Estate planning at First Intl Bank

First International Bank & Trust offers three checking accounts. Essential Checking has a $100 minimum opening deposit and a $7.95 monthly fee (refundable with eStatements, direct deposit, or mobile check deposit). Rewards Checking has a $100 minimum and $5.95 monthly fee with cash rewards for $500+ in monthly debit card spending. Advantage Checking has a $5,000 minimum with interest earned on balances, up to $25 in monthly ATM fee refunds, and a free first-year safe deposit box. Youth (ages 23 and under) and senior (ages 55+) perks include automatic service charge refunds on all accounts.

Both are tiered-rate money market savings accounts with monthly compounding. The First Money Market requires a $1,000 minimum opening deposit and earns tiered interest across six tiers. The Premium Money Market requires a $25,000 minimum opening deposit and $25,000 minimum balance to earn interest, but offers the highest yields among traditional savings products. Both carry a $15 monthly fee if the balance falls below $1,000 and are limited to 6 preauthorized or automatic withdrawals per month ($5 fee per excess transaction). Both can be retitled to a trust or have POD beneficiary designations. FDIC insured up to $250,000.

Deposit accounts (checking, savings, money market, CDs) can be retitled to a trust at First International Bank & Trust. Visit any branch with your trust document or Certificate of Trust, government-issued photo ID for all trustees, and the trust's tax identification number (EIN or SSN). Existing accounts may need to be closed and reopened under the trust name. IRA and HSA accounts cannot be retitled to a trust, but a trust can be named as beneficiary on those accounts.

The Higher Learning Fund is a certificate of deposit designed for education savings. It requires only $100 to open, and additional deposits can be made at any time in any amount. The maturity date is based on the account opening date and the July graduation year from high school. The interest rate is variable and may change after opening. Like other CDs, a POD beneficiary can be designated and the account can be retitled to a trust. A substantial penalty applies for early withdrawal.

Yes. FIBT offers both Traditional IRA and Roth IRA accounts. Traditional IRA contributions may be tax-deductible, with taxes paid on withdrawals in retirement. Roth IRA contributions are made after-tax, with qualified withdrawals tax-free. Annual contribution limits are set by the IRS ($7,000 for 2025-2026 with a $1,000 catch-up for age 50+). IRA accounts cannot be retitled to a trust, but a trust can be named as beneficiary. IRA deposits are FDIC insured up to $250,000.

First International Bank & Trust operates 32 locations across four states: North Dakota (18 locations including Bismarck, Fargo, Grand Forks, Minot, and Williston), Minnesota (4 locations in Edina, Moorhead, Motley, and Staples), Arizona (5 locations in Chandler, Gilbert, Phoenix, and Scottsdale including a Wealth Management office), and South Dakota (1 location in Sioux Falls). Some cities have multiple branches. Home equity loans are also available in Iowa and Montana. The bank is headquartered in Watford City, North Dakota.