9 Best Checking Accounts for September 2024
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Checking account features have evolved over the years beyond just the paper checks and debit cards we’ve become accustomed to. Now, if you’re not getting free checks and ATM usage, interest on your account balances, and 24/7 access to your money, there’s more you could be doing to build your wealth.
To help, we’ve analyzed dozens of banks, credit unions, and non-bank checking service providers to find out who is offering the cream of the crop. From fees and accessibility to APYs and other perks, here’s where we put our money. See our rankings methodology.
Best Overall
A good blend of low fees, plentiful ATM locations, and short-term high-interest yield options make the below accounts ideal for storing your money in anticipation of daily use.
1. Axos BankĀ® Rewards Checking
Axos offers Rewards Checking users a robust 0.70% APY on account balances with a low minimum deposit of just $50. Users must maintain at least $1,500 in eligible monthly deposits (most easily achieved through automated paycheck direct deposit) and use the associated Axos VisaĀ® Debit Card for a total of 10 transactions per month.
Account holders can earn up to an additional 2.60% APY (3.30% APY total) by adding loan payments and invest accounts.
Current Promotional Offer:
New Axos BankĀ® Rewards Checking account holders can earn a $500 Welcome Bonus using promo code “RC500”.* ** ***
* Deposit New-to-Axos bank funds into your new Rewards Checking account within 30 days of account opening. You must have qualifying direct deposits that total at least $1,500 each calendar month during the first seven (5) calendar months your account is open.
** You must also maintain a minimum average daily balance of $3,000 in your Rewards Checking account.
With only a $50 minimum deposit, the Axos Bank Rewards Checking account makes checking less boring giving account holders up to 0.70% APY on held balances. Tack on unlimited ATM fee reimbursements and no account fees or minimums and this account quickly becomes one of the most well-rounded on the market.
Show Hide more2. Chime Spending Account
Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by, and debit card issued by, The Bancorp Bank or Stride Bank, N.A.; Members FDIC.
FDIC-insured, the Chime Spending Account offers a robust lineup of features that are hard to match in the ever-evolving online banking era. The no-fee, no minimum balance account allows users access to their Round Ups feature: an easy way to contribute to their connected high-yield online savings account. Get paid up to 2 days early with their paycheck direct deposit program.
A banking service provider, Chime partners with traditional brick and mortar banks to offer a dizzying array of high-value services. FDIC insured up to $250,000, you'll get fee-free access to 65,000 nationwide ATMs, up to $200 in overdraft protection on eligible accounts, and convenient security controls.
Show Hide more3. Consumers Credit Union High-Interest Checking Account
Consumers Credit Union took the throw the kitchen sink at the wall approach to checking accounts and boy did it stick. Offering industry-leading features in every category, their high-interest yield on account balances takes the cake. At up to 4.00% APY for balances up to $15,000, their checking account offers rates better than nearly every other cash account on the market.
At 4.00% APY on balances up to $15,000, consumers would be hard-pressed to find somewhere better to short-term store their money than the Consumers Credit Union Rewards Checking Account. Must receive e-Statements, make 12 debit purchases per month, and make $500 in qualifying deposits each month to maintain APY.
Show Hide moreHonorable Mentions
These top-tier banks offer comparable features, benefits, and the same low-fee structures as their elite counterparts.
4. Alliant Credit Union High-Rate Checking
Earn 0.25% on any available balance with this no monthly fee, $0 minimum balance account. Up to $20 per month in ATM fee reimbursements. (Learn More)
5. CIT Bank eChecking
With up to $30 in ATM fees reimbursed monthly, CIT Bank offers a nearly free eChecking option (no monthly fees) with high interest rates for balances over $25,000 (0.25%). You’ll still earn 0.10% APY on balances less than $25,000 and need only $100 to open your account. (Learn More)
6. Capital One 360 Checking
Basic free checking account with all the bells and whistles: no fees, easy-to-use mobile app, fee-free ATMs, overdraft protection, and early paycheck deposit program. Plus, get 0.10% APY on any balance. (Learn More)
7. nbkc bank Everything Account
A holistic approach to banking, nbkc showers account holders in an industry-leading number of features. Fee-free ATMs, mobile banking, bill autopay, bucket/goal-oriented saving options, and 1.75% on account balances are but a few of the many features. (Learn More)
8. Aspiration Spend and Save
Move money quickly and easily between your Spend and Save accounts to earn up to 3.00% APY on idle balances and pay bills in a jiffy with their cash back debit card (up to 10% at Conscience Coalition partners). Get your first 25 checks free and the option to save the planet by planting a tree with every purchase. (Learn More)
9. Schwab Bank High Yield Investor Checking Account
Looking for a traditional big-name bank with a long, trusted history? Look no further than the Schwab High Yield Investor Checking Account. Seamlessly move money between investment vehicles and your checking account with an integrated banking interface. No fees or account minimums and earn 0.40% APY on checking account balances. (Learn More)
How DollarSprout Rates Checking Accounts
When evaluating checking accounts, we look at multiple factors to help determine where they fall on our rating scale:
- Annual percentage yield (APY), if applicable
- Fees and the likelihood that a user will incur them
- Account balance requirements
- Customer service
- Mobile app reviews
- Check cost
For checking accounts, APY and fees play a heavier role in our ratings than other factors because they directly affect your bottom line.
Benefits of a Checking Account
No two people’s personal finances are identical, but every person should have a checking account. Checking accounts are the foundation for how we conduct our day-to-day finances.
A checking account is a deposit account provided by banks and credit unions that is used to store money for everyday use. Theyāre the more casual twin to a savings account, which is meant to hold money for long-term use. If a savings account is like a wine cellar, then a checking account is like a refrigerator or kitchen cabinet.
Deposit accounts are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) up to $250,000 per bank, so thereās no risk of losing your principal in a checking account. You can pay from a checking account with a debit card, check, or an electronic funds transfer (EFT), and you can access those funds at any time.
Checking accounts are separate from savings accounts, which have their own rules and regulations but are also insured by the FDIC. You can open a checking account without having a savings account or open both at the same time.
Fees to Watch Out For
Maintenance Fees: Some banks charge monthly maintenance fees if a certain balance threshold isn’t maintained. Maintenance fees are usually between $3 and $12 per month but can be waived if your account stays above the minimum maintenance balance. Be sure to check what the minimum maintenance balance is before you open an account.
Some banks donāt charge maintenance fees, so if youāre tired of being charged for keeping a low balance, consider switching banks.
Overdraft Fees: If your checking account reaches a negative balance, the bank will usually charge an overdraft fee until you restore the account to a positive balance (i.e, put money back in your account). Overdraft fees are around $34 on average and can be charged multiple times a day.
Stop Payment Fees: If you use a check to pay for an item and discover youāve been swindled or scammed, you can call your bank to cancel the payment. The bank will often charge a stop payment fee, ranging from $15 to $35.