Finding a reliable place to park your paycheck in a town like Washington, Indiana, isn't just about who has the shinest ATM or the best mobile app. It's about who actually knows the dirt on the roads and the names of the folks running the local school board. Old National Bank Washington Indiana has been a fixture in Daviess County for a long time, but banking has changed. Fast. If you’re looking for the brick-and-mortar spot on Cherry Street or just trying to figure out if their mortgage rates are actually competitive compared to the big national players, you have to look at the specifics.
Banking here is different.
Washington is a hub for agriculture and manufacturing. When you walk into a branch, you aren't just a number in a database managed in a skyscraper in New York. At least, that’s the goal. Old National Bank (ONB) started back in 1834 in Evansville, so they’ve got those deep Hoosier roots that people in Southern Indiana tend to trust more than a "mega-bank" out of Charlotte or San Francisco. But being big enough to compete while staying small enough to care is a tough balancing act.
The Reality of Banking at Old National Bank Washington Indiana
Let's talk about the actual location first. You’ll find the main Washington branch sitting at 101 E Cherry St. It’s a solid, professional setup. They also have the 2000 State St location, which is often more convenient if you're hitting the shops on the east side of town.
Why does the physical location still matter?
Because technology fails. Apps glitch. Sometimes you just need to hand a physical document to a human being named Sarah or Mike who can look you in the eye and tell you the wire transfer actually went through. Old National Bank Washington Indiana serves a lot of the local business community—think the farmers, the small business owners on Main Street, and the contractors. These aren't people who want to wait on hold for forty-five minutes with a call center in a different time zone.
Honestly, the "Old National" name carries a lot of weight in Daviess County. They’ve survived mergers, acquisitions, and the 2008 crash. They recently merged with First Midwest Bank, which made them one of the top 35 banking institutions in the entire country. That's a double-edged sword. On one hand, you get better tech. Their mobile app is actually pretty slick now, with Zelle integration and decent fraud monitoring. On the other hand, some locals worry that the "hometown" feel might get diluted as the bank grows into a Midwestern powerhouse.
What They Offer (Beyond Just Checking Accounts)
It’s easy to think a bank is just a place for a debit card. But in a town like Washington, ONB functions more like a financial Swiss Army knife.
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- Commercial Lending: This is their bread and butter. If a local grain elevator needs an upgrade or a new shop is opening near the high school, ONB is usually in the mix.
- Mortgages and Home Equity: Indiana real estate has been a rollercoaster. Washington isn't immune. They offer conventional loans, but they also lean into FHA and VA loans, which is huge for the veteran community in Southern Indiana.
- Wealth Management: This is something people often overlook in smaller towns. You don't have to drive to Indianapolis to find a financial advisor. They have people on-site who deal with retirement planning and 401k rollovers.
Is the Customer Service Actually Good?
Banking reviews are notoriously biased. Nobody goes online to write a five-star review because their debit card worked at the gas station. They go online to scream when something breaks.
However, if you talk to people around the courthouse square, the consensus on Old National Bank Washington Indiana is generally positive regarding the staff. The tellers usually know the regulars. That’s a disappearing art. There is a specific kind of "Indiana Polite" that you expect in Daviess County, and the Cherry Street branch usually delivers on that.
But let's be real.
The transition to more digital-first banking has left some of the older generation feeling a bit left behind. If you're someone who hates using an iPad to sign documents, you might find the modern push toward "paperless" a bit annoying. The bank is definitely pushing people toward their digital tools. They want you using the "ONB Mobile" app. To be fair, the app is robust. You can deposit checks by taking a photo—which saves a trip through the afternoon traffic on 57—and you can lock your card instantly if you lose it at a Hatchets game.
Breaking Down the Fees
Nobody likes fees. They’re the worst part of banking. Old National has several tiers of checking.
- ONB Direct: This is their basic, low-cost option.
- ONB Preferred: This usually requires a higher balance but gets you perks like better rates or waived ATM fees.
- Student Banking: Great for the kids heading off to IU or Purdue who need a no-frills account.
One thing to watch out for is the overdraft policy. Like most big banks, they’ve made some changes lately to be "friendlier" regarding overdrafts, but it's still money out of your pocket. Always opt-in for alerts. If your balance dips below twenty bucks, you want your phone buzzing immediately.
The Local Impact of Old National Bank Washington Indiana
A bank in a small town has a responsibility. Old National is known for its "100 Days of Giving" and various sponsorship deals for local events. You'll see their logo at the 4-H fair. You'll see them sponsoring youth soccer jerseys.
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This isn't just marketing.
It’s survival. In a town of roughly 12,000 people, reputation is everything. If the bank stops supporting the local community, the community stops supporting the bank. They’ve stayed involved with the Daviess County Economic Development Corporation, which is crucial for bringing new jobs to the area. When the I-69 corridor opened up, it changed the game for Washington. ONB was one of the institutions helping local businesses pivot to take advantage of that new traffic.
Why Choose ONB Over a Credit Union?
This is the big question in Washington. You’ve got options like Crane Credit Union right there.
Credit unions are non-profits, so they sometimes offer slightly better interest rates on car loans. However, Old National Bank Washington Indiana usually wins on technology and "reach." If you travel outside of Indiana, finding a Crane branch is tough. With Old National, you’ve got a massive network across the Midwest. If you're in Chicago, Louisville, or Nashville, you can likely find an ONB presence or a partner ATM.
Also, their commercial department is usually more "aggressive" than a credit union. If you’re trying to start a complex business, a full-service bank like ONB has more tools in the shed. They can handle more sophisticated treasury management and merchant services that smaller credit unions might struggle with.
Navigating the Challenges
It hasn't all been sunshine and rainbows. All banks are currently dealing with the reality of higher interest rates. This makes borrowing harder for everyone. If you're looking for a home loan in Washington right now, you’re going to feel the squeeze regardless of where you go.
The key is negotiation.
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Don't just take the first rate they give you. Because Old National is a large entity, they sometimes have "promotional" rates that aren't always front-and-center on the website. You have to ask. Talk to a loan officer. Ask them if there are any special programs for first-time homebuyers in Daviess County. There are often state-level grants or local initiatives that a knowledgeable banker can hook you up with.
Actionable Steps for New and Existing Customers
If you are considering moving your money to Old National Bank Washington Indiana, or if you’ve been there for twenty years and feel like you’re stuck in a rut, here is how to handle it.
Audit Your Account Tier: Check your monthly statements. If you see a $10 or $15 "maintenance fee," you are in the wrong account. Walk into the Cherry Street branch and tell them you want to switch to an account that doesn't charge you for existing. They have options; you just have to trigger the change.
Download the App but Keep the Relationship: Use the mobile deposit. It works. But make it a point to know at least one person at the branch. If you ever have a fraudulent charge or a mortgage emergency, having a "guy" or a "gal" at the bank is worth more than any interest rate.
Review Your Savings: Standard savings accounts everywhere currently offer terrible rates. Ask about their Money Market accounts or CDs (Certificates of Deposit). If you have cash sitting in a basic savings account, you’re losing money to inflation. Washington locals often overlook the "Wealth Management" side of the building, but even a thirty-minute sit-down can reveal better ways to park your emergency fund.
Security First: Set up two-factor authentication (2FA). It’s 2026; password hacking is rampant. Old National’s system supports text or app-based codes. Use them. It's a minor annoyance that prevents a major catastrophe.
The bottom line? Old National Bank Washington Indiana is a powerhouse that still tries to act like a neighbor. They aren't perfect—no bank is—but for most people living in Daviess County, they provide the right balance of "big city" features and "small town" service. Whether you’re cashing a check from the power plant or trying to buy your first home near Eastside Park, they are a foundational part of how this town moves money.
To get the most out of your experience, stop by the branch during the mid-morning—avoid the Friday lunch rush—and actually talk to a personal banker about your specific goals. You might be surprised at what they can do beyond just holding onto your cash.