you a fee for incoming domestic wire transfers or stop payments. Meanwhile, Bank5 Connect will refund you up to $15 each month in out-of-network ATM fees. 

When it comes to CDs, Bank5 Connect will be your only option. FNBO Direct doesn’t offer CDs. 

FNBO Direct vs. Chime

Chime is an online banking platform with a high-yield savings account and a checking account.

Below, you’ll see how the two institutions match up.

Savings APY FNBO Direct Online Savings Account	Savings APY Chime Savings Account
Checking APY FNBO Direct Online Checking Account	Checking APY Chime Spending Account
FNBO Direct Online Savings Account	Chime Savings Account

Chime offers a more appealing savings account than FNBO Direct. The Chime Savings Account pays a higher interest rate and comes with the option of rounding up debit card purchases to the nearest dollar so you can put change into your savings account. 

However, you’ll also want to factor in which accounts you’d like to open. 

Chime only lets you open the Chime Savings Account if you’ve already opened the Chime Spending Account. If you would prefer to open one bank account, FNBO Direct might be the better choice. You may open either FNBO Direct bank account on its own. 

Frequently asked questions

Are FNBO and FNBO Direct the same?

FNBO Direct is the online division of First National Bank of Omaha. FNBO Direct offers a high-yield savings account and an interest-earning checking account.

Can I open an FNBO Direct account for a child?

FNBO Direct accounts are only eligible for adults.

If you live in Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, or Texas, you may open a kid’s traditional savings account for a child at a nearby branch.