Skip to Main Content

Checking

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

Explore checking basics

A woman uses mobile banking while eating.
woman standing next to bike and looking at phone
close up of hands signing a check

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.

Arrow Right Icon
Checking

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.

Image for Bank account alerts to protect your money
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.

 

Arrow Right Icon

Experts in all things banking

Our expert writers and editors bring you timely news and reliable information - backed by data and first-hand experience.

About Bankrate's team
Greg McBride

Greg McBride, CFA Arrow Right Icon

Chief Financial Analyst

Sarah Foster

Sarah Foster Arrow Right Icon

Principal U.S. Economy Reporter

Mark Hamrick

Mark Hamrick Arrow Right Icon

Senior Economic Analyst

Latest articles

Young Woman Checking Her Finances At Home
A young woman works from her laptop.
Women using tablet
close up of hands signing a check
Young woman withdrawing money using phone at the ATM machine on the street in Budapest in Hungary.
Capital One Bank signage in New York City
Two female fashion designers working together at their studio
Young couple paying bills online
A Gen Z woman counting cash next to a laptop
Financial manager meeting with couple in bank branch office
Whimsical illustration of a hand putting a quarter into a miniature but realistic high end safe. As if it were a piggy bank
Whimsical illustration of a hand putting a quarter into a miniature but realistic high end safe. As if it were a piggy bank
Young woman wearing white headphones using laptop and mobile phone for remote work
A full grocery basket surrounded by grocery receipts
The Treasury building.
Female patient paying with credit card at doctor's office front desk
The Varo mobile bank app
A modern PNC branch, consultation rooms included.
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell speaks to journalists at a news conference following the Fed's June 19 interest rate decision.
Bank complaints
Federal Reserve Eccles Building
Traders work after the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange
Tourists visit the Fontana di Trevi
Shoppers checking out at Costco
The trusted provider of accurate rates and financial information
Wall Street Journal
Usa Today
New York Times
Cnn
Bloomberg
Abc