Checking with Rewards: Checking Accounts at First National Bank and Trust Company
First National Bank and Trust Company offers free checking accounts that come with perks to help you earn more money than you could with a traditional checking account. To earn the maximum reward, you’ll just need to do a few simple things you're probably doing already to qualify.
What is a rewards checking account?
Rewards checking accounts are bank accounts that offer users certain perks or incentives. Some common perks for rewards checking accounts are:
- Cash back
- High annual percentage yield
- Reimbursements for ATM surcharges
At some banks, there are strict qualifications or high monthly fees when you sign up for checking with rewards. At First National Bank and Trust Company, we offer checking accounts with rewards as a way of saying “thank you” to our loyal customers.
What is a cash back checking account?
Cash back checking accounts generally allow account holders to earn a certain amount of money back on purchases made with their debit card. Cash back rewards can vary greatly depending on where you bank. Some debit cards restrict cash back earnings to certain categories. With our Cash Back account, there are no category restrictions; you can earn cash back on any debit purchase.
What comes with a rewards checking account?
A rewards account at First National Bank and Trust Company comes with many perks including access to online and mobile banking, an instant issue debit card and the ability to add your debit card to your digital wallet. Learn more by clicking on the icons.
What are the rewards checking accounts?
Our rewards checking accounts offer rewards without extra fees or outrageous qualification requirements. These accounts are free, offering rewards such as cash back or high interest.
At First National Bank and Trust Company, we offer two rewards checking account options: Ignite and Cash Back. With Ignite*, you can earn 1.51% APY* on balances up to $10,000 and a range of interest on balances over $10,000. With Cash Back**, you can earn 3.50% cash back on debit card purchases** — up to $8.75 per month. With either rewards account option, you get free refunds on ATM withdrawals all over the country*.
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How do rewards accounts work?
Rewards checking accounts work like regular checking accounts, and we offer a number of perks alongside your Ignite or Cash Back account rewards. This includes:
- Refunds on ATM fees nationwide (up to $25 per cycle)
- Enjoy unlimited check writing (client purchases checks)
- Free debit card
- Free online services, including free online banking with bill pay, free mobile banking and free eStatements
- $50 minimum deposit to open
- No monthly service charge
- No minimum balance requirement
What are the benefits of rewards checking?
The main benefit differs based on which account you choose. For Ignite, you get free checking that pays high interest:
- Earn 1.51% APY on balances up to $10,000*
- Earn 1.51% to 0.27% APY on balances over $10,000, depending on balance in account
- Earn 0.01% APY if qualifications aren't met
If you choose Cash Back, you get free checking that pays you back:
- 3.50% cash back on debit card purchases**
- No category restrictions on purchases
- Cash back earned on up to $250 in purchases monthly
- Earn up to $8.75 cash back per month
How do I qualify for the rewards?
We've made earning your rewards very simple. In fact, you're probably doing most of these things already. To earn your rewards, simply do the following activities on your rewards account each monthly qualification cycle:
- Have at least 15 debit card purchases post and settle (ATM withdrawals do not count)
- Have at least one ACH transaction (includes direct deposit, ACH credit, ACH payment or bill payment)
- Be enrolled in online banking and agree to receive eStatements
It’s that simple! If you’re using your debit card to make purchases, depositing your paycheck with direct deposit and receiving electronic bank statements, you probably already qualify for full rewards.
Even though they’re free to you, the banking basics you do to earn your rewards actually help us save money. For example, eStatements help us save time and eliminate printing expenses. Your monthly rewards and refunds on ATM fees are our way of thanking you.
If you don't meet these qualifications one month, your account is still free and you'll still earn our base interest rate. You can get back to earning your full rewards the very next monthly qualification cycle, and there are never any penalty fees or monthly service charges. If the qualifications are met, the rewards are deposited into your account at month's end.
How do I open a new checking account?
Reward checking accounts help us thrive as a community bank, and they help your hard-earned money go the extra mile. Checking with rewards is our way of thanking you for choosing us. If you’re interested in learning more or opening a rewards checking account at First National Bank and Trust Company, simply contact us via phone, email, in-person or choose "Connect Now" below to get started.
DO MORE with your money at First National Bank and Trust Company
At First National Bank and Trust Company, we IGNITE PROSPERITY® by helping our clients do more with their money. Whether it’s saving a little extra cash each month or accomplishing a long-term strategy, our goal is to help you transform your financial life. Call and schedule an appointment today, one of our team members would love to help you do more with your money at First National Bank & Trust Company. First National Bank & Trust Company has locations in Illinois and Wisconsin. For more information visit firstnbtc.com or contact us at 217-935-2148 in Illinois or 866-566-2265 in Wisconsin. #igniteprosperity
*Ignite
APY = Annual Percentage Yield. APYs are accurate as of 07/01/2025. $50.00 minimum deposit is required to open the account. To earn the rewards, meet the following requirements each monthly qualification cycle: At least one ACH transaction (includes direct deposit, ACH credit, ACH payment or bill payment); At least 15 debit card purchases post and settle; and be enrolled in online banking and have agreed to receive e-statements. Transactions may take one or more business days from the date of the transaction to post and settle to the account. Monthly Qualification Cycle means the current monthly statement cycle. Debit card purchases must be made with a debit card issued by our bank. ATM and ACH transactions and transfers between accounts do not count towards earning rewards. When qualifications are met during a monthly qualification cycle, you will receive: Daily balances up to and including $10,000 earn an interest rate of 1.50% resulting in an APY of 1.51%; and daily balances over $10,000 earn an interest rate of 0.15% on the portion of the daily balance over $10,000, resulting in a range from 1.51% to 0.27% APY depending on the account's daily balance; and Reimbursements up to an aggregate total of $25.00 (up to $9.99 per single transaction) for nationwide ATM withdrawal fees incurred during that monthly qualification cycle. Interest and nationwide ATM withdrawal fee reimbursements will be credited to your Ignite account on the last day of the monthly statement cycle. When qualifications are not met, the interest rate earned on the account's entire daily balance will be 0.01% resulting in an APY of 0.01% and ATM withdrawal fees are not reimbursed. If the account is closed before rewards are credited, you will forfeit the rewards. APY calculations are based on an assumed account balance of $110,000 for the purpose of computing the APY range for the second tier. No minimum balance is required to earn or receive the account's rewards. Available on consumer accounts only. Limit of one account(s) per primary account holder social security number. Rates and rewards are variable and may change after account is opened. Rates may change without notice to you. Fees may reduce earnings.
**Cash Back
$50.00 minimum deposit is required to open the account. To earn the rewards, meet the following requirements each monthly qualification cycle: At least one ACH transaction (includes direct deposit, ACH credit, ACH payment or bill payment); At least 15 debit card purchases post and settle; and be enrolled in online banking and have agreed to receive e-statements. Transactions may take one or more business days from the date of the transaction to post and settle to the account. Monthly Qualification Cycle means the current monthly statement cycle. Debit card purchases must be made with a debit card issued by our bank. ATM and ACH transactions and transfers between accounts do not count towards earning rewards. When qualifications are met during a monthly qualification cycle, you will receive: 3.50% cash back on up to a total of $250.00 PIN-based/signature-based debit card purchases that post and settle to the account during that cycle period. A maximum of $8.75 cash back payments may be earned per monthly qualification cycle; and Reimbursements up to an aggregate total of $25.00 (up to $9.99 per single transaction) for nationwide ATM withdrawal fees incurred during that monthly qualification cycle. Cash back payments and nationwide ATM withdrawal fee reimbursements will be credited to your Cash Back account on the last day of the monthly statement cycle. When qualifications are not met, no cash back payments are made and ATM withdrawal fees are not reimbursed. If the account is closed before rewards are credited, you will forfeit the rewards. No minimum balance is required to earn or receive the account's rewards. Available on consumer accounts only. Limit of one account(s) per primary account holder social security number. Rates and rewards are variable and may change after account is opened. Rates may change without notice to you.