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Maximize your checking: Compare high-yield checking accounts, no-fee checking accounts and more.

Explore checking basics

A woman uses mobile banking while eating.
From no fees to online bill pay, here are the must-have checking account features.
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If you overdraw your account frequently, then overdraft protection could be a good way to avoid hefty overdraft fees.
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Checks aren’t as ubiquitous as they once were, but you may still have to write one.

Get started with a checking account

Checking

Types of checking accounts

Whether you’re making payments online, using a debit card, or writing a physical check, a checking account is a necessity for most people. Here are some of the most-widely available types of checking accounts offered at banks and credit unions.

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Checking

Available balance vs. current balance

Learn about the two separate balances you may see when looking at your bank account.

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Checking account fees

Learn about the different kinds of checking account fees and what you can do to avoid them.

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Checking

Bank account alerts to protect your money

Explore the types of bank account alerts you can set up to help you stay informed about your finances whenever and wherever you are.

 

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Experts in all things banking

Our expert reporters and editors bring the news and analysis you need—backed by data and firsthand experience.

About Bankrate
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Bankrate Financial Analyst

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Principal U.S. Economy Reporter

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Senior Economic Analyst

Latest articles

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Illustrated by Bankrate
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Savers can stash their cash in a brokerage these days to rack up returns.
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Interest is the price you pay to borrow money or the cost you charge to lend money.
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How many bank accounts are too many? Use the rule of two hours to find out.
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Stop wasting time writing checks. Learn the faster, safer way to pay.
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Here’s what you need to know about this high-yield checking promo.
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Events over the past half-century have helped to bolster women’s financial rights.
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If you’re one of the 80 million Chase Bank customers, chances are you already know of many benefits to banking with the largest banks in the U.S.: cardless ATM access, a robust mobile app and overdraft [...]
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