Planters Bank Review 2024

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2024-07-24T14:27:56Z JUMP TO Section Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.
  • Overall Rating
  • Pros and Cons
  • Planters Bank Account Reviews
  • About Planters Bank
  • How Planters Bank Compares
  • Why You Should Trust Us
  • FAQs
  • Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us and terms apply to offers listed (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate banking products to write unbiased product reviews.

    The bottom line: Planters Bank could be a good choice if you live in Mississippi or Tennessee and prefer traditional banking to the best online banks. The brick-and-mortar bank has a solid checking account and pays high interest rates on CDs, but it has limited customer support on weekends and poor mobile app ratings.

    Planters Bank: Overall Rating

    FeatureInsider rating (out of 5)
    Checking3.75
    Savings3.5
    CD3.25
    Money market account3.25
    Trustworthiness4.5
    Total3.75

    Planters Bank Pros and Cons

    ProsCons
    • Free checking account

    • Solid interest rate on savings account and CDs, compared to other brick-and-mortar banks

    • Possible to waive service fees

    • Poor mobile app ratings
    • Limited customer support availability
    • Online banks pay higher interest rates on savings accounts
    • Service fees on savings accounts and money market account

    Planters Bank Account Reviews

    Planters Bank Basic Savings Account

    Planters Bank Basic Savings Account Read Review Planters Bank Planters Bank Basic Savings Account Insider’s Rating A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star 3.5/5 Fees

    $8 quarterly service fee

    Annual Percentage Yield (APY)

    0.50%

    Minimum Opening Deposit

    $100

    Pros
    • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Possible to waive quarterly service fee
    • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Solid interest rate compared to other brick-and-mortar banks
    Cons
    • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. $100 minimum opening deposit
    • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. $8 quarterly service fee
    Planters Bank Basic Savings Account review External link Arrow An arrow icon, indicating this redirects the user." Product Details
    • 20 branches in Mississippi and Tennessee
    • 7,500 surcharge-free ATMs in the SUM ATM network
    • To waive the $8 quarterly service fee, keep at least $250 in your account daily
    • Interest compounded and deposited quarterly
    • Member FDIC
    Show Pros, Cons, and More chevron down icon An icon in the shape of an angle pointing down.

    The Planters Bank Basic Savings Account may be worthwhile if you can maintain at least $250 in your bank account. You'll be able to waive the $8 quarterly service fee by meeting this requirement. 

    You also might like the Planters Bank Basic Savings Account if you're searching for a traditional savings account with a solid interest rate.

    Planters Bank Essential Checking Account

    Planters Bank Essential Checking Account Read Review Planters Bank Planters Bank Essential Checking Account Insider’s Rating A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star 3.75/5 Fees

    no monthly service fee

    Annual Percentage Yield (APY)

    None

    Minimum Opening Deposit

    $50

    Pros
    • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. No monthly service fee
    • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Overdraft protection available
    Cons
    • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. $50 minimum opening deposit
    • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. $1.50 out-of-network ATM fee
    • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. $36 overdraft fee
    • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. $3 paper statement fee
    • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. $10 overdraft protection transfer fee
    Planters Bank Essential Checking Account review External link Arrow An arrow icon, indicating this redirects the user." Product Details
    • 20 branches in Mississippi and Tennessee
    • 7,500 surcharge-free ATMs in the SUM ATM network
    • Enroll in online statement to avoid the $3 paper statement fee
    • Overdraft protection that lets you link to another bank account
    • $10 transfer fee if you utilize overdraft protection
    • Member FDIC
    Show Pros, Cons, and More chevron down icon An icon in the shape of an angle pointing down.

    The Planters Bank Essential Checking Account might stand out if you're looking to avoid monthly service fees. The bank is also a part of the SUM ATM network, so you'll have access to a decent number of ATMs throughout the US.  

    Planters Bank CD

    Planters Bank CD Read Review Planters Bank Planters Bank CD Insider’s Rating A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star 3.25/5 Annual Percentage Yield (APY)

    0.60% to 4.82%

    Minimum Opening Deposit

    $500 to $10,000

    Pros
    • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Variety of CD terms
    • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. $500 minimum opening deposit for traditional CDs
    • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Solid interest rate compared to other brick-and-mortar banks
    • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Standard CD early withdrawal penalties
    Cons
    • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. $10,000 minimum opening deposit for CD specials
    Planters Bank CD review External link Arrow An arrow icon, indicating this redirects the user." Product Details
    • CD specials are available with a $10,000 minimum opening deposit
    • 20 branches in Mississippi and Tennessee
    • 7,500 surcharge-free ATMs in the SUM ATM network
    • Terms range from 7 days to 5 years
    • CD early withdrawal penalties depend on the amount deposited and term chosen; contact your nearest branch for more information
    • Interest compounded monthly
    • Interest may be deposited into CD, a Planters Bank checking account, or issued as a check
    • Member FDIC
    Show Pros, Cons, and More chevron down icon An icon in the shape of an angle pointing down.

    Planters Bank CDs earn a higher interest rate than the average CD, regardless of which term you choose. You'll need at least $2,500 for an initial deposit though, which is a bit steep compared to other banks. 

     Planters Bank Money Market Account

    Planters Bank Money Market Account Read Review Planters Bank Planters Bank Money Market Account Insider’s Rating A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star 3.25/5 Fees

    $10 monthly service fee

    Annual Percentage Yield (APY)

    0.20% to 4.06%

    Minimum Opening Deposit

    $500

    Pros
    • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. $500 minimum opening deposit
    • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Debit card included
    • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Check writing included
    • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Possible to waive monthly service fee
    Cons
    • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Low interest rate
    • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. $10 monthly service fee
    Planters Bank Money Market Account review External link Arrow An arrow icon, indicating this redirects the user." Product Details
    • 20 branches in Mississippi and Tennessee
    • 7,500 surcharge-free ATMs in the SUM ATM network
    • To waive the $10 monthly service fee, keep at least $1,000 in your account daily
    • Tiered interest rate: Earn a higher interest rate with higher account balances
    • Interest compounded and deposited monthly
    • Member FDIC
    Show Pros, Cons, and More chevron down icon An icon in the shape of an angle pointing down.

    The Planters Bank Money Market Account might be ideal if you'd like to open a money market account with a low minimum opening deposit. However, you'll need to maintain at least $1,000 in your account to waive the $10 monthly service fee.

    If you prioritize earning a high interest rate on a savings account, our best money market accounts guide might be worth viewing since it has accounts with higher rates.

    About Planters Bank

    Planters Bank is a community development financial institution with 20 branches in Mississippi and Tennessee. Customers also have access to 7,500 surcharge-free ATMs in the SUM ATM network.

    Call your nearest branch for customer support. Bank hours vary by location. Most branches are open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. CT Monday through Thursday and 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday.

    The bank's mobile app is rated 3.6 out of 5 stars in the Google Play store and 2.9 out of 5 stars in the Apple store.

    The brick-and-mortar financial institution bank accounts are FDIC insured. You may safely keep up to $250,000 in an account.

    The Role of Community Development Financial Institutions

    Community development financial institutions, or CDFIs, serve low-income and disadvantaged communities. Banks and credit unions have to undergo certification by the US Department of Treasury's Community Development Financial Institutions Fund and meet specific requirements to address banking barriers.

    In 2021, Planters Bank employees completed over 1,100 volunteer hours at community events and 443 hours teaching financial literacy to local residents. The bank also gave more than 1,200 Paycheck Protection Program loans to small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Is Planters Bank Trustworthy?

    Planters Bank hasn't been involved in any recent public controversies.

    We also include ratings from the Better Business Bureau to see how a business deals with customer issues. Planters Bank received an A+ rating because the BBB.

    A good BBB rating doesn't guarantee your relationship with a bank will be perfect. Reach out to current customers or read online customer reviews to see if Planters Bank may be a good match.

    How Planters Bank Compares

    Planters Bank vs. Citizens National Bank

    Planters Bank and Citizens National Bank are both certified as CDFIs and serve primarily Mississippi communities. See which bank might be a better fit for you. 

    You may favor Citizens National Bank if you'd like to avoid monthly service fees on a savings account. However, Planters Bank could be more appealing if you prioritize earning a higher interest rate on a savings account or CDs. 

    Planters Bank also might be a better choice if you'd like to open a checking account. The Planters Bank Essential Checking Account doesn't charge monthly service fees.

    Citizens National Bank has some requirements you'll need to meet each month to avoid monthly service fees on the bank's checking account. If you are between the ages of 25 and 62, you'll have to meet one of the following requirements: Make 10 debit card transactions per month, receive $100 in direct deposits per month, or maintain a daily account balance of $500 or more.

    Planters Bank vs. Southern Bancorp

    See how Citizens National Bank stacks up to another local financial institution in Mississippi: Southern Bancorp.

    Both brick-and-mortar banks have good CDs and checking accounts, so your best option may ultimately depend on your preferences. 

    Southern Bancorp currently pays higher interest rates on long-term CDs. Meanwhile, Planters Bank offers a greater variety of CD terms — you can get a term as short as seven days.

    For checking accounts, it could be a tight race between the two banks. The biggest difference between the two checking accounts is that Planters Bank requires a minimum of $50 for an initial deposit, while Southern Bancorp has a $100 minimum opening deposit. 

    Why You Should Trust Us: How We Reviewed Planters Bank 

    For our Planters Bank review, we rated bank products and services using our editorial standards

    We rate products on a scale from zero to five stars, and use a bank account methodology

    For example, using our CD methodology we'll review interest rates, minimum opening deposit requirements, early withdrawal penalties, CD variety, customer support availability, mobile app ratings, and ethics of the overall company. Meanwhile, for checking accounts, we'll factor in the ATM network size and fees, overdraft protection options, customer support hours, mobile app ratings, ethics, minimum opening deposit requirements, and fees.

    Planters Bank FAQs

    How much does it cost to open a Planters Bank account? Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.

    The minimum deposit varies depending on which account you'd like to open. The Planters Bank Basic Savings Account requires an initial deposit of $100, while the Planters Bank Essential Checking Account needs at least $50.

    Is Planters Bank a local bank? Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.

    Yes, Planters Bank is a local bank with branches in Mississippi and Tennessee. You'll find branches in the following cities: Batesville, MS; Clarksdale, MS; Cleveland, MS; Germantown, TN; Greenwood, MS; Greenville, MS; Indianola, MS; Inverness, MS; Leland, MS; Louise, MS; Olive Branch, MS; Ruleville, MS; Southaven, MS; Sunflower, MS and Tunica, MS.

    spanSophia Acevedo is a banking editor at Business Insider. She has spent three years as a personal finance journalist and is an expert across numerous banking topics./spanspanExperience/spanspanSophia leads Personal Finance Insider's banking coverage, including reviews, guides, reference articles, and news. She edits and updates articles about banks, checking and savings accounts, CD rates, and budgeting and saving. She is highly knowledgeable about long-term trends in rates and offers at banks across the U.S./spanspanBefore joining Business Insider, Sophia worked as a journalist at her college newspaper and was a freelance writer. She has spent seven years writing and editing as a journalist./spanspanSophia was nominated for an Axel Springer Award for Change in 2023 for her coverage of a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/what-is-able-savings-account"ABLE accounts/a, tax-free savings accounts for people with disabilities. She was also a winner of a a href="https://cnpa.com/cja/2018campus/"2018 California Journalism Awards Campus Contest/a for her photography./spanspanShe loves helping people find the best solutions for their unique needs and hopes that more people will find the tools to solve their financial problems. She’s inspired by stories of everyday people adapting to their financial circumstances and overcoming their fears around money./spanspanExpertise/spanspanSophia's expertise includes:/spanullispanBank accounts/span/lilispanSavings and CD rate trends/span/lilispanBudgeting/span/lilispanSaving/span/lilispanHow banks operate/span/li/ulspanEducation/spanspanSophia graduated from California State University Fullerton with a degree in journalism and a minor in political science./spanspanShe is an avid reader across a variety of genres, and she started running in 2021. She ran in the 2024 Los Angeles Marathon./span Banking Editor Sophia Acevedo is a banking editor at Business Insider. She has spent three years as a personal finance journalist and is an expert across numerous banking topics.ExperienceSophia leads Personal Finance Insider's banking coverage, including reviews, guides, reference articles, and news. She edits and updates articles about banks, checking and savings accounts, CD rates, and budgeting and saving. She is highly knowledgeable about long-term trends in rates and offers at banks across the U.S.Before joining Business Insider, Sophia worked as a journalist at her college newspaper and was a freelance writer. She has spent seven years writing and editing as a journalist.Sophia was nominated for an Axel Springer Award for Change in 2023 for her coverage of ABLE accounts, tax-free savings accounts for people with disabilities. She was also a winner of a 2018 California Journalism Awards Campus Contest for her photography.She loves helping people find the best solutions for their unique needs and hopes that more people will find the tools to solve their financial problems. She’s inspired by stories of everyday people adapting to their financial circumstances and overcoming their fears around money.ExpertiseSophia's expertise includes:
    • Bank accounts
    • Savings and CD rate trends
    • Budgeting
    • Saving
    • How banks operate
    EducationSophia graduated from California State University Fullerton with a degree in journalism and a minor in political science.She is an avid reader across a variety of genres, and she started running in 2021. She ran in the 2024 Los Angeles Marathon. Read more Read less spanEvelyn He is a Compliance and Operations Associate on the Personal Finance team to ensure content accuracy and editorial independence so readers get up-to-date and objective financial advice./spanspanThe compliance team's mission is to provide readers with fact-checked and current stories so they can make informed financial decisions. The team also works to minimize risk for partners by ensuring language is clear, precise, and fully compliant with regulatory and partner marketing guidelines that align with the editorial team./span Compliance and Operations Associate Evelyn He is a Compliance and Operations Associate on the Personal Finance team to ensure content accuracy and editorial independence so readers get up-to-date and objective financial advice.The compliance team's mission is to provide readers with fact-checked and current stories so they can make informed financial decisions. The team also works to minimize risk for partners by ensuring language is clear, precise, and fully compliant with regulatory and partner marketing guidelines that align with the editorial team. Read more Read less Top Offers From Our Partners Chime® Checking Account Set up Direct Deposit and get your paycheck up to 2 days before your coworkers.** No overdraft fees. No monthly fees. A tooltip Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC. **Early access to direct deposit funds depends on the timing of the submission of the payment file from the payer. We generally make these funds available on the day the payment file is received, which may be up to 2 days earlier than the scheduled payment date. Start Banking

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