North American Savings Bank Review

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Contributor, Benzinga
July 28, 2021

North American Savings Bank (NASB) is a customer-oriented bank offering local service, checking, savings, easy online banking, individual and commercial mortgages and financial literacy education. Since its founding in 1927, NASB has concentrated its attention on taking care of customers by delivering superior customer service with the right financial solution for each individual. NASB does what’s right for you. With its financial offerings and commitment to financial education, it empowers you, the customer, to make the right decisions for your money.

Best For
  • Military personnel
  • People with less-than-perfect credit
  • First-time home buyers
  • Borrowers looking for non-traditional options
  • Self-employed borrowers
Pros
  • Multiple account options with competitive loan rates and origination fees
  • In-house mortgages
  • Conventional, VA, FHA, jumbo, and IRA residential real estate loans
Cons
  • Loan process not completely online

North American Savings Bank Ratings at a Glance

NASB Options
NASB Customer Service
NASB Pricing
NASB Mobile App
NASB User Benefits
NASB User Experience
NASB Overall Rating

NASB Options

At NASB, the primary concern is taking care of customers. But the bank doesn’t just give lip service to that claim with platitudes and lollipops. This working bank understands the needs and goals of its busy clients, delivering practical solutions that are in the clients’ best interest. 

NASB offers various types of interest-paying checking and savings accounts that meet the needs of everyone, including military personnel. It provides nationally competitive products delivered through service that sees customers as people, not a number on an account statement. 

In addition to meeting your full-service banking needs, NASB distinguishes itself in mortgage lending solutions. Whether it’s a conventional, VA, FHA, Jumbo, Flex, IRA or non-conforming loan mortgage loan, NASB expertly guides borrowers through the loan process. NASB provides optimal solutions for all mortgage seekers from first-time homebuyers, homeowners upgrading to a bigger home and re-financers.

NASB Customer Service

NASB offers multiple ways to connect and get your questions answered. You can email, send an online message or call the 24-hour personal access line. If you are obtaining an NASB mortgage, you’ll have a separate, fully accessible, personal mortgage team for loan servicing. NASB also has physical branches you can visit in person. 

NASB is one of the few banks whose contact phone number, 1-800-677-6272, is clearly posted on its website. You don’t need to take part in a zany scavenger hunt for the secret location. Once you dial, two phone taps and no hold time get you to a friendly person. Brittany in Deposits answered today, offering advice on how to apply for a mortgage and affirming that NASB is “a fun place to work with a great mortgage department.”

NASB Pricing

NASB is true to its word in meeting the needs of diverse customers. The few fees it does have, like for a bounced check, are competitive. Transparency in all its actions is paramount. Count on competitive mortgage rates, interest-paying bank accounts and Certificate of Deposit (CDs).

NASB Mobile App

In its commitment to make banking accessible to everyone, NASB operates a workhorse of a mobile banking app. You can deposit checks by snapping a picture, transfer funds securely with the Transfer Funds module, sign up for eBills to set up bill payments, check balances and recent transactions with Fast Balances and use the Personal Financial Management tool to help organize your budget and expenses.

NASB User Benefits

Getting down to the nitty-gritty of being an NASB customer, you find you can rely on fair treatment in all aspects of your banking needs. Choose from several types of interest-paying checking and savings accounts and many CD options. Apply for and be confident of receiving approval for whatever type of mortgage loan is the best fit for you including conventional, VA, FHA, jumbo and IRA residential real estate loans.

Additionally, NASB underwrites unique types of financing for commercial real estate. Whether you are seeking a build-to-suit retail, land development or multi-family construction loan, NASB has a program designed for you. It offers individualized planning when structuring loans and has flexible construction programs to fit your needs.

Every commercial real estate loan NASB originates for owners and investors is serviced in-house, providing great value with competitive pricing and quick loan closings. It specializes in credit tenant net-leased financing throughout the U.S. for national restaurant chains, variety stores and pharmacies with long-term leases. 

NASB is also the leading commercial real estate IRA loan lender in the country, offering investors the ability to finance a commercial real estate project with a self-directed IRA loan.

NASB User Experience

NASB strives to be the first place customers turn to when trust, service and the right financial solution are what matter most. Since 2010, NASB has helped over 36,000 veteran homeowners close more than $11 billion in home loans and more than 83,000 homeowners close over $24 billion in loans. It has done that by a daily commitment to getting things done for its clients.

Because it’s more of a local bank, you get appealing but efficient boutique-style service. You can bank, apply for a mortgage, request a loan and access the kind of financial information you need to make sound decisions with your money.

It’s rare to see free, functional, easy-to-use financial calculators and tutorials accessible to all, and these links fulfill the NASB mission to “create rewarding relationships by delivering the guidance and genuine service that are as unique as your dreams and aspirations.” The NASB suite of online financial calculators, available to non-account holders as well, illustrates its fundamental commitment to consumer financial education. 

  • How long will it take and much should I deposit to reach my savings goal?
  • How much of a difference will the rate make?
  • What will it take to save for a college education, vehicle or home, etc.?
  • Which is better: cash or payments?
  • How much will my savings be worth?
  • What’s it worth to reduce my spending?
  • What will it take to become a millionaire?
  • How can I benefit from a CD ladder?

NASB vs. Competitors

Although NASB is not a massive multinational bank, its rates and offerings are transparent and competitive. It compares favorably with other banks that serve the same types of customers. Its offerings of full-service banking paired with multiple types of mortgage loans give it an edge over other more singularly focused banks and lending institutions.

NASB received some low ratings on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) site including complaints about loan service and issues with credit reports. Since NASB markets itself as a bank that caters to consumers struggling with credit issues, it’s not a surprise that some customers may have been disappointed in their experience. These few negative reviews coupled with the regional nature of the bank’s offerings keep NASB from a 5-star rating. However, the many glowing reviews from BBB and other sites lock in a 4.5 and counting for NASB.

NASB Overall Rating

NASB fulfills big ambitions with a small-town feel. As an NASB customer, you have access to all the financial services you might need with empowering knowledge thrown in. Free tutorials and webinars with titles like these show the bank’s interest in informing and protecting customers:  First-Time Home Buyers, Understanding Certificates of Deposit, Portfolio Mortgage Loan Options, Financial Fitness and Avoiding Exploitation, Financial Awareness and Budgeting, Digital Banking Tools and Bank Statement Loans for Self-Employed Borrowers. Bank at the 5-star NASB to become a more financially knowledgeable consumer.

NASB Video Tutorial

Frequently Asked Questions

Q

Is NASB reputable?

A

Yes. This Kansas City-based bank was founded in 1927, with humble beginnings as the City Building and Loan Association in St. Louis, Missouri. Its founders fought in WW1, with James Pendergast serving under Harry S. Truman. One of the region’s leading financial services companies, NASB current assets total more than $2 billion. You can bank, borrow and get mortgages at this FDIC-insured bank.

Q

How do I pay my NASB mortgage?

A

NASB allows you to set up and pay automatically with any bank account you choose, but you get additional benefits from having an NASB bank account that you fund and pay your mortgage.

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About Kathryn Hauer, CFP®

Kathy is an expert in finance (personal, corporate), financial planning, financial literacy, tax preparation and laws, saving and investing, retirement, insurance, careers, college education planning and financing, cannabis, gig economy, forming and running a business, credit and debt issues, blue-collar workers, and military issues. She has a strong interest in crypto, DeFi, FinTech, InsureTech, AgTech.