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

Explore checking basics

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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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Stephen Kates, CFP Arrow Right Icon

Bankrate Financial Analyst

Sarah Foster

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Principal U.S. Economy Reporter

Mark Hamrick

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Senior Economic Analyst

Latest articles

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A bank may deny you a checking account. Here is what you can do next.
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Depositing cash into someone’s account isn’t always possible, but there are options.
woman sitting on her couch and looking at her phone and credit card
Knowing your limit before making a purchase can help you make smarter decisions.
person using mobile phone leaning on railing
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.
person on phone by computer looking at piece of paper
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.
close up of hands signing a check
Checks aren’t as ubiquitous as they once were, but you may still have to write one.
man sitting on the couch and looking at his phone
The online-only bank’s savings rate tops many competitors.
woman with hearing aid talking on the phone
Many challenges still exist but advances have made earning and saving money easier.
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Specific savings accounts can help disabled individuals gain financial security.
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Even the small victories add up over time when you’re living on a fixed income.
Man using a tablet for banking
Online banks offer a number of benefits, and they’re just as safe as brick-and-mortar banks.
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U.S. consumers see inflation as the biggest threat to improving personal finances.
Two young brothers bake cookies together.
It’s easy to get caught up in the holiday spirit and overspend. Here are ways to avoid that trap.
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More than 3 in 5 Americans are worried about their incomes over the next six months.
Person folds his hands in front of their face
A bank may deny you a checking account. Here is what you can do next.
Young Man Sitting On Wheelchair Using Laptop
Opening a money market account involves just a few simple steps and it can really pay off.
In 2024, three Federal Reserve rate cuts spurred declining yields on many deposit accounts, although savers were able to benefit from locking in strong yields on certificates of deposit (CDs). While the [...]
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You can find a CD account that significantly out-earns the national average if you shop around among banks.
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These popular banks are available to speak with customers around-the-clock.
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These joint checking accounts are ideal for sharing finances with another person.
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Get the latest rates on top-yielding money market accounts.
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