NBKC Bank review 2025: High-APY checking, MMAs, and CDs

Founded in 1999 as Horizon National Bank in Kansas City, NBKC is a primarily online bank with a slew of banking options—from checking accounts to mortgages to personal loans. It’s got a handful of branches around the Kansas City area. 

For better or worse, NBKC does some things a bit differently than you’re probably used to. And some of its loans are only available to those in the Kansas City metro area. Here’s what you need to know about NBKC Bank. 

All rates and fees are current as of Aug. 18, 2025, and are subject to change.

NBKC Bank at a Glance

NBKC Bank

Checking account	1.75% APY with no monthly fees
Money market accounts	$0
CD rates	Up to 4.30% APY with between $250 and $1,000 minimum opening deposit

View offer

at MoneyLion

Company insights

• Year Founded: 1999
• Company Headquarters: Kansas City, MO
• CEO: Michael Bartkoski

Bank details checked Aug. 18, 2025.

Who is NBKC Bank good for? 

With solid return rates for its CDs, money market account, and even its checking account, NBKC is a good option for those who want to earn passive income on excess funds. 

It’s also great for those worried about ancillary fees eating away at their earnings. You won’t pay monthly, overdraft, stop payment, returned item, or insufficient fund fees. NBKC even refunds up to $12 in out-of-network ATM fees each month. 

Who shouldn’t use NBKC Bank? 

With just four brick-and-mortar locations, NBKC Bank operates as an online-only bank for anyone who doesn’t live near Kansas City. If you prefer an in-person experience, choose a different financial institution. 

Also, some of NBKC’s account types aren’t available nationwide. For example, its personal loans are exclusively for those who live in the Kansas City metro area. Make sure the bank offers everything you need before beginning your transition. 

NBKC Bank rates and products

NBKC Bank offers personal checking, money market, and CD accounts online. Its free checking account has no monthly fees or minimum balance requirements. All of its deposit accounts (including checking) earn interest. 

Bank details checked Aug. 18, 2025.

Checking account

NBKC offers just one checking account—and it’s a unique one. Named the “Everything Account, it’s meant to serve the purpose of both a checking and savings account. 

For example, you’ll earn an above-average 1.75% APY, which is considerably higher than a standard checking account—but considerably lower than many of the best high-yield savings accounts offer. You’ll get the ability to spend your money like a standard checking account, with access to more than 90,000 ATMs. But similar to a savings account, your Everything Account allows you to create savings goals and track your progress toward them. 

All to say, you’ll get the best of both words with this account. You just can’t have them separately, as NBKC doesn’t issue a standalone checking or savings option. 

Bank details checked Aug. 18, 2025.

Money market account

A money market account (MMA) is like a hybrid checking and savings account. That may sound eerily similar to the aforementioned “Everything Account”—but think of an MMA as savings-first with the ability to occasionally spend directly from your account if need be through, say, check writing and bank transfers. 

NBKC’s MMA earns 3.00% APY on all balances with no maximum and no requirements to meet to earn the interest rate. While the return from some of the best money market accounts offered by competitors may be higher, NBKC is a strong option thanks to the lack of fees and qualification requirements and a solid interest rate. Plus, there’s no limit to the number of withdrawals you can make each month. 

Bank details checked Aug. 18, 2025.

Certificates of deposit

NBKC Bank offers both standard and IRA CDs. However, only standard CDs can be opened online. You can’t call to open, either. To open an IRA CD, you’ll have to visit a branch in the Kansas City metro area. 

The bank offers eight standard CD term lengths and six IRA CD term lengths. Each type offers terms from six months to five years. For standard CDs, APY goes as high as 4.30% as of this writing—while IRA CDs top out at 3.25%. 

The minimum opening deposit for CDs are between $250 and $1,000, depending on your term length. 

NBKC standard CD rates

Bank details checked Aug. 18, 2025

NBKC IRA CD rates

Bank details checked Aug. 18, 2025

Business banking products

NBKC Bank offers business versions of its checking, money market, and CDs. You can expect the same low-fee approach to these accounts. You won’t pay for things like overdrafts, stop payments, check deposits, etc. 

Business checking account

NBKC’s Business Account is a checking account with features such as a platform to send, receive, and track invoices. NBKC even integrates with payment platforms to help you do business—such as Autobooks, which lets you accept contactless payments within your bank app. 

Unlike its counterpart for personal banking, the NBKC business checking account doesn’t earn interest. 

Bank details checked Aug. 18, 2025

Money market account

NBKC’s business MMA brings the same no-fee energy with a slightly less generous APY than you’ll find with a personal MMA. You can earn a respectable 2.75% return. Again, you aren’t restricted to the number of withdrawals you can make from this account. 

Bank details checked Aug. 18, 2025

Certificates of deposit

NBKC offers seven business CD term lengths, from seven months to five years. Unfortunately, you can only open two of them online (the seven- and 11-month options). 

Return rates for business CDs range from 2.50% to 4.05%, depending on the term. No matter which you choose, you’ll be required to deposit at least $1,000 to open an account. 

NBKC business CD rates 

Bank details checked Aug. 18, 2025

Other services NBKC Bank offers

NBKC offers more than just deposit accounts. You’ll also find: 

• Personal loans: NBKC offers personal loans, but the only one available nationwide is a bridge loan. Other personal loans are only available to borrowers in the Kansas City area. 
• Business loans: The bank offers commercial, real estate and construction loans, lines of credit, and more. But again, loans are only available for those in the Kansas City area. 

Online banking 

NBKC provides digital banking services, including online banking and bill pay. Both services are free for both personal and business customers. Through online banking, you can set savings goals and receive automatic transfers. 

You can view e-statements, check account balances, view loan balances, and make loan payments with the desktop and mobile apps. It also offers a handy feature called “Financial Snapshot” to help you keep an eye on things like budgeting, debt, net worth, and more. You can view trends and view all your finances in one place. 

NBKC gives you fee-free mobile check deposit within its app. And NBKC payments work with Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, and Google Pay.  

The NBKC Bank platform and customer support

The NBKC Mobile Banking app is well-rated, earning 4.4 stars out of 5 in the Google Play Store and 4.5 stars out of 5 in the Apple App Store, with over 1,700 reviews in all. 

NBKC Bank customer service is available by phone or live chat from Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. Central Time. You can also contact them via live online chat on Saturday between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.Central Time. 

If you prefer, you can email customer service at customersupport@nbkc.com.  

Is NBKC Bank secure?

NBKC implements a number of security measures to ensure your data and money stay safe. From multi-factor authentication for high-risk transactions to customized alerts to occasional text confirmations when you swipe your debit card, the bank works hard to keep you in the know. 

It’s worth noting that NBKC Bank customers were notified of a potential data breach in 2023. No other breaches have been reported since. 

NBKC Bank user reviews

NBKC Bank has excellent reviews online. It has received a rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot based on more than 1,000 reviews, of which 92% are five-star ratings.  

Positive reviews were pleased with the bank’s customer service and lack of fees. There are positive reviews on Trustpilot regarding both personal and business accounts. The negative reviewers comment on what users say is lack of transparency such as undisclosed account spending limits, as well as delays in opening loans. 

Compare NBKC alternatives

Two popular institutions for those comfortable with online banking are Discover and Capital One. See how they stack up against NBKC’s offerings below. 

NBKC Bank	Discover Bank	Capital One
Checking account APY	Checking account APY	Checking account APY
1.75%	Not interest bearing (but debit card that earns up to 1% back on purchases)	0.10%
Savings account APY	Savings account APY	Savings account APY
N/A	3.50%	3.50%
MMA top APY	MMA top APY	MMA top APY
3.00%	Up to 3.45%	N/A
CD APY	CD APY	CD APY
Up to 3.75%	Up to 3.50%	Up to 4.00%
Checking account monthly fee	Checking account monthly fee	Checking account monthly fee
$0	$0	$0
Learn more	Learn more	Learn more
View offer at MoneyLion	View offer at Discover Bank	View offer at MoneyLion

Note that while Capital One acquired Discover in 2025, the two brands maintain distinct suites of products as of this writing. 

Bank details checked Aug. 18, 2025

Is NBKC Bank right for you?

NBKC Bank is likely a great option for the fee-averse who also want to benefit from respectable rates and earn interest from a checking account, MMA, or CD. Though it may be possible to find higher APYs elsewhere, NBKC’s conspicuous lack of fees means your earnings won’t be negated by fees that some other banks charge. 

It’s also a good choice for those who like the simplicity of a checking account that functions in some ways like a savings account. By contrast, it won’t be the right pick for those who want distinct checking and savings account, or simply a high-yield savings account. 

Lastly, remember that NBKC only offers physical branches in the Kansas City metro area—and many of its lending products are only available to customers around that area. This could be a deal breaker, depending on your needs. 

Frequently asked questions