Primis Bank Premium Checking Account 2025 Review

Primis Bank Premium Checking pays an exceptional APY on balances, with no overdraft fees or minimum balance requirements. This online-only interest checking account has a low opening deposit requirement and free ATM access nationwide. 

Primis Bank Premium Checking offers the features and functionality you'd expect from a checking account with the opportunity to interest at competitive rates. You can open this account online for just $1 and enjoy numerous benefits, including no overdraft or monthly fees. 

You might consider this account if you:

• Need a checking account and want to earn interest on balances
• Don't mind an online-only bank account
• Would like to avoid monthly fees, overdraft fees, and incoming wire transfer fees
• Prefer free ATM access

While Primis Bank has branch locations you can only open the Premium Checking account online. In addition to checking accounts, Primis Bank also offers personal savings accounts, loans, and lines of credit.

Compared to Other Checking Accounts

Fifth Third Bank Express Checking

Fifth Third Bank Express Checking is a basic checking account that's designed to meet everyday money management needs. There are no balance requirements or overdraft fees and you can get paid up to two days early with direct deposit. You can manage your account online, at a Fifth Third Bank branch, or at more than 40,000 fee-free ATM locations. 

Read our full editorial review of the Fifth Third Bank Express Checking account

Alliant Credit Union High-Yield Checking

Alliant Credit Union High-Yield Checking has no overdraft fees, no monthly fees, and no account minimums. You can earn interest when you opt-in to e-statements and make one monthly electronic deposit to your account. The APY is much less than what you could get with Primis Bank but this account offers plenty of perks to help compensate for that. 

Read our full editorial review of the Alliant Credit Union High-Yield Checking account

First Tech CU Rewards Checking

First Tech CU Rewards Checking pays a solid rate on checking balances up to $15,000 when you complete qualifying activities. To earn the advertised APY you'll need to enroll in e-statements, complete 20 debit card transactions per month with a minimum spend of $500, and have at least one monthly direct deposit of $1,000 or more. There are no monthly fees and you can get up to $15 in foreign ATM fee rebates per month. 

Read our full editorial review of the First Tech CU Rewards Checking account

American Express Rewards Checking

American Express Rewards Checking has no monthly fees or minimum balance requirements and no opening deposit requirement either. This account pays interest on balances and allows you to earn Membership Rewards on eligible debit card purchases. The APY is less than what you could get with Primis Bank but you might lean toward this account if you already have an Amex credit card that earns Membership Rewards. 

Read our full editorial review of the American Express Rewards Checking account

Interest and Rewards

Premium and rewards checking accounts can offer interest, debit card rewards, or a little of both. The Primis Bank Premium Checking account goes the interest route, paying an APY that's well above the national average savings rate. 

There are no minimums or rate caps; you'll earn the same APY on all balances. That's a plus compared to other banks that set certain requirements to earn interest. 

For example, you might need to:

• Complete a certain number of debit card transactions
• Enroll in direct deposit or e-statements
• Deposit a certain amount of money each month
• Meet a minimum balance requirement

All of that can add up to a hassle. If you're looking specifically for an interest checking account, Primis Bank delivers a great rate without extra hurdles. 

You won't earn debit card rewards, however. So you might want to check out what other banks offer if you'd like to get some cash back or points when you spend. 

Fees

The best rewards checking accounts have minimal fees so you're not handing back any of your interest earnings. Primis Banks is fee-friendly, and there aren't a lot of added costs to worry about. 

Here's how the fees break down.

Other Service Fees - Primis Bank Premium Checking Account

Overall, Primis Bank is good about keeping fees to a minimum. 

Branch and ATM Access

Primis Bank has just under 40 branches in Maryland and Virginia but you don't need to live near a branch to open the Premium Checking account. Again, you can only open this account online. 

You can use any ATM nationwide fee-free. Primis Bank refunds all foreign ATM surcharges monthly. 

That's an advantage if you need to withdraw cash and aren't sure which ATM you can use. If the ATM's owner charges you a fee, you'll get it paid back to you. 

Account Access

Primis Bank offers online and mobile banking so you're always connected to your money. You can log in to:

• Review transaction history
• View statements
• Transfer funds between linked Primis Bank accounts
• Open a new Primis Bank account
• Deposit checks (via the mobile app)
• Schedule bill payments
• Update your personal information

The daily limit on ATM withdrawals is $550. The daily limit for incoming and outgoing ACH transfers is $18,000 ($100,000 monthly). There are no fees for ACH transfers. 

The daily limit for person-to-person transfers with new accounts is $500; the limit increases to $10,000 once your account is established. Mobile check deposits are capped at $25,000 daily. 

FDIC Insurance

Primis Bank is FDIC-insured so your deposits are covered in case the bank fails. Bank failures are rare but when they happen, the FDIC is there to help consumers get their money back. 

The current FDIC coverage limit is $250,000 per depositor, per financial institution. Some banks offer FDIC coverage above those limits but Primis Bank isn't one of them. 

If you're considering a checking account at a credit union instead, look for one that's NCUA-insured. The NCUA protects credit union deposits the way the FDIC does at banks. 

What You Need to Open

If you're ready to open a Premium Checking account it takes just a few minutes. Primis Bank requires a few pieces of information to get your account set up, including your:

• Name
• Date of birth
• Social Security number
• Mailing address
• Email address
• Phone number

You'll need a government-issued photo ID and at least $1 for your opening deposit. You can make your first deposit by linking an existing checking account using your account number and bank routing number. 

You can open a Primis Bank Premium Checking account jointly with someone else. They'll just need to provide all of the same information listed above. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Primis Bank a good bank?

Primis Bank could be a good bank for anyone who's looking for an interest checking account that pays a great rate and charges minimal fees. The main drawback is that this account is online-only so you don't get the convenience of branch banking. However, the account's many features and benefits may outweigh that for some people. 

Are rewards checking accounts worth it?

Rewards checking accounts could be worth it if you're able to earn generous rewards or interest, without having to jump through a lot of hoops. Primis Bank makes it easy to earn interest on balances and the APY is on par with what you could get with some of the top high-yield savings accounts. Other banks, however, have more requirements to earn interest or rewards. 

Who is an online checking account right for? 

Online checking accounts are right for people who don't need to do their banking at a branch. The best online checking accounts are fee-friendly and offer benefits like interest on balances, debit card rewards, or access to an extensive ATM network. When comparing checking accounts from online banks, review the features and the cost to help decide which one might be right for you.