Checking accounts are useful for everyday expenses and transactions. If you're more interested in saving money, you should explore the best high-yield savings accounts, instead.
There are many different types of checking accounts out there, and finding the right one may help you manage your money more efficiently.
Best Checking Accounts for April 2025
- Capital One 360 Checking: Best for avoiding common bank fees
- SoFi® Checking and Savings (Member FDIC): Best for a variety of rewards perks
- Axos Bank Rewards Checking: Best for a high yield
- Discover® Cashback Debit Account: Best for cash-back rewards
- Alliant High-Rate Digital Checking: Best credit union for minimal effort
- Ally Spending Account: Best for budgeting tools
- Schwab Bank High Yield Investor Checking® Account: Best for avoiding ATM fees
- Chime® Checking Account: Best second chance banking account
- Service Everyday Checking Account: Best for military members and family
- Capital One MONEY Teen Checking Account: Best for students
Checking Account Reviews
Business Insider's personal finance team reviewed over 200 checking accounts to find the best banks and credit unions that offered them. To help you find a checking account based on your preferences, we narrowed down our top picks by creating multiple categories, so you know why a particular account stands out.
Overall, the best checking accounts have low opening requirements, minimal bank fees, and nationwide accessibility. We noted why each checking account stands out. We also selected options from different types of financial institutions — banks, credit unions, investment platforms, and fintech companies — so you can find the right account, whether you want a traditional or non-traditional banking experience.
Best for Avoiding Bank Fees: Capital One 360 Checking
no monthly service fee
See website for details
$0
$250
- Earn interest on all account balances
- No opening deposit or minimum account balance
- No monthly service fee
- No foreign transaction fee
- Range of overdraft protection options
- Processes direct deposits up to 2 days early
- Doesn't reimburse out-of-network ATM fees
- Limited access to customer service by phone
Capital One is a strong bank overall. You'll earn competitive interest rates on online savings accounts and CDs.
Capital One 360 Checking- Earn $250 when you open a new account with promo code CHECKING250 and receive at least 2 direct deposits, each of $500 or more, within 75 days of account opening
- Over 70,000 free ATMs nationwide
- Branches in NY, LA, TX, MD, VA, NJ, and Washington, DC
- Interest compounded daily, paid monthly
- FDIC insured
Capital One Checking has one of the most well-rounded checking accounts if you'd like to bank with a national brand. This checking account has a $0 minimum opening deposit, no monthly service fees, no overdraft fees, and no foreign transaction fees.
This account also stands out as one of the best banks for avoiding overdraft fees. For example, one overdraft service offered is free savings transfers. To utilize the service, you'll link your checking account to a savings account. If you overdraw, Capital One will cover your overdraft by transferring money from your savings account automatically. There's no fee involved for this service, which is an added bonus because typically financial institutions charge a fee.
Something to keep in mind with Capital One is that it has Capital One Cafes in select areas throughout the U.S. At Capital One Cafes, you can get bank services through a Cafe Ambassador. You'll still have to be primarily comfortable with an online-only banking experience when opening a Capital One bank account, though.
Capital One 360 Checking Review
Best for Perks: SoFi Checking and Savings
no monthly service fee
up to 3.80%
$0
up to $300
- FDIC insured up to $3 million
- High interest rate
- Earn a higher interest rate with qualifying activities
- No minimum opening deposit
- No monthly service fees
- Up to $300 bonus with qualifying direct deposit (terms apply)
- Savings tools
- Early direct deposit
- Joint account available
- Declined purchase if you overdraw by more than $50
- Doesn't reimburse out-of-network ATM providers' fees
- May deposit cash at Green Dot locations but there's a $4.95 fee
SoFi Checking and Savings is a great account option if you don't mind keeping your savings and checking in one account.
SoFi® Checking and Savings (Member FDIC)- Sign-up bonus of up to $300. When you sign up and set up direct deposit. Wait for direct deposit to hit account (typically 2-4 weeks). Collect cash bonus of $50 to $300 depending on direct deposit amount
- Up to 3.80% APY with direct deposit or $5,000 or more in qualifying deposits during the 30-day evaluation period
- FDIC Insured and covered up to $3 million in FDIC coverage through a network of participating banks
- 55,000+ fee-free ATMs
SoFi® Checking and Savings (Member FDIC) might be worth exploring if you'd like a well-rounded checking account that offers interest and a cash bonus.
SoFi® pays up to 3.80% APY (Annual Percentage Yield) on savings balances if you set up a direct deposit or deposit a minimum $5,000 per month during the 30-day evaluation period and 0.50% APY on checking balances.
SoFi® Checking and Savings (Member FDIC) also has one of the best checking account bonuses. It has a cash bonus of up to $300 with qualifying direct deposit for eligible customers (offer expires 01/31/26, terms apply). You may qualify for the bonus as long as you're a new SoFi® Checking and Savings (Member FDIC) customer, or an existing SoFi® Checking and Savings (Member FDIC) customer who hasn't set up direct deposit yet.
Keep in mind this account works best if you set up a direct deposit or deposit a minimum $5,000 per month. That way, you'll qualify for a $300 cash bonus and the highest-tier interest rate.
Best for a High Yield: Axos Rewards Checking
no monthly service fee
up to 3.30%
$0
- High APY
- Unlimited out-of-network ATM reimbursements
- No monthly maintenance fees
- No overdraft fees
- No non-sufficient funds fees
- No APY if you can't meet qualifications
- Few mobile app reviews
Axos Bank has strong high-yield savings, checking, and money market accounts if you'd like to avoid monthly service fees. But, you can find higher interest rates at some of the best online banks.
Axos Bank Rewards Checking- Build your own APY with up to 3.30% APY*
- Zero monthly maintenance fees
- Zero overdraft or NSF fees
- Zero minimum monthly balance reqs
- No initial deposit requirement
- Unlimited domestic ATM fee reimbursements
- Online debit card management
- Simple, 3-step process for direct deposit
Axos Bank Rewards Checking is our top pick if you're looking to open a a high-yield checking account. It's APY is significantly higher than the average interest-earning checking account, and it also has minimal bank fees.
The account offers an interest rate of APY on balances up to $50,000. To earn the highest APY, you must meet the following requirements:
- Earn 0.40% APY (Annual Percentage Yield) when you receive at least $1,500 in direct deposits in a month. You have to meet this requirement to be able to earn any additional interest.
- Earn 0.30% APY when you make 10 debit card transactions in a month (minimum $3 per transaction) or you need to sign up for Account Aggregation/Personal Finance Manager.
- Earn 0.99% APY if you keep at least a daily average of $2,500 in an Axos Invest Managed Portfolios Account monthly.
- Earn 0.99% APY if you keep at least a daily average of $2,500 in an Axos Self-Directed Trading Account monthly.
- Earn 0.60% APY if you make a monthly Axos consumer loan payment with your Reward Checking account
Account balances over $50,000 won't earn interest. If you're not interested in primarily using one particular bank for your banking, investing, and loan opening, you might consider one of our other picks for best high-interest checking accounts.
Best for Cash-Back Rewards: Discover Cashback Debit Account
no monthly service fee
None
$0
- Earn up to 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in purchases per month (See website for details)
- No monthly service fee
- Over 60,000 in-network ATMs
- Get paid early with direct deposit through Early Pay
- Enroll in free overdraft protection
- Debit card can only be used in the US, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean
- Only 1 branch ___location
- Earn 1% cash back on up on up to $3,000 per month in eligible debit card purchases (See website for details)
- 100% US-based customer service available 24/7
- No opening deposit or minimum account balance
- No monthly maintenance fees
- Over 60,000 in-network ATMs
- FDIC insured
The Discover® Cashback Debit Account is a strong option if you're looking for a rewards checking account that offers cash-back perks. You can earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases per month.
Discover Bank also stands out from competitors in this category because its account is more well-rounded and accessible. For example, you can add cash to your checking account for free by going to a Walmart and telling a cashier to load money through your debit card. Other online checking accounts don't let you deposit cash onto your account, or charge a fee if you visit a participating retailer.
The Discover® Cashback Debit Account also has no monthly service fee, no overdraft fees, and multiple overdraft services so that transactions can be processed instead of declined.
Something to keep in mind with Discover is that the bank doesn't reimburse any out-of-network ATM fees charged by ATM providers. Some of our other top picks do, though.
Best Credit Union for Minimal Effort: Alliant High-Interest Checking Account
no monthly service fee
0.25%
$25
- Earn interest
- No minimum opening deposit
- No monthly service fees
- $20/month in out-of-network ATM fee refunds
- No overdraft fees
- No incoming wire transfer fee
- Compounds interest monthly, not daily
- $25 outgoing wire transfer fee
Alliant is one of the best credit unions out there, especially if you want to earn high interest rates on savings, checking, and certificates.
Alliant High-Rate Digital Checking- Several ways to become a member; the easiest is to become an Alliant Credit Union Foundation digital inclusion advocate (Alliant Credit Union will make a one-time $5 contribution to the Foundation on your behalf)
- 80,000+ free ATMs
- Alliant does not charge overdraft fees; you can overdraw, but you will not pay a fee. You may also link checking to a savings account and select for funds to automatically transfer to cover overdrawn amount
- Interest compounded monthly
- Federally insured by the NCUA
The Alliant High-Interest Checking Account is a good choice if you prioritize banking with a credit union over a bank and want an account with minimal fees. This checking account does not have monthly service fees or overdraft fees. You'll also be reimbursed up to $20 in out-of-network ATM fees per month.
Alliant ranks as one of our best credit unions because it's easy to join regardless of where you live in the U.S. Anyone can join by becoming an Alliant Credit Union Foundation digital inclusion advocate (Alliant Credit Union will make a one-time $5 contribution to the Foundation on your behalf).
Like other credit unions, Alliant compounds interest monthly or daily. This may make a difference in how much interest you'll earn depending on how much money you'd like to keep in an account.
Alliant Credit Union Checking Review
Best for Budgeting Tools: Ally Spending Account
no monthly service fee
0.10% to 0.25%
$0
N/A
- Spending buckets to manage expenses
- Competitive APY
- No initial deposit
- No minimum account balance
- No monthly service charge
- Connect your account with Zelle
- Easy-to-use mobile app
- Early direct deposit
- Reimburses up to $10/month in out-of-network ATM fees
- Online bill pay
- 24/7 customer service
- No overdraft fees
- Overdraft protection
- No physical branch locations
- No way to deposit cash
- You can deposit checks right from your smartphone
- Manage expenses by creating spending buckets
- Ally reimburse's up to $10 per statement cycle for fees charged at other ATMs nationwide
- Transfer money with your voice through Ally Skill™ for Amazon Alexa
- Interest compounded daily, paid monthly
- FDIC insured
The Ally Spending Account stands out for its financial tools. Ally lets you create spending buckets to help manage your expenses. You can create categories, like "groceries" and "rent," and then move money that you already have in your Spending account to keep yourself organized.
You can create up to 30 buckets in one account, and it's a free tool to use.
The Ally Spending Account also is a generally well-rounded account. It pays interest, it has a $0 minimum opening deposit, no monthly service fee, and no overdraft fees.
Best for Avoiding ATM Fees: Schwab Bank High Yield Investor Checking Account
no monthly service fee
0.05%
$0
- No opening deposit
- No minimum account balance
- Unlimited out-of-network ATM reimbursements
- No foreign transaction fees
- Free overdraft protection
- No way to deposit cash
Charles Schwab Bank is one of the best banks for international travelers, because it doesn't charge foreign transaction fees. It also refunds all fees charged by ATMs worldwide. But if you want to earn high interest rates, you're better off looking elsewhere.
Schwab Bank High Yield Investor Checking® Account- 24/7 live online chat
- When you open a checking account, you automatically open a Charles Schwab brokerage account, too
- No ATM network, but unlimited ATM fee reimbursements
- Interest compounded daily, paid monthly
- FDIC insured
The Schwab Bank High Yield Investor Checking Account is another good option if you'd like to open a checking account with a familiar brand. In particular, this account might be worth exploring if you already have a brokerage account with Charles Schwab — we've ranked it among the best brokerage accounts.
This account's strongest feature is its ATM perks. Charles Schwab doesn't charge ATMs and offers unlimited refunds worldwide when an ATM provider charges a fee.
Best Second Chance Banking Account: Chime Checking Account
no monthly service fee
None
$0
- No minimum opening deposit
- No monthly service fees
- Receive your paycheck up to 2 days early with direct deposit
- Rounds debit card purchases up to the nearest dollar and puts spare change in your Chime Savings Account
- No overdraft fees for overdrafts up to $200 with SpotMe®, if you qualify
- No foreign transaction fees
- Request checks be sent to recipients online
- Can deposit cash at select retailers
- $2.50 out-of-network ATM fee
- No overdraft protection for overdrafts exceeding $200
- No physical checkbook
Chime has one of the best checking accounts out there, but it doesn't offer joint accounts or pay the best savings rate. Its strongest feature is that it's great for people who might not qualify to open accounts elsewhere — it doesn't check your credit score or banking history when you apply for a checking account, savings account, or credit card. It also provides several credit-building tools.
Chime Checking Account- Get paid up to 2 days early with direct deposits
- 50,000+ fee-free ATMs nationwide through MoneyPass® and Visa® Plus Alliance
- Free cash deposits at Walgreens; May deposit cash at other select retail locations but you may be charged a fee
- Rounds debit card purchases up to the nearest dollar and moves spare change into your Chime Savings Account
- Qualify for SpotMe® overdraft protection by receiving $200 in direct deposits per month
- Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by, and debit card issued by, The Bancorp Bank or Stride Bank, N.A.; Members FDIC.
The Chime Checking Account is a solid banking account with easy opening requirements. You might like this account, in particular, if you've struggled to open a banking account in the past due to your banking history. This account does not require a credit check or review by ChexSystems.
Chime also may be worthwhile if your goal is to avoid common bank fees. The online banking platform doesn't charge monthly service fees, overdraft fees, or foreign transaction fees.
That said, Chime's SpotMe® feature does have some limitations. The account only lets you overdraw by up to $200 and to be eligible for this perk, you must receive at least $200 in direct deposits monthly. If you try to overdraw by more than $200, the transaction won't be processed. Instead, it'll just be denied.
Best for Military Members and Family: Service Everyday Checking Account
no monthly service fee
None
$0
- No minimum opening deposit
- No monthly service fees
- No out-of-network ATM fee
- Earn up to $30 per month in out-of-network ATM refunds, depending on tier level
- Earn up to 0.75% discount on certain loans, depending on tier level
- Get paid up to 2 days early
- Transfer funds from savings for overdraft protection
- No ATM fee refunds or loan discounts for Basic tier
- Limited fee refunds and loan discounts for Direct Deposit tier
- $5 overdraft transfer fee (no fee for Direct Deposit + tier)
- Join Service Credit Union as an active or veteran military member, former or current employee of the Department of Defense, employee of a Select Employer Group, or member of the American Consumer Council
- Branches and ATMs in the US and Europe
- Three Everyday Checking tiers: Basic, Direct Deposit, and Direct Deposit +
- Basic doesn't reimburse out-of-network ATM fees or offer loan discounts; Direct Deposit reimburses up to $15 per month in out-of-network ATM fees and offers 0.50% discounts on certain loans; Direct Deposit + reimburses up to $30 per month in out-of-network ATM fees and offers 0.75% on certain loans
- Qualify for Direct Deposit tier by setting up direct deposits (minimum $500 in direct deposits each month to qualify for perks); qualify for Direct Deposit + by setting up DFAS direct deposits, OR by setting up direct deposits and making at least 5 payments per month
- Federally insured by the NCUA
The Service Everyday Checking Account is the best checking account for military members and families. It has a $0 minimum opening deposit and no monthly service fee, which are more convenient opening requirements than other financial institutions.
The Service Everyday Checking Account also has three tiers: Basic, Direct Deposit, and Direct Deposit+. The basic checking account is the first tier and occurs when you open the account. If you set up a monthly direct deposit of your net pay, you can qualify for Direct Deposit. Under the Direct Deposit tier, you can get paid up to two days early through direct deposit, qualify for discounts on auto, personal, and motorcycle loans, and get up to $15 in ATM fee refunds per month.
If you also make five or more payment or transactions per month, you'll qualify for Direct Deposit+, which lets you receive a slightly higher discount on loans and up to $30 per month in ATM fee reimbursements.
As a credit union, membership eligibility is required to open the Service Everyday Checking Account. You can join Service Credit Union as an active or veteran military member, or as a current or former Department of Defense employee. Citizens of New Hampshire or parts of Massachusetts are eligible. You can also join if you're a family member of someone who qualifies.
Best for Students: Capital One MONEY Teen Checking Account
no monthly service fee
0.10%
$0
- No minimum opening deposit
- No monthly service fees
- Debit card included
- No overdraft fees
- No out-of-network ATM fees
- Free overdraft protection
- 24/7 live chat
- Earns interest
- Budgeting tools and alters to help teens save
- Parental monitoring features to track spending
- Link your Capital One account to any checking account
- Limited access to customer service by phone
- No reimbursements if you're charged by an out-of-network ATM
- Over 470 branches in NY, LA, TX, MD, VA, NJ, and Washington, DC
- Once teen turns 18 they can open a 360 Checking account
- Interest compounded and deposited monthly
- FDIC insured
The Capital One MONEY Teen Checking Account is a strong online-only banking option for any minor that's age 8 or older. It has a $0 minimum opening deposit and no monthly service fee. The teen checking account also pays 0.10% APY.
Parents don't need a Capital One account to get a teen checking account for their child. They can link an external bank account instead.
The Capital One MONEY Teen Checking Account can't be opened at a Capital One ___location. It's only available online.
Checking Account Trustworthiness and BBB Ratings
We assess the ethics of each company, so you can see if a specific financial institution aligns with your values.
We include the settlement history of the last three years so you're aware of any recent public controversies involving the bank.
The Better Business Bureau assigns companies grades, ranging from F to A+. A strong BBB score indicates a company responds effectively to customer complaints, advertises honestly, and is transparent about business practices.
Here are the BBB grades for our top picks:
| Institution | BBB |
| Capital One 360 | A+ |
| SoFi | A+ |
| Axos Bank | A+ |
| Discover | A+ |
| Alliant Credit Union | A+ |
| Ally | A+ |
| Charles Schwab | A+ |
| Chime | B- |
| Service Credit Union | B- |
Chime's B- rating is due to government action taken against the company and a high volume of customer complaints on the BBB website.
Security Service Federal Credit Union has a B- rating from the BBB because it has not resolved a customer complaint, and failed to respond to a few complaints.
A strong BBB grade doesn't guarantee you'll have a smooth relationship with a company, though.
Discover Bank has had one recent lawsuit, too. In 2024, Discover settled a class action lawsuit from DACA recipients. The lawsuit said that Discover unlawfully denied DACA recipients loans because of their immigration status. Discover will pay $979,500 as part of the settlement. Discover does not admit wrongdoing by settling, and it maintains that it complied with the law.
How to Open a Checking Account
If you want to know how to open a checking account, here are a few steps to follow:
- Research a variety of different types of checking accounts to find which is the most suitable for your needs.
- Once you've narrowed it down to your top pick, gather everything you need to open a bank account. Most banks require a government-issued ID, social security number, and proof of address. Some banks allow immigrants and non-U.S. citizens to open an account with a Matricula Consular or foreign passport, though.
- Visit a local branch or go on the bank website to fill out the checking account applicable.
- Make an opening deposit to your checking account.
Online vs. Traditional Checking Accounts
Online checking accounts are managed primarily through online and mobile banking. In comparison, traditional checking accounts are available at brick-and-mortar banks. You can visit local branches to conduct everyday transactions and speak to a banker.
Most of our top picks are online checking accounts because they charge minimal bank fees. Traditional checking accounts often have minimum balance requirements to waive a monthly service fee or earn interest.
There are other online checking account benefits that make these accounts strong options overall, including high interest rates and cash-back perks.
Different Types of Checking Accounts
There are five types of checking accounts: regular checking accounts, high-interest checking accounts, cash-back checking accounts, and specialty checking accounts. Here's an overview of each type of checking account:
- Regular checking: These are the standard checking accounts that you'd find at a brick-and-mortar bank.
- High-interest checking: A high-interest checking account helps you earn interest on your checking account balance. High-interest checking accounts are commonly found at online banks or credit unions.
- Cash-back checking: Cash-back checking accounts offer a percentage of cash back on debit card purchases.
- Specialty checking: These are checking accounts specifically tailored for a particular demographic. For example, some banks offer student checking accounts or senior checking accounts. You can also find bank accounts that align with your values. For example, some of the best eco-friendly banks offer checking accounts that let you donate money to progressive organizations while also having commitments to improve the environment.
- Second chance checking: These are checking accounts that do not use ChexSystems. You might be denied from opening a bank account if you have a negative banking history at ChexSystems. These bank accounts allow you to still have banking access regardless of your past.
The best checking account for you may hinge on your banking preferences and goals. For example, if you regularly maintain a high checking account balance, the best high-yield checking accounts may be appealing options.
Best Checking Account FAQs
What makes a checking account "the best"?
The best checking accounts are no-fee checking account options. They have minimal bank fees, like monthly service, overdraft fees, and out-of-network ATMs. The most suitable option for you might also depend on whether you're looking for special perks, like a cash bonus, interest, or cash-back rewards.
Can I open a checking account online?
Yes, many financial institutions allow you to open a checking account online. You'll still need to provide basic information to open your bank account, like your full name and address. Most financial institutions also require you to provide a Social Security number or individual taxpayer identification number.
How important are ATM networks when choosing a checking account?
ATM networks may be important when choosing a checking account if you frequently need access to cash. Generally, local financial institutions have the smallest ATM networks, followed by regional banks. National banks usually offer their own ATM network or are partnered with a national network like Allpoint.
Do checking accounts earn interest?
Yes, many banks have interest-earning checking accounts. You might need to maintain a certain account balance or make frequent debit card transactions to earn interest.
What should I do if I'm unhappy with my current checking account?
If you're unhappy with your current checking account, compare other banks and see if another is more suitable. Switching banks may be the best option if you aren't satisfied with your overall banking experience.
Why You Should Trust Us: Our Expert Panel for the Best Checking Accounts
We consulted banking and financial planning experts to inform these picks and provide their advice on finding the best checking accounts for your needs.
Here's what they had to say about checking accounts. (Some text may be lightly edited for clarity.)
What are some good qualities to look for in a checking account?
Roger Ma, CFP® professional and author of "Work Your Money, Not Your Life":
"I would look at the ATM branch locations and then minimum balance amounts to not incur a monthly fee … I think there's other stuff that could make life easier, whether it's free checks, online bill pay, are they in the Zelle network?"
Sophia Acevedo, banking editor,Business Insider:
"I would look for a checking account that either doesn't have any monthly service fees or offers multiple ways to waive the fee. I would also look at customer support availability and mobile app ratings."
How can someone find the right bank?
Tania Brown, CFP® professional and vice president of coaching strategy at OfColor:
"Obviously, you want to make sure it's FDIC insured. Also, your banking experience — do you like walking into a bank? Well, then you need someone local. Do you just not care if you ever see your bank? Then you're okay online. Do you write checks? Do you not write checks? So it's thinking through how your experience with it is going to be before you make that decision."
Mykail James, MBA, certified financial education instructor, BoujieBudgets.com:
"The No. 1 thing about a checking account is you should know what provider the debit card is coming from. And a lot of people don't think about that, because there are places that don't accept MasterCard or don't accept Amex."
Methodology: How We Determined the Best Checking Accounts
At Business Insider, we strive to help smart people make the best decisions with their money. We spent hours comparing and contrasting the features and fine print of 200 checking accounts, so you don't have to.
Business Insider's personal finance team is editorially independent, which means our business team does not decide how we cover products and what we write about. Read more about how we rate and review products on our editorial standards page.
We understand that "best" is often subjective, however, so in addition to highlighting the clear benefits of a checking account — no fees, for example — we outline the limitations, too.
We considered 200 checking account offerings using our bank account methodology to determine the strongest options for the best checking accounts.
We gave precedence to no-monthly-fee checking accounts or those with the option to waive monthly fees with qualifying activities, overdraft protection options, widespread ATM access and/or reimbursement for ATM fees, and mobile banking capabilities.
We rate bank products on a scale from one to five stars. If a checking account has a rating of one star, that's the lowest possible, and it means the bank account requires significant improvement. If a checking account has five stars, that's the highest rating possible, and it's considered a superior option.
For checking accounts, we look at minimum opening deposit requirements, monthly service fees, overdraft protection options, ATM network/fees, customer support availability, mobile app ratings, miscellaneous features and overall ethics and security of the company. We score each of these features on a scale of zero to five, then calculate the weighted average to get an account's final rating.
Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards.
Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.
**Enrollment required.
Chime® Disclosures:
Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC.
Out-of-network ATM withdrawal fees may apply except at MoneyPass ATMs in a 7-Eleven, or any Allpoint or Visa Plus Alliance ATM.
Early Pay: Early access to direct deposit funds depends on the timing of the submission of the payment file from the payer. We generally make these funds available on the day the payment file is received, which may be up to 2 days earlier than the scheduled payment date.
The Annual Percentage Yield ("APY") for the Chime Savings Account is variable and may change at any time. The disclosed APY is effective as of September 20, 2023. No minimum balance required. Must have $0.01 in savings to earn interest.
Round Up: Round Ups automatically round up debit card purchases to the nearest dollar and transfer the round up from your Chime Checking Account to your savings account.
SpotMe® on Debit is an optional, no fee overdraft service attached to your Chime Checking Account. To qualify for the SpotMe on Debit service, you must receive $200 or more in qualifying direct deposits to your Chime Checking Account each month and have activated your physical Chime Visa® Debit Card or secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card. Qualifying members will be allowed to overdraw their Chime Checking Account for up to $20 on debit card purchases and cash withdrawals initially but may later be eligible for a higher limit of up to $200 or more based on Chime Account history, direct deposit frequency and amount, spending activity and other risk-based factors. The SpotMe on Debit limit will be displayed within the Chime mobile app and is subject to change at any time, at Chime's sole discretion. Although Chime does not charge any overdraft fees for SpotMe on Debit, there may be out-of-network or third-party fees associated with ATM transactions. SpotMe on Debit will not cover any non-debit card transactions, including ACH transfers, Pay Anyone transfers, or Chime Checkbook transactions. SpotMe on Debit Terms and Conditions.
Money added to Credit Builder will be held in a secured account as collateral for your Credit Builder Visa card, which means you can spend up to this amount on your card. This is money you can use to pay off your charges at the end of every month.
The secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card is issued by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa credit cards are accepted. Please see the back of your card for its issuing bank.
On-time payment history may have a positive impact on your credit score. Late payment may negatively impact your credit score. Chime will report your activities to Transunion®, Experian®, and Equifax®. Impact on your credit may vary, as Credit scores are independently determined by credit bureaus based on a number of factors including the financial decisions you make with other financial services organizations.
Qualifying Direct Deposit: The qualifying direct deposit must be from your employer, payroll provider, gig economy payer, or benefits payer by Automated Clearing House (ACH) deposit OR Original Credit Transaction (OCT). Bank ACH transfers, Pay Anyone transfers, verification or trial deposits from financial institutions, peer to peer transfers from services such as PayPal, Cash App, or Venmo, mobile check deposits, cash loads or deposits, one-time direct deposits, such as tax refunds and other similar transactions, and any deposit to which Chime deems to not be a qualifying direct deposit are not qualifying direct deposits.
Save When You Get Paid: Save When I Get Paid automatically transfers 10% of your direct deposits of $500 or more from your Checking Account into your savings account.
Once the retailer accepts your cash, the funds will be transferred to your selected Chime Account. Barcode and debit card cash deposits land in the Checking Account. Credit Builder card cash deposits first go through your Card Account and then land in your Secured Account. Cash deposit fees may apply if using a retailer other than Walgreens and Duane Reade.
Tax e-file services provided by April Tax Solutions Inc. ("april") or Column Tax, Inc. ("Column Tax"). These tax filing offers are not endorsed or offered by our partners, The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A.
Maximum refund guarantee is provided by april or Column Tax. If you use april's service to prepare and file your return and you find an error in the tax preparation that entitles you to a larger refund (or smaller liability), you may use their service to amend that return at no additional charge. To qualify, the larger refund or smaller tax liability must not be due to differences or inaccuracies in data supplied by you, your choice not to claim a deduction or credit, positions taken on your return that are contrary to law, or changes in federal or state tax laws. See here for details. If you use Column Tax's service, Column Tax will reimburse you for up to $250 if you are able to pay less federal or state income tax or receive a larger federal or state income tax return by using another tax return preparation provider. Eligibility requirements apply. See terms for details.
If the april tax preparation software makes a mathematical error that results in your payment of a penalty and/or interest to the IRS that you would otherwise not have been required to pay, april will reimburse you up to a maximum of $10,000. See april terms for details. If interest and/or a penalty is imposed by the IRS as a result of a computational error by Column Tax, you may be entitled to up to $10,000 reimbursement by Column Tax. See Column Tax terms for details.
There are no fees required to use this product. Chime does not require you to deposit your refund into your Chime Account to qualify for free tax filing. Certain costs may be incurred if you decide to obtain other optional financial products offered in relation to your tax filing. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) may impose penalties or other charges depending on your personal tax situation. If the april tax preparation software makes a mathematical error that results in your payment of a penalty and/or interest to the IRS that you would otherwise not have been required to pay, april will reimburse you up to a maximum of $10,000. See april terms for details. If interest and/or a penalty is imposed by the IRS as a result of a computational error by Column Tax, you may be entitled to up to $10,000 reimbursement by Column Tax. See Column Tax terms for details.
Chime does not guarantee timing of refund. Six day refund estimate is based on 2023 tax year filing data. Refund timing estimates are dependent upon timing of complete tax return submission and when the IRS submits your refund.
*Annual Percentage Yield (APY). Dividends earned for first 12 months from membership open date and assume no withdrawal activity during that period. Earnings example based on a $15,000 daily average balance. Assumes Level 2 qualifications are met with earning 8.00% APY for first 3 months after account opening and 4.00% APY for remaining 9 months after account opening.
**New and existing Checking and Savings members who have not previously enrolled in Direct Deposit with SoFi are eligible to earn a cash bonus of either $50 (with at least $1,000 total Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period) OR $300 (with at least $5,000 total Direct Deposits received 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 1/31/26. See full bonus and annual percentage yield (APY) terms at sofi.com/banking#1. SoFi members who enroll in SoFi Plus with Direct Deposit or by paying the SoFi Plus Subscription Fee every 30 days or with $5,000 or more in Qualifying Deposits during the 30-Day Evaluation Period can earn 3.80% 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 SoFi Plus or Qualifying Deposits, during the 30-Day Evaluation Period will earn 1.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Only SoFi Plus members are eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 1/24/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet. See the SoFi Plus Terms and Conditions at https://www.sofi.com/terms-of-use/#plus.
***Cash back earned on up to $3,000 a month in purchases. Outgoing wire transfers are subject to a service charge. You may be charged a fee by a non-Discover ATM if it is not part of the 60,000+ ATMs in the no-fee network.
****Earn $400 for opening a new Truist One Checking account online using code AFL2425TR1400 and receive at least one qualifying direct deposit of $500 or more and complete at least 15 qualifying debit card purchases within 90 days of account opening (offer expires April 30, 2025).
****Axos One: The Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is accurate as of 04/01/2025. The base and promotional interest rate and corresponding APY for Axos ONE Checking is variable and is set at our discretion. The base and promotional interest rate and corresponding APY for Axos ONE Savings is variable and is set at our discretion. Axos ONE Savings is a tiered variable rate account. Axos ONE Checking is a non-tiered variable rate account. Interest rates may change as often as daily without prior notice. Fees may reduce earnings. Promotional terms and conditions are subject to change or removal without notice. Incentive may be taxable and reported on IRS Form 1099-MISC. Consult your tax advisor. After the accounts are opened, the amount of incentive earned will depend on meeting the additional requirements outlined below. The Axos ONE Checking account will earn a base rate of 0.00% APY. The Axos ONE Savings account will earn a base rate of 1.00% APY. Axos ONE accounts are eligible to receive a promotional APY for each statement cycle where the promotional criteria are met during the Qualification Period. To receive the promotional APY on both Axos ONE Checking and Axos ONE Savings, the Axos ONE Checking account must meet both of the requirements in either Option 1 or Option 2 below during the Qualification Period: Option 1 1. Your Axos ONE Checking account has received qualifying direct deposits of at least $1,500 in total. 2. The average daily balance of your Axos ONE Checking account is at least $1,500. Option 2 1. Your Axos ONE Checking account has received qualifying deposits of at least $5,000 in total. 2. The average daily balance of your Axos ONE Checking account is at least $5,000. If both of the requirements in either Option 1 or Option 2 above are met during the Qualification Period: The Axos ONE Checking account will earn a promotional rate of 0.51% APY for the statement cycle in which the requirements are met. The Axos ONE Savings account will earn a promotional rate of up to 4.66% APY for the statement cycle in which the requirements are met. The Qualification Period is from the 1st of the month through the 25th of the month. The Qualification Period for new accounts will begin on the day the account is approved. Any qualifying direct deposits received after the 25th of the month will count toward the next Qualification Period. A direct deposit is an electronic deposit of your paycheck or government benefits, such as Social Security, Disability, etc. Other deposits (i.e., online banking transfers, ATM and mobile check deposits, etc.) or person-to-person payments are not considered a direct deposit. Qualifying deposits only include deposits from the following eligible sources: (i) ACH transfers from external accounts, (ii) inbound wire transfers from external accounts, (iii) check deposits. Qualifying deposits do not include: (i) transfers internal to the bank (i.e., transfers between an account holder's Checking and/or Savings account), (ii) interest payments, (iii) promotional bonuses, (iv) credits, reversals, and refunds. Both accounts must be in an open and active status on the date the interest is paid to receive the promotional APY for that statement cycle. Account transactions may take one or more business days from the transaction date to post to the account.
