October 2000
Search for prices on checking accounts around the country

• Checking's best and worst: America's most comprehensive checking study finds that for the best deals, go virtual. To avoid the worst, stay out of megabanks. More
• Best deals in the top 35 markets -- The best places to go for a checking account.
• 20 best deals overall -- The very best checking accounts for your money.
• 20 best online accounts -- Go virtual, and you'll save money.
• Highlights of the study -- Fees, rates and trends
• Online vs. offline -- Where should you park your money?
• "Bricks-and-clicks" banks -- Geography still matters
  PLUS: "Bricks-and-clicks" checking acount pricing Chart
  AND: "Bricks-and-clicks" ATM/debit card pricing Chart

Bankrate.com's Checking Account Pricing Study: Banks are taking more out of your pocket -- $2.2 billion a year in ATM surcharges alone. But there are bright spots. Find out in our exclusive nationwide study. More

Your checking account is the heart of your banking life, so the latest Bankrate.com semiannual Checking Account Pricing Study could give your heart a nasty start.

The study looked at what the 10 largest institutions in each of the 35 largest U.S. markets offer consumers on their most fundamental banking product -- the checking account. Researchers from Bankrate.com gathered comprehensive rate, fee and policy information from 353 institutions and 1,210 separate accounts.

This new Bankrate.com survey exposes outrageous charges and yields, but we've also found good guys and good buys. The survey gives you the chance to find out what to look for when you search for the best deals, including the opportunity to do some nifty comparison shopping.

And we name names in our best and worst top twenties.

PLUS:
Cheap checks -- bypass your bank
Other Special Reports from Bankrate.com