Zions Bank Overview: History, Accounts, and Services Explained

Zions Bank Overview – From 1873 to Today

Zions Bank grew through various acquisitions since its founding in 1873. In 1957, Zion’s merged with Utah Savings & Trust Company and First National Bank of Salt Lake City to form Zions First National Bank. In Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming, the company operates under the main name Zions Bank.

In the early 1960s, Zions Bank entered a new phase of growth when the LDS Church decided to sell its controlling interest to Keystone Insurance and Investment Company, a local investment group. This shift in ownership moved the bank away from church control and opened the door to broader expansion strategies.

Following the transition, Keystone rebranded as Zions Bancorporation and, by 1966, launched a public stock offering, securing funding that enabled it to increase its branch network and pursue acquisitions. This period marked a major step in Zions Bank’s evolution from a regional, church-affiliated institution into a publicly traded bank with a growing presence across the western United States.

The company operates in other states under names such as California Bank & Trust, Amegy Bank (Texas), National Bank of Arizona, Nevada State Bank, Vectra Bank (Colorado and New Mexico), and The Commerce Bank (Washington and Oregon). Before 2015, all these banks operated independently but were consolidated under a single company, although they maintain different names.

Products and Services

Zions Bank offers a variety of products and services designed to meet the financial needs of its customers. From savings and checking accounts to commercial and personal loans, Zions Bank provides financial solutions tailored to both individual and business needs. In addition, the bank offers online and mobile banking services to provide convenience and accessibility to its customers at all times.

Zions Bank occasionally offers bonuses and promotional offers for checking accounts, business banking, credit cards, and other products. See our Zions Bank Bonuses and Promotions page for current offers.

For an up-to-date list, always consult Zions Bank customer service.

ZionsBank.com | Products

Checking Accounts

Zions Bank provides a wide range of financial products and services for personal and business customers, including:

Anytime Checking

A basic account that provides access to standard checking account tools and features, with no paper statement fees when you enroll in electronic statements.

• Monthly fee: $0
• Initial deposit: $50
• Interest: Does not earn interest

Read the full Zions Anytime Checking review.

Gold Account

A premium checking account that provides additional banking benefits, including higher relationship rates on eligible linked deposit accounts, ATM fee benefits, and other account perks.

• Monthly fee: $15
• Monthly fee waived: With a daily balance of $2,500 or combined balances across all accounts exceeding $25,000
• Initial deposit: $50
• Interest: Does not earn interest

Military Advantage Checking

An account designed to support members of the military, including ATM fee waivers and online and mobile banking tools.

• Monthly fee: $0
• Initial deposit: $50
• Interest: Does not earn interest

OnBudget Banking

An account with a predictable monthly fee and no overdraft fees. It does not support check writing, but includes a Visa debit card and digital banking tools.

• Monthly fee: $5
• Monthly fee waived: For customers age 25 or younger
• Initial deposit: $25
• Interest: Does not earn interest

Common features across all accounts include:

• Visa debit card
• Digital and mobile banking
• Bill pay
• Paperless statements 

Savings Accounts

zionsbank.com | Savings

Savings Account

A standard savings account with a low minimum balance requirement, designed for everyday saving.

• Monthly fee: $3
• Monthly fee waived: With a $200 daily balance or $25 automatic transfer from linked accounts
• Initial deposit: $50
• Interest: Earns interest

Young Savers Account

An account designed for children and teenagers, with no minimum balance requirement or monthly fee, making it easy to start saving early.

• Monthly fee: $0
• Initial deposit: $5
• Interest: Earns interest

Money Market Account (MMA)

A savings account that offers competitive interest rates, suitable for customers looking to maximize their savings.

• Monthly fee: $0
• Initial deposit: $500
• Interest: Earns interest

IRA Money Market Account

A retirement-focused savings account that combines the benefits of a money market account with the tax advantages of an IRA.

• Monthly fee: $0
• Initial deposit: $100
• Interest: Earns interest

Certificates of Deposit (CD)

A CD is a time-based savings account that offers a fixed interest rate for a set term in exchange for keeping funds deposited until maturity.

• Monthly fee: $0
• Initial deposit: $1,000
• Interest: Earns interest

Credit Cards

zionsbank.com | Credit Cards

Agility Cash Credit Card

A cash-back credit card designed for everyday purchases.

• Annual fee: $0
• Welcome bonus: Earn double cash back for the first 12 billing cycles, up to $200 in bonus cash back
• Intro offer: 0% introductory APR for 6 months on purchases and 12 months on qualifying balance transfers
• Rewards: 1.5% cash back on qualifying purchases
• Other perks: $0 international transaction fee

Vivid Rewards Credit Card

A rewards credit card that earns additional points in several everyday spending categories.

• Annual fee: $0
• Welcome bonus: Earn double rewards for the first 12 billing cycles, up to 30,000 bonus points
• Intro offer: 0% introductory APR for 6 months on purchases and 12 months on qualifying balance transfers
• Rewards: 3 points per $1 in qualifying bonus categories and 1 point per $1 on other qualifying purchases
• Other perks: $0 international transaction fee

Clarity Credit Card

A credit card focused on lower borrowing costs and fewer fees rather than rewards.

• Annual fee: $0
• Welcome bonus: None
• Intro offer: 0% introductory APR for 6 months on purchases and 15 months on qualifying balance transfers
• Rewards: None
• Other perks: No late-payment, returned-payment, or international transaction fees

Premier Credit Card

A travel-oriented rewards card with elevated points on qualifying travel purchases.

• Annual fee: $95, waived for the first year
• Welcome bonus: $150 cash back or 15,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first 90 days
• Intro offer: 0% introductory APR for 6 months on qualifying balance transfers
• Rewards: 2.5 points per $1 on qualifying travel purchases and 1.5 points per $1 on other qualifying purchases
• Other perks: $0 international transaction fee

Elite Credit Card

A premium rewards card offering higher rewards on qualifying travel and dining purchases.

• Annual fee: $195
• Welcome bonus: $300 cash back or 30,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 in the first 90 days
• Intro offer: 0% introductory APR for 6 months on qualifying balance transfers
• Rewards: 3 points per $1 on qualifying travel and dining purchases and 1.5 points per $1 on other qualifying purchases
• Other perks: $0 international transaction fee

Reserve Credit Card

Zions Bank’s premium travel rewards card.

• Annual fee: $450, plus $50 annually for each additional person on the account
• Welcome bonus: $500 cash back or 50,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 in the first 90 days
• Intro offer: 0% introductory APR for 6 months on qualifying balance transfers
• Rewards: 3 points per $1 on qualifying travel and dining purchases and 2 points per $1 on other qualifying purchases
• Other perks: $250 annual travel credit and Priority Pass Select benefits

Launch Secured Card

A secured credit card designed for consumers who are building or rebuilding their credit history.

• Annual fee: $25
• Welcome bonus: None
• Intro offer: None
• Rewards: None
• Other perks: Secured card structure designed to help establish credit history

Personal Loans

Zions Bank offers secured and unsecured personal financing options for a variety of borrowing needs.

Personal Secured Loans

These loans use funds held in a Zions Bank Certificate of Deposit (CD) or savings account as collateral.

• Loan amount: Starting at $1,000, up to the amount held on deposit, with a maximum of $250,000
• Collateral: Eligible Zions Bank deposit funds
• Interest: Fixed rate
• Origination fee: $75
• Terms: Vary depending on the loan amount and collateral

Personal Unsecured Loans

These loans do not require collateral and can be used for household purchases, unexpected expenses, and other personal needs.

• Loan amount: $2,500 to $100,000
• Collateral: None required
• Interest: Fixed rate
• Origination fee: $75
• Terms: Multiple repayment terms are available

Personal Unsecured Line of Credit

A revolving line of credit that does not require collateral and allows borrowers to access funds as needed.

• Collateral: None required
• Access to funds: Borrow as needed up to the approved credit limit
• Repayment: Interest applies to borrowed amounts
• Availability: Funds can be accessed again as the balance is repaid
• Terms: Subject to credit approval and Zions Bank lending terms

Mortgages

Zions Bank offers several home financing options for purchasing, building, refinancing, or borrowing against the equity in a home.

Fixed-Rate Mortgage

A mortgage with an interest rate that remains fixed for the life of the loan, providing predictable principal and interest payments.

• Rate structure: Fixed
• Loan purpose: Home purchase or refinance
• Payments: Principal and interest payments remain consistent over the loan term
• Best for: Borrowers who prefer predictable payments

Adjustable-Rate Mortgage (ARM)

A mortgage with an initial fixed-rate period followed by a rate that can adjust periodically based on the terms of the loan.

• Rate structure: Fixed for an initial period, then adjustable
• Loan purpose: Home purchase or refinance
• Payments: May increase or decrease after the initial fixed-rate period
• Best for: Borrowers comfortable with potential future rate changes

Construction Loan

Financing designed for borrowers building a new home, with options that can combine construction financing and permanent mortgage financing.

• Loan purpose: New-home construction
• Structure: Construction financing with permanent mortgage options
• Closing: Single-close options are available
• Best for: Borrowers planning to build a home

FHA Mortgage

A government-backed mortgage that can provide more flexible down-payment and qualification requirements than some conventional mortgages.

• Loan type: FHA-insured
• Loan purpose: Home purchase
• Down payment: Lower down-payment options may be available
• Best for: Eligible borrowers seeking FHA financing

Jumbo Loan

A mortgage designed for borrowers who need financing above applicable conforming loan limits.

• Loan type: Jumbo mortgage
• Loan purpose: Financing higher-priced properties
• Loan amount: Above applicable conforming loan limits
• Best for: Borrowers who need larger mortgage amounts

VA Mortgage

A government-backed mortgage available to eligible veterans, active-duty service members, and certain other qualified borrowers.

• Loan type: VA-backed
• Loan purpose: Home purchase or refinance
• Down payment: Qualified borrowers may be eligible for $0 down
• Best for: Eligible military borrowers and veterans

First-Time Homebuyer Mortgage

Zions Bank offers mortgage options and programs designed for eligible first-time homebuyers.

• Loan purpose: Primary-home purchase
• Eligibility: Requirements vary by program
• Benefits: Certain programs may provide down-payment or other homebuyer assistance
• Best for: Eligible first-time homebuyers

Mortgage Refinancing

Refinancing replaces an existing mortgage with a new loan and may be used to change the interest rate, loan term, or access home equity.

• Loan purpose: Replace an existing mortgage
• Rate: Depends on the new loan selected
• Loan term: May be shortened or extended
• Cash out: Cash-out refinancing may be available

Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC)

A revolving line of credit that allows homeowners to borrow against available equity in their homes.

• Loan type: Revolving line of credit
• Collateral: Home equity
• Access to funds: Borrow as needed up to the approved credit limit
• Rate structure: Variable
• Best for: Borrowers who want flexible access to home equity

Home Equity Loan

A loan that allows homeowners to borrow against available home equity and receive the funds as a lump sum.

• Loan type: Installment loan
• Collateral: Home equity
• Funds: Disbursed as a lump sum
• Payments: Fixed monthly payments
• Best for: Borrowers who need a specific amount of money with predictable payments

Conclusion

Zions Bank has a long history in Utah and the western United States, originating as a church-affiliated bank and later transitioning to public ownership after the LDS Church sold its majority stake to Keystone Insurance and Investment Company. The bank grew through mergers, acquisitions, and expansion into other states, operating under several local brand names.

It provides a wide range of financial products, including checking and savings accounts, credit cards, personal loans, and mortgages, as well as online and mobile banking services. While its size and product offerings have increased over time, Zions Bank continues to balance regional operations with broader corporate strategies, reflecting both its local roots and its presence in multiple markets.

Disclaimer:

This page is not affiliated with, maintained by, or sponsored by Zions Bank. The information provided in this overview may be outdated or inaccurate after the publication date. UtahFi does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of the content. The logo is a registered trademark of Zions Bancorporation.