First National Bank Review 2023

Are you looking to open a checking account? First National Bank offers 5 different types of checking accounts. I am sure one of them will meet your needs!

Who is First National Bank?

First National Bank (FNB for short) is the second-largest bank based in Pennsylvania by assets.

It was founded in 1864 in Greenville, Pennsylvania, as The First National Bank of West Greenville. In 1992, the Bank becomes First National Bank of Pennsylvania following a successful merger in northwestern Pennsylvania.

In 2003, the F.N.B. Corporation, with assets of $4.6 billion and more than 125 locations, begins trading common shares on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “FNB.”

In 2016, FNB exceeds a milestone of $20 billion in assets, making it the second-largest bank based in Pittsburgh and across the state of Pennsylvania by assets.

Today, FNB’s market coverage spans several major metropolitan areas including: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Baltimore, Maryland; Cleveland, Ohio; Washington, D.C.; and Charlotte, Raleigh, Durham and the Piedmont Triad (Winston-Salem, Greensboro and High Point) in North Carolina. The Company has total assets of more than $39 billion and more than 340 banking offices with operations throughout Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and the District of Columbia. 

First National Bank review: What products do they offer?

First National Bank offers a full range of banking services, most notably their comprehensive portfolio of checking accounts. Please note that with any account, you get the latest in mobile banking, online banking, and digital payments like Apple Pay®, Samsung Pay® and Google Pay™. 

Here is a short description for each of them:

Freestyle checking account

This is the simplest checking account that meets your needs. As the name suggests, this checking account is completely free. It does not have a monthly fee when you sign up for online statements, it does not have a minimum balance requirement, and you get unlimited check writing, all for free!

Here are all the benefits of the Freestyle checking account:

  • No minimum balance requirement
  • No monthly fees when you sign up for free Online Statements
  • Free Visa® debit card with free Apple Pay®, Samsung Pay® or Google Pay™
  • Surcharge-free cash access at nearly 850 FNB ATMs
  • Unlimited check writing
  • Convenient and free deposits at FNB branches, ATMs or through Mobile Banking
  • Fast and free Online Banking, Mobile Banking and Telephone Banking

Minimum opening balance if you open online: $50

Lifestyle checking account

With Lifestyle Checking, you get more than the flexibility to bank anywhere, anytime. You get a tiered interest rate structure, providing the potential of interest rate increases as your account balance rises. Your monthly service charge is also waived with a minimum average daily balance of $1,000, or $10,000 combined average daily balance for the preceding month in any combination of checking, savings, CDS, IRAs, money markets or consumer loan balances.

Here are all the benefits of the Lifestyle checking account:

  • Earn interest on balances of $2,500 or greater
  • Free 3″ x 5″ safe box
  • Free paper and online statements
  • Free first order of checks
  • Free Visa® debit card with free Apple Pay®, Samsung Pay® or Google Pay™
  • Surcharge-free cash access at nearly 850 FNB ATMs
  • Unlimited check writing
  • Convenient and free deposits at FNB branches, ATMs or through Mobile Banking
  • Fast and free Online Banking, Mobile Banking and Telephone Banking
  • Monthly service charge is waived with $1,000 or more average daily balance in this account, or $10,000 combined average daily balance, for the preceding month, in any combination of checking, savings, certificates of deposit, money market accounts, or consumer loan balances

Minimum opening balance if you open online: $50

eStyle checking account

This is a checkless account that helps you avoid overdraft fees. It includes a full range of features and the convenience of digital access that makes paying just about anyone quick and easy.

Here are all the benefits of the eStyle checking account:

  • No overdraft fees
  • No paper checks
  • Free Visa® debit card with free Apple Pay®, Samsung Pay® or Google Pay™
  • Surcharge-free cash access at nearly 850 FNB ATMs
  • Convenient and free deposits at FNB branches, ATMs or through Mobile Banking

Minimum opening balance if you open online: $25

eStyle Plus account

This account allows you to earn interest from your account, without the worry of overdraft fees.

Here are all the benefits of the eStyle Plus account:

  • Earn interest on balances $0 – $2,500
  • No overdraft fees
  • No paper checks
  • Free Visa® debit card with free Apple Pay®, Samsung Pay® or Google Pay™
  • Surcharge-free cash access at nearly 850 FNB ATMs
  • Convenient and free deposits at FNB branches, ATMs or through Mobile Banking
  • Refunds on fees for ATM transactions at non-FNB locations, up to 4 times per statement cycle
  • Refunds on ATM fees charged by other institutions, up to $12 per statement cycle
  • Monthly service charge is waived with $1,000 or more average daily balance in this account, or $25,000 in combined daily balance for the preceding month in any combination of FNB Checking, Savings, CDs, IRAs or Money Market accounts

Minimum opening balance if you open online: $50

Premierstyle Checking account

Premierstyle Checking is the premium checking account that comes with a lot more benefits. It’s the perfect checking account for those who keep higher balances and deserve more from their bank in terms of benefits, rewards and savings.

Here are all the benefits of the Premierstyle account:

  • Earn interest on balances of $1,000 or greater
  • Earn higher interest with higher balances
  • Free FNB custom checks
  • Unlimited check writing
  • Free 3″ x 5″ safe deposit box
  • Free stop payment requests
  • Surcharge-free cash access at nearly 850 FNB ATMs
  • No FNB fee for using non-FNB ATMs
  • Refund of up to $15/statement on ATM fees charged by other institutions
  • Waived annual fee for overdraft lines of credit
  • No overdraft line of credit transfer fees
  • Two free incoming domestic wire transfers per statement cycle
  • Free paper or online statements with free check images
  • Free Visa® debit card with free Apple Pay™, Samsung Pay™ or Android Pay™
  • Convenient and free deposits at FNB branches, ATMs or through Mobile Banking
  • Fast and free Online Banking, Mobile Banking and Telephone Banking
  • Monthly service charge is waived with $7,500 or more daily balance in this account, or $25,000 combined minimum daily balance, for the preceding month, in any combination of checking, savings, certificates of deposit, money market accounts, or consumer loan balances

Minimum opening balance if you open online: $50

First National Bank checking accounts comparison chart

Here’s a complete comparison chart of all the checking accounts to help you decide which one is right for you. Please note that the monthly service fees can be waived on all accounts if you maintain the minimum balance.

The Sign-up Process

The sign-up process is very straightforward. Here are the steps. I am also going to include some pictures to walk you through the process visually.

  1. Head to First National Bank. This link will lead you directly to the sign-up page to sign up for any of the checking accounts. No need for more googling!
  2. Answer the questions and click on “Get Started”. You will then be re-directed to a new page to enter in your name, email address, Date of Birth, etc.

Please note that to open an account with First National Bank online, you must be at least 18 years old, a US citizen or US resident alien and reside within a region First National Bank serves (Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and the District of Columbia.).

First National Bank Review: How do I communicate with the bank if I have any issues?

Being able to communicate with your bank is important. The bank has your money, after all!

You can contact their toll-free number at 1-800-555-5455. Their customer service reps are available 8 AM – 9 PM Mon – Fri and 8 AM – 5 PM Sat – Sun.

You can head to their contact page for more details.

Of course, you can always go into a branch for an in-person discussion. FNB has nearly 340 branch locations and more than 800 ATMs conveniently located throughout a seven-state footprint and the District of Columbia. You can also book an appointment and chat with them on the phone or in person.

First National Bank Review: Why should I bank with First National Bank?

First National Bank is convenient.

With 24/7 online and mobile access, you can check your account anytime, anywhere.

Your funds are secure.

First National Bank is a member of FDIC. This means that your funds are eligible for deposit insurance.

Is First National Bank safe? The answer is a resounding “Yes”.

First National Bank is an award-winning bank

First National Bank has won many awards. Below are some of the highlights:

  • A top mobile app among Mid-Atlantic regional banks for features and innovation (S&P Global Market Intelligence “2020 US Mobile Banking Market Report”)
  • Nationally recognized with the President’s “E” Award for Export Service. The “E” Award is the highest recognition any U.S. entity can receive for making a significant contribution to the expansion of U.S. exports (United States Department of Commerce 2018)
  • World’s Best Banks (Forbes 2021)
  • America’s 100 Best Banks (Forbes 2011-2021)
  • List of America’s Most Just Companies (JUST Capital 2018-2021)
  • Winner of the United Way’s 2018 Fred Rogers Good Neighbor Award, celebrating corporations and individuals who have dedicated countless hours to improving the community through volunteerism (United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania 2018)
  • Top Workplaces USA (Energage 2021)
  • Top Workplaces Financial Services (Energage 2021)
  • Best Places to Work in Baltimore, Finalist (Baltimore Business Journal 2017-2021)
  • Top Workplaces in Northeast Ohio (The Plain Dealer 2015-2021)
  • Top Workplaces in Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2011-2021). FNB received a special award in the Managers category in 2021 based on standout scores from employees.
  • Best Places to Work in Western Pennsylvania (Pittsburgh Business Times 2011-2019)
  • South Carolina Top Workplace (Charleston Business MagazineGreenville Business Magazine and Columbia Business Monthly 2021)
  • Winner of more than 65 Greenwich Excellence and Best Brand Awards in the past decade, including 16 national and regional awards in the middle market and small business banking categories in 2020 (Greenwich Associates 2020)
  • Standout Bank for COVID-19 Response (Greenwich Associates Q2-Q4 2020)
  • Top Employer (DiversityJobs 2020-2021)
  • Top 100 Organizations in Central Pennsylvania – F.N.B. Corporation (PA Business Central 2014-2019, 2021)
  • Top 100 People in Central Pennsylvania – Vincent J. Delie, Jr., Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer (PA Business Central 2014-2021)
  • John V. Heher Humanitarian Awardee for outstanding contributions that further the foundation’s mission – Vincent J. Delie, Jr., Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer (National Kidney Foundation)
  • A Global 2,000 Company (Forbes 2018-2020)
  • Winner of a 2021 Bank Customer Experience Award for Best Mobile Experience in recognition of FNB’s innovative Clicks-to-Bricks strategy.

Signing up is super easy.

Just head to the link here and you can sign up within minutes!

The accounts can be completely free (some require minimum balance)

There is no monthly fee for Freestyle and eStyle accounts. Additionally, you do not have to pay any monthly service fees for other accounts (Lifestyle, eStyle Plus and Premierstyle) if you maintain a minimum balance.

Is First National Bank for me?

Here is a simple FAQ to help you decide if First National is for you:

Do I live in any one of the following states?

As of today, First National Bank offers services in the following states:
Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and the District of Columbia. 
You have to be a resident of any of the above states to be eligible.

If you live in other states, I recommend that you check out First Citizens Bank.
If you live in Canada, I recommend that you check out EQ Bank.

Final Words on First National Bank

By simply taking some time and making a few clicks, you can enjoy the convenience and interest that First National Bank has to offer. Is First National Bank worth it if you want to give it a try? Definitely. It is a secure place to park your money and to reach your savings goal faster. You can get the most out of your money with no monthly fees and no minimum balances.