The Complete Guide to Checking Accounts

A checking account is a type of bank account that offers easy access to deposited funds. Unlike other types of bank accounts – including savings – checking accounts typically allow unlimited withdrawals and deposits, making them a good choice to cover your everyday spending.

In exchange for this flexibility, checking accounts tend to pay low interest rates (if they pay interest at all) compared to savings accounts, certificates of deposit (CDs) and other accounts that allow you to grow your money. As such, it’s a good idea to use your checking account only for money you’ll want to access for ordinary purchases and your monthly bills. Everything else should go into accounts that offer higher earnings potential.

There are several convenient ways to access the money in a checking account. For example, you can:

• Write checks.
• Make purchases with a debit card connected to your account.
• Make withdrawals and deposits with your ATM card.
• Visit your local branch to make withdrawals and deposits.
• Use the bank’s online bill pay service to pay one-time bills or set up recurring payments.
• Set up automatic payments through a company where you have an account, such as utilities and credit cards.
• Transfer funds to and from other bank accounts.

Before opening a checking account, it’s helpful to understand the different types of accounts that are available, as well as the practical aspects of maintaining a checking account – such as how to write a check and balance your account. To get you started, here’s a quick guide to help you choose and manage a checking account.

Free Checking Accounts – and How to Qualify for One

Free checking accounts are less common than they used to be. According to Bankrate, only 38% of banks now offer free checking, compared with 76% in 2009. In general, you’ll have better luck finding free checking at community banks, credit unions (look for “reward checking”) and online banks than at large brick-and-mortar banks.

Free checking means a checking account with no monthly maintenance fee and/or minimum balance requirements. Some banks offer free checking if you sign up for electronic statements or set up direct deposit, which allows your employer to electronically deposit your paycheck into your bank account each pay period. Keep in mind, however, there may be a minimum direct deposit amount – say, $250 per month – and if you fall below that or the direct deposits stop, you’ll lose the free checking status. And, of course, free doesn’t mean no fees: You’ll still be on the hook for any overdraft charges and other fees.

Interest-Bearing Checking Accounts

With an interest-bearing checking account, you earn interest on the money in the account – just as you would in a savings account. Unlike a savings account, however, you’ll be able to write checks and use your debit card to make purchases and pay bills.

Not all banks offer interest-bearing checking accounts, and those that do may have minimum balance requirements (which could be quite high), monthly maintenance fees and other conditions, such as a minimum number of debit card transactions each month. Interest rates vary greatly by bank – currently anywhere from 0.01% to 5% – so it pays to shop around if interest is important to you. In general, you’ll find better rates at credit unions.

Premium Accounts and Qualifications

Premium checking accounts offer benefits beyond what you get with a standard account. Perks vary by bank and can include interest payments, waived fees (e.g., free notary services and free money orders), free financial advice and discounts on the bank’s other financial products. At some banks, you can earn reward points when you make purchases, which can be redeemed for eligible products and services.

In general, premium accounts require a higher balance than standard accounts: You’ll typically need a minimum daily balance of at least $2,500 or a combined balance of at least $10,000 or more (combined deposits and loans) to qualify for a premier checking account. Note that if your balance falls below the threshold, you’ll likely be on the hook for the monthly fee.

Lifeline and Second Chance Checking Accounts

Lifeline accounts (sometimes called basic accounts) are streamlined checking accounts designed for low-income customers. These accounts typically have low balance requirements and no monthly fees. Basic features like check writing are included, but you may be limited to a certain number of transactions each month. Large banks offer these accounts to provide banking services to the broad public – and some states require banks to offer them.

Another type of account is a second chance checking account, which may be a good option if you’ve been turned down for a checking account due to a past banking mistake or bad credit. These accounts typically have monthly fees that can’t be waived, and you may be required to set up direct deposit and/or complete a money management class. Despite these limitations, these accounts are often better – in terms of fees and convenience – than using prepaid debit cards and check cashing services.

What Is a Joint Checking Account?

A joint account is a bank account shared by two or more people, often relatives or business partners. A joint checking account functions like a standard checking account, but each named account holder can contribute to and use the money in the account.

These accounts are useful for couples, parents and teenagers, and adult children helping aging parents manage their finances. Since everyone on the account has access to the funds, it’s important to set clear expectations from the start to avoid potential problems and overdrawing the account.

What Is a Trust Checking Account?

If you are not a trustee or a trust beneficiary, this type of checking account won’t be on your radar. In any type of trust account, a trustee controls the account assets for the benefit of another person or group. The trustee is often a family member, attorney or accountant who has accepted responsibility for managing the account.

A trust typically needs its own checking account, which allows the trustee(s) to pay bills, make payments to beneficiaries (per the trust agreement) and manage the trust’s funds. A trust must be established before a trust checking account can be opened, and only the designated trustee(s) can open a bank account on behalf of the trust. In some cases, a trust agreement may contain rules regarding trust checking accounts – for example, that the trust must use a certain bank. Be sure to read the trust agreement and follow any rules before opening an account.

Student Accounts

Student checking accounts function just like standard checking accounts, but they tend to offer lower account minimums and lower fees. Many banks and credit unions, for example, offer a monthly maintenance fee waiver – or at least a discount on the monthly fee – for student checking accounts.

As with other checking accounts, you may be able to avoid fees if you set up direct deposit, maintain a minimum daily balance or make a certain number of debit card purchases each month. Student checking accounts are typically available to students ages 17-24; you may be required to provide proof of active enrollment in a qualifying high school, college, university or vocational program. 

ATM/Debit Cards

Debit cards let you easily access the money in your checking account to pay for everyday expenses. Debit cards function like credit cards, except as soon as you make a purchase, that money comes out of your account. Essentially, using a debit card is just like writing a check, but with the convenience of using plastic.

You can also use your debit card to withdraw cash from your checking account through an ATM machine – you’ll need to use the personal identification number (PIN) that you created when you opened your account. Note that you may be charged a fee for using your ATM card outside of your bank’s ATM network. And, if your card doesn’t have the Visa or MasterCard logo, it can only be used to make ATM withdrawals; unlike debit cards, these ATM cards can’t be used to make purchases.

What Is a Cashier’s Check?

A cashier’s check is a check drawn from your bank’s funds instead of your own. These checks are used when you need to guarantee that funds are available for payment. They’re ideal for large purchases such as a car or a house down payment, when a credit or debit card payment wouldn’t be practical. Because you must first deposit the amount of the check into your bank’s own account, the bank – and not you – guarantees its payment. A bank representative signs the check and includes the name of a payee (the entity to which the check is payable) and the name of the remitter (the entity paying for the check). If you buy a cashier’s check, you’ll pay the full-face value of the check, plus a small fee for the service unless your account has special perks.

What Is Overdraft Protection?

An overdraft happens when you try to spend more than you have in your checking account. The transaction may be declined, or it could go through and trigger an overdraft fee from your bank, which could run about $35 per transaction. Most banks offer something called overdraft protection, which allows you to continue using your debit card for purchases and ATM card for withdrawals in exchange for a fee. If you prefer not to pay this fee, you can opt out of overdraft protection if you’re already enrolled, or don’t opt in when you open an account. If you’re not opted in, any transaction that would put you in the red will automatically be declined (and you won’t owe a fee).

One alternative is to link your savings account to your checking account. Some banks will waive overdraft fees if they can move funds from your savings account to your checking account when needed to avoid an overdraft. You might still have to pay an “overdraft transfer fee,” but it’s usually much cheaper than the other fees.

What Do All the Numbers on a Check Mean?

A long series of numbers can be found at the bottom of every check. The first series, on the left, is a nine-digit number that identifies your bank and is commonly called the ABA or routing number. The next series, in the middle, is your checking account number. With the routing number and your account number, the bank that accepts your check will know how to process the check (which bank and, specifically, which account). The last series of numbers is the check number, which corresponds to the number in the top right corner of the check.

How to Write a Check

Writing a check can be confusing when you haven’t done it before, but it’s simple once you know what goes where. Here’s a quick look at how to write a check:

• Fill out today’s date on the short line on the top right side of the check.
• On the line next to PAY TO THE ORDER OF, enter the name of the person or company you intend to give money to.
• In the box to the right of this line and the dollar sign, enter the amount the check is for – in numbers (e.g., 97.98).
• On the next line, write out, in words, the dollar amount of the check (e.g., Ninety-seven and 98/100). This amount must match the numbers you entered in the box. To ensure the check won’t be tampered with, fill the entire line.
• At the bottom left, you can make a note to help you remember what the check is for; or, if you’re paying a bill and the company asks you to include an account number, put it goes here.
• Your signature goes on the line at the bottom right. Your check won’t be accepted without a signature, so be sure to include it.

It’s a good idea to fill out checks using the same process every time to make sure you include everything. You can work your way through from top to bottom. Here’s how the check looks before it’s filled out:

How to Balance a Checking Account

A basic way to manage your checking account is to balance your checkbook. This involves recording the dates and amounts of all your withdrawals and debit card purchases, plus any deposits and electronic transfers, then doing the math to make sure your balance matches your statement each month. To do this, check all the transactions on your statement against your entries to make sure everything matches, that you haven’t left anything out and that there aren’t any math errors. When everything matches, your account is balanced. If it doesn’t balance, start by looking for transactions that may not have gotten recorded, and then check your math. Remember to include any interest earned.

Balancing your checkbook regularly helps ensure you know how much money is in your account, which can keep you from overdrawing your account. You can track your transactions in your checkbook ledger, with a spreadsheet or using an app (such as Mint). If you’re not willing to balance your checkbook, you should at least check your balance online or with the bank’s app. You may also be able to sign up for text alerts that let you know if your account falls below a threshold that you specify.

How Banks Protect Your Money

If your bank is a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), your deposits are guaranteed up to $250,000 per depositor for each account ownership category. That means if you have different types of accounts at your bank – say, a checking account and a savings account – each type of account is insured up to $250,000 if the bank fails. Coverage is automatic when you open an account at an FDIC-insured back, and it’s backed by the full faith and credit of the United States government. To find out if a bank is FDIC-insured, ask a bank representative, look for the FDIC sign on the bank’s website and at your local branch, or use the FDIC’s BankFind tool.

Credit unions offer comparable insurance. If your credit union is a member of the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund (NCUSIF), your “shares” (what credit unions call your deposits) are insured in a way that’s similar to how your deposits are protected at an FDIC-insured bank. All federal credit unions are insured by the NCUSIF, which is administered by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA); state credit unions can be insured by NCUSIF or through their own state insurance or private insurance.  Since financial institutions can and do fail (just think back to 2008), it’s recommended that you open an account only at an FDIC-insured bank or a similarly insured credit union.

The Bottom Line

You have lots of options if you’re shopping for a checking account. One of the first things to consider is whether you want to open an account with an online bank or at your local brick-and-mortar bank. In general, online banks offer perks like lower fees, better interest rates, convenience and free ATM access to a typically large network of ATMs. Perhaps the biggest drawback is that online banks don’t offer in-person assistance, which means you’ll have to sort through a touchtone menu to reach a real person.

Still, many people enjoy online accounts, especially since most banks today provide robust apps that make it easy to deposit, withdraw and transfer money. And if you’re worried about Internet security, reputable online banks with up-to-date security measures are just as safe as brick-and-mortar banks. To find out how a specific bank protects your information, search for that bank’s name + security (e.g., Ally + security). The result should link you to the bank’s security center.

Once you decide if you’d rather open an account at an online or a brick-and-mortar bank, you can start comparing your options, such as account types (e.g., student checking or joint checking), minimum balance requirements, monthly maintenance fees and the like. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to a bank representative, either in person (at a local branch) or by using the bank’s online chat feature (if available) or customer service phone line.