Isn’t it time your checking account paid you back? (2024)

Supercharge your money by choosing a free checking account that offers a cash bonus: you’ll get a place to park your savings and earn extra cash. Some of the best checking account bonuses offer up to $700 but to earn the cash bonus, you’ll likely need to meet certain requirements, such as making a certain number of direct deposits within a few months of account opening.

To save you time and effort, the Fortune Recommends™ editorial team reviewed more than 24 checking accounts offering bonuses and put together our top 10 picks. We analyzed factors like bonus amounts, minimum balance requirements, annual percentage yields (APYs), and customer service options to bring you the best offers on the market.

Why trust Fortune Recommends

Our editors are committed to bringing you unbiased ratings and information. Our editorial content is not influenced by advertisers. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and companies, so all are measured equally. Read more about our editorial guidelines and the banking methodology for the ratings below.

  • More than 30 institutions compared
  • Over 275 data points tracked
  • 4 layers of fact-checking
  • Guided by over 25 years of banking experience

The 10 best checking account bonuses of September 2024

Checking accountBonus amountDirect deposit requiredTime frame for depositsLearn more
Featured partner
SoFi Better Online Bank Account
Up to $300*$5,00025 daysView offer
at SoFi
Axos Bank Rewards CheckingUp to $500$5,00030 daysRead our review
U.S. Bank Smartly Checking Account$500$10,00090Read our review
Huntington National Bank Perks Checking Account$400At least one qualifying direct deposit90Read our review
Laurel Road Rewards Checking$300$2,50060View offer
at MoneyLion
Truist One Checking$400$500
90
Read our review
PNC Bank Virtual Wallet with Performance Select$400$5,00060Read our review
Valley Bank All Access Rewards Checking$240 ($20/month for first year)$750/month30View offer
at MoneyLion
All Citibank Checking accounts$300$1,50090Read our review
Chase Bank Total Checking$300$50090Read our review
Featured partner
SoFi Better Online Bank Account
View offer
at SoFi
Bonus amountUp to $300*
Direct deposit required$5,000
Time frame for deposits25 days
Axos Bank Rewards CheckingRead our review
Bonus amountUp to $500
Direct deposit required$5,000
Time frame for deposits30 days
U.S. Bank Smartly Checking AccountRead our review
Bonus amount$500
Direct deposit required$10,000
Time frame for deposits90
Huntington National Bank Perks Checking AccountRead our review
Bonus amount$400
Direct deposit requiredAt least one qualifying direct deposit
Time frame for deposits90
Laurel Road Rewards CheckingView offer
at MoneyLion
Bonus amount$300
Direct deposit required$2,500
Time frame for deposits60
Truist One CheckingRead our review
Bonus amount$400
Direct deposit required$500
Time frame for deposits
90
PNC Bank Virtual Wallet with Performance SelectRead our review
Bonus amount$400
Direct deposit required$5,000
Time frame for deposits60
Valley Bank All Access Rewards CheckingView offer
at MoneyLion
Bonus amount$240 ($20/month for first year)
Direct deposit required$750/month
Time frame for deposits30
All Citibank Checking accountsRead our review
Bonus amount$300
Direct deposit required$1,500
Time frame for deposits90
Chase Bank Total CheckingRead our review
Bonus amount$300
Direct deposit required$500
Time frame for deposits90

Bonuses were last updated on August 1, 2024, and are subject to change. Read our full methodology here.

Our picks for the top 10 checking account bonuses

Note: The numbers in our list below are up to date as of August 1, 2024, and are subject to change.

FEATURED PARTNER

SoFi Checking & Savings

Member FDIC

APY Up to 4.50%*
Minimum Balance Required to Earn APY $0
Minimum Opening Deposit $0
Monthly Maintenance Fee None

Isn’t it time your checking account paid you back? (1)

SoFi (which stands for Social Finance, Inc.) began as a student loan refinancing company and has since expanded into a broad financial services company that offers a range of products, including bank accounts, loans, investments, insurance, and more. SoFi operates primarily online and does not have physical branches.
Member FDIC

*SoFi members with Direct Deposit or $5,000 or more in Qualifying Deposits during the 30-Day Evaluation Period can earn 4.50% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. Members without either Direct Deposit or Qualifying Deposits, during the 30-Day Evaluation Period will earn 1.20% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Only SoFi members with direct deposit are eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 8/27/2024. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.

Open Account

Why we picked it

SoFi offers up to a $300 bonus for any new customer opening a Better Online Bank Account who can put at least $5,000 of direct deposits into the account within 25 days. SoFi also offers a generous 0.50% APY, the highest on our list. There are no monthly fees or minimum deposits, making this account a great option for every-day banking.

This offer expires on December 31, 2024.

Learn more: read our SoFi review

*New and existing Checking and Savings members who have not previously enrolled in Direct Deposit with SoFi are eligible to earn a cash bonus when they set up Direct Deposit of at least $1,000 during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period. Cash bonus will be based on the total amount of Direct Deposit. Direct Deposit Promotion begins on 12/7/2023 and will be available through 12/31/24. Full terms at sofi.com/banking. SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A., Member FDIC. SoFi members with Direct Deposit can earn 4.50% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the 4.50% APY for savings (including Vaults). Members without Direct Deposit will earn 1.20% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 8/27/2024. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.

Axos Bank: Rewards Checking

Best for: Those looking for a high APY

QUALIFYING ACTIVITY
Requires a $5,000 direct deposit within 30 days of opening the account
Offer expiration date:8/31/24
Bonus amount:Up to $500
Monthly fee:$0

Isn’t it time your checking account paid you back? (2)

Axos Bank is a fully digital bank founded in 2004. The bank offers a host of different products like mortgages, checking and savings accounts, certificates of deposit (CDs), and personal loans.

  • Minimum opening deposit: $0
  • APY: 3.30%
  • Monthly maintenance fee: $0
  • Minimum balance required to earn APY: $1,500
  • Monthly balance requirements: $0
  • ATM Reimbursement: Unlimited domestic ATM fee reimbursements
  • Size of ATM network: Approximately 91,000 with unlimited domestic ATM fee reimbursements
  • Why we picked it

    While the Axos Rewards Checking account bonus has more requirements than other banks on our list, customers who qualify can score a generous Up to $500 bonus if you use promo code RC500 before July 31, 2024 and have qualifying direct deposits. However, if you don’t receive at least $5,000 worth of qualifying direct deposits each month, it’s probably not the best choice for you. Those aren’t the only requirements either. You’ll also need to maintain a minimum average daily balance of $7,000.

    However, for those who are able to meet those high standards, there’s a generous Up to $500 bonus and no monthly fees.

    This offer expires on July 31, 2024.

    Learn more: read our Axos review

    U.S. Bank’s Smartly Checking account

    Best for: Larger accounts

    QUALIFYING ACTIVITY
    Requires a $10,000 direct deposit within 90 days of opening the account
    Offer expiration date:9/26/24
    Bonus amount:$500
    Monthly fee:$7

    Isn’t it time your checking account paid you back? (3)

    U.S. Banks was founded in 1864 as the “First National Bank of Minneapolis,” where its headquarters is located to this day. It offers a wide range of personal banking services, including checking and savings accounts, credit cards, investment accounts, home and vehicle loans, and more.Learn more: read our U.S. Bank review

    • Minimum opening deposit: $25
    • APY: 0.01%
    • Minimum balance required to earn APY: Under $10,000 for 0.01%; at least $25,000 for 0.25%
    • Size of ATM network: More than 37,000 in its MoneyPass network

    Why we picked it

    U.S. Bank’s Smartly Checking account offers three separate rewards tiers depending on the amount you have directly deposited into the account via qualified direct deposits. You’ll get the highest bonus of if you have at least deposited into the account within 90 days. There’s also a chance to earn $200 more if you bundle and open a savings account, bringing your total potential bonus up to $700.

    There’s a minimum opening deposit requirement of just , plus a small monthly fee of $7 on U.S. Banks checking accounts, but that fee can be waived if you keep an account balance of $1,500 or if there’s a combined monthly direct deposit amount of over $1,000.

    This offer expires September 26, 2024

    Learn more: Read our U.S. Bank review

    Huntington Bank: Perks Checking

    Best for: Those who don’t mind a small fee to get a nice bonus

    QUALIFYING ACTIVITY
    Requires a direct deposit within 90 days of opening the account, but the amount isn’t specified online
    Offer expiration date:10/7/24
    Bonus amount:$400
    Monthly fee:$10

    Isn’t it time your checking account paid you back? (4)

    Huntington Bank was founded in 1866 and is headquartered in Ohio. It offers consumer and business banking products such as credit cards, loans, and checking and saving accounts.

  • Minimum opening deposit: $0
  • APY: 0.02%
  • Minimum balance required to earn APY: Applies to all balance tiers
  • Size of ATM network: 1,434 Huntington ATMS, but five free withdrawals at any non-Huntington ATMS with the Huntington Perks Checking account and unlimited withdrawals with Platinum Perks Checking
  • Why we picked it

    Huntington is offering a bonus for two of their checking accounts: Perks Checking and Platinum Perks Checking. Neither account has a minimum opening deposit, which makes it a solid option if you’re starting to build your savings. However, to open an account, you’ll have to pay a maintenance fee unless you meet certain requirements every month.

    To avoid the $10 monthly fee on the Perks Checking account, you must make deposits totaling $1,000 monthly or maintain a total relationship balance of at least $5,000 eligible deposits or investments held through Huntington Bank or Huntington Financial Advisors.

    For the Platinum Perks Checking, the $25 monthly fee is waived by having a balance of at least $25,000 in eligible deposits or investments held through Huntington Bank or Huntington Financial Advisors.

    The Perks Checking account has a $400 bonus. To get the bonus, you’ll just need to make at least one qualifying direct deposit within 90 days of coupon enrollment and then keep the account open for 90 days.

    If you opt for the Platinum Perks Checking account, you’ll receive a larger bonus of $600, but you’ll need to receive a much higher amount in direct deposits. To qualify, you must make direct deposits totaling at least $25,000 within 90 days of account opening, then keep the account open for 90 days.

    This offer expires on October 7, 2024.

    Learn more: read our Huntington Bank review

    Laurel Road: Rewards Checking

    Best for: If you have $2,500 monthly in direct deposit

    QUALIFYING ACTIVITY
    Requires direct deposits of at least $2,500 within 60 days of opening the account. Continue making $2,500 in direct deposit every month to get an additional $20 your first year.
    Offer expiration date:8/29/24
    Bonus amount:$300
    Monthly fee:$0

    Isn’t it time your checking account paid you back? (5)

    Laurel Road is a digital branch of KeyBank that specializes in student loan refinancing and other solutions for healthcare and business professionals. It also provides a wide range of banking services, including checking, savings, mortgages, credit cards, and more.

  • Minimum opening deposit: $0
  • APY: 0.01%
  • Minimum balance required to earn APY: $0.01
  • Size of ATM network: Over 40,000 fee-free locations
  • While it requires a relatively high direct deposit compared to some of the other accounts on this list, Laurel Road gives you the chance to earn up to $540—that’s $300 initially, plus an extra $20 per month for the first year of the account if you continue to add at least $2,500 every month in direct deposits. So, if this is your main checking account and you use direct deposit for work, this could be a simple way to get a little extra cash each month.

    Also, while it’s not huge, the 0.01% APY also helps you keep the account growing, and since you only need a penny in the account to earn that APY, you don’t have to worry about keeping a hefty minimum daily balance. With no monthly fee, no minimum deposit required to open, and a high rating on its mobile apps, this account could be a solid option for someone in the market for an everyday checking option.

    This offer expires on August 29, 2024.

    Learn more: read our Laurel Road review

    Truist: Truist One Checking

    Best for: Regular debit card users

    QUALIFYING ACTIVITY
    Requires a $500 direct deposit within 90 days of opening the account, plus 15 debit card purchases
    Offer expiration date:10/30/2024
    Bonus amount:$400
    Monthly fee:$12

    Isn’t it time your checking account paid you back? (6)

    Truist is a top 10 U.S. commercial bank, with headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina. It offers a comprehensive fleet of banking services, including checking, savings, credit cards, loans, small business, commercial, and wealth management services.

  • Minimum opening deposit: $500
  • APY: 0.00%
  • Size of ATM network: More than 3,000 fee-free ATMs
  • Why we picked it

    Truist offers a $400 sign-on bonus with only $500 in direct deposits required within 90 days of signing up. Note, however, that you must also make at least 15 debit card purchases within that time frame to earn the bonus. So, if you’re a regular debit card user, that likely won’t be an issue.

    The account doesn’t earn any interest and has a $12 monthly fee, though that is easy to waive if you meet one of the following qualifications:

    • Make $500 or more in total qualifying Direct Deposits per statement cycle
    • Maintain a combined monthly average balance of $500 or more across all eligible Truist accounts
    • Have a personal Truist credit card, mortgage, or consumer loan
    • Have a linked small business checking account
    • Are a student under age 25

    This offer expires October 30, 2024

    Learn more: read our Truist review

    PNC Bank: Virtual Wallet with Performance Select

    Best for: Those who can deposit $5k within 60 days

    QUALIFYING ACTIVITY
    Requires a $5,000 direct deposit within 60 days of opening the account
    Offer expiration date:9/3/24
    Bonus amount:$400
    Monthly fee:$25

    Isn’t it time your checking account paid you back? (7)

    Founded in 1865 and headquartered in Pittsburgh, PNC offers a range of banking products, including personal loans, mortgages, credit cards, business banking, and asset management to individuals, institutions, and businesses.

  • Minimum opening deposit: $0
  • APY: 0.01%
  • Minimum balance required to earn APY: $1.00
  • Size of ATM network: Approximately 60,000
  • Why we picked it

    PNC Bank offers a $400 for those who can deposit $5,000 within 60 days of opening the account. While this may be steep for many, it’s one of the higher bonus amounts on our list. While the Virtual Wallet with Performance Select account has a $25 monthly fee, that can be waived as long as you meet one of these requirements:

    • $5,000 combined average monthly balance in your Spend and up to 7 PNC Bank consumer checking accounts you have chosen to link (including Reserve)
    • $25,000 combined average monthly balance across PNC Bank consumer deposit and/or PNCI investment accounts you have chosen to link
    • $5,000 in qualifying monthly direct deposits to your Spend account during the statement period

    PNC also offers other bonuses for those who can’t meet that $5,000 threshold:

    • $100 if you sign up for the Virtual Wallet and deposit at least $500 within 60 days
    • $200 if you sign up for the Virtual Wallet with Performance Spend and deposit at least $2,000 within 60 days

    This offer expires September 3, 2024

    Learn more: Read our PNC Bank review

    Valley Bank: All Access Rewards Checking

    Best for: Full-service online banking

    QUALIFYING ACTIVITY
    Requires a $750/month direct deposit to receive $20 per month
    Offer expiration date:Ongoing
    Bonus amount:$240 ($20/month for first year)
    Monthly fee:$0

    Isn’t it time your checking account paid you back? (8)

    Valley Bank is one of the leading commercial banks, with over $61 billion in assets. In addition to commercial products, Valley offers personal and small business deposit accounts, as well as loans, wealth management, and insurance.

  • Minimum opening deposit: $100
  • APY: 0.00%
  • Size of ATM network: Over 230 fee-free ATMs
  • Why we picked it

    Valley Bank offers a bonus of $20 per month for users who have at least $750 in monthly direct deposits, meaning you end up with a free $240 for banking with the institution. Qualifying direct deposits include payroll, pension, or Social Security payments and, during this first year, you won’t pay any maintenance charges. After the 12 months, your account will revert to a regular “All Access Checking” account, which has a $15 monthly fee that can be waived as long as the average daily balance is $99 or higher.

    If you’re more interested in earning continuous interest instead of a bonus, Valley Bank also offers an “Interest Checking Plus” account. It earns 0.02% APY as long as you keep at least a penny in the account.

    This offer is ongoing.

    Learn more: read our Valley National Bank review

    Citibank: All Checking accounts

    Best for: Those looking for no minimum deposit

    QUALIFYING ACTIVITY
    Requires a $1,500 direct deposit within 90 days of opening the account
    Offer expiration date:10/8/24
    Bonus amount:$300
    Monthly fee:$5

    Isn’t it time your checking account paid you back? (9)

    Founded in 1812, Citi is one of the largest banks in the U.S. It offers many consumer banking products, such as checking and savings accounts, CDs, and banking IRAs.

  • Minimum opening deposit: $0
  • APY: 0.00%
  • Minimum balance required to earn APY: N/A
  • Size of ATM network: 65,000
  • Why we picked it

    Citi stood out because of its generous welcome bonus and relatively low deposit requirements to score the bonus. To earn the $300 bonus, you can open one of two Citi checking account options: the Access or Regular checking accounts.

    So what’s the difference between the two accounts? The Access account doesn’t offer checks but is more affordable than the Regular account—the monthly service fee is only $5, but both fees it can be waived if you meet specific requirements.

    On the other hand, the Regular account offers unlimited check-writing capabilities even though it’ll cost you $15 a month.

    To earn the bonus, you’ll just need to receive at least two enhanced direct deposits, totaling at least $1,500. Citi considers enhanced direct deposits as electronic deposits through the ACH network of payroll, Social Security, and other payments to your account.

    Learn more: Read our Citibank review

    Chase Bank: Chase Total Checking

    Best for: The average consumer who doesn’t mind a small fee

    QUALIFYING ACTIVITY
    Requires a $500 direct deposit within 90 days of opening the account
    Offer expiration date:10/16/24
    Bonus amount:$300
    Monthly fee:$12

    Isn’t it time your checking account paid you back? (10)

    Chase is the consumer banking arm of JPMorgan Chase, the largest bank in the U.S. Chase provides many banking products—from its popular travel credit cards to checking and savings accounts to mortgages.

  • Minimum opening deposit: $0
  • APY: 0.00%
  • Minimum balance required to earn APY: N/A
  • Size of ATM network: 16,000
  • Why we picked it

    Unlike some of the other banks on this list that have high minimum deposit thresholds, the Chase Total Checking account has a pretty reasonable requirement.

    To earn the $300 bonus, all you’ll need to do is receive qualified direct deposits totaling $500 or more within 90 days of signing up for the bonus. A qualified direct deposit would be an electronic deposit of a paycheck, government benefits, or a pension.

    While the Chase Total Checking account isn’t an interest-bearing account, it can be a free checking account option as long as you meet at least one of these three requirements every month:

    • Receive electronic deposits totaling $500 worth or more
    • Maintain a balance of $1,500 or more at the beginning of each day
    • Have an average beginning day balance of $5,000 or more in this account orand linked qualifying Chase checking, savings and other balances.

    This offer is available through October 16, 2024.

    Insights from Cassie Bottorff, Lead Editor at Fortune Recommends

    Chase’s reputation and relatively low barrier of entry certainly make its checking bonus appealing, but be forewarned: opening the account may be harder than it seems. I recently took advantage of a bonus offer for both checking and savings in order to get a combined bonus of $600. Funding the savings account was easy; I transferred my emergency fund from another well-known bank and was able to verify my credentials. The funds appeared in that account the next day.

    With my new Chase checking account I encountered a hurdle: my primary checking account is held at a small regional bank, and even after waiting 2-3 business days to verify my account with two small deposits, Chase was unable to fund my new account with a digital transfer. I was relegated to a mobile deposit with a paper check, which they held for seven business days. I attempted to ask them to verify funds with my primary bank, but the Chase representative refused. As a former banker I understand why this is a necessary precaution, but as a new customer it didn’t make for a positive experience.

    Learn more: Read our Chase Bank review

    What to know about checking account bonuses

    Checking account bonuses are usually only available for a limited time and come with eligibility requirements, including making a minimum opening deposit, maintaining a minimum balance, and making a total dollar amount of direct deposits within the first few months of account ownership.

    It’s important to carefully read the terms and conditions before signing up, as failure to meet the requirements means you miss out on the bonus. You should take the time to read up on the bank’s reviews—whether it’s on the Better Business Bureau or Trustpilot websites—to make sure it’s the right banking partner for you.

    And you should expect to pay taxes on your checking account bonus because it’s considered taxable interest. You should receive a form from the bank and report the bonus amount to the IRS when you file taxes the following year.

    Insight from Kristy Snyder, Fortune contributor

    “In this day and age, it’s silly to open a checking account that charges fees or doesn’t earn interest. I recommend skipping the big banks as their offerings are usually subpar. Instead, check out online checking accounts to get far more benefits.”

    How to choose the best checking account

    When choosing a checking account, you’ll want to think carefully about the features and perks that matter most, as everyone’s spending and saving habits are different. You might consider these factors:

    • APY: Are you hoping to earn interest on your balance? Or do you already have a high-yield savings account that does the job?
    • Monthly fees: Do you mind paying monthly account fees in exchange for additional perks, or do you prefer to avoid the added expense with a free checking account?
    • Bonus offers: Some banks sweeten the deal for new account holders by offering a bonus for opening a checking account. You shouldn’t open an account solely for the bonus, but it certainly doesn’t hurt to explore bonus offers and consider them when choosing a checking account.
    • Minimum balance requirements: Pay attention to any minimum balance requirements highlighted within the terms of your checking account, and think about whether or not those requirements align with your spending habits. If you’re the kind of person who doesn’t let their balance fall below a certain threshold, a higher minimum balance requirement likely won’t be a dealbreaker. However, if you’re a big spender, this kind of stipulation could result in added fees and penalties.

    Checking account alternatives

    While getting a bonus on a new checking account is always a nice perk, this type of account isn’t ideal for every situation. Checking accounts typically don’t carry high interest rates, so if savings is your primary goal you should likely look elsewhere. Here are some options to consider:

    Checking accounts vs. savings accounts

    While these are the two most common types of accounts the average depositor holds, there are many differences between the two. Checking accounts allow for frequent withdrawals, at the cost of bearing very low interest rates.

    By contrast, savings accounts are best for depositing funds that you won’t need access to for a while. There is typically a limit on the number of times you can withdraw from savings accounts each month, but in return you earn higher interest rates.

    Checking accounts vs. money market accounts

    Money market accounts are similar to checking accounts as they often come with debit cards or checkbooks, allowing you to withdraw funds easily when needed. However, unlike checking accounts, money market accounts, like savings accounts, may set limits on the number of withdrawals you can make per month.

    A money market account may be the best fit for account holders who want to earn a higher APY and have some (but not unlimited) access to their funds. However, if you’re looking for an account that supports your everyday spending and plan to have a separate high-yield savings account for growing your money, a standard checking account might be a better option.

    Checking accounts vs. certificates of deposit (CDs)

    Certificates of deposit, or CDs, are another form of long-term deposit account. But unlike savings accounts, which limit how many times you can withdraw money each month, a CD “locks up” your funds for a defined period of time. At the end of that time you get back everything you deposited plus the interest, with many CDs earning 5% APY or more.

    Our methodology

    The Fortune RecommendsTM team compared over 24 checking accounts across major banks, credit unions, and online-only banks to help you find the highest checking account bonus and the best account overall for your financial needs. Our top picks are available to customers across the U.S. no matter where you’re located, subject to the terms of each checking account.

    To determine which account offered the best bonus, among other features, we ranked the best accounts in the following categories and weighted each category as outlined in the percentages below:

    • Bonus amount (40%): Many banks and credit unions offer a cash bonus for opening a new checking account. In some cases, account holders must meet certain balance requirements, sign up for direct deposit, or make a certain number of qualifying purchases using their debit card to qualify. Bonus offers are for a limited time. We favored checking accounts that offered higher bonuses.
    • Direct deposit amount (20%): Most banks require you to set up direct deposit in order to receive a bonus—this guarantees to them that you’re using the account and that they’ll have money coming in regularly. We favored banks that don’t have enormous direct deposit requirements in order to receive the bonus.
    • Time frame for direct deposit (10%): Most banks have set time frames in which the customer must set up and receive a certain threshold of direct deposit amounts to get their bonus. We rate smaller time frames as less attractive to the consumer.
    • Total potential bonus (10%): Some banks offer extra bonuses if you open up multiple accounts, like a savings account along with a checking account. We’ve rated banks that give you multiple bonus opportunities higher.
    • Minimum opening deposit (5%): Some financial institutions require a deposit amount when you open your account. We rate a higher opening deposit as less attractive.
    • Monthly fees (5%): Some banks charge monthly maintenance fees. We ranked banks with lower (or zero) monthly fees higher on the list.
    • Annual percentage yield (APY) on your account balance (5%): This percentage represents the real rate of return on your balance; the higher the APY, the better.
    • Customer service (5%): Top picks offer customers three ways to get in contact: chat support, phone, or even email. Among the three options, we gave phone support the most weight.

    We think that the best checking accounts offer a lucrative bonus, low or zero monthly service fees, low or no minimum balance requirements, and the ability to earn interest on your balance. The bonuses, rates, fees, and minimum balance requirements on these checking accounts are available for a limited time. APYs are subject to fluctuation, which could impact how much interest you earn. All the banks and credit unions on this list are insured by the FDIC and NCUA, respectively.

    Dig deeper: learn more about our banking methodology.

    Frequently asked questions

    Are checking accounts safe?

    As long as you open a checking account with a financial institution that is FDIC-insured or NCUA-insured, your deposits are protected up to $250,000 per depositor, per account ownership category, in case of bank failure.

    Should I have both checking and savings accounts with the same bank?

    Having all of your financial accounts under one roof can be convenient and make it easier to manage your finances, but it isn’t necessary. Do your research and compare offerings across financial institutions to select the best accounts for your needs.

    Can I close a checking account after receiving a bonus?

    Many banks require you to keep your account open for a certain length of time. Closing your account before you reach that threshold could mean paying an account closure fee or forfeiting your bonus.

    Do you pay taxes on bank account bonuses?

    Yes, bank bonuses count as taxable income. The IRS considers bonuses taxable interest and will likely send you a Form 1099-INT or Form 1099-OID reporting interest payments and/or tax-exempt interest of $10 or more.

    How do checking account bonuses work?

    Some financial institutions offer checking account bonuses to incentivize new customers to open an account, typically for a limited amount of time. Bonuses are generally cash deposited directly into your account after meeting a minimum balance requirement or direct deposit threshold.

    Is it important that a checking account has a high APY?

    A high APY isn’t necessary; however, it can help you grow your checking account balance over time. If you hope to boost your balance, opting for an account with a higher APY can help speed things along.

    Read more

    • Our ranking of the best CD rates can help you find term deposits to meet your goals.
    • The best jumbo CD rates can help you maximize your earnings on big deposits.
    • Choosing one of the best money market accounts can help you maximize your returns.
    • Maximize your returns with one of the best high-yield savings accounts.
    • Earn a better return on your balance with one of the best savings accounts.
    • Whip your finances into shape with one of the best budgeting apps.
    Isn’t it time your checking account paid you back? (2024)

    FAQs

    How to manage your checking account answers? ›

    Monitor your account online or on your phone. Check your balance by phone or online before you withdraw cash at an ATM. Check your balance by phone or online before you write a big check or make a big payment. Sign up for transaction alerts and low-balance warnings via e-mail or text.

    Can I ask my bank to release funds early? ›

    Some banks or credit unions may make funds available more quickly than the law requires, and some may expedite funds availability for a fee. If you need the money from a particular check, you can ask the teller when the funds will become available.

    What happens if you don t have enough money in your account for a check? ›

    Insufficient funds

    If you write a check for $1,500, but you have only $1,000 in the bank, it will bounce when the payee tries to cash it because you don't have enough funds to cover the amount written on the check. You'll probably pay a penalty fee to your bank for writing a rubber check.

    What does it mean when you have insufficient funds in your checking account? ›

    “Insufficient funds” is a checking account status where the balance is deficient. It is a banking term that may appear as a notice in bank statements or receipts. The insufficient funds status describes the scenario where a checking account does not hold sufficient funds to cover transactions.

    How do you manage your checking account? ›

    The Do's
    1. Keep an eye on your balance. Regularly keeping track of your balance is essential for several reasons. ...
    2. Use bill pay. ...
    3. Maintain a budget. ...
    4. Keep an emergency fund. ...
    5. Explore other bank accounts. ...
    6. Don't forget to fund your account. ...
    7. Don't use your debit card. ...
    8. Don't forget about fees and minimums.
    Sep 15, 2023

    How to manage your checking account Ramsey answers? ›

    Here's how to do it in five basic steps:
    1. Step 1: Write Down Your Transactions Often. ...
    2. Step 2: Open Your Checking Account Statement. ...
    3. Step 3: Check All Transactions. ...
    4. Step 4: Update Your Balance. ...
    5. Step 5: Repeat.
    Jul 8, 2022

    Do banks have the right to ask why you are withdrawing money? ›

    ask me for additional information when I make a large deposit or withdrawal? Yes. The bank may be asking for additional information because federal law requires banks to complete forms for large and/or suspicious transactions as a way to flag possible money laundering.

    Can I ask my bank to release a hold? ›

    Contact Your Bank

    You can ask your bank to provide an explanation for the hold or sometimes even to release the hold.

    Can I ask my bank to get my money back? ›

    Contact your bank to make a claim

    A good place to start is to visit their website and look for details on 'disputed transactions' or 'chargeback claims'. If you can't find it, get in touch with your card provider and tell them you want to use the 'chargeback scheme'.

    What does the money in your account is not enough for this payment check? ›

    This is usually smaller than the Current balance. If either of these two balances is lower than the requested payment amount, the payment will fail, resulting in an 'Insufficient Funds' error.

    Is it bad to have no money in your checking account? ›

    Risks of Not Having Enough Money in Your Checking Account

    Banks consider a negative balance an overdraft, and they may charge fees when this happens. Enough overdrafts can also lead a bank to deny future charges from being processed. This can be bad news if there's a bill scheduled to come out of that account.

    Is it OK to have a lot of money in checking account? ›

    While you want to make sure you keep enough money in your checking account to cover your expenses, you don't want to keep too much in it, either. One reason is that it isn't going to earn you much interest. The national average for interest-bearing checking accounts is 0.07% APY.

    Can you withdraw money from ATM with insufficient funds? ›

    If there is no money in your checking/savings account, do banks charge fees for drawing money out of ATMs? If you don't have money in your account, you can't withdraw any money from ATMs. It will say insufficient funds, and yes, they will charge you a fee for your card being declined for insufficient funds.

    Why does my account say not enough money? ›

    If you see a "Not enough money" message, it means your account doesn't have enough funds to meet the margin requirement.

    How do you resolve insufficient funds? ›

    The "insufficient funds" error

    In other words, what you are trying to buy costs more than what you have in your bank account. Solution: Refill the funds on your bank account in order to fix this error.

    What are 5 ways to know your balance in your checking account? ›

    How to Check Your Bank Account Balance
    • On Your Bank's Website.
    • Through Your Banking App.
    • At an ATM.
    • Over the Phone.
    • With Bank Statements.
    • Through Account Alerts.
    • With a Bank Teller.
    Jan 12, 2024

    How does someone manage their checking account responsibly? ›

    For many people, checking their bank account once or twice a week works well. You can also take actions like establishing alerts when your account balance falls below a certain threshold or setting up automatic transfers for recurring payments to help save you time.

    Why is it so important to have a checking account responses? ›

    A checking account helps you organize your finances and pay bills on time. Checking accounts help you keep a budget on track and, since you can connect online or via your mobile device 24-7, access to your account information is very convenient.

    How to manage bank accounts on SoFi? ›

    SoFi Website
    1. Click on 'From' or 'To'.
    2. Select, 'Manage bank accounts'.
    3. Click on 'Connect a new bank account'.
    4. If you have bank accounts previously linked to your Invest account or linked to some of your other SoFi accounts, you have the option to click on one of those. ...
    5. Select 'Connect a bank' and click on 'Next'.
    Mar 11, 2024

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