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

From no fees to online bill pay, here are the must-have checking account features.

If you overdraw your account frequently, then overdraft protection could be a good way to avoid hefty overdraft fees.

Checks aren’t as ubiquitous as they once were, but you may still have to write one.
Get started with a checking account
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Available balance vs. current balance
Learn about the two separate balances you may see when looking at your bank account.
Checking
Checking account fees
Learn about the different kinds of checking account fees and what you can do to avoid them.
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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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Latest articles

A bank may deny you a checking account. Here is what you can do next.

Depositing cash into someone’s account isn’t always possible, but there are options.

Knowing your limit before making a purchase can help you make smarter decisions.

A second-chance checking account is designed for those whose banking history may prevent them from opening a standard account. Applicants sometimes have past problems such as an unpaid negative balance [...]

Spend money, pay bills, write checks or make fund transfers with a checking account.

Here’s how these two bank fees compare and how to best avoid them.

This old-school way of paying is still in demand. Here’s everything you need to know.

Checks aren’t as ubiquitous as they once were, but you may still have to write one.

Expect yields to continue trending downward in 2026.

Comparing savings rates can ensure you get the best return on your savings.

A savings account can be a great tool to teach your child about money. Here are a few of our favorites.

It’s important to find the right accounts for your emergency savings.

Here’s how much $10,000 in a high-yield savings account can earn you.

For many of us, saving money feels like an uphill battle.

Here’s how multiple savings accounts can help you reach your financial goals.

How Reg. D impacts your savings account and why it pays to check with your bank.

Tired of paying fees? Here are seven ideas to get around paying them.

If you think rates may rise again soon, a bump-up CD could be what you’re looking for.

The amount of time for a check to clear can vary from check to check.

Social Security recipients can expect to see a higher-than-average COLA raise in 2026.

Most of us have lent money to a friend or family member or paid a group bill with the expectation of being paid back. Unfortunately, these situations don’t always go smoothly and often result in lost [...]

Americans don’t want to talk about money, but there can be drawbacks to staying quiet.

Officials are cutting rates to shore up the job market, but it’s not without risk.

Prices rise and fall all the time in the U.S. economy. It’s not always inflation.
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