Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. Review: APYs, Fees & Who It's Best For in 2026

Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. is the publicly traded parent company of Frost Bank, a Texas-based institution with a legacy stretching back to 1868. Known for its award-winning customer service and deep community roots, Frost Bank offers a full suite of personal and business banking products. This review focuses on the consumer banking offerings of Frost Bank, which stands in contrast to the high-yield, online-only banks by prioritizing relationship banking and physical branch access over top-tier interest rates.

Is Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. safe?

Yes, Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. and its primary subsidiary, Frost Bank, represent a secure and stable banking choice. As a publicly traded entity on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: CFR), Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. is subject to stringent financial reporting and oversight by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). This transparency provides customers and investors with regular insight into the company's financial health.

Frost Bank itself, founded just after the Civil War, has demonstrated remarkable longevity and stability, weathering numerous economic cycles. Its primary federal regulator is the Federal Reserve System, ensuring it adheres to federal banking laws and safety and soundness standards. Furthermore, Frost Bank is a member of the FDIC, which provides a critical layer of protection for depositor funds. This combination of a stable, publicly-held parent company, a long operational history, and robust federal regulation establishes it as a very safe institution.

Is Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. FDIC insured?

Yes, deposits at Frost Bank, the banking subsidiary of Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc., are FDIC insured. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is an independent agency of the U.S. government that protects depositors against the loss of their insured deposits in the event of a bank failure.

Frost Bank operates under FDIC Certificate #1819. This insurance covers depositor funds up to the standard limit of $250,000 per depositor, for each account ownership category. This means that if you have a single account with $250,000, it is fully insured. If you have a joint account with a spouse, that account is insured up to $500,000 ($250,000 for each of you). You can verify Frost Bank's FDIC insurance status at any time using the FDIC's BankFind tool.

Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. savings & checking accounts

Frost Bank offers a traditional lineup of checking and savings accounts designed to serve a variety of customer needs, from basic transaction accounts to interest-bearing options. The primary focus is on service and features rather than on offering the highest interest rates in the market. As of our early 2026 review, its annual percentage yields (APYs) are significantly lower than those offered by leading online banks.

Frost Personal Checking

This is the bank's flagship checking account. It comes with a debit card, free access to over 1,700 Frost ATMs across Texas, and access to the highly-rated mobile app. As of 2026, the account has an $8 monthly service charge, which can be waived with one of the following: * A direct deposit of $100 or more per month. * A minimum daily balance of $1,000 in the account. * A combined average daily balance of $5,000 across various personal Frost deposit accounts.

This account does not earn interest.

Frost Plus Checking

For customers who maintain higher balances, the Frost Plus account offers interest on checking balances, though the rate is nominal. In early 2026, the APY was around 0.05%. This account also includes benefits like free checks, cashier's checks, and money orders. The monthly service charge is higher, at $15, but is waived with a $10,000 minimum daily balance in the account or a $25,000 combined average daily balance in personal Frost deposit accounts.

Frost Personal Savings

Frost's basic savings account provides a place to set aside funds while maintaining easy access. The interest rate is very low, projected at 0.10% APY in early 2026. This is far below the rates offered by online competitors. The account has a low monthly service charge of $3.50, which is waived if you maintain a minimum daily balance of just $300 or set up a recurring monthly transfer of at least $10 from a Frost checking account.

Frost Money Market Account

For those with more to save, the Frost Money Market Account offers tiered interest rates that are slightly better than the standard savings account but still not competitive with online HYSAs. As of 2026, rates are tiered by balance: Balances up to $14,999.99:* 0.50% APY Balances $15,000 and above:* 1.00% APY

This account provides limited check-writing privileges and has a $15 monthly service charge, waived with a $15,000 minimum daily balance.

The clear trade-off with Frost's deposit accounts is yield versus service. The table below starkly illustrates the difference in potential earnings between Frost and leading online banks.

Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. CD rates in 2026

Frost Bank offers Certificates of Deposit (CDs) with terms ranging from as short as 14 days to as long as 24 months. CDs are a good option for savers who want to lock in a fixed interest rate for a specific period and don't need immediate access to their funds.

However, consistent with its other deposit products, Frost's CD rates in 2026 are not designed to compete with the top rates from online banks or credit unions. Their yields tend to hover around, and sometimes fall below, the national average rates published by the FDIC. For savers whose primary goal is to maximize interest earnings, there are much more competitive options available elsewhere. For existing Frost customers who value the convenience of keeping all their funds at one institution, the rates may be acceptable.

Below is a comparison of Frost Bank's projected 2026 CD rates against the FDIC's national average data from the same period.

What Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. is missing

While Frost Bank excels in customer service and provides a stable, full-service banking experience, it has several notable gaps, particularly when compared to modern online banks:

• High-Yield Interest Rates: This is the most significant drawback. APYs on its savings, money market, and CD accounts are dramatically lower than those offered by online-only competitors. A saver with $25,000 would earn just $25 in interest per year in a Frost Personal Savings account at 0.10% APY, compared to over $1,000 at an online bank offering 4.00% APY.
• Nationwide Branch Network: Frost Bank's physical presence is confined entirely to the state of Texas. If you live outside of Texas or plan to move, you will lose access to in-person banking services, which is one of the bank's main selling points.
• Truly Fee-Free Accounts: While most of Frost's monthly service charges are waivable, they still exist. Many online banks have eliminated monthly maintenance fees and minimum balance requirements altogether, offering a simpler and more accessible banking structure.
• Aggressive Sign-Up Bonuses: Frost Bank rarely offers the large cash bonuses for opening new accounts that have become common marketing tools for larger national and online banks looking to attract new customers.

Who is Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. best for?

Frost Bank is an excellent choice for a specific type of customer who values service and relationship over yield. You might be a great fit for Frost Bank if you are:

• A resident of Texas who wants convenient access to a physical branch and a large, local ATM network.
• A customer who prioritizes award-winning, human-centric customer service and is willing to speak to a real person to solve problems.
• Someone seeking a full-service banking relationship, including checking, savings, mortgages, auto loans, investments, and wealth management, all under one trusted roof.
• A person who frequently needs to deposit cash or use in-person services like cashier's checks, notary services, or safe deposit boxes.

On the other hand, you should probably look elsewhere if you are a "rate chaser" whose top priority is maximizing interest on your savings. Likewise, if you live outside of Texas, the primary benefit of Frost—its physical presence—is lost, making an online bank a much more logical choice. Customers seeking the absolute simplest, fee-free banking experience with no minimum balance requirements will also find better options with online competitors.

The bottom line

Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc., through its subsidiary Frost Bank, has carved out a durable niche in the competitive Texas banking market by doubling down on what many other banks have scaled back: exceptional, personalized customer service. It is a fundamentally safe, secure, and well-regarded institution. However, this high-touch service model comes at the direct cost of competitive interest rates, making it a poor choice for savers focused on yield.

Rates and product terms shown reflect publicly available information at the time of our 2026 review and can change at any time. Always confirm current APYs and fees directly with the bank before opening an account.